Thunder crashed overhead.
Kurama blinked through heavy sleepy lids. His head hurt. He could not see too well. He felt like retching his guts out. Kurama could not remember when was the last time in his long youko life that he had felt this wretched. He sighed. A slight burst of youki, a soft warm glow embraced the youko from the tip of his furry silver ears to the end of his long bushy tail.
"Ah...much better..." Kurama remarked as he stretched out lazily, draping himself over the table. He felt whole once again. The marvel of the healing ki... He wondered what Kenshin had cooked for breakfast that morning. His stomach rumbled at the very thought of it. There was no doubt about it, that kid made a terrific chef.
There was a soft rustle of cloth. He looked up. Hiko stood at the door, totally drenched. He carried a bundle of dripping wet clothes in his arms. A lock of red hair peeped out from amidst the soaked bundle.
Masaka...Kenshin! Kurama watched as Hiko gently laid the unconscious boy on the futon after stripping him off his damp clothes. Kurama arched a fine silver eyebrow questioningly at Hiko.
Hiko smoothed Kenshin's brow. "Hn. Baka deshi ne! He should have known better than to stay out in the rain."
"At least he's obedient," Kurama smirked. "If my memory didn't fail me, you mentioned something about Kenshin failing to master a certain technique and having to stay out and go without dinner as punishment..."
"I tell you what..." Kurama started smoothly. "Why don't you go and prepare some breakfast while I watch over Kenshin. I'm sure he'd appreciate something warm...some congee perhaps?"
"I'm sure you'd appreciate it even more," Hiko retorted. "Still..." Kurama smiled innocently.
"As the first meal of the day, breakfast is important for our..."
"Go fetch some water."
Kurama face faulted. "WHAT?!"
"Kenshin's ill, so you'll just have to go in his place."
"But...it's raining!"
"All the more easier for you to get water. At least you don't have to make your way down to the river..."
"My fur will get wet! I hate wet fur!"
"I don't think I'd like it too if I had any. Since I don't, it's not my problem."
"Look, I'm a guest here. Why don't you..."
"I could use some rent money."
"Ok! You win! I can't believe I just lose in a verbal argument with a guy who's a baby when compared to my age..." Kurama grumbled.
Hiko smirked. "Don't take too long. You do want breakfast, right?
A couple of days later...
Kenshin's fever had receded thanks to Kurama's herbs. Kenshin finally felt well enough to air his doubts and fire off some questions at his shishou.
"Shishou?"
"Humph?"
"I don't suppose that man with silver foxy ears and a tail is Kitsune? I haven't seen him since I was stuck in bed."
"Now, you remember those stories I told you of youkos under the futon during your bed-wetting days?"
Kenshin flushed. [It is not known whether it's due to embarrassment or a relapse of his fever, but one can always hazard a guess...] "You have never told me a story in the entire time I lived with you, shishou."
"And I'm not about to start. You can ask your Kitsune-san though. Since you were the one who brought him home, he does owe you..."
Kurama spluttered.
Hiko continued, "Besides, the elderly can tell a story far better than the young."
Kurama choked.
"Kenshin, I think it would be a good idea to get on Kitsune-san's lap while you're at it, it'll help him get in the mood."
"Hai, shishou! Shishou, I'll go get a cup of tea for Kitsune first." Kenshin crawled out of the futon, blushed a deep red, darted back in, put on his kimono in record time and went to get some tea lest his Kitsune got thristy in the middle of the story.
"Why you!" Kurama growled after Kenshin left.
"Humour him. He doesn't have much of a childhood."
"Why am I not surprised? With a master like you... By the way, I'll be leaving tomorrow."
"Your departure is none of my concern."
Kurama felt a tiny tug at his tail. He turned around. It was Kenshin.
"You're going away, aren't you?" Kenshin's eyes glistened ever so slightly.
Kurama remained silent.
"Kitsune?" Kurama felt another gentle tug at his tail.
"How did you know?" Kurama asked.
"I heard you talking to Shishou."
"So, you were eavesdropping."
"You were speaking so loudly I could hear you from outside." Kenshin's violet eyes gleamed with defiance. Kurama almost chuckled, Hiko was going to have his hands full dealing with this stubborn wayward little disciple of his.
"You haven't answered my question," Kenshin observed though the answer was pretty obvious.
"I'm a youko. I don't belong here. My world, my home, is someplace else, not in this world. I have no tolerance for any human. Weak, helpless, pathetic creatures they be. Destroying the very environment, the very earth that birthed them. They are not fit to crawl in the dust of this land. Their existence is a blasphemy to the world." Kurama stated coldly, his golden eyes hard and unyielding as he stared at Kenshin.
Kenshin nodded. His eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Ogenkide."
Kurama paused. His words had been too harsh... "Thank you for taking care of me." he added, his voice strangely softened. With that, he bounded away, afraid that if he stayed any longer with the child, he would never bring himself to leave.
A silver trail of glistening tears involuntarily escaped Kenshin's violet eyes as he watched the silver streak that was rapidly being swallowed up by the green of the forest.
"Sayonara...Kitsune-san."
End of Part 7.