Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Standing In The Shadows ❯ Chapter 9

Standing In The Shadows 9

 

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.

 

Authors Note: Just to avoid any misunderstandings before they happen, there will be no original character pairings in this story.

 

Chapter Nine

 

`Let them think about that one a while. My job here is done, I gave them the information that I was required to. Nothing says that I have to tell them it was Tamamo-no-Mae that has been brought back to life. Although I admit, it will be fun to see just how Youko Kurama deals with the knowledge.' The secret thought brought a small smile to his lips as he looked over at first the red head who was regarding him with such thinly veiled disgust and then the other men who were staring at him with varying degrees of anger and impatience. Even the women were staring at him with narrowed tense eyes as if waiting to see what his next move was going to be. His own eyes narrowed in response as he noticed that the miko was beginning to glow a soft pink color although as yet she had made no move towards him. `Oh yes, this shall become very interesting, even more so when they finally realize they're going to have to trust me. I think I'll tell them the name after all just to give them something to fret about.'

 

"I don't know what reason it is that you have to look so confident about." Emerald green eyes were becoming flecked with gold as and the red hair became streaked with silver as Youko pushed his way closer to the surface, ready to take over the body if needed to deal with Itsuki. Even the plants in the immediate area began to sway in an attempt to move closer to the Kitsune in a response to the controlling power that was calling them to itself. Kurama stared hard into those haunted amber eyes as he started running through the possibilities in his mind of just who this new being could be and what they would be capable of doing about it. `He knows something more then he's telling, something has him definitely amused which tells me that it can't be anything that's going to be good news for us.' Moving with an easy deadly grace, he came to stand directly in front of Itsuki drawing the demons full attention onto himself as Hiei stepped off to the side but still held his Katana ready in his hand. Kurama's voice was soft and even but held a deadly edge that was impossible to miss as he voiced his questions. “What is it that you aren't telling us Itsuki?”

 

The air once again shimmered as Itsuki began to open his portal and prepared to leave. “You know, I really should just let you all wonder. But I'm sure it won't take you long to figure it out anyway, just ask that Spirit Kitsune that's living inside of you what the name Tamamo-no-Mae means to him. I'm sure he'll be able to tell you all about her since I heard a rumor that they were once lovers.” A slow smile spread across Itsuki's face at that little piece of information, apparently the Kitsune hadn't told his human counterpart everything about his previous life. He gave the red head standing before him a wink as he continued. “I'm sure he will also inform you that you have no hopes of winning against her with your team as it now stands.” He stepped inside the portal, that enigmatic smile still gracing his face as he slowly closed the opening to return to his home and Sensui. Ituski was gone but his parting words still faintly reached their ears as a whisper traveling through dimensions. “Call me when you've figured out for yourselves that you need my help but don't wait too long or I may change my mind altogether.”

 

“It'll be a cold day in hell before I need help from that jackass!” Kuwabara wanted very badly to smash his fist into something and now the dimensional demon was gone, out of his reach “We can take care of ourselves, we've never needed help from anyone before. He'd better start remembering just who he's talking to! Who the hell does he think he is anyway?” He turned around to look at Kurama who was still standing there and had yet to say a word since Itsuki's departure. The scowl on his face deepened and hardened with anger as he took in the thoughtful expression in those emerald eyes. “You can't tell me that you've forgotten how he kept us trapped while Sensui killed Yusuke that time and made us watch what was happening. I know you haven't” At the continued mutinous silence he fairly snarled out his question. “So, spill it Fox Boy. Who is this lover Youko had? I think he said Tamamo-no-Mae was her name. What does she have to do with us and where do we find her?”

 

“Youko isn't saying much yet.” The admission come out softly as Kurama looked around at everyone present. “He wants time to search his memory for everything he can remember about her. Apparently they had a short fling and she fell in love with him or something but he ditched her. It seems she never forgave him and wants some sort of revenge which sounds like it can't be anything good for us. Or me at least anyway. Youko says she will probably follow kitsune tradition which is nothing like what humans would be expecting.” Impatiently he reached up to push a lock of hair out of his eyes where it had fallen as Youko retreated into the back of his mind to think. “My suggestion would be to go ahead and tour those shrines like we had planned, there doesn't seem to be much else to do at the moment anyway.” He looked around at each person present looking for any signs of disagreement. Standing there worrying wasn't going to accomplish anything and just for a few hours he wanted to be able to put this whole mess behind him. Reaching out he took hold of Kagome's hand. “I believe that I was about to find out what it feels like to be an alternate date?”

 

“Umm, yeah, I guess so.” Kagome was tired and wanted nothing more then to go back to bed to pull the covers over her head but that didn't look like it was likely to happen. `I wouldn't want to have to relive any of today anyway. I'm rather glad it's over to be honest, although I'm not sure how Inuyasha is going to adjust to the future being his permanent home. It's going to be so hard on him, there's no way I know of that I can possibly make this up to him.' She looked around her at the rest of her friends, taking note of how suddenly tired everyone looked. `They never should have been dragged into any of this, it wasn't their fight. I don't even know how Hiei is still on his feet. He looks like he's ready to collapse where he's standing. Yusuke looks almost as bad, I think it's only his anger that's keeping him going at the moment.' It was true, weariness showed in Hiei's stance even as he was struggling not to show how truly tired it but his red eyes seemed to be blazing with a hellish unholy light she'd never seen before. `What's wrong with him I wonder? It isn't like he wanted to go visiting the temples today anyway. Did he? I thought he was only here because Yukina was.' But now looking at the little fire apparition she wasn't so sure. “Hiei you look so tired, I thought you'd be wanting to rest. But you're welcome to come if you really want to.”

 

“Yeah, don't worry about us Shorty. We can take care of the girls just fine without you hanging around.” Kuwabara grinned broadly and moved to stand between Kagome and Yukina, as if he were going to escort the both of them in Hiei's absence. “Nothing will get past me and Yusuke, we'll take real good care of them. So why don't you go find your branch and go to bed.” Honestly the man was hoping that that the apparition would do just that. It wasn't often that he got the chance to enjoy Yukina's company and he wanted to make the most of the opportunity being presented. `Jeez, it isn't like I would force myself on her or anything stupid like that.'

 

`I wonder if she'll be open to the idea of allowing me to escort her.' Kuronue had been looking silently at the only girl that appeared to be unspoken for while her attention was on the scene unfolding before them. `It isn't like she doesn't know that demons exist, look at the company she keeps.' Shrugging his shoulders at his own musings he decided to take a chance, choosing an appearance that would be considered handsome by human standards. “May I have the pleasure of escorting you for the day beautiful lady?” Startled Shizuru whirled around at the sound of the unfamiliar voice behind her to find that she was staring at a most handsome young man. He was tall and lean with long black hair which shimmered down his back in a glossy wave. Only the tattered hat that was still in place gave any clue that this was indeed the new bat demon who had appeared and that his appearance now was nothing more then an illusion. Grinning he extended his arm for her, already assuming that her answer would be yes. “I assume that you find my new appearance acceptable to your tastes.”

 

`Damn he's gotten a smooth mouth on him all these years he's been away.' Youko smirked, it was something he had long ago suspected his partner might have been capable of but he'd never expected to see it. Then Kuronue had supposedly been killed and he had dismissed the musings out of hand, it hadn't been of any importance to the bat demons memory. Now his old thoughts resurfaced, the skills that Youko had been prone to pondering were being used on a human girl, something that he never would have considered possible in the past. `I happen to think that's a wonderful idea. Maybe that will give us an opportunity to talk to him and find out where he's been all these years. He's obviously spent some time around Amaterasu and that knowledge might be very important in dealing with the threat that Tamamo-no-Mae poses.' Youko pushed hard in Kurama's mind, wanting to impress how important this was, not only to him but possibly to all of them as well. `Go ahead, hurry and urge Shizuru to accept his offer before she has a chance to turn him down or her brother has a chance to get involved.'

 

As if Youko's thoughts had suddenly taken a life of their own the events started to unfold exactly as he had suspected they would. Kuwabara had already turned towards his sister ready to yell at the demon that stood by her side awaiting an answer that he had no right to ask his sister to go anywhere with him and to let him know exactly where he stood on the matter. “There's no way in hell I'm letting my sister is going anywhere with you! You may be Kurama's friend. Maybe or maybe not, I'm still not convinced you are who you say you are, that hasn't been proven to my satisfaction and I'm not going to accept it on your say so alone. But either way, that doesn't mean that you're my friend and what I say goes where my sisters concerned!”

 

`Now what the hell's going on? Why is he asking me of all people, I haven't done anything to suggest to him I would be even remotely interested in anything about him. Then there's the matter of Kazuma, just who the hell does he think he is suddenly deciding I have to clear my dates through him first?' Shizuru didn't like being taken by surprise and it showed as her eyes narrowed in suspicion at both the offer and her brother's actions. `I am perfectly capable of making my own decisions.' While Kuronue was indeed handsome her look clearly said she wasn't simply going to fall for a pretty face and smooth lines or let my brother run my life. “If you really think that's all it will take for me to go out with you I should knock you into the second Tuesday of next week.”

 

“What the hell did I do wrong? All I did was ask if I could escort you, not if I could make you my mate or to bear any young ones for me.” Kuronue was a little surprised at the reception that his question had received and a little disgusted as well. `Damn, if this is the sort of welcome I'll be receiving I'm not sure if it's worth the trouble of trying to be nice or hanging around for that matter. Maybe I'd be better off on my own or maybe I could convince Youko to join me and we could take up where we left off. I think I could get Amaterasu to understand that much at least.' A sudden thought crossed his mind and before he thought about any consequences the question popped out of his mouth. “You aren't one of those females that likes men to treat them like crap are you?”

 

“Please come with us Shizuru. I'd count it as a personal favor if you were to decide to go.” Kurama had had enough of Youko's prodding, if he didn't do something now he'd have a headache from hell to deal with for the next month and that didn't sound like his idea of fun. As Shizuru and Kuwabara turned to look at him, astonishment clearly written on their faces he explained his reasoning. “I'd like to spend time with my old friend and I also want to go out to see these shrines with Kagome. It is a holiday after all in spite of everything that has occurred. I haven't heard if Yusuke and Keiko are going, somehow they still look a little upset with each other right now. So that leaves you, Kuronue, your brother and Yukina unless Hiei decides he wants to come along as well. And I get the feeling after all that has happened that Kagome might be more comfortable if we went as a group.”

 

“Of course I'm going if my sister is going!” Hiei fairly snarled out the statement, resentment coloring his voice at the idea that he would leave his sister without his protection.. He was tired down to his bones and he wanted nothing more then to pass out but he would be damned if he was going to trust her to the care of the males standing in front of him. `I can't believe anyone would be so foolish as to think I'm going to let my sister go anywhere without me after all we've been through.' Stalking past everyone he came to a stop beside Yukina and looked deeply into her troubled eyes, holding her gaze for several long moments. Finally he voiced the one question he needed the answer to that would determine how the rest of his day went.. “Are you wanting to go visit the shrines or should I escort you back to the your room at Genkai's temple?”

 

`You're really exhausted aren't you. I don't mind going home if you'd really I rather do that.' Yukina looked at her brother silently for a few moments as the silent communication and a slight nod passed between them. `I'll tell the others, I'm sure they won't mind.' Her attention turned to look at the rest of the assembled people with an apologetic look on her face. “I really am tired as well so I think I'd like to go home for the time being.” Her attention shifted to Kuwabara as the large man made a move as if to protest her decision, her eyes soft. “Please don't argue Kazuma, perhaps I will be able to make it back at midnight for the ceremonies.”

 

“Hey did you forget about us? We're going too.” Souta still had his arms around Botan where they were standing on the outer fringes of the group. The guilty looks on the faces around him told him that was indeed what had happened. `Not that I can blame them exactly cause a lot has happened but still it's not like we're chopped liver.' Turning his attention to the ferry girl in his arms he asked softly “Would you like to go visiting the shrines with me as your escort?” At the girls slight nod of agreement he turned back to look at Kurama. “We're going as well assuming that wont be a problem. If it is we can go off on our own but I'd really like to spend some quality time with my sister as well.” He hesitated for a second before asking the other question that was bothering him at the moment “Will Inuyasha be coming too?”

 

"I've had enough of listening to all of this and I'm not going to worry about whether he wants to come or not. We've already had one near riot because dog boy couldn't keep those ears covered, I'm not going to put up with another one. I could have been home, watching tv and having a beer right now but instead I'm here and stuck doing something that's probably going to bore the hell out of me. So if we are going then dammit let's go." Yusuke was fed up, at this point they were going to stand there all day trying to figure out who was going and who wasn't. “You're the one who made me come today anyway, well then let's do it.” Reaching over he grabbed Keiko's hand pulling the surprised girl along with him as he started down the walkway towards the stairs that would lead to the ground below. “If you guys want to sit there and talk all day then you can just catch up later!”

 

“Tsk, tsk. Is he always so touchy?” Kuronue pulled Shizuru's unresisting hand through his waiting arm and held it there like a gentleman escorting a lady to a dance as he looked at Kurama then at Yusuke's retreating back. His violet eyes gleamed in sudden interest as he noticed the top edge of a billfold showing over the top of the Toushin's back pocket. `He already doesn't trust me so that won't make much difference. But maybe I can prove to him that a first rate thief could be of some use to his little team.' With a slight smile he turned to Shizuru. “If you will excuse me for just a moment.” With those words he suddenly disappeared from sight.

 

“Hey where did bat boy go?” Kuwabara stood looking around stretching his senses. `This is just too weird, it's almost like that appearing and disappearing act that Itsuki pulls from time to time. Except I didn't see him make a portal so how the hell did he do it?.' He didn't like how the demon had suddenly managed to become invisible and as of yet he still felt the man couldn't be trusted. “I know he's still here, I can feel him. Come back here where I can see you smartass!”

 

`You would be doing well to remember just who it is that you're calling names human.' Pure disgust colored the thought as if resorting to mind speaking a human was a new low that Kuronue had reached in his life. `You don't trust me, fine I don't trust you either. For now I will tolerate your stinking presence because I am forced to but make no mistake. I am just as old as Youko is and just as ruthless when I choose to be. So just shut up and don't continue to try my patience.' Kuronue flexed his claws in agitation as he studied the man in standing front of him, fully aware that the man couldn't see the action. `I'm going to have to talk to Youko about these humans when I can get him alone. If this human thinks he is superior I'm just the one to teach him different, I don't know why Youko hasn't already done it.'

 

`Shit, he's gonna get himself in trouble. Yusuke will flatten him for a stunt like stealing his wallet, if we can even convince him that it was a stunt to begin with. With the mood he's in I wouldn't give that a chance in hell anyway. If he flattens Kuwabara, no matter whether he deserves it or not Yusuke's gonna take offense too since Kuronue isn't really a part of the group yet.' Youko was shamelessly eavesdropping, listening to Kuronue's thoughts and had decided that he had better step in before things escalated out of hand. Establishing a mind link with his old partner he offered the best advice he could at the moment. `Don't do it. Times have changed old friend. Humans have advanced a bit although I admit it takes some getting used to. Besides it can be amusing to watch the antics between him and Yusuke, so don't kill him yet.'

 

Surprise followed by slight irritation traveled back along the link as Youko's words sank in leaving Kuronue speechless for a moment. `Have you lost your mind or did merging with that human body damage you in the process somehow?' A low growl of annoyance reverberated along the edges of the thought. `Regardless of how much you think they've progressed we are still superior to them and nothing is going to change my mind about that. As such they will show proper respect to us!' Turning his attention away from the conversation his eyes once again fell on Yusuke's wallet which was still hanging out of the mans pocket. His fingers itched in anticipation, it had been far too long since he had been free to indulge in his previous occupation. `Time to have a little fun.'

 

~*~*~*~

 

`I don't know why she's upset with me. Couldn't she see that Kagome needed my help? Jeez I will never understand women.' They were walking side by side slightly ahead of the others but still not talking. “Damn, why don't you just yell or something and get it over with?” The silent treatment that he was getting from Keiko was beginning to grate on Yusuke's nerves but he wasn't sure what to say at the moment that wouldn't get him poked or backhanded. `If she wants to be that way then fine! I can be that way too.' His mind was just made up when he felt a slight movement on the back of his jeans causing him to stop walking and look at Keiko. “Is that your way of apologizing for being unreasonable?”

 

“What are you talking about now Yusuke?” A finger was jabbed into his chest as his words cut through Keiko's private thoughts and their meaning settled into her mind. “Haven't you made your point yet? You think I'm the one being unreasonable? Well, let me tell you just who's being unreasonable here! You are, that's who!” Anger and hurt came pouring out with her words. “Just what makes you think I have anything to apologize for in the first place?”

 

“What am I supposed to think when you decide to grab my ass? In public no less.” Yusuke was honestly confused now as he backed up away from that jabbing finger. “Stop jabbing me, that hurts!” Once the finger was withdrawn he continued in irritation. “There isn't anyone else close enough to have done it so it had to be you. Besides I don't know of anyone else that would dare try that stunt anyway. So I figured it was your way of apologizing.” At the stunned emotions he felt coming from the girl his confusion continued to grow. “Well it was, wasn't it?”

 

“Do you seriously think I did something as stupid as that? How dare you? That's more your speed Yusuke, don't you dare try to put that off one me!” Keiko's eyes narrowed as she stared at Yusuke in disbelief. Maybe something had happened during that fight or the artifacts choosing and it had affected his mind. If it had then perhaps she could help him figure it out but she had to know the answer first. She put her hand up and laid it against his forehead in concern. “Do you even know who it is you're talking to right now Yusuke or have you lost your mind?”

 

“Well, I know I felt something and it wasn't the west wind.” Yusuke pushed his hands into his pockets, determined to stand there until he figured out what exactly the problem was here. “I can stand here until the twelfth of never or I can go home, which will it be Keiko?” Something didn't feel quite right and he reached his hand back to feel his pocket only to find there was nothing there. “Shit! Now where the hell did my wallet go?”

 

Dead silence fell over the group, everyone turning to stare at everyone else unsure what to make of this latest development. Kurama spoke up first in a calm even voice devoid of emotion. “Are you sure you had it with you Yusuke? Perhaps you left it at home when you came to meet us this morning. Or perhaps you lost it during that fight with the hanyou.”

 

“Would this be what you are searching for?” Casually Kuronue held out the missing wallet, his face a deadpan mask. “I couldn't help but notice how nice it looked when I saw it so I picked it up. If it's yours I'll be happy to give it back.” He was tense but nothing showed that fact in his stance or voice, ready to react to whatever the man might throw at him. Carefully one hand hooked on his belt, his fingers brushing the hidden releases of his scythes that were hidden under his white sash, if an attack came he wouldn't be caught unprepared. `Let's see exactly what it is you'll do about this and what kind of leader you really are Yusuke.' Patiently he waited to see what the man stalking towards him would do.

 

“I don't know how the hell you got my wallet or why but I swear I'll kick your ass if I catch you with it again.” Yusuke reached out and snatched the wallet out of the bat demon's grasp. “Don't try to tell me I dropped it either, that isn't gonna fucking fly. Consider yourself warned, I won't tell you again!” Spinning around he turned to stare into the unreadable emerald eyes of his friend and long time team mate. “I know he's your old partner Kurama, so I'll forget that you just lied for him but don't make the mistake of thinking I'm stupid.” After considering the situation for a moment longer he added a final thought on the matter. “If you or he thinks he's going to just be able to step in and become part of this team you're wrong, he'll have to prove that he can be trusted before that will happen and so far he's not doing a very damned good job of that in my mind."

 

Kurama pulled Kuronue over to the side on the fringes of the group so he could speak to him privately without the input of the others as Yusuke turned back to talk to Keiko, no doubt to try to undo some of the damage before it became irreparable. “That was probably one of the most dangerous things you've ever done. Make no mistake, Yusuke is one of the strongest demons I've ever run across even if he did start life as a human. If you're in such a hurry to die again fine, but leave me out of it. Besides that he happens to be my friend and partner now too, don't force me to choose sides.” It hurt to have to speak to Youko's old partner like this and he could feel the displeasure of the Kitsune welling up in his mind at his words but he couldn't afford to back down now. `Youko, we have to do this my way this time. Yusuke is far more powerful then Kuronue is and I seriously doubt you want to see him dead.'

 

`He just needs to get laid and get the burr out of his ass. Talk about having no sense of humor.' Kuronue wasn't sure if the thought was about the one called Yusuke or Kurama but at this point it didn't much seem to matter. `Hm, maybe it could apply equally to both of them. I wonder what's been stopping them, you can tell by their scent that they're both very sexually frustrated.' Kuronue crossed his arms as he regarded the two before twitching in disgust. It wasn't as if he'd really had much of an opportunity to take care of those desires himself while he was in Amaterasu's employment either, ogres just weren't what he was interested in. The best option he had back then had been to take the matter in hand and while that had proven to be a stress release it hadn't replaced a warm, living, breathing female. That thought had his gaze drifting back over to Shizuru, she could be a welcome distraction and take care of his own needs. The other two were on their own as far as he was concerned.

 

~*~*~*~

 

Authors Notes: Thank you once again to Ryukotsusei for her help, being my beta and any other number of immeasurable reasons. It was she who first convinced me to start writing in the first place and I highly recommend her as an author, she is very talented.

I admit it, I was more then a little disappointed with the lack of reviews for the last chapter. It makes it hard to want to keep writing. That being said, the more reviews, the faster more chapters will come.

Thanks to all my previous reviewers, I loves you all

* waves bye for now *