Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

After getting Kuronue to the medic, Youko and Ayare sat waiting by his side until he woke up. Blade really did a number on his back, not to mention the wings. Luckily it was nothing permanent and he would be able to fly in due time but that wouldn't be anytime soon. Ayare kept kicking herself about it, feeling like both Kuronue's injuries and her brother's disappearance were all her fault. She also kept looking up whenever someone walked by the window they were sitting under, hoping for some word from Hiei. Youko had to keep an arm around her to keep her in place and to comfort her. Though, currently, mostly the former. Because he could feel the anxiety radiating off of her and he was concerned as well.

Aside from being Ayare's brother, Fusarei was also a really great friend and he knew that Kuronue would not be happy to hear of the boy's disappearance. Those two had gotten closer as Ayare and he had begun to spend more time together. It was a curious relationship between them but he wasn't about to judge. The pair were kind of cute together and suited each other quite nicely. He hoped Fusarei would be alright. The time Hiei was taking was incredibly nerve-wracking for himself as well.

"We came as soon as we heard." Kojiro and Asami, Ayare and Fusarei's mother, stepping into the room that Kuronue was resting in.

Asami had been like a mother to Kuronue as well, more so than any of the other mothers in the village. She rushed to the boy, who was set on his stomach so that his wings could heal. She gingerly touched his wings and the bandages on them and his back. She wiped a tear from her eye before turning to the young couple. "Who did this? Was it that troublemaker Blade again? I will give that boy a piece of my-" but she noticed that her daughter was unusually silent and it immediately caused her concern. "What's the matter, Aya? Why do you look so shaken up?"

Ayare shook her head, now biting on her lower lip as tears welled up in her eyes. Youko had to calm her again, rubbing her arm with soothing shushes. "It'll all be alright." He kept reassuring her before looking up to his father and Asami, a heavy sigh escaping his lips, "I think you should also get Kaminara… but… Rei has gone missing. It was on our way back and some time during the fight between Blade and Kuronue, he disappeared. Hiei has gone to look for him and I trust him to come back with word of or even Rei himself."

"It's all my fault!" Ayare burst out into tears, "I should have been watching him. He's been so spacey lately with all of his new books. What if something happens to him? I'll never be able to forgive myself… not to mention just half the pendant in the wrong hands can cause havoc…"

Youko immediately moved as Asami stepped forward and knelt down in front of her daughter, pulling her into a hug. As worried as she was about her son, her daughter's distress was equally important to her right now. "I'm sure he's fine, Ayare. Your brother can take care of himself. He is your older brother, after all." She turned to Youko, who was having a chat with his father, "I do hope Hiei turns up soon with news…" she was inwardly panicking about her son's disappearance but she held it together for her daughter. Her mate and children had a huge responsibility and she tried to help as much as she could, in her own way. Being understanding and especially calm in situations like this. It was worrisome that he disappeared though. He was normally a very cautious and thoughtful person. He wouldn't just leave without any word, if that was the case. But she didn't want to imagine that he had been kidnapped or something worse.


Kojiro had taken his leave after collecting the story from his son and sought out Kaminara. He was anticipating a very upset father and protector. He hoped he would take it as well as Asami did, for Ayare's sake. The poor girl was riddled with guilt and his son was shouldering some of it as well. These youngsters shouldn't have to bare such a burden still so early in their lives but that's just how things went sometimes. You can't choose the fate dealt you.

Kojiro found his friend but was surprised to see him with Fusarei, who was thought to be missing. Thankfully it was only between those that knew of the pendants' true use but it was strange for him to show up so randomly after being gone with no word at all. He focused on the boy, perplexed. He took in his scent and even his physical state. It seemed like him. There was something that just felt off but he couldn't place it and he cautiously approached the two kitsune.

"Fusarei, when did you get back? Everyone's been worried sick! Hiei was sent to look for you. I'm surprised he didn't find you before you returned… Your sister is in the medic ward, crying." He gauged the reaction but it was as expected.

"What is she doing in the medic ward? Is she alright?" Fusarei asked before running towards the medic ward himself, leaving the two adults behind.

"Is everything alright? Fusarei said he got a little lost while looking for the book he just got. Apparently he lost it when he wandered away from the skirmish Blade and Kuronue had and ran into a couple of demons. He's fine though. I'm sure he must have given everyone quite the scare. I think they forget he is the older sibling and has his own means of taking care of himself." Kaminara didn't look fazed at all which slightly worried Kojiro. This whole situation was so uncharacteristic of the quiet but smart boy. He wouldn't just wander off on his own… but then again, maybe he was just tired of always needing his sister's protection? He couldn't be sure the reason but he would keep an eye on Fusarei from now on. Call it a hunch but he wasn't ready to accept this sudden disappearance then reappearance so easily.


Back at the medic ward, a fresh waterfall of tears poured from Ayare's eyes as she jumped from her mother's arms to her brother's. "Rei, where did you go?! I was so worried!" she sobbed into his chest, arms wrapped around his neck.

The suddenness of her embrace made him stumble a bit backwards but he caught himself and wrapped his arms around her after a moment's hesitation. "I took a walk, thinking the fight would be a bit longer, but then I ran into some demons. I'm fine and took care of them but lost my book in the process. Kind of really sad about that, considering I was getting to really helpful spells." He gave her a reassuring squeeze, "Really, I'm fine. I can take care of myself, you know." He teased with a smile before smiling up at his mother who was tearing up herself.

Ayare smiled through her tears, pulling back and attempting to clean up her face, "I guess you're right. I'm just glad that you're alright…" Asami nodded in agreement, hugging the two.

"I am too but honestly, Rei that was really reckless. And you know how much Ayare worries about you. Try to let us knew before you wonder off, please? God knows what would have happened if Kuronue thought something happened to you too."

"… what's with all the commotion? Can't an injured guy get some rest?" came Kuronue's muffled voice from his face down position on the bed.

"Speak of the devil… nothing to worry about. He's back safe and sound so that's all that matters." Youko sighed as he sat next to his fright, "How are you feeling, is a better question."

Kuronue turned his head to face them, a pain-filled expression on his face as he winced from the throbbing in his back and wings. "I just want to beat the shit out of that bastard when I get the chance." He groaned as he shifted a bit to get comfortable.

"Language, Kuronue…" Asami lightly scolded, making Kuronue wince one more time.

"Sorry ma'am… you guys didn't let me know Asami was here…"

"Heh, must have slipped our minds." Fusarei was the one to comment before walking up to the bed. "Blade did a number on your back. Are you sure you're alright?" he asked, extremely concerned, considering they had become incredibly close. He gingerly placed both hands on Kuronue's back, avoiding the wings, and his hands began to glow. They could all see the bruises visibly disappear and even his wings, set themselves right, with seemingly very little discomfort for Kuronue.

In fact, the bat demon seemed soothed by it, a relaxed expression replacing the pain-filled one before he slowly pushed up off the bed and sat up, Fusarei and Youko giving him some space. He flexed his wings and even spread them out.

"Should be good as new." Fusarei smiled at him and Kuronue nodded, "Thanks, Rei. It would have sucked to lay in this bed for Kami knows how long."

Fusarei blushed lightly, scratching the back of his head embarrassedly, "No problem, what are friends for?"

Asami chimed in as a bit of an awkward silence settled in, "I think getting some food into you kids after that heist and that scare. Come on, let's head to the dining hall!" she began to usher them all out and they began to chatter amongst themselves, relief and laughter and smiles. It made her happy that everything seemed to be resolved but she couldn't help but wonder why her son would just randomly wander off without a word to his sister. He hated to worry her. Not to mention if they had sent Hiei to search for him, Hiei should have found him and the two return together. It was just strange behavior for her son… then again, maybe he just wanted a bit of independence. Besides, the rest of them could get pretty rowdy and he wasn't too keen on violence unless it was in training.

Hiei appeared just as they all exited the medic ward and Fusarei was the first to call out to him.

"Hiei! Sorry about disappearing on you guys… I heard everyone was worried and they even had you look for me…" Fusarei once again abashed at his actions.

"Hn. I'm surprised I didn't see you on the way back here. I couldn't even pick up on your energy at all." He looked to Ayare, who seemed really happy and a complete 180 from the state she was in when he left her. Everything seemed alright but he, like a couple others, felt that this whole situation was bizarre. "I'm glad you're back safely. Your sister was worried about you." He said this a bit accusingly, due to his own experience with worried family; with a worried sister. Perhaps that was another reason he protected the siblings but felt closer to Ayare than Fusarei. She did remind him of his own sister, Yukina. Not that any of them knew about that save for Fusarei and Youko. He's come to trust the two kitsune with almost anything… Though it might have also slipped once in a conversation and he had the kitsune keep it a secret from everyone else.

Fusarei nodded, glancing at Youko who also gave him a reprimanding look, "Sorry, sorry. I know. I won't wander off like that again. Promise." His stomach growled and the bashful look on his face grew brighter. "Let's eat now, I'm starved!"

They all agreed in their own way, before they made for the dining hall again… only to be stopped when a certain dragon demon seemed to finally return to the village.

"Well, looks like someone owes me an apology." Blade growled lowly, causing everyone to freeze and Ayare looked down guiltily though not without a bit of glare.

"I really am sorry… but could you really blame me? It isn't so farfetched…" but she sighed and stepped towards him, making a deep bow in apology. She rose with a sincere smile, "It was wrong of me to immediately accuse you. I know you feel like an outcast as it is…" she took a look at his neck and the wounds had, thankfully, healed quickly. "I'll definitely make sure to have all my facts straight beforehand. If ever such a thing were to happen again." she then stretched her hand out in a way of making amends.

Blade hadn't expected such a sincere apology and the sweet gesture along with that beautiful smile nearly knocked him off his feet. He hesitated for a moment before taking her hand and shaking it, attempting to look unfazed. "Hn… Just try not almost kill me again? One more tug and I'm sure I would have been a goner." He then turned and walked off, shaking his head as if to try and shake himself out of the shock.

Ayare breathed a sigh of relief, "That went better than expected. We really do treat him a bit unfairly. We should really try to at least be civil with him." She turned to pin her stare on Hiei, Youko and Kuronue, leaving it on the last person for a second before crossing her arms and locking eyes with Youko. "If you try, the other two will follow." She glanced at Hiei and Kuronue, "Hmm?" she twisted her head slightly to look at her brother. "Help me out here, Rei."

Fusarei sighed and nodded, standing next to her with mirrored stance, looking between Hiei and Kuronue as well. "Guys? It's not that hard. You can learn to ignore him instead of fight him." He turned to look at Kuronue more, "If you had done that then I wouldn't have had to heal you, hmm?"

Kuronue sighed heavily, "Alright, alright already." He turned to Youko and Hiei, "Can we just say yes so we can eat? I am seriously gonna faint from hunger at this point… or die from humiliation. One of the two."

Youko and Hiei both looked at each other, then Kuronue, then to Ayare and Fusarei before reluctantly nodded.

Ayare beamed a smile up at them, "Alright, let's eat!" she then linked arms with her brother and dragged him off to the dining hall. Fusarei barely caught himself before running along with her, a smile on his face as well, 'Damn, this girl's attitude is infectious. This will be more difficult than I thought…'

Hiei walked between the two, "How you guys have a handle on those two, I'll never know."

Kuronue looked at Youko, confused, "Now what did he mean by that? It's as if he implied they were our mates or something."

Youko put a hand on Kuronue's shoulder, "I'm sure you'll figure it out. You're much cleverer than you look." He pat his friend's shoulder a couple more times before walking off after Hiei.

Kuronue was still pretty confused but shrugged and followed after the lot of them, extremely hungry after that horrible ordeal. He seemed to have missed a lot during his time of unconsciousness. He would have to ask someone what happened earlier. Something serious happened if Ayare almost killed Blade. She tended to not respond to fights with him unless it was to defend someone else so that must have been part of the reason. Ah well, he would find out later, now wouldn't he?


Meanwhile, the real Fusarei had taken to reading his book. He was looking for any way out of this particular entrapment. He was a pretty fast reader but even he wouldn't be able to read the whole book to find out if it would help him. He hoped that nothing bad happened to his sister, family or friends in the meantime. That impostor must have a reason and he was sure they weren't good reasons. It was so bizarre because that demon even had his signature demon energy and scent. Whatever they were, they were skilled at using their natural gift. He was trying to remember any shapeshifting demons in the area but his mind kept drawing a blank even though it was just right there. He could almost remember it. That would annoy him for a while.

Fusarei shook his head and went back to reading. He couldn't bother thinking about that right now. He needed to get out of here so he could find that impostor and put a stop to whatever they were planning to do. He had a feeling it had to do with their pendants and he would protect his family and their keepsake if it was the last thing he did. If only this book had a directory… the only thing he hated about old tomes. They never had a "go here" section.

'If he or she has already met with you, I hope you see through their deception quickly. All of you. I'll try my best to get out of here and protect our pendants. I promise!' he hyped himself up, though the absence of his necklace was really troubling him. Its weight had been a comfort and if he was honest it was as if it was a part of him and protected him in return for his protection of it. It was actually hard to concentrate on this book because of its absence. He persevered regardless of his feelings, thinking of what could be at stake if they somehow fooled Ayare and got both pendants.

AW: From here on out I will finally be continuing the story instead of rewriting since I'm finally finished with that. I have enjoyed rewriting this story and I can't wait to see how it turns out since I normally wing every chapter aside from pre-planned scenarios. Please enjoy and review when you can!