Chapter 21:
-(Reikai)-
"Her heart condition is getting worse," warned Koenma. "She must not be overexerted."
"Am I still allowed to go to school?" Yuki asked. Her amethyst eyes showed no sign of extreme worry, merely pensive thoughts.
"Don't waste your last moments worry over ningen affairs Koorihana."
"These ningen affairs interest me."
"They are pointless."
"Don't forget Hiei, it's those ningen emotions you feel." Her voice was amused. "Ningens aren't all bad."
"Hn."
"Perhaps." Koenma's voice brought her back to the present. "But we are going to have to find a cure soon."
"But you said I only have a month to live…"
"And that's what we thought. The Akazuno no Tankyuusha have an alternative." Yuki finally noticed the two strangers in the corner, blocked by Kuwabara's large form. "They can help you."
"I don't need saving," she said. "I need healing."
Koenma intervened. "Yuki, this is Hotaka and Suzu." She bowed halfway from her bed as they both rose and walked closer. "This is Akio Yuki."
"The daughter of Akio Osamu." Hotaka mused, flicking his eyes to hers in meeting in a brief instance. "We offer you a way to rid yourself of sickness."
"I'm interested- but, we…?"
He understood her question. "The Akazuno no Tankyuusha are a group of Forbidden Children, existing to help more Forbiddens. All who wish to join must go on the Long Journey. Each test varies from each Forbidden, seeing as we all are different as are our powers. But we all achieve one thing in the end should we pass- elemental peace within the soul."
"When we finish the Long Journey, our conflicting elements subside and find a similarity within each other that keeps them contained," Suzu intoned. "Our physical representations of our Forbidden Power will disappear as there are no more conflictions. All of the Akazuno no Tankyuusha have committed themselves, gaining more power once the Long Journey is preformed. It is not a light choice to be made."
She glanced over at Yusuke, her brother; he looked away, nervous.
"I will do it."
"The ritual for the beginning of the Long Journey is painful." Suzu was ignoring the glances of her superior. "Death can be brought upon you."
"I want to take the chance." Yuki bowed her head slightly. "If death is not brought upon me now, it will be later. It is one thing none of us can conquer. Why bother?"
"Koorihana…"
"Then you will come with us to the Makai?" Hotaka eyed the elemental.
She sucked her breath in slightly. "Yes. I will."
"We will leave tomorrow in the evening. Koenma will set up a portal for us." A nod from the ruler affirmed this. "Rest well. Replenish as much energy as you can." The stony man turned away.
Suzu squeezed Yuki's hand slightly in assurance. She stepped back, transporting herself and Hotaka through the shadows.
"Koenma… can you give us a portal to home?"
"Of course."
Yusuke moved to help Yuki up, but Hiei beat him to it. Carefully holding her, he stepped through the newly created portal into the Ningenkai. Kuwabara and Yusuke soon followed, each splitting up and going their own respective ways. Kuwabara to his house where Shizuru awaited him angrily; Yusuke to Jiro's house where he was waiting for; Hiei and Yuki on a longer route to Jiro's house.
"Hiei?"
"Hn."
She smiled to herself. "Let's go to the park." He nodded slowly in agreement. Running quickly, it was all a blur to Yuki which stopped in front of a large Japanese Maple tree. He softly set her down on the drying grass as he settled himself in the branches, but stealing a quick kiss before settling himself.
"I never got to train my powers."
"You will once you go on this 'Long Journey'."
"But…" her mental voice faltered slightly "…Will I pass?"
He grunted. "What do you think?"
She closed her eyes. "I think… I will… but I'm not sure if I'll survive."
"Hn. Stop giving yourself fears."
"It's so hard. Not to think assumptions, not to take on hardships, even before the task is started."
He dropped down from the branches, landing on his two feet. Frowning, he tipped her head up. "Then occupy your mind." He closed in for a kiss, Yuki not stopping him. First starting off gentle, it ended passionately, he sliding his tongue in. "Don't fear what is inevitable. Like you said, accept it."
She wrapped her arms around him in a cuddling hug. "I won't. I won't be a shadow."
"Hn. Good." He kissed her again, the autumn wind swirling fallen leaves around them.
-(Ningenkai)-
"You came from America as an exchange student. I was the one who helped you around our school. We dated for a month." She nodded, still hugging the redhead. "I never told you my secret. The one I kept from all humans."
"I know of the Three Worlds now," Yen murmured. "If that's what you mean."
"That's only part of it. The renowned Thief King, Youko Kurama, a kitsune of four tails, was killed. His spirit escaped into the Ningenkai and entered a human fetus- my mother's. Since then he continues to live on in me." Kurama hugged her tightly. "I never told my mother or any other human, except for those already acquainted with the Three Worlds."
She nodded. "I- I think I'm starting to remember… that day… the one before I left…"
He closed his eyes. "Yes… I do as well."
-(Memory)-
"This is your entire fault Shuiichi Minnamono." Sakura flipped out her keys and unlocked the door. "And because of this, I must let you into my house."
"Come now, surely it's not that bad."
"It's slightly small, and I have a lot of stuff, so watch where you step, ne?" She stepped in. "I've still got to get rid of the boxes."
"Of course." He closed the door behind him, locking it for security. "But I'm not the person who pushed another into the pond."
"I didn't think you were standing right on the edge- besides, you pulled me down too. And that was not nice."
"I'm not a very nice person."
"You're right. You're a very kind person. I'm a nice person."
"Do enlighten me on the difference."
"Kind is in general- it's like nice except longer and more genuine. Nice is every once in a while." She grinned to herself, rummaging in the kitchen through the cabinets. "I like to pretend I'm a bad girl sometimes. And pretend that I'm white."
He chuckled. "The states have gone to your head."
"D--- Right. Besides, I'm a citizen of the US. How can I help it?" She opened two packages of hot chocolate, dumping one each in a mug. Adding lots of marshmallows, she poured in some water.
He entered the kitchen, still slightly dripping. "You're supposed to put the powder in after you microwave it."
"This is the secret way I do it." She winked. "The marshmallows melt so the stick in your mouth. Trust me, much better this way." She set the two mugs in the microwave and began to heat them. "I'll get a towel for you. Make sure the kitchen doesn't explode or anything."
He laughed as she left. "Do you trust me that much?" he called after her.
"Someone doesn't trust the revered Minnamono-san? Oh my, heavens no," she replied, laughing. Opening up the cabinet in her room, she began to push several articles of clothing aside to get at the towels. Pulling two out, she tossed one to the redhead waiting in the kitchen. He handed her a mug; they linked arms and sipped from the others' for the first few moments, but then switched and drank it the normal way.
"If it's alright, I'm going to change into something dry." She poked him. "I don't have anything for you, but I can look for a big t-shirt or something."
"That would be appreciated."
"Can you put in a DVD? I kind of want to watch something."
"Sure." Crouching down, he started to shift through her collection of movies.
"Shuiichi, let me out."
"Youko, don't even think about it."
"You can't deny it's something you don't want."
"But it's something Sakura doesn't want."
"Let me out."
"No."
A slight pain began to nag his head. He shook it, hoping to clear it. It only increased; the DVD's were abandoned for the moment, the redhead biting his lips to hold back a moan.
"Sleep Shuiichi." His control over his physical body swayed; fox ears developed as silver began to override the red, and as green became an amber-gold color. "You're not needed at the moment." The kitsune smirked as his counterpart faded away into the background. He was in control now.
He quickly crept up to her room, tails gently wagging in excitement. Her back was to him; she was humming gently as she rubbed the towel against her skin to dry it. She was clad only in a bra and medium-length wet skirt.
Sakura yelped as she felt something cold on the base of her neck. "Shuiichi, you shouldn't have come in-!" She was silenced by something covering her mouth. Not the usual soft hand, but something even softer.
Another's lips.
She made a muffled sound in surprised. The man- a stranger, but what was he? He had features of a fox, complete with a wicked grin in his eyes, but he seemed more human. She put a hand on his chest and pushed him away.
"Who are you?" Her breath was ragged slightly.
He smirked. "A Thief King- Youko Kurama."
She backed up slightly- d--- this small space. "I don't know you."
"You know me more than you think, and I you. Are you wondering how I came in, Nanashi Sakura Ume? You let me in."
"No- I didn't. I- what have you done to Shuiichi!"
"Nothing. He's merely resting now."
"What did you do!" She tried to push past him. He only grabbed her wrist. Pulling her off the ground- he was a good foot or so taller than her- he smirked at her helpless position. She kicked him, but his expression did not change- she had missed. Pathetic aim really.
"You wouldn't want me to have to tie me up, now, would you?" She glared. "I have done no harm to Shuiichi- he will recover in due time. And you have something I want." He kissed her once again, pushing his tongue in.
"Do you fear me little blossom?" She blushed, fiercely shaking her head adamantly. "Strange- you should." He tossed her on the bed. Once she recovered from her shock, she tried to scramble off. He stopped her.
"Was this the shirt you were going to give Shuiichi?" The kitsune held up an ordinary white polo. "How sad." His claws created tatter in the skirt she wore easily. He slipped his own shirt off so that his toned chest was exposed. She only closed her eyes and turned away to face the wall. He ran his claws from the base of her neck down to her thigh, causing her back to stiffen.
"D-Don't touch me… I'm… Shuiichi is my boyfriend…"
"I too have some sort of claim on you." His shoes were removed as he draped himself over her. "Koi." His sharp claws endangered the skirt further as he licked and kissed the base of her neck. She whimpered in fear, shivering; he was giving her body that feeling of anticipation, but it was just… wrong to betray Shuiichi like this, even if this kitsune was just as hot as her boyfriend…
He impatiently finished with her skirt, leaving her in her underclothes. He still licked and kissed at her body as he slid his own pants off.
"Youko, stop this!"
"Not now Shuiichi."
"You're hurting her!"
"Be silent."
"You're raping her!"
"She's enjoying it." He licked her ear. "Can't you see?"
"Stop touching her!"
"Jealous are we? You never did have the guts to touch your own woman-"
"Just stop it! Give me back my control!"
"Very sorry Shuiichi, but I can't." He unhooked her bra, letting the straps slid down her shoulders. Her breathing was even quicker.
"Don't touch her!" In a burst of anger, the redhead took control once again. He immediately backed away from the shivering form of Sakura.
"Sakura?" he asked tentatively.
She turned around. "Shuiichi? W-What did he do to you?"
"I- I'm so sorry." He bowed his head. "I nearly raped you."
"What?" Her eyes widened. "What do you…" Her mouth opened in an 'O' of sorts. She wrapped herself up in a blanket.
"Maybe… our relationship won't be for the best."
"No… it won't…"
"I really do love you Shuiichi, it's just… I don't know what you are yet." She looked down. "You have so many secrets to hide from me."
"Yes." He rose. "I do."
"Until I'm sure you can trust me with them… I just don't want our lives to be half lived."
Reaching into his hair, he pulled out a plant. Waving it in the air, she passed out. He promptly set to work hiding all traces that he had been here, and dressed her in her sleepwear. Taking one last look, a small drop slipped out of his eyes.
"You won't remember what happened this night. Or your affections for me." He closed the door behind him and walked away.
-(End Memory)-
"You were a demon all along," she murmured. "A plant manipulator. You used them to erase my memory of that night."
"Who knows what he would have done, had we remained in a relationship."
"I don't think we ever can."
"Yes."
"I-I'm not clean anymore."
His grip tightened. "Who did it?"
"Ichiro. I met him, and I couldn't stop doing what he ordered me to do. Even if I didn't want to." She began to cry silently, leaning against him. "I didn't want to." He rubbed his hand up and down her back as he had done so many times before.
"I loved you so much Shuiichi. Even now, I think I can regain that emotion. From what I've heard, I believe that you're a moral person."
"But-"
"I love you Shuiichi… and I want you to be able to have a free conscience." She kissed him tentatively. 'That bast--- knew it.'
'Ichiro will die… and by the blade he gave me.'
: End Chapter
Insaneningen14: think of this as a new year present. So HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Please, six reviews. Start of the year with a good amount? X3