A/N: hey guys, I just wanted to let y'all know that I really love writing this story.

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As Mari sped out of the house thoughts were running through her head. She wondered

how Youko had managed to get hurt. When she got about half way to the well house, she

felt someone pick her up and run about five times as fast as she was going. "Warn me

next time Inuyasha!" she growled at him. 'Please be okay Youko.' She thought to

herself, just as Inuyasha jumped into the well. As soon as they were on the other side,

Inuyasha leapt out of the well and ran as fast as he could to Kaede's.

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Hiei sat in the God Tree, pondering the thoughts of the girl he had just encountered.

When she ran out of the house he watched her dash to the old well house and his forehead

furrowed in confusion, but his eyes widened a fraction when a demon came up behind her

and picked her up. And ran in the same direction. Just before their auras disappeared

completely, he heard one of the girls thoughts, "Please be okay Youko." He was shocked

and sped off to speak with either Koenma or Kurama about the happenings.

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When Inuyasha stopped at Kaede's, Mari jumped off of his back and almost fell. He

grabbed her and made her look at him, "Look, be more careful, we don't need to be

taking care of you too." He growled at her. She just smiled at him and ran inside.

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When she saw Youko, she gasped and her eyes filled with tears. He had no blood on him

but his chest was bandaged and he was in a fit-full sleep. She took a hesitant step

towards him and didn't even notice when the others all stepped outside to give her some

time alone with him. She had tears streaming down her face as she walked slowly

towards him. She kept walking until she was right next to the mat the he was laid on.

She knelt down next to the mat and held out a tentative hand, stroking his cheek. She just

stared at his face for a moment before she broke down. She felt like she could have

stopped him from getting hurt if she had been there for him. She closed her eyes and

clenched her fists, sobs wracking her body. She started when she felt a hand touch her

cheek. Her eyes snapped open and she found her eyes staring into those of molten

bronze. "Why are you crying?" he asked her with difficulty. "I should have been here

for you. Maybe I could have stopped whatever it was, or kept you from being hurt

somehow if I had just been here instead of at school." She said, choking on her tears. He

made her look at him and looked at her seriously. "You could have done nothing to stop

it, this was something that took both Inuyasha and I to defeat. If you had been here, you

might have been killed. I would not have tanked you for that." He smiled at her weakly

and she wrapped her arms around him, careful of his wounds. He was startled for a

moment but recovered quickly and wrapped his arms around her, making it so that she

was lying down next to him. He turned onto his side, wincing slightly, and spooned her

against him. Mari smiled slightly to herself. "I'm glad you're still alive." She whispered,

before falling asleep, warm and safe, in Youko's arms.

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Inuyasha had gone back to get Kagome. When they got back to Kaede's hut, it was quiet

inside. Kagome looked inside quietly and cooed at the pair inside, "Aw, how cute. Hey

Inuyasha, you remember what a camera is right?" he nodded. "Can you get mine out of

my pack please?" she asked him and soon had it in her hands. When she had taken a

picture, Mari heard it somehow and opened her eyes. "Oh Kagome, don't you dare."

She growled softly at Kagome. Kagome smiled evilly and snapped another picture. This

time the flash went off by accident and woke Youko. He didn't move but opened his

eyes. By now, the whole group was watching and Mari was blushing. Youko looked at

Mari's red face and smirked. Kagome took one last picture of Youko smirking at Mari

before she put the camera away. Mari disentangled herself from Youko's arms, and

stood up. She turned around to help him stand up as well. He grabbed her hand and

grunted as he stood up, wincing slightly. "Are you okay?" Mari asked him. He smiled

weakly at her, "I'm fine, it just hurts a little." Mari turned to Kagome, "Is there a chance

that I could bring him to your house so that he can get better treated?" Mari asked

Kagome. Kagome thought for a moment. "If it won't interfere with school." Kagome

said, emphasizing the word school. Mari got the hint and her eyes went wide. She

cleared her throat and replied, "It shouldn't make a difference as long as I'm careful."

Kagome nodded at her. "If he's able to come through the well, then he can stay on a mat

in your room." Mari grinned at her and hugged her. "Lets go then!" Mari said, helping

Youko stand up. They walked to the well, Youko leaning on Mari for support.

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Mari was glad that the well worked as she, Youko and Kagome all climbed out of the

well. Mari led Youko up the stairs and into the guest room (Which was now her room)

and had him sit on her bed, while she got the mat that she was going to sleep on, and the

first aid kit. When she went to the first aid kit, she discovered that they were out of

disinfectant. She walked back to the room and set up the mat and turned to Youko. "I

have to go and get some stuff for your wounds. Please, whatever you do, don't go

outside." She told him and he nodded.

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As Mari was going through the shelves in the drug store, she felt someone tap her on the

shoulder. She took a deep breath and turned around. Not really surprised to see Kurama

standing there. "Hello Shuichi." Mari said, smiling. Kurama looked at all of the items

in her hands and frowned slightly. "Is someone injured?" he asked her. "Yeah, but he'll

be fine. I'm good with healing." She told him, smiling slightly. "Perhaps I should come

and assist you." He said. Mari started to panic, "No really, you don't have to." She told

him hurriedly. He smiled at her, "But I insist." Mari sighed and nodded at him. She

went and paid for the items, and they started off to Kagome's house. Mari looked at

Kurama as they walked. "Shuichi, I need to warn you that you will be shocked when you

see him. You and he have something you might call a connection." Kurama was

obviously confused with this information. "The only reason that I am actually allowing

you to help me is that I trust you enough to believe you won't try to attack him." She

said seriously. They had just finished climbing the shrines steps. Mari stopped and

turned to him. "I want your word that you will tell no one. And that you will not attack."

She said to him. He nodded to her, "You have my word." He told her. She nodded and

walked to the front door. When she got inside, she saw Kagome. "Who is this." Kagome

asked her. "He goes to my school." Mari looked at Kagome and jerked her eyes upstairs

were Youko was. Kagome's eyes widened. Mari nodded and led Kurama up-stairs.

When they got to her rooms door, Mari stopped, "Wait here a moment." She told him.

He nodded at her, and she slipped past him, and into the room.

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Mari shut the door behind her and turned to Youko. She smiled lightly. He was asleep.

She went over to him and brushed a lock of his hair out of his face. His beautiful eyes

fluttered open and she smiled at him. "I went and got the items I needed and someone

from school insisted that he come and help you. Be nice, 'kay." She told him and kissed

his nose. She stood up and went to the door. She opened the door enough for her to see

Kurama. "Alright Shuichi, remember what I told you before. He's not exactly from

here. But I know exactly what he is and were he does come from." She told him, and

opened the door.

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A/N: I hope y'all liked this chapter. I'm on a role this week huh?