AN: So sorry it's late! I was going to post on Saturday, but didn't have time, so then I wanted to yesterday, but I wasn't home anytime after 9:30 am. So...I'm posting now. Please don't hurt me...

Warnings: same as ever; shonen-ai, eventual yaoi, violence, etc.

Disclaimer: Do I really look like I own YuYuHakusho? I can't even speak Japanese! Oh, and I don't own InuYasha. The wolf demon in this chapter was sort of based off of Kouga looks-wise. I think that'll be his name too.

Another note: no one has commented on this, but I wanted to explain it anyway. I use both English and Japanese words in this. For example, I use both 'kitsune' and 'fox,' or both 'youkai' and 'demon.' I like this because it varies the language and I think makes it more interesting. So...in case you noticed or cared.

Thank you so much all my reviewers!

What2callmyself: Here's more...sorry it's not soon...Um, I can't answer your questions at this time. Please continue reading, and they will be answered eventually!

darksaphire: Thank you! It's nice to hear that I'm improving!

Elearwen: Glad you liked it. Glad I'm setting the two of them up well too. It won't really happen for a while, but never fear, it shall!

Nanashi Kage Enteru: Cool name! Wow. You're better at justifying my thoughts than I am. Thank you so much! That is one of the nicest reviews I've gotten!

random1: Yes, most definitely!

Stratus5: Thanks!

KayHiei: Thanks! Not as soon as I'd like it to have been but...

DarrkKatt: You'll see...but, probably. I'm glad you like it!

SilverWolf: I'm making more! Just, at a slow pace...Thank you!

Youko-Kali: That picture sounds great! You definitely have to give me the link when it's done. Foreshadowing? Hmm...yes. I'm so happy you liked it! It's actually really sad how giddy I get when I see that I got a review...

And now...

Chapter IX

The Demon Camp

The ride didn't last much longer. Soon the pair arrived at what looked like a bandit camp.

The camp consisted of a multitude of quickly pitched tents; non-permanent shelters that could be relocated quickly. Campfires smoldered in front of most tents. Demons sat on the ground around them, good-naturedly drinking, laughing, eating, and showing off weapons.

Some trick of the surrounding terrain, probably combined with magic, kept the noise and smell of the camp from being detected until they were very close.

Youko looked up at Hiei as the demons spotted the pair. He glanced at Youko and gave an almost imperceptible nod, letting him know that it was okay.

One demon, most likely a wolf demon swaggered over to Hiei, and slurred, "Welcome back milord. Didn't 'spect you for another couple days. Who's this? New recruit?"

"We had a forced departure. Is there a tent ready for me? I will go directly there with my companion. He will stay with me. He isn't a fighter."

Youko was a bit angry that his accommodations were not discussed with him, but it didn't really matter.

The wolf demon nodded and gestured for them to follow. Hiei did follow, still on horseback. As they passed, demons saluted Hiei in a sort of informal, 'I respect, fear, and don't dislike you' kind of way. The pair followed the demon on a winding path through the encampment up a low slope. They ended up on the other side of the camp.

There was already a tent set up, but away from everyone else. The camp was on the slope leading up to a cliff face, and the place they'd been taken to was on higher ground than any of the other dwellings. It seemed to be in a place of importance, as you could see the entire camp from the vantage point.

Hiei once again got down holding Youko, allowing the fox to stand and use his shoulder for balance.

"Do you require help Lord Hiei?" the wolf demon inquired.

"No, thank you. You may return to your post."

As the demon left, Hiei led Youko by the arm into the tent in front of them. It was as nice as a tent could be, Youko supposed. There was flooring of the same canvas as the walls over the packed earth, and there was already a wide bedroll set up along one wall.

'Why does he need a bed that wide? He's really small, so why would...oh.' Youko thought, feeling himself blush. 'He's not the only one sleeping there, but of course, why not? I mean he's good looking I guess, and he's leader of a near army.' He shook the disagreeable thought away. 'Why am I thinking this? It's none of my business. Why do I even care?'

Youko covered up his unease by examining the rest of the space. There was a small, low table with cushions on the floor on two opposite sides. That was really all, a bed and a table.

Hiei half dragged Youko to the bed and let go of his arm, making Youko fall onto the bed; then left without a word. He came back seconds later carrying packs from the horse. Then he sat next to Youko.

"You can stay here Kitsune. I'll bring us some food. You're hungry, right?"

Youko shrugged. Hiei confused him. The demon was kind to him one minute, then borderline cold to his underlings. One moment he'd be caring and concerned for Youko, then he seemed like he didn't really care at all. Realizing that Hiei was waiting for an answer, Youko replied, "Yeah, I guess."

Hiei left the tent. Youko looked around, considering his freedom. He was left alone, with no confinement. There was nothing to keep him from just leaving. 'An illusion.' He reminded himself. 'You are too weak to leave and Hiei knows it. You'd be exhausted just leaving the tent under your own power. Not to mention that the tent faces a hundred or so demons and there's no back exit. You'd be caught within seconds.'

Still, this was worlds away from how he'd been treated. He liked having enough food to keep him full, rather than just alive. And the food he got now was infinitely better than the tasteless sludge he got infrequently from Karasu.

When Hiei returned, true to his word, he brought food, all heaped on one plate.

The choice seemed to be fruit, bread, and some kind of meat.

Hiei set the stuff on the table, thankfully without dropping anything. Youko stayed where he was. He had a lingering fear that he was still just a servant, and was not allowed to do something without permission.

Hiei sat down and looked at Youko. "You planning on eating Kitsune?" He asked. "I thought you were hungry."

Youko rose shakily to his feet and stumbled the three paces to the table, where he gratefully slumped onto the cushion.

He attacked the food with a vengeance, taking one of the rolls of bread and a piece of the meat and bolting it.

"It really is your choice, but please slow down Kitsune. You are going to choke or make yourself sick. Don't overeat either; your body is still used to the lack of food, and you will get sick to your stomach if you eat too much." Hiei said.

He was eating slowly, a perfect contrast to Youko.

"Why though?" Youko asked, before taking any more food. "I mean about taking care of me. Why did you do all of this?"

"I told you, I didn't want you to die, and I needed to make it right because I was the cause of your imprisonment in the first place."

"No, I know that. But, I mean now. You could have just left me in the ranks of your fighters. You are still taking care of me. That is what I don't understand."

"As for the fighters, I wouldn't trust most of them as far as I could throw them with both hands tied behind my back. Most of them are mercenaries that disagree with Karasu's decree that all mercenaries must apply for a position in his army and serve before they are allowed to find work elsewhere. But they are still mercenaries, and their allegiances are negotiable. I doubt they would betray me, but they would likely sell you back to Karasu as soon as he places a price on your head. Plus I seem to have taken an interest in you," Hiei gave him an unreadable look.

Youko got an odd feeling. He wasn't quite upset, but he was a little uneasy. He looked away, turning his attention back to the food. He took some more, fruit this time and ate it, slower than before.

Later, long after Hiei had finished, and even Youko was full, Hiei got up and pulled out a bedroll from the packs still by the door.

Hiei gestured to the larger bed by the wall. "Sleep there Kitsune. You need rest. You don't want to have to be carried any distance greater than three feet do you?" Hiei pulled off his shirt and lay down on the bedroll he had just taken out.

Youko crawled to the other bed, laying down with an exhausted sigh. He pulled off his own shirt, them removed the dagger from where it was concealed, laying it near his head and staring at it. He still wondered about Hiei's generosity.

The demon gave him a better place to sleep, food, anything Youko needed, and didn't ask for anything in return. A cynical part of his mind pointed out, 'Not yet. You don't know what he may want in the future.' Youko shoved the thought away. He did not want to think about that.

Youko drifted into sleep quickly; he was tired on so many levels, and his body needed rest.

To be continued...

Wow. That was really short. Crap. I'll try to update before the weekend to make up for that. But, I've said that before, haven't I? ::gulp:: Please review!