A/N: This is really wierd, sitting during lunch and finishing this chapter. Ah well, it's wierder typing on a laptop in the library during lunch and having to work HTML coding instead of just typing on fanficton. So, now that you know I'm working a first here, maybe you'll be more forgiving as to the little mistakes I'm making and let me know.

It's a crappy laptop anyways. Half the numbers don't work, the 'E' key has to be slammed down on, and the spacebar has to be pressed a couple times before it registers. That's what you get in school, I guess.

Okay, so I got a chapter out. Yay! Typed in a record forty-nine minutes, not including my note. Which, by the way, is straying from everything I was going to type.

So, a couple little notes. I don't remember everything I was going to say, so let's start with this. A lot of people are worried about Shippo, so I put a little extra bit on the end of this chapter that deals with him again. There's also more fluff here with Youko and Kag, and...I don't remember the rest. I swear, I had a whole list of things to say!

I guess I'm just rambling now. Before I forget, thanks a million reviewers! I would name you, but the bell just rung and I've got to actually work now! So, I guess I'll finish up (as I've just realized I'm breaking the shift key...or was it like that when I got it?) so I'll let you guys who actually read my little inserts get to reading this new chapter. And guess what? It's reaching the biggest scene I'll ever write for this thing! Gasp!

Youko, finally able to smooth things over with Kagome (after insulting her many times and nearly driving her off in the process), shifted slightly from his position. He still couldn't believe his luck.

They had talked much like when Suuichi and Kagome had. His other kept commenting on deja vu. Kagome seemed really comfortable, but every once and a while she would get this wierd look on her face. Like she had to make a huge decision in a short time that was already nagging at her.

They had sat up just talking for hours. The sun hadn't quite found itself up to rising, yet it couldn't have been too far off. Somehow, Kagome had fallen asleep in the middle of their conversation. Which led to her, in some way that still eluded the young fox, she had ended up curled up against his chest. Asleep.

So now he was sitting, content for the moment, contemplating the young miko in his arms.

She hadn't gone to that many lessons after the initial week or so. Apparently her job had just increased in importance, for not only did she have that kit to worry about, but she also had some trouble with the girl in the wheel chair. He could tell, even when he was in fox form, that she was very worried about her two patients.

Also, it didn't help that he was making things difficult in his tiny shape. He was a picky eater by nature, and in order to pay for food, Kagome had to put in more hours at work. She also had to find time to take him outside for a walk (which sounded wrong to his ears), which led to more time being taken up. After that whole fiasco with the brother and him trashing the place over the pizza, he was taken out at least once a day.

Which reminded him, he hadn't seen Souta in a while. It was probably due to the fact that 'Yuuki' was traveling to work with his mistress and didn't need to be babysat. Either way, Youko kind of missed the freshman.

Kagome sighed and shifted in her sleep, mumbling incoherantly. Youko shifted his grip to accomidate her and picked up his train of thought.

They had only been at Kagome's for little over a month and a half. Maybe two, Youko had lost track. Either way, it was really odd to find a growing soft spot in both the cold hearted demon and his human half for the little priestess-in-training. It scared Youko some, who had never had anything other than a lover before in his entire life, and yet...it felt right. Perfect, even. Like they were meant for each other.

Now you're just getting mushy. I thought the great fox theif didn't do sentimental, Suuichi commented in the back of his mind.

Youko sniffed. I am not being a softy. I'm just thinking aloud.

Suuichi shrugged. Well, I hate to break up this little reverie you've gotten yourself into, but the sun is about to rise. Unless you want Kagome to find out that Yuuki is Youko, and have to explain everything in about ten seconds before losing any chance we have with her, I suggest we take her back home.

Youko sighed and nodded. He really didn't want to think about Kagome's actions if she found out their secret. In the short time he had known her, Kagome had proven herself to be impulsive and rash when her anger got the better of her.

Using a small amount of spirit energy from the precious little he could dig up, Youko had the tree bend over and the branch deposit him and his precious burden onto the ground.

He settled Kagome into his arms, carrying her bridal style. He tried to ignore the fact that his cheeks colored slightly when Kagome tucked her head under his chin.

Using all the stealth he had gained while theiving in the dark depths of Makai, Youko smoothly made his way back to Kagome's townhome. Since humans loved to get up and act like a disturbed hornet's nest in the early morning, Youko was forced to lengthen the return trip slightly by migrating from shadow to shadow. It was entertaining for the silvery demon to see the people jump at his outline. Humans were so gullible.

The immediate problem, after arriving in front of the house, was opening a locked door one-handed. Of course, being the skilled person he was, Youko rose to the challenge and had said door unlocked and opened in record time.

He walked through the doorway and kicked the door shut behind him, wincing as it shut louder than he had intended. Luckily for him, Kagome was out like a light and didn't even twitch.

Youko made his way over to the staircase and walked up to Kagome's bedroom. He set her down on her bed gently, pausing to brush a strand of her ebony hair from her face. Much as he would've liked to just lay down next to her, Youko thought that an unwise decision for the moment. Instead, he leaned down and placed a chaste kiss against her lips before making his way down to the living room couch.

That was pretty restrained for you. Are you feeling alright? Suuichi's voice was highly amused.

Stuff it. Youko settled into the couch. Besides, there's not much I can do when she's asleep, he added.

Suuichi wrinkled his nose. Pervert.

Youko smirked and closed his eyes. He was asleep by the time the first rays of the sun topped the treeline and initiated the transformation that was becoming a routine to the two beings.

Shippo's breathing quickened. He slowly woke up from his unconcious state and immediately wished he could just drop off again. His head was killing him, his arms were throbbing, he couldn't feel his feet...

Where am I? he asked himself. It didn't feel like his house, nor the bed that he shared with his two siblings. What happened?

The young demon tried to sit up, but pain shot through his spine and he fell back with a yelp. He tried to recall what had occured the night before. A misty fog began lifting, and his eyes widened (at least, he thought they did. It was so dark he couldn't tell whether his eyes were actually open or not) as he remembered the scary man and being kidnapped from his room.

His bit back a sob. Big boys didn't cry, even if this was their first time ever being completely alone somewhere. No, he remembered that Kanna never shed a tear whenever she returned from the place that Doryoku sent her. He remembered that Chinchou hadn't even had glossy eyes after falling off of the roof. There was no way he would ever be weaker than them when he was the one to always have it easier.

He tried to move his arms and found they were tied behind his back. That explained the throbbing, then. He tried to kick his legs. They wouldn't respond, and that made him nervous. He held his cool, however. It wouldn't be a good idea to panic until all of his options were used up and he really couldn't get out of the situation by himself.

He tried sitting up again. This time he was able to, although the world spun violently in the process. He felt bile rising in his throat and had to take a moment to swallow the urge to throw up. He couldn't tell if he was bleeding or not, and didn't care to find out. He couldn't feel any dried liquids on any part of his anatomy, so he could assume he wasn't injured enough to have bled.

He wondered why he was taken. What did the man have to gain by this? he wondered. He also wondered why his siblings wouldn't wake up, and hoped to every diety he could think of that they were safe.

He heard sounds coming from behind him. A stream of light flicked on, and he heard a door being open. Bright light flooded into the room and nearly blinded him. As he squinted, he heard that dry chuckle again.

"Well, well, well. The guest of honor has awakened. Tell me, little boy, are you afraid?" The voice promised pain if answered wrongly.

Shippo didn't bother even trying to answer the voice. His vocal cords wouldn't work anyway. All he could do was wish desperately that someone would notice he disappeared. He hoped someone would come. It was the only thing keeping him somewhat calm.

End chapter
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