Partners by Moonlight

Too good... everything was going too well. Kuronue tried to shake off the ever present sense of dread, but it nagged at him like a child tugging at his hand. They laughed and made plans on where they would go and what they would do. He had no reason to feel regret, but he did. His brothers should learn to fend for themselves, that was the way of the Makai. Sink or swim... get stronger, or die trying. It wasn’t his place to rescue a half brother that wouldn’t make it outside his father’s compound anyway. Kuronue frowned, eyes falling to the muddy road. So why did leaving make him feel like such a coward? Why did he feel the need to at least sneak back in and take Kisu with him?

“Kuro?” Kurama touched Kuronue’s shoulder, raising an eyebrow. “You haven’t heard a word I’ve said, have you?”

“Most of it.” He summoned a half smile, hoping to pass it off as a smirk.

“Hmph... thanks a lot.”

The sense of dread grew, and Kuronue looked up. It was hard to see anything through the rain, not even a flash of lightning to shed a little light on their surroundings. He remembered a little of what the road was like from their earlier passage, but it wasn’t enough. The dark would hide anything, the rain drowning out possible scents of others. Something wasn’t right... “Kurama...”

The kitsune looked up questioningly then pushed Kuronue away, dodging a large blast of ki. “What the hell was that?” He yelled, looking around. Impatiently he pushed the bangs away that clung to his once more wet face, obscuring his vision. His heightened sense of hearing could pick up at least six, their youki flaring in a loud challenge. “Kuro, light!”

Raising a mud covered hand, Kuronue summoned a burst of light, bathing everything in it’s searing white luminousness. Both partners had closed their eyes; their enemies weren’t as lucky. The four that were closest stumbled back, rubbing their eyes furiously. They didn’t have time to recover, Kurama’s attack came too quickly. Pieces of them sloughed off, dropping to the ground in a bloody heap. Kuronue rose to his feet quickly, pain lacing his lower stomach, causing him to drop to his knees.

“Does it still hurt, brother?” Mentou grinned, knowing his little brother’s attacks well enough to hide his eyes and that of the demon closest to him. Kuronue clutched at his stomach, gasping in pain. It was too much too soon... leaving now had been a bad idea, he thought bitterly, gritting his teeth against the pain to rise to his feet again. As soon as he had, Kuronue fell back, the other demon knocking into him. Blood rose to Kuronue’s lips, leaking out of the corner of his mouth as he grimaced, hands gripping the demon’s wrist, keeping a wickedly curved blade from sinking into his chest.

“Kuro!” Kurama growled, eyes narrowing as he flicked a seed against the demon’s back. It burst into life as soon as it came into contact with the other, spiny vines curling around his mid-section. The vines rubbed back and forth in a sawing motion, the small spurs digging and cutting flesh with every pass. He screamed as they bit into his skin and deeper, showering Kuronue in a gush of blood. The demon fell to his side, too busy trying to pull the vines from him to attack. He lost fingers in the process, death coming as slowly as the kitsune wanted it. No one would hurt or touch Kuro and live.

Kuronue’s eyes searched for his brother, remembering what Kurama was too involved to remember. His eyes widened, spotting his older sibling behind Kurama, arm raised to the back of his head. It all happened too quickly... Sensing Kuronue’s distress, Kurama leapt, too smart to look dumbly back at what was probably an incoming attack. The leap came too late, Mentou’s attack ripped through Kurama’s flesh, sending him flying forward. Blood mixed with mud and rain as he hit the ground.

“Is that all you have, Kuronue?” Mentou sneered, advancing on his younger brother. “Do you want to try to fight me at least once more, or should I just end it here and kill your pet kitsune?” Kuronue pushed himself away from the gritty mud, sitting up only to be kicked back down by Mentou. He swung his leg out, ignoring the burst of pain the action caused, trying to knock Mentou from his feet. Mentou jumped over the kick, snickering. His eyes suddenly widened, a throwing dagger lodged in his chest.

“You’re easier to hit in the air...” Kuronue mumbled, sitting up again. His brother was stubborn, he’d probably try to kill Kurama now. If he wasn’t already... He shook his head, mind concentrating on taking out Mentou. The mud aided him; his brother’s feet slid out from him as he tried to land, slick mud giving him trouble. Kuronue crawled over to Mentou, wincing. He couldn’t get to his feet either, damn mud. Sitting on top of his brother, he held another dagger to his throat. “So much as twitch your hand or raise your youki, and I’ll slit your throat.”

Mentou, eyes reflecting pain, sneered at Kuronue. “Of course you would. Anything for him, huh?” The dagger had hit him too precisely, he knew his life was fleeing him. “I should kill him, just for the sins you both have committed.” If he struck now, at least his death would mean something.

“What the hell are you talking about? Kurama hasn’t done anything to you.”

“He’s given you a reason to lie to Kisu. Tell me brother, in all the time you’ve spent with him, did you remember how our little brother suffered? He made you forget us... you were happy.... You don’t deserve to be.” His strength was leaving with his life, if he were going to attack it had to be now.

Kuronue lowered his chin. Maybe he was right... He didn’t deserve to be happy. “You would have left if you could have, don’t give me that shit. Whenever father looked for someone to take his anger out on, you always made sure he found me. I don’t owe you anything.”

“We aren’t allowed to change?” Kuronue jerked his head up, looking over his older brother. They both had looked over Kisu, and now... Mentou was the only one that did. “Do you honestly think that with my death father will stop hunting you? He’ll only get more frustrated after all this... he’ll find you himself, and when he does... Do you think your little pet kitsune will be safe? You should take care of your family first, Kuro.. Being with him now will only lead to more pain. You know our father, he’ll enjoy torturing someone that you love... and he won’t stop looking for you...” He had said too much... every word took more from him, leaving him with just enough to finish Kuronue or Kurama off for good...

“....You’re right.” Mentou blinked, expecting that to be the last thing Kuronue would say. “I can’t put him at risk... and I can’t leave Kisu behind. I’ve already let him down enough.”

“Really? You’re going back?” He gave his younger brother a skeptical look, plan forgotten for the moment.

“Yeah...” Kuronue smiled sadly. His father wouldn’t give up, no matter how far away he thought he could run. Besides... running away was something he’d done enough of. “You’re so stupid... if you had come to me earlier, with out trying to kill Kurama... I would have went back with you, and we could have killed him together.”

“You know me Kuro... I’m more of the act first, speak later type...” It was almost like when they were children, like they were just wrestling and playing around.... He didn’t want to die. Not like this, not here. Mentou wanted to see his father’s blood, to see Kisu smile again... “Hey... promise me you’ll go back?”

“...I promise.” Damn him... not only did Kuronue have to see another of his brothers die... but this time it was by his own hand.

“Then take this...” Mentou tugged off his necklace. “Kisu’s always wanted it... Oi... don’t tell him how I died, ne? He already is pretty pissed at me for attacking you...”

“I won’t...” He took the necklace, turning the white stone around in his hand. Things changed so fast... One minute he’s happy with Kurama... Kuronue’s eyes widened. “Kurama...” He looked down at Mentou, about to tell him to hold on. “Damn...” His brother’s eyes stared unblinkingly at the dark sky. Tucking the necklace safely away, he crawled from his brother’s body, slipping in the mud and blood, knocking his chin too many times against the occasional rock mixed within the now soupy road before making it to Kurama. The kitsune’s face was almost grey, cheek pressed to the mud, mouth and nose luckily high enough to be clear of the puddling water that collected in the indent his face made in the mud. The blast had blown most of his robes away from his back. It looked like the skin had been peeled from him, rain washing away any mud that would have stuck to the massive wound. No bones... nothing could be seen... at least it wasn’t too deep. He was worried about the bleeding, the mud around Kurama soaked with his blood, turning it red. Kuronue closed his eyes. What could he do? He could barely walk himself, what ever he had done had reopened his wound, and hopefully not internally as well... Dragging Kurama back to Avur or Tanarda wasn’t realistic. Kuronue knelt in the mud, pulling Kurama into his arms, wary of his back. He nuzzled his cheek with his nose and lips, pressing his forehead against it. “What am I going to do now?” The sky mourned for him, steady downpour not lessening in the least. He was ignorant to anything around him but Kurama, unaware of the eyes watching from the side of the road.

~*O*~

Kuronue didn’t know how long his confused and muddled mind wandered; thinking of what to do to help Kurama or even if he should go back home like he promised Mentou. The rain didn’t let up at all. He had spread his wings over them, making sure Kurama had most of the protection, wincing at a few of the bigger droplets. With the rain came wind, one that made him shiver. He bent over Kurama more to keep him warm, water falling from the brim of his hat and onto his arms. Cold, weak with pain from his reopened wound, Kuronue fought to stay awake. Two downed demons would attract predators or robbers; it’d be ironic for him to die now by the hands of a thief. That or poetic justice...

The squish of mud broke his daze. The steps were insistent, frequent enough for the owner to be running toward him. One more throwing knife, and he had enough ki to blind anyone within a fifty yard radius... that was all he had left. Blind, then throw and hope that the attacker wasn’t able to deflect the blade before it sank into it’s flesh, that would be the plan...

“Kuronue?” A familiar voice called out, creaking barely heard in the rain.

“Johon?” Kuronue blinked in surprised, freezing out of fear that his friend’s voice was a delusion. The gargoyle came into view, large frame being laboriously held up by sweeping stone wings. Relief flooded through his body, making him dizzy. Johon landed next to the two, body sinking into the mud considerably.

“Jeeeeeze, what the hell happened to him?” The gargoyle whistled as he spotted Kurama in his lap. A sudden plop beside him made Kuronue flinch. “Oi, it’s okay boy. It’s my friend from the shop, Edane.” Kuronue blinked wearily at the other demon, slightly remembering him from earlier. “He’s the one that spotted you out here... What happened to you two?”

Kuronue glanced back at the body of his brother. “My brother ambushed us...”

“You hurt?”

“A little... Kurama’s worse off.”

“Yeah, he looks it.” Johon nudged Kurama with his paw. “Is this the one that had your panties all in a bunch?”

“Yeah...” Kuronue frowned, “I don’t wear panties.”

“Shame,” Edane murmured then winked at Kuronue. “Come on, we’ll put Kurama over Johon’s shoulders and I’ll help you walk back.” The winged demon managed a nod, finally letting go of Kurama to drape the kitsune over his friend’s winged back. “You can still fly like this, right old man?”

The gargoyle snorted, the puff of air denting the mud. “I’ll cheat, if I have to.” He stretched out his wings, then jumped. Kuronue watched as he faltered a bit, then stayed steady in the air. “Come on boy, we need to get your friend some help.” Briefly he wondered if he should returned to Avur and seek help from Yoriko. Then again, her powers leveled more in time than healing; Kurama needed a healer. That and he noticed the weariness in her eyes even after the month of his healing, her youki returned more slowly to her.

With a wince, Kuronue attempted to stand. He clenched his jaw and shut his eyes; the pain blinded him anyway. An arm around his waist steadied him, and Kuronue threw his arm around Edane’s shoulders, leaning against him heavily for a moment. “Thanks...”

“Eh, that’s what friends do. Around here at least.” Johon grinned then started back down the path toward Tanarda. Kuronue stumbled after him. Damn mud... it would clutch at his boot before finally giving way, but not before a lot of exertion on his part. Sink... pull... step... sink... pull... step... It was all he could think of, each step seemed to take an hour to do. Once they returned to a more stable road, Kuronue’s legs felt like rubber.

The walk back would be a long one, full of the sound of his thoughts buzzing about his head. Should he... there were so many things that he should do. None of them led to him staying with Kurama. Mentou was right, their father would see this defeat and be more enraged. No one stood up to him and lived, that was how he gained so much influence over what land he now owned. Kuronue had witnessed what he was capable of doing to his brothers for the sake of entertainment; what he’d do to Kurama to hurt his son, he couldn’t imagine the torture. The winged demon raised his head, staring through the rain at the one he cherished, though despised to admit it. He had already hurt Kurama enough by staying with him. First he’d take care of his past, then he’d return to his kitsune...


~*O*~


Kurama nuzzled the fabric his face laid on, comforted by it’s softness. Consciousness soon dawned, reminding him that the last place he was awake at didn’t have a comfortable bed. He tried to sit up, but the sudden movement jolted his back, causing him to still instantly. It throbbed painfully, almost like the day he and Kuro had been out playing in the sun too long, and his fair skin had burnt... Kuronue.... He perked his ears up, trying to listen to the sounds around him. Kuro would be by his side, if something had happened to him. If not, then he was injured too... or worse...

“Oi, Edane! The cat is awake.”

“Kitsune, dolt...” Kurama muttered, ears flattening.

“Cat, kitsune, raccoon, bah. You all have bushy tails and those sorts of ears.” Johon chuckled, walking into the room with loud thumps from his heavy footsteps. Kurama remained silent, unsure if these were his attackers or their saviors. Edane pushed back the patched curtain that separated his bedroom from his work room, metal tray in his hands.

“I’m sure you’re in a lot of pain. What ever hit you removed the first layer of skin from your back and brunt what was under that.” Edane put the tray on the bed, then pulled back the covers. “The healer wrapped you up pretty well, and she left us with the ointment we needed to take care of it plus some pills to keep you from... uhm...”

“Getting infected. Damn expensive healer, she better of left us with everything we needed.”

Kurama had listened with some patience, a little grateful for their actions. “I’ll pay you back. Look, where’s Kuro?” Johon and Edane exchanged a look, then Johon shifted uncomfortably. “...Is he okay?” They looked guilty in Kurama’s eyes, and that let the first wave of panic he’d felt in hundreds of years grip his body. “Dammit, just tell me!” He wasn’t without his youki, he could summon a plant and properly threaten them if they kept up with their silence.

“He left,” Johon grunted out. Kurama looked far from pacified.

“The healer took care of him better than she handled you... Since he wanted it that way. She was able to almost heal his wounds completely, and she took care of yours by his orders; so you wouldn’t be in a lot of pain, or near death... but so you wouldn’t be able to move much...” Edane didn’t flinch from Kurama’s glare. They both had been warned from Kuronue what Kurama’s reaction may have been.

Kurama’s ears buzzed, too stunned to do anything more than glare. Kuronue had left... and he didn’t even deem it important to stick behind and say goodbye. From what the two had said, he figured Kuronue didn’t want him to follow. They’d been together almost constantly for two years... Being with out him now was painful. Damn him... Kurama had never given a shit about anyone else he’d been with, his bandits were just tools of the trade, helpful items that would gain a higher level of stolen goods. No one stuck in his mind like Kuronue did, no one would stand up to him like Kuronue had, no one would care for him like...