Rain: I'm back folks!

Kaden: Much to my dismay.

Rain: What does that mean.

Kaden: Nothing Rain Nothing…

Sesshoumaru: Rain does not own me or any of my fellow Anime characters and even if she could Snow would beat her up for me.

Chapter XI Part II

Paint it Black

The fox castle guard fell to his knees before Rain staring up at her with shock and fear as blood spilled from his lips. Rain watched him with very little interest, smiling when he asked her why.

"Let it be known… he who guards my enemy shall be my enemy also and whoever in my father's lands goes against me shall die by the swift hand of the law." she answered coldly letting the silver fall face first in the dirt. The poor fool never had a chance….

"It's a Red Get'er!" came a random voice in the hall as Rain entered. She smirked and held out her arm, seeing them near her with drawn swords she laughed and swept the back of her right hand in front of her sending the foxes to the wall under a swift wind like blanket of fire.

Once again she made her way to the main hall casually strolling like she was enjoying every moment of this blood bath. As she rounded a corner solders surrounded her. One attacked with his fist , she merely garbed his closed fist and flipped him to the right, successfully ripping his arm clean from the shoulder socket and smashing his face into the cold marble floor. The next ran to Rain swinging wildly in desperation at her, she growled with a smirk jamming her fist into his gut straight through his back he screamed in pure pain and agony as she opened her palm, flexed he claws and pulled it back ripping his spine in two.

Another came at her … she seized his forearm, swept his feet from under him and smashed his face into the floor. As he tried to roll over and away she brought her boot down hard in the middle of his chest, hitting a pressure point. The remaining idiot attacked the kitsune from behind. Rain smirked pulling out a blade half the size of her forearm. Imagine his surprise when she stabbed him in the heart. Blood splattered on her back as he fell he tried to grab her shoulder in desperation Rain laughed at the fool continuing her trek. She soon ran straight into a blockade slamming her foot into a soldier's skull, she grabbed a knife from her thigh and stuck it in his neck as he tried to stab her with his sword. With a quick glance forward she summoned fire to take the rest. Time is of the essence after all… A wicked smile graced her lips as there screams reached her ears and the smell of there burning flesh entered her nose… no she was not a cold blooded killer…. She just thought the stupid deserved to die. Going ageist Rain was a stupid thing to do. She finally reached Zane's throne…

I see a red door and I want it painted black
No colors anymore I want them to turn black
I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes
I have to turn my head until my darkness goes

" Can I do something for you child?" A strong voice called out to her…

"Yes Zane. You can drop dead." Rain smirked leaping into the attack.

He smirked putting up a force field up to block her charge.

"Your request I am afraid is unacceptable." he chuckled looking down at a very pissed fox.

"It wasn't a request. It was an order you dumb fuck!" Rain growled raising her sword parallel to the floor.

"Meet my associate the great Youko Kurama and as you shall see young one I am the only one who gives orders here!" Rain froze hearing his name and anger welled up inside her like a volcano.

"You stupid coward my fight is with you! Now be a man you dipstick and fight me!" She growled, raising her sword parallel to the floor, her great speech interrupted by chilling deep laughter and loud clapping.

"Those are strong words my dear butterfly. But of course I would expect no less from the famous Red Devil! Rain of the Gunji" The voice declared stepping out of the shadows.

She couldn't believe her eyes, watching him run his fingers through his long silver hair, an action that made Rain want to rip his close off and …. Well anyways Rain walked to him slowly... Not knowing exactly why he was there…

"Youko I have no wish to fight you, I know of things much more enjoyable for the two of us, but if you get in my way I will kill you without mercy or thought of our long hot nights together." Youko chuckled at her words

"My dearest Rain I stand here in front of you as a lover." He embraced her before she knew he was coming ."Do you remember the last time I held you like this?"

Rain's mind took her a night long ago in Sesshoumaru's massive garden, while a crescent moon hung high in a purple ski. Youko's heat did seek her out, It had been so long since that night, that long hot night the last time they had made love over and over until the sun decided to peek over the castle walls… he smelled the same as he did that glorious night… she wanted him.

She sighed clinching to his strong arms…

I see a line of cars and they're all painted black
With flowers and my love both never to come back
I see people turn their heads and quickly look away
Like a new born baby it just happens ev'ry day

"Yes.. Yes I do…" She breathed out almost in pain, inhaling the sent she was afraid to forget, trying to pretend she could stay like this forever.

She shuttered feeling his hand caress her cheek, his thumb rubbing the skin there. Being a woman in love she didn't think twice about leaning into his kiss and deepening it when his tongue slid across her lips.

'This isn't right… it it hurts… He has never hurt me before what's wrong with me? What's wrong with him?' Came Rain's panicked thoughts as she tried to break from the most painful thing she'd ever experienced… He laughed coldly watching her fall to her knees in a preying position trying for air as blood came from her lips and her green eyes faded to white…. The last thing she saw before it all went black was his almost piercing golden eyes. They held an insane glint in them and it filled Rain with an entirely unfamiliar emotion… yes for the first time in her centuries old life she was afraid.

I look inside myself and see my heart is black
I see my red door and it has been painted black
Maybe then I'll fade away and not have to face the facts
It's not easy facin' up when your whole world is black

-O- Day one

She woke up early in the morning to the muffled voices in the room… the sunlight burned her eyes when she tried open them. Her head hurt as did a small place in her heart. How could the man she had loved above all others betray her with a kiss? How could she still love him this much?

"Ah it seems our lovely red butterfly is awake…" She twitched hearing his voice, following her instinct she tried to burn herself free, sadly it didn't work.

'Power dampeners shit!' She thought cursing as she took in her surroundings.

Youko got up from his place watching her on the wall and with a smirk unlike the ones she remembered so fondly in her younger days, he laughed at Rain like being able to kill her would being him everything he ever wanted.

"Oh my dear ruby in the dust you look frightened." Still he had that smirk on his face Rain couldn't stand it. What had happened to her lover who welcomed her with arms wide open? What happed to the man who's smile drove her up a wall? This couldn't be him. Could it?

"Well… I'm gone I'm a little bored now." He declared leaving the room and her in darkness. Her father told her one time that if she ever found herself in a hopeless situation that Apollo will listen because they were his children but Rain never took much stock in using her ancestor as a crutch… but now she found herself looking to the ceiling.

'Lord Apollo great sun god… I know I don't ever come to sacrifice at your temple and I never have preyed to you… or asked you for help, and I know that I have always been bull headed and done things against your will… I'm not asking for deliverance and I'm not promising that I'll change my ways tonight or ever we both know better… And I wont beg you… All I'm asking is that if I die in this place… Take my enemies with me, give my friends and my son the message that I leave on the wind, That after all of the passion after all of the pain when they light a fire I will be the flame. Let that knowledge be enough for them to not weep a single tear for me.' She tugged on the short chain that held her high and glued to the wall… in the dungeon there were others some were permitted to sit on the cold floor legs and arms chained to the stone all of them had tombstones in there eyes like they had been there for as long as the silver had the charge of these lands, It did cross Rain's mind that she would never chase the full moon again, or run in the sunlight or serve drinks in her bar again, and for an instant she was filled with an indescribable sadness she tried so hard to push away… while she still had a pulse there was still hope.

-O-Day two

"Wake up Kitsune." Rain heard an unfamiliar voice call out to her.

"It's time to eat." He said again when she opened her eyes, he was freakishly tall making Rain look like a midget, his eyes were misty like they held some vast amount of wisdom in them, his hair was blue with silver tips and kept spiky and short. Two blue lines went out from his widow's peak and split out to follow his eyebrows then stopped. From his bottom lip to the bottom of his chin were the same blue markings. He had mist blue scales on his neck and his long reptilian tail swayed side to side… He smelt of kitchen spices… Rain didn't know which ones.

"Dragon… why are you here?" Rain asked letting her eyes adjust to the light.

"I am here to keep you alive now stay still and open up!" he replied.

Rain growled and clamped her teeth shut like a brat kid who didn't like vegetables, being stubborn as usual.

"You baka kitsune! I worked hard on this meal… you'll eat it even if I have to make you."

Rain's eyes flashed red in warning as she growled. Even if he was a dragon she was no child and she would not eat like one, she would starve with her dignity rather then to have someone feed her like a sick puppy.

"That's it you don't want to eat …or are you too weak to chew your food." He smirked as she opened her mouth to rant at him stuffing a hole t-bone down her throat.

The dragon laughed as she struggled to chew it… but smiled when she finally downed it…

"Hey this is good!"

"It's broiled just enough for it not to bleed.."

"Thank you then…" She replied bowing her head.

"No problem… take this ." he said giving her some water.

Just then Zane bust in with Youko quickly in tow. He turned to the dragon anger shining clearly in his eyes.

"Cook get back to your station!" he yelled at the dragon.

The dragon glared at the silver as if he was suppressing the urge to rip him apart, Rain watched him take a deep breath and bow to the kitsune.

"As you wish… Lord Zane." He said earning a very pleased look from Zane as he walked out.

"Alright Gunji… Your family has worked for Lord Sesshoumaru for centuries, we know that you are one of his best guards and have information on that miserable dog for us." Zane so smoothly put.

Rain laughed loudly, spiting a large, slimy loogie in his face. Zane growled and slapped her as hard as he could.

"You honestly think I would twist the knife into Lord Sesshoumaru for you or anyone for that matter! You are a stupid mother fucker aren't you?" Rain's arms almost ripped out of there sockets from the force of his next slap with the back of his hand.

"You hit like a human! Old man!" Rain sneered.

"Gunji I am in no mood for your games you will tell us what we want!" Zane screamed at her showing his anger.

"No… I wont." Rain stated simply with a smirk spiting what little blood was drawn to the floor.

Zane was fuming now and glared daggers at our favorite kitsune.

"You don't realize that your not in any position to act a fool." he came up close to whisper pulling back when Rain tried to sink her fangs into his face.

"I swear before Mount Olympus that before the next full moon I'll kill you Zane." Rain's face suddenly became serious.

"Is that a threat prisoner?" Zane asked.

"No you son of a bitch it's a promise!" Rain growled calmly.

"Hn.. We shall see… Youko I'll leave you to your fun." The false ruler smiled as he left.

Youko smiled locking the door as he brought out the rose whip a sinister aura pulsing about him….Rain did not like the look in his eye.

"You see luv I'm going to enjoy hearing you scream." He laughed evilly clamping more dampeners on her. One on her neck like a collar, on each wrist, and one on each ankle then cuffing her to a post that was in the middle of the cell. She knew what was coming. And she bit her tongue in preparation He brought the green whip back slowly then with all the force he could manage slashed across her back laughing as she bit back her pain… he came again this time harder then the last, Rain had to much pride to cry out.

"Kikyo's saccade arrows hurt more then that you bastert!" She yelled in pain. Youko growled coming again with more power. Then again and again till Rain fell to her knees in a lake of her own blood, it had lasted for hours and Youko's arm was tiered the only screams he heard from her lips were curses and taunts, no begging no preying or yelling out to him for mercy. This bitch was seriously beginning to piss him off!

"Look at the mighty Head of Sesshoumaru's Generals now on her knees wallowing around in her own blood How pathetic." Rain felt like crying, but had to much pride to let the tears come, her teeth and jaw clinched together and she shook from the pain of the thorns from the whip… she was going to die… she looked up at the silver haired fox… yes this was the thief that she had fallen in love with so long ago. He looked happy… maybe things were better off if she was dead… if it made him happy to kill her, then she would give him her life, her blood, her flesh it didn't matter it never really did. At least if she died here tied to this whipping post it would be by his hand not some low-level demon or worst yet Kikyo.

He kicked her as he walked away out of the door with a smirk.

"The boss wants you alive but call me whenever you want to have a little chat about that mangy mutt." The darkness came again…. Rain shivered… she never could keep her edge in the dark. Curses for not training more with Snow….

'I wonder how there doing back home. Shippo is probably driving that old neko nuts by now.' She smiled cause it hurt to much to laugh. 'Kaden? I wonder what Kaden-senpai would say if she me like this. And Sesshoumaru-sama… I have went back on my promise. I don't deserve his respect as a warrior, I let my heart kill me… And what would Zel say? Keep my head up Heaven waits for the faithful? I am a warrior and a solider at least I used to be and I have not even a sword to do myself justice….why am I even still alive?' She howled so loud that she was sure it would be heard throughout the lands could hear and then passed out with her head on the wet Iron post.

No more will my green sea go turn a deeper blue
I could not foresee this thing happening to you

-O- At bar that night

Shippo jumped out of bed and ran to the neko's room in a rush preying to his and her god both that she wasn't at the palace tonight.

"Aunt Snow! Come out hear it's an emergency!" He yelled beating on the door. Snow came up to the door peeking her head out drowsily

"What is it brat?" She mumbled

"I think Mama is in trouble!"

"What else is new now go to sleep."

"No Snow I think it's bad this time!" He yelled franticly.

"What makes you say that brat." She replied pushing past him to get coffee from down stairs.

"Well you see she spoke to me, she howled a good-bye." He was close to tears.

"No more tears Shippo Gunji! What would your mother think if she saw you cry? Go back to bed we'll deal with this do not worry." Zel's voice came from the bottom of the stairs as she was on her way to the tea kettle.

"Yes ma'am Aunt Zel." He nodded. "Can I sleep in your room?" he asked rubbing the moisture from his eyes.

Zel nodded smiling at the kid and picking him up to tuck him in.

"Don't worry your mom is one of the strongest people I know she'll be fine. Just have a little faith in her yes? She sweetly comforted the kit while tightly tucking him into the sheets and blankets.

"Yes ma'am." He answered drifting to sleep.

"Good night squirt." she said walking out of the room.

"What are the odds I'll be getting to sleep tonight?" The neko asked sipping her coffee at the table.

"Slim to none I'm afraid."

-O- Day four the prison

The Dragon's name, Rain found out was Tusrai and he had the dream of being a chef one day and owning his own restaurant. She also found out that he hated Zane and the only reason he worked for him much less followed his idiotic orders was because he had to work for him for five years and then and only then would he be able to build the place of his dreams. The fact that he was willing to do anything for his dream gave him Rain's hard earned respect…

"You don't have to do that…" Rain told the dragon, wincing under the cold wet cloth as it cleaned a long deep gash which ran down her temple and face left from Youko's last visit this morning.

" I know… But if I don't fix you up who will? And plus your to worn out to do it yourself even if the chains weren't holding you." He replied in an almost light hearted way. Rain said nothing and let him wring the rag out in a bucket of now reddish looking water.

"Look I've got to go… Zane is gonna be coming in at any moment, but Rain maybe you should tell them what they want to hear… it would save your life." he told her stopping in front of the door.

"No my friend. I'd rather die then to turn my back on everything Sesshoumaru-sama has done for me. He has given my family so much I will not forget that." Rain whispered as the room went dark again.

Later in the day Zane walked in glaring at his least favorite prisoner.

"I do so love it when you come to see me Zane, What will you have your lackey do to me this time?" Rain spat out at him baring her fangs. He grabbed her neck and lifted her to her feet showing just how sharp his fangs were. Rain pulled on her chains, her eyes glowing red in a warning to the silver.

"Tell me what you know I want to hear and I'll set you free child."

"Piss off Zane or just kill me now I dun told you I wont tell you a damned thing come Hell or High water!" She spat in his eye receiving his large fist in her gut for her efforts.

"Youko I want this bitch talking you hear me! I want to have enough to mount an assault on Sesshoumaru by sundown tomorrow!" He screamed at Youko.

"As you wish sir."

"Fine. Still don't kill her… I want to make an example of her!" He spat out over his shoulder.

"Cause you love me so much right?" Rain sarcastically smirked at her captor. Zane twitched but didn't say a word as he left the musty place that smelt strongly of Rain's blood.

"Well you heard the man. Lets get started."

"You already have Judas… seeing that look in your eyes is torture in it's self."

"Sticks and Stones love…"Youko raised his whip high in the air and brought it down on her back hard ripping chucks of flesh wherever it hit. He laughed as she stiffened before each swing tiring to defy the pain it was all to oblivious she felt. After a long while of this beating he stopped and put the thorny weapon away.

"Well that gets boring after awhile… lets move on." He smirked in anticipation. Throughout the day till the morning came around he experimented on Rain. He stuffed bamboo shoots in her toenails and tore off her claws to take a hot glowing white copper wire and make deep, slow lines in the tender flesh there… He flayed patches of skin off her shins and smacked her around with a sock filled with broken glass… one thing that Rain learned between torture methods that Youko her Youko was a fan of glass. Finally through all the pain when she thought that she might try and beg she tried her last resort. To swallow her tongue.

He stopped her and punched her around a couple of times for what he called a big mistake. Then he left her promising that he'd make sure they wouldn't kill her in the end… so he could make the rest of her life hell if she tried a stupid stunt like that again.

Once again the darkness took her over and she listen to the beautiful sounds… of silence. Never before had she took such enjoyment in hearing nothing not even her own thoughts.

-O- Later that night

"Rain my love wake up." She heard as she was being shook and brought to her feet.

She looked up…those golden eyes… so soft… he looked worried when she flinched and pushed to get out of his grasp… he couldn't believe his ears but she whimpered like a cold lonely dog that had been kicked to hard to much.

"Foxy I wont hurt you…trust in me." he rubbed his cheek agents hers so she could feel his warm touch. Those words…. She thought on those words before nodding. He asked for her trust… she would give it… She had been a fool that bastert who had been in here only a few hours ago was not her lover… As soon as she was strong enough his blood would stain her claws and her heart welled with the joy she would feel seeing him die a painful death..

Smiling softly and kissing her forehead He picked the locks on the dampeners and set her free quickly as only he could.

"Can you walk Foxy?" He looked down at her seeing her wince but try to hide the fact that she felt the pain in front of him. She tried to stand but fell to her knees in the process. He merely chuckled sweeping her in his arms bridal style and walked to the nearest escape into the night.

If I look hard enough into the settin' sun
My love will laugh with me before the mornin' comes

-O- out side the castle grounds

Rain had transformed into her fox form a little while ago for easier healing, Youko holding her gently but still hard enough so he wouldn't let her fall….She shook in her sleep against him… she was cold and her breathing slow and labored… she wouldn't make it to Sesshoumaru's palace she would die before he reached his front yard.

"Rain we're goin' home." He whispered changing direction…. He looked softly down on her sleeping orange form… it got harder to leave every time but at least she was always there waiting for him like a light in the fog or hot chocolate on a cold winter night. But would she be there for much longer to kiss to hold to roll to rock his mind? He shook the thoughts of her death off he had to get her some help…

Soon enough they reached the bar it was still early and the sun had yet to rise above the hills but Youko bust through the door, ripping it off it's hinges…

Kaden ran down stairs sword drawn and ready to attack.

"Get out fool if you don't wish to die or be my breakfast!" Then she noticed the fox. In an instant she had the silvers throat in her clawed hand

"You bastert what have you done to her? I'll kill you! And fling your ashes to the winds!"

" I'm in no mood to fight with you Kaden get her some help…." Youko pleaded. Kaden looked at the reddish kitsune not believing at first…then let him go.

"Uh Snow Come down here you should see this." Kaden called out.

"What is it Kaden? Oh Ahriman what happened to her?" Snow asked in shock.

"She has been through quite an ordeal the past week I'll save it for another time is there anywhere I can lay her down?" Youko got to the chase.

"Of course hold on I'll prepare a place… Dark go get Alex!" Snow went and came back to make a pallet out of a thick blanket and an old pillow. Youko then laid her down before going over to the bar for a much needed strong drink.

"Yo-uko… stay." Was heard from a now two biped Rain. Youko's heart broke hearing her beg. How could he say no?

"I wont Rain… I'm right here…" He reassured her taking her hand and holding firmly.

"I'll fix you up Youko." Snow told him just to bring him a cup of hot green tea.

"Thank you Snow-dono…"

"Not a problem… But Youko what happened to her?"

"She was tricked and captured by Zane he and some demon used my identity to defeat her and try to obtain information to make war with Sesshoumaru… My imposter did a number on her."

Snows eyes flashed to a deep crimson at his words anger filled her at that moment she wanted nothing short of ripping the two kitsune traders into food for the buzzards… but alas it was Rain who was wronged, it was her vengeance that would be carried out … this in every way was Rain's battle so she stood back and did nothing.

"All that wasted blood for that… Rain should have known better…." Kaden spoke up from her place leaning on the wall.

Zel ran to Rain's wounded form afraid for the worst…She wore the face of the dazed and confused she turned to Youko with a holly fire in her eyes.

"How could you let this happen?" She yelled at him.

"She knew the dangers when she became a warrior she was trained for this kind of thing." He said to himself more then to her.

"Zel go check on Shippo… make sure he doesn't come down stairs the last thing we need is him seeing his mama like this." Snow ordered pouring herself more tea.

Dark and Alex came into the bar. Alex took one look at Rain and went right to work. After some under her breathe cursing she was covered in Rain's blood but Rain's wounds were on their way to healing. "I don't think that she should be moved for a while after we get her in her bed."

"You heard her. Dark, Youko. I need you to put her in her bed. There is already clean sheets on it." And so they did… afterwards Youko planted a rose bush in the corner were the sunlight shone through the window… he also put vines up the walls and climbing roses to reach up her four post bed covering the room in her favorite sent a get well gift for the girl he left behind.

Later that night he tried to sneak out… only to be caught by the queen of night owls herself.

"Where are you going?" Snow asked him raiding the fridge.

"I have one more thing I need to do… then I'll come to her to stay."

"You better… she doesn't deserve half the crap you put her through."

I see a red door and I want it painted black
No colors anymore I want them to turn black
I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes
I have to turn my head until my darkness goes

-O- Two Weeks

"Guys I'm better now so thanks I'm going to take what is mine…."

"Be careful this time."

"Don't die man I'm the only one aloud to kill you."

"Yeah Bats I know." She laughed then ran to take her home back.

I wanna see it painted, painted black
Black as night, black as coal
I wanna see the sun blotted out from the sky
I wanna see it painted, painted, painted, painted black
Yeah!

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Rain: Holly Crap

Miroku: You don't love me anymore do you?

Rain: What do you mean?

Miroku: You haven't even mentioned me as of late…

Rain: I'm sorry Hoshi-sama…

Snow: Alright you see that little button that says Submit review… yes that one … click on that .