Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Hentai Bets ❯ Surrounded By Wood ( Chapter 15 )

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

Youkos Kitsune - Hiei would like to do more than just behead Hojo for that question. Unfortunately, Reikai and Kagome would frown on that.
SadBrokenWings - Glad you’re not calling for MY head over my obnoxious habit of cliffhanging.
Touketsu Kaijin - Hiei and Kurama do have a way of subtly getting back at Hojo -- and Reikai can’t do a thing to them for it. I think Shippou’s going to play up Kagome’s mistaken ideas to cause trouble for her suitors. He and she have a great relationship, don’t they?
Gothic fuzzies - Yeah, when Kagome finds out the truth, SOMEBODY’S going to be embarrassed.
Lunarwolfdemoness - “HOW DARE HOJO PROPOSE TO KAGOME!” He’s got a real set of them, doesn’t he?
Selenitypotter - I’m sorry I’m so mean, but my kids would agree with you! Thanks for reading this -- I hope you enjoy it!
Loveinuyasha911 - Kagome and I both thank you for sharing Hiei -- this wouldn’t be much of a story without him.
Icywolfflame - I think in Hojo’s mind, they’ve always been a couple. Hmmm. Maybe Sess SHOULD make an appearance.
Sasha G - Ouch! And Thanks! Those were some harsh words, but, sorry, I don’t borrow from anyone else’s work -- for better or worse, it’s all mine. I appreciate the compliment of lumping me in with some good writers, though. You’re right about 1 thing, -- both Deviation and Somnambulicious have great stories that, unfortunately, they seem to have abandoned a year ago. Both have long, serious, complex, angst-ridden plots -- they’re nothing like this story. And I hadn’t read Ookami-chan’s stuff before, so thanks for pointing them out to me. The one-shots are hilarious! But, again, they have nothing in common with my story in the slightest -- no bets, no 2nd SD team, not even a hint of Jakotsu. Are you sure YOU’VE read their stuff? I contacted them to tell them what you thought and invited them to read this for themselves. My story, my ideas, my plot, my cast of characters, and definitely my twisted words. Your libelous review.
Halfblackwolfdemon - Glad you’re enjoying Shippou -- he’s great! More Hiei/Kag? Your wish is my command.
Kawaii-KeKe-Chan - You just KNOW Shippou had to turn out cool when he grew up, right? And he’d enjoy embarrassing his “mother,” too.
VB - You’re right -- none of them are happy about the proposal, but some are calmer about it than others.
Mysterious Tears - I love Jakotsu, too, -- he’s been a lot of fun to play with!
Todavialoca - I love you! (And you can blow sunshine up my a$$ anyday!) I know this isn’t the greatest story, but it IS original, and I’m doing my best to make it entertaining.
PureMiko Kagome69ner - Hojo always did strike me as being gutsy -- you’d have to be to give a girl the crappy gifts he gave Kagome. Gutsy, and not too bright. Yeah, I feel sorry for him, too. He should get a better agent if he ever wants better parts.

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

DISCLAIMER: I still don’t own “Inuyasha” or “Yu Yu Hakusho.” (Funny how that hasn’t changed.) And I’m not profiting from writing stories that feature their characters and/or settings, either, unless you count the number of times I’ve been able to kick my kids off the computer because I just have to work on my next chapter.

********************************************************* ***************
Last time:

“You and I have known each other for a long time. And you know I have always had feelings for you. Even when we went our separate ways when I left for University, I knew we would see each other again. I am not the same silly, awkward boy I was back then, but my feelings for you haven’t changed. They’ve only grown stronger and deepened into a more mature love and passion. I love you with all my heart and soul, and my fondest dream is to spend my life with you -- loving you, taking care of you, having a family with you. I don’t expect you to answer me right now, but while you are gone these next few days, I want you to think about me -- about us.” He paused briefly and gazed into her eyes. “Kagome, will you marry me?”
************************************************************ ************

“No fucking way!” Yusuke whispered loudly. “Shit! Grab Hiei!”

Kagome felt like she was in a fog. All she could do was stare at Hojo while his words spun around and around in her head. She was scarcely aware of the sounds of a scuffle taking place somewhere around them in the garden. She continued to stare at Hojo as he quickly stood up and pulled her up, too.

“We can talk more inside -- it sounds like there are a couple of wild animals fighting nearby.” He said, glancing around nervously.

And Kagome let him lead her quickly out of the garden and back to the hotel.

After a few minutes, Yusuke said, “You can’t kill him. So, you might as well calm down. And quit looking at me like that! With all those eyes, it’s really creepy. You’re not going anywhere while you’re all green, either.”

“That’s an interesting look -- has my mother seen him like that?” Shippou asked.

Kuwabara started laughing. “Why? Do you think he’ll creep her out?”

“No. She actually has a strange fascination with youkai forms. But green isn’t her favorite color,” he said with a smirk.

“You know, I wonder if one of us should have followed them instead of Miroku and Jakotsu? They won’t be able to hear everything that’s said,” Naraku pointed out.

“Well, if shorty here would get himself under control, we could all go see what’s happening. Do you think she’s gonna say yes?” Kuwabara asked.

“Shut up, you dumb ape! He was almost back to normal, and now he’s sprouting eyes again.” Yusuke yelled at him.

“Hiei, you aren’t helping things, and you are delaying us from catching up to them. Pull yourself together.”

“Yes, you little hothead. I’d like to hear what she says to him. Not that it matters one way or another. Once we’re in the forest, she’s fair game. And I‘m looking forward to the hunt.” Youko said with a predatory smile.

“All right. I won’t kill the ningen. Yet.”

“It’s okay Yusuke. He says he won’t kill him.” Kurama told him.

Yusuke looked at Hiei. “No beating the shit out of him, either.” He had finally regained his normal form. “Okay guys. Let him up.”

Naraku slowly removed his knee from Hiei’s neck as Kuwabara climbed off his chest. Examining his hand closely, Naraku narrowed his eyes and asked, “Are you sure he’s half fire and half ice, and not part inu? That damn little hybrid bit me.”

“Well, you were leaning pretty heavily on his neck,” Kurama pointed out, as he retracted the vines that were wrapped around Hiei’s wrists, arms, waist, legs, and ankles. Hiei shot him a vicious look as he sat up. “You’d better keep your damn plants to yourself from now on, fox.”

“If you keep control of yourself, I will. Seriously, Hiei, this is very unlike you.”

“Damnit! I know that!”

“But it is highly amusing,” Youko chuckled. “Tell you what. We’ll help you regain your unflappable, uncaring attitude during our little campout -- you’ll get plenty of opportunities to practice while we are introducing Kagome to the many joys of nature.”

Hiei growled at him and took off for the hotel, the others following swiftly behind him.
****************************************************************** ******


Inside the hotel, Hojo had led an unresisting, and for the most part unaware, Kagome to a secluded alcove in the lobby where two chairs sat close together, but shielded from view by large potted plants. As they both sat down, Hojo continued to hold her hand, and pulled it up to his mouth to lovingly press a kiss to her knuckles.

“Kagome, …”

“Hojo, …”

She tried to focus her thoughts, but she felt like she’d been hit by a baseball bat. She really had no idea what to say. Of all the things Hojo might have said to her, a marriage proposal had never crossed her mind. She would have been less surprised if he’d asked her to have sex in the middle of the dining room. (Okay, maybe not.) Still.

“Hojo, I just don’t know what to say. I … I wasn’t expecting anything like this,” she said, as she searched his eyes as if the answer would be written there somewhere.

He chuckled. “I know. And if we had met again in Tokyo, I probably would have courted you for months before proposing. But in the end, my feelings would have been the same -- they’re never going to change.” He leaned over and kissed her softly. “I meant what I said. I love you, and I want you to seriously consider becoming my wife. Nothing would make me happier. I don’t need your answer right now. Take the time to think about it, okay?”

And as the butterflies in her stomach settled down, and the tingling sensation running down her spine subsided, she felt calmer, and she nodded. “I’ll think about it.”

“That’s all I ask,” he said. Then he glanced at his watch and stood up. “Gomen nasai, but I must go to my next meeting. Call me when you return.”

“All right, Hojo.” And she stood up, too, and hugged him.

With one last kiss on her cheek, he turned and walked away toward one of the large conference rooms. Miroku and Jakotsu watched him as he crossed the lobby. They didn’t know what had been said, but he looked inordinately pleased with himself. Like the cat who had just caught the canary.

They walked over to where Kagome stood, still as a statue, just staring at the hallway Hojo had disappeared down.

“Oh, sugar! Was that your first proposal? And from such a fine-looking specimen, too. You lucky girl! I wouldn’t mind having his slippers under my bed.” Jakotsu sighed. “It’s true what they say -- all of the good ones are either taken or straight.” Then Jakotsu winked at her. “Or they just don’t know they aren’t yet. That‘s Jakotsu‘s mission in life -- to show them the error of their ways.”

Miroku gave him an irritated look. “Kagome-sama, may I ask what you told him?”

Just then, the rest of the detectives and Shippou came striding over to them. “I’d like to know that, as well, Okaa-san.”

“I didn’t tell him anything. He wants me to take my time and think about it,” she told them quietly. “We should get our supplies.” And she turned and walked away, heading toward the village. Glaring at her back, Hiei started after her, but Miroku touched his shoulder.

“I’ll go with her to get the supplies. You can talk to her later. It might be best if you think over what you want to say first,” he suggested.

Shippou blinked at the others. “I didn‘t think she might actually consider that man‘s proposal. What the hell has been going on here?”
********************************************************** **************


Kagome’s mind was still awhirl with what had just happened. Hojo had asked her to marry him. HOJO had asked her to marry him. HOJO had asked HER to marry him. HOJO had asked HER to MARRY him! (Why?) He said he loved her. She knew he had always liked her -- at least, she had finally caught on after her friends kept telling her that. (But why?) Even if he did have a strange idea of what kind of gifts to give a girl back then, he was always extremely popular. He had been a top student, star athlete, was unfailingly polite, and had always been rather good-looking. NOW, well, he was a wealthy, successful businessman with playboy good looks who could have just about any woman he wanted. Why the heck was he still interested in her? As a wife, no less? But, somehow, she knew he was serious. It was mind-boggling, to say the least.

Miroku walked along beside her, and she was grateful for his silence. She knew he and the others would be interrogating her about the proposal soon enough. At least she could always count on him to give her time to gather her thoughts. (I don’t even know where to start, though.)

All of her earlier decisions about trying to have a relationship with a ningen man still held true. She was a true miko at a time when the world didn’t expect them to have any real powers. She had a past that involved time travel, a quest for a magical, if somewhat cursed jewel, and continual life-threatening danger and battle. She had a present that required her to use her powers to search out and destroy dangerous, and often monstrous, beings with demonic powers while protecting unsuspecting ningens from unknown dangers. And her 3 best friends were previously-dead, unrepentant hentais who joined her in her work. How would all that go over with a ningen boyfriend? Let alone a husband? (Hi honey, how was your day? Another tough one at the office? Gomen, dinner will be a little late -- I had to hunt down 10 lizard youkai this afternoon, and 1 of them kept giving me the slip. So, why don’t you take a nice, relaxing bath until the food is ready? Oh! And Jakotsu’s coming over, so don’t put on anything too revealing.) Yeah, that would work. And then there was the whole ‘I’m going to outlive him by centuries thing.’ (Of course, he could always claim I was his trophy wife when he’s 70 and I still look 21.)

No. There was just no way it could work. But, … he loved her. (No one’s ever really loved me before.) He’s never compared her to anyone else -- never acted like she was somehow lacking. He’s sweet and attentive. She knew she could trust him and that he would take care of her. (But, … I don’t love him. Do I? No, … I really don’t. I do care for him. I am attracted to him. Not nearly as powerfully as I am to Hiei or Kurama, but I have to admit, he’s pretty sexy. Could I come to love him in time?) Miroku looked over at her as she let out a frustrated sigh, but still he held his silence.

And then there were Hiei and Kurama to consider. Or was there? (I am seriously attracted to those two, and I really did think I could have actually had a serious relationship with Hiei before Kurama came into the picture. But now, …) Why was she even thinking about them? Didn’t she already decide she couldn’t be part of the kind of relationship they wanted? And they already had each other. (No, I can’t let thoughts of either of them interfere in my decision about Hojo.) So. What to do? It wouldn’t work. It couldn’t work. So, why was she thinking about it so seriously? Her head was starting to hurt. She frowned and stopped, rubbing her temples.

“Kagome-sama, you don’t have to sort everything out right this minute. You have plenty of time to think things over. Take all the time you need. And when you’re ready to talk about it, you know we will be there for you.”

“Arigato, Miroku. Have I ever told you how fortunate I feel that Buddha let you continue your path as one of my companions?” she said with a smile and wink.

“What a lovely, if somewhat unoriginal, sentiment,” he teased her back.
***************************************************************** *******


When Miroku and Kagome returned to the hotel, the others reluctantly followed his advice to leave her be for the moment, even though they were dying of curiosity to find out why she hadn’t turned the man down flat. Youko, in particular, was really annoying Kurama as he huffed and puffed about the unworthiness of that ningen -- of ANY ningen -- as a partner for Kagome.

“Youko! She didn’t say yes.”

“But she didn’t say no, either! Why the hell not? I don’t see that there’s anything she should have to think about.”

“Well, Kagome is very kind-hearted. Perhaps she just didn’t want to hurt the man with a quick rejection.”

“Where is Hiei?” Miroku asked a bit fearfully. (I hope he hasn’t gone after Hojo.)

“He went ahead into the forest to kill some things, -- he‘ll join us once we‘re out there,” Yusuke told him. “It’s really for the best.”

Naraku muttered some things about “unpredictable, temperamental, elemental hybrids” before smiling wickedly to himself. Really, this was becoming very amusing. Much more entertaining than any other mission he could remember. Now, how to capitalize on it? He hadn’t forgotten he still owed the little fire demon one. (Yes, this was definitely going to be fun.)

So, the group gathered their packs and headed out into the forest, hoping to get a few hours traveling under their belts before stopping for the evening. After four hours of hiking through the woods, the two teams of detectives, plus Kouga and Shippou, chose a spot to set up camp for the night. Hiei joined them, tossing 2 deer carcasses and 5 rabbits into the small clearing. Yusuke and his team were impressed by the quick, efficient way Kagome’s team went about the various tasks of setting out sleeping bags, gathering firewood and water, and orienting the spot with an eye towards defense, without a word having to be said to each other.

“I guess your experiences in the Sengoku Jidai made this kind of stuff second-nature, huh?” Kuwabara observed.

“Yes, I suppose so. Of course, Jakotsu and Naraku weren’t traveling with us back then. But most of our missions require us to spend time in the wilds of the Makai, so we’ve got a pretty set routine we like to follow. And Shippou, don’t forget you’re cooking and cleaning up, you little brat.” Kagome stuck her tongue out at him.

“Aw, kaa-san! I don’t see why I’m the one being punished when you’re the one who can’t keep track of her underwear around certain demons,” he said with an evil grin right before he took off running.

“Why you …!” Blushing profusely, Kagome took off after him. “Just wait ‘til I catch you!”

The rest of the group watched as they disappeared into the trees with various looks of amusement, surprise, and speculation on their faces.

“What was that about her underwear?” Yusuke asked, turning to look at Hiei and Kurama.

“Hn. None of your business.” Hiei turned his back to him.

“That’s why Kagome bought all those yummy new things. You naughty boys!” Jakotsu scolded them. “I suppose that’s what happened to her purple panty set -- those were her favorites. Which one of you has them?”

Kuwabara started choking. Hiei glared at Jakotsu. Kurama started laughing.

Kouga stomped over to Kurama. “I thought all the hentais were on her team. You two are stealing her underwear?” He asked in disbelief.

“Well, they are thieves, you know,” Yusuke supplied helpfully.

“You are sick,” Kouga said disgustedly. “I don’t know what she sees in either of you.”

“Now, Kouga. The truth is, Kagome has excellent taste in lingerie, and you can’t blame them if they wish to keep a little memento of their … encounters,” Miroku said.

“She does indeed have excellent taste,” Naraku agreed.

“I just hope you all didn’t take her musical ones -- I was hoping she might let me have them -- I’ve never been able to find any like them,” Jakotsu pouted.

The other 7 males present all stared at him.

“Musical ones?” Someone had to ask.

“Yes. They’re so cute! They’re all white and they have a little bow right … well, anyway, you press the bow and they play ‘When The Saints Come Marching In.’ It’s really quite funny that Kagome, of all people, has a pair like that, but somehow appropriate, don‘t you think?” Jakotsu explained.

Kagome and Shippou picked that unfortunate moment to return. Both were dirty, and had leaves and twigs hanging in their hair from an apparent wrestling bout.

“Why are you all looking at me that way?” Kagome asked.

Shippou, having caught the last part of the conversation as they approached, just laughed. “Really, kaa-san. Sometimes you surprise even me.”

She wasn’t sure why, but she just knew she should probably kick his butt some more.
***************************************************************** *******


When Shippou returned from the nearby stream after cleaning up like Kagome insisted, he began the tedious task of cleaning and preparing the meat for cooking. Grabbing her bathing supplies and some clean clothes, Kagome told the others she would be back before dinner was done.

“You don’t seriously think you are going off in these woods by yourself,” Hiei confronted her.

“I’m not going far -- just down the stream a ways -- I’ll be perfectly fine,” she said.

“To be on the safe side, perhaps one of us should accompany you, Kagome-sama. I would be happy to wash your back.”

“No, thank you, Miroku.”

“Hiei is right, Kagome. It’s too dangerous for you to go by yourself. I’ll go stand guard for you, and I promise I won’t peek,” Kurama offered with a charming smile.

“Don’t make promises I won’t keep, Red.”

“You will not be accompanying her,” Hiei stated coldly.

Stepping up to him and narrowing his eyes, Kurama said, “Neither will you.”

(Oh dear!) Kagome was alarmed at the scene unfolding in front of her. (Now they’re getting jealous -- I knew the threesome thing would never work -- they’re too possessive of each other. I‘m not even sure they would want Kouga taking part. Perhaps they should give up the whole threesome idea and just commit to each other.)

Out loud, she said, “Since everyone is determined that I don’t get any private time to myself, I’ll take Jakotsu with me. And the rest of you shouldn’t go out alone, either. You can bathe in twos, or threes, later, if you wish.” And with a pointed look at Hiei and Kurama, she hooked arms with Jakotsu and left.

Shippou snickered, causing Miroku and Naraku to laugh, too.

“What’s so funny?” Yusuke wanted to know.

Waving a hand dismissively, Shippou laughed some more. “Nothing, nothing.”

Hiei, seeing Naraku sitting off by himself, walked over to him, and in a low tone asked, “How do you know my origins?”

Looking at him curiously, Naraku responded by asking, “What do you mean?”

“Outside the hotel, you made a statement about me being half fire and half ice. How did you know?”

“Is it a secret?” Naraku drawled with a smile playing about his lips.

“Damn it! Just answer me.” Hiei was fast losing patience with the arrogant baka.

“Kagome told us. Right after we met.”

At the slightly shocked look on Hiei’s face, Naraku laughed. “You honestly thought she couldn’t tell? Apparently I have given you and the avatar too much credit. You have no idea about the extent of the abilities of the woman you are pursuing. It would serve you both right to wind up purified. Take my word for it -- it‘s extremely painful.”

But Hiei wasn’t paying attention to him anymore. His thoughts were consumed with the knowledge that the one thing he was still worried about -- the one thing that made him wonder if he should give up his attempts to take Kagome for his own didn’t seem to matter. (She knows. She has known all along. And it really doesn’t matter to her.) Oh yes. There was no doubt about it. That woman was his. Now all he needed to do was, well, her. Then the fox would know he was out of luck, -- and then he could beat the crap out of the ningen man -- find the necklace -- kill a hundred or so demons -- and take Kagome away from all these hentais forever. After throwing her panties in her son’s face, of course. Sounded like a plan. He nodded to himself.

Kouga looked in the direction Kagome and Jakotsu went. “Hmph. I don’t like the idea of my woman going to bathe with that pervert -- even if he doesn’t like women.”

“She’s NOT Your woman!” the others told him.

“Besides, knowing my kaa-san, they’ll be on opposite side of a rock or something.” Then Shippou frowned. “Then again, … it seems that some of your perverse ways are starting to rub off on her. Maybe we should have a little talk, … Hey! Where’s Miroku?”

“He mumbled something about a towel and went into the woods that way,” Kuwabara pointed in roughly the same direction Kagome and Jakotsu had gone.

“That lecher!” Shippou swore under his breath.

The others stared at each other for a second, then everyone took off into the woods, leaving Shippou crouched down by the campfire with the cooking meat. When he looked up, he swore again and took off after them.

Hiei reached the monk first. He was hiding behind a bush with a very expensive-looking camera in his hands, which was making soft clicking noises. Grabbing his shoulder, Hiei hissed, “What do you think you are doing?”

“Shhhh! There’s an art to peeping, you know. And I’m about to get the shot of a lifetime.”

By now, the others had come up behind them. Kagome’s voice drew their attention to the scene on display no more than 75 feet from them. “Are you ready for the shampoo?” she asked Jakotsu.

“Sure thing, sugar. Hand it over.”

And the eyes of the 7 silent observers nearly popped out of their heads as Kagome stood up and leaned over a large boulder, stretching to hand a bottle of shampoo over to her friend. Her long, ebony hair clung to her back all the way down to her hips, revealing just a hint of the luscious curves of her bottom as she tiptoed to reach over the rock. A small glimpse of a full, round breast was all that was seen before it was pressed tightly into the boulder.

The clicking of Miroku’s camera pulled the males out of their lustful reverie. Kouga turned to him and said, “Lord Enmaru said he’d pay 500 yen for a picture like that if you blow it up poster-size. I’ll take one, too.”

“How do you expect to get a good picture at that distance in this light?” Yusuke asked him.

Miroku smiled. “Telephoto lens with night vision attachment. Worth every bit of the 5500 yen I paid for them.”

Just then, Shippou came up behind him and smacked him in the back of the head. “You pervert! That’s my Okaa-san! It’s one thing to peep, it’s another to take pictures! Imagine the scandal if those got into the wrong hands -- I can see it now: nude pictures of the Junjoukaren no Miko now featured on www. spankmymom.com. Sesshoumaru would never let me mate Rin then. Give me that camera!”

At the same time, Hiei became aware of the strong smell of arousal all around him, and also smacked Miroku before turning and smashing Yusuke and Kuwabara’s heads together.

“I hope you don’t think I don’t know you’re there,” Kagome’s voice called out to them. “You bunch of hentais!” She had moved around behind the rock now.

“Ah, Kagome-sama! I was just bringing you a towel in case you forgot yours,” Miroku said, stepping forward and waving a towel.

“Yeah, I know. And when have I ever forgot to bring one with me?” she retorted.

“Don’t worry, Okaa-san, they’re going now,” Shippou let her know.

“Oh! Don’t go on my account, fellas!” Jakotsu said, standing up quickly. “We could all have a nice, friendly shampoo party -- I’m already all sudsy,” he sang, running his hands down his body.

“We’re going, we’re going!” Yusuke yelled. And he took off back for the camp with Kuwabara right on his heels.

Hiei and Shippou marched Miroku, Naraku, and Kouga back into the woods, following the direction Kurama had taken. Unknown to them, though, Kurama had circled around and came sauntering back to the stream after the others were out of sight.

Kagome and Jakotsu had both sat back down in the water. Kurama strolled right up to the edge and asked, “So, Kagome. How’s the water, love?”

She arched a brow at him. “Hmmm. I don’t know whether I’m surprised or not. When all is said and done, you’re a kitsune through and through, aren’t you?”

A low, deep chuckle reached her ears. “Very true, my dear. But you didn’t answer my question.”

“It’s rather cool, but not uncomfortable. Hey! What are you doing?”

He waded into the stream and stalked right up to her. Reaching down, he pulled her up so she was standing right in front of him. “I would have hated myself if I didn’t do this.” And he pulled her body flush against him and dipped his head, covering her lips with his. As his tongue sought entrance to taste hers, his hands roamed up and down her back and sides, one coming to rest on the nape of her neck, while the other cupped the curve of her bottom.

Kagome’s surprise was soon swallowed up in the haze of sensations produced by the feel of his hands on her wet, naked skin and the rhythm of the strokes of his tongue against hers. The slickness of her wet flesh under his fingers made him yearn to seek out other wet, slick areas of her body and explore with fingers, tongue, and …, but Kurama knew this brief caress was all he would be allowed before Hiei or Shippou came storming back. And at the moment, he was drowning in the softness of her skin and the headiness of her scent. He was sorely tempted to just drop his pants right there and press her back up against that rock she had leaned into earlier, but he knew they had an audience, and while it didn’t bother him in the slightest, he knew Kagome would be uncomfortable with them being watched. So, it was with great reluctance that he finally raised his head with a soft groan and looked into her eyes.

“I’m sorry, love, I wish I could stay longer. But, there will be many opportunities for us to play out here. I’ll see you back at the camp.” And with another quick kiss, he turned and left.

“Now that was just dreamy,” Jakotsu’s voice broke through Kagome’s dizzying thoughts. “If that sexy hunk of foxy manliness ever kissed me like that, I wouldn’t let him out of the water until we were swimming in each other’s juices.”

“Jakotsu, you know you’re my friend and I love you dearly, but: EW! I could really have done without that mental image.” And she walked over to the edge of the stream to dry off.

“Sorry, sugar. I keep forgetting you haven’t done the deed yet. Be sure and let me know as soon as you do so we can really dish about it. I’m telling you, no one knows how to satisfy a man like another man. We own the equipment, you know. But, I‘ll be glad to share some of my secrets with you.”

“Between your secrets and Shippou’s tips, I’d probably spend the next 500 years locked up somewhere.” She started looking around.

“Well, if it’s bondage you’re interested in, …” But his next words were interrupted by Kagome’s muttering.

“Where is …? What happened to …? KURAMA!” Her yell echoed off the trees.

When Kurama got back to the campsite, Naraku offhandedly said, “Funny thing. As we left the stream where Kagome was, it almost seemed as if the bushes and trees were covering the pathway behind us, which would have made it a little difficult to find our way back if we had so desired. You wouldn‘t happen to know anything about that, would you, avatar?”

Before Kurama could speak, Yusuke asked, “And why are your clothes wet, fox boy?”

“I just wanted to be sure Kagome wasn’t disturbed by anymore unwanted attention from the rest of you,” he said with a smirk. “And I guess my clothes got wet when I was testing the temperature of the water -- it was cool at first, but it quickly heated up.”

“Damn sneaky, nature-manipulating bastard.” Hiei seethed.

“That’s right, speed demon. You’re on my turf now,” Youko taunted him.

Just then, Kagome and Jakotsu walked out of the trees and into the clearing. Eyes bugged out all around the campsite as they saw what Kagome was wearing. All she had on was a black, cut-off shirt that buttoned up the front -- minus all but the bottom button, so it was gaping in a large vee all the way to her belly button. And it was very obvious she didn’t have a bra on. She wasn’t wearing any shorts or pants, either -- just a pair of sleek, black and white panties that tied at the hips. And once again, those with youkai senses became aware of the rising smell of arousal slowly permeating the small clearing.

“Kurama,” Kagome growled.

Hiei shot him an evil glare before stepping up to her and covering her with his cloak.

“Okaa-san! How do you expect me to defend your honor if you insist on walking around half-naked all the time?” Shippou laughed.

“I’ll remember that when Sesshoumaru kills you. As a matter of fact, I’m going to hide Tenseiga before your challenge,” she threatened as she stomped over to her bag to get some clothes.

“Now, now, kaa-san. You wouldn’t really leave me at the mercy of that arrogant old dog, would you? Because he doesn’t have any mercy. And he really, really doesn’t like me since I decided on Rin.” Shippou pouted.

“Yeah, well, I’m beginning to see why, and I can’t say that I blame him. Now, don’t burn the meat -- I’ll be right back as soon as I get dressed,” And she started to stomp back off into the trees muttering about “dirty, sneaky, clothes-stealing kitsunes” and “disrespectful sons.” Right before she reached the treeline, she disappeared in a blur of black.

“What the …? Okaa-san!”

“Don’t worry, Shippou. That was just Hiei,” Kuwabara told him.

“Riiiggghht. I shouldn’t worry because one of the two fuckers looking to win some coins by bedding my mother just took off with her without a word.” He turned to Kurama. “No offense,” he said sarcastically.

Quirking a brow at him, Kurama smoothly replied, “Of course not.” Then he strolled over to the area Kagome and Hiei had disappeared from.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“I’m going to use the trees to track them -- please excuse me, but I have an ‘encounter’ to interrupt,” he said with a nod at the monk. Then he was gone, too.

“It appears the competition is heating up,” Naraku remarked.

Shippou chuckled. “Yeah. It’s a shame kaa-san doesn’t know it.”

“Why aren’t you going after them? I thought you didn’t want them around her -- didn’t you threaten Hiei when you met him?” Yusuke asked. He couldn’t understand this kitsune -- one minute he was acting all mad and insulting them, the next he was laughing at their efforts to seduce his mother like he was enjoying it all.

“Yeah! That was really ballsy of you. I can’t believe he didn’t just kill you. Nobody insults Hiei like that.” Kuwabara said in awe.

Shippou looked at them like they were stupid. “You don’t really think they’d try to harm the adopted son of the woman they’re chasing, do you? They’ll just have to suck it up and put up with me,” he grinned. “And I’m not going after them because one of them might be just what kaa-san needs. Just because I look at her as a mother doesn’t mean I want her to stay a virgin for the rest of her life. She needs someone to love her for her.”

“So, you don’t mind about their bet?” Yusuke was still confused.

“Nope.”

“Then what the hell was that all about? You got them both all riled up for nothing.” Now Yusuke was pacing around as he ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.

Shippou laughed. “I had to challenge them to see how serious they are. I think kaa-san needs someone, but I’m not going to just hand her over to any smooth-talking jackass just out for a good time. Hell, if they didn’t come back at me and tell me they didn‘t care what I thought, I’d just let Sesshoumaru arrange for their disappearance. By the way, put him down for 2500 on the fire demon.”

“Really? He hasn’t even met them, has he?” Miroku commented.

“Actually, I think he has at some Reikai function or other. But, he would have gone that way even if he hadn’t -- he doesn’t like kitsunes very much these days, you know.” Shippou made a face, causing Miroku to laugh.
**************************************************************** ********


After taking them a suitable distance away, Hiei stopped on a large branch near the top of the tree they were in, and sat down with Kagome in his lap. She looked at him like he’d lost his mind.

“What do you think you’re doing?!?” she shouted.

He answered her by burying a hand in her hair at the back of her head and drawing her close to claim her mouth with a fierce possessiveness. There was no hesitation as her lips parted to allow him access, and the clothes she had been clutching in her hands fluttered down to the forest floor as she released them in favor of clasping onto the firmness of his chest and shoulder. As his tongue explored the inner recesses of her mouth, he savored the taste of her and the way her scent fueled his hunger for her. He knew, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that no other woman could ever ignite his passions like she did, and she would be the only one who could sate them as well.

He also knew that while his speed had bought them some time, it was still limited. He had no doubts that someone would catch up to them soon. And he needed to talk to her. So, it was with much regret that he finally broke their kiss and trailed his lips towards her ear to whisper to her. But his words caught in his throat when he felt her turn her head and her lips slid down his jaw to his neck.

He shut his eyes as she licked and sucked on the sensitive skin. Kagome, having moved her hands around to his back, ran one up to the nape of his neck, where she let her fingers glide through the short, silky hair there. Her other hand firmly traced and molded the hard planes and muscles around his shoulder blades before moving lower and pressing into the center of his back to fit him even more snugly against her. She enjoyed the feeling of her tongue sliding along his neck and the slightly salty taste of his skin. And when she moved up and took his earlobe gently between her teeth, eliciting a low moan from him that rumbled in his chest against her, she couldn’t help but smile. She felt … powerful, and wanted, and …SEXY. And she liked it. And for a few minutes, she reveled in the sensations and forgot her earlier determinations to keep her distance from him, and her confusing thoughts about Hojo, and her irritation at being scooped up and carried away with no warning, and everything else.

Then Hiei sighed and spoke, -- his voice husky and ragged. “Onna, how am I supposed to talk to you when you do things like that?”

She leaned back and looked at him. “What do you want to talk about?”

It was quiet for a moment while they both regained their composure and let their breathing slow and return to normal. Hiei shifted his hold on her to encourage her to rest her head on his shoulder. She continued to stroke the back of his neck as she waited for him to speak.

“You know what I am.”

Kagome glanced up at him. A small frown furrowed her brow as she thought. (Okay. Is he talking about his being a youkai? Or a thief? Or is this about his bisexual nature? No clue where he’s going with this. Maybe he wants to talk about his relationship with Kurama, and the possibility of me joining them. Not ready for this! I shouldn’t even be here, thinking about running my tongue all over his body. Why does he have to be so darn irresistible?) Out loud she said, “Um, could you be a little more specific?”

“You know of my origins -- of the unpredictable nature of my blood.”

Her forehead smoothed as she nodded her understanding. “You’re talking about the fact that you’re half fire youkai and half ice youkai. Yes, I know. What about it?” She looked at him questioningly.

His eyes searched hers. “You know I am considered Forbidden -- that I am the product of a forbidden union, and as such am not really accepted in youkai society were it not for the reputation I have built as a force to be reckoned with.”

“I’m sorry,” she said as she brought her hand around to caress his jaw and cheek. “I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been for you to grow up like that. I hadn’t given much thought to your situation since you are the only ’Forbidden Child’ I’ve ever met -- I don’t think I’ve ever heard of one surviving past infancy. Usually they are killed by the mother’s family or die on their own due to the conflict of the powers in their blood.” She kissed his cheek tenderly. “For an elemental youkai with such completely opposing forces coursing through your veins, your strength of will must be astronomical for you to achieve the balance you have. I admire you greatly for it.”

While he had realized that she obviously wasn’t afraid of what he was or repulsed by it, and had even rejoiced in his incredible fortune in finding a woman -- probably the only woman -- who could accept him in spite of it, he was not prepared for her words or the feelings he sensed behind them. She hadn’t really thought about it. Like he was … just like everyone else. Huh. That had never happened before. Then when she did think about it, she was impressed by his ‘strength of will.’ The way she had said that made him feel, made him feel almost … special. He sat there blinking for a minute.

“Hiei? Why did you want to talk about this?” She could sense the underlying tension in him. It had been as if he was bracing himself against something. He couldn’t have been afraid of her reaction to him. (Could he?) But, then again, maybe he was. His situation was very similar to Inuyasha’s -- hated and not accepted anywhere simply because of what he was, because of the blood that ran in his veins -- something he could do nothing about, except work to grow strong enough to survive. Only in Hiei’s case, he had to also fight just to control the opposing elements within himself. (He’s amazing.) Caressing his cheek again, she leaned in and pressed a soft, warm kiss to his lips.

Hugging her tightly, he couldn’t say a word as an almost overwhelming feeling of belonging swept through him. Finally, he said, “I wanted to be sure you knew. There are a lot of things about me you should know. Things you won’t like.”

“Hiei, if you are talking about your past, I already know you were a thief. And if you are talking about other bad things you have done, I know you have killed. So have I. I’m sure you sought power -- in your circumstances, who wouldn’t have done the same? We’ve all done things we’re not proud of. But, we shouldn’t be punished forever because of them. Stop punishing yourself. You have great friends, a sister who I’m sure adores you, a job, which while it may be annoying at times, allows you to continue to improve yourself and refine your abilities. It’s not so bad, is it? You must have done something right to get where you are, ne? So, let yourself enjoy it. And if someone can’t accept you for who and what you are, then the hell with them.” She grinned at him.

A small smile tugged at his lips. “Hn. I’ve never cared for what others think of me. Except for you.”

“And Kurama. Right? You can’t tell me you don’t value your relationship with him. But, I feel very honored that my opinion matters to you. And now you know.”

“Yes.” They sat there in comfortable silence for a few minutes. Then he asked her, “Why didn’t you tell the ningen no?”

She winced a little. She knew this was going to come up sooner or later from someone, but she still didn’t know what to say. “Because I feel like I should think about it.”

“What is there to think about?” he asked curtly. He could feel anger curling around in the pit of his stomach. She wouldn’t seriously consider marrying that ningen. (Would she?) He snorted. (Of course not.) Then what was the point of not simply telling him to fuck off?

“Well, …” she squirmed uncomfortably in his lap. “He cares about me -- he even said he loves me and he wants to raise a family with me. I know it’s pretty much impossible for me to be with a ningen man -- I told you about all the problems with that, but somehow … I have to consider it. I … I can’t seem to get the idea out of my head. And, well, no one has ever wanted me like that before -- really wanted me to be with him, as his wife. No one has ever loved me like that, and I just … I just don’t know if I can … throw that away,” her voice trailed off weakly. Her head was lowered and he couldn’t read her expression.

“Baka onna! What do you think I …”

Hiei’s words were cut off as the branch next to them suddenly swung over as if pushed by invisible hands, and wrapped around Kagome’s waist, pulling her off his lap before moving away only to pass her off to another branch. She was moved rapidly down the tree in this manner until she came to rest in the upstretched arms of a smiling kitsune avatar.

“Kurama!”

“Say your prayers, fox!” Hiei leaped down and landed right in front of him with his katana drawn.

“Why Hiei. I’m so happy to see you alive and well. When I saw Kagome’s clothes scattered down here, I feared something must have attacked the two of you,” Kurama said innocently. “You are all right, aren’t you, Kagome?”

She looked at him suspiciously. “Yes, I’m fine. I, uh, suppose I should get changed. You two wait right here.” And she picked up her things and slipped off behind some bushes.

“Thought we’d been attacked my ass! What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“Think of it as evening the score. You didn’t think I forgot how you burst in on us in the dojo, did you?”

“I don’t care what you forgot or not -- you will not come between us again. I am deadly serious.”

“Well then, let us set some ground rules we should have set at the beginning. If she goes somewhere with one of us willingly, the other one must stand back and wait to see what transpires. That means no grabbing her and just running off,” Youko snarled at him.

Still extremely agitated at having been interrupted when he was on the verge of declaring his intentions to her, Hiei wasn’t willing to concede any ground to the other youkai.

“Hiei, Youko is right. She must be willing to go with you for it to be a seduction -- otherwise, it is more like … kidnapping.”

“If anyone else ever dared say such a thing to me, he would already be dead.”

And this was the scene that greeted Kagome’s eyes as she stepped out of the bushes to rejoin them -- Hiei and Kurama standing practically toe-to-toe, eyes flashing, jaws clenching, anger-radiated heat rolling off their bodies in waves. She could see that both sported a set of claws, and their fangs were visible as their upper lips pulled away from them in warning. This time she did not mistake their anger for passion -- at least not completely. (Sweet Kami! They look like they’re actually going to tear into each other! This is more than a lovers’ spat -- they’ve got a serious problem. And I think it’s me. I’ve got to get them back to the campsite so I can figure out how to fix this.)

“Okay guys! We should head back now,” she said nervously.

Giving each other a final glare, they turned to her. “You are right, Kagome. I’m sure Shippou has dinner ready by now,” Kurama said calmly.

“Hn.”

“Um, are we very far away?” she had to ask.

“Yes. Allow me to carry you so we can get back quicker,” Kurama offered.

“I will take her. I brought her here.” Hiei’s tone brooked no argument.

Kagome looked at them as if to gauge which one was more angry. “I’ll go with Hiei, -- if it’s all right with you Kurama?” she said hesitantly.

Kurama smiled at her. “That’s fine, Kagome. I will see you two back at camp.”

As Hiei started to pick her up, she handed him his cloak. “Thanks for loaning me this earlier.”

“Hn.” And with her in his arms, he once again took off through the forest, heading back to where the others were waiting, with Kurama following along behind them.

Unknown to the three of them, another pair of eyes had witnessed the entire incident.
************************************************************* ***********


All through the meal, Kurama and Hiei continued to shoot dark glares in each others’ direction. The tension between them was making Yusuke and Kuwabara nervous. Kagome’s team was more amused by their actions, while Kouga took advantage of the situation to entertain and charm Kagome as they reminisced over old times. Shippou joined them, and soon they had everyone laughing with their stories of mishaps and pranks pulled. Well, everyone but Hiei.

He had brushed aside his anger with Kurama and was thinking over his conversation with Kagome. He was uneasy with a couple of things she had said. She put a lot of stock in his friendship with the fox. And, truth be told, so did he. It was true that Kurama was the first person he had ever considered a friend. But he had never really cared about his opinion of his past -- hell, Youko had led a life not so different from his own in many respects. He didn’t know why the idea that Kagome thought he would care about the fox’s opinion bothered him, but it did.

Then there was the whole marriage proposal crap. (What the fuck is she thinking?!?) She admitted it couldn’t work -- not that that should have a damn thing to do with her decision to tell that asshole to stay the hell away from her. Hiei was upset that she said no one had ever wanted or loved her like that before. (What the hell does she think is going on with us?) True, the word love hadn’t come up -- it wasn’t an emotion Hiei was comfortable thinking about -- let alone admitting to. Hell, he wasn’t even really comfortable admitting he cared about people. Even Yukina. It had seemed like such a weakness for so long. But, he supposed, if he were completely honest with himself, that all of the things Kagome made him feel -- all of the feelings he had for her, well, it did sound an awful lot like … He wanted her for his mate, didn’t he? That should tell her how he felt, right? (But, I haven’t told her that. Fuck, it’s a wonder ningens ever reproduce if they have to go through all this shit to get a woman.) How the whole species hadn’t died out was beyond him. It would be so much easier if he could just take her in the youkai way. He let out a frustrated sigh, causing Yusuke and Naraku to look at him speculatively. (Damn it.) He turned his back to them.

Regardless of whether he’d confessed to those feelings or not, he had definitely told her he wanted her and wanted to be with her. (Oh, wait. She did say ‘as a wife,’ didn’t she? So it must be the idea of the commitment the man is offering that is causing her to rethink her own arguments against being with a ningen.) Well, Hiei wasn’t too impressed with ningen marriages. They were easily broken for petty reasons. And despite the vows they took, very few ningens seemed to view them as truly binding -- letting their heads be turned and their affections swayed by sexual attraction to others. No, if it was commitment she was looking for, she should definitely favor taking a youkai mate.

But as much as those things bothered and irritated him, there was something else she had said that disturbed him more. * “I have to consider it” * and * “I can’t seem to get the idea out of my head.” * There was just something about the way she had said that, that got under his skin. What was it?

“Hiei! Come over here and join us. We need to decide who’s going where tomorrow,” Miroku called to him.

As he moved over and took a seat with the others around the campfire, he looked at Kagome. She was hauntingly beautiful sitting there in the moonlight, with the glow from the fire flickering across her face and catching the sparkle in her eyes. He noticed she was watching him and Kurama. (What is she thinking?) It wasn’t the first time he wished her mental barriers weren’t so strong.

Fifteen minutes later, they were still arguing about how to split the group. The demons were camped at two different locations. The only thing everyone agreed on was that Kagome would NOT go near the one where they knew Musou was. And Shippou was going with Kagome. (Though Hiei and Kurama weren’t all that thrilled with that.) It was no secret that Hiei and Kurama would both want to be with her, but so did the rest of her team and Kouga. Heck! Even Yusuke and Kuwabara would rather spend their time with her than the others -- they weren’t total bakas, as they pointed out loudly. But someone had to go to the other camp.

Other factors that needed to be considered were Hiei’s dislike of (or at least chronic irritation with) Kuwabara, and his and Naraku’s problem with each other. Then, there was Kuwabara’s rampant fear of Jakotsu popping up in his sleeping bag. Also, they needed to be sure there were youkai at both locations since their senses would make spying easier.

Finally, Kagome stood up. “I know we’ve been thinking along the lines of a 5-5 split, but perhaps we should do this another way. Let’s try this: tomorrow morning, Hiei, Kurama, and Kouga will go set up near Musou’s camp. Shippou and I will spend the day back towards the resort, keeping an eye out for the ningen spy in case he comes out to meet with any of the demons. The rest of you will camp near the other demon camp. We’ll join you in time for the evening meal. We’ll meet back here the day after tomorrow at noon and go from there. Okay?”

Kurama and Hiei weren’t pleased with this arrangement at all, but Kagome’s team and Shippou seemed to think it was a GREAT idea. So, it was settled. And as the others either drifted down to the stream to bathe or prepared to go to sleep for the night, Shippou cornered his mother far enough away from them that they could talk and not be overheard.

“Interesting solution you came up with there. I am surprised you are still thinking they might go for Kouga considering they both made it obvious today that they’re still interested in you,” Shippou said, leaning against a tree as he watched for her reaction.

“Well, yes, I think you’re right. But I think it’s causing problems between them now,” she sighed, as she crossed her legs at the ankle and leaned back on her elbows. She looked up at her son. “As best as I can figure, they must have decided to, um, ‘spice up’ their sex life by bringing in someone else. And I guess they decided on me. But now, I get the feeling that they are jealous of each other being with me. Maybe neither of them has ever been with a woman before and they are each curious about it.”

Shippou almost fell over, and he started choking on his laughter.

“Are you all right?” she asked in concern.

“Fine,” he wheezed. “Fine -- go on.”

“Anyway, the problem is, they can’t seem to stand the other one being with someone else. So, it might not be a good idea to encourage them to consider Kouga, after all. Then again, it might just be the fact that I’m a woman that they can’t deal with -- you know: afraid their partner will ‘switch teams.’ In that case, Kouga might be the perfect solution for them. Unless they’ve completely given up on the idea of a threesome. Of course, I really think they should just tell each other how they feel and make a commitment. But then again, I am a traditional-minded prude.”

Shippou was having a hard time keeping a straight face. Honestly, he hadn’t been this amused in decades. His mother was a smart woman, but she could sure be oblivious sometimes. When it came to males, she was simply clueless. He sobered up a bit with that thought because he knew it all went back to the way Inuyasha had messed with her heart, leaving her confused and insecure. He hoped that one of these two youkai would wise up and turn out to be what she needed. In the meantime, … it was damn entertaining!

She continued, “They’re angry with each other right now, though. They need to talk things out. So, I thought maybe sending them off with just Kouga would give them a chance to make up. And, … well, to be truthful, I just can‘t be around them. I‘ve proven time and time again I can‘t be trusted to keep my distance. I just hope that when they get things straightened out between them, they‘ll quit tempting me.”

“There’s nothing wrong with a little temptation, -- or with giving in to it,” he said with a wink.

“Oh, really? I seem to recall having to break you out of a dungeon a couple of years ago after you gave in to the temptation presented by a certain water nymph just 2 hours after her wedding to the Northern Taiyoukai’s heir. You were a rather pitiful sight all covered in tar and chained to the wall there.”

“Ouch!” He winced at the memory. Then he grinned. “But worth it.”

“I don’t think Sesshoumaru knows about it … yet.”

“Okaa-san! You wouldn’t!”

Now she grinned at him. “Just make sure you behave yourself.”

“Okay, okay.” He stood there, shaking his head. “So, when are you going to tell me about the ningen.”

“Later. I haven’t decided anything yet, and it’s difficult to talk about. I need to think some more.”

Shippou squatted down on his haunches beside her and hugged her. “I just want you to be happy -- you know that, right?”

She hugged him back tightly. “I know. Arigato, sweetie. Now, I’m going to go brush my teeth and try to get some sleep. See you in the morning.”

“Goodnight, kaa-san,” he said softly.

With a gleam in his eyes, Shippou walked over to where Kurama was sitting, putting some things back in his pack after his bath. He caught Hiei’s eye and motioned him over.

“You have something you wish to speak to us about?” Kurama asked him.

“Yes. My Okaa-san is unhappy because of the tension and anger between you two. She doesn’t want to break up your friendship. That’s why she suggested you two work together first. If you don’t want her to walk away from both of you, I recommend you settle your differences and let her know it.”

“Hn. And why are you telling us this?” Hiei asked suspiciously.

“Because I don’t like to see my Okaa-san upset.” And he turned and walked away before allowing the smile to stretch across his face.
***************************************************************** *******


The peace and quiet of the clearing was broken by a feminine scream coming from the direction of the stream at a nearby point.

“EEEEeeee!”

All of the males jumped up, realizing Kagome hadn’t returned yet from brushing her teeth. They started to rush to the rescue when they heard her yell again.

“Naraku! Where did you find another white baboon pelt? I hope you didn‘t charge it to Reikai.”

They relaxed slightly until they realized the implications of what she’d just said.

“I do NOT want to see that! Oh, Kami! Have you been using Jakotsu’s bikini wax?”

In the clearing, the other males all sported similar disgusted looks -- well, all except Jakotsu, who looked curious.

“What in the world possessed you to get a piercing done there? That had to hurt.”

As if on cue, 8 pairs of hands covered 8 sets of family jewels. And Hiei did not need to use his Jagan to hear everyone’s thoughts: (OUCH!)

“Cover up and go to bed. On the opposite side of the camp. And I recommend you keep that pelt closed around the others if you know what‘s good for you.” And just a minute later, Kagome stepped into the clearing and stomped over to her sleeping. “Goodnight,” she said in a rather exasperated tone.

“Goodnight,” some of them echoed back. And they settled back down for the night.

When Naraku reappeared in the camp some minutes later, he was treated to several dirty looks. The only one who spoke to him was Jakotsu.

“Can I see?”
*********************************************************** *************


A few hours later, a heavy fog settled in and around the clearing. The moist air seemed to seep into the lungs of the assembled detectives, slowing their breathing and dragging every eye closed -- including the ones who perched in nearby trees. A few minutes later, a tall, broad-shouldered figure walked out of the trees and came to a stop by the sleeping woman. He knelt down and gazed at her with hungry eyes. Lifting a handful of her hair, he watched, fascinated, as he let it spill through his fingers back down onto her shoulder and across her chest. Then he leaned down and kissed her, ever so gently.

Softly, he whispered, “Soon, Miko, I will have what I have always wanted, and you will be mine forever.”
******************************************************* *****************