Partners by Moonlight

(A/N: ;_; I'm so glad aff.net is back... but... *cries* All my hits for this story were wiped out! u.u; Sorry for the randomness, back he she story... Which will have a new chapter added soon. ^_^ Thank you to the people who emailed me and asked to be notified of updates.)

Chapter 11


Closer but Further Away


An uneventful year and a half passed Kuroune by quickly. He and Kurama kept themselves busy by pilfering interspersed with a few days long naked escapades. They rarely left each other’s side, clothed or other wise. Kurama taught his partner how to break coded locks and other complicated locking mechanisms. The winged demon learned quickly, having to apply his knowledge on various heists Kurama dragged him to. Between Kurama’s lessons Kuroune resumed his original plan, becoming stronger and more skilled with his weapon of choice. It all made his memory fade, the horrible nightmares he had about his father were almost gone. The only thing that bothered him were his wings. Strengthening them daily, building up the muscle for flight... none of it worked. He would never be able to take off from the ground, the wound made by the arrow caused permanent damage. Having something taken away from him, something he took for granted, was disheartening. He loved flying.

Kurama some how knew when ever Kuroune brooded over his loss. That’s when he’d do one of two things; smack Kuroune’s shoulder and remind him that at least total flight hadn’t been taken from him or he’d shove one of Kuroune’s favorite foods under his nose and tell him to get over it. Harsh as his words were at times, the youko was right. The year had made them closer. Just good friends to those who didn’t know them well, lovers when no one was looking... and some times even when they were. Kuroune took pride in the fact that Kurama seemed so taken with him. To be able to brag, to only himself of course, that the legendary Kurama only slept with him was quite an ego boost.

“Hey,” Kurama poked him with a foot, dragging Kuroune out of his day dreaming. “Don’t tell me you’re asleep again...”

“I’m not.” Kuroune said groggily as he sat up, the covers falling from his nude body. The winged demon stretched, not for his benefit but for that of his partner. Kurama smirked and watched the show, enjoying the play of muscle under Kuroune’s soft but firm skin.

“Mmm... good.” The youko pushed Kuroune back against the bed, climbing on top of him. “We have a few hours before we should set out for the next town... Want to play?” He didn’t bother to wait for an answer to his question, lips searching out Kuroune’s hungrily.

~*O*~

Tanarda was further away from Kurama’s den than Narusuke, but was also twice it’s size. The lord of this town seemed to have a sense of humor. The buildings were color coded, even an idiot could find his way around. Taverns were painted green, specialty shops in red, general stores in blue, and homes in a orangish brown. Kuroune slightly understood the need of such color coding. Even when drink off ones ass, finding a way home or to a bed wouldn’t be impossible. The main export of Tanarda was it’s liquor; newbies never believed it’s strh orh or just longed to keep up with the rest of the denizens of the city. Kuroune’s stomach did a flip as he remember his first encounter with the noxious red liquor. He spent the day afterwards glaring at the laughing youko when he wasn’t throwing up.

“I need to get a few things before we head to the next town, meet you back at our room?” Kurama said while turning his nose in disdain at a strong smelling small demon that passed by. Through means Kuroune really didn’t want to know, Kurama had acquired a room reserved for only him at a tavern called Cruel Hikage. Always having a room open and free for their use when ever they wanted was handy to say the least.

Kuroune shrugged, stretching his arms over his head. “That’s fine. There was a new store I wanted to check out anyway. See you at our room,” the winged demon grinned, grabbing Kurama by the front of his robes and tugging him close enough to steal a kiss. After doing so, he sauntered off in search of the weapon store he had seen on the way in.

The store wasn’t far from the Cruel Hikage. Possibly only a block away, if that. What took him so long was the crowded streets. What would have been a five minute walk turned into an almost twenty minute fight against rude demons who didn’t budge when shoved out of the way. Just as Kuroune was going to give up, the ground started to shake. A demon just about the width of the street stalked slowly down it’s cobbled path. Seeing an opportunity, Kuroune dove behind the large and surprisingly sweet smelling demon. He had to jog to keep near the trunk like legs with every step it took, but it was well worth it. No one wanted to be in it’s way, so Kuroune stuck by it until he caught sight of the store.

Once inside, Kuroune was met with a glaring gargoyle who’s nose was breaths away from his own. At first he mistook it for a gaudy statue, but the stone creature sat back on it’s haunches and shook from it’s head down to it’s tail. The stone beast was half Kuroune’s height and built thick, his stone wings being the only thinly constructed part of his body. The brief moment it had it’s eyes open, Kuroune took note of the odd beauty of them. The eyes themselves were completely black, irises stained a very pretty gold. When it stopped shaking it looked annoyed, eyeing Kuroune.

“Are you going to come in, or just stare?”

Kuroune blinked then raised an eyebrow. “I’m coming in...”

“Good,” the gargoyle stretched then pointed a paw to a display case to the right and furthest from their current position. “Our newest arrivals are there, if there’s anything in particular that you’re looking for then let me know. The name’s Johon.”

“Hmm.. Thanks.” Kuroune half bowed and headed towards the nearest display case. Instantly something caught his eye. The dagger length blade blacblack, curved in several times, and hand a skull on the end of the hilt. “Nice kirk, how much for it?”

Johon snorted, “you actually know the name of it? Feh, not many demons these days care for the individual names of blades. They just want to know if it cuts flesh well enough.” The gargoyle jumped down from his pedestal and half glided to a table behind the case. “That one, I’ll sell to you for seventy gold.”

Kuroune smirked and shook his head. “Seventy..at’sat’s expensive for something as small as this.”

The gargoyle gave him a toothy grin. “Like to think of yourself as a bargainer, eh? None of your tricks will work on me, so you can save your breath for something more useful.” He sighed, “I’ll knock off half of the price, how about that?”

“Half?” The winged demon hadn’t expected that. “I’d like to know the terms of the trade before I agree, however.”

“Feh... I’m new here, and I’ve yet to hire any help. I’m stuck at the fro from opening to closing... I don’t trust those in this town not to break in while I’m gone. Go get me something to eat, and I’ll give you the discount.”

“Deal. What do wan want?”

Johon shrugged, “doesn’t much matter. Anything with meat will do. None of that plant crap, or I’ll raise the price.”

~*O*~

Once again, trying to make his way through the crowds grew bothersome. Kuroune spotted a large and tall tree across the street with many branches, perfect for climbing. He smiled, kicking people out of his way as he waded through the crowd. Climbing it proved as easy as he had thought, though he couldn’t climb very high, the branches thinned wed were more brittle towards the top of the tree. It was just high enough off the ground that he could fly... just not gracefully so. He walked to the end of a thick but broken branch then pushed off, making sure he had cleared the branches before opening his wings. Ungainly he flew, following his nose, across the tops of a few buildings to a shop that smelt good.

Kuroune jumped down, knocking a short red skinned demon back. It grumbled and shook it’s fist at him, its language sounding more like it was clearing it’s throat. He turned his eyes skyward, shaking his head. What ever the little thing was saying didn’t matter much to him, the most it could do was poke him with that sharp stick by it’s side or gnaw on his boot. Kuroune sighed, if the streetsen’ten’t so chocked with demon he would have punted the red skinned thing. Instead he chose to enter the bakery and quickly pick something out for Johon.

The bakery’s smell reminded Kuroune of their home, Kurama was always making something. To his right were several tables and chairsl ful full of demons. Most of them munched on a pastry or something else they had obviously bought here. Others talked in hushed tones, heads hunched together to keep what ever they were talkiboutbout between themselves. To Kuroune’s left was where the bakery items were sold. The shelves were built resembling stairs, on each ledge was a basket full of steaming fresh food. Ten minutes passed as he looked over each loaf, muffin, pastry, and biscuit for something cheap but substantial. He settled on the loaf of bread filled with chunks of cooked sausage, one of his favorites, and tucked the parcel under his arm. Kuroune climbed back up the shop, which had a convenient table outside to use as a stepping stool. Never mind the angry demons who had been eating at that table, he was on the roof before they could grab a hold of him. Breaking the bread in half, he munched while watching the bustle of demons pushing and walking down the streets or into stores. The many different sizes, colors, shapes, and other differences of those who inhabited the Makai always intrigued him.

Once he finished the bread, he got up and stretched. Even though they had left Kurama’s den at early morning, it took them most of the day to travel to Tanarda. Now the sun hung low on the horizon, the clouds above him beginning to blush with color. He ran and jumped off the roof, gaining good altitude before finding the tree and landing near it. Well, sort of landing near it. A demon built like a brick wall, and felt like it too, broke his landing by walking into the one rare open space. The demon didn’t bother to look back at what had slammed against him, he just continued on his way. Kuroune shook his head a few times, trying to dissipate the white sparks dancing in front of his eyes. He stumbled into Johon’s shop, eyes searching the now full store for the gargoyle.

“Over here boy!” Johon called out, waving a wing. A ring of scraggly demons broke and stepped aside, letting Kuroune come closer. “What did you pick up?” The gargoyle rubbed it’s stone paws together, sitting back on it’s haunches.

Kuroune tossed the bag to him, yawning as he did so. The long trip and warm food had done taken it’s toll on him. Now all he wanted to do was buy the kirk and get back to his room. “You didn’t sell it, did you?”

“Feh, no. I make good on my deals, lil one.”

Kuroune blinked and shook his head. Kurama was not considered a short man and Kuroune was taller than him by half a head. “Little one?”

The gargoyle jumped down from his pedestal, bag of bread in his mouth. Obviously he had already raked up quite a reputation, the other demons in the room rushed to make way for him. He opened his wings and in one creaking motion took off from the ground, landing behind the display case. With his paws now free, he put the bag on the case and grinned at Kuroune. “Yes, lil. How old are you anyways? I know looks aren’t always a good thing to go by here, but I can tell you’re still very young.”

“Twenty four...” Kuroune mumbled.

“Tch, see? Young. I’ve got at least a thousand years on you, so to me you are a still a lil one. Heh.”

“Thousand years?” A blue and grey haired demon chuckled, leaning against the display case. “Is that why you look so weatheredd mad man?” He flicked a nail against Johon’s shoulder.

“Old man... Yer older than me!” Johon snickered and slid open the back of the case. He removed the kirk carefully, sliding it into a black sheath. “Here you go...” the gargoyle let his sentence trail off, an incentive for the winged demon to leave his name.

“Kuroune,” he smiled, offering his name. Having a friend in the weapons market would be a good asset.

“Kuroune... why does that sound familiar? You the son of Itsukai?” The blue and grey haired demon scratched his chin, eyes wandering over Kuroune’s frame.

At the mention of his father’s name, Kuroune felt a sudden icy feeling in the pit of his stomach. “What’s it to you?” He growled, gathering his ki in preparation of a fight.

The other demon held up his hands, taking a step back. “Jeeze... you have his temper too. I didn’t mean anything from it, I was just wondering.”

Being told he was like his father in any way, other than looks, only furthered to disgruntle him. “How do you know my father?”

“Well I seem to remember about two or three years ago a demon looking much like yourself came around, asking if anyone had seen you. He mentioned to a few demons that your father was Itsukai, knowing that your father... frequents this area. We all know what he sells, as well as what he hungers for.” The demon leaned forward, eyes narrowing. “Which is why if I was asked again, I’d say I never saw you.”

Kuroune licked his lips and then nodded. “Thank you.” He hated having to hide from his father like this. Like a scared little boy hiding from the eventual punishment that was about to befall him. It was true though... His father wouldn’t kill him, he knew that’s what Kuroune would prefer if ever caught again. There were worse things than death, and his father knew all of them.

Johon nodded as well. “As will I. Be watchful who you give your name... I have a feeling your father still has his old spy networks. Be careful...” He ripped off a hunk of bread and chewed noisily, stone teeth grinding together. “I wouldn’t normally care, but he really is a sick bastard. If I was a little stronger, I’d kill him myself. We don’t need eyesores like him around.” Johon took another bite, this time offering the knife. “Thirty five gold and it’s all yours.”

Kuroune fished out thirty five gold from the bag of coins he carried. It would deplete his funds severely, but it was worth it. Besides, two nights from now his bag will be over flowing with gold. “Here,” he handed over the coins then took the blade.

“Thanks yougin... Don’t be afraid to stop in, even if you don’t need anythin from my store. Good company is always appreciated.” The gargoyle smiled and waved a wing as Kuroune left.

Now that the sun had set, various lamps had been lit using small demons that glowed at night. There were people in charge of feeding and breeding the captive demons, usually paid and governed by the lord or lady of the city. At one time he had known the kind of life those demons had, being kept in those lamps until their life had drained way. His father wanted to keep him as a toy... His favorite toy. Even as an adult, he couldn’t fight his father. Which only brought more pleasure to his sadistic father. Itsukai... the name made him shudder. It brought back memories of things he’d rather forget, eighteen years worth of torture.

Shaking off his dispiriting thoughts, he headed towards the Cruel Hikage. The tavern was beginning to fill, so he ducked into one of the side hallways to take the back stairs up to his room. He didn’t feel like dealing with anyone else at the moment. Kuroune yawned as he slowly opened the door, fully expecting the kitsune to be else where. What he saw made him freeze mid step. Kurama was in bed... with a male and female demon, all were writhing and moaning.

“Ku... Kurama...” The shock to his system made him stutter, the scene before him something he hadn’t expected to see. Ever... the youko and him had been together for all that time. Although, the time Kurama spent teaching him must not have left him much free time to spend with others... Earlier Kurama had mentioned teaching Kuroune all that needed to be taught... Was this the end result?

“Mmm... Kuroune, care to join us?” Kurama stretched out an arm, fingers beckoning to his partner to him.

It was something he should brush off. Demons didn’t keep to one partner unless they were mates, and even then it was rare. So why did this sight hit him like a ton of bricks? He summoned the coldest expression he could manage and said, “no. Unlike you Kurama, I’m picky who I share my bed with.” Closing the door snugly behind him, Kuroune turned on his heel and stalked downstairs. Getting roaring drunk seemed like the best option on how to end this day.