InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Pressing Matters ❯ No Need for Nine Lives ( Chapter 3 )

AN: IMPORTANT PLEASE READ if you have read `This Time Imperfect' then know this, a large part of my inspiration for this chapter came from that story. Those who have read it will recognize what it is that I am talking about. I just couldn't resist.

 

Random Info: Ending Author's Notes will instead become “Review” center, were I speak of the feedback in general. This will save time and space (because if you are like me, the long review responses are just a pain.) and more importantly, fall within the sites guidelines. Yay. So if you are interested on what I have to say about feedback then look there.

 

Update Info: This Time Imperfect has Chapter 3 up and running. Most popular of my fics thus far. And recentely posted One Shot titled Loving Into Fate's Hands. Not a crossover, but more angsty/fluffy/sad InuYasha fic. Was posted under my old pen name. But I pulled it and took the initial idea and ran with it. Hope you like. I hope to update more over my brief 2 week break. Oh. I NEED A BETA READER. Let me rephrase that, I need a constant, dependable beta reader. If you are up for the grueling, thankless task then email me.

 

- - - - - - -

 

Pressing Matters

By: Tesmoname

Chapter Three:

No Need for Nine Lives

 

- - - - - - -

 

The pillows are companions to her tears

and the starry night a constant soothing place,

it is the moon who knows her fears,

until she was no longer just a nameless face,

The salty stains must weigh upon his heart

as he sorrowfully turns to her a deaf ear,

he questions why they must always part

when they finally have drawn near.

 

- - - - - - -

 

The blue dome sizzled as Kurama's hand traveled along its length. “A barrier,” he informed the others as they crowded around. “It wards off demonic auras, so neither Yusuke, Hiei, or myself with be able to pass.”

 

Three sets of eyes swiveled on the tallest red head.

 

“What? Me!?” Kuwabara yelled in opposition, knowing that a waltz through that shield may equal certain death.

 

Yusuke scowled, “What are you afraid of? Eh tough guy. Come on, you are the only human out of the entire lot, just run in there, grab the girl-then leave.”

 

“And if she isn't there?”

 

Kurama pulled out a rolled up piece of computer paper, “Then you will leave this there for her to find.”

 

“And what if there are other people?”

 

“Kuwabara-

 

The man accused squared his shoulders and took one small step towards Yusuke, his finger held up angrily, “Don't `Kuwabara' me Urameshi. I don't want to fuck this up! We're talking about the fate of the three worlds here, and as I am sure you all noticed, I am not the most capable member of this here establishment.”

 

Kurama and Yusuke stole glances at their shoes in guilt.

 

Hiei smirked and would have said, `So you knew that all along?' had it not been for the frigid glare his kitsune counterpart shot him. So instead he settled for his traditional stoic, “Hn.”

 

“You wont mess up man. Just go in there, do your thing-and if need be, we will just have to find a way to knock this thing down. Just don't worry, we aren't about to leave you hanging there with all the responsibility.”

 

The spiritually hyper-sensitive boy nodded in thanks before beginning his ascent up the shrine steps. When he was far enough away Yusuke murmured, “For chrissake, it's just one damn letter.” Kurama shook his head.

 

“ I think it is more than just leaving the letter behind, I believe that Kuwabara is feeling dirty about the entire situation… a ransom, hostage situation-

 

`I highly juvenile.' The apparition interjected. `There are other more.. honorable courses of action that could have been taken.'

 

“Unfortunately, the `honorable' thing to do would take too long. As it is, the demonic population is having a field day with the humans of this realm.” Kurama replied, while Yoko added that it was about time.

 

Yusuke narrowed his eyes though, as if in opposition. “Yeah but,” he gestured up and down the street. “I haven't seen one damn youkai. No one. In fact the nearest couple of blocks are just as empty of demons as this one.”

 

`Strange since the city is crawling with them.' Kurama thought, catching on to Yusuke's thread. “I have yet to understand what this Kagome Higurashi has to gain by destroying the barriers. It just doesn't seem to fit.”

 

The majin shrugged his broad shoulders, “I have no clue, maybe she isn't a human?”

 

Hiei cocked an eyebrow up at that, “And has been living in the Ningenkai under Koenma's radar this entire time?”

 

“You did.” Yusuke shot back as he shoved his hands in his pockets, his large brown eyes continuing to sweep the expanse of the shrine steps, waiting for Kuwabara to return.

 

“I did not have to amass the energy and resources necessary to completely obliterate the barriers between the realms. Even the demi god isn't that inept as to become aware of that situation.”

 

Yusuke and Kurama both turned towards the forbidden child in surprise. What he had said made perfect sense in more ways than one. “Well then why would he be convinced that it was her?” Kurama asked why thoughtlessly toying with a seed in his hair. “He seemed to be pretty sure that this was the culprit.”

 

Hiei shrugged, “He's been wrong before.”

 

It had barely been five minuets since Kuwabara had left their sight, but already the missing member of the team was jogging back down the steps. Once he reached the bottom, slightly out of breath, he reported that their intended culprit wasn't home, no one had been. Supposedly this Kagome character and her younger brother, Souta, were supposed to be staying home alone for an extended period since their mother and grandfather had left for Kyoto in order to transfer the old man into better hospitalization. Ms. Higurashi would be staying with him until he was released.

 

“Damn.” Yusuke murmured as the wind began to pick up, carrying with it flakes of wet snow.

 

Kuwabara cleared his throat and glanced nervously at each of his companions. Kurama was standing nonchalantly next to Hiei, who leaned against the nearest light pole, both turned to him.

 

“Uh. I know you guys are gonna deny this but.” He licked his lips.

 

“Just spit it out, we don't have all day.” Yusuke ran his fingers through his slicked hair, his eyes sparkling with anger at having his prey elude him.

 

The red head nodded, “See, I don't think that this girl-Kagome-is behind all this.”

 

Hiei smirked ever so slightely before asking, “And why is that?”

 

“I don't like your attitude short stuff, but if you must know, I saw them pictures she has hanging up in the house… I just cant seem to make this chick out to be some crazy ass criminal. Besides,” he added at the doubtful looks that crossed his partners faces, “the area around this place is just too… pure.” He made a gesture to the barrier around the shrine. “I just don't think-

 

“And that is the problem.” Hiei snapped, angered at Kuwabara's ability to judge someone based on appearances. “The most dangerous of criminals come wrapped in the prettiest of packages you fool! If not then the fox over here,” her jerked his head, indicating the spirit residing within Kurama, “would have never been stuck in the predicament he's in now.”

 

“As much as I hate to admit it, and I really hate to admit it,” Yusuke sighe, “The bastard's right. Did you leave the note though?”

 

Kuwabara nodded solemly.

 

“Alright then. Let's head back to-

 

BEEP BEEP BEEP

 

Kurama's eyebrow twitched. “Does anyone else besides me carry this thing around?” Two guilty faces shook their heads in negation while Hiei merely smirked.

 

With a sigh he whipped the insufferable object from his pockets and flipped it open. “Koenma.” He stated, alerting the others and greeting the demi god simultaneously.

 

Koenma got straight to the point. “Is she their?”

 

“No, I am afraid not.”

 

There was a minuet or two spent on profanities before Koenma spat out, “Fine, head back this way, the boy is waking up.”

 

And with that he was off.

 

Kurama looked up wryly and Yusuke glared. “Yes, lets make our way back across the city and oh, while we are at it, why don't we kill a couple of trouble makers? Do I have any takers?”

 

Hiei let out a bark of a laugh. “Always detective.”

 

- - - - - - -

 

Meanwhile….

 

Kagome glared down at the coffee cup that sat cradled between her chilled palms. It was snowing outside, what had once been a pleasant rain had turned into an all out blizzard! Howling wind and everything! She had had to duck out of the storm by taking shelter in one of those Starbuck-like coffee shops that only served, well…coffee. She had bought one of the horrible things, not to drink, but to gather warmth from. Any and all forms of coffee were despised by her, it made your breath rancid and had the potential to reduce her already stunted growth! Besides, men who drank coffee were all business like and stuffy.

 

`I bet he wouldn't be.' Sesshomaru instantly coming to mind. As soon as the thought popped up, a mini Kagome with a shotgun walked into her mental picture and literally blew the very thought out of her head. It was enough to send the girl into a fit of giggles that she tried to mask by burying her face into her mug. She instantly regretted doing so when she felt the thick and scalding fluid traverse its' way up her nose.

 

Her giggles quickly turned into a short, high-pitched wail of pain. She stumbled away from the table, grabbing a few napkins in the process, and fled the hated substance in agony. “Ow, ow, owowow!” She hissed quietly to herself as she cleaned her face and tentatively took a whiff of city smog. Kagome could feel how raw it felt, and how it seemed as if every smell was magnified ten fold. `Uck, poor morons, who would want to come here to Ningenkai anyways? I wouldn't want demonic senses in this city.' This time she refrained from having demolitions-chibi-Kagome waltz through that thought, instead she made her way out of the shop and through the scouring winds.

 

The snow got everywhere. It didn't seem to matter that she had her coat zipped all of the way up to her chin, or that she had on leather gloves and a very snug beanie hat. It got everywhere, soaking her to the bone and leaving her shaking like a rabbit in a thunderstorm.

 

Oh she prayed it wouldn't come to that!

 

But on the other hand, thunderstorms usually had happy endings for her…

 

Kagome stuck her black-leather gloved hands inside of her blue jacket pockets before taking them out again to part her bangs that had become matted to her forehead.. “Well this just plain sucks!” She screamed at no one in particular, all the anger she had been feeling in the past few days just welling up and over flowing.

 

She hadn't even walked an entire block before she felt the need to take shelter yet again inside a random restraint. Her blue eyes roamed around the cheaply wallpapered establishment, noting the framed pictures of the manager and his memories of creating the place.

 

Speaking of which… she reached under her jacket to pull out a strand of hair that had been tickling her chest. It was cat hair-demon cat hair. `Kirara.' She thought, knowing all of her clothes must be permanently embedded with them. And now that she was seated in the cushioned booths, Kagome wasn't so sure if memories were the things she needed right now. How was she ever going to move on if she was always being reminded of what she'd lost? And she'd lost so much…

 

She glared down at the polished, plastic surface of the table, scrutinizing her image as if my mere thought she could scour away the bad thoughts. `Do I really even want to move on? Or am I just…stuck?'

 

Whatever she was in, it was going to kill her.

 

If the demons loose in the city didn't first.

 

Which brought her back to the reason as to why she was out and about in this dreadful weather. There were powers fluxing in this district wildly, and she figured that if she could just begin to aid in the cleaning up of the mess she had made, then maybe she could set things straight.

 

But by the looks of things it would take a while, for she had been hunting for this particular aura for damn near two weeks! In these couple of weeks she had seen large sky scrapers transformed into trees the likes of which she hadn't seen since Sengoku Jidai. Fire hydrants were constantly exploding, and people were turning up in groups of transfigured dolls.

 

The work of some vagabond demon, of which she had little doubts.

 

Kagome was just about to go looking for her missing waiter when a large explosion of ki erupted from near by. `The aura I have been tracking!' She realized with a start, hastily slapping a few dollar bills onto the plastic table, leaving a tip for a meal she had not ordered.

 

She burst through the sliding glass doors, her eyes frantically scanning the sidewalks for any sign of disturbance.

 

She didn't have to look far.

 

Not ten feet away from her, a group of teenage girls were cowering in front of a large female bird-like creature. “Play time play time, yay for me!” The voice of this demon was high in pitch, belying her young age.

 

The thin and wiry youngster smiled as the girls screamed in terror before opening her elongated and pointy mouth. From her lips a terrible wail came forth, turning the students into miniature figurines.

 

`Sick.' Kagome thought to herself as she raced across the street, channeling her miko energies into her fist.

 

She was rather unprepared for the shrieking that welled up from behind her. “Oh no!” Kagome cried, spinning around as she recognized that childlike squeal. The bird youkai who had snuck up on her grinned as the sonic wavelengths raced at her, about to turn her into a stuffed doll.

 

Kagome threw her hands up in protest, the energy she had pent up from before releasing itself defensively.

 

And then things began to fade black.

 

“Well this is different.” Her intended target murmured happily.

 

“Yes she is rather pretty.” The other voice commented as it drew closer. “Can we keep it?”

 

A dubious noise erupted from the throat of the first speaker, “Well, we don't know how she turned into that… we should just kill her and be done with it. She is a miko after all.”

 

A sigh, then, “You are right, as usual dear sister. Let's hurry then, we have so many new toys to play with!”

 

Kagome feebly attempted to raise her voice in protest… but all she got was a fait-

 

“Meow.”

 

- - - - - - -

 

 

“A cat Kazuma?” Shiziru cried out in frustration, much to the delight of the carrot-top's friends, who stood in varied degrees of amusement.

 

Kuwabara Kazuma, however, was less than amused. “What was I supposed to do Shi? Watch her become some crazy bird demons kill?”

 

The rather large cat being discussed flinched at the thought. `You most assuredly were not to allow me to become anyone's kill.' She thought to herself, rather relieved that the large boy had saved her furry hide when he had.

 

Even if it meant being in the presence of three demons.

 

`And not a single one of them are cute-n-cuddly.' The cat known as Kagome thought to herself as she rested within her saviors grasp. `Although, maybe `cute' and `cuddly' could apply…'

 

Her sapphire silted eyes widened at the thought before she mentally began to fire shotgun shells at fleeing chibi-Miroku's… `Stupid lecher is rubbing off on me.' She thought as she looked over the men she was currently traveling with.

 

Kagome had, of course, taken a particular liking to the one called `Kuwabara,' or, `Kazuma.' But that was natural, he had a large soul, and a very good heart. Plus he had saved her-and in her book that had earned him some major brownie points.

 

She also thought that the other red-head was rather sweet… though he looked a little too similar to another certain kitsune to be `cuddly' with.

 

`ACK!'

 

Growling her displeasure with her rampant thoughts, Kagome nimbly leapt from her protector's embrace before deciding it was time to take her leave of all these men.

 

“Well, she certainly is a pretty thing isn't she?” The woman called Shiziru stated before picking Kagome right back up. “I don't think that I have ever seen a cat this color before.”

 

`White?' Kagome thought to herself quizzically.

 

“Yes, I see what you mean. That is a rather unique shade of grey, is it not?” Kurama said appreciatively.

 

`I'll show you grey, you pompous little youk-

 

“Why! Any fool can see that she is of the purest silver fur!”

 

`That might have been over-doing it Kuwabara.' She thought to herself modestly as the brown haired lady's slender fingers rubbed her delicate ears, eliciting a content purr from her chest. `I wonder if this is what InuYasha felt like when I touched his ears.'

 

The skillful fingers continued to work miracles on Kagome's appendages, and all thoughts of fleeing the mad-house quickly scattered from mind like dust in the wind.

 

“Nah, you are both wrong. She looks pretty fricken white to me.”

 

“Silver you retard.”

 

“Ha! That's a laugh Kuwabara-you, calling me a retard?”

 

“I am pretty sure I was talking to you Yusuke. What? Now even simple sentences are beyond your comprehension?”

 

The feline had listened to the exchange with open humor, and was secretly pleased that the hanyou-like boy called Yusuke had been put in his place.

 

`Too much like Inu-baka for his own good.'

 

But while she had been caught up in her own thoughts, the rest of the gang had been caught up in Kuwabara's stunning display of intelligence.

 

Hiei was, surprisingly, the first to comment, “Hm, Yusuke, you have lost your touch.”

 

Then Kuwabara turned giddily to his sister and slapped her a high-five. “Thanks Shi! How did you know that he would say something like that? That come-back was perfect!”

 

Kagome promptly fell from Shiziru's grasp.

 

`Well that was informative.' She dead panned to herself-which completely destroyed the point. But Kagome was not one to miss opportunity, and slowly, while the rest of the group was busy discussing the moment, she began to make her way to the slightly opened door. If she could only reach it before any of the other weirdoes caught her-then she would be home free!

 

`From now on Souta will have to walk me, with a leash!'

 

She was almost halfway to the door when Yusuke decided it was a good time to open his mouth. Brilliant amber eyes flashed with wicked humor before he spoke to Kuwabara and the rest. “I think your cat is leaving.”

 

The tall orange-top spun to the door and gaped in surprise.

 

“Youko!” He called out,

 

“Hm?”

 

“Youko?” Yusuke repeated

 

“What?”

 

`Youko? What the heck?' She thought, pausing slightly to glance back in confusion, only to find four others starring at Kuwabara with the same expression.

 

Hiei glared daggers down at the cat, grimacing to himself before sneering. “You named this thing Youko.”

 

`I am insulted!' A voice, belonging to the Youko Kurama, was whining angrily.

 

Kurama mentally rolled his eyes, `I hate to say this, but so am I.' The kistune avatar turned his familiar eyes down towards her still form and absently looked straight into her own.

 

Youko cursed in the back of his mind with enough force to project loudly to Hiei, and consequently-everyone else.

 

Kagome bolted.

 

`Crap!' She thought.

 

“Meow.”

 

 

 

Youko hadn't thought that looking into the eyes of a cat would have such an effect on him.

 

To say so bluntly, the spirit of the silver kitsune had surged forward rather harshly-wanting, needing, craving to touch the feline and draw on her energy. The violent surge of her own thieving spirit had unbalanced Youko, his bindings to Shuichi's own soul fraying and coming loose at the unexpected activity. It was almost as if his, Youko's, soul had once again recognized a puzzle worth unraveling, a treasure worth stealing-or in this case-energy to kill for.

 

What was unnerving was the fact that Youko hadn't had one of these urges since his death…

 

Hence the cursing.

 

`What is your malfunction kitsune?' Hiei's strong telepathic voice interrupted Kurama's train of thought, and the voice was less-than pleased.

 

`Hm? What's that?' Youko asked with feigned innocence.

 

`Don't play coy with him Youko, what just happened to you?' Even Kurama wasn't willing to help him out in this one, he too wanted to know what had upset his other half so drastically that he had projected himself to the hybrid.

 

`Really, if you would just explain…'

 

`You projected yourself to me-

 

`Don't you have barriers?' The silver spirit asked, his voice laced with mischief. But it did not escape his own attention that he was attempting to waylay the double interrogation-seeing as how he had yet to find answers for himself.

 

`Hn.' Hiei uncrossed his hands and picked up the cat who spat at him with venom. His crimson gaze locked with her own, and froze.

 

Serenity. Tranquility. And control washed over him in one vast torrent, unbalancing him completely.

 

He threw her across the room.

 

“What the fuck was that?” Yusuke yelled, dashing over and scooping up the hissing feline. On some subconscious level he knew that whatever he had just felt, was connected to this stupid cat in some twisted way. “Well?” He demanded yet again, holding her away from him as she bit and clawed at his arm.

 

Kurama turned a weary gaze onto the team leader before shrugging with painful elegance. “I have no clue.” Hiei merely closed his eyes, playing it off as some sort of side effect to the falling of the barriers. Which wouldn't be too surprising, he guessed. Seeing as how stranger things were happening, a moment of peace within his tormented soul was nothing to fret over.

 

Kuwabara snatched the cat from Yusuke's harsh grasp and said, “Whatever it was, don't do it again, it startled `lil Yukina.”

 

Hiei's eye twitched.

 

“Yukina?” Yusuka shouted.

 

“Was it not `Youko' seconds before Kazuma?” The kitsune asked, though he was by no means eager to have the felines name changed back.

 

“Well I figured my love would appreciate the gesture. Besides,” he smiled goofily into Kagome's face, “They are both so pretty.”

 

The door to the foyer opened to reveal non other than the young ice maiden herself. “Oh!” She exclaimed with her hand pressed over her heart. “You are all back! Genkai and Koenma-sama are waiting for you in the living room.”

 

Kuwabara walked up to her and thrust the cat in her face, “Yukina look! This is also Yukina, I named her after you.” She blushed prettily before reaching out to stroke the cats dainty head.

 

“My she is so pretty.” She murmured before smiling shyly. “But please, they have been waiting for you for quite some time. Go ahead. Shiziru, would you like some tea?”

 

The boys stomped out of the tiny foyer and into the living room, Kagome still clasped within the tall red head's grasp.

 

`Youko and then Yukina? Hello! Kagome fits MUCH more. Ka-go-me. Psh, next it'll be `wench,' `bitch', `girl'…

 

Her mental ramblings came to a complete halt as her slit eyes fell upon the figure resting upon the floor. `Souta!'

 

“So the kid's awake?” Yusuke stated, much to everyone's annoyance. They could plainly see that the child was awake.

 

Souta was annoyed too, “This `kid' has a name. I suggest you use it. And since you've asked-it's Souta.” He had picked up his sister's penchant for being a stickler with name calling.

 

Yusuke smirked, “Well then Souta, mind telling us just were your sister is?”

 

Genkai smacked her stubborn pupil upside the head. “Be polite you brat.” She murmured.

 

“What? Why? This boy is the sister to the chick who pulled down the barriers! For all we know, he could very well be an accomplice.”

 

That got Koenma's attention, and he advanced on the young Higurashi with menace in his every step. “Boy-did you have anything to do with this?” Even as he spoke, he transformed into the figure of a tall and imposing teenager.

 

The pacifier didn't even dent the waves of anger that rolled off of him and his flinty stare. When Souta didn't answer, opting instead for backing up against the nearest wall, Koenma raised his hand.

 

“Meeooo-RAARR!” Kagome had leapt in front of her brother, her rage at his defenselessness making her see red. Fury consumed her, as well as the overwhelming need to protect what belonged to her. `How DARE he?' She roared to herself, flames licking at her angry spirit.

 

And unwittingly, her body.

 

Standing there before Souta and the Rekai God, was a fully transformed mononoke neko. Souta stared up at her with awe and a little fear before whispering.. “Kirara?”

 

Kagome stopped snarling at the quailing god before tilting her head to her younger brother in confusion. It must have been evident in her eyes because he shook his head.

 

“No, not Kirara then.” `Didn't Kagome say that she had stripes of some sort anyways?' He thought while trying to discern just who the heck this savior was. Not that he was complaining or anything.

 

“Hey! Is this thing yours?” Yusuke shouted, cracking his knuckles in unison with Hiei's drawing of his katana.

 

Souta shook his head mutely, his eyes locked onto the demonic cats face, or more accurately…

 

Her large blue eyes.

 

“Oh shit.” He whispered, then yelled. “RUN!”

 

Her eyes widened and then he was hanging from her mouth before being thrown over onto her back. His body screamed in protest to this harsh treatment, since he had only just begun to recover from his run in with some demons.

 

Before he blacked out though, he saw the dark youkai's sword arching towards the feline beneath him. In desperation he released a strangled cry, “No!” Before she made her exit through the back of the house, escaping into the vast forests. The Rekai-tentai hot on her flaming heels.

 

 

- - - - - - -

 

AN: This is going to be Hiei/Kag. I really like that pairing. Besides, there are certain elements to this fic that just will make it right. I am working on the best way to unfold the barrier situation. It is why this fic has taken so long to update-but I was hit with inspiration and decided to have Kagome turned into a cat.. for a little humor as well as for the excuse of getting interaction with the tentai. Not really essential to the plot, but it's a twist-just remember the EYE thing. It's the entire point.

 

Review Please.