Here we go again! Another wild ride for my favorite characters! As always i welcome feed back!

Sunsetfireice82 (ps I don't own the characters from Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho any others are mine... ^_- ) From this point on Updates will be every Saturday ^_^

Chapter 2

"Nothing Hiei, it was just the dye for Kagome's hair. She had a awful reaction to it so we had to do without the hair color idea. " Kurama explained as he put the glasses on her again. "Meet Kagome Hatanaka."

Hiei and Yuusuke gaped at her and Kurama had to suppress a growl at the way Yuusuke was looking her over. Now that he had given her one of his family names he felt more protective of her than before and he most definitely did not like the way these two males were looking at her. Baring his teeth a little for an instant he put his arm around her shoulders to turn her to face him.

Hiei noticed the actions and frowned, what the hell was with Kurama all of the sudden? Kagome wasn't blood so it shouldn't cause his instincts to rise for them to look at her. Hiei nearly slapped his forehead. Kurama had given her his family name. True it wasn't the one he was called by but the family of the Hatanaka's fell under his protection as well. Great. Well that plan was destined to cause problems and he was going to nip it in the bud right now.

"Kurama she can't take your name. it makes you act instinctively protective of her. If you act that way around her someone will question it. She can take the surname of Hanamori." He paused to be certain Kurama had caught his meaning.

~thank you~

"We can keep the idea that she is from another town and that you offered her a place to live out of the goodness of your heart when we ran into her at the park. We will keep the idea that we told her about the youkai when something strange happened. Maybe she saw Yuusuke's markings or something like that. Or perhaps we could save her from some marauding youkai." He shrugged.

~it certainly happened enough...~

Hiei looked at her and sighed "Either way she is under all of our protection, the strongest will be the lead in this," He hated admitting his weakness in comparison to his team leader; he had built up his strength to equal Yuusuke's and have a chance at claiming him for his own and then Yuusuke is made a king. Completely out of his league unless he is made king of the Makai, Hiei gritted his teeth, "Yuusuke that would be you. Just as in the Makai, Mazoku kings come before right hand men and heirs. Do you have any complaints Kurama?" He waited for the kitsune to shake his head before turning to his leader.

"Do you have any Yuusuke?" Kurama asked as he sighed. He hadn't meant to get so protective of her it was just, knowing who she was now and knowing some of what she had been through concerning males. She had just lost her lover and already males were sniffing around her.

He did not include himself in that thought for he was a patient soul and he could bide his time until she was ready to love again. Kurama had decided while reading her journal that he wanted her, just as he was almost certain that Hiei had done although the apparition had given no clear signs. The very fact that Hiei had spoken his thoughts told volumes of his feelings, interesting. Yuusuke made no effort to hide his interest in the Miko and he was certain that at some point interest would become love, but if he could win her affections his teammate's desires would mean nothing.

He frowned in thought, love was not a fair battle field and the slightest thing could either tip the scale for or against any of them. Ah, but he was getting ahead of himself, friendship had to be well established before love could blossom properly.

~ What's wrong with me staying me? Why Hanamori? ~ Kagome asked irritably to the only one who could hear her.

^Why not? ^ He replied ignoring her first question and focusing on the second. Hiei was feeling rather pleased that she had once again opened her thoughts to him.

It was what she was, a small fragile flower in a vast forest of uncertainty, a forest he would protect her from whether she knew he was or not. Kagome was unique and his respect for her was greater than any other being in his eyes. In fact he too had nearly growled seeing Kurama and Yuusuke in her room with her. His ire had greatly increased when he realized that Kurama was in the bathing room with her. And he was upset about Yuusuke for an entirely different reason. Damn them, both of them. They were both sniffing around the Miko like hungry wolves.

They didn't see her cry last night. They weren't the ones who held her as she cried out for her lover in the dark. He had been and he had heard her every scream of anguish. A new male was the last thing she needed. Kurama should know better and Yuusuke, hadn't he been dumped last night? Shouldn't he be pinning over his beloved human? Apparently Yuusuke was more fickle than he had thought if he was over his Keiko already. Ok that wasn't fair but he was confused. He wanted Yuusuke and due to the youkai laws he couldn't make a move on anyone above his rank. As mukuro's heir he out ranked Kurama but as a Lesser King Yuusuke was above them all.

He silently growled. Baka he should have said that he would take the lead in Kagome's care since he was the only one she could speak to. That way he could have kept these fools away from her until she was ready. Hiei knew that someone as wonderful as Kagome would never come to care for a creature as awful as himself but that didn't mean he could not win her friendship.

~It's not me. I think I like it better that I am just a friend. I don't want to be part of Kurama's family. I don't think I'd fit in very well. No offence to Kurama.~

^No offense was taken Kagome. I promise you that. ^ Hiei thought to her, infinitely pleased that she had rejected the Hatanaka idea on her own.

~Yuusuke is a king? What and where is the Makai? ~ Kagome asked silently toweling her wet hair to dry it. She looked at Yuusuke and giggled. ~He doesn't act like a king.~

^Technically he wasa king, but he gave up his right to rule through a ridiculous tournament. Now the winner of the tournament held in the Makai becomes the king for the space of three years. Unless the king decides to abolish the tournament there will be another one this spring. Yuusuke and Kurama and I will be entering. ^

He looked at her with serious eyes as he finished answering her question.^The Makai is the world where the youkai exist now. It has always been there but around the human change in power just after your time in the past, the Reikai ordered all youkai to flee to the Makai or die. To ensure peace in the Ningenkai, this world, a barrier was put in place that would keep youkai from coming back. ^

~You want to be king? ~

He looked at her for a long moment. ^ To a youkai power is everything and no one has more power there than the king. Yuusuke gave up his title and his lands but the current king was a friend of Yuusuke's ancestral father. So he was made a lesser kingand given control of his lands under him. I too am a lord but only as the heir to a lordship. ^ He added with a slight growl.

Kagome got up, walked over to the apparition and sat next to him. Lightly she rested her hand on his. ~You are upset with Yuusuke's choice right? That's why you want to be king. But you are wrong you know. Just because he was made a lesser kingbecause his ancestor died doesn't make you less than him. Yuusuke is Yuusuke and Hiei is Hiei so what's wrong with just being the best you can be for you? I can tell you are already very powerful maybe even a little more powerful than Yuusuke, so shouldn't that be enough?~

Hiei's eyes widened as she mentally spoke with him. She was amazing. How had she known just what to say to calm his uncertainties? And her willingness to touch him in such a gentle way, who was this Miko called Kagome? What had she not written in her journal about herself? She had written about her battles and her feelings but how had her companions felt about her? Had she always been so warm and understanding? If she had always been this way, then Inuyasha was more a fool than he thought. He was glad now that she could not speak, for he didn't want his teammates to know her kindness as he did. ^I am not upset with his choice. Only with my rank. It denies me that which I want more than power.^ The thought was out before he realized he had sent it to her and she looked at him and then over to Yuusuke. He had said too much.

Kurama looked at his watch, "Kagome, would you like to go out for dinner tonight?" He asked giving her a winning smile. She shook her head in the negative with a smile. She had planned for dinner and tonight she was making Oden. Typically it was a winter dish but Fall was close enough and she loved Oden especially her mother's recipe; she wanted to share it with her new friends, her other family had loved it especially Inuyasha. Her smile fell and became brittle and she lowered her face in to her hands. Would it always be like this for her now? Would everything constantly remind her of the one she had lost. Would it always feel like her soul was torn in two?

She felt arms surround her and leaned into the embrace. Her nose filled with the smell of slightly burnt cinnamon and she sighed. She could place each of them by their smell. Kurama smelled of mint and slightly of roses, Yuusuke smelled clean with an earthy smell. She liked it, because it reminded her of night time in the Feudal Era.

The wind would blow through the trees carrying with it the same earthy smell. It smelled like home; home, where Inuyasha was no longer waiting for her. Inuyasha had smelled of pine and wind. She missed burying her nose in to his fire rat fur kimono and breathing him in. She missed the way his eyes would light up as he would laugh. She missed his smile and the way her name sounded on his lips. Tears began to spill through her fingers and dripped on to her lap. Jumping up she ran to the bathroom and locked the door behind her. She couldn't face them right now. Her heart was breaking and she just couldn't let anyone see it.

Kurama and Yuusuke gaped at the spot she had been and at the sight they had both witnessed of Hiei hugging Kagome while she cried. They had been startled enough by Hiei not pulling away when she touched him. Something had happened to their cold companion to make him softer around her. It was unnerving to think she had been there one day and already things had changed. Yuusuke was fighting an internal war. Hiei hugged Kagome but he wanted Hiei, or to be fair maybe them both. God he was so greedy.

Arms once again encircled her and she jumped startled that there was someone there. Her eyes widened as she looked up in to bright carmine eyes. ^I knew you would run from us and you thought it to me so as soon as you moved I came in. You can't out run me Kagome so don't try. Inuyasha, did he like to see you cry? Of course not, he loved you right? Do you think he would have ever wanted you to suffer alone? Mourn him but don't hide it. We know that you are in pain so there is no need to run from us. I can help you if you wish. I can dull his memory in your mind or I can erase him completely, but I won't do anything until you ask me to.^ Just by offering he was breaking the rules of the reikai. If he went through with it he could forfeit his life, but for her...

~Erase Inuyasha?! But that would be- I can't. ~ The fire of determination flashed in her eyes. ~I won't. ~ Her shoulders squared and she lifted her head. ~I will never forget him and I will never try. I loved him with everything I had. It hurts but I won't run away. I am Kagome Higurashi. I am the Shikon no Miko and I won't let this break me. ~ She pulled the glasses off her face and scrubbed the tears from her eyes. ~Hiei, you are wrong about something. Maybe it isn't my place but sometimes love is worth breaking the rules for~

Hiei nodded his head in pride at her. "hn." He said simply as he opened the door and left. Kagome ran her fingers through her midnight locks and sighed now she was even more glad that the hair dye didn't happen. It was cute and it might have looked good on her, but it wasn't her. She had never run from anything before except herself and now it was time to embrace who she was. It was time to call home.

She walked out of the bathroom and faced Kurama and bowed her head. He smiled as he walked over. Something was different about her. She was stronger and no longer looked as though the slightest thing would break her. Whatever had happened in the few minutes she had been in the bathroom had changed her. Her eyes had lightened in color and sparkled in a way that left him breathless. Hiei appeared beside him and plucked his cell phone from his pocket and tossed it to her, in response Kurama assumed, from an unspoken request. Her hand was trembling as she dialed a number and pushed speaker phone.

"Higurashi residence." Her mother greeted. "Hello?...Is someone there?"

Kurama moved to answer the greeting but Hiei put out his arm stopping him.

Kagome had her eyes closed and her empty fist clenched. They all leaned slightly forward waiting to hear a voice they had not yet heard. Thoughts didn't truly have a "voice" "M-M-Mama?" her voice was a mere whisper but the woman on the other line went silent.

"Kagome? Darling you are back? I had no idea. Where are you? Are you safe?

"Mm, I came back." She whispered.

There was a pause. As if her mother was reading the emotions in the whispered words. "I won't ask you what happened, but I know you will do what's best for you. You always have a place here. You know that right? Are you safe at least sweetheart?" she repeated.

"Mm. I made some new friends." Her voice faltered. And she opened and closed her mouth helplessly.

Kurama took the phone from her, taking it off speaker phone and raised it to his ear. "Kagome is safe Mrs. Higurashi, my name Shuichii Minamino I'm a friend. Kagome is staying at my house. Forgive me for cutting in but I am afraid Kagome has been through quite an ordeal and lost her voice for a time. She is right here and I am taking good care of her. I would be happy to escort her home if she would like." He paused listening to the woman speak.

"It is. Yes." he replied in a friendly tone and then his eyes widened. Yuusuke's eyes watched the expressions flit over Kurama's face.

Kurama blinked and his tone lowered "I am a youkai, but how did you-?" This conversation was driving Yuusuke crazy.

Then Kurama's face cleared and he smiled a little. "Ah, I see. Well as you know, I will not hold back in saying that she is under my protection. Well, my self and my two best friends."

"Of course she can. I was about to ask you."

"Money, no we have all of that taken care of."

"I assure you Mrs. Higurashi that Kagome will be taken care of and looked out for." Kurama then gave her his number and bid her good bye.

Kurama turned to Kagome with a welcoming smile, "Your mother asked me if you could live here Kagome. Would you like to?"

"Yes." She whispered.

"Don't strain yourself to speak Kagome. I understand your desire to communicate but there is no rush. I'll give you the guest house and you may decorate it in any way you like. I would be happy to help. " Kurama offered as he took her hand.

"Me too, Kagome!" Yuusuke piped up as he draped an arm over her shoulders. "Hiei you will help too right?"

"If she wishes it," He replied flatly. Then he blushed as Yuusuke tossed his other arm around him.

~You might be surprised Hiei...~

Kagome wiped her brow as she tossed the rag into a bucket and looked with a critical eye at the polished wood floor in her little house. Her kitchen was spotless and she smiled in satisfaction. She had worked hard and she felt pride in herself over her accomplishment.

Kurama had been quite embarrassed when he had opened the door of the unused guest house and saw the state of it. He had basically told her that he and the other two would clean it and she wasn't to lift a finger but that had been last night, Sunday night. Kurama had left for work as had Yuusuke and Hiei had disappeared somewhere.

Being left alone with her thoughts Kagome searched her room till she found her first aid kit and rummaged through until she found the item she sought. Anxious fingers trembled as she looked down at the shiny wrapper and the words "One test" printed on it. She swallowed heavily trying to force down the lump in her throat. Silently she walked to the bathroom and closed the door following the directions Kagome took the test and then sat waiting for the result.

She was far from calm. Since leaving the Feudal Era Kagome had steadily gained weight. A little would have been expected with how she ate but it was not normal that she only seemed to be expanding in her breasts and her belly. Already she had had to keep her bra expanded to the second to the last clasp to feel comfortable and she had more than overflowed the cups. A quick search on the Internet had brought her to where she sat staring with wide eyes at the blue plus sign. Her throat worked convulsively and she slid to the floor. Her mind raced with questions and fears. What was she going to do?

Shocked and left to her own devices Kagome gathered a bucket and some rags from the closet and the key to her new place and decided to clean to keep her thoughts away from the one thought she didn't want to face. She gathered all of the linens and hung them out in the sun to air out first thing. Then she had walked through her house with a broom and swept out the dirt. She'd beaten the rugs and had just finished polishing the floor when a shadow fell over her.

"Onna, Kurama is going to be very upset you didn't allow him to clean for you." He smirked. "I can't wait to see his face." Hiei grabbed a basket and left only to return moments later with the linens. "If you do not wish to be found out already, I suggest we return to the main house."

Kagome giggled silently and nodded taking the basket from him and back to her room. She could put them away later. For now though she had dinner to make. It was the least she could do to cook and clean while they were at work. Hurrying out the door she locked it behind her. Hiei had already turned off all the lights and pulled the curtains.

Kurama leaned back in his tall black chair and sighed. On his desk several files lay unopened. His mind was away and focused on a certain young woman who was alone with Hiei. He still couldn't believe how much of a mess one year of disuse caused in the house he'd given Kagome.

It would only take him a day to set it to rights, but still for anything that he owned to look like was a disgrace. The walls needed a fresh coat of paint and the roof needed to be repaired. She would need dishes and cook ware, the utilities were already on before. The whole thing needed an update from the appliances to the carpet but he wanted her to pick out all of that. He eyed his watch and stood up. He'd had enough of work today. Kagome would be bored to tears and he was willing to bet Yuusuke would be there when he got home.

Suddenly Kurama wanted more than anything to shed his human disguise and run with all the speed of his kitsune self back to his home and back to Kagome. And why not, He asked himself. Humans would never even notice him if he didn't want to be noticed. Quickly he clocked out and took off his suit coat and hung it in the closet in his office. Without being spotted he slipped out of the door and into an alley where he was out of sight. With a slight shift he had taken on his true form and with a slight displacement of air he was gone.

Ever since the Makai tournament when he had merged completely with Shuichii, taking on either form was as simple as breathing. Shuichii remained a part of him but he was without a doubt more youkai. If he hadn't been than this form would have been impossible for him.

Kagome felt the displacement of wind and turned expecting anything else but a small slim silver fox sitting on the counter watching her with golden eyes. His seven tails swished as he tilted his head to one side. Atop his head two silver ears twitched as she stared at him.

"Kurama I thought you didn't like it when people sat on your counters." Yuusuke said as he opened the fridge and pulled out a soda. The silver fox gave a little yip and a small bark before he shifted back to the form she was used to. "Excuse me Yuusuke but this is my house, I can sit on the counters if I so choose.

Kagome reached out her hand and lightly touched his hair. The silky crimson strands slid easily through her fingers. Kurama froze afraid to move lest she withdraw. Her blue eyes were open in wonder as she lightly touched the place where his ears had been. She looked a little disappointed. She shook her self and whispered a soft apology. Kurama smiled at her and softly touched her cheek wiping away the few tears that had leaked out of her eyes. "There is no need to apologize Kagome. Would you like to play with my ears for a little bit?" he offered as he studied her eyes. "I really don't mind if it is you Kagome." He said before he closed his eyes and shifted.

Eager golden eyes looked at her from the fox on the counter Kagome's hand shook as she reached out and with trembling fingers lightly touched the tip of his ear. He rumbled his approval in a little growl that sounded almost like a purr. Gaining confidence she moved closer and startled him when she scooped him up and carried him to the couch sitting down with him she placed him on her lap and lightly ran her fingers through his silky fur. When her hand touched his tail he jumped and caught her hand lightly in his teeth. He shook his head as he placed her hand back on his side. She looked confused for a moment and then she hung her head. "Sorry." She whispered very softly. Kurama stood in her lap and pushed her face up with his nose lightly he licked her cheeks.

It was an unspoken rule one never touched a kitsune's tails. Special permission could be granted but usually only a parent, mate or lover was granted that gift. It was an intimate act more so than making love since a kitsune's power lay in his tails and besides the one they were born with it took three hundred years to acquire each subsequent tail. They were his pride and proof that he had lived for over eighteen hundred years. Yoko Kurama nudged her hand with his nose to encourage her to pet him more but she continued to look upset. In a blink he had moved beside her and had shifted to the red haired male and lightly drew her into his arms. "Do you know why I stopped you?" she shook her head and so he patiently explained. "I am not upset Kagome. You could not have known. I'll tell you what after work each day I will let you play with my ears if you will smile for me. "

Kagome's lips turned up in a slight smile and he looked at her for a moment before leaning over and kissing her cheek. "There that's my girl. Now, let's finish up dinner I am starving."

Yuusuke glared at the back of the kitsune's head and griped the spoon in his hand tighter as he stirred the food. "Smooth. Sneaky bastard." He muttered under his breath. Hiei could only agree.

As predicted Kurama was indeed upset that Kagome had cleaned the entire guest house and purchased dishes and cookware, though she would not disclose the place her funds had come from. He had a sneaking suspicion that a certain spiky haired hiyoukai had something to do with it. He couldn't blame her though. It had been a rough couple of weeks at work and due to a couple of youkai attacks in the city he hadn't had much time to spare at home. Every night he had come home and crawled in to bed fully exhausted from the day. Since that day he hadn't had the energy to transform for Kagome. In fact he hadn't spoken to her except in passing for two weeks.

It was Saturday once again and Kurama rolled up his sleeves as he put the paint brush in the can and looked at his work. Kagome had chosen a light friendly blue for her living room and a bright happy green and white for her kitchen and the same blue as her living room was in her bathroom. Her bedroom, she had wanted plain white but Kurama had convinced her that a deep forest green with cream accents to complement the mahogany wood furniture that was already there would be nicer and more soothing. He spared no expense on the appliances and the carpet installer would be there in a few hours.

Hiei looked with boredom at the drying paint trying to keep his ki level so the paint would dry evenly. Yuusuke had escorted Kagome to do the grocery shopping with express orders to keep her away from the house until after sunset. Kurama had shoved a handful of cash in to Yuusuke's hands and told him to take her to pick out kitchen furniture like a table and also a couch that would fit the colors in her living room.

Kurama frowned at the feeling of his cell phone vibrating in his pocket. Assuming it was the contractors calling to confirm he flipped open the pone and said a polite but curt "hello?"

"Kurama, I don't know what to do, Kagome just passed out."

The phone clattering to the floor made the apparition turn swiftly at the sound to find he was alone. "Damn it Kurama I don't know anything about carpets!" he yelled after him.

Kurama could immediately feel Yuusuke's aura coming towards him at a rapid pace. He could feel the worry and the fear in Yuusuke's ki. Lightly he flared his aura to guide the Mazoku to him at the main house. When the door slammed open Kurama jumped a little having not anticipated the noise. Kagome was limp in Yuusuke's arms and Kurama pointed to the couch for him to lay her down. Her heart rate was steady and her breathing regular. Until she woke there was nothing they could do. It was strange though now that he saw her lying there it seemed that she had put on a little weight. Her hips looked slightly wider and were her breasts larger? In the summer dress she wore it was hard to tell.

Kurama eventually had to leave to speak with the carpet layers and Hiei came in few minutes later shaking his head at the kitsune. Seeing Kagome lying there looking flushed and limp had not been what he had expected and it scared him. "What happened?" he demanded angrily all thoughts from before dismissed.

"We were walking around in the furniture place when she just collapsed. There was no warning or anything she just fell over, "Yuusuke said as he changed the cloth on her forehead for a cold one. "She wouldn't wake up and I panicked."

Hiei sighed as he sat down on the floor beside the couch. Her mental silence bothered him more than anything because it meant he could not find out what was wrong. He was just as in the dark as the other two.

Kagome's eyes fluttered open and she blinked. She was back home but how had she gotten here? She sat up and instantly wished she had not. Her stomach roiled and she clasped a hand over her mouth stumbling over Hiei to the garbage can, she retched. Cool hands pulled her hair back as she retched again. Hiei stood back as his eyes followed her every movement.

Kurama walked in and frowned, well at least Kagome was awake now. Yuusuke was holding her hair back in one hand while rubbing her back with his other. The kitsune grabbed a glass and filled it with water. Carrying it over to her he wrinkled his nose at the smell and handed the glass to Yuusuke while he removed the offensive smell from his home. His thoughts raced as he tried to piece together what could possibly be ailing Kagome. There was a reason he knew there was, but it remained elusive.

Now that her stomach was settling again she was starving like she always was after one of her episodes, as she called them. In fact it almost felt like she hadn't eaten for days! She told her wish to Hiei and he looked at her strangely.

"Kagome says she wants something to eat. She says she is starving and she would prefer a steak."

Kurama and Yuusuke blinked. What? Kagome had just violently thrown up everything in her stomach and she wanted steak? Yuusuke laughed. Well he couldn't fault her for that. "How do you feel Kagome?" he asked.

"Fine actually." Kagome replied her voice a little stronger now that the rawness in her throat had faded throughout the week past. She was steadily regaining her voice. Every day it was a little stronger.

"Are you certain that a steak is the best thing for you to eat?" She nodded.

"I am afraid I must disagree. I'll make you some chicken broth and get you some crackers." Kurama argued.

Kagome sighed in disappointment and felt tears prick her eyes, she wanted a steak not broth and crackers. She felt an unreasonable urge to cry and beg but she managed to keep it down.

"Come on Kurama, she said she feels fine now, so maybe it was the crepe we bought earlier. Maybe the cream with the strawberries just didn't sit right." Yuusuke suggested with a shrug.

"I didn't get to finish my outing with her so I will take Kagome to dinner my treat. "Yuusuke said with a hopeful grin at the kitsune. He had been having fun spoiling her as they walked around the park. They had shared a crepe but he felt fine. Of course she had eaten most of it. It was just sort of fun feeding Kagome.

"What do you say Kagome? Want to finish our day with dinner?" Kagome nodded quickly and stood up excusing herself to clean up.

"Yuusuke I must argue the intelligence of this choice. Kagome was violently ill just moments ago and now you are taking her out for steak? I really do not think that is a wise choice." Something about this whole situation tugged at his thoughts but nothing fit.

"I have to agree with Kurama." Hiei said quietly.

"Relax guys; I'm taking her out for noodles or for a sandwich. She wants steak but no one said it had to be steak. Maybe she will go for a salad or something lighter. Or maybe I'll take her to my apartment and cook her something. Either way I will make sure she will be alright okay?"

Hiei and Kurama shared a look but each nodded slowly. It would give them time to finish her house. "Make sure you get her some furniture and have it delivered tomorrow. We have put off finishing her house for too long already." Kurama stated as he turned and walked out the back door and headed down the little path to the garden and to Kagome's house.

Hiei gave Yuusuke a look that he was certain would be translated to: if- something- happens- to- her- you- are- a- dead- man, before he followed Kurama. He still hadn't managed to work up the nerve to just go after Yuusuke. Give him a battle he was fearless. Give him a charge and he was protective to a fault but place him in front of Yuusuke for romance and he was terrified.

Kagome came down the stairs a moment later dressed in a loose skirt and a blouse that looked like it had once been her high school uniform but it was snug across her breasts and looked like it was a size too small. Still she looked cute in it with her hair caught up in a ponytail. She gave him a smile as he held out his arm as he had seen Kurama do several times. Kagome giggled and took his arm. "Nice skirt, you look good Kagome." He said with a waggle of his eye brows and a grin. Kagome looked at him with a spark of mischief.

"Is it too short?" she asked turning around and bending over a little. Under the edge Yuusuke spotted dark blue. Shorts, Kagome was wearing shorts under her skirt. Yuusuke threw his head back and laughed fully at that. Well she certainly was prepared.

"Aw that takes all the fun out of you wearing a skirt. I mean isn't that what they are for so that guys get panty flashes?"

Keiko would have hit him for such a comment but Kagome... "I guarantee that my shorts are the better view. I wear granny panties with little superheroes on them." She stated with a straight face and then she saw his look of surprise and she lost it. Kagome laughed it was quiet with her healing throat but it still pleased him.

Shaking his head in wonder he led her out of the house and down the little lane to the bus stop. "I thought we would finish our day by going back to town and grabbing a bite to eat and then go get the furniture for your house picked out. There is a really good burger joint a few blocks away or we can go back to my place and I can cook for you."

She gasped. "Why Yuusuke Urameshi I am shocked. Trying to get me into your apartment already? We haven't even had a proper date yet. What kind of a girl do you take me for?"

He raised his hands and began to stammer an apology, then he looked at her face. She was struggling to contain her laughter. She'd gotten him twice in the last twenty minutes. Damn he'd have to step up his game but it was nice knowing that she could dish it out as well as he could.

"A girl who craves steak and wears granny panties?" he asked.

Kagome again laughed. "Don't forget the shorts under skirts part too. There was one time on this one trip to a neighboring village that my skirt flipped up in the middle of a battle and I don't know who was more surprised me or the guy we were fighting to see a big yellow smiley face there of all places. Of course Miroku would never let me live it down and from then on I wore shorts."

Yuusuke grinned and chuckled. He would have loved to see the look on the youkai's face at that. Maybe I'll try that in my next fight. Wear a skirt and yell something like "panty attack of doom". He began laughing at the mental picture and leaned over and whispered his new attack idea to Kagome. She covered her mouth with her hand and snorted and then she laughed so hard tears were pouring out of her eyes. Yuusuke laughed too harder than he could ever remember laughing aside than with his guy friends. He wiped tears of mirth from his own eyes before his arm fell casually around her shoulders.

"Hot damn, Kagome where have you been all my life?"

"Tokyo?" she said innocently before a flyer caught her eye and she picked it up. "Hey look the amusement park close by is having a discount day. Think we could all go? I'd love to see Hiei and Kurama on this monster rollercoaster! Think Hiei would scream like a girl?"

Yuusuke started and then he looked at Kagome. "Did you just say you'd love to see Hiei scream like a girl?"

"Yeah, I think it would be a blast."

Yuusuke blinked at her dumbly for a second and then hugged her. Not just a friend hug but a honest to kami hug. One that wrapped her small frame completely in his arms and pressed her flush against him, a hug that made her feel safe and cared for.

Her arms went around him and she hugged him back sensing that there was more to this hug then just a hug. She had done something or said something that had meant everything to Yuusuke. Her cheeks were a little pink when he released her but she smiled at him. "So can we go?" she asked

"Yeah." He said softly and then shook himself. "Yeah of course we can! It would be a blast!"

"By the way Yuusuke, you haven't made a move on Hiei yet, why?" she whispered.

Yuusuke blushed, "I don't think he'd take it very well. Besides I think the wind is blowing in another direction. Hey what kind of movies do you like?"

When they got off the bus Yuusuke casually grabbed her hand and held it all the way to the restaurant. After they arrived and were seated Yuusuke sat back and watched her. She was studying the menu avidly. "Get whatever you'd like Kagome." He offered.

Kagome's eyes brightened she looked at the menu with eagerness. "Really I can? Are you sure? " she asked.

"Yeah." He nodded.

When their server arrived she grinned. "I would like a steak and cheese sandwich with extra steak, fries and a chocolate shake also cup of cream of mushroom soup and an order of vegetable tempura, please. "

"I'll take a steak and Swiss sandwich too but I'd like a mint chip shake and an order of mixed seafood tempura and a piece of melon pan. Make that two and a slice of chocolate pie with lots of whipped cream."

When the server walked away Yuusuke laughed. "Think you'll eat all that?"

"Yeah, I'm starving. Anything I don't finish I'm sure you will so, I figured I'd be covered either way."

They lapsed in to comfortable silence as they waited for their food. Kagome watched Yuusuke and he watched her. Remembering the conversation from earlier Kagome giggled. Yuusuke raised his eyebrow at her and she said "smiley face of doom" under her breath just as he took a swallow of his water. He choked, trying desperately not to spit water across the table.

He glanced at his unconventional dinner date and pushed his water away. As long as she had that mischievous look in her eyes he would end up spitting water for sure. There was something about Kagome that let him just be himself and he loved it. If last time he told her a story was any indication, she would be the type he could tell anything to and she would listen avidly. She wanted to hang out with him and his friends and she knew they were youkai. It was amazingly refreshing not having to try to act like he was normal. Keiko had insisted that he look and act like the old Yuusuke so keeping his hair a little longer had been out, even if Yuusuke had gotten used to long hair in the Makai. He was willing to bet that Kagome wouldn't mind if his hair hung to his knees and his markings were in full view. Maybe he would test that bet but not right now, now it was time to eat.

Kagome not only ate everything she had ordered but she also ate half the seafood tempura and the slice of chocolate pie. Yuusuke chuckled as she took the last bite of the chocolate pie and closed her eyes like it was bliss. That had been how she had eaten everything as though she was committing it all to memory. Yuusuke smiled as he shook his head at her. If this was how Kagome enjoyed things then he would definitely be spoiling her often. Hardly sparing a glance at the check and a longer one at the clock he stood up and tossed a few bills on the table and offered his hand to Kagome.

"Think you can pick out some furniture in two hours Kagome?" he asked as they walked out of the diner.

Kagome sighed. "I really don't see anything wrong with the furniture that was in there. I mean it was nothing a fresh coat of paint wouldn't solve. Why is Kurama so insistent I buy new furniture? "

Yuusuke shrugged, "Probably because he likes to have the best and he likes those he cares about to have the best as well. He enjoys spending money on those he cares for. Kurama is the one who got me my apartment. I would have had to get money from the Makai to afford it since I only work in the Ningenkai part time. The rest of the time I take odd jobs as a spirit detective. Reikai pays me quite a bit but I was saving that to buy my girlfriend a ring rather my ex girlfriend. She wanted me to be normal and she wanted to adopt kids so they wouldn't be tainted by me. She dumped me the night we met you." He didn't know what he expected her to do or say when he told her about Keiko.

"She didn't deserve you!" Kagome said vehemently. "No one has the right to demand that the one they are with is anything but themselves. Ooh that makes me so angry. Do me a favor and don't let me meet her I'd probably end up hitting her."

But that wasn't it. Yuusuke stared at her clenched fist and her gritted teeth even her eyebrows drawn down over her darkened cobalt eyes and he suddenly knew that Kagome was probably one of a kind and that they were going to be great friends. And he wouldn't put it past her to follow through with her threat, he hoped Keiko never showed up in front of Kagome, but if she did his money was on the Miko.