InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Against All Odds ❯ Chapter Seven ( Chapter 7 )

It hadn't taken nearly as long for Kagome to explain about Youko to her friends as she thought it would have and they were now back at Kaede's village. Then again, Inuyasha wasn't there interrupting her continuously either. For that, she was thankful. While she was aware that Miroku and Sango both had good reason to be wary of Youko, mostly due to the many times Kagome had been kidnapped or things of the like, she was thankful that they had learned some understanding from her.

 

Kagome had been right; Miroku, Sango and Shippou were all happy to let the kitsune join their entourage for how ever long he wanted to stay. They weren't told of exactly what tortures he had been through, Kagome didn't even know though she could guess, but they all felt their hearts go out to the fox when a haunted look clouded his golden gaze as he spoke. They believed him and Kagome. Miroku and Sango both knew to trust Kagome; she had yet to lead them astray.

 

Besides all that, Youko was pleasant company. While he seemed to be just as perverted as Miroku, he was more tasteful about it and had yet to let his hands wander. He smiled and joked freely, even if the smiles didn't always reach his eyes.

 

It was early evening now and the houshi and taijiya were sitting by the fire outside while Kagome was watching Youko teach some new things to Shippou. Seeing they were alone, Miroku decided to speak “Lady Sango,” Miroku started in a conspirator's whisper, “have you noticed the difference in Youko's eyes when he is talking with Lady Kagome?” It had only been a few hours since they had met and talked with the kitsune and Miroku had noticed how his behavior changed slightly when with Kagome.

 

Sango nodded, “Yes indeed I have Miroku. I think our Kagome has an admirer though Inuyasha isn't happy about it. Something is up with him though. Normally, he would have tried to run Youko through with Tetsusaiga by now.” After they had reached the village they all called home, the half-demon had disappeared and Kikyou was gone as well. While they didn't care about the clay miko's whereabouts, and where sure she was off gathering more souls, the absence of Inuyasha was unsettling.

 

As if thinking of the devil would bring him forth, a blur of red and white was seen flying towards the field where their friends were. After a disappearance such as the one he had pulled, Miroku and Sango were sure he was up to no good and got up to follow him.

 

~*~

 

Kagome laughed as she watched Shippou doing his transformations. Youko had been working with him on a few of the easier details for the majority of the day, only taking a break for lunch. Now it was early in the evening, the sun just beginning to set, and the two foxes were working on Shippou's transform ability. While he could now keep his tail from showing, and any other tell tale traits, he couldn't hold an illusion for very long. Youko said it would come with time and practice, to which Shippou pouted.

 

The two had just finished the last of the young ones illusions when Kagome thought she felt Inuyasha. Turning her head slightly to gaze around the clearing and then the treetops she found nothing. Shrugging her shoulders, she turned her attention back to Shippou. `He has been working so hard today. I really am thankful for Youko…he is what Shippou needs.'

 

That and he needed a break. Deciding to take matters into her own hands, Kagome caught Youko's eyes and grinned mischievously, to which he raised an eyebrow. Her grin only widened and Youko sat back and watched amused as Kagome literally pounced on the kit.

 

“Ah! Kagome!” Shippou started, already feeling his mother's fingers attacking his sides, “Momma…please…I give up!” The young fox squawked in between giggles. Once tears were rolling down his cheeks, Kagome got off of him and helped him into her lap where she lovingly ran her fingers through his hair, it having come undone during the rough housing.

 

A low, soothing rumble was heard and Kagome quickly looked to Youko only to catch the glittering in his eyes and realized he was laughing at her…or them rather. Arching one ebony eyebrow, Kagome questioned him, mocking anger “And just what is so funny, eh fox? I can do the same to you too ya know. Just because you are bigger than me means nothing.”

 

Nodding his head in agreement, Shippou spoke “She's right Youko. She can tickle anyone until they cry. She has gotten each and every one of us more than once.” Shippou grinned impishly, his green eyes sparkling in a devious manner.

 

Youko could only smile at the picture they made. Although he thought Kagome to be beautiful as a human, inside he was simply itching to see her as a youkai, now that he knew her to be a kitsune as well. `If she looks anything as a fox as she does a human, she will be mine.' Kami but she was beautiful! The way her raven hair fell in waves down her back while wisps of the dark length caressed her cheeks; her sapphire eyes sparkling with happiness and mischief. She truly was a sight to behold.

 

Too lost in his thoughts was he that the poor kitsune failed to catch the look that passed between mother and son and soon found himself effectively pinned to the ground by Kagome; her legs firmly planted on either side of his waist and her small hands clamped around his wrists. He opened his mouth to question her when he felt tiny hands attempting to tickle his sides. It was then he realized Kagome was holding him down so Shippou could tickle him.

 

Smirking, the fox spoke before he lost himself in laughter “Tsk, tsk Kagome. Having kids fight your battles now? I do believe Shippou said it was you that did the tickling around here.” If the fox thought he had won, he was in for a surprise.

 

With one look to Shippou, Kagome jumped off Youko. The elder kitsune grinned, thinking he had gotten his way and made to stand up, only to find his hands sufficiently pinned beneath one of Shippou's statues. Turning his head to the side, he noticed the culprits grinning widely at him. Then Kagome spoke.

 

“What was that Youko? Something about kids fighting my battles, ne? Well, now that my hands are free, you are in trouble.” The last word spoken and Kagome pounced on him, mercilessly tickling down his sides and across his stomach.

 

“Hey momma! I bet he is really ticklish behind the knees. You know I am.” Shippou grinned. He was happy to see his mother laughing and happy; and with another kitsune. He was sure that Youko would never treat his beloved mother the way Inuyasha had.

 

Youko tried to glare at Shippou, truly he did. Unfortunately, it came across as a smirk right before he broke out into laughter when Kagome found his most ticklish spot; it was indeed behind his knees. Being able to only take so much, Youko yelped and Kagome stopped to look at him.

 

Catching his breath, he spoke “Okay Kagome I get the point. Trust me I will never question you again.” Kagome smiled and nodded to Shippou who released Youko from his temporary holdings. Once freed, Youko stretched languidly and scooted closer to Kagome. Bringing his lips to rest against the shell of her ear, he whispered “Although I have to thank you, my sweet. I haven't been able to laugh like that in ages.” He placed a gentle kiss against her neck before pulling away to stand.

 

By now Kagome's face was a brilliant shade of red and for those who didn't know her better; it would appear she was flushed from so much action. However, those who were close to the young woman knew all too well that the particular way the color suffused against her skin could only mean she was blushing.

 

All this transpired as the monk and demon slayer approached from the village and a seething inu hanyou watched from the treetops.

 

~*~

 

The sun was now setting on the horizon, bathing the land in brilliant shades of pink and gold and every color and hue in between. A fire crackled merrily in the middle of the group of friends as a deer roasted over the open flame. After the tickling match outside the village, Youko had decided to go and hunt. The prospect of a meal that wasn't ramen, although they all truly enjoyed the noodles, appealed to everyone and they were all happy when the fox returned only a few minutes later with the doe, cleaned and ready to be cooked.

 

Inuyasha had yet to return and although the current company was splendid, this fact seemed to nag at the backs of everyone's mind. It wasn't like the hanyou to just disappear in such a way and stay gone for such a time, especially since they were aware of exactly where Kikyou was, the eerie glow of the Shinidamachu marking her trail. The group of Shard Hunters and even Youko were all wary of Inuyasha at this point. Though none thought he would harm them, his behavior was most peculiar.

 

While Sango and Miroku were discussing Inuyasha's disappearance and Shippou and Youko were conversing over kitsune abilities, Kagome was fidgeting. She desperately wished she could go home to visit her family. Now that they were so close to the remains of the Bone Eater's Well, Kagome was becoming homesick. Sure the family on the other side of the well wasn't her biological one, but they were the only family she had ever known and she missed them.

 

Knowing she could trust the kitsune and her friends, she decided to tell them her story. Kagome cleared her throat softly and waited for the light chatter to die and eyes to focus on her. Once she had everyone's attention, she began “Well, there are two different stories I have to tell tonight. I will start with the one you aren't aware of Youko.”

 

Seeing his curious golden eyes bore into hers, she took a deep breath and spoke softly “I am not from this time. Although I was born in the time originally, I grew up in a time five hundred years in the future.” Ignoring the startled gasps of her friends, she continued. “There is a clearing not far from here that houses the remains of the Bone Eater's Well. That well was a portal to my time. Since my fifteenth birthday, I have been able to pass from the era I grew up in to this one, up until recently. The well was destroyed in a battle against the vile hanyou known as Naraku.”

 

Her sapphire gaze never wavering from his golden one, she recounted her tale from the first time she was pulled into the well up until they had met. She giggled at the look of amazement on the fox's face.

 

When Kagome had told him what Midoriko spoke to her of, he was surprised. Now though, he was completely shocked. Although it gave him more insight into her other story, he still wasn't sure what to think. `This woman is simply the most amazing and intriguing creature I have ever known.' He couldn't explain it really, but he trusted Kagome and her word implicitly and was sure she would never lie to him. He sighed. He had no choice but to believe her.

 

“That story is even more amazing then the one you are about to tell your friends, Kagome. It is almost too far fetched to believe, but I think that is what makes me do just that.” Yes the story was almost unbelievable but he found himself curious about her time and immediately felt guilty when he realized he was rather happy that she couldn't disappear.

 

Kagome couldn't help but smile. She wasn't too sure that Youko would believe what she had to say, even though he had taken the news of her being youkai in stride. “Yes it is quite an unusual set of circumstances. Even though I know they are not my real family I miss them terribly. I wish I could go back…at least once to let them know how much I love them.”

 

Youko pouted. He had really wanted to go see the future but she wasn't even able to return. He decided he would delve into his vast knowledge of most things to see if there was anyway at all that the portal could be reopened. If it were possible, then maybe he could visit the world she grew up in. Youko realized then that he was thinking in terms of being around for long enough for such a thing to occur and, oddly enough, the thought made him happy.

 

He was shaken from his thoughts when he heard Kagome's musical voice telling the other side to her story to her long time companions and had to bite back a chuckle at the looks of shock that adorned their faces.

 

In no time, all Kagome's secrets were out in the open and she felt better then she had in a long time. As she looked to all her friends, she knew they believed her and she was elated to know they wouldn't turn her away. That was when Sango remembered the odd dream that had taken place the night before and although she was sad at losing her long time comrade in battle, she was happy to know that Kagome would be the one to have her.

 

Shippou was bouncing happily amongst the group. His momma was a youkai and would live as long as he would now. In his world, nothing could have been better. “Momma? What do you look like anyway? Are you much different as a youkai than you are as a human?”

 

Kagome tapped her chin thoughtfully for a second before answering. “Honestly Shippou I am not sure. I haven't seen what I look like yet as a kitsune.” Noting her son's hopeful expression she smiled, “Should we find out? I don't think I will be hiding it in this era at all, so I might as well get over the shock now.” That said she fingered the slender bracelet lightly before taking it off.