AN: Hey, sorry for the delay. A lot of things have been happening lately so here's the next update. Now that this have calmed down somewhat, I should be able to put up the rest of this and the sequels with no prob. On with the reading!

Chapter Ten

Kunanai sighed listening to the silence that filled the chamber around her. Han and her had let the conversation die down to nothing as they became engrossed in their own thoughts. Truly both wanted to know what the other was thinking but kept to themselves. Kunanai's mind was drifting to working on a plan, something to help them escape without being caught. Some would believe it was an easy task since Kunanai had lived and memorized the halls throughout the castle but in truth that only seemed to complicate things further.

There were many paths that would be easy but the easier the escape, the more dangerous it could become. Especially with someone who had yet to truly explore the castle. It would be her job to make sure they both made it without fault.

Flashback

Kunanai fiddled with the dress she wore. Bokinu swore she looked ravishing but still, to wear a dress was strange to her. It had only one sleeve that rested on her shoulder, the cuff lightly pressed on her wrist. The sleeve was made of light fabric with a slit down the arm so it fell away from the skin. The body of the dress fell to the floor, clinging tightly to her torso before flaring out at her hips to lightly brush the floor. She wore open heels, thin black leather straps running across her toes and up the back of her heel to secure around each ankle.

Her hair was pulled back into a small bun, slight curls falling from the back with her bangs framing her face. Bokinu had used coal to outline her eyes; the gold now seemingly glowing in the dim light. A knock startled her, wheeling her around to stare at the door.

"Kunanai, are you ready to go yet?" Maki's voice floated in through the door.

"Y-Yes. Please, hold on one moment," she stuttered taking one last look into the mirror

A moment later she stood outside in the open cool air watching Maki help Bokinu into the coach. She held onto the white gloves in her hand trying not to show how nervous she was. It seemed normal really as Bokinu herself was nervous though she looked gorgeous. She wore a long blue dress of satin which flowed around her body. It cut low in the front with a dark blue outline of silken ribbon. Instead of heels she wore slippers that were the same blue as her dress.

"Here, child, let me help you into the coach. This way."

She placed her hand lightly in his, stepping up and sitting across from Bokinu. Maki shut the door and climbed atop the coach to urge the Pegasus to fly. They climbed was silent as Kunanai slipped on her silken gloves that stopped just at her elbows. Bokinu concentrated on another point somewhere beside Kunanai while Kunanai fascinated herself with the passing images of the world outside her quiet domain.

When they came to a halt in front of the castle she hid her surprise and excitement inside as Maki helped his wife from the coach. She was not surprised when they walked away leaving her in the coach.

"Excuse me, Madame. May I be your escort?" a voice questioned extending his hand to her.

She smiled broadly at him accepting his hand, "Lord Inari, what a pleasant surprise to see you here."

He helped her from the coach, placing her hand onto his arm as he led her into the castle following the other couples. To him it felt natural to be holding her close, walking into a giant ballroom filled with smiling, laughing Kitsune's. To Kunanai it was strange; she had never seen so many Kitsune's in her life gathered together in a happy moment. Groups moved slowly around the room, bowing to the royal family before continuing on. Much to her dismay, there were not any others her age leaving her to be the youngest.

"Why, Lord Inari. Welcome, My Lord," two men bowed to him, rising when he nodded his head.

"And who is this ravishing beauty that is your date?"

"Ah, let me introduce you to Kunanai," he motioned to the other two, "And these are Lords Yananu and Dananu."

Kunanai curtseyed, her head bowing slightly, "I'm honored, My Lords, to have the pleasure to meet you in such a beautiful castle."

Dananu's eyes, a light violet remained trained on Kunanai's face studying her. She adverted her eyes to seem shy and innocent in appearance. If it were not for the fact the man staring at her could appoint her the position she wished for, she easily would have ignored him. Dananu reached forward and grasped her hand, bending to kiss it lightly.

"You, my dear, are beautiful. May I have this dance?" he asked, his eyes never leaving hers.

Kunanai nodded her consent, releasing Lord Inari's arm as Dananu twirled her out onto the dance floor. As if he had specially chosen the type of song, a slow love song began to play allowing him to close the space between them until their bodies barely touched. Kunanai made herself lightly blush at the contact though mentally rolling her eyes.

'Some people are so pathetic,' she thought to herself as she continued to dance with Dananu.

"So what brings you to Jantu?" he asked casually.

She blinked quickly trying to reorganize her thoughts, "Oh, I'm just traveling and Jantu's beauty captured my soul."

"As yours has captured mine," he whispered pulling her closer.

As if sensing her distress, Lord Inari swept onto the dance floor and took Kunanai into his arms.

"Come, darling, we have much to do," Lord Inari said pulling her from the ballroom to a large balcony where many couples mingled in the starlight.

He watched her gasp for breath, her hand pressing at the base of her throat as if it would help open her airways. He placed a calming hand on her shoulder to calm her though she drew away from his touch.

"I'm sorry, Inari but I must go," she turned quickly running into the forest where she could be alone.

She stumbled, catching herself on a tree, biting back a yelp as the bark bit into her skin. The sheer feeling of loneliness tore her apart; her eyes squeezed shut as she slid down to the ground, pulling her knees up. She wanted to cry so badly but refrained from the action as to her it was a sign of weakness. Truly life seemed ironic; she had wanted to leave her real family so now she was paying the price with loneliness.

A scream startled her from her thoughts causing her to jump to her feet. It took only a moment before she recognized the voice as it belonged to someone she knew. She took off running, stumbling slightly but never stopping, hoping she would make it in time. Bokinu was in trouble and nearby so that left only Kunanai to save her. She flew into the clearing and stopped just in front of Bokinu who was pressed against a tree in horror and fear.

Maki was dangling from the edge of a large spear, his sword laying forgotten on the ground in front of her. It was easy to tell he was dead as his body was nearly severed in two, the blood thoroughly coating both the spear and the ground. She growled, her eyes darkening as she grabbed the blood-drenched sword from the ground. As soon as the katana was in her hand, a dark orb of light engulfed her in its warm embrace.

Once the light subsided, all eyes gathered on the lone figure standing in the clearing. Many people from the ball were now gathered just outside of the clearing, three warriors drawing broad swords and preparing to attack. The moon finally showed its true face from under the clouds, causing the others to gasp.

Kunanai's dress had disappeared being replaced by semi-tight black jeans, a tight black tank top, the sleeves remaining cut with tendrils falling down her arms. Around her waist was a silver chain angled to hold her two scabbards to her side. A long black cloak billowed from her shoulders as the moonlight glowed off the bloody metal she held in her hand.

"So. You dare to kill someone I know and care about? How quaint. Now you can join the Guardian of Death!" she yelled flying at the creature, catching him by surprise as he had done to Maki.

The loud screech filled the air startling thousands from their sleep as the creature began to multiply. Kunanai growled, her whole body glowing black as she called forth the Flaming Ice Dragon. It shot at the Demon, clenching his teeth around his victims as he ate his fill, devouring her enemies. The whole crowd gasped as one, staring as she did not wait for the Dragon to dissipate. She knelt before Bokinu watching as she painfully gripped her stomach.

"Nai, please. Take care of my children. I know I'm going to die here, today but I need to know they'll live," she whispered, "Get them out of me!"

Kunanai shook her head sadly, "No, I can't. I won't kill you."

Bokinu grabbed a dagger before Kunanai could stop her and cut herself open across the stomach, crying out in pain. Blood flowed freely from her body, her hand, bloody now clasped Kunanai's.

"Please, do this for me. I'm begging you."

Kunanai nodded, her tears becoming buried deep in her heart and soul as Bokinu died. Kunanai knew she had but moments before the children would die. The blood was warm and cloaking, the pain and sadness palpable as she saved the children. The boy was a strong child even at birth, looking exactly as his father had. The girl though was already dead, being smaller than the boy and able to fit into Kunanai's hand.

She laid the child with her mother, holding the little boy as he stared up at her with magenta eyes filled with understanding.

"This will be Maki for his father. Too bad he won't be here to see you grow up," she turned to look at the surrounding crowd, watching as an older woman stepped forward.

"My Lady, I will take care of the child for you," she whispered with a bow.

Kunanai handed him over saying but one thing.

"Take their home and give it to him. He will be taught his father's healings."

The woman nodded wrapping Maki in her apron so he would not be cold. Lord Inari and Dananu stepped forward, both never taking their eyes off of Kunanai as she stared down at her friend's bodies.

"I want them buried properly together," she said quietly when they were close enough to hear her.

Dananu snapped his fingers, watching as men came to his side, "Prepare a burial ceremony for our friends. Now!"

They hurried away, rushing to begin preparations. He reached out to her, smiling slightly even when she pulled away. Lord Inari nodded, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Come, I will take you to your room. In fact, let us feast more tomorrow when the day rises."

Dananu nodded, "Yes, tomorrow we appoint the new leader of the Demon Army."

Everyone cheered, happily vanishing from the crowd to land in her own room, the darkness surrounding her completely. She sat down on a seat, feeling her clothes change into her pajamas causing her to glance at Lord Inari with a slight smirk.

"Is it possible I could change my name?" she asked, her eyes trained on the outline of her bed.

Lord Inari stepped up beside her, pulling her into his arms while he answered, "Yes but it would be the end of your old life."

Kunanai nodded, "Then I want to be known as Shimora. Kunanai could have never killed her friends."

Lord Inari nodded sadly, feeling her hands moving over him. He gasped, pushing her back so he could stare at her.

"No, you don't understand the implications of what you are trying to do, Ku-Shimora."

She shook her head, turning away as she could get into the bed. The covers felt like a mix of silk and velvet, the richest she had felt in her life. The pillows were filled with soft feathers that cushioned her head as if it were a lover. For a few quiet moments she thought to herself not bothering to cast a glance at Lord Inari.

"I'll be leaving now, child."

She seemed unnerved as he disappeared. It took but a moment for reality to set in. She was now completely alone; no one was there to hold her when she cried, to teach her the ways of life. She was alone in everything, it seemed as if no one cared.

End Flashback

The faint sound of the guard leaving startled them both. They took only a second to glance at the other before hurrying up the stairs to the door. They had one minute before the next guard arrived. Han cracked the door open and slid out, blending into the shadows. Kunanai followed close behind shutting the door behind her.

'If we do this right, no one will know we left,' Kunanai whispered telepathically.

Han nodded allowing Kunanai to lead her down the hallway towards the right. It was quiet, even their footfalls were silent. Once they had to slide into a small alcove so they were hidden from the guards that patrolled the corridors. It seemed as if they had circled until Kunanai lightly pressed a stone, which moved under her touch.

Inside was a dark square passage that only reached three feet high and two feet wide. Han squeezed inside, feeling the bedrock arch upwards as she crawled along the corridor. She could hear Kunanai behind her, shuffling almost silently to what she hoped was the surface. Kunanai knew they would come out on the surface. The only problem she would run into she figured was that the platoons would be practicing, training to go to battle.

It was possible but she doubted it. Of course, it would help if they knew whether it was night or day in the world above but such things could and would be dealt with when it came to that point. Han reached the top moments later, lightly pushing the top open only slightly to see what was going on. The clearing was dark and silent. They pulled themselves up through the opening, replacing it as it had been moments before.

"Lets get to where Maki told us to meet him," Kunanai whispered as she began to run off towards the woods, Han close behind.

TBC

An: So, I have like 15 chapters including a Epilogue so not much longer plus there are 5 other stories to go with it and then we're pretty much done…Unless I get a new idea for another one. Please review. Much Love, S. Hunter.