Kuro: *enters room, stares in shock as I post this* What the hell are you doing?!
Me: *epic sigh* I've decided to post this. Even if chapter one isn't finished - I'll make this the prequel, so to speak, and a squeal after... certain events.
Youko: *looks at me from my bed* Besides, didn't you want to post this LONG~ ago, for FoxGirl's birthday?
Me: *nods* Hai. I've come to the conclusion to just frig it and post this.
Kuro: ^^; And she means that in the most loving way possible, FoxGirl. After you posted yours on quizilla she felt bad that hers wasn't up and near finished, so she finished up a scene and posted it today! 'Sides, you, like long chapters, right? Well this bad thing *points to screen* is 27 pages long!
Youko: OOOOoooo~!!!!!
Me: You guys are a weirdos! One minute you're all cold and bastard-like, the next you're flirting and being players!
Both: *wraps their arms around my shoulders*
Youko: We can't help it, Pup-chan. You and FoxGirl are just so beautiful!
Kuro: *twirls a strand of my hair with his finger* Here's the Key if you ningens get lost and confused about the timing of this chapter, and possible future ones.
Key:
'...' = is in a separate paragraph that means it's a tiny time jump, with the same POV/people.
'!!!!!!!!!!' = same day, different POV
When that LONG line goes across the screen that it is either a MASSIVE or small time jump.
blah, blah, blah = thinking
'blah, blah, blah' = telepath talk
"blah, blah, blah" = talking
blah, blah, blah = animal instinct, beast
Happy (late) Birthday, Onee-chan!!!! \^0^/ I hope you like it~!!! I shall gladly await your (and everyone else's ^_~) review!
Ch. 1: New Beginning
Pale eyelids flinched as the bright, unwanted sun shone through the clouds. A nimble arm went across them and the small body turned away from the window. The little girl groaned in irritation, wanting the dark skies to come back. From the right corner of the square room she heard something flap and the wooden floors creak under amount of weight. Just above the thick covers her large canine ears wiggled. They wiggled again as she heard the snickers.
"The predators slowly sneak up on their unexpecting prey…." A boy's voice sounded. Various giggles followed.
"Attack!!!" the small pup yelped as multiple ookami tackled her. A large pair of arms scooped her up, after they shooed away the other pups. Mika squealed as she flew around the nearly bare room.
"Mika's awake now!!!!" Taro shouted.
"Yay!! Mika-chan's awake!!! Mika-chan's awake!!!" little children chorused. Taro placed Mika on his shoulder; her long, shiny black mane went down past HIS rear. He chuckled hearing her groan.
"That's wonderful, Taro!" Mika's mother's voice came from the kitchen.
"Why's is everyone so mean…." Mika whined rubbing underneath her bright brown eyes. Taro walked out of her room and into the kitchen.
"We just want you awake, Mika-chan!" barked a brown pup, Haya.
Taro placed the sleepy pup in front of a large, dead deer demon. He transformed into his large, five tailed, gray wolf form. Instantly he began to eat it, as did the others. Mika yawned gazing down at her breakfast, her hair pooled around her. She shook her head - ridding herself of the grogginess - and transformed into her small, single tailed, black puppy form.
The large pack of ookami tore at the carcass; blood stained around their lips and fangs. Their eyes dulled until the pupil disappeared. Snarls and snapping jaws echoed out to the outside world.
...
Mika watched as her cousins, uncles, and aunts played in the warm sunlight. Her ears drooped and she let out a high pitched whine. The others didn't stop the play.
"Mika, don't make sounds like that." Her mother, Gin, ordered from the corner of the room.
"But, Mama…."
"Mika, that's enough!" the small child didn't respond with words, but sank back into the dark red cushion. The sounds of joy filtered into the cold, lonely room. Taro came bouncing in; with Haya, Jiro, and Fujita on his back. Several others her cousins, aunts, and uncles came trotting in.
"Aunt Gin, is it okay if Mika-chan came out to play?" her cousin, Kaiya, asked with a tilt of the head.
"Play, play!!!" the younger pups shouted. With pleading eyes Mika gazed at her mother's tense form. Gin looked over her shoulder, her silver tresses slid off her shoulder and her right hazel became visible.
"If anything happens to her you'll pay…." The pups cowered underneath their mothers and fathers, seeing the specks of red in her eyes and her fangs enlarge. Mika's ears perked up and her tail wagged. She quickly jumped out of her seat and hugged Gin's legs.
"Arigatou, Mama!!" Mika nuzzled her calves. Letting go of Gin's legs Mika transformed into her Spirit animal form. Mika nuzzled Kaiya, her tail wagged with glee. Kaiya nuzzled back with just as much affection.
Gin sighed as she watched the pack leave the room. Her sister, Kin, stayed behind. In a golden mist she transformed into her humanoid self. Her dark, dull blonde hair fell down just past her shoulders, her tail was the same in color but fell down to her mid calf, and both of her ears stood on top of her head. Her golden eyes glared at her younger sister.
"You can't protect her forever, Gin." Her voice was alto, deep.
"I know…, but I can try."
...
"It's so… so… BIG!!!" Mika's brown orbs lit up with joy. A few of her male cousins snickered, unknown to her and the other pups. Their fathers and mothers snapped at them for their thoughts.
Taro walked up to Mika and gently nudged her. "Well we're not just gonna stand here and stare; let's go!!" he suddenly bolted down the side of the hill. Mika tore her gaze away from the treetops and ran alongside her pack. The sensitive pads of her feet sent jolts of protest, not use to the terrain, but she ignored it.
The trees went by in a green and brown blur. Never before in her entire life did Mika felt so free. The wind through her fur, the grass under her paws, the smells, and the sounds were all so new to her.
Taro suddenly stopped, raised his head, and sniffed the air. Everyone else did the same, Mika included. She didn't smell anything. Her aunts and uncles and older cousins circled around her and the other pups, their fangs were bared and their growls shook the ground. Mika whimpered; not liking the feeling in the air. Her younger cousins huddled around her, whimpering just a much.
"Taro, Ringo, Kaiya, …" her Uncle Takai named more of her cousins. "Take the pups and go." Taro picked Mika around her belly; the others went on top of their older brothers' and sisters' backs.
She gritted her fangs as Taro sprinted through the dense forest. Panic was in his, and the others', scents; making all the pups whimper even more. Taro jerked to a stop and rumbled deep in his throat, the others growled along with him. Slowly and gently he placed Mika on the ground and stepped over her protectively. His fur bristled and his hackles raised.
Far behind her Mika could hear the sounds of battle.
With frightened eyes Mika looked at the humans that struck fear into their hearts.
"Well this is GREAT!!!" shouted one detective. "First we kill those kitsunes and now these ookami!" she giggled with glee.
"Calm down, Akako." The 'alpha' ordered. Though his voice was cool he had a twisted grin plastered on his lips. Mika's ears pinned down against her head.
"A bunch of ookami," the man to the right twirled a sword. "That are gonna die like a bunch of inu."
Taro snapped and, in a silver mist, he transformed into his humanoid self: dark shaggy brown hair that fell to his shoulders, tanned skin, golden eyes, a long matching tail, and two proud wolf ears. He drew out his dagger and lunged for the leader.
Her other cousins follow after him.
"TARO!!!" Mika screeched smelling his blood.
Her favorite cousin looked over his shoulder, pitifully grinning, and ordered her and the rest of the pups to run. She instinctively did so. The adrenalin in her blood stream doubled, if not tripled, her speed.
"Got cha'!!!"
Mika yelped, as someone picked her up the scruff of her neck. She scrambled to get free.
"What should we do with this one?" the same male asked.
"I don't care, all the fighting is happening without us…." A different, more mellow voice sounded.
"'Kay."
Mika let out an eerie howl, almost like a scream; feeling something ominous next to her temple.
...
Thunder boomed; it fully woke up a silver kitsune pup. A drop of rain water slid off a leaf and onto her head. She bolted right up and rubbed her paw on it.
"Nah~!!! I love rain as much as the next gal, but this is crazy!" through the small shelter of a bush, she looked out to the sloping hills. "This rain just came outta nowhere!" the hills were a dark green but faded into black. Even the full moon, and stars, failed to shine through the thick clouds.
Kam, formally known as Kamine, sighed and laid back down. Her tiny Spirit animal fox muzzle went under her bushy tail, trying to keep warm. The occasional drops of water plopped on her small body. "It is relaxing though…." Kam closed her dark blue-green eyes and focused on the sounds.
A shiver went down her spine at the sound of the howling winds. Slowly she raised her head, her sliver black-tipped ears stood alert. They wiggled again at the sound. Kam's eyes widen with realization. Those weren't the winds; those were… those were… she didn't know. She attempted to sniff the air but only got drops of water down her nostrils. Curious as any other young kitsune, she went out of the little bush and ventured toward the extinguished forest.
She shook her snow white fur, again, and continued onward. Kam lowered her head and squinted her eyes. The trees around her were scorched, fallen over, and some had bodies pinned to them. Seeing the uniforms on the bodies made a shiver go down her spine. The sudden flashbacks had her shaking her head in nanoseconds. In spite of THEM she continued onward, feeling something tug at her heart strings.
Something cracked, and made something else fly away. It was a chain reaction, everything went haywire. Fear wrapped its icy cold and she sprinted forward.
AYYY!!!!
She rammed into something larger than her. She ran toward a tree's trunk and hid behind it. Kam boldly peeked around it, her ears wiggled at the sound of a weak whimper. The other demon slowly raised its head, looked around, and placed its head down on the paws.
Kam blinked and cautiously crept toward the animal. She was in a mere inch of the creature and she gently nudged it.
Her body tensed as it moves. She began to back away from it, only she slipped a slick patch of grass. Quickly she bounced back up, her belly covered in mud, and stood up as tall as she could and puffed out her chest. She tried to appear as large, scary as possible.
The creature looked up at Kam; her heart begins to pound against her ribcage. Her limbs went stiff as the creature's eyes met hers. They were a chestnut brown color; they kind squirrels and chipmunks eat. They were filled with such fear and remorse that Kam slowly began to relax.
She could see that the ears were similar to her own, only they were pinned flat against its head. Her dark orbs go over to the animal's tail; it was too bushy to belong to any cat or rodent. Kam's ears perked up at the sound of whimpering. She tilted her head at it- her.
"Y-You're not gonna hurt me, are you?" she spoke in the langue canines did.
Kam's ears wiggled in confusion. "No…," she cocked her head to the side. "I won't. Besides I think your kind would hurt me." She now knew that the creature was an ookami, wolf demon.
Kam lightly shook her body, it being weighed down by the rain. The ookami pup, three hundred years Kam's junior, only trembled from the cold. Her tiny, pearl white fangs began to chatter. Kam's ears perked up. She took one step forward, oddly concerned for the wolf pup. "What's your name? Mine's Kamine." She smiled the best she could in her animal form.
"M-M-Mika…."
"Where's your family, Mika." With cautioned steps, Kam walked closer toward Mika. The pup gave no verbal response; she whined and hid her face, with her paw. Mika's trembling increased, but after a few seconds they decreased.
"Hey!!" Kam barked. She hastily pranced up to the larger canine. Placing both paws on Mika's limp body, Kam pushed. "Hey, wake up!!" she barked again. She tried nipping on the ear, remembering how unpleasant that was when she was younger.
Nothing.
Dropping back down on all fours, Kam gazed out at the darkness of the forest. Her ears shot up at the sight of a small hole. After she shook her body again, she bit down on Mika's neck and dragged her toward the shelter. Kam's dark blue-green irises were lit with a determined fire.
Mika's tail swished along the dirt floor, leaving a fan shape. Her chestnut eyes stared emptily at the sleeping kitsune, fox demon. Mika let out a sigh and got up. She walked toward the mouth of the cave and sat down. She emptily watched the outside world. The trees towered high above with the birds' nest. The air smelled clean, not a whiff of burning flesh or a chance of bad weather.
Mika let out a whine and looked over her shoulder. Kam still slept. Mika peeled her muzzle open and whined, "Kamine-chan…."
Nothing.
Mika stalked up the sleeping fluff ball, and poked her with her muzzle. Kam stirred, but nothing else. Mika noticed that Kam's leg and arm muscles were twitching.
Is she chasing something? Mika thought. Her tail twitched in annoyance. A spark of light flashed through her eyes; she had an idea. She began to circle the small kitsune, studying. She stopped in back of her. Mika bended her upper half, her rear in the air, her tail was wagging. A wolfish grin went across her lips.
She spoke in a whisper at. "Time to wake UP!!!!!" the pup jumped onto the, now awake, kitsune into human looking self.
"GAH!!!" Kam wrestled to get free.
"Morning, Kamine-chan~!!!!!" the humanoid Mika snuggled with a struggling kit.
"Mika, lemme go!!! I can't- I can't-" Kam placed her front paws on Mika's arms and wiggled her way out. "Breathe…." She sighed.
Mika stuck the tip of her tongue. "Gomen nasai…."
Kam shook herself. Coming to a stop she transformed into her humanoid self. Mika's black tail thumped on the dirt ground at the sight. Kamine skin was a healthy and a beautiful light tan. On her tanned skin were two red strips on both cheeks and a purple diamond mark with blue in the center of her forehead. She rubbed underneath her dark blue-green eyes, ridding them of the sleepiness. The tips of her sky blue/silver-ish hair pooled around her bum. Her fox ears were white with black tips, her tail matched.
"I hope you got a good reason of waking me up, Mika-chan…." Kam let out a squeaky yawn.
"I have a completely good reason!!" Mika's tail wagging increased. A large grin revealed her pearly white fangs.
"And…?" Kam said after a long pause.
"I was bored!" Mika saw no wrong in waking Kam too early. Well… early in her sister's terms. Yes, sister. Mika didn't worry that she was an ookami, wolf demon, and Kam was a kitsune, fox demon.
Kam fell over with a loud thud. "You were bored!?" she yelled. Mika laughed nervously and scratched underneath her left eye.
"Hai…. So what were dreaming about?" Mika scrambled toward Kam. The kitsune slowly sat up and sighed.
"I was dreaming about- catching a rabbit." Mika tilted her head at Kam's pause. "And I was so~ close, too!"
"I'm sorry." Mika's ears drooped down, her eyes filled with tears.
Kam gave a gentle smile and gingerly placed her hand on Mika's head. "It's okay, Mika-chan. I'm kinda glad you did."
"Really!" Mika's voice squeaked as her ears perked up.
"Yup! 'Sides me talking, and dreaming, about rabbits made me hungry…." Kam placed a cool hand on her tummy.
"Me, too." Mika mimicked Kam's actions.
"Wanna go hunting?"
Mika's ears wiggled at the word 'hunt'. "JA~!!!" she squealed. Kam laughed at Mika's enthusiasm.
"Okay, let's go. But be careful; we don't want other demons to know that we're in this form." She displayed her form.
"Right." Mika whispered.
The two stealthily walked out of the cave, they called home for four hundred and fifty years. Mika's ears twisted in every direction and they wiggled at every sound. Kam sniffed the air and her eyes went from left to right to up to left and back again. They were surveying the area, watching and listening and hearing for anyone stronger than them.
Kam gently tapped Mika's shoulder. Kam made a few hand gestures and Mika nodded. They were going to separate and contact each other once they caught something, so long as they stayed within each other by a seven mile radius.
Kam went left and Mika went right.
The tiny kitsune was sure not to step on any leaves, twigs, or anything else that might give away her presents. With a delicate sniff she took in the air around her. Her ears and tail twitched with disgust and annoyance. There were demons about, but they were neko. She shakes her head and goes into a different direction, not liking their taste at all.
Her tail swished with her careful steps. She sniffed air again and smiled. There was a rabbit. Perfect. With the steps of a predator she stalked up the unexpecting ball of white fluff. Slowly she crouched down on all fours and crept up to it.
A scream suddenly ripped through the air, startling the rabbit away. Kam's eyes widened and she took off toward the scream. Mika-chan's in trouble!! Her thoughts yelled.
The leaves jumped up and flower petals were ripped away as Kam sprinted through them. Adrenalin rushed through her veins, her panting came out in huffs, and ice began to from up to her wrists from her finger nails.
Another scream from Mika.
Kam pushed herself harder.
...
"I never eat my vegetables, so why are they trying to eat me!!?" The young ookami wailed. She fought against the green bindings. She tugged her legs and raised her belly and attempted to bite off the ones around her wrists. Her mouth began to redden with blood, from the thorns on them.
"Onee-chan!!!" she screamed in agonizing pain. The vines slowly crept up arms, legs, and tummy all the way up to her throat. "Onee--!!!!" she screamed again only to gag near the end. Tears ran across her temples, slowly her wind pipe began to close.
A freezing rush swept across her tiny body. Quickly she took in the fresh air with wide, wet eyes. Mika looked up at Kam.
"Kam-chan!" Mika sat up and wrapped her arms around her neck. Kam responded by gingerly wrapping her arms around Mika. Slowly the kitsune put Mika behind her and growled at the forest. Slowly the ookami looked around and placed her back against Kam's.
She used her strong sense of smell to sniff out the bastard.
'Can you find them, Mika-chan?' Kam's voice rang in Mika's mind.
She took another whiff of the air. 'Kinda – they're everywhere.'
'They?'
'Hai, they're both boys. But one is a kitsune and the other is a koumori.' Her faced scrunched up the slightest bit; not liking the smell of male kitsune. A low rumble left her pale throat.
Kam's ears wiggled and her eyes scanned the surrounding forest. She gingerly sniffed the air. Mika was right. Ice crept up along her arms, until it was just beneath her elbows. Mika brought up her right arm. Dark as black ink, dark shadows fall from her palm and form a whip. Both younger girls looked down at the red roses. Mika sniffed air around one.
Youki? Slowly she gazed toward the trees.
Kam closed her eyes and tried to listen for anything. Where are they? she thought. In her peripheral version she saw one flower slightly move. A burst of pink… sparkles shot out of it.
"What the hell…?" she whispered.
Kam and Mika felt a slight pressure in the crook of their necks. Everything went black.
Kam's ears wiggled at the close sound of whimper. She groaned in discomfort. The floor was cold, hard, and wet.
"Kam-chan…?" Mika whispered. She crawled over to her and whimpered again. Mika gingerly pushed Kam's shoulders. "Kam-chan, please wake up…!"
Kamine's eyes fluttered open. She was met with a black ceiling, but soon after Mika's head popped into her line of vision.
"Onee-chan?!" she whispered. Kam raised her hand and brushed away the tears that were streaming down Mika's pale cheeks. Slowly she sat up and crossed her legs. Gently she brought Mika into an embrace. The tiny pup frighteningly sat in her lap, whimpering. Kam placed a comforting hand on the back of Mika's head and looked around. They were in some sort of jail cell. Everything was dark, cold, and wet. It smelled really bad, too. In the far corner of the room there were skeletons chained a wall. One was still decomposing. The hairs on her arms stood on end.
She wrapped her other arm around Mika's waist. Mika instantly wrapped her arms around Kam. Her entire form began to shake. Kam's grip tightened. Her ears wiggled at the screech of an opening door. Light bathed the hallway's dirt floor, and part of the other cells. They both heard confident footsteps; Kam peeled her lips back, smelling the same scents from before. But there was another, different one with them. She gazed down to their shadows. Two shorts ones were surrounding a much larger one, a kitsune by the looks of it.
She growled once they were in front of their cell; her ice began to creep up the walls, ceiling, and floor all the way to the door. She could only see half of their faces.
The oldest had a large, buff body covered in a light tan. His hair was dark brown, nearly black, that ran down to his chin. His thick brows were knit together; showing his madden state. A smirk tugged at the lit side of his lips.
"Well done, you two." Kam saw his massive hands ruffle the other two smaller beings. "There's potential for the kitsune… the ookami not so much." He got a disgusted look in his violet eye.
Kam's hold around Mika tightened and a growl started to come to life. The three demons' head cocked to the side. The old kitsune chuckled, followed by the young kitsune and koumori, the three turned and left. Kam saw the light diminish and they were left in darkness. Mika's trembling slowly came to a stop. She unwrapped her arms and wiped her tears.
"Are you alright, Mika-chan?" Kam whispered. Mika whimpered, but nodded her head nonetheless.
"Hai…." Her voice was weak. Kam began to rub soothing circles on her back and scratch her scalp. Mika's tail thumped on the ground, enjoying the sensation. Kam began to mull over ways to escape. She could hear other demons boasting on what things they caught, people they killed, and taken.
The man's words echoed throughout her mind. Kam stopped scratching Mika's head and gently laid hers on top. I'm not gonna leave her. Not now – not ever.
"Mika-chan," Kam whispered. Mika's ears wiggled and she looked up. "Do you think you could use your shadow powers?"
Mika's ears drooped and whine escaped her. "I can… but we won't get really far, and I'll be dead asleep afterward…."
"Don't worry, I'll carry you." Kam gave Mika a sweet smile.
Mika slowly nodded. "'Kay…." Mika closed her brown eyes and concentrated.
Kam looked around as black seeped through her ice. The dark inky shadows strongly resembled hands with grabby fingers. Her grip tightened around Mika's shaking form. The hands were as slow as molasses, though the fingers were jittery. One grabbed onto her calf. It was as cold as her ice, if not colder. Her head snapped from left to right and back again. The hands were getting closer!!
They both traveled through Kam's portal before, but her physical and spirit energy was still spent.
One hand ventured over her left eye. An arm wrapped her neck. Numerous hands gripped onto their bodies. Mika shook harder; the hands grabbed onto her. Kam and Mika were surrounded by darkness.
Kam could feel cold, nearly bone freezing air rush through her. She screwed her eyes shut and bent her ears back; not liking the sights and sounds that passed them. Black nothingness, the moans of death whizzed past them. The low moans slowly turned into soft, jumbled whispers. Sweat began to form on her silver brow, she clenched her jaw shut. Those whispers, those whispers spoke to her. Telling her of what she had done, those many years ago, before she met Mika.
Is this what happens every time? Kam failed to notice the coldness and whispers before. Is it because of Mika's state? She gazed down at her younger sister. Mika was trembling and covered in a cold sweat. Her ears were back and her eyes were screwed shut.
"Mika-chan?" Kam's voice echoed. "Mika-chan, stop!"
The cold breeze pushed back Kam's hair. Their speed increased. They were getting closer to Mika's destination. Kam's grip tightened around Mika.
Kam gasped at the sudden blast of warm air. She panted heavily, her eyes bugged out. She still shook when she looked over her shoulder. They were far away, but not enough to her liking. With a grunt she lifted herself and Mika up. Kam placed the sleeping pup on her back and ran.
Kamine ran on and on and on, for days, all the while creating fox trails. She didn't stop for anything. Her tiny body screamed for her to do so, but she didn't listen.
Protect. She ordered herself. I must protect Mika-chan!
The surrounding forest went by as a blur. It got denser and denser, darker and darker, quieter and quieter. Branches whipped at Kam's tanned face, creating tiny scraps. Her breathing was raspy. She didn't drink in days, possibly in five. Kam didn't notice a good sized rock; she tripped. Mika flew off of her back and tumbled away.
"Mika-chan!" Kam scrambled toward her. "Mika!" she turned her onto her back and lightly shook her. Mika groaned and her eyes fluttered open.
"Onee-chan…?" Mika blinked the haziness away. She grinned up at Kam. "Hi, Kam-chan!"
Kam let out a sigh of relief. She moved out of the way as Mika hoisted herself up, in a sitting position. Kam began to look Mika over; checking for any wounds. "Are you alright?"
"Yup, yup!" Mika nodded and her tail wagged with glee. Mika jumped up but slipped on wet grass. "Oof!" she rubbed her tail. "I landed on my tail!"
Kam lightly chuckled and got up more carefully. She held out her hand toward her little sister. Mika gladly took it, though more cautious getting up.
Both of their canine ears wiggled at the distant sound of a roaring sound.
"What is that, Kam-chan?" Mika squeezed Kam's hand.
"It sounds like a waterfall…." She began to walk toward the loud sound, Mika didn't let go.
Kam and Mika lightly sniffed the air as they got closer and closer to the sound. The older of the two pushed back some large bushes. Both of them gasped in awe at the sight.
Towering trees and large, circular bushes were closely packed together; hiding the beautiful lake and waterfall. Fireflies and the quarter moon above dully lit the area. The bugs flew around the two, possibly welcoming them to the secretive place, and above the dark blue water. A medium sized waterfall was in the back of the lake, near the center, with much smaller trickles of water beside the main falling water. Large, bulky, rocks surrounded the back half of the lake; which gave the swimmer some form privacy.
Finally at ease Mika walked toward the lake.
"Mika-chan!" Kam harshly whispered. She reached out, but just missed Mika. The pup went to the lake's edge and stuck her tiny hand in it. She quickly brought it up to her chest. "IT'S COLD!!" she shouted. The shiver went to the tip of her tail.
Kam chuckled and walked up behind her, looking around. Her ears twitched and she sniffed the air. "No one's been here."
"The bugs sure seem to know about it." Mika's eyes followed one firefly as it flew by her. Kam laughed gingerly at Mika's statement. The glowing insects continued to fly around the duo.
"Onee-chan," Mika looked up at Kam. The young kitsune sat cross legged next to Mika.
"Hm?"
"Is this our secret place now?"
Kam thought for a moment. She began to rub her chin. Her tail and ears twitched, in deep thought. "Yup!" her tail wagged.
"Yay~!!" Mika wrapped her arms around Kam's neck. Kam laughed and hugged Mika back.
"CANNONBALL~!!!!" A darkly dressed blob plummeted into the warm waters. Kam let a startled yelp and bolted up from her resting place. Mika resurfaced with a delighted expression, but her ears bent back against her skull. "Whoops…. Gomen ne, Kam-chan!"
Kam wrung out her light sky blue tresses. She had a gentle smile on her lips, which formed into a fanged grin. "It's okay, Imouto-chan. Hahaha! I needed to cool down any way!"
Mika's wet black hairs stuck to her face as she tilted her head to the left. Her large triangular ears wiggled with curiosity. "Why?" Kam's face fell and her body went rigid. Her large, childish blue-green were bulging out of their sockets. "Onee-chan?" Mika's brown orbs were filled with confusion and concern.
Why was her big sister acting like this? Will she be okay?
"Onee-chan?" Mika swam toward the shore line. The waterfall roared loudly behind her.
Kam quickly shook her head; water drops went everywhere and strains of her hair stuck to her face.
"Can opener!" Kam sprung off land and dived into the lake. Mika yelped and turned her back. Kam stayed underneath the surface; watching the entire little bubbles rise she had created once she jumped in floating up toward the white sun.
They look like diamonds.
Her tanned hands clamped over her mouth and nostrils. She quickly swam/bolted up. She threw her head back and gasped for fresh air. Mika blinked at Kam's odd behavior.
"Are you okay, Kam-chan?" Mika could sense something amiss with her. Kam looked toward Mika with a sheepish grin. She pointed toward the sky; Mika looked up. A floating orb of water was above her. Kam let the blob drop. Mika screwed her eyes shut on instinct. The water washed all over her. Mika lightly growled and slowly lowered her head. Her bright brown eyes playfully glared at Kam.
"So it's gonna be like that, ne?" Mika raised a brow. She raised her arms above her head and bombed them into the lake. Her arms circled around her and water met a startled Kam. But, no soon after, did Kam fight back. Their laughter rung high above the roar of the waterfall.
Mika stopped suddenly and sniffed the air. She lifted her head up and smelled the atmosphere.
"Mika-chan?" Kam cocked her head to the side. She mimicked Mika, she couldn't really smell anything. "Do you smell something?"
"Un," Mika nodded and scrambled out of the pool. She ran into the thick forest.
"Mika, wait!" Kam followed.
A rather familiar scent flowed into Mika's nostrils. She sniffed every three seconds; she wanted to know this scent.
"Mika-chan, stop!" she could hear Kam's harsh voice. Mika stopped at the sudden smell of blood and examined a broken branch. It was dripping with blood. She looked around. Her nose led her to another tree.
"Mi…Mika-chan, what… are you… doing?" Kam panted.
"Does anything smell familiar to you, Onee-chan?"
Kam inhaled the air. She got a strong whiff of bat's blood. Her ears stood alert and her eyes were wide. "This scent--" She began.
"Is familiar." Mika finished. Both of their ears and tails twitched in annoyance. "But I can't put my claw on who, or what, it is!" she growled.
I don't like this scent. Kam thought. She gazed toward Mika as she sniffed at the blood.
"Why does this smell seem so familiar?" she growled. Mika continued to follow the scent.
"Mika, stop!" Kam sprinted toward the young ookami and gripped onto her wrist. Mika let out a light grunt and stared down at the tanned hand. She raised her head up to Kam.
"We don't know who, or what, it is?" Kam's voice was very harsh, but light.
"That is exactly why we should check it out!" Mika slipped her hand free and zipped toward the source of the scent.
"Mika! Grrr!!" Kam began to follow after the little sister. "When I said: 'we don't know.' That doesn't mean we should go and check it out!"
Mika slowed down, sensing the source close by. She ducked under a tree branch and gasped at the sight before her.
Kam came up from behind her. "What is it, Imouto-chan?" Mika simply pointed to the being. "Oh…." Kam replied with fake sorrow. Mika went to go near the koumori, but stopped at the feeling of Kam's youki spike.
"Hm, nani?" Mika's ears wiggle in confusion.
"Leave him alone!"
Mika thought for a moment and looked to the darkly dressed koumori. Something about him caused a shiver to go down her spine. "… Hai…." She followed Kam back to their cave/house.
!!!!!!!!!!
The sun slowly sank beyond the mountains; painting the skies with purples, oranges, reds, yellows, and bits of pink. Demon mothers gathered their children and headed home. Adult males closed down their shops and headed to wherever.
A young boy, appearing to be ten to twelve years, hung from a tree. He glared at the dark green mass before him.
"Damn this thick forest!" he growled lowly.
"Yo, Youko Kurama! Do ya' sees him?" shouted a lower class demon from below.
Youko lands on the ground with a gentle thud and slaps his clawed hand over the demon's mouth.
"Quiet, Taku!" he whispered to the dumb demon. "We don't know who lives here – in this area!" Youko's ears twitched at the sound of something scampering around.
Taku looked around the forest surrounding them. Both young demons had their guards up. The rest of the search team appeared around them.
"Where's Kuronue?" asked an orange snake demon.
"If we knew that we wouldn't be here!!" barks an inu.
"Hey!" both the snake and dog glared at each other.
"Enough!!" Youko snapped, detaching his hand from Taku's mouth. His golden eyes glared at every face around him. "As I said before, to Taku, we don't know this land. Therefore we don't know who lives here. Now shut your mouths and look for Kuronue." The group dispatched.
!!!!!!!!!!
Mika's ears twitched at the sound of someone shouting.
Turn around! Run! A voice shouted with her mind, Mika ignored it. She poked her head out from behind a tree. The darkly dressed koumori was still there, sleeping. Her tail swished and her ears bent back against her head. I shouldn't be here without Onee-chan.... she thought. But, this guy might need help.
Mika cautiously walked to the young demon. Strands of black blew against her, they caressed her skin. Her long mane grew even longer, the hairs on her legs and arms got thicker and extended, and her sclera turned pitch black while her irises stayed the same color. Mika hunched foreword; the black strings enveloped around her.
The threads evaporated into the air. Mika's paws were faint, practically nonexistent as she walked. She lifted her paws over leaves and twigs; fearful that the slightest bit of noise will wake him. She carefully walked in a circle, around him sniffing the air. His scent went through her nose and out of her throat; she nearly gagged at the taste.
A lot of alcohol. Mika stuck out her tongue in disgust. She bravely (or naïvely) walked up to him and sniffed his left bicep. She stepped back a bit and jumped over him and inspected his side. What did this guy go through? Mika walked around him again, spotting wounds of all kinds of wounds on his pale body.
She stopped, tensed, ears stood alert, at the sudden shift the koumori made. He tensed, but soon went slack. Mika let out a light sigh and relaxed her muscles. Despite her better judgment, that little voice in her head, that sounds a lot like Kamine, Mika walked up to him. Her ears were bent back, tail tucked between her legs, and slightly hunched. She could sense his youki.
I can't believe this…! He's stronger than Kam-chan!! Mika thought Kam was the strongest demoness in all of Makai. But, then again, younger beings always look at their role models being the strongest thing in the world.
She sniffed his breath.
"AYYYYY!!!!" The koumori's large hand lashed out and grabbed onto her trachea. Mika's paws claw at him, the boy doesn't even flinch. She began to see black circles, of various sizes, with brightly colored rims. She was beginning to black out. With her last breath she howled, "Onee-chan!!"
!!!!!!!!!!
Kam's eyes widen and she shot up to her feet. She ripped out of their home and sprinted toward the woods. Her blue eyes were lit with a fire; she didn't know exactly where Mika was, at the start, but followed her scent.
Twigs lashed at her skin, leaves were torn from low branches, smaller animals ran away from the enraged kitsune, and Mika's scent flowed all around her.
Damn it, why did she leave the den? Kam asked herself.
Silver strands exploded around her, transforming her body. Her transformation was similar to Mika's only hers changed her into a silver kitsune with bright blue eyes and red markings around her lips and hips.
Kam's let out a sound that was close to a snarl and a hiss. She could feel her sister's life being taken away. She saw fire raging around her, darkness consuming her soul.
Blood! Her beast roared. It began to pull against its chains. Protect Mika!
An image of Mika's lifeless body sprawled out on the floor fueled her anger. Something tore out of Kam's tailbone, another tail perhaps?
Everything, within a twenty mile radius, caught on fire! The lower class demons' screams reached Kam's ears, but she didn't care. So long as Mika was alright.
She sensed a powerful youki and a very familiar one. I can take him, the kusotare! Kam leaped over a log and tore into the koumori's shoulder. He roared and ripped Kam off him. She yelped as her tiny body rammed into a massive boulder. She slid down and shook the dizziness away. Involuntarily Kam looked toward Mika. A crack formed on her heart; Mika laid on the ground in her young black wolf pup form.
Quickly the koumori took the sky, narrowly missing the raging fire. It followed him. No matter how many twists and sharp turns he made he couldn't lose it.
"Damn it!" he swore and flinched. A whip of fire wrapped around his left calf and dug deep into his skin; setting his slightly bagged pants on fire, as well. He instinctively unbuckled his belts and tore away the pants like cape; it had been the first to catch ablaze.
Mika groaned in discomfort. Hot…. She rolled onto her stomach and opened her eyes. She jumped to her feet and barked, "Onee-chan!" Mika saw Kam's markings (on her face and hips) were glowing red and the diamond on her forehead changed to black with a purple dot in the center. For a brief moment Kam's rampage stopped, but she continued trying to burn the koumori.
Mika quickly transformed back into her normal looking self and sprinted toward the silver kitsune. "Onee-chan, stop!" The flames had no affect on her as she scooped Kam in her arms. She tightened her grip; she wanted nothing more but for Kam to calm down. "Onee-chan, please…." Mika whined. "Please, come back." she buried nose on top of Kam's head.
Kam could feel Mika around her. She could hear her begging. Kam's beast began to relax and inhale Mika's scent (winter, nightfall, carnations, cinnamon, and vanilla). The flames sluggishly began to dissipate.
From above the male let out a relieved sigh; the thread of fire slivered away. The muscles underneath his pale skin relaxed the slightest bit. His large wings beat every so often, blood flowed from his wounds. His indigo eyes glare down at the duo below.
He was right… she is strong! He thought to himself. His eyes widened as the young ookami pup took off into the thick wounds.
"Damn!" he swore and readied himself to follow. He flinched and stopped. He stared at the injury on his wing and descended back to the ground. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "He isn't gonna like this…."
...
Tears poured from Mika's eyes. Where do I go? I can't go back to the den!
Kam stayed perfectly still in her arms.
Onee-chan, what should I do?
Kam's eyes fluttered open. Her vision cleared; she saw a 'braided' wooden ceiling. She could feel something laying on top of her. She lifted her right hand and brought it up to her face. She let out a long, agonizing groan.
"My head…." Her hand slid down her face, no longer having the strength to stay. Kam sniffed the air and got a faint scent of fruit. Slowly and painfully she looked up at the source. She saw a pile of apples, grapes, berries, bananas, pears, and peaches out of the fire's glow.
Kam's ears perked up at the sudden crash of something.
"Onee-chan…?" Mika whispered. She dropped the bucket of water and quickly rushed over to her older sister. She scooped her up and brought her to her chest. Kam lightly flinched at the sudden jolt of pain, but said and did nothing. Tears formed in the corners of Mika's eyes as she nuzzled the top of Kam's head. "Onee-chan! Onee-chan! Onee-chan!"
Mika's tears and strong emotions had an immediate impact reaction on Kam. Her lower lip began to quiver; she bit the inside of it, so she doesn't let out a sob. Her arms shake as they rose up to wrap around Mika's waist.
After their tears subsided the two sisters, of different blood, looked at each other and laughed. Kam's laughter came to a sudden stop and gazed at her smiling sister. Mika had dark circles under her eyes, scraps on her pale face, her black mane lost its shine, and she looked thinner.
"Imouto-chan," Kam's voice and expression went stern. Mika's ears wiggled and she gazed down at her older sister. "How long have I been out." She wanted to know how long she's been asleep to get a general estimate when Mika stopped taking care of herself.
"Eight days!" Mika was so proud of herself. Not only did she know how long it's been, but she took such good care of her sister's body while she was out cold.
"Eight days!" Kam shouted outraged; Mika's ears bent back against her head and her expression went solemn. "Mika-chan, why didn't you take care of yourself!!"
"I-I-I did…." So long as she was alive, in her eyes, Mika was taking care of herself. "Besides," she lowers her head; her bangs shadow her eyes. "As long as Onee-chan Kamine is fine and well than so am I." Kam could smell Mika's tears, but they refused to fall. "If I didn't take care of you… than… than… you could have…." Mika bit down on her lower lip as the tears fell.
"Mika-chan…." A sudden pang of pain shot into Kam's heart. Despite her weakened state, Kam sat on her own and brought Mika into her arms. The young pup cried into Kam's chest, wetting her black shirt. Kam's silver hair acted like a curtain around the two as she buried her face in Mika's hair.
"Gomen ne, Imouto-chan Mika, gomen ne." her soft words were met if loud sobs.
...
The roaring fire had long since turned into a bunch of red hot embers. One cracked and hissed. The storm outside the tree – from what Kam could guess – howled and caused destruction. Kam and Mika laid close beside the dying embers, both underneath the somewhat thick blanket. Kitsune and ookami laid on their sides and close together. Kam's arm was around Mika's (now thin) waist, while the other was laced in her (greasy) hair. Mika didn't wrap her arms around her sister, but kept them in between the two. Their legs were interred twined; both were trying to keep warm.
Kam lifted her gaze of Mika and glared at the outside. She could barely feel the cold rain brush against her face. Her body shook with a flashback, back to when she and Mika first met. She shook her head; to rid herself of the memory. Only it was replaced by another. One of which she still had her family.
"Kamine," a deep voice rung throughout the tiny den. "Could you come here for a moment?"
"Hai, Papa." A much smaller version of Kam bounced around a corner and up to her father. She stopped in front her injured dad and gazed up at him. "Papa, what happened?!" she lightly sniffed his bleeding forearm.
Masahiro lightly pushed Kam away with his muzzle. "Sit." She did so.
"Kamine, are you aware of the ookami surrounding this area?"
"Oo… kami?" the word was so foreign to young Kam's lips.
"Hai, they look like us only much more massive and travel in a 'pack,' a large family of them. If you ever come across one I want you run as fast as you can."
"As fast as I can!?"
"Hai, and never let your guard down. They WILL try to ambush you – circle around and--"
"Masahiro-kun, stop talking like that you're scaring her!" Kam looked over her shoulder and saw her mother walked in. Ayame stopped and nuzzled her daughter's head. She raised her head and lightly glared at her mate. "There's no need to say such things, especially in such a tone!" she bit the air.
"I'm only trying to protect her." Masahiro told her in a calm tone. His dark red eyes turned back to Kam, who was memorized by the blood streaming down his dark gray fur.
"Kamine!" her head snapped up.
"Hai?" her tail began to twitch; she could sense there was something else to be said.
"There are two you MUST be wary of." Kam lower her head and bent her ears against her head. A whimper was beginning to form. "Be cautious about the alphas; they are stronger and faster than any other member of the pack. If they see you they WILL attack!"
Kam's body shook with fright. "Enough!!" Ayame barked. She stepped in front of her protectively. Masahiro sighed and limped back to his room.
Kam fell and began to whimper. Her right paw went across her muzzle. Ayame turned around and began to comfort her pup. Her words of comfort went in one ear and out the other. Vicious images flashed across Kam's mind: snapping jaws, blood stained fangs, enormous paws beating against the earth, and yowls of pain.
Kam gasped as she pulled herself from her horrible flashback. She looked down at the sleeping pup; her gaze instantly went soft.
How can something so small be so… ferocious? She asked herself. Her claws gingerly scratched Mika's scalp. She smiled lightly and snuggled into Kam's chest.
"I promise to always protect you, Mika-chan." Kam whispered. The large black wolf ear twitched at the air blow in it. Kam lightly chuckled at the cuteness, and yawned. It was difficult for her to open her eyes; slowly a weight goes on her eyelids.
And sleep consumed her.
A male kitsune, possibly around 1,950 years old, laid sprawled out on his bed. His dark, sheer curtains around his bed acted as a feeble barrier. His silver, canine ears twitched at the sound of heavy footsteps. He closed his eyes and let out a sigh; blowing up his feathery, silver bangs.
"Kurama, sir?" Youko Kurama opened one eye, showing his ember iris.
"Nani?"
"We have news about the Sisters."
Youko Kurama smirked at the smell of fear on the lower class demon. The plants around the room began to pulse and slither along the cold walls. "And…?" he dragged out.
"An-And we found out that they…," he swallowed the lump in his throat. "Um…--"
"Out with it!!" Kurama barked.
"And we found out that they stole Ruby Neko!" The young, weak demon fell to his knees and spoke so rapidly that it almost came out in gibberish. His entire body shook with fear.
"NANI!?!" Kurama bolted up and, involuntarily, his plants attacked the canary demon. Blood seeped, stained on the white carpeting and small yellow feathers flowed on it. Kurama lifted his gaze at the sound of a disappointed sigh. His plants slowly went back to their pot holders.
"Kuronue?" Kurama raised a brow at his friend. He turned to face him and crossed his legs. One green vine peeled back the curtain, giving a clear view of the koumori. Kuronue walked in the room, stepping over the dead demon, and sat on the plush bed with another sigh. He looked around the room. Though it did have decorations here and there it was still very cold.
"And after all this time I thought you got better control over your youki." Kuronue's voice was indifferent and alto.
"Yeah, well, ya' know!" Kurama flopped down on his bed, his arms acted like a pillow. Kuronue looked down at the canary and ran a hand through his hair. He was 'lucky enough' not to have the ability to control any element. Only use weapons to fight, and his large bat wings for flight.
His dark indigo eyes stare at the pool of blood. "It's gonna leave a stain."
Kurama let out a laugh. "Now, Kuronue, I know there is a reason why you came here – other than to check on my rug. So, what is it?"
The koumori let a smirk go across his pale lips and a chuckle escape him. He gently shook his head, at the question he's about to ask. "Why do you despise those Sisters so much?" he turned his head over his shoulder; sensing Kurama's spike in energy.
Kurama's hackles slowly rose, his ears were pinned back against his head, and his tail twitched in aggravation. "Those bitches' better not cross paths with me!" he began to think of all the possible ways to torture the two women. Kuronue's wings tensed. "They somehow always know what we're going to steal, and take it before we do!"
Kuronue raised an eyebrow at his long time friend. He bit back the words, 'Is that all?'
Kurama growled in frustration and ruffled his hair. His glare snapped to Kuronue; he jumped the slightest bit. "Don't you remember what they did?"
"Ah," the koumori turned his gaze back at the rotting corpse. He folded his hands together and made his visor hide his eyes. "One, or even both, burned down twenty feet of our land. Because of that fire we lost over fifty of our allies."
Not to mention she, or they, gave me a scar on my leg. He bared his fangs at the canary.
Kurama slowly calmed down. "My point exactly, Kuro! Which is why, when we see them, we must crush them!" his right fist collided into his left hand.
!!!!!!!!!!
Two young demonesses, dressed in dark clothing, walked through an empty, silent forest. The ookami carried a stuffed bag of who-knew-what inside over her shoulder and held a tiny red statue in the sky. The kitsune, who was in the lead, carried two large bags, one over her shoulder and the other tucked underneath her arm.
"Onee-chan?" Mika asked. The red statue winked down at her; bathing her face in bright red.
"Un," Kam stepped over a fallen tree. "Watch your step, Mika-chan."
"Kay." She hopped over it. Mika grunted when the treasures shifted inside the bad. She turned attention back to the relic they recently stole. "What does this thing do anyway? It's so tiny, looks useless to me."
Kam chuckled. "Heck if I know."
"Neh!?" Mika's brightening eyes bulged out of their sockets, and her tail went straight out. She was in shock that they stole something, something that Kam had been talking about nonstop and she doesn't even know what it does – if it does anything at all!
"What do you mean, Kam-chan!?" Mika quickly jogged up to said kitsune.
She shrugged her shoulders and hummed. "I mean I don't know."
Mika looked down at the figurine and scrunched up her face. "I hate cats."
"You and me both." Kam nodded in agreement.
...
Both sisters dropped their bags and collapsed on their large, wood framed, cotton stuffed bed with a sigh. The 'den' had one brown lounge couch with gold metal bordering, two lounge chairs of the same coloring, and a low dark wooden table in the middle. The table had numerous rolled up maps, books, compasses, and snack foods. The seats focused around a large beige brick fireplace. Silver candles stood winding up on either side of the couch and on the end tables, by the bed. Behind the couch was a shelf of various trinkets. The sun flowed through the mouth of the cave, which bathed a section of the black grass.
"Onee-chan…." came the muffled voice of Mika.
"Hai?"
Mika moved her head; barely showing one eye through the strays of black hair. "We gotta put them away don't we?" she mentioned toward the three bags.
Kam let out a tired groan. Her ears and tail twitched in aggravation. Mika lightly giggled, her ears and tail wiggled, at her sister's reaction toward the idea. Lazily the ookami raised herself up and stumbled toward the bags. She flopped down on her bum, avoiding her tail, and untied the nearest one.
The sun bathed her pale, toned legs and the rays were captured in her black boots. As she took out each jewel it would shine in wondrous colors – filtering the dark room with its color. Kam grunted as she sat cross legged by Mika; she wagged her tail at the sight of her sister. Kam's tanned, toned legs glistened in the light, and her the tips her white tresses sparkled like diamonds.
The two separated the treasure into four piles: jewels, gold, silver, and things to put on the 'Self of Victory.'
"Onee-chan, where should I put this?" Mika held up a long golden oval, with the top half dressed in diamonds and sapphires. The lower bit was etched with dancing dragons.
Kam gently placed three rubies and a pearl necklace down in the jewel pile. She looked up at her sister and cocked her head to the side. Her black tipped ears, and matching tail, wiggled in thought. "Hm…. Open it up." She pointed a slim finger at it.
Mika's eyes widened and her black ears twitched. "Open it?" Kam nodded her head. "O…kay," She jiggled the top half and slowly pulled it. The dim light made the five and an half inch blade shimmer. Mika squealed in delight. "It's a dagger!! And a really pretty one at that!"
Kam quickly went to her sister's side and awed at the weapon's shine. "That is DEFENATLY going on the Self!" stars nearly erupted from her deep blue-green eyes. The two sisters' tails wagged. Mika scrambled to her feet, carefully, and placed the sheathed dagger on the self. A wide grin spread across her lips and she chuckled. She skipped back to her sister and the pile of knick-knacks.
The two put what they agreed to put in the piles for hours. On occasion Mika's eyes drifted off toward the little neko on one end table; her face scrunched up at it.
"Mika-chan," said female's head whipped toward her sister. "No matter how many times you give that thing a dirty look, it'll still be there." A blush dusted across Mika's cheekbones. She scratched her right one, her ears bent back, and laughed nervously.
"Gomen ne, Onee-chan."
Kam slowly shakes her head with a smile, not needing the apology.
"Onee-chan?" Mika turned her gaze back to the figurine.
Kam stopped arranging the treasures and gazed toward her sister. Her ears wiggled. "Hm?"
Mika's ears and tail moved around, until her ears pinned back against her head and her tail wrapped around her waist. "Why did we steal that thing?" she points to the statue.
"Because," Kam said chuckle. "The 'King' wanted it."
Mika blinked than giggled behind her hand. Her ears and tail wiggled with glee. "You have some serious issues with him, don't you?"
"You know it!" Laughter rolls out of the mouth of the cave.
The forest was covered in a thick blanket of shimmering, white snow. Various types and sizes of footprints were in the snow, ruining the perfectness of it. The branches and the treetops looked as if they were caked in cotton balls. The weak branches and bushes bent at the weight of the snowfall. The animals in the forest, and the demons in the village below, their breath came out in huffs of colorless puffs.
Mika inhaled deeply, through her nose, and cough; doubling over. She straightened once the fit ceased and rubbed under her nose. Her slim tail wagged with glee at the sight that was surrounding her. Her fingers curled around her upper lip, she giggled and jumped; her black animal fur coat/cap bounced with each hop. The snow always made her giddy, that year's winter the snow came up just below her knees.
"Silly Onee-chan," she said stretching her arms high. "And her, always having to sleep in so late! I get to play in the fresh fall first!" Mika's hands flew up to her loud, big mouth and she looked over her shoulder; into the warm cave. Slowly she let go of her mouth and sighed; happy that she didn't waken her sister.
She giggled and ran into the thick wood.
Mika's bright brown, practically golden, eyes were lit up. Her mouth was burning, burning her lungs and esophagus. The cold wind rushed by her face; reddening her cheeks and the tip of her nose. She stopped abruptly, jumped on a large rock, and howled. Birds flew from their nests and small/lesser animals scampered away at the sudden sound. Mika's chest heaved. The adrenalin was leaving her system.
The pup squealed, raised her arms high, slimming her curved body, and fell into the powder; a puff of white exploded from her spot. She giggled at the crystals fell on her exposed skin. Mika hummed lightly as they quickly melted. She closed her eyes, but then opened them. Slowly she raised her right hand and examined her claws. They were getting darker, she noted. Before they were a light purple, but now… they were nearing black. Mika gasped and flinched at the sudden pain that shot from both hands, and throughout the rest of her body.
The jolts were becoming more and more frequently and painful. What could Mika do? She couldn't tell Kam; she would freak!
It's probably nothing…. The ookami sighed and placed her throbbing hands on her belly. Her placid expression twisted in agony and whimpered. She rolled over, on her belly, and took a mouthful of snow; which quickly melted in the hot cavern. Her sensitive hearing picked up the sound of cloth tearing – her shirt? She opened her mouth, letting the cool water pour.
Mika slowly rose on her hands and knees; her claws dug deep into the earth. "Onee-chan…." she whimpered. I can't stay here; Kamine might see me! Against her better judgment she took off, deeper into the winter woods.
!!!!!!!!!!
Kuronue stopped for a moment and sniffed the air. His wings twitched at the scent. He smelled winter (though it actually belonged to someone), nightfall, carnations, cinnamon, and vanilla.
"Damn this winter, damn this snow!" one demon complains. From his place on a high rock, Kuronue glared daggers at him.
"Stop your whining and move forward – you're not a pup!" he barked.
The demon hunched his shoulders and grumbled, "Yes, sir."
Kuronue's nose scrunched up in disgust, but he turned his attention back to the wind that blew in his face. He sniffed again. There's salt in the air now. "Kurama!"
The silver kitsune turned his attention to the koumori. "Nani, Kuronue?"
"I'm going to go check something out." He jerked his toward the white covered forest. Kurama nodded in understanding. "Arigatou!" Kuronue did a sharp, half bow and took off.
!!!!!!!!!!
Mika was near the secret lake, breathing heavily. She was crouched over by the lake's edge – her claws dug deep into the cold, moist soil. Tears forced themselves out and ran down her pale face; her entire body language screamed with agonizing pain. She let out an excruciating, high pitched whine. "Onee-chan!" though it was high, it was a whisper; Kam couldn't possibly hear her. The tip of her nose touched the slush; her heated breath melted it away.
Her ears twitched at the sound of snow being crunched under massive amounts of weight. Mika's claws shot another wave of pain; she nearly screamed. She raised her head; she saw a darkly dressed, bulky, blurry form beside her.
"S-St-Stay back!" she fruitlessly warned.
The figure came closer; Mika scrambled away, into the bone chilling waters. By the size of its hands that were placed on her shoulders, Mika knew this demon was male. She whined and shut her mouth; the demon pressed something against her lips.
Onee-chan!!! Crystals formed on her dark eyelashes. He tried to make her swallow it by messaging the back of her neck. Mika's arms felt like led as she moved them to his chest.
"Swallow it – damn it!" his voice was raspy, rough, but covered in velvet. He pressed the vial against her lips again. She whined and struggled against the man. He attempted to open her mouth, her head in the crook of his arm. Mika turned her head; not trusting this male.
Onee-chan!!! she screamed louder. Why? Why wasn't Kamine there?! Couldn't she hear her with her mind reading?!
Mika froze; the man's smooth lips were pressed against hers!
What do I do?!
She gasped as something moist ran across her lower lip. A hot liquid spilled into her mouth. Her scream was swallowed by the man. He wrapped one of his arms around her waist and the other nestled in the back of her head. Mika's body screamed in agony as she fought against this man; the area around them grew dark – small balls of black fire circled around them.
She opened her eyes; hot tears ran down her temples. I have to swallow it, or I'll drown…. She told herself. Mika did so; the flames poofed way. The liquid ran down her throat and into her system; her body went limp, but was aware of her surroundings. The man placed her down away from the lake and walked away. Mika laid sprawled out on the cold, hard ground.
The skies let small white crystals float down the ground.
"MIKA!!!" The young demoness had very little energy to even wiggle her ears.
Kam scooped her limp sister in her arms. She shook her; Mika groaned. Mika opened her eyes and gazed up at Kam's concerned eyes; the ookami's eyes watered and tears unwillingly fell from her eyes.
"Mika-chan…, what's wrong?" Kam's hand was warm against Mika's cheek. She attempted to wipe away the tears.
Mika let out a whimper. Because they were both from the canine family Kamine understood her.
"Your claws?" Kamine gently raised one of Mika's hands; her eyes widen in shock. They were complete pitch black, cuticles and all. "How long have they been like this, Mika?"
Mika let out a whine. Absolute shame etched across her face.
"Two weeks!? Mika, you should have t--" Kam cut herself off as more tears flowed out of Mika's eyes. "Oh…" she soothed. "There, there. I'm sorry I went off like that," she gently rubbed by Mika's eyes. "But you should have told me sooner, we could have fixed this a lot faster."
The pup let out a grunt; Kam chuckled at her sisters 'choice of words.' But, the soft laughter was soon killed.
What am I suppose to do? Kam thought to herself. I don't know the first thing of this stuff – darkness elements, black claws. Is she maturing, coming of age? I have dark techniques, not elements. Damn it all!
Mika let out a long, painful whine and buried her face within Kam's shirt.
"Imouto-chan, what's wrong!" in her peripheral vision she saw something glowing. It was Mika's claws. "Damn it!"
The kitsune suddenly sensed something, more so SOMEONE. Her head snapped up and she snarled at a man, her hackles were raised up. Her arms snaked around Mika's trembling body. "Who are you? What do you want?" Kam demanded to know.
The man, who was standing far from the two, perched on a tree, said nothing. The hand that was supporting him reached into his cloak's sleeve.
Kam snarled and barked, "Answer me!" the grip on her sister tightened; not trusting the man. If anything were to happen to Mika I don't know what I'd do…. She thought to herself. Kam gasped and quickly caught what the male, unknown demon threw at her – it obstructed her line of vision. She blinked at the old piece of roll up parchment. She quickly pulled it out of her sight and looked around the area; searching for any signs of the demon.
There were none.
A whimper from Mika snapped Kam back to earth.
"Nani? What is it?" she maneuvered her in her arms; wanting to be sure that Mika was comfortable. Sweat broke out on her forehead, despite the cold temperature. "Imouto-chan!"
!!!!!!!!!!
Kuronue dropped to the ground and rubbed his arms. "Damn cold air!" he growled. "Making me freeze my wings off!" he shakes his head. In his peripheral vision he sees a trail in the snow. Kuronue crouched down, making his knees pop, and sniffed the snow. "It's the smell from before…." He wondered if he should follow it or not. He took another whiff of the snow; his ears wiggle the slightest bit. A grin pulled at his lips. "Though this is interesting, I'm not in to – weak – ookami that much."
Kuronue stood up and left.
!!!!!!!!!!
Kam sat beside her sister that night; not knowing what to do, other than making her feel as comfortable as possible.
"I can't lose you," she whispered. Her warm hands were set upon Mika's cold one, the one that was closest to her. "I just can't. I don't know what I'll do if anything happened to you, and I was at fault."
Mika moved her lips. Kam didn't notice. She tried again. "Onee-chan…." Mika's voice was scratchy, strained.
Kam's ears wiggled and stood up straight. "Mika-chan!" she bolted up from her stool; it thudded on the hard ground. Panic etched across her features. "Are you alright? Does anything hurt?" Mika's cheeks gained more color to them and smiled sweetly, though sadness quickly flooded into her eyes and a frown replaced her smile.
"The parchment…." Mika didn't know why, but something was telling her that there was something important about that thing. Kam blinked in confusion, but looked up at the unrolled paper. Reluctantly, she let go and went toward it. She untied the black string and unraveled it.
"It's a map…." Kam examined the well-written map. There was something written on the left upper side. "'The old witch will help with your sister's dilemma.' … The old witch, and how did that man know about Mika?" she looked over her shoulder and stared at the sickly pup. Kam began to chew on her lower lip.
Should she just such a figure? The man could have hurt her even more, before she found her! But… what could she do?
The paper crinkled in Kam's grasp. "Mika-chan,"
"Hm?" her ears wiggled at the sound of her name.
"Are you well enough to travel?"
Slowly, Mika cracked open her eyes. "'Travel?' I think so…." she grunted as she lifted herself up on her elbows. "Ah!" she fell back to the bed.
"Careful!" Kam went to her side.
"My body hurts…." Tears ran down her temples.
"I know," Kam maneuvered herself to sit behind her crying sister. She wrapped one arm around Mika's shoulders and the other around her abdomen; she began to nuzzle Mika's head. "I know."
We have to go – if not Mika will… Mika will. Despite the fact she was thinking, Kam couldn't bring herself to the fact that if they don't leave in search for the witch Mika will die. "We have to go…." She whispered.
"Go where?" Kam gently put Mika down on the plush pillows and tucked her in.
"Rest up, Imouto-chan. I'll pack."
"Where are we going?" Mika's voice was getting weak; sleep was consuming her.
Kam brought down a decent sized sac and folded it over her arms. She smiled sweetly; not wanting to alarm her sister. "We're gonna go on a little trip."
That was enough for Mika; she smiled and fell asleep. Kam filled the bag with bread, cheese, cooked meat, a few sweets, and bananas – hoping they wouldn't rot too soon on their trip. She tied it around her neck, across her chest. Quickly, she grabbed a gourd and dashed to the river. She filled it with cool, fresh water and put the cork in on it; she tied around her waist and ran back to the den. Mika was still asleep.
"C'mon, Mika-chan." Kam grunted as she put her on her back. The pup whined; not liking the fact of being disturbed, waking up.
It had been two weeks since they went on their little trip. Mika's condition worsened and Kam became more worried. But, luckily, because of her strength/youki hardly any demons bothered them.
They were walking through a dark forest, on their way to the village coming up – the village that had the old witch.
Mika trembled at the change in atmosphere. She gripped onto Kam's shoulder, but being careful not to break her skin. Not knowing what her black claws would do. "Onee...-chan...." sweat traveled down Mika's forehead. Her ears were pinned back and she hid her face in the crook of Kam's neck.
Kam bit her lower lip, not liking to see her sister in pain. She moved her head the slightest bit and gazed at her ookami sister. "Don't worry, Mika-chan, we're almost there." Mika weakly nodded and whimpered. The kitsune turned her face forward and glared that the thinning forest; they were coming up to a town that could possibly help Mika. Damn it all! Kam swore. The grip on her sister's thighs tightened bit. I hate asking other people for help, but if it makes the pain Mika's feeling to go away than I'll do it!
Lesser demons cleared the streets as the kitsune walked by. Her glare was powerful and her tail twitched in aggregation. Her ears twisted from side to side at the soft whispers. Kam couldn't waist her time on them when someone special to her was in grave pain.
Kam carefully walked up the marble steps to the temple. As she continued to ascend Mika's shivering increased greatly. Kam skipped two steps at a time. Almost... there! she told herself. She could just barely make out the silhouette on the thin paper screen.
She used her foot to slide the door open. Before her was a young looking female in a purple kimono and black obi and short brown hair. The woman held some sort of glowing stone. She was surrounded by floating lit, red candle sticks.
The woman didn't open her eyes to the glowering demoness as she spoke, "So I see you've finally come." Kam snarled at the woman. Every second lost, was a second that brought Mika to who knows where! "Do not fret, Kitsune. If it is help you seek, then I will surely help you. Your intentions are true - you wish to help the ookami. Correct?" the woman opened her eyes and gazed at Kam from the corner of her eyes. She had black irises. Kam gave a stern nod.
"Very well," the stone floated away from the old – yet young looking – woman and hovered near the wall in front of her. She walked back a few feet and motioned to the ground where she sat seconds ago. "Place her there."
Kam hummed and walked to the spot, eyeing the levitating candles.
Very carefully she placed Mika down on the mat. It was then she realized the horrible state Mika was in. Her black bangs clung to her forehead and sides of her face. Her pale face was enflamed and sweaty. Her breathing came out ragged.
"Well, this is a bother." Kam snapped her head up at the old woman, who was rummaging through a cupboard. She placed darkly coated bottles on a floating table – that must have flown to her – along with sharp, polished objects.
"What are you gonna do to her?"
The woman flicks a vile filled with neon green liquid. "A simple procedure; she won't feel a thing."
Kam rolled her teeth over her lower lip. She wrapped her fingers around Mika's. "You're positive?"
"Hai." The witch walked over and kneeled down on the other side of Mika. She started to move the utensils and – what Kam guessed – medicine. "You will have to leave."
"Nani?!" Kam's eyes bulged and her ears stood up. How could she leave her sister, while she's like this?
"You can't expect me to leave – can you?" Kam glared at the insane woman.
"You will if you want this to go by quickly."
The kitsune stared at the woman, than lowered her gaze to Mika. She lowered over her and hugged her lightly. "Everything's going to be okay." She whispered. As she pulled away there was a tug on her hand; she blinked at Mika's tight grip.
"Onee…-chan…." she whimpered. Tears, yet again, flowed down her half opened eyes. "Don't go, please!" Kam could sense her fear; and gently smiled. She embraced her once more.
"Don't worry," she said. "I'll be right here when you wake up."
And she was. After hours of waiting outside listening to her sister's whimper as the witch injected something into her system, feeling the dark energy rise up and wander around the room, seeing dark figures along the paper walls, hearing the witch's chants, and then nothing.
Kam's ears perked up at the sound of a door sliding open. She blinked at the sighing witch. The woman waved her hand and said, "It is done; you may see her." Without a second's thought Kam went into room. The candles were blown out, the air smelled like dank, and there were claw marks in the wood flooring.
Kam knelt beside Mika and brushed aside some of her bangs. Mika groaned and her head swayed; Kam stopped fixing her bangs. The ookami slowly opened her eyes and smiled up at the kitsune.
"You are here!" she weakly yelled. A wide grin was on her face.
For a brief moment Kam saw Mika years back, when she was small pup. Her beaming face, carefree chestnut eyes (not the gold tinted, maturing ones), tail wagging a mile a minute, ears wiggling with glee, and arms wide open for a hug. How is it that, that little pup grew up so fast? It is because she 'knew' that Kam was becoming stronger and didn't want to be left behind? Or is it simply because of nature?
"Of course I am, silly." Kam laid on her side and ran the back of her fingers on Mika's cool cheek. "You didn't think I'd lie, did you?"
Mika yawned, than shook her head. "No," she said. She snuggled into her sister's warm body. "I can stay here for a while?" By 'here' she met with Kam, not the creepy old lady's place.
"Hai," Kam placed her arm over her little sister's side.
Kam listened to Mika's breathing until it evened out, until she fell asleep. "You can come out now." Her voice was dull.
The woman's footprints weren't even heard. She didn't speak, just stared down at the duo.
Kam's ears and tail began to twitch and her brows knitted together. "Thank you," she grunted and paused. "For helping my sister."
"It was nothing," she walked over to the far end of the room and slid open a door. "Cool air would do her some good." She told Kam.
"What DID you do, Mika-chan?"
"It's not what I did do, but what I could have done." Kam's head snapped up toward the woman. A murderous glare flooded her eyes.
The woman moved her hands up and down, wanting the kitsune to calm herself. "Calm down, calm down; I did the procedure. But, that will not work forever."
"Nani?" Kam's body tensed.
"You are a nearing three tailed, yes?" the woman arched an eyebrow at her. Kam didn't respond. "Hm…. Interesting. Has it not occurred to you that Mika is 1,500 years old and has yet to start growing her second tail? This was a sign – if she doesn't start training this will come back, and next time you time not be so lucky. She is a darkness elemental and, if you failed to know, their powers over take them. If they do not become stronger or when their 'mad' emotions are too strong – such as anger and fear."
"She doesn't like fighting." Kam argued.
"This is Maki, dear." A devilish smirk went on the witch's lips. "You must fight to stay alive, or be killed. You won't be alive forever."
Kam's hackles raised and a growl rumbled from her throat. Her hair slight bristled, her ears pointed forward, and her tail went rod straight.
"I only speak of the truth." With that she left the room. Closing the sliding door and walked down the hallway.
Kam quickly calmed herself down; sensing Mika's discomfort, in her sleep. She petted her head in comfort. Kam's hand rose up behind Mika's left ear, and rub the base. Mika lightly giggled, her tail wiggled.
"I made a promise," Kam whispered. "And I intend to keep it."
She closed her eyes and sleep soon consumed her.
"BYE~!!!!!" Mika waved her hand high in the air at the old witch's place, with a happy expression on her face. The witch simply watched them walk up the hill.
"Thank you~ for your help~!!!!" Mika continued to shout.
"You seem like your old self, Imouto-chan." Kam happily noted.
"You bet, Onee-chan! I've never felt better!" Mika punched the air for emphasis. Kam laughed.
...
The witch looked up at the girls that entered the woods, above the hill. She hummed and reentered her 'shrine.' She grabbed the stone she held before and sat down on her mat. The stone began to glow a golden color. The candles sparked to life and rose off the ground. Her eyes began to glow the same color as the stone.
"They're gone." She said to the darkness around her. But a figure, shrouded in a black cloak, arose from the shadows.
"She sure did grow up, didn't she?" the man's voice was raspy and low.
"Yes," the witch said. "And if it weren't for you and your little concoction of yours the pup would be dead." They were talking about Mika. "Then, that would lead to the kitsune's death." Kam.
"I'm aware of that." his voice grew dark.
"Ookami and kitsune are sworn enemies in this life, and the next. But those two seem to like defying that logic, don't they?"
The cloaked man growls at the thought. "I only care about one thing." The witch raised an eyebrow. He gripped a fist full of his hooded cape, over his heart as if to stop a pang of misery. His hand was covered by a black leather glove. "And that's Mika's happiness, even if a damn kitsune creates it."
The witch simply nodded.
Author's Note: Sorry for the lack of Kuronue and Youko Kurama, gals! ^^;
Kuro: *whines* T^T I feel so left out!
Youko: Please, there was more of a lack of me!
Me: -_-" You guys have such big egos! Besides I promise you guys will show up more and more as the story progresses.
Both: W00T!! ^o^
Me: *rolls eyes, with a smirk* You, guys, are just... oh my gosh! *shakes head*
Well *claps* now that you gals have read "Sisters through Time" why don't you leave a review? ^-^
Kuro: Seriously, leave her a review so she can continue.
Youko: We WANT her to continue! *grins at the notes*