The boy did not even know what he was doing. His mind and his spirit were afflicted under the intense energy of wrath. For miles he had been unable to think properly, as he brutally carved his way through the forest. With a sadistic anticipation he had started to count all the thousands of deaths he would force upon Youko Kurama. He would make the youko pay and suffer in living each of the most agonizing hells - He would make that black-hearted youko burn, suffocate, be eviscerated, castrated, impaled, torn into pieces and scattered all though the land...

But first Shura would make sure to yank that criminal's eyeballs out of their sockets one by one, very slowly. Then he would force Kurama to eat them.

The prince decided by then he would disfigure the beautiful face which had lured his father. He would tear his nose off, and cut out his tongue, which must have deceived so many demons into insanity. After these procedures, Shura would scalp him, and cut off his tail. He would also extract each of his teeth, each of his fingers, and then in the end he would skin him, very slowly, little by little...

All the while Shura would assure the youko to be still alive, so he could suffer and ponder on all the evil he had caused others in his vile existence.

Shura had not been told any details, and yet he could imagine most of them. His father must have been a silly beggar for that youko's affections from the very beginning. The feeling Yomi cherished for Kurama was indeed a blind, sick passion, which had built a high obstacle blocking his sanity.

He had to act fast. Shura intended to capture Youko Kurama, kill him in the slowest, cruelest means he could think of, and then rush back to Gandara to destroy his father's malefic garden. He would not leave a single seed to grow! Even torn by fury and sorrow, the young prince had vowed to himself to help his father overcome the weakness that psychotic passion caused him. He would force resistance and bravery into his father's weakened spirit at any cost. The desire for that insane love must be extirpated from its root right in Yomi's spirit in the most decisive and urgent manner.

It was sad to notice, but Yomi's whole life seemed to have been consumed by the youko's existence. Yomi always had him in his memory and his heart in everything he did.  Now Shura could see that everything Yomi had ever done had been directly or indirectly determined by Youko Kurama's actions.

Even his own creation. Shura was very aware he was alive only because Kurama had betrayed Yomi for a second time, refusing to help during the Makai Tournament. Yet, Yomi still allowed that disgrace on two legs to continue living.  Shura knew he was engineered to become a surrogate ally, a pale substitute for the love of his father's life.

Such perception of the facts made Shura hate the youko more intensely yet.

The youko lived, unharmed, undisturbed, whilst Yomi suffered in silence, vanquished by the insane ardour of his own passion, restrained form seeking revenge.

But Shura would never allow Kurama a third chance to betray his father. It was enough that he had the King in his hands, like a puppet, because of his shameful passion and those dream flowers. The youko was like a cancer, a pestilence Shura ought to free his King and Kingdom from.

Shura had never seen Yomi with any lovers, either male or female. The King had never been interested in love or sex at all. The prince had always imagined the Kingdom affairs were solely responsible for not allowing his father time enough for mundane distractions. Therefore, even young, feeling the urge for sex burning inside his young body and deviating his thoughts once in a while, Shura attempted to follow his father's example. Politics first had always been his goal and intention. The boy had fought his erotic impulses bravely; let alone the fact accelerated growth made his it all much more difficult. In fact, he had played around with some of the Palace servants, but these females had never interested him enough to encourage him to explore his sexuality to the final consequences.

It was incredible that, like Yomi, the prince had fallen into a youko's seducement. He had believed lies, he had allowed his feelings to be manipulated. Youko were masters of allurement, and Kinno had made him fall for that easy passion too inadvertently.

A smile and a golden coquettish glance had been enough to turn him head over heels. Shura could almost cry, too ashamed of himself... He felt lost, deprived even of the powerful example he always mirrowed.

Even being a clone of Yomi, bound to the same qualities and flaws his father possessed, Shura had faith he could resist the passion.

Then, on behalf of his father's sanity, Shura would pass a law decreeing the extinction of the youko race. He would allow the opening of a Youko Hunting Season all over the Makai, and even grant rewards for the heads of most notorious members of that vile demon race.

It was the only way the prince could allow a little peace to his own heart as well. Neither he nor his father would cry and suffer from love for a youko if that youko did not exist anymore...

Shura wanted to admonish his father for his mistakes, but the prince felt he was not yet secure enough of his own resistance to the passion which burned inside him. The intensity of his own feeling for that pretty blonde youko still pounded deep inside him. It interfered with grace on the bloody, cruel images of retribution against Kurama that Shura forged inside his afflicted heart.

He would be strong, he would resist. He would be strong enough to redeem his father by wiping the youko race out of  the Makai completely. The redemption of the Demon Land would be initiated there, as he terminated Youko Kurama. After he destroyed the temptation his father could be strong and honorable once more.

Shura stopped. He had reached the borders of Youko Kurama's territory.

He had just passed Gandara, leaving the high towers behind. He had stormed along the road so fast he could barely be seen.

The morning had started to rise when he faced the high plants which fenced the youko's area. Kurama was strong, but Shura was more powerful. He just needed to act with care and avoid fighting Kurama and his youkai lover at the same time. He needed a plan to separate the lovers in order to be able to execute the youko calmly.

The prince camouflaged himself, forcing his exalted you-ki down. Youko Kurama's 152000 power level was nothing compared to his own fighting strength. Shura could massacre him and demand his revenge very easily.

He looked at the tall Mimosa plants which fenced the area. Poisonous shrubs filled the spaces in between each of the guardian stalks. Shura could smell the poison dripping from their flowers and hairy leaves. Here and there gigantic reddish youkai eating flowers shuddered and slithered their pliant stems forward biting to reach him.

He imagined if  he attacked any of those plants Kurama would be warned of his presence. Quiet yet, Shura walked around the green barricade, thinking, clenching his fists firmly, so firmly he hurt his own hand. But his wrath was so intense he cared not about the pain.

All the plants had already noticed his presence... But it was very easy to fool that stupid green palisade. Nothing there was enough to either threaten or detain his advance. He was determined to make that day be celebrated in Gandara and the whole Makai in the Future as a national holiday - The Day The Pernicious Bandit Youko Kurama Was Executed.

As he walked along, he could feel a low vibration. The plants sensed his movement, and slowly aimed their jaw-like leaves at him, expecting the slightest reaction to attack.

"Stupid brainless creatures..." Shura murmured to himself. Then he just gave a sudden, vigorous impulse up, using his energy to propel himself in the air, leaping over the fence.

He fell silently on the other side, far from the plants' reach. He even smiled, contemptuosly, when he felt something moving fast towards him at his back.

He dodged the attack fast, jumping out of the way. He caught a fast glimpse of the darts which had been thrown at him, shot from a group of plants with yellowish many-rayed flowers. The flowers had dismantled into a series of sharp darts, propelled in his direction.

Shura summoned a shield of energy, a barrier which stopped the attack and at the same time returned the strike, directing a strong heatwave around him. The heat was soon enough to wither and sear the malignant makai dandelion flowers to a pile of shriveled burnt remains.

He had escaped. Then he looked around, vigilant to any other attack, lowering his you-ki levels. That territory must have many traps, but if he moved in stealth and camouflaged his demon ki, then no plant, no type of  surveillance that youko could have set would detect him.

The plants slithered and sizzled, moving like serpents along the soil trying to reach him. But he concentrated to blank his you-ki completely; an ability he had learned from his father with perfection.

Shura directed his efforts to detect the youko then...

It was easy. That killer trusted his plants to protect him, keeping himself unguarded. It was very easy to follow his you-ki signature.

Shura followed down the narrow path which cut the forest. The morning had blossomed completely, filling the sky and the surroundinsg with a vigorous clarity. That whole area stretched across a great extent of  green mountains and hills, as well as a river and small lakes. Now that whole beautiful place was Youko Kurama's territory, given freely by Yomi.

Oh... His father must really be cured fast before he decided to give Youko Kurama his whole Kingdom...

Shura ground his teeth, and the ire pulsated loudly in his demon veins. He could feel his blood and his you-ki rushing through his whole body, tautening his muscles and preparing him to battle. He could feel his power increase with the extra energy his wrath built inside him, and he knew he had never been so powerful. He felt as if he could destroy that whole area with one single thrust of his fist only.

The horned young prince stomped down the narrow path, unnoticed while he walked under the shades of  tall trees, accompanying a narrow, tortuous creek. Again, his imagination started to fill his mind with visions of all the tortures and ordeals he would inflict upon Kurama, till the bastard confessed his guilt and begged him and his father forgiveness for the past...

But he was interrupted. The boy perceived a low rumbling sound coming from a clearing. It seemed the creek formed a small lake there, sheltered by tall trees and a dense wall of vegetation.

His impulse and his vindictive anger demanded him to follow his way without allowing himself to be detained, but Shura had to step aside and wander off the path for an instant. He hid behind some blackberry bushes, stealhily trailing whoever was there.

He walked forward, guided by the scent of fresh water and moss, and by the splashing sounds as something seemed to move in the water. The small pond was so much surrounded by trees that the morning light barely reached it, making it a rather fresh and cosy spot.

Shura continued, pushing away the bushes and branches for passage. Then, when he reached the margin, the young prince stopped, paralyzed.

He could not believe his eyes.

He swallowed hard as he recognized the blond long hair, the pretty foxy furred ears, the beautiful and pale shoulders, the slender arms and the undulating tail which moved softly against the water surface. He tried to say something but he couldn't articulate any sound. For a moment it was as if the ground had escaped from under his feet. He felt dizzy, and a sudden sickness struck him.

The beautiful figure turned around, in a sensual, very slow movement. Shura beheld every small instant of that gracious move, delighted, contemplating it as if in a slow-motion. The young youkai felt more and more nervous as the repressed love and desire charged him harder.

Shura closed his eyes, trying not to see, eager to escape that temptation, but he could not avoid hearing the delicate voice of the youko.

"Sugar? What are you doing here? Did you come to visit me?"

The prince's whole body quivered when that sweet voice reached his ears, filling his heart, dismantling his endurance...

The young youkai opened his eyes to delight at such a breathtaking sight.

Shura breathed lengthily, trying to achieve willpower enough to keep his mission in mind. He still had to kill Youko Kurama, the villain who had seduced and blinded his beloved father; he ought to free his kingdom, his father and his own heart from that plague...

He gasped when he beheld that captivating beauty coming in his direction. It was indeed Kinno, and he was naked.... Totally naked... He wore nothing... The youko's pale graceful body was unveiled to him, as the Kinno advanced towards the margin. The brilliant and quiet water surface revealed his whole nakedness, disclosing his chest, his waist, his luscious hips, his thighs, his...

Shura felt the arousal strike him heavy and sudden like a punch. A tingling, hot energy started to throb in his low-abdomen.

The youko carefully placed the tip of his golden tail before him to cover his naked sex. But such demure act just made the blonde youko more seducing, because Shura had already been offered a fleeting glimpse of all the delights which lay nestled between those long, enticing legs...

"K-Kinno...  Wh-Where have you been?" Shura asked, in a stammering murmur. An ardent flow of  heat and lust started to pulse right along his veins, sprawling passion through his whole body between his legs.

Shura's face turned red, and his eyes grew wider as he fought the impulse to look down and enjoy the arousing sight of Kinno's unveiled sex.

"Sugar, do you feel sick? Can I help you?"

The youkai managed to say something; a suffocated, almost inarticulate murmur.

"You are... N-naked..."

The beautiful young youko covered his smiling mouth with his hand, half turning round, as he covered himself better with his tail.
 
"Oh... It's hot... I was just taking a bath, Shura honey..." The youko aimed very flirtatious eyes at Shura then, while indicating the surroundings with a sexy tilt of his head. "I like it here. This is my pond. My brothers don't come bother me here."

"Brothers?" Shura asked then, a bit suspicious. The thought of more youko around made him remember what had indeed brought him to that place. If Kinno had brothers, it meant more youko he needed to put to death

"They're my younger brothers. I like them, but sometimes I need to be alone." Kinno walked some sexy steps towards Shura then, swinging his hips and tail in an alluring rhythm. "I was thinking on you, my lollypop... I missed you. I was kidnapped and..."

Shura interrupted Kinno bluntly. He found strength to resist in the very depths of his youkai soul. He could not forget the Kingdom, the King and the traitor who had blinded his father.

"No! I don't want to hear your excuses! They are lies, I know! Every youko is a liar, you are no different! Leave me alone!"

Kinno watched Shura's harsh reaction with astonishment. The golden youko seemed hurt when he took two steps backwards, frightened by the fury of his boyfriend's voice and manners.

"Sugar? What are you talking about?"

"You are a liar, like every youko. I don't love you anymore."

Shura turned his back to Kinno, crossing his arms. An angry expression changed his young visage. The youko looked up at his lover then, already on the verge of tears. Nevertheless, Kinno still insisted, begging Shura to stare at him, finding courage inside him to rebuff the accusation. The golden fox  jumped forward, clinching to Shura's shoulders when he realized the young demon was ready to leave.

"Don't leave me, my sweetie... Pretty please? I love you!"

Shura was torn between too opposite feelings, and his body and soul was disputed by very different sensations. Tenderness and wrath fought inside his heart; the tremor of anger and the sharp tingling rush of desire filled him equally. His youkai heart pounded. Moreover the prince could not deny that part of himself becoming hard across his groin.

Shura shut his eyes when he noticed Kinno press his whole naked body against his back. Kinno was a bit taller, and his gesture made him enfold Shura's body almost completely. The sensation was overjoying. The brave prince breathed deeply, trying his ultimate effort to resist that delirious embrace.

"You said you were a good youko. I thought we were dating, but you left me to go after another lover!"

Kinno was so shocked he relaxed his grasp, and allowed Shura to escape his embrace. The horned demon stood there then, some steps away from the blond demon, challenging him with a resentful stare.

Very cruel words followed.

"You're promiscuous and dissolute! You found another lover when I had just assured you of my feelings and my intentions!"

Kinno's face flushed. The beautiful youko even cried. One slow, single tear fell down his cheek as he embraced his own body as if to protect himself from ruthless words Shura spat at him.

"No, Shura... No... Never... Don't say I'm promiscuous, please..."

Shura continued. He could perceive how deeply his words hurt the young youko, and yet he kept uttering his accusations.

"You have been inconsiderate of my affection. My guards told me a youkai looked all around the city after you. He claimed to be your lover!" Shura made a pause then; he was much excited, by both indignation and lust. "You left the city and gave me no explanation! Not even a goodbye! All the time you have been away you stayed with your lover! You must even
be laughing at me then, mocking my feelings!"

"Never! No! No, Shura! Kinno attempted to hold Shura against him again, but the indignant prince dodged his grasp. Shura held Kinno by one arm, very firmly, shoving him away with energy.
 
"Get away from me! Two timer! You don't need to give me any horns! I have enough already!"

Shunned, Kinno fell awkwardly on the floor, uttering a low, shy complaint of pain. Shura didn't seem to listen. He stood before the youko, hurt but proud of himself for having resisted Kinno's allurement till then. Now he just needed to turn on his heels, leave and wipe Kinno out of his thoughts completely. Then he would have actually overcome the temptation.

Nevertheless, when the prince looked down at the beautiful youko who massaged his own arm and whimpered on the ground, he realized that image would vanquish his efforts to resist any longer.

Kinno was crying convulsively. The youko huddled to himself  looking miserable and frightened. Shura felt too touched to just turn his back to that distressing scene.

He could not leave now. He was honorable, despite the wrath and the urge for vengeance which consumed his soul. He was not a coward to mistreat such a young, frail being on purpose.

He walked to Kinno, bending one knee to the ground. The King's son reached for the youko, bringing him close and holding him tenderly in his arms.

"I'm sorry... I can't measure my own strength sometimes. Are you much hurt?"

Kinno sniffled his cry noisily. Then he brushed his hand on his eyes, drying the tears. The youko leaned amorously onto Shura, making their bodies press together in a long caress.

"You didn't hurt me; It was my master. He was the one who took me away."

Shura examined Kinno's arm very carefully. Now that they were very close the youkai could perceive the fading bluish tone of the bruises which covered Kinno's skin, mainly in the arms, neck and thighs. It seemed the youko he had been brutally beaten.

Shura brought his hand to Kinno's face, caressing his cheek while drying  away his tears. He could not even imagine what kind of dreadful beast could be so mean. How could anyone possibly hit and be brutal towards someone as delicate and gorgeous as Kinno?

"What happened to you, Kinno?"

Kinno turned his face enough to place a soft kiss on the palm of Shura's hand. The prince reacted hastily, pulling his hand away.

The feelings the young prince had for Kinno were surfacing again, in a very intense and demanding fashion. Shura quivered whenever Kinno touched him. He was just a young, inexperienced youkai; he was yet a virgin... How could he resist such beauty and grace? Yomi's son was starting to doubt his determination would be enough to subdue the love which consumed his soul with the fever of desire.

The demon boy avoided staring right into Kinno's golden eyes, afraid he would surrender completely into his arms if he did that. Shura looked down, but his his hesitant eyes met the youko's pale, beautiful abdomen, his cute navel, and below the thin line of golden fur which followed down to his sex. The boy felt his cheeks burn. He tried not to look but it was too late. His distress grew as he beheld the youko's lower parts; He could not overlook the fact Kinno was very well hung...

Kinno leaned sweetly onto Shura, to speak closer to his ear.

"My master had captured me. He imprisoned me and punished me because I had fled his Fortress."

"Do you have a Master?"

"It must have been my Master your guards saw. He seized me away from my family." Kinno stroked his darling's beautiful straight black hair then, smiling tenderly at him. "I suffered a lot while we were apart, sugar...  It hurt to be away from you; you're my only love..."

"He must be a monster to hurt you like this," Shura commented, softly stroking Kinno's side, where a very clear but wide blue spot could still be seen; probably caused by a kick, or a violent punch. "Why didn't you tell me? I could put him either in jail or exile. The bastard would never dare to defy me or my guards!"

Kinno's sadness and fear disappeared all of a sudden. It was as if Shura's  words dissipated all of his consternation. He sprang forward to encircle Shura in his arms very tight. Then he kissed the horned demon's cheek with a long, very wet smooch.

"My master was very evil. He saw us together and threatened to kill you. I was very afraid he could do you any harm, my sweetheart."

"Where is this ogre now? I shall make him pay for hurting you!"

Kinno quivered in his lover's arms. He opened a very wide smile, while he rested his head on the curve of Shura's neck, his hands playing with his exquisite long ears, fondling his hair. He felt gratified to know Shura would be his hero and fight his evil master if needed. It was indeed a proof of  the love he possessed...

"My sweetie... My evil Master is already dead; my father and my uncle avenged me." Kinno kissed Shura's ear then, making the young demon shudder in his arms. "Thank you. I love you even more now that I know you'd fight to defend my honor."

Shura acquiesced, nuzzling that delicious blonde hair which flowed around Kinno's shoulders, spreading a delicious scent of flowers. The demon said nothing. He just enjoyed the warm closeness, stroking the slender nude back of the youko with very light hands, so as not to hurt him.

"Are you staying in Gandara from now on?"

Kinno smiled and kissed Shura's chin.

"Yes, honeybun. I'm a free youko now. Are we dating then? Like we were before?"

The prince delicately pulled Kinno away, trying to set a safe distance between them. Safe for him, because the contact was getting him more and more aroused. He did not want Kinno to notice the size of his excitation. What would the youko think of him? That he was some kind of pervert who had only sex in his mind? He must act like a respectable prince, mindful of the etiquette and decorum...

Besides, things had changed. So much had changed.. Even if he loved that pretty demon dearly, how could he allow their passion to continue after all his father had suffered? How could he face Yomi if he kept a relationship with a youko? He had promised his father he would never see Kinno again.

So, what was he doing there, breaking his vow to his father?

Nonetheless, he could not simply stand up, turn and go away. No... He would leave so many shattered parts of his broken heart there, at Kinno's feet, that he knew he would not survive the parting much longer...

What would the solution be then?

It hurt... His heart bore a merciless pain while he had been away from that youko; still and all it hurt similarly to be near him and be haunted by his filial duties towards his father...

Shura directed his big pink eyes towards Kinno. But his face did not show a smile; the boy could not yet disguise his dejection.

"I suffered a lot, Kinno. I thought you had dumped me."

"No, my sugar... I'd never do it to you."

Shura continued. He looked to the other side then, avoiding Kinno.

"I thought you had cheated me. I got sick, lost weight, and my father reprimanded me for my depression. It was a torture not to know what had happened to you."

"Shura... My lollypop..."

Kinno put himself in Shura's arms again, cuddling sweetly to the young demon. Then, even though the prince tried to steal himself away from the contact, he could not avoid that they kissed. It was a warm kiss on the lips, which soon deepened into a wet, passionate caress as their tongues locked together in a trance of passion.

Their breathing became accelerated, their demon hearts pulsated more intensely, and Shura could not fight letting out a pleased short gasp around that hot kiss.

"Oh, Kinno... I have never felt this emotion... It's so good to be with you; it overwhelms me..." Shura murmured as he pressed his lips against Kinno's soft hair. His hands held his graceful slim waist as he brought him closer yet. "I was so wretched when I thought I would never see you again... I felt exhausted, drained by sorrow, nothing but pain and hopelessness filled my chest... "

"Don't say it anymore... You're gonna make me cry..."

"I suffered too much; there were days I thought I'd rather be dead..."

"But it is alright now, sweetie. I feel so sorry for your pain; It was my master, he forced me to leave..."

"Why didn't you run to Gandara to see me and tell you returned and everything was fine?"

"I was still much hurt. Now I'm better, but my daddy won't let me go. He is afraid something bad will happen while I'm there."

"Nothing bad will happen to you anymore. I'll put more guards watching you. You will receive extra protection when you go to the city. I can't let anyone try to harm my pretty golden jewel again..."

Kinno opened the brightest smile. He threw himself tight against Shura's chest, uttering a succession of pleased murmurs. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you..." It was all he could say as he nuzzled Shura's neck and caressed the youkai's chest vigorously over the heavy coat he wore. It felt like paradise to feel those arms around him, holding him with all the love... Kinno found himself so blissful he imagined he could even die with so much happiness.

"Is there anything else about you I don't know, Kinno?"

"What?"

"Is there anything about you that you still hide? Any important thing you imagine I should know?" Shura made Kinno face him them, offering the pretty youko a deep, very conscientious stare. "I don't want to find out in the future that you've been insincere to me again."

The golden youko slipped away, evading Shura's arms. He just sat there, next to him but not touching. He gave his back to his sweetheart, with a sullen appearance. Again the youko brought his tail up to nestle his lap, hiding his blond nudity. Kinno looked down at his own hands while he fidgeted fingers on his lap in an anxious rhythm.

"Kinno? Did you hear me?"

Kinno did not reply. He just nodded his beautiful blond head very slowly, all blue and hopeless.

"What is it, love?" Shura insisted. "You can tell me it, whatever it is, I promise I'll understand..."

The golden youko sighed in painfully. Then he huddled to himself, always trying to avoid that Shura could gaze at his face. His chin quivered as he held back his crying.

"I was a slave. My Master forced me to work."

"Then?"

Kinno could not even look at him. Then the youko started, visibly ashamed of his words and his condition.

"Don't blame me love... I know you won't ever want to see me again after I tell you that, but please, believe me when I say I love you... I didn't do it all because I wanted. I was forced; my master would hit me and punish me hard if I refused any job..."

"Kinno..."

"I didn't want to lie to you, Shura, but I knew you would despise me if you knew the truth. I love you so much! You're the only boyfriend I ever had...  My life was very bad, but now things have changed. I have a home, a family, and a steady sweetheart... Don't leave me, or you're gonna ruin all the happiness there is in my heart, sugar..."

Shura was even surprised with the nervous, sudden stream of words. It must be serious indeed to make Kinno so much affected. The prince placed one hand on the curve of Kinno's shoulder, patting him, trying to assure him he was there, by his side, to make him company and give him comfort.

"Kinno, say it, please! What could be so bad? I won't be angry with you if you..."

"I worked as a prostitute."

The prince was shocked. His face grew intensely pale, stricken by a mixture of repulsion and surprise.

"What?" The boy asked, appalled by Kinno's revelation.

The blonde youko looked at Shura over his shoulder. His eyes were teary, and yet he bravely sustained to stare at Shura.

"My masters forced me to have sex with all kinds of youkai for money; it started when I was 12 years old."

Kinno was not able to say any more. He turned his eyes downwards now, filled with a silent, deep pain; he was firmly convinced Shura would never want to see him once again after such disclosure.

However, the tender hand which cupped Kinno's shoulder was not pulled back.