Title: Genkai's Daughter

Author: Kage Otome

Rating: M

Pairing: Kuronue/Kagome/Kurama

Beta: None

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho

Warning: None that I can think of for this chapter.

A/N: Here's the next chapter, I hope those of you still reading this enjoy! I believe the story will be wrapping up within 3-5 more chapters.

Last Chapter:

"She is not your mate."

"She will be." Hakudoshi laughed, "And there's nothing you can do about it."

...

"You have to remember. I need you."

"I love you."

"Kuronue..."

*Genkai's Daughter*

Chapter 21: Resolve

Narrowed eyes were all that displayed the powerful male's discontent, even as anger shimmered just beneath the surface of his collected countenance. He silently fumed. The pale haired woman at his side stood arms crossed, a frown pulling at her features.

"We've lost them."

"Hn."

Genkai rolled her eyes at the predictable response.

"We should probably head back to the others."

Silence. Sesshoumaru turned, clothes billowing behind him gracefully and proceeded back toward the others with nary a word. Quirking a brow she turned just in time to see the tall youkai exit the clearing. Genkai silently mused to herself about constipated demons and their inability to communicate. Following after the tall male as he picked up speed, she grunted.

'I'm getting too old for this.'

He breathed in the night air, their party had returned to ningenkai after the nearly disastrous fight the previous night. Kuronue was still badly injured, but thankfully recovering. The others had suffered only minor injuries. He sighed, a soft breath of air as he thought about the conversation he'd had with the bat before their departure.

Thoughts of their talk undoubtedly led to thoughts about Kagome. He reached back lightly scratching around the healing wound she inflicted. His mind flashed back to the scene last night.

Flashback

"Kuronue..." Kagome collapsed next to the still body of her friend, tears unceasing as she laid a trembling hand on his injured form. An anguished sound torn between a scream and a sob heaved its way from her body. Her eyes shot up at the approach of the smaller, violet-eyed male.

"You..." Voice a near unintelligible growl, she leapt forward all her anguish, pain, confusion and anger propelling her forward.

Hakudoshi paused in his approach, realizing something was amiss. Feral red eyes met his, teeth bared angrily. It was glaringly apparent he had not expected her to attack him so viciously. She tore into him all teeth and claws, ignoring her weapon as she attacked. The startled cry left his lips unbidden as she sank claws into his stomach before removing the appendage, lapping at the blood on her claws. Laughing, her eyes retained their manic glow as she approached again, heedless of the wounds he inflicted on her own body in an attempt to defend himself.

She cackled delighting in the slight spike of fear that permeated the air. In her distracted state Hakudoshi retreated several meters. She turned toward the scent, she breathed in the fear of several of the remaining demons. She leapt toward them mindlessly tearing into the lesser demons, even as Hakudoshi and Naraku made their escape. Touya, Jin, Hiei, Yusuke and Kuwabara regrouped, watching Kagome as the enraged female tore through the remaining of the youkai. Youko tended to the wounded koumori, ignoring the screaming and harsh laughter.

Ragged breaths echoed through the clearing, Kagome breathing heavily turned towards the remaining males in the clearing. Stumbling toward them, they retained a defensive position around Kuronue and Youko. She cocked her head to the side, unable to comprehend their actions in her feral state.

She pounced. With a snap of a whip she was sent flying through several trees, the thunderous snap of breaking trunks reverberating through the clearing even after she landed at the base of the third tree unconscious. Sesshoumaru lowered his wrist, approaching the still form of Kagome.

"Hn."

End of Flashback

Sesshoumaru had subdued her, but she had yet to awaken. Youko wondered what exactly it was that happened. Did she remember them? Was it just Kuronue? Was it permanent or would she recede back into the clutches of the spell? All these questions danced around his mind, with no answer in sight.

A flurry of quick movement from the corner of his eye caught his attention, piquing his curiosity. Turning towards the blur of movement, he followed the shadowed figure. As they passed through a patch of moonlight a startled breath escaped him. 'Kagome?'

Manipulating the plant life around him, as she landed on a nearby branch he used vines to hold her in place. Amidst the swearing and struggling to free herself she couldn't help but curse her bad luck. She had almost been free.

"Kagome?"

She flinched, guiltily. Stubbornly she remained silent as she sought the words to say. Unsure of whether or not this was their Kagome or not, he prepared to knock her unconscious when she spoke.

" Hi Youko." She bit her lip, mentally scolding herself. She gets up, 'escapes' the house, and is caught by the silver and all she can say is Hi Youko? Mentally wincing she turned as much as she was able to look at the fox.

"You remember me?"

Kagome sighed, fidgeting nervously.

"...I remember...I remember everything." The mournful expression on her face was enough to make Youko's countenance soften slightly. "I, I'm sorry." Her voice caught as she held back tears.

"I never wanted to, to forget you, I didn't, I ne-never meant to hurt any of you, or attack, or-" She hiccupped as sobs wracked her small frame.

Youko reached forward, pulling her into his arms and jumping down from the tree. Growling softly, soothingly a deep rumble in his chest he wrapped his arms around her tightly nuzzling his nose into her hair as she sobbed into his chest.

"We know, we know..." He whispered softly into her ear, "No one blames you."

She sobbed harder, clenching the back of his tunic tightly. Stroking her back, he lowered himself to sit against the base of a tree, pulling her into his lap. Rocking her back and forth, he waited until she calmed.

"Kagome?" She glanced at him, eyes red and puffy as she sniffled. "Why were you running?"

She averted her eyes, silent. For a moment Youko thought she wasn't going to answer him.

"I, I didn't know what to do. How was I supposed to face any of you! And...And Ku-Kuronue? H-he..." When it looked like she was about to burst into tears again, he tilted her chin up to meet his eyes.

"Kagome." He stated firmly, serious. "No one blames you, least of all Kuronue. You may not remember as you were...upset, but he is still alive. Injured, but alive." Watching the hope bloom in her, turning those teary bloodshot-blue eyes positively luminous stilled his breath. He felt his heart stutter in his chest. He flinched imperceptibly as one of her hands pressed against the wound on his back.

"Youko?" Kagome questioned as she noticed his slight shift. "Are you-?" Her face pulled into a frown as her hand pulled away from his back, wet. Moving her hand so she could see, her eyes widened seeing blood.

"This..." Abruptly she remembered striking him with her kusarigama.

"It's fine. The wound is already healing, blood just seeped a little through the bandages." He murmured.

"Oh, Youko...I..." She pressed her lips against his chin in apology. Pressing his forehead against hers, he smirked a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"If you want to make it up to me, you can..." He finished playfully whispering in her ear, delighting in the soft flush of red that stretched from her cheeks, down her neck into her shirt.

"Pervert." She mumbled embarrassed, but knowing he forgave her. His deep chuckle soothed her frazzled nerves as his hands trailed up and down her back. She wondered if the others would really accept her back, if he was right. And Kuronue... Pain colored her eyes as she thought about her best friend and the last time she saw him...She looked up into Youko's familiar gold eyes, he smiled reassuringly, a soft upturn of lips.

"It'll be alright, princess. You'll see."

Kagome huffed, "Not a princess." But she curled her hands into the front of his tunic, thankful for his comfort as he leaned back, careful of his wound. Resting her head against his shoulder, she closed her eyes.

'Please...'

A deep, angry growl echoed from the adjoining room as another crash was heard followed by the screams of a dying demon. Naraku sighed pressing fingers between his eyes as he tried to ease the headache slowly building. 'What a troublesome child.' He mused even as more screams rang out courtesy of Hakudoshi's temper. He was not so surprised by Kagome regaining her memories, nor was he too surprised by Goshinki and Tsubaki's deaths. It simply did not matter to him.

"Kanna." The pale female looked at him. "Show me the Toguro brothers."

She lifted her mirror for his viewing. Claret orbs twinkled in dark amusement as the scene unfolded. It was a pity they managed to escape the dog and human. The younger Toguro appeared displeased and seemed to have grown weary of his elder brother throwing him into the swamp. He laughed to himself as he watched the elder Toguro muck through the stinking swamp, nearly getting his arm bitten off by one of the many carnivorous Makai plants. It may not have been particularly harmful to the Toguro, but at the very least it would have been amusing.

Naraku waved Kanna away. With Kagome back with her friends, Hakudoshi otherwise preoccupied and the Toguro brothers currently hours away, this may be his best chance. With hurried movements he walked towards one of his secret rooms. Moments later he emerged carrying a small bundle, a shock of pale hair and light eyes stared up at him.

Grinning, he in a cloud of Miasma made his way to the brothers' lair intent on his prize.

Worried shouts and general chaos greeted them when they returned to the house. The first person Kagome saw standing there was her mother. Genkai harshly scolded her for running off before enveloping her in a tight hug. Kagome curled her arms tightly around her, as her mother's hug nearly crushed her, emotions flowing strongly through the two women. Pulling away with tears, Kagome smiled at her mom, sniffling, crying and laughing at the same time. Genkai gave her one last crushing hug, whispering in her ear, I love you, before releasing her, emotions swelling her throat tight.

"I love you too, kaa-san." Kagome whispered before turning to look at the others who had made their way outside.

Kagome winced as Sesshoumaru's glare froze her in place. Stepping out of the circle of her mother's arms she hesitantly approached the stoic demon, tense silence surrounding everyone. Mentally sighing at the clear apprehension of the young half demon he opened his arms, the clearest sign of welcome he could give. He curled an arm around her, whispering a welcome in her ear.

"Sesshoumaru..." No more words were needed as he inclined his head.

"This Sesshoumaru knows."

A ghost of a smile could be seen crossing his face for the briefest of moments.

"Did he just smile!" Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at the freaked out Kuwabara, sending the gentle hearted human into a frenzy even as the other's broke into laughter, the tension broken.

Greetings and hugs, with the occasional scolding for running were exchanged as a relieved Kagome was accepted back into the group like nothing was different. A familiar smile broke out onto her face as she sat between Touya and Jin, Youko standing behind her, relaxed in the familiar accepting presence of her friends. Her smile dimmed a bit as she realized that despite the comfort of the moment, things had changed. She bit her lip, worried about Kuronue.

'Hn.' Kagome blinked, looking up at Hiei leaning against the wall.

'Nice to see you too Hiei.' She thought.

'Hn. Your presence, insufferable as it is, is preferable to the moping the bat did when you were gone.'

Kagome's lips twitched upward.

'I missed you too, cranky pants.' Hiei's eyebrow twitched as he absently fingering the hilt of his sword.

'Woman, you call me that one more time I'll-'

"Hey Shorty!" Hiei's eyebrow seemed to be in a perpetual state of twitching. "Aren't you gonna say anything to Kagome?" Kuwabara grinned.

"Hn." Hiei grunted.

"You know you missed her!" Kuwabara teased with a big guffaw.

"Buffoon."

"Why you little-"

Kagome shook her head amused at the antics of the two. While the others were distracted by the spectacle the two made, the larger Kuwabara shaking his fist threateningly, while Hiei promptly ignored him she slipped away. Youko followed, having a good idea where she was going, but determined to ensure her safety.

Climbing the stairs, her heart lightened by the easy acceptance of her friends and mother she still worried over Kuronue. Heart growing heavy at the fear he may not forgive her, she slowed in her steps. Did he mean what he said? What did she feel? Stopping in front of his door, she bit her lip, pacing back and forth outside the door. Running her hand through her hair she considered her options.

Youko rolled his eyes as he watched her pace back and forth in front of Kuronue's room. He could hear her muttering under her breath. He knew her feelings were probably confused, he knew she felt something for him-but what she felt for Kuronue was deeper, formed over a longer period of time. Youko hoped that the three of them could work through this together; he did not want to consider the thought of not being a part of her life. His lips tilted up at the thought, who would have thought in such a short period of time he could come to care so much for her.

Sighing he walked up to the conflicted female and gave her a gentle push in the right direction. Jumping in shock at the sudden intrusion, Kagome blushed as she realized it was just Youko. Lightly she swatted his chest.

"Just go in."

"But what if-"

"Just. Go."

"But I-"

"Go." Youko stated firmly giving her a gentle push.

Hand on the doorknob she glanced back at him. Taking a deep breath she turned the knob and pushed the door open. Stepping into the dark room, she shifted nervously from foot to foot. Closing the door with a click, she approached the bed.

The sight of the white bandages covering his chest contrasting against his lightly bronzed skin sent a sharp ache through her. Lightly touching the right side of his chest where she knew the wound to be she bent down to sit on the bed next to his prone form. Brushing the loose hair from his face she softly caressed his cheek.

"I was wondering when you were going to come in." Kagome jumped slightly, tearing a soft groan from the injured koumori when it sent vibrations through the bed.

"I'm so sorry, I-" He lifted his left hand, gently placing a finger over her lips, a smile on his face.

"Don't." Kagome glanced at him confused.

"Don't apologize for something that wasn't your fault. I shouldn't have scared you." Kuronue grinned, "Though you are very cute when you're frazzled."

Kagome cleared her throat. "I meant I'm sorry for everything else, for forgetting you, attacking you and-" Kuronue frowned.

"Stop that. Right now." He commanded, moving to a sitting position. "Look at me Kagome."

She looked at him; the seriousness in his eyes stilled her.

"Stop apologizing for something that wasn't your fault." Kuronue tilted her chin, intent on getting his point through. "If I know you, and I do, you've probably apologized to the others a hundred times. Stop. I know, and they know it wasn't your fault. And you better get it through your thick head you stubborn mule. There's no point in beating yourself up over it. You're here now, and you're you again and we couldn't be happier and if you even think about saying sorry one more time I'm going to-" Kuronue would have surely continued his rant if she hadn't pressed her lips softly to his.

His eyes widened in surprise, finger dropping from where he'd begun to wave it in a comic show of threat. Kagome pulled away blushing. When she looked up at him again, there were tears in her eyes.

"Oh, baby don't cry...I didn't mean to-" He was once again cut off as she threw her arms around him laughing and crying.

"You idiot. I'm not crying because I'm sad. I'm just so happy to see you and that you're all right and that you're still you, with your ranting and-" She hiccupped, "I love you so much and I really missed you. You always look out for me and tell me what I need to hear and take care of me and-"

Kuronue shushed her pulling her gently into his arms, to sit between his spread legs; joy filling his heart at her blubbered confession.

"Weren't you just telling me to stop ranting?" He teased softly.

They laughed together as she eased her body against his. Returning to his reclined position, she moved to lie on his left side, ear pressed against his chest. His left arm curled around her body, keeping her tucked to his side as she eased her leg over his affectionately rubbing against him. Once settled into the comfortable position he brought up the question that had been nagging him.

"Did you mean it...?"

Kagome looked up at him, briefly confused. Kuronue stared back at her, daring to let hope fill him. When she looked down he felt as if his heart would shrivel up and die.

"Yes." Her answer was soft but firm. When she looked up at him, she cupped his jaw with her left hand as she moved to kneel over him, legs on either side of his hips.

"I love you, Kuronue." Kuronue's heart burst into life again pounding in his chest, singing and thrumming with wild joy. "I'm sorry it took so long for me to realize it-and admit it."

"You have no idea how long I've waited to hear that..."

Gazing into his eyes she moved forward, licking her dry lips. Kuronue's violet eyes darkened fixing themselves briefly on her lips before connecting with her blue orbs. Tilting his head, their lips met tentatively, gently exploring each other.

With a soft groan of impatience, Kagome deepened the kiss nipping gently at his bottom lip, tongue gently soothing the bite. Rumbling a pleased humming purr, Kuronue pulled her head closer with his right hand easing his tongue past her lips, intent on exploring. A breathy groan was his reward as she twined her tongue with his, their breaths mingling even as their tongues mated. Coaxing her tongue into his mouth he shivered as her body dropped to straddle his hips.

With his left hand he grasped her hip pulling her to sit more firmly against him, grinding the evidence of his desire into her. Arching her body she cried out in pleasure, pressing herself firmly against him, briefly pulling away from their kiss to nip at his chin. Kuronue took full advantage of her brief distraction to press kisses against the left side of her neck, pressing a gentle bite to her neck as she moaned breathily in his ear nipping the sensitive appendage. She tilted his head to bring his mouth back to hers for another kiss.

The languid strokes of his tongue against hers drew soft pleased mewls from her. Chuckling against her lips he whispered sweet endearments to her, even as she ground her lower body harder against his desperate to ease the ache that spread through her.

"Naughty girl." He breathed, eyes half-lidded and pleased.

Kagome panted softly, eyes hazy, resting her forehead against his. Nuzzling her nose against his in an eskimo kiss, she rubbed her cheek against his pressing a comparatively chaste kiss to his swollen lips.

"What can I say? I learned from the best."

Youko leaned against the door, a soft smile on his face. He was glad the two of them managed to reaffirm, and cement their relationship, adjusting to the shift from 'just friends' to more than friends. His smile slipped a bit as he wondered where this left him. He had been courting Kagome, however with things how they were now. Running a hand through his hair, he sighed. He knew that he probably should have been with the others who were now discussing what to do about the Naraku/Toguro brother situation as evident by the enthusiastic suggestions from Yusuke and Kuwabara. Yet, he couldn't help but feel things were unresolved between the three of them.

He pressed his forehead against the cool wood of the door, feeling the strain of the past few days begin to take its toll. It was not often that he found himself in a position where he was unsure of what to do. He felt the nudge in his mind of his counterpart and sighed letting the change flow over him. He needed to regain his strength. Just as Kurama was about to push himself away from the door, it opened from the inside sending him sprawling face first onto the floor.

A pair of very nice legs folded to kneel next to the downed avatar, concern in her voice. However it was the muffled laugh from the bed shook him from his daze as he pulled his face out of the carpet.

"Are you alright?" Kagome asked again eyes dancing, torn between concern and amusement. He had after all stayed face down in the carpet for several moments, not responding to her. She was beginning to wonder if he had knocked himself unconscious.

Kurama's nose twitched in pain, he made himself dizzy looking cross-eyed down at his nose in an attempt to see the damage. Kagome bit her lip and snorted with suppressed laughter. Kurama turned narrowed emerald eyes to the amused female in mock anger, even as Kuronue playfully taunted him from the bed, "Have a nice fall? I didn't know you were so eager to make the acquaintance of my carpet! If you and the carpet want some private time all you had to do was say so!"

Kagome shook her head as she stood back up before offering a hand to Kurama.

"Sorry, I didn't think you would fall to the floor when I opened the door." Kagome said a small, amused smile on her face. "Are you okay?"

Kurama gifted her with a blush-inducing smile.

"I'm all right. The only thing wounded is my pride." He said wryly as Youko laughed in his mind.

'I'm just glad it was you and not me.'

'Technically you and I are the same.'

'...But it's your face she'll remember kissing the floor.'

Kurama shook himself from his conversation when Kagome gently shook him, concern in her eyes.

"Are you sure your okay, you kind of spaced out?"

"Yes, I'm fine Kagome, just having a conversation with Youko."

"Ah...Was he taunting you too?" Kurama quirked a brow and Kagome leaned toward him, voice lowered as if sharing a secret. "Those two are so alike in some ways it's scary."

Kurama smiled at her, ignoring the amused chuckle of Youko in the back of his mind. He cupped her cheek gently caressing the smooth skin, delighting in the blush the spread over her features. He leaned forward pressing his lips against her cheek. Kuronue's laughter slowly faded as he watched the two of them. Glancing into the emerald eyes that were both different and similar to his partner, a silent understanding passed through the two of them.

"Kagome..."

She glanced up at Kuronue before turning to Kurama, the confusion in her eyes almost palpable. Nibbling her nip, she was unaware of the exchange between the two males. Kurama gently took her chin in his grasp before lowering his face to hers. He devoured her mouth, taking and giving, Kagome clenched her hands in his shirt a torrent of emotions stormed through her. Uncertainty caused her to pull away panting.

"Now, now, you certainly don't expect me to sit on the sidelines do you darling?" Kuronue grinned from behind her, having made his way off the bed during their kiss.

Kagome jumped clearly startled. Whirling around she opened her mouth to say something, but he cut her off sealing sinful lips over hers with a soft growl, even as Kurama wrapped his arms around her. He settled his lips on the back of her lip delivering a series of kisses and nips, his tongue trailing her neck as his hands wandered. Kuronue's mouth swallowed her soft cry as a devilish smirk twisted his lips. Kagome's eyes fogged over and rolled in their sockets as pleasure overwhelmed her.

'Kami-sama...'

End Chapter.

A/n: *cough* Okay, so not exactly what I planned. Sorry for any OOCness. Still debating whether or not to put a lemon on fanfiction. I usually do not but we'll see.