Disclaimer:OK I DON'T OWN THEM ARE YOU HAPPY NOW!
Kouga's eyes reddened through out the tale. Growling under his breath he swore to kill InuYasha. Hiei placed a hand on the girl's shoulder the extent of emotions he was willing to show in front of the others. Kagome turned to look at him a smile playing at her lips.
Hiei blinked at the smile, he let her shoulder go and he jumped up into a tree. Youko looked towards the tree where Hiei was hiding. Kagome stood up, dusting off her pants, "Well, Mom was hoping I'd return home by the end of the week, so I think we should began on the way back."
Sango's eyes narrowed and she grabbed the younger demon's arm, "If you guys don't mind, Kagome and I would like to take a bath and no Houshi-sama we don't need your help nor do we require protection. Boys, I hope you can keep an eye on the monk while we ladies bathe."
Kagome watched the older girl dig through the bag pulling out bathing supplies and Kagome's pajamas. Sango then dragged the girl to a near by hot springs.
123123123 Those are always conveniently placed are they not? 123123123
Kagome slowly stripped and slid into the water, watching the older girl undress. Sango slid in and relaxed, "Well, Kagome, what is going on here?"
Kagome shook her head, "What are you talking about, Sango-chan?"
Sango smiled and began to lather her hair, "Simple, you usually stay longer then a week so why are you suddenly leaving?"
Kagome looked at the water, "Well, Sango-chan, I was hoping that mom can meet Youko and the others and Souta is graduating from middle school and he promised hours of torture if I miss it. He wanted InuYasha to go too but, well you know."
Sango looks away, "Yeah he's your younger brother, right?"
Kagome swam by the girl, "Sango, don't worry we will get Kohaku back, I promise it. After this thing I'm going to stay here until we do, okay?"
Sango hugged the girl, "Thank you, Kagome."
Kagome smiled and began to lather. Ducking in the water she rinses and then turns to her hair. "So you brought me in here to talk about that?"
Sango sighed, "Well, I was wondering, can you fight InuYasha, if you have to in the end."
Kagome stuck her head under water, blowing bubbles. Sitting on a rock, she applied shampoo to her tail. Holding the wriggling appendage she rinses it off in the water. Her ears caught a small rustling in the bushes and she shielded herself, "Sango, someone is out there."
Sango threw her boomerang and a startled Shippo ran out, "I'm so sorry, Shippo, you should have just come in. I actually thought you were a certain hentai monk."
Shippo stripped and leapt into the water, "Kouga has been keeping a close eye on everyone. It was nearly impossible to get away."
Kagome smiled and began to wash the kit. Taking Shippo out of the water she dried him off with her towel. She stood up and slowly dried off. Dressing in her pajamas, she set Shippo's clothing on the grass. Sango also dressed.
123123 That section wasn't very good, sorry 123123123
Walking through the brush they returned to camp. Kouga stood over Miroku body, arms crossed and glaring at the unconscious houshi. "Kagome, how do you stand him?"
She smiled, "He isn't too bad. He's just more forward then the normal man."
Sango snorted, "'More forward then the normal man' who exactly do you associate with on the other side!"
Kagome laughed, "Well, I didn't want Kouga to think too poorly of Miroku-kun. And no, I am not in the habit of associating with perverts when I am on the other side."
Sango shook her head, "Hopefully."
Kouga turned his attention towards Kagome, "What are you wearing?"
Kagome unrolled her sleeping bag to sit on it. Fingering her midnight blue pajamas she explained, "These are sleeping clothes from my time. They are called pajamas; they come in all sorts of colors."
Yusuke smirked, "They can also come in different styles, some barely cover the body, then there is the ever popular giant T-shirt, then there are those who enjoy sleeping in the nu…ACK"
Yusuke just got a mouthful of pillow, Kagome breathing slight muttered something about if being a hentai was contagious. Hiei smirked, 'He is just trying to see if he can get a rise out of your suitor.'
Kagome turned towards him, 'WAIT you mean Kouga-kun? Surprising, I would have thought you'd stop Yusuke before I had to… or were you thinking your own hentai thoughts?'
Hiei leapt into the nearer tree, 'Don't flatter yourself, onna.'
Kagome mentally winced, 'Ouch that one hurt…not. I've been called worse.'
Turning her attention towards the cursing human, she threw another pillow, "I don't want Shippo learning any of that language; so shut it."
Shippo laughed, "He's funny, okaa-san."
Shippo leapt into Kagome's arms, burrowing into her chest for warmth. Yawning, he fell asleep. Kagome curled her tail around the kit, for additional warmth. Youko watched the display out of the corner of his eyes, 'Youko, she does look a lot like your mate.'
Youko snorted, 'Of course she looks like her mother.'
Youko retreated, allowing Suichi's form to take over. Kagome and the others gazed towards the now red-headed demon, who closed his eyes. Kurama decided to allow Youko a break from gazing upon his daughter. Yusuke watched the fox silently while Kuwabara opened his mouth, "Kurama…"
He never got to finish it because he suddenly lost consciousness. Kurama silently thanked Hiei and turned his thoughts to resting. Kouga sat watching the group as each member slowly went to sleep. Kouga turned his gaze towards Kagome silently surprised that she was still awake.
123123 This is for you shadow miko. 123123
Hiei leapt down, "Wolf, the kitsune and I shall keep watch. You rest."
Kouga growled at the interloper. "Why don't you make me, mutt."
After a blur and a thud, Kouga's unconscious form was visible, "Hiei, was that necessary? He wasn't hurting anyone."
Hiei crossed his arms sitting beside her, "Hn."
Kagome laughed softly, "I must be going nuts; I'm understanding Hiei-nese."
Hiei looked at her offended but not saying anything, "Don't worry about it, Hiei-kun, I think it's cute."
Hiei's eyes widened, "Hiei-kun?"
Kagome's eyes lowered, "Sorry about that, it was quite rude of me, sorry Hiei-san."
Hiei shook his head, "Hn"
She looked up at him, "You really don't mind."
Hiei turned his gaze which hardened into a glare at the wolf, "Stupid wolf thinking inappropriate thoughts."
Kagome rolled her eyes, "So that is what that smell coming of him is. Ugh, I wished he'd understand I see him as a friend and nothing more."
Hiei turned towards the miko-youkai he sat silently watching her, when a cold gust blew she stood tightening her tail around Shippo then, unzipping her sleeping bag she covered Kouga, "Can't afford any member of this team getting sick. Hiei-kun, you will be fine in this weather, right? I have a blanket in my bag you can use."
Hiei snorted and stared at the fire. Kagome sat down slowly trying to not jostle the kit in her arms. "I take it you aren't cold, what am I saying of course not. The Great Hiei cold, perish the thought."
Hiei glared, "Onna, I refuse to let you have fun at my expense."
Kagome smiled, "I would never dream of having fun at your expense."
Kagome turned her gaze upward staring at the waning moon. Tomorrow was the night of the new moon, InuYasha's human night. Hiei noticed her gaze, turning his attention towards the moon he smirked, "Good the darkest night comes, we'll finish him then."
Kagome flinched and stayed silent; she knew defeating him tomorrow night wouldn't be honorable. She scooted away from the demon and backed against a tree. Hiei turned his glare at the kitsune, "Onna, InuYasha chose the dead miko, he didn't choose you, get over it."
123123 what a meanie123123123
Kagome returned his glare, "I am over the fact he chose Kikyo, he made his choice a year ago, I told him I understood and I made a promise that I would always be his friend and stay by his side, regardless of what happened."
Hiei snorted, "Friends only weaken a person."
Kagome's eyes turned her gaze towards Hiei, "Then I pity you, Hiei,"
She stood and walked to the other side of the fire, "I wouldn't want to weaken you, Hiei."
She focused her attention away from Hiei and towards the kit in her arms. Sighing, she snuggled the kit closer. Hiei closed his eyes, distinctly displeased at the outcome of the conversation. Miroku closed his partially opened eyes, 'that was interesting.'
The sun slowly rose after the tensely silent night passed. Kouga woke with the sun, stretching. Kagome smiled, "How'd you sleep, Kouga-kun?"
Kouga returned the grin, "Very well considering the fact that the midget knocked me out."
Kagome nodded, she didn't move, sometime during the night, Shippo crawled under her shirt and was sleeping on her belly his head listening to her heart, his small claws holding him in place. Kurama woke next. Kagome greeted him as well, but made no motion to rise. Kurama strode closer, eyes on Kagome or particularly the bulge on her stomach. "I see that your instincts are still intact after living as a human for so long."
Kagome's gaze focused on Shippo, "Why is it that something tells me not to move."
Kurama sat down beside her, "Simple, you see Shippo as your kit, right?" Kagome nodded waiting for him to continue, "And Shippo sees you as his okaa-san." Kagome nodded again wondering where this was going, "When a kit has a nightmare it will hid under his mother's clothes listening to her heartbeat in order to calm down…and the kit's okaa-san will stay in her position until the kit is awoken."
Kagome nodded slowly digesting the information, "So you're telling me that my heartbeat is Shippo's security blanket, and because of that I don't want to move."
Kurama nodded, "But, we need to get going, Hiei wishes to finish this thing with InuYasha tonight."
Kagome's gaze hardened then taking a calming breath, she gently tweaked Shippo's ear. Shippo stirred slightly confused, waking up fully, he stuck his head out from the top of her shirt, "Hey, mama."
Kagome smiled, "Sleep well, Shippo?"
He nodded and scrambled from his post. Kagome stood, stretching her limbs. Miroku opened his eyes, "So Kagome what happened between you and the demon last night? He seemed rather annoyed when he left."
Kagome turned her attention towards Miroku, "Nothing."
Miroku 'tsk'ed, "That wasn't what it sounded like."
Kagome glared at the monk, "So you listened to our conversation…"
Miroku knowing Kagome wouldn't hurt him continued, "He sounds a lot like InuYasha did in the beginning."
Before Kagome could react, Sango brought the faithful Hiraikotsu on his head, "Stupid Houshi-sama, when is he ever going to learn not to pry into other people's affairs… So Kagome about our discussion last night, "I'm assuming between your and Hiei's exchange the answer is no."
Kagome sighed, "He's been betrayed too many times…so, Sango-chan, didn't you just knock Miroku-kun out for listening to our conversation."
Sango apologized, "I didn't mean to."
Kagome smiled, shaking it off. "No worries."
Kagome started breakfast, "Sango can you watch this? I'm going home quickly, I'll be back tomorrow I have a surprise planned for you guys."
Kurama sighed, "At least bring an escort."
Kagome snorted, "What could happen?"
Kurama pressed the issue, "At least take one of the Renkai Tantei, they can protect you if InuYasha is on the other side."
Kagome sighed, "Fine, you win. Who should I take?"
Miroku regained consciousness, "Perhaps you should take Hiei."
Kagome ignored him, "Well, Kurama-san, do you wish to meet my mother, grandfather, and brother?"
Youko snorted but he slightly intrigued in the prospect of meeting the humans who raised Kagome from a kit. Kurama agreed and the two continued on the path towards the well while the others took the path that led to Kaede's village.
With Kagome and Kurama
Kurama silently trailed Kagome, worried about the coming encounter with one of his personal enemies, mothers that aren't his own. He sighed even his mother didn't know the truth of her precious Suichi. Youko snorted again, 'We've faced countless demons and you're afraid of a mere human woman.'
Kurama sighed, 'Youko you haven't met this sort of human, mothers can be vicious in their pursuit.'
Youko raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment, instead turning his attention towards a tree where he knew Hiei was hiding. Youko took over Suichi's body, "Kagome, what are your sentiments towards each member of the Renkai Tantei?"
Kagome paused thinking it over, "Kazuma isn't bad, he's like a giant child; bet Buyo would like him. Yusuke's an alright guy just rough around the edges, you of course are a nice guy and Youko is great if not a bit overprotective. And I'm not sure about Hiei, part of me wants to hug him and tell it's okay to open up but, part of me wants to strangle him for implying I'm weak, I mean I got that enough from InuYasha. Being told you're weak enough times you start to believe it."
Kurama caught up to the girl, "You aren't weak, I mean who else has the patience to put up with what you have to and manage to remain so trusting and forgiving of people."
Kagome looked up towards the sky, "Sometimes I wonder if I should just give my soul to Kikyo, it was hers to begin with and I wouldn't burden my friends with my presence putting them in danger. It's my fault that Sango's family and villagers died, and my fault Shippo's parents were killed, and that Kikyo was brought back as that shell and that Kouga's pack was almost obliterated, and a lot of other things. But, when I think that I think about Shippo, who would take care of him when I'm gone."
She ended with a sigh, continuing on the path she turned back to the stunned Kurama, "Well shouldn't we hurry, Suichi."
Kurama focuses on her and catches up. Youko was seething from his position in Kurama's mind, 'WHO THE HELL GAVE HER THAT IDEA, I'M GOING TO PERSONALLY RIP THE MUTT BIT BY BIT FOR IMPLANTING THOSE IDEAS IN HER HEAD.'
Kagome walked ahead unaware of the eyes following her from the tree before bounding towards the well. Hiei stood in the nearest tree to wait for the kitsunes to reach the well. Kagome and Kurama came into view they leapt down followed closely by their unexpected traveling partner.
Other side of the well
Kun-Loon looked out the window when the well's blue magic pulsed through out the shrine. "I see that Kagome's home."
Kagome snuck through the grounds and entered the house through the back door. "Mama?"
Kun-Loon went out to the back exit, "Hello, Kagome, who is your friend?"
Kagome gently pushed Kurama forward, "Okaa-san, this is Suichi. Suichi this is Kun-Loon Higurashi."
Youko looked over the woman deciding to truly make his presence known. Youko quickly took over, the silver fox picked up the older woman's hand and with a kiss declared, "I had wanted to thank you for raising my daughter, Kagome. I had thought she died along with her mother, Sumomo. I am the Youko Kurama, and I currently reside in the body of Suichi."
Kun-Loon blushed, "Youko-sama, I truly enjoyed her company…"
A boy's yell resounded through the house, "OKAA-SAN, WHERE ARE YOU?"
Kun-Loon apologizing to the fox, "I'm in the living room, Souta."
The boy ran into the room, pausing at the sight of Youko, "Wicked…"
The next thing Youko knew, a small boy by the age of twelve was petting his tail all the while firing rapid fire questions. Souta then noticed Kagome, "KAGOME YOU'RE A DEMON! THAT IS SO COOL? IS THIS GUY YOUR MATE OR SOMETHING?"
Kagome covered the boy's mouth, "Souta, quiet. He is not my mate, he is my father. This is Youko Kurama, he is a silver fox. Guess what squirt, remember all the times you said I wasn't related to you, well it turns out you were right, My biological mother, gave me to mom to protect as she fought off a youkai who wanted me dead for what I was, a miko-youkai. Father here, he thought I had died with my mother, and thus with some magic from jiji-san I grew up as a normal human girl, give or take a few time traveling trips."
Souta's eyes widened, "Nee-chan, you aren't going to leave us?"
Kagome kneeled down and hugged the boy, "Of course not, Souta."
Youko cleared his throat, "Of course I understand your reluctance at letting her leave, I would at least like the right to spend time with her if you don't mind."
Kun-Loon smiled, relieved that Kagome wasn't going to leave them, "Of course not, we'd be honored if you stayed for breakfast"
Kagome cast the simple illusion spell so that she appeared like her human self. She led Youko into the kitchen where the food was set out, "So squirt, what do you want for graduation?"
Souta concentrated, "Can you get InuYasha to come; he's my hero."
Kagome smiled ruffling his hair, "I'll see what I can do."
Souta smirked, "So does this you and InuYasha are going to get together, I mean now you are a demon, you two can live your long lives together."
Kagome chocked on the food she just put in her mouth. "I don't think that that is going to happen, Souta."
Hiei growled from his perch in the Goshibuko. Youko's voice filtered through his head, 'So, Hiei, I take that as you are in fact interested in my daughter. I suggest you hurry up and apologize for calling her weak, before she is taken.'
Hiei managed a, 'Shut up, Fox.'
Kagome stood up picking up her unfinished food. "Mom, I'm not hungry can I be excused?"
Kun-Loon nodded and Kagome set her dishes in the sink, before she left she gave her mother, brother and her father a kiss on the cheek, "I have some work to do."
Kagome ran upstairs grabbing her unused allowance money and changing into some jeans and a white t-shirt, heading downstairs she noticed the glazed look on Youko, she recognized that was the look her acquired when he was in a mental conversation with someone. Waving goodbye she walked outside. As soon as she closed the door, she sighed, "Great, now Souta's going to hate me if I can't get InuYasha to come."
Kagome grasping her purse began the decent down the stairs. Pausing she looked around, "No one's here, perfect."
She climbed onto the raised border, carefully using her ice abilities she slicked the wall down and she began to slide down the railing. Reaching the border she fell onto a startled Hojo, "I'm so sorry Hojo-kun, did I hurt you?"
Hojo helped her up, "I'm fine, Higurashi-san. Are you fine? I heard you got hemophilia."
Kagome nodded mentally adding that she should kill her grandfather to the list of things to do. Hojo took her arm, "Perhaps I should escort you for the day, so to make sure you don't injure yourself. Kagome shook her head, "Iie, Hojo-kun I couldn't ask you to accompany for the day…"
A blur stopped her and she heard a familiar voice say, "I'm accompanying her for the day. Hojo, leave."
Kagome sighed, "I'm sorry Hojo-kun, I guess my escort is a little over protective."
Hojo nodded and left with a, "See you later, Higurashi."
Kagome turned her attention to the person behind her, "Hiei-san, I'm amazed are you sure you want to be weakened by the sight of me?"
Hiei 'hn'ed' and took her arm, "Are you a baka, you could have broken your neck with that stunt."
Kagome snorted and pulled her arm away, "I'll take that as a yes."
Hiei pressed the issue, "Of course you're weak, you want to give up. That is the cowardly way out."
Kagome hissed, "Shut up, Hiei, I don't recall giving you the right to listen into Suichi's and my conversation. Besides you don't know what you're talking about."
Kagome gave out a squeak of surprised when she was pulled into an alley. Hiei growled, "You are thinking about leaving your responsibility behind so that you may please the hanyou. Ever think how that made Youko feel, baka, he just found the daughter he thought he lost the day his mate died and to find out she is thinking about killing herself. Are you truly that selfish you'd leave Shippo without a mother which would again be your fault. You'd make Sango lose her sister; Miroku would lose his life and what about the nigen family here. You'd leave them behind. Besides you'd prove to everyone that you are in fact weak."
Throughout what was Hiei's longest conversation in his life, Kagome burst into tears. When he finished she threw her arms around the demon, "I'm sorry. You're right…Thank you."
Hiei flushed, he didn't mean to cause the girl to cry just to stop any thoughts of suicide. He awkwardly put his arm around the crying girl, trying to comfort her. Kagome stopped hiccupping slightly, "Sorry, forgot you don't like that stuff."
Kagome flushed realizing that Hiei hadn't let her go. She let out a gasp at the next thing he 'said' to her, 'And not only that what about me, you'd leave me all alone.'
Kagome searched his eyes in which he responded by pushing her away, "Hurry we don't have all day."
Kagome nodded wiping tears away. Leading the way, she started to buy firecrackers. Hiei watched slightly curious at what she had planned for the group in the past. Walking into a convenience store with Hiei, who trailed her, watching as she bought sweets and in particular the three boxes of ice cream. Walking to the drinks she bought three two liters of soda. (Orange, coke, and sprite) She then went to the plastic utensils to by spoorks. Paying for her supplies she noticed the cashier was none other then, Eri. "Eri, you got a job!"
Eri looked up, "Hey Kagome-chan, yeah I thought to have something to occupy my self during the summer. So is that the two-timing punk boyfriend."
Kagome sighed, "No, InuYasha decided to stick with his first girlfriend, this guy is here to make sure I don't do something stupid and get hurt."
Eri turned at Hiei, "Well he's a cute nurse."
Hiei scowled, "I am not a nurse."
Kagome nodded, "He's kinda like my bodyguard."
Hiei nodded. Eri squealed, "Oh what if its like that American movie The Bodyguard? That would be so cool."
Turning to her task she registered the price, "That would be 1200 yen."
Kagome paid and left the store, "Sorry Hiei-san, Eri-chan is something else."
Hiei snorted. Taking hold of her arm he led her into a bakery, Kagome smiled, "So you've figured the surprise out have you."
Kagome walked to the front counter and asked for a cake with the inscription, "Happy anniversary, Shard Hunters"
The man looks at her confused but complies. Hiei looks at her and asks his question, "Hn"
Kagome turns around, "It's been now 3 long years since we've all joined together in our fight against Naraku"
The man came back and told her to pick up tomorrow. Kagome paid for the cake and puts the receipt in her purse. Hiei then followed her back to the temple, where the girl put the food into the frigde after writing her name on all them to make sure a certain grandfather with a sweet tooth realizes that those are hers. Youko watched his daughter scurry around the house. When he caught the scent of tears he asked Hiei about it. 'Hiei, why was my daughter crying? I can smell her tears.'
Hiei snorted from his post in the God Tree, 'Hn… all I did was talk to her.'
Youko snarled, 'about what she is already contemplating killing herself, I swear to kami if she does it you will be the next to die after that mutt.'
Hiei growled, 'That's what I spoke to her about. I told her how she was weak if she gave up and she burst into tears crying, apologizing and thanking me.'
Both Kurama and Youko breathe a sigh of relief, 'Thank you, Hiei.'
Hiei snorted, 'Don't start crying on me like your daughter.'
Kagome came back to where Youko was ignoring Souta. Laughing, she pulled Souta away, "Souta tell you what, let's give Youko-sama a break, you know how old people get."
Souta nodded "Only if you let me play with your tail."
Kagome sighed then nodded, "Sure thing, Head upstairs and I'll throw in a video game tournament in my room."
She waited till he left, "You owe me."
Youko nodded then retreated into Suichi's form. Heading upstairs, she shed her human illusion. Allowing her natural features take over. Souta quickly grabbed her tail and started to experiment with it. 'He owes me so much.'
123123 Awkward spot but it made it to nine pages long right.123123
AN. BYC is on temp hiatus till I can get over the writers block. TPS I am working on slowly but surly I need to do more research on alchemy before chapter three.
Review response
Shadowmiko- I added some Hiei/Kagome action I just don't want anything to happen to quickly.
Sesshomaruobsessed- You flatter me, but don't stop, I need any ego boost I can get.
Kuramasgal-Thank you I'm happy people love this story.
Ryukotsusei-Very cool sounding name sorry for the wait though I had this written on the 21st but, I was in Tampa and just came home.