Your lost, aren't you?
What?
You can't get out.
Get out of where?
You need to find him, soon.
Find who?
He can release you.
What are you talking about?
It doesn't matter, we'll kill you.
As if.
He doesn't know, and we'll find you.
Come get me ass wipe!
You shouldn't exist.
Too fucking bad!
Find him, he's your only chance.
Whatever.
Riane would like nothing more than to blow her head off. If there weren't voices in her head, then it was images while she was awake. They were getting better, she barely noticed them unless they really wanted to stick out. But at least she could keep herself conscious when it happened. Her school was fun, she was enjoying it, and she was driving as much as she could. She wanted to stay away from the temple, even if someone had to go with her while she drove. It wasn't that she couldn't get back on herself, they still viewed her as weak. She knew she was a hell of a lot stronger than when she first started, so what was the big deal? Especially when most of her training was with Hiei. She hated him. He was such an ass, she wished that when she did finally beat him, she have the heart to kill him.
The others had warned her that she might have to kill other demons, but she didn't think she could. Fuck, she couldn't even throw out a stuffed animal cause she felt bad for it, let alone kill something. Of course, she didn't know until she got into that situation what she would do, but the thought of taking another life just didn't sit too well with her. How everyone just talked about it so casually, like it was nothing. What was wrong with these people? She had to remind herself that they were demons.
Riane knew she was getting stronger because after a week with Hiei, she was no longer tired after his sessions. Genkai wasn't stepping in anymore, knowing that Hiei was the best option for speed and efficiency. Riane felt she was being punished for being "weak" by him, but it wasn't like she could help that. Really, she was trying, and he couldn't even get a wound on her anymore. She was proud of that, but he insisted that it just wasn't enough. Kurama helped her morally, while he was at the temple, and after one nearly fatal wound, was supervising, telling him when it was enough. Riane was grateful for that, it made her life just a little easier, knowing that he wouldn't let her die because Hiei was such an ass. Bastard.
The only solace she seemed to get was by the lake, where she would swim for hours. Of course, winter was coming, but her body could handle the temperature, and the water was still warm. She was a fish, and often stayed in there longer than she should have. She knew the others were watching or checking on her, but while she was out in the water, it was like her own world again, where she could forget everything that happened, and focus on what she wanted. As she sat out of the water and looked upon the coming sunset, she decided to use this place for reflection. It wasn't that Kurama's place was bad, just that she didn't want her mind to get caught up in those images again. She waited until it was dark, and then proceeded back to the temple.
It wasn't a far walk back there, and she took her time. She knew Hiei was watching her, but she couldn't sense him. She could feel the tension in the air lately, and it was really getting to her. The bonus to it all was that she was improving a lot more in her training. She hadn't been attacked yet, but she was starting to get the feeling that one was going to happen soon enough. She vaguely wondered what she would do in a fight. Her instincts for bad things were better than before, she had always had a knack of sensing doom. But this was completely different. This wasn't something like losing her money, or having her boyfriend break up with her. This was life or death, and she had no choice but to be ready for whatever came her way. And no matter how much she thought about it, she never felt that it was real, it was still in her mind that these things didn't happen, despite being trapped in a different world.
There was food waiting for her in the fridge, and she happily heated it up and ate. She was ravenous, and didn't notice until she got inside. She assumed Yukina was in bed, and who knew about Genkai, if she ever slept at all. She had a feeling Kurama was around. It was strange how she could sense him. Her suspicions were confirmed when she saw the light on and the door open in his former mate's room. Riane thought it was cute how devoted he was to his woman, even though she was gone. She didn't want to ask, she knew that he took it so hard, and it would be wrong to figure that all out. She figured it hurt enough having to come here everyday and know that his lady was not here to greet him. He was standing in front of that strange tree he called dragonite. Riane took a chance, and walked into the room. She was sure he knew of her presence, and didn't bother trying to sneak around.
"It's beautiful," she told him, coming to stand next to him.
"Yes," was his only word.
"Can it be used as a weapon as well?"
"Yes, one of our most powerful."
"So you'd have to be careful if someone else got a hold of it then."
"No, it doesn't work like that."
"Oh?"
Kurama looked up at the sky, seeing her face as he began to explain it, "This particular dragonite was powered between myself and my mate. It is a sacred bond that can only be established by years together, one that cannot be severed once this tree is rectified. Only the two of us can use it as a weapon when it's ready. One day, because my mate is no longer here, this tree will drain my power, and kill me."
Riane's eyes widened, "That's horrible!"
"Perhaps. But that is the bond. This is why there is two, one for me and one for her."
"Well it seems to be taking a while, and it doesn't even look like its dying."
"It's not. Ever since you got here, it's been growing again."
"What? Why? That's fucked up."
"Yes, but I cannot explain it. Without S-"
"Kurama," Koenma was standing at the door, "I thought I would find you here."
"Koenma. What did you need?"
"We need to speak," he then looked at Riane, "If you'll excuse us."
"Sorry," she said, running awkwardly out of the room. She gave one last look their way before turning in the direction of her room. Koenma waited a moment, making sure the girl was well out of earshot before he turned back to the kistune standing in his mate's garden. The young ruler had not been in here for years, not since the last battle.
"It's flourishing," said Koenma, not really sounding all that surprised.
"Surprisingly yes. What did you want to speak with me about?"
"How are you doing? I know this is the most you've been here since Riane came."
"Is that what you wanted to know? I'm sure she could have stayed for a simple chat like this."
"I know what happened last time was bad, and I know it's my fault. I wish things could have turned out differently, but we were completely unprepared for what happened."
Kurama just narrowed his eyes, "At least you're right about that."
"If I could take it back, I would. I know you blame yourself more than me, but it was my fault, all of it."
"She knew before you."
"She did, and I wish I could have explained it all better, so that we wouldn't have to be going through this right now."
"We? You didn't care! You just let her go and didn't try to stop her! You went behind our backs and told her what you knew and you didn't bother to inform any of us!" Kurama's eyes flashed gold, his hair turning from red to silver. He could feel himself change, and was actually surprised. He hadn't changed to this form for years, but he was angry, and he had never fully released his rage upon Koenma, but if he was going to bring it up, then so be it.
"She came to me, Youko. She demanded she know what was happening, it was right when her psychic powers began to work again, and she saw the end, she knew what she had to do. I had no choice but to tell her, and I knew I wouldn't be able to stop her."
"I could have!" said Youko, his voice menacing as he stood over Koenma. He had his fists clenched at his side.
"Could you? You know how she is, you know better than any of us. She would have deceived you in order to complete her task. She would have done anything to protect the pack and she succeeded."
Youko growled, knowing that Koenma was right. She would have done everything in her power to prevent any danger from coming to them. He knew it, the others knew it, but she knew it best. Calming down, he reverted back to his human form, but his fists were still clenched, so much that his knuckles were completely white, and blood dripped from them. If only he knew, had her power, he could have stopped it all. If he was strong enough...
"I'm sorry, Kurama, I wish it could all be different..."
"Wishing won't change the facts. She's gone and now I'm alone, waiting for this plant to kill me."
"It looks as if you'll be waiting a long time. You need to live."
"You do not speak of my life like that. I decide my own fate."
"Yes, we all do, and she chose hers."
Kurama growled again, wishing he would stop talking about it. He didn't need any reminders of what happened, it was all clear in his head almost every night, "Was there anything else?" he asked coldly.
"Riane's training will need to speed up. We'll have very powerful friends at the border soon."
"Is it the same as last time?"
"No, it's much worse."
"If anything happens to any of us, I will hold you personally responsible."
"I know, that's what you said last time."
"I intend to make sure you understand this time as well. Mark my words, Koenma, if I must suffer more because of you're lack of information, I will destroy you."
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
...
"Koishii..." he speaks to her in a dreamy voice, filled with love only for her. She smiles at him, looking into his golden eyes kisses him. He cups her cheek, as the two of them are filled with passion for one another. She rests her head on his shoulder, as he pulls her closer to him. She sighs happily, feeling a glow come to her cheeks against his warm skin.
"We can spend eternity here..." he speaks again, "I love you..."
...
He walks the familiar path to his destination. He doesn't need to worry about what he is to find, he only has one purpose. A sweet scent reaches his nostrils, and it brings a smile to his face. He is close, he knows that much, but it is just a matter of avoiding different traps. She always had new ones, no matter how long since his last visit. He found it fun, although he could always find them.
He enters her den, and is immediately thrown against the wall. He smirks at one of his own tricks brought to him, and easily dodges the next few on the way. He goes straight to the bedroom, where she sleeps. He does not see his object of interest, but is struck by the sight of her. She is exquisite, as he watches her chest rise and fall in a hypnotic pattern. He cannot take his golden eyes off of her, even as he watches her wake up.
She sees him in her room, standing over her with an expression on his face that she cannot make out. She can't help but smile, having missed him during his travels. It had been a couple of decades, but she knew he would return. She sits up, holding the thin hide she has for a blanket close to her body. He is captivated by her, and she knows it. Standing before him, he pushes a strand of her tawny hair out of her face, his touch feeling electric on her skin. He takes his time, not wanting to break off the connection between them. She moves her head slightly, so that her cheek can remain closer to his hand. Using one arm to hold her blanket over her, she brings the other hand to come over his.
He rubs a thumb lightly across her cheek, her hand warm over his own, and then he kisses her. She welcomes it, taking her hand away from his, and placing it on his back to close the gap between their bodies. He moves his hand behind her head, entangling his fingers in her silky strands. The reason he came here is long from his mind, all he wants is this creature before him, to mate with her, and mark her as his own. Centuries have passed since he first encountered her, and he wants nothing more than to take her at this very moment. He pulls back slightly, taking a breath and then pulling her close to him once more. He can't get enough of that taste, that sweet taste that is only her.
She no longer feels her feet, as she is completely swept away by the feelings she never realized she had for this kitsune. It all becomes clear, her destiny that lies with him, but she knows now is not the time. Still, she takes advantage of what she has at this moment. There is nothing else in the whole world, just the two of them. She lives in bliss, and she never wishes for it to end. But it does, as only his breath lingers, his lips barely touching hers. She doesn't want him to go, but she knows he will, and he will return again.
"Where is the seal...?" he asks her in a husky voice, though she knows he really isn't here for that.
"Somewhere you'll never find it..." she whispers, and smirks, her tawny eyes still closed while his lips rub against hers when he speaks.
"I will have my prize."
"Foolish kitsune, you will never have it so long as I stand in your way."
He pulls away, their arms still around each other. He looks into her tawny eyes, and he smiles. He knows his time is overdue, he will not find the seal tonight, but he makes his visit worth it. Kissing her one more time, to the point where her feet feel as if they will collapse under her, he takes his leave immediately, before she has a chance to comprehend what just happened. A smile lingers on his face the whole way back to the pack, and he knows he will not wait so long before seeing her again.
Kurama woke up from the dream. He breathed hard, not having a dream like that for years. He remembered the first time he started dreaming about his past, it was a prelude to when she had found him again. But why was it happening again? She was not going to find him again, as much as he wished she would. He sighed, staring into the darkness of his room. He usually slept better here, but for some reason, she was plaguing his mind more often than not. He moved his hair out from his face, realizing now that he was sweating. He threw the sheets off of his naked body, and opened the window. The moon was so bright, it lit up his whole room. He stared at it, feeling a strange calm come over him. He vaguely wondered if this was how she felt whenever it would call to her.
...
"Metallica," said Riane to Kuwabara.
"No, it's Megalliga," he retorted, offended that she had said the other name. They had been fighting like this during the whole training session. Somehow they had started talking about music, and Kurama sighed during it all. He was, however, quite amused at their passion for the band.
"Metallica."
"Megalliga!"
"Me-tal-li-ca. Say it right."
"You're wrong, it's Megalliga!"
"Dude, I been listening to them since I was 10, it's Metallica."
"I been listening to them longer and I'm telling you its Megalliga!"
"Metallica!"
"Megalliga!"
"I seen them live man, you're wrong. Metallica."
"I saw them to, and they're called Megalliga."
"Dude, you're wrong, it's pronounced Metallica."
"Megalliga!"
"Metallica idiot!"
"You're wrong!"
"Never!"
"Will you two shut up before I cut off your heads!" said Hiei, jumping down from a tree.
"Fuck off Hiei!" they both shouted and then went back to their argument. Kurama sighed again. They had been fighting like this for over an hour. Personally, he didn't really care, but it seemed to important to them for some reason.
"How did you lose control of them so easily?" the small fire demon asked the fox standing next to him.
"They are both passionate, I thought it be rude to interrupt them," answered Kurama.
"Hn. I liked her better when she was talking to wolves."
"What?"
"She didn't tell you? I caught her wandering into their territory, and they welcomed her."
"That's strange, the wolves never cared much for me, other than my status."
"They don't care for anything but their own kind, foolish creatures. The pack leader will die soon and we can expect a full invasion."
"What do you mean?"
"The bitch hates you and your wolf. She wants nothing more than to kill you. She'll expand the territory in order to gain power, and then she'll attack anything there that moves."
"So once he's gone, they'll start mobilizing. That sounds awfully familiar."
"Hn. They can attack all they want, it won't make a difference to me."
"Still out to protect your dear in the dark sister are we?"
"Hn."
"You could just tell her, it would make her so happy and her journey would finally be over."
"I'm not taking any lessons from you. Not with the way you danced around your own secret. Have you told her anything yet?"
"No, she's just not ready."
"Well she better be ready soon, stronger demons are coming through to this world, and she won't have a choice once they get to her."
"Understood."
