Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Stepping Away from the Past ❯ chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

Stepping Away from the Past

Updated: 6/7/04

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Kurama sat next to Botan occasionally running his fingers through her silky blue hair. He was worried, he knew she had healed but what if that girl hadn't happened by? What if she never healed Botan? What if Botan died? He shuddered at his thoughts. `I will never let my Botan out of my sight again…NEVER!' he thought to himself.

Hiei looked at his friend, there was a scowl marring up his normally passive features, `Maybe a quick peek into his thoughts? No he would kill me…hah like he could kill me!' he allowed himself a small cocky grin.

*Fox, you got something going on with the ferry onna? *

*No! …She is just a …friend. * He could feel Youko getting annoyed. Youko was going to throw a fit again about courting Boton; Kurama could almost feel Youko snarling to him about not claiming his woman.

*hn. Of course*

Kurama shot him a glare, which Hiei just smirked inwardly at. Kurama noticed Botan's cheeks becoming a cute shade of pink.

`What are you dreaming Botan?' he asked mentally.

*Maybe she's dreaming of you fox. *

*Damnit Hiei! *

Botan's breathing became erratic, showing she would awaken soon. Hiei glanced down at her.

Kurama was snapped out of his thoughts when she began to awaken, he grasped her hand in his, squeezing it gently to wake her.

[Botan's dream]

She was walking in a luscious field, through tall grasses and beautiful tropical flowers. She ran around delighting in how her light pink kimono rustled in the underbrush.

But something was amiss, the air was just a little too sweet, she was just a little too carefree.

Concentrating hard, she tried to figure out what was wrong with the perfect picture. While she thought she walked, she hadn't even noticed she was out of the field and was heading into a deep forest. She stopped her trek when she heard some noises behind her; she turned sharply but saw no one. `Maybe it was some birds…'

Even so she picked up her pace. The ground had become uneven all of a sudden and she found herself stumbling around. She tripped into some bushes, landing flat on her derrière. She scowled angrily at the ground in front of her and cursed, `Ugh…stupid birds…wait, what?'

She looked through the bushes and saw two people embracing, one was maybe about Kurama's height with Youko's silvery-white hair, and he even had ears like Youko except his were smaller and cat like. He had on some red robes, which were definitely from the feudal era, he was defiantly a demon, and he carried a sword like Hiei too. `Cute…but nothing compared to my Kurama.' She blushed a little at her thoughts, `when did he become mine!?'

Then she concentrated her pinkish-purple eyes on his companion. The woman was tall, maybe as tall as him, she wore a white flowing top and red bell-bottom like pants. Botan looked at the woman incredulously. There was no happiness on her face, it was blank, no wrinkles or lines, she was like porcelain doll. She barely seemed interested in what the man and her were doing; it was like she didn't even feel it. Botan felt if she were to touch this porcelain woman she might just break into a million pieces.

They seemed to be whispering to each other `like lovers might'; he was saying something about protecting her always and loving only her, and she on the other hand just kept asking him questions about her…'reincarnation? …Must have heard wrong, after all they were whispering.'

But he just He kissed her, deeply, and told her he cared about her only.

They started to fool around, much to Botan's embarrassment, his kisses moved down her chin to her neck, pulling her down to the ground with him. He started to pull down her white baggy top, leaving nothing to Botan's imagination. She blushed a light pink.

`Okay…well maybe I should leave these two alone before they figure out I'm here…' and with that she left.

She walked in no particular direction, just to distance herself from the two creepy lovebirds. She couldn't help but feel a little creeped out. There was just something disgusting about the two of them together. She couldn't figure out what it was but it just unnerved her a bit seeing them so close.

That's when she stumbled upon some hot springs, and to her surprise there was a girl lounging in them. She had her eyes closed tight, mumbling to herself about sounding mean to some guy that saved her. Botan casually walked up to her and tapped her on the shoulder, the girl spun around and sputtered "ITS YOU!?"

"Me?" Botan stuttered. `Talk about WEIRD!'

"You're the girl I saved!" [0.o - Botan's face]

"What?" `Is she insane?' Botan asked herself.

"You mean you don't remember the spider youkai?" `Yes, I would say she is.' Botan noted.

"Not particularly…"

Botan suddenly felt her hand being squeezed, she felt herself slipping out of the world. She closed her eyes trying to fight it off but when she opened them again she was not near the hot spring but instead on the ground. With Kurama squeezing her hand. `Kurama…squeezing my hand…'

"KURAMA!?" she yelled. Scared witless, he quickly let go of her hand and backed away a couple of steps. Hiei continued to smirk.

"Umm…sorry, I was just having a really vivid dream and you sort of startled me…"

*What kind of dream, eh fox? *

Kurama gave Hiei one of those `I-am-going-to-get-you-back-so-bad' glares' as Botan glanced around. Her eyes fell onto an `ohh so' familiar face. "NANI!?! …Where did she come from? She saved me…"

Hiei and Kurama both quirked their eyebrows at this particular remark, showing their interest, botan paid no attention to them and continued to stare wide-eyed at the female across from her.

"Uh…Botan, how did you know she tried to save you?" Kurama asked.

"Oh…well… she told me at the hot springs…" she mumbled while crawling over on all fours to the raven-haired girl and poking at her.

She failed to notice how enticing her position on the floor was to a certain kitsune.

*Could you be any more obvious fox? Keep it in your pants, we're on a mission.*

*Hiei!*

~You could just take her you know…we haven't had a good romp in the longest time! I want her! …that sweet, young, bouncy little vixen!"~

*Ugh…Youko not the time!*

~Fine, fine…but I will be back! ~

`Damn Youko always popping out!'

~Like certain other appendages? ~

Kurama unconsciously looked down at his pants…only to find a three-ring circus going on down there. Looking back up, everyone was turned away from him, `perfect!' he quickly sped away to the nearest source of water which happened to be the very hot springs where the raven-haired girl had been only hours before.

He stripped down quickly as heavy red blush began to fade. He hopped in the warm water dreading explaining himself to them when he got back.

~Of course you wont have to explain yourself, Hiei already knows how worked up you are.~

`Damnit this water isn't working!'

~What do you expect you're thinking of Botan AGAIN…you really should just take her. Plus when was the last time you let me out? ~

`You can't just take women, times have changed…they need to be romanced and stuff…'

~Who said I couldn't `romance' a female or male for that matter!~

`Oh god not this again…we do NOT swing that way OKAY…besides what do I do about this?' (Looking down)

~Just think about the most non-sexual thing in the world…~

Kurama pondered for a moment and then thought of it.

`Kuwabara!'

~ewww…I take it back…all males except for him!~

After another couple of minutes of thinking about his fellow detective, and some serious "deflating" Kurama dressed and went back to them.

[During Kurama's absence]

Hiei gazed down at the two sleeping beauties from his perch in the tree. Botan had fallen back asleep after "her Kurama" had left, this time with no dreams. He chuckled silently at her word usage; she hadn't even known she'd said it! His eyes however were locked on a certain raven-haired woman. The crimson orbs roamed over her creamy legs to her short, plaited, green skirt, which hovered around mid-thigh. Part of her stomach was left uncovered by her white blouse, which moved every so often due to the wind.

His hands began to itch to touch the unguarded piece of flesh, but his eyes continued to roam up onto the offending white material, which had a few dirt stains and a large tear above where her heart beat steadily in her chest. Dried blood was around the area too, but the wound had long since been healed due to her extraordinary miko abilities.

Her lips curved up in a sad smile, with a single tear dripping off her long lashes, curling over her lightly tanned cheek. Again his hands ached to touch her supple flesh but he held back. Kagome tried to turn onto her side, but fell back onto her back once again, the movement causing her shirt to ride higher on her thin frame and expose her single scar to the evening air. The scar was where the shikon no tama had been ripped from her body. Hiei jumped down from his perch to inspect the sad, young miko.

He sat down by her side and took in her beautiful face; he could smell the scent of tears, and jasmine mingling. His eyes moved hungrily over her soft body. Until they rested on the small scar where her body had held the cause of all her pain.

[Kagome's dream]

"Me?" the blue haired woman asked.

"You're the girl I saved!" she exclaimed.

"What?" she asked dumbfounded.

"You mean you don't remember the spider youkai?" Come on! Remember!

"Youkai? Umm…" great…

Almost as suddenly as she appeared, the young woman was gone. Kagome looked around for some kind of explanation. When nothing appeared she decided to leave the warmth of the springs to do some scouting, due to her "extra powerful and `unique' miko powers" she could dream and establish a link with reality at the same time. `Great for studying in the feudal era!' She thought sarcastically.

Kagome dressed and started walking towards camp to see what her friends were doing at this moment in time. Again she walked past the place where she had seen Kikyo and Inuyasha, and this time heard the sounds of rough sex. She laughed softly to her self, thinking about the way they were probably doing it.

`Kikyo the bitch she is, is probably getting it like one…hahaha'

She continued her journey to watch over her companions. She found them in much the same way as she had left them with the exception of Shippo and Kirara, who were curled up together sleeping. Sango and Miroku had decided to talk late tonight.

Amazingly they were having a semi-animated discussion. Miroku seemed to be talking about forging alliances or something, and sango was smiling and agreeing. `wait smiling?! Whats happened here? Shouldn't she be worried about him being a hentai!?'

Almost as an answer to her question the monk leaned in and groped Sango, kagome smirked, waiting for the inevitable to happen. When it didn't she was to say the least, surprised.

Eh?

Sango giggled and swatted his hand away, "Not now Miro-chan! What if Shippou wakes up? Or Kagome-chan returns?"

Miroku put on his most convincing pout and replied, "Does it really matter, koi? They would figure it out eventually!" he reached up and brushed some hair out of her eyes, leaning in for another kiss.

Kagome gasped, totally and completely bewildered. `How long had this been going on? Doesn't anyone tell me anything? …ackk…I am so getting them back for this!'

"mmm…miiiroookuuuu…..ahhh…w-we should move away from shiiiiipoooo!" Sango sputtered in between moans as he began undoing her kimono. Miroku grunted in response and picked her up bridal style, continuing to kiss the flesh he had just exposed to the chilly night air.

`Damn…that was the weirdest thing I have seen all week. And when did they start having little trysts in the woods?! Yesterday she was slapping him silly for groping her and now shes begging for it and calling him "Miro-chan!"…Something is defiantly wacky around here!'

"…And what about me! Who do I get? Inuyasha and the clay bitch, Sango and Miroku…I'm happy for them but what about me? Am I doomed to finish the jewel and return to my time so I can sit at home and be an old maid? Aghh…"

`I got to wake up and get back, this day needs to end as soon as possible!'

She forced herself to awaken from her comatose state and open her eyes, although her body protested any movement she sat up, hitting her forehead against something HARD. She fell back to the ground with a groan.

She opened her eyes more cautiously this time and saw a man holding his head, `a very cute man with defined arms and black clothing and oooh look at that hair! ….STOP! find out where you are before you ogle some guy!' "What were you doing standing over me?" she asked with a highly confused tone.

Then she felt the tingly sensation in the back of her mind….

`He's a demon!'

She jumped up on to her feet, but a little too quickly, because she fell back down…right into Hiei's lap! She blushed a bright red and squirmed a bit but he continued to hold her, not wanting to let her get away from them just yet, surprisingly she didn't really want to be let go either.

That was how Kurama found them.

Hiei cursed himself for getting being so careless around the wench.

She wanted to stay in his arms longer, he was warm and comforting, and his arms were strong and encased her fragile frame with ease, but when his red haired friend came into view they immediately detangled themselves.

Kurama just smiled.

`Hiei moves fast.'

~At least he's getting some…~

`Youko!'

~hehe~

*Have fun fox? *

*I could ask the same of you… * he replied with a mental smirk.

He soon stood right in front of them.

"Hello, my name is Suichi Minamono My friends and I were just passing by, I am sorry you were harmed, but you seem to be able to take care of yourself."

"Um well yes, thank you."

`Why is his demon is being so polite!? And the other demon was so warm…he shouldn't of let go!'

`…His aura was just crackling with emotions… wow just sitting near him is so…INTENSE!' she giggled mentally and slapped herself for being so immature.

She blushed again, "well I should be going, um my friends are probably worried to death over me!…hehe… well I hope your friend here is healed completely…" she said while glancing at Botan who was just looking her up and down curiously.

"What's your name?" Kurama asked.

"Uh…Kagome Higarashi…As I said I really must go…"

`Get control of yourself! Stop looking at him!' kagome yelled at herself when she stole a glance at the pensive demon again.

"You can't, you have to come with us!" Botan blurted out.

That snapped Kagome out of her thoughts; she automatically took on a defensive stance and started reaching for her bow.

"What do you want? Who are you?"

" Two powerful youkai…" she mumbled glancing at Hiei and Kurama worriedly.

"Um, Miss Higarashi, we, just like you, are from the future and were sent to find you so you could help us with something…" Kurama explained hoping she wouldn't just faint or call them insane.

"What? How did you know I was from the future? How did you figure out about the well? …Wait did you just ask for MY help?!"

"The well? Don't worry we won't kill you! I'm Botan, that's Hiei and that is Kurama…" Botan tried to explainwhile still trying to flight down the heavy pink blush that held her cheeks prisoner when she talked of her fox.

"But didn't you just say he was…" Kagome interrupted.

"He is both." Hiei chimed in, bored with how slow the conversation was going.

"Um well ok…why are you here again?"

"We need you to help us locate some artifacts with us. You see, there are different worlds, one of sprits, one of demons and one of humans. The prince of the spirit world, who happens to be our boss, requests that you come with us to help, you are the only one who can do it." Kurama supplied.

"Um…I see…" she replied intelligently.

"But…" Kurama started.

*How do I tell he she's no use to us if she's an untrained miko? * He asked Hiei mentally.

"You're an untrained miko, and as such, are useless." Hiei finished for him.

`Ugh, they just had to bring that up..'

`Well I guess these guys are trustworthy…I mean at least they didn't try to kill me or anything…I can't even say that much for inuyasha…'

"Yes I am, actually I am the reincarnation of a powerfull miko, I was brought to the past through an ancient well, the jewel of four souls, which I am the guardian of now, was pulled from my body and was shattered, that is why I return here. To complete the jewel and return home."

"Well then I guess you better get back to your companions, you have been missing for quite sometime." Kurama said politely.

"Yes, but I would like to continue this conversation at a better time and learn more about all of you."

" Of course, good night."

*Follow her, its not safe for her to be out here alone* Kurama instructed Hiei.

*Hn.* but he disappeared anyway.

Kagome walked the 10-minute hike to camp after finding a familiar path.

`Well that was an interesting meeting, damn I'm cold.' She thought while shivering. Subconsciously missing the young fire demon's touch.

She walked into camp noticing the monk in a familiar position, sitting against a tree with his eyes closed. The demon exterminator however was flushed yet wide-awake.

`How long ago did they come back?'

"Oi wench, where have you been?" the grumpy hanyou asked as he jumped down from his tree.

"I went to the hot springs…Sango you should go with me again tomorrow, we have some things to discuss…" Kagome said looking displeased to say the least. Sango noticed how she eyed the monk when she mentioned her name and she blushed. `How does kagome find out about these things?!'

Hiei jumped into one of the tallest trees and watched the group with interest, `she did mention traveling companions…but a half demon and a full youkai pup?' he snorted softly at the annoying male hanyou, he acted as if he owned her.

Inuyasha was ready to begin the yelling/sitting war when he noticed her scent. He stepped closer to he and sniffed a little freaking her out a lot, and making Hiei growl.

"Why do you smell like demon, bitch?"

Kagome bristled at his possessive tone, `he doesn't own me; I can talk to whoever I want!' but just as she was about to tell him off a certain fire apparition landed with a soft thud beside her and spoke up for her.

"Why do you smell like a corpse, hanyou?"

"Hiei!?"

Inuyasha drew tetseiga and pointed it at Hiei's throat not even bothering that Kagome was right by the mysterious demon's side.

"Inuyasha SIT! SIT! SIT! Ugh damn dog! …This is Hiei everyone, he is from the future like me…that's where I was for the last few hours, I was with him and his friends."

The fire neko, Kirara did not seem to have a problem with him and fell right back to sleep. Shippou just continued to sleep, and Sango eyed him cautiously but didn't attack him. The monk just sat in the same place with one eye open.

Hiei kept his grip on his katana through the entire exchange. Once Inuyasha had recovered from the subduing spell, he stood and re-sheathed his katana.

Kagome continued to explain their encounter, leaving out her dream and where she heard/saw inuyasha with his whore.

When she finished her tale she grabbed Hiei's hand and led him away from camp.

"Thank you for defending me back there…" she said still holding his hand.

"hn." She let go quickly because of her embarrassment.

"Good night" she whispered as she left him alone in the small clearing.

He looked at her retreating figure with slightly wider eyes; he usually didn't let anyone touch him, other than his sister. He looked at his hand, which now had her scent on it as well as his own. He let the crisp minty scent overwhelm his senses as he sped through the trees back to Kurama and Botan.

She smiled to herself as she walked away; her hand felt warm and tingly where she had touched him.

`I wonder if he felt the same?'

She found herself back at camp sooner then expected. She walked into the ring of light the fire had created and checked the faces of her companions. Miroku was in the same position as before, while Sango sat with Kirara in her lap, stroking the demon neko's fur. Shippou, strangely enough, was starring into the fire intently.

Kagome plopped herself down next to her `son' and patted his head. He looked up into her warm brown eyes and his own green orbs stated to tear. Kagome picked him up stroking his tail and setting him into her lap.

"Okaasan why are you leaving us? Do you hate the hanyou now and want to leave? is it because of the clay pot? DON'T GO!" Shippou cried as he burrowed his head into her warm chest.

"Shippou its ok, I'm not going to be leaving you. I just need to leave the group for a while so I can help some of my other friends find something they are looking for." She said as inuyasha growled.

"Feh bitch you aren't going anywhere. You're MY shard detector and your going to find the last shards with ME." inuyasha barked at her.

"Damnit inuyasha I am sick and tired of you acting like I'm your possession. You already have a bitch so don't go confusing me with her. In fact you should be fucking her right now, Oh wait I'm sorry she's probably busy with Naraku right?" Kagome yelled rite back. Her voice radiated hurt and anger even though she didn't care for him any longer; she would not let him think of her as a replacement Kikyo.

"Wow… Kagome?" Sango inquired timidly after her uncharacteristic outburst.

"Yes, Sango?" Kagome responded chillily. "Is there something you wanted to know? Maybe something I should tell you? You know, any knew MAJOR developments in my life you might want to know seeing as how you are my best friend?" she eyed her friend, letting her stress and annoyance play out in her usually happy voice.

"Damn women…" inuyasha mumbled as he dragged himself away from the young woman back to his tree.

"heh…well…you see…want to go to the hot spring?"

"Sure! I'm positive you'd want to bathe after all your `activities'!" kagome replied slyly an amused glint in her coffee-colored eyes.

"talk about mood swings," inuyasha mumbled to himself.

"Lets go! Ooh and by the way Inu-kun, Oswari!" she said in a sugary sweet voice, her giggles fusing with the night air.

[spirit detectives]

As Hiei arrived at camp he found Kurama holding Botan in his lap with his back against the trunk of an old tree. Botan had a white rose clasped in her hand as she slept peacefully. Kurama had his arm draped across her trim waist.

Hiei just bounded up into another tree to think about the events that just happened. The cool tingle of her mint scented skin lingered on his open palm, which he cradled in his other hand. He closed his eyes in ecstasy as he imagined her sleek form. The rest of the night was spent dreaming of the young miko who he could only envision in his arms.