A/N: Alright, I have little time left because my computer time has been cut down to an hour. As a result, expect about a chapter every week, likely no more then that. Also, in a few weeks I'll be without computer access for twelve days. Expect chapter update delays.

One other thing before the disclaimer. The only reason that I write author notes is because I need to tell the reader stuff. If you have questions, I'll gladly answer them through e-mail. If you are not able to get to my e-mail, or don't have one, then maybe I'll consider answering some questions. Not until then.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the plot and Himi. They're mine.

Youko and Suuichi began to blurt everything at the same time.

We were hit-

This woman adopted us-

Hiei sighed inwardly before grabbing Youko by the scruff and pulling him to eye level. Both voices stopped. "One at a time,"Hiei told them. "Fox, you first."

You know you could just read our minds. Hiei glared. Fine, fine. Youko quickly told Hiei about the wierd spellcaster, the crash and seeing Botan at the animal hospital. He conviniently left out the part where he panicked. Wouldn't do his reputation any good to have rumors flying about the Great Fox Theif panicking, would it?

"Idiot fox." Hiei dropped Youko. "I have a message from Koenma."

What is it? Suuichi asked while Youko insulted Hiei.

"He wants the Spirit Detectives, particularily you, to keep an eye out for a person with high spiritual abilities in this area. There also appears to be a handful of demons, too."

Youko stopped his ranting. Demons? Where?

Hiei smirked. "Not that your in any shape to fight them. Besides, you would be beaten in a flash. Your aura's as weak as a class E. I could take you down with one hand.

" Hiei jumped into the tree. "I'll check up on you again, fox. Try not to mess things up too much." He disappeared.

Youko stared after him. That was weird.

Tell me about it, Suuichi echoed, sighing.

That was really weird.

You weren't supposed to answer me.

Youko mentally poked Suuichi in annoyence. Shut up, kit.

I asked you to not call me that. Suuichi's mind-voice was filled with contempt.

The patio door slid open. "Yukii!" Kagome called. "Come on back in."

Youko trotted back and Kagome slid the door back into place. "Is this better?" Kagome asked as she locked the door.

As an answer, Youko navigated the now clean room to the couch. He leapt up and curled, yawning.

"I take that as a yes. Well, you can sleep there for now. Tomorrow, though, you get your own bed." Kagome flipped the light switch and felt her way to the staircase, still limping slightly. "Goodnight, Yukii," she called over her shoulder.

Youko was already asleep.

Kagome awoke with a jerk. Youko was at the foot of her bed, and someone was at the door.

"Coming!" Kagome called down. She shifted, trying not to wake the sleeping fox, and shuffled out of the room. She stumbled down the stairs to the door, brushed her matted and tangled hair behind her ears, and looked through the peep-hole.

Outside, a tall man stood against the white door frame. His long and scraggaly, waist-length hair looked like it hadn't been washed in his entire life. He had the air of someone very important and asnine, punctuated greatly by his khaki pants and chanelle shirt. He casually crossed his legs, taking great pains to make sure that his shiny black shoes weren't scuffed by the dusty and chipped cement step he stood on.

Kagome groaned. She stepped back from the door, unlocked it, and slowly opened the door. "Mr. Densetsu! What a surprise."

The man, now identified as Mr. Densetsu, stood straight and flashed a pearly white smile, his perfect teeth glinting in the morning sun. "Now, Kagome. Please, we've known each other far too long. It's Naraku, remember?" He stepped into the room.

Kagome nearly gagged. She had never gotten a very good feeling from him, and the thought of being closer then necessary didn't appease to her one bit. In fact, she'd rather dance in a pool of sharks wearing freshly cut pork then be anything but a co-worker to Mr. Densetsu. "Sorry Mr. Dense- Naraku." Kagome shuddered with revulsion.

Naraku didn't notice and continued on. "Well, you didn't show up this morning. Dr. Gensou wanted me to know if you were coming in at all. If you don't, I'm to say that Himi will be taking over for you today, but you owe her one."

Kagome nodded, and thank any diety that was listening for Himitsu. Her co-worker was a great pal, and they worked really well together. They could always count on one another to take up the slack when they missed some work for one reason or another.

Kagome glanced at her watch and bit back a cry of surprise at the time. It was almost one! Well, she had no doubt that she wasn't going to go in this morning. She turned over in her mind what she could do if she stayed home. She could nurse her still aching but somewhat healed bruises and get Yukii settled, or suffer through an hour of work only to get saddled with a bunch of paperwork she still had to do. The former was more appealing, so she cvoiced her choice.

"I don't think I'll be going to work today." Kagome paused for a moment before adding "Tell Himi I said hi."

Naraku started forward. "You know, if your not doing anything tonight, I know of a great new restaurant," he told her seductively.

Kagome backed up quickly and quickly stammered "Thanks, but I'm really not feeling that good."

Naraku paid no heed to her refusals. "Now, Kagome, you and I could go out to the fancy restaurant." A step forward. Kagome stepped back. "I could present you with a lovely black dress that I saw the other day." Another step forward, another back. "You and I could then take a walk along the lake shore." Another, and another. "The moon shining on your lovely face, the breeze ruffeling your lovely dress." Another step, Kagome was at the wall. "What do you say?" He leaned forward, his bass voice purring as he trapped a panicking Kagome between her wall and his body.

Kagome widened her eyes when Naraku screamed and flipped around. "What the hell!" he shouted with fury. Kagome followed his gaze and saw Yukii snarling at Naraku from the couch, a peice of khaki-colored cloth between his two forepaws.

Naraku stormed over to the couch. Kagome stood in the corner, still partially paralyzed, as Naraku made a grab for Yukii. Yukii danced away from Naraku's hand, darting forward to claw at his outstretched hand.

Take that, you stupid demon! Youko shouted with glee as he attacked Naraku's arm again with his claws.

He darted back again as Naraku tumbled forward in an attempt to catch the limber fox. Youko yipped with triumph as Naraku over-shot and tumbled over the couch. Unfortunately for him, but fortunately for Youko, he over-shot into a table. The force was so great that the lamp delicately balanced came tumbeling onto his pretty little head, shattered into thousands of crystalized peices.

Kagome, with her caring and kind nature, slowly walked over, feigning drama and concern. "Oh, my, are you alright Mr. Densetsu?" Kagome helped him up, Youko hissing and spitting from the top of the television. "Let me help you up."

Kagome, taking great care to be as rough as she could without revealing she was doing it on purpose, helped Naraku to the door. She opened it and he hobbled out.

"I'm really sorry about Yukii. I just got him, and he doesn't seem like the kind that would do something like that."

Naraku glared at the fox that stood behind Kagome, still snareling with its fur on end. "You should watch out, Kagome." Naraku's voice was full of venom. "Animals as bad as him cannot be changed." Naraku gave Youko a look that, if it had the power, would've turned the silver being into a scarf.

Kagome nodded slowly. "I'll keep that in mind. Goodbye." Without further ado, she shut the door on his face.

Kagome waited until she heard his car backup from the driveway and roll down the street before turning to Yukii. A smile graced her face and she leaned down to scratch her companion behind the ears. "Good boy. You deserve a reward."

I do believe I've already gotten it, Youko thought to himself as he examined the inside of Kagome's shirt. You've just proven to me that my theory was correct. You don't sleep with a bra on.

Kagome giggled and stood. Youko whined as a child would had his favorite toy been confiscated. "Let's get you some food."

Kagome looked up. She was just about to take Youko out for a walk, and this was the third interruption in ten minutes. She sighed as the phone persisted in its ringing. "Alright! I'm coming, I'm coming." Kagome stalked over to the phone. "I never knew that an electronic could be so pushy." Youko, laying on the threshold between the kitchen and the entryway, looked up and then returned to watching the dust float about, his tail twitching with boredom.

Kagome picked up the phone. "What do you want?"

"Is this any way to greet your boss?" asked a creamy tenor voiced male.

Kagome nearly dropped the phone. "D-dr. Gensou! I'm so sorry. I'm not really feeling well, and I thought you knew I wasn't coming in today."

"I heard nothing of the sort." Kagome's eye twitched. Apparently Naraku hadn't delivered the message. "Why aren't you coming in?"

Kagome bit her lip. "I was in an accident. I'm still feeling a bit nauseous from the crash, and I don't really think I would be able to concentrate."

Papers rustled on the other end. "Alright. You can have today off, but tomorrow you come in. Is that clear?"

Kagome nodded and then stated that she would. They both said their goodbye's, and Kagome hung up. She put the phone back on the charger and turned to Youko. "Now let's head out on that walk before we get another interruption, huh?"

Toguro slammed down the phone. He was in a horrible mood. The only times he could see the woman of his dreams, and it was being taken from him. He growled with fury, standing up quickly. His chair fell back from the sudden motion and Toguro angrily stooped to pick it up and slam it down into place. First his best employee didn't turn up, and now his woman didn't, either.

His pager went off on his phone. He glared at it before crashing a hand down on it. "What?" he snapped.

His secretaries voice stammered over the speaker. "S-sorry to disturb you, s-sir. Th-they need you i-in lab s-s-seven."

Toguro smirked coldly at the fear in her voice. He relished in things like that. Hence the reason he had become a physical therapist. The pain from the encounter and aftermath, the fear they may never be repaired, the sorrow from losing abilities. It all pumped through his veins whenever he worked with someone, addicting him as badly as any drug. The only thing to compare was the feeling he got when around Kagome.

Lovely Kagome. When she was around, the pain drug washed out of his system to be replaced by an ache. It was like an itch he couldn't reach, only worse. This one had burrowed into his skin like a tick. He couldn't stop it, he could hardly see it. He only knew the source, Kagome.

Ever since the day she had come in. She drove him insane with desire. How could one woman do such a thing? It was inconceivable that such a powerful demon would fall to the innocent charms of a mere mortal.

But fallen he had, and now he had a mission. A mission to make Kagome his. It was only a matter of time, and he had all the time in the world.

With that thought, he strode from his room.

End Chapter
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