Ryu grumbled as he watched Ian glance at him, trying to see his face from under the hood of his robes. He tried to focus on other things to stop the feeling that he was being watch. He focused on the feeling of grass pressing against his bare feet, tickling his soles enough that he remember why he loved to be barefoot. He listened to the sound of the wind blowing through leaves, gently making soft sounds. He could smell…nothing. Well…nothing strong, that was. He was so use to the modern world, where, even a normal human could smell the dirt. Here, it was clean, untouched. His lungs were already turning said air into a gentle fire, warming his body.

And yet, he cold still feel the eyes that were drilling holes through the drab robe he wore, trying to catch a flash of scale or, in neko's case, fur. If they weren't his friends, he would have killed them for looking at him, and tortured them for looking at Neko.

His mate was currently walking beside him, purring contently as the winds tickled her arms. She had opted to be exactly like Ryu: Only a pair of pants kept her form being nude. Of course, that didn't mean she was indecent. Demons like them had built in 'devices' that hid anything normal people would blush at, and only make them appear when they were ready. In this case, Neko's fur served as a big coat.

"I still can't believe…" Ian said quietly, his black hair flying about from the breeze that was kicking up. He turned to glance at Shippo and Kirara, who were happily running about, playing as the group headed for Kaede's village. Ryu and Neko could have made it there already, but since three members of their group now had bodies that weren't use to walking, that meant things were going slowly.

"Kagome." Neko whispered, bringing the Miko between her and Ryu. "Listen…we need to be careful in the village."

"Just keep your hoods up and you'll be ok. I'll explain to Kaede…"

"Not that." Neko said. "I smell youkai…their numbers have grown in our absences…and I don't know how the villagers will react."

"What do you mean?"

"You kinda abandoned them." Ryu said softly, so the others couldn't hear. "And they might blame you all for this, and considering we are bringing back three people that are suppose to be dead…they might think you were just lying."

Kagome paled. "You…you think?"

"I hope not." Neko said. "But still, we must be very careful. Be on guard…they can't hurt you. Ryu and I will see to that. But if we can do this peaceful, all the better." She paused and hissed. "I smell wolves."

"Kouga." Kagome said. "I asked him to continue the shard hunt. He will respect my wishes, and has, from the looks of it. I bet he is guarding the village now." She glanced back at Ian, who was marveling at the trees. "I just hope he doesn't do anything." She turned back, only to see Ryu and Neko stiffen. "What is it…do you smell something up ahead?"

Ryu held out his hand, silencing her and the group. "A welcoming party, my guess is. I suggest we have you go first Kagome, followed by Shippo and Kirara. Neko will cover the front, I will take rear."

Everyone nodded, the three reincarnated friends going to the middle as Ryu looked around to insure there would be not pincer movement. Sensing none, he decided to wait and see how things went.

Soon, the group of men appeared. They were dressed in long shirts and billowing pants made of some rough clothe. In their hands they had swords that were so sad looking Ryu had to force himself not to laugh. They were dull in spots, and stained with dirt and blood.

That last observation made him grow tense again. The swords might look strange…but considering himself, a lot of things were strange.

The leader of the group had long black hair and large jowls, giving him a gruff appearance even if he were smiling and playing a pin ball machine. He was just taller then Kagome, but was built solid and tough. He glared at Kagome through tiny eyes that were nearly hidden from the world, thanks to his bushy eyebrows. The miko shifted, but smiled.

"Good evening." She said cheerfully. "How are you?"

The leader frowned. "New comers." He muttered. "You must turn away. You can not past this way."

Kagome nodded. "Oh. Ok, do you know the way to get to the village then not going this way?"

"You don't understand little girl." Another said, wearing a helmet that looked like it had been made out of scrap iron. "You can't go to our village."

"Your village?" Shippo asked.

"That's right. We have taken over for that miko, she was feeling tired. Now…" He held out his hand. "You need to pay the fee for trespassing."

Kagome shook her head. "I am going to see Kaede!" She took a step forward, and was grabbed by a burlier man, someone who stank so bad Kagome gagged. He grinned through yellow teeth and licked his lips.

"She's a spit fire! I say she be our fee!"

That was the last thing he said.

Neko's nails dripped red blood onto the group, Kagome falling in a jumble, the mans body falling away…his head still soaring in the air from Neko's slash. All the men looked at her and growled.

"Looks like the little girl has a bodyguard. Let's take her too! She'll make a good prize." Another man said, leering at Neko.

"Oh god." Mark said, closing his eyes and diving for cover. He knew what was coming, and didn't want to see it. Even he wasn't stupid enough to dare to leer at Nicole/Neko…

ROOOOOAARRRR!

All of the men felt their bowels open as Ryu cast off his robes and his wings lifted him from the ground. His claws were out, his teeth shining in the moon light. They had, since taking over the village, only met with that stupid demon wolf. Luck had been on their side, for they had never fought him, and enjoyed uninterrupted fun. Now, an enraged youkai was glaring at them, who looked nothing like that annoying running-wolf-boy.

It was then that the leader noticed something that made his blood chill, mainly because this would most likely be the last thing he noticed before death. The mating mark on Neko and Ryu's neck. Leave it to his men to suggest raping the mate of a dragon Youkai….and by the appearance of the creature, he feared it was a taiyoukai…perhaps even the one the village had spoke of. He only prayed that the monster would be nice enough to kill them quickly.

Ryu's eyes….they lost even the slightly show of humanity. He didn't even bother with his sword. A cut from Suohdanna was too nice for them.

Instead, Ryu dove at them as Neko leapt away with Kagome. The others turned away as they heard a sickening crunch, one of the men's screams silenced forever. Ryu was now slashing, moving with a speed that was even give Neko problems. Limbs were falling allover the place, the scent of blood filling everone's nose as Ryu let out bellows of war and challenge. So strong was the stench of death that Shippo threw up, and no one noticed. Ryu was in blood lust, his mate's honor threatened, and even the devil would fall for daring to interfere.

Finally, Ryu stood over the leader of the group. The man was lacking all his limps…Ryu's claws had seen to that. And his fires had sealed the wounds…keeping the man alive.

Neko walked over, her robes also cast off, as she grabbed the man by the throat and hissed. "I want to skin him." She said, raising her claws. Her hand moved, but Ryu stopped her, shaking his head. "But Ryu…." She whined, suddenly sounding more like a teenaged human then a demoness.

"Not all of his…skin his stomach…and only enough so blood leaks out." He turned, and digged into his pack as Neko set to work. "Kagome, go to the village. No one will attack you for the rest of the way."

"What are you going to do?" kagome asked, her voice small with fright. Ryu looked at her, his eyes sad for a brief moment.

"Show him why I am a monster." He said softly.

Kagome nodded softly, and the group walked away. The man screamed, begging them to come back, to talk sense into the two demons. Ian, still disgusted, but angered at what had almost happened, looking at Neko.

"Make sure your nails are dull." He said, before hurrying after them. He didn't know why he suggested that…must have something to do with his old self.

The man looked at the two demons as they stood over him. "What are you going to do?" He wailed. The way those two grinned….

"Nothing." Ryu said calmly. But before the leader of the gang could sigh with relief, Ryu took out a strange bottle from his pack…what modern people would call honey. "But blood and sugar tend to attract bugs…and bigger things."

The man began to wiggle hard as Neko leaned down. He now only had one hope, one prayer.

May he pass out before the bugs came to feed.