"Speech"

"Mental thought."

:Mental conversation.:

"Why are you putting the first-aid kit in your book bag, Kagome." Souta asked from where he stood in the doorway as he watched his sister get ready for school.

"No particular reason, Souta. Have you seen Hiei," she asked as she turned around, bag in hand.

"I think I saw him outside. Why," he asked as he followed her downstairs.

"I need to talk to him, that's all," she said with a shrug as she sat down at the table.

:What do you need, Kagome?:

:I just wanted to know how badly the others were hurt: Kagome said as she ate the breakfast her mother had placed in front of her.

:I'm not sure. I wasn't paying attention. I do know that Kurama patched us all up, though. Why: he asked curiousity apparent in his voice.

:Seems like I need to teach Kurama how to patche people up if what I saw last night was normal: Kagome said with a grimace.

:I think that you need to be our healer. You're much better than he is.:

:Thank you, Hiei: Kagome said with a smile as she put her dishes in the sink and left the house.

As she descended the shrine stairs, Kagome saw that the boys were waiting for her. Eyeing them critically as she neared them, Kagome said, "Kurama, I don't mean to be mean or anything, but your bandaging sucks."

"I'm sorry," Kurama said, clearly confused.

"I redid Hiei's bandages last night. The bandages were sloppy and did nothing for his wounds," Kagome explained, "Now I want to get you guys taken care of before we get to school."

"Hiei let you tend to his wounds," Yusuke asked surprised.

"Yeah. He said that I was much better at it than Kurama was," Kagome said with a shrug, "Now are you guys going to let me take care of them or not?"
"We'll be late if you take care of them now, Kagome," Kurama said.

"I'm pretty sure one of you guys won't mind carrying me as you run. Now about those wounds," Kagome said, pulling out her first-aid kit.

"Why don't we move over there, first, Kagome," Kurama said pointing to a nearby park that was on their way to school.

"Sure. So who wants to go first," Kagome asked, looking between the boys.

"Not me," Kuwabara said, "My Yukina healed me already."

"I'll go," Yusuke said, taking off his uniform jacket, "I've got 'em all over my arms."

Kagome just nodded as she started unwinding the bandages that covered his arms. She raised an eyebrow and shook her head as she got a good look at the old scars and new wounds that criss-crossed each other over each arm. Noting that his wounds had already closed, Kagome opened her kit and removed a different pot of salve than the one she had used last night.

"This isn't what I expected to find in a first-aid kit," Kurama said, taking another pot out and examining its contents.

"Of course not, Kurama," Kagome said, not looking away from her work, "This is the result of all the training I went through with Kaede."

"Ah," Kurama said, replacing the jar and handing her a roll of bandages.

"Then you made these yourself, then."

"Yes," Kagome said, finishing wrapping one arm and starting on the other.

"Then I suggest that you come with us from now on to tend to our injuries," Kurama said taking off his uniform shirt and undershirt.

"I agree. She has a much gentler touch than yours," Yusuke said putting his jacket back on.

"Hiei has suggested the same thing," Kagome said with a frown as she undid the bandages that covered Kurama's stomach.

"Then it's agreed," Yusuke said, "Kagome comes with us from now on. Now all we need to do is figure out who protects her while we're fighting."
"I don't need protection, Yusuke," Kagome said harshly, her hands still gentle as she spread some ointment on Kurama's stomach, "I can protect myself."
"Sure. Now I think that Kuwabara should protect her. What do you think, Kurama," Yusuke said, ignoring Kagome's statement and the way she glared at him.
"Well, um--," Kurama stammered as Kagome started wrapping his stomach.

"She doesn't need any protection when we fight, detective," Hiei said, from behind Kagome as she finished, "I've already tested her skills."

:Thank you, Hiei: Kagome sent as she put her kit back in her bag, :I was about to hit him if he continued.:

:I know. And as much as I would like to see you beat him, I know you don't want to be late for school:he answered as he picked her up and started running to the school, surprising his companions. They looked at each other in surprise before following after him.

Hiei thought that Kagome would be scared at the speed in which he was traveling but all he sensed from her was happiness and a sense of finally being free. He looked down at her and saw that she was grinning. He stopped half a block away from the school and set her down, instantly missing the way her body had pressed into his.

The rest of the group caught up with them as Hiei told Kagome, :I'm staying with you, so don't worry about that idiot. All right?:

Kagome smiled calmly and nodded at him, causing Kurama, who had witnessed the exchange to raise an eyebrow and ask Hiei, :What was that all about?:

:Kagome was nearly raped yesterday on her way home from Yusuke's girlfriend. I told her that I wasn't leaving today: he answered as he flitted from tree to tree following them.

:Did Kagome know who it was?:

:A human male by the name of Shion Takeya. He started something in her history class yesterday.:

:He's known around school as a player. Nothing like Youko was though.:

:I don't think anything Youko would have said to her would've made her react like she did to what he said. I have no idea what he said to her but it was bad enough to make her hit him.:

:I got the impression that she wasn't a violent person by nature.:
:She isn't, Fox. He made her so mad that I heard her thoughts. She was yelling. My head was ringing for 20 minutes afterwards.:

:Ouch. Did you do anything to him?:

:No. My primary concern was getting Kagome away from him. By the time I thought about it, she had made me promise not to do anything.:

:Mind if we do something, then?:
:As long as she doesn't find out.:

:We won't do anything at school but I think Youko has some plans in the works.:

"Hey, Suichi, do you want me to come over today to work on our botany project," Kagome asked as they entered the school courtyard.

"Mother needs me to do some things for her today," Kurama answered, smoothly, "How about tomorrow?"

"Sure. I'll see you guys later," Kagome said as she and Keiko left for their classes.

"See ya," they answered as Kurama made sure that Yusuke mad it to his class.

&

:So someone has hurt our Kagome: Youko said later that afternoon as Kurama changed his clothes.

:Apparently Shion Takeya tried to rape her. Good thing Hiei was around: Kurama answered as he went through his collection of seeds and chose a few.

:Hiei didn't do much to him if he showed up at school, though. We'll just have to remedy that won't we: Youko said with an evil grin and twinkle in his eye.

:Yes and while you were thinking of complicated plans, I thought of an extremely simple one that will sate our thirst for payback: Kurama said as he looked over his outfit in the mirror.

:Ooh. Good plan. I like it: Youko said, looking through Kurama's mind at the plan, :You know, I got the feeling that Hiei is confused about Kagome.:

:So did I. I think he's unsure if his instincts are telling him that she's mate or family: Kurama said as he climbed out his window.

:Maybe we should help him make up his mind, then.:

:How?:

:Well, Kagome is going to need someone to teach Shippo what it means to be a kitsune and who better to do that than us? And while we're teaching Shippo we can 'help' Kagome with her 'problems': Youko smirked.

:I wouldn't mind except I kinda like being alive: Kurama said as he walked down the street, looking for a secluded place to change forms.

:True, but we wouldn't do much.:

:Knowing Hiei, all we'd do is push him in the wrong direction: Kurama said, finally finding a little grove, :Ready?:

:Always: Youko answered menacingly, his mood changing quickly.

Kurama looked around, making sure that no one could see him and closed his eyes. Concentrating on his youki, he slowly raised it, waiting until the right moment before he switched forms. A few minutes later, Youko left the grove and started searching for Shion's spiritual signal. He soon found it at a bar not far from where he stood. He quickly ran the few miles to the bar and stood in the shadows watching the comings and goings for a few minutes.

:Do we have any money stashed in this outfit: Youko asked.

:What type of bar is this? I've never seen one like this before: Kurama asked as he directed Youko to the pocket that held the money.

:I'm familiar with this type of place. Makai is littered with them. It's basically a sex bar. People go here to look for a partner and unwind: Youko answered as he walked across the street, :We'll have to come back here again when we're not busy.:

"You on the list," the bouncer asked as Youko neared him.

"Shion told me that he would meet me here," Youko said, pouting prettily, "He said that he would make sure that I was put on the list. I guess he forgot.:

"That's not possible," the bouncer said, his eyes roaming over Youko's body, "Here, why don't you go on in and give him hell."

"Oh, I'll give him something all right," Youko smirked as he walked through the door the bouncer held open for him.

As soon as he entered through the door, Youko was hit by a wall of noise. Grimacing at the pain his hidden ears felt, Youko looked around disdainfully, searching for Shion. He found him in a corner booth with several male and female companions.

:He's worse than I ever was: Youko thought as he made his way over to the table, only vaguely aware of the admiring looks he was getting from the crowd.

:The only people he goes after at school are the females: Kurama said as he observed Shion, :He always left the guys alone:

:Hmm: Youko responded as he sat on the table, gaining everyone's attention.

"I didn't realize that we had someone new here," Shion said as he looked over Youko's form with lust in his eyes, "Who invited you, doll, and how can I take you away from them?"
"You invited me, Shion," he answered, pouting at the teenager, "Don't you remember?"
"I definitely would've remembered you, beautiful," Shion said reaching forward to run his hand through the silver hair in front of him.

"Why don't you let me refresh your memory, then," Youko said, drawing the hand to his mouth to nibble on the fingers as his eyes promised many things, while really wanting to bite that hand for touching him.

"Seems like a good idea to me," Shion said, breathing a little faster, "You have a place in mind?"
"Just follow me," Youko said, climbing off the table slowly, and walking to the back door that was next to the stage, looking back every few steps to make sure his prey was following.

Shion rose from his seat between two of the beauties that had kept him company before Youko had lured him away. He followed him across the dance floor and out the back door into the alley. Looking around he couldn't see the man until he found himself pinned to the wall in front of him. Guessing that his silver-haired temptation was the one who pinned him, he said over his shoulder, "You know, I rarely bottom."

"Trust me. You'll enjoy this," Youko whispered silkily in his ear as he brought both hands above his victim's head and held them together with one hand.

:We are taking a very long shower when we get home: Youko thought as he reached into his hair for the first seed.

:Agreed: Kurama answered as Youko placed the seed in his mouth, making sure to add a little of his ki to it. He then started nibbling and sucking on his victim's ear while managing to put the seed into his ear. Drawing back a little he started attacking his neck while sending more of his ki into the seed. Grimacing at the taste of his prey, Youko continued his ministrations until he felt the seed take effect. He took a step back as Shion fell to his knees against the wall and started whimpering. Curious, Youko made the Nightmare Seed project the images that were flowing through the human's mind.

What he saw made him raise an eyebrow and wonder why he would have the Makai in his nightmares. Youko saw the human boy stripped naked and in chains. Around him stood many different demons who were taunting and beating him. They were beating him with whips, cudgels and slicing him with different blades. The human had a multitude of bruises and cuts that were bleeding sluggishly. Then a demoness who looked eerily like Kagome came into view. Youko was surprised to see her and thought, :What is Kagome doing in his nightmares? They just met yesterday.:

:It's probably because she is the only one who hasn't fallen for his tricks: Kurama answered, :Therefore, he can't control that part of his life. His nightmare is about having no control over his life, Youko.:

:I guess you're right: Youko replied as he listened to what the nightmare-Kagome had to say.

"So you thought you could get away from me again, did you, my pet," she said silkily, "I would've thought that you would've learned by now that there is no escape. Or maybe you just like to be punished."

Shion shook his head rapidly, pleading with her for no more punishments as she walked around him running her claws gently across his skin, causing him to shiver.

"It seems that the reason you escaped from your little sell this time, was to find something. Tell me, did you finally learn it's location," she asked, as she shoved her claws into his stomach, making sure to miss his vital organs.

The human screamed and would've dropped to his knees if it hadn't been for the chains holding him up. She slowly withdrew her claws with a sadistic smile on her face, causing the human to scream once again.

"I have found it," Shion gasped out, his throat hoarse from his screaming, "And Iwill have it."

This caused her to laugh and cradle his face in her bloodied hand. Tilting his head back she forced him to look at her as she said, "The only way you can get my jewel, pet, is to kill me. And you've tried that already with horrible results. Shall I remind you?"

Shion's eyes widened fearfully as he started whimpering and begging her not to.

Kurama pondered everything they had learned from the nightmare they had witnessed as Youko withdrew his ki from the Nightmare Seed. He gathered the teenager in his arms as he put another seed into his mouth. Nuzzling at the boy's neck, he made sure his actions projected an air of post-orgasmic bliss. When Shion was a little more aware of his surroundings, Youko kissed him deeply, sending the seed into the boy's mouth along with enough of his ki to start it growing.

"What happened," Shion asked groggily after Youko broke the kiss.

"You blacked out when you came. I had thought that you had gotten used to it, but apparently I was wrong," he said pouting a little.

"The only thing I remember is overwhelming pleasure," Shion said a moment before he winced as if he was in pain.

Youko, knowing the true reason behind the wince but pretending otherwise, asked with fake concern, "Are you alright, Shion?"

"Yeah. I must've pulled something during practice today," he said, trying to hide another wince.

"And here you let me do all those things to you," Youko said, sounding guilty, "Why don't I take you home and let you take it easy?"
"I'd love to but if you came I know that I wouldn't be 'taking it easy'," Shion said, giving Youko a heated kiss that told him what he would be doing instead.

"Then I guess you're going home alone tonight," Youko said, faking the lust in his eyes, "I can come over some other time."

"I'll see you later, then," Shion said, limping slightly out of the alley and towards his home.

:Not if I can help it: Youko thought as he leapt to the roof and started running home, :Right now all I want is a very hot bath.:

:Yes. Even I feel dirty and I didn't even touch the bastard: Kurama said as Youko enetered their room.

Chapter 10 – 5 pages