Thank you all for your reviews. It makes me happy to see you all enjoying my story so much. Just so you all won't worry over much about updates I intend to put out one to two chapters a week depending on my work schedule. I appreciate that you all took the time to comment on my work and I hope that you continue to do so, makes me want to get these chapters out faster ^_^

-shewholiesinshadowandlight

Chapter 3- Not the ones I'm looking for

It had taken a few minutes, neither group really trusting the other but none willing to back down, to come to an agreement. Well, if Hiei had been willing to admit it to himself (which he wasn't), they had winded up agreeing with the damned Miko in the end. After Yusuke's rather crude agreement the seven of them had eyed each other wearily, not really sure how to proceed and, unfortunately, killing the girl was not an option. So when she had suggested, looking at them as if they were unruly children, that they retreat to a more private location Yusuke had wasted no time in directing them to a rather secluded alley. Hiei had not been amused. Truth be told he'd been furious. That they were listening to a Miko of all things, willingly following one of the few beings Hiei usually avoided. Not because he was afraid but because, honestly, it was ridiculous that a mere human should be allowed the power to harm demons, pathetic. He had never really wanted any part of it and the longer he was around her the angrier he became. It might have had something to do with how her hair seemed to blow so deliberately against her, accentuating every curve and valley. It might have had something to do with how her voice heated his blood, made his heart pound so loud, maybe it was just because she smelled like open fields and fresh springs.

Deep down he thought it was how loud her soul screamed through her eyes, in denial of them and everything they signified. He hated her immediately, still did, but he hated himself more. Hated himself for wondering, for being curious, for understanding that the person standing before him was so broken it was almost laughable. She was held together by a wisp of a thread, and still she had been able to block him. Push him away. Admittedly he hadn't moved as fast as he could, or pushed himself to even a third of his limit, but it still grated on his nerves. Everything about her did. Made his heart jump in his chest and maybe that's where the animosity was really coming from because when he had first seen her part of him had whispered, the part of him he thought he'd buried long long ago. The part of him that he had done his damnedest to kill off. Obviously he had not been as successful as he had believed which meant he was just going to have to learn the lesson all over again. She had, at least, made that part easy enough. All he had to do was wait for one slip up, one mistake, and she'd be gone. It was more effort than she deserved but, at least, that way he could put her out of his mind completely.

He felt his lips twitch, the barest of frowns marring an otherwise impassive face.

Kagome wasn't entirely sure what to do. She had come here for peace, a place to mourn, a place to plan. She'd just wanted to get through this last year of schooling without the harsh reminders of what she'd lost waiting for her every day. She had thought things would be better and, just her luck, her sanctuary had turned out to be both Heaven and Hell. Here were demons alive, obviously thriving, and they weren't hers. Part of her had hoped, those first few days, that she'd wake up and her friends would be standing there having found her after 500 years. That there Inuyasha would be, impatient and obnoxious, waiting to take her back to the past for another adventure even though she knew that it was impossible. She had been prepared, she had set everything up before her last trip through time, she thought she could be strong but now? Facing this? It was almost as bad as waking up everyday, rushing outside to meet a friend that wasn't there and feeling her heart break because no one was there. The magic was gone and living next to the well, next to the tree, had been a knife twisting into her heart. She had felt as if she was losing her mind. This was suppose to be her escape but, as she passed the men to make her way into the alley her cousin had motioned her towards, she was beginning to see that there was no escape. The knife was still there, still twisting, but now it was worse because now she knew there were demons here in her time. Which meant either her friends were long dead or...She refused to let herself think of the or. Not here, not now. It might just kill her.

In response to that thought she felt Shippo push himself around in her arms, nuzzling against her cheek as he often had those first few months they'd known each other. It spoke of comfort given and taken. Her little boy was scared but determined and he was doing the only thing he knew how to try to make that look in her eyes go away before she turned around and the others could see it. They'd been in so many bad situations before, he knew as much as she did that any show of weakness could mean death and she felt her heart break just a little more at that knowledge. They were suppose to be safe damn it. Slowly, painfully, she thought of Sesshomaru. The elder of the inu brothers had always been stoic, his face an impassive mask. She tried to make herself that way. Tried to pull the hurt back until her face was as cold as ice. She thought, maybe, he'd have been proud of her.

"Explain." She'd injected just enough frost into her tone. It had come out like his, regal, arrogant, Un-impressed. The effect was immediate. Yusuke looked ready to start yelling, reminding her too much of Inuyasha, Kuramas eyes sharpened, Kuwabara frowned. Hiei (whom she WOULD NOT look at) matched her look, ice for ice. All in all she thought sardonically not a bad impression eh Sesshomaru? Somehow it felt better pretending they could hear her even if it did make her feel a little crazy sometimes.

Shippo couldn't stop himself. To hear his mother like this, see her like this hurt. She had always been so bright, so full of life, her eyes had always been wide with hope, her smile had always been warm, her heart had always been so open but, he knew, that whatever it was that had happened, whatever had brought them all back and changed him so that she really WAS his mama had done something to her too and now his mama was hurting. Hurting so bad he could almost feel it. He also knew that leaving the past, leaving everyone behind, had done something to her inside. Had somehow broken her spirit. His mama wasn't happy anymore, she couldn't see the silver lining anymore. But she was still Kagome, still his mama. Still the most beautiful, kindest, bravest, purest person he had ever met. And she still loved him but now he knew that it wasn't enough that she always protect him as she had in the past. No he had to take care of her too now and these people were hurting her just by being here. He wasn't entirely sure why, he was still too young to fully understand anything that was going on, but that didn't change anything. Wriggling free from her arms he managed to hop to the ground, his small chest puffing out.

"What are you doing here demons? You can't have my mama so just go back down whatever hole you crawled out of!" Kagome felt her mask crack for a second as she gazed down at her son. Kami never take him from me she pleaded silently Let him grow up, find a mate, have kids but please Kami never take my little boy from me. Never let his heart change. No sooner had the thought finished then the red-haired demon was moving forward, his green eyes locked on Shippo with such intensity that Kagome felt every muscle in her body tense. Beside her she heard Kilala hiss a warning, when the demon kept coming she felt more than saw the small demon change. This had the desired effect, the red-haired demon had stopped moving. Kagome had the feeling that he was in shock. She couldn't blame him. In kitten form Kilala was adorable, her big red eyes wide and endearing. In her true form those same eyes seemed to lust for blood, her body long and sleek, her teeth razor sharp. She looked like a saber tooth tiger except no tiger ever had flames licking over heels and tails. Kagome couldn't help the small smile that made its way across her face as Shippo jumped high in the air, back flipping onto Kilala back.

"May I suggest you keep your distance. Kilala isn't too fond of strangers."
This wasn't a total lie. Kilala had always treated strangers well as a rule, carefully but well. This was an entirely different situation though. Sango had tasked Kilala with the protection and well being of Kagome and Shippo, a difficult task. Not because Kagome was weak or defenseless but, rather, because Kagome had already decided that she wanted to stay in the past, she had made the conscious decision that she did not want to return to the future. That choice spoke volumes about the girl because it meant that her heart had been given to her friends, that she had gambled her happiness on them. She'd been pulled away from all that, ripped away by the Shikon jewel melding into her, essentially becoming her. It would have been easier with no goodbyes, she had prepared herself for that. Sango had seen how fragile her friend was and had sent Kilala to bridge the gap of time for her. Kilala would do this, would remain beside the miko and the kit. Not just for Sango but because she loved Kagome with all that she was. Loved Shippo as if he were her own. Anyone, or anything, that threatened them she would destroy or die trying.

Kurama paused, gathering his thoughts, then smiled politely.

"My apologies it is just...He is a fox demon correct? A brown fox.?" He ventured pleasantly. Kagome nodded her head, eyes curious. The red haired man answered with a small chuckle.

"It is just...curious. The breed went extinct some three hundred years ago, but they had always been few in number. Only the black foxes are thriving. The whites, such as myself, are few and far between. Tell me" His eyes locked on Shippo, green against green, "have you learned illusion yet? Or are you still, in truth, naught but a child?" The question was simply curious, made by one who devoured knowledge. Shippo huffed softly but didn't answer right away.

"I asked first." Came the stubborn reply and Kurama blinked. Black foxes were simple creatures capable of cheap parlor trick illusions and scrappy fighters. White foxes were mesmerizing in their beauty, fast, agile, and remarkably strong. Brown foxes, however, were masters of illusion. They could make anyone see anything they wanted, their illusions capable of causing harm and each as strong as the fox intended. It took time to develop these skills, and until they hit puberty they were often times defenseless except for their most devastating attack. Fox fire was the reason they had been driven to extinction. As children it was mostly harmless but strong enough to keep them, relatively, safe but as they grew their flames began to take on other aspects. Each brown's fire was different then every others. Smiling softly Kurama offered a sharp bow.

"True, how rude. Let me begin by introducing myself. I am Kurama and although I am human my soul is that of the white fox Yoko so one could say in a way that I am both." Kurama glanced backwards prompting an open mouthed Kuwabara to shake his head and step forward.

"Name's Kuwabara." The words were fierce but his eyes were glued on Kilala with an almost awed expression.

"You already know Yusuke his ancestor was Raizen a demon lord, one I think you two do not share. And this is Hiei." The demon in question didn't even bother to acknowledge the flaming cat, his eyes remained trained on Kagome his hand resting on the hilt of his blade. Kagome filed away the names, and the implications, away in memory. She'd have to think about all this later but since he, at least, was being polite.

"I'm Kagome Higurashi and this is my son Shippo, who is till a kit yes, and our friend Kilala."

"And we are spirit detectives." At her questioning look Kurama apologized and turned to Yusuke who glared pointedly before sighing dramatically, "We hunt down demons and other spirits that are causing havoc up here and ship their asses to spirit world or demon world." He explained tightly. From behind him Hiei shifted.

"I don't understand why we're wasting our time." Kagome felt the breath leave her body. His voice was cold, arrogant, cynical, but there was an undercurrent to it that she just couldn't pick up on. Like he was holding himself in such tight control so as to give nothing away. She risked letting her eyes wander over to him again. His black hair was defying the laws of gravity, spiking upwards, his face was cold but eerily handsome, his steady breaths outlining a body that was sharp, muscles pressing outwards but lean. She felt herself flush and pulled her eyes away forcing herself to end her examination.

"What are you doing here?" Kagome found herself asking, her eyes taking on a hint of a pink swirl as she considered that maybe, just maybe, they could sense the jewel inside of her. That she had been forced from the past just to face the same dangers without her friends. It was a debilitating thought. Yusuke, of course, answered in angry indignation.

"US? The FUCK do you think Kagome? We live here. And, HEY, we were here FIRST. YOU were the one who just decided to up and visit. Which...Hey does auntie know about this? I mean she has to know about the kid right? You told her you adopted a demon didn't you? Damn it Kagome how could you put your family in danger like that. Fuck my mom's gonna kill me. Do you really think I'd be friends with monsters who killed people."

If he'd been paying attention he might have stopped. The girls body coiled tighter and tighter, rage warring with pain. Hiei watched in quiet fascination. He could almost see something around her, pushing up against her, holding her back. A little girl, tears streaming down her face, clutching against her legs. Two men, made of shadow, holding firm against her arms, an older woman who was nothing but wisps of light hands settled on the girls shoulders. The tingling was coming stronger, and the pink shield that had suddenly appeared around her was pulsing outwards.

"I know no such thing Yusuke." Colder and colder. Her voice was like ice, beautiful and cruel. Hiei wanted to hate her more but something in that image reminded him of a time a long long time ago. A time where a mother had been forced to drop her only little boy over a cliff into the world below to die while she screamed out in agony and he cried out in loss. Shaking this image away (and all the feelings that came with it) Hiei humped again and pushed himself closer to her. Pushing against her purifying shield until his skin was peeling back, it hurt, but he kept trying to push forward and only stopped when she increased the power in the shield.

"Listen here, priestess, if we were hunting you'd be dead. We don't hunt humans here, we kill the ones that do. Now leave. There's no use for your kind anymore."

He had struck a cord, Kagome knew it. Knew it like she knew that it was too much too soon in a place she had been hoping to find peace. Instead there was only pain but she could not go back home. She might be able to cling onto the memories of the back-pack and the robe and the beads. She could cling onto hope and Kilala and Shippo but she could not live next to that well. Because that would destroy her. Now, though, this fire demon had struck a cord and Kagome needed to leave, to run and lick the wounds that may never heal. But she would not leave appearing weak, refused to do so because she would have to live with these demons. Would have to learn about them and, perhaps, find more of their kind through them so she could find out about her friends. More importantly than that though was that she would never, every, again allow herself to seem weak in front of demons. Not after Naraku. Not ever again.

"Have you ever heard of a demon called Inuyasha?" The question was coupled with the expulsion of her shield, she forced herself to appear calm and relaxed. Like Sesshomaru. In these situations only Sesshomaru would do, trying to emulate Inuyasha would only cause a battle she desperately wanted to avoid. At their silence Kagome felt her heart drop a little but refused to show it. Somehow Hiei saw it and smirked. Smirked. She felt herself take the few steps that separated them. His red eyes zeroed in on her and his hand tensed at his side but otherwise he remained unmoving, big tough demon ran through her mind with the faintest hint of a chuckle. It had been a long time since she'd been able to laugh at her own foolishness. Still expressionless she rested her hands against his chest, fighting back the electric jolt that seemed to course through her body (she may not want to admit it but, despite Naraku, this demon Unnerved her). She raised her eyes, forcing herself to look nowhere else but his own red orbs as she slid her hands up his chest and, languidly, locked them behind his neck forcing his face close until their lips were but a whisper apart. His whole body was tensed, she supposed it was shock and was grateful for it. Her inner suicidal maniac was raving but her eyes remained cool and controlled. Sighing softly she leaned the top of her head against his cheek before arching upwards on her toes, pressing a soft kiss against his cheek. Time stood still and all was quite save for the light hiss that was coming from his cheek. Pain came instantly, and when he reached for her she danced away from him.

His hand slapped up against his cheek, his eyes narrow slits of calculated fury. She should be scared but, strangely, his reaction made her feel better. For just a moment she had felt like her old self again, before the jewel. His anger she had expected Yusuke's she had not. It was her fault really, she should have remembered. The single guaranteed way to find yourself maimed or seriously injured was to hurt one of his loved ones. Apparently he and the fire demon were friends and he still wasn't sure if she was really, well, Kagome. She'd barely heard the whisper but it was just enough warning for her to pull up a shield.

"Spirit Gun"

She'd barely registered him pointing his fingers at her like a gun, like a child, before she felt something propel itself at her. The force of it knocked her back a few steps, her shield cracking like glass around her. It wasn't demon energy and she supposed it was only because of the jewel that she had been able to deflect it at all. It drained her though, her hands were shaking like crazy and she felt queasy. Shippo saw this and launched himself at her attacker.

"YOU HURT MY MOMMY!" Came the surprisingly loud bellow as her boy pummeled his tiny fists against any opening Yusuke inadvertently provided. Managing to, somehow, dislocate her cousins shoulder before she could pull him away from what could be certain death. Would have been if Yusuke hadn't taken the time to look into her eyes. They were swirling again, the itch was back so badly he felt like he needed to rip his skin off. Kagome glanced at each of the men before her in turn. Yusuke glowered at her, Kurama was watching her intensely, Kuwabara was chuckling like mad and saying something about Yusuke being beat up by a baby, and Hiei's focused stare weighed on her. Sighing she shook her head.

"You're not the demons i'm looking for. Stay out of my way." She jumped onto Kilalas back, Shippo glaring angrily at them from her arms. With a threatening roar the fire cat rushed them, jumping into the air at the last second and flying away.

The noise would usually infuriate him, his three comrades arguing with Koenma vehemently. He remained in his corner, his gaze a million miles away. His hand raised up to touch his cheek tentatively. It hurt, it would take a few more hours for it to heal and days before the scar faded until then he had her lips imprinted on his cheek. It had been almost unbearably painful...and he didn't mean just his cheek. Her hands running up his chest had left red streaks that barely stung but it had been so long since he'd allowed a female that close. Longer since he'd let one touch him. It dawned on him that he had been without the company of a female for far too long if the miko's cold caress had left him harder than a rock. Hours later and still that particular pain would not wane. Satisfied he'd found an answer to his reaction he pushed himself away from the wall, drawing everyone's attention. He glanced at each in turn before allowing his lips to curve into a frown.

"We have a problem."