Insaneningen14: I HATE YOU ALL. Here's your f---ing chapter.
Chapter 15:
Previously:
She had not gone ten feet when she was tackled from above, knocking the wind out of her. Once she got her breath back and stopped cursing:
"HELL! KURAMA YOU COULD HAVE KILLED ME!"
-(Ningenkai, Hokkaido)-
"Sorry Yumiko-san. It had to be done."
"You could have broken my bones! And hell! I've never broken any bones before!"
"Very sorry-"
"Okay, get off me! You're not the lightest person to have on one's back."
"Why should I? You could run off, and then I would have to tackle you again."
"Well, if you don't get off, I'm going to die of suffocation! My lungs are being squashed!"
"Are they really?" His whispered breath tickled her ear.
She blushed. "Yes! What, do you think I'm faking my death here!"
"Perhaps."
"Stop breathing in my ear! It tickles!" She tried to rub away the feeling but her hands were held underneath her body and his weight.
"Like this?"
She growled. "What the f---ing hell do you think."
He sighed. "I guess I'll have to assume that you're perfectly okay-"
"Just get off! This is an embarrassing and uncomfortable position!"
"Embarrassing you say?"
"Just get off. I have a permanently damaged spine."
"If you insist." He rolled off.
She breathed a sigh of relief. "Inari! I swear that I will… hm… I have no clue… but I thank you from the bottom of my heart!"
"You're amusing. More so than Shuiichi thinks."
"Um, okay, you're talking about yourself in third person-" She looked at him "-never mind, you know what, I was wrong."
He chuckled. "Humorous, as I said."
Yumiko examined him closely. She just noticed the change in his voice, deeper and even smoother than usual tones. He had grown taller, and his complexion slightly paler. Amber gold eyes now gazed at her steadily, silver hair tossed over his shoulder nonchalantly. A silver tail wagged gently, fur blowing in the wind. If she didn't know the fact that Shuiichi was the reincarnation of Youko Kurama, she would have mistaken the tail for one of a dog's or a wolf's. "Thief king, I assume?"
"Yes." He grabbed her wrist, tugging her gently along with him.
"Ah, just like Shuiichi. Always towing me along everywhere I don't want to go."
"Maybe if you would just listen in the first place neither of us would have to resort to force."
"Whatever. Hey, where are we going anyway?"
"Takeo."
"Oh." Her face fell. "I'm not a killer."
"You don't have to be."
"Um, no shovel or anything with me now. I can't dig anything up." She waved her un-trapped hand in his face.
"Easily remedied." He continued pulling her, stopping outside the dojo. Casting down a seed, it grew, feeding off his energy. The long roots began to move quickly, scrabbling away the dirt and spitting some on Yumiko. At last, its movements ceased. The kitsune reached down, brushing away some dirt, revealing polished wood beneath his hands. He continued brushing dirt away until the full length of the box was revealed, around three feet by one foot.
Kurama glanced at Yumiko from his kneeling position. Her hair, although tied, was coming out, and looked like many pine needles and dirt had been rubbed off in it. Her entire attire was covered in dirt, more pine needles, several slivers glass, and was torn and bloodied in several places. Her skin was scratched and chafed, blood welling up in some deeper cut places, and he could tell bruises would develop by the next day. Her face had a calmer countenance, but her mouth was open slightly and her breathing uneven, as if her throat had constricted slightly. He opened the box though, still watching her out of the corner of his eyes.
The box, made out of quality wood and mahogany colored, contained two swords. The traditional pair, a katana and a wakizashi. Although the box protected the swords from the elements, they both were sheathed in plain black.
"Touch them."
Yumiko shook her head no, moving backwards. With a sigh, he grabbed her forearm, bringing her down to the same position as he. Gently guiding her hands by the wrists, he placed them each on a hilt. Once he felt her grip loosen, he tightened his own.
"Face your fears. You will have nothing to hide in your soul."
She bit her lips, sharp canines poking at her delicate skin. 'Cleanse me.' She lifted them up carefully without the help of Kurama's hands. She examined them, then let the sheathes slide off.
Both were made out of fine steel, with several engravings on the blade. The handles were of soft black leather, durable but comfortable, and the hilt solid.
"I don't know how to use them," she mumbled. "They never taught me."
"I am no swordsman, but I know Hiei can teach you," he reassured. "Trust me."
She returned them to their scabbards. Kurama handed her the box, brushing the dirt off. She returned them to their resting spots, tucking the box under an arm.
He got up, Yumiko following his actions. She faltered, leaning against him for support. He hugged her gently.
"Nothing is forever lost." She nodded dumbly, only half understanding his words. He picked her up.
She snapped out of her trance immediately. "What are you doing!"
"We have to go back to Reikai. The others are probably waiting for us."
Oh god… "What time is it?"
He glanced at the almost set sun. "Around a quarter to seven."
"S---… Roka is so going to kill me."
"It'll be faster if I run." She clutched onto him instinctively as he darted through the grounds. Just before he leapt through the portal, he morphed back into his human form. But she didn't notice.
-(Reikai)-
They had all been waiting for what had seemed an hour. "Koenma, when are they going to get here?"
"Takeo left one task left for Yumiko. I don't know how long it will take," responded Touya instead.
"How do we know if Rando hasn't taken her!" asked Kuwabara.
"I assure you, Kurama will do an excellent job protecting her." Right on cue, the wanted duo stepped out of the portal, Kurama still cradling Yumiko in his arms. The doorway closed behind them.
"Is she alright?" They all looked worried, except Hiei.
"She's fine- just worn out." The female in his arms revealed her exhaustion by having fallen asleep.
"I'll open another portal for you." Instantly another glowing portal appeared. Yusuke and Kuwabara stepped in, followed by Hiei, then Jin and Touya. Kurama came last with Yumiko. When he came through, Touya was waiting. They were back in the graveyard where Yumiko was visiting.
"Did you have to revert back to your fox form?"
The redhead nodded. "He wanted to be out for a bit anyways."
"She wasn't afraid?"
"Not at all."
"You'll heal her?"
"Yes. What about her-?"
"I'll inform Roka. She'll stay at your house for the next few days, if that's alright."
"It's fine. Will she have any power breakouts?"
"Hopefully not. She'll have to be trained."
"Genkai?"
"Unless you want Yusuke to teach her."
Kurama winced. "Genkai it is then."
"So… how did you convince Yumiko?"
"You don't want to know…"
He laughed, a nice, but rare sound. "Tell me when Yumiko wakes up."
"Have you two made up yet?"
"…" He looked at her. "I hope she can forgive me. I was a bit too pressing in the matter."
"…"
Touya turned. "I'll be seeing you then. Ja ne," he called over his shoulder.
"Ja." He left as well.
: End Chapter
Insaneningen14: I only got three reviews. All you people who read this, you suck ass. So repent by reviewing. XP
