InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Against All Odds ❯ Chapter Six ( Chapter 6 )

The sound of Kagome's voice sounded through the clearing and all eyes were immediately on her. Kagome sat, her arms wrapped protectively around Shippou with one hand caressing his cheek gently, her bangs hiding her eyes.

 

She had been sitting silently, holding Shippou close while the two silver-haired demons were staring one another down, when she noticed the angry bruise on her kit's cheek. At once she knew who had done it and the anger that she had calmed came back with a vengeance. The miko-youkai was seething and her beast was demanding blood.

 

Shippou winced at the tone in Kagome's voice and the slight pressure on his cheek. He had forgotten the bruise was even there once his mother had returned, but now wished he had been able to hide it. With alarm, the kit noticed Kagome's entire body was shaking with rage and as he scented the air, a new fragrance hit him. Jasmine, Chamomile and Cinnamon were prevalent but mixed amongst them was the unmistakable scent of fox. He sniffed once more and his eyes widened. He could smell himself and the male fox, Youko on her person…but the other kitsune scent was decidedly feminine. That meant it was coming from…”Kagome.”

 

Youko was still glaring daggers at the mutt even as Kagome's voice was heard. He too had seen the mark upon her child and it had angered even him. The aura that surrounded Kagome flared angrily around her and he knew that something would have to be done. A small intake of air and a whispering of her name brought his attention from the dog to the kit in a fraction of a second. Letting out the breath he wasn't aware of holding, Youko once more inhaled deeply and nearly choked.

 

He knew the reason behind Shippou's actions. Mixed among Kagome's already enticing scent was the aroma of a female kitsune. Shippou must have noticed as well because he was looking at her expectantly and Youko knew he had to move fast. It was obvious her youkai blood was fighting for control and wanted redemption for the damage done to her kit. Catching the kit's eye, he pressed a finger to his lips in a silent sign to keep quiet and sighed with relief when Shippou nodded his head.

 

Shippou moved quickly to Kagome's shoulder and lightly patted a small hand against her own cheek. “Momma, please calm down. Its okay momma, I'm okay. You can heal me and make everything better. Please.” Seeing his words having no effect, he turned tear filled eyes to Youko, clearly stating he didn't know how to help.

 

Scooting closer to Kagome, he fought the sudden urge to grab her and take her away as her scent hit him harder, and settled for placing a restraining hand on her unoccupied shoulder. “Kagome, this isn't how you wanted to tell them of your change. Don't let that mutt see your true form this way. You have more control than this.” Youko sighed in reprieve as her body ceased its trembling though her aura remained angry.

 

Kagome vaguely heard Shippou's soft voice in her ear, telling her to calm down and that she could heal the damage. She knew he was right but her beast demanded blood and it felt as though her inner fox was tearing at her from inside to be free and crush the hanyou between its jaws. Feeling a weight on her other shoulder she took a deep breath and was surrounded by the calming scents of Youko and Shippou. The silver fox's soft words helped bring back her rationale and she shuddered with the restraint it took to chain up her beast.

 

She spoke then, her voice coming out soft and husky, the threat of danger sounding like seduction “I know Shippou. I know you are okay and I know I can heal you. That isn't the point though.” She raised her head, her eyes locked on Inuyasha as she spoke. “It is one thing for him to repeatedly hurt and belittle me. I have grown accustomed to his own form of torture over the years. For him to hurt you is unforgivable.”

 

Her companions and Kikyou took a startled step back once Kagome raised her eyes to glower at Inuyasha. Even as she spoke, the sapphire of her eyes danced menacingly as crimson slowly faded from her eyes. She wanted to tear him apart even as a voice in the back of her head told her she didn't. He was her first love. He would always hold a small piece of her heart simply for being in that role. Reigning in the last vestiges of her youki, she sighed heavily, dropping her head to her chest and whispered “sit.”

 

Kagome didn't even bother to look once the telltale crash resounded and when the blue streak of curses didn't follow, she was sure he was unconscious. `Good. Baka deserves some time out.' With that done, she stood with Shippou in her arms and looked towards Sango and Miroku who still looked completely confused by everything.

 

Figuring the best place to start would be to make introductions, Kagome sighed and gestured her friends toward her. Sango seemed broken from her reverie by Kagome's movements and ran to hug her. Crushing the younger girl to her chest, Sango spoke “Kagome what is going on?”

 

Once released from Sango's grip she found herself in the equally strong embrace of Miroku. “Yes Lady Kagome, please enlighten us. When we were awoken by Inuyasha we worried for your safety. With the Shikon where it is, you are still in danger.”

 

Kagome sighed. Miroku was right. She had known the truth of his words before she left, but she was needed somewhere. Taking one last look at Kikyou, who was hovering over the crater in which Inuyasha currently resided whispering to him, Kagome spoke to her friends “Well, there is a lot to tell and I would rather be in more…comfortable settings. There is a hot spring and a clearing nearby we could go to. I have bandages to change anyway.”

 

Her friends knew what she meant and followed her without question, knowing she would reveal all once they got somewhere that she could be comfortable in. Truth be told, Miroku, Sango and Shippou would happily leave Inuyasha and Kikyou should it be needed. For now, they were content knowing that Kagome was once more with them and safe.

 

After walking at a leisurely pace for about fifteen minutes, the group cleared the foliage and entered a clearing in which sat a hot spring. Making her way to the edge, Kagome sat down softly and began rummaging through her pack. With a small exclamation of triumph, Kagome pulled her first aid kit free and gestured for the rest to sit. Shippou promptly took up his place on her shoulder, Youko resumed his place by her side and Sango and Miroku sat to her other side.

 

Kagome sat fidgeting. She knew that Youko's bandages needed to be replaced, his wounds cleaned but when she thought about having to ask him to remove his shirt, she blushed. It had to be done, but she was all too aware of Youko and his charm and remembered with clarity what had happened the last time he was without clothes. Now, here she was with not only a kinky kitsune but a hentai houshi as well.

 

This just wasn't her day.

 

Noticing the slight stain of pink on her cheeks, Youko smirked. He knew what needed to be done, but she looked so damned cute like that! He couldn't resist teasing her “Kagome, what's wrong? Are you ill? Your cheeks are a little pink.” At that, he noted that the lovely shade of pink tinted to an even more lovely shade of red. He smirked again.

 

Miroku, being the pervert we all know and love, was able to read the body language of the fox and his friend all too clearly; especially seeing the stain of color high on Kagome's cheekbones. He knew he was going to be rendered unconscious for his next statement but it couldn't be helped. “Lady Kagome why do you hesitate in your task so? It isn't as though you haven't bandaged a male before. Or, would you like some privacy?”

 

Just as his dark eyebrows wiggled suggestively, Sango brought Hiraikotsu down on his head mumbling about perverted monks and watched in satisfaction as he was `helped' into dream land.

 

Youko could only chuckle at the antics of the monk and knew right away that they would have many opportunities to have fun at the expense of the women sitting there with them. He could only hope that the slayer wouldn't take such liberties with his person. Seeing as how Kagome was still flushed and floundering, he decided to help her some. “So Kagome,” he started, slowly pulling his shirt off so he wouldn't disturb his wounds, “are you going to formally introduce me to your friends?”

 

Really, she tried. She tried to ignore the perverts but was unable to. Once she heard Youko's soft voice again, she raised her eyes to look at him…and almost wished she hadn't. For there he was…regarding her curiously…shirtless…

 

She promptly shook herself to keep from staring. Honestly though, who could blame her? Kagome hadn't really had any experience at all with members of the male persuasion but she knew a good view when she saw it. Sneaking a peek at Sango, she was relieved to notice she was suffering as well. Fighting the urge to close her friend's mouth, she turned her attention back to Youko who was now smirking at her.

 

That got her angry. He was laughing at her discomfort! Well, two could play that game, he would soon find out. Through the entirety of his little charade she had been turned on but had been hiding it in an attempt to avoid being teased. Seeing as how her plan had failed, she decided to see what the scent she was sure she was emitting would do.

 

Her mind made up, she let the barrier on her scent drop. Immediately she knew this was a good idea and by the look on Youko's face, her plan had worked. `That'll teach that damned fox to toy with me!'

 

Honestly, he wasn't trying to tease her anymore by removing his shirt. He knew his bandages needed to be changed and was trying to give her a way out of asking him to disrobe. Apparently, she assumed he was still teasing her because all at once, he was hit with a wave of her scent. Her normal fragrance that he had already come to love was wrapped tightly in a heady aroma that made his head spin. Kami did she smell good!

 

Tilting his head to gaze into her eyes, he saw the laughter that danced in her midnight orbs and bit his tongue to keep from stripping her naked and throwing her down on a pile of their clothes. She was teasing him and he knew it and it only served to inflame his desire for her more.

 

Her breath hitched in her throat when gold clashed with blue. Those burning sunset orbs seemed to flare to life in front of her and she briefly wondered if her plan had been a sound one. It wasn't lost on her as to why she felt the way she did around him but the most recent wounds inflicted by Inuyasha still ached and she refused to give in to Youko. She didn't want him to be a replacement as she was. He deserved better than that from someone and she wasn't so sure she was the one.

 

Kagome had taken an instant liking to the fox and had felt an attraction to him from the moment her eyes landed on his form in that dungeon. She knew though, that her heart wasn't healed yet and she had no intentions of being a bed warmer for anyone, even if he did make her stomach flip. For the past five years she had loved with her entire soul and had yet to receive anything in return. She never asked for his love because she knew that love wasn't something you could just give.

 

Call her selfish, but Kagome wanted love too. She wanted to feel needed and wanted; she wanted to be held close and comforted when memories of her lost family would force tears from her eyes; she wanted it all and Kami be damned if she would settle for less this time. Kagome was well aware of the fact that with such strong demands, it was very likely she would die alone and a virgin. That thought didn't really bother her as much as the idea of having a good romp with someone who didn't care for her did.

 

The situation didn't have time to escalate any further however because Miroku had just awakened and now the monk and taijiya were looking at her in anticipation. Part of her was thankful for the distraction…her body was starting to put up serious arguments with her heart and soul; the other part of her howled in outrage at being denied the chance to touch the beautiful kitsune in front of her in the most intimate of ways.

 

With a shake of her head to clear her thoughts, Kagome began unwinding the lengths of cloth that covered Youko's injuries while starting the story of all that had come to pass since the night before.