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Chapter Thirteen: Reparation

Yusuke glared at him hard. The spirit detective was beyond pissed at him, but Kurama maintained his calm and helped his injured companions. Kirara was doing better, but Genkai had yet to come to. He knew that without her, they weren't going anywhere.

Koga had been pacing for the most of the afternoon. He'd only stop when Botan would get restless. He'd check on her and then once satisfied she was okay, he resumed his pacing. He wasn't sure what their next move was, but he wanted to hurry and rescue Kagome.

Hiei sat off by himself high in a tree. Guilt racked his head. He had had Kagome in his arms his guard had only been down for a split second, a split second that gave Sesshomaru a clear advantage. He blamed himself for her abduction.

"We need to go." Yusuke had lost his patience the moment Kagome was gone. Nobody would move fast enough for him.

"Not without Genkai, Yusuke." Kurama answered and Yusuke grumbled.

"Why aren't you eager to save her? Don't you like her?"

"That is a ridiculous question, Yusuke." Kurama kept his eyes away from his friend and set on the healing neko in his lap.

"We should be going after them! Can't you see that?"

"We will go, Yusuke, but not until Genkai is able to move."

"What if he hurts her? I can't let that happen!" Yusuke punched the ground, "You're so confusing, Kurama! One minute you're smiling and happy with Kagome and now you look like you're not even worried!"

"I am worried, Yusuke." Kurama retorted, "I am very worried, but she is Sesshomaru's mate. She is carrying his child. It is very unlikely that he'll hurt her."

"He has before. How do you think she came to carrying his child? She wasn't willing."

"What do you want me to do, Yusuke? Chase after another youkai's mate?"

"If you have feelings for her, yes!"

"Shut up, Yusuke. You have no idea of what you're talking about." Kurama rose to his feet, taking Kirara with him, "None of us are strong enough to defeat Sesshomaru."

"I'll deal with that overgrown mutt myself then. I won't let Kagome down!" Yusuke put extra emphasis on the last sentence he spoke and then stood straight, "Who's coming with me?"

"I'll go." Koga was quick to answer. Hiei appeared next to Yusuke and nodded.

"Botan, you stay here with Kurama and the others. Once Genkai comes to catch up to us. We've already wasted too much time, so we'll probably be a good ways away before you start."

"Of course, Yusuke." Botan nodded and frowned. She didn't like the idea of them running off on their own.

"Don't worry," Koga whispered in her ear, "I'll steer them from danger."

She nodded for a second time, but still no smile graced her lips. She would worry for them and worry for Kagome while they were separated. She could only hope that no one would end up dead.

The trio disappeared rather quickly and Botan immediately felt a sense of regret for letting them go. Then again, she knew she couldn't make them stay. They were never the ones to listen to her when it came to rational thinking. All she could do now was assist with Genkai's recovery. With that, she knelt next to the old woman and placed her hands above her chest. Blue energy swirled from her palm before entering Genkai's body. She concentrated and closed her eyes.

Her thoughts drifted to Koga. He was so sweet and caring. She was the first person he checked on after Sesshomaru escaped with Kagome. Everything Kagome had told her about became apparent to her. Koga really did like her. It made her wonder exactly what Kurama was feeling towards Kagome. She could feel him hovering nearby.

"Tell me, Kurama." she began quietly, "What exactly do you feel about this situation? You're awfully calm on the outside, but you're not that way inside, are you, Kurama?"

He froze. He should have known she would ask questions. She was never one to really pry into his personal feelings before, but she was known to be nosy when it came to Yusuke's life. He frowned and shook his head.

"I don't know." He answered truthfully, "I hate this situation very much. That is certain, but I'm also…" He found the words hard to speak. He wanted to rescue her. He needed to rescue her, but Sesshomaru would never let them near enough to do so. Kirara mewed gently and nudged Kurama's hand. She knew what he was keeping in. She wasn't stupid. She had understood what Kurama had said to her.

"It seems she wants you to tell me." Botan gave a faint smile. She removed her hands from above Genkai and scooted next to Kurama, "We're friends right, Kurama?"

"Of course we are, Botan." He nodded affirmatively.

"Kagome told me that Koga is attracted to me. Can you imagine that?" Botan chuckled, "He came right out and told her. They must have a well built friendship for him to just open up to her like that."

"Koga seems like a nice guy, Botan and I'm sure him and Kagome know each other very well." He knew what she was up to, "I'm sure he felt it was important for her to know how he felt."

"Well then, Kurama, I'm here if you want to talk and I mean about anything, not just Kagome." She stood and Kurama was a bit stunned. She wasn't trying to force him into telling her. She was just letting him know she was there. He lowered his head and spoke softly.

"I like her, Botan, but it's not…"

"It's not easy because of him." Botan finished his sentence and Kurama nodded, "She doesn't like him like that. If anything, Kagome would want to be rescued, but I'm not sure if she'd want you guys to get hurt in the process. She's really too nice for her own good."

Kurama laughed at that. It was that kindness that he was attracted to. Her smile was beautiful and he felt honored when he was able to see it. She didn't always smile at first.

"It's just too complicated."

"We have to save her, Kurama. None of us would be the same if we returned home without her and it's very unlikely that Yusuke would return home without her." Botan looked away, "You know he'd give up his own life to save her. To save anyone that was close to him."

"I know he would." Kurama stood. Botan was right. Yusuke would do anything to save someone he cared about no matter the cost.

He weighed his options carefully. Could he be like Yusuke and do absolutely anything in his power to save Kagome, to keep her away from Sesshomaru and protect her? He recalled the day they had been separated from the others. He had admitted it to himself then. She was the kind of person he would fight for. Consequences be damned, he needed to help rescue Kagome from Sesshomaru, even if she was his mate, Kagome feared Sesshomaru and Kurama knew he needed to bring her back home to her family.

"Are you alright, Genkai?" Botan helped the old woman to stand.

"Yes, where are the others?" Genkai looked around, letting her eyes fall upon the silent and brooding kitsune. His eyes were passing between emerald and gold. Genkai knew that something big must have happened for Kurama to be switching.

"Sesshomaru took Kagome. Yusuke, Hiei and Koga went on ahead to try to catch up to them." Botan filled her in.

"Then let's not waste anymore time here." Genkai stated and turned to Kurama, "Get it under control, Kurama. We don't have time to stand here and wait for you while you decide what is best."

"You're right." He turned now golden eyes upon the woman. His whole appearance slowly changed. The vivid red hair was replaced by delicate silver and a set of silver ears. The clothing changed and before long Genkai and Botan were standing in the presence of the great bandit kitsune, Youko Kurama. The handsome kitsune knelt and set Kirara on the ground, "I'm going to need you to carry the old woman. Can you handle that?"

Kirara mewed her response and transformed into the larger neko. Without waiting, Youko lifted Genkai and set her upon Kirara's back. They had to hurry to catch up to the others.

Botan readied herself on her oar and followed the silver kitsune as he darted into the woods following the same path the other three had taken earlier. Kirara kept her pace even with his despite her injuries.

---- With Yusuke, Hiei and Koga ----

"His scent is nowhere around here. It's like they vanished into thin air!" Koga growled. He glanced up at the half koorime in the tree who was scanning the area with his jagan, "Any luck, Hiei?"

"Hn. Nothing." Hiei responded and jumped down to join the other two on the ground.

"Let's just keep heading this way. This was the direction he took off in on that stupid cloud." Yusuke started walking again. They didn't have time to stop and rest, not while Kagome needed them, "Stay alert for anything guys. I'm getting weird feelings."

Neither Hiei or Koga spoke, but they silently agreed. Hiei was especially concerned for what he was feeling, and if he knew any better, he knew that the rest of their team would be joining them momentarily, minus one red head and plus one silver head. He smirked at the thought. It seemed Kurama was ready to play and even Lord Sesshomaru would have serious problems with this youkai.

Botan caught sight of the trio ahead of them and raced past Youko to catch up with them. She flew in right beside Yusuke and bonked him on the head.

"Yusuke, is this the right direction?" she asked and he shrugged while running, "No matter, we should be able to pick up on their trail now that he's with us."

She motioned to the silver kitsune that had finally caught up. Yusuke's eyes widened. That's what it was that he had felt and he grinned. It seemed at least part of Kurama agreed with him.

"It's about a day and a half from his palace. We will run until sundown and then rest. He knows we will follow and I doubt we'll get much sleep tonight." Youko spoke to the group without even looking at them, "We'll keep watch and let the women rest. The old woman and the neko still need to recover from their injuries as well."

"Botan can help with that part. She has a knack for healing." Yusuke replied, "I think we should cover as much ground today as possible. Sundown isn't too far away and I'd like to cut the time it takes to get there down by at least half."

"Yes, I would like that as well." Youko agreed. The sooner they got to the palace, the sooner they could get Kagome and her friends. A confrontation with Sesshomaru was unavoidable now, but Youko knew that the taiyoukai would have a hard time keeping up with all of them. With the right plan they could possible rescue everyone and walk away alive, leaving the Makai lord to dwell in his palace alone.

Youko growled at himself. If he left Sesshomaru alive, then Kagome would always be his mate. He could never have her even if he had saved her. In order for Kagome to be his, he had to do away with the problem in his path. But could he outsmart the taiyoukai Sesshomaru? Could he defeat and kill a youkai that so many had fallen to while trying? Kagome. She was the kind of person he would fight for, no matter the cost.