Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Hentai Bets ❯ Picking Kurama's Pockets (II) and Other Encounters ( Chapter 7 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Thanks again to all the wonderful reviewers: SadBrokenWings, Shadow Maiden, Sardave, Touketsu Kaijin, Miss Mischief, Lunarwolfdemoness, LmKiTsUnE, and jem 89! Believe me, your opinions, thoughts, and comments matter a lot!

talking
mental/telepathic conversations - Youko”, “Kurama”, “Hiei”
(thoughts)

DISCLAIMER: If I owned “Inuyasha” or “Yu Yu Hakusho,” (which I don‘t), I would have made big money off of them, (which I didn‘t), and I would have crossed over certain characters, (which can never happen except in fanfiction), and wised up certain dogs, (who are too irritating for words), showed up certain dead priestesses, (who never really got the deserved comeuppance), and given a certain heroine her choice of hot, sexy detectives or demon lords, (for which we all would have cheered). Sadly, it never happened, and it never will.

Kurama sat down on the sofa and waited for Kagome to join him. After she hung up the phone, she sat down on the loveseat, crossed her trim ankles -- which to his delight showed her lovely legs to advantage-- and smiled at him.

“So, what do you want to know?”

“Would you tell me how you came to be involved in the quest and eventual battle for the Shikon no Tama?”

“I thought you might ask that. Apparently, I was born with the jewel inside my body. I had no knowledge of it or of my own powers until I was 15. It was then that I was pulled down an old dry well at my family’s shrine by a huge centipede demon who sensed the jewel. When we emerged from the well, I discovered I had been transported 500 years into the past.”

Seeing Kurama’s look of surprise, she went on. “I AM originally from this time period. After the demon ‘liberated’ the jewel from my side, I was able to release an inu hanyou who had been sealed to a tree, and he killed the demon and I recovered the jewel. Unfortunately, it was taken from me again, and in my attempt to keep a carrion crow demon from using its power, I shattered it. So you see, the 4-year-long quest to gather the shards and complete the jewel, and the harrowing battle that took place can all be traced back to one silly, little ningen girl who didn‘t even belong in that time,” she said with a self-deprecating wave of an uplifted hand.

“If you were born with the jewel in your body, then you were the destined chosen guardian. And if you were pulled back into the past, then I am sure that is where the jewel’s fate was meant to be played out. It didn’t have anything to do with your youth or naiveté or your lack of knowledge of your powers at that time,” Kurama hastened to assure her.

She gave him a crooked smile and said, “Arigato. It’s very kind of you to say that.”

When he would have protested further, they heard a knock at the door.

“That must be room service with the tea,” she said as she stood up and walked over to the door. She stepped back as a young man wheeled in a little cart with a teapot, 2 cups and a tray of pastries on top. As Kagome thanked him and pressed a tip into his hand, he stood and gawked at her a minute before the expression on his face turned into a decided leer. He started to tell her he didn’t need any money as a tip, when Kurama stood up, thanked him with a snarl, and marched him over to the door, shutting it firmly behind him. Ignoring the startled look on Kagome’s face, he calmly walked back over to the sofa and sat down again.

“Now, where were we? Oh yes, I was about to ask you about the inu hanyou and the other companions you traveled with.”

Shrugging her shoulders and rolling her eyes at the strange temperaments of male youkai, Kagome sat down, poured the tea, and told him some more about her past. She told him about the strange little group that had come together with the dual purposes of restoring the jewel and destroying the evil hanyou who was also seeking it. Kurama was absolutely struck dumb when he realized the villain of the legend was the same Naraku she now worked with on that crazy team of Spirit Detectives. It was something of a shock to realize that that form of reasoning must run in Koenma’s family, since he had teamed him and Hiei up with the very detective that had brought them down to serve out their sentence for their crimes. Interesting.

He asked her about the final battle and how Miroku and Naraku had died. It was with tears in her eyes that she described how Naraku and his demon hordes had attacked their camp one night and how the battle had raged on throughout the next morning. She told him how the wolf demons, Kouga, Ginta and Hakkaku, were killed, along with Sango’s faithful nekko mononoke companion, Kirara. She broke down completely when she started talking about how Miroku’s kazaana had ripped open in the middle of the battlefield as he tried in vain to clear away the swarms of saimyoshou along with the masses of lesser demons all around them. Kurama immediately went to her side on the loveseat and sat down, pulling her onto his lap. He rubbed her back soothingly as he tried to comfort and calm her. After a few moments, when she had composed herself, she wiped her eyes with a slightly shaky hand.

“Gomen nasai. It’s been so long since I’ve spoken about that day.”

“It’s all right.”

She continued her tale, her voice gradually getting stronger, even as she mentioned the terrible injuries the remaining allies sustained -- Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, Sango, even little Shippou, -- though Kurama noticed she made no mention of her own. She told him how she had feared they would all die there in vain, how she had failed as the jewel’s guardian, and how her desperation drove her to confront the hanyou face-to-face. He possessed three-fourths of the jewel and wore it on a chain around his neck, much like she did the one-fourth they had gathered, and she described how the tainted, blackened lump had pulsed the closer she came to it, sending waves of nausea through her. She knew they could not defeat him as long as he held so much of the jewel. He had mocked her as she approached, and laughed at her, telling her that even though she was Kikyou’s reincarnation, she had never been strong enough, powerful enough, or clever enough to affect him or the outcome. Her voice trailed off at that point.

“So, what happened? Because obviously you did defeat him and restore the Shikon no Tama. How did you do it?” Kurama questioned her softly.

She smiled at him then, a little sheepishly.

“I told him that I was not Kikyou, and that he would never confuse us again because Kikyou would never have done what I did next.”

“What did you do?”

“I kissed him.” Now her smile was bright and mischievous. “He was so shocked, he didn’t notice I took the jewel from around his neck I purified it and him at the same time. Oh my gosh! That’s probably it!”

“What?” Kurama asked, completely bemused by the turn the story had taken.

“That’s probably why he’s got this weird fixation on me now. His last memories would have been of me kissing him!

“You’re probably right. I’m sure being kissed by you would cause any man or demon to develop such a ’fixation’,” he said with a slightly predatory smile.

“Oh you, … you … kitsune!” she laughed and smacked him playfully on the chest. “We should get back our lessons. I’ve been talking so long that soon it will be time for me to go to lunch and for you to get ready to search some rooms.”

“Whatever you say, love. Let’s see what you’ve learned.”
******************************************************* *****************


Thirty minutes later, Kurama wasn’t sure if Youko was a complete idiot or a genius. He knew he had to have deep sado-masochistic tendencies, because this lesson was absolutely killing him, -- and he loved it!

“Hoo hoo! Have her try one of the front pockets again, Red!”

“Can’t do that yet, Youko. We still haven’t recovered from the last time.”

“I know -- she’ll never be able to get her fingers on the necklace in the cramped space now.”

“One more run-in with her fingers, and we may completely embarrass ourselves.”

“Look how adorable she is -- she’s been blushing for the last 10 minutes. Just one more try in the front pockets!”

“I’m going to regret this.”



“Um, Kagome …”

“Gomen nasai!! I … I didn’t mean to … Oh Kami!”

Thoroughly embarrassed, and blushing profusely, Kagome backed away from him and covered her face with her hands. This had been a complete disaster! She groaned softly. (He must think I belong on this team of hentais!)

“Kurama, I am SO sorry! I swear I haven’t been doing that on purpose.”

He chuckled as he walked over to her and put his arms around her, pulling her up against him. “Are you sure, love? Because I’d have to say, you are possibly the worst pickpocket I’ve ever seen. But if you wanted to get my attention, you were very effective.”

She leaned her forehead against his chest and groaned again. “I’m hopeless, aren’t I?”

“Completely, “ he agreed with a laugh. “Of course, chances are, if you touch any of the men like that, they’ll gladly empty out their pockets and give you anything you want.”

“I guess if whoever has it carries it around with them, I’ll have to leave it to you to get it.”

“Well, you could still possibly get it on your own. You would just have to distract him, like you did with Naraku. Here, let’s try it. I’ll put the necklace on, and you try to distract me enough so I don’t notice you taking it.”

“But you know what I’ll be trying to do.”

“Well then, you’ll just have to be very distracting then, won’t you?” he said waggling his eyebrows suggestively.

“Oh, this is a GOOD idea,” Youko purred.

“Thank you.”

And then, as Kagome pressed up against him and raised up on her toes, running her hands up his arms to wrap around his neck, his thoughts of the necklace, and Youko, and everything else just faded away. Her lips were so soft, and warm, and when they touched his, he was unprepared for the wave of heat that ran through his body before seeming to center itself in his groin. She kissed him tentatively at first, then more firmly, as she melted into his embrace. His hands roamed her back, one sliding down and cupping the bottom of her backside and pressing her up so she was more fully cushioning that part of him that had begun to throb with want.

Just as Kurama was about to take this lesson to the next level, they were startled by the phone ringing. As they broke apart, Kagome blinked up at him owlishly, not sure for a minute exactly what had caused that noise. When it rang again, she ran over to answer it, her cheeks tinged a very becoming shade of pink.

Kurama sighed. Youko growled. Both knew their time with her had just been brought to an abrupt end.

“That was Jakotsu. He was reminding me I need to leave for my lunch date. Thank you for trying to teach me how to pick pockets. I‘m afraid I wasted your whole morning.”

“Not everyone was meant to be a thief. Your talents and skills simply lie in other areas. But, I certainly don’t consider this a wasted morning -- I enjoyed our time together. Very much,” he emphasized his last words and reached out and took her hand to kiss it. He was surprised to see the necklace wrapped around her fingers.

“It would appear your distraction technique was successful again.”

“You don’t have to say that to try to make me feel better.”

“I assure you I am most sincere. My thoughts and attention were completely focused elsewhere,” he said with a wink.

“Well, thank you again for all your help. Good luck in your search later!”

“Thank you. Enjoy your lunch.” And with that, he left, strolling down the hall to his room, a smile on his face.

Kagome picked up a small purse and prepared to leave as well. As she reached around her neck to reattach the clasp of her necklace, she glanced down at herself.

“What the…?!!”

Her bra was missing.

“How?… When? … OOOooooo! You KITSUNE!!” she shouted.

Hearing the yell, Kurama laughed as he twirled the pretty, lacey pink garment on a finger.
*************************************************************** ********


The rest of the day was spent with each of the Spirit Detectives attending to his assigned task. Kurama was able to search 8 rooms throughout the course of the day, but turned up nothing of interest. Miroku and Jakotsu wandered about the village, chatting up the natives and shopowners, but seeing nothing out of the ordinary. It was a good day for Miroku, as he was only slapped twice. Yusuke and Kuwabara had spent the day trekking through the woods on the east side of the island. They found no sign of any demon forces. Kagome was wined and dined, walked and danced. Vases of flowers and boxes of chocolates were delivered to her room. When they gathered there around 10:30 that night to discuss the day’s findings, she kicked off her heels and stretched out on the loveseat, turning sideways and laying her legs across Miroku’s lap.

She was still dressed as she had been for her dinner date with another of the corporation’s vice presidents. Her dress was a form-fitting creation with a white, strapless bodice which veed at the waist then blended into a black skirt which snugly hugged her hips and thighs, ending a couple of inches below her knees. It fitted tightly enough that it might have made walking difficult if it weren’t for the two slits running along the sides up to her mid-thigh. For the evening, Jakotsu had pulled all of her hair up into a mass of curls at the crown of her head, save for two long strands left loose dangling down the sides of her face.

“Ah, Kagome-sama. I see you have been hard at work for this mission. I applaud your dedication and self-sacrifice on Reikai’s behalf,” Miroku gave a mocking wave at all of the flowers in the room.

Yusuke and Jakotsu each had a box of candy in hand, munching away. Still chewing, Yusuke added, “Man! I never get assignments like this.”

“Yeah, well, next time you can squeeze into this dress and spend the evening trying to make an overly-amorous executive keep his hands where they belong while still being charming. I can’t believe he’s just a ningen, because I could swear he’s some kind of octopus demon,” she said, shaking her head and making them all break out into laughter.

“So, does anyone have anything interesting to report? I have to say, I don’t think any of the men have been either carrying or wearing the necklace. So, if it’s here, it must be in one of their rooms. There is one vice president who hasn’t shown up yet. And apparently it’s very unlike him to be late to something like this. So, I’ll be keeping watch for him and will try to get someone to introduce us as soon as he arrives.”

“I didn’t find anything to speak of in any of the rooms I was able to search today. I’ll continue during their meetings tomorrow,” Kurama told them.

Miroku told them all was quiet in the village, and Yusuke and Kuwabara had nothing to report, either.

“So, where is that sweet little firebaby? Is he still out running around in the woods with Naraku? I just knew we’d have a good time if I’d been the one to go with him,” Jakotsu pouted.

“Actually, I think I can sense his aura approaching right now. But he’s alone. I wonder where Naraku is?” Kagome said.

“Hn. He is still in the forest.” Hiei had come in through the balcony doors and strode into the room, taking up a spot against the wall. He crossed his arms.

“So, Hiei. Did you have fun out in the woods?” Youko asked innocently.

Hiei narrowed his eyes and glared at him. “Why is it I get the feeling you know something, fox?”

“Why did Naraku stay in the forest? Did you find something he needed to keep watch over?”

“No.”

“Hiei,” Kagome began softly, “did something happen?”

“Oh, something happened all right. Look how angry he is.”

“Maybe we should have warned him about Naraku’s, um, problem.”

“What? And spoil the surprise?” Youko snorted.

“You and I will be having a talk later.”



“So, did you have any luck locating the demons?”

“We did run across three, and they may have been on their way to meet up with the others, but instead of being able to follow them, I was forced to kill them.”

Kagome looked at Hiei with a horrified expression on her face. “Oh no. He didn’t?”

Miroku, seeing her expression, also turned to look at Hiei. Then he started to smile. Then he snickered. “Naraku didn’t happen to take that old baboon pelt with him, did he? It’s been a while since he’s had a chance to run around in the woods.”

“What? What does a baboon pelt have to do with anything? Did Naraku do something?” Yusuke was dying of curiosity. Apparently something had happened, and it seemed like Kagome and Miroku knew what. Actually, judging by the look on Kurama’s face, he must know, too. “What do you know about this, Kurama?”

“Yes, I’d like to know that as well,” Hiei hissed at him.

Kagome turned to Kurama. “Weren’t you able to contact Hiei and warn him?”

“Warn him about WHAT?” Yusuke demanded.

“No, gomen nasai, Kagome. I’m afraid I got too caught up in our lesson and it must have slipped my mind,” Kurama answered smoothly. His eyes were flashing from green to gold, and a small smile played around the edges of his mouth.

“What’s the deal, shrimp? Will somebody just tell us what’s going on?” Getting a little concerned with the tension in the room, Kuwabara asked.

“Well, it’s like this, “ Miroku decided to explain, “Naraku has certain compulsive tendencies that tend to come out at times, especially when he spends time in wooded areas. In the past, he ran around concealed in a white baboon pelt when he was plotting against us. Now, in this time, instead of using the pelt as a form of concealing his identity, he instead uses it to reveal himself. ALL of himself.”

Jakotsu giggled. “He’s such a naughty boy sometimes.”

“Wait. You mean he …”

“Yes. The ridiculous hentai ran right up to the demons we saw and exposed himself to them. Since he alerted them to our presence, I had to kill them.”

“Where is Naraku, Hiei?” Kagome asked quietly.

“I rendered the fool unconscious, tied him up and tossed him in the bushes so he wouldn’t get in the way again.”

Everyone’s eyes got wide and it was dead silent for a minute. Then, there were hoots of laughter, followed by Kuwabara falling off the couch.

“Oh. Oh my! Should one of us go get him, do you think?” Kagome was trying hard not to laugh.

“No, Kagome-sama. Maybe this will cure him of his unfortunate predilection.”

“Somehow, I think there is more to the story than Hiei is telling.”

“We’ll find out later back at our room.”

“Um. Well, if that’s all the news we have, I think we should turn in for the night. And since Hiei and Naraku … ahem, … ran into those 3 demons on the west side of the island, perhaps Yusuke and Kuwabara should join in the search there tomorrow.”

“An excellent suggestion, Kagome-sama. Will you be joining us for breakfast, or will you be continuing to cut a swath through the successful young men gathered here for the retreat?”

She wrinkled her nose and glared at him. “I’m having breakfast with Yoshida Daichi, the president of the corporation.”

“Ah yes. He’s the one who sent the large vase of exotic orchids, is he not? Who knows? By the time this mission is over, you may have ensnared yourself a wealthy husband.”

Kagome threw a cushion from the couch at him. “Good night, Miroku!”

As they all left to head for their rooms, they heard Jakotsu talking to Kagome.

“Some girls have all the luck. So tell me, sugar, do any of them have really big …”
******************************************************** **************


“So. How did the lessons on picking pockets go?”

“Fantastic. It was definitely one of Youko‘s better ideas,” Kurama replied with a satisfied smile.

“So the onna will be able to retrieve the necklace if one of the men has it on him?”

“Not a chance in hell,” he said, smiling even bigger as his eyes glowed.

“Damn, sneaky bastard.” Hiei grumbled.

“The whole experience was truly a memory to treasure,” Youko couldn’t resist rubbing it in.

“And you didn’t see fit to let me know about that idiot and his pelt?”

“Why, Hiei. We knew you could deal with any little problems that might arise.”

“So what really happened?”

“Hn. It happened just as I said.”

“That was all?”

There was a long pause before Hiei answered.

“No. He started out just wearing the damn pelt. Then we came across a deer and he ran over and exposed himself to it. But then he continued on as normal and didn‘t do anything else for a few hours. I thought maybe I had mistaken what I had seen. As the day went on, he got worse until he was flashing every single creature we saw -- rabbits, squirrels, birds. But I still couldn’t believe it when we saw those demons and he ran right up to them. I should have removed his head from his shoulders.”

“And all you did was knock him out and tie him up?”

“Hn. I may have singed him a little. And warned him to stay away from the onna. And ME.”

Youko started cracking up. “And will your ‘warning’ be leaving any big bruises or broken bones?”

“Hn. He is part youkai. He will heal, -- unfortunately.”
***************************************** *******************************



Again, the peace and tranquility of the night was broken by a pair of feminine-sounding screams at each end of the hall.

“EEEEEEeeeeeee!”

“EEEEEeeeeeeek!& #8221;

“Hiei! My little hothouse passion flower -- put down that sword!”

“Miroku!” Smack!! “What do you think you are doing?”

“Take one more step into this room and it will be your last.” Hiei’s voice hissed out.
“But, Kagome-sama, it’s so lonely in my room, and I missed you since we slept together last night.”

“EEEEeeeee! I’m going! I’m going!”

“I didn’t sleep with you last night! I was in the other bed. Now get your hand off my butt and get OUT!”

Again, the sound of two doors slamming echoed down the hall, followed by grumbled complaints.

“WELL! He didn’t have to get VIOLENT!”

“I’m so misunderstood.”

“He should be flattered.”

“What’s wrong with showing a little appreciation for a woman’s obvious charms?”

“Goodnight, Miroku.”

“Goodnight, Jakotsu.”

“Pay up, Kuwabara.”
****************************************************** ******************


Hiei was so incensed by the day’s ( and night’s) events, that he headed outside to clear his head. He was just about to leap off the balcony and head for the forest when his senses were assaulted by a most tantalizing smell. It was her. That unmistakable citrusy scent that belonged to her and her alone. He looked down the length of the building and saw that she had also left her room for the peace of her balcony. Hesitating but a moment, he quickly joined her, landing at her side where she stood at the railing, gazing out into the night.

“Oh! Hello, Hiei. Need a little fresh air, too, huh?

“Hn.”

She laughed softly, then sighed. “Quite a team I’ve got, isn’t it?”

“They are fools as well as hentais.”

“You may be right, but they’re not always this bad. I’m terribly sorry if their antics upset you, but I promise neither of them would actually do anything to you. They‘re all really pretty harmless.”

“Hn. Then why are you out here in the middle of the night if their ‘antics’ don’t upset you, too?” he asked in a low, soft tone. He watched her carefully. She was wearing a short, silky-looking purple gown with a matching robe, which she had left untied. Her long, dark hair was blowing in the breeze, and he couldn’t stop himself from brushing aside the strands that were waving in front of her face, and tucking them behind her ear.

Surprised by his touch as much as by what he asked, she turned toward him and looked into his eyes before answering.

“It’s true they can be irritating, and they even get on my nerves sometimes, though I should be used to them. But really, I guess I’m out here because I’m feeling a little sorry for them, … and for myself,” she whispered. “We’re all really just kind of … lonely, I think.”

Hiei stared at her. “Why would an onna like you be lonely?”

“What do you mean an onna like me?”

“You have no reason to be alone if you don’t wish to be. You’re beautiful, powerful, smart. You could be with anyone you want.”

“Hmmmn. And here I thought Kurama was the one with the silver tongue,” she teased.

“You are making light of what I say,” he frowned at her.

“How can I not? Such a sweeping statement of blatant flattery. I would not have taken you for one to go out his way to try to cheer someone up.”

“I wouldn’t.”

She tilted her head to the side and arched a brow at him. “So serious. Now I am flattered.”

Now he arched a brow at her. “Do not play games. You saw all those flowers those ningens sent you. And you are aware of your success in engaging their interests -- you cannot deny the invitations you have received to breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Were you not complaining about the way they want to touch you? It is as I said. You could be with anyone you want.”

“They are ningen. I cannot be myself with them. I cannot share myself and the life I lead with them. They would not understand. They can never know me, so how can their interest be anything but superficial? No, unlike you, I lead a rather solitary life because I really don’t have a choice.”

He thought about that. Part of what she said was true. Yusuke’s onna was a ningen, and she knew about youkai and about the dangerous life he led, but she didn’t like it. And they fought a lot. It would be even more difficult in Kagome’s case because a ningen male might feel threatened and intimidated by her power, as well as not wanting her to pursue such a dangerous lifestyle. And there would always be danger for someone like her.

“Then choose a youkai. You seem to have as much contact with them as with ningen men.”

“Ah, but you see, most youkai males are not interested in us poor, pathetic ningen women.” she said mockingly.

“You are an exception.”

“And you really are a shameless flatterer,” she teased him again with a small laugh.

Snorting, he grew irritated. “I am certain there are many youkai who are interested in you. You know that I am.”

Her gaze grew curious, and a small, confused frown appeared on her brow. “You said that last night, and for the life of me, I don’t understand why. Look at you -- you are a handsome, powerful youkai. You’re strong, quiet, obviously intelligent, and a bit mysterious -- all in all, it’s a very sexy combination. You could certainly have your pick of beautiful demonesses, and I’m sure you receive plenty of offers. Why would you be interested in someone like me? Aside from a quirk of fate that connected me to the Shikon no Tama and its tragic destiny, I’m just a plain, ordinary ningen onna -- no more, no less.”

Hiei was completely shocked. She truly seemed to believe what she was saying. On the one hand, he couldn’t believe she thought he might be pursued by females. Of course, perhaps she didn’t know of his origins -- that he was the product of a forbidden union, and therefore was seen as an undesirable prospect for a partner due to the unpredictability of his blood. (Yes, that must be it. She doesn’t realize who and what I am. If she did, she would know that I am the one who really doesn’t have a choice in the solitary life I lead.) But that still doesn‘t explain her opinion of her own worth. (How in the hell could she think she was not a desirable partner for any youkai -- whether she was a ningen or not? It was simply unthinkable.) Shaking his head, he roughly demanded,

“How can you say such a thing? There is nothing plain or ordinary about you, and any male would be proud to claim you for his own.”

She turned away from him then, and gazed out into the night again. She didn’t speak for several minutes, then, so softly he could barely hear her, she whispered haltingly, “There was someone once,… I loved him, and at times, I thought maybe he could love me,… but, … I was not enough -- I could never be good enough …”


He grabbed her by the upper arms and turned her back to face him again. At the sight of the single tear coursing its way down her cheek, he cursed inwardly, and reached out to wipe it away. Then, cupping her chin in one hand, he forced her to look into his eyes.

“Then he was a fool. I am not.”

And he closed the distance between them and captured her lips in a searing kiss.
***************************************************************** *******

End Chapter Seven