The Power of Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight


*Day Twenty-Nine*


The mood set inside the large city was an ominous one. The inhabitants all waiting for the worse to consume them. Only a small few were hopeful, for they believed they'd be saved. Rumors were circulating; those of a human dying before they could be saved. Many a youkai were outraged at the threat. None liking humans but if their king believed in them so would they. After all, Yomi knew best. Some doubted the human's intentions towards thier kind. Having a Taijiya and a Miko as one's would-be saviors left a bitter taste. As the days passed the clouds got lower, more of the city would appear in the morning.


The Miko in question now stood on a balcony overlooking the city with a gloomy look on her face. Youkai stopped to stare up at the frowning woman. Was she contemplating her decision? Would they change their minds after the pain and suffering done to them since coming here? Everyone heard the rumors of what went on. Deep down they couldn't fault the humans if they turned their backs. Accepting it and wishing it were two different things. Many vowed if they lived, things would be for the better. A few quick prayers were sent towards the miko, hoping she'd hear.


Kagome continued to stare at the descending city, unaware of those watching her. Yesterday neither man had spoken to her during training. For that she was thankful. Sano had apologized about injuring her but that was all. Normally she'd hate recieving the silent treatment. Now she needed some time alone to think things through. Digging into Hiei's feelings had shown her what he'd been hiding. The small man had many deep emotions, they were just buried beneath that pissy facade of his.


Was the emotion she felt love? Did Hiei love her? There was no doubt how Sano felt about her now. Not only had she felt it through the link but he'd stated as much. As for her own feelings, she was in love with Hiei but loved Sano just as dearly. The love was different but almost as strong. For awhile she'd tried to convince herself that all the feelings were due to the bond nothing more. She'd be a fool to try to rely on that lie. Both men had traits that she found appealing. Those things made them special in her eyes. She imagined being bonded to Yusuke or one of the other males and it made things all so clear. She still would have cared for Sano and fallen for Hiei. Had fate intervened and bonded her with the two males she'd grow to love?


The longer she stood here she believed in fate. If she would have ended up with Inuyasha then she wouldn't have been free to be with Sano or Hiei. Same for Sango and Rin. If Miroku would have lived then they would have been married with a family. If Sesshoumaru had lived, Rin would have been in the west somewhere with him. Had fate been working against them even then? There was no doubt that Rin cared for Lord Yomi and Sango seemed to care for Shura. Was this all preordained? Had they been born to fight this battle?


Even if fate hadn't played a hand in her lot, she was glad. For so long she'd felt useless in her earlier years. Always feeling second to Kikyou. She wasn't born to be Kikyou's copy or to try and replace the woman. No, she wasn't the original guardian of the Shikon no Tama but she was more special. She was the miko that would save the world in another way. She was one of the seven, that made her special. She couldn't be Kikyou or Inuyasha's love because she'd been bound to be something even greater.


Did it matter if Hiei was in love with her or Mukuro? No. He'd opened up to her and let her see. She was special to him and he cared. Not once had she asked Inuyasha to disregard any feelings he had for Kikyou. She wouldn't ask it of Hiei either. Her heart was begining to heal finally and she had those two to thank for it. While Sano made her feel special in his own way, Hiei let her know she was needed. Sano had never made her feel insecure or worthless. Instead of telling her she wasn't as good as someone else Hiei was trying to train her to improve. He was still an ass but that was just Hiei. Loving them both would give her the strength needed to save them.


Kagome smiled when she felt the small hybrid appear beside her. "Don't worry, I'm just enjoying the view." She could feel the worry he was trying to hide. If he was worried then he cared. She wouldn't jump again, she wouldn't be weak. Giving up wasn't the way to earn someone's love. A stifled 'Hn' was the reply recieved. That was fine, his shoulders were no longer tense. He didn't have to worry about catching her if she decided to jump. "I'll be back in a few minutes, I just needed some fresh air."


"Very well, but I came to speak to you." Hiei took a step closer and frowned. He'd been expecting her to tense up at his approach. Instead of her aura flaring in anger it seemed to embrace him. By right she should be pissed at the injury recieved at his hands. In anger he'd struck out without paying attention. He'd been horrified to see Sano slam into her small body. A normal human would have died under the impact. He'd already recieved the third degree from Mukuro.


Was she satisified with the answers she'd gotten? The miko was the first person he'd allowed to search him in such an intimate way. His feelings were his own. At the time he couldn't help but want her to know. Expressing those feelings was something he wasn't good at. Give him someone to kill, not coddle. Maybe now she'd be able to understand what he could not say. If someone had told him a year ago he'd be attached to a human they would have met the end of his katana. Now the idea had merit. Kagome was very special even if she didn't realize her own worth. He'd do what he could. "Did you get the answers you sought? In case you didn't, I came to make things clear between us. I once told you that you were now my mate. That meant I would treat you as such. I am not that fool Sano, I can't give you the endearment known as love. I am uncapable of showing such emotions. All my life I have lived as a rogue, alone. Settling down is not in my nature. To do so would go against who I am. After this when you return to your own home, you will still have all the benifits of being my mate. I will see to your safety and well-being. That is all I can offer you."


Kagome felt some sadness from the speech yet happiness lingered in her heart. A few weeks ago she would have heard those words to be a dismissal. Knowing what she knew now, there was no denying what he was saying. He was trying to offer what he thought he could give. He didn't think himself capable of giving her his heart. Could he? She might not never know but he cared. It was there for her to feel and embrace. It didn't matter anymore if he'd want her by his side after all this was over. In his own way Hiei loved her and this was his way of showing it. Wasn't as good as flowers but she'd take it. A single tear slipped down her pale cheek as he turned to walk away. "I love you too, Hiei."


The words almost stung as he walked away. Having felt them had caused emotions to stir before. Hearing her voice the feelings made him want to accept what he could not. If he were to settle down he wouldn't be happy. He'd end up driving her away. The last thing he wanted was to cause her more pain. She'd be happy with Sano living a normal life once this was over. He'd allow her to be with someone that would treat her well. There was no place for him in her world.

Shizuru frowned against the warm chest under her cheek. The position was almost funny with her height. Despite how it may look to an outsider she was comfortable using the boy as a pillow. He was becoming her pillar of strength in all this. She was tired of listening to the voices ringing deep in her mind. Love had never been her cup of tea. Would these two men leave her like the others? Was she worrying for nothing when she could die any day now? Even now she could feel the anger seeping through. There was no doubt whom it belonged to. What confused her was to why?


Kurama had stated that he didn't love her or had no interest in having a relationship with her. So why the hostility she was now feeling? Had she done something to piss the fox off? Never before had he'd shown any feelings towards her but friendly ones. If you didn't count the lustful ones during a time. Now the lustful ones were gone replaced by something more darker. It was begining to scare her. Kenji had to feel it also but wasn't bringing the subject up. Instead he trained hard everyday to improve. The boy was deadset on saving these people. She knew it was due to his father. The most her parents wanted her to achieve out of life was a decent job.


She hadn't even managed that. Fixing hair wasn't the ideal job or good pay. Kazuma had always been the special one, not her. She knew that if he'd been born a female, he'd be the one in her place. At an early age he'd mastered the power of their ancestors; the powers to cut through barriers. He'd been able to reach another demension before his balls had dropped. While she'd been able to manage a perm without frizzing a chick's hair. How could she open up a portal? If she was the key; it was to a door without a lock.


A sigh escaped her as Kenji's arms squeezed her. Her despair was something she kept hidden during the day. The one below her was so full of hope and innocence she didn't want to destroy that. His training was so intense, the anger in the air didn't phase him. Kurama was a wonderful teacher to the boy. It was with her he was lacking. She was lucky if she'd gotten two hours of training since that day in the hall. He'd give them orders and that would be it. Kenji wanting to please would ask for help and focus on the task at hand. Being able to pick up on feelings around her, she couldn't focus. It was hard to listen to someone instructing you when you could feel their anger.


So she'd kept her distance from the fox, he seemed okay with it. Her days were being spent watching Kenji become stronger. Her powers were minimal at best. No doubt she was going to end up being the weak link in the chain. How could she correct this mistake? Everyone else was busy with their own training. Kurama seemed content with how things were now. He didn't go out of his way to help her or even see that she improved. Did he really believe that she was smart enough to catch on just by watching Kenji? Or did he simply not care?


Kenji could probably beat any human with his sword skills. Her fighting was just as good as it was two weeks ago, shitty. She could slap Kuzuma around and win but would she be able to handle a serious opponent? No. If it came to a fight against the enemy, she'd be on borrowed time. There was no way she was going to point out that her teacher was ignoring her training while focusing on the male half of the trio. Let Kenji get all the training that he could. She'd do the best she could, as always.


It brought back the problem of why Kurama was so angry now. Was it something she'd done? Her relationship with Kenji hadn't started until after he'd stated his intentions. Not since then had he'd given any indication that his feelings had changed. Good sex was one thing but he didn't love her. She doubted he even thought of her as a friend anymore. At one time he'd looked upon her with a smile and friendship. Now it was a cold indifference that stung. Was there a way for her to reach him? Maybe he needed a good ass kicking. Her training should come first, not his personal problems. How was she to help fight a war when he refused to train her?


At times she was sure he'd didn't realize that she was in the room. Today was a perfect example of her being ignored. He'd come in and said today he wanted to focus on linking their energy. Not once had he looked in her direction. Kenji had set to work, feeling for hers. It had taken the boy less than an hour to blend with hers. Then Kurama had ordered him to try it on himself. Both men had sat facing each other for five hours while she'd sat in a chair staring out the window. The fox hadn't been satisfied until Kenji could tap into the youkai energy then manipulate it. She'd been happy to see the boy doing so well. Until Kurama had gotten up saying that would be all for the day. Kenji had recieved praise for the job, that was the end of their training. Did it matter if Kenji could tap into the power if she couldn't? Wasn't she the descendant? Wasn't she the one that needed to tap into both theirs?


The man under her began to stir, feeling her distress. Shizuru quickly closed her eyes and let her feelings close off. She wouldn't bother him with her doubts and insecurities. This was her problem. If Kurama was angry, it was at her. Maybe confronting him would be the best thing. Then again it might cause more problems between them. The last thing they needed was to be at each other's throats at such a crucial moment. If it were anyone else but Kurama she'd deck their ass. She could only pray that things worked out in the end.

Kurama walked silently beside Touya. The ice apparition didn't speak as they journeyed through the city. So far everything was quiet, not a soul was stirring. Most of the youkai saw that as a good sign; he did not. It meant those overhead were begining to prepare. But for what? They were running out of time. A few days and the city would be free. How long would this god wait before striking? Having been exiled for so long, he'd be impatient by now. Hungry for revenge on those that had turned against him.


Would the seven be ready for the battle? He knew Kenji was more than ready for what was to come. Shizuru was another matter, she was far from ready. How could he get past that slight problem? Stop being a coward and deal with it. He'd been neglecting her combat training along with her spiritual. She was a decent fighter but could she hold her own? Sorrow filled him at the answer. There was no need for it to come to that, he'd protect her and so would Kenji. Her spiritual power was ready to progress but could he handle it? Within the next day or two he'd have to train her to manipulate and tap into his power. It meant allowing her inside.


With Kenji it was easy to hide what needed to be hidden. He respected the boy and accepted him, that was all. Yet to allow her to touch his spiritual power would be allowing her to touch part of his soul. While Kenji couldn't feel the anger he was radiating Shizuru's awareness had to allow her to sense it. It explained the looks he'd been recieving and her nervousness. Could he take the chance of her seeing what he was shielding her from?


Should he just toss caution aside and speak to her? Would she understand that he was angry at himself? Resentment that he'd let her go. She could have been his for the asking, yet he'd sent her straight into the other's arms. She no doubt might want him back but would she turn on Kenji? He wouldn't ask her to choose between them. Instead he'd accept the loss and move on. It was for the best. Everyday was painful as the happiness of the younger man flowed over to him in waves. The boy could die tomorrow and he'd die happy because of the woman.


Once this was over he'd distance himself from them both. Let them have each other. They deserved to be happy, he'd give them that. Until then he'd stay out the way. Maybe Hiei was right; love was for the foolish. Shaking the thoughts he returned his attention to the sky. Him and Touya would be patrolling until dawn, then he'd have to see to training for a few hours. A few hours then he'd have to prepare himself to be around her once more.


Next Chapter: Kichi strikes back.... Please read and review.