A new kimono was given to River. One the color of water, to complement her name. She had become very fluent in Japanese and soon was roaming the grounds talking with Kuronue and Youko. The search for River's attacker was underway. But she informed them that the demon was a shape shifter and changed his appearance every time he attacked her. Kuronue and River were walking from the library, River carrying a new book in her arms.
"These investigations are fruitless. I've never seen Youko go on such a rant." Kuronue said. "He seems angry about how bad things are turning out. I hope he doesn't let his anger consume him." River said. "Youko is too smart for that kind of thing. He'll calm down eventually." Kuronue said in an assuring voice as they approached the door to Youko's room. A roar of yelling could be heard from within. River and Kuronue shared worried glances before opening the door.
Youko was seated in his usual chair while Yomi was yelling vulgarities about River and her staying here. River, used to the hatred towards her, walked to the window sofa and sat down, opening her book and began to read. "Look at her Kurama! That woman just sits there and reads like a freaking loon!" Yomi yelled. "Watch your tongue Yomi. That girl is far wiser than you give her credit for." Kuronue said. The other demon folded his arms over his chest. "That bitch has no wisdom whatsoever. She should go back to that hell world she came from." Yomi spat. Youko growled once in warning. "If you hate her so much, why did you even bring her here?" Kuronue huffed. "I planned on having my way with her and killing her. I didn't expect you to make a pet out of her. That animal, if you don't plan on killing it then send it back." Yomi said. "The hell is wrong with you! Who the hell gave you permission to come in here and order Kurama around?" Kuronue said.
"I did." Youko broke in.
He looked to Yomi. "I will act upon your proposal as soon as possible. You're dismissed." He said. Yomi smirked and turned his lecherous grin to River, who was engrossed in her book the whole while, and left. "Act upon his proposal? Youko have you gone mad?" Kuronue demanded. River looked up at them from the corner of her eye.
"That's not Youko." She said gravely.
Kuronue stiffened. "What?" He looked the kitsune over, who was equally shocked, but saw nothing wrong.
"Look at his eyes. There isn't the kindness I see in Youko's. All I see is evil, no love. Also, did you not hear what he said? He means to get rid of me. Youko would not do such a thing, he already made it clear to Me." she said.
The fake Youko smirked and slammed a clawed hand into Kuronue's stomach, causing the bat demon to cry out and double over in pain. River leapt to her feet and drew out a knife that she now carried in her kimono sleeve. "Like that will do you any good. You're as good as dead." The fake Youko laughed. River ignored his laughter and watched his movements. He lunged forward with his claws and she dodged, stabbing him in the back. A roar of pain escaped him and he whirled around and struck her down, slapping her across the face with his claws, sending her flying into the wall, knocking her unconscious. The fake Youko chuckled and looked to Kuronue, who was struggling to get to his feet. "Don't touch her, you sick bastard." He gasped. But the other demon smirked. "I don't think so. After I'm done with her, I'll take your life as well. Youko will go mad with grief, I just know it. It will be the most exhilarating chase!" He laughed.
"You're doing this all for some sick game?" Kuronue growled. He looked to River, who was lying in a pool of her own blood. She must've hit her head hard enough to make it bleed.
The door opened and Youko walked through.
"Kuronue, I think I found some leads to-"
He stopped mid-sentence when he saw the scene before him. When his eyes caught on the false version of himself, who's hands were dripping with River's and Kuronue's blood, a deep growl ripped from his throat. "So you're the bastard who dared to touch what was mine." He growled. The shape shifter chuckled. "If you're referring to the human, you couldn't have picked a weaker mate." He said. Faster than a heartbeat, the shape shifter was impaled through the throat by Kurama's rose whip. "I will decide that for myself, you damned little fool." Kurama hissed. The demon died quickly, too quickly for Youko's liking, and he threw the body away. First he went to Kuronue.
"What happened?" he asked the bat demon. "You're River knew he was a fraud. I was too foolish to notice a difference in the two of you. She spoke too late I'm afraid." Kuronue said then groaned in pain as he moved and he strained the wound on his stomach. "Why would he impersonate me?" Youko asked. "For us to be unaware and kill us. He spoke with Yomi and said we'd get rid of River and send her kill her if we couldn't find her world. But you're River, she knew it wasn't you." Kuronue said. Youko healed him and went to River. "At least the bastard is dead. You should have seen what he said and did to River. He was nasty as hell." Kuronue said, moving to stand by Youko, who had healed River.
Brown eyes opened and a smile broke out on her face. "Youko-sama. Good to see you again." She breathed with a light laugh. "Immediately knew it was you. That's something there. I mean, I've known you for hundreds of years and I didn't even see a difference!" Kuronue said. River blushed. "Well, I just know. That shape shifter was horrible at portraying you Youko-sama. He had such hatred in his eyes." She said. Youko was taken aback by this. "I thought I had hate in my eyes." He said. "No! You have such kind and loving eyes Youko-sama." She said. He gave her a small smile. "I never knew that River. You seem to know me better than I do." He said, though he sound almost disappointed.
River hugged him, which he returned. "Youko-sama, don't send me away. I like it here, truly I do. Unless you wish me gone, I would like to remain here." She said. He understood her outburst. Yomi insisting that they should send her away, demons trying to kill her, being put down because she's a human; it was quite awful. But the fact that she wanted to stay sent a ray of happiness into his heart. She wants to be here, with him. "I will never wish for you to be gone, River." He told her, kissing her hair. River's eyes widened in surprise. He wants her here, with him? Tears pooled in her eyes. "Thank you." She whispered.
