Hey, it's time for another chapter of It's a Secret. In a review someone said I should change the genre to angst and romance. I think that makes sense but what do you guys think. Let me know, k? So last time Youko decided that without Kuronue around to love him, his existence on this earth should be ended, but not painlessly. Right after this decision is where this chapter now begins. And one more thing, IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!
There will be a certain amount of Youko self torture in this chapter.
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Last Chapter
So the fox walked through the forest until he came to a clearing used for things similar to what he was about to do. Here he would die. In Judgment glade, where many before him had been tortured and died, sometimes self willed. And where some would end it quickly, he was no coward. I deserve to die a traitors death. He had played the role of torturer before, and therefore knew exactly what to do.
I love you Kuro, and now, though it may cause you grief, I will end this. For though it may hurt now, in the end this is for the best. And though this path of love and pain may hurt, I will bring it to its end. My love for you may never end but nor will my pain. So now, because I love you so, I will end it. My life is over, but my pain will last to love's end. I will not run away, my pain shall be eternal, as the methods of my death will ensure. So now I shall begin.
End recap
Thick, spiked vines rose up around him and sliced through his clothes and flesh. He uttered no sound as his clothes fell silently to the ground and quickly became soiled with his blood. One vine wrapped around his arms, cutting deep into his flesh. Still he remained silent. It lifted him about twenty feet off the ground. He bowed his head and closed his eyes.
The vine on his arms slithered down his body until it was instead wrapped around his waist. The thorns left a long, jagged cut, not caring where they sliced. As his arms fell out to the sides each was caught bay a separate vine and held up at the sides of his head. As they caught his arm there was a faint cracking noise. Those vines dug into his elbows as harshly as his other flesh, something which should have, but miraculously didn't prevent the use of his arms. So he turned his hands despite of the injuries to his bones and grabbed the vines, palms down. They went straight through his hands. Crimson blood ran down his body.
As he continued to let the vines dice up his body, he was unaware of two silent observers, both of whom were enraptured by this display. One of them watched, feeling sorrow at this scene, but at the same time knowing it was not his place to stop it. The other observer felt only excitement at the sight of the suffering that the kitsune was experiencing, and showed it in with panting he was doing. Both of them, one more willingly than the other, couldn't help but think the scene beautiful. Under the moonlight, the silver kitsune was a tragic beauty. It was almost angelic. The crimson blood that flowed down him was gleaming in the darkness. And the dark vines that bound him were more alive than even the best artists would ever be able to portray. One of the observers wanted to preserve this image forever, whereas the other one was sickened at the thought of this being beautiful.
Around him, a few evil looking night creatures came to watch him. They were the vultures of the night. They sensed a death about to happen and knew they were in no danger. So they sat and waited, eager to taste the meat in their jaws.
More vines wrapped around his legs,binding them together and marring the perfect skin. The vines wound around his legs several more times. And as the blood flowed down his body, the vines began absorbing it, turning themselves crimson. Razor sharp vines pierced his shoulders, his stomach, his knees. And through all of this, Youko was silent. He felt the pain, but compared to inside him, nothing could equal the pain of losing Kuro. The point of this ceremony was to die experiencing equal physical and emotional pain. Not until he cried out in pure physical agony would he be released from this world.
So long into the night, his silent punishment continued. Through this his mind was empty of any more thoughts. At this point blame was pointless. Plus even he had limits of tolerance. All of this pain, even if it wasn't enough for him, was effecting his body. And despite all of his efforts, he slipped submissively into unconsciousness. There was no point in the vines continuing while he wouldn't feel it. So the torture stopped, but he still hung there, crimson vines embedded in his flesh.
The instant he passed out though, his sympathetic watcher took action. A flaming pyre shot into the air above Youko. This was a beacon for the two demons who had entered the forest in search for him. It was also what ultimately saved his life. For when Nori and Sho saw the fire they came running. When they entered the glade they found Youko there lying perfectly still in the vine's clutches. Even though he had initiated the ceremony, he had given the vines control. And when they drank his blood they became demonic plants. So even if he wanted to, Youko had no control.
Though they were horrified by the sight in front of them, the two demons did not stop moving towards the fox. Sho summoned vines that were like Youko's but green. Nori made javelins out of his energy and threw them in quick succession. The vines were severed from their student and leader. Headfirst, Youko plummeted towards the ground. While Sho fought back the vines that tried to recapture Youko, Nori jumped forward and caught Youko. He grimaced as Youko's blood instantly began seeping through his clothes and the thorns that remained in Youko's flesh pressed against him. Sho gave him a nod. Nori returned the gesture and ran with Youko back to the camp, not stopping for anything.
When they felt their prey escaping, the vines tried to chase him. And as long as Youko wanted to die, they would continue trying. The ceremony that Youko was preforming wasn't unknown to Sho, and he knew that staying there was futile. So with a surge of energy a large red and white flower grew and covered his hand. He gathered energy at the center of the flower, a strong silver-grey light built up within it. Then with a roar the energy was released. The force of the blast not only broke through the vines, but it sent Sho flying back through the trees. Each one he hit broke in two.
Nori had just arrived back at camp with Youko when Sho appeared. "Quickly." he instructed. Have our four strongest defense experts position themselves at each corner of the camp and put up a barrier. Until we can convince Youko to halt the ceremony those vines will continue to pursue him." He then took Youko and ran into the medical tent. Nori did as Sho commanded. Just as the red barrier went up around the camp, it was completely covered by enormous, writhing, blood red vines.
Inside the tent Sho grew some lamp like plants and set Youko down. He winced when he looked at the fox. He grew a brown plant to serve as pliers. Just then Nori entered and a distinct intake of breath could be heard when he saw Youko's condition. The fox had wounds all over his wrists as well as several places on his legs were broken. Many thorns and some vines were still attached to his body. "We can still help him but we have to hurry." Sho told Nori. They knelt on either side of the Kitsune.
He took the pliers and gave Nori a pair as well. Fastening the pliers securely to the thorns in his hands they yanked upward, forcing them out. The flow of blood from his hands increased. They expertly wrapped bandages securely around his hands. Next they set about removing the thorns from his torso. The first one they removed had thin roots growing from the bottom. "The vines are starting to take root in him, we must hurry." Sho said in a hurried tone.
They spent almost an hour removing the numerous spikes from his body. After they bandaged him as much as they could they began to apply different salves to his wounds. One particularly bad hole in his stomach was hard to work on. The fact that Youko was to weak to use his energy to heal was what made his situation much more drastic than it would have been otherwise. Finally they put splints on his wrists and legs. Chances were that he would be unconscious for a long time.
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I know, that was a very strange chapter, and I'm not sure how well I did at displaying Youko's reasoning for that. I think this story will be longer than I thought because the whole vine thing will take one or two chapters to be resolved. After that we have maybe three final chapters. So this is the climax of the story right here people. I never intended to add this part of the story, it just sort of came to me last chapter. I think it's much better than writing just one chapter where he's depressed about Kuro. When you review ell me what you think please.
Now please don't forget to tell me if I should change the genre to angst, after this chapter I think I might.