^^ Once again, thank you all for reviewing! Kikyoku, as it is set almost entirely in the past, is going to take a lot of my concentration, so I don't mess up! I'm surprised so many of you like Osore…I'm glad, just surprised…ah, well. I'll try to see how many chapters I can get done before my birthday. At least two or three, if I survive finals. Gah….
I believe this is a rather short Author's note, because I just survived sharing a room with little spoiled cousin Jamie. Do you know he talks, cries, whimpers, and SNORES in his sleep? Dear God…
Anyway, last chapter, Kia met Osore, who turned out to be Youko Kurama's second cousin…and the key to Kia getting her friend's Mirror Half back. So now Kia's stranded in past Makai and has just come face-to-face with Youko Kurama! Eep…and no, baby Kohana is not in this. ^^;; Kurama hasn't died yet…the timing's a bit odd, since this is eighteen years ago, but…*shrugs* Kohana's mother may show up in this…well…kind of. It's complicated, and I'd have to talk to Lexi-chan about it first. So, let's get started and pray that Kia can get out of THIS mess! And Kuronue's been dead for awhile, but he'll be in this story too. O.o You'll see.
You do realize that if I made a love triangle between Kia, Jin, and Youko Kurama, it's just not plausible? Kia would kill Kurama first, as you'll soon see…
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Youko Kurama slowly circled the duo, frowning in shrewd calculation. He darted forward suddenly, only to skip back as Meikyou reared, striking out with his diamond-hard hooves.
"Meikyou!" Kia seized his plunging muzzle, shaking her head in negation. "You can't! We can't change the--"
*I sincerely doubt that a good kick would change the past.* The stallion reluctantly dropped to all four legs again. *He means to attack you.*
"All the same, I don't think--" A flash of green caught her eye, but it was too late for her to react. Several sharp objects dug into her neck and she yelped in pain, trying to jump back.
"It's useless to fight against the Rose Whip," Kurama said offhandedly. "Tell me who you are and what your business is, or you die here and now."
Kia carefully grasped the thorny noose, flinching as the plant sliced into her hands. Better than my neck, I guess, she thought, pulling it away from her vulnerable throat. But what now? She couldn't oblige his simple "request"--she couldn't change the past!
The kitsune arched a thin eyebrow. "So you won't talk?" He stepped back, tightening the whip as he did so. Kia gasped, her knees almost buckling. With a supreme effort, she managed to remain standing.
Meikyou fidgeted. *Kia!*
"I…I'm okay…" The girl slowly started a walk towards Kurama, faltering slightly. The Youko watched her warily, not sure what she was intending.
"Your business?" He demanded once more.
"Kurama…?"
At the sound of his name, Youko Kurama froze. He was infamous in the Makai, but how did this ningen know his name? "How…how did you--"
*Do not harm this girl.* This time, Meikyou allowed himself to be heard by the kitsune thief. *Yuumei will be displeased if you hurt her.*
"How do YOU know about Yuumei?" Kurama asked suspiciously.
*It doesn't matter. If you doubt my words, take her to Yuumei.*
Kurama grumbled, glancing at Kia, hesitating, and then recalling his whip. It reverted into a bright red rose and he tucked it into his hair. And then he caught the brunette as she fainted, the exhaustion from her journey and Kurama's attack finally taking its toll on her body. "Fine, horse," he snapped. "But if you're lying…"
*Yes, yes, I know.* The stallion didn't appear to seem worried at all. *My companion will tell you more when she wakes up.*
"She'd better." Kurama lifted the unconscious girl, striding over to a straggly tree and setting her down in the scant shade that it provided. He looked for Meikyou--only to discover that the equine had vanished.
The Youko swore bitterly under his breath. The last thing he needed was a girl to look after. Still cursing that horse, he sat down to wait for the sleeping anomaly to awaken.
An hour passed…then two. And the girl didn't even stir. Kurama's patience (not too great to begin with) wore thin. So he decided to wake her, in his own manner. With a cocky smirk, he leaned down and licked her cheek.
Five seconds later, a hand smacked him across the face. HARD.
"What was THAT for?!" The thief yelled indignantly, jerking back.
"For LICKING me!" Kia propped herself up with her hands, glaring at him. She swiped her sleeve across her cheek with a small grimace.
"You were taking too long." The smirk returned. "Besides, you taste good."
The girl flinched. "Bastard."
"You know you liked it." Kurama cautiously knelt by her, rubbing his own reddened cheek ruefully. "Your horse said to take you to Yuumei…you know her?"
Yuumei…wasn't that the name of her grandmother? "She's my…" She hesitated. She wouldn't be born yet, and she was pretty sure that Aiko was Yuumei's only daughter, thus ruling out any relation at all. "…Friend," she finished, feeling somewhat lame.
"I see." Kurama studied her face intently, searching for the truth. She gazed calmly back. "And your name, Yuumei's friend?"
Another pause, and then she knew. "Hiketsu."
His golden eyes narrowed. "Named after the Priestess, were you?" (A/N: If you have no idea what he's talking about, read Yarikake.)
"My mother was a big fan," Kia said sweetly.
Youko Kurama continued to probe with those shrewd eyes of his. He could read no malice in her face or detect any cruelty lurking in her eyes. "…We'll see. Try getting up."
The Mirror Holder tried. She was on her feet for a grand total of eight seconds, but the instant she took a step, she wobbled dangerously. Kurama braced her against him before she fell, steadying her with a lanky arm. He chuckled when she stiffened. "Tense little thing, aren't you? Not used to my sexiness?"
Kia considered her reply carefully. Without speaking, she extended the middle finger of her right hand and saluted Kurama.
The Youko's face broke into a grin. "Feisty too. Now are you going to let me carry you quietly or am I going to have to drag you?"
"You're going to have to DRAG--hey!!" In one fluid movement, Kurama had grasped her around the waist, turning halfway to deposit her on his back. "What are you--"
"Hang on tight, Priestess." The Youko took off in a burst of speed. The girl barely had time to grab his shoulders before she fell off.
"I have no idea what your girlfriend sees in you," she muttered darkly.
One white ear flicked back towards her. "Girlfriend?"
Kia mentally kicked herself. "Um…"
"That's a ningen term. I don't have a mate." For some reason, a note of sorrow had crept into his voice. "Unless you know something that I don't."
"Nothing at all!" The girl blurted out nervously. "It's not like I know Chit--" She cut herself off quickly.
"Chit…?" He prompted.
The Mirror Holder cringed, mind racing for a legible reply. "It's…not like I know…chit-chat about…things."
Kurama shook his head. "You are truly strange."
"I try." Kia sighed quietly, relieved. She'd have to be more careful from now on. She blinked as they neared a small white cottage and the Youko slowed down. "Is that it?"
"She's your friend and you've never seen her house before?" He came to a complete stop and Kia slid off. Her heart was beginning to pound wildly. She'd only seen her mother and grandmother in the Teikan bowl, a powerful object used for scrying. To actually get to MEET them…
You still have to be cautious, she reminded herself. They can't learn who you are!
"Come on, Priestess, you're dawdling." Kurama had already reached the door.
"I wonder if Chitsuko knows he has this form…and if she does, I give her props for putting up with him." The girl rolled her eyes and caught up with the Youko.
"Talking to yourself again?" He raised his eyebrows.
"Why, yes." Kia grinned at him mischievously. "The voices in my head and I hold wonderful conversations. Currently we're discussing the best way to hack off your tail." Taking satisfaction in his horrified expression, she lifted her hand to knock on the door. Before she could do that, however, it was opened by an old woman, remarkably spry, blue eyes twinkling with more than a hint of intelligence.
"Yuumei," Youko Kurama greeted her, respect apparent in his tone.
"Kurama." She nodded at him in return. And then her keen eyes fell on the brown-haired girl who was sidling behind the kitsune. A genuine smile lit up her face. "Well, if it isn't my granddaughter! Come in, you two, we have much to discuss."
Kia and Kurama both gaped at her, stunned for different reasons.
"GRANDDAUGHTER?!" The Youko yelped.
"You KNEW??" The Mirror Holder cried at the exact same time, chagrined.
Yuumei laughed. "I know a lot more than that…but we'll talk about it INSIDE." She grasped them firmly by the wrists and pulled them inside, Kia wondering just what she had gotten into this time.
*OOC*
Poor Kia! She tried so hard, and now her grandmother knows who she is! Can she do anything to prevent the past from being changed anymore than it has AND find Kelsey's Mirror Half? Your guess is as good as mine…please review and keep Kia and Kurama from killing each other! NEXT chapter!
* Yuumei reveals a few things to her granddaughter, and Kia realizes that she was followed…
* The meeting of Kia and Aiko! Witness the Mirror Holder's discomfort as she tries to keep from blowing her cover!
* Run, Kia…your grandmother is scheming…and guess who shows up and acts all evil? ^^ Who are they after? Kia or her mother?
I believe this is a rather short Author's note, because I just survived sharing a room with little spoiled cousin Jamie. Do you know he talks, cries, whimpers, and SNORES in his sleep? Dear God…
Anyway, last chapter, Kia met Osore, who turned out to be Youko Kurama's second cousin…and the key to Kia getting her friend's Mirror Half back. So now Kia's stranded in past Makai and has just come face-to-face with Youko Kurama! Eep…and no, baby Kohana is not in this. ^^;; Kurama hasn't died yet…the timing's a bit odd, since this is eighteen years ago, but…*shrugs* Kohana's mother may show up in this…well…kind of. It's complicated, and I'd have to talk to Lexi-chan about it first. So, let's get started and pray that Kia can get out of THIS mess! And Kuronue's been dead for awhile, but he'll be in this story too. O.o You'll see.
You do realize that if I made a love triangle between Kia, Jin, and Youko Kurama, it's just not plausible? Kia would kill Kurama first, as you'll soon see…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Youko Kurama slowly circled the duo, frowning in shrewd calculation. He darted forward suddenly, only to skip back as Meikyou reared, striking out with his diamond-hard hooves.
"Meikyou!" Kia seized his plunging muzzle, shaking her head in negation. "You can't! We can't change the--"
*I sincerely doubt that a good kick would change the past.* The stallion reluctantly dropped to all four legs again. *He means to attack you.*
"All the same, I don't think--" A flash of green caught her eye, but it was too late for her to react. Several sharp objects dug into her neck and she yelped in pain, trying to jump back.
"It's useless to fight against the Rose Whip," Kurama said offhandedly. "Tell me who you are and what your business is, or you die here and now."
Kia carefully grasped the thorny noose, flinching as the plant sliced into her hands. Better than my neck, I guess, she thought, pulling it away from her vulnerable throat. But what now? She couldn't oblige his simple "request"--she couldn't change the past!
The kitsune arched a thin eyebrow. "So you won't talk?" He stepped back, tightening the whip as he did so. Kia gasped, her knees almost buckling. With a supreme effort, she managed to remain standing.
Meikyou fidgeted. *Kia!*
"I…I'm okay…" The girl slowly started a walk towards Kurama, faltering slightly. The Youko watched her warily, not sure what she was intending.
"Your business?" He demanded once more.
"Kurama…?"
At the sound of his name, Youko Kurama froze. He was infamous in the Makai, but how did this ningen know his name? "How…how did you--"
*Do not harm this girl.* This time, Meikyou allowed himself to be heard by the kitsune thief. *Yuumei will be displeased if you hurt her.*
"How do YOU know about Yuumei?" Kurama asked suspiciously.
*It doesn't matter. If you doubt my words, take her to Yuumei.*
Kurama grumbled, glancing at Kia, hesitating, and then recalling his whip. It reverted into a bright red rose and he tucked it into his hair. And then he caught the brunette as she fainted, the exhaustion from her journey and Kurama's attack finally taking its toll on her body. "Fine, horse," he snapped. "But if you're lying…"
*Yes, yes, I know.* The stallion didn't appear to seem worried at all. *My companion will tell you more when she wakes up.*
"She'd better." Kurama lifted the unconscious girl, striding over to a straggly tree and setting her down in the scant shade that it provided. He looked for Meikyou--only to discover that the equine had vanished.
The Youko swore bitterly under his breath. The last thing he needed was a girl to look after. Still cursing that horse, he sat down to wait for the sleeping anomaly to awaken.
An hour passed…then two. And the girl didn't even stir. Kurama's patience (not too great to begin with) wore thin. So he decided to wake her, in his own manner. With a cocky smirk, he leaned down and licked her cheek.
Five seconds later, a hand smacked him across the face. HARD.
"What was THAT for?!" The thief yelled indignantly, jerking back.
"For LICKING me!" Kia propped herself up with her hands, glaring at him. She swiped her sleeve across her cheek with a small grimace.
"You were taking too long." The smirk returned. "Besides, you taste good."
The girl flinched. "Bastard."
"You know you liked it." Kurama cautiously knelt by her, rubbing his own reddened cheek ruefully. "Your horse said to take you to Yuumei…you know her?"
Yuumei…wasn't that the name of her grandmother? "She's my…" She hesitated. She wouldn't be born yet, and she was pretty sure that Aiko was Yuumei's only daughter, thus ruling out any relation at all. "…Friend," she finished, feeling somewhat lame.
"I see." Kurama studied her face intently, searching for the truth. She gazed calmly back. "And your name, Yuumei's friend?"
Another pause, and then she knew. "Hiketsu."
His golden eyes narrowed. "Named after the Priestess, were you?" (A/N: If you have no idea what he's talking about, read Yarikake.)
"My mother was a big fan," Kia said sweetly.
Youko Kurama continued to probe with those shrewd eyes of his. He could read no malice in her face or detect any cruelty lurking in her eyes. "…We'll see. Try getting up."
The Mirror Holder tried. She was on her feet for a grand total of eight seconds, but the instant she took a step, she wobbled dangerously. Kurama braced her against him before she fell, steadying her with a lanky arm. He chuckled when she stiffened. "Tense little thing, aren't you? Not used to my sexiness?"
Kia considered her reply carefully. Without speaking, she extended the middle finger of her right hand and saluted Kurama.
The Youko's face broke into a grin. "Feisty too. Now are you going to let me carry you quietly or am I going to have to drag you?"
"You're going to have to DRAG--hey!!" In one fluid movement, Kurama had grasped her around the waist, turning halfway to deposit her on his back. "What are you--"
"Hang on tight, Priestess." The Youko took off in a burst of speed. The girl barely had time to grab his shoulders before she fell off.
"I have no idea what your girlfriend sees in you," she muttered darkly.
One white ear flicked back towards her. "Girlfriend?"
Kia mentally kicked herself. "Um…"
"That's a ningen term. I don't have a mate." For some reason, a note of sorrow had crept into his voice. "Unless you know something that I don't."
"Nothing at all!" The girl blurted out nervously. "It's not like I know Chit--" She cut herself off quickly.
"Chit…?" He prompted.
The Mirror Holder cringed, mind racing for a legible reply. "It's…not like I know…chit-chat about…things."
Kurama shook his head. "You are truly strange."
"I try." Kia sighed quietly, relieved. She'd have to be more careful from now on. She blinked as they neared a small white cottage and the Youko slowed down. "Is that it?"
"She's your friend and you've never seen her house before?" He came to a complete stop and Kia slid off. Her heart was beginning to pound wildly. She'd only seen her mother and grandmother in the Teikan bowl, a powerful object used for scrying. To actually get to MEET them…
You still have to be cautious, she reminded herself. They can't learn who you are!
"Come on, Priestess, you're dawdling." Kurama had already reached the door.
"I wonder if Chitsuko knows he has this form…and if she does, I give her props for putting up with him." The girl rolled her eyes and caught up with the Youko.
"Talking to yourself again?" He raised his eyebrows.
"Why, yes." Kia grinned at him mischievously. "The voices in my head and I hold wonderful conversations. Currently we're discussing the best way to hack off your tail." Taking satisfaction in his horrified expression, she lifted her hand to knock on the door. Before she could do that, however, it was opened by an old woman, remarkably spry, blue eyes twinkling with more than a hint of intelligence.
"Yuumei," Youko Kurama greeted her, respect apparent in his tone.
"Kurama." She nodded at him in return. And then her keen eyes fell on the brown-haired girl who was sidling behind the kitsune. A genuine smile lit up her face. "Well, if it isn't my granddaughter! Come in, you two, we have much to discuss."
Kia and Kurama both gaped at her, stunned for different reasons.
"GRANDDAUGHTER?!" The Youko yelped.
"You KNEW??" The Mirror Holder cried at the exact same time, chagrined.
Yuumei laughed. "I know a lot more than that…but we'll talk about it INSIDE." She grasped them firmly by the wrists and pulled them inside, Kia wondering just what she had gotten into this time.
*OOC*
Poor Kia! She tried so hard, and now her grandmother knows who she is! Can she do anything to prevent the past from being changed anymore than it has AND find Kelsey's Mirror Half? Your guess is as good as mine…please review and keep Kia and Kurama from killing each other! NEXT chapter!
* Yuumei reveals a few things to her granddaughter, and Kia realizes that she was followed…
* The meeting of Kia and Aiko! Witness the Mirror Holder's discomfort as she tries to keep from blowing her cover!
* Run, Kia…your grandmother is scheming…and guess who shows up and acts all evil? ^^ Who are they after? Kia or her mother?