Chapter One: Kurama and Rosenki
"Hiei, watch out!" Yusuke cried in alarm. The black-haired demon leapt out of the way as a silver scythe struck the earth.
"What now, Yusuke?" Kuwahara asked softly. The older boy looked down at the Spirit Detective with something akin to admiration, but Yusuke didn't notice. He shook his head.
"I don't know. " Brushing shaggy black bangs out of his deep brown eyes, he looked at his friends. Kurama was bleeding heavily from a severe wound to his back. Hiei looked exhausted. Genkai was gasping for breath, and Kuwahara looked about ready to keel over. "Maybe we should retreat for now."
"No." Everyone looked at Kurama in surprise. "I cannot. I must fight…" Hiei heard him whisper under his breath, "I must fight… for you, my Black Rose."
"But… Kurama…." Botan trailed off, looking to Yukina and Hinageshi for support. The ice demon and the two Spirit Guides didn't understand. Not one of them understood the importance of this fight.
"Kanahiri, hell spawn, scourge of the Savage Garden of the Spirit World, how dare you bring your evil stench to the Human World?"
"Oh, spare me the lectures, Kurama! The only reason you even consider fighting me is for that hell bitch, Rosenki." The fair-haired demon leered at the younger, red-haired youth. "Aw! The power of love!"
"Where is she? Tell me, God damn you!" Kanahiri was enjoying himself immensely, watching Kurama's tortured face with sinister glee.
"Why does it matter? She's not that important, really, Kurama." The red head snarled and sought deep inside his energy for the power to transform. In a flash of golden light, he was Youko Kurama, the Silver Kitsune. He brought forth the Rose Whip, his body taut with rage, but before he could attack, Yusuke spoke.
"Kurama." Yusuke murmured, catching his attention. "Who is this Rosenki?" For a moment, he didn't think the fox would answer, but then the Foxmurmured in a strangled whisper, "Someone very, very dear to me… my soultwin... my Mate."
"You're partnered with the Black Rose?" Hiei cried in amazement. This seemingly tranquil, mellowdemon… the husband of his childhood friend, the Lady Rosenki Shardae; it was hard to believe. Kurama nodded, but then the Spirit Detectives' attention was pulled to Kanahiri as he screamed, writhing on a black steel staff that shot forth from a shadow on the street.
"You… how dare you! Low bred bitch!" A wicked looking blade caught a shadowed being behind the demon, a young woman with black hair and emerald eyes. Kurama shouted in agonized despair, "Rosenki!!"
Rosenki bit her tongue and vanished, reappearing beside Kurama, trembling. Blood dripped steadily down her arm.
"Rosenki!" Kurama put his arm around her to steady her swaying body, and his hand came away red and slick with her blood. "Baby... hang on!"
A whip of crimson energy slashed toward them, and they narrowly dodged their enemy's first attack. But then demon girl was viciously thrown against a wall with bone crunching force, winding her, knocking her to the brink of oblivion. Kuramadashed to her side, murmuring, "Rosenki… oh, mysweet Rose…." Gently, careful not to jar her, he lifted her in his arms, held her frail, beautiful body against him. Emerald eyes full of fear and panicblinked up at him.
"Kurama…"
"Shhhh, don't worry. We have to leave. The others are retreating."
"But... I can't feel the heart of them. I can't feel it, Kurama! Is there any damage?" It was a long moment before he answered softly, "I'm not sure. Genkai will know."
"Lady Shardae!" Hiei cried, running up to her. There was something… different about her. But what….
"Lord Threyes!"
"Come, my lady! We must leave!" Hiei took her from Kurama, leapt away towards the temple. He couldn't believe what he'd heard: Kurama, serene, tranquil, compassionate… and Rosenki, spirited, fiery, sweet but vindictive… his old friend. They made an interesting pair, those two.