A/N: Okay, new chapter out finally. My next one should be soon, as the next part SHOULD be easy to write. No guarantees, though. Hopefully I can bring in the villains, and maybe another friend.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything, not even my own life. My life belongs to my family, both my real and friend-filled one, and these characters belong to their respective authors.
Edit: Beta-ed by Crazy idiot who is really Herman.
NO!
I agree! No!
"C'mon, Youko, Suuichi, it'll look suspicious otherwise! All of the other adopted dogs get one. This is the only one left that'll fit you. Now put it on!"
Botan grabbed Youko before he could run away. She wrestled the struggling fox into a corner, pinning him to the ground. The ferry girl grabbed the hissing Youko by the scruff of his neck, ignoring both his and his human half's protests. She warred with the two of them for a few moments before she backed up. In her hand was a rope, and on the other end was a disgruntled and annoyed fox.
This is so degrading. We're supposed to be powerful! We're supposed to be the masters!
I'm afraid I have to agree with him, Botan. We could just walk by you, we don't need this.
"Sorry boys, standard procedure. Now, how about we go visit your new buddy?" Botan started to walk, but didn't get far.
We are NOT going out there wearing this.
"Well, you really don't have any choice." Botan dashed forward, scooped up the unsuspecting two-some, and ran out the door.
Botan walked into the waiting room just as Kagome finished signing the adoption sheet. "Now, I need a name for him."
"How about Yukii," Botan suggested. Kagome jumped and spun.
"D-Dr. Yoshizawa! Please don't do that." Kagome tested her foot to make sure it was doing all right. "I'm still on edge from the accident."
"Ah, I see. Well, do you like Yukii?"
Yukii? Why Yukii?
"Because of his fur, right," Kagome lifted the black, felt-tipped pen to her chin. "I kinda like it. It has a nice ring to it." She put the pen to paper, leaving a small black dot on her chin, and scribbled Yukii messily into the blank name slot. "Thank you."
"No problem!" Botan said cheerfully. She set down Youko, now Yukii, and handed the leash to Kagome. She ignored Youko's insults as he protested being treated like an animal. "Everything seems to be in order, so I'll just give you a few last minute instructions.
"This guy, as we found out in a very short time, loves to be treated like a king. He also has a big attitude problem, and doesn't take to scolding or punishment well. We also found that he doesn't like raw meat, but we don't know what else he likes or dislikes. As for exercise, he seems to like running and playing. That's all, I think."
Kagome nodded. "Did he get his shots?" Botan nodded. "Alright, thank you." Kagome took the leash. "You ready to go, Yukii?"
Youko looked at Botan, but it was Suuichi who spoke. I suggest you give her a number. Youko might give her some trouble.
I most certainly will not, Youko protested. The worst I will do is take a peak once and a while.
Botan looked appalled "Would you like a number, in case you have any questions?"
"Sure." Kagome dug into her pocket and pulled out a couple twenties, a paper-clip, a pack of bubblegum and an old movie stub. She set them on the front desk, and grabbed a pen and the old stub. "What is it?"
After receiving the number, Kagome thanked Botan and stuffed everything back into her pocket. "Let's go, Yukii. We need to pick up some stuff and I still need to call a ride."
Youko gave Botan a forlorn look, which was answered with a smile and friendly wave. "Enjoy your new friend, Ms. Higurashi!"
Kagome waved back and walked out the door, Youko following reluctantly.
"Now, let's see. What was her number?" Kagome, who was sitting at an outdoor cafe table, furrowed her brow. "Why is it I can never remember Sango's number whenever I need it?"
I can't believe I agreed to this, Youko groaned out.
Not my fault. You were the one who agreed with Botan. I learned my lesson a long time ago.
Oh, shut up. You've had more opportunities.
Suuichi snickered and then became silent.
"Aha!" Kagome called. "Now I remember." Kagome quickly dialed Sango's number. The phone rang, then someone answered.
"Hello?" asked a woman in a smooth, if a little groggy, alto voice.
"Sango! I'm so glad I got a hold of you." Kagome, Youko's leash on her wrist, rubbed her forehead. "I'm sorry to bug you, but I really need some help."
"What? Why are you calling so early?" Sango asked with a yawn.
"Listen Sango, I got in a car crash and made a new friend. Can you pick me up?" Kagome blurted in a rush. She held her breath as Sango digested this.
Silence at the other end. Then...
"Oh my god! What happened? Where are you? Are you alright?" Kagome grimaced and quickly pulled the phone away from her ear. She could still hear Sango rambling off questions and heard Miroku shouting fire in the background.
"She's a little crazy, right?" Kagome addressed Youko. Youko just looked up from where he was lying with his head on his paws. "Right, Ride." Kagome cautiously put the phone to her ear again. "Sango! Shut up for a minute!"
Kagome heard Sango's teeth click together. "Sorry."
"That's okay. I'll explain later, but I'm on the corner of fourteenth and Magnolia, at the Young Cafe. Can you come get me?"
"Fine, I'll be there in about fifteen minutes." Sango hung up.
Kagome closed her phone and stared at it for a moment. She then looked at Youko. "Yukii, whaddya say about a late night snack?" Youko wagged his bushy silver tail. Kagome smiled. "M'kay, is a cheeseburger alright?"
Kagome and Youko looked up from their meals at the same time. Kagome now had a bag sitting by her leg, and she raised one of her eyebrows as a black jaguar pulled up to the curve. Pet and owner watched as the engine was cut and a tall, curvaceous brunette stepped out from the driver's side. She wore a tailored black skirt with a three-quarter length white shirt. Both were a wrinkled mess, which suggested that they had been taken directly from the hamper. The woman's hair was pulled high into a pony-tail, and her shirt was pulling from where she had hastily tucked it into her skirt. She slammed the door shut, slinging a small black purse over her shoulder. Her heels tapped out a staccato beat as she shuffled over to Kagome and Youko.
"Sango, why did you take the Jag?" Kagome stood with a smile, Youko's new red leash on a bike rack, and greeted her friend with a hug.
So that's Sango? Suuichi gave Youko a mental prod.
I guess so. She's a looker, definitely. Youko shook his head. No poking, remember?
Sorry, but you were spacing out.
I definitely would like to be the guy that gets to meet her when she gets back, Youko told his other while looking down Sango's shirt as she leaned down to pet him.
Youko! Suuichi berated him. He was conveniently ignored.
"Aw, Kag, he's so handsome! Look at his fur! It's beautiful!" Sango began to scratch behind his ears. "Aren't you?" She smiled, her perfect teeth showing slightly.
"Yeah." Kagome shifted uneasily. "I kinda hit him with my Nova."
Sango stood and spun, and both Suuichi and Youko were amazed at her speed, especially seeing as she was in two inch heels. "You what? Explain now." She folded her arms.
Kagome rubbed her arm. "I was putting away my cell after Rin called and he just jumped out. The police want to talk to me later, something about my car being wrapped around a tree." Kagome wasn't looking at Sango, who had her mouth open in a gape. "I was taken to the hospital after the Kea, the policewoman that picked me up, dropped Yukii there off at an animal hospital. Later, when I went to visit, I found out they were going to put him down if he wasn't adopted. So, I took him." Kagome looked up.
"You wrapped your car around a TREE? What were you doing?" Sango strode over to her friend. She began to look her over, checking her injuries. "How badly were you hurt?"
Kagome looked at Yukii, who was looking up Sango's skirt. Wait, that wasn't right. Looking at Sango's skirt. Animals didn't look up people's skirts for a look. They got curious. "Didn't you listen to me? I said I went to a hospital."
Sango stood, having just examined Kagome's leg. People who were up and about at that early hour were giving them weird looks. "Sorry Kag, but you lost me at 'tree'. You'll have to explain again in the car." Sango grabbed Youko's leash and led him to the car. He gladly followed.
"Sango," Kagome muttered, glaring half-heartedly at her friend. She grabbed her shopping bag and followed the two to the car.
The jaguar pulled to a stop in from of a dark brown town-house. Kagome gathered her stuff. "Thanks so much, Sango."
"Your welcome," Sango leaned over and hugged her friend before she stepped out of the car. "Get checked again soon."
Kagome nodded and got out. She opened the back door and picked up Youko, balancing her bag and the silver fox. She used her hip to shut the door after promising to visit the doctor in another week. She backed up as Sango pulled away, and watched her drive off into the night.
"Now, How about we get inside?" Kagome asked Youko as she set him down. He jumped the last foot or so from her arms, landing gracefully on the grey pavement. Kagome smiled. "Can't wait, huh? Let's go."
Kagome walked up to the door. She juggled with the bag for a moment, searching her pocket for her key. Making a sign of triumph, she pulled it out and stuck it into the door. The lock clicked. Opening the door, Youko followed Kagome into the dark house. "Let's get some light, shall we?"
She flipped a switch and light flooded into the darkest corners of the space. The room was revealed to be a very messy living area. The couch had boxes filled with documents in it, the only chair in the room was piled with what appeared to be laundry. The twenty inch television sat on top of a microwave cart in the middle of the back wall, next to a stereo system. There were two bookshelves next to the front door that were filled with books, magazines and movies. A staircase lead off to the left, and a kitchen could be glimpsed through an opening to Youko's right.
"A little messy, I know, but I've been a little bit busy. Make yourself at home." Kagome tossed her keys into a bowl filled with knickknacks and even more keys on a table next to the door. "I'll put your stuff away, and then we can get you settled. I'll let you out for now."
Youko trailed behind Kagome as she walked through a very modern, black kitchen, past the fridge and to a sliding door. The door lead to what Youko and Suuichi both knew must be the backyard, and Kagome unlocked it and slid it open. "You be good, and I'll get you soon."
She unlatched Youko's collar and pushed him outside. The door closed behind her, and Youko could hear her picking up her mess. He began to explore, after relieving himself in a fenced corner.
Thick wire mesh covers the perimeter of the lot. A small vegetable garden grew in one corner, filled with a variety of produce. A giant oak had claimed the other corner, providing an excellent place for shade if Youko ever needed it. There was something about it, though, and neither Youko nor Suuichi could place it. They trotted over and looked through the branches.
They soon found the offending object. A short man dropped from the high branches, his legs bending to catch his weight. His black cloaked billowed out as a breeze fluttered through the yard. His gravity-defying hair ruffled in the wind, and his white bandana stood out against his forehead. His blood red, murderous eyes rested on Youko.
Youko whooped and Suuichi shouted Hiei!
Hiei glared. "Found you, damned fox. What happened?"
End Chapter
Any questions? Comments? Suggestions?