I learned a new curse word: spooned, as in "We are so spooned."

Still no spooning title- part one: The Third Kingdom- chapter 10

Notes

"encouraging" sayings courtesy of The Once and Future Queen.

In case you haven't noticed the word "fox" is capitalized ("Fox") when it refers specifically to Kurama. It's almost like a nick name, but the author gets to use it too.

Kane pronounced using romaji (Ka-nay). Kane is speaking Japanese. He is using the word "aku-ma" when he says demon, whereas I would be using "youkai." Difference: aku-ma quite literally "evil-evilbeaing" is like we think of demons (servants of the devil and what-not). Youkai has more of a neutral connotation. They're not good or bad. Technically they're a-moral (no sense of good and evil. Just existing by whatever means they have to.) but that kind of goes against a lot of comic, anime, and fan plots, so it's difficult to keep them that way. I try to portray Kuronue as rather a-moral with a hint of rare humanity and a broad but strict code of honor. Rather hiei-like but more fun.

Because it actually matters now, I'm putting up the "definition" of splice again.

splice: one who was born human/Reikai/Youkai (I suppose they could be a hybrid too)and became another (i.e. Kurama, werewolves, vampires (if they were bitten)). They may consider themselves full one side or the other or may just say that they area splice but they are not 1/2 or anything like that.

Reminders:

You all should know this but it's changed a bit since the beginning and I haven't officially said anything.

author's note/border or scene change (depending on what's in it. use your judgment)+

/thoughts/ "/Telepathy/" makes sense don't it? Why not standard 'thoughts' or thoughts? B/c I use 'blah' for so many other things like 'sarcastic writer's syndrome(SWS)' and I don't want to use "blah" b/c it would be confused w/ something being said or a quote which it probably is not. As for italics: 1) I use them for other things, 2) some computers don't like that kind of formatting, 3) I use that for SWS too, and 4) I don't want to rely too much on it b/c of the comp thing. Personally, I sometimes print things out b/c it's easier to read. b/c of the comp thing, a lot of meaning is lost due to the fact that all of the italics have been taken out. When I put things in italics, it isn't vitally important to have them in italics, just slightly more helpful.

Story:

No quote yet. no time.

10. Detour (part one)

"Where are we?" Kuronue asked staring up the hill at the Japanese temple.

"Umm… Deture." The human in half youko form +yes, he has a half human form now+ patted the back of his head. Kuronue glared at him suspiciously. "Making good on a promise." The Fox shrugged at him. "It won't take long." He started up the some million steps.

Once at the top, Kurama pulled aside the door. "Master Kane?" he called stepping cautiously inside. Kuronue followed with his hands in his pockets, taking in his surroundings and seeming almost bored.

They'd entered the empty dojo of the temple. 'Encouraging' sayings such as "Kill him first." "Remember: Team leaders get all the blame." and "Groups give the enemy targets other than you." hung on the walls while rolled training mats sat under them. On one side of the room, spiritual relics and a few weapons sat on a rack. Aside from these articles, the room was bare; the spotless floor and high ceiling making it seem even more expansive than it was.

Out of nowhere, the Fox shoved him aside and jumped to avoid a massive ki bolt that, missing its mark, flew out the door and disintegrated a few trees.

"Back demons!" a cry came from the direction of the attack, "Be gone from this place! We have nothing suited for your kind. Leave!"

Kuronue hopped back from a barrage of punches and kicks. The attacker streaked forward. Kuronue blocked the assault then backflipped and brought himself to a hover with the aid of his wings. The attacker came again. Kuronue glided backward and blew his opponent off course with a massive beat of his wings.

He disengaged a throwing star from one of his many storage places for them, spun around, and used the added momentum to whip it at his attacker a t lightning speed.

"Kuro, NO!"

A streak of red crossed the star's path; then the weapon was gone. It wasn't until Kurama ran out the door with the shuriken that Kuronue realized what had happened.

Their attacker sped outside in the redheaded 'demon's' wake.

"We can't have you ruining the dojo, can we?" Kurama taunted, "Heaven knows I'd be the one to rebuild it."

"So, you desire the temple itself, do you?" the man shouted, "You will not have it while I am alive!"

"Good," Kurama smiled sweatly, "I hope you have quite a long life, then. It's me, master Kane, Shuichi." Kurama half laughed.

"I'm not falling for that. How stupid do you think I am? You don't even look like him!" He charged the Fox.

Kurama dodged nimbly. "My opinion of your intelligence is not the topic of discussion."

Kuronue rolled his eyes. /'Discussion' my ass. Just like him to call it that./

The Fox pulled out some vines that latched to the 'master's' limbs. He pulled tightly on them like ropes and used the martial arts' master's own speed and momentum to swing him in a large arc over his head, slamming the man into the ground.

All was quiet for a moment and Kurama used it to assume his human form; the only one Master Kane was familiar with.

Kane pulled himself up from the dent in the ground and disentangled himself from the mass of vines.

"See?" Kurama spread his arms wide in a gesture of peace. "It's me." He smiled sweetly.

"Shape-shifter are we?"

"Most youko are." Kurama responded, annoyance in his voice, "'Specially splices."

"Hmm." the Master looked thoughtful, "Who is your greatest friend and ally?"

"I don't rate them." the Fox stated huffily. "Is Yukina in the garden?"

"Yukina?"

"We're done with this."

"Who sent you?"

"I promised her brother I'd keep an eye on her." Kurama huffed, quite irritated with this little game. He began to make his way to the door again.

"And who is that?"

Kurama whipped around. For a moment, The Master was almost convinced the Fox would kill him… almost.

"You don't even know the answer to that. I could say Mahatma Gandhi and you'd have to accept it." Master Kane quirked a knowing smirk at him. Kurama nearly laughed, but was still too annoyed. "Perhaps my assessment of your intelligence is in question. Master Kane, this is Kuro; Kuro, Master Kane." The Fox waved his hand toward each of them in turn, "Come Kuro." He ordered and tugged at the Bat's coat.

Said demon dug his hands into his pockets and followed his partner through the door.

the relative end. that's it for now. excuses below.+

Sorry guys. This is extremely rough and not complete. If I end up with the time, I'll finish it and put the rest up tomorrow. If not, I'll finish asap.

Sorry, but, like Pan Jaganshi says (and contrary to popular belief), I have something called a life. You guys are important, but I have to put in an appearance or two at a few things, like say… school (despite my geekiness, it is little more than an appearance, I assure you).

Quick responses

Pan Jaganshi: thanks for understanding. Concert/marching band? Or like rock band?

Stonehenge: yay metalica! Glad you like it. I shall try very hard to kick ass, but liturgically, that is my problem at the moment. I can't do fight scenes yet and I haven't had time to sit down and do otherwise pointless writing drills.

Purplehairedwonder: thank's for understanding. Please do keep reading, no matter how short and infrequent these may get in the near future. They will be there.

TOAFAQ: One: (it's a colon or parenthesis (singular)) I know that

Two: I don't care

Three: you're welcome

Four: I was being lazy and didn't type "best". Sorry. + XXX (did you finish that bio?)+

That's it. no time.

Lots of Liebe for sticking with me,

Doomschneider

4-8-05