She slowly started to regain consciousness again, but this time a hand had her eyes remained closed. And then the same young man's voice from before spoke.

"We've finally reached the last chapter. It's fast forwarded to many years later. Again, you'll have Yana's memories and emotions at that time. And this conversation, like the one before, would be forgotten temporarily."

The same sweet scent, which, by now, she had concluded as a sleeping powder, filled the air once more. She felt herself slipping back to unconsciousness, the guy's voice fading away as he continued.

"But before we go on, I want you to remember the guy who took you to the library," he said. "Remember me. You and I both play important roles in this story; more important than you could imagine."

She immediately racked her brain for a name while she still can. She could only manage to remember that it started with an S. "S-s..." she tried.

She could hear him smile as he added, "I'll see you soon."

Then before she could completely drift back to sleep, she remembered.

Shuichi. Shuichi Minamino.

The heat was stifling. I couldn't move my limbs. And something kept hitting my face. I opened my eyes then and pulled my head back as the fox ears in front of me twitched.

"Kurama," I half-moaned, half-grunted, "you're heavy."

My legs were both in between his, allowing no escape. His arms embraced me tightly, restraining my own arms. His face was buried in my chest, hence his fox ears on top of his head hit my face everytime they twitch.

"And hot," I muttered as I felt heat radiating from him.

Kurama finally looked up and grinned. "Yes my dear, you married a hot man."

I rolled my eyes, though I can't help but smile. "You know that's not what I mean. Get off."

He pouted, "But Yana..."

I blinked, trying hard not to smile. "I won't fall for it. Once is enough for tonight."

"Oh come on," he pushed himself up and placed his head on the pillow so that we're face-to-face. "Let's enjoy this," he leaned in, one of his hands now entangled in my hair. "This is one of our best nights so far." Then he captured my mouth in his.

I broke off moments later. "And why is that?"

"Because I feel this time," he leaned in again, grinning, "we'd finally get successful."

The smile was wiped off my face right then as I looked down and sighed.

"Why?" Kurama tilted my chin up slightly. "What's wrong?"

I sighed again. "We've tried more than a hundred times already. Don't you think that's strange?"

We've been together as a married couple for a very long time now. Three hundred years had passed since we left Mizu Castle, plus almost two hundred years since Kuronue died.

"Maybe there really is something wrong with me," I added, closing my eyes as I touched my forehead with his. "I'm so sorry."

"For what?"

"You wanted to have kits so much, yet I couldn't give you even one. I failed you as a wife."

"Hey, no," he pulled his head back to look at me. "I never thought of you as a failure. I love you, with or without children." Kurama kissed my forehead then pulled me into his embrace. "Besides, with my reputation, maybe I'm not really destined to have an offspring, don't you think?"

I nodded slowly, "I guess so?"

Kurama sighed. "Don't think too much about it, I really don't mind at all." He had me look up at him. "I'm happy even with just the two of us."

I smiled, letting the comfortable silence set in for a moment.

Kurama took it as another opportunity as he leaned again, and so I said, "Also, you've already got your hands full with your subordinates and maids."

"Yes, that's right."

"And with nothing to sell or trade, you won't be able to support all of us."

"Yes."

"So now you need to get dressed for your raid."

"No."

"I really thought that would work," I pouted.

"Unfortunately for you, it didn't." Kurama shifted us so that he's on top of me. "So I win."

"We'll have plenty of time later. You… need the energy."

He chuckled. "Yana-chan, you don't have to worry about that." Kurama grinned and continued in a low, sexy voice, "I have plenty of stamina."

"No, Kurama," I glared, trying my best to suppress my blush. "We are not doing it again."

He glared back. It became a brief contest, until he finally spoke, "You will come?"

"If you get off now."

Without another word, he obliged. I smiled discreetly as he irritably stood up and searched the room for his clothes.

Yes, I married a hot man.

"I take it all back Kurama, let's go home," I tugged at his shirt.

Kurama only smiled as he looked down at me. "You're pretty fickle-minded are you?"

I looked down. Truly, our outlooks regarding this heist were reversed once we neared the building. Now he's the one eager to get this over with, while I became increasingly reluctant.

He moved closer. "Look, I'll be fine. Trust me."

"I just can't shake off this bad feeling."

"Now, now Yana, that's pretty insulting, you know?" Kurama raised an eyebrow, his line reminding me of Kuronue. "Can't you have faith in me?"

"I do believe in you, but… can't we just postpone?"

He shook his head, smiling. "We're already here." He ran a hand through my hair before kissing me.

My hands immediately snaked around his nape, and my head rested on his shoulder when he kept me close to him in a hug right afterwards.

"I've done this more than a thousand times already," he said. "What are you so afraid of?"

"Hunters," I answered without a moment's pause.

We turned to look towards our destination. We were sitting on one of the hidden branches of a tall tree overlooking the castle a few feet away.

Sure enough, there's a man in a gray uniform by the entrance. The ruler of this castle feared he might be Kurama's next victim, for the fox just recently robbed his friends.

Youko Kurama's fame has reached new heights. Now, not one soul in Makai is oblivious of him. But while some admire him, fear him, or desire to be with him (not knowing he's already married), a large number of the population wanted to kill him or at least capture him—either because they were a victim of his, or they were influenced by the Hunters. He was wanted dead or alive, with a huge sum of money as a reward to his captors.

Normally the Hunters won't bother with Makai operations, for stealing and killing is something common for survival here. But as Kurama's fame stirred uproar in Makai, and rumors of the fox planning to break into Reikai, where these Hunters work for King Enma, started circulating, they felt the need to take action. Either that or they wanted to add killing the notorious fox thief to their credentials.

"Yana," Kurama held my hand, wrenching my attention away from the castle, "no matter what happens, I don't want you to engage a Hunter into a fight. Even I can't stand a chance against them. Do you understand?"

I nodded.

"I'll get us both back home safely, okay?" he smiled.

"Okay," I smiled back. "I love you."

Kurama kissed the top of my head. "Me too. Come on."

Changing into our full fox form, we jumped down from the tree and silently made our way to the castle. In this form, we become capable of telepathy, so we stay as a fox all throughout raids.

Team heists had been considered inconvenient now, for security measures developed with the help of technology. Since then, the men were allowed to go on their own raids by pairs, provided they were permitted by Kurama. He, meanwhile, either goes on raids on his own, or takes Shin along with him. But as he got home one day with a serious injury, I decided to convince him to take me with him on heists as his healer. Surprisingly, though, it didn't take long before he agreed.

"Training you to fight and use your abilities would all go to waste if you only stay here to wait for someone to heal anyway," he had said. "And I want to spend more time with you now." I had smiled back then, only to roll my eyes when he added, "Also, you really need to see me in action, and be more amazed and proud to have me as your husband."

So now I would tag along in most of his raids as his lookout, and sometimes to create illusory distractions. However, he never allows me to go inside a building with him. Sneaking out is harder than sneaking in, and much harder if he'd had to worry about me getting trapped inside.

As we reached the castle, Kurama immediately went off to the side of the huge building to climb up a tree. Meanwhile I stayed hidden in the trees around the castle, with a strategic view of the entrance and Kurama's location from my position.

Apparently, guards roamed around the castle. The Hunter stayed by the front entrance. It looked silly, considering how thieves would never enter through there without some kind of scheme, but it's convenient for us anyway.

It's safe to get in now, based on this side. I told Kurama, seeing no guards near his location. How is it there? He was to watch out for guards from the other side of the castle hidden from my view.

All clear then, thank you, he replied. I'm going in.

And with that, I saw him jump from the tree branch, barely making a sound, and successfully into a window.

I roamed around now through the trees, circling the castle a few times. No one noticed Kurama sneak in through the window, fortunately. That is until the fifth turn that I wondered what's taking him too long. He's had the castle layout memorized, so getting to the treasure and escaping would be easy for him.

Kurama, I decided to say, this is a really bad time to get caught.

I hope you're not a jinx, my dear, he said.

So he's still safe. I continued walking until I reached the front entrance again. Then I stopped.

One of the guards walked confidently towards the Hunter to whisper something. Straining my ears to hear him, I caught the phrase, "The fox is here."

Alarmed, I spoke to him again, Kurama, they discovered you! The Hunter's about to go upstairs!

Run, Yana! Kurama replied instead. Now!

Just then, I saw guards approaching the forest from all directions, two of them towards my direction.

How did they know I was here? How did Kurama know they were coming?

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted silver fur by a window. Kurama was looking at me, but not for long as he jumped out and ran into the other side of the forest. A flurry of arrows rained down from the window where he came from.

"I'll go after him," the Hunter, who fired the arrows, shouted down from the window to the guards who had stopped in their tracks due to the commotion. "Find the other one!"

I turned to run as fast as I could to get away, and at the same time tried to locate Kurama.

Alas, after what seemed like an eternity, I managed to lose the guards with the illusions I laid out for them. I finally picked up Kurama's scent too, so I set out towards the clearing I sensed he was in.

Found you, I tried speaking to him.

Go home, Yana, he replied. Please. Now. I'll just follow you.

I finally saw him, and the reason behind his order. The blue-haired Hunter was still chasing him, sending out arrows from time to time. He's getting closer, and Kurama was finding it harder to dodge his attacks.

I tried to keep up with them, though I stayed hidden in the shadows of the trees. It was then that I realized… this scene's familiar.

Yes, yes it is familiar. I could never forget this scenario. It's from my first ever dream of Youko Kurama, my recurring dream of him being chased to… his death.

No. It can't be.

Now I can't say I've been struck with déjàvu, because some details were different.

Kurama was being chased by one Hunter only. I only ran after them discreetly, and in my fox form. And most of all, I can't even call out to the Hunter to stop! I was too terrified of him. Not even A-class demons could beat these Hunters.

The questions I'd always ask myself whenever I wake up from that dream resurfaced right then.

If I did stop the Hunter, would Kurama be able to escape? What would happen then? Would I be able to save him?

This is my only chance. Maybe I can change the outcome. Yes, maybe the ending would be different too.

I won't let another terrible dream to come true.

And so I stepped out into the open as they sped past me. I took off after them, but before I could even make a sound…

Kurama let out a small cry all of a sudden as he slowed down, and eventually fell on the ground. The chase had ended exactly the same as the dream.

Kurama got shot.

With a cry of my own, I ran forward and bit the Hunter's leg. He cursed at the sudden pain, but he stood his ground. He tried shaking me off, but I only bit harder. That was until his other foot kicked me with such force that had me flying a few feet away. Fortunately, I landed near Kurama.

Kurama's still conscious, though it's obvious he's slipping away. Not wasting any more time, I positioned myself in front of Kurama,deciding to create an illusion to block the Hunter's path before he could get anywhere near us.

The Hunter laughed as he moved towards us. "So you're his accomplice, huh? Oh wait, considering your protective stance, you must be his mate. Oh, poor soul."

I growled. Don't worry Kurama, I'll get us somewhere safe and—

Just then, numerous fallen leaves started to swirl right in front of us, creating a thick wall of leaves between the Hunter and the two of us.

Are you doing this? I turned my head to look at the fox.

His eyes were closed, but he looked like he was struggling. What are you waiting for? I heard his voice in my head. Hurry up and create an illusion!

"Wow Youko Kurama, you've still got the energy to do this?" the Hunter chuckled. "I have to say, your powers really are impressive, beautiful, and deadly—though I seriously doubt the latter now. Surely, at this rate, you cannot attack me with these, can you?"

True enough, Kurama's energy was getting weaker. The leaves soon fell back to the ground, yet in its place I had conjured up illusory trees identical to the real ones I passed through earlier. The Hunter was now surrounded by a number of fake trees in the middle of a huge clearing.

Meanwhile, I immediately changed into my other form as soon as I set up the illusion to carry the fox more easily as I went deeper into the forest. The illusion could last for thirty minutes, unless he knew of a way to dispel it.

I stopped at a safe distance away, and because I could not sense the Hunter following.

As soon as I laid Kurama on the ground, he turned into his other form. Now I could clearly see his face scrunched up in pain as he clutched his right thigh, where the arrow was still thrust into his skin.

"Kurama," I breathed. "Sorry if I took so long, I—"

"Don't," he said sternly just as I was reaching to pull out the arrow.

"Huh?"

Kurama shook his head. "It's useless, Yana. The venom is infused with his spirit power, and it deflects any form of healing. Even I can't heal myself. You'd only get hurt, and that's the last thing I want to happen."

"Then what should we do?"

"There's nothing else we can do. It's hopeless."

"No!" I said. "You said we'd both go back home safely. There is something I could do. Just hold on while I—"

"Yana, stop!" Kurama had slightly risen from the ground to grab my hands. "I turned into this form to properly talk to you so please don't waste time!"

I blinked, surprised by his outburst.

He took a deep breath. "Look, I'm sorry. I really am. I accidentally made noise back there, the dumbest mistake a thief could ever do, and that's why I was discovered." Kurama gently squeezed my hands, "I'm really sorry Yana, but you have to go home without me. Do you know the way from here?"

I looked around me, eventually recognizing where we are. "This is..."

"This was where you first met me, right?" he smiled. "If you could remember, there is a shortcut towards Mizu Castle at our right. Now there's actually a shortcut to the mansion at the other side of the lake. Be careful on your way. Please—" He suddenly turned away from me and faced the ground, supporting himself with his arms, as he coughed up blood.

I ran a hand up and down his back to soothe him. I laid him on the ground again as he calmed down.

Kurama looked up at me, blood staining the sides of his mouth. "Our time together is short. Please listen," he said breathlessly. "Don't follow me to Ningenkai while you're still living. It's too risky. Promise me that."

"Yes," I nodded, brushing his hair off his face as I leaned over him, "yes, I promise."

Kurama smiled. "Thank you," he breathed, closing his eyes. "That's all."

"Wait, wait!" I put my arms around his neck, burying my face on his chest. "Just a little longer, Kurama!"

He chuckled. "Don't worry. We still have time." He lifted my head and rested it on his shoulder, "This is the part where I should say, 'I love you,' right?"

"Kurama," I whispered, smiling lightly.

"Yes, please smile," his palm pressed against my cheek, "It would be my last memory of you before I go." He wiped a tear that escaped my eye with his thumb. "We will see each other again, I promise. I won't break it this time."

"I will wait for you then. But I've just one thing to ask of you," I gulped. "If ever I die, I'd be allowed to follow your example, alright?"

He smiled. "Alright, my stubborn student. Whatever form you might take there, and wherever you may go, I'll find you. " Kurama leaned closer to kiss the top of my head. "Thank you Yana, you taught me things I never would have known, and filled my late years with your love and care. Stalking you back then was the best decision I've ever made, it seems."

I smiled and touched my forehead with his.

"But this is the worst. I've always thought it was leaving Kuronue, but I realized it's seeing you cry over my dying body," he said, before suddenly pushing himself to sit up as he started coughing up blood again, this cough attack longer than the first one. "Yana," he said between pants as he laid back down and turned to me, "I'm sorry. Though I'd love to stay longer, my love, I have to go."

"Kurama…"

"Take care of yourself. I believe you could manage. You've been a good student. I'm proud of you. And you are not alone. Shirosagi, Kurosagi, Shin…" he said in in a rush before he coughed again, "they'll help you lead the men. I trust in you. And I love you."

"I love you too, Kurama." I held his hands and lightly kissed each one. "I shall see you again."

He nodded. "That's for sure. Until then, Yana," Kurama smiled and closed his eyes… for good.

Soon afterwards, his cold hands fell from my grasp as he glowed. He changed back into a fox. Kitsune were born in their most natural form, and die in the same form, just as how man would turn into dust, from where he came from, when he dies.

I turned into a fox as well to dig a grave for him. It was a long night of silent agony. But as I was about to push him in, that did it.

I lingered beside the deep chasm with him, crying, wailing, howling, but knowing that he'd never come back soon.

I just wish he was successful in crossing the barrier and now safe in Ningenkai.

I don't know how much time had passed when I finally calmed down and mustered up the strength to finish burying him. It was a hard sight to bear. As I finished, I adorned it with a few flowers I found nearby.

But sadly, I found no rose, his flower.

Not wanting to go home yet, I laid beside his grave. At least, for one last night, we would still sleep together.

And just as I was about to close my eyes, I was blinded by a sudden bright light.

The light slowly vanished and I found that my eyes were closed now.

I must have been lying on my back, on something soft. But the smell of damp earth or the forest was not there anymore.

Wait, aren't I in the forest clearing, lying on my stomach, close to a dirt-covered grave just moments ago?

I opened my eyes… and gasped at the sight of a white high ceiling, instead of Makai's crimson sky.

I am inside a room, then. But how did I get here? And whose is it?

I glanced around me. Dresser, television, wooden clothes cabinet, bookshelf, stuffed toys, pink curtains, light pink walls…

I sat up abruptly at a realization.

"This is… my bedroom."

We all know Youko Kurama is going to die. :( I killed two characters in two consecutive chapters... but come to think of it, didn't I say I just split these chapters into two? Haha, so technically, it should've been two characters killed in one chapter. Hehe.

And, well, despite the title, this is NOT the last chapter. We've still got another one.

Anyway, omg is this really the second to the last chapter?! Uwaaaaaah. Haha, thanks so much guys! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Sooo this chapter's one day late (in my timezone). Sorry about that! I was too... well, pressured. And, well, writer's block just threatened to come back. Oh well, excuses. xD The next chapter, the LAST chapter, would be up next Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. ;))

So, see you next week! (Waaah, this would be my last time to say this line for this story!)

Oh, and don't forget to review! Thanks!