Kohaku watched as two horse sized beast nip and wrestled with each other playfully. Kazou and Kagome had chosen a smaller form seeing as two giant foxes wrestling outside the Western city would cause alarm. One would think that the child of a monk and Slayer would be green with envy. Kohaku was the only human among demons and a kami. But he had felt more at ease then he had among humans. Being with humans made him feel grossly uneasy.
What few had known about Kohaku was that when he was a young boy of 5 years old he had been spirited away. He hadn't returned to his parents until he was 11 years old. His parents had thought he was dead. Slayers searched high and low for the demon that killed one of their own. But they came up empty. Afterall it had been a human who had taken him. Haku had told them he had been stolen by a demon when they were out playing. But Haku a child and was easily fooled by a mask. Kohaku had been taken away by a masked human of all things.
The deranged man had been sacrificing young children for a ritual to summon a powerful inugami. Kohaku had been fortunate. The man had fumbled with his words. The inugami waited for that moment to appear in a flash of white flames. The giant wolf looking dog devoured the man. Many had died for that ritual. Cruelly the man had killed children and animals alike to gain the attention of the resting beast. The man had wanted a Inugami under his will. The Inugami had been unsealed by his bloodshed. But the beast was not pleased with the price of such a thing. Kohaku had reached toward the being who had blood soaked on it's muzzle and red eyes. Curious the inugami had lowered it's head. Kohaku had merely hugged it's wet nose and cried in relief. The Inugami had been greatly affected by him. Being only five the child did not know where he was from. Being kind the inugami decided not to leave him to fend for himself. The Inugami could not take a human form so Kohaku had lived among demons form five years. Kohaku had been raised and taught by the inugami. Eventually Kohaku remembered that he was a son of a slayer and a monk. Very few had parents of such origins. Although saddened the Inugami felt the boy should return to his kind.
When he finally returned home he had been barely recognizable. His hair was long, it had only been trimmed during his time with demons. Kohaku had been dressed finely in clothes made out of demonic thread. The child did not speak. Often times he would snarl if upset or even whimper when frightened. It had taken much to get in the habit of speaking in human tongues. He was wary towards humans and preferred to not be in the company of any that weren't his family. Haku was convinced that his brother had been replaced with a demon in disguise. This Kohaku was not his cute brother whom he loved. Their relationship was strained for many reasons but Kohaku was sure that was the root of it. Even his parents felt like his time with demons had caused his preference for men. Out of guilt the couple wouldn't condemn him for it. As he remembered back to his childhood he had offered his memories to Kagome.
Immediately the black foxes ears perked and it's blue eyes slid over to him. The change in demeanor had caused Kazou to pause in their play. Kagome headed over to him with soft eyes. Using his muzzle he knocked the man over onto his butt before covering him with wet licks. Kohaku laughed joyously. It was something Inugami had done to him often as a child. Clearly Kagome wanted to offer him comfort. Yes Kohaku had finally found a home just as Inugami said he would all those years ago.
Kazou huffed nipping Kagome's ear before heading the other two back to camp. He had been slightly jealous that Kohaku was accepting the comfort offered by his new brother. To the beast side of Kazou knew that Kagome was not a threat. But in terms of pack Kagome could take his soon to be mate. Kagome rolled his cobalt eyes, nudging Kohaku towards Kazou. The human kissed the grey fox's black nose chastely. With happy fox barks he licked Kohaku's face. Any signs of jealousy had gone and that had made all of them happy.
Kohaku grabbed the weapons seeing as the pair of demons could not. Maneki chirped excitedly when they had returned. Tenka was still gazing at the fire while smoking his pipe. The pack of odd balls decided that it would be best to turn in for the night. The Kazou and Kagome had decided to remain in their animal forms to shield Kohaku and Tenka from the cold. The fox and fox dog formed a ring around the dog pile of Kohaku, Tenka and Maneki. Kohaku smiled content in the bundle of fur and warmth. Yes Inugami had been right. Kohaku has found his place among a Kami, a Raiju, a nekomata and his favored fox dog.
In the late morning they packed up camp. Kagome made sure everyone was content. Earlier the new demon had gotten up and hunted for the pack. It had been a lesser youkai that Kohaku had favored eating as a child. Most human people would be poisoned by it. But his immune system was used to such food. As for Kagome he could eat just about anything. The once Miko had thought of themselves in layers. Demon, Miko, human, and in their very core essence was the Kami Kagome. Tenka had stirred after the scent of blood his him. He helped his Master skin, gut and eventually cook the meat. The cooked meat was served in a soup with rice noodles and whatever vegetables were available. Kazou and Kohaku had been wrapped up in their own world until Kagome had called them for brunch. Kagome was a bit uncomfortable in clothes not from his era. But what Tenka had given them was more comfortable then the kimonos that women of the era.
"Are you nervous Kagome?" Kazou had been curious of the Kami's feelings as he occasionally picked at the collar of his shirt. The black fox's emotions had been harder to read now that the Kami had changed. The charismatic air had remained around the Ito leader. But now there was a bite to the edge of the Kami's aura. It would make other demons wary. "Nervous? No not at all. I'm sort of excited actually. What are they going to do? I'm no Miko, wench or even human. I dare Sesshoumaru to try and punish me." Kagome's lips curled in a dark mischievous grin. A chuckle rumbled in Kazou's chest. "That confidence of yours is admirable brother." Kagome's eyes lit up at the the word. "Good. Perhaps you will learn something then. I do not allow myself to get bullied by anyone." Walking at the head of his pack Kagome's cobalt eyes glared forward. The western city was rumbling with activity. From merchants to the chatting of wives. Kohaku whistled at the amount of humans he had spotted among demons. "Rin's influence?" Kazou simply nodded as he directed them through the city.
Kohaku stopped occasionally to indulge in his cons and tricks. Kazou watched with obvious curiosity. Tenka had pulled Kagome over to a food vendor. They tasted many youkai foods. The Raiju found the fox's faces amusing especially when he tasted something he disliked. Eventually the pack had made their way to Kazou's house. It was larger then what any of them had been expecting. The servants greeted them meekly before shuffling back to their duties. Kohaku noted that the inside of the house had looked barely inhabited. No wonder the fox dog felt so lonesome. Once room assignments were made and all the things were settled Kagome had called both Kohaku and Kohaku over. The black fox had placed the mark of the Ito mark on a place of their choice. Kohaku had his marks on the inside of his right forearm. Kazou had chosen the back of his neck. Kagome had been extremely giddy after seeing the mark of Ito on his friends. Afterwards the black haired demon had been extremely touchy just as she had been of Tenka after they met.
The before after sparring and meals were finished Kagome had asked about the markings that looked like lightning around Tenka's eyes. He had felt foolish that he had copied them without asking the significance.
Tenka had explained that they were Kagome's clan's symbol. Whomever he had become familiar to would receive his symbol and titles. The only title that the Raiju had remembered was "lightning death" it had made him laugh at the time so he committed it to memory. He was very energetic in his youth.
Now Kagome and her pack were the 'Lightning Death Ito' clan. Kazou had been experiencing a very warm feeling in his chest. It was very distracting. Kagome had wondered if it was best to face the wrath of Sesshoumaru on their own. But it was Kazou who was supposed to deliver "the miko". It was Kohaku who pulled Kazou back down from wherever he had gone to. "I believe that is time you report to Lord Sesshoumaru Kazou." The fox dog blinked with distaste. "I suppose it is time. Will the two of you be joining us?" The question had been directed at his lover and Tenka. The lightning beast had been silent since they had entered the house. "Yes. My Master has been summoned after all." That had made the kami uncomfortable and kami he bared teeth at the word. Tenka had placed a calming hand on the others shoulder. "Titles are important in this place. Do not be overwhelmed by them." With a soft sigh the Kami closed his eyes. "Let's go before I decide this trip not worth my time."