Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Golden Gaze ❯ Chapter 18

Golden Gaze

By:

Goijh

Author's note:

Heh.

*sweatdrops and looks sheepish*

Been a little while huh? And the last chapter was pretty short.

^.^;;

Sorry 'bout that.

Anyways: There's GOOD news and BAD news.

The GOOD news: I've finally updated. And with a decent sized chapter (at least I think so.).

The BAD news: I don't know when the next update will be. This week is quarterlies and I might actually study for them...

(BTW: Anyone that knows me knows that I am awful at studying. I do happen to have a very good memory though and therefore pull off straight A's without studying. But I had a surgery in the beginning of the year that kept me out of school for over a month and a half and have been sick a lot this year so I'm a little behind.)

...Especially considering that I've been having a little bit of trouble with geometry lately. I hate doing proofs. I mean, I know why something is the way it is. I just can't right it out in order or always get the name of the postulate, definition, or theorem right.

lol!

Oh well. I've been rambling and you people probably don't care. ^.^ So without further ado: Here's your next chapter.

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Chapter Eighteen

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Yusuke frowned at the stubborn metal contraption before him.

The stupid locker just didn't want to open. It didn't matter how many times he spun the dial, or how many combinations he tried, the door remained locked and shut.

Worried brown eyes stole a glance at the young woman currently rummaging through her own locker for her first period books. At least Keiko hadn't noticed his lack of success.

Maybe if he just played it cool she wouldn't even notice that he didn't have his books, saving his tender skull from the wrath of Keiko which would undoubtedly come in the form of History and Literature textbooks.

He knew there was a reason he disliked those classes more than normal.

Keiko's locker closed with a resounding metal clash. It was the bell that rang in churches on funerals.

It was the sound of his doom.

Bowing his head quickly, Yusuke began to diligently twirl his dial, making it look like he knew what he was doing. His eyes however were anywhere but on the numbers. The panicked orbs were darting around, searching frantically for the familiar scarlet haired savior while at the same time watching Keiko to see when she would turn and come this way.

No scarlet.

Keiko turned.

With speed that would make Hiei proud, Yusuke twisted so that his back was against the locker and quickly leaned against it in a relaxed calm manner. An indifferent mask fell over his face as he whistled an innocent diddy.

Was it obvious that he was biting the insides of his cheek in anxiety?

Could Keiko see the almost invisible sweat beads that were forming on his head?

Did she know what was wrong?

Hmph! Was the earth round?! Did the sun shine?! Was Kurama going to be so dead if Yusuke survived this morning for not showing up?!

DUH!

Groaning inwardly Yusuke found himself asking an all to frequent question in his life.

'Why me?'

"Hey Yusuke!"

Keiko's happy greeting snapped the spirit detective out of his self pity. Smiling nervously and lopsided he turned his head to face her.

"Uh, hey there Keiko."

The brunette in front of him eyed him curiously. Yusuke silently prayed to every and any kami he could remember for help.

Unfortunately, there weren't many. So instead he mentally vowed not to call Koenma toddler.

At least for a few hours.

"Are you okay Yusuke?" Keiko asked with genuine concern as she leaned forward to place her hand on his head. The boy in front of her was sweating and pale.

"Uh, What? Oh yeah, I'm, uh, just fine. Really."

Keiko's hand stopped inches away from his head as she eyed him dubiously. A delicate brow arched in an unconvinced manner.

Yusuke, the spirit detective and legendary fighter of Sarayashiki High, slayer of demons and saver of the ningenkai on more than one occasion, could practically feel his knees shaking under the studious gaze that Keiko was giving him.

'THINK THINK!' His mind screamed. He needed a distraction! Something! Anything! He just needed one before Keiko noticed that not only did he not have any books, but he had no idea what his locker combination was!

Then she would know that he hadn't known it yesterday either.

Or the day before.

Or before that.

And then she would be really mad!

'Where the hell are you Kurama!?!'

Kurama.

That's it!

"Hey, uh, Keiko, have you seen Suuichi at all today?" Yusuke asked, forcing his tense muscles to relax and his voice to remain smooth.

Previous questions that had been on the tip of her tongue forgotten, Keiko stared confused for a moment before a perplexed frown crossed her features.

"No I haven't. And I haven't seen Kagome today either!" She said, looking up at Yusuke in surprise as she realized that the new student with whom she had been becoming good friends with was absent as well as the, 'Never been sick a day in his life, always shows up on time,' Suuichi Minamino.

"I wonder where they are?"

So absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't notice Yusuke had snuck away until the bell rang for class. But notice she did.

"YUSUKE!"

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Suuichi lay on his bed, his arms folded underneath the back of his head as he stared up at the ceiling.

Hiei had left the night before, shortly after their discussion. The jaganashi had not wanted to spend the night in the, "Filthy ningen world." Tired himself, Kurama had gone to bed only minutes after the koorime left, eager anticipation lurking in the back of his mind for the next dream.

That morning he had been oddly disappointed.

Youko was just off wandering on his own. He had left Inuyasha's forest and the village and was just roaming the feudal country side, once again searching for something.

Shards to the Shikon Jewel.

The motives of his kitsune self had been unclear. Ever since Kagome had revealed her secret to Youko, and the fact that he had a future reincarnation in contact with her, the silver fox had become guarded.

Almost paranoid.

The emotions that once flowed so freely through the dream connection were now filtered. And Suuichi no longer knew what the fox was thinking. The present day Youko Kurama was also deciding to be difficult, apparently still holding a grudge that Kagome had been attacked whether it not it was intentional. He also seemed to enjoy having the information to hold over Suuichi's head.

Stupid fox.

'I heard that.' A familiar silky voice teased in his head.

'I know.' Suuichi answered just as smoothly.

Knowing that Kagome was still the feudal era, and therefore wouldn't be in school, Suuichi had merely told his mother that he wasn't feeling well. Shiori had immediately insisted that he stay home and after apologizing profusely for not being able to stay home with him, had brought him up some soup.

Suuichi recalled the days when he was younger, when Youko had firmly intended to leave the human body once his power was returned. With their two souls bound so closely together so that they were all but one entity, it would have meant the death of Suuichi Minamino's body, if not his soul as well.

But the determined silver fox's mind had changed the fateful day when, when he had dropped the plate and was doomed to fall from the stool on which he stood to retrieve the dish in the first place and fall back first onto the broken shards of porclein, Shiori had run and placed her arms underneath him. Catching him, protecting him, and sacrificing her own flesh to the viscious sharp edges that littered the floor.

Her arms were still scarred.

That day, Youko had known for the first time how it felt to be loved.

Really loved.

And he had stayed.

And Shiori, still unknowing of the presence of legendary and feared demon Youko Kurama lurking in the back of her human son's, Suuichi's, mind, continued to care for him. Sincere genuine love pouring from her like a waterfall, and both souls gratefully drinking it up.

That lead to why Suuichi was currently lying on his back, staring at the ceiling. He was feeling guilty for lying to his mother. Now she would probably spend all day worrying about him as he once had for her when she was sick.

Even Youko felt a few pricks of conscience at the act.

The only comfort that Suuichi could offer himself at the moment was that he hadn't actually lied. He had only said that he didn't feel up to going to school.

And in reality he didn't.

But could he really tell his mother that he wanted to stay home because he had some puzzles to work out about a time traveling miko from the present day who was associating with his demon half, Youko Kurama, back in feudal Japan while attending school with him, Suuichi, unwittingly capturing both their hearts while at the same time presenting herself as an iminent danger because she was altering the past?

Yeah.

Right.

'You could try telling her.' Youko insisted. 'Your mother seems to be a very level person. She might get used to it.'

'And are you willing to take that chance that she won't?'

'...'

'That's what I thought.'

Kurama sighed. It was going to be a long day.

'Now, let's get back to Kagome.'

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Inuyasha's eyes were closed as he leaned his back against the Go-Shinboku, once again sitting on his favorite branch.

It seemed that the silver fox really was gone. At least temporarily as Kagome had informed them. The hanyou couldn't help but feel a little jealous at the forlon look that had come into her eyes as the miko told them of Youko's promise to return.

It was like she missed him already.

The little green monster inside Inuyasha was enraged. Jumping up and down with fists barreled it threw a tantrum, demanding to know just how Kagome could be showing such affection for this strange kitsune already when just a couple weeks ago she had been desperately in love with Inuyasha.

Had she really just discarded him like that when someone new of interest came into her life? Was her love of him really so worthless?

Inuyasha's ears flatted against his head in a sad manner as he tried to squelch the raging jealousy inside of him. He knew that Kagome did in fact still love him. But the silver fox was slowing gaining high favor in her heart as well.

Right now though, Youko was only at the status of friend. A friend such as Sango or Miroku except physical attraction could be thrown in as well.

But Kagome didn't yet feel the love for the youkai that she felt for Inuyasha.

But she was still beginning to love Youko.

Wasn't that what Inuyasha had wanted?

For her to find a replacement for him in her heart so that he woudn't hurt her when he went to hell with Kikyo? Inuyasha knew what he felt for Kagome was true love. And true love meant that he would always love her, no matter what.

It meant that he would always protect her, at least as long as he could.

He would die for her.

But most of all, he would do everything he could to make her happy.

Even if it was sacrificing his own happiness that came from that fact that she loved him as he loved her so that she could be with another.

That's how things had to be.

Inuyasha scowled. Youko sure as hell better love Kagome just as much as he did. Because if that fox didn't, the hanyou would come back from hell to kick his ass!

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Cold, calculating crimson eyes watched the shrine, noting every movement of every animal, every visitor, every inhabitant that took place. Their vigilant gaze paid special attention to the wellhouse over on the far side of the yard.

The well house near the God Tree, in which he was currently sitting.

The well house that linked a feudal era with the modern time.

The well house that the mysterious miko Kagome and her hanyou friend would return from....

And when they came, Hiei wanted to be ready.

The jaganashi's legs were stiff, he had been standing on the same branch, all day. Never moving so much as an inch in case he should miss something. But now the afternoon was fading into evening, and still there was no show.

Kurama would probably want to speak with him soon. Then he would have to leave.

They had made a deal that Hiei would visit his house every night, and Suuichi would fill him in on any and all new revelations that occured during the day. Then they would try to analyze it together, slowly putting together a puzzle that was just growing more and more complex by the day.

Not for the first time that day Hiei allowed himself to shake his head lightly as he wondered why he had ever gotten involved. Just a few years ago there was no way that he would have ever helped someone out like this.

Or shown such interest in their safety.

It appeared that, maybe, he had changed a bit since the day that he met Kurama, Yusuke and the...other...member of the Reikai tantei.

He knew he had a reason for being a loner.

Distant chatter from the streets drew the koorime's attention. His head snapped in that direction, Jagan eye already searching for the interruption. It was a few school girls walking past the shrine.

The ningen's school was out.

He would have to leave soon or else Kurama would become suspicious. Hiei wasn't sure that he wanted the fox to know that during the day he was staking out the miko's home and watching, waiting, for her return.

Baka Youko had to go and leave the miko's group in the past for a while didn't he? Had he not, then Kurama would be able to tell when the miko was coming home before she even left.

But no.

Youko had to run away, promising to return at a later date. And now he was doing kami knows what.

And Hiei was stuck with the voluntary mission to wait for this Kagome's return.

He glanced over his shoulder at the lowering sun. It was getting late. Kurama would be home by now. And most likely he would be expecting Hiei to show up soon as well.

Hiei sent out one last mental probe with his Jagan eye, skimming the thoughts of the ningens that he believed to be Kagome's family for any possible new information before he had to go.

No luck.

The old man was gloating to himself about his legends, appartently some unsuspecting person had asked to hear them. And actually heard the old coot out.

The boy was playing a video game and had little attention to spare for anything else.

And the woman...She was thinking about so many things at once it was almost impossible for Hiei to filter through them. What to make for supper, Souta's next soccer game, grocery shopping, paperwork for her job, cleaning the kitchen, folding the laundry, buying more first aid supplies, stocking up on ramen.

But the last thought that Hiei caught was of slight interest.

'Where is Kagome?'

His eyes widened immperceptibly as he picked up on it. Her mother, or at least he suspected it was the miko's mother, was worried. She didn't know where her daughter was.

Did that mean that she didn't know that Kagome was travelling through time?

It was an interesting bit of information and Hiei stored it for later reference before, with a powerful thrust, he leapt off of the tree branch and vanished, a black blur, into the evening.

About a half hour later, a soft blue glow eminated from the beneath the well house door.

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Kagome grabbed her bag and heaved it onto her shoulders before turning with a smile and open arms to face Shippo. Needing no more urging the kit flung himself into her embrace with such force that she rocked on her heels for a moment despite the fact that she had braced herself well for impact.

"Bye Shippo. I'll be back this weeked and I promise I'll bring you some more crayons and chocolate." The young woman promised as she squeezed him gently before putting him down and ruffling his hair affectionately.

"Bye-bye Kagome." Shippo replied, flashing her his biggest puppy dog eyes to assure her that he would miss her. And he would hold her to her promise.

Kagome smiled once more before waving to Miroku, Sango, and Kaede. Then she turned to face an impatient Inuyasha who was hovering over the doorway, obviously more than ready to leave.

"Feh, are you finally ready wench?" He demanded, a barely visible curt nod in the direction of his companions the only good-bye that he gave them before bending his knees so that Kagome could get on his back.

Kagome just rolled her eyes and shook her head gently before climbing onto Inuyasha's back. Not a second later they were racing across the village, a red, silver, green , and yellow blur to any who witnessed. As if it were second nature the villagers found themself stepping out of the way for the hanyou to pass uninterrupted, not sending a second glance in his direction.

In no time at all they had reached the clearing with the well. Inuyasha stopped abruptly and slid Kagome off of his back. She glanced at him curiously but he didn't notice, he was already striding towards the well, his head and ears twisting in every direction as his senses scanned the area, listening, looking, and smelling for anything that might be off.

Shrugging Kagome just followed him to the well.

"What are you doing that for?" She asked softly when she reached him, his behavior causing her to be mildly concerned. He was crouched on the ground, sniffing diligently all around the well.

Scenting her concern Inuyasha's amber eyes turned up to meet her sapphire orbs. "You don't need to worry." He told her gruffly. "I'm just trying to make sure that there's no one waiting for us on the other side of the well."

Kagome didn't attempt to hide the surprise that she was feeling.

"You can smell things on the other side of the well when you're over here?"

Inuyasha nodded slowly. "Sometimes. I could smell your blood on your brother's hand when the Noh mask was after you didn't I?"

"Um, yeah." Kagome admitted after brief thought. "So can you smell anything right now?"

"No." The hanyou sighed. He really wished he could though. Going though the well right now was blind. With those ningens and demons over there, it was actually dangerous.

They had no idea what would be waiting for them on the other side.

But there was nothing else they could do about that. Kagome needed to go back to her time. With Inuyasha nearby to watch over her she would go to her school. There she could confront the ones that attacked her and find out what was going on if possible.

Normally Inuyasha would be against it all. But he couldn't help but think back to the fight that occured that day. The one that was Youko in the future, he had protected Inuyasha from the little dark demon's attack. And the two ningens. They had been surprised when Kagome had shown up. They hadn't tried to hurt her at all.

As long as that spiky haired demon wasn't there, the inu felt that Kagome would be safe.

And if he was...

Well then, Inuyasha would be right nearby to make sure that Kagome was protected.

It would work out.

It had too.

"Well, let's go." He finally said. And with those words, he wrapped an arm around Kagome's waist and together they leapt into the well.

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There we go.

Again.

Chapter Eighteen.

Whew.

I don't think that I am anywhere near finished with this though. lol!

Oh well, just something to continue looking forward too right?

REVIEW PLEASE!