I do not own Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho fandom or characters. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi and to Toshihiro Togashi. I do not make any monies or profit from the writing of this story.
Thank you, thank you to those who took the time to review and to those who made this story a favorite! As you can see from the title this is a re-written version of my original story. I hope you will enjoy it just as much. I really love to hear your thoughts and comments...Please let me know what you thought of this chapter as well whether good or bad. Thank you again!
Enjoy,
DawnFire_ice
^Hiei's telepathy^
*Kurama telepathy*
~Yoko telepathy~
Chapter 1
Vibrant blue eyes looked around curiously. The branches of the Goshinkobu creaking as the breeze stirred its ancient bows. The summer sky was deep blue and dotted with lazy clouds that looked like cotton puffs here and there. The grass waved in turn shimmering in its resplendent hues of green as the light flickered across the moving surfaces. There was something on the wind, a trill of excitement raced up her spine as the tingle spread through her veins. She knew she'd felt it, even just for that tiny instant. In her world where none was supposed to exist, she had felt jyaki. Stilling her mind of all the sudden racing thoughts she expanded her awareness. It stopped at her property line but she had to reach farther, she had to let go of her worry and her doubt. Reaching outward with her senses as far as she could send them, beyond the tori gates of the shrine and her barriers she could still detect it faintly. It was getting further away, moving out of her reach- perhaps forever...
Making her decision in an instant of panic, Kagome began to follow. It had been a year since she'd felt the glorious wild sensation of jyaki brushing her senses and she was not going to stop till she located the youkai and saw for herself that it was indeed real. Her feet carried her swiftly down the stone steps to the street and towards the huge park some distance away. She kept her senses open and expanded so she could try to learn about her unknown quarry. The contained jyaki was very powerful she could feel that, and the youkai it belonged to was swift as well. She sighed as she upped her pace her feet pounding softly on the hot pavement as she ran, not wanting to lose this chance. In her mind she was silently going over every youkai she knew but she could not remember this feeling or this energy before.
After what felt like hours of chasing the energy all around the city her lungs burning and her calves and feet aching, she finally could sense the youkai close by and stopped. Looking around her she realized they'd come to a tree covered area, in a park, just outside of town. She gave no thought to the danger she could be facing as she stepped around a tree. The hiss of steel and the clink of metal were the only warning she got as a sharp katana was pressed to her throat. She should have been terrified but in reality all she could think was 'it was real'. The relief she felt in that moment removed a weight that had been nearly crushing her through day to day life. Until that moment she had been unaware of just how badly it had been dragging her down.
The youkai's energy was like a tidal wave contained in a small space which she could feel now like a looming danger behind her and yet the youkai did not flaunt his strength rather it seemed it was muted like they had not wanted to be found. Why then had she been able to detect it? An uncomfortable feeling abruptly made her flinch as the youkai easily penetrated her outer mental defenses. Unconsciously she strengthened her inner defenses protecting her memories.
It was something experience had taught her when she had been captured by Naraku's incarnation and heart, the infant Akago; who had the ability to grasp the darkness in the heart. That time he'd been after her eyes and her ability to see the shards of the Shikon jewel. The youkai behind her must have felt her do so for it began to attack those as well, looking for a weakness. Finally finding none a not too pleased sensation washed over her mind and she knew she had frustrated them.
^Foolish onna why are you following me? ^ A sudden male voice demanded irritably in her head interrupting her thoughts. Kagome closed her eyes for a moment as she let the timber of his voice wash over her thoughts. His 'voice' though dark and dangerous was also pleasant and smooth and Kagome had the impulsive thought that if he truly spoke aloud, his voice would rumble a bit in his chest. Annoyance tinged the voice and it took her back to days when this was a common occurrence. She smiled softly in memory before the irritation spiked.
The sudden realization that she was going to die without seeing the owner of the voice hit her hard and she answered, hoping that he would at least let her look at him, before he took her life. He hadn't moved the katana to kill her so that gave her a little hope. "Please, youkai-sama. I just want to see you," she pleaded quietly, though startled she was unafraid. She felt his pause and again that uncomfortable feeling of him trying to find a way inside her head.
Hiei shifted his grip on the katana slightly adding a minute amount of pressure. He frowned when she did not even gasp as though resigned to her fate. Her words and the few unshielded thoughts that he could pick up left him thoroughly confused, not a feeling he liked in the least. Especially, not when he could feel such uninhibited power coming from her small body in nearly invisible waves, which washed over him as though testing him; her power rivaled that of most youkai, his self excluded.
What kind of power it was he could not place, although something was very familiar about it and his guard went up as his jyaki rose to smother the foreign energy. Her energy fought his and sizzled against his skin and he had to bite back the urge to fling her away from himself. He focused on the girl's energy and forced it down with a flare of his own. His instinctive reaction made his words colder. ^Why do you wish to see me? ^ He demanded harshly again in her mind, frustrated that he could not penetrate her mental barriers and simply take the information he wanted. No, instead he was forced to ask inane questions of a human woman.
The smell of salt permeated the air. He glared at the back of her head.^Onna why are you crying? ^ He asked exasperated. It simply did not make any sense, what would possibly possess her to weep, if not fear? Stepping around her when she did not answer, he glared hard into her watery eyes with his own, his sword still at her throat as a warning. Blue- was the only thought he had at that instant as he met her gaze and stared hard at her. He would not let her see that she was making him uncomfortable.
Kagome trembled before him with tightly restrained sorrow but without fear. "It has been a year since I last laid my eyes on a youkai. I thought you were all dead," she answered softly as she stared, unable to help herself, into cold, angry carmine eyes before her. He looked away first and she sighed and moved slowly to wipe her eyes with her hand. For whatever reason, he had granted her request as selfish as it had been to ask to see him before he took her life. Tears continued to spill from her eyes. "I'm just so happy. I am so glad I met you. I can die in peace now if that is what you have planned. I will have no regrets, not now." She raised her hands to lift her hair over to the side barring her neck
She smiled at him through her tears. Confused by her words and actions and the fact there was no deceit in her, he lowered the katana from her throat a little. Was she utterly mad? Tears of pain he understood, tears of fury and grief he had witnessed both though out his life, but tears of joy? That was as foreign a thing to him as her energy. With a huff he lowered his weapon to his side. His hand still gripped the hilt with white knuckles, his muscles tensed and drawn should she move in any threatening manner he could and would still kill her. The girl, upon deciding the action implied he would let her go, looked at the youkai before her with interest, his eyes narrowed.
His black hair rose almost to a point on the top of his head closely resembling a black flame. It looked very soft, and she wondered for a moment what it might feel like before moving on. A star burst of white highlighted the front above a white warded bandana that had a glowing purple light behind it. He was taller than she, now that he stood at his full height, by just enough that she had to look up into his eyes. His facial features were fine and almost youthful though it was obvious by the set of his jaw and the way he held himself that he was not a youth but a seasoned warrior. He was not elegant in the way Sesshomaru was but his face was uncommonly handsome as all male youkai seemed to be, at least those powerful enough to hold a humanoid form.
She had felt the darkness in his aura before when she had tried to feel him out with her miko ki, yet it was painfully obvious that he was not evil still her eyes followed a darker aura to his right arm that seemed to be bandaged but she could not sense an injury. Her senses tingled and she wisely pulled her energy back without him forcing it down again. She had no desire to feel that feeling of utter helplessness once more, nor did she want to incur his wrath. Pulling her thoughts back to the youkai before her she noted that the youkai wore a black cloak that covered him from wrist to shins and blended into the shadows of the trees disappointingly hiding his form from her view, though her imagination was more than willing to supply it. She blushed and followed the line of his shoulder with her eyes.
In his hand she saw the glinting katana that had been at her throat. It was obvious he took pride in the weapon for it gleamed like new, however she was under no pretenses. That katana had a very bloody past and had slain many an opponent, she was certain of that. His eyes she saved for last, knowing that as soon as she looked she would be helpless again under that crimson gaze; as she had been when he glared at her moments before her heart still racing. Kagome shyly raised her eyes to his, now feeling self conscious before the dark gorgeous male youkai.
He was also looking her over with no expression what so ever upon his face. She was a little shorter than he, with midnight hair that fell to her slim waist. Her limbs were toned and slightly tanned. Her body was well proportioned and had curves that he himself had trouble not allowing his eyes to trace, especially her thrice be damned neck, where it was exposed since she had moved her hair. Instead he focused on her clothes. He recognized the uniform she wore as one vaguely similar to that of Kurama's old school from when the avatar had been fifteen. In fact he was certain that it was the sister school to the one his friend had attended and he was nearly as certain that this girl was definitely not fifteen, the fit of her blouse was horrible. He was oddly amused by that fact.
Obviously, she'd long since grown out of the thing, for it was stretched tightly across her full breasts, leaving little to the imagination of what lay beneath. Her skirt was far too short to be decent, falling barely to mid-thigh; it was also too small for her. Did she often go traipsing about like that, he wondered. He felt his eyes drawn to the edge of her skirt as the wind blew a little. If the wind blew any harder- He distracted himself by looking elsewhere. Her face was safe, pleasant to the eyes with her fine feminine features and plump, full pink lips. Her eyes, he decided silently, were too bright and warm to match her actions. Their blue color was a little unnerving as humans in Japan just did not have such a color naturally; most had simple brown or a dark almost black brown eye color, unless she was a foreigner? No, her speech pattern said that she was a native so perhaps one of her parents?
He noticed absently as he took in her full appearance that the cloth of her uniform was worn and tattered in odd places. One such place on her arm drew his full attention as it looked suspiciously like claw marks that had been clumsily patched. He frowned. It had been clear from the get-go that she knew of youkai. But the question now was how that was even possible? He tried again to pry into her mind and found no weaknesses at all in her mental defenses. Somehow he needed to know what she knew and if she posed a danger to his kind.
Kagome fidgeted nervously as his eyes scrutinized her. She felt very self conscious of her clothes that she knew were too small and yet had put them on any way. This uniform was special to her. Though thread bare now, it held some of her most happy memories and her sad ones too. Even the claw marks on the sleeve made her remember. Hot summer days, frigid winter nights she remembered it all the calms and the danger. She recalled everything with absolute clarity.
They had come about from Inuyasha attacking her while they were in the final battle with Naraku, after two long years of chasing him all over Japan. The power of the tainted jewel had been nearly too much for her beloved friend and Naraku had tried to make him kill her; using the twisted jewel to control him. It had been a terrifying ordeal, as he had pushed her forcefully off of a cliff while his youkai blood was in control. The scent of Kagome's blood had convinced his mind that he had killed her and he nearly lost himself to darkness. Fortunately Kagome's voice had brought him back. Naraku was defeated and the well had sent her back. That had been one long lonely year ago. She had known that her time in the past couldn't last forever. This was her home and a woman from the future didn't belong in the past. She sighed forlornly before an impatient sound made her realize that he was still there.
Slowly she raised her eyes and met the beautiful crimson eyes of the youkai. She drew a deep breath at what she saw. Confusion and curiosity were predominating in those inhuman eyes, which glittered at her with unasked questions and unmasked anger. But hidden deeper was something she recognized instantly. Pain. The anger and frustration were secondary emotions.
His darker aura brushed hers and she felt her eyes close from the intensity of emotions that she only could detect because of her own holy power. His aura was conflicted first fire, then ice. Kagome felt tears prick her eyes as she recognized him for whom and what he was. She'd heard of him in her travels, though not his name. He was supposedly the only Forbidden Child to have survived to adulthood. Oh gods he was right her before her and now what?
It was sad. So very sad to think of the hurt and loneliness he must have gone through. Obviously he was too proud and collected to do so, and so she cried for him. As she opened her eyes again he was still looking at her with a mixture of shock and more confusion.
Hiei was unsure of what to think about the woman standing there. Her thoughts were loud enough for him to pick up as she looked him over. He felt an odd swell of male pride as she assessed him and mentally said, "Wow he's so...sexy." It was all he could do to not preen under her praise though he mentally determined he was going to punch the kitsune who had rubbed off on him to think such ridiculous thoughts. Then, like a bucket of ice water her next thoughts had him staring at her with a frown and serious consideration of if it would be worth it to rot in Reikai prison for eternity after killing her or not.
Not only did she know of youkai but she knew who he was and what. How though he had no clue. Then her actions left him baffled. She was crying for him. It was ridiculous and preposterous and yet he could find no lie in her as she wept for his pain. He knew nothing about her. Not a name had passed between them but here this human woman was shedding tears for his sake. His katana fell from limp fingers landing with a soft thump in the grass. Nothing of this nature had ever happened before to the apparition he had no idea of what to do...so he ran.
He was gone so swiftly that Kagome hadn't even seen him move. She sighed as she fell to her knees and continued to weep as she reverently picked up the only proof he'd even been standing there. Standing she cradled the razor sharp katana in her arms as though it was the most precious thing in the world to her. Perhaps it was. Absently she touched the hilt and sighed she could still feel the warmth from his hand. Even though she knew it had been unintentional on his part, that youkai had given her a precious gift- hope, and the next time she saw him, and there was no doubt that she would, she would have to thank him. With a lighter heart, Kagome carried her precious treasure home.
Miles away from the girl, Hiei looked angrily at his empty sheathe. He was disgusted with himself for running and even angrier at himself for leaving his weapon. Glaring back the way he'd come, he shrugged. He'd get it back. That he knew for sure. Now that the Jagan had sampled her energy there was no place the onna could hide even if she tried. With a silent sigh he opened the Jagan and searched for the direction she had gone. If he were honest with himself he didn't really know what to think of her. She was beautiful both by youkai standards and also by his standards; but he really did not have much of an opinion for onna. Plus she was human, something that instantly would have made him reject her. But this onna was not so easily dismissed nor should she be. Danger to his companions or to his sister must be eliminated period. He would never allow harm to come to any of them, never again. It was the vow he'd taken during the battle with Sensui as he watched Yusuke die. It was that thought which made him realize, she was like Yusuke facing him without fear and boldly meeting his eyes. Brazenly chasing him through all of fucking Tokyo- gods just what he didn't need around, a female version of Yusuke. He came to a decision the girl had to die- Pure and simple.
Kagome was exhausted and sweating as she reached the top of the steps to Higurashi shrine. Her muscles ached as a dull reminder after chasing the hybrid youkai all afternoon. All she wanted now was a bath. The house was silent and the outside lights had not been turned on so she knew that no one was home yet. Still Kagome went inside and straight up to her bedroom grateful she would not have to lie about the swords origins, she could only imagine what gramps would say about it. She could already hear him going on about the swords supposed history.
Glancing around the moderately sized room, she spotted the sword rack that she'd brought up from one of the store houses for the Tetsuaigua to rest on when Inuyasha had still been around, tucked in the corner. Picking it up, she dusted it off and set it on her desk waiting and ready to hold the sword she carried. Her mind wandered to the youkai from earlier. Who was he and why was he here in Tokyo? Were there more like him and how had she not felt them? Silently she changed out of her ill-fitting uniform and into some comfortable yoga pants. Settling back on her bed she reached for the blade. Reverently she then picked up a soft cloth and gently polished the blade of the katana until it gleamed erasing any of the tears that had fallen on the pristine blade before she set it gently on the rack. She had long ago stopped leaving the window unlocked, and so pulled the curtains closed and without another thought she walked down the hall into the bathroom.
She hummed as she prepared her bath and then went in search of something to eat. Yes, she knew that it wasn't a great idea to fill her belly before a hot bath but her stomach was growling hungrily. She felt lighter since meeting the youkai, so she fairly skipped down the stairs to the kitchen while humming the same tune as she had been earlier. The phone ringing interrupted her as she passed it in the hall.
"Hai, Higurashi desu," Kagome greeted as she answered. She sighed happily as her mother's voice answered. Until today she hadn't realized how much she had been avoiding her family and how much she missed them.
"Hi, Mama," Kagome's mind turned to how close she had been to giving up and dying today and she shivered. Her mother's voice drew her back and she answered absently, suddenly feeling guilty for the distance she kept between them since returning.
"Yeah, till tomorrow night," That's right she was only staying in the house long enough to get a bath and to make sure everything was okay with the shrine. Tomorrow she would do her duty and clean the shrine like a good shrine maiden but tonight-
"I needed to restock my supplies." The lie rolled smoothly off her tongue and she felt the distance it caused like a tangible feeling as she reminded her mother of the only reason she stayed close by. In all honesty she should leave without a trace to protect them now that she knew youkai still lived but-
"Yeah, same spot. No, I haven't been cold at night. It's a good tent." She just couldn't walk away from the only home and people who knew at least the barest details of what she had gone through. It was selfish she knew but she wasn't ready to leave them yet even though she knew it hurt them that she stayed so distant.
"Um, dinner? I'll just make something here. Leftovers sound great. " She glanced over her shoulder at the empty kitchen and her heart sank. Loneliness was something she didn't think she would ever get used to.
"Okay, don't worry. Love you too Mama." Tears stung her eyes but she refused to let a single one fall. Her mother's voice was replaced by the dial tone and Kagome held the phone as she softly whispered "I'm sorry."
After hanging up the phone Kagome continued to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator door. Scanning the shelves she located the leftover chicken and the mayonnaise. Finding some vegetables she made short work of the ingredients and spices working without really focusing on her task. When she was satisfied with the flavor she spread the mixture on the rolls she had found and set them on a plate. She didn't often allow herself luxuries like this anymore, except during the times she returned to the house to restock and only when she was alone.
After living day to day in the feudal era running for her life and living off the land, Kagome had found it rather difficult to return to the modern world. She tried to continue on but had failed every college exam and would have been attending make up classes so she could try again in the spring, but her heart just wasn't in it. She felt uncomfortable in her own skin here. After everything she had been through she was not just Kagome anymore. That whole adventure had changed her. She was aware now her power awakened in a world where there was no use for it, or hadn't been. She thought about becoming a hermit in a mountain somewhere but that would have left her family alone. It had been her mother who had come up with a solution.
The Higurashi shrine rested on a rather large amount of land and was bordered in the back by forest. While it wasn't the feudal era it would still give Kagome the connection to the land she was used to and still have her modern conveniences when she chose to return to the house or if it got too cold. Jii-chan had tried to convince her to let him and Sota build her a simple hut out in the forest but she wouldn't let them go through the trouble. With a sigh, Kagome walked back up to her room with her sandwiches. She really wanted time alone to just think and was grateful that her family was going to be staying in a hotel tonight due to a school function for Sota. Kagome was so wrapped up in her thoughts that when she suddenly noted that she was not alone she was alarmed that she hadn't felt him.
Hiei had found her trail almost too easily. Although he'd detected her power earlier, he was shocked that it led to a shrine of all places. The girl was a Miko? Impossible! How had he missed what she was? He frowned. Probably since Miko of her caliber just didn't exist anymore. There was no need for them to be the warriors they had once been. Now Shrine Maidens was what they were called. They were common throughout Japan, but this woman she was nothing like the others who posed no threat... He smirked coldly as he sized up the energy around the shrine and noted with satisfaction that the girl was there and she was alone.
Perfect. He'd simply take back his sword and then the girl would simply vanish without a trace. She was a wild card and, now that he knew she was a powerful Miko, a danger. In fact he was rather surprised that she hadn't tried to purify him on the spot. He didn't need her pity or her tears. It had probably been a clever ruse to unnerve him and damn her, it had worked. Well it wouldn't this time.
He'd lead her to the Makai and there find plenty of youkai to do his dirty work. It was a perfect plan right up until he picked the locks to her window and saw his katana polished to a mirror shine resting on a sword rack. He frowned in confusion. He'd expected the weapon to be shoved in a closet or tossed into one of the many storage houses if she had even bothered to pick it up in the first place, but this was nearly overwhelming. Not only had she carried it home, but she had polished his sword and then placed it on a rack intended for a weapon of high honor? What was her game? Hiei was so caught up in his thoughts he didn't hear her come in.
"I knew you would come back for it," she replied softly as she slowly sank to the floor where she had been standing. Casually she leaned her weight back on to her hands in an open friendly position her plate balanced on her lap. She noticed his expression and she smiled. "Would you like a sandwich? Its chicken salad," she offered holding out the plate.
Hiei didn't even glance at the food. His guard had been less than it should have been and she had startled him. That rankled him badly. She was an enemy, so why hadn't the Jagan warned him? He glared at the woman sitting on the floor, noting her open posture. Clearly she knew too much about his kind. ^Why? ^ He demanded mentally. He had to know and her damn mental barriers were still impassable no matter how hard he tried.
Kagome was uncertain of what precisely he was asking but she answered him anyway. "Because I like youkai; I have great respect for your race and have had many youkai friends. So youkai, hanyou, human it doesn't matter to me I like people for who they are." They watched each other uncertainly. Hiei uncertain of her motives and Kagome uncertain whether he'd believe her even though she spoke the absolute truth and knew he could tell.
Hiei scoffed aloud while absently taking one of the offered sandwiches. A Miko who liked youkai? Ridiculous, but then, he'd heard of one once before... he took a bite and the flavor was amazing, even Kurama (who was arguably the best cook he knew, unless you liked ramen and He did, then it was a draw between him and Yusuke) had never made a sandwich like this.
Kagome smiled a little that he had chosen to eat and picked up the remaining sandwich. Noting that he did not take a bite until she did, they ate in a somewhat comfortable silence, though she could see him mulling over what she'd said. He hadn't really said anything vocally to her at all but Kagome knew that she couldn't keep calling him Youkai-sama, it was rude. And if there was one thing she knew, most youkai hated and were very likely to hold a grudge for, it was rudeness. Of course those had been the animal type youkai of the canine family, and she knew nothing of the elemental type. There was only one way to find out, so she gathered her courage and spoke.
"I'm Kagome Higurashi, what is your name?" she asked casually, as though trying to start a conversation. She wasn't sure he would answer but she rather hoped he would. He glared at her as he stuffed the rest of the sandwich in his mouth. He had been enjoying the silence while he ate the surprisingly good sandwich, though he'd never admit that to anyone. What was it about humans and names? What possible reason did she think that she deserved to learn his name? A name gave one power over another even if it was only a minute amount. No one except the Reikai had power over him, period and when he figured out how to break free of that, no one ever would again.
As he moved slightly to lean against the wall a glint of light hit the edge of his katana and he frowned. His blade had never looked better. Perhaps he was being a little ridiculous. Hiei stood there watching her without a twitch of a muscle. She had confused him, frustrated him and then fed him, and more he accepted her food? She was an enigma. He knew that she knew what he was and yet she held no revulsion or fear of him. Gods help them all she was another Yusuke...Still her name struck a chord with him. Where had he heard her name? "Hiei," he replied in a voice that was low and rough from disuse. He rarely spoke to anyone especially in the human world.
"Hiei-san. It suits you very well," she began only to be interrupted
"No, just Hiei," he corrected snappishly, looking down at her with cold crimson eyes. She smiled up at him, clearly unafraid and pleased that he would answer her question. Hiei was not certain of whether he liked the sound of his name from her lips. Or rather that he liked it a little too well for comfort.
"Would you like some tea, Hiei?" Kagome asked politely. Hiei's eyes studied her for a long moment before voicing a noncommittal "hn" It wasn't out right agreement but it wasn't a no either she smiled at him in acceptance of his decision.
With a light gesture Kagome beckoned him to follow her and climbed to her feet silently grateful that she had changed out of the old uniform and in to a pair of sweats and a t-shirt when she'd gotten home. He kept his distance as he followed her after deciding he would get his katana later it wasn't as though he needed it to kill her if she was a threat. She gasped suddenly, stopping in her tracks "I left the water on in the bath. Be right back!" she said as she darted in to a room where Hiei could hear water running. His eyes were narrowed at her for the unexpected deviation. He still didn't trust her and startling him was not in her best interest.
Kagome's cheeks were pink as she ducked her head in a small bow. "Sorry about that. It was not my intention to alarm you." She smiled at him warmly before continuing down the stairs and into the kitchen. She berated herself silently for acting like a ditz in front of him. He was obviously someone of rank and skill the way he carried himself and she was acting like a fool. Way to make friends Kagome...gods I'm lucky he didn't kill for that. I didn't even give him warning that I was going to dash off. Stupid Kagome think about youkai and what Shippo taught you. Respect always.
He followed a little closer just so that should she do so again he could end her swiftly. Although he was beginning to suspect that she was little threat as the Jagan would have picked up her ill intent long ago and warned him. It did not like surprises and disliked letting anyone or anything that was a possible threat close to it in any way. Yet around this onna it was strangely calm and silent. He glanced at his warded arm and to the symbol of the dragon he had devoured. The dragon was calm as well. He looked back at her and watched her walk in silence, his eyes taking in her every nuance and gesture. There was a bit of color still in her cheeks from her earlier embarrassment and she had a droop to her shoulders that bespoke of a lack of confidence perhaps she was used to hanging her head? She looked a little worn and thin now that he really looked although he had no idea why he did so. The curve of her hips was that of a woman and her ass swayed delightfully as she walked- he tore his eyes away shocked at himself.
Hiei followed her simply to not let her out of his sight. It was basic survival, as long as he was in her territory he was not going to turn his back to her and he wasn't about to let her take him off guard. He was unnerved by her earlier vague thoughts that had indicated she knew him from somewhere, though he could never recall having seen her face before; he focused on that instead of her curves and her female sway.
As he pondered this he was watched her scurry around the kitchen. She was paying no attention to him as she worked and he frowned. Where had she possibly been that she was so very familiar around youkai? She tossed her midnight hair behind her shoulder with a graceful flip of her wrist, a simple action done without thought but the way in which she preformed the movement, struck another chord in his thoughts. It was distant memory from centuries before but in his mind it was crystal clear. That face, her hair, that baffling ease with youkai and her name...Kagome.
Now he knew why her name seemed so familiar. Five hundred plus years ago the Shikon no Miko's name was Kagome. And though it had only been for a brief time he'd seen her then. She'd been sitting on a log at the edge of a river in the sunlight, the wind blowing through her midnight hair. He'd stopped and watched her for a moment, watched as she'd tossed her hair over her shoulder with absent ease. Of course he'd heard of the jewel but he had no interest then or even now in strength he hadn't earned. What had drawn him back then were the tales that she, the Legendary Miko, traveled with youkai.
Back then he had been young and far more impulsive. He hadn't harbored any grudge against humans though he didn't associate with them either. No, it was more that he left them alone and they did the same, an unspoken agreement. Survival back then was difficult enough for him, he didn't need to invite trouble; it found him on its own. That's what had drawn him to see for himself if there really was a village in Edo that welcomed a few peaceful youkai. Back then he had wondered if he too might find refuge in such a place. He had wondered for a time what might have happened if he had stayed...
She had looked lonely sitting there, but her aura was welcoming and he had found for an instant that he was at peace. Then that mutt, that hanyou had come barreling into the clearing like a blindfolded bull in a china shop, and he had decided that approaching the onna was not worth dealing with a fool who was surely to die at his hands should he stay. He remembered vaguely telling himself he'd come back someday. That had been the first and last time he'd seen her. His face darkened for an instant before recalling words an old hiyoukai metal bender once said to him after she'd disappeared.
"Kagome was a strange girl, but one only had to talk with her to know that there wasn't another like her before or since. Her love for all of us was genuine and there wasn't a greater feeling anywhere than to know you were loved and accepted by her."
Hiei looked at her silently as she gathered everything and set it on the table: tea and snacks. His confusion still goading him; he recalled that he had wondered at her odd clothing and her mannerisms that were so unconventional in that time. Now he realized that she had to have been from this time. The question again was how? That same question kept repeating itself as he felt like he was mentally running in circles. How had she gotten to that time 500 years in the past? Did she know the havoc she wreaked when she vanished?
Deciding that he needed proof it was indeed the same woman Hiei decided to test her. He waited until she had seated herself before following suit and picking up the tea she offered only after she took a drink of her own. Though he would never say so aloud he was slightly pleased with the choice of tea, it was mint: and it had been sweetened to his liking. Odd, how had she known?
Kagome looked over and saw the strangely suspicious look on his face, and set her tea down, puzzled. After a second, she realized that she had sweetened his tea, and that it was that action that was the cause of his sudden suspicion she asked "do you not like it sweetened, Hiei?" standing gracefully she reached for his cup. "I'm so sorry I did it out of habit, but I can pour you another cup unsweetened if you like." she offered quickly.
He shook his head slightly before moving the cup out of her reach. "Sit down, Onna" he stated with a hint of command in his voice. It bothered him that she was fussing over him as she was. Did the woman have no sense? She should be on guard around him, as they were supposed to be enemies and yet she was serving him tea. Her actions had him nearly convinced of her identity but-
"How is the Inu Hanyou, Shikon no Miko?" His question had been blunt and to the point but what he hadn't expected was her reaction. The cup slipped from her fingers. It was only reflex that made him catch it before it hit the table. Her face was hidden by her hair that had fallen forward. To see her expression he would have to touch her, which he was loath to do and so he remained as he was; frustrated and without the visual clues her eyes gave.
"I'm no longer the Shikon no Miko and... Inuyasha… is dead."
Kagome's voice was so devoid of emotion that it took him a moment to decipher the words she spoke though they had been plainly spoken. But when he finally did they left him with far more questions than answers. Although he did have one answer; he was indeed in the presence of the very woman he thought she was. Now that he knew he had even more questions. However, he had no tolerance for emotional females and even less for suppressed emotions as they tended to come out at the most inopportune times. Deciding he'd had enough for one night he moved to leave, but her small hand grasped hold of his cloak as her quiet voice stopped him
"Please, wait Hiei. Please stay just a little longer?"
