No Need to Apologize

Summary: My first Inu-Yasha/Bleach x-over! Subarashii!

I’m sorry, but you’ve run out of time. I will make restitution. It’s too late to apologize. I’m sorry. There’s no need to apologize, …you’re forgiven.

Chapter One

There was a long shameful sigh as a woman kneeled to the ground, hands pressed together as if in prayer.

“It is time.” A deep male voice called.

The woman looked up and into the aquamarine blue colored eyes of her male companion. Her own brown orbs slid closed once more as she nodded. “Hai.” She whispered.

The man watched the woman carefully. “Midoriko, there is nothing else that can be done.” He spoke after a long moment. “You and I both know that allowing the Shikon no Tama to fall into the hands of Naraku would result in disaster for both our races. This is the only way to see that oblivion is not reached.”

“I understand this already, Hekigan.” Snapped the legendary priestess. Quickly realizing her fault, she sighed sadly. “Forgive me, I just …Higurashi-sama should not have to pay for her mistakes… not like this.”

“Your pain is understandable.” Hekigan nodded. Onyx colored locks tinted with blue, swayed with his movements.

A loud roar reached both Midoriko and Hekigan. Meeting each other’s gaze, “Now Midoriko! Before the barrier breaks.” Hekigan urged the priestess.

Nodding her final consent, Midoriko concentrated once more on her prayer. ‘I’m sorry Higurashi Kagome. But you’ve run out of time.’

“Please Kami, in this hour hear my call and answer all. Take this power born from you, to make whole one from two. Light and Dark, Yin and Yang, Demon and Priestess, make them sane. Of one mind, body, spirit, and soul. Make Higurashi Kagome, a Tenma-Nisou.”

The soft pink light that had been gathering at the tips of Midoriko’s fingers, grew brightly of her miko purification powers. Her aura, that matched the glow of her powers, danced brightly around her body and gently caressed Hekigan as he kneeled to face Midoriko, closing his own blue eyes. His large clawed hands reached out to gently hold Midoriko’s hands and even though it was painful, burning his body from the outside in, Hekigan forced his youki to rise and match Midoriko’s miko aura.

Midnight blue swirled with gentle pink. Together, Hekigan and Midoriko forced their energy to rise to its pinnacle and in an explosion that wiped out all of the rest of the youkai outside the barrier, the legendary miko and her youkai lover were swept away.

‘Forgive me, Kagome.’

-YRA-

In the world where Kagome Higurashi and her group of friends resided, they were visiting the aged priestess Kaede for a much needed break. However, it was evening and they were all in a deep sleep to rest from the day’s events.

That day had been the group’s coveted miko’s birthday. July tenth, seventeenth birthday.

The whole village had participated in the day’s events to celebrate the miko’s day of birth. And not just villagers, but humans and demons alike that Kagome had befriended during her time in the past, had all come to wish her well on another year of life. Kouga, Rin, Jinenji, Momiji, and Botan. Just to name a few.

Sake, cake from the miko’s era, games, and laughter had ensued the entire day.

However all that joy would be nothing, when compared to the sorrow that would ensue when they all awoke the next day.

The Shikon no Tama, that normally hung so innocently against Kagome’s neck, was now hovering away from her body and shining with a light so intense that it forced all the occupants of the room to wake up. Unfortunately, to be kind and accommodate Kagome on her special day, the young miko was given her own hut to spend the night in by herself.

Sleepy chocolate brown orbs opened slowly, blinking away fogginess until eyes had to be shut again to block out the infinite light coming from the Shikon.

“Wha?” Kagome whispered, reaching her hand up to finger the shining shard. “Naraku!” she gasped with suspicion, quickly throwing the covers from her body and standing from her futon.

“Inu-” Eyes widening, Kagome grasped at her throat fearfully, wondering why her voice had suddenly left her. Trying to scream, nothing happened, and so Kagome began to panic. Making her way to the doorway of the hut, she was met with a solid and very powerful barrier.

Fear found it’s way into her heart as tears gathered in her eyes.

‘Forgive me.’ A delicate voice whispered.

Appearing instantly was the larger shard of the jewel that Naraku was known to have, the shard from Kohaku’s back, the two shards from Kouga’s legs, and the last few stray shards. And in a display worthy of remembering eternally, the Shikon no Tama came together in completion, Kagome the only witness.

“…!…” Unable to say even a word, the young priestess felt helpless and so very alone.

‘Forgive me, Higurashi Kagome.’ The delicate voice whispered again. And before Kagome could wonder at what was going on and whom had called her by name, the priestess was struck with an unbearable pain as her body transformed and morphed into a creature long forgotten.

A Tenma-Nisou. A Demon-Priestess.

Mouth opening in a silent scream, Kagome went unnoticing of her physical changes.

Shoulder length raven colored locks, lengthen to her waist and darkened into a very deep black onyx that held a small hint of a blue tint.

Deadly sharp claws formed from dull fingernails.

Razor sharp canine fang-like teeth formed from less useful human canines.

Unformed human baby fat, toned into hard demonic muscle.

Rounded ears grew to elven-resembling points.

A body, fit for self-preservation, pulled taunt to be the perfect shape and size for a female warrior. Voluptuous curves, covered in delicately soft, silky sun-kissed skin.

Eyes, once rounded and an ordinary brown, narrowed into aquamarine blue colored orbs swirled with silver.

Facial features once young and endearing, sharpened to wise youthful aristocratic worthiness. A beauty that was deadly.

Sweat that had gathered from the stress of such a painful transformation, slid slowly down Kagome’s forehead to her chin before falling to wooden floor below. Kneeled on her hands and knees, Kagome panted harshly and would have whimpered her distress had her voice not gone missing.

Demonic energy swirled around her body and Kagome, somewhere in the back of her head, registered it as her own.

‘Doushite?’ Kagome asked as the tears gathered once more in the corners of her eyes.

“Because we could wait no more. With your powers, we had to… in order to save the world from Naraku.”

‘Doushite ware?’

“Because it is your duty.”

“Onegai, yurushite kudasai…Kagome-sama. It was the only way.”

A pulse swept through Kagome’s body as she felt the Shikon, which had continued to hang from the chain around her neck while she underwent the changes, sink past the flesh of her skin.

Sink past her physical body to find it’s final resting place amongst her soul now part of it, deep within her heart.

-YRA-

“Onegai, let go.” Begged a voice that was weakening with the struggle against a clawed hand that was stealing precious air from the female dangling in the male demon’s grasp.

“Never! I sense a great power deep within you. I’m going to make you mine. You will obey me and lend me your power!” the demon growled back to the woman.

“Onegai! I don’t want to kill you.” The female pleaded, tears gathering in her eyes.

“Kill me? Ha, that would never happen. I am the Great Youkai, Tsuyosa! A weak dragon demon like yourself could never hurt me.” the male demon Tsuyosa laughed, loosening his grip.

“I won’t mean to. But if you don’t let me go, something bad will happen.” The woman continued to try reasoning with the hard-headed male.

“Heh, something bad, huh? You are most amusing.” Tsuyosa shook his head. Licking his lips he brought his catch closer to his face. “How pretty you are though. My followers will surely be jealous when they meet you, my new mate.” He smiled, showing his fangs. Lifting his other hand, he began to untie the obi of her kimono, watching with lustful eyes as part of the silk slid away from her body.

On her back, away from prying eyes, there were two small tattoos in the shape of dark onyx dragon wings under each shoulder blade. The skin covered by these tattoos began to glow.

Aquamarine colored eyes widened before their depths lightened to the color of the silver swirls normally seen. “I warned you.” The female growled, her voice coming out in a way that sounded like several different voices all speaking at once.

“Itai!” Tsuyosa howled, dropping the female when a burning sensation began to engulf his hand. However even after he had ceased contact, the burning sensation spread overtaking his whole body until Tsuyosa was writhing on the ground in pain that resembled a miko’s purification. “Who-who are you?” he whispered, looking up in fear at the female now standing above him with a deadly intent behind her glowing eyes.

“Tenma-Nisou, Higurashi Kagome.” The female answered, a smirk coming over her face as her youki rose and aura danced.

Squatting beside the fallen youkai’s body, Kagome tilted her head to the side as she watched him to continue writhing in pain, howling every few seconds. “Shin-e.” she said calmly. Blinking once, she pursed her lips before blowing her breath onto the male. His movements stilled, before his body burst into icy blue flames.

Sighing sadly, silver eyes faded back to aquamarine swirled with silver. Kagome kneeled kindly in front the space where the male youkai’s body once lay. Bringing her hands together, she whispered a quick prayer for his soul.

Reaching for her obi, Kagome stood slowly before tying the silk back around her waist.

‘How long has it been?’ She wondered. ‘A year? Two years? Or was it three years since I’ve seen my friends?’ Shaking her head, Kagome turned to look into the horizon.

In the distance she could see a village. With a sniff of the air, she quickly found it to be a human village. Hoping that they would be kind enough to allow her to stay the night, Kagome began to make her way towards the small town.

‘Perhaps now that Naraku has been defeated, I should visit them.’

-YRA-

A soft rapid padding of feet against a wooden floor met her pointed ears, and before the body carried by these feet could even reach the door slid closed to block her from view, Kagome Higurashi turned with a smile on her face to greet the messenger.

“Hello!” she chirped, giggling slightly when the reaction she received from the messenger, was one of eyes wide with shock.

“H-hi.” He stuttered before bowing respectfully.

“What brings you here today, Houheishi-kun?” Kagome asked curiously.

“Ahem, hai! Captain-Commander Yamamoto requests a private audience with you, ma’am.” Houheishi replied.

“Oh. Alright. Thank you very much Houheishi-kun!” Kagome waved as she stood. Stretching lazily, she yawned before slowly making her way to the private meeting that she had been called to.

‘Hm, I wonder what Yamamoto-san wants? But considering all the commotion going on as of late with the ryoka and all, it could be any number of things.’ Kagome wondered thoughtfully, tapping a clawed finger against her chin.

Finally reaching the grand doors separating her from the Captain-Commander, Kagome carefully slid the shoji screen away and stepped into the room darkened by night and lit with candles.

Aquamarine blue eyes fell upon Yamamoto’s aged form, his back facing her.

“Ah, Kagome. Finally you have made your way here.” He called to her, voice filled with his amusement. There was shifting as he turned around to face her.

“Gomen.” Kagome apologized, blushing with embarrassment at her delayed entrance.

Yamamoto’s eyes opened slightly and Kagome bit her lip as she met his sorrow filled gaze. “You, of all people, have no reason to apologize.” He stated in all seriousness.

It had been a simple mistake, really. He had attacked and not realizing that she was there, nor she having the time to defend herself, the wave of power had killed her. The Shikon, though quick to revive her from the dead, was met with a conflict of interests when Yamamoto had decided to take her and her body to the Soul Society.

“I will make restitution to you, for my grave mistakes.”

It was a kind promise. One that Yamamoto had kept even after learning of her ability to be brought back from the dead by the Shikon. Even after she had assured him that she did not blame him.

His promise had included training her in the art of shinigami, so that she could better defend herself. She had been placed in every house, in every one of the thirteen divisions, in every clan and by doing so, she had learned everything. Surprisingly, Kagome found that her fondest time, had been with the Secret Mobile Forces.

Though he could find no one to help her gain control of her other, less human and more youkai-youki like abilities, Yamamoto had stuck with her during that time as well, helping her to concentrate, focus, and mediate to reach awareness.

The only downside to the whole affair, was that she could not return to the world of the living. Apparently during the transport of her body to the Soul Society with her still being technically dead and Shikon working hard to bring her back, Kagome had hit some sort of limbo and now she was stuck in between death and life. Though often she was not bothered, occasionally she would remember her family in the future and her family in the past and would wish that she could return.

Sure she could visit the living world every now and again, but if she tried to stay for more than a week at a time, without a year’s break in between, well she couldn’t. She would just disappear back to the Soul Society.

It has been four-hundred and ninety-four years since she had been brought to the Soul Society. To a youkai soul stuck in a life and death limbo, the time had passed in the blink of an eye.

‘Perhaps I can persuade Mayuri-san to help me find a way around this being stuck here.’

“You may seek out Captain Kurotsuchi later. For now, I need your wisdom on the matter at hand with the ryoka.” Yamamoto said, taking light steps to bring himself closer to the shinigami tenma-nisou.

“Ah, arigatou.” Kagome thanked. “As for the ryoka, they fight to protect a friend. Their will is strong and so long as it goes unbroken, then they will go undefeated. Most especially the substitute shinigami, Kurosaki Ichigo.” she stated.

“Kurosaki, hm.” Yamamoto repeated.

“Hai.” Kagome assured. Taking a deep breath, Kagome began to pace. “Yamamoto-san, if I may, I sense a deep wrongness in the whole decision to execute Kuchiki Rukia for a felony that when charged, the highest level of punishment comes no where near the consequence of execution by Soukyoku. I think, that it might have something to do with Captain Aizen’s charade.”

Yamamoto sighed and closed his eyes. “Hm, what would you have me do? All decisions made by the Central 46 are final and Kuchiki Rukia’s execution is tomorrow.”

Kagome paused in her steps and smiled. “I can not answer that for you, but I do sense that when the time comes, you won’t have to worry.”

“Mm? Is that so.” Yamamoto said, opening his eyes once more to stare at Kagome, not bothering to hide the suspicion in his voice nor behind his eyes.

“Well then, if that’s all Yamamoto-san. Dawn will be approaching soon and I would like at least an hour of meditative rest before I begin the new day.” Kagome bowed.

“Hai, I shall see you tomorrow.” Nodded the Captain-Commander, giving Kagome permission to leave.

“Arigatou! Good night Yamamoto-san.” She chirped disappearing from sight.

Back in the darkened room, Genryusai sighed tiredly. ‘Stubborn young girl. But she has filled me with great amounts of joy, even after all the trouble I caused her.’

“Kagome-sama, I’m sorry.”

-YRA-

“I’ve really got to work on this.” A voice filled with exasperation stated.

Though the night was dark, hovering atop Soukyoku Hill was a small onyx colored baby dragon.

The baby dragon was no bigger than the medium sized boulder stationed behind the small creature. It had large round, blue aquamarine colored eyes that did nothing to hide the annoyance in their depths. Tiny fangs, tiny arms and legs tipped with tiny claws, rapidly beating onyx wings, and a thick tail spiked with silver colored poisonous thorns along the back side and tip. The last feature was the two silver colored horns atop the baby dragon’s head.

‘How the hell are enemies supposed to be afraid of me, if every time I transform in a fit of rage, I turn into a cute and cuddly baby dragon?!’ Kagome raged mentally. With a sigh that just looked adorable, Kagome transformed back into her humanoid form in a flash of blue light.

“And yet, there is nothing that can be done. I am still an adolescent in dragon demon terms and until I’ve become an adult, I’m stuck with being a baby.” With another sigh, she sank to the floor, eyes closed and shaking her head sadly.

Shifting to a more comfortable position, Kagome opened her eyes and moved to dangle her legs over the edge of the cliff. Swinging them thoughtlessly, her aquamarine blue gaze drifted below to the Seireitei. With her excellent eyesight, she spotted Captain Kuchiki walking gracefully along one of the many paths of the large shinigami town.

‘Hm, I’ve never met him but I’ll bet that he’s just like Sesshoumaru. Same blank look, same hard glare, same graceful stance and walk, same dangerous aura. Mou, he’d probably be Sesshoumaru’s reincarnation, if that were possible.’ She pondered to herself.

Next to none of the Captains and Lieutenants knew of her existence. Kagome was somewhat of Captain-Commander Yamamoto’s secret. She was so secret in fact, that Yamamoto had procured a special messenger to deliver messages just from him to Kagome and from Kagome to him. That messenger, Houheishi.

The only shinigamis other than Captain-Commander Yamamoto and Houheishi that know of her existence in Soul Society are, Captain Kurotsuchi, Lieutenant Kurotsuchi, Captain Fong, Captain Unohana, and Lieutenant Sasakibe. No one else. And that was the way Captain-Commander Yamamoto had intended it.

Kagome Higurashi, was his way of keeping an eye on all of the Captains and Lieutenants, without them knowing about it. She was his secret intelligence. And with her outstanding abilities as a tenma-nisou, Shinigami, as well as a trained Secret Mobile Force, which was really a team of ninjas, Kagome had proved quite useful in gathering information.

“Mm, perhaps I should begin my work before my hour of rest. I may be a shinigami tenma-nisou, but making sure chaos doesn’t break out tomorrow, will be a job and a half. Especially considering what I have planned.” Standing and stretching, Kagome turned and jumped to the top of Soukyoku’s Cross, a bright light engulfing her body, before she kneeled and began her work.

-YRA-

“Oh . . . Hm, what do you think that strange light coming from Soukyoku Hill is, my dear Nanao?” Asked Captain Kyouraku lazily.

Lieutenant Ise looked up from her book and in the direction of her teichou’s attention. Seeing the brightly shining blue colored light, Nanao looked back at her teichou with a questioning gaze. “Should we go find out what that is, Captain?” she asked.

Shunsui sighed and waved his hand. “No, I don’t think that’s necessary. I don’t sense any reiatsu, but anyone willing to tamper with Soukyoku’s Cross is an ally to us.” He replied, turning onto his side to sip at the one of his many sake bottles.

Nanao looked back towards the light and watched it carefully for several moments, before resigning herself to her teichou’s orders. “Hai, Kyouraku-teichou.” Shifting the glasses seated upon the bridge of her nose, Nanao turned back to her book. ‘Lazy bum.’

-YRA-

‘Mou, I hope this doesn’t get me killed. It’s taking me much longer to do this than I would have hoped and it looks like I won’t be able to get that hour of sleep that I was hoping for.’ Kagome sighed mentally. The air around her chilled her skin, however that made sense considering how high up she was.

Kneeling at the top of the Soukyoku’s Cross, Kagome’s whole body glowed with power. A power that she was going to use to fend off Soukyoku long enough for Rukia’s savior, Ichigo, to make his way to save the wrongfully charged shinigami.

‘If only I could figure out what was really going on, what he’s after. And though I’ve never personally met with either Captain Ichimaru or Captain Hitsugaya, they don’t seem the type to do anything that Lieutenant Hinamori is accusing them of. Unless this is part of what Captain Aizen is planning.’

The blue aura that had surrounded her for the past couple of hours slowly began to fade away as Kagome finished her task. Wiping a drop of sweat from her brow, she jumped only to land gracefully on the ground several stories below. In the distance, Kagome half noticed the rising sun and sighed sadly, mentally crying.

“Maybe I can get just thirty minutes of rest.” She said aloud. Turning to face the trees, a thought struck her and she realized that rather than returning all the way back to her room, she could just meditate in one of the trees until the execution ceremony began. Her aura, reiatsu, and any other energetic presence hidden, of course.

In a blur she had faded out from standing below Soukyoku’s Cross, to sitting comfortably in one of the trees. Eyes and lips smiling brightly, she let her eyes slide closed as she began her meditative rest.

However, judging by how quickly the sun was rising, she would have maybe thirty minutes.

-YRA-

“Captain Unohana, are you sure about this?” Lieutenant Koutetsu dared to ask.

“Hai, I am most certain. We must hurry Isane, I fear that if we do not, more lives than necessary, will be lost.” Unohana replied wisely. Isane’s eyes widened at her teichou’s words.

“Lives? Whose?”

“Captain Hitsugaya and Lieutenant Hinamori.”

“But we can’t-”

“And that is exactly why we can not waste time. Minazuki, please hurry.” The manta ray-like Shikai creature, groaned and added as much more speed as it could to carry its master to where she so desired.

-YRA-

The battle between Captain Byakuya Kuchiki and ryoka, Ichigo Kurosaki had ended less than thirty minutes ago. Everyone, including Kagome, who had stayed and watched with interest, began to clear out.

Amazed at the ryoka’s power and yet glad that the battle was over, Kagome was prepared to finally go back to her room to get some rest, until the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Sensing the threat, she narrowed her eyes to focus on where this sense of danger was coming from.

‘The Office of 46? But no one is allowed in there!’ Standing, she turned her whole body to face the direction of danger, and was met with the feel of a shinigami’s powerful reiatsu spiking. “Bankai?” Kagome whispered. “But why has Captain Hitsugaya released his bankai?” However, just as quickly as the spike had come, it left. Along with the pulse of life that was normally felt.

Aquamarine eyes widening, Kagome jumped from her tree, the dragon wing tattoos on her back glowed brightly for a second before that light burst into an actual pair of onyx colored dragon wings that fanned out. ‘We can’t lose another captain at a time like this!’ A burst of wind and speed, and Kagome was off, soaring through the sky.

Buildings whizzed by quickly and as she was closing in on the Office of 46, she recognized Lieutenant Kotetsu’s voice come through by way of binding number seventy-seven, Tentei Kuura.

“The Thirteen Court Guardian Squads, all squad captains, lieutenants and acting lieutenants, and ryoka lady and gentlemen, this is fourth squad lieutenant, Kotetsu Isane. This is urgent. …This is an urgent message from fourth squad captain Unohana Retsu and myself, Kotetsu Isane. What I am about to tell you… is all true!” Kagome listened carefully even while landing and racing through the building to get to where she sensed Captain Unohana and Lieutenant Kotetsu’s auras. What she heard, though she had suspected such, still shocked her.

‘I knew it! That bastard!’ Kagome growled mentally, the whites of her eyes began to bleed red with her rage. ‘When I get my hands on him, well there won’t be anything for them to find.’

Finally reaching the partially destroyed living area of the inner chamber of the Office of 46 Kagome paused, panting tiredly. She spotted Isane still speaking through the Tentei Kuura and just a few feet away, Unohana-Teichou kneeled, her reiatsu working quickly to heal the body she was so diligently trying to save.

The heavy scent of blood filled Kagome’s senses, making her light headed.

“Captain!” Kagome called. Both Isane and Retsu looked up and while Isane was unsure of whom she was, Retsu sighed gratefully.

“Kagome, would you take over here while I see to Lieutenant Hinamori?” Unohana asked.

“Of course.” Replied the tenma-nisou shinigami, taking Unohana’s place and kneeling slowly beside Captain Hitsugaya’s body. Assessing the damage, Kagome had to wonder at how, though he was a captain, he could survive such a deadly blow, especially considering that Unohana had already begun to treat the wounds.

Taking a deep breath, Kagome realized just how tired she was from the day’s activities. She had put quite a bit of energy into tampering with Soukyoku’s Cross and maintaining the effects through the very powerful Zanpakutou’s blows, while keeping a barrier around her presence so that she would go unnoticed. And all of that occurred early in the day, not to mention all that she had done the day before. ‘But I have to do this. So please body, hold on for just a little bit longer before you decided to send me into a coma for a day.’ Kagome begged.

Gathering the last bits of her reiatsu, Kagome put all her focus into sealing and healing Hitsugaya-teichou’s injuries. With her claws, she further tore open his robes to expose more of his chest. Finding a void bare of blood, she used the tip of one of her claws to draw her symbol on his chest. Her symbol, the Chinese Yin Yang. Once done, she pulled her finger back and nicked herself with her own claw before retracing the symbol with her bloody finger. As she did this, a soft blue glow began to shine from where she had traced. Once finished with that part, she brought both of her hands to hover above the symbol, before allowing the remains of her reiatsu to flow into the Yin Yang.

Finished with her announcement, Isane was content to stand back and watch, her brown eyes wide with wonder at the woman whom her captain trusted with the healing of another captain. ‘Who is she? Her reiatsu is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.’

The seconds slipped by into minutes and feeling the last of her strength leave her, Kagome did what she could to make sure that she had sealed and healed all of Hitsugaya’s wounds. A weak smile, ‘I’m glad.’ she thought, before falling over on her side, careful to avoid the still recovering Hitsugaya’s body.

Green aquamarine colored eyes broke open tiredly to peer gratefully at the one whom had healed him. Not recognizing the face, a weak frown made its way onto the young features of Toushiro’s face. ‘Who is she?’ he was able to think, before falling back into unconsciousness.

“Lieutenant Kotetsu!” Unohana called, slowly making her way back into the room. Momo’s body held gently in her arms.

“Hai Captain.” Isane answered dutifully.

“Please call in one of our squads. These three will need to be moved into a safe room while they finish recovering.” Unohana asked kindly.

“Hai Unohana-teichou.” Isane nodded, pulling out a small and slender headset to do as her captain commanded.

-YRA-

Soft, unlabored breathing filled the room, joined with the pounding of strong and steady heartbeats.

Blue aquamarine colored eyes peered around the dimly lit room. Onyx colored locks slid against fine silk as Kagome turned her head to quietly watch Captain Hitsugaya rest peacefully under thin sheets.

It had been exactly one day, just as she had predicted, since she had fallen into a comatose like state, her body demanding proper rest.

Though she was a demon and did not need a whole lot of sleep, the past couple of months she had gotten very little while she worked hard to figure out what exactly was the impending danger that she sensed.

So her body had forced her to sleep. Fortunately, it only took a day to regain her strength and energy, but it would take a couple more days easy rest, to completely restore her to optimal health.

Refocusing her attention back on the Captain, she pondered whether or not she should stay until he awoke.

With her being five hundred and four years old, and it being four hundred and ninety-four years since her arrival in Soul Society, Kagome had discovered a way to contribute her abilities over her long years.

It had begun with Shippo back in Sengoku Jidai, and she didn’t recognize it until her time with the young kitsune youkai had ended. But she enjoyed taking in young abandoned children and watching over them, making sure that they grew up into contributing, bright, strong beings.

Finally realizing this, every hundred years or so Kagome found it important to find a child to look after. However with the need for her secrecy, Kagome would look after them from afar, appearing before them only when she needed to, whether it be for protection, guidance, or companionship.

Hitsugaya Toushiro, though she had not found him until he had applied to Shinigami Academy, had been one of the young that she had decided to follow and see to. Pulling strings here and there to make sure he received proper teachers, she helped him become recognized as a shinigami prodigy. Not once had she had to appear before him and introduce herself, but considering recent events, she was considering doing so.

‘Though he has achieved Bankai, there is still a needed for training. And considering my abilities, I think I should take the initiative. Of course, I’ll need to check with Yamamoto-san.’ She thought to herself. ‘Yes, I’ll ask Yamamoto-san and then introduce myself to Hitsugaya.’ Nodding at her decision, Kagome stood slowly. Gathering all of her things, she strapped her Zanpakutou to her back, before quietly making her way to the door.

But as luck would have it, at that moment, Hitsugaya Toushiro decided to open his green aquamarine colored eyes, which fell quickly upon Kagome’s now frozen form.

“Who are you?” he asked dangerously, unsure of whom this intruder was, but not willing to take a chance.

‘Mou.’ Kagome slowly turned back around, allowing Toushiro to see her features. She watched as his gaze widened with recognition.

“You..” he whispered, realizing that this was the face of the woman whom he had seen only once, but had stayed with him in his sleep. She was the one who had healed him.

“It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Captain Hitsugaya Toushiro.” Kagome bowed.

“You did not answer my question.” Hitsugaya stated, getting over his shock. “Who are you?” he repeated. His gaze narrowed when the woman before him merely smiled pleasantly.

“I’m the one who saved your life.” Kagome replied, trying to evade properly answering his question.

Noticing the shinigami robes she was dressed in, Toushiro decided to play the power card. “And you have my gratitude on that matter. However as one of the thirteen gotei, Captain Hitsugaya, I demand your name.”

Right eye twitching slightly, Kagome wondered if perhaps she should have introduced herself while Toushiro had been younger, to make sure manners were instilled in him properly, but discarded that thought for another time.

Smirking dangerously, but deciding to play along, Kagome mock bowed. “Higurashi Kagome, teichou-sama.”

Upset by the half-assed question, “What division do you belong to, Higurashi?” Toushiro asked instead.

Kagome sighed mentally, while outside she remained calm and collected. “I do not belong to any division, Hitsugaya-teichou.”

Thinking her lying, Toushiro stood from his bed, to come to his full height, which was just less than half a head shorter than Kagome. ‘Keh.’ He huffed mentally, upset that he was still shorter than this woman who had appeared so tiny from his bed.

“What division do you belong to?” Toushiro asked again, quickly becoming highly annoyed.

“I do not belong to any.” Kagome repeated, more firmly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.” she turned to finally leave the room.

Moving quickly to grab her and halt her movements, Toushiro was struck with the pain of one of his wounds reopening. Grunting, he fell to his knees.

Sensing his pain, Kagome sighed before making her way to his side. Kneeling beside him to wrap on of his arms around her shoulders, she helped him to stand before carefully leading him back to bed. Once he was resettled, she moved her hands to peel away the bandages wrapped expertly around his torso. “You have to be careful. Though I was able to seal your wounds, I was nearly out of energy when I healed you and could not completely seal everything. Moving too soon will cause your wounds to reopen.”

Taking a deep breath, Kagome brought her hands together, hovering just over the reopened the wound, and closed her eyes. Toushiro watched as a blue light, similar to the color of her eyes, engulfed her hands and the wound on his body close once more.

Smiling at her handiwork, Kagome rewrapped the bandages before stepping away from the bed. “Now, maybe you’ll stay in bed until you’re fully recovered, ne?”

Toushiro could only watch as she turned her back to him, before making her way to the door of the room. She paused for but a moment, speaking one last thing, before she was gone.

“Don’t worry. We shall meet again very soon.”

-YRA-

“Kagome, I’m glad you’ve come to see me but with recent events, I don’t have a whole lot of free time so you must be quick.” Yamamoto said kindly, his gaze focused on some of the papers on his desk, rather than the woman whom had just entered his office.

“Hai, I had a quick question anyways.” Kagome moved closer to the desk.

Curious, Captain-Commander Yamamoto looked up to gaze questioningly into the shinigami tenma-nisou’s eyes. “Oh, what is this question?”

Sighing, “I wish to train Captain Hitsugaya. Considering whom our new enemy is, even though Hitsugaya-teichou is a prodigy in many eyes, he’s still young and I wish to help him prepare for the coming war. All I ask, is for your permission.” Bowing her head in respect.

Genryusai was silent for several moments, carefully considering what his own prodigy was asking of him.

“Sir, if you don’t mind my saying?” Lieutenant Sasakibe asked. Seeing his teichou’s nod, he continued. “This seems like a wonderful idea. Kagome-san is well versed in many techniques, including ones we’ve never heard of. If her training Captain Hitsugaya goes well, then perhaps we can finally introduce her to the others. Allowing her to become closer to them for more information gathering at a deeper level.”

“Hm.” Genryusai nodded, agreeing with his lieutenant’s thoughts. “Alright Kagome. You may approach Captain Hitsugaya and begin training him. If he should resist then simply send him to me and I’ll make sure he understands the importance.”

Smiling brightly, Kagome lifted her head. “Hai!” Bowing a final time, “Arigatou Yama-san!” she chirped before she was gone from the eyes of Captain-Commander and his Lieutenant.

Shaking his head, a small quirk of his lips spoke of his amusement. “Alright, let us finish.” Yamamoto said to Choujirou.

-YRA-

“Ahem, Captain-Commander sir, Captain Hitsugaya is here to see you sir!” A guard standing outside the door called into the office where Yamamoto sat.

‘Only two days of rest, Kagome?’ He thought to himself. “Allow him entrance.” The doors opened and in came Captain Hitsugaya with barely contained raging reiatsu.

“What brings the prodigy Captain to my office?” Yamamoto asked, deciding to play dumb, as he turned around to pin the young teichou with his firm gaze.

“Higurashi Kagome. She has contacted me claiming that you sent her to train me. Who is she, sir?” Hitsugaya answered.

“Ah, yes. Higurashi Kagome.” Yamamoto paused, nodding slowly. “She is a special shinigami I have enlisted for a very special job. And she is only doing her job by coming to you for training. Considering whom our new enemy is, even though you are a prodigy in many eyes, you are still young. And I wish her to help prepare you for the coming war. So you are to listen to her and show her respect as your new Sensei. Your position as Captain of the tenth squad shall hold no value to her when she is involved.” Genryusai added, using Kagome’s own words.

Green aquamarine eyes widened in shock, but Hitsugaya held himself and nodded respectfully to his superior’s wishes.

“Captain Hitsugaya, should Kagome see me about any behavior issues with you, there will be consequences that will immediately relieve you of your duties as captain. That is all.” With a wave of his hand, Yamamoto dismissed Toushiro whom was now even more shocked than before.

But not so much that he forgot his manners. Bowing silently, “Hai Captain-Commander, sir.” Toushiro left.

Yamamoto, now once more alone with his thoughts, shook his head. ‘I just hope Kagome doesn’t force that boy into a state of mind where he will voluntarily relieve himself of duty.’

-YRA-

Humming a gentle melody, Kagome sat upon a boulder in the center of a clearing of forestry, patiently waiting. She paused mid hum, when her senses told her of a specific reiatsu making its way to the same large clearing that she sat in the middle of.

Smiling brightly, she knew that Toushiro had found her note, requesting his presence to begin their training. She also figured that he had already been to see the Captain-Commander, if his mute aura was anything to go buy.

“So I take it that you’re ready to begin?” she asked, standing gracefully on her boulder before turning to greet the shinigami.

He looked at her with blank eyes and nodded. “Hai, Higurashi-Sensei.”

“Oh.” Kagome nodded, closely guessing what Yamamoto had said to Toushiro. Jumping from the boulder, she landed inches away from the captain, a bright smile on her face. “Don’t worry, even if you do give me lip I won’t report you to the Captain-Commander. I figure respect is something to be earned, not brought about by fear. You can hate me until you decided to get over yourself.”

Eyebrow lifting on a blank face, “I don’t hate you, Higurashi-sensei.” Toushiro stated.

Kagome laughed. “I’m not dumb y’know. I can sense your contempt towards me. I also realize that I could have been a bit nicer about recruiting you, but there’s not much time and I have much to teach you.”

“What could you possibly teach me? I’m a Captain. You don’t even hold a position.” Toushiro snapped calmly, finally releasing his hold on his emotions. Anger, the first one to make itself known.

Kagome simply stared back at him unblinkingly. A smirk finding it’s way onto her beautiful aristocratic features. “Your Zanpakuto, Hyourinmaru. Not many realize that he’s really a water dragon, albeit his water his far past freezing point and when it touches your enemies, it immediately freezes them upon contact.”

Toushiro rolled his eyes. “You’re close to the Captain-Commander. He probably told you this.”

Moving closer to the resistant shinigami captain, Kagome was less than inches from pressing her body flush against his own. She smirked when Toushiro stiffened at the contact. Leaning down to level her mouth with his ear, “No he didn’t. However, I’m special and your zanpakuto recognizes this. Hyourinmaru knows what I am and is telling me things. Secrets about his power that he has yet to tell you. You who has reached Bankai and yet has limits to how long he can use the all release form.” she whispered.

Green aquamarine colored eyes widened and focused on blue aquamarine colored eyes when Kagome stepped back. “How do you know this?” Toushiro asked.

Kagome shook her head. “If I promise to teach you something new before our session for today is through, you’ll believe me then, right? Continue with our training, until I deem that you have learned all I can teach you?”

Fisting his hands, Toushiro was reluctant to agree. ‘But if she can teach me about Hyourinmaru, then what does that make her?’ Nodding his consent, Toushiro watched as Kagome squealed and clapped her hands together happily.

“But you have to tell me about yourself. I won’t commit to learning from someone unwilling to share their own accomplishments and where they learned what they plan to teach me.”

Kagome fell silent, arms falling to her sides as memories flashed before her eyes, of times before her entrance into Soul Society. Sadness and loneliness filled her gaze. Toushiro recognized this, but did not budge on his ultimatum.

“Do we have a deal?” he asked. Blank blue eyes met his. A face devoid of any emotion nodded slowly.

“I’ll tell you what I can.” Kagome whispered.

“No, you tell me everything.” Toushiro repeated firmly. He watched the woman before him flinch, tears gathering in the corners of her eyes as her attention focused more intently on her memories. It was as a single tear rolled down her cheek, that Toushiro felt his resolve crumble to reveal his normally kind heart. “Never mind, just… tell me what you feel you can.” He sighed.

The young captain watched as Kagome forced a fake smile and shook her head, wiping away at her tears. “No. If you wish that I explain everything to you, then so be it. It’s about time I let go anyways. So I’ll begin as we warm-up, ne?”

“That’s fine, …Higurashi-sensei.”

-YRA-

“And that…-” Kagome paused to pant, her body exhausted from the training session. “-is my story.” Falling to the ground in a heap, she forced her body to stretch out before she succumbed to closing her eyes and resting peacefully.

Toushiro sat only a few feet away from her body in a similar state. Kagome had been true to her word and taught him a new technique involving his zanpakuto that he himself had yet to learn from his own sword. And though his body was worn out, his brain continued working, replaying again and again the words that his sensei had told him. Shared with him, to paint a picture form him of who she was.

‘A shinigami youkai miko. I wonder how long it’s been since she’s visited her family. Or if she’s even thought of keeping herself from going back that final time.’ Were just a few of the thoughts that his brain brought forth.

“So you’re an ice dragon demon priestess?” He asked aloud. Hearing Kagome’s laugh, he fought to keep from rolling his eyes.

“Hai. And I’m five hundred and four years old.” She replied, sitting up and looking in his direction. “Any more questions that I can answer for you?”

Having finally shared her story, Kagome felt great. Almost as if the weight of the world had been freed from her shoulders. Of course there were several things that she had left out of her all-tell explanation, but she was just not ready to come to terms with her more painful memories. At least not yet. But she was glad that she could share at least some of them with her new student.

Turning his green aquamarine gaze to watch her, Toushiro opened his mouth to voice his next question, until his eyes caught the bead of sweat that rolled down her face and gathered at her chin, before falling down past her shinigami robes to land on her chest and roll slowly into her cleavage.

‘Hn, she looks good for being so old.’ Was the stray thought that ran him over. Realizing what just passed through his brain, eyes widened before Toushiro stood quickly, completely mortified by his lack of control. ‘I’ve been around Matsumoto too long!’

“Hitsugaya-san, are you alright?” Kagome asked, coming to stand as well.

“Hai.” Toushiro responded quickly and Kagome couldn’t help but frown in suspicion. “When is our next training session, Higurashi-sensei?”

Distracted for the moment, Kagome crossed her arms and sighed. “Tomorrow. Same time, same place.”

“Hai. Arigatou Sensei.” Hitsugaya bowed before vanishing from the still curious aquamarine blue and silver swirled eyes of his teacher.

“Strange boy.” Kagome whispered to herself once she was alone. “Was he that strange before? Or has he become more so in the last few years?” Shaking her head, Kagome decided it was time for her bath. “Ah the one thing I’ll never tire of.”

-YRA-

“Teichou?” A familiar voice called out to the white haired shinigami. Turning slightly, Toushiro recognized the voice as his Lieutenant, Matsumoto Rangiku.

“Matsumoto.” He answered, knowing what was coming, but allowing the woman the chance to voice her question.

“Where have you been all day teichou?” she asked, her usual bright smile coating her usual beautiful looks.

The Captain-Commander’s words reached his ears in memory of their more recent meeting. After having cleaned up from training with Kagome, Toushiro had been called to Yamamoto’s office where the Captain-Commander then proceeded to explain to him the need for Kagome’s secrecy from all others. After telling him of the only others that knew of the shinigami tenma-nisou’s presence in Soul Society, Yamamoto had dismissed the young captain to continue with his usual duties.

“Training.” Toushiro replied to Rangiku’s question.

“Training?” she repeated, however she quickly remembered Captain Unohana explaining to her about how Captain Hitsugaya almost died from only one strike of Aizen’s hand. Fear had gripped her heart when she first had heard the female captain’s words. Nodding her understanding, “I see. Will you be training again tomorrow?”

“Hai.”

Sighing, Rangiku smiled kindly. “Alright teichou. Then I’ll be sure to see to everything while you continue your training.”

Silver eyes met aquamarine green.

“Matsumoto?”

“Hai teichou?” Rangiku responded, her presence shifting back to her usual carefree nature.

“Arigatou.”

“Oh, it’s no big deal teichou. Just leave everything to me.” Rangiku laughed, wrapping her arms around her captain’s smaller form and smothering him with her breasts.

“Matsumoto!” Toushiro yelled, the sound muffled as he struggled against the woman’s strong grasp.

-YRA-

The night sky hovering over Soul Society was the perfect way to accentuate the calm that had finally settled inside the Seireitei, in what seemed like ages.

And standing, overlooking the large town of shinigami was none other than Captain Hitsugaya of the tenth squad as he thought back to his long day. And not just today, but all that had happened after the invasion of the ryoka led by substitute shinigami, Kurosaki Ichigo.

“You know you should get some rest. I plan on making tomorrow’s training twice as difficult.” Kagome stated after using shunpo to appear beside the captain. Her sudden appearance didn’t faze Toushiro, of course she hadn’t thought it would, but she still sighed with disappointment.

“Hai, Sensei.” Toushiro said, but did not make a move to return to his living quarters.

Kagome smiled and shook her head. But respecting his choice, Kagome turned to follow his gaze with her own eyes.

The silence between them was comfortable and though Kagome did not dare to disturb it, Toushiro was silently debating whether or not he should ask his sensei the questions that had been bugging him since he had left in a hurry from their training earlier that day.

Finally deciding it was worth the trouble, Toushiro looked at Kagome through the corners of his eyes. “Sensei, do you ever feel lonely?” Secretly he watched her aquamarine blue and silver swirled gaze drift closed, as a sad look settled on her face. She was silent for several moments as she contemplated the depth of the question.

“Honestly, I don’t know of one person who wouldn’t be lonely in my place, including myself. It’s difficult doing the job that Captain-Commander Yamamoto has me do. It’s also difficult to be the only kind of my race in all of Soul Society. In all of the real world, too. I’m the type of person that thrives on physical and emotional relationships with the people around me. Leading a life of secrecy is not what I really want to be doing. But Yamamoto-san has been so kind to me.”

Toushiro couldn’t help but be stunned by his sensei’s words. ‘She’s… loyal.’ Gazing back out into the Seireitei, the white haired captain sighed before asking his next question. “Does it ever get easier?”

Kagome chuckled softly, half expecting the question. Sensing the powerful gaze find her face once more, the slight piece of mirth in her eyes faded, another solemn look painting her features.

“No.” she whispered truthfully, turning to meet his gaze with a small sad smile.

Watching the woman beside him, Toushiro for but a split second, recognized the deep sad lonely eyes that gazed back at him. And in that moment, he was completely captivated by his sensei’s aura.

Her wide eyes with large pale blue aquamarine irises swirled with silver, nearly engulfed the speck of a dark pupil that allowed her to see. And yet even with such strange and ethereally beautiful eyes, as a demon, Kagome could see quite clearly and quite far.

Her once dark shoulder length hair had grown until it reached her waist and darkened to a very deep black onyx. The curves of the locks that once set her apart from Kikyo, were no more as her hair had straightened perfectly. There were locks of her hair that were cut shorter than the rest, hanging just nearly three inches above her chin. Still shorter, were bangs that hung just at her thin but perfectly sculpted dark eyebrows.

Her body was every bit womanly with long lean legs leading up to curvy hips and a small waist. And like the rest of her body, her stomach was toned. Clear abdominal structure though not overly so. Further up her body were two mounds of perfect, imperfectness that her long lost friend Miroku would have been honored and proud to have groped. Small broad shoulders, from which lean muscular arms extended, ending with small and dainty hands with well-manicured nails.

A heart shaped face, youthful in its appearance. Small pouty lips, pristine white straight teeth, an adorable button nose, and of course those unusual eyes.

All of this was wrapped in the softest, most silky pale skin. Skin that her dark midnight locks and large pale blue eyes contrasted lovely off of. Her entire frame was small, standing no taller than five feet, seven inches. She was every bit a picturesque ethereal beauty, that looked every bit lost inside herself. Pointed ears, sharp claws, and a glowing aura only add to the lovely image she made.

“Would you… be a companion to me?” She asked suddenly very careful, breaking the silence and bringing Toushiro back to reality. Her eyes were now innocently watching him, fearful of possible rejection.

‘I’m the closest thing to a friend that she’ll have had in a long time.’

Feeling something akin to having been honored with such an opportunity to befriend such a woman, “Hai… Sensei.” Toushiro answered.

The smile that greeted him in thanks, was bright and just like everything else about his teacher, the smile only made her lovelier.

“Well if that’s so, then calling me Kagome will be just fine when we’re not training, y’know.” She giggled.

Realizing that he once again had been caught admiring the woman that was to be his sensei, he had to fight to keep his rising blush from showing and sharply turned his head away from her seeing eyes. But he was not quick enough.

“KAWAII! Chibi-kun is blushing!” Kagome chirped, throwing her arms around the other shinigami and hugging him tight. Almost cuddle worthy.

Right eye twitching. ‘Chibi-kun?’ He thought angrily. “I am not short.” he growled, pushing none to gently against the tenma-nisou’s body, disliking the nearness of her body.

“Aw, does Chibi-kun not like his nickname?” She asked, pulling back to looked down at Toushiro’s frowning face with a pout.

“No! I do not.” He replied, crossing his arms when Kagome would not remove her arms. Smirking, “Obaa-san.” he added, proud when he felt Kagome stiffen before pulling away sharply.

“Grandmother?” she repeated lowly, eyes closed in rage.

“You are five hundred and four years old, aren’t you. That would make you a senior citizen.” Toushiro replied, sly smirk still on his face as he watched Kagome get worked up over his nickname for her.

With a dangerous growl, aquamarine blue snapped back opened, however the silver swirls that normally paled in comparison to the blue, now glowed with such an intensity that Toushiro felt the need to back away from.

“I am not old.” She whispered, slowly drawing her Zanpakuto.

Eyes widening, Toushiro was quick enough to draw his own sword before Kagome’s clashed with it.

“You..” Left eye twitching, “..will pay!” She shrieked, pushing with all her might.

Owari

It’s kind of sketchy and jumping all over the place, I know and I hate to post it like this but I just don’t know what to do with it. I’ve lost inspiration. Again.

I’ll do what I can to work out the kinks but I need your help. (Oh my god! I did not just sound like Dora the Explorer. !-! )

ANYWAYS, just give me some time and I’ll be sure update with a smoother version of this chapter.

Now to explain this, I received a request from pheonixstar123, to make a Toushiro/Kagome pairing fic and so this is my response to the reviewer’s request.

pheonixstar123, I know that you requested deep forest green eyes with silver swirl for a part of Kagome’s appearance, but I’ve altered it a bit and given her aquamarine colored eyes with silver swirls. Trust me, you’ll understand why I did this as the story progresses.

Now to explain something else, to you all. I’ve watched the Bleach English Subbed episodes all the way up into the hundreds and so this entire fic, for those of you following the English Dubs on Adult Swim, will contain spoilers.

I plan on moving these first chapters along quickly to catch up to the Arrancar Arc, so that I can have this fiction follow through with that particular saga, as that is where I have a scene that I’m drawing inspiration from.

I hope all of you enjoyed reading. Please leave a review and share all your thoughts. Positive or criticizing, whatever. Just leave a review, damnit!

Until next chapter,

-YRA- Your Rude Awakening -YRA-