I will be using some of my already created character from my other stories. I wanted to let you know I have been also slowly going through my older chapters and completed stories and making the necessary corrections but don't worry about anything changing, just making it flow better.

Ebony

Chapter 9

The men headed out, searching the local taverns as they had a few drinks and occasionally joining in on conversations, purposely talking about beautiful women to see what might come out. When they gathered their Intel and moved to a few more taverns they returned back to Youko, the majority hearing about a demon that sold them a special powder to put in a hot spring they frequent so they can get an eyeful and even join a woman in the spring as she rested. The demon described as a travelling pervert looking out for his fellow male demons. Nothing was ever mentioned of how to wake them back up so they were left with not much to go on.

Aki approached Youko; he realized this would be important just in case anything happens. "Youko," he drew his attention to him as Youko was going through scrolls in his study. He gave a nod for him to continue on, having his full focus, "while you have been away Kagome has been feeling a shadowy presence, I have felt it too. I don't know how often or how many times, just that it occurs around Kagome. This could be unrelated but it would be best to keep a look out for it."

"Show me the last time you felt this presence," they both left the room; heading outside he led him up to a tree branch just outside of the wall. Youko placed his hand down and felt it for any strange signatures. It was a bit muddled, meaning this demon can control the shadows. It could be a kitsune curious about Kagome or it could be some shadow that has some motive for watching her. "This demon can control shadows but I cannot make out if it is a kitsune or another type. I want to be notified immediately next time, try not to give away that you know."

With the discussion ended they headed their separate ways. Aki spent time with Shippo, trying to keep his mind off of the sleeping women but it was harder than he thought it would be. Still he did his best, making him busy with all sorts of thoughts and things to work on with his powers. The little kit is a quick study, most likely from the harsh life handed to me. At least now his mother figure is a kitsune too so if she mates another kitsune it would be almost like having his parents back. Really, he felt strongly for them both but he just wasn't sure where it will go. Youko had her under his protection but never claimed her so like the demon at the market said, she is single. With her under the sleeping potion he will have time to think on his thoughts of possibly pursuing her.

All went quiet around the castle, small discussions being murmured occasionally but not much else. Kuronue sat with a drink in his hand as he kept his partner company. Really, it is mainly the honor they do have that has them trying to figure this out and the fact some perverted demon sold this to Kagome who is under Youko's protection. It became a slight against him the second it was sold to her with the bag labeled falsely.

"He needs me," she mumbled.

A demon in the room looked at her before shrugging his shoulders and going back to his thoughts. "He keeps say it," she mumbled once again, "he needs me." He walked around the other women before he went and checked on her, she appeared fine but her strange mumbling had him wondering what is going on, she has been targeted a lot. "I need to go soon, he needs me." Making up his mind his feet patted down the hallways until he reached the study. "Youko, you should come check on Kagome, something is going on."

Indigo and gold eyes looked at him sharply before they both got up to see what is wrong. They appeared in the room within seconds, both looking down at the woman before they crouched down, looking for a trace of anything wrong. When the demon appeared in the doorway they almost gave him a glare but then they heard her mumble something unintelligible. They sat with bated breath as every few moments she mumbled something, occasionally tossing her head around.

"He needs me, it's almost time."

"He keeps say it, he needs me."

"I have to go to him."

That put them on edge and she began to stir more but they sat there crouched waiting to hear and see more, see if she sleeps again, wakes up, or is under control. "I need to go soon, he needs me, he really needs me." After a while of these mantras going on they ended up making themselves more comfortable. The others slept peacefully but she steadily began to toss and turn in her sleep, constantly mumbling about some male. It grated on Youko's nerves as he continued to listen to it but couldn't sense anything yet.

Aki came in, notifying him that he had sensed the shadowy presence once again and that was when things changed as she stilled. "He needs me now, it's time to go, I have to go now." They watched her get up to leave slowly. He had forgotten she is still nude, the towel falling off her form as she slowly made her way to standing. Kuronue went to stop her but Youko stopped him and growled at the demons in the room making them all turn their heads away from her. He quickly took his shirt off and draped it over her form to preserve some modesty for her and keep his sanity. With small steps she began to walk out of the room and to the door, somehow being guided but as Youko took a look at her face he could see her eyes were partially open but they didn't look alert.

He hid his energy and aura, not wanting to be sensed as he watched her slowly make her way through the castle and towards an exterior door. He held back as she walked straight out and towards the forest, he signaled for Aki and Kuronue to go out the other doors, knowing they will hide their presence in the forest as Youko waited for his time to move. The shadowy presence in the trees is visible to him now and he watched Kagome walk straight towards him. She only had ten steps to go until she will reach the wall and be almost right under the demon. He tensed as she made it there, shadows coming up to swallow her up.

With the quick reflexes he has had the time to strengthen over centuries he called his plants to wrap around the demon and her feet. His foliage came to life, showing their teeth and reaching towards the demon before halting at the commands of their master. Youko stepped out of the shadows just as Aki and Kuronue landed on nearby branches. The demon was brought to light as he pulled him from the shadows to see a male kitsune demon, the same breed as Kagome. Purple and gold clashed, Youko called his vines to bring Kagome back to him where his left arm snaked around her waist, holding her to him. "I am not too surprised at my findings. So you are the one stalking her, one that is under my protection and on my territory. I would think another kitsune would know just how possessive and territorial I can be."