Karaoke—Demon Style!

As Saky ducked and dodged Yoko Kurama's attacks, she noticed something. Kurama didn't seem to notice that there were innocent foxes in the area. As she threw a shuriken, she immediately realized she had thrown it into the path of one fox. Naturally Yoko Kurama didn't see this, so she had a few choices. One, save the fox and probably die in the process, two, let the fox die and really piss the thief off, or three…(and this was her personal fav) save it and allow herself to be injured.

She jumped and, right as the fox was about to be killed, took the blow from her own weapon. (As a result she ended up knocked out cold.) Yoko Kurama looked at her in confusion. Why did she stop her own weapon?! Then he saw the fox closest to her whimper in concern for her safety. The truth of what she did hit him like a brick.

"She…she was trying to protect the other foxes? But why?"

"Maybe because she was paying more attention to others compared to SOME people…" hinted the fox annoyed.

"Don't start with me!" grumbled Yoko Kurama.

"I'm just saying that she has more consideration than a certain Yokai I know…"

"WILL YOU DROP IT!"

"Fine…but I'm taking this child inside to clean up her wounds. She may have the appearance of a Siren, but she certainly does not act like one."

"So? How do we know it's not an act? She could be a spy for all we know!"

(This continues for an hour, so I'll skip to the part where Saky wakes up.)


9 hour later, in Yoko Kurama's den…

"Ow…I feel like I've been run over by Oka-san…" said Saky weakly.

"I'm impressed…that must have been a powerful throw to knock you out for nearly an entire day…" commented Kurama.

"Huh? Oh, that wasn't even half my power. I was just beat from escaping Oka-san's hellish training."

"Who is this Oka-san you speak of? Is she a Siren?"

"Nope…she's a psychic. Her name is…Genkai. I call her Oka-san 'cause she's more of a mother than my real mom was."

"So she put you through hell and you still consider her family. I'll never understand humans…"

"Well, she was more understanding than my family was when I started using Reitsu and not chakra."

"Chakra…what is that?"

"Similar to spirit energy, only you have to use hand seals to focus and use it."

"I need a drink. You can rest here if you want, but I'm heading to the bar…" said Yoko Kurama, acting as though he had a headache.

"Great, I'll come with you!" said Saky with a mischievous grin.

"No you won't! You stay here!" said Kurama angrily. He called one of his many fox cohorts to watch her, then left.

"What's his problem? Couldn't he tell I was kidding?"

"Tell you what. If you take a nap and he isn't back by the time you wake up, then you can help me retrieve his drunken ass…" said the fox dryly.

"Deal!" laughed Saky.


10 hours passed and Yoko Kurama didn't return. Saky woke up and followed the fox to the local bar. She opened the door and said… "Yikes…you weren't pulling my leg when you said he'd be majorly drunk!"

"Come on and help me carry this fool."

"Fox form now, Yoko Kurama!"Saky said firmly, using her Siren voice. He complied as she picked up his front end and proceeded to carry him out.

"Oy! What about the bill!" roared the bartender.

"I will return tomorrow with the money. You have my word."

"He owes me for four drinks plus a late fee!"

"Fine. Whatever…"

"I'll meet you back at the den. I know how to return back there…" said Saky as she prepared to run. (Unknown to either fox, Saky usually has training weights on. Think Rock Lee only hers are five times heavier.) As she ran, her speed increased more and more, making it hard for the fox to keep up.

She returned, with the other fox well out of breath. Yoko Kurama looked horrible, and he didn't feel like moving. She took him to the bath and made sure he was clean before she used her Siren voice to make him eat something. By the time she was finished, Yoko Kurama was sleeping off the liquor.


NEXT MORNING…

He awoke to the sound of battle cries and cheering by foxes.

"It's coming from the left, Saky-san!" called out one.

"Look out! Another from the other side!"

'What the…'

He rolls out of bed and looks outside to see…the girl fighting one of his least favorite plants.

"So you're awake, Yoko-sama. Little Saky here is demonstrating her preferred method of weeding."

"And what does that mean?!" Yoko said irritable.

"It means I was bored and decided to have some fun," said Saky without looking up.

"I thought I killed that damn plant! It nearly killed me while I was watering it!"

"You're kidding right? This plant is only after me cause I asked it to train alongside me."

"You…can talk to plants."

"Yup. Particularly the Head-Huntin' Demon Vine. I have these all around my garden back home."

"So that's what it's called. Why isn't it attacking you?"

"Because it prefers rabbits, feral cats and dogs, but it's favorite is snakes."

"Why do you have them in your garden?"

"To keep my brothers out of course. They have a tendency to steal apples out of the trees."

"So then why did it kill my foxes?"

"Probably because they were the only available food source. Don't worry though; my vines won't harm your friends."

"How do you know?"

"It didn't harm the other kitsune that live near my home."

"You've seen kitsune before, eh?"

"Yeah, they roam all over the place. The other shinobi don't seem to like them though."

"Well then why don't you tell me why that vine is so healthy when it was beyond dead yesterday?!"

"Simple. I threw out the old one and planted one that I brought with me."

"You planted something?!" said Yoko annoyed.

"So sue me. I was tired of seeing all these dead and decaying plants!"

"We were tired of it too, Yoko-sama. Even if it is the plant that killed our kin, it was nice seeing a live plant in the garden again…"

"Whatever… just next time consult me first!"


ONE WEEK LATER…

"So tell me Yoko-san…do any of the bars you tend to visit have Karaoke?" asked Saky.

"One…but they won't allow minors."

"What about demon minors?"

"Well, I wouldn't know. Most minors avoid this bar because it's owned by the Sirens. If they take an interest in you, you're screwed."

"Oh joy. Well, I feel like singing tonight, so lead on!"

"It's your funeral."

Saky went onstage and when she took the mic, she started her song.

"Walking in a crowd,

In a faceless town,

I need to feel the touch of a friend,

In the countryside,

I wander far and wide,

The isolation gets me again,

I don't know where to go

When I feel like calling you

Oh my,

It's time to open myself to something new

I wanna stop and go with the crew,

Then suddenly,

My power and confidence starts swirling round,

Magically in whirl,

And it's all because of kindness that I feel,

From people I don't even know,

Then suddenly,

My intuition and my wisdom grow,

And then I know,

That most of all I sense compassion's feel

Thanks to strangers wherever I go,

Thank you for waking me up."

(For those of you who watch the show, this is the theme song for Yu Yu Hakusho.)

Yoko was amazed as she got a rousing cheer from the patrons. As she left the stage, he heard several disappointed cries; she took one look at Kurama, and decided to return to the front, to the delight of everyone. (Except for the Sirens, who were annoyed a human child was receiving so much attention.)

She drew a breath…

"You are the only 'you'

There is no such thing as your replacement,

Don't wilt away, single flower

You are like a flower,

That bloomed in a dark shadow,

Even though you're in a place you didn't wish to be,

You can't move because of your roots,

Just spit out your closed-up feelings

I'll accept all your pain and suffering,

So please don't cry,

Please smile, single flower

I wanted to see your innocent figure,

That looked as if it were about to wilt, one more time,

I want to become your strength,

Even if there was a time,

When the whole world becomes our enemy,

I'll protect you

YOU SHOULD NOTICE THAT THERE IS NO OTHER

YOU SHOULD NOTICE THAT THERE IS NO NEXT TIME

You are the only 'you'

Till now and from now on

Even if there comes a time

When the whole world becomes our enemy,

I'll protect you,

So don't give up, single flower

YOU SHOULD NOTICE THAT THERE IS NO OTHER

YOU SHOULD NOTICE THAT THERE IS NO NEXT TIME"