Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Bandit Kitsune ❯ Skin Deep ( Chapter 3 )

Fanfiction;

 

FoxylilRaven (Thanks!!!)

 

Ryukotsusei (Thank you!!!)

 

Sanaka (Here's the update!!! Hope your arm feels better...)

 

kireishi-chan (Thank you!!! Already did!!! Email me back, okay?)

 

cowgirlkitten2000 (lol. Patience is a great virtue, my friend...)

 

Mediaminer;

 

Celestial Fox (I'm a Kikyou hater, too, but I'm going a little easier on her here. It will eventually become Youko/Kag/Shuichi, don't worry about that. As for Kikyou...)

 

Celestial Fox (lol. The relationship will work out, don't worry. How it shall be done is my secret...)

 

DD (Still alive, huh? Must be going nuts... Sure!!! Ganko-WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?)

 

tbiris (Thank you!!!)

 

Saphire Dragon (Here you go!!!)

 

 

 

 

 

Dark- HELP!!!!!! `trying to pull DV off his arm.'

 

DD- 'snickering'

 

Chiisai- I almost feel sorry for the thief…

 

Ganko- Almost?

 

Chiisai- He's keeping her from bugging us.

 

Ganko- Good point…

 

DD- 'sing song voice' Oh, Ganko...

 

Ganko- 'gulping'

 

DD- DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 'chases after Ganko with a chainsaw,'

 

Chiisai- DV still doesn't own anyone.

 

 

 

 

 

I knew… After two years on class together, I knew you were like this. No matter how silly or hopeless something is, you always do your best. He looks kind of wimpy, but he's not weak. He's always thinking about how he can do his best…

 

Riku Harada, Vol. 2, Ch. 4 pgs. 27 & 28

 

:::::::::::::::::::::::Skin Deep:::::::::::::::::::::::

 

“If he makes us walk another step, I'm gonna pass out.” Kikyou growled (More like gasped), glaring heatedly at their coach, who was currently yelling at them for lagging behind on the hike.

 

Every year, before school let out for summer, their school insisted they go on a weekend hike through a dense forest. Kagome was actually completely unfazed by the exercise, but Kikyou was unused to it, so she hung back to keep her twin company.

 

Kikyou scowled slightly at Kagome's cool face, without a hint of the sweat her sister was poring. She wondered how Kagome put up with this. Not only put up with it, but enjoy it?!?!?! Barbaric.

 

“It's almost noon, so we should stop and eat soon,” Kagome said, glancing at the position of the sun. “You probably wouldn't be so tired if you had packed lighter. Not to mention dress better for the occasion.” Kikyou frowned down at her black spaghetti strap, kaki skirt, and flip-flops.

 

“What's wrong with what I'm wearing?” Kikyou said defensively, “It's 103 degrees!!!!”

 

“First off, black attracts sunlight,” Kagome said, pushing a tree branch out of the way, “Mean wearing black will only make you hotter. Second, black also attracts mosquitoes, and considering how much skin you're showing, your probably going to be covered in bites by the time we get home. Not to mention that there are so many twigs and branches that you're probably going to get scratched up.” Kikyou scowled.

 

“And why didn't you tell me this before I left the house?”

 

“Because I was too busy `Keeping that wretched little boy away from your diary,'” Kagome quoted, “Besides, you were talking so much about your `precious Youko-kun,' I couldn't get a word in edgewise.” Kikyou glared at Kagome.

 

“You're just jealous I've already found my soul mate,” Kikyou said sticking her nose in the air.

 

“Soul mate? That pervert?! HA!!!” Kagome snorted, “And watch where you're going, there's a log up ahead.”

 

“There's nothing wrong with Youko-kun. He's brave, elegant, handsome, and exciting!!!”

 

“And a pervert,”

 

“That was just a one time thing. You have no proof he's always like that,” Kagome was tempted to tell her about the kiss, but decided against it.

 

“You have no proof he isn't,” Kagome retorted before jogging ahead to talk to Sango as she saw Shuichi falling back. She was not going to sit there and watch the usual sickening display Kikyou and Shuichi pulled.

 

“They're at it again?” Sango asked dryly as Shuichi took all of Kikyou's five bags.

 

“Pathetic.” Yusuke snorted, “What the Hell does he see in her,”

 

“Lay off, guys, she's my sister,” Kagome said defensively, “She may not be perfect, but no one is,”

 

“That's not true!!!” Yuka protested, “Youko-kun's perfect!!!!” Almost all the girls went starry eyed at that.

 

“Yeah!!! Youko-kun… And Hiei-kun, too!!!!” Now there was loud giggling accompanying the starry eyes. Kagome and Sango gritted their teeth.

 

“One more word about that thief and I swear I'll-!”

 

“Higurashi!!!!!!”

 

“Yes, sir?” Kagome and Kikyou said at one.

 

“Well, since I'm looking for someone to scout ahead and find us a rest spot, I naturally mean Kagome-san,” Their coach said with a slight sneer in Kikyou's direction. Kikyou's eyebrow twitched. “Minamino, go with her.” Kagome flushed slightly.

 

The two walked in an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes, when Kagome noticed Shuichi wince slightly.

 

“Is something wrong?” She asked in concern.

 

“No, I'm fine,” Shuichi responded at once. At her doubtful scowl, he added, “I was hit in training a few weeks ago, and I'm afraid I'm still suffering from it,”

 

“Let me see,” Kagome said, tugging his shirt up to see a nasty bruise on his chest. She whistled softly. “Wow, this happened a few weeks ago? Considering how good you are, this guy must be pretty tough.” Kagome frowned. “Who ever it was didn't seem to care how much you got hurt, either. That's pretty brutal for training,” Shuichi winced, but didn't say anything.

 

“I've been putting some medicinal herbs on it, so it should heal faster,” Shuichi said. Kagome cocked her head thoughtfully, then pulled a small jar of ointment from her backpack.

 

“Here. Use this. I made it myself. It works miracles,” Shuichi blinked.

 

“…You've studied medicinal herbs?”

 

“I'm not completely gung-ho, you know,” Kagome said with a light glare. “Actually, the only reason I started training so much was because some boys used to bully Kikyou back in grade school. I took lesson to keep her safe from them because she was too lady like to do anything about it herself.”

 

“Oh?” Shuichi said as they continued on their way, “And why did you continue?”

 

“I dunno…” Kagome answered with a frown, “It's just… I liked doing it, and I was good at it. It was really the first thing I could claim to be better than Kikyou at. It made me feel… special,” Kagome gave a wry smile, “At least until the wild rumors started going and boys began avoiding me like the plague.”

 

“Are you planning on getting into sports as a career?” Shuichi asked.

 

“Well, no…” Kagome shifted slightly, mentally debating with herself before gathering up her courage. “Don't tell anyone I said this, okay,” Shuichi's eyebrow rose.

 

“You have my word,” He answered in a grave tone, though a smile tugged at his lips.

 

“I've always… well…” Blushing slightly, Kagome looked away, “I've always wanted to be a teacher, and more importantly, a mother,” Shuichi stopped, blinking at her in surprise.

 

“…A mother?” Kagome blush darkened before she wheeled around and grabbed Shuichi's shirt to fix him with a stern glare.

 

“Tell anybody and you'll regret it, I mean it!!!!!” She wasn't even sure why she told him. Kikyou didn't even know that.

 

“I won't tell, Kagome-san, I promise.” Shuichi said with a kind look. Still blushing, Kagome let him go.

 

“I think I hear water up ahead. There should be a clearing where we can set down,” Kagome said hastily, hurrying ahead slightly. Shuichi watched her go with a soft look on his face.

 

He'd never realized Kagome was so… human. As long as he'd known her, she'd always just been `The Scary Warrior Babe,' or `Kikyou's Elder Sister.' He'd never realized there was any depth or appeal in her character. She was Kagome-san, nothing more, and nothing less.

 

Now, though, he didn't know what to think.

 

:::::::::::::::::::::::

 

“Kikyou, If you keep scarfing like that, you're going to throw up,” Kagome said with a frown as her sister ate her fifth California Roll. (AN; YUM!!!!!!) Kikyou rolled her eyes and glared at her.

 

“Must you always deprive me of my pleasures?” Kikyou said irritably. Kagome glared back.

 

“Fine! If you want to walk around smelling like barf all day, be my guest.” Kikyou wrinkled her nose and put the roll away.

 

“Well when you put it like that, of course I don't want to eat it,” Kikyou frowned in distain.

 

“Kikyou!!!” Ayumi whined loudly, “Do you have a compact? I forgot mine,” Kikyou sighed.

 

“Yes, hang on…” Kikyou flipping through one of her bags, before holding up the small mirror in triumph. She stepped back to give it to Ayumi, accidentally kicking another bag in the process.

 

`Splash!'

 

“My bag!!!!!” Kikyou said in horror, looking at the purse that's strap had snared a tree branch in the fast moving water. “Ooooh!!! That bag cost me 15,000 yen!!!!!!!” She said in anger, “Ad that's not including the things inside!!!!!!!” Kagome rolled her eyes.

 

“Calm down, Kikyou, It's not the end of the world.” She said, watching the bag in the water with a frown. Kikyou glared at her before fixing Shuichi with a pitiful look.

 

“You'll get it back for me, won't you Shuichi-kun?” She asked, not noticing the angry flush on her sister's face.

 

There was no way she was going near that water, she wasn't a strong swimmer at all. But she wasn't going to leave her bag!!! That was the one with her credit cards!!!!

 

Shuichi hesitated. He could get it back, with minimal effort, but he'd always been careful not to stand out too much from his peers, and doing so would definitely get him noticed. Besides, Hiei was currently watching his every move carefully.

 

“Well…”

 

“KAGOME!!!!!!! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!?!?!?!” All attention turned to the other twin at Sango's yell, and eyes widened when they saw her on the tree branch reaching for the bag.

 

“Kagome-san!!!!! That's not safe!!!!” Shuichi said, alert when he heard the branch groan under the pressure.

 

“Shut up!!!” Kagome yelled back, “Someone needs to get it and I don't see anyone else volunteering!!!!!” Then the branch started to break. Screaming, Kagome clung to the part she was grasping.

 

“KAGOME-SAN!!!!!!!!!” Shuichi yells, grabbing her backpack as the water pulled the branch, her, and now him, into its depths. He grabbed Kikyou's bag as they plunged into the chilly darkness.

 

“KAGOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”Kikyou yelled, wide eyed.

 

:::::::::::::::::::::::

 

“Wha…?” Kagome blinked blearily, staring up at the bright blue sky. The running water of the river could be heard in the distance. “How did I…”

 

“Oh, you're awake,” Shuichi said in relief. It took Kagome a moment to process that his voice came from behind her… and she was lying in his lap.

 

“EEP!!!!!!!!” She pushed herself away violently, suddenly very awake. “M-Minamino-kun!!!!”

 

“Are you alright? Shuichi asked in concern.

 

“Fine,” Kagome answered immediately. “What happened?”

 

“We fell into the river. Went quite a distance, too. At least three miles, not including the waterfall.” Shuichi said with a wince as he stood, “All and all, we're lucky to be in one piece,” Kagome blushed guiltily.

 

“Gomen…” She muttered, lowering her head. Her wet hair fell over her shoulders.

 

“It's not you're fault,” Shuichi said, waving away her apology and scratching a… kitsune? Why was Shuichi scratching a kitsune behind its ear? Why was a kitsune sitting on Shuichi's shoulder?!?! “We should probably go meet up with the others. The fastest route would be to follow the river, but the waterfalls a serious complication, so It'll probably be easier to go around this way…”

 

Kagome tried to stand as he spoke, only to have a shooting pain crawl up the entire length of her leg. She froze, unable to even move. Was her leg broken?

 

“Kagome-san?” Shuichi said, noticing the pain on her face.

 

“I-I'm fine!!!!” Kagome said, “I'll get up in a minute! It just stings a little is all…”

 

`OwowowowowowowowowowOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'

 

Shuichi blinked in confusion before his eyes widened and his face set into a serious expression.

 

“It's not broken, is it?” He asked, coming closer. Kagome used her good leg to push back and fixed him with a glare.

 

“I said I was fine!!!!” She pressed stubbornly, “Besides, my left leg's still in good shape…just go ahead without me until I can catch up.” Shuichi blinked at her in surprise.

 

(She's so stubborn…) He mused, (Not at all like Kikyou-san.) Nodding to Shippo, he walked towards Kagome again.

 

“W-What are you doing?” She asked, eyeing him warily. Smiling at her in reassurance, Shuichi offered her his back.

 

“Get on,” He said, “We need to have your leg looked at soon,”

 

“WHAT?!?!?!?!?!” Kagome said, blushing, “No!!!! It's fine!!!! Besides, I'm way too heavy for you…”

 

“Don't be silly.” Shuichi said in a chiding tone, “Get on. I can carry you, Kagome-san,” Kagome blushed as she pulled herself hesitantly on his back.

 

“Alright…” She said, in a defeated tone, “But I'm getting off the second I feel better!” Shuichi almost smiled.

 

`They look so much alike… but they're so different.'

 

:::::::::::::::::::::::

 

“Kagome!!!!!!!!!!!! Shuichi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

 

“Yo!!!!!!! KAGOMEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

 

“Minamino-kun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

 

“Shuichiii!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

 

“KAGOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

 

“We should be able to find them soon,” Yusuke said, “They're both pretty strong swimmers, so they probably made it back to the riverbank.”

 

“We just need to follow the river until we find them!!!!!” Sango said confidently.

 

“But what if they land on the other side of the river?” Eri asked worriedly, looking across the raging waters.

 

“We'll handle that after we find them,” Hiei said in a clip tone,

 

`It will probably be easier if the forest's rangers were helping. They have a Helicopter.' He thought, pulling out his cell phone. His eyes narrowed when he saw there was not signal. The trees must have been interfering with the satellites. `No matter. He's with them, so they should make it back soon enough…'

 

With that thought, Hiei started into the forest. He didn't want to admit it, but he was concerned about his rival. If the fool got himself killed… Sango frowned, as she saw him leave.

 

“Where are you going?” She asked sharply. She gave a fleeting glance towards the rest of the class, intent on their search before following, “Hey, I'm talking to you!!! You can't go into the forest alone, you'll get lost, too. HEY!!!!!” With a frustrated growl, Sango followed the boy away from the rest of the group, “Jerk,”

 

:::::::::::::::::::::::

 

“Minamino-kun? Isn't this the harder way?” Kagome asked sleepily from Shuichi's back. Shuichi was scaling the cliff next to the waterfall.

 

“Yes,” Shuichi said between pants of air, “But it's faster, and your leg needs to be looked at as soon as possible.” Kagome watched Shuichi's hands blearily, her grip on his shoulders tightening when she noticed how beat up his hands were from climbing.

 

`He's doing this… for me?'

 

“Kagome-san? Does your leg still hurt?” Shuichi asked as they neared the top.

 

`Yes… if course it does… but he's the one doing all the hard work. He's always so considerate, and he never once puts himself before someone else. Kikyou may think he's normal, but I can feel there's something different about him. I always could. Even if he doesn't see me…'

 

They got over the edge, and Kagome got off Shuichi's back so he could catch his breath.

 

“We're making good time.” Shuichi said, looking into the sky. “At this rate, we should meet up with everyone else before nightfall,” Shuichi smiled at Kagome, “You can hold on until then, right?” Kagome glared back.

 

“Of course I can!!!! And don't give me that look, I'm not Kikyou, okay?” Shuichi blinked in surprise before he telltale heat made sense out of what she said.

 

(No…!!!) Shuichi thought in alarm, standing up and taking off into the forest, Shippo at his heels.

 

“Minamino-kun?!?!” Kagome said, surprised at the sudden reaction to her words. She tried to stand and follow, only to have the stinging pain in her legs bring her back to the earth. She looked up in surprise when Shuichi's shoes stopped right in front of her.

 

“What was that about?!?!” She demanded. Shuichi offered a sheepish smile, but said nothing. “Urg. Never mind. Can we please go, I think my leg's getting worse…” She admitted to the red head as she climbed back on his back.

 

Meanwhile, a confused but relieved silver haired youkai watched them go from a nearby tree…

 

(Thank Kami Shippo learned to take my form,) he thought with a sigh. (We'll need to work on getting him to talk… but why did I transform when I did? I wasn't thinking about Kikyou at all…) Shaking his thoughts away, Shuichi trailed the Thief's familiar and the girl, in case they got into some kind of trouble.

 

Youko's energies were completely wiped out from a job they'd done earlier, so he wouldn't be able to change back until the thief woke up. And Shuichi didn't want to think of his other half's reaction to finding the girl of his affections in a crippled state. Knowing him, he'd find someway to pin it on Shuichi…

 

:::::::::::::::::::::::

 

“It's getting late,” Hiei said, narrowing his eyes slightly at the pink tinged sky. `He's with them… they should be back by now…'

 

“You don't think they drowned, do you?” Sango asked in concern.

 

“No.” Hiei answered at once, scowling to himself when he realized what he did. He shouldn't be answering to any human, and an onna, at that. This onna, especially. Where was his youkai pride…

 

“Well, Kagome knows how to get through a forest blindfolded, so something must be up,” Sango said with a frown. “Maybe they really did land on the other bank…”

 

“No,” Hiei said sharply, narrowing his eyes, “This way,”

 

`I can feel his ki now. Something must've happened for him to take that form here… especially with that girl.'

 

“What makes you so sure?” Sango said doubtfully. Hiei ignored her, walking off in the direction of Youko's ki. Sango gritted her teeth before cursing loudly and following.

 

:::::::::::::::::::::::

 

“Which way now, Minamino-kun?” Kagome groaned in pain, looking between the split in the river. “I'm in no condition to tell…” Shippo looked between them as well, panicking since he didn't have a clue.

 

“Left,” Shuichi muttered from a nearby tree, “follow the left river,”

 

“Right?” Kagome said as Shippo began along that bank. “Okay…” Shuichi winced as he tried to catch the kitsune's attention.

 

(Not that way!!!!!!) He thought in exasperation. They followed the wrong trail for a good ten minutes, all the while, Shuichi watched the dazed Kagome worriedly. Had she gotten Hypothermia from the water?

 

“Minamino-kun? Why are you so quiet?” Kagome asked, her grip on `Shuichi's' coat tightening, “You're not mad at me for what I said by the cliff, are you?” Shippo said nothing, nervous sweat poring down his face, “Minamino-kun? Please say something, You're really starting to creep… creep me… out…”

 

Shuichi's eyes widened in alarm as he saw they were heading for another cliff edge. Shippo couldn't see it from their position, but it was a larger drop than the cliff Shuichi had scaled.

 

Without a thought towards the consequences if Kagome saw him, Shuichi jumped down from the tree and raced towards Kagome and Shippo, kicking Youko awake as he did so.

 

Shuichi was relieved to see that Youko got on task instantly, completely focused on the rescue and nothing else.

 

As Shippo fell down the side of the cliff, he hit his head and shifted back to his kitsune form in his dazed state. Youko leapt off the side of the cliff and grabbed Kagome close to him, before using his vines to grab the side of the cliff and lower them to safety, Shippo in bird form fluttering nervously around them.

 

“Mina…mino…” Kagome said softly in her sleep. Youko looked down at her tenderly, tightening his hold on her as his feet touched the ground.

 

“At least she's okay,” He muttered as he began to recede back into their body.

 

(Youko…)

 

(We'll talk later…) Youko said sharply. (Right now, I must get as much rest as I can. Using youki in a body that isn't completely Youkai drains me,) Shuichi blinked in confusion. Why was he suddenly so hostile…?

 

Shuichi froze in alarm when he saw Hiei leaning leisurely against a nearby tree. How long had he been there? And why hadn't Shuichi sensed him?!?!

 

“Damn it, you little bastard!!!” Shuichi heard Sango snarl angrily “You could've at least pretended to wait for- Shuichi?!” Sango's eyes widened in horror at the sight of the bedraggled girl still held tightly in the red head's arms. “KAGOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

 

Luckily, they met up with the rest of the group soon after, and it turned out Kagome's leg wasn't broken. Also, she'd passed out before falling over the cliff, so she hadn't seen Youko, or Shippo.

 

Hiei hadn't said anything, so Shuichi wasn't sure if he knew or not. But Shuichi decided not to worry about that now. It could come later, back in the city after a long bath and a real meal.

 

Still, as Shuichi returned Kikyou's purse to her (Damp, but still in decent condition otherwise, everything considered) He couldn't help but feel that something important had happened during the excitement today.

 

That he'd managed to steal something extremely valuable, even though he didn't know what it was…

 

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

 

Chiisai- Where's DD?

 

Ganko- Who? 'blinking innocently'

 

Dark- Does this thing have an off switch? `points to DV,'

 

Ganko- I thought you were supposed to be a real ladies man?

 

Dark- I am. It's different when you find them pawing through your room, though. Especially when not even the police can track you down…

 

DV- Nothing is impossible for a Hell bound Kitsune.

 

DD- 'Burst through doors' DAMN YOU, GANKO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Ganko- KYA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Chiisai- Much better!!!