Mayumi's night was a restless one. The ground of the den dug into her back painfully so she sat against the far wall by the back exit and watched the fairies dance in the moonlight. It truly was a beautiful sight to behold. Their small wings shimmered under the strands of light that fell through the trees. Mayumi envied their simple lives that were free from thoughts of hatred and revenge but at one time so had hers. Lightly she brought a fingertip to her lips. He had almost kissed her but she knew he hadn't meant it, right? Yoko never lost his composure so why start now? Was the past really that important that she had to get her revenge? Yoko had basically confessed he had been behind all the deaths wasn't that enough? He had played the words around so he said it with out saying it but he had, in so many words, said it.

"It's not enough." Mayumi said to herself.

"What's not enough?" Kuronue said from behind her.

"Nothing. It's nothing."

"Alright then I won't pry. Mind if I join you?"

"Do as you please." She said blandly becoming angry that she was disrupted from her thoughts. Kuronue sat a few inches from her and gazed out the back exit as well.

The ocarina of truth would bring it out of him. That was the only way he would tell her directly but did it matter? Mayumi clenched her fist and lightly hit it against the wall, yes it did matter. She had to hear him say it but then what? After Yoko admitted fully to her that he was behind the killings than what would she do?

"Kill him." Kuronue said suddenly. Mayumi jumped up a bit at the sutleness of his voice.

"What?" She asked breathlessly.

"that's what you want to do isn't it? I heard everything that you two spoke of earlier and I have one question."

"And that is?"

"Why does it matter? Okay I can understand your anger and hate towards him for doing what ever it was he did but he just wanted to be with you. Sure the way he went about it was a bit extreme and possessive but he did it for you." Kuronue glanced at her for a moment and laughed shortly.

"What's so damn funny?"

"If only people knew that the legendary duo were at each other's throats all the time…"

"We are not at each other's throats all the time! What the hell do you know anyways?" Mayumi snapped. Kuronue laughed a little more.

"Not much unfortunately. I just left home not too long ago and thought I'd try my hand at thievery but alas I suck horribly at it."

"You just left home? How the hell old are you?"

"Compared to you old woman I am an infant."

"Old woman? Ha!" Mayumi stated standing up. She took a step closer to closer to him running her hands over the curves of her body.

"Your just jealous because a loser like you could never get this." Mayumi said coyly. Kuronue smiled pleasantly.

"No thanks I don't like sloppy seconds. Besides I've heard what happens to the men you sleep with black widow." Mayumi took his face in her hands roughly slamming his head into the wall.

"If you ever speak badly of my again I will not hesitate to kill you. Understand?"

Kuronue gave a nervous half smile nodding obediently.

"Good." Mayumi said sitting back down again. She smiled to herself keeping a close eye on the youth. The feeling she got from him was that he was not involved with Yoko at all and she was seldom wrong.

"All mine." Mayumi said with an evil laugh to follow.

"No stupid! If we went in that way we'd end up getting killed!" Mayumi shouted at him.

"Sorry." Kuronue said embarrassed somewhat.

"I swear you are the suckiest suck that ever sucked." Mayumi stated annoyed.

"Sorry." Kuronue whispered again.

"Maybe he just has a crappy teacher." Yoko said from his self made throne which he had insisted on bringing. Mayumi threw him a hard glare before turning her attention back to Kuronue.

"Now look carefully and tell me where is the best entrance? Keep in mind that the towers and all around the moat are heavily guarded with SDF members."

Kuronue looked at the map for quite some time tracing his finger over several parts, would stop for a moment then shake his head. Mayumi sat with her head buried in her arms sleepily.

"There! Uh, right?" Kuronue said finally. Mayumi jerked her head up looking at him dazed for a moment.

"Huh?" She asked sleepily.

"Just as I said, crappy teacher." Yoko said striding over to where they sat. Mayumi looked up at him as he hovered over them his long hair dangling down.

"Yes Kuronue that is correct." He said sounding somewhat impressed.

"Thanks." Kuronue said pleased with himself.

"You figured it out quicker than Mayumi did that's for sure." Mayumi glared at him angrily.

"You're treading on dangerous ground fox!" She becoming increasingly frustrated.

"Oh really? And what are you going to do about it Mayu?" He asked cockily. Mayumi continued her hard stare.

"Ha. Just as I thought." He said returning to his self appointed throne that he had insisted on bringing when they had moved.

"You can not beat me Mayu. No one can." He said/

"Want to bet?" Mayumi asked emotionlessly.

"Sure." Kurama said taking out the Ocarina of Truth. Mayumi stood up quickly.

"Bastard." She hissed.

"You took too long Mayu and this is a very nice treasure to posses." He stated tossing it into the air and flipping it over across his fingers. Mayumi walked slowly over to him and held out her hand.

"Give it." She said. Yoko smiled making his eyes small slits.

"Why should I?"

"I had already claimed it."

"Yes you did to use against me. Not that I should be very worried it's not as if you had anything else planned for afterwards."

"Can you be so sure?"

"I know you Mayumi Taisho and you are no match for me in both brains and strength. Why don't you just give up and become a good little pet?" He stated grabbing her by the wrist.

"I would rather die a thousand scorching deaths." She yelled at him.

"That can be arranged."

"I HATE YOU KURAMA!" She screamed in his face. His cocky smile quickly disappeared and she knew why. He hated to be called Kurama. Quickly he stood up raising his hand up high to strike her when Kuronue stepped in.

"Leave her alone." He said nobily.

"Really? What will you do if I don't?" Yoko replied quite amused by the events taking place.

"I will fight for her rights and honor."

"Honor? Well sorry to burst your bubble kid but it's been quite some time since that whore has had any honor." He said laughing. Kurnoue growled fiercely spreading his wings once again exhibiting the tare. Yoko tossed Mayumi to the side roughly.

"Well then come on." Yoko said motioning for Kuronue to fight him. Mayumi shook the dizziness from her head to get her bearings to see Kuronue fighting Yoko tooth and nail to no avail.

"Stop! He'll kill you Kuronue!" Mayumi shouted feeling a sudden twinge of pain flutter into her chest.

"ARRR! I don't care! I'd rather die then see him treat you in such a way!" Kuronue shouted over to her.

"Then what do you think will become of me if you die? You honestly think he'll treat me any better? You can't help if your dead!" Mayumi said jumping to her feet and running towards Yoko drawing her butterfly katana. Kurnonue swung scythes at him fireosously in a circular motion as Mayumi clashed her sword against one Yoko had made from a plant leaf while dodging Kuronue.

"So this is what it's come too?" Yoko asked somewhat sadly.

"Guess so." Mayumi repled. Yoko sighed producing another sword wielding one in each hand. Mayumi gasped as he knocked her katana to the side.

"Mayu!" Kuronue shouted fearfully. Mayumi quickly back flipped out of Yoko's range giving her enough leverage to swing her body up to reach her two swords that she had acquired some time ago. Mayumi grabbed them twisted her body around to land gracefully on the ground.

"Kuronue move!" She ordered crossing her swords in front of her. Obediently Kuronue obeyed and dodged to the left. Yoko barely had time to react before Mayumi brought her swords down creating a firey wind that engulfed Yoko.

"Stay down!" She shouted angrily. Kuronue ran to her side bruised and slashed but otherwise fine.

"Did it get him?" He asked.

"I doubt it." Mayumi replied waiting for the attack to dissipate.

"You were right he created a barrier." Kuronue said quietly when the smoke began to clear somewhat. A dome made of bamboo and leaves had encased Yoko from her attack.

"Bastard." Mayumi said softly as he reemerged.

"I must say Mayu well done. Perhaps you were right, I shouldn't underestimate you. Kuronue you did well also. More time and you may even become a half decent fighter." Yoko said amused sitting back down in his chair.

"You son of a bitch! This wasn't a game." Kuronue shouted angrily.

"Everything is a game to him being that he's fox." Mayumi said feeling defeated. Yoko smiled that grin of his.

"Life is a game kid's and so far I'm winning." He said.

"You may think so Kurama but you'll never get the one thing you seek so badly that it hurts you to think it belongs to everyone else except you. As long as you keep on playing this twisted little game it will always be out of your reach." Mayumi said grabbing Kuronue's hand leading him out of the den. She could feel Yoko look up from his reading to watch her go. She could almost feel his heart break as she left with Kuronue knowing that she had once again chosen someone else over him.

The night air felt so good compared to being underground in the stuffy den. Mayumi walked not really knowing where she was going lost in her thoughts.

"Hey Mayu are you alright?" Kuronue asked suddenly. She looked at him, actually forgot that he was there. She stopped and looked at the ground.

"Are you?" She asked.

"I asked you first."

Mayumi sighed glancing up at the night sky and shook her head. Kuronue gripped her hand tighter getting closer to her.

"Everything will be alright. I promise." He said softly pushing her bangs aside.

"How can you be so sure?" She asked staring into his violet eyes.

"I know because I'm by your side. I'll protect you, it's my job after all."

"Why is that?"

"You claimed me as yours so what kind of a pet would I be if I didn't protect my master or well mistress." He said smiling. Mayumi smiled a little before embracing him.

"I don't want you to stay if you don't want to. I would never force that upon you." She said softly.

"I don't do anything that I don't want too." Kuronue replied brushing his lips against hers. Mayumi rested her head on his shoulder.

"Slow please. I've never taken things slowly."

"That's fine." Kuronue said kissing her forehead instead. Mayumi closed her eyes tightly and prayed that Yoko wouldn't ruin this love for her as well.