A/N: Thanks to everyone that has been reading this, hope you are enjoying it.

*Ch.4-Wherever you lead, I will follow*

The usual red of Makai had returned to the sky, and Reika was alone when she woke the next morning. Kuronue had disappeared and she found that she felt better than she had in a very long time, just as he had promised. She sighed disappointedly, realizing that her chance for a meal had been allowed to escape. Reika made a mental note, scolding herself for getting too chatty with her prey. The uneasiness of their conversation still remained with her; he had stirred something within that had been hidden, hibernating since before the Shinobi ambush. She rose from the ground and made her way over to the lake, kneeling down and leaning forward to splash water onto her face. No sense dwelling on the past or the events of the night before.

"So you live to see another dawn."

The husky voice reached her rounded ears before he had even come into range of sight. Her heart jumped from fright, and a feeling of relief followed. She would again have her chance at a meal, only this time she would be a little wiser and not allow her subconscious need for closure of the past to sabotage things. Reika glanced backward, the absence of her nocturnal appendages allowing her an unbroken lock with Kuronue's azure gape.

"Yes, thanks to you I believe I will see many more. "

Kuronue smiled, not replying with words, but instead indicating his agreement with a slight nod of his head. He knew she now realized that he meant her no harm, and he would be free to move about without suspicious eyes following his every move. He knew what it was like not trusting others, to believe that the only one trustworthy was oneself, and his offense at her implications the night before had long passed. It had taken meeting another lost and wandering soul to show him that trust could still be found in Makai, though even that had taken a long time to believe. He grinned, laughing quietly to himself and thinking about how affable he was becoming in his old age. For all of his efforts to the contrary, he had still managed to allow the good nature concealed within surface, giving Kurama an arsenal of ammunition with which to tease him. He could hear the Youko's voice in his head as it scolded:

'Kuro, I honestly don't know why you bother. When have you ever heard of a kind-hearted thief? One day that conscience is going to get you into trouble and I won't be around to save you.'

For all of his scolding, Kuronue knew it was done out of care and concern, and the admonishment was the only way Kurama knew of expressing it. It was a side of Kurama very few knew existed. He was known as a cold and calculating thief that had no conscience or remorse, but deep down, the kitsune was capable of love and regret. It was buried to all, save Kuronue…secreted even to Kurama himself. It would take years to unearth his full potential, and for the many years they had already spent together, the surface of Kurama's mystique had not even been scratched.

Reika moved from her kneeling position at the lake and sat silently near the spot where she had passed the night. He knew what he was about to do would give Kurama free reign for personal attacks on his lack of judgment, but he could not in good conscience leave the girl to the mercy of the Makai. It was a decision that he had wrestled with while standing watch the night before, but in the end, thoughts of the girl's naivety had cemented his decision. Perhaps she would have a chance for happiness of her own with a little guidance and protection from those that had braved the pits of despair and somehow managed to rise above it all. He would have to endure the endless teasing from Kurama, but it wouldn't last long. Besides, it would give him something to occupy the free time between jobs…she could make an excellent thief with the right training.

"Listen, why don't you come with me? You would be free to come and go as you please, and you wouldn't have to worry about being bothered by any unwanted 'friends'."

She could barely believe the words she was hearing come from his lips. He was offering to take her to his home after having only just met her. Didn't he realize what she had in store for him? Of course he didn't, how could he? She had disguised her true intentions well enough to avoid suspicion; having masked her spirit energy and stayed true to the part she played. She would have thought the proposition through if she had a choice, but it seemed only logical to indulge the winged demon and allow him to take her to an even more private and secluded spot.

"You've done so much for me already. Are you sure I wouldn't be a burden?"

"Burden? A Distraction perhaps, but not a burden. We've been without the company of a female for as long as I can remember, and the boys might enjoy having you around."

Boys?

He wasn't the only one then. Her mind raced; the prospects were endless. She would have a limited supply within easy reach…limited, but easily accessible nonetheless. There might even be enough to sustain her throughout the remainder of the year if she were lucky.

"How can I refuse? You've saved my life and now you offer me a chance to remain in the presence of the great Kuronue." She snickered; mock bowing before the dark demon. "I'll go with you if your offer is sincere."

"Sincere? Let's just say this old man has a need for a new hobby, and you fit the bill."

Reika looked at the tall, handsome youkai as he stood before her with a mock smirk on his face. She would play this new role with every bit of fervor that it required. If the "old man" was in need of a hobby, as he claimed, she would gladly play the part of his spellbound pupil.

"OK then, Kuro-Sama, wherever you lead, I will follow."