Fanfic by Yomi no Miko
Chapter 21: Naomi
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Two days after the strike, I saw Kurama standing at the balcony outside the main room. He was arguing with Hekel. I could not listen to their talk, but I'm sure they were giving each other a hard time. Of course, at that moment, I didn't realize that this would be a light preview of the following events. I was more concerned about Kurama's health than about his partnership with that blonde jackass. On the next day I was informed that the band would attack some villages at the north and Kurama would lead the group himself. Then, I concluded that both were in better conditions than I thought.
Some of our best thieves spent almost thirty days beyond the great forest, attacking several fortresses and small cities. I was invited to join the expedition, as one of the commanders. However, it didn't provide me any opportunity to be close to Kurama. Not that I minded it that much. We worked hard, and most of free time was dedicated to resting or eating. On the other hand, we were enlarging our fame and fortunes, so it worthed each minute of pain and fatigue. Besides, the operation put an end to all rumors about Kurama's troubles with hunters and traitors. By the time we returned, his reputation was once again stronger than ever.
Everything was just fine for us, except for one small detail. It seemed to me, and I 'm sure that I wasn't the only one to notice it, that some of Hekel's followers had joined the band just to pay attention to Kurama's moves. They never helped anyone, they never made a single suggestion, they barely talked to the rest of the thieves, including the leader himself. It was strange, but all of Hekel's followers were odd anyway.
After we get back, it took over seven days to count and share everything we had robbed. The final result was even more appealing than we had expected. My share alone would be enough to buy the village where I was born. I've never felt so wealthy before. Most of thieves spent the next days celebrating in taverns outside the territory. I was about to leave with some fellows when I was told that the commanders would have a party of their own. I was a commander, so I thought it would be natural for me to stay, even though I was more popular among the "second-rate" guys.
In fact, most of thieves saw me as a kind of union leader, the one who's supposed to remind the bosses that not all of them were youki machines. Hekel and his pals were absolutely unreachable for them, as they were the ones who had come up with that elite bullshit in the first place. Kurama, on the other hand, was too absent and feared. As for me, nothing I said convinced them that there was little I could do. Many times I ended up listening to all kind of complaints for hours. And that was the main reason why I gave up going out with them that night and joined the high rank celebration.
As soon as I stepped at the large hall on the top floor, I realized that that wasn't an ordinary party. I've never seen so many strangers in the castle before. There were youkai from the most varied races, and the most weird looks. Kurama was at the balcony, being entertained by three chicks. One of them was the same girl that was in his bedroom the day I invaded it. She smiled at me. As far as I could see, she still remembered that night. Oh boy!
When the moon was in the middle of the sky, it was like that place had been set on fire. Everybody was so drunk that they could barely walk. Even Kurama looked pretty high, what was quite unusual for him. That girl with him insisted on glancing at me now and then. There was something ever weirder about her and it was not only on her looks. Maybe it was in her eyes. It's not clever to be staring at the boss girl in his presence, but I knew Kurama wouldn't mind it.
"So, even you are impressed with Naomi-sama. Did you noticed?" Hiyuga interrupted my thoughts with his hazy words. I've never thought I would see that youkai drunk one day.
"Noticed what?"
"She's human" he whispered, looking even funnier. That was the first time I saw him gossiping either.
"Human? You mean, from the Ningenkai?"
"That's it. Most of youkai think a ningen wouldn't last here, but you see? Naomi-sama is doing great!"
"How come?"
"She came to this world with two other ningen. After she met Kurama-sama, she decided to stay. He likes her. Oh, you don't need to be jealous, he's found of rarities, that's all."
I decided to ignore his last observation. Of course he knew I was completely gaga over Kurama.
"I never thought humans could live here."
"Oh, they do. Not all, but some of them are extremely well gifted. If they find a way to develop their potential, they can come here and even fight youkai. Have you never heard about those detectives hired by the Reikai? They're human, or most of them are. But Naomi-sama is weak. She's alive 'cause Kurama-sama protects her."
"Do you think Kurama likes her that much?"
"Hum. He finds her interesting for sure, although she looks pretty unattractive to me. You see, she can't be over thirty years old, and yet she's so much older than Kurama-sama. Ningen have a very short and miserable life, ya know. No wonder Naomi-sama decided to stay. She's lucky."
"I bet she is." On a second though, Hiyuga was not that funny anymore.
I accepted the company of a young youkai with the most impressive green eyes I've ever seen. At least I had managed to find myself someone more attractive than that pale skinny human doll. And in the moment I put my hands on Hiroshi's tender skin, the last comprehensible thought that crossed my mind was that my idiotic fixation on Kurama had to come to an end someday.
The party went on and soon all of us lost the track of our own steps. When I woke up, the sun was high, although it was freezing outside. I was naked and my head ached so much that I couldn't open my eyes. Hiroshi was lied down beside me. I shacked him a little but he didn't respond. I tried to stand up but my body seemed lethargic. The last thing I saw before blanking out was Kurama's and Naomi's still bodies lied on a cushion near the balcony entrance.
The next think I remember is that I woke up again late at night. I had been taken to a bed. That worried me a great deal at the moment. I didn't like the idea that someone had carried me from one place to another and I didn't notice. I managed to sit, but I felt so sick that all I wanted was to go to sleep again. That was what we could call a hell of a hangover. I heard Hiyuga's voice outside the room and that made me fell better. It took me sometime to stand up, but I had to know if everything was in its place after all that. When I was about to go back upstairs, Hiyuga held my arm.
"Where do you think you're going?
Poor Hiyuga! The old youkai seemed to be using his last ki drop to keep himself steady.
"I don't know. I've just waked. Is everything okay? Who took care of all this mess?"
"Kurama-sama did. You don't worry, Hekel-sama is still swooned in one of the chambers with his companions."
"I'm not worried. Why should I?"
"Forgive me Yomi-sama. I think all that wine wasn't good for me."
"It's okay. I think I'm going back to bed if I'm not needed."
"Yomi-sama. I wasn't supposed to tell you this, but... Naomi-sama passed away this morning."
"What?"
"It was a fatality. Kurama-sama found her in the balcony, outside. The night was too cold and humans are so frail. What a misfortune!"
"Hey, wait! That can't be. I mean... When did it happen?"
"I don't know exactly, but not so long ago. Maybe after midday."
"Impossible. I remember that I woke up and it was morning. I was there, with that kid Hiroshi beside me, and I saw Kurama and the human girl inside the room."
"You're wrong! Kurama-sama found her dead. I saw her with my own eyes! Are you sure the lady you saw was Naomi-sama?"
"Well... She had black hair and pale skin. I didn't see very well, I couldn't keep my eyes open for more than an instant, but I saw."
"Yomi-sama, please. The girl you saw upstairs was someone else. You were too confused to distinguish who was near Kurama-sama. And there were other black haired ladies there."
"Hiyuga, I..."
"Please, Yomi-sama. Never tell about your little dream to Kurama-sama, or anyone here. Believe me, that's the best thing to be done for the sake of us all."
"But why?"
"Just trust me."
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Shrine to Yomi-Sama -