Chapter Twelve

"Leave," the ruler said, his golden eyes narrowing darkly.

"What?" How could her father have broken such a long silence like that? What could he mean?

"Leave this place." His expression never changed. "Leave the Mari Forests and the Mari clan, and never return."

"I don't understand," she said, eyes widening. "Father, why-"

"Are you so ignorant? So dishonorable?" he half-shouted. His unusually short orange-silver hair seemed to stand on end. "You are giving up your royal title as the heir to the Mari!"

"I was never officially named the next ruler!" she replied. "Father, you have two sons who-"

"Who were not meant to be." His voice was now very calm. "Leave, Yuzuki. Never return. You no longer have a family in us."

Her eyes began to sting with tears. "But… but Father…"

"Go, Yuzuki, before I have to break the law."

"I have broken no law!" she shouted in a sob. "Asuma and I love each other, Father! There are others throughout the land-I-I would never try to break any law…"

The youkai fell to her knees, holding her face as she broke down. Her two older brothers stared, astonished, goblet falling from Nobuyuki's hand and spilling strong-scented wine onto the wooden floor. Her cries echoed throughout her home. Asuma's eyes were to the side, a guilty look on his face. The ruler of the Mari clan closed his eyes. His guards looked guilty as well. They were going to have to drag her out of the mansion, out of the Land of Mari. And Asuma would follow silently behind, not being able to do anything if she got hurt…

Her eyes opened slowly. She was in her bed, in her room. She was in the Living World, in Yoko Kurama's home. The dream was over. She'd dreamt of the last time she'd seen or heard from her father…

She sat up and looked out the window. The November sky was still dark and cloudy. She could smell the rain even though it wouldn't fall for another hour or so.

Yuzuki could feel her brothers' youki. They were still here… had Kurama really not drove them away? Was she really going to have to deal with this now?

She got out of bed, stretching her nude form as she stood. It was going to be a long morning.

When Yuzuki dressed and came downstairs and into the kitchen, she noticed Kurama's youki was nowhere to be found. There was a note on the table, however.

Yuzuki,

I was going to make you some breakfast this morning, but we are out of eggs. I'm going to the market and will return soon.

And your brothers can't get into the house. Apparently going inside without being invited is against the law.

Kurama

He was right. It was a violation of privacy to go into someone else's home unless verbally told to do so. And this was not her home. It would be insanely rude to just invite her brothers inside.

She made herself a glass of soy milk and sat down at the table. Even after six months, she still wasn't used to being alone in Kurama's house. He left to go to work, to hang out with his friends… he'd even went on a date or two. Yuzuki hardly minded this; she didn't want to be a burden on Kurama. He couldn't go on cases because of her, and Yusuke had gotten injured last time. She felt bad enough about that.

Maybe going back to the Mari wouldn't be too bad after all. If she became the ruler, Kurama wouldn't have to follow her around anymore.

Leaving her milk only half-drank, she stood to go out the back door. She knew her brothers would be waiting there. They, for some reason, were curious of her whereabouts as of late. She couldn't really blame them, but Yuzuki had been banished this entire time. It wasn't any of their business where she'd been or what she'd done. They hadn't lifted a finger to help her. They'd never taken up for her, never tried to bring her back. What did it matter now?

Aki didn't appear until she was in the garden, where she'd been meditating last night. His short hair was still just as bright; he'd inherited such a color from their father. And he resembled him as well. Broad cheeks, straight nose, strong jaw. Eyes the color of a dark golden amber. Sometimes she wished she had stronger features, instead of the delicate one she'd gotten from her grandmother. It wasn't fair, in her opinion.

"Yuzuki, my sister," Aki began, "I know that this is very sudden, and-"

"Why did you abandon me?" she interrupted, making eye contact with him. "Why did you not stand up to him when I needed you the most, Aki?"

"Yuzuki, I-"

"You and Nobuyuki just stared at me. You never moved an inch."

"I am sorry, Yuzuki, but you must not dwell on the past."

She wasn't sure how to reply. Her mind was no more stable than it had been six months ago. She depended on her nightlight for safety. She had strange nightmares. Voices whispered to her when she encountered the darkness, voices she couldn't hear correctly. Nothing was really all right anymore. But people had to think she was making progress.

"What happened after your banishment?" Aki continued. "Where did you go?"

"Asuma took me to the Living World, so we could start a family," she replied immediately. "He died on a case. That is the end of it."

"And where is Asuma?"

"It has been four hundred years, Aki. Asuma is dead."

Aki raised an eyebrow. "You do not speak in a mournful tone."

Yuzuki was growing frustrated. "Because I do not miss him," she growled. "I am done speaking of him. Were Father's funeral rites performed accordingly?"

Aki then sighed in defeat, which gave Yuzuki slight satisfaction. "His rites have not been performed," he answered. "In a scroll he wrote that they be performed after your return."

"Why should I go back?" she asked. "I was banished for no reason."

"I remember the circumstance. But Father lifted your banishment two days before his death.

She crossed her arms. "I care not for the people who abandoned me so easily. Neither do I care to take Father's place as the Mari ruler. I pass it to you, Aki. Do with it what you will."

"It cannot be done that way."

"Then what do you expect me to do, brother?" She felt anger. She felt threatened. It was hard to maintain control. "I will never forget that treachery."

"Then forgive Yuzuki." The look in the warrior-of-heart's eyes were kind. "Do what you were taught to do. Forgive his mistake, as he has forgiven yours."

She gritted her teeth. "It took me twelve years to realize my mistake, Aki. It took him four hundred." Her arms fell to her sides once more. She closed her eyes. "I am no longer fit to rule the Mari. My mind is no longer stable."

"That brings another question that I have." Nobuyuki was finally showing up Lazy bastard was probably taking a nap. "Why are you so different, sister?" he asked.

Golden eyes opening, she kept her vision to the ground. "Let us presume that life outside of the Mari Forests is not as carefree," she said slowly. "This world is nothing but hate, deceit, and bloodshed. And I have seen much of it. I will never be the same Yuzuki of the Mari."

A hand came upon her shoulder. "But you will always be loved, Yuzuki. The people who love you want you home."

"And if you are wrong?" she asked, looking to her second brother. He resembled their father still, although he was shorter and had the same hair color of hers. He had less markings of the Mari, which was their ancient writing style that was separate from any other culture. Aki had gone a bit overboard years ago, with many swirling symbols down his arms and along his spine, and even a small one under his right eye. Nobuyuki only had one or two on each arm, and one on his chest. His eyes were the same light gold as her own.

"We have the majority rule, Yuzuki. Come back with us."

She pulled away. "I have to think about this. Kurama has to go with me, after all. He has a duty to the Reikai."

"But he isn't…?"

"No, Nobuyuki. I try not to think of Kurama that way." She started to walk towards the back door.

"But you have thought about it."

Yuzuki shot her older brother a look before going inside. She could hear Kurama coming in through the front door. She decided to take her previous seat and take another sip of her milk.

Perhaps going home would not be such a horrible idea. She could at least mourn her father that way. She could discuss the whole "ruling" situation with her father's brother, who was surely still alive and well. And Kurama… he wouldn't have to guard her anymore after she became the Mari leader. Father's mourning would take perhaps two weeks, and then…

"Are you feeling alright, Yuzuki?" Kurama asked. Her small fox ears perked up. "You look a bit out of it this morning."

She blinked a few times. "I am alright, Yoko Kurama," she replied. "I am considering my position of ruling the Mari Forests."

She read his uneasiness. "I see," he said. "And what will you do?"

"Well, you will no longer be required to look after me," she said. "You can go on and continue your life in this world, without having to worry about-"

"You make it sound like you're a burden." Emerald eyes met hers. "I enjoy your company very much."

She felt her face heat up, but she didn't understand why. "Thank you," she said quietly. "I… I enjoy yours as well."

He half-smiled. "So when are we leaving for the Demon World?" he asked.

Yuzuki was tempted to shrug. "Whenever it is convenient. I know you work."

"I'll make the arrangements."