The sound of Yomi's voice seemed to rescue the grey youko form his sudden depression. He bowed his head slightly, and hissed a soft affirmation, to assure Yomi of his attention.

"It has been too long ago. It took place in the days of my youth, soon after I had decided the life of a mercenary was too tricky and dangerous." A soft smile showed on Yomi's thin, pale lips then. "Conflicts and wars sprawled over the Makai at that time. Mukuro and Raizen were powerful rulers already, but far more than one third of the Demon Land was taken by a wild, spreading anarchy. I had fought for many different Lords, swapping sides according to my convenience and pay, till I have collected enough to make a stand for my own territory. I bore no intention of becoming the King of the Makai; I had very limited ambitions back then. My aim was solely keeping a territory for myself, thus I would serve no one."

"I understand it. I have very humble ambitions likewise, despite my own background. The life of a ruler is not as easy as commoners might thing. In a fashion, it is better to be the master of our own destiny than to rule over others."

Yomi concurred, silently. He stared at the grey youko with placid, shut eyes, while a tint of quiet, but true contentment covered his paleness. It felt fine to be able to tell of his past, in such detail, to that strange, yet fascinating member of the youko race. The disclosure of his secrets could prof to be soothing and redempting in the long run.

"I had joined a small group of thieves. Some of them were former mercenaries like me, but others were just plain Makai scum. We had found us a territory right here, in these woods, where Gandara now stands." Yomi's smile grew wider, brighter, twinkling with undeniable pride. "There was nothing here but a dense forest, a narrow tract of land between many conflicting small kingdoms. We were surrounded by wars and opposition. Keeping our autonomy became more and more difficult. We survived by ripping off passing caravans, travellers, or raiding neighbor villages. Nonetheless we were attacked by an inimical group of thieves and slave traders. These raiders had come from the west of the Makai. They were many, and managed to invade my territory. My small armed band was defeated and expelled from these terrains. My partisans have scattered all around the Makai, but I still retained a small group of fighters under my rule. Yet, we were few to try to fight back the invaders or conquer new territory. It was then I had the idea of joining a stronger band of thieves and calling in an alliance."

"With Youko Kurama, I presume..."

Yomi acquiesced in deep, reverent silence. His mind immediatelly started to roam through all the memories, all the sensations that name still evoked in his body and in his spirit. His hands touched his own thighs. Unaware of his act, Yomi caressed himself, possessed by a bitter missing feeling.

"Yes. Kurama has always been the master of my demon heart."

Hikaru blushed intensely before such ardent confession. But he could not condemn Yomi. He acknowleged the suffering an unresolved love from the past could bring. The youko fidgeted, shifting a little in the cushion. A sudden heatwave started to spread through his body...

Hikaru missed the master of his own youko heart as well...

Both interlocutors interrupted their dialog to reach for the sake cups. They drank it in the same slow way, and Hikaru took the opportunity to rise his eyes and take a more detailed glance at Yomi.

He was such a handsome demon... And incredibly powerful... Hikaru could feel his intense power reaching him, flowing like invisible, slow-rolling waves bathing a soft, sandy shore. It must have been an overwhelming, all-consuming passion to leave Yomi brooding over it after one thousand years have passed. He was curious to know more.

"I have decided to join forces with Kurama. It was word of mouth the youko was seeking other adventurous youkai to engage into his band. Kurama was very powerful then. He exerted his power in a very sneaky fashion; the ties which binded his authority together were all weaved in the Makai's underworld. He exercised a kind of secret force, pulling the strings of many other Makai lords according to his convenience. If I joined his gang, I would become more powerful and gain greater influence. Therefore in no time I would be capable of retrieving my own territory and maybe even expand my domains."

"Oh... Interesting strategy; biased, but still interesting..."

"I had already sent many envoys with presents and proposals for the joining of our forces. I insisted much, till finally one day a meeting with Kurama was scheduled. It was ordered that I sought Kurama alone, in order to ask for a chance to join his gang."

"Alone? Yomi-Sama, Were you not you risking too much?"

"Yes, I were. But we were in a difficult situation. I was desperate; I would do anything to be accepted in Kurama's gang. And, well... I did everything he asked of me in fact..."
 
 

He was alone, in a unknown territory, heading to meet the most vicious band of  thieves in the Makai. His only safe-conduct was a scribbled map he had been given by the latest messenger, drawn by Youko Kurama himself, indicating his hideout's location.

It appeared most temerary, that such a notorious thief gave away his own whereabouts in such a way, but Yomi knew why - It was a test... It was a means to see if he was trusty enough to follow the instructions or simply sell the information to the nearest bounty hunter or mercenary.

Yomi had done all he was told to. He had ventured into that dense, wild part of the Makai alone, at night, carrying no weapons.

And the youkai knew most probably he was being closely observed all the way, although he was not able to see a trace of whoever tracked him..

The forest was frightening calm and silent. Yomi could listen to his own steps, his own breathing as he stepped in through the confusing darkness.

He had been allowed to take no light; not a single torch. It was only the diffuse moon illumination filtering throught the clouds that guided his travel. It was full moon, in the least. It made the journey easier for him then, but also to the nimble demon, or demons, who might be watching his progress.

The demon stopped for a while. He rubbed his fingers on a very distinct spot in his head; he was still getting used to his newly grown out horns.

He looked up at a very large boulder on the left. Then he forced his eyesight, looking for a better angle under the moonlight to follow the map's indications. That boulder was clearly marked. Now he only needed to follow a narrow gorge in between the cliffs which sided him.

As he followed the trail, he instinctively kept his senses very aware to everything. That gorge was an extremely good point to be ambushed...

Anyhow, Yomi passed through that chasm to find a beautiful green area. He could smell fresh water and a variety of aromatic herbs and flowers. As he passed through the dense wall of vegetation, reaching deeper into that small, enclosed wild grove, he heard the soft sound of  rumbling waters.

Yomi stepped forward, carefully. His extreme care made him blend the darkness and the vegetation in a manner that he could not be seen. The area was very dark. The steep rocky sides surrounded that circular retreat, casting long shadows over everything. Yomi perceived that narrow path continued further into an intrincate, narrow canyon walled by sharp cliffs and boulders. It must be there, in those confusing meanders of forest, rocks and grottoes packed togeher that Youko Kurama's band gathered.

He followed further into the gorge, guided by the gorgling, swashing sounds of the water. The moon had just passed the edge of the high cliffs above, and the clouds had been blown away, enough to cause that small fresh retreat be bathed in an eerie silvery light.

It was when he saw the most beautiful vision of his life.

Yomi felt a warming shock flood his body, and for a small moment the youkai could not breathe. He could not move, and his eyes fixed at the fair, silvery figure which waded the small rocky pond right before his eyes. The water shone among the vegetation like a jewel as its surface reflected the moon glow. In the middle of the small lake, a naked demon played with the water, sensually bathing himself, gleaming like silver under all that sudden light. The demon was cold, silvery, gracious, mysterious, exactly like the moon which cast its enticing illumination upon him.

Yomi curved one knee, hiding behind a line of bushes. Yet, he took measures to be able to peer, furtively, at that unexpected exposition of beauty.

The horned demon had always been fond of beautiful boys. Young aprentices were always available to Yomi, eager to please an experienced mercenary and thief like him. But the demon he had before his eyes then was a very different creature... That naked demon appeared to Yomi to be desire and lust encarnate; he was  perfect and sensual as a God of love...

Who was that demon? What was that demon?

He had a slender, yet muscled body. Atlhetic, tall, and a long flowing straight hair which reached down his hips. Pointed ears twitched on the top of his hair. His skin was perfectly pale, unbleamished, and his body moved graciously as he waded across the scintillating water. He showed broad shoulders, a sleek, well proportioned back. His waist was slim, and his thighs long and vigorous. His beautifully round, muscled buttocks were pale like soft marble.

And much to Yomi's delight, there was one feature he could not understand, and yet found extremely attractive...

A tail; a fluffy, long foxy tail, which touched the water in a slow, sexy sway, bumping that demon's thighs as he slowly walked through the pond, to reach the margin.

Yomi could not deviate his eyes from him. His sight, his interest was feverishly locked at that breathtaking vision. He wished to sneak closer to achieve a better view of that delightful demon, but he would not dare. No. He would not disturb that beautiful scene with his own presence. He only wanted to see... Yomi only wanted to gaze at that sensual apparition and enjoy the gratification that vision offered him.

The sensual demon reached the rocky margin. He stretched, extending his powerful arms up, and the contour of all his muscles was drawn under the moonlight. Yomi felt a shiver shake his whole body as he beheld that demon's manly, and yet graceful build. He tossed his head, and waggled his tail energetically. His silky mane of silvery hair and his brush whipped the air, spreading shimmering drops of water in all directions, like a shower of diamonds...

He was magnificent.

Yomi felt a strange pressure cumulate in his low abdomen. It was not a new sensation; he new it well. He could not be mistaken about  that tingling rush which ran all along his penis, hardening it into a hot, demanding arousal.

Yes... That demon was so breathtaking... He acted freely, unmindful, enjoying himself and his quiet moment of  privacy, unaware there was someone there, hiding in the bushes, spying him.

The fair demon started to slowly rub his own body, kneading his own arms, caressing his own hips...

Yomi could not help; that enticing, unplanned exhibition was driving him crazy. It had never happened before, but... Then he had never the chance to spy such a sexually attractive adult demon before. And the sight was making him very hot.

Yomi chewed his lips, when the beautiful creature turned around, revealing his facade to him. His pink eyes first looked up to that demon's pale face. He was beautiful! Determined, virile, and yet his eyes bore a very delicate captivation. His nose was slender and pretty, and his lips seemed moistened rubies which deserved to be given the sweetest, and yet the fiercest kisses...

It was then Yomi looked down at his muscular front. His vigorous chest, and finely chiseled abdomen ended in a small patch of silvery fur which nestled the biggest, most desiring piece of manhood he had ever...

Yomi turned to look around, frightened. He tried to stand up, but he had not a chance. Scared, he only managed to cover his own face with one arm, to protect himself, when he noticed the fast shadow block his way. He jumped back when he heard a loud flapping sound disturb the silence of that quiet retreat. Yomi tried to grasp his sword. Only then he remembered...

He was weaponless!

Alarmed, he fought his awe, and opened his eyes, determined to comfront the enemy with his bare hands and his yet untrained you-ki.  It was then he felt a friendly touch nudge at his shoulder.

Yomi looked up, calming down, trying to identify the large shadow which had steeped on his way so fearlessly.

He saw a youkai who showed a genuine warm-hearted smile across his face. He had  elf-like pointed ears much like Yomi's. He wore a black vest, black trousers, long, heavy leather boots and a strange piece, like a skirt, attached around his hips. His hair was black, arranged in a high, long ponytail. The flapping shadows which had frightened Yomi so much were bat-like wings, which had assumed monstruous proportions under the moonlight.

"Hi! Enjoying the view?" The youkai asked, with a teasing glint in the corner of his long, slightly slanted eyes. He blinked then, surprised with Yomi's startlement.

Yomi looked over his shoulder to the pond. There was no one there now... He stood up. Before saying anything, he still took one long glimpse at the silvery pool left behind. That deligthful demon he had encountered had already left, probably shooed away by the incoming winged stranger.

Yomi shifted, uncomfortable for a moment. But he struggled to face the stranger then, with confidence.

"I'm Yomi. Kurama Youko awaits for me," he announced proudly, showing the other youkai the piece of  parchment where the map had been drawn.

The other demon faced the small, crumpled map with a mixture of amusement and contempt. He tilted his head, charmingly, making his long pony tail sway in a slow, soft movement. He fluttered his wings for an instant, then he folded them softly together at his back. 

"I know who you are. I've been following you since you entered our forests."

"Oh... I see..."

"You have added merit to your score. I saw you have really come on your own. I had orders to nail you if you hadn't followed Kurama's instructions."

Yomi tried to smile, but he felt embarrassed. He had been tracked the whole time and yet had noticed nothing... Those were indeed professional thieves. He knew he had a lot to learn, but he was inclined to do his best.

It was then the long-haired youkai opened a smile broader than before. His hands reached for Yomi's hands, shaking them in an effusive compliment.

"My name is Kuronue. I am second in command here. I shall take you to see Kurama."

Yomi agreed, bowing his head slightly before the other demon. Kuronue was as tall as he, very slim, but his body showed long, flexible lines of muscles. He had slender and yet powerful arms, which had weird black straps wrapped all the around their lenghth. Yomi wondered about the use of  those ties bound around Kuronue's arms, but he dared not to ask. He took one long admiring stare at that youkai with wings, trying to suppose about his fighting powers. If he had special you-ki habilities, he cloaked his own force; a fighting strategy most certainly. Anyhow, his slim, but vigorous arms, and long legs indicated a fast, nimble combatent. And his wings added to the picture; he must be able to ambush enemies, and hawk them in the blink of an eye. He must be a dangerous youkai to have been chosen second in command...

It must be a very singular gang of youkai. Including the fair, extremely attractive demon he had just missed.

"Who was that guy?" Yomi questioned Kuronue, trying not to seem much enthusiastic. "Was he any kind of nightwatch?"

"Who?"

Yomi pointed at the small pond, now devoid of its precious silver jewel.

"The guy who was bathing in the water. One with long fair hair, furry pointed ears and a fox's tail."

Kuronue's eyes twinkled with a sudden playfulness.

"Why? Are you interested?" Kuronue asked back, displaying an ironic little curve on his thin lips. He brought his hand to his chest then, fidgeting a small pendant which hung from his neck.

Yomi examined the jewel with the curiosity and trained eyes of a thief, expecting a great treasure. But it seemed no more than a cheap trinket. It must bear some sentimental value though...

"No. I was just curious. I have never seen any demon like him."

"Hum... Who knows... You might even meet him again. You would like that, wouldn't you?"

"You know him, don't you? Who is he? Is he in the band?"

Kuronue's impish smile widened in his pale, thin face. He brushed long-nailed fingers on his brow, tossing his bangs off his eyes. And Yomi was certain he was hiding the truth. That twisted, mocking smile was very revealing, even though his words denied it.

"I'm not sure; I didn't get the chance to see who was there. I guess you'll have to wait and see."

Yomi knew then Kuronue was lying. But instead of becoming aprehensive, he enjoyed the fact. It meant that gorgeous silvery demon was actually a member of Kurama's gang. It meant he would be seeing him again... It meant they could even have the chance to get aquainted and then.. Well, maybe then Yomi could...

The horned demon admonished himself for his own behavior. He would  better not grow so many high expectations in relation to that stranger. He should concentrate on what he had at hand at the moment. The band, the presentation, making a good figure before the leader in order to be accepted...

It was then Yomi sensed one of the other demon's hands reaching out to touch his horns. He reacted rashly, pulling back. To be unarmed in that strange territory, surrounded by strange demons, was making him nervous.

"Oh, I don't want to hurt you..." Kuronue murmured, truly amazed with the sight of Yomi's horns. He tried to touch them again, this time with a slower approach, not to startle Yomi. "I like them; They must be very practical in hand to hand fight. Will you let me touch them?"

Yomi nodded, still a little disconcerted. That guy seemed so friendly that he was starting to be very suspicious of him.

He looked up, observing Kuronue's fingers caress the curved horn pointing down on the right side of his brow. Yomi was very aware the guy was not merely touching his horn. He was actually fondling it...

Weird fellow... Yomi  did not know what to think of that. He chose to keep himself calm, still and with his mouth as shut as possible. He needed to play their game to be accepted in Kurama's group of thieves.

Much to Yomi's relief, Kuronue soon withdrew his hand, making no further comments. It seemed the winged demon had been able to realize Yomi's lack of ease. Kuronue only placed one hand on Yomi's back, very friendly, guiding him as he pointed to the tortuous corridor cut in between two high, portentous cliff walls right past the pond.

"Come. Let's meet Kurama."

Yomi agreed. He allowed that winged demon to take him by a sideway around the pond to the passage in through the rocks.

"I know you're gonna like the boss." Kuronue murmured them, as they merged into the narrow darkness in through the cliffs. "I only hope he likes you too."

Yomi barely heard what Kuronue told him. He could not take that beautiful vision from his mind... That demon, with that soft, sexy tail, pretty pointed ears and the body of a perfect warrior...

"Yes. Passion makes one dwell in a world of insanity and overwhelming emotions," Hikaru stated, compassionate of Yomi's regret. Love could be bliss, but also could be sheer agony. But he would not regret the pleasant moments, even in face of the pain he must bear in the present. "But if I had the chance to live it all again, I would not repel that love, even though I knew it would bring me affliction. I would always prefer the odds of trying to vanquish an ill destiny than capitulate without a fight."

"I do think the same. My only disappointment is that I had shut my heart to Kuronue. I preferred to live the wild illusion than the real quiet, peaceful love I was offered. If I had been more considerate of Kuronue my whole life history would have been changed.  Be that as it may, I loved Kurama; not anyone else." Yomi showed a self-indulgent smile as he recalled the blind intensity of his feelings for that proud silver youko. "Kurama is a kind and loveable demon now, compared to the one I had met then." Yomi sighed, very deeply. "However it was that cruel, sadist, and cynical youko who I had begun to love. The meaner he treated me, the more deeply I loved him; the more he humiliated me, the more impassionated I became..."

The striped youko sipped from his small cup, very calmly. He had heard of relationships such as that, which Yomi-Sama was starting to suggest. Silence filled the space between them as Hikaru reflected about Yomi's words. Such trend of intimacy was not his cup of tea, but then... Well... In fact, he had not the chance to try many different "cups of tea" to know better - His experience was very limited.

"Shocked?" Yomi inquired him. His expression seemed bitter but condescendent.

Hikaru aimed his clear eyes towards Yomi.

"No. I know such things exist Yomi-sama. In addition, I am here to listen to your story, not to pass any type of judgement upon you."

Yomi nodded, relaxing then. He finished the sake from his cup, and smiled back at the youko.

"I'm glad. I recognize these are feelings not apropriate for a King. But I was not a King then. I was just a recruit, a novice, and Kurama treated me accordingly. The abuse only aroused my feelings for him." Yomi sighed in, and then out. The loss and the pain were revealed in his desolate gesture. "Thank you for your understanding and discretion."

"There is no need to thank me for that, King Yomi. I offer no more than what I expect from you." Hikaru breathed in, deeply, soundly. He closed his clearer than sky-blue eyes for a moment, as if searching for resolution inside to continue his tale.

A faint movement coming from the door called the attention of both demons then. Yomi replied to it, ordering more sake to be brought, even before Hikaru could realize it was a female servant, who appeared at the entrance for one very short moment. She bowed from the entrance, and left, in a polite silence, to follow Yomi's orders.

Hikaru took that instant to observe the game. He could not yet apprehend which would be Yomi's strategy, so he imagined it was safer to keep a blocking position. He carefully placed another gomoku piece on the board, next to Yomi's.

The youko resumed his narration then.

"The relationship I shared with Youko Hayashi affected me wholly. When I realized I had fallen in love, my life changed throughly from one second to the other." Hikaru smiled then, unashamed of the charming beam which decorated his lips then. "It all started with a kiss... One single stolen kiss..."

 To be Continued...