Chapter Eight- Journey Home

Shiori saw the ground blur below them as Yoko swung them over the floor and landing on the other end of the hall. The silver fox transformed the whip back into a rose and put it into his hair before leading the way out. "Mother, why did he take you and change you?"

"He said he was hired by Yomi to lure you into a death trap. He decided he wanted me as a mate. He was convinced he could kill you and that I would be stuck in this world."

Yoko made a dismissive noise. "He was a fool and actually believed a rock wall would stop me from saving you."

"That was me. I made that wall: Unintentionally."

"You did? He shared his power with you?"

"He did and activated my energy not long before you showed up."

Yoko was stunned and amazed. His mother had become an earth fox demon and a strong one based on the wall he had seen. I never imagined that Mother would be a strong demon. Oh, what are her husband and stepson going to think when we return home?

That same question was on Shiori's mind as she and Yoko climbed out of the fox hole. She was a demon now. Would they still love and accept her? She would have to quit her job as she couldn't go to work looking the way she did. Or could I? I can conceal the tail and shorten the claws. I just have to come up with a way to hide the ears.

Yoko glanced back to see Shiori lost in thought. "Mother?" he inquired.

She looked up and gave a small smile. "I'm all right, just thinking of how to conceal my ears so I can still work."

Yoko returned the smile. "Actually, you could use your energy to construct an illusion around yourself."

Shiori perked up. "I could?"

"Yes." Yoko sounded amused. "I can sense your energy. It is quite strong."

Shiori felt encouraged by Yoko's words. She had become a strong demon and could wrap herself in an illusion. I won't conceal my true self from Kazuya and Kokoda. They deserve to know what happened.

Night had fallen and mother and son were lying in a cave, sleepy but alert. Shiori saw Yoko struggling to stay awake but his exhaustion was clear. She reached out and rubbed behind an ear, eliciting a sigh from him. "You haven't slept since I was kidnapped, have you?"

"No," he admitted. "I was very worried about you."

She moved closer to kiss his forehead. "Well, it's over now. I'm safe and Cho can't cause trouble anymore."

Yoko gave a tired sigh. "You are correct." His gold eyes slid shut and he was asleep almost instantly. Shiori smiled and conjured a rock barrier before sleeping herself.

Yoko awoke to an extinguished fire, a barrier of rocks at the cave entrance protecting them, and a sleeping Shiori. There was a small smile on her face, which looked content and peaceful. I'm glad she is, for most part, unharmed. We should see about reversing her change. I find it odd that she would think of concealing her appearance instead of finding a cure.

Suddenly, Shiori's face contorted with fear and small whimpers issued from her throat. He reached out and gently shook her shoulder. "Mother, wake up. Please, wake up."

Her gold-brown eyes snapped open and she sat up with a gasp. Her chest heaved as she fought to throw off her fright. She took deep breaths and then slowly exhaled. "Just a nightmare," she said softly.

"Tell me," he said gently.

"Cho was…abusing me before raping me." Shiori trembled at the recollection. "Yoko, he really did do those things to me."

"What?" Yoko hissed angrily. "He dare hurt you that way?"

Shiori nodded. "He was about to mark me when you came in."

"He deserved to die," Yoko growled.

Shiori's body stopped trembling and then she brought her tail around to smooth it down. Yoko watched her do this before saying, "Mother, we should find someone to reverse your change."

Shiori gave Yoko a sad smile. "Cho said it's irreversible and consider he desired me for a mate, I have no reason to doubt his word."

"I see. I am sorry that this cannot be undone," Yoko said, Shiori's desire to conceal her demon form now clear.

"I understand and really it doesn't seem that bad. Yoko…am I really faster now?"

"Certainly. Would you like to test that?"

"I would." She stood as did Yoko and she focused on bringing down the barrier, revealing that it was daylight outside.

"That is impressive," he commented as they left the cave. She smiled at that as they began to run. She had grown used to her body in the two days since becoming a demon and despite the nerve-wracking confession that would soon come, she rather liked the power and speed she now had. This might just bring Shuichi and me even closer together.

The group of six charged en masse but neither fox was worried. They stood back-to-back as they unleashed their attacks. Yoko whirled his whip high over their heads while Shiori fired rock projectiles or sent ground shockwaves to trip up the opponents. Those that fell, got up, took another look at the foxes and especially the female, and beat a quick retreat. She smiled slightly as they ran off. She hadn't expected that they would be attacked as they headed for a safe place to leave Demon World and said as much to Yoko.

"There are some demons who think that if they attack in a group, they can bring down their target or targets. My choice to live in Human World has convinced many that I am weak but only the foolish ones dare to attack."

Shiori nodded. "So, they would see me as a weak simply because I'm female."

"Yes. One would think that they would know better but there are times when demon thinking is no different from human thinking." She nodded and Yoko marveled over how comfortable she seemed with her new race and powers. She was quite adept with her earth powers. They could complement mine, maybe even work in tandem. Of course, that will come after confessing to the family which I hope works out.

A familiar rumbling sound was heard and felt and he saw Shiori tensing for another encounter. He put a hand on her shoulder. "It is all right. They are allies. I had lost Cho's trail not long after arriving and the ones who reside in the mobile fortress that is approaching us, assisted me in speeding up the search process. One to those was Hiei." Yoko had just finished speaking when the fortress appeared. It rumbled to a stop and the door opened to reveal a small group of demons, Mukuro and Hiei in the forefront. Yoko led the way and once closer, said, "Hiei, Mukuro. What brings you here?"

"Hn, you Fox. That energy of yours can be sensed for miles," Hiei quipped.

"That cannot be helped."

"Naturally. We would be willing to escort you to where you can open a portal home…once you have found your mother."

"I have found her." Yoko tilted his head at Shiori whom Mukuro had engaged in conversation.

Hiei raised an eyebrow. "How did she become a demon?"

"Cho did it and it is irreversible. She has earth powers as well and she seems quite adept with them. I intend to coach her in using her energy to create an illusion that will allow her to go to work."

"Of course." Hiei led Yoko to the fortress while Mukuro led Shiori. Hiei had to admit that Shiori was a stunning demon and would attract the interest of other demons, either as a mate or to engage in battle. Of course, Yoko won't let them near her and she wouldn't be interested in any case as she's married. I wonder…how will the rest of the family react to all this?