Disclaimers: Don't own them…

Part 6

And So It Begins

Feb. 18

"KILL HIM, KURAMA!!!"

Kurama cringed as he heard Yomi's voice. He was there, in the middle of a training ground, and in front of him, an insolent youkai who, in any way, was no match for his sword-wielding skills - something he acquired when he was living his life as a youko. He was ordered to kill this youkai, which Yomi said would improve his skills (killing skills, perhaps). Kurama looked at the youkai in front of him and said, "I have nothing against you. But if my lord says so, I will do it."

The youkai screamed as Kurama cut him into half. He stared in awe at the blood dripping from his sword. This sight was common nowadays, since he began training, and since Yomi started beating him up.

He heard footsteps approaching and he turned to see Yomi glaring at him through his closed eyelids, and the latter said, "Kurama. I told you to have NO MERCY. Why was it then that you hesitated to kill the fool?"

"My Lord, he was of no match against me..."

"A pathetic excuse. In this world, it is kill or be killed. UNDERSTOOD?"

"That is unfai-"

"YOU DARE ANSWER BACK?!" With that, Yomi raised a hand to strike at Kurama, and he put his head down, waiting for the blow. Yomi stopped his strike in mid-air, as he looked at the youko, and he remembered what he had to do, "I'm sorry."

He held Kurama's chin up and met the redhead's eyes. Slowly, he brought their faces closer and he kissed him slowly, from teasing to intense. Kurama's body stood rigid in shock, even though this scene had played many times.

"Go back to your room, Kurama," Yomi ordered, finally bringing a stop to the kiss. As he watched the redhead leave, his eyelids opened and flashed a manic violet.

~ÀÀÀÀÀ~

He's starting to suspect… Yomi paced uncharacteristically in his room. He ended up by the window and stared outside, deep in thought.

Once in a while, something violet would flash on his eyelids, other times, his hair flashed blonde. He gave a frenzied smile as he touched his lips. That kiss felt good… I can't believe that he was so compliant, so vulnerable to my touch… I want to savor it for as long as I can before I –

But I -

After a long pause, he stood up and headed out. - I can't wait any longer.

 I'll make you mine forever. Right now, Kurama.

You'll be mine forever.

Only mine.

~ÀÀÀÀÀ~

Kurama sighed and watched the shadow of the curtain waving on the floor. He hugged his knees and rested his chin there. He pondered on the many changes that had happened, and he had been going through. He knew he was different - he FELT he was different. Though he refused to kill often times, he found it pleasing to see the blood of his enemies dripping from his sword, or when they pleaded for their lives and scream as he refused to, and he didn't feel any guilt at all afterwards.

Those were some. Now, he was inclined to hiding his feelings, no longer wishing for his friends, though he still looked too innocent, which could be an advantage sometimes, he was expressionless, and would talk only to few people like Yomi, Yoda, Shura, and some of the helpers who came in his room. He avoided all contact with Chuu, Jin, Rinku, Shiwa, Suzuki and Touya.

His only goal was to serve and please his master - Yomi. He HAD changed. And maybe Yomi HAD brainwashed him.

And speaking of Yomi… he was the one who changed most of all. Kurama tried to recall when it began. It was… the day after Valentine's Day.

           

            Feb 16

                        Kurama felt the sunlight streaming through from his window, and rose to wake up. Almost immediately, he felt a certain gap, a void, or something lacking. He got out of bed, took a quick shower, dressed, and proceeded to go out of the room. He sensed something different, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He sat on the dining table, waiting for Yomi, like he does everyday, when he felt a presence behind him. He was shocked to find out who it was, "My lord –?"

                       

                        "What's the matter, youko?"

                        His ki felt alien. There was no Yomi at all that Kurama sensed. But the form was his master's; only… there was something different.

                        After that was worse. Yomi became more sadistic. Always letting Kurama do things he normally wouldn't ask the youko, like killing women and children for practice, make others suffer… Not only that, he had started beating Kurama up in those times the he had refused.

                        This could not be the same Yomi.

In the middle of his thinking, the door burst open, and Yomi came in, with an expression Kurama couldn't seem to comprehend. He instantly stood up and asked, "What is it, my lord?"

Yomi stepped forward without answering and suddenly raised his hand and a flash of power, one that was called the kamikaze by the old ones, flew from his palm and was aimed for Kurama's heart. Everything in the room started whirling around, an effect of the wind, and books and small pieces of furniture were flying around. The kitsune was too shocked, and because of panic, he summoned something he never used before.

A bright light, seemingly formed out of nowhere, flashed between the two youkai. It was a combination of a white and yellow energy, surrounded by what looked like a black ki radiating and containing the power, making it even more lethal. It intercepted Yomi's kamikaze, and both crashed against each other, and a very large explosion occurred, but thanks to Yomi's shield, the room was not destroyed. The radiant flash speedily dissipated and Kurama's whatsoever, could be seen sailing towards Yomi. The Makai Lord's brows went up, a sign of surprise, and the ball hit his own shield, passed through it like it was air, and hit him straight in the chest. The impact was so great that he was thrown to the wall and it cracked from top to bottom.

The dust cleared and the glow in Kurama's eyes disappeared, and he looked around, dazed. He saw his master's limp form on the ground at the far end of the wall, and he ran there. He held Yomi up and tried to revive him, "MY LORD! Wake up!"