Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Stay Gone ❯ Warm? ( Chapter 2 )

Dark_lil_Hiei has asked me to write longer chapters. I would, but right now, I'm having a kind of block on this story. I'm going to start out short, and then slowly increase in length. Really sorry, I haven't thought that far ahead in specifics. I vaguely know what I'm writing, and I change the plot constantly. So basically, I'm trying to figure out what to write next so I can get into the main plot of the story. Hold your horses, people. I will finish this fic!

~*~

Chapter 2: Warm?

Yusuke was ticked. Mainly because Keiko was ticked at him and because he had to do more backbreaking labor! Genkai was bad enough, but at least he had some pride in what he was doing. But, in this, he had none whatsoever. This was the job for people living on the streets! This was the job for people that liked the dirt! This was a job for people who didn't have one!

Yusuke kept this mantra up in his head until someone said his name. He didn't even spare the person a glance. "Yeah? What do you want? Can't you see that I'm busy?!"

"Really? Is that why you are muttering under your breath about throttling Koenma?"

Yusuke swirled around, about to give the person a piece of his mind. "I said 'Can't you see'…" Yusuke trailed off. "Hello Kurama."

Kurama chuckled softly. "Hello to you too. I was wondering if you knew where Kuwabara was."

"Why should I know where the Great Cat Lover is?"

Kurama shrugged. "Well, you and I are the only people who know him. Since I didn't know where he was, I figured that you might."

Yusuke snorted. "Fat chance in that. I bet he's playing with his 'kitty' right at this very moment."

"Well he better hurry up since we have to catch the bus soon."

"Believe me, he'll show up just as the bus is leaving."

~*~

"Come on Eikichi!" Kuwabara cooed. "I have to get to work, and I can't leave until I say goodbye to you!" Kuwabara waited for Eikichi to appear. "I will be gone for a long time!"

Lo and behold, Eikichi came running out and was at Kuwabara's feet before he could even take a breath. "Eikichi!"

"Good bye, I'll miss you," whispered Kuwabara as he scooped up Eikichi.

Kuwabara then looked at the clock. "Oh my gosh! I'm late!"

Kuwabara was seen running down the road cursing his luck.

~*~

"Okay gang," called Kagome. "Have we had any luck at the dig sites?"

Hiro stepped forward. "As you said, Miss, we found some bone fragments in the location where you said they might be, but nothing that could be considered of worth."

"Hm, what seems to be the problem with the dig?"

"Miss, we have no landmarks to go by or any facts that could help us in this search."

"I would tell you information about the dig," Kagome lied, "but I am under orders not to. I'll try to talk with the museum about making a leeway so you can search faster."

No, you just need time to think about what you can tell them, thought Shippo. You can't tell them the truth or else the Jewel will try to taint their thoughts with visions of power and glory.

Shippo grinned. It seems that all that time spent with Miroku and Inuyasha has paid off. Kagome can now lie without blushing!

"Miss Kagome, it seems as if the museum is sending over someone to oversee the dig."

"What?!" yelled Kagome. She had planned this out perfectly! She didn't count on someone else! "Why?"

"Well it seems that the university feels that it would be safer and more productive if another person was to report them as well. After all, little, tiny details might be lost, and since this is such an important dig, they want to keep a tight grip on it."

Kagome nodded her head. She understood their concern; she just wished they didn't pay so much attention. "When is this person coming over?"

"He should be arriving in half an hour with a few more workers."

"Excellent, tell me when he arrives."

"Yes Ma'am."

~*~

"What time is it?" whined Yusuke.

"About 8:45," stated Kurama as he checked his watch. "Why?"

"I'm bored."

"Gee, I never noticed," said Kuwabara sarcastically.

"Are you being smart with me?!" yelled Yusuke as he raised his fist.

"No, I…" Kuwabara didn't get to say anything else. It seemed that Yusuke lost his temper and had punched him square in the face.

"He just had to provoke him," stated Kurama while shaking his head.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" shouted Yusuke.

"Oh nothing," he replied. "It seems that we have arrived, that's all." Kurama stepped off the bus.

"You must be the new people. Welcome," spoke a female voice with not one hint of a welcome in it.

All of the gang turned and saw a young woman decked out in a pair of brown overalls and an old plaid shirt. Her face was brown with dust and dirt. And her hands seemed to be full with papers, maps, and books.

Kurama spoke up, "Are you Mrs. Higurashi?"

"Miss Higurashi. And yes, I am her." She spoke stiffly, as if she disliked being in their presence. "I assume that you are the person sent to help."

Kurama gave a slight bow of his head in acknowledgement. "You are correct."

"Of course I'm correct," she snapped. "I have been for the past few years… in everything."

Yusuke was sniggering behind Kurama's back while Kuwabara was staring blankly at Higurashi. But he was staring for a reason.

Kuwabara was shocked at Higurashi's behavior. She was treating them like a piece of dirt, yet he sensed great amounts of kindness coming from her soul and herself. This befuddled him. If she was kind, why was she the ice queen?

"What you staring at?" snapped Higurashi.

"No- Nothing," he stuttered.

"Good." She turned back to Kurama. "I will need you to follow me so I can give you a brief description of our progress. I will also need to know what your role is going to be here, so I know not to get in your way." She glanced at Yusuke and Kuwabara, "Shippo will tell you were you are to start working."

"Who's Shippo," questioned Yusuke as Higurashi left.

"I'm Shippo," piped up a small voice from beside them. A redheaded kid walked out in front of them. "I'm here to show you where to dig. Oh, and don't worry about Mom, she's always like that around guys."

"Okay… show us the way kid!" stated Yusuke, with an armed raised in a salute.

The kid blinked as he looked at Yusuke. "I like you, but my name is Shippo, not kid." Shippo then turned around and started walking away.

Kuwabara leaned in and whispered, "Do you think we should follow him?"

Yusuke hit him over top of the head. "Of course we should follow him! What are you, a moron?" And with that, Yusuke ran to catch up with Shippo.

Kuwabara digested that for a moment before reaching a conclusion. "Hey was that an insult?!"

~*~

"Alright, here's the deal," began Higurashi as she laid out the maps she had been carrying. "We have dug here and here," she jabbed the paper at the locations. "So far we have come up with…"

Kurama tuned out her voice. He sensed a strong power near him, and he had to investigate. He narrowed his focus… it was to his right, and practically next to him.

He turned slightly. The only one to his right was Higurashi, and she couldn't hold that power.

'Or could she?' whispered Youko.

Kurama checked again, and took a step back in shock. She was the one holding that power! This wasn't logical! The person couldn't hold that much energy! And if she were the person looking for the jewel, she would stay away from the area. Youkai would be swarming this area like June bugs to an electric light! No one would stay in the area intentionally if they knew of the risks.

'Unless she were a youkai...' drifted in Youko's voice.

Kurama's eyes narrowed. That was plausible. But I don't know for sure, I need to ask Kuwabara, I have no expertise in distinguishing disguised youkai. It takes someone especially attuned to their spiritual senses.

~*~

Youkai- Japanese Demon; doesn't translate correctly

Miko- Priestess of the Shinto Religion, has magical powers; sometimes called a sorceress; doesn't translate properly

Haori- The "shirt" usually worn by men during the Feudal Era of Japan; it is the outer most of the layers in the outfit.

Makai- youkai world

~*~

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