This story is a Hiei/Kagome pairing to let you all know. If you want a Kurama/Kagome pairing read my other story Meeting New People it's not to far right now but yea that will be the pairing when I get to working on it again.
Disclaimer- if you want one go to the first chapter ok? good!
When the Darkness Takes Over
ForestSprite
Chapter 11
Kagome smiled as she waved at Sesshomaru and Kagura telling them she'd be back in a flash. She slid into the seat of her blue bug Kirara beside her grinning happily. In only one day of being there it felt like old times. She found that many of the servants of the house were people she had known back then that were still alive and she had been able to catch up with many of them as well as Sesshomaru and Kagura catching them up onto what she's been doing since she had last come home for good.
She told them about her meetings with the Demon Council in the Demon world (anyone know the name for that? I did but it's totally slipped my mind now) and how she was setting up an alliance with them for a battle that was sure to come if she didn't defeat Naraku in the past soon.
The two marveled at how she was thinking ahead making sure she had these demons on her side before Naraku could get to them. They were also surprised at how sly and witty she had become.
She would send the kitsune Daisuka into many meetings where while they discussed things he would read their minds to see if any of them were going to betray them. If any of them had such thoughts they would suddenly "disappear" and not be heard from again.
Kagome gave a small sigh as she turned the corner reaching to the radio turning it on.
The first song she heard was something countryish and with a small laugh at how the cat hissed at it she changed the channel coming up with soothing music.
She relaxed a bit. This was the perfect music to listen too to help her unwind a bit.
They soon neared the mall and with another small sigh the pulled into the parking lot. She slid out the door stretching out some of the tiredness she had begun to develop while in the car. Kirara crouched a bit wagged her tail then jumped high to land onto Kagome's shoulder.
With a small chuckle she turned her eyes to her. "If you're going to be up there then we're going to have to cover you with an illusion because I don't think many people see a cat with two tails often."
Kirara gave a small mew to agree and Kagome grinned as she chanted a few words and Kirara's tail disappeared to seem to become only one.
With a nod of satisfaction she grabbed her purse then locking the door shut it and walked into the mall.
Once they had entered the mall she began to get weird looks from everyone as they glanced at the small cat on her shoulder. She raised a perfectly arched eyebrow at the staring crowd who looked away embarrassed.
Giving a dry chuckle she began to walk through the clothing department as she searched for the sport clothing. She glanced around looking for a sign or something to lead her in the right direction but she just couldn't make head or tails of this place with all the loud people in it.
She visibly winced at all the noise she heard in the mall. She was so used to the quietness of her home. After returning home she hadn't gone out with many of her friends staying by herself.
Just her, her two kits and Souta. Sweet lovable Souta who took to hanging out with her when she was home training the two kits asking to be trained himself. He was an amazingly fast learner and she couldn't have been more proud of him then if he had won a championship in the karate tournament which he had just recently in fact.
He was progressing real well.
She shook her head out of her thoughts. Right now what she had to do was get some more clothing she could fight with Sesshomaru and not worry about having to repair ruined clothing which she would most assuredly have to do if she was going to be sparring with him or Kagura for that matter.
"Excuse me miss." she said seeing a lady walk past her wearing a vest that signified she worked there.
"Would you happen to know where the sport clothing is?"
"Yes, do you see the that candle display over there?"
Kagome nodded.
"Ok it's not far from there at that point all you have to do is walk back from there and you'll spot it easily."
"Thank you so much." Kagome said as she began to walk away.
"Hey. Hold up a sec."
Kagome paused as she turned to look at the girl eyes questioning.
"Oh. It's nothing." she said seeing her look. "It's just that your cat is so cute." she gushed.
Kagome smiled at her. "I hear that a lot and trust me she loves to hear it as well."
The girl smiled at her as well and Kagome once again walked away to find the clothing. She couldn't help but let a small laugh out once she was a bit further from the girl. "It seems she was another admirer of yours Kirara." she said to the cat stroking her head.
The cat gave a soft meow and rubbed her head against Kagome's head.
"Yes I know I'm here for a reason. Hold your horses." she said as she walked down the aisle to find the clothing she was looking for.
"Looks like we found it then." she murmured as she began to pull out some sweat pants, tank tops as well as some shorts. She grabbed quite a bit knowing her clothes would be unsavable after a few good spars with Sesshomaru. She grinned they always liked a good hard spar when they were together.
She found the stuff she needed then went to the cash register to pay for it right away.
After it was all rang up and paid for she walked out the store into the busy mall with her bag swinging in her hand.
"Where do you want to go Kirara? I figure since we're here why don't we relax a little bit."
Kirara stuck her nose up as she began to sniff the air delicately then nudged her. Kagome as well took a sniff and smelled burgers, pizza, fries. In other words food.
She gave a small laugh as Kirara kept nudging her. "I take it you want to eat huh?"
The cat gave a nod. "Alright then lets go get something." Kagome said as she made her way to the food stands. "What do you want?" she asked the small cat.
She lifted her paw in front of her and made little sweeping motions towards a burger stand making Kagome laugh again. "I think you have been spending to much time with the kits Kirara." she said as she placed her orders of four double cheese burgers, a coke and a bottle of water with some fries.
*with the yyh group*
"What are we doing here again?" Yusuke asked as Keiko looked around the mall trying to find the store she wanted to go into first.
"Because Yusuke you owe me one date to many so you're making it up." she replied as she grabbed his arm leading him off to god knows where.
"That's why he's here but why are we here?" Kuwabara asked Kurama.
"I think it's because we feel sorry for Yusuke." Kurama answered with a small chuckle.
"Hn."
"How about we get something to eat?" Keiko asked coming out of a Hot Topics store with a small bag dragging Yusuke behind her. The gang laughing at Yusuke followed Keiko as she led them to the food court. "What do you guys want?" she asked.
"Pizza." Yusuke said.
"Burgers." Kuwabara answered.
"What about you two?" Keiko asked Kurama and Hiei finding them distracted.
"We're not hungry right now. We'll find a table to sit at." Kurama said looking at something ahead.
Keiko nodded her head in agreement as he and Hiei walked off talking to each other. "What was that about?" she asked quietly. She turned to find Kuwabara and Yusuke looking in the same direction Kurama had just been looking at. Wonderingly she followed their line of vision to a girl sitting at a table with a small cat by her as they ate. She seemed somehow familiar.
"Yusuke do you know who she is?" she asked her boyfriend.
"Yea that's the chick that saved your life." he said without turning his head to her. She watched with him to see Kurama and Hiei approach her. The girl immediately shot up and took off with the cat on her shoulder carrying a shopping bag in her right hand as she tore out of the food court the two right behind her.
"Is that really necessary do you think for them to chase her like that? They might scare her off."
"I think it'll take more then just those two chasing after her to make her scared. From what I've learned about her this is probably nothing to the other things she's done in her life." Yusuke said.
"Do you think we should go and help them?" Kuwabara asked.
"Naw I would think they'd have it under control. Besides they spotted her first. Let them have some fun."
"You're making it sound like some kind of hunt Yusuke." Keiko said surprised.
"In away it is. Nothing to worry about as far as we know she may turn into the predator in this hunt." he replied as he calmly turned back to order his pizza slice.
Keiko looked at him carefully trying to figure him out. He had changed so much. He was so much more relaxed and mature. It was amazing the changes he had gone through already.
*with kagome*
She had been eating at the table chatting quietly with Kirara when she sensed them perhaps a bit to late. They were already nearing her table. Without a second thought she had picked up her shopping bag with her clothes and took off with Kirara leaping onto her shoulder as she ran with the two demons from the spirit detective group behind her tail.
She sighed mentally she really wished she could speed up a bit but there was too many people in the mall and someone may recognize her. It would be hard to explain how she was able to run so fast she appeared a blur to anyone who could even keep up with that.
Up ahead loomed her savior the red exit sign. Thank you red exit sign. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. she shouted happily in her mind as she pushed it open and came outside in a wide empty space. Getting ready to run super fast she came to a halt as she felt something grab her right ankle.
She glanced down to see a plant winding its way around her ankle trying to hold her still. She slipped her right hand into her pocket coming out with a knife. She was about to cut the plant holding her when a vine shot out grabbing her right hand dropping the knife. Another vine shot out holding her left ankle and then another her left hand.
She growled beneath her breathe. "Kirara go." she cried. The cat jumped into the air and was about to transform but a vine shut up and wrapped tightly around her body and slammed her into the ground. The small cat gave a little cry as she went unconscious.
"Now what are you going to do?" someone asked behind her. "Hopefully you don't have any other tricks up your sleeves as I'd really hate to fight a guardian."
She turned her eyes to the speaker. The one known as Kurama. A blood red color began to bleed into her eyes as she looked at him struggling to get loose of the plants that held her tightly in place.
"Hn was it necessary to do that to the fire cat?" Hiei asked as he came into her line of vision looking at his friends handy work.
"Couldn't let it try and free her. She's hard enough to find as it is." Kurama replied.
The short koorime nodded his head.
"Truly we mean no harm." Kurama said to the struggling girl hissing slightly when he saw the damage she was doing to herself. Her struggling was making the plants cut into her body leaving cuts on her. Blood oozed around her right wrist making it slippery. Struggling a bit more she finally got it slippery enough. She deftly pulled her hand loose and quickly cut the plant holding her left hand with a knife hidden in her sleeve. She pulled out another knife she seemed to have hidden also on her to be free of the vines holding her ankles. She did a back flip and landed by the still unconscious fire cat cutting her free and cradling it to her body.
She glared at them as they watched her carefully.
Truly she didn't seem such a great threat. She was so small and delicate looking and yet she was able to kick some major ass.
She lowered the cat to the ground as she noticed the fire demon hand at the hilt where his sword rested. She too reached to her hip where a sword appeared suddenly and unsheathed it just as he launched an attack at her.
Kurama watched from the side as his friend fought the girl. He truly wouldn't have too much to worry about. She was already injured and would probably turn weak from the blood loss yet so far she seemed to be holding her own.
She leapt to the side as Hiei attacked her and brought her sword around swinging at him which he was able to partially avoid. Partially though as a cut appeared on his stomach. It was luckily a light wound though. They both leapt apart from each other eyes assessing their opponent looking for weaknesses.
Her stormy eyes leveled on him looking him over then she sheathed her sword and turned her back on him walking over to the cat she picked her up checking for any wounds.
Hiei was angry. She had put her weapon away and turned her back on him like he was no threat.
"What are you doing? The battle isn't over yet." he asked her.
She turned back to face him cradling the small cat to her body. "No the battle isn't over yet. In fact it has hardly even begun." she replied.
"Then why do you put away your weapon?" Kurama asked her.
"Would you rather I killed him or do you want to speak so you can finally leave me alone?" she asked in a reasonable tone.
Kurama glanced at his partner wanting to see his answer but his eyes were narrowed on the girl. 'Hiei.' he called out to him telepathically.
'Hn'
'Are we going to speak or do you choose to fight still?'
'....'
Kurama shook his head. "We'll speak with you."
"I thought as much." she replied and began to walk away.
"Where are you going?" Hiei asked her his eyes narrowed on her.
"Somewhere to talk obviously unless you want to talk out in the open like this. Follow me." she said walking off again pulling out a cellphone she spoke quietly into it. Yet with their demon hearing they were able to hear it.
"Can you send a limo? I'm outside the mall and I'll be waiting at the front doors. *pause* I'll be bringing two people with me. I need to discuss somethings with them. *pause* I don't know really. *pause* We'll use the study room if you don't mind. *pause* Tell her I will be joining you for supper. Thank you. *pause* Yea I know my cars here, but I need to come here later again anyways so I'll pick it up then. *pause* Yes sir. Ok I'll talk to you some more when I return. The ride has shown up." she put the cellphone away and headed toward the black limo that stood waiting by the door way.
They followed behind her as she neared the limo a man stepped from the doorway and bowed to her. She just laughed at him and pulled him into a hug chastising him for being so formal around her when they've known each other for some while now.
"Where to Kag-chan?" the driver asked looking at the two demons behind her carefully.
"Don't worry Shinji. They're here to talk. To my lords home." she said with a huge grin which the man returned.
"Does he know?" he asked opening the door for her.
"Of course he does. Hop on in you two." she ordered the two demons who warily entered the limo. "Oh it's not going to swallow you up." she said to them. She entered behind them and Shinji closed the door behind her and went into the drivers seat and glanced behind them.
"Ready?"
"Anytime Shinji." she said as he pulled out and began to head towards her current home.
She rested back into the chair closing her eyes. The two looked her over carefully trying to figure out what she was up to if she was up to anything at all.
"I don't bite I assure you." she said a small grin tugging at her lips as she fluttered her eyes open to look at them. "I just never talk business in limo's."
"How often are you ever in a limo?" Kurama asked.
"This will be the first time." she answered.
He smiled a bit. She was truly a strange person. "If you want something there is some soda in the cooler." she said waving her hand carelessly where it was at. "Just be careful you don't spill. This is not my limo. My lord will have my head on a platter if something happened to it."
"Who is this lord?" Kurama asked curiously.
"You'll see soon enough. Promise. Just don't anger him. He'll have gotten out of a business meeting by the time we reach my current home so he's bound to be in a bad mood." she said closing her eyes again as she laid her head back going off into her own little world.
Flashes of previous battles with her old friends went through her mind. The joys, triumphs and pain. All of it went through her mind. Even the last battle and the betrayal. A small tear appeared from her closed eyes and trickled down her cheek unnoticed by her.
Hiei though noticed and looked at his friend to see him contemplating something or another. He turned his attention back to her and surprising himself reached out a hand and wiped the tear off.
Her eyes shot open to meet his. "You were crying." he stated.
She glanced at him curiously. "I was wasn't I?" she said as she reached a small finger to her cheek feeling the wetness there.
He just looked at her. "Thank you." she said smiling at him just as the limo pulled to a stop. She opened the door to the limo and stepped out with the cat cradled to her body and shopping bag in her hand. "Shinji take them to the study room. He said I could use it." she said glancing at the driver. She looked to the other two as they stood next to her. "I'm going to place Kirara in bed, make a quick phone call and freshen up. If you need anything ask Shinji. I'll be there in a bit." she said as she walked past them into a huge house.
They glanced at each other then to Shinji who led them into the house and to a large room. There was a large window covered with the heavy black curtains pulled across it which Shinji opened revealing the room in lighter colors. Along the walls were shelves full of books and scrolls in front of the window was a huge mahogany desk with a large black chair placed behind it and two smaller comfier looking chairs in front of it.
"If you will sit down my lady will be back in a bit." Shinji said motioning to the two chairs. They both sat down as indicated.
"Now if you need anything...."
"No thank you. We will just wait for Kagome to return." Kurama said.
Shinji nodded and headed out the door leaving the two by themselves. They just sat there in boredom waiting for what must have been seven minutes when the door opened again. They turned to find Kagome there wearing a blood red silk top that hung loosely from her form with tight fitting leather pants wearing black sporty tennis shoes. Her hair was swept back in a high pony tail that swung from side to side as she walked over to them. She walked over to the desk and plopped on the edge and faced them.
They looked at her carefully.
"I refuse to sit in that chair. It's extremely uncomfortable." she said to their unspoken question.
Just then Shinji entered the room. "Would you like anything Kagome?"
"Yes I'd like a soda if you wouldn't mind. I feel tired for some reason."
He nodded leaving. "Kagome..." Kurama began.
She cut him off. "Wait until Shinji returns." she said. After a little while Shinji returned with a glass of soda. "Thank you Shinji." she said. He nodded to her then left the room, pulling the door shut behind him. She turned her attention to the two demons.
"What do you want to know?" she asked.
"Why do you have the Shikon no Tama?" Kurama asked.
"Not wasting time are you." she murmured. "I am it's rightful protector and trying to fix the mistakes that I made."
"What mistakes?"
"I'm the one that shattered it in the first place." she said matter of factly.
"That was 500 years ago at least."
"Yes it was wasn't it." she said taking a sip of the Pepsi.
"Aren't you going to explain?" Hiei asked her watching her carefully.
"Where's the fun in that?"
They both raised an eyebrow at her. "Geez you're as fun as the old timer that lives here." she said to them.
"How old are you?"
"I'm only 20."
"How is that possible? That all happened five-hundred years ago."
"I know that." she replied taking another sip. "You're no five hundred years old."
"Of course not. I just told you. I'm 20."
"How is it possible?" Hiei asked her.
"I traveled through time. Are you happy? I had to give up my life in this time to travel in a time completely different from what I knew to make up the mistake I made. I'm positive you know the legends. They all speak of the mysterious unknown girl who appeared out of nowhere. The one who would disappear at random periods of time and show up again. You know why she would disappear? So she could try to catch up in her school work and let her family know she was still alive and hadn't been eaten by demons yet. That's why she disappeared. She disappeared because she was from the future and had to live two completely different lives at once." she looked at them carefully regarding them with her stormy eyes. "You can tell Koenma whatever you want. Just remember I want you out of the way. I have business to take care of."
"Is that why the kids are no where nearby?" Kurama asked.
"They are under the care of an old friend of mine." she said calmly.
"So that's what Genkai meant when she said she wanted to check up on the children in the care of a wolf."
She nodded slowly. "Why won't you let anyone help you?" Kurama asked her quietly.
"Is it because you're afraid of getting hurt again?"
"You don't know what you're talking about fox." she snapped at him. "I work alone for reasons that are my own."
"Surely the wolf would have been willing to help you. Why not take his offer? I'm sure he did." Kurama said.
"I will not pull him into this danger again. He has a wife and family. I will not allow him to fight with me again." she said angrily. "He has risked to much for me before and I will not allow him to risk his life for me again." her face appeared pale and tired as she argued.
"He wants to help you because he cares about you. Why not just put aside your stubborn pride and say yes?"
Her eyes narrowed on him. "I told you before I will not put him in danger."
Hiei watched the confrontation if a bit curiously. 'Fox what are you doing?' he asked
'Just wait a bit.' was all he got in reply.
"If someone else offered to help you would you take it?"
"No I wouldn't. I have already told you I work alone and for a good reason."
"It took almost all of your friends from the past to defeat Naraku before and he still wasn't defeated completely. What makes you think you can take him on your own?"
"What's there to think on? I can and I will take him on my own. I'm better prepared for this now then I was back then. He won't stand a chance against me not with my newest plan." she said with a smirk.
"Does it involve killing yourself?" Kurama asked looking at her pale face the whole time. Something was definitely wrong here. She seemed fine just seconds ago but she seemed to be getting really pale and tired quickly.
"Of course not. I wouldn't do that to the kits on purpose." she growled at him.
Suddenly someone knocked on the door quietly. "Come in." Kagome said raising a hand to her face rubbing her temples.
The door opened to reveal a silver haired man with golden eyes and a woman with her dark hair pulled into a bun behind her and crimson eyes. "Ah Sesshomaru. Kagura. Is it time already?" she asked wearily raising tired eyes to them.
"No. In fact I sensed your tiredness and bugged Sesshomaru into coming with me to check in on you. Are you alright?" Kagura asked as she walked to the girl who's body seemed to be drooping onto the desk.
"Never been better. See I..." she suddenly collapsed and tipped off the desk but Hiei was already there to catch her.
"What's wrong with her?" Kagura demanded of her husband as she rushed to her friends side taking her from Hiei examining her for any injuries.
Kurama though was ignoring this and examined the glass she had been given by the servant Shinji filled with the soda. He held it up examining it with a critical eye then took a small sniff of it. He almost dropped it in surprise. There was poison in there that was made from a rare flower that was found around seaside's .
She had been poisoned.
Ok I'm gonna end the chappy here *ducks sharp objects being thrown her way* come on this is already a long chapter as it is *ducks as a pitch fork is thrown at her* ok never mind I shall continue *looks around expectantly making sure nothing else is thrown* ok here we go
"My lord." Kurama said to Sesshomaru who was watching over his wife and friend. "I think this might have been the cause." he said handing the glass to him.
Sesshomaru looked at him carefully then examined the contents in the jar his eyes widening. "Kagura take her to the healers quarters right now. She's been poisoned." he said to her.
Kagura nodded and stood up trying to take the girl with her but couldn't do it. Hiei walked up to her and picked her up gently. "Lead the way." he said to the surprised wind demoness who quickly nodded her head and led the way out of the room to the healers quarters.
"Did a servant bring this in?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Yes. Kagome said she had been feeling tired and would like a soda and he brought this back with him."
Sesshomaru cursed underneath his breathe glancing down at the glass he held in his hands.
"Did she seem familiar with this servant?" he asked.
"Yes in fact she said his name was Shinji. He also came to pick us up in the limo." Kurama said in reply.
Sesshomaru's head shot up in surprise. "She called him Shinji?"
"That's what she said." he said a bit worried.
"God damn it." Sesshomaru said. He pulled out a walkie talkie he had to his side. "Ah-Un we have an intruder alert. Someone trying to pass of as Shinji I fear he might be a shape changer so be on your guard. They just tried to poison Lady Kagome. Be on the look out for the body of the limo driver as well."
"Got it Lord Sesshomaru. He won't get far." someone said in reply.
From the walkie talkie you could hear someone giving orders. "Lock all doors."
"Allow no one to leave no matter what."
"Be on your guard."
"Lady Kagome has been poisoned."
Of course after that last part all you could hear from the walkie talkie were angry cries at hearing the caring Kagome being a target.
"Lord Sesshomaru who is they?" he asked a bit curiously.
Sesshomaru looked at him with worried eyes. "Why do you ask?"
"When you were talking you said 'they' just tried to poison Lady Kagome.'"
"Yes, they would be referring to those who have pledged allegiance to the despicable hanyou Naraku." he replied.
"Are you sure this Shinji guy isn't innocent?"
"Shinji's been dead for several months now something Kagome wouldn't know about. She was good friends with him. They used to talk for hours at a time. He was like a second grandpa to her. The perfect person to use to get to her. She would trust him with her life. The reason she won't work with others." he said walking out the room.
"Did you hear our conversation my lord?" Kurama asked quietly.
"She was angry about something when we had gotten up here. That's the only topic that can get her truly angry besides Naraku and she was truly angry."
"I see." Kurama said.
"I'm going to go talk to the healer if you'd like to come. I'm sure your friend is still there." Sesshomaru said walking away.
Kurama nodded his head and followed behind him.
OK end chappy for sure this time.
Hey everyone this is SmilingKitsune once again doing the updating. I hope you enjoyed another chapter done by ForestSprite. This is pretty long almost 9 pages I think so hopefully it'll make you guys happy. Pleez r&r if you guys want another chappy soon. peace out
^.^ SmilingKitsune
Disclaimer- if you want one go to the first chapter ok? good!
When the Darkness Takes Over
ForestSprite
Chapter 11
Kagome smiled as she waved at Sesshomaru and Kagura telling them she'd be back in a flash. She slid into the seat of her blue bug Kirara beside her grinning happily. In only one day of being there it felt like old times. She found that many of the servants of the house were people she had known back then that were still alive and she had been able to catch up with many of them as well as Sesshomaru and Kagura catching them up onto what she's been doing since she had last come home for good.
She told them about her meetings with the Demon Council in the Demon world (anyone know the name for that? I did but it's totally slipped my mind now) and how she was setting up an alliance with them for a battle that was sure to come if she didn't defeat Naraku in the past soon.
The two marveled at how she was thinking ahead making sure she had these demons on her side before Naraku could get to them. They were also surprised at how sly and witty she had become.
She would send the kitsune Daisuka into many meetings where while they discussed things he would read their minds to see if any of them were going to betray them. If any of them had such thoughts they would suddenly "disappear" and not be heard from again.
Kagome gave a small sigh as she turned the corner reaching to the radio turning it on.
The first song she heard was something countryish and with a small laugh at how the cat hissed at it she changed the channel coming up with soothing music.
She relaxed a bit. This was the perfect music to listen too to help her unwind a bit.
They soon neared the mall and with another small sigh the pulled into the parking lot. She slid out the door stretching out some of the tiredness she had begun to develop while in the car. Kirara crouched a bit wagged her tail then jumped high to land onto Kagome's shoulder.
With a small chuckle she turned her eyes to her. "If you're going to be up there then we're going to have to cover you with an illusion because I don't think many people see a cat with two tails often."
Kirara gave a small mew to agree and Kagome grinned as she chanted a few words and Kirara's tail disappeared to seem to become only one.
With a nod of satisfaction she grabbed her purse then locking the door shut it and walked into the mall.
Once they had entered the mall she began to get weird looks from everyone as they glanced at the small cat on her shoulder. She raised a perfectly arched eyebrow at the staring crowd who looked away embarrassed.
Giving a dry chuckle she began to walk through the clothing department as she searched for the sport clothing. She glanced around looking for a sign or something to lead her in the right direction but she just couldn't make head or tails of this place with all the loud people in it.
She visibly winced at all the noise she heard in the mall. She was so used to the quietness of her home. After returning home she hadn't gone out with many of her friends staying by herself.
Just her, her two kits and Souta. Sweet lovable Souta who took to hanging out with her when she was home training the two kits asking to be trained himself. He was an amazingly fast learner and she couldn't have been more proud of him then if he had won a championship in the karate tournament which he had just recently in fact.
He was progressing real well.
She shook her head out of her thoughts. Right now what she had to do was get some more clothing she could fight with Sesshomaru and not worry about having to repair ruined clothing which she would most assuredly have to do if she was going to be sparring with him or Kagura for that matter.
"Excuse me miss." she said seeing a lady walk past her wearing a vest that signified she worked there.
"Would you happen to know where the sport clothing is?"
"Yes, do you see the that candle display over there?"
Kagome nodded.
"Ok it's not far from there at that point all you have to do is walk back from there and you'll spot it easily."
"Thank you so much." Kagome said as she began to walk away.
"Hey. Hold up a sec."
Kagome paused as she turned to look at the girl eyes questioning.
"Oh. It's nothing." she said seeing her look. "It's just that your cat is so cute." she gushed.
Kagome smiled at her. "I hear that a lot and trust me she loves to hear it as well."
The girl smiled at her as well and Kagome once again walked away to find the clothing. She couldn't help but let a small laugh out once she was a bit further from the girl. "It seems she was another admirer of yours Kirara." she said to the cat stroking her head.
The cat gave a soft meow and rubbed her head against Kagome's head.
"Yes I know I'm here for a reason. Hold your horses." she said as she walked down the aisle to find the clothing she was looking for.
"Looks like we found it then." she murmured as she began to pull out some sweat pants, tank tops as well as some shorts. She grabbed quite a bit knowing her clothes would be unsavable after a few good spars with Sesshomaru. She grinned they always liked a good hard spar when they were together.
She found the stuff she needed then went to the cash register to pay for it right away.
After it was all rang up and paid for she walked out the store into the busy mall with her bag swinging in her hand.
"Where do you want to go Kirara? I figure since we're here why don't we relax a little bit."
Kirara stuck her nose up as she began to sniff the air delicately then nudged her. Kagome as well took a sniff and smelled burgers, pizza, fries. In other words food.
She gave a small laugh as Kirara kept nudging her. "I take it you want to eat huh?"
The cat gave a nod. "Alright then lets go get something." Kagome said as she made her way to the food stands. "What do you want?" she asked the small cat.
She lifted her paw in front of her and made little sweeping motions towards a burger stand making Kagome laugh again. "I think you have been spending to much time with the kits Kirara." she said as she placed her orders of four double cheese burgers, a coke and a bottle of water with some fries.
*with the yyh group*
"What are we doing here again?" Yusuke asked as Keiko looked around the mall trying to find the store she wanted to go into first.
"Because Yusuke you owe me one date to many so you're making it up." she replied as she grabbed his arm leading him off to god knows where.
"That's why he's here but why are we here?" Kuwabara asked Kurama.
"I think it's because we feel sorry for Yusuke." Kurama answered with a small chuckle.
"Hn."
"How about we get something to eat?" Keiko asked coming out of a Hot Topics store with a small bag dragging Yusuke behind her. The gang laughing at Yusuke followed Keiko as she led them to the food court. "What do you guys want?" she asked.
"Pizza." Yusuke said.
"Burgers." Kuwabara answered.
"What about you two?" Keiko asked Kurama and Hiei finding them distracted.
"We're not hungry right now. We'll find a table to sit at." Kurama said looking at something ahead.
Keiko nodded her head in agreement as he and Hiei walked off talking to each other. "What was that about?" she asked quietly. She turned to find Kuwabara and Yusuke looking in the same direction Kurama had just been looking at. Wonderingly she followed their line of vision to a girl sitting at a table with a small cat by her as they ate. She seemed somehow familiar.
"Yusuke do you know who she is?" she asked her boyfriend.
"Yea that's the chick that saved your life." he said without turning his head to her. She watched with him to see Kurama and Hiei approach her. The girl immediately shot up and took off with the cat on her shoulder carrying a shopping bag in her right hand as she tore out of the food court the two right behind her.
"Is that really necessary do you think for them to chase her like that? They might scare her off."
"I think it'll take more then just those two chasing after her to make her scared. From what I've learned about her this is probably nothing to the other things she's done in her life." Yusuke said.
"Do you think we should go and help them?" Kuwabara asked.
"Naw I would think they'd have it under control. Besides they spotted her first. Let them have some fun."
"You're making it sound like some kind of hunt Yusuke." Keiko said surprised.
"In away it is. Nothing to worry about as far as we know she may turn into the predator in this hunt." he replied as he calmly turned back to order his pizza slice.
Keiko looked at him carefully trying to figure him out. He had changed so much. He was so much more relaxed and mature. It was amazing the changes he had gone through already.
*with kagome*
She had been eating at the table chatting quietly with Kirara when she sensed them perhaps a bit to late. They were already nearing her table. Without a second thought she had picked up her shopping bag with her clothes and took off with Kirara leaping onto her shoulder as she ran with the two demons from the spirit detective group behind her tail.
She sighed mentally she really wished she could speed up a bit but there was too many people in the mall and someone may recognize her. It would be hard to explain how she was able to run so fast she appeared a blur to anyone who could even keep up with that.
Up ahead loomed her savior the red exit sign. Thank you red exit sign. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. she shouted happily in her mind as she pushed it open and came outside in a wide empty space. Getting ready to run super fast she came to a halt as she felt something grab her right ankle.
She glanced down to see a plant winding its way around her ankle trying to hold her still. She slipped her right hand into her pocket coming out with a knife. She was about to cut the plant holding her when a vine shot out grabbing her right hand dropping the knife. Another vine shot out holding her left ankle and then another her left hand.
She growled beneath her breathe. "Kirara go." she cried. The cat jumped into the air and was about to transform but a vine shut up and wrapped tightly around her body and slammed her into the ground. The small cat gave a little cry as she went unconscious.
"Now what are you going to do?" someone asked behind her. "Hopefully you don't have any other tricks up your sleeves as I'd really hate to fight a guardian."
She turned her eyes to the speaker. The one known as Kurama. A blood red color began to bleed into her eyes as she looked at him struggling to get loose of the plants that held her tightly in place.
"Hn was it necessary to do that to the fire cat?" Hiei asked as he came into her line of vision looking at his friends handy work.
"Couldn't let it try and free her. She's hard enough to find as it is." Kurama replied.
The short koorime nodded his head.
"Truly we mean no harm." Kurama said to the struggling girl hissing slightly when he saw the damage she was doing to herself. Her struggling was making the plants cut into her body leaving cuts on her. Blood oozed around her right wrist making it slippery. Struggling a bit more she finally got it slippery enough. She deftly pulled her hand loose and quickly cut the plant holding her left hand with a knife hidden in her sleeve. She pulled out another knife she seemed to have hidden also on her to be free of the vines holding her ankles. She did a back flip and landed by the still unconscious fire cat cutting her free and cradling it to her body.
She glared at them as they watched her carefully.
Truly she didn't seem such a great threat. She was so small and delicate looking and yet she was able to kick some major ass.
She lowered the cat to the ground as she noticed the fire demon hand at the hilt where his sword rested. She too reached to her hip where a sword appeared suddenly and unsheathed it just as he launched an attack at her.
Kurama watched from the side as his friend fought the girl. He truly wouldn't have too much to worry about. She was already injured and would probably turn weak from the blood loss yet so far she seemed to be holding her own.
She leapt to the side as Hiei attacked her and brought her sword around swinging at him which he was able to partially avoid. Partially though as a cut appeared on his stomach. It was luckily a light wound though. They both leapt apart from each other eyes assessing their opponent looking for weaknesses.
Her stormy eyes leveled on him looking him over then she sheathed her sword and turned her back on him walking over to the cat she picked her up checking for any wounds.
Hiei was angry. She had put her weapon away and turned her back on him like he was no threat.
"What are you doing? The battle isn't over yet." he asked her.
She turned back to face him cradling the small cat to her body. "No the battle isn't over yet. In fact it has hardly even begun." she replied.
"Then why do you put away your weapon?" Kurama asked her.
"Would you rather I killed him or do you want to speak so you can finally leave me alone?" she asked in a reasonable tone.
Kurama glanced at his partner wanting to see his answer but his eyes were narrowed on the girl. 'Hiei.' he called out to him telepathically.
'Hn'
'Are we going to speak or do you choose to fight still?'
'....'
Kurama shook his head. "We'll speak with you."
"I thought as much." she replied and began to walk away.
"Where are you going?" Hiei asked her his eyes narrowed on her.
"Somewhere to talk obviously unless you want to talk out in the open like this. Follow me." she said walking off again pulling out a cellphone she spoke quietly into it. Yet with their demon hearing they were able to hear it.
"Can you send a limo? I'm outside the mall and I'll be waiting at the front doors. *pause* I'll be bringing two people with me. I need to discuss somethings with them. *pause* I don't know really. *pause* We'll use the study room if you don't mind. *pause* Tell her I will be joining you for supper. Thank you. *pause* Yea I know my cars here, but I need to come here later again anyways so I'll pick it up then. *pause* Yes sir. Ok I'll talk to you some more when I return. The ride has shown up." she put the cellphone away and headed toward the black limo that stood waiting by the door way.
They followed behind her as she neared the limo a man stepped from the doorway and bowed to her. She just laughed at him and pulled him into a hug chastising him for being so formal around her when they've known each other for some while now.
"Where to Kag-chan?" the driver asked looking at the two demons behind her carefully.
"Don't worry Shinji. They're here to talk. To my lords home." she said with a huge grin which the man returned.
"Does he know?" he asked opening the door for her.
"Of course he does. Hop on in you two." she ordered the two demons who warily entered the limo. "Oh it's not going to swallow you up." she said to them. She entered behind them and Shinji closed the door behind her and went into the drivers seat and glanced behind them.
"Ready?"
"Anytime Shinji." she said as he pulled out and began to head towards her current home.
She rested back into the chair closing her eyes. The two looked her over carefully trying to figure out what she was up to if she was up to anything at all.
"I don't bite I assure you." she said a small grin tugging at her lips as she fluttered her eyes open to look at them. "I just never talk business in limo's."
"How often are you ever in a limo?" Kurama asked.
"This will be the first time." she answered.
He smiled a bit. She was truly a strange person. "If you want something there is some soda in the cooler." she said waving her hand carelessly where it was at. "Just be careful you don't spill. This is not my limo. My lord will have my head on a platter if something happened to it."
"Who is this lord?" Kurama asked curiously.
"You'll see soon enough. Promise. Just don't anger him. He'll have gotten out of a business meeting by the time we reach my current home so he's bound to be in a bad mood." she said closing her eyes again as she laid her head back going off into her own little world.
Flashes of previous battles with her old friends went through her mind. The joys, triumphs and pain. All of it went through her mind. Even the last battle and the betrayal. A small tear appeared from her closed eyes and trickled down her cheek unnoticed by her.
Hiei though noticed and looked at his friend to see him contemplating something or another. He turned his attention back to her and surprising himself reached out a hand and wiped the tear off.
Her eyes shot open to meet his. "You were crying." he stated.
She glanced at him curiously. "I was wasn't I?" she said as she reached a small finger to her cheek feeling the wetness there.
He just looked at her. "Thank you." she said smiling at him just as the limo pulled to a stop. She opened the door to the limo and stepped out with the cat cradled to her body and shopping bag in her hand. "Shinji take them to the study room. He said I could use it." she said glancing at the driver. She looked to the other two as they stood next to her. "I'm going to place Kirara in bed, make a quick phone call and freshen up. If you need anything ask Shinji. I'll be there in a bit." she said as she walked past them into a huge house.
They glanced at each other then to Shinji who led them into the house and to a large room. There was a large window covered with the heavy black curtains pulled across it which Shinji opened revealing the room in lighter colors. Along the walls were shelves full of books and scrolls in front of the window was a huge mahogany desk with a large black chair placed behind it and two smaller comfier looking chairs in front of it.
"If you will sit down my lady will be back in a bit." Shinji said motioning to the two chairs. They both sat down as indicated.
"Now if you need anything...."
"No thank you. We will just wait for Kagome to return." Kurama said.
Shinji nodded and headed out the door leaving the two by themselves. They just sat there in boredom waiting for what must have been seven minutes when the door opened again. They turned to find Kagome there wearing a blood red silk top that hung loosely from her form with tight fitting leather pants wearing black sporty tennis shoes. Her hair was swept back in a high pony tail that swung from side to side as she walked over to them. She walked over to the desk and plopped on the edge and faced them.
They looked at her carefully.
"I refuse to sit in that chair. It's extremely uncomfortable." she said to their unspoken question.
Just then Shinji entered the room. "Would you like anything Kagome?"
"Yes I'd like a soda if you wouldn't mind. I feel tired for some reason."
He nodded leaving. "Kagome..." Kurama began.
She cut him off. "Wait until Shinji returns." she said. After a little while Shinji returned with a glass of soda. "Thank you Shinji." she said. He nodded to her then left the room, pulling the door shut behind him. She turned her attention to the two demons.
"What do you want to know?" she asked.
"Why do you have the Shikon no Tama?" Kurama asked.
"Not wasting time are you." she murmured. "I am it's rightful protector and trying to fix the mistakes that I made."
"What mistakes?"
"I'm the one that shattered it in the first place." she said matter of factly.
"That was 500 years ago at least."
"Yes it was wasn't it." she said taking a sip of the Pepsi.
"Aren't you going to explain?" Hiei asked her watching her carefully.
"Where's the fun in that?"
They both raised an eyebrow at her. "Geez you're as fun as the old timer that lives here." she said to them.
"How old are you?"
"I'm only 20."
"How is that possible? That all happened five-hundred years ago."
"I know that." she replied taking another sip. "You're no five hundred years old."
"Of course not. I just told you. I'm 20."
"How is it possible?" Hiei asked her.
"I traveled through time. Are you happy? I had to give up my life in this time to travel in a time completely different from what I knew to make up the mistake I made. I'm positive you know the legends. They all speak of the mysterious unknown girl who appeared out of nowhere. The one who would disappear at random periods of time and show up again. You know why she would disappear? So she could try to catch up in her school work and let her family know she was still alive and hadn't been eaten by demons yet. That's why she disappeared. She disappeared because she was from the future and had to live two completely different lives at once." she looked at them carefully regarding them with her stormy eyes. "You can tell Koenma whatever you want. Just remember I want you out of the way. I have business to take care of."
"Is that why the kids are no where nearby?" Kurama asked.
"They are under the care of an old friend of mine." she said calmly.
"So that's what Genkai meant when she said she wanted to check up on the children in the care of a wolf."
She nodded slowly. "Why won't you let anyone help you?" Kurama asked her quietly.
"Is it because you're afraid of getting hurt again?"
"You don't know what you're talking about fox." she snapped at him. "I work alone for reasons that are my own."
"Surely the wolf would have been willing to help you. Why not take his offer? I'm sure he did." Kurama said.
"I will not pull him into this danger again. He has a wife and family. I will not allow him to fight with me again." she said angrily. "He has risked to much for me before and I will not allow him to risk his life for me again." her face appeared pale and tired as she argued.
"He wants to help you because he cares about you. Why not just put aside your stubborn pride and say yes?"
Her eyes narrowed on him. "I told you before I will not put him in danger."
Hiei watched the confrontation if a bit curiously. 'Fox what are you doing?' he asked
'Just wait a bit.' was all he got in reply.
"If someone else offered to help you would you take it?"
"No I wouldn't. I have already told you I work alone and for a good reason."
"It took almost all of your friends from the past to defeat Naraku before and he still wasn't defeated completely. What makes you think you can take him on your own?"
"What's there to think on? I can and I will take him on my own. I'm better prepared for this now then I was back then. He won't stand a chance against me not with my newest plan." she said with a smirk.
"Does it involve killing yourself?" Kurama asked looking at her pale face the whole time. Something was definitely wrong here. She seemed fine just seconds ago but she seemed to be getting really pale and tired quickly.
"Of course not. I wouldn't do that to the kits on purpose." she growled at him.
Suddenly someone knocked on the door quietly. "Come in." Kagome said raising a hand to her face rubbing her temples.
The door opened to reveal a silver haired man with golden eyes and a woman with her dark hair pulled into a bun behind her and crimson eyes. "Ah Sesshomaru. Kagura. Is it time already?" she asked wearily raising tired eyes to them.
"No. In fact I sensed your tiredness and bugged Sesshomaru into coming with me to check in on you. Are you alright?" Kagura asked as she walked to the girl who's body seemed to be drooping onto the desk.
"Never been better. See I..." she suddenly collapsed and tipped off the desk but Hiei was already there to catch her.
"What's wrong with her?" Kagura demanded of her husband as she rushed to her friends side taking her from Hiei examining her for any injuries.
Kurama though was ignoring this and examined the glass she had been given by the servant Shinji filled with the soda. He held it up examining it with a critical eye then took a small sniff of it. He almost dropped it in surprise. There was poison in there that was made from a rare flower that was found around seaside's .
She had been poisoned.
Ok I'm gonna end the chappy here *ducks sharp objects being thrown her way* come on this is already a long chapter as it is *ducks as a pitch fork is thrown at her* ok never mind I shall continue *looks around expectantly making sure nothing else is thrown* ok here we go
"My lord." Kurama said to Sesshomaru who was watching over his wife and friend. "I think this might have been the cause." he said handing the glass to him.
Sesshomaru looked at him carefully then examined the contents in the jar his eyes widening. "Kagura take her to the healers quarters right now. She's been poisoned." he said to her.
Kagura nodded and stood up trying to take the girl with her but couldn't do it. Hiei walked up to her and picked her up gently. "Lead the way." he said to the surprised wind demoness who quickly nodded her head and led the way out of the room to the healers quarters.
"Did a servant bring this in?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Yes. Kagome said she had been feeling tired and would like a soda and he brought this back with him."
Sesshomaru cursed underneath his breathe glancing down at the glass he held in his hands.
"Did she seem familiar with this servant?" he asked.
"Yes in fact she said his name was Shinji. He also came to pick us up in the limo." Kurama said in reply.
Sesshomaru's head shot up in surprise. "She called him Shinji?"
"That's what she said." he said a bit worried.
"God damn it." Sesshomaru said. He pulled out a walkie talkie he had to his side. "Ah-Un we have an intruder alert. Someone trying to pass of as Shinji I fear he might be a shape changer so be on your guard. They just tried to poison Lady Kagome. Be on the look out for the body of the limo driver as well."
"Got it Lord Sesshomaru. He won't get far." someone said in reply.
From the walkie talkie you could hear someone giving orders. "Lock all doors."
"Allow no one to leave no matter what."
"Be on your guard."
"Lady Kagome has been poisoned."
Of course after that last part all you could hear from the walkie talkie were angry cries at hearing the caring Kagome being a target.
"Lord Sesshomaru who is they?" he asked a bit curiously.
Sesshomaru looked at him with worried eyes. "Why do you ask?"
"When you were talking you said 'they' just tried to poison Lady Kagome.'"
"Yes, they would be referring to those who have pledged allegiance to the despicable hanyou Naraku." he replied.
"Are you sure this Shinji guy isn't innocent?"
"Shinji's been dead for several months now something Kagome wouldn't know about. She was good friends with him. They used to talk for hours at a time. He was like a second grandpa to her. The perfect person to use to get to her. She would trust him with her life. The reason she won't work with others." he said walking out the room.
"Did you hear our conversation my lord?" Kurama asked quietly.
"She was angry about something when we had gotten up here. That's the only topic that can get her truly angry besides Naraku and she was truly angry."
"I see." Kurama said.
"I'm going to go talk to the healer if you'd like to come. I'm sure your friend is still there." Sesshomaru said walking away.
Kurama nodded his head and followed behind him.
OK end chappy for sure this time.
Hey everyone this is SmilingKitsune once again doing the updating. I hope you enjoyed another chapter done by ForestSprite. This is pretty long almost 9 pages I think so hopefully it'll make you guys happy. Pleez r&r if you guys want another chappy soon. peace out
^.^ SmilingKitsune