AN: This started as just a little idea I had about what might happen if Jade ever met Kagome. It rapidly spiraled out of control. There will be a lot of mixing of the game and anime, but I hope that you like it nonetheless. (I really heart Jade. He's so much fun to write.)

Jade felt his eyes widen as the ground beneath his feet suddenly collapsed. He only had a split second to hear the desperate cries of his rag-tag team before he was sucked through a portal. Blue light erupted around him, almost cradling him as he fell away from his world.

"Dr. Jade Balfour," a wispy voice coming from every direction greeted.

"Yes?" he replied, gripping his spear and righting himself when his fall became a 'float'.

The voice giggled. "Such intelligence you have-such guilt and pain."

A presence brushed against him, vaguely reminiscent of fabric. He narrowed his eyes, but could sense no hostility from the entity.

"Who are you?"

"Who we are matters little; we are known by many names."

"Very well. What do you want?"

More laughter. "You're interesting to us, he who has touched the darkness. We have a daughter-a favored one who has suffered greatly for the mistakes of others. We would have you aid her in her quest."

Jade arched a brow. "I am in the middle of my own fairly pressing mission, if you didn't notice."

Ghost strings trailed through his hair. "Yes, we are aware, Doctor. We offer you a bargain: your aid to Kagome Higurashi in return for training in the Seventh Fonon. When you are done, we'll even deposit you back to your world the instant you left it."

Intrigued, he straightened. "I do not have an affinity for the Seventh Fonon."

"Not as you are, but you have the potential-much more than when you were a child. Kagome can help you the rest of the way, though she does not call the Artes as you do."

Really, his curiosity would be the death of him one day. "What sort of quest is she on? What are the details, exactly?"

The blue light swirled around him, as if happy he asked. "Kagome was born with a powerful artefact in her side, the Jewel of Four Souls. She was an average girl while it lay dormant, which lasted until her fifteenth birthday."

White bubbles drifted up in front of him, showing him glimpses of the girl's life. He was astounded by this new world and the strange, raw manipulation of fonons they were capable of. The girl-Kagome-was so vibrant she fairly pulsed with power and a purity even the Ion replica couldn't achieve. Watching her slowly turn herself from an untrained liability to a powerful ally was fascinating, but seeing her wield the Seventh Fonon made him swallow thickly. She did so naturally, as if the fonons were an extension of herself. He'd never seen anyone with such a perfect affinity.

The other bits he saw-of the dead Kikyō and the younger girl's increasing insecurity-made him narrow his eyes in contemplation.

"They aren't very bright, are they?" he murmured, hearing the entity sigh.

"In regards to her, no. You'll have to tread carefully, Doctor, if you do not wish to shatter her further. She has a great potential for good, but should she become tainted, the world will be lost."

"And her…half-demon 'friend' is too immature to understand the ramifications of his actions towards her."

"Exactly."

Jade glanced around, trying in vain to see the entity. "Why me?"

"Your mind, your past, your own potential. What is your decision, Dr. Balfour?"

Smirking, Jade shrugged. "It is an intriguing opportunity. I'll accept your terms, if you allow the young lady the option of aiding me on my mission in return."

The light flared, giving the Colonel the distinct impression that he was being whispered about. After a moment, the entity (entities?) agreed to his stipulation. Jade didn't show it, but that had him doubly interested in the girl. Woman, rather. He'd gathered that she was somewhere in her twenties now.

"We suggest making an entrance," the voice advised.

Pushing up his glasses, he gave a smug smile. "That won't be a problem."

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Kagome scooped Shippō into her arms, flinging up a barrier around them as she did. The oni they were fighting had used a jewel shard to give itself diamond-hard skin. Inuyasha had been swatted clear out of the battle, while Sango's and Miroku's attacks were next to useless. Pushing the quivering kit behind her, she reached back for an arrow. Her fingers had only just brushed the fletching of one when a voice full of power cut through the fight.

"I, who stand in the full light of the heavens, command thee who opens the gates of Hell. Come forth divine lightning! This ends now!"

Strange, glowing runes in a large circle appeared between Kagome's barrier and the oni right as a man flickered into existence in the middle of them.

"Indignation!" he commanded, releasing a tremendous burst of power and lightning at the oni, killing it when the electricity burned through its eyes into its brain.

Kagome could only gape as the huge demon fell dead at the man's feet. The runes disappeared as the man turned to look at her, his unusual, red eyes dancing with curiosity. She could only blink rapidly, taking in his gorgeous features and strange attire. There was also an odd sort of humming surrounding him in an almost pleasant way. Shippō gripping the back of her jeans brought her mind back to the present.

"Kagome Higurashi, I presume?" he asked with a smile.

Frowning, she pushed Shippō's head back behind her protectively. "Who wants to know?"

Hands behind his back, he gave her a short bow. "I am Col. Jade Curtiss, Third Division, Imperial Forces of Malkuth."

Brows furrowed, she noted Sango and Miroku hurrying to flank her as she studied the man. His words were tinged with a dialect she wasn't familiar with and she'd never heard of Malkuth.

"Are you from around here?" she hazard as he stepped closer to her barrier, seeming to be highly interested in it.

"Indeed not. My world is known as Auldrant. I was sent here to learn to manipulate the Seventh Fonon from you." Reaching out, he carefully touched her barrier, a delighted, but calculating expression skittering across his face as he did so. "You have such excellent control over it. I've never seen the like."

"Er, sent here by whom?"

"Those who dwell in your well," he replied, cocking his head to the side. "Are you satisfied? I'm not here to injure you or your companions."

His power sparked in the hand that was resting against her barrier. It sent a surge through her, leaving a pleasant warmth behind. Jade arched a brow at the effect, having felt it as well.

Releasing the barrier, Kagome bit her lip and motioned to her friends to drop their defensive stances. She could definitely feel a headache coming on.

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"Oh, hell no!" Inuyasha yelled when he finally made it back and found an unfamiliar male speaking intently to his friends.

Kagome blushed at his rudeness. "Sit! Inuyasha, this is Col. Jade Curtiss. He saved our skins today. You could show a little gratitude."

Pulling himself up, the half-demon glared at the amused man. "Explain, Kagome. He smells weird."

Jade sniffed. "It's a product known as 'soap' where I'm from, though with Kagome as a companion, I would have thought you'd be acquainted with it."

Everyone's eyes widened at the Colonel's nonchalant-drawl and implied insult. Inuyasha's face turned an alarming red as his hand flew to the hilt of his sword.

"What'd you say, asshole?" he growled.

Quickly, Kagome slid between them, waving her hands as if to dispel the tension. "Jade's from another world, Inuyasha! He was pulled here to help us."

The half-demon blinked as Jade stepped to Kagome's side.

"To aid you, Kagome, and for you to teach me your ability to manipulate the Seventh Fonon. I've never seen a more adept wielder."

"Are you cracked? Kagome can't manipulate fo-whatevers and even if she could, there's no way she'd teach you!"

Kagome pinched the bridge of her nose as Miroku decided to add his input.

"Ah, Inuyasha, Col. Jade was just explaining to us what fonons are and why he believes Lady Kagome can manipulate them."

Easily recognizing the cue, Jade seamlessly took over. "A fonon is the basic particle of all the elements. They are vibrations of energy that give sound and allow matter to be distinguished, essentially composing the entire universe and its contents."

Face brightening, Kagome nodded. "Yes! That's how it is here, too! Atoms vibrate and a person can manipulate them by manipulating the vibrations."

Glad he didn't have to break it down further for her to understand and not concerned if the others did, the Colonel inclined his head.

"They are split into six categories, each representing a particular element. Each fonon is associated with an aggregate sentience, a spirt that embodies the element as a sentient form: First Fonon is Darkness-Shadow, Second is Earth-Gnome, Third is Wind-Sylph, Fourth is Water-Undine, Fifth is Fire-Efreet, Sixth is Light-REM, and the Seventh is Sound-Lorelei." His eyes flicked to Kagome, seeing the significance of the Seventh hit her.

"If one who does not possess the affinity to control the Seventh Fonon tries to execute a fonic arte-a spell or manipulation of the fonon-that requires the Seventh's use, the arte can easily spiral out of control. Over-absorption of the Seventh Fonon can be fatal as well. If one were to be implanted with a large quantity, every fonon in his body would mutate. Soon, the body would begin to reject the fonons, leading to neural contamination and a type of induced madness."

Miroku caught the gist of what he was saying and rubbed his chin in thought. "I can see why you think Lady Kagome possesses the ability to use the Seventh Fonon. If she purifies an opponent, I suppose it might resemble over-saturation."

"Precisely. And what I felt from your barrier, Kagome, supports the hypothesis."

Sango frowned. "I thought you said a person has to have an affinity for the Seventh Fonon. How would she teach you if you don't have that affinity?"

He smiled. "Ah, I am curious about that myself. Your well-dwellers seemed most assured that it was possible. I suppose we'll find out together, if you've decided I'm not here to relieve you of your heads."

Inuyasha crossed his arms and scowled. "I don't like this. We've got enough on our hands without babysitting some quack."

"I seriously doubt he'll be a burden, Inuyasha," Kagome huffed, getting excited at the possibility of learning what Jade had spoken of, and the opportunity to teach. She'd be seen as useful for a change. "You didn't see what he did to that oni. What was that, by the way?"

"Mystic Arte: Indignation," Jade replied. He despised teaching, but figured it couldn't be helped in this situation.

Snagging her elbow, Inuyasha dragged Kagome off to the side. "Listen, wench, this could be another one of Naraku's tricks."

"Inuyasha, if Naraku could do what Jade did, he'd have used those powers by now. It wasn't like anything I've ever seen and he's human enough."

The half-demon crossed his arms. "He smells like magic. It saturates every part of him and it ain't all light magic, either. Even if he ain't working with that bastard, there's something up there."

Kagome's brows furrowed as she thought on that. Jade did feel like magic, but unlike Inuyasha, she was more inclined to believe him because of it. Though not exactly pure, when his power had sparked against hers, something inside her had woken. It was drawn to him and she wasn't about to turn down help just because he didn't have a squeaky clean past.

"Give him a chance," she insisted. "Besides, if he can help my powers, we can't really turn up our noses, can we? We need something. Things haven't been going our way recently and if he was dragged all the way from another planet, there must be a very important reason."

Clenching his jaw, Inuyasha laid back his ears and looked away. He hated to admit that she had a point. They'd had one setback after another recently and they were all at the end of their ropes. Still, something about the guy made him uneasy.

"Whatever, wench. Don't come crying to me when he turns on us."

Giving his arm a grateful squeeze, Kagome returned to the group, a grumbling Inuyasha right behind.

"Alright! We'd love to have your help, Jade. I don't know how I can teach you what I do, but I'll give it my best shot."

His lips pulled up in a small smile. "That's all I ask."

The intensity of his red eyes belied his amicable air, making her wonder. She had a feeling it would be a dangerous thing to underestimate him.

"Well, we were heading back to Edo so that I can stock up on supplies."

Accepting that, Jade followed after them, silently wondering if the priestess realized how much control she had over the group. Examining all of the companions, he thought it was likely even they didn't see it, either. And yet, in other ways, they treated her like a child. It was decidedly strange and made him itch to prod.

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"Here it is," Kagome chirped, patting the lip of a dry well.

When Jade examined it, he felt a faint pulsing of fonons-an arte so advanced he was bewildered on how it could have possibly been cast.

"I should like to see your home time, Kagome."

Surprised, she looked from him to the well. "It only lets Inuyasha and me through, so far. I suppose we could try, though."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes and flicked his hand over his shoulder as he walked back to the village. "Maybe you'll break your neck and save us all the trouble, girly-boy. It won't let you through."

Jade straightened and stood beside Kagome. "Well, if that's the worst that could happen, why are we waiting?"

Laughing, she offered him her hand. "It probably won't work, but I think we'll have a better chance if you're holding me."

"Why, Lady Kagome, you adamantly refused my hold when I attempted to go through the well!" Miroku exclaimed, clutching his heart.

Blue eyes were unamused as Kagome glared at him. "Jade isn't going to grope me, Miroku." She swung her gaze to the Colonel. "You won't, right?"

He smiled pleasantly. "I'm far more likely to dissect you than to grope you."

As morbid as that was and as serious as she thought he was, Kagome couldn't help but be amused. "Try to resist the urge, please. I'm fond of my bits where they are."

His gaze sharpened at her retort, but he simply smirked and slid his gloved hand into her own. "Very well, ready?"

"Go!"

They jumped into the portal, disappearing in a flash. Sango shifted nervously and looked to her friends, wondering what kind of fit Inuyasha was going to pitch at this turn of events.

"I don't know how to take that man, monk," she admitted.

Miroku leaned on his staff. "I think that is the most dangerous man I've ever met."

Her face tightened as she took in his contemplative air. "What does that mean?"

Turning to look at her, he gave a faint smile. "It means I am very glad he's on our side."

Sango swallowed and stroked her hand through Kirara's fur. She didn't think Jade was on any side but his own.

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Jade stared at the ceiling above them with interest as they touched down. There hadn't been enough time between jumping and landing for him to truly get a feel of how the portal worked. He'd dearly like to experiment with it and the fonons that enabled it. He was curious if it was Kagome controlling the portal, or those entities who'd first spoken to him.

"I don't know what Auldrant is like, but my time is a lot different from the Warring States Era we just came from."

He watched her as she scurried up the ladder, the yellow backpack she carried not hindering her in the slightest. When she reached the top, he followed after, coming up beside her as she waited by the door.

She beamed and opened it. "Welcome to Tokyo, Jade."

Smiling a bit at her enthusiasm, he stepped into the sunlight, finding himself in surroundings similar to what he was familiar with. Kagome closed the door behind them and motioned toward the building across the courtyard.

"That's my home. I have to get supplies, but-if you want-we can work on the…Artes in the courtyard."

"That is acceptable. There is a high concentration of Sixth and Seventh Fonons here." His eyes slid back to hers. "Would you permit me to examine one of your jewel shards?"

That made her hesitate, one hand clasping the vial around her neck. Biting her lip, she pondered the wisdom of allowing such a calculating man access to something so powerful. Steeling her nerves, she nodded.

"On one condition."

Though he was startled that she even considered the request, he didn't let it show, only inviting her to continue. She took a breath and tipped her chin up.

"You have to explain why your aura contains so much death."

He blinked and opened his mouth to respond when she stepped closer, seeming to look at something he couldn't see.

"And yet, so much life," she finished softly, again taking him aback.

Arching a brow, he felt validated in his interest in her. She was a great deal more than what she appeared to be. He marveled at her companions' ability to so consistently underestimate her. With a quirky smile, he pushed up his glasses.

"I suppose both most likely stem from my development of formicry."

Kagome listened as he gave an abridged account of what happened when he was nine and the subsequent experiments he conducted. Her eyes grew large as he came to what was happening now on Auldrant with the replicas. When he had concluded, she wrinkled her nose and glared at him.

"You're an idiot."

Not having expected that, he crossed his arms and studied her. "How so?"

"The first time you replicated-or whatever-if you had truly copied your sister's doll, it would have given you two broken dolls. The same with the replicas, you've copied the original's DNA, but not his or her soul. Like identical twins, yeah?"

Chuckling, he shrugged. "I believe that's the simplest and most accurate way of defining it I've ever heard. Perhaps I should have known-perhaps I had to see it for myself. Either way, what's done is done." He rested a hand on his hip. "Your friends have no idea how capable you are, do they?"

Blushing, she looked away. "It's not all their fault. I did seem like a toddler when I first showed up there. With all the tech I'm used to, I had to be taught even the simplest things. And, it's hard-if not impossible-for them to understand the things I do know."

"Like soap," he drawled, making her laugh gleefully at the reminder of his shot at Inuyasha.

"Don't tell them I said this, but yeah. Gramps goes on and on about the 'unpolluted past' and all that, but-good Lord-he's never slept in a village of unwashed people." She grimaced. "I gained a deep and abiding appreciation for toothpaste."

"Indeed," he sighed, realizing he would be forced to endure the same while he travelled with them. As a soldier, he'd gotten through worse, but he wasn't looking forward to it.

Shaking herself, Kagome sobered and extracted one shard from the vial around her neck. Jade didn't take it when she held it out to him, instead, letting his palm hover over it and gently probing it with his power. A shrewd gleam sparked in his red eyes as he tested the shard, some of the manipulating fonons brushing Kagome's palm. Biting back a groan at the delicious sensation, she couldn't stop the shudder that raced down her spine. Hopefully, he didn't notice, as focused as he was on his little experiment.

Dropping his hand, Jade frowned in thought. "That can create a hyperresonance. That's what makes it so powerful."

"Midoriko is supposedly still fighting the demons inside it. Do you think they're producing the excess fonons, then?"

"An interesting theory. I find the story faulty, however. You say you purify the shards and that the entirety of the jewel was pure when it was inside you; shouldn't that have destroyed any demonic energy inside it?"

Having never thought of that, Kagome laughed in embarrassment. "I take back the idiot comment. I can't cast stones, can I?"

Blinking innocently, Jade silently catalogued the strange female and her unpredictable reactions to him. It made him terribly, terribly curious.

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He despised teaching. He really, really did. However, in order for Kagome to understand fonons and how to manipulate them, he was forced into the role of instructor teaching her the Artes. She was a quick study, her experience with what she called 'holy power' giving her a solid starting point. She was always so pleased whenever he showed her something and explained how to do it. The experience left him puzzled as to how her friends had avoided giving her any kind of training. If even he, as cold and analytical as he was, found satisfaction in her success and growth…why hadn't they?

It was obvious that she'd basically taught herself, once more proving just how intelligent she was. When he asked about her plans for after her quest, her eyes clouded and she released the arte she'd been holding. Jade's brows raised minutely when a half-dead shrub in front of them returned to vitality.

"I pretty much flunked out of school," she admitted, eyes lowered in humiliation, because of the failure and how highlighted it was compared to a doctor who'd risen through the ranks in the military to become a Colonel.

Tucking her hair behind her ears, she shrugged. "I'm not stupid, but something had to give between the two time periods and my schooling was it. It doesn't leave me a lot of options in the modern era."

She'd showed him around her city the day before, and he'd gotten an idea of how advanced her civilization was. They'd picked up several second-hand engineering, medical, and science books when she saw him eyeing them. He was fairly certain he'd be able to implement some of the tech on Auldrant and the scientist part of him was nearly giddy with anticipation.

But, it underscored her point. Her time period had passed her by and the past didn't truly accept her.

"It will be difficult whatever you choose," he noted, his hands behind his back.

Heaving a sigh, she nodded. "And what about you? What are you going to do about Luke and the rest?"

"There's a good chance they'll get themselves killed on this mission, which would save me a lot of trouble, but produce an unholy amount of paperwork."

Snorting, Kagome lightly elbowed him. "You don't even try to censor yourself, do you?"

"If only you knew what I didn't say," he shot back easily.

Hearing layers of meaning in his words, the priestess decided not to press.

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That night, Jade quietly wandered through the house, examining it more thoroughly than he'd done previously. He knew that the family was extremely close, that the shrine had been passed down for generations. However, whatever prosperity the shrine had once enjoyed was long gone. Though they were making ends meet, the Colonel could tell that it was a near thing, that everything was meticulously budgeted. It made him wonder what the money Kagome used to buy his books had been earmarked for.

Frowning at that thought, he studied a picture in the hallway of a teenage Kagome. There was an innocence about her that she no longer had. However, he was surprised to see that the hope she'd had so long ago had only grown with time. If nothing else, she was a determined thing.

A muffled noise from Kagome's room drew his attention. Brows furrowed, he quietly padded closer, hearing what sounded like pained whimpering. Thinking she must be in the throws of a nightmare, Jade wondered if he should wake her or leave her to it. An almost silent sound from down the hall made him glance over.

Mrs. Higurashi had emerged from her room, her bathrobe wrapped around her and resignation on her face. When she spotted him, she shook her head.

"You can't help her," she stated lowly.

"Night terrors?"

The woman's hand fisted in the opening of the robe. "If only. Every time she returns, her nights are worse and her pain greater. She won't speak of it, but I believe it is due to the split in her soul."

Understanding sparked in him as he glanced to the door. "I see. That would cause increasingly agonizing physical pain. I'm surprised she hides it so well."

Shuffling closer, she sighed. "If there is one thing Kagome does unceasingly, it is putting others ahead of herself. Soon, however, she won't be able to hide this from them." Her face stretched thin across her skull as she met his eyes fiercely. "And part of me is glad they won't be able to live in ignorance any longer. Tell me why you are any different."

Arching a brow, Jade let his eyes flicker to the young Kagome and then to her aging mother. His lips tipped up.

"Perhaps I am not."

Staring at him, Mrs. Higurashi waited in silence, as if to pull the answer she wished from the very air around her. When Kagome gave another pained cry, something almost too swift to see flickered in the impassive man's expression. Jerking a nod, she turned and returned to her room.

"We'll see," she murmured, closing her door.

Jade waited a beat longer and then entered Kagome's room. She was panting, curled up on her bed and holding her middle. When she heard him, she raised pained eyes.

"I didn't mean to wake you," she gritted out.

Snorting, he pulled off his gloves. "I hadn't yet retired. Would you like me to send you to sleep?"

Blinking rapidly, she gripped her knees. "Can you do that?"

His deadpanned look was all the answer she needed.

"I'd appreciate it," she quickly agreed. "I can't remember the last time I got a good night's sleep."

"You put up a sound barrier at night with the others," he guessed, seeing her sheepish face. "But, it drains you."

Reaching over, he let a small arte gather on his fingers before he pressed them to her temple. Absolute relief relaxed her face and body before she slipped unconscious. For a moment, Jade watched her peaceful visage, the scant light of the moon dancing eerily across her. He wondered at the surge of fonons she'd emitted when her pain was temporarily blocked.

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"Want to see about getting you able to use the Seventh? You've been teaching me for almost a week and Inuyasha won't stay away for much longer," Kagome asked Jade, days later.

Eager to get to that, the Colonel motioned for her to proceed.

"I've been thinking about it. How do you feel about you casting and me guiding?"

Pushing up his glasses, he turned that over in his mind. "An unusual concept. I've never entertained the idea of tandem casting like that. I don't see how it would be an issue, but let's move farther from the structures, just in case."

Grinning, she led the way deeper into the forest behind the shrine. When they came to a small clearing, Jade called for them to stop. Kagome moved to face him, standing just inside his personal space.

"Okay, so maybe try to call Seventh Fonons to your hands."

Feeling a bit out of his element, Jade nevertheless agreed. Bringing up his hands, he paused when she slid her fingers along the back of them.

"Er, maybe you should take off your gloves?"

Acquiescing silently, he stashed the gloves in his pockets. When Kagome cupped the back of his bare hands this time, both of them froze. It was as if a surge of heat rushed through them, originating from where their skin touched. Jade closed his eyes and concentrated on calling the elusive Sound Fonons. Unlike other times, he could feel Kagome's gentle guidance, nudging his arte until the Sound Fonons submitted to his control.

Startled, he snapped his eyes open to find a glowing ball of wondrous light in his hands, a faint song of such peace washing over him he was brought to his knees. Kagome went with him, never breaking their connection. Tearing his eyes away from the fonons, he looked to the woman who'd made it possible. The light of the arte lit her with an ethereal radiance and a gentle wind lifted her hair. She was grinning with delight, her fingers unconsciously flexing against his.

"Oh!" she breathed, her eyes wide and sparkling. "Jade, your soul-it's so complex! That's why the Seventh was so difficult for you. You have to have an element of faith to control it and you dislike things that can't be rationalized."

That made his brows draw together. "Why should that matter?"

One of her hands slid up to cover the fonons. Lifting it, she took the arte from him and then pressed it to his heart. Gasping, he shook as every dark place in his soul was abruptly illuminated. All the ragged edges of his mind knitted together, healing as Kagome directed the fonons into him. She was completely open in that moment, vulnerable to both him and the fonons and yet she was the one holding the power. She was the strongest because she allowed herself to be vulnerable. He suddenly understood as everything that made her Kagome was revealed to him.

Removing her hand, Kagome let the arte fade, both of them trembling and breathing hard in the wake of it. Weakly leaning back, she gave him a tremulous smile as she released his soul.

"Your soul was so lost," she whispered. "I think…I think you could do it yourself now."

Red eyes widened as the woman collapsed.

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Kagome woke, feeling extremely drained. Groaning, she rolled over, noting that she was in her own room. Movement out of the corner of her eyes had her attention snapping around. She relaxed when she recognized Jade's silhouette.

Hearing her movements, the Colonel turned from her window and offered her a polite smile. "Your grandfather is either one of the cleverest men I've ever met, or the most deluded."

Giggling, she scooted to sit, resting against the wall. "A week and you still can't decide? He'd take that as a compliment."

Pushing up his glasses, he took a few steps to stand beside her bed. "You've been unconscious for three hours. Your mother was surprisingly unconcerned about your state, or of allowing an unrelated male to remain alone with you."

Rolling her eyes, she shrugged. "After everything she's seen over the years, me being unconscious due to exhaustion wouldn't faze her. And, that woman has ears like you wouldn't believe. Nothing happens in her house without her knowing about it. I suppose she figured that-unlike some people I associate with-you act older than your age so maturity wasn't an issue."

Seeing that he'd re-donned his gloves, she sighed. Why did she always get stuck with emotionally stunted men? And why were they always so freaking hot?

"So, you want to discuss what happened?"

Crossing his arms, he stared at her, the force of it almost physical. She would have blushed if she'd not known with one hundred percent certainty that nothing about it was sexual.

"No, you still can't dissect me," she stated slowly, making him blink and then chuckle. It was the first time she'd heard him laugh in genuine amusement.

"Though I've no doubt I'd glean a wealth of knowledge from taking you apart, studying you alive is perhaps even more informative. I do, however request permission to dissect you, should you die while I'm still here."

Rubbing a hand down her face, she shook her head. "No. I don't care how valuable the research would be to science, leave my remains un-desecrated. Now, quit stalling and talk to me about what happened."

Narrowing his eyes, Jade dragged over her computer chair to sit beside her bed. "Seventh Fonons can be great healers. Somehow, you used the ones I'd called to heal my…emotional wounds, for lack of a better term. For a brief moment, both of us were entirely open to the other and connected through the fonic arte."

Licking her lips, Kagome drew her knees up to her chest, trying not to think about all she'd learned in that quicksilver span of time. She'd never felt as close to anyone and whatever reservations she'd had about him had fallen by the wayside.

"You're a good man, Jade," she whispered fervently, meeting his pensive gaze. "Your moral compass was just a little skewed until you developed an appreciation for life other than yourself."

Resting his cheek on his hand, he studied her thoughtfully. "You're so intelligent and yet still so disgustingly optimistic. It's rather off-putting, if you must know."

Eyes bright, she leaned forward and once more placed her hand over his heart. He went very still as she refused to be side-tracked.

"I know who you are, Jade Balfour; all the sharp glass and dark alleys that make up your mind. I've seen them and what they are capable of."

Tugging his coat, she pulled him until he was only a hand's breadth from her, staring into near-glowing blue eyes.

"I've felt the deep currents of your soul and the unmatched whirlwind of your mind. You have compassion in you and a desire to make things better, but you won't let yourself express either openly. Instead, you hide in the shadows, moving people like pawns on a board and sprinkling help where you won't have to face the gratitude for it. Whatever else you are, you are a good man."

Shuddering at the power she infused in her last words, he let his eyes close. "You can't know that," he stated lowly, grasping her upper arms. "You've barely known me a week."

"I looked into your soul," she countered, somehow not surprised when he let his forehead rest on hers, "and you looked into mine. What did you see, Jade?"

Clenching his jaw, he wanted to deny the assertion. He wanted to run away from the person who'd seen every part of him and forget this experiment ever happened. He was the one who nudged and prodded and sometimes dragged people to the right conclusions. He was decidedly ill at ease with the shoe being on the other foot. He didn't want to know her-not truly-not like this. This was much more than what he'd ever had with any other person and he knew without the luxury of a Score that he'd never have it again.

Swallowing, he pulled away to meet her eyes, not backing down from this new experiment.

"I saw a naïve, scared little girl," he gritted out, "who has more loyalty than sense." Watching her face tighten, he felt his heart twist. He wanted to push her, to cut her deeply enough that she'd stay away, feeling as vulnerable as he did. But, he had seen her at her truest self and that knowledge wouldn't let him take the easy way out. "I saw someone underestimated by nearly everyone, but whose indomitable spirit sees her friends through the darkest of times. Your very being is alight with power and purity…with a passion for life I've never seen."

A wistful smile tugged at his mouth as he let the strange warmth in his chest show in his normally stoic eyes. "I can't imagine anything half as exquisite as the person you are."

Ducking her head, she gave into her urge and wrapped him in a tight embrace. Hesitantly, Jade returned it, noting that she exuded pure Seventh Fonons when she was at peace and happy. They filled the air around them, making him ponder the possibility that the short time he had with her just might not satisfy him. He doubted he'd ever find an enigma as enthralling as she was becoming.

The more he learned, the more his appetite was whetted for something he was beginning to think only she could slake.

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Mrs. Higurashi watched as the unusual doctor hovered around her daughter as the younger woman made her way down the stairs. Though he didn't visibly offer her assistance or words of caution, his unique eyes never strayed long from her and he stayed within reach.

The widow doubted anyone else would notice, but there was a softer air about him now in regards to Kagome. When he'd first walked back to the house-a limp Kagome cradled in his arms-for a split second, Mrs. Higurashi had feared that she'd been injured. One glance at the Colonel's normally impassive features awash in confusion and faintly tinged with curiosity dispelled that notion.

Whatever had happened, it had irrevocably changed Jade. He'd hesitated a split second before releasing Kagome into her care, the pause more telling than he probably knew. It had made the mother's eyes sharpen because, as cordial as he'd been, there was a coldness to him that belied his impish manner. There was something about him that let her know that-though he most likely didn't claim much-what he did claim he kept.

That was much more dangerous than Inuyasha's adolescent jealousy. Mrs. Higurashi wanted to protect her daughter from the darkness she could sense in Jade. He could so easily break Kagome beyond repair. Still, she held her peace on the matter, forcing herself to trust in her daughter and the strength she'd always had. The younger woman had been fighting for her life and her very soul since she was fifteen; at the very least, her mother knew that Jade saw no one else when he looked at Kagome.

"Your color is better," Mrs. Higurashi noted as Jade showed his manners by settling Kagome first at the table before seating himself. Despite being exhausted still, the young woman had a contentment to her that was totally foreign. She didn't even get upset at Jade's occasional acerbic comments.

"Jade thinks I should be better after some sleep tonight; which is good since we really need to get back," she replied as Sōta claimed the place on Jade's free side and Gramps settled at the head of the table. Her mother didn't comment about the quieter nights recently.

Sōta noticeably deflated, looking at Jade with watery, dejected eyes. "So soon? But, Sis, you've only been here a week and you finally brought someone I can relate to-a mage-class fighter! Jade promised to show me some Artes!"

The Colonel blinked at the boy's tirade, having never been classified as such, and looked to Kagome for explanation. She grinned, a mischievous light flickering in her eyes as she glanced between them.

"Sōta's big on gaming and his preferred characters are always magic users." Blue eyes turned to her brother. "You know, Sōta, he's also known as 'Jade the Necromancer'."

The boy's face went slack in awe as he turned to a secretly amused Jade. He'd never seen anyone have that reaction to his title. Covering his mouth, Sōta stopped himself from glomping the man.

"You can't leave now! You have to show me!" he wailed. "Please!"

"Raising someone from the dead? Absolutely not, Sōta," Mrs. Higurashi admonished as she placed the food on the table. "Besides, don't you have finals coming up soon?"

Gramps huffed at her. "That's a narrow definition of necromancy, woman. In ancient times, it meant exerting control over the non-physical world."

Kagome was bewildered at her family calmly accepting the idea of Jade being a necromancer-her mother's tone no greater than if Sōta hadn't removed his shoes before venturing into the house and her grandfather bizarrely bonding with him over it. There was something wrong with all of them.

When she snuck a peek at her newest friend, she found him highly amused, deigning to accept Gramps' respect with an air of one used to being acknowledged for his power.

Mrs. Higurashi waved her father-in-law off. "Regardless, I'll not have any communing with spirits or the dead over supper. Sōta, do not hang on him. If Jade said he would entertain your request, he'll do so before he leaves. Jade, I would appreciate it if you didn't show him anything destructive. Kagome, eat, you'll need your strength."

A genuine smile pulled Jade's mouth up and he couldn't help but let his attention stray to Kagome. She was shaking her head and rolling her eyes, but was obviously pleased to be spending this time with her family.

Gramps sighed. "He's much better than that demon, Kagome, half or not. That hothead is as apt to get you killed as save you."

She glared at him. "Inuyasha's my friend, Gramps. He can't help it that his emotional maturity ages slower than a human's."

"Inuyasha is pretty cool," Sōta began, "but you have to admit, he's not going to keep up with you intellectually. Even if he means well."

Rubbing her face, Kagome blew out a breath. "Why are we even comparing them? Besides, Jade's right here, guys."

"Oh, don't let that stop you," he smirked. "Do continue."

Groaning, Kagome gave up on trying to rein in her relatives.

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That evening, Jade submitted to Sōta's silent pleading and gave a brief, non-destructive demonstrative of a few artes to the boy and his grandfather. Inside, Mrs. Higurashi was washing dishes while Kagome dried, both of them watching the happenings outside.

"How old it he, Kagome?"

Glancing up, she shrugged and set aside the plate she'd dried. "Mid-thirties."

Humming in thought, the older woman let the conversation fade for a few minutes. Seeing Jade replicate Sōta's football made her swallow.

"Jade is someone who is very settled in his life," she finally resumed. "His career, his personality, all are fully developed. From what you've told me, he's also an important figure in his world."

Brows drawing together, Kagome nodded. "Yes."

Releasing the water in the sink, Mrs. Higurashi sighed. She never knew when Kagome would return from her trips to the past…if she would return each time she jumped into the well. There was always an element of chance that her daughter would either perish in her mission, or the portal would no longer work to bring her back. It was for that reason that her mother always made sure to speak her mind about anything and everything to her daughter. She didn't want to be separated and have unvoiced advice or feelings between them. Anything she could do to help her daughter, she would. Even if her advice sometimes completely put the cart before the horse.

"You're an adult, too, now, Kagome. However, you're still unsure of your place, of where you truly belong. Once the Jewel is completed and Naraku is destroyed, you'll be at a loose end. Don't make the mistake of defining yourself by what you can offer others. Adult relationships are hard and are in constant need of work. Make sure that once you're passed the heart-pounding, dreamy stage of your feelings that you can love what you're left with. Make sure you love yourself enough to walk away if you don't."

Smoothing back her daughter's hair, Mrs. Higurashi smiled reassuringly. Kagome watched her with confusion, taken aback by the conversation. She knew that her mother had been relieved when her crush on Inuyasha had faded. Though he would always be her best friend, he was a big reason why insecurity often ate at her insides when it came to her abilities. He hadn't meant to tear her down, not truly, but he didn't always understand how his words affected people. Deep inside, he honestly cared about her and their group. Sometimes she thought that hurt more than if he disliked them.

"Mama?"

The taller woman hugged her. "You are brilliant and more than capable, Kagome. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise."

Returning the embrace, Kagome accepted her mother's strange words, wondering what could possibly be going on in her mind.

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Early the next morning, Jade finished dressing and quietly knocked on Kagome's door. Hearing nothing from inside, he cracked the door and found the room empty. A quick search revealed her nowhere in the house. Curious, the Colonel set out to find the wayward woman. Stepping outside, he could vaguely hear music coming from the courtyard. Following the sound, he paused just out of sight as he found his target. Kagome was in some sort of loose pants coming to her shins and a tank. A song with a steady, building beat played from a speaker near her as she went through a series of callisthenic exercises. Despite her usual clumsiness, here she was displaying remarkable balance and flexibility. Perhaps, believing herself alone, she felt more confident in her actions?

Dropping her leg, she bounced a couple of times on her toes as the song changed. A breathy voice came on before a harsher, blaring melody reverberated. Jade blinked at the abrupt switch of gears until Kagome slid fluidly into some sort of hybrid between a dance and a kata. He wasn't sure it would be of any use in an actual fight, but it was surprisingly graceful. Kagome's eyes were closed as she moved with the song, obviously lost in the moment.

"You will remember me! For Centuries!" the song bellowed, Kagome spinning with it as dawn washed her in reds and golds.

She was stunning in her uninhibited moves. It made his mouth dry as he mused on what he'd told her the day before. He hadn't lied about what he'd seen in her soul, but he hadn't disclosed the extent of it, either. He didn't think he'd ever be able to describe what he'd witnessed in her soul. He only knew that Kagome was light-innocent, brave, stubborn and vastly compassionate with a temper to match. She was a ball of strength and power.

When the song once more changed, a slower one played. It was a perfect triple time, making it a melody for cool-down rather than exercise. Kagome turned, nearly shrieking when Jade stepped into her personal bubble, having no idea that he was there.

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Mrs. Higurashi yawned as she entered the kitchen to begin breakfast. Filling the kettle at the sink, she glanced out the window and froze, her drowsiness fleeing. In the courtyard, Jade-dressed in his full military uniform-was dancing with Kagome who was in her yoga outfit.

It was obvious that the Colonel had surprised Kagome, but despite her deep blush, she was happy at the situation. The priestess wasn't as sure of the dance as her partner, but he didn't seem to mind. Mrs. Higurashi shut off the water and set the kettle aside as Jade easily twirled her daughter, sending the girl into giggles as she carefully returned to their original position.

"Jade! I can't dance!" she laughed. "I'll step on you."

Chuckling, he easily stopped them without that occurring. "You seemed to have no problems earlier. Or is it just my presence that hinders you?"

Her face reddened more. "Shut up. Freeform is different. I don't know the rules on ballroom."

Taking her left hand, he placed it on his shoulder, his left settling on her shoulder blade. With his free hand, he tipped up her chin and then held her right hand slightly out from them.

"Watch me," he told her quietly, his intense gaze capturing hers, "not your feet. They'll follow your eyes."

Mrs. Higurashi clasped the edges of her robe in one hand as Kagome shyly nodded. Jade smiled and then set them into a basic pattern for a waltz. True to his word, he adjusted his steps to accommodate any mistakes Kagome made, but the girl was proving to be a quick learner. By the time the chorus came on, she was grinning, her body relaxing at Jade's confident lead.

There wasn't anything tawdry about the scene at all, but Mrs. Higurashi felt its intimacy nonetheless. Kagome had followed Jade's instruction, her eyes not wavering from him. Only when the last note of the song faded did they separate, Jade bowing formally over her hand.

"See, not so hindered," he teased. "But, as for your combat moves, you need a lot of work."

Swatting at him, Kagome huffed. "They weren't combat moves, you jerk. I don't have combat moves. I'm a long-distance fighter. Anything hand-to-hand comes from experience and luck-not training."

Tipping his head to the side, he crossed his arms. "I'm not sure how long I'll be with you. Since I've become rather annoyed at the thought of you dying, I can show you a few basic kata."

Brows up, Kagome paused in gathering her speaker. When she realized he was serious, she straightened.

"Even if dying means you'll have a better chance of dissecting me?"

"You've quite clearly stated your wishes on the matter. Dying would mean you could no longer impart information to me. Therefore, it behooves me to keep you alive."

Fist pumping, Kagome jumped excitedly. "Yes! Thank you, Jade!"

The sun glinted off his glasses as he smiled.

Mrs. Higurashi pulled away from the window and placed the kettle on the eye.

"He's taking care of her," a wizened voice stated.

Glancing to her father-in-law, Mrs. Higurashi sniffed. "Inuyasha and the others protect her, Gramps."

Moving to the table, he sat as she began to prepare breakfast. "Jade is taking care of her. There is a difference and you know it."

Features tightening, the older woman didn't reply for a long while. Finally, she licked her lips and released a harsh burst of air.

"He's going to leave her."

"Maybe."

Clenching her hand on her spoon, Mrs. Higurashi was cut off when the door opened. Kagome bounced in, an amused Jade right behind her.

"Morning!" she chirped, pecking her mother and grandfather on the cheek before breezing out of the room.

The Colonel nodded to them in greeting, then followed after the girl.

"And maybe not."

Brown eyes met brown. "If he does, I'm afraid it will affect her the rest of her life, even if it was as soon as today."

Gramps stroked his beard. "Kagome is strong. What makes you so sure she wouldn't find some way to go after him? Besides, they are opposites: darkness with the potential for light and light with the potential for darkness. Yin and yang."

"Darkness can swallow light."

"And light can destroy darkness."

Wiping her hands, she silently gave him that. If Jade had committed to keeping Kagome alive, she knew he would not be swayed from that. However, 'alive' was not 'happy'.

A gentle pat on her back made her close her eyes as Gramps came up beside her.

"He's taking care of her. Trust in that. Trust in her."

"And, if he breaks her heart?"

The old man shrugged. "Eh, then we'll set the dog on him."

Choking a laugh, she felt her mood lift.

AN: Please let me know what you think! Hugs! (The song exert is from Centuries by Fall Out Boy. I don't own any of the music lyrics in this fic, or either anime/game. Obviously.)