Disclaimer: I still don't own them
Nine: Travelling
When Kagome opened her eyes she was lying on the ground, her head lying in Kurama's lap. She focused her eyes on the shadows around them. The darkened trees swayed in the light wind giving them the appearance of being towering ghouls. Kagome flinched at the thought and closed her eyes tightly. Kurama chuckled at her behavior and she opened her eyes to stare at him.
"I don't find this to be amusing one bit." she looked away and sat up.
"I'm very sorry, Kagome." he began, "I did not mean to make you mad."
"Are we...alone?" she looked around again.
"Yes, unfortunately." Kurama rose to his feet, "I'll do my best to protect you."
"I know you will, Kurama." Kagome stood as well, "We should try to find the others. Although, I don't sense them anywhere nearby."
"Neither do I." Kurama looked around this time, "I just hope we can find them before something finds us."
"Yeah, me too. I'd hate to be killed so soon after getting here."
"Let's go then." he took her hand into his, "I hope you do not mind. I don't want us to be separated."
"It's alright. I understand." Kagome answered. She looked away as a faint blush crossed her cheeks.
"Good, let us continue on then." he led her off into the dark forest before them.
The situation they faced now was very dangerous and Kagome stayed as close to him as she could. Genkai's word replayed in her mind. Other youkai would kill her without hesitation if they picked up on her spiritual powers. She needed a bow and some arrows badly. She felt useless and helpless in this state.
Kurama slipped his arm around her waist and tried to calm her. He could sense her fear and...anger? What was bothering her to make her angry? He nudged her and gave her a warm smile. She wasn't aware of how much energy was radiating off her. If she kept this up, they'd never make it to the others.
"What is it, Kurama?" Kagome stopped and looked at him just seconds after he nudged her.
"You're angry about something. It's causing your energy to flux in and out." Kurama nodded for her to continue walking, "You should really take a few deep breaths and concentrate on not letting it get out of control."
"I'm sorry I'm angry." Kagome bowed her head, "I just wish I was better equipped for this trip. I don't have anything to defend myself with and I fear I'm putting you into too much danger."
"It's very sweet of you to be concerned for my safety, Kagome, but I really can defend myself and protect you. Please just relax and try to focus on keeping your energy down."
"I will try, but I would like to get a bow and some arrows along the way." Kagome smiled.
"We'll see what we can come up with. Let's just keep walking this way."
Somewhere in Makai
"Guys, please stop fighting!" Botan pleaded with the furious wolf youkai and the hot-headed spirit detective. Neither of them was stepping down from the defensive stances they had taken.
"Stay out of this, Botan!" Yusuke snapped furiously. He shoved her behind and away from him. Koga stood before him, chest to chest with Yusuke.
"Kagome doesn't need a weakling like you to protect her." Koga growled, "This is all your fault!"
"Weakling? You have no idea who you're dealing with wolf boy!"
"Guys, stop it!" Botan squeezed between them, "This isn't getting us anywhere! We need to find Kagome and the others!"
"Listen to the big mouthed human and move woman." Koga pushed Botan aside this time. With an angry 'hmpf' Botan's oar appeared in her hand and seconds later it collided with the side of Yusuke's head.
"Are you trying to kill me, Botan?" Yusuke rubbed his head and picked himself up off the ground.
"I certainly hope she is." Koga growled.
"Both of you shut up or I'll hit you both next time!" Botan leaned on her oar, " You two will behave until we find Kagome and the others! Put your differences aside and remember why we're here in the first place. You especially, Yusuke. Kagome's practically your sister!"
"Don't you think I know that, Botan?" Yusuke crossed his arms over his chest, "Damn where the hell are we?"
"By the smell of the place, I'd say we're nowhere near Sesshomaru's palace." Koga took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "However, this area definitely has bear youkai."
"Bear youkai?" Botan said shakily and looked around. Koga laughed and put his hand on her shoulder, "Don' worry. With me here you'll be safe."
"Right." Yusuke rolled his eyes, "I hope your actions meet up to your words. Botan already knows what I'm capable of and she knows she's safe with me, unlike you, you filthy wolf."
"I'm warning both of you one last time." Botan held up her oar, "It's staying by my side until we find the others."
"Fine, let's get going then." Yusuke looked to Koga, "Lead the way wolf boy."
With the other three
"Do you ever shut up?" Hiei stared furiously at Kuwabara, whose ranting had yet to cease and was driving not only Hiei crazy, but was getting on Genkai's nerves as well.
"I just want to know how that kitsune lady was able to do that! It's not normal!" Kuwabara defended himself, "Where are the others anyway?"
"Yusuke, Botan and the wolf are north of here." Hiei answered and continued walking, Genkai silently following behind him.
"What about Kagome and Kurama?"
Hiei kept quiet. He didn't really know offhand where those two were, just that they were together. He could leave Genkai and Kuwabara to find them, but that would leave them wandering around Makai with no idea which direction to take. He was sure Genkai could manage, but the ape would only slow her down.
"We'll find them, Kuwabara. Stop worrying." Genkai kept her eyes forward, "Until then, don't let your guard down and keep your voice low. Your big mouth could get us into some serious trouble."
"Sorry." Kuwabara muttered and stuffed his hands into his pockets, "I just hope Kagome's okay."
"She's with Kurama, idiot. He's not about to let anyone kill her." Hiei rolled his eyes again,"Are you ever going to be smart?"
"Hey, I am smart." Kuwabara retorted, "I'm just not always fast to catch on."
"At least you realize that."
"You know what, shorty? You're getting on my nerves."
"Both of you shut up and keep walking." snapped an annoyed Genkai.
"Sorry." Kuwabara bowed his head.
"Hn."
Back with Yusuke, Botan and Koga
Koga looked around at the surroundings. He frowned and looked over at Yusuke and Botan. Yusuke scowled at him and Koga growled. It was enough for Botan to lift her oar and silence them both immediately. She groaned and continued walking. Koga grabbed her arm quickly and pulled her back.
"Huh, what?" Botan looked at Koga. His stare was forward and his eyes were very serious. Botan looked in the direction his eyes were locked on.
"We've got company." Yusuke stepped next to them, "I think there are two of them."
"Panther youkai." Koga growled again. He had dealt with their kind once before and they were a tricky bunch, "Yeah, there are two. You have a good nose for a human."
"I didn't smell them, wolf boy. I detected their energies. You should learn to do it sometime." Yusuke smirked and continued to do so even as the two panther youkai came into view. They wasted no time charging for Yusuke. Yusuke raised his hand up, index finger pointing at the larger of the two, "Watch and learn, wolf boy! Spirit Gun!"
The blast flew straight and hit it's target, ripping it's insides out on the way. The second youkai stopped to watch Yusuke carefully. The spirit detective raised an eyebrow and smirked at the youkai. The panther youkai snarled furiously at him.
"That was my brother!" his red eyes burned with anger and hostility.
"Is that so? My mistake. I couldn't tell with him lunging for my head."
"No matter, I'll kill all three of you myself."
"Where's the rest of your pack? Surely the two of you weren't travelling alone." Koga spoke up, taking a few steps closer to the panther youkai.
"Ha! This coming from a stray wolf? What happpened to your pack?" the youkai faced Koga, "That's right! They were slaughtered easily by Lord Sesshomaru. That included your mate too, right?"
"Shut up." Koga slowly advanced towards.
"What? Did I hit a sore spot? I remember now! Your pups were with her when they all died."
"I said shut up!" Koga lunged at the enemy, striking him in the skull and sending him flying through the trees. Before the panther could recover Koga was grabbing him by the throat and lifting him into the air.
"Poor guy." Botan said quietly and turned quickly to Yusuke as Koga ripped the youkai's throat out with his claws.
"He got what he deserved." Yusuke put a hand on Botan's shoulder and led her away from the scene.
"We should get going." Koga called out, "We don't have time to waste! I want to get back to Kagome!"
"Yeah, me too." Yusuke nodded and him and Botan rejoined Koga.
With Kagome and Kurama...again
"We can stop here for now." Kurama had seen the strain all the walking was causing Kagome. Kagome smiled warmly and sat on the ground next to a large tree. Kurama sat next to her, leaning against the same tree.
"I feel like we've been travelling forever." Kagome leaned back and closed her eyes, "It feels good to be able to relax."
"Well, we have been walking for almost three hours straight. I'm sorry. I should have stopped sooner." Kurama glanced at Kagome. The scars visible on her cheek drew his attention and before he could stop himself, his fingers were already grazing across them. Kagome's eyes shot open and she pulled away.
"Kurama?" she looked at him questioningly. Her heart was racing wildly.
"I'm sorry, Kagome." he looked away as she covered the scars with her hand, "I should have known better than to do that."
"It's alright. You just startled me is all."
"I seem to do that a lot with you."
Kagome giggled and Kurama relaxed. She wasn't mad at him. She sighed softly and leaned back again.
"I think I'll be able to find you if we get seperated." she spoke quietly, "It's easy considering there are two energies to focus on."
"Yeah, that would be the fox spirit in me."
"It's great that I met you, Kurama. Helping Shippo to grow up won't be as hard if you're around."
Kurama hid his blush well, once again looking away. His feelings for Kagome were growing, there was no way he could deny it. Her smile was beautiful and addicting. Aside from her tragic past, she was a very kind and caring person. The kind of person he would definitely fight for.
Kagome tensed beside him and he turned quickly to face her. She was staring at her stomach and gently running her hand against it. He could see tears form in her eyes.
"Kagome, are you alright?"
She looked at him and smiled, her hand still on her stomach.
"Either I'm really hungry or the baby just moved." she laughed and grabbed Kurama's hand and pressed it to her belly, "Do you know if youkai babies move earlier than human ones?"
The simple act of placing his hand on her stomach made him realize that he had her trust. His heart warmed more towards her. It was there. That feeling of wanting her to be close to him, to be with him. She stared at him and giggled a bit at his blush, which snapped him back real quick.
"It is normal for a youkai to be active earlier in the womb. Don't be too surprised, Kagome."
"I can't help but to be surprised. It's the first time I've felt the baby move like that." Kagome giggled again, "Did you feel it that time?"
"Yes, it's quite active." he replied. He let his hand linger a few moments after she had released it. She didn't seem to mind.
"Part of me is really excited about this." Kagome frowned, "But part of me is scared."
"It's okay, Kagome. It's understandable to be scared. Not many humans carry youkai children these days." Kurama pulled his hand back, "Besides you have a lot of people to support you and help you through all this. Although, I'm not sure that's a good thing in Yusuke's case."
"He's very protective of me."
"He gets like that with people he's close to. You are pretty much family to him now."
"I feel the same way. He's just another younger brother to watch over."
"I think Yusuke would be doing most of the watching over, Kagome."
"You're right." Kagome giggled and stopped when she heard a rustle in the nearby bushes, "Did you hear that?"
"Yes, I did." Kurama rose to his feet slowly and Kagome followed. He pushed her behind him slowly, "It's a weak neko youkai."
Kagome scanned the bushes, waiting for the youkai to hop out at them. A soft mew and a few more rustles in the bushes and the little neko youkai appeared before them. Kurama stared at the small neko youkai. They had become a rarity over the years in Makai and this was the first one he had actually seen. Kagome's sudden squeal of delight a few seconds later caught him off guard. She was on her knees scooping the little neko into her arms.
"I can't believe it!" she hugged the youkai tightly. The little creature rubbed her head against Kagome's cheek. He stared at the odd display of affection.
"Ah, Kagome?" he reached a hand out to touch her shoulder. She looked up to him and then rose back to her feet, the neko still clutched in her arms.
"This is Kirara! She was Sango's companion!"
"Then you know her?"
"Yes." Kagome smiled and looked down at Kirara, "Can you help us find Koga?"
With a soft mew, Kirara nodded, jumped out of Kagome's arms and transformed into her larger form. Kurama helped Kagome on to the neko's back and then climbed on behind her. As the neko took off into the sky, Kurama braced himself and held onto Kagome's hips, preventing either of them from falling. He never saw the blush that spread across her cheeks.
A/N: Sorry for the wait and I'm sorry this chapter bounces back and forth.
A/N (again): I removed the word fire before neko....sorry if i got it wrong, even though on a mere technicality, I was right too. But I hope either way that you liked the chapter.