Kagome felt the edges of black receding as she drearily rubbed her eyes, successfully ridding herself of the Sandman's blissful present. She sat up on her elbows with some difficulty and bleakly took in her surroundings and steadied her wandering eyes when they latched on to a figure sitting quietly in a corner in the chair, resting their head in their hands while they watched her.
Still feeling sore but not feeling the danger of being cornered since they wisely chose to sit in a corner away from the door she then decided not to flee as long as she has Shippo. Although, she didn't want to admit out loud that she most likely would not succeed this time, if memory serves her right, then this time Youko would not allow her to leave and she wouldn't be physically capable of it. Trying to rid her mouth and throat of its dryness she finally found her voice to speak. "So umm, what is the outline of my situation? I mean well, am I your prisoner or something?"
A raised eyebrow and a small teasing smirk entered their lips. Dropping their voice to a seductive quality they decided to indulge her. "You can be anything you want to be, especially concerning our 'alone' time. I'm quite certain we can make many of our fantasies come true if we are both willing." The blush was back full force on her face while she glared at him and clutched the bed sheets to her. "You may do anything but leave without my consent or destroy this place and hold back on any purifying if you will, it makes our skin crawl."
She bit her lip from saying anything further, not entirely certain it would be good to lash out at him. It made sense that she would have to stay around his home since it would only land her in a bad situation and remembering her past regrets for leaving or even giving up, she had decided it best that she just stay lest she wants to end up with fur and/ slave traders, or even with those Lords. Sighing she nodded that she understood but when she looked up, they were no longer in the chair but right in front of her staring at her eyes.
Watching all the emotions flitting across her face he decided he wanted a closer look and to draw out more emotion from them. He watched the understanding look seep into her eyes and prepared himself when she looked up and then SHOCK was her next emotion. Oh how he loved to see the multiple reactions she has. Deciding to spook her a little bit, he leaned forward more and more until finally her arms gave out and she was flat on her back once again. Giving her a toothy smirk he absorbed the glare that settled on her face.
"Don't you have anything better to do than make me feel uncomfortable 24/7?" She pressed. Seeing the weird look he gave her at the end she sighed but before she could say anything he replied.
"Not when you attract so much attention to your self. For now its best that I stay near by and drive you crazy when ever feel like indulging myself in such an event. Other than that I'm sure we could occupy our selves doing many other things." He gave her a suggestive smirk as to just what those 'other things' are.
"You damn horny fox, get off me!" After a few pushes he licked her ear quickly before sitting up on the bed and smirking at her expression. He knew it would get her lightly aroused.
"I assume you would like to get washed up. In the corner over there is a robe you can wear while I lead you to the hot springs." He pointed to the corner by the door and then exited standing right outside the door while he heard her shuffle and put it on. He looked at her from the corner of his eye once she exited and then he began to walk off. He led her down many halls until he finally stopped in front of a shoji screen where steam was rolling out. He slid open the door and walked in checking for anyone else that could be using it. Finding it empty and clean he led her to a more secluded area. "You can bathe here so you have more privacy. I will grab you some clothing and wait outside. The cleaning supplies are located on the rocks." He then turned and left to grab her an outfit that might fit her.
Kagome scrubbed furiously at the grime and traces of blood. She felt disgusting, although she could tell someone had tried to clean her up as much as possible but they couldn't get rid of it all. She remembered Youko cleaning her in animal form and blushed. 'Oh yeah.' She sighed as she began humming while she made certain she was free of all traces of grime. She dunked her head and scrubbed furiously to get the suds out.
She continued on oblivious to Youko standing in the door way listening as he set her clothing down. He couldn't see her but he still enjoyed knowing that she is nude just beyond the scenery across the room. He listened until he could hear her finish and starting to step out of the water. He quietly slid the door open just enough to let him out and then slid it shut and stood outside the door, ears still paying attention to her as he listened to her humming. After a few more minutes he could hear that she was finally dressed and approaching the door. She slid it open and looked up at him while he studied her wet appearance.
He found a sleeping yukata and another robe she could wear until he could get her new clothes. Giving a silent nod of approval for now he led her to the kitchen so she could eat. He watched as she looked at all the different food types and found that she didn't know the majority of what they are. He let her continue to explore while she snack on an orange. She finished the orange and grabbed an apple to eat after that, not trusting much of anything else. After cleaning up she motioned for Youko to continue. He then led her to his chambers where he grabbed a green cape to hide her body and handed her green slippers to go along with it.
She quickly put them both on and followed him once again and this time to the outside. Before she could ask anything he picked her up bridal style and leapt away. "We are going to the village to get you some clothing. I have nothing appropriate for you to wear unless you wish to try and wear the mens clothing again." He teased. The scenery flew by as he continued on. Enjoying her in his arms even if she is perfectly capable of running her self, he was certain her body would be spent quite fast.
Finally he arrived at the village and set her down but immediately put his hand on her lower back, steering her through the crowds with him while he ignored the looks he received. When the crowd got thicker he pulled her close to him, not caring how much she may blush now or fuss later. She is now under his protection and precautions must be taken to ensure her safety and his sanity. Finally spotting what he wanted he brought to one of the market stores and led her inside. Scanning the kimonos and such he began grabbing the ones his mind already picked out and then went to the fighting style outfits and started grabbing an assortment. He grabbed a few slippers for her and told her to pick a few things also. He had just as quickly grabbed an assortment of accessories and other feminine things. He then went to the fancy kimono section and picked a few there that he liked and their slippers and accessories.
Finding that Kagome grabbed a couple he then went to another room and grabbed a couple outfits and things for Shippo, Kuronue, and himself before returning. He scooped up what Kagome had and then went to the owner and set it on his counter. "I would like all of this." He then walked to Kagome and looked down at her while she stared with wide eyes. "Anything else you might like from here?" He watched as she silently shook her head no. Smirking lightly to himself he gently brushed a stray hair out of her face then went back to the counter. He calculated the worth of all the outfits and added it up in his head. He then grabbed a bag of coins from somewhere within the folds of his clothing and tossed it to the man after weighing it in his hand for a second. "Their should be a few extra coins for packaging and a few more for gratitude. We will return shortly to pick them up."
He then placed his hand back at her lower back and lead her to where the food areas are letting her pick out different things and eating others while they walked. He sent a glare in a few directions and ignored all others while he enjoyed his time with Kagome. He paid for a dagger with saphires decorating it and handed it to Kagome, along with a garter. She looked at him puzzled. He then whispered in her ear, "From now on I want you to use the garter to hold the dagger on your thigh so you are not without a weapon."
"Its really pretty Youko, are you sure?" She looked up at him curiously.
"Yes. It reminds me of your eyes and I won't buy you anything less than excepltional to my standards, I have more than enough wealth to support them wither way. A black hilt with a blue shine to it like your hair and saphires reflecting your eyes." He explained, enjoying as she blushed with his description.
"Thank you." She said with a curtsy.
He gave her a tiny smile, reserved for her while he placed his hand back in its spot and continued to lead her around the market. They went around gathering their packages and every time his vines came up and grabbed the package and curled around out and went back underground. Soon they were heading back to the hideout with Kagome back in his arms.
"Youko. Where are the packages?" She questioned, truly wanting to know why they are not carrying them.
"Underground following us. I'm controlling the vines to follow me and protect the packages from harm." He enlightened her.
"Oh." The only thing she could so brilliantly think to say. She let her experience today in a demon market place absorb into her mind while she reflected back. The thoughts she couldn't get out of her mind all pertained to Youko and his behaviour. He was being kind to her and bought her a great deal of things. She wasn't exactly sure what it meant or if she supposed to do something in return. She fell into a deep thought for the rest of the trip back.
He slowed to a stop and turned around and gently set Kagome down while the wine shot out of the ground with the packages intact, scaring Kagome at first. They both grabbed an arm full and proceeded to put them away with Youko in the lead. Once all set and done Youko turned to Kagome and gently grasped her upper arms while staring down at her. "Would you join me this evening for some tea in my study while I go through some scrolls?"
Shocked at the question when she wasn't entirely certain waht to expect, she never expected this. She nodded her agreement, not trusting her voice entirely. She continued to look him in the eye while she noticed he got closer. She felt a light wieght lifted from her shoulders and realized he had taken the cape off her and then noticing his closeness again she closed her eyes and felt him brush his lips against her forehead before hanging the cape in her closet and grabbing a simple, comfortable light blue and silver kimono. "Change into this, you will be more comfortable in this should anyone else come around." He handed her the kimono and left the room, going down the halway a little bit and entering another.
He changed to another top, instead of his normal white one he change to a teal colored one with matching slippers. He then changed into a different pair of white pants and walked back to Kagome's door. She came out right then and led her to the study while he fetched the tea. She settled down by the makeshift fireplace. He came back after a few minutes set the tea on a nearby table. He searched his table that held the scrolls and then joined her on the cushions opening a them up and going over the scrolls with Kagome while they sipped on their tea.
A few hours went by and he pulled her into his embrace while they continued to look over a map making different marks on it while he listened to her read the scroll. He poured them more tea from the 3rd pot and set about finishing up with the scrolls. He could feel the tiredness seeping into her frame. A few minutes later and the scrolls were done and he began telling stories after her pleads for him to do so. A short while later she fell asleep in his arms. He shifted them a bit while he moved the pillows around and grabbed a nearby blanket, draping it across their frames while laid down to rest with Kagome tucked in his embrace.
He stared at the flames what felt like ages, feeling a calm but happy contentness in him. His left hand carressed her silky hair while he let his mind wander until sleep claimed him. His dreams of having a family with the vixen his arms began to spring forth once again. Feeding him ideas on a life he could have and take for him to cherish for the ages to come.