Kagome bristled, eyes narrowed as she made her way through the Shadow Realm also known as the Demon Realm. What should have been an exciting discovery was dampened by her having to track down that rude fox Tomoe.

He was throwing yet another tantrum, he had insulted her, and she'd returned with as much venom. And, even though he more than deserved it, Kagome felt bad. She usually wasn't one who "hit 'em when they're down," but for whatever reason, it had riled her up. So here she was, trekking through what definitely was a dangerous part of this realm, all in an attempt to apologize and hopefully initiate a truce between them.

Kagome walked slowly despite Kotetsu and Onikiri's urgency. Her eyes were drawn to the dark shadows that loomed high above like foreboding black clouds and the many lights that set the older style of buildings aglow. There was a shimmer of magic and youki that twinned through the air; it was like walking through a thick fog that hung heavy on her shoulders.

She wanted desperately to stop and look, to gaze upon what she had once thought as lost. Excitement and longing bloomed in her chest, fanned by a need to find what she could of the past.

But she pushed it down, afraid of what she might find- or not find.

Rounding a corner, Kagome was surprised by the sudden shift in atmosphere, and a red hue washed the traditional buildings and cobblestone walkways. It made her feel as if she had stepped into the Taisho Era. And for as alluring as it was, Kagome couldn't help the disgust that began to broil in her gut.

According to Onikiri and Kotetsu, this was where she'd find him. Her eyes were practically glowing with anger as she stared at the building. "On top of being an ass, he's a pervert!" She hissed loudly. It was clear as day that this was the red-light district, and this was a place where one could find some "company."

Even without following the spirits, Kagome would have been able to locate him, having felt his youki from outside. She slowed at the sound of his voice, pausing at the door as Tomoe spoke loudly.

Her name came spewing from his mouth as if the very taste of it was disgusting, her species being used as an insult. It was nothing new, she had been called a dozen awful things in a single breath by countless youkai before, yet it stung all the same. He was talking about her, each word dripping with venom and unjust hate. Kagome could feel herself trembling, a mix of hurt and rage swirling in her chest.

The two spirits groveled before the kitsune, hanging from him and begging desperately for Tomoe to return with them to the shrine- to their home. "Please, Master Tomoe, you must return to the shrine and become Lady Kagome's familiar!"

"Don't you care?!"

"I don't," Tomoe spat. "Why should I lower myself to being the familiar of such an incompetent girl and sorry excuse for a Land God." She could hear him take a long drink. "From now on, I will live in leisurely comfort and lust."

"Please, Master Tomoe!"

"Leave me at once; as I said, I could care less what happens to that shrine and definitely that girl."

"Is your ego so fragile?" Kagome snapped, stepping from the darkness of the hall and into the doorway. Tomoe looked at her with wide eyes. She was rather pleased to see him shaken, his mouth open, and looking every bit as guilty as he should. Of course, it didn't last long, but it made her feel better, taking away some of the pity she'd originally felt. "I called you out, offered you a truce, and this is how you act? I may be human, but that doesn't give you the right to treat me like dirt! And you might not like the situation, but that doesn't give you the right to act like a child or to treat Kotetsu and Onikiri rudely when all they've done is worry about you!" She found herself yelling, chastising the fox, and his childish behavior.

"Enjoy your life of depravity." She spat, and then she walked away.

"Lady Kagome! Wait!" One of the spirits cried, but she didn't stop, choosing to continue down the path the spirits had led her moments before.

As she marched back, Kagome was grabbed at by several demons, their long-clawed fingers digging into her clothes. With a sneer, Kagome drew forth her reiryoku, the energy layering her body like a thin coat, making any demon release her with a sharp shout.

"Someone like you is a free feast to these barbarians." Kagome could feel a growl rising in her throat as she slowly turned to the kitsune at her back. He stood, looking down his nose at her, his kimono fixed and neatly in place as he extended a hand out to her. "I'll take you back."

Kagome smacked his hand. "I didn't ask for your help!"

Tomoe snatched back his hand, holding the now reddened appendage to his chest. "Someone like you, who can't even protect herself, dares to act cheeky!?"

"Your one to talk!"

"If I leave you alone, you'll be eaten by these creatures in no time!"

"I'm more than capable of taking care of myself!" Kagome found herself yelling back, caught up again in her own anger. This kitsune just had a way of making her see red.

"You're a powerless girl with a Land God's power. You're like a duck waiting with onions inside a pot- BUT THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ME!" He shouted in her face.

"If your so done with me, then leave me alone!" Kagome screamed back.

"Um…" Kotetsu started, Onikiri hiding behind him. "Can we go back soon?"

"Hurry!" Tomoe sneered. "I don't care if she cries and clings to me! Even if she begs, I won't come back!"

Kagome rolled her eyes. "As if, goodbye Tomoe." And then she walked away, Onikiri and Kotetsu rushing to keep up with her.

"Lady Kagome, we must go back!" Onikiri begged, her small hands clenching at Kagome's skirt.

Pausing, Kagome took a deep breath, taking a moment to calm herself. They had been walking for a while. They had long since passed through the youkai town and were now wandering through the surrounding forest.

"You must make Master Tomoe your familiar!" Kotetsu encouraged. "Then he'll be forced to obey you!"

Kagome studied the small spirit before squatting next to him. "Obey me, how?"

The spirits nodded quickly. "That's one of the powers of a Land God. You just have to kiss him."

Her face had to have said it all. A wave of nausea and disgust twisting her face and guts. At that point, she couldn't even hear what else the spirits had to say, instead, she stood and went right back to walking.