AN: Here's a summary of the last chapter (not including the side chapter) to refresh your memory. After Sango knocks Hiei down to save him from the demon, she makes a startling discovery. Hiei is telepathic (though only with people he was touched). With his help she's able to destroy the crystal, which is the source of the light that has paralyzed him and all her other traveling companions. Unfortunately, the demon manages to get one more attack in and knocks her unconscious. She awakes two days later after Botan heals her and she waits until night before she tries to get answers from Hiei. He is in fact human (or so he told her), just has enhanced abilities that others don't, like Botan and her healing powers. She asks if he has anything else hidden and he replies no, but she doesn't believe him. He then gives a tug to his bandana and lets it fall to the ground, revealing…

Warning: Some… er… sexual conduct (not that bad though), so if you don't want to read, then don't.

Disclaimer: I don't own either Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho.

Lost City

Chapter Nine

Kagome glanced away from the glaring sun and down at Kurama as he held her bag open, watching her with patient green eyes. She was pretty sure from the look in his eyes that he was, but still she called down, "are you ready?"

"Whenever you are," was his polite reply.

With a nod, she moved from her current branch and climbed onto another, her arms gripping higher limbs above her for balance. Holding a branch firmly in one hand, she outstretched her other, reaching for one of the tree's many fruits. She grasped it with a small, happy cry of triumph and with a glance down (good thing she wasn't afraid of heights), she tossed it to where Kurama stood. He had to adjust his arms a bit, but the fruit landed neatly in her bag with a dull thud as the blanket inside cradled it.

The bag was thankfully lighter than it had first been, making it easier to carry around. Botan had seen to that when they had first stopped at the cave, ridding Kagome of all unnecessary items. Fortunate for her, now that they kept everyone's reserved food in it, they all took turns carrying it for a day.

Kurama had been the most reasonable choice at the time to ask for help. Botan and Sango were both exhausted; Botan had spent most of her energy the night before healing Sango as much as she could since the fighter refused for them to stay put another day on her behalf. However, such a heavy healing was tiring for both parties involved.

As far as the others males went, she didn't trust them not to look up her skirt as she climbed around the tree above them, the exception being Hiei, as usual. He just plainly wouldn't have helped her at all. That left her with only two choices, either Kurama or Shizuru. Seeing as how she still didn't know Sango's cousin all too well, Kurama it was then.

He, of course, complied easily, being far too polite to do otherwise as far as Kagome saw it. Whether or not he actually wanted to help was beyond her since he was difficult to read. For whatever reason he did so, he stood below as she climbed her way through the tree, dropping fruit when and where she found it.

Kagome paused a moment, gazing down at the strange fruit in her hand, unlike any she'd seen before. It was like a pear in shape, only larger and definitely not as firm. No, it was soft and slightly squishy more than anything else. The color was odd as well, a deep red that had a swirling design on the fruit's skin, getting lighter as it curled inward.

"Are we sure these things are edible?" Kagome questioned, still staring at the questionable food in her hands.

"There is no way to know for certain," Kurama responded from below.

They didn't have much of a choice, really. Their food reserves were running out. It was best to save those for a time when they really needed them and scavenge when they still had the chance. While the fruit they found might look questionable, it wasn't likely that it would be poisonous, though even that could have been overcome, seeing as how they had a healer among them. But like Kurama has said, there was no way to be certain of the nature of the fruit.

Hearing this, Kagome shrugged. "Only one way to find out."

"I don't think that's…" 'wise' would have been the next word out of his mouth had it not died on lips when Kurama saw her take a bite.

Her lips touched the skin and tiny shocks went through her, making her smile against it. A moment later she bit into it and juice dripped out onto her lips, a small portion trickling down her chin while still more seeped onto her hands. The piece she swallowed slid down her throat leaving a tingling feeling in its path, all the way down to the pit of her stomach. Her body temperature raised as it spread throughout her, making her smile lazily at its pleasantry.

"Mmm," she said, voicing her delight as she wiped away the small drop on her chin. Her eyes closed and she let the bitten fruit drop from her sticky hands. Kurama made no move to catch it, letting it drop with a soft thud. "It's sweet. Has a bit of a tangy-ness to it too." Was it just her, or did her voice sound breathy?

Opening her eyes, she swung herself with ease onto a lower branch, her body moving easier than it had before. The smoothness of her motions didn't comfort him, however. "Are you alright?" he inquired. He let the bag drop, instead moving closer to where she was.

One of her hands grabbed lightly at a branch, her foot dipping below the limb she stood on before coming back to rest on it as she walked forward. She paused to glance down at him from above. "My head it just feels… It's… odd, I feel… giddy."

Without a thought, she leapt down and only his quick reflexes saved her from the fall. He caught her before she could hurt herself, placing her gently on her feet. Her hands held his upper arms, her face buried in his chest and very slowly she raised her head to look at him.

"You should be more careful. You could get hurt," he told her.

She didn't respond, didn't even look sheepish or anything of the sort. Instead she looked slyly up at him, her lips curling up into a smile unlike any he'd seen on her face. Her hands ran up his arms until they linked around his neck, his neck tingling at her touch.

Kurama's hands went to her waist, though only to try to push her back gently. Her hands, however, wouldn't move from around him, which troubled him. Something wasn't right; she wasn't acting herself. Her eyes… there was something in her eyes…

"Kurama…" She spoke his name lowly, emotion in her voice as she watched him through half-lidded eyes. Her hands unlocked and slid down to hold both sides of his neck. He finally recognized the look in her eyes—although he had been trying to convince himself otherwise—just as she spoke.

"Kiss me."

Before he could open his mouth to protest or try to move her away again, her hands brought him down to her and her lips found his. His eyes widened in shock as she moved her lips against his. It was awkward at first as though even with her sudden confidence, she wasn't sure what she was doing. She quickly got the hang of it, however, applying pressure to his lips and taking it away to torture his bottom lip before moving more insistently against his mouth again.

Her tongue moved insistently against his lips and he opened up to her, allowing her entrance. The sweetness of the fruit filled him as she explored his mouth. He finally closed his eyes and brought his face closer willingly; she no longer had to hold him to her.

His mind raced against it, though his body moved on its own. She pulled back for a moment and he managed to say her name, opening his eyes. He meant for it to come out alarmed or at least surprised, but it came out hoarsely instead, thick with what sounded like passion.

His neck burned with the need to be touched. He moved her hands there, but she slid them down to his chest, only increasing his want. She slipped her hands down further until he grabbed her hands where they were on his sides, entwining them with his.

It wasn't enough. He wanted more.

He pulled her roughly against him, but she didn't complain, quite the opposite actually. They met halfway for a kiss, each eating away at the other's mouth with passion and longing neither knew they possessed. Kagome's arms went around Kurama's neck around as she jumped up, wrapping her legs around his waist. He lost his balance then and they fell backwards together.

She moved her legs just in time, landing on the ground straddling him. His hands gripped her waist tightly, touching her bare skin. Kagome hardly noticed, however, as she began kissing her way down his jaw to his neck.

Kurama tried to sort out his muddled thoughts, but everything seemed to be pushed away besides the feel of Kagome against him. He fought to regain control, but her kisses were distracting, not to mention his hands that were slowly sliding up her skin. But he couldn't seem to stop.

"Kag…ome…" he said, struggling to find his words and trying to keep his voice even. Well, at least the former was slightly working. "I don't… think…"

He cut off and gasped as Kagome's hands found their way under his shirt, running her fingers over the muscles of his abdomen. His skin burned with desire wherever she touched and whatever he was about to say, melted away completely.

Footsteps approached them before abruptly stopping mid-step. The aghast voice came, "woah, lay off each other for a second, will you?" They didn't turn toward the speaker, nor react to his words. Their actions continued, as though they hadn't heard.

This wasn't normal behavior for either of them. Something wasn't right and Yusuke knew it. Oh, fuck. "Kagome, get off him!" he snapped. "Hiei! Sango! People! Get over here now."

He grabbed her upper arm and drew her off Kurama, wrenching the hand that was under his shirt away. He froze in the middle of the motion, however, as Kagome turned blurry eyes filled with heat toward Yusuke. He didn't know what to do, couldn't move as she ran her other hand over his arm, slowly making her way upward…

Kurama decided for Yusuke as he sat up, jerking Kagome away and back to him with a soft noise that almost sounded like a feral growl. She plopped into his lap, no longer moving toward Yusuke, her attention back on the redhead as her hands tangled in his hair.

None of the three had realized the other's arrival, not until suddenly water came pouring down onto of Kagome and Kurama with a cry of "mare repleo", stopping them from returning to their previous actions. Arms came down and encircled Kagome, Sango and Shizuru dragging her from Kurama. She only struggled the slightest bit, her head muddled from the water that had been dumped on her.

The healer stormed up to them both, the blue color that covered her hands from her spell just beginning fade. "Now just what do you two think you are doing?" Botan said, her voice taking on a mothering type quality as she stood scowling down at them, hands on her hips. "We have a job to do. And this—" She gestured wildly to both of them, but said no more. A deep blush had crept onto her face just thinking about it and she hadn't even been the one doing anything.

It was an understatement to say Botan was displeased, but she kept her eyes on Kurama. For one, he'd probably provide a better explanation for what they had just seen, and two, she couldn't… no, she didn't want to think of the incident as Kagome's fault, especially when she was betrothed, to the prince, no less. But then again Kurama… he'd always acted so gentlemanly. Perhaps the keyword there was "acted"?

Sango had much the same attitude, watching Kurama accusingly even if it had clearly been Kagome on top of him (though she couldn't help but wonder if the barely noticeable tint of pink to his face was just her imagination). Hiei was the opposite, glaring at the noble with a mixture of distaste and disgust, while the others didn't know what to think.

Kurama lay on the ground, his breath coming quick and unevenly as he fought off the remains of whatever it had been that had took hold of him moments ago. He quickly saved face, however, and was trying to think of a way to explain what had happened… between them, without placing blame.

Finally, he spoke. "Kagome started acting… unlike herself and as soon as she touched me, I, like her, could not control myself." He half-lifted himself up on his arms and gestured to the half-eaten fruit on the ground a few feet away before plopping down again. "I believe it was the fruit that made us… act as we did."

"The fruit?" Kuwabara mused out loud, looking at the fruit by his feet. He bent down at the same time Kurama sat up fully.

"So, what? It's some kinda passion fruit?" Yusuke questioned, but no one answered.

"I would advise against touching it," Kurama warned when Kuwabara outstretched his hand, "since one touch from Kagome and I could not tear myself away from her." He then glanced at Miroku. "Nor do I think anyone of the opposite sex going near her would be a good idea."

Miroku paused in his steps and stopped before he reached the two sitting woman. Kagome didn't even seem to notice that she was drenched. Her eyes were unfocused, a longing still apparent in them and he didn't think she knew or was paying attention to anything any of them said, causing Miroku to ask, "why is she still affected and you aren't?"

"She ingested the fruit, while I did not," he explained.

Her desire-filled eyes found Kurama once more and even though he was not looking directly at her, her gaze was so intense he found himself looking away. Instead, he looked at Botan, standing a few feet away still. "Botan, could you…?"

He didn't even have to finish his sentence before Botan sprang into action with a sheepish exclamation of why she hadn't reacted sooner. She quickly retrieved some herbs from the small pouch she had, mixing the ingredients in water. She was nearly certain it would get the effects of the fruit out of her system. Normally it was used for poison, so she believed it would work the same in this case.

Once Kurama saw that Kagome had drunk whatever special mix the healer had made, he stood and excused himself, heading back to the cave where their belonging still sat. The others, feeling uncomfortable with the situation, trickled away one by one until only four were left by the tree that held the dangerously passionate fruit.

It was a slow process, but Kagome became more and more lucid until around a half-hour later, she was almost back to herself. How did they know? The deep blush that spread across her entire face was enough evidence that she was back to normal and remembering what it was she had done.

Miroku bent down in front of her, though she noticed he was careful to still not touch her at all. It made her wonder if there was a part of him that wanted to touch her a few minutes ago, knowing that he wouldn't get slap for his usual lecherous deeds, as was per usual. The look in his eyes though chased the slightly amusing thought away.

"Are you alright now?" Kagome nodded wordlessly to his question, trying to hide her blush with her hands, though she was terribly unsuccessful. "Good. I hope you know you can't do anything like that ever again." His face and voice were so stern and serious, so unlike him. Kagome then did something unlike herself as well, as she downcast her eyes and nodded.

Sango felt a bit shocked. Where was that fiery temper and stubbornness that she'd seen?

Botan came to Kagome defense. "It's not her fault. The fruit did it to her," she argued.

Miroku shook his head. Kagome could see the solemn way he held himself and knew he'd rather not have been the one to say such things, but they had to be said and he was the only one to do it. What was worse, she agreed with him.

"But it's her…job…" he said hesitantly, glancing at Sango for a moment. "…any woman's job to know when to control herself."

"That's something I never thought I'd hear come from your mouth," Sango said, raising an eyebrow. "You seem to me the type who'd be happy when a woman lost control like that over you."

While Sango expected a sly grin and that devious look in his eye, instead he shook his head. "It's not the same."

His action confused her. "Isn't it?" she replied.

Of course it wasn't, but she didn't know that. Sango was clueless to Kagome's status, as was most of the rest of her traveling companions. Botan understood, though she still didn't agree with him which was what prompt her to concur with Sango, saying, "you can't hold her responsible for what some kind of magic did to her."

Miroku massaged his temples, feeling a headache coming on. "You're right, I can't. And I don't, not really. But… others could." And last time I saw my cousin he wasn't exactly a fair tempered person. "Kagome, who you are…" That was all he dared to say in front of a non-knowing person.

Kagome didn't want to hear anymore, not when she was already feeling guilty. She already had her conscience tearing her up about the subject, she didn't need Botan and Miroku to voice both sides already arguing in her mind. She also knew they'd rather have Sango gone for their conversation to take place. With those thoughts in mind, she turned her face to the fighter and said, "can you come with me back to camp? I don't want to go back by myself after…" Whoops, there was that blush again. She had a feeling that it would never go away. At least not for awhile.

Sango nodded and helped Kagome to her feet, though she really didn't need the help. In fact, it was really the other way around. Sango must have been tired from the massive healing that Botan had preformed on her the night before, though she looked in much better condition than she had a few days ago, thank the Goddess. She accepted the fighter's help, though supported Sango just as much as she did her as they walked.

Even leaving Miroku and Botan, Kagome couldn't escape the conversation as Sango pondered aloud, "I don't get why Miroku is coming down on you so hard. It's not the end of the world…" A not too happy smile graced her face. "Or perhaps he's just jealous it didn't happen to him. Out here he can't exactly have all the 'fun' he's used to."

Sango glanced at Kagome, hoping to see at least a small smile, only to see her shaking her head. "No… There's something you don't know. I… I'm…" she wavered, "betrothed." It hadn't been exactly what she really wanted to say, but it was the easier truth, rather than telling her the whole story.

"Betrothed?" Sango said, her voice full of astonishment as though she was unfamiliar with the word, but Kagome knew she understood. "…so is that… it's who you're doing this all for, isn't it?"

"Yes," Kagome replied softly, then more sternness, "and if you say 'how romantic' I might have to get violent." She was certainly joking; she wouldn't be able to take the fighter-for-hire anyway. "I'm not doing this for love."

"Oh," Sango replied. Her voice was rather flat, the astonishment lost. "An arranged marriage then? I don't envy you. That would have been my fate too, had I not… well, that doesn't matter. But it's what children are used for most of the time, so their parents can secure good business deals." There were traces of bitterness in her voice as she spoke. "But I bet you never questioned it once growing up, did you?" It sounded like a question, but it was really a statement. Kagome nodded, amazed by her precision. "Than the advice of someone older and wiser than you—don't give me that look, I am one whole year older—" she teased, then grew serious, "for once in your life, do what you want Kagome, nothing more, nothing less." From Kagome's unsure look, Sango continued, "We're in a forest surrounded by bloodthirsty demon. No one knows if we'll make it through her alive, so who's going to blame you? …except maybe Miroku, but I'll deal with him."

She got the reaction she expected, Kagome smiling just the smallest bit. Sango was sure all was fine until the noble abruptly stopped, not moving any further. The red tint had returned to her face and the fighter knew what she was going to say before she said it.

"Can you… tell the others that we're going to be leaving?" Kagome inquired. "I…er… left my bag back there and I have to dump out all those fruits." Ah! Just the mention of them encouraged her flushed face!

Sango looked half-amused, half-concerned. "Kagome, you can't avoid him forever."

Kagome watched as she walked away and only left once she saw Sango disappear inside the cave. She then turned back to go get her bag while pondering what Sango had said.

Now that wasn't true. Not if she had anything to do with it.

She spent the day walking all the while avoiding Kurama. Even when they were attacked by a total of two demons, she stayed closer to Sango and Yusuke than anyone else. What else could she do? It was painfully obvious what she was doing too, but no one commented. She guessed they understood her embarrassment, though it didn't help that they knew, not to mention had seen the two of them.

Nor did Kurama go out of his way to try and talk to her. He didn't make any effort in fact. Oh Goddess, he must hate her now, or surely look down on her. She'd never been so humiliated in her entire life! And he must dislike her even more for embarrassing him in front of everyone else. She was certain they were becoming friends; now she wouldn't blame him if he never spoke to her again.

Nonetheless Kagome did notice she wasn't the only one acting oddly. Sango stayed out of Hiei's way for the whole day, not even arguing with him like she usually would do. Instead her mouth was firmly shut, lost in thoughts that clearly troubled her. Kagome only wished she knew what. Since Sango had awoken from unconsciousness she'd been acting strangely toward Hiei. First she seemed anxious to talk to him, then all the sudden she was avoiding him. …She really hoped it wasn't for the same reason she was avoiding Kurama. Gah! She didn't even want to think about it. That insolent, cold man with her caring (though spirited) friend? No way. Bad images. Very bad.

They ended the day earlier than usual after the second demon fight, both Sango and Botan too exhausted to go on much longer. Kagome was the first to settle, saying a quick goodnight without meeting anyone's eyes and went to bed. Of course, she didn't sleep. One by one she saw everyone fall into slumber around her, but for her it would not come.

That was when she was certain the entire world was against her.

Okay, not really. But still, she'd have rather been blissfully asleep instead of going over things in her head for the umpteenth time. The worst part about it was she knew he was still awake, taking the first watch as always. He didn't call to her like he had done before and though she rather not admit it, that knowledge stung her. So that's how it was going to be from now on?

Part of her protested immensely, but she knew what had to be done. She sat up, letting the blanket fall from her before she stood. For a second she raised her eyes and as soon as they met emerald ones she glanced away, though she inclined her head slightly to the side. Then she went in the direction she had gestured toward, away from prying eyes and ears.

Kurama was only a few steps behind her, stopping once she turned around to face him. He said nothing, only watching her with what she thought was a curious gaze, waiting for her to speak.

She didn't meet his eyes. Instead she was very intent at looking at the tip of her footwear while her hands played with her mother's necklace. It was a nervous habit of hers.

She took a breath before beginning. "I… I just wanted to say sorry for what happened this morning. I didn't mean… and the fruit… it's no excuse though, and I'm really, really sorry about what happened. And I understand if you don't want to be near me anymore and, Goddess, I must have embarrassed you so much. And I understand if you want your dagger back because I really don't deser—" She was babbling, wasn't she? Yet she couldn't seem to stop.

"Kagome," he said, causing her to abruptly cut off. He looked amused as he paused for a moment, trying to sort out all the information he had received in less than thirty seconds. "Don't apologize. It was my fault."

She looked at him, astounded, especially when he pushed back the dagger in her hands as she tried to offer it back to him. She didn't even remember taking it from her side, but there it was in her hands. "What are you saying? You can't actually think—"

He shook his head. "I should have known that the fruit had some magical property."

"But you couldn't have known! This is in no way your—" she flared.

"I should have stopped both of us. You had consumed it and were under its power, but I was not and should have fought it." Kagome, however, did not look pleased by his words. If anything, it was quite the opposite. He blinked in surprise. "You're angry with me. Why?"

"Because you won't accept my apology!" And you keep cutting me off when I'm trying to say sorry. She said her next words very firmly. "It was my fault and we both know it. For one, I should have listened to you and not eaten it, or at least stopped myself from… doing that." She knew her face most have been pink, she could feel the blood rush to her face and warm her cheeks. Not to mention she was sure he could see it even in the dark night. Soft laughter reached her ears and then she knew for certain. "And now you're laughing at me!"

He couldn't help the laughter that escaped him, which he regretted more when he realized he was making her angrier. Hurt flashed on her face, though he wasn't certain why. He did his best to calm her down. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to laugh at your expense. It's only I'm not used to women blushing on my account. It's quite endearing."

Endearing? Her cheeks warmed further and she knew she must have been as crimson as Hiei's eyes. Okay, maybe not dark, but pretty darn red. To try and hide it (and failing), she cried, "and there you go apologizing again! Stop doing that!"

He retained his laughter this time, though he did let a smile grace his lips. Though he wasn't sure how appropriate it would be after all the… touching they had already done earlier, Kurama took her hand. She tried to pull it back almost as if she was afraid of his touch, but his grip was strong and he didn't let her. He then gave it a firm squeeze.

"Go to sleep, Kagome," he told her gently, letting go of her hand. "This day has been a long and very tiring one." A sudden half-smile that seemed too sly for him suddenly appeared. "For us especially."

Great, just as her face had been about to return to normal, the color rushed in. For that reason, she said a quick goodnight and brushed past him. He told himself he hadn't added the last part just to see her blush, but he wasn't sure if that was true. It was true that there were some women that blushed around him, but with Kagome it was different. The women he was accustomed to were often trying to seduce him, those being the types of women that usual hung around with thieves, the King of Thieves especially. Kuronue was no help either, urging the women on, saying he needed a release (no pun intended). Kagome however was unique; she was innocent, pure. And unlike any other woman he'd met before.

This only served to trouble his thoughts. Kuronue had been right when he told him after Kagome had gone that he had wanted to go with her and her new friends. He had, which was why he had followed. But now he was wondering if his choice was reckless. Though her blushes amused him, just seeing them and how she reacted to him troubled Kurama. He had somehow let it go too far already. Yet just like that morning when he could not prevent his actions, he could not stop the spiral of events that would occur if he let it go too far.

He gazed upward and though the trees blocked his way, he knew the time was drawing near.

Yes, he really shouldn't have come.

AN: I quite enjoyed writing this chapter;o) But crap, am I going to have to change this to 'M' rating too? I'd rather not, but I'd like the readers' opinion on the matter. I mean, it wasn't that graphic…

For those who've forgotten, yes, Yukina is alive. She's working as a servant in the castle... Kagome's actually.

School is... eh, okay. Chemistry was evil, I took it last year... Physics is worse. Physics is all math. I. Hate. Math. But I finished French a year earlier than I should, so no more foreign language, woot! J'ai ete tres mavais en francais. Mais l'ecole est facille cette annee, beaucoup de...er, chapters? (If you have any idea what I said, well good for you, 'cause I'm not even sure:P)

Hmm, I'm taking into consideration once in awhile looking into the pasts of the characters, like I did with Hiei. Opinions?