Take Another Breath

Morning dawned bright and early, rousing the Shikon hunters from their slumber. Sango's gaze first fell to the monk whose head was resting on her lap. Miroku's eyes slowly opened, and violet clashed with brown as the demon exterminator smiled down at him. "How are you feeling, houshi-sama?"

"Quite well, my dear Sango. Though, I must say, I am a bit puzzled. Pleasurable position though it may be, why do I awaken with my head in your lap?" A lecherous gleam came to his eyes, but it was quelled by the dangerous look she gave him. Poor guy just couldn't catch a break, could he?

"I think that's something best explained by Hikari. If she ever comes back.. which seems doubtful, considering Shippou's gone too." Kagome squirmed out of her sleeping bag and began to roll it up again, ignoring the questioning glances everyone was giving her at her spiteful tone. That blasted youkai kidnapped her Shippou and seduced her Inuyasha! Why shouldn't she be spiteful?

"..It's nice to know you have such faith in me, Kagome. I thought for sure you despise me." Kagome winced at Hikari's cold tone, and didn't have to feign the apologetic look that appeared on her features as she turned around. Everyone was giving her disappointed looks, including Shippou, but Hikari refused to look at her at all. The youkai must be really burned, considering she was so nice otherwise.

"Gomen nasai, Hikari. I'm simply worried for Miroku."

"Understandable. Shippou and I have returned with breakfast; I shall explain as the rest of you eat." Hikari knelt next to the remains of the fire, placing a basket on the ground. It had several eggs just waiting to be cooked with the rice there, as well as some fish, already gutted and cleaned. Shippou hopped down from her shoulder and went about preparing the food to be cooked and served to the hanyou and human members of the group.

"Will you not be joining us, Hikari-san?" Sango looked curiously at the kitsune as Kagome began cooking, making a sort of make-shift fish stir fry. Hikari shook her head, looking slightly amused.

"No. Full grown youkai don't need to eat as frequently as younger youkai, or even hanyou or ningen for that matter. Now, if you are all quite awake, I'm ready to explain, as I'm sure Inuyasha told you I would." Hikari shot a slightly reprimanding look at Inuyasha, who had the grace to blush as he dug into his food. But they all nodded, so she sighed, settling quite comfortably with Shippou on her lap.

"I have a rare gift. In the modern world, it is called.. clairvoyance, or being psychic. Even though I despise that term..." She made a face even as she said it, then snuffled slightly and gave a brisk shake of her head. "To put it simply, I see the past and future, usually not at will, and most frequently when I touch someone. Miroku's Kazaana is gone because Naraku is dead. I knew it would happen, and I know how it happened."

Everyone looked at her, as though expecting something, and Hikari gazed right back, obviously not going to divulge anything more. So Shippou piped up from her lap, hoping he would stir her into doing just that. "Aren't you going to tell us how, Hikari?"

The kitsune shook her head, gazing almost disinterestedly at her claws. "No. It is not my place to divulge that information. But I assure you, all will be revealed in due time."

The group shared speculative glances, before basically dismissing the subject and returning to their breakfast. Save Kagome and Inuyasha; the hanyou was watching Hikari with an almost admiring gaze, oblivious to the resident miko's own jealous one.

After breakfast, they picked up camp and resumed wandering, Hikari walking up next to Inuyasha at the front of the group. Gold eyes glanced sideways at the kitsunes, to be met by a turquoise pair doing the same. Fanged grins broke out simultaneously, only to fade as Hikari spoke. "Don't let it be seen that you know, but there is a taiyoukai trailing us, beyond the boundaries of anyone's sensing capabilities. He won't harm us, so there's no need to be alarmed. Just be very alert."

Inuyasha gave her a very pointed look and wiggled his ears thoughtfully, but nodded, saying nothing. Let her be mysterious, and say her 'all will be revealed in due time' line.. he'd just wait and see.

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Sesshoumaru watched his worthless half-brother's traveling group from a distance, his handsome face as usual impassive. But behind those golden eyes sparked an insatiable curiosity; who was the new member of the pathetic excuse for a pack? She appeared only as another odd ningen like the miko, with her strange clothing, yet the little kit clung to her with an affection he hadn't even shown the other ningen onna.

Taiyoukai senses rebelled slightly, wondering at her scent as well. Like a fresh mountain spring mixed with sakura blossoms, easily discernable from the aromas of the others. And rather surprising he could smell it from how far away he was, since even that damned hanyou's scent was faded at such a distance.

The strange wench deserved watching. So Sesshoumaru continued to tail the group, waiting for the right moment to approach and make his demands.

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A whole week and a half passed, with Inuyasha getting closer and closer to Hikari. Not only did the female youkai's scent enchant him, but she was just such an interesting person. Kind, friendly, and happy without being almost annoyingly-bubbly.. like Kagome, he often thought.. she also had a deep side that she frequently revealed to him, in her recitation of beautiful poems, and singing of wonderful songs that were like auditory nectar to his hanyou ears.

He slept close to her each night, usually perching in the branches of whatever tree she and Shippou had curled up at the base of. One night he even attempted to slide himself between her and the tree, with her nestled between his legs and leaning back against his chest. His golden eyes were gleaming with affection when she turned to look at him, but her own turquoise depths were brimming with sadness as she shook her head, the same emotion filling her voice as she spoke.

The words made his heart clench in sorrow every time he thought of them.. her sweet voice so sad.

"Don't get attached to me, Inuyasha... It hurts me to say it, but I'm not for you. Your choice has already been made. But I will always be your friend."

Inuyasha had gone to reply to that, wondering why, when he knew in his heart she was the one? But before he could say anything, she'd given him a soft kiss, her expression saying that it was to remember her by. His heart aching, he'd swallowed his hurt and slid away, returning to the branches.

Now, the hanyou looked over at the kitsune walking beside him, his golden eyes once again meeting her turquoise ones. Hikari gave him a sad smile, then looked back at Shippou, who was struggling with his kitsune magic once more, working on forming his fox fire into different shapes between his little clawed hands.

Abruptly, Hikari stiffened, and reached over to gently prod Inuyasha in the shoulder. His ears waggled as he looked at her, his gaze questioning. She mouthed two words, and his hand fell to the hilt of Tetsusaiga.

He's coming.

Hikari and Shippou were the first ones to become aware of the strong youki swiftly descending on them, followed by Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango, Miroku, and Kirara. The next thing they knew, a tall, imposing figure with flowing silver hair and a fluffy pelt over his right shoulder was standing directly in their path, several yards away.

"Sesshoumaru! What the fuck do you want, you bastard?!" Inuyasha pulled the Tetsusaiga from its sheath, swinging it in front of him as it transformed. But when Sesshoumaru made no move to attack the group, or even move at all, Inuyasha growled irritably, wondering what his damned brother was up to. That was when he noticed the taiyoukai's golden gaze was fixated on Hikari.

"Sesshoumaru, hm? This is your half-brother then, right, Inuyasha?" Hikari didn't need the hanyou's angry snarl as confirmation, but it helped. She nodded, tilting her head slightly as she stared at the one-armed inu. Handsome, even minus a limb. "He's pretty, for a guy."

"Inuyasha, he has shards of the Shikon no Tama!" Kagomesnatched an arrowfrom her quiver, pulling it taut in her bow as she fed her miko powers into the shaft. The arrowhead flared a bright pink, prepared to purify Sesshoumaru into hell.

"Why do you have shards, Sesshoumaru! Hand them over and we won't have to hurt you! ..Too bad." Inuyasha smirked, baring his fangs at his half-brother. But the sound of quiet giggles made him blink, looking over at Hikari with an absolutely befuddled expression. "..What the fuck! Hikari, why are you laughing!"

Hikari didn't have time to answer, because Sesshoumaru was striding forward. His deep voice rumbled forth, almost a growl, shaking the kitsune to the depths of her being. That voice held so many promises... "This Sesshoumaru doesn't need to explain to you, Inuyasha. But for once, I am not here to kill you.. at least not at the moment."

"And why should we believe you, asshole?" Inuyasha glared warily at his older brother, holding Tetsusaiga at the ready. Sesshoumaru was usually honorable, but he wouldn't put it past him to try something dirty.

Sesshoumaru came to a stop not far in front of Hikari, his intense eyes still gazing thoughtfully at her. He could tell now she was a youkai, close enough to sense her youki. But what kind, and how strong? It seemed the well of strength was deep, but being.. blocked somehow. He snorted, and extended his arm, unfolding the clawed fingers to expose several glowing purplish shards. "I will give you the shards of the Shikon no Tama, but the miko must restore my arm. This Sesshoumaru knows she has the ability to do so."

"Those are the shards from Naraku and his minions! I can tell just by the taint coming off them." Kagome nearly dropped her bow and arrow in surprise, but instead steadied herself, just barely aiming around Hikari. Thoughts of purifying the kitsune were tempting, but she knew the others would be pissed at her. They'd just about adopted the youkai. "How did you get those?"

"He found the carnage after Naraku and his brood were destroyed, and took the shards to ransom them for the restoration of his arm by Kagome." All eyes turned to Hikari as she spoke, and everyone looked extremely shocked. Even Sesshoumaru quirked a brow in faint surprise, the most expression he showed around anyone. "I know I'm right, so you might as well tell them what happened."

Sesshoumaru eyed the female thoughtfully. How could she know such a thing? He would have to find a way to talk to this kitsune later, after the miko restored his missing limb. "This Sesshoumaru happened to be seeking Naraku after the wretched hanyou made threats to his person. Two of thepuppets turned on him, with the aid of the clay priestess, and nearly succeeded in taking him down. Then the taijiya's brother aided, and he was destroyed."

Sango gasped, looking hopeful, and Inuyasha's ears perked up, quivering excitedly. Kikyou turned on Naraku and helped to kill him? And so did Kohaku? But both hearts fell as the taiyoukai finished his recounting.

"The minions died as their master did, and the priestess was wounded. She asked me to kill her when she saw me. I simply collected the shards from the aftermath, and left beforethe inhabitants of the nearby ningen villagecame to investigate the turmoil. I can only assume the remains have been disposed of by now." Sango gave a wail of despair and fell into Miroku's waiting arms, sobbing against his shoulder. Inuyasha looked broken, staring at the ground beneath his feet.

Hikari tilted her head, pretending to study Sesshoumaru further, but she was really grasping Shippou's attention. She made a faint keening noise, and the kit nodded in assent. Time for the fun to start. His green eyes widened, a joyful expression appearing as he leapt from Hikari's shoulder and gave a cry of delight. "Rin!"

Sesshoumaru's eyes widened ever so slightly in shock, and he turned to look after the kit, wondering if Rin could've possibly appeared without his knowledge. Sure enough, there stood his ward, hugging the small kitsune. But a faint tickling against his hand drew his attention, just as Rin.. vanished, for lack of a better word, and the kit darted off into the underbrush. Shining golden eyes turned back to his hand, staring in amazement and rising anger to see that the shards were gone from his palm.

"So much for getting your arm restored, asshole." Inuyasha had sidled over towards the miko, who was purifying the shards and joining them with their portion of the Shikon no Tama. It looked as though they had only a few shards left to find, and those would undoubtedly be easy.

The female kitsune was standing just where she had been, though the turquoise gaze she pinned on Sesshoumaru danced with mischief. Shippou reappeared from the underbrush behind her, scuttling forward to attach to her leg. Something about this female tugged at his soul, and he bared his fangs in a faint growl, poison bubbling up in his claws. "..This Sesshoumaru wonders how you were able to take the shards and give them to the miko without being caught."

"I don't know what you're talking about, my lord. I didn't move from this spot." Hikari grinned, even though her tone was deferential enough. Shippou giggled quietly against her leg, watching Sesshoumaru even as the inu snorted in disbelief.

"Do you make a mockery of this Sesshoumaru, wench?" Sesshoumaru was trying his hardest to stay angry, but something about her scent, her eyes, and even the caress of her youki against his was soothing him. He wanted to make her laugh, to see the mirth dancing in her eyes.. to see her sweating beneath him, screaming in passion...

"Not at all. But I suggest if you want that arm fixed, you stick around a while. Who knows.. you might obtain something even more valuable in the bargain." Hikari graced him with a meaningful glance, before moving to join the rest of the group. A clawed hand attached to a magenta-striped wrist shot forward andgrabbed her arm, halting her retreat.

"..How did you know about the hanyou's death?" Leaning in closer, Sesshoumaru sought out the crook of her neck, snuffling quietly. Hikari's scent filled him, making him growl with the desire to taste her flesh. But he pulled back slightly as her free hand rose, a single claw gently tracing one of the stripes on his cheek.

"This Hikari knows many things. Perhaps I'll reveal them to you, when the time is right." Uttering a low purr-like growl, Hikari slid out of his grasp and over to the group, suggesting that they make camp soon. There was a hot spring not far away, and they could make it by nightfall if they left now.

----------

Inuyasha had balked at the idea of Sesshoumaru accompanying them, but when Hikari shot him a slightly pleading glance, he relented. For a change, the kitsune relinquished her place at the fore of the group, leaving Kagome to take her place with the hanyou. She noticed with happiness that the two were holding hands. Inuyasha's choice had been made for him, just as she'd said, and Kagome was quite obviously pleased with the outcome.

Miroku and Sango walked together as well, with hands also linked. Everyone knew they were going to end up together, they had just been waiting for Naraku's death. Not to mentioned the taijiya desperately needed the loving comfort of the hentai monk right then, hearing that her brother was gone, and likely for good this time.

That left an unlikely trio bringing up the rear. Sesshoumaru glided gracefully along, with his usual indifferent mask in place, though he occasionally turned golden eyes to the kitsune walking at his side, a respectful distance away. Hikari was well aware of the glances she was being given, though she chose not to acknowledge the fact, rather continuing her tutelage of Shippou as they walked.

Just as the sun started falling behind the horizon, they happened upon a nice clearing off of the road, with the hot spring Hikari had mentioned not far past a small expanse of woods beyond that. They set up camp, with Sesshoumaru lurking up in a tree, and made dinner. While Inuyasha, Shippou, and Miroku cleaned up, the women went to bathe.

All threegave sighs of delight as they sank into the steaming mineral waters. Kagome and Sango gazed somewhat curiously at Hikari as the youkai immersed herself entirely, and stayed that way for several moments. The taijiya was just about to go and try to pull the female up when she surfaced, leaving two very stunned mortal women staring at her.

While the changes weren't much, they were there. A single silver stripe now graced each side of her face, following the graceful sweep of her cheekbone. Similar stripes were on each forearm following the curve of muscle from elbow to wrist, at an angle to each shoulderblade, curving from the small of her back over her hips, and around the graceful curve of her calf from knee to ankle. To top it all off, she had a markon her brow; three black crescent moons, their outward curves meeting, with the top one upside-down and the other two at angles to her slender brows. (A/N: For a visual of the crest, go to this URL: http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g36/desolate_inspiration/Miscellaneous/Hikaricrest.jpg.) Now they saw Hikari for what she was; a kitsune taiyoukai.

"..Why didn't you tell us you were a taiyoukai?" Kagome had been intending to apologize to the youkai for being so callous in her jealousy, thinking Hikari had intentions towards Inuyasha, but now she was suspicious. Why had the female hidden just how powerful she was?

"Would you have continued to trust me if I did? Every taiyoukai you've encountered has threatened you in some way. It was for my own protection." A faint snort escaped her as she raked wet strands of hair back from her face with her claws. "Besides, you disliked me enough as it was, especially when Inuyasha started getting a little crush on me."

Kagome blushed a dark shade of red, having the grace to look ashamed as Sango gave her a somewhat angry glance. "Gomen nasai, Hikari-sama... I meant no disrespect."

Hikari sighed, waving a dismissive hand in Kagome's direction. "No need to apologize. I knew all this would happen, thus why I tolerated it. You've both got what you want, and soon enough, so will I."

While Hikari began washing her hair, Sango and Kagome exchanged slightly puzzled glances, before simply shrugging the matter aside. Who were they to question a seer?