Thank you: Jennibearrr, soul Painter, Rose, Death 101 - fox version, mrsbeggins, and Shadow Realm Triforce, for your reviews!

Importain Authors note!(read this for news):

Hi guys, i hope you all had a good New Year's! With a new year comes new troubles for me. My Bata reader (who is also a good friend) is spend the next to terms abroad (lucky) and is not sure she will be able to Beta me very well with the time difference. If any one feels they are good with spelling and grammer, drop me a message, i would really aprishate it and you'd get the first look at chapters!

Any way here comes a dozy of a chapter, better get ready for it, because i wasn't, lol.


Chapter Nine: Broken

I watched her white and green tail with a split gaze that shifted from it to it's owner every two seconds. Its sharp, bright orange barbs that covered the pointed devil shaped end flashed and for a moment it felt as if they were imbedded into my flesh. The movements were fluid; refined as a dancer and just as deadly as a cobra.

I would have to be mindful of that appendage. Umeko Smirked at me, playing with a strand of lime green locks and twisting it around her finger. Kurama was breathing evenly behind me, but I couldn't risk looking to him even as he finally spoke.

"Izumi, be very mindful of your movements. We don't know the extent of her power." His voice was deadly calm, he acted as if he wasn't rendered useless in the face of a dangerous foe. I envied him; wished I could be so calm, when it took everything I had not to fall apart. Teeth clenching I took in a deep breath and relaxed my arms to my sides.

"Thankfully she doesn't know the extent of mine either." I tried to get my tone playful but it sounded more nervous then anything. Carefully I pulled my head phones from around my neck and pulled my music player from my pocket. I turned and bent down putting them carefully by the tree, tucked under a raised root. I paused for a moment before nodding my head and reaching up to slip the flower from my hair when Kurama cleared his throat. Stopping mid-movement, I glanced at him and raised an eyebrow. All he did was look at me, but the look in his eyes was enough to give me a hint. I pushed the flower more firmly into my hair and stood up. "Keep my stuff safe will you? Those headphones are worth a lot of money." I quirked a smile at him and winked. Umeko sniffed and I glowered at her, turning back around.

"If you two darlings are done I'd like to get started. Then I can take that cute blond head of yours back to Black Angel and he can finished his end of the bargain." She raised a hand, palm up and moment later green disks of energy were floating about it.

"Black Angel?" I questioned remembering Doctor's run down of names and then scowled. "What? He couldn't just send one of his own after me?"

"Oh no. What was it he said?" She curled her up raised hand and the small glowing rings started orbiting it. "Yes, that you weren't worth their time."

I admit, that was a rather large blow to my ego, one that would have sent me ranting on about how sexist that was. Sadly the words never made it out of my mouth as Umeko suddenly dashed forward towards me. Grimacing, I took off to the side. I didn't want any cross fire to hit the pinned fox demon and after moving both the chain and handle on my scythe, I flexed my injured hand and brought forth it's twin.

No sooner had I done so that a brilliant green caught my eye and I dropped to the ground in a crouch as an energy circlet rushed by me, the crackling energy making my skin prickle. Umeko was still running at me and as she ran her disks flew off her hand like bullets and I was forced to dodge and jump around like a well-trained dog.

As lights flashed around me I narrowed my eyes and evaded a final one before throwing out one of the scythes. It flew, cutting air and making a wide arch towards the succubae and just as it would have been lost from my hand, I yanked the chain's end caused the blade to swivel and head backwards. Umeko's screech echoed on the night air and when I caught my blade it was bloody.

I let a breath escape my chest as my opponent clutched at her bleeding arm, one of her bone plates sliced in half. "Maybe I got worried for nothing…"

"I wish it was that easy Izumi…"

I didn't get to ask Kuronue what he meant before Umeko's energy flared and she snarled. Her eyes were glowing orange, as if they were on fire and she said something too low to understand before seemingly disappearing. Taking steps backwards I cursed glancing around the area. My eye found nothing but Kurama who was staring at me with a mix of worry and confusion – or rather he was staring at my weapons. I didn't have time to think about what he was figuring out before I caught my opponent's scent and looked up.

Umeko was coming right at me in a nosedive, though I was not sure how she had come to be so high up. Her claws were sparking with energy, dripping with the same acid that was burning Kurama. Acting on training, I threw both my weapons, making them arch and come at her from both sides. Most who I fought panicked when I did this, making it an easy finish, but I was met with a smirk as she suddenly twisted in the air and avoided both my blades.

Annoyed I started to yank them back, only for Kuronue to shout at me. Jerking my head to the side I felt my heart tighten in my chest. Rings of color were coming from my right and I hardly had time to move out of the way before they sped past me. Relieved I started to thank my partner, only to have searing pain slice through my right shoulder.

Some how I ended up on the ground, a shrill sound slicing through the air as I clutched at the injury. My shirt was ruined, a black charred hole in the shoulder of it, where a large slice now marred my skin. There was blood around the wound and on the ground, but in my quick look at it, the wound itself wasn't bleeding. Only when my throat protested did I realize that the sound that had been ringing in the air was my own scream. I gasped shutting my eyes and pushing the pain away.

I could hear Kurama calling me from a small distance away and then I heard the soft clicking of shoes. Slowly I forced myself to sit up and scowled at Umeko who was but feet away, one of her boots standing on the chain of my scythe, both weapons left abandoned on the ground. She was looking at her hand, which was now covered in my blood, looking rather amused as it glittered in the light of the moon.

"Don't tell me that's all you've got sweetie." She giggled and kicked the chain, making the weapon skid away. I clenched at my wounded shoulder, biting back another scream that was clawing up my throat. "If it makes you feel better you won't bleed to death; burns have a nasty habit of sealing open wounds shut."

Anger set fire in my veins and I bolted up onto my feet trying to calm my breathing. For the moment my weapons were out of reach and trying to get to them would just prove how weak I was. I was stronger then this, all I had to do was use more of Kuronue's power. I glanced to the side and looked at Kurama. He was stone still staring at me, his jaw tight. I could see the anger in his eyes, but I knew he could do little to help me.

But I could help myself; I was only using a quarter of my power. I knew I could bring Umeko down if I used more. So why did my chest constrict when I thought to do so?

Was I truly too afraid of his reaction to use my powers in front of him? I had been planning to tell him the truth just moments ago, so what held me back now? Maybe it I just used small amounts of it… maybe.

"Izumi!"

Jerking my head back to Umeko, I saw her fist coming at me just in time to bring up my arm to block it. Grimacing, I backed up dodging her sudden onslaught the best I could. I wasn't getting anywhere as she kicked out and swiftly smashed it into the side of my left leg. Normally it wouldn't have hurt, but her bone armored legs bite into the jeans I wore and tore at them. I started to topple over and clenched a hand at my side. Energy wrapped around it and from the corner of my eye I saw the blue-black glow. I didn't stop to watch it like I had in training, but instead threw a punch forward aiming at her side as I fell.

An elbow came down on my forearm, and I missed and fell to the ground with a grunt. Shit. This was not happening. A hard boot connected with my gut too soon for me to move out of the way and I skidded across the dirt and rolled.

My head rung as I coughed, metal in my mouth. I could hear Kuronue telling me to get back up, to stop hesitating. Why was I being so stubborn anyway? I was afraid, but that had never stopped me before. But I knew why, it was because I knew what it would do to Kurama. I didn't want him to hate me…

"That is enough Izumi." Pain left me dazed in those moments and I found myself turning inward. I saw the black room in my head and then I saw Kuronue, just a faint image, in my mind's eye.

"What? What do you mean 'that's enough'?"

"I mean you're being childish! Use the powers our bond gives you! It will do you no good to keep the secret if you die!"

I felt my hands clench at my side. What was he doing? Wasn't he the one who had kept telling me not to use them, to not tell Kurama only minutes ago? Didn't he even believe in me? "No." I didn't need his logic I could do this on my own.

I tried to push myself back up, but another swift kick to my chest sent me tumbling again. I didn't bother to open my eyes.

"What do you hope to accomplish Izumi? You'll only make things worse! Damn it, do what you're told! Listen to me!" I sucked in a breath and held it, my mind twisted in on itself and I felt a bitter taste land in my mouth at his words.

"Listen to you! What good has that done? This is your fault! If I had just told him from the beginning, none of this would have happened. I won't feel so trapped if he knew, and no matter what I do now, it'll end badly." I felt his patience thin and then fail as I spoke, and in an instant felt his glare.

"Oh for the love of hell, there are other men in the world besides Kurama, Izumi. Ones that will care about you no matter what you hide, don't you get that? You're stuck in your own little world when there's someone better for you!" I felt him regret those words the moment they left him, but it was too late, I already knew the meaning of his words, and worse yet, I knew he meant them.

"…Like you?" My tone was icy and I felt whatever faith I had in him slip away in those moments. He was selfish, he always had been.

"Izumi… I'm-"

"Sorry? No, Kuronue, sorry doesn't cut it this time. I'll deal with this on my own!"

"Izumi, listen-"

"No! I don't want to listen Kuronue!"

"Iz-"

"Be quiet!"

I had never done it before, though I had been taught how to. Mater Kyo had taught the technique to me in case Kuronue had ever rebelled against me, or put me in danger. While somewhere in the back of my mind I knew I would regret it, I didn't care. I couldn't deal with him now. Using his power I threw him from my mind, shoved him from ever corner of my thoughts, and locked him away in the confines of his pendant. I felt him grunt in pain, hissing, but I didn't care. He was fighting me but I would win. This was my life, it was my power not his, not any more. I shoved even harder and felt something crack in me as I locked him away in the back of my mind, gagging him.

I didn't know what the feeling had been, but I felt it fade within moments and I reveled in the silence that now resided in my mind. Slowly, I turned back to the task at hand and took in a slow breath. Everything was starting to ache and slowly I reopened my eyes to see booted feet in front of my face.

"He told me you weren't very powerful, but really, this is sad…" Something grabbed at my hair and with a swift yank I was jerked up and met with Umeko orange gaze. "How in the world did you make it this far? You must be holding back…" I didn't reply, wincing as my hair was starting to be pulled from its roots. "I came all this way to have fun and you're not even worth it." Her voice held the tone of someone whining, a childish brat that wasn't getting her way.

As she reached with her other hand to grab my chin, something pink caught my eye. Umeko shrieked suddenly and let go of me. I landed on the ground, crumped for a moment, before I pushed myself up, legs bent in front of me. Umeko was holding her hand, snarling at it as blood spilled from four new cuts on her palm and the back of her hand. Confused I stared for a long moment, wondering what had happened before I saw them. Petals. Small pink petals were drifting down to the ground, gleaming with red tips. Slowly, I reached up to my hair and found the flower gone.

Umeko was snarling at me now, telling me I would pay for hurting her hand. I ignored her, my eyes trailing past her head and over her shoulder where Kurama was. He held my gaze for an instant and a small smirk spread over face. My eyebrows rose in surprise. How the hell had he done that? I went to ask Kuronue but realized instantly that I couldn't and scowled to myself. I would ask him after he'd cooled off.

Kurama's smirk suddenly disappeared then, and his face twisted in pain before he started screaming. It felt like something had knocked the wind out of me and I looked to the demon in front of me to find her smiling cruelly at me. "W-what did you do?" Umeko started giggling again, her eyes glowing.

"I had the bindings on that redhead of yours tighten. It seems he somehow helped you didn't he? Such a bad fox…" She looked at me with cool eyes, all amusement gone with in moments. "You have both annoyed me greatly, but he has broken my rules… Maybe I'll just take his head instead of yours."

The world suddenly went silent as I watched her laugh. Hands clenching at my sides I closed my eyes. The fire in my veins igniting again as my anger flared farther then I thought possible. It felt as if something cracked again, like I was hitting a window harder and harder, and in a moment my fist stuck upwards and connected with the hunter's jaw. She gasped and reeled back. I was surprised at how steady I was on my feet, I wasn't even sure how I'd gotten up.

I could feel Kuronue's energy seeping in through my veins as it built up. Whatever thoughts of not using all I had vanished. I was tired of letting her think I was weak, that I was not worth the effort. To hell with guilt. To hell with Kuronue and his feelings. To hell with consequences.

I looked to Kurama who was panting but at least he wasn't screaming anymore. He was staring at me and, as my eyes caught his, I gave him a small smile. Somehow I knew he'd never look at me the same way after this was over. "Kurama, you'll… I wish there was another way, a better way for you to learn…" He frowned as I trailed off and I closed my eyes for a moment taking a deep breath as I reached inside myself and grabbed hold of my partner's powers. I reopened my eyes and knew they were blue again. "I'm sorry."

A brilliant red light blinded me momentarily from below my chin and I easily reached up and pulled the glowing pendant from under my shirt, letting it rest on top, fingers tingling as I pressed my palm to it. I could feel his energy soaring through my veins. I smirked at the demon in front of me. "You want a challenge? You'll regret you ever asked for it."

The pendant's light grew brighter, and I heard Umeko shriek as it blinded her. My hand slipped from the pendant and I closed my eyes, focusing. All of it, I would use it all, and I would destroy her. I knew Kuronue had been silenced but I could still feel him there. In the end he had no choice but to lend me his powers – the first soul bound partners had been more enemies then friends – but that didn't matter, the human always called the shots in the end. "Eighty percent."

My heart thumped in my ears and I rolled my head back feeling the ghost of hands as they rested on my shoulders. It was there, touch feather light and alive, through his energy as it traveled down my arms shedding my clothes and replacing them with his. For a split second I felt arms wrap around me as prickling pain sored through my hands sharping my nails into claws. Normally I felt warm then, like I could feel his joy though his energy, but this time I felt nothing. There was no warmth, and I regretted it. Then it was gone and with a gasp my eyes snapped open and the light vanished.

I took in a deep breath through my nose as steam licked off my arms from the left over energy colliding with cold air. Umeko looked startled and for the first time she was the one who took a step back. I snorted, smirking at her; I knew what she was seeing.

All except my combat boots had been replaced with that of the bat demon's. Black combat pants covered my legs and were shadowed by a gray cloak that wrapped around my waist and was held up by two belts. A ripped vest covered my torso, the v-neck laced together to cover my chest. Thick bands of fabric rapped down each arm, glowing faintly with ancient text.

I dared not look to Kurama; I didn't think I could bear to see what he was thinking, not now. I had to keep focused. He wasn't going anywhere, and I had a job to do. I had my orders.

"Surprised Umeko?" The succubae scowled, but I could see the sweat forming on her brow. I often wondered what my energy felt like at eighty percent; Kuronue had been an A class demon when he was alive and, at eight percent of his power, I was that of a B class. I could see from the look on the hunter's face, that she had been misled. "Whatever Black Angel told you, he was either wrong or he didn't care. As you can see I'm no weakling. I don't normal use this much power here in Human World but you forced my hand. I give you one chance; go back home and never return."

I don't know what possessed me to give her such a chance, for my anger seethed and I wanted nothing more then to see her suffer for her cruel methods. Yet there had been a time where I had wished for a chance to walk away, to turn back before things got any worse. I had never been given the chance.

A low growl rumbled through her and her eyes glowed again. "So what if you're more powerful then I thought? This will just make killing you more fun." She spat at the ground, and whipped more blood from her mouth. "Besides I owe you for splitting my lip."

I rolled my eyes, succubae were so sensitive about their looks, and it was a weakness I had hoped Umeko was strong enough to over look. I had been hoping for too much. I watched her flex her hand and two more green rings appeared in it, Frowning I went on offence first.

My speed had increased now, and, even with my injured leg, I moved swiftly towards one of my fallen scythes. Umeko tracked my movements and I had to jump to the side to avoid an energy ring. What surprised me was her sudden appearance in front of me and I have to duck on instinct, avoiding glowing claws as I skidded around her and lunged forward. Grabbing the cold metal of my weapon I quickly pushed off with my hands and flipped out of the way of more energy attacks. I was glad for all the energy detecting training I had with Master Kyo, for I feared what would have happened it I hadn't felt that coming.

I heard the women curse as I landed and turned, throwing my scythe, a grip on the end of the chain. It sliced though the last ring she had thrown and made it explode. Dust and dirt were thrown up into the air creating a haze between us.

I jerked my scythe back, catching the handle in one hand before quickly placing it in its holster on my right hip. I would have to retrieve the other later. I could hear Umeko's foot steps now; she was navigating through the haze to strike at me again. I knew my time was running short. Humans would come wandering in at some point or another, we had been lucky so far. Brushing my fingers over the bands on one arm a section of them began to glow. Swiftly they unraveled, revealing that three loops were all one long piece of cloth, the runes on it glowing more brilliantly now.

"Bind her."

I felt the heat as my eyes glowed and I raised my hand, pointing into the haze. The fabric dropped to the ground and laid crumped for a moment as if my command had frightened it, then it flattened out and one end of it rose, curving in the air around it. I watched it contently as it slithered off into the cloud like a snake. I would only have to wait now, for it would take my enchantment time to find her.

That time would not be boring though, as I saw the green lights just before they bursted through the haze, the rings hissing in the air as if burning it. I dodged the first two, but told myself I could not stray much farther; the enchantment only had such a distance. The third one came and I was forced to duck down. The fowl smell of burning hair wafted through the air as the tips got sliced off.

Looking through the haze I saw a figure forming and knew she was running to the side. It took me a moment before I made the connection: Kurama was over there. Hand resting on my scythe I started running after her. I wouldn't let her make another underhanded attack on him. I had thought her to have some kind of morals, but as the blood in my veins boiled I knew she was nothing more then a lowly demon: blood thirsty and selfish. Another shadow joined her then, thin and low. It jumped at her from the side and melted with her form. There was a sudden scream and the figure fell to the side.

Letting out a low breath, I slowed to a walk, keeping my eyes locked on her figure as the wind blew away the remaining haze. I found the green haired demon on the ground, her arms at her side, her tail and legs pinned together. My fabric wound around her tightly, binding her like a straight jacket, just as I had asked, the runes glowing brightly on the black surface.

It was a power that I favored, for the bands on Kuronue's arms were not simple cloth; they had a purpose. Each separate piece held runes that had been drawn down in Kuronue's own blood, and then sealed there with energy. Demonic energy runs through their blood and in doing this, he made soulless puppets that he could mold to his will.

Umeko struggled on the ground hissing as I approached her, orange eyes glowing fiercely. I stopped in front of her, staring down at her with pity. "It's over. You can't escape that binding, nor can you use your powers anymore. They're canceled out." She stared at me, teeth clenched and growled.

I glanced to the side, the cherry tree was only feet away and Kurama stood still against it, watching me with a carefully blank expression. I glanced away quickly, not letting myself think about what he maybe thinking.

"So what, are you going to do? Hall me off to prison?" She laughed "Your nothing more then a dog playing fetch!" As I looked at her, I saw no regret in her eyes. Koenma had told me to get rid of the demon, and I would gladly do so.

I some times wondered why people taunted after they had lost. Surely it never did any good, other then to make their end more brutal. I normally didn't care to do so, but she'd pushed me too far. I wanted her to feel pain. Scowling at her I bent down near her middle and extended a hand out. "You're very cruel Umeko, and you do so without thought or guilt. I wonder how many you've killed that didn't deserve to die in such pain. Have you ever felt the pain you cause them, caused to us?"

She sniffed eyes narrowing. "Of course not, my acid doesn't hurt me." I nodded my head looking at the orange barbs on her tail, and then at the ones on her wrist and shoulders. So small they were, but they held her acid there, waiting to inject any who get too close.

"I think it's about time you felt it then." My raised hand which started to glow red as I gently laid it upon her middle, the spot on the body where demonic energy passed through much like life force for humans. "Sit umbrae conterat, mens dolore te patiar aliis.(1)" The chant was Latin, a language that had been spoken in Demon World centuries before it came to Human World.

Umeko gasped and her eyes widened. I watched quietly as blood started appearing under her skin around the barbs and spread wide, before seeping to the surface. She screamed and I hid my cringe the best I could. She screamed and screamed as her own weapon began to eat away at her from the inside where it was stored.

I watched her withe in pain for a few moments, tears pouring from her eyes. She was helpless, just as Kurama and I had been. Unlike her though, I would not leave her to suffer forever. Closing my eyes I took my blade from its holster and walked to her head. She looked up at me, with pleading eyes as blood pooled around her. She whimpered, hand clutching into the earth and a message passed between us that was held deep in her orange eyes.

All she had wanted was to do her job, much like I was doing mine now, but she had failed. I saw the frustration of her loss and then I saw the guilt that she held so deep inside her. She wanted me to stop, to let her live as every living thing did, but it was too late for her.

Sighing I raised my scythe and look her in the eyes. I saw a silent plea there, one that many had before they died, one that would bring them peace of mind. Frowning I gave her what she wanted. "I forgive you." It was all I said to her before throwing my arm down and letting the blade fly. Blood splattered on to my arms and her whimpers were cut short.

I stared for a long moment watching as the acid continued to eat away at her body, by morning there would be nothing left, not even any blood. With a jerk from the chain I wrenched the scythe up and hug it on my hip. Her bindings uncurled and went limp on the ground, loosing its glow. I picked them up and slowly wrapped it back on my arm thinking. I felt remorse for the women's death, but like all before her, I knew it had been my duty to do what I had. I had given her the chance to leave and she had showed me nothing but cruelty. I had no regrets about ending her life.

Taking a deep breath I let go of Kuronue's power, letting everything slip from me. When I glanced to my arm, the bands were gone and my ruined shirt was back. Exhausted, I turned around knowing my night wasn't done.

Kurama was standing under the cherry tree still, his bindings gone. He rubbed at his neck and I wondered how he would explain the burns to his mother. I stood there in silence for a good long time before he saw me, and let his hand fall to his side. I could see he was surprised, though most of the shock must have been over now. I could see hurt in his eyes now as he looked at me.

"Kuronue is your partner then?" I swallowed and nodded my head, my hand trailing up to clutch the glowing red pendant. Whatever satisfaction I had gotten from killing the demon was slowly slipping away as he stared at me. "You felt there was no reason to tell me? Or did you not know?" I flinched shaking my head again. It was horrible how calm his voice was.

"No, I knew… I've known since I first saw you. Kuronue recognized your energy." I rubbed my finger over the smooth gem like a worry stone. "I wanted to tell you when this mission started but-"

"But what?" I bit my lip as he cut me off; his hands were clenched at his sides. "Did you think you could hide it from me? I am not a fool Izumi, the first time you used your powers I felt as if I had seen them before. But you used so little of them that I couldn't figure it out. To find out it was my oldest friend, who I believed had been sent to Limbo for his crimes!" It as not a shout but his voice was so cold, so bone chilling I felt like shrinking away and hiding forever.

I shook my head, looking at him pleadingly. "Kurama please just wait a moment. I wanted to tell you. I really did. But Kuronue wasn't sure it was a good idea, and Koenma had told me never to openly reveal who my partner was. Neither of them were sure I should tell you and…" I trailed off loosing my nerve under his glare. He took a few steps forward, towards me before stopping again, fidgeting with his coat collar.

"What is it with you and orders Izumi? Did you not stop to think of this moment?" He was right of course; I let people rule me, but that was who I was. Who I'd always been. Kurama looked as if he wanted to storm off, and if he left I had a feeling things would never be the same. I could feel my calm crumbling, whatever had been stopping me from telling him earlier was gone, but it was to late. I had to stop him.

"I was going to tell you!" I nearly shouted at him, my hand dropped from the pendant. "Right before Umeko got here! That was what I had to tell you, I just wasn't sure how too!" My voice broke and I cursed myself. "I was afraid you would hate me…"

"That makes no difference." Kurama shoved his hands into his pockets frowning at me like a parent who had gotten a call from their child's teacher. "You lied to me Izumi. I trusted you not to keep things from me with how dire our mission is." He took in a breath trying to calm himself. "You would be wise to leave me be for a while." He turned then and started stalking off.

I felt as if my chest was being held together. I couldn't breath. No, this wasn't happening, not after everything I'd done to try and stop it. Maybe, maybe if I could just get him to listen… "Kur-"

Pain blossomed in my chest and my heartbeat pounded in my head. I saw the window again in my mind and this time the cracks were too much and the glass shattered into pieces. Gasping I clutched at my chest sucking in a breath, only to start coughing. Blood shot like water from a fountain up my throat and out of my mouth. Stunned, I put a hand to my mouth a continued coughing. I took a few staggered steps forward. Blood splashed against my hand and I began to panic.

What was going on? I tried to remember if I had gotten a wound that would cause internal bleeding but the only things that was serious was my shoulder. My body shuttered and my knees shook as pain racked through my body and I collapsed against the pavement. I was still coughing, my mouth full of iron and salt. I gagged.

From my huddled spot on the ground I heard hurried footsteps and then Kurama's voice. "Izumi? What in the…" I looked up at him weakly and smiled. He had come back, but why had he come back? As if reading my mind I got my answer. "I… your energy started flickered, I felt it fading…" He knelt down next to me, there was still hurt in his eyes, but worry was flooding them.

I tried to reply but that started another coughing round and I clutched at the pendant around my neck as blood dripped from the corners of my mouth. "Kuronue? What's wrong with me?" I was met with only silence though, and I shuttered cursing and coughing again. I felt nauseous and my head rolled. I wanted to cry out, to scream, but I found I had no energy to do so.

Whoever said that when it rains, it pours; they had no idea how true they had been. To tired to find a reason to do anything else I let my eyes close as I coughed again, even as Kurama ordered me not to. I felt a hand on my shoulder shaking me and then I heard another voice. They conversed for a moment before I could no longer pay any mind to them.

Relaxing against the cold ground, my fingers twitched and found something smooth and soft. Brushing against it again I let that feeling over take me, and felt no fear when I felt nothing more.

(1) Latin for: "Let the shadows consume you, you shall suffer the pain you give to others"