Yay! I'm updating again! Seems my brain has been doing something right lately; thinking! Of course this chapter was actually written awhile ago, I just had to get off my ass long enough to actually read through it and edit it. I know a lot of you like this story, so I'm glad I've finally gotten around to releasing the new chapter. Hope you all enjoy it.

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

Lightening the Load

Chapter 4

Kurama was showing Kagome around his small apartment when Yusuke heard the sound of whispers coming from down the hall. His eyes widened and he quickly dove into his clothes and stepped out of the bathroom only to come face to face with his roommate leading a young, pretty black haired woman down the hall. Yusuke had seen the woman just briefly last night so he hadn't gotten a good look at her face. And now that he was finally face to face with the female who had apparently attracted Kurama's interest, it was easy to see what drew her to him...well besides hair pain conflicting aura and obvious anguish.

Kurama greeted Yusuke with a small smile, eyes more calm than Yusuke had seen in ages, while the girl looked up and locked eyes with him, smiling innocently, almost timid. Yusuke held back the gasp upon realizing just how much beauty and purity she possessed. She was taller than most females his age, though both he and Kurama still had about a foot on her. What really caught his eye was the woman's long black hair falling just below her waist and hip line. Most girls these days wore their hair relatively short, Keiko being one of them, so it surprised him that there were still girls wearing their hair so long these days. Actually, her hair sort of reminded him of Yoko's when he was out. It was smooth, long, and had that special shine to it which proved she took extra special care with it. Yusuke inwardly scoffed to himself. Why am I standing here thinking about fucking hair?

Oddly enough he found himself wanting to run his hands through it, a bit jealous that Kurama had apparently been with her the entire night. Her pure blue eyes were stunning as they studied him with curiosity and just a tinge of aloofness.

"Hi," she finally spoke up, startling him out of his reverie. "I'm Kagome."

He smiled as he regained his bearings and leaned against the side of the bathroom wall, crossing his arms in front of his chest in his normal stance. "Yo! Name's Yusuke." In a rare moment of chivalry he held out his hand and she took it gently.

She smiled and it was all he could do not to stand there gaping at the purity in that sweet face. Her aura made him dizzy as it continued to change on a dime from curiousness to cautiousness to confusion. He looked deep inside her eyes, forgetting all about his friend who was staring between the two, no doubt curious about his reaction to this Kagome. But Yusuke stood unaware. This girl, she looked familiar. Why? He didn't remember her from school, not that he ever went. But her face, there was something familiar in it.

Indeed, Kurama found Yusuke's behavior a bit peculiar as Yusuke hadn't even bothered looking at another woman since his awful breakup with Keiko; and so it was strange to see Yusuke acting so different. Although judging by Kurama's own reaction it just proved his theory that there really was something different about this girl if she could even affect Yusuke.

"Err, sorry," Yusuke said after a few moments, withdrawing his hand when he noticed her begin shifting nervously on her feet. He shook his head. "Are you staying for breakfast?" He asked her, getting his bearings back.

"Well, I don't know. I hadn't planned on it..." Both she and Yusuke looked to Kurama, who merely smiled gently.

"You can stay if you wish to, in fact I was going to invite you anyway," he told her honestly, then shot a smirk in Yusuke's direction. "But I must warn you, Yusuke's a glutton so you might want to sit far away while he east, lest you find yourself with more food than you put on your plate." He chuckled, while Yusuke scoffed playfully.

"Don't listen to this jerk, Kagome," Yusuke grumbled and placed an arm around her shoulders, leading her down the hall towards the kitchen. Kagome stiffened at Yusuke's touch, but relaxed when she noticed the teasing in his voice and posture. "Besides he should take my eating as a compliment. I tell you this guy can cook better than any woman."

"Hey," Kagome and Kurama protested together, while Kagome giggled at Kurama's indignant expression. "I can cook, too. I bet I can cook way better than him."

"Is that so?" Kurama asked, amusement beginning to fall into his gleaming eyes. "Is that a challenge?"

Kagome seemed to think it over before turning to Yusuke. "What do you think, Yusuke? Want to be the judge? You eat, we cook, and then you can vote on who cooks the best."

Yusuke seemed to consider it before grinning with excitement. "You bet. I'm always up for more food. So...what are the stakes?"

"Stakes?" Kagome wondered. She hadn't thought about that.

"Well it's a bet, right? So what are you betting on; money...clothes?" He laughed when both Kurama and Kagome blushed, while Kurama glared at him.

Kurama lost his glare and looked thoughtful. "How about we use this as a chance to get to know each other?"

"What do you mean?" Yusuke asked.

"What I propose is this. Kagome and I will each cook five of the same thing. You get to taste them both and the winner gets to ask a single question of their choosing. Does that sound reasonable enough, Kagome?" He addressed her.

Kagome really wanted to say no. And it wasn't because of the challenge. She really didn't want them to ask her any personal questions; questions such as why she was out in the rain and crying her heart out. After all she didn't know these two men, both of which contained varying amounts of demon blood within their bodies. But on the other hand, her conscience was telling her to learn all she could about them. After all she had thought there were no demons left in her era. So what were they doing here? And were there more out there? Did that mean Inuyasha-? No, she was done thinking about that jerk.

Almost against her will, Kagome found herself agreeing to Kurama's terms. "Sure, sounds good to me."

"Okay well, why don't you take a shower and change into some clothes while I get out all the ingredients," Kurama suggested. "That way you can relax and feel a bit more comfortable."

"But I don't have anything to wear," Kagome remarked softly, remembering the awful memories of last night. Yusuke and Kurama exchanged worried glances as Kagome's blue eyes dulled and turned sad.

"Don't worry, Kagome," Yusuke assured her. "You're skinny enough to wear some pants of mine, and I'm sure Kurama has a shirt you can borrow."

Kagome hated this. She hated being a charity case. She wanted to be able to tell both of them that she could fend for herself, that she wasn't as weak as she appeared. She was a miko, and although she wasn't nearly as strong as Kikyo, she could still hold her own any day against some of the strongest demons. So why couldn't she get past this? Kagome was surprised when she felt a hand under her chin, lifting her head gently. Her eyes met the stunning jade green of Kurama's and she was lost. His eyes were staring at her so vividly and she wondered how he could look at her so while he was still dealing with his own inner pain. How could he stand here and comfort her when he had such secrets and silent remorse within himself?

"I'm sorry," she whispered as tears began to fill her eyes, and for once she wasn't sure who she was apologizing for. Kurama couldn't help but draw her into his arms, wishing he could help her get past whatever had hurt her so deeply. Kagome couldn't hold it back anymore. She collapsed into his arms, sobbing against the kitsune's warm chest. She crunched his warm shirt beneath her stiff, trembling fingers and held on tightly as her body was wracked with dry sob after dry sob.

"It's all right, Kagome," he whispered soothingly, nuzzling into her hair. "You're okay. You're safe now." Kurama continued whispering to her, trying to bring her some kind of comfort.

Yusuke watched with troubled eyes as his red headed friend comforted the heartbroken girl, wondering who had dared harm someone like Kagome. A sweet girl like her didn't deserve even half the pain she carried within her soul.

Finally, after what seemed like ages Kagome's crying quieted and she merely stood limply in Kurama's strong arms as he continued whispering comforting words to her, lips brushing every now and again against the shell of her ear. When she finally came to, she realized that Kurama smelled really good, like roses, earth, and rain. That's when she became aware of how close he was to her. His head was right next to her ear, lips millimeters away from her neck. One of his hands was lying gently against the back of her head, stroking the soft velvet strands and supporting her cheek against his chest. The other arm was wrapped comfortably around her waist, the hand lying just above her left hip. Her arms were pressed delicately against the smooth contours of his stomach as she took as much comfort from him as he allowed.

"Are you all right now?" he asked her, drawing her out of his arms and offering her a small, tentative smile. Kagome found herself blushing although she wasn't sure why. Maybe it was the fact that she'd just realized how good looking her savior was. In all the confusion of both last night and of waking up in an unknown apartment with an equally unknown boy, a demon no less, she hadn't taken the time to really notice just how gorgeous he was. His emerald green eyes were filled with such an intense light that she couldn't help but be drawn into them. His long red locks trailed over his shoulders, while some of it spilled onto her upper body.

She blushed when she noticed Yusuke staring between them curiously and with a knowing look in his eyes. "Y-yeah," she stammered out, pushing away from the tempting embrace. "I'm fine."

"Good. Why don't you let Yusuke show you where we keep our towels and other amenities," he offered and Yusuke held out his arm, warm brown eyes shining with mischievousness.

"My lady," he spoke formally and she couldn't help but take his arm, giving him a playful curtsey.

"Kind sir," she replied, oddly feeling at ease with this boy. She found her spirits lifted slightly around him and wondered why that was. She realized that Yusuke was just as handsome as Kurama, although there was something more childlike feel about him. And for some reason his aura seemed familiar to her. She wondered how when she knew she'd never met him before. Perhaps it was because underneath it all she felt the same pain of rejection coming from underneath Yusuke's cheerful smile and amber brown eyes. She took a risk and peered into his soul as well, finding it just as pain filled as Kurama's.

Maybe I really am safe here, she thought to herself as Yusuke led her down the hall towards his open bedroom. She turned back and spotted Kurama standing alone in the hallway, eyes trailing after them with a thoughtful and slightly pained look in those mournful depths. He appeared lost in his own world and Kagome found her soul aching to give this boy even an ounce of the comfort he'd shown her. She smiled faintly. Yes, she could trust him. She could trust them both. Suddenly feeling much lighter and a million times better, Kagome picked up the pace, surprising Yusuke when she darted into his room and began rooting through his closet, throwing shirts and pants all over the already messy room.

"Hey!" She heard him call out playfully and this time Kagome let out a joyous giggle. Finally, she was safe!

"So..." Kurama wondered, as he glanced between Yusuke and the empty plates of food lying so harmlessly on the kitchen table. For once Yusuke didn't look happy that he'd managed to scarf all that down. Said boy was now groaning and clutching at his stomach as he lay on the floor unable to move. Kagome sat across from both boys with a playful look in her twinkling blue eyes. Kurama inwardly wondered why she was so cheerful all of a sudden. Before she had seemed wilted, like that of a dying flower. The girl he saw now looked utterly content sitting and lounging in his and Yusuke's clothes. Her hair was slightly wet thanks to a shower that had her smelling positively divine. Now that the rain and other scents weren't obscuring his nose, Kurama was able to make out the smell of peaches and cream, her natural scent. And now, here she was positively beaming. He wondered what had happened since this morning to cause that extra special glow in her eyes.

Yusuke groaned again. "So, what?" he grumbled.

Kurama sighed at his pathetic roommate, lifting an eyebrow in false impatience.

Yusuke sighed and sat up. "Okay, okay. Let's see...Kagome's bacon totally blew yours out of the water, I'm sorry to say. And Kagome, Kurama's waffles are still the best. Both of your eggs were superb, I don't even know who the winner was in that one. Let's call that one a draw. Um, Kagome's muffins were exactly right, especially since she added those chocolate chips," Yusuke's eyes lit with delight before he collapsed to the floor again. "And last but not least, Kurama's toast was nicely toasted, as Kagome burned hers."

"I so did not," Kagome denied, though amusement was clear in her eyes.

"So," Kurama blinked. "It's a tie?"

"I'd say so," Yusuke grumbled. "I swear if I never see another damn muffin again, I'll die a happy man." Again, he thought amusingly.

"I don't know whether to be flattered or insulted by that, Yusuke," Kagome sniffed playfully. "But if it is a tie I guess we both should get a question, right?"

Kurama looked thoughtful and then nodded. "Seems okay to me; after all Yusuke was correct, your muffins sure wiped the floor with mine." He chuckled while Kagome blushed prettily and ran a nervous hand through her damp hair.

"So who's going first?" Yusuke mumbled, eyes closed. "And please continue before I hurl. I'm sure Kagome is anxious to get home to where ever it is she lives, but I doubt she wants to stick around and see what comes out of my mouth. I guarantee it won't look anything like how it went in."

"Yusuke!" Kurama admonished, wrinkling his nose in disgust. Both demons were stunned to see Kagome break into laughter which soon spread all across the room. Both froze in awe as the young woman's eyes lit with such happiness and amusement. Her whole face was flushed while her eyes twinkled bewitchingly. She looked so different from the girl of a few hours ago. Here she was with her dark blue eyes and gentle laughter and her aura had lightened considerably, taking away much of the darkness that had threatened to consume her.

Noticing the two men had stopped their laughing, Kagome glanced around curiously, wondering what they were staring at. "What!" She finally huffed.

Kurama snapped out of his daze first. "It's nothing," he answered glancing at Yusuke. "Anyway, why don't we let the lady go first?"

Yusuke agreed.

"Hm," Kagome looked thoughtful. Ah, I know. "Hey, Kurama what kind of demon are you?"

Yusuke and Kurama drew in a breath quickly, as Yusuke's eyes narrowed and he sat up. "How do you know about that?"

Kagome looked a bit confused. "Is it like a secret or something?" Her face flushed in embarrassment. "Oh, I'm so sorry!"

Kurama smiled gently while cuffing Yusuke on the back of the head. The spirit detective lost his defensive stance and rubbed the back of his head, though he was still suspicious of Kagome. "Let's just say that not many people are very accepting of demons," Kurama trailed off as he thought about his mother's reaction to his news. Shiori had gone very quiet, almost deathly so, and then she'd called him a monster, telling him that he wasn't her son, and that he needed to leave. She'd sent him packing with just the clothes on his back and a few hundred dollars and closed the door behind him. He hadn't seen her since. Or should he say, she hadn't seen him.

And here a very pretty woman had simply come out and asked while managing to see him as if he were perfectly normal. Wasn't she frightened of him? Didn't she see that's all he was; a monster?

Kagome had noticed Kurama's aura swell with depression and wondered why he looked so...scared and defeated. What was he so afraid of? He knew she was a miko. Maybe he feared she was going to purify him. "Did-did I say something wrong?" She asked of Yusuke who had sat up in concern of his depressed friend.

Yusuke sighed as he watched the concern wash over the young woman's face. He knew Kurama hadn't told many people about what happened with his mother and that he was afraid of how people would react to him. That's the reason Kurama was so alone all the time. He feared rejection and repulsion amongst other things. Weird that such a strong and powerful demon could carry such fears. Yusuke sighed once again and beckoned Kagome closer, whispering in her ear about Kurama's situation. He didn't say much, just basically stated that something very bad happened between the kitsune and his mother and Kurama was still recovering.

He was surprised when he saw understanding flash across her face as she drew away from him to cross over to Kurama. But if there was anything Kagome understood it was fear of rejection, the fear of being alone for the rest of her life. So she could understand why Kurama could feel that way. And, though Yusuke hadn't told her the specifics, Kagome understood his pain.

Kagome moved over to where Kurama sat leaned against a wall, muttering under his breath every few seconds. He didn't notice when she climbed into his lap and sat facing him, cupping his cheeks in her soft fingers. He did however notice when she brushed away the single tear that began to fall from his right eye. When he looked up all he could see was blue and black. Her slightly wet hair lay draped around both their faces as she leaned closer to him, staring directly into his eyes. "Kurama, listen to me," she started softly and Kurama couldn't turn away from her if he tried. "I'm not frightened of you. I never will be. I felt your energy last night as you approached me and I knew instantly what you were. I could have fled whenever I wanted to and yet I stayed and allowed you to approach me. And when I felt you this morning do you know what I felt? Demon blood or not, you are no different than I am. You feel pain just like I do, you breathe just like I do, and you feel just like I do. Don't doubt yourself any longer. If people cannot accept you for who and what you are, then they never deserved to know you, the real you, in the first place."

Kagome's declaration stunned Kurama so much that he couldn't speak, could only stare directly into her solemn face. He'd never had anyone, save Yusuke, comfort him in such a way. And Yusuke could only do so much since he was dealing with his own inner pain; and to have someone who, up until last night was a complete stranger, tell him he wasn't alone, well it gave him a sense of peace he hadn't felt in many years.

He really didn't know hot to express what he was feeling with words, so he simply smiled faintly and returned the embrace. He was surprised when she returned the hug, only to turn around and plop down in his lap. Kurama couldn't help but love the way she fit in his arms, like she belonged. He found himself tugging her back into him as he allowed her to rest against his chest.

Yusuke didn't quite know what to make of all this. He hadn't seen Kurama act so alive in a long time. Over the past few years he'd gotten used to the silence surrounding his beautiful red-headed friend. Kurama never was talkative to being with, but since his depression hit, Kurama had been like the walking dead, only living because he still existed. And now here he was rescuing beautiful women in parks and bringing them home, only to have said woman begin opening up the portion of his heart he'd kept hidden away for so long. Yusuke didn't know why he felt slightly saddened. Here was his best friend getting comfort. He should be grateful that someone could provide that extra special feeling, the one that makes you feel ready for anything, how Keiko used to make him feel (Yucky, Keiko!). What would happen if Kurama fell in love with this girl and they moved away from him? Then he'd be alone again, just like he'd been growing up. Would Kurama forget all about him? Would he leave and never look back?

"Are you all right, Yusuke?" he heard Kagome ask when she spotted Yusuke's look of dread quickly spreading across his face.

"Huh, oh yeah, I'm fine," he stammered rubbing his head sheepishly, a bit angry at himself for getting too sentimental. This was all too much. Yusuke noticed Kurama observing him with those eyes, the ones that seemed to look past all his defenses to see exactly what he was inside. It made him feel vulnerable and exposed when his friend did that.

"Anyway I'm a silver kitsune," Kurama answered her previous question.

"Silver kitsune?" Kagome murmured, trying to picture what he looked like. "What's that?"

"Ah, ah," he admonished her, mischievousness present in his voice. "It's my turn now."

"Be sure to make it a good one, Kurama," Yusuke chuckled.

Kurama was silent while he tried to think of what to ask her. Of course he had a million questions he wanted to ask her but something told him she still wasn't comfortable spilling all her deep secrets. "Okay, Kagome, what's your favorite color?"

Kagome gave a silent prayer of relief and answered him, simply stating her favorite color was the moon. Interestingly enough, Kurama's eyes softened as he heard her whispered response and Yusuke smiled a true smile, both thinking that Kagome was correct, that nothing compares to the beauty of the moon. She was glad Kurama asked such a simple question. She just didn't feel like talking about her past just yet. But given time, she was sure she would learn to trust Kurama and even Yusuke...if she ever saw them again after this day. She didn't know why but the thought that she might never see these two again had her little heart beating so rapidly, she thought it would burst right through her chest. Who were these two, to make her feel such things? Why did she feel such a connection to them both? And most importantly, when was she going to forget about her past long enough to accept the possibility of having a future?

And that's it! That's all I could come up with. It's not the best chapter, but I think it lightened things a bit. As for what happens next, I couldn't tell ya'. Obviously Kagome has to go home at some point...and there's obviously something Yusuke and Kagome recognize about each other. To find out what that is, I guess you'll just have to keep on reading.

Ja ne.

Kura