Partners by Moonlight

The silver youko stopped, ing ing 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 truly cared about Kurama. In truth he too cared for his partner, too much for Kurama’s peace of mind. Caring for someone would eventually drag you down, and would hasten ones death. That’s what Kurama had observed at least, he’d never cared for anyone but himself. Still... “Kuro?”

“What?” Kuronue crossed his arms over his chest, preparing for what ever might come.

“... Would you... Hmm...”

Kuronue raised a brow. Kurama at a loss for words... the world just might stop turning now. “Would I?”

Two silver furred ears pressed against the back of Kurama’s head. “You aren’t helping anything damn it.... Would you...” Kurama laughed nervously, rolling his eyes in an attempt to make light of what he was going to ask. “Were you so pissed at me because you wanted us to be mates?”

“I...” A part of Kuronue screamed to say yes... while the more insistent part of him silenced the other voice. It wasn’t Kurama asking if he wanted to be with him... his actions led Kuronue to believe that the very thought made the youko edgy. Or maybe it was a joke. Something Kurama would hold over his head for the rest of the time they remained partners. For the first time in his life, Kuronue trusted someone with his life. Even if a small part of him wanted them to be more than partners, chancing a loss of friendship between the two wasn’t acceptable. He’d have to deal with these damn and annoying feelings some how, or try his best to stamp them out. It’d fade in time... feelings like these never hung around for very long... Right? “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not much of a voyeur, so why would I want to watch you and some other... creature... go at it? And I’m not one to join in, I actually have some taste when it comes to who I choose to sleep with. Is not doing it in front of me so hard a task for you?”

“No.” From Kuronue’s reaction, Kurama counted his lucky stars that he didn’t come out and ask him directly if he wanted to be more than what they were. How embarrassing... The youko narrowed his eyes peering closely at his partner’s face. There was still something he was hiding, Kurama was sure of it. He shrugged and released Kuronue’s arm, walking toward his old nd’snd’s apartment. If Kuronue wasn’t going to tell him, he sure as hell wasn’t going to pry it out of him. Stupid prideful demon...

“Stupid prideful kitsune...” Kuronue growled under his breath, watching Kurama walk away. The demons around him flinched, a mother grabbed her child and pulled her by the arm as far from him as she could. He looked around, each demon avoiding his gaze. “Okay...” Jogging to close the distance, Kuronue soon caught up with Kurama. “Why are they acting like I’m about to eat them?”

Kurama shrugged, “they’re probably not used to outsiders.”

“Hm...”

“Just ignore it. We’re here.” The building gave off a faintly yellow-ish light, other than that it looked like just another overly ornate building. Tamenai’s door, which was on the bottom floor, had an embellished doorframe that appeared as though multiple dragons were linked mouth to tail around it. Each eye had a glowing red stone that winked once Kurama touched the doorknob. “Remember to keep your mouth shut, he’s fickle with who he shares his company with.” Just as Kuronue nodded they both heard a loud voice call from within.

“Are you just going to stand there or are you going to get your ass in here?” Kurama winked at Kuronue then opened the door. “Ah! Kurama! It’s been such a long time since I last saw you.”

“Sorry about that, Tamenai. How have you been?” The youko entered the candle lit room, stepping to one side to allow Kuronue to enter as well. The room itself was beautiful, dark wooded furniture had been upholstered with a plum colored materiel and set around a small, low metal crafted table. The walls didn’t glow, but were painted in a dark color Kuronue didn’t recognize right away in the flickering candlelight. Tamenai was seated in a chair that faced the door, the wizened demon draped in long white hair and a similarly colored beard.

“About the...” Tamenai’s voice trailed off once Kuronue was fully in the room. Anger warped his face as he shook, rising to his feet. “You!” He grabbed a heavy book and threw it at Kuronue, who just barely dodged. “Get the hell out of my home! You... I may be a cold hearted killer, but you’re a monster! GET OUT!”

Kurama pushed Kuronue out of the room just as another book came flying at them. “Wait here, I’ll see what his problem is.” The youko grabbed the doorknob and shut the door. old old demon’s reaction was strange. “Alright you old coot, what the hell is going on?”

“How dare you bring that monster into my house!” Tamenai shook with fury, advancing on the youko.

“What did Kuro do to you?”

Tamenai froze, blinking once. “Kuro?”

“Yes, Kuro... Kuronue, my partner. Look, I know you get your kicks from making others feel inferior compared to you, but he’s different and if you ever act that way towards him again, no matter what he’s done to you, my plants will be the last thing you see before they suck you dry.”

“Tch... So he has nothing to do with Itsukai?”

“Who the hell is that?”

There was a long pause then the older demon spoke up, more carefully choosing his words this time. “Itsukai and his followers ransacked the village earlier, while Ral was off flitting around outside. I thought they merely stole what they wanted and left, but there was something else they wanted...” Tamenai trailed off, a slight pained look filling his eyes. “As I was saying... Itsukai was looking for information leading to the recapture of his son, Kuronue.”

“I... Hmm...”

“Itsukai looked just like your partner; long black hair, violet eyes, and those leathery wings.”

Kurama shook his head. “He’s never actually talked about his father, but I know for a fact that he doesn’t care for him.”

“Well if that’s the case, then bring him back inside.”

“You should just trust my taste,” Kurama mumbled as he heads for the door.

Tamenai snorted, “I’ve seen your taste kitsune, it’s nothing special.”

The youko snorted loudly, tail flickering in annoyance. “You and Kuro should get along fine...” He yanked open the door, sticking his head through. “Hey, you can come back now.”

Kuronue raised an eyebrow. “Not sure if I want to...” At Kurama’s glare he sighed and reentered the apartment. “He doesn’t have any more of those heavy ass books nearby, does he?”

“Shh.” Kurama smacked his partner’s arm, pulling him in the rest of the way then shut the door behind him.

Tamenai cleared his throat as his two guests settled into their chairs. “I am sorry my dear boy... you just resemble your father so much...”

“I do NOT. I suggest checking your eyes geezer.” Kuronue grunted as Kurama sent his elbow flying into the winged demon’s side.

“I thought I told you to keep your mouth shut,” Kurama hissed.

The older demon coughed and shook, his hair and beard rippling like water. “Oooh!” He wheezed and coughed again.

Kurama’s ears flicked to the side, “what’s so funny?”

“Funny?” Kuroune looked between the two. Now that he was paying closer attention, the coughing did resemble laughter... sort of.

Tamenai leaned forward and patted Kuronue’s knee. “I haven’t had anyone speak to me like that in ages... Don’t get me wrong, if you had said that during one of my bad moods, you’d be a splatter on the wall. Heh, geezer indeed...” He started laughing again, panting slightly. After a few more wheezing coughs Tamenai cleared his throat, face still expressing his amusement as he changed the subject. “If it’s all the same, I suggest leaving instead of doing one of your errands, Kurama. The overall reaction might be of fear right now... but this bunch is tightly knit. I’m sure it won’t take long to form a lynch mob. You could tell them he’s that bastard’s son, but I think that’d make them cry for his blood even more. We’re all a little sadistic here.” He gave Kuronue a big toothy grin. “Come here and I’ll mark you... That way you can visit it me later, when things cool down.”

“What?! It took me years to get you to mark me!”

Tamenai sniffed, “I like his style. Arrogant, but not overly so... unlike yourself. You my dear boy are amusing, but your schemes make me wary of trusting you. This one could go your path, but seems a little more driven to speak his mind. I like that. Reminds me of myself, when I was younger.” He reached out and prodded Kuronue with his foot. “Keep saying what’s on your mind... only, remember that occasionally it may not be the wisest path. Now, lean forward a little.” The winged demon did as he was told. Tamenai scooted forward and touched his fingers to Kuronue’s temples. After a few whispered breathy words, Kuronue felt a wave of power course through him briefly. “There you go, all set.” Just as Kuronue was about to lean back Tamenai yanked him almost out of his chair by the strings on his vest, dragging him closer. The older demon whispered, “I assume by your earlier words that you don’t care for your father?” Kuronue nodded and he continued. “You’re not even close to being as powerful as he... I can change that. Come back soon, and come alone. I rather not show that kitsune all my special tricks. Not yet at least.”

“As long as you can help me defeat him, I don’t care what I have to do,” Kuronue half growled half whispered.

“Good.” Tamenai smiled and patted Kuronue’s head condescendingly. Normally if someone did that to him, it’d mean a loss of a limb. It took great restraint to keep his reaction to just flinching away. “Hehehe... Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”

Kurama glared icily at his partner, arms crossed over his chest and his tail beating hard against the chair. His ears were perked up and alert, obviously trying to catch the conversation between the two. Kuronue sighed, living with him wasn’t going to be easy after this. Not only would he be upset about the things that went on between him and Tamenai, but he also had to miss out on the thieving events he had planned.

“Hey Kurama...” Tamenai was able to draw the youko’s glare away from Kuronue, shortly before throwing a wrapped item at Kurama. “Yoriko made that the other day, I’m sure you’ll love it.”

“Yoriko is still around? I thought she’d get sick of you and leave long before now...” Kurama smirked, aggression melting away as he unwrapped the package.

“Hmph... Yes, well one can never account for another’s taste, I mean... she likes you well enough.” Tamenai chuckled, his beard quivering in long waves. “Damn woman, I think she used her powers again to foresee your visit. I should have known when she handed it over to me and told me to keep it until you showed up that she had peeked into the future.” He sniffed, scratching the side of his nose. “Of course she did a mighty good job distracting me.” Kuronue wrinkled his nose, shaking his head. That was the last thing he wanted to know about.

Kurama glanced over at Kuronue, noticing his discomfort and laughing at it. “Yoriko and Tamenai go far back, they’re both too stubborn to come out and say they like each other. Most the time when you see them in the same room, they’re pretending to loath each other.” Kuronue kept his comments to himself, only smiling a little in response. The old couple resembled him and Kurama too much. The youko looked down as he finally undid the last of the strings wrapping the brown papered package. “Ah!”

“What?” The winged demon leaned towards Kurama, trying to peer into his lap.

“Soona cake,” Kurama lifted the package so Kuronue could see the pale brown cake with white frosting.

Tamenai smirked, “better watch out for him after he eats it.”

Kurama smiled, eyes un-focusing slightly as he drifted into his memories. “It does odd things to kitsunes when they eat it... Hn, the last time I had it... That’s when Ral and I-” He blinked once then glanced over at his partner.

“Ah, I see.” Kuronue shrugged, sniffing lightly at the air. The cake smelt good, he wondered if he could weasel a bite out of Kurama. Hearing about Ral didn’t bother him in the least. The only thing that would bother him, slightly he reminded himself... only slightly, is if they went off together now.

“So where’s Yoriko now? I’d like to at least say hi to her before we left.” There weren’t many demons Kurama considered friends... sure he had plenty of fuck buddies, but only a small handful of true friends.

Tamenai’s smile faded from his lips. “After Itsukai left we thought it was safe, so I got her out of hiding. But... that bastard sent his boy and a few of his followers back. She’s gone Kurama... they took her with them.”

Kuronue chewed his bottom lip, reluctant to have anything to do with his family. If his father sent one of his brothers, it would be Mentou. He was the eldest surviving brother, and constantly kissed their father’s ass just to be in his good graces.

“How long ago?” Kurama said coldly.

“Half a day... Were I younger, I’d be able to catch them...”

“We will.” Kuronue surprised himself by saying. Maybe he felt a small amount of gratitude towards the older one for offering to help him take down his father. Or maybe it was because the older couple really did remind him of Kurama and himself.

“You sure?” The youko smiled, rising.

“Of course, what else do we have to do? We can’t stay here, and we don’t have anything else planned, right?”

“Right.” Kurama smiled slyly, “but that means becoming what you hate. You’ll be her hero.”

Kuronue snorted. “Shut up...” He glanced over at Tamenai, who fought desperately to not look relieved. “Consider it payment for what you’ll do later.”

The old demon smirked, “of course. Nothing more than payment.”