Partners by Moonlight

((AN: Well... I’ve been writing a lot of Kuronue fiction lately, using the name most people say is correct. Because of that, and the fact that I have to go through each of my stories to make them html friendly for my site... I’m just going to switch from Kuroune to Kuronue. I know I said I wouldn’t do that, but I was being lazy and now I have the perfect opportunity to the them.

Thanks again to my reviewers! Just when I start to wonder if I have any talent for writing, you guys cheer me up. If I had money, I’d send you all a bunch of pocky.))

Chapter 13

Deep Inside

“That hardly seems fair... Why do you get to screw any demon that crosses your path while I can’t get a little head now and then?”

“I never said you couldn’t.”

“Then why did you kill that girl?”

“Do you really care that I did?”

Kuronue shrugged; he didn’t really know the girl enough to care about her passing. The real interest was in Kurama’s reaction. “Not really.”

“Then what does it matter?”

“Heh, I just was curious...”

Kurama ignored his partner, instead he concentrated on the road ahead of them. The terrain was rocky, most of the road was steeply downhill. The road, and in most places stairs, was a series of boards supported by rocks, some having fallen to the side through constant ware. They were on their way to Avur, a town nestled inside the red rocked Avurenei Mountain, the path to which was hardly well known. One wrong slip and either youkai would plummet down the tall cliff side. A green carpet was laid out at the foot of the cliff, which erroneously guided travelers into believing that the cliff wasn't far away from the ground. In reality the trees were extremely tall, foliage creeping up the side of the steep cliff and making a nice contrast between the almost bloody red of the rock and the emerald green of the leaves. From his vantage point a wide river could be seen cutting through the trees like a blue dagger, emptying into a azure sea.

There were a few resting points near the top where the face of the cliff would give way to a little alcove of trees with spindly trunks. Each trunk was no thicker than Kuronue’s waist, but twice as tall as the winged demon. Numerous branches snaked out from the light brown trunk, soon disappearing within a thick collection of leaves. During their current break Kuronue nibbled away at a sandwich Kurama had made for the journey, majority of his attention on the silver youko. Not being content with merely sitting and resting, Kurama played with the tree nearest to the rock he was sitting on. The trunk would twist until it resembled a spring, or it would lean at impossible angles. Watching the tree shift to what ever shape Kurama thought up was hypnotic.

The effect on Kurama was more beneficial, it seemed to soothe him and returned his usual half grin. While the two hadn’t talked about the occurrences of the night before since Kuronue had brought up the girl, neither seemed at peace with the out come. Kuronue had resolved to think more about Kurama and he, when sober, as soon as they had arrived at Avur. Until then he’d ignore that it happened and in truth, he really didn’t want to go over it all again.

The tree snapped back into it’s original position and Kurama stood up, brushing off his rear with his tail. “Are you ready to proceed? There isn’t another stopping point like this along the way.” The rest of the path disappeared near two jagged rocks. Kuronue nodded and got up, brushing his hands off on his pants. “Avur’s path from here on is less dangerous, but more boring. It was created by a powerful fire demon which melted a tunnel into the mountain.” Kurama stepped back onto the path and head for the two jagged rocks.

“Do you have to explain the history of everything we come into contact with?” The winged demon sighed, following Kurama down the road.

Kurama’s tail fluffed slightly, his ears twitching with annoyance. “What’s wrong with knowing how things were made? It might come in handy some day. Besides Avur’s history is interesting.”

“It’s boring.”

The youko flattened his ears against his silvery hair, pinning Kuronue with an icy glare. “It’s useful and interesting.”

“Maybe to old fogeys like you. I personally don’t give a shit who or what made the path or the city.”

“Old fogey?” Kurama spun around as his tail fluffed fully.

Kuronue smirked, seeing he had hit a sensitive subject. “Oh I’m sorry, do you prefer old fart? How about older than dirt... or would you rather be known by something more distinguishing, like ancient?” The winged demon laughed at the look on Kurama’s face. “Poor old Kura-” Kuronue’s eyes shot open as the branches of the spindly looking trees wrapped around his wrists. They flung him against the wall, the ivy there wrapping firmly around his arms and legs. With a smug smile Kurama strolled up to his partner, stroking along Kuronue’s jaw line with one finger.

“You can be such a jerk Kuro.” The silver youko leaned his body against his captive’s. “I think I should remind you why you should respect me and keep your insults to yourself.” He drew his finger over the other’s lips.

Kuronue nipped at the finger, flicking his tongue against the tip then sucked on it lightly before smiling. “Promise?”

Kurama rolled his eyes, pushing away from the winged demon. “You don’t let me have any fun. If you want to do it, then it’s not a punishment. Unless you meant to do that.” Kuronue smiled innocently. “Gah, you’re so frustrating.” With a flick of his wrist the ivy resumed their place on the crimson colored walls.

“Only because it’s so much fun.”

Once against ignoring Kuronue, Kurama resumed his speech. “Since the town is deep inside the mountain, it’s lit magicly to keep it’s inhabitants from stumbling around.” The two ducked behind the two rocks, Kuronue having to bring his wings tightly against him to keep from dragging them painfully along the rock. Above them the sky still loomed, not yet obscured by rocks. “Until late night the very walls of each building glow; it’s almost brighter down there than daylight up here. Knowing that the tunnel would easily be found at night since light would escape from it, the town hired a shadow demon to put up a ward. No light can penetrate the ward from either side of it. As a bonus, only certain marked youkai can enter, well the marked and however many they can bring in.”

“Huh?”

“You’ll see. A part of the marked demon, I finally was marked a couple years ago, has to be very close to the other demon. As in, holding hands or wrapping my tail around you. Something to that effect.”

“Ah.” They finally reached the entrance to the tunnel, the passageway marked by faintly red writing. Kuronue sighed and held out his hand.

“Tch, stupid...” Kurama laced his fingers between the strings on his vest the tugged him forward, holding him firmly against his body. “There’s more fun ways of entering.” The youko grabbed Kuronue’s chin, the winged demon slightly wincing from the bruise he had received from Kurama earlier, and drew him into a kiss. Their tongues played with each other as Kurama slowly backed up, bringing Kuronue into the tunnel with him. As they passed through the ward, there was a slight tingling sensation. The ward also glowed briefly, neither taking notice of it or anything else for that matter. Their full attention was on each other. Once entered Kuronue pushed his partner against the curved rock wall. He took two steps towards Kurama, both smirking at each other, and pressed his body against Kurama’s, meeting his lips again with a hungry kiss. The youko’s tail brushed against Kuronue’s inner thigh. The winged demon enjoyed the kiss immensely, they hadn’t shared one since... Kuronue pulled away, a small pain in his lower stomach. His thoughts had reminded him of those images he wished to forget.

“Let’s go.” He flicked his wings then started down the tunnel alone.

“Kuro...”

Kuronue paused, looking back. “What?”

“It’s nothing, never mind.” Kurama kicked away from the wall. “Did I really hurt you that badly, Kuro?” the kitsune whispered to himself before he silently joined his partner.

The dimly lit tunnel brightened the further down they went until finally they reached the city. Sure enough each building gave off a white or slightly yellowed light. The large cavern held a large amount of buildings; it really was as bright as it was mid-day outside. Kuronue came to a halt as a demon stepped out of a small shack.

“State your name and business.” The tall but thin demon spat out mechanically. He was dressed in what appeared to be a uniform, a shield emblem on each arm as well over his right breast. On closer inspection the shield was split into four sections; one colored blue, one colored red, one colored black and the other colored purple. By the bored look on his face, Kuronue could tell it was his job to sit and wait for the rare chance that someone would enter.

Kurama had caught up shortly after, winking at the tall demon. “Hey Ral. I brought a friend,” the youko lightly smacked his partner’s arm, “Kuronue, to visit old Tamenai.”

The guard’s face brightened, “Kurama!” A rippling color swept through Ral’s scales, turning them from a dark grey to a smokey green. “Well if you have time, stop by my place later... Remember where it is?” Ral smiled suggestively while Kuronue outwardly twitched. The action wasn’t missed by Kurama’s gaze.

“I do, and if I have time I’ll drop by.” The kitsune grabbed Kuronue’s arm and tugged him toward the city, tail waving to the guard.

There was a long silence between them before black haired demon began snickering. “Do you sleep with every demon you come across?”

Kurama’s ears twitched in annoyance, his tail bristling slightly. “No,” he sniffed, nipping at Kuroune’s ear. “Just the lucky ones.” While that earned a smile from Kuronue, his body was still tensed.

“Who’s Tamenai?”

“Hm?”

Kuronue rolled his eyes. “Tamenai?”

“Hn... He’s an elderly youkai who was one of the first to move into this city right after it was built... and no, I wasn’t around then... make any more comments about me being older than dirt and you’ll be lucky if your clothes are the only thing that will be missing this time.” Kuronue grinned deviously, holding up his hands. “Good... As long as I sneak him some money now and then, he’ll be our cover. Like I said, he was one of the first to move in... and was very close to the one that carved the tunnel and the cavern here. So he knows all the hidden tunnels like the back of his hand.”

“Wouldn’t who ever runs this city close off the tunnels?”

“Tch, stupid... They’re called hidden tunnels for a reason. Only a small group of youkai knew about them, all but Tamenai died before others settled into the city.”

Kuronue’s wings twitched, a thought coming to him. “What happened to the others?” he asked suspiciously.

The youko smiled, flicking his tail against Kuronue’s rear. “You’re right, he killed them all. Which is why you should keep your mouth shut around him. He likes me well enough, but you’re so annoying he won’t mind killing you.”

“I can handle myself...” Kuronue snickered, “how much does he like you?” Inwardly the winged demon sighed and wondered if his jokes were true; Kurama really did sleep with every demon he came across.

“Not that much.” Kurama shot Kuronue a dirty look. “I do have a few standards.”

“A few...”

The silver youko stopped, yanking Kuronue closer to him so the two could speak in hushed voices with out their words carrying to the demons around them. “Did last night really piss you off that much Kuro?”

“No.” It was a lie, but Kuronue wasn’t about to admit that he was that distraught by the events. That might make him seem weak to Kurama; losing him as a partner was something he didn’t want to risk. “I told you what I wanted. Find yourself another room or go screw in theirs. That’s a deal, right?”

Kurama paused, contemplating his partner’s words. There was something Kuronue was hiding, that he knew. As much as they teased each other, they had grown close over the past year. Reading the winged one wasn’t the most difficult thing in the world either. He could bluff to anyone but Kurama... which was odd in itself. Why was Kuronue so attached to him? Unless it was because he...