To Be Alive Again

Author Note: Sorry, I’m starting up another one, but I can’t help it! The muses can be a curse you know…*sigh* Hope you enjoy it!


Disclaimer: I don’t own Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho. If I did, the story would be SOOO different…*evil smirk*

Summary: Demon…Human…Hanyou. It doesn’t matter to Kagome. Not everyone is so open-minded however…can she help pick up the pieces of her own shattered heart and mend someone else’s?

Pairing (s): Kagome/Yusuke *potentially Hiei/Kag/Yusuke…undecided at this point in time*; Kurama/Shizuru; Kuwabara/Yukina
Feedback: Wanted!
Warnings: Lemons in later chapters. Potty mouth from Yusuke. Fighting…heh, it isn’t a YYH story without violence.


To Be Alive Again
Chapter 1: Goodbye, So Long

“Inuyasha, watch out!” Kagome cried out fearfully, arching her arrow and barely missing him as the pink encased arrow destroyed another of Naraku’s foul tentacles that had been close to impaling the inu-hanyou.

“Watch where you’re aiming wench!” he shouted back, before unleashing another wind scar to destroy some of the lingering demons that had rallied with Naraku.

She would have ‘sat’ him had the situation not been so dire, and right now, they had more important problems than Inuyasha’s back talk; a new person had made her appearance on the battlefield, and the miko from the future paled. Before she could be too afraid, shock came to her face as Kikyou arched her own arrow and pointed it straight at her and let it go; the girl froze as the arrow came closer and closer before connecting it with its intended target, a sharp clawed demon behind her, purifying it into ash.

Realizing what she had just done, Kagome gave her a relieved smile, before shooting another arrow at Naraku, destroying a large part of his miasmic body, releasing a gas of poison from the wound she had inflicted. Anger filled her and her power spiked dangerously, dispelling the noxious fumes and having Inuyasha move back from her for fear of purification. Suddenly, a cry of pain reached her ears and she froze, her eyes turning to see her best friend…her sister, fall with a tentacle piercing through her heart, her back being turned to help protect the houshi, Miroku.

“Sango!” she cried out in a pain stricken voice, wanting to run to her, but couldn’t, less she leave Shippou unprotected.

Her’s wasn’t the only voice heard over the din, as Miroku pulled open his wind tunnel, recklessly sucking up everything around him in his grief. Pain had made him blind to sense and before long he was falling down into darkness, the poisonous insects of Naraku killing him from the inside out.

“Kukuku…two down…four to go…what will you do now, miko? Now that your comrades are falling?” Naraku’s evil voice reached her ears, sending her into a rage. She wanted to do more, to be able to protect those she loved, instead of losing them while they protected her. She wished for it…demanded it.

The battlefield stilled as her thought was made conscious, and her power exploded from the reservoirs in which she kept it, unable to use it to its full potential until this moment, when the emotional strain from the battle became known.

Sesshoumaru and the other demon allies they had moved away from the glowing miko, as an atomic bomb of energy pushed out from her tiny frame, enveloping the evil hanyou in her holy power, disintegrating him from the outside, in. His screams of terror and pain could be heard for miles, but the miko showed no pity or mercy of what she was so acclaimed for. “This…” her voice could be heard screaming out in pain, “…is for my sister! For my brother! For my family and my friends!”

The moment her voice died, her power dispelled, leaving nothing but ashes on the ground and an almost complete Shikon no tama in its wake. She didn’t see it, didn’t go for it, her legs carrying her to Sango’s side, her body still covered in a thin pink sheet of power that stretched out to heal the wound the taijya had received. Grimacing, with tears on her face, she grabbed at the evil appendage and pulled, forcing down bile at the slurping sound of the tentacle coming from her friend’s flesh.

Even as she pulled, she felt her own soul pulling and tugging, angering her. “No! I can’t go back, not yet!” she cried, retching the appendage from Sango’s body and watching as her power healed the wound slowly, while another thread wrapped around Miroku, purifying the poison from his body. Her eyes flew to Sesshoumaru, even as she was fading from their sights, an unspoken request was granted between the Taiyoukai’s molten golden eyes and the miko’s sapphire ones. He would make sure they lived.

She tried to move, her entire body feeling like lead as she was pulled at, and she cried out, feeling her skin being pierced by something; the completed Shikon no Tama, as it forced it’s way back into her body. Tears streamed her face as she looked to Shippou, who was reaching for her, tearing at her heart. “Shippou!” she called out for him, but her voice was barely a whisper now with all of her screaming. Her eyes raced to Inuyasha, who looked bewildered, and angry. Was he angry at her? She could see the unbridled fury in his eyes directed at her, and she froze, seeing Kikyou come up behind him. That image burned into her mind as darkness overtook her.

Darkness…darkness was all she could see as weightlessness overtook her body. It was similar to the gap between times, so all she could figure was that she was going back to her time. Back to her own era. Sadness tore at her heart, she didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye. She didn’t know what had happened to Sango and Miroku. Were they okay? Did Sesshoumaru help heal them? That look in his eyes was reassuring; however, it was quickly replaced by the furious eyes of Inuyasha, and the lifeless eyes of Kikyou. A choked sob tore at her throat, and she felt the tears fall again, not even noticing the light that surrounded her, and the rushing of the wind.

~*~

“Three, two, one…and…” a child looking person said, as a burst of white light almost blinded him and made the Rekei Tantei move back from it, feeling holy energy in unimaginable amounts coming from it.

Hiei wasn’t the only one to growl as he drew his blade and glared his crimson eyes at the figure bathed in light. Kurama had quickly followed suit, drawing his rose whip, despite the aforementioned warning they had received from the toddler. The energy was deep, powerful, and dangerous to youkai, but no matter the danger, they felt calmed, and that was confusing to say the least. Yusuke was about to shout out at the leader of the spirit realm, but before he could, the words stuck in his throat. A scent of purity raced through the room, permeating any other scents and leaving each spirit detective with any ability to scent with mouths open in shock. Never before had they smelled anything so alluring, or so calming.

Crimson eyes met emerald, and they stepped forward together, unsure of how to proceed, but both having a simultaneous thought; ‘I have never felt or smelled a power so pure and innocent before…’

The leader of the spirit realm hopped down from his desk, transforming quickly into his teenage form, and holding out his hands, the wall of white light surrounding the mysterious figure being pulled back into his body, leaving behind a girl who was curled up in a ball, tears streaking down her pale face, blood dripping from a wound in her side.

His eyes widened and his face paled simultaneously. She wasn’t supposed to be wounded. Dropping to one knee, he held out his hands to heal the wound, a drop of sweat beading down his face at the quick use of so much spirit energy.

Kurama and Hiei paused, watching Koenma heal the girl. From all outward appearances, she was an ordinary human girl, but then they felt it; a concentration of power that made them both step back and growl with distrust. Yusuke glanced to both of them before alarms and whistles went off in his head and he pointed his spirit gun at her, intending to eliminate the threat before he was eliminated.

Kuwabara wasn’t having any of it though, and stepped in front of his friend’s rei gun. “Urameshi, she’s just a human girl!” he shouted, before Koenma stood, looking to them all. Before anything was said, a soft whimper broke through the tense fog, and all eyes fell on the girl. Watching precariously as she moved, each of them tightened their hands on their various weapons. No one was taking any chances, but Kuwabara and Koenma seemed unphased by the power blanketing the room.

Slowly, the girl opened her eyes, only to find herself face to face with a pair of shoes. She looked up to a pair of chocolate eyes, and a pacifier filled mouth, before gradually sitting up, looking around slowly. “Where am I?” she questioned, not feeling scared…that is, until she felt the demon powers surrounding her.

Nervously, she stood, aware that all eyes were on her, and that made her even more nervous.

“Please, relax, Miss Higurashi. You are in the spirit realm. My name is Koenma. It is an honor to finally meet you.” The teenager in blue spoke up, startling her and making her jump nearly out of her skin before calming. ‘How does he know my name?!’

Her eyes darted around the room quickly, taking note of the only exit, in which a short, spiky haired demon stood in front of, his crimson eyes locking with hers. She was stuck for the moment. Well, none of them were attacking just yet, and that calmed her slightly.

“…h-hi…” she finally spoke, noticing that each person was intently looking at her. “Kagome…let me introduce you.” Koenma spoke again, getting her attention once more. He seemed friendly enough, and that’s when she noticed the blood on his hands. Her eyes went to her own side and she felt that it was healed. Recognition dawned on her and she smiled softly, her eyes thankful, even if sadness and despair lingered in them.

Her aura flared again slightly, another calming wave of energy floating over each of the demons and Kuwabara. “The one by the door is Hiei. The red head is Shuuichi, or Kurama, if you prefer. That’s Yusuke, and this is Kuwabara.” He introduced each of them, pointing to them as he did so. He knew she was powerful, but she seemed very unaware of it, and even if she did show it in the final battle, even now, it was retreating back to her body, back into dormancy.

“Nice to meet you…” she replied quietly, before looking to Koenma. He seemed about the only one in the room giving her answers. “…where am I again? And…why?” she questioned, feeling on edge, and just wanting to go home. There she could cry without burdening these demons around her.

“The spirit realm. It’s the place where all spirits go after they have departed the land of the living.” He replied, her face taking on a look of confusion. “But I’m not dead.” She said, looking to him. She didn’t get injured, that was Sango and Miroku.

“No no, I know you’re not, but you hold something within you that we must discuss.” He said, getting her attention, as well as the others. Before she had arrived, a lengthy discussion of the Shikon Jewel had taken place, and each knew that she possessed it. The only problem was that her setting one foot out of Reikei palace would have hoards of demons after her.

“…two guesses and the first one doesn’t count…” the young miko replied dryly, moving to a chair in the room and sitting down, putting her head down in her hands. What more could she do? She needed to make a wish, but what could she wish for that was completely selfless?

Hiei and Kurama’s eyes locked again, and each had calmed slightly. ‘She seems sad…I wonder if that is because of her friends? Did they die in the battle?’ Kurama voiced mentally, his other half curiously regarding the miko.

No one knew what the final outcome would be; just that she would be transported to the Spirit realm after the jewel was reassembled. At least, that is what Koenma had said, and no one knew how correct his information would be, or what he was leaving out.

‘I don’t know, but her scent is divine…and her power is so pure and untainted…I have never known of such a power…or such an alluring female…’ he added, a devilish smirk coming to his lips.

Hiei refrained from rolling his eyes. Youko was entirely too predictable on occasions. Though her scent was pure, as was her power, she was still a ningen onna, and a miko at that. He would not let up his guard around her and risk purification. No matter what the Reikei brat said.

Kuwabara kneeled down in front of her, clasping her hand and saying in a crude, but hopeful voice, “Will you be my girlfriend?”

That broke the tension, as Kagome blinked, staring at him momentarily, before chuckling, that turned into all out laughter. She hadn’t expected that from a human. Kouga came to mind as she laughed, wiping a tear away.

A hit on the head later by Yusuke knocked some sense into him. “What about Yukina you moron!” he shouted, rolling his eyes at his best friend, and sighing.

“So…” he said to her, that uneasy feeling returning in the room.

“I need to protect the jewel.” She replied softly, looking to him, curious as to why she was here still.

“Too true, Kagome.” Koenma spoke up, taking a seat. “Put this around your neck please.” He said, gesturing to something similar to Inuyasha’s rosary. Standing, she picked up the necklace, her hands gently going around it, before slipping it on, holding in a sigh. Again, his hatred filled eyes flashed in her mind, but as quickly as it came, it was gone. It wasn’t lost by the hiyoukai however.

Hiei’s eyes narrowed lightly, that image flashing in his mind, raising his curiosity and that of the dragon around his arm. He froze as the Jagan flashed, coming to life and reaching for the miko girl. That raised his curiosity further. What secrets surrounded the girl that intrigued his Jagan? He reeled it back however for now, concentrating on the discussion about the Shikon no Tama. He had known of it before coming to the Spirit leader’s office, he, however, believed that it was just a myth. There was no way to confirm that it actually existed; only having bits and pieces of rumors flying around about it. Besides, rumor also had it that whomever came in contact with it suffered horrible fates. It was something he wasn’t interested in coming in contact with, not that he was afraid of anything, for the fire apparition feared nothing, but still, no need to go looking for trouble. He found enough of it on his own.

He watched as the girl placed the ward around her neck, and noticed the instant loss of power in the room. The ward shielded sensing the power from others, and with her powers protecting it also, it was undetectable, even for him. That intrigued him, as well as the kitsune youkai avatar watching with guarded eyes.

‘That power is amazing…I thought all the powerful miko’s died out hundreds of years ago?’ the kitsune spoke up, looking over the woman again, his mind out of the gutter for once.

‘I’m not sure…but she certainly commands it well…she looks as if she is unaware of it, to be honest.’ Kurama replied, frowning as Koenma explained what she would have to do.

“…you will live with Genkai. She is a master at manipulating energy and will be the one to help you control yours. What good is power if you cannot use it?” he offered, looking her over, his eyes falling on her lush lips. Damn his teenage hormones.

Her eyes lit up. “Seriously!?” how long had it been since she wished to be able to control her power as Kikyou did…to prove her worth to the team as something other than a jewel detector? That thought brought sadness to her eyes, and her aura diminished, broadcasting her sadness to them easily. Growls slipped from three of the four members of the team, wondering what had happened to sadden her. Already, on a subconscious level, they were becoming protective. As with Keiko, and Yukina, she was a female in their care. They were to protect her from demons and as such, she was part of their pack now. Each one had spent extended time with the others and their demon instincts had taken a turn for the interesting. Even though they were all different types of demon, they were comrades, and had spent time after time in the thick of battle. Trust was deep between them, and they wouldn’t allow her or anyone in their pack to come to harm or distress.

Kagome looked up at the growls, frowning with confusion as her power reacted of its own free will, reaching out and calming them. Koenma raised a curious eyebrow, before looking back to the young miko. “I believe that is all. Botan will take you to your house and allow you to gather your things and explain things to your family before taking you to Genkai’s. She will be expecting you. Good luck, Kagome.” He smiled to her encouragingly, before nodding to the team.

“Hello everyone!” a cheerful voice called out, getting Kagome’s attention.

“Botan, this is Kagome. Kagome, this is Botan, guide of the spirit realm.” Koenma spoke up once more, standing to see the miko off.

“Hello…” she replied softly, shaking the spirit guide’s hand. “Nice to meet you!” her cheery voice said, before opening up a portal. “Off we go now!” she said, watching Kagome go through, followed by each member of the Reikei Tantei. None of them failed to give the toddler a glowering look before heading out.

~*~


A/N: So, what do you think? Good/bad? Leave feedback, I love it!