The Roots of a Rose by Kita — Part Four: The Past Returns
Kashi ran, the dead assassin being flung from branch to branch above her. He was too heavy for her to carry while running, and she needed to get back to Kurama as fast as possible. The vines in the trees had been very helpful, passing the corpse to each other nearly as fast as the girl sprinted. She didn't know who had sent him, and it would be best for Kurama to know someone had tried to . . . the kitsune-girl stopped short. Above her the corpse of the intended murderer swayed to a halt, the vines sensing her hesitation. If Kurama found that someone was trying to kill her . . . he would be worried. Kashi hated to imagine the caring face of Minamino Shuichi changing from a pleasant smile to a look of fear. She shook her head. No; she couldn't do that to her fox. She had been fine, hadn't she? There was no reason to cause him distress. Kashi shot a mental command to the vines and the dead form was transported back into the bowels of the forest. Now she sat to meditate, trying to think of something to offer Kurama for breakfast . . .
The girl remained still for a long time, and then, suddenly, a rabbit burst out of the undergrowth. Instinctively Kashi put up a plant cage, trapping the terrified animal. Now another form emerged from the foliage; a black fox. The kitsune cautiously wound its way around the newly erected prison. Kashi remained perfectly still, her eyes watching with interest as the lithe animal found its way into the ball of leaves. The rabbit let out a panic-stricken squeal, throwing itself against the walls in an attempt to escape. The girl closed her eyes as another scream of terror was cut short. The fox had gotten its meal. Opening her eyes once more, Kashi let the plant cage retreat back into the earth, revealing the dark-hued kitsune stooping over its latest meal. Its head went up, and the two stared at one another. The fox had crimson eyes . . . a strange attribute . . . Kashi disregarded the feeling as she whispered softly to her Ningenkai relation.
"An admirable catch, Cousin." Those bright eyes flashed with unexpected understanding and the kitsune-girl suddenly found herself paralyzed. No; she managed to look down, not paralyzed. She could see strings holding her captive. The sharp lines cut into her skin slightly, at spots drawing blood. The fox reverted to its true form, and a tall, black-haired youko with crimson eyes took its place. Her breath stopped as she recognized the kitsune.
"Rikou." He smiled at her.
"Yon'na Shika." The smile disappeared. "You've grown weak in your fifteen years as a ningen. The shame you bring will not be tolerated. Therefore—"A sword of pure fire erupted from his hand. "I shall deny you your entire false existence."
"Rikou!" She shouted. "Who sent you?! I haven't been in contact with anyone from Makai for years! How did you find me . . . and why?!" The dark kitsune smirked.
"You of all people should know what drove me to find you. Or has your mind lost its keenness in Ningenkai?" Her mind raced, rushing to think of who could have such power over Rikou to command the mighty assassin . . . she gasped and the youko smiled.
"Come to you at last, has it? Well, your last thoughts shall be of him!" He raised the fiery sword above her, crimson eyes glinting coldly. "Die!" He stopped short, the sword so close she could feel the flames' heat against her hair. Then Kashi recognized the powerful ki coming closer. "Ah, well." The sword disappeared. "I've no wish to fight the bandit . . . for now. But soon . . . "Rikou looked down at her evilly, bending close so their faces were barely an inch apart. "He shall suffer as much as the one *you* so utterly destroyed." Laughing, he disappeared. "Farewell, yon'na Shika." Came the mocking voice from the trees. "Farewell for now. But you shall not escape. Remember Mauta as you die." The strings tightened and she cried out as the poison leaked into her bloodstream. It burned . . . she was burning away . . . she briefly thought of Kurama before falling forward, unable to move at the double pain she was feeling; the lesser raging outside, the greater in.
Kashi's scream sent chills down his spine, and the kitsune ran faster. Kurama's mind raced . . . he had felt the strange ki in the forest and gone to investigate, for the creature had clearly tried to conceal itself . . . it fact, it had been so well hidden that the fox had nearly overlooked it. Suddenly the kitsune bandit burst into a small clearing. His worst fear was realized when he saw Kashi lying on the ground, still as . . . he shook himself mentally, fighting what could now be the truth . . . in an instant he had her in his arms . . . her blood searing hot, her skin feverishly pale. He put a hand to her cheek; it was burning. She stirred then, and silver eyes cracked open.
"Kur . . . ama . . ." He pulled her closer.
"Don't worry now, Kashi. We'll get you back to camp and—"
"N—no . . ." He stopped in mid sentence. "P—poi . . . son . . . Ri . . . rik—ah!" she grasped onto him as a wave of pain enveloped her, then her hand relaxed as the girl's voice grew fainter. "T—tired . . ." He shouted at her as loudly as he dared.
"No! Kashi, listen to me! You can't fall asleep!" Her silver eyes fluttered.
"Kur . . . ama . . ." Hiei appeared in front of them, kneeling, and the cloudy gaze slowly shifted to the short youkai. "H—hiei . . ."
"Hn." He scoffed. "You're going to let a *poison* kill you? Ningen bodies are so weak." He pried her from the kitsune's hands and picked her up. "Kurama—" The fire demon looked straight at him. "Go find some water, and bring as much back here as you can carry." The kitsune hesitated, looking down at the stricken girl. Hiei's tone brought his eyes back up. "Now! If *you* stay with her she'll likely fall asleep!" Emerald eyes widened in realization; he was right. Then Kurama had disappeared into the forest.
Hiei propped the girl up against a rock and placed his hand on her hot forehead. He couldn't let her die . . . Kurama cared for her too much. Freeing his Jagan, the fire demon searched for the source of the poison. When he found it, the toxin seemed to be more fire-based than derived from a plant . . . In fact, there was a significant amount of fire-ki in the girl's bloodstream itself. *That's* why she was burning so hotly . . . the youkai concentrated and used his own fire powers to bring the ki to his hand. She shook her head as it grew hotter with the accumulation of fire- ki. When he felt he had lured all of it out of the girl's body, Hiei took his hand away abruptly; a ball of spirit energy glowing in his fist. Robbed of its former victim, the fire-ki went into Hiei's body. He doubled over unexpectedly, but the youkai preferred it this way. Hiei was a fire demon; he could stand the searing body temperatures that the ningen girl couldn't. In fact, it was more like he was digesting the poison-fire itself. He didn't feel delirious or overly warm; so he dropped down next to her with a sigh.
"Hiei?" A soft female voice questioned. He looked at the girl sitting on his right. Shika's silver eyes had cleared a little now and her face was flushed. Obviously, her fever had dropped.
"Nani." He said irritably. She smiled weakly.
"Arigato."
"Hn." He looked away. / At least Kurama won't worry about the girl dying now . . . /
Kurama raced back, the water sloshing in the closed plant bowl he had conjured on the spot. / Please . . . please don't let her die, Inari . . . / He prayed. / I don't want to loose her . . . not again . . . / The kitsune burst into the clearing. He spotted the two figures leaning against a rock at the other end. As he approached them, Hiei looked up, obviously started awake by the fox's presence. The fire demon was slightly pale, and Kurama could see that his skin was touched with sweat. Concerned for his friend, the fox knelt down, placing the water to the side, and rested his hand on the other's arm, testing the temperature. He gasped, taking his hand away.
"Hiei! You're burning up!" The youkai blinked.
"Hn. Baka kitsune. I'm a fire demon." Kurama blushed, slightly embarrassed, and the emerald gaze shifted to the sleeping girl. Her skin seemed less pale, and her breathing was deep and even. He sighed in relief and sat down next to Kashi. After a moment's silence, he spoke.
"Hiei."
"Hn. Nani."
"What did you do?"
"Hn. Poisoned ki. Burning her up inside. Took it out." There was another round of silence before the fox spoke again.
"Domo arigato, Hiei."
"Hn." The youkai scoffed, turning away from Kurama. He could still recall the kitsune's cool, smooth touch on his arm. / Kurama's not for me . . . / Hiei told himself firmly. / It would be wrong, since he obviously loves *her*. And besides . . . / The youkai snuck a glance at the bishonen redhead before closing his eyes to sleep. / A beautiful youko like him could never have feelings for me . . . a cursed, forbidden child cast away by his own village . . . /
Rikou chuckled to himself. He was back in the Makai, where he belonged. His crimson eyes glittered at the irony of it all. Centuries ago he had grown up with yon'na Shika, along with his adopted younger brother, Mauta. The vixen had joined in the tribal raids, learning to steal as most kitsune did, training herself how to heal as well as rob in the harshness of Makai. Mauta had fallen in love with her, gone with her on these missions, and protected her to the best of his ability. Rikou himself had decided to become an assassin, using his fox skills as a means to get to his targets without a sound. He'd had a dark streak in him since he was young, when he would hunt down small animals just for the sake of tasting their blood. Then they had all grown up.
Shika took off to make a name for herself, her sharp wits keeping her alive and well in the Makai. Mauta had missed her sorely, and gone to search for the vixen after fifty years. Then she had come back to the village another half-century later, torn and bleeding, asking Rikou for help. He took her to the healer and she was fine. He heard the two talking in the tent, and the elderly healer had given the girl a secret healing ivy, whose sap could cure any wound in a matter of hours. Mauta had returned just as Shika had become well enough to go off again. Rikou could still remember the sad scene as though it were yesterday . . .
"Shika! Shika, wait!" The vixen turned at the edge of the village, a young red-haired fox with amber eyes running wildly toward her.
"What *is* it, Mauta?! I have to—"Upon reaching her, Mauta embraced the girl.
"You *can't* go, Shika! Youko Kurama's known for his—"she pushed him away.
"Get *off* me! I'm *going* to find him, and I'm *going* to become his partner! That's all there is to it." His girlish younger brother had cried, and Rikou had been ashamed. Mauta could act like such a child . . . even Shika was more manly than him.
"But . . . why? Shika!" His amber eyes had lit up. "Why don't *we* be partners? We'd steal so many treasures our deeds would be legendary!" Then she had slapped him.
"You're a fool, Mauta. You're so pathetic a half-dead rabbit could get away from you. *I* on the other hand, have the makings of greatness. I'll become youko Kurama's partner, one that he'll *never* be able to just brush off after a single job." After that she had taken off into the forest, yelling. "And don't you dare come after me, baka!" Mauta had broken down and cried, right there, on the edge of the village. Rikou had taken him aside, and managed to find a job for his brother in helping the healer. Another century passed and Mauta suddenly disappeared. Well, that was as far as the village knew. He had told Rikou in secret he was going to search for Shika, and tell her how he felt toward her, even if she had found the legendary youko. He'd find her, and confess.
Twenty years later Rikou sensed his brother dying. The ebony kitsune rushed to the feeling and, being nearby, made it to the place the young red fox would die before the fact happened. He spotted the legendary silver youko, manipulating a death tree that was slowly devouring the beaten and bloodied kitsune. Shika was nowhere in sight. In a flash what had happened came to him. Mauta must have seen the two together, Kurama and Shika must have become mates, and when Shika was gone, he had come out to challenge the youko. Stupid little brother. These were the results of his actions. Then Kurama's steely voice had broken into his growing rage.
"You knew you couldn't beat me, but still you made the attempt. What could have caused you to throw your life away so pointlessly, I wonder?"
"Do you now?" Mauta coughed, spitting up blood. "It was for Shika . . . I'd do anything for her . . ."
"Fool. The yon'na is *my* mate, and *you* are not worthy of her." Shika had returned then, finding the scene most surprising.
"Shika . . ." Mauta whispered. Her face darkened.
"Baka! I told you not to follow me! I can never be your partner! You deserve to die!"
"Shika, I—"
"Well, it seems there are two rei here that agree with your fate. Farewell then, fool."
Kurama's plant had killed Mauta, at last, and there had been nothing left. Rikou stood, frozen with terror at the scene. Anger surged not toward his dead brother, but to the vixen, Shika. All the childhood memories of her faded away and he clenched his fists. She will pay . . . she will pay for killing my brother. He had no real grudge toward Kurama . . . he knew that the youko had a heart of steel and showed no mercy to anyone, no matter how weak. But Shika . . . how could she turn her back on someone she had known since childhood? And who had been in love with her at least that long . . . he had taken off, searching for something that would give her the most pain . . . and make life none too easy for Kurama, as well . . . and he had found it. Nearly seventy years later, in some deserted corner of Makai, he had picked up rumors of a spirit-sickness that killed slowly, poisoning the victim until they simply withered away. It sounded delicious. He had found the plant after nine years of searching, and with all the stealth his assassin life had granted him, injected the punishment into her bloodstream as she slept. With joy he had watched her life drain out of her and the youko fret over how his mate was dying. Then, unexpectedly, Kurama had left. A few days after the kitsune's departure, Shika's time was near, and he went down to her side. Unable to move, she opened her eyes, and recognition flashed in their silvery depths.
"Yon'na Shika. You were so easy to infect." Surprise sparked in her eyes, along with anger. She couldn't speak, that was an effect of the deadly illness. He smirked.
"Yes, it was me who brought about your death. But after what you did to Mauta, you deserve no less. And your precious youko will have to learn to live without you—"Tears formed in her eyes as he spoke of Kurama"–but I guess he's already made *that* decison, hasn't he? After all, he left you a few days ago." Shika closed her eyes, the only retreat she had from the mocking voice above her, and a few tears spilled down her cheeks.
"Oh, yes—" He said sarcastically. "Hide from the truth, you can't do anything else, can you, but close your eyes? You're too weak to even move. I'll just wait here until the disease finally kills you . . . which should be in only a couple hours." And he had sat there and watched her die, feeling no remorse for what he had done. All the years they had shared growing up, the loving bond formed between them, had been broken and tossed aside in the circumstances of Mauta's death. When she was finally dead, Rikou, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction, had gone back to his trade. A few months later he heard of youko Kurama's death, and bliss had reigned in the years following.
Then recently he had heard, while torturing some Reikai agent, that Kurama had survived and was living in the Ningenkai as a human. He shrugged it off. No matter; it wasn't Kurama he had hated, anyway. But just for fun, to cure his boredom, he had crossed into Ningenkai and found the fox. He snorted. The reincarnation of the legendary bandit looked like a girl. And then he had sensed her. The vixen's ki was unmistakable. And from that day on, he had watched Shika, trying to find the perfect moment to sow another seed of destruction in her. She should have died fifteen years ago . . . her spirit sent to the underworld of Reikai where it belonged.
This one was different. It was strictly a spirit-sickness that he had tailored to kill Shika's unique ki-type. And he also decided to kill Kurama while he was at it; according to the now-dead Reikai agent, the fox was to become part of the Reikai Tantei . . . in other words, the spirit world detectives. He couldn't let the bandit become such a traitor to his original birth-world and so . . . Kurama had to die, it was a simple fact, and all it would take was a simple merging of the two kitsune's ki to make it happen . . .
The first step had already been taken. She had been exposed to the fire- poison (laced with the spirit-sickness) and the trace amounts left in her blood would seal the yon'na's fate. Of course, it would take a while before she began to suffer, but he could wait.
For a rei kitsune, time was *not* a problem.
In her dream, she was suffering. The source was familiar, yet the kitsune- girl couldn't place it. She felt something snap, and she heard the thoughts of her killer, with no voice to identify who it was . . .
/ Kurama had to die, it was a simple fact, and all it would take was a simple merging of the two kitsune's ki to make it happen . . . the first step had already been taken. She had been exposed to the fire-poison (laced with the spirit-sickness) and the trace amounts left in her blood would seal the yon'na's fate . . . /
She shivered with realization . . . she was going to die. Then Kashi was shaken awake . . . Kurama had noticed her shivering, and so woke her up from the nightmare. She hugged him, the dream pushed to the back of her mind . . . / I'm not going to die . . . I won't leave him . . ./
/ No—it won't happen again . . . /
Kashi ran, the dead assassin being flung from branch to branch above her. He was too heavy for her to carry while running, and she needed to get back to Kurama as fast as possible. The vines in the trees had been very helpful, passing the corpse to each other nearly as fast as the girl sprinted. She didn't know who had sent him, and it would be best for Kurama to know someone had tried to . . . the kitsune-girl stopped short. Above her the corpse of the intended murderer swayed to a halt, the vines sensing her hesitation. If Kurama found that someone was trying to kill her . . . he would be worried. Kashi hated to imagine the caring face of Minamino Shuichi changing from a pleasant smile to a look of fear. She shook her head. No; she couldn't do that to her fox. She had been fine, hadn't she? There was no reason to cause him distress. Kashi shot a mental command to the vines and the dead form was transported back into the bowels of the forest. Now she sat to meditate, trying to think of something to offer Kurama for breakfast . . .
The girl remained still for a long time, and then, suddenly, a rabbit burst out of the undergrowth. Instinctively Kashi put up a plant cage, trapping the terrified animal. Now another form emerged from the foliage; a black fox. The kitsune cautiously wound its way around the newly erected prison. Kashi remained perfectly still, her eyes watching with interest as the lithe animal found its way into the ball of leaves. The rabbit let out a panic-stricken squeal, throwing itself against the walls in an attempt to escape. The girl closed her eyes as another scream of terror was cut short. The fox had gotten its meal. Opening her eyes once more, Kashi let the plant cage retreat back into the earth, revealing the dark-hued kitsune stooping over its latest meal. Its head went up, and the two stared at one another. The fox had crimson eyes . . . a strange attribute . . . Kashi disregarded the feeling as she whispered softly to her Ningenkai relation.
"An admirable catch, Cousin." Those bright eyes flashed with unexpected understanding and the kitsune-girl suddenly found herself paralyzed. No; she managed to look down, not paralyzed. She could see strings holding her captive. The sharp lines cut into her skin slightly, at spots drawing blood. The fox reverted to its true form, and a tall, black-haired youko with crimson eyes took its place. Her breath stopped as she recognized the kitsune.
"Rikou." He smiled at her.
"Yon'na Shika." The smile disappeared. "You've grown weak in your fifteen years as a ningen. The shame you bring will not be tolerated. Therefore—"A sword of pure fire erupted from his hand. "I shall deny you your entire false existence."
"Rikou!" She shouted. "Who sent you?! I haven't been in contact with anyone from Makai for years! How did you find me . . . and why?!" The dark kitsune smirked.
"You of all people should know what drove me to find you. Or has your mind lost its keenness in Ningenkai?" Her mind raced, rushing to think of who could have such power over Rikou to command the mighty assassin . . . she gasped and the youko smiled.
"Come to you at last, has it? Well, your last thoughts shall be of him!" He raised the fiery sword above her, crimson eyes glinting coldly. "Die!" He stopped short, the sword so close she could feel the flames' heat against her hair. Then Kashi recognized the powerful ki coming closer. "Ah, well." The sword disappeared. "I've no wish to fight the bandit . . . for now. But soon . . . "Rikou looked down at her evilly, bending close so their faces were barely an inch apart. "He shall suffer as much as the one *you* so utterly destroyed." Laughing, he disappeared. "Farewell, yon'na Shika." Came the mocking voice from the trees. "Farewell for now. But you shall not escape. Remember Mauta as you die." The strings tightened and she cried out as the poison leaked into her bloodstream. It burned . . . she was burning away . . . she briefly thought of Kurama before falling forward, unable to move at the double pain she was feeling; the lesser raging outside, the greater in.
Kashi's scream sent chills down his spine, and the kitsune ran faster. Kurama's mind raced . . . he had felt the strange ki in the forest and gone to investigate, for the creature had clearly tried to conceal itself . . . it fact, it had been so well hidden that the fox had nearly overlooked it. Suddenly the kitsune bandit burst into a small clearing. His worst fear was realized when he saw Kashi lying on the ground, still as . . . he shook himself mentally, fighting what could now be the truth . . . in an instant he had her in his arms . . . her blood searing hot, her skin feverishly pale. He put a hand to her cheek; it was burning. She stirred then, and silver eyes cracked open.
"Kur . . . ama . . ." He pulled her closer.
"Don't worry now, Kashi. We'll get you back to camp and—"
"N—no . . ." He stopped in mid sentence. "P—poi . . . son . . . Ri . . . rik—ah!" she grasped onto him as a wave of pain enveloped her, then her hand relaxed as the girl's voice grew fainter. "T—tired . . ." He shouted at her as loudly as he dared.
"No! Kashi, listen to me! You can't fall asleep!" Her silver eyes fluttered.
"Kur . . . ama . . ." Hiei appeared in front of them, kneeling, and the cloudy gaze slowly shifted to the short youkai. "H—hiei . . ."
"Hn." He scoffed. "You're going to let a *poison* kill you? Ningen bodies are so weak." He pried her from the kitsune's hands and picked her up. "Kurama—" The fire demon looked straight at him. "Go find some water, and bring as much back here as you can carry." The kitsune hesitated, looking down at the stricken girl. Hiei's tone brought his eyes back up. "Now! If *you* stay with her she'll likely fall asleep!" Emerald eyes widened in realization; he was right. Then Kurama had disappeared into the forest.
Hiei propped the girl up against a rock and placed his hand on her hot forehead. He couldn't let her die . . . Kurama cared for her too much. Freeing his Jagan, the fire demon searched for the source of the poison. When he found it, the toxin seemed to be more fire-based than derived from a plant . . . In fact, there was a significant amount of fire-ki in the girl's bloodstream itself. *That's* why she was burning so hotly . . . the youkai concentrated and used his own fire powers to bring the ki to his hand. She shook her head as it grew hotter with the accumulation of fire- ki. When he felt he had lured all of it out of the girl's body, Hiei took his hand away abruptly; a ball of spirit energy glowing in his fist. Robbed of its former victim, the fire-ki went into Hiei's body. He doubled over unexpectedly, but the youkai preferred it this way. Hiei was a fire demon; he could stand the searing body temperatures that the ningen girl couldn't. In fact, it was more like he was digesting the poison-fire itself. He didn't feel delirious or overly warm; so he dropped down next to her with a sigh.
"Hiei?" A soft female voice questioned. He looked at the girl sitting on his right. Shika's silver eyes had cleared a little now and her face was flushed. Obviously, her fever had dropped.
"Nani." He said irritably. She smiled weakly.
"Arigato."
"Hn." He looked away. / At least Kurama won't worry about the girl dying now . . . /
Kurama raced back, the water sloshing in the closed plant bowl he had conjured on the spot. / Please . . . please don't let her die, Inari . . . / He prayed. / I don't want to loose her . . . not again . . . / The kitsune burst into the clearing. He spotted the two figures leaning against a rock at the other end. As he approached them, Hiei looked up, obviously started awake by the fox's presence. The fire demon was slightly pale, and Kurama could see that his skin was touched with sweat. Concerned for his friend, the fox knelt down, placing the water to the side, and rested his hand on the other's arm, testing the temperature. He gasped, taking his hand away.
"Hiei! You're burning up!" The youkai blinked.
"Hn. Baka kitsune. I'm a fire demon." Kurama blushed, slightly embarrassed, and the emerald gaze shifted to the sleeping girl. Her skin seemed less pale, and her breathing was deep and even. He sighed in relief and sat down next to Kashi. After a moment's silence, he spoke.
"Hiei."
"Hn. Nani."
"What did you do?"
"Hn. Poisoned ki. Burning her up inside. Took it out." There was another round of silence before the fox spoke again.
"Domo arigato, Hiei."
"Hn." The youkai scoffed, turning away from Kurama. He could still recall the kitsune's cool, smooth touch on his arm. / Kurama's not for me . . . / Hiei told himself firmly. / It would be wrong, since he obviously loves *her*. And besides . . . / The youkai snuck a glance at the bishonen redhead before closing his eyes to sleep. / A beautiful youko like him could never have feelings for me . . . a cursed, forbidden child cast away by his own village . . . /
Rikou chuckled to himself. He was back in the Makai, where he belonged. His crimson eyes glittered at the irony of it all. Centuries ago he had grown up with yon'na Shika, along with his adopted younger brother, Mauta. The vixen had joined in the tribal raids, learning to steal as most kitsune did, training herself how to heal as well as rob in the harshness of Makai. Mauta had fallen in love with her, gone with her on these missions, and protected her to the best of his ability. Rikou himself had decided to become an assassin, using his fox skills as a means to get to his targets without a sound. He'd had a dark streak in him since he was young, when he would hunt down small animals just for the sake of tasting their blood. Then they had all grown up.
Shika took off to make a name for herself, her sharp wits keeping her alive and well in the Makai. Mauta had missed her sorely, and gone to search for the vixen after fifty years. Then she had come back to the village another half-century later, torn and bleeding, asking Rikou for help. He took her to the healer and she was fine. He heard the two talking in the tent, and the elderly healer had given the girl a secret healing ivy, whose sap could cure any wound in a matter of hours. Mauta had returned just as Shika had become well enough to go off again. Rikou could still remember the sad scene as though it were yesterday . . .
"Shika! Shika, wait!" The vixen turned at the edge of the village, a young red-haired fox with amber eyes running wildly toward her.
"What *is* it, Mauta?! I have to—"Upon reaching her, Mauta embraced the girl.
"You *can't* go, Shika! Youko Kurama's known for his—"she pushed him away.
"Get *off* me! I'm *going* to find him, and I'm *going* to become his partner! That's all there is to it." His girlish younger brother had cried, and Rikou had been ashamed. Mauta could act like such a child . . . even Shika was more manly than him.
"But . . . why? Shika!" His amber eyes had lit up. "Why don't *we* be partners? We'd steal so many treasures our deeds would be legendary!" Then she had slapped him.
"You're a fool, Mauta. You're so pathetic a half-dead rabbit could get away from you. *I* on the other hand, have the makings of greatness. I'll become youko Kurama's partner, one that he'll *never* be able to just brush off after a single job." After that she had taken off into the forest, yelling. "And don't you dare come after me, baka!" Mauta had broken down and cried, right there, on the edge of the village. Rikou had taken him aside, and managed to find a job for his brother in helping the healer. Another century passed and Mauta suddenly disappeared. Well, that was as far as the village knew. He had told Rikou in secret he was going to search for Shika, and tell her how he felt toward her, even if she had found the legendary youko. He'd find her, and confess.
Twenty years later Rikou sensed his brother dying. The ebony kitsune rushed to the feeling and, being nearby, made it to the place the young red fox would die before the fact happened. He spotted the legendary silver youko, manipulating a death tree that was slowly devouring the beaten and bloodied kitsune. Shika was nowhere in sight. In a flash what had happened came to him. Mauta must have seen the two together, Kurama and Shika must have become mates, and when Shika was gone, he had come out to challenge the youko. Stupid little brother. These were the results of his actions. Then Kurama's steely voice had broken into his growing rage.
"You knew you couldn't beat me, but still you made the attempt. What could have caused you to throw your life away so pointlessly, I wonder?"
"Do you now?" Mauta coughed, spitting up blood. "It was for Shika . . . I'd do anything for her . . ."
"Fool. The yon'na is *my* mate, and *you* are not worthy of her." Shika had returned then, finding the scene most surprising.
"Shika . . ." Mauta whispered. Her face darkened.
"Baka! I told you not to follow me! I can never be your partner! You deserve to die!"
"Shika, I—"
"Well, it seems there are two rei here that agree with your fate. Farewell then, fool."
Kurama's plant had killed Mauta, at last, and there had been nothing left. Rikou stood, frozen with terror at the scene. Anger surged not toward his dead brother, but to the vixen, Shika. All the childhood memories of her faded away and he clenched his fists. She will pay . . . she will pay for killing my brother. He had no real grudge toward Kurama . . . he knew that the youko had a heart of steel and showed no mercy to anyone, no matter how weak. But Shika . . . how could she turn her back on someone she had known since childhood? And who had been in love with her at least that long . . . he had taken off, searching for something that would give her the most pain . . . and make life none too easy for Kurama, as well . . . and he had found it. Nearly seventy years later, in some deserted corner of Makai, he had picked up rumors of a spirit-sickness that killed slowly, poisoning the victim until they simply withered away. It sounded delicious. He had found the plant after nine years of searching, and with all the stealth his assassin life had granted him, injected the punishment into her bloodstream as she slept. With joy he had watched her life drain out of her and the youko fret over how his mate was dying. Then, unexpectedly, Kurama had left. A few days after the kitsune's departure, Shika's time was near, and he went down to her side. Unable to move, she opened her eyes, and recognition flashed in their silvery depths.
"Yon'na Shika. You were so easy to infect." Surprise sparked in her eyes, along with anger. She couldn't speak, that was an effect of the deadly illness. He smirked.
"Yes, it was me who brought about your death. But after what you did to Mauta, you deserve no less. And your precious youko will have to learn to live without you—"Tears formed in her eyes as he spoke of Kurama"–but I guess he's already made *that* decison, hasn't he? After all, he left you a few days ago." Shika closed her eyes, the only retreat she had from the mocking voice above her, and a few tears spilled down her cheeks.
"Oh, yes—" He said sarcastically. "Hide from the truth, you can't do anything else, can you, but close your eyes? You're too weak to even move. I'll just wait here until the disease finally kills you . . . which should be in only a couple hours." And he had sat there and watched her die, feeling no remorse for what he had done. All the years they had shared growing up, the loving bond formed between them, had been broken and tossed aside in the circumstances of Mauta's death. When she was finally dead, Rikou, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction, had gone back to his trade. A few months later he heard of youko Kurama's death, and bliss had reigned in the years following.
Then recently he had heard, while torturing some Reikai agent, that Kurama had survived and was living in the Ningenkai as a human. He shrugged it off. No matter; it wasn't Kurama he had hated, anyway. But just for fun, to cure his boredom, he had crossed into Ningenkai and found the fox. He snorted. The reincarnation of the legendary bandit looked like a girl. And then he had sensed her. The vixen's ki was unmistakable. And from that day on, he had watched Shika, trying to find the perfect moment to sow another seed of destruction in her. She should have died fifteen years ago . . . her spirit sent to the underworld of Reikai where it belonged.
This one was different. It was strictly a spirit-sickness that he had tailored to kill Shika's unique ki-type. And he also decided to kill Kurama while he was at it; according to the now-dead Reikai agent, the fox was to become part of the Reikai Tantei . . . in other words, the spirit world detectives. He couldn't let the bandit become such a traitor to his original birth-world and so . . . Kurama had to die, it was a simple fact, and all it would take was a simple merging of the two kitsune's ki to make it happen . . .
The first step had already been taken. She had been exposed to the fire- poison (laced with the spirit-sickness) and the trace amounts left in her blood would seal the yon'na's fate. Of course, it would take a while before she began to suffer, but he could wait.
For a rei kitsune, time was *not* a problem.
In her dream, she was suffering. The source was familiar, yet the kitsune- girl couldn't place it. She felt something snap, and she heard the thoughts of her killer, with no voice to identify who it was . . .
/ Kurama had to die, it was a simple fact, and all it would take was a simple merging of the two kitsune's ki to make it happen . . . the first step had already been taken. She had been exposed to the fire-poison (laced with the spirit-sickness) and the trace amounts left in her blood would seal the yon'na's fate . . . /
She shivered with realization . . . she was going to die. Then Kashi was shaken awake . . . Kurama had noticed her shivering, and so woke her up from the nightmare. She hugged him, the dream pushed to the back of her mind . . . / I'm not going to die . . . I won't leave him . . ./
/ No—it won't happen again . . . /