InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Kagome vs. the Modern Era ❯ Introduction of an Inu ( Chapter 9 )

Watching the cab speed away further and further, Kurama couldn’t help but frown a little.

‘Be safe.’

Those two little words kept ringing in his head somewhat ominously. Shaking his head from the thought, Kurama snuck around the corner of his apartment building to create a portal to the Rekai. Once on the other side, he strode through the doors to Koenma’s office, joining the rest of the Spirit Detective team, Boton, and one very flustered demigod.

“Ah, Kurama. Now that you are all here, we have an urgent situation on our hands!” screamed Koenma. “Earlier today, while you were vanquishing those rogue demons, the spirit gauges were jumping through the roof. We are launching an investigation into this occurrence immediately. Power such as this could be a dangerous threat to all three realms and is not to be taken lightly. The meters have determined that the source was very near where you were fighting; in fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if any of you sensed the cause of this power.”

“Don’t get your diapers in a knot! It was only Kagome,” supplied Yusuke, “and she ain’t no threat to humanity or your ass, toddler, unless Keiko’s temper runs in the family.”

“Who is this ‘Kagome’? Her power was so immense, even the ogres were in a stir!” replied Koenma who was somewhat agitated that Yusuke would dismiss the seriousness of this potential problem. “Whomever she is, I must speak with her as soon as possible. It’s your job to find and bring her here so that I may properly rule her out as a threat.”

Kurama was about to object when an approaching aura of strong, cold calculation demanded his attention. From the corner of his eye, he saw Hiei’s grip tighten on his sword and Yusuke preparing to charge his Spirit Gun if the need for it arose. Kuwabara just stood there gawking as a portal became evident in the office.

The portal was sliced open to reveal a long, gleaming ancient fang grasped in the hand of a tall, regal youkai with long silver hair cascading around a face that held the royal marking of a crescent moon on his forehead with sets of twin magenta streaks resting upon each chiseled cheekbone. His intimidating frame was dressed in a sharp, black Armani business suit.

“L-Lord Sesshoumaru! Do wh-what to I owe the pleasure of your visit?” spoke a shaky Koenma.

Kurama recognized that name instantly. ‘Inuyasha’s full inuyoukai brother. This could get interesting.’

“The miko’s scent is fresh here,” Sesshoumaru said, completely ignoring the demigod. He took a delicate sniff and arched a perfectly sculpted eyebrow at Kurama. “Kitsune, your relations with the miko are recent.”

Boton gasped, and Kurama’s eyes widened for the slightest millisecond before glaring at the youkai. Again, he was about to speak when Koenma interrupted.

“Miko? We have no records of any mikos in existence today. That is impossible.” Koenma began shuffling around through the files and papers lying haphazardly on, in, and around his desk.

“Silence, fool. I demand to know the miko’s whereabouts immediately. She is none of your concern at the moment,” announced Sesshoumaru frigidly and still keeping his eyes trained on Kurama’s form.

Kurama continued to hold the inuyoukai’s harsh gaze and finally spoke with an equally icy tone, “Kagome is mine. State your business with her, dog.”

With a flash of silver and a growl, the much older youkai had Kurama up in the air against a wall with a clawed hand wrapped around his throat. The rest of the bodies occupying the room barely had the chance to blink, as they looked on dumfounded by the display of quickness from this Lord Sesshoumaru.

“Do not challenge me, fox,” hissed Sesshoumaru vehemently. “Submit.”

Kurama didn’t flinch, but dipped his head to acknowledge the youkai’s status. Sesshoumaru released his grip, and Kurama landed gracefully on his feet. Boton rushed to his aid, but stopped dead in her tracks at the glare from Sesshoumaru.

“Speak. What is your relationship with the Miko Kagome?” asked the inuyoukai lord.

Kurama raised his head, making eye contact brazenly once again with Sesshoumaru and complied, “Pardon me for being rudely outspoken, Lord Sesshoumaru. My name is Kurama, and Kagome is very much my concern as well. She and I have begun a courtship.”

Upon his admission, several different reactions took place all at once:

Yusuke eyes held laughter and a little annoyance. ‘Damn! There goes my credit card for the weekend. So, Keiko was right; those two are jumping each other’s bones!’

The ferry girl tilted her head forward so her distraught eyes were hidden by blue bangs. ‘Who is this girl that’s captured your attention, Kurama? It’s not fair! ’

Kuwabara’s face lit with a lazy, goofy grin. ‘That Kagome chick was hot, but not as sexy as my Yukina.’

Hiei snorted as he stared down Boton contemptuously, then shifted his red eyes to burn through the orange top’s skull.

Koenma paused in the relentless perusal of his desk contents to look back and forth incredulously between the taiyoukai and the former fox thief.

Then, something amazing happened.

Sesshoumaru, most feared and respected ruler of the Western Lands and protector of the House of Inu no Taishou, smiled. Not a cruel, mocking smile, but a genuine, albeit creepy, quirk of his thin lips.

‘Inubaka will not believe this recent development.’ “So, kitsune, you are considering the miko for your mate? I presume then that you have knowledge of her past?” inquired Sesshoumaru.

“Hai, my lord. Kagome has explained to me the circumstances regarding the Shikon no Tama,” replied Kurama, still somewhat skeptical of the taiyoukai. “It’s been two years since she has returned permanently from the Sengoku Jidai. Why do you seek her out now?”

Yusuke had been informed about Kagome’s past after he had grilled Keiko regarding the miko’s show earlier; Hiei, in turn, had been examining the tenshi’s mind so he got the gist of it. Kuwabara, on the other hand, was completely confused about this Shikon no Tama business.

“Hn. As you know, fox, time passes differently in the Makai, where most of my time is spent, though this Sesshoumaru has attained many corporate holdings in the Ningenkai. The miko left behind a few anxious comrades who have waited five centuries for her reemergence from the Bone Eater’s Well. The time has come for them, as well as this Sesshoumaru to become reacquainted with her.” Sesshoumaru then turned to Koenma and continued, “The miko is powerful but trained; she is of no threat to any realm, save those low levels who are impudent enough to wreak havoc in her presence.”

“Very well, Lord Sesshoumaru. I would, however, still like to meet this miko, Kagome. I was unaware that the Shikon no Tama’s former protector is indeed alive and milling about with normal humans,” stated Koenma. “I do believe my father is not going to be happy about her display earlier. The release of such unadulterated pure power is bound to attract evil intent.”

“No harm will come to Kagome,” replied Kurama without hesitation.

Sesshoumaru looked on, amused by the kitsune’s obvious display of protection, remembering very precisely his younger half-sibling’s vow of defense for the same ningen female. Speaking of said half-sibling, Sesshoumaru knew very well that Inuyasha was not going to take the news of Kagome’s relationship with a kitsune youkai very well.

Sesshoumaru, at first, had wanted to eliminate his brother’s former wench. She had always been a thorn in his side since the day at his father’s grave, where only she had been the one capable of pulling the Tetsusaiga from its resting place. This, of course, resulted in the half-breed cutting off his left arm. Sesshoumaru was not happy that he’d have to spend the next 200 years limbless. After trying to kill the ningen along with Inuyasha several times over the next couple years, he decided they were indeed worthy of life. Each time their paths would cross, he’d challenge the hanyou, perhaps bloody him up a bit, but he would not kill his brother, at least not for the time being or so he told himself.

Months before the final battle with the filth that was Naraku, Sesshoumaru had reluctantly agreed to an unspoken truce with Inuyasha. He would leave Rin, Ah-Un, and a very distraught Jaken in the care of his brother’s companions and return every couple of days with information regarding the enemy hanyou. Eventually, he traveled with the misfit group as well. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru would keep their distances from each other, but the taiyoukai found the miko to be very intelligent, despite the fact that she reeked of the inuhanyou.

Observing the pair was certainly never a bore, especially after the ookami prince, his intended, and his two cohorts had joined the group. Sesshoumaru had even caught himself laughing on the inside at the antics of the miko and the half demon. They would trade sarcastic banter back and forth, which usually led to the ultimate highlight of Sesshoumaru’s day: the ‘osuwari’. Later, the lovebirds would sneak off after assuming their companions were asleep, though Sesshoumaru had a feeling Inuyasha knew he never slept and would keep watch. The smell of their rutting was eminent when they would return to camp an hour or so before sunrise. Many times, Sesshoumaru had even caught Inuyasha’s smug smirk directed at Kouga and himself because the little bastard knew the youkai’s sensitive nostrils would be able to smell the whole thing. After a few “private discussions” where Inuyasha had come back with a suspicious hole in his abdomen, Sesshoumaru made his point clear to the hanyou that bathing after rutting was in his best interest. Kouga’s laughter had last for days after that episode.

The real breakthrough in the rift between brothers came just a week before the impending fight that would rid the world of Naraku.

Sesshoumaru was present when his brother and the wench had discontinued their relations. After the conversation had taken place and Kagome had returned to camp, the taiyoukai had approached his brother’s sunken form. The scent of sorrow and a trace of salt wafted from the hanyou. No words were spoken as Sesshoumaru moved fluidly to sit beside Inuyasha on a boulder overlooking a vast Japanese valley, dotted with various sized villages and large rice paddies. One hour of silence later, Inuyasha finally spoke,

“I had to let her go.”

Sesshoumaru grunted and replied, “Do not be discouraged. It was the appropriate action to take.”

“Was it? You know, she’s from 500 years in the future. She ain’t been home since you started taggin’ along,” Inuyasha paused at his brother’s mild growl, but continued, “We got no clue what will happen to her if we ever kill that bastard, Naraku, and get the jewel back together.”

“This Sesshoumaru is aware of the miko’s origins, half-breed. She will remain where the Fates deem it necessary.”

“Half-breed,” Inuyasha spat. “Still on that kick, eh? Well, fuck you, Lord Fluffkins! I may be just a half-breed, but at least I can care about my pack the way they care for me.”

“Mind your tongue, whelp, or this Sesshoumaru will remove that offensive appendage,” hissed Sesshoumaru, though his tone held no serious malice. “The miko has changed you. This Sesshoumaru has made minor adjustments as well. Father would be proud of you, Inuyasha.”

Inuyasha’s eyes widened at Sesshoumaru’s confession, as well as the use of his name.

“Well, I’ll be damned! Arigato, aniki,” Inuyasha whispered the last part, which was inaudible to any human ears.

It was Sesshoumaru’s turn to widen his narrow eyes for the slightest second. For the first time in his life, he fully acknowledged Inuyasha as not just a pest with his chichi-ue’s blood, but his own forgotten otouto.

After Kagome’s permanent departure from the Feudal Era, it was Sesshoumaru who took in his broken and inconsolable brother, as well as a certain orphaned fox kit that held a special place in Rin’s heart.

Back to the conversation in Koenma’s office…

“What the hell, toddler!? You mean to tell me there are youkai in the human world we don’t know about? How’s that possible? We haven’t sensed any youkai other than those fuckers that break through the barrier!” ranted Yusuke.

Koenma rolled his eyes and stated, “Indeed, Yusuke, there are youkai who prefer to live amongst humans in the Ningenkai. The majority of these youkai are hanyou. Most hanyou were born before the separation of humans from demons; however, there are a few humans who have youkai mates and part youkai children that reside in the Ningenkai simply because the Makai is much too dangerous a place for any human. These youkai are periodically monitored, and I assure you all that they have no ill intent.”

“I don’t understand. How come we don’t sense any youki from these demons?” asked Kuwabara, who was actually supplying a valid question for once.

“Concealment charms,” answered Sesshoumaru uninterestedly. “The spells are held by kitsune magic channeled into an object and worn by the youkai or hanyou at all times. Their auras and prominent youkai features are therefore masked from the normal ningen population and any ningen that may be capable of sensing youki.” To demonstrate, Sesshoumaru pulled an expensive looking ring from his pocket and popped it onto one of his pale fingers.

The spirit detectives all looked on with intent fascination as his long, white hair shortened to shoulder level and turned a midnight black, while his markings faded and the tips of his youkai ears rounded. The sharp claws adorning his perfect hands become short and blunt. Lastly, Sesshoumaru’s cold, golden irises darkened to a piercing violet hue. The inuyoukai rolled his eyes in distaste of his ningen appearance and removed the ring to change back to his flawless, ethereal self.

“Humans fear the unknown and those who are different from them. If youkai were to walk amongst them without concealment, chaos would ensue,” stated Sesshoumaru.

The concealment charms were Shippo’s brilliant invention about 300 years earlier, after the barrier was established and the Makai was becoming way too unstable for his mate, Rin, and their oldest kit, Katsuki. Sesshoumaru had, at first, been very reluctant to let them leave his compound in the Western Lands.

Kurama digested this new information and said, “That was remarkable. I’m sure Kagome will be thrilled to reunite with her past. I had previously promised that I would help her in any way possible to discover what had happened the group that destroyed Naraku.”

“Indeed. I will need to contact the kit and Inuyasha,” Sesshoumaru smirked at Kurama. “Inuyasha, especially, will be most satisfied to see the miko again.”

Kurama made no outward expressions, but inside he was trying to tamper down the rising envy in his system. ‘They are best friends and former lovers, nothing more. I trust Kagome.’

‘Hn. But do you trust the hanyou, Kurama?’ Hiei replied mentally.

‘That has yet to be determined. Kagome is mine now. He will respect that or face the consequences,’ Kurama thought.

The mental conversation was disrupted when Sesshoumaru presented his Ningenkai business card to Kurama. “Bring the miko to this address Monday morning at precisely eight o’clock. The rest of your teammates may accompany you as well. Do not be late.” Sesshoumaru didn’t wait for an answer as he sliced open a portal with his katana and exited the office the same way he came.

Koenma expelled a sigh of relief. “That certainly could have gone worse,” he said with a gulp. “Before you meet with Sesshoumaru again, I need to see and speak with this Kagome-sama. I realize it is late in the Ningenkai so tomorrow, Kurama, I expect to be introduced to her. I also request all of you be present.”

“Aww, c’mon! Do we gotta? Keiko’s already been on my ass since we just returned from the Makai,” griped Yusuke.

“Enough, Yusuke. Just be here tomorrow. You can bring Keiko along a since she is of relation to Kagome-sama,” replied the demigod, clearly exasperated with Yusuke as always. “All of you are dismissed.”

Boton offered to transport them all home, but Kurama and Hiei declined. They made a portal into Kurama’s apartment, where Hiei disappeared abruptly. Kurama shook his head at the hybrid’s antics. He was probably headed to Genkai’s to discretely check on Yukina and camp out in the temple’s surrounding forest.

Kurama stripped down to his boxers and made his way to the bathroom to brush his teeth. ‘Kagome will certainly be in for a surprise tomorrow. I wonder what her reaction to this evening’s events will be. She’ll definitely be relieved to find out that at least some of her friends are indeed alive.’ Kurama shut off the water and placed the toothbrush back into its holder, then sauntered into his bedroom. ‘I don’t entirely agree with getting her embroiled in the Rekai’s dealings. I wonder if Lord Sesshoumaru sensed her power blast from the Makai? If he did, it is indeed possible that she would be in more danger than I had originally estimated.’

Opposites do attract. That, in fact, was one of the things that had attracted Kurama to Kagome. She radiated purity and power. Of course, he doesn’t intend to manipulate or take advantage of that purity and power. Other demons, however, wouldn’t hesitate to jump at the chance to control a dark miko. A miko’s soul isn’t easily corrupted, and Kurama had a hunch that it would take a hell of a lot to dissuade Kagome’s soul from the path of purity. Nevertheless, she could be a target now.

Kurama adjusted his pillow and settled down to catch a few hours of sleep before meeting with his vixen. The familiar honey-jasmine scent of Kagome, which clung to his body and apartment from her earlier presence, lulled Kurama into sweet slumber.

x–x–x–x–x

AN: Hope you enjoy the new chapter. I’ve got several plot ideas going on in my head so stay tuned!

Next Chapter: Sesshoumaru speaks to Inuyasha and Shippo, and Kurama meets Kagome for their lunch rendezvous.