As the sun began to set, they landed in a clearing of sorts, just off the beaten path of a nearby dirt road; foliage crowded around it, and there was absolutely no one else as far as she could see.
Kagome dropped out of Youko's grasp, and turned to him. "Where are they? Where are we?"
He shrugged at first, but acquiesced under her steady gaze. "I have heard you tell fearsome tales of this group. I merely did not want to appear in the middle of them, with their…accosted friend in my arms."
That was…logical.
"Okay." She admitted, as Kuronue finally landed down next to them. "So, which direction are they?"
Youko turned to the bat-youkai, who pointed behind her. "They are but a few minutes' walk that way." Kuronue said, a gentle smile on his face. "They are setting up a fire I believe."
They're here. It had only been a very brief week, one of the more pleasant pseudo-kidnappings that Kagome had been on, but she wasn't shocked to feel the relief blossom through her at the thought of seeing everyone again.
She was surprised however when Youko roughly pushed her behind him, knocking her off balance enough that Kuronue had to catch her lest she fall. Before she had a chance to give him a piece of her mind – now he decides to play macho demon fiend? – a russet coloured blur launched itself into the clearing…and into Youko.
"Give my Mama back!" It shouted, and Kagome's eyes widened. "She's. Not. Yours."
Each shout was punctuated by a dull thumping noise, and a small growl. She walked up next to Youko, who held Shippo by the tips of his claws; the youkai was admonishing her a disbelieving look, and she wasn't certain she cared to decipher it. She held out her arms, and Youko dropped her son into them.
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AN: Do you know what chapter is next? ;)