The next morning the camp was full of the sounds of movement. As the groups rose they all began to pack up their belongings and gather up the various objects around their camps. Late in the night, word spread around camp said, Mukuro had received another report of a town torn to pieces with bodies scattered all about. Whoever was attacking the villages now was developing a pattern, showing a line of movement, all of which pointed directly to the camp. This caused only a minor panic, but it was a panic none the less. As a result all wagons were packing up and making plans to move and scatter in all different directions. A couple plans were made to meet up again, just to make sure friends and family weren't caught or killed, but most just packed to leave. Meeting later would be handled later when the rising threat had passed, if it was even a threat at all.
Yomi's wagon followed the same pattern, and Yukina found herself helping them gather up with little of their belongings they'd scattered around. She allowed herself a little time to bid farewell to the others whom she had danced with, when she passed them, but mainly focused on helping. Perhaps, for her, the danger seemed more real. She'd been in one of the towns that had been attacked and she knew what the attackers could do, even if she'd never seen one of them in person. The last thing she wanted was to see the camp of newly made friends ending up the same way. So, as soon as she had helped Yomi and the others clean up their wagon, she also began helping those around them, so that everyone could leave in a timely manner.
Within almost no time everything was packed and Kurama was already helping Kuronue hook up the horse to the wagon ready to set out. Yukina climbed up into the wagon and settled down to sit on the top of it with a couple chests of things, sitting securely with Kuronue driving and leading the horse. Yomi, Kurama and Hiei were all inside for the ride, resting to take turns with Kuronue driving. And they set off.
As the wagon moved through what little was left of the camp, Yukina found herself watching all the others. Almost all of them were finished packing and were moving as well, all seemingly in different directions. A couple looked worried, but most weren't bothered and seemed to treat it as just another move. Perhaps for them it was easier to keep moving. After all, the place that youkai called home was simply contained in their wagons and the company they kept. It was made to be easily packed up and left behind if needed. In a way, it was almost a safer home then a large gated palace. Because if you moved all the time then you took your home with you, and you were accustomed to it changing shape and size, and that made it all the more stronger. Not to mention that no one could take that kind of home away from you.
Least that was the way the young Koorime saw it.
Yukina liked that idea. Smiling softly to herself she resolved to keep her home close to her like that as well. Then no one could ever take her home away again, because it was always with her, inside.
The wagon passed another which was just finishing packing its chests on top and tying them down. The main youkai on the top of the wagon, with jagged tattoos placed all over his body looked up and waved at Kuronue, obviously trying to catch his attention and get them to stop. Yukina turned to tell Kuronue, but gave a small cry of surprise when the wagon jerked forward, and the horse picked up its pace. The youkai noticed and his hand dropped away, then he turned and went back to tying the ropes, pulling them in sharp and jerky movements.
"Kuronue?" Yukina moved toward the front of the wagon.
"Yeah? What's up?" Asked the winged youkai. His eyes were on the road, concentrating on their trail and where ever they were headed.
"That one... with the markings, he wanted to talk to you."
"Well, I didn't want to talk to him."
Kuronue's voice held a sharp edge to it, and yet there seemed to be an undertone of sadness. Yukina could tell, it was the same way her brother talked. She frowned and sat back against one of the chests. She knew better then to push, but at the same time... she couldn't help but wonder what had happened.
"Hey, kid."
Yukina blinked and looked up at him.
"I don't mean to snap at you. It's not anything having to do with you. I'm just a bit touchy on the subject, that's all."
"I won't ask then." Yukina said, giving a small nod. That seemed to be the end of it because she made herself comfortable against the trunks and cases and Kuronue didn't say another word. True to her word Yukina didn't bring it up again and her eyes and mind went to the road ahead of them.
Trees and forest covered each side of the dirt trail which had no plants thanks to thousands of feet packing it down and stopping any life that even considered branching into that area. While only the groups of travelers really had wagons, the roads were still fairly well traveled by feet, paws and claws alike. Wheels were rare but there were enough of the other that it that it didn't really matter.
Trees soon broken out to reveal a clearing, an area where the trees had been cleared away to allow what resembled a small town... or what used to. Kuronue pulled the wagon to a stop just at the forest's edge and stiffened as he looked ahead with Yukina.
The first thing they saw from the distance was the smoke and the second thing they saw were the flames. Smoke made a thick cloud above and around the small town with flames occasionally licking into view, burning brightly. No youkai could be seen through the thick grey and black, and there wasn't anyone outside of the town. Either they'd already fled... or they never had the chance.
Below Kuronue and Yukina the door opened and Kurama stepped out. Tugging the shawl he was wearing close he frowned a bit in worry. "Father said he smelt smoke... I see why."
Kuronue kept his eyes on the town, apparently watching it to make sure nothing came out at them. "It's the only road unless we turn around."
"There might still be someone in there..." Yukina said softly. At her words both of the youkai turned and looked at her in surprise, as if they hadn't realized that.
"Shit." Kuronue tied up the reigns and jumped down out of the wagon. "I'm going to go check it out. Kurama stay-"
"No." The redhead crossed his arms and glared at Kuronue, which one wouldn't think would be very threatening considering he was wearing a skirt. But apparently it was, because Kuronue stopped complaining, instead he threw his hands up in the air and looked up at Yukina.
"Fine. Yukina, you and your brother stay with Yomi. We'll be back. Please don't do anything rash."
Yukina nodded and settled on top of the wagon. "I'll keep watch up here and tell them if I see something. Be careful."
Kuronue looked to Kurama and both nodded, Kurama pulling the shawl a bit closer, then both of them headed for the town.
Closer up, the town wasn't in much better shape then it appeared from the distance. Houses were destroyed from what appeared to be a struggle with no bodies around, but plenty of blood and evidence that the inhabitants of the town didn't win. As they neared the town they found that most of the flames had died out, already having used up their fuel for burning. What was left now was a mix of smoldering ashes and occasionally bits of wood that still had a flame. The place stunk, to the point that Kurama was soon covering his nose, quite happy he'd brought with his shawl. Even Kuronue was wincing at the smell, looking a bit paler then normal.
Had anyone been watching them, they might have found these two the most unlikely to search the ruins. Kurama was wearing a skirt and top combo in a dark green with black lines interwoven into the fabric, the shawl a matching black, making his hair that much more noticeable thanks to its bright red color. Meanwhile Kuronue was wearing his usual tight pants and simple vest that left his chest bare, his wings folded against his back. Neither looked like the type to try and take care of survivors, but then neither really cared. And in the end it didn't matter, because there was no one left to save.
Kurama stepped past Kuronue and ducked down to enter into one of the burnt out husks out a house that were scattered around. Even the movement inside caused the roof to crumble a bit, and rain a handful of ashes on him, but nothing major. Inside there was the same scene they'd seen before. Nothing had been stolen, and anything that was destroyed looked like it had been destroyed in a struggle. The only thing missing from the small town were its inhabitants. Kurama stopped as his eyes settled on what looked like a deliberately lit fire in the fire pit for cooking, which was still burning. Beyond it lay a pile of bones.
"Flesh eaters." He choked out softly.
Behind him Kuronue stepped into the house and frowned at the pile. He stepped over to it and knelt down, looking over one of the bones. After a moment he nodded and tossed it back into the pile. "Looks like they stopped for a snack..." he trailed off and quickly stood up.
"This looks new. Father!" Kurama quickly turned on his heels and bolted out of the house, paying no heed to the fact that he bumped into the wall and the resulting impact caused the place to shake and crumble. Bolting out of the town and back toward the wagon he just couldn't run fast enough. How could they have been so stupid as to leave the others alone?
Two children and a blind old demon? What chance did they have if the culprits were still around?
Kurama just ran as fast as he could, and hoped he was wrong.
Yomi's wagon followed the same pattern, and Yukina found herself helping them gather up with little of their belongings they'd scattered around. She allowed herself a little time to bid farewell to the others whom she had danced with, when she passed them, but mainly focused on helping. Perhaps, for her, the danger seemed more real. She'd been in one of the towns that had been attacked and she knew what the attackers could do, even if she'd never seen one of them in person. The last thing she wanted was to see the camp of newly made friends ending up the same way. So, as soon as she had helped Yomi and the others clean up their wagon, she also began helping those around them, so that everyone could leave in a timely manner.
Within almost no time everything was packed and Kurama was already helping Kuronue hook up the horse to the wagon ready to set out. Yukina climbed up into the wagon and settled down to sit on the top of it with a couple chests of things, sitting securely with Kuronue driving and leading the horse. Yomi, Kurama and Hiei were all inside for the ride, resting to take turns with Kuronue driving. And they set off.
As the wagon moved through what little was left of the camp, Yukina found herself watching all the others. Almost all of them were finished packing and were moving as well, all seemingly in different directions. A couple looked worried, but most weren't bothered and seemed to treat it as just another move. Perhaps for them it was easier to keep moving. After all, the place that youkai called home was simply contained in their wagons and the company they kept. It was made to be easily packed up and left behind if needed. In a way, it was almost a safer home then a large gated palace. Because if you moved all the time then you took your home with you, and you were accustomed to it changing shape and size, and that made it all the more stronger. Not to mention that no one could take that kind of home away from you.
Least that was the way the young Koorime saw it.
Yukina liked that idea. Smiling softly to herself she resolved to keep her home close to her like that as well. Then no one could ever take her home away again, because it was always with her, inside.
The wagon passed another which was just finishing packing its chests on top and tying them down. The main youkai on the top of the wagon, with jagged tattoos placed all over his body looked up and waved at Kuronue, obviously trying to catch his attention and get them to stop. Yukina turned to tell Kuronue, but gave a small cry of surprise when the wagon jerked forward, and the horse picked up its pace. The youkai noticed and his hand dropped away, then he turned and went back to tying the ropes, pulling them in sharp and jerky movements.
"Kuronue?" Yukina moved toward the front of the wagon.
"Yeah? What's up?" Asked the winged youkai. His eyes were on the road, concentrating on their trail and where ever they were headed.
"That one... with the markings, he wanted to talk to you."
"Well, I didn't want to talk to him."
Kuronue's voice held a sharp edge to it, and yet there seemed to be an undertone of sadness. Yukina could tell, it was the same way her brother talked. She frowned and sat back against one of the chests. She knew better then to push, but at the same time... she couldn't help but wonder what had happened.
"Hey, kid."
Yukina blinked and looked up at him.
"I don't mean to snap at you. It's not anything having to do with you. I'm just a bit touchy on the subject, that's all."
"I won't ask then." Yukina said, giving a small nod. That seemed to be the end of it because she made herself comfortable against the trunks and cases and Kuronue didn't say another word. True to her word Yukina didn't bring it up again and her eyes and mind went to the road ahead of them.
Trees and forest covered each side of the dirt trail which had no plants thanks to thousands of feet packing it down and stopping any life that even considered branching into that area. While only the groups of travelers really had wagons, the roads were still fairly well traveled by feet, paws and claws alike. Wheels were rare but there were enough of the other that it that it didn't really matter.
Trees soon broken out to reveal a clearing, an area where the trees had been cleared away to allow what resembled a small town... or what used to. Kuronue pulled the wagon to a stop just at the forest's edge and stiffened as he looked ahead with Yukina.
The first thing they saw from the distance was the smoke and the second thing they saw were the flames. Smoke made a thick cloud above and around the small town with flames occasionally licking into view, burning brightly. No youkai could be seen through the thick grey and black, and there wasn't anyone outside of the town. Either they'd already fled... or they never had the chance.
Below Kuronue and Yukina the door opened and Kurama stepped out. Tugging the shawl he was wearing close he frowned a bit in worry. "Father said he smelt smoke... I see why."
Kuronue kept his eyes on the town, apparently watching it to make sure nothing came out at them. "It's the only road unless we turn around."
"There might still be someone in there..." Yukina said softly. At her words both of the youkai turned and looked at her in surprise, as if they hadn't realized that.
"Shit." Kuronue tied up the reigns and jumped down out of the wagon. "I'm going to go check it out. Kurama stay-"
"No." The redhead crossed his arms and glared at Kuronue, which one wouldn't think would be very threatening considering he was wearing a skirt. But apparently it was, because Kuronue stopped complaining, instead he threw his hands up in the air and looked up at Yukina.
"Fine. Yukina, you and your brother stay with Yomi. We'll be back. Please don't do anything rash."
Yukina nodded and settled on top of the wagon. "I'll keep watch up here and tell them if I see something. Be careful."
Kuronue looked to Kurama and both nodded, Kurama pulling the shawl a bit closer, then both of them headed for the town.
Closer up, the town wasn't in much better shape then it appeared from the distance. Houses were destroyed from what appeared to be a struggle with no bodies around, but plenty of blood and evidence that the inhabitants of the town didn't win. As they neared the town they found that most of the flames had died out, already having used up their fuel for burning. What was left now was a mix of smoldering ashes and occasionally bits of wood that still had a flame. The place stunk, to the point that Kurama was soon covering his nose, quite happy he'd brought with his shawl. Even Kuronue was wincing at the smell, looking a bit paler then normal.
Had anyone been watching them, they might have found these two the most unlikely to search the ruins. Kurama was wearing a skirt and top combo in a dark green with black lines interwoven into the fabric, the shawl a matching black, making his hair that much more noticeable thanks to its bright red color. Meanwhile Kuronue was wearing his usual tight pants and simple vest that left his chest bare, his wings folded against his back. Neither looked like the type to try and take care of survivors, but then neither really cared. And in the end it didn't matter, because there was no one left to save.
Kurama stepped past Kuronue and ducked down to enter into one of the burnt out husks out a house that were scattered around. Even the movement inside caused the roof to crumble a bit, and rain a handful of ashes on him, but nothing major. Inside there was the same scene they'd seen before. Nothing had been stolen, and anything that was destroyed looked like it had been destroyed in a struggle. The only thing missing from the small town were its inhabitants. Kurama stopped as his eyes settled on what looked like a deliberately lit fire in the fire pit for cooking, which was still burning. Beyond it lay a pile of bones.
"Flesh eaters." He choked out softly.
Behind him Kuronue stepped into the house and frowned at the pile. He stepped over to it and knelt down, looking over one of the bones. After a moment he nodded and tossed it back into the pile. "Looks like they stopped for a snack..." he trailed off and quickly stood up.
"This looks new. Father!" Kurama quickly turned on his heels and bolted out of the house, paying no heed to the fact that he bumped into the wall and the resulting impact caused the place to shake and crumble. Bolting out of the town and back toward the wagon he just couldn't run fast enough. How could they have been so stupid as to leave the others alone?
Two children and a blind old demon? What chance did they have if the culprits were still around?
Kurama just ran as fast as he could, and hoped he was wrong.