Disclamer: I don't own Inuyasha and Yu Yu Hakusho. Only this story belongs to me.

War Of The Worlds

IY YYH crossover. What happens when a whole lot of demons come after Kagome for the Shikon shards? Kurama falls in love with Kagome while protecting her. Will Kagome remain faithful to Inuyasha or will he risk losing her forever.

Chapter Twenty Seven When It All Boils Down To This

Waiting, is hateful.

Shippo shakes his head and continues to stare out the window, helpless as he sits in the classroom, feeling the different emotions, his mama, his comrades – Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango and Kirara battle it out there with demons.

Souta stares at Shippo, nibbling on his bottom lip, he too, knows that something s wrong, he can see it by the way Shippo holds himself, his shoulders are bunched up, tense, and he is frowning, something he usually does not do. Souta does not have his sister's strong spiritual powers, he is just an ordinary boy, but he has gone to ask around in shrines to help improve his own powers, however little they might be and he has come to learn how to sense demons, and a glimpse of the other's emotions.

Souta senses that Shippo is feeling regret – because he is too young that he cannot fight alongside them, and the fear that thrums in him is obvious – they might die, any time. His big sister might not come back one day, and as soon as Souta thinks that, he berates himself. Kagome-nee-chan is strong, she will not lose, she musn't. Shippo turns to Souta then, and smiles, Souta knows then that Shippo too feels the same as he does, and Shippo knows that too, and it amazes them both how they have gotten so close to each other in just a few days of being together. It is as if they were always meant to be friends from the beginning. Souta smiles and suddenly a teacher comes behind them and hits both their heads.

"Pay attention!" Shippo and Souta meekly nod at the same time. The class laughs at their behavior that seem so in tuned to each other. Like twins.

"Ne, ne, Shippo, do you think they're fighting at this moment now?" Souta whispers while he looks out for that strict teacher of his that does not tolerate conversations while he is teaching.

"I don't think so…" Shippo whispers back, thinking of using is kitsune's ability to block the vision of the teacher so that they can communicate freely. "Kagome seems delighted at something."

"Really? That's strange. How can see be happy when she's fighting some demon?" Souta is confused now and there's this little voice in him that screams out 'Kagome-nee-chan has gone mad from stress!' Shippo laughs a little, softly, as he too knows what that little voice is screaming. They are both close that way, maybe it's because they know that the only way they can support Kagome is by waiting.

"Both of you! Settle down and keep quiet!" It amazed Shippo how Maki-sensei got his sharp hearing, he would be a good asset to the team, and he might be able to hear Naraku's chit-chats hundreds of miles away.

Souta and Shippo both sighed, and both turned to look out the window, both wishing they could be a little more older, more well-built even, to be strong enough to protect the one they love. But now, all they could do, was to wait in this wretched classroom, only praying and hoping that their loved ones would be able to make it through this storm that had befall them suddenly.

They could only wait, and pray, and hope, and they both hated it.

xxx

Yukina, Botan and Keiko, had remained in that room, the three didn't know what to think nor what to do. There was only the sense of dread underlined with hope around them, pearls of white upon the floor, midst the watery pools.

Botan turned to look at Yukina, eyes solemn, quiet, and with a sudden half-smile, she dragged both Keiko and Yukina down the stairway. Both didn't protest and allowed themselves to be pulled down by Botan whom had an agenda in mind.

Yukina looked up at the sky, crimson eyes wide; wishing in all her heart, that Kurama and Yusuke would be able to save Hiei, her brother. She felt – weird, now that she knows who her brother is, this enigma she has been trying to solve since young. Hiei. Now she knows where that feeling of trust she had from him came from. He is her brother, and her beloved had sacrificed himself for her brother. Yukina wonders if she will ever understand how life works, and why, life is such an irony.

Keiko notices that Yukina is quiet, and in her heart, Keiko thinks that she can never be as string as Yukina is if anything were to happen to Yusuke, the thought of him in trouble always manages to strike a fear in her heart, and every time he has a mission, she would be at home, waiting, not crying because she knows he doesn't like it, but just fiddling with the musical box he gave to her on one Valentine's day, playing the music they both love so very much.

It's alright, I survived, I'm alive again
Cuz of you, made it though every storm
What is life, what's the use if you're killing time
I'm so glad I found an angel
Someone
Who was there when all my hopes fell
I wanna fly, looking in your eyes

There is the time she waits for him to return when he has died, she wonders now, how she had survive, waiting day by day for him to open his eyes and smile at her, and with that mischievous twinkle in his eyes, he would banter with her.


Because you live and breathe
Because you make me believe in myself when nobody else can help
Because you live, girl
My world has twice as many stars in the sky
Because you live, I live

That fight he had with Toguro nearly killed her, she knows, because even now, she can hear in her head, the cries of agony, the pain he went through and she could do nothing but watch. He was tortured, that was the only word for it, and yet, she did not say a word, because she knows, that is what he wanted. Yusuke loves to fight, he wants to protect others and she has too understand. But sometimes, it is just so hard. So very hard to keep on waiting, praying that he would be alrite, wishing that he would be back soon, with no injuries – something so improbable.

Because you live there's a reason why
I carry on when I lose the fight
I want to give what you've given me always

Keiko sees Yukina watching the sky, and she sees in her eyes, the thousand of emotions that fleets past like the wind through the trees, and Keiko does not know how to comfort her friend, but she knows exactly how Yukina is feeling, and she hurts inside for Yukina, for Kuwabara too was her friend, and she cannot imagine that she is gone.

Botan senses that the them are thinking, contemplating of the events that have happen, and she too, is bowled over by the memories, and the three of them stop, in the middle of a garden, the place where students often flock just to sit and study under the shady trees, and in sync, they sit on a bench and watch the blue, blue sky above, lovely, but they know, that this is just the calm before the storm and they sit and they wait and remember, and hope, and together, they pray for the well-being of their friends, and family. For there is nothing else to do.

xxx

There was no mushy hugs and kisses between the boys when the initial shock wore off. The first thing Yusuke did when Kuwabara came lumbering over was to collide his fist with Kuwabara's gut. The pain that comes to Kuwabara causes him to double over and sputter out, "What the hell is that for?!"

Yusuke has a look of concentration of his face but then, he suddenly laughs and hits Kuwabara even more. Kuwabara is angry now, and bewildered, but he is not one to be pushed down like this so he too punches Yusuke, and they're fighting now, while Yusuke's laughing and Kuwabara's confused and a little worried that Yusuke might be mad.

Kurama laughs too a little, and he turns to look at the group of four with the fire cat demon, they watch them, Kagome is smiling, and there is a look of triumph in her eyes, yet Kurama can clearly see that she is tired, she has to lean against Inuyasha for support, and he frowns at that.

Inuyasha is watching them with even eyes, Sango smiling too, with Miroku, and Kurama wonders who they are, they look strange wearing the school uniforms and yet carrying weapons, Sango, a large boomerang, Miroku, a staff and Inuyasha has a rusty sword by his belt. Kagome is carrying a bow, and again Kurama feels that he knows her, has seen her in a picture some time ago, not long ago.

"Who are you?" he whispers and Inuyasha hears it, his ears perk up, and he stares at Kurama, repeating the question towards him, "Who are you."

And Kurama cannot answer, because then, Yusuke and Kuwabara comes over to where he is standing, both bruised and yet, happy.

And the two groups stare at each other, unsure of what to do now, when more urgent matters are pressing, but there is something both groups know, they are not enemies and will not fight without reason.

"You have the Shikon shards." This is uttered by Yusuke who finally pays attention to the machine in his pocket, and Kagome nod, reluctantly. She tightens her hole on the bow, and the group suddenly becomes tense.

"Are you working with Naraku?" This question is uttered carefully, and the forest becomes still, waiting for their answer and a quiet "No" comes and then the other groups break into smiles of relief. And Yusuke wonders who Naraku is.

"We'll go to the place where that strong jyaki is coming from, because that's where our friend is, and we have to save him." Yusuke says. It's part of our duty too.

Inuyasha speaks now, "That's where we're headed too, and we'll fight whatever demon that's over there, so don't expect us to save your weak friend." His cool look angers Kurama and he says out calmly, betraying none of the anger boiling, "Hiei is not weak I assure you Inuyasha-kun."

Kagome shoots a look at Inuyasha and she utters a word sit, the sudden flash of light that comes shocks the three of them and the crash that follows causes mirths of laughter to come to Yusuke and Kuwabara, Kurama smiles, amused. It has been long since he had seen such a rosary, and he wonders why he has not notice the necklace of beads around Inuyasha.

"We will help you save your friend." Sango says, and Miroku adds. "Truce?"

"Truce." Yusuke says after a moment of comtemplation.

A sudden thought strikes Yusuke, "We should tell the girls of Kuwabara's… um…"

"Revival?" Kurama adds helpfully, laughing a little. Still a little shock at how, Kuwabara came to be alive.

"How did you come back alive? We were sure that you were dead." Kurama asks Kuwabara, and he blushes a little as Yusuke too keeps silent to hear his answer.

Inuyasha speaks instead, brushing off the dirt from his clothes and Kagome attempts to stop him from saying it. "Kagome nearly died giving her own life to that human."

Kagome glares at him, and attempts to sit him again but Miroku's hand upon her shoulder stops her. Yusuke is confused now, and Kurama wants to know how she is able to stay alive after bringing back Kuwabara. Kuwabara is solemn and he looks up to the sky. "I thought that I really would remain dead." His voice is quiet.

"I even went to where Yukina was, and I even told her to be strong." Kuwabara suddenly snaps up. "We really have to tell the girls of this. I don't want Yukina to cry."

"Yusuke. Where's Puu?" Kurama asks suddenly. And Yusuke looks at him with a grin. "Puu's with Genkai, she's keeping watch at our conditions through Puu."

"So do you think she…" Kurama iis cut off by Kagome. "I can help you tell them."

"How?"

"Ah, that's our secret but rest assured, they will know in just a few minutes of Kazuma-san's revival."

And the remaining Reikai Tantei looks stunned as Kagome closes her eyes, smiles, a little light surrounding her, unable to be seen by humans with not much spiritual power, and then she whispers words they do not know. And once again they are left to wonder who the hell these people are, and where did they come from.

Kagome opens her eyes, "It is done."

And they are left to wonder what she really did. But they have no more time to lose and both groups race towards the place where the jyaki grows stronger and stronger. Suspicions running high, confusion too, and there are questions that needs answers, but both groups remain quiet now, just the thought of saving the hybrid, Hiei, in their minds.

xxx

It is recess, and there are throes of students coming out from the schools, there are little boys and girls that seem so young and innocent, unaware of what was happening. And Botan envies them. They are still sitted upon the bench in the garden, and it is quiet, gloomy even.

But the laughter of the lower secondary students fill the air, they are running about and gaping at the three high school students that actually should not be out at this hour. They should be in that stuffy room, with a droning teacher, trying hard not to fall asleep, but here they are in bright sunshine and sitting staring at nothing in particular.

But then, a red head zooms by, a kitsune, Botan can see through his illusions spells. A human with black hair chases after him. And his eyes are laughing. And Botan realizes that, that boy has eyes of grey and blue, unusual, and he has somewhat strong spiritual powers. He would be strong in the future, she thinks and smiles.

The two boys suddenly stop, heads in the air, as if awaiting some signal in the sky. And there is a slight shimmer around them. Keiko notices too, so does Yukina, and they watch the boys closely.

The kitsune suddenly looks to where they are sitting, and he whispers to his human friend. They converse for a moment and then suddenly they head towards them. They walk slowly, the kitsune has eyes of green and they are not young. They look straight to the girls' eyes and they await the young boys that suddenly does not seem so young. They have a look that says they have seen something, it is more pronounced in the kitsune. The boy has a milder look, he has suffered but he still does not know a lot.

They come closer and the girls sit up straighter, uneasy, but the boy suddenly smiles, a sweet smile, his face gentle, and they are reminded of Kurama, with his calm look and gentle smiles. The kitsune has a firmer smile, a look hardening in his eyes, a little of Yusuke, Keiko thinks.

"Hello, my name is Souta and this is Shippo." The one with the slow and easy smile says, and Yukina is reminded of Kagome, this boy has the same eyes, the same sweet smile. The kitsune smiles too, now, and his eyes brighten up.

"We have good new for you." Shippo says, and the girls tense and yet there is a flooding of hope throughout Yukina's body.

Suddenly Keiko interrupts. "What is it about?" They wait.

"Kazuma Kuwabara." Souta replies, eyes even now, wondering if they are the right ones Kagome-nee-chan asked to find.

"You are Yukina right?" Shippo asks the girl with pale green blue hair, and red eyes, a koorime. She nods and they breathed out a sigh of relief.

"We just want to inform you, that Kazuma Kuwabara is alive, and well and just fought with Yusuke Urameshi."

Yukina gasps, and the tears involuntarily pours, sliding down to become pearls, and the boys are shocked. Botan laughs then, her own tears coming, happy that a miracle has happen, she wonders how he is revived but she decides that it can be told another day, Keiko too is happy that he survived, and the boys feel awkward as the girls hug among themselves, tears coming down, the hope in them bright.

Botan snaps her eyes open, her voice a little teary and asks, "How did you know?"

Souta and Shippo glance at each other, unsure of how to answer. But they are saved by another question.

"Are you in anyway related to Kagome?" Yukina asks, and Shippo has no hesitation to reply, "Kagome is my mama and sister at the same time, and she's Souta's elder sister."

Souta smiles again, and Yukina is sure that they are telling the truth, Shippo grins and puts his hands behind his back, happy that they have helped Kagome in someway, however small it might be.

But Botan persisted in her question. Keiko is curious now, "How did you know?" they asked.

Shippo and Souta seemed like they shared a mental conversation with each other, small gestures made between each other that the girls do not understand. And then it is decided.

Shippo grins impishly, and Souta laughs, and they both say at the same time, "We just do."

And the girls are left to wonder. But the feeling of dread is still not gone, the trouble is still not over, the two young boys know that too, and the girls are amazed at the maturity they show at such a young age.

"Are you waiting too?" Yukina quietly asks, and they both reluctantly nod. They are worried too, about their loved ones, and they can't do anything to help.

"Why don't you wait with us then? Sometimes, being together with friends on times like this, helps, a lot.' Keiko says, looking up to the sky again. The vast sky that somehow connects her to Yusuke, they are both under this sky, even though they can't see each other.

Souta shrugs and both boys settle on the ground, and they sing a little rhyme.

'We're still waiting, even if it gets a little hard,

We're holding on to tomorrow,

And in time, we'll find a way together.

And when you return, all our sorrow will melt away,

But now,

We're still waiting.'

Yukina is crying, her brother is well, and Kazuma-kun is ok. And she's got both her life, and she's so happy, but the tears still come and she does not know why, maybe it's because she can't do anything to help them, and she can only be here crying for them.

And one day, she will be strong, and then, she will help them in their battles, Botan and Keiko feels the same, and the boys too, and the five of them, they make a wish, a prayer, to be stronger, to one day, be able to help the ones that they love so very much, and they hope that, the one day, will come very, very soon.

I don't want to wait anymore. I want to be alongside you.

Another thought crosses their minds, is it harder for those who are waiting, or those who are awaited?

xxx

If anyone doesn't quite understand why Kagome looks so familiar to Kurama, you must have not read my revised version of chapter 1 and 2. And I realize that Shippo and Souta have not been in the story so here they are. And I changed Shippo's appearance a little. In three years, he would have grown up to Souta's height.

So, what do you think? I updated quite soon too!!! For the kind reviewers that have been following my story. Thank you so much!

Kagome / Kurama – 245

Kagome / Inuyasha - 190

Obviously Kurama is winning, so this will basically be his story with Kagome but there still will be Inuyasha and Kagome moments. Sorry Kurama fans.

Yours truly, Nicole.

xxx

11.31am 20.10.06