Glad you all liked the last chapter. I love getting reviews, they really encourage me to write the next chapter. If Kuro was a bit ooc it was just because he saw his mate in an intimate position with another man. They've been mates for a hundred years, so naturally he's a little upset. Anyway, I'm glad I got such emotion out of you guys.
How do the shock waves of the events last chapter effect the raid? Find out now.
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It's a Secret: Chapter 13
It wasn't until the day after that Kuronue returned. Just as Youko had thought he'd have to ahead on the raid without Kuronue, he walked out of the woods. "Lord Kuro!" Yomi exclaimed as he approached. Purposefully avoiding Youko's gaze, Kuronue stopped in the center of the group.
"It's time to go get those artifacts." he said in a voice empty of any emotion. All of his men cringed away. The last time Kuro had talked like that was when Youko got hurt in a raid, he (Kuro) had gone back and murdered every person in that palace. The bandits knew that when he talked like that it was best to stay out of his way. "I'll take Takeshi, Shizuka, Akiko, and Youko with me, the rest of you stay here." Sensing that some of them objected, he cut them off by saying, "This mission requires stealth and speed, large numbers will just get in the way." With that he jumped up and leapt off into the trees, clearly expecting the other four to follow.
Youko knew that Kuronue wouldn't talk to him in front of the others, he also knew from experience that you can't let emotions bother you while you're sneaking into a fortress. Kuronue knew as well. So he went with the others, completely unaware of the concerned look Akiko was giving him. After about an hour they came to the bamboo surrounded fortress.
They used the bamboo to propel themselves ninja-like through a high window. Running through the halls they ruthlessly took down the many guards they came across. Other than the guards, there seemed to be very little security. Treating Youko coldly, but doing nothing to endanger the group, Kuronue led the group around, searching for a place that a mirror would be hidden.
When they approached a floor a little bit above ground level they noticed that security was much tighter, and they realized their target must be near. Deciding to cast away stealth and just charge straight through the hallways, they released their compressed energy, resulting in all guards nearby heading straight for them. A yell from Akiko sent them running towards the young girl in the back. A guard had grabbed her and she was struggling to get free. Takeshi and Shizuka gave their leaders a nod, telling them to go ahead, then ran back towards Akiko as more and more guards surrounded her.
Kuronue and Youko turned silently and ran, the unmistakable scent of blood rising up from behind them. They finally found the vault, along with a complicated lock. Youko immediately turned to fox form and peered inside it with much keener vision than normal. Then, picking a seed from his fur and clasping it in his teeth, he made a living lock pick. The thin brown branch stemmed from the seed in his teeth and forked out as it was inserted into the lock. With a click, it came loose and clattered to the ground. The whole process had taken about fifteen seconds.
Inside the vault were the typical piles of treasure, but also many locked chests and various works of art. And there, hanging discreetly on the back wall was the mirror. It seemed to glow with a lavender light as they looked into it. It was entrancing, drawing them into it. They were snapped out of their daze when they heard heavy footsteps from the guards behind them. Taking his blade, Kuronue struck the wall, creating a huge hole. They knew they couldn't get the pendant today, but would have to return another time. Grabbing the mirror, Youko was sure to leave a seed that grew to reveal the design of a five-tailed fox chasing a butterfly-like bat. (He does that on every mission.) They both leapt through the hole and down into the bamboo with the guards right behind them.
Kuro's P.O.V.
Leaping through the bamboo, Kuronue was only vaguely aware of his surroundings. He was still deep in thought about what Youko had done, and as a result his outer senses were dulled. "How did it turn out this way?" Images from the other day flashed through his mind. The memories renewed the pain. "Why would Youko kiss another, after he agreed to be loyal to me, and I to him?" That was when it hit him full force. "Wait, he couldn't have kissed Yomi! I would have sensed any disloyalty through our bond, and he would have felt some sort of punishment for it. That first kiss, I knew then that it wasn't Youko who was at fault, just like it wasn't this time either! Youko, I've been so blind!" The truth hit him full force, unfortunately it was a little to late.
He started laughing as they ran, he was so relieved. His love hadn't betrayed him after all! He felt like dancing, he was so happy.
Youko's P.O.V.
When he heard Kuronue laughing, he was confused. I thought he was angry. But when he felt a flood of emotions come pouring through their bond, he instantly understood. Kuronue was happy, he felt the bat's love radiating through him. Their bond was back to full strength, and it was as if a piece of him had finally returned. He felt himself smiling, and soon, he was laughing just as much as his partner.
Suddenly, the chain on Kuronue's pendant snapped. That pendant was one that they had stolen together, and Kuronue valued it very much. That was why he turned back to go after it, plunging towards the ground. "Don't Kuro!" Youko shouted, reaching out his free hand.
"I need it!" Kuronue yelled back. Stupid bat! Youko chased after him, seeing the guards getting closer. Upon landing, Kuronue stepped on a cord that triggered a trap. A bamboo shoot, razor sharp, pierced his leg. "Kuronue!" Youko cried as he came to his love's side. He normally would have avoided that, why wasn't he aware of it? Why didn't he see? He reached out to help his bat, the guards were almost there.
"No Youko, run, Save yourself!" Kuronue cried. Leave you? Youko intended to ignore him, but when he met his love's eyes, something clicked. He has no hope of escaping, and I do. If I stay, then we'll both die. So he did the only thing he could, he turned and fled. As he ran, he saw the guards throw more bamboo shoots, he saw Kuro get trapped by them. Then one final shoot whistled through the air and pierced Kuro's heart. The cry and that moment would haunt Youko for the rest of his life. Kuro! Why did it have to be you! He was tempted to let the guards have him, to give up on life right there. He would have too, but the knowledge that Kuro had died for him, that was what kept him going.
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Kuro! Every time I read that in any story, even mine, it makes me sad. Don't hate me, I didn't write this part, well I kind of did. But it wasn't me who killed Kuro. Sorry if it's a bit tragic, but this is intended to be like it's Youko's true past. I think I may have rushed it a little, but there's only so much I can do. So what will happen to Youko now, find out in the next chapter, To Love's End.
The title was inspired by the song from Inuyasha, To Love's End. I was listening to it as I wrote that end part, it was very depressing.