Hello Everyone.
I want to take the time to write everyone who wrote and reviewed this story. Unfortunately the other author that was supposed to write the second chapter no-showed for Botan's part. Thus resulting in my abandonment. Coming back to it all these years later and with a new outlook and writing style I rewrote this whole thing. Sent it off to a beta and re-posted in hopes to do it the justice I never was able to produce for it all those years ago.
I will still write this as the first chapter, and will not write the second one. It'll be a one shot deal instead.
Challenge Contest for YuYuUniverse Past Lives
Prompt: Two characters; meet in the past, write about that encounter. Rating can be e-m please, use them at your discretion. Use the words: opiate, crystalline and myth. Incorporate the phrase: "Yes, it is I."
My characters: Botan and Youko Kurama
Summary:
Full Summary: Like clockwork, her plan was executed perfectly. I was almost envious of her ability to do it. I told her so; just as her last breath heaved out she swollen lips, lips that I had just kissed.
Yours Truly, WA
Youko Kurama
The Master Thief
SILENCE. That pristine and perfect stillness was always right there before my first breath. That exquisite draw of air into my lungs made me think about the finer things in life. It's what made me fall and I fell so hard for that adrenaline rush. It acted like the highest quality opiate you could find, its spell weaving into my blood stream. The oxygen mixing in my lungs, pulling my adrenaline deeper into my already humming body. The Game and its irresistible call, a call to my very soul as it is more than just physical it left me weak willed to it needs. The game called thievery.
Inhale: listening to the world around me as I drew in through my nose.
Smelling: my senses heighten as my ears followed suit looking and sensing for anything that would cause alarm. Not finding even the slightest hint of fear or sweat penetrating my aware system meant I had remained undetected.
Exhale: a quick moment of guided relaxation before I move. Drawing my power inside my body.
Quickly now I move, the silence and shadows cling to my flesh, my clothing, cloaking me in its wonderful blanket. This is my work. I am a thief, the King of them. I have a following of 50 men, all mine of them mine albeit not all completely loyal as in my line of work you can be overly picky. Not matter as I am dangerous as I am selfish, and that made me powerful and feared.
I love every minute of it.
My objective was currently a heist in an old man's temple. He's a human lover and the grounds reeked of them, magnificent as they are the smell of human taints everything here. Terrible waste of a demon if you ask me. Why protect those who are weak when you can be out gaining more power, more strength. This is the demon way. My foot falls are silent as I make my way past doorways and screens, stalking around men and women chatting in rooms beyond me. I clawed my way through beautiful painted paper knowing which way to go as my objective called to me. One last hallway with a door at the end then it was all mine. I would kill for it if I had to, but what was the point when you're smarter? Outwitting is part of the pleasure, that high I talked about. To BE smarter, cleverer, more cunning, to take away what was right in front of your eyes. My men are waiting, probably for the news that I have finally failed over my return with richest to please them. Thieves will take your life just as fast as they take your gold.
How do you think I got so strong myself?
Patiently I waited in the shadows a male figure moved past me, the guard detail on the door was feeble. Shaking my head at the audacity of this demon to think this pitiful protection was going to stop me. He even locked the door, I held back a laugh; no lock could keep me back. What fun this was going to be and fun was my middle name. Casting a quick glance over my shoulder leaving to spot the torch light as it flickered down the dimmed hall, casting my own demon essence about the hall just in case. I loved to work at night, found the excitement was all the more seducing to the system.
Just one more moment, that's all that was needed. It would be mine, mine like everything else. Mine, all mine, all mine.
"Stop, what you're doing." His voice was soft; it hovered into my ears and left me feeling more than foolish. The spell of my addiction caught me off guard, unsuitably it gave me tunnel vision. It was problem- I was working on it. Half turning my crouched position in front of the lock, I faced him. He was just to the right of me, leaning in a doorway. His face turned up to the moon over head, bastard wasn't even watching me.
Anger seeped into my bones. My claws digging into the palms of my hands. My vision tunneled again. How could he not look at me? Me! The king of thieves? Spoiled everything was spoiled now! The game was over! What a waste of a demon, what a waste of a good hunt. Spoiled. He spoiled everything. Our name, our power, now my game.
He is a waste.
I killed him, vines snaked from my arms as they devoured him. If I could have taken his soul I would of, eradicating him from existence altogether. He was cocky and thought himself strong.
What a waste.
The game no longer fun, as nothing but the stench of humans reached my nose now, my throat constricting as I wanted to gag. I turned away my back facing what was no longer worth my time, the object that had been my utter consuming desire no longer fit for my being. My sight grew steadily hazy, blood lust filling into the creases of my vision, as I all but stumbled down the hallway. Grabbing the torch off the wall I threw it into the room beside me, setting fire to the bedding within. A whistle blew from my lips, a clear crisp sound is the signal to my men, to pillage. Raid and burn this temple to the ground, burn it all. This place was worth no thievery, no finesse. No skill was worth this anymore; let my men take whatever they wanted.
What a waste. Spoiled, completely spoiled.
Sounds of screams from women reached my ears, resonating in my ear drums. The shouts of pain from the men, equal to those from the dead man behind me, children being tossed over balconies to fall to their deaths. The stench of smoke filled my lungs, only adding to the hazy in my vision. I could barely hear the sounds of my feet hitting the wooden floor, where I would have sworn I walked soundlessly. Growling I struck down some human that flew out of a doorway in front me. The audacity he had to be in my presence. Couldn't he see I was busy?
"Dead." I growled out between my elongating teeth. "Wasteful. Spoiled."
I looked into the hole that the human made in the screen work of the temple. My men running around just opposite the wall, blood filled the air with its sweet sick sent. The smoke I had smelt billowed out filling the hallway from the fire I could now see, I felt its heat as the room beside me danced in flames. Knowing the demons, I command would consume. They would take it all, everything we could get our hands on. This was pillage grounds now.
Pain.
Pain? I felt pain, the sharp sting of it, two hits. Two points of entry, one hit in the side, and arrow protruding through my clothing, I could feel the crude arrow rub against my ribs. The other arrow embedded in my shoulder. Flinching at the wounds my mind clearing instantly. My sight no longer clouded by the haze of blood lust. Arrows, I had been pierced by arrows, looking around my foot had hit a trap. One I had swiftly avoided coming in, the crude design had affronted my nature. Upon leaving I had triggered it. Embarrassment flooded my person. I was struck by a trap, one I now needed to add to my list of this hunt.
Instinct kicked in then, embarrassment for an amateur move drove me forward. I ran breaking the arrows off; I left the rest in to press the wound. I didn't want to bleed while running that left a trail, I wouldn't be making any other amateur moves tonight. I flew over a balcony landing in sand, large rocks were placed in interesting formations while trees baring petals of pink and white grew. The streamlined garden would have been pretty had it not affronted all natural tastes. Quickly, I leapt across stones and over a small fence, instinctively knowing the quickest way into the forests and away from this mess. My sight was filled with that of human and demon remains, as I planned. I knew I needed to find some place in this wooden haven I'd rest and plan for what was next. Flipping over demon as several still were a live and fighting my men I dropped in to a roll, not even bothering to help. If I stayed and they realized my condition they might think they could take my life as well. Jumping up over the logged wall that separated the temple grounds from that of the forests beyond it I paused. Blood, screams smoke and fire, just one more moment I looked back. I'd have to find some solace in that, that this wasn't a complete waste.
Raising my head to the sky I let out a long sharp howl. The signal to leave, pull out and vanish. My demon body retreated to the woods, fading seamlessly into the shadows and foliage of the wooden area. I started for my shelter and ran for a haven to heal. Trees flashed by me, my feet clinging to the ground pushed faster harder. I pushed myself as far as I could away, leaving no trail no trail or trace. These actions were all instinctive; survival was always optimal and taught at such a young age that it was natural to all.
My blood felt thick, my movements started to become sluggish. Alarms went off in my head, I wasn't to my safe house yet. I needed a break though, I stopped. Stretching my mind out I search for any youkai or spirit energy. Feeling for anything, listening for any sounds. My knee gave out. Looks like this place was my new safe house. For now, I searched around me looking for someplace secluded and with all the things I need. The dark trees reached heights only found in the Makai and large full leafed plants surrounded my person. Good, dense woods usually housed little clearings perfect for my current objective. Plant life was always a comfort for me. It was my greatest weapon after all. My ears twitched listening for anything, my mind constantly running through all possible situations that could arise from the current situation.
I could smell water, perfect. Putting a hand to the wound on my side I grunted in pain. Stupid human contraptions, they are truly useless beings. I had to find this water and flush my wounds, who knew what filth or infectious material was upon this thing trapped in my flesh?
I swallowed more air into my lungs and followed my nose. A cool drink to clean the smoke from my mouth was just what I needed. I felt so dirty and the smell of humans stank on my clothing. I want to wash everything, get rid of my night of waste, and forget it happened. Practically crawling I pushed my way through a vine type plant into a cave. I stood near the opening, the smell of water pulling at me, leaving me ache. Glancing around again as I was not taking any chances, I moved soundlessly into the cave. After the first few steps in I noticed the dark somehow seemed to sallow everything. It stopped all sounds.
What was this? Where am I?
This was no normal cave, my instincts telling me something was unnatural at work. What had I walked into. I stopped moving and started to debate turning around, I was wounded. But not weak and dumb, debating again I leaned against the wall. Water tickled my fingertips. Slowing lifting it to my nose I smelled, no poisons detected, just cool and crisp. I looked around, still swamped in dark. I could see nothing, not even my demonic abilities allowed me vision. Staying still, I listened. If my sight was impaired, then I would use my others, survival was always a key. It is natural thing to any creature that drew breath; that pumped blood through its dismal veins. Something I learned fast and early.
I leaned forwards, almost stumbling, suddenly over taken by my need to drink. A trickle sound to my left, standing close to the wall for support, I kept my eyes closed and followed my nose and ears. Sounds and smells guiding me to the water. What a pity it was dark, I would have loved to see what this abnormal cave was housing. Suddenly the sound of dripping water stopped, replaced by something else. A fluttering, wings?
A bird; was that a bird I hear?
My eyes snapped open, the cave was a tunnel? I felt wind on my face; pushing forwards again a light slowly brought hug dark leaves into my vision. Tall hard wood trees made a canopy above me. Quite suddenly I noticed that the light was coming from bubbles and they floated around me casting a glow to everything.
Wait.
I cast a wide scale glance again to my current surroundings, the whole woods seemed to be glowing! Everything in this clearing seemed to be illuminated from within. Bringing air into my lungs, the very air was moisture on my tongue and I tasted something sweet. What was this place? Had I walked into an illusion demons trap? Were the arrows poisoned and I was just slumped over dying somewhere thinking this supernatural place up? Again I brought air deep into my lungs, the pain in my wounds stinging now. No, I couldn't be dying somewhere, this was real. I touched a giant fan like plant to my left. I knew this plant; last week I feed a similar one my youkai, bring it to life to eat the head of some elite council member. That meant I was still in demon world. Good, I had not gone through a portal then. Glancing back, I couldn't see the mouth of the tunnel anymore. I had moved without knowledge away from it. My body acting of its own accord. That damned cave.
Recapping my situation, I stared to follow my nose again, I still wanted that water and somehow it smelled even better than in the cave. My mind brought forth azure colored liquid, a tingling sensation on my tongue began. Just past a tree I could hear the slap of water against a bank. Crawling over the trunk I crouched low inching my way forward, again trying and failing to sense anything amiss. A pond sat before me, the water sparkled, in time with everything else in this place. Everything held a certain essence I have not felt before. This place hummed with energy. I learnt forward, looking at the water, drinking in its presence. I dripped a hand, touching the surface, cold and soft. I held the liquid cupped in my hands to my mouth, I tasted.
"Well hello." A voice spoke. I was caught again unawares, what was wrong with me? "Welcome to my home."
The water formed, flowing gently, little ripples pooled together, right in front me. The water dripping out my own cupped hands as I stare. I am entranced, a women's voice flowed from the twisting water the crystalline surface hardened to look like a glass statue. Clear hands of bubbling, free flowing water reached up to cup my face.
"What has the world brought me this time?" The water nymph twisted and twirled, spraying into my hair, her hands ran up and over my forehead and brought sweet relief from something I had yet to notice. A weariness in my bones that I had thought left with all that I had accomplished. Her cool palms caressed my flesh but her essences caressed my soul, bringing with it a sensation that filled my being. This magic swept around me healing my wounds and somehow my bruised pride.
"You are so selfish Fox. To think that all this beauty before me is just a calm cool façade for something less than normal." She whispered words of pleasure and compliment. She knew what I was, looking into my soul and seeing the being, the demon beneath. I have never felt something like this in all my many years. Nor have I seen something so beautiful. Instantly I want her. Not just physically as my cock sprang forward, heavy with need. No I wanted her in a way that meant possession, to own. Nymphs were calculating creatures much so like me, but they hardly ever left their residence. They would die within days of leaving common known fact. My eyes never left her own, the reflective pool in her eyes showing only my own face.
Was it possibly to claim this cave?
"Nymph?" I swallowed the water that flushed into my mouth when I spoke. It's cool crisp sensation filled my throat. Most times a nymph would use you for what they need and be done with you, but some were cruel creatures. Blessed with powers from some unknown source above, but cursed with them as well. Lonely lives these creatures lead, who would want to be cursed like them. "I am Yoko, and as you see me, may I ask if I will be leaving this place? What is it you seek?"
"I seek something that you do." Her voice chimed with music like laughter. He hands once again pulling my face closer to the surface of the water. I almost lost my balance and fell in. "I can smell power but something afflicts your spirit. A chance has brought you to me, and with that luck, we will both gain something my dear fox."
She let go of me finally only to sink back in to her pool her face disappearing into small ripples that lapped against the embankment I was perched over. Her spell broken as she no longer held me I swiftly calculated all the possibilities. Myths, facts and stories I had heard about nymph encounters, scenarios of a battle, a coupling, a friendship built on want and need played in my mind. I am a healthy demon after all she was alluring. I was a spirit creature myself; a demon able to reside in all forms, beast, human, and demon. Although I was very proud to wear the façade of a sweet man's face. It did give me quite the advantage in some of my more pleasurable games.
"Just what are you hinting at water nymph?" I spoke out to the pond in front of me. The sensation of being watched tickled the back of my neck.
"Just what do you see when you look out at my home dear demon?" Answering with a question of her own. Her voice whispered into my ear she was behind me but I made no move to acknowledge that. Her presence was testing my patience. Taunting me into some form of action. As a demon, I fought my need to lash out; I was the one who played tricked not the other way around. Staying quiet I watched her float back around my being. Her watery arms hung around my shoulders. Her slippery clear hair and face bubbled as if it was current in a stream. Her chin resting on top of my head. If she had pupils I'm sure she would string right back at me in my own refection in her pool. "Look, listen, tell me what you think."
Another test she throws at me; what tricky creature these nymphs are. "I don't have time for games here. I'm a busy fox if you haven't already noticed."
"Oh I noticed, I noticed a lot about you." Her smooth voice took on an impish laugh. She was playing, but her game wasn't so bad. She did say that we both had something to gain from our encounter. At least if I played along I may have a chance to leave here with my life.
"I see cool, clean water. It smells like a forest that is alive all the way down to the very roots." I looked around again, taking in the whole clearing of the pond. "I see light and shadows. I feel calm, relaxed, but know in my mind I should be on edge. Your home is very nice nymph."
I looked around again, taking in the whole clearing of the pond. It is quiet and clean. The untamed growth of the plant life around us, was actually quite beautiful. Her place of living was comfortable, tree lined to one side and ferns delicately dipped into the magic pool.
"Fish sometimes come to see me, sometimes others come too. Seeking a drink or just to satisfy their curious nature." She sighed above my head; again she moved this time to rest her head on the bank by my feet. Her head leaning on her arms and she watered a flower with her fingertips. Her water body swirled in the pools behind her as I sat now weary enough to rest. "They always leave and never come back afterwards. I like that part best. They are usually nice, but I prefer to be alone. This is my home after all and most of them come uninvited to my place." Her voice was soft, dreamy almost in nature, her inflections were as if it were all just a bother to her.
"Don't you get lonely?" I ask, my curiosity peaked enough to forget my manners.
"I sit and wait for them to come, this is job." Her head now resting in her hands, elbows perched as she sat more forward towards me. She was humoring me. "I guard my magic waters. The powers above have contemplated my fate and when everything is said and done, I will die."
The factuality in her voice made me think about the power I still needed to obtain. To be the best. King was no longer enough anymore. Unlike this sad creature I would beat death; I would beat my fate in this lifetime. I had to plan now. My goal had changed.
"But for now, I am blessed with my home. Its beauty far surpasses normal waters, its properties offered life, my life blood are a gift to this land; I am a water nymph. I am gifted by the gods with a stone of healing, and a home till they come for me. It is a more than fair trade in my opinion."
A stone? Checking my data filled mind I came up empty handed with nothing about a stone. "A stone you said?"
"Yes."
Not realizing I had asked a question out loud, I stared at the little nymph. Now I noticed just how small she was. Her smooth voice had melted away to that of a bubbly girl. I wondered at this, a new plan forming in my mind. A stone of healing and magic power. Just where was this stone? My King-ship fell away in my mind and became one of immortality. "Just what are you playing at here little nymph?"
The annoyance in my voice broke the tranquil feeling that had enveloped the situation at hand. I had enough of this game now; I was a busy man and had a new goal to obtain.
"I invited you fox; could you not feel it?" Somehow she had wrapped her body around mine again, dragging me towards the pond. "You see, you fit into neither category that I assigned to the others. How curious you are to me Yoko. I think I wish to help you obtain this goal of yours. As soon as you stepped into my forest I knew that you were the one."
Her smooth voice was back, the one that had shivered running up my spine the childish one gone. Could she have personality disorder? "Just what goal is that?"
"You move with the air of a warrior, one that is swift and brutal in battle. I have seen you in visions dear fox. One's where your spirit is not what you are now. I'm going to help you obtain a role that destiny is not willing to see come to light. A fate where your abilities will come in handy over the next life time, I see great things in you dear fox. You, my deliciously twisted male will gain true power, and not by blindly fallowing the path you are now."
Blind I am not blind!
I feed my power into the nearby plants around her home. My demon aura filled the habitat now. "Blind? You're mistaken my nymph, now give me that stone and perish quietly."
My voice that of a true commander, the high authority of a King infused my tone. The plants sharp of edged now pointed at her pond. The water swirled up, her body made of waves and a power I didn't know existed in came to life within her.
"Go ahead kill me fox. This you're calling!" The absolute excitement of her death tasted so sweet on my tongue. Warning bells ringing in my head.
"No." I swore I played into no one's hand. "Explain yourself nymph or I will leave your useless self here."
My rough barked command spilled out over her and she fell away back into her pond, haunting laughter echoed all around me. The waters flashed and glowed but held absolutely still as ice. The surface was hardened to glass before my eyes. I leaned over and saw my refection pure as day. It changed to that of a young woman with a sweet face; and big bright eyes. A small nose and a soft blush graced her cheeks, leading to full and heart shaped mouth. The image had my blood pumping on my veins. Her chin is round and ears slightly pointed. "Is that you I see in there?"
Her face broke the surface moving slowly out of the water. Her hair; long with twisted braids, tangles of shells and water plants. Her eyes are big and lashed so dark that at first glance you assume she hasn't slept. Her mouth twisted into a wicked smile. Her cheeks held warmth that I thought was a blush but rather a glow. Her body exposed she tugged it up onto the bank. "Yes, this is I."
Pink, bright bubbly pink eyes stared into mine. Her head fell back and she laughed. A big throaty laugh that held music and something else that I couldn't place erupted from her small body. It shook her frame and made me feel foolish. "You look like you've seen a spirit fox. Don't you like what you see?"
She is taunting me.
"You're shorter and much younger than you appear to be." My fingers twitched to wrap around her throat. She is laughing again. I curse her very being.
"You are quiet right but I appear to you as I am. I'm handing you a truce to earlier aggression. Would you like to hear my plan?"
I watch her; her smile one of twisted grace. Her plan better be good.
"In one month return here, all you have to do is think about this refuge and you will find me." The tilt in to her head had me think of things in comparison. A child with a look of curiosity; a flower trying to lean its way to the sunlight, all seemed to fit. "You are a smart demon and you will know what has to happen. Circumstances will make it. Being you barely escaped with your life today. So arrogant you are, for it will become your downfall."
She held her hand out to me. I cursed her entire existence again.
I shook it. "One month." A promise.
I took her then My hungry for her body made flesh insatiable. He nudity taunted me as did her voice. So I took her roughly. She gave me back just as much. My limbs ached before I came spilling into her with a savagery to possess knowing she would never be claimable. I made sure both of us were pleased before I left. I turned back only once to see her dive into that home of hers. Her sleek rosy skin gleamed in the light. Something in her and in me spoke to one another, probably why I didn't kill her then and there. Her mystery intriguing me more so than the reasons of our sex.
One month from that day, like clockwork, her plan was executed perfectly. I was almost envious of her ability to do it. I told her so; just as her last breath heaved out she swollen lips, lips that I had kissed fiercely before plunging my hands into her chest. I ripped the stone from her body, the blue hue of the thing glowed and sent shivers of delight down my spine. Her blood mixed with mine as my deadly wound gaped open in my chest, my own heart pumping more blood onto the ground seeping into the waters of the pool.
Like I gave my word one month before; I took her life and fled to the human world. I took her life and began my new one. It's too bad something so beautiful had to be spoiled.
Perfection was rarely seen.
There you have it!
Please leave some feedback, or let me know that you enjoyed the re-write. If there are any mistakes, please forgive me again. i did go over it with a fine tooth comb but things do fall through the cracks. I'll make sure to make any and all changes.
Thank you, WA