The Curse Of Time

A/N: To answer a question as to Kagome's appearance and age. She stopped aging when she was cursed so, she does still look the same. To most she probably looks no more than 17 to 20 in age.


Chapter Two


Kurama placed his glass down after the toast was made. He smiled at the grinning couple so happy with each other. Yusuke whispered in Keiko’s ear before doing something under the table to make the girl jump. “I have to agree, looks like it’ going to be a success.” He looked as the table were steadily filling up with customers. Him and Shizuru had promised to attend this night for them. The two had worked hard on opening the place on time for Keiko. The girl was an excellent chef, now others could enjoy her food. “Wonderful way to end the evening.”


“Better than how it began.” Shizuru lit her cigarette and reached for an ashtray. That got both Yusuke and Keiko to look at her in confusion. “Sorry,” she was here to help celebrate the opening of their restaurant not be a sourpuss. She was still peeved about this morning. Their breakfast plans had been cancelled and she didn’t like how the officer had suddenly changed his tune after coming back from his car. “Some porn star decided to fall asleep at the wheel and hit us this morning.”


“Porn star? What was her name?” Yusuke flinched but kept his eyes on Kurama. He’d get Keiko back later for pinching him. He didn’t know they had porn stars that lived nearby. And Kurama had been hit by one? Wow, the guy had all the luck. “Was she hot? Owe, dammit Keiko that hurt.” He rubbed his bruised chest and glared at his wife.


“She was driving around in her pajamas and bedroom slippers. Fuzzy pink ones with floppy bunny ears attached to them. I still say she was drunk and the officer let her off for a reason. Probably planning on paying off her ticket by performing live for him.” Shizuru answered for her boyfriend. There had been nothing special about the disheveled girl that had hit them, she needed to trade her license in for a brush. Shizuru flicked her ashes into the ashtray. “I got to hit the can. Be right back.”


Kurama was glad when Shizuru stalked off to the bathroom, Keiko followed suit after excusing herself. He didn’t know why she was so angry. He’d explained why he had to cancel his plans for today. He had to work tomorrow and he couldn’t without a vehicle. He’d faxed a copy of the report to his insurance company and waited for a call back. Then he’d called his boss to see about getting a loaner. They didn’t have any spare vehicles, so he wasn’t sure what he was going to do. He waited for his company to contact the girl’s, to see what they’d pay for. He was probably going to have to rent one but would it be covered? Most likely but could he have it approved in time?


“So what did she look like man?” Yusuke asked the question as soon as the other two were out of range. Damn, he’d never seen a porn star in person. Most of those women were hot, he’d like to get a hold of them. No wonder Shizuru was in such a pissed off mood. “Come on, you can tell me. I don’t care if she was in her bunny shoes, those chicks are babes.”


“I don’t think she was a porn star Yusuke. Shizuru is just being crude, I believe. Some of the things the girl said might lead one to believe that she was into the business. But she made mention of accidently spilling lacquer on herself.” Kurama took a sip of his drink and shook his head, Yusuke was as uneducated as the officer was. “I noticed a funny smell on her, she later explained what it was. It’s something photographers and photo shops use. She made mention of photos and performing in front of an audience. Shizuru took one look at the girl’s appearance and assumed, I did not. I believe she is into the marketing profession or something of that nature. She didn’t strike me as a paid professional.”


“Besides, most call girls have a certain image. They wouldn’t be caught out in public without makeup and in fine clothing. This girl was in her nightwear and not very fashionable ones at that. Her hair was uncombed, tousled as if she had slept rough then left the house without tending to it. Her hands were calloused around the finger tips, I’d say she works with them a lot. Doesn’t hint of her laying on her back either way. There is also her age to consider, I got a look at her ID. She was in her late twenties but didn’t look a day over sixteen. Someone to that profession wears face paint, which causes them to look older before their time. She probably never wears the stuff.”


“So she was hot, huh.” Yusuke grinned at the displeased growl Kurama sent his way. He snorted at the denial. “What? You noticed all that so you did more than just briefly glance at her. I might be wrong but I don’t see you checking out some ugly chick like that. It would also explain why Shizuru is so bent out of shape. Hot chick, has that fresh out of bed look. You know I love Keiko, she means everything to me. But I’m not going to lie. Some women have a natural beauty about them that you can’t ignore. Don’t get me wrong Shizuru and Keiko both are very pretty but they also spend hours working on themselves. Then you got a select few that can roll out of bed and can still be considered a wetdream. Shizuru is like Keiko, they are women. They don’t like seeing someone like that walking around, or near what they consider theirs. So, what did she really look like?”


“That was very perceptive Yusuke,” Kurama laughed at the cocky grin. “You might be right though, it does seem that Shizuru felt threatened. But to answer your question. Despite her early morning appearance she was very beautiful, very cute. Had large brown eyes that made me think of a doe. Kind of short, compared to what I normally date. Perhaps about five and three, no taller. Couldn’t really tell much with the baggy clothing except she was thin. Hair went to her waist, so dark it’s color would be called raven. It was very full and I’d say in most circumstances she takes great care of it. Delicate and small features, kind of like a porcelain doll. A small mouth but the lips were full and even.”


“Damn, you’re lucky Shizuru didn’t notice you checking her out.” He leaned back into his seat. Yusuke was finding enjoyment in making the fox squirm. He didn’t blame the man, they were both males. As much as he loved Keiko he would admit to having a roaming eye. He liked Shizuru as a person but didn’t see what Kurama saw in her as a sexual partner. He just didn’t see them working out but he’d keep that opinion to himself. “Did you get her number?”


“No Yusuke, I’m with Shizuru.” Kurama rolled his eyes at the audacity of the man. He wouldn’t cheat just because he had found the girl nice to look at. His cell phone rang in his coat pocket. He flipped it open and held a hand up to silence Yusuke. It was the insurance company. They had to access his damage and they’d need clearance before they could agree to cover the rental. “I see but didn’t my company inform you that I needed the vehicle for work purposes. I can’t work without it, so I’ll have to rent. I really can’t afford to pay for a rental for that long.” He rubbed his brow as the woman explained that their policy would normally cover the rental if he was unable to drive his truck. “Yes, I did drive away and it is running, it’s just the body damage. I see, so how long will it take for someone to come out?” Two weeks! “No, that won’t do me any good. I can drive it, it’s just the tailgate and the bumper. Yes, I understand. Very well,” He clicked his phone off and swore. “Dammit, she may have been cute but she’s going to cost me a lot of money. The insurance says it’s not in their policy to cover the rental if the vehicle can still be driven. They’ll send an appraiser out as soon as they can but if it’s just simple body damage then they won’t cover my rental. They said to call my insurance company back and see what they could do.”


“Bummer, so you’d have liked to screw her and she just screwed you.” Yusuke was saved by the bell when Hiei suddenly appeared beside the table. “Hey Hiei, how’s it going?” He was slightly unnerved at the fire apparition’s sudden appearance. The man hadn’t been invited to dinner so why was he here? When had he returned from the Makai?


“Can you get that?” Kagome yelled from the bathroom. Dammit, where was her brush? Had she left it in the living room? She tied the robe around her waist and went in search for it. She went right for the last place she’d seen it. She’d been brushing her hair this morning before rushing out to take care of Yukina. The green handle was spotted sticking out from under the coffee table. “Got you,” they had meant to leave over thirty minutes ago but they had gotten home, eaten breakfast and then watched a few movies. A quick nap turned into a long one. She walked over to Rin, “who is it?”


“Insurance company, I already told them everything. Now they are talking about what my policy covers or something. I’m on hold.” She shrugged and walked over to sit on the couch. They both still needed to get dressed so they could hit the new restaurant. Rin placed her feet up on the coffee table and picked at her nails. They needed to be filed, all broken and chipped. She bet that guy’s girlfriend got manicures every week. The woman’s hair style had been just like that of the new actress everyone was fawning over. Short and bobbed at the shoulders. She and Kagome agreed that cutting their hair didn’t seem right. She got it trimmed regularly but anything shorter than what it was didn’t sit well with her. “I’m here,” she listened as the woman explained that Mr. Minamino was asking them to cover his rental but the policy wouldn’t because the vehicle was still able to be driven. The man was saying that he couldn’t use it for work. They’d cover a rental while it was in the shop being fixed but not before. They would have to send someone out to look at the damage first. “Okay, I understand. Can you do me a favor? I’m about to head out to dinner. Could you call him back and let him know I’ll cover it for him? Yeah, that’s right. When he goes to get the rental have him contact you, I’ll cover the cost of the rental until his can be fixed. Thanks, have a good evening.”


“What? Did I just hear you right?” Kagome pulled the brush through her hair. “Have you lost your mind? I mean he was cute but he wasn’t that cute. You don’t have to, there is a reason that policy is in place. It’s so people don’t try to milk the insurance company. I mean he drove away and it was just his tailgate and bumper that was fucked up. Just because his little trumpet doesn’t want to be seen driving around in a dented vehicle doesn’t mean he can be picky.”


“I know she explained why they wouldn’t pay but I feel bad. I mean it’s my fault it happened. I should have listened to you and stayed home. You can’t talk me out of it, it’s done. Now, what should I wear?” Rin placed the phone back down and followed the miko into the bedroom. She eyed the dress that Kagome had laid out on the bed. She wasn’t wearing anything like that. Kagome had the big perky breasts to go with it, she didn’t. Being flat chested wasn’t a problem, she just wasn’t packing like her friend. “I was thinking of the black slacks you bought me for my birthday. I think it’ll go good with the shirt I got last week.”


“Okay, but I think you should wear a dress.” Kagome feigned anger when the girl disagreed. “Come on, how are we going to find some hot guys if we don’t look? Not like they know we are holed up in this house waiting on them. Don’t give me that look. I haven’t been laid in over two centuries. I probably have cobwebs up there by now. How the hell you’ve gone over four without it, I have no idea.”


“Easily, batteries and porn.” Rin took out her slacks she’d be wearing tonight. She didn’t like wearing dresses that often. She wasn’t trying to find a man. She wondered if Kagome really wanted another one. It’d been centuries since the hanyou had walked out on her. After having to watch her husband die of old age it made her not want to be with another. Why? Why care about someone when they’d be leaving you behind to mourn them? It had been painful to watch them all go but it was what life had dealt her. Part of her wanted to be angry at Kagome at times for cursing her as well. She loved the girl and knew that it hadn’t been intentional. After all, the miko had to experience the same grief as well.


“What do you think Kirara, the red or the black?” Kagome held both dresses up for the neko to inspect. Tiny fangs showed as Kirara yawned and closed her eyes. “Okay, is that neither or bitch don’t bother me? Grumpy pussy, guess I’m not the only one that needs to get laid in this house. I’ll take the black, shows less but more provocative.” Kagome tossed the red on the bed and took the black dress off of the hanger. Rin was getting dressed as well, “Think I’ll wear my hair down tonight.”


“Mine is going up. I got a headache from combing out the knots.” Rin tucked the shirt in and wondered how she looked. The white dress shirt was simple enough but the sleeves ended before the shoulders. The elastic had it hugging her bodice, a bra made into it. She snapped the bra up front before finishing up the buttons. “Wow, you look great. Sure you want to wear that? I’m not walking home because you end up going home with some stranger.” The black dress went down to the miko’s knees but hugged every curve. The bodice was low enough to show the firm globes to perfection. There was no sleeves or shoulders to it, just all boobs. “You better wear the shawl that came with it or you’re going to freeze.”


“Want help with your hair? I assume you want it all up.” Kagome grabbed the brush and a bow that would match the pants. She went through the length before pulling it high on top of the girl’s head. “Okay, you’re done. Will you find my shoes while I do something with my mop?” She went over to her mirror and wondered how to style it? Leave bangs in her face or pull them back? Digging through her stash she found a clip that would work and blend in with her hair. Her bangs were pulled straight back and pinned, leaving the sides to hang down freely and frame her face. “Alright, I think I’m ready. If I don’t get a number then you are so buying me a gallon of chocolate chip mint ice cream on the way back home.”

“Are you serious man?” Yusuke didn’t want to believe it but the koorime looked more than serious. Well this was a way to ruin the evening. Leave it to Hiei to come dump this in their lap. “So you’re saying you been having a vision of some warning that Yukina’s child is in danger? Don’t you think you should let her know also? I mean it’s her child, she should be aware if there is someone threatening her and her kid.” He didn’t want to believe that someone would target an unborn child like that.


“I know what I saw detective and someone plans to take the child as soon as it is born. I have no idea who is behind it as of yet but I have a good idea. I’ve been at the temple for the last few days keeping an eye on her.” Hiei noticed Keiko listening intently to the conversation. She was the only one here that didn’t know of his relation to the koorime, he wanted to keep it that way. “I don’t want to upset her when I don’t know who’s behind it yet. I’d like to prevent it from happening without stressing her over it.”


“Hold on,” Kurama snapped his phone back open to answer it. “Yes,” he tapped his glass against the table as the insurance representative repeated herself. “Yes, someone told me earlier that your company wouldn’t cover the costs, I am well aware of this. So, is there a reason you are calling to repeat yourself.” He blanched when the woman apologized and sounded offended. “I’m sorry, yes I know it isn’t your fault. Oh, so you are the regional supervisor. Mind if I do ask why you are calling?” He ignored Shizuru’s snort and tried to listen to the woman on the other end. “Are you serious? She’s going to cover it? Is that going to raise her premium? I see, well I had to ask I wouldn’t accept it if it were. Let me get this straight she said she would personally cover the cost of my rental. Yes, I’ll contact you first thing in the morning. I assume I am to contact you. Very well, thank you and have a good evening.”


“You got to be shitting me.” Shizuru lit another cigarette seeing the relief on his face. “With what you’ll need does she have any idea how much that is going to cost her? With your vehicle not being greatly damaged it could be up to a month before someone comes out. Then you have to get it fixed. You shouldn’t have been ogling her.”


“Please, I think we have a much larger problem here than your insecurity issues.” Hiei snapped at the tall woman. Shizuru turned an evil glare in his direction. Stupid human female, what did these two see in either one of them? Keiko was sending Kurama an accusing look as well. “Get over it, so there is a female out there that will take responsibility when she was in the wrong. That doesn’t mean he is trying to rut with her. You human females have a way of clouding issues. As I was saying before that bout of jealousy. I’m sure someone is after the child and I saw a suspicious female there today. She had no aura to speak of and somehow sensed me. She was also very attentive towards Yukina. Seemed very persistent in the fact that Yukina deliver the baby when she’s supposed to.”


“Okay, let’s say that you are right.” Kurama gave Hiei his attention and ignored the seething female. Hiei was right, Yukina’s safety was more important than Shizuru’s vanity. He had no interest in the other girl. “I think we should inform Yukina so she is on the lookout for anyone she doesn’t trust. What was this woman doing at the temple? Did they know her? Do you have anything to go on besides seeing someone taking the baby?”


“No, nothing. I just hear the cry of the child and Yukina’s voice. I see her laying on the ground weeping. Nothing that is really useful.” Hiei leaned further into the booth. “I have the woman’s name if you are willing to check her out for me. See if she is what she appears to be. We’ll wait until then to mention it to Yukina. I’ll eliminate this woman if she is a threat. Her name is Kag...”


“Oh, it’s Kagome.” Keiko interrupted the little man seeing Kuwabara’s boss walking into the place with her sister in tow. The woman had promised that they’d try to stop by for her opening night. “Excuse me, I’m going to go greet them.” She scooted out of the booth and walked to where the two were being greeted by the hostess. “I got them, I’m so glad you could make it.” She hugged the other female, “Kuzuma said you’d try. So what do you think?”


“It’s the porn patrol,” Shizuru blew out the smoke and squinted her eyes towards the two females Keiko had went to go greet. She didn’t fail to notice that all three males turned to check the girls out, especially her own. What were they doing here? How did Keiko know the one?


“Holy mother of fuck, that’s them?” Yusuke wasn’t sure which one he’d want to bone first. They were both hot and looked good enough to eat. One of them was Kurama’s collision girl? No wonder the man had checked her out. “Throw me between those two and call me a happy sandwich. Wonder if they share.” A foot impacted in his shin, “owe!”

“Hey Keiko, it’s wonderful.” Kagome returned the embrace and smiled. “Sorry, we overslept, long day and all that. I told him to tell you that we wouldn’t miss it. I can’t believe it, this is so great. How does it feel to be a business owner? You should give yourself a giant pat on the back. Looks like things are going well already.” She had to admire the class of the place, it was all Keiko. “I can’t wait to check the menu out. We love your food. Rin is always stealing what Kuwabara is nice enough to bring to me.”

“You say I can have some, so there.” Rin liked the place, nice but not stuffy. “You should learn to cook, then I wouldn’t have to steal the only decent food you bring home.” That earned her an elbow to the ribs and a snicker from Keiko. She’d only met this friend of Kagome’s once before. She appeared to be nice and laid back. “Is there a seat available?”


“Yes, I actually saved Kagome a seat near my own just in case you showed.” Keiko asked them to follow her to the booth. She took two of the menus from a passing waitress and said she wanted someone at table number two. Kagome was a godsend and she’d see that they enjoyed the meal. Kuzuma told her everything about work and how much Kagome had done for him and Yukina. Sending the busy woman food seemed so little in comparison. The ice apparition was getting a very sought after midwife for free. “Here, one of the best seats in the house. Mind if I sit for a few?”


“That would be wonderful actually.” Kagome slid into the booth and Keiko took the seat next to her. Rin took the other side wearing a frown. She looked at the girl in puzzlement, what was wrong? She wouldn’t get an answer now so might as well be pleasant to their hostess. She flipped open the menu and a foot collided with her shin. Her head jerked up to see Rin indicating to look behind her. The first thing she saw was the redhead looking at them among a few others. She couldn’t help it, she burst out laughing and turned back to her menu.


Rin wanted to snarl and was glad Kagome thought it was funny. She’d felt the woman’s eyes burning holes down to her soul. She said she’d pay for the man’s rentals and to do what she could since the accident had been her fault. Oh well, she had come here to eat. She flipped the menu open to see what there was to eat here. She’d smother the miko with a pillow later tonight. Revenge was sweet, “Do you recommend anything?”


“Oh, most of it is my own recipes. Depends what you are into really.” Keiko saw the girl’s tension and wondered if something was wrong. She decided to go ahead and make the small talk. “So Rin, Kuzuma tells me that you designed the baby’s nursery. I saw it, that was very nice work. I wondered what he meant when he said your work was in high demand. I’m not that good at judging the art thing but the drawings brought out the entire room, I was speechless.” She wasn’t going to mention the girl had taken a few days off and did it out of kindness for a couple she barely knew.


“Thank you, it was nothing really.” Rin was glad for the compliment. She’d put a lot of work into the painting of that room. She loved babies and wanted one of her own but fate wasn’t that kind. It had warmed her heart to see the look on Yukina’s face when it was done. Drawing was her only talent, she wasn’t smart and successful like Kagome. She didn’t have people depending on her. Plus, Kagome had asked her to do it.


“Don’t let her lie to you.” Kagome hated it when Rin wouldn’t take credit. The girl had talent and was too hard on herself. “She did a room like that for the gallery and it was appraised at twenty grand. That is why she’s paying for dinner.” She chuckled at Keiko’s astonishment and had to shrug, she wasn’t lying. Some people were willing to pay the price for fine art. “Actually, this dinner is kind of a celebration for us. Next week my little sister has an interview with Takashi Incorporated. If she lands the contract, she’ll be earning a quarterly salary of three hundred grand. She’s playing with the top dogs now.”


“That’s over a million a year, oh my. Rin, are you up to the pressure?” Keiko put her hand around her throat and almost swooned thinking about all that money. She’d known the girls were well off but that was something. She had no idea, did they loan money to friends? The small girl just shrugged at the question. “Oh, I’d choke knowing that much money is on the line. That’s one hell of a job offer.”


“Yeah but then I’d just be bringing in as much as Kagome already does so it’s not a big deal. I should just quit working and let her pay the bills. I saw this woman on television that made sitting home and eating chocolate look like fun. Only problem with it is that I’m not sure if I like the show she was watching.” Rin was debating between the beef and the chicken. Both sounded really good, she’d had the chicken before. One of the dishes that Kagome had brought home. “I mean I would like the job, I’ve never drawn for entertainment purposes before but it sounds really neat. The money is just a bonus.”


“Well, not all of us have an older man doting on us and catering to our every need.” Kagome smirked knowing she just struck a nerve. It was true, Sesshoumaru was there if Rin needed anything but neither of them had touched the money he’d given to them in years. They’d been making due on what they earned themselves. Sesshoumaru made sure the girl went without nothing but didn’t come around. Rin tried to say it didn’t matter but Kagome knew better. “For someone like myself and Keiko it’s a lot of money. You’d do well to remember that. Though I’m sure she’d like to have Fluffy for a sugar daddy.”


“Do you want me to climb over this table and choke you? Keep it up and you’ll find yourself smothered in the middle of the night.” Rin hissed at her and picked up the knife that had come with the silverware. Kagome started laughing at her expense. “Bitch,” she tried not to smile but it was hard when Kagome started snorting. “Make that a pig, really you’re such an ass. I hate you sometimes.” She slapped the false weapon down seeing she was making Keiko nervous. “Oh, don’t worry I wouldn’t really stab her. It’d be much more fun to cleave out her black heart with this spoon.”


“Ohhh, you’re so cute when you’re angry.” Kagome pushed the menu aside and reached over the table. Her hands were slapped as she tried to pinch Rin’s cheeks. Keiko started laughing but didn’t ask them to stop. “Come here, you are so adorable. Such sweet words just for little ole me. I knew you loved me,” She reached for the girl’s neck as if trying to kiss her. Rin pushed at her arms and frowned at the touching.


“Wow!” Rin spoke loud and clear making sure that several tables could hear her. “Kagome did you realize that you actually have freckles on your tits? You really shouldn’t wear that dress.” That got the miko to move away and sit back down in the seat. “Oops, sorry they were just out there. Hard not to notice when you had them in my face.” Now, who was blushing?! She brought up her menu and tried not to pay attention to the people now looking at them oddly.


“She’s right, you do have freckles.” Keiko smiled as the girl brought the shawl around her shoulders to cover them up. That had been rather amusing. It must be nice to be that close to someone. She wished she had a sister to misbehave with. It sucked to be the only child. “But the dress does look good on you. Do you have plans after leaving here?”


“No, she’s going to go home and eat ice cream because not only does she freckles on her tits but she has them on her ass and she hasn’t waxed her pubic region in over a month.” Rin moved her foot out of the way in time. “Oh, wait that wasn’t the excuse she gave me earlier for not being laid in a very very long time. What excuse did you give me? Something about finding a man with the right equipment? Hell I told her that there is a nice little novelty shop down the street that makes them life like dolls. Want to go in with me to get her one for her birthday. She’s getting old and she needs a man, plastic preferred.”


“I don’t have them on my ass thank you and I waxed two days ago.” Kagome wondered if Rin was ready for war? Hell she was up for a game of open embarrassment. Round two, begin. “Don’t listen to her Keiko. She’s still pissed that I popped her last man. Couldn’t help it when it resembled a little toad and the name Jaken just makes one’s stomach all icky. She wouldn’t be so grumpy but that happens when you come to think of your pussy as a pisshole. She hasn’t been laid in twice as long as me. I’m surprised if she even remembers what a real penis feels like.”


“Well I could always just call your ex up but if I wanted a two inch piece of meat they have those little sausages in the can. At least those are kind of firm. I’d rather stick to batteries, they last more than five minutes.” Rin smiled when the waitress joined them to see if they were ready to order. “Yes, I’ll have the mushroom saute chicken with rice. Do you have cheese cake? If so I’d like some to take home. My sister owes me, she makes an excellent plate.”


“Okay,” Kagome blushed as the waitress dropped the notepad. “Um, she’s only kidding about that last part. I’ll have the same without the dessert.” She put her face in her hands, she was blushing hard. Okay, round one went to Rin. That’s what the girl got for spending her first few years with Sesshoumaru. Damn girl didn’t know how to be embarrassed. “So, Keiko, I was told that you were thinking about starting a family of your own soon.”


“Yeah, me and Yusuke are thinking about it. Once this place gets going and is steady, we are thinking about trying to get pregnant. I’m not sure if I can afford you for my midwife though. It’d be nice but we are wanting to save for when we have the baby.” Keiko felt someone tapping her shoulder from behind, it was Yusuke. “Actually, he’s sitting right behind us. Think he wants introductions.” She smiled when he got up and stood in front of them. “Yusuke this is Kagome and Rin. Kagome is Kuwabara’s boss and she’s also Yukina’s midwife. That’s her little sister, Rin.”


“Hello, nice to meet you.” Kagome smiled at the man. He was really cute and, she cocked her head. She knew Rin sensed it too. Or rather what was in Rin did. “Oh my,” he was a strong one. Why hadn’t she noticed it before? He was hiding it, so why show it now? She raised her gaze to meet his eyes, was he looking for something? Sure enough his power flared in protest to the introductions.


“Do you mind not doing that?” Rin snapped at him in annoyance. She wasn’t like Kagome, she couldn’t handle it. She could hear the warning bells being raised in her mind. It wasn’t her power so she couldn’t turn it off and on at will, it was just there. He turned to look at her now, “Yes, you know what I’m talking about. Save it for someone that might be impressed. I’m not and I got to pee, so please excuse me.”


“Yes, don’t do that again. I’d hate for you to die.” Kagome smiled as she gave the threat. That had Keiko and Yusuke turning to her in concern. “Damn demons. Sorry, not trying to be rude. I can control my own powers but she can’t. I’d hate for Keiko to lose her husband because you think it’s funny to send out a surge of power in warning. Some won’t take kindly to the threat even if it isn’t a valid one.” Someone like Midoriko, for certain. The woman’s soul would act out of pure instinct feeling the threat. She wouldn’t understand that it was Keiko’s husband just being cocky.


“Fine,” Yusuke sat down in the booth knowing that the others were listening to every word. So this was the woman Hiei had seen at the temple. Was she really behind what was bothering the man? Was this woman plotting to take Yukina’s child? If she is a sought after nurse then why was she giving them a free service. He agreed with Hiei something didn’t seem right. It was all too convenient, their friendship with Kuwabara, the free care, the car accident today, and the girl paying for it all. Then they just happened to show up tonight. “Wanna tell me how you know exactly what I am? Especially when I can’t feel shit coming from either one of you two?”


“That is a crude way of announcing that you are a rude jerk. Okay, if you really need to know I come a long line of priests. I was raised at a shrine in Tokyo, I’m a miko. As to why you can’t feel anything is because I am well trained. Also, don’t bother powering up, I’ll repeat what Rin said, do it for someone that might actually be impressed by it. I’ve seen better and you don’t scare me sweetheart. Now move, you are in her seat.” Kagome glared at him but it got him to get up. It might have something to do with the look Keiko was giving him too. “You okay?”


Rin sat back down in her seat and took a sip of the water. No she wasn’t okay, something about that man’s aura the bitch inside her hadn’t liked. She needed to fan herself, that had got her blood flowing. “Yeah, just needed to use the bathroom and wet my face. Oh damn, I hadn’t felt that in so long.” The soul in her was usually so dormant she forgot it was there. “I’m starving though, hope the food gets here soon.”


“I’ll go check on it for you two. Go sit down Yusuke, NOW!” Keiko gave him the look that had him going back to their booth. He’d get a scolding later for what he’d just done. She didn’t know Rin that well but she considered Kagome a friend and so did Kuwabara and Yukina. What the hell had he been thinking showing his ass like that? “I’ll see to it that they bring it out as soon as possible. I’m going to check on a few things. Let me know if you two need anything okay.”


“Will do,” Kagome was glad to see them leave. What a rude jerk, what did Keiko see in him? Rin was right, they should eat and enjoy their evening. A nice meal and some ice cream once they got home. That just meant they’d have to grab two gallons now. Rin preferred plain chocolate to her different tastes. “You know, I’m thinking. Dinner is nice and all that but how about a ride later? I’m sure she would like to get out of the house. Not much of a moon, it’ll be nice.”


“Yes, it’s been awhile since we’ve taken her out.” Rin couldn’t argue with that. Kirara must hate having to be stuck up in the house all the time. Being in this era had to be hard on her. They couldn’t let her out much since a multi-tailed cat would cause some questions. Add in the fangs and the fire, all hell would break loose. “I get in front this time, hate being beat in the face with your hair.”


“Deal,” Kagome saw the waitress coming towards them with their food. “Dinner is served.” She reached across the table to grab the hand Rin had resting near the napkins. “Don’t worry so much, everything will be fine.” Someone coughed behind them, Keiko’s rude husband. She turned to see if the man was listening in on their conversation. The group was getting up to take off it looked like. She didn’t bother to hide that she was looking at them. As rude as the man had been it really didn’t matter much. She looked at the redhead first, he was looking at Rin. The girlfriend was about to snap that cigarette in half and she was trying not to yell. Someone was pissed, she let her gaze to the last member. Awareness coiled in her gut seeing the short guy rudely staring at her. Crimson eyes challenged her in a bold contest, her mouth felt very dry.


Rin frowned seeing Kagome boldly eyeing the little guy. She really needed to get laid, the guy was so little. Okay, her friend was short too but they weren’t even blinking. The guy was cute, if you liked them small. Small beady red eyes that sent shivers of fear down her spine, she hated eyes that color. Sighing she felt eyes on herself, large emerald green ones. She smiled seeing that Mr. Minamino was watching her. She had no reason to be rude to him. “Hello, how are you?”


“Very well, thank you.” Kurama returned the greeting much to Shizuru’s chagrin. The girl was being polite, he wasn’t going to be like Hiei. He elbowed the fire apparition into moving his ass. They had things to discuss, this wasn’t the place for it. Yusuke had been foolish to instigate a confrontation. Heat fluttered in his stomach seeing the lush mouth curve into a deep smile. The girl was very beautiful, even more so now that he was able to look at her in a different perspective. He nodded, towards them both. “Come on, we are leaving Hiei.”


Hiei unwillingly broke the eye contact with the girl. Miko his ass, the girl was something else. He kept his opinion to himself and followed the annoyed couple out of the restaurant. Yusuke would give their regards to Keiko about leaving so soon. The cool evening air helped to calm his fraught nerves, “They are not what they appear to be Kurama and that one is constantly around my sister. Don’t tell me that it is just a coincidence. I tried to read their minds. I couldn’t even get into that Kagome’s mind. I did manage to get into the other one’s but before I could see anything I was forcefully thrown out by something and it wasn’t her.”


“Pity, your dream girl is probably a homicidal demon in disguise that wants to kill our friend.” Shizuru glowered as the two completely forgot that she was with them. She wasn’t often one to get jealous but it peeved her. One day he was discussing starting a family, the next he couldn’t take his eyes off of some strange tramp. The accident had probably been staged. “You can get a cab, I’ll see you two later.”


“Shizuru, wait.” Kurama watched her leave, she was very upset. Dammit, this wasn’t how his night was supposed to go either. “Very well, it seems you have my undivided attention now Hiei. I guess I can help you. If you want to check them out then we’ll have to head to my place. I can access the internet and see what I can find on them.” He had nothing better to do and he was curious as to who those two really were. He could at least look into it for Yukina’s sake.


Next Chapter: Kurama uncovers a few facts that don't add up.... Please read and review.