Kore wa daisuki wo benkyoushimasu, ne?

A/N: Here’s another one for you all. Hope you enjoy! =)

Disclaimer: Don’t own Yu Yu or Inu. *shakes me head* Nor do I own “Super Drive”. This belongs to those important and special enough to be on the Gravitation Team.

Chapter 10: Past Self

Kagome awoke early the next morning feeling, if nothing else, a little rested. She yawned quietly and looked around the hut. Kaede and Genkai were talking quietly in the corner and everyone else was still quite asleep, even Inuyasha.

Getting quietly to her feet, she stepped outside in the pre dawn cold and darkness. Shivering slightly, she headed out to go to the bathroom, her bladder becoming painful the longer she held it in.

Hiei, Kurama, and Sesshoumaru all noticed her departure, and kept their eyes on her. They had killed a few demons that just came too close for their comfort to the village, and exerted some much overloaded energy. Kagome was still half asleep and didn’t really take notice of her demon companions, but went ahead and relieved herself, now yawning loudly as she was out of ear reach of the sleeping occupants of Kaede’s hut.

She got done and went to stand as a strange feeling of someone watching her overcame her. Looking back and being prepared to hit Miroku, she froze. A young woman was staring at her. She relaxed and straightened her skirt as the woman came closer to her.

“Youko…” the woman said, making Kagome’s eyes widen with a slight fear and confusion. “I can sense him. Where is he?” she asked, looking to the human miko with interest. The choice of clothing on the girl was extremely indecent to say the least. ‘She most likely has bedded with him. I am quite sure he wouldn’t bypass the opportunity…’ the woman thought, shaking her head, her dark black locks flowing around her as she did so.

Kagome’s voice wasn’t working properly, so she didn’t say anything, and kept looking at the girl in front of her. She took in her appearance and tried to place her. She didn’t look like anyone she had ever seen before. Her kimono was quite elaborate, and her hair was sheen, and silky, unusual in itself for the feudal era. Kagome’s mind went into hyper drive at the possibilities.

‘If she is after Youko…is she a…demon? In disguise?’ Kagome stepped tentatively back, fear sweeping over her. The girl narrowed her eyes at the retreating human girl. “I asked you a question, and I expect an answer. Is he, or is he not, here?” she asked, a little coldly for Kagome’s tastes. It reminded her instantly of Inuyasha’s smart mouth. Her eyes narrowed back, her previous fear of the creature in front of her being a demon long gone.

“Excuse me, lady! I don’t have to answer any of your questions! You don’t have to be so harsh with me! I haven’t done anything to you, and yet you are giving me your attitude!” she shouted, getting Hiei, Kurama, and Sesshoumaru’s attention immediately. They were standing in front of her, filling the space between the two women before either one could get another breath out.

The dark eyes of the unknown woman snapped back to focus on the red headed human that had landed in front of her. She stepped forward towards him, earning a couple of growls from his companions. She ignored them and closed her eyes, her eyebrows tensing in concentration.

“Youko…no mistake. It is you.” She breathed, her eyes opening to focus on emerald green ones.

“How is it you are in a human body? Did you learn something new while you were away?” she asked, confusion on her face. Kurama instantly glared at Youko.

‘Alright, who is she, and what does she want with you?’ he asked pointedly, not leaving any room for excuses.

‘Not me, Red. My past self. I was already going to try and find you in this time. That’s why we haven’t run into my past self. I wasn’t here. I don’t know how long she has been waiting for me to come back.’ He explained, a soft resonance of uncertainty coming from him.

Kurama calmed slightly and asked the woman, “Who are you? What is your name? And how do you know Youko?”

“What do you mean? You are Youko! I sense his spirit all through you! Have you lost it, fox?” she asked, confusion and worry on her face. She took a deep breath and began, “My name is Sidia. Don’t you…remember me, Youko?” she asked softly, her face now filling with a tinge of sadness.

‘You’re coming out…I don’t know who this is, and she obviously knows you and visa versa. Just talk to her. Explain what’s happened.’ Kurama said, calming.

‘How am I supposed to explain everything?! Am I supposed to say, ‘Oh yeah! I died, took up space in Shuuichi’s body, then we came back to the past to help save a demon, and then, we have to destroy one.’ Does that sound like something she’d understand?!’ he yelled, irritation and confusion in his voice. He remembered her vividly, and at this point in time, her really wish he didn’t.

“Youko…are you…alright?” she asked softly, stepping near him. Kurama looked up before he forced Youko to take control of the body, earning a gasp of surprise from Sidia.

“You…you…how did you do that?” she asked softly, a perplexed look on her face.

Youko sighed. Explanations were in order, and he had a terrible feeling that she would not take it well.

“I have a human form now. The person you just saw is named Shuuichi Minamino. How long has it been since you saw me?” he asked, his heart beating rapidly.

“It’s been…four years. You’ve been gone four years from me. You said you would be right back. You said it would only take a month or two. Where have you been all this time?” she asked softly.

“I…” he paused. ‘How do I explain to her that I’m not me anymore?’ he thought quickly, his mind a jumble of past images.

“I’ve got something very important to tell you, and I want you to listen carefully.” He said, taking in her expression as his words progressed.

She looked down at the ground, and the demons could all smell tears from her. “I know what you’re going to say. You died…didn’t you? You got caught, and somehow, you took over a human body…that’s why you both can be in control of the body, it’s because you’re both inside there. Am I right?” she asked, still not looking up.

Youko’s mouth was open in shock. She looked up and explained, “You were always a survivor, Youko. If there was anyone who could manage to do something like that, it would be you. Since you’re human now, too, I take it you won’t be coming back with me…will you?” she asked, knowing the answer before it left her mouth.

“No. I will not.” He said, his heart twitching a moment.

“I think then, it would be best if I left now. I have spent four years looking for you, waiting for your return, but it seems that I waited for nothing. I’m sorry that things turned out the way they did, I guess it’s only fortunate that we didn’t have a child together.” She said softly, looking down at her toes.

“Wait…Sidia…” he said softly, feeling there was something more he should say. ‘It shouldn’t have ended like this…’ he thought, but Kurama added, ‘Do you think it would have been better if she never stopped searching for you? She seems like she would have gone to the ends of the earth to find you…don’t you think it’s better this way? This way…she can have a chance at a new life, don’t you see?’ he asked, patting Youko on the back mentally.

‘You’re right, Red. It’s just…she’s the only one, whom me and Kurounue both relied on for anything. She was the only human, who made our lives better than before. She was not only our maid, but our friend. I think she loved me on some level, not like Kurounue. When he died, she took it really hard…as did I. I lashed out at her, yelled at her…I was horrible, and reserved…and yet…she stayed by my side through it all. I don’t want her to feel like I betrayed her…’ he replied, as she turned around to face him.

“Youko…don’t die again. If I find out you did…I’ll kill you a third time, just for spite.” She said, giving him a smile. He looked back to her, eyes wide. He smiled back at her. “You got it, Sidia.” She began to walk away and then paused.

“I have something for you. You left it behind when you went away. I thought you would want it, when I found you. I don’t know how it got back, but…” she paused as she rummaged through a small pack and retrieved a blood red stone.

“That’s…” he paused, his heart dropping into his stomach.

She nodded to him. “Kurounue’s. Yeah. I know he would have wanted you to have it. It was his greatest triumph. You should hang onto it.” She smiled at him sadly and placed it into his hand.

“Well, I think that’s it. I’m going back home now. I’ll keep the place up anyway. You know I’ve been sleeping on your bed since you’ve been away?” she smirked at him, earning a chuckle from the kitsune.

“You always did like my bed best. Do what you want, okay? It’s your place for now. But eventually, I’ll make it back there. Even if it takes some time.” He said, smirking internally as he thought about his future self.

Sidia nodded and then nodded to the other demons and then looked to Kagome. “Uhm…sorry about snapping. It was rude of me and completely uncalled for.” She said softly, bowing regretfully.

“Don’t worry about it. If I had been looking for someone for four years and someone who knew something wasn’t answering questions, I would be irritated too.” She said honestly, stepping out from behind Sesshoumaru and Hiei.

“Well, I guess it’s Goodbye.” She said, turning around and beginning her trek back to the kitsune’s den, her search over, and her heart beginning the slow process of mending.

Youko watched her leave and held a smile in. She was going to be just fine.

“So…who was that, Youko?” Kagome asked, walking up beside him.

“She was a maid in me and Kurounue’s house. I guess she got impatient when I left and decided to come and look for me.” He informed her, still watching the retreating back of Sidia.
“What did she mean by, “It’s fortunate that we didn’t have a child together?”” Kagome asked, her voice taking on a slight tone of jealousy.

Youko’s face paled as well as a sharp happiness arose in him. ‘The little vixen is jealous! This is good news!’ he said, looking to Kurama, who only scowled back. ‘She’s going to purify your ass for sleeping with that woman. I hope you know that I can’t do anything about it.’ Kurama said, hiding a laugh as he paled further.

“Well…let’s see…how do I explain…” he was cut off by a deep growl.

“You don’t have to explain anything, Youko.” She said, turning around and walking off, her steps echoing anger, and her tears echoing sadness.

Hiei and Sesshoumaru glared at the kitsune, and then walked towards the village, trying to go and console Kagome.

She ended up back at Kaede’s hut, and then decided she didn’t want to be in there with everyone, at least, not yet. She climbed to the very top of the hill that overlooked the village and sat down, her knees curled up into her chest.

‘Why do I care? It’s not like he’s declared his undying love for me or anything…It’s not like he’s even my boyfriend…he’s just my…friend…’ she thought before more tears slipped down her cheeks.

Kagome noticed two demon auras approaching her and called out softly, “Leave me alone, please. Don’t worry, I’ll be okay.” Hiei and Sesshoumaru looked to each other and then hopped into the nearest trees, not willing to leave her alone, no matter what she said. Kagome felt their auras still near and cried harder.

‘Why do they insist on seeing my tears? It’s not like they can do anything about them…damn Youko…so like Miroku, except he doesn’t do anything else other than feel up women…’ she put her head down, trying to keep her sobs quiet.

Hiei frowned. She wouldn’t allow him to dry her tears, but somehow, he understood. ‘She was hurt by Youko, so that fox will have to be the one to fix this.’ At that thought he jumped down from his spot and raced for the village, just as the first rays of the sun began to show.

Sesshoumaru smelled her tears and he didn’t like it. Her scent, usually so pleasant, was covered in sadness and hurt. He went to take a step forward but thought better of it. ‘She wanted to deal with this on her own…I will let her.’ He thought, then deciding to take a quick trip back home to fetch Rin. ‘Rin always made her happy…maybe it will work this time too.’ He contemplated, then headed out, the grasses barely moving beneath his swift feet.

Kagome felt their auras leave one after the other and managed a smile. ‘They actually listened to me…that’s more than I can say for Inuyasha and Kouga.’ She thought, before her tears began anew, not fully finishing their cycle.

~*~

Youko saw Kagome run away from him and he frowned. ‘You hurt her, Youko. I hope you know this.’ Kurama said softly, a slight spike of anger and disappointment running through him.

‘Dammit! I…I know.’ He replied a little defeated. ‘I know. But what the hell am I supposed to do now?’ he asked.

‘Fix it, Fox. Before I make you.’ Hiei said into their link, his voice dripping anger.

‘Why do you care if I fix anything or not? That means less competition between you and that taiyoukai!’ he replied out of frustration.

‘She’s crying over you, fox. You’ll fix it or you’ll have to worry about that third death that woman promised you.’ He said, glaring.

‘She’s…’

‘Crying. Yes. Over you. I will not repeat myself a third time. Go fix this…now.’ He said in a voice that left no room for argument.

Youko took a deep breath and had Kurama take over. He figured if he showed up she would just be angry again at him, and nothing would get resolved. Kurama agreed.

~*~

Kagome stilled her tears as she felt an aura approach her. She sighed. “Kurama…please…leave me alone. I don’t want to talk to him right now.” She said, looking back to the village.

“I wish to speak with you, Kagome. May I?” he asked, taking a seat next to her.

“I…oh, alright. What do you need to talk to me about?” she asked, her mind off of Youko for the moment.

“I’m sorry for the way Youko behaved.” He started, looking down at his hands. He didn’t know how she would react to him trying to fix this situation, as she was still visibly upset over what happened.

“Huh? Why? It wasn’t you who was extremely open with his sexuality…” Kagome blushed slightly. Somehow, she didn’t really expect to have a conversation like this before. Kurama looked up to her quickly before replying, “But we are one and the same. We share this body together.”

Kagome nodded but then continued in a softer voice, “But you are two completely different individuals. There are many differences between you two.” She said, curling her knees up to her chest.

A tiny spark rose in Kurama at her words. ‘She sees two different people…she looks at us, and doesn’t just see you…’ he said pointedly to Youko. He bristled slightly but relaxed at the happiness he could feel from his human counterpart. A thought of confusion arose as Youko asked, ‘That’s really important to you, isn’t it? That she sees you for you, and not me?’ Kurama stilled and replied softly, ‘Yes. Very important.’

Kagome waited as she saw Kurama conversing with Youko. ‘What’s he thinking?’ she asked herself softly. After a moment she placed a hand on his and got his attention back.

“Do you mean that, Kagome?” he finally asked, feeling her hand on his.

“About what?” she asked, confusion in her voice.

“You see…two different people…myself and Youko.” He said softly, looking down at his hand intertwined with hers.

Kagome’s eyes widened in realization. ‘He feels just like me when Inuyasha would see Kikyou when he looked at me…he is afraid I will just see Youko when I look at him…how could I have not realized…?’ she thought quickly before coming back to reality.

“Sure I mean it, Kurama.” She said softly, before placing her hand to his cheek to look into his eyes. She held back a gasp at the flood of emotion she saw behind his emerald eyes. She couldn’t help but be trapped by his gaze and tried to decipher the emotions as they washed over her, but found them too numerous to even begin to.

“Kurama…” her voice shakily came out, her heart thudding loudly in her chest. Youko perked up at the sound of her voice, his mind going into hyper drive at the thought of what could transpire.

The influence of the kitsune was too strong and Kurama leaned over in all intention of kissing the girl in front of him. Fate was not with him, however, as a clearing throat could be heard coming from a certain fire apparition.

“I guess that means breakfast time.” Kagome said, trying to get her racing heart under control as she jumped to her feet. Kurama growled under his breath and gave a small glare to Hiei who stared stoically back at him.

‘You could have let us be a moment longer.’ Kurama protested to Hiei.

‘Yes, well, maybe I would have been more merciful if I wouldn’t have been interrupted last night, fox.’ Hiei replied nonchalantly as he began to follow Kagome back down to the village.
Kurama would have laughed at the thought of Hiei being merciful if he wasn’t irked at the fire apparition. Youko just growled.

~*~

Kagome buzzed around happily making breakfast, while the rest of the team got their acts together and woke up, wiping the sleep from their eyes. She looked around and frowned a moment before asking, “Now where did Sesshoumaru go?”

Everyone looked to each other and shrugged. Most of them didn’t really care where the taiyoukai was, as he seemed a little too stuck up for their tastes. Kagome finished up and began handing out plates when she felt his aura coming closer. Smiling, she walked out to greet the demon lord, but was stopped in her tracks by a little girl in a checkerboard kimono.

“Rin chan! How are you?” Kagome asked to the giggling girl, pulling her into a tight hug.

“Fine, Kagome! Where’s Shippou?” she asked quickly. The young miko laughed at the girl’s one track mind. “He’s getting ready to eat breakfast, speaking of which, have you eaten yet this morning?” at the shake of ‘no’ she said, “Well, then, come on inside and we’ll get you taken care of, ne?” She set the bundle of energy down and she ran into the hut, instantly finding Shippou as they both heard a shout of, “RIN!” and “SHIPPOU!” overlap each other.

Kagome smiled at the taiyoukai, taking in the rare royal beauty he had. She walked forward and hugged him, taking the time to take in his unique scent. “Welcome back, Sesshoumaru. And thank you, for bringing her.” She whispered, smiling up at him.

He took in her smile and knew that it was an excellent idea to bring the child. He nodded at her thank you and returned her gentle hug.

“You’re welcome.” He replied, as they walked into the hut, which was more like a swirling vortex of noise, fur, and food.

Kagome stood in the door, taking in everyone and everything. Inuyasha was fighting Shippou for some eggs, while Sango was hitting Miroku over the head for groping her. Yusuke and Genkai were arguing with each other, but all Kagome could get out was something about, “Dimwit” and “lazy” and “training”. She laughed to herself at that. Kurama and Hiei were quietly eating in the corner of the room, staying out of the way of everyone else. Jin seemed excited by all the commotion, and laughed openly at everyone.

Rin and Kohaku were laughing and talking with one another, earning a look from Sesshoumaru. Kagome placed a hand on his, reassuring him quietly that Kohaku wasn’t being controlled by Naraku anymore. He knew his eyes hadn’t deceived him yesterday, but he was still wary of the slayer child.

Kagome sighed a content sigh, a soft smile gracing her lips. ‘Why can’t everyday be like today? Everyone’s happy, no one’s in danger…’ she thought, sighing again. She walked outside and looked up, the sun shining brightly down at her. She suddenly felt restless. Going back into the hut, she pulled out her Walkman and checked the CD she had in it. It was a mix of things that made her happy, so she aptly named it, ‘Good Mix.’ Pressing play, she heard ‘Super Drive’, a song from the anime Gravitation. She began dancing around to the song, forgetting everything else as she began singing aloud, drawing Hiei, Kurama, and Sesshoumaru from the hut, which grew steadily nosier.

Kagome blasted her walkman as loud as it would go and sang her heart out, her mind echoing the words as she sang them. She didn’t notice that she had gained an audience, and sang even louder.

They watched as she became animated in her voice and song, and somehow, the words she sang reminded them all of their current situation.

Itsu no ma ni ka bokura nanigenaku deatta yasashisa yoseatte kakurenbo wa tsuzuku no sou sa (Without noticing a thing, we casually bumped into one other; drawing closer to gentleness with each other, the hide-and-seek goes on-- that's right)

No, wanna sell your soul shareta kiiroi [tacchi] de
No, forget smile again ittsumo odotteitai dake (No, wanna sell your soul, With a tasteful touch of yellow, No, forget smile again, I just want to keep on dancing forever)

hashiri-nukeru ashita aruite-wataru bokura nishikaze ni noseta boku no koe todoku no? sou sa (As we walk across today, will my voice, entrusted to the western wind, reach as far as the tomorrow that we'll run through? That's right)

No, wanna sell your soul otogi-banashi no sekai de
No, forget smile again zutto nemutteitai dake (No, wanna sell your soul In this world of fairy-tales, No, forget smile again I just want to keep on sleeping forever.)

nee oikakete oikakete shiroi kaze
nee koi ni natte ai ni natte hane hirogetai
(Hey, chasing after it -- chasing after it -- that pale wind... Hey, I'm falling in passion, I'm falling in love, and I want to spread my wings)

At this point, Kagome turned around and saw Hiei, Kurama, and Sesshoumaru staring at her, but instead of stopping, she began singing to them, her inhibitions flying promptly away to the winds she was so brilliantly singing of.

nee ii koto mo warui koto mo subete tashite ni de watte umaku ikite toki kisetsu wo koetai (Hey, taking both the good things and the bad things, and adding everything together and dividing by two, and getting along great -- I want to spend my life that way.)

"se--no" de te wo tsunaide mizutamari koetara
niji ga nozoku sora akai ito tsunagu no
sou sa (When we splash through a puddle, our hands joined with a "let's go", the sky with a bit of a rainbow peeking through is a red thread binding us-- that's right)

For emphasis, Kagome pointed out her pinky finger, smiling as she began to descend closer to her audience, smiling brighter and brighter as she approached them.

No, wanna sell your soul ame ni soppo mukarete mo
No, forget smile again bokura waratteitai dake (No, wanna sell your soul Even if we look the other way in the rain, No, forget smile again We just want to keep on laughing.)

nee oikakete oikakete shiroi kaze
nee koi ni natte ai ni natte hane hirogetai
nee ii koto mo warui koto mo subete tashite
ni de watte umaku ikite toki wo koetai
toki wo koetai (Hey, chasing after it -- chasing after it -- that pale wind... Hey, I'm falling in passion, I'm falling in love, and I want to spread my wings
Hey, taking both the good things and the bad things, and adding everything together and dividing by two, and getting along great -- I want to spend my life that way.
I want to spend my life that way.)

The last notes of the song faded, and Kagome stared into the eyes of each demon, her heart beating rapidly from more than one source. Before she could do anything, she was assaulted by Shippou, Rin, and Kohaku with a resounding shout of, “Let’s play, Kagome!!”

Growls were suppressed as the demons were once again interrupted from having Kagome’s kiss.

“Alright, let’s play!” she said, running from them as they began to chase her. Kagome laughed, a bright smile on her face. “Kohaku’s it!” she said, tagging the boy, spinning around and running the opposite direction as Rin and Shippou ran of in separate directions. Everyone came out of the hut, and just watched Kagome in her game with the children.

“She will make a wonderful mother one day.” Kaede said wistfully, watching her with a fondness only a mother could have.

“Indeed.” Sesshoumaru said, his eyes following her every footstep, a warm feeling growing in his heart at the sight.

At Kaede’s words, Kurama’s mind began toying with the idea of children. ‘Would you settle down, Youko? Would you be willing to mate with her, if she allowed us to?’ he asked, his heart hanging on the edge of his body, waiting for Youko’s answer.

‘If she allowed us to be with her, then yes. I would settle down and become faithful only to her. But that would mean that you would have to be faithful as well, Red. That would mean that we would both only be allowed to be with her. She deserves no less from her mate, or mates, as the case may be.’ He said, looking toward Sesshoumaru and Hiei.

He could feel the happiness radiate off of his counterpart and hid a smile. ‘So you are in love with her already, ne, Red?’ he asked, smirking his hentai smirk.

‘I believe I am. What’s so wrong with that?’ he asked, a frown coming to his face at the tone of voice Youko took.

Youko’s laugh could be heard echoing in their mind. ‘You are getting as bad as me! This will make our bedroom time with her much more interesting…’ he laughed some more, as his mind began to assault Kurama’s with some very naughty images, a breathless Kagome writhing beneath them, a scream of their name off of her lips…

‘You can stop that anytime, Youko!’ Kurama shouted, his eyes closing as he felt the lower half of his body respond to the images the kitsune was producing.

Hiei and Sesshoumaru simultaneously looked to Kurama, the scent of his arousal reaching them.

Hiei quickly allowed the Jagan to scan his friends mind, picking up the images Youko was throwing out and swallowing hard, the images modifying themselves as they came to his mind, but instead of Kurama above her, and their name coming from her rosy lips, it was his own. He suppressed a growl and moved away from the kitsune, but it was too late, the images were already doing their worst to his body. ‘Damn you, Fox.’ He said to Youko, earning more laughs from the fox. He found some things entirely too funny sometimes.

Sesshoumaru hid a smirk at the predicament the kitsune and fire apparition found themselves in. ‘So they are having trouble controlling themselves already…this should be amusing to say the least…’ he smirked again, looking back to Kagome. She had stopped running and placed her hands on her knees, breathing heavily. The males were just doomed this day, as that particular image even began to work its innocent, or, not so innocent magic, on the taiyoukai. It was one time he thanked his father for having loose clothes as the royal uniform.

~*~


A/N: Well, hope you enjoyed. Please, R/R! I think I’ll have one more chapter of calm before I continue forward with the ideas the muses have given me. This will give me some more time to bring each one’s true feelings for her to light. Kurama has already admitted to himself that he’s falling hard and fast for Kagome, so now I have to work with the other two. *sigh* It’s going to be good though, and there are no cold showers in the Feudal Era, so the boys are just SOL. *lol*

A/N: Thanks for reviews and suggestions! Oh, and about the Kagome waking up in Kurama’s arms, Hiei was holding her mentally, not physically. Kurama was holding her physically. Hope that explains it! =)

A/N: Next Chapter: Release My Heart