The Mage and the Sorcerer Saga
Episode three: Comfort! Taking it to the next level
Ice-Puppet
--
"Escaped?" Yuusuke shrieked as Kurama explained that Hiei had left. Cursing, the brown-haired teen rubbed his temples slowly. "I knew we should have guarded the door…"
"He didn't 'escape', Yuusuke," the mage pointed out, shaking his head. "I let him leave."
"What the hell? Kurama, why would you do that?" Kazuma exclaimed and went pale as the younger boy laughed softly. "What?"
"He wont kill me," was all the half-kitsune stated, before turning the subject as he looked at Genkai and bowed. "Thank you for your help, Master."
She waved him off and looked to the two humans. "You boys won't be able to take good care of him."
"What?" They both cried.
Crossing her arms, the old woman nodded to herself. "It's settled, then. I'm coming with you."
As the two guards shrieked again, Kurama frowned. "Master… are you sure this is wise? I… this is something I need to do on my own…"
"I will not aid you," the woman informed. "I only wish to see how much you've grown with my own eyes." He nodded in agreement then, causing another shriek from the guards.
"We can't have that… that old bag following us!" Yuusuke snapped, pointing at Genkai and ignoring Kurama's smile. "We were supposed to get you and go back to the palace! That's it!"
"Just the three of you?" Genkai inquired and at Yuusuke's nod she snorted lightly. "There is one more of you than you expect."
Brown eyes stared at her then, obviously confused by the words, but the guard let it drop as they headed out once more, toward the Palace.
--
Two days had gone by uneventfully before they reached a small river that they had to cross. Such a thing was not much trouble for the two horses and they began to walk across easily.
"It's quite sunny," Kurama commented on a whim, attempting to break the uncomfortable silence that had come after Kazuma had mentioned his father.
"And hot," Yuusuke responded, once more blushing as Kurama hugged him tightly around the waist.
"Mmm… no, I think that's you," was the only half naïve response before the younger man glanced over to where Kazuma was fuming as Genkai stood on the back of the horse, looking quite content. "You think he took it personally that I wanted to ride with you?"
"Looks like it," the guard responded with a small smirk.
"Well, for the record," the Kitsune pointed out. "Its not you. It's the horse."
"What? You'd pick a horse over me?" The brunette shrieked. In regards to this, Kurama only smiled.
Genkai jerked around only seconds before Kurama pushed his hands together in order to bring up a barrier around the four of them, blocking a large blast of fire that came their way.
"The dragon again?" Yuusuke asked as he helped Kurama (still holding the seal) down from the horse.
"No," the kitsune responded, eyes narrowed. "There are two of them this time. Be on your guard, both of you. They are by no means powerful, but from what I can feel they are twins and work pretty well together."
His eyes moved around the area… not looking for the two, but instead looking for anything he could use to his advantage. A small jerk caught his attention and he swung one arm around to block an attack from the side with a one-handed seal.
'Get out of the way!' Kurama snapped into Yuusuke's mind, making him jump slightly and look toward the redhead. 'Don't question me! They want to fight me, not you!' One look toward Kazuma proved he had heard the voice too and slowly Yuusuke mounted his horse and moved out of the way, Kazuma following along with Genkai.
A small chuckle came from the demon that held a sword against Kurama's arm, the Kitsune's spell barely managing to hold it off. "Trying to save your friends?" He asked, his voice deep and sensual.
"Getting them out of the way," Kurama responded, grinning widely. "So I can have you to myself."
He jerked his other hand around to swipe upward at the demon that jumped high into the air, casting several low-level balls of fire down at the redhead who easily knocked them all to the side.
"A half-kitsune mage on his way to the palace with guards?" The fire-welder asked as Kurama jumped from the water and into the air toward him, a small dance of hits and blocks following. "You must be on your way to save that horrible little Prince."
"Is there a point to your ramblings?" The kitsune asked in response, swiping low at the demon who jerked out of the way and flew back into the water, Kurama following him and spitting out, "Or are they as mindless as you?"
"Careful what you say, half-breed," the other chuckled, motioning to Kurama's soaked clothing. "You're at a disadvantage."
Green eyes widened as the clothing suddenly constricted, locking his arms to his body. He jerked his head around to find the demon's twin brother there, obviously wielding water magic.
"Kurama!" Yuusuke yelped while Kazuma pulled out his sword.
"Don't," Genkai stated, catching them both off guard.
"What?" They both exclaimed, turning to look at her in surprise.
"Let him do it on his own."
When they looked back they both took a step back – Kurama's normally smiling eyes had become a cold and almost evil sort of glow, narrowed significantly and staring toward the water-bearing demon like reading his mind.
"You're caught, kitsune," the fire-demon grinned before raising his hand to send off a burst of flame. He jerked in surprise when his twin let out a small cry of pain and Kurama was released from his hold. "What?"
Turning, the brother only had seconds to register what had happened before he himself let out a pained cry.
Yuusuke and Kazuma both looked away as blood filled the small river. Kurama's ability over plants had allowed the nearby trees to quite literally make pincushions out of both demons, their bodies now an indescribable form of blood, branches, and leaves. Slowly the redhead turned away from the water and walked over to them, head down.
"Let's go," was all he said before he began walking ahead of them.
--
"We need to get you out of those wet clothes," Genkai stated after they had made camp, motioning to Kurama to approach her. Without a word the redhead stood and moved to where she sat. "We don't want you to catch your death out here."
"Can't he just heal himself if he does?" Kazuma inquired naively, watching and turning bright red as layers of Kurama's outfit was shed, leaving him completely bare.
"Idiot," Genkai stated as the fox giggled. "Mages cannot heal themselves."
"What? But you said-!" the guard began before frowning at Kurama's soft smile.
"We don't have any clothes for him to wear," Yuusuke commented, completely red and staring directly at the fire, only to look away when Genkai rested the clothes beside it. "He'll catch his death sitting out here without anything to wear."
"I could have brought something if you hadn't kidnapped me," Kurama commented, not at all put off by his nakedness. Yuusuke only groaned at that.
"Which is why he'll be sleeping with you, under your blanket," Genkai's words caught both Yuusuke and Kurama off guard, however. "The body heat should keep you both from becoming ill."
"What?" The redhead cried, blushing slightly. "Master-!"
"It's better than becoming ill, isn't it?" the elderly woman inquired in a small snap, making him silent instantly. "I will not heal you if you catch something. I told you I would not interfere."
"But-" Yuusuke began.
"No buts, boy!" The old woman snapped. "If he becomes ill he can't very well save your precious prince, can he?"
"No…" the brunette breathed, looking extremely uncomfortable. Kurama appeared the same.
"Would you rather he slept with Kuwabara?"
"What?" The tall guard shrieked, turning red at the very idea. In response, Yuusuke began to remove his clothing.
--
Two hours later found Kazuma snoring like a pig and Genkai resting nearby, Kurama and Yuusuke both laying with their backs to each other and their faces red.
'We can't ignore it, you know,' the half-kit whispered into Yuusuke's mind, making him jump slightly and turn to find Kurama still not facing him. 'Or we'll never get any sleep.'
Trying a few times to return the mental speaking, Yuusuke finally managed with, 'What do we do?'
Green eyes turned toward him, glowing faintly in the dark and watching the guard with an unreadable look. 'You're worried about him, right? About him finding out.'
'What? Why would I be? Its not like we're-,' as if he had been speaking the words, the kitsune placed a hand on his lips to quiet him down. To an on-looker, it may have appeared like a romantic gesture… and perhaps that's what it was meant to be.
'I told you before, Yuusuke,' the younger man hushed, the voice calming despite not actually being spoken. 'You don't have to say it, but I know it's there.' He leaned in then, lips hovering just above the guard's and glowing eyes half-lidded but still somehow bearing into the other's soul. 'In the morning we will figure out what this all means… but for now, impulse seems to be the best route.'
In response to Kurama's words (if they could be called that), Yuusuke crushed their lips together and wrapped his arms around the smaller boy, pulling their bodies close.
Through the heated passion they both shared that night not once did they cry out, their gasps and moans quiet almost as if automatically, both careful not to awaken either Kazuma nor Genkai, although neither thought about it at that moment in time, attempting to please each other more than please themselves, the tension rising for the time they were moving but releasing into the night as they did, curling up against each other and falling to sleep moments later.
In the morning they moved forward in silence, nearing their destination slowly… Kurama's grip on Yuusuke's waist loose although still comforting, the redhead resting against his back, dressed in his clothes once more although they were still slightly damp.
"We should be at the palace by the end of the tomorrow night," the brunette pointed out toward Kurama who nodded slowly in response. "Unless we have more encounters like the one before."
"It's always a possibility," the redhead whispered, peaking around Yuusuke's arm as if he were a young child attempting to see a wonderful sight but blocked by a tall man. "We are quite a strange group. It is not everyday you see a mage traveling with two imperial guards." A small laugh came from Yuusuke and they both knew the discomfort the night before had bright was lifted then.
So much so, in fact, that it happened again the next night.
Only half a day away from the palace now, they had stopped to rest for a moment, just outside a village and out of the forest area for the most part. Kurama appeared to be helping Kazuma to cook and giving him pointers while Yuusuke fetched water for the horses and Genkai watched on in silence, knowing something but not saying what.
Both mages froze suddenly, green eyes widening and Kurama jerked upward, dropping the bowl of whatever food they had concocted, looking toward the forest.
"What is it?" Kazuma whispered, looking toward the forest and finding nothing, but knowing not to distrust Kurama's judgment.
"A sorcerer," the redhead whispered, the fear in his words and eyes making Kazuma gape slightly at him. "Kuwabara… get away from here."
"What?" The taller man asked, horrified. "You can't just tell us to go, Kurama-!"
"There is no way either of you will be able to match up to a sorcerer," the redhead stated, his fingers shaking and his lips trembling lightly. "Get away from here, Kazuma."
"Kurama, no! I won't-!"
"Go!" Turning, the kitsune formed a seal and sent it blasting at the guard, sending him stumbling back a twenty or so feet. "I mean it!" As Kazuma attempted to protest again, Kurama turned toward where the horses were. "Move him!" Usagi seemed to comply and rushed at Kazuma, forcing him away from the mage.
"Smart boy," a voice purred through the trees. "But they are not who I am after." With a gasp, the redhead managed to jerk up his hands to block himself seconds before the Sorcerer appeared before him, swiping with a glowing hand.
Yuusuke recognized him in an instant.
"Kurama!" He shrieked. "That's the guy that cursed Koenma!"
"Pleasure to meet you, mage," the violet-eyed man stated with a grin, jumping back and taking a small bow. "My name is Karasu."
"Shuuichi," Kurama introduced, not lowering his shield. "But I prefer Kurama."
"After your late father, I assume?" the crow-demon asked, grinning at the hatred that came from those words. "I know the man who killed him. Says he screamed like a child as he died."
"You're a liar," the redhead whispered in accusation.
Laughing, Karasu took a fighting position. "Perhaps I am."
Yuusuke gaped openly as waves of dark energy shot out from the sorcerer, knocking Kazuma down and making the horses jump. Kurama held his ground, however, fingers clasped together although shaking significantly.
"Aren't you going to help him?" the high guard shrieked to Genkai, terribly panicked at the idea of both losing Kurama and losing Koenma's last hope.
"He would have had to face this demon if I was not here as well," she stated, ignoring his glare and cry of 'but you are here!' "I want to see how he handles it, first. If things get out of hand then I will step in." These words appeared acceptable to the other and he turned to see what would happen.
"You have lovely eyes," Karasu stated, catching Yuusuke off-guard but not causing any change in Kurama. "The same of a mage but… somehow, different. Maybe it's the spark you have in them… set to kill. Now, now… I thought mages were gentle creatures?" There was no response from the redhead, causing a small chuckle from the sorcerer as he crossed his arms, long nails gripping at his heavy black coat. "It must be the kitsune in you."
"Are you quite done?" Kurama inquired, raising an eyebrow. "Rambling on while you place invisible bombs in the air. It's quite boring. The sound of your voice makes me want to rip off my ears."
Laughing, Karasu grinned behind the mask he wore over his face. "You're got quite an attitude for a youngling… especially since you can't see those bombs and thus you have no idea where they are."
"Which is why I'm not going to move," the younger responded, closing his eyes. The group watched on as a white glow enveloped him then, lifting his hair from his neck so that it flew around him in small waves.
"Do you really think a spell of your ability will do anything against me?" Karasu asked in amusement.
"Not quite," Kurama responded. "But he can."
A black blur shot out of the trees then, going directly by Karasu and stopping beside Kurama, avoiding the bombs that the kitsune could not see with ease. A sword at his side had left a slash across the demon's shoulder and when the blur stood it revealed the dragon from before.
"Hey!" Kazuma shrieked. "It's that guy!"
"What, did he come back to kill Kurama?" Yuusuke exclaimed.
"No… he's on our side," Genkai pointed out. They both looked to her in surprise. "I sense anger from him, toward Karasu. Toward Kurama he feels a bit unease, but he trusts him on some level."
"Hn. Dragon," Karasu informed, crossing his arms in amusement. "Are you really planning on defying me? Even when you know I have your precious sister captive?"
Yuusuke and Kazuma both gaped at this, looking toward the dragon in surprise. They had known he was a forbidden child, but not that he had a sister.
Hiei said nothing, instead springing forward to swipe at Karasu who easily dodged, both of them keeping out of the way of the invisible bombs. Kurama remained where he was, eyes closed as he gathered up energy. "What is he doing?" Yuusuke asked Genkai who merely shrugged in response.
"Dragon," Karasu accused as Hiei swiped just barely above him. "If you continue I will kill her. It is your choice… you can fight me and lose her or you can kill the mage and rescue her."
Eyes narrowing, Hiei took a step back, holding his sword closely. Then, after a moment, he turned toward Kurama who did not move from his spot.
As if sensing Hiei, a moment later the kitsune's fingers flew forward and he shot off the white energy, hitting Karasu directly and making the man stumble back, though uninjured. "Hiei," the redhead breathed, looking rather worn from releasing all that. "He's lying to you. He doesn't have your sister."
"What?" Genkai gaped, Yuusuke and Kazuma nearly dropping to their knees. Karasu appeared almost as surprised, staring up at Kurama like he had just taken his own life.
"How could you have known that?" The demon shrieked. "Mage's are unable to read minds!"
"His boss holds her captive," the kitsune informed, eyes drooping slightly. "He told Karasu to use her against you in order to reveal your name and get you to join their side."
"Stop reading my mind, half-breed!" Karasu demanded, holding his hands in his head. "Stay away from me!" Growing angrily, he reached a hand out and within a split second the bombs of energy he had spread out all gathered around Kurama and slammed into him from the left side, sending the redhead toward the ground with a half-scream before he lost consciousness.
"Kurama!" Yuusuke shrieked and Genkai decided now would be a good time to interfere. She jumped in front of the fallen boy, ready to face the frightened sorcerer. Hiei, as Kurama had called him, stepped beside her, sword ready.
Frustrated and still feeling the effects of the alleged 'mind reading', Karasu turned tail and ran, sending them one more glance before he shot off into the trees.
Hiei turned and shoved Yuusuke out of his way, bending over the bleeding kitsune and lifting him with only a bit of difficulty. Watching him nervously, Yuusuke followed the dragon as he moved Kurama to a more comfortable spot.
"Old woman," he stated almost respectfully, not knowing Genkai's name. "Are you able to heal him?"
"I won't know until I try," she responded, approaching and kneeling beside the fallen boy. "But from what I can see it is a fairly bad wound… chances are he will not be able to use his left arm for a while."
"Kurama…" Yuusuke breathed, feeling almost guilty.
"Wait! What about Prince Koenma?" Kazuma shrieked, over-emotional in a time of stress. "Can he heal him with one arm?"
"Of course, idiot," Genkai stated, resting her hands over Kurama's wound and pushing healing energy into it. "He only needs to use seals to perform attacks and shields. The only downside is that using one arm will take twice as long to heal the Prince, and from what you have said the curse will take a long time to lift as it is."
It was sometime later (the seemingly endless moments spent in uncomfortable silence save for the hum of Genkai's power) that Kurama, although unfinished healing, slowly opened his eyes with a small groan.
"Welcome back," the old woman commented, not removing her hands from healing his side. He only groaned once more in response. "You took quite a hit there and I don't have the ability to dull the pain, so you'll have to make do with it."
"Yeah," he muttered, wincing slightly as even speaking seemed to hurt.
Hiei came over to sit beside him in comfortable silence, Genkai finally finishing up what she could and leaving the two of them be, shooing off Yuusuke and Kazuma in the process.
"You're a fool," the dragon stated after a moment as his kitsune companion moved to sit up, holding onto his side with his working arm. He attempted to flex his fingers at least but to no avail. "Going up against a sorcerer with the hope that I would come out and help you."
"You did, didn't you?" Kurama inquired, turning to smile slightly at him. "I knew you'd been following us for a while and I can read your feelings, so when Karasu attacked I was fairly sure what you would do."
Hiei looked at him quietly for a moment before asking, "How did you read his mind? Mages are incapable of that."
Laughing, Kurama pushed a strand of hair out of Hiei's face, making the dragon jerk slightly in surprise. "I didn't," he admitted, making the red eyes open wide. "I could tell he was merely in training because of the sensibility he lacked… he was eager to be rid of me instead of playing with me like a sorcerer would normally do." The shorter man blinked in awe when the kitsune leaned forward to rest their foreheads together. "He was so cocky when he stated that he had his sister and he was so sure you would fight to save her, that I was pretty sure he had no idea what he was talking about. So I…"
"Guessed?" The elder breathed in surprise.
"Mmhmm," Kurama responded, closing his eyes and relaxing, forehead still pressed against Hiei's.
"You based your life on a… guess?" The smaller man asked, eyes narrowing slightly at the idea of the mage doing so.
"I read your feelings when he talked about your sister," the kitsune admitted with a small shrug and a wistful voice. "I could tell how much you love her. I didn't want you to lose her over someone like me."
"What makes you think I was even thinking about choosing you?" Hiei asked, pulling away from Kurama then, making those green eyes open and stare at him in a sad smile.
"I didn't," he responded. "But somewhere, in the back of my heart, I had hoped you would."
Snorting, Hiei pulled himself to his feet, casting Kurama a small glance.
"I hope you find her," the kitsune whispered, smiling still. Without a word, Hiei walked away, putting up blocks around his emotions to hide them from Kurama. He heard, as he headed off, the other whispering, "And I hope I see you again…"
--
The next episode: Secret revealed! The ability to heal