Chapter 12

XII

Kuronue paced the floor of his study, while trying very hard to restrain himself from tearing at Kuwabara's neck. The big oaf was flexing and showing off to one of the female servants, and his incessant bragging was starting to grate his nerves.

"If it isn't too much to ask Kaori, could you possibly take Kuwabara on a tour of the grounds?"

"Yes Master Kuronue."

He watched with contained happiness as they left his study.

"I thought you would never send him away." Ryuko said.

"I didn't see you do anything to help, and your supposed to be my mate!" He smiled at her as she glared.

"We are not with them anymore, there is no need to keep up that charade."

"Why not? I like it."

A faint blush crept onto Ryuko's cheeks, and she glared at him full force.

"Did you find out anything?"

"Well…it seems that a strange new demon has taken up residence, well he has more or less taken over, the northern part of the Makai, and he is holding a tournament in one month. The prize is a piece of land to rule, and one piece of the Shikon no Tama." Kuronue said. His brow creased in concentration. "I believe we all know who this new and illusive new demon is. Our favorite hanyou, Naraku. But the question is how he got here…and how he was able to take over Northern Makai."

XII

Koenma looked at the new group apprehensively. His gaze fell onto the undead miko, who glared back at him. Botan cleared her throat and spoke up.

"Technically, since I am the Lady of Death, or the Grim Reaper whichever you like, I know for a fact that you, Kikyo, died," She pulled out a small black book and flipped through it, "Ah! Here you are, you died 552 years ago, and it is my job and duty to put you to rest." Her eyes glowed with determination.

"Oi! You cant do that! If you send Kikyo to hell, you'll have to take me too!"

"Gladly." Hiei said while easing his sword from it's scabbard.

"Wait! Alright. Kikyo well remain alive…er…non-dead for the remainder of this mission, after that Botan will lay her to rest." Koenma said, preventing the inevitable bloodbath. Yusuke glared sullenly obviously wanting to see some action.

"What's going on?" Miroku asked, wondering why they had all been brought to Kagome's time.

"And where is Kagome?" Shippo asked.

"Naraku has found a way to travel to our time, and has currently taken up residence in the Makai." Koenma explained.

"The what?"

"The Makai is the demon realm. In our time the world is split into three different realms, Makai the demon realm, Reikai the spirit realm, and then the human realm." He took a long suck from his pacifier, absorbing the energy stored there. "Kuronue has informed me that Naraku has set up a tournament with the winners prize being land to rule, and pieces of the Shikon no Tama. We believe it to be a trap…but we don't know what the results are."

"So what are we going to do?" Miroku asked.

"We are going to set off the trap. The tournament requirements are a team of 7 to fight. There are no rules, and the only way to win is to kill your opponent." Koenma looked around at the gathered group once more.

"I suggest you find Kurama, and Kagome."

He then took this time to dive into the steaming fish that's scent had been tingling his nose. The group took this as their cue to leave.

XII

Kagome stood outside the door to the nurse's office, fidgeting with the end of her skirt nervously. In front of her stood Shuuichi, his once emerald eyes were now specked with gold. He stood with his hands in his pocket, his eyes shining with concern. Minity was slowly backing away, until she had disappeared totally. Kagome and Kurama never noticed.

"How are you feeling?" Kurama asked quietly.

Kagome stared into his eyes, the gold flecks so familiar. A sudden lurch in her heart, and tears sprang to her eyes. Memories of Youko washed over her.

"Youko?" She whispered slightly. She could feel his aura, could almost taste it. The red head nodded once. Kagome lifted her hand, and dropped it again.

"I-but-how?" Kagome asked, disbelief written clearly on her face. She was shaking now. I had said that I would go searching for him…but now that I have…maybe found him. I don't know what to do…I'm so confused, and scared. Scared that…what if it's not him. What if this is some cruel joke. Shuuichi looked straight into her eyes.

"Let us go somewhere were we will not be disturbed." He said softly. Kagome nodded, a little confused. They entered the Nurses office, locking the door. They stood in the middle of the room, Kagome looking up at him expectantly.

"Well. After I pushed you into the well, Naraku fled, leaving his 'child' Kagura. I was not…thinking clearly. And the battle was soon over, ending with me dead, and Kagura the victor. My spirit fled and ended up in womb of Ms. Minamino, and her unborn child Shuuichi." All this was said in a soft voice. Kagome was shaking slightly. Is this really him? Can I truly believe.

"During the early stages of childhood, I had planned on taking over the body once I had returned to full strength, and leaving to return to the Makai. Unfortunately, or fortunately, however you look at it, I learned what it was to love and be loved, and stayed with Ms. Minamino. But this also meant that there were two souls living in one body, and although we were in agreement about most things… our souls still hadn't really adapted. Until now." Shuuichi finished. Kagome was confused.

"What do you mean 'until now'?" She asked, her brow scrunched in confusion.

"What I mean is that our souls have merged. There isn't a Shuuichi and a Youko anymore…there is just Kurama. A combination of the two."

"So…you're a hanyou?" Kagome asked. Still confused. Kurama laughed softly.

"No my dear Kagome, the human side was purged…not so much purged because Shuuichi's attributes are still here. But…I am more a demon in disguise." Kagome nodded.

"When did this all happen?"

"When you first bumped into me. Our souls began agreeing on things more often. Most things pertaining to you. We slowly began to merge. When you fainted, everything about us was in unison, our thoughts, our wants…and the merge was completed."

Kurama could still feel the doubt within her. He smirked slightly.

"Does this convince you?"

Kagome froze, as a silky deep voice penetrated through her thoughts. A voice that was oh so familiar. Kagome blinked as tears once again sprang to her eyes. She didn't dare look up, for fear that this was all a dream. She felt a finger under her chin, bringing her face up. She closed her eyes. Not wanting to believe. If this is all some cruel joke…

"Open your eyes Kagome." It was a voice that she remembered all too clearly. She cracked an eye open, tears leaking out of her now open eyelids. The sight that greeted her, was one that made her cry out in joy.

"Oh Youko! It is you!" She whispered as he wiped away her tears with one clawed finger. Kagome stared into his golden eyes.

"I-I didn't want this to be a dream! I-I was scared that-"

She didn't get to finish her sentence, because his lips were suddenly upon hers. Kagome melted against him. It's like my first kiss all over again. The world around her melted, and their was only the sense of him, and the love they shared.

"Excuse me!"

Kagome jumped away from Youko, a blush forming on her cheeks. Youko growled in annoyance. I finally find her after 500 years… Youko growled again, and glared at the intruder. It was that crazy princess that was his servant for awhile.

"H-how did you get in here Minity!" Kagome stuttered. Her checks still burning. Youko smirked. So I do have a lasting affect on her.

"AH! So you found Lover-boy." Minity smiled at Youko. "Long time no see…" She said. He glared at her.

"You put that-that RIDICULOUS bond on us! And you did-"

"Take deep relaxing breathes Youko. You cannot say that you did not enjoy it." A new voice said. Youko turned around and faced the other princess.

"How the hell are you guys getting in here?" He growled out. They both smiled. ((there they go smiling again!))

"A simple matter of magic." Atsuko said, she then turned her attention to Kagome. "Okay young lady. It has been quite sometime since you have visited our father! Let's get going." She then proceeded to grab a hold of Kagome's sleeve. Kagome spluttered, and stumbled over her indignation. But it fell on deaf ears.

"Now you just wait a minute! Don't I have a say in the matter?" Kagome asked.

"No!" Both sisters said at the same time.

Kagome glared at the twins, before yanking her sleeve away.

"I refuse to move another inch!" Kagome yelled. Atsuko gave a long suffering sigh. Just inches from the door! Atsuko thought.

"You have to see him. Now!" Minity said. Kagome glared.

"Fine. But Youko is coming with me. And I will not be dragged around like I'm a little kit!" The twin's looked at each other, and nodded. Youko stood beside Kagome, wrapping an arm around her waist. Kagome, in turn, immediately melted against him. They watched as Atsuko started to chant something.

"What's she doing?" Youko whispered in Kagome's ear.

"She's talking to an air elemental. Asking for help."

Youko watched in fascination as a shimmery woman appeared. She was see through, and had no feet, the wind seeming to swirl around her, forming a long and elegant dress. He watched as Atsuko seemed to talk to her. And then they were surrounded by bubbles. Kagome and him in the same bubble.

"We're going to travel in bubbles?" Youko asked incredulously.

The wind elemental gave him a sharp look, and Kagome giggled as the elemental seemed to talk to her.

"It seems that she has been doubted before." Kagome explained. "My father said something along the same lines."

Youko nodded, and began poking the bubble. Kagome swatted his hand away, and they began to rise.

"Stop poking." She said absently. She watched as the door to the nurses office was blown open, and they sailed out. Kagome suddenly felt herself jerked from her sitting position and into the arms of a certain silver haired, golden eyed youkai. Kagome looked up, confused.

"Now where were we?" He asked before his lips found hers. Kagome had about a half-second to realize that he had kissed her before she was swept away into that world were only they and their love existed.

XII

(END)