Karasu looked around. Kurama sat on a stump, crossed-legged in Youko form.
" We've been walking for DAYS, Karasu. Admit it, you're LOST. So like a man...can't ask for directions."
" Kisama, kitsune! I've made this trip HUNDEREDS of times since I was born! ExCUSE me if it takes a LITTLE longer to get there from Ningenkai than from my castle on the OTHER side of the Makai." He tensed and stopped.... " Kurama, take your ningen form."
" Why?" Youko flicked an ear.
" We're very close. It'll be hard enough bringing in an outsider as it is. If they see a youko, they'll be more likely to remain suspicious and aggressive."
Youko narrowed his eyes. Karasu, he thought, just likes Suiichi better. Nevertheless, he did take on his human form. He looked around, " Karasu? Karasu, where'd you go?"
Kurama's eyes went wide....Karasu VANISHED! " KARASU!"
" Here."
Kurama let out a pansy scream and jumped three feet in the air, spinning and planting panicked eyes on the amused figure of Karasu standing behind a bush.
" DAMN you! I HATE when you do things like that!"
Karasu chuckled and took Kurama's hand, " Here." Kurama followed and Karasu led him through the brush. He stopped and pointed into a valley. Kurama could only let out a moan of awe.
" I live on the opposite side of that valley...some several hundered miles away. It takes less time to get here from there than from your apartment."
" That IS far," Kurama whispered. " Is that valley your gathering grounds?"
" Beautiful, isn't it?"
" It looks like some lost ancient civilization."
Karasu walked behind Kurama and embraced him from behind. Kurama even welcomed the gentle squeeze. " It's so beautiful. How could NO ONE know it's here?"
Karasu nuzzled him as best he could with his mask on....and chuckled, " C'mon, we better get down there before it gets too late."
" I don't think I can move," Kurama said breathily. Karasu chuckled again and suddenly scooped up Kurama off his feet. It caused the red- head to yelp.
" Karasu! Put me down! This isn't funny! Stop it! Karasu! Karasu!"
...
It was no understatement. This valley was lovely...like some lost city in a jungle. Kurama noticed hjow precise everything looked. It was late afternoon, so it was shadey, yet still warm on this summer eve. The roads within the valley were paths of brick roads...there were intersections with lovely statues and fountains made of white marble. They stopped at one with a large fountain. From here, Kurama glanced at the buildings also done in a white material...not mud or brick...and not marble either.
Karasu wrapped an arm around Kurama. Under normal circumstances, Kurama would have pulled away and rejected him. But, this time, he even leaned into Karasu, so he could be squeezed. He felt like a little child...and Karasu was his guardian angel. He felt his heart leap up when he finally saw other people walking along the roads. Most of them wore masks of different colors and designs...all covering mouth and noses. The younger looking ones...mostly young children...went without masks. Perhaps it was a sign of maturity.
Kurama immediately recieved stares from many of them. They had never seen him...and he was too old to be a Next Generation. He pressed himself closer to Karasu. Normally, he wouldn't cower, but Karasu ALONE was dangerous. A whole clan would be suicide.
They all were lovely. Long silky hair dawned their heads....most were black....some were burgundy...or chestnut....dark colors. Some had hints or streaks or tufts or starbursts of brighter colors...such as violet, or white, or blue, or yellow. They were all lovely in their own right.
Karasu smiled under his mask and gave Kurama a reassuring squeeze.
" It's alright. I won't let anyone hurt you." To stress that he meant it seriously, he cast a vicious glare at the pedestrians. They all knew Karasu...and recognized his moods...they knew he had it under control and slowly dispersed, not wanting to anger him.
Karasu released Kurama and allowed him to sit on the fountain. " I have to take care of some things. Sit here and relax until I come back. Don't move. I don't want you getting lost....it'll be harder to help you."
Kurama nodded and watched as Karasu stepped off. He felt so strange...no...it was just him being nervous. Yeah....that's it.
...
Some time had passed and Karasu had still not returned. Kurama felt uneasy. Karasu wouldn't just LEAVE him like this...would he? He felt worse when he saw two individuals approaching him. They looked...late teends...young adults. Certainly younger than Karasu...but old enough to be mature....Kurama thought so as these two wore masks.
" Who the hell are you?" One asked. Kurama eyes him. The second placed himself close on the other side of him, " We're waiting."
" I...I'm with Karasu." Kurama stammered. Both glanced at each other.
" So, the rumor is true," The second whispered..." Is it possible?"
" I don't recall Karasu having a mate."
Kurama kept silent. Both glanced back at him but the first spoke,
" Do you SERVE Karasu?"
" I serve no one."
The second grabbed the first, " Karasu MISSED the last gathering, remember? Maybe during that time, he aquired his new mate. Karasu has his own juicey taste after all." He glanced at Kurama. " This one has a pretty face. That, and I saw Karasu with him a couple hours ago. He seemed rather close."
The first seemed to scowl, " HA! Karasu taking a mate? THIS one in particular? That's about as likely as one of us getting a ongue piercing."
Kurama, for some reason, felt VERY offended by this. He was confused by the blank stare of the second. He reached up and removed his mask. Kurama arched a brow at the fair face. The individual stuck out his tongue at the first...revealing a rather interesting tongue piercing. Kurama would have laughed under normal circumstances...but the first looked none to pleased.
The first gave the second a push. " I don't care! Mate or no mate, that NINGEN doesn't belong here!"
" Wait a minute!" Kurama insisted. the first grabbed him violently,
" I don't like outsiders! They bring trouble! This clan's unity is NOTHING if we allow outsiders to waltz in as they please!"
Before Kurama could respond, hands wrapped around his neck and began to squeeze. Kurama could only gasp as this one tortured him. The second yelled out something and ran off. Kurama was a little preoccupied to understand what was said.
He felt light-headed. This was not going well. He was about to give up when he felt a jolt of energy and saw flashes of light. He fell to his knees, coughing and gasping. Beside him, he saw the first kneeling....smoke rising from his body.
" Torafu," a powerful voice scolded, " show some respect for our guest. I'm sure Karasu would be very angry if he returned to find his precious injured or worse. And....if you hurt Karasu in any way...*I* would be very angry."
Kurama raised his eyes. He looked JUST like Karasu...but much older...gold eyes....greying black hair...it had a blue tint to it....that faded black. It had white streaks ...like vertical stripes...faded and well blended.
" Who...?"
" Torafu?" The figure repeated, waiting.
" Yes'ir." Torafu sighed, folding his hands. " I'm sorry. I wouldn't want to anger Karasu or yourself." He turned to Kurama. " Forgive me. You must be very special to be Karasu's mate."
" I..."
" Torafu, go on home. I'm sure your father is waiting for you."
" Yes'ir, Ryu."
" Ryu?!" Kurama gasped. Torafu stood and jogged away. Kurama then kept his eyes on this...Ryu.
" You sent Karasu that letter!"
" Yes," Ryu replied, helping Kurama to his feet. " You ARE a lovely one. Karasu always DID have a fine taste."
" WHERE IS HE?!"
Ryu remained calm. He turned his eyes away and waved a hand,
" Karasu, WHY didn't you take your mate with you? That's rather rude."
" Karasu?"
" Kurama's a big boy, Ryu. I don't need to hold his hand."
" I DEMAND an explanation!" Kurama yelled. " I nearly get killed and THIS guy shows up!"
" Yes, we should explain." Ryu nodded. " I'm surprised Karasu hasn't told you if you're so close."
" Karasu is rather mysterious," Kurama replied.
" Come. Join me for supper. I'll enlighten you."
" Honored, Ryu," Karasu nodded.
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