Youko and Kuronue set out alone to find this Witch Doctor. They found it slightly disturbing that they seemed to be under attack more often lately than normal. They rarely were ever attacked before but now it was more constant. By noon they stopped at a river, aggravated and on guard as they cleansed themselves of the blood that had gathered on the, creating an unbearable stench.
Setting out once again they decided to travel through the higher branches, hoping to outsmart most of the demons that were after them. Succeeding in that endeavor they continued with far less disturbance, passing through the different territories. Youko did not welcome the scent of who's territory he had entered. Remembering this demon had pursued Kagome far longer than any other demon.
Trying to rush through Okami territory before he could be scented by the, brash, Prince. Soon he could see a whirlwind forming in the distance, headed to cut him off. Taking to the ground, they paused just as Kouga did. The Okami Prince must have also gotten wind of there relationship decrease, if his angry glare was anything to go by. Youko appeared unmoved by the display, even though his guilt was bubbling back up.
"Give me one reason as to why I should let you continue on unscathed or even alive for that matter!" He growled. Though brash he still was, he could now back it up with power and some wisdom after the harsh years of continual battle. He still wasn't as powerful as Youko but could hold his own alright.
Eyes narrowed distastefully, he pictured himself shredding Kouga to pieces. If only he could, but if he were to gain Kagome's favor then he shouldn't start fights or kill an ally, or 'friend', he thought, even more distastefully. Either way, killing or harming the Okami Prince was out of the question. "I need not answer you."
A growl ripped through Kouga's chest. "Alright you fucking prick! I should have prevented your courting to Kagome. I should kill you where you stand for hurting her far worse than dog breath!" Preparing to fight he went on guard as an irritable Kuronue stepped forward.
"We have no quarrel with you, Kouga. Let us pass before our patience treads any lower." He knew Kouga was only defending Kagome's honor, but he could care less when they had little to no idea if they had to worry over the time. Some sleeping potions become permanent if waited on too long to be given a antidote.
"You have some nerve coming here. I demand you release Kagome from her union with you. She deserves to find happiness, not be tied to a selfish bunch of demons." Flexing his claws at them. He wanted nothing more than to shed there blood. He was aiming to do so until a flurry of leaves appeared and brought Ayame's scent with it.
"Kouga! Cut it out!" A pissed off Ayame stood there, fist on her hip and her foot impatiently tapped the ground. "They have enough to worry about, stalling them will only prolong Kagome's condition."
Kouga looked sharply at her with a demanding gaze. "Condition? What condition?" He growled out, getting angrier by the second at hearing something more had happened to her.
Ayame's eyes widened. 'Oh no, he didn't know.' She took a breath and look at him seriously. "Let them go and I will explain it all."
"No. I want to hear what these two fuck ups, especially that damned kitsune has done to her." He cracked his knuckles, anxious to spill there blood. Almost as much as he wanted to shed Naraku's in the past.
"Try to be reasonable Kouga. Kagome is ill and there trying hard to find a antidote. I know it doesn't feel right for Youko to go unpunished but there her best shot. Allow them passage for now." She spoke, hoping to reason with him.
Kouga didn't want to let the kitsune off so easy but if it was in Kagome's best interest then he decided he wouldn't stand in there way for now. He stepped back but glared at them all the same. Once out of his vision he looked at Ayame.
She sighed and retold what she had found out. Kouga was quite displeased but nonetheless didn't take chase after hearing the disturbing info. He followed Ayame and kept his thoughts to him self as he thought it all out.
Youko and Kuronue carried on and was soon out of Kouga's territory. Battling demons as they sprinted across the land with the sun quickly descending, showing the near end of yet another day. They soon came upon the deserted plains of the Shika (deer). Remembering the rumor, Youko looked across the wide open land trying to determine if its been frequented. They felt on edge the second the stepped onto the plains. They stepped cautiously, feeling like there being watched at every angle.
Soon the quiet rustling of far off brush was distinct as they payed careful attention to where they were. It felt like there was more than just these demons attempting an ambush, something else was there hidden underneath, unsure if it was planning an attack of its own.
A couple dozen areas in the waist high brush had begun to move, this time for an attack. Youko quickly brought out his whip, and Kuronue his scythe. Tall grass and demon parts began to fly as they killed there ambushers skillfully. Macaques demons (Japanese monkey) were swarming them from all sides.
They sprang up like weeds, a constant annoyance as they continued. Swirling there weapons around, slashing them in the numbers, they couldn't help but feel a bit more on edge. Something didn't feel right. Just then the ground rumbled and the monkey fled. Soon a giant worm, identified as a Mongolian death worm shot out and began attacking the fleeing monkeys. Youko and Kuronue stood perfectly still.
As the death worm slaughtered the monkeys, Kuronue quickly grabbed Youko and took to the air, flying high into the sky to ensure there safety. "Well that was unexpected. I'm assuming that is why the Shika left these plains." Kuronue spoke, still eying the acid spitting worm. They continued past the plains and soon came to a home built into the hill side.
They landed outside and abruptly knocked on the door only for to open before they could. They found an old man with ancient looking markings covering his skin and home. "You have arrived. I have been expecting you."
They narrowed there eyes at what they assumed to be the Witch Doctor. "Kagome spoke to me. We have our ways of communicating. It was quite the dilemma she spoke of. I believe it went something like this.-"
I told the witch doctor I was in love with you
I told the witch doctor I was in love with you
And then the witch doctor, he told me what to do
He said that ....
(Chorus:)
Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang
Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang...
Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang
Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang
I told the witch doctor you didn't love me true
I told the witch doctor you didn't love me nice
And then the witch doctor, he gave me this advice
He said to ...
(Repeat Chorus)
Now, you've been keeping love from me
Just like you were a miser
And I'll admit I wasn't very smart
So I went out and found myself
A guy that's so much wiser
And he taught me the way to win your heart
My friend the witch doctor, he taught me what to say
My friend the witch doctor, he taught me what to do
I know that you'll be mine when I say this to you
Oh, Baby ....
(Repeat Chorus)
Youko and Kuronue stood there quietly and couldn't find anything to say. There mouths went slightly slack and there eyebrows twitched a bit. The Witch Doctor knocked them both in the head with his cane and soon received two glares.
"We are not here to joke around old man. If you communicated with Kagome and knew we would be coming then you should know why were here. Give us our answers and cut it with this extra foolishness." Youko hissed.
"Oh well, it was worth a try. The song has such a catchy tune. Very well.. go back and bring me Kagome. I will fix up a few antidotes to try on her. Now hurry, run along, I don't have all day now!" The old man pushed them out of his home.
Glaring at the door they turned and left, going high speed, avoiding the deserted plains and going straight to the hide out. They made it the at day break. Everyone was tired. Yomi reported attacks from the various demon clans in the area. Youko spent the morning feeding his plants youki and creating more deadly plants.
With that taken care of, they got prepared to depart once again, this time with Kagome. Racing back through, avoiding certain areas, they finally made it during the night.