Chapter One
Chapter One
I stood against the wall with my arms crossed over my chest. Kurama sat in one of the plush chairs with his legs crossed and his hands patiently folded in his lap. How the fox could have such patience is beyond me. I, on the other hand was ready to be gone from this place before we'd even arrived. We'd already been waiting an half an hour and I had grown weary of waiting to see what mission we'd been called in on. Koemna was sitting at his desk with a thick file in front of him. As usual, one side of the desk was covered in papers stacked high. It was he that had called us here in hopes that we would go on a mission for him as a favor. Yusuke and Kuwabara were late as usual and I wondered why Kurama and I even bothered to be on time.
The detective and the oaf entered Koemna's office and all eyes turned to them. "You're late," Koemna said. "I wouldn't have been if you hadn't called in our regular babysitter. I ended up asking Yukina to babysit Kimi while Keiko's at work, and it took this idiot a half hour just to say goodbye to Yukina," Yusuke responded jabbing his thumb at Kuwabara. I bristled at the mention of the oaf with my sister, but said nothing. She was free to choose whomever she wished, if she wanted Kuwabara as a boyfriend or even her mate I could not interfere, no matter how much the oaf irks me.
Kuwabara opened his mouth to protest but stopped and turned his gaze solely on me. His eyes widened in shock. "Hiei?" he cried in surprise. "Glad to see your sixth sense hasn't dulled over the years," I replied. "Good to see you man," Yusuke said. "Yeah," Kuwabara agreed, still clearly shocked at seeing me again.
Koemna cleared his throat, getting the group's attention. "I called you all here today because I haven't anyone else to send that I could trust this mission to. I'm asking you as a friend to investigate something as a favor to me," he informed us. "What is it you'd like us to investigate?" Kurama asked. "There's been a mass disappearance in a small village in the eastern region of the Makai," Koemna answered and turned his chair toward the large screen that was lowering itself. A map of the Makai flashed momentarily upon the screen and then began to zoom in on a forested region in the east. A glowing red dot was on the screen.
"This is the village of Kiyoshi, one of the seven tribal fox demon villages. This morning, I received a report of numerous male fox demons vanishing from there. I don't have an exact number, but they were all young adults to middle aged adults. It seems the females, children and elderly are unaffected so far," Koemna informed us."I would like you to go there and find out what happened to them," he requested. The young god looked at each of us hopefully.
"Keiko's not going to like this, but I'll go," Yusuke agreed. "School's out for summer break so I'm free," Kuwabara agreed. I glanced at Kurama. If he were willing than so was I. However, he didn't look like he would agree to go. "If only the males are being affected then perhaps it would be unwise for me to go," Kurama said. "What has happened to them may also affect me as well, especially if the young adults are being affected. In terms of age that is what I would be considered there," he added. "Come on Kurama, it wouldn't be the same without you. Besides we wouldn't let anything happen to you. Right Hiei?" Yusuke protested. I gave a slight nod, though I felt that a reply wasn't really needed. Kurama knew that I would protect him as much as I could. Didn't he?
"Kurama, Yusuke and Kuwabara wouldn't get near the village without you. That is why I called you here," Koemna pleaded. "You know as well as I that the fox demons will not trust anyone not of their own kind enough to let them in to their villages," he continued. "They only way they would trust any of the others is if you were with them," Koemna pleaded. Kurama sighed. "There isn't any way around it then. You won't need to send all four of us if Hiei will accompany me we will be enough," he reluctantly agreed. "I'd feel better if all four of you went. Yusuke and Kuwabara can assist Hiei if you are affected by whatever is going on there," Koemna said. The fox looked at me, his green eyes were pleading. I gave a slight nod in agreement. If Kurama was that concerned about this mission then I would feel better if Yusuke, Kuwabara and I were with him as well.
"Now that it's all settled I'll get you a map and you can be on your way," Koemna said as he pulled four rectangular silver colored devices from his desk drawer. "These are your new communicators. If you wish to speak to any of the other members of your team just press the corresponding numbered button assigned to that member. When you get an incoming communication the device will alert you, just press the button in the center there to receive it. Each one has a tracking device in it so you can find one another as long as each of you has his device on him at all times. There's also an electronic map as well. The device is programmed to walk you through using those features," Koemna informed us. "And if we wish to contact you?" Kurama inquired. "Press the button in the center when no one is trying to contact you. Either Botan or I will answer," Koemna answered. Kurama nodded. He then informed us of which button corresponded with which member of the team and how to use the tracking device at Kurama's request. "Any other questions?" Koemna asked once he was through explaining those two issues. "Yeah, how do you turn it on?" Kuwabara asked. I picked mine up from the desk and glanced at it. "Press the button on the top," I told him as I picked up Kurama's as well and handed it to the fox. "Oh, right. Thanks," Kuwabara replied. Inwardly, I sighed. Some things never changed.
We left Koemna's office and split up to go home and pack for the trip. Kurama did not look at all happy about this latest mission. He did not speak a word as we returned to his apartment to pack for the trip. He remained silent as he packed. His face were tense, his eyes were a storm of emotion. There was something bothering him and I doubted it was simply the fact that he could share the fate of those who had vanished from Kiyoshi. He was genuinely dreading the trip and I wondered why. I had a feeling that whatever was bothering Kurama was important. I decided to see if he would tell me or at least give me some sort of clue to what it might be.
"The possibility that you might be affected by whatever's going on in that village isn't the only thing bothering you is it?" I asked him. He gave me a faint smile. "Is it that obvious I'm bothered by something?" he responded. "To me it is," I answered. "You're right. I really don't want to go to Kiyoshi. I'll have to face too many memories that I'd rather forget," he confessed. "I will be there with you," I told him. "And for that I am glad," he replied. A thin smile crossed his lips for a moment, then it was gone, replaced with a look of genuine frustration. "I vowed to myself that I would not set foot there again," he sighed. "Whatever memories you will have to face must be painful for you to make that vow," I said. "It isn't the memories themselves that are the most painful but the sense of loss and longing they bring with them," Kurama replied. Curious as to what he meant, I raised my eyebrow in silent question. He did not answer it, but continued his task. I let the matter drop for the moment. If Kurama wanted me to know he would tell me when he was ready. In the meantime I would do what I could to ease his pain.
I left him to his packing and went to my own bag that was already packed for the trip to the human world. I opened the bag and pulled out a sheathed dagger. I turned to face Kurama (who had stopped what he was doing to look at me curiously) and showed it to him. Kurama took the dagger carefully from my hand and unsheathed it. His eyes widened. "This is very nice. It's well crafted, and beautifully designed," he said, his eyes glued to the hilt, which was a dragon with it's wings unfurled, it's talons clutching the blade. "It's more than nice, it's exquisite," he murmured "Where did you get such a blade?" he asked. "I made it," I answered. Kurama's eyes widened more than I thought possible. "You have quite a talent," he said as he sheathed it and held it out to me. I took it from him and attached it to his belt. "Thank you," he said, stunned that I had given it to him. I didn't dare tell him that I had him in mind when I made it. I was pleased that he liked my gift and decided I would have to forge him a sword as well one day. It would serve him well should his energy not be enough against a foe. "You're welcome Fox," I replied.
An hour later we met up with Yusuke and Kuwabara and crossed the border from the living world of the humans to the Makai, the world of the demons and apparitions. Yusuke took his communicator from his pocket and frowned at the device in his hand as he turned it on. "We should have tried this thing out before we got here," he said. "I don't like trying to figure out how to use the map on this thing when I need to watch my back," "Don't worry Urameshi, we've got your back," Kuwabara assured him. "Besides, it isn't necessary to use the map this time Yusuke. I know the way," Kurama added. "Great, then lead on fox boy," Yusuke replied as he put his communicator back in his pocket.
"Hey Kurama, what did Koemna mean when he said that the place we're going to is a tribal village?" Kuwabara asked. "Each village is made up of a tribe or clan as we like to call them. In fact, we don't even call them villages we call them clans," Kurama answered. "Do all fox demons live in one of those villages?" Kuwabara questioned. "All of us come from one of the seven clans Kuwabara. Not all of us choose to stay with our clans but most do. Then there are those who are banished and are no longer part of any clan. They usually do not live long, the forest can be very vindictive against those who have betrayed their clans and if the forest doesn't claim them, one of us will," Kurama informed him. "Koemna said there were only seven, is that true?" Kuwabara inquired. Kurama nodded. "Why is that ?" Yusuke asked. "It's been that way since anyone can remember. I was told as a kit that we have seven clans because our patron deity Inari, has seven tails," Kurama replied.
Yusuke and Kuwabara fell silent. I fell into step beside Kurama with Yusuke and Kuwabara behind us. I knew the silence wasn't going to last long. Sooner or later one of them would have another question for Kurama. I hoped it would be later. Sadness was evident in Kurama's eyes and the questioning from the other two members of the group wasn't helping.
I wasn't surprised that it was Kuwabara who broke the silence sometime later. I nearly glared at him, but decided against it. It would just start a senseless round of bickering that I wasn't in the mood for at the moment. "Which tribe are you from?" Kuwabara asked Kurama. "To be honest Kuwabara, I haven't been part of my clan since after I reached adulthood, so I don't feel I have a right to say," Kurama replied. "You weren't banished were you?" Kuwabara questioned. "No, but I've been gone so long it wouldn't surprise me if they no longer claimed me as one of their own," Kurama told him.
All this talk about his people was weighing heavily on Kurama. The sadness I had seen in his eyes, I now heard in his voice. I glanced back at Kuwabara. He must have realized it too for he had opened his mouth to ask another question but quickly closed it, looking a little worried. "I'm sorry if this is bringing you down Kurama. I was just thinking that I've known you all this time and I don't know anything about your past as a fox demon at all, other than that you were a thief," Kuwabara said. "It's alright, Kuwabara. I know you are just curious. Perhaps another time I can indulge that curiosity," Kurama replied. "Ok," Kuwabara agreed. "Is there anything we should know about for when we get there? You know customs, how to act, that kind of thing?" he asked. Kurama gave him a smile. "Just follow my lead and do as I say, you'll be fine," he assured the carrot top.
Kuwabara turned his attention to Yusuke so I gently touched Kurama's arm, quickly getting his attention. "If you know of a good place to set up camp we'd better do so in a while. The sun is getting low," I told him. Kurama nodded. "If you wish to talk about what's bothering you I will listen," I added telepathically, surprising him for the second time that day. He gave me another wan smile and a slight nod of thanks. I didn't know if he would take me up on the offer, but I had made it nonetheless. I didn't like to see him hurting so much and hoped that some of that pain would be laid to rest before the mission's end.
We found a good place to camp and settled in for the night. Kurama and I sat side by side keeping watch while Yusuke and Kuwabara slept on. I doubted we could have slept with their snoring anyway. The noise itself was enough to keep the lesser demons away at least. Kurama shook his head. "It's worse then I remember," he joked. "How did we ever get any sleep during the Dark Tournament?" he asked. "Fatigue," I answered. Kurama chuckled at that remark. "Perhaps we should turn in as well and try to get some sleep. Kiyoshi is still quite a distance and we will need our energy for the journey," he suggested. I nodded in agreement and rose to put the fire out. Kurama laid down upon his makeshift bed, looking up at the stars. I laid down a short distance away. I glanced over at him and he turned to face me, a small smile upon his lips. "You needn't worry Hiei, I'll be alright," he assured me. "Like I said before, if you need to get something off your chest I'll listen. Don't suffer needlessly," I replied. Kurama's smile widened. "I won't. Good night," he said then closed his eyes. "Good night," I replied, then closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep despite the racket two of our teammates were making.
Kurama smiled and spoke politely to a older vixen as she passed him a bowl of rice. He thanked her and served himself a portion. The vixen chuckled "My Kurama, you have an appetite," she commented playfully. "You've prepared such a wonderful meal Taki-san, I'm afraid I've made a glutton of myself," he replied. "Really mother, you shouldn't tease him like that. You know Kurama's a growing young man," a younger vixen chided. "I know Leiko," the older vixen said.
"Sakura, I hope Kurama enjoys your cooking as much as mine," she added.. "He enjoys the things I make for him," I replied. I knew the words had came from my mouth but the voice wasn't mine. It was a female's voice. "Sakura has learned well from you Taki-san," Kurama agreed. I glanced over at him as I felt him squeeze my hand. I felt myself smile as I leaned over and kissed his cheek. As I pulled back I realized that his silver tail was swishing back and forth, a sure sign he was nervous. I wondered what he could have been nervous about. He'd had dinner numerous times with this family. I wasn't sure how I knew that, I just knew. Kurama set aide his plate and turned his gaze upon the only other male in the room. "Fujita-san, I'd like to ask something of you," Kurama said. The older male looked intrigued. "What would you ask of me?" he inquired. "I would like very much to have your blessing in asking your daughter if she would do me the honor of becoming my mate," Kurama replied. Fujita smiled. "You have my blessing," he said.
Kurama then turned to face me. "Sakura, would you be my lifemate?" he asked. I smiled and threw my arms about his neck. "Yes, my love," I replied and our lips met in a gentle kiss. Out of the corner of my eye I caught Leiko's expression. Though her face showed no malice, her eyes burned with anger, jealousy and hate.
I awoke wondering what that dream was all about. It had seemed almost real, like a memory relived. I glanced over at Kurama who was still sleeping and wondered if I had merely picked up on one of his memories. However, that wouldn't explain why I was seeing things through the eyes of the one called Sakura. I couldn't help but wonder if she had wound up breaking the fox's heart. In the dream I could feel her love for him and I doubted that was likely. It was more probable that something had happened to her, but what? Perhaps during the time we were in Kiyoshi I would learn Sakura's fate. As I laid back down and drifted back into sleep I wondered what else I would come to discover about the fox.