Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Hentai Bets ❯ Sneaky Tactics and Sneak Attacks ( Chapter 10 )

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

You reviewers really keep me going! Miss Mischief, mistress_yume, animealover, HeartStar, Lunarwolfdemoness, Youkos Kitsune, Mysterious_Tears, Fox_Hanyou, & LmKiTsUnE -- this chapter is extra long just for you guys! (And because I had to move the plot along.)

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

DISCLAIMER: Anyone who claims to own “Inuyasha” or “Yu Yu Hakusho,” other than their rightful owners is a dirty, rotten, filthy bast- er, liar. And anyone who profits from them other than their rightful owners is lower than worm filth. And by golly, I’ll be glad to ’dis them false claimers all over the place.
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Last time -
When the door opened, her greeting died on her lips as she stared at the man in front of her. He was wearing a black bathrobe, loosely belted at his waist, and exposing a well-toned and tanned chest. His muscular legs were bare up past his knees. His long brown hair was wet, and dripping slightly as it flowed over his shoulders and down his back. His dark brown eyes sparkled mischievously as he took her hand and guided her in. His arm encircled her waist and he dipped his head to brush her lips with his.

“I’ve been waiting for you, Kagome.”
******************************************************** ****************
“Hojo, “ she breathed.

As the door closed behind her, Yusuke turned to the other detectives in the hallway and said, “What the fuck was that?!? Did you see that?”

“Um, it would appear that this Hojo was happy to see Kagome-sama.”

“He was in a fucking bathrobe! Kurama? Hiei? Aren’t you guys going to do something?”

“Yusuke, as much as I would like to barge in there and usher her back out, I’m afraid that is the role she is playing for this mission. She’s supposed to get close to the executives and find the necklace, and this Hojo is most likely involved somehow.”

“Get close, hell! If he held her any closer, they’d be wearing the same bathrobe!”

“You may keep thoughts such as those to yourself, fox.”

“What? Are you trying to tell me you wouldn’t like to cut that ningen pretty boy from stem to stern and hollow him out to use as a sailboat?” snarled Youko.

“I think I’d prefer you go back to bombarding me with images of naked women rather than that one, thank you.”

“Hn. Dramatic as always. You know as well as I do that’s too flamboyant and would attract too much attention. All that’s needed is a simple suggestion, with the Jagan’s help, that Jakotsu is more to his liking.”

“Hiei! You know you can’t do that!”

“Hn.”

“< b>I like it,” Youko nodded.

“So none of you are worried about her being in there with him?” Yusuke asked.

“Come now, boys. You all know that Kagome isn’t likely to get her head turned by a pretty face. Or a gorgeous body. Or by the fact that he’s rich. And successful. Hmmm. Come to think of it, wonder if he’d like a little Jakotsu? It’s a shame he had to see her first. Of course, the fact that they have a history together might count for something with Kagome.”

“Jakotsu. My Miko has a history with all of us, and we have yet to enjoy her charms,” Naraku informed the group.

“She’s NOT Your Miko!” Four voices shouted at him.

“And if you get too close to her ‘charms,’ you will find more than your eyebrows missing,” Hiei hissed.

“As much as I’d like to stand here and discuss Kagome-sama’s sex life all day, particularly concerning her whereabouts for most of the night last night,” Miroku said, with a pointed look at Hiei, “I believe we need to tend to our assignments.”

“Are we switching duties? I’m tired of walking around the village, “ Jakotsu pouted. “What say you and me take a turn in the woods, big boy?” He winked at Kuwabara.

“Uh,…uh, Yusuke? Didn’t you say we should continue on since we have a good idea where the second camp is? Didn’t you?” Kuwabara asked desperately.

“Hmmmm. Is that what I said? I can’t remember …” Yusuke pretended to think about it.

Kurama told them, “I will be remaining in the hotel. After Kagome leaves and the man goes to his meetings, I’ll search his room.”

“Hn. I will be staying here as well. He bears watching,” Hiei said.

“But, Hiei, you aren’t supposed to be seen around here. Remember, you are supposed to be Kagome’s boyfriend that left,” Kurama reminded him.

“You know as well as anyone that if I don’t wish to be seen, I will not be.”

“You two are so obvious, you’re pathetic,” Naraku sneered. But he shrank away under the weight of their glares.

Miroku snickered a bit, but quickly sobered up when the two turned their glares in his direction. “All right then. Why don’t Naraku and Jakotsu go with Yusuke and Kuwabara to the first camp. Two of you can stay there as surveillance, while the other two locate the second camp. I will continue to patrol the village and keep all the beautiful maidens safe.”

“Under your vigilant eye, I’ll be surprised if there are any maidens left in the village by the time this mission is over,” Naraku said, arching his penciled-in brow.

“Why Naraku, I never knew you were so interested in my eye’s prowess -- how nice to know you hold it in such high esteem,” the monk quipped.

“Oh, Miroku! You’re so naughty!” Jakotsu tittered. “Well, come on, darlings,” he said, hooking one arm through Kuwabara’s and one through Yusuke’s, “let’s go for a romp in the woods.”

As the others departed, Kurama and Hiei looked at each other.

“I’ve never known you to foist your job off on someone else to follow along after a woman like a lovesick puppy,” Kurama accused.

“Perhaps Jakotsu would prefer a redheaded playmate -- I believe Youko mentioned the hentai was fond of props and role-playing,” Hiei returned, pulling down his bandanna slightly.

Kurama shuddered at the thought.

“Indeed. Now, focus. We both know that this man -- this Hojo -- must be connected to the necklace somehow. If he doesn’t have it, it is likely he was sent here to get it. He has already shown decided interest in Kagome. I will not allow her to be harmed just because she seems to be ‘in the best position’ to check the prime suspect out. Due to their history and his interest, she is also in the most vulnerable position,” Hiei explained.

“You are right. She is less suspicious of him than she should be. I am uneasy about the ways she says he has changed. And the circumstances that brought him here cannot be ignored.”

“So we are agreed. We will have to watch her, and him, closely.”

“Yes,” Kurama said with a smile on his face and his eyes flashing gold, “and it would be a shame if any mishap were to befall her erstwhile new suitor.”

“Hn.”
***************************** *******************************************


As the door closed behind her, Kagome found herself practically backed up against it with Hojo’s arm resting beside her head. He started to lean down to kiss her again, but she ducked under his arm and stepped further into the room. Like the ones on the top floor, this was a suite, and Kagome walked into the sitting area to sit down on the sofa. Chuckling at her action, Hojo followed her over, and stood at the end of the sofa looking at her for minute.

“Ah, Kagome. You haven’t changed. Still dodging my affections,” he said with a smile.

“That … that’s not true, Hojo. I never, … you never …” she looked around, completely flustered.

He laughed and touched her cheek. “I’m teasing. Gomen nasai for the way I’m dressed, or should I say not dressed,” he winked. “The phone rang right as I stepped out of the shower, and I had to take the call -- important business. I’m afraid I didn’t have time to get dressed after that before you arrived. If you’ll pardon me for a few minutes, room service should be arriving with the food I ordered soon.”

“That’s all right, take your time, “ Kagome smiled at him.

“Kagome, I want you to just relax and forget about everything else and enjoy this breakfast with me,” he said, with a rather intense look.

“Okay.”

After Hojo walked into the other room and closed the door, Kagome sat there a moment and frowned. Something had just happened. But what? She had felt a slight tingling awareness of something. But it was gone now. She looked around the room, but nothing came to her. Shrugging her shoulders, she settled back to wait.

(Hojo sure has changed. He never used to be so … direct. Or charming. Or HOT. Wait, where did that thought come from?)
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An hour later, feminine laughter rang out into the hall as the door to Room 301 opened. Kagome stepped out, followed by Hojo, who placed a hand at her waist as they walked to the stairs.

“Kagome, I want you to have lunch with me -- we’ll have a picnic outside somewhere.”

A tingly shiver ran down her spine. “That sounds nice. It’s such a pretty day. Shall I get the food together?”

“No, leave that to me. I’ll pick you up at your room when the meeting’s over -- around 11:30, all right?”

“All right.”

And he leaned over and kissed her lightly before heading down the stairs. Kagome put a hand to her lips and frowned. But it was nothing compared to the frown she saw on Hiei’s face when she turned to go upstairs. Not saying a word, he just grabbed her by the hand and started marching her up the stairs.

“Hiei? What are you doing here? I thought you were out scouting for the second camp.”

No response.

“Um, what are you doing?”

Silence.

“Are you mad because Hojo kissed me?”

They stopped in front of the door to her room and he held out his hand for the key. Rolling her eyes, she handed it to him. Once they were both inside, Hiei stalked over to the window and stood there looking out. Kagome walked up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder.

“Are you going to answer me, or are you going to sulk like a little boy?”

“Hn. Don’t be ridiculous onna. I am not affected by the sight of a foolish ningen who doesn‘t even know how to kiss an onna properly. And youkai do not sulk.”

Grinning widely now, Kagome wrapped her arms around him and stifled a giggle in the back of his neck. “So, you are mad because Hojo kissed me.”

“Hn.”

She kissed his cheek. “Don’t be mad.”

“You smell.”

“What?!?” She stepped back and planted her hands on her hips.

“You reek of him.”

“I’d forgotten how incredibly rude you youkai can be with those annoying senses of yours,” she huffed.

Just then they heard a knock, and Kagome stomped over to open the door. Seeing the annoyed look on her face as she looked back at Hiei, Kurama smiled as he came in.

“Looks like the half-pint let his jealousy get the better of him,” Youko laughed.

“I do believe you are right.”

“Well, then, we’ll just have to soothe her ruffled feathers.”

“You look particularly lovely today, Kagome,” Kurama said, taking her hand and kissing it, then smiling warmly at her.

“Arigato,” she said as her cheeks turned pink. “That’s very kind of you to say.”

“Not at all. It’s merely the truth. But, then again, you always look lovely.”

She blushed even more, and smiled. He led her over to the sofa, and they sat down.

“I think we need to discuss this latest development,” he said.

“You mean Hojo?”

“Yes. How did your breakfast with him go?”

“It was really very pleasant. We just talked about old times and caught up on old friends. It was actually kind of fun.”

Hiei turned to face them and rolled his eyes at her. “Hn. At least he put some clothes on at some point.”

“Wha …? How did you know about the bathrobe? Were you spying on us?” She narrowed her eyes and glared at them.

“Not at all, Kagome, “ Kurama hastened to assure her. “We were all just heading out to get started on the day, and had reached that floor when he opened the door.”

“ALL of you? As in Miroku, Naraku, and Jakotsu, too? Great. I’ll never hear the end of it. With all of the weird stuff they‘re always up to, why is my personal life always their main topic of conversation?” Her shoulders slumped at the thought. “When this is over, I need a real vacation.”

Kurama scooted closer to her and putting his arm around her, encouraged her to rest her head on his shoulder. “I’m sure it’s just because they care about you, and with you being the only woman on the team, they probably feel a bit protective of you, too.”

“Yeah, well, they don’t need to,” she grumbled.

Annoyed that Kurama was taking advantage of her irritation with him and her teammates, Hiei spoke sharply. “Did either of you happen to remember to look for the necklace?”

Startled by the curtness of his question, Kagome’s eyes widened briefly, then she looked at him speculatively. Catching the look, Kurama smiled again.

“It looks like the little hothead has been hiding his nasty disposition from her,” Youko mused.

“Yes, I believe until now he has been on his best behavior with her.”

“Wonder how she’ll like the real him in all his ill-tempered, mean-spirited glory -- the rotten, little bugger.”

Hiei arched a brow at him.

“I didn’t find any trace of the necklace in his room. Did you see it or sense it on him?” Kurama asked aloud.

Kagome frowned. “No, but, …”

“But what?” Kurama prompted.

“Well, it was strange. For just a minute, I felt like there was something wrong, but I couldn’t tell what. It was like something happened, but, well, … nothing happened.”

“Hiei? I really don’t like the sound of that.”

“I know. But we both can tell he didn’t do anything to her.”

“We don’t know enough about how the Gem actually works, though.”

“Hey, guys? Don’t look so concerned. It may have been nothing -- just nerves on my part.”

“We can’t afford to dismiss anything lightly, no matter how innocuous it may seem. But, you are sure you didn’t sense any abnormal energy?” Kurama asked, concern obvious in his voice and eyes.

“Other than that momentary tingling, no. Nothing. And I‘m not sure it was anything at all.”

“Nonetheless, you will not be going on a picnic with him,” Hiei told her.

“Excuse me? I most definitely will. Aside from the fact that he’s a friend of mine, you two seem to seriously suspect he has something to do with the Gem we are looking for, though I still find that hard to believe,” she informed him.

“Don’t be foolish, onna. It’s too dangerous.”

“In case you have forgotten, this is my job.” She stood up and narrowed her eyes at him, letting her aura flare in a show of power. “You need to get over the fact that I’m an onna, and recognize that I am the leader of my team. Believe me, I’ve been in a lot more dangerous situations than sipping wine and eating cheese and crackers while sitting on a blanket outside on a pretty day. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some shopping to do.”

And she turned on her heel and left.

“Damn foolish onna! She knows the potential dangers of that damn Gem, not to mention if that youkai, Musou, is around.”

“I think that was her point, Hiei. She does know. And she is a very powerful miko. We need to remember that regardless of how ridiculous her teammates act, they have been performing the same kind of duties we have.” Kurama gave him a brief, considering look before he, too, walked to the door to leave. “I don’t believe I have ever seen you so concerned for someone else’s safety before, except for Yukina. Could it be you are viewing her in a sisterly manner now?” He laughed when Hiei growled at him.

“You should show some concern for your own safety, if you keep annoying me, fox.”

He heard Kurama’s voice call out in the hall, “Wait up, Kagome. I’ll accompany you to the shops.”

“Dirty, rotten, sneaky, polite bastard.”
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Kagome sighed as she sat on a thick, blue blanket which was spread out in a small clearing near the edge of the forest close to the village. It really was a beautiful day. And here she was, having a delicious and romantic picnic lunch with a handsome and charming man, and all she could think about was a rude, passionate fire apparition and a mischievous, seductive kitsune avatar. (How twisted is that? Girl, you have some serious issues if it takes someone with demon blood to get under your collar -- or skirt.) Which reminded her of the lingerie she’d bought a little while ago. If someone was going to pocket any more of her underwear, by golly, she wanted it to be sexy.

She smiled and laughed to herself as she remembered the way Kurama’s eyebrows had lifted when he found out her destination was the lingerie shop. He didn’t know it, but she had watched him as he glanced at the various displays, and had selected some of the ones that had made his golden eyes sparkle. After all, who has better taste than a kitsune when it comes to seductive wear?

She was going to have to do some thinking about just what in the world she was doing with him. And Hiei. On the one hand, both said they were interested in her. That was surprising enough, in and of itself, unless they were just passing time on this mission with the only woman really available to them. But she had actually thought there might be something between her and Hiei before she found out about Kurama and the fact that they both seemed okay with the other one being with her.

(“Youkai are not like ningen.” Well, no shit. But I had always been under the impression that when it came to someone they wanted to BE with, they were WORSE. Look at how Inuyasha and Kouga acted, and neither one of them had even really, TRULY wanted me -- no matter what they might have said sometimes. Of course, in those days, neither of them considered the possibility that they might be able to just sleep with me without having to take me for a mate. Not that I would have back then, of course. Maybe that’s the difference. So, maybe Kurama and Hiei’s attitudes are normal for youkai in these more modern times where attitudes towards sex and commitment are so much more lax. Huh. That makes sense. So, the whole Hiei/Kurama situation -- it’s completely casual, right?

But earlier, Hiei seemed almost jealous -- of HOJO. Now he’s a great-looking guy, but I’d much rather be stuck in a closet with Kurama. But Hiei’s okay with Kurama and me. It’s okay to share a woman with another youkai, but not with a ningen? What kind of screwed-up code of ethics is that? Go figure. Wait a minute. Maybe they’re just really good friends and are going to spring some kind of threesome idea on me. Now that I think of it, I’m surprised Miroku and Naraku never suggested it. Maybe I should get that pay-per-view porn channel tonight to see how that kind of stuff works. Boy, wouldn’t I like to have to explain THAT bill to Lord Enmaru. Ack! Now I’m starting to think like those hentais I work with. Maybe this isn’t about me or sex at all. Maybe Hiei and Kurama just have a lingerie fetish. I wonder what they ARE doing with my underwear? Is it hanging up in their room? Oh, please don’t let them be wearing it!)

A finger touching the tip of her nose brought her out of her musings. “You seem a million miles away, Kagome,” Hojo gently teased her. “What are you thinking about?”

Blushing with embarrassment over her last thoughts and her rudeness, she apologized. “Gomen nasai, Hojo. I’m afraid I was lulled into reverie by the warmth and beauty of the day and this peaceful setting. I’m sorry to be such poor company.”

“Not at all,” he smiled and stretched out beside her, crossing his arms behind his head as he lay back and looked up at the sky. “I’d rather spend the day with you, even if you never said a word, than with anyone else I can think of.”

“Oh, he’s GOOD. Very smooth for a ningen.” Youko commented on the scene playing out on the forest floor below them as Kurama and Hiei perched in nearby trees.

“Hn. What onna would believe such a statement?”

“But Hiei, isn’t that your idea of the perfect date? Not having to listen to or talk to anyone? Hell, isn’t that the reason you DON’T date or bother with lovers? So you don’t have to take the time or put forth the effort needed for such a relationship? Now that I think about it, you’re right. You should go with your strengths -- you’re a rude, anti-social, mean-tempered little so-and-so. It wasn’t fair of me to push you into this competition. Give up Kagome and you can return to your miserable solitude.”

“So you admit your only hope of winning her is for me to bow out,” Hiei shot back.

“If you think …”

Just then, they both sensed the approaching auras of several lower class demons. As they were turning to rush into the woods to head them off, Hiei was stunned to see Kagome bend over and kiss the man.

“What the hell?!?”

“Hurry Hiei! We can’t let them get too close to the village,” Kurama called out.
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There were 10 of them, in varying shapes and sizes, and they greeted the two youkai detectives when they saw them.

“You must be from the other camp. Have you come to aid us in retrieving the Gem?”

“No, we were merely scouting,” Kurama told them. “Surely you aren’t planning to attack the village and resort with just the 10 of you.”

“Of course not, fool,” a panther demon stepped forward. “Don’t they tell you guys anything over there? Our ningen spy assured us that the one with the Gem would be near the forest -- an easy target to pick off.”

“There were at least 3 more of the executives walking around the edges of the forest earlier. So, we still don’t know for sure if Hojo has it or if it’s one of the others.”

“If he doesn’t have it, he could very well be the spy they mentioned.”

“Well, don’t just stand there. Let’s go get it.”

A female voice called out from somewhere off to the side, “Sorry, fellas. I can’t let you do that.” Kagome stepped out of the shadows and the panther began to laugh.

“Well, well. What have we here? A pretty little ningen. And just what do you think you can do to stop us?” He snorted at the idea that the onna could have any effect on them. “Perhaps we’ll take you back to our camp. Our leader has a taste for small, dark-haired onnas.”

To his amazement, she began to glow, and a soft pink light surrounded her. Her hair whipped up around her as if caught in a light breeze. Then she drew back her right arm and shoved it forward at him, sending forth a glowing pink ball of energy which struck the panther demon in the chest. Before he could even cry out, he disintegrated into a pile of ash. Another ball of energy struck the snake demon that had been behind him, with the same effect.

“A miko!” snarled a second panther demon, before he turned tail and rushed off deeper into the forest. As the remaining demons turned toward the woman and lunged forward, Hiei and Kurama drew their weapons and attacked. The sound of the Rose Whip whistled through the air, striking its target with deadly accuracy, while the quick, sure strikes of the katana felled its first opponent in mere minutes.

After a short, but fierce battle, 3 figures were left standing among the trees. “… four, five. Damn it! There’s only 5 bodies here -- where did the other one go?” A very irritated miko slowly turned in a circle , searching the trees for any sign of the missing demon. She sent out her aura to search, but came up with nothing.

“Don’t waste your time. He is well away from here already -- he left before the fighting began. Even I couldn’t catch up with him before he reaches his camp,” Hiei informed her.

“Damn, damn, DAMN!” She kicked up the nearest of four piles of ash so it scattered across the ground. “Now they’ll know we’re here.”

“I think they would have suspected something when this group failed to return anyway,” Kurama pointed out.

Heaving a deep sigh, Kagome agreed. “You’re right. Someone needs to warn our scouts -- they’re in greater danger of being discovered now. Actually, we should all gather anyway to rethink our plans, and perhaps refocus our strategy now that we know there IS a ningen cooperating with the demons.”

“And we know that the one with the Gem must be one of the four men out here near the forest in the last little while,” Kurama added.

“That includes your boyfriend,” Hiei told her coldly.

“My what? Oh my gosh! I’ve got to get back before Hojo wakes up,” she started to run off.

“What do you mean ‘before he wakes up’? Just how did you manage to get away from him?” Kurama asked curiously.

She turned back and blushed lightly, shuffling her feet. “Oh. Well, I kissed him, so I could reach the correct pressure points in his neck to knock him out.”

Kurama grinned at her. “I told you your distraction technique is excellent.”

“So, the man is unconscious right now? Then this is the perfect opportunity to search him for the necklace.” And Hiei took off in a blur.

When Kagome and Kurama reached the clearing, Hiei was waiting with a disgusted look on his face.

“He doesn’t have a necklace on him. I will go retrieve the others from the forest and we will meet in your room later.” “You will watch over her, fox.” With that, he was gone.

Kagome walked quickly over to the blanket where Hojo was still lying peacefully, if in a somewhat uncomfortable-looking position. “What did he do -- toss him around like a sack of potatoes?” she whispered to Kurama.

“I’m sure he was simply in a hurry to search for the necklace,” Kurama smiled, surreptitiously dropping a seed to the ground near the unconscious man before leaping into a nearby tree.

“Hmph. I’ll bet.” She sat down on the blanket and carefully moved Hojo so his head was resting in her lap. He stirred and came to with a start just moments later.

“What? What happened?” he asked bewilderedly.

She smiled at him and said, “You fell asleep and I didn’t want to disturb you.”

Noticing his position and vaguely remembering her leaning over to kiss him, he smiled back at her. “Thank you, sweetheart. But I suppose we should gather everything up. He looked at his watch and said, “My next meeting starts in 25 minutes.”

“Okay.”

“Dinner at 6:00?”

Knowing the detectives needed to meet and talk as soon as the others got back, she shook her head. “I’m sorry. I promised some friends we’d have dinner tonight.”

“Some friends? Kagome, I want to see you tonight, even if it’s late, so I want you to meet me for drinks in the bar at 10:00, all right?”

There it was again. That strange tingling. What was it?

“Okay, Hojo.” She glanced around with a small frown, but seeing nothing out of the ordinary, she put the folded up blanket in the picnic basket with the other things, and they started back. A pained look crossed Hojo’s face as he reached to take the basket from her. “What’s the matter?” she asked worriedly.

“Oh, it’s nothing. I guess it‘s been a while since I spent any time lying around on the ground -- my ribs are sore -- it almost feels like somebody kicked me.”

Kagome could have sworn she heard a muffled laugh coming from the trees where Kurama was hidden, and she glared back in that direction before walking on.
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As Kagome phoned in the orders for Room Service for all 8 detectives, they lounged around the sitting room and talked a little about the day’s events.

“So you guys actually got to do a little fighting? Damn! I sure could have used the exercise,” complained Yusuke.

“If you needed exercise, you should have accepted Jakotsu’s offer this afternoon, honey. I can guarantee a full-body workout you’d never forget,” he said, licking his lips.

“Does he ever let up?” Yusuke asked the room at large.

“No.”

“So, how many did Kagome-sama take out?” Miroku asked.

“She purified four of them into little piles of ash,” Kurama answered. “I‘ve never seen a miko’s powers firsthand before -- it was quite …”

“Scary?” Jakotsu said with a shudder.

“Awe-inspiring?” Miroku enthused.

“Sexually stimulating?” Naraku closed his eyes and smiled.

“I was going to say magnificent,” Kurama finished.

“Yeah, but I think I have to agree with Naraku on this one. There’s just something about a powerful female …”

“…wreaking death and destruction …”

“I should have known you two would agree on that.”

“She only took out four of them? She must have wanted to see you two in action. So, she must not have thrown out a purifying wave of energy -- did she shoot them with arrows?” Miroku tried to get some more details out of them.

“I didn’t take a bow and arrows with me on a picnic, Miroku,” Kagome told him as she walked over and started to sit down in the only available seat left -- on the sofa in between Hiei and Kurama. She paused for a second, hesitating as her thoughts went back to the possibility they might be wanting to get her in a threesome, but then she shook it off and sat down.

“So, you threw focused energy bursts? I’ll bet that tired you out.”

“Yeah. It kind of blew my whole afternoon. I just soaked in the tub and took a nap,” she smiled teasingly, “Of course, I would MUCH rather have been trudging through the forests like you guys, but … well, somebody has to do the grunge work. Though the Bordeaux Hojo brought to go with our lunch WAS particularly fine.”

Several sets of eyes glared at her.

“By the way, Hiei, I thought you were going to search him for the necklace -- not mug him,” Kagome poked him in the shoulder. “Did you have to be so rough -- it looked like you tossed him around. Fortunately, he thinks he’s just sore from lying on the ground.”

Kurama chuckled. “Of course, he did say it felt like someone had kicked him in the ribs. Know anything about that?”

“Hn.”

That earned him a hard glare from the woman sitting next to him, and several snickers from around the room.

“So, you did get back at him for that little bathrobe stunt this morning, huh?” Yusuke said, stirring the pot.

“Shut up, detective.”

“Hiei!” Kagome yelled at him.

“So,” Miroku broke in and swiftly changed the subject, “ did you actually find the 2nd camp before having to come back?”

“They sure did. His highness and I” Jakotsu pointed to Naraku, “got to check it out a little bit with hotsuff there when he came to gather us all up. And let me tell you, there was a WHOLE lot of ugly going on there. Not much talent at all except for your old stalker/kidnapper-wannabe, Kagome. You didn’t tell me that Musou was so fine. Tres yummy!” Jakotsu said enthusiastically.

“He literally ripped that face off of an itinerant monk, after trying several others that he didn‘t like as well,” Kagome told him. She looked over at Naraku. “That really was sick, you know. Why didn’t he have a face of his own?”

“Because, My darling Miko, he wasn’t originally a separate entity. He was an amalgamation of various other demons encasing my human heart.”

“She’s NOT …”

“Just whose Miko is she if not mine? I shall continue to refer to her as such,” Naraku bellowed as he stood to answer the knock at the door.

“Um, Naraku?” Kagome said quietly. “Why must you keep yanking their chain like that? You know I’m really not your miko.”

“Your lips say no, but … ah -- our dinner is here.”

And any further discussion was postponed for a few minutes while the food was brought in and passed around. Then they resumed talk of the camp’s location and the number of demons they had seen there.

“… and, oh yeah! Wait til you hear THIS: we found out why this Musou dude wants the Gem of Desire. Koenma‘s gonna have to eat his words -- he laughed at me, but I was right!” proclaimed Yusuke self-righteously before he broke out in laughter.

Kuwabara joined him with a loud guffaw. “Yep. You sure were, Urameshi!”

“Right about what?” Naraku asked.

“He wants to use the Gem to make people horny -- in particular, ningen women.”

“WHAT?!!?”

Miroku choked on his dinner. “Excuse me,” eyes watering, he still had to ask, “not that it seems unreasonable to me, but why?”

“So they will sleep with all these demons he has gathered and produce an army of hanyous,” Yusuke said smugly.

“And just why does he want ‘an army of hanyous?’ What does he hope to gain with such?” Kurama was sitting on the edge of the couch now, staring intently at Yusuke.

“Because hanyous have always proven difficult for Reikai to regulate. If their human blood is strong enough, they can pass into the Ningenkai at will because the barriers read them as human. So, it pretty much boils down to access to the Ningenkai. If his army is big enough, he can create enough unrest in the Makai to really wreak some havoc both there and in Reikai, too. And do you want to know why he is doing all this, Kagome?” he looked pointedly at her.

A little confused as to why he would ask her, specifically, when they would ALL obviously want to know, she said, “Of course. He has another goal in mind as well?”

“Oh yeah. You.” At the shock and disbelief on her face, he continued. “Well, more specifically, he’s looking for one of your descendants -- one of your female descendants to be his mate, because naturally, he thinks you’re long dead by now. And he’s been trying to find a way into the Ningenkai to search ‘for the one that must be his’ all this time. He’s a real nut job.”

The room was silent for a few minutes as they all thought about that. Then Kagome spoke.

“That’s just not possible. No one is that insane.”

“My dear Mi…” glancing around and seeing eyes narrowing at him, Naraku sighed. “Kagome, I have told you, you have no idea of the obsessions you can inspire. And Musou was essentially nothing but that obsession.”

“Ah, Kagome-sama. To think I knew you when you were merely a young, innocent schoolgirl traipsing around the countryside of Feudal Japan in a scandalously short skirt, unknowingly stirring the passions of simple, humble monks, hanyous, and demons of all walks. And now, here you are, a mature, seductive, but still innocent young woman, traipsing around the three realms, still unknowingly stirring the passions of ningens, hanyous, demons, and also a few demi-gods, even without that delightful skirt, which I miss by the way. And along the way, you have become the catalyst for causing a mass seduction and impregnation of hundreds of women, for causing unrest and upheaval in the Makai as a result of the creation of a whole faction group comprised of a mixed-species, for potentially throwing the Reikai into chaos as they try to deal with the problem, resulting in Lord Enmaru retiring to his room with a migraine. All because a demon, who wasn’t really anything to begin with, saw you one day and could never forget you -- even 500 years later. You put Helen of Troy to shame. Again, I feel very privileged that Buddha saw fit to allow my life to intersect with yours.”

Kagome got up and left the room. They heard the sliding door to the balcony open and close.

“Idiot,” Hiei hissed before following after her.

“What?”

“You implied that she is somehow to blame for all this,” Kurama berated him disapprovingly.

With a stricken look on his face, Miroku protested, “That wasn’t my intention -- honestly. I’ll go talk to her.”

“No. Hiei will.”

“You’re not serious, Kurama? Shorty doesn’t talk to anybody -- let alone try to make them feel better,” Yusuke pointed out.

“He talks to her,” Kurama said quietly.
************************************************************** **********


Out on the balcony, Hiei walked over and took a look at the hand Kagome was holding up to her mouth.

“Ow, damn it!”

The knuckles were scraped and it was already starting to bruise along the back side of it. Obviously, she had punched the brick wall she was standing next to.

He raised a brow at her. “Baka onna.”

“Either kiss it and make it all better or go away,” she said grumpily.

Hiei lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it before slowly running his tongue across it. Then he pressed a kiss to each knuckle and ran his tongue down each finger, sucking the ends into his mouth one at a time before releasing each of them with another soft kiss. Her eyes started to glaze over at the sensual treatment, and he smiled at her smugly. The he pulled her into the circle of his arms and caressed her lips with his, once, twice, three times before pulling her closer and nuzzling her temple softly.

“You know you are not to blame for whatever plans this Musou has.”

She sighed. “I know. But I still feel … somewhat responsible. This whole mission is just so bizarre. First Hojo shows up and may be involved, now Musou. You have to admit, it’s like the Kamis were all sitting around going ‘Hmmm. What shall I throw at Kagome today? I know -- she hasn’t seen so-and-so for a while. Let’s throw him back in her life and see what happens.’ I’m half afraid to walk out in the hallway because I may bump into Homoru-sensei. He was my math teacher.”

“Was he obsessed with you, too?”

“I thought so -- obsessed with making my life miserable.”

Hiei chuckled.

“Thanks.” As she started to move so they could go back in and rejoin the others, a thought hit her. She hugged him again, this time running one hand up his back under his shirt.

Hiei’s eyes widened at the touch of her hand on his bare skin, and he smirked slightly to himself as she once again turned to go inside, -- feeling rather full of himself with the knowledge that she just couldn’t keep her hands off of him.

Kagome let out a small sigh. (No bikini top -- thank Kami!)
************************************************************ ************


After Miroku apologized and Kagome told him everything was fine, the two teams began to discuss their next course of action. Yusuke and Naraku were all for an all-out frontal assault on the two camps of demons. Kurama and Miroku thought it was more important to find the necklace first. They now had narrowed down the possibilities of the necklace’s owner to 4 men, including Hojo. Kagome reminded them they also needed to be on the lookout for the man serving as a spy for the demons. They were just talking about how they would protect the four men in question until they knew for sure who had the necklace, when the phone rang.

As Kagome answered it, the others decided they would have to assign each man a bodyguard. An argument broke out when Kagome’s name was suggested for Hojo. Kagome sat back down with a frown on her face.

“What is it, Kagome-sama?”

“That was Hojo. He won’t be able to meet me in the bar later. He had to go see the village physician a little while ago. He says he must have come into contact with some rare plant that reacts similarly to poison ivy when we were near the forest for our picnic. He broke out in itchy patches of blisters along one arm and down his back. Fortunately, the doctor was able to give him a cortisone shot for the itching and had some kind of salve he applied which is already clearing up the blisters. I just don’t understand how he could have gotten it on his back -- he had a shirt on.”

Hiei looked at Kurama. “Nice touch, fox.”

Kagome looked at Hiei. Than at Kurama. Then her eyes narrowed. “You!”

“You didn’t have to tell her.”

“And you didn’t have to ask me about kicking the baka in front of her, either.”

“Unfortunately, I may have lost such a seed somewhere in the forest -- perhaps it was loosened from my grasp by the fight.”

“Yeah, right.” She definitely wasn’t buying it. “Well, anyway, I will be the one watching Hojo. We’re having breakfast again in the morning.”

“He’d better be wearing clothes,” Hiei muttered.

“Kagome, in light of the fact that the demons are now aware that someone is here protecting the Gem -- and a miko, in particular, I recommend we all put in a little time in the gym tomorrow training. I believe they have a room that would serve as a dojo. We should pair up to do some sparring,” Kurama suggested.

Her eyes lit up. “That’s an excellent idea! I haven’t had a chance to practice any hand-to-hand combat in months.”

“Good. I’ll reserve some times for us. You and I can begin when the businessmen are all at their late afternoon meeting, since you will probably be having lunch with Hojo as well. I’ll try to get Yusuke and Kuwabara set up for right after breakfast, then Miroku and Naraku right before lunch. That’ll leave Hiei and Jakotsu some time after dinner.”

“You are treading dangerous ground, fox.”

“Red, I’m so proud of you right now I could kiss you.”

“OOOoooo yes! Then we can spend the evening cleaning up. I’ve got lots of fun things for the bath or shower,” Jakotsu clapped happily.

Yusuke just stared at him for a second with his mouth hanging open. “You do realize he’s going to kill you, right?”

Jakotsu’s eyes widened and he looked at Hiei. “That’s right. You weren’t very nice the other night. I think I’d better spar with Miroku and leave Hiei to Naraku.” He turned an adoring look on Yusuke. “That was so sweet of you to look out for Jakotsu, honeybun. I knew you cared.”

Naraku’s eyes gleamed for a minute as he looked over at Hiei.. “Yes, I think I would enjoy sparring with you.”

“Just don’t wear your baboon pelt,” Miroku laughed.

“And that takes care of that. An excellent way to get that lovely, supple body in our hands. I can see her now, skin glistening with sweat, muscles straining, pinned beneath us …”

“Youko, why don’t any of your images include clothing? You know she isn’t going to spar with us naked.”

“Ah. This is what she’ll look like after the sparring.”

“Dirty, rotten, conniving bastard.”
*********************************************** *************************


While all was quiet on the top floor, not everyone was sleeping this night. Kurama and Hiei were sitting up, staring at each other in the darkness. Neither was willing to let the other sneak out to go see Kagome. Matters were rapidly coming to a head, and they both knew it would all be decided very soon. Having heard the footsteps in the hall, neither was surprised when once again a yell broke the silence of the night.


“AAAauuuggghhh!”


Then, “Jakotsu, you bastard! That had better not be your hand on my ass!”
A giggle was heard next. “Don’t worry. It’s not.”


“That would be Yusuke. You owe me 25 yen, Miroku,” Naraku said.
“I was sure it would Kuwabara.”
“You didn’t see the way he was looking at the toushin all day.”
“Yes, well, I thought maybe he was setting Kuwabara up for a sneak attack.”
“Jakotsu is not that clever. Pay up.”


“If you don’t move right now, you’re going to get the business end of my Spirit Gun!”
“You rascal! That’s such a cute nickname for it.”

A thump followed by raucous laughter was heard as Kuwabara fell out of his bed. Then a blast rocked the entire floor.

At the same time, a feminine-sounding scream came from the other end of the hall.

“EEEeeeee! Musou?!?”

And all 7 of the other detectives yelled, “Shit!!”
************************************************** **********************