Ch. 8 – Youko's mistake

(The next day)

"Good morning Kagome." Kurama greet the sleepy girl as she steps into the hallway in front of him.

"Good morning… Kurama." She yawns. "Where are you going?"

"I'm on my way to breakfast. Would you like to join me?" He offers her a hand.

She doesn't notice. "You do know that I can't see, correct?"

"Oh I'm sorry." He gently touches her hand. "Would you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you downstairs to breakfast?"

"Uhh… sure." –He's awfully polite this morning.-

(Later that morning)

"What are you doing out here by yourself Kagome?" Kurama walks past the fence surrounding the archery range. "Isn't Hiei supposed to be with you?"

"Not necessarily, Kurama. Just because he's my brother doesn't mean he's going to be around every waking minute. Why? Did Youko tell you to ask me that so he'd be able to get to me when I'm by myself?"

"No, I was just asking. I just thought that Hiei would follow you around to make sure that you don't get hurt or attacked or anything."

"Oh. So you were just concerned?"

"I don't think a lady should be out by herself. It's dangerous with demons able to randomly get through the barrier."

"Why were you looking for me?"

"I wanted to know if you would practice archery with me. Can you do that?"

"Even thought I'm blind? Ya."

"Really? I would really appreciate it if you would check my shooting abilities."

"If you get your bow and arrows ready I'll help."

"Thank you." He goes to get his equipment and returns several minutes later.

"I need to share your eyes so I can see what you're doing wrong. Ok?"

"What exactly are you going to do?"

"Nothing harmful. I'm going to hold onto your shoulder and you'll feel my presence in your mind. Then we'll be able to see through the same pair of eyes."

"Do you think that's a safe idea?"

"I need to be able to see in order to correct you."

"But what about Youko?"

"If he does not keep his distance I will shock him."

"I will try to keep control of him then."

"You want to save him the pain?"

"Yes. I do not wish to hear his screams."

"Then I will trust you to keep him at bay." She reaches up, holds onto his shoulder and closes her eyes. Kurama closes his eyes as well, searching for her presence inside his mind. –Kurama?- An image of Kagome appears.

-Why hello there.- A slightly deep male voice whispers in her ear seductively. Her eyes widen and she quickly spins around to find Youko standing there. –Surprised to see me? I know you're looking for Suichi.-

-Then tell me where he is.-

-Where's the fun in that?- Youko takes a step closer to her, with lit up eyes and a seductive smile on his face.

-Get away from me.- She takes a few steps back.

-Why?- He watches her face as he just steps closer. –Are you scared of me little kitsune?-

-If you dare get any closer I'll purify you!-

-You wouldn't do that.- He takes another step closer.

-I mean it! Stay away from me!-

-Why are you so scared?-

-I am not!-

-I can smell your fear even in here. Afraid I might hurt you, beautiful one? I wouldn't worry about that. I would never do anything to hurt you.- He steps even closer, looking down at her with a smile on his face. Kagome goes to shock him but he grabs hold of her wrists and holds her arms at her sides. –You know, you still owe me something for helping you out 500 years ago. I do believe I requested your broken heart. You only denied my request because you couldn't stay. And now that you have returned there is nothing keeping you from considering my request.- His face gets really close as he continues to stare into her eyes.

-Kur-!- Youko hold onto her wrists with one hand and silences her with the other. Gently touching his fingertips to her lips.

-Shh. This is our moment.. Don't you want to savor it?-

-Youko!- Kurama runs over. –Let go of her right now! Leave her alone!-

-Can't you just go away for two more minutes!?!-

-You're just lucky I didn't find you sooner!-

-I'm only asking for two minutes Suichi!-

-Not a chance! Release her!-

-Or what!?- Youko smirks. –And you do know that you just ruined the perfect moment!? It's not easy to create those perfect moments!-

-Well if you weren't harassing Kagome there wouldn't be a problem!-

-I'm not harassing her! I'm trying to seduce her! There's a difference!-

-Not really. Now let her go.-

-What if I don't want to?-

-Look at her Youko! You're scaring her to death! Is that really how you would want your mate to be?! To have her love you out of fear instead of having feelings of her own!?!-

Youko looks at Kagome, searching for something in her eyes. After a minute or so he releases her and disappears. Kagome feints, Kurama moves to catch her before she hits the floor. He looks down at her as he holds her in his arms and sees not the human Kagome he befriended, but her demon form. –She's beautiful. Pretty in both human and demon form. I think we should postpone out archery practice until tomorrow. I'm sorry Kagome.- He opens his eyes to find himself still holding Kagome. "I'll just bring you to your room and you can rest this afternoon."

(That afternoon)

Kurama is sitting in a tree when suddenly he is pinned to it with a katana.

"What did that fox do to my sister?" Hiei glares at him menacingly.

"Don't worry about Youko. He's been taken care of. I don't think anyone will hear from him any time soon. At least not until tomorrow."

"That's not what I asked. Tell me what he did to Kagome."

"No. It's his problem and he is dealing with it. You do not need to get involved Hiei."

"She is my sister Kurama and I –" Hiei is immediately pinned to the tree branch with his own sword.

"Back down Hiei. I am not in the mood for your anger management issues."

"Hn."

"I am taking care of Youko. You just stay out of it."

"You've lost your composure."

"I know. And you're making it worse."

"Then I suggest you keep that fox away from my sister or I'll make it hell."

"You will do nothing but stay out of my way."

"I might've given her to you, Kurama, because you're my friend. But I do not approve of the fox. I do not want him near her."

"What are you going to do about the tournament then? He has to come out in order to fight. You can't deny him a good fight against the competitors."

"No. But I can watch him when he enters or leaves the ring."

"I don't think Kagome will appreciate you 'guarding' her 24/7."

"That's not yours to decide." Hiei takes back his katana and sheaths it, jumping down from the tree and walking off.

(Inside Kurama's mind)

-Youko? Youko where are you?- Kurama walks around.

-I… I didn't mean to… I just lost it…- Youko appears curled up on the floor. –I didn't mean to…-

Kurama walks over and sits down on the floor next to him. –It's ok Youko, just calm down. I'm just here to talk.-

-I didn't know what I was doing… I swear I didn't… My Mind just went in so many different directions… I just wanted to get to her… I didn't mean to scare her…-

-What's done is done Youko. You can't change the past.-

-She hates me.-

-She doesn't hate you.-

-You didn't see her eyes. Underneath all of the fear that I created there was a spark of hatred.-

-But her hatred is not for you. It's for what you've become. And even then, all it was, was a tiny little spark. Kagome can say she hates someone and get all upset about said person, but it doesn't last very long. She'll be angry one minute and the next it'll be forgotten.-

Youko looks up at him. –Do you really think I still have a chance Suichi? Even after all I've done?-

-If you truly care for her, you'll try to fix your mistake and let her decide whether or not she'll reject you. But you must remember this lesson or you'll lose her.-