A/N: I know I usually don't post A/N but this chapter is special! I'm trying to add a little more to the tension in the story. I'm trying out a new idea courtesy of MoonFox531. Thanx for the idea!

Chapter 3

Her Death

Valentine rested her head on Kurama's back and buried her head in his rose scented hair. She could hear his slow controlled breath, and feel his long stride. However, the twenty-five minutes it took them to get to the giant willow passed far too fast, and the moment was over. Kurama gently set Valentine on the grass near the stream and then began frantically searching the area. As he searched for Kuronue, he felt a hand on his shoulder, "What happened to your mother?"

"We were standing here watching the swans, when she was shot in the back by a poisoned arrow. She died almost instantly in my arms."

"I'm so sorry… I didn't know…" Valentine whispered.

"Well then just don't bring it up again." Kurama said turning to face Valentine as a lone tear rand down his face.

Valentine was embracing Kurama in hopes of comforting him, when he felt a sudden sting in his shoulder and looked over to see the tip of an arrow sticking through his shirt. He fell forward into Valentine, who gently laid him on the ground. She quickly broke the back end of the arrow off so that it wouldn't get caught on anything as they made their escape. She lifted the half conscious Kurama to his feet and putting his arm over her shoulder and her's around his waist, she began the long walk towards Kurama's house.

"It's dangerous to walk, Valentine, we should move faster." Kurama said between weak breaths.

"Don't worry, we're safe for now." She said as Kurama completely lost consciousness.

By the time they reached his house, Valentine was exhausted from carrying Kurama. 'He's heavier than I thought he would be.' She thought to herself as she sat Kurama in a nearby kitchen chair. She removed his shirt and tore a strip off of it to be used as a bandage. Valentine put her hand on Kurama's shoulder, as close to the arrow tip as possible, and removed the arrow. The pain was enough to force Kurama to regain consciousness. He cried out in pain. Valentine proceeded to sloppily bandage the wound. After doing so, she took Kurama to his room and laid him down to rest.

When Kurama finally fell asleep, Valentine received another transmission… from Kuronue.

Determined to find Kuronue, she quickly set out for the giant willow, but when she got there, he was just standing there.

"Long time, no see… Valentine." He said without turning around.

"Your plan's not gonna work. He's too suspicious, and besides, it wouldn't look convincing if I didn't put up a fight." She pulled the pistol form her pelt and shot Kuronue in the back. He fell to one knee.

"How Dare You!" Kuronue jumped up and back-handed Valentine. The force sent her flying into a nearby tree, and she fell unconscious. He tied Valentine to the trunk of the willow and sent a bat to lead Kurama to him.

When the bat finally found Kurama sleeping in his bedroom, it telepathically told him that if he didn't go to the giant willow now, Kuronue would kill Valentine. So, despite the pain of his wound, the hindering effects of the poison and the red light going off in his mind, Kurama quickly got out of bed, slipped on a clean uniform shirt, stepped into his black shoes and ran out of the house after the bat.