Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or fandoms. I make no monies from the writing of this fanfiction.

A/N I hope you enjoy this next chapter. Don't be shy please tell me what you think and what you like or don't like. Your responses are the fuel my muse needs to continue!

For Her Sake

Chapter 2

Yusuke ran outside hearing Hiei curse followed by the other two. Hiei was pacing angrily. "I can't detect her at all! She simply ceased to be!"

"She said she would return in a short time. In the meanwhile we should pack her things and get her moved, the less she has to see while packing the better. Also Hiei I think you should see something upstairs. Some one left her a message and I have yet to puzzle out why." Kurama's eyes narrowed, "all it says is , it starts."

Hiei glared at the bottom of that well until a hand fell upon his shoulder. It starts?! What starts? What was the onna caught up in? Well, he thought with unholy glee and pure malice, if the starting had anything to do with the youkai who had pillaged and murdered her family there would be no need to worry. He had personally cut them down brutally after hunting them one by one. Taking his time to making them suffer for the broken home they had left in their wake and for the revenge of one Souta Higurashi whom he saw her in, (not that he would ever admit it). He thought Souta was an descendant not her actual brother. He growled, but followed the fox inside with a single look back at the well house. If Kagome didn't return in two days, the laws of heaven and earth be damned he was going after her. Kenshin eyed him with a frown before moving to the kitchen. By the time Kagome returned the house would be packed and she would be able to walk away.

Kagome sat in the well shaft trying to quiet her rapidly beating heart. What had Hiei been thinking? It was obvious he'd been trying to save her as she'd fallen, but now she owed him an explanation and a shrug wouldn't cut it.

"Hello down there!"

For the sake of the joy filled face of her friend above her Kagome tried to smile. Tried but failed. Miroku noticed the redness in her eyes and climbed down beside her. Wordlessly he pulled her into his arms and held her as she cried bitterly into his robes. Neither of them said a word for none was needed. After a few moments Kagome regained her words and she whispered the words that she knew would hurt the man holding her just as it tore her apart.

"I'm leaving the shrine, Miroku. I won't be returning back here. I will be sealing the well forever. I'd want you to destroy it here, but you can't. I'm sorry, but I have to move on."

Miroku sighed as he pet her head soothingly. "We understand, Kagome-sama. We have understood since Inuyasha died, that this time no longer held your heart and that one day would be your last, we treasure the moments we have had with you. You are right in moving on, but why are you leaving the shrine? How long will we have with you till this happens? What of your family? Will you not miss them?"

His words had an immediate reaction on Kagome and her sobs increased in intensity, "They are dead Miroku, my Mother and Grandfather! My brother doesn't even remember having lived there or having a sister. They are gone because of me! I killed my family because I wasn't strong enough to protect them!"

"Oh, Kagome-sama, no; this was not your fault not in any way. Fate weaves as it wills. Life is an endless cycle of meetings and partings that is its nature. It is an unchangeable fact that every meeting will inevitably become a parting at some point whether sooner or later." Miroku said sagely as he tried to comfort the woman who had saved his life on more than one occasion. "Come let's talk at my home. I will say some prayers to calm your heart and soul."

He walked with her to the village and then to a worn path to the side and up a hill. She could hear the laughter of her nieces and the squall of her nephew. A sad smile curved her lips as she heard Sango humming a lullaby to calm the boy. After greetings were exchanged and Kagome had been given a cup of tea they sat around the fire and Kagome held the boy.

"Now Kagome-sama, tell us what happened."

Kagome hung her head, "youkai killed my family when they came after the jewel. If I had been there I might have stopped them. I might have been able to save at least one of them." Sango gasped knowing all too well the pain of loss Kagome was feeling. Carefully passing her son to his father, she embraced the distraught woman. The other young woman in the room had gone suddenly silent. Rin would not look at anyone as she sipped her tea.

"Kagome-sama, do not do this to yourself. If you had been there then what would have happened if you had 'died' in front of them? How do you think that they would have taken your death?"

"I don't know," she whispered hoarsely.

"I do, they would have been devastated to see you die and then horrified to see the jewel put you back together. Then regardless of their love for you they would have feared you because you are no longer human like they are. If given time I am sure that they would come to accept you as you now are but before you would have a life normally with them they would be dying of illness or mortality."

"Miroku, is right, as much as I wish otherwise he is right. I am so sorry for the pain you feel, Kagome. But you are strong and someday I pray that you find happiness."

Kagome raised her head slowly. Miroku was right. It hurt but he was right. She would out live her human friends and family now that she was immortal. In the end their lives were a mere moment to hers and then everyone she knew and loved would be gone except the youkai who, if not killed in battle would live for centuries before aging at all. Even Inuyasha had been three hundred years old give or take a decade. "I guess it's better like this then." She said softly.

"One day Kagome-sama you will smile again and feel it. One day you will not mourn the losses in your life but you will cherish them and we your friends will be watching over you each time our lives end and we are once more in the heavens. I know we will meet again one day though we may not know you, you will know us. Watch over us kindly Kagome-sama." Slowly Kagome nodded and Miroku helped her to her feet. "Do not linger here in the past. Make a clean break." He advised as he hugged her.

"You know Kagome-sama, I have been meaning to tell you for some time now, that I have always admired and respected your courage. If it would be alright with you I would like to consider you my little sister and pass your name on to one of my daughters in hope that they will have your courage. May I?"

"Of course, Onii-sama" Kagome teased.

"On second thought just call me Miroku. Onii-sama makes me uncomfortable. Oh, you left before we named our son. We called him Yasha, does that bother you?" Miroku asked carefully. Sango walked beside him and held out the sleeping boy. The other two children slept peacefully watched over by Rin who had been strangely quiet during the exchange.

Kagome smiled sadly. "No, I think Inuyasha would be honored. Teach him honor and courage and kindness. Tell him often of his namesake and the adventures we had. But for the sake of peace don't teach him your family curse." Kagome lightly kissed his little brow.

"No, no. It was the hand that was cursed not my family. My father just greatly appreciated a woman's more subtle charms, but I shall do my best to leave a better legacy for Inuyasha's sake."

"I'll hold him to that promise, Kagome."

Kagome laughed lightly. It was as though nothing had changed. Her face fell and her shoulders sagged as the well came in to view.

"It is time isn't it?"

She nodded her head mutely and she allowed him to draw her in to a final hug. "Tell Shippo I love him too and that I want him to be happy, ok?" Once more she carefully hugged Sango breathing deeply to hold back her tears.

"We will. Kagome-sama that is all any of us wish for you too. Live strong and find love again." She turned and jumped down the well before he could say the only words left to say…

"Farewell, Kagome-sama."

~*oOo*~

It had been close to a full day since Kagome had disappeared from his sight. Hiei was getting anxious as he glared at the well willing her to return. His thoughts had taken a nasty turn and he began to wonder whether she would return at all. Jumping back into the well shaft he contemplated using the Jagan to rip open whatever this well was and force her back. As he reached up to un-seal his Jagan eye the well once again erupted with a warm blue light. A warm body collided with him as the light died down and he held a weeping Kagome as she cried like her heart had shattered.

Kagome was completely unaware of anything as she wept except the arms that slowly encircled her in a reluctant embrace as she cried out her grief and sorrow in the bottom of the well. Saying good bye was so hard. It was so painful to lose her family again knowing that here they were five hundred years dead. Her tear blurred vision only showed her black. Her hands clutched the fabric of his shirt tighter. His breath was warm as he breathed. The scent of him filled her nose and she felt the bandage wrapped arms. Hiei, held her as she broke. He was one male who she could not hate nor be angry at even though he was the child, who had killed her first love.

"Hiei, please burn the shrine and this well house and everything within. Destroy this place forever. Please, before I lose my resolve." Her voice trembled and was roughened by her sobs.

Hiei tightened his grip on her shaking form gathering her into his arms as he made the decision. Everything had been moved the day before including pictures and other memorabilia. In a single leap he bounded out of the well and out the door. Kagome slowly looked at the shrine. "There is nothing here that I will need except for two things and they are something that no money can buy." She said as she turned and darted over to one of the storage houses. As Kagome turned Hiei felt his stomach clench at one of the items she carried. In her small hand she held the source of his guilt and shame, Tetsuaigua. In her other hand she held a bow that looked very simple and much worn. Seeing the look on Hiei's face she smiled sadly. "This is yours Hiei, to the victor go the spoils and you defeated Inuyasha. I kept it for you. I am certain that the sword will judge whether you are worthy of its power or whether it will remain a dull relic." Hesitantly Hiei accepted the weapon and pushed it sheath and all in to his belt beside his katana.

She held out the bow to Kurama's curious gaze. "I won this bow at the holy mountain of Azusa. It is the bow I used to defeat Naraku and the bow which saved my life more times than I can count since. Now I am ready." Kagome said as she slung the quiver of arrows over her shoulder and lovingly touched the unstrung bow. Shoving her back into the arms of the first other male he turned away his back stiff with finality. "Do not hate me for this Onna" he stated. Kagome couldn't look away if she had wanted to.

"Burn!" he ordered darkly as he raised his ki higher. Behind him he heard the footsteps of his companions running to stop him but the wood was already blackening and smoking. With a creaking groan and the sound of splintering wood the well house burst in to full flames and the roof collapsed. Everything that was flammable was in flames that would not be stopped until all was devoured within the eerie black edged blaze. Gradually the entirety of the shrine was encompassed in flames except the Goshinkobu; he did not burn the ancient tree.

Kenshin held the woman closer as he watched in stunned silence. Hiei had practically thrown her in his arms before unholy fire had engulfed the sacred buildings. His eyes refused to tear themselves away from the scene. Kagome tore herself from Kenshin's lax grip and stumbled towards the smoking remains of the well that had been exposed to the sudden rain that had broken as the shrine burned.

"Inuyasha, forgive me! The well is gone now so the past can die. After all I was only a stranger who chanced upon that world right? Good bye Inuyasha! Every one good bye!" she whispered.

Kenshin rushed forward and wrapped an arm around her to stop her from throwing herself into the flames that had burned the well house and well to ashes in mere moments. Beside him he could hear the muttered curses from the male known as Yusuke and next to him he heard the distinct voice of the one called Kurama but his focus was on the woman. With another burst of ki the flames died completely and all that was left of any of the buildings was ashes.

Kagome trembled in his arms and he was certain that Hiei had acted impulsively as his companions did as well. But Kagome pushed his arm aside and lowered her head to Hiei's shoulder from behind. Only her head touched him but her words were clear to all the youkai. "Thank you Hiei, for setting me free." A strand of her hair had tumbled over his shoulder and he reached up silently to run his fingers through it for a moment as a silent reply. Softly so softly that she and no others would barely hear it he said "my life belongs to you."

"Hiei, what the hell were you thinking?! You can't go around burning down shrines. I'm pretty sure there is a law against that!" Yusuke exploded as he recovered from the shock.

"I am certain that you heard what Koenma said detective. I do not answer to the Reikai. They cannot interfere." He snapped.

"Then Kagome-sama requested this, but why?" Kurama asked in confusion.

"Her reasons are her own, fox. Shouldn't we worry about that later? Even though Kagome enclosed the fire in a barrier it has drawn attention. Leaving would be prudent." Hiei snapped. Turning to face Kagome he said in a slightly less sharp tone. "I will supply you everything you may need."

"Thank you."

With no ceremony Hiei moved swifter than anyone could see except Kenshin and slung Kagome on his back. Without a word to the others they were gone. Kurama and Yusuke sighed as they took off leaving the empty shrine behind. The ruined buildings still smoking as the rain slowly put out the remaining coals. The energy of their friends was moving swiftly into the city and Kurama had a good idea as to where Hiei was going. Genkai's temple was at least three hours from here even at a dead run and with the rain falling Hiei would seek shelter.

~*oOo*~

Upon arriving at the apartment Yusuke and Kurama breathed in appreciatively the scent of curry. "Did you cook last night Kagome?" Kurama asked as he removed his shoes and picked up a towel that smelled like her. Kagome ducked her head blushing.

"Yes, Hiei said you wouldn't mind. I made enough to feed an army though so there are leftovers."

"Were," Hiei stated.

Kagome smiled with amusement, "I guess I should make some more then."

"Only if you wish to do so, this is our home and you are my guest. As interested as I am to try your cooking it would be rude to expect it."

"Kurama, let the girl cook! Can't you smell that? It makes my mouth water!" Yusuke exclaimed with gusto.

Kenshin frowned slightly but moved into the small kitchen. "Can I be of service, Kagome dono?"

"Can you cook?"

"My master was a terrible cook, I prepared our meals. I may be a bit out of practice but yes, I can cook."

"Great let's leave it to them, Kurama, Hiei I need to go to the store. I seem to be out of beer." Kurama and Hiei shared a look but nodded.

"Yes, I am certain that Kagome would like something more than vegetables in the curry. Come Hiei, you can help me pick out some meats we will all like. As you have tasted the curry you would know best what would go with it."

"Hn, the idiots want to discuss something we will be back."

"Aw man, Hiei you made us look stupid!" Yusuke complained as they walked out the door.

"You didn't need my help, detective." Hiei's voice drifted back as the door shut. Kagome giggled softly at the argument still going as they moved further away. Kenshin merely raised an eyebrow.

"I think that is how they are normally. It's nice," she said quietly.

"This unworthy one is not used to such things."

"Don't, talk like that Kenshin. You are not unworthy. I know who you are." Kagome said as she pulled out the ingredients to prepare them for cooking.

"Kagome dono?" he asked uncertainly.

"I learned about you in school. You are the Battousai right? The master of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu, you were proclaimed a hero you know."

"I am no hero. All I did was commit murder staining my sword and my hands red."

"Oh, but you were, to those who lived because you fought. I could say the same of me, because of my choices thousands suffered and died. I know you killed many, but do you carry the burden of an entire world upon your shoulders Kenshin?"

"No." he breathed quietly, he did not carry that burden. He looked up at her from the vegetable he was chopping.

"I do. I see their faces and the dead are a heavy burden upon my cursed soul. But, it is because of what I have done that I can't give up. I have to live and someday find happiness so that all of those who suffered can find peace. Even now I can't give up because of my pain. I can regret the past but I can never change it. I can only move forward." Kagome said quietly.

"Does this guilt come from the tama you spoke of?" Kenshin asked trying to understand.

"Yes. I was born with the tama in my body and had no idea of the power it held. I had it for a day, destroyed half of the village of Edo and the next evening shattered it into a hundred pieces. Each shard could make the youkai who possessed it incalculably powerful and I had spread them all over Musashi as it was called then. Imagine my horror at realizing the destruction that a single shard created and knowing it was my doing. I saw village upon village of dead men women and children. I had caused their demise, me the failure guardian of the tama. And it wasn't only humans who suffered; youkai clans were wiped out with just as much carnage all for a mere piece of the jewel." She sighed heavily and stirred the onion Kenshin had sliced.

"My mistake was immortalized as a legend. Told over and over again, but never does the legend speak of the horrors I caused, all it speaks of is me standing before the greatest evil in that time and purifying him with a single hama no ya. With that one arrow I cleansed the world and erased the sin of the jewel in the tale. But in reality all I did was add another life to the list of the dead," Kagome hung her head, "I failed in two life times and to make sure I would never repeat my mistake a third time, I became the thing I feared the most. I am now the jewel. Kagome Higurashi, the human died, but I cannot. I must live knowing daily that I created this world the good things and the bad things. I created them."

"That is a heavier burden than mine you carry, Kagome dono, how do you carry it alone?" Kenshin asked wiping a tear from her cheek. Now that he knew, he understood the desire to protect her better. She wasn't weak but the burden would crush her if someone did not assist.

~*oOo*~

Hiei sighed as he closed the Jagan behind the ward. He had listened to their conversation as Kurama asked, but it left him feeling angry and hollow to hear that such a one as she was suffering so deeply in silence. She deserved so much better than the fates had given her. Suddenly he wanted to be there at her side and show her that the burden she carried was not hers alone. He had lived through those times and Kurama had as well. There was another side to the story she did not know. Hastily he chose pork chicken and beef to go in the curry and left a stunned kitsune and Mazoku to pay for the groceries as he left.

It took only moments to arrive at the apartment and with a hasty flare of energy the door opened and Hiei rushed through the door leaving the plants to close it. Before she could gasp in surprise Hiei had her in his arms. Somehow she was not surprised he was there nor was she shocked he was holding her. He was surprised to note that she didn't even feel alarmed he had just appeared. She trembled against him and he knew without the aid of the Jagan that she was going to break. Telling Kenshin as much as she had cost her dearly and she was breaking to pieces even as he tried to hold her together. Picking her up, he carried her unresisting to the couch and held her as her world shattered. The answer to Kenshin's question was glaringly obvious, she couldn't carry it alone.

"Kenshin come here and watch her as I cook. Don't set her down." Hiei instructed while pulling the cooking information from her mind to use with the Jagan. He had no finesse in the kitchen but he could use the information in her head to do a fair job of it. Then with a shake of his head and a light touch of his telekinesis he shut off the stove and sat comfortably with her. "Never mind, we'll order out."

Kurama chuckled low as he heard the last statement as he walked in with his groceries, "interesting indeed."

"That's so creepy fox boy." Yusuke complained but dutifully pulled out his cell phone and called out for dinner. Knowing Kurama as he did, he didn't spare a thought to cost and ordered what he knew Kurama would have any way. The order placed Yusuke shook his head as he walked deeper in to the apartment. If he had known they would be having a party he would have cleaned.

Dinner was a spread of bento boxes and super deluxe sushi platters along with plenty of Sake. After eating in silence Kurama suggested a game of cards and they all learned that Kenshin had a poker face to beat Kurama's He hadn't once yet cracked a smile. Friends and laughter it seemed were just what the doctor ordered for Kagome and she enjoyed the evening with her new friends thoroughly even if Hiei wouldn't let her out of his sight. A fact that was obviously getting under the skin of an irritated kukiyoukai, as the night wore on.

Plans were made to head to the temple after breakfast and the apartment fell silent. But, not quiet, due to the clash of Air and Fire brewing as carmine clashed with gold over a head of midnight hair.

~*oOo*~

Yusuke sighed as he neared the temple that Genkai had lived in all those years. He missed the old lady terribly. In many ways she had been the mother he'd never had. She had taught him everything he knew about giving his all and fighting with the power inside of him. She had also stuck by him when few would. Their relationship was an odd one to be sure but it was all in the name of love.

Genkai's lessons and beatings had been for his benefit she had told him so on her death bed. She had also called him the son she had never had; two things that had broken his heart when she breathed no more. Yusuke had again dug her grave with his bare hands and this time he'd even gone through the trouble of shaping her a head stone which he meticulously carved with her name and a short but sweet: "Here lies Genkai, friend, teacher and mother. She will be missed."

Kurama heard the sigh and rested a hand on his friends shoulder. It was the only comfort Yusuke would have allowed at that moment. He knew what had to be on the former detectives mind just as he knew that returning to that place was going to be hard on Yusuke. He'd been there when Genkai died that night; he'd been the only one there with Yusuke in the aftermath of her passing.

Kurama had never seen Yusuke so broken. That was the night he'd moved Yusuke from the temple to the extra room in his apartment. His excuse had been to keep an eye on Yusuke but in truth Yusuke had nowhere to go unless he returned to the Makai. Yusuke's mother had died two years prior of complications from alcohol poisoning. Then he lost Genkai too, and then Keiko dumped him all in the same six months.

As the temple came into view Kurama nearly groaned, was it impossible for Hiei and Kenshin to get along even for a few minutes? When they had left the apartment Hiei had scooped up Kagome and run preferring the youkai method of travel to the human one Kenshin had followed instantly His ears would have been twitching furiously had he been in his youko form. The clash of steel on steel was loud as it rang out over the grounds.

"Shit, Hiei's fighting Kenshin right?" Yusuke asked now that he recognized the sound.

Kurama didn't bother to answer as he poured everything into his speed.

"You will regret those words, fool." Hiei snarled quietly at the air elemental as he carefully placed Kagome's sleeping form carefully on the grass in the shade of a tree. "You know nothing of youkai ways. You know nothing of the situation that binds us. I suggest- You- Shut-Your -Mouth."

Hiei's blade slashed at Kenshin faster than the eye could see and the battle had begun. Kenshin fought back giving the other youkai no chance but to return blow for blow. Steel met steel in a deadly dance of dominance. Crimson droplets scattered on the ground here and there as a blade nicked flesh. One such drop, flicked from the tip of a flashing katana landed on Kagome's cheek.

Feeling the wetness Kagome's eyes fluttered open and she touched the drop curiously. When her fingers came away stained in red she jumped with a gasp. Seeing the battle happening before her Kagome acted before thinking.

"Sto-" she choked on the word as she was pierced from both sides as she threw herself between them.

Both elementals froze at the sight of Kagome run through on their blades. Kenshin's hand trembled as he stood holding the blade slowly coating in blood staring in horror at the place where his katana penetrated her back. Hiei was too stunned to do more than stand there eyes wide and hand still on the hilt. Another image superimposed over hers of black hair streaked with silver and dark eyes sparked with gold. It was the same strike he had used then. A trickle of blood slipped from the corner of her mouth and ran down her chin. Hiei finally tore his eyes away to see both katana had pierced her heart.

Kagome's face contorted in pain as Hiei jerked her forward off of the second blade not easily pulled even from Kenshin's weak grasp. With a look that could only be described as tortured he removed his sword from her heart and dropped it in the dirt. She had gone limp falling into his arms, but she breathed. Kenshin and Hiei were on their knees with Kagome between them as Kurama and Yusuke skidded to a stop.

"What the hell happened?!" Yusuke roared as he shoved Hiei out of the way so that he could see. Quickly Kurama was at her side examining her condition.

The wounds on Kagome were healing rapidly and her color was returning. Hiei had picked himself up off of the ground where he'd landed when Yusuke shoved him and stormed over to the woman. Seizing her by the shoulders he shook her "Why did you do something so stupid Onna?"

"I didn't want you to kill each other. I know we just met but I don't like my friends to fight." She said looking at Kenshin.

Kenshin looked pale and he trembled as he slowly reached out his hand to her out stretched one but he did not touch her. "This one is so very sorry Kagome-dono." He hung his head mournfully unable to meet her eyes. If she had not been immortal, if she had not been Kagome, he would have killed her. The thought made him sick. Reaching over to his sword he shuddered as he shook her blood from the blade and sheathed it.

Kenshin was not foolish enough to vow that he would never fight again nor that he would never hold a sword again for he knew that his life was tied to the blade in his hand and to the Hiten Mitsurugi style that he wielded. Both had saved his life time and time again and he could not abandon them now or ever. "The art of swordsmanship is learning how to kill." His master had repeatedly told him these words. He was the embodiment of that statement. As a human he could have clung to a pacifist life and thoughts but as a youkai something told him that that would be impossible.

Hiei had never cared what anyone thought of him. He had never cared about anyone except Yukina but seeing Kagome pierced by his blade shook him to his very core. "Gomen Kagome." He whispered before running from the scene. He had broken his vow and he needed time to accept that he had hurt her.

Kenshin bowed beside her, "Though I do not fully understand the youkai ways as Hiei has said, this one's life belongs to you as well. I shall forever seek to earn your forgiveness, Kagome-dono." Kenshin said before getting to his feet and walking swiftly in the opposite direction as Hiei had gone.

Kagome lay on the ground where she had fallen looking in bewilderment the direction the samurai had gone and then over at Yusuke who wore a similar expression. "Now this is an interesting development indeed." Kurama said as he smirked to himself drawing both Miko and Mazoku's attention to him. He staved off the questions with a shrug. "In youkai law one thing is binding above all else, blood. Kenshin has made a blood vow to you though I doubt he knows what he just did."

"What did he do?" Kagome asked hesitantly.

"Well my dear, let's just suffice to say that you now have the most powerful body guards at your beck and call for rest of their and your unnatural lives. Any whim you may have they will fulfill and they cannot refuse unless you order them to cause you harm."

Kurama helped Kagome to her feet and led her inside the temple while leaving Yusuke to round up the hot heads. "It is fortunate you are immortal ne Kagome-sama?" he said casually as he glanced over at her. "I have drawn a map for you to get acquainted with the layout of the temple. When Kenshin returns if you would let him use it as well; I am certain that you will be able to assist him but the map won't hurt."

Kagome sighed heavily. She really had nowhere to go now but -"Maybe this isn't such a good idea, Kurama-kun."

"Why?"

Kagome threw out her arm indicating the yard they had just left, "I'm here less than ten minutes and I've already made two youkai miserable and not one but both of them think they owe me their lives," she winced as her wrist struck the doorframe. She grasped it with her other hand to soothe the pain. "Ow. You see I'm clumsy and I will only cause you all trouble. No one will relax around me and eventually you will all resent me and I'm not sure I want to live in another temple or shrine."

"Nonsense, you will be just what those two need. They will never admit it, but both need someone to protect to feel content with life. They both need purpose and you being here will give them that. Kagome-sama you may find that you need them just as much. I have never heard Hiei apologize for anything and he did to you. I have a very strong notion that if you leave you will have shadows where ever you go whether you want them or not. As to the shrine or temple, I understand. There is a three bedroom for rent on the floor above mine if you like I would be happy to secure it for you."

Kagome sighed, "I get the point. You youkai are so stubborn." She narrowed her eyes at Kurama's chuckle. "I think that would be best. I know I can't change what I am, but I need to move forward."

"Yes well-These are the rooms here. You may look at any of them and pick which ever you like to stay in temporarily while I arrange things at the complex." Kurama chuckled at the fire that he'd found in the mild mannered Miko. He was willing to bet that she was much more of a spitfire in a place she was comfortable. It would be interesting to see how things would play out.

Kagome smiled slightly as she opened the door to the first room and found that it had been decorated in forest green. It was woodsy and nice. The trees outside of the windows shaded the room and made it cooler. It reminded her of lazy days and crazy days sleeping in the forests. Curiously Kagome moved to the room left of the green one. That room was decorated in vibrant blood red and black. She smirked thoughtfully guessing whose room it must be. Quietly she closed the shoji door behind her. The room on the right side of the green room was done in cool blues and mellow gold tones. Somehow she thought that Kenshin might prefer this particular room to the other two. "I'll take that one." She gestured to the green room.

"A good choice, I always preferred this particular room when I visited here. I am certain you will be quite comfortable but if there is anything you wish to add to the room just let Yusuke or myself know." Kurama said before walking out the door closing it behind him.

With a deep breath Kagome set her bow on the bed in the forest green room and sat down on the soft mattress mindful of the blood on her clothes. Closing her eyes she let her thoughts wander. A pair of fretful amber eyes that were cold and distant entered her thoughts followed by crimson eyes filled with regret, "I'll have to apologize to them both for causing them trouble when I see them." Turning to her side Kagome placed her hand over the spot both blades had pierced. How could she have been so stupid to throw herself between them like that? Hadn't she learned anything in all the battles she'd been in?

Her mind drifted back to the night before in Kurama and Yusuke's apartment and she sighed. Would Hiei ever be comfortable enough to sleep beside her? It had been warm and comfortable in his arms and she had felt safe and able to handle anything the world threw at her with Hiei there. And Kenshin he was so careful and guarded. Had he really given himself to her? Ugh! Why were all youkai either trying to possess her or doing unnecessary things? Her boxes were tucked into a corner and she got off the bed and walked over to one that held pictures. With sad eyes she picked up the last family photo that had been taken and felt tears fill her eyes. "Mama did I do the right thing? What do I do now?" There was of course no answer from the picture but Kagome hugged it to her heart tears spilling down her cheeks. "I'm not okay, mama. I can't do this it hurts."

She tried so hard to live up to what everyone expected her to be and she had failed every time. This was no different, she couldn't pretend to be happy when her heart was dying on the inside she wanted to cry till there were no tears left in her and scream till she was hoarse but she knew neither would really help. Tears could be healing, but when cried alone hers became bitter.

A knock at the door brought Kagome out of her thoughts and she sat up smoothing her clothes and scrubbing the tears from her face. "Come in."

"Are you settling in alright?" Kurama asked as he opened the shoji screen door and entered holding out a folded bundle. "I brought you a clean towel and a yukata. It will be rather large on you I fear, as it was Yusuke's but it should be comfortable. The bath is large and I took the liberty of drawing it up for you seeing as you would probably like to wash off the dirt and blood."

"Thanks, Kurama-kun that is very kind of you. Oh, I was wondering, if three rooms will be enough?"

"Beg your pardon?"

"I count four of us living in the apartment with only three rooms. I assume that you are planning to live in your apartment still. But where will Yusuke be?"

"Ah, very astute" his eyes lit with understanding. "Yusuke and I are roommates. We will be living there; in your place it will just be you and Kenshin and occasionally Hiei. Will that pose a problem?"

Kagome forced a smile as she said "Nope it should be just fine." Internally she sighed. (Oh, great.) With the smile plastered on her face she followed Kurama to the bath and thanked him before going inside and firmly shutting the door which she noticed had a broken lock. "Fantastic, that will be getting fixed," she muttered.

Stripping quickly Kagome stared at the ruined blood stained kimono and sighed heavily before tossing it in the corner. 'Just another ruined kimono, just like old times,' she thought wearily. She'd dispose of it later when her bath was done. After scrubbing the blood and grime from her skin she soaped up her hair and tipped a bucket of water over her head to rinse.

"Brrr, that's really cold." She complained quietly. Rinsing once more she climbed into the hot water and "Mm, so good," she moaned in pleasure. Kagome closed her eyes as she considered her situation. Could she live with Kenshin and Hiei? Kenshin she didn't know at all, Hiei was another matter entirely.

It wasn't that they were male though that might someday become an issue; they were both very attractive males and she a woman. At one time she would have been embarrassed by such thoughts but not anymore. Her virginity was gone shortly after Inuyasha declared himself to her, but his human side made him long to bind them in the human way as well and so they had only made love once-the night she had returned after her three and a half year absence. The marking he'd left upon her shoulder had been only a mark of intent. It had faded when he died. It seemed so long ago. Her eyes filled with tears and she swiftly washed them away. If she was going to live with Kenshin and Hiei she would have to be stronger than this. With a deep breath Kagome plunged her head under the water.

Kenshin paused with his hand on the door. He thought he'd heard a splash from within, but there was no sound now. With a shrug he opened the door and in a very efficient and focused manner stripped himself of his ruined clothing. Fighting with Hiei had torn up his kimono terribly. With a sigh he began to fill a bucket with cool water when he heard a sound behind him. It sounded like someone rising out of the bath.

He spun to face his attacker and froze in place. Sapphire pools met his shocked golden eyes. There was a hint of a blush on her cheeks but her face was steadily growing redder as her gaze traveled his body. He wanted to cover himself but he couldn't move. In front of him was the most glorious sight he'd ever beheld with his eyes. She stood, not five feet from him wearing only the drops of water that clung to her smooth skin. The water came only to her thighs leaving her completely bare to his warming gaze. His skin and blood were on fire, but it was quickly doused by the coldness of his resolve.

Kagome couldn't tear her eyes of the figure before her. Her throat was dry and she desperately wanted to lick her suddenly dry lips, but she refrained from moving. His body was lean and lithe as she'd thought, but his body was far from under developed. His muscles were a little more subtle. His abs were toned tight and she could see the definition of a six pack. Her eyes wandered lower and her face flamed as she realized where she was looking, but as she had only seen one before and she was not a virgin she found herself slightly curious despite the awkwardness. His eyes were devouring her hungrily and there was a smoldering quality to his look that made her burn, then it turned cold and the look froze her blood. Suddenly she gasped and ducked back under the water turning her back to him breaking whatever had caught them both.

"I am so very sorry Kagome-dono had I known you were in here I never would have entered. I called at the door but there was no answer. I didn't think to check the bath before disrobing." His voice was so lacking emotion it made her shiver and she knew without a doubt that he was the hitokiri Battousai.

"Just turn around for a moment and you can have the bath. Don't worry about this too much alright? It was bound to happen with the lock on the door broken." She laughed wryly to keep her voice steady she didn't need to fear him, but her mind screamed in panic even as her body ached for the heat that she had seen in his eyes.

Carefully she climbed from the tub and threw the yukata over her body and tied the obi snugly. Scooping up her things she slipped out of the room she could feel his eyes on her back. Glancing down at the map Kurama had given her she dropped her things in the middle of the porch, except her towel and pausing a moment for her shoes took off at a dead run towards the lake in the middle of the forest she needed a very cold bath or a very hot cup of tea.

Kagome stopped dead at the edge of the lake and just stared her mind unable to come up with a logical reason why she needed to move. Unable to help herself she watched in fascination as the drops of water slipped down his contoured back muscles and down to the surface of the water. His dark hair being short like it was allowed her to see the full line of his spine and she traced it with her eyes. He was lean and sculpted and very naked, it was like nothing she had ever seen before. It was mesmerizing the way his muscles rippled when he moved. He began to turn feeling her eyes devouring him. She could see everything in profile and she gawked eyes widening as she realized that he was bigger than Kenshin and mentally smacked herself for the comparison. She swallowed reflexively and met his eyes which burned unashamedly back into hers. The yukata slipped down her shoulder as her hand went limp under the sheer power his eyes had as they hungrily swept her form making her burn with desire. He looked like a predator as he shifted his body to move and suddenly her feet got the message her brain had been frantically sending, she turned and ran. She didn't stop till she reached her room and the door mercifully locked behind her.

She was in big trouble. She groaned and palmed her forehead at her wayward thoughts. How was she ever going to face them?

It hadn't even been one day and already she had seen both males nude. Hiei was short but delightfully built his body lean and tight with rock hard muscles in all the right places... Kenshin was lean also but just a tad taller and lither with understated strength that was everywhere. Gah! What was she thinking about?! These males were now her roommates in this temporary place and then in the apartment they would move to. Here she was mentally drooling over them and she had seen that on both of them. Her face flamed again Kenshin had seen her nude and Hiei had realized she was eye raping him. Though there was a small chance that he had not caught her scent. Not that it mattered since he had clearly seen her appreciating his very generous attributes- ugh bad Kagome!

Inuyasha had made it a point to tell her every time she had gotten excited, that he could smell her scent. Living with two males was going to be hell. Especially if every time she looked at one of them her scent gave her away. Seeing them both had turned her on but hopefully elementals did not have the acute senses like the more animalistic types... "Calm down," she ordered her frantically beating heart. She closed her eyes and snapped them back open at the sound of the door opening and closing swiftly to her left. Hiei was back.

Well she couldn't sit here and listen to him shuffle around in his room theses walls were thin as it was. Knowing what she did of traditional Japanese houses she knew that all of the inner walls could be easily slid out of the way or removed completely. In the summer it was highly common to open the rooms and let the air freshen. It was also common to do so to cool the house down in the morning and evening. There would be no such need at this time though with autumn a breath away.

She pushed her face deeper into one of the pillows and sneezed as the dust accumulated there tickled her nose. "This won't do," she muttered climbing to her feet and grabbing everything off the bed. The day was too far gone to wash everything and have it dry before the chill of the night, but she could give it a sound beating to get most of the dust out.

Carrying everything out to the porch she set it down and searched for a place to hang her blankets so she could dust it. The traditional bamboo pole was just out of her reach. After searching around she couldn't find a stick to knock it down. She huffed. Well this was a problem but she wasn't about to let it get to her. A coil of rope on the ground gave her an idea.

Scurrying back inside, she returned with her bow and an arrow. She first tied one end of the rope to the support beam on the porch and she tied the other to an arrow. Her racing heart calmed with a couple of breaths and she focused on the thick tree in front of her a good ways from the house. With very little thought she strung her bow and notched the arrow.

Hearing the sounds just outside of his room Hiei walked outside to see what the onna was doing. He tilted his head to one side as he studied her. On the other side of her room Kenshin came outside as well. Silently they both watched as she took a deep breath and drew back the arrow. Her line was perfect. "Hit the mark." She whispered as she released the arrow. It flew straight and true landing with a solid thunk embedding deep into the trunk of the tree.

"There," she said with a smile. The line was just tight enough for her purpose and she turned to complete herself assigned chore. She froze as she found herself face to face with both males. "I uh couldn't reach the drying pole and didn't want to bother either of you. My blankets and bedding are dusty so I was just going to beat some of it out." 'This is stupid why am I defending myself? Act normal Kagome,' she mentally chided herself. "Would you like me to do your blankets too?"

"That will not be necessary," Hiei frowned as he realized what she was wearing. The light yukata was hardly warm enough clothing for this time of year and one side was sliding closer to exposing her shoulder. It was obviously too big. He turned silently and went to his room he returned a moment later and tossed a wad of black at her. "Onna, get dressed properly. It is unacceptable to wander about as you are."

Kagome blushed and hung her head. "O-Of course thank you." She mumbled as she darted for her room.

"Could you not have told her in a softer manner?" Kenshin asked as he moved to air out the bundle of blankets for her. He tested the line before spreading the blanket over it. Hiei snatched up a pillow and shook it roughly.

"The way I do or don't speak to the onna is not your concern."

"So you expect I should stand by and say nothing of the hurt you cause with callous words? Did you not see the way Kagome-dono's shoulders fell and her head bowed at your words?"

Hiei glared at the other male. "I suppose you think a woman should be showered in flowery words and false promises. Unless you missed the event that just happened she fired her bow with expert ease. She is a warrior, a fighter. I treat her as such."

"I agree she is a warrior, but she is also an onna to be respected and treated kindly. She carries a weight on her shoulders no one ever should bear and yet she does. If this one can help to ease that burden even a little I will do anything she asks of me."

"I'll treat her as I see fit. You would do well to remember your place whelp. It was your choice to bind yourself to her, but her choice to bind me to her." Hiei's voice was sharp like a whip. "I will do as necessary; I suggest you do the same.

Kagome sighed and tried to ignore the argument outside her door. She tugged absently at the tight fabric stretched across her breasts. Hiei had given her a pair of his clothes. She raised the fabric to her nose, it smelled like Hiei. The scent was soothing in one way and unsettling in others as she recalled the slow burn in her blood as he devoured her whole with his eyes the color of blood. She took an unsteady breath to calm her arousal as it raced thick and hot in her veins.

The fit was slightly tighter than she was used to but she was covered properly as he had demanded. The only that hadn't fit were the pants he gave her as they were not made for one with hips like hers. She donned her red hakama instead. Kenshin's Battousai demeanor was so like and unlike Sesshomaru's that it hurt reminding her of a time lost to her forever. Hiei was a lot like Inuyasha in his resolve. But he was not Inuyasha. Hiei respected strength and power she guessed. Kenshin she hadn't figured out. This timid woman she was behaving like was unacceptable. With a sigh she stood, straightened her shoulders and opened the door to confront the males.