*Dodges the stones*

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Four-Leaf Clover Chapter 7 - A Chance Revelation

Whether it was from the swing of the unstable truck, the ups and downs of the pavement, the freezing breeze from the air conditioner, the delicate fingers combing his hair, or just the tiredness creeping its way over through his body and mind, Sweeney fell asleep. Not a light slumber but a deep sleep, with his head finding comfort in an odd position at Kagome's bosom.

Kagome slid her fingers through his fiery locks, not visibly bothered in the slightest by his boldness as he curled deeper into her chest. If anything, she looked in peace.

"What's going on between the two of you?" asked Laura.

Kagome frowned, uncertainty glinting on her eyes. "Nothing," she said, hesitant. "I… don't know what exactly you are asking." The young face of Kagome held a childlike expression of uncertainty.

"Other than fuck buddies," Kagome huffed, "what's your relationship? You don't look like the kind of girl who would fall for a guy like him."

Kagome squirmed and covered her mouth to prevent the laughter from coming through her lips and waking up her companion. "I daresay it's quite the opposite." Kagome lowered her gaze to the massive man curled to her chest with a hand laying on her thigh. "It's complicated. You wouldn't understand."

"Try me."

Kagome stared at Laura, wondering whether she was truly willing to understand or just doing small talk. She decided on the former. "From his side, I can only assume I emit similar energy to his lucky coin and he's feeding on it to keep himself sane. As for me," she paused, the words failing, "well, it's part of my nature. He isn't half as bad as some other creeps I've met in the past. The sex is good too, so it's a win-win situation," Kagome winked. "So, to answer your question, there's no relationship, not in the usual concept of the term."

"Too much information..." muttered Laura. "Are you… like him? A she-leprechaun, or something?"

"Or something." And she said nothing else, stopping Laura - and Sweeney for that matter - from knowing too much. Not only she didn't trust Laura enough but it also didn't want to bring more trouble to the dead woman or give herself a migraine. Thinking about her own life always took Kagome's mind to places she didn't want to remember, memories she carefully buried into her brain and went out of her way not to step on them.

Dead silence lingered between the two women for the minutes that followed. Kagome patted Sweeney's hair affectionately, letting him know she was aware of his now awaken condition, despite his efforts to fake unconsciousness. As flashes of her past adventures leaked through her mental barriers, Kagome found herself smiling.

"What?"

"The shard you now carry. It would be comic if it weren't so tragic, you know, the number of times it was used to bring the dead back to life. The funny part is that most, if not all of them, tried to kill me at least once."

"You have an interesting sense of humour."

"If you take that I was fifteen and couldn't beat my baby brother in a game of tag, and yet, most of them met their second death by my hands or with my help, then yeah, there's some sense of irony there." Sweeney's breathing hitched and a laugh caught up on his throat. "Technically, I did them a favour. A half-life can be worse than not living at all. I take that you already realized it."

The empty look Laura sent Kagome gave all the answers the priestess needed.

"How did you know where to go?" asked Sweeney to Laura once they parked in front of an extravagant house. Several guests occupied the stairs that led to the main entrance. A party seemed to be held at the moment. A very familiar car stood not far from their location.

"I followed my light."

There was a loud gasp. Kagome ran to the first step and stopped them from going further.

"We should leave," she said, low and serious. "Now."

Sweeney stared into her eyes, frowning. The shade of blue seemed darker, deeper than usual. Whatever was the reason for her concern, it was enough to shake her up. Sweeney grabbed the back of her head and locked their lips. His other hand found her waist and drew her closer. Kagome let him invade her mouth and melted in his arms. He only let go when the grip on his arms loosened.

Sweeney rested his forehead against hers. "Don't worry, love. I'll protect you."

"Get a room. You can barely protect your own Irish ass, ginger minge." She marched to the building.

"Isn't she lovely?" said an unknown voice. "You always find yourself in extraordinary company, Ms Higurashi."

"Yeah, hm, it's been a long time, Jesus."

"And it's always a blessing to see you so well. Have a good day, Ms Higurashi, Mad Sweeney."

"Fuck off." Sweeney grabbed Kagome's hand and followed Laura. "You know him?" asked Sweeney, avoiding the eyes that weren't directed to him but to his companion. She flashed a few smiled and waved to other divine figures in the angelic garden.

"My PhD consists of an analysis of the religious syncretism and its influence in new religions spreading in America. So, yes, I know few 'Jesuses', including this one."

"And when were you going to share this with me?"

"I would never get you as someone interested in philosophy and religion. Always full of surprises, that's what I like about you." Kagome nudged him and squeezed their intertwined fingers. "There are many things about you I don't know, either."

"Well, sweetheart, if we want this relationship to work, we should work on our communication."

Kagome chuckled. "What would like to know?"

"Let's save this conversation to a moment where we aren't surrounded by Virgin Mary, baby Jesus and fucking Joseph."

Under the dim light, behind exotic curtains, the trio waited for the party's host. A rabbit left them not long ago to announce their presence.

'A rabbit in Easter, how cliché,' thought Sweeney, keeping the comment to himself. Kagome had been on edge since they arrived and Laura was growing impatient under Shadow's presence. He truly had hoped that, by now, she would have accepted her condition - or at least let go of her previous life and Shadow, but no luck for a humble leprechaun.

"Kagome," called Sweeney as Laura busied herself in the bathroom, "what's bitten you?" He searched on her the easiness that lacked on him at the moment. He found none.

"This is a waste of time. We should be helping Laura to move on, not feeding her hopes. She will be crushed when she finds out there's no way to fix her situation and you will be on the top of her revenge list."

Sweeney checked from the corner of his eyes that the dead woman was still out of hearing range then got closer to the priestess. "It's my last hope. Neither my arguments or yours changed her mind - that woman is dead set on getting her life back, jokes aside. What should I have done? Walk away and let my unlucky self get killed by fate? Because the only reason I'm still in the living world is that for some reason you are keeping the karma away from me. Thank you, by the way."

Kagome's cheeks burned a little and the looked away before answering. "If it doesn't work you are welcome to come with me. Until we figure out a way to replace your coin or something, I mean. I have a few friends that are used to deal with magical artefacts."

Sweeney muted for a moment. Generosity wasn't something he was used to. People only reached him when they wanted something - few remembered to be thankful after. He once again peeked at Laura then released a breath. "I'm not worth the trouble, love. Save the offer to someone who actually deserves it."

"Sweeney, don't-"

"A dead girl? My house is full of guests, there are a hundred caterers in the back and you brought me a dead girl? Kagome, sweetie, you here too." Kagome gave the woman a contempt smile and Sweeney an 'I'll-explain-it-later' look. "Did they abduct you here, dear? I can call security."

"I'm with them, Ostara. It's good to see you, too."

The plastic smile faltered for a millisecond. "Okay, then. Nevertheless, you are welcome to join to feast." Ostara turned to Sweeney. "What do you want?"

Laura came out of the bathroom and Ostara raised her hand before she could pronounce the words that were clearly on the tip of her tongue.

"She doesn't want to to be dead."

"Most of them don't."

"I don't want her to be dead."

"Reasons being?"

"Does it matters?"

"It does," said Ostara, fixing a loose knot on Laura's chest. "Knowing your history, it surprised me seeing you hanging out with… this kind of people, Kagome. What's your opinion on this?"

'History?' thought Sweeney. His little nymph had much more on her sleeve than she let him know. A pang of irritation - maybe jealousy, he came to accept much later - bloomed on him. That promised conversation would take longer than he expected.

Kagome shared a glance with Laura. The plain expression she wore made the hairs on the back of his neck raise. A god - goddess - asking a priestess opinion held much more significance than a simple question - not that Laura would know that, if the biting inside her cheeks and crossed arms were any indications. When she straightened her back, she must have felt Kagome's power washing over her decaying body. Ostara bit her lower lip and held a breath, her eyes fighting to stay open. Sweeney, already used to Kagome's energy, just let himself enjoy the heavenly sensations one more time.

"I'm just a companion. My feelings on this matter hold no significance." Kagome sent the women an apologetic smile.

"Leave her out of this," Sweeney moved, blocking Ostara's view of Kagome. "My reasons are selfish. Can you do it? Professional courtesy?"

"You all talk as if we're on the same level. I'm much above you, in particular. You should be grateful I'm even bothering to spare you a minute of my precious time. I do not own you any kind of courtesy."

"You do owe me a favour." Sweeney put his last card on the table.

Silently protesting, Ostara dragged Laura for a moment of privacy. Sweeney turned to Kagome, whose frown was deep enough to cause wrinkles on her forehead. She wasn't looking at him, however, but he'd her eyes set on the curtain door. Seeking assurance for himself, she caged the priestess in an embrace.

His tall frame towered her. Her arms hugged his waist and the tickling of faith touched his mind. Sweeney dared not asking why Kagome was praying for him at that very moment. At hearing Ostara's impossibility on fulfilling his request, the leprechaun planted a kiss on the crown of her head and whispered, "It's alright. I'll find another way."

This fanfic WILL be finished before the new season!

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