InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ The Phoenix ❯ Enigma ( Chapter 3 )

A/N: I'm so sorry it took so long to get this sucker out. (grumbles about stupid laptop and not letting her log in) But anyway, enough of my rambling. Thank you so much for the reviews! You guys are so awesome!

I love: silvertigerlil (My muse is a paper clip); Dark Ice Kitsune; KitsuneMistressoftheYoukai (you'll see); dawnstar28 (Thanks, and language isn't an issue with me, I have a potty mouth smiles); KC; the-geek (Wow, huh? I hope I don't leave you hungry); FoxylilRaven (I'm focusing on this story cuz I actually got an idea going. But I'm also redoing the first chapters of Muted Words that I feel need work, so updating is stagnant for a while. Luv ya); sessywuver (I know, I hate required shit, too); lraine; Ame-Atsume; Alaina Isake The Kira'Sha'Tect (Crazy chipmuck, never heard that one before...); Drachegirl14; kiwi93089 (takes cookie); kitsunekilala; lil'lostsoul; IceFireSilverGoldDragon; mejessit; skittles-chan; ParadiseNdarkness; Shera of the Flame (Check the summary dear)
Iridescent Twilight: You're a pyro too? (I'll trade you a pen for a lighter.)
Fluffy's Brevis: I seem to have a thing for unusualness. My first story (Muted Words, not a crossover, InuKag, I'm redoing the first chapters) has Kagome and Kouga as cousins.
Seer of Light and Fire: I'm going to try and answer your question without giving it away. It involves a certain baby and a certain competition.
Wind flow lady: This is about one thousand more words than before, I hope you like it!
Ryukotsusei: I thought we agreed that sleep is over-rated. Oh well! It's getting hard to keep the characters in character. Paperclips are excellent pets, my muse is a paperclip. I named him Sandwich, but his nickname is Sex (it's so funny when people hear me say, "I can't find my Sex!"). And we're all allowed moments of stupidity, it's always a good laugh.
Kite: I'm taking my time, not trying to rush it and all. You know, like:&& Hiei saw her standing underneath the tree he was seated in and felt an odd pull at his heart. 'I...I love her,' he thought, looking at the girl he had onlyknown for an hour.&& I'm going to take my time and let it develop. I hope you like how it turns out!
kogas-mate: I've never read a Kuwa/Kag (probably because most people make him a blundering idiot) but I'm willing to write one. Was that a silence request?
Kagome259: I can't wait to see your story.

Disclaimer: I own this really cool paperclip that is shaped like an electric guitar. But I do not own InuYasha, Yu Yu Hakusho, or my amazing collection of stolen pens.

//The Phoenix\\

§Enigma§

 

 

“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.”

--Albert Einstein

 

 

The sun dragged beyond the horizon, setting the sky aflame with bright crimsons, golden yellows, brilliant oranges, and hints of vibrant pinks and purples. The spring air was chilled inside the park, but Yusuke couldn't care less.

 

He had known Kagome for three days now, and he was glad to say that her condition was improving. Now, she was able to sit against her back so long as what she was leaning on was soft, and she could move around without anyone carrying her, using some sword that randomly appeared as a crutch.

 

The sword was mystifying to the detective. It gave off an aura as though it were alive. It felt calming, soothing, and a bit invigorating, like an energy drink and a sedative wrapped in an oak sheath. Kagome refused to give much information concerning it; just that it was her's and that it was very special. None of them had much of the heart to ask further when they saw her cuddled against it in her sleep.

 

Kagome herself mystified Yusuke as well. She was so amazingly kind, but was so sad at the same time, even though she hid it rather well. She confused him and intrigued him, but most importantly she accepted him. People often turned away when they heard of whom he was and the things that accompanied his name, but she didn't care about that. When he asked her why, she merely offered one of her small, saddened smiles and her abused voice whispered, “I know that the past is never the same as the future, and that people are more than capable of change. I'm not going to hold your previous actions above your head: you deserve more credit than that. I trust you.”

 

Her answer had amazed him into shock, paralyzing his vocal chords until Kuwabara's entrance into the room snapped him from his reverie. At the time, she had known him for only a day, and now it had been three, and she has not retracted her statement, or denied its validity. Kagome trusted Yusuke, how could she be so unquestioning? So… empathizing?

 

Uncommon to his usual nature, Yusuke found himself talking with her, sharing some of his secrets and unknowingly seeking the younger woman's guidance. He told her of his worries with Keiko, that maybe he wasn't good enough for her with his drunkard mother and deplorable reputation, not to mention his dangerous and sometimes time-consuming job—which he never actually put a specific name to except `my detective job'. She told him that all love has its obstacles, and everything has its price; that if it was worth it, truly worth it, than there was nothing to worry over. She also stressed quite heavily on the importance of trust, but closed herself off from further explaining. Perhaps a relationship she was in fell through because of a lack thereof?

 

No, Yusuke answered himself. If she trusts me with only a day of knowing me, than trust wouldn't be an issue with any relationship she's been in. Maybe it was someone that she knew?

 

Yusuke knew a little bit about her, like the fact that she lives on a shrine, and that she was very knowledgeable of legends, having her late grandfather tell her the history of everything, but— because if he didn't know the history of something, he tended to get rather creative—she only listened closely to the ones she could verify from outside sources, like the scrolls in the storage room or the Internet.

 

Then there was the unavoidable subject of the fact that said grandfather, as well as the rest of her family, was dead. On his way home one evening about a week before he met Kagome, he glanced at one of the small televisions set on display in a shop as it broadcasted the news. Not one to particularly care for current events, he was prepared to leave when the screen changed to a picture of a young, smiling teenage girl with dark raven hair and striking blue eyes, unknown to him at the time, Kagome. Underneath the picture were a number and an address in that horrid yellow type. He had looked at it curiously, decided the girl was pretty hot, and went on his way home.

 

The next day, he walked around the city, enjoying his Spring Break, and settled himself on a bench by the subway enterance. The talk was buzzing about him, focused on the girl that mysteriously disappeared from a horrible car wreck on the main bridge. It was said that she was indeed in the car, the camera's placed on top of a stoplight to catch speeding and ran red lights clearly photographing her image in the passenger seat beside her mother, seatbelt buckled. When the family reached the uncrowded bridge, a large semi-truck crashed into them from an angle, forcing them violently over and practically through the guardrail, shattering all the glass and causing them to plummet into the murky waters of the river beneath. The car was retrieved but the family was dead, still sitting in their seats. The girl was missing, but her seatbelt was still intact with no possible way for her to escape it. She had been claimed to be alive until proven dead, or until a month has passed, whichever came first.

 

Now, despite the twelve that he got on his science test in junior high, Yusuke was by no means a complete dolt. It was just that his knowledge resided in a less academic setting. He could easily put one this and one that together, and get an accurate conclusion, though to say `two this-that' wouldn't sound very matur—

 

“Hello there, Yusuke. You seem to be deep in thought,” someone mused. Yusuke turned sharply to discover that the intruder to his `thought time' was none other than one of his teammates.

 

“Oh, hey Kur—Shuuichi,” he corrected, gazing at all the people around him. It's not like any of them are going to care, but it was better safe than sorry. Yusuke paused and mentally snorted at that. As if I ever put much testament to that cliché. Both Kurama and Hiei had denied feeling any unusual youki when he asked three days ago, like he told Kuwabara he would. It was disheartening, but made Kagome even more confusing than ever. The more he thought about it, the more convinced he was that she was the victim of a demonic attack: the wounds were described as thick, long and spontaneously placed. There wasn't much in the Ningenkai that could cause something `thick' cut-wise. Noticing that his partner was raising an eyebrow at him, he grinned sheepishly. “So, how's it going?”

 

The older teenager looked as if he wanted to roll his emerald eyes, but instead settled for running a hand through his long crimson locks and offering a half-smile. “I'm well. I was just heading home from the library. And you?” Kurama asked.

 

Yusuke shook his head, a wry smile on his face. This fox was as tricky as they come, and it was only from working with him for four years that he was able to detect the hidden question: “Where were you coming from?”

 

“Ahh, I'm pretty okay; confused as hell, but pretty okay,” Yusuke admitted, taking a seat on the bench nearby, putting the unasked question on the back-burner for the time being. He wanted some sort of an answer, and he couldn't ask Kagome since she was essentially the question. He could trust Kurama, and Kami knows that the fox loved puzzles.

 

Kurama took a seat beside him, passively waiting for him to continue.

 

“There's this girl,” he started, but immediately winced at how that sounded. “Let me rephrase, there's this person, who happens to be female, and said person, while very nice to talk to, is a completely baffling me. She, because this person by chance is a girl, is really sad by the fact that she lost her family last week and perhaps even more people she cares about more recently than that, and not to mention was…is…has…whatever…been hurt, pretty serious from what I could see,” he added in a soft tone, quite differently from the slightly rushed and irritable voice he displayed earlier. Shaking his head to clear it, Yusuke continued, looking at his shoes.

 

“She's also amazingly kind, and so trusting. But here's the thing: I have the feeling that there's something she's not telling, something really important. I mean, when Kuwabara found her, she didn't have any weapons, but then the next day, she has this sword, and none of us want to take it away because it actually makes her a bit…happy. And it's not like its causing massive destruction or anything, but…dammit! Why does this have to be so confusing?” he exclaimed. He gripped at his hair before throwing his upper body back, straightening his spine. A soft chuckle caused him to snap his head to the fox avatar. “And what the fuck is so funny?!”

 

Kurama merely shook his head in humor. “It is nothing to be defensive about, Yusuke. I merely find it curious that you're putting so much thought into it. And about a girl, no less,” the redhead explained, but paused at the sharp glare pointed his way. “Forgive me,” he added jestingly, “a person who just so happens to be female.”

 

Yusuke sighed. “But it's not only the sword, it's her aura. She doesn't have a single dark spot on it. It's like she's…she's…”

 

“Pure?” Kurama supplied.

 

“Yes! I've never met anyone that pure before; even Yukina has a bit of darkness to her. Sure, it's practically nonexistent, but it's still there. This girl has nothing!” Yusuke rubbed his fingers against his closed eyes, as though trying to push away a migraine.

 

“Nothing? Perhaps she is a miko…?” Kurama pondered, his eyes widening.

 

Yusuke stopped himself at the idea. “A miko? You mean like someone that used to go around and kill youkai?” he asked, recalling something Genkai said. The detective noted that the kitsune's eyes were unfocused, occasionally slipping from emerald green to molten gold, then reverting back again.

 

§

 

Kurama sat still, conversing with Youko inside his head. `A miko? Here?' he questioned.

 

“It is rather odd,” Youko contributed. “Mikos, true mikos, are believed to have died out. True, there are the sporadic mikos, but none of them could ever amount to anything that could rival a fly youkai.”

 

“Essentially yes, but the way you described them makes them sound fictional, when they were very real before the separation of the worlds,” Kurama began to explain to Yusuke. “A miko is a woman with extraordinary spiritual power, but it differs from the kind that you and Kuwabara use. It contains a purification energy that enables it to instantly destroy a youkai by cleansing them of any taint. While it was true that they often used arrows or swords as a primary weapon, some of them were strong enough to focus her power into a physical appearance, similar to what you do with your own energy, Yusuke.

 

“However, most mikos were situated at a village, which they were charged with protecting, so they didn't simply `go around'. Very few mikos actually traveled. The most notable one who did would be the Jun-Namida no Miko, but she traveled to collect the Shikon Jewel shards with her group: Densetsu no Gumi.”

 

`But is it likely that this girl is a miko?' Kurama asked internally.

 

“I doubt it. If there were a miko with potential close by, Koenma would be sending us off to either convince her to train or charge her with some bogus spiritual crime and make her pay off her debt by joining the Reikai Tantei, then force her to train. A strong miko would be an undeniably useful ally,” Youko reasoned.

 

“What's the Shikon Jewel?” Yusuke questioned. “I think my history teacher was talking about it the last time I went to school.”

 

“It is an artifact of great power that can grant a wish of its bearer. Back in the Sengoku Jidai, before the barriers when youkai roamed free, a youkai or a ningen could use the power of the Shikon to increase his or her own power by at least a hundred fold. However, the jewel would also be sullied by the taint in the bearer's soul, amplifying that as well. In all truth, the Shikon no Tama could only bring tragedy to all who come in contact with it.

 

“It was created by the Great Miko Midoriko, who had the power to purify the souls of youkai. She was fighting against very powerful youkai for seven days and seven nights. When one of the youkai had her in its jaws, Midoriko reached into her chest, gripping her own soul and the soul of the demons she was fighting. What she pulled out was the Shikon.

 

“It traveled around for centuries until it rested in the village of the taijiya, yet they were unable to keep the jewel pure. They summoned a miko whose powers of purification were strong in the hopes that she would be able to keep the jewel from taint. This miko was able, so she returned to her village, where she would be forced to protect the jewel daily from youkai who seeked its power.

 

“The miko later fell in love with a hanyou, and managed to convince him to use the wish from the Shikon to become fully human, when he had originally sought the jewel to become a full-fledged demon…”

 

§

 

“Your back is healing fast,” Shizuru informed her. Kagome was seated on the bathroom counter, her back to the mirror. She looked over her right shoulder to see her reflection.

 

It was a true statement; the huge gashes were almost completely healed after a week of healing, which was baffling as wounds such as these would take a normal human at least a month to heal as much. And while it was all well and good that she was healing, her eyes saddened at the fresh darkness of the scars that littered her pale flesh, and at the ones lightened with time on her arms. “I guess this means no more bikinis, huh?” she said in an attempt at a joke, and while her voice was fully recovered, it sounded more like a pitiful resignation.

 

Shizuru's light brown eyes watched her sorrowfully before the older woman held her carefully in an embrace. Kagome's eyes widened at the contact, not only because it was uncommon for Shizuru to do something like this, but also because she didn't really have any sort of coverage for her torso. “It'll be okay, so don't start feeling pity for yourself. If you do, be sure to know that I'll kick your ass until you stop, or you're too pissed at me to care about yourself. Besides, bikinis are over-rated,” she said.

 

Kagome had to laugh at that. “Now that's the Shizuru I know,” she whispered more to herself than anyone else. “I was worried you were going soft on me.”

 

“Ha! As if,” Shizuru exclaimed while pulling away from the miko. She grabbed the bandages and started to wrap them around Kagome. “You know, a woman could save a lot of money on bras this way.”

 

“Yeah, but it wouldn't make breasts look bigger like a `wonder bra' can, and some women like that,” Kagome added.

 

“But no nasty cup sizes or uncomfortable under-wire,” Shizuru countered, tying the knot on the bandages.

 

“Or stupid straps that either cut into your shoulder or make wearing a tube-top impossible,” Kagome said. She pulled her shirt on, slid off of the counter and grabbed the Kiseki-Jihi from where it rested on the wall, using it to support the weight the rest of her could not. Shizuru opened the bathroom and led the way out. Eikichi, Kazuma's cat, was sitting outside the door, and meowed happily at the sight of the two young women. “Hello there, Eikichi. Were you waiting for us?” Kagome asked, slowly kneeling down to scratch the white cat with tan and black spots behind the ears. Eikichi purred in response and brushed against her leg with affection.

 

“I swear,” Shizuru stated while helping Kagome back into a standing position, “this neko is just desperate for attention, and my stupid brother always gives it to him. He knows he's cute and he uses it to his advantage.”

 

Kagome half-smiled at the older girl. “Kazuma is very kind-hearted, that's all. And stop acting like Eikichi is starting a conspiracy,” she jokingly admonished. “I know cats and conspiracies, they act all high and mighty, saying that they're going to resurrect their master at the cost of—” Kagome stopped herself when Shizuru raised an eyebrow at her, about all that she would do to show that she was wondering what the hell was being said. Kagome nervously scratched the back of her head with her free arm. “Sorry, there's this story from one of the legends I know where this band of cat…I mean panther youkai were trying to bring back their grand master, and were planning on using the souls of about a village worth of people as a sacrifice. Sometimes I get carried away…”

 

Shizuru lowered her eyebrow and shrugged her shoulders, walking towards the living room where Kazuma was sitting on the couch. “Whatever floats your boat, kid,” she said. She looked over her shoulder towards Kagome, her eyes softening a bit from her usual monotony. “But I'm glad you're cheering up some, Kags. I think I like you better when you're not moping.”

 

Kagome leaned tenderly against the wall so she could cross her arms over her chest. “I do not mope,” she pouted. Shizuru smirked and continued down the steps.

 

“Yeah, sure.”

 

The miko followed down the stairs, coming into the living room to find Kazuma sprawled out on the couch drinking a soda and watching television. Shizuru deftly stole the remote control from the slack grip he had on it and, ignoring the cry of indignation, changed the channel to the news. Kagome took a seat in one of the plush chairs silently, watching the siblings with amusement.

 

“—Two weeks have passed since the tragedy of the Higurashi family, and no word of the young Kagome's survival has been sent,” the anchorman said with a professional flare. The Kuwabaras and Kagome froze and turned to the screen. “There are still two more weeks until the young woman will be pronounced as dead and the shrine is auctioned off to the highest bidder.

 

“For those of you are just hearing about this story, the family of Higurashi shrine was traveling peacefully down a bridge when a large semi-truck crashed into the car, forcing the family over the bridge and into the river. The car was retrieved and the bodies of the family, all except for the girl, were found inside, still seat-belted in their positions.

 

“Investigators are baffled at the strange disappearance of seventeen-year-old Higurashi Kagome, who was proven by photographs to be inside the car. Her seat belt was still buckled and there was no sign of her being able to slip out of it. It's like she just vanished without a trace.

 

“If anyone has seen her or heard a rumor about her whereabouts please call this number or visit the Tokyo Police Department to report your information.”

 

The television blinked off, but Kagome was still staring at the screen with wide eyes. She could hear Kazuma and Shizuru stand and kneel on either side of her, but she was frozen in place.

 

“Kagome? Kagome, you in there?” Kagome heard Kazuma speak, but it was strangely muffled, as though she was listening to an old record; and she could see the hand waving in front of her, but nothing truly registered in her mind.

 

“The…the shrine…auctioned off?” she finally managed to say, though her voice was dazed. “Jii-chan's shrine…? My home…?”

 

“Kagome, don't worry. We'll go to the police station tomorrow and set everything straight, I promise,” Kazuma swore from his place on her left.

 

“We're not about to let some smelly old jackass take your home, Kags,” Shizuru said, standing. “Come on, you gotta get some sleep.” She helped the miko stand and placed the Kiseki-Jihi in her right hand, shivering slightly at the feel that it left in her own.

 

Kagome nodded, grasping her sword tighter and starting for the stairs. “Thanks,” she whispered. She made her way to her room and closed the door behind her.

 

§

 

“Are you sure that you wouldn't rather sit down, Wakamusha?” Midoriko asked, kneeling next to the pacing young woman. “Tell me, what bothers you?”

 

Kagome halted. Her legs crumpled beneath her and her head bowed under the stress she felt, her raven hair covering her face. “I can't lose the shrine, it's the last thing I have,” she murmured. “Jii-chan made it his entire life. He cared for it like a child! I refuse to let it get bartered off to the highest bidder like it was some sort of antique vase!” Her fist punched the ground, leaving a notable crater before the ground mended itself.

 

“I see you're getting the hang of your powers,” Midoriko said, smiling. “Perhaps you should start working on a technique? It will no doubt help you to clear you're head so you can actually focus on the shrine business.” Kagome raised her head, cocking it to the side in confusion at the answer. “If you focus too hard on what may happen to your home, you will be unable to do anything as the stress suffocates you. I say do something productive with your powers, so you can protect and fight to your fullest potential. Invent a technique, that way you don't have to feel like you are infamous for something in which you had no control.”

 

Kagome stood and arched her back. Every night she had been talking to Midoriko, telling of her worries, one of which was the odd presence she had been feeling for the past four days, something dark but not threatening, and, more to the point, that she was noted throughout all of Makai, Reikai, and even some of Ningenkai for defeating Naraku at the cost of her dearest friends, not something she personally saw as a victory. She smirked and shrugged, “I guess you're right, and I think I have an idea for something, and it ironically has to do with something that you believed in.

 

“I've been told that everything is made of four basic components: aramitama, megimetama, kushimetama, and sakimetama. Aramitama is courage, megimetama is friendship, kushimetama is wisdom, and sakimetama is love. When combined, they create a soul—”

 

“And when they work in harmony,” Midoriko interrupted, “it is called nyobi, which is a state that you yourself have reached. When a person does a bad deed, the soul energizes evil, and the soul can lose its way. How are you planning on using this philosophy, Wakamusha?”

 

Kagome smiled. In the time that she had been with Midoriko, she had grown fond of the nickname bestowed upon her. “Well, if it makes up everything, does that mean that one could join their powers with an element and work with it to one's advantage, like wind for instance?”

 

Midoriko laughed lightly. “You certainly are wiser than given credit for, Wakamusha! Yes, I believe that it is possible, but only if that person has reached nyobi and has a sufficient amount of spirit energy,” she answered. “Why specify it to the wind though?”

 

The miko looked down and grinned fondly. “InuYasha used the wind in his attacks with the Tessaiga, and I also appreciate the blind faith that the wind gives. Never being seen, but always felt,” Kagome said. “I know that I'm faster than most ningens and even some youkai when I'm running, but it tires me after a few hours and that could lead to my death, that is if I can die anyway. If I can skate the air currents, then human limitations, the ones that most demons mock us for, would be practically nonexistent, and you don't need to be a miko to do it, just a good soul with enough power, ningen or youkai.”

 

Midoriko nodded. “It is an excellent idea. I say you start mastering it right away!” she said enthusiastically, standing on her feet and helping Kagome to her own.

 

“You mean here?” Kagome asked incredulously, looking around the glade. “Now?”

 

“But of course, Wakamusha! There is no better place than here. And, as your people say, `No time like the present',” Midoriko grinned, her jade eyes dancing joyously. Kagome's smoky midnight eyes could not find the heart to argue at the sight of the older woman.

 

She felt Midoriko back away, giving her ample room to experiment. Kagome did what her many ponderings have concluded her to do. She was excited, she could admit. She had been thinking of doing this for a long time now, but she never had the control of her power to ever actually test it. In her mind, she had come up with what she figured would work the best, and now that hard work may pay off for more than wishful thinking.

 

The miko closed her eyes, concentrating on the energies of the wind that billowed around her, and reach within herself to what she manifested to symbolize her energy: a peaceful ocean. She brought her power forth and merged it seamlessly with the wind, then forced it to her feet. The rush of wind at her heals shocked her and almost broke her concentration, but she held. She opened her eyes to see herself floating, the wind beneath her happily dancing with the grass. Azure orbs widening, she gave an experimental glide forward as though she were ice-skating, and stopped herself in much the same manner.

 

Smiling widely, she moved swiftly towards the applauding Midoriko. “I did it; I actually did it, Midoriko-sama!” Kagome said gleefully, the happiest she's been in the past two weeks.

 

“Hai, you did quite well,” Midoriko praised.

 

“Thank you, but that was kind of…you know…” Kagome struggled to find the correct word, “…easy,” she settled on. Midoriko laughed and shook her head in humor.

 

“Considering most techniques are accidents developed into something more professional, I think that you did a truly superior job. You underestimate your power, Wakamusha. It has almost no limit and you are only cracking the surface, but I shall explain that later. Now, to see if you're a master, can you do it again? And can you use some other elements as well?”

 

Kagome repeated her actions with the wind, gliding along the currents with surprising ease. She stopped herself and held out her hand curiously. She brought her focus to the ground, felt for the energies of aramitama, sakimetama, megimetama and kushimetama and brought forth her own energies, combined them and raised her hand. The earth rose from the surface and went where her hand willed it. Kagome smirked.

 

“I think I'm getting the hang of this.”

 

§

 

Kagome was seated in a chair before him, yawning slightly since she only woke up thirty minutes ago. “I want to go with you to the police station,” he stated with no room for argument. She gave him a tired smiled of appreciation.

 

“I know, Yusuke. Thanks,” she said. Then, she looked down at her clothing. “Not to sound like an immature, self-obsessed pubescent teenage girl, but I don't have anything to wear.”

 

Yusuke and Kuwabara let out a bark of laughter, immensely enjoying the playful side that Kagome was sharing, not that they didn't like her usual “calm, wise, and cool but kind and not bitchy yet still amazingly mature for her age” attitude. After both men settle from their mirth, the detective looked at her with a speculative gaze. “Could you stand up for a second?” he asked, slightly gruff but strangely compassionate.

 

Kagome consented, grasping her odd sword and straightened. Yusuke took some mental measurement, comparing them to a certain girlfriend of his. “Well, you're definitely more…umm…petite? Yeah, that's the word, but your bustier…” he noted.

 

“Hey!” Kuwabara yelled, standing over Yusuke in what could be perceived as a threatening manner. “You can't say that about Kagome!”

 

The detective rolled his eyes. “Shut up, baka, it's practically a compliment. And what would you rather I say? I don't think she'd prefer `But your tits are bigger,'” he argued back.

 

“I'm still here, you know!” Kagome interrupted. “Can you please stop talking about my breasts?” The two men froze, looking at her in surprise. “Greatly appreciated,” she murmured sarcastically. “Now, who are you talking about, Yusuke?”

 

Yusuke had to shake his head of the wonder at the tone in which the question was asked: as though the whole spat about her boobs never took place. “Uhh…my girlfriend,” he answered.

 

“Keiko?”

 

“Yeah, I was thinking that you could borrow her clothes since she's closer to your size than Shizuru,” Yusuke explained. “I could go to her house now since it's Sunday.” He grinned as Kagome seemed to perk up.

 

“And she's close to my size?”

 

Yusuke snorted. “Closer than Shizuru, that's for sure.”

 

It took all of nine and a half minutes to get to Keiko's house, but the challenge would be in how to ask without seeming like a cross-dresser. Okay, so `Can I borrow some of your clothes?' is definitely out of the picture. She would ask why and I would say, `'Cause I'm a closet transvestite. Oh, and while your at it can you through in some blue eye shadow and some dark red lipstick?' I know! I'll say, `A friend of the baka's needs some clothes and you're the closest to her size. Can you let her borrow some?' Yes! That's what I'll say, he decided. With a firm nod, he rapped his knuckles loudly on the door before him.

 

Thankfully, Keiko answered, but she was slightly surprised at his arrival. “Yusuke, what are you doing here?” she asked. The detective took a deep breath, prepared to say his carefully constructed question.

 

“Can I borrow some of your clothes?” It took a moment, but finally he realized what he said at the widening of Keiko's eyes.

 

`…Aww, shit.'

 

§

 

The barest upturn of the corner of his mouth was all that showed his amusement at the detective's situation. His crimson eyes still remained quite emotionless, but even he, Hiei, could not hold back the mental snort that escaped.

 

Kurama had said to keep an eye on the detective until he found the strange girl—no, Red specifically said the “person who happened to be female”, and for some reason he found the statement amusing—and then he was to keep an eye on her to determine whether or not she was a miko. At the time, the apparition might have laughed if it were in his character. The mere notion that a miko, a full-out kick-ass purifying miko, could exist today was utterly preposterous, as they have died out centuries ago. The only ones who might still be alive were the kuromikos, and only because they cheat death on a day-to-day basis.

 

However, now he wasn't so sure that it was all that absurd. The onna, that person who just so happen to be female, was releasing a truly pure aura. Correction, she was releasing a truly pure and very much shrouded aura and he couldn't seem to penetrate either the shield on her power or the shield on her mind. The most he got from her was too blurry to distinguish between memory and nightmare: the cold, soft face of a young kit, its teal eyes glazed and empty in death, and blood flowing constantly from a large gash on his neck.

 

He refused to tell Fox about the vision, unwilling to face the rage because of the might be dead kitsune. If there was anything that the Youko in his head held dear, it was family, or at least a kitsune family. Children are very well protected, and never seen as young as the kit was far away from the den where guard was risked. Yes, it was a good decision to keep that small part to himself.

 

But still, why did it sound so familiar to him?

 

§

 

Pale, delicate hands caressed the reflecting glass. A beautiful but malicious false laughter rang through the dark barren forest. Dull brown eyes glanced at the barrier before picking up the round mirror, and traced the obstruction gently. A dark purple and black outlined the rip in the glowing yellow structure, and the maiden, dressed in red hakamas and a black haori, stepped through, but failed to notice the red-eyed neko and her elderly companion slip through as well.

 

The tear mended itself, but the woman found that unimportant. Pulling her long black hair back with a red ribbon stained so with blood, she turned the mirror away from her and released about three-dozen of her pale green soul collectors. “Go my pets,” she whispered, turning the mirror towards her in something that was almost affectionate. “Bring me the souls of the dead.” Her subordinates heeded her word, spreading out to do her bidding.

 

She chucked again, sweeping a finger across the glass once more. Her reflection changed, the image swirling into a birds-eye-view into a room containing an orange-haired teenage male and a young, raven-haired beauty. “Soon, my dear incarnate,” the woman swore, glaring at the girl, “I will have my soul back soon.”

 

§§§§§

 

Densetsu- Legend

Gumi- Group (at least that's how I'm translating it)

 

Review please!