Kurama ran down the corridor of another keep and turned towards the right, ignoring the left side. He knew the way, recalled the correct route from his past life, and jogged onwards. A small weight, a sack, bumped against his thigh. His mind pulled up the image of a single ornate bracelet. Gold and sliver braids, touched with diamond dust, wrapped around a single red gem, which boiled with demonic energy. It was a personal acquisition. However, before Kurama could recall more about the item, Youko's presence pushed him around the corner. Kurama, now the observer, watched as Youko pressed a brick into the wall and disappeared up the revealed secret passage. Kurama followed.
The din of guards sounding the alarm buzzed in their ears as they entered another corridor, this time on the ground level, Kurama realized. Before long, a handful of figures appeared from the adjoining passageways.
The thieves paused, looking at each other, and then Youko spun around. As the whistles drew closer, he smiled. Kurama chuckled as the wave of pleasure from a close chase merged within himself and let his past self lead. The untrained sprints of a few of the recruits thudded in his ears, a sound that could spell doom for another group; however, it would do nothing of the sort for him.
Ducking a trellis of white trumpet vine, the foxes emerged in a twilight courtyard. Behind them, the thieves spread out. Keen ears picked up the creaking of the portcullis inching downwards on other side of the courtyard doors. Youko's presence left.
"Split up," Kurama yelled, taking up the role. "Those who are quick on their feet use the main road. The rest, climb the walls." He whirled around and pointed at smaller side doors. "Take the treasure and return to the rendezvous point. I will be there after I deal with the guards." As he knew they would, the thieves scattered. No one stayed behind.
Youko flowed over him and Kurama opened his mind to memory once again. A sensation like rippling water overcame his eyes and mind, shutting out the next few moments.
When Kurama opened his eyes, he chuckled at the half circle around himself. Youko's thoughts spilled in.
The fox thief chuckled, deeper in this throat, at the few smirks of confidence around him. Really, Youko's voice purred in their mind, they thought a dozen men would be enough to capture me? Just as Kurama had noticed a few telltale cuts from his whip across the faces of a couple guards, sudden sheer fury cut Kurama's self off.
The first guards charged.
Youko Kurama plunged his youki into the potent soil around himself, weaving the natural health into a torrent of demonic energy, and leapt into the air. A sword rang out into the empty space, just as the ground erupted. Blood saturated the air. Behind, Youko tilted his head at the mutated plant conjured. A gaping maw of long teeth dripped poison. Rising higher on its crimson stalk, it swayed in time with the terrified heartbeats of the enemies. Youko smirked, eyes gleaming.
A drop slid down Kurama's neck as he recognized the death tree.
Youko Kurama swung his arm down and the plant surged forward, snapping at the nearest demon. The second head latched onto the arm. Blood cascading over the garden, Youko tossed his head back and laughed as low-level demons scurried away. Pools of poison hissed near the harmless ponds.
The slaughter continued.
A tendril coated in the blood of his twitching victims slithered over Youko's free hand, leaving a thick trail of crimson over his beautiful skin. Slowly, wrathful demon brought a hand up and licked, eyes shimmering gold. He met Kurama's narrowed ones.
A single thought leapt between them. "Now you know." As Kurama's mind faded from the dream, distinct disdain echoed into his waking thoughts.
. . . . . . . . . .
