InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Seductive Embrace ❯ Chapter 13 ( Chapter 13 )

 

 

Kurama stepped off the train, glad that there had been an evening route to his destination. Once he had his bearings, he headed towards the area that he believed the shrine to be located, not knowing what he expected to find.

 

After a while, he finally approached what he assumed was the entrance. He gazed up the staircase, and not sensing any of the occupants awake, made his way into the shrine. Passing under the arch, he immediately noticed the large tree to his right. Walking up to it, he sensed the power radiating from it.

 

`What do you make of this Youko?'

 

Youko pushed further into their body, examining the aura of the tree.

 

`It would seem that this is not an ordinary tree. If my memory serves me correct, I do believe that this is a God Tree.'

 

`That would explain the shrine. It was most likely built in order to preserve it.'

 

Kurama then turned his attention to what appeared to be the main residence of the shrine. He slowly made his way to the two-story house, and once he was sure that he had located Kagome's bedroom, jumped into the tree that was in front of her window. He peered inside, making sure that there was no one in there.

 

`Do you really think we should be doing this Youko?'

 

`Of course I do. We're just trying to find out some more information on Kagome, its not like we're going to steal anything.'

 

`True, but I don't like the idea of invading her privacy.'

 

`Baka. How else are we to find out more about her. We'll just go in and have a look around. After that we'll leave.'

 

`You know, we could always ask her.'

 

`But that would take all the fun out of it.'

 

Shuichi decided to not argue any further, knowing that if he didn't comply with Youko's wishes, the spirit kitsune would not let him be. Slipping a seed from his hair, Kurama set it on the ledge of the window, coaxing the seed to sprout forth. Within a matter of seconds, thin vines had already begun to work their way under the window.

 

Once the window had been unlocked, Kurama slipped into the tiny bedroom silently, gazing around at the contents of the room. Noticing a desk, he walked over to it. Not finding anything that looked interesting on top of it, he opened one of the drawers. Spotting a photo album, he removed it from the cubby, taking a seat on the bed behind him.

 

He opened the album, gazing at the first picture. It looked nothing more than to be a picture of Kagome and her school friends, since they were all wearing the traditional uniforms. His lips lifted at the corner as he gazed at her smiling face, wondering why he had never seen her smile like that before. This smile reached her eyes, causing a twinkle that he had never noticed.

 

He was about to return the album to its compartment and look around some more when he noticed that a single photo had slipped halfway out. Setting the album aside, he stared at the picture, not entirely sure what to make of it.

 

Kagome stood in the picture, what appeared to be a village behind her, bow and arrows in hand. Did she take this while she had been vacationing somewhere? Deciding to look more thoroughly through the photo album, he turned to the middle. Still not finding anymore pictures of Kagome except for those of her and her friends, he flipped to the back. That was then he found another picture that looked similar to the loose one. This time Kagome stood in a clearing, a well directly behind her, perched on her shoulder, though, was what appeared to be a youkai kit.

 

`Where was this taken?' Shuichi questioned, completely stumped by the background and the youkai kit.

 

Youko peered at the picture, just as confused as his counterpart was. It at least explained her associations with youkai, and was quite pleased to see her being so friendly with a kitsune child.

 

`I see she likes kitsune' he replied, amusement radiating from his being. `Couldn't you just imagine her with our kits?'

 

`This is not the time nor the place for this conversation.'

 

`I was just saying' he replied indignantly.

 

`Never mind. Let's just see if there are anymore pictures.'

 

They started at the beginning of the album, and when they had gotten more towards the end, more and more pictures turned up that resembled the scenery of the last two pictures. Kurama paused at one particular picture, trying to figure out what it was that was so familiar. He gazed at the two people in the picture, one which appeared to be a monk, and then the other a Tajiya.

 

`Those garments look almost identical to the ones we saw at the museum. The case that Kagome was staring at when she started crying.'

 

`But how is this possible. There are no Tajiya left, having died out centuries ago.'

 

Youko still didn't have any answers.

 

`Keep going. See if there are anymore.'

 

He turned the page, and the next picture immediately caught his eye. Kagome was garbed in the traditional miko hakama, but what grabbed his attention was the person standing next to her, oblivious to the looks of love and adoration that Kagome was sending his way. His golden eyes, claws, and ears were a clear give away that he was indeed youkai. Shuichi could feel the jealousy rising in Youko, clearly not liking the way she was looking at him.

 

`Youko, calm down. I don't think that she has been intimate with him recently, or we would have sensed it. For all we know, this male is not in her life anymore.'

 

Youko merely snorted, but did as he was asked and calmed his emotions. He couldn't help the way he felt, wanting Kagome to only look at them like that.

 

Not finding anymore pictures, they returned the album to its place, continuing to look through the drawers for anything else. As they searched the middle drawer, they came across what looked to be a diary. Just as Kurama had picked it up, a noise from inside the house caught his attention.

 

Diary in hand, he decided that they should leave, not wanting to have to explain to her family what he was doing in Kagome's bedroom if he were to be caught. After making sure everything was as it had been when he had entered, he leapt out of the window, using his vines to latch the window before leaving.

 

 

~~~~~*~~~~~

 

 

Hiei watched from the shadows as Yukina showed Kagome to her room. No matter how hard he tried, he still could not get the image of her smile to leave his mind. Moving to another tree so that he could get a better look into her room, he watched as she prepared herself for bed. Seeing that she was about to undress, he began to divert his eyes since it was below him to watch her in such a state.

 

But with her back to the window, something caught Hiei's eye, causing him to fix his gaze upon her. As she discarded her shirt, he noticed the unmistakable scars that adorned her back. He felt a growl rise in his throat, but quickly calmed himself. He was astonished at his reaction, but the thought of someone causing her harm brought about not too familiar feelings. The only being that had ever caused him to feel that way had been Yukina.

 

He turned his gaze from her, locking it on the night sky. He knew that he should put distance between them, for he did not like the feelings that she had begun to stir in him. He hardly knew the girl, yet he already felt protective over her. He had no idea what it was about her that intrigued him so. He watched from the corner of his eye as the lights blinked out in her room. Settling onto the branch, he too joined her in slumber, falling into a guarded sleep.

 

A few hours later, Hiei was brought out of his dreamless slumber when the sounds of whimpering floated to his sensitive ears. Rising on the branch, he immediately found the source of the noise. Hopping down from the tree, he silently made his way to the window that opened into Kagome's room. He peered inside, not knowing what he expected to see. From what he could tell, the girl was still asleep, but apparently having a nightmare.

 

Deciding that it was none of his concern, he turned, intending to find a quieter place to rest when he felt the Jagan stir. He tried to push back the ki, but the Jagan was relentless in its wants, and at the moment, it wanted Kagome. Hiei turned back, leaning up against the window as he continued to struggle against the implant. Never before had he had this much difficulty trying to restrain it.

 

Once he was sure that the Jagan had settled, he decided to wake the girl from her dream, lest the implant decided that it wanted another round, and one he wasn't too sure that he could win. He opened the window quietly, slipping into the dark room. He slowly approached the bed, not knowing exactly how he would go about the task of rousing her when Kagome released a mournful sob.

 

The noise startled him, and before he had regained his bearings, a sharp pain erupted throughout his head. Knowing that the Jagan was once again fighting him, he turned back to the window, intent on leaving. But the pain abruptly intensified, causing him to fall to his knees. Knowing that he had to wake the girl before it was too late, he struggled to his feet, only to move a few steps towards her before collapsing beside her bed. He reached a wavering hand towards her, but was halted as images began to assault his mind.

 

He saw a pair of golden eyes staring at him and felt something swell in his chest. A feeling of want and need. The feelings then gave way to fear and uncertainty as the golden eyes were replaced with the cold gaze of brown orbs, the look of hatred and loathing abundantly clear in their depths. A sharp pain erupted in his shoulder, and when he gazed down, saw an arrow protruding from the spot. He tried to reach down and remove the offending arrow, but he had no control over his own body.

 

The scenery then changed, swirling into darkness as trees engulfed him. He was running, the overwhelming feelings of fear and grief consuming him. The darkness was soon dissolved as he rushed into a clearing, the full moon overhead bathing everything it touched with a silver hue. He continued to run, approaching what appeared to be a well, grasping the side of it for support.

 

He began to descend into the well when he sensed another presence. He wanted to turn around and confront the person, but he still had no control over his body. He cringed as he felt something dig into his back, knowing that what he was feeling was the bite of claws tearing at his flesh.

 

As he felt himself fall, he looked towards his attacker, only seeing the contour of the person. Disbelief flooded his being, adding to the already unbearable feelings that assaulted him. The last thing that he perceived was the sorrowful question of a now familiar voice.

 

“Inuyasha…why?”

 

 

~~~~~*~~~~~

 

 

As Kurama waited for the train that would take him back, he flipped to a random page of the diary.

 

 

Tomorrow's my fifteenth birthday, but hopefully mom and gramps won't make a big deal of it. I wouldn't mind some good food though! Well, I better be off to school!

 

He turned to the next page, and what he read astonished him.

 

I can't believe what happened to me! I still don't know if it was a dream or not, but somehow I was pulled back through time by this ugly centipede lady. She was really gross. While I was there, I discovered that I am somehow the reincarnation of a very powerful miko. I also met a hanyou named Inuyasha who had been pinned to a tree by this miko for fifty years. I really had no choice but to release him since it was either that or be squeezed to death by that centipede lady…yuck. But before that, a jewel that was somehow sealed inside my body was freed.

Once Inuyasha had taken care of the centipede, the baka came after me! Can you believe it…he actually tried to kill me! But with Kaede's help, we were able to get him under control. Now that he has prayer beads on, all I have to do is sit him and he straightens out…at least for a while. But now I have to travel with him since I was the one responsible for shattering the jewel. I just hope that we can find it quickly so things can return to normal.

 

 

Kurama was so entranced with the diary that he almost missed the boarding call for the train. Marking his spot, he climbed into the train, and once he had found a comfortable seat, returned to the diary.

 

They read about her many adventures and the meetings of her different friends. Youko became very annoyed when reading about the wolf youkai Kouga, not liking the way he constantly flirted with their Kagome.

 

Kurama paused for a moment after reading about a particularly gruesome battle, astonished that one such as Kagome had witnessed such things.

 

`Well, that would explain her reaction at the movies.'

 

`Yes, it is very interesting. I remember hearing rumors about a miko and a hanyou that traveled together in search of the shards, but had never once thought that the miko could be Kagome.'

 

`That also explains her knowledge of the jewel. I wonder what became of it?'

 

`Keep reading and maybe we'll find out' he urged, his tail swishing back and forth with anticipation.

 

 

Kurama continued to read, completely enthralled with her tales. If he weren't used to these sorts of things he would have thought the diary to be a made up fairy tale of some sort. Reading become more difficult though as Kagome's words had turned more towards the hanyou. She wrote of her love for him and the pain that she felt when he would go to her incarnation Kikyou. One could tell that she was very insecure about herself, more than once finding statements concerning how weak she was and that she wished she could become stronger.

 

He had made it halfway through the diary when the entries stopped. She had not completed the story, so he had no clue as to what happened to her enemy Naraku and the jewel. It also did nothing to explain how she had received the scars that she bore, having not mentioned any battle in which she received them.

 

Youko growled in annoyance, not only by the lack of entries, but also the way the hanyou had treated her.

 

`Mark my words, if I ever see this Inuyasha, I will make him see the folly of his ways.'

 

`I agree. Kagome must have really loved him to have remained by his side for so long.'

 

`Agreed. Now all we have to do is make her love us like that.'

 

Shuichi mentally cringed at the conviction in his voice. He now knew that Youko had no intentions of letting Kagome go without a fight.

 

 

~~~~~*~~~~~

 

 

 

 

Hiei remained engulfed in blackness, the soft whisper still resounding in his mind. He realized that he had just witnessed her dream first hand, and that the person with the golden eyes had been the one to cause her harm.

 

He felt his anger rise at the thought of someone who Kagome had trusted doing such a thing to her. He hadn't known her for long, but knew that she didn't deserve such assaults. He continued to struggle with the Jagan, trying with his remaining energy to pry it away from her mind. But the implant was still intent on remaining, and it seemed to have found what had drawn it into her mind in the first place.

 

At first all he could see was a faded glow in the middle of the darkness, and felt the Jagan lunge at the light. Startled by the sudden move, he lost what little control he did have. He felt the Jagan move excitedly over what now appeared to be an object. He still had no idea what it was that he was looking at, but the Jagan wrapped its energy around it. As it did so, the pure light radiating from it began to darken, and he could hear what sounded like painful cries echo all around him.

 

He immediately recognized that the cries were coming from Kagome. Somehow this object was connected to Kagome, and the Jagan was being pulled into it. Knowing that it had to stop or she would be seriously harmed, he once again forced his control over the Jagan, but the force of the object was too much, and he could feel himself being pulled into the dull light as well. A sense of panic spread through him. He had never once experienced anything like this before, and had no idea how to stop it.

 

 

~~~~~*~~~~~

 

Kouga came to a stop, checking his map one last time. He was sure that he was in the right place, so all he had to do was wait for the portal. The tricky part would be locating Kagome in the Ningenkai. All he knew was that she should be in the general area. He set his pack on the ground, removing the clothing that Lord Sesshoumaru had given him. He quickly dressed in the apparel, feeling very uncomfortable in the new clothes, but knew that he needed to blend in as much as possible.

 

He waited for what seemed like forever before he felt the air around him begin to fluctuate and ebb, signaling the arrival of the portal. Within a matter of seconds the air began to shimmer to his right, and the promised portal appeared. Without any hesitation, he jumped into the shimmering gateway, hoping that his search would not take too much of his limited time.

 

 

~~~~~*~~~~~

 

Kurama stepped off the train, heading in the direction of his home. Despite Youko's protests, Shuichi had made it abundantly clear that they needed some rest before they sought out Kagome. Even though they had taken a nap earlier that day, their body was still quite fatigued.

 

As he walked, they gathered their thoughts as to how they would broach the subject of her past. Certainly they could not just outright admit to her that they had snooped through her room, so they decided that the best way would be to reveal their true identity to her. Youko had been adamant that they reveal his form to her as well, since there were some deep similarities between him and the inu hanyou as far as looks were concerned.

 

Shuichi was still reluctant to do so, not knowing how she would react to such a thing. But Youko promised that he would behave, so he grudgingly agreed. Once they found her they would have to lure her to someplace private to discuss the current ongoings.

 

Kurama soon reached his apartment, heading straight to bed with both Shuichi and Youko looking forward to finding their miko in the morning.