Forever, Fornever

By Yami Yue

Chapter One

I pulled my cloak tighter about me as the icy winter wind blew, swirling snow around me. Desperately, I looked around for shelter from the storm, but finding none I trudged on through the snow. I was growing tired, my body was screaming for rest that I could not give. I knew I had to find shelter soon or I would die in this horrid snowstorm.

My body decided it would take no more and I collapsed to the frigid snow covered ground. I struggled to get up but my body wouldn't obey, seeking the rest it needed. Sleep sought to overtake me and I fought valiantly to stay awake and get back on my feet, but I began to fall into the void. "I'm going to die," I thought as I faded into darkness.

I opened my eyes slowly, awakening to the sunlight that assaulted my eyes. I realized with a start that I was warm and in a soft bed. Someone had saved me.

"So, you're finally awake," a soft voice said. I turned my head and my eyes beheld the most gorgeous creature I'd ever seen. A tall silver haired yoko sat in the large chair by the fireplace. His soft, fuzzy, fox's ears were erect, surrounded by the silver hair atop his head. His silver hair looked soft as silk and grew long, framing his handsome face. His golden eyes shone with cunning, and wisdom beyond the years he appeared. I suspected he had a body like a god under the gauzy white tunic he wore.

A book was in his lap, held open by the thumb of his left hand. He placed a marker inside the book and stood, setting the book aside before walking toward the bed. "How do you feel?" he asked. "Tired," I confessed. "You look as though you've been traveling for quite sometime, and haven't had much food lately. Your body probably just needs lots of rest, and plenty of food," the yoko commented.

He was right. I had been traveling for quite sometime. With no money I had to steal whatever food I did get or hunt. Now that winter had come, game was scarce and it was much harder to steal from the shops that actually sold food this time of year than from the numerous street vendors who were only present in the warmer months. In short food had been quite scarce lately.

"You might as well stay for a while," the yoko said. "You need rest and that snowstorm outside doesn't look like it will let up anytime soon," he added. I would have argued but he did have a point. Besides, I had nowhere to stay anyway. At least I would be warm and comfortable for a short while before I'd have to head out into the chill of winter to find another shelter.

"I don't take charity," I said. The yoko's golden eyes glittered with amusement as he shrugged his shoulders. "In that case you'll just have to forgive me for taking you in when I found you half frozen to death in the snow," he replied. "If you feel yourself in debt to me for bringing you in, that's no business of mine," he added. "Why did you save me?" I asked. The yoko shrugged. "I couldn't just leave you out there to die. I'm not that cold hearted, no matter what everyone else says," he replied. "Get some sleep. You need it," he said, then turned, retrieved his book and left the room.

I decided to heed his advice and closed my eyes. Normally I would not be so unguarded around anyone. Somehow this yoko seemed different. I felt drawn to him. I actually felt safe around him. That had never happened before. Not even the band of thieves that raised me had made me feel safe. I did feel indebted to this yoko and I intended to pay my debt to him in full.

When I awoke again the yoko was not in the room. I didn't sense him either. Curious, I climbed out of bed and padded out of the room. I quickly discovered that I was in a lavishly decorated home. Obviously the yoko was well off or the servant of someone who was. I decided to explore the place a bit since I did not sense anyone around at all. I encountered two more bedrooms. One had been converted into a small library, the other was obviously the master suite. I didn't explore these rooms. I merely peeked my head in to see what they were and moved on. After all I didn't want to be caught snooping.

I spotted something unusual about the wall at the end of the hallway. At first glance it would have appeared that ivy had somehow managed to grow against the wall, except that it was parted, revealing a dim stairwell. My curiosity got the better of me and I headed down the stairs. Small plants lined the stairs, each giving off a soft yellow glow.

Once I reached the bottom of the stairs I found myself in a large cavern. Tunnels led away from the stairs in several directions, though only one was lit up by the strange flowers that lit up the stairwell. I followed the tunnel to an enormous chamber at its end. My eyes widened at the shelves filled with numerous objects. All of them were valuable. At the bottom of each shelf were large baskets filled with coins that were either gold, silver, or copper, or with various precious and semiprecious stones or pearls. I leaned down to inspect one of the massive baskets and found it filled with gold jewelry, the one next to it was filled with silver.

Suddenly I felt something around my ankle, but before I could look to see what it was I was hoisted up into the air. I cursed as I saw several thick green vines heading for me and reached for my sword only to find that it wasn't there. Suddenly I was being lowered gently to the ground.

"It isn't wise to alert the guards when in unfamiliar territory," came the yoko's soft voice from another entryway. "Especially the ones that intend to have you as their next meal," he added pointing upward. I looked up to see that what I thought were vines were in fact the tentacles of a very lethal Makai plant. "No plant is a match for fire kitsune," I responded as I turned to face him. The yoko smiled and reached out to gently stroke one of the plant's long tentacles. "Perhaps, but this plant possesses a very deadly poison. Even if you did burn it the poison would be released into the air and kill you anyway," He said. "If it didn't inject it into you first of course,"

"Who are you?" I demanded. The yoko's smile widened as he withdrew his hand from the plant. His eyes danced with amusement. "My name is Kurama. Who might you be?" he answered.

I was shocked to discover that this was the legendary bandit, the Makai's King of thieves. I tried not to let my face show it however. "Hiei," I said in answer to his question. "Are you hungry Hiei? I have some food cooking upstairs. It should be done by now," he inquired. I gave a slight nod of my head. He motioned for me to follow him.

The yoko moved with a grace I had not seen in anyone before. It was true what was said of him. Kurama was devastatingly handsome. He had a regal air about him wrapped in mystique and sensuality. I wasn't surprised that I was drawn to him. He had earned my trust for the moment as well. It was clear that if he had wanted me dead I would have been already.

I was fascinated as I noticed the flowers that illuminated our path went out as we passed. I couldn't remember ever seeing plants like those before. Kurama turned to look over his shoulder at me. "They're lamp weeds," he informed me. "My energy activates them, and as I move away they go out," "Will they turn on with anyone else's energy?" I asked. "Another plant wielder might be able to, but I've formed quite a bond with my plants so even that is questionable," he answered as we reached the top of the stairs.

It was then I realized how quiet the house was. Weren't there any members of Kurama's band of thieves around? Sure some had to be on guard duty or something, but I didn't see or sense anyone and it was odd. I decided to just ask rather than endure the nagging curiosity that had been slowly building within me. "Where is everyone?" I asked. "There is no one else here but you and me," Kurama answered. "You say you are the legendary bandit, but where is your band of thieves?" I questioned. "They abandoned me," Kurama answered.

I wasn't expecting that. I tried not to let my face show my shock. I doubt that it succeeded. It didn't matter since Kurama never turned to look at me. What could have happened to make a band of thieves abandon their leader? "What happened?" I asked him before I could stop myself. "My second in command died during our last heist. The men believed that I could have saved him, but instead let him die," Kurama answered as we entered the kitchen. "Did you leave him to die?" I asked as he began washing his hands at the sink. "No." Kurama said softly. "As much as I wanted to save him I couldn't," he added.

He washed his hands and dried them as I seated myself at the table. Kurama then dished up a bowl of the hot soup that had been cooking over the hearth. It smelled wonderful. " It's vegetable soup. I'm sorry I don't have heartier fare, but the hunting this time of year isn't very good," Kurama said as he set a bowl down in front of me. I quietly thanked him and began eating. My eyes widened the moment I tasted the soup. Not only was the fox a master thief he was a good cook as well. "Is it alright?" Kurama asked softly. I swallowed. "It's better than alright. If you keep feeding me like this you might not get rid of me," I replied. Kurama smiled. "If you wish to stay, I don't mind. I could use the company," he said.

I raised my eyes to meet his, trying to determine if he was serious or not. "If you're serious I wouldn't mind staying for a while. I could learn a lot from you," I responded. "I thought you were a fellow thief," Kurama remarked. "A swordsman too, by the look of your hands," he added. I gave a slight nod, wondering how he knew I was a thief. Maybe I'd said too much. "Apparently I'm better with my sword than I am at stealing," I grumbled under my breath. Kurama chuckled. "I can remedy that, provided you're willing to learn and work hard," he said. "What do you wish in return?" I asked. "Your companionship would be enough, but if you truly wish to do something in return for me teach me what you know about the art of wielding a sword," he answered.

I raised an eyebrow. It was the only thing I seemed to truly do well. "Why would a plant wielder want to learn how to use a sword?" I asked. "I always enjoy picking up a new skill," Kurama said. I shrugged. "Fine, then we have a deal," I responded. Kurama smiled and held his hand out to me for me to shake. I shook his hand sealing the deal.