A Fox's Heritage

Chapter 10

Youko and Kuronue rushed outside to find Kagura and Kanna, in the hopes of stopping of them. They found them fighting Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sango behind the inn. There was giant bamboo forest there. To the two thieves, it looked like the incarnations weren't giving their best in the fight. They could sense the power they were holding back.

Youko pulled his rose out and transformed it. He used it to take Kagura's fan away without her noticing. Kuronue flug his sickle to attack Kanna, but she blocked the attack with her mirror. The mirror used her energy to throw the attack back the bat. Kuronue skillfully dodged it.

With this distraction, Sango seized the opportunity to use her Hirakotsu. The giant weapon sailed through the hair toward the wind demoness. Kagura leaped out of the way. Her giant feather formed underneath her.

Before Kanna joined her sister, she turned to the thieves and said, "You will lose what's most precious to you for failing."

The fox demon's eyes widened in realization. Had Naraku found out about Shippo? In his anger, Youko cracked his whip. Kanna was caught by surprise, but did not show any emotion. She even almost lost grip of her mirror.

Kagura quickly scooped up Kanna before Youko had a chance to kill the albino child in anger.

Inuyasha turned to face the thieves. "What did Kanna mean by failing?"

Youko stared at Inuyasha with cold, ruthless eyes. The last time anyone saw this look was when he went after Sakura's killers for revenge. The only emotion reflected in the fox's golden eyes was anger. Pure, uncontrolled anger.

"Look, we'll take care of those weirdos. It won't be a problem for us. You guys take Shippo and get the hell outta here," said Kuronue.

"What if Naraku is here? I want to fight him," replied Inuyasha with a somewhat level head. The glare unnerved him, but he recovered.

Kuronue grabbed him by the shoulders and whispered, "Look, do what I say. Youko's really furious right now. When he gets like this, there's no telling what'll happen. I can guarantee this for sure: those demons will die."

Inuyasha thought for a moment. "Alright, we'll be at our campsite from last night. If anything goes wrong, we'll be right back here. Do you understand?"

"Yeah, don't worry," grinned Kuronue. The last thing he saw before turning his attention back to the fight was Shippo's figure growing smaller and smaller in the arms of Kagome.

Kuronue nodded at Youko. The two incarnations fled to the bamboo forest. When some of the silver fox's senses returned, he turned to his partner. "I heard from some of the servants here that the bamboo forest is filled with traps to keep thieves out."

"Good thing we're not ordinary thieves then," replied the bat demon with a smirk.

The bamboo was long and sturdy. It made travel almost impossible. Kuronue suggested that Youko use his special powers with plants to shrink all the bamboo, but the fox just replied by saying it would take too much energy to make walking convienent. They barely traveled into the forest when they saw Kagura and Kanna, waiting. Youko was out for revenge now. No one who threatened Shippo, directly or indirectly, would get away alive.

Vines wrapped around Youko's arm. Flowers blossomed. A scent wafted off them. He charged towards Kanna. But the girl was not the target. It was her mirror. Kuronue frowned. He wanted the mirror. It would prove to be an excellent asset on their side.

The plant the fox demon had chosen was an energy sapping plant, and energy was what the mirror needed to counter an attack. The bat demon gripped his sickle. As the plants extended from his arm towards Kanna, he sliced them off. And with the swift skills that only a thief posseses, he grabbed the mirror from right out of the albino child's hands.

Youko glared at his partner. "What the hell was that for?"

Kuronue returned his glare. "I won't let you destroy this mirror. It's far too valuable."

The silver fox growled. "You are a moron! Do you know that?" The two incarnations, weaponless, fled deeper into the bamboo.

"Look what you did? They got away!" yelled an infuriated Youko.

Kuronue walked up to Youko, eyes narrowed.

"Let's get this over with. We'll deal with the mirror later," said Youko in a low voice. He led the way as they searched for their enemies.

Maniacal laughter echoed in the forest. It was no mistaking who that belonged to. It was Naraku, and he was waiting for them.

Deeper and deeper they ran. It was a maze. A maze with no way out but to die. Kuronue's chest rised up and down rhythmically with each breath. His pendant bounced up and down, going in every direction. Suddenly, bamboo spears rained down behind them, narrowly missing their back sides. The bat demon looked down. His pendant was missing. That was what triggered the trap.

"Youko! Catch!" he yelled.

The silver fox turned around briefly to see the mirror flying at him. He caught it with ease. Then he saw Kuronue running back.

"What are you doing? You won't be able to dodge!" Youko yelled. The spears that fell were far too close together to be able to dodge. It was suicide, even for someone like Kuronue.

"It's my pendant!"

"Forget it! You'll die!"

Kuronue found his pendant resting on the ground. He picked it up and made a quick u-turn to get back to his partner. Youko was already running towards him when it happened. Sharp searing pain erupted from his ankle. Warm liquid spurted out. His arm inched down to pull it out. Then, more spears rained down. Kuronue was pierced everywhere. Pain enveloped him as blood began soaking his clothes.

Youko froze in terror. His partner...His BEST friend...

"KURONUE!"

"Forget about me, Kurama. Go! Run!"

CrazyDreamerGirl: I'm a horrible author. It's been a year and one day since I've updated this story. I feel terrible and awful. I wouldn't blame anyone if I got no reviews. (By the way, I've been planning this little scene with Kuronue since I started this fic. I know, I'm evil. But he's one of my favorite characters, so I do feel bad...)

Thank you to the following people who reviewed: GaaraSakura Luvers 4Evah, Bloodcherry, Pure Shikon, sable, NeonAlchemist, Youko-Kuramas-Kitsune, in luv with cold hearted guys, Shimoyuki, AnimeOtakuBara, S. T. Nickolian, VirginiasGirl, Dragonsdaughter1