Chapter 10

Youko of every colored filed into the capital to attend the Rose Festival and the crowning of Azumamaro, every color except silver. Gold were given special treatment on this day. Gold ribbons were tied around youko arm to in respect of their new King.

Two youko walked into the capital while others mingled around them, two blues drove a wagon full of barrels that slashed with alcohol, all wearing gold ribbons around their necks, and three animals sneaked in through the sewers.

"What have you got there," asked a guard, stepping to the carriage.

"Azumamaro-sama asks that we give his faithful guards a gift," said Koichi as he and Koaru unloaded the barrels. Two rested in the back of the pile.

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Kurama and Shin walked into Sayuri's tavern and inn and sat down the first to spot them was a brown with a gold ribbon around her neck.

"Boss, we got two gold here," hollered Kimiko, a tray of ale in her hand.

"On the house," yelled back Sayuri.

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"Gods, it stinks in here," complained Kuwabara.

"Shut your mouth," said Setsuna. "We'll find the entrance and report to Kurama."

"Just keep moving," growled Shizuru. "The quicker we get there the quicker we get Yusuke."

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Inside the tower above the drawbridge the guards talked loudly, and not noticing the figure the slipped in and hid behind the large mechanism for lifting and lowering the drawbridge. Yusuke softly chuckled as he fiddled with the pulleys.

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Kurama and Shin walked down the street as the horns sounded and everyone went toward the gates of the castle. Roses of every color except white lines the streets and various youko wore a rose in their hair. Kurama looked up around the walls and saw Koaru and Koichi walk around the heights, disguised as guards. Everyone turned to the front when the gong sounded again and Azumamaro walked out.

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"Where's the tunnel," asked Kuwabara as they walked around the garden. They had already dispatched the guards and were having trouble finding the tunnel entrance. They had memorized every detail given to them by Kurama and had hoped they could find it without any problems.

"It has to be here somewhere," said Shizuru.

"Here," said Setsuna and both neko joined the kitsune by the bridge. Under the steps on the far side was a fox hole. All three gave animalistic smirks and crawled in.

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Yusuke jumped down between two homes and checked the hood of his cloak covering his face. Taking out a black scarf he wrapped it around his head to hide his ears and a black clothe over his eyes. Hearing a crunch of gravel he ducked his head to hide his face and fox-less ears.

"Oh, poor, ojii-san, do you need some help to the ceremony?" asked a sweet mischievous voice. Yusuke could hear a slight giggle in the tone.

"Yes, Kimiko-chan," he said. The black clothe made him near blind so he held out his hand to Kimiko who wrapped it around her arm and lead him to the streets.

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"The ceremony's beginning," said Koaru.

"Wait for onii-san's signal," said Koichi.

"I know, but these uniforms itch," said Koaru, scratching his shoulder. They were wearing two uniforms they "borrowed" from two "willing" guards.

"Quiet, the bastard is speaking," said Koichi.

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"As I stand here before you, ready to become your King," said Azumamaro, "I swear to you that I shall keep out all of those who wish you harm. I shall create a border between us and the strangers that dare to enter our lands."

"Idiot," said Kurama under his breathe. "That's what the Maze of Trees is for."

"I shall keep our blood pure. No more interbreeding between tribes. Each color shall stay the way it should be."

Shin growled. Interbreeding had become a necessity for the Haiiro. Shin's mother had been silver, and a cousin of Inari.

"From now on, no youko leave the valley. We shall forget the outside world and teach our children the terrors that plague that land. We shall continue the tradition of our forefathers and stay isolated and pure."

His ended and earned scattered applause. That's when it happened. The first explosion sounded from the prison station. All youko screamed and scattered away from it. Azumamaro smiled.

"Kurama," he said softly. "Seal off the main yard! Nobody get in or out!"

The next explosion sounded and the gates burst into flames and splinters. Two guards tried to keep the citizens inside but a kinoho-kunai and yuki-shuriken quickly dispatched them and allowed the people to escape.

"Raise the drawbridge," yelled Azumamaro. "I don't want anyone leaving this city!"

The last explosion sounded at the bridge station and the drawbridge lowered and remained so.

"Fools! Imbeciles! You can't even keep a few mindless commoners in their place?!"

"Problems, otouto?" asked a booming voice and Azumamaro turned to see Shin, Kimiko, Koichi, Koaru, Sayuri standing in the main yard, civilians either ran past them or stared in surprises. Yusuke stood between Koaru and Sayuri. Standing in front of them was Kurama, his gold eyes turned red with anger.

Azumamaro smirked.

"Welcome home, aniki."

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"How much further," asked Kuwabara.

"Can't be much father," said Setsuna. "I smell fresh air."

"If so then we better hurry," said Shizuru. "The fight already started. I felt the explosions."

"Up ahead! A light."

They crawled a few more feet until they came out of the fox tunnel and into Azumamaro's secret harem, and changed into their humanoid forms.

"Which one's do you think is Hiei's," asked Kuwabara.

"Who cares," said Shizuru. "We have to save them all."

"And find an alternate exit," said Setsuna. "Hiei can't fit in the fox tunnel."

Setsuna looked around and lead to the third room on the left. Opening the slide door they saw Hiei, still in her wedding kimono, standing in front of them with her arms crossed.

"About time," she said. "Where's Kurama?"

"Busy," said Setsuna and threw her the bundle that had been tied to his back. "Get dressed. Shizuru will set you free and Kuwabara and I will free the others."

"Yes," said all three and got to work.

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Kurama cut down another guard as he ran after Azumamaro. As soon as the fight started Azumamaro ran. Kurama knew Azumamaro would try to run away. If so, Azumamaro would try again and again, and Kurama couldn't let that happen.

"Hello, Kurama-sama," said a voice and Kurama stopped to glare at Ran.

"Hello, Ran," he said and held up his Rose Whip defensively.

"Kurama-sama, let's not fight. We can leave together. Explore the Makai, just like you wanted. Let's leave here, now, just the two of us."

"And what of Hiei?"

Ran's eyes flared. "Forget about her. She's not your problem anymore. She was a bitch from the beginning, and it was my duty to save you from her!"

"A bitch am I?" said a familiar voice and Kurama looked up. Sitting on the roof as casual as if it was a normal day sat Hiei, on arm propped on a bent knee as she sneered down at Ran. "Well, you know what they say, takes one to know one."

"Hiei," said Kurama in joy as Hiei jumped down in front of him.

"Miss me," she asked looking at him over her shoulder.

'"You don't know how much."

"No!" yelled Ran. "Kurama-sama belongs to me! He's mine!" And she threw a boulder at Hiei. The fire Koorime dodged it and rolled to her feet.

"Go," yelled Hiei to Kurama. "Catch Azumamaro and end this! I've got this bitch."

Ran screamed as Kurama ran past them. As he passed Hiei he whispered, "I love you." Hiei just softly smiled as her mate ran down the walk way.

"Kurama-sama is mine!" yelled Ran and Hiei glared at her.

"You know, that line is getting old!"

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Kurama chased Azumamaro until they stopped in the garden. Kurama stopped as soon as he entered and looked around in shock. Once years ago it seemed to Kurama it had been his father's rose garden. Roses of every color grew there. Inari tended to them personally. He would not let anyone else touch his roses. Kurama and his siblings played in the garden when they were kits. It was where Inari taught Kurama and Koichi how to use their plant powers.

Now it was covered in ash. The once vibrant bushes were now withered shrubs. Crisp and burnt petals scattered the ground and on the path. In the middle of the garden a single bush was crisped and charred.

"The Golden Rose Bush…."

"I never did like this garden," said Azumamaro. "Takes too much time to tend. And roses are so testy."

"You destroyed everything Otou-sama cared about!" yelled Kurama, turning to his brother.

"Not yet," said Azumamaro. "I haven't destroyed the Valley, the kitsune, our siblings, you, or this." He held up a gold seed. Kurama's eyes widened at the sight of it. "Remember when you held this at the Tournament? How you taunted me with it, just to by yourself time for your demon Vetch Seed to grow in me."

"How did you counteract the seeds effect?"

"Fire. I set my blood to boil and burn the plant out of my body. It took some work to not kill me in the process but I managed it. And when I woke up, I set my plan into motion." Azumamaro pocket the seed and smiled at Kurama. "This won't be like last time. This time, I will win."

"Say that after I kill you."

And the fight began. Azumamaro flung away his robe and threw a ball of fire at Kurama. Kurama dodged it and brought out his Rose Whip. He snapped it at Azumamaro but the gold dodged and threw a second fire ball at Kurama.

"This is getting tedious, Kurama," said Azumamaro. "Fire sets plants aflame. You can't beat me."

"But ice might stand a chance!" yelled Kimiko before throwing three yuki-shuriken at him. Byakko landed on the ground with his mistress on his back, her fan open and her eyes flashing hate.

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Hiei swung at Ran, who blocked it with an earth wall. The brown swung a boulder at her but Hiei dodged it.

"You can't beat me, bitch," yelled Ran. "Earth is never scorned by fire. I ill kill you and have Kurama-sama for myself."

Hiei dodged another boulder and landed on the roof.

"That's all you talk about, isn't it?" said Hiei, walking along the roof. "Having Kurama, running away with him. How he's really yours. Like a possession, like a pet! Hate to break it to you, friend, but Kurama never liked you."

"No! You're wrong!" Ran covered her ears and shook her head. "Kurama-sama loves me! I know it!"

"If he loves you then why did he marry me?!" Hiei threw a fire ball at her while Ran blocked it with another boulder.

"Because you're a damn distraction!" yelled Ran, throwing the boulder. Hiei dodged it and landed on the ground.

"You're a psychotic fool," said Hiei. She sheathed her sword and held up her fist. "Kurama was never yours."

"Liar! Kurama-sama is mine! He will always be mine!"

She rose up another boulder to throw at Hiei as black flames surrounded Hiei's right fist.

"This actually took years to learn. Longer then I've known Kurama. It's this reason that drove the Koorime to their icy realm. Used by the King of the Fire Demons, they ran and hid and stayed hiding too afraid to face the world they lived in. Just like you!"

"I'll kill you!" Ran threw the boulder at Hiei, but Hiei drew back her fist and smashed it into pebbles.

"Earth can be scorned, by the blackest of flames. Only my right hand will do. You said you'd follow Kurama anywhere. Try following him to hell."

And Hiei threw a dragon of black flame at Ran. She attempted to block it but the earth melted and engulfed her.

"Joau Enstatsu Kokoryuha!"

The dragon roared as it engulfs Ran and returned to Hiei's arm. Hiei gasped as her arm burnt when the dragon returned, blackening the skin and searing muscle. Holding her arm to her side she ran to find Kurama.

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Kimiko threw a blizzard at Azumamaro. The gold melted and jumped away from the leaf kunai Kurama flung at him. Azumamaro flung a wave of fire at both silver and both dodged. Byakko jumped at him and Azumamaro flung him away. The large wolf landed on the roof, collapsed it and landed on the porch.

"Byakko!" yelled Kimiko, running to her companion.

"Ice and plant working together to beat fire," said Azumamaro with a sneer. "Worst idea in history."

"Then how about fire against fire!" yelled Hiei and swung down at the gold. She managed to cut off a lock of his hair and his sleeve before he dodged it. She tackled him before he threw her off and landed beside Kurama in exhaustion.

"Hiei, your ki…" said Kurama picking Hiei up.

"I used it all against the bitch. I won't be much help to you for a while." Hiei reached and clasped Kurama's hand. "Kick his ass." And she fell unconscious.

"A desperate move," said Azumamaro. "On her part. I guess you did manage to get her out."

"Our uncle, Setsuna, help," said Kurama. "Remember him?"

"Your uncle, not mine! I don't need you anymore. Not even my litter siblings. I have what I want,"

Kurama set Hiei down and glared at Azumamaro. "I'm going to stop you now."

"Try it!"

Kurama snapped his Rose Whip at Azumamaro. Azumamaro dodged it, but not before it tore his pant leg and sliced his thigh. Azumamaro fired a fire ball at Kurama. Kurama snapped his whip and sliced through the fire ball and it dispersed the whip slightly crisp. Kimiko threw ice-shuriken at Azumamaro. The hi-kitsune dodged it and threw a fire ball at her. Kimiko threw up a thick wall of ice and the fire hit it.

"Kurama," yelled Yusuke. He, Kuwabara, Setsuna, Shin, Koichi and Koaru had finally joined them.

"We're fine, take care of Hiei," yelled back Kurama. "Kimiko, I appreciate your help, but I need to finish it."

"But, nii-san…."

"Go! That's an order!"

Kimiko was taken aback by the order. In all her life Kurama had never ordered her to do anything, but she knew he had the right now. She bowed her head respectfully.

"Yes, nii-sama," she said and ran back to the others.

"Sentimentality," said Azumamaro amusingly. "So like you. Unfortunately for you, I have none."

"I sent them away because I have the power to defeat you, in my hand," said Kurama and held up his fist that had remained closed the entire fight. It glowed a soft gold. Behind him, Hiei slowly woke in Kimiko's arms.

"Kurama…."

"Hiei-chan, you're all right," said Kimiko.

"I'm still tired, but I have to help Kurama."

"The battle is almost over," said Koichi.

"What the hell…." yelled Azumamaro. "What the hell are you doing?! My energy…."

"Exactly. Both your and my energy is feeding the seed in my hand. When I release the energy, we'll both die."

"Seed…."

Kurama opened his fist and in his palm was a gold rose blossom. Vines wrapped around his hand and up his wrist. Azumamaro's eyes widen at the rose.

"How…."

"Hiei is quite the pick-pocket. She attacked you to grab the seed, not harm you."

Azumamaro smirked. "You won't die. You have too much to live for."

Kurama's eyes flashed. "True, but I will die if it means protecting them!" The Golden Rose pulsed as the energies stored battled against each other. "Bara no Kin!" (tran. Golden)

Everyone covered the eyes as a silver gold flash blinded them and engulfed Kurama and Azumamaro. Hiei struggled against Kimiko as the silver ice kitsune held her back.

"Kurama! KURAMA!"

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"There was nothing left," said Kimiko hours later as she laid her head on Shizuru's lap. "Of both of them."

"How's Hiei," asked Shizuru, running a hand through her girlfriend's silver hair.

"Yukina's watching after her. She's still asleep. Keiko thinks we should be on a suicide watch for a while."

Shizuru nodded. "A good idea, but I think unnecessary."

Shizuru. "You smelled it too, huh?"

"Yeah. And thus life goes on."

Both looked over the newly flourishing garden. Roses of every color bloomed and seemed to glow. In the center was a rose bush with large silver white roses.

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"Hiei…."

She groaned, too tired to open her eyes. No, she wasn't tired. She didn't want to wake up. She wanted to stay asleep.

"Hiei, open you eyes."

No, she didn't want to open her eyes. She wanted to keep dreaming, dreaming that Kurama was still alive and next to her. Please, don't take her away from the dream.

"Silly, how can you be dreaming when I'm right here?"

That made Hiei wake with a gasp. Looking down at her was Kurama, as beautiful and handsome as when she first realized she loved him. She was lying on his lap, as natural as if real.

"Kurama? Is it really you?"

Kurama chuckled. "Of course it's me, silly. Who else would it be?"

Hiei shot up, almost colliding heads with him and flung her arms around his neck.

"Kurama! Thank the gods you're alive!"

"Uh, well, yes and no."

Hiei drew away from her mate and looked at him in confusion. "Kurama, what does that mean?"

"I am alive. I'm just in spirit form right now."

"Spirit form?"

"Inari, my father, he saved me. Apparently since I left, he was storing energy in the seed, knowing one day I'd use it. It was enough to keep me alive, but it took almost all of my energy too."

"Then you can come back?" asked Hiei hopefully.

Kurama shook his head. "Not yet. My energy's too depleted to take a physical form. I'll have to go away for a while."

Hiei's eyes flashed. "How long a while?"

Kurama shook his head. "I don't know. But I promise I will come back."

"I'll hold you to that, fox," said Hiei. "I'll wait for you."

Kurama softly smiled. "I know." And he leaned down and softly kissed her. "I love you. Tell everyone I'll be back."

Hiei nodded. "I will."

"And tell Kimiko to get her tail in gear and mate Shizuru. They both deserve each other."

Hiei softly laughed. She would definitely tell Kimiko that. Hiei gasped when Kurama started to fade.

"Kurama…"

"I'll see you soon. Remember, you're always first in my heart."

"And mine," said Hiei as Kurama faded away.

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Hiei did relay the message to the others and the restoration of the Kitsune began. Kimiko was appointed as Regent in Kurama's absence again and began rebuilding the country. After much harassment from Hiei, and surprisingly Kuwabara, she and Shizuru mated. Not long after Yukina and Kuwabara married as well and Yusuke and Keiko. Sayuri became caretakers of the orphans as a result of Azumamaro's reign and mated Setsuna. Shin stayed unmated for a decade before mating Sora. The day after the battle, Koichi's wife had her litter and the four kits were named for their aunt and uncles and their father's mother.

The kitsune had gotten used to the outsiders after a few years and were never chased out. Kimiko order the borders opened and let the kitsune come and go as the pleased. Skirmishes were closely watched and rebels of Azumamaro attempted to retake the capital more then once but each time they were disposed of. After a few decades, peace was finally achieved.

And thus life went on….

TBC