Love's Embrace
Chapter 14: While the Fox is Away...

Author's Note: Hey everyone. I'm trying to get through the fic as best as I can. I have not given up, just took a very long... very very very very, ah well you get the point, very long vacay from it. But here is the next chapter and we're getting closer to an end and even closer to the present. Enjoy!

Yomi sat alone at one of the tables at the bandit camp. He was still fuming that he had yet to catch Kurama's eye. He knew that Yanagi had tried to talk to him several times, but he couldn't approach her without possibly incurring the wrath of Kurama or that damned bat.

Whenever Yanagi would try to talk to him, Kuronue would always be close by and give him a lethal look. So Yomi believed, for now, it was better to stay away from her.

She would be the easiest to take, though. He closed his eyes as he brought images of Kurama and Yanagi to his mind. The two of them were perfect and, as he'd seen, didn't mind sharing themselves or each other with another. Now if only he could find a way to take Kuronue's place. Somehow, Yomi had to get rid of the bat without either of the foxes finding out. Keeping Yanagi from knowing would be easy. He'd noticed, as many of the other bandits had, that she wasn't like them. She was kind and caring, sweet and innocent. The bandits loved her, but they loved her in silence and from afar. The ones who had been here the longest considered her a sister to be protected. So whenever Kurama ordered, they were more than willing to die to save her.

But such a thing had never happened. Yanagi was kept within the camp or she always had Kurama or Kuronue with her, sometimes both.

Yomi sighed once more and took a sip of his drink. He looked around at the rest of the bandits. "There has to be a way..."

"I'm going out." Yomi said to no one in particular as he got up. As he went to leave the camp he stopped for a moment to rethink his forming plan. He would need a "scapegoat". Yomi frowned at the phrase. He surveyed his surroundings and found a new recruit that Kuronue had brought back from the nearby town, a pig demon. Even though he was not the head of the group like Kurama and Kuronue, even Yanagi, he still held a bit of authority. He'd been in the group for a hundred years, which was why he was getting sick of waiting for Kurama and Yana to tire of the damned bat. But after finding out that the three had been together for a thousand years, Yomi knew he would have to act to take Kuronue's place or it would never happen. He still couldn't understand why the foxes liked the damned bat so much.

Kuronue was crass and loud. He didn't possess the elegance or grace of either the foxes. Yomi shook his head. Well that wasn't completely true. Whenever Kuronue was fighting he carried grace and elegance but those had been taught to him by Kurama, not something that was natural to him. Yomi did appreciate the fact that Kuronue was a superb fighter. "So no challenging him. Besides, that would probably alienate Kurama and I would lose Yanagi."

The Vixen didn't seem to like bloodshed. Yomi knew that Yana knew how to fight, she just didn't. Yana would usually help any of the bandits that came back injured. That was when most of the bandits fell in love with her. They would always wake up looking at her angelic features that were etched with concern, but then they would see Kurama or Kuronue giving them a deadly look.

Yomi knew because that was when he had first seen her. He had tracked Kurama down and had asked to join his bandits. Yomi knew that Kurama was on his way to building an empire. Kurama was merely grabbing all the powerful artifacts to solidify his own power. Yomi had wanted a part of it, as well as a place with Kurama, or more over a place in his bed.

That hadn't been his original intent, but one look at the male fox had insured that that was now his desire. And he had stupidly said as such, to which Kurama had beaten the crap out of him for. He had heard a whistle right before he had passed out.

When Yomi had awoken, he had seen Yanagi's lovely face looking down at him. Again, he had instantly been take with her. He was able to scent her and knew her to be a Vixen. It was well known that the male foxes weren't the only ones taking Vixens prisoner. Yomi had never thought he would actually meet a living Vixen, and his throat had constricted as he had gazed into her golden eyes filled with concern.

"Don't bother with him Yana," Yomi heard Kurama's voice. The silver fox appeared behind her, glaring down cold golden eyes at Yomi.

"Did you have to injure him so severely?" Yana had admonished. Kurama said nothing but leaned down next to Yanagi. Yomi had continued to watch the two as Kurama proceeded to fully explore Yanagi's mouth with his own, ever keeping his glare on Yomi. It had been clear to Yomi that Kurama was sending Yomi a message that Yanagi belonged to him, that if Yomi made one wrong move toward her his life was forfeit. Yanagi gave a pleasure filled moan as Kurama separated from her, her face flushed with desire. And for a moment desire had filled him. Yomi knew then that he had to have them both.

His attention was recaptured by Yanagi as she cleared her throat and blushed furiously. Yomi couldn't help but think of how sweet and innocent she'd looked. He wanted that innocence. Yomi heard a growl and looked back up at Kurama who was watching him with a murderous glare.

"Kurama, I still need supplies to bandage him. And don't tell me not to, you know I will anyway. So instead of fighting me on this, and me doing in on my own, just get the supplies and then we can retire to our tent." Yanagi said as she looked up at the fox. She seemed unaffected by Kurama's glares, and to Yomi's surprise Kurama gruffly ordered one of the other bandits to get the supplies need to patch him up. Kurama walked away for a moment to talk to Kuronue, though at the time Yomi had not known or cared to know the bat demon's name. Yomi had thought him to be just another one of the bandits, no one special.

"Are you being held prisoner Vixen?" Yomi whispered, though the words cost him dearly. His throat felt like he had swallowed glass shards.

Yanagi had blinked, surprised at him. Then her face took on the loveliest of glows. "Do you intend to be my knight in shining armor?" She'd teased him.

Yomi blushed but continued to stare. "I'm serious."

"You shouldn't talk," Yana said, taking a motherly tone. "You haven't healed from your throat being ripped out." She said quietly. "Though I am curious as to what you'd said to Kurama to make him so vicious towards you." Yanagi wondered.

"Vixen." Yomi had said sternly, though now he knew why his throat was burning like the deepest fiery pits of Makai. His words really had offended Kurama.

Yanagi only sighed. "No I'm not a prisoner. I'm quite happy here. I could leave if I wish but..." Yanagi smiled as she turned to look at Kurama, also giving Yomi a view of him. "No, I have no desire to leave, and every desire to stay."

Yomi came out of his reverie. He was at the pig demon's tent. "What was his name again?" Yomi thought. To be truthful, he never listened when Kuronue spoke.

The pig decided to leave his tent at that moment and looked up surprised to find Yomi looming over him. The pig's beady black eyes shined up at him in admiration. Yomi only frowned, "What trash." Yomi thought disdainly.

"I have heard of some rumors of treasure near our location. I'm going into town to scout for more information. I could help you become a true member of this group much sooner." Yomi offered.

"You would do that?" The pig's eyes glittered as he squealed.

"Keep it down, do you want the others to find out and bring this news to Kurama and Kuronue before you do?" Yomi rebuked. "Disgusting cretin. But he will serve his purpose."

"You mean you'll let me be the one to tell them?" The pig looked hopeful.

"I've already established myself here. Kurama is the leader, with Kuronue as his second-in-command. I am the third-in-command." Yomi bit out. "But not for too much longer." "You have yet to acquire even the station of bandit, but I do believe you have the potential." Yomi praised as he tried not to show his disgust. "What is your name and do you accept my offer?"

"Buta, and yes!" The pig squealed again.

"Buta...? You're named pig?" Yomi replied as he shook his head. "No matter. Just remember you are not to speak of our meeting or of you coming with me. In fact don't mention me. It'll look much better on you if it seems you came up with this information all on your own."

Yomi watched with satisfaction as the pig demon, Buta, shook his head up and down furiously. "Now come." Yomi said as he lead the demon out of the camp, making sure no one had seen them speaking or leaving together.

Closing Comments: Yeah, I had to look up the Japanese word for pig. ^.^

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed it. But I would like to ask what you think of my portrayals of Yomi and Kuronue. They weren't as well developed in the YYH series as our main heroes. So I am quite curious.

And thank you to Shadow Realm Triforce, KhAeL, and Countess of Horrors for your comments!

Shadow Realm Triforce: I KNOW! Kuro is such a pervy little bat... Lol. But I think that's one of the things we love about him most.

KhAeL: Yes, there is certainly a foreshadowing. Alas, we all know what happens to one of our favorite people. But I have quite decided what's to be done with him afterwards. ^.^ (But... he might come back! Maybe...! Lol)

Countess of Horrors: Well the wait for this one was nil! Lol. I can't always promise that, as my other two reviewers will tell you, but like I said I'm not giving up on the story. I love it too much. Just make sure to let me know if it seems to be declining.

Thanks again everyone!