A/N: Another updates! I'm getting a bit better, ne?

Disclaimer: *Bows lowly to the makers of Inuyasha and Yu Yu Hakusho*.

~.~.~.~.~.~

Kagome woke up to the sounds of grunts, fighting and yelling. It sounded faintly like her brother's video games.

Thinking nothing of it, Kagome leaned up and stretched, her hands going high above her head as she let out a deep yawn. Whatever she had been sleeping on had not been very comfortable; she definitely needed a new bed.

Pulling her fingers through her hair, she stopped, noticing that the sounds had halted. Finally snapping her eyes open in the middle of getting a resistant knot out of the strands, she froze at the sight in front of her.

Youkai of every type surrounded her, gazing at her with all sorts of expressions. They all wore dangerous weapons on their belt; some even had them poised to attack. They all had varying degree of looks. One looked like a Neko youkai, others looked like worms. Yuck.

Standing up slowly, Kagome looked around at all of them once more with a cool expression.

Then, without warning, she opened her mouth and sucked in a large dose of air before letting it all go in a piercing scream.

A door that she hadn't noticed before opened up, revealing another youkai, his pale skin contrasting to that of his midnight hair and eyes. On his head was a hat with a golden buckle, catching Kagome's attention. It wasn't often she saw youkai in the feudal era wear hats, only farmers.

Her scream had dwindled down to a squeak at the sight of him. Though he gazed at her with a friendly smile, Kagome looked at him with distrust and anger. As it all came back to her, she narrowed her eyes. Where was that conniving Kitsune?

"Hello, priestess."

His deep, yet soft voice brought her out of her musings, confusing her with his civil tone.

"Where am I?" Kagome asked, almost taking a step back. If she had done that, it would have been too obvious that she was scared. So she tilted her chin up a bit higher, looking straight into the demon's eyes.

That only seemed to amuse him. "You are in the bandit's lair. Youko has brought you here to-"

"Where is that sneaky fox?" Kagome yelled, her aura slowly rising in annoyance. How dare he drug her! After she had gone through all that trouble with him to set him free. She then mentally sighed. She really needed to stop trusting everyone.

"He will be here shortly, I promise you this," said the still amused demon. He had been holding up his hands in peace, but Kagome would not know peace until she was back with her friends.

"If you set me free now, I won't burn him to a crisp." She bluffed dangerously.

His smile widened. "Are human women always this quick to threat?"

That got her heated. "No, but when you steal someone after they have helped you, I believe it's okay to do so."

He laughed then, confusing Kagome. "I am Kuronue," he introduced, bowing with one hand below his stomach, the other resting on his back.

"Kagome," she responded.

With a snap of his long fingers, the other demons slithered out, leaving the two alone in an awkward silence. Well, awkward for her, not so much for him.

He studied her for just a moment, the small smile never leaving his lips. "So you are the one who saved Youko," he finally spoke.

Kagome glared at nothing. "Saved, then what do you know! Kidnapped!"

"Do not worry, little human." He said, leaning up against the door. "He is not as bad as he makes himself seem."

"Right, under the false pretense of thief and pervert, he's actually a really nice guy," she murmured sarcastically.

"He is," Kuronue nodded.

Just then, Youko came in, smirking at Kuronue who yelped as the door opened, causing him to stumble a few feet.

"I hope you're not bad-mouthing me, Kuronue."

"Me? Never."

Youko's golden eyes trailed from his friend to Kagome, who stood in the middle of the room, glaring at him.

"I hope you had a good sleep?" He asked, smirking when her aura played threateningly around the room, causing his own youki to respond lightly back.

Kagome blinked, watching his blue youki swarm around her gently. Blushing, she stepped back. "W-what are you doing?"

Youko feigned innocence. "Cooling you off."

Which is exactly what it did as Kagome's pink aura winded down, backing away from his large, red youki.

"Deal's off, Youko." Kagome said sharply, trying to get back in control after the surprise attack. "Bring me back to my friends."

"Of course," he said, holding out his hand for her.

Kagome huffed, crossing her arms and walked out of the door.

Youko smiled at Kuronue, who shook his head. "You, my friend, are always playing with fire."

"What is the fun of playing with water?" He questioned, following behind the girl.

Kuronue shook his head again, a soft smile turning his lips. "It is good to have you back."

~.~.~.~

This place was huge, Kagome thought, looking down all of the corridors that opened up into even more corridors. It reminded Kagome slightly of the cave Youko had been in when he had put his illusion over it. Was there an illusion over this place, too?

She could tell they were underground. As she kept walking, at random parts there would be light shining from the holes way above her, much too high for her to reach. Behind her, Youko cleared his throat.

Kagome didn't bother turning around. "Yes?"

She could hear the amusement in his voice. "Do you know where you're going?"

"Of course I d-" wait a second, no she didn't.

"Come," was all he said, taking the lead and turning down a corridor. Kagome sighed, following him.

It was ten minutes later when he finally stopped in front of a door. Kagome was sure she would have gotten lost without a guide. This place was just too confusing and big.

He opened it and Kagome looked in, surprised by how small the room was. All it had was a ladder that led all the way up, and up and up…

Kagome yelped when Youko pulled her to him, his arm winding around her waist before he jumped up, landing softly on green grass. Kagome established that he was a very good jumper.

"Shall we see what your friends are up to?" Youko asked.

Kagome gave him a look. "Or you could just drop me off, handshake and part our ways. Forever."

"How rude would I be if I did not introduce myself?" Youko teased.

"Not very rude when Inuyasha tried to cut off your head!"

Youko smirked slowly. "Challenge accepted."