Disclaimers- I still don't own Yuyu Hakusho or Weib Kruez but I still wish I do.
Blood
"Yuko sama don't you think it's a little to early to head to Subete?" Yoji said as they made their way towards Gensai's temple.
"No we need to train them, we need to show them around and we need to let them adjust to the environment. I know it's still a month and a half before the tournament but that would not stop my father from trying to kill us."
"Yuko sama how about the others we haven't told them yet."
"Yes I have. I told Kurama."
"Great now are we really going through this?"
Yuko turned around and faced Yoji. She noted the worry on the older man's face and in his eyes. Yes she was being very selfish to just think of herself and the war but there was really no choice. She opened her hands to reveal a small oblong seed, she gave him the seed.
"I know your past wasn't a good one especially in Subete. If you wish to stay here you have my permission Yokan."
"You misunderstood me princess. The only concern I have is of you and I am thinking that if we go there now how are we going to keep away from the trackers and the soldiers."
"That would have been the least of our problems. I know a couple of places we can stay in. Don't worry."
Yuko continued towards the temple and Yoji could not help but admire the girl he calls princess. She had grown up all right, unjust and cruelly treated but she had learned from it all. Once arriving there she did the greeting of respect and the others followed her however instead of placing her fingers on her left shoulder she placed it on the right. She looked up at a teenager sporting a casual brown shirt, blue denim pants and denim jacket, she recognized him as Koenma and nodded.
"We are ready are you're warrior ready?"
"They are just finishing up out back; you can go to them if you wish."
"Aren't you coming with us?"
"I will only be a burden. I'll just go there when the tournament is already on its way."
"Very well, by the way, I like you better when you are like that."
"Ah well I like you better when you have your wings."
"Touch"
Yuko smiled and nodded to the young prince and went out back where she saw four figures fighting each other. She looked at how they fight and nodded. She turned to Aya and the others.
"Watch them carefully. Note the defenses and the offences that may be useful. Consider the ones that won't and think of ways to enhance them."
"What are you doing?"
"Trying them."
She pulled a flower and made it into a sword. She turned to the fighters and joined them first going after the tall black haired boy named Yusuke. She slashed him and he evaded it by jumping out of the way. Kuwabara attacked her with the lightning sword coming from behind Yusuke and Hiei with his sword coming from her back.
Yuko blocked Kuwabara's sword as she sidestepped Hiei's. She went after Yusuke again but when she was a few inches he fired a blue energy ball called a rei gun. She jumped just in time but Hiei was waiting for her and kicked her towards the ground. Damn. She whispered as she twirled around to let her feet land on the ground instead of her body.
She used the ground as leverage and jumped towards Hiei, she matched his speed and even more. She surprised Hiei with a kick that sent him towards a tree. She then turned to Kuwabara and engaged him in a sword battle, lightning against alloy. She had to admit that Kuwabara has some sword skills but compared to Hiei he was weak.
She had batted the sword sideways and saw her chance to injure him. When she was about to drive the sword into his side a thorny whip held the sword back. About time. She thought and released the sword that fell on the ground. She pulled another flower but before she could call a whip Yusuke had fired another rei gun.
She was hit on the stomach, sending waves of pain coursing through her body; she wasn't able to block that one causing her to be sent towards a tree. She focused her energy in ignoring the pain and used the tree to push her forward attacking whoever was in front of her. She went straight for Yusuke while the black dragon advanced to her side. She quickly dodged it by going to the side and flew up the sky to avoid being engulfed in its fangs. The dragon was coming after her as well as two rei guns. She dodged the rei guns easily but the dragon had a very stubborn pattern.
At last she faced it, opened her hands and held the jaws to avoid being eaten. She powered up and used it to dissipate the dragon but when she was done a rei gun was heading straight for her and there was no time to avoid it. She crossed her arms in front of her and used some of her ki to block it, some more to protect her and used the same ki to redirect the rei gun into going to her side.
Just as she was looking at the ball dissipate vines wrapped on her arms, legs and abdomen tightly. She knew there was no more escape from the vines that held her firm. She was then pulled back to the ground. The wind made breathing hard and she closed her eyes awaiting the hard ground to come in contact with her back. However the ground never came as she felt herself being lowered on Kurama's arms.
"Nice tactic Yuko."
"I'll keep in mind never to attack the four of you all together."
"What were trying to do kill us?"
"Injure at the least."
"Ha, never underestimate the power of Kazuma."
"Shut up Kuwabaka."
"Hiei stop calling me that you shorty!"
Kurama set Yuko down and looked at her. There was something different from her; from the way she stood and look something was definitely wrong. Of course he had felt the pain she did when she received the attacks but he knew it was something more that made Yuko look like that. He then looked at her guardians and saw the same thing. He turned to Koenma who was standing among the guardians looking as if he will have the biggest loss among them all.
"Why is everyone so sad all of a sudden?" No, sad wasn't the word but it was the nearest he could think off at the moment.
"We need to head to Subete in a few hours."
"But isn't it a little too early? The tournament isn't until after a month and a half."
Yukiko turned to Yusuke and smiled. "Yes it is but there are some things that you must know about our world and it would be much easier of you train in Subete. My guardians will help you."
"And the king?"
Yuko looked at Kurama bitterly. "I already solved that don't worry."
"We'll come back here at 9pm the time the portal opens. Be ready and come prepared." Aya said as he took Yuko's hand and guided her towards the other guardians.
"See you tonight Kurama."
Aya was inside Yuko's room helping her pack when the black bird pecked on the window again.
"A messenger?"
"Yeah but I'd ignored it ever since I saw it."
"Why?"
"Because it brings bad news."
She opened the window and the bird changed into a boy of 13 with black hair and violet eyes, his skin was a slight tanned tone and his expression was grim. He did the sign of greeting and turned to Yukiko.
"Princess your friend had escaped from the palace now the king knows you are gone from Subete. He sent his trackers roaming the plains and not one of your comrades are out of the dungeons."
"Yes I am aware of that. Anything else?"
"Only that if you step in Subete in your current form every tracker would be alerted and sent to capture you."
"Good."
"How long had you been in the real world?"
"Ever since the princess got here. She would turn to me for news but for the last few weeks she had ignored me."
"I'm sorry. You better go back to Subete I'm coming home. Alert the others; tell them to ready the place. Don't look suspicious and ready cloaks with the usual precautions."
"Yes princess."
With that he turned back to a black bird and flew out the window.
"How do you expect to lose the trackers without sealing your powers?"
"By turning into something my father would not expect."
By the time night fell Yoji, Ken, Omi and Aya were already in the car waiting for Yuko. She came out holding a choker, looking at it she sighed. If there were other ways to hide she would have gladly taken them than getting through with this, unfortunately there was none and this was the only way. She placed the choker on her neck; she closed her eyes, chanted something and opened them again. Satisfied, though regretfully she joined the others.
"You guys ready?"
"Do we really have a choice?"
Yoji said and smiled towards Yuko. She smiled back and leaned on the seat as they headed towards Gensai's temple. Yuko sighed knowing full well that Yoji was only joking most of the time. She could not believe she had been so worked up about this. As long as the guardians are there she should have faith and believe in them. She sighed, if only there was such a thing as faith in Subete.
When they arrived there they was a bright light coming from the temple and outside the light the others were standing. Yukiko stood among them and looked at each of them. Yusuke was wearing his usual white shirt, denim pants and denim jacket. Kuwabara had sported a beige pants, white shirt and an awful brown polo. Hiei was in his usual black garments and cloak and Kurama had seemed to dress for the occasion wore a green Chinese shirt, white baggy pants and a cloth tied on his waist. Yuko had shook her head but nodded.
"Well there's only one thing I must say. When we enter the portal please follow whatever Rairan says."
She turned to Aya and said,
"You know what to do. Take care of them."
With that she closed her eyes and slowly she transformed into a silver vixen. She turned to Kurama and walked towards him. She placed her front paws on his chest and licked his left cheek. After that she turned around and jumped into the portal. Aya turned to the others and said,
"Well let's go. Follow her."
When they had all entered the portal a different scene greeted them. They were in the edge of a forest where large trees grew, the sky was a deep red and there were no sound to be heard. The ground was covered by grass and the plants around them were extraordinary, flowers of different colors, leaves of different sizes and shapes.
After they had scanned the place that's when they noticed the four foxes waiting for them. The farthest on the left was as black as night with green eyes, it has a scar on one of its eyes. Next to it was a gray vixen with the tail's tip an off white color, she had also has green eyes. The one next to her was smaller and much more like a fox in the real world. He was brown with his tail darker in color, his eyes were violet.
And the last one on the farthest right was a vixen with white fur and golden eyes, she was the largest among the four and she seemed to stare straight to Yuko. Yuko went to the one to the farthest right and bowed to it. The vixen bowed back and went near her side and nudged it. She took the cloak that was in front of her by her mouth and gave it to Aya. Aya in turn handed the others the cloak one by one.
"Wear these and keep the hood down. They must not know we are here yet."
"Who are those foxes?"
"They are friends, we'll explain later."
Everyone placed the cloak on but not before Yusuke, Hiei and Kurama noticed they had transformed. Yusuke's hair had grown long and his finger nails were also long, the others could also see the markings on his face. Hiei's third eye was open and so were the rest of them in his body. Kurama had turned into his Youko form. Kurama turned to Aya for an explanation and saw that they too were looking different.
Aya had grown a few inches taller than before; his red hair was long and was cascading behind him. The clothes he was wearing was different, he was now wearing a red long sleeved fit shirt and black baggy pants. On his temple was the symbol of fire. Omi's hair had changed into deep dark green, he was now wearing a green sleeveless shirt and his arms had markings on them, he had grown a foot more. He was also wearing dark brown baggy pants and on his temple was the symbol of air.
Ken had also grown a few inches taller and his hair changed to sea blue, it had grown longer, reaching his waist and he had it tied behind him. He was now wearing a blue loose shirt and navy blue pants; on his temple was the symbol of water and to the bewilderment of all Yoji had not changed much except for his clothes that turned gold and the symbol of lightning on his temple.
"In Subete you can not hide your true form. Only enchantments can hold those back. The cloaks will help hide your features. We need to hurry we still have a long way to go."
He bowed to the four foxes who in turn bowed to him before they left running in another direction. Yusuke and the others followed Aya as they started running in the direction of the sun. They were in the forest and the vixen guided them around and showed them the path. It had turned night but they were still able to follow the vixen because of her color contrasting the surroundings. When they were out of the forest they were in front of a wooden house where there was light pouring out of its windows, voices could be heard from inside and writings above the door, an inn. Aya kneeled beside the vixen and seemed to converse with it. After a few minutes he turned to the group and whispered.
"We are staying here for the night. The trackers are around and the journey would become very difficult. It's better to stay here."
They all nodded and entered the inn. There were tables around the room and most of them are occupied by creatures they have never seen before. In the far left was the fire place where children and some older people were warming themselves. The inn was bigger inside than it was outside and this greatly puzzled the others.
Heads turned towards them as they made their way to the inn keeper, the vixen being the main attraction. Upon reaching the bar the vixen jumped on one of the chairs and looked intently at the old man standing behind the bar. The vixen seems to nod and the old man disappeared going to the kitchen. The inn keeper had not noticed this and went to Aya.
"Welcome to the Fire inn. How many rooms would you be needing friend?"
"Do you have a room that could accommodate nine people?"
"Yes there is one in the third floor but may I ask why nine people? There are only eight of you."
"We are waiting for someone."
"Very well. I'll show you the room."
They followed the inn keeper up two flights of stairs that creaked in the wrong places and waited outside a door that had seemed to be deteriorating as minutes pass while he opened it and ushered them inside. The room indeed had nine beds four on the left and five on the right. A table was near the fire place that had blazed alight when they entered it. A window stood unopened on the left side of the fifth bed on the right. Four chairs were around the table and five more around the room.
"I'll send up some tea for you."
The inn keeper left, closing the door behind him. Aya walked towards the door and listened. Yusuke was about to pull back his hood when Aya raised his hand. Yusuke stopped and sat on one of the beds on the left. Yuko jumped into one that was near the window and rested her head on her paws. They all picked their beds and sat on them except for Aya who keep listening on the door. Yusuke was on the left with Ken, Omi and Kuwabara while Kurama took the bed next to Yuko, the bed next to him was left unoccupied for Aya and Yoji and Hiei took the last two beds.
Kurama reached to scratch her head when the door opened and an elderly man came in bearing a tray filled with biscuits and mugs. He was the same old man behind the bar wearing a tattered brown shirt, brown pants and old hat. Aya did the sign of greeting and the three other guardians did the same. When they looked up the old man had changed into a young pretty girl and she was looking intently at the vixen.
She had long wavy brown hair, sapphire eyes and tanned complexion, she was now wearing a fit green dress that ended 5 inches above her knees, brown tights were under her dress, ankle high shoes and a white cloth was tied around her waist. She whistled a tune and the vixen looked up. She jumped out of the bed and headed towards her. The girl placed the tray on the table and did the sign of greeting towards the vixen. She looked up and hugged the vixen.
"I thought you would never return here. Why did you have to return?"
The vixen just looked at her sadly, licked her cheeks and returned to the bed by the window and silently curled up and closed her eyes. The girl then turned to Aya and sat on the chair.
"Have you found them?"
"In front of you. The fighters for this world."
"They don't seem to be that powerful. Are you sure they can fight?"
"Do not insult us." Hiei said roughly as he pulled his sword.
"Fire demon I am not insulting you I am merely giving a comment." She turned back to Aya and nodded.
"So you will teach them?"
"Train them to be exact."
"I see... and the princess did she find what she was looking for?"
Aya turned his head towards the two beds and saw Kurama on the vixen's bed looking out the window while the vixen's head was on his lap and he was stroking her fur.
"Does that answer your question?" He asked in a different language so only the girl and the other guardians knew what he asked.
"I guess it does. When will you start?" She answered in the same language getting the hint Aya gave her.
"When we get to our temporal home, the princess had strictly instructed us not to tell them anything until we get there."
"Do you need company? I can come with you if it is needed."
"We do not but you are welcome to join us. We leave tomorrow at dawn."
"Okay then. I know none of you really needs tea but the owner insisted that I bring it up. I'll leave the biscuits if you get hungry."
She picked the tray and handed each of them a mug. When she came to the last person she tapped him on the shoulder and gave the cup. She then turned to the vixen and spoke in a different language. The vixen seems to understand and nodded her head. After that the girl changed back into the old man and left the room. After she left Yusuke looked at Aya and asked,
"What did you talk about?"
"She asked if we would mind some company. I said no and that she is welcome to join us for the journey tomorrow."
"Who is she?" Kuwabara said as he pulled back his hood.
"She is the princess' best friend. A shifter, she could be who she wants to be. Yuko can tell you more about her when we are safe away from the trackers."
"Rairan someone's coming."
Ken said as he revealed his bugnuk and went to the door. Someone knocked and Ken opened it. A small girl entered. She was about 4 feet high with blonde hair, blue eyes and pale complexion. She smiled up to the hooded person and went straight to the vixen that was currently lying on another hooded person's lap. When the little girl was in front of them she opened her hands and revealed a small bird sitting in her hands. The vixen looked at the girls eyes and jumped out of the bed. She sat up in front of the girl and nuzzled the bird in her hand.
"He died when he crossed some trackers going this way. He wanted to warn you about the location. It had been scouted by the trackers and the king's soldiers. He said that if you wish to hide go to the Fox's den at the edge of the blue forest. It's the only place that's safe from them."
The girl was crying now. She placed the bird on the floor near the vixen and sat across her. The vixen gently pawed at the bird and turned it around under her paws. Everyone in the room had turned to watch what was going on and then all of a sudden the collar on the vixen's throat glowed and emitted a light directed to the bird. After a few minutes the bird moved and flew towards the girl's shoulder.
The girl kissed the little bird and looked thankfully at the vixen. She in turn placed her paws on her thighs and looked at her eyes. The girl's eyes widened and took the two paws into her hands.
"You can't be serious? If you do that then all will be lost. How about us?"
"Yusuke do you know what's going on?"
"No do you Kurama?"
"Kurama?"
Kurama was looking at the vixen intently, how she moved. He could see Yuko sitting there instead of the vixen. How she cared for the little bird and how she was talking to the girl. He could see now why she transformed into a vixen when she could easily escape from everything. He turned away and walked towards the door. He was about to open it when Aya placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Mind if I tag along?"
"Suit yourself I'm just getting a drink."
"Same here."
They had left the room and went down to the bar where the old man they saw a while ago was standing behind it. Aya took a seat and spoke in another language. The old man bent down and pulled a green bottle with some half filled liquid inside. He also took two wooden mugs and gave them to Aya and his companion. He poured the liquid and it gave out a very familiar scent, the color was bloody red and the way it bounced in the mug made Kurama think of blood.
Aya had nodded his thanks to the man and drank from the mug. He had let his hood fall back and the people that saw his red hair backed away from them. The old man had left the bottle within reach and Aya poured himself another mug full. He turned to Kurama who had left his hood up and holding the mug but not lifting it. Aya pushed his mug to collide with Kurama's just like in a toast before drinking form it again.
"Don't worry about the smell; I know it smells remotely like blood but don't worry it's not."
"How did you know what I am thinking?"
"The guardians, while in Subete are bestowed with gifts. One of them is reading minds. Most people know that little detail that's why they scatter away."
"And does that mean you knew why I had come down from the room?"
"Yes and no."
Aya took a swig from the mug before continuing.
"There was no need for me to read what was in your mind. You love her as expected but you are also a Youko, a demon with no emotions whatsoever. The way you caressed her fur, the way you looked at her... There was no way no one would not have known and yet... and yet there is the hesitation in you. As much as you would have loved to take her away you found out her true gift."
"What, helping the innocent and trying to kill herself to do it?"
Kurama had said it much more forcefully than he had intended and to hide the slip he did took a long drink from the mug. He had not tasted anything like it. It felt like the slimy nostalgic blood in his mouth but the taste was extraordinary. It was so much like blood and then it wasn't. He spilled some of it on the cloak and it in turn changed color. He didn't care and Aya poured him another mug.
"I won't answer that but you saw her as her and not the vixen. You felt her as she is and not as a vixen. Something only a few could do and succeed in doing."
"And what if it's true? What does that statement have to do in all this?"
Aya had emptied the bottle into his mug and took a long drink before placing some coins on the counter and standing up. He turned to Kurama and smiled gently.
"Nothing really, only that you are her soul mate, and that I envy you both. You're half human now follow your heart, trust it for once."
Kurama looked up at the guardian as he climbed the stairs. Had he heard right? The guardian that had been making his life a little miserable was envy of him and Yuko? He took a sip from the mug and had thought everything over, the fights, the changes. He was considered one of the smartest and yet here he is confused as hell at what he's suppose to do. He saw the girl with the small bird come down from the stairs and nodded towards him after that she went outside and was gone. Only two small birds perched on a tree was all he saw.
He then heard the unmistakable footsteps of a vixen going down the stairs. His ears perked up at the sound, it had seemed that his hearing in this world was enhanced. It also seems that Aya had let Yuko go out of the room. Kurama finished his mug and turned to the stairs where a silver vixen was looking at him intently as if calling him. When he didn't move she sat on the last step of the stairs and did not take her eyes off him. When he finally moved to stand, she stood up and walked towards the door. Kurama had not realized that he was opening the door until it had been too late. He found himself following Yuko into the forest.
When they were at a generous distance from the inn the collar that Yuko was wearing glowed and Kurama felt the power shift his bones and his features. It had been painful and he struggled not to cry out, he fell to the forest ground and closed his eyes to concentrate in pushing the pain away. It had lasted only a few minutes but for Kurama it seems to have been hours.
When he was able to open his eyes he saw leaves and bushes around him and smelled all kinds of things, from the soil to the berries and the smell of demons and Cerenians. He looked around him and tried to speak but found that he could not. He tried to stand up but found it hard to raise his hands. He looked down and found two paws, he was surprised and when he looked up the vixen was in front of him. She seems to be smiling and went to him closer. He shook his head and the cloak fell from his head to the ground. The collar had transformed him into a fox.
Yuko went to his side and snuggled unto his neck. Kurama did the same and he could hear her growl softly. She turned around and ran towards a direction he could not distinguish. He followed her keeping sure that he was not too far behind. When he was able to see her stop he noticed the most beautiful waterfall he had ever seen. The water running down the pond was clear and transparent, the pond itself looked like a big crystal under the moonlight and the greenery around it made it look as if it came out of a story book. He walked beside Yuko and nudged her neck affectionately.
They were at the edge of the pond and Kurama looked at his reflection. The fox that looked back at him was a silver one much like Yuko only a deeper shade of silver. He was also bigger in built than the vixen, Yuko also looked at the water and went beside Kurama. When they were sitting there side by side the reflection seemed to shift and show him and Yuko in their Youko form and then in their human form. Kurama had looked at Yuko then and Yuko just licked his nose sending shivers in him.
She started running and Kurama followed her. They came into a den and when Yuko laid there, the wind had seemed to whisper something to him. "This is my secret place, I don't like sharing it but I don't mind sharing it with you." Kurama smiled and went inside and laid beside Yuko. He placed his head on her upper neck as if in a protective embrace and Yuko placed her neck on his side neck. He whispered a good night and closed his eyes.
Aya had watched the two foxes run into the forest. He had told Yuko what he saw in Kurama and Yuko had pleaded him to let her go out with him for that night. Aya had reluctantly agreed knowing full well that Yuko's idea of fun was going to the farthest most beautiful place and spending the night there. He wasn't really worried that something was going to happen to the both of them since he knew Kurama was sincere and he would not do anything that Yuko would not want. He had left the door open just to make sure that the two of them could get in, in any case that they decided to return to the inn, which in Aya's mind was unlikely.
It had been only a few hours when a loud knock woke Aya and the others. It was barely dawn and it was still fairly dark outside. Aya had pulled his katana and opened the door only to find the girl shifter holding up a lamp and panting. When she was inside the room her gaze fell on the abandoned bed of Yuko and Kurama. Finding them empty was no surprise to her but she was fairly worried.
"Trackers are on their way. You need to leave."
"Wait how about Yuko and Kurama there's still out there."
"There's no time to find them. We must hurry."
"I'm staying here and look for them. Yokan and Momi can take the group to the blue forest." Ken had said as he strapped his cloak on.
"If you're going to stay here then we are too." Yusuke said as he picked up his shirt and placed it on.
"Yusuke we are in a different world. I hate to run away from a fight but we need to trust them." Hiei said pulling his hood forward and looking at the girl. "You better know where you're going."
"Aya you staying here too?" The girl asked grabbing one of the cloaks from the closet.
"No I'm going to divert the trackers' attention away from the two and from you guys. I'll just meet you in the blue forest."
"And once we get there what do you wish us to do?" Yusuke asked irritated.
"Get acquainted with the residents." Aya had said and left the room. Ken followed him and Yoji with Omi took the group to the back exit.
Yuko woke up with the sound of gunshots from afar. Her senses warned her that they were trackers. She moved to look at Kurama but found that he too was woken up by the gunshots. From the distance Yuko could hear Ken's call and Aya's shouts. She nudged Kurama to follow her and they both made their way to the sounds. Yuko had been too occupied in hearing her guardians' voices that she wasn't able to sense the shot that was coming from the bushes.
She had not heard it but Kurama did. In a blur of movement Kurama jumped in front of her and took the shot. Yuko stopped at her tracks and looked at the fallen fox in front of her. His silver fur was slowly being replaced by red and Yuko had fallen beside him feeling the pain shot through her too. She struggled to get up and look at the trackers that fired the shot. She snarled at them and jumped. They fired at her but she evaded every single one.
Her aura had slowly seeped out of her small body. Her shape glowed and her fur flew with the aura. She attacked them, biting into their throats as she burned their bodies. When they were already dead she again rushed towards Kurama and had let the pain overwhelm her. The collar glowed again and when Yuko looked up Kurama was back at his Youko form. The shot was at his right side and Yuko licked the wound healing it with her saliva. Kurama reached to stroke her head and winched at the pain in his side. Yuko felt the pain too and placed her head on the wound looking sadly at Kurama, as if telling him "I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it Yuko... It's not your fault."
He continued to stroke her head as Yuko placed her head on his right side. She was trying to push the pain aside as she thought of a plan to get them both out of the jam. If she was in her real form she could help him more but she can't risk it, not in her current condition. There was nothing much she could do in that form but stay by Kurama and try and comfort him. Just then two foxes came out of the bushes and engaged Yuko in a conversation. One of them was colored snow white, she was the same one that they saw waiting for them when they arrived in Subete. The other one was a cub with brown strips around his body.
Kurama looked at them and smiled. When help is needed it appears in many forms. One of the foxes, the snow white vixen went to Kurama's head and tried to lift it up with her nuzzle. Getting the idea Kurama lifted his head and the vixen slipped into the space between his head and the ground. Kurama lowered his head and looked at Yuko. She still has her head on the wound and looking at him solemnly. He smiled towards her and scratched the space between her ears.
A few minutes went by and the other fox returned with the panting Ken and Aya behind him. Aya had rushed beside the vixen while Ken changed the place of the vixen in lifting Kurama's head up. Yuko thanked the two foxes and they left, she returned to Aya and looked at him meaningfully.
"He'll be all right. I took the bullet out and the saliva should help. We need to bring him to the house."
"But how are we suppose to do that?"
"Change me back to a fox Yuko. Then one of them could carry me."
Ken and Aya looked at Yuko and the vixen nodded. The collar glowed and in a pain striking minute Kurama was back to being a fox. Aya carried Kurama and ran towards the opposite direction. Ken was about to carry Yuko when the vixen followed Aya paying close attention to be close beside him. By the time they were able to arrive in the Blue forest Yuko wasn't able to keep up anymore and she had lagged behind, it was clear that her condition was much worse than it really was or Kurama's for that matter.
When they arrived in the house, Kurama changed back to Youko form and Yuko was panting and collapsed on the floor. Both of them was treated carefully, especially Kurama. The girl, it had seemed was very skilled in medicine so she was the one who took care of the two of them. When nothing more could be done they had left the two to rest in a room and Aya had called the other three to start their training.
Blood
"Yuko sama don't you think it's a little to early to head to Subete?" Yoji said as they made their way towards Gensai's temple.
"No we need to train them, we need to show them around and we need to let them adjust to the environment. I know it's still a month and a half before the tournament but that would not stop my father from trying to kill us."
"Yuko sama how about the others we haven't told them yet."
"Yes I have. I told Kurama."
"Great now are we really going through this?"
Yuko turned around and faced Yoji. She noted the worry on the older man's face and in his eyes. Yes she was being very selfish to just think of herself and the war but there was really no choice. She opened her hands to reveal a small oblong seed, she gave him the seed.
"I know your past wasn't a good one especially in Subete. If you wish to stay here you have my permission Yokan."
"You misunderstood me princess. The only concern I have is of you and I am thinking that if we go there now how are we going to keep away from the trackers and the soldiers."
"That would have been the least of our problems. I know a couple of places we can stay in. Don't worry."
Yuko continued towards the temple and Yoji could not help but admire the girl he calls princess. She had grown up all right, unjust and cruelly treated but she had learned from it all. Once arriving there she did the greeting of respect and the others followed her however instead of placing her fingers on her left shoulder she placed it on the right. She looked up at a teenager sporting a casual brown shirt, blue denim pants and denim jacket, she recognized him as Koenma and nodded.
"We are ready are you're warrior ready?"
"They are just finishing up out back; you can go to them if you wish."
"Aren't you coming with us?"
"I will only be a burden. I'll just go there when the tournament is already on its way."
"Very well, by the way, I like you better when you are like that."
"Ah well I like you better when you have your wings."
"Touch"
Yuko smiled and nodded to the young prince and went out back where she saw four figures fighting each other. She looked at how they fight and nodded. She turned to Aya and the others.
"Watch them carefully. Note the defenses and the offences that may be useful. Consider the ones that won't and think of ways to enhance them."
"What are you doing?"
"Trying them."
She pulled a flower and made it into a sword. She turned to the fighters and joined them first going after the tall black haired boy named Yusuke. She slashed him and he evaded it by jumping out of the way. Kuwabara attacked her with the lightning sword coming from behind Yusuke and Hiei with his sword coming from her back.
Yuko blocked Kuwabara's sword as she sidestepped Hiei's. She went after Yusuke again but when she was a few inches he fired a blue energy ball called a rei gun. She jumped just in time but Hiei was waiting for her and kicked her towards the ground. Damn. She whispered as she twirled around to let her feet land on the ground instead of her body.
She used the ground as leverage and jumped towards Hiei, she matched his speed and even more. She surprised Hiei with a kick that sent him towards a tree. She then turned to Kuwabara and engaged him in a sword battle, lightning against alloy. She had to admit that Kuwabara has some sword skills but compared to Hiei he was weak.
She had batted the sword sideways and saw her chance to injure him. When she was about to drive the sword into his side a thorny whip held the sword back. About time. She thought and released the sword that fell on the ground. She pulled another flower but before she could call a whip Yusuke had fired another rei gun.
She was hit on the stomach, sending waves of pain coursing through her body; she wasn't able to block that one causing her to be sent towards a tree. She focused her energy in ignoring the pain and used the tree to push her forward attacking whoever was in front of her. She went straight for Yusuke while the black dragon advanced to her side. She quickly dodged it by going to the side and flew up the sky to avoid being engulfed in its fangs. The dragon was coming after her as well as two rei guns. She dodged the rei guns easily but the dragon had a very stubborn pattern.
At last she faced it, opened her hands and held the jaws to avoid being eaten. She powered up and used it to dissipate the dragon but when she was done a rei gun was heading straight for her and there was no time to avoid it. She crossed her arms in front of her and used some of her ki to block it, some more to protect her and used the same ki to redirect the rei gun into going to her side.
Just as she was looking at the ball dissipate vines wrapped on her arms, legs and abdomen tightly. She knew there was no more escape from the vines that held her firm. She was then pulled back to the ground. The wind made breathing hard and she closed her eyes awaiting the hard ground to come in contact with her back. However the ground never came as she felt herself being lowered on Kurama's arms.
"Nice tactic Yuko."
"I'll keep in mind never to attack the four of you all together."
"What were trying to do kill us?"
"Injure at the least."
"Ha, never underestimate the power of Kazuma."
"Shut up Kuwabaka."
"Hiei stop calling me that you shorty!"
Kurama set Yuko down and looked at her. There was something different from her; from the way she stood and look something was definitely wrong. Of course he had felt the pain she did when she received the attacks but he knew it was something more that made Yuko look like that. He then looked at her guardians and saw the same thing. He turned to Koenma who was standing among the guardians looking as if he will have the biggest loss among them all.
"Why is everyone so sad all of a sudden?" No, sad wasn't the word but it was the nearest he could think off at the moment.
"We need to head to Subete in a few hours."
"But isn't it a little too early? The tournament isn't until after a month and a half."
Yukiko turned to Yusuke and smiled. "Yes it is but there are some things that you must know about our world and it would be much easier of you train in Subete. My guardians will help you."
"And the king?"
Yuko looked at Kurama bitterly. "I already solved that don't worry."
"We'll come back here at 9pm the time the portal opens. Be ready and come prepared." Aya said as he took Yuko's hand and guided her towards the other guardians.
"See you tonight Kurama."
Aya was inside Yuko's room helping her pack when the black bird pecked on the window again.
"A messenger?"
"Yeah but I'd ignored it ever since I saw it."
"Why?"
"Because it brings bad news."
She opened the window and the bird changed into a boy of 13 with black hair and violet eyes, his skin was a slight tanned tone and his expression was grim. He did the sign of greeting and turned to Yukiko.
"Princess your friend had escaped from the palace now the king knows you are gone from Subete. He sent his trackers roaming the plains and not one of your comrades are out of the dungeons."
"Yes I am aware of that. Anything else?"
"Only that if you step in Subete in your current form every tracker would be alerted and sent to capture you."
"Good."
"How long had you been in the real world?"
"Ever since the princess got here. She would turn to me for news but for the last few weeks she had ignored me."
"I'm sorry. You better go back to Subete I'm coming home. Alert the others; tell them to ready the place. Don't look suspicious and ready cloaks with the usual precautions."
"Yes princess."
With that he turned back to a black bird and flew out the window.
"How do you expect to lose the trackers without sealing your powers?"
"By turning into something my father would not expect."
By the time night fell Yoji, Ken, Omi and Aya were already in the car waiting for Yuko. She came out holding a choker, looking at it she sighed. If there were other ways to hide she would have gladly taken them than getting through with this, unfortunately there was none and this was the only way. She placed the choker on her neck; she closed her eyes, chanted something and opened them again. Satisfied, though regretfully she joined the others.
"You guys ready?"
"Do we really have a choice?"
Yoji said and smiled towards Yuko. She smiled back and leaned on the seat as they headed towards Gensai's temple. Yuko sighed knowing full well that Yoji was only joking most of the time. She could not believe she had been so worked up about this. As long as the guardians are there she should have faith and believe in them. She sighed, if only there was such a thing as faith in Subete.
When they arrived there they was a bright light coming from the temple and outside the light the others were standing. Yukiko stood among them and looked at each of them. Yusuke was wearing his usual white shirt, denim pants and denim jacket. Kuwabara had sported a beige pants, white shirt and an awful brown polo. Hiei was in his usual black garments and cloak and Kurama had seemed to dress for the occasion wore a green Chinese shirt, white baggy pants and a cloth tied on his waist. Yuko had shook her head but nodded.
"Well there's only one thing I must say. When we enter the portal please follow whatever Rairan says."
She turned to Aya and said,
"You know what to do. Take care of them."
With that she closed her eyes and slowly she transformed into a silver vixen. She turned to Kurama and walked towards him. She placed her front paws on his chest and licked his left cheek. After that she turned around and jumped into the portal. Aya turned to the others and said,
"Well let's go. Follow her."
When they had all entered the portal a different scene greeted them. They were in the edge of a forest where large trees grew, the sky was a deep red and there were no sound to be heard. The ground was covered by grass and the plants around them were extraordinary, flowers of different colors, leaves of different sizes and shapes.
After they had scanned the place that's when they noticed the four foxes waiting for them. The farthest on the left was as black as night with green eyes, it has a scar on one of its eyes. Next to it was a gray vixen with the tail's tip an off white color, she had also has green eyes. The one next to her was smaller and much more like a fox in the real world. He was brown with his tail darker in color, his eyes were violet.
And the last one on the farthest right was a vixen with white fur and golden eyes, she was the largest among the four and she seemed to stare straight to Yuko. Yuko went to the one to the farthest right and bowed to it. The vixen bowed back and went near her side and nudged it. She took the cloak that was in front of her by her mouth and gave it to Aya. Aya in turn handed the others the cloak one by one.
"Wear these and keep the hood down. They must not know we are here yet."
"Who are those foxes?"
"They are friends, we'll explain later."
Everyone placed the cloak on but not before Yusuke, Hiei and Kurama noticed they had transformed. Yusuke's hair had grown long and his finger nails were also long, the others could also see the markings on his face. Hiei's third eye was open and so were the rest of them in his body. Kurama had turned into his Youko form. Kurama turned to Aya for an explanation and saw that they too were looking different.
Aya had grown a few inches taller than before; his red hair was long and was cascading behind him. The clothes he was wearing was different, he was now wearing a red long sleeved fit shirt and black baggy pants. On his temple was the symbol of fire. Omi's hair had changed into deep dark green, he was now wearing a green sleeveless shirt and his arms had markings on them, he had grown a foot more. He was also wearing dark brown baggy pants and on his temple was the symbol of air.
Ken had also grown a few inches taller and his hair changed to sea blue, it had grown longer, reaching his waist and he had it tied behind him. He was now wearing a blue loose shirt and navy blue pants; on his temple was the symbol of water and to the bewilderment of all Yoji had not changed much except for his clothes that turned gold and the symbol of lightning on his temple.
"In Subete you can not hide your true form. Only enchantments can hold those back. The cloaks will help hide your features. We need to hurry we still have a long way to go."
He bowed to the four foxes who in turn bowed to him before they left running in another direction. Yusuke and the others followed Aya as they started running in the direction of the sun. They were in the forest and the vixen guided them around and showed them the path. It had turned night but they were still able to follow the vixen because of her color contrasting the surroundings. When they were out of the forest they were in front of a wooden house where there was light pouring out of its windows, voices could be heard from inside and writings above the door, an inn. Aya kneeled beside the vixen and seemed to converse with it. After a few minutes he turned to the group and whispered.
"We are staying here for the night. The trackers are around and the journey would become very difficult. It's better to stay here."
They all nodded and entered the inn. There were tables around the room and most of them are occupied by creatures they have never seen before. In the far left was the fire place where children and some older people were warming themselves. The inn was bigger inside than it was outside and this greatly puzzled the others.
Heads turned towards them as they made their way to the inn keeper, the vixen being the main attraction. Upon reaching the bar the vixen jumped on one of the chairs and looked intently at the old man standing behind the bar. The vixen seems to nod and the old man disappeared going to the kitchen. The inn keeper had not noticed this and went to Aya.
"Welcome to the Fire inn. How many rooms would you be needing friend?"
"Do you have a room that could accommodate nine people?"
"Yes there is one in the third floor but may I ask why nine people? There are only eight of you."
"We are waiting for someone."
"Very well. I'll show you the room."
They followed the inn keeper up two flights of stairs that creaked in the wrong places and waited outside a door that had seemed to be deteriorating as minutes pass while he opened it and ushered them inside. The room indeed had nine beds four on the left and five on the right. A table was near the fire place that had blazed alight when they entered it. A window stood unopened on the left side of the fifth bed on the right. Four chairs were around the table and five more around the room.
"I'll send up some tea for you."
The inn keeper left, closing the door behind him. Aya walked towards the door and listened. Yusuke was about to pull back his hood when Aya raised his hand. Yusuke stopped and sat on one of the beds on the left. Yuko jumped into one that was near the window and rested her head on her paws. They all picked their beds and sat on them except for Aya who keep listening on the door. Yusuke was on the left with Ken, Omi and Kuwabara while Kurama took the bed next to Yuko, the bed next to him was left unoccupied for Aya and Yoji and Hiei took the last two beds.
Kurama reached to scratch her head when the door opened and an elderly man came in bearing a tray filled with biscuits and mugs. He was the same old man behind the bar wearing a tattered brown shirt, brown pants and old hat. Aya did the sign of greeting and the three other guardians did the same. When they looked up the old man had changed into a young pretty girl and she was looking intently at the vixen.
She had long wavy brown hair, sapphire eyes and tanned complexion, she was now wearing a fit green dress that ended 5 inches above her knees, brown tights were under her dress, ankle high shoes and a white cloth was tied around her waist. She whistled a tune and the vixen looked up. She jumped out of the bed and headed towards her. The girl placed the tray on the table and did the sign of greeting towards the vixen. She looked up and hugged the vixen.
"I thought you would never return here. Why did you have to return?"
The vixen just looked at her sadly, licked her cheeks and returned to the bed by the window and silently curled up and closed her eyes. The girl then turned to Aya and sat on the chair.
"Have you found them?"
"In front of you. The fighters for this world."
"They don't seem to be that powerful. Are you sure they can fight?"
"Do not insult us." Hiei said roughly as he pulled his sword.
"Fire demon I am not insulting you I am merely giving a comment." She turned back to Aya and nodded.
"So you will teach them?"
"Train them to be exact."
"I see... and the princess did she find what she was looking for?"
Aya turned his head towards the two beds and saw Kurama on the vixen's bed looking out the window while the vixen's head was on his lap and he was stroking her fur.
"Does that answer your question?" He asked in a different language so only the girl and the other guardians knew what he asked.
"I guess it does. When will you start?" She answered in the same language getting the hint Aya gave her.
"When we get to our temporal home, the princess had strictly instructed us not to tell them anything until we get there."
"Do you need company? I can come with you if it is needed."
"We do not but you are welcome to join us. We leave tomorrow at dawn."
"Okay then. I know none of you really needs tea but the owner insisted that I bring it up. I'll leave the biscuits if you get hungry."
She picked the tray and handed each of them a mug. When she came to the last person she tapped him on the shoulder and gave the cup. She then turned to the vixen and spoke in a different language. The vixen seems to understand and nodded her head. After that the girl changed back into the old man and left the room. After she left Yusuke looked at Aya and asked,
"What did you talk about?"
"She asked if we would mind some company. I said no and that she is welcome to join us for the journey tomorrow."
"Who is she?" Kuwabara said as he pulled back his hood.
"She is the princess' best friend. A shifter, she could be who she wants to be. Yuko can tell you more about her when we are safe away from the trackers."
"Rairan someone's coming."
Ken said as he revealed his bugnuk and went to the door. Someone knocked and Ken opened it. A small girl entered. She was about 4 feet high with blonde hair, blue eyes and pale complexion. She smiled up to the hooded person and went straight to the vixen that was currently lying on another hooded person's lap. When the little girl was in front of them she opened her hands and revealed a small bird sitting in her hands. The vixen looked at the girls eyes and jumped out of the bed. She sat up in front of the girl and nuzzled the bird in her hand.
"He died when he crossed some trackers going this way. He wanted to warn you about the location. It had been scouted by the trackers and the king's soldiers. He said that if you wish to hide go to the Fox's den at the edge of the blue forest. It's the only place that's safe from them."
The girl was crying now. She placed the bird on the floor near the vixen and sat across her. The vixen gently pawed at the bird and turned it around under her paws. Everyone in the room had turned to watch what was going on and then all of a sudden the collar on the vixen's throat glowed and emitted a light directed to the bird. After a few minutes the bird moved and flew towards the girl's shoulder.
The girl kissed the little bird and looked thankfully at the vixen. She in turn placed her paws on her thighs and looked at her eyes. The girl's eyes widened and took the two paws into her hands.
"You can't be serious? If you do that then all will be lost. How about us?"
"Yusuke do you know what's going on?"
"No do you Kurama?"
"Kurama?"
Kurama was looking at the vixen intently, how she moved. He could see Yuko sitting there instead of the vixen. How she cared for the little bird and how she was talking to the girl. He could see now why she transformed into a vixen when she could easily escape from everything. He turned away and walked towards the door. He was about to open it when Aya placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Mind if I tag along?"
"Suit yourself I'm just getting a drink."
"Same here."
They had left the room and went down to the bar where the old man they saw a while ago was standing behind it. Aya took a seat and spoke in another language. The old man bent down and pulled a green bottle with some half filled liquid inside. He also took two wooden mugs and gave them to Aya and his companion. He poured the liquid and it gave out a very familiar scent, the color was bloody red and the way it bounced in the mug made Kurama think of blood.
Aya had nodded his thanks to the man and drank from the mug. He had let his hood fall back and the people that saw his red hair backed away from them. The old man had left the bottle within reach and Aya poured himself another mug full. He turned to Kurama who had left his hood up and holding the mug but not lifting it. Aya pushed his mug to collide with Kurama's just like in a toast before drinking form it again.
"Don't worry about the smell; I know it smells remotely like blood but don't worry it's not."
"How did you know what I am thinking?"
"The guardians, while in Subete are bestowed with gifts. One of them is reading minds. Most people know that little detail that's why they scatter away."
"And does that mean you knew why I had come down from the room?"
"Yes and no."
Aya took a swig from the mug before continuing.
"There was no need for me to read what was in your mind. You love her as expected but you are also a Youko, a demon with no emotions whatsoever. The way you caressed her fur, the way you looked at her... There was no way no one would not have known and yet... and yet there is the hesitation in you. As much as you would have loved to take her away you found out her true gift."
"What, helping the innocent and trying to kill herself to do it?"
Kurama had said it much more forcefully than he had intended and to hide the slip he did took a long drink from the mug. He had not tasted anything like it. It felt like the slimy nostalgic blood in his mouth but the taste was extraordinary. It was so much like blood and then it wasn't. He spilled some of it on the cloak and it in turn changed color. He didn't care and Aya poured him another mug.
"I won't answer that but you saw her as her and not the vixen. You felt her as she is and not as a vixen. Something only a few could do and succeed in doing."
"And what if it's true? What does that statement have to do in all this?"
Aya had emptied the bottle into his mug and took a long drink before placing some coins on the counter and standing up. He turned to Kurama and smiled gently.
"Nothing really, only that you are her soul mate, and that I envy you both. You're half human now follow your heart, trust it for once."
Kurama looked up at the guardian as he climbed the stairs. Had he heard right? The guardian that had been making his life a little miserable was envy of him and Yuko? He took a sip from the mug and had thought everything over, the fights, the changes. He was considered one of the smartest and yet here he is confused as hell at what he's suppose to do. He saw the girl with the small bird come down from the stairs and nodded towards him after that she went outside and was gone. Only two small birds perched on a tree was all he saw.
He then heard the unmistakable footsteps of a vixen going down the stairs. His ears perked up at the sound, it had seemed that his hearing in this world was enhanced. It also seems that Aya had let Yuko go out of the room. Kurama finished his mug and turned to the stairs where a silver vixen was looking at him intently as if calling him. When he didn't move she sat on the last step of the stairs and did not take her eyes off him. When he finally moved to stand, she stood up and walked towards the door. Kurama had not realized that he was opening the door until it had been too late. He found himself following Yuko into the forest.
When they were at a generous distance from the inn the collar that Yuko was wearing glowed and Kurama felt the power shift his bones and his features. It had been painful and he struggled not to cry out, he fell to the forest ground and closed his eyes to concentrate in pushing the pain away. It had lasted only a few minutes but for Kurama it seems to have been hours.
When he was able to open his eyes he saw leaves and bushes around him and smelled all kinds of things, from the soil to the berries and the smell of demons and Cerenians. He looked around him and tried to speak but found that he could not. He tried to stand up but found it hard to raise his hands. He looked down and found two paws, he was surprised and when he looked up the vixen was in front of him. She seems to be smiling and went to him closer. He shook his head and the cloak fell from his head to the ground. The collar had transformed him into a fox.
Yuko went to his side and snuggled unto his neck. Kurama did the same and he could hear her growl softly. She turned around and ran towards a direction he could not distinguish. He followed her keeping sure that he was not too far behind. When he was able to see her stop he noticed the most beautiful waterfall he had ever seen. The water running down the pond was clear and transparent, the pond itself looked like a big crystal under the moonlight and the greenery around it made it look as if it came out of a story book. He walked beside Yuko and nudged her neck affectionately.
They were at the edge of the pond and Kurama looked at his reflection. The fox that looked back at him was a silver one much like Yuko only a deeper shade of silver. He was also bigger in built than the vixen, Yuko also looked at the water and went beside Kurama. When they were sitting there side by side the reflection seemed to shift and show him and Yuko in their Youko form and then in their human form. Kurama had looked at Yuko then and Yuko just licked his nose sending shivers in him.
She started running and Kurama followed her. They came into a den and when Yuko laid there, the wind had seemed to whisper something to him. "This is my secret place, I don't like sharing it but I don't mind sharing it with you." Kurama smiled and went inside and laid beside Yuko. He placed his head on her upper neck as if in a protective embrace and Yuko placed her neck on his side neck. He whispered a good night and closed his eyes.
Aya had watched the two foxes run into the forest. He had told Yuko what he saw in Kurama and Yuko had pleaded him to let her go out with him for that night. Aya had reluctantly agreed knowing full well that Yuko's idea of fun was going to the farthest most beautiful place and spending the night there. He wasn't really worried that something was going to happen to the both of them since he knew Kurama was sincere and he would not do anything that Yuko would not want. He had left the door open just to make sure that the two of them could get in, in any case that they decided to return to the inn, which in Aya's mind was unlikely.
It had been only a few hours when a loud knock woke Aya and the others. It was barely dawn and it was still fairly dark outside. Aya had pulled his katana and opened the door only to find the girl shifter holding up a lamp and panting. When she was inside the room her gaze fell on the abandoned bed of Yuko and Kurama. Finding them empty was no surprise to her but she was fairly worried.
"Trackers are on their way. You need to leave."
"Wait how about Yuko and Kurama there's still out there."
"There's no time to find them. We must hurry."
"I'm staying here and look for them. Yokan and Momi can take the group to the blue forest." Ken had said as he strapped his cloak on.
"If you're going to stay here then we are too." Yusuke said as he picked up his shirt and placed it on.
"Yusuke we are in a different world. I hate to run away from a fight but we need to trust them." Hiei said pulling his hood forward and looking at the girl. "You better know where you're going."
"Aya you staying here too?" The girl asked grabbing one of the cloaks from the closet.
"No I'm going to divert the trackers' attention away from the two and from you guys. I'll just meet you in the blue forest."
"And once we get there what do you wish us to do?" Yusuke asked irritated.
"Get acquainted with the residents." Aya had said and left the room. Ken followed him and Yoji with Omi took the group to the back exit.
Yuko woke up with the sound of gunshots from afar. Her senses warned her that they were trackers. She moved to look at Kurama but found that he too was woken up by the gunshots. From the distance Yuko could hear Ken's call and Aya's shouts. She nudged Kurama to follow her and they both made their way to the sounds. Yuko had been too occupied in hearing her guardians' voices that she wasn't able to sense the shot that was coming from the bushes.
She had not heard it but Kurama did. In a blur of movement Kurama jumped in front of her and took the shot. Yuko stopped at her tracks and looked at the fallen fox in front of her. His silver fur was slowly being replaced by red and Yuko had fallen beside him feeling the pain shot through her too. She struggled to get up and look at the trackers that fired the shot. She snarled at them and jumped. They fired at her but she evaded every single one.
Her aura had slowly seeped out of her small body. Her shape glowed and her fur flew with the aura. She attacked them, biting into their throats as she burned their bodies. When they were already dead she again rushed towards Kurama and had let the pain overwhelm her. The collar glowed again and when Yuko looked up Kurama was back at his Youko form. The shot was at his right side and Yuko licked the wound healing it with her saliva. Kurama reached to stroke her head and winched at the pain in his side. Yuko felt the pain too and placed her head on the wound looking sadly at Kurama, as if telling him "I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it Yuko... It's not your fault."
He continued to stroke her head as Yuko placed her head on his right side. She was trying to push the pain aside as she thought of a plan to get them both out of the jam. If she was in her real form she could help him more but she can't risk it, not in her current condition. There was nothing much she could do in that form but stay by Kurama and try and comfort him. Just then two foxes came out of the bushes and engaged Yuko in a conversation. One of them was colored snow white, she was the same one that they saw waiting for them when they arrived in Subete. The other one was a cub with brown strips around his body.
Kurama looked at them and smiled. When help is needed it appears in many forms. One of the foxes, the snow white vixen went to Kurama's head and tried to lift it up with her nuzzle. Getting the idea Kurama lifted his head and the vixen slipped into the space between his head and the ground. Kurama lowered his head and looked at Yuko. She still has her head on the wound and looking at him solemnly. He smiled towards her and scratched the space between her ears.
A few minutes went by and the other fox returned with the panting Ken and Aya behind him. Aya had rushed beside the vixen while Ken changed the place of the vixen in lifting Kurama's head up. Yuko thanked the two foxes and they left, she returned to Aya and looked at him meaningfully.
"He'll be all right. I took the bullet out and the saliva should help. We need to bring him to the house."
"But how are we suppose to do that?"
"Change me back to a fox Yuko. Then one of them could carry me."
Ken and Aya looked at Yuko and the vixen nodded. The collar glowed and in a pain striking minute Kurama was back to being a fox. Aya carried Kurama and ran towards the opposite direction. Ken was about to carry Yuko when the vixen followed Aya paying close attention to be close beside him. By the time they were able to arrive in the Blue forest Yuko wasn't able to keep up anymore and she had lagged behind, it was clear that her condition was much worse than it really was or Kurama's for that matter.
When they arrived in the house, Kurama changed back to Youko form and Yuko was panting and collapsed on the floor. Both of them was treated carefully, especially Kurama. The girl, it had seemed was very skilled in medicine so she was the one who took care of the two of them. When nothing more could be done they had left the two to rest in a room and Aya had called the other three to start their training.