To Asilin Kheldarson: Nope. Yuki's still fully human. No changes whatsoever. I know, so many "Y"s

To Peeka-chan: Thanks for chasing the mob away from me. This is my Yami's house, and I don't think she's going to be very happy when she comes back and sees all black ash where her mansion used to be... I updated! Ya!

Chapter Fifteen: Dusk; Shadow Dance

As the sun set against a background of blood gold, a large fanged yawn broke through the timeless atmosphere. Blinking the drowsiness from her eyes, Roviel proceeded to snatch insects out of the air, this display showing just what kind of bored state she was in. Yes, staying alive was still as hard as before, and yes, the youkais on Nigenkai were increasing, bit by slow bit. But as everything in life, there's always got to be that tiny little bit of a lull in everything. One would have thought that the youkai would appreciate this hard-earned peace considering the length she went to stay alive until now. That was not the case...

Crash, topple, stumble, crash again. Perhaps she should clean up the mess the attic was in; even the great Youko could not walk from one end of the room to the other without banging against something and breaking something else... Eyes closed, Roviel listened with lazy curiosity as Kurama made his hasty, not to mention loud, way up to the roof where she laid. Hm, the kitsune was not one for haste unless there was a good reason for it, like someone setting fire to his favourite rose-bush. She sniggered. Yea, that'll be right...

A head poked out from the ladder, red locks falling before wild orbs of spring. He didn't even bother to climb up, but rather simply yelled at her.

"There's an emergency! Follow me quickly!"

She didn't bother to move. Whatever the emergency was, unless it concerned her, it was not worth all the energy of moving. And besides, this boredom was getting quite interesting; she had almost convinced herself that Kuwabara was in actual fact in love with Hiei and the couple was only using Yukina as a shield to keep their relationship a secret and suspicion-free...

"Why aren't you moving? I mean it, this is really important; youkais are attacking the human area in the city, the humans who have Tolerated jobs!"

That caught her attention. A frown adorned her brow, but still the youkai refused to move. Why were the youkais suddenly breaking the treaty and attacking those humans? If it was a large group of high-leveled youkais, and a lot of humans in a confined area... The youkai could just imagine the screams of death in her mind... No, not again. She's had it, given up long ago. There was no way he could make her go.

"And that concerns me... how?"

She needn't open her eyes to know that Kurama was angry. Just the force of his steps as the kitsune marched towards her was more than enough evidence that he was fuming. One hand flew down to grab her wrist, but she was faster. Holding his forearm down so that he had to bend over, Roviel heaved a sigh. One amber eye finally opened, the idle gaze trapping the kitsune in its hardening shell.

"Give me one good reason, and I'll go. Just one."

He glared at her, the fists clenched in shaking fury. She ignored this, the one eye not once wavering its unblinking hold. It was he who eventually broke their silent battle of the wills, jerking his hand out off her hold with a savage pull and standing tall again. The hard emeralds continued to burn down at her; Roviel could just see him planning to drag her away by force. But the eyes changed, softened as his aura took on a very strange tone.

"Because, every life in this world deserves to live to their fullest, be it human or youkai. It is not anyone's fault, not theirs or yours or mine. Give them a chance."

The near-pleading tone of his voice fitted perfectly with his eyes, the kitsune's look silently begging her to go. She frowned again. Was that... pity in his look? What, did the fox pity her all of a sudden? The look was like that of a patient father gently consulting a brash and rude child who did not understand anything. So what did the damn fox mean by that look?

He turned away, jumping off the rooftop and into the jungle below. A few seconds later she saw a red-headed figure running towards the human district. Her frown deepened; why did he just leave without persuading her further?

Both eyes were open now, autumn gaze looking into the ever-darkening sky. It wasn't their fault, he says. Pft, as if. Why should she? If it wasn't for the humans none of this would have happened in the first place. It was because they had to protect Nigenkai which had resulted in all here now. Give them a chance. Please...

But he was right in a sense. The humans did not know anything about Makai or Reikai or youkais until the invasion. And in a way, they truly weren't to blame. How could one fault for something one did not even know about? And... Oh gods, why didn't she realize this sooner?

Jumping up, Roviel leapt off the roof and into the greenery. They gave way before, flesh-eating jaws closing in her presence as the forest allowed their master to pass. Dashing out and onto the street, the youkai growled deep in her throat. So that's what the kitsune was playing all along. The pitying look, the philosophical answer of wrong and right, the silent departure. The growl rose a notch. He was trying to make her feel guilty, knowing full well that his strange departure would make her think over his actions in detail, then slowly think about what he said. And when that finished, her thoughts would turn to his eyes, how he looked down upon her with sympathy. And by then she would have felt guilty for blaming the humans about everything and go help. A crooked grin appeared on her face, the turn of the lips revealing pointed canines. It was luck that she realized what Kurama was playing at before her mind was fully ensnared in his mental trap. The fanged grin grew wider. Yes, she's going to meet him, but not to help. Oh no...

-

Rose and lavender filled her senses, the sweet scent an odd contrast to the heavy musk. Breaking the intense kiss, Yuki allowed the smile to show. Damn Youko, knowing exactly what to do when she gets annoyed with the thief. Arg, she was losing control over him... Seeing her reaction, orbs of golden splendour laughed.

"Well now, what do you say to a little forgiveness to this poor unloved youkai."

She knew full well what he meant, for while he was speaking the thief was pushing her towards the bedroom door. But as always, she resisted, digging her feet onto the ground. As she continued to slide along the polished, cleaned, and most of all, smooth marble flooring, Yuki made a note to herself to kill Youko... after this.

The doorbell rang. Or to be more precise, the alarm barrier set around their property which would warn the occupants of any visitors. Stopping in his tracks, Youko raised his head.

"Someone's coming to the door. Who, though? Unless Kurama and them got an emergency... Wait a moment, I'll go check."

Youko walked off. Curious as to who this unexpected visitor was, Yuki was about to follow when a damp cloth clasped around her mouth and nose. Her first reaction was to scream, but as the first lungful of air came in Yuki knew something was wrong. Her mind blurring as the cloth's drugs took effect, the last thing in Yuki's mind was "who"?

-

A quick check of the property revealed that there was no one out in the gardens except for him. Youko was puzzled. Who was it? Nearly no one except for the Reikai Tentais and those who associate with them knew that the famed thief of Makai lived on Nigenkai. And the few who do know also remembered tales of his cold and sadist ways. Not one would think of voluntarily coming over and visiting him. And if the person were friends of his, then where did they go? Scratching his head over this dilemma, the thief returned back inside his home. Yuki would want to know who this disappearing stranger was... and she ought to be in the bedroom. Grinning to himself on the great job he's done placating her, Youko walked into the bedroom.

Nothing. Or rather, no beautiful woman with pink hair and dangerous temper waiting for him to report back. Now doubly puzzled, the fox poked around the place looking for clues (in case it was a game of hide and seek and she's somewhere in the mansion and leaving clues as to where she was.) No clues did he find, but on the bed below one pillow was something which made him choke. Daring to believe his eyes, Youko reached out with one trembling hand and grasped the object in his hand. Lifting his fist, he slowly opened his fingers. And lying there, in the middle of his palm, was an old plain gold bracelet...

Indeed, very short. I'm very short on time, got tests to study for and assessments to hand in and essays to write and stories to draft. I'll update... soon. As in one week soon. But for now, please bear with this cliff-hanger. I would love to see what your theory of the bracelet is as well as Yuki's kidnapper's identity. Anyone who get's close will be awarded with a Hiei plushie. Hiei's mine, or at least what little time I get with him before all the other Hiei fangirls come running. What did you expect, me a Kurama fan? Sorry, but nope. Did I suprise you with that startling fact? But come on, dragons are WAY cooler than foxes any day of the week.

So, review please? That would be wonderful, as well as bribe me to type up the next chapter sooner. Hehehe... I mean, I didn't mean for you to hear that... Hehehe...