Odd Combinations

Authors Note: Sorry I took a few days to get this chapter together.  I’ve been posting chapters that weren’t too long, but if you want longer chapters just let me know and I can start making them longer.

Chapter 4: The Jewel

Kagome knew it was about to get bad.  There was a demon that was close by, and it was coming closer. She ran to the guest room to grab her bow and arrow.

Once the guys saw that she was out of sign they turned to each other. “Yusuke, I recommend that we head outside to deal with the demon. It seems to be headed straight for us.” Kurama commented.

“Do you think that she can sense demons too? It does run in the family, and she reacted to the energy same as we did?” Kuwabara asked.

“I don’t know but we should keep an eye on her just in case.” Kurama responded before following Yusuke out the door.

As they stepped out they immediately saw the hideous demon that was headed for them.  It was about seven feet tall, red skinned and covered in scales.  “Give it to me!” It shouted as it saw the boys exit the house. “Give me the jewel!” As it ran straight at them.

Kagome had climbed out the back window and circled the house. She quickly realized the demon was after the Shikon shards that she had.  She quickly moved out of the alley beside the house to get closer.

“We don’t have any jewels here numb nuts! Now go to hell!” Yusuke shouted as he jumped and kicked the demon in the head. 

Yusuke was knocked back by the demon and thrown into a nearby tree. Seeing this Kuwabara readied his spirit sword as Hiei unsheathed his own sword. It was then that the demon spotted Kagome and raced off in her direction.  “Hey! I’m over hear stupid!” Yusuke yelled as they all turned to see what the demon was racing for. “Shit!”

They were all surprised to see Kagome standing there ready to fire an arrow at the demon. “Give it to me!” It shouted again.

“Never going to happen.” She said calmly as she fired the first arrow. 

The demon just barely dodged the arrow, though he was burned by the pink glow of her miko energy. She quickly grabbed for another arrow, but wasn’t quite fast enough to knock it before the demon was upon her.

The boys were frozen in shock from the sudden change in Kagome’s behavior as they watched the demon grab Kagome up in one of his meaty fists.  “I’ll crush you and take the jewel!”

Hiei apparently wasn’t quite as shocked as the rest as he recovered first.  In the blink of an eye he had severed the arm of the demon holding Kagome. Kuwabara rushed forward to try to catch his falling cousin, but just as quick Kagome stabbed the arrow in her hand into the fist holding her and it disintegrated as she fell.  Leaving her to land deftly on her feet.

Again the boys stared in shock as Kagome landed knocked an arrow and shot at the demon again.  This time it was distracted trying to lunge at Hiei and her arrow hit it’s mark, center of his chest, purifying the demon where he stood.

Kagome started brushing the demon’s ashes from her clothes as Kuwabara rushed up to her. “Kagome are you alright? It didn’t hurt you did it? Oh geez, your sleeve is ripped! Let me take a look.” Kuwabara gushed over her as if she were a fragile doll.

“I’m fine Kazuma! The fabric just ripped when he picked me up.  Relax.” She huffed, trying to get her arm away from him.  She didn’t want him to notice the white bandaging underneath the sleeve of her shirt.  She had chosen a long sleeved top to avoid having to explain the injury after all.

“Hey! How come you didn’t freak out about the demon? And what was that about a jewel he wanted?” Yusuke yelled, he was just a little upset…

“Um, we’re starting to draw attention. Why don’t we go inside?” Kagome asked trying to catch a moment and think about how to explain.  Sure the quiet one they called Hiei had helped her, but that didn’t mean that she trusted them yet.

They did however listen to reason.  After a quick glance around they agreed with Kagome’s assessment that they would much rather continue this conversation indoors.  Koenma would have their heads if he had to send someone to start wiping memories again.

Once they were inside though the conversation was back where it started.  “Ok, now fess up! Who are you? And why do your arrows glow pink?” Yusuke was shouting again.

Kagome sighed, “This is going to take a while.  I’m going to make some tea. Would any of you like some as well?” She was trying to be polite, while calming down Yusuke.  His temper reminded her a lot of Inuyasha. Kami help them if the two ever met!

“Kagome, why didn’t you tell me about this?” Kuwabara asked softly.  Like he was hurt over her not telling him about her interactions with demons. Humph!

“Says a man who can make a sword out of energy, and tried to feed me a line of bull shit about playing video games all night!” Kagome took a deep breath before continuing. “Here’s the deal... You tell me your story. Then if I believe you AND think I can trust you THEN I will tell you mine. Deal?” As she said this she set out mugs on the table and started preparing tea for everyone (the traditional way, not with those stupid tea bags that taste like garbage).

Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Kurama sat at the table to join her.  Hiei just sat in the corner watching the whole ordeal.  As Kagome finished passing out the cups she made one last cup. “Hiei, I know you probably don’t drink tea often but you’ll find this one is more pleasant that what most humans prepare.” Kagome offered him the cup.

Hiei took two steps toward the table and took a sniff before taking the cup from her hand.  After another tentative sniff he took a hesitant sip. 

Kagome turned back to the others who were now staring at her in wonder. “What?” She asked.

“It’s not often that Hiei will interact with anyone other than our group. To take food or drink from anyone else…it’s unheard of.” Kurama gently stated.

“Oh! Well, it’s just tea.  And I made this one because I know that it’s a subtle taste and isn’t too powerful for a demon’s stronger senses.” Kagome said. “But anyways. Kazuma, how did you come to know about demons?”