Chapter Sixteen

"Uncle, did you enjoy the performance?"

The night was coming to an end. Kurama, Aki, Nobuyuki, Yuzuki, and the mysterious "Uncle" were in the dining hall, eating quietly. It had been Nobuyuki that broke the silence.

The fox looked to the blue-silver haired yoko, his dark-golden eyes almost as blank as Yuzuki's. "It was quite impressive, actually," he answered. "Honestly, I was surprised that your sister decided to perform, considering the relationship she had with her father before his passing."

Yuzuki didn't respond, keeping her eyes on the plate she hadn't touched. "I do not blame her, though. I was against the decision to banish you, dear."

"Thank you, Uncle," she mumbled. "I have mourned my father properly. Two months from now, Kurama and I will return to the Ningenkai."

"What?" Aki growled. "Yuzuki, why in the name of Mari-"

"Calm down, Aki," the older yoko growled. "Yuzuki, I would like to have a private consultation about your choice. Later in the week, of course."

"Yes, Uncle."

Kurama was attempting to figure out who this man was in the Mari society. And if he was really Yuzuki's uncle. He seemed a bit too tense to be a part of the oh so peaceful Mari clan.

Don't let the General fool you, his dark voice whispered. He is the younger brother of the Mari's former emperor, not to mention the ruler's top advisor.

Kurama continued the conversation with his other half, outwardly listening to the small talk of Yuzuki's brothers. The "General"? he asked.

Yes, I remember him well, don't you?i

The memory of the man then struck him. The General, a yoko that taught the Mari people techniques of defense and offense with sound waves. He led the Mari militia as well, and was advisor to whoever ruled. A demon that was genuinely kind but had the heart of a true warrior.

The redhead was reminded of Aki, who even had the same hair color as the older yoko. Was Aki the next in line to become a general?

"I would like to speak with you alone after dinner, Kurama, if you have a moment."

Kurama was taken from his thoughts, but he nodded. "Of course," he replied.

Dinner lasted another hour before the two younger males departed. Yuzuki lingered, saying she would be waiting outside the door for Kurama. The redhead only nodded in response, waiting before turning serious green eyes to the General.

Seriousness soon turned to shock, however, when the General embraced him, his large body shaking with tears and muffled sobs. "Thank you," he said quietly. "Thank you so much for caring for her when no one else would."

Kurama felt awkward. "No need to thank me," he replied. "It is my job."

"Thank you for bringing her home," the older youkai continued. "The child was only following her heart, as all of the Mari are taught to do. She never deserved such a fate."

When he pulled away, Kurama was serious once more, shaking the shoc off. "How do you know what happened to Yuzuki?"

"The ruler of the Reikai informed me," he answered, "and he told me everything. I am surprised she does not blame us for what happened all those years ago."

"Honestly," the redhead retorted, "she might just. She's got a lot of hate stored up, General."

"Yes." The yoko smiled. "But maybe the hate can change."

Kurama turned to walk away, but the older yoko spoke again. "Who told you I was a general?"

The redhead smirked darkly, something he didn't do very often. He felt a familiar feeling come over him completely, swallowing him up. Seemed it was just a part of having the soul of a ruthless demon. "My body may be different, but I came here once, a very long time ago. I remember you."

"Oh?"

"Yes, Yuzuki was much younger back then. I never imagined that I would be in a human's body the next time I encountered her."

"Did you enjoy her performance on that night?"

Kurama's smirk disappeared, and he turned to face the General once more. "You remember me?"

"Of course I do. You weren't a bandit back then, if I'm not mistaken."

"Hn. I've always been a bandit."

"Yes, but maybe that isn't what your inner soul wishes for."

"You have no idea what my inner soul wants." But Kurama did know. The yoko wanted Yuzuki so bad he could almost taste it. And yet somehow he understood why. Because in a way, he wanted her too.

"I see." The General laughed a little. "You are right. But always remember that you are welcome to stay here, if you wish. You do not have to return to the world of the living."

Yuzuki was on the balcony of her bedroom, Kurama standing beside her. Together the two peered up at the stars, enjoying the light they emanated.

"I want to apologize in advance," she told him after awhile. It was getting late.

"Hm?" He liked the night sky here. "For what?"

"Tomorrow will be the Mating Moon this year," she said.

"What!?" "Mating Moon"? What the hell did that mean?

"Every year, in the Mari Forests, but the moon shines down on a lily that blooms here," she explained. "I have only seen these flowers blossom here, but they are extremely powerful."

"An aphrodisiac?"

"In a way. The flower only blooms for three days, once a year, in this month. They are all over our forests. These lilies release spores that makes anyone who is exposed become infatuated with whoever they find the most attractive."

"No way."

"It is true. But the lily also releases an aphrodisiac that is so strong it is hard to resist."

"Have you experienced it?"

"I have always locked myself away." He could see the faint blush on her pale cheeks. "I never participated."

"Why call it that name, anyway?" He could tell she was uncomfortable. He didn't want that. Plus he was more curious about this.

"That is the only time the amount of mates increase in the Mari," she replied.

"Sounds more like a weed." Was that what his other half had warned him about earlier? "Why don't you just get rid of it?"

"Because usually the flower is right when two are mated," she told him. "It is, of course, completely optional. But when two people do mate, they grow to love each other.

This sounded too good to be true. Sounded like another reason for the Mari people to get laid. "What if Ruka comes to you?" he asked.

"That woman knows better," she said. "Besides, Ruka prefers men, just like I do. She just wanted to make me happy."

"What about me?" He wasn't sure if he should leave or not.

"Lock up like I do. Or you could go have a little fun with the others."

That had almost hurt.

Kurama lay in bed that night with much on his mind.

I wonder… he thought absently.

We are already infatuated. For once, the yoko side of him sounded worried. If we are here when the lily blooms, we will be obsessed!

Kurama didn't deny his attraction to Yuzuki. He just didn't want to fuck up his job.

Yuzuki awoke the next morning feeling more empty than usual. She never thought that she would have to perform her own father's funeral rites. And now that it was all over, she wasn't sure how to feel about the situation. She wasn't sure what she needed to focus on next. Ruling the Mari clan, not ruling the Mari clan… what was she to do now?

After an hour of staring at the ceiling, she realized she shouldn't be focusing on such things. The Mating Moon was tonight; she needed to be prepared.

Another three days of being locked away from the outside world. She never thought she would have to do this again even though she'd been alone for so long.

She supposed she'd never gotten used to the solitude. A long time ago, even though she was shy, she was a social butterfly who loved interaction. Although she never did interact with many people. It was just one of those weird traits she had, she supposed.

She brushed her fingers over her flat, bare stomach, thoughts of a certain redhead crossing her mind. Then she wondered if she would be thinking of him for the next few days.

She also wondered if he would be thinking about her.