Yay! Part two's up! Hope you guys like it enough to keep reading (it'll get
better, I promise!) ^-^
-Kita
ps-all original diclaimers apply
Kurama; Yes, so please don't sue her. Hiei; Hn; she's got no money anyway . . . Kita: Hey! *pauses, then sweatdrops* . . . its true. Hiei; Hn. Kita; Oh be quiet! You want my next one to star YOU, Mr. Jaganashi/Forbidden Child/Koorime/Youkai? Actually . . . *starts thinking* Kurama; Oh, no, Hiei . . . what have you done. Hiei; But-but I didn't— Kita: HaHA! Got it! My next one will be 'The Flare of a Koorime's Flame' How do you like THAT, Mr. Grumpy? Hiei; Hn. I have to go train. *starts to walk away* Kurama: Wait up! I can spar with you! Kita: *is left alone and shrugs* Oh, well. They can't escape me forever . . .
The Roots of a Rose by Kita — Part Two: Yon'na Shika
/ "Kurama—" The redhead tossed in his sleep, unaware that the voice calling him was only in his mind. "Kurama—kirei kitsune." His subconscious at last remembering her voice . . . "Shika . . . nazo kitsune?" [k] "Hai." "But—itooshi—you died . . . " [k] "Hai and nai . . . I was dead, but am now alive." "Where?" [k] Her laugh echoed through his mind, and he recalled her cunning nature; whose wits were perhaps the only ones to exceed his own—that's why he called her his nazo kitsune—his mysterious fox. "Look around you, baka kitsune!" She laughed, her voice like an aged silver bell that has lost none of its charm. "I am closer than you think!" / Kurama started awake, Shika's laughter still ringing in his ears. He tried to recall her face, but it was a blur. One hand rose to prop up his forehead. So long ago . . . he had experienced countless lovers in his long life as a youko in Makai, but the clever she-fox was the only one who had ever really meant anything to him. He had met her after his flying partner's death, and for a few decades they had been blissfully happy together. Then, she had caught some strange illness that sapped her strength and reduced her once fit and nimble body to a thin, wasted piece of flesh. Alone then, but for her, he had, in desperation, sought out a gem whose healing powers were well-known, but he had returned from the foolish quest too late. By the time he had come back to the lair, having not succeeded anyway, Shika had been long dead. He should have stayed with her until the end, but his brashness had stolen from him the last few moments of her life. So, in sadness and regret, he buried her body in the deepest niche of their den, covering it with thorns so thick they could cut steel and grown so close there was no way to find your way through, unless you could control plants as well as the rei kitsune could (and that was impossible). Then he had left the cave, never to return . . . and his bandit life had ended a few months later . . . resulting in the birth of the charming and soft-hearted Minamino Shuichi. Somehow the ningen girl . . . Kashi . . . had gotten beneath the kitsune's defenses; those of an aloof (though polite) and amiable fifteen-year-old . . . *and* a cunning centuries-old spirit fox. He thought of her face; the short, jet-black hair, the mysteriously silvery eyes . . . and a seemingly outrageous thought dawned on him. It couldn't be—but the more he pondered the possibility, the more it seemed to be the only explanation. He would have to observe her more closely if he really wanted to know the truth . . . if Kashi . . . could be . . .
The next morning at school, Kashi was waiting for him by the gate. She brightened as recognition kicked in and smiled at him, but stayed where she was until he came up to her. "Ohayo, Kurama." She whispered playfully as they entered their first period class.
Over the next six months Kurama and Kashi grew closer, but the kitsune couldn't make up his mind about the strange girl. At times he was almost positive it was Shika returned to him, but at others she seemed just as bubble-headed as ningen girls came. They were walking together in the park, one day after school, when Hiei appeared suddenly before them.
The fire demon eyed the couple consisting of a slightly surprised Kurama and the ningen girl who, oddly enough, didn't seem frightened by his dark ki. He snorted, thinking of the greater possibility that she didn't even feel it. "Hn. I see *you've* been busy, Kurama." The kitsune smiled, turning to the girl at his side. "Kashi, this is Hiei." The emerald eyes sparkled with mirth as he looked back at the fiery demon while she acknowledged him. "He's an old . . . associate . . . of mine." She laughed. "You make it sound as though you two committed a crime!" "Hn." The demon eyed her for a moment, then turned back to the fox. "Kurama—those baka in charge of Spirit World need our help." Kurama glanced quickly at the ningen next to him. Kashi was right there, and there was no doubt in his mind that she had heard the term 'Spirit World.' He threw an angry look over at Hiei and, sure enough, his suspicions were confirmed a moment later. "Spirit World?" The girl inquired from Hiei, but receiving no clue from him (except a haughty "Hn."), turned to the red-haired bishonen that was very absorbed with the tree to their right. "Kurama—" she began in a slightly accusing tone. He met her eyes reluctantly, and thought he saw silver laughter ringing in their depths. Her face changed to an amused smile— / Inari! What was she having so much fun with?! / She whacked him on the head lightly. "Baka kitsune!" Hiei's eyes widened and Kurama gaped at the girl he thought he had known so well. She chuckled innocently to herself, apparently greatly pleased with their reactions. "W-w-what?! What did you just say?!" Kurama stammered, his eyes huge and his hand unconsciously loosening around her. Kashi now kissed him lightly on the cheek. "Just as it sounded—kirei kitsune." She eyed his shocked face amusedly for a moment. "It's good to know I haven't lost my ingenuity in Ningenkai, at least." She laughed at the still-gaping fox and motioned toward Hiei, who swiftly regained his antagonistic attitude. "You should go—they wouldn't be asking two *demons* for help unless it was something vital—" Kashi-Shika glanced sideways at the fire youkai. "—Hai, Hiei?" "Hn." The demon muttered. / Of all the foxes in Makai—Kurama had to pick one with looks, brains and a weird sense of humor . . . /
Kashi sighed, looking out the window. Kurama had been absent for two days straight . . . she knew in her heart that the kitsune would be alive, but . . . it didn't stop her from worrying about him. She smiled to herself when she recalled the look on his face. He had been so shocked! It was rather amazing the she had blinded him to her true identity for so long. In the six months when they were 'dating' she had let the mask slip a few times, but quickly repaired it by acting like a normal schoolgirl . . . and miraculously it had worked. She had met Kurama's human mother, Shiori. She seemed rather decent, as ningens went, but the love she had bestowed on the fox bandit had softened both his heart *and* his mind. Kashi couldn't say whether or not she liked the new Kurama . . . as a demon he had shown the minimum of affection, always showing his appreciation for her at night in their den . . . in Makai . . . The final bell rang, jolting her out of her thoughts. She walked out of the school alone, not noticing the three high school boys following her until after a few blocks. Kashi glanced behind her, and they grinned greedily back. She sighed, knowing what their pitiful ningen minds were thinking. There were no policemen in sight, and the street was nearly deserted. / Well, I shall just have to teach them a lesson, won't I? / She purposefully walked into an alley, where, after a few minutes, she ran into a brick wall. Kashi turned to face the trio, addressing them without fear. "Good afternoon. Can I help you with something?" The middle boy laughed, and his two companions fanned out, surrounding her. "As a matter of fact, you can." He stepped closer to her. "You see, we've noticed Minamino's been gone for a few days . . . and we'd like to take this chance to see what we've been missing." Kashi chuckled softly. "Is that so? *I'd* like to see you try." He came at her in an instant, but she was already far above him. While he was still reacting to her sudden disappearance, she released the wooden bead hanging from her right earring and focused her ki on it. In a moment it was a staff, which she wasted no time in bringing down upon the leader's back. He fell to the ground, unconscious, and she landed neatly on her own two feet. The boy behind her tried to grab her wrist, but she dodged him easily and sent him sprawling into a pile of crates. The third boy was shaking, stuttering as she turned to him. "W-what . . . *are* you??" He began to back away and twirled to run, but she was in front of him in an instant, a look of utter disgust on her face. "Coward!" She rendered him senseless and now spoke coldly to his motionless form. "Leaving your friends in the middle of a fight." She stood looking at the three before changing the staff back to its original form. She fastened the bead in its silver casing once again and picked up her schoolbag. / Baka ningen. / Kashi ran out into the now-crowded street, acting panicky. "Someone help! Three boys have just fainted! They're in the alley!" As passers-by went to investigate the scene, she slipped away unnoticed. There was no sense in hanging about to be questioned by the police. It was also pointless to leave the humans, stupid as they may be, to the ningen scum of the city. She skipped along, having no particular destination in mind. Soon she found herself at the park. She laid herself on the grass, her face turned up to the clouds. Kurama had agreed to come back here when the task was finished. Kashi closed her eyes. She would wait here for a while . . . then head back 'home.' Makai was the only place she had really belonged; the human house she shared with her 'father' was only temporary and her journey back to Makai would begin the day Saseka Kashi died. It couldn't happen any other way. She would have to explain her existence in Ningenkai to Kurama when he returned . . . she yawned—when he . . . returned . . .
The kitsune-bishonen made his way to the breach in barrier wall (between the City of Ghosts and Apparitions and the human world), carrying the unconscious form of Kuwabara. At his side Hiei was toting Yusuke. The fox chuckled to himself, recalling how Hiei had just picked up the spirit detective, ignoring the 'carrot-topped baka' (as he had put it) sprawled on the floor. "What are you laughing at, fox." Kurama shook his head. "Nothing, Hiei. Nothing." The two demons easily dropped off the boys at their respective houses. Kurama smiled politely as he told Atsuko and Shizuru that there had been an unfair fight where both Yusuke and Kuwabara had been radically outnumbered. Hiei just stood at his side, silent as an assassin, glaring at whomever had opened the door. Hiei then seemingly disappeared, and Kurama headed for the park. After a while of walking he smiled softly to himself. Hiei's ki was easy enough to hide . . . but his scent was another matter. The kitsune could feel the warmth of his blood seeping into the pink uniform . . . curse Genbu . . . he had allowed himself to be caught off-guard by the stone beast. Carelessness on his part—that's what it was. The wound in his stomach suddenly produced a fresh wave of pain and Kurama fell to his knees, his hair hiding the discomfort and one of his hands coming up to cover the tear in his shirt. In a flash of black Hiei was at his side, supporting his friend. He looked up at the fire youkai. "Hiei—" "Hn." Helping him up, the short demon tried to walk with the weight of his tall wounded friend leaning on him. "Stupid fox." The fire youkai cursed under his breath. Kurama managed a soft chuckle and forced himself to walk on his own. Hiei pushed his hands into the invisible pockets of his jet- black cloak. "Well—we had better get going. Kashi will be waiting." "Hn." The two demons walked down the short street. Hiei was silent as he walked by his friend's side. Kurama knew that, despite the fire youkai's icy personality, his friend was too worried about his injury to let him walk around in Ningenkai alone. The sun was setting as they approached the park. "Kurama; why do you care about that girl so much?" The fox glanced at his friend, surprised at the sudden inquiry. "Nani?" "She could easily become a hostage; even if she *did* once live in Makai. Why cling to such weakness?" Kurama chuckled. "Kashi is not a weakness. She could never be used in such a way." "How can you be so sure?" "Shika . . . was not weak. As kitsune in Makai, our skills were nearly equal." "Hn." Hiei was silent again as they walked down a dirt path. Kurama started to search for her scent. He found it; Kashi was lying on the grass, her schoolbag beside her. At first he was troubled, but soon realized her breathing was deep and even . . . she was asleep. He looked at her for a long moment . . . she looked so calm and carefree— "Hn." Hiei whispered beside him, loosening his katana in its sheath. "Now you will see how vulnerable she is—" Kurama looked at him quickly. "Hiei—" He put a hand out to stop him, but the lightning-fast demon was already gone. The kitsune could see the flash of the blade as Hiei drew it in an instant. Kashi's breathing suddenly changed, and she tumbled out of the way, crouching a few feet from the sword just as it embedded itself in the soft earth where she had been a moment ago. The girl smiled, her head tilting upwards to the youkai as the fire demon met her amused silver stare. "Hiei, isn't it?" She stood gracefully. "So nice to see you again. Though you might want to be a bit quieter next time." Kashi put a hand over her mouth as she yawned. "I was having the most wonderful nap." Hiei was angry, his sword quivering in the earth. Kurama stepped between them before Hiei could slice her to pieces (or at least make the attempt).
"Kashi—" He began gently, but fell to his knees as another dagger of pain stung at his abdomen. Then she was supporting him while at the same time scolding gently.
"Baka kitsune—you've gotten yourself hurt." She led Kurama over to a bench and sat him down. "Hiei!" She called sharply, turning to him. He stayed where he was. A note of impatience rang in her voice as she continued. "Get some bandages, will you?" He gave Kashi an annoyed look but disappeared into the night anyway. She told Kurama to unbutton his uniform. He did so as she fiddled with something in her hair. Her left hand came free, some milky green substance clinging to it. Kneeling, Kashi applied the cold mixture from the wooden sphere to his wound. At first he flinched slightly at the new pressure on the afflicted area, but the cream helped to lessen the pain and he was soon able to bear it. When she was done applying the medicine the kistune-girl sat down on the bench.
"Baka." She muttered. They sat quietly for a few minutes; the greenish mixture seeping into Kurama's wound, keeping the pain at bay while at the same time stemming the flow of blood.
"Kashi?" he asked softly.
"Hm?" He glanced at her sideways.
"How did you get here?" She leaned back against the wooden bench, sighing.
"It's a long story, Kurama." "Try me . . . how *did* you survive death?" She looked at her hands. "My spirit's strength." Now he was puzzled. "But you were sick . . . and when I returned you—" He looked away briefly. "Were gone." She shook her head slowly.
"No. I couldn't tell you . . . that illness had rendered me silent. The only way to escape it was for me to die and be reborn."
"Then . . . why did you linger for so long?" She looked at him briefly, her eyes filled with uncharacteristic tears, before returning her gaze to her lap.
"I *wanted* to tell you. I hoped I would be able to gain the strength enough to inform you of how I would survive . . . but . . ."
"You couldn't." Kashi shook her head.
"No. When you left me that night, I had figured you had finally gone to find another companion . . . so I . . . gave up my life as a spirit fox. I severed the link I had managed to keep tied to my vixen form and made the long journey to Ningenkai. In my weakened state, it was a while before I could summon enough strength to cross the border."
"Months?"
"I suppose. Time flows differently when you have no body."
"So you became the child of a ningen family, then?"
"Yes . . . am I correct in assuming you did the same?"
"Hai." She chuckled softly.
"Great minds think alike, kirei kitsune." He smiled, taking her left hand with his right.
"Perhaps they do, nazo kitsune." She leaned against him, careful not to disturb his wound, and he breathed in her familiar scent. So many memories . . . she cuddled closer to him and he leaned his head upon hers . . . they stayed like that for a while, until—
"Hn." The two kitsune looked up to see Hiei standing before them, a roll of bandages in one hand. Kashi stood abruptly.
"Oh—good. Arigato, Hiei."
"Hn." He tossed her the white roll and disappeared once again into the twilight. Kashi wrapped Kurama's wound in the soft cloth and he cautiously got to his feet.
"Can you walk?" He nodded. She helped him button up his uniform, then kissed him on the cheek.
"Be careful, now. Rest over the weekend. I'll see you on Monday." Then, with a parting wave, she ran off into the darkness. He shook his head, a slow smile lightening his face. Now the fox began the long walk home, wondering what he would say to his kaasan when he walked in the door . . .
Hang on! Gotta find time to write! *sweatdrop* I've got school, too, ya know! ^-^ -Kita
-Kita
ps-all original diclaimers apply
Kurama; Yes, so please don't sue her. Hiei; Hn; she's got no money anyway . . . Kita: Hey! *pauses, then sweatdrops* . . . its true. Hiei; Hn. Kita; Oh be quiet! You want my next one to star YOU, Mr. Jaganashi/Forbidden Child/Koorime/Youkai? Actually . . . *starts thinking* Kurama; Oh, no, Hiei . . . what have you done. Hiei; But-but I didn't— Kita: HaHA! Got it! My next one will be 'The Flare of a Koorime's Flame' How do you like THAT, Mr. Grumpy? Hiei; Hn. I have to go train. *starts to walk away* Kurama: Wait up! I can spar with you! Kita: *is left alone and shrugs* Oh, well. They can't escape me forever . . .
The Roots of a Rose by Kita — Part Two: Yon'na Shika
/ "Kurama—" The redhead tossed in his sleep, unaware that the voice calling him was only in his mind. "Kurama—kirei kitsune." His subconscious at last remembering her voice . . . "Shika . . . nazo kitsune?" [k] "Hai." "But—itooshi—you died . . . " [k] "Hai and nai . . . I was dead, but am now alive." "Where?" [k] Her laugh echoed through his mind, and he recalled her cunning nature; whose wits were perhaps the only ones to exceed his own—that's why he called her his nazo kitsune—his mysterious fox. "Look around you, baka kitsune!" She laughed, her voice like an aged silver bell that has lost none of its charm. "I am closer than you think!" / Kurama started awake, Shika's laughter still ringing in his ears. He tried to recall her face, but it was a blur. One hand rose to prop up his forehead. So long ago . . . he had experienced countless lovers in his long life as a youko in Makai, but the clever she-fox was the only one who had ever really meant anything to him. He had met her after his flying partner's death, and for a few decades they had been blissfully happy together. Then, she had caught some strange illness that sapped her strength and reduced her once fit and nimble body to a thin, wasted piece of flesh. Alone then, but for her, he had, in desperation, sought out a gem whose healing powers were well-known, but he had returned from the foolish quest too late. By the time he had come back to the lair, having not succeeded anyway, Shika had been long dead. He should have stayed with her until the end, but his brashness had stolen from him the last few moments of her life. So, in sadness and regret, he buried her body in the deepest niche of their den, covering it with thorns so thick they could cut steel and grown so close there was no way to find your way through, unless you could control plants as well as the rei kitsune could (and that was impossible). Then he had left the cave, never to return . . . and his bandit life had ended a few months later . . . resulting in the birth of the charming and soft-hearted Minamino Shuichi. Somehow the ningen girl . . . Kashi . . . had gotten beneath the kitsune's defenses; those of an aloof (though polite) and amiable fifteen-year-old . . . *and* a cunning centuries-old spirit fox. He thought of her face; the short, jet-black hair, the mysteriously silvery eyes . . . and a seemingly outrageous thought dawned on him. It couldn't be—but the more he pondered the possibility, the more it seemed to be the only explanation. He would have to observe her more closely if he really wanted to know the truth . . . if Kashi . . . could be . . .
The next morning at school, Kashi was waiting for him by the gate. She brightened as recognition kicked in and smiled at him, but stayed where she was until he came up to her. "Ohayo, Kurama." She whispered playfully as they entered their first period class.
Over the next six months Kurama and Kashi grew closer, but the kitsune couldn't make up his mind about the strange girl. At times he was almost positive it was Shika returned to him, but at others she seemed just as bubble-headed as ningen girls came. They were walking together in the park, one day after school, when Hiei appeared suddenly before them.
The fire demon eyed the couple consisting of a slightly surprised Kurama and the ningen girl who, oddly enough, didn't seem frightened by his dark ki. He snorted, thinking of the greater possibility that she didn't even feel it. "Hn. I see *you've* been busy, Kurama." The kitsune smiled, turning to the girl at his side. "Kashi, this is Hiei." The emerald eyes sparkled with mirth as he looked back at the fiery demon while she acknowledged him. "He's an old . . . associate . . . of mine." She laughed. "You make it sound as though you two committed a crime!" "Hn." The demon eyed her for a moment, then turned back to the fox. "Kurama—those baka in charge of Spirit World need our help." Kurama glanced quickly at the ningen next to him. Kashi was right there, and there was no doubt in his mind that she had heard the term 'Spirit World.' He threw an angry look over at Hiei and, sure enough, his suspicions were confirmed a moment later. "Spirit World?" The girl inquired from Hiei, but receiving no clue from him (except a haughty "Hn."), turned to the red-haired bishonen that was very absorbed with the tree to their right. "Kurama—" she began in a slightly accusing tone. He met her eyes reluctantly, and thought he saw silver laughter ringing in their depths. Her face changed to an amused smile— / Inari! What was she having so much fun with?! / She whacked him on the head lightly. "Baka kitsune!" Hiei's eyes widened and Kurama gaped at the girl he thought he had known so well. She chuckled innocently to herself, apparently greatly pleased with their reactions. "W-w-what?! What did you just say?!" Kurama stammered, his eyes huge and his hand unconsciously loosening around her. Kashi now kissed him lightly on the cheek. "Just as it sounded—kirei kitsune." She eyed his shocked face amusedly for a moment. "It's good to know I haven't lost my ingenuity in Ningenkai, at least." She laughed at the still-gaping fox and motioned toward Hiei, who swiftly regained his antagonistic attitude. "You should go—they wouldn't be asking two *demons* for help unless it was something vital—" Kashi-Shika glanced sideways at the fire youkai. "—Hai, Hiei?" "Hn." The demon muttered. / Of all the foxes in Makai—Kurama had to pick one with looks, brains and a weird sense of humor . . . /
Kashi sighed, looking out the window. Kurama had been absent for two days straight . . . she knew in her heart that the kitsune would be alive, but . . . it didn't stop her from worrying about him. She smiled to herself when she recalled the look on his face. He had been so shocked! It was rather amazing the she had blinded him to her true identity for so long. In the six months when they were 'dating' she had let the mask slip a few times, but quickly repaired it by acting like a normal schoolgirl . . . and miraculously it had worked. She had met Kurama's human mother, Shiori. She seemed rather decent, as ningens went, but the love she had bestowed on the fox bandit had softened both his heart *and* his mind. Kashi couldn't say whether or not she liked the new Kurama . . . as a demon he had shown the minimum of affection, always showing his appreciation for her at night in their den . . . in Makai . . . The final bell rang, jolting her out of her thoughts. She walked out of the school alone, not noticing the three high school boys following her until after a few blocks. Kashi glanced behind her, and they grinned greedily back. She sighed, knowing what their pitiful ningen minds were thinking. There were no policemen in sight, and the street was nearly deserted. / Well, I shall just have to teach them a lesson, won't I? / She purposefully walked into an alley, where, after a few minutes, she ran into a brick wall. Kashi turned to face the trio, addressing them without fear. "Good afternoon. Can I help you with something?" The middle boy laughed, and his two companions fanned out, surrounding her. "As a matter of fact, you can." He stepped closer to her. "You see, we've noticed Minamino's been gone for a few days . . . and we'd like to take this chance to see what we've been missing." Kashi chuckled softly. "Is that so? *I'd* like to see you try." He came at her in an instant, but she was already far above him. While he was still reacting to her sudden disappearance, she released the wooden bead hanging from her right earring and focused her ki on it. In a moment it was a staff, which she wasted no time in bringing down upon the leader's back. He fell to the ground, unconscious, and she landed neatly on her own two feet. The boy behind her tried to grab her wrist, but she dodged him easily and sent him sprawling into a pile of crates. The third boy was shaking, stuttering as she turned to him. "W-what . . . *are* you??" He began to back away and twirled to run, but she was in front of him in an instant, a look of utter disgust on her face. "Coward!" She rendered him senseless and now spoke coldly to his motionless form. "Leaving your friends in the middle of a fight." She stood looking at the three before changing the staff back to its original form. She fastened the bead in its silver casing once again and picked up her schoolbag. / Baka ningen. / Kashi ran out into the now-crowded street, acting panicky. "Someone help! Three boys have just fainted! They're in the alley!" As passers-by went to investigate the scene, she slipped away unnoticed. There was no sense in hanging about to be questioned by the police. It was also pointless to leave the humans, stupid as they may be, to the ningen scum of the city. She skipped along, having no particular destination in mind. Soon she found herself at the park. She laid herself on the grass, her face turned up to the clouds. Kurama had agreed to come back here when the task was finished. Kashi closed her eyes. She would wait here for a while . . . then head back 'home.' Makai was the only place she had really belonged; the human house she shared with her 'father' was only temporary and her journey back to Makai would begin the day Saseka Kashi died. It couldn't happen any other way. She would have to explain her existence in Ningenkai to Kurama when he returned . . . she yawned—when he . . . returned . . .
The kitsune-bishonen made his way to the breach in barrier wall (between the City of Ghosts and Apparitions and the human world), carrying the unconscious form of Kuwabara. At his side Hiei was toting Yusuke. The fox chuckled to himself, recalling how Hiei had just picked up the spirit detective, ignoring the 'carrot-topped baka' (as he had put it) sprawled on the floor. "What are you laughing at, fox." Kurama shook his head. "Nothing, Hiei. Nothing." The two demons easily dropped off the boys at their respective houses. Kurama smiled politely as he told Atsuko and Shizuru that there had been an unfair fight where both Yusuke and Kuwabara had been radically outnumbered. Hiei just stood at his side, silent as an assassin, glaring at whomever had opened the door. Hiei then seemingly disappeared, and Kurama headed for the park. After a while of walking he smiled softly to himself. Hiei's ki was easy enough to hide . . . but his scent was another matter. The kitsune could feel the warmth of his blood seeping into the pink uniform . . . curse Genbu . . . he had allowed himself to be caught off-guard by the stone beast. Carelessness on his part—that's what it was. The wound in his stomach suddenly produced a fresh wave of pain and Kurama fell to his knees, his hair hiding the discomfort and one of his hands coming up to cover the tear in his shirt. In a flash of black Hiei was at his side, supporting his friend. He looked up at the fire youkai. "Hiei—" "Hn." Helping him up, the short demon tried to walk with the weight of his tall wounded friend leaning on him. "Stupid fox." The fire youkai cursed under his breath. Kurama managed a soft chuckle and forced himself to walk on his own. Hiei pushed his hands into the invisible pockets of his jet- black cloak. "Well—we had better get going. Kashi will be waiting." "Hn." The two demons walked down the short street. Hiei was silent as he walked by his friend's side. Kurama knew that, despite the fire youkai's icy personality, his friend was too worried about his injury to let him walk around in Ningenkai alone. The sun was setting as they approached the park. "Kurama; why do you care about that girl so much?" The fox glanced at his friend, surprised at the sudden inquiry. "Nani?" "She could easily become a hostage; even if she *did* once live in Makai. Why cling to such weakness?" Kurama chuckled. "Kashi is not a weakness. She could never be used in such a way." "How can you be so sure?" "Shika . . . was not weak. As kitsune in Makai, our skills were nearly equal." "Hn." Hiei was silent again as they walked down a dirt path. Kurama started to search for her scent. He found it; Kashi was lying on the grass, her schoolbag beside her. At first he was troubled, but soon realized her breathing was deep and even . . . she was asleep. He looked at her for a long moment . . . she looked so calm and carefree— "Hn." Hiei whispered beside him, loosening his katana in its sheath. "Now you will see how vulnerable she is—" Kurama looked at him quickly. "Hiei—" He put a hand out to stop him, but the lightning-fast demon was already gone. The kitsune could see the flash of the blade as Hiei drew it in an instant. Kashi's breathing suddenly changed, and she tumbled out of the way, crouching a few feet from the sword just as it embedded itself in the soft earth where she had been a moment ago. The girl smiled, her head tilting upwards to the youkai as the fire demon met her amused silver stare. "Hiei, isn't it?" She stood gracefully. "So nice to see you again. Though you might want to be a bit quieter next time." Kashi put a hand over her mouth as she yawned. "I was having the most wonderful nap." Hiei was angry, his sword quivering in the earth. Kurama stepped between them before Hiei could slice her to pieces (or at least make the attempt).
"Kashi—" He began gently, but fell to his knees as another dagger of pain stung at his abdomen. Then she was supporting him while at the same time scolding gently.
"Baka kitsune—you've gotten yourself hurt." She led Kurama over to a bench and sat him down. "Hiei!" She called sharply, turning to him. He stayed where he was. A note of impatience rang in her voice as she continued. "Get some bandages, will you?" He gave Kashi an annoyed look but disappeared into the night anyway. She told Kurama to unbutton his uniform. He did so as she fiddled with something in her hair. Her left hand came free, some milky green substance clinging to it. Kneeling, Kashi applied the cold mixture from the wooden sphere to his wound. At first he flinched slightly at the new pressure on the afflicted area, but the cream helped to lessen the pain and he was soon able to bear it. When she was done applying the medicine the kistune-girl sat down on the bench.
"Baka." She muttered. They sat quietly for a few minutes; the greenish mixture seeping into Kurama's wound, keeping the pain at bay while at the same time stemming the flow of blood.
"Kashi?" he asked softly.
"Hm?" He glanced at her sideways.
"How did you get here?" She leaned back against the wooden bench, sighing.
"It's a long story, Kurama." "Try me . . . how *did* you survive death?" She looked at her hands. "My spirit's strength." Now he was puzzled. "But you were sick . . . and when I returned you—" He looked away briefly. "Were gone." She shook her head slowly.
"No. I couldn't tell you . . . that illness had rendered me silent. The only way to escape it was for me to die and be reborn."
"Then . . . why did you linger for so long?" She looked at him briefly, her eyes filled with uncharacteristic tears, before returning her gaze to her lap.
"I *wanted* to tell you. I hoped I would be able to gain the strength enough to inform you of how I would survive . . . but . . ."
"You couldn't." Kashi shook her head.
"No. When you left me that night, I had figured you had finally gone to find another companion . . . so I . . . gave up my life as a spirit fox. I severed the link I had managed to keep tied to my vixen form and made the long journey to Ningenkai. In my weakened state, it was a while before I could summon enough strength to cross the border."
"Months?"
"I suppose. Time flows differently when you have no body."
"So you became the child of a ningen family, then?"
"Yes . . . am I correct in assuming you did the same?"
"Hai." She chuckled softly.
"Great minds think alike, kirei kitsune." He smiled, taking her left hand with his right.
"Perhaps they do, nazo kitsune." She leaned against him, careful not to disturb his wound, and he breathed in her familiar scent. So many memories . . . she cuddled closer to him and he leaned his head upon hers . . . they stayed like that for a while, until—
"Hn." The two kitsune looked up to see Hiei standing before them, a roll of bandages in one hand. Kashi stood abruptly.
"Oh—good. Arigato, Hiei."
"Hn." He tossed her the white roll and disappeared once again into the twilight. Kashi wrapped Kurama's wound in the soft cloth and he cautiously got to his feet.
"Can you walk?" He nodded. She helped him button up his uniform, then kissed him on the cheek.
"Be careful, now. Rest over the weekend. I'll see you on Monday." Then, with a parting wave, she ran off into the darkness. He shook his head, a slow smile lightening his face. Now the fox began the long walk home, wondering what he would say to his kaasan when he walked in the door . . .
Hang on! Gotta find time to write! *sweatdrop* I've got school, too, ya know! ^-^ -Kita