Author's Note: Well, apparently and I don't know how, but the reason for no ch29 is 1 of 2 things...
1) entirely possible i totally and completely forgot to save it
2) I just got my numbers mixed around.
So, my dear friends, I do hope you understand and can go along with the flow...
Changing the Past
My eyes widened and I felt my body go ridged. Did he say…Golden Mirror? Shit. He did. I quickly put up a mask again and looked at them, "Well, let's go have some fun. I'll make it double the fun, just for Lyria. That ok with you?" I asked.
"Alright," Kuronue smiled. "You can come along any time," He joked, "Even though you are a klutz I swear."
Youko looked over at Kuronue, "And your not?"
Kuronue falsely winced. "Oh, ouch, point taken huh?"
"I'm not a klutz. Don't mistake me for Lyria. I'm quite balanced," I replied.
They both just stared at her. "Right," said Kuronue looking at her and then looking at Youko and then back, "Are you sure this is Nira?"
"Yes, now, let's go," Youko pushed him, "We need to make a plan."
"Now what did I do to make you stare at me?" I hissed quietly as the three of us started walking. Why did I feel so out of damn place? Something was different…Though I still believed it was a dream.
"Nothing," Youko said softly, "Just…nothing." He wasn't about to let Kuronue know that Nira wasn't Nira and it was someone else, because he knew that when he did, Kuronue wouldn't hesitate to start questioning her, and didn't want a headache from the questions. Especially ones that he knew Kuronue was capable of.
"You know better than to lie to me, Youko," I whispered to him, another small hiss bubbling from my throat. 'If you won't tell me out-loud, tell me through the link,' I requested, 'What exactly am I doing wrong? I may be able to act, but I can't hide who I am during something exciting like this…'
'Nira's almost like Hiei and Lynx,' He said, 'But she has more passion…' He paused and then said, 'But when he calls her a klutz, he's kidding. He knows she's more stable then him, and she's not afraid to rub it in his face.'
I furrowed my brows in thought, 'I've never rubbed a fact like that in someone's face…I'm not like that…'
'Nira was, and it's because her and Kuronue were somewhat always in a competition.'
"I don't want to be in a competition, anymore," I said out-loud on purpose.
"What?" Kuronue blinked and Youko had to smile.
"You heard me, Kuro," I said, turning to him, watching him, studying any movement, any twitch of his muscles. Damn the fact I had a double crush. Stupid fangirl-ness… "I do not want to be in a competition with you, anymore."
"……" Kuronue and Youko exchanged a look and Kuronue shrugged, "That's fine."
I smiled, "Arigato," I took both demons' hands and we started walking again, "I just…feel like something's going to happen…" That was as far as I would go for an explanation.
Kuronue blinked and then said, "Yeah, something's going to happen. We're going to steal something and be even more famous for it."
I laughed, but the mirth didn't reach my eyes, "I know that, Kuro. I'm talking about something else…something that I can't tell you…not because I don't want to, but because I can't."
"Be like Lyria then, why don't you. Women and their secrets. That's the reasons why men get killed off."
"Now, now," Youko teased, "That was harsh."
"That was the truth, Foxy Boy. And you damn well know it!"
Youko shrugged, smirking.
I sighed. This was going to be hell…
Kuronue and Kurama jumped away from the guards and stopped momentarily for Kurama to flash the mirror with a small laugh of accomplishment. They both glanced back quickly and started running again.
I waited in the brush, watching them, motioning to them quickly. My stomach was wrenching horribly. It was bad enough to see it in Kurama's memory, but to actually be there? Worse. Much worse.
Suddenly it was like time slowed down as the necklace suddenly snapped from Kuronue's neck.
"NO!" I screeched, moving quickly down from the arrows that had found my position from my shout. I looked to Kuronue, praying with all my heart and soul that he would catch it. This was just a dream, right? I could change the outcome…and that's what I hoped to do right now.
Kuronue caught the necklace with his hand and kept it there as they continued running until the guards couldn't keep up anymore.
They got out of there, far enough away and out of danger. When we stopped I turned on Kuronue and flung my arms around his neck, tears suddenly flowing down my cheeks and onto his shoulder. I broke out in complete sobs of relief; happy that he hadn't…I didn't finish the thought. Instead, I just held onto him tighter.
Kuronue just blinked and then looked at Youko panicked. He was never good with girls crying, "Why the hell are you crying, Nira?" He asked blinking.
"There were…traps…set up…If you hadn't caught…your pendant…you…" Once again, I didn't finish.
"Stop dwelling on what could have happened," Kuronue told her, "We're all fine...." He looked at the pendent, "I need to go back to the village."
I felt his suspicion and jumped down since he was actually quite taller than me, "What's the fricken problem with me acting differently today?!" she growled, "Can't I try to change my ways?" I didn't let him answer, "Fine. Yes, get to the village," I growled again and took off. Great, my first time and actual adventure with Kuronue and I blew it.
Once far away from the two, Youko probably following soon if he didn't go with Kuro, I whistled for Oriern.
Kurama gently opened his eyes after the whole dream and looked over to see the still sleeping Bria. He pulled the covers up higher for them both, before he decided to slip into a light, dreamless sleep.
