Chapter One
The Bleeding Rose
The tree served as good support. He was tired, cold, and wet. The rain was freezing. It felt much more like ice then rain. His hair, a flowing red that fell mid-back, was stuck to his face and shoulders. His green eyes watched his surroundings. The only thing he could hear was the pounding rain. The trees swayed with the rough wind, weaker trees seeming as if with any gust they could topple over. The cold wind whipped his purple and gold kimono about him, even though they were thoroughly soaked. The purple kimono soaked in not only the rain, but his own blood. The rain had, by now, made the piercing pain in his arm numb. His name? Well he technically had three. One, although was never used. One was Shuichi Minamono, one simply Kurama and the third was the one the name Kurama came from. He was merged with the legendary bandit Youko Kurama. A laugh rang in his head.
"Kurama, maybe you should rest a while." Youko stated, still chuckling.
"I do not need rest Youko." Kurama whispered.
The rain grew harder. He needed shelter from this freezing rain. After a bit more wandering he came to a shrine. It would serve as good shelter for now. It looked old, possibly unvisited. Kurama paid his respects to the deceased in the shrine and sat down. His left arm was rendered completely useless. It started to bleed again, the pain and warmth returning. He felt dizzy all over again. He sighed; blood loss was getting to him. Well, he had lost a lot of it. He wondered how much longer he could stay awake.
"Are you sure you do not wish my assistance?" Youko asked once more.
"I do not want your help. I'm fine. I'll stay alright as well…for Hiei." Kurama quietly replied.
The last thing Kurama heard was Youko's response of. "How noble.", and he drifted, the pain and heat finally overwhelming him.