Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Haunted Passions ❯ Chapter Twelve ( Chapter 12 )

Haunted Passions

Chapter XII

 

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Yuyu Hakusho or Inuyasha! I wish I did, but sadly... I don't.

 

Let's talk telepathically!

/Hiei/

(Someone Else)

'Kagome's thoughts when talking to her powers'

 

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Training had once again been difficult, and the two were currently relaxing in the hot spring. Kagome was happy though, she could last a little longer than she could before. Though it wasn't much, it was enough for her. At least it was for now. Hiei had also said that she was doing better at the katas and with her fighting skills. Of course, she was trying her very best to get better. Since he was teaching her, she wanted to make him proud of how well she could do things.

 

Hiei himself was also enjoying the relaxing water. The fact that Kagome's scent was all around him also helped. He had realized not to long ago that her scent calmed his beast. He also noticed that her aura calmed his raging powers. Even the dragon which he had yet to fully tame seemed to purr at her nearness. So just her presence could calm him almost completely. Though the jagan appeared peaceful, it wished to have full access to her mind.

 

His attention moved from his thoughts and back to the girl when she sighed. He could tell that she was starting to get tired. In fact, she almost looked like she was falling asleep. "We should return to camp."

 

Slowly, Kagome's eyes opened to look into Hiei's crimson. In her tired state, she moved over next to the fire demon and leaned her head against his shoulder. "But I don't wanna get out yet."

 

Hiei had tensed at the contact and given her a strange look. "Get out and get dressed onna."

 

Pouting, she moved away and complied. Though Hiei was shocked that she started getting out before he had closed his eyes like she normally told him to. It was then he realized just how tired she had to be. Of course that thought was furthered along when she laid down and fell asleep right after she dressed. Shaking his head, he got out and dried himself off by raising his body temperature, dressed quickly, then picked up Kagome and returned to camp.

 

When he got there, he found Kouga looking at him curiously. "What'd you do to her?"

 

"She was tired from training and fell asleep." It seemed like Kouga would say more, but Hiei jumped up into a tree and settled himself.

 

Kouga just stared at him in disbelief as Shippo snickered at his look. "I guess it's time for bed." Jumping up, he transformed into a bird and flew up to the branch they were on. Popping back into his humanoid form, he snuggled up against Kagome.

 

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Once again waking surrounded by warmth felt really nice to Kagome. She knew why she was surrounded in warmth, and she really didn't want to open her eyes and be set down. Instead, she curled closer to his body and nuzzled into his neck. That was habit she had picked up from Shippo. Nuzzling. It was something demons tended to do. Shippo was the only one who knew just how much she acted like a mother demoness.

 

In fact, Shippo was the only one who knew she could speak in the ancient tongue of kitsunes. It was something she received from performing the adoption ceremony with Shippo. Some time after that, she had yelled out to him, in kitsune, that he needed to hide in the trees. His eyes widened, but he did as he was told. No one else was around to hear it, but he had. She had been badly injured at that time, because no one came to help her.... Well Kirara had once she noticed that Kagome was in trouble.

 

Shortly after that battle, while Shippo was treating her wounds; he told her about what she did. Her surprised look let him know that she hadn't realized it. After that, they began practicing until she could speak the language at will. Now when Shippo wanted to cheer her up, he'd insult one of the other members of the group in kitsune. None of them would know what he was saying and she'd have to try to keep in her giggles as she did know.

 

Since she knew that language, she also knew the practically standard way of communication between demons. Such as whimpering, growling, and barking to an extent. There were many different ways to growl, whimper, and bark. There were even different ways to roar. If anyone paid close attention to her, they'd notice that she made such noises occasionally. Like when her shoulder was wounded by Naraku, she whimpered in pain. When Naraku had grabbed her, she had whimpered in fear. Once when Inuyasha had hit Shippo, she had growled in outrage.

 

Since she made those kind of sounds normally, she didn't realize she released a pleased whimper that sounded more like a purr as she nuzzled closer to the warm fire demon. That action had the now awake fire demon looking at her in curiosity. "Did you just purr onna?"

 

That made Kagome freeze before she began giggling nervously. Looking up into Hiei's eyes, she could see only curiosity and amusement. "Hai. It's something I've picked up since the adoption. According to Shippo I actually act like a mother kitsune."

 

"Is there anything else you can do?"

 

Blushing , she looked away from his eyes. "I can speak the ancient tongue of kitsunes. If Shippo is in danger during a battle, I'l'l tell him how to hide that way so the demons don't know."

 

"I see." Thinking about it, it did sound useful since she had a kit. "I suppose that would be useful. What else is there?"

 

"Well, I can recognize the different sounds that demons make. If it applies to animals, then I can recognize that too."

 

"Interesting." He said as he thought about it.

 

When it felt like he was going to move, Kagome squeezed arms tighter around him. The action caused him to pause and look at her. "Please don't put me down yet." Nodding, he relaxed back against the tree. Since he enjoyed her presence, he wasn't about to protest her wanting to remain in his arms longer. Laying her head back against his shoulder, Kagome nuzzled back into Hiei's neck. "Why... why did you kiss me yesterday?"

 

She felt as he tensed beneath her, and tightened her hold on him. Though she was scared of a physical relationship with anyone, she had enjoyed the kiss. She also really wanted to know why he had done it. "I did it because I desired to."

 

That was not the answer she wanted, though it did lend to her thought that he liked her. He had just said that he's desired to kiss her. "Why did you desire to?"

 

The fire demon sighed, knowing that she would not let it go. Closing his eyes, he thought of what he should tell her. Once he had together what he'd say, he looked back at her. "My instincts told me to."

 

"Your instincts?" The miko questioned curiously. She had heard Sango talk about a demons instincts once, but she didn't really remember it. Though if she was right, it was something about reacting to a mate and pushing against the demon's will to mate.

 

"Hai. A demon's instincts normally respond to a prospective mate." That received a gasp and the girl in his arms tensed. Her tensing caused the fire demon to curse himself mentally. "They'll call out to the other's instincts to see if they're receptive. My instincts are demanding that I mark you as my own, but I am able to control them."

 

If his instincts are calling for him to mark me, does that mean he likes me? But how can he? I'm tainted... "Does... does this mean you care for me?" Her voice was timid, but it had slight hope in it.

 

"Hai, I do."

 

"Why?" Her eyes now glistened with unshed tears. After a moment, she averted her gaze by looking down. "I'm tainted Hiei, why me?"

 

Moving his arm, he grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him. "You are not tainted Kagome. Though you are no longer a maiden, you still remain pure." He closed his eyes and sighed as he tried to think of something else to say. "I care for you because of who you are. You are a ningen who cares for all beings, whether they are other ningen, demon, hanyou, or in my case forbidden. You have treated me like I was the same as anyone else. Even knowing that I am a murderer and a thief, you did not turn me away. Still you welcomed me. Though you had been through a lot and had every right to not trust me, you gave me your trust anyway."

 

Kagome curled closer to him upon hearing his words. For once, she was glad that Shippo was a heavy sleeper and preferred to sleep in until she woke him. Tears were slowly slipping down her cheeks, even though she tried to stop them. "H-Hiei... I... I can't give you wh-what you need. You d-deserve to be loved a-and.... I-I can't b-be with you phy-physically."

 

To say he didn't know that, would be a lie. He did know that she wouldn't want to be with him in that way. Sighing, he tightened his hold on her. "I know that you hold no desire to be with anyone physically. That, however, does not stop my instincts from demanding that I claim you. I think you should know that I find your presence to be quit calming, soothing even. When you are near me, my ice and fire sides are calm."

 

"I-I calm your elements?"

 

"Hai. That is one of the reasons my instincts demand I claim you."

 

Thinking back to her talk with Kouga the previous day, she remembered how he spoke of 'claiming'. In truth, it was a simple bite mark that served as a courting mark. Or at least it was at first. After a while of courting, you could step the relationship up into lover or mates, or you could call it off. Though she doubted many would go through the courting stage if they had an intention of leaving the other. "By claiming me, you mean placing a courting mark, right?"

 

The fire demon seemed somewhat shocked by her question, before his eyes narrowed slightly. "How'd you know of the courting ways of the fire demons?" Giggling nervously, Kagome looked away as a vivid red rose on her cheeks. "Kagome?"

 

"I umm.... asked Kouga about ice and fire demons."

 

A brow raising was what met her statement. "Intrigued by me so much that you asked about my kind?"

 

"I was only curious." She said quickly, even as her blush darkened.

 

"You could have asked me."

 

"I thought about it when I was talking to Kouga." The color on her face was deepening quickly, and Hiei was finding it amusing.

 

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It was not long before the group began to tire. Several demons had already attacked them for the shards, and they'd been walking almost all day.... well Kagome, Kouga, Shippo, Hiei, and Kikyo had. Inuyasha had actually rode on Kirara with Sango and Miroku. The poor neko seemed to be quite tired as she had given a slight meow before collapsing once she had landed and transformed. After giving the three who rode her a glare, she picked the poor neko up and carried her off to train. Hiei had followed shortly afterward and Inuyasha tried dragging Kikyo away. That resulted in the inu-hanyou receiving a glare as Kikyo moved to play with the kit. Sango and Miroku had already disappeared into the woods to have some fun of their own.

 

In another clearing a little ways away, Kagome had lay Kirara down on her pajamas so that the neko could watch her train while relaxing. The miko had already decided that Kirara would be staying with her the next day. It was several hours later before training had finished, and like usual they headed for a hot springs. Kagome had, of course, picked up the small neko and carried her to the springs with them. Once there she had stripped quickly and climbed into the steaming water. The cute kitten sized neko had cocked her head to the side, as if questioning what she was doing. So the miko explained how she and Hiei bathed anything. Upon seeing the neko's confused expression, she added that nothing happened.

 

Hiei slipped into the spring while she had been talking to the cat. She hadn't noticed until she'd turned around and spotted him there. She 'eep'ed, but said nothing nothing once she got over the surprise. Of course, when she turned her shoulder ended up facing Kirara. The fire cat mewed to get her attention and looked pointedly at said shoulder. Looking at the cat, then her own shoulder she turned slightly red. "It's a courting mark Kirara." The kitten nodded her head and closed her eyes. Looking as though she was asleep.

 

When the cat quieted, she leaned back against the rocks to relax. Her eyes closed as she sighed happily. It had been wonderful that she'd been able to bathe every night for the last few days. Tonight though, she had many things on her mind. One thing was what Kouga had told her. Apparently, Miroku and Sango were 'mated', or at least having sex. It made her curious as to why they didn't tell everybody, because she was sure Kikyo didn't know. Inuyasha probably hadn't paid attention, and she knew that Shippo hadn't.

 

Also on her mind was the question of how much Hiei liked her. More importantly though, was the question of how much she liked him. For some reason her feelings were unclear to her. That made it difficult to decide what to do. There was also her questions about when Naraku would show up again and whether or not he'd be prepared for her brand of attack. She almost shivered at the thought, and she had to keep her fear from spiking. Though that thought made it clear she needed to learn her powers faster.

 

It was with that thought that she decided she'd stay out here a little while to try and practice some more. So after washing Hiei's hair, which he really enjoyed, Kagome got out and dressed quickly after drying off. Hiei would remain relaxing in the water for a little while, she knew, so she'd practice controlling her ki. Hiding her presence, she slowly began leaking her aura out so that it could be hidden quickly without spiking. Once out, she let it swirl around. The white part was still going toward Hiei, though a small piece remained with her. The other colors stayed with her for the most part.

 

'Ok, which part makes a barrier?' She asked the swirling energy. I do. Her white energy responded. 'Will you help me make a barrier?' I can. 'Then I need your help.' I know. Once that was done, she listened as the energy instructed her on what to do. Slowly, a glimmering white barrier appeared around the clearing the spring was in. Hiei looked over at her when he felt the barrier flare to life.

 

"What are you doing?"

 

"I'm training." Her eyes were focused on the ground as she spoke. "Since you've been training me to fight, I've been practicing control with my ki less and less."

 

"I see. Though I believe you normally practice on your own, don't you?"

 

Biting her lip slightly, she nodded. "Hai. Do you mind me practicing with you here?"

 

"I do not mind, but why are you practicing with me when you normally do so alone."

 

"I practice alone so no one knows what I can do, but I trust you. I know you won't tell them how far my training's progressing."

 

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I would like to thank the following people for taking the time to review the previous chapter. Just so you know, your reviews are very much appreciated.