"This is a shit show," Nanami says, startling Satoru out of his thoughts. "First the school and now this." Nanami reaches into his pocket and pulls out a pack of cigarettes.

"Thought you gave that up," Satoru remarks. He can't stand the smell of smoke, but he understands why Shoko and Nanami reach for them. One way to control how you die.

Nanami lights the cigarette, his dark eyes focused on the mess in front of them. "They nearly wiped out the Gojo clan." The words hang in the air between them before Nanami continues. "What's stopping them from wiping out the other clans?"

Satoru frowns, his hands stuffed in his pockets. "Nothing," he says. The impact of Nanami's words sends him recoiling within himself. Simply being the strongest is not enough. His strength did not stop this attack. They kidnapped Kagome in front of him and he couldn't stop it. "Naraku was only a half-demon, and he was able to cause this much destruction." The floors are still stained red and purple. The bodies that Yakeru lit on fire still burn blue. He's been in some creepy places, but there's something about those blue flames that has his skin crawling.

Maybe it's seeing the aftermath in the light?

Or maybe it's knowing that Yakeru was passed out in the guest room when he left and yet his flames are still going strong?

Nanami sighs. The smoke mingles with the metallic smell in the air. "Half. So, these things can reproduce with humans? What kind of damage could a full demon do?" Nanami takes another pull from his cigarette. "And what kind of person would willingly lie down with one of these things?"

Satoru's eyes twitch behind his blindfold as an image of Yakeru's face comes to the forefront. "They aren't all bad," he chokes out. It pains him to admit it, but he could see how someone could fall for Yakeru on looks alone.

"You know more of them? And you haven't gotten rid of them?"

He shrugs. What was he supposed to say? That he was too whipped? That all Kagome has to do is bat those pretty eyes at him and he'd gladly throw away the key for her? "Like I said, not all of them are inherently bad, like curses. We need to play this smart. Get the good ones on our side."

"And how do you propose we do that?" Nanami puts out the cigarette and pulls out a small bag from his jacket pocket. He deposits the used cigarette into the bag before promptly putting it back in his pocket.

"Thanks for not littering," Satoru says.

Nanami ignores him. "It's not as though you know of some secret demon village."

"Oh Nanami!" he exclaims, throwing himself at the stoic sorcerer. "I could kiss you!"

"I'll punch you."

Satoru pulls back. "Nanami," he says solemnly. "You'll never find a woman with that attitude." He laughs at the look of outrage on Nanami's face.

"Turn off your infinity."

"Let's make a stop by my house. Yakeru should be up by now."

"Who?"

"Oh?" Satoru tilts his head. "I didn't tell you about the fox demon at my house?"

"I'm going to murder you."

"Get in line," he sings, grabbing Nanami's hand and teleporting them away. To be honest, he couldn't stand staying at the estate a moment longer. The ruins were a physical reminder of how he failed those that depended on him.

He teleports them to the genkan area. "Honey, I'm home!" he yells, right in Nanami's ear. Satoru slides out his shoes and follows the sound of laughter. There's a spike of cursed energy behind him.

Yakeru turns around on the barstool, his green eyes sparkle with mischief. His hair is completely down, falling down his back with small waves. It really does pain Satoru to admit that the fox is a looker. "Welcome home, honey," Yakeru coos, puckering up his lips. His tails swish back and forth behind him.

Satoru flinches and drags his gaze towards Kagome. "Where'd Gumi go?" He walks over and kisses her on the forehead.

"He got a mission while you were out. He's with Yuji and Nobara. Buyo Jr. went with him, of course." She leans into him. "Hi, Nanami-san. Satoru isn't pestering you too much, I hope." Kagome smiles at Nanami. Her hair is piled messily on top of her head. The carefree look only enamored him further.

"No more than usual," Nanami replies, his eyes glued to Yakeru. "What kind of spell did you cast on this one?" He asks, jerking his thumb at Satoru.

Yakeru laughs. "I'm not the one going around calling myself a sorcerer." He turns back around, dismissing Nanami.

"Anyway," Kagome stresses, "How is Cho doing?"

"Still traumatized," he says, not paying attention to his words. Nanami is glaring holes in Yakeru's back, while Yakeru amuses himself with a spinning top. Kagome pokes him in the side. "S-sorry. Shoko said she'd give me a ring when I should come back."

"Were her parents…"

"I'm assuming so. I couldn't find them." He knows before she opens her mouth, so he answers first. "Yes. She is technically a Gojo." Kagome beams up at him. His heart flutters at the silent praise. He would have taken Cho in, regardless.

"At this rate, you two are going to need your own town," Yakeru remarks, turning halfway.

"Is there a demon town?" Nanami asks, which Yakeru ignores. A vein bulges on Nanami's forehead. Kagome pulls out of his embrace and marches over to Yakeru. She slaps him on the back of his head and plants her hands on her hips.

"Don't be rude," she lectures. Yakeru just looks at her like a dejected puppy. She leans in further and then slaps her palm to Yakeru's forehead. "You don't have a fever," she mutters. "What's gotten into you?"

"Poison?"

"Not funny."

"So, you do have a town of nothing but demons," Satoru interjects. "And a hotel," he adds as an afterthought.

"We foxes have the hotel you stayed at and naturally the surrounding area." Yakeru spins the top. "Others have towns, preferring to stay away from humans, and some like the city life."

"What you're saying is that your kind is scattered about," Nanami speaks up.

"No more than you humans are."

"You are insufferable."

"Wow!" Satoru claps his hands. "You two bicker like old friends." A far too wide grin breaks across his face. "Now, Yakeru. You realize that the Gojo clan is nearly wiped out now —"

"Naraku and Yumi were the only ones stupid enough to go after you directly. You see failure, whereas any smart demon sees the consequences of attacking you."

"I was thinking more along the lines of the other clans." Nanami raises a brow at him. Satoru scoffs. "Just because I don't like the other clans doesn't mean I want to see innocent people being killed."

"My allegiance is to Kagome - not to these other clans," Yakeru says. "I will help the best that I can, but no one is going to go out of their way to protect these others. Especially when some of them have willingly fucked demons that wish to see the world burn."

"If it concerns Satoru, then it concerns Kagome-san," Nanami says.

"You think far too black and white," Yakeru retorts. "Overstepping is how one gets killed."

"Coward."

"If you two are going to fight, at least take it outside," Satoru says with a sigh.

"Who don't you want to anger?" Kagome asks, taking a seat next to Yakeru. Satoru clucks his tongue. He didn't even think of that.

Yakeru lets out a big sigh. His shoulders slump forward. "I got word earlier that he's coming back because of all the trouble Naraku kicked up."

"Who?" Nanami asks.

"I dare not say his name. Rumor has it that just by saying his name, your head will roll off your shoulders."

"This has been a waste of time." Nanami looks at his watch.

"He must be very strong," Kagome says, softly. "And he sounds like a fair leader if he's coming back because of the things that Naraku has done."

"Sound more like this so-called leader should have taken care of Naraku in the beginning," Nanami argues.

Satoru places his hands on Kagome's shoulders, giving her a small squeeze. "Nanami's just grumpy because he didn't get his bread."

"Shut up, Satoru."

"He's been away overseas. Naraku kept a low profile until…," Yakeru trails off, making eye contact with Kagome.

"You aren't going to tell us his name, are you?" Nanami pinches his nose. Yakeru looks Nanami up and down.

"Nope."

Satoru's phone buzzes in his pocket. He pulls it out, scowling instantly. "The higher-ups want to meet," he says, answering the wordless question in the air.

"About what?" Kagome asks.

"That's a good question."


A/N: Next chapter, our favorite trio faces off against the cursed womb paintings. I could be biased, but I think the Shibuya arc is going to be so much fun :) Thank you guys so so much for the support. Here's to more fanfictions of this pairing. Who do you think Yakeru is so afraid of?