The moment my eyes began to burn
The moment my heart was captured by you
I have no regret, I chose you
That's right, it's you

First Love

Chapter Twenty-Three

It was dusk when Youko returned to his home. His pace slowed as he walked down a familiar path to where his comrades were and could see some of the homes through the trees. He was in his territory and was able to relax more so than when he was outside of it. As he cleared the trees he saw random members of his clan sitting and chatting, others were roasting some sort of animal in the fire and some were even snoring on the ground. There was one thing that was off about the whole scene.

"All the wolves are gone," Kuronue stated beside Youko as he glanced around. He sniffed the air to confirm his suspicion and he was correct. "It's almost like they weren't here."

An eerie feeling went down Youko's back. Why had they left without waiting for him to return? Why didn't they even mention leaving before Youko had left? They made it seem like they would be staying a while anyway. And most importantly, why rush and purposefully try to hide their scent?

The small group was brought out of their speculations when Leiko approached them, or more importantly Kuronue.

"Welcome back," she said as she placed her hand on his arm and smiled up at him. He returned her smile and after a moment between the two, she glanced over at Youko and then her eyes seemed to widen for a moment before quickly going back to normal.

Brushing off her weird glance, Youko couldn't help but notice that Kagome had not come out to greet him like Leiko did for Kuronue. So, without saying a word to the group, he headed off to what he now considered to be his and Kagome's home in the tree.

Reaching the base of the large tree he opened the door and made his way up the steps. Maybe Kagome would be sleeping in their bed because it was late? Maybe she wanted to surprise him? A smile reached his lips and he slightly hesitated before the door that would lead him into the bedroom. He would have thought her scent would be stronger than it was now. He couldn't help but notice just how faint Kagome's lingering scent was in the air. There was no doubt that she would go out and venture even though he told her to stay but her scent should be stronger than it was.

A slight sense of foreboding took over Youko as he turned the knob and entered the room. Quickly his eyes scanned the bedroom.

Empty. It was…completely empty. There was no sign of life other than the plants that were scattered here or there and as his eyes landed on the bed, it almost seemed as though no one had been in this room for some time.

Quickly, Youko ran to the other side of the home and up the few steps that lead to the outside area. Maybe she was just sitting on the tree trunk looking up at the stars? That was quite possible. But as Youko searched, he could still not find Kagome.

What was going on? First the wolves…and now…Kagome?

A strong breeze blew past him, whipping his long hair away from his face. His ears lowered and a slight growl escaped him.

Something wasn't right. There was an eerie feeling in the air and Youko didn't like it at all.

In a flash he was down both sets of steps and out the door. He did not stop until he was in front of Kuronue's home and knocked on the door. As he expected Leiko opened the door.

She looked slightly startled when their eyes met. "Yo-Youko, what can I-"

"Where is Kagome?" he asked sternly.

A moment of shock seemed to come over her and Leiko's eyes turned down and searched the ground. "I'm not sure what you are talking about…"

Youkos hands came out and grabbed Leiko's arms tightly. "You know exactly what I am talking about. Your scent is mixed heavily with Kagome's and she is not here. Where is she?"

He could hear her heart rate increase; the sound of pumping blood as well as her heavy breathing rang loudly in his ears. She definitely knew something. There was no mistake. The fear that was radiating off of her was too overwhelming to think differently.

"Youko, what are you doing?"

Youko's eyes left Leiko for the first time to look up at his friend who now stood behind the shaking thing in his hands.

"Your woman knows where Kagome is." He looked back down at Leiko and roughly pushed her away from him. She stumbled back slightly but did not lose her footing. Her hand came up to touch the spot on her arm where his hand had once been as she looked down at the ground, now trying to catch her breath.

Instinctively, Kuronue placed an arm around Leikos shoulders before he looked at Youko incredulously. "What does Leiko know? Is Kagome not here? I thought she would be up in your room?"

Kuronues gaze slowly left Youko's and both of them looked at Leiko now, who was still trying to catch her breath. She had not looked up once and it almost seemed that she was trying to ignore them on purpose.

"Leiko," Kuronue started, "did you do something to Kagome? Do you know where she is?" Kuronue asked disbelievingly. She couldn't have…she would have told them by now…or said something was wrong the moment they arrived.

Youko watched as Leiko's eyes searched almost desperately around. It seemed as though she was trying to think of something to say.

"Leiko!" yelled Kuronue.

She whipped her gaze up to that of her lover. "Fine! I'll tell you!" Her eyes seemed almost pleading before they slowly turned towards Youko. "I will tell you what happened to Kagome and where she is!"

What time was it?

What day was it?

What…

Questions seemed to lump slowly in Kagome's brain as she began to wake up from a deep slumber…even though it was only for a few hours. She tried to sit up but flinched from the pain in her arm and stopped. Using her other hand, she outlined the large bruise that now graced her arm. If she were to press too hard, she knew tears would come to her eyes because of the pain. Ever so slowly, she rose to sit up in the bed she was in.

Someone must have placed her in the large bed because she knew she had blacked out from the pain the night before on the floor.

Her small hand came up to rest lightly against her bruised black and blue cheek that matched the bruise on her arm. She took a deep breath in but suddenly clutched her chest as she screamed down into the comforter.

The beating she had endured the night before seemed to be the worst out of all from Lord Hirohiko. He would usually stop throwing her around the room after about an hour or so…but last night seemed to be twice if not three times as long…she thought it would never end.

Or if it did, it would be because he had killed her.

Her once almost bruise free body (aside from the work she did), was now covered in cuts and bruises. Her face has many small cuts and a large bruise on her cheek. The rest of her body was covered in bruises and cuts in all shapes and sizes as a result from Hirohiko hitting her or throwing her into objects that lined the room.

When the pain in her chest finally subsided, Kagome silently allowed herself to cry, still being mindful not to open her mouth too wide in order for the split in her lip not to widen.

A knock on the door quickly quieted Kagome as she wiped the tears from her eyes. She slowly sat up to see the door open and Koga appeared tray of food in hand.

He came to stand at the side of her bed next to her. He placed the tray down before grabbing her chin in his hand and turned it from one side to the other. She felt his thumb brush against her swollen lip.

"It's a shame that such a pretty face is now so badly bruised."

She glared up at him and slapped his hand away, turning her gaze to the bed instead of looking at him. Just the sight of him disgusted her. "Don't touch me."

Without looking at him, she could feel the smirk on his lips. "You better get ready. Lord Hirohiko will be here in an hour to see you." And with that he swiftly left the room and Kagome to herself.

That…that demon was the reason why she was in this hell hole. After he had ambushed both her and Ai, and knocked Ai out, he had then knocked her out as well only to wake up here. That was when her nightmare had begun.

She would have thought that Hirohiko would have put her in a jail cell, but instead she was in this finely furnished room. She would have preferred a jail cell though; they seemed to be more fitting for the beatings she would have to endure. The only thing this room was missing was a window, other than that it was as close to a jail cell as possible. No matter how nice this room looked to others, it would always be a cell for Kagome.

Taking in a slow shaky breath, her hand grasped the once perfect kimono that was now covered in slits and holes. The once treasured piece of clothing Kagome had was now reduced to almost nothing. It someone looked at her now, they would have never known how nice the garment had once looked.

Youko…the beautiful gift that you have given me…its ruined. I'm so sorry…I miss you so much…

Tears sprang to her eyes as she thought of the one she loved. I miss you Youko…

"You mean to tell me that she left with Ai to see her family a few days ago?" asked Kurone as he looked at his lover that sat beside him. He looked to his friend who sat across from them who had his arms crossed across his chest as he kept his eyes on Leiko.

Leiko, who was looking down at her hands in her lap nodded. "Yes. And then Koga had come to see me that same day and asked about Kagome's whereabouts…I told him…but only because he promised me something."

Kuronue glared at her, "You told him because he promised something? What did he promise you?"

The woman clenched her eyes shut and shook her head, "it's nothing…"

"What did he promise you?!"

Slowly their eyes met. "He said that Lord Hirohiko would come for me and take me away from here…but I don't feel the same now…I don't want him to come…I-"

"What?" Kuronue stood suddenly, his movements knocking the chair he was previously sitting on, over. "You can't be serious? Does he know where we are?"

Leiko shook her head back and forth almost violently. "No…he doesn't. At least I'm not sure he does…But Kuronue, I don't want to leave now…I was wrong…Koga and I talked on the first day that he arrived and I had found out that he was sent by Hirohiko…. Hirohiko had sent him to find Kagome and to be an inside ally to me and I was to gather information for him. That's all I know Kuronue! I'm so sorry, please forgive me…."

Kuronue's gaze narrowed on Leiko. "If you told the information to Koga…what would come out of it?"

Leikos gaze dropped. "In return, Hirohiko would come here and take back everyone that had been captured at the estate and burn the village…Koga said that I would be free…"

Youko saw his friends gaze turn from anger to sadness to disbelief. "So you used me…us?!"

Leiko suddenly got out of her seat and grabbed a hole of Kuronue's arm. "At first I did Kuronue…but now I don't want to. Please forgive me! I know I have done wrong!"

Kuronue threw off Leiko's hold almost violently. "You are no different now than you were before." He pushed past her and out the door into the night without another word.

Youko, who had watched the scene unfold before him finally stood and pinned her with a glare that shook Leiko's whole body.

"If you had been anyone else I would have killed you. After I find Kagome, you will be punished. Until then, you are forbidden from leaving this place." With nothing more to say, he exited the home and left Leiko to slump to the ground, crying hysterically.

"What have I done?"

A familiar scent caught Youko's attention and he immediately followed it to come in front of his comrade who had just arrived back from their trip. "Taro, welcome back."

The male demon bowed, "Thank you Youko-sama…" when he straightened, his eyes searched the area desperately. "Do you know where-"

"Ai was last known to be at the village where Kagome grew up," interrupted Youko. "It seems both she and Kagome left without permission and they were ambushed by Koga."

The feline demon's eyes widened. "Ambushed?"

Youko nodded his head. "We don't know the whereabouts of either of them. We do know however, that they only wanted Kagome. I need you to go to Kagome's old village because there is a possibility that Ai is there or close by. Search that area and report back here immediately with or without her."

Taro's worried expression turned to determination. "Yes, Youko-sama. I will be back tonight." Not bothering to say any more, the cat demon disappeared into the woods on his mission. Hopefully he would find Ai quickly and bring her back. There was no telling how badly hurt she was or if she had any information that would help lead them to where Kagome was. That was only if she was not taken away with Kagome…

Turning, Youko came to face his friend Kuronue and nodded in acknowledgement.

"Do you think he will find Ai?"

Youko ran his hand through his long hair. "It is likely as long as Koga did not take her as well. Any information Ai has will be helpful in figuring out what to do next."

Kuronue crossed his arms across his chest, "Do you think they know where we are? That Lord…do you think he is on his way here as we speak?"

The fox demon released a breath. "It is possible that Koga has told that human about our location," his eyes narrowed as he continued. "We still have some time though and if he is on his way here or not, I will be sending out scouts. The forest will also protect us; I will make sure of that."

Suddenly a vine appeared before Youko and using his youkai, he formed a flower in his hands. Moving his hands slowly, he slowly enlarged the flower until it was at the size that he found most fitting before attaching it to the vine and let it disappear into the forest.

Kuronue moved to rest his back against the nearest tree. "If Taro is able to find Ai, there is a chance she was able to see what direction Koga and his mutts ran off in."

Youko, who's gaze was still in the direction of the vanished vine now turned to look at Kuronue. "I will find Kagome with or without Ai's help."

Kuronues pushed off of the tree and turned to look away from his long time friend. "You know…I want to apologize about what Leiko did…I never thought she would do such a thing. I know how much you want to protect Kagome and what Leiko did was not right…I'm sorry…"

Youko's expression became blank as he answered. "For the time being, your woman will not be allowed out of your house. She will be guarded in case Koga tries to send one of his dogs to try and get more information. You are not to see her either."

Kuronue scoffed and rolled his eyes. "I don't care what happens to that bitch!"

At this, Youko raised an eyebrow ever so slightly. He knew his friend didn't mean what he said. It was rather amusing how Kuronue thought that he would take his friend seriously. "In any case, when we return she will be yours to deal with. You can decide then for yourself what happens to her."

Kuronue rubbed his eyes as he heard his friend continue.

"If by chance you allow her to stay with you after we get back and something like this happens again, you will not have the chance to take care of her yourself. I will personally handle it. If you don't want me to interrupt your relationship then you better control your woman."

Their eyes met and Kuronue could see the stern look in Youko's eyes as well as a bit of anger and slight amusement.

The room was pitch black and Kagome did not allow herself to release one loud breath of air because she could hear it. There was no mistake at what was to come next. It was the all too familiar sound of footsteps getting closer and closer to her room that signaled that Lord Hirohiko was on his way. She was already in so much pain that she seemed to already be numb. Before, when the beatings first began, her body would shiver when she heard the footsteps approaching; now she stayed motionless.

It had taken a lot of energy for her to leave the bed and try to find the farthest corner of the room away from the door. She had wanted to hide in the dark, silently hoping that he might just miss one day of coming into this cell to beat her. Sadly, her hopes were not fulfilled.

Her breath hitched in her throat when the door opened and the light turned on. She could hear his heavy breathing getting louder as he approached the bed. Usually he would stand beside her bed and ask her something before quickly grabbing her by the hair and ripping her out of the bed or from whatever spot she had been previously. This time however, he found a chair and sat down comfortably in it.

He looked at her and crossed one of his legs over the other. "Why haven't you taken this grand opportunity to feel the expensive cloth once again? Every time I come here you always seem to be in the corner until you are unconscious and then placed in the bed. Is it...not to your liking?"

She did not answer him, which he expected.

"You've lived in luxury for a while before going off with that fox…Youko, right?"

Kagome's eyes widened as she finally focused on Lord Hirohiko. He smiled evilly at her.

"I thought you would have missed the luxurious life that Akihito provided for you when you were engaged to him. You should enjoy this room for the time being because when we find this…Youko demon, you and he will both die here and you will never feel such fine cloth again!" He then burst out into laughter before standing up and walking to where Kagome sat.

He could see her push herself as close to the wall as she could before he roughly grabbed her chin to look up at him. The feel of her shaking in his hand made him smile. "You know what comes next, don't you?"

Hours had seemed to pass before Youko heard his name being called from the tree he was sitting in. Quickly, he followed the voice and came to a small crowd that surrounded a familiar figure.

Without needed to say a word, the crowd seemed to part and he was able to see that it was Taro who held a badly injured Ai in his hands. "Youko-sama, I've found her! I've found Ai!"

Taking a few steps toward the couple, he stood before Taro and Ai. "How is she?" he asked looking down at the injured female.

"She is still in pretty bad shape, but she had managed to take care of most of her wounds before I found her. She is still not fit to leave here though," Taro explained. "She will need a lot of time to heal."

Youko nodded his head and continued to look down at Ai. Her eyes were closed. "Is she concious?"

Taro nodded his head. "Ai, can you open your eyes for a little bit?"

Slowly, both men watched as Ai slowly opened her eyes and faced Youko.

"Ai?" inquired Youko quickly, "I need you to tell me one thing and you are free to go."

Slowly, Ai opened her eyes to look at the fox demon. "Yes Youko-sama?"

"What direction did you see Koga run off to with Kagome?" he asked almost urgently.

She smiled at the sense of his urgency, "North. I saw them run north from Kagome's village. I advise you to put some sort of spell around the area to make it disappear in case he has sent his own men. It has been a few days…" she flinched and she grabbed her side.

Taro's grip slightly tightened, "Shh, don't say any more Ai, you're too weak and in too much pain."

The rabbit demon smiled up at her mate. "Thanks."

Wanting to leave the couple to have their intimate moment, Youko said,"Thank you both," and without staying long enough to hear their response, he left to find Masaru and Kiyoshi. Even though they were young frog demons, they were extremely powerful for their age and they would be able to put up a barrier strong enough to keep intruders out and to hide their location.

On his way his eyes met with Kuronue who seemed to know exactly what was going on and what needed to be done. In a flash he disappeared to assemble demons to go with them.

Thankfully it didn't take long for him to find the twins. "Masaru. Kiyoshi."

Both demons had been wrestling but abruptly stopped when the familiar voice called out to them. They stood up straight before bowing. "Yes, Youko-sama?"

He observed both slightly green demons that stood just to his waist before continuing. "I need both of you to erect a barrier for protection as well as one to hide our location. Are you able to do that?"

Both teens stood up straight and saluted him. "Of course Youko-sama, it will be done in no time!" They looked at each other and nodded before setting off to put up the barrier.

Without hesitation, Youko turned and quickly met up with Kuronue who had gathered a group of twenty demons. He eyed each one of them up and down. All of his men were capable for this journey, but Kuronue seemed to pick the very best to go with them.

"We are ready Youko-sama," came a voice from the small crowd.

It was Taro.

"What do you think you are doing? Where is Ai?"

Taro grinned. "Ai wouldn't let me stay with her and is instead staying with the old woman. She wants me to help you get Kagome back as well as get revenge." His fist balled tightly. "I'll kill all of those wolves that hurt her."

Youko nodded. "Let's go."

Authors Note-

Oh my, it's been so long since I've written a chapter to this story. I'm so sorry everyone. I've gone to college this year and it's been taking up my life sadly. Don't worry; there is only one more chapter to go! Then hopefully this story will be wrapped up nicely. This might be the last story I write for an anime fandom, I seem to be losing my interest in it and instead gaining interest in Korean drama aha! That seems to be the only thing keeping me sane in college.

In any case, check out my profile for updates and such! The final chapter will be full of good things!

Thank you all so much for your reviews, I hope you liked this chapter!

Until next time!