"Minamino? Ku---Suiichi?" Yukina called in the open door. She looked around and gasped. "What's this?! Blood and feathers?!"
Kuwabara peered in from behind Yukina. "Woah, it looks like a tornado ripped through here."
A small moan could be heard and Yukina ran into the living room where she found Shoiri on the floor, covered in scratches. "Minamino!"
Walking in after Yukina, Kuwabara noticed the increase of blood and feathers. "What the hell happened in here?"
After Yukina had placed Shoiri on the couch, cleaned and bandaged her scratches, she looked to Kuwabara. "Where's Kurama?"
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"Kurama...if you may have noticed...an old friend stopped by. Shame, he seemed very eager to ring your neck, of course, I couldn't allow that... He is now my slave and does my bidding. But enough of him. It's time that we meet again. You and I. It's time you leave that bastard Hiei and join with me. For if you should refuse, I may have to take drastic action. You wouldn't want something terrible to happen to your mother, now would you?"
The Youko's eyes widened and he gasped. After a moment of trying to swallow his fear, Kurama continued to read the letter.
"I didn't think so. Now, be a good little fox and meet me by the large oak at the Konai Shrine. Should you fail to come alone, all who accompany you will be executed as well as your dear mother. Humans...such fragile creatures they are... Tell no one of this letter, nor our meeting point."
The parchment fell from Kurama's shaking hands and landed upon the ground. It crinkled into a small ball and transformed into a crow. This one was different from the first though. It had a crest of red feathers and small chains hung from its feet. After screeching, it too flew off in the direction in which the first had gone.
Hand clenching, Kurama's gaze remained glued to the ground. "...Karasu...I will not allow you to put harm to those closest to me..."
"Kurama!" Kuwabara and Yukina ran over to where the Youko was half sitting, half lying amongst the scattered black feathers and blood. Yukina covered her nose and mouth with a hand as she saw the blood that was dripping from the three claw marks on Kurama's back and the blood that was flooding his neck bandages.
"What the hell happened?!" Staring down at Kurama, Kuwabara stared at the crow feathers. 'So whatever this was wasn't after just Shoiri, it was also on Kurama's tail...'
Sinking to Kurama's side, Yukina looked at him with concerned eyes. "Kurama, you're bleeding... What happened to your neck? And back?"
Suddenly, Kurama stood up, his eyes were cold and he didn't speak. Reaching a hand he placed it lightly upon his back and limped the way back to his apartment. There was a set determination within his expression and neither the head strong Kuwabara or quiet, shy Yukina was about to tango with.
Returning to his apartment, Kurama noticed that Kuwabara and Yukina had been here. He looked at his mother, lying on the couch so peaceful, and his eyes softened to an almost depressed vision.
"Please forgive me, Shoiri Minamino. Forgive me for the painful burdens I have lain upon your heart...I pray that my disappearance does not cause you more pain... Farewell." Taking very few of the possessions he had, and thought would prove useful in his stand off, he once again left the house, as if he had never been there.
"I'm not returning. Even if I should survive this...I'm not comming back. Not for anyone..." Kurama's eyes watered, and he added quietly to himself. "Not even Hiei..."
