Kurama slowly trudged down an abandoned street. He wasn't really paying attention to where he was going. He just walked. His life seemed to have no meaning anymore... he'd lost everything important to him. His human mother had died. His "friend" Hiei had seemingly disappeared after the mysterious demon had stolen the Artifacts of Darkness from them. He couldn't even return to Makai to live his life as Youko. Omaku had seen to that... he'd seen to a lot of things... such as keeping "treacherous demons" such as Kurama under control with his obedience collars. The collar that now resided on Kurama's neck kept him from using any of his demonic powers. So basically, Kurama had lost all purpose for his life.
As Kurama continued to trudge, hand deep within the pockets of his jacket, he heard a scream. He jerked his head toward where he thought the scream had emanated. There he saw a small girl, she didn't seem more than seven, was being chased by a rather large demon. Springing into action, Kurama dived and grabbed the child, just as she was about to be torn apart by the demon's rather vicious looking claws, which tore into the already crumbling pavement of the street instead.
"------! Who are you that takes my supper from me?" the demon growled at Kurama, who was now standing some feet away, holding the girl. Kurama realized that the demon before him was none other then Byakko, the second of the once feared Saint Beasts.
"My name is of no consequence. But I will not let you devour this girl." Kurama replied calmly.
"So you wish to take her place do you? So be it. You will be much more satisfying then that scrawny excuse anyway." With that said, the Byakko powered up for an attack. Before Kurama could react, the demon opened it's ugly mouth and shot a ball of fire at the duo. All Kurama could do was to crouch down and shield the girl as best he could. But the pain he waited for never came. Kurama looked up to see someone blocking the attack. On further inspection, the someone appeared to be a young woman wearing some type of black cloak. She had erected a shield of energy before her that was currently holding back the fire.
"What are you doing you moron! MOVE!" Kurama's trance was broken by his savior's words, and he immediately jumped out of the way. The girl was then thrown backwards by the force. She did a backflip in the air, and landed on her feet. Unfortunately, the force of Byakko's attack still pushed her back wards, so she ended up skidding away from them leaving two long trenches in her wake. When she stopped, she was crouched forward, her hand on the ground for balance.
"Grr... stupid girl... it appears you wish to be added to my menu to." Byakko scowled at being interrupted once more.
"Tch... as if..." The girl replied. She charged up energy and unleashed it at Byakko. "SPIRIT GUN!" the force of her attack now threw Byakko backwards, momentarily stunning the tiger. The girl then swung her gaze to Kurama and the child he still held. "What is it with you and just standing there?!? Come on!" She motioned to him and took off running. All Kurama could do was follow.
"Who are you?" Kurama questioned the girl when they had stopped their flight.
"My name is Maleah." The girl replied, seemingly unphased by the length of their run. He brown hair was pulled back into a high ponytail. Blue eyes stood out against her tan skin, and freckles sprinkle her nose. The black cloak she wore hid any figure she might have. If she had the hood up, she could be mistaken for a man... which Kurama expected was her intention. She couldn't be called beautiful, but she wasn't horrid either.
"Unique little girl?"
"My mother's choice."
"Ah, I see. My name is Kurama."
"A pleasure." Maleah stated, rolling her eyes.
"Thank you very much for saving us."
"Hrmph... you should have saved yourself."
"Yes, that would seem the preferred choice." Kurama smiled, the first smile in a long time. Yuriko glared at him, then looked at the small girl in his arms.
"An what's your name?" She asked, gaze softening.
"Nimshi." The child said tentatively. Her black hair was cut short to her chin, but was none the less frazzled. Dirt smudged her pale skin, making her blue eyes, which were a lighter shade then Maleah's, stand out. She was very thin, and her clothes were much to big on her, also dirty. She was the poster child for the way people lived these days.
"Well Nimshi, would you like to go to a safe place?" Nimshi nodded ferociously and squirmed out of Kurama's arms. This brought Maleah's attention back to Kurama. "Your welcome to come as well."
"Thank you for the offer, but I shall continue on alone."
"Fine then," Then Maleah spotted the obedience collar, "Would you like that off?" She inquired, gesturing at it.
"Can you do that?" She shrugged.
"Kneel down." She commanded, and he obliged. After a moment, the collar came free. Kurama rubbed his neck appreciatively.
"Once again, thank you." At this she shrugged once more, and took Nimshi's hand.
"Wait please." Nimshi asked. Then she ran up to Kurama and tugged his hand. He kneeled down to her eye level, and she kissed his cheek. "Thank you." She said softly, then ran back to Maleah. Then Maleah held the pendant, which she had produced from under her cloak, that hung around her neck, with one hand, and Nimshi's hand with the other. They were enveloped in a bright light, and when it faded, the two girls were gone.
Sakura: Hi all! Sorry for the late update... my life actually got busy... O.O... anyway, the reason I'm down here babbling is to thank my friend Silly, aka Sillyningengirl, for all her help. She gives me great sites, and has helped me with everything basically. So... THANK YOU! Oh, and for the rest of you, go read her stories, they're good.
Okay, I fixed this chapter... ya see, I was originally gonna call her Yuriko, then I changed it... thank you ShadedRogue for pointing it out! and don't worry, you'll see the others all in good time...