Chapter 5- A shadow of a dream

Kagome woke slowly, her alarm blaring at her side nothing but an annoyance. Huffing softly she slammed down on the clock, blue eyes glaring at it angrily as she lifted herself from her bed. It was early yet, the sun still hidden from view but the rays already beginning to light up the sky. Unhurried she made herself a pot of coffee, letting it run while she explored her home. Nothing had been moved, nothing changed or altered in any way from the time she had gone to sleep last night. Nothing save for the front door, now closed. It had been a week since the night she had spied Hiei watching her, a week since she'd turned her back and allowed him access to her home. She hadn't seen him again since that night but she'd left the door open just in case. Sure enough every morning it was closed again, his aura tainted the space in the far corner of her living room, beside a window that overlooked the street beyond.

She wasn't sure what had made her do it, trust the fire demon as she had but in that moment she had seen something in him. Something she recognized. They were both broken, in their own ways. Was it enough? Probably not but...To leave him with no other option? No she couldn't do that. Wouldn't. Sighing she went back to her kitchen, poured herself a cup and sipped it carefully. Enjoying the silence of the morning, watching as the sky became a brilliant kaleidoscope of pinks, and reds, and yellows. She felt her thoughts beginning to wander and, so, pushed herself away from the counter she'd been leaning on. Mindful of the hot cup in her hand, and its contents, she made her way to Shippos room. Unsurprised to find Kirara already there, looking at the door as if contemplating whether it would be better to scratch at it or just bring it down. Smiling softly Kagome turned the knob, allowing the door to swing open with a soft push.

Shippo slept peacefully, if oddly. Arms spread out wide, left leg curled against his body, right leg ramrod straight, twitching every few seconds. Kagome fought back a chuckle, took the time to admire her boy before knocking loudly against the wooden door. Shippo shifted.

"Shippo. Baby wake up."

The little fox grumbled and turned, bringing with him a sizable chunk of the blankets. This time Kagome didn't bother holding her laughter back. Shaking her head she took another sip of her coffee before setting it down on his nightstand. Gently she picked him up, so small and light in her hands. Contemplating for a moment a mischievous grin spread across her face. Shifting him back down to the bed she proceeded to wiggle her fingers against his sides. Mumbling, twisting, Shippo came awake with a shuddering laugh, already struggling to get away. Kagome stopped but her laughter continued, Shippo glaring sullenly at her even as his small shoulders shook.

It didn't take long after that to get themselves ready for school. Shippo simply casting the illusion of himself as a seven year old. He smiled happily at her until she forced him to change from his customary clothes into his school uniform. Within minutes she was dressed and Shippo was munching on some cereal. Smiling softly Kagome watched her son for but a moment.

"Ok so what are the rules?"

"No using any of my powers, be nice, no pranks, and if anything happens Kirara will take me to you. Don't take candy from strangers, and wait for you outside the school so you can pick me up. Do I HAVE to wear this?"

Kagome chuckled. Little Shippo was dressed in black shorts, a bright white shirt and a blue tweed jacket. Complete with cute blue hat and little backpack. Kirara stood next to him, fruitlessly trying to dislodge the harness on her back that marked her as a service animal. It had taken a bit of convincing and a lot of paper work but repeating the story she had told her aunt she had gotten Shippo's school to accept that the boy needed the demon cat with him, at all times, because of the traumatic death of his family. She was dressed in a uniform that resembled her old schools so much she wanted to cry and laugh all at the same time. The only real difference was that where her uniform had been green this one was a deep, dark, blue and she had to wear and equally blue blazer with it. The beaten yellow pack hung loosely on her back, no doubt if it had been alive it would have been relieved that its current load was much smaller than its previous burdens.

"Yes Shippo you have to wear that." The chuckle that escaped her sent her son into a death glare to end all death glares. It was cute. Kagome shook her head before promptly hurrying him to get his books while she cleaned the dishes. She couldn't help but be nervous now though, sending her Shippo off to school. A human school where, if he was found out, she'd never see him again.

Let the kid go already, he'll be fine for a day. Sheez Kagome you worry too much

"Inuyasha!?" Kagome whipped around, his voice had been so close. Close enough that she could almost feel his breath against her cheek. She looked everywhere but she neither saw him nor sensed him, he wasn't there and yet he had been.

Kirara will watch him Kagome.

Yes Lady Kagome, with Kirara at his side he'll be just fine.

"Sango? Miroku? Oh god I'm hearing voices in my head." But god it was so good to hear her friends again, warmth stole over here even as her sadness deepened. Her friends were gone but she could hear them. It meant she was going crazy but they were with her and so insanity seemed a good idea. They had been so close, closer than family even, but she had been preparing for their loss since she had met them. The final battle had changed everything. She was no longer entirely Kagome and the only ones, the ONLY ones, who could ever understand the depths of that were five hundred years away. Distance would never be a problem, not when she was determined, but how was she suppose to find her way back in time? It's not like magic wells grow on trees she mumbled to herself.

Which is how Shippo found her not two seconds later. When he did, finally, manage to get his mothers attention she had offered him nothing more than an indulging smile before reaching for him, leading him towards a new adventure.

In this he could blame no one but himself, not that he didn't try at first. He could have said that it was Kuwabaras fault for starting another pointless argument, could have blamed it on Kuramas lack of communication, or even on Yusuke not warning him of the incoming danger. In the end, though, he had to admit that had he not let his mind wander he would not be here now. The miko pressed against his chest, her body sprawled over his, raven tresses rubbing like silk against his skin. Her eyes wide, not in fear but surprise, mouth opened slightly by the abrupt exhale of the fall. Her scent filled him: clean rain, a thunderstorm in the wind, the open fields. Awareness sparked through him. Nobody moved.

Moments ago he was following his comrades towards the human version of hell. Honestly he didn't understand the need for all this education. Oh he could see how some of it would be useful, how to heal and create, how to build and destroy, identifying the mistakes of the past. But most of the information was useless. In battle knowledge helps only if you win. Most of these humans couldn't fight a parasite much less a demon. Those thoughts were superficial, whispering across his mind as it continued to try to solve the problem that was Yusukes cousin. After closing that door behind him he had found himself almost lost in the living room. She had gone back to bed, he could hear her breathing in the dead silence of the night. Unsure of what to do or, really, why he was here he had moved to turn back around when he had caught sight of the pictures.

They were everywhere. Paintings of ancient demons rising in battle, standing in shadows. Pictures of a half-blood, white dog ears lowered miserably but lips smiling wryly. A pack of timber wolves sleeping peacefully connected to a picture of wolf demons, waking by degrees. A purple-garbed monk, a pink armored slayer, demons, humans, and her. Popping in and out of the pictures like a ghost; sometimes smiling with her friends, sometimes hiding in the background, slinking off with a mischievous grin marker in hand. Pictures of a world untouched by man. He had frowned, he had forced his hands still when all they wanted was to pick up the pictures and exam them closer. He resisted, fought to regain control of his growing curiosity, and settled himself against the wall beside a window. He let his eyes race over the room for one last look, to try and find the secret these pictures seemed to be trying to tell him. Every picture a smile. Where had they gone?

It was this question that plagued him. Every night he had studied the pictures, sleeping only for an or so when no answer was forthcoming. The pictures had told him precious little. Had only increased his curiosity. Had he not been struggling with the questions his mind shot forth he might have noticed her in time to move. Had she not been lost in her own thoughts she might have been able to veer away from him instead of tripping over her own two feet. Sending her flying towards him and landing him where he was right now. On his back with the miko settled awkwardly above him. Blue eyes swirled with pink, her cheeks flushed, he felt her body tremble. She pulled herself from his chest, legs shifting to stand. Unfortunately this meant that for the breath of a second her thighs were pressed on either side of his waist. He felt himself harden painfully, her blush darkened as she scrambled away from him. Grunting painfully as her momentum propelled her backwards to the ground. Raising himself on his arms he was greeted with the sight of creamy thighs parted, a flash of white. Viciously he slammed his eyes closed, struggled not to react. He breathed deeply for a moment, almost in annoyance, before jumping to his feet. With a glance he could see that his companions were still paralyzed in shock, Kagome sitting on the ground tears of pain swimming in her eyes. He reached down and pulled her up with a hard yank, unwilling to touch her more than necessary.

Kagome glared at him for a moment, a glimmer of heat in her eyes. She stared at the men in front of her as if she couldn't see them quite right. Seeing them through a haze of red. Her body felt uncomfortable, itchy. Warmth pooled in her stomach. Fire demons are hot. That's all. No not HOT Kagome just...warm...ya... Her mind struggled with what had just happened, could not seem to wrap itself around how comfortable it had been in his arms. His body unleashing a heat within her that she'd never felt before.

"Kagome!?"

"Wha-What?"

Yusuke looked at her oddly, she suspected he had been trying to get her attention for a few minutes while she had dallied in la-la land.

"What did you do to my mom?"

Surprise floated across her features, confusion evident in the shimmer of her eyes.

"I didn't do anything to Auntie, I just came to visit like I promised I would, now if you'll excuse me I'm late for class."

"Not so fast Kagome. Listen up we're under orders you gotta start talking."

"It is true, I'm afraid, but we mean you no harm. There are only certain things we must understand if we are to live here in peace."

"I don't make deals with demons I don't know."

"Well you know me don't you? I'm your cousin for Christ's sake!"

"Last time I checked my cousin wasn't a demon."

"Last time I checked MY cousin wasn't a demon disintegrator."

"Oh come on Urameshi, I mean I was surprised when you turned out to be a demon too and I've been hanging around a lot longer than she has."

She felt a smile cross her face when she took note of Kuwabara's presence. She couldn't seem to help it, she had a soft spot for humans who were in way over their head. Yusuke on the other hand was getting on her nerves. She loved him, she did, but she couldn't trust him. Not yet. She could barely trust herself not to break down when she thought about everything that had led her to this point, if she tried to tell them (of what she could tell them because, in all honestly, somethings were better left untold) she wouldn't get two sentences out before she became a puddle on the floor. Unfortunately what had worked with Inuyasha (logical thought expressed in angry tones) only seemed to make Yusuke push at her harder. She felt her walls cracking, willed herself to just get through it when she heard a soft growl from her right. Blinking she turned her head towards the fire demon, forgetting for a moment that she had promised NOT TO LOOK AT HIM. His red eyes were darker, more focused, his shoulders twitched in barely concealed rage. What was wrong with him? When Yusuke did not immediately shut up another growl erupted from him and he turned on the others, fangs literally bared.

"Are you all idiots. She's a PRIESTESS, she could kill all of us but Kuwabara with a thought. Now come on, we're late for class and I WILL NOT go to stupid human detention because of you imbeciles."

Turning he roughly grabbed her hand, it was soft and smooth but strong much too strong for a human woman, and led her inside. What had happened to him he did not know. Did not understand but she had allowed him peace in her home when he had nowhere else to go, this evened things up.

"Listen priestess regardless of you misgivings we don't hurt humans and I would suggest you co-operate. Trust me nothing would please me more than your death right now."

Then he was gone, the lie burning his throat so much it was almost physical. Almost too much to bear. Later he would be relentlessly teased by the others, he knew, and this was one of the many times he wished he could simply disappear as easily as he had when he had been working on his own.

"Uh guys did I miss something just now?"

"It seems Hiei has become quite protective of the priestess."

"You think…Hiei…LIKES her?"

"I'm not sure Kuwabara, he is correct in saying that you are the only one she could not kill though because I am also human, as is Yusuke, she would have a much harder time destroying us then she would Hiei. It is possible he recognizes the danger she posses to him and has, this far, been unable to see a way past her. Hiei has been known to tred carefully and skillfully against those who could otherwise destroy him."

"So, in other words, you have no idea."

"No, no I don't."

"Great just great." The school bell chimed loudly, "Oh Shit we're late!"

The school day passed in a daze for her both because of the monotone voices of her teachers and because of her numb shock from Hiei's actions early. Her hand still burned from his touch and now she felt almost guilty for her treatment of the others. Yusuke was right they HAD been there first and, more importantly, they had no way of knowing she had the jewel within her or even that she had traveled back and forth from the past. But she couldn't trust them, not with that. Other than Sesshomaru there hadn't been a single demon that didn't covet the jewel in some way, even Inuyasha had wanted to abuse its powers. Shippo had even wanted it, to exact revenge on his parents murderers, and even with her extraordinary new powers if there were more demons now than she had thought possible, and considering she had thought them extinct in her time the possibilities were now limitless, she alone could not defend herself and protect her son and the jewel. Even Sesshomaru had had a limit, he could defeat a little over three thousand demons at a time but after that his powers needed a serious amount of time to reload. Hers were the same and she still didn't have full control.

But I can share some things, nothing important, just enough and maybe, just maybe, they can help me find my friends.

It was this thought, foremost in her mind, that blinded her to the fact that her little corner of the lunch area, how had lunch come so fast?, was deserted. Completely totally deserted, by humans and demons alike. Frowning Kagome looked around, the hairs on the back of her neck tingling with anticipation.

"Excuse me miss?"

"Huh?" Frowning Kagome looked around, but saw no one.

"Down here ma'am." Blinking Kagome looked down and there, right before her, were three children hardly older than Shippo and only a little taller. Two little girls, both with long dark brown hair, were accompanied by a slightly taller little boy with jet black hair. They were all dressed in nice clean clothes. The boy with a dark purple shirt and black pants, his eyes were a bright brown and his hair tied back in a very short pony tail. The girl with the longer brown hair had equally brown eyes but she was dressed in tight black leggings, and a bright pink shirt. The last, a shy little girl with blue eyes and shorter brown hair, was wearing a red skirt and a white blouse. The three tugged at something in Kagome's mind but no matter how hard she tried she couldn't seem to place them. She knew she had never met them before. It took her a moment to realize that the children were staring at her expectantly, she felt herself blush.

"Oh um…How can I help you?"

"We were told to give this to you and to tell you not to be late." The boys voice was a bit deep but bright and serious.

"Yes and to tell you that you must find a team total of five." This from the longer haired girl, her voice tough but musical.

"We were suppose to tell you that you are expected on the date posted." The shy one said, smiling.

Blinking Kagome reached for the letter they held, a very heavy letter. Frowning she studied it for a moment and then looked back to the children but they were gone. Kagome stood, only half-noticing that with the children's disappearance her little corner was very quickly filling up with students.

"Where did they go?" She muttered to herself, looking down at the letter in her hand. Shrugging she opened it, carefully. She read it once, twice, three times before she rushed to her feet and shot straight back to the school, determination set in her stance. There were some demons she needed to hunt down and she wanted answers. She was tired, she was sick of it all, of feeling pain of seeing demons. She was sick of not having her friends with her and having a demon for a cousin and feeling the burning in her palm where Hiei had grabbed her. She was sick of it and she was getting answers, one way or another, because if this was a joke it had gone too far. If what the letter said was a lie she would shatter and she'd kill before she allowed them to break her.

You have been formally invited to participate in the 4th Shikon tournament to be granted entry into the Western Lands. More information shall be given once you have reached tournament grounds. Please choose four team mates to accompany you to qualify for the tournament. A ship will be expecting you at Tokyo harbor January 8th, 9pm.

Thank you