Youko Kurama
Sixteen-year-old, Kari Hagashui was running as fast as she could. She was sure she had heard the scream come in this direction.
Kari had been playing ball with her younger brother, Sakan, when a horrible sound came from the forest. She had quickly shooed Sakan into the house and took off in the direction she had heard the scream. She had to find out what that sound was. Then she saw it.
It looked like a young man. He was wearing a white robe, which was now stained with blood. He had long, silver hair and a matching tail. He also had two dog-like ears atop his head.
Kari picked up a stick. Using the stick, she gently poked the strange man with it. A growl came from the creature. Kari jumped and put the stick into a batting position. Ready to attack the man.
The dog-like thing got to his feet. He was breathing heavily. He stared into Kari's eyes. Kari gulped. "What the hell is this thing?" Kari thought.
"Who are you and what do you want?" Kari yelled. She was terrified. This creature was so tall compared to her. Those golden eyes just stared into Kari's.
Suddenly the creature fell to the ground. Kari screamed and jumped back. She looked down at the creature and felt sorry for it. Those wounds were horrible. Then the ground began to shake. "Earthquake!" Kari thought.
Just then a huge snake-like creature appeared before her. It towered above Kari. The snake was even larger than the pine trees and boulders that were around the area. The eyes were about as big as Kari's head.
It looked at Kari and flicked its tongue. Then it looked at the dog thing. Kari felt like she was about to break down and cry. "What is going on?" Kari thought again and again in her head.
The snake's eyes once again came upon Kari. Kari just stared and trembled in fear. The snake lifted its tail and shot it out towards Kari. She began to run for her life. The snake was just as fast. No matter how fast Kari ran the snake's tail followed her. It would dart in front of her and cut off her escape. Kari screamed and ran the other direction.
Soon the snake had encircled her. Kari screamed bloody murder as the snake wrapped its body around her, squeezing her. Kari let out a weak wail and tried to get free. The snake only squeezed harder. "Help me! Someone. Help!" She cried. The snake brought her to his face.
It looked at her and flicked its tongue in her face. Kari felt it vibrate on her cheek. She had had enough. Kari bit the snake. It didn't even faze him.
Kari cried out in pain. Her lungs were being crushed. She spat out blood and her nose started to bleed. The snake licked her more and more. Lapping up her blood, and enjoying its taste.
Just as Kari's sight was going black the snake's grip suddenly let her go. She found herself falling. She was so high up (way above the treetops) and she was falling so fast. Kari cried and closed her eyes. Suddenly she landed in a gentle pair of arms.
Whimpering, Kari opened her eyes and looked at her savior. It was the dog thing. "Who is he? Or what is he?" Kari wondered. The snake's scream interrupted her thoughts.
Kari looked at the snake. He was twirling around. She noticed a deep wound on his head. To Kari's horror, the snake's eyes had been cut out of its socket. Kari looked up at the dog. "Did he do this?" she wondered.
Suddenly the snake whipped its tail at Kari and the dog creature. Kari screamed and found herself clinging to the white robe of the creature that had saved her. With a huge leap, the dog dodged the snake's attack. When he landed safely on the ground he put Kari down and went to attack the snake.
Kari noticed that the dog was panting. His shoulders heaved and his face was sweaty with exhaustion. Then she noticed his hands had blood on them. That answered her question on what had happened to the snake. Kari gasped. "Is that thing going to fight the snake?" she thought.
The snake lunged. Its mouth was open and its fangs were outstretched. The dog, knowing that he couldn't attack, picked up Kari again and jumped out of the snake's reach.
Suddenly the creature's eyes began to glow. Kari stared in wonder as a portal opened. The snake lunged again. The dog began to run to the portal. The fangs were ganging. "The snake was going to catch them!" Kari thought. The dog just ran harder and harder. The snake was getting closer.
Kari and the creature were almost to the portal. A few more feet. The snake had almost caught them. The dog closed his eyes and lunged at the portal. The snake closed its jaws.
Suddenly Kari was thrown into the air. She landed right next to the portal. She looked behind her. The snake had caught the dog by the foot. He was yelping and screaming.
Faster than the eye could follow the dog turned around and clawed at the snake's other eye. The snake screamed and let the dog go. As soon as he hit the ground, the dog began to run towards Kari and the portal.
He picked up Kari and jumped into the portal. Leaving the snake, as well as Kari's home, behind. And Kari didn't know where they were going.
"Who are you?" Kari asked the strange creature. The thing looked at her with expressionless eyes. Kari whimpered, "I was just wondering."
Knowing he had scared her, the creature tightened his hold. Then he said in a soft, calming voice, "My name is Youko Kurama."
"Are you a werewolf?"
The creature looked puzzled and smiled. "No. I'm a fox demon. And who are you?"
Kari looked at Youko and answered timidly, "My name is Karian Hagashui. But you can call me Kari."
Youko Kurama smiled again and said, "That's a nice name. Kari."
"Excuse me but where are we going?" Kari asked.
"To the demon world," Youko answered.
Kari clinged to the fox and whimpered, "I want to go home. Take me home. Please."
"I'm sorry, but I can't take you back." Youko said sadly.
"But why not?" Kari whined.
"Because I don't have enough energy to create another portal."
"Oh. I'm sorry that I pleaded like that."
Youko smiled and said, "That's alright. As soon as we get to the end of the portal I'll take you to my home. Ok?"
"Yes," Kari said weakly. Sleep was taking her.
Youko said, "It's alright. You may sleep if you wish to."
Kari closed her eyes and nuzzled against this warm body that was carrying her. She no longer feared Youko. In fact he was quite kind. She suddenly fell into a deep slumber.