Chapter 3: Deities and demons
A young man walked back and forth screams of pain echoed all throughout the night. Looking at the yard where a dozen men kept watch over his holding and towards the darkened forest ahead of them. All kept their weapons ready. Another high pitched scream echoed in the night and the young man winced as he looked at the door behind him. After a few moments, the shoji slid open to reveal an old woman smiling serenely up at him, in her arms, a small bundle moved slowly. The young man slowly moved forward to take the writhing bundle in the old woman's arms, smiling tremulously as he looked down at the bright amethyst orbs that looked up at him, just before he could play with little one's flailing hands, yells erupted behind him, holding the precious bundle protectively in his arms, he removed his sword from his waist and turned around and slashed the demon just as it came charging towards him. He frowned when he saw that he had been hit by the demon's claw just above his right shoulder, looking at the baby in his arms, he smiled when he saw that the little bundle was perfectly safe. Before he could give the baby back to the elder to have it brought back to its mother and have his wound treated, the baby lifted it's chubby arms and touched his blood soaked shoulder and in an instant a blue light surrounded his shoulder and when it vanished, he blinked at his shoulder and back to the baby in his arms.
The woman smiled happily at the child and nodded. "She is as we have predicted… a child of the heavens…"
The young man looked down at the small bundle in his arms yet again and smiled at the twinkling violet eyes and blue hair of his daughter… the subtle scent of peony wafted through the night air. He smiled. "Botan…" as he cradled the child closer to him, he gently stroked her soft blue hair, "she will be named Botan Urashima."
Eighteen years later…
"Damn it, Youko! I told you that demon was crazy."
A silver haired fox glared balefully at his companion. "I heard you the first time around, Kuronue. You don't have to shout in my ear." The fox demon growled softly. He shook his long silver tresses and stopped abruptly as his sensitive ears picked up faint sounds from a distance making the dark haired demon bump into him.
Kuronue glared at his friend and hissed. "What now?"
The fox demon's ears twitched as he silently followed the sounds of splashing water. His demon companion glared even more at his back as he continued to ignore him and follow the direction of the water. Kuronue opened his mouth to yell at his ever impossible friend when he saw the subtle glint in his friends eyes, keeping his mouth shut, he merely followed his friend, interested into what had captured the youko's attention.
As they neared the river, both demons looked at one another when they sensed the ki that came from the direction of the river. Reiki? Kuronue mouthed silently, his companion merely nodded. Who in three worlds would be crazy enough to sit there emitting such powerful reiki? Kurama Youko's golden eyes widened when he saw exactly who the reiki spirit was coming from.
"Holy shit." Came the equally soft response from his dark haired companion. Before them sat a woman washing apples on the riverbank, when she stood up, both demons saw her slim figure clad in a light green kimono, and when she turned, the fox demon felt his breath catch when he caught sight of her face. Her eyes were the softest shade of gleaming amethyst gems perfectly suited to her angelic face… and her hair, it was as blue as the morning sky.
Kurama Youko released a shuddering breath, the woman was beautiful… his eyes gleamed dangerously, perfect… and something so perfect has definitely got to be his. He flexed his claws, eager to get his hands on the woman. Kuronue blinked and looked at his long time friend, Oh, shit. He's practically, thinking about getting that woman. "Kurama, don't even think about it." Slowly, his silver head turned towards him, an innocent look on his handsome face. "Think about what?"
"Don't you dare give me that innocent look. I know you want that woman, but I tell you, she's going to cause us more trouble than we'll ever imagine."
Kurama blinked, "Since when can a woman be so much trouble?"
"Are you crazy?" Can't you feel the reiki she's sending out? She's probably someone from Reikai who got lost here in Makai." His friend gritted out.
The youko then grinned dangerously. "She's not from Reikai."
"What? What makes you so sure?"
Kurama sniffed the air around them, "She's ningen."
Kuronue's eyes widened at his words and his eyes flew back to the woman who was now moving away from them with the apples she was washing a while ago. "Shit… then that means…."
Kurama stood and started to follow the girl through the shadows of the forest. "She's a youkairenji."
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"Botan Urashima!"
Wincing at the sharp tone, the blue haired lady turned to face a dark haired and stern faced woman. Chuckling nervously, she lifted the apple basket in her arm. "Just out to get apples…"
Setsuna's glare softened as she eyed her daughter and shook her head. "Botan-chan…" she sighed as she came near her daughter, "you know the forest is a dangerous place for all of us… especially for you."
Botan sighed. "Hai… I know… demo… I really could take care of myself you know. I haven't gone through all those training with 'tousan for nothing…"
Setsuna chuckled. "Yes, well… your little brother has been worried sick about you as well as your father. You know how those two are especially when they don't see their precious little hime-chan around." She chuckled when her daughter scrunched her face at her words. As they neared their home, Setsuna took the apple basket from her daughter. "Oh, and by the way, Kentaro has been looking for you, Botan-chan."
Amethyst eyes widened and lost some of their light. "Kentaro-san?"
Setsuna turned her emerald gaze to her daughter, "What's wrong?"
The young maiden sighed and shook her head. "'kaasan, is it really necessary for me to marry him? I mean, he's my friend and all, but I really can't see him as my husband…"
"Oh, my dear… I'm sure you'll learn to love him soon enough…"
The blue haired girl shook her hair fiercely, "Iie… I do love him… but I love him the way I love Amanoma-chan…"
"He is your balance Botan-chan. Your Reiki will suit his powerful youki very well."
Botan gritted her teeth, "As if I asked for this…" she grumbled under her breath. Every since she could remember, the people of their clan had looked up to her because of the powers that she had. A gift from heaven and hell. A maiden born with a powerful reiki, she uses her skill to heal and protect the people around her, while her youkai blood allows her to control all plants around her, utilizing them as weapons for her own protection as hundreds of youkai's have already tried to take her life because of her reiki. As she entered the house, she stopped short when she met two pairs of glowering red eyes. "Errr…."
"Where in three worlds have you been young lady?!" Tasuki growled
"You told me that you won't go out without me!!" said Amanoma at the same time
Botan merely shook her head and tuned out the raging voices of the two Urashima males behind her, picking up her comb, she started to run the comb through her blue tresses and faced the window when her eyes caught sight of amber orbs staring back at her. Her breath caught and all sounds were blocked from her hearing.
"Botan!!"
Startled, Botan turned to face her father and little brother and face the window once again, the amber orbs were gone, but the feeling remained. That was definitely a youkai… came the soft thought before she faced her two over protective guardians. Unbeknownst to her, the owner of those amber orbs have not yet left the area. His eyes scanned the beauty sitting by the window combing her hair and talking to two yelling men. I will claim you for my own… came the soft whisper before the figure disappeared in the forest mists.
Later that evening, as the young maiden and her family turned down to sleep, a multi-tailed fox swiftly and silently passed through the guards of the house and stopped under an open window. Carefully looking around him, the fox sniffed the air delicately and looked up to the open window, jumping up, it entered the dark chamber and crept quietly towards the bundle in the middle of the room. Amber eyes looking down at the peacefully sleeping woman, the fox buried it's nose into her neck, delicately sniffing her scent. Pleased to find her sleep undisturbed, the fox lay down softly beside the woman and slept.
Before the first light of dawn pierced the dark sky, the silver fox crept silently form her room and left. A tell-tale reminder of his visit, a beautiful red rose placed beside the maiden's head on her pillow.
The ritual continued for a month, clearly confusing the young maiden and her family for the reason of the nightly gifts for the maiden and for whoever was skillful enough to surpass a dozen of experienced fighters keeping guard to the maiden. Though baffled, the young maiden was also secretly overjoyed to the romantic gesture of her mysterious admirer, a small chest under her closet lay witness to the gifts, from the first single rose that she had received to the purple crystal bracelet that she had seen earlier that morning, all kept hidden in that chest. Despite the efforts she made to catch her admirer at night, she could not keep her eyes open for a long time for her to catch him.
Walking through the fields, Botan released her pent up breath. "Arrrgh!!! More than a month has passed… ho the heck is that guy?!!" Beside her a chocolate haired maiden chuckled. "Patience has never been your strongest suit, eh, Botan-chan?" chuckling a bit more at her friend's baleful glare, Kitana Yui laughed at her childhood friend. Tilting her head to the side, she eyed her friend carefully. "Ne, Botan-chan…"
"Hnnn…"
"You know, Kentaro-san was the one who ordered the additional guards that placed near your chambers."
"Hai… I know…"
"I've heard that he's been throwing a fit ever since word got out about your mysterious lover."
Botan glared at her friend. "Lover???"
Kitana merely shrugged and chuckled. The azure haired girl merely shook her head… "Ne, Kitana-chan…"
"Hai?"
"Please don't tell anyone about this, ok?"
The other girl looked at her and squealed. "Eeeekk!! You already saw who your mystery lover is!!"
"Ehhhh?!!!!" a huge sweatdrop appeared at the back of her head and she shook her head furiously. "Iieee!!! It's not that… I can't even keep my eyes open for long enough for me to see where he comes in…"
"Oh… then what is it?"
"I have a feeling that whoever it is… is a youkai…"
After a few moments of stunned silence, "WHATTTT?!!!"
Botan winced and rubbed her ears gingerly. "Ouch."
Kitana grabbed her friend's shoulders and shook her. "What the hell do you mean by that?!"
"It's just as I say… I think he's a youkai…"
The brown haired maiden gaped at her friend, "And you say this because…"
Lifting her amethyst orbs to the sky she sighed. "Damned if I know…" after another sigh, she turned back to her friend, "come on, let's go home… promise me you won't tell anyone…" a dangerous gleam appeared in her eyes, "or I'll make sure to make you plant food to my plants!"
"Gahhh!!!!" Kitana waved her hands frantically, "Daijobou!! Daijobou!! You won't hear anything from me!!" at her words, both girls laughed merrily and made their way back to the village. On their way back, they continued to chatter happily about their friends when Botan's violet eyes caught sight of a white bundle at the edge of the forest. "Kitana! Do you see what I see?"
Blue eyes looked directly at the direction her friend what talking about. "What on earth is that?" she asked when she saw the white bundle under a tree. She gasped when she saw Botan hurrying towards the tree. "Damn! Botan-chan wait!! You can't be too sure to what that is!!" she gaped as she watched her friend kneel down and slowly touched the creature.
"He's wounded… poor little thing…"
Kitana gaped at her friend, "Poor little thing?? Botan-chan, are you out of your mind?! That thing might be a youkai in disguise!!!"
"Even if it is a youkai, we can't leave it here alone, he's wounded!!!" Botan glared up at her friend and placed her hand on the fox's wounded side. A small glow appeared in her hand and slowly closed the fox's wound, healing it. Botan bit her lip, "we can't leave it here, other youkai might come and eat him…"
"And we can't take it back with us!" she snapped back
Botan raised her amethyst eyes to her friend. Silently pleading. Kitana groaned and threw her hands up in disgust. "Alright you win!!! But if something happens, don't go telling me that I didn't warn you!"
Botan happily hugged her friend and gently took the fox into her arms and back to the village. Unknown to them a pair of golden eyes watched them from the shadows of the forest.
"Damn… I hope you know what you're doing, Kurama…" Kuronue whispered as he watched as his friend was taken back into the village in the arms of the maiden he had sought out of a month now. At first, he thought that Kurama was just taking his time, playing with the female youkairenji, but when Youko came up with a plan for him to be with the maiden even in broad daylight, he had wanted nothing more than to hit his head on a rock. Youko was nothing but persistent especially when it came to something he wanted, but he was downright impossible when it came to something he coveted. And this was the first time in a long time that he had seen his friend act this way… usually he was cool and detached when it came down right to their jobs, persistent, stubborn. And the things that they usually stole were all objects… inanimate things… powerful things sometimes, but never like this. Not to a living creature. Kuronue had thought that his friend liked the girl because of her beauty, but after a few weeks of trailing her, he noticed that the kitsune was becoming more and more obsessed with the woman.
"She's already bethrothed!! You can't go ahead and get that woman from their village, and besides, it seems that she's looked up in their clan as a priestess, they'll hunt you down if you so much lay a hand on her!!"
The kitsune merely rolled his eyes. "So what if she's bethrothed, that doesn't mean she's married. And as if there's anything they can do if I do decide to claim that woman."
Kuronue gaped open mouthed at his friend, "Kurama! You can't possibly be serious!!! Why are you doing this? There are a lot of willing female demons who would love to be with you, why not choose them over a troubling ningen?"
The black haired demon stopped short, surprised at the cold, dangerous glare that the legendary fox demon threw him. "I want no one but her."
Kuronue sighed and shook his head. Kurama was his friend, so there was no way he was going to leave his idiotic friend behind, and besides I think he's already fallen for that woman even without him knowing yet… I do wish you luck my friend… he thought before disappearing once more in the shadows of the forest.
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It had already been a week since she took him in her care. He watched her as she played with her younger brother and remembered the night she came home with an injured fox in her arms…
"Tadaima…"
Setsuna came out of the porch and gasped when she saw her daughter. "Botan!! What on earth?"
The blue haired girl smiled sadly, "Kitana-chan and I found this kitsune just outside the forest 'kaasan, I think it was attacked by youkai's."
Setsuna gaped at her child. "Then there must be a reason why it was attacked! No! Take it back!! That might be a youkai, I will not take any chances!! Genki!!!!" As the soldier appeared, she ordered the soldier to take the injured fox from her daughter and bring it back to the forest, but before the soldier could come near the young maiden, she moved back and tightened her hold on the fox.
"No! It's injured and it won't last a day in the forest!"
"Botan-chan! We can't let an unknown creature in our village, it's the rules, it's what kept us alive all these time!"
"No!!! You said that with my spirit, I would be able to protect and heal our villagers, why can't a small creature like this have the same chance at life?! A chance to be protected and healed!"
"Botan-chan…"
Botan looked at her mother and her father who has just arrived with her brother. "Please… I'll take care of him, let him be my responsibility…"
At her soft whispered words, the two elder Urashima looked at one another and knew that with their daughter's kindness and compassion, there was no way that they could throw the fox out without facing her wrath, so against their wishes, the fox came into the Urashima household, protected and taken care by the beautiful youkairenji maiden.
Kurama watched the girl laugh at her brother's antics, he had wanted her from the moment he had laid his eyes on her, but there was something else that drew him to her. Every night that he came to her room, he couldn't stop himself from staying close to her, he had this uncontrollable urge to stay with her. To want her by his side. To be with him… to accept him. If it were simple lust, I could have taken this girl and no one would have been able to stop me… demo… I want her… I want her to want me.
This past week, the girl had shown herself to him, not the cheerful mask that she shows to all, but the sad and broken spirit that she was. Her clan only needed her because of the power that she wielded. The power to heal and the power to destroy. Aside from her reiki spirit, the young woman also had youkai blood in her, and that youkai blood allows her to control all types of plants imaginable, she could control them, and they protect her. Just like him, able to wield plants to his desire, any way to use, to protect, to heal, or a weapon to destroy. Their skills were mirror images.
He growled softly when he saw Kentaro Tsukushima come near his woman. Slightly taller than Botan, his hair was short and deep black, and his eyes were the clearest shade of brown. All in all, Kentaro was quite a handsome fellow but when he had first laid his eyes on the ningen, he noticed that there was an immense youkai blood running in his veins, but it was tempered by his ningen body and his faint reiki spirit. Kurama gnashed his teeth, he had wanted nothing more than to rip the ningen apart with his bare claws. He knew Botan resented the arranged marriage between them, but being the lady that she was, she kept silent. Even if it was slowly tearing her apart. He growled louder when Kentaro lowered his head to give Botan a peck on the cheek. Three pairs of eyes turned to him when they heard him growl and saw the way Amanoma's eyes twinkle with mirth.
"Ei, Kentaro… I don't think that kitsune likes you." Amanoma chuckled lightly
Botan flushed pink as she watched the fox. She had taken the fox in for almost a week now and let him sleep with her in her bedroom, she had not received any gifts from her mystery lover since her fox arrived, but that didn't make things go back the way they were. Every night, the soothing presence that had come to stay by her side every night for a month now had not disappeared. The gifts were gone, but the presence remained. She looked at the fox thoughtfully, could it be?
She smiled at Kentaro and giggled at the glare that he was giving the fox. "He's very protective of me…" she amended
Kentaro looked at her, slightly baffled. "Protective?" he glared back at the fox and turned his full attention to Botan, "Anou, Botan-chan…" at his words, the young maiden looked up to him and tilted her head a bit, Gods… she was infinitely beautiful… and she's mine… "I was wondering if you would like to go with me to the festival next week."
The blue haired girl looked at him, "The sakura festival?" at his nod, she frowned, "It's not that I don't want to go with you… it's just that I promised Amanoma-chan that we'll be going together." Kentaro merely smiled. "Daijobou. We'll take him with us."
A bit doubtful, she merely smiled and nodded. He's really pushing his charm these past few weeks…but I really can't see him as my husband… I can't love you that way Kentaro-san… she thought sadly as she watched her friend leave. She blinked out of her reverie when she felt a slight tug on her kimono, looking down, she saw the silver, multi-tailed fox beside her, a beautiful flower in its mouth. Crouching down she petted his head and watched in fascination as the fox placed the flower on her hand, flushing slightly, she looked deep into the fox's amber eyes and felt her breath catch and her heart beat faster.
Oh gods… what's wrong with me, this is just a fox. An animal… but why is it that every time I'm with him, my heart beats faster and I feel so at ease… she looked down at the flower in her hand. Oh, dear heavens, please don't tell me I'm falling for an animal? Demo, looking at the creature before her, she sensed that there was more to him than meets the eye.
"Oi, 'nee-san?"
Botan looked up and looked at her younger brother, he was the spitting image of her father, dark brown tousled hair, deep set black eyes, and an overly protective nature when it come to her and their mother. She smiled. "Yep? Brat?"
"I was wondering….." before he could finish his sentence, the wind was knocked out of him and he fell down to the ground.
"Amanoma!!!" scrambling up, she gasped when she saw three huge youkai's standing before them. Amanoma stood up and hurried in front of his sister, creating a weapon out of mid-air, he held it in ready before him. "Shit… sis! Run back to the village, I take care of them!" he yelled as he charged the demons.
Dropping the flower she held, she summoned a demon plant to attack the youkai that was now holding her brother by the neck. Taken by surprise, the demon abruptly released Amanoma when the demon plant charged at him and ate him whole. The two other demons, surprised at the attack lashed out at Amanoma first before lashing out at the maiden. Wounded and bleeding, Amanoma gasped when he saw his sister get thrown into a tree and collapse into a crumpled heap. "Botan-san!!" he screamed when he saw one demon about to bring its paws down on her head and crush it.
Botan gasped when she hit the tree behind her hard. She looked up and saw the demon lurking over her, a malicious smile over his lips as he brought down his paw in a massive swipe. She waited for the blow but only heard the outraged howl of the demon. Looking up, she saw that the fox had attacked the demon and had its jaws clamped fiercely on the demon's arms, his claws imbedded on his flesh.
Surprised, she looked at the demon and the fox who had now let go and positioned to attack in front of her. He's protecting me… at the sudden flash of movement from the fox, Botan gasped and looked at her brother, "Amanoma!!!! Get back to the village and get help!!!"
"I can't leave you here!!!" he screamed back
"If you don't both of us will get killed!!! Go!!!" she yelled and used her reiki to throw her brother away from the battle. As Amanoma scrambled to get help, she gasped when the other youkai grabbed her and threw her to the ground with such force that she saw spots dotting her eyes. Gaping for breath, she turned her head and watched as the fox stared at her with wide amber eyes. Then to her surprise, she saw anger in those orbs before a mist surrounded the fox surprising both demons. When the mist abated, they were surprised when a tall, silver haired creature stood in place of the multi-tailed fox.
Kurama had only wanted to make her smile. That was why he gave that flower to her out of impulse. She looked down at him with those amethyst orbs and felt himself drowning in those eyes. I will make you want me… he thought, so absorbed he was with the young woman, that he had not sensed the three demons that came out of the woods until Amanoma was sent sprawling to the hard ground below. For the first time in ages, Kurama Youko felt rage in his blood stream. As she threw her younger brother away to get help, Botan was hefted up by the other demon and was thrown forcefully to the ground. At her gasping form, his temper snapped and reverted back to his true form. Standing before the two other demons, he growled low in his throat.
One of the demons stepped back in surprise… his eyes widening in fear. "Oh, shit… Ku…Kurama Youko!!!" moving another step back, he stumbled down in fear of the infamous legendary makai thief. He growled yet again, "You dare touch what is mine?" came the cold voice
The two demons looked at one another and decided that the best thing to do would be to run. But before they could, something struck them from behind, and soon, screams of agony were heard throughout the entire forest. After the slaughter ended, The silver haired demon turned to look at the woman he had protected, he looked down at her with a cold calculating gaze. It was time for her to see his true form.
Botan blinked and tried to remain conscious as she looked at the demon before her. She gasped, not from pain but from surprise. This was the very same fox that she had taken care of, had watched over her… and now his ki washing over her, she knew that this was the same person who haunted her dreams at night, and left her those gifts. She smiled faintly. "It's you all along…" she whispered softly before darkness over took her. Her last thought was that of this silver haired demon… he's beautiful…
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AN: oh, yeah!! Just finished chapter 3!!! Hehehe, I'm not exactly sure when I'm gonna start on chapter 4… hopefully I'll get reviews… please…. Help lil ole me…
Hehehe!!
Ja!!
Aoi-chan