I realize that It's a Secret was a while ago for most of you, so a lot of the old characters were forgotten. I'm aware that my OCs have no personality and are completely awful, so I'll try to avoid them as much as possible. It's impossible to leave them out completely though, so I'll give you a recap of who they are.
When Youko first joined Kuronue's bandits, the first people he met were the twin water imps Nori and Shizuka. I could give you a physical description, but I'm sure you honestly don't care; I know I don't.
Nori: he has a very commanding presence, and is the kind of person that you just notice instantly when they walk into a room. He was one of Youko's teachers, and mainly instructed him in the art of identifying valuable treasures and saw to teaching Youko facts about the world that he needed to know. He respects Kuronue, but also never passes up a chance to laugh at him. Along with Sho, Nori was the one who helped save Youko when he was grieving his mate's death.
Shizuka: Nori's twin sister, she's more of the quiet type. She has the same innate intelligence as her brother, and she had that kindly influence that soothed Youko when he first joined. She was also a teacher of Youko, and was the one who taught him the essential skills of a thief: lock picking and stealth. She is a master of long-range weapons. On the mission where Kuro died, she stayed behind to allow them to go ahead, and they thought she had died.
The only Kitsune in the band, and the oldest member of the band was the amber colored Sho. He taught Youko how to manipulate plants, and was the physician of the camp. Sho was the one who took charge in the absence of Youko and Kuro.
Takeshi: a cat demon with a mastery of most martial arts forms. He taught Youko how to fight. Takeshi was mentioned more times than he appeared, and stayed behind with Shizuka on that raid. He sacrificed himself so Shizuka could get Akiko to safety. He had no time to develop a personality.
The above four were a part of the original twelve members (excluding Kuro) that were in the band when Youko became Kuro's apprentice.
Akiko: Sho's daughter. She was Youko's apprentice along with Yomi, and not much of a fighter. She was small and definitely knew how to steal. She had the power of illusion. She was very special to Youko, and her odd personality brightened up everyone's lives. Because everyone in the band spoiled her, Akiko was pretty sheltered and not afraid to nose about in Youko's love life.
Well, now that you're almost certainly bored out of your skulls, I'll get on with it.
I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Novacaine-lullaby, for leaving me such a wonderful review.
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Words Once Spoken: Chapter 15
Kuronue was definitely not someone who could be called impatient. Having lived for hundreds of years, most long waits seemed like brief flashes of time for him. There was no doubt in his mind that he could endure this. Surely, he reminded himself, after nearly 19 years, one night could make no difference. This wasn't impatience at all, no; it was just that he was eager to touch his kitsune after so long.
Kuronue sighed. Okay, who was he trying to kid? He was dying of impatience. That was just the effect that Youko had on him. No rules or logic mattered to him when it came to Youko, and as a result, that fox was constantly twisting his emotions into knots.
Whenever he grew unsettled by that unpredictable tangle of confusion he called his mate, Kuro simply pulled out his weapons and practiced with them furiously. This distraction, though brief, could temporarily empty him of those emotions that threatened to drive him mad. This state of release from Youko's spell over him was all he had to rescue him from the disturbance of useless things such as worry or impatience.
In this situation however, it was more accurate to say that nothing could drive out the frustration his fox caused him. Even now, having been returned to his rightful place, Youko still insisted that Kuronue couldn't touch him. No, he had to find yet another reason to torture his devoted lover.
"What did I do to deserve this?" he muttered to himself as he followed Youko through the trees. In truth, Kuro felt like he was ready to just explode and go after the kitsune right then and there. He would've too, had he been able to predict his lover's response.
Even though he'd known the fox for years, the aloof silver beauty was still a mystery to him. Not even twenty years ago, Kuro would have laughed at the idea of Youko caring as much as he did about a ningen. He would have been able to understand if Youko simply felt obligated to her, but no, he actually loved the woman deeply.
It was this type of unpredictability that kept him in a state of constant shock whenever they were together. And caution, more than anything else, was telling him not to annoy his mate right now. Despite the strange feelings in the air, Kuronue could judge that what Youko intended to do was something that was important to him.
So he would play the good lover and allow Youko to do whatever he wanted. As soon as the fox was done however, all restraint would go. Only the thought of all the different ways he would take revenge for this wait kept him sane right now. And Kuro planned to use each and every idea that came to mind as soon as he could, and to continue until he was sure Youko understood just what he'd put him through.
He was drawn out from his planning when he noticed Youko holding up two ordinary-looking leaves. It was at times like these that he almost regretted letting Sho teach Youko so much about plants. Youko took the knife-like end of the stems and in one swift motion; he pierced the skin on his wrist. "Youko." Kuronue said in a warning tone. Why was it that everything the fox did seemed to involve self-mutilation?
"Don't fret love." Youko told him. "I need to introduce the oils from this leaf into my bloodstream, how else would you propose I do that?" Kuronue just glowered. Youko smiled and walked unhurriedly towards him. "Hey, Kuronue?" he whispered huskily as he put his lips not even an inch away from Kuro's ear. The chimera's body responded immediately to Youko's proximity. "Watch over my body okay?" and with that, Youko collapsed on top of him.
Youko used the bat's body to cushion his fall to the ground. It was never fun to be slammed into the ground, especially not by someone taller than you. Kuronue pushed himself into a sitting position and glared at the unconscious body on top of him. "Wonderful, now I'm a babysitter."
That was Youko for you. "Was that really necessary?" he whined, glaring down at the back of Youko's familiar white clothing.
It never ceased to amaze him that he seemed so easy to manipulate. "How does he do it?" Kuronue wondered aloud. Gazing at the god-like figure of foxy's body though, the question really wasn't necessary. The way, even with this limited view, he could see the curve of the well-toned muscles of Youko's upper body transition into… Kuronue snapped his gaze up. He mustn't allow himself to be distracted! But still… there was nothing like sexual frustration to mess with a demon's head.
Alas, it was just the curse that his fox had placed on him. From the moment they met, Youko's passionate golden eyes and creamy silver hair had him spellbound. And at that point, the fox hadn't even been aware of his effect on others.
Thinking back to the suspicious young apprentice who had tried so hard to please the one who'd taken him in, it was hard to believe that he was the same demon. Kuronue was just thankful that his bloodlust had faded somewhat over time. The body stretched over his lap started shivering. Kuronue smiled tenderly as he turned Youko's body and lay down next to it.
"I'll keep you safe." He whispered into the pointy silver ear. This kitsune wasn't a curse. No, he was a blessing.
Kuronue reached out and brushed a stray strand of hair out of Youko's face. His mate… "You're never leaving my side again, no matter what."
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How did he get into this mess again? Oh yes of course, he fell in love. Kuronue ground his teeth together. Youko had awakened about three hours later, and had been throwing up for nearly half of one.
Kuronue sighed from where he stood on the other side of the tree Youko was hiding behind. "Are you sure you're all right?" he called yet again as another fit of coughing began.
"Yes." Youko's voice responded weakly. "The oils are only mildly poisonou-" more coughing. "So the poison should be gone soon."
"Wonderful." Kuronue muttered sarcastically. "I'm so happy for you."
"What has you in such a pessimistic mood?" Youko asked, coming around the tree to face him.
Kuronue didn't answer as he took in his lover's condition. Youko had his arms wrapped around his body, and he was still shaking nonstop. Kuronue simply grabbed his wrist and dragged him towards the nearest water.
"Kuro?" Youko questioned when the bat began to undress him.
The chimera just sighed and smiled at him. "You can't perform to the best of your abilities if you're shaking like this, so we're going to take a bath together."
Youko didn't respond as Kuro led him into the water. This spot was a natural hot spring, so the two demons were able to warm up quickly. Youko still sat there with a vacant look on his face, something that was getting on Kuro's nerves. "Youko!" he snapped, earning the attention of his lover. "What's wrong with you?"
Youko smiled. "Oh nothing, I was just talking to Shuuichi." Then the silver fox dunked his head under the water and nuzzled against Kuro's stomach. Kuro's eyes instantly lit up, it was about time!
"That was a cheap shot." He pointed out when Youko resurfaced.
"All is fair in love and war." The kitsune replied in a sultry voice. The expression confused Kuro briefly, but he shrugged it off when Youko, floating in the water, wrapped his arms around Kuro's neck.
He closed his eyes in pleasure as their lips met, when he felt Youko's body tense. "What's wrong now?" Kuro asked without opening his eyes.
"Sorry." that was all Youko said before his body shifted. When Kuro opened his eyes, he found the much shorter human in his arms. "I'm sorry." The redhead repeated the Kitsune's sentiment. "All I've done is cause trouble for you. Even now, when we're back here, all I've done is make you wait for me." The human's surprisingly innocent emerald eyes glistened in the moonlight reflecting off the water.
"Stop that right now." Kuro told him. "You never have to apologize for anything." He held back a sigh at the look the human gave him. He would have to be gentler with this one it seemed. "I love Youko, and you are a part of Youko, therefore I love you as well. You know the best way to make it up to me anyway."
Little kit instantly pushed his self up and pressed their lips together. Kuro deepened the kiss as he slowly turned them so that Kurama was pressed against the edge of the spring.
That was a night that neither Youko nor Shuuichi would ever forget.
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Yeah, I decided to try Kuro's POV for a change of pace. Sorry that the whole detox idea ended up being so weak. I had ideas, but I never wrote them down. I'm aware that the end wasn't as good as the beginning, but the inspiration sort of faded.
Well anyway, I had a wonderful time at the anime expo. I got signatures from Laura Bailey, and the guy who does Ed's voice whose name I can never remember. I also went to the Crispin Freeman panel, and I feel so lucky!
Anyway, I have been working on this, and I'm sorry I took so long to finish it. I'm going on a trip soon, so I'm not sure I'll have time to write the next chapter before I go.
There are probably 4-6 chapters left of this story. My goal is to finish them this summer.
Oh, and next chapter will be very entertaining! So I'll have lots of fun writing it too!
I appreciate all of your reviews, and I hope you continue to review in the future. Until next time, this is RKF, signing off.