I'd like to take the time to thank SmilingKitsune for helping me edit my story and allow me to bounce ideas off of her and for not getting really angry when we deleted from chapters 25 and down to 8 where I rewrote the whole thing from there. Thanx much.
THE PAST ALWAYS COMES TO HAUNT YOUR FUTURE ForestSprite Chapter 10
Last Time
"I think you've all seen enough." a soft voice said behind them. The four whirled around to see both Botan and Koenma in his teenage form there.
"I think they've all seen more then enough." Botan muttered as she looked at the four.
"Botan." Koenma said trying to calm her down. Her shoulders sagged down defeated. "I think we should return to my office. Botan if you will?" Nodding her head she opened up a portal and they all disappeared through it.
This Time
"Did you know the whole time?" Yusuke asked trying to keep his anger down as they sat in Koenma's office leaning against a wall taking deep calming breaths.
"Yes in fact I did know about Kagome's knowledge of demons." Koenma said sitting at his desk looking at them all with serious expressions. "She does after all live on a shrine and is a miko."
"I heard her say that when she was talking to Sesshomaru what is that?"
"Sesshomaru-sama." Koenma corrected the boy automatically without thought. "A miko is a shrine maiden who used to protect villages from demons. Their special ability is to purify a demons soul." Yusuke made a soft hissing sound. That could hurt.
"Why did you never tell us about it though?"
Koenma clasped his hands together before him sucking fiercely at his pacifier as he thought about his answer for them. "There was a time while I had sent you out on an errand when I detected strange energy. It was not the first time I had detected it to tell you the truth but it was in the same spot for the longest period then it had been before.
With none of you there I went along with Botan where we met Kagome who was at the time fighting a demon." He paused as he replayed the battle he had seen in his head. "She was pretty good if not advanced yet and defeated him not after a long time. When she defeated it though she walked over to its ashes and picked up something from there and all the energy I had felt suddenly disappeared."
"She had detected our presence while we had watched her and called out to us." Botan cut in for Koenma for her chance to tell the story. "She wanted to know what we were doing spying on her and if we were going to arrest her or something." she chuckled. "I was so amazed as was Koenma that she knew about us, even about all three of the worlds. She had so much knowledge and was so strong. We met with her and found out her grandma was Genkai and she had vast knowledge on demons and many other things as well as demon customs, history, fighting, demon lords and ladies as well as mythology."
"We made a deal with her for her to be careful with her power and we wouldn't pull her in." Koenma cut in now as Botan got a frustrated look on her face. "Botan was most worried when she found out that Kagome had somehow gotten acquainted with you through Keiko and we were at first worried that she was using you as a cover up for some hidden actions. We looked further into her business before she got annoyed and called us out again. She finally told us she was involved in something that could cause small problems but nothing serious if all went right. She requested that we leave her alone and she would make sure nothing would happen and in return for her keeping things under control we were supposed to hide any information we had on her so no one could get a hold of her or find her by searching through her files."
"What is her past?" Yusuke asked with an almost pleading look on his face.
Koenma looked at him and sadly shook his head. "She still hasn't told after all this time?" he said speaking softly. "I'm sorry but she has to tell you on your own."
"That's the problem. What makes you think she'll tell us on her own?" he demanded angrily.
"I can't assure anything. After all I'm not Kagome and she's to confusing to predict to what she'll do next."
"That is very true. Yusuke we can't push her now because we might push her farther back then she is already from us. If we tell her we know something she might startle and go into hiding." Kurama said to his friend.
"Hn it would seem that the only thing we can do is wait." Hiei said surprising everyone by speaking up.
Shaking his head in defeat Yusuke didn't say anything else. "Look I know this is hard on you Yusuke, Kagome means a lot to everyone of us here. She is all of our friends but you can't push. She'll come to you when she's ready." Koenma said trying to soothe him.
"Don't you have a date with Keiko to be getting to?" Botan asked him trying to find something to distract him and give his mind a rest with. "Yea, I do. Botan can you drop me off at the movies. For once I'm going to be early." Yusuke said with a small smile.
Smiling in return she looked to Koenma for permission, he nodded his head, and opening a portal she disappeared with Yusuke into it only to return a little while after. "Kuwabara do you have to go anywhere?"
"Yea, have to help Shizuru." he replied and once again she disappeared taking him with her.
Koenma was left with the two demons. "Koenma sir you said that Kagome pulled something out of the demons ashes what was it?" Kurama suddenly asked wanting to know.
Koenma frowned. "I'm afraid I can't tell you what that is all about. That is Kagome's story."
"What about the object they were talking about?" he asked.
Koenma looked thoughtful. "I wasn't there the whole time, I was in the office and picked up your energy by the park and found that Kagome was there and hurried over there to make sure you saw nothing you shouldn't. I was evidently a little too slow." he explained with a tired sigh. "What object?"
Realizing they hadn't told Koenma what they had seen he recounted some of the things watching his reaction which he didn't bother to hide. He was full out surprised. "You mean this demon was saying he'd take something away from her? Then that means it hasn't been used yet." he was now talking more to himself then anyone else. "I have to talk to father now and maybe see if I can get in to see Kagome again." he murmured silently to himself forgetting of the other two in the room.
"What is it?" Kurama asked breaking him out of his thoughts.
"A curse she was born with." Koenma said absently.
"That is what the man called it. A miniature curse. Is it really one?"
"Not technically." Koenma replied bringing himself back under control. "The thing is I can't tell you much more on it at the moment, for one of two reasons. One the deal with Kagome was we aren't to tell anyone anything and two her files are already in her possession so it means it's probably already destroyed."
"This is frustrating." Kurama murmured while Hiei mentally agreed giving a soft 'hn.'
"I know this is but give it some time. I have reason to believe that she'll be confiding in you soon, because if what I'm thinking isn't true the others wouldn't have bothered to have shown up at all letting her live her life." Koenma said clenching his hands before him as he looked at the other two. "For your own sake though I hope none of you are too attached to her." his voice was dismissive as he said that and the two left the office with the both of them wondering what the hell this was all about.
Two days later found everyone at school, Kagome arrived with Alex at her side the two whispering quietly when they bumped into the four spirit detectives. Looking at them Alex excused herself leaving Kagome alone.
"Hey guys what's up?" she asked brushing some hair out of her face. She seemed much more calmer and relaxed today then she had a couple days ago, maybe all her fighting was helping her.
"Hey um... actually I have a question." Yusuke began.
Kagome smiled at them but you could see her tense a little bit. "I'll try to answer as best as I can so shoot."
"Well I was wondering, do you know Sesshomaru at all? Like from before now?" Yusuke asked carefully watching her as her smile fell before it was plastered back on, eyes practically void of anything, not showing how it was she really felt if it wasn't for body.
Her fists were clenched tightly, white knuckled standing a bit stiffly. "Yea, I guess you could say that I knew him. Why? Has he talked to you? Because if he has don't worry about it. I've already talked to him about bugging you guys."
"It's just... does he have a good reason for warning us away from you?" Yusuke asked once again carefully making sure he didn't push to far. As she opened her mouth to speak the bell rang signaling that class was to begin soon.
"Well what do you know. We should get going to class." she turned away and ran to meet with Alex both slinging an arm over the others shoulder as they bent close together talking quietly.
"I think we pushed a bit to much." Kurama murmured watching after her.
"Yea I was thinking the same thing." Yusuke said wincing slightly. "Well we should probably get going then. See ya later Hiei." he waved walking to class with Kurama and Kuwabara behind.
Kagome sighed tiredly leaning her head on Alex's shoulder. "I think they know something." she muttered as the teacher rambled on about something in the front of class.
"Don't worry about it Kag-chan. If they really are your friends I'm sure they'll understand." Alex said sympathetically patting her friends shoulder as she sat up again pretending feigned interest as the teacher shot her a quick glare that told her to pay attention or else.
"That's not what I'm worried about. I'm worried that those four will try to get involved and that is the last thing that I need. I swear that Yusuke is like another Inuyasha and the last thing I need is another one of him."
"I don't know, I guess if you gave him the ears he could pass for him. How about if you don't want him I'll take him?" she suggested with an evil grin on her face.
Kagome groaned at her friend's strange sense of humor. "He's already taken don't you remember?"
"Yea I know." she pouted. "I can't get it out of my head though. When will you introduce me to the others Kagome? I want to see Inuyasha's ears and Shippo's tail."
"Kirara also has tails." Kagome said with an evil smile.
"Really?" she perked up. "Ooh, introduce me, introduce me." she begged giving Kagome the puppy dog eyes.
"Ok how about you come home with me after school? How does that work out for you?"
"Thank you, thank you." Alex shouted happily interrupting the entire class as she threw herself at Kagome to hug her only to tip her desk over. She smiled sheepishly from the ground rubbing the back of her head as she laughed weakly. "Um, whoops?"
The teacher was far from amused. "Out into the hall. The both of you. Be glad I'm being lenient today."
Pasting a solemn face on Kagome looked at the teacher, standing and bowing apologetically. "So sorry sensei, we didn't mean for things to get so out of hand."
The teacher sighed looking at one of his brightest and favorite students. "I expect better of you Ms. Higurashi. Don't let it happen again."
"Yes Sensei." Kagome said as she helped her friend up and picked up her desk. Grabbing their things they walked out the door with apologetic faces until they were out the door and farther down the hall before they collapsed in helpless laughter.
"What's so funny?" a familiar voice asked.
"Yusuke?" Kagome questioned looking around for her friend. She spotted him leaning casually not far from them. "Did you get kicked out of class too?"
"Too? Did you guys get kicked out? I'm just stalling until next class to go back in and gather my things." he grinned. "Oh wait I don't have anything in there."
"You're skipping. Just you wait until I tell Keiko." Kagome teased a small smile on her face as she stood up helping Alex. "Honestly though what are you doing out here?"
He flashed them a way too innocent looking of a smile. "I told you I'm skipping class."
"Yusuke." she said in a warning tone.
"What?"
"Look I know you and I also know that you haven't been skipping your classes a lot lately because of a deal you made with Keiko. You're not skipping class because if you are you've lost and are now her personal slave for the next two weeks." Kagome said as she mimicked his position against the wall opposite of him.
Alex perked up. "Personal slave? Sounds dirty. Will you be mine too?" Yusuke sweatdropped as Kagome chuckled slightly. Alex looked at them confused. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing Lex." Kagome soothed her put out friend. "So you gonna explain Yusuke?"
"How do you know about the bet?" he questioned.
"I know practically everything that goes on." she said with an evil smile. "I have eyes and ears everywhere." Alex walked over to her and poked the back of her head several times. "What are you doing Lex?"
"You said you have eyes and ears everywhere. I wanna see them." she explained as she poked some more.
"Lex it's just a saying, ya know like I know everything." Kagome explained to her friend as she continued poking, Yusuke laughing his head off. She made a small 'o' and stood next to Kagome again. "As I was saying do you want to explain Yusuke? Cause if you are skipping I'll have to tell her."
He laughed weakly. "Ya got me. I wasn't skipping though. I got a message that I was supposed to meet with Kurama outside quickly said it was urgent so I went to see what was up. I was just waiting for a chance to slip back into the room."
"Kurama huh? And I thought he was the good one." she shook her head. "Guess I'll have to talk to him about taking you out of class." she winked at him to let him know she was joking.
"So what were you kicked out of class for?" he asked curiously. Kagome rarely got in trouble as far as he knew. Then again this was the most he's been in school for awhile too.
She pointed to Alex who was looking outside with a fascinated look as leaves blew around in the yard. "That goof off over there."
"What did she do? I mean look at her." Alex's face was now pressed up the window watching the leaves. "How could she possibly do anything that could get her into trouble? I mean she seems to be in her own little world most of the time."
"You'd be surprised at how much trouble she's always getting into. I've had to bail her out of trouble so many times now that I've lost track." she said a small smile on her face as she watched Alex press herself even further against the window, eyes wide and fascinated. "She's like a kid most of the time, but of course most people don't know that. They see a punk who'll fight anyone and anything. But that's not how she really is. She's loyal, fun and a great friend. Kinda like someone else I know." she glanced at him sideways.
"I have no idea who you're talking about." he said crossing his arms in front of him indignantly.
She let out a very unlady like snort. "No of course you don't." They both smiled at each other when Kagome just seemed to freeze. In the next second Alex was away from the window and at her side glaring at the silver haired demon lord who had appeared sometime during their conversation without her being aware.
Kagome mentally cursed herself for not being aware of him approaching. Alex glared at him hatefully and Yusuke pretended not to be there wanting to see what would happen.
"You left without us finishing our conversation." he said looking at her with cold gold eyes. A part of her wanted to apologize to him, to hug him like she used to, to dance with him again but a larger more dominating part of her was way too pissed at him still to even give into such thoughts.
"As far as I was concerned it was finished." she finally said leveling him a look that probably could have frozen hell but not him.
"You walked away without anything being dealt with."
"I walked away because I don't want to deal with you anymore." she said speaking the same time as him. They both glared at each other.
A small rustling sound brought their attention to Alex who was moving delibertly in Kagome's way to face off with Sesshomaru. "Leave her alone." she said her voice low and dangerous. Yusuke was officially freaked. Was this the same girl who had just been thinking dirty things and being completely dense? Was that how she really was or was this how she was?
"You have nothing to do with this." Sesshomaru said looking down at the short girl who was glaring at him.
"Lex." Kagome urged silently to her friend, tugging her arm softly to get her attention. "Please? For me?"
"Fine." the girl conceded. "Just this once." she moved back allowing Kagome to have her face off but not without saying something else. "You're lucky that Kagome is so nice because I'm nowhere near as nice as she is anymore."
'Anymore?' Yusuke thought confused. Was she once like Kagome? Did she also have a secret past that was unknown to them? Then again what did he know of her? Not much, she had appeared about a year back at their school and made instant friends with Kagome who introduced her to the rest of the gang and.... What had Kurama said that first day they met her?
"There is something weird about her." the redhead murmured unsure as Alex walked away with Kagome who was showing her around the school.
"What's wrong with her?" Keiko asked confused, as Yusuke silently asked the same question.
"I'm not sure, but her energy seems weird..."
"Is it that of a demons?" Yusuke asked.
"Well as far as I can tell, no."
"Then what do we have to worry about? Koenma hasn't contacted us about any crazy demons escaping form makai lately so I'm sure we have nothing to worry about. Besides look at her. What can be dangerous about her?" He pointed to where the girl had just tripped over her own shoelaces, and ran into a wall headlong and was now laughing like a hyena while Kagome patiently helped her up making sure she was alright.
Maybe Red had been right. he thought silently. Maybe they should have checked her out the minute Kurama said something about her energy being weird but they hadn't. What if she was a threat to Kagome?
His thoughts flashed back to her just now standing up to Sesshomaru for her only backing down when Kagome begged her, to shortly after she arrived when Kagome had arrived slightly banged up at school learning it was some kids from another school and tracked them down and beat them up for doing that to her, to just a couple of months ago when Kagome had seemed so lost and Alex just walked over to her said "Let go, but keep the rope in reach." and they both cried together.
Could she really be a threat to Kagome?
Memories of beings that were once humans and now demons a threat to everyone flashed through his mind. Anyone and everyone could be a threat.
Kurama took notes barely paying attention to what was being said, his thoughts on other things. Koenma had contacted him earlier saying they were supposed to meet with him after school and that it was important. What was so important that it could still wait until after school? Usually he was making them miss school for some of his so called 'important' missions but he had met with Yusuke to let him know of the plans and for once the boy was strangely compliant.
Was he up to something? Then again Yusuke seemed to have been in school a lot more then usual. Now that he thought about it didn't he remember a week or so back with Keiko and Yusuke arguing about him missing so much school that they made a bet? Was this the bet? To be at school for however many weeks without skipping classes?
He smirked, that girl just had him wrapped around her dainty little fingers it seemed and he didn't even seem to notice he was being manipulated. Well he wasn't going to ruin it for her.
End Chappy
I'm sorry for not updating in awhile hopefully you all like this. Enjoy
ForestSprite