Kokoro No Kaitou : Search For The Past
Chapter 11 : Youko's POV
~*~
When I awoke the next morning, I really didn't feel like moving. I was perfectly content in holding the angel by my side…
Of course, a certain stupid bat - whom I mentally promised myself to kill later - came and knocked loudly on my door.
I groaned and stood, grabbing some pants and pulling them on.
"Coming, coming." I grumbled as he kept pounding.
I walked over to the door and slid it open a crack. I squinted against the bright lights from the hall, and then looked at my friend.
"What do you want, Kuronue?"
"Midori wanted me to tell you about - what happened to your neck?" He cut himself off and pointed to my neck.
"What about it?" I asked, a hint of a smirk forming.
His eyes widened. "You…you didn't…or did you?"
"Do what, Kuronue?" I asked. He was really fun to mess with. He made some interesting faces.
"You…and Amaya…did you guys…do something that I should know about?" He asked.
"Nothing that you should know about, no." I replied.
I swear, his eyes were nearly bugging out of his head!
"Kurama, but-! I mean, I…uh…" He looked like he was searching for the right words.
"Look, Kuronue. I'm really really tired, so could you come back at around noon?" I asked.
"It is noon, Kurama." He said.
"Oh…then come back at three." I said, shutting the door in his surprised face.
Yeah, he was really fun to mess with like that.
I walked back to the bed and flopped down on it. I pulled the covers back around me and pulled Amaya back into my embrace.
"Was that Kuronue?" She asked sleepily.
"Uh-huh."
"What did he want?"
I brushed some of her silver hair out of her face and smiled. "He wanted to tell me something, but I was too tired to listen."
"Kami-sama, Kurama-kun. He could've been trying to tell you that Midori was dead or something, and you would've blown him off." She said, rolling her eyes.
I took in her appearance again. Her eyes were still the same in her full form. Still those swirls of blue and green. Everything else about her had changed. She had silver hair which fell to her waist, and the crescent that sometimes appeared was now there permanently. She no longer looked like a sixteen-year-old ningen girl. She looked like a goddess. She had the body of the most beautiful vixen that I had ever seen - no, better.
"No." I replied, trying to draw my eyes away from her body. "He wouldn't have let me blow him off if she was dead."
She pulled away from me, and got off of the futon. She started putting on her yukata, much to my disappointment.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
She looked back at me. "I'm hungry. I'm going to get some breakfast."
"Oh."
She suddenly winced, and I sat up straight. "Daijobu ka [are you okay]?"
She nodded. "It just hurts a little." She tapped the spot next to the bite mark on her neck.
"Well, that's understandable. It is a bite. But it will heal quickly." I said, standing as well.
"With my healing, most likely." She said. She sighed. "Though, it'll probably heal even faster than before. I'm supposedly in my 'perfect' form."
I walked over to her, and pulled her into my embrace. "You're perfect in any form."
She smiled. "Thanks, Kurama-kun."
She pulled away, and took my hand. "Come on, let's get some food before I pass out."
She giggled to let me know that she was only kidding, and we walked to breakfast together.
~*~
When we arrived, we were met by a frantic Midori.
She grabbed the front of Amaya's yukata, and exclaimed, "Please tell me that you didn't do it!"
"D-Do what?" Amaya stammered. She seemed a little unnerved by Midori's sudden change in behavior.
"You know what I mean! I-" Midori cut herself off, and touched Amaya's hair. "What happened to your hair?"
Kuronue suddenly came up from behind us, saying, "Almost looks like Kurama's."
Amaya shrunk away from Midori a little, gently prying the phoenix's fingers off of her. "My powers came out in full last night, and so I look a little different now…"
Midori raised an eyebrow, and Amaya blushed furiously.
"N-Not because of that!" She exclaimed.
"Her blood is at it's peak. This is her true appearance, unmarred by ningen blood."
We all turned and saw Tsuki standing there. She smiled kindly at Amaya. "So, dear sister, have you made up your mind?"
Made up her mind…? Oh, that's right. Going to heaven or staying here.
Tsuki and I looked expectantly at Amaya, and Kuronue and Midori were just confused, as they were not filled in on the subject.
Amaya seemed deep in thought before nodding. "Hai, I've decided."
I got a strange feeling in my chest, and I realized that it was hope. That despite how wonderful heaven would be, that she would stay here…
Tsuki smiled. "And?"
Amaya returned the gesture and stepped forward. She took her sister's hands, and my heart sank. She wasn't going to stay…
Kami-sama, she was leaving!
"Tsuki, I really do want to go to heaven with you. It sounds wonderful." She said.
I felt like I was going to be sick. She wanted to leave? Just like that? After everything that we had been through together, she wanted to leave me?
Tsuki's smile faded. "But?"
"But…" She briefly looked back at us, and that sinking feeling started to disappear. "But I've got people here that I love, and I can't leave them. I hope you understand."
Tsuki stared at her blankly, and sighed. "Yes. I…think I do."
Amaya smiled again. "I'm sorry."
Ha! I sure as hell wasn't sorry!
"That's alright." Tsuki replied, managing a weak smile.
"I'll show you off then." Amaya said.
"I'll come too!" Midori chirped.
The three of them walked towards the entrance, and I sighed. That was a relief…I had been scared that she was going to leave…
"Kurama, I'm serious." Kuronue said, drawing my attention back to him. "No jokes, no tricks. What happened between you and Amaya last night?"
I faced him fully, and looked him right in the eye, to let him know that I was serious. "We're mates, Kuronue. Does that answer your question?"
His jaw dropped, and I decided to change the subject.
"Kuronue, what did you want to talk about when you came to the door earlier?" I asked.
"Oh. Oh, right!" He said, snapping out of his daze. "Midori was telling me about this mirror that's getting transferred today, that's really powerful. It shows you both the future and the past, and we could use it to always make perfect raids. What do you say?"
"Sounds good." I replied. "We should leave now then."
He nodded, and we walked to the entrance. When we reached the base of the steps, we were met by Amaya and Midori. The former gave us an odd look.
"Where are you two going?" She asked.
"Just a quick raid." Kuronue replied.
Midori took a pendant from her neck. It was a blood-red teardrop-shaped stone, set in a darker metal, which was almost black. She put it around Kuronue's neck.
"Kuro-chan, take this with you. It'll protect you from any spells that may be set up around the castle. But don't lose it. It's been passed down for generations in my family, and it means the world to me." She said.
He nodded, and smiled at her. "Thanks, Midori-chan." He gave her a quick peck on the lips, and said, "We'll be back soon."
He walked past them, and up the stairs. Amaya started to look panicky.
"Kurama-kun, you can't go!" She said.
"What? Why?" I asked.
"Because…because! I have a bad feeling about this…please, don't leave." She had a pleading look in her eyes. "Stay here, where I know that you'll be safe."
I smiled. "Thanks for caring, Amaya, but we'll be fine."
I hugged her, and she didn't seem to appreciate that much. She was angry with me…
"Amaya, I promise you that we'll be fine. I promise that we'll come back."
She sighed, and hugged me back. "Fine. But only because you promised me."
I pulled away, and kissed her forehead. "Arigato. We'll be back in a few hours."
I sighed when I realized that she was still angry. Oh well. She'd get over it.
~*~
This couldn't be happening…
Suddenly, Midori's pendant got caught on a branch, and it snapped away from Kuronue's neck. He started to go back after it, and I called after him, "No, Kuronue! Don't!"
"I need it, Kurama!" He called back.
Damn him! The fool was going to get himself killed!
He snatched the pendant, and my eyes widened as the trap sprang on him. Bamboo shoots, sharpened at the ends, rained down on him. They pierced through his body in various places.
This couldn't be happening…
"Kuronue!"
He coughed up some blood. "Kurama, leave me and run."
"I can't!" I exclaimed.
"Go! Now!" He shouted.
I quickly turned and ran, trying not to think about the fact that I had just abandoned my best friend. No, he had told me to run away…
I could hear the rapid footsteps of the guards coming after me as well. They also had a Bounty Hunter with them…
Damn!
This stupid piece of shit! It was the cause of all of this!!
I dropped the mirror, and transformed into my kitsune form so that I could run even faster.
Damn, damn, damn!
This couldn't be happening!
A shot rang through the clearing that I had just ran into, and I fell over.
My shoulder was bleeding heavily…
Another shot.
Damn! This body was about to give out on me! I needed to flee from here. Makai wasn't a safe place for a soul though…
Ningenkai.
I'd go to Ningenkai.
There, I could hide out until the coast was clear…
~*~
Chapter 12 : Amaya's POV
~*~
I must have drifted off while I was waiting. I had a dream…
A dream about the skies opening up, and thousands of needles raining from them. I also heard strange noises, from a weapon that I'd never heard before, like thunder.
And blood.
So much blood…it was everywhere.
Death as well…somehow, I knew that somewhere, someone had died.
Either way, I awoke with a start, and promptly heaved by the side of the bed.
There was…smoke in the room.
I coughed, and struggled to my feet. I ran to the door and threw it open. The halls were filled with flames, and I quickly covered my mouth and nose to prevent the smoke from entering.
The lair was on fire!!
Where was everyone though?
I ran out into the hall, and started running towards the entrance. I could faintly hear Midori's screams up ahead. She was saying something about needing help…
I made it to the entrance in record time, and saw someone carrying my struggling friend up the stairs.
"Get back here!" I exclaimed, running after them. The smoke was starting to make my eyes water up…
"Amaya, help! It's another Bounty hunter sent by Sakyo!" Midori exclaimed.
He made it to the top of the stairs, and stepped out into the clearing. He threw her to the ground, and she fell unconscious.
"I figured that the smoke would flush you and your friend out." He said, chuckling. He turned to face me, and smirked evilly.
He had the same look as Auron, only his hair was jet black, and his eyes matched. He even wore the same outfit that Auron had - baggy black pants with a matching sleeveless shirt.
He started walking towards me, and my instincts told me to run. I had nothing with which to defend myself…
"Shards of Winter!"
I blinked in surprise as several large shards of ice lodged themselves into the Hunter's skin. He cried out, and spun to face the newcomer.
I don't know what happened though, because the clearing started to spin.
The next thing that I knew, I was being held in a strong pair of arms.
"Kurama…?" I asked softly.
I opened my eyes, and saw a boyish-looking youkai. He was the one that was holding me, not Kurama…
He had bright red hair, and blue eyes, and even a little horn. He looked like a little kid…
"Ya all righ', lass?" He asked.
"I…I…"
I fainted.
I slipped into the welcoming arms of darkness.
I knew that he was no longer in Makai…I could feel it.
But somehow…I felt…
I felt that he was still alive.
~*~ Owari ~*~
Author's Notes: That's the end of this story! It's supposed to be a bit of a cliffy, but things get explained in the next story. Jeez, I feel really really bad for doing this to them, but it makes the next story more interesting…
Thanks to those who reviewed!
Explosion : I'm glad that it made you feel better!
Shessha's Crazy : I love writing fluff!
Kagome0102 : As it said, they were bluish-green before, and they didn't change. Don't worry - I'm just glad that you reviewed now!!
Abby : Yup, she knows! Thanks for the review!!
FieryKitsune : I feel bad about having to keep getting his wings injured, but he gets healed, so… Anyways, thank you so much! You said such nice things, and that made my day! Real episodes? That would be really cool! I'm working on a drawing of Amaya and Midori, and I'll be posting them on my website soon. Maybe you'd like to look at them when I'm done?
Katie E. : There's one story planned after this. If there's one after that one isn't determined yet. If I could think of a plot, then I'd make one. Did you see the DVD where Kurama fell over anime style? He makes a lot of faces like that in Chapter Black. It's priceless.
miyako14 : As I told Katie E., there is one planned sequel. I might make another one after that if I can think of a plot.
Naoko-san : @___@ Why do you keep getting on my ass about every little detail? It's a story! I'm terrible with Japanese grammar! I admit it! If those things bother you, then don't read my stories! Sorry, but you're really making me sad with your talk of my sucky Japanese translations and such. T___T
Youko : Now you know! ^_______^
Story Weaver1 : In my story, they are. In legends, I'm not sure…
Suzaku no miko : Thanks! But what does "imao" mean…?
I don't think that I need to tell you all to review…but if I could break 100 reviews on this story, then I would be soooooooooooooo happy!!
Chapter 11 : Youko's POV
~*~
When I awoke the next morning, I really didn't feel like moving. I was perfectly content in holding the angel by my side…
Of course, a certain stupid bat - whom I mentally promised myself to kill later - came and knocked loudly on my door.
I groaned and stood, grabbing some pants and pulling them on.
"Coming, coming." I grumbled as he kept pounding.
I walked over to the door and slid it open a crack. I squinted against the bright lights from the hall, and then looked at my friend.
"What do you want, Kuronue?"
"Midori wanted me to tell you about - what happened to your neck?" He cut himself off and pointed to my neck.
"What about it?" I asked, a hint of a smirk forming.
His eyes widened. "You…you didn't…or did you?"
"Do what, Kuronue?" I asked. He was really fun to mess with. He made some interesting faces.
"You…and Amaya…did you guys…do something that I should know about?" He asked.
"Nothing that you should know about, no." I replied.
I swear, his eyes were nearly bugging out of his head!
"Kurama, but-! I mean, I…uh…" He looked like he was searching for the right words.
"Look, Kuronue. I'm really really tired, so could you come back at around noon?" I asked.
"It is noon, Kurama." He said.
"Oh…then come back at three." I said, shutting the door in his surprised face.
Yeah, he was really fun to mess with like that.
I walked back to the bed and flopped down on it. I pulled the covers back around me and pulled Amaya back into my embrace.
"Was that Kuronue?" She asked sleepily.
"Uh-huh."
"What did he want?"
I brushed some of her silver hair out of her face and smiled. "He wanted to tell me something, but I was too tired to listen."
"Kami-sama, Kurama-kun. He could've been trying to tell you that Midori was dead or something, and you would've blown him off." She said, rolling her eyes.
I took in her appearance again. Her eyes were still the same in her full form. Still those swirls of blue and green. Everything else about her had changed. She had silver hair which fell to her waist, and the crescent that sometimes appeared was now there permanently. She no longer looked like a sixteen-year-old ningen girl. She looked like a goddess. She had the body of the most beautiful vixen that I had ever seen - no, better.
"No." I replied, trying to draw my eyes away from her body. "He wouldn't have let me blow him off if she was dead."
She pulled away from me, and got off of the futon. She started putting on her yukata, much to my disappointment.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
She looked back at me. "I'm hungry. I'm going to get some breakfast."
"Oh."
She suddenly winced, and I sat up straight. "Daijobu ka [are you okay]?"
She nodded. "It just hurts a little." She tapped the spot next to the bite mark on her neck.
"Well, that's understandable. It is a bite. But it will heal quickly." I said, standing as well.
"With my healing, most likely." She said. She sighed. "Though, it'll probably heal even faster than before. I'm supposedly in my 'perfect' form."
I walked over to her, and pulled her into my embrace. "You're perfect in any form."
She smiled. "Thanks, Kurama-kun."
She pulled away, and took my hand. "Come on, let's get some food before I pass out."
She giggled to let me know that she was only kidding, and we walked to breakfast together.
~*~
When we arrived, we were met by a frantic Midori.
She grabbed the front of Amaya's yukata, and exclaimed, "Please tell me that you didn't do it!"
"D-Do what?" Amaya stammered. She seemed a little unnerved by Midori's sudden change in behavior.
"You know what I mean! I-" Midori cut herself off, and touched Amaya's hair. "What happened to your hair?"
Kuronue suddenly came up from behind us, saying, "Almost looks like Kurama's."
Amaya shrunk away from Midori a little, gently prying the phoenix's fingers off of her. "My powers came out in full last night, and so I look a little different now…"
Midori raised an eyebrow, and Amaya blushed furiously.
"N-Not because of that!" She exclaimed.
"Her blood is at it's peak. This is her true appearance, unmarred by ningen blood."
We all turned and saw Tsuki standing there. She smiled kindly at Amaya. "So, dear sister, have you made up your mind?"
Made up her mind…? Oh, that's right. Going to heaven or staying here.
Tsuki and I looked expectantly at Amaya, and Kuronue and Midori were just confused, as they were not filled in on the subject.
Amaya seemed deep in thought before nodding. "Hai, I've decided."
I got a strange feeling in my chest, and I realized that it was hope. That despite how wonderful heaven would be, that she would stay here…
Tsuki smiled. "And?"
Amaya returned the gesture and stepped forward. She took her sister's hands, and my heart sank. She wasn't going to stay…
Kami-sama, she was leaving!
"Tsuki, I really do want to go to heaven with you. It sounds wonderful." She said.
I felt like I was going to be sick. She wanted to leave? Just like that? After everything that we had been through together, she wanted to leave me?
Tsuki's smile faded. "But?"
"But…" She briefly looked back at us, and that sinking feeling started to disappear. "But I've got people here that I love, and I can't leave them. I hope you understand."
Tsuki stared at her blankly, and sighed. "Yes. I…think I do."
Amaya smiled again. "I'm sorry."
Ha! I sure as hell wasn't sorry!
"That's alright." Tsuki replied, managing a weak smile.
"I'll show you off then." Amaya said.
"I'll come too!" Midori chirped.
The three of them walked towards the entrance, and I sighed. That was a relief…I had been scared that she was going to leave…
"Kurama, I'm serious." Kuronue said, drawing my attention back to him. "No jokes, no tricks. What happened between you and Amaya last night?"
I faced him fully, and looked him right in the eye, to let him know that I was serious. "We're mates, Kuronue. Does that answer your question?"
His jaw dropped, and I decided to change the subject.
"Kuronue, what did you want to talk about when you came to the door earlier?" I asked.
"Oh. Oh, right!" He said, snapping out of his daze. "Midori was telling me about this mirror that's getting transferred today, that's really powerful. It shows you both the future and the past, and we could use it to always make perfect raids. What do you say?"
"Sounds good." I replied. "We should leave now then."
He nodded, and we walked to the entrance. When we reached the base of the steps, we were met by Amaya and Midori. The former gave us an odd look.
"Where are you two going?" She asked.
"Just a quick raid." Kuronue replied.
Midori took a pendant from her neck. It was a blood-red teardrop-shaped stone, set in a darker metal, which was almost black. She put it around Kuronue's neck.
"Kuro-chan, take this with you. It'll protect you from any spells that may be set up around the castle. But don't lose it. It's been passed down for generations in my family, and it means the world to me." She said.
He nodded, and smiled at her. "Thanks, Midori-chan." He gave her a quick peck on the lips, and said, "We'll be back soon."
He walked past them, and up the stairs. Amaya started to look panicky.
"Kurama-kun, you can't go!" She said.
"What? Why?" I asked.
"Because…because! I have a bad feeling about this…please, don't leave." She had a pleading look in her eyes. "Stay here, where I know that you'll be safe."
I smiled. "Thanks for caring, Amaya, but we'll be fine."
I hugged her, and she didn't seem to appreciate that much. She was angry with me…
"Amaya, I promise you that we'll be fine. I promise that we'll come back."
She sighed, and hugged me back. "Fine. But only because you promised me."
I pulled away, and kissed her forehead. "Arigato. We'll be back in a few hours."
I sighed when I realized that she was still angry. Oh well. She'd get over it.
~*~
This couldn't be happening…
Suddenly, Midori's pendant got caught on a branch, and it snapped away from Kuronue's neck. He started to go back after it, and I called after him, "No, Kuronue! Don't!"
"I need it, Kurama!" He called back.
Damn him! The fool was going to get himself killed!
He snatched the pendant, and my eyes widened as the trap sprang on him. Bamboo shoots, sharpened at the ends, rained down on him. They pierced through his body in various places.
This couldn't be happening…
"Kuronue!"
He coughed up some blood. "Kurama, leave me and run."
"I can't!" I exclaimed.
"Go! Now!" He shouted.
I quickly turned and ran, trying not to think about the fact that I had just abandoned my best friend. No, he had told me to run away…
I could hear the rapid footsteps of the guards coming after me as well. They also had a Bounty Hunter with them…
Damn!
This stupid piece of shit! It was the cause of all of this!!
I dropped the mirror, and transformed into my kitsune form so that I could run even faster.
Damn, damn, damn!
This couldn't be happening!
A shot rang through the clearing that I had just ran into, and I fell over.
My shoulder was bleeding heavily…
Another shot.
Damn! This body was about to give out on me! I needed to flee from here. Makai wasn't a safe place for a soul though…
Ningenkai.
I'd go to Ningenkai.
There, I could hide out until the coast was clear…
~*~
Chapter 12 : Amaya's POV
~*~
I must have drifted off while I was waiting. I had a dream…
A dream about the skies opening up, and thousands of needles raining from them. I also heard strange noises, from a weapon that I'd never heard before, like thunder.
And blood.
So much blood…it was everywhere.
Death as well…somehow, I knew that somewhere, someone had died.
Either way, I awoke with a start, and promptly heaved by the side of the bed.
There was…smoke in the room.
I coughed, and struggled to my feet. I ran to the door and threw it open. The halls were filled with flames, and I quickly covered my mouth and nose to prevent the smoke from entering.
The lair was on fire!!
Where was everyone though?
I ran out into the hall, and started running towards the entrance. I could faintly hear Midori's screams up ahead. She was saying something about needing help…
I made it to the entrance in record time, and saw someone carrying my struggling friend up the stairs.
"Get back here!" I exclaimed, running after them. The smoke was starting to make my eyes water up…
"Amaya, help! It's another Bounty hunter sent by Sakyo!" Midori exclaimed.
He made it to the top of the stairs, and stepped out into the clearing. He threw her to the ground, and she fell unconscious.
"I figured that the smoke would flush you and your friend out." He said, chuckling. He turned to face me, and smirked evilly.
He had the same look as Auron, only his hair was jet black, and his eyes matched. He even wore the same outfit that Auron had - baggy black pants with a matching sleeveless shirt.
He started walking towards me, and my instincts told me to run. I had nothing with which to defend myself…
"Shards of Winter!"
I blinked in surprise as several large shards of ice lodged themselves into the Hunter's skin. He cried out, and spun to face the newcomer.
I don't know what happened though, because the clearing started to spin.
The next thing that I knew, I was being held in a strong pair of arms.
"Kurama…?" I asked softly.
I opened my eyes, and saw a boyish-looking youkai. He was the one that was holding me, not Kurama…
He had bright red hair, and blue eyes, and even a little horn. He looked like a little kid…
"Ya all righ', lass?" He asked.
"I…I…"
I fainted.
I slipped into the welcoming arms of darkness.
I knew that he was no longer in Makai…I could feel it.
But somehow…I felt…
I felt that he was still alive.
~*~ Owari ~*~
Author's Notes: That's the end of this story! It's supposed to be a bit of a cliffy, but things get explained in the next story. Jeez, I feel really really bad for doing this to them, but it makes the next story more interesting…
Thanks to those who reviewed!
Explosion : I'm glad that it made you feel better!
Shessha's Crazy : I love writing fluff!
Kagome0102 : As it said, they were bluish-green before, and they didn't change. Don't worry - I'm just glad that you reviewed now!!
Abby : Yup, she knows! Thanks for the review!!
FieryKitsune : I feel bad about having to keep getting his wings injured, but he gets healed, so… Anyways, thank you so much! You said such nice things, and that made my day! Real episodes? That would be really cool! I'm working on a drawing of Amaya and Midori, and I'll be posting them on my website soon. Maybe you'd like to look at them when I'm done?
Katie E. : There's one story planned after this. If there's one after that one isn't determined yet. If I could think of a plot, then I'd make one. Did you see the DVD where Kurama fell over anime style? He makes a lot of faces like that in Chapter Black. It's priceless.
miyako14 : As I told Katie E., there is one planned sequel. I might make another one after that if I can think of a plot.
Naoko-san : @___@ Why do you keep getting on my ass about every little detail? It's a story! I'm terrible with Japanese grammar! I admit it! If those things bother you, then don't read my stories! Sorry, but you're really making me sad with your talk of my sucky Japanese translations and such. T___T
Youko : Now you know! ^_______^
Story Weaver1 : In my story, they are. In legends, I'm not sure…
Suzaku no miko : Thanks! But what does "imao" mean…?
I don't think that I need to tell you all to review…but if I could break 100 reviews on this story, then I would be soooooooooooooo happy!!
