It was night. Once again, Kenshin and his master were out training. Feeling extremely bored, Kurama decided to play around with the master's collection of medicinal plants. Mist swirled around his little fox form and dissipated to reveal Youko Kurama. In his youko form, Kurama was the definition of beauty, his golden eyes a stark contrast from the silver hair falling past his waist, his furry ears and bushy tail only served to accentuate his feline charm. Seemingly a creature of the night, in tune with the music of the night, moonlight glinted off the silken strands of his hair. With a slight toss of his hair, he strode over to where the plants were being kept and busied himself replenishing the diminishing stock.
Hiko watched in silence as the youko picked up a plant, examined it, then reached into his silvery mane and pulled out several seeds. His palm glowed with a faint red light and the seeds resting on his palm starting growing at an alarming rate. The youko then replaced the original plant he had picked up, together with the new batch he had grown. It would appear the youko meant no harm, still, one could never be too sure.
In a flash, Kurama found a katana at his throat. It was the master. Kurama had been so engrossed in what he was doing, he did not realise he had been seen. Had it been any one of his horde of enemies, he would have been six foot under the ground by now. He silently berated himself for his carelessness. He remained completely still, having seen first-hand how much damage the katana's blade could deliver. He could summon some plants... but this was his benefactor. Once again, Youko Kurama asked himself, why did he care so much for these humans. The inferior creatures they be, leading worthless lives, desecrating the very land itself by their mere existence, plundering the beauty and richness of nature.
"Who are you?" The master's voice was low, dangerous, yet...somewhat entrancing, the promise of pain beneath the simple words was all too evident. The blade pressed a little closer to his neck, drawing a thin line of blood. Kurama snapped to attention, fixing the master with a cold glare from his golden eyes. The master seemed unfazed. After a bout of glaring he finally replied.
"Kurama. Youko Kurama." He stated calmly. "And I'd appreciate it if you remove your katana."
The ghost of a smile touched the master's eyes. He lowered his katana. "I don't suppose you are in any way related to a certain silver fox named 'Kitsune'?"
"As a matter of fact...I am Kitsune."
"Figures. The silver hair and fur is a dead giveaway. I hadn't realised that youkos really exist. Care to explain yourself?"
"I suppose it's only right. For a person who's centuries younger than me, you sure don't act your age."
"I'm young at heart."
"What I meant was you act a lot older."
"I see," the master said grimly.
"Yes, about myself. I'm Youko Kurama. Not Kitsune."
"Try telling that to Kenshin."
Kurama flashed him a pained smile, then continued, "I was griveously injured in a fight, I had to revert to my fox form in a desperate attempt to save my life. Kenshin found me and brought me here where I received the medical care, food and shelter I needed. Therefore, I decided to stick around till I was completely healed. In repayment for what you have done for me, I decided to restock your supply of medicinal plants."
"The plants?"
"I was just getting to that. I have the ability to control plants. I can make them grow at will and fashion them into any weapon I so desire. Plants are to me as the katana is to you."
"I see."
"Before we proceed any further with our question and answer session, how should I address you? No doubt you like the term 'Shishou' but it does seem improper for me to address you as 'master'."
"Hiko Seijuurou. Perhaps a little sake while we converse?" Hiko arched a brow questioningly at Kurama. Kurama nodded his agreement.
After several bottles of sake...
Kurama felt a little heady. What strange liquid was that? Why did it make him feel the way he did? He liked the taste, but it was making the room swim... he could see...3 Hikos before him. He shook his head to clear his vision. The 3 Hikos merged into a single entity once again. There was something he had to ask Hiko...something about the boy...
"W-wwheree..." he slurred. Kurama frowned, that didn't sound like him. He tried again. "Wwheree...isssssss...Ke-shiiiiii?"
Hiko smirked. The youko was drunk. "Sleeping out."
"Huh?" The youko blinked at Hiko.
"He's sleeping outdoors tonight, he was unable to perfect the technique I was trying to teach him earlier."
"Yyuu ary toooo...hic...stick..."
"He can handle it. I won't have picked him if I thought any less of him."
"Gooood siinngg I'mmm not...not...yorrr deshiiiiii..." Kurama's voice trailed off as he dropped into a drunken stupor. He nestled his head on the table against the crook of his arm, his furry ears twitched once, twice, then he was completely still, his cheeks flushed, his silver hair spilling off the tabletop like liquid moonlight to cascade onto the floor beneath.
Hiko drank a couple more bottles of sake before he turned in for the night as well.
Outside, a flash of jagged lightning split the dark clouds and soft rain fell from the heavens.
End of Part 6