Disclaimer: I have never owned YYH nor will I ever own YYH. But I would like to thank Ellenlome a wonderful author that has graciously allowed me to write a sequel to her fic 'A Place in This World'. Which you aught to read first or this one will make little to no sense since it was her fic and generosity to not only 'let' me do this sequel. And if that wasn't enough she has also offered to be my beta reader. To which I and if any one has ever seen my unedited work should be eternally grateful she has offered to beta.

Things every one should know from now on the disclaimer as well as shout outs will be at the end of the chapter. So now with out further a due on with the fic, and I hope you all like this one as well as the first.

Kurama's Welcome and Tellson's Anger

It had been about nine years since the slavers had attacked there peaceful village of Gakyu and with the help of the youkai known as Kurama the village had been rebuilt In fact it was only just the other day that everyone had begun to breathe a sigh of relief now that their defenses were up, and in the midst of all this sat Rya. She was supposed to be taking up the first watch so that one of the older and more experienced archers could be down at the founding festival. She groaned. Nothing was going to happen tonight. Just like nothing ever happened anymore now that the kitsune who had saved her only a short time ago had only just recently taken up residence in the forest that bordered the village. And now, not more than maybe twelve feet below her, the founding festival was going on.

The Elders decided to party in part to honor the newly rebuilt village as well as to thank Kurama who gave them protection long enough to do it. However such matters didn't truly interest Rya, and right now she was bored out of her mind. Perhaps if there was something to actually watch for then and only then would she see the reason for as tight of a watch that the guard kept, but right now it was nothing more than a waste of time.

How she ever let Kaleh coned her into taking posts tonight was beyond her. No, the real reason for him not wanting her to be at the festival was because Tellson was going to be there. True he was the son of one of the high guards of the neighboring village of Magahara, and for some reason those two had developed an instant hatred for each other. That old coot needn't worry now; because she wasn't there and he was probably dancing with nearly half of the other village girls. Should I risk it? …well a brief look won't hurt. Rya thought as she turned her head a fraction. A moment was all she would need to prove to her that her imagination had run away with her again. She had spotted his red hair easily amongst the crowd. Truly it wasn't hard. Granted it helped that he was the only one in the village with red hair, but that brief moment put to rest her jealous fears. He was not dancing with half the village. In fact he was in a corner of the festival sharpening his sword looking on at the festivities of the others with complete disinterest. Turning back to her post, her mood lighter than it had been a few minutes ago, she continued to watch on long into the night.

As Tellson brushed his polishing stone against the mettle of his sword he hazarded a quick glance at Rya while her back was turned. He could tell she was bored. And frankly he couldn't blame her. She's probably up there wishing she was down here running around and getting drunk off her ass down here …oooh yea she's missing oh so much. He thought sarcastically to himself. Yes people needed to have fun that was a given but right now to him his elders looked rather shameful running around like children on Yule-day. Looking over at the high table he saw the kitsune sitting trying to pretend he was having a good time. Yet his posture was stiff and his ears where flattened to his head. He clearly was not enjoying the loud music the bards played and probably not the smell of alcohol either.

However Tellson's green eyes held not even a trace of sympathy for the fox spirit. After all it had only taken him one day to ruin almost sixteen years of training. Stupid Fox! Had it not been for him and his negotiations with the village elder he would not have been landed here, and he had it on good authority that had it not been for the three hour conference Kurama had with the village elder he would probably still be in Magahara and more than likely a lieutenant in the guard by now. Not some stupid trainee under an equally stupid master. Sympathy for him…ha! Not everyone is to be won over by that sweet face of his. Truly Tellson took whatever comfort he could have from his discomfort of the one that caused his father-commander to place him here. Could this night get any worse?

Tellson thought sarcastically to himself. He was about to find out how. Through the swarm of village girls some of which were not so much girls anymore - he watched as the kitsune made his way over to his little corner. Well I asked for it. Tellson thought ruefully to himself as he forced his face into a somewhat more respectful manner.

"I see you're not enjoying the festivities youngling."

Tellson had to fight from glaring at Kurama. Sure…he was enjoying the festivities. Bout as much as getting his head impaled upon a stick. No really he loved the thought of getting drunk and abandoning all shred of dignity. He thought sarcastically at the youkai in front of him. That's what he is, they're all the same. Why it was these senseless villagers were hailing him as a saint was beyond him.

"No sir. I do not normally enjoy these kinds of activities."

Kurama looked at him through sad golden eyes. For the life of him he couldn't understand what he had ever done to make this youngster radiate such hatred and distrust. It nearly cloaked the human in it's sickeningly death like sent.

"I am sure that young Rya is quite unhappy about missing the festivities but she is on guard duty…."

This conversation was long past the time it should have ended, Tellson thought

"I was going to see her on my way to get a new stone to polish my sword if you will pardon me sir."

Tellson said as he stiffly walked away from the fox glad that the meeting was over.

He truly didn't need a new stone his other one was still useable, but any excuse to get as far away from that thing as possible. As he walked along the walkway the archers used at the top of the wall he spotted Rya looking as bored as can be watching the ever quiet nightscape.

"So…is the great archer of Gakyu about to fall asleep on us?"

Rya turned and looked at him slightly miffed.

"Hardly. So Tellson what brings you to my little corner of the world? Shouldn't you be parting with the others?"

"Oh sure Rya…can't think of anything better, being drunk off my ass, and as senseless as a pole. Gee don't know why I would want to miss that."

Rya was slightly taken aback by Tellson's comment.

"Gees Tell what's wrong…did something happen at the party?"

"Look Rya I don't want to talk about it. It wasn't truly going good to begin with and then he had to come along and…."

Rya sighed.

"Why do you hate him Tell? No. Seriously before you get mad please answer me. I seriously want to know why you hate him?"

Tellson sighed and looked up at the stars. How was he going to answer her question. Better still how was he going to answer it so that she didn't want to shoot him full of holes?

"Rya…N.not every body likes everybody else. It's…"

"Cut it out Tellson stop trying to be diplomatic and just tell me already!"

Rya looked at him with determined eyes.

"Your not going to like it Rya."

"Try me."

"It's in part because he's a youkai…"

Rya looked at him absolutely disgusted.

"How the in the name of all that is holy can you be so full of prejudices! He's saved my life for starters….for another he's saved and helped countless others here, some times even risking his life in the process! If that doesn't show you he's trustworthy I don't know what ever will!"

"Rya I didn't come here to quarrel…"

He never got to finish his sentence when a shrill yelp cut through the night, causing Rya to turn and look at the rest of the village guard that had congregated at the ale keg as if it was some type of sacred alter.

"Well they're going to be useless for the night….Do you think we aught to tell Kurama-sama…"

Tellson practically growled at the suggestion.

"Get your bow…we can take care of this. If not we can always find him later."

He said as he sheathed his sword and Rya put her arm through her bow. Without another word both of them left through the gates and disappeared into the night.