Enjoy!

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The heavy pants and the heat radiating off her body only created a frown on the kitsune’s lips. The girl always pushed herself to the limit and even then still ignored when her body screamed for rest. Now here she was in Kohina’s room under two layers of futons with a cool towel on her forehead. Seeing her in this weak state only worried him more on how much of her health she had been hiding.

“Seriously,” Kokkuri sighed, “you gave me a scare when I found you unconscious in the living room.”

Checking the clock on the wall of the room, he nodded. He had fifteen minutes before Kohina would get home from school. Kohina would definitely be asking questions over the girl he saw as her role model.

“Scare?”

A tired chuckle was heard from the girl under the covers; eyes lowered to find her eyes half opened with a gentle smile.

A rare smile.

“I just needed a nap.”

“Nap my ass!” Kokkuri shouted. “You were burning up, Kagome!” Huffing, the kitsune sent the priestess a mild glare. How did this girl brush off her own well-being? Ever since she had appeared into their lives, mostly to take care of Kohina, she had worked hard to make sure Kohina’s place was safe and purified. But what had suddenly had her like this? The only thing he could think of was-

“Have you been using your reiki more than usual?” He questioned.

Breaking eye contact, Kagome looked to the other side of the room. “I-I’ve been trying to practice.”

“Practice? For what?!”

Kagome’s cheeks puffed with embarrassment. Like they would understand. “It’s been a long time since I have used my abilities to their full potential. I just don’t want to lose a part of me…”

Kokkuri’s brow twitched, hearing the very tone he hated: defensive. She was definitely a stubborn one. At times she acted like the mature woman she was, but her stubborn side never seemed to fade away.

‘But…,’ his eyes relaxed, ‘I guess something is in her mind.’

“It’s been five years now…”

Kokkuri blinked.

“Been five years since I returned…”

He sighed again. Five years already? They were aware of her history – her deep history. A history that had shattered her in the present once she permanently returned to her era. Meeting her as Kohina’s cousin was troubling in the beginning when Kagome learned about Kohina having demon friends. It was a mix of awe and fear.

Slowly, the ice thawed, but her depression came and went.

“Five years, huh?” Kokkuri ran his fingers through his hair, watching as her eyes remained glued on the ceiling. “So you were using you reiki so you wouldn’t lose it?”

“I have no other reason to use it in this world.” She replied. “Except if I have to purify any of you in the future.”

Sweat drop looming over his head, Kokkuki nodded. That threat never went away, but if she gave it, at least it meant she was humoring them. “Hai. Hai. I recommend Inugami to be the first one.”

Chuckling back, Kagome’s eyes landed on the kitsune. “Sorry to have dropped this on you, Kokkuri-san.”

“Don’t apologize.” Taking off the rag from her forehead, he dipped it back into the bowl beside him. “I don’t mind taking care of you.”

“Yeah, I always take care of you babies.” She scoffed with a laugh.

“Don’t lump me with those two idiots.”

“Hai. Hai.” Looking at Kokkuri twist the rag free of water, her expression softened. Perhaps they were a blessing in disguise by the gods. If demons were around right now, there was a possibility her old friends would be, too.

She only hoped.

“Thank you….”

Kokkuri blinked, turning his head to the girl the moment he heard a faint appreciation. His body relaxed, content to find her sleeping with a small smile.