bonbonbunny: Sorry for not updating sooner. My computer just stopped working and it took me forever to get it off. I'm really glad to continue writing though. Hope you enjoy.


Chapter Twelve: The Final Day

Ruri gasps and heaves as she bends over, her hands on her knees. Spit trails down from her lips towards the ground, sweat rolls down her back causing her to shiver. Ruri collapses onto the ground the side of her face pressing into the rocks and dirt. The stones and sticks dig into Ruri's belly, legs and arms. Ruri pants for breath as the sound of crunching dirt and snapping twigs echoes towards her.

"Well, you made some progress." Ruri looks up and grimaces. The old man stands over watching her with his beady black eyes and his wrinkled pug face in a scowl.

"I didn't think you had it in you." The old man mutters. Ruri heaves a breath and pushes herself up. As she rises to her knees a sharp pain shoots from the back of her knees and up her spine. Ruri winces and falls forward on her hands.

"Ruri?" The comforting voice of Shuichi whispers. Ruri looks to her the side and grimaces as Shuichi kneels next to her.

"I think I over did it a little." Ruri mumbles. She raises up one knee and grasps the knee in both hands, before trying to stand again.

"Damn." She curses as she stands next to Shuichi, sharp pains prickling all over her body like thousands of needles. "I hope you have something better planned tomorrow, you fucking old fag." Ruri groans massaging her lower back. Shuichi smiles next to her and shares a rare look with the old man.

"Of course." He replies. "I get rid of you tomorrow." Ruri blinks, pain somewhat forgotten.

"What?" She asks. Shuichi chuckles.

"Ruri, it's been ten days. We go home tomorrow." Ruri blinks up at Shuichi.

"Huh? Wait, if we go home tomorrow, then that means school starts up the day after!" Ruri shouts. Shuichi shakes his head.

"Yes, Ruri. Remember we got the vacation. I hope you've completed your homework." Shuichi says looking away. Ruri face plants and shouts as more pain rakes through her body.

"I'm so screwed!"

Ruri stares up at the old temple. It was such a beautiful and peaceful place, she almost didn't want to leave.

"See you, you annoying bitch!" Almost.

"Bye you old fag!" Ruri shouts towards the temple, arms waving over her head. Shuichi chuckles next to her.

"Don't let her kill herself, fox!" The old man shouts towards Shuichi. Shuichi smiles and nods his head. He waves before turning and walking, Ruri following behind after flipping off the old man one last time.

"I'm gonna miss the old fag." Ruri comments as they make it further down the mountain. Shuichi smiles, but Ruri noticed it was fake.

"Yes, Taro was a very interesting old man." Shuichi comments. Ruri narrows her eyes at the back of his head. She could hear the sarcasm in his voice, but it was very fain as usual with Shuichi. It always took a lot for her to figure out his tones and facial expressions. Ruri heaves a sigh.

"Whatever." Ruri mumbles. She looks around at the trees and bushes.

"Hey, how are we gonna get there tomorrow? It took us two days just to get there." Ruri says her eyes following the sun as it appears and disappears behind the leaves, which causes her to not see Shuichi's sudden stop. Ruri bumps into Shuichi's back with enough force to knock her over.

"Fuck!" Ruri whimper as her body lands on the ground sending waves of pain through her body. Ruri glares up at Shuichi.

"Damn it, Shuichi!" Ruri yells. Shuichi turns around and smiles at her.

"It's my little secret." Shuichi says with a playful smirk. Ruri grumbles standing up.

"Whatever." She says dusting off the back of her pants. She picks up the gym bag that she had dropped. She jumps feeling something rub against her leg. Ruri screams looking down. The silver fox stares up at her. Ruri blinks down at it.

"Um, Shuichi, are you seeing this thing?" Ruri asks pointing at the fox. Shuichi nods his head. He shares a look with the fox. The fox looks back up at Ruri and bares it teeth in a menacing grin. Ruri blinks. She winces as a sharp pain throbs in her head. Ruri looks down at the fox but its golden eyes stare into hers. Ruri's head begins to feel fuzzy and her vision goes blurry.

"What?" She whispers before everything goes black.

Ruri groans and rolls over, successfully falling off the bench she was asleep on. She yelps as she face plants into the floor. Ruri sits up hastily and looks around. She jumps seeing Shuichi staring at her, his hand outstretched for her. Ruri looks around and notices they're on a train. Ruri blinks staring out the window.

"We're on a train." She mumbles. Shuichi nods his head.

"Yes, we're on a train." Ruri blinks. She notices something silver out the corner of her eye. She looks towards the bench she fell off of and her eyes widen. The silver fox is sitting were she just lay. Its golden eyes glance at her then return to the window. Ruri blinks, but slowly climbs into the seat next to Shuichi.

"That's Taro's fox."

"Yes it is." Shuichi replies.

"What is Taro's fox doing here?"

"He needed a ride to the city."

"Oh, ok." Ruri replies as she slowly comes back down to earth.

"I think I'm going crazy." Ruri whispers. Shuichi chuckles next to her, but it was a tight, almost unhappy, forced laugh. Ruri looks over to him.

"Where are we?" She asks, ignoring the almost chilling look in his eyes as he watches the fox.

"We're three minutes away from our stop." Ruri blinks and leans over Shuichi's lap, startling him. Shuichi blinks at the back of Ruri's head as she plasters her face against the window.

"Oh my god. We're almost there." Ruri mumbles. Shuichi chuckles lightly.

"Yes. We are." He says. The train slows down and pulls to a stop. Ruri squeals the three walk off the train. Ruri stretches her arms over head and arches her back.

"Ah. The disgusting stench of the city, how I missed you." Ruri yells, gaining a few looks. Shuichi smiles, Ruri's and his bags both strapped over his shoulder. The fox barks once. Ruri twitches, but pretends she didn't hear it. Shuichi looks down at the fox. The fox nods it head, as if in thanks and runs off into the busy train station. Shuichi smiles as Ruri leans towards him, but her face was turned towards the departing fox.

"I hope we never see that thing again." Ruri mutters. Shuichi chuckles and an evil smirk appears on his face.

"But, Ruri, didn't you know? If you save a spirit fox's life it grants you a wish." Ruri blinks up at Shuichi, before sprinting off in the direction the fox went.

"Come back! I want my wish!" Shuichi chuckles and slowly follows at his leisure. Pleased to be back home.

Ruri pouts as Shuichi and her walk down the street. Ruri's bag's strap now rests in its owners hand but the brag drags the ground as if to heavy to bear. Ruri moans and rest her forearm against her eyes.

"I can't believe I lost my chance at a wish." Shuichi chuckles beside her as they ascend the stares to the bridge that crosses the road. Cars, trucks and other vehicles rumble past, but none of it affects Ruri and her mood.

"Why me?" Ruri shouts leaning against the railing of the bridge. "Why me?" Shuichi heaves a sigh. People begin to stare at the girl and the young handsome man. Whispers erupt from passersby. Shuichi sweatdrops as the whisper grow louder.

"Ruri, calm down. I'm sure-"

"Maya?" Shuichi jumps as Ruri leans over the railing, her hand cupping her brow to block the sun. Ruri squints her eyes to see better. Ruri's eyes widen as shocked brown eyes meet hers. It was Maya! Ruri leans back her hand clenched tightly on the railing. Great! It was Maya! Maya races up the stairs and towards them.

"Ruri!" She shouts waving her arm over her head. Ruri twitches and forces a fake smile. She waves as Maya comes closer.

"Hi, Maya." She says softly. Maya stops in front of Ruri and grins.

"How have you been? It's been forever since I've seen you." Maya laughs cheerfully. Ruri grins even wider.

"Oh, great. I'm doing just fine." Ruri growls through her teeth. Maya looks to the left of Ruri and smiles.

"Hello, Minamino-san." Ruri tenses and quickly looks up at Shuichi. Shuichi smiles down at Maya. Ruri frowns and looks away, her heart squeezing tightly. She glares at Maya from the corner of her eye.

"It's nice to see you, Minamino-san." Maya says. She blushes and scratches her cheek. "You know, Minamino-san. I used to have a crush on you," Ruri's eyes widen and fly to Shuichi. Shuichi's eyes widen, but Ruri could see a flicker of fear in them. Ruri narrows her eyes at Maya, but she was smiling at Shuichi happily.

"But I got over it and now I'm happy." She says looking over her shoulder. Ruri follows her gaze to a tall handsome young man waiting by the steps.

"We've been dating for three years now." Maya whispers, love tingeing her voice. Ruri blinks and smiles. She grabs Maya's hands in hers.

"I'm so glad you found you a boyfriend, Maya. So, so, so glad." Maya laughs and nods her head.

"So am I." Ruri grins.

"Well I'm gonna have to go. I'll see around." Ruri nods her head.

"Yeah. See ya around."

"Bye, Minamino-san."

"Goodbye." Ruri giggles and waves as Maya leaves.

"Aren't you glad she has a boyfriend? She's happy." Ruri says smiling up at Shuichi. Shuichi smiles slightly watching Maya leave.

"Yes. I am."