I LIVE!

Yep, I haven't died or quit on My comp was on the fritz, so I couldn't do anything, turns out we got some sort of virus and we had to wipe it clean. I got to burn my stuff, but I can't use any of it till the CDs are scanned for viruses. I don't even have my fancy Microsoft Word, this is being done in plain old Wordpad. -- So anyway, enjoy this chap!

::10::Kyou::

What?! They're...gone! Where are they?!

Panic began swelling in his stomach like a balloon as adrenaline pumped hard and fast through his veins.

Not good, not good, not good!

Maybe he should run. Yes, run right back to his master...he'd be safe at the Palace...he wouldn't be able to get him there!

His feet pounded against the hard, rocky mountains as he ran. He ran as fast as he could, ignoring the burning, numbing feeling running up his legs as he relentlessly pumped them to go faster. Trees flew by like evergreen cloth lost in the wind, but his fearful black eyes were fixed straight ahead. He musn't let anything distract him! Not a demon, not another one of master's hawks...if that's one thing he'd learned, it was that distractions got you killed. Pausing for even a millisecond could let...him...catch up.

His heart pounded hard against his ribs, reaching it's limits. His muscles screamed at him to stop, to take a rest, in the form of a burning chest and numb limbs, but still he ran. Better to be unconscious at safety, at the Palace, then be in his hands.

'He' had every right to be angry, too. The running man had betrayed this 'he' a long time ago...and 'he' was known for taking revenge...sweet, deadly, revenge.

And there was three others to worry about, too! So powerful their energies were as intoxicating as the strongest alcohol.

But he'd have to stop soon...his body would make him stop...what if he fell unconscious, right here, in the mountains? He'd be vulnerable to even the lowest class of creatures...

Not like many of those were around anymore, though.

So he chanced it. He paused, remaining stock still, listening for any minute sounds his enemies might make....maybe their scent would float to him on the wind...maybe a flash of silver in the dark trees...

Nothing.

He breathed a sigh of relief, smiling, and decided it was safe to rest a little longer. He flopped down on the rocky ground, ignoring the tiny stones pressing into his sweaty bare arms and neck. His black eyes close contentedly...his master would be so pleased with him when he returned.

"Have I taught you nothing?"

The familiar voice shocked the man like a live wire as his comfort was replaced with gripping fear. Fear for his life...fear of the pain that was undoubtedly coming...

"Kyou!" his name was spat like a bad taste in the visitor's mouth, forcing him to stand up and face the enemy.

Long, shining silver tresses fell elegantly over the man's shoulders and cold amber eyes were carved into the pale, smooth face like the most wanted jewels that no one will ever own. Silver fox ears sat atop his head, currently pointed forward, straight at Kyou.

"Y-Youko-sama!" Kyou stuttered, staring wide-eyed at his former master.

"You're surprised, are you not?" Youko smirked in amusement at Kyou's shocked expression, "After all...I'm supposed to be dead..."

His tone was deadly low, making sure that Kyou heard every word...that he knew what was coming.

"That's right!" Kyou sighed with obvious relief, making Youko slowly raise a slender silver eyebrow, "You're dead! Just a ghost! You can't hurt me!"

Youko let a wicked smile grace his lips, exposing one pure white, needle-sharp canine fit for snapping bones in half. "I assure you...I am alive...and I certainly can hurt you," he chuckled darkly as he finished, fixing Kyou with a cold amber stare.

Kyou began sputtering in fear. His overexerted heart began pounding even harder and his legs felt like lead. That was a threat, and Youko's threats were never empty.

-(that's right, scene switch! mwhaha! XD)-

"You sure this is a good idea?" Yusuke asked. Worry was evident in his tone, making the bat demon above him sigh with disbelief.

"You have known Kurama for two years, and yet you still think he can't handle this?" Kuronue challenged.

"Well...I know he can, but..."

Kuronue shook his head, "You're overprotective of him. I assure you, he has done things more dangerous than this on his own."

"Usually Kurama wouldn't go after anybody without checkin' them out first. So does he know this guy?" Yusuke asked.

"Yep. I think he was a former subordinate of Kurama's."

"Former subordinate?" Yusuke echoed, confused.

Kuronue nodded, expertly leaping from his perch in a tree and landing silently on the ground beside Yusuke.

"Watch it!" Yusuke snapped, even though he knew Kuronue was skilled enough to avoid landing on him.

Ignoring the comment, Kuronue turned his deep violet orbs to meet Yusuke's.

"Former subordinate," the bat demon began, "as in 'underling'. Koenma said that, after my death, Kurama organized a band of thieves. Before Kurama left, he said this spy was a former subordinate of his."

"Oh," Yusuke blinked, "Wow, Kurama really did go all the way with the pro bandit thing, huh?"

Kuronue nodded, "He was the best, Yusuke, and he probably still is, if he ever chose to live back in the Makai."

--

"You c-can unders-stand, Y-Youko-sama-"

Youko's wicked smirk became wider, exposing both deadly fangs as he idly ran his tongue over them. "Now, Kyou..." he chuckled darkly, "what is there to understand? It is simple: you betrayed me."

"I-I'm s-so-"

"Do not apologize!" Youko snarled, his calm, deadly demeanor gone, "You are a worthless coward, a fool I should have left to die...however, you are of use to me now..." the fox smirked again, his calm countenance returning disturbingly quickly.

Kyou blinked. He'd only known Youko for a month, and still couldn't figure it out: was he bipolar, or did he just have incredible control over every little emotion? Deciding the question irrelevant for now, he settled for faking a confused look. He knew exactly what Youko wanted.

"Do not try to fool me, Kyou," Youko said evenly, his cold amber orbs flashing dangerously.

"I don't kn-"

"I can smell when you lie..." Youko's voice was deadly soft and low, sending shivers up Kyou's spine. His mind screamed at him to run, to get away, but he was frozen to the spot. His heart pounded faster, his breathing suddenly became ragged and shallow. This was past terror...he was petrified of the fox demon standing before him, a fox demon with enough power to wipe him off the earth with a flick of his wrist.

Youko smirked at Kyou's behavor. He'd forgotten how enjoyable it was to play with weakling's minds...

"So, you'll come with me, Kyou, and maybe I won't kill you," Youko's long, slender fingers absently twisted strands of his silver hair, threatening to withdraw a deadly blood red rose.

Kyou shook his head wildly, his black eyes widening with oncoming insanity as his mind tried to overcome the terror gripping him. "No! My master will come and obliterate you all!" he shrieked, before pivoting on his heel and taking off with adrenaline-fueled speed.

Youko's long, muscular legs propel him effortlessly after his former underling. His soft slip-on cream shoes made no noise on the rocky mountain terra...he practically flew as he ran, his long silver locks flying out behind him like a shining banner. His ears were pinned back, smooth against his skull as he ran, with Kyou close in his sights. Youko put on a short burst of speed, ramming right into Kyou's back, knocking the demon to the ground.

Kyou landed hard on his chest, the impact knocking the wind out of him with one sharp breath. Youko kneeled on his back with one leg, his knee digging hard into Kyou's spine, the other leg on the ground, Youko's arm propped up on his bent knee.

"You come with me now, or you die where you lie," Youko said flatly.

"F-fine!" Kyou stuttered.

::End Chapter::

I didn't like this chapter for some reason...but I promise I did my best...sorry it was so short, I couldn't keep track of pages on Wordpad. --