Chapter 1: Underneath My Veil

My name is Atery; Shizokai Atery to be exact. I am currently in the human world incognito. I am wanted in the demon realm for an association with the bandit Yoko Kurama. This accusation is false in its entirety, of course. I've never even seen the bandit Yoko Kurama, but demons just assume that if you and your family are white foxes, then it must mean that we are either related or obliged to help other white foxes. Because that would make complete sense, right? I don't know the criminal and since he is a white fox demon like me, I must help him at all costs. What a load of shit! Well, I suppose I should start you guys out at the beginning of this adventure. Then you too can share in my anger.

Imagine my homeland: the southeastern fox tribe. We are the masters of water and air. We have been a peaceful tribe for many millennia due to our power and strength. The fox demons within this tribe are divided into many rankings, just like a normal society: farmers, hunters, crafters, guards, soldiers, generals, and the royal family. That was where I belonged. I was the youngest of the royal family. It wasn't a misfortune by any means. I enjoyed fooling my maid and escaping into town while my elder brother and I were supposed to be in training sessions.

I knew very well I was not supposed to be there. I stuck out like a sore thumb. I, as well as my family were white foxes and the rest were…well, different colors like red, black, and grey. My father used to tell me that our great grandfather fought against the other kings so that our family would be on top. That's right. My family used to be poor as dirt. We were not hunters because our coats would give us away, so most of our prey would escape. We were not farmers for we had no "green thumbs." We were almost thieves because we could barely manage to live, but we were never thieves. We made compromises with the other families, gaining friends. I was never told what the agreements consisted of, but I supposed it was to be something great since those families helped our family overthrow the current king and queen. It was then that the Shizokai rule began. My father is proud of our history, but I am slightly ashamed. True, great grandfather did it to make our family better off, but my father did not see that we were treating others no better than the kings we overthrew. That was the part that made me want to run away…but it wasn't the reason I did. I was forced to flee to the human world because of an attack on our tribe. Allow me to explain.

I suppose, looking back on it, it was a good thing that I escaped my training to wander through the streets of the town. I don't remember most of that day, actually. What I remember is a thunder-like sound radiating from our castle. I chased after the noise, concerned by all the worried expressions from the demons around me. When I made it to the castle, I observed the broken doors in horror. Something huge must have pounded straight through the large, wooden doors. I ran inside, feeling my heart race as I did so. There were guards slaughtered in the hallways and blood smeared in every direction almost as if something has bitten and torn their flesh off in chunks. Were these dog demons? What would they want with us?

I was taken from my thoughts by a shrill scream…my mother's scream. It sent chills down my spine and my flesh instantly felt cold and covered in goose bumps. Without actually thinking about it, I ran toward the noise and saw my mother pinned against the wall by her neck. The creature hurting her reminded me of a werewolf. It was large, primitive in its large facial features and it produced more growls and snarls than words. It sounded as if it was demanding something of my mother. I was, for lack of a better phrase; petrified in fear for not far from the beast were the bloodied bodies of my elder brother and father. I gasped and took a few steps back. The beast heard me and whipped its head around to leer at me. His eyes were red and thirsty. From his teeth dripped the blood of his victims. My initial reaction was that of disgust. What would possess something so hideous to destroy my family?

"Leave her alone, you bru—ach!" she choked. The beast gripped her throat and threw my mother to the floor behind him before he growled and hurled himself in my direction. What was I supposed to do? My chief weapon –my bladed fans- were in my chambers. I was defenseless. Until my mother, bless her soul, flew toward the black beast and used her body to shield mine. I remember the claw of the beast blasting through her chest just inches from my face. My mother's white fur was stained with her blood. It was such a horrifying experience. Her blood had splattered on my face as well. She wielded her blood into the monsters eyes. She was dying fast though. With every move of the claw, the beast cut deeper and deeper into her chest. I was only able to remember her last word: "Run."

So that's what I did. Without a word in return or an I love you, I ran through the corridors and to my chambers. The blood on the bottom of my sandals left a small trail, but I didn't want to take them off. I needed them for the journey ahead. I slammed the door of my chambers behind me and bolted it. I needed to stall him as long as I could. I grabbed one of my sacks that I had kept under my bed and stuffed it with clothes, some spare gold coins that I kept near my bookshelf, and my weapons: two bladed fans and wicked dagger.

In the distance I heard the angry cry of the beast and I took to the window. I was approximately 3 stories up. I was able to glance at the town below me. Apparently there were eight other beasts that were setting fires to the entire town. I stopped and watched. What in the River Styx was going on? There was a banging on my door. The beast had found my hiding place. I turned to face the door.

"You hid Kurama! The bandit who stole from our clan many moons ago. Prepare to die!" it growled at me from the other side of the door. It was then that my rage grew. WE hid Yoko Kurama? We hated that demon for tainting the fox demon name. But what was I to do? I couldn't fight him. He was too strong to handle if my brother and father could not slay him. Despite my anger, I had to flee. I had to come back when I was stronger and slaughter them all…I would not rest until I did.

I turned back to the window and clambered out of it. I stayed close to the wall, not wanting to fall from that height. I then shimmied to the next open window and hopped in. I was in the maid's chambers. She would have what I needed: portal dust. It was forbidden long ago for portal dust to be distributed so that demons could not pass into the human world, but my maid had confiscated it from my brother when he "found it" in the market place one day. At what cost, I couldn't tell you, but it was probably most of his inheritance.

I heard the crashing of my door down the hall and the angered howl of my pursuer. This was not going to end well. I found the portal powder and smashed its jar container to the ground. The powder flew up and surrounded me. I didn't know what to do with it exactly. Maybe calling out where I wanted to go would be a good start. "Bring me to the human world," I said aloud. My voice cracked as if I had not spoken in years. I winched at its sound, but the powder seemed to register it anyway. It swirled around in a blue, tornado-like swirl and at its center, it was black. There was an obnoxious smell emanating from it, but I jumped in anyway, hoping that it would take me somewhere far from here.

I remember hitting my head against something very hard like stone. I opened my eyes and saw that I was lying in an alleyway. The sky was a dark blue. It must be their nighttime. Sitting up and resting my back against the wall near me, I looked at the portal…where my home was being destroyed. The portal whirled and closed slowly. I watched it intently, knowing that I might never go back to the demon plane. My heart ached and for the first time, I felt tears rush down my face. It was a relief to be out of harm's way, but my family was dead. My tribe was suffering. I was the only one who had escaped…

I heard footsteps coming from the alleyway entrance. I jumped up and peered into the face of a human boy. He had on a black, long-sleeved t-shirt, baggy, black pants and a long, black trench coat. On his head rested a grey beanie with white stripes. I looked down at myself. I was still wearing blood-stained white shirt and long, grey pants. My slippers were a bit dirty, but they looked like I just stepped in a big mud puddle or something…if that puddle would have been red…I realized that my white hair was striking to look at, not to mention my white fox ears and tail were clearly visible at the moment. I had not yet conjured up enough energy to hide them yet.

I heard the man gasp as if frightened by a ghost. I realized that I had to stop him from screaming. If he yelled out about this incident, then I wouldn't be safe any longer. I lunged for him and tackled him to the ground. He squirmed beneath me, but I was able to knock him out before he caused me harm. I dragged him farther into the alley before I decided to take his trench coat and put it on. I buttoned up enough to hide my shirt before I took his beanie and placed it upon my head. I turned. My tail was easily covered and the beanie covered my ears, but I had to keep them almost flat against my head. It wasn't that painful, but it just meant that I wouldn't be able to hear as well as I would have wanted.

I pulled my waist-long, white hair from the coat and let it dangle where it pleased. I had to get out of this area pronto. So I dug through my bag for a gold coin and tossed it on the man's lap. Then that I walked out of the alleyway and into the street. There were not many people around at the time. That was a good thing. I raced across the street and up a rather long flight of stairs. I was almost exhausted when I reached the top. And there rested a traditional Japanese home. It wasn't that that concerned me. For behind the home rested a vast amount of land with trees. Surely this would be an excellent place to hide.

"What are you doing here, girl?" croaked a voice. I stepped back in shock. How had I let this old woman creep up on me? She was short, with light, pink hair. She didn't look like much, but I had a gut feeling that she could and would do serious damage to me.

I gulped and bowed to her in respect. "I am sorry, ma'am, but I was running away from danger."

"Hm. You seem like a pathetic demon to be running around in the human world like that. Why don't you explain this to me inside? I have tea on the stove and I don't want it to be unattended."

Every cell of my body went cold. My heart almost stopped. I straightened up and looked at the woman. How had she known I was a demon? What in the hell was going on? I stood frozen. What was I to do next?

A/N: I love when people give me feedback. I know I haven't gone into much of the YYH realm quite yet, but this was just to get the character into position so I wouldn't have to repeat it later on in the story. Just let me know what you think! Kay?