Disclaimer: I don't own anything peeps!

Title: Ferment flowers
Author: Adorkablebanana
Genre: IY/YYH crossover, one shot, drama, angst, romance, fluff, Yuri, shoujo-ai.
Rating: R
Summary: The written mistake cost Kagome many valuables and perhaps the problem's outcome might have a ray of light out of the silver lining. YukinaxKagome.

Chapter 2- When snow fell

"If you aren't going all the way, why go at all?" - Joe Namath.

The wind will always smile down upon us and never more and never less will the effect disappear.

The cold wind brushed across her cheek and then came the illustrious snow. The gentle fall of snowflakes set the backdrop to the turbulent whirlwind residing inside her, she refused to give up and no matter the consequences of her actions she preferred to face it headstrong than to regret a cowardice choice.

She wallowed in the disgusting filth of depression for far too long and she wasn't about to permit the action to go on without a fight--she can't! she can't! She needed to know, she needs to discover for herself otherwise she won't know how to live the rest of her existence without a trace of felicity ever again. Not after the first disappointment.

Hiei won't speak to her.

Now she isn't speaking to her because Hiei threatened her.

'I will make an amends between him and me. I finally found him and I refuse to let him go.' Determined, she climbed up the long stack of stairs completely coated under a sheen of ice. Up each step she found herself frightened to consider the rejection she might face. The stone hard rejection ready to welcome her. 'You too, you too.'

'No. I--I won't let it end this way. Not this way' she distressed, coming closer and closer to the top. She glanced around, the entire shrine covered underneath the ice substance showering down harder. Squaring her shoulders she strode across the grounds and she knocked hard on the door in the front porch nearly succeeding keeping her manners in check. She was beyond curtsies and respect.

She knocked hard until an old man answered the door. He must be a relative of hers, she noted. The old man clutched his sweater, the cold reaching him head to toe. "Oh, young lady, how may I help you?" he asked. He rubbed his trembling chilled hands together for warmth. "Mighty cold out here, come inside and warm yourself up," the old man offered opening the door for her to enter. The girl right at his doorstep did not seem the least perturbed under the weather's thick icy conditions. Quite the contrary, she looked as if she's basking nice sunny day. He blinked perplexed.

"Um, no thank you, sir," Yukina replied politely, declining the offer. She bowed low boldly asking the old man she recognized as her Grandfather whether the one she searched for was home at the moment. She just had to be here… "Pardon me for asking but I need to know is Kagome-san home?"

"Kagome? Ah, yes, she's here. Do you want to come inside for her?"

"N-No. I mean, can you -- if it's not too much trouble that is--tell her that Yu--Keiko is here to see her. I would like a word with her, please" said Yukina almost slipping her cover. The entreating, innocent expression touched Kagome's Grandfather in a way he felt he couldn't deny the girl. She seemed so helpless he wanted to inquire the source to her distress to aid her but thought better of it, she asked for his Granddaughter and the reason behind it is between them.

"Are you sure you don't want to step in?" he asked once more. In this weather conditions its far from the common grace to keep a guest waiting at the door. She smiled weakly and shook her head, for the second time Yukina assured Kagome's Grandfather her spot suited her well. He sighed again as the offer went rejected. Well if she insisted… "Alright young lady, Kagome will be with you shortly." He shut the door and from her spot she could hear clearly the old man call for his Granddaughter. "Kagome! Kagome you have a visitor here to see you!"

She overcame one obstacle so far now she needed to sum up the rest of her courage to stand up to the one person she truly feared. She stepped out of her bounds just for her and only for her, even the intimidating Hiei, her brother, never incited fear in her. What was she going to do now? 'I have to try.'

Yukina stepped down from the Higurashi porch walking towards the shrine's famous god tree. She stared mindlessly up the enormous tree and oddly the strong feeling of valor stirred in her. Is this the same tree Kagomeoften looked for the eerie kind of console? Yukina was so afraid and the faint despair sometimes threaten to consume her.

The last time she saw Kagome was over a good long two months ago.

The last time she met contact was right after the day she let her in on a blinded truth Kagome paid dearly for.

Against everyone's warnings and above all Hiei's warnings forbidding her to let her tongue loose Kagome told her what she desperately sought for. Kagome told her the truth behind the identity of her long lost brother, Hiei. The relevance of the truth opened a new door she been deprived of and the knowledge completed her. Yukina had her suspicions each time she mentioned the issue; Botan, Yuusuke and even the dark demon himself acted strange and sometimes indifferent, especially when she talked to Hiei. He once told her, in his very callous manner, to give up on her brother for good. She almost believed his cold words. The icy way he told her off was extremely convincing after all and just as Yukina gave up on the search Kagome brought the light back into her life.

Strange enough Kagome disappeared after the incident.

Kagome use to visit Genkai's shrine to come to see Yukina and they often had wonderful afternoons sharing a nice cup of tea with lunch. Sometimes when the opportunity presented itself Kagome invited Yukina to hang out with her and her friends Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi, to do what young girls did best: shopping.

Yukina smiled in remembrance, actually "shopping" is how she cross paths with Kagome, if it weren't for the birthday present she purchased for Kazuma she probably wouldn't have ever met Kagome. Yukina wouldn't change anything from that day on.

Her sensitive ears picked up the soft creaks and footsteps stepping out the front door. Yukina turned and from the short distance away she took her sweet time taking in her profile. Kagome stood right a few paces away, in her long casual dress many of the girls in Tokyo are wearing, donning a thick sports sweater limiting the cold from freezing her. She clutched the sweater closer to her and searching around she called out for the suppose Keiko.

"Hey, Keiko? Where are you?" Kagome called out for her receiving no response whatsoever. In turn, Yukina swallowed the thick chunk of anxiety jammed in her throat.

"Keiko…?" Kagome was beginning to feel irked and thoroughly annoyed by Keiko's behavior. On Keiko's part she should stick to a more serious attitude more specifically under this weather she should show herself. If she throws her a snowball, oooh it's going to be on…

Kagome rubbed her trembling hands together, stimulating the circulation to run in her stiff hands. On the verge to call out for the troublesome Keiko she spotted the stray form of Yukina. Wide eyes, she blinked trying her hand in clearing her eyes. Maybe she's seeing things, she reasoned with the logical thought because there was no possible way Yukina is standing here in her family's shrine.

"Kagome…" her gentle voice chimed. This demolished Kagome's conceivable theory. She's here in the flesh.

Kagome's intent look reached Yukina in an indescribable way. Half way she embraced the stand hold moment and the more rational part Yukina's logic curled around the way Kagome stood there scrutinizing her in apparent disbelief.

The wind picked up chilling frost, blowing strong gusts of wind. The breeze carried Kagome's dark long hair, dancing like black silk in the air. Yukina couldn't deny the given fact Kagome's beyond the common beauty, Kagome's above all that and the harmonic beat inside her chest fluttered to light once more. Yukina felt a warm light unbolt in her.

"How did you get here?"

"I asked around. I wanted to see you again," Yukina replied to the almost dry question. Yukina didn't let it get in her way. She took hesitant steps closer to her, her foot prints marking the snowy earth.

Kagome watched her unmoved. She was pretty shocked to find the koorime right outside her family's property waiting for her. Yukina even went far as to lie to her Grandfather in order to lure her outside, Kagome was set to believe she'd find Keiko instead of her.

This was surprising, Kagome thought. She wiped the snow falling onto her face. "Yukina you shouldn't be here. Go back to the temple," she requested in all polite standards. She stepped down from the porch and walked towards Yukina.

Yukina's face contorted to a confused and upset blend. She shook her head fleeing from believing Kagome's callous demands. "No. Please Kagome don't send me away. Explain to me why you suddenly distanced yourself from me, is it something I did wrong?"

Kagome's pink face from the cold frowned, she didn't want to go into detail about it. "Yukina I thought when I told you the truth I made it clear after that I can't be seen around you," she spoke softly. Yukina's heart cracked hearing her. She did mention something subtle to her point Yukina just chose to disregard the foreshadow. Yukina didn't want to believe in the idea Kagome would ever leave her side. "Yukina we can't see each other as friends anymore. The way things turned out it would be impossible."

"Is that why you have this cut on your cheek?" Yukina reached up her small soft hand gently touching the thin yet deep cut slashed across Kagome's cheek. Kagome wasn't that much taller than her, she measured about the same height as her brother. "Did he do this to you?" Kagome's eyes widen as she withdrew away from Yukina's touch.

She turned the other way, hiding her injury from her view. "I don't know what your talking about" she lied nervously. She could never succeed lying to anyone and to Yukina she's transparent as sheer white sheets.

Yukina's brow knitted and the ridged stance in her petite frame confirmed her determination. "Hiei did do this to you." The almost harsh way her voice laced around her brother's name alarmed Kagome. Kagome whirled around her tone condescending her for thinking wrongly of someone who was afraid of her very opinion on him.

"Don't you dare think wrong of him. He didn't get to do anything to me because at the last minute he just found it pointless." 'And Kurama stopped him too.' She left that minor detail out. "Hiei…"

"He did do this to you. Is he always going to --"

"No. No. Listen to me closely, he was just afraid of what you would think of him and breaking his secret he had a right to get angry." Kagome sighed, her breath coming out in wispy puffs in the cold atmosphere. Yukina looked down finding the ground a bit too interesting at the moment. What can she say to that? Was he really that afraid her to the point he'd attack Kagome for selling his secret out?

Did Hiei fear she might think low of him and dismiss him right on the dot? According to Kagome these horrible thoughts ridden in guilt were correct.

"I didn't know. I just thought he hated me and kept the fact he's my brother hidden because it repulsed him to have me on his back," the koorime admitted quietly. She honestly thought she had a grasp on what the Jaganshi felt. She's so baffled around these new revelations.

"Don't doubt he cares about you. It's exactly like what I said." Yukina stared up at her. Kagome's compassionate nature allowed her to revel in it. 'I want her to hold me so badly…' she doubt severely Kagome would do this for her on her own. She might of in the past.

Yukina made to touch Kagome's hand but lower it when Kagome turned to retreat back to the house. "Go home Yukina. I already said too much and I don't want anymore problems than I already have. Go before it gets dark," Kagome's curt tone left no room for arguments. She dispatched her with a wave as she started for the house. It's getting too cold outside for her taste.

Just like that she easily brushed Yukina off. There the koorime stood having the nasty sensation a knife drove through her chest. Kagome doesn't want to have anything to do with her. Nothing at all! The familiar stinging ebbing the corners of her eyes threaten to pour out. 'No, I can't let it end this way. Don't do this to me, Kagome.' Yukina bit her quivering lip quashing her dread and pushing forth the dormant courage she ran on since the start of this mess. She came this far already she might as well go all out.

All out with a bang.

She rushed forward and latched her hand onto Kagome's forearm. "Don't go. Don't tell me to go because I won't."

Kagome glanced back at her startled. Yukina's tight grip wouldn't falter. "Why?"

"Why? Well I don't want you to simply walk away from my life that's why. Do I bother you that much you want to get away from me?" She clutched her arm, her eyes were close to the brink of those damning tears. Yukina closed her eyes hugging Kagome's arm to her chest. She's so warm compared to everything outside.

"You know that isn't it. I really like having you around but…we just can't anymore. Hiei won't --"

"Stop it already! My brother is something completely different from this subject. This denial is coming from only you. I promise if anything I will protect you, I just don't want you to go away."

'Don't leave me hollow…please…'

Kagome closed her eyes tight then reopened them, she refused to hear more of this. She struggled to unlatch the girl clinging to her for dear life, during the tussle --which Yukina fought hard to win-- Kagome lost her footing on the slippery ground she slipped tumbling to the icy floor. Yukina fell with her and halfway through after the awakening call of freezing cold snow she stopped. Kagome stopped, her energy to put more fight into ridding her person of Yukina came to a standstill.

Whether it was the affect the chilling snow had or the desperation glittering in those beautiful red hues known as Yukina's eyes gazing down at her as she pulled herself up and seated herself beside Kagome's layout form lying flat on the lumpy ground. "Stay with me please. I need you more than anything," and she said it with such a sweet forlorn whisper it was a side of Yukina few has seen.

Kagome said nothing for a long time.

Nor did Yukina no matter how bad the urge to input a word to break this spell.

They watched the snow raining down. It was beautiful.

The numbing pressure the snow created on her body ached and Kagome abhor the very idea to fall ill. She sighed, sitting up. Kagome brushed the excessive wet ice coating her and very calmly said, "Help me up and let's get back to my place to dry off."

Yukina brighten up like a polished jewel, her heart felt light again. She held her hand out helping Kagome pull herself to her feet. They left to the house and right before they entered through the doorway Yukina's world shattered for a second time. "After you shower and dry up I think it's best you leave…for good." Yukina swore she heard the girl's sorrow, her own emotional wound wouldn't let her think further into it. "It's for the best, get it?"

Inside Kagome lead Yukina upstairs to the bathroom connected near her bedroom. Kagome rummaged the closet for dry towels she set them out neatly for Yukina to use. Her head hanging low, Yukina sat beside the tub making no move to start herself the bath Kagome offered her for her personal use. "Aren't you going to turn the water on?" Kagome asked while she removed her soaked sweater.

"No" was her simple reply. "I don't want to shower here."

"Alright then. Have it your way. At least dry yourself off." Seeing she didn't move to aid herself Kagome snatched the dry towel and sat beside Yukina. Was she truly hurt by her comment? Kagome truthfully hoped not. Hurting her feelings is the last thing she wanted occurring. 'This is for the best. You'll understand someday.' The question is if that someday ever comes.

Kagome toweled Yukina's damp hair in silence. No one said anything and Yukina's breaths grew ragged the more she inhaled Kagome's enticing scent. She can't resist holding back any longer and as aching and out of character this is, Yukina's hands smoothed up over Kagome's wrists, holding her hands immobilized. "Yuki--"

"I don't want to 'get it' as you put it Kagome." She looked up into her eyes, Yukina's bright eyes gazing into Kagome's dark eyes, reflecting pure honesty she couldn't disguise. No, she refused to permit Kagome to get away from her. Not until she hears it from her directly. "Tell me the truth. Be honest with me, do you really like me?"

"Yukina, c'mon. Not this again --"

"No! Stop!" Yukina cried out. She shook under her emerging sobs. "I don't want to hear it again. Stop beating around the bush and tell me the truth. Kagome, please…I'm not ashamed to say this, I --I love you. I want us to be together…"

Kagome shoulders slacked, she gaped at the pink faced koorime as if she grown an extra head. "What? Yukina, this is ridiculous. You're confused. You can't 'love me.' I thought you were referring to some other emotion - like you cared for me deeply as a friend," Kagome reasoned, her brows furrowing. She feared this, this was the very fear Kagome tried to avert with all her might. She didn't want to mislead this girl into believing her intentions were something far more deeper.

Then yet, here Kagome stared. Watching the tear gems forming as the tears leaked out the corners of her eyes. She looked deeply hurt and Kagome did not know exactly what to say to justify this.

"Why?" she said in a tiny voice. "Why is it wrong for me to love you? Is it too taboo for humans to accept love between two individuals of the same gender? Does it disgust you?"

"Yukina, I just -- look, I don't have any prejudgments of people who like people of the same sex. I just can't do it. I can't," Kagome huffed, putting all her efforts into eliminating the stubborn streak Yukina's going on. She doesn't get it! No one will ever accept this.

Kagome turned her face away, she can't stand leveling with her eye to eye. Yukina on the other hand cupped Kagome's pretty face forcing her to regard her. The frown on the koorime's face increased, Yukina gave it another try, and if she refused then its over. "I don't know what to do if you are disgusted by my affections. But still…I want to let you know my love for you wouldn't waver, woman or not." She pushed her against the tiled wall throwing her arms tightly around her shoulders. Yukina held her, trembling and sobbing hysterically.

Pale and stunned, Kagome sagged in the desperately sought embrace. The soft cries of weeping and the occasional plip of the Hiroseki stones hitting the tiled floor reached the disoriented girl's ears. Kagome imploded, the deep seeded ale consuming Yukina contaminated her, if her guilt wasn't already swamping her in this immersed her whole. "Don't cry, it's not worth it. I'm sorry," she apologized her hand patting her back soothingly.

"Are you really or just the need to comfort a cold woman appeals to you at the moment?"

"Yukina look at me." Kagome pulled her back to force her to look at her. "I'm sorry, but it can never work. Look at me Yukina, I'm human I can't even defend us --"

"That doesn't matter. Please, just give us a chance. I can prove it to you we can go far with this," Yukina coaxed persistently, gently cupping Kagome's face. "Even if I did want to flee from you I'm sad to say this cannot be done…I want to be with you and only you." Their lips were mere inches apart and the whisking allure in the demonesses eyes bared, the look that undid Kagome. Yukina kissed her.

Her soft lips brushed the girl's lips ever so gently and she retracted. Her cheeks blushing, Yukina's self-consciousness threaten to overtake her. 'No, not this time.' She leaned in again, closing her eyes, the girl's parted lips lacked the reinforcement to stop her so Yukina took them again, slipping in some tongue she eagerly partook in inciting Kagome's sweet tongue.

Her heart drummed harshly, her ears almost went deaf hearing the pounding of her heart and the thick erratic breathing. The tingle sparking from the crippling kiss spread out, and before she could stop herself Kagome's trembling hand slipped behind the back of Yukina's neck and she responded to her profound kisses, tangling her hands up in her beautiful teal hair.

Yukina's gentle kisses advanced down the nape of her soft neck, she could feel the warmth radiating off her skin. A single lick she stole a taste, she wanted to taste more of her if possible.

Kagome released a heavy, unsteady breath. She stared up at the white ceiling lost. This all felt deliciously good and was it wrong for her to continue on? What to do now is the question? "Do you think it is possible we can be together?"

Yukina froze stopping where she was. She pulled back giving her a look entirely of amazement. She was considering it! Yukina nodded and leaned forehead against forehead. "I swear you won't regret this."

"I don't. I wouldn't have said anything to you if I didn't care only …this is new to me. I don't know if I can do it again," she said hinting dubious insecurity. She loved a man once and the way destiny unfolded she and InuYasha were set apart. Maybe the pain might become worse with a woman, what if something were to happen to her or Yukina? Then what?

The smile covering Yukina's lips signaled the confident evidence she had to reel her in for good. "If you weren't sure about this you would have never risked everything by telling me the truth. You even got assaulted for it and willingly took it" Yukina stated the factual points ensuring her somewhere deep in Kagome she desired to take the plunge.

"I know. That's why I'll us a chance." Kagome finalized the deed tilting her head to capture her lips more accurately and shyly she poured a portion of her passion in melting the Koorime's senses as she gifted her with fervent kisses.

She gave in to Kagome and Yukina loved every passing second of it. This was bliss.

"I don't think I can move…not yet," Kagome confessed, she broke the stillness they concluded their session in.

"Why?" Yukina asked, glancing above her to look Kagome in the face.

"I don't want to, well you know." Kagome turned red again at her suggestion in mind.

The attractive smile striking Yukina's lips agreed very much on the idea. No one will know, the door's locked and who's going to suspect? Yukina rose much to her body's protest though the intent she had in mind set her lethargy to the side for the initial purpose. Yukina stripped off her clothes and stepped in the bathtub twisting the knob starting the shower. The water cascaded down her long soaked hair, her eyes took on the similar flare calling to Kagome's attention. "Come on in," Yukina held her hand out to Kagome.

Kagome wobbled to her feet and with a steady step she grasped the koorime's hand letting the demoness take the lead once more.

Right before the moment Hiei left to the Makai for a temporary time, he stopped by Kurama's place, to bid the kitsune a fair farewell until the next time he decides to pester him again.

He sat, for a change, inside the living room on one of the solitaire couches waiting on Kurama to finish that blasted phone call he babbled on and on in the secrecy of his room. He told Hiei he would just take a minute. That minute ended half hour ago. The bastard.

Here he tried to show some form of respect to the fox and he decides to conveniently take a phone call longer than needed. Hiei glared at the nearest item possible to vent a portion of his annoyance in order to maintain the bit of patience he had remaining. What a bother.

That settled it. Hiei stood up and retreated to the balcony for fresh air this house felt far too stuffy. He lounged outside in the crisp cold air and the ale that came with the cold blowing swiftly brought undesired wretchedness he easily dismissed for the sake of his sanity. Hiei opened up his palm letting the bits of snowfall dissolve in his hand. Was this truly goodbye? Goodbye to her?

From the corner of his eye Kurama monitored Hiei's movements up until he left the living room to the balcony. His lips curved speaking in a low tone over the phone, "He's still here, you should hurry up before he disappears off."

"I'm right downstairs, we're coming up, make sure he doesn't go" came the voice known as Kagome's through the receiver. She urged the far too laidback Kurama to stall Hiei until she and Yukina arrived. Yukina clutched onto Kagome's hand feeling edgy to see Hiei face to face. The terror he might shun her and see her off raised the hair on the back of her neck, Yukina worried about what he might possibly say to her.

Although Yukina resisted the urge to voice her worries Kagome already read right off the bat the mixture of apprehension fleeting her. Nobody had to say anything, Kagome knew what's running inside Yukina's head. She gave her hand a squeeze for reassurance drawing in the silent demonesses' attention. "Everything is going to be fine. I'm sure of it."

"What if --"

"There's no 'what if ' here. Yukina I promise," Kagome whispered to her. 'And if the inevitable happens we have each other in the end. I knew the consequences of spilling the truth and I have no regrets of telling. I couldn't stand seeing you in pain any longer, I didn't care what happened to me, you just matter.'

A beam quirked Yukina's lips. The heavy dismay lessen hearing the moral support. She's right in a way, what most aren't aware of Yukina is stubborn and takes no for an answer. They ascended the stairs to Kurama's apartment the swelling anticipation rising as they approached the door. Lucky for the two Kurama left the door open for them, the buzz of the doorbell might've alarmed a certain youkai. Kurama greeted them in low tones indicating Yukina where her brother stood. "He's pretty out of it, it would be wise to take the straightforward approach or Hiei will leave without a second thought," Kurama advised. Yukina nodded and thanked him. She went on sending a quick backward glance to the one girl she could count on to root for her.

'You can do it.' She held confidence in Yukina and if anyone can get what they wanted accomplished Yukina can.

The second Yukina was out of sight the smile on Kurama's face deepened to a more sly smirk. He leaned over whispering in the ridged girl's ear, "You owe me one."

"Oh do I now? What happened to good deeds?" Kagome said dryly, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Good for you but what about my compensation?" The striking redhead chuckled with a different level of roguish, Kagome glared livid at him. "I don't think it's fair on my behalf to receive no form of gratitude."

"You --"

"Then I'll just have to take what's offered to me," Kurama said as a matter of fact and just to see that cute red flush color her face he leaned in brushing his lips over hers. He stepped back apparently thoroughly satisfied. Kagome twitched, her voice to scowl him lost. God she wanted to wring his neck in! Damn kitsune! "Yukina hit the top mark with you."

Mad as Kagome was at the moment she couldn't say nothing to that. She snipped any sort of communication between her and Kurama. Incensed in all aspects inwardly Kagome couldn't prevent the pride swelling in her from the mention of his knowing words.

Outside the mellow downpour of snow continued on, Hiei unfazed in the least stood contemplating the situation forward. The reports Mukuro send him supplied a good summary on the minor problems occurring in the Makai. Hiei was by far aware of Mukuro's ability to maintain order thus losing interest in the new report. His concentration was thwarted when a far, but far too familiar youki force suddenly surrounded him. The barest indications he acknowledged Yukina came in the form of a blunt: "What are you doing here?" Hiei peered behind a shoulder, his callous unreadable eyes captivating her.

Yukina in turn flashed her brightest grin. "I came to reclaim my brother back."

The end.

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