Rain and Fire
Chapter 4
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"Kurama, we've been walking for hours!" Kuronue whined, trudging along a good six feet behind his friend. "My feet hurt! I'm tired! And where the hell are we going?"
The silver fox stopped walking, and raised his face to meet a breeze, his golden eyes closed. His partner gave him a confused look.
"Um, what are you doing?"
The kitsune started walking again.
"Kurama!!" Kuronue exclaimed, jogging up to him. "Are you going to answer me, or just give me the silent treatment?"
"Yakumo is up to something." Youko growled. "I know he is."
Kuronue stopped dead in his tracks. "That's what this is about?!" He exclaimed.
"You old bat! Are you so senile that you don't remember what happened yesterday?" The thief snapped.
"Hey, now." Kuronue said defensively, crossing his arms and frowning. "I'm only a few centuries old, and I'm far from being senile."
Youko just snorted, a sure sign that he didn't believe him.
"Anyways, I'm not taking another step. I'm pooped."
Youko sighed. "You know, maybe you're right. You're more like a child who whines until he gets what he wants."
Kuronue grinned, and flopped down onto the ground. "So what? It works."
Youko sat down as well, a bit more gracefully. He put rested his chin on his hand, which was propped on his knee. He raised an eyebrow at the youkai across from him as he started yanking off his boots.
Kuronue then stretched his legs out to their full extent, putting his feet right in front of his disgusted partner.
He grinned, and he wiggled his toes. "Ahh. Much better!"
"Put your shoes back on. Now." Youko growled dangerously. "You know damn well that I have a sensitive nose."
Kuronue pouted. "Aw, but my feet smell like roses!"
Youko rolled his golden eyes. "Roses my ass."
Rustling in the greenery beside the path they were on caught their attention. Youko slowly rose, his hand poised and ready to draw his rosewhip.
"Who's there?" He called. "Show yourself!"
A girl fell out of the bushes, flat on her face. She groaned and sat up, rubbing her head.
"Owie…"
Youko sighed, and let his hand drop.
"Damn it, Aura! You're going to get yourself killed one day if you keep doing that."
She stood, and started brushing herself off.
"You're just an asshole!" She exclaimed.
She was a tall girl, yet still smaller than both youkai. She had long, silver hair that fell to her waist, and bright, golden eyes.
She had ears and a tail, a sign of her kitsune heritage, and both of a darker silver color than her hair. She wore a white band of cloth around her chest, and smaller ones around each of her upper arms, and another around her neck. A red, teardrop-shaped gem hung from the band around her neck, and she had short white shorts, with a white cloth wrapped around her waist, with a slit up one side.
"Of course he's an asshole, Aura-chan." Kuronue said, leaning back on his hands. "He's your older brother, for crying out loud."
"Kuronue-kun!" She exclaimed happily, running over to him and throwing her arms around his neck. He didn't protest.
"Aura, do you have to hang all over him?" Youko asked.
She grinned, her arms still around the bat youkai.
"He doesn't mind!" She smiled at the thief. "Right, Kuronue-kun?"
He looked over at his partner. "She's got a point, Kurama."
The gingitsune sighed, and shook his head. "Whatever."
She grinned again. "You're just jealous because nobody likes you! Then again, you're just a big grumpy bear, so who would?"
"You're too damn childish." He growled.
"More so than me?" Kuronue asked, looking surprised.
"Much more."
Aura kept grinning - something she seemed to always be doing - and hugged him to her.
"Don't worry, Kuronue-kun! I still love you!"
She kissed his cheek, and Youko rolled his golden eyes.
"Kuronue, get your shoes on. We're going."
"Going?" Aura repeated.
"You can't come with us, so don't even ask." He said.
"Please! I want to come!" She pleaded.
"No!" He exclaimed.
"Please?"
"No!"
"Please?"
"NO!"
"Pl-"
"NO! AND THAT'S FINAL!!" He shouted.
She fell silent, and her eyes widened. She let her ears droop, and she pouted. It was her puppy dog face, and it worked every time.
"Come on, Kurama." Kuronue said. "Let her come."
"Please! I'll be good, I promise!"
"If it'll get you to shut the hell up, then fine." He growled.
"Yay!" She exclaimed happily, before glomping Kuronue once more.
Youko sighed. "What am I getting myself into now?"
-------------
Hiei let his crimson eyes drift towards the heavens, to where he could see dark grey clouds drifting - a sure sign that it would storm later.
He was waiting for his companions, if he could even call them that, to finish getting ready, so that they could go to see Sesshoumaru's friend.
The demon lord had told him that the girl was a Seer, and she would be able to tell them what Yakumo was up to, no matter what. He had seemed a bit reluctant about going to see her, but Hiei paid no mind.
To be perfectly honest, he didn't even know why he was going with them. He had no allegiance to Rain, and he'd rather be out trying to kill Youko Kurama.
But something…something was telling him that he needed to stay by her. The same thing that had told him to save her when he saw her in the woods…
"It looks like it's going to rain."
He looked over at the girl, who had just emerged from the castle. She was watching the sky, just as he had been doing earlier.
She noticed his gaze, and smiled. "I love the rain."
He snorted, and looked back out over the land. "The only thing it's good for is making plants grow and providing cover while escaping from enemies."
"It always smells wonderful after it rains. It's the earth's way of replenishing water, and cleansing itself of all impurities." She countered, smiling gently.
"You're awfully philosophical for a girl who's only eighteen." He commented sarcastically.
"I'm not eighteen. I'm sixteen."
"Whatever. I'm still at least eight times your age."
"You are, aren't you?" She mused, crouching down beside him. "You're probably old enough to be my great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather."
"Probably."
"Hm."
Rin came out just then, smiling and holding out a ribbon to her sister.
"Rain-chan! You should tie up your hair before we go." She said, grinning. "Sesshoumaru-sama says that it's a long trip, and it would be wise to keep your hair out of your face."
Rain accepted the ribbon, and used it to tie up her midnight locks.
"Thanks, Rin-chan."
Hiei rolled his eyes, and stood. "Neither of you are prepared anyways. We'll be hiking through woods, and you're both wearing kimonos. Fixing your hair won't help you, should we need to run. And I'm telling you now that I won't carry either of you, and I doubt that Sesshoumaru will either."
The girls exchanged glances, then looked down at themselves.
Rain smiled. "I think we'll be alright. Ne, Rin-chan?"
"Right!"
Hiei just rolled his crimson eyes again, and Sesshoumaru came out. He looked them over, and said, "Is everyone ready?"
They all nodded, and they turned to leave.
"Wait for me, Sesshoumaru-sama!!"
They turned and saw Jaken running towards them, stumbling over himself as he did.
Sesshoumaru heaved a sigh, and narrowed his golden eyes.
"What is it?"
"I'm coming with you, Milord! Your faithful servant, Jaken, will always be there to help, should Milord need it!" The toad-youkai exclaimed.
Rin grinned. "Jaken-sama! You'll be coming with us?"
He narrowed his eyes at her. "Shut up, filthy human."
Rain's eyes narrowed at him, and she growled, "Leave her alone."
The youkai looked slightly taken aback, before snorting in a high-and-mighty way.
"Fine, Jaken. Come if you wish." The inu youkai said before turning on his heel and heading towards the woods.
Rin scurried after him, as did the little demon.
Rain just sighed, and said, "How can she put up with that?"
"She's weak." Hiei replied, starting to follow them. "You have a bit more backbone."
She stared after him for a second, confused, but then hurried after them, not wanting to be left behind.
-------------
Once they were out on the trail, Youko quickly started to regret his decision of letting his younger sister come with them. All she did was hang on Kuronue, and talk about how cute he was, and how when she was older, they could get married, and have many little children of their own.
It was slowly but surely driving him mad, and the worst part was that Kuronue wasn't protesting at all. He would just agree with whatever the girl said, and Youko knew the reason why - all Kuronue cared about was getting into her pants.
"And we can have a huge house with a view of the ocean! It'll be wonderful!" Aura giggled.
"Yeah, yeah, a house by the ocean." He agreed.
Youko rolled his golden eyes. "Damn it, Aura! He doesn't give a damn about a 'house by the ocean'!"
She stuck her tongue out at him. "Just because you can't think about your future doesn't mean that Kuronue can't!"
He sighed in frustration, and picked up his pace. He wanted to get as far away from them as he possibly could, and they were making it difficult.
"Youko-chan, wait up!"
He ignored her, and kept going. In fact, he was so fed up with the two youkai that he transformed into his fox form, and started dashing down the path.
He ran as fast as he could, the greenery of the forest whipping past him as he ducked under bushes and low branches, towards the river that he knew ran through the three territories - Sesshoumaru's, Kouga's, and his own.
On the other side of the river, he knew, was where Rydia lived. She stayed in Kouga's territory, despite the fact that she didn't have an ounce of ookami blood in her.
However, when he reached the edge of the river, he saw something that surprised him.
A horse was standing beside the clear flowing water, drinking heavily from its depths. But the most unusual thing about this particular animal was that it had flames for a mane and tail.
It looked like an thoroughbred, and had a solid black body. Youko could easily see the strong muscles rippling beneath the horse's sleek coat, and the flames burned brightly and intensely, causing a slight reflection on its fur.
The horse was obviously a youkai, because that would be the only way to explain the fire that burned on its body.
Youko slowly walked up to it, and made a small yip to get its attention.
The horse looked over at him, its red eyes baring the warning that it wouldn't hesitate in attacking him. Across its face was an 'X' shaped scar, and it seemed relatively recent.
Youko shifted into his human form, and gave the horse a curious look.
"Youkai?" He said.
The horse snorted.
"Ah. Are you trapped in your form?"
The horse shook its head, and the flames engulfed its body. When they disappeared, a man was standing there.
He was tall, almost as tall as Youko himself, with broad shoulders and the same strong muscles present in his equine form. He had fiery red hair that was tussled and slightly wavy, with matching eyes. He even had a hint of a beard growing, which made him look mature, and slightly older than what he should have. He still had the scar on his face, only now it was more prominent.
He wore a ragged white shirt, off of which the sleeves had been cut. Baggy black pants tucked into black boots completed his simple appearance.
"I can shift between them, but I prefer my original form." He said.
Youko didn't waste any time beating around the bush, especially not with a stranger like this youkai.
"Why are you in my territory?"
The man looked surprised, before smiling slightly.
"I'm afraid I got a bit lost. I didn't know that I'd wandered all the way to the territory of Youko Kurama. I was trying to get to Kouga's."
"Well, you can get the hell away from there, and then everything will be forgiven." The fox said, his eyes glinting dangerously.
"Oi, Youko-niisan! Are you being an asshole again?"
His eye twitched, and he slowly looked behind him to where Kuronue had just landed with Aura. His sister ran over to them, and she smiled at the red-haired horse youkai.
"Sorry about my brother. He can be a real jerk sometimes." She said, bowing slightly. She then turned her gaze to the kitsune, and her face went from incredibly sweet and innocent to extremely pissed.
"Youko, you asshole! What did you say to him?"
"Keh. I don't have to tell you, because you can't boss me around. Learn your place, and maybe I'll let you stay here." He growled dangerously.
"Guys, come on! It's getting late, and we need to make it to Rydia's before night falls!" Kuronue exclaimed, trying to halt the fighting and ease the tension between the two siblings.
The red-haired youkai looked surprised.
"Rydia? You're going to see her?"
Kuronue, Youko, and Aura looked over at him, and the girl said, "Yeah, we are. Why?"
"I was trying to find her as well! Would you mind if I tagged along, just until we get there? I promise to only stay with you until then."
Aura grinned. "Sure!"
"Hey!" Youko protested. "I make the decisions around here, not you!"
"Kurama, it's only a little way until we get there. Let him come." Kuronue said.
"Damn it! Are we going to let everyone in Makai just 'come along'?" He snapped.
"I won't be any trouble, I promise." He said.
Youko sighed, and rubbed his temples. "Yeah, yeah. That's what everyone says."
"Youko-chan?" Aura said, waiting for his decision.
"He can come. But we're separating once we get to the Seer's house, got it? And you owe me one, Aura."
Aura grinned, and then turned to the youkai.
"So, what's your name, anyways?"
He smiled.
"My name is Huo."
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Author's Notes: Woohoo! I've finally updated! It's an extra long chapter, and two new characters have been introduced! And I'm back from the DEAD!!!!!! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH - [starts coughing and hacking because of her cold] Damn...I hate colds.
Do you all realize that this story is already twice as popular as Kokoro No Kaitou, my other series? That's AWESOME!
I'd like to thank everyone who has reviewed!
Also, to clear up some confusion, here are the age APPEARANCES of the characters:
Rin: 15
Rain: 16
Sesshoumaru: 17
Hiei: 18
Youko: 17
Aura: 16
Kuronue: 18
Huo: 20's
Anyways, that's about it!
NOTE!!!: I've just uploaded the Rain And Fire section to my website. You can access it from the main page (which can be found on my profile), or you can use the following link (just remember to delete the spaces):
http: www. geocities. com/ darkchobithome/ rainandfire. html
slave2anime: I've changed my mind! LOL. Sorry.
miyako14: She is probably only going to get MORE confused as the story goes on.
TPM-girl: Yup, very.
FieryKitsune: [sobs] It was so hard to tear myself away from his sexiness and focus on him being evil!! It was sooooooooooooooooooo hard!!! Woohoo! Lots of sexy Kuronue in this chapter, even if Aura is hanging all over him. Oh, and I have some good news for you! I've decided to keep the Rin/Sesshoumaru relationship as a sort of family-like one, like you said in your review. I can't really see them as a couple either - maybe a bit of a crush on Sess for Rin, but I don't see him returning them.
FluffysBijin05: Thanks! I'm extremely proud of this story! I can't give away too much, but they will most likely NOT go into the future. It just doesn't fir the plot.
Kaze Tsukai: Well, my horse wasn't even a horse! HE was deformed, ugly, and was SITTING!!! MWAHAHAHAHA!! Oh, and my mom is out getting nuts.
Crew of Light: Yes! I've postd everyone's pictures! I still haven't finished Rin's or Yakumo's, but they'll be up soon. And I've decided to keep the pairings secret, because as the reviewers for Kokoro no Kaitou said, "I am the Queen of Suspense!" So the only thing I can tell you is that there will be no Sess/Rin. She may get a little crush, but nothing else.
Seiyo-san: It says up there how old they all appear. I hope that answers your question!
Youko: LOL! I feel kinda sorry for Youko in this chapter, but it'll get better for him. Does this mean you'll be signing as 'Kuronue' now? And yes, Tsume rocks!! But personally, I prefer Kiba. Tsume's outfit makes him look like a man slut/gigolo. HAHAHA!! But still, they're both awesome.
DarkVixenNisha: Thanks, Nisha-chan!
Story Weaver1: As much as I like the pairing, it won't work in this story. But still, you can request for a pic of them under the 'Pairings' section of the Rain and Fire section of the website, if ya want!
Ashley(InuMad): I'm glad that you like the story! I like Sesshoumaru too! He's so kawaii!!
Chapter 4
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"Kurama, we've been walking for hours!" Kuronue whined, trudging along a good six feet behind his friend. "My feet hurt! I'm tired! And where the hell are we going?"
The silver fox stopped walking, and raised his face to meet a breeze, his golden eyes closed. His partner gave him a confused look.
"Um, what are you doing?"
The kitsune started walking again.
"Kurama!!" Kuronue exclaimed, jogging up to him. "Are you going to answer me, or just give me the silent treatment?"
"Yakumo is up to something." Youko growled. "I know he is."
Kuronue stopped dead in his tracks. "That's what this is about?!" He exclaimed.
"You old bat! Are you so senile that you don't remember what happened yesterday?" The thief snapped.
"Hey, now." Kuronue said defensively, crossing his arms and frowning. "I'm only a few centuries old, and I'm far from being senile."
Youko just snorted, a sure sign that he didn't believe him.
"Anyways, I'm not taking another step. I'm pooped."
Youko sighed. "You know, maybe you're right. You're more like a child who whines until he gets what he wants."
Kuronue grinned, and flopped down onto the ground. "So what? It works."
Youko sat down as well, a bit more gracefully. He put rested his chin on his hand, which was propped on his knee. He raised an eyebrow at the youkai across from him as he started yanking off his boots.
Kuronue then stretched his legs out to their full extent, putting his feet right in front of his disgusted partner.
He grinned, and he wiggled his toes. "Ahh. Much better!"
"Put your shoes back on. Now." Youko growled dangerously. "You know damn well that I have a sensitive nose."
Kuronue pouted. "Aw, but my feet smell like roses!"
Youko rolled his golden eyes. "Roses my ass."
Rustling in the greenery beside the path they were on caught their attention. Youko slowly rose, his hand poised and ready to draw his rosewhip.
"Who's there?" He called. "Show yourself!"
A girl fell out of the bushes, flat on her face. She groaned and sat up, rubbing her head.
"Owie…"
Youko sighed, and let his hand drop.
"Damn it, Aura! You're going to get yourself killed one day if you keep doing that."
She stood, and started brushing herself off.
"You're just an asshole!" She exclaimed.
She was a tall girl, yet still smaller than both youkai. She had long, silver hair that fell to her waist, and bright, golden eyes.
She had ears and a tail, a sign of her kitsune heritage, and both of a darker silver color than her hair. She wore a white band of cloth around her chest, and smaller ones around each of her upper arms, and another around her neck. A red, teardrop-shaped gem hung from the band around her neck, and she had short white shorts, with a white cloth wrapped around her waist, with a slit up one side.
"Of course he's an asshole, Aura-chan." Kuronue said, leaning back on his hands. "He's your older brother, for crying out loud."
"Kuronue-kun!" She exclaimed happily, running over to him and throwing her arms around his neck. He didn't protest.
"Aura, do you have to hang all over him?" Youko asked.
She grinned, her arms still around the bat youkai.
"He doesn't mind!" She smiled at the thief. "Right, Kuronue-kun?"
He looked over at his partner. "She's got a point, Kurama."
The gingitsune sighed, and shook his head. "Whatever."
She grinned again. "You're just jealous because nobody likes you! Then again, you're just a big grumpy bear, so who would?"
"You're too damn childish." He growled.
"More so than me?" Kuronue asked, looking surprised.
"Much more."
Aura kept grinning - something she seemed to always be doing - and hugged him to her.
"Don't worry, Kuronue-kun! I still love you!"
She kissed his cheek, and Youko rolled his golden eyes.
"Kuronue, get your shoes on. We're going."
"Going?" Aura repeated.
"You can't come with us, so don't even ask." He said.
"Please! I want to come!" She pleaded.
"No!" He exclaimed.
"Please?"
"No!"
"Please?"
"NO!"
"Pl-"
"NO! AND THAT'S FINAL!!" He shouted.
She fell silent, and her eyes widened. She let her ears droop, and she pouted. It was her puppy dog face, and it worked every time.
"Come on, Kurama." Kuronue said. "Let her come."
"Please! I'll be good, I promise!"
"If it'll get you to shut the hell up, then fine." He growled.
"Yay!" She exclaimed happily, before glomping Kuronue once more.
Youko sighed. "What am I getting myself into now?"
-------------
Hiei let his crimson eyes drift towards the heavens, to where he could see dark grey clouds drifting - a sure sign that it would storm later.
He was waiting for his companions, if he could even call them that, to finish getting ready, so that they could go to see Sesshoumaru's friend.
The demon lord had told him that the girl was a Seer, and she would be able to tell them what Yakumo was up to, no matter what. He had seemed a bit reluctant about going to see her, but Hiei paid no mind.
To be perfectly honest, he didn't even know why he was going with them. He had no allegiance to Rain, and he'd rather be out trying to kill Youko Kurama.
But something…something was telling him that he needed to stay by her. The same thing that had told him to save her when he saw her in the woods…
"It looks like it's going to rain."
He looked over at the girl, who had just emerged from the castle. She was watching the sky, just as he had been doing earlier.
She noticed his gaze, and smiled. "I love the rain."
He snorted, and looked back out over the land. "The only thing it's good for is making plants grow and providing cover while escaping from enemies."
"It always smells wonderful after it rains. It's the earth's way of replenishing water, and cleansing itself of all impurities." She countered, smiling gently.
"You're awfully philosophical for a girl who's only eighteen." He commented sarcastically.
"I'm not eighteen. I'm sixteen."
"Whatever. I'm still at least eight times your age."
"You are, aren't you?" She mused, crouching down beside him. "You're probably old enough to be my great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather."
"Probably."
"Hm."
Rin came out just then, smiling and holding out a ribbon to her sister.
"Rain-chan! You should tie up your hair before we go." She said, grinning. "Sesshoumaru-sama says that it's a long trip, and it would be wise to keep your hair out of your face."
Rain accepted the ribbon, and used it to tie up her midnight locks.
"Thanks, Rin-chan."
Hiei rolled his eyes, and stood. "Neither of you are prepared anyways. We'll be hiking through woods, and you're both wearing kimonos. Fixing your hair won't help you, should we need to run. And I'm telling you now that I won't carry either of you, and I doubt that Sesshoumaru will either."
The girls exchanged glances, then looked down at themselves.
Rain smiled. "I think we'll be alright. Ne, Rin-chan?"
"Right!"
Hiei just rolled his crimson eyes again, and Sesshoumaru came out. He looked them over, and said, "Is everyone ready?"
They all nodded, and they turned to leave.
"Wait for me, Sesshoumaru-sama!!"
They turned and saw Jaken running towards them, stumbling over himself as he did.
Sesshoumaru heaved a sigh, and narrowed his golden eyes.
"What is it?"
"I'm coming with you, Milord! Your faithful servant, Jaken, will always be there to help, should Milord need it!" The toad-youkai exclaimed.
Rin grinned. "Jaken-sama! You'll be coming with us?"
He narrowed his eyes at her. "Shut up, filthy human."
Rain's eyes narrowed at him, and she growled, "Leave her alone."
The youkai looked slightly taken aback, before snorting in a high-and-mighty way.
"Fine, Jaken. Come if you wish." The inu youkai said before turning on his heel and heading towards the woods.
Rin scurried after him, as did the little demon.
Rain just sighed, and said, "How can she put up with that?"
"She's weak." Hiei replied, starting to follow them. "You have a bit more backbone."
She stared after him for a second, confused, but then hurried after them, not wanting to be left behind.
-------------
Once they were out on the trail, Youko quickly started to regret his decision of letting his younger sister come with them. All she did was hang on Kuronue, and talk about how cute he was, and how when she was older, they could get married, and have many little children of their own.
It was slowly but surely driving him mad, and the worst part was that Kuronue wasn't protesting at all. He would just agree with whatever the girl said, and Youko knew the reason why - all Kuronue cared about was getting into her pants.
"And we can have a huge house with a view of the ocean! It'll be wonderful!" Aura giggled.
"Yeah, yeah, a house by the ocean." He agreed.
Youko rolled his golden eyes. "Damn it, Aura! He doesn't give a damn about a 'house by the ocean'!"
She stuck her tongue out at him. "Just because you can't think about your future doesn't mean that Kuronue can't!"
He sighed in frustration, and picked up his pace. He wanted to get as far away from them as he possibly could, and they were making it difficult.
"Youko-chan, wait up!"
He ignored her, and kept going. In fact, he was so fed up with the two youkai that he transformed into his fox form, and started dashing down the path.
He ran as fast as he could, the greenery of the forest whipping past him as he ducked under bushes and low branches, towards the river that he knew ran through the three territories - Sesshoumaru's, Kouga's, and his own.
On the other side of the river, he knew, was where Rydia lived. She stayed in Kouga's territory, despite the fact that she didn't have an ounce of ookami blood in her.
However, when he reached the edge of the river, he saw something that surprised him.
A horse was standing beside the clear flowing water, drinking heavily from its depths. But the most unusual thing about this particular animal was that it had flames for a mane and tail.
It looked like an thoroughbred, and had a solid black body. Youko could easily see the strong muscles rippling beneath the horse's sleek coat, and the flames burned brightly and intensely, causing a slight reflection on its fur.
The horse was obviously a youkai, because that would be the only way to explain the fire that burned on its body.
Youko slowly walked up to it, and made a small yip to get its attention.
The horse looked over at him, its red eyes baring the warning that it wouldn't hesitate in attacking him. Across its face was an 'X' shaped scar, and it seemed relatively recent.
Youko shifted into his human form, and gave the horse a curious look.
"Youkai?" He said.
The horse snorted.
"Ah. Are you trapped in your form?"
The horse shook its head, and the flames engulfed its body. When they disappeared, a man was standing there.
He was tall, almost as tall as Youko himself, with broad shoulders and the same strong muscles present in his equine form. He had fiery red hair that was tussled and slightly wavy, with matching eyes. He even had a hint of a beard growing, which made him look mature, and slightly older than what he should have. He still had the scar on his face, only now it was more prominent.
He wore a ragged white shirt, off of which the sleeves had been cut. Baggy black pants tucked into black boots completed his simple appearance.
"I can shift between them, but I prefer my original form." He said.
Youko didn't waste any time beating around the bush, especially not with a stranger like this youkai.
"Why are you in my territory?"
The man looked surprised, before smiling slightly.
"I'm afraid I got a bit lost. I didn't know that I'd wandered all the way to the territory of Youko Kurama. I was trying to get to Kouga's."
"Well, you can get the hell away from there, and then everything will be forgiven." The fox said, his eyes glinting dangerously.
"Oi, Youko-niisan! Are you being an asshole again?"
His eye twitched, and he slowly looked behind him to where Kuronue had just landed with Aura. His sister ran over to them, and she smiled at the red-haired horse youkai.
"Sorry about my brother. He can be a real jerk sometimes." She said, bowing slightly. She then turned her gaze to the kitsune, and her face went from incredibly sweet and innocent to extremely pissed.
"Youko, you asshole! What did you say to him?"
"Keh. I don't have to tell you, because you can't boss me around. Learn your place, and maybe I'll let you stay here." He growled dangerously.
"Guys, come on! It's getting late, and we need to make it to Rydia's before night falls!" Kuronue exclaimed, trying to halt the fighting and ease the tension between the two siblings.
The red-haired youkai looked surprised.
"Rydia? You're going to see her?"
Kuronue, Youko, and Aura looked over at him, and the girl said, "Yeah, we are. Why?"
"I was trying to find her as well! Would you mind if I tagged along, just until we get there? I promise to only stay with you until then."
Aura grinned. "Sure!"
"Hey!" Youko protested. "I make the decisions around here, not you!"
"Kurama, it's only a little way until we get there. Let him come." Kuronue said.
"Damn it! Are we going to let everyone in Makai just 'come along'?" He snapped.
"I won't be any trouble, I promise." He said.
Youko sighed, and rubbed his temples. "Yeah, yeah. That's what everyone says."
"Youko-chan?" Aura said, waiting for his decision.
"He can come. But we're separating once we get to the Seer's house, got it? And you owe me one, Aura."
Aura grinned, and then turned to the youkai.
"So, what's your name, anyways?"
He smiled.
"My name is Huo."
-------------
Author's Notes: Woohoo! I've finally updated! It's an extra long chapter, and two new characters have been introduced! And I'm back from the DEAD!!!!!! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH - [starts coughing and hacking because of her cold] Damn...I hate colds.
Do you all realize that this story is already twice as popular as Kokoro No Kaitou, my other series? That's AWESOME!
I'd like to thank everyone who has reviewed!
Also, to clear up some confusion, here are the age APPEARANCES of the characters:
Rin: 15
Rain: 16
Sesshoumaru: 17
Hiei: 18
Youko: 17
Aura: 16
Kuronue: 18
Huo: 20's
Anyways, that's about it!
NOTE!!!: I've just uploaded the Rain And Fire section to my website. You can access it from the main page (which can be found on my profile), or you can use the following link (just remember to delete the spaces):
http: www. geocities. com/ darkchobithome/ rainandfire. html
slave2anime: I've changed my mind! LOL. Sorry.
miyako14: She is probably only going to get MORE confused as the story goes on.
TPM-girl: Yup, very.
FieryKitsune: [sobs] It was so hard to tear myself away from his sexiness and focus on him being evil!! It was sooooooooooooooooooo hard!!! Woohoo! Lots of sexy Kuronue in this chapter, even if Aura is hanging all over him. Oh, and I have some good news for you! I've decided to keep the Rin/Sesshoumaru relationship as a sort of family-like one, like you said in your review. I can't really see them as a couple either - maybe a bit of a crush on Sess for Rin, but I don't see him returning them.
FluffysBijin05: Thanks! I'm extremely proud of this story! I can't give away too much, but they will most likely NOT go into the future. It just doesn't fir the plot.
Kaze Tsukai: Well, my horse wasn't even a horse! HE was deformed, ugly, and was SITTING!!! MWAHAHAHAHA!! Oh, and my mom is out getting nuts.
Crew of Light: Yes! I've postd everyone's pictures! I still haven't finished Rin's or Yakumo's, but they'll be up soon. And I've decided to keep the pairings secret, because as the reviewers for Kokoro no Kaitou said, "I am the Queen of Suspense!" So the only thing I can tell you is that there will be no Sess/Rin. She may get a little crush, but nothing else.
Seiyo-san: It says up there how old they all appear. I hope that answers your question!
Youko: LOL! I feel kinda sorry for Youko in this chapter, but it'll get better for him. Does this mean you'll be signing as 'Kuronue' now? And yes, Tsume rocks!! But personally, I prefer Kiba. Tsume's outfit makes him look like a man slut/gigolo. HAHAHA!! But still, they're both awesome.
DarkVixenNisha: Thanks, Nisha-chan!
Story Weaver1: As much as I like the pairing, it won't work in this story. But still, you can request for a pic of them under the 'Pairings' section of the Rain and Fire section of the website, if ya want!
Ashley(InuMad): I'm glad that you like the story! I like Sesshoumaru too! He's so kawaii!!
