A thief moved swiftly in the night, running from hunters that wished to stop him. Ninja's they were, they wanted to kill him. They feared him. There was a time he would have liked that fear, he had grown up learning to feed on that fear. But now that fear had led to madness, and the ninja's chased him. They had wounded him; his five tails drenched more in his blood than theirs. He did not want to die, and he sang this into the air. His plants responded to his call, and with flashing golden eyes he turned to fight. They had been lucky; his strength depleted by the fight with the forest ninja's earlier this week. Sharp teeth went for their throats and he cut them down just as their weapons cut into him. The last of his Chakra gave out, and Youko died with a saddened howl, his story ringing across the mountain.

But all was not lost, for one of his pursuers bore a soulless child…


Kurama Minamino smiled down at his little brother, who was tugging at his hand continually. Eventually he gave in and let himself be led down the street. Shuiichi was going on about something, absolutely excited and Kurama let himself bask in the warmth of the boy's chatter. He had been fascinated with them as a fox, and now as a human he was obsessed. Though the focus was different in both cases, as a fox he had liked to see what imposed fear, anger, how much tortures the body could take, and so on. As human, he liked inducing the other side of the emotional spectrum, mostly at first because he hadn't wanted to be overly noticed, then because he liked the reaction. While living like this was suffocating most of the time, some times (times like this, for example) he found it relaxing.

"Look, Niisan, look! You're on the list!"

"Well." Kurama said, not really sure what else to say. "That's surprising."

"Nuh uh!" The boy protested. "You're the top of your year; I bet they rigged the drawing so you would go."

"Shuiichi," Kurama started reasonably. "Kohona said they wanted Shinobi from all levels and years. Besides, if they had rigged it, Yuusuke wouldn't be on the list." Kurama finished, knowing that said person was lounging behind him and trying to look over his shoulder without seeming interested.

"Hey!" The black haired ninja responded immediately, before turning quickly to see if he really was on the list. "Wahoo! Oh yeah, I am so going to gloat to Kuwabara!" Kurama scanned the rest of the list, going over the names. Master Genkai of course, and Jounins Koenma and Shizeru. Oh yes, Kuwabara is going to blow a blood vessel over this, his sister and Yuusuke going. Then there was himself and Hiei, the Chounin, as well as Yuusuke, Keiko, and Botan, the Genin. They certainly got all the sides of their village with this one. This field trip to Kohona the Hidden Village of the Leaf was going to be interesting.


Genkai had put out a bulletin the next day announcing exactly what to wear, bring, not bring, and where and when to meet before setting off to Kohona. Kurama pulled on his uniform, beige pants and long sleeved shirt under a dark green tunic with the ends falling just below his knees and slits up the sides to his hips. A black belt was tied snug around his waist and a katana hung off his left hip, a long brown leather whip at the small of his back with kunai holsters on each forearm. His ankles were wrapped tightly and covered in thin black slippers with hard soles. Finally his headband was tied around his upper right thigh, inscribed metal facing outward. This was the uniform of his village. The Hidden Village of the Spirit.

Kurama arrived at the designated spot fifteen minutes early. Master Genkai was already there, and Koenma walked up a couple minutes later. Hiei appeared just after him, dropping out of the trees. Botan and Keiko arrived five minutes early, and Shizeru strolled in thirty seconds late. Keiko and Botan looked like they were going to have a heart attack, both shocked that the woman was anywhere close to on time. Yuusuke arrived last, four minutes late and gasping out excuses. Genkai said nothing, just insisted she check their bags.

As she did so, Kurama took the time to survey the people he would spend the next year with. They all wore identical outfits, mission clothes. Each person, however, fastened their headband in a different place and carried slightly varied weapons. Hiei, Shizeru, and Koenma wore their headbands across their foreheads; both Keiko and Botan wore them around their waists (Keiko with the symbol at her back, Botan with it facing forward), and Yuusuke wore his on his right upper arm, metal plate turned outward. Kunai and katana were constants, all must wear those. Some also carried specialized weapons as well, like his whip. Keiko was training with a short staff, while Koenma carried a bow and arrow set. Shizeru had a large throwing star slung across her back and the rest either liked katana or preferred their hands. He'd have to watch their fighting style on this trip, Kurama only knew Hiei well, and then only because they'd been partnered as Genin. That was unacceptable for this. Genkai handed their large packs back and gave her head a jerk before setting off downhill with the rising sun at their backs.


They had only been away from the mountain for two days before it happened. Kurama was walking with Hiei, neither talking. It was Shizeru who stilled first, head cocked to the side like she was listening. Her two former students stopped to watch her, recognizing the pose. Koenma pulled out his bow, but didn't move for an arrow. Genkai did nothing. It was then that he felt it, a flicker along his awareness. Many powerful Chakras and all were approaching fast.

"They're trying to surround us." Hiei said aloud, loosening the katana at his waist.

"What the hell are you guys going on about?"

"There are a large number of Shinobi approaching at great speeds, Yuusuke."

"All my training has been for nothing if you can't sense that, dimwit." Genkai finally spoke, but the tone was subdued. "Ready." Kurama compared the reaction to that one word with a rubber band snapping after being pulled tighter and tighter. Instantly Koenma went to the trees, as high as he could go, while Shizeru only went up a few braches. Hiei took to the trees as well, speeding silently to a spot to attack from, Chakra vanishing. Botan went towards some foliage and seemed to disappear, despite her bright blue hair. Yuusuke grunted and took two steps backward, recognizing this tactic. Kurama, accepting the position Yuusuke wanted, walked past him three steps and took two to the left. Keiko hurried to stand next to and slightly behind Genkai. The group stood waiting for a couple of minutes, and then the attackers were upon them.


Please review. Thanx.

TS