Thieves of Heaven

A Yoko Kurama/Shuichi Minamino story-Yu Yu Hakusho

Chapter One: Born beneath a crimson moon

"Hang in there…just keep breathing…"

Shrill, high pitched whimpers of agony echoed off the bare stone walls of the chamber, ringing in his ears as he squeezed his mate's tiny hand tightly, the knuckles of her slender fingers white with strain. Tears fled freely from her crimson eyes, leaving trails of moisture to stain her pale cheeks, the wet skin glistening in the dim light offered by the kerosene lamps placed throughout the small room. The elderly midwife that had been imported from the village leaned over her, the older woman's storm gray eyes narrowing with obvious displeasure at what she saw.

"Only another minute more-push with all your strength!"

The laboring female didn't have to be told twice. A loud, agonizing scream vibrated from her throat as she forced her weakened body to comply with the doctor's order, her efforts rewarded with the piercing cry of an infant's wail sounding as it left the familiar, protective burrow within the womb. Her breath caught in her throat as she clutched the hand of her mate with a steel grip, the harsh bite of pain in her abdomen seeming to relish its hold on her. She nearly lost consciousness then, a wave of dizziness washing over her and causing the world to spin in one endless blur of color.

"A daughter! You've given me a daughter!" she heard her mate cry out happily, leaning down to kiss her sweaty brow as the midwife cleaned the infant and wrapped her up in a thick wool blanket before placing her in her father's arms. Her cries of protest quieted as she looked up at him, her eyes a stunning shade of violet and the little hair there was on her head a vibrant cherry red. He stared down at his first child, delirious with bliss, happy tears flooding his eyes at the sight.

"She's beautiful," he whispered, cradling his newborn child close to his chest, her tiny body like a doll in his large hands as he held her. A soft cry of relief escaped the lips of his mate as he laid the child in her arms, his heart heavy with pride at the life he had helped create. He leaned in close and pressed his lips to hers in a quick kiss, resting his forehead against her own as a contented smile curved upon his face.

The midwife stood apart from the tiny family, looking upon the newly made parents with sad eyes, for their joy was ill fated. Never before had she ever delivered a child on a night such as this, a night made legendary to all who dwelled within the world of demons for its terrible prophecy-the night of the crimson moon. Only twice before had such a moon lit the oddly colored skies of the Makai, and it was believed that all those born under its light would live a life of great fortune, but meet a terrible fate. If the legend proved true, this child would suffer.

Of course, when she had attempted to explain this knowledge, the parents refused to believe such a thing, writing the prophecy off as a legend and nothing more. Her time had been wasted in telling them, for her words had fallen on deaf ears. There was nothing more she could do. Having done the job she came to do, she quietly gathered her supplies and made her exit, saying a silent prayer in the child's name, praying for her sake that the prophecy of the Red Moon was a legend and nothing more.

Only time would tell.

- - -

"Daddy, is Mommy angry with me? She never comes out of her room anymore…"

Rin Kurochi looked down at his daughter sadly, reaching out to stroke her soft, cherry red locks with his fingers, his azure eyes clouded over with unspoken pain as he forced himself to smile, if only for his daughter's sake.

"Mommy had to go away for a little while, on a trip. She should be home soon, so don't be too upset, little one. I'll keep you company. Why don't we start on your combat training a little early? I know just how eager you are to learn how to wield a sword…"

Her violet orbs lit up at his offer, a huge smile breaking out on her angelic face as she threw her tiny arms around his knees in a tight hug. He smiled down at her, patting her shoulder in a loving manner. He couldn't tell her the truth. She was too innocent, too happy. Knowing that her mother had left her for good would kill her. He knew that he would have to come clean one day, but the later that day was, the better it would be. But he knew it wouldn't be long before she discovered the truth-his daughter was unusually bright for someone her age, a mere six years. Her abilities as a Kurochi, or Black Blood as they were also called among the other demon clans within the Makai, were already starting to show themselves, which meant the time to train her was close at hand. She wouldn't remain a child forever, that much he already knew, but part of him wished she would remain this young forever.

From the moment she could walk and talk, Katari had displayed an unquenchable thirst to learn. She was an incredibly fast learner, who picked up on things with little effort, even if they were years above her level of understanding. Her father's older sister, Kumi, had taken it upon herself to teach her the very basics of physical combat, which she excelled at, much to everyone's surprise. Kurochi females were known for their incredible power as physics, but rather lacked in the hands on combat. The moment she had completed her basic training, she had been a mere four years of age, and begged her father to teach her how to handle a sword, a task he had not wanted to tackle until she was older. Now, regardless of whether or not he thought she was ready, he would teach her, vaguely hoping that it would somehow make up for the horrible truth she would soon discover.

"Now, when engaging in sword combat, you must always hold your blade in this manner…"

- - -

"You will marry Aki, and that's final!"

Cold eyes glared up at him in defiance, their color darkened with obvious rage as they bore into his own, the hatred reflected in those violet depths causing his heart to ache.

"Over my dead and decaying corpse!" came the reply, followed by the harsh pounding of heavy footsteps as they receded into silence, the only sound being the callous pounding of his own heartbeat echoing in his ears.

"Give her time, Rin-san. She will come around, you'll see."

He bowed his head low in respect to the Kurochi Elder, deciding that he would give her the rest of the day to cool off before he approached her again. His daughter, being one of the strongest in both physical strength and her youkai abilities within the entire Kurochi family, was incredibly stubborn and always spoke what was on her mind, regardless if it was appropriate or not. She had her mother's spirit, and at just short of a century old, possessed the beauty of a goddess. Her hair had darkened in color to a luxurious shade of crimson and grew until it was at her waist, worn loose or bound in a tight braid if she was training. Her eyes had retained their color, but had lost their light of child like innocence and instead taken on the appearance of someone older, lacking purity and not blinded by hope. Her skin was the color of milk and flawless, her body the envy of every female who saw her, with gentle curves and firm with muscle. It was no wonder why one of the Elder's own sons wanted her as his mate.

That night, he approached her chamber, knocking softly on her door. His efforts were rewarded with silence. After another try, he attempted the door knob, only to find it unlocked. A hoarse cry escaped his throat as he entered the room to find his only daughter missing, her window pushed open wide, a note pinned to the wall by means of a small knife.

He didn't have to read the note-he already knew that she was gone.

The pain in his heart reared up, very much in the same way it had when he had discovered that his mate had left him and their child, fleeing in almost the same way his daughter just had. He collapsed to the floor, allowing the tears to flow freely from his eyes as his hands clutched blindly at his chest.

"Sakurai, forgive me. Not only have I lost you, but now our daughter as well."

That's where the Elder found him the next morning, his tears still drying on his cheeks.

'Katari, how could you do this to me? How could you leave me too?'

- - -

"Men, I'd like you to meet the newest addition to our little band of misfits. Be nice now," the incredibly handsome silver haired kitsune announced with a small wave of his slender hand, gesturing towards the hooded figure that walked alongside him. "Her name is Katari, of the Kurochi clan."

"Former Kurochi, if you will," came the reply as the hood fell away, the entire camp gasping at what they saw, their eyes wide and mouths open. Stunning violet eyes glared back at them in a sinister fashion, almost as if testing them to try anything.

This brought a chuckle from the kitsune as he watched the scene before him with amusement reflected in those golden eyes of his. "As you wish," he responded as their eyes locked and stares held firm, neither of them backing down. Despite the fact that he was obviously in charge of this little gathering, she was not punished for insolence.

He broke the stare after a long minute and turned to address his men with his usual smirk.

"Rest well. We will raid the temple of Bao tomorrow at first light."

And that is how it all began.

- - -

He studied his fellow thief and now new student with intent eyes, a smirk forming upon those perfect lips as he watched her cry out in frustration, her hands clenching themselves into tight fists. Things had been going like this for nearly 5 hours straight, and still she was having trouble mastering what he was attempting to teach her.

"I hate you, you know. You stand there and smile while I suffer. I knew you were a sadistic bastard, but this?" she complained, causing him to chuckle and earning himself a warning glare.

"Are you aware that you are only all the more attractive when you're angry?" he teased, inwardly grinning as her pale cheeks darkened to a flattering shade of soft pink in embarrassment. Ah, how he loved to tease her.

"Flattery may work wonders with those whores of you, but not with me. Save your breath," she retorted as she turned her back on him, attempting to soothe her burning cheeks.

"Tell me, Katari, how is it that you are of kitsune nature and never knew of your powers? You're abilities as a shadow youkai are incredible, and yet, you never made it known that you were even of kitsune blood. Why is that?"

His question was met by a long, uncomfortable silence.

"My…mother-she was what is known as a Siren Kitsune, a youkai not of earth but of song. The reason why I never learned such things was because my father refused to teach me. He knew how, but doing so reminded him of her, and despite the many years she had been gone, the pain of her leaving was still like a fresh wound. To avoid the pain he felt, he ignored anything that had to do with her," she explained softly, her eyes losing their glare and taking on a distant appearance, as if lost in memories. "Hence the reason my kitsune blood was denied."

"Well, better late then never. With me as your teacher, you'll learn fast. Are you up for it?"

She turned to face him with a haughty smirk he found quite attractive playing upon her lips, her eyes glittering with mischief in a way he saw as mesmerizing as she spoke.

"Have you ever known me to pass up a challenge, Yoko?"

His smirk matched her own.

"Well then, let's continue, shall we?"

- - -

The last of the guards fell to the floor, the once pristine white titles of the temple now covered in crimson puddles of fresh blood, dismembered limbs strew about like those of discarded dolls. She smirked as she replaced her weapon, slipping the bloodstained blade back into its plain leather sheath before pulling the hood away from her shoulders, her unbound hair falling just past her waist in waves of red that shimmered brilliantly in the bright lights of the temple lamps.

"Nicely done, Katari. Ruthless to the core, as usual," her leader praised her as he approached her side, eying her shamelessly with keen golden orbs. If anything, time had only made her beauty more profound in his eyes. She was like that luscious red apple hanging just beyond reach within the tree, tempting the hungry with something they would never have. She had been a part of his pack for nearly 3 decades now, and he found himself desiring her more than he ever had another female, but she would never allow him the time of day, despite his many advances. He wasn't discouraged though. They didn't call him the greatest thief in the Makai for nothing. Yoko Kurama always got what he wanted-always.

Everything, that is, except her.

She nodded her thanks as the other thieves filed in, filling their bags to the brim with loot. She had, however, already claimed her prize, a large leather satchel stuffed nearly to the bursting with precious gems and a dagger with a ruby encrusted hilt. While the others fancied gold above all other things, she had a love for jewels, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, much like her leader. They would often compete to see who would come out on top with the most loot. Yoko had always won, but she was never far behind.

She was many things, a criminal, a ruthless murderer, a person to fear.

Katari Kurochi, the second most feared thief within the Makai.

And she wouldn't have it any other way.

- - -

He sighed in frustration, running a hand through his silky silver locks as he inhaled deeply, attempting to settle himself. She was just so damn stubborn.

"Why must you always push me away, Katari? We've known each other for nearly a century and still you deny me," he complained, his eyes meeting those of the object of his desire and holding her stare, those beautiful orbs colorless in the darkness, but glittering vividly due to the light offered by the small fire crackling before them. It was quite late at night, and all of the others had either retired or had gone off whoring and drinking, as usual.

She didn't respond at first, staring blatantly at him with an expression that hid away whatever she was feeling at the moment, her lips still. "I'm not one of your willing whores, Yoko. I won't play your game. If you want me, it will be for a lifetime, not for an evening, and I doubt you can handle commitment," she replied in an almost casual manner, her gaze steady and never once faltering.

At a loss for words, he reached for her, wanting to have her in his arms, but she pulled away, out of his reach, her eyes never once leaving his. "Get it through your thick skull, Yoko. If you're that desperate for a good time, hit up the brothel-you should have the location memorized by now."

Oh, she was infamous for hitting where it hurt most, he knew that much.

Her mind spoken, she rose to her feet and left him before the fire with his own thoughts, returning to her rooms and taking a hot bath before heading off to bed.

Now alone, he fought with his inner demon, his pride injured at the fact that he had been denied something he wanted. No one had ever refused him before, and that alone made his desire to have her for his own all the more stronger.

He had to have her.

- - -

A soft pained cry escaped her lips as he slid himself deep within her burning core, her flesh tight and resisting as he drove himself inside, his mind nearly combusting from the immense feelings of pleasure that overcame him as such an intrusion. Only the sound of agonized whimpers and the scent of fresh tears kept him in touch with reality. Despite her discomfort, he felt as if he finally found paradise. It took all the self control he possessed not to move immediately, knowing that if he did so, her pain would only be worse.

Her body trembled in his arms, her eyes bright with pain and glazed over with tears, her lips slightly parted and quivering with strain. His heart actually ached at seeing her in such agony, and he leaned in, pressing his lips to her sweaty brow in a gentle, reassuring kiss, whispering condolences to her as he then covered her forehead and cheeks with kisses, his arms holding her as a man on the verge of death clings to life.

As the minutes passed, the pain lessened to a dull ache and her tears ceased, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck loosening their firm grip. Only when he felt the slight inch of her hips did he allow himself to move, burying himself deeper within her wet tunnel, her tight flesh feeling as if it was swallowing his hard length with every push. The pace gradually quickened, her soft whimpers of discomforting fading into tiny cries of ecstasy as he hit that special spot within her, causing a pleasant pressure to form within the pit of her stomach that grew with each thrust.

"Y-Yoko," she panted, his lips connecting with hers a moment later. Never before had his name sounding so enticing. Only on the lips of his beloved as he brought her to climax did his name sound so sweet.

Her entire body shuddered as she hit her peak, throwing her head back against the pillow and crying out his name again in a soft moan that was like music to his ears as her claws dragged down the arch of his back, leaving bloody furrows along the pale skin, oblivious to the pain as he joined her in bliss, spilling his seed deep within her body as he buried his face in her neck, biting down hard on the tender flesh of her collarbone just as he erupted within her. Still caught in the throes of her orgasm, she barely even felt the pain as his instilled his mark upon her. She was now his, forever and always.

- - -

Nearly a century had passed, and for a long while everything was well.

That was, until that ill fated day.

She had no idea of what had happened, of course. Only when a shooting pain emitted from the mating mark he had placed upon her with an agony so great as to send her falling to her knees, blindly clutching her throat as her head flooded with a wash of pain, did she understand that something had happened, something bad.

Her mate had left camp earlier on that day to raid one of the temples within the far east. After a long rambuncous night of nonstop loving making, she was quite exhausted and had opted to stay back this time. The news came later, news that shattered her heart and left her broken.

He was dead. Her mate was dead, killed as the result of a botched raid. Once again, she was left alone, and this time, no one would be there to save her. Heartbroken and ridden with agony, she left the Makai via a portal she had discovered along the outskirts, and made herself a home and a name within the human world, quickly becoming a well known mercenary as well as wealthy from her many missions.

Kurochi Katari, the once second greatest thief of Demon World was not dead, but in hiding, and that was how she intended to stay.

End of Chapter One