Three months. Wow. Pretty long hiatus, huh? Heehee, but I'm so sorry. I wasn't able to warn you guys. I never thought that as soon as I posted the last chapter, school works rained down on me like a storm. My best friend could attest to that. I was so paranoid and stressed out, I almost went crazy. Okay, that's exaggerated, but oh well. But I did get paranoid from the stress :(

Anyway, this was supposed to be a longer chapter, but longer chapters would take longer to be published (hahaha), and I don't want to keep you guys waiting anymore. So I split the chapter into half. So here you go, please enjoy! And sorry again... :((

A blur of red, green, and flesh appeared before her eyes. Her vision started to adjust, and the colors came together to form a faint outline of a face. But before she could even blink to see clearer though, she was met with darkness as something warm covered her eyes, forcing them to close again.

"It's not time to wake yet," a familiar charming male voice spoke, "Wake up for real, that is."

Her mind, which had only started to clear itself from sleep just moments ago, grew hazy again as a sweet and quite intoxicating scent filled her nostrils.

"You were bound to briefly regain consciousness to notify you that we'll be fast forwarding from now on," the voice continued. "But don't worry; you'll have Yana's memories and emotions at the time period we'll resume in, so you'll still be able to follow through with the story. This conversation between us will be temporarily forgotten as we go on."

And she was pulled back to sleep, giving her no time to even think up of a question.

Something soft and warm lightly touched my lips. It woke me up to a gorgeous fox staring intently at me, his mouth pressed into a hard line. "You may be my wife now, but I am still your trainer. And no instructor fancies having his student sleep through lessons," he scolded me.

I rolled my eyes as I stretched. My back was aching a little from sleeping while sitting. "Well blame it on the one who had me stay wide awake the whole of last night."

"Well it's been years, and you still haven't given me kits," he peeked at my face. "You aren't sterile, are you?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Isn't it the other way around? Not one of your women before me had conceived your child. At least, none that we know of."

He laughed. "Oh Yana, have you heard of withdrawal?"

I fell silent for a moment, and then blushed at the realization of what he meant. I looked away, "I thought you also don't like to stray away from the topic."

"I can make exceptions," he scooted closer, "especially with this kind of talk."

I shook my head, smiling, as I turned the page of the thick book in front of us. And stopped.

"See? We haven't strayed from the lesson after all," he smirked.

I have turned to the page containing the lesson about changing into our most natural form, the spirit fox. The one with four legs, furry body, and a more animal-like head. Kitsune are born in this form and stay so until after the weaning period, or until the little kit is strong enough to turn into their other form—the one with human-like features, where only their fox ears and tail remain. Kitsune would only then revert to their original form when they grow a new tail, when they need added stealth and speed—especially for those engaged in illegal acts like thieving—or when pregnant, as in the case of female kitsune, for they could conceive a minimum of five kits at one pregnancy.

Kurama had agreed to train me—well, in my point of view, teach me, since I totally have no idea—how to transform into a spirit fox, under the pretense that I was out of practice.

"But we've finished this long ago, so I'm sorry," I smiled, "you've really strayed away from the lesson."

Kurama chuckled. "Fine." As I was about to turn to the next page for the following lesson, he held my hand to stop me, "We'll jump to the last topic."

"Huh? Why?" I looked at him as he flipped through the page.

"I think this is more urgent." He finally reached the desired page, but I didn't bother to look yet. Kurama took a deep breath. "You know my work involves a lot of risks. Anytime I might get caught, or worse, killed."

"I don't like where this is going, Kurama."

"Yana—"

"Why are we suddenly talking about this?" I looked down at my hands on my lap, "You have a raid later."

"I know," he put his hand on both of my shoulders. "That's why it's important for you to know this, so you'll know where I would go."

"Where you'll go?" I looked up at him.

"Read," he motioned towards the book with his chin.

The lesson was entitled 'Kitsune In The Physical Worlds'. According to the book, there are three ways a kitsune can appear in the physical worlds: by manifesting themselves directly, by possession, or by taking an avatar. Kurama discussed the pros and cons of each as we went on.

"We kitsune have the privilege of living without a real physical body," he said as we finished. "Unless the spirit is destroyed, a dead kitsune could still exist and even travel to other worlds. In my case, I would not stay in this world if I get killed. Rather, I would go to Ningenkai, for by then I'd be weak enough to slip through the barrier between our world and theirs. For as you already know, only weak apparitions could get through. Now my first option would be to manifest myself in that world. But it would still depend on the energy I have left. If I don't have the strength to do that, nor possess anyone, I would have to find a vessel, preferably a child still in his mother's womb."

"But that would cause health problems for both of them, won't it?" I asked.

"I know. It would only be temporary anyway. As soon as I fully recover my strength, I'd come back here. I'd come back for you, and for the kits we might have by then."

I nodded. After a moment of silence, I spoke again, "May I follow you?"

"What?"

"We don't know how long you'd have to stay there." I leaned forward in my seat and held onto his arms. "What if you'd need to stay for years? How long would you have me wait?"

"We'll see, Yana," he patted my head, "we'll see."

I sighed and looked away. "You know, you talk like you are so sure about your death, almost like… you sound like you're trying to predict it."

"Yana..."

"It scares me, Kurama. I mean, you've got a heist tonight…" I trailed off as I felt his arms around me, my face colliding with his muscular chest.

"You know I avoid death as much as possible. So you don't need to worry." He tilted my head up. "I'll come back home safe, okay?" Kurama leaned down to kiss me, but someone suddenly knocked on the door just as he was so close.

"Master? Yana-sama?" Kurosagi called from outside. "Dinner's ready."

The fox grunted as I pulled away. "Come now," I giggled as I tugged at his hand and turned to the door. "You need food to strengthen you for the mission."

Kurama stood up and hugged me tight from behind, stopping me from walking. "And for afterwards," he spoke in a low voice in my ear. I could hear him smirk.

I giggled as I squirmed out of his grasp. "Yes, and that too."

It has been a couple of years since the wedding. We've been living in the mansion with Kuronue, the twin bunnies, the rest of the men, and the maids from the castle. We did not bother going back to Mizu Castle for certain news that reached us.

Yomi, we've learned, did not die under the assassin's hands at all. Rather, the assassin was only able to blind him, which was alarmingly in accordance with my dream before. And now we don't know how he did it, but Yomi was now one of the kings in Makai.

Genwaku, the assassin, was nowhere to be found.

Kurama and I arrived at the dining room just as the maids were finished setting food on the table. Kuronue and Shirosagi came in last with quite an entrance yet again. The little white bunny clutched tightly to the bat's shirt as he glided through the doors. The pendant hanging from his necklace glinted from a distance as it reflected the lights of the room.

The blood-red gem at the end of a silver chain could be considered Kuronue's most precious treasure. Either worn around his neck or wrapped around his arm, he is never seen without the pendant. He wore it all the time—at heists, during training, when eating, and even when sleeping—okay, I'm not sure about the latter, but it's likely—and even when he saved me. I remember it bumping against the side of my head a few times as he carried me in his arms.

It is also off-limits to everyone else.

One time during training, he had suddenly flown so close to me that the pendant hit my head hard. He got more concerned with the non-existent crack on the gem instead of the lump that was starting to form on my head.

If ever needed, he once said, he'd go through any danger just for the pendant.

I don't know the story behind this obsession; he never told me despite my incessant inquiry. Kurama knows, but apparently decided to keep his best friend's secret. Can't blame him, though. Kuronue has his own fair share of the fox' secrets—especially big ones like me being a silver kitsune—that he kept well through the years.

Dinner seemed to pass by so quickly—or at least, that's what it seemed like for me, as I was too preoccupied with Kurama's plan to 'cheat death'. Somehow, I just have an ominous feeling about tonight's raid.

Only he and Kuronue will go. Advanced security measures in palaces these days pose great risks for team heists.

Now I'm standing by the door with them to bid farewell. And I've never hugged Kurama tighter than before.

"Yana-chan, you're detaining us again," Kuronue chuckled. "I'll get your fox back alive, okay?"

"S-sorry," I forced a smile as I pulled away. "You take care too, Kuronue-san."

"Aww, of course I will," he patted my head. And smirked.

Oh no. I know that smirk.

Before I could escape, Kuronue started to ruffle my hair. He's quite fond of it, probably because I don't like my hair messed up. And he tends to take it too far.

Now my head's starting to hurt. He and Kurama—that traitor—only snickered at my attempts to turn away. Eventually, I gave up with struggling and settled on the best way I've found to effectively stop the bat. I reached forward for the pendant hanging from his silver necklace, which fortunately caused him to jump away.

He frowned for a moment, before finally grinning at me as he toyed with the gem. "Too slow, Yana. I thought foxes are known for their speed and stealth."

I rolled my eyes, "It's getting darker, you know. You should go now."

"The darker, the better," Kurama tilted my head to face him… and laughed.

I blushed in embarrassment and hastily hand-combed my hair. Was it really that messy?

Kurama seized my hands and smiled, "Don't worry, you're still beautiful to me," he kissed my cheek. "I'll see you later then." And with that, he turned and headed for the door. "Let's go," he addressed the bat.

"Hey, Yana-chan," Kuronue spoke from behind me.

I turned around, only to have my hair messed up again. But it was brief this time, and he stopped before I could protest.

"Goodbye," he grinned widely before following Kurama out the door, the two of them disappearing into the dark night in a matter of seconds.

Youko and Kuronue reached the top floor with ease, the fox leading the way as his companion served as lookout.

The objective was a gold-framed mirror that would cost a fortune in the underground trade. It was kept in the bedroom of the castle ruler's little daughter, hung right across her bed. It was light and easy enough to carry with one arm. No traps were installed in that floor's hallways and even in the bedroom itself… for the easy-to-panic little girl was a light sleeper. She screamed at the top of her lungs at the sight of the two thieves.

Shrugging, Youko and Kuronue took off with the mirror. A week-long study of the castle layout made it easy for them to find shortcuts and escape routes. It didn't take long before they found themselves outside the palace. Stopping by the front entrance, the two exchanged smug grins as they heard the distant noise of the guards pursuing them.

They sped through the bamboo forest outside the castle, Kuronue running close behind his comrade, both of them enjoying the thrill of the chase, without having to worry about a group of subordinates they have to lead to safety. It was just like their first few years as bandits, back when they were still struggling for a living. Those years that fortified the strong bond they have now.

But alas, the greatest challenge destined to befall on their friendship finally came—the biggest decision neither of them expected they'd have to make. Moreover, they never knew it would come so soon, right at that time and place.

The string hanging from Kuronue's neck, holding his treasured pendant, accidentally got cut as they ran.

"Stop, Kuronue!" Youko reached out to him as he ran back to retrieve the pendant.

"I need it!" he yelled back desperately.

Kuronue successfully took hold of the pendant when all of a sudden small leaves rained down on where he stood.

Kurama, knowing what that means, started to race towards his best friend. But…

"AAHH!" Kuronue burst out in pain as bamboo shoots already rose up from the ground, piercing his arms, legs, and back all at the same time, his blood splattering on the forest floor beneath him.

"Kuronue!" Youko called.

"No, Kurama!" the bat shouted. "Take that mirror and go!"

"I cannot leave you!"

"The guards—" his sentence was cut off by his screams of pain as another bamboo shoot pierced his body.

"Kuronue—"

"Forget about me and run!" he replied before he got pierced again.

Youko glanced around him as the sound of the approaching guards got louder.

"Please," Kuronue mouthed as his friend looked back at him. "Go now."

He was pressed for time. He needed to make a choice.

Without another word, the fox turned and escaped towards the mansion, the mirror clutched tightly in his arm. His heart heavy, the tears started to flow down his cheeks as he whispered, "Goodbye. I'm sorry."

Kuronue, seeing his friend's retreating figure, smiled wryly. "Thank you."

My eyes opened to find I was still in our bedroom. My heart pounded hard against my chest as I lifted my head from the open book I was lying on. I had randomly picked a book to try to read—or rather, stare at—out of impatience and anxiety. And before I knew it, I had fallen asleep.

That dream… It was very vivid, almost realistic. I shook my head. Why dream of such thing?

I closed the book. And then I stopped. Could it be… from another one of the stories I've read before about Kurama's life? Just like the weird dream I've had about Yomi's assassination… which turned out to be true.

Oh no…

There was a knock on the door. "Yana-sama?" It was Kurosagi. "They're almost here."

They, I sighed in relief. True enough, I could smell Kurama's scent from the woods. But why only his?

It is common knowledge that it's possible to mask one's presence, but one's scent is not something an animal demon's heightened sense of smell can miss. Except in some cases when the said animal demon is distracted.

I hurriedly opened the door just as Kurosagi raised her arm to knock again.

She smiled, although she looked quite troubled. "Shiro-chan's already downstairs. She's too excited."

I can still only smell Kurama. "You've seen them?" I asked. Whenever there's a raid, maids would look out the window from time to time to wait for the men to come back so they could open the door just in time.

"Well," Kurosagi hesitated, "we've only seen the Master. But maybe Kuronue-san's just lagging behind on purpose. You know, as a lookout…"

Even she doesn't sound convinced either. As another animal demon, she no doubt found no trace of the bat's scent out there. And Shirosagi? It's either she's too overwhelmed by her excitement, or she's in huge denial. But then again, Kurosagi's hypothesis wasn't impossible either, though that would mean Kuronue's still miles away from here, enough for his scent to be undetected.

The white bunny stood by the door and looked up as she heard us descending the stairs. She motioned for us to come quickly.

Kurama's scent grew stronger as he came closer to the mansion. Kurosagi opened the door just as he was two steps away.

As soon as he stepped inside, I gave him a quick look over before greeting him with a hug right then and there, leaving the door half-open. "Kurama," I murmured into his chest. I felt his arms hug me back, though not too tightly. "I'm glad you're alright. I had a bad dream, but I really hope—" I stopped.

'I really hope it wasn't true,' was what I meant to say, but the look I saw in his eyes when I pulled back told me otherwise.

There was a brief pause as I slowly pulled away from the embrace and instead held his free hand, as his other held the stolen mirror.

And then Shirosagi broke the silence with the dreaded—yet expected—question. "Master," she started, "where is he?"

I looked at her to gauge her reaction. She seemed expectant, yet pleading. Maybe because she got the hint, yet she wanted it to be false.

I glanced back at Kurama, who only closed his eyes and squeezed my hand. He probably could not bear to witness her response to his reply, which he delivered in a still firm tone, "I'm sorry, for Kuronue," he frowned, the mere mention of his name visibly paining him, "cannot be with us anymore, I'm afraid."

From my peripheral vision, Shirosagi held a hand to her chest, where her aching heart should be, as she chuckled nervously in disbelief. "Foxes," her voice trembled, "really do like pranks, don't they?"

Kurama's eyes remained closed. "This is not something I'd ever joke about, Shirosagi."

Silence once again, but only for another brief moment as the white bunny almost fell face forward. Luckily, she caught hold of the doorframe. Her sister immediately rushed to her side to put an arm around her.

"Why? How?" Shirosagi asked breathlessly.

Kurama had turned to catch her, and so he turned his head away as he replied, "It was an accident, a trap he fell for." His eyes were downcast. He wouldn't even look at me.

"Well you could've at least done something!" the bunny burst out.

Kurama gasped, his head snapping back to her direction, his eyes wide and mouth slightly open in horror at her words.

"Shirosagi!" her twin scolded her.

But she was too furious to listen. Her glare was very vicious, not like anything I've seen her do before. The sweet little girl persona had melted away. "You should have saved him! Heal him at least partially… and then get him back home…" her voice cracked as tears stained her face.

Kurama lowered his head slightly, his bangs covering his eyes. "I cannot," he said softly, "I'm sorry."

Shirosagi then fell to her knees as she broke into sobs. Kurosagi hugged her tight as she, too, silently cried.

I could only watch in shock and terror from the fact that my dream had once again came true. I was frozen in place until I felt Kurama move beside me. He quietly excused himself and handed me the mirror. I looked up in confusion, and he only replied with, "Please," before ascending the stairs.

And then I understood. It must have taken all of him not to get rid of the mirror on his way here, an item that constantly reminded him of his last heist with Kuronue. Unthinkingly, I looked down at the mirror, which I almost dropped from shock of seeing Kuronue's face beside my reflection, grinning as he said, "Pretty find, eh?"

I immediately closed my eyes as I shook my head. The image was gone as I opened them, and Kuronue remained nowhere to be found when I looked around me.

It was just my imagination. Though it wasn't surprising, for it was something he'd most likely say. I was just... so used to it.

Just like how I was so used to his grand entrances. But now as I looked through the half-open front door, no matter how hard I wish Kuronue was actually just hiding beneath the forest, just waiting for the right time to fly into the mansion and laughingly tell us that this was all just a cruel joke, I know he's not coming home.

Kurama had just reached the top of the staircase, fully knowing Kuronue won't be going up those stairs side-by-side with him towards the treasure room anymore. I smiled sadly as I remembered how the bat refused to go up the stairs on foot, for he says flying gets him upstairs faster.

I was just so used to those simple acts and antics of his that I've taken them for granted.

The other maids and most of the men have rushed to see what Shirosagi's noise was all about. The sad news was passed on in hushed tones, and the atmosphere got gloomier by the minute. We were all just so used to have him here.

The white bunny was still inconsolable. "Kuronue," she cried, "earlier he… earlier he was just talking to me... we were…"

Ah yes, earlier he was standing right where I am now, having fun messing up my hair. And before he left…

"Hey, Yana-chan," he had said with one last ruffle of my hair. "Goodbye."

I gasped, tears now traveling down my face. His last words actually served as a foreshadowing of his death.

Memories started to flood through my mind, almost as if they were attacking me all at once. Our training sessions. How he made fun of me. How he took care of me whenever Kurama's away. That night he saved me.

It had fully sunk in now. Never would we see him flying around nor pulling pranks here and there. No more of his laughter, of his grin that could only be mischievous or sheepish, and of his obsession over his pendant.

Kuronue is really gone now.

I have been hugging the mirror tightly against me that the frame was now dampened with my tears. It was then that I looked up the stairs at a sudden realization.

If it hurt us this much, just how could he be feeling? He who witnessed his best friend and trusted comrade's death up close and endured the painfully lonely journey back home.

I straightened up, wiping my tears as I walked up the steps of the staircase. I have to be strong for him.

But that proved to be hard, for the scene I witnessed when I carefully stepped into our room was heartbreaking.

Kurama sat at the edge of the bed, his shoulders hunched over, his arms resting on his legs that were slightly spread apart. His head was dipped so low that his long hair covered his face. His silver hair and white clothes shone against the dark room. If it weren't for our current situation, I would have thought of him as a ghost and screamed in horror.

Except for the fidgeting of his clasped hands, he sat so still even as I entered.

Setting the mirror on the bedside table, I hurriedly approached and knelt in front of him. "Kurama," I whispered to try to get his attention. His face was still hidden from me. Receiving no response from him, I tried again, this time unclasping his cold hands and squeezing them gently, "Kurama."

It was then that he raised his head. I stifled a gasp as I was met with hazel pools of emotions overriding each other all at once. It's hard to see him like this. The calm and collected Youko Kurama's walls are crumbling. It was so unnatural, so unlike him.

"Yana," he finally began, his voice weak, "I let him die. I left him to die. His precious pendant got accidentally cut off as we ran to escape. He fell right into a trap not because he went to retrieve it, but because I wasn't fast enough to save him!" He not-so-gently squeezed my hands in his. "I know how such traps work, Yana. I've set one up before. If only I had gotten to him right away," he gulped, "those... bamboo..."

He hung his head and fell silent, seemingly reliving the scene in his mind. I was about to stop him from telling me more when he continued,"He wanted me to forget about him and just go save myself. And I... I granted his stupid request," he looked up at me in anguish, "because the guards were getting closer and he was dead serious with it!" He closed his eyes and lowered his head again, my forehead touching its top as he let out a small cry of grief. "I… just… what kind of leader am I? What kind of… friend am I? I really haven't changed at all from that selfish, cold-hearted bastard everyone says I—"

"Sshh," I broke off his depressing monologue with my thumb pressed on his lips, my hands cupping his face as I gently tilted his head up so that we were at eye-level with each other. "You are no such person, Kurama. Look, Kuronue only wanted you to be safe. Suppose you did free him, but what if the guards caught up to you? There's a huge bounty placed on your head. No doubt they won't hesitate to kill you right away, or maybe put you into a dungeon and then torture you until you die."

"We could escape from them."

"I know you are both capable of doing that," I said slowly, "but Kuronue is injured. Do you think they'd give you the chance to heal him? He might just be left alone there too as they take you away towards a dungeon!"

"I'll get your fox back alive, okay?" I remembered Kuronue saying earlier tonight. And that did it. I inwardly cursed when tears started to fall from my eyes. So much for being strong for him.

"Your men would lose both of their strong and powerful leaders. The maids would lose their two kind masters. And Shirosagi won't be the only one grieving over her lost love. I would lose you," I whispered the last sentence, slowly caressing both of his cheeks. "Even if you go to Ningenkai... many things may happen even in only a span of one year. We might never see each other again..."

Kurama's eyes softened. "I'm sorry," he said after a moment's silence. "I let my emotions overwhelm me." He reached up to dry my tears, but I pushed his hands away as I hastily wiped the river flowing down my cheeks with the back of my hands.

I smiled lightly. "There's nothing wrong with showing your emotions from time to time. You are free to laugh, cry, be depressed, and get furious. But I just want you to stop taking all the blame for this. Please, don't be mad at yourself."

Then I remembered the end of my dream. Kuronue had smiled at seeing Kurama grant his last wish, whispering a heartfelt, "Thank you."

I held his head again, smiling. "And I'm willing to bet that Kuronue is happy that you are safe and sound back home with us."

Kurama smiled sadly, "Even in death, he still thinks of others."

I nodded and leaned closer to him, "And please remember, you still have us. I'm still here. I will always be here." I planted a brief kiss on his lips as an act of comfort.

But before I could pull away, Kurama kissed me again, deepening it as he held me closer. Then I felt the bed shift.

We ended up sitting on the floor, holding each other close. He broke off, only to let his lips travel down my neck, then to my shoulders. "Thank you," he whispered, pausing to talk against my left shoulder, "for understanding."

I smoothed his hair, "It's part of my vow, remember?"

He sighed and moved his head again to stop at my bosom. "But it still hurts, Yana," he mumbled, almost inaudible.

I sighed back. "I know," I rested my chin on top of his head, my arms tightening around him. "I know."

I had to stifle a sob, as I felt my chest get wet with his tears.

Tears I once thought would never be shed by the strong fox.

How fitting, I was writing this last part of the chapter when suddenly Kelly Clarkson's song "Behind These Hazel Eyes" started playing on my phone. xD

Anyway, heads up, we got only two more chapters to go! Yay! Haha.

And oh, sorry if this made you sad (made you wait for too long only to kill Kuronue, ain't I so mean?), but I'm just following the series plot. Okay, Kuronue only appeared in the movie, but still. It's part of a YYH plot.

And since it's finally summer here, I might go back to publishing weekly updates! Take note though, MIGHT. ;) But I really want to finish this story before summer ends, so get your hopes up, maybe? Haha.

So until then, see you next week!

Oh, and please don't forget to review!

P. S. Special thanks to my best friend for the pressure and the scolding. Really, it helped. xD