Kuronue seemed to be a bit more cautious as he measured his steps with certain precaution. He had shown Kurama that the floor had been strategically lined with traps. So they both took care as they crossed the room to the next bolted door. Kuruama examined the lock for some time, and checked for anything that was suspicious. Finally he picked the lock with some difficulty and tested the doors hinges. He opened the door slowly and looked at the treause they seeked. The mirror shown a bright gold and seemed to hum in its own type of pride and radiance.

Kurama's eyes sparkled just looking at it. Walking forward, he took care to spot any traps, so he could avoid them. His hands reached out for the mirror that seemed to taunt him. He grabbed it and slowly lifted it. Looking at it, he gave a decisive grin. Kuronue was becoming impatient, "Hurry up fox! We don't have day!"

Kurama turned to head for the door, but then he heard a soft beeping sound. He hadn't stepped on a trap...unless... He quickly turned around he had overlooked an alarm that was under the mirror. He cursed to himself, then smiled sardonically. Maybe this would prove to be interesting.

It took Kuronue a few moments after Kurama to hear the alarm. They could hear the guards coming around the corner. Kuronue and Yoko could easily out run them, and they both escaped the castle. The guards were still chasing them as they entered the trap-filled forest. Kuronue became careless and something snapped his pendant. He quickly turned back to get it.

"Don't!" Kurama replied, stopping himself to watch Kuronue.

"I need it!" Kuronue argued foolishly, but just as he reached his pendant, he sprung a bamboo trap. The bamboos penetrated his flesh, and let the blood flow out of its hollow wood. Kurama was left in shock; an emotion he never had experienced before. "Kuronue!" He cried, taking a step toward his companion.

Kuronue reached out a hand, "Run Kurama!" The footsteps of the guards were coming closer. Kurama stole one more glance at his friend before escaping.

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Kurama made it to the far side of the forest. He collasped to his knees staring down at the mirror. His heart pounded, his stomach wrenched, and bile rose to his throat. Selenay had been right. Something had been bound to happen. One of his best men was dead. But Kuronue wasn't just a thief, he was a companion...a friend. That word sounded through his head. Friend. It was foreign to him, but it was still there. Kuronue had been his friend, and it took him til Kuronue's death to figure that out.

He looked across the shimering lake. He felt strange as if he was a robot that had discovered emotions. He started to grow angry at himself and punched the ground.

Selenay watched Kurama. She still didn't know about Kuronue's death. Kurama's hair glew a silver color in the moonlight, yet he looked so sad. She slowly made her way to him and sat down next to him. Kurama growled at first, for she had invaded his territory. Selenay looked at the mirror, "Where's Kuronue?"

Kurama didn't answer. He didn't want to answer. Selenay looked at him for a moment, as if seeking an answer. She drew her legs under her, and looked away. She reached into her pouch of dead, dried-out petals. The handful of pedals began to glow a bright scarlet and faded to a deep red. "All things die sometime. Some people seek death to enter paradise."

"Don't bother me with your meaningless words! I watched him die in front of me! There was nothing I could do! But there must of been something I could have done! There had to be..." Kurama trailed off. Selenay just let his outburst sink in. She didn't know what to say, and dropped the petals onto the water; watching the petals drift on the lake. The petals would serve as a rememberance to Kuronue. She turned to Kurama, who had his eyes closed.

She kneeled down to him and touched a slender hand to his face. Gold eyes met gold eyes. "Its not your fault. I want you to realize that." Selenay told him gently. Kurama placed his hand on her cheek, his ears seemed to tingle as she spoke gently to him.

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Yay! I got this up quicker! Yes, I purposely had Kuronue die to follow the storyline of Kuronue's past. --Salutes Kuronue-- I apologize if his death offends any of the readers. Anyway, I know I repeat myself over and over, and sound like a broken record on a doom's day device, but please review.