Chapter Seven: Guardian of the Celestial Maiden
The moment when Kurama wakes up, he is with Raven on the bed. He was looking around to see what happened. It turned out that he passed out while he was giving Raven the massage. That image of having sex with Raven was a dream! He couldn't believe it. It felt real for Kurama, but it was an illusion. He found Raven on his lap sleeping. He gently placed her head on a pillow and headed to the living room. He plopped down on the couch and lounged there for a while until he heard a young woman's voice.
(Unknown): You dreamt about the demon's desire… did you not?
Kurama: Huh? (gets out of the couch and in fighting stance) Who's there!
(Unknown): Down here.
Kurama: Huh? Ren!
Ren: Yes, it's me, but I'm not in my proper form.
Black mist arose from nowhere and a strong demonic aura was coming from that cloud of darkness. When it cleared, a huge, nine tailed fox was standing in front of Kurama. Ren's coat was a beautiful silky black and her chest was a pearl white. Her eyes were dark blue, and her tails were at least five feet long. She stood seven feet tall from her feet to the tip of her ears. There was a silver crest on her forehead; it was shaped as a waning crescent. Her tails kept moving like shadows.
Ren: I am Tatsuke Saidenkai Ren, guardian of the Celestial Maiden of the Red Moon.
Kurama: Tatsuke Saidenkai Ren… we've met before.
Ren: So we have. I was with Lady Ceres at that time.
Kurama: I remember. What brings you to your true form? I doubt it's because you feel like you need to get out.
Ren: I came forth because of the demonic energy Raven was giving off. I am guessing that it was because of the dream both of you were having.
Kurama: What about it?
Ren: That was what the demon's desire was. She wanted you, Kurama. This does not mean that she wants your body; she just wants your companionship.
Kurama: I see…
Ren: Raven cannot survive in the Human World. That is why I'm here, but I cannot communicate with her.
Kurama: Why is that?
Ren: It's too dangerous for me to. If I bring out too much information she might suffer a soul meltdown. The Shadow Realm's hope will be gone forever.
Kurama: I understand that, but how can she not survive in the Human World alone?
Ren: If you were left behind with no memory about yourself and your family's whereabouts, would you go to suicidal conclusions?
Kurama: (eyes widen) She would truly do that?
Ren: I'm afraid so. (head down and tears leak out of her blue eyes) She's just a child, but she has to suffer the fact that she's alone. Before she met you she almost killed herself in the hospital she stayed at. She couldn't stand being alone for so long even although it was just for a day. I can't stand to see her in such pain. Sometimes she wishes that she can go back where she came from, but she can't go back.
Kurama: Because if she does, it will be far worse than what she has now. I'm sure that no one will want to go back to that hellish abyss.
Ren: She has so many disabilities. Her brain can't take in so much vital information about herself. In result, she passes out. She also passes out when she works too much and when she stays out in the sun too long. She's okay when she stops in the shade for a few minutes.
Kurama: She suffers so much pain and yet she looks fine…
Ren: She's too bothered by the fact that she might be a nuisance to other people, so she pretends that she's normal.
Kurama: You know so much about her.
Ren: It's true. I watch over her as if she were my own fox cub. No matter what… I'll protect her. I am no longer doing what those damn cat sisters tell me to do.
Kurama: You were working for them?
Ren: Yes, I was until I heard that Raven will be a toy after her mission was done. I'm not going to let that happen. I'm making sure that she lives here in the Human World in peace.
Kurama: I'll try to help you.
Ren: You already have. Raven is growing close to you. When she is with me she talks about you so much. She's so open about you that it scares me sometimes.
Kurama: Really now… (sweat drop)
Ren: Yes. Please spend more time with her Kurama. She needs someone who can help her in the places where I cannot go. Better yet, she needs you and your friends. I'm sure that it will help her tremendously.
Kurama: It will, I'm sure of it.
Ren: Someday she might tell you the truth about her past so you can get a better understanding of how she got here.
Kurama: Why can't you tell me?
Ren: It's too painful for me to explain in detail. I am hoping that Raven will have more strength than me to explain.
Kurama: I understand. I don't want you to relive your nightmare.
Ren: Thank you.
Kurama: (silent for a moment) That dream was an illusion huh?
Ren: Yes, it was. Are you disappointed?
Kurama: No, just relieved. (runs hand through his hair and sighs) If it were real… I'd be in so much trouble.
Ren: I see, yet you want it to happen.
Kurama: (blushes) I guess so. (forces out a laugh)
Ren: It's a normal reaction when exposed to the spores of the Moon Lily and the Shadow Lotus.
Kurama: What?
Ren: You've been infected with the Blossom Trap. It's a technique used by Amazons in the Shadow Realm. It renders males helpless and transforms them into their youngest form. If they happen to be a demon, then the effect happens but their youngest form will be a human body.
Kurama: That doesn't explain why I want to have sex with her though.
Ren: That's because you are the same demon species. If the victim is the same species then they have sexual cravings when they are around the person who set the trap. You'll be having dreams about your sexual desire for young Raven for the next couple of days. The cure is unknown, but the only person who does know is the woman who is sleeping as we speak. The only thing is… she's so simple minded that she doesn't even know what human courtship is.
Kurama: (blushes) I guess I got infected pretty bad…
Ren: I am afraid so. Who knows… you'll be able to be the first one to be cured from this curse.
A few minutes of silence…
Ren: The sun is coming out. I'd better get back to my corner. I advise you to stay until nine in the morning. It would be so rude to leave a lady without saying goodbye.
Kurama: I'll stay. You don't have to worry. (getting tired)
Ren: (nods) Oh, before I forget. I must warn you. The red moon will be visible in four months. Before that time comes I'm sure that Eclipse will send two officers from the Shadow Realm to get Raven. Stay on your guard. They are very unforgiving when you give them a chance to strike. I will help as much as I can, but most of the time you will have to fight them alone. Also, the red moon would be a dangerous time for Raven staying in this city. I need you to get her to a different location after three months. I will explain later in due time about more. (goes to her corner and sleeps in her normal form)
Kurama: (sighs and goes out to the balcony) Ah… the wind feels so good… (leans against the wall by the sliding door)
Kurama just stands there for a while. He was breathing hard because for some strange reason he was tired. Like all of the sudden his spirit energy was drained. He was sweating too. It was getting a little too uncomfortable for him now. He started to unbutton his shirt and slid one side off his shoulder so the wind can cool the sweat off. He slid his back against the wall and sat down. He tilted his head and tried to stay awake, and he placed his hand against his chest to control his breathing. Suddenly he felt cold hands on his bare shoulder. As he looked up he saw Raven in loose pajamas. She had a worried look on her face. Kurama stood up but he had some trouble. Raven knew something was wrong.
Kurama: I didn't expect you to be up so soon. (breathing hard)
Raven: (stares at him and moves her hand to his chest which felt like an oven)
Kurama: (sighs) I'm all right. You don't have… to worry about me.
Raven: moves her hand down his chest
Kurama: Raven… don't worry. (weak smile)
Raven: (goes closer to him until her cheek was touching his chest)
Kurama: (silent for a moment) R-raven… I'm… (eyes widen)
He stopped. Raven placed her lips on his. Kurama was so confused. Why was she doing this? Raven was rubbing his chest now and, surprisingly, Kurama started to cool down. His spirit energy was coming back to him. Raven stopped and just looked at him. Kurama was looking back at Raven.
Kurama: Raven…
Raven: You needed something. I had something extra so I gave some to you, but I don't know what it is.
Kurama: (thinking) She's starting to realize spiritual energy.
Raven: Kurama… can I tell you something?
Kurama: Go ahead.
Raven: There was a dream I had last night.
Kurama: Go on.
Raven: You were in it and we were doing something.
Kurama: Yeah… did happen to be us in bed because I probably had the same dream.
Raven: Oh… anyways, I think your mom is worried.
Kurama: I still have some time left.
Raven: There's something else I need to talk to you about, but I'll tell you later.
A/N: Review please! Next chapter... Black Rose of the Shadow Realm
