This is a story I had finished right before I started "Black Widow Miko." I had it posted on a couple of other sites, and it seemed to go over well. It has a very different tone and feel to it. I warn you: there will be some outrageous hentai humor coming up in a few chapters. I hope you enjoy it!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT NOW, NOR WILL I EVER, OWN OR PROFIT FROM ANY OF THE CHARACTERS, SETTINGS, ETC. FROM INUYASHA AND YU YU HAKUSHO. (NO MATTER HOW MUCH I MAY WISH OTHERWISE.)

regular talking

telepathic conversations -"Youko""Kurama", "Hiei"

(thoughts to self)

Hentai Bets

Chapter One: Bets & Players

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As Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama, and Hiei stepped through the portal, following Botan into Lord Koenma's office, they were met with a strange sight. Now, considering they were a team of Spirit Detectives, working for the Rekai to protect the Ningenkai from the more evil denizens of the Makai, -- and that they themselves were strange mixtures of youkai blood or ningen and youkai blood, or ningen and youkai souls, or held high spiritual powers, or had died, (possibly more than once), -- to say they saw a strange sight, well, THAT was saying something. But all four were stunned to silence at the scene before them. For inside their boss' office, a battle was being waged … by a pair of babies.

Lord Koenma, often referred to as "Toddler" by Yusuke, since he currently held the form of a small boy-child, and was always sucking on an object that appeared to be a pacifier, was rolling around on his desk exchanging blows with a very similar-looking small boy-child, also sucking on a pacifier. Papers were scattered everywhere in the room, and while Koenma was brandishing a stamper, the other child was getting in some licks with a stapler. At one end of the desk stood George, Koenma's loyal, blue ogre assistant. He was yelling for Koenma to "Get him, boss!!" Next to him stood an unfamiliar red ogre, who was shouting encouragement to the other kid. "Show him what a real demi-god can do!" Both ogres were watching the brawl intently and they were each clutching a wad of cash in their hands. For all intents and purposes, it appeared they had a bet riding on the outcome of the fight.

"What the hell is going on here?!!?" Yusuke finally shouted.

The battling babies stopped and looked up. Koenma's hat lay on the floor and his shirt was pulled and gathered in strange designs being held in place by staples. He was panting for breath, and was clutching the other baby's shirt at the neck. He had a black eye and there was blood trickling down his chin from his split lower lip. The other one didn't look too good, either. In addition to a bloody nose, he had a huge bruise covering his left cheek. You could clearly read the words "Request Denied" in squares all over his forehead, cheek, and chin, and his shirt was missing a sleeve that must have been ripped off during the altercation.

"Ha! MY detectives are already here. So it would be pointless to even gather your team now."

"Ha yourself, Koenma. MY team is already being dispatched directly to the problem area."

"WHAT? You dirty little cheater. How dare you?"

"Don't get mad at me for being more efficient."

"Lord Koenma, would you mind telling us what this is all about?" Unfailingly polite, even when he didn't really want to be, Kurama tried to redirect Koenma's attention to the matter at hand.

"Hmmph! It has come to our attention that there is some serious trouble brewing on a small island near the Makai border. Demons have been crossing the barrier and gathering there for some weeks now."

"WHAT? Why are we just hearing about this NOW?" Running his hand through his hair, Yusuke fumed.

"Well, there aren't many ningens on that island. There's only one small village operating an exclusive resort, so we weren't overly concerned at first. Now, however, we believe forces are being gathered there for a specific target or targets. A group of powerful businessmen will be holding a retreat there, and we believe one of them is in possession of a powerful and dangerous artifact. We cannot allow it to fall into the wrong hands or it could spell disaster! So, I need you to investigate the resort and the surrounding island, protect the group of businessmen during their stay, find the artifact, and eliminate all threats."

"What does this artifact do, and who, exactly, has it? Also, who's he, and what's this about another team?" Yusuke asked, stabbing a thumb in the other "toddler's" direction.

"Allow me to introduce myself: I am Lord Enmaru, Koenma's brother."

"LITTLE brother."

"Whatever."

"WHAT?!?"

"Koenma is in charge of HALF of the Spirit Realm's administrative and investigative affairs, and I take care of the other half properly."

"Why you little…!"

"The truth hurts, doesn't it, BIG brother?"

"YOU didn't even HAVE a team of Spirit Detectives until 2 years ago."

"True. But I believe I recruited an infinitely more effective, and certainly more interesting team."

"Bah! Your team is nothing more than a group of degenerate hentais. Excluding Lady Kagome, of course. And you only chose her so you can call her into your office and look at her whenever you want."

"You're the one that has a picture of her in a bikini blown up poster-size that you put up on the ceiling in your bedroom. How did you get that picture, by the way? And are you denying her power and abilities? I believe your file on her must be lacking information, if that is the case."

"Stay out of my room! And what do you know about my file on her? Have you been deliberately concealing information?"

"Let's just say, there's more to her than meets the eye. And THAT is saying something."

"Whatever her abilities, you have to admit all four members of your team were forced into service for breaking the laws of Reikai."

"And your team is any better?"

"Only TWO of them are actual criminals."

"Well, this is certainly an interesting turn of events. I had no idea Koenma was splitting duties with a sibling," Kurama commented dryly.

"Hell, Red. We didn't even know he HAD a sibling."

"Hn. Just another example of him keeping things from us," Hiei crossed his arms over his chest.

On the verge of losing his temper now due to the confusing situation and the revelation that Koenma was keeping BIG secrets from them, Yusuke exploded. "HELLO? The artifact? Don't you think we should know what it's capable of?"

"Right. Look at the screen." A beautiful necklace made up of shiny black gems and one large square white gem that looked like a very large diamond flashed onto the screen. "This necklace holds the Gem of Desire. Whoever wears the necklace can use it to incite and compel the desires of another being or a whole group of them."

"You mean it makes people horny?" Yusuke snickered. He and Kuwabara started laughing.

With a loud sigh, Enmaru mumbled, "That's the same reaction I got from a couple members of my team."

"Don't be so short-sighted, Yusuke. Sexual desires are only a part of it. We think it can affect and control greed, powerlust, -- you name it! It can tap into a person's desire for safety -- causing them to become paranoid and dangerous. Or a desire for a quick fortune or easy lifestyle can turn a person into a thief or inveterate gambler. The desire for strength and power can be channeled into ruthlessness and bloodshed. It can turn people, or demons, into hardened killers. There are many ways this gem can be used as a weapon. And our indications are that the person who wears the necklace can use it to affect a single being or possibly even a whole crowd."

Kurama studied the necklace thoughtfully. "Does it only affect desires already present in a person, or can it actually make a person feel and act on a desire that is not his own?"

"Um. Well, … we don't really know."

"That significantly increases the potential dangers of this mission."

"Crap!" Yuske broke in. "So, who has the necklace? Why don't we just take it from him and lock it away like you do with so many other artifacts?"

"Well, that's just it. We're not sure exactly who has it. We've picked up its energy signature and tracked it to the corporation which is sending its executives to the island. We haven't been able to pinpoint the person who has it, though. There must be some kind of cloaking spell keeping it from being detected at close-range."

Kurama broke in here. "Do you think it is possible that the person with the necklace is cooperating with the demon behind the gathering forces -- that he is bringing it there to him?"

Koenma and Enmaru looked stunned. They stared at Kurama, and then at each other.

"I never thought about that."

"It's possible."

"This makes things a little trickier. Instead of letting the businessmen know you're guarding them, you'll have to keep a low profile."

"I think that makes Lady Kagome the primary operative, then doesn't it? Your team may as well do the island reconnaissance, while mine protects the ningens and finds the necklace.

"What? No way! You just want your team to get all the credit in the report Father gets."

"Hey! Why would you try to make a girl do something dangerous like play bodyguard to some guys who are either going to get attacked for the necklace or are part of the bad guys anyway? That's not right." Kuwabara couldn't believe they would let the only woman in the group be in so much danger.

"It's because she's a woman that she will be able to get close to the ningen men without being suspicious. They're all going to want to be around her anyway, so she'll have plenty of opportunities to look for the necklace."

"I have to agree with Kuwabara somewhat, though, " Kurama softly interjected. "She shouldn't be the only one responsible for protecting the group. And if she is as attractive as you say, what if whoever has the necklace uses its powers on her? I think we will make our own partnerships and assignments after we meet with the others. It would be best to combine the teams and utilize our various skills and strengths."

"Quite right, Red. And we will want to be partnered with the female. From the things Koenma and Enmaru are saying, she must really be something!"

"Is that all you ever think about Youko?"

"Yes."

"Well, I guess you can hash that out with my detectives when you see them," Enmaru agreed. Then he leaned over to Koenma and whispered loudly, "But my team is still going to win."

Koenma whispered back, "Care to up the stakes?"

"Double them, and the loser picks up the tab from the resort."

"You're on!"

"I can't believe you two are betting on the outcome of this mission! You're pathetic. Can we get going now? If the other team is already on the island, we need to meet with them as soon as possible."

"Fine, Yusuke. Botan, take them to the island."

"Perhaps you should let MY guide drop them off where my team is?"

"FINE! Botan, go with them, though so you 'll know the exact location."

Turning to the red ogre, Enmaru said, "Henry, get Kouga."

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"Lady Botan! How nice to see you again."

The Spirit Detectives looked up as a handsome wolf spirit swaggered into the room. His long, dark hair was pulled up into a ponytail. He had on blue jeans and cowboy boots with a blue plaid button-up shirt which he wore unbuttoned almost to his waist. The pretty, blue-haired ferry spirit smiled and greeted him.

"Hello, Prince Kouga."

"Well, let's go! I dropped Kagome and the others off about an hour ago. They're probably gathering supplies in the village and securing rooms for the night at the resort."

Saying that, he opened a portal and stepped through with Botan right behind him, and a rather apprehensive group of detectives following.

"I wonder what this Lady Kagome looks like? I hope she has nice, long legs so she can …"

"Youko, can we please, just this once, focus on the mission without getting carried away by your fantasies of naked women and exotic sexual positions?"

"We wouldn't have to 'get carried away' by my fantasies if you'd cooperate and find us a fitting bed partner. We haven't had sex for almost 6 months now, and that last one -- that librarian -- wasn't much sport."

"She was very pretty and very intelligent. Mother liked her, too."

"She was very boring. AndShiori wasn't the one having to try to coax her out of the missionary position, to no avail, both times. And we're no where near thinking of taking a mate at this point in our lives, so who cares if Shiori likes her anyway? And you know you weren't interested enough to invite her in a third time, either."

"Same problem as always, fox? Still can't find a female who meets your standards and Youko's requirements, too?"

"Don't get him started, Hiei."

"Yes, Hiei. Don't get all snide with me just because you're forced to take out your sexual frustration by hacking and slashing your way through the forests of the Makai instead of enjoying the delights of a beautiful woman."

"Hn. I don't allow my 'urges' to distract or control me."

"Good thing since you have no idea how to go about seducing a woman."

"Just what are you saying?" His eyes narrowed in annoyance and he glared in Kurama'a direction.

"I'm saying you'd never get laid if the Makai bitches didn't go into heat."

"Youko! Hiei, don't pay any attention to him. You know how he gets sometimes. He's angry with me and just taking it out on you."

"Oh no. Stop babying the mean-tempered little bastard, Red. Acting like he's better than us. He's just not honest enough to admit he'd like to find a real lover, too, instead of just mindlessly rutting an occasional demoness. But he doesn't stand a chance with any worthwhile female."

"You are worse than a bitch in heat. And when is the last time YOU had a 'worthwhile' lover? You're quick to push Kurama at every pretty face you see, only to whine and complain later about the many qualities they lack. You haven't been able to find and seduce a truly 'worthwhile' female in all the time I've known you. And I simply haven't had the need nor the inclination to try to procure a 'real' lover. I don't have the time or the patience to have to deal with a 'relationship' -- I see no benefit in it."

"Ha! Like I said, you couldn't coax a worthwhile female into your bed if you tried. And you probably wouldn't know what to do with her if you could. A quick rut with a nameless body does not compare with the infinite pleasures that can be found and enjoyed with an interested and interesting partner. I feel sorry for you. Maybe you should borrow this necklace when we find it."

"You go too far, fox. Do not presume to insult me further or you will find yourself unable to satisfy your perverted desires until the appendage in question regenerates in a hundred years or so."

"Um … Hiei? That's MY body you are threatening, and you're both making me very uncomfortable with this little argument you're having. Can we please forget about it and just concentrate on the mission?"

"No. It's time we teach this arrogant little prick a lesson. I propose a little contest. The first one to seduce and bed this Lady Kagome wins."

"Hn. A ningen? My tastes do not run that way."

"From what Koenma and Enmaru were saying about her, she must be exceptionally beautiful. Not only does Enmaru think she will have no problem getting close to any of the businessmen at the retreat, but both demi-gods admitted they are attracted to her, as well."

"We would have to both agree that she is attractive and interesting enough to be considered worthwhile. What are the stakes?"

"What?!? You aren't serious! Any 'worthwhile' female would have your heads if she ever found out you two were having a little 'contest' over her. And in your case, Youko, that means MY head."

"Fifty thousand yen, and if you win, I'll give you one of my greatest treasures: a hand-crafted katana made by the legendary Totousai. If I win, you properly and carefully cultivate my rose garden for a week, and formally give Kuwabara permission to court Yukina and take her out without following them."

"You are asking a lot on your end, fox."

"Want to concede and admit you don't stand a chance?"

"Hn."

"So, we are agreed on the terms?"

"Hn."

"You've both lost your minds. You can't bet on something like that. I won't be a part of it."

"Don't kid yourself, Red. If she turns out be acceptable to both me and Hiei, she'll have to really be something. In which case, you may very well be interested in her, too. But, I'll be happy to do the pursuing myself. What female could resist the full-blown charms of a silver kitsune?"

"Hn. A 'worthwhile' one."

"OOoooohh! You sawed-off, little …"

"Will you both knock it off? Kouga seems to have spotted one of the other team."

A loud SMACK was heard, followed by a cry of "Hentai!" Kouga headed straight for the young man now bearing a red, hand-shaped print on his left cheek. He was a good-looking ningen, with dark hair caught back in a short tail at the nape of his neck. He was wearing a pair of faded blue jeans with a tight, purple, muscle shirt with the words "Highway to Heaven" across the front of it with a picture of a road leading down into his pants. He was carrying an ancient-looking Shakujou just like the oldtime intinerent monks used to carry.

"Miroku. Even though your kazaana is no longer cursed, you still carry the other curse of your forefathers, ne?

"I am sure I have no idea what you are talking about."

"I'm talking about the way you can't keep your hands off women's butts."

"Now, Kouga, you know I cannot be blamed for attempting to regain my balance if I slip on a loose stone or inadvertently trip over a branch or tree root."

"Ha! That's a good one, monk."

"And who might this delightful and beautiful companion of yours be?"

"Oh yeah. Botan, this is Miroku. Don't stand too close to him."

Miroku smoothly stepped past Kouga to gently clasp one of Botan's hands between his own. "Lady Botan, I am privileged to be allowed to meet one of such incomparable beauty and grace. Would you do me the honor of bearing my child?"

Blushing profusely, Botan stammered, "Um….I…er…"

"I can't believe it! He's gone Kuwabara one better with that line," Yuske said, with a sweat drop glistening on his forehead.

"Hey! I would never ask a girl something like THAT. It ain't decent," Kuwabara complained.

"You unrelenting hentai. Will you please cease asking every woman we come across that annoying and desperate-sounding question?"

The detectives focused on the approaching figure of a tall, elegantly handsome male, with long, wavy, black hair flowing down his back and snapping red eyes. It was readily apparent that he was of at least partial youkai blood, though none of them could discern exactly what kind of youkai he was. He was wearing a pair of gray cargo pants with a spotlessly white polo shirt. And he gave off an aura as dark and dangerous as Hiei's.

"You must be Koenma's team of detectives."

Kurama stepped forward to make the introductions, but was cut off by Kouga demanding, "Where's my woman?"

Immediately, the 2 males from the other team replied, "She's NOT Your woman!" The monk seemed slightly amused, but the hanyou seemed quite irritated.

"Just once, I wish you would refrain from making that annoying claim on my Miko every time you show up."

Now, the monk and the wolf declared in unison, "She's NOT Your Miko!"

Just then, a low, friendly-sounding, feminine voice called out, "All right guys. Since we wanted an isolated floor, I could only get four rooms, so we'll have to double up."

All eyes turned to the woman approaching from the side.

Striding forward in a confident, yet casual manner, was a petite, young woman in a ruffled, white skirt that hit about mid-thigh, showing off a generous amount of beautifully-toned legs. Her top was a light pink, peasant-style shirt that hung loosely off her shoulders and fitted tightly to her very trim waist. She had a figure that would have stopped traffic, if there were any vehicles around. But there weren't any on this island getaway, so the male pedestrians had to be content with letting their eyes bug out and their jaws drop at the sight of her. Her hair was pitch-black, and she wore it loose in the back where it swayed around her hips as she walked. She had a long braid hanging down each side of her face. She wore a silver half-circlet which housed a beautiful pink gem set right at the middle of her forehead. Her wide, genuine smile drew their eyes to her full, lush lips, and her large, impossibly-blue eyes were friendly and sparkling, bringing a warm feeling to the group turned her way. As she approached, the tangy scent of oranges and lemons tickled the noses of the demons present, perking up their senses and making their mouths slightly water.

Although he was decidedly in love with his fiancee, Keiko, Yusuke let out a whistle. (That is the sexiest woman I have ever seen!)

Kuwabara was practically drooling over her. (She's SO pretty!)

Youko wanted to pounce on her so bad that Kurama almost stumbled forward, barely managing to hold his ground.

"Now THAT is an attractive woman. Do you see the way she seems to almost glide over here? When is the last time we saw a woman with that kind of grace? And her body…I want to run my claws all over it --slowly. From her neck to her toes and back again. Down the outside of her thighs on the way down, and…"

"Youko! If you don't calm down, we're going to make fools of ourselves."

"Not a chance, Red. There's no way I'm going to mess this up and let her slip through our fingers. Check out that muscle tone and those beautiful hands -- she will be a superlative lover. I'll bet she's limber, too, I've always wanted to try …"

"I believe your fantasies are a bit premature, fox. I know you haven't missed the innocence in her scent. And she has certainly not remained untouched for a lack of willing partners with her looks."

"Speaking of her scent, I wonder if she tastes as delicious as she looks and smells?"

Hiei didn't reply to that as he had been wondering the very same thing.

When she reached them, Kouga leaped forward and grabbed her around her waist, bending her back over his arm as he nuzzled her neck, saying, "Ah, Kagome. Did you miss me?"

She giggled as she looked up at him and playfully smacked his chest. "Kouga, you nut. You just dropped us off here an hour ago. Now why don't you introduce me to our new teammates?"

Giving her a quick wink, he said, "I don't know that I want to introduce you to any more possible rivals, but this is Lady Botan."

Stepping away from Kouga, the small woman bowed. "Nice to meet you, Lady Botan. Lord Enmaru says you are one of the few things standing between Lord Koenma and certain disaster. Be careful or he will try to steal you away for himself," Kagome teased with a bright smile and a twinkle in her eye.

"High Priestess Kagome, it is an honor to finally meet you, " Botan bowed deeply as she greeted her.

"Oh please! None of that High Priestess or Lady stuff. It's just Kagome."

"Thank you, Kagome. Please just call me Botan as well."

"Great! It'll be so nice having contact with an actual other female for a change. Why don't you stand over here with me while we get acquainted -- you're a little too close to Miroku."

"Kagome-sama, I am shocked you would say such a thing. Just what are you implying?"

"That I know you too well, my dear friend, " she said, winking at him. "My partner with the roving hand is Miroku. The menacing, arrogant one is Naraku. I would tell you his bark is worse than his bite, but since I know from firsthand experience just how nasty his bite can be, I won't bother sugarcoating the truth. But you can count on him to get the job done."

"Ah, but your negative opinion of me is all in the distant past now, ne? I assure you, if you were to allow me to bite you now, you would feel nothing but intense, soul-shattering pleasure, my dear Miko."

"She's NOT Your Miko!"

"Ahem. Well …" A blush slowly stained the woman's cheeks, turning them a very becoming shade of pink. "Anyway, I'm Higurashi Kagome. The fourth member of our team is checking out the various hot springs for this evening. So, who are the gentlemen with you, Botan?"

Pointing to a handsome young man with dark slicked-back hair, Botan introduced him as Urameshi Yusuke, the leader of the team. He wore faded blue jeans with a white t-shirt that read "What are YOU looking at?", which emphasized his broad shoulders and muscular build. With a rather cocky, grin, he merely said, "Yo!" in a manner that was vaguely reminiscent of Inuyasha.

"The tall redhead next to him is Kuwabara Kazuma." Kagome noticed he was easily well over 6 ft. tall, and while not precisely handsome, his features were kind and pleasant. He looked very powerful, physically, in a pair of black jeans with a dark blue t-shirt.

He stepped up to Kagome and lowered himself to one knee, asking, "Will you be my girlfriend?"

He was quickly smacked in the back of the head by Yusuke. "You baka!"

Kagome giggled and reached out to give Kuwabara a hand up. "Actually, that's one of the sweetest, most polite questions I've been asked since Lord Enmaru formed the HSDs. Arigatou, Kuwabara-san, though I am sure a kind, strong man like yourself must already have someone dear to his heart."

"That's true. My sweet Yukina …"

Yusuke interrupted him before he could go off on a roll about the object of his affections. "The HSDs?"

"Yeah," Kagome said with a laugh, tilting her head in her teammates' direction. "The Hentai Spirit Detectives."

"You know, Koenma said something to that effect about you guys. Not YOU, Kagome, just the other members of your team."

Laughing fully now, Kagome agreed. "Weeeelll. Let's just say, the unique blend of personalities in our group has garnered us quite a reputation in the Reikai. Of course, that's why I got stuck with them -- I'm the only one they trusted not to be corrupted by close association with them."

"Indeed. My Miko's reputation lends itself to such an assumption. She is, after all, the Junjoukaren no Miko," Naraku broke in smoothly.

Together, Kouga and Miroku groaned, "She's NOT Your Miko!"

"This woman is the miko of legend? The Priestess who is Pure of Heart and Beautiful -- it suits her."

"But wasn't she supposed to be the one involved in the Battle for the Shikon no Tama? That was back in the Warring States period, wasn't it?"

"Yes. She was also known as the Shinsei no Miko -- the True Priestess and the Kenage no Miko -- the Brave and Beloved Priestess. Truly an interesting woman. Definitely 'worthwhile.' I am sure even you must agree, Hiei."

"Indeed."

"Then it's on."

"I can't believe you two are going to involve me in a competition for a legendary miko."

"You're not telling me you wouldn't like to win her for yourself?" Youko arched a brow with a look of disbelief on his face.

Kurama sighed. "No, I cannot deny it. I would like to get to know her better, too. Aside from her obvious beauty, I'd like to find out more about her involvement with the Shikon no Tama and how she is still alive after all these years. There are many mysteries surrounding her I would like to solve. Still, I can't help but feel nothing good can come of this competition. Trying to seduce a woman to win a bet -- I do not want to toy with her affections."

"It's not her affections I plan on toying with."

"You realize we're all going to get purified."

"Ah. But it will be worth it."

While watching all of the introductions and interplay so far with great interest, Youko was tired of being in the background and pushed Kurama to step forward to meet the beautiful miko before them.

"Stop standing around, Red! It's time we made personal contact with our new lover."

Feeling an almost magnetic attraction to her himself, Kurama didn't even reply to Youko's normally inflammatory statement.

"Lady Kagome, …"

"Just Kagome," she responded out of habit, as she turned her attention to one of the young men she had yet to meet. She had lifted her hand to reach out and greet him when her eyes widened and her lips parted in a slight "oh." Before her stood one of the most beautiful males she had ever seen. And considering her associations with youkai like the Great Taiyoukai Sesshoumaru, THAT was saying something. He had gorgeous, long, dark-red hair and mesmerizing eyes that flashed between jade-green and a pure, molten gold. He was tall and lean, yet obviously very fit and well-muscled. His tan slacks and white button-down shirt were well-tailored. All in all, he was simply a stunning example of masculine beauty, and Kagome knew they were in for some trouble.

Seeing her reaction, Youko almost purred.

"Kagome, I am Minamino Shuichi, but please call me Kurama," he said as he took her hand and gently pulled her closer to him, bending as if to kiss the top of her hand, but instead turning it over and sliding his lips across the inside of her wrist. A slow, tingling, warmth sent a shiver down her spine.

She exhaled softly, and in a low voice said, "Oh no. A kitsune avatar. Veeerrrry smooth. Too good-looking. Almost irresistible. I'm afraid you may prove too distracting during this mission."

Not prepared for what she had said, Kurama lost his composure and simply blinked his eyes and looked at her for a moment.

Before Youko could step in and say or do something outrageous in response to the woman's surprising statement, Hiei, who had also felt an instant attraction to the miko before them stunned his own teammates by stepping forward and taking her hand from Kurama's grasp, saying, "I am Hiei."

When he touched her hand, Kagome felt a jolt of warmth that rapidly spread up her arm and washed over her in a tingling wave of sensation. She could immediately see that his aura was as powerful and turbulent as the intense look in his crimson-colored eyes, which briefly held hers captive until she dropped them to skim over his solidly-muscled form. He looked hot in a pair of black jeans with a plain black muscle shirt. She wondered about the white bandana he wore across his forehead -- it seemed to be warding some kind of power source. Her gaze returned to his eyes, and she was enchanted to realize he was only a couple of inches taller than she was. (Why are all of the male youkai I 've had to deal with so blasted tall? At least I will be able to talk to him without straining my neck looking up.)A slow, dazzling smile spread over her face. "Hello, Hiei. Nice to meet you."

Then, she frowned. She stepped back and surveyed the other four Spirit Detectives. "Sweet Kami! We've got a problem. Miroku, just look at them. What in the world are we going to do with him?!?"

The monk stepped over to her side, and appeared to look over the other detectives carefully. "Hmmmmnnnn. I see what you mean. This may indeed make this mission difficult." As he continued to study them, his right hand stroked his chin as if he was lost in thought, but his left hand stroked Kagome's bottom.

"Miroku!"

"So sorry, Kagome-sama. You know how my hand sometimes wanders when my mind is preoccupied." He grinned at her sheepishly, and then put his hands in his pockets.

"Can we please focus here? What are we going to do?"

"I don't see why we should have to do anythingLet them deal with it as they see fit." Naraku declared, a bit impatiently. "Besides, it's too late now, anyway."

"Kagooommmmeeeeee!" a voice called out, almost musically. "There you are! I booked the most wonderful hot spring bath for us tonight -- you're going to love it!"

The last member of the HSDs practically skipped up to Kagome and clapped his hands. He turned and looked and looked at the new arrivals, and his eyes widened while he let out an appreciative "ooooohhhhhh!"

"Jakotsu, I'd like for you to meet our new partners."

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End Chapter One