Disclaimer- I don't own Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho
When the Darkness Takes Over ForestSprite Chapter 21
The room she woke up in was unfamiliar. The sun peeked in through a window to the left of her hitting her face brilliantly in a blinding light. She was in a high bed, western style with silk forest green coverings. Across from her was a beautiful wood dresser with a small alarm clock on it. 10:57 a.m.
Was this still the same day she had talked to Sango and Miroku's ghosts?
Groaning she sat up painfully gasping hard for breath. "Did someone get the number on that semi? I'm gonna sue their ass." she muttered waiting for the pain to subside before she stood up.
The minute her feet touched the floor and she put her weight on her legs, her knees shook and her legs crumpled beneath her. She instantly grabbed for the bed before she could fall painfully to the ground. Cursing under her breath she pulled herself up again and stood back up using the bed for support she walked a bit. The minute her legs wobbled she clung to the bed like a life line. "Do you always hug your beds?" a gruff voice asked behind her.
She grunted as she turned to see Hiei by the doorway looking at her with his beautiful crimson eyes..... She turned her head to the side a bit hiding the blush that stole across her face.
"No I don't always hug beds." she growled getting her thoughts under control. "Then what are you doing?" She could hear the amusement in his voice and gritted her teeth in frustration. "I'm trying to walk." "And you're hugging your bed why?" "I'm not hugging my bed." she snapped angrily. "I almost fell so I grabbed my bed." "So you can't walk." he mused walking closer to her.
"I can too walk." she said stubbornly as she pulled herself up again and began to walk only to fall and grab the bed for dear life.
"Yes and you just proved it to me." he said amused his crimson gaze not showing his thoughts but his lips were curled up in amusement.
Her eyes just narrowed on him. "Why are you in here anyway? To laugh at my condition after I've used too much of my energy? Well I don't need you in here so you can just go anytime." He was in front of her then he just suddenly disappeared. Shrugging her shoulders she was about to pull herself up into a standing position again as she was barely hanging above the ground when she felt arms wrap around her pulling her up.
"Augh!" she called in surprise.
"Onna do you think you can dismiss me?" his mouth was right by her ear.
Hiei? she thought surprised. How did he get behind me so fast?
"Yes I do." she answered trying to get out of his grasps. "Do you mind letting me go?" "No." She frowned frustrated. "What do you mean no?" "Like I said no." "Agh, you're a frustrating little bastard." she growled as she struggled in his grasp. "How long have I been out?" "Hm..." she felt his head turn behind her to look at the clock. "17 hours." "What?" her struggles increased. "Damn it I have to get back to Souta so we can leave." "You're not going anywhere." "I'd like to see you stop me." "Really?" he let her go and she immediately fell towards the ground saved only by being caught by his strong arms before she hit the hard floor.
"I don't have to stop you." he chuckled. "You're stopping yourself." "What did I do wrong in my life that I'm always around stubborn, cocky demons?" she said annoyed.
"Anything and everything. You should be happy." "Why's that?" "If you hadn't done anything wrong in your life you wouldn't know the Western Lord or his adopted daughter." "He probably wouldn't know his daughter if it hadn't been for me." she said.
"A chain reaction." he said with a shrug.
"You're annoying." she grumbled as she tried to get out of his strong grasp.
His arms tightened around her. "Do you mind? I'm taking you to Kagura." "Why didn't you say so in the first place?" she stopped her struggling.
"I should have." he mumbled as he picked her up bridal style and carried her out the room and down the hall to where Kagura was in the large study, where the two demons working for Koenma had talked to Kagome so long ago.
Kurama sat on a chair with a depressed Rin on his lap whom he was hugging gently to him talking quietly to her. Kagura sat behind the desk her eyes practically void of anything as if she was now a doll with no care for life.
"I used to always dream that he'd come back and take away what was most important to me, my happiness." she said quietly to herself. "Sesshomaru would always tell me it was just a dream and not to worry. Now look. He has my Sesshomaru." a tear slipped down her face splashing onto the desk.
Hiei entered the room carrying a half-asleep looking Kagome who was wrapped tightly in his arms stiffened the minute she entered the room and began her struggling once again.
He just shook his head negatively to her pleas and sat down on a chair settling her carefully on his lap hugging her like a favorite teddy bear. (a/n can you imagine that? it'd be so cute)
She tried to slide off of his lap but he just held her tighter to him. Shaking her head annoyed she looked carefully at Kagura and Rin. "I'm very sorry." "What are you sorry for?" Kagura asked as Rin looked at her with tears in her eyes wondering too what she was sorry for.
"I'm sorry for not being able to save him. It's my fault that he is gone in the first place because he was involved with me." she bowed her head down refusing to look at their faces.
"No Kagome you are wrong. It's not your fault. He made his choice and it was to help you. It's no ones fault but that disgusting creature Naraku." "I.... I don't think Naraku is as involved as everybody thinks he is." Kagome said so quietly that if none of them were demons they wouldn't have heard her.
"What do you mean?" Kagura said standing so quickly she knocked the chair backwards as she looked at the young woman before her on the fire apparitions lap.
She shifted uncomfortably. "This is to well thought out Kagura-sama." she began shifting slightly. "We're not even sure if this is necessarily involved with him. I may have been poisoned by his followers but that doesn't mean it was him. I thought of this along time ago when we first ran into him and my thoughts still remain the same. I don't think he works for himself, in fact I think he's controlled. If anything we're not fighting him but his own master." Once again she thought of Inuyasha's words to her.
"I would know if he had a master." Kagura snapped.
"Forgive me but he also controlled you back then. Mayhap you just never noticed anything of this sort?" she looked up at Kagura locking eyes with her. "Besides you would also know he was good at deception but not at thinking things through. How could he come up with half of what he did if he didn't have any help?" "Kanna." "What?" Kagura looked thoughtful. "If what you're speaking is true I probably never met him because he never showed up. Naraku would meet with him through Kanna's mirror." "What did happen to her after the last battle? She got her heart back but both she and Kohaku disappeared.... That would make sense." Kagome said thoughtful as well. Her eyes looked to the window noticing how high the sun was. "I need to call Souta if you don't mind. I have to tell him and Yumi-chan (her mother) where I'm at and there will be a slight delay." "Go ahead. You know where to go." Kagura said distracted as she mulled these thoughts over. Nodding her head she tried to get out of Hiei's lap only to have him tighten his hold. "I think I can walk now." she said annoyed holding back the urge to roll her eyes. "I have to make a phone call Hiei." "Hn." he let her go slowly his eyes never leaving her as she stood up making sure she didn't fall. She took a step her legs wobbly but she continued and walked out the room.
"If you excuse me I too would like to make a phone call." Kurama said to Kagura as he shifted the now sleeping Rin from his arms to the couch in the room.
"Take a right out the door and fourth door on the left side." Kagura said.
"Yes I know Souta. It will be delayed but only slightly. Don't worry I won't leave you behind on this. Yes I love you too. Take care. Tell Yumi-chan I said hi and I'll be home sometime soon today. Ok you behave. Talk to you later." She gently placed the phone back in its cradle and turned to walk out the door to see Kurama in the way. "Can I help you Kurama?" she asked arching an eyebrow at him questioningly. He was blocking her path.
"I was hoping to talk to you." "You seem pretty serious. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not." she said taking a seat motioning for him to sit down as well.
"I'm not sure if it is or not either." he admitted as he rubbed his temples. He closed his emerald green eyes gathering his thoughts. "You see this is about Hiei." "I'm sorry I was getting the feeling this was important." she interrupted him.
"It is if you would just listen for a bit, please Lady Kagome." "So now I'm a lady? No offense Kurama but you didn't seem to like me much when we first met, maybe someone you admitted was a worthy advisary but not someone you really liked. Just cut to the chase." "This is a matter of my friendship with him Lady Kagome." he said slightly frustrated.
"For as long as I've known him he's never been an emotional person or even given a hint if he really counts me as a friend." "He has given a hint of that and you know it Kurama. He wouldn't work with you if he didn't like you or trust you a bit but I don't see what this has to do with me." she said interrupting again.
He sighed deeply. "Lady Kagome for as long as I've been his friend he's never really shown any emotion of any kind until you came." he paused looking at her hoping she'd understand what it was he was trying to say.
"I'm not sure I know what you mean." That idea just went out the window.
He looked at her wide eyed. Was she joking? Did she really not know his friends feeling for her?
Looking though at her inquisitive face he knew she really didn't understand and wasn't just yanking his chain. He sighed again, Rin was very right when she said Kagome is dense when it comes to relationships he thought. She doesn't even realize the small hints he's shown.
"You must surely be joking?" he said to her.
She eyed him carefully. "I think you're losing it and need to go lay down." she finally announced.
"This is important." "That's what you keep saying but I'm not following you. Kitsune say what you came to talk to me about so I can leave." "That's just the thing right there. You leaving. Are you going to leave everyone else you know behind?" "I'm not." she said crossing her arms before her stubbornly. "I'm taking Souta." He sweatdropped. "That's not what I mean. What about any of your friends?" "They're not coming with me." "What about Hiei or myself?" "No." "Why not?" "Because." "Because why?" "Because I said so. That's why." "That's not really an answer." "It is to me." "We're not getting anywhere are we?" "How good of you to finally notice that. I have to get going if you don't mind." she stood up and began to walk away.
He stepped in front of her blocking her path again.
Her eyes narrowed on him. "Look I don't understand what it is you're trying to get at so spit it out or let me leave." "Damn it I'm trying." he growled.
Her eyes widened in surprise before glinting with a playful light. "It seems I've been able to wear down at your infinite calmness." He rubbed a hand at his temple.
"Look Fox I really would like to leave sometime today and not sometime in the next thirty years." "Damn it, Hiei likes you." he said.
His eyes widened when he realized what he said. He was just going to hint to her that Hiei would be a good companion to have on this battle or maybe she stay just a bit longer to work on her technique. He hadn't on planning on telling her his friends feelings like that though.
He looked at her for her reaction but all he saw was.
Nothing. She showed absolutely nothing.
"Are you done?" "Yes." he said slowly. "Good because I have to leave." she said walking past him.
"But..." he followed behind her.
"Look Kurama I have to go. I've made my brother wait long enough as it is." she said not stopping as she headed toward the study where the others were at. She calmly walked into the room with Kurama behind her trying to get her to talk to him. "Kagura, Rin." she bowed before the two as Rin was now awake. "I pledge that I will kill the one who has taken Sesshomaru from us. Take care and in my absence make sure my two boys are doing fine. As I have told Koga if something is to happen to me I want you to find a place for them. If possible adopt them yourself." she bowed again and left the room leaving the two with tears streaming down their faces.
She walked outside to find Kirara waiting for her. She walked over to the cat and pet her.
"I really need to get out of here Kirara." she said softly as hugging the big cat around the neck burying her face in her long, beautiful white hair. She sighed deeply. "Well let's go.
I don't want to make Souta wait any longer then he has to." she heaved herself up on top of the big cat's back. "Besides this place isn't good for my health at all." she murmured. "Ready?" she asked petting the cat.
"Lady Kagome." "Damn." she said softly under her breath as she shifted in her seat to see Kurama and Hiei coming her way.
"Can I help you?" Kurama's eyes flashed a golden color then went back to their vivid emerald green color.
She looked at him a bit curiously then shrugged passing it off. He is a kitsune after all and a silver one at that.
"We want to help you with your quest." he said.
"No." she replied without pausing to think about it. "For one you Kurama are engaged to my daughter. If you die I'd have to kill you myself for breaking her heart since Sesshomaru isn't here as of the moment." "You Hiei still have yet to let your sister know who you are and are still alive. Now if you'll excuse me I have to get to Souta whom I promised to we'd be leaving at sunrise." she shook her head muttering. "So much for that idea." She shifted back on Kirara. "Ok are you ready now?" The cat threw back her head and let out a deep growl that echoed loudly into the crisp cool day. "And we're off." The big cat jumped into the sky and began to run off.
"Thanks you guys were a help even if a pain in the ass at times." she yelled down at them.
'Just so you know Kurama, I think that I too could have learned to like him.' Kurama heard a soft voice echo in his mind.
His head shot up to see her turned around looking at him with shining stormy gray eyes.
She blinked once and her expression was schooled giving no hint that she was close to crying and she turned around again. He shivered a bit. She was a bit to good at hiding her feelings.
It would suck for someone to be her enemy because they would be doomed.
They wouldn't have a chance against her.... unless their name was Hiei.
"Are you still planning on going with her?" he asked his friend.
"Do you have to ask?" Hiei asked in return his crimson eyes lit with an odd light.
"Is it worth it?" "Yes it is."
She slid easily off the big cat and stood stretching tall when something came behind her and knocked her to the ground. "Oomph." she said from the ground with a heavy weight on her.
"I thought you were going to leave without me and take those other two demons with you." Souta said on top of her smiling down at her as he hugged her tightly.
She returned the hug smiling as well. "Hardly. I need someone big and strong with me so that means you're coming with me to make sure I stay out of trouble." He chuckled as he let her go and helped pull her to her feet.
"Besides I didn't want to face Rin's wrath if she found out her future-husband died while he was with us if I had so allowed it to be." "Yes I can bet that would be scary." "You have no idea. She may look sweet but she can be very scary." Souta just laughed at her.
"Got everything ready kiddo?" she asked him ruffling his hair, arm slung across his neck as she walked with him toward the house where the mom of Souta, the woman who had taken her in even though she wasn't her kid, was waiting for them. She would always be mom to her because she had always been there for Kagome and had accepted what Kagome was going through without too much fuss. She was also the grandma of her two favorite small kitsunes.
"Yea, mom helped me get it ready the minute I told her about us leaving last night.
Where were you the whole night anyways?" "Hmm? Oh yea I went to see Koga then to see Kagura and Rin but I had a small problem and had to stay there for the night." "Must have been serious because few things can usually stop you from doing what you want." he teased earning an elbow in the ribs and an evil glare.
"Yes I'm a stubborn son of a gun and don't you forget it. Last night though it would seem as unavoidable. I had someone break my mind barriers and they were attacking me that way. It took to much power to kick them out and passed out." "Are you ok?" he asked suddenly serious as he looked at the person who would forever be his big sister if not by blood then by heart.
"I'm perfectly fine. See? I wouldn't be here if I wasn't. Besides if I wasn't fine Hiei probably wouldn't have let me come." she grumbled the last part which he still heard. He grinned evilly. He still had plans on hooking his sister up with the fire apparition. He didn't care what kind of pain she'd put him through if she found out about his plans, it was for her own good after all. Besides he thought the two were very good for each other. He had seen the way they both interacted with each other. To him it was a match made in heaven.
"You know Kagome I think we should bring one of those guys with us." he began ignoring her surprised face as he continued. "I mean for one thing it might give that Koenma guy a clue to back off knowing you have one of his ex-detectives on your side and backing you up. Besides we can probably use the help. We have no clue just how much Naraku has improved or not. It would be a precaution really." She stopped walking a thoughtful expression on her face before she looked him straight in the face. "No." "But Kagome...." "No means no Souta." she said walking off again.
"Come on Kagome, think about it. What if Naraku is like a hundred times the strength he was when you last saw him?" "Then he's a hundred times the strength he was when I last saw him." "You need help sis. Just admit it." he cajoled trying to get her to give in.
"I do not need help from them. You are all I need." "Kagome I've seen him fight, he's ten times better then me. All I have is my magic." "That should be plenty." "You've got to be kidding me." he gaped stopping in his tracks his eyes on her back.
"No I'm not. Souta you are all I need and if you don't want to go just say so and I'll go alone." "No way in hell am I letting you go alone." he shouted as he ran to catch up with her again.
"Then what's the deal?" "What deal?" "Why are you pushing me to take someone else? Don't think I don't notice what you're doing." "Come on Kag-chan. It won't hurt any. In fact it could be a good thing." "No." "Please?" "No." "Pppplllleeeaasssseeee?" "No." "Ppppllllllleeeeeeaaaassssseeee?" "NO!" she shouted finally annoyed. "For the last time no, no and no. Do I make myself clear? No one else is coming with us." "He likes you nee-chan. Is that why you won't allow him to come with us? Because you like him back?" Her face turned scarlet red as she looked at him in surprise. "What are you talking about?" "You like Hiei and that's why you won't let him come with us." "Souta Higurashi I don't know what you've been up to lately but you need to put such thoughts out of your head this instant or you'll get us all killed." she hissed quietly at him her eyes narrowed.
"What???" she grabbed the front of his shirt and tackled him to the ground with him struggling against her. "What are you doing?" "I don't know if you've noticed or not kiddo but I've been being followed for the last few minutes. Besides the fact I don't like Hiei my stalker may not realize that and report to his master that I have a weakness that is known as Hiei and you place him in danger." she hissed in his ear as she pinned him to the ground.
He flipped her off of him battling to be winner as they struggled again. "Is this stalker a danger?" "He shows to be no danger as of right now but that doesn't mean it won't change." she replied finally pinning him to the ground again. "Ok I give up, get off of me Kagome. You're heavy as hell." he shouted.
"Heavy am I? Then I guess I'm just going to have to stay like this a little longer to teach you to watch what you say to me from now on." "Oh don't do that." he groaned. "I'm sorry. Really I am." "Well I guess so. He's gone now anyway." she got off of him smiling down at him giving him a helping hand up.
Once he was up he hugged her. "I really think you need to figure out your emotions. We can wait another day I think anyway." he left her to think by herself.
She sighed as she sat down against a tree her eyes gazing boredly around her as she tried to process her emotions through thoroughly.
Was it that hard? Hadn't she already said that she didn't feel for him in that way that Souta had suggested? But then again hadn't she told Kurama she might have felt the same way for Hiei that Kurama claimed Hiei felt for her?
She shook her head frustrated.
"My life is so messed up." she murmured.
What was there to say about Hiei though? He was short, black spiky hair with the white star burst in it and those amazing crimson eyes of his.... Damn it he was cute, she'd admit that. Looks weren't everything though. But what did she know about him?
Absolutely nothing except he had a sister but she had been able to make that connection on her own due to her always being at Genkai's and she had picked up a certain resemblance of energy between the two.
He was dark, brooding, and mysterious. CUTE, dark, brooding and mysterious. She sighed her gaze softening as she stared ahead.
Kami she really had to get that stray thought of her head. Her thoughts turned to when he kissed her and her anger was fueled again.
He was arrogant and a jerk. He was sure of himself and didn't seem to care about much.
Except you. that traitorous voice in her head said.
I don't know what you're talking about. she said annoyed.
He helped you when he didn't have to. Surely you don't think he was after anything in that case do you
Who would want to be ruled over by an evil hanyou maniac? she drawled Stop being such a pessamist and think positively for once. Have you notice how he acts around you compared to others
She nodded her head thoughtfully. I guess he's kinder and seems softer around me.
Seems? the voice snorted. I'd say he's absolutely smitten with you
No one asked you. Just shut up. I don't need this.
Yes you do. Wouldn't your friends want you happy and not completely suffering
You don't get it do you? I'm going back to the past to fight Naraku. One of two things will happen there. He will A) kill me or B) me kill him and be stuck in the past. Either or I won't see him even if we suddenly fell madly in love with each other.
You are a guardian though
Yes and I'm going into a time that is scared shitless by the prospect of a guardian. What are you a moron?
Hmm yes I see your point. I forgot about that little part of what happened after we left
She sweatdropped. I think you're a moron.
No name calling now. It's not nice. Besides what's wrong with having a little fun before you leave
Everything. I won't hurt him by not returning. It'll be putting his hopes up and I can't do that to him. He deserves someone better who can be there for him and won't suddenly have to leave to fight and maybe die in the act of making up for mistakes she made.
Sounds kinda familiar
What do you mean?
He has to do more or less the same thing. Well he did until you came at least. He was a detective that had to fight demons. I'm sure it would have been hard for him to find someone if he wanted to that could accept the fact that he might not be able to make it to all the dates or anniversaries or something of the like or that he might not be able to return at all someday
"That's a depressing thought. You didn't have to say that." she said not noticing she was speaking out loud now.
But it's very true. How do you feel about Hiei
"Like I have to keep him away at all costs." What does that tell you about your real feelings? the voice pushed.
"That I....I care about him. Maybe even love him." tears fell down her face as she spoke out loud again. "Why?" she asked softly as her knees came up and she buried her face into her legs hiding her face from view as tear after tear came down at a constant pace never slowing. "Why does this have to happen to me? He takes everything away from me.
First Inuyasha, then Sesshomaru, then my possible happiness. Why does he have to do this to me?" she sobbed.
What are you going to do now that you know your feelings for him
"Push him back even further." she cried sadly. Why don't you accept him to come with you? He wouldn't have offered if he didn't mean it. the voice said in a consoling comforting manner.
"Because it's my problem and no one elses." Yet you take Souta with you. Are you not worried about his safety as well
Damn it of course I am. she growled mentally in an angry tone at the voice as she fought against the still falling tears. You don't get it do you? Souta will go along and I will protect him the best to my capabilities. If worse comes to worse or if we win I will transport him out of there quickly. Either way he can report that I died and to be prepared or he will report that we won and that it's time to celebrate.
You have thought about this
Of course.
One thing you haven't thought about though is that you could use somebody else as well
It's got to be Souta. I trust him with my life and if I die I want him to see it for himself so he doesn't go through the rest of his life thinking someone lied to him and waits around for me becoming miserable.
I think he'd trust Hiei's word
For the last time I won't take Hiei and that's final.
"What are you doing out here?" a very familiar voice asked cutting through her mental conversation with herself.
Oh kami no don't let it be who I think it is. I can't let him see me like this. Damn it am I some kind of chicken? When did I start caring how people saw me? When did he show up? the voice asked.
I thought you just left. I did but I felt like bugging you a bit more
Gah! Go away already. she growled.
I'll be back soon if you don't get things settled soon
Don't doubt it for a second. she grumped as the voice disappeared completely.
"I'm sitting underneath the tree. I didn't know I had to tell you what I was doing all of a sudden." "Hn." She still had yet to look up. She didn't want him to see her in this state. Hell she didn't want anyone to see her in this state of weakness. She quickly rubbed the back of her long sleeved shirt across her eyes and looked up at him.
"What are you doing here?" He looked at her his eyes flashing with annoyance and anger at something that wasn't her. He finally decided to answer her question. "My life was going to be made a living hell if I didn't." "How so?" "The fox and inu-youkai promised to make it so." "I'll make their lives a living hell if they don't leave me alone soon." she muttered as she shifted her position one leg bent the other laying straight out in front of her both arms wrapped around her knee her head resting on it looking thoughtfully at him.
Her eyes caught with his crimson gaze and it seemed like they would swallow her up.
She tore her eyes away from him and looked to the ground. "You can leave anytime. I don't need any assistance." "You were crying." he said ignoring her attempts to be rid of him.
"I was not." she said indignantly.
He knelt before her and reached his hand out before her and gently ran his thumb over a wet track left on her face wiping it off. "Now you weren't." he said.
"Damn it why do you have to be like this?" she said her eyes filling with tears as she looked at him shocking him greatly.
He looked at her not understanding what she was talking about.
"Why do you have to continue being nice when I've tried everything in my power to get you to leave me alone without killing you? Why do you continue to haunt my thoughts?
Why can't you just leave me alone?" she sobbed her tears falling down again as she was controlled by her pain. All the pain welled up from so long ago when she had returned finally from the feudal era for the last time almost a half year ago and everything leading up until now poured out of her in her tears.
Not knowing what else to do with her he leaned closer to her and wrapped his arms around her comfortingly. She sobbed harder and buried her face against his strong body shaking with her sobs.
He gently stroked his hands through her beautiful raven hair as he gently pulled her into his lap and cuddled her against him trying to get her to settle down. She soon settled down and her breathing calm at a steady rate telling him she was asleep. He carefully picked her up making sure not to wake her up as he walked toward her house where he found Souta waiting for them expectantly not at all surprised. He just nodded his head in greeting to him his face lit with delight and joy.
"I'll show you Kagome's room." he said walking ahead of him.
End chappy
ok you guys hopefully you're enjoying . R&R FS
When the Darkness Takes Over ForestSprite Chapter 21
The room she woke up in was unfamiliar. The sun peeked in through a window to the left of her hitting her face brilliantly in a blinding light. She was in a high bed, western style with silk forest green coverings. Across from her was a beautiful wood dresser with a small alarm clock on it. 10:57 a.m.
Was this still the same day she had talked to Sango and Miroku's ghosts?
Groaning she sat up painfully gasping hard for breath. "Did someone get the number on that semi? I'm gonna sue their ass." she muttered waiting for the pain to subside before she stood up.
The minute her feet touched the floor and she put her weight on her legs, her knees shook and her legs crumpled beneath her. She instantly grabbed for the bed before she could fall painfully to the ground. Cursing under her breath she pulled herself up again and stood back up using the bed for support she walked a bit. The minute her legs wobbled she clung to the bed like a life line. "Do you always hug your beds?" a gruff voice asked behind her.
She grunted as she turned to see Hiei by the doorway looking at her with his beautiful crimson eyes..... She turned her head to the side a bit hiding the blush that stole across her face.
"No I don't always hug beds." she growled getting her thoughts under control. "Then what are you doing?" She could hear the amusement in his voice and gritted her teeth in frustration. "I'm trying to walk." "And you're hugging your bed why?" "I'm not hugging my bed." she snapped angrily. "I almost fell so I grabbed my bed." "So you can't walk." he mused walking closer to her.
"I can too walk." she said stubbornly as she pulled herself up again and began to walk only to fall and grab the bed for dear life.
"Yes and you just proved it to me." he said amused his crimson gaze not showing his thoughts but his lips were curled up in amusement.
Her eyes just narrowed on him. "Why are you in here anyway? To laugh at my condition after I've used too much of my energy? Well I don't need you in here so you can just go anytime." He was in front of her then he just suddenly disappeared. Shrugging her shoulders she was about to pull herself up into a standing position again as she was barely hanging above the ground when she felt arms wrap around her pulling her up.
"Augh!" she called in surprise.
"Onna do you think you can dismiss me?" his mouth was right by her ear.
Hiei? she thought surprised. How did he get behind me so fast?
"Yes I do." she answered trying to get out of his grasps. "Do you mind letting me go?" "No." She frowned frustrated. "What do you mean no?" "Like I said no." "Agh, you're a frustrating little bastard." she growled as she struggled in his grasp. "How long have I been out?" "Hm..." she felt his head turn behind her to look at the clock. "17 hours." "What?" her struggles increased. "Damn it I have to get back to Souta so we can leave." "You're not going anywhere." "I'd like to see you stop me." "Really?" he let her go and she immediately fell towards the ground saved only by being caught by his strong arms before she hit the hard floor.
"I don't have to stop you." he chuckled. "You're stopping yourself." "What did I do wrong in my life that I'm always around stubborn, cocky demons?" she said annoyed.
"Anything and everything. You should be happy." "Why's that?" "If you hadn't done anything wrong in your life you wouldn't know the Western Lord or his adopted daughter." "He probably wouldn't know his daughter if it hadn't been for me." she said.
"A chain reaction." he said with a shrug.
"You're annoying." she grumbled as she tried to get out of his strong grasp.
His arms tightened around her. "Do you mind? I'm taking you to Kagura." "Why didn't you say so in the first place?" she stopped her struggling.
"I should have." he mumbled as he picked her up bridal style and carried her out the room and down the hall to where Kagura was in the large study, where the two demons working for Koenma had talked to Kagome so long ago.
Kurama sat on a chair with a depressed Rin on his lap whom he was hugging gently to him talking quietly to her. Kagura sat behind the desk her eyes practically void of anything as if she was now a doll with no care for life.
"I used to always dream that he'd come back and take away what was most important to me, my happiness." she said quietly to herself. "Sesshomaru would always tell me it was just a dream and not to worry. Now look. He has my Sesshomaru." a tear slipped down her face splashing onto the desk.
Hiei entered the room carrying a half-asleep looking Kagome who was wrapped tightly in his arms stiffened the minute she entered the room and began her struggling once again.
He just shook his head negatively to her pleas and sat down on a chair settling her carefully on his lap hugging her like a favorite teddy bear. (a/n can you imagine that? it'd be so cute)
She tried to slide off of his lap but he just held her tighter to him. Shaking her head annoyed she looked carefully at Kagura and Rin. "I'm very sorry." "What are you sorry for?" Kagura asked as Rin looked at her with tears in her eyes wondering too what she was sorry for.
"I'm sorry for not being able to save him. It's my fault that he is gone in the first place because he was involved with me." she bowed her head down refusing to look at their faces.
"No Kagome you are wrong. It's not your fault. He made his choice and it was to help you. It's no ones fault but that disgusting creature Naraku." "I.... I don't think Naraku is as involved as everybody thinks he is." Kagome said so quietly that if none of them were demons they wouldn't have heard her.
"What do you mean?" Kagura said standing so quickly she knocked the chair backwards as she looked at the young woman before her on the fire apparitions lap.
She shifted uncomfortably. "This is to well thought out Kagura-sama." she began shifting slightly. "We're not even sure if this is necessarily involved with him. I may have been poisoned by his followers but that doesn't mean it was him. I thought of this along time ago when we first ran into him and my thoughts still remain the same. I don't think he works for himself, in fact I think he's controlled. If anything we're not fighting him but his own master." Once again she thought of Inuyasha's words to her.
"I would know if he had a master." Kagura snapped.
"Forgive me but he also controlled you back then. Mayhap you just never noticed anything of this sort?" she looked up at Kagura locking eyes with her. "Besides you would also know he was good at deception but not at thinking things through. How could he come up with half of what he did if he didn't have any help?" "Kanna." "What?" Kagura looked thoughtful. "If what you're speaking is true I probably never met him because he never showed up. Naraku would meet with him through Kanna's mirror." "What did happen to her after the last battle? She got her heart back but both she and Kohaku disappeared.... That would make sense." Kagome said thoughtful as well. Her eyes looked to the window noticing how high the sun was. "I need to call Souta if you don't mind. I have to tell him and Yumi-chan (her mother) where I'm at and there will be a slight delay." "Go ahead. You know where to go." Kagura said distracted as she mulled these thoughts over. Nodding her head she tried to get out of Hiei's lap only to have him tighten his hold. "I think I can walk now." she said annoyed holding back the urge to roll her eyes. "I have to make a phone call Hiei." "Hn." he let her go slowly his eyes never leaving her as she stood up making sure she didn't fall. She took a step her legs wobbly but she continued and walked out the room.
"If you excuse me I too would like to make a phone call." Kurama said to Kagura as he shifted the now sleeping Rin from his arms to the couch in the room.
"Take a right out the door and fourth door on the left side." Kagura said.
"Yes I know Souta. It will be delayed but only slightly. Don't worry I won't leave you behind on this. Yes I love you too. Take care. Tell Yumi-chan I said hi and I'll be home sometime soon today. Ok you behave. Talk to you later." She gently placed the phone back in its cradle and turned to walk out the door to see Kurama in the way. "Can I help you Kurama?" she asked arching an eyebrow at him questioningly. He was blocking her path.
"I was hoping to talk to you." "You seem pretty serious. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not." she said taking a seat motioning for him to sit down as well.
"I'm not sure if it is or not either." he admitted as he rubbed his temples. He closed his emerald green eyes gathering his thoughts. "You see this is about Hiei." "I'm sorry I was getting the feeling this was important." she interrupted him.
"It is if you would just listen for a bit, please Lady Kagome." "So now I'm a lady? No offense Kurama but you didn't seem to like me much when we first met, maybe someone you admitted was a worthy advisary but not someone you really liked. Just cut to the chase." "This is a matter of my friendship with him Lady Kagome." he said slightly frustrated.
"For as long as I've known him he's never been an emotional person or even given a hint if he really counts me as a friend." "He has given a hint of that and you know it Kurama. He wouldn't work with you if he didn't like you or trust you a bit but I don't see what this has to do with me." she said interrupting again.
He sighed deeply. "Lady Kagome for as long as I've been his friend he's never really shown any emotion of any kind until you came." he paused looking at her hoping she'd understand what it was he was trying to say.
"I'm not sure I know what you mean." That idea just went out the window.
He looked at her wide eyed. Was she joking? Did she really not know his friends feeling for her?
Looking though at her inquisitive face he knew she really didn't understand and wasn't just yanking his chain. He sighed again, Rin was very right when she said Kagome is dense when it comes to relationships he thought. She doesn't even realize the small hints he's shown.
"You must surely be joking?" he said to her.
She eyed him carefully. "I think you're losing it and need to go lay down." she finally announced.
"This is important." "That's what you keep saying but I'm not following you. Kitsune say what you came to talk to me about so I can leave." "That's just the thing right there. You leaving. Are you going to leave everyone else you know behind?" "I'm not." she said crossing her arms before her stubbornly. "I'm taking Souta." He sweatdropped. "That's not what I mean. What about any of your friends?" "They're not coming with me." "What about Hiei or myself?" "No." "Why not?" "Because." "Because why?" "Because I said so. That's why." "That's not really an answer." "It is to me." "We're not getting anywhere are we?" "How good of you to finally notice that. I have to get going if you don't mind." she stood up and began to walk away.
He stepped in front of her blocking her path again.
Her eyes narrowed on him. "Look I don't understand what it is you're trying to get at so spit it out or let me leave." "Damn it I'm trying." he growled.
Her eyes widened in surprise before glinting with a playful light. "It seems I've been able to wear down at your infinite calmness." He rubbed a hand at his temple.
"Look Fox I really would like to leave sometime today and not sometime in the next thirty years." "Damn it, Hiei likes you." he said.
His eyes widened when he realized what he said. He was just going to hint to her that Hiei would be a good companion to have on this battle or maybe she stay just a bit longer to work on her technique. He hadn't on planning on telling her his friends feelings like that though.
He looked at her for her reaction but all he saw was.
Nothing. She showed absolutely nothing.
"Are you done?" "Yes." he said slowly. "Good because I have to leave." she said walking past him.
"But..." he followed behind her.
"Look Kurama I have to go. I've made my brother wait long enough as it is." she said not stopping as she headed toward the study where the others were at. She calmly walked into the room with Kurama behind her trying to get her to talk to him. "Kagura, Rin." she bowed before the two as Rin was now awake. "I pledge that I will kill the one who has taken Sesshomaru from us. Take care and in my absence make sure my two boys are doing fine. As I have told Koga if something is to happen to me I want you to find a place for them. If possible adopt them yourself." she bowed again and left the room leaving the two with tears streaming down their faces.
She walked outside to find Kirara waiting for her. She walked over to the cat and pet her.
"I really need to get out of here Kirara." she said softly as hugging the big cat around the neck burying her face in her long, beautiful white hair. She sighed deeply. "Well let's go.
I don't want to make Souta wait any longer then he has to." she heaved herself up on top of the big cat's back. "Besides this place isn't good for my health at all." she murmured. "Ready?" she asked petting the cat.
"Lady Kagome." "Damn." she said softly under her breath as she shifted in her seat to see Kurama and Hiei coming her way.
"Can I help you?" Kurama's eyes flashed a golden color then went back to their vivid emerald green color.
She looked at him a bit curiously then shrugged passing it off. He is a kitsune after all and a silver one at that.
"We want to help you with your quest." he said.
"No." she replied without pausing to think about it. "For one you Kurama are engaged to my daughter. If you die I'd have to kill you myself for breaking her heart since Sesshomaru isn't here as of the moment." "You Hiei still have yet to let your sister know who you are and are still alive. Now if you'll excuse me I have to get to Souta whom I promised to we'd be leaving at sunrise." she shook her head muttering. "So much for that idea." She shifted back on Kirara. "Ok are you ready now?" The cat threw back her head and let out a deep growl that echoed loudly into the crisp cool day. "And we're off." The big cat jumped into the sky and began to run off.
"Thanks you guys were a help even if a pain in the ass at times." she yelled down at them.
'Just so you know Kurama, I think that I too could have learned to like him.' Kurama heard a soft voice echo in his mind.
His head shot up to see her turned around looking at him with shining stormy gray eyes.
She blinked once and her expression was schooled giving no hint that she was close to crying and she turned around again. He shivered a bit. She was a bit to good at hiding her feelings.
It would suck for someone to be her enemy because they would be doomed.
They wouldn't have a chance against her.... unless their name was Hiei.
"Are you still planning on going with her?" he asked his friend.
"Do you have to ask?" Hiei asked in return his crimson eyes lit with an odd light.
"Is it worth it?" "Yes it is."
She slid easily off the big cat and stood stretching tall when something came behind her and knocked her to the ground. "Oomph." she said from the ground with a heavy weight on her.
"I thought you were going to leave without me and take those other two demons with you." Souta said on top of her smiling down at her as he hugged her tightly.
She returned the hug smiling as well. "Hardly. I need someone big and strong with me so that means you're coming with me to make sure I stay out of trouble." He chuckled as he let her go and helped pull her to her feet.
"Besides I didn't want to face Rin's wrath if she found out her future-husband died while he was with us if I had so allowed it to be." "Yes I can bet that would be scary." "You have no idea. She may look sweet but she can be very scary." Souta just laughed at her.
"Got everything ready kiddo?" she asked him ruffling his hair, arm slung across his neck as she walked with him toward the house where the mom of Souta, the woman who had taken her in even though she wasn't her kid, was waiting for them. She would always be mom to her because she had always been there for Kagome and had accepted what Kagome was going through without too much fuss. She was also the grandma of her two favorite small kitsunes.
"Yea, mom helped me get it ready the minute I told her about us leaving last night.
Where were you the whole night anyways?" "Hmm? Oh yea I went to see Koga then to see Kagura and Rin but I had a small problem and had to stay there for the night." "Must have been serious because few things can usually stop you from doing what you want." he teased earning an elbow in the ribs and an evil glare.
"Yes I'm a stubborn son of a gun and don't you forget it. Last night though it would seem as unavoidable. I had someone break my mind barriers and they were attacking me that way. It took to much power to kick them out and passed out." "Are you ok?" he asked suddenly serious as he looked at the person who would forever be his big sister if not by blood then by heart.
"I'm perfectly fine. See? I wouldn't be here if I wasn't. Besides if I wasn't fine Hiei probably wouldn't have let me come." she grumbled the last part which he still heard. He grinned evilly. He still had plans on hooking his sister up with the fire apparition. He didn't care what kind of pain she'd put him through if she found out about his plans, it was for her own good after all. Besides he thought the two were very good for each other. He had seen the way they both interacted with each other. To him it was a match made in heaven.
"You know Kagome I think we should bring one of those guys with us." he began ignoring her surprised face as he continued. "I mean for one thing it might give that Koenma guy a clue to back off knowing you have one of his ex-detectives on your side and backing you up. Besides we can probably use the help. We have no clue just how much Naraku has improved or not. It would be a precaution really." She stopped walking a thoughtful expression on her face before she looked him straight in the face. "No." "But Kagome...." "No means no Souta." she said walking off again.
"Come on Kagome, think about it. What if Naraku is like a hundred times the strength he was when you last saw him?" "Then he's a hundred times the strength he was when I last saw him." "You need help sis. Just admit it." he cajoled trying to get her to give in.
"I do not need help from them. You are all I need." "Kagome I've seen him fight, he's ten times better then me. All I have is my magic." "That should be plenty." "You've got to be kidding me." he gaped stopping in his tracks his eyes on her back.
"No I'm not. Souta you are all I need and if you don't want to go just say so and I'll go alone." "No way in hell am I letting you go alone." he shouted as he ran to catch up with her again.
"Then what's the deal?" "What deal?" "Why are you pushing me to take someone else? Don't think I don't notice what you're doing." "Come on Kag-chan. It won't hurt any. In fact it could be a good thing." "No." "Please?" "No." "Pppplllleeeaasssseeee?" "No." "Ppppllllllleeeeeeaaaassssseeee?" "NO!" she shouted finally annoyed. "For the last time no, no and no. Do I make myself clear? No one else is coming with us." "He likes you nee-chan. Is that why you won't allow him to come with us? Because you like him back?" Her face turned scarlet red as she looked at him in surprise. "What are you talking about?" "You like Hiei and that's why you won't let him come with us." "Souta Higurashi I don't know what you've been up to lately but you need to put such thoughts out of your head this instant or you'll get us all killed." she hissed quietly at him her eyes narrowed.
"What???" she grabbed the front of his shirt and tackled him to the ground with him struggling against her. "What are you doing?" "I don't know if you've noticed or not kiddo but I've been being followed for the last few minutes. Besides the fact I don't like Hiei my stalker may not realize that and report to his master that I have a weakness that is known as Hiei and you place him in danger." she hissed in his ear as she pinned him to the ground.
He flipped her off of him battling to be winner as they struggled again. "Is this stalker a danger?" "He shows to be no danger as of right now but that doesn't mean it won't change." she replied finally pinning him to the ground again. "Ok I give up, get off of me Kagome. You're heavy as hell." he shouted.
"Heavy am I? Then I guess I'm just going to have to stay like this a little longer to teach you to watch what you say to me from now on." "Oh don't do that." he groaned. "I'm sorry. Really I am." "Well I guess so. He's gone now anyway." she got off of him smiling down at him giving him a helping hand up.
Once he was up he hugged her. "I really think you need to figure out your emotions. We can wait another day I think anyway." he left her to think by herself.
She sighed as she sat down against a tree her eyes gazing boredly around her as she tried to process her emotions through thoroughly.
Was it that hard? Hadn't she already said that she didn't feel for him in that way that Souta had suggested? But then again hadn't she told Kurama she might have felt the same way for Hiei that Kurama claimed Hiei felt for her?
She shook her head frustrated.
"My life is so messed up." she murmured.
What was there to say about Hiei though? He was short, black spiky hair with the white star burst in it and those amazing crimson eyes of his.... Damn it he was cute, she'd admit that. Looks weren't everything though. But what did she know about him?
Absolutely nothing except he had a sister but she had been able to make that connection on her own due to her always being at Genkai's and she had picked up a certain resemblance of energy between the two.
He was dark, brooding, and mysterious. CUTE, dark, brooding and mysterious. She sighed her gaze softening as she stared ahead.
Kami she really had to get that stray thought of her head. Her thoughts turned to when he kissed her and her anger was fueled again.
He was arrogant and a jerk. He was sure of himself and didn't seem to care about much.
Except you. that traitorous voice in her head said.
I don't know what you're talking about. she said annoyed.
He helped you when he didn't have to. Surely you don't think he was after anything in that case do you
Who would want to be ruled over by an evil hanyou maniac? she drawled Stop being such a pessamist and think positively for once. Have you notice how he acts around you compared to others
She nodded her head thoughtfully. I guess he's kinder and seems softer around me.
Seems? the voice snorted. I'd say he's absolutely smitten with you
No one asked you. Just shut up. I don't need this.
Yes you do. Wouldn't your friends want you happy and not completely suffering
You don't get it do you? I'm going back to the past to fight Naraku. One of two things will happen there. He will A) kill me or B) me kill him and be stuck in the past. Either or I won't see him even if we suddenly fell madly in love with each other.
You are a guardian though
Yes and I'm going into a time that is scared shitless by the prospect of a guardian. What are you a moron?
Hmm yes I see your point. I forgot about that little part of what happened after we left
She sweatdropped. I think you're a moron.
No name calling now. It's not nice. Besides what's wrong with having a little fun before you leave
Everything. I won't hurt him by not returning. It'll be putting his hopes up and I can't do that to him. He deserves someone better who can be there for him and won't suddenly have to leave to fight and maybe die in the act of making up for mistakes she made.
Sounds kinda familiar
What do you mean?
He has to do more or less the same thing. Well he did until you came at least. He was a detective that had to fight demons. I'm sure it would have been hard for him to find someone if he wanted to that could accept the fact that he might not be able to make it to all the dates or anniversaries or something of the like or that he might not be able to return at all someday
"That's a depressing thought. You didn't have to say that." she said not noticing she was speaking out loud now.
But it's very true. How do you feel about Hiei
"Like I have to keep him away at all costs." What does that tell you about your real feelings? the voice pushed.
"That I....I care about him. Maybe even love him." tears fell down her face as she spoke out loud again. "Why?" she asked softly as her knees came up and she buried her face into her legs hiding her face from view as tear after tear came down at a constant pace never slowing. "Why does this have to happen to me? He takes everything away from me.
First Inuyasha, then Sesshomaru, then my possible happiness. Why does he have to do this to me?" she sobbed.
What are you going to do now that you know your feelings for him
"Push him back even further." she cried sadly. Why don't you accept him to come with you? He wouldn't have offered if he didn't mean it. the voice said in a consoling comforting manner.
"Because it's my problem and no one elses." Yet you take Souta with you. Are you not worried about his safety as well
Damn it of course I am. she growled mentally in an angry tone at the voice as she fought against the still falling tears. You don't get it do you? Souta will go along and I will protect him the best to my capabilities. If worse comes to worse or if we win I will transport him out of there quickly. Either way he can report that I died and to be prepared or he will report that we won and that it's time to celebrate.
You have thought about this
Of course.
One thing you haven't thought about though is that you could use somebody else as well
It's got to be Souta. I trust him with my life and if I die I want him to see it for himself so he doesn't go through the rest of his life thinking someone lied to him and waits around for me becoming miserable.
I think he'd trust Hiei's word
For the last time I won't take Hiei and that's final.
"What are you doing out here?" a very familiar voice asked cutting through her mental conversation with herself.
Oh kami no don't let it be who I think it is. I can't let him see me like this. Damn it am I some kind of chicken? When did I start caring how people saw me? When did he show up? the voice asked.
I thought you just left. I did but I felt like bugging you a bit more
Gah! Go away already. she growled.
I'll be back soon if you don't get things settled soon
Don't doubt it for a second. she grumped as the voice disappeared completely.
"I'm sitting underneath the tree. I didn't know I had to tell you what I was doing all of a sudden." "Hn." She still had yet to look up. She didn't want him to see her in this state. Hell she didn't want anyone to see her in this state of weakness. She quickly rubbed the back of her long sleeved shirt across her eyes and looked up at him.
"What are you doing here?" He looked at her his eyes flashing with annoyance and anger at something that wasn't her. He finally decided to answer her question. "My life was going to be made a living hell if I didn't." "How so?" "The fox and inu-youkai promised to make it so." "I'll make their lives a living hell if they don't leave me alone soon." she muttered as she shifted her position one leg bent the other laying straight out in front of her both arms wrapped around her knee her head resting on it looking thoughtfully at him.
Her eyes caught with his crimson gaze and it seemed like they would swallow her up.
She tore her eyes away from him and looked to the ground. "You can leave anytime. I don't need any assistance." "You were crying." he said ignoring her attempts to be rid of him.
"I was not." she said indignantly.
He knelt before her and reached his hand out before her and gently ran his thumb over a wet track left on her face wiping it off. "Now you weren't." he said.
"Damn it why do you have to be like this?" she said her eyes filling with tears as she looked at him shocking him greatly.
He looked at her not understanding what she was talking about.
"Why do you have to continue being nice when I've tried everything in my power to get you to leave me alone without killing you? Why do you continue to haunt my thoughts?
Why can't you just leave me alone?" she sobbed her tears falling down again as she was controlled by her pain. All the pain welled up from so long ago when she had returned finally from the feudal era for the last time almost a half year ago and everything leading up until now poured out of her in her tears.
Not knowing what else to do with her he leaned closer to her and wrapped his arms around her comfortingly. She sobbed harder and buried her face against his strong body shaking with her sobs.
He gently stroked his hands through her beautiful raven hair as he gently pulled her into his lap and cuddled her against him trying to get her to settle down. She soon settled down and her breathing calm at a steady rate telling him she was asleep. He carefully picked her up making sure not to wake her up as he walked toward her house where he found Souta waiting for them expectantly not at all surprised. He just nodded his head in greeting to him his face lit with delight and joy.
"I'll show you Kagome's room." he said walking ahead of him.
End chappy
ok you guys hopefully you're enjoying . R&R FS