Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

Sandman	By : YoursAlways Category: InuYasha Crossovers > Het - Male/Female Views: 2262 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: I own neither Inuyasha nor YuYu Hakusho and make no money from these writings.

Chapter List
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Sandman

Chapter Six

Kagome looked at herself in the mirror. A giddy smile spread across her face as she turned this way and that. She ran her hands down her sides and released a happy sigh. “It’s nice to see you again Mr. Waistline. I’ve missed you very much,” she said. When she finally stopped admiring her returning figure, she grabbed a hair tie and began to pull her hair up into a ponytail.

“Kagome!” Souta yelled as he banged his fist against the bathroom door. “Quit hogging the bathroom! Some of us actually need it,” he called from the hallway.

“Give me just a minute!” She yelled back. It was the first time she was leaving the house in weeks, and she wanted it to be perfect. A little eyeliner, a coat of mascara, and a touch of gloss later, Kagome opened the door to find Souta leaning against the wall waiting on her. “There,” she said as she stepped to the side. “It’s all yours.”

“Took you long enough,” Souta grumbled as he entered gratefully. Pausing before he shut the door, he stuck his head back in the hall and asked, “Why is your waistline a dude?”

Kagome shrugged. “He just is, and I’ll never take him for granted again,” she answered.

Making her way downstairs, Kagome flounced into the kitchen and gave a small twirl. "Ta-da!" She sang happily. She looked to her mother and grandfather to see what they thought of her look. She was finally able to fit into her old clothes without looking like she was swimming in them, and she was determined to wear her favorite sundress, weather be damned. It had taken some mixing and matching, but she'd eventually made the dress cold weather friendly by throwing in a cardigan, some tights, and a pair of boots. "Well, what do you guys think?" She asked when nobody said anything.

Risa stood from the table to examine her daughter more closely. She turned Kagome one way and then the other before she smiled and pulled her daughter into a tight hug. "It's so wonderful to see you like this again," she whispered. Pulling away to look at Kagome again, she added, "It's almost like it was all just a bad dream."

Kagome's smile saddened a little as she softly replied, "Yeah." She quickly shook herself of her melancholy though and moved to sit beside her grandfather. "What do you think Gramps? Do I look ready for a lunch out with friends?"

The eldest Higurashi smiled at his granddaughter as he reached across the table to pat the back of her hand. "You would look better in priestess robes, but this is nice too," he told her. As she laughed and leaned over to hug him, he quietly said, "It's good to see your light returning, dear."

"Thanks Grandpa," Kagome replied with one final squeeze before letting go of the older man.

When a knock was heard at the door, Kagome jumped up from her seat and grabbed her old purse that had never left its hook by the door. "I won't be gone too long," Kagome assured as she saw her mother's suddenly worried expression.

"Do you have your phone?" Risa asked. "Just in case?"

Kagome patted the pocket on her cardigan as she confirmed, "Got it! Don't worry, I'll be with Keiko. Everything will be fine!" With a final wave, Kagome slipped out the door and left her mother with a worry that she couldn't quite shake.

Outside, Kagome greeted Keiko with a quick hug. "Are we ready to go?" She asked excitedly.

"Yes," Keiko laughed as Kagome let go of her. Taking a moment to look the younger woman over, she complimented, "You're looking a lot better than the last time I saw you." Word had gotten to Kurama that Kagome was trying to gain some weight. His first call had been to Keiko for advice, and she had been more than happy to lend a hand. She had several friends who were dieticians and they were able to give her some pointers on healthy weight gain. Together, they were able to map out a new diet for Kagome, and it appeared to be working.

"Thanks!" Kagome chirped. She took a breath and looked at her new friend more seriously. "Really, Keiko," Kagome said. "Thank you."

"Don't worry about it," Keiko told her. "I'm glad I was able to help." Keiko linked her arm with Kagome's and have the younger woman a tug. "Now come on, we're going to be late for lunch."

Though Kagome no longer needed a nurse, Keiko still liked to stop by the Higurashi's shrine to check in on Kagome's progress. The two women became fast friends and were able to bond over many common interests, one of which being the life of a human with demonic friends.

"So," Keiko spoke as they reached the base of the shrine steps and took to the sidewalks. "What do you do with your days now you're actually sleeping again?"

"Not much, actually," Kagome answered with a small shrug. "I help Grandpa out with chores around the shrine, and I help Mama with some of the housework. There's just not much else that I can do right now."

"Do you ever think about going back to school?" Keiko asked.

Kagome nodded. "I would love to go back, but my future is a little uncertain right now, you know?"

Keiko saw the sad look that took over Kagome's features and felt like kicking herself. "I'm sorry," she apologized. "I shouldn't have said anything."

"Don't worry about it!" Kagome told her. "I'm just happy to be out and about."

Despite Kagome's smile, Keiko knew that the other woman felt the cloud that loomed over her. It was the most avoided topic surrounding Kagome. Though her nightly sessions with Hiei were helping her greatly, everyone knew that they couldn't continue indefinitely. They were just a temporary solution that treated the symptoms instead of the problem. It was anyone's guess as to what would happen when the sessions stopped.

Neither woman said anything for several minutes, but the silence was too much for Kagome. "So how are things with you and Yusuke?" She asked.

"They're great!" Keiko answered glad to change the topic. "I've been trying to talk him into taking a vacation, and I think I might finally be wearing him down."

"That sounds nice," Kagome commented. She paused several seconds before asking, "So do you guys ever talk about possibly starting a family?"

Keiko blushed. "We both want kids eventually, but Yusuke is still a lot like a big kid himself. We'll get there one day, but it's probably going to be a while."

"Well I'm looking forward to meeting him," Kagome laughed.

"Good," Keiko smile. "Because we're almost there," she said as she pointed to a small café with several people standing outside talking. When Kagome had mentioned wanting to get out of the house for a while, Keiko had decided to set up a lunch so that Kagome could meet Yusuke and the rest of their friends. Kagome had been so tired and disoriented when they had first met, but her true personality had started shining through once she was able to get some rest again. The woman was warm and bright and friendly and a genuine pleasure to be around. Keiko was glad that Kurama had introduced them.

As they approached the group of people outside the café, Keiko waved a few times to get their attention. “Everyone,” she said as they finally reached the group, “this is Kagome.” Kagome waved as everyone greeted her and Keiko continued with her introductions. “Kagome, this is Yusuke,” she said as she took the man’s hand and pulled him to her side. “At that’s Kuwabara,” she said as she pointed to a tall man with reddish-orange hair. “They run a private security company together.”

Kagome looked at Yusuke and cocked her head. “Didn’t you used to be some sort of delinquent?” She asked.

Yusuke laughed. “Keiko told you about that, huh? Well, that was before Spirit World got me. Kuwabara and I had all those skills from working on Koenma’s team, we figured we might as well make money off of ‘em.”

“If you have the talent, put it to work for you,” Kagome agreed. “But Keiko didn’t tell me that you used to be a delinquent. Hiei told me.”

Everyone turned to face Kagome with varying levels of surprise. “Hiei told you?” Kurama asked.

Kagome nodded and gave a little hum. “He actually told me a little bit about most of you.”

“What did he say about me?” Kuwabara asked almost hesitantly.

“Kuwabara, right?” Kagome checked. When the man nodded, she bit her lip and hesitated a little but eventually answered, “He said that you’re “an idiot who cares too much;” his words, not mine.”

Yusuke barked out a short laugh before hitting his taller friend on the back. “Yeah, that sounds about like what Hiei would say about you,” he teased.

“Yeah, well,” Kuwabara frowned. “I’d like to see him say it to me in person!”

“You’re an idiot who cares too much,” a bored voice joined in.

The small group turned to find Hiei approaching them from the same direction that Kagome and Keiko had come. “Hiei!” Kagome greeted happily. “I didn’t know you were coming with us today.”

“Neither did I,” Keiko whispered to Yusuke. Her husband shrugged in response. They had a hard time trying to get Hiei to do anything socially, so nobody expect him to be present for their lunch together.

With nobody knowing what to say, Keiko spoke again to try to break the uncomfortable silence. “Um, Kagome, you obviously already know Kurama and Hiei, and the two you still haven’t met are Yukina and Shizuru,” she introduced gesturing to each person in turn.

"It's nice to meet you," Kagome smiled at the two other women.

“Let’s see if we can get a table inside,” Keiko said as she tried to usher everyone towards the door. “It’s a little too cold to sit outside.”

As everyone agreed and went to move inside, Kagome turned to Hiei and smiled happily. “Come on,” she urged as she stepped to follow the group.

Hiei and Kurama hung towards the back as Keiko talked to the hostess about how many people were in their group. “Well this was a surprise,” Kurama commented as he looked at Hiei and raised a brow.

“Shut it, fox,” Hiei bit out. Ignoring Kurama’s chuckle, Hiei quickened his pace and seated himself next to Kagome at the table where the hostess seated them. Kurama sat on Hiei’s other side and continued giving his friend a questioning look. “What?” Hiei ground out. He was already uncomfortable with the situation and questioning his decision. His friend wasn’t making it any easier.

“Nothing, really,” Kurama answered. “I’m just trying to figure out your reason for coming here today.

“My reasons are my own,” Hiei told him. “Now leave it alone.”

Kurama raised his hands in surrender before he turned to engage in conversation with the rest of the table.

As their waitress went around the table taking drink orders, Kagome leaned towards Hiei and quietly asked, “I thought you had to guard the border during the day.”

“Not today,” he answered. He was really regretting his decision to come to the café. His only relief came when Kurama told the waitress that he would want water so that the girl would skip him.

As everyone began to settle in their seats and chat, Shizuru turned to speak to Kagome. “So Kagome, what do you do?” She asked.

“My family runs a local shrine,” she answered. “My grandfather is the priest, and I help out with different duties. I’m technically a priestess, but I don’t usually wear the traditional clothes.”

“You don’t look like any of the priestesses I’ve see,” Shizuru commented. “They usually seem more...solemn instead of peppy.”

Kagome laughed, “Yeah, I guess I can see that. I was actually going to school to be a teacher, but I had to quit a while back.”

“Why did you stop?” Yukina asked softly. When she noticed several people in their group tense up, she quickly asked, “Oh, did I ask something bad? I’m sorry.”

Kagome also noticed the tension at the table, and though the question made her heart clench, she didn’t begrudge the other woman for being curious. “It’s okay,” she reassured. “I got sick and couldn’t go to class anymore. I’m sort of getting treatments now, but I don’t want to go back until I know for sure that I would be able to finish.”

“Oh,” Yukina said sadly. “Well, I hope you get better soon!”

“Thanks,” Kagome said as she forced the best smile that she could. Yukina seemed very sweet, and she didn’t want to make her feel bad for reminding her of her condition. “So,” Kagome said as she turned back to Shizuru. “Keiko said that you have your own salon? What’s that like?”

With the topic change, lunch proceeded smoothly. Everyone ordered their food, with Kurama ordering for Hiei once again, and the conversations turned from work to old stories. Kagome heard about how everyone met and about tournaments that they’d gone to. She heard about old cases and harsh training routines. After convincing them that she really had traveled to the past, Kagome shared some of her best memories with her new friends. She told them about a lecherous monk who tried to spy on baths and the slayer who would punish him, she told them about an amorous wolf and a tricky fox, and she told them about a brave but grumpy half-demon.

Everyone had a great time and didn’t want to say goodbye when it came time to part ways. Lunch had run much longer than anyone had anticipated since even after they were finished eating, they had just sat and talked. Kagome had needed to excuse herself at one point so that she could call her mother and let her know not to worry. But once the group was back out on the sidewalk, people began saying their goodbyes and heading home.

Kuwabara, Shizuru, and Yukina had just left as Kagome was saying goodbye to Kurama. She stepped forward and gave him a tight hug. Though he was a little surprised, he reciprocated and asked, “What is this for?”

Kagome let the taller man go and stepped back as she said, “For everything. You could have left me in the park the day that you found me, or dropped me off at the shrine and never given me a second thought. But you helped me even though you didn’t know me. So thank you.” Looking at Hiei and Keiko, she smiled, “And you guys too. You’ve all helped me get my life back. I don’t know how I can ever repay any of you.”

Keiko began to tear up as she pulled Kagome into a hug. “You don’t have to do anything to repay us except be our friend. I’m so glad that we were able to help you,” she stated.

“Okay,” Yusuke said as he gently pulled Keiko away from Kagome. “She needs to breathe, Keiko.”

“You two go home,” Kurama told the couple. “I’ll make sure that Kagome gets home safely.”

“No,” Hiei said as he joined the small group of people. “You go home as well, Kurama. I’ll walk her.”

“You guys know that I’m not five, right?” Kagome chimed in from the side.

“I’m going to the shrine anyway,” Hiei answered as he nodded towards the darkening sky.

“It gets darker earlier every day,” Kagome said to no one in particular. “Well, okay. Since Hiei is already going my way, it makes the most sense. You guys be careful on your way home, okay?”

Everyone agreed and set off on their separate ways after their final goodbyes. Kagome began walking down the sidewalk towards the shrine when she noticed that Hiei wasn’t beside her. Turning around, she noticed him still in front of the café. “Hiei?” She called. “Is something wrong?”

Hiei watched the tall buildings around them and extended his senses. He could have sworn that he felt a flicker of demonic energy. But as he searched for anything out of the ordinary, he came up empty. Walking to catch up with Kagome, he answered, “No, let’s go.”

As they walked, Kagome watched Hiei. He kept his eyes forward and his mouth closed. She would just have to fix that. “So,” she drawled. “I think our waitress thought that you and Kurama were a couple.” When Hiei’s head snapped her way, she giggled and explained, “I think it’s because he kept ordering for you.”

Hiei lowered his face so that it was shadowed. It wasn’t often that he got embarrassed, but he could feel the emotion burning away in his stomach. It was one more reason to never go to a human establishment again.

“If it makes you feel any better, I don’t think you’re a couple despite how close you two seem,” she told him. “I think you’re just good friends.”

“How observant,” Hiei muttered as he rolled his eyes and looked up again.

“I noticed that you have special feelings for someone else who was at lunch,” Kagome spoke confidently. When Hiei looked at her questioningly, she continued, “You were very careful to only look at Yukina when she wasn’t looking at you.” She watched Hiei for any reaction, but when she couldn’t read his face, she bluntly asked, “So do you have a thing for her?”

“Hardly,” Hiei answered seriously.

“Really?” His answer surprised Kagome. “I used to be so good at reading stuff like that between people. Well if you don’t like her, why all the secret looks?”

Hiei hesitated before sighing, “Most everyone else knows.” Pausing to take a deep breath, Hiei admitted, “Yukina is my twin sister.”

“No way!” Kagome shouted. “But you two look nothing alike!” She quieted down at the look Hiei gave her and thought back to the young demoness from lunch. “Well,” she finally said after some consideration. “I guess I can see it a little in the eyes. But you said most everyone knows. Who doesn’t?”

Hiei was quiet for a moment and considered not answering, but he knew that Kagome would only pester him until she got the information that she wanted. “Yukina,” he finally told her.

Kagome stopped at the base of the shrine steps. Hiei was only up a couple of steps when he turned back to look at her. “Yukina doesn’t know you’re her brother?” When Hiei nodded, Kagome’s heart broke a little. “Why?” She truly didn’t understand and needed to know.

Hiei turned to face Kagome and explained, “I have a...reputation. It has earned me many enemies. If Yukina knew, she would try to be closer to me and that would put her in danger.”

“So you’re keeping this huge secret from her to protect her?” Kagome asked. Again, Hiei nodded his answer. Kagome walked up to stand on the same step as Hiei as she tried to figure out what she wanted to say. Her first reaction was to tell him that it was a stupid reason, but she had seen the impact that reputations could have on loved ones. Rin had often been targeted as a means of getting to Sesshoumaru.

Kagome reached out with the intent to hug Hiei but then remembered who she was dealing with and thought better of it. Dropping her arms and drooping her shoulders, all she could say was, “I’m so sorry.”

“The arrangement works,” was Hiei’s only response before he started up the stairs again. Kagome followed him quietly, but she was able to hide her sadness by the time they reached the courtyard so that her family wouldn’t worry.

As they reached the door to the house, Kagome asked, “So are you actually going to use a door to come inside this time?”

“I’ll stay outside until it’s time for bed,” he told her.

“What? No,” she said as she shook her head. “It’s getting dark and it’ll be way too cold.”

“Not for me,” Hiei answered simply.

Kagome was quiet as she thought for a moment and said, “You know, I don’t think you ever told me what kind of demon you are.”

Hiei stiffened, but knew that if he didn’t tell her someone else would. “I’m a mix of fire demon and ice demon,” he told her. “I’m a cursed child.”

Taken aback, Kagome asked, “Why in the world would you say you’re cursed? Yukina is your twin. Is she cursed too?”

“No,” Hiei answered. “Yukina wasn’t the male born to the all-female race of Ice Maidens.”

“If they’re all women, then how...oh…” Kagome trailed off as her mind caught up and she answered her own question. “Well, still...that doesn’t make you cursed,” she told him.

“No?” He asked with a raised brow.

“No,” Kagome confirmed. “It just means you’re special,” she smiled. “Are you sure you don’t want to come inside?”

Hiei was stunned. He’d always been told that his being was a curse and an abomination. He’d certainly never been called “special.” Without answering Kagome, he used his speed to flicker away and situate himself in the shrine’s large tree.

Kagome watched him disappear suddenly and shrugged as she mumbled, “Okay then, suit yourself.” Entering her home, she was greeted by her mother and launched into stories about how lunch went.

The rest of the evening progressed as usual for the Higurashi family. They ate dinner together, talked about their days, and went through their nightly rituals to get ready for bed. Hiei entered the house through Kagome’s window, but he made a point not to speak with anyone.

Kagome could tell that something had changed with Hiei since their last conversation, and she was afraid that she had said something to upset him. As she climbed into bed and waited for him to uncover the flower, she spoke, “I’m sorry if I said something earlier that upset you. Your family and past aren’t any of my business.”

Hiei caught her eye and they stared at each other wordlessly for several long moments before Hiei nodded his acceptance of her apology and gently blew pollen her way. Once she was asleep, he put the flower away, settled himself to his new position leaned against her bed, and began his work of guiding her mind into sleep.

The blackness vibrated around him, but he kept his distance. Hiei hadn’t been into one of Kagome’s dreams since he had stumbled across her memory of battle. He knew better than most how private memories could be. He wouldn’t appreciate another person delving into his memories without permission, and he would afford Kagome that same courtesy. As he waited for the vibrations of her dream to cease, Hiei was startled by a soft knocking sound.

Turning around, Hiei saw a door. It was very similar to the door he had created when he first entered Kagome’s dream. Shortly after the knock, the door opened with a slight creak and sunlight spilled into the darkness. Hiei had to shield his eyes at first, but took his hand away when he heard his name.

“Hiei?” Kagome called into the darkness. “Is that you?”

Hiei slowly crossed to the door so that Kagome could see him more clearly. “How did you open that door?” He asked seriously.

“I don’t know!” Kagome said in defense. “It was just there, so I opened it! What is that place?”

“That’s the unconscious void where your mind goes when you sleep,” he told her sharply. He hadn’t created this door, and it was bothering him not knowing how it got there.

“Sleep?” Kagome asked as she looked from the darkness to the grassy field around her. “You mean this is a dream?”

“There was a door in the middle of a field,” he snapped at her in an annoyed tone. “Of course it’s a dream.”

“Hey! You don’t have to get snippy!” She yelled at him. “Up until you, it felt pretty real even with the door!”

“Fine,” Hiei grouched as he turned back towards the darkness.

“Hey! Where are you going?” She asked him. “Don’t stay in the dark, come out here.”

Hiei turned to look at her and saw her waving for him to come through the door and into the sunny meadow that she was dreaming about. He hesitated for a moment before deciding that it was okay since she was inviting him.

When he looked around the dreamscape, he saw that it was a peaceful day with the sun shining brightly on a lush meadow. The wide field sat at the base of a small hill and was bordered by a river, trees, rice fields. At the top of the hill was a small village. “Another memory?” He asked her.

“Yeah,” Kagome smiled as she sat on the grassy bank and dangled her feet in the nearby river. “They aren’t all blood and gore.”

“Congratulations,” Hiei muttered as he also took a seat but opted to keep his feet dry. “What are you wearing?”

Kagome looked down at her clothes and shrugged. “They’re traditional priestess clothes. I have no idea why I’m wearing them now, though. I rarely wore them in the past,” she explained.

The two sat in silence for a while and just enjoyed the scenery. Kagome pulled her feet out of the river and said, “That’s Inuyasha’s village on the hill.”

Hiei didn’t give her much of an answer but took notice when she shivered and jerkily turned to look around her. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know,” Kagome trembled. Another shiver ran down her spine and she explained, “I had a shiver and thought it was because the river’s cold, but that’s not it. This is like the feeling I get when there’s a demon nearby, but we’re in my…” After trailing off, Kagome turned to Hiei alarmed. “Hiei, wake us up! Right now!”

“Leaving your mind so quickly could be dangerous,” he tried to argue.

“I don’t care!” Kagome shouted as she got to her feet and continued to look around. “I feel a demon, but there are none here! Hiei, there’s a demon in my room! We’re in danger! Wake us up, now!” She shouted.

Realizing that the danger of not waking up severely outweighed that of leaving Kagome’s mind suddenly, Hiei severed his link with Kagome and awoke with a sharp gasp. He was instantly on his feet and turned to face the danger.

There, standing on the foot of Kagome’s bed, was a snake demon. “I was sent for you, but it seems that I found something better,” he hissed.

Hiei was hesitant to attack with Kagome so close to being in harm’s way, so he stalled. “Who are you?” He asked.

“Oh, you don’t know me,” the demon replied with a fanged smile. “I was hired to kill you, but I believe I’ll take the jewel inside this girl as a bonus.”

Hiei growled deeply. The bedroom was small and cluttered and Kagome was still asleep; it was hardly an ideal fighting arena. He was just preparing to attack when Kagome suddenly sat up in bed. Hiei’s eyes widened as the snake demon lept for her with his dagger, and he did the only thing he could think to do.

Kagome sat up in bed gasping for air, all of her senses on high alert. By the time the fog of sleep lifted and she gathered her bearings, Hiei toppled on top of her and a demon loomed over them. When she tried to push Hiei off of her, her hand slipped on something wet. When she pulled her hand away, she had seen enough fighting to know what blood looked like in the dark.

Heart and mind racing, pink light erupted from her blood-covered hand as she screamed, “No!”
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