Kokoro No Kaitou : Chapter 3
~*~
I carefully tucked away the wrapped parcel, trying not to squash its contents. I was getting ready to go down to the dungeon and see Kurama. I glanced outside, to where the sun was setting below the horizon. I felt terrible for not going earlier, but I had had those stupid tea ceremony lessons to attend, and which had been torture to go through. Well, I just hope he liked the meal that I was bringing him.
Stuffed into my yukata were three rice balls, each carefully wrapped, some tempura - also wrapped carefully- and some norimaki. I had everything wrapped by the chefs, telling them that I was going to go for a stroll in the garden, where I said I would be eating my dinner.
I picked up the small canteen of tea, and tucked it into my obi.
I looked fat, but that didn't matter - no one would really care in the dungeon anyways.
I stepped out of my room and walked down the hall to the dungeon's steps. I lifted up my yukata skirt slightly so as not to trip on it and made my way down the treacherous stairwell.
~*~
The guard had recognized me immediately this time, and led me to Kurama's cell, unlocking it for me and holding open the door so that I may enter.
He was sitting on the floor again, looking the same as he did before.
Good.
That meant that no one had harmed him since my last visit.
I smiled kindly and walked over to his side, kneeling down beside him and taking out the tucked away food. I laid it out nicely on a cloth before him, then sat back so that he may eat without me hindering his path.
I giggled slightly at the look on his face. I was almost positive that if I had not been in his presence, he would have drooled over the meal that I presented to him.
He looked at me, not touching the food yet. "Are you sure? I can share, if you'd like."
I shook my head. "Iie. You're hungry. Please, go ahead." I gestured to the food.
He gave me a lopsided grin. "Well, itadakimasu, then."
He started shoveling the food into his mouth, and I could only smile at this cute boy.
He stopped briefly to look at me, confusion dancing in his bottle green orbs. "But why are you doing this for me?"
I was surprised by his question. "I guess…because I've never had a real friend before this. I wanted to help you."
He didn't reply, and started eating again, albeit more slowly.
When he had finished, he gave me a half-smile. "Thank you, Amaya-san."
"You're welcome." I replied automatically.
"Amaya-san? What day is it today?"
"Well, Tanabata is in exactly one week." I said, looking thoughtful. I still had to pick out a kimono. Then, I wrinkled my nose. My father would most likely make me go with Akira.
And that was not something that I wanted to do.
"Oi! Oi, Amaya-san!" Kurama said, waving a hand in front of my face, effectively snapping me out of my daze.
"Gomen nasai, Kurama-san." I said. "I was just thinking about…things."
"Nani? What about?"
I found myself telling him everything. Everything from my possible-husband Akira to my strange dreams. Of course, I happened to exclude the handsome man, for fear of his reaction. I wasn't about to tell him about my mysterious kitsune who graced my dreams with his presence!
Kurama listened patiently, nodding every once and again as I poured out my heart's built up emotions. When I finished, I bowed my head and brought my knees to my chest. I felt…relieved, in a way, at having gotten that off of my chest. My soul felt lighter now, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
"So, you don't want to marry this Akira, but your father is seriously considering it?" He asked.
I nodded. "Yes…he's really a horrid man. He's very wealthy, but he comes across as either very lecherous or very greedy. I don't want to be married to that kind of man."
"What kind of man do you want to be married to?" Kurama asked.
I stared at him, and he seemed to realize what he had just asked me.
"Gomen, Amaya-san. It wasn't my place to ask you such a thing."
I looked back down at the floor, partially to hide my blush. "That's alright. It just surprised me."
Surprised. I had been surprised a lot lately. More surprised than I had ever been in my entire life.
We talked a little more after that, about various things. I told him about the upcoming festival, and he said he wished that he could go.
I wished he could go too.
Then, I wouldn't have to go with Akira.
~*~
For the next seven days, I visited Kurama in his cell regularly. I would bring him a hearty meal, and we would talk for around an hour or so.
Needless to say, we became fast friends.
And I kept having those strange dreams. Each time I did, the longing in my heart would increase. Longing not only for the moon, but for the mysterious kitsune. I tried to figure out what it all meant, but found that I could not.
To my immense sadness, I was also told that I would be announced 'engaged' to Akira at the Tanabata festival. My father had called for a special meeting of the people of his estate after the celebration was done, where he would then announce our betrothal to them. Then, it would be official, and plans for our wedding would be under way.
~*~
On the morn of the seventh day, of Tanabata, I was woken earlier than normal to prepare for the day. I was dressed in a fine red silk furisode, with sleeves that trailed down almost to the floor. It had scenes of waterfalls and villages on it, near the base of the skirt and the ends of the sleeves. I would've loved it much more, had it not been for the fact that I was being dressed to impress.
To impress Akira.
And that certainly was last on my list of things that I wished to do.
Still, the maids came in and made me look my best - even if my 'best' was fake. White make-up, and painted on eyebrows high on my forehead. Also, my teeth were blackened, as was the fashion, and my lips were painted a bright red. I felt dreadfully hot in my outfit, but I hoped not to have to be in it for long. I had already made up an excuse - once the festival had really gotten underway, I would claim to be feeling slightly ill, and I would retire for the rest of the day.
In reality, I would be visiting Kurama and then I really would retire for the evening.
My mother entered the room, smiling kindly at me. "Amaya-chan, you look truly beautiful. The perfect wife for a fine lord."
I forced a smile. "Domo arigatou, 'Kaasan."
"Are you ready to go? Akira-sama is waiting."
Can't you just see the joy radiating from me? I thought bitterly.
My mother led me down the hall, to where my father and the fat old man were waiting us eagerly.
Well, Akira had more of a lecherous look to him. Maybe a little too eager to see me.
He nodded his head slightly to acknowledge me, and I bowed stiffly. I suddenly felt tense and nervous around him, like he wasn't someone that I shouldn't ever be around. Maybe it was just because I really was feeling slightly ill from my dreadful furisode and it's weight?
No. It was bigger than that. Something was warning me. Warning me to…run.
"Ohayo, Amaya-sama." Akira said, grinning lecherously at me.
"Konnichiwa, Akira-sama." I said, forcing the politeness into my voice. I hoped that he would get the message and treat me with the same respect.
"Are you excited about our betrothal?" He asked.
I thought about it for a second. What would happen if I lied? Most likely, it would only make things go worse for me in the long run.
"Hai, Akira-sama." I said, forcing the words out of my mouth, hoping that they wouldn't warp themselves into my true feelings. What I really wanted to say was far from polite enough for a woman's mouth to form. Then again, that's what I get for playing with the boys as a child.
"I am too."
My father stepped in then and smiled at me. "Amaya-chan, I'm very proud that you're finally getting married."
'Though not to whom I want to!' I wanted to shout.
He wouldn't have listened anyways.
~*~
As planned, after the wish writing, I told my mother (my father was nowhere to be found, and neither was Akira. Not that I was complaining about that) that I felt ill, and retired for the evening.
My father had yet to announce my engagement, of which I was also quite glad.
I walked down the hall, eager to get out of this beastly furisode, and into a plain, lightweight yukata.
As I walked, I heard voices. But who would be inside now while the festival was going on?
I slowly approached the partially open door and listened in. I could see Akira sitting on the floor, talking to someone else whom I could not see.
Akira grinned, and when he spoke, his voice was raspy and snakelike.
"Hai, hai. She'll do finely. I cannot wait until I can consume her. She'll add great power to me."
I froze. Who was he talking about? Me?
The other person replied in a voice that seemed…familiar somehow.
"Do with her as you wish, Lord Snake, but I'm the one that gets the kitsune. The one that calls himself Kurama. He has caused me much grief, and I will see him beheaded on the morrow. Do we have a deal? The kitsune for the princess?"
Akira chuckled in that horrible voice of his. "Hai, hai. I would do anything for that young maiden's flesh."
I covered my mouth to keep my lunch where it belonged. He planned on killing Kurama and eating me? Not if I had a say in it!
I quickly slipped past the door and jogged to my room, ditching the outer layer of my furisode in favor of the lightweight white yukata beneath. I grabbed a cloth and wiped off my face, ridding it of the white paint and red lips. I carelessly tossed my furisode to the side.
Besides, where I was going, I wouldn't need a fancy kimono.
I then grabbed some of my necessities, such as a necklace that I had had since birth, and a pouch containing a few gold coins. I shoved them into my obi, and ran back out into the hall, heading down the hall to the dungeon stairway.
The sun was setting outside, casting an eerie orange glow over everything as I ran quickly down the stairs. There would be no guard to bar my path, because he was at the Tanabata festival as well.
I was going to get Kurama, and we would escape together. That was the only thought racing through my head as I raced down the steps.
Of course, in my haste, I tripped at the base of the steps and fell flat on my face.
Once again, my grace comes back to haunt me at the worst moment.
Sitting up and wincing slightly at the pain, I touched my cheek. When I pulled my hand back, there was blood on it.
"Itai…" I said, standing again. I continued my run towards Kurama's cell, only with a bit more caution. I didn't need to break a bone trying to rescue my friend. I rushed to the door and grabbed the keys from the side, hurriedly unlocking each of the seven locks.
The keys slipped from my hand, and fell to the floor, and I fumbled for them in the darkness. "Kami-sama, work with me!" I exclaimed.
I froze when I heard someone at the top of the stairs. Obviously a guard come back to check on the prisoners.
"Shimatta!" I cursed before I could stop myself. My groping hands found the keys and I quickly unlocked the rest of the locks. I threw open the door and rushed inside, closing it behind me.
I couldn't see anything in the dark, and I strained my ears to listen for any movement.
"Kurama-san! Kurama-san!" I called in a hoarse whisper, fearing that the guard may hear me.
"Amaya-san?" Came the sleepy reply.
I felt very relieved to hear his voice. "Kurama-san, we have to get out of here. It's Akira- he said he wants to kill you! I mean, someone wants to kill you; I'm not quite sure who. Oh Kami-sama, and he said he was going to eat me!"
"Eat you? What are you talking about?" Kurama's concern wasn't very well hidden.
I froze when I heard footsteps fast approaching the cell.
"Quickly, Kurama, if you want to live to see the daylight again, then you must come with me now! Please, for both our lives!"
"Alright, alright. Stand away from the door, though."
I blinked, but did as I was told, groping the walls for help. When I was away from the door, there was the sound of wood splintering, and I wondered what he had done to it.
When the light from the torch came in, I knew my answer.
Somehow, plants had shot up from the floor, and had torn right through the door, reducing it to small fragments of its former self.
A guard was standing there, a look of shock on his face as he stared at Kurama.
I looked over as well, and nearly gasped.
His red hair had changed into a shimmering silver, and his innocent green orbs had turned into molten gold. He had gotten slightly taller, and his shoulders were broader. He had two kitsune ears poking out from his silver locks, and a tail to match. He wore all white.
The kitsune from my dream.
I must have gasped, because he glanced over at me briefly, and a flash of some unknown emotion went though his eyes.
He then turned back to the guard at the door, who appeared to have wet himself at the sight of Kurama.
Or should I say, Youko Kurama.
His trademark hair and ears gave him away.
"K-Kami-sama! It's the bandit Youko Kurama!" The guard stuttered. He turned and started to run, but Youko was faster, slitting the poor man's throat before an alarm could be raised.
However, he was not alone, and more guards started screaming, drawing their swords and trying to attack the gingitsune. However, none could lay a scratch on him, for they were dead before they could get within three feet of their target.
Youko looked back to me. "Don't sit there staring- that is, unless you like the idea of being a youkai's next meal."
I pulled myself to my feet and stumbled out of the cell after him, still quite shaken by the sudden transformation.
More guards came running down the hall, and Youko cursed. Before my mind could register what was happening, he picked me up the way a groom does with a bride, and started running down the hall, leaping high over the heads of the oncoming guards and continuing up the stairs until he reached the main hall. He stopped briefly to take a deep breath of the night air, and of his freedom, before continuing his run to the entrance of our home.
I was clasping tightly to his shirt, for fear that I would fall. It wasn't that I was afraid that he would drop me - no, I felt as though being in his arms was the safest place I could be at the moment. It was the speed that we were going at that terrified me so. The walls and familiar hallways were turned into blurs of color as Youko ran past them.
He burst through the front entrance, causing the people outside enjoying the festival to turn and stare.
Youko looked around for a second, his delicate ears twitching slightly. Just as I had caught my breath and managed to hold down my lunch, he started running again. He ran through the crowd, past my mother and then towards the forest that bordered our home.
But someone jumped in front of him, causing him to stop abruptly. He glared at the person who barred our path. The crowd stayed back, but stared anxiously to see what would happen next.
My eyes widened. "Kenji-oniisan!"
My brother kept a firm glare in place - however, it was directed at Youko, not me.
"Kitsune, put my sister down now." Kenji warned, holding his bow and drawing an arrow. "Or you'll pay with your lowly life."
I stared at my brother, and then looked up at Youko to see his reaction to the threat. To my surprise, he was smirking.
"You want me to leave her here? Where she is in danger?" He asked, an arrogant tone to his voice. "I think not."
"Danger? My sister is not in danger as long as she is here." Kenji aimed his arrow at Youko. "I'll protect her."
Again, Youko smirked. "How can you protect your sister from demons who could kill you in an instant? Besides, I know damn well that you two aren't the least bit related."
Shock passed over Kenji's face, and it must have mirrored my own.
"What are you talking about? Kenji is my brother!" I protested.
Without looking at me, his smirk faded. "I have demon senses that far surpass your ningen ones. You have a different scent from him. All of them. You are not from this family."
Kenji's shocked expression turned into a sneer. "So what? We aren't related. What do you care? It doesn't affect you."
Youko snorted. "It doesn't really. But you do. Now get out of my way- I'm not afraid to cut you down."
"Leave the girl here."
"Like hell. You're only going to give her to that demon." He retorted.
"So? It only means a bright future for me. I don't care what happens to her." Kenji said.
That was the last straw. The world started to spin, and then I slipped into darkness.
~*~
Author's Notes: Wai~! Another chappie done!
Thanks go out to:
anime-fan993: Thank you!
noeltoma26: ^___^ I'm glad that you like it!!
kitsune16: Love it? *smiles* Nobody's ever told me that they love my stories before. LIKED, nut not LOVED. Thankies!!
YoukoKurama: You know that you're the only one that's voted on whether or not Hiei should be in the story? Well, if I did add him, he wouldn't flirt with Amaya or anything- more like he's there for comic relief. To tease Youko and Amaya about their feelings. What did you mean very touching? @__@ I'm so confused! I didn't take it as sarcastic though. I just don't see anything touching about my story-yet. More touching stuff will come!! …Oh god, that sounded WRONG! I meant that more fluff is on the way.
Here's the deal: I'm going to add a Japanese dictionary thing at the end of a chapter where I don't use a common fanfiction term. If there's one that I've used, but isn't on this list, then leave me a review and I'll give you the definition in the next chapter. Okay?
July 7: Tanabata: This is also called the Star Festival. It goes back to a legend that two stars, Altair (the cowherd star) and Vega (the weaver star) are lovers and allowed to meet only once a year.
Children and adults write wishes on narrow strips of colored paper and hang them on bamboo branches in their backyards or at the entrance to their homes.
This is another festival imported from China, during Japan's feudal period, but modified by the Japanese.
It is also another time when stores compete with each other which put up large decorations and compete with each other to see which store can have the most attractive display.
(This information was taken from http : / / www . bookmice . net / darkchilde / japan / jjul . html) Remember to delete the spaces in between.
itadakimasu: Said before eating a meal. Means something along the lines of 'Thank you for the meal'.
tempura: Japanese food. Seafood and vegetables deep fried in tempura batter.
norimaki: Japanese food. Sushi rice and seafood, etc. rolled in dried seaweed sheets. There are countless varieties of sushi rolls differing in ingredients and thickness. Sushi rolls prepared "inside out" are very popular outside of Japan, but rarely found in Japan.
Last chance: Hiei and Kuronue in the story? Just Hiei maybe? Or just Kuronue? Or niether? MAKE UP YOUR MINDS!! LOL. I'm sorry. I'm only kidding. But I would like your opinions. I'll shape the story to the majority's wants.
Please review!!! Let your opinion be heard!!!
~*~
I carefully tucked away the wrapped parcel, trying not to squash its contents. I was getting ready to go down to the dungeon and see Kurama. I glanced outside, to where the sun was setting below the horizon. I felt terrible for not going earlier, but I had had those stupid tea ceremony lessons to attend, and which had been torture to go through. Well, I just hope he liked the meal that I was bringing him.
Stuffed into my yukata were three rice balls, each carefully wrapped, some tempura - also wrapped carefully- and some norimaki. I had everything wrapped by the chefs, telling them that I was going to go for a stroll in the garden, where I said I would be eating my dinner.
I picked up the small canteen of tea, and tucked it into my obi.
I looked fat, but that didn't matter - no one would really care in the dungeon anyways.
I stepped out of my room and walked down the hall to the dungeon's steps. I lifted up my yukata skirt slightly so as not to trip on it and made my way down the treacherous stairwell.
~*~
The guard had recognized me immediately this time, and led me to Kurama's cell, unlocking it for me and holding open the door so that I may enter.
He was sitting on the floor again, looking the same as he did before.
Good.
That meant that no one had harmed him since my last visit.
I smiled kindly and walked over to his side, kneeling down beside him and taking out the tucked away food. I laid it out nicely on a cloth before him, then sat back so that he may eat without me hindering his path.
I giggled slightly at the look on his face. I was almost positive that if I had not been in his presence, he would have drooled over the meal that I presented to him.
He looked at me, not touching the food yet. "Are you sure? I can share, if you'd like."
I shook my head. "Iie. You're hungry. Please, go ahead." I gestured to the food.
He gave me a lopsided grin. "Well, itadakimasu, then."
He started shoveling the food into his mouth, and I could only smile at this cute boy.
He stopped briefly to look at me, confusion dancing in his bottle green orbs. "But why are you doing this for me?"
I was surprised by his question. "I guess…because I've never had a real friend before this. I wanted to help you."
He didn't reply, and started eating again, albeit more slowly.
When he had finished, he gave me a half-smile. "Thank you, Amaya-san."
"You're welcome." I replied automatically.
"Amaya-san? What day is it today?"
"Well, Tanabata is in exactly one week." I said, looking thoughtful. I still had to pick out a kimono. Then, I wrinkled my nose. My father would most likely make me go with Akira.
And that was not something that I wanted to do.
"Oi! Oi, Amaya-san!" Kurama said, waving a hand in front of my face, effectively snapping me out of my daze.
"Gomen nasai, Kurama-san." I said. "I was just thinking about…things."
"Nani? What about?"
I found myself telling him everything. Everything from my possible-husband Akira to my strange dreams. Of course, I happened to exclude the handsome man, for fear of his reaction. I wasn't about to tell him about my mysterious kitsune who graced my dreams with his presence!
Kurama listened patiently, nodding every once and again as I poured out my heart's built up emotions. When I finished, I bowed my head and brought my knees to my chest. I felt…relieved, in a way, at having gotten that off of my chest. My soul felt lighter now, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
"So, you don't want to marry this Akira, but your father is seriously considering it?" He asked.
I nodded. "Yes…he's really a horrid man. He's very wealthy, but he comes across as either very lecherous or very greedy. I don't want to be married to that kind of man."
"What kind of man do you want to be married to?" Kurama asked.
I stared at him, and he seemed to realize what he had just asked me.
"Gomen, Amaya-san. It wasn't my place to ask you such a thing."
I looked back down at the floor, partially to hide my blush. "That's alright. It just surprised me."
Surprised. I had been surprised a lot lately. More surprised than I had ever been in my entire life.
We talked a little more after that, about various things. I told him about the upcoming festival, and he said he wished that he could go.
I wished he could go too.
Then, I wouldn't have to go with Akira.
~*~
For the next seven days, I visited Kurama in his cell regularly. I would bring him a hearty meal, and we would talk for around an hour or so.
Needless to say, we became fast friends.
And I kept having those strange dreams. Each time I did, the longing in my heart would increase. Longing not only for the moon, but for the mysterious kitsune. I tried to figure out what it all meant, but found that I could not.
To my immense sadness, I was also told that I would be announced 'engaged' to Akira at the Tanabata festival. My father had called for a special meeting of the people of his estate after the celebration was done, where he would then announce our betrothal to them. Then, it would be official, and plans for our wedding would be under way.
~*~
On the morn of the seventh day, of Tanabata, I was woken earlier than normal to prepare for the day. I was dressed in a fine red silk furisode, with sleeves that trailed down almost to the floor. It had scenes of waterfalls and villages on it, near the base of the skirt and the ends of the sleeves. I would've loved it much more, had it not been for the fact that I was being dressed to impress.
To impress Akira.
And that certainly was last on my list of things that I wished to do.
Still, the maids came in and made me look my best - even if my 'best' was fake. White make-up, and painted on eyebrows high on my forehead. Also, my teeth were blackened, as was the fashion, and my lips were painted a bright red. I felt dreadfully hot in my outfit, but I hoped not to have to be in it for long. I had already made up an excuse - once the festival had really gotten underway, I would claim to be feeling slightly ill, and I would retire for the rest of the day.
In reality, I would be visiting Kurama and then I really would retire for the evening.
My mother entered the room, smiling kindly at me. "Amaya-chan, you look truly beautiful. The perfect wife for a fine lord."
I forced a smile. "Domo arigatou, 'Kaasan."
"Are you ready to go? Akira-sama is waiting."
Can't you just see the joy radiating from me? I thought bitterly.
My mother led me down the hall, to where my father and the fat old man were waiting us eagerly.
Well, Akira had more of a lecherous look to him. Maybe a little too eager to see me.
He nodded his head slightly to acknowledge me, and I bowed stiffly. I suddenly felt tense and nervous around him, like he wasn't someone that I shouldn't ever be around. Maybe it was just because I really was feeling slightly ill from my dreadful furisode and it's weight?
No. It was bigger than that. Something was warning me. Warning me to…run.
"Ohayo, Amaya-sama." Akira said, grinning lecherously at me.
"Konnichiwa, Akira-sama." I said, forcing the politeness into my voice. I hoped that he would get the message and treat me with the same respect.
"Are you excited about our betrothal?" He asked.
I thought about it for a second. What would happen if I lied? Most likely, it would only make things go worse for me in the long run.
"Hai, Akira-sama." I said, forcing the words out of my mouth, hoping that they wouldn't warp themselves into my true feelings. What I really wanted to say was far from polite enough for a woman's mouth to form. Then again, that's what I get for playing with the boys as a child.
"I am too."
My father stepped in then and smiled at me. "Amaya-chan, I'm very proud that you're finally getting married."
'Though not to whom I want to!' I wanted to shout.
He wouldn't have listened anyways.
~*~
As planned, after the wish writing, I told my mother (my father was nowhere to be found, and neither was Akira. Not that I was complaining about that) that I felt ill, and retired for the evening.
My father had yet to announce my engagement, of which I was also quite glad.
I walked down the hall, eager to get out of this beastly furisode, and into a plain, lightweight yukata.
As I walked, I heard voices. But who would be inside now while the festival was going on?
I slowly approached the partially open door and listened in. I could see Akira sitting on the floor, talking to someone else whom I could not see.
Akira grinned, and when he spoke, his voice was raspy and snakelike.
"Hai, hai. She'll do finely. I cannot wait until I can consume her. She'll add great power to me."
I froze. Who was he talking about? Me?
The other person replied in a voice that seemed…familiar somehow.
"Do with her as you wish, Lord Snake, but I'm the one that gets the kitsune. The one that calls himself Kurama. He has caused me much grief, and I will see him beheaded on the morrow. Do we have a deal? The kitsune for the princess?"
Akira chuckled in that horrible voice of his. "Hai, hai. I would do anything for that young maiden's flesh."
I covered my mouth to keep my lunch where it belonged. He planned on killing Kurama and eating me? Not if I had a say in it!
I quickly slipped past the door and jogged to my room, ditching the outer layer of my furisode in favor of the lightweight white yukata beneath. I grabbed a cloth and wiped off my face, ridding it of the white paint and red lips. I carelessly tossed my furisode to the side.
Besides, where I was going, I wouldn't need a fancy kimono.
I then grabbed some of my necessities, such as a necklace that I had had since birth, and a pouch containing a few gold coins. I shoved them into my obi, and ran back out into the hall, heading down the hall to the dungeon stairway.
The sun was setting outside, casting an eerie orange glow over everything as I ran quickly down the stairs. There would be no guard to bar my path, because he was at the Tanabata festival as well.
I was going to get Kurama, and we would escape together. That was the only thought racing through my head as I raced down the steps.
Of course, in my haste, I tripped at the base of the steps and fell flat on my face.
Once again, my grace comes back to haunt me at the worst moment.
Sitting up and wincing slightly at the pain, I touched my cheek. When I pulled my hand back, there was blood on it.
"Itai…" I said, standing again. I continued my run towards Kurama's cell, only with a bit more caution. I didn't need to break a bone trying to rescue my friend. I rushed to the door and grabbed the keys from the side, hurriedly unlocking each of the seven locks.
The keys slipped from my hand, and fell to the floor, and I fumbled for them in the darkness. "Kami-sama, work with me!" I exclaimed.
I froze when I heard someone at the top of the stairs. Obviously a guard come back to check on the prisoners.
"Shimatta!" I cursed before I could stop myself. My groping hands found the keys and I quickly unlocked the rest of the locks. I threw open the door and rushed inside, closing it behind me.
I couldn't see anything in the dark, and I strained my ears to listen for any movement.
"Kurama-san! Kurama-san!" I called in a hoarse whisper, fearing that the guard may hear me.
"Amaya-san?" Came the sleepy reply.
I felt very relieved to hear his voice. "Kurama-san, we have to get out of here. It's Akira- he said he wants to kill you! I mean, someone wants to kill you; I'm not quite sure who. Oh Kami-sama, and he said he was going to eat me!"
"Eat you? What are you talking about?" Kurama's concern wasn't very well hidden.
I froze when I heard footsteps fast approaching the cell.
"Quickly, Kurama, if you want to live to see the daylight again, then you must come with me now! Please, for both our lives!"
"Alright, alright. Stand away from the door, though."
I blinked, but did as I was told, groping the walls for help. When I was away from the door, there was the sound of wood splintering, and I wondered what he had done to it.
When the light from the torch came in, I knew my answer.
Somehow, plants had shot up from the floor, and had torn right through the door, reducing it to small fragments of its former self.
A guard was standing there, a look of shock on his face as he stared at Kurama.
I looked over as well, and nearly gasped.
His red hair had changed into a shimmering silver, and his innocent green orbs had turned into molten gold. He had gotten slightly taller, and his shoulders were broader. He had two kitsune ears poking out from his silver locks, and a tail to match. He wore all white.
The kitsune from my dream.
I must have gasped, because he glanced over at me briefly, and a flash of some unknown emotion went though his eyes.
He then turned back to the guard at the door, who appeared to have wet himself at the sight of Kurama.
Or should I say, Youko Kurama.
His trademark hair and ears gave him away.
"K-Kami-sama! It's the bandit Youko Kurama!" The guard stuttered. He turned and started to run, but Youko was faster, slitting the poor man's throat before an alarm could be raised.
However, he was not alone, and more guards started screaming, drawing their swords and trying to attack the gingitsune. However, none could lay a scratch on him, for they were dead before they could get within three feet of their target.
Youko looked back to me. "Don't sit there staring- that is, unless you like the idea of being a youkai's next meal."
I pulled myself to my feet and stumbled out of the cell after him, still quite shaken by the sudden transformation.
More guards came running down the hall, and Youko cursed. Before my mind could register what was happening, he picked me up the way a groom does with a bride, and started running down the hall, leaping high over the heads of the oncoming guards and continuing up the stairs until he reached the main hall. He stopped briefly to take a deep breath of the night air, and of his freedom, before continuing his run to the entrance of our home.
I was clasping tightly to his shirt, for fear that I would fall. It wasn't that I was afraid that he would drop me - no, I felt as though being in his arms was the safest place I could be at the moment. It was the speed that we were going at that terrified me so. The walls and familiar hallways were turned into blurs of color as Youko ran past them.
He burst through the front entrance, causing the people outside enjoying the festival to turn and stare.
Youko looked around for a second, his delicate ears twitching slightly. Just as I had caught my breath and managed to hold down my lunch, he started running again. He ran through the crowd, past my mother and then towards the forest that bordered our home.
But someone jumped in front of him, causing him to stop abruptly. He glared at the person who barred our path. The crowd stayed back, but stared anxiously to see what would happen next.
My eyes widened. "Kenji-oniisan!"
My brother kept a firm glare in place - however, it was directed at Youko, not me.
"Kitsune, put my sister down now." Kenji warned, holding his bow and drawing an arrow. "Or you'll pay with your lowly life."
I stared at my brother, and then looked up at Youko to see his reaction to the threat. To my surprise, he was smirking.
"You want me to leave her here? Where she is in danger?" He asked, an arrogant tone to his voice. "I think not."
"Danger? My sister is not in danger as long as she is here." Kenji aimed his arrow at Youko. "I'll protect her."
Again, Youko smirked. "How can you protect your sister from demons who could kill you in an instant? Besides, I know damn well that you two aren't the least bit related."
Shock passed over Kenji's face, and it must have mirrored my own.
"What are you talking about? Kenji is my brother!" I protested.
Without looking at me, his smirk faded. "I have demon senses that far surpass your ningen ones. You have a different scent from him. All of them. You are not from this family."
Kenji's shocked expression turned into a sneer. "So what? We aren't related. What do you care? It doesn't affect you."
Youko snorted. "It doesn't really. But you do. Now get out of my way- I'm not afraid to cut you down."
"Leave the girl here."
"Like hell. You're only going to give her to that demon." He retorted.
"So? It only means a bright future for me. I don't care what happens to her." Kenji said.
That was the last straw. The world started to spin, and then I slipped into darkness.
~*~
Author's Notes: Wai~! Another chappie done!
Thanks go out to:
anime-fan993: Thank you!
noeltoma26: ^___^ I'm glad that you like it!!
kitsune16: Love it? *smiles* Nobody's ever told me that they love my stories before. LIKED, nut not LOVED. Thankies!!
YoukoKurama: You know that you're the only one that's voted on whether or not Hiei should be in the story? Well, if I did add him, he wouldn't flirt with Amaya or anything- more like he's there for comic relief. To tease Youko and Amaya about their feelings. What did you mean very touching? @__@ I'm so confused! I didn't take it as sarcastic though. I just don't see anything touching about my story-yet. More touching stuff will come!! …Oh god, that sounded WRONG! I meant that more fluff is on the way.
Here's the deal: I'm going to add a Japanese dictionary thing at the end of a chapter where I don't use a common fanfiction term. If there's one that I've used, but isn't on this list, then leave me a review and I'll give you the definition in the next chapter. Okay?
July 7: Tanabata: This is also called the Star Festival. It goes back to a legend that two stars, Altair (the cowherd star) and Vega (the weaver star) are lovers and allowed to meet only once a year.
Children and adults write wishes on narrow strips of colored paper and hang them on bamboo branches in their backyards or at the entrance to their homes.
This is another festival imported from China, during Japan's feudal period, but modified by the Japanese.
It is also another time when stores compete with each other which put up large decorations and compete with each other to see which store can have the most attractive display.
(This information was taken from http : / / www . bookmice . net / darkchilde / japan / jjul . html) Remember to delete the spaces in between.
itadakimasu: Said before eating a meal. Means something along the lines of 'Thank you for the meal'.
tempura: Japanese food. Seafood and vegetables deep fried in tempura batter.
norimaki: Japanese food. Sushi rice and seafood, etc. rolled in dried seaweed sheets. There are countless varieties of sushi rolls differing in ingredients and thickness. Sushi rolls prepared "inside out" are very popular outside of Japan, but rarely found in Japan.
Last chance: Hiei and Kuronue in the story? Just Hiei maybe? Or just Kuronue? Or niether? MAKE UP YOUR MINDS!! LOL. I'm sorry. I'm only kidding. But I would like your opinions. I'll shape the story to the majority's wants.
Please review!!! Let your opinion be heard!!!