You're reviews make me feel so loved. (Tears of joy). Anyway, this chapter finds us with a 16 year old Youko. What surprises await the fox, find out now!
Harpy Blackhawk: Just showing Kuro's personality more & for a transition to this chapter.
Shiorifoxiesmom: Well, here's a lot of thief and no more slave.
Fruit is NOT a Dessert: Thanks for all the reviews. And my style is to do something nobody else has. So I guess that is weird.
BlackroseVixen05: I appreciate the review, please keep reading. I'll try to update again soon.
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It's a Secret: Chapter 5
A year had passed, and Youko had become one of the most powerful among the thieves. He had surpassed his teachers in most everything, well except Kuronue. He was now permanently cold towards everybody. That cruel smirk he had forced onto his face that fateful day when he ran from captivity now had a permanent home on his face. The only person he wasn't cold towards was Kuronue, who treated him exactly the same as he had the day they met.
His appearance had changed as well, that scrawny slave was gone. He had grown even taller over the past year, and his spirit energy gave his skin a slight, radiant glow. His hair and tail fur had grown as well. His body was now well muscled, but though his shoulders had broadened some, he still looked feminine.
He was bathing when Takeshi approached him. "Hurry up Youko, it's about time to leave." he told the fox. At Youko's inquiring look, he continued. "Lord Kuronue told us that it was about time you came on a raid with us. Didn't predict that. Course I'll never tell Kuro he surprised me. Well, I guess it's time for me to earn my keep around here. Youko got up and dressed himself. Then he walked off to join the others.
"Surprised fox?" Kuronue asked when Youko came over. "No" Youko lied. He squatted down next to the others and looked at the map on the ground. It looked like there was a big building on a high cliff. Security included guards, spotlights, booby traps, and hidden alarms. Along with that were locks and safes to crack. The building was surrounded by a forest.
"We'll split into three groups. I'll lead one group and we'll get past security, and disable it from the inside. Sho and Takeshi, you lead our fastest men and use the forest and loud noise to attract as many of the guards as you can. Signal us if there's danger. Nori and Shizuka, take the third group and use ranged weapons to take out as many outer guards as possible, then in 10 minutes enter and get to the treasure. Got that?" The chimera's eyes met Youko's/ Kuronue's plan seemed good enough to Youko, he nodded.
"What are we going after this time boss?" one demon asked. Nori answered. "There are quite a few different treasures. Weapons, jewels, and other artifacts mostly. We don't have detailed descriptions, but those idiots put it all in the same room." A few of the bandits chuckled at this.
"Time to go." Kuronue said. "Oh, and Youko, you're in my group. Can you handle it" He grinned. "Predictable." Youko taunted under his breath so only Kuro could hear him. Kuronue frowned "I hope not, otherwise they'll know we're coming to rob them blind." He's so cute when he says stupid things. I wonder if he even realizes that it's really funny when he says it like that. Time to flirt.
Youko just pretended to pout. "You know that I only know you so well because I'm your most prized possession. You love me so much." He winked. "And you're not half bad yourself." Kuronue shook a fist at him in mock anger, and walked off. Youko noticed that the bat's hips swayed a little extra for his fox.
Their group crept through the shadows and, moving quickly, managed to get past the spotlights. They saw two guards fall silently off the wall, their lives ended by Shizuka's arrows. The walls of the castle were surprisingly easy to climb. Kuronue flew. At the top of the wall, they lifted up a window and climbed down on to the top floor. They moved stealthily towards the center of the building, disarming various traps as they went. One trap was a really tricky one. When they stepped on a certain tile, deadly arrows shot out from both sides of the wall. A couple of the thieves were hurt.
The group backed up, then Youko gathered his courage and ran out into the hall. As he ran, the arrows all miraculously missed him. He ran back to the thieves, no arrows fired this time. They all stared at him, stunned. Even Kuro was a little wide eyed. He quickly recovered his composure and placed a hand on Youko's head, petting him like a cat. Youko didn't react, just started back down the hall. The others followed close behind.
A few floors down they found a room that controlled the security. They deactivated it. Then they returned the way they came, and left back towards the camp. Youko was feeling very proud of himself as their group ran swiftly back through the woods. He decided not to show it to the others, and maintained his cold, superior attitude. That will make my brilliant maneuver seem even more magnificent. Not to mention prove to Kuro that I am not a child. Not just a pet for his amusement. Youko was quite fond of his master, and wanted to prove that he could be a great thief. He wanted to win his master's respect, and even more, his love.
They all gathered around the fire and prepared a feast. Soon after, the triumphant bandits returned with armfuls of treasure. All sorts of things were placed before Kuronue.
He selected various jewels, a ruby dagger, a length of leather(demon-hide), and a long string of rare shells for himself. News of Youko's rescue spread among the thieves. Kuronue turned to them, "To celebrate my young apprentice's impressive actions on his first raid I shall allow him to select three treasures now.
Thieves shouted suggestions as Youko's eyes scanned the treasure. He reached down and picked out his rewards. He took a small statue of a youko maiden holding a black rose, it was valuable and he recognized it from a book of rare items. Then he lifted a short rod of rowen wood, a variety of useful seeds stuck in notches on the rod. And finally he took an old book that was almost invisible, it was the same color as the muddy earth around it. He knew not what was written within, but instinct told him to take it. Everyone seemed to be relieved he didn't go after some of the finer items.
The night went on and everybody cheered and congratulated the fox as they got drunk and claimed their portion of the loot. Kurama's eyes stayed on Kuro as he mingled with his underlings. He sipped the same drink for hours. Later, most of the thieves had passed out. Kuronue walked towards the forest before turning to Youko and gesturing for him to follow. Then he vanished into the shadows. Youko ran after him eagerly.
A ways into the forest, Kuro stopped and turned to his apprentice, anger shining in his eyes. He put an arm on either side of the kitsune's head and backed him up against a tree. "You will never, never, do that again! Understand?" Kuronue was shaking with fury. "Never put yourself in that kind of danger again. Do you know what you made me feel when you did that? I never would have forgiven you if you died! I order you to never do that again. Got it?" Youko nodded slowly. He's mad at me, I made him angry. I wanted to prove that I wasn't just a child, and he is angry with me. I made him worry. Wait! He was worried about me. That means he cares. A warm feeling filled his chest. He cares!
"Sorry." Youko muttered. Kuronue's lips crushed down of his, and he passionately kissed the Youko. For the first time, Kurama kissed back, and with the same amount of passion, his tongue battling with the bat's. Kuronue blinked in surprise when they broke for air, only to feel soft fingers grip his thick black hair. Youko pulled his master into another fiery kiss. It seems like things will finally be going my way.
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Well, what did you think. This one took me a while, I kept getting stuck. Anyway, I look forward to more reviews. How does Youko do among the ranks of thieves?Find out next chapter.