Gradual Complications
Known by many, if not by all was the deadly youth spouting from the contours of his territory followed by dozens of his best devotees. A mere twenty four summers of maturity was evident in the chiseled features craved on his rouge face. In the terms of demonic growth, this placed the platinum marauder in the league of peeking adulthood. The sparse experiences of various adventures have graced him the agility of others ten times his age and the wisdom of ancient seniority.
After endless calculated tactics and countless achievements of burglarizing the most tightened thresholds with little to no effort, this rewarded the Youko demon the title '
King of Thieves', 'The Nightly Marauder', 'The Star Lit Devil' or
'Legendary Bandit'. Although these were very generous alias, he rarely acknowledged.
Rumors of his cold methods were forever exaggerated lies woven finely in the treads of falsehoods. Such ridiculous whispers included sayings of how the charred skeletons of once reigning kingdoms, now lie hollowed of their hidden treasures because of unexplained circumstances leading to their chaotic destructions. Many believe that the young Youko snuck his crew within the ways and set the walls ablaze with his lies until the people within destroyed one another. In other words, the hellish work was done without his own hands being soiled with participation.
Other insane rumors included overly dramatic descriptions of his unseen ventures entering the sacred underworlds where many thought were the reasons behind his flawless, success. However that bit of gossip was quickly declined any truths since most say that even the devil himself has been robbed by this demon's clever antics.
The list of brazen completions will always travel along the vines of his reputation and with each troubling renewal brought the heightened value for his head. Kings, nobles, various royalties and high rankers who've suffered the experience of this vain demon all offer large amounts of wealth for his tail mounted on a wall. Dead or alive.
A rather stupid move that resulted in the accomplished robbery right under the rewarder's nose. And now, all of the supposed treasures to be given to the successful hunter were clasped under the arms of several escaping thieves.
Ah yes, this was the sadistic moment the sprinting youths have been waiting for . . .
From every successful raid came the earned applauding yells of enraged guards failing their nightly duty. The rapidity of several silk clad devils hurtled through the waves of flinging arrows and fiery spiked spheres raining with the intentions of sudden death. The sprinting group's laughter rung out from every dodge and bound, some vaulting their own assaults while others opted to taunt their foes with robust amusement.
From the front of the band, was the leading source of the lunatic chaos causing the winds to be filled with shouts of damnation and hellish punishment to his name. "Hm." He smiled at every blistering noun singing the musical melody of sensual loveliness he endeared so. The gaze of a hazel eye spied through cascading silver hair and a smirk of satisfaction reigned supreme in his expression. The sight of all his men living another glorious invasion proved their talents were Improving and soon would need to be put to the best for even greater treasures and harden trivia.
"Damn you Yoko!" Came the disgruntled cries of the hundred soldiers chasing in vain.
"The cries of failure do you justice my friends. Be sure to tell your king I appreciate his participation. Until next time gentlemen." And with that taunt spoke smartly, Yoko spoke a quick "Let's Go!" And their speeds tripled to an incredible pace that none of the pursuing guards could stay with.
The chase comes to a futile end as the dusted clouds of victory, puffed in a snowy white cloud that leaves the guards upset, pissed, and disorientated from the whole event. It happened so quickly they're all left to wonder where and when it went wrong…
Fifteen Minutes Earlier… "Here you are sir," The toss of a lifeless pale body flopped to the dusted ground, powdering the satisfied glint of the royal nobles ego.
A glimmer glow of dark onyx eyes, started evenly over the crumbled carcass. To see the source of his yearly worries finally brought before him in a heap of tangled, dingy silver and mangled limbs created the picture perfect trophy. Here lying at the tips of his boots was none other than that fiendish creature Yoko Kurama himself. The very same devil who's embarrassingly doped him for his treasures on countless occasions through his cunning speeches for future partnerships.
"Disgusting savage," The towering ruler spat, like a wavering spill of vinegarish spillage on his tongue. For a brief moment all he could do was stare at the spawned spread of damaged limbs, bloodied from a possible struggle and the stream of platinum splashed over the creature's dirt smudged face. Yes the very same face that cruelly smirked at him after every single escape from his clutches….
But now. . .
Victory was blessed in his favor. Gods how the king longed to see this brat's torturous demise and fortune was against him that he hadn't witnessed his painful death for himself. But seeing the evidence of his enemy's obvious agony would suffice just the same. "How was it done?" He questioned to the hired assassin.
The youthful flow of two jet black hair, matched the wavering sway of his shoulder length tresses as he twitched a casual shrug, a cocky smile on his thin lips. "The idiot was too trusting." The clad of his deer skinned boot, slamming the flat pad against his victim's back. "He believed talk of being made into one of your treasure guards and thought I could help him with the deal." The color of his inky orbs calmly flickered to the ground before basting his gaze to his employer. "Now that you have your prey, I believe there's a deal needing to be settled."
"Ah yes," With one snap of his high priced fingers, several of the king's strongest men came forth, each carrying a large golden chest on each shoulder. The sensual tunes of clinging jewels, gold, diamonds, rubies and every other enticing value all sung heavenly in the handsome assassin's stretched ears, sending a tingling pulse.
"As agreed."
The sizable red and gold rimmed chests were dumped at the killer's feet in a glittering shine brighter than the sun's rays. He chuckled at the winking jewels, ranging from blood shot ruby to the clear polished glitz of dazzling sapphire. "Well, well, well," Came his impressed opinion as his right knee touched down before the pile of valuables. His tanned hand reached out to examine one of the diamonds, holding it up against the fading moonlight. "Quite impressive collection. I guess the sayings '
the thicker the diamond the sweeter the shine' isn't just an old folk's tale," The diamond's clear interior sparkled a reflecting spotlight off the corner of the dead man's head. "I'd say his death was well worth the profit."
"Tsk only you would be impressed with mere trinkets," Boasted the king. "These merger pieces are but a small bit of my wealth."
"Hmm do tell," Urged the goat demon, still entranced by the jewel's beauty. "I'd love to hear more."
"Come now, a king does not brag his worth to those of lower class."
The expert murderer sighed dramatically, returning the diamond to its rightful place amongst the other treasures. "Forgive my brass question your highness. I'd assumed that a mighty ruler such as you would grace the ears of a lowly bandit with wonders he'll never experience in this lifetime."
"Hn, I suppose speaking of the tip of my wealth couldn't harm much." Besides it wasn't as if he had much to fear. This young man was far from the threatening kill he'd heard so much about in the rumors.
"Would that be wise my king?" Inquired of the soldiers.
"Be silent you fool. If I wish to par take in simple boastings I shall."
"Yes sire."
"Now little man, lend me your ears as I tell you of my lovely treasures."
"Of course sir," The young killer bowed respectfully before squatting down comfortably on the ground, a small vindictive smile on his face as he listened to the foolish brags of an inattentive monarch detailing lies of his small kingdom's values.
Yomi was no fool. This trusting king had no idea what sort of character his hired helper really was. The honest remains of this idiot king's belongings left little to be desired. What small portions of money left in his treasury, were just enough to keep his tiny territory afloat from poverty. Yet here he was going on and on about hidden secrets and costless heirlooms that could amount to the dirt on the bandit's shoes. Lies, lies, and more lies were dribbled continuously and still the king didn't notice a thing.
Not a single bloody thing.
And what was probably just as amusing as listening to this demon's falsities was Yomi's discreet gestures motioned occasionally with his right ear and left hand.
Common up and downward flickers of his large ears could easily be explained for the insects buzzing about on their nightly routines. The steady taps of his index and middle fingers could be confused with a teenager's need for occupying his attention away from the king's stories. Tap, tap, tip, tip, tap, tip, flicker, flicker, twitch, flicker, tap flicker, twitch, twitch, tap.
So blissfully naïve these fools were. No other within Yomi's company could detect a sense of falsehood because of his boyish like charms and plastered expression of loyalty to his contractor. His eyes stayed focus, never altering to any manipulative movement of the earth leaching bits and handfuls of his reward into its grassy grasp. Yomi kept everyone's attention with his quizzing curiosities, asked interpretations of what a certain something meant and even entertained the crowd with a few jokes. All of which to work in his favor, keeping all eyes trained on him until the signal of a tiny leaf brush his horn.
Looks like it's time. "Well gentleman I hate to end our pleasant evening but I must return to more oppressing matters."
"Of course, of course." The king stepped around his prize, to reach out and shake Yomi's hand. "Be sure to keep in touch should I be in need of your services again."
"Yes sir. Oh and sir?"
"Yes?"
Yomi lips tiled the tiniest fraction as he yanked the man to his side and whispered in his ear, "You might want to watch who you trust." Before another breath was drawn the screams of a dozen soldiers littered the area, followed by the tumbling thuds of dropping bodies. Yomi back flipped out of range, pulling his sword from underneath his tunic and done away with two guards, slicing each in the throat.
"What the hell?" The king shouted glancing wildly at the sudden activity taking place around him. Chaotic calamity took over the small meet, twisting its once harmonic quietness into the howling cries of death and injuries. Ten of his men were in combat with strangely clad tall youths wearing pale clothing similar to that Youko thief… Oh no. The ruler whipped around to see the hills of rewarded golds and jewels were missing and, "By the Gods above," so was the body of his trophy.
That devil was alive! It was a trap. A damned trap and he'd fallen for it again!
In that instant—to his shrieking horror—the feel of cool metal curved around his throat accompanied with the voice of only one who could turn his veins cold. "You should know better than that my King," Said the sensual whisper of the raspy devil, next to the arch of the king's ear. "Someone capturing Yoko Kurama so easily should've stirred some alarms. You know a fox isn't this easy to catch."
"D-damn you, Y-yoko," Beads of anxiety pearled on the king's brow and the rolls of his neck as the press of the blade edged deeper into his neck. "What do you want?"
"A simple demand." Yoko looped his arm around the king's waist to snatch the bundle of golds stashed in a brown pouch and pocketed the few coins there. "Call off your men for thirty seconds," Came his order as he eased them both to the rims of the thick scrubs, out of sight of the chaotic commotion. "By then I want you to keep them busy with whatever nonsense for another twenty. That'll give you ten seconds to give chase."
"And if I refuse—gah!" The dagger pierced through the skin a little too close for comfort. "Ok, ok whatever you ask."
"Hm, you'll be wise to do so." Seconds later the refined edge vanished just as clean as the wind's air, he was done; leaving the king ashamed, embarrassed and at the mercy of the Youko thief's biddings.
Again.
Currently… The frosted forest was cleansed of any further audible cheers or thrilled laughters from the retreating marauders as the subtle echoes of their deer skin moccasins capture the crispy snowflakes. Some traveled within the comforts of the tree tops while others remained in the shrouded blankets of the pale underbrush, blending with the silken flaps of their tunic robes. Curt smiles and cocky smirks of the gratified men mirrored off the other occasional, each discreetly displaying their bounty laced on their backs or tucked safely under their armpits.
One particular raven haired sprinter of the group sped up his pace enough to match the darting stride of his leader. "Hey not bad for a tenth attempt," Yomi voiced, unraveled by the acceleration. "You'd think he learned after the second time."
Low bushes were leapt over easily as Yoko landed, still keeping the run steady. "He's becoming too easy. We're only getting his naivety from his losses instead of gaining the thrill of a challenge." No, the king wouldn't be targeted again. To be so foolish as to be caught ten straight times this whole year only establishes that the excitable influence he once held has diminished. Nothing good could come from the obvious victories they accomplished when it was too predictable in the very beginning. If nothing else, the adrenaline rush achieved from each attempt should be enough to pump their blood to near cardiac arrest. If there's no dangerous stimulation from the situation, the satisfaction wasn't electrified.
"You're worrying again." Yomi's amusement broke through the fogged disappointment of his guide. "You keep that up and you'll get bored with every heist."
"No thrill, no experience." Yoko deadpanned. "The band won't learn with the tasks being easy. These challenges are proving less complicated."
"That's to be expected," Yomi snorted leaping over a boulder. "We're the most famous bandits out there. Everything's bound to become easier overtime."
And that's the eye of the hurricane, boiling inside Yoko's mind. His objective from the very beginning was to inherit every difficult resolution from each confrontation as a key for any future quests. But for so far he's failed to gain the once overbearing flood of delicious electricity that'd burn his heart neat to near moments of whether he'd come out alive. The sizzling reckless rush was gradually losing its spark . . . and by the name of the Great One above, he was desperate to gain it back.
The settled flashes of flickered amber teased the hues of hazel iris in brief determination and urgency; an expression Yomi has witnessed time and time again from his leader, partner and friend. "Hm, a thrill seeker to the very end." For as long as he soared the endless sea of excitement with his ally, came the learned experiences of reading some of Yoko's aspects. Though not even Yomi could interpret every single expression of his leader.
Like the one that suddenly curled the fox demon's lips into a crude smile. The rapid change from bitter stoic to fiendish sneer stunned the goat youth enough to stumble off balance, but still keep his pace— Yoko bounced off into a nearby tree. "What the hell?" Came his murmured confusion watching the silver bandit , hurdle from branch to branch snatching random twigs, ripping leaf blades and scratching bits of bark—all in one or two swipes of his claws and tucking his spoils in the sleeves of his robe. Despite the Youko's reputed speed tearing through the sheets of the tree tops, Yomi was still able to maintain near perfect alignment watching every strange steal from the plant life. A look of 'what in the world' blinked in Yomi's onyx eyes until he almost bypassed the renegade.
Yoko catapulted from the limb, landing breezily in sync to Yomi's run who questioned suspiciously, "Wanna run that random insanity by me?"
Yoko hunched his bag over one shoulder while concealing his last gather item. "Nothing you needn't concern yourself with."
"Yeah but when
the leader starts jumping into trees like a savage monkey somebody's gotta worry."
Hours later after the full blown run from their previous destination to the next tell-tell signs of their home base slowly took some sort of oddly discreet growth in the surrounding environment. Blooms not native to this part of the territories flashed their vibrate colors to the arriving thieves in alluring shapes of crystal sapphire to snow drop white. Each petal secretly swayed against unseen winds whispering the directions to a valley only their eyes would witness, through the forests thickening maze.
Before long the towering walls of braided vines and interwoven thorns sparkling with the deadly beauty of white and red roses. To those with the lacking the gift knowledge, the so called barrier may have appeared as merely a glorious display of ravishing decorations but if one's youki were not recognized, the sheets of every petal would release a yellow hazardous smug dangerously similar to the very venoms of a Mikokomi Cobra.
With Yoko being the only source to demand entry, he was the first to step forward, pressing his bear palm against the spiked barbs. The sizzled poisons of warning burned through his hand until the recognition of their master's youki feed into their roots. "What is done unto you, thou shall not do unto thee." Yoko's voice purred harmonically into the plants' spiritual understanding and gradually the bonded twigs, braided vines and tangled branches began to divide. Shifts, crackles and hummed gestures motioned for the thieves to move quickly into their hidden valley before the wall returned to its protective instinct.
Every demon that came through the wall couldn't help the everlasting amazement of being kept in such a well confined base. The very sight of the enlarged valley always surged a tingle of pride in their chests, gazing around at the wide open spaces, encased in a large surrounding wall of loveliness. In the dead heart of the spacious landscaping was the monstrous fortress constructed by the world's own hands, which destiny had luckily bestowed them. Their own grotto mountain humbly tilted by Yomi,
'A Bandit's Resort.' The mountain possessed more than enough caves to house every single one of them two times over with hidden compartments littered here and there. Personally made by a few of themselves.
The smirk of egotism could even be seen on Yoko's lips as he gazed over the large structure where some of his men stayed while he and a few others had gone out on their latest venture.
After the final sealing's were tightened and secured, the many men were able to relieve the pent up excitement and boldly cheer their scandalous successes. Bags and bundles were poured between them all in a building pile of polished golds, gorgeous diamonds, cleaned jewelry and spit shine valuables. Hearing the grunted shouts of excitement brought forth the rest of the pack members, bounding down from their cliff caverns to see what their brothel had gained this time.
One in particular demon casually fluttered down from the edge of his cave with the flaps of his inky black wings, landing as silent as an even swish of his dark clothing. Deep eyes of mischievous cobalt twinkled at the glitters of heaping bounty pouring in the center of the front entry. The tilted slide of his shaggy black hat allowed only one visible orb to settle on two demons in particular stepping from the rumbling celebration. "An obvious success I'd say," Spoke the husky voiced Chimera to Yoko and Yomi. "Must've been another easy catch." He crossed his arms across his rag black vest, nodding his chin at the spoils.
"You better believe it," Yomi slung his packaged share on the ground, letting its pour around their feet. "I'd say we did a hell of a job on this round."
Kuronue kneeled down to blanket his hand in the cold metallic goodies, letting the colorful earnings slip through his fingers. "Hell a job well done." He stood. "You guys didn't need my help after all."
"Nah," Yomi waved off laughing, gesturing between him and Yoko. "I told ya we could handle it. Besides the extra hands would've been pointless with—" When he turned to offer praise of the fox demon's scheme, he noticed the Youko's head was inclined backwards causing his hair to nearly brush his tail.
Yomi and Kuronue glanced up as well, simultaneously knowing who it was to have their friend's attention like this.
Hazel caramel calmly met with cooled mint. Nothing of any sort was known to avert the mental clash of inner understanding glinted between the separate hues of cold and frost. For a moment there was nothing more than a docile twink from the one above them all, not once wavering from the intimidating stare. No smile, no gestured wave of gleeful arrival, or even a greeted nod. Just the daring gaze that could go on for ages, secretly speaking volumes of an obvious connection.
After the genuinely endless continuum of eye contract, the matching pair of clear emerald disappeared from view. Yoko narrowed his eyes for the longest moment before the slight bend of his knees propelled him in one fluid shot up to the very top cliff side, where he too disappeared from view.
When the fluff of silver vanished, Kuronue shrugged. "The rabbit flees, so the fox must give chase. They do that stare thing every single time."
Barely offering a verbal response the briefest twist of instant disdain curl was missed by Kuronue as Yomi turned on his heel and left. Not a single word could be spoken nor would he even fathom the pure acidic disgust that brazenly tormented his mind about what just occurred.
With the liquidified grace rivaling any slick feline and the devilish glaze of possession glossed over the dark hazel eyes, Yoko casually followed in after the human into the inners of his cavern. The bag of trinkets slapped the stony ground, as he inquired routinely, "You've fared well?"
"Indeed I have." Kurama replied, his back still toward the other. "My days have been predictable as always."
"Hm," Yoko stepped inside fully, one snap of his fingers commanding the entry of his cave to be blocked from every visual point. "Is that your way of saying you want excitement?"
"By excitement are you referring to adventure," Kurama's placid voice hinted a small hitch when lengthy digits wove around his neck, teasing the undergrowth of his hair. "Or are you defining it with your own sort of excitement?"
Yoko encircled his arms around the human's shoulder blades, placing his chin on the plush of scarlet tresses. "Whichever you prefer would suffice."
"You spoil me."
"As you do me, however..." Yoko tightened his embrace, slamming the human's back to his chest, as he buried his nose in the other's neck, inhaling his scent like a tantalizing drug.
Kurama didn't flinch nor motion any sort of movement as Yoko openly sniffed the guilty odors of foreigners over his body. His pointed nose, pressed in deeply into the soft flesh, inhaling heavily. The smells of others who'd dared to touch him when only the Youko was to be granted such pleasures, were clearly evident.
"Deceit cloaks your very soul Shuichi," Yoko rasped evenly. "I know I needn't be concerned with infidelity." A faint lick eased over the pinking days-old cut. "I want to know who it was that touched you so intimately."
"Intimate contact wasn't intentional Yoko."
Pointed claws attentively began to comb through the red hair. "That doesn't answer my question."
Kurama smiled a small tilt. "Whatever I say, will you believe me?"
"That remains to be seen," The claws traveled seductively through the forest of bloody softness, gently curving around the slender neck, and finally reaching its goal of undoing the buttoned collar. "Shuichi tell me," Yoko's hand dipped inside, softly palming sections of flesh. "Why is there another's scent on you?"
Kurama hummed softly leading into the broad chested support. "Will you seduce me for answers?"
"If need be."
"You should know me better," Though the human was still inclining his back in a sensual arch. "Seduction will gain you nothing from me." But it best he not delay his explanation before—
"Eeep."
Faster than Kurama's eyes could catch, Yoko bared his sharpen fangs and shot toward the corner of the cave, claws erect to slash whatever dared to invade his home. Crackles of his knuckles ejected his claw length to deadly daggers and a flick of his wrist had his hand ramming deep into the rough rock surface. . .
. . . His aim was deterred.
Yoko stood looming in the dark corner, his eyes luring a blistering crimson as his eyes settled on the small child cradled in Kurama's arms. Taking a deep breathe, the Youko demon stepped forward, his eyes glided toward the trail of blood soaking the sleeve of Kurama's arm. Yoko grabbed the injured limb, slitting his claw through the cloth, all the while maintaining full eye to eye contract with the chilled sage defiantly meeting his gaze. The cloth was pushed back and the violent gash was lifted to his lips and a vulpine wet stroke slid over the lightening infliction.
Kurama didn't move, nor acknowledge the animalistic apology. The only silent communication was relayed between their eyes. One seeping with a blazing green defiance and the other laced with exerting caramel dominance. But when the hazel gaze briefly shifted to the quivering creature, the tighten possession of Kurama's arm had Yoko standing straight, towering his full seven feet over the shorter being, keeping his grip firmly around the bleeding arm.
"I believe," His eyes narrowed. "An explanation is in order, Shuichi."
TBC: Cha, cha and there will be more to come next chapter. Just keep that in mind. But this chapter raises questions doesn't it ^_^
