WOOP! The master is BACK!!!!! MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! The domain of this fiction world is once again my own! HA! No more little sister leaving you all in suspense and no more messing with my plot line! Yea you know it baby! The REAL blackheart is back in action! Thanks to ya'll that reviewed and a special thanks to those that said 'get well'! I love you guys! SO…there's a little limey scene, but I'm not saying between who. READ, REVIEW, AND most importantly, ENJOY!

Warning!!! Graphic gory scenes to ensue, please avoid reading this fic if you are not of a suitable age, or do not have parent consent! You have been warned!

I do not owe either the InuYasha characters or those of YuYu Hakusho

Bitter Memories

Chapter eighteen : newfound relationships

I was panicking. That was something I didn't do well. At present I was racing through the deserted hallways, in this hypnotic maze they call a school. The lockers and doors flew by me in a blur. The only sounds reaching my ears were coming from me. Heavy breathing accompanied with the sound of my feet hitting rhythmically against the tile flooring in a telltale pattern. The scents were vast and confusing. Nothing I did was helping me find Kagome any sooner, and who knew if Hiei had found her.

"God damnit! Where the hell are you?" I paused momentarily, my breathing returning to normal almost immediately. The sound of my own voice echoed throughout the seemingly endless hallway. Slamming my fist into the nearest object, I decimated locker 104. A large fist shaped crater bent the metal inward, making the door obsolete.

"Kurama? What's happened?" The voice was near and very familiar, sending a jolt of …something …down my spine. Turning, I found myself staring death in the face, literally. Botan was eying me cautiously. Her blue hair looked rumpled and her cheeks were flushed. Her cherry red lips were caught between her teeth. One hand was stretched out to me in a placating manner, while the other was fisted in her tee shirt nervously. She was afraid.

"Botan! I can't find Kagome. The demon we were looking for took her to the clinic, or at least that's what he said. I tried to get in touch with Hiei, but I'm not sure I got through to him. We need to find her, and we need to find her now!" I had gone through an entire period worrying about my two companions. Even Hiei would have the decency to alert me if nothing was the matter and he surely would tell me if something was wrong.

I knew that I must look half crazed. After running through the entire school, my hair must be in shambles and my clothing in complete disarray. My voice was shaking a little as well. Botan lost her terrified look and became more her normal self. Worry was evident in her face, but much to my surprise it didn't seem directed at Kagome.

"Kurama! Calm down. We knew about the demon. In fact, we sent him here. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, mainly because I didn't know until a few minutes ago. You really care about her don't you?" Botan had gone from mere explanation to a look of complete sorrow in a matter of seconds. Her mood swings were harder to anticipate that Hiei in a fight.

'What? She's upset I'm worried about Kagome?' I was thoroughly confused but apparently my alter ego wasn't.

/She's in love with you! How stupid can you get! Kiss HER!/ Youko fought harder than ever to be released at that moment. Being caught off guard, I was over come and without as much as a warning to Botan, I felt myself slip out of control and into the oblivion of the recesses of my mind.

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When I arrived I was worried that something youkai related was seriously wrong with Kurama. I had never seen him so wound up, or so…unkempt. His ruby red, silken hair was wild and somewhat tangled. His emerald eyes were flashing between worry and panic, two emotions I had never seen him show so openly. His school jacket was unbuttoned and falling off one shoulder, the undershirt was clinging to his well-defined chest. All in all, he looked every bit the wild animal Youko was. And I was terrified that I had lost him.

"Botan! I can't find Kagome. The demon we were looking for took her to the clinic, or at least that's what he said. I tried to get in touch with Hiei, but I'm not sure I got through to him. We need to find her, and we need to find her now!" Relief ran through my veins like water into a dehydrated person. He was rational, that meant he was just upset about the youkai, wasn't he? Shaking myself mentally, I blurted out what I had recently found out.

"Kurama! Calm down. We knew about the demon. In fact, we sent him here. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, mainly because I didn't know until a few minutes ago. You really care about her don't you?" Unfortunately, my mind ran away with my tongue. Now I couldn't hide my disappointment. Perhaps Kagome was just what Kurama needed, who was I to interfere on account of love? Sneaking a glance at Kurama from under my eyelashes I was surprised to see the absolute shock written all over his face. Then as quickly as it came, it vanished to be replaced with a soft scowl and … golden eyes. Oh no…Youko!

Before I got the chance to do anything, Youko/ Kurama had closed the distance between us and forced me up against the lockers behind me. In one swift motion, he grasped both my wrist between his hands and pressed his body against my own. My heartbeat was drowning out all other sounds, as I blinked several times trying to figure out just what had taken place. Much to my utter and complete shock, Youko took both my hands and placed them gently around his neck, in effect bringing me closer to him still. I could feel the heat radiating off of him, his pulse was thrumming in my chest, becoming one with my own. One, slightly clawed hand reached up and cupped my chin, forcing my gaze up to his. I was captured. Molten gold, deep and swirling with passion held me in a prison of desire. I wasn't even aware when I began to make soft whimpering noises, but became acutely conscious of them when he answered me with soft, deep, reverberating growls. My gaze was released when he moved.

His lips moved closer to my own, drawing my attention to the epitome of my longing. His lips were a soft red in hue and looked like the petals of the roses he is so fond of. Just before his lips pressed against mine, I looked back up into his eyes and gasped. His eyes were green.

His silken lips touched my parted ones delicately, caressing them. My eyes fluttered closed and a smile of content overtook my face, threatening to devour me. He deepened the kiss, his growls deepening as well. Electric jolts of energy ran the length of my body. They raced down my spine and tingled in my toes, only to collect in my more private of regions. On their own accord my arms tightened around his neck, my jean clad legs sliding up, one after the other, to enclose his waist. To my delight, his hands softly ran down my waist and settled under my butt to pull me up around him more securely. Had it not been for the electricity and the increasing warmth in my nether regions, I would have thought this a dream. His tongue darted out to lick at my lips, begging me consent to enter. Not only did I consent, but I also thrust my own tongue forward to meet his. He tasted amazing, and I couldn't get enough. Our tongue leisurely stroked each other, playing in the recesses of our mouths. My lungs were burning with lack of oxygen, but my desire for him ignored their request.

He finally pulled away, allowing us to catch our breaths. I couldn't help the moan of loss that escaped me, and upon opening my eyes I saw him grinning at me in satisfaction. Suddenly, I was pleased that my mind took off with my mouth. If that was what happened, then my mind could own my mouth for all I cared. In an instant, after several deep gulps of much needed air, my face split into a Cheshire-like grin. Kurama, his hands still my main support, grinned right back at me, before leaning down and placing a kiss on my neck at the juncture of my shoulder. Then he lazily traced a path up to my ear, allowing his lips to place feather light touches upon the sensitive area. At my earlobe, he paused, taking a breath. In the most incredible, sexiest, and husky voice ever, he breathily whispered to me, while at the same time pulling me closer to him.

"I care about Kagome like a sister. But I care about you in a completely different fashion. You, Botan, has some how done the unimaginable. You have stolen the heart of a legendary thief, the soul of a human, and over all, you enchant my entire being. You make every part of me agree. We are in love with you, and you'd make a man who can't live without you into the happiest of beings if you would only return my affections." I melted. What could I possibly say to that? So instead, I kissed him. My kiss conveyed all the love and passion I had, I could only hope that he understood.

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No sooner had the words left my lips then I knew them to be true. All this time I had known her I had felt something. Nights I would lie awake and images of her would appear unbidden. Her laughing face soothed me, her smile sent chills down my spine, her voice made my heart speed up, even as it seemed to stop. I was in love. It hadn't occurred to me that what I was feeling was so strong, nor had I considered that every time I thought about her Youko's incessant chattering seemed a perfect mirror image of my own thoughts. Those nights I laid awake Youko and I were one, a complete and whole man. Only one person made us feel this way, and it took Youko to break out and force me to act that brought me my realization. For someone so damn smart I sure was stupid. At that moment I lost all coherent thought. Botan, her fingers gripping my hair drug my face to hers and embraced me in the most emotion felt kiss I, or Youko, had ever experienced.

Her mouth was soft and warm against my own. Her beating heart rang in my ears, calling my own heart to follow the beat she set. Her smell, strawberries and vanilla, tickled my nose, wrapping me fully in the essence of her. Her tiny body molded around mine was all the reminder I needed to begin to return her powerful kiss. All the pretty words in the world couldn't hold a candle to a single sweet kiss from her mouth. Soon I gave in to my desire and used the lockers to support her. With my hands now free, I traced patterns lightly over her denim covered legs, being careful not to ruin the moment by giving into my youkai desire to grind hard into her. She was making soft, encouraging noises in the back of her throat, and I couldn't get enough of them. Just as I was about to lose control, a door slammed open down the hall, reminding us of exactly where we were.

Embarrassed, I slowly let her down. Her body slid against mine, enticing me without her realizing it. Groaning softly at the feel of her body pressed against the hardened part of my anatomy, I bit my lip in an attempt to quell the boiling need just under my skin. She stiffened at the groan and presumably the feel of my hardened member against her core. I couldn't help gazing into her flushed face. Her eyes were dark with passion and glittered in the intense white lights overhead. Perfect long blue eye lashes splayed acrossed her cheeks, and her head rolled back slightly, giving me a perfect view of her pale, creamy neck. I nearly lost it when her hips bucked against me, and she emitted a soft, throaty moan. My knees threatened to give out on me so I quickly reached one arm out and dug my nails into the steel lockers to steady myself. The other arm pulled Botan as close to my body as possible in an attempt to halt her motions. If she kept it up I was likely to take her right in this hall, school or no school. We were both breathing hard, our hearts, I noticed in contentment, were beating in rhythm.

Her head pulled back from its position nestled in my neck. At her movement I glanced down at the beauty in my arms. This time, my focus was on her lightly parted lips, which were holding me captive. They were an unusual shade of deep crimson and a little puffy do to my enthusiastic kisses. I couldn't help the pride and possessive emotions that welled up inside of me at that sight. Then she spoke.

"Kurama, we … we shouldn't. First we need to find Kagome. I have a lot to explain to her and, well, all of you. But believe me, I won't forget where we left off, and I promise to make it every bit the fantasy you and Youko could dream up." Her voice was velvety and seductive. I gulped audibly, as did Youko. My little vixen then winked at me and opened a portal shoving me through in my shocked state.

(whoa! When did Botan become a little sex goddess? You know you love it!)

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My head was lolling forward again. The dull, lifeless voice of my history teacher was more tortuous than any of Genkai's trainings. Just as my head met the polished wood of my desk in a loud and harmonious 'thump' in one of the rudest awakenings of my high school career, my jacket pocket began to vibrate sending me nearly out of my skin. My hand flew into the pocket containing the communicator that linked me to Botan and the Spirit World. Several of my classmates had turned to stare at me after the loud entrance into the land of the awake. Ignoring their curious stares, and Kuwabara's hopeful look, I pulled the retched thing from my pocket, but not before one hand rose on it's own accord and saluted my classmates and fellow detective in a one-finger acknowledgement. Several of the females that had turned to stare at me huffed loudly, while Kuwabara growled in an attempt to threaten me. Chuckling to myself, I flipped open the smooth, glossy, black cover of the small hand held device. Instantly, the vibration stopped, signaling that I had answered the call.

The small screen flickered, a multiple of various colors running over its surface before Botan's image began to manifest. I raised an eyebrow in a silent question, more due to her appearance than to her reason for calling. Her cheeks were flushed a vibrant red hue, her lips were bruised in what could only be from a kiss, and her normally well-kept ponytail was tousled with pieces falling all around her face. She either didn't seem to comprehend my silent question or pointedly ignored it, because she instantly went into her reason for contacting me.

"Yusuke, get Kuwabara and get out to the hall. Kagome and Kurama found the demon." Was it just me or did she blush at Kurama's name? Shrugging it off I nodded once before flipping the device closed, effectively cutting off her in mid-sentence. Smirking in amusement, I imagined how utterly annoyed she would be with me when I got around to entering her line of vision. She was just too much fun. It was like having a really annoying, bratty, slightly homicidal, older sister to bug the living, or in her case, dead, hell out of. I glanced meaningfully at Kuwabara, unfortunately for me, he was staring starry eyed at a notebook near some blond girl's desk. Following his line of vision, I almost gagged. On the cover of the hot pink binder was a picture of a fuzzy black kitten. I didn't have to be a genius to know what was coming.

"KITTY! OHHHHHOOOOO! LOOKY, WHAT A CUTE LIL KITTY!" Before my lumbering, numbskull partner, and friend, could completely damage any reputation I had built at this school, I reached over and snagged the collar of his school jacket. In a flash I was standing beside his desk with Kuwabara lying in the aisle. Keeping my face emotionless, a trick I picked up from Hiei, I drug the large carrot top down the row of desks and without a glance in the direction of the old, startled, wind bag, pulled Kuwabara behind me out into the hall. Once the door closed behind us, I dropped him to the ground with as much force as I could. He landed in a heap, letting out a big 'whoosh' as air left his lungs in a rush. Catching his breath he leapt up and glared at me, I could literally see the red flush of anger crawl up his neck and into his cheeks.

"Urameshi! What the hell was that all about?!?" His breath really stunk. Rolling my eyes I reached up and clobbered him over the head before answering him blandly.

"Kagome and Kurama found the demon we were looking for. We're supposed to meet them in the hall." He blinked once, twice, and a third time before I seen what I said register in his brain. Why I was cursed with an idiot for a partner I will never know. Sometimes I wonder how he managed to potty train, and then I realize that's not something I want to dwell on. We didn't have to wait long before a swirling, black and purple vortex opened directly in front of us. The crackling energy didn't faze us in the smallest as we stepped into its depths.

(Was it just me or did Yusuke seem a little like Genkai towards the end, and a lot more assholeish at the beginning than he normally is? *shrugs*)

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As much as I wanted to lose my sorrows and pains in his warm embrace I regained control and pulled away. His arms remained wrapped comfortably around my waist. Staring into his twin pools of various degrees of golden hues, I gave a small, sad smile. He returned it, but the pain I saw filtering in the depths of his eyes caused my heart to clench painfully. Gently forcing my way completely out of his grasp, I recovered my appearance. When the tingling, spiritual magic left my skin I was staring at a humanized InuYasha as well.

The air in the room shifted, and we both tensed, alert to the feeling of powerful magic. The far corner of the room was engulfed in a familiar black portal. Sighing in relief, and apprehension I watched the numerous people pile out of the portal. InuYasha began to growl softly at the intrusion, which I quieted by placing my hand on his arm.

Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama, and Botan filed from the depths of the vortex, all pausing and becoming very still. I watched all four sets of eyes take in InuYasha, as I knew he was doing to them. But every set of eyes invariably ended in the same place, the place that my hand rested on his arm. This small juncture of our bodies was what kept everyone deadly still, I didn't even believe they were breathing. Had I not chased Hiei away I may have found all this amusing, but being that I wasn't in a good-humored mood in the tiniest bit, I instead rolled my eyes, withdrawing my hand. InuYasha shifted on the balls of his feet in his nervous sort of way that I had noticed while traveling with him. At his movement the spell that seemed to encase my friends broke and everyone seemed to realize that we were staring at them in explanation. To tell the truth I needed to have several of my questions answered for me and their appearance meant my waiting longer.

"Kagome? You…know him?" Yusuke had broken the silence that was thick enough to cut with my claws. I simply nodded, not giving anything else. At my side, I felt, more than saw, InuYasha grilling the three males in the room. He must think that one of them was Hiei. Speaking of…

"Kagome, did Hiei, by any chance come in here? Did he find you?" Kurama spoke and stepped a little ahead of the group. InuYasha instantly realized that none of the males before him was the one my heart belonged to. He slumped in either relief, or disappointment, I wasn't sure.

"Yea. He was here. I don't know where he went though." I tried to keep my voice as level as possible and surprised myself when it sounded strong and clear. InuYasha snapped his head in my direction, his eyes widened a friction. I could see two emotions swimming in its depths. The first was questioning the second was anxiety. I saw his face take on a pained look; once again he had read me without me saying a word. He knew that Hiei had seen us in one of our embraces, and he also knew that Hiei had fled because of it. I could see his sorrow for the pain that surly was drowning in my eyes. Turning my head away from him, I brought my attention to the group that had stood watching the silent interaction between us. I could see some sort of understanding light in Botan and Kurama's eyes, Yusuke and Kuwabara seemed lost.

"Kagome, there is a lot I think you should hear. You too." Botan had turned her pink gaze on InuYasha after she looked at me. I nodded as did Inu, but neither of us made to move. Botan gave a look over her shoulder to the swirling portal behind her. Getting the drift, I looked over to InuYasha. He glanced back at me, but before he could ask his question Botan jumped in.

"I think we would have more privacy if we went to Genkai's temple. I'm sure she won't mind, and Yukina would love the company. Please, allow me to explain what exactly is going on." Her last statement was more directed at Yusuke, Kuwabara, and InuYasha seeing as they seemed completely bewildered. Truthfully, I didn't want to go anywhere, I only wanted to go and find Hiei as quickly as possible, but instead I took the few steps forward and ventured into the cool, darkness that awaited me.

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"You see as I understand it, Kagome is possibly the strongest miko it ever have existed. Long ago when Naraku was defeated, she unleashed an enormous amount of spiritual energy. This uncontrolled usage of power was terrifying to the council of the powers. The council is the people that monitor all the spiritual energies on earth and the Maki (? The demon world…I can't remember what its called…). When you, InuYasha, and your friends showed up in the after life they were worried that Kagome would go berserk again, but this time they were afraid she would harm an innocent. So they immediately began beseeching Koenma to allow one of you to be sent back, your spirit, your memories, and the thing that made you you, into this time and age to help keep Kagome under control. Seeing that you, InuYasha, was the person she seemed to listen to the best they decided on you. However, things in the spirit world can get pretty tangled up in the official red tape that binds everything up there, so as the council worked on renewing your life Kagome went through several months on earth. When her family was killed, though, the tape was severed. Even Koenma was afraid of what might happen. What Koenma never saw fit to tell us is that he knew who Kagome was, although he didn't know that she was also the protector of the Shikon until she was brought in front of him. The instant he seen her, that first time we brought her to him, he knew.

That's why you were returned to life. But the council didn't want you to be sent into this world completely ignorant to its technical advances, and more importantly, they didn't want you to just one day show up. So they altered the memories of the people around this area a little to include you. Then they set up a source of money and an adopted family for you. They didn't want you to just appear in Kagome's area, instead they wanted you both to coupe with certain things first. They thought the sudden appearance of InuYasha might cause Kagome to do what she did and faint or worst and lose control of her powers. That's what I was on my way to tell you all, but apparently, Kagome had already discovered who the demon was."

Botan smiled at the collected group. Yukina and Genkai taken up a spot in the group and listened intently while she spoke. Kuwabara had long ago lost interest and had inched closer to Yukina, who had noticed and began to inch away discreetly. Feeling a bit sorry for the girl, InuYasha stood up; pretending to stretch then plopped down directly in between the grateful ice apparition and the scowling human. InuYasha could barely contain his grin, it was like old times. He would see the monk sneaking up on Kagome and he would 'happen' to get in the way. Kagome had noticed this and smiled softly at the un-InuYasha like display. But she wasn't the only one that noticed. Kurama, Botan and Genkai also witnessed the little diversion tactic. Genkai raised an eyebrow at the Inu-hayou and her young apprentice. A knowledgeable smirk crossed her features before settling into her normal frown.

The Inu-demon was noticeably distressed. The whole room seemed to crackle with nervous energy emitted from her hunched frame. Nothing, not even the antics of Yusuke, Kuwabara, and InuYasha could cheer her up for long. And it wasn't overlooked that Hiei was once again mysteriously absent, as had become his custom whenever something to do with Kagome was brought up. The entire group, even Kuwabara, had noticed his strange behavior, and most knew what to link it too. The cold hearted demon had fallen in love with the Inu-demon, and by the way she was acting, she had fallen in love with him as well.

Now the only question was what to do about it?

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The days were slipping by slowly, too slowly for Kagome. She felt like her heart had been ripped out of her chest, and the only thing that could fix it was Hiei's return. She had spent the last few days meditating in the surrounding gardens of the temple. The serene atmosphere only seemed to mock her further. Now on one such occasion, she grew irritated. The birds singing in the trees merrily, the sounds of Yukina's happy laughter, and Botan's contented giggles only added to her internal rage.

She was happy for the newfound relationship between Kurama and Botan, but she was jealous at the same time. The two were madly in love; it was evident on their faces whenever you caught them alone together, which was increasingly hard to do. With Kagome in the state she was in, the two lovers spent most of their time checking on her, or searching for Hiei. Kagome could tell from their scents they hadn't mated yet, but she knew the only reason for it was herself and Kurama's mother. This weighted heavily on her, making her feel like an evil bitch for stopping the budding romance.

Standing, she surveyed the immediate area. She had secluded herself in a nook of the gardens, hard to find even for the youkai in her party. The ground was littered in glittering rocks, all shining like stars in the bright noonday sun. Overhead two large, full willows attempted to block the happy, dancing rays of the sun. The long branches created a secret grotto of sorts, while the wind whispering through the leaves keep her company. Lifting a hand to move aside to numerous branches in her path she stepped from the inside of her new favorite hiding place. Blinking to adjust to the bright light, she stared at the utter perfection of the garden before her. In front of her was a winding path that veered off in a fork. In between the two paths, was a towering waterfall. Pale, smooth stones were stacked high into the sky while the clear water reflected as it flowed over and acrossed the stones, filling every gap and space. The water made a soothing, tinkling sound as it ran its path into a koi pond. Trained morning glory wove around the towering structure, its leaves and flowers floating over the water, bobbing softly in the current. All around the two willows was flowers of almost every kind imaginable, in a tasteful arrangement. Genkai had great taste.

Following the path of gravel and stone to the right she walked with unnatural grace, her feet seemingly gliding over the surface of the stones under foot. As she rounded a corner in the path she paused, not wanting to alert the two demons she had managed to cross paths with.

In front of her was InuYasha, his hand clasped with Yukina's. They were both laughing in good humor, as InuYasha attempted to half heartedly dunk Yukina in a large spring running through the garden. The two had become quick friends after InuYasha's rescue of Yukina the first day they meet. It seemed that InuYasha was moving on. And he should. No one would treat him better than Yukina, and they both deserved some happiness after what they had been through. She stood absolutely still in the middle of the path watching the two, a small, but pained smile floating over her face.

InuYasha finally deciding to end the game used little force to scoop Yukina off her feet and plunged head first into the spring, the screaming ice youkai in his arms. The water splashed over and out of the spring, its dark blue color covering the two completely in its depths. As the ripples slowly spread outward, the two surfaced. InuYasha was grinning like she had never seen him, and Yukina was scowling playfully. They made the cutest couple absolutely soaked like that.

Clearing her throat, she decided to make her presence known. The two instantly looked up, identical blushes covering their cheeks crimson. Kagome chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling in true happiness for the first time in months. Seeing the happy expression in Kagome's eyes the two youkai smiled back at her shyly. Everyone was walking on eggshells for her, but that's not what she wanted, and she expressed as much to them.

"You two are good for each other. You treat her right Inu, and I know you'll be as happy as you deserve." Her voice had remained smooth and even, a slight wistful expression overpowering the happiness that had previously shone in her eyes. Yukina beamed at Kagome, grateful for the girl's blessing. In truth she did find herself utterly attracted to him. InuYasha's blush deepened. One look at his face told Kagome he felt guilty for starting to move on, but she only tilted her head to the side and smiled at the pair.

"You deserve to be happy too Kagome. My brother would be lucky to have someone like you. I can tell he is meant for you." Yukina's gentle words shocked Kagome. Botan had told her that Hiei was Yukina's brother, but Botan had said that Yukina didn't know. Kagome's jaw hung open slightly in her shock, while her cheeks and ears burned due to Yukina's blessing. Seeing the stunned look Kagome was giving her, she huffed and crossed her arms, the motion sending an arc of water sparkling through the air, quite an amusing picture actually.

"What?!? Didn't you guys think I was smart enough to figure it out? I've only known him for about five years and you didn't think I wouldn't have figured it out? Give me some credit!" She turned her nose in the air, and huffed again, her cheeks turning red when InuYasha began to chuckle. Without hesitation, InuYasha wrapped his arms around Yukina and lifted her a little out of the water, before bringing the blushing youkai to his chest. Seeing that they no longer remembered she was there, Kagome turned and began to head back toward the temple. Her thoughts turned to the spiky haired boy that she loved.

'Does he know? Where are you Hiei?' This last thought was directed at the crystal blue, cloudless sky that was overhead.

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Images of Kagome locked in a kiss with InuYasha were repeated in an endless refrain through his head. He felt hallow and alone. His whole body hurt with the pain of losing her. Only one thought could surface through the repeated scene, and it was one he had been pondering since he meet her.

"Why me? Why can't I ever come first? Why can't I win just once?" His fist came in contact with the rough surface of the stonewall. The wall shattered under the force of the blow. Dust and tiny rocks shifted through the thick air of the cave Hiei was currently stationed inside. He had kept away, hidden from the world for almost a week and the pain hadn't faded. It increased. It was nothing like he had ever felt before. His soul, its self, felt hallow and devoid with the knowledge that he lost her. He hadn't eaten in days, in fact that punch had been his only movement in the past twenty-four hours. He just didn't want to live without her.

The cave was in a secluded area far away from Kagome, in the world of Maki (?). It was a cave he had visited often after his mother had turned him away. It was the same place he had gone whenever he had anything wrong in his life, but no other time compared to this time. He had fallen in love, even dreamed of mating with Kagome, he was sure he had found his other half. But he lost her…to her past love.

His eyes watched the shifting cloud of grain fall to the ground, the light coming from outside reflecting off individual particles. When the entire cave was silent and perfectly still again he threw back his head and did the one thing he had never allowed himself to do. He cried.

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