Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Jewel of the Chaotic Souls ❯ Crystal Tears ( Chapter 15 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

**I don't do well, and hold no patience to write a summary for every chapter. For every story is already enough. Won't you be a sweet, and just read?**

Anime/Manga: Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama / Adventure | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 02.02.2005 | Pages: 8 | Words: 8.5K | Visits: 1.2K | Status: Completed

Chapter Fourteen

Crystal Tears

“Kagome-chan!”

The loud cries of Ami rang clearly throughout the halls of Meiou High, as she ran to catch up to her friend. Kagome stopped, and turned to see Ami's dark hair flying. Two hands snuck out and wrapped around Kagome's neck happily.

“Kagome-chan!!” Ami cried, laughing. “Oh gosh, you're finally back!!”

The Ancient blushed, as everyone in the hallway stopped to stare at them. Trying to disentangle herself from Ami's death grip, she ended up tripping over her previously dropped bag. “Arrgh!” she cried, as she felt gravity starting to take its toll on her balance.

A new set of hands reached out this time to steady her. Looking up into the emerald eyes of Shuuichi Minamino, she grinned. “Shuuichi-san!” She smiled.

“Good morning, Kagome-san,” he replied, smiling slightly from amusement. “Good morning, Ami-san.”

“Shuuichi-kun!” Ami greeted and retrieved her own bag. She turned back towards Kagome once they began walking towards their first period classes. “Hey, Kagome-chan, I saw what happened to your Shrine. Where are you staying right now?”

Kagome's eyes dimmed a bit at the thought of the Shrine. “I'm staying over at a relative's home. Everyone's fine, don't worry.”

Ami stopped and turned serious eyes towards her. “But I did worry, Kagome. When you just disappeared after that incident.” She turned her eyes over to Kurama. “We all worried about you.”

“Um,” Kagome blinked at them, seemingly bewildered by the quick change in Ami's mood and at a loss of what she should say. Kurama didn't say anything at all, but only observed in silence. Finally, she smiled. “Thank you Ami-chan.”

-----

“Kagome-chan!” Teach Misa smiled as Kagome walked into the art room later on that afternoon. “So glad to see you back. Is everything alright?”

“Hai, Teach Misa.” Kagome smiled. “Arigato gozaimasu.” She bowed her thanks to her teacher, before walking to her friends in the back of the room. Sitting down onto her seat, she smiled at Kurama.

“You really don't have to worry, you know.” Kagome smirked, when she caught him staring at her again. “I'm fine.”

The redhead blushed red and nodded. “Of course.”

“OK, class,” Teach Misa began her class with her now familiar little clap. Her smile shone at each of them as she stated, “The whole ceramic incident has been cleared away! I want each and every one of you to come up and take a piece of the clay and begin. This grade will count as your first major examination for the first trimester—I suggest you all to work really hard on this!”

“Hai, Teach Misa!” They all chorused, before getting out of their seats one at a time.

Ami and Toya turned, as they waited their turn towards the other two on their table. “Gah, finally! It took such a long time to fix up that mess Konochi made!” Toya sighed with a mental curse towards the other art teacher. “Can't believe he would go through all of that just to throw Teach Misa off.”

Ami sighed happily and leaned her head onto Toya's shoulder. Kurama watched as Toya tenderly placed a strand of loose hair back in place. He blinked when he heard a quiet sigh coming from Kagome and snuck a look over at her.

Her blue-gray eyes were staring somewhat wistfully at Ami and Toya's exchanges. A hand was placed over her heart, as though to protect herself from an heartache, before propping it onto the table and placing her head onto her awaiting palm. Her eyes turned to him momentarily and shook her head when she caught him staring again.

Shut up, Kurama thought before Youko could begin his teasing.

But the amused thief had already returned back into the recess of Shuuichi's mind. He saw the mental image of Youko's chibi form curling back into a ball. Turning back towards Kagome, he saw that it was their group's turn to get up for the clay. Once sitting on their table again, he observed her habitual way of getting ready to make her masterpieces.

Placing the clay block neatly before her, she tightened her bright blue hair band once more, then checked on the ties of the large white mock. Placing a finger on each of the pencil hooks and knives before she, she smiled at them as though they were her babes, before turning the first second of her undivided attention to the clay. He knew by now that once she looks at her clay, only the bell is able to get her attention.

He wondered what she's going to make this time, as her clever fingers immediately started taking out chunks of the clay and mending them together. She smoothed down what appeared to be a large chunk of rectangle before reaching blindly for the number five-point hook at the middle of the desk. A piece of clay fell from here, another piece of clay fell from there. She smoothed out a few edges over the top, before adding a few more pieces at the bottom. Taking a pan knife, she began scooping out designs in the center of that strip, and soon had the outlines of a gorgeous waterfall lined with rocks and plant life at the sides.

Clay coated fingers reached for the water bowl and efficiently wetted the clay down so that it wouldn't crack and dry. Then, reaching for an unused piece of clay, she added the new block to the top of the waterfall. Again, she repeated the process of taking off excess pieces and detailing the smallest curves to make the form of the lion king appear. Its uncolored mane billowed to an unseen wind, as he raised his mouth in a triumphant roar. Powerful claws crushed the blades of grass beneath it, as the eyes of the lion lit with passion.

Her eyes remained solely on the piece of work before her, hands never stopping, never hesitant. Never unsure. They moved in a continuous motion, smoothing out unwanted rigids, adding in new life to a piece of once dead clay. He doubt she even realized how absolutely stunning she looked as she worked like this.

He admired her ability to be able so sure of her every movement. He wondered if that's what had gotten her the status as Top Ancient of Nigenkai. He couldn't help but be in awe of her as the clay rapidly turned into yet another beautiful artwork. Such a dazzling piece, so full of emotion and vigor.

Where? he wondered yet again. Where does she get her ideas?

The lion roared towards the unseen sky. The waterfall slammed powerfully at the bedrocks below. The onlookers would find themselves listening for the crashing of the water, and for the caressing brush of the breeze that swayed the fur on the lion and the petals of the plants.

God. Kurama breathed.

----

The lunchroom was filled with students when she walked in that day. She waved to a couple of people, but continued on her way until she reached the machine where all the snacks were being kept. Scanning the contents and seeing nothing good, except for the HagenDaaz ice cream, she placed the coins in and punched for the vanilla.

Grabbing it when it tumbled out, she took her lunch and proceeded to head towards the school backyard. The sun was out, shining brightly at the athletes that trained for the upcoming tournaments or game. She sat down under the shades of a tree and silently thanked the tree for lending her its roots. Opening the ice cream, she proceeded to eat it when the shadow of another stopped her.

“Ah, Hiei-san, am I right?” Kagome smiled when she saw the black shadow over her. Her eyes warmed, as she patted the spot beside her. “Want to join me? I'm about to have HagenDaaz.”

“No, thank you.” Hiei replied, his voice gruff, as he settled down onto the tree's branches. The wind ruffled through his hair, pulling the strands apart, as he regarded the Nigenkai Top Ancient with partially interested ruby eyes. Leaning back against the tree, he ceased all movement and closed his eyes. The warmth of midday sun shone down on him, comforting the fire that ran through his veins.

Kagome turned a curious eye on the fire demon above her, sleeping so comfortably on the tree. “Why are you here, Hiei-san?”

“I'm waiting.”

She spooned another mouthful of vanilla, as she contemplated this answer. It'd been her first assumption that Enma had put Kurama and Hiei to watch over her. But then, the Reikai Ancient knew of her temper when it comes to babying her. “For Shuuichi-san?”

“Hn.”

Kagome grinned. “Do you ever say more than five words at a time, Hiei-san?” No reply came to this inquiry, but then, Kagome didn't really expect one. She wondered if the previous answers had been courtesies from him—since she's an Ancient and all. “Well then, do you mind waking me when the bell rings?”

“Hn.”

Smiling, taking that as a yes, she placed the empty ice cream can besides her, as she laid back on the bed of grass and wildflowers and closed her eyes.

-----

Kurama walked through the lawns of Meiou High until he spotted the customary tree where he meets with Hiei. Seeing his dark friend's figure already residing on the tree, he hurried forward to reach him faster. He slowed suddenly, however, when he saw Kagome, finishing her ice cream and smiling at the fire demon. “Do you ever say anything more than five words, Hiei-san?” she asked him.

Naturally, knowing Hiei, he didn't reply. “Well then, do you mind waking me when the bell rings?”

And, much to the shock of Kurama, he replied. “Hn.”

Hn.

Hiei replied to someone he should have considered an outsider. Someone that is not a part of their team. Emerald eyes bore up onto the comfortable figure sleeping on the tree at the prime moments of relaxation. The closed lashes of his friend fluttered, as his hidden eyes moved with his thoughts. The dark material of his clothing flapped to the wind that danced around the entire field.

Hn.

For some strange, bizarre reason, Kurama couldn't seem to get closer. Both of them laid in absolute comfort with one another, sleeping the afternoon away in complete tranquility. And he, Kurama, was the one out. He couldn't bring himself to move closer towards that tree. The tree that holds one of the closest of his friends, and the same tree that is supporting...

Supporting...who?

His assignment? Is that what she is to him? His assignment?

Even as he denies this, for surely she's something more, he couldn't walk closer. That scene seems frozen in time, preventing anyone else that might enter and ruin the beauty of the picture. Not understanding, not comprehending, Kurama did the one thing he had never done before in his entire life.

He ran.

-----

Art club members rushed into the classroom that afternoon, jolting Kurama from his troubled thoughts. His eyes snapped to the front of the classroom when he spotted Kagome coming into the room with both Ami and Toya. He presumes that she must have left her school pack in her locker, for she held nothing but a large sketching pad in her hands. Deep in conversation with Ami, her eyes lit up when she caught sight of Kurama.

“Shuuichi-san,” she greeted, sitting down near him. “Hiei-san was waiting for you during fifth period today. Did you finally see him?”

Kurama cleared his throat and turned away. “I'll be seeing him after school today.” He kept his eyes towards the front of the classroom. He's being rude, of course. She's an Ancient—one of the most powerful creatures in the Realms. And yet, he couldn't bring himself to look at her.

Hn.

Dear Lord, that one syllable would torment him for eternity. Keeping his eyes averted, he went ahead to retrieve his set of art tools and began setting up to fix up one of his older works. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Kagome starting to walk closer and deliberately blocked out her face with his side bangs. As the red tresses fell forward, he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and counted to ten.

Careful with his hands, he shifted his hair a little until he could see that Kagome had returned to the table, sketching in her pad. Turning quickly back to his artwork, his usually impassive green eyes boiled with emotion.

What the hell is up with you? Youko asked him, scowling mentally at his counterpart.So what if Hiei answered her? She's the top Ancient of Nigenkai. He can't just IGNORE her.

Hiei never answers outsiders. What's so special about her? The moment the thought escaped his mind, he knew he'd never live it down. Even to himself, those two sentences didn't seem particularly right.

Shuuichi...Now, the kitsune youkai seemed unsure. The subtle inquiry in his single word question asked all he need to.

I'm not jealous of her! Shuuichi cried out. That'd mean that...that...

Uh...huh... Youko smirked. I've always WONDERED why you stay away from girls so much... The infamous Makai thief sniggered, as he lapped up at his counterpart's one single mistake. So, how much are you in for Hiei?

The reaction was instant and exactly as Youko predicted.

YOUKO!!!

-----

“Is it just me, or is Shuuichi-kun avoiding us?” Ami whispered to Kagome. She snuck another look over to the busy teen, his red hair covering his face from view. He continually molded at the statue of an angel before him, messily wiping at his hair every few moment or so, creating a messy streak across his face.

Kagome couldn't help but feel the same. But, for the life of her, she couldn't understand why. He'd been fine just that morning, what with his greeting and all. And now, out of the blue, he decides to switch his mood.

Maybe he's schizophrenic. She thought momentarily, as she sketched the form of the tense figure.Or has a split personality disorder. Mornings, he's a nice and wonderful young teen. On afternoons he's a quiet, reclusive fellow. Ah, and maybe the quiet Shuuichi likes to keep away from people because—obviously—he's reclusive and....Oh, jeez, I'm nuts.

“Shame too,” she muttered, as she shadowed lightly at the curve beneath his chin. “I'd like to get to know this reclusive fellow better...”

“Eh?” Toya leaned closer. “What did you say, Kagome-chan?”

She looked up at him and smiled. “It's nothing. Just random things.”

“Hm,” If anyone spotted the calculation in Ami's eyes, no one commented. “Anyway, Toya, you sent Kagome-chan the invite?”

“Of course,” Toya stood, and thumped his chest comically. “Would I ever forget?”

“Nope!” Kagome smiled at him. “Just a few things now and again...” She shared a look with Ami.

“...Every once in a while...” Ami nodded her agreement.

“...Maybe once a month...”

“Or once a week...”

“...just a few hours at a time or so...”

Both girls looked at the scowling Toya and smirked. “But, don't worry Toya!” They gave him identical smiles. “You never forget anything at all!”

“You wound me,” he huffed, sitting back down and crossing his hands. “And after all the times I've lied to make you girls feel better.” He feigned heartbreak, dramatically slapping a hand across his heart. “Suffering through all those chick flicks, all those shopping sessions....”

“Toya!” Ami cried, smacking him.

“Ami, Ami darling!” He tried to evade his girlfriend's next smack, all the while apologizing. Ami, to her credit, didn't immediately start cracking up and kept up her front as an enraged girlfriend.

Chuckling at her two deranged friend, she looked down at her sketch of Shuuichi Minamino. He was watching Ami and Toya's fight with amusement in his eyes. And yet, the moment he caught her watching, he turned back without a single acknowledgement.

Her brows furrowed, and she held onto her pencil a bit tighter. Avoiding us...or just avoiding me? And, if it's me...

What exactly has she done to warrant his silent treatment?

-----

“There he is,” Yuuske scowled when he spotted the red hue of his friend's hair. Kurama jumped onto the balcony and flipped through the opened glass door. Landing quietly into the room, the ends of his hair brushed against his cheek before he pushed it back.

“Sorry I'm late,” he stated, voice even more quiet than usual.

Yuuske raised a brow. “It's not like you,” he admitted. He then smirked. “Slacking because Koenma's missing, eh? Kurama, I didn't know you had it in you.” The smack on his head that came from Botan was expected, of course, for the atmosphere in Reikai is growing all the more tense from the lack of the Prince. And, anyhow, this was hardly a laughing matter.

“This is ridiculous,” Kuwabara scratched his head, as he dropped onto Yuuske's messy bed. “We can't perform our previous assignment because her family's in Makai right now. We can't find Koenma because he's been zombified. And we can't even find the brainwasher because she's supposed to be this really big mega-bad guy that the Ancients are handling.”

“Thanks for stating the obvious, Kuwabara,” Hiei drawled, rolling his ruby eyes. He'd never quite forgiven this redhead for stealing his sister's affections.

“Oh be quiet you two,” Botan scowled. “There is a reason for why I called you guys here today. The Reikai Team is currently searching for the hostages and for the ringleader of all this madness as well. In the meantime, Enma Daioh wants you four to stay in Nigenkai and keep an eye on things.”

“Gee, what have we been doing, Botan?” Yuuske growled, apparently frustrated. Ironic that he always complains whenever there is an assignment from Koenma—but now that he has an unintentional vacation, he's itching to fight.

“AND,” the death deity continued, determined to keep her temper, “He said to help the Nigenkai Ancients as they're the ones most familiar with this Realm and it's where our enemy is currently residing.”

“So we're positive then?” Kurama asked, raising a brow. “Kaneko is in the Nigenkai?”

“I think?” Botan asked, scrunching up her button nose. “This whole thing is getting so confusing. But those were Enma-sama's direct orders, so I suppose so.” She raised her hand and her oar appeared. “But, either way, I have to be getting back to Reikai. The death casualties have increased and I'm responsible for taking the next batch of humans back. Good luck, you guys!” With a quick wave from the blue haired female, she flew out of the window towards the sky.

“Wait, damn it!” Yuuske screamed out his window. But all she did was wave, before disappearing into the sky. Sighing his defeat, the dark haired teen turned to his friend and plopped onto his floor. “Great.”

“Help the Ancients?” Hiei looked over at Kurama, who was still a bit out of it. His emerald eyes continued to be glazed over, as he analyzed and re-analyzed everything in his mind. Shaking his head, the fire demon wondered if the fox had even heard a single word from Botan.

“Oi, Kurama.”

Blinking when he heard his name, Kurama turned to Kuwabara, who was staring at him with an unusually shrewd countenance. “Ah, hai?”

“You know the Top Ancient Higurashi-sama, don't you?” he asked, raking a hand through his orange locks.

“So does Hiei.”

“OK, then why doesn't one of you ask her of the situation with Kaneko? Maybe we could do something with whatever she asked of us.”

Hiei raised his brows. Strange, how the most simple—and obvious—course of actions hadn't immediately popped into his mind. Stranger still, in Hiei's opinion, was that it had been Kuwabara who suggested this.

Then again, the fire koorime thought,he is simpleminded. Only natural that he'd pick up the simple facts of this foggy mission.

“Hm, seems like there's some brains cells functioning up there,” Hiei smirked. A brow rose, when he saw the on coming attack, and stepped out of the way at the last second. The much slower human detective plummeted onto the awaiting hands of Kurama.

“Stop,” Kurama said, holding Kuwabara in place. “This is not the time for a fight.” He slid a look at Hiei, as he added, “I'll speak to Kagome in school tomorrow. We'll decide everything else after her decision of our offer for help.”

“You've always been logical,” Yuuske laughed, clamping down on Kurama's back.

-----

After hours of non-stop working, Kagome finally paused in her continuous motions. She pushed her chair back, as she finally moved the cease the annoying crick at the back of her neck. Staying in one position for an overly long period of time had never been her strong points. Blue gray eyes stared critically at her artwork, as she tried to find any flaws she might have missed earlier.

Seeing none, she nodded her approval and moved to hang the painting in the wall.

It was beautiful, this painting. Depicting both a golden and fallen angel, both had their faces turned away, partially covered by flying strands of inky black hair. Back to back with one another, one stare towards the Heavens, while the other stare down for Hell. Each had their hands clasped in their own respective prayer for the Gates to open the portal to them. Wings breached out from their back, twining and swirling in a never-ending dance of night and day feathers.

Tears. Large, translucent tears dripped down both their cheeks, hoping to ease some of the pain in their hearts. Heartbreakingly beautiful tears dotted here, dotted there. Down towards the ground it flows, while its counterparts flew up towards the sky. Kagome couldn't help it. She reached out, and gently touched a finger to a lucid jewel raining down both angels.

Pain. So much pain. It's everywhere in the world, ready to swallow the next unsuspecting victim. Ready to draw out their innocence and devour the love from their hearts.

Turning her own grieving eyes away from the painting, she took her remaining things and left the room, and did not see. They came that night with the light of the first moon. Darkness surrounded the entire room, seeping into everything and anything.

Only one object remained untouched. Filled with sorrow, eyes of red and aquamarine stared out from the previously covered faces of the angels, dripping one crystal, then another, onto the frigidly cold ground.

End Chapter

VOCABULARY

-- The Japanese phrases should be pretty basic/previously explained already. If there is any confusion, please inform me. --

AUTHOR'S NOTES

Sorry for the long-than-usual delay on this update. Hopefully, this chapter would suffice until the next update.

REVIEW RESPONSES

TheLightintheDarkness: Thanks, I'm glad I could knock you off your feet, rofl.

SavedFromBoredom: Lol, Savvy! There, you broke me down! Here's your update! ^.^

Wake-Robin: Lol. It's a miracle, I updated “early” considering I technically didn't use up my deadline yet...

Spice of Inu-Yasha: Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thanks for the review!

Natsumi Tsuchi-Ookami: I'm not mad. I've read a lot of great fanfic works by amazing writers and feel the same way. So I'm actually really flattered. Thanks for the compliment!

Jinenji: I didn't mean to forget, lol. It just happens. This time, though, it was just the usual laziness....xD

Kura-sama: Lol! I'm inputting the “emotional” states of both Kurama and Kagome bit by bit in every chapter. I don't want it to just suddenly jump, because that seems unrealistic.

Gopher2806: Lol! You're the first one who commented on how Souta needs to wake up! Everyone else is very keen on the fluff to get in. Tee, glad you liked!

Inu.-sess.fan: Thanks for the read and review! xD

IndecisiveFreak: Ami/Kur? Haha, I don't know what might have given you that impression... Lol, I can't give you Tappy, I still need him. But I'll let you borrow him for a while! I don't really know where he came from...maybe from under my bed? Lol.

Chinadoll27: I'm getting to it. Hopefully, this chapter kind of indicated that... But I don't want them to just jump automatically into a relationship and whatnot. After all, Kagome's top priority is Souta, and Kurama's assignment is Koenma. No worries though, the fluff will come!

Miaka-reader: Another Souta person! Haha, those scenes are getting popular! Glad you liked, and please thank your friend for recommending me!

SunStar Kitsune: That was only temporary. I had no other way to restart the fic, and had to resort to the time/space difference.

R-Fan: Thanks for the review. Glad you enjoyed.

Lonewolf-chica: Glad you liked! Sorry for the delay!

Sannaar: Thanks!

Meeenas_d: I'm glad you enjoyed!

AnimeJewel_3235: Thank you, I'm incredibly flattered! =3

Ryuko: Thanks a lot for sticking with this story!

Ryukotsusei: Glad you enjoyed!! Thanks so much for your review, and for your encouragement! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

BookworkRose296: Really nice insight and questions! Sadly, I won't be answering them out of the fic, so please continue reading!

Golden_Fire_Goddess: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoy this fic, and that you'll be sticking!! Thanks so much for your encouragements!! ^.^

END

Thanks for all who read and/or reviewed! Hope to see you again in future chapters!

Lots of greets,

Yukisora and Hachigatsu

Edited by: Wake-Robin

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