Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Changed Miko ❯ A Concerned Demon Lord ( Chapter 15 )

Upon yet another heart warming reunion between mother and son, healthy conversation bloomed amongst friends, new and old around the campfire outside Lady Kaede's hut. The more terrible matters at hand seemed to fade towards the back of everyone's minds for the time being.

 

The ongoing chatter was broken, however when Kaede stepped out of her hut. “It is nearing night fall and none of us have eaten as of yet. Would any of you care to go hunt? We are going to need quite a bit to feed this group.” The old miko finished with a gentle smile on her face. It was good to see them all talking so easily and she knew that this group could help Kagome heal.

 

At the prospect of a good hunt in a realm he was familiar with, Youko stood to address the group. He had taken over control in place of Kurama less than an hour ago for a good many reasons; the least of which being that here, he could be out and no one would have to worry about it. He wasn't allowed to take over control of their body very often in the Ningenkai for obvious reasons and he would be damned if wasn't going to do it here. Kurama agreed readily, knowing that if any more trouble were to occur, Youko would be more helpful in this era.

 

“I would love to go for a good hunt. It has been awhile since I have had freedom such as this.” The silver kitsune replied in his smooth voice, standing up to his full height and stretching.

 

Kaede nodded her approval as Miroku and Sango stood. “I'm going to go further into the village and see if I can find a kimono for Kagome. I know she is itching to take a bath.” Sango said with a smile to her friend as Kirara hopped onto her shoulder. Miroku smiled with a lecherous glint crossing his violet eyes, “I am going to go and fetch some water and additional firewood.” He paused to regard Yusuke and Kuwabara, “Would you two care to come with me? Maybe we can stop in the village and get a drink while I show you around?”

 

The two detectives turned their attention to the monk and stood, “Sounds like a plan to me. That will give us something to do for the time being and I would really like to know more about this place if I will be staying here for awhile.” Yusuke responded, Kuwabara nodding his head in agreement.

 

The four then left camp to attend to their errands, leaving Hiei, Kagome, Youko and Shippou. The young kit had gone into Kaede's hut to fish out some colors and paper, intent upon drawing pictures of the new additions to the group.

 

Kagome was regarding Youko carefully. When he had emerged not so long ago, she had initially been extremely uncomfortable. Although Youko had been nothing but kind and done so much to help her body to heal, his silver hair, golden eyes and ears were rather jolting. The miko knew in her heart that Youko was nothing like Inuyasha, but those similarities had almost been her undoing.

 

On the verge of a mild panic attack, she had felt Hiei's arms tighten around her form as she sat nestled between his legs on the forest floor. At his reassurance, Kagome mentally shook herself from her shock to think about what she was feeling.

 

Looking over Youko's form, she realized that although there were similarities, even those were vastly different. Youko's hair was more silver and silky looking, his eyes a more brilliant gold and his ears were far cuter. Kagome chuckled to herself at that thought. Youko also had a tail and was far more the gentleman than Inuyasha could ever hope to be. He had a godlike presence that reminded her of Lord Sesshoumaru and he held that mischievous twinkle in his eyes like Shippou did.

 

The silver kitsune had been all too aware of Kagome's eyes wandering his form. He could feel those brilliant blue eyes burning holes into his skin as though they were searching for something and he felt his body burning to react. He had pushed back his desire for the beautiful creature with a barely stifled groan, knowing that showing such an intention towards her coupled with his features could very well throw her over the edge.

 

So, he had resumed his seat upon the log barely five feet from Kagome. He knew she needed this. She needed to see him, to really see him and he would let her look until she was satisfied. Hearing her almost silent chuckle, he lifted his head to lock his golden eyes onto her blue ones and smiled a small smile. Youko knew that Hiei had strong feeling towards the girl, but he was developing some of his own and he wasn't ready to just give up on her. It was more than obvious that he would have an even harder time getting close to her now but he wasn't that easily deterred. However, his current train of thought was suddenly derailed when he felt a soft warmth press against his arm.

 

Kagome had been staring at him for quite some time before Youko had actually acknowledged her with a smile. In that smile, she knew that he was waiting for her to make a move. The miko had been contemplating on whether or not she would be able to be around him and had been saddened by the prospect that she might not be. When they had originally met in her own time, Kagome had felt a pull towards him as well as Hiei. Though the feeling wasn't quite as strong, it was still there and she didn't want to forget it. That would be just one more thing that stupid dog would ruin for her.

 

Seeing his friendly gesture, Kagome instantly made up her mind. She was not going to be afraid of him for something that he didn't do. He had been her savior too and didn't deserve a shunning. Loosening the hold Hiei had on her, which resulted in a low growl, Kagome stood and walked to the kitsune. A smirk crossed her face when she realized he didn't know she was standing so close and she gently placed her hand on his arm.

 

“Ummm…Youko? I was wondering, do you have a true form that you can turn into, even though you share a body with Kurama?” The young miko asked, a slight blush staining her cheeks.

 

Youko smirked with amusement flashing across his eyes at her blush, “Yes I do. Why do you ask?”

 

Kagome chewed nervously on her lower lip. She figured he did, being a full youkai and all, and was just dying to see it. “Well, I was just curious. I have only seen one youkai in their true form and that was Lord Sesshoumaru. He turns into a magnificent silver dog and he is enormous. I had wondered…what you would look like.” She finished softly, her blush deepening and spreading down her neck.

 

“Lord Sesshoumaru? You have seen his true form, eh?” Now Youko was really curious about Kagome. `How could this human girl have seen the Western Lord in such a form and still have her head?' He knew of Lord Sesshoumaru from his earlier years as a thief and had only seen him transform once. “Well, I am not nearly that big, being a fox as opposed to a dog, but I am big enough to take up quite a bit of room. Can your kit not transform?” Youko was wondering just where she was going with this line of questioning.

 

Kagome smiled a soft, sad smile at the mention of Shippou. “No, he can't. At least, he doesn't know how if he can. His parents were killed by the Thunder Brothers and since I am neither youkai nor kitsune, I can't teach him anything he needs to know.” She sighed, “Could I maybe see you? As a fox?”

 

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Lord Sesshoumaru wasted no time in tearing through the forest to reach his destination. Despite the fact that he was a little relieved to know that Kagome had retained her innocence, he was more than aware that there was a very slim chance she would have survived to be able to give such a treasure to one who deserved it.

 

He was going through all the encounters he had ever had with the young woman and realized that he was somewhat…saddened by the thought of her premature death. She had been one of very few to ever stand up against him and she was a ningen! An onna no less! His mind wandered back to the very first time he had met Kagome-the woman/child- and let a small smile grace his features. The girl had only been fifteen at the time, he later learned, and she had impressed him even then. Not that he would ever tell anyone that.

 

It had been in his father's tomb of all places, when that tiny miko had not only thought to have Inuyasha pull the Tetsusaiga in an effort to harm the Demon Lord's pride but had eventually ended up removing it herself. That had been the first clue that Sesshoumaru would have to keep an eye on the girl. Ever since that day, Kagome had stood against him at every turn and done so without fear for herself. He could have slain her time and again but had left her alone out of sheer curiosity.

 

While the Taiyoukai was making a trip down memory lane recalling all the things about Kagome that intrigued him, he hadn't realized that his legs seemed to have taken up speed. He was shaken from his own internal musings when he realized that he had already come upon the village the Shard Hunters called home.

 

Sesshoumaru lifted a leg, ready to take his first step towards the village to discover the fate of the young miko when he faltered. There were scents on the wind that he didn't recognize at all and a few of them were mingled with the one scent he was hoping to find: Kagome.

 

He took in a deep breathe filtering out all other scents and focused strictly on the one that could only be Kagome. As the gentle smell of lavender and vanilla wafted through the Great Inu's nose, he let lose a sigh of relief to find it without ailments.

 

Kagome was alive.

 

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A single, delicate silver brow arched in silent question and unspoken curiosity at the dark stain of pink currently coloring the young miko's cheeks. All she had done was ask to see his true form…why was that simple request eliciting such a response when she hadn't even been answered yet?

 

`Youko, what happened? What did you do? Why in Kami's name is she embarrassed?'

 

`I wish I knew; I would do it more often. She looks lovely wearing that shade of pink.'

 

Kurama groaned with displeasure at the antics of the kitsune, `Don't forget Youko. We can't move too fast with her. Besides, Hiei looks ready to rend you limb from limb.'

 

`As if I have anything to fear from that emotionally constipated hybrid. He might be your partner Red, but this is going to come down to youkai law soon. He wants her and I want her. Eventually, either he will have to be willing to share or fight for her.' Youko snorted elegantly to his human counterpart. Kagome was just too good a puzzle to be left unsolved.

 

Youko turned his attention from the voice in his head to the young woman standing before him once more. Her cheeks were still tinted pink and she had her head down, focusing intently on her fidgeting hands. She looked so positively cute like that and he hated to ruin the moment he was having, but she had asked him a question and it would be rude not to answer.

 

The kitsune cleared his throat to get her attention and as soon as Kagome's sapphire eyes met his golden ones, he gave her a broad grin meant to disarm. Obviously it worked for her fidgeting stopped and she regarded him with questioning eyes.

 

“May I ask why you want to see it so badly? Not that I mind showing off for a beautiful woman, but I am a kitsune and I am afraid my curiosity has gotten the better of me on more than one occasion.” Youko said with supreme confidence and a wink. He started preening the second he noticed her blush darken.

 

`I have had about enough of your antics Fox. Kagome is in no state to be toyed with regardless of how `playful' you are feeling. Do not make me regret letting her get that close to you.' Hiei stated in a voice assuring death to the over confident kitsune. He saw the flash of disgruntlement cross the Fox's eyes and it made him mentally smirk.

 

Kagome came out of her slight stupor when she really thought about Youko's words. `He's baiting me! Why that…that…damn kitsune!' Kagome thought bristling at his actions. She knew he was being playful but he was also avoiding her question. Her first reaction was to reach out and slap that arrogant look from his perfect face but on second thought, she realized that she would have to fight fire with fire.

 

If this fox wanted to play, it would be on her terms.

 

The Silver Kitsune was so wrapped up in his own self-congratulatory acts that he nearly missed the positively mischievous look that passed across Kagome's face. Once he re-focused on the no-longer blushing miko, he realized that she was indeed planning something. Knowing this, he could barely contain an anxious grin and his tail took to wagging happily. Had he been any less restrained, or any less dignified, he would have been bouncing on his feet.

 

This was a good thing. Kagome was being Kagome. She seemed more like that playful girl they had seen on the street that day now, than she had in days.