Disclaimer: I only own Himi and Chin-chan. All the rest belong to their respective creators.
A/N: So, I have been busy recovering from a horse ramming my knee into a metal pole and having a swing break under me and landing on my back on a tree root. My days have been spent laying flat on my back and staring at my pretty ceiling. Now that most of that's done and I'm recovering better, I'm going to TRY to get out something like two more chapters this week.
Reason is that I'm going to work at an event next week. But since schools out now, I have more free time to update. Somewhat.
Alright, so there are over a hundred reviews. I'll stay true to my promise and answer any and every question that was ever asked about my story.
LuzdeVida: I'm working on this story as much as I can. I hope you like it.
Fallon85: I know the chapters are short, but if I don't have a limit then I end up spending all my time on one chapter and not on others. Besides, it's easier to write this way! Also, I'll try to add more fox action and human contact.
Water Block: Thanks for reviewing. I hope that you have fun reading my story.
HelKatz: It would be a lot of fun to watch something like that happen. Actually, if any of this would happen, it would be fun to watch. I'm glad you liked it.
storywriter10791: I'm hurrying as fast as I can. I hope you like my story so far.
Sakura Blossom-Cilla-85: grins back
atamagaokashii Ookami: I'm working on the romance, but it's a little more difficult to write when Youko's still in fox form. I think I've started to solve that problem, though. There will be romance soon enough, I just have to build it. Also, the pair is Youko/Kagome. Toguro is from Yuyu Hakusho. Sorry I didn't answer your earlier questions, but this is my attempt to make up for it. Youko might not marry Kagome in this story. Actually, he might not marry her at all if I don't write a sequel. They will eventually kiss, and Kagome might be just a regular girl. This is going to be a little perverted because of Miroku and Youko andthey'll learn eventually down the line.
IT: I would want to see that true. According to what I think, demons can't get drunk on alcohol. That was my way around that. v
KuraiMiko37: I'm glad you like it. I just hope you don't mind cliffhangers. I plan on writing quite a few in the future.
Blade of Fire: I'm on your favorites? blushes Well, I'll try to update as much as I can, but I get stuck pretty easily. Any help would help me get the chapters out faster. hint hint
Kitsune Kagome: I'm always one for ideas, so feel free to suggest anything whenever you want. I'll always try to fit in any suggestions or ideas into my story. It helps me get over the writers block that seems to like to attack my inspiration.
vixenia: I'm working as fast as I can.
firevixen73: To tell you the truth, I'm still debating if Kag is going to be a miko or not. If anyone wants her to be one, go ahead and tell me. Right now, though, Kagome is just a fast healer.
Chibes: I think this chapter will answer your question.
Shabopo: This is an AU. The Dark Tournament did happen, I just got rid of Toguro in there. Also, it's after Rescue Yukina. Don't worry; I get lost with my own stories, too.
JoWashington: I might not have Kagome have that happen. This is an AU, and she actually needed to go to the past for all that to happen. Since she didn't, I won't even bother adding that. As for Suuichi, you'll find out soon enough that he lives on his own.
Dragon: Only Rin was wearing gloves.
Thanks also to silver pup, kaze kitsune, xxprincess-sakuraxx, regretfully-yours-Cassy-chan, Ryukotsusei, Seshou1388, AnimeMoonlightGoddess, S.adistic S.hadow K.itsune, GreatestAnimeFreak, April nee-chan, Jin-ashi, kitsune of the blade, purp1ebabe, KawaiiYuki, vi3tdream27, Karu-sama, otakualways, BlueMonkey89, Kimpatsu no Koseki, ShadeSpirit, treelovr, Crystal Statue, YoukoLover, lonelylulaby, MOTAS, and My-little-wolf.
Now, on with the chapter!
Kagome pivoted and stared down at the fox at her feet. Her hands on her hips, she shifted her wieght to her right foot. "What am I going to do with you. You shouldn't just get off the hook." Rusteling caught her attention and she fixed her gaze on her younger brother, who was in the middle of packing. "Don't think you're completely innocent either, o brother mine." Souta and Yuuki both gulped at the same time.
"Alright, Souta, for not caring for Yuuki properly you get to do me a big huge favor." Souta cocked his head to the side. "You get to watch Yuuki while I'm at work from now on!" Kagome clasped her hands together.
Souta blanched. "What? With that devil?" Souta pointed a shaking finger at Yuuki, who had an innocent look on his face. The expression vanished when Kagome glanced at Yuuki.
"Yes. Maybe it'll teach you how to cope with animals better."
"But animals, especially of the dog breed," Yuuki growled, "hate me! Remember Buyo?"
Buyo had been their cat. On Kagome's fifteenth birthday, Buyo had fallen into the old well at the family shrine. Souta had gone looking for him, fallen into the same well, and landed on Buyo's tail. Buyo had never forgiven him, and Souta still carried scars on his chest from the cat's attack. Buyo died when Souta chased him out of the house and he ran into the street. Kagome had a feeling that Souta still blamed himself. He had truly loved Buyo.
"Yes, yes, I remember. However, I need someone to watch Yuuki. This solves my problem quickly and easily." Souta reluctantly nodded his head. "And as for you," Kagome said in a scolding tone, turning to Youko. "You will go with me to work in two days. I have some young children there who would just love you."
Youko's eyes widened. He heard Suuichi snickering in the background and ignored him. Kids? With him? The tail-pulling, ear-tweaking, fur-rending little devils that humans spawned in a never-ending stream? He shuddered at the thought.
"Don't worry, you'll love them." Kagome knelt down to scrath Youko behind the ears. Youko unconsiously leaned into the treatment.
Oh, this is great, Suuichi barked in between laughs.
Just what is so funny? Youko closed his eyes in contentment.
Suuichi took a calming breath and tried to hold his laughter. Can't you hear yourself? He broke into another bout of laughter.
No, wha- Youko listened closely and heard a soft noise. It took him a moment to discover what the noise was, and when he did, he backpedeled into the couch and his eyes widened.
"What's wrong, Yuuki?" Kagome stood slowly and began to walk slowly to the frantic animal.
Suuichi continued his snickering and Youko began to sputter.
I couldn't, I can't, I'm not...
Oh, yes you were. Suuichi guffawed. The Great Fox Theif of Makai was-
Don't you dare say it! Youko pleaded.
-Was purring. Purring!Suuichi cracked up again. Oh, I can't wait to tell the others.
Youko looked like he had just found out that his next great heist was canceled.You wouldn't. One look at his rolling on the non-existant floor changed his mind. Gods, you would.
"Yuuki?" Both spirits jumped at Kagome's voice. "What's up?"
A door slamming shut signaled the exit of Souta. Kagome whipped around. "Well, that was pleasant."
"Come on, Yuuki. I gotta go!" Kagome strained against the resistant fox and his leash, inching achingly slow to the car that she had rented the other day. "I'm going to be late!" She heaved again, her khaki camo pants stretching with her legs and her sandals flopping and sliding against the pavement. The red leash lay wrapped around her wrist, overlapping the sleeve of her maroon, fitted shirt.
NO! I won't be tormented by those devil incarnates! Youko strained against the confines of the collar and wriggled under the pressure. Never in my life!
Suuichi, who had taken to being a not-so-innocent bystander, chuckled at the spirits antics. You'd think you were going to your death, the way your fussing so.
Youko turned pleading eyes onto his other half. He recieved no sympathy as Suuichi continued laughing. Yeah, let's see how much fun you have with them!
Suuichi gave a thoughtful look. Let's. The next thing Youko knew, Suuichi had tackeled him and was now in charge.
Wha- no fair!
Whoever said life is fair had major issues. Suuichi righted his paws under him and trotted obediently to the car. He waited for Kagome to open the passanger side door of the Corolla and leapt into the seat. He ignored Kagome's confused look.
You just can't do that! Youko cried indignantly. He swatted at his other half.
Suuichi ducked the assult and looked at his reflection in the window, his green eyes flashing gold as Youko began to conplain. Excuse me, but I believe I just did.
Suuichi ignored Youko's remarks as Kagome started the engine and pulled out of the driveway.
Ten minutes later found Suuichi exiting the car, Youko still talking.
-never did anything like this to you! It's not fair!
Suuichi rolled his eyes as he followed Kagome sedatedly into the hospital. Right, left, middle fork Suuichi jogged behind his 'owner'.
They came to a large metal door. Kagome slowly swung it open and waited for Suuichi to pass. He slowly walked in and looked around curiously. The room was filled with gym mats and toys, which surprised both Youko and Suuichi into silence; Youko because he hadn't seen anything like this room in any of the hospitals Suuichi had visited, and Suuichi because he just wasn't expecting it.
Kagome glanced down at Yuuki. "What do you think?"
Yuuki wuffed and Kagome let him off the leash. Yuuki immediately headed to the pile of cusions and flopped down onto them. Kagome let out a small chuckle and sat down to await her first patient.
Shippo cautiously stepped into the room. This was his second visit this week, and he still didn't entirely trust the doctor. His arm, still as pale and thin as ever, hung lax at his side.
Not that Dr. Higurashii wasn't nice and friendly. Shippo had had one too many bad experiences with strangers to completely trust her. Hismother had left his father, after beating Shippo every day of his life for five years. His father had been too busy to take care of Shippo and had left him with his aunt Shinkirou, who never let him eat candy, play outside and ignore his homework for a while or just be a kid. He had had to get home from school and work immediately on his homework, eat supper strictly at six, study for three hours, and then hop into bed at exactly nine. He never had time for friends, not that he had even had any.
Then came the robbery, and his father's death. His father had owned a store that was robbed one night. The robbers had shot at a shadow, which had been his father going to check the noises. They told Shippo that his father had died instintaniously, but Shippo truly doubted it. His father's face had been contorted with pain and agony, and it constantly plagued him with nightmares and the like. He was taken out of his aunts custody and sent away to another town.
This had been three years ago. In that time, Shippo had wished desperately for the old days with his mother. At least then he had been able to play and have some friends, regardless of the beatings he had had. No, anything was better then Doryoku. Shippo's current guardian was a single woman that was a perfect blend of Shippo's mother and aunt's worst qualities. If there were an award for taking a child's childhood and spirit from him, Doryoku would surely have taken it. She fostered other children around Shippo's age. One was named Kanna, the other was known as Chinmoku, Chin-chan for short.
Shippo liked Kanna, sweet and shy Kanna. Chin-chan never talked, but he always had good ideas to help keep their hopes up. Chin-chan was the oldest by two weeks. Shippo was next, and the tallest, followed by Kanna being the youngest and shortest. Shippo admired Kanna's ability to stand strong when she was an albino, premature baby. She was picked on all the time, and so had an inmistakable mask wrapped around her persona at all times. Shippo and Chin-chan were the only ones she trusted, for they were all each of them had left.
Chin-chan was the opposite of Kanna in every physical aspect. He had been born later then the due date from his mother and always had perfect health. His black hair and cobalt eyes stood out starkly when put next to Kanna. He hardly said a word, and only when he was around one of his two best friends were those words said. He and Shippo were Kanna's protective older brothers, and Kanna was their most treasured friend.
Strangers had always visited Doryoku, usually in the middle of the night. They would sit with her and talk about dealing, but with what, none of Shippo's friends ever found out. They would deal all night, Doryoku and those hispanic strangers. They would strike a deal, and the next time they would be seen, they would beat everyone within sight and cut the deal in half. They normally picked on Kanna, poor defenceless Kanna. Shippo would never forgive them.
Hence the reason for never completely trusting a stranger, especially an adult. Other then that, Kagome was a dream come true.
"Hello, Shippo," Kagome greeted. "It's nice to see you again." Shippo nodded. "I brought a friend."
Shippo looked around. "Who?" he asked quietly. Kagome motioned for him to come closer, and he did so cautiously. When he was almost right next to her, Shippo was able to see the friend.
He stopped and looked down upon a sleeping silver fox. He gaspedat the coat and his eyes filled with happiness. He had always been partial to foxes, especially since he himself was a fox demon. Not that anyone knew, except his two friends. After all, Kanna was a demon of the void and Chin-chan was a descendent of the not-so-famous demon Karasu.
Shippo cooed on sight, which roused Youko from his slumber.
What? Who's there? He blinked drowsily and poked at his other half.
Suuichi yawned and poked him back. You do know that it is very rude to poke someone who isn't even awake yet?
Youko stared pointedly at Suuichi. Since when have I been known to have manners?
Suuichi yawned and settled down again. Fair point.
It was only then that Youko realized he was in control again. He wanted to leap with joy and happiness, and only just stopped himself when he sensed another demon's presence.
He looked around from Kagome's lap for said presence, and came face to face with a young kit. He looked at the kit, the kit looked at him, and they both yelped and ran to opposite sides of the room.
Kagome sat in the middle of her living room and pondered the days events.
After Shippo and Yuuki had calmed down after whatever had scared them, they had tensly started to enjoy each others company. Kagome had no idea what had prompted their reactions, but it was still confounding her. After the tense session, Yuuki had fled to the comforts of the pile of pillows. That was before Naraku had appeared in the room.
He had tracked her down to see if she would be willing to go on a date with her. Again. It had taken all of her willpower not to grab Yuuki and run. He wouldn't take no for an answer, and this time there was no bathroom to flee to nor Himitsu to bail her out. No, this time she was cornered.
Or so she thought, until her boss appeared. Dr. Gensou had practically flayed Naraku for 'fraternizing with female workers during a working day'. Kagome had watched as Naraku and Dr. Gensou exchanged not-so-pleasant pleasantries while Yuuki hid. At the time, Kagome was jealous of Yuuki's ability to be able to hide in plain sight.
She sighed and finished washing the last dish in the sink. Spinning around, she glanced at Yuuki laying on the couch. With a small smile, she trotted up to her room to read until her show came on at seven.
Youko watched her skip up the staircase and resumed his discussion with Suuichi.
We shouldn't have to deal with three demons. Granted, one was a kit, but still.
Suuichi paced. I don't like how much power was coming from her boss. Not only demon power, but there was blood, too.
Youko bit his lip.Any demon that had used blood and pain to gain power that he had fought had nearly killed him. I don't like it either. I like it less that Naraku and Toguro both ring a bell, but I can't for the life of me remember where they're from.
Suuichi nodded and paused his pacing. Do you think that their there for a reason? There must be one; demons just don't live in the human realm for no reason. I mean, even you have a reason for being here.
Youko nodded solemnly. Did you also notice that when both of them were fighting, there was an undercurrent fight about Kagome?
I did. I don't like it. Suuichi resumed his pacing. It doesn't make any sense. They were fighting about Kagome, but that can't be the reason that their here. There has to be an alterior motive.
Youko's brow furrowed as the moon began to rise. As the full moon peaked over the trees, a soft silver glow flowed through the curtains to illuminate the living room. As the light fell upon the unsuspecting Youko, an even brighter light began to gather.
What? Suuichi, do you know what's going on? No answer. Suuichi!
A bright flash of silver light illuminated the room and died out. When it did, a tall and slender demon stood in the place where Yuuki had been.
End Chapter
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