Partners by Moonlight

(An: I know I said I would keep on this faster than I have, but there’s been some medical issues I’ve been having that detract from my writing drive. ^^; Plus I've sort of lost the YYH spirit, but I'm trying to get it back to finish this, then start the next one.

*Also* o.o Wow! My frist rip off! Thank you to the person who alerted me that my other KuronuexKurama story was ripped off on ff.net I still can't believe someone would want to steal my story.

Oh! One more add on. ^^; THANK YOU. Everyone that poked me to continue this, that reviewed demanding an update, and emailed me. I love you all, and I've actually misse writing this. Really, thank you a lot.)

The storm’s gusts made his gliding erratic, but faster than he could have went on his own. Thankfully he and his brothers used to, foolishly now that he thought about it, race in storms. A sudden gust pushed him up and forward; Kuronue tipped his wings back a little, the air spilling from the wing membrane. By lessening the lift the wind had, he wasn’t carried as high, but was still able to use the current to take him forward. It used to be complicated to him when he was a kid, but now he hardly thought on the effort. He had missed flying like this, lighting cracking around him, rain pelting his wings... It made him feel alive. More than that... it gave him an excuse to concentrate on something other than what kept pushing to the foremost of his mind.

Avurenei was suddenly below him, the cliff face jutting angrily out from the forest’s green. Now was the tricky part; landing without being carried too far away or smashed into the rock. Either way, it should be fun. Kuronue smirked, curling his wings closer to him. If he got close to the rock, he could open his wings further without worrying that the wing membrane would rip in the storm’s sudden gusts. It was a lengthy decent, tiring his wings to the point of shaking when he finally landed. He let them rest, dashing inside the narrow stone pillars and eventually inside the cave.

His brother’s death rested heavily on his conscience, his words even more so. If his father wasn’t slain, he would haunt his son’s life for as long as they both had breath. Kuronue knew he could have ran, alone, and would have escaped his father for a few years. Now he had something worth holding on to, a person he didn’t want to leave. Even if that damn stubborn kitsune would rarely show any affection toward his partner. Then there was his brother, one of the last he remembered. Innocent and loving; a doomed child in the Makai, especially in this area. He couldn’t abandon him to that hell hole, with his only source of protection dead. Once more his thoughts returned to Mentou. The idiot. If they had worked together, then maybe they both could have taken their father down. Now, it rested solely on his shoulders.

Thankfully his thoughts were interrupted by the nearly blinding light compared to the darkness of the tunnel before. He heard the guard shout at him, but he ignored him. Probably the one that was hitting on Kurama anyway, and in his mood he’d be tempted to hide his lifeless body else where. Other demons moved quickly out of his way, still fearful of his presence. His wet boots squeaked and thudded against the stone path, almost as loud as his own heart was in his ears. He didn’t slow his step as he neared the door, skidding into it with a loud thump. Well, that would work as a knock.

The door opened as Kuronue rubbed his shoulder, wincing at the bruise that was surely forming. Tamenai stared at him for a moment, eyes flickering with amusement. “Playing tag with the kitsune, or was that cake really too strong for your own good?” He raised himself on the tips of his toes, trying to look over his shoulder. “Where is the old bushy tailed fox anyway?”

“I left him with some friends.” At Kuronue’s flat tone, Tamenai’s eyes snapped to his face, trying to read what had happened from the stress there. “Long story... I need that power you offered me.”

Tamenai nodded, stepping back so Kuronue could enter. Whatever had happened wasn’t his business, he wouldn’t pry. “Have a seat, and I’ll start.”

Sitting obediently down in the closest chair, Kuronue watched Tamenai with some apprehension. He wanted it, but he was wary of what might happen. “What’re you going to do?”

The older man frowned in annoyance, “don’t ask stupid questions.” He knelt in front of Kuronue, reaching up to touch his temples. Pale fingers sank into dark hair, Tamenai’s eyes whitening as Kuronue watched. It was slightly unnerving. Then a shock hit him, paralyzing everything that it swept through. The world around him paled in a flash, darkening just as he was pushed into unconsciousness.

“Hey! Wake up!”

Kuronue frowned, swatting at the hand slapping his cheek. He felt dizzy and light, like he had been out drinking hours before. “Wha...” Something rather foul smelling was stuck under his nose and Kuronue jerked away from it. “Good god, what the hell is wrong with you?!”

Chuckling, Tamenai patted Kuronue’s back. “Now that’s a way to wake up. How do you feel?”

The winged demon rubbed his head. For a second he thought it was Kurama playing a joke on him. Wouldn’t be the first time he woke up to a mysterious nasty scent. Damn fox and his stupid plants... Kuronue sighed, memory fully returning to him. Kurama was with Johon, and probably very angry with him. Or worse, felt that all the things that were happening to him were more than Kuronue was worth. Rats always deserted the sinking ship before it drug them under.

Wincing, he opened his eyes. “How long was I out?”

“Ten minutes, I think. Not long at all.”

“Good.” He stood, clutching at his head. It felt like he was swimming, everything felt different around him for some reason or another. Probably a side effect, or just his senses evolving.

“You should wait another day to get used to it.”

“I don’t have a day.” If he moved now, there was less of a chance his brother would suffer. He’d just have to adapt along the way; in the beginning, there was no Kurama to guide him and he lived just fine. Now was no different.

“...What happened to Kurama?”

“He’s safe.”

“That’s all that matters, ne?” The old man’s eyes once again searched Kuronue’s face for hints of the night’s events.

Kuronue kept his expression blank, choosing not to comment. Of course that was all that mattered, but he didn’t have to go around blabbing it. Turning from him, he headed toward the door, wings flexing. They felt almost like new, they might be able to carry him the rest of the way to his father’s grounds.

“Kurama would never willingly leave your side.” The winged demon paused, hand on the doorknob. “That one’s loyalty is hard to achieve, and sometimes it appears you have it, when you aren’t even close. He stuck by your side while you healed, not even wandering out to play with those that adore his body... You have that loyalty, Kuronue.”

Opening the door, he didn’t look back. “Loyalty to me will only cause his death if he follows me right now.”

“You love him, don’t you?”

His wings twitched, but he didn’t say anything, running out into the eerily lit streets. That wasn’t something he could think about right now. He had to settle his mind at the task at hand, destroying his father. The guard waved a little as he ran past him, the tunnel’s darkness sucking him into it’s depths.

~*O*~

“Who was that, Tamenai?”

The old man turned, smiling at his companion. “Just a friend, Yoriko. Go back to bed, I’ll be there in a minute.” She returned his smile then nodded, returning to their room. The young brat and his kitsune were in trouble, and he knew it. That was life though, and he had lived far too long to know what was his business and what wasn’t. He had done all that he could to help Kuronue, but part of him knew that Kurama would pick up where he left off. Besides, he knew Kurama better than the boy did.

Closing the door and locking it, he flicked off the lights in his living room. The building’s glow lessened a little, giving less light for the old demon to pick through the living room. No, Kurama wasn’t one to be left behind, nor was he stupid. Crafty, annoyingly clever kitsune. He would find Kuronue, by any means.

~*O*~

Flying had never felt so good. Whatever Tamenai had released or built up... it helped him heal the injury that had brought him so much anguish. He was flying, and under his own control, not purely at the mercy of the wind’s currents. It was heady, the power he felt surging through him.

The rain picked up again just as he hovered over the forests that bordered his father’s lands. It was cold, but brought him out of his trance, refocusing on attaining a plan. There weren’t any secret entrances or exits into the compound, his father was too smart of a man. That left the back entrance, or the front. The servants usually used the back, but were under the watchful eye of the guards. That was where he left the last time, he was able to convince the guard through ways he didn’t care to remember to look the other way. The man was either dead, or had a vendetta against him now. No doubt he was punished for letting Kuronue get away.

Cool black marble rose above the forest, reflecting the light flashing in the sky. The windows were too small for him to land and squeeze through, the inner courtyard was too watched for him to discreetly land and sneak in. The sewers were blocked by a grate... One that was locked from the inside. Now that he knew how to pick a lock, there was more of a chance of reaching around and opening it. Not an easy task, given that he had never actually set eyes on the shape and make of the lock. He landed well before the guards should have been able to spot him in the air, trudging through the muddied forest floor. It would take a while on foot, but he could get there well before the dark was interrupted by the rising sun.

Giving a silent prayer to whatever god would listen, he hoped that Kisu would have a good hiding spot until he could find him. Or that his father wouldn’t want to kill one of the few sons he had left. Snorting, he gave up on that idea. Out of anger for Mentou’s failure, he’d take it out on someone. Kisu’s innocence, his pure beauty, it would call out to his sadistic father, making him want to mar all that he had somehow made.

While he knew it only took him a few hours, it felt like days, his new found power still singing through him. Thankfully he knew how to mask his youki enough to keep it from being detected by the patrolling guards. Apparently he was covered in muck enough that when he hit the floor as a guard unit surged across the trees, he went unnoticed.

Pulling himself up, he returned to his trudging, feet sinking deeply into the loose ground. The trees parted before him and he hovered close to one, eyes peeled to the top of the monolith before him. Guards on the ground and above patrolled the parameters. If he could time it right, he’d have enough time to run up and hide in the drain. Taking out a guard wouldn’t be necessary, thankfully. Any break in the usual routine, even a guard pissing out of turn, would alert the rest of them, and sink his chances of sneaking Kisu out without a fight.

That was what he decided on. Sneak Kisu away, then go back to fight his father. There was no way that either of them could live in peace as long as he was alive, but if he failed, both died. Kisu should be safe, at least. He already had simple directions mapped out, so Kisu could find Edane and Johon.

Every ten minutes, or so he counted. Ten minutes wasn’t long, and he knew he’d have to half use his wings to get above the ground, but stay close enough to keep from other guards spotting him. The land near the castle was tilled, clear of roots and pebbles that kept the ground firm enough to trod on even when wet with little problems.

Finally the guard passed and Kuronue jumped, using an extra kick away from the tree he had been hiding behind to help propel him forward silently. His wings swept over him, cool air made by them causing him to shiver. The tips of his wings touched the mud, making low squish sounds. He winced, hoping that the downpour would hide his noises.

After a few shaky minutes he sank to the ground, up to his knees in rain water or whatever else might be exiting the sewer at the time. He felt for the shape and size of the lock, as well as the hole he’d be inserting his tools into. It was one he was luckily familiar with, so he got out the two rods, holding them between his thumb and forefinger. They slid in easily to the lock and he reached around with his other hand, biting his tongue in concentration. The rods were separated, and he kept them as far away from each other as they would willingly go, turning them quickly. A dull clank was all that met his ears, and Kuronue’s eyebrows furrowed, giving it a harder twist. This time the locking mechanism gave way, screeching as the metal grate opened.

A light suddenly shown near him, making Kuronue’s heart stop. The ten minutes were up, and he had to hide. Gathering a quick breath he dove under the water and wings covering him protectively. Hopefully he just looked like a big lump of shit. The guards weren’t that smart, they probably would fall for it. Or maybe they just wouldn’t see him in the dark rain. After some time passed, he surfaced, ready to attack. The light was past him now, almost around the corner. He waited until it was gone, then added a few minutes on top of that. It would be a loud entry, if the initial squeak was an example. When he thought he had given it enough time, he opened the grate. It protested, but not as loudly as the first, groaning as he opened it. He ducked inside, nose wrinkling at the smell. Tunring, he shut the grate behind him, re-locking it, then tucked the pack of tools back into it’s safe pocket.

The sewer was steep and slippery, making walking there quite miserable. A few times he slipped down, boots finally catching some sort of purchase in the muck. It didn’t help that the flow of liquid, for which he had ceased calling water, was against him. If he ever got out of this alive, the first thing he was going to do was take a warm bath. Maybe lay in there for a few days.

The tunnel leveled out for the most part and he was able to crawl until he saw a new tunnel. Well, he didn’t have any clue where any of these would lead, he might as well eliminate them in order. It was tighter than the first, he had to tuck his wings close to his body to fit. Light filled the tunnel, followed by the sound of running water. At least he knew this wouldn’t lead to a toilet.

He stuck his fingers through the grate at the top and pushed, hearing a squeak from someone near by. Quickly he flung it away and put his elbows on the tiled floor, raising himself high enough to know who might alert the guards.

“Kuronue!” Kisu hissed, wings perking up a little. He’d obviously been crying, bruises were all over his body, but no bleeding. For that, Kuronue let out a sigh of relief. “Kuro... Is it really you?”

“Yeah,” he pulled himself the rest of the way out scooting under the water so he could rinse some of the mud and gunk that had covered him. It was warm, and helped the chill that felt set into his bones. “I’m sorry I’m late.”

Kisu wrapped his arms around Kurone’s leg. “Did you really do it?” Peeking up, a little bit of hope glimmered in his eyes. “Did Mentou ask you to come help me?”

Kuronue knelt, hand on top of his brother’s head. “He did.”

The boy beamed, “I knew you two could get along! Where is he, is he here in the castle? When’s he going to help us escape?”

He couldn’t keep his eyes on his brother’s happy face, so he watched the water fall into the drain. If things had been different, then yeah... maybe he could have gotten along with him. Slowly he reached to the necklace and pulled it from his neck, holding it out to Kisu.

“Why...” It sunk in and tears filled his eyes once more, spilling over his cheeks. “No.”

“I’m sorry. He hurt... someone dear to me.”

“He’s your brother, you aren’t supposed to hurt him!”

“He’s been trying to kill me!” Kuronue didn’t mean to snap, but he did, glaring at his younger brother. He instantly regretted it as Kisu sank from him, shoulders shaking as he sobbed. “Kisu...” The winged demon wrapped his arms around the younger one, kissing his hair. “I’m sorry...”

“Dad said... that he was dead...” He sniffled, holding on to him tightly. “I didn’t want to believe it... I didn’t think you would...”

“I had to.”

There was a moment of silence as his sobs slowly started to settled down. Kisu cleared his throat, trying to sound strong. “I figured... but still...”

“He went quietly... And I was there with him. We made our peace.” Pulling Kisu away, he shook him a little. “You have to be calm for this. I’m getting you out of here, and then you’re going to a friend’s home.”

His eyes widened a little, “where are you going?”

“To end this once and for all. Now go get dressed, it’s cold out there.”

“Yes, aniki.” He smiled, rising slowly. “I’ll hurry!”

“No. Take the normal amount of time. You don’t want to look suspicious.”

“Kaaay, I’ll take my time.” He pouted a little, tears still in his eyes as he turned, walking from the large shower area.

Kuronue spent the rest of the time relishing the feel of warm water running over him, relaxing muscles he didn’t know were sore from climbing and trudging through the mud. It was almost good enough to consider a bath. Except he had to keep all his senses peeled for any one that might happen to see him. His dream bath will have no interruptions. Maybe a kitsune, but nothing other than that.

Kurama, in a tub with him... That might get him in trouble. He tried to force his mind away from that, before his mind trailed off and was distracted. It would be nice though. With those damn skilled hands washing him slowly... Kuronue shook his head, frowning. Again, not a good thought to be thinking while trying to stay alert.

Shortly after, Kisu returned grinning ear to ear when he saw that his brother was still there. “How’re we leaving?” He whispered, looking around.

“The way I came.” Kuronue knelt in front of the drain, back to the door. “Come on, I’ll help you get down there.”

“I’m thinner than you. I can fit.” Kisu walked carefully to the drain. “Is it really gross down there?”

“Yeah, a little. Now go.”

His brother sat down and wrapped his wings tightly around him, putting one leg slowly into the drain. “...It’s dark.”

“Is the dark and possible rat scarier than dad?”

Kisu shook his head, peering down the drain. “Not at all.”

A hand latched onto the back of Kuronue’s neck, nails digging in. “Really? I’m hurt that my own son would think that.” The voice in his ear sent chills down his spine. At the sound of it, he was that little boy again; too weak to fight back, too well trained to even think of raising a hand to him.

“Kisu... GO.” He growled out, thankful that it sounded more sure than he felt. The boy’s eyes were terrified, to lost in the look his father gave him to move. “Dammit...”

“He would have been caught anyway, stupid.” Itsukai brushed his lips over Kuronue’s ear. “I’m so glad you’ve come back to me, favorite of mine that you are...”