Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ You Never Know Until It's Gone ❯ A New Enemy ( Chapter 5 )

Note!! So two years have passed, and let me tell you, tons have changed! I'm out of school, and have decided it's been too long since I've abandoned my babies! My style has changed a bit since back then, but I hope you guys still like me! I also have a new fic coming out soon, and the posts should be within the next couple days. Please don't kill me, and I have come back! I'm also looking for a beta if anyone's interested, because I'm sure you guys can tell these are very un-beta'd!

 

Anywho, on to the new chapter!

Thoughts inside of ` ` belong to Youko, thoughts inside of - - belong to Kurama, and italic `' belong to Hiei. Any other thoughts will be in normal `' but you should be able to tell who they come from.

Lots of love
CF

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Well, I can see why this is the least popular of the three realms…On the bright side, there's lots of space to roam?” Kagome looked back her four companions with a wry smile, and was greeted with their own dubious expressions. After a moment, she sighed, and began their trek into the southern lands. `I was just trying to be optimistic…'

 

That in itself was an amazing thought when faced with the landscape in front of them. Located on top of a barren hill they were able to see the terrain in front of them quite well. There was very little grass, the majority of the area covered in dark sand, with a few plants that looked ominous on their own. She doubted the cacti here were as docile as the kind back in the human realm. They had no choice back to trek further on however, since the shards called to her from deep in this part of the realm.

 

By the time they had traveled a fair distance and the sun was high in the sky, Kagome deemed it time for a break. Hiei of course had scoffed at such a thing, not that he would lower himself to scoffing, but went to patrol the area anyway. Kurama was leaning against what appeared to be a dead tree, arms folded as he gazed out over the land and his companions. Yusuke and Kuwabara were fighting over the last piece in the bento she had brought, and she watched it all contentedly. It almost reminded her of her old shard hunts…almost. Determined not to connect her past with her future, she shook her head to break her thoughts and turned to Kurama.

 

“Kurama, may I ask you something?” His gaze fell on hers, and the intensity behind it almost caused her to look away. After a moment it relaxed, and he graced her with a small smile. “Certainly, what is it you would like to know?”

 

Her tongue came out to wet her dry lips before beginning somewhat hesitantly. “Well, I was just curious, does Koenma send you out on missions like this often? I remember Yusuke mentioning something about expecting the mission, but that would only be because you get missions often, I'm thinking. Why do you guys do it? You're not protecting anything to my knowledge, you have nothing worth fighting for, so why fight at all?” Her question made him think, and it was several moments before she received any response at all.

 

“Koenma does send us out on missions fairly often, but this is our job. It's to be expected, we are honor bound to fulfill our duties, although ultimately we all do them for different reasons. Hiei and I originally because we had a debt to be repaid, although now I'm sure we'd both agree there is a little more to it than that. Kuwabara, sort of fell into the group, and despite his oafish nature is a valuable ally. And Yusuke, well I suppose you could consider him the founder of the group. He originally died, but was revived by Koenma and chosen to be a Spirit Detective. We fight because there are those that cannot, and we seek to protect them from the dangers of the realms.”

 

“Tch, don't lie fox-boy. You know I only do this `cause the toddler makes me. I'd much rather be on my dates with Keiko and beating up some worthless thug, like Kuwabara here.” Yusuke's voice broke out over the silence, breaking the pensive mood and causing Kagome to smile. Kuwabara let out a noise similar to growl, but just smirked.

 

“Don't lie, stupid! You know Keiko finally dumped your stupid ass for always leaving her. And there's no way you could beat me!” Yusuke's rage was visible; perhaps Kuwabara had touched a nerve with his comments over Keiko. Lunging at him, they both rolled to the ground, fists flying every which way. Kagome would've laughed at their foolishness if she wasn't worried about Yusuke's very real rage, and looked to Kurama for help. With a sigh he complied with her silent request, pulling Yusuke off a very startled Kuwabara as Kagome stepped between them.

 

“Don't you think we should save our energy for any potential threat, not each other? It's no wonder something already hasn't tried to attack us, what with the shards and you two bickering to no end.” With a `humph!' she turned and resumed their journey, Kuwabara rushing to Kagome to apologize while Kurama and Yusuke remained behind.

 

“Yusuke, is what Kuwabara said true?”

 

“Hell no, you saw how I was kicking that stupid oaf's ass. I can take him any day.” Yusuke's brown eyes stared firmly ahead as he stretched out his arm. Kuwabara had gotten one hell of a good hit on his left shoulder. Kurama looked at him oddly, deciding to try again. “What about Keiko? Did she truly leave you?”

 

It only took a second for fierce brown to meet startled emerald, and Yusuke to speed up, leaving Kurama to guard the rear. -Well, I guess we got our answer…-

 

`You should learn not to meddle, fox. Or at least do so well enough that you needn't ask useless questions.'

 

-Not all of us are graced with the gift of mind reading, Hiei.- Hiei said no more, but joined Kurama at the back of the group as they all continued their journey, albeit silently.

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“Don't you think it's odd we haven't encountered any demons yet? Normally the allure of the Shikon would be enough, but with all the other factors, you think we'd have seem something by now.” Kagome's voice rang out over the campsite, across the blazing fire to her companions. Indeed, in the entire fifteen or so hours of travel, they hadn't even come across a murmur of a demon, no matter the class.

 

“Maybe they just know better than to mess with us?” Kuwabara chimed in helpfully, despite the skeptical looks he received from all around.

 

“Doubtful. It's more probable that the thing that took the Shikon is what's driven away the demons. Likely, the demon is a high class, scaring away anyone who might prevent the Shikon from getting to them.”

 

“You're probably right Kurama, and in that case we should be careful and rest up.” With that, Kagome bid them all good night and retired to her sleeping space. Whatever they were up against may be tough, but it was nothing compared to Naraku. After him, they could handle anything. Eyes drifting shut, she allowed herself to fall into a light sleep.

 

Making sure she was asleep, the detectives converged as one, Yusuke being the first to speak. “Kagome makes a point. It's never been this easy on a mission, this whole things screams of a trap. No demons attacking us, none in the area other than the ominous one she senses the jewel from? This isn't right.” Silently they all agreed.

 

“Does this change anything? We will complete this mission like all others then go home. We`ve faced worse.” Hiei spoke, then headed up into the only tree within a two mile radius, intent on keeping watch. The others took this as a sign to go to bed and followed, wondering what would come tomorrow.

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`Fox, wake up. Something's approaching. Fast.' The invading thought woke him up instantly, and ignoring a protesting Youko, he scanned the surrounding area. Sure enough, there was a dark shadow approaching their camp, and fast. With any luck they had a good five minutes to prepare. Rising, he noticed that Hiei had woken up Yusuke and Kuwabara similarly, so he turned to Kagome a few feet away.

 

“Kagome, wake up.” Kurama prodded her gently, and she protested and rolled, turning her back on him. With a frown he repeated his actions, with slightly more force. “Kagome, there is danger, wake up.”

 

That seemed to cause her to wake up, as she shot up and looked around warily. Seeing the dark shadow, though not as well as the others had due to her human senses, she frowned. “Why couldn't I sense it? Usually I at least get some kind of feeling…”

 

“It's not just you. Whatever is approaching has managed to evade all of our senses.” Hiei's voice broke across the area, alerting them all to how much danger they must really be in. If Hiei couldn't sense it with his Jagan and other senses, then it must have some serious sort of power. Using the spare moments they had to prepare, the group could do nothing else but wait. The figure broke through the shadows, and it was then that her identity was revealed.

 

Small, pale, eyes eerily empty…how was it possible? She should be dead…shouldn't she? “Kanna…” Kagome's horrified whisper broke the tense silence and caused a few of their group to look back from where she was positioned at the rear. “If you're alive, that must mean-”

 

“Naraku is dead.” The small voice cut her off, the emptiness within it causing Kuwabara and Yusuke to shiver. This was the first time they had been faced with something like this. A small girl with both white hair and skin stared at them with blank black eyes. A small rounded mirror rest in her hands, reflecting the firelight eerily. “I work for a new master now.”

 

“Is this the demon who holds the other portion of the jewel?” Kanna's gaze slowly shifted over to the one who had spoken, Kurama.

 

“It is no demon who holds the Shikon.” That was the only answer she gave as she turned her attention back to Kagome. “My master awaits you at her stronghold. She advises you come alone, if you do not wish your companions to lose their lives.” With that she turned and began to walk away, pausing only when Kagome yelled for her to stop.

 

“Kanna! Wait! Who is your master?” Looking back, Kanna's unnerving stare reached Kagome, who willed herself not to look away. After several moments Kanna turned back around continuing to walk away.

 

“Masami.”

 

`Should I eliminate her?' Hiei's voice rang out inside Kurama's head, unusual enough for the circumstances. He never asked permission or guidance before a kill, why now? `No, there is something off about that one. Kurama and I can sense nothing from her, not even anything meant to hide youki or auras.' Youko chose to answer, in agreement with his counterpart.

 

After Kanna's departure they turned, all focusing on Kagome who seemed deep in thought. “Hey Kagome, do you know this Masami character? And who was that creepy little girl who showed up?” At the sound of Yusuke's voice her head rose, and she regarded them all carefully before speaking.

 

“Kanna was one of Naraku's minions. How she survived even with the death of Naraku I don't know. She was made from nothingness, which is why you all weren't able to sense her. That mirror of hers is her weapon. She uses it to suck out people's souls.” Sitting down, she curled her legs under her and turned her eyes to the fire. “As for Masami, I've got no clue who she is. I never faced her back in the Sengoku Jidai. I don't think we should continue on though, until Sesshomaru joins us. Unless something happened with the other Lords, it should be tomorrow.”

 

“You're right, Kagome. It is best not to underestimate such an unknown threat. We will send Kuwabara in the morning to ask Koenma if he's heard of Masami.” Kuwabara nodded in acceptance before resuming his earlier post by the fire. “Until then, I suggest we all get some rest. It is unlikely an attack will come so soon. Guard shifts should be organized, however.” None looked all that willing to sleep, but they knew he was right. If they weren't rested come morning, who knew what would happened if they faced an enemy.

 

“I'll take the first shift.” Kagome offered. Kuwabara had volunteered for the second shift, and Kurama and Hiei would take the hours just before morning. Yusuke decided to stay up for the first shift alongside Kagome.

 

Settling in for a rather uncomfortable night, Yusuke sat next to Kagome, who only glanced at him briefly before letting her gaze travel to her new companions. Kuwabara had already settled into a light sleep. She couldn't see Kurama and Hiei, the shadows enveloped them too deeply for her human eyes to analyze.

 

“That void chick really freaked you out didn't she? Have some bad run ins with her?” Yusuke was resting on his elbows, relaxed although she knew he was on his guard. His question probed a little too uncomfortably in areas that hadn't healed over in her heart.

 

“Kuwabara really made you mad earlier didn't he? Why'd Keiko dump you?” A little harsh, but he didn't rise to the bait, and instead shrugged. A slight clenching of his fists was noticeable, and she couldn't help but feel a little bad. She wasn't normally that rude.

 

“I'm sorry, Yusuke. That was uncalled for.” Mimicking his pose, she tilted her head to watch him, tone thoughtful. “Kanna freaked me out…big time. She's tried to suck out my soul before. One of the only reasons she couldn't is because my soul is apparently too big. I don't know why. Seeing her reminds me of all the encounters we had with our enemy, and how often I came to losing my friends. Not that it mattered in the end anyway.”

 

“Kuwabara pissed me off, that's for sure. Keiko and I were supposed to go somewhere. She's the only damned thing I have that's stable, that's normal. She was the one to wake me up from the dead, you know. Risked her neck for me. Then she ups and dumps me, says she can't handle the pressure, and the fact I'm never there. She wants something stable, something normal.” Surprised at how much he shared, Kagome gave him a sympathetic glance but then returned to looking at her companions. The disdain in his voice made it clear it was a touchy subject, similar to her own tone of regret.

 

“What do you think of this Masami?”

 

“Definitely not who I'd thought it be. Don't know who I was expecting.”

 

For the rest of the shift, the two relaxed in a companionable silence.

 

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“Kanna, did you complete your task for me?” A soft voice reached out from the shadows. It was enticing, and a few of the followers surrounding the area stopped to appreciate the dulcet sound. Kanna merely nodded, seemingly unaffected.

 

“Yes Masami.”

 

“Good. Show me the group.” The only response she got was the image in the mirror turning into that of Kagome, who appeared to be in deep conversation with a man next to her. “Perfect, she's just how I remembered her.”

 

As the image faded a woman took a step forward, causing the servants to stop and bow in reverence. She was a vision of perfection. A jet black set of locks fell around a heart shaped face like arrows. Her bangs were tucked back to reveal an unnaturally blue set of eyes that seemed to glitter. Her face itself appears to be that of a gentle noblewoman, with the trademark high cheekbones, pointed chin, and full lips that suggest she is a product of high breeding. Her form was lithe and toned, but filled out with the curves of a woman. A sinister smile resided on her face, matching the words that emitted.

 

“It's almost time for introductions. After all, my dear Kagome should be interested in meeting the one who was secretly behind the demise of the hanyou Naraku…and his enemy, Inuyasha.”