Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sweet Temptation ❯ Imaginary ( Chapter 6 )

Sweet Temptation

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho… Unfortunately

 

Chapter 6: Imaginary

 

Kagome glared up at the kitsune that was currently carrying her. He had been carrying her for the past three days because he insisted that they could travel faster and she would heal quicker if she stayed off her wound. He carried her bridal style while Alexis sat comfortably on Kagome's stomach just enjoying the ride. The kit had already fully healed by last night and Kagome was almost positive that she was close to completely healed by now.

 

Youko barely let her walk anywhere. Not the short distance to the camp fire, or to her back, or even to wash up in the morning. She was beginning to get beyond frustrated and if he didn't let her walk after their lunch break today, she was sure she would snap. Kagome had to admit though; she didn't mind being held in the kitsune's strong arms. It was quite comforting and she felt protected within his embrace. The only thing that bothered her was that the only reason he was carrying her was because she was injured and she knew very well that she could walk on her own just fine.

 

Youko knew the fact that he was still carrying her irritated the living hell out of Kagome. That was partially the reason why he was still carrying her. He was very aware of the fact that her wound was practically completely healed but besides secretly irritating her, he enjoyed their proximity far too much to let her go just yet. With her in his arms, her scent was constantly drifting up to his nose and he absolutely loved every time the wind would shift and blow against him because it would blow her intoxicating scent right into his face.

 

Her body fit so perfectly against his and he nearly laughed at how unaware the miko was of the level of enjoyment he was experiencing from merely being able to hold her so close. Holding her bridal style, he was able to firmly wrap his hand around her well shaped thighs. On the flip side though, this was all quite torturous. The mere thought that this was the farthest he would be able to go with the miko nearly drove him insane.

 

Alexis had explained while Kagome was sleeping that in her time, most women held onto their purity until marriage. He recognized the term marriage as the eternal bonding of a male and female among humans. So mating was the demon version of marriage and in order for Youko to completely claim Kagome as his, he needed her to agree to be his mate. This decision was hard for him to accept seeing as he already realized that he loved the miko and oddly enough he dreamed of her bearing his kits some day.

 

This was all very new to Youko. He had never met a woman that he had grown so fond of or even felt more than a physical attraction toward. To be dreaming of the miko pregnant with his kits was a completely different story. He loved her so much that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her and build a family. Kitsune's mate for life once they finalize the mating process, which required a bite mark on the inside of her thigh.

 

Once she accepted his claim, he would proceed to place a bite mark on the junction of her neck and shoulder, which signaled to other males that he had placed a claim on her but they were not completely mated yet. The mere thought of another male taking Kagome from him boiled his blood and almost to the point of red seeping into his vision.

 

Apparently Kagome gave Alexis permission to tell Youko anything she wanted because the other day while Kagome was resting in his arms during travel, the kit had told Youko almost everything about Kagome's past suitors. Kagome must have understood kitsune kits more that he thought. She apparently knew how much kits enjoyed talking and therefore gave Alexis permission to tell Youko anything she wanted because she claimed she trusted him with her secrets.

 

Alexis had proceeded to inform her uncle about how protective Inuyasha was of Kagome but made it clear that Kagome only loved the hanyou as a brother she never had. She also warned him about Miroku's perverted ways and warned him not to hurt the monk too badly because Kagome would get angry. Kouga was the last on her list of suitors because she knew that the wolf demon would irritate her uncle the most.

 

She explained how Kouga would randomly come visit Kagome and ask her if she was prepared to become his mate. She explained that Kagome only saw Kouga as a friend and nothing more but no matter how many times she turned him down, he still never gave up. She also warned him that Kagome had said that Kouga had a habit of fighting with any other male that dared to stake a claim on `his woman' and would most likely start something with Youko if they crossed paths anytime soon.

 

The kit also informed her uncle of the odd obsession that Naraku seemed to have with Kagome. Kagome had explained that since she looked like Kikyou, he lusted to have her in every way possible. The mere thought of Naraku touching Kagome in such a way had sent shivers of disgust down her spine when she had explained it to Alexis. The thought may have disgusted the miko but it thoroughly infuriated Youko. The different methods of torture he could perform on the vile hanyou were still forming in his mind.

 

Youko's arms tightened around Kagome from remembering the conversation he and his niece had shared the day before and Kagome turned a questioning look up to him. The kitsune looked beyond irritated and Kagome frowned. Was he irritated that he had to carry her around everywhere because she was injured? Maybe she was right; maybe he did see her as weak and useless just like Inuyasha did.

 

Sighing heavily, Kagome let her head fall backward so that she could see the trees that pasted them by. At hearing her sigh, Youko glanced down at the miko only to catch sight of the clear flesh of her neck. Staring at it intently, he felt the sudden urge to press his lips against the soft skin. He wanted his claim mark on that clear skin and the longer he stared, the more he felt the urge to lean down and sink his fangs into her flesh.

 

The thought of Kagome bearing his mark led his mind to wonder to other things…such as how much he would enjoy pleasuring the miko. She would think she had died and gone to heaven by the time he was done with her. The thought of him pushing into her tight… there was a sudden sharp pain on Youko's ear that immediately yanked him from his thoughts. Alexis removed her small but sharp teeth from his sensitive ear and dropped down to sit on her uncle's shoulder when the smell of his arousal dispersed.

 

Youko at first glared in his niece's direction before a look of relief spilled into his golden eyes. He was truly thankful that his niece was there to help him stay in line. If it wasn't for her, he was sure he would have lost control by now and most likely done something that he would surely regret. With her senses, she could smell whenever her uncle's mind was drifting off to forbidden thoughts and she would happily help avert his attention or distract him.

 

Alexis could tell how strongly her uncle felt for Kagome and knew he was doing his best to behave. Just by the way he looks at the miko she could tell that he had definitely fallen for her and would probably do anything in his power to have her. With this knowledge, Alexis was slightly hoping that Kouga would make one of his random appearances so that she could see how everything turned out. Youko knew not to harm the wolf too badly because even though he was quite irritating and consistent, he was still Kagome's friend and their ally against Naraku.

 

Kagome on the other hand confused Alexis. She knew that the miko was falling for her uncle but sometimes the look in her eyes…the look of doubt and fear threw her off. What did Kagome have to be scared of? She knew that Youko wouldn't hurt her didn't she? Perhaps she hadn't yet realized how head over heels the kitsune was for her yet. That was possible and it would explain the doubt and fear. She feared rejection and that maybe she was just a burden to him.

 

So if it was rejection that Kagome feared, all that needed to be done to relieve her of that worry was to have Youko tell her he loves her. The only problem with that was the fact that her uncle was still confused with his emotions and didn't completely understand them yet. Alexis rolled her eyes; did she really have to do all the work?

 

Youko decided to stop for lunch at that particular moment and gently set Kagome down on the ground. Alexis dropped from her uncle's shoulder to sit in Kagome's lap as she formulated her plan while Youko dug through Kagome bag for her water bottle. Handing it to her, he quickly made a fire before dashing off to hunt down some lunch.

 

Returning several minutes later, Youko positioned the rabbit above the fire so it could cook while he made his way back over to Kagome. Before he could even get within two feet of her, she was already glaring at him.

 

“I'm healed and you know it. I can walk on my own and I don't need a bandage anymore because the wound has already closed up.”

 

Youko snorted, scowling slightly before turning his back to her. “Fine.” Irritated that he would obviously not be able to carry her now, Youko went back to sit near the fire, glaring at the rabbit that was roasting. Alexis nearly laughed at the sight. Her uncle was sulking over by the fire and Kagome had her nose stuck up in the air with her arms crossed stubbornly across her chest.

 

Suddenly Kagome leapt to her feet and stared off to the west. Her sudden movement startled Alexis but she still landed on her feet from being thrown from the miko's lap. All the commotion caught Youko's attention and he was at Kagome's side in a flash, spreading his aura toward the direction she was staring.

 

“What is it Kagome?” Alexis asked after several moments of silence, slowly making her way to stand beside the miko.

 

“It's Kouga. I can feel two shards of the jewel coming in this direction at an alarming speed. Kouga is the only one that I know of that moves that fast.” She smiled slightly, excited to see her friend.

 

A silent growl formed in Youko's chest. The wolf… wonderful. Now he could officially meet his competition. Even though Kagome knew the demon, Youko refused to let his guard down. He wasn't sure how the wolf would react to his presence. He also kept close attention to where Alexis was just in case.

 

A strong aura zipped past Youko and he turned in time to see Kagome fall to the ground, unconscious. Youko's first reaction was to rush to Kagome's side but he knew that he needed to assess the situation first to ensure their complete safety before he let his guard down to check on Kagome. He could hear her breathing and heart beat so didn't panic too much over the miko. Taking a good look around, there was no one in sight besides Alexis.

 

Where was Kouga? And why did he attack Kagome? Focusing on the strong aura that had flew by him; he pin pointed the aura to be where Kagome lay. Confused and alarmed, he was about to make his way to Kagome's side when the one demon he didn't expect to see made an appearance. Naraku stood across the clearing with a smug smirk on his face.

 

“It would seem that my new creation has found its next victim.” He chuckled, his eyes traveling down the length of Kagome's body. A growl tore from Youko's throat as he pulled his rose whip from the folds of his clothing. He had it prepared just in case he had to fight Kouga and now he was relieved for his precaution.

 

“What have you done to Kagome.” He snarled.

 

“I have done nothing to the miko; my newest detachment is what is haunting her. I do hope she survives through it though. Mental strength is a key quality I look for in a mate.” He smirked before disappearing into the shadows, his deep chuckling echoing through the trees. Once Naraku was out of sight, both Youko and Alexis rushed to Kagome's aid.

 

The miko was sweating profusely and her heart beat was a constant quick patter. She was burning up but other than that, she seemed fine. Her face was blank of emotion, as if she was merely sleeping and had a slight fever.

 

“Kagome told me about the different detachments that she and her group had fought in the past uncle…and from how the stories went, they were not easy to defeat.” Alexis spoke up.

 

“I didn't expect this to be that simple… but what is this demon doing to her?” he asked, more to himself.

 

“She told me there was one demon that could see into one's heart and very soul and if there was even the smallest trace of darkness, he could control that person. Maybe this demon can do something along those lines?”

 

“How were all the other detachments destroyed?”

 

“Inuyasha was able to defeat most of them with his tetsugia… but those were all demons that he could actually face. This one is no where in sight.”

 

Youko growled in frustration. Naraku had specifically said that his newest detachment was haunting her now…what did that mean? Once the demon collided with Kagome, she fell unconscious so was the demon haunting her in her sleep? But if that was the case, then how could this demon possibly kill Kagome or accomplish anything? All Youko could think of it accomplishing was giving her nightmares, but how terrible could that be for a human as pure hearted as Kagome?

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Kagome shivered in the cold darkness. Where was she? What happened? The last thing she could remember was waiting for Kouga to arrive. Suddenly Kouga appeared before her and Kagome leapt to her feet.

 

“Kouga! Where are we?” she asked, stepping closer to the wolf.

 

He took a step away from her and turned a disgusted scowl toward her as he crossed his arms over his chest.

 

“Kouga? What's wrong?” Kagome was confused, why was he being so distant and looking at her like that?

 

“What's wrong is that I'm stuck in this hell hole with the likes of you.” he spat, turning his back to the miko.

 

Confused, Kagome placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. “Kouga, what are you talking about?”

 

He growled at her and pushed her hand from his shoulder violently. “Don't touch me you vile human.”

 

Kagome pulled her hand to her chest as if he had bitten her. It sure felt like he did with those hurtful words that had just fallen from his lips. What was happening here? Why was Kouga looking at her as if she had betrayed him somehow? Had she done something to anger him?

 

“Kouga… I don't understand.” She said slowly.

 

“I should have known that a mere human didn't possess the strength, much less the intelligence to become my mate and rebuild my pack.” He laughed darkly, glaring at her in disgust. “You're not worthy of my presence.” He snorted.

 

A thousand jabs to the heart… that's what his words felt like to her. As if he had taken a knife and stabbed her several times with it. Hell she was almost positive that if he had actually stabbed her that would have hurt less than the razor sharp words that he had just thrown at her. Beyond confused, she reached forward once more to place her hand on his shoulder and he slapped it away violently with an angry snarl.

 

“I told you not to touch me! Are you too stupid to understand a command when you're given one?”

 

“What's gotten into you Kouga?! Why are you acting like this?” she demanded, refusing to let the tears that were gathering in her eyes to fall.

 

“You really want to know?” he laughed cruelly before continuing. “I finally realized how truly pathetic you are! I wasted all my time and effort trying to gain your attention when I should have killed you when I first kidnapped you. Once you finished helping with the Birds of Paradise, I should have thrown you to my wolves.” He spat.

 

“This isn't real…you're not Kouga… Kouga claims that he loves me…” Kagome says to herself, falling to the ground and pulling her legs to her chest.

 

“Me love you? HA! Yea maybe when I was love stuck but now that I realize that the only use you are is to find the jewel shards, I'm seeing much more clearly now. You're weak and could never take the position of alpha female in my pack.” He said sharply before walking off, leaving Kagome in the dark by herself.

 

Kagome shook her head. This wasn't real… that wasn't Kouga. He wouldn't say those things; even if he did realize he didn't love her… he wouldn't hurt her like this. This is a dream… it has to be. She just had to stick it out for a while until Miroku or Sango woke her from this nightmare.

 

Kagome suddenly woke with a start. Panting heavily and shivering slightly, she looked up to see Miroku scowling down at her with a bucket in his hand. Relieved that she was finally out of that horrid nightmare, she leapt up and out of her sleeping bag and hugged Miroku tightly.

 

“Oh Miroku… I had the wors…” Kagome suddenly found herself pushed away from her friend and harshly into a nearby tree.

 

“You tainted soul, don't infect me with your darkness.” He snapped, holding his staff tightly in his hands as he glared in hatred at Kagome.

 

“Miroku? No… not you too…”

 

“We trusted you Kagome and you betrayed us.” He forced through grit teeth, saying her name as if it were poison itself.

 

“What are you talking about? I would never betray any of you!” Kagome retorted, watching the staff that was held tightly in Miroku's hands that were shaking from his anger.

 

“You lie! It's your fault Sango is dead! If you would have tried harder to control your powers then Sango would be alive now! Because of how weak you are, Naraku was able to spring a sneak attack on us and Sango was too busy protecting you to pay attention to the demon that snuck up behind her! YOU DIDN'T EVEN WARN HER! You just watched as the demon slit her throat!” Miroku yelled, striking her in the stomach with his staff.

 

Kagome grunted in pain and fell to the ground, tears flowing from her orange colored eyes as she watched Miroku spit at her feet before disappearing, leaving her in the darkness once more.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

They had been sitting there for hours trying to figure out what the demon was doing to Kagome. For hours, she didn't move and the blank expression remained on her face. It didn't seem like the demon was doing anything to the miko until Youko spotted a lone tear trail down her cheek before a soft cry escaped her lips.

 

“Naraku said that his detachment was haunting her, so maybe it's bringing back her past emotions and pains and turning them into nightmares that seem real to Kagome because she can't wake up.” Alexis suggested.

 

“Ok well if that's the case then how do we wake her?” Youko mused. They had already tried shaking her and throwing water over her face to see it she would wake but nothing seemed to work. It was now obvious that the demon was slowly getting to Kagome and neither Youko nor Alexis were going to wait around and find out how this demon planned to end the miko's life.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Kagome sat in the darkness sobbing to herself. She didn't betray anyone… she wouldn't have just sat by and watched as a demon killed Sango in cold blood. She would have done something… anything to save her friend. This wasn't real, it couldn't be! Where was Youko and Alexis? Or Inuyasha and Shippo? This couldn't be real… she wasn't the reason for Sango's death.

 

“You did nothing Kagome… you just sat there and watched.” Kagome whipped her head around to locate the source of the voice. Standing before her was her best friend Sango, soaked in her own blood and staring down at Kagome with lifeless eyes.

 

“No… Sango I would have done something to help! I wouldn't have just done nothing!” Kagome yelled, refusing to look at the woman that looked so similar to the taijiya she knew and loved.

 

“Look at what you've done to me Kagome. If you would have done something… anything… I could be alive and happy now. Once we defeated Naraku I could have married Miroku and made a family with him! I could have lived a full and happy life!” Sango cried, wincing in pain and falling to her knees.

 

At hearing her groans of pain, Kagome quickly looked up only to see Sango gone and she was alone once again. The miko pulled her legs to her chest once more and dropped her forehead to rest on her knees. This was a dream… a terrible dream. This was her imagination… yea that's it, this was all imaginary. None of it was real. She would wake from this hell soon and realize how foolish she was to think this torment was reality.

 

Her loneliness didn't last as long this time though. Several minutes after Sango left, Alexis and Shippo were suddenly at her side. Relief flooded through the miko when she felt no hostility from the two kits she had grown to love so much. Looking up, she quickly noticed the tears flooding from their eyes.

 

“Shippo…Alexis…What's wrong?” she asked, worry evident in her voice as she reached toward the kits.

 

“No! Not you! Anyone but you!” Alexis cried, cringing away from Kagome's outstretched hand.

 

“Why Kagome? Why did you have to do it?” Shippo sobbed, hugging Alexis as if to protect her from the miko.

 

Kagome stared at the two kits in confusion, hurt that they seemed to be scared of her. “What did I do? Shippo, Alexis you both know that I love you and I wouldn't do anything to hurt you.”

 

“You shattered the jewel so it's your fault our parents are dead…” Alexis whined, crying loudly.

 

“Their blood is on your hands.” Shippo whimpered.

 

“If it wasn't for you, mama would be alive.”

 

“And father would still be here to protect me.”

 

“I wouldn't have to think of her for her to hear me.”

 

“Father would have taught me how to be a kitsune.”

 

“And Mama would still be tucking me into bed at night.”

 

“But you don't care.”

 

“Yea, you're too busy trying to get with my uncle Youko.” Alexis accused, turning a hateful glare toward the miko.

 

Kagome felt her heart breaking with each and every word that was spoken. Each word torn another piece of her heart away until she felt there was nothing left at all… as if her heart was shattered into thousands of pieces and now littered the floor. Not only had they broken her heart, but it also felt as if they were crushing each broken piece with their painful words.

 

“No… I do care…” Kagome whispered, her gaze falling to the ground as tear flooded from her pained eyes.

 

“Don't lie to us anymore. We can't take anymore of it. You took our parents from us Kagome.” Shippo whimpered.

 

“And for that, we hate you.”

 

They hated her. Kagome didn't even bother to look up because she knew they left her. Why would they stay? They hated her now. It was all her fault. Everything. If she would have been a more skilled archer then the bird wouldn't have swallowed the jewel in the first place. If she would have been more intelligent then she would have realized that the leg was going to return directly back to the crow, therefore the arrow would hit it.

 

“I always knew you were pathetic. A weak copy of the far more powerful original.”

 

Kagome didn't even bother to look up at the sound of Inuyasha's voice. She didn't want to see the disgust, disappointment, or hatred that was probably on his face.

 

“Wench! Look at me when I'm talking to you damnit!” he growled suddenly and kicked Kagome in the stomach.

 

The miko grunted in pain but still didn't look up. This would be over soon… just like the others. She just had to take the pain and be patience so she could be alone once more and drown in her sorrows. A loud snarl tore from Inuyasha's throat and Kagome suddenly found herself pinned to the ground, Inuyasha glaring down at her.

 

“Stupid wench. You need to be taught your place.” He growled and to Kagome's horror, yanked her skirt up.

 

“Inuyasha! No!” Kagome yelled, trying to push her skirt back down. Before Kagome knew what was happening, her hands where suddenly pinned above her head, held together painfully by the hanyou's left hand. Growling his frustration, Inuyasha shred her panties and pulled down his pants. Kagome was full out bawling now as she begged the hanyou not to do it.

 

“Please Inuyasha.” She cried, tears falling from her orange and silver specked eyes.

 

“Shut up.” He growled in response. That's when Kagome panicked. Shaking her head vigorously, she struggled to get free. She pulled at her bound hands and tried getting a good kick in. By some kind of luck, Kagome was able to knee the hanyou hard enough in the spine to give her the time she needed to escape. Leaping up from the ground, she quickly ran turned and ran as fast as her legs could carry her.

 

She heard his snarl of protest before she felt him tackle her to the ground. Pinned down once more, only this time she was lying on her stomach, Inuyasha grabbed her wrists tightly, his claws puncturing her skin. Before she could scream from the pain, the hanyou she saw as a brother and loved with all her heart slammed his erection into her, taking her virginity along with what was left of her sanity.

 

“You're alone. No one wants you, not like anyone ever did in the first place.” The haunting sound of Inuyasha's laughter echoed throughout Kagome's mind.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

“I'm alone… No on wants me…” When Youko and Alexis heard the miko whimper those words, they understood what was happening. The demon was slowly destroying her soul. Once that was broken, he would have the power to actually take her life from the dream world. If he succeeded in making Kagome believe that her dream was reality then any injuries inflicted in her dream would also damage her body that lay still before them.

 

“Kagome, you're not alone! We're here for you.” Alexis yelled, shaking the miko as tears formed in her eyes. “Uncle…she's not waking up. Why won't she wake up?”

 

 

“The demon is destroying her soul by taking from her what she values most in life; her family and friends. He's making her believe that she is alone and that no one loves her anymore therefore has no reason to live. If he succeeds then Kagome will die.”

 

“Then how do we save her!” Alexis cried, holding Kagome's hand tightly to her chest as the tears began to fall.

 

“We have to somehow get through to her…” Youko said. He couldn't think straight at the moment. He was in too much of a panic. He had just found the miko and now he was losing her. Is this what the fates defined as entertainment? Giving him something he didn't even realize he wanted then once he started falling for her, they take her from him?

 

Youko growled in anger. No, Kagome wasn't going to die. He was going to figure out a way to get through to her. He was going to save her and they were going to continue traveling back to Kagome's group like they were before. He refused to lose her. A small smirk spread across the kitsune's face. He was the notorious Youko Kurama; king of thieves and he was not about to let this dream demon steal Kagome from him. If he couldn't take her back fairly, then he would just have to steal her back.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Kagome rocked back and forth, her legs pressed to her chest so tightly it looked as if she were trying to hold herself together. Like she would fall to pieces if she relieved her hold even by the slightest. The miko cried no more, but only because she had no more tears to shed. There was nothing left for her. Her friends, her family, everything that meant most to her was now gone. They were either dead or despised her in some way.

 

She no longer held her purity and the miko could feel that her heart was no longer warm and loving, beating proudly in her chest. It was now broken and the pieces scattered at her feet. It was her fault that so many had died. Their blood stained her hands, just as Alexis had said. Because of her weakness, her loved ones were in pain. They lost their loved ones and all the guilt was dropped upon Kagome's shaking shoulders.

 

So what was next? Who was going to appear and tear at her very soul, or at least whatever was left of it. Was Kikyou going to come and degrade her? Or perhaps simply end her misery and take the other half of her soul so the dead priestess could live again? Kagome only wished it were that easy… that her escape would come so soon. Hearing someone approach her, Kagome slowly raised her head.

 

What a surprise, Youko Kurama was now standing before her with his arms crossed over his perfectly built chest. Kagome stared with blank empty eyes at the silver kitsune, waiting for whatever form of torment he was to bestow upon her. Kagome had the lingering feeling that this was going to hurt the most. This would be what was going to push her completely over the edge.

 

Kagome had only just begun to realize her feelings for the kitsune and now he was here to take advantage of that just as her other friends and family had. She continued to stare up at the demon she had grown to love and waited for her punishment. But that's all she did. Wait. He was merely staring down at her in pure disgust and betrayal. Was this his form of torture? To stare her down with those eyes flooded with the disappointment that tore at whatever was left of her soul?

 

As if he had read her mind, a sadistic smirk spread across his divine features. Without warning, vines emerged from the ground and bound Kagome painfully against the ground. She ground her teeth together to keep from screaming in agony as the thorns of the vines dug into her flesh. Lying in a pool of her own blood, Kagome stared lifelessly up into nothingness.

 

“You finally realize that no one loves you.” Youko chuckled, stepping forward so that he was standing at the miko's feet. “How foolish were you to think that I would actually love you in return?”

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Youko and Alexis had been trying everything they could to wake Kagome. From slapping her, wafting an awakening mixture that Youko had made under her nose, to begging her to wake up, nothing worked. While the two kitsunes' were sitting beside the miko probing their panicked minds for another solution is when the wounds began to appear. Deep punctures appeared along both the miko's wrists and around her ankles. Blood was gradually seeping from the multiple wounds.

 

Alexis stared at the miko's blood with wide eyes. Shaking her head slowly, tears stung her eyes once more as she flung herself onto the miko's chest. “KAGOME!!!! Don't you dare leave me! You told me that you would stay with me and protect me!!” she cried, pounding her tiny fists against Kagome's shoulders. “You said mama sent you to keep me safe in her place! So you have to wake up Kagome!” Alexis cried, her tears soaking the front of the miko's kimono.

 

Youko sighed and gently lifted his niece off Kagome's chest. It was hard enough thinking he was going to loose Kagome; he didn't want to watch his niece suffer as well. She thrashed around angrily in his hold, crying loudly. “Life is pain! You just have to get used to it!” Alexis cried out, finally escaping her uncle's grasp. The kit dropped down next to the miko and buried her face in the fabric that covered Kagome's stomach. “So wake up right now Kagome.” She sobbed.

 

“Alexis…” Both kitsune's gazes flung toward the miko's face. The expression that was there was no longer blank, but looked pained. Nonetheless, she had responded. Alexis leapt up onto the miko's chest again before turning her shocked expression to her uncle. He was also staring at the miko in surprise and slight relief.

 

“You said something that got through to her Lexi… what was it?” Youko demanded.

 

“When Kagome first found me, I was still mourning over mama and she had told me what her mother always told her; life is pain, get used to it.” Alexis said quickly.

 

Youko nodded and pondered for a moment before shaking his head in frustrated confusion. “What does that have to do with anything!”

 

“Maybe it's the memories of why people love her that is getting to her. Kagome told me that whenever Kagome was having a hard time, her mother would always be there to comfort her and say that phrase.”

 

“That has to be it… Kagome told you many stories of her friends correct?” When his niece nodded vigorously, he continued. “Think of the reasons why her friends love her, remind her.” Youko said, subconsciously grabbing one of the miko's hands. Maybe there was a chance for them to save her…

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

The whip pounded against her back once more and Kagome winced in pain. She was surprised she wasn't dead yet from either blood lost or permanent damage that would soon result in her vital organs failing. Just as she began to give up and lose hope, a voice drifted to her ears. A voice full of anguish and despair and that sounded very familiar.

 

`Life is pain! You just have to get used to it!'

 

Kagome's head snapped up and she frantically searched for the source of the voice. “Alexis…” she whispered. That was Alexis's voice; she would never be able to forget the sound of the kit's voice that was full of misery when she first met her. But why was she yelling at her? Kagome was beyond confused and her thoughts were momentarily lost when the whip hit her once more.

 

“You killed my sister, Alexis's mother. She hates you; she's not coming to save you.” Youko stated, pulling back his whip for another round.

 

`Kagome… if it wasn't for you, I would be dead by Naraku's hand and the taijiya clan would have ended… you're always standing behind me to catch me whenever I fall…'

 

Sango's voice filled Kagome's mind and the memory of when Kagome had saved Sango from foolishly hunting Naraku on her own and eventually getting herself killed plagued her mind. How could Sango hate her? She was like a sister to her and they loved each other as if they were of the same blood. Even is Sango did die, it was to protect the one's she loved and she died a brave and strong warrior.

 

A pained growl attracted Kagome's attention and she turned to see Youko holding his head as if he were in pain.

 

`I promise you Miroku… we will defeat Naraku and the curse will be lifted.'

 

Recalling now of the time when Miroku had confessed he loved Sango but couldn't express his feeling to her because he feared he would not live long enough to fulfill his dreams. Kagome remembered she had hugged the monk tightly and promised he would have his chance at happiness. That was also the day he told Kagome he loved her as well, but not in the way he loved Sango.

 

`Pleeeeease mama… oops… I mean Kagome…'

 

Kagome laughed slightly as she remembered the time that Shippo had accidentally called her `mama'. She had told him she didn't mind and the kit seemed quite overjoyed. Shippo called her Kagome only every once in a while from mere habit.

 

Youko was now shrieking in agony, curling up and snarling in pain.

 

`Best friend… I've never had a best friend.'

 

She could still remember the bright and happy smile that had consumed Inuyasha's face when she first called him her best friend.

 

`You are despicable Inuyasha! Kagome's hands feel much colder than they usually do. And her beautiful cheeks, which are usually so rosy, are pale like a fish's belly. I can tell you put Kagome's life in terrible danger. Well I would never let anything like that happen to her!'

 

That was the time that one of the band of seven had poisoned her, Sango and Miroku and Kouga showed up while they were recovering. The wolf demon had really given Inuyasha a piece of his mind then.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

With each memory that Alexis reminded Kagome of, she became more responsive. Her wounds were even disappearing and her health was returning to normal. It finally came to the point that Alexis had run out of things to say…

 

“I said everything I can remember her telling me that would make her realize how much we love her… but she still hasn't woken up.” Alexis said quietly, growing worried once more.

 

Youko stared down at the miko intently. He knew exactly what needed to be said to bring her back…

 

Youko squeezed her hand tightly between his as he gazed down at her beautiful face. “Kagome… I love you.” with that said, the kitsune bent down and pressed his lips against hers softly.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

`Kagome… I love you.' Youko's voice echoed in Kagome's mind and her eyes widened. She felt her entire being flood with warmth and her heart pound in her chest at a rapid pace. Wait, her heart was pounding? Kagome smiled. She was right. This was her imagination. Her heard wasn't shattered, it was still there and now it was complete. Kagome turned a glare toward the demon that looked like Youko who was still cringing in pain.

 

“You're not real. None of this is, it's all imaginary, a terrible dream that you manipulated! You hold power over me no more! NOW GET OUT OF MY HEAD!” Kagome yelled as a burst of purification consumed the demon before he disappeared completely. Kagome felt something against her lips. She knew she was waking up from this hellish nightmare but the pressure applied to her lips was confusing. As she felt herself return to reality, the pressure became more prominent but soft. Opening her eyes, she smiled against Youko's lips. Feeling her response, Youko pulled away quickly only to see the miko smiling up at him.

 

“KAGOME!!!” Alexis threw herself at the miko and wrapped her tiny arms around her neck, hugging her tightly. “You're ok!!!” she yelled at the top of her lungs, tears of joy trailing down her cheeks. Kagome laughed softly and hugged the kit in return, burying her nose in her dark hair before pulling away and kissing her forehead.

 

“That's partially thanks to you.” Kagome smiled warmly as she sat up. Turning her bright golden eyes to Youko, she pried the kit from her neck and set her down gently before tackle hugging the older kitsune. “And thanks to you…” she said softly, hugging the kitsune tightly as he wrapped his arms around her. Kagome felt completely protected in the shelter of his arms. The way he hugged her now seemed as if he let her go, she might vanish and it made Kagome laugh.

 

It felt so right to be in his arms, sitting in his lap as she was now. His scent was so unique that she had learned to love it within the few days she knew the kitsune. The funny thing was, within those few days, she had begun falling for him. Kagome hadn't been sure of how she truly felt until she heard him say he loved her. Of course Kagome wasn't going to say anything about it because she wasn't sure if he had really said it or not. She didn't plan to make a fool of herself anytime soon.

 

Youko held Kagome in his embrace for longer than necessary but he didn't care. All that he cared about was that she was well and alive, here in his arms where he could protect her. He had told her he loved her but Kagome had yet to say anything about it. For now he wasn't going to worry about that though because all that mattered was that the little miko hadn't rejected him yet.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

A/N:

 

Aww hehe hope you all liked this chapter. I think it's the longest of them all so far lol. Well anyway, I'm keeping this note short, all I want to say is Happy New Years! All you youngsters be carefully and don't party too hard! Lol I know I will ^_^ so until next time! R&R

 

Love you all!

Icyfire

 

Here are the eye colors that are for each of Kagome's emotion:

Golden - Happy, joy, excitement

Orange - Sadness, depression, guilt

Blue - Playful

Red - Anger, disappointment, irritation, frustration

Green - Curiosity

Brown - Confusion

Silver - Fear

Pink - Embarrassment

Purple - Love, passion, pleasure

 

Next Chapter - Chapter Seven: Trouble