Between Best Friends

Chapter Sixteen

Kagome woke up in a room she didn't recognize. She was on a large bed, it had red silk sheets which slid across her skin as she moved. The room was empty accept a young man sitting on a chair looking at her. He was a demon with long auburn hair reaching to his waist and green eyes. He had a soft face and friendly smile. His face lit up when she looked at him.

"Kagome, you're awake."

She rubbed her eyes, "Who are you?"

"Guess, I do look different its been over 500 years since you saw me. Actually its only been a year for you." He shrugged.

"Shippo?" At his nod she jumped out of the bed and almost landed flat on her face as her legs buckled underneath her weight. He was at her side catching her in his arms.

"Careful, you've been asleep for three days." He placed her back on the bed. "Its good to see you again. Sesshomaru ordered me to wait here while everything happened. I was so worried about you." He placed his arm around her.

"You've grown so much. Where is everyone else?" Kagome felt a wave of dizzyness hit her. She layed back down trying to stop her stomach from rolling.

"They are down in Sesshomaru's study discussing something. I think something about the jewel being gone for good this time." Shippo saw her questioning look. "Seems Koenma stopped by and reported that Midoriko's soul showed up in spirit world. The wish you made freed her trapped soul and in the process destroyed the jewel."

"I see," She sighed and looked out the window. "Shippo I'm tired can I get some time alone please."

"Okay, I'll let everyone know that you've woken up." Shippo slipped out the room. He made his way down hoping now that Kagome was awake those other two demons would stop worrying. They had stayed in the room for the last three days. They had refused to leave her side. Only reason they left today was because that Koenma guy had told them that it was manditory for them to come down for the meeting. He spotted Ayame making her way into the kitchen. She was heavy with another child, so she was probably going for something to eat. "Ayame, Kagome has woken up. Can you inform the cook so he can prepare something for her. I'm sure she will need to eat something soon."

"Wonderful news, of course. I'm headed that way anyways." She smiled at the fox. The baby kicked her in the side as if to remind her of the fact that she was hungry.

Kagome layed in the bed thinking. 'The jewel is gone. Its finally over, for good this time. I can go home. I can have my life back.' A life without Kurama and Hiei. The thought depressed her and tears formed rolling down her cheeks. How could she go on knowing that she couldn't be with them. Something told her she wouldn't be able to get over it as easy as she had Inuyasha. The door opened and Keiko came in carrying a tray.

"Kagome, everyone is so happy to know that you've finally woken up. Sesshomaru ordered them to stay away so you could eat." She placed the tray down on the bed in front of her. She didn't want to tell her of the arguement that still continued downstairs.

Kagome nibbled on the food before her. She didn't have much of an appetite but knew she had to eat. The food tasted bland and dry. "Is everyone else okay?"

"Yes, you were the only one seriously hurt. For a minute I thought I'd lost one of my best friends." Keiko smiled through her tears.

Kagome placed the food aside, "Can you go get Sesshomaru for me? I want to talk to him, please."

"This Sesshomaru will not say it again. No one will disturb her until she is ready." He glared back at the three demons he was trying to keep under control. Inuyasha was sulking in a chair next to Kikyo. The other two were ready to run up the stairs against his orders.

"What right do you have to try to keep us away?" Hiei asked.

"More right than either of you. Or do I need to remind both of you, that you gave up your claim on the girl?" He regretted his words at the pained look across their faces. He knew both demons loved Kagome but they had made the mistake not the girl. "I will hurt you if you take one step towards that door. If she wants to see you then she will ask for you."

Keiko came into the room. "Sesshomaru, Kagome asked me to get you for her. She said she wanted to talk to you." Keiko watched the lord get up and walk out the room. She looked at Kurama and Hiei feeling sorry for them. She could only imagine how they felt. "How are you doing?"

All she got from Hiei was his usual grunt. "Been better, how is she Keiko?" Kurama asked. He wanted to go up and speak to her. He and Hiei had both been wrong. Koenma's report earlier nagged at him. They were to go with Yusuke as soon as Kagome woke up. He wanted the chance to talk to her before they were sent on their next mission.

"I'm not sure. Promise me something both of you. She may need some time, if she asks for it don't rush her." Kurama gave her the promise, Hiei only glared at her.

Kagome heard Sesshomaru come in. "I want to thank you. I know it was you that brought me back."

"You do not need to thank this Sesshomaru." He sat down on the bed beside her. She looked pale as if she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. "How do you feel?"

"Tired. I would like some time alone if its possible. I need to think about a few things."

"What exactly are you asking of me?" He waited for her answer.

"I'm asking you to take me home Sesshomaru. I want to see my family, sleep in my own room." She looked in his eyes pleading.

"What of the two waiting downstairs?" He had to ask before he complied.

"I don't want to see them yet. I can't. I just want to go home." Kagome felt herself on the urge of tears once more.

"Very well, I shall take you home. There is a chance that Byakuya wasn't destroyed, I should warn you." He lifted her out the bed. "We believe you will be safe if he is. You no longer have the jewel. It has been destroyed for good." He was planning on going out the front door but she stopped him.

"Please I don't want to see them right now." He nodded and leapt out her window.


Hiei got tired of waiting and suprised everyone by leaving the study to storm upstairs. Kurama quickly followed him. He knew it was only a matter of time before the fire demon lost his patience. Sesshomaru had been gone for over thirty minutes leaving them to wait.

Hiei pushed the door open to find the room completely empty. He scanned the area looking for any signs of Kagome or the dog demon. When he found no traces he shouted. "Where the hell are they?" Kurama stepped behind to see the empty room.

"He took the girl home I'm afraid." Koenma appeared behind them. "At this very moment they are at the shrine reuniting the girl with her family. I think it would be wise for you two to give her some space. Either way you two have a mission waiting on you. Its best if you don't delay."

Kagome had been home for over a week now. Her mother had been thrilled that her daughter would no longer be in any danger. Her status as the Guardian of the Shikon Jewel had been removed the minute Midoriko's soul was freed. She was walking along the side walk doing some window shopping. The day was dreary, reflecting the feelings of the girl walking down the avenue. Every night she woke up from nightmares. They consisted of both men taunting her, informing her that neither had ever loved her. In some they even handed her over to Byakuya saying they no longer wanted her. She'd wake up sweating and panting like she'd ran for miles. Sometimes she told herself that it didn't matter if they loved her or not. She just wanted to be with them again. To see Kurama smile at her or Hiei cross his arms and grunt. Her heart ached from their loss. Keiko called her everyday to check up on her and to invite her out.

She heard someone call her name and turned to find Kurama's human mother coming out the shop two doors down. She waved her over. Knowing she had no choice without being rude she walked over. "Hello, Ms. Shiori."

"Its good to see you again Kagome." She hugged the girl. "How have you been? You look like you've lost weight. Shuichi must have given you his flu, poor dear. I hope you are getting plenty of rest. Shuichi came over last night for dinner and he looked just as bad."

"I'm a little under the weather. I'll be fine thanks for your concern." So Kurama was back in the human world. Of course he was, he had family here and friends. It was obvious that he loved his mother. How she envied the woman at the moment.

"You two need to learn to take better care of yourselves. Look there's Shuichi now. I was wondering how much longer he was going to be in there." She waved to someone coming out the store.

Kagome felt her heart drop when Kurama stepped out holding several bags in each hand. He didn't seem to see her at first and Kagome thought about making a run for it. "Mother, there is one more place I'd like to go."

Kurama stopped when he saw Kagome standing there talking to his mother. His eyes drank her in like a man dying from thirst. "Kagome." At that moment the sky opened up, dumping the rain that had been theatening all day.

Kagome felt the rain start pouring down her face. "I better head home before the weather gets much worse. Good too see you again Shiori," She nodded. "Shuichi." His name slipped past her lips. She turned on her heels heading into the other direction. Seeing him brought tears as she ran down the crowded street trying to make her way home.

Kurama watched her take off, his mother grabbed the bags in his hands. "Go, I'll see you tomorrow. Better catch her before she gets too far ahead." He gave his mother a quick kiss on the forehead before taking off after Kagome.

Kagome felt people bumping into her, all of them trying to get out of the rain. The rain was coming down hard blinding her, she could barely see through the rain and her tears. She got to an intersection and decided to cross. The walk sign turned green and she stepped out to make her over.

Kurama caught up to her as she hit the cross walk. He saw her step out and heard a car slam on its brakes. The driver had run the red light slamming on his brakes as he started to slide towards the girl. Kagome turned her head when she heard the car slam on its brakes. A second before the car should have impacted she felt herself being yanked into the air.

She looked up to find Hiei holding her. The car spun and came to a stop doing a complete 180 in the road. Kurama let out his breath as he seen Hiei land with Kagome in his arms.

Hiei looked at him, "You are too slow." Hiei felt her eyes on him. Rain continued to pour on the three as they stood there.

"Lets get out of the rain. My apartment isn't that far from here." Kurama said. He was hoping that Kagome would give them a chance to apologize.

"Wait, put me down now." She struggled to get out of the arms holding her. "I'm not going anywhere with you two. Put me down now before I purify your ass to hell and back." She continued her struggle but he held her even tighter. There was nothing they could say to change her mind.

Hiei bent his head and whispered into her ear, "I love you." Okay maybe that would work. She wasn't sure she heard him right.
She stopped struggling as she was carried a few blocks. When they got to the building his apartment was located in Hiei jumped to land on Kurama's balcony. Kurama took the stairs up so he could unluck the doors.

He entered his home and went straight to the bedroom. Hiei entered as soon as he opened the doors. Nothing was said as Kurama searched for something for everyone to change into. He placed clothes on the bed for Hiei and himself. Kurama almost smiled to see that the little demon had yet to let her down. "Hiei if you will let her down I'm sure she'd like to get dried off and into some dry clothes."

Kagome felt herself being lowered. She accepted the clothes being handed to her. Without a word she headed for the bathroom locking the door behind her. Once inside she sat down on the edge of the tub. Her heart was beating so fast, 'I gotta get control of myself. Did Hiei say what I think he did? Did he actually say he loved me?' She started to shiver and decided to get changed. She had her wet clothes off and was drying herself when someone knocked at the door. She wrapped the towel around herself and opened the door.

Kurama stood there in nothing put a pair of boxers. Her jaw dropped at the sight. He smiled, " I was wondering if you'd like me to make you something warm to drink."

She was busy looking him over, it didn't help when she swung her eyes to find Hiei completely naked off to the side drying off. Her heart leapt at the sight of them. She heard him asking something but didn't make out what he said. "What?" She looked up at him prying her eyes away from Hiei.

Kurama reached out to touch her cheek. Her skin was cool to the touch making him worry. "You are cold." He stepped closer to her.
She couldn't think. He was standing too close to her and Hiei was still prancing around naked. He looked to be drying his hair and taking his damn time about doing it. She blushed when he looked up to find her staring at him. "I'm going to go downstairs to fix you something warm." She watched Kurama walk away but was still rooted to that spot.

She had missed them so much. Amazing that they had come to mean so much to her. His words came back to haunt her. Had he said them to get her to come with them. What if he hadn't meant it. She couldn't stop the tears that made their way down her face. Hiei smelt her tears and walked over. He wrapped the towel around his waist covering himself.

Kagome felt herself being picked up, her eyes opened wide. She found herself sitting on his lap once again on the bed. "Hiei what are you doing?"

"I failed you." He stated. Then he did something he rarely did. He apologized. "I'm sorry for mistrusting you. I didn't believe that you could actually love me. I love you Kagome, I want to make you mine once more. This time I want it forever."

Kurama spoke from the doorway, "I believe you stole my line Hiei. I'll have to make you pay dearly for that later." A grunt was the reply. Kurama walked over to the bed handing her a cup of hot tea. He brushed the hair away from her face. "Drink that while we say what we've been waiting a week to say. Since Hiei has already started I'll say my piece."

"We both feel bad about not trusting you. We spoke out of anger. He and I both had reasons to believe you might not love us enough to want to be with us after finding Inuyasha alive. You already know Hiei's reason, now I'll tell you mind. I live two lives Kagome, I wasn't sure if you loved me enough to handle both. To love me means to love three people, you must love Shuichi during my life as a human, you must also love Kurama, then there is Youko my demon form. I am known for being three people. I love you. I also want to take you as my life mate and as my wife." The red head waited for her answer.


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