AUTHOR'S NOTE: Happy Valentines Day to all! LOL Ehrikha mentioned a quote that describes Kuro's entire life, "What? I really, really try not to get notice[d]! It's not my fault these weird people always seem to be out to get me." So true, so true! XD

What makes Murkuro think I even qualify for her elite guard?" I asked Natsume several hours later. I had gone back to the inn with the guys after training to unwind. This time I steered clear of any alcohol in the place. Settling for peppermint tea relaxing at a table set in the back of the inn where I could watch the rest of the fighters discuss their day. Natsume had joined me a while later and I noticed a few heads turn when she walked by. What shocked me was the guy accompanying her. They looked similar but the way Natsume's companion was sizing me up worried me.

After Natsume sat down and promptly ordered drink for her and her companion, she didn't bother with introductions. She immediately launched into a discussion with me about Murkuro. Turned out something had come up and the former "King" had to leave to attend to the matter. She had left with a message to Natsume to make sure I didn't try to escape Makai in her absence. Charming. Now I'm being babysat.

"I believe it has more to do with what you did rather than your actual strength. I'm still curious as to how you managed to defeat Hokushin. You claim to be a non-fighter but you are deeply involved in everything else having to do with fighting." Natsume snapped, slamming down the mug of beer she had been drinking. Let me say, women fighters now scare me. She left a good sized dent in the table as she shot me a glare.

"Hey, now, let me explain."

"All men say that."

"Because women get all caught up in their own drama and don't listen to us. What can we do?" I replied and the silent man smirked at my reply. He had been quiet the entire time, sipping his beer from time to time as he appeared to be listening to our conversation.

Natsume studied me for a minute before shaking her head.

"Fine, then talk. Though it will do you no good."

"I'm not dead yet, so I count my blessings."

"….jackass." Natsume muttered loud enough for her companion. I glanced at him, then back at her but decided to keep quiet about it.

"The only reason I'm so involved is because I don't have much a choice. Like I told you before, the fight with Hokushin was an accident. I saw Yusuke, called him a name, and somehow got caught up fighting his subordinate. With Jin and Chu, it came down to me needing protection and them having muscle. The rest you can figure out for yourself." I explained, taking a big gulp of tea before setting down my mug again.

"And while we're on the subject, who the hell is he?" I said, nodding to her friend.

"Kujo, Natsume's twin brother. Are you Kuro?" Kujo said to me. I stared at him for a minute before nodding my head. Kujo appeared to be completely serious, at ease with himself as he watched me.

"He saw me talking to you and got jealous. Kujo is under the impression I'm in a romantic relationship with you." Natsume said without any preamble. In the middle of sipping of tea I nearly snorted it through my nose. I could already feel the peppermint starting to line its way up and started coughing as a result. Kujo, on the other hand, only appeared annoyed as he nudged his sister.

"Not everyone is used to you blurting out what the hell is on your mind. Besides, he isn't even that good looking. Kuro isn't even a fighter! Why are you going out with a guy like him?" Kujo snapped at Natsume whom continued to just look smug. I knew at some point this matter would come up. It always did when a guy became friends with a beautiful woman. At the bar I could see Chu straining his neck, eyes bugging out of his head as he watched us. Poor man, he probably thought I was proclaiming my love to her now.

"Oh trust me, I would never go out with your sister." I assured Kujo. The way I said it, however, didn't go over well.

"Truly? Then I suppose you're gay?" Natsume said, her voice just a little too loud. A few patrons turned their heads at the sound of her voice. I tried to hide my face with my hand, sinking down in my seat and lowering my head. Around me I heard snickers and whispering as the men talked about me. Shishi was having a ball cracking up laughing at the top of his lungs across the room, bastard.

"I didn't mean it like that." I hissed at Natsume, shooting her a glare. She only narrowed her eyes in response as if daring me to protest. I sighed, wiping sweat from my brow as I nodded to the ever nervous Chu at the bar.

"You dug your own grave. Don't look at me." Kujo said unhelpfully. I rolled my eyes, and here I thought there was only one girl at the table.

"Natsume, I'm sorry. That sounded wrong, and I didn't mean any insult to you. I just mean that I don't like you in that way. Chu does, and I believe you should give him a chance. Besides, I'm not even looking for a relationship right now." I explained to her. Across the room alarm bells were ringing in the way Chu appeared as if he were about to launch himself across the room at me. Kujo tilted his head to the side like a puppy while Natsume took a deep draught of her beer before answering.

"I told you, Kujo. I know what you meant Kuro. I just wanted to see if you were man enough to stand up to me." Natsume said with a sly wink. I raised an eyebrow but kept my comments to myself.

"So, you're not a fighter. At least you claim not to be. You help train these guys in line for the tournament. You're not looking for a relationship, romantic or otherwise. The only conclusion I can come to is you're either an idiot or looking out to be the advisor for the next ruler. Hoping to score with the in crowd before everyone settles back down into chaos?" Kujo asked, his gaze meeting mine. Natsume remained silent, watching the two of us stare each other down. Did he know I had lied? I wasn't who I claimed to be? I wanted to share a glance with Natsume but by doing so I would reveal I was untrustworthy.

"I'm not looking to be the 'advisor' of anyone. Actually, your sister can tell you I don't like it when people begin to notice me. Hate it. I've been gone a long time from the Makai. When I left my son was still here. I'm searching for him." I said, which wasn't a complete lie. I had said I had been across seas, but the land of Makai was more of an extremely large landmass no one knew the boundaries of. I doubted anyone would call me out on the detail as Kujo gave a long hard stare before answering.

"Your son? So you have a mate?"

"No, he was adopted. His parents died during the famine a while back. I happened to be in a village and came across him by accident so I took him with me." I answered, and now I was beginning to get edgy. I found bending the truth until it breaks is easy, but we were entering some dangerous waters. Kujo and Natsume stared at me in astonishment as Chu finally left the bar and began to make his way towards the table.

"Do you mean the Silver Famine? When all those Inari worshipers were blamed from the crop blight?" Kujo asked, lowering his voice. I gave a quizzical look, not sure where this was going.

"Yes. Why do you ask?"

"Natsume and I were born during that time. That was over seven hundred years ago."

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Something has been bothering me, and I doubt anyone really cares. But it's the time and age of the characters. I get so made at the series since Yomi confuses everybody by saying to Kurama "It's been over a 1'000 years since I last saw you." Let's all just say since Yomi is blind he couldn't see his damned calendar and had no idea only a few hundred years went by.