Tori the Hanyou: Sorry, guys, but FanFiction wouldn't let me log on, so I couldn't update. I have now chapters up to 9 written out, so updates will be faster, I promise! Anywho, here's the next chappie!

NOTE: I'm expecting more reviews this time, yeesh, I'm starting to think you guys don't care...

Fighting Back 2: Makai Mayhem

Chapter 6: The Journey Continues, A King Appears

"I told you to run..." started Shippo.

"Can it, runt," growled the half-demon. He strode across the clearing, stopping a few feet from Kagome, his nose sensing the air.

"So, how'd you run into me this time?"

Kagome was speechless. She took a step back from him, memories flooding her mind. She wanted to bury her face in Kurama's arms, to be able to hide from this new threat like she'd always been able to before. But Kurama's sharp glares reached her mind, and she realized she couldn't. She'd have to face Inuyasha... alone.

"It was actually her," Kagome pointed to Tori, who glared at the hanyou.

"I remember this dude, isn't he the one who-"

Hiei quickly covered her mouth.

"Don't bring it back up, moron."

Tori glared, but fell silent.

Kagome cleared her throat to calm her nerves.

"Tori relayed how she'd seen Shippo in the forest, I attracted him by shooting an arrow into the sky..."

"I knew that was yours," said Inuyasha. He folded his arms. "I'm guessing you were just passing through, then?"

"Yes, we were... but we were looking for you two, actually," said Kagome.

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah... I don't know how to say this... but Naraku's alive."

Inuyasha fell silent; arms still folded.

"You came all this way to try to trick me?"

"No! It's the truth! It's gotta be! Who else do we know who can control minds like his?" She pointed to Yoko, who was fixing the hanyou with a stoic look.

"...I suppose that's true, but wouldn't he need a Shikon shard?"

"He's had plenty of time to gather new powers, Inuyasha. God only knows what he's learned in half a millennium."

"I guess... but what makes you think... hold it..." He came up right in front of Kagome, dropping his face to her neck and carefully sniffing the mark.

Kagome blushed brightly at the action and jumped backwards, tripping over Shippo in the process.

She expected Yoko's arms to catch her, but a different set came on this time. She opened her eyes to see Inuyasha glaring accusingly at Yoko.

"You bastard, weren't you gonna catch her? She's YOUR mate, after all!" Kagome couldn't help but notice the poison with which he said 'your mate'.

Inuyasha righted her on her feet and spat on the ground, a sign he was annoyed.

"That supposed 'mate' of mine is not the object of my affection," said Yoko, giving Inuyasha a bored look. Inuyasha's eyebrows raised.

"Oh, really? You smell exactly like that guy who fought with me over her five hundred and six years ago."

Shippo stared.

"Your memory's that good, Inuyasha?"

"Shut it, pipsqueak."

"That was a long time ago, my affections have switched to that young woman over there." Yoko pointed to Tori, who growled.

"I... am... not..."

"Don't listen to him, Inuyasha, he IS still my mate," said Kagome, "He's who I was talking about, the one Naraku took control of."

Inuyasha snorted, and examined Yoko closer.

"I swear I've seen you somewhere before, fox. Have we met?" He pulled out his Tetsusaiga, pointing it in the older kitsune's direction. Kagome gasped. "Inuyasha!"

Yoko glared.

"I believe we have, that sword is familiar."

"Inuyasha! You're not serious about fighting Yoko Kurama, are you?" asked Shippo.

"Whassa problem, runt? Don't want me to fight your own kind?"

"If you didn't beat me five hundred and six years ago, what makes you think you'll beat me now?" asked Yoko wryly.

"So you're gonna fight for Kagome again?"

"Heavens, no. I don't need to win someone I don't want twice."

Kagome couldn't help but feel painful twangs as these words came from her beloved kitsune's mouth.

"Hey, if you're gonna neglect her, I'll take her back," said Inuyasha.

"Excuse me! I'm not some piece of property!" yelled Kagome.

"Fine by me," said Yoko, ignoring her protests.

"Hold it, you morons!" yelled Tori, apparently having escaped Hiei. She jumped in between them. "NO one is fighting, much less for Kagome! We came to ask these two for HELP in tracking down this Naraku dude!"

Yoko tossed his head. "Either way, he wouldn't have won. It's clear who's the superior fighter here."

"Yeah, it is," said Inuyasha, glaring at the demon.

Kagome sighed.

Tori folded her arms. "Now, are you two gonna help or not?"

"Of course I'm in!" said Inuyasha, "You don't seriously think I'm gona let Kagome go fight Naraku with THIS loser as help, do ya?" he pointed to Yoko.

Yoko bared his fangs slightly. "You're digging your own grave, half-breed."

Inuyasha snarled back. "Sorry, I'll only take that insult from my older brother, Sesshomaru."

Yoko smirked. "Your brother's Sesshomaru?"

"Damn straight, but don't think I'm proud of it. He gives our family a bad name."

"I'll say, that mutt can't move to save his life... I wonder what that says about you?"

"CAN WE GET GOING, THEN?" yelled Tori.

"Yeah, I'm in if Inuyasha is," said Shippo.

"Thank you!" said Tori, turning and walking down the path.

"Hold it! Me and Kuwabara gotta use the john!" said Yusuke, "We'll be right back!" The two took off.

"Bring back any food if you find some!" called Tori.

Yoko trailed behind, his eyes fixed on the two, who'd begun conversing. His mind was triggering strange emotions that the clouded part of his memory was barely receiving. Seeing those two together, chatting like old friends, the hanyou making noticeable moves on the priestess... anger was flaring up deep within him. His gold eyes blinked several times as he tried to remaster his emotions, to regain the affection for the girl who was walking not ten feet ahead of him with a gentle sway to her hips...

For this kitsune, it was torture. His mind was becoming jumbled horribly. The misted grip on his mind was slowly loosening its hold, and he could see pictures... pictures of him and Kagome together, laughing, kissing, happy...

It felt as though someone was purposely removing the blanket from these memories.

Yoko gripped his head tightly and fell to his knees as the fake feelings for his friend's mate clashed with the ones he had for his own. His mind had become a five second battlefield, but five seconds was enough to draw the beautiful girl's attention back to him, and she was at his side, trying to comfort him, trying to soothe his aching head.

But someone appeared behind her in his blurred gaze... that wretched hanyou. He began pulling the girl to her feet... away from him. The pain came rushing back, and without thinking his own clawed hands came out to grab her away. She seemed to be the only consolation for this pain, his mind was telling him. The voice whispering his fake affections had vanished; as were the affections it had brought.

His feelings for Tori quickly disappeared the longer he held the girl gripped in his arms, secluding her and himself from the world around them. She smelled like him, his scent was all over her; the mark on her neck was made by his own fangs. She was his girl, his and no one else's, especially not this pathetic dog's.

Slowly, he opened his eyes, realizing quickly that he was back in his human form, and looking down at a very worried Kagome.

"Kurama? Are you..."

"What happened, Kagome?" he asked, quickly realizing her when he discovered she was being crushed into his body.

"You're back!" she cried, throwing her arms around his neck.

Kurama was taken aback, but he slowly put his arms around her, smiling softly. Whatever had happened... he was glad to be back.

Meanwhile-

"So you're dropping the plan to turn the kitsune against her?" said the male demon, turning to his companion.

"Yes, now that Inuyasha's come back into the picture, things should quickly flare up between them. I've released the spell on the fox demon's mind, and it seems he survived the transition back to his normal self. Weaker minds would have been torn apart by such a sudden switch of affections."

"And what of the other two?"

"I have other plans for the Forbidden Child, our little group will soon meet who I've sent after him. Well, I didn't send her, perse. She was more than thrilled when she discovered the Forbidden Child was back in the Makai, though I'm amazed she never found out after six years. He DID keep himself well hidden. All I had to do was notify her indirectly, withOUT mentioning he'd brought his mate with him."

An evil smirk formed on the woman's face. "Let's see how they survive one of the Kings of the Makai..."

"What about Kagome?"

"I'll deal with her in time; Inuyasha should stir things up by himself for now. I want to have fun with the other two first."

"As you wish, priestess..."

Back with the others-

Kagome couldn't believe it; Kurama was back. Tears dripped from her eyes as she clung tightly to him, scared to let him go.

Kurama stroked her hair soothingly. "It's all right, Kagome. Whatever happened has passed."

"Kagome! What's going on back here?" yelled Tori, running back to them. She blinked. "Hi, Kurama, what're you doing out?"

"Kurama's back to his old self, Tori!" exclaimed Kagome happily.

"Oh, really?" Tori walked up to him and stuck her face in his, glaring. After a second, she pulled away froma very appalled redhead. "Yup, he's fine."

Kagome rolled her eyes.

"Can we get going?" asked Hiei.

"What about Yusuke and Kuwabara? They should be back soon," said Tori.

"They'll catch up... well, maybe not the oaf, but then again, a little sprinting never hurt anyone," snickered Hiei.

"Aren't you glad you got your mate back to yourself?" asked Kagome as they continued walking. Kurama looked at her, confused.

Hiei huffed. "I've always had her to myself."

"Oi... never mind..." said Kagome.

"HEY! WAIT UP!" came Yusuke's voice.

Tori fixed Hiei with a knowing smirk and charged ahead. Hiei, taking the hint, quickly followed.

"Where're those two going?" asked Kagome.

"Hurry and run so they can't catch us!" called Tori.

"Oh!" Kagome felt Kurama grab her wrist and pull her along, laughing. She smiled and joined in as Inuyasha and Shippo followed behind, with Yusuke and Kuwabara picking up the rear.

They remained blissfully unaware of the greeting awaiting them over the next mountain...

On a mountain cliff, that night-

Everyone had settled down for the night after enjoying dinner... well, somewhat. Yusuke and Shippo started an empty food can fight, which turned into a rock fight, which turned into Hiei's angry death threats.

Inuyasha had insisted that he sleep somewhere near Kagome, but Kurama ignored him and set up his and Kagome's sleeping bags at the foot of a tree, at the top of which were Hiei and Tori's branches where they slept.

Shippo was allowed to sleep near Kagome for old times' sake, and Yusuke and Kuwabara parked themselves on opposite sides of the fire, snoring within five minutes.

Tori had already fallen asleep in her branch, as did everyone else when Hiei sensed a powerful aura with his Jagan. He'd been about to climb onto Tori's branch to go to sleep, but this newcomer intrigued him... mainly because it wasn't all that new.

He leapt down from the tree and walked off along the mountain path, reaching a high cliff after getting fed up and just jumping up the sides.

A cloaked figure stood there, seemingly surprised by his discovery of its whereabouts.

Hiei did a quick scan with his Jagan, and a glare set on his features.

"I know who you are... Mukuro."

CHAPTER TITLE PREVIEW: The Proclamation of the 'King'