The Jewel Of My Heart

A/N: Thanks so much, guys. Since this is my first YYH/IY crossover, I was a bit nervous about it, but you have made me feel very good about this fic. Please continue to review and I will get the next chapter up as soon as I can.

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The male had relaxed. Sort of. Kagome eyed the handsome male, but then closed her eyes to compose herself. However, that annoying voice interrupted her thoughts and muttered, “Will you hurry up?”

Her eyes snapping open, she shook her head slightly and then glanced at the male once again. It was clear that he was now becoming agitated, and so, she quickly bowed and said, “My name is Kagome Higurashi, and I am traveling with this group, seeking the shikon shards. We heard a rumor that there was a shard in this direction and did not realize that we were trespassing.”

Youko narrowed his eyes. The girl did not appear to be deceitful, but that didn't mean that she didn't have ulterior motives. His eyes traveled over the girl named Kagome and for once, he was speechless. What kind of woman would walk around with clothing that was so form-fitting? Her attire left nothing to the imagination and he could see every curve, every line of her body.

Turning to Inu Yasha, Youko grolwed, “Why is this female, who is clearly under your care, dressed in such a manner?”

Kagome opened her mouth to snap at him, but the voice in her head began to laugh. Loudly. Now, she was getting a bit scared. This had never happened before and she was unsure how to deal with it. She could hear Inu Yasha snapping his reply at the kitsune, but she had missed what he said. From the look that the kitsune was giving her, the reply was more than likely not in her favor.

“Look, she is just a friend and that's it. I don't give a shit what she wears just as long as she keeps finding shards.” Inu Yasha growled, his tone low.

Youko glanced over at the human female, and he paused. There was something wrong with the girl. She had gone pale and was shaking slightly. If she were ill, she would have to go. He could not allow her to infect those who lived within his territory.

When the girl looked up at him, Youko made up his mind. Yes, this girl had to leave. He glanced over at the others of the group and slowly lifted his hand, signaling his vines to let them go.

“Leave my forest, immediately. The human girl is clearly ill and I don't need her spreading her sickness to those that live in this forest. You may continue upon your path, but do not stop until you are out of it. Do not return.” Youko said, his golden eyes narrowed in a silent challenge to the hanyou.

Inu Yasha was not stupid. The kitsune was protecting what belonged to him and would react viciously should he be disobeyed. Sesshomaru was the exact same way. So, he did the only thing he could do and nodded.

Kagome let out the breath that she had been holding and realized that the voice in her head went quiet. Standing to her full height, she noticed that all eyes were upon her and she asked, “What?”

The kitsune shook his head and pointed to the north. “I have heard that there is a shard in that direction. It is in the hands of a youkai named Ishimaru. Be warned that he is very dangerous and has a thing for human females.” Youko advised. “Now, leave.”

Just as quickly as he arrived, Youko disappeared and left the group to stare at each other in amazement. “I wonder why he hasn't gone after the shard if he knew where it was and who had it.” Sango mused, her eyes narrowed in concentration.

“He gave up the shards when I died.” Kuronue muttered, forgetting that Kagome could hear him. He heard Kagome gasp and then looked up to see the monk move closer to her.

“Lady Kagome, is something wrong? You have not been yourself today.” Miroku said, his violet eyes running over her softly. Ever since she returned from her era, he noticed that Kagome's eyes would dull and she would slip away for a moment or two. Now, he was getting a bit concerned.

Kagome shook her head. She didn't want the others to know that she was hearing voices in her head. They would think that she was crazy. “I'm fine Miroku. Maybe the reason why Youko doesn't go after the shard is because he doesn't need the power.” She said, her voice weak.

Snorting, Inu Yasha shook his head. “I doubt it. I bet he is just too lazy to get up off his ass and go after it. Why, I bet he is scared.” He laughed, not caring if the kitsune overheard him.

Kuronue snarled loudly and without meaning to, he snapped, “Or, perhaps he is just waiting for a sucker like you to get the shard and then steal it from you. After all, you are too stupid to hide your shards properly, so it would be easy for someone like Youko.”

Kagome's hand clamped over her mouth. Her eyes widened and she could see the shocked expressions on the faces of her friends. Kikyo stepped forward and gently placed her hand upon Kagome's forehead. “Kagome, are you feeling alright? Never before have you spoken to Inu Yasha in such a way.” She said, her voice soft and concerned.

Kagome felt a sob rise in her throat. She had not meant to say that to Inu Yasha. Hell, she had not even been thinking it, but when he insulted the kitsune, the words tumbled out and she felt such a strong burst of anger that it frightened her.

Gaining control over herself, Kagome shook her head. “I'm sorry, Inu Yasha. I don't know why I said that. I guess maybe I am tired and just need to get some sleep.” She whispered.

Miroku chuckled as he took in the hanyou's shocked expression. “Actually, she has a very good point, Inu Yasha. We do keep the shards in an unsecured place and perhaps we need to consider moving them to a bag with a ward upon it.”

Reaching up to scratch behind his ear, Inu Yasha slowly nodded. “Yeah, maybe we do. Ok, when we make camp tonight, we'll do that. And, when we do make camp, Kagome can get the rest she needs. We need to get out of here, though. We don't need anymore trouble than what we have.” He said.

The group nodded and Sango motioned for Kagome to come over to her. Taking her best friend's hand, she smiled at the young miko and patted her hand. “Don't worry. We'll get some good food into you and get a great night's sleep, then you will be good as new.” She said, cheerfully. She was still giddy over the fact that Kagome had snapped at Inu Yasha, and she sounded vicious. Good for her. It was time she stood up to the hanyou, even if it were for another.

As the group walked down the path that he had pointed, Youko kept his eyes upon the young female. She was clearly a miko. But, the fact that she protected a kitsune child and had defended him to the hanyou, slightly calmed his apprehension of the group being in his forest. If it was one thing that a kitsune admired, it was loyalty. But, the girl was still ill and had to go. If she weren't, he could have probably tolerated her. As the girl's form disappeared from his sight, a small smile formed upon his lips. There had been another who would have defended him so gruffly. Kuronue. His friend would have ripped the hanyou's ears off and shoved them down his throat for such statements. But, Kuronue was gone and the group was gone, as well.

As he jumped off the tree branch, Youko wondered what would life have been like had he and Kuronue not gone after that damn mirror. Well, there was nothing he could do about it, but he was so damn lonely despite having new followers. Noone could ever replace Kuronue.

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The group made it out of Youko's forest by nightfall and were thrilled to find a small lake that they could fish and get water from. As they settled for the night, Kagome felt even more drained now than she had earlier. But, thankfully, the voice had been silent.

Kuronue was in shock. He had somehow managed to take over Kagome's body and was able to speak, using her voice. It had never happened before and he remembered that the curse that was placed upon him specifically said that he would never be allowed to control his host, only observe, but he had controlled the girl, even if it were only for a couple of minutes.

He wanted to find out more about Kagome and used the time that the group was walking through Youko's forest to delve into her memories and thoughts. To say he had been wrong about the girl was an understatement.

He thought her to be stupid. Well, that was not true. Kagome was actually very loving and often gave more to others than she received. She was very intelligent, though the fact that she continued to follow the insensitive hanyou argued that fact. He saw every single time her heart was broken, felt the anguish she felt upon seeing the hanyou hold the dead miko, heard every sob she let loose when she was alone. He never knew anyone like her: youkai or human. As a miko, even one in training, the youkai was her natural enemy, but she easily befriended youkai, and even had an admirer in the wolf prince, though Kuronue didn't know how he would react should the wolf prince decide to make an appearance.

The more he learned about the girl, the more he liked her. But, he still thought that her grandfather was a fool. Nothing would change his mind on that. If the situation was different, Youko may have also liked the girl. She was the type that made a male want to protect her. Take care of her.

Hell, his youkai was getting excited at the fact that it was near a female whom did not turn its stomach. Most females acted foolish and giggled too much; Kagome, though she did giggle, had a sweeter laugh. Yes, she was a host that he could get used to and actually wanted to stay with. At least, for now.

When the group settled for the night and Kagome allowed her body to relax, he decided that he wanted to try and gain control. Even if he was only able to lift a finger, it would be something. Since he was going to be sharing her body, he would have to be able to defend it. After all, she was his to protect, now.

It took him nearly three hours of concentrating and cursing, but he finally managed to lift a hand. He laughed and slowly wiggled the slender fingers. They had failed. Those who cursed him didn't expect him to be able to break part of it, and if he could break part of it, then he could one day break all of it.

Once he decided that he had enough practice, he decided to start showing Kagome parts of his life. After all, if they were going to be together, she might as well get to know him...even if she didn't know that he existed yet. He showed her his parents, childhood friends, and his siblings. He showed her several of the adventures that he and Youko went on, and then, he finally showed her his early demise. He could hear her ragged breaths as the memory of his curse came to the forefront and when she began to sob, he knew that he had shown her too much. She didn't know him, but his pain hurt her. His torment was her torment.

He eased off of her, allowing her body to slide back into the peaceful arms of sleep. He relaxed a bit and leaned back, his eyes trained upon the outside world. He could feel her exhaustion and hoped that in the morning, she would be better rested. She would be ok.

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But, Kagome was not ok. In fact, she was worse. Fever had hit her hard and she could not stop shaking. At first, Kikyo believed that Kagome may have come down with a cold, but when the hallucinations began, she was convinced that Kagome needed to return to Kaede.

“She cannot continue. She must return to my sister.” Kikyo announced, her hand gently pushing back Kagome's damp bangs.

Miroku sighed. “It will take three days to go around the forest and then another two to get to Kaede. We will need to go back through the forest, and risk Youko's anger.” He concluded.

Sango nodded. “I agree.” She said, her head bobbing up and down in agreement. “Youko seems to be very intelligent. He will understand.”

Kuronue was silent with worry. Actually, Youko would probably get violent. He didn't like it when his orders were disobeyed and the fact that the girl had appeared sickly probably helped in his decision to exile the girl from his domain.

He felt Kagome's body being lifted and he could hear her ragged breathing. He could feel her anguish over his ordeal and silently cursed himself for bombarding her with all of his memories. It was clear that it was too much, too soon.

He heard the slayer and monk wish the hanyou and undead miko well and turned to walk back towards the spirit kitsune's forest.

It took nearly two and a half hours before they arrived at the entrance to Youko's domain and Kuronue tensed. He knew his old partner was watching. Nothing went on in his forest without his knowledge. As usual, his instincts were correct and he could hear the slayer scream as a vine wrapped tightly around her and lifted her from the ground.

Kuronue winced as he felt Kagome's body hit the ground hard as the monk was ripped away from her. He heard her pained groan and he gritted his teeth. They were in serious trouble. The fact that the vines were being so violent told him that Youko was beyond angry. He was enraged.

Sure enough, Youko appeared, but was not alone. He had clearly gathered more followers and those followers stood behind their leader, their faces anything but welcoming.

He had to do something. Concentrating, he focused all of his energy on Kagome's body. However, the girl was simply too weak and too feverish for him to gain any kind of control. But, then he heard words that made his blood freeze. He had heard those words before. Hell, he was the one who had screamed them.

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Youko sneered at the humans. It was a good thing that the kit and little neko were not around. He didn't like hurting creatures who were smaller than him. He walked over to the monk, taking great care to not go near Kagome.

“I told you to never come back to my forest. Tell me, why have you disobeyed me?” He demanded, his golden eyes tinting pink.

Miroku gulped. He could not get his hands free and realized that Youko had probably noticed that he had a holy ward covering his hand, meaning that it could be used against him at a later time. It was obvious that Youko Kurama was not someone to fuck with.

“We apologize for disobeying you.” Miroku said, his tone humble. “Kagome is very ill. We need to get her back to the miko Kaede. Please, we mean you or your people any harm.”

“But, you do. By bringing this sick human to my forest, you are harming us. We don't know what is wrong with her, and if it is contagious, we could get it and pass it on to our young.” Youko replied, his fangs glinting. “So, you see, monk. You are harming us.”

Sango gasped when she saw one of the other youkai moving towards Kagome. “Get the hell away from her!” She screamed, struggling against her bindings.

Youko turned sharply and glared at his underling. “Get away from the girl. Now, Tamuri.” He ordered. Turning back to the monk, he sighed and shook his head. “The girl must be disposed of. I won't allow her sickness to spread.”

Before they could scream their outrage, vines wrapped around Sango and Miroku's mouths. Youko moved towards Kagome, his claws extended, and as he reared back, Kagome's feverish words stopped him.

“Run, Youko! Run! Get out of here!” She screamed, tears streaming down her face. “We never should have stolen the mirror. We should have listened to our instincts and let it go.”

Youko's eyes widened when as Kagome arched in pain, a very familiar necklace slipped out and fell to the side. He allowed his claw to touch the necklace. His eyes closed as unwanted memories came flooding back and when he opened his eyes, he saw Kagome's dark eyes, filled with pain and tears, looking up at him.

“Please. Make it stop. The voice won't leave me alone.” She whimpered, her voice soft. As she began to convulse into sobs, Youko made up his mind.

Lifting Kagome into his arms, he turned to his followers. “Get back to the cave. I will be along shortly.”

“Are you going to kill the girl?” Maraharu asked, his red eyes traveling over the female's form. As her sobs increased, he winced. The girl was clearly troubled.

Youko shook his head. “Not at this time. Now, go.” He directed. Once his people were gone, he turned to the monk and slayer.

“Return to your friends. The girl is coming with me.” He announced. “Once we are far enough away for you not to follow, you will be released.”

Youko turned and walked over to one of the trees. He tightened his grip on Kagome's body and could hear her frantic whispers and heartwrenching sobs. He hugged her tightly to him, now convinced more than ever that the girl wasn't sick. She was being plagued by memories that only he and Kuronue could have shared.

As he jumped into the tree and began making his way towards his den, he bit his lip and narrowed his eyes. Was it possible that this girl was his friend's reincarnation? If she was, she was his responsibility. What he could not do for Kuronue, he could do for her. But, if this was some clever trick, he would gut her and use her rib cage for a hat. It was time to get some answers.