Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Fight For Thy Heart ❯ One Year After The Events In Kagome No Kitsune ( Prologue )

DV- Okay, I'm doing something really stupid here. I'm going to post a sequel without putting the first story up first, which I finished over at Fanfiction.net before I could get it here.

Chiisai- Everything you do is stupid.

DV- Shut up, ladybug!!! Anywho, if you wanna read Kagome no Kitsune, I have the way to get to it right here; http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=1692669 Or just check out my user name on Fanfiction.net. Same as right here (DreamVixen) I'll get all my other stories over to mediaminer eventually. You can probably understand this story without reading KNK, but you might want to just to get all the details. Or just for the hell of it.

Botan- Go read it!!! It's really very good once you get past DV's insanity and sick sense of humor.

DV- What you call sick, I call twistedly interesting!!! ^_^

Yusuke- Sounds the same to me.

Chiisai- It is. She just tries to make herself sound smarter.

DV- HEY!!! Oh, yeah, by the way, I've got a mediaminer counterpart for Kagome no Kitsune that will be posted in July 11th When I get back from Kentucky called The Thin Line, so keep an eye out for that!!!

Kagome- Well, DV doesn't own any of us. At the moment all her attentions are focused on surviving her visit.

DV- And retaining the rest of my sanity. `bursts into tears.' I don't wanna leave a computer EVER again!!!

Everyone- O.O;;;;;;;

DV- And if you check out the Fanfiction FFTH, I did do the beginning/end thing differently, but don't expect me to keep that up!!!

=============One Year After the Events in Kagome No Kitsune…=============

.o0O0o.o0O0o.o0O0o.o0O Makai; Shadow Kitsune Kingdom O0o.o0O0o.o0O0o.o0O0o.

Kitsune servants winced and murmured sympathetically as they passed through the courtyard and saw an enchanting young vixen sparring with an equally enchanting (And far older, though no one would dare say this for fear of facing her rage) who apparently hadn't been thinking when she challenged the vixen to a duel.

The fox was taking full advantage of using the inu as an outlet for her frustration, alarming the poor demoness to no end as she struggled to keep her head where it belonged. Especially the uncharacteristic fury in the girl's eyes…

The inu screamed as the kitsune disarmed her, putting her blade at the inu's throat in the kill position.

"Okay, okay, I give!!!" The vixen blinked.

"Huh?" the inu shook her head with a mock sigh.

"You just won. Are you okay, Kaggy?" This came out in two parts, the first amused teasing and the second genuine concern.

"Fine," Kagome said, a slight blush staining her cheeks. "I'm fine, Rin."

"Liar," Both Princesses turned to the neko leaning lazily against the arched entrance, arms crossed over her finely crafted armor.

"Sango…" Kagome said in warning.

"What's wrong?" Rin asked, looking between the two. Kagome sighed.

"My 18th birthday is coming up soon."

"…So?"

"It's a ritual in the kitsune royal family, that if the first born is female, she must prove her strength before she is given the privilege of choosing a mate. Traditions dictate the princess and a small band of trusted allies must fight in the Tri-realm Tournament and receive a blessing from the gods before gaining her rights," Rin blinked.

"So. Queen Yame's cool, tradition or no, she's not gonna force you to marry someone she picks. She's not you dad, Kagome."

"But that's just it. If Kagome is ever beaten at any time during the tournament, she is obligated to mate them if they're a male, or any one of their choosing if they are female or already mated." Sango explained. Rin fell over.

"Who came up with such a stupid idea?!?!?!"

"My ancestors," Kagome replied grimly. Rin clapped her hands over her mouth.

"You're going to win, Kagome," Sango said, ignoring the inu demoness. "No matter what you think, you're strong enough to kill every demon there and then some. You have nothing to worry about." Sango could feel how stressed the situation was making her friend through their ever growing bond.

"That's what Mama says. And I'll have you, Ganko, InuYasha and Miroku, so we should win no problem." With that, she gave both of them a cheerful smile and headed towards the castle, her katana over her shoulder. Sango sighed as she watched her leave.

"She won't say it out loud," Rin gave the worried neko a confused look.

"Say what?"

"The real reason she doesn't want to go through with this,"

"…umm, I kinda figured it had to do with the whole marrying-someone-you-don't-even-know-that-can-beat-the-shit-out-of-you thing," Sango rapped her knuckles on the inu demoness' head.

"Well, yeah, there's a reason for that you brainless baka!" Sango turned and gave a sad smile in the direction of the castle. "She already knows who she wants as a mate, and she's scared of the possibility she might lose. The girl does have a lot of self esteem issues, so she's worried that she won't be with the one she loves because she was weak." Rin's confusion increased.

"What are you- oooh…" Rin got a sly grin on her face. "So that's what's bothering her!!! Did she tell him yet?"

"Of course. He understood. Well, half of him did, at least." Sango shook her head and bit back a smile at the thought of Youko's whiney protests and the mental pouts he sent along with them. Sango was torn away from these amusing thoughts, however, by a very insistent mental `twirk' from Kagome to get her attention. "I've got to go, Rin,"

She followed the link to outside the throne room, where Kagome had taken to pacing.

"There you are!!! Mama's called the both of us here. She says it's important." Sango nodded and both demonesses entered the repaired and redecorated throne room. Queen Yame of the Makai Shadow Kitsunes looked up from watching Shippo, Souta and Kohaku, who seemed to be absorbed in a mind-boggling game of Go Fish at nearby table.

"Kagome, Sango," She said with a weak smile, rising to greet her only daughter and her daughter's most trusted guardian.

"You needed to see us, Mama?" Kagome asked, looking at her mother closely. Apparently, something had been bothering her recently as well. She looked so tired, and worried. Kagome hadn't seen her like this since her father started harassing them again.

From the table, Shippo watched the three women curiously as Kagome studied her mother, and Souta took the opportunity to peek at his hand.

"Yes, I've learned some startling news about the tournament and the Spirit Detectives," The Queen said, drawing the complete attention of both younger girls and all the boys, stopping the vigorous argument about the definition of `cheating.'

"What about them?" Sango asked, her tone warring between curious and worried, drawing a few smirks from the boys who went basically unnoticed.

"It's about the Star of Fallen Faith…"

.o0O0o.o0O0o.o0O0o.o0O0o.o Reikai; Koenma's office o.o0O0o.o0O0o.o0O0o.o0O0o.

"The Star of Fallen Faith?" Yusuke snorted, "Nice name. This from the same people that named the Shikon no Tama?"

"Be quiet, Yusuke!!!" Koenma snapped, slightly bewildered that he knew of the mysterious sacred jewel. (AN; ^_^; They kinda `forgot' to tell him what happened,)

"The Star of Fallen Faith was created by the most powerful dark miko to ever live," Kurama calmly explained. "It works much like the Shikon by giving youkai strength, but it cannot grant wishes and when a youkai uses the Star, his heart will eventually be swallowed by it, allowing a Dark miko to control him," Yusuke flinched.

"Yikes,"

"That we probably won't have to worry about," Koenma reassured them. "Miko ki is very difficult to locate unless you have a properly trained miko or houshi, neither of which has been seen for nearly three hundred years. Unfortunately, the Star will simply keep increasing the youkai's strength, until their own powers rival those of the gods. And it's true that dark mikos can control a youkai through the Star, but only if their own ki is greater than or equal to the youki of the youkai using the Star when she exerts her control. The Star will then stop feeding the youkai energy."

"Uhh… Right, got it," Kuwabara said, obviously confused. Yusuke ignored him, debating on whether or not to ask if a regular miko or a miko youkai could control this Star thingy.

=No,=

`Hiei?'

=Only Dark Mikos can control the star of Fallen Faith. And bringing up the powers of your girlfriend and the shadow princess will only complicate their lives even more. Do you want Keiko to become a toy for the Reikai?= Yusuke visibly flinched, knowing the truth in the words. The spirit detective shot the jiganshi a grateful look.

Their friendship had improved over the year since the whole Sengoku Jidai thing. Actually Hiei's relationship with all the spirit detectives in whole had improved. (though it was on a muuuuch smaller scale with Kuwabara than any of the others.)

"So what's the deal with this star thing, anyways? Yusuke asked the toddler. "We gonna have to kick some ass to get it back for you or something like that?"

"WHO SAYS I LOST IT IN THE FIRST PLACE?!?!?!" Koenma shouted indignantly. "The Star of Fallen Faith disappeared over five hundred years ago, before the barriers went up, when a miko by the name of Kikyou killed the demon that carried it and the dark miko that controlled him." The spirit detectives stiffened, except for Kuwabara.

"Kikyou? Wasn't that the name of- mph!!!!!!" The ground, which he met with via Yusuke's fist, rudely cut off the oversized human much to Kurama's relief.

::I knew there was a reason we stayed around him.:: Youko commented from the safety of Kurama's mind.

((You're in a better mood now.))

::I've decided that since our mate-to-be has enough power to defeat any who enter that ridiculous tournament seeking her, complaining is a pointless waste of energy,:: Youko said arrogantly. Kurama resisted the urge to shake his head.

"Anyways, the Star has recently reappeared, in the reincarnation of the youkai who died with the artifact in his body." Koenma continued, missing the exchange between Yusuke and Kuwabara.

"Wait a minute, you let this demon get reincarnated?!?!" Yusuke demanded. Koenma turned a bright, flaming red.

"It's not my fault!!! There was an office party and I- Well- THAT'S NOT THE POINT!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Who is this demon," Kurama asked, cutting off what looked like the start of yet another pointless argument. "And what is he after?" Koenma sighed.

"We don't know who or what he is. He died before my father made the barrier, so we have little, if any, information on him. But we have uncovered what he's after," Koenma's giant TV flickered to life, showing a giant stadium. "This is the stadium where the Tri-realm Tournament is held. Here, teams of five fighters compete for blessings from the higher gods and the promise of their hearts desire. However, every once in a while, the tournament plays host to another prize," Kurama stiffened.

((He can't mean…)

::Considering he would've just referred to her as a mere `prize' he better not!!!:: Youko growled passionately.

Unfortunately for both, Koenma's TV flickered again, this time showing a portrait of Kagome in a fine silk kimono, a crown of silvery flowers against her dark hair and a gentle smile on her lips, her eyes dancing with her innocent, playful spirit.

Hiei, Yusuke and Kuwabara all looked at the picture before turning to Kurama, alarm and confusion written all over their faces.

"This is Kagome, the Princess of the Shadow Kitsune Kingdom of the Makai," Koenma stated, still oblivious to their reactions. "She is turning 18 two days from now, and it is tradition in the royal families of the Shadow Kitsune when the first born is female that they compete in the tri-realm tournament, and mate any male that can defeat them," Koenma explained. Yusuke and Kuwabara's eyes grew larger, as Hiei's narrowed "We have determined from an anonymous source that the youkai with the stat wishes to be that male," Youko let out a low growl only Hiei and Kurama could hear.

::I told you we should have forbidden her from going!!!::

"WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!" Yusuke and Kuwabara screamed in union, alarm all over their faces.

"Why Kagome?" Yusuke questioned, tense.

"Why not? Practically all the males in the Makai and several in the Reikai and Ningenkai are entering the tournament for the mere chance of a shot at becoming her mate. Shadow Kitsunes are a very powerful and prosperous race, and Princess Kagome is quite powerful herself. Not to mention very beautiful…" Kurama growled softly, which went unnoticed by all but Hiei, who sent him a pointed look.

"So what do we do?" Kuwabara asked.

"You four and one other will be going to the tournament to retrieve the Star." Kurama stiffened.

"And if we face the princess' team?" he asked. Youko stayed unusually still in his mind, waiting for the answer with as much tension as Kurama.

"…Well, like I said, she's very beautiful, and I hear she's smart and kind as well…" he trailed off at the rapidly darkening faces. "Would you rather have her with this youkai?!?! He could torment her, hurt her in the worst ways possible, and her responsibilities as his mate would mean she'd do nothing!!! I've seen it happen to her family before, they're too proud to break vows!!!" Kurama sighed. That was true…

With a few parting glares and some muttered curses, the four detectives left in defeat, knowing that there wasn't anything they could say or do that wouldn't cause more trouble for their royal friend and her companions.

When Kurama got home, he wasn't surprised to see Kagome at the dinner table, chatting cheerfully with his human mother.

They'd met about a month after Queen Yame had regained rein, when things had settled down in the Makai enough for Kagome to visit. Shiori adored Kagome right off the bat, and now that Kurama's high school graduation was in sight and he'd already had early acceptance into Tokyo University (Kagome and Sango were to attend as well. Kagome's mother insisted on her and Souta completing their human education, and the girl had pulled her grades up splendidly with a little help from Kurama and a few royal tutors. She'd insisted on Sango attending school with her and, thanks to a few fake records and a soccer scholarship, She was going as well, no matter how reluctantly. Kohaku and Shippo also went to human schools now, to keep Souta company and expand their own education while staying out of the trouble it had become so easy for them to get into, no doubt.) she kept dropping hints about how he should think of finding the `right woman' and starting a family and somehow found ways to lead the conversation into talking about all of Kagome's better qualities.

"Suuichi," His mother said, smiling widely as he entered the dining room, "There you are. I was just leaving for the store. Kagome's here to see you!" and, before another word was said, she left, the young adults blinking in the wake.

::Didn't she do all the shopping yesterday?::

"She just said she had nothing to do and could use my company," Kagome said as she stood, straightening her blood red knee length skirt and the black sleeveless top that accompanied it. Kurama chuckled and shook his head.

"You know," he stated simply, crossing his arms and leaning against the doorframe.

"You doubted the shadow kitsune's ability to quench their thirst for knowledge?" Kagome asked innocently. Kurama chuckled again as he stood and walked over to her.

"You've been spending too much time with Miroku."

::Agreed. Especially when she should be spending that time with us,:: Kagome shook her head at Youko's possessive tone.

"Don't need to tell me twice. Though I am worried about Souta, Shippo and Kohaku, considering the time he'd spending with them as well. But I decided to back off a little after Sango threatened to remove certain body parts if he turned her little brother into a pervert." Kurama raised an eyebrow at her, though he and Youko were both clearly amused at the censored threat. "He's bored now that Yari hardly ever leaves their room anymore. She's pregnant now, and their worried about losing their first child," Kurama's eyes flashed with surprise for a moment before he smiled again.

"Send them our best wishes."

::It was only a matter of time, considering what a hardcore pervert he is.::

((This coming from one of the biggest perverts from the Makai.))

::I am NOT perverted! I'm just more knowledgeable than most, that's all.:: Kagome, oblivious to the silent argument between the two halves of Kurama, smiled at them before letting it fade into a more serious look, brushing back a strand of hair and tucking it behind her ear.

"We're getting off track. Kurama-!"

"I know." They couldn't allow each other any leniency in battle. As much as they cared for each other, one would be viewed as weak for letting the other win. Hopefully, they wouldn't have to fight each other, but if it did come to that, they'd have to fight each other as they would any other opponent. To win.

"Kurama? I want you to know, if we do have to face each other, no matter who wins, I would be honored to be your mate." Kurama smiled, pulling her close and kissing her on the forehead.

"It would be more of an honor to have to as a mate." Kagome smiled, resting her head against his shoulder for a moment.

"I have to go," She eventually said, regretfully pulling herself from Kurama's embrace and starting for the door. She paused for a second before doubling back and kissing him full on the lips. "Be sure to bring everyone with you to the tournament, okay? I'd love to see them again." And with that, she left, along with one of the shadowy figures outside. Kurama smiled as the door closed.

"Spying is very rude, Hiei," said fire apparition came to rest on the windowsill, scowling slightly.

"She's distressed." Kurama gave him a curious look. "I didn't look in her mind. The neko told me while you two were talking." With that cleared up, Kurama went over to the window and watched as Kagome and Sango walked down the street, deep in discussion about something or another.

"She has no reason to be. We'll do anything to keep her with us, where she belongs. Once she sees that, she'll know she has nothing to fear."

.o0O0o.o0O0o.o0OMakai; A Dark Island Near the Tri-realm StadiumO0o.o0O0o.o0O0o.

The demon laughed as the 50 or so youkai facing him fell, dead with one light swipe of his claws. Power… so much power!!! And there was more to be had. He could feel himself growing stronger with each passing day. He was almost giddy with adrenaline from the fights he had to test those powers, to find his new limits every time he got stronger.

He knew he was fast approaching the stronger fighters in power, if he hadn't already caught up with them, that is. And he knew the perfect way to test this power, and to win himself a few invaluable prizes as well.

A week. He chuckled darkly as he turned to the other four sitting lazily on the hill, watching his extermination of the local youkai. A week would be more than enough. Soon he, the strongest of youkai, would get what he so rightfully deserved.

The throne of the shadow kitsune, and the beautiful princess that was his ticket there…

.o0O0o.o0O0o.o0O0o.o0O0o. Makai; Deep in the Forests .o0O0o.o0O0o.o0O0o.o0O0o.

(AN; I had a little bit of this next part in my preview in KNK, but I left all that I wrote down at home when I left, so I most of this is from memory while others are just parts I added in.)

`Thunk!'

The small, ugly pink bat youkai paled slightly as his master threw knives at the five separate pictures pinned to the wall, sweat drops dotting his head and nerves making his tiny body tremble.

"You're sure?"

`Thunk!'

"Yes, Milord! Queen Yame-!" The bat was cut off by his master's harsh growl, "I-I mean the wench, sir! Ah, yes, anyways, she's decided that although she does not approve of it, she will not beak with such a long standing tradition. And she is at least vaguely aware of your presence, but cannot find your location."

"I see… anything else?"

`Thunk!'

"Yes, sire, the neko, hanyou, Gen- err… Ganko, and the monk are all going to accompany her as her teammates. Also, most of her other constant companions and both the Ladies of the Western Lands of the Makai will be there to offer support from the audience."

`Thunk!'

"And the rumors of the Princess and that spirit detective? Are they true?"

"Ah, well, as far as I can tell… yes."

`THUNK!'

"Gather the boys. I want them here in an hour or it'll be your head."

"Y-yes sire!!!" The terrified youkai took off like a bat out of hell. (AN; No pun intended. ^_^;;;)

"The kitsune stood, surveying the pictures on the wall. They showed all four detectives and Queen Yame, the five people responsible for the death of King Kurai. If they hadn't interfered, he could have been Princess Kagome's mate right now.

Silently, he took a small picture of Kagome holding Shippo in the royal gardens out of his cloak pocket. She was smiling down at the kit as he munched happily on a lollipop, her hair pulled back into a loose braid and a simple pair of gray hakamas and a white haori donning her figure. She was tucking a white flower, no doubt picked by the child in her lap, into her raven colored hair.

"Soon," he promised the picture, twisting a knife between his fingers before letting it fly, hitting the red haired kitsune in the forehead. He smirked, thinking of the pleasure of pulling the same stunt on the picture's living counterpart. "Very soon,"

.o0O0o.o0O0o.o0O0o.o0O0o.o0OMakai; MarketplaceO0o.o0O0o.o0O0o.o0O0o.o0O0o.

A vixen smiled at her young patient as she finished tying the bandage, nodding to signify they were done and he was free to play again.

"Thank you, Miss Healer!!!" The ookami child said with an enthusiastic smile before picking up the ball he'd been playing with and running off, mindful of his new injury. The woman's smile widened as she stood, brushing stray dirt off her dark violet fighting kimono (Same style as Youko's, only more feminine.) and adjusting her double bladed staff before trotting down the street, her strange blue eyes flickering between various people, stalls and merchandise as she walked.

Unfortunately, she lost her footing on the stone path, landing rather ungracefully in a newspaper vendor's stall.

Blue eyes turned orange as color rose to her face.

"Stupid wench!!!" The vendor yelled, calling on every obscenity that he knew.

"Sorry!!!" The vixen started to pick up the papers when a sentence in one caught her eyes…

Hastily, she grabbed a copy, shoving a large, full purse into the vendor's hand, not really caring that she'd just given him enough to pay for the stall and all the papers he might get there for the next week. It didn't matter, she still had plenty more where those came from.

She read the article, eyes turning green as she did.

`It is believed that among the contestants of this year's Tri-realm Tournament will be the spirit detectives, one of which, the legendary Youko Kurama, is said to be close with-'

"Yay!!!" the vixen cheered, excitedly, "he's alive!!!" tucking the newspaper under her arm for future reference, she raced off to find the nearest route to the Tri-realm Tournament.

Sadly, she did not see the youkai carrying several large boxes, who's only mistake was standing in the path of the excited demoness.

She knocked into him, causing him to stumble. The boxes falling out of his grasp and into a nearby stall, making it collapse into its' neighbor, starting a dominos effect. When the dust settled, all eyes turned in fury to the vixen, who was blushing from silver haired head to toe, her eyes as orange as pumpkins.

"Oops,"

===============================================================

DV- There you go!!! I'm sooooo sorry!!! I meant to get this up yesterday, but something came up and I was delayed. I probably won't be able to get my other story updated now, either. Sorry all!!!

Chiisai- It's was a lot longer on word than it was on lined paper.

DV- I know. That's kinda weird.

Kagome- Oh, well, at least you got this up a week earlier than you intended.

Inu- You make that sound like a good thing.

Kagome- Come on, InuYasha, this story isn't that bad.

DV- There's a confidence booster.

Kagome- Well, what I mean is, it's not bad at all!!!

InuYasha- Yes it is.

DV- The scaly yellow ants don't thing so!!!

Everyone- …

Botan- Err… Review, please!!!

Yusuke- and GET US OUT OF HERE!!!!!

DV- OH!!!!! And one last thing!!! It's about the POV's. I got a few complaints about the way I did them in Kagome no Kitsune time, so I'm going to let you vote on how it's done this time/

Normal POVs.- Just like this prologue.

Altering 1st person POVs- Like I had it in Kagome no Kitsune. Also, if you do want this, your going to have to specify who you want to have a POV. I'm keeping Kagome and Kurama if I do it this way considering they're the main couple, but the other two you suggest if you vote this.

One 1st person POV through out the entire story.- Most likely Kagome's, but if you vote this and want someone else, specify who.

Don't give a damn- If I have to explain this, I'm not the only one in desperate need of mental help.