AN: Hello, long time no see. Well, hope you liked the last chapter, I meant to warn you before hand. There will be no more sex in this story, so relax. Or hate me which ever.
Chapter Seven
To Kunanai, it was hard to tell when it was day and when it was night or even how long she had been held prisoner in the musty dungeon. All she knew was it was indeed a long time. She imagined that once she escaped, it would be nearly impossible to hide because of how the dungeons made her smell; the sensitive noses that all Kitsune's possessed would easily pick it up. She would only worry about that when the time came at the moment she was ordered to relax and conserve her energy for that magical night when the dungeons would be left behind.
Han had somehow found sleep easily, her stiletto clasped tightly in her hand. Kunanai felt only partly safe feeling the cold steel of the dagger against her leg. It reminded her of when she had first escaped from her first imprisonment or at least what she had mistaken as imprisonment. Now it shocked her that she could even think that way of the group that protected her, fed her, loved her. Yet it was in the past, unable to be corrected when it came down to it. Almost everyone was dead and two more needed to die by her hand.
Flashback
Kunanai watched the others closely trying to decipher if they knew of her darker side. Perhaps Kuronue only thought she had been angered by the action they had done earlier. Slowly however it was diminishing to nothing as she realized it was more her fault than his. They were sitting closer to the fire then her as she chose to separate herself from the others.
She had been running the same thing over in her head all day, wondering which would be the best choice. Either she let her role in the group slowly fade away or she could completely sever all ties to them as soon as possible. It was complicated to her only because she felt a certain loyalty to her brother if no one else. Of course Kikiyo practically stole her place away with ease so why should she bother if she was so replaceable.
It seemed she losing everything that mattered all in a few years. She had heard many stories of other places and worlds which made her think she would, could perhaps travel to them alone, a rogue Kitsune. She would never make it though with her lack of training. She did not even know how to call, beckon forth the Flaming Ice Dragon she had done only once.
Everything seemed too complicated to her. Whatever she chose to do would affect the rest of her life. She got up and walked quietly into the forest, the merry voices of her group dying down to hardly an audible whisper. Finally she felt alone, her only companion being the trees and the Sprites that inhabited them. It seemed completely impossible to find true help when you needed it.
"Why are you alone when you should be seeking companionship?"
She jumped though recognizing the voice, "How is it you always know where I am and what I'm thinking?"
Lord Inari reached forward and lightly touched his claw to her temple, "I can see it in your eyes and aura."
She smiled slightly, continuing her walk beneath the dense canopy of tree branches. The leaves were beginning to brown on the edges meaning to yearly renewal was at hand. It always fascinated her at how once a year the leaves on the trees die only to return the very next day. However she learned the truth of death upon her parent's deaths.
Lord Inari accompanied her, his cloak lightly billowing away from his body. She only wished she could see his face but as legend stated only those in his inner most court were allowed the honor of seeing his face.
"Have you reached your decision yet?"
The sudden noise startled her from her thoughts. She had not expected him to speak so soon.
"I think I will leave. Tonight."
As the statement escaped her lips, she realized subconsciously she had already decided she would leave them that night and not waste another day.
"Then how will you survive? I would offer you a job but I'm afraid that you are not trained to survive even my tasks. I will however do one thing. Remember the medicine man, Maki? Go to him and he will train you as you wish," he answered calmly.
"Are you sure, My Lord?" she whispered.
He nodded, draping his arm casually around her, "Of course. I have high hopes for you. Now leave only in the dark of night once your friends have gone to sleep. Do not tell them, your location. You may however write a small good-bye. I will explain to them what is going on."
She nodded sadly though trying to hide it from him.
"What makes you sad, love? Should you not be happy?"
She smiled, "Of course I am. I'm extremely happy."
"You feel you are betraying your brother?" he stated calmly.
She looked at him shocked though she easily recovered enough to nod.
"He was the one who took care of me after my parents died. He was the only one there for me my whole life so how can I do this?"
He stopped their walking, turning her so she looked straight into his eyes, "If you stay, your life will slowly become nothing. You have great potential and you can only reach that if you leave. They are only holding you back, my dear."
She looked down, her eyes training on the shadows cast on the ground. She could not be sure she could control her other side unless she left the group.
'They already betrayed you. They're pushing you away so why not leave them before they force you out,' a voice rang in her head.
Her eyes narrowed as she suddenly pulled Lord Inari towards her, trying to keep the tears from falling. His breath hitched, his heart floating to his throat as he lightly held her. His mind was racing, noting the sensations she caused him so thoroughly. He finally pulled back keeping her at arms length.
"Come, you must hurry or you shall never escape from them even if you wished it. Now go!"
She was surprised to note the anger in his voice causing her to hurry away. He sighed placing his hand to his head, reminding himself of the barrier her had set up between gods and Mortal. It was still hard for him to resist the beauty of a young and innocent Kitsune girl but she had to get on with her life even if it hurt her to do so.
Kunanai crept into the camp, crouching as a log fell in the fire, only embers left. Her three companions were sound asleep, Kurama and Kikiyo snuggling closer for warmth. She quietly gathered her things, placing them in a fur sack normally used for food. All her supplies consisted of food for two days, two pairs of ritualistic robes, and three daggers though she knew not how to use them in case of a threat upon her.
"Leaving, are you? You know Kurama will not be happy," Kuronue's voice broke the silence of the clearing.
"Go to sleep, Kuronue. I must leave. And you will not follow me or I will kill you," she whispered casting a glance at her brothers sleeping form.
Kuronue shrugged, lying down as she had requested. She sighed, hurrying from the camp before anyone could stop her. As she quietly snuck through the woodlands, she reflected on her choice. She felt she had made the right decision but in doing so broke her brothers heart undeniably. She moved quickly through the woods hoping to reach Maki before morning light. She needed shelter or she would be easily found.
She felt alone and cold as if all life had been stolen from her body in leaving. It was incredibly hard not to think of what she was doing as betrayal. She had just run off in the middle of the night. How could she so easily leave her brother when he had been the only person to truly care for her even before her parents had died?
It slowly dissipated as she neared Maki's home and left her old one. In fact, she felt more powerful as if the further she went the more power began to course her body as if it were tainting her blood with its unholy combination. As usual, Maki was seemingly waiting for her, the door wide open to allow her entrance while a thin cloud of smoke twirled out of the small stone chimney that protruded from the top of the house.
"Hello, child. I'm glad to see you. Once I finish with you, there will be nothing you cannot conquer."
She smiled, hurrying to give him a hug, her arms not even reaching around his waist. It felt much more like a home with a solid building housing them.
"Honey, who is it?" a woman's sleepy voice asked from the doorway behind them.
She was a white Kitsune like Maki though her hair was a burgundy red and flowed to her waist. Her skin was pale as most Kitsune's were. Her eyes, like all Kitsune's were golden though hers seemed quite dull for a woman of her age. As Kunanai continued her gaze over the woman she noticed her stomach was plump.
"Wow! Are you going to have a Kit?" Kunanai dodged under Maki's arm and knelt before his wife.
She seemed shocked at first but smiled softly, "Why, yes. They're due in a week."
Kunanai's eyes danced as she stared at her, "Can I touch it?"
She smiled, laughing before she took Kunanai's hand and placed it on the swell of her stomach. She laid her head hesitantly on her stomach listening softly as the Kits moved within her.
"Oh, it just kicked!"
"Yes, they move quite a lot nowadays. By the way, I'm Bokinu, what's your name?"
"Oh, I'm Kunanai. What are they going to be?" Kunanai said hurriedly, sitting back so she could look at Bokinu.
"I don't know yet. I told Lord Inari that I would find out when the time came for them to be born. It's too much of a miracle to have them known before their birth."
It seemed rational to Kunanai so she shrugged, whirling around as the foliage shook. Maki glared, motioning for his wife to take Kunanai inside so they would not get hurt in case of an attack. From the forest stepped another Kitsune though this one wore the uniform of the Fifth Platoon of the Youkai Army which headquarters were now on Jantu.
He had spiked pink hair that seemed absolutely absurd in the greens and browns of the forest. His skin was a dark tan and muscled. He looked around the clearing with impassive red eyes like blood. The uniform he wore was red with a gold lining. The shirt was a high collar stopping just below his chin and long sleeved. His pants were all red, the bottom tucked into his black army boots that stopped mid-calf and fastened up the front. Strapped to his back was a double-headed spear, the tips shining in threat.
"Hello, Maki. The king has sent me to request your aide. He is troubled deeply and would like you within the day if it is convenient," he bowed at the waist.
Maki nodded, "Stay for the moment while I tell my wife the reason for my absence."
He opened the door and called for her, stepping back to wait for her. Kunanai exited first, casting a suspicious glance at the man who openly goggled at her beauty.
"You called, Husband," Bokinu asked keeping her eyes downcast in the warrior's presence.
"The King wishes my help so I will be gone for the day. Please have supper ready for me when I return," she nodded, her hands fidgeting on her swollen belly.
He grasped her chin lightly, lifting it so their eyes met, "Love, be content with my absence and love me with a greater power so I may feel it on Jantu," he kissed her soundly before turning to Kunanai.
He smiled at her, "Now take care of Bokinu. If I find you did not do your share, you will have much trouble upon my return."
Kunanai smirked, saluting him though her eyes strayed once again to the other Kitsune though this time she recognized him.
Maki seemingly did not notice the glare so smiled, "Ah, let me introduce you two. General Mantel, this is Kunanai. Kunanai, this is General Mantel, second-in-command of the Fifth Platoon."
Mantel bowed formally to her, grasping her hand in his own, "It's my pleasure, My Lady. You are quite a beauty to behold."
She snatched her hand back, "You should learn to keep your hands off a young lady. Now leave me alone because I don't take lightly to those who associate with perverts."
Mantel glared, "I knew I saw you before. Lord Yananu has your picture in his room," he turned to Maki before continuing, "Have your Wife teach her the rules of court, the Lords will definitely wish to see her but in this condition, she will be killed for insulting their majesties."
He turned away pushing himself through the foliage in anger. Maki shook his head at her but quickly hugged her before hurrying off after a moment of silent communication between his wife and himself. She smiled, smoothing Kunanai's hair down.
"Come, we must begin your training if you are to see the Lords of Jantu. One mistake can kill us all," Kunanai followed her after casting a quick glance to the forest.
End Flashback
Kunanai watched the darkness seemingly reach deep within her as if it were trying to take control of her from the inside. She shrugged with it unable to fight the power it had over her. The darkness was just as her fire, black like abyss in the deepest pits of the Makai. Something about it though seemed to soothe her. It felt as if someone clad in shadows was holding her tight to chase the cold away, her limbs refilling with strength.
She recognized the feeling as she had felt it before when the elixir had begun to take hold experienced. She felt lips brush her neck, sighing contentedly as warmth overwhelmed her senses.
A deep voice assaulted her ears, "You will soon escape and we will meet. I will be yours and you, mine. Now sleep, Love."
She nodded, leaning back into the illusionary man as he lightly stroked her arm till she fell asleep with her head resting on the cold stone.
AN: The End….Just kidding. A few more chapters to go. Now if you want a cookie, simply review and a cookie you shall receive. Much Love, S. Hunter.