Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Bane of Existence/Love of A Lifetime ❯ Chapter Eleven ( Chapter 11 )

Kagome sighed for the millionth time since leaving the shrine earlier in the day. She could have sworn up and down that Kurama was telepathic and not letting anyone in on the secret. She had seriously been thinking of returning to the past while the rest were gathering their things but any attempts of such a thing were now thwarted. A part of her heart warmed a little at the reason as to why she couldn't follow her train of thought. Kurama had taken Shippou with him - as he said he would - and now, Kagome and Yusuke were just making it downtown.

 

Shortly after the two kitsune had left, Kagome and Yusuke had followed suit. They had walked a short distance to the nearest bus stop and boarded in silence. Kagome's attention was turned inward while Yusuke's attention was solely on her. He couldn't quite comprehend why she thought she was worth so little, even after hearing about the other life she led, but he knew it had to do with the inu hanyou. Shippou had confided in him that morning after he had left Kagome to finish her bath, that Inuyasha was as abusive as he could be without actually laying a hand on Kagome. He had wondered briefly why she hadn't told them about it in her story but then realized she probably thought that no one would care.

 

If she only knew precisely how wrong she was.

 

It was rather a strange thing for the Spirit Detective, to find himself so completely enthralled with someone. Sure, he had met a few intriguing individuals - two of which were the other demons on his team - but none had been possessed of ningen blood. While he was probably the last youkai in the three realms, save for Kurama, that thought humans weren't weak, he still hadn't found any that truly held his attention. Oh, he had loved Keiko - had loved her very much in fact - but she had never really drawn him in. The more he thought over the relationship they held, the more he realized how truly lacking it was.

 

Huh.

 

Why hadn't he noticed all this before when it could have helped him? Why didn't he know from the beginning that Keiko would never love him the way he wanted to be loved? Shocking, that. He had prided himself on being able to basically get a good idea of how people worked; how was it anyway that he had been blindsided? Was it because he didn't know the signs or because he didn't pay attention to them? Looking back, Yusuke knew he should have seen it all sooner, especially considering the entire Tantei thought that he and Keiko wouldn't last. Maybe he had just been too happy to have a constant in his life that he didn't care? Or was Keiko supposed to dump him and break his heart so he could find what he needed in life?

 

He stole a quick glance to the raven-haired beauty walking next to him at that thought. `Hn. Maybe I should thank Keiko for being a bitch next time I see her.' Kagome truly was a sight to behold at any time of the day, or night he discovered. She had been awe inspiring when facing off against the hanyou whom she had loved and yet seemed so very fragile and lost the night before. Letting his gaze roam from the profile of her face, he realized that her body was tensed and her aura was anxious.

 

“Kagome,” he said her name softly while placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, “if you really don't want us to come, we won't.” When she turned startled blue eyes up to him, he couldn't help the smile that touched his lips. She really was beautiful.

 

The young miko had been, once again, completely lost in her thoughts. She still couldn't understand why Yusuke and Kurama wanted to go with her, not really anyway. It was obvious that both wanted to see the world she spoke of - and she was sure Youko would be more than happy with being in an era he would know - but still, that didn't explain their strong desire to accompany her. She was also worried about the lives they would leave behind. While Yusuke had no real family to speak of, Kurama did and he hadn't even blinked at the prospect of leaving them for an undetermined amount of time.

 

Yusuke's warm voice floated over her ears and his youki rushed around her, effectively startling her from her quiet reverie. How could she lie and tell him nothing was wrong when he looked at her like that? It seemed cruel somehow, but she shrugged it off. Turning to look at her new friend - and companion, it would seem - she smiled and answered. “I'm sorry Yusuke. I just can't help but wonder why in Kami's name the two of you want to go with us.”

 

`This again?' He had thought they made the reasons fairly clear; the argument he and Kurama posed had been flawless and yet here she was, still questioning him. `That damned half-breed really must have done a number on you Kagome.' He smiled down at her, “Why do you keep questioning us? Do you think it will end badly for us to help you?” His smile brightened when she blushed and looked away, shaking her head in the negative. Somehow, he knew she wanted them to join her but she was still so very caught up on her low self-esteem that she couldn't see that they wanted to go just because they did.

 

She turned from him then and walked to an outdoor vendor to browse his wares and he stood off to the side, watching her eyes light up with particular items. Kagome pawed through various things in an attempt to occupy her mind. Really, she did want them along - more than she had wanted anything in a long time - but she was scared for them. She knew Yusuke was standing close and keeping an eye on her and she felt comforted by his presence. Just as her body and mind had come to an agreement about being relaxed and enjoying the day, she felt as though she was being watched. Expanding her aura slightly, she found someone headed in their direction…and the person was not happy.

 

Forgoing the urge to turn around and look, Kagome kept with what she was doing though she no longer paid attention to any of the items she looked at. Her entire body was strung tight, waiting for a confrontation. Just as she was about to query Yusuke about what she felt, she heard a low, dangerous growl from behind her. Tilting her head over her shoulder, she saw Yusuke standing completely rigid, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. Another growl came forth from his throat and her eyes shot up to his face. She could make out faint blue lines of a pattern she had never before seen flickering against his skin and his eyes flashed gold. Was it just her or did his hair look longer as well?

 

His last growl still had yet to end and Kagome was becoming increasingly worried. She hadn't sensed a demon aura other than Yusuke's that was noteworthy, yet he was carrying on as though they would be attacked. She reached out and gently laid a hand on his arm and nearly jumped back when his eyes snapped to hers. The warm chocolate brown she was used to seeing had morphed into something else altogether. Although they were still brown, they were lined with steel and glittered dangerously with fury and pain. Just as Kagome was ready to try again at asking him what was wrong, she heard him growl one word. A name: Keiko.

 

This time, Kagome did maneuver around the young youkai to see who was still on the approach and was somewhat surprised to see a young woman with brown hair and anger painted across her face. Things clicked in her mind and Kagome knew: she was the one that had hurt Yusuke so badly. Instantly, her demeanor changed and although she was still concerned for Yusuke, her own anger at his treatment was beginning to surface. Her hand still rested against his forearm and when she felt the muscles under her fingertips slide and snap against bone, she squeezed slightly. Once his eyes met hers, she smiled softly and expanded her own aura to calm him.

 

Yusuke had been enjoying just watching Kagome. She had seen and done so very much in her short lifetime and yet she still acted like an innocent child in a candy store when she found something that interested her. The miko had yet to speak after his last questions but she seemed to have settled down and he was content to leave her be. She wasn't trying to run off or ditch him, so things were good. Good that is, until he felt Keiko close by. Had he just sensed her, he wouldn't have even given thought to her but when it became apparent that she was heading towards him - and Kagome - he immediately tensed.

 

She was angry, he could tell and he could only guess that it was because he was with someone else. Well, he wasn't with Kagome; not that way, at least…not yet. But he was in public with her and even had there been something more then and there between them, her appearance wouldn't have angered him any less. Keiko was an unforgiving bitch and he just knew she was about to cause trouble. He hadn't meant to growl when he felt her get closer, but she set him on edge and it had slipped out. Kagome had turned and looked at him questioningly, placing a hand on his arm, but he was busy trying to control the emotions that were bubbling forth and couldn't answer her.

 

He was still growling and his anger at Keiko was only growing the closer she came. He had wanted nothing more at that moment then to grab Kagome and disappear. He was seriously entertaining the idea too, until he felt Kagome's fingers grasp him a little more tightly. When his eyes focused on her, she smiled and then he felt it; felt her. Her very essence wrapped around him and his blood cooled at the comfort, letting his mind come back to where he needed it. He was still gazing intently into those brilliant blue orbs and his own eyes widened in shock when they became electric and her aura snapped around her.

 

Kagome was mad.

 

Placing his free hand across the one she had on his arm, he squeezed the soft digits gently and smiled. “Kagome, we can just leave. She can't follow us forever and this really isn't something I want to see you get mixed up in.”

 

Warmth spread up Kagome's arm and blossomed in her stomach when his hand made contact with hers and she very nearly forgot the reason why she felt like ripping something - or someone - to shreds. Key word there is nearly. The miko heard Yusuke speak and his voice was warm and concerned and it did nothing to help keep her anger level where she wanted it. Kagome wasn't normally an aggressive person, but that girl needed to be put in her place and she was just the woman to do it.

 

She smiled at Yusuke then; a genuine smile that made his heart flip a bit. Kagome then slipped her hand from his arm only to grasp his and turn them around to face the pissed off girl who was now just at his back. Their turn around caught her by surprise and she stopped in her tracks. Kagome felt Yusuke's grip on her hand tighten slightly and she returned the gesture with fervor. `He will have closure today.'

 

~*~

 

Keiko had been walking down the sidewalk downtown, thinking about the date she was to be going on later that night with her new boyfriend when she spotted Yusuke. She had stopped walking and watched him, hoping to see him miserable and nearly expecting him to ask her to take him back. She maneuvered around the throngs of people and managed to see his face but instead of seeing him looking despondent, he had a smile on his face. When she followed his line of sight, she realized he was watching another girl.

 

Although she had been the one to dump him, she felt anger that she had been replaced so soon; never mind the fact that she had found a new boyfriend three days after their split. She had seen the hurt in his eyes when she had left him weeks ago and had hoped he would stew in his own self pity. Now it seemed as though he had found someone new. Well, she would just have to fix his happiness then wouldn't she?

 

Making up her mind, Keiko stormed across the street closing in on the `happy couple' quickly. She had expected to take them by surprise and wasn't prepared for them to turn around and meet her face to face. Neither was she prepared to see the two holding hands or to see her demon ex-boyfriend with someone so beautiful. Needless to say, she stumbled over her words for a fraction of a second before focusing on Yusuke.

 

“I see you didn't waste much time in finding a new woman to toy with. Tell me Yusuke, does she know of your “malady”?” She sneered, her voice laced with venom and dripping with disdain. Keiko watched Yusuke's eyes intently and when she didn't see any sign of hurt in them, she was momentarily disappointed but braced herself for the harsh backlash of his words.

 

Though, the words never came and instead she was graced with an answer from the girl standing next to him. “If you are referring to his…heritage, then yes I know all about it.” Inside, Kagome was smirking at the purely incredulous look that crossed the girls face. Now that Keiko was so close, Kagome got a better look at her and thought she could be pretty, if she didn't have such an ugly soul.

 

Keiko was caught by surprise yet again but quickly recovered. “Then let me guess,” she started turning her attention back to Yusuke; “you went and found yourself a demon bitch? Makes sense, considering no human female would want you; dirty blood and all.”

 

Yusuke and Kagome felt one another's aura's flare in outrage and the grip they held onto each other with tightened. Kagome placed a smile on her face and once more addressed Keiko. “Actually, I'm not a demon at all. In fact, I am a priestess and I see nothing at all wrong with Yusuke.”

 

Well, that wasn't the reaction she expected and Keiko knew her eyes had widened in shock. A priestess?! “Why would a priestess want to tarnish her name by consorting with a demon? Unless you plan to get close to him only to destroy him.”

 

Another smile graced Kagome's lips, this one even bigger than the last. Oh yes, she would enjoy putting this bitch in her place. “Well, this priestess would much rather spend her time in the company of honorable youkai instead of whiny, self-centered ningen. Now, I think it best if you leave. Wouldn't want you to get hurt little girl.”

 

True, Kagome wasn't all that big in stature herself but she had a feeling such a comment would irk the girl to no end and she had to bite back the giggle of triumph at the look of outrage that crossed Keiko's features. Then, the brunette snapped. “Ha! You think you could hurt me? I'm human and humans can't be purified.”

 

“While that is true enough, it doesn't mean I can't still give you a good butt kicking. You shouldn't start things with people you don't know.” That said, she tilted her head up to look at Yusuke and when he returned her gaze, she smiled. Squeezing his hand again, she said, “Are you ready to go? We still have some things to do.”

 

Yusuke could only nod his acceptance and moved away when she did, however she stopped just after her first step in the other direction and he felt her aura flare up in anger. Looking over his shoulder, he found that Keiko had a hand wrapped none-too-gently around Kagome's arm. Red flooded his vision and had it not been for the miko's constant sense of calm that surrounded him, his ex's blood would have stained his claws.

 

Keiko hissed, “You think you can just threaten me and then walk away? You know, if you hurt me Reikai would only come after you and Yusuke both and you would find yourselves in the Spirit World jail.”

 

Kagome's hand disentangled from Yusuke's in a flash and she had pushed Keiko between two buildings, her hand around the girls' throat. “Listen to me very carefully because I will not repeat myself.” The young miko started her voice hard and cold. “If you do not back off and leave the both of us alone, I will see to it that you never see the human realm again. I have connections to a place where demons would love nothing more than to feast on human flesh. This is your only warning.”

 

Before Keiko could react, Kagome and Yusuke were gone.