Disclaimer: Still don't own it, although whatever you don't recognize from the series is mine.

Please tell me what you think.

Italics thoughts

Chapter two

Two days later, Kurama returned to the human village. The wooden gates were no matches for the silver fox, and the kitsune easily crept past them and into the sleeping village. In the west side of the town was a small house, built on stilts as the rest of the village's houses, its windows wide open in the evening's heat. Gracefully, the fox demon jumped inside one of the rooms.

There on a bed lied a small feverish child. Her body was covered with sweat, and she was shaking, despite the warmth of the night and the bedcovers.

Stupid humans! Kurama thought. They didn't give her the herbs! She is going to die!

The youko silently walked to the kitchen/dining room, and soon found what he sought: the herbs were there, placed on the table, unused. Kurama grabbed them and returned to the room. There, he put them in some water and summoned a heat-producing plant, with which he managed to prepare the medicine. He then poured the mixture between the little girl's dry lips, down to her stomach.

Don't worry little one, you'll soon walk in the sun again, I promise.

The child was still shaking, but her fever already had diminished. Putting the empty bowl on the floor, Kurama pulled up the sheets and summoned the heating plant nearer.

With that, you should be warm for the rest of the night, little one.

He stayed by her side the whole night, holding her hand, but when dawn's dusk made its way inside the village, he silently left, aware of the human's hatred for youkai. Beside, his presence wasn't required anymore, the little girl was healed.

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When Hilona walked towards her daughter's room, her thoughts were again drawn back to the fox demon that visited them two days ago. She was still intrigued by him, not only because he was youkai, but also because of his unusual show of compassion towards her daughter.

When she entered the room, the unusual warmth alerted her: there was a plant beside her daughter's bed!

She rushed to the little girl, only to notice that the child was sleeping peacefully, a smile on her face, the fever and wounds gone, and the empty bowl along with the herbs' bag on the floor.

"Who?…"

Then evidence struck her:

"The youko! But…when? How? Why?"

Hilona was confused. A small yawn drew her attention back:

"Rya! Oh Rya! You're awake! I was so afraid!" Hilona said, cradling the little girl in her arms, tears flooding her eyes.

"Kaasan!" Rya said. "What happened? I…I don't remember a thing!"

Hilona didn't say anything.

Later that day…

"How is she?" asked the brown-bearded man.

"She is as fresh as on the day she was born, Kaleh," answered Hilona, "thanks to the fox demon."

"I still can't believe it! Why would a demon help humans? That's nonsense!"

"I know…," Hilona sighed. "Do you think he'll come back?"

"I don't think so," Kaleh answered. "From what Rya told me, he was there with her the whole night and is aware of her healing. He must know she's fine now." Then, looking at the black-eyed woman: "He won't come back, and that's for the best."

"Kaasan! Look what I made!"

The two adults turned to see the six years old girl rushing to their side, holding something in her hand.

"Well! That's pretty Rya-chan!" exclaimed Hilona. "Who is it for?

"I made it for my friend in silver!" said the girl happily. "If he comes back, I'll give it to him!"

Kaleh looked at Rya with disapproval, but didn't say anything. The girl was holding a necklace of colored rocks, with a lock of her golden hair attached to it in the middle. Kaleh was outraged that she dared giving her own hair to a demon, and wanted to shout at her, but instead he said:

"It…is a beautiful necklace Rya, but…I don't think your friend will come back." Then, seeing the deception on her face: "If you really want to give it to him, you should put it at the edge of the wood, and then he'll pick it up."

"Really?" asked Rya.

"Yeah, really."

Like that, I should take it back and sell it to the next trader so that Hilona can buy that dress she saw last time the caravan was here, thought Kaleh, and she won't be sad. Everyone's happy.

"You're really nice, Kaleh-san!" exclaimed Rya. "I'll do it immediately!"

"Be sure to stay in the watchers' sight, Rya!" warned Hilona. "And don't go too far from the village!"

"Sure 'Kaasan!"

The little girl was off, running through the village and past the gates. She ran on her little legs, careful not to fall or bump, until she reached the forest's edge. There was a giant tree there, its branches spreading far. Rya kneeled in front of it and placed the necklace within its roots. Then, turning to the forest:

"I don't know if you can hear me, but I'm sure you'll know. I made this necklace for you. I hope you'll like it…Farewell my silver friend!"

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Under a nearby bush, Kurama laid, his ears stretched out. He heard the little girl's speech, and was so happy she was alive. But he feared that he might frighten her, so he didn't get out. After the little girl's departure, he slowly crept out of the bush, and went to the tree: the necklace was there. It was simple and without any commercial valor.

However, it was more precious to the youko than anything he had seen or stolen in the past, and so, turning back to his youko form, he slipped it around his neck, delicately touching the strands of hair, a smile wide on his face…

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Kaleh watched from the guard tower as Rya run to the forest. He carefully noticed where she placed the necklace, and observed her as she returned. As soon as she was back in the village, he began to go down the stairs.

"Kaleh!" one of the guards hushed. "Look at that!"

Kaleh quickly went back up, only to see the most impossible thing: the youko was there! He took the necklace, and put it around his neck.

"It looks like he likes it!" said one of the guards, amazed.

And indeed, it was true: the youko actually seemed to enjoy the present.

Then the demon disappeared, along with Rya's necklace.

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Author's note: I forgot to say that I'm assuming there are some human villages in the Makai. Hope it clarifies some things.