InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Forbidden Pain ❯ Chapter 21

Chapter 21

 

Hagari woke up days ago finding himself inside of some type of abyss. He stood seeing things he couldn't understand go past him, until he saw Itsuki on the outside through some type of transparent looking, thing.

“What's going on.”

Itsuki turned to the face on the wall. “You're inside of my pet. He's sort of like a dimension creature. Right now, you are in a different dimension, but at the same time, you haven't even left the inner cave. Apparently you'll be able to focus your physic energy more in here because you're in more of a dire situation then if you were attacked by someone on the outside. If you can perfect higher levels of your abilities in here, then you will become a `supped up' physic as Bob said and you will be able to assist him, us.”

Hagari was looking around trying not to show how upset he was. “And it doesn't help that I don't have a single projectile object in here for my abilities?”

Itsuki smiled briefly. “Perhaps, you won't be able to need it.” He walked off. “Welcome to the group, Sniper.”

Hiei came to a building, a smaller office structure finding it almost completely destroyed. He went inside not liking the lingering burnt smell and quickly noticed one thing that stood out. Beneath the rubble was a silver hatch that didn't look very burnt. Hiei kicked the debris off of the hatch and seeing the only damage to it was a clasp that looked more melted than broken. He cut through it and opened the hatch going inside sensing the distance between himself, the fox, and the Toushin. Going down the stairs in near pure darkness he could make out no smells outside of burns from above and wondered when the stairs would end. After a few minutes he noticed a path formed in front of him but decided to wait. Minutes later, Yusuke and Kurama were behind him. Kurama spoke.

“What is it Hiei?”

“My Jagan is very active.”

Shuichi looked ahead as well. “Really? You can sense things as well now too?”

Hiei growled. “No.”

Yusuke went ahead. “Meaning high youkai concentration. Be alert, not like we can do much now.”

Hagari had spent at least seven days inside of…Whatever. He was near dehydrated completely and was weak from lack of nutrition. He had no idea of how to get out. Itsuki had made his way back and for the third time and was now talking with Akuzo and another youkai. He listened in laying on his back eyes half open as the youkai hissed.

“Itsuki…What are we waiting for! We can gang up on the others and take this now! We don't need any of them!”

Itsuki sat against a wall near his pet out of view of Hagari. “Perhaps Bakatan. Perhaps. What do you think Akuzo?”

He smiled. “You know what I think, Itsuki.”

Itsuki chose to ignore the comment and went on talking. “What exactly do you dislike about current operations, Bakatan? The fact that Sensui and Ganban aren't going to go with your ideas? Perhaps if you come up with an idea then they will grant you more insight to their, truer causes.”

Bakatan, a type of reptile youkai, thought for a while before speaking. “They are still on the look out for an A class youkai, yes?” He evilly smiled. “I know just the place. I can get revenge on the Spirit Detective and at the same time bag an A class for you.”

Itsuki spoke seeing Akuzo's smile behind Bakatan. “You suppose to go after the Forbidden female then? Very well, Akuzo?”

Akuzo did his best to hold back his snicker seeing the reptile youkai before him filled with such determination. “Of course Itsuki, I'll be glad to leave this city and aid our, dearest friend in his noble idea. Adieu.”

Hagari blinked a few times as the information caught up to him. They were going after Kagome and apparently someone close to Yusuke, and even if there was a small possibility that Yusuke was going to let him live, letting someone else dear to him die, would be death. Meaning he had to get out of where he was, now.

In seeing Itsuki stand up and leave he stood on his own collapsing once. He was getting even weaker. Deciding he only had one shot at it before he passed out again Hagari looked through the `eyes' of the monster, held out his palm noticing a small glowing blue, thing, forming. Not stopping to question what it was he flicked it out towards the eye. The creature made a dreaded noise and the next thing he realized he was thrown out of the creature. Hagari stood, weak to get up, and began jogging using what strength he had left for the exit. After passing out once he made his way to his motorcycle and got on speeding off towards a quick mart, getting a liquid drink knowing it wouldn't help much, but he didn't have time. He sped off again after painfully chugging it and picked up his cell phone.

Yusuke continued going down the now pitch black hallways. He knew something was very wrong, but had no idea. None of them did-

“-Kurama your cell phone is loud even on vibrate turn that shit off now-“

“-It's Hagari… Hello? Moshi Moshi? Dajabou desku?”

Hagari moved his mouth noticing air escaped, but his throat was still so damaged he couldn't speak for anything. “Shuichi…”

Shuichi struggled to hear him. “I know it is you. What's happened?”

Hagari sped past a school yard seeing the children wave at him as he felt blood coming up his throat. “Setup. Nothing where you are at…Going after Uremeshi, get Kagome, attempt to capture Hiei-“

“-I can not understand you at all your voice is terrible-“

Hagari hung up. He couldn't text while driving, safely anyways. Not slowing down he focused his hand on the key pad on his phone and set a message to Shuichi minutes later.

Shuichi hung up the phone speaking to the rest not liking the fact that he even answered the phone in the first place where they were. “It was him. Something was very wrong I couldn't even understand a word he was saying, like his throat was, dead.”

Yusuke kept going. “Nothing you can do about it now, let it go…And two minutes later your text message vibrate sound.”

Shuichi spoke reading his phone in the dark. “Him again. Message uploading- He said where we are it is a set up they're going after `the spirit detective's and the forbidden female', as a set up. He wants us to go back now, Akuzo and Bakatan a reptile youkai are going after them. He says it's urgent.”

Yusuke's eyes had widened. “Kieko…”

Suddenly the room lit up with one light bulb above them and a barrier was formed around them. First made out of steel, and according to Hiei's Jagan, a second one outside of the steel formed of energy. Yusuke growled.

“The hell is going on!”

Shuichi looked around. “I still do not sense anyone around. Perhaps we had just reached a time and this activated. Meaning everything he sent to me was the truth…”

Yusuke had easily destroyed what steel bars Hiei had not gotten to yet with his sword and took five steps before he felt like he walked into a wall. Hiei spoke seeing Yusuke's eyes start to tinge red.

“The barrier is strong. I can't break it, inside-“

Yusuke growled feral like eyes red, hair growing, patterns emerging through the make up. “No one, messes, or threatens, Kieko.”

Yusuke's youki flared dangerously around him and soon was contained as he flexed his left arm and with one breathtaking punch broke through the barrier and was running towards the exit breaking down any and everything in his way leaving even Hiei in his dust trail.

Kagome was suckered into going baby shopping with Kieko. It wasn't that she didn't want to be around Kieko, but baby shopping…In ningen stores. Sure, some of the stuff she would have thought to be cute if ningen, but she was a hated youkai, and not hated in a good way. After leaving the sixth store they returned to the apartment and put all of the things away when Kieko poked her head into the quiet area where Kagome was.

“Hey Kagome. How ya doing after this eventful day?”

Kagome spoke on her back on the floor looking at the ceiling. “What did you forget.”

Kieko was a bit shocked. “How did you…Never mind. The restaurant closed early today since Uncle had to take care of some things and so did half of my family not away on business or something. And since me and you are left here, we have no food, so we get to go grocery shopping! Yusuke told me you make an exelecent lo mien…”

Kagome stood, surprisingly agile for a very pregnant woman and went towards the stairs. “Let's go to the market before it closes.”

Kieko grabbed her sweater and caught up to Kagome. “I still don't get how you can be, well just move so much now! You have like not even a month left before you deliver! And you can just…” She sighed. “A youkai thing.”

Kagome had to smile some. “Comes and goes with the no heart beat thing. Wanting children already Keiko?”

“I- No! It's just…Babies…They're soo cute, but I know it must hurt with the birthing and stuff, so I guess I am in no rush. And Yusuke might be a big shot youkai now or whatever a Toushin really is, but I am not having a child until I am finished with my education!”

Kagome looked ahead. “It's good that you have your principles Kieko.”

Keiko looked around. “Uhm, you do remember the market was like four lefts ago. I just noticed that, where are we going?”

Kagome walked back some closer to Kieko. “We've been followed since leaving your apartment. Call Shuichi.”

Suddenly a youkai that resembled a reptile jumped down in front of them. “Well well. I do wonder, how it is that you forbidden bitch were able to sense me, a high class youkai able to render scum like you worthless even to the bottom of my shoe.”

Kagome stood next to Kieko staring at him. She could sense something else, but had no idea of what it was. “I eat my wheaties and do my sit ups and made sure not to upset my house keeper.”

The youkai glared at her. “Fine wench. Be a scartstic bitch as well, and the detective precisous woman will be even more precisous, in pieces. Then I get to kill you a differerent-“

Kieko was calling Shuichi trying not to panic. “Pick up the phone pick up the phone kami sama please pick up the phone…Pick up the- Shuichi Kagome's fighting this youkai and she told me to call you and he wa-“

Shuichi spoke running back. Yoko would be faster, but unlike Yusuke who had black features, white/silver would stand out regardless of speed. It would have to do.

“-Kieko Hagari informed us. Leaving and getting trapped was a set up they want you both stay with Kagome if she tells you to do something Yusuke should be there in less than twenty minutes-“

“-from Mushari city are you crazy? It takes a train at least two hours!”

Shuichi spoke. “He is more determined than a train will ever be right now- Kieko? Kieko?...”

Kagome had blocked the spit from the reptile, Bakatan, with a flame and immediately pushed Kieko to the side meeting the claws of Bakatan with her hands letting her palms get cut and flipped him behind her-

“-Kieko do not run away from me. Stay as close as you can with some distance in my sight. Someone else is here and I don't know who or where-“

Bakatan sliced Kagome straight across her chest with his tail and she glared at him jumping over his tail forming an ice spear sending it at him. Bakatan threw it back at her but in the time his arm was extended from his body in obvious sign that he often does not use weapons, Kagome was allowed to get up close near him and with an ice dagger slit his neck deeply and pushed it in deeper as Bakatan's claws dug deep into her left forearm. When he dropped dead head almost completely severed she sighed turning back towards Kieko who's eyes were wide.

“What.”

Keiko was scared. “He's, behind, you.”

The youkai smiled speaking breath directly on the back of Kagome's neck. “It seems as if I have found you in your youkai stages of life my little forbidden one.” He backed away as Kagome kicked back clawing at him. “Feisty. I like `em feisty, except for Ganban. I like however he likes it.”

Kagome's eyes widened a bit to fear that she couldn't hide. She didn't want to lose her unborn again, she couldn't. And she knew Akuzo was more powerful than her right now. Kagome attacked at him only to find him apperate behind her and claw deep into her back. Kagome shouted crying a bit from the pain and cut at Akuzo who appeared in front of her and forced a kiss. He broke away when his back was burnt. He smiled.

“Little one you are feisty. Only adds my fuel for…You.” Akuzo appeared behind her after another failed attack and restrained her hitting her in the stomach causing her to shout. “Though I can't phantom even having the level of want towards you as I do Ganban.”

Keiko stood horrified at what Akuzo was doing to Kagome, repeatedly punching her over and over again in her stomach. She stood tears coming down her face.

“Stop! Just stop it-“

Kagome pushed Ganban back and stood shouting at Kieko spitting blood out of her mouth. “-Run away Kieko! Run away!”

Kieko shook her head. “Kagome you're my friend! I can't leave-“

“-Damnit do it! I'll catch up!”

In seeing Kieko run off Kagome quickly flared what youki she could summon around her and focused everything on trying to block Akuzo's attacks until she found an opening. She punched Akuzo in his gut when he slacked off on apperating and quickly put her palm out to his stomach flaming his body when she heard a scream from Kieko. She took off running.

Keiko, after a block of running, knew that Kagome was lying to her. The way that youkai was attacking her, there was no way that she would be able to survive that. She should have stayed, even if she was not help. She was only ningen. But that never stopped others from helping when it looked grim. Right now for her and Kagome it looked very-

Kieko stopped running suddenly as she turned a corner in an alley way. “Youkai…”

In front of her stood Chenja. “How can you tell? Did Uremeshi tell you what I was and when? Hmm. Very well then. Though I still say it does stand. I do find you, attractive, for a ningen.”

Kieko backed away. “Go away! I don't want anything to do with you youkai trying to kill us!”

Chenja smiled pleasantly. “Unfortunately for you,” Chenja quickly went behind Kieko restraining her. “we want something to do with you, and who you belong to-“ Chenja caught Kieko's hand headed at his face in a slap. “Feisty. Though,” Chenja snapped her arm causing her to scream in pure pain. “I don't want you fighting this more than you have to. Weak little ningen bones you have there. And now I sense your, friend.”

Kagome ran up at Chenja with Kieko and was about to attack when Chenja threw Kieko at Kagome causing her to catch her as he charged at her. Kagome caught Kieko and immediately after Chenja decked Kieko in her face causing her to head but Kagome in the chin. Kagome shouted some feeling her own teeth bite through a large portion of her own tongue as she stumbled back some. Before she could even set Kieko down Chenja attacked again knocking them both down with an arrogant laugh. Kagome took the brunt of the attack and stood up letting Kieko stand on her own when she sensed his next attack and grabbed onto his hand knowing he rejected her physical contact energy. Chenja spoke knocking her back.

“What do you know Akuzo, she went feral. And I thought those eyes were red before.”

Behind Kagome Akuzo spoke licking his lips from blood. “More feisty.”

Kagome was extremely aware of the two and crouched slightly in a defensive position when before she realized what was happening she heard Akuzo chocking. She didn't revert out of feral ness but turned seeing him holding his neck pouring out blood. He soon collapsed to the floor and Chenja spoke.

“At least I don't have to listen to persistent talking about Ganban now. Ready again forbidden one?”

Kagome commenced in attacking again, mainly defending Kieko until four minutes passed and from no where a blur of black came up and began beating and exchanging blows with Chenja Kagome couldn't even keep up with. Tired she made her way over to Yusuke getting Kieko putting her on her back getting out of the path of violence. Kieko spoke barley conscious.

“Kagome…What just happened?”

“Yusuke came.”

Yusuke continued matching and at times making contact with everything Chenja could dish out to him. He was after blood and gave no time for rest or no time for anything outside of letting his inner youkai do the rationalization. Chenja harmed Kieko, he would die. He noticed Chenja was slightly shocked for a while that Yusuke was indeed this powerful as he ducked decking him to the ground about to kick him up when he noticed Chenja's hands outstretched as if to absorb energy. Yusuke back off not happy allowing Chenja to stand and wipe blood from his mouth and eyes.

“All bow down to the all mighty Toushin! Indeed! I haven't seen Raizen in centuries! I wonder who you are exactly to him, then. Your powers impress me Uremeshi, and that is a feat in itself. I can see you are upset, but, don't you wonder, if I am the only one here? If your woman is truly safe? If someone else Kagome didn't know of is after them both now? We've been fighting for at least forty minutes in this alley, time flies when you are in a good, true fight.”

Yusuke growled increasing his speed again and decking Chenja straight into the ground as he ran past towards Kieko.

Kagome was tired but could not stop. She felt a tremendous strain on her stomach and hoped she wouldn't have to deliver early. She made her way to a mainly deserted park for this time of day and set Kieko down on a bench and then sat herself. She sensed Kurama in the area, and figured if he was there, then Hiei was as well. They all came back-

Kagome gave a small shout doubling over in pain. Her unborn…Pain-

“-Are you okay?”

Kagome recognized the voice and before Hiei could think he was decked to the ground with a cold hand as went to attack again, finding him to move out of the way. “Damnit what the hell do you want from me.”

Kieko looked on confused as Hiei held her arms preventing her from attacking. “The hell has gotten into you onna! I am not going to harm you I just want to know if you will be all right-“

Kagome spoke eyes burning red. “-I hope you burn in hell.”

Yusuke ran up not even seconds later and immediately went to Kieko holding her not letting go. He let out a breath.

“Kieko… I'm taking you with me next time. I'm never leaving you again.”

Kieko leaned against him still in pain. “Yusuke… You're okay.”

Yusuke was scared. “Just rest. When you wake up, I promise you won't be in pain, and Yoko will get something nice for your arm, far faster than a ningen cast, even if it is for a ningen. No more tears.”

Shuichi came up to see Kagome fighting pure anger within herself and a loosing battle against passing out. Hiei…

“Hiei, would you do me the favor of holing Hagari? I'm afraid I'm unable to hold him.”

Hiei understood the message, away from Kagome, or you die. “Hnn.”

Kagome watched as Hiei took the unconscious malnutrition Hagari and exhaled trying yet again to calm herself. Her outside façade was, but not inside. The damn bastard…

Shuichi caught Kagome as she fell into unconsciousness. `Her wounds are grave for her current condition. I need to get her back, to somewhere safe, soon.'

`Then I suggest you go faster Red.'

Shuichi thought quickly making his way with the use of more of Yoko's abilities towards his mother's house. `What do you think Hiei did? She did?'

`I don't know, but my mate looked ready and willing to kill Hiei. Meaning once I have done my best to heal her I will have Hiei tell me what is going on. It's almost as if she, hates him.'

Shuichi jumped across a roof top smelling sticky rice in the process of being cooked. `I've never seen her hate anyone, or that angry for a fact. Hiei wasn't even here with her alone for long. Perhaps I'll ask Kieko if given a chance between the two of you what happened.'

`Yusuke won't let her out of his site and most likely will even go to the restroom with her for some time until he deems it safe for her to be in a separate room without him. Even if she tries to piss him off and annoy him out of watching her constantly. And once you return with my mate I will be with my mate. So you will ask at a later time.'

Shuichi saw his house in the distance. `Do you think Yusuke will really take Kieko with us from now on? That would be quite dangerous.'

`That I have no idea. I could understand the benefits of it, but I believe there would be more cons against it. The only reason why I did not have you take Kagome. If he decides to do so, then…I will discuss it with him, later.'

Shuichi sensed his house empty and remembering the time of the year, that his family would be visiting his step father's family in Chiba for some time. Letting the rest in through the window he laid Kagome down on a bed in his room then, against his and Yoko's better judgment, went to Kieko in his mother's bed and let Yoko out to quickly fix Kieko, knowing Yusuke could do something ugly if `his' was not taken care of first. After a few plants and ten minutes, he left to take care of his mate. Kneeling against the bed mending her back he spoke feeling a presence at the doorway.

“Explain to me why you continue to antagonize my mate to the point of hatred towards you Hiei.”

Hiei looked on at Kagome in the bed. “It's past hatred.”

Yoko still did not look at him. “Then explain.”

Hiei made sure to word his words in a way that wouldn't piss off Yoko. “She believes I see her as weak and inferior.”

Yoko knew Hiei was hiding from him. “When I said explain Hiei, I did not mean an abridged version. You will tell me, why even being in the presence of you causes my mate discomfort, or I will cause you to be in discomfort.”

“I've degraded her and called her weak and incompetent too many times, intentional or not. The last time I said it apparently I, depressed her and harmed her far more than I knew. Then she was raped, and she hasn't wanted a thing to do with me since. At the park today the only thing I said to her was if she was okay, and she wished hell upon me.”

Yoko finished on Kagome and spoke quietly, Hiei had broken her. “Check on Hagari.”

Kagome opened her eyes knowing she must be on major makai plants if she didn't feel much pain. But it was still enough for her to fight against the feeling of tears forming in her eyes. Tears forming of pain, because she was beat again in battle, because she couldn't protect Keiko, because she was too weak to sense Chenja and led Keiko to him, because she couldn't protect her unborn, because she couldn't do anything against Hiei, because of Hiei. Thinking about the name and anything related to him made her blood want to boil as she clenched her fist in anger feeling blood tinkle down her palms. She then realized what she was doing and let go of her palms and let them heal. Screw Hiei, he never cared, he was never your friend, always been a bastard, move on. She cursed to herself sitting up ignoring the pain, Yoko was sitting on the edge of the bed the entire time.

“Calm down. Let it go for now.”

Kagome sat next to him on the edge of the bed. “It doesn't bother me any more.”

Yoko spoke closing his eyes. “Don't try lying to me of all people Kagome.”

“I meant now. Can do what he wants to, why should I care.”

“Because you trusted him at one point in these past few years and to you it's betrayal again.”

Kagome hadn't even thought of that yet. “How's Keiko.”

Yoko shook his head eyes still closed. “Kagome…”

“I'm fine, really.” Kagome stared off. “I have to be, so I will be.”

“But you don't want to be fine with it.”

“I don't, but there are a lot of things in this world that people want or don't want but don't have the luxury in life to, just do what they want. I'm used to it, I don't really care anymore, so I'm moving on.”

It was quiet for a while, Yoko then spoke. “You know he doesn't hate you. Most of the time he didn't even know that he was upsetting or degrading you.”

“What do you want me to say? He's my best buddy now? It's over with Yoko. Not important an-“

“-you are important Kagome.”

Kagome looked into his golden eyes from her chin in his hand. Her eyes showed her hesitation before she spoke.

`I…Gave up on myself…' “Okay. How long was I out for?”

Yoko inhaled her scent from her hair. “A day, you're too stubborn to sleep any longer. Hagari apparently by the look of Akuzo's body was the one to kill him, he's here still sleeping.”

Kagome looked a bit confused. “What happened to him?”

“Apparently he hasn't had food or water in over seven days and besides malnutrition, his throat was too damaged to speak. With hope his body will let him wake today to explain to us what is going on. Oddly enough, I couldn't find a projectile from Akuzo's body, just a clear hole.”

Kagome leaned on Yoko's shoulder. “Maybe he's advanced in his abilities.” Kagome sighed. “When is this going to end.”

Hagari opened his eyes immediately coughing. He reached out seeing a glass of something near by and not caring what it was began to slowly drink it knowing the consequences of chugging liquids too fast first hand. His throat, oddly enough, felt fine, as if he were recovering from a light case of the flu. Tired over all he realized he didn't know where he was, but hearing the voice of Yusuke, figured he didn't have much time where he was. Standing, finding himself able to move well, he walked out of the bedroom to the kitchen and helped himself to the fresh made dumplings, rice, and fish. Minutes later Yusuke with an arm around Kieko, Yoko, and Hiei entered the room. Yusuke sat Keiko down then stood behind her, directly, speaking.

“Speak.”

Hagari gave a look to Yusuke. “There's a lot to, speak, of.”

Yusuke spoke glaring back at him. “Start from the last time you decided to inform us.”

Hagari set down his chopsticks. “I basically did nothing for the longest, until… I don't even know how long I was in there yet… Until, perhaps three weeks ago Sensui contacted me, that I was to wait outside of the same cave I brought Akuzo out of. I went and saw Itsuki, Chenja, and your boss walking into the cave. He told me to call him Bob. He said that he was in charge of making decisions and taking decisive action, but that others were in charge as well. Itsuki did not talk much, but,” Hagari drank more tea. “Chenja seemed to be on the same level as Bob, because of the way they argued, discussed back and forth. Chenja kept saying that Bob shouldn't be here, I thought Ningenkai, Bob said he was the only one who would possibly be able to do it outside of a supped up physic, why I was brought along. Chenja then went on that Bob wasn't him, and Bob said he was as close as they were going to get to him.”

Yusuke spoke. “Who's him.”

“I don't know. Bob said he couldn't see it and they decided that I would become supped up. But before that, he asked if the converter worked. Itsuki explained that on a D class youkai it converted the youki to spirit energy, but at only half of what the youki was before. They said they would then need an able mid A class youkai or higher, and basically said that Hiei would be the easiest to get to.”

Yusuke spoke again not showing his confusion. “Why do you think that.”

Hagari thought for a while before speaking. “First, apparently there aren't that many A class youkai, and those that are A class are important to some extent for their cause. They can't bring a living A class back to Ningenkai from Makai without setting off the barrier alarm device that your boss is supposed to monitor, would make him suspicious. And the device can't be used in Makai by their statements. Meaning the only youkai here that are mid A class or higher that are able to be used and not get them killed in the process that they know of, in Japan to save time, Kagome and Hiei.”

Yusuke spoke. “Why not Yoko, me, others.”

Hagari shrugged. “Others I don't know, but Bob said not Yoko because they can't force him out of Shuichi to take his energy any longer, meaning they had the ability to at one point. And not you, Uremeshi, because they would most likely get killed for trying to kill an S class of your caliber, uncharted, and you are too much of a risk. Others that are powerful along high A and other S class, don't know. But they are going to get Hiei.”

Yusuke spoke thinking about Sesshomaru. “All right what happened to you?”

“When Bob and Chenja walked out still friendly like, Itsuki was left with me and said he was going to aid me in become more powerful and before I knew what was going on I woke up in…Some abyss, new dimension. Nothingness. Itsuki came back and told me I had to get out on my own, and the situation would help abilities of mine that I didn't know form. He called it his pet. The day I killed Akuzo before vomiting and passing out I barley heard some, reptile thing, Akuzo, and Itsuki speaking of plan of attack, but it was clear that Akuzo and Itsuki were playing Bakatan and wanted to use him as bait. I couldn't see Itsuki, then I came here.” Hagari stood. “I have to be going soon. Anything else.”

Yusuke spoke. “If they are lying to their own ranks that think they are privileged and trusted, what makes you think they are not lying to you.”

“Nothing doesn't make me think that, but I don't have anything else to work on. Besides, apparently they need me now.” Hagari walked out of the door. “I'll inform you if something comes up again.”

It was quiet for a while. “So for sure two of the four youkai are out of wherever, Koenma has gone to the dark side, and if they get Hiei then the third youkai can be released. They never tell him where operations is, and Hagari is needed as well possibly to see something…So what the hell is going on?”

Yoko spoke. “We need to attack before they attack us, make a scene so that they know where we are, because we do not want violence in our homes.”

Yusuke spoke. “I know that, how.”

Hiei spoke. “How soon do you want to leave and do this Toushin.”

Yusuke growled some. “After Kagome births, by that time, Kieko will be fully healed. And should we even be staying here? I mean they know who we are and can just look up online even and figure out where we live.”

Kagome spoke in her same voice in the other room. “I have a place in southern Osaka no one knows of.”

Kieko spoke unable to hear her. “What did she say?”

Yoko spoke. “Kagome has a place of her own, that I didn't know about.”

Kagome sighed. “It's mine through inheritance and I've never been there. The place is of my great uncle who is dead and had no children and through family name I'm his only living relative though I'm not related to him at all.”

Kieko shrugged. “Not that far from Osaka University. And I can still go to work if mister `I'm a big bad youkai that won't give me a seconds space' will even let me go, or to school for that matter.”

Yusuke smiled. “For your own good. We can pack up now.”

A few hours later, by rooftop or by metro, the group made its way to the location given by Kagome. Shuichi spoke looking up.

“I'm not surprised that it's a shrine, it's just…”

Keiko spoke looking up as well from the base of the steps at the Torii. “How old is this place Kagome? I mean it's in the forest basically and the carvings…”

Kagome stood exgusted, but would be damned before letting anyone know. She wasn't healed yet.

“Three hundred years or so. I've only been here once so do what you want.” Kagome began to make her way up the stairs but before the third step she felt arms lifting her up. “Yoko…”

Yoko jumped three times and made his way to the top of the stairs. “I can still smell faint traces of your blood, don't over exert yourself.”

Looking around the shrine resembled any regular Shinto shrine. Garden, slightly grown over, sand garden, deity shrine box, well house, almost no modern looks from the outside aside from the electricity poles. The shrine house even looked old, and upon entering the inside resembled the looks of one from centuries ago. Paper doors, thin floors, cooking area dug out in the center for the pot and fire. There was a sink for running water, but no stove or microwave. The fridgerator was very old and there were few lights in the house, mainly areas for candles. The upstairs also had the sliding doors but no beds, traditional Japanese sleeping arrangements. Each room had a bonsai tree and beautiful kanji written on the white/peach walls. The bathroom had a toilet and a bath, no shower. There was no heating or cooling. Yusuke entered with Kieko who spoke.

“Wow, so, traditional…No TV even. Or telephone… Is there even electricity?”

Yusuke spoke. “There is, but since this place hasn't been used in a while it probably got turned off.” He kissed her on the forehead. “Think of it as camping inside. Back to your roots Kieko.”

Kieko gave him a look. “You're telling me back to the roots? You're the one that eats like a normal pregnant woman, everything. No food here Yusuke, and no microwave- NO cursing!”

Yusuke smirked. “Guess we just have to go and get some. Sorry I cursed Kieko kio.”

Kieko blushed though no one was around. “Yusuke…”

Yusuke led Kieko out in his arms jumping down the stairs. She still couldn't tell when he was faking things, as obvious as that last one should have been. He loved the perks of being youkai. Always on good terms with Kieko, now that he could think his way out of these situations.

Kagome leaned into Yoko's hold in an upstairs bedroom. “When are you going to leave again.”

Yoko noticed how she nuzzled against him. “I'll come back.”

“That's not what I asked.”

“No, but that's what you want to hear.”

“How'd you know.”

“Because you're my soul mate and I love you.”

“And because you're arrogant, too much so to leave me alone.”

Yoko smiled. “The one time you'd agree and even like for me to be so. You do love me Kagome.”

She smiled. “Not hiding it…Have you thought of baby names yet.”

“I have two names in mind already. How about Yoko for the first born, and Kurama for the second, ne?”

“How about Hokorashii and Tokui.”

Yoko smiled nuzzling her hair. “Arrogant and pride? You wound me Kagome. Is this what you think of me?”

“Damn straight.”

“Why not Bidanshi and Mattaki?”

Kagome smiled shaking her head. “Handsome and perfect? How `bout no. Real names Yoko, not your own attributes in your children that aren't even born yet. And they won't turn out to be arrogant before they can even count to ten. And I know you're giving me that look without even turning around.”

Yoko laughed some hands still around her stomach. “Dearest Kagome you have little faith in me. But I have been thinking about names and I won't know until they are born, who they could become.”

Kagome rubbed against him. “So how long are you going to stay.”

Yoko looked ahead. “I don't know.”

“Hmm. The great Yoko Kurama unsure. Well we can't have that now can we?” Kagome turned around in his hold and hugged him. “I just know that whenever you leave, that you will come back.”

Yoko gave her a look. “A bit, sappy, for you isn't it Kagome?”

Kagome lightly jabbed him in the side. “You're one to talk.”

Yoko smiled. “I prefer to call it expressing with my own emotions towards a loved one. This Yoko is not sappy.”

Kagome moved up kissing him. “Whatever, I don't feel like proving you wrong now. Remember the pregnant woman's is always right.”

Yoko sighed. “You have been around Kieko too long.”

“She's helping me out, that you are supposed to do every single thing that I say or think of.”

“I'd do that anyway.”

Kagome kissed him again. “I know you would.”

Yoko kissed her. “But you don't ask of anything from me.”

Kagome leaned back onto his chest. “And that's the way I like it.”

“Peanuts Yusuke. Peanuts! How difficult is it for you to remember that Yusuke I told you that we would need peanuts in the noodles since it would be easier than-“

Yusuke picked up Kieko at the base of the steps to the shrine and jumped up seven times to the shrine house, each time kissing Kieko with the bags in his other arm. “Do you want me to go back and get peanuts, Kieko?”

Kieko was let down to her feet a bit wobbly and smiled. “That's fine Yusuke, we can make do without them. Let's get inside and put the food away then start dinner. I'm sure Kagome is hungry now and even if she isn't Yoko'll want her to eat. And if by chance he has gone insane and doesn't then I'll make her because I know that girl doesn't eat enough as it is.” Kieko, inside putting stuff away, turned to Yusuke lighting the fire. “I mean come on Yusuke she is pregnant and eats less than I do! And I eat normally!”

Yusuke shrugged putting a pot over the flames. “I don't ask about pregnant women. How's the midwife thing going?”

Kieko smiled. “I'm excited! Since we met I told her that I want to do this and I've been learning a lot! I've even read a, uhm, few books that I got that had some info on youkai births and it's basically the same for all intensive reasons. And oh! All of the baby clothes I got for her are back at the apartment!”

Yusuke smiled laying on his back watching Kieko preparing food. “I'll go back and get it later.”

Yoko brushed Kagome's hair out of her face. “Food's ready, and you should know by now that it isn't a question or an option.”

Kagome sighed. “And I keep telling you I'm not hungry. You make me eat too much food Yoko. Can I please skip the meal just this once?”

Yoko sat her up. “Do you promise not to ask again and always eat from now on?”

Kagome smiled. “Yes.”

Yoko stood her up. “Too bad you're eating, you need it…That's the fifth time in the past hour that you've flinched like that. Are you in labor?”

Kagome flinched again Yoko holding her up. “How should know what - Yeah standing bad.”

Yoko laid Kagome down on his lap getting her hair out of the way. “So you don't have to eat now.”

Kagome laughed. “Thanks.”

“Are you in labor?”

Kagome closed her eyes exhaling. “No, contractions.”

“Meaning you will be in immediate labor soon-“

“-or I could be in labor immediate labor in three days. Relax Yoko.”

Yoko smiled down at her. “Far stronger than I to face child birth.”

An hour later Kieko came and tapped on the screen door. “Yoko? Kagome? You both missed dinner and I was wondering if everything was okay?”

Yoko spoke. “Your friend here is experiencing contractions.”

Kieko entered the room. “Oh my kami! Kagome I'm the mid wife you should have gotten Yoko to tell me!”

Kagome growled a bit too low for Kieko to hear at her. “I'm not popping out his kids now it can wait.”

Kieko ran out. “I'll send Yusuke off to get the baby stuff!”

Kagome sighed. “It's not-“

Yoko growled at her. “- I told you you were in labor. That is you experiencing sever labor pains.”

Kagome closed her eyes again. “Whatever. You know once this starts Kieko will kick you out.”

Yoko smirked. “I would truly like to see her try.”

Kagome breathed slowly. “This is taking too long…”

Yusuke returned thirty minutes later after having to wait for Kieko's aunt to leave the apartment with bags, cradles, everything. He carried it all upstairs and wanted to go away from the room that smelled like blood. He saw Kieko fetching hot water and spoke as he set everything down.

“Is she okay in there? I smell blood.”

Kieko took the towels from Yusuke. “She's bleeding out and I don't know why, but she says it doesn't hurt. I think I have to help her now. She could pass out at any moment.”

Kagome sighed again. “Now I'm tired.”

Yoko was worried. “You're staying awake- Kagome. Kagome.”

Kagome whined. “Yoko, I'm tired.”

Yoko continued to nudge her. “No you're not. And even by chance you are, you aren't. Keep talking to me.”

Kagome sighed. “Don't feel like it and you're not going to trick me into talking about why I don't want to.”

“Then at least know I just want you to do this to stay ali- Kieko.”

Kieko entered seeing Kagome tired. “Oh my. Okay Kagome you're about to crown okay?”

Kagome gave her a look. “Are you serious.”

Kieko looked down at Kagome. “Yeah. Hey Yusuke can you come in here with the other sets of things I need?”

Yusuke entered the room a minute later sitting next to Kieko. “Why is hot water always needed for birthing babies?”

“Because it is Yusuke, pass me that knife over there, out of the hot water.”

Yusuke reached in using some of his energy around his hand to prevent burning. “And you just dropped it in there knowing I would be fine to get it out of hot scorching water.”

Kieko smiled. “Yeah.”

Yoko smirked. “Yusuke I do believe that was the longest that you have been without Kieko in your sight for quiet some time.”

Yusuke laughed once shaking his head. “Kagome's `in the process of the miracle of life'-“ Yusuke laughed at a jab from Kieko.”-and I doubt you would have time to do anything I'd kill you for.”

Kieko took the knife from the cooled down handle and cut an area on Kagome. “It is the miracle of life you baka.”

Yusuke snickered. “Most of the time the stuff that comes out of there isn't a miracle but a pain in the-“ Yusuke looked at Kieko who had turned around. “I wasn't going to curse.”

“So then what were you going to say?”

Yusuke smirked again holding in a laugh. “Head.”

Kieko went back to Kagome. “Ha ha ha. Very funny Uremeshi.”

Kagome refrained from her own urge to shut the two up, and noticing Yoko laughed at her. Kagome growled knowing why and closed her eyes trying to concentrate. Ten minutes later along with more bickering, a muck covered newborn emerged. Kagome looked up seeing Yusuke's facial expression and smiled. Yoko, noticing, looked down at her kissing her forehead.

“You're not smiling at our new born. What is it.”

Kagome laughed some. “Yusuke. He's seen worse than this, but…Look.”

Kieko laughed as well. “Yusuke? Afraid of a baby?”

Yusuke tossed Kieko another towel. “Right. There's a second one, `member?”

Kieko handed the cleaned infant to Yusuke as she helped to guide the second one out. “Kagome I'm just amazed. I mean I know you've been through pain before, but birth? Two? Not even a flinch!”

Kagome growled at her. “I flinched when you cut me down there.”

“He he he…. Oh I see the head!”

Forty minutes later Kagome sat up not wanting to move her legs much and even regretted sitting up. Yoko leaned her against his chest letting her relax. He kissed her forehead again.

“There's two of them.”

Kagome closed her eyes tired. “You already knew that.”

“But not, out, living. Two boys.”

Kagome hesitated. “What do they look like?”

“Me.”

Kagome sighed. “Yoko…”

He smiled. “I haven't seen them cleaned up yet. Kieko said she would bring them in once they were clean and she took care of you.” He kissed the top of her head. “Tired even though that was the happiest I've ever seen you.”

Kagome smiled. “Yeah, I'll go to sleep in a little while. I just wanna see them.” She smiled up at Yoko. “You're a father, legit this time.”

Yoko heard Yusuke and Kieko getting their newborns. “A father…”

Kieko entered with two soft yellow blankets she hand picked herself not trusting Yusuke, who didn't seem to complain much, to hold an infant. She knelt down placing the two bundles into Kagome's arms.

“Here you go.” Kieko smiled. “They are adorable.”

Yusuke laughed some. “They do look just like Yoko.”

Yoko smirked as Kieko sighed speaking. “Not exactly like him Yusuke. If you two need anything just call and I'll get Yusuke to help or myself.”

“So now I can help?”

Kieko pulled him out of the room sliding the door shut after speaking. “They need time together Yusuke…Don't use that smile on me mister! Oh! Don't hesitate if you need us.”

Kagome opened the bundles up so seeing the two infants sleeping. She had to laugh some. The one in her left arm had tuffs of black hair with a silver tuff mixed in, two extremely tiny fox ears also black with a small area of silver. His eyes were light brown and his tiny tail was also the same color as his hair on his head. The one in Kagome's right arm-

“-Does look just like you.”

Yoko kissed the side of her head. “I told you, you didn't want to believe me.”

“I never said anything, and he looks just like you, except his eyes have red specks in them mixed in with the amber.”

“And outside of that he looks like me.”

Kagome leaned back into Yoko's chest. “Yeah, he does. I like it.”

Yoko smiled. Kagome had fallen asleep. He was a father that would make sure his children knew who their father was. He could claim these two unlike the other children he had sired before sharing a body with a ningen. When a quick rut was all he was looking for. Looking down at his son in his mate's left arm yawning, he felt content. And he would make sure nothing happened to them or their mother.

“This is what love truly is.”