[On the outside of the foxes’ layer some-way up the mountain, Kurama stands leaning on a ledge and overlooks the surrounding area. The soft light of a full Demon World moon illuminates his gentle face. A slight breeze plays with his hair. While he ponders, Yokira slips out of a burrow from behind.]
Kurama: [without turning] Yes Yokira?
Yokira: Dear brother. You have become such an enigma. You haven’t even tried to spend time with us. In fact, it seems like you strive to avoid any interaction with us whatsoever.
Kurama: I do not enjoy the feelings of inadequacy the others impose on me.
Yokira: [sigh] I know the others can get a bit carried away with their teasing, but they are glad to see you back…and they would be happier to see your old self. Why won’t you change back? Even just for one day?
Kurama: I made a choice, one that I cannot go back on. That life was a lie for me. In following the path of Suichi, I am true to myself…who I really am.
Yokira: That life is so weak, how can you accept that above our family bond? Is our family no more than a lie to you?
Kurama: Yokira, I wish you could know the happiness I have found in the Human World; and the true meaning of a family.
[A moments pause. Yokira walks up beside Kurama and leans on the ledge.]
Yokira: Another Demon World night fast approaches, dear brother. You are not nearly as nocturnal as before.
Kurama: I hope this will be my last night with you. [turns away from Yokira]
Yokira: Come now, didn’t we find ‘happiness’ before? [embraces Kurama from behind, setting chin on his neck] Hmmm?
Kurama: [turns face away from hers] Stop.
Yokira: [slight hypnotic musical tone] Why? [runs hands up to Kurama’s shoulders] Afraid to find out that what you have deemed a lie to be true? [gently massaging Kurama’s shoulders] Remember when we were young? [massaging down Kurama’s arms] When we would pretend to run away [crosses arms to embrace again] and spend a night just like this away from the pack? [holds on to Kurama’s wrist] And the games we played? [pulls Kurama in tighter and drops backwards to lie against the mountainside] Running around spreading “Seed and Soil” or[uses leg move Kurama’s leg so tail drapes up and tickles Kurama’s chin] where we would play with each others tails in our spirit fox forms? [caresses Kurama’s chin] Sleep dear brother, and remember. [thumb passes over Kurama’s drooping eyes] The desires and dreams we shared. [whispers into Kurama’s ear] Remember… [dirt envelopes them as a blanket] and come back… [barely audible] A Spirit Fox you were made, and a Spirit Fox you will sprout as… my little seed.
* * *
[Members of Zerka are gathered outside in the night. Scattered tables are laden with demon food and drink. A spit with an unidentified hunk of meat is rotating over the immense central bonfire. Eyes are intent on Zerk conducting the ceremony. The new members are in a line as one by one Zerk shakes their left hand and brandishes their wrist with a hot metal stamp with the union’s emblem. Ehay quietly accepts as he intently gazes into Zerk’s eyes. Sukeyuay pulls a face from refraining from screaming due to the massive concentrated pain. Having gone through the line, Zerk faces the multitude with arms in the air.]
Zerk: We welcome these 13 new, strong, and talented members into our fold! Now is the time to rejoice my brothers! Eat, drink, and be merry!
[Music strikes up as the festivities commence. Eating, shoving, and laughter are occurring everywhere. At one of the tables, a blue hand reaches over from underneath and feels around the table top. Teen Koenma and Botan hide with George under the table while he feels for some food.]
George: I really think we should be worrying about this Zerka stuff more than our stomachs, Koenma sir. [finds a dish and pulls it under the table]
Teen Koenma: You heard the boss guy; it’s time to party! [starts to dig in to the demon food] There wouldn’t be a punch bowl above us to go with this would there?
* * *
[Kurama wakes up and pushes the dirt blanket off of him. He looks back at Yokira in the mound.]
Kurama: I am sorry, sister. I hope you understand.
[Kurama goes back into the den. A shadow appears from behind him and materializes into Remayolo.]
Remayolo: Where are you off to this time runt?
Kurama: [without turning] The week is soon over, I am going home.
Remayolo: What a hasty assumption you have made. We haven’t passed to you our verdict yet.
Kurama: Surely none of us have enjoyed this last week.
Remayolo: But you haven’t left us desiring to run you out tail between your legs again either. Your dear little mother’s life isn’t guaranteed if you leave prematurely.
Kurama: Then talk it over with the rest of the pack and let me go.
Remayolo: I already did; ask any of them if you doubt me. Our decision is unanimous. We’re letting you spend the rest of the month with us. This time we hope to see a lot more of you.
[Kurama turns astounded to see a smug and content Remayolo.]
* * *
[Frivolity still rages on at the Zerka party. Sukeyuay takes a big swig of juice and throws an arm over Risho.]
Sukeyuay: Come on buddy! You can tell me, what is it that you got from ol’ Draconta?
Risho: If the right time comes then you will find out.
Sukeyuay: But what if the time doesn’t come? Come on. If you let me in on your little secret, I’ll let you in on a secret about me and Ehay.
Ehay: [hits Sukeyuay on the noggin and pulls him away] Fool! Don’t give us away.
Sukeyuay: But I’m really curious about what’s so special that Risho thinks he’s got.
[Teen Koenma, Botan, and George crouch under their table with discomforted looks on their faces, holding their stomachs.]
George: See Koenma sir? I told you we shouldn’t have been eating.
Teen Koenma: Don’t be such a numbskull! This is your fault for feeding me rotten food!
Botan: Uh. Demons may be able to make food look good, and even taste good at first, but I don’t think it’s worth the indigestion!
Teen Koenma: Ogre! Check the table again to see if there’s any medicine!
[George lifts the table cloth to search the table top again, but before extending his hand a tight skirt with a train that resembles a fishtail with a pair of dainty feet walk up beside the table. Camera scrolls up to show the feet belong to the mermaid from before.]
Mermaid: [to Sukeyuay and Ehay] Well hello boys.
Sukeyuay: Hey, ain’t you that one freaky fish chick from before?
Mermaid: Sorry, [lifts left arm to show the Zerka mark] I was just doing my job then.
Ehay: I thought this was a “brotherhood” it seems pretty fishy to have a female member.
Mermaid: There is no law against me joining; I had to go through initiation just like you.
Sukeyuay: Oh really? And what did you get from the dragon?
Mermaid: [eyes shimmer] There is no law that says I have to tell. [walks past but whispers into Sukeyuay’s ear] But seeing as what I know…you can cash that rain check of yours if you meet me at the lagoon at dusk tomorrow…alone. [walks off]
Sukeyuay: [obnoxiously loud] Sure baby! I’ll be there.
Ehay: What are you mumbling about?
Sukeyuay: Wouldn’t you like to know? [bumps into another demon] Ow! Hey! Watch where you’re going.
Gavarian: Who should watch who? [turns around] What do you know? It’s my little pal.
Sukeyuay: Oh Gav-ey! Sorry about that, Ehay here pushed me. So we all good now?
Gavarian: [grabs Sukeyuay’s hand and shakes it fervently] Sure we are. We’re all brothers here. Next time you can sit up with me. [holds and spins a punch bowl in the air]
Sukeyuay: Loved to pal!
[Gavarian “spills” the aviated punch bowl onto Sukeyuay then drops the bowl onto his head.]
Gavarain: Whoops! [sarcastically] Sorry pal. [laughs]
Sukeyuay: [tipping bowl back like a hat] S’okay. We’re all brothers now. [joins laughter]
* * *
[Back on the ledge where Yokira is sleeping, Kurama emerges and falls upon the ledge, panting. Still heaving, he lays his face into his left arm and pounds the ledge with his right fist. His muffled noises of exasperation cause Yokira to stir and wake up. She sits up from her mound of dirt.]
Yokira: Brother? What is wrong?
Kurama: [raises head, takes a deep breath, faces Yokira] Everyone wants me to stay for the month.
Yokira: Does that surprise you? We are waiting for you to show your Yoko side. Don’t tell me you’re sore from losing our little bet.
Kurama: Then even you wish me to stay? Even with the anguish it puts me in?
Yokira: [rises] Those pitiful eyes would make the devil feel sorry for you. [dusts self off] But my desire to be with you is stronger than that. Even if you could get me to change my mind, I am only one, the others would still have me outvoted.
Kurama: [turns away] So even you won’t let me go home.
Yokira: If you still feel like this come the month’s end, then I’ll refrain from pestering you again. But we haven’t seen that happen yet. Come, be a spirit fox with us again, and see if your will is still as stubborn and strong.
Kurama: I won’t let your tactics work on me anymore.
Yokira: True, you have withstood my gentle persuasions. But my desire is too strong to give up here. You leave me little choice; still I hate to revert to this.
Kurama: It won’t work. You have no power over me.
Yokira: I know of a sweet someone who is in a delicate and frail position while you are here with us. Now do you think the others would be as lenient as I with the knowledge of your precious pregnant partner?
Kurama: [surprised then demanding] Yokira! You wouldn’t!
Yokira: Don’t act so surprised, I told you I would keep an eye on you. I saw you grieve to confront that little wife of yours. I saw you two work out your departure. And I saw her cry when you left…oh did she cry! [lifts Kurama’s chin] Surely you must miss her as much. It would be a shame to never see her again.
Kurama: Leave her out of this. Midori never did anything to any of you.
Yokira: She gives you an attachment to the Human World that separates you from us.
Kurama: Stubborn as ever. What are the exact demands of your bribe?
Yokira: I want my brother back. I want Yoko Kurama.
