Kore wa daisuki wo benkyoushimasu, ne?

A/N: None at this point in time.

Disclaimer: Don’t own nuttin. PS: I've modified the end of this chapter a bit. If you've already read this chapter, just skip down to the Seichi Naraku talk and you should be able to pick it out. =) t will all make sense in chapter 8. ^_^

Chapter 5: To Genkai’s, and Danger

Sango stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her little sister, giving her a shoulder to cry on. Kagome didn’t even try to stop them from coming, but they did, sending out a wave of sadness to everyone around her. ‘Kami, Kagome...you must stop blaming yourself for everything, or it’s going to kill you...’ Shippou thought, frowning sadly. He transformed back into his original state, walking timidly towards her.

Kagome looked up and pulled the kit closer. “Shippou...I’m glad you came...” she said, smiling. She couldn’t and wouldn’t allow Inuyasha to bring her down. She was going to get through this. “Let’s go inside. I’m sure you and Miroku have questions that must be answered.” she said, walking slowly back to the house with everyone following behind her.

They all crowded into the living room and Kagome took a stand in front of the TV, looking to all of her friends in turn.

Kagome took a deep breath before starting. “Sango, Miroku, Kirara, and Shippou...I don’t know quite where to begin. It’s been really confusing the past couple of days. First things first, I guess, are introductions. Uhm...this is Hiei.” she said, gesturing to the fire apparition. “That’s Youko, the other side of Kurama.” she pointed to the fox. “That’s Yusuke, and Kuwabara.” she finished, pointing to each one in turn. “They were sent here by Lord Koenma, of the Spirit World, to protect me.” she paused.

“Protect you from what, Kagome chan?” Miroku asked softly, his eyes focused entirely on her for the moment. “Well...” she stopped again. Suddenly, Kagome could sense a demon approaching rapidly, making her look outside the window behind her with fear. She saw the tornado of wind and smiled. Hiei and Youko jumped to the door before Kagome could reach it and they opened it, hell bent on battle.

Kagome quickly said, “It’s Kouga. He’s a friend. Trust me.” she said, giving the two a smile. She ducked underneath Youko’s arm and smiled. “Kouga kun!” she said happily, as the wolf demon embraced her tightly. “Kagome! It’s good to see you! How’s that mutt been treating you?” he grinned. Kagome grimaced, making his grin dissipate into a growl quickly.

“What has that dog turd done to you now?” he questioned with a dark voice.

“Don’t worry, Kouga. You don’t have to worry about it anymore.” she said softly, looking away from him for a minute. “Kagome? Are you alright? What did he do to you? Whatever it is, I’ll kill him for it! You know that you were never his woman; even so, he had no right to hurt you all those times he did, and he’s hurting you still. Tell me where he is...I will kill him myself.” he growled, taking her hand in his.

Kagome’s eyes looked deeply into Kouga’s. He eyes held a tint of blood lust and anger. She didn’t know what to say or do, but she slowly pulled her hand from his grip. “Don’t worry about him anymore, Kouga. I think maybe you should go back through the well. It’s not safe here and I don’t want you to be involved anymore. It was my fault that you lost your pack in the first place...” she looked away again, and Hiei’s Jagan couldn’t stop itself from peering into her mind, snatching up the memories she was thinking of.

Hiei saw a flash of wind and a woman standing in a colored kimono with a fan that was controlling the winds around her. He saw her wind cut hundreds of wolves and humanoid wolves down to the ground, covering the place in blood. Then he saw Kagome and her friends among the carnage, just in time for this wolf human in front of him to arrive and blame Inuyasha. He shook his head, clearing it just as Kouga said, “It wasn’t your fault! You know that it was Naraku and Kagura who killed my pack! Not you! Why would you even say such a thing?” he outburst, his eyes softening.
“Because you were involved with me, Naraku took it upon himself to hurt you in the worst way possible. He took your clan away...he left you alone...” she looked back to him, hurt and sadness in her eyes.

His own eyes went wide at her expression before he replied, “Kagome...” he grabbed her hand again. “...I was never alone. You were always with me.”

Kagome blinked her eyes once, and then twice. “Kouga kun...how can I make you understand how I feel? You are my friend, and I don’t wish for you to get hurt anymore. Not by my hands–not by being involved with me...so please...please...go back to your own time!” she shouted, still standing at the door.

Kouga flinched at her words, not sure of what to do or say next, but he didn’t have to, as Kurama took back over their body and said firmly, “She knows what she’s saying, and she knows what she’s doing. She already had to send one of her friends back to the feudal era, and she is persistent in keeping her friends safe. Please, if you are her friend, do as she asks.”

Kouga shouted out, “But if I’m gone, who’s going to protect her?!”

“Don’t worry, wolf. The miko is in good hands.” Hiei said emotionless, hiding his impatience with all the interruptions and stupid questions getting on his nerves.

He looked back to Kagome before quickly kissing her on the lips, shocking her into tears. Kurama and Hiei growled, but before they could do anything, he was gone and back through the well. Kagome placed a hand to her lips, tears racing down her face. “Baka...” she choked out, not realizing she was voicing her thoughts. “...when will he learn that I don’t love him like that...when will he give up his claim on me?” Then she began to sob as she turned to Kurama and Hiei. Seeing them so close to her, noticing their concerned expressions on their faces, she couldn’t stop her bodies reaction as she hugged them both, burying her head in their shoulders.

Instantly, a small pink glow formed around them all, enveloping them in a soft lighted shield. Kurama and Hiei looked to one another a moment before slowly returning her embrace.

‘She is starting to depend on us for comfort, Hiei.’ Kurama said softly, continuing his hold on Kagome. ‘I see that, Fox.’ he said simply, holding his emotions from Youko and Kurama. ‘What are we going to do about it? Koenma most surely would disapprove of this kind of attachment to her...’ he said back, frowning. ‘Red, I don’t give a damn what the toddler thinks! If for some reason she loves us, then we can only to the right thing and keep her from being alone. I know it’s rare–a demon and a miko. Hell, it’s damn near impossible! But she doesn’t care about us being a demon, and I sure as fuck don’t care that she’s a miko. One day at a time, my friend. One day at a time. We’ll see where this goes.’ he nodded, keeping his mind out of the gutter for once. Kurama nodded back, and Hiei sent out a signal of approval. Everything the Fox had said was the same way he thought. ‘One day at a time...we’ll see where this goes.’

After a minute or two, Kagome released her hold on them, wiping her tears away for not the first time this day. “I’m sorry you guys had to see all this today. You were sent to protect me, not be witness to my live soap opera.” she forced a laugh. “We’d better get back in there, Sango and Miroku are probably craping bricks by now.” that actually made her laugh normally. They looked worriedly to her, before following her into the living room to continue their discussion.

~*~

‘Seiichi...what do you plan on doing?’ Naraku asked his son, his eyes flashing maliciously. ‘What else, father, but kidnap the miko woman, trap her powers, and ravage her body until she screams for mercy.’ he replied nonchalantly, acting as if this was the kind of thing he did everyday. ‘You’ll have to watch out for her friends.’ he advised, only to be interrupted by a cold, dark laugh. ‘Her friends are all dead! You told me yourself that her companions were mostly comprised of humans, they are sure to be dead by now, father!’ he exclaimed.

‘But there were others, my son. Others that aided her in her quest. Inuyasha, for one. I’m sure he has become stronger since I was killed. Kouga, a wolf demon who had feelings for her, as well as all the other demons she met along her travels.

Seiichi sighed with impatience. ‘Father, where you failed, I will succeed. You played around too much, watching your enemies suffer by your hands, slowly making them angrier, and angrier. That is where you failed!’ Seiichi shouted.

‘But...’ Naraku started.

‘But nothing, father! You enjoyed toying with your prey too much. Don’t forget, I saw everything you had said and done when you assimilated with me. You constantly thought of new ways to destroy your preys souls–shatter them into nonexistence, but the one thing you didn’t anticipate, was that every time you let them go, every time you inflicted pain on them, every time...their souls didn’t shatter, but only became stronger, as well as they did. They became so strong that they ended up killing my mother and yourself. They were stronger than you ever anticipated, and so, in a sense, it was your own fault you were killed.’
He said softly, narrowing his eyes.

Naraku stayed silent. He knew everything his son said was true. ‘So what is your plan, Seiichi?’ he asked again, switching the topic. ‘I have connections here. I will find a way to get through to the Ningenkai–I will cross over through a gap that isn’t detected by Koenma. Then, I will hunt down the miko bitch and I will kidnap her from her home. I will bring her back here before anyone in the Spirit Realm even notices she’s gone. Then...’ he grinned evilly, ‘...then, the real fun will begin.’

‘What is that you’re thinking? Do you seriously think you can defeat King Enma? Are you out of your god forsaken tree?!’ Naraku shouted, fear rising in his voice. ‘No, I am quite sane father. By the time I’ve assimilated the miko’s body and power, I will have so much energy that Enma will look like a mere baby to me.’ he laughed.

‘But, Seiichi...do you think that wise? What will you do if you become King?’ Naraku asked, unsure of his son’s intentions. ‘I will tear down that wall that separates the Ningenkai and the Makai. Demon’s will once again wreak havoc on the human realm. Demons will once again be known and feared. And I will rule them all. I will have the iron fist.’ he said, nodding. Naraku’s eyes went wide. His son had officially lost it, but he didn’t feel the need to question him further on it. The more he pushed, the more determined Seiichi became, and if there was one thing Naraku could say for himself, whatever he desired, he obtained...by any means.

~*~

Kagome had finished explaining the situation to the newcomers, keeping her wits about her during it. Miroku and Sango refrained from asking questions during her discussion, allowing her to get everything out in one fell swoop, and for this, Kagome was glad.

“So guys...what are you going to do now?” she asked, finally taking a seat that was offered her by Kurama. “What else do you think we’re going to do, Kagome chan? We’re going to stay and help protect you. I may not have the wind tunnel anymore, but I’m still able to fight.” Miroku said, giving her a firm look. “Miroku’s right. I don’t have that much of a life back in that time. Things are boring. I’m getting restless. A few good battles would do wonders for my training. Besides, when I go back, I’ll have plenty of time to have kids.” she smiled at her sister, clasping Miroku’s hand.

“I’m not leaving you, Kagome! I didn’t cry all that time and wish to stay forever with you only to leave you–especially when you need me!” Shippou outburst, jumping into her lap and holding on tightly to her. Kagome smiled, having a feeling that this was just what they’d all say.

“So...what’s next for us, guys?” she asked, looking to Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama and Hiei. “We’re to take you to Genkai’s temple. It’s heavily guarded, and you would be easiest protected there.” Kurama said, nodding.
“So I have to leave home again.” Kagome said, sighing. “It can’t be helped. I will not be taken by that demon.” she said softly, heading upstairs. Sango followed her, and they ended up going to her room, where she set up her big yellow backpack that she hadn’t taken the time to put away yet. She grabbed her some clothes and checked her medical supplies. She shook away the thoughts that came flooding back to her. She had went out and bought enough medical supplies to heal an army after she came back home, only to realize after she had packed everything away that she wouldn’t need that many supplies again.

She counted the ramen in her pack, also recalling her restocking of the supplies. She closed the bag, only after removing her text books. The only things that she DIDN’T need anymore...

Getting to her feet, she counted her bows quickly. ‘15...that will barely last me one battle. Maybe there is some way I will be able to get more...’ she thought, putting her pack over her shoulders and holding onto her arrows and bow with the other.

“Time to go, Sango.” she said, opening her door, only to have it shut again. “Kagome...wait a second. Are you really okay with all of this?” she asked, worried.

“Sango...I have to be. I’m still the guardian. I still have to fight for it. I won’t fail. I didn’t let Naraku get the better of me, and I’ll be damned if I’ll let his son do it.” she said fiercely, nodding for emphasis.

Sango nodded firmly. “Alright, Kagome. I’m with you. Let’s do this.” she said, readjusting her bone boomerang quickly before following her down the stairs. Everyone looked up as they entered the room. “I’m leaving a note for my mother. Give me a second...” Kagome said, grabbing a piece of paper and pen. ‘How do I explain this in a note?’ she questioned herself. Finally she gave up and scribbled out,

Mom, Souta, and Grandpa;

I’m sorry about this, but I’m afraid something strange is happening again. Apparently, I’m still the guardian of the Shikon Jewel, and as usual, another demon is coming after me and the jewel. Don’t worry–I’m still in this time. I’m going with some friends to a temple away from here. There I will stay safe, so you don’t have to worry. I’ll contact you when I think it’s safe. Take care of yourselves.

I love you all.
Kagome

She put it on the table and turned to her friends. “I guess we should take a shuttle.” she said, reaching for the phone again. “Wait, Kagome.” Kurama interrupted. “What?” she asked. “We can just have Botan get us a portal to Genkai’s.” he said, nodding to her. She set the phone back on the cradle and set her bag back down. “Alright. Let’s get going as soon as we can.”

Kurama pulled out his little communicator and a bubbly voice came out again. “Kurama, good to see you! Wha’cha need?” she asked, grinning. “A portal to Genkai’s.” he said simply, closing the communicator just as Botan popped up in the room.

“All aboard!” she said happily, before having her eyes met Kurama’s. He moaned internally. ‘Youko...when will she get the hint? I will NEVER like her as more than anything than a friend...’

‘It’s a curse, I’m afraid, Red.’ he laughed.

‘Yeah, a curse YOU inflicted on me. I’ve had to deal with rabid fangirls and random fanclubs since I hit puberty you damn fox. It’s all you’re fault!’ he complained.

Youko laughed again. ‘Well, at least one good thing came from it.’ he said with honesty. ‘Yeah, and what pray tell, might that be?’

‘It will be much easier to get a mate this way.’ he said, his mind conjuring up images of Kagome. ‘Youko...have you forgotten that any mate of ours would have to be approved by both of us? I’m sure she wouldn’t approve of being mate to one of us and not the other...besides. Hiei has also shown quite a bit of interest in this girl. What do you suppose we do about it?’ he questioned.

‘We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. I will not force her to make a choice between us. She’s been hurt so much in the past, that a decision like that could break her spirit once and for all. I have a feeling she would rather be alone than hurt someone she loved.’ he said softly, waiting for everyone else to step through the portal before Kurama stepped through, making the electrified circle dissipate into nothing.

Kagome’s eyes went wide at the many steps looming up in front of her. ‘And I thought my place was bad...’ she thought softly, tightening her grip on her backpack. Before she took her first step, a hand was placed on her shoulder. “Let me carry that for you, Kagome.” Yusuke said, looking at her with mixed emotions on his face. “Okay, Yusuke.” she stopped before blurting out, “I’m sorry for hitting you with so much energy. I just, kind of lost control for a second.” she said softly, looking deeply into his eyes.

“It wasn’t your fault!” he shouted, anger radiating for a moment. Everyone looked to his shout, and Hiei took a step closer to Kagome. “It wasn’t your fault. I attacked first. I got what I deserved.” he said softly, frowning, before taking the backpack from Kagome and hoisting it over his shoulder. Kagome looked to him a moment before walking closer to him and hugging him, making him set down the bag.

Hiei wanted to growl, as did Kurama, but they realized that her display of emotion was one of pure innocence, and there was nothing more she wanted to convey in her contact other than friendship and comfort.

Yusuke looked surprised at first, and then nervous, but after a moment, he calmed, and returned her display of affection. “It’s alright, Yusuke. We were both to blame.” Kagome said softly, hugging him tighter. Butterflies were forming in his stomach, and he couldn’t hold back his sigh of contentment. Keiko never made him feel this way. He was instantly confused.

Kagome smiled at his sigh. ‘At least I could make someone happy today.’ she pulled away slowly and he reclaimed the bag and started his assent up the steps. Kagome followed, her voice finding her as she began to sing softly. Everyone stayed silent as her voice surrounded them, as well as her energy that held nothing but content emotions now. Sango and Miroku walked beside her, and she carried Shippou in her arms, now that Yusuke was carrying her backpack.

Hiei and Kurama observed her quietly, taking in her changed demeanor. She was still hurting, but she was getting past the pain, slowly but surely. Kagome began to weaken partway up the steps. She hadn’t gotten a chance to rest since her soul was ripped from her earlier, and her fatigue was really starting to take it’s toll. She reached a hand to her forehead and winced when it felt hot. Before she could say anything, the fatigue took completely over, and she began to fall.

Sango reached out a hand and pulled the girl close to her as she began to fall. “Kagome?!” she shouted worriedly, placing her hand to her sister’s forehead. She pulled it back quickly as if she had touched a hot burner. “Kagome!” she shouted again, now having everyone’s full and undivided attention. Kurama felt her forehead too, and instantly brought out a rose from his hair. The petals swirled around and fell, revealing a small, marble sized sphere that was the color of honey.

Hiei took her from Sango as Kurama placed the small object in her mouth, instantly dissolving it. “What’s wrong with her?!” Shippou burst out, tears threatening to fall again, as he clung to her shirt. “Don’t worry, little kit. You’re momma is just tired from today. It’s really exhausting to have your soul be brought from your body and then returned. She’ll be just fine after some rest.” Kurama softened his tone for the kit, nodding for emphasis. He looked at the fox before nodding back and clearing his tears.

Hiei picked her up bridal style and was surprised to find that her body was a perfect fit to his form. Instantly, the dragon spirit wrapped around them both, still not having completely emerged himself back into Hiei’s arm. Kagome didn’t make a sound or move the entire time it took to get up the stairs, and even then, she was unconscious. Genkai looked slightly surprised to see Hiei’s emotional demeanor towards the girl, but instantly picked up waves of worry from the rest of the people around her. Worry, and love. She smiled. ‘So this is Kagome Higurashi. I wonder...is she the one? The pure one?’ She let the thoughts leave her before beaconing them to follow her. She led them to a room and they set her down, and she frowned in her sleep, grasping out for the contact she had lost.

Hiei watched her a moment before her soft whimper broke the silence, as well as a simple sentence, that completely summed up her feelings, “I don’t want to be alone...please come back, don’t leave me alone again...”

The dragon quickly settled on her shoulder, nuzzling her again, trying to calm her, but to no avail. Hiei looked quickly to Kurama, and Genkai motioned for everyone to follow her. She would be okay–she hoped.

Everyone filed out behind Genkai, except for Yusuke, Kurama and Hiei. “What are you doing, detective?” Hiei asked, frowning. He didn’t want Yusuke to come in contact with the girl any more than necessary. “I’m watching over her, what does it look like I’m doing?” he said back, trying to refrain from shouting.

“Me and Kurama can do that well enough without you.” Hiei said, irritation dripping in his voice. Yusuke held his anger in check. He didn’t want to get into a shout match with him right now. He would never forgive himself if he woke her up prematurely. She looked so conflicted right now, but she was also very exhausted.

“Whatever, Hiei.” he said, giving up trying to get closer to her and headed out the door, closing it gently behind him.

Hiei looked to Kagome’s sleeping figure and frowned. Her face looked so sad right now. Another whimper broke the silence, before tears quickly slid down her face. “Alone...I’ll always be alone, won’t I, Midoriko?” she said softly, sadness radiating off of her. “Never.” Hiei’s word came out before he could stop it, and Kurama was pushed to the back as Youko emerged.

“Never.” he repeated, finding that particular response went the same for him. Hiei leaned down beside her ear and Youko got on the other side of the bed and leaned down by her other ear. “You’ll never be alone again, Kagome. I will stay with you for as long as I am able.” Hiei promised, making his Jagan flare slightly before entering her mind.

“I will never leave you, nor forsake you, my dear Kagome chan.” Youko whispered, also forming a link in her mind.

~*~

Kagome stood in a field, darkness surrounding her. She felt her tears fall, and had no desire to stop them. Soft whimpers escaped her mouth and she felt her spirit stir. She felt the need to ask, she had to know, and Midoriko would be able to tell her. “Alone...I’ll always be alone, won’t I, Midoriko?”

Silence filled the air around her, and for a split second, she had thought that Midoriko had left her as well, but just as the despair threatened to overtake her again, a voice said softly, “Never.” She stood still as she processed the one little word. Then she heard another voice say, “Never.”

‘Two voices in my head? What?’ she thought, confused. She looked around for the sources of the voices, but all she could see was darkness. At that moment, she thought she had imagined the voices, but then, the first voice called to her again, saying, “You’ll never be alone again, Kagome. I will stay with you for as long as I am able.”

Kagome froze. ‘Someone...wants to stay with me?’ She paused a moment before saying, “Hiei?’‘

Then, the second voice she heard floated over her, catching her attention once more, saying, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you, my dear Kagome chan.”

She couldn’t help but shout out, “Youko?”

As the names left her mouth, their they stood, right in front of her, surrounded by light, quickly dissipating the darkness that surrounded her. ‘You will never be alone again, Kagome.” they said together, taking in her features and her scent. The pure scent surrounded them, making them smile.

Kagome’s tears turned on full blast as she ran to them. They promised never to leave her alone again, and she trusted them. She had only known them for three days, but she trusted them with her very existence. She ran to them, stopping suddenly, as an unknown figure appeared before her, one that smelled grossly like miasma.

~*~

“So you can do it, right?” Seiichi said, keeping his patience with the demon before him. “Sure I can. For a price.” a disgustingly thick voice replied, a putrid grin on his face. Seiichi nodded, pulling out a sack full of golden colored coins. “Will this do?” he questioned, pressing the bag across the table.

“Aye, that would be doin’ nicely. When would you’d like to be goin’ on this venture of yourn?” he asked, his thick pirate accent low and dark. “As soon as possible. Now, if we are able.” he replied, ignoring the smell the demon had. “Ah, so ye be wanting to go quickly. Lucky fer you I know the perfect place. I just recently discovered it. If you are ready, mate, we’ll be goin’ now.” He nodded and slowly followed the demon out of the horrid smelling pub.

They walked for what seemed like ages before the demon in front of him stopped. “Now where...” he stopped and grunted, walking to the east for a few minutes. “There it be, stranger. See that strip of blue there? That’s an opening between the worlds. I doubt the Spirit asses know about it yet, they haven’t sent anyone near it.”
Seiichi nodded before covering the demon in miasma. He didn’t even have a chance to scream. He picked up the fallen bag of gold an pocketed it, smiling smugly in satisfaction. He stepped forward through the strip of blue and shielded his eyes. The Ningenkai was so bright, but after a couple of minutes, his eyes adjusted to the light and then his nose was assaulted. “Damn humans. Stinkin’ up the place. Soon that will change.” he chuckled to himself.

He looked around and noticed he was on a mountain and there was no one around. “Just my luck, I end up away from the ningens. “ he relaxed and pushed out his aura, searching for the miko who killed his family. Surprisingly, she was quite close, and she was unconscious. He grinned. He was going to have some fun with his little miko bitch.

He quickly assaulted her mental barrier and stood face to face with her. He could feel substantial demon energies behind him but at the moment he was preoccupied with the female in front of him. He frowned. She was nothing like his father had described. He father told him that her scent was horrid, and that her features were ugly. He told that her skin was coarse as dirt, yet to him, it looked soft as a pup’s hind end.

Her scent was pleasant and refreshing, and he couldn’t believe how PURE she smelled. Her body was perfect and was in no way flawed, he wondered if he would even enjoy bedding with the miko. Her eyes were wide with shock and then with fear. She knew something about him, and he didn’t like it. He growled, but was met with two fierce ones behind him.

~*~

Kagome’s eyes went wide with fear. She knew that scent well, and she didn’t want to believe that he was here, not now.
Hiei and Youko growled, quickly assessing the situation. Before anything could be done, the demon had circled around Kagome and had a claw to her throat. He inhaled deeply at her, taking in another deep draught of her scent. He was quickly getting addicted to it. There was no way he would kill her now, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t have some fun of his own with the girl.

Hiei and Youko’s anger surrounded them, and Seiichi knew he was treading in dangerous waters, but at this point, he didn’t care. The scent of her along with her fear running within it was driving him crazy with lust. A thought entered his head and he leaned down and licked her neck slowly, reveling in her taste. His father was a fool not to take the girl as his mate. She was a perfect specimen in every way, and yet...he sniffed the air again, and smiled. She was unmarked, and she was still an innocent. She was perfect. Unflawed. He would make sure to change that. His hand snaked down her side and rested on her hip.

“Perfect...” he murmured, licking her skin again. Kagome shuddered. He was touching her! Her fear radiated off of her further, and before he could do anything else he was knocked to the ground, his claw slightly digging into her flesh, making her whimper in pain.

His eyes flared, ready to take down the demon who dared interrupt him during his fun. He looked and saw the fire apparition standing over him, blade drawn, while Youko held Kagome and let her cry. Hiei went to slash his sword, but before it hit, the demon vanished, leaving Kagome, Youko, and Hiei alone in her mind.

Kagome’s sob brought Hiei back and he jumped back to her, placing his hands around hers. “Who was that, Kagome?” he questioned, holding her tighter. “Seiichi...it had to be! He smelled like miasma. Only one other demon I knew smelled like that. Naraku.” she said softly before her voice stilled as she felt a warm, wet object on her neck. She shuddered, but looked and saw that Youko was licking her wound, instantly, it healed over, leaving no trace of it’s existence.

She stilled, letting the sensation flow through her body. “Thank you.” She managed out, before leaning back against Youko, closing her eyes in pure exhaustion. “Why do these things always happen to me?” she whispered out, sighing. Youko looked to Hiei, who stared back emotionlessly. ‘What do you say to something like that, Youko?’ Kurama asked softly, staring through his eyes at the broken girl in his arms.
‘I don’t know, Red. I just don’t know...’ he replied softly, closing his eyes at the pain radiating from Kagome.

Hiei tried to shut out their thoughts, but the harder he tried, the more frequent they repeated themselves, not to mention the girls thoughts echoing in his mind. Images of her life in the Feudal Era replayed over and over, like a broken record, allowing him to understand a little more of the girls pain.

Kagome sighed again, and her voice finally came back. “Well, I guess there’s no use crying over spilled milk. I just have to make the most of this situation. I know he’s powerful, and dangerous, but I won’t let him take the jewel. Not if I have anything to say about it.” she said strongly, getting to her feet.

The two demons looked to her quickly. ‘She has a strong spirit. She’s not willing to give up, not for anything.’ Hiei thought, confusion coming to his mind. He was impressed. He had always witnessed humans as being weak and the type to give up easily. This girl was everything but weak, and she sure as hell wasn’t going to give up. He held a smirk in. The girl was interesting...very interesting.

Youko grinned. He knew the girl wouldn’t dare give up so easily. She was strong willed, and he admired her for that. No other human he knew would keep going after something like that. They’d rather give up than continue on, with the possibility of getting killed, most humans he’d encountered would roll over and play dead before fighting for themselves. Kagome was unique indeed, and she wasn’t going to give up.

She looked to the demons behind her. “You coming guys?” she questioned, the darkness that once filled her mind was now diminished greatly. “We told you, my dear Kagome chan, we will leave you for nothing. We will remain by your side as long as you need us.” Youko said, placing a hand on her shoulder. She smiled a true smile, nodding to him before looking to Hiei. His Jagan flashed quickly, giving her an answer before she even spoke. ‘He’s going to stay with me too. How do I always end up in situations like this? Most of my friends are demons...what draws them to me? They were sent here to protect the jewel, not take it, so why do they stay? Inuyasha always called me a ‘wench’, and told me I was worthless except for to detect the jewel shards. All this time I thought he was right. He ended up choosing Kikyou...and I ended up alone. Is there anything about me that they even like? Or are they staying because they have to?’ Kagome’s forehead creased in confusion and sadness. It was giving her a headache, so she tried to stop thinking, but Hiei couldn’t stop the anger rolling off of him.

‘That hanyou from the past and that un-dead miko hurt her beyond recognition. They will pay...oh they will pay dearly for hurting her.’ he thought before his mind went into overdrive. ‘Wait! Why do I even care!? She is a human! A miko at that! I am the Forbidden Child!? Why would she even consider me a friend?’ puzzlement clouded his mind, as he took a step backwards.

Kagome’s eyes instantly filled with fear and worry. “Hiei? Are you alright?!” she questioned quickly, running to him. His eyes flashed red for a moment, his demon side reacting to her miko powers, but it instantly died down at her soft touch. “Hiei? Say something, Please!” she cried, worry rolling off of her.

He looked to her, his eyes finally focusing on her. ‘Worry...she’s worried about me...why? Why does she care?’ his mind asked, while his heart began to beat wildly. He feared this feeling. For so long he kept his emotions hidden from the world. Emotions would get you killed. Emotions were useless. Emotions were for the weak, so why were her emotions towards himself affecting him so strangely?
Kagome kept staring at him, waiting for him to say something...anything, to confirm he was alright. On his stoic face, she could decipher nothing, but his eyes told her the world. His eyes were filled with confusion...deep confusion and puzzlement. ‘What are you thinking, my Hiei?’ she thought, her mind flickering at the choice of words. ‘My Hiei? Since when has he been my Hiei?’ she struggled to keep her mind from that particular path. ‘Please be okay...’ she thought next, increasing her grip on his arm.

Hiei’s mind stopped at her words. ‘She’s considers me hers. Why?’ he seemed to be asking that question a lot lately, and he was getting tired of it. He looked away from her, only to hear a soft cry come from her. ‘Don’t hide from me, Hiei...’ her thought invaded his mind, making him instantly revert his gaze back to her. She placed a gentle hand on his cheek. ‘Are you okay?’ she thought again, to which he only replied, ‘Hn.’

She gave him a small smile before letting his face go. “It’s time to go, Hiei.” Youko said, nodding to the fire apparition, and slightly jealous at the attention he was getting from Kagome. She looked to him and noticed his stiff composure. She walked to him and gave him a hug before nodding. “You guys stay safe, okay?” she said, before their connections were severed and they were back in the room she was in. She was finally asleep, her steady breathing calming the atmosphere.

Hiei looked to her a moment before leaving, his mind going a million miles a moment. Youko nodded, feeling the conflict in his friend. He hid his smile before kissing Kagome gently on her forehead. He handed back the reign of power to Kurama while he pondered on everything that had went on since they were introduced to the miko girl.

‘She is so simple, yet so complex...’ he thought, getting Kurama’s attention. ‘I agree with you there. She’s so caring, you’d think she never had a problem in her life, but her life seems to be nothing but hurt and sadness...’ his mind put together the words, as he placed a hand around hers. Instantly, she gripped it, holding onto his hand tightly.

‘That hanyou and miko we met earlier today...they are the main sources of her pain. How much abuse did they put her though to shatter her heart? How could they do something like that to her? Especially the hanyou. I’ve always known half demons to be rejected, but she accepted him unconditionally. She even loved him, and he still hurt her. It’s rare to have a human fall in love with a demon, but its even more rare for a miko to even care for a demon, hanyou or not.’ Youko said, his thoughts finally being spoken fully.

Kurama nodded. He knew of the pain and loneliness Hiei had experienced in his lifetime, and he was full demon. The reason people rejected him was the fact that he was conceived from an Ice Maiden and Fire Demon. A forbidden match indeed. ‘But so what?’ Kurama outburst. Hiei was a decent being. He still had feelings...somewhere in him. ‘He has held in his emotion for so long, it’s hard for him to understand her caring nature towards him, when no other being would even come near him.’ Youko said, casting a glance to Kagome’s sleeping figure. ‘I know...I know.’ he said, sighing. ‘She’s accepted us, too, you know.’ Youko said, smiling gently towards his avatar.

‘I know that, too.’ he replied softly, stroking the back of her hand with his thumb. He sighed before grabbing a chair and taking a seat. ‘She’s so peaceful when she sleeps. She’s seems not to have a care in the world...’ Kurama commented, letting a small smile escape. He brushed a stray lock of hair away from her forehead, his hand lingering on her creamy skin for a moment. He leaned back in his chair and let her sleep, there would be time later to figure out what they were going to do about Seiichi.

~*~

Hiei hopped into the nearest tree he could find, trying to calm his raging mind. His dragon was surprisingly calm now, understanding somehow the conflict within his master. ‘She was worried for me. She willingly touched me...her voice was soft, her hand gentle...why? Why all of a sudden am I feeling these things? Yukina is the only one I have ever looked to with gentle eyes...why does that girl inflict such emotion within me? Why?’ he asked again, the memories of his younger years flooding his mind, while being intertwined with hers.

‘So much pain...’ he thought, his eyes closing in an almost wince. ‘I never thought that someone would experience the same kind of pain that I have felt. Her feelings never requited...her heart shattered by mental and physical abuse...she is so similar to me...why?’ he asked again, clenching his hands.

~*~

Kagome’s mind stirred, her senses being pulled towards someone...or was it something? She pushed out with her miko aura, her unconscious making them even more powerful than before. She could feel a stir in the Shikon no Tama, but she wasn’t concerned about that right now. Right now, all she wanted to do was get closer to the one who was calling to her. The aura was confused, and angry, it was so conflicted that it hurt her.

She followed the aura. Out of the room, out of the temple, over a field and forest, and suddenly, she found it. Hiei had been calling to her. Her first reaction wasn’t of confusion, but of serenity. He had called her. Somehow, his aura had called hers. Kagome surrounded Hiei in her energies, laying a blanket of calm over him, making him gasp with surprise.

‘Kagome...why are you here?’ he questioned, trying to settle his body back down from the initial shock of her being there. ‘You called to me, Hiei...’ she said softly, further enveloping him in her spirit. His eyebrow raised in wonder. ‘I did...?’ he questioned her, trying to keep his voice indifferent. Kagome pulled back a little bit. ‘Didn’t you?’ she asked, a little worry in her voice, as well as panic.

His heartbeat picked up at the sound of her voice. ‘She sounds...afraid...of my answer...’ confusion filled him again and Kagome didn’t hesitate to surround him again, regardless if he did or did not call her to him. He was in conflict, and he was her friend. She wasn’t going to leave him alone.

Kagome couldn’t stop her voice from singing a soft melody, further calming her energies around Hiei. He felt her energy still even further, and then he heard her voice. So soft was the song she sang, that the clashing forces in his body stilled, the conflict ceasing as the song and energy surrounded him.

It was the greatest gift anyone had ever given the fire apparition, and he couldn’t suppress his small grateful smile that reached his lips. Kagome smiled and hugged him tighter, nuzzling softly with the dragon spirit before resting her forehead with Hiei. The Jagan flared and stilled, noting her presence and calming as quickly as Hiei’s body had, seeing nothing or hearing nothing but Kagome.
Neither one wanted to let go of the feeling of peace each one gave the other, but after a few minutes, Kagome pulled away. ‘Hiei...I should get back. The longer I’m away, the more I’ll sleep.’ she laughed, making Hiei perk up his ears.

He nodded, slowly pushing her forward so she would finally leave. Kagome smiled. ‘Yes, I’m going, I’m going. I’ll see you when I wake up, ne?’ she questioned, turning back to him. He nodded, his stoic face returning, but again, his eyes speaking to her the world. She grinned, and headed back to her body, not noticing the look of longing that came upon his face as she retreated back to herself.

~*~

‘Why did you leave your body, Seiichi?!’ an irate Naraku shouted to his son, upon his return from Kagome’s mind. “I was having a bit of fun, father.” he replied coldly back, trying to get over his anger at the demon who stopped his pursuit of the miko. ‘Fun? What kind of fun?! You crossed the barrier, and then you disappeared!’

“I can do as I please! You have no say in what I do!” Seiichi shouted, losing the temper he was so frustratingly trying to get under control.

‘Is that so...’ Naraku’s dark voice said, before a surge of electrical pain shot through Seiichi’s body. ‘You will listen to me, boy. I am your father, and I will not hesitate to put you in your place. You went to the miko’s mind, didn’t you?’ he questioned, poised to hurt his son again.

“So what if I did?!” Seiichi shouted loudly, slightly out of breath at the shot of pain that went through him.

‘Are you crazy?! She could have purified you without a slight bit of hesitation! That was a rash decision on your part, son! Just rushing into her mind like that, without putting her into a deep sleep or anything! And what about her friends?! They most likely fought you off, didn’t they?’ he continued on yelling, anger growing.

At the silence of Seiichi, a cruel laugh escaped Naraku. ‘So you were thwarted, as I was so many times, tell me, son, how does it feel?’ he asked evilly, smirking. Seiichi refused to answer him, but decided to change the topic of discussion by saying, “So what is it exactly that you hated about the miko girl, anyway, father?”

‘What DIDN’T I hate about that miko bitch? She was ugly, for one. She smelled putrid, even as humans are concerned, and she was disgusting, being in love with that hanyou, Inuyasha.’ he said nonchalantly, wondering where his son was going with this.

“Ugly, hmm, father? Nasty smelling? I believe you’re lying!!” he shouted, anger rolling off of him in waves. “That girl was none of those things! She was beautiful, even for a human. She smelled so pure I thought I was going to fall asleep just smelling her, and what’s that about a hanyou?” his voice started so strong with rebellion, and then came to that thought. ‘A hanyou? Seriously? She loved a hanyou? So unusual...so forbidden...’ he frowned.

‘It’s like I told you, brat. She traveled with a demon exterminator, monk, fire neko, and kitsune. She also traveled with an inu hanyou named Inuyasha. She was in love with the half breed, though he never returned her feelings. He was in love with her previous carnation. A human woman by the name of Kikyou.’ his voice stopped at the thought of his own love. Sure he had been with Kagura, but he loved Kikyou–ever since his human form of Onigumo. She held his heart, and yet she still wished to be with that half breed. That hanyou managed to get the attentions of both women without even trying. And he was stuck being alone trying to kill the bastard hanyou, and miko bitch.

“Well, don’t stop your story now, continue father.” Seiichi pestered, annoyance in his voice.

‘The miko you just visited is from this time originally. She traveled to the past and became involved in my greatest triumph, as well as my greatest defeat.’ Naraku paused. ‘Kikyou was a miko who was entrusted to protect the sacred Shikon no Tama. Demons all over the land were in search of it, but she kept it safe for many years. She was also dutied to care for a human named Onigumo. The man suffered from terrible burns, and would no longer be able to move from the spot on which he rested. He lusted after the maiden who took care of him, and so he allowed the demons around him to feast on his soul in order to become hanyou.’

Naraku took a deep breath, reliving the days in his mind. ‘The hanyou, or rather, myself, went in search of the maiden, only to be angered by her love of the hanyou, Inuyasha.’ Seiichi could feel the anger radiating off of his father as he spoke of the half demon.

‘I watched her promise the jewel to Inuyasha in order to make him full human, so that they could be together...I watched her give her heart to him...’ he growled, trying to keep his emotions in check. Seiichi waited patiently for him to continue, as the story was highly interesting, and kept his attention. He wondered, though, where did the miko girl he met today fit into all of this?

‘So I tricked them both into thinking they betrayed one another. I took on the appearance of Inuyasha and I attacked Kikyou, taking the jewel from her and leaving her to die. Then I tricked Inuyasha into stealing the jewel from the shrine. While he fled, Kikyou caught up with him, and, using her sacred arrows, pinned the demon to a tree called the Goshinboku, putting him in a timeless sleep.’ he smirked evilly, relishing in his power and ability to manipulate people and demons alike.

His face sobered at his next sentence. ‘Kikyou died from the wound I gave her shortly after that. She had the Shikon no Tama burned with her body, and I was alone.’

Seiichi looked to his father slowly. ‘So evil...how could he do that to someone he loved? Wouldn’t it be better to see the one you love be happy than dead?’ He was snapped out of his thoughts when Naraku continued his story.

‘Fifty years after that, a miko girl was somehow dragged into the past Five-Hundred years. She ended up having the jewel embedded in her body, and she broke the spell that held the hanyou captive. She ended up shattering the jewel into many smaller shards, and then she began traveling to try and reassemble it before other demons got ahold of it.’ he paused and shook his head before adding, ‘And sometime later, a witch named Orasuwe revived Kikyou by making a body out of clay, bones, and soil from her gravesite. Kikyou wasn’t to live again, instead, she was part of the un dead, only being able to live with a small portion of Kagome–the miko time traveler’s–soul, as well as using the souls of dead women to keep her shape.’

Seiichi stayed silent as he absorbed his father’s words. This was the most his father had spoken about the past in the entire time he had been assimilated with himself.

‘That girl...Kagome...she is really powerful. She thwarted me killing that hanyou many times. At one point, I even had Kikyou on my side to kill the half breed. But still...she fought against me...she stopped the killing of Kohaku, the slayers younger brother, so many times that he was able to be revived to his true state of mind, but in the end, I won against him too. As you already know.’ He smirked before continuing. “She helped in the defeat of many of my puppets and detachments over the time she was there. There was one thing though, that she never obtained...’ he grinned evilly. ‘She loved that hanyou, Inuyasha, but he was still quite in love with Kikyou, and since her “body” was now around, he went to her many times for comfort and sex.’ he laughed maliciously.

Seiichi couldn’t help but feel for the girl. ‘Her love was unreturned...she was passed over for a corpse...’ he frowned.

‘Kikyou played that boy for a fool for a time, and then, she changed. She fell back in love with that hanyou. I think it was because she was jealous of the miko girl, but for whatever reason, she helped them in the final battle against myself. As you can see, I lost against them.’ his mouth looked as if he had eaten a lemon.
“What happened to them after the battle?” Seiichi couldn’t stop the question from spilling out.

‘Hm? Oh, well, I think the slayer and monk ended up marrying, the kit lived with them, as well as the fire neko. Kikyou ended up getting her soul back after Kagome wished on the jewel. The miko girl was forced back to her time, and here we are.’ he informed him, not paying attention to the different displays of emotion coming from his son at all during his story.

‘That girl...was hurt so much by them all! They all hurt her! Why would father even consider being with someone like that Kikyou woman. From the sounds of it, that miko is a conniving, deceptive, treacherous traitor! Why would he even think of caring for her?’ he though, anger and confusion rolling off of him in waves.

He looked away from his father. For once in his life, he understood why so many demons feared and hated his parent, and for the first time in his life, he was utterly ashamed to be offspring to the hanyou known as Naraku.

~*~

A/N: Goody. Another one done! =) I hope you enjoy my little story. Here’s the long awaited update everyone has asked so patiently for. :)

A/N #2: Rain Falls: Arigatou! I knew somehow that happening was bound to get some reactions. It was obvious to me that he was going to be upset, so him transforming just came out. :)
sessykag4ever: YEAH! Sesshoumaru will be in this story. Profoundly so. The muses have just let me in on one secret, and I'm all in favor of it. But you'll just have to read to find out what it is...=)
Ryu-chan: Well, the dragon is really in tune with Hiei (as proved in this chapter) so i'm not sure how to work on the relationship between Hiei's feelings and the dragon, but I'm going to sure as hell try. As for Kikyou, all in good time, my friend. All in good time. With the spin on Seiichi, some interesting things are going to take place. The muse's are being very good to me. :)
Demonqueen: Interesting thought. So far, the muses have not let me in on that little detail yet, but the next chapter is going to mostly revolve around Seiichi, and someone familiar...=)
Kougas_Love_Child: Thanks for reviewing! That particular scene makes me all warm and fuzzy, even though Midoriko was completely pissed. lol
dil: I'm keeping pairings under wraps til the muses decide to let me in on their little secrets. The well--permanently open, or timed opening? Pairings? But here's a question I can answer...
Megan: YES! I will write more! I tend to make my chaps long, so it takes me more time to update. Gomen!

THANKS ALL!!

A/N #3: Chapter 6:Gathering Protection