Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Fight For Thy Heart ❯ Reikai Scholarship ( Chapter 4 )

It was even more of a shock when Yari attempted to storm off in the direction Kagome and the other's had come from, a look of pure fury on her face.

"Yari!!! Calm down!!!" Yakuso said, attempting to hold her friend back. Botan and I tried to help.

"Not till he's dead," Yari growled, straining against us to go after whoever this guy was.

"And how are you going to accomplish that? You don't even have a weapon!!!" Botan exclaimed.

"I have my claws, and that's enough for me…" Desperately, I cast around for some kind of idea to stop her. Suddenly, it came to me.

"Maybe so, but if you put yourself in danger, you're putting your child in danger as well!!! Do you really want revenge so badly, you'd hurt your unborn baby?!" That got Yari to stop. Kagome shot me a grateful look.

"Relax, Yari. He won't cause you any trouble, considering you aren't technically a threat to him right now," she soothed the pregnant youkai. Yari didn't look too happy, but she did back off.

"I take it you guys don't like this Shijin guy too much?" Yusuke asked, frowning at Yari's clenched fist. Kagome sighed.

"Well, technically, Father planned on him being my betrothed for a good long while before I left. As far as I know, nothing was ever made official, but still, it may as well have been, from his attitude. He Yari and Ganko weren't too… friendly with one another."

"He didn't think a common street trash like me should have been allowed in a castle, and said I should leave and go back to a life of begging for food off the streets, destined to be a desperate whore instead of sullying the sight of the well bred youkai," Yari hissed, the fist she clenched now had several small rivers of blood running down it, dripping to the floor.

"And he said I shouldn't familiarize myself with someone as high up as a princess," Ganko said grimly. "He said that someone like Kagome should only associate with the best of the best, and I'd always be second compared to my brother," I gasped. How could anyone say such rude things? And Kagome was supposed to MARRY this guy?!?!?!

"You let him get away with saying that?!" Yusuke asked incredulously.

"What else could we do? If we attacked him, we would've lost everything we had, including possibly our lives. Kagome kept him in line the best she could but…" Yari hesitated, casting the royal kitsune an uncertain glance. Kagome smiled ruefully.

"But I… I never enjoyed Shijin's… company very much." She sighed, "Actually, that's an understatement. I just plain despised him." I winced sympathetically at the poor girl. No matter how many times youkai cultures confused me, there were some times I just didn't WANT to get them. All this stuff about forced mating and females obediently following their mates… It seemed so barbaric for such sophisticated creatures as some of the Kitsunes I've met. But I suppose there are just some traditions people are too stubborn to let go of.

"Well, that's all in the past now!!!" Botan said cheerfully. "Let's go back to the hotel room… Sesshomaru had a message delivered to you, didn't he, Yakuso?" I watched Kagome as we started towards the hotel. She was lost in thought, and Sango kept giving her concerned looks.

Then, my eyes landed on Kurama. He, too, seemed preoccupied. If the way his eyes flashed from green to gold was any sort of hint, it was his other half currently taking up his attention. Any idiot could see were he stood on all of this. Having so many people after the one you wanted to spend the rest of your life with was probably not a pleasant experience.

The though of love turned my attention to Yusuke. He was talking with Hiei about something I couldn't hear, but the look on his face told me it was serious.

It's strange. I understand Yusuke's personality better than almost everyone else… but I still couldn't understand him. Then again, no one could. Heck, he probably didn't know why he did half the stuff he did. That's what made him so special. He never tries to con or trick anybody, he never even really goes after anything in particular. He was just… Yusuke. There was no other way to put it. He was one of a kind, and I loved him for it.

"Are you alright?" I blinked and glanced at Kireishi as she gave me a worried look. I smiled brightly at her.

"Fine. Just lost in thought, I guess," I said. For a girl who was the half sister of the greatest thief in the Makai, she seemed really friendly and timid. Not to mention really-

`crash!'

-clumsy.

"Oh!!! I'm so sorry!!!!!!!" She bent down to help pick up the dishes that she had accidentally knocked out of a passing maid. Kat shook her head and leaned over to help her, and Katrina swiftly took some spare towels to mop up some of the spilled liquids. "I didn't mean to!!!! Here, let me-!!!"

"It's fine, Miss," the maid said, nervously glancing at Kagome, "I'll clean it up. Please go about your business."

"Are you sure?" Kireishi asked hesitantly, obviously slightly guilt ridden over the small mess.

"I'm used to it, Milady. Don't concern yourself over me,"

"I don't mind helping…" Kireishi persisted.

"I'll be fine. I'm sure you have better things to be doing, my lady?"

"Well…"

"Come on, kid," Kat said, dragging Kireishi away from the mess. "It'll be fine! Lighten up a little,"

"Well she's got a lot of energy," Katrina muttered to Botan in amusement.

"Yes… So, do you boys know who your facing tomorrow?"

"Who cares?" Yusuke asked, disinterested.

"You should. Don't you want to make it through the tournament with your life?" I scolded.

"Well it's not like I haven't been in tournaments before…"

"Team Ijiwaru," Kurama cut in before I could scold Yusuke some more." Sango frowned.

"I've heard of them… they're a powerful group of normally rouge demons. Some say they could defeat the taiyoukai."

"Well there's a pleasant team to start against." Botan said dryly.

"They consist most of males, but there is one female in the group. She's a friend of the leader, and seems to be their best fighter. Two of the males are spirit apparitions, One is half spirit half fire and the female is a elemental kitsune. They range from middle B to high A class demons. The leader's name is Petenshi and he's an oddity, but seems like he's alright. His favorite food is menrui and he's got a major problem with toads. Like Sango said, they're usually rouges, but it seems they made a team because they wanted to test their strength in this tournament," Katrina recited easily. "Koenma had me look in on `em for a while,"

"You're good," Yusuke said, obviously impressed.

"You have to be to survive in my line of business," Katrina responded. "You don't know how many spies are killed…"

"I've been wondering about that, Katrina," Yakuso cut in with a curious frown, "Why are you a Reikai spy? Don't you have a family in the Kingdom?" Katrina shook her head.

"both of my parents are dead, and I have no brothers or sisters,"

"Oh? I apologize…" Yakuso said with a guilty flush. Katrina smiled.

"It's okay. So, how did you come to be Lady of the Western Lands, anyways?" Yakuso smiled and Rin shook her head.

"After twenty years of fail matchmaking plans by me and anyone I could rope into helping me is how," She answered for Yakuso, "I had almost given up hope…"

"I'm afraid Neither Sesshomaru or I were really the social types." Yakuso said with a playful glare at Rin. "So it took us a while to start speaking to each other in close terms. But everything ended up working out,"

"Now all I need is a little brother so I don't have to become the next Taiyoukai,"

"RIN!!!" Kagome laughed as Yakuso yelled a warning at her surrogated daughter.

"Believe me, Rin, I know that feeling," she said.

"We'd better get back to our room," Kat said, frowning at a large clock. "We've got to prepare for tomorrow… It was nice meeting all of you,"

"Same here!!!" Botan said brightly at the demoness waved one last time and took her leave.

"Mama, you won't mind if I go into the city for a while, do you? I've been meaning to buy some new… ah, casual wear?" Yakuso's eyebrow went up.

"…Casual wear?"

"Yeah, you know… For when we don't have company or anything!"

"You mean for when you sneak out of the castle and pretend you're just an ordinary demoness."

"No! When have I ever done that?" Yakuso shot Kagome a dry look as she tried to contain her laugher. Yari and Ganko weren't doing much better.

"How about every time your father and I turn out backs?" the Lady of the West sighed. "Tell you what; if you can get at least three other people to come with you, you can go,"

"Really? Thanks, Mama!!!" Rin's face brightened considerably. She turned to Kagome with a puppy dog pout. "You'll go with me, right, Kaggy?" Kagome sihged.

"I don't know, Rin. I have a lot to think about right now, and I have to talk to mother and make sure she isn't plotting behind my back And I really don't want to…"

The puppy dog pout magnified, "…go somewhere so public dressed like this," Kagome sighed. "Alright, you win."

"Good thing you've got your brother to fall back on after all, Princess. The Kingdom would be in ruins in a day if a bleeding heart like you was Queen." Kagome glared at Ganko before smiling evilly at Rin.

"And as my royal guard and a loyal servant to the Queen, I'm sure Ganko would be more than happy to accompany us as a bag boy, Rin," I almost laughed at the horror on Ganko's face as the other boys winced in sympathy.

"I'll go, too," Kireishi offered, "I need some things, anyways,"

"I hope you ladies won't mind another escort?" Kurama said with a pointed smile at Kagome.

"Of course not!!!" Kagome answered, with a humorless smile, "As a matter of fact, I might need the back up if Shijin shows up again."

"GREAT!!!!" Rin said enthusiastically "Come on, Kaggy!!! I'll make you the PERFECT disguise!!!" She grabbed the kitsune's hand and dragged her into the women's restroom.

"We won't see them again until nine hours after curfew," Yari said with an amused smile. "Ah, well. Knowing Rin, she'll split from the others and Kurama and Kagome could use the time alone. Speaking of which, come on, Monk, we need to talk," Miroku winced.

"No pleasant conversation starts with those words," Yari rolled her eyes.

"Relax, holy man, I just need to talk to you about the baby,"

"Yes?"

"Well actually, a lot of things about the baby. Like the name for one, You promised to have one before it was born remember? Plus our plans for the room and hiring a nanny for when we're on duty and how we're going to pay the queen back for allowing me to take a maternity leave and still stay in the castle…"

"I knew no pleasant conversation started with We need to talk," Miroku muttered as the list went on and on.

"Well, have fun, you two!" Sango said pleasantly, "I'm going to train."

"That means you've gotta watch us, InuYasha," Souta said as the hanyou tried to slip away.

"Err…"

"Yeah!!! Come on, let's go back to Our room and play!!!"

"What?! Wouldn't you rather play somewhere with less breakables?!?!" the three children ignored him and took off for Kagome's Royal Suite. I bit back a laughed as InuYasha's puppy-dog ears drooped dejectedly.

"We'll help you, InuYasha!" Botan said cheerfully.

""…We?" Shizuru questioned.

"Of course!!! We don't have anything better to do…"

"I've got house chores to do," Shizuru quickly covered.

"I've got to contact Sesshomaru before he hurts Jaken." Yakuso announced, ignoring InuYasha when he muttered that the toad was better off dead anyways.

"I promised Genkai I'd come over every night and help her," Yukina said, though she actually sounded apologetic.

"I have to call my mother," I said in turn. Katrina shrugged as the attention landed on her.

"Why not? They seem like nice kids." There was a passing wave of sympathy for the new vixen. If only she knew…

I sighed as I hung up my cell phone. My call with mom went as expected. She asked me how the `camping trip,' was going, teased me when I told her I was sharing a tent with Yusuke (I went red when she told me to `protect myself because she didn't want grand children just yet,' and could've sworn I heard Yusuke snicker.) And gave me the news about the restaurant.

Apparently, business was slow, and mom hinted (Rather cautiously) that I might have to consider looking for money somewhere else, or else find a cheaper college.

"You okay?" I blinked and turned to look at Yusuke.

"Huh?"

"You look like your dog just died,"

"I'm fine." I said, blushing slightly.

"Bullshit,"

"You'll think it's stupid, Yusuke,"

"That didn't stop you from dragging me to those foreign films," I glared at him, "Seriously! Now tell me what's wrong before I tell Botan you offered to help her watch the munchkins next time she want to impress dog boy,"

"Yusuke!!!" I scolded. Then I sighed. Why not? "Mom just told me we don't have enough money for me to go to Tokyo University."

"I see…" Yusuke said thoughtfully. Next thing I knew, he was dragging me out the door.

"What the- Yusuke! Where are we-?!"

"The toddler's room,"

"Koenma? Why-?!"

"If he's got enough money to send me and the numbskull to Tokyo U, he's damn well got enough for you," I stared a Yusuke for a second, and then smiled. He was so sweet in his own, twisted little way.

Yusuke got to Koenma's door, and started banging at it.

"Just a second!!!" There was a small racket then the door opened to reveal a panting teenager with a pacifier. "Oh, it's just you, Yusuke. Can you make this fast. I have a meeting with a demon prince soon,"

"Whatever. Look here, Koenma, Keiko needs some money to get into Tokyo U."

"Done,"

"Don't give me any of- huh?"

"I'll have a scholarship in the mail by tomorrow. George can think of the details…"

"Just like that?" I asked, slightly surprised.

"Why not? You were the sole reason Yusuke was willing to do half of his missions, and besides, at least this way, Yusuke will actually attend his classes." I smiled at the prince of the Reikai.

"Thank you!!!"

"It's really no problem, now if you'l excuse me… Where did George leave that sake…?" I giggled as Koenma shut the door, mumbling to himself.

"That was easier than I expected." Yusuke muttered, blinking at the door.

"Yeah…" I smiled at him, "Come on!!! We'd better get back to the hotel room. You don't want to fall asleep during your first match… again."

"Haha." Yusuke said dryly as I started back to our room. "That was all Grandma's fault, anyways!!!"

"Riiight…" I said, rolling my eyes. "Oof!!!" I struggled to keep my balance after running straight into something. I looked up to meet icy blue eyes. Make that someone.

"Watch where you're going!!!"

A very irritable someone.

"Sorry," I said, backing up slightly. "I didn't see you- do I know you?" I cut myself off mid apology as soon ads I got a good look at the demon I'd run into. He looked eerily familiar…

"Wha? No!!! How could you? You're a human, aren't you?"

"Yes, but I could've sworn I've seen your face somewhere before." Yusuke was at my side now, glaring at the youkai distrustfully.

"Look here, buddy, Keiko's not- Damn, you do look familiar!" So, It wasn't just me… The youkai frowned at Yusuke before his eyes widened.

"You're that spirit detective, aren't you!!!"

"So what if I am?" Yusuke asked suspiciously. The youkai grinned.

"Gramps is gonna love to hear this… He always says I look just like he used to."

"Gramps?"

"I'm Inken. The great grandson of one of the greatest Kings our wolf Tribe has ever had, Kouga,"

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…

QFF- DV, my dearest, sweetest most lovable cousin who I think of as a sister?

DV- Yes?

QFF- WHAT IN ALL THE HEAVENS AND HELLS WERE YOU THINKING?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

DV- Writing or bed.

QFF- `growling.'

Inu- Kouga?! KOUGA?!?!?!

DV- Technically, It's Kouga's great grandson.

Inu- KOUGA?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Chiisai- You're trying to see how many people you can get to kill you in the span of a week, aren't you?

DV- Not really, I'm just in a very playful mood.

Kagome- Well, how about taking it out on someone other than me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DV- Sorry u.u But you have my word things will get better!!!! n.n Maybe.

…

QFF- `Maybe?!?!'

DV- Hehe…

`growling'

DV- Is this a bad time to mention the one shot I made?

QFF- I highly doubt it's good enough to make me spare your life, so why don't you shove it up your-

DV- It's in Ganko's POV, all about his childhood, army life and life right after Kagome's mom was recrowned.

QFF- `goes from angry to happy in a nanosecond,' Ganko?!?!?!?!?!?!

DV- Speaking of which, the Ganko pic WILL be posted some time this week, if the computer doesn't crash on me… again.

QFF- Ganko! Ganko! Ganko!!!

Kurama- Please review before you leave, and come back for the next chapter, which I have received a promise from the authoress will have heavy romance.

DV- Promise? You blackmailed me!!!!!!

Kurama- `smiling' See you next chapter!