Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Standing In The Shadows ❯ Chapter 8

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

Standing In The Shadows 8

Disclaimer: Once again as much as I may wish otherwise, I do not own any part of Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho. They are owned by their respective authors. I only claim ownership of this twisted plot and the muses that created it.

Chapter Eight

Amaterasu reached out an elegant hand, silently touching the energy web that no one could any longer see, wanting to take a measure of what exactly it was that the Shikon and artifacts had done. A ghostly image of the net appeared as her hand made contact with it, the energy testing her and with the testing came recognition. It welcomed her into the new structure content to allow her to examine it to her hearts desire. Somehow it felt to Amaterasu as if the artifacts and the jewel were silently awaiting her approval to what they had done. She chuckled to herself as she examined the lines that were attached to each demon and Kagome in addition to the artifacts. The side effects of what she found could prove to be highly amusing but if it was under other circumstances it could become problematic. Somehow she doubted the participants would appreciate the knowledge that each of the others would be able to know what was being thought or done at any given point in time.

Already Kagome was staring at Yusuke, her face flushed red with embarrassment as his thoughts reached her. `He didn't really think that about me did he? I swear he is just as perverted as Miroku! At least he hasn't tried to reach out and grab me.' Out of habit she twisted around looking to make sure that nothing was showing that shouldn't have been. `Since he has decided that he is so free to enjoy looking at me so much maybe I should find out if I can get some kind of rosary to put on him. It really would serve him right. Besides I wonder what Keiko would think if she knew what he was thinking.'

“I have a prior claim on her Yusuke. It doesn't matter that I haven't approached her yet, I will get to it in my own time but I will not be hurried because of your misguided desires. Until I do and she gives me an answer you have no right to pursue her. If you wish to dispute this I am more then willing to give you a lesson in demonic traditions.' Hiei stood staring at Yusuke, arrogance written in every line of his body and daring the Spirit Detective to try him and see if he was serious in backing up his threat. He could feel Yukina's and Kagome's eyes staring worriedly at him but he didn't acknowledge the looks. This was a far too important lesson to impress upon Yusuke, he would not back down now.

“I wonder if Yukina knows how many times I've taken her in my dreams. Running my hands over her soft skin and kissing those soft lips of hers. The way my vines have so deliciously bound her to my bed, her body an open invitation to me while my tongue ran down her lovely neck as she begged me for more.' 'Kurama was looking at Yukina with wide eyes wondering if she had any idea how many times he had taken her in his bed during his fantasies of bondage when the nights had been too long and lonely.

`You'd think that humans would go through normal heat cycles instead of wanting to get laid all the time.' Youko was grumbling inside his head with several choice comments about how it had been his luck to choose to live inside a hormonal human and how difficult it had been to influence Shuichi enough to keep his hands under control so he didn't get them both killed when they were around the little Koorime. `I swear one of these days he's going to get us killed when he sees her. Even if she's just standing with her friends or even her brother he starts up with his damned fantasies. One of these days he's gonna slip and say something stupid and Hiei is gonna kill him.'

Yukina gave a startled gasp of disbelief as she spun around to stare at Kurama. `I didn't just hear that did I? Why would he want me tied up like that? He can't really be wanting to do all those things to me. Could he?' Surely he hadn't just thought that about her had he? Here eyes were very large and round as she stared at him, completely taken by surprise and not sure what if anything to say to him.

“No way! This is just too good to be true.” Yusuke laughed out loud both at the look of shock on Yukina's face and at the very idea that the calm, controlled and seemingly perfect Kurama could turn out to be such a closet pervert. “Kurama, why didn't you tell us, I'm sure we could have found you someone who would appreciate your unique talent with plants.”

Hiei was glowering and already beginning to pull his katana, ready to defend his sister even if it was from his long time partner. `You leave my sister out of your fantasies Fox! You've never asked my permission to court her, don't you dare think of taking her to your bed. Even if it is only in your mind so far!'

Kagome could only stare open mouthed at the scene unfolding before her eyes. `I've never known anybody had that particular talent with plants.' Kagome tried to clamp down on her thoughts, knowing that the others could hear her. She wasn't wanting them to know just how exciting she thought the possibilities were. A small sigh escaped her as she continued to think about it. 'Oh who am I kidding, no one's wanted to try anything like that with me before. I seriously doubt anyone's going to want to now.'

`Shut up, they can hear everything you are thinking now!' Youko clamped down hard on Kurama's mind. Abruptly the thoughts that the others had been experiencing from Kurama ceased, only the fact that he was pale and sweating gave any indication of the harsh lecture he was now receiving from the Kitsune. `What in the name of Inari are you trying to do? Get both of us killed? You know how protective Hiei is of his sister and you have to choose now of all times to think of something like that?'

Amaterasu removed her hand from the energy net and cleared her throat, effectively putting a stop to what was rapidly becoming a very ugly situation, although the looks on the faces of the four hadn't changed. “For now I can help with this matter”.Silence and calm was restored in their minds as shields sprang up, blocking the uninvited thoughts that they had all been experiencing. Everyone breathed a small sigh of relief, having to experience each others thoughts at all times was no ones idea of fun at the moment. “I believe it would be prudent if each of you learn how to shield your thoughts from the other.” She looked over at Kurama “I believe that the Kitsune who lives inside of you would be the perfect teacher.” Kurama gave a small nod of agreement, he had no desire to end up in an argument over his private fantasies and he didn't feel they were anyone else's business no matter who's sister happened to feature so prominently in them.

Hiei for his part had decided that there was no way he would allow his sister to be alone in his partners company. Obviously nothing had happened to date but he wasn't about to allow the opportunity to come to pass for Kurama's fantasies to be acted upon. His face hardened into it's normal aloof mask but inside his mind was whirling and he was rapidly becoming more angry then he had ever been with his partner. `How in the world have I managed to miss something as important as this all of this time?' His respect for the Spirit Kitsune grew. `It must have been Youko keeping Kurama's hormones in check. How is the Kitsune still sane?'

Amaterasu looked around at everyone in the group, obviously it would be best to explain it to the rest to avoid any further misunderstandings. “The artifacts have decided to link themselves together. They will now be able to know exactly what each other is thinking unless they actively shield their minds.” Several gasps were heard as the significance of what that could mean sank in, this could be very bad for everyone concerned if the looks going around were any indication. The side effects of the artifacts joining had the potential to tear the team apart completely and destroy the friendships that had sprung up between the different members. Amaterasu wasn't happy with the situation as it had ended up but she had done what she could. It would now be up to the individuals to make it work. “I will be leaving now, I trust that between all of you that you will be able to work the problems out without my help.” She fixed them all with a stern stare. “But if I am forced to return, I will. However I am not sure you would not like my method of solving the problems. I suggest that for now however you all take the afternoon to visit the temples as you had planned and enjoy the festivities.”

Kuronue shot her a questioning glance, clearly wanting to know if he had been included in those instructions and if he was free to enjoy the festivities as well. It has been a very long time since he had been free to have some fun and he wasn't about to let the opportunity slip by if he had any choice in the matter. Silently he waited, knowing that to try and hurry her would almost certainly result in the answer being no.

Several long moments passed while Amaterasu considered his request. `He really hasn't asked for much all these years and a break will most likely do him good.' Finally making up her mind she turned to her son.” I believe you have paperwork to get back to, the artifacts will be safe enough with their new carriers now. I am still linked to them and I am assigning Kuronue the job of being my eyes and ears while I am not here as well. So if there is a problem I am sure that he will let me know.” With those words the barrier dropped and Amaterasu along with Koenma disappeared from view.

“What in the world happened?” The babble of voices grew louder as the assembled crowd rushed towards them, anxious to see the total devastation that had occurred for themselves and for many, wanting to be able to claim they had been present at the miraculous event that had so clearly occurred. There was no way to escape, word had spread that something was happening and the crowd was now well over one thousand strong. Inuyasha's eyes grew large as he stared at the people pushing forward pushing his strained nerves past the breaking point. “I have had enough! This is more people then lives in the entire village and I will not put up with being mobbed!” With that he tore his haori off the top of his head and jumped into a nearby tree glaring down at them all, his ears plastering against his head as several screams were heard. “It's a demon, look at the ears!” “I knew that guy couldn't have been human!” “I thought demons were made up, as in like not real!” “Kill it!” “Ahh!”

A near riot was about to break out, several people had already been pushed to the ground as people milled about uncertainly. Yusuke and Hiei shared a look of disgust directed at the hanyou. While they really didn't care what happened to Inuyasha and felt he would get whatever was coming to him for that foolish stunt they did care that Kagome's home could be utterly destroyed because of these humans mindless panic. Yusuke gave a nod to Hiei who ripped the bandanna off of his forehead. The jagan opened as Hiei took control of the minds of the panicked crowd.

`There are no demons, they exist only in your imaginations. A small earthquake has occurred here to cause this destruction you see, you will make your way home to check on the safety of your own families.' It took several minutes to implant the suggestion into the minds of that many people and have it firmly take hold. It was taking an incredible amount of energy to control that many minds and Hiei was quivering under the strain.

Yusuke moved over and put his hand on Hiei's shoulder, giving him some much needed support while he turned his head to speak to Kagome knowing that Inuyasha would be listening as well. “Either he stays out of sight until he learns to cover up and stop creating messes like this or we will kill him now and save him the lesson. Personally I say we kill him.”

`He's going to make this hard on me and harder on himself then it has to be. It isn't like any of us asked for this to happen so why is he trying to take out his frustration by proving that he can do anything he wants and do it his way besides? At the rate he's going I don't even know if I could convince the others to let him live.' Kagome felt something close to despair at the acting out that Inuyasha was doing which in turn was causing serious repercussions with her friends and now new partners. “Right now I'm inclined to agree with you but all things considered we need to leave him alive. He really has saved my life several times after all, that's worth something to me anyway.” Kagome turned her attention from Yusuke to glare at Inuyasha who was still sitting in the tree glowering down at them defiantly. “Inuyasha get down here now or I will bring you down the hard way! And cover up those ears!”

Reluctantly the hanyou made his way out of the tree. “I only came down because I decided to, not because you told me to do it. Don't think you can order me around just because we are in your time Kagome, somehow I will find a way to go back home where I don't have bossy females ordering me around! At least there I only have to deal with that bastard brother of mine Sesshoumaru.” Then he turned abruptly to stalk off towards the house where he knew his cap and shoes would be waiting. When he felt her trailing behind him he whirled around, anger etched on his face “Dammit leave me alone! I don't want to talk about any of this!”

“I didn't know he had a brother Kagome.” Souta looked after Inuyasha where the inu had disappeared inside the house. ”He's never said anything about him before, what could he have ever done that was so bad that Inuyasha would talk about him that way?”The revelation had Souta more then a little shocked, after everything that he had witnessed this morning he didn't know how much more his overworked brain could take. “Should I go try to talk to him Kagome?”

“Go try to talk to him if you want, for my part I don't give a damn as long as he doesn't do something so stupid again in the next five thousand years.” Hiei released the human minds that he had been holding in thrall and sank to his knees as the people slowly started to make their way away from the ruined shrine completely ignoring to small group that was standing in the courtyard. “And just who in the hell is this Sess what's his name and do we have to worry about him suddenly showing up as well?”.

“Lord Sesshoumaru.” Kurama spoke up then, telling the others the information that Youko was currently passing along to him. “He is Taiyoukai, the Lord of the western lands in the Makai. He must be very old, Youko says that he was very powerful and well known even before him and Kuronue had become partners if that gives you any idea. Youko says he is very feared and there are few that dare to cross him.” Kurama stopped for a moment and seemed to be considering something Youko was apparently telling him for his ears alone. Then he sighed and looked at Hiei once more. “It's interesting, Youko had been under the impression that Lord Sesshoumaru's only brother, well… half brother really, had died. But we can see that obviously is not the case at all.”

“Well, that answers half of the question anyway.” Yusuke's patience had long since vanished, he was beyond irritated by Inuyasha's sudden appearance and then the subsequent need for the crowd control. It had been completely unacceptable and it would not happen again if he had anything to say about it. He would kill this Inuyasha if he presented another problem like that regardless of Kagome's wishes in the matter and deal with the consequences afterwards. His opinion about all these new artifacts and the problems they presented hadn't helped to make his day either. Now to suddenly find out there existed a Taiyoukai that he felt he should have known about a long time ago was more then he was willing to deal with and his long held temper snapped. “Someone had better start explaining the rest of this shit fast!”

“You won't have to worry about His Lordship showing up unless you seek him out.” Kuronue spoke in a quiet voice but one that carried certainty of the knowledge he carried. Quiet descended over the group while he imparted what he knew: “Lord Sesshoumaru does not leave his territory unless he is forced to do so, he has no use for outsiders and has little need for allies. Simply put he is just that strong. He is also well thought of by My Lady Amaterasu, so I think he would not be someone to cross. As for his brother….” Here Kuronue stopped and shrugged his shoulders. “Well, you have seen for yourself.”

The very air shimmered on the out fringes of the group drawing everyone's attention to the spot as an opening appeared with Itsuki standing calmly in the center, regarding them all with a strange unreadable expression on his face. “I see my appearance startles you. This is not surprising, allow me a moment of your time and all will be explained.”

“It figures somehow that you would make an appearance.” Kuwabara looked as if he had just been forced to swallow something vile and disgusting tasting at the sight of the dimensional demon who was now standing before him. His fists clenched as he prepared to step forward and smash Itsuki back to whatever dimension he had come from. “Spit it out why you're here jackass. Just remember we aren't afraid of you even if you do have some kind of monster that can swallow us. We gutted your beast once to get out and we'll do it again if it comes down to it! So don't even try.”

“Such a warm friendly welcome this is between old friends.” The sarcasm in Itsuki's voice would have been hard to miss. “It isn't like I expected red roses but I certainly thought that you would wish to know the knowledge that I bear. But now I'm not so sure I am going to tell you.” Amber eyes moved over the group, dismissing the females out of hand immediately with the exception of Kagome. Locking eyes with her he addressed her directly, seeming to ignore the rest of them for the moment. “You there, young lady. I see that you possess holy energy, that you are a miko. Will you be wanting to purify me or would you like to hear what I have to say?”

Kagome looked around her at the tense faces of her friends, looking for clues how to deal with this new unknown demon. If he presented a clear and present danger to any of them she would have no problem purifying him into oblivion but something or someone was obviously holding her power in check. “I don't know who you are but something tells me that we need to hear what you have to say. But be aware I'm tired, I've had more then enough to deal with this morning and I really don't feel like dealing with any problems from you. If you even begin to act like you're going to do anything stupid I'll purify you so fast there won't even be ashes left to blow away in the wind. You've been warned so if you've got something to say then say it and let's get this over with.”

“Wait a minute, don't I know you?” Kuronue stepped closer to the new arrival looking at him closely, his brow wrinkling in concentration as he studied the demon standing in front of him. “I'm positive I've seen you somewhere before, if you give me a minute it will come to me.”

“Oh great, now the giant bat thinks he knows him!” This day was just getting stranger and stranger, much too strange for Yusuke's peace of mind. `Damn it I need a beer right about now.' Keeping a wary eye on Itsuke and Kuronue he moved over to where Kurama was standing to whisper his question. “Are you positive that this is really Kuronue? I mean he has been impersonated once already, who's to say someone hasn't done it again? Or that he can be trusted assuming it even is him. It really has been a long time since you've seen him, until today you didn't even know he was still alive so why wouldn't he have gotten hold of you before now?”

`Those are some really good questions and ones we need answers to. But for the time being ask him about our last heist together, what did we steal and where did we steal it from. That should tell us all if it is really him' Youko was sure it was his old partner, especially considering how the Goddess had appeared before them but he understood Yusuke and Kurama's need to be positive as well, if the others couldn't be convinced then it would make working together extremely difficult if not impossible.

Kurama ran his fingers through his hair, taking comfort at the feel of the seeds he felt there. He was also feeling the strain from the events of the day and the answers that they all desperately needed. His head felt like it was about to explode from the stress but he didn't see any way out of the situation they were in. “Kuronue can we talk to you for a moment over here?” As the bat looked over inquiringly at the summons Kurama looked at Hiei. “If you would join us as well….”

Hiei's glared, his tired red eyes burning holes into the emerald green eyes of the Kitsune. He was ready to say fuck it and take his sister home, then go find a branch to sleep in but obviously Kurama wanted him in on whatever he was planning. His voice came out as a growl showing just how irritable he was at the moment. “Fine, but make it fast!”

Itsuki was looking decidedly irritated at being ignored for the time being while the others held a conference that he obviously wasn't invited to be a part of. `It would serve them all right if I just up and left without giving them the information that I was told to deliver. But I'm sure she would never let me hear the end of I if I did.' His attention turned to the little demoness standing off to the side with her friends. `I wonder if maybe I can get their attention back in this direction using her.' Pasting on his biggest smile he gave Yukina a friendly wink.

Shizuru stared in disbelief that Itsuki would be so bold and that Yukina would be standing there giggling. `She might not realize who he is but I'd be willing to bet my bottom dollar that Itsuki knows that will probably set the guys off.' She looked over at Kagome, the girl was wearing a similar stunned expression at the daring that this new demon was showing. `Just what the hell is he trying to accomplish?'

Hiei whirled at the sound of the giggling and took in the stunned expressions as well as the smug look on Itsuki's face. Drawing his katana from under his cloak he stalked over to the dimensional demon, pushing the sword against his throat. “I don't know what the hell you just did or why you did it but while you pollute our space with your presence you will not bother our women!”

“Such theatrics!” Isuki rolled his eyes but he didn't move away from the pressure of the katana, choosing instead to stay in close fighting quarters with the fire apparition. While he knew the threat the smaller demon posed was real, he was clearly unimpressed with the display. “Your women did you say? Interesting, at the moment they seem to be quite alone.”

“Now I remember where I've seen you before!” Kuronue strode over to the drama that was playing out, mindful of the way that Hiei was ready to slice the other demon open at any more provocation. If he was right in what he was thinking about why this demon had suddenly showed up in their midst then he had to do something to defuse the situation before it got out of hand and Amaterasu was forced to return. He really didn't want to have to face her wrath, he had just gained a little of his freedom back and wasn't ready to lose it over a fight about females. “You were the one that Amaterasu summoned to her palace for an audience!”

“Amaterasu summoned you?” Hiei relaxed his grip on his sword slightly but still didn't remove it from Itsuki's neck. Regardless of whether Kuronue remembered the demon or not he wasn't about to take Itsuki's motives at face value, neither would he trust Kuronue's judgment immediately. He just hadn't known the bat demon long enough regardless of what Youko thought about him. But the interruption did stay his hand for the moment. “Why would she summon the likes of you?”

“It wasn't by my choice I assure you.” Itsuki gave a grimace of distaste as he recalled that meeting. The goddess could be a hard taskmaster when she chose to be and he had been placed in the rather unenviable position of needing to make allies of the very ones he had detested and fought against in the past even if he did understand why it had become necessary. “As I'm sure you recall, all I wanted was to be left alone with Sensui and I ended up getting pulled into this mess. My plans had not included becoming a messenger of sorts for a Goddess, most especially with the likes of you..”

“So if you have a message for us what the hell is it? I'm tired of listening to you so just spill it and get the hell out of my sight.” Yusuke was ready to beat the demon to a pulp just to have something to take his frustration out on. “If you don't hurry up and tell us whatever this message is I'm going to send you back to your lover as dead as he is.”

Itsuki was looking unusually serious, filling everyone who was watching him with dread at what his next words would be but none of them were prepared for what they heard. “At one time you thought your battle with Sensui, Sniper and myself was difficult. It was nothing compared to the challenges you will eventually face. When the artifacts combined with the Shikon No Tama the spillover of energy brought to life an entity in one of the alternate dimensions, one who makes mine and Sensui's past efforts look like child's play.”

~*~*~*~

A/N: And here my loyal readers is the next chapter for your enjoyment. I know it's been a long time in coming and I most sincerely hope it was worth the wait. I won't waste your time with any excuses about what took so long except to say that my muses have apparently returned from their extended vacation. Please help me convince them to stay at home for a while by leaving a review. Also, in the coming days this chapter MIGHT undergo very slight revisions as my beta has the time to look at it. LOL, but don't blame her, it was all my muses that made this take so long.