Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Solo Adventures of Youko Kurama ❯ Spirit of Rare Beauty ( Chapter 1 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: kiune_hanyou 
Youko in his youth
Anime/Manga: Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Fantasy / Comedy / Adventure | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 04.08.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.6K | Visits: 335 | Status: Work In Progress
Youko in his youth
Anime/Manga: Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Fantasy / Comedy / Adventure | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 04.08.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.6K | Visits: 335 | Status: Work In Progress
The Solo Adventures of Youko Kurama
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho
Chapter 1: Spirit of Rare Beauty
The sun climbs above the mountains of Japan, casting bright lights to warm the earth and awaken all touched by its heavenly rays. A cry echoes in the distance. A child's breath quiets the neighboring animals inhabiting the woodlands. Cautious steps follow the sound, a new baby has been born.
Deep into the woods, past the flayling stream and deep into the den of a fox mother and child, a proud father leaps into the air, happily he barks and circles a tree, the father darts back into the den to come out and continue his routene. Exhausting himself, the new father pants and basks into the new light, delighted at his success.
Inside the den of the foxes, the auburn colored mother lays curled around a small bundle of silver damped fur. Nuzzling the infant kit, the mother moves to a more comfortable position, laying on her side, and allows the newborn to suckle.
Bobbing his head, the newborn kit drinks his fill before falling asleep besides his mother.
^^^
A month has passed and the young fox kit now plays in the afternoon sunshine, chasing butterflies and pouncing on frogs. Wagging his twin tails, the fox kit turns a sharp right and runs right into his mother and father, a successful hunt of rabbit and mice.
'Come eat your fill young one, you have much to learn in the morning.' The kits mother tells, going over and licking his head before allowing him to eat.
'He will be fine Rein, let our son eat.' The father says while smiling at his mate and kit.
Rein looks annoid at her mates calm demenor. 'How can you be so calm, my love? Youko must learn to controle his ki if he is to have a human form.' To make her point more serious, she changes from a fox, to a beatuful woman with long auburn hair, her pointed ears hidden behind it. Emerald eyes brighten with the forest green robes cascade around her long slender figure, split behind her for her tail. Seeing her mate laugh at her rushed transformation, she hisses to him, 'What makes this so funny With?' Rein says while looking at him sturnly.
Transforming himself, With becomes a lean male, shortened black hair fall just below his shoulders, fox ears twitching above his head. Golden eyes gleam with mischief as he steps closer to his loving mate. Silver cloths hug his body as he walks, his tail brushing his legs with each step. Taking Reins body into his own, With smiles down at her, kissing her lovingly. Ending the kiss, Rein's eyes are clouded over, With snickers at his mate, 'Youko will be fine.' Kissing her on the fore-head, With lets her go, and leads her to sit with him under a tree.
Youko, done with his dinner, treds tiredly to his parents. Yawning, he crawls into his mothers lap and falls asleep, licking his lips and sighing.
Night falls and the family of foxes rest blissfully on the grass beneith the tree.
A sound of moving branches, and Youko's ears begin to twitch alive. Opening his eyes slowly, Youko looks around for the noise that disturbed his sleep. Hearing it again, his ears perk up, and he looks in the direction of the noise. Jumping from his mothers lap, Youko runs into the woods, smiling at a possible new play toy.
Deeper he runs into the woods until he finds the souce of the noise. A beautiful bird with no legs hangs on branches with long feathers, licking on midnight dew. Its long flowing plumage, as light as gossamer, shines golden, orange, emerald green, and chesnut brown, a breaze blows and the bird neither moves nor seems to notice the shift in wind.
Looking on at the beauty of the animal, Youko stares in wonder. Seeing that it has a visitor, the bird looks at the young fox kit. 'Fox born, what has you staring so magnificantly?' The bird asks, stopping its drink of dew to look and speak with the fox.
Youko nervously turning away, sits and stares to the ground. 'You are a beautiful bird, with your bright colors and beauty I could do nothing else but stare.' Turning to look back at the bird, Youko's tails begin to wag as the bird faces him fully.
'I thank you for the compliment young fox kit, please, honor me in your name.'
Puffing his chest in pride, Youko sits as strate as he could. 'My name is Youko Kurama, born of Rein and With, gaurdian spirits of this forest. Please, may I ask, who are you?'
The bird seems to brighten at Youko's beam of pride. 'I am Manucodiata. I am a Bird of Paradise, living in paradise, I decend to earth to rest and drink.' Spreading its massive wings, Manucodiata releases itself from the tree and flies above Youko's head. 'Leave now Youko Kurama, there are men here to do all wrong.'
Afraid of the warning, Youko looks on frightend before backing himself and turning to run back to his mother and father.
Running as fast as he could, Youko hears the voices of man along with the growls of his mother and father. As he gets closer, he hears a swoosh of swords and a yip from his parents, and all goes quiet. Slowing to a fast trot, Youko stays conceiled in the bushes, looking on in fright as he sees his parents laying motionless, being hovered over by two unknown men.
Holding back tears, Youko growls and the two men look behind them. Youko frozen from fear, holds his breath. The two men walk over and spread open the bush he is in.
Shaking, Youko springs out of the bush and runs to the bodies of his parents. Yipping and barking for them to wake up, Youko grabs his father's tail and starts to tug, hoping for him to wake up and help.
Youko is lifted to face the man responsible for his parent's death, the man looks at Youko sadly. He says something to his partner before looking back to Youko. Youko begins to growl when the man was about to put him in a sack.
Struggling, Youko manages to bit the man holding him in the finger. Being dropped to the floor, Youko tries to run away, but runs into the leg of the second man. Tucking his tails between his legs, Youko growls louder while walking backwards, his fur standing on end and his ears tucked painfully back.
The first man looks at the ball of fluff, laughing to himself, he bends down to pick up the frightened kit. As he touches Youko, he jumps in the air and faces the man who touched him. Growing angrier and more afraid, Youko can feel himself changing.
On the inside, Youko can feel a heat building up, a pulsation emits from his body, ripples of power are seen leaving him.
The man stands back up and stares nervously at the animal. Stepping back slowly as to not frighten the creature more, the men begin to sweat.
With all the movement, Youko watches the men. The second man moves swiftly to the other side. A final surge of power erupts over Youko. Dirt, sticks and rocks fly as Youko is left standing in a crater in the form of a six-year old. His tails flayling around him as his body jumps and attacks the two men.
Instinctivly Youko begins to bite, scratch and hit at the men. His naked body moving quickly, Youko continues to scratch at the man who grabbed him. Sitting on top of him, Youko stares panting at the mangled face of an unrecognizable man.
Lifting to look at his hands, Youko stares curiously at his bloody fingers. Tilting his head, he moves his fingers. Gripping them then relaxing, he does this a couple of times before turning them over to study his hands. His sharp claws hold torn flesh and scrapes of bone, looking down at himself, Youko sees that he no longer has fur covering his body. Feeling his skin with his hands, blood is smeared over himself. Looking behind him quickly, Youko sees his tails are still their, moving them to make sure they work, Youko gets up from the dead man and walks over to see his fallen parents.
Wabaling a bit, Youko tries to balance on his new two legs. Many a times he has seen his parents in their other forms, Youko begins to walk as they did.
Falling to his knees, Youko moves to touch his mother, but stops when he spots his hands. Whipping away the blood on the grass, Youko grabs his mother and turns her over.
Her body is covered in blood and a tip of an arrow is lodged in her throat. A deep cut from a sword begins at her back and ends just above her tail.
Youko's eyes water and silent tears spill from his eyes. He looks to his father, a sharp blow to the head and he died instantly.
Getting up with his mother still in his hands, Youko steps to his father and bends to pick him up. Walking on shaky feet, Youko carries his parents to the stream bed and lays them down. Crawling to see his reflection, Youko looks on amazed at his new appearance. His hair is still silver; as his fur; and his fox ears still sit on his head. Looking deeper in the waters reflection, drops of red dot his face.
Angry, he swats at the water and starts to wash his hands then splashing at himself he washes off all the dried blood.
Gently, he washes each of his parents, and lays them on the rock they would lay on when he was younger.
As dawn approaches, Youko is done burying the corpses of his parents. Placing rocks above their graves to keep away anything that might want to eat their bodies.
Youko sat there at his parents graves for a few days. Signs of fall begin to show. The leaves change color and the days become colder. After hunger got the better of him, Youko left his parent's grave in search for food. With many unsuccessful hunts, Youko managed to sneek up on a baby rabbit hiding in the grass.
Shivering from the incoming cold, Youko walks back to his den. Curling up in a ball, Youko uses his tails as the only way to keep warm.
Waking up in the middle of the night to a high pitched shrill, Youko scampers up the tunnel and pokes his head out of the hole. The same shrill echoes but sounds tired. Running to find the source, Youko sees the second man.
Afraid as the memory of his parents floods his mind, he looks to see what was making the screeching sound. His eyes widen when he sees Manucodiata tangled in strings hanging in the air. Angry at the mistreat of a godling, Youko begins to growl.
The man turns and looks on frightened at the fox that killed his partner.
Youko runs towards the man but is shot in the arm by an arrow. Crying out, Youko yanks out the arrow, blood flows quickly and Youko covers it with his good hand. Wanting to run after the man, Youko turns to see Manucodiata trying to escape her trap.
Youko walks up to the flayling bird but she only screeches louder and struggles harder.
'Manucodiata! Please calm down so that I may help you!' Youko pleads with the frightened creature.
Calming herself, the bird looks to Youko. 'Is that you, fox kit?' Manucodiata asks, her breathing deep and scared.
Youko smiles and walks over to the trap and pulls it from the tree. Manucodiata falls to the ground exhausted from her struggles.
Not able to move, the Bird of Paradise lays her head down for her final resting place. 'As my gift to you, fox child, when I die, take my feathers and sow them into your cloths. They are as strong as any armor and will aid you well.' Breathing slowly, Manucodiata looks up to Youko with sad eyes. Youko shakes his head and lifts the bird into his arms and burries his face into her cooling body. 'Do not feel saddened by my death yound fox. I will be reborn into paradise. Good-bye... Youko Kurama.' As her final breath, Manucodiata dies laying in Youko's arms.
The bird begins to disapear, but the feathers are left behind, craddled in Youko's arms. Saddened by a third death, Youko walks back to his den, feathers gripped tightly in one hand. A breaze blows and Youko's tiny body begins to shiver. Without his fur to keep him warm, Youko wraps his arms around his chest, his tails around his midsection.
Making it back to his den, Youko stays awake all through the night, listening to the sounds of nature. As dawn approaches, Youko stretches his stiff joints and scratches behind his ears.
With the feathers safe in the den, Youko needs cloths if to keep warm, and the only place he knows that have any material is the human village, just below the mountain.
His father took him there days before he was killed. That day, With had changed into his human form, covering his demon traits with his cloths. Youko had stayed hidden in the bag his father carried, watching from a small hole. The language the humans spoke was nothing Youko had ever heard, but his father seemed to speak it fluently. Shops carried many treasures Youko seemed to find beautiful, but when he asked his father for them, With would make a small growl and told him to stay hidden.
After leaving the village, Youko had asked his father many questions about what they had seen. With had told him that, 'A human is afraid of any creature that they are not familiar with, be it human or otherwise. An unwritten truce had been spread with the beast of the forest and the human villages, each respected the boundries of territories and demon lords that protected the lands. Never are you to approach a village with the wrong intention.' Youko had taken it to heart as he stares at the business of the early humans. Some began to open shop and others whent to the fields and began to harvest the last of crops before winter.
Youko was never taught the language humans speak, and was unsure as to what to do, with his ears and tail, he didn't know how to conceil himself to be able to enter the village. Looking around he sees a few houses along the edge of the village.
Sneaking around the side of the homes, Youko peaks in through a window, a family lay sleeping under blankets while the father prepares for his day. Youko looks on saddened at the family wishing he too still had his. Youko stops his thinking when the man began to move. Hidding below the window, Youko listens as the man walks out of the hut. Going over to the edge he watches as the man is greated by another.
Each man greats the other with a 'hello.' Wanting to learn the language, Youko tries to mimic the sounds the humans made. "Herro..erlo..lo..hel-o, hello...Hello." Smiling at his success, Youko follows the man a little farther, watching him closely as he works.
Becoming bored easily, Youko jumps into a tree and looks around the village. The sun has been up a while and the humans have began their morning duties. From his perch on the tree, the wind blows more cold and Youko remembers why he came in the first place.
Climbing down quickly, he walks below the tall grasses, making his way back to the hut with the family. Looking inside, no one seems to be around. Jumping in he skurries around quickly looking for cloths that he may use. Lifting up blankets he wraps it around his head and body, warming himself.
Hearing a loud noise Youko quicky turns around and sees a small human looking at him. Using the only word Youko knows he says to the child, "H-hello." The human child smiles happily and says the same word.
"Hello, who are you?" The child asks. Youko tilts his head to the side not understanding the human. Upset that Youko doesn't answer, the child walks over to him and repeats her question.
Youko, afraid of what might happen walks back into a corner, stepping on the blanket shielding himself, it drops to the floor.
The human child gasps at Youko's form. Covering her mouth with her hands she says, "Your naked!" Before laughing and pointing.
Cold, Youko grabs the blanket and wraps himself again, staring confused at the human child. "...aked..." Youko repeats, squinting out the words.
The human child stops laughing and walks over to Youko. "No silly, naked. Can't you say it right? Na-ked." The child repeats slowly for Youko.
"Na-ked..." The child beams happy that Youko said it right.
A sound comes from another room, and both look to see another human. The human child goes over and huggs the elder ones leg and says, "Mama!" The woman looks over at Youko and starts to scream.
Afraid Youko jumps and heads for the window but the blanket is snagged on the wall, tripping him. Falling on his back, Youko burries himself under the blanket, trying to hide.
Shaking Youko grips the blanket tightly before it is able to be pulled off. A tug from his back side and he grips the blanket harder, wimpering with fright.
Many footsteps are heard entering the hut, cries and loud yells are all Youko can hear, the words of the villagers mumbled together in one massive voice. Quickly the noise quiets down. Trying to smell for humans, the scent of the family lingers in the blanket.
Breathing deeply, the blanket begins to feel stuffy and he can't breath. Unsurely Youko peeks out through a crease in the blanket. Quickly hiding back in, many men of the village surround his hiding place, standing and waiting to see what happens.
A human makes a noise, steping closer to examine the bundle in the blanket. Cautiously, he prods at Youko with his foot, testing to see his reaction.
At being touched, Youko yelps and begins to shake. Fear of being beaten by the humans causes him to inch away, draging the blanket with him. A tug at the blanket makes Youko stop. Lifting the blanket, a light shines through and the image of a man appears infront of him. Covering his eyes, Youko curls into a ball and tries to crawl to his back. Leaning to the side he manages to curl onto his side, wimpering in submission.
The humans gasp. Throwing the blanket from Youko they stare hypnotised. The women in the room look on at Youko with a sence of aww. The men look unsure of the situation.
Youko peeks out from his fingers, his golden eyes sparkle at seeing the women look of fasination, but doesn't know what to do with the men looking warily at him. Sitting to a more comfortable posision, he sits on his legs, his ears held low and eyes down casted, every once in a while glancing up to look at the humans.
A women tries to get closer but is held back by a man. A few words are said before she lightly places her hands on the mans arm, relaxing him. With a nod of his head, the man allows the women to get closer to Youko. Kneeling a small distance away, the woman outstretches her hand, slowly inching her way closer.
Youko looks around the room confused. Side glancing the woman, Youko inches away from the outstretched hand, his ears twitching for any sound.
The little girl from earlier starts to laugh at the scene in front of her. Her mother is trying to reach for Youko but he backs away looking at her funny.
All the adults in the hut turn to see the little girl. Her hands cover her mouth and she tries to hold back a laugh.
"No mama, like this." She says, skipping away before anyone can grab at her. The room quiets again when the little girl stops infront of Youko. Bending down to look at him better she smiles and tilts her head. "Hello again." She continues to smile at him.
Youko smiles at the girl, his tails begin to twitch with the desire to wag. He mimics the girl's "Hello again" and the room loudens in a gasp. Flinching from the sudden noise, his ears flatten.
The little girl gets upset at the grown ups scaring Youko and she starts to scold them. The adults listen intently at the girls some what knowledge of the situation. Turning her attention back at Youko, she smiles and asks, "What's your name?"
Youko tilts his head and looks at the girl confused. He begins to get upset not knowing what it is that is being said.
The woman speaks to her daughter and the girl frowns. She stands and walks over to her mother with her head down.
Youko worries. A wind blows into the hut and Youko's bare skin cools and he begins to shiver. Wrapping his tails around his body, he snuggles into his tails.
An adult speaks and the woman leaves, comming back with a bundle of cloths in her hand. She was going to walk over to Youko but stops when she remembers his nervousness. Kneeling again her distance, she stretches out her hands and hands the cloths to him.
Youko smiles happily and begins to nodd his head quickly and reaches out for them. Grabbing them, he looks at the bundle quizicly. Putting it on the floor he stares, he doesn't know which are the top and which are the bottom. Looking to the lady in front of him he points at the cloths.
The woman looks down at the cloths and back to Youko, who continues to point at the cloths. Moving closer to him, she grabs the haori and shows it to him. "This is called a haori. Ha-o-ri. Can you say it? Ha-o-ri."
Youko smiles at the lesson and tries to learn the language. "Ha-ri-"
"Ha-O-"
"Ha-o-"
"Ri."
"Ha-o-ri ."
The lady smiles and begins to smile and laugh. "Very good."
Youko beams with pride and begins to wag his tails, his ears standing tall. Standing up, he points eagerly to the hakamas. Once the lady told him the name, he runs to the wall and starts to pat it then look to the people. Everywhere he goes he stops and picks up an item, wanting to know the name, jumping with anticipation.
The village by now have gone back to do their jobs and the wemon were left to tend to Youko.
By nightfall, Youko had learned many of what things were called. Staring up at the sky, Youko turns to the people who had helped him; the lady, Mia, the little girl, Pallet, and the father of the family, Tori. He points out into the woods and says, "forest." The family look at him, wondering what he means.
"What's wrong Kit?" Pallet asks. Kit was the name the family gave him, deciding it being the best thing to call him.
"Forest, home go." Youko says jumping through the window. Poking his head back in he smiles back to the family. "Back sun." And he points to the sky. "Bye-bye." And he runs back to his home.
^^^
Bird of Paradise- Spirit of Rare Beauty- The Bird of Paradise (Manucodiata, "Birds of God") is a vision of iridescent color. Its long flowing plumage, as light as gossamer, shines golden, orange, emerald green, and chestnut brown. Without flesh or bone, this bright spirit lives in Paradise, where it feeds on dew. It decends to earth only to rest. Lacking feet it attaches itself to the branch of a tree with two strings that extend beyond its tail feathers. Only after does a Bird of Paradise dies and its body is discovered on earth are human beings able to look upon its beauty. Rulers wore the feathers in battle, beleaving them to be as strong as armor. Knowing that live birds never touch the ground, hunters cover strings and reeds with lime and hang them in the air, but the entangled birds die in the trap. (Taken from "The Book of Dragons and Other Mythical Beasts" By Joseph Niggs.)
A/N: Well, I'm writing two stories at once now that I don't have intrenet. The idea of writing about adventures with Youko has been in my head for a long time, and now that I have the time to write it I am. The book of Dragons and Other Mythical Beasts will be the book I get my information and mythical beasts from. There are fifty of them so I want about one new beast in each chapter so expect fifty or more chapters for this one. ^-^ Have fun reading and don't forget to review please! ^-^ OH! and if anyone has any information on Karasu please tell me, everything from the proper way to spell his name would be helpful. I want to put him in later when Youko gets older but I know nothing about him. Hmmm is that all I want to say.... Think so... Well again Read and Review please. ^-^ Oh yeah, this has been bugging me for a while... it may be stupid but if it's obvious, it's not for me... Is Youko's first name Youko or Kurama? I know in Japan its Last name first name, and here its first name last name, was it transfered over here in the U.S. or is his first name realy Youko? Youko Kurama, or Kurama Youko? If anyone knows please tell me T-T I don't want to feel like an idiot for this.
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho
Chapter 1: Spirit of Rare Beauty
The sun climbs above the mountains of Japan, casting bright lights to warm the earth and awaken all touched by its heavenly rays. A cry echoes in the distance. A child's breath quiets the neighboring animals inhabiting the woodlands. Cautious steps follow the sound, a new baby has been born.
Deep into the woods, past the flayling stream and deep into the den of a fox mother and child, a proud father leaps into the air, happily he barks and circles a tree, the father darts back into the den to come out and continue his routene. Exhausting himself, the new father pants and basks into the new light, delighted at his success.
Inside the den of the foxes, the auburn colored mother lays curled around a small bundle of silver damped fur. Nuzzling the infant kit, the mother moves to a more comfortable position, laying on her side, and allows the newborn to suckle.
Bobbing his head, the newborn kit drinks his fill before falling asleep besides his mother.
^^^
A month has passed and the young fox kit now plays in the afternoon sunshine, chasing butterflies and pouncing on frogs. Wagging his twin tails, the fox kit turns a sharp right and runs right into his mother and father, a successful hunt of rabbit and mice.
'Come eat your fill young one, you have much to learn in the morning.' The kits mother tells, going over and licking his head before allowing him to eat.
'He will be fine Rein, let our son eat.' The father says while smiling at his mate and kit.
Rein looks annoid at her mates calm demenor. 'How can you be so calm, my love? Youko must learn to controle his ki if he is to have a human form.' To make her point more serious, she changes from a fox, to a beatuful woman with long auburn hair, her pointed ears hidden behind it. Emerald eyes brighten with the forest green robes cascade around her long slender figure, split behind her for her tail. Seeing her mate laugh at her rushed transformation, she hisses to him, 'What makes this so funny With?' Rein says while looking at him sturnly.
Transforming himself, With becomes a lean male, shortened black hair fall just below his shoulders, fox ears twitching above his head. Golden eyes gleam with mischief as he steps closer to his loving mate. Silver cloths hug his body as he walks, his tail brushing his legs with each step. Taking Reins body into his own, With smiles down at her, kissing her lovingly. Ending the kiss, Rein's eyes are clouded over, With snickers at his mate, 'Youko will be fine.' Kissing her on the fore-head, With lets her go, and leads her to sit with him under a tree.
Youko, done with his dinner, treds tiredly to his parents. Yawning, he crawls into his mothers lap and falls asleep, licking his lips and sighing.
Night falls and the family of foxes rest blissfully on the grass beneith the tree.
A sound of moving branches, and Youko's ears begin to twitch alive. Opening his eyes slowly, Youko looks around for the noise that disturbed his sleep. Hearing it again, his ears perk up, and he looks in the direction of the noise. Jumping from his mothers lap, Youko runs into the woods, smiling at a possible new play toy.
Deeper he runs into the woods until he finds the souce of the noise. A beautiful bird with no legs hangs on branches with long feathers, licking on midnight dew. Its long flowing plumage, as light as gossamer, shines golden, orange, emerald green, and chesnut brown, a breaze blows and the bird neither moves nor seems to notice the shift in wind.
Looking on at the beauty of the animal, Youko stares in wonder. Seeing that it has a visitor, the bird looks at the young fox kit. 'Fox born, what has you staring so magnificantly?' The bird asks, stopping its drink of dew to look and speak with the fox.
Youko nervously turning away, sits and stares to the ground. 'You are a beautiful bird, with your bright colors and beauty I could do nothing else but stare.' Turning to look back at the bird, Youko's tails begin to wag as the bird faces him fully.
'I thank you for the compliment young fox kit, please, honor me in your name.'
Puffing his chest in pride, Youko sits as strate as he could. 'My name is Youko Kurama, born of Rein and With, gaurdian spirits of this forest. Please, may I ask, who are you?'
The bird seems to brighten at Youko's beam of pride. 'I am Manucodiata. I am a Bird of Paradise, living in paradise, I decend to earth to rest and drink.' Spreading its massive wings, Manucodiata releases itself from the tree and flies above Youko's head. 'Leave now Youko Kurama, there are men here to do all wrong.'
Afraid of the warning, Youko looks on frightend before backing himself and turning to run back to his mother and father.
Running as fast as he could, Youko hears the voices of man along with the growls of his mother and father. As he gets closer, he hears a swoosh of swords and a yip from his parents, and all goes quiet. Slowing to a fast trot, Youko stays conceiled in the bushes, looking on in fright as he sees his parents laying motionless, being hovered over by two unknown men.
Holding back tears, Youko growls and the two men look behind them. Youko frozen from fear, holds his breath. The two men walk over and spread open the bush he is in.
Shaking, Youko springs out of the bush and runs to the bodies of his parents. Yipping and barking for them to wake up, Youko grabs his father's tail and starts to tug, hoping for him to wake up and help.
Youko is lifted to face the man responsible for his parent's death, the man looks at Youko sadly. He says something to his partner before looking back to Youko. Youko begins to growl when the man was about to put him in a sack.
Struggling, Youko manages to bit the man holding him in the finger. Being dropped to the floor, Youko tries to run away, but runs into the leg of the second man. Tucking his tails between his legs, Youko growls louder while walking backwards, his fur standing on end and his ears tucked painfully back.
The first man looks at the ball of fluff, laughing to himself, he bends down to pick up the frightened kit. As he touches Youko, he jumps in the air and faces the man who touched him. Growing angrier and more afraid, Youko can feel himself changing.
On the inside, Youko can feel a heat building up, a pulsation emits from his body, ripples of power are seen leaving him.
The man stands back up and stares nervously at the animal. Stepping back slowly as to not frighten the creature more, the men begin to sweat.
With all the movement, Youko watches the men. The second man moves swiftly to the other side. A final surge of power erupts over Youko. Dirt, sticks and rocks fly as Youko is left standing in a crater in the form of a six-year old. His tails flayling around him as his body jumps and attacks the two men.
Instinctivly Youko begins to bite, scratch and hit at the men. His naked body moving quickly, Youko continues to scratch at the man who grabbed him. Sitting on top of him, Youko stares panting at the mangled face of an unrecognizable man.
Lifting to look at his hands, Youko stares curiously at his bloody fingers. Tilting his head, he moves his fingers. Gripping them then relaxing, he does this a couple of times before turning them over to study his hands. His sharp claws hold torn flesh and scrapes of bone, looking down at himself, Youko sees that he no longer has fur covering his body. Feeling his skin with his hands, blood is smeared over himself. Looking behind him quickly, Youko sees his tails are still their, moving them to make sure they work, Youko gets up from the dead man and walks over to see his fallen parents.
Wabaling a bit, Youko tries to balance on his new two legs. Many a times he has seen his parents in their other forms, Youko begins to walk as they did.
Falling to his knees, Youko moves to touch his mother, but stops when he spots his hands. Whipping away the blood on the grass, Youko grabs his mother and turns her over.
Her body is covered in blood and a tip of an arrow is lodged in her throat. A deep cut from a sword begins at her back and ends just above her tail.
Youko's eyes water and silent tears spill from his eyes. He looks to his father, a sharp blow to the head and he died instantly.
Getting up with his mother still in his hands, Youko steps to his father and bends to pick him up. Walking on shaky feet, Youko carries his parents to the stream bed and lays them down. Crawling to see his reflection, Youko looks on amazed at his new appearance. His hair is still silver; as his fur; and his fox ears still sit on his head. Looking deeper in the waters reflection, drops of red dot his face.
Angry, he swats at the water and starts to wash his hands then splashing at himself he washes off all the dried blood.
Gently, he washes each of his parents, and lays them on the rock they would lay on when he was younger.
As dawn approaches, Youko is done burying the corpses of his parents. Placing rocks above their graves to keep away anything that might want to eat their bodies.
Youko sat there at his parents graves for a few days. Signs of fall begin to show. The leaves change color and the days become colder. After hunger got the better of him, Youko left his parent's grave in search for food. With many unsuccessful hunts, Youko managed to sneek up on a baby rabbit hiding in the grass.
Shivering from the incoming cold, Youko walks back to his den. Curling up in a ball, Youko uses his tails as the only way to keep warm.
Waking up in the middle of the night to a high pitched shrill, Youko scampers up the tunnel and pokes his head out of the hole. The same shrill echoes but sounds tired. Running to find the source, Youko sees the second man.
Afraid as the memory of his parents floods his mind, he looks to see what was making the screeching sound. His eyes widen when he sees Manucodiata tangled in strings hanging in the air. Angry at the mistreat of a godling, Youko begins to growl.
The man turns and looks on frightened at the fox that killed his partner.
Youko runs towards the man but is shot in the arm by an arrow. Crying out, Youko yanks out the arrow, blood flows quickly and Youko covers it with his good hand. Wanting to run after the man, Youko turns to see Manucodiata trying to escape her trap.
Youko walks up to the flayling bird but she only screeches louder and struggles harder.
'Manucodiata! Please calm down so that I may help you!' Youko pleads with the frightened creature.
Calming herself, the bird looks to Youko. 'Is that you, fox kit?' Manucodiata asks, her breathing deep and scared.
Youko smiles and walks over to the trap and pulls it from the tree. Manucodiata falls to the ground exhausted from her struggles.
Not able to move, the Bird of Paradise lays her head down for her final resting place. 'As my gift to you, fox child, when I die, take my feathers and sow them into your cloths. They are as strong as any armor and will aid you well.' Breathing slowly, Manucodiata looks up to Youko with sad eyes. Youko shakes his head and lifts the bird into his arms and burries his face into her cooling body. 'Do not feel saddened by my death yound fox. I will be reborn into paradise. Good-bye... Youko Kurama.' As her final breath, Manucodiata dies laying in Youko's arms.
The bird begins to disapear, but the feathers are left behind, craddled in Youko's arms. Saddened by a third death, Youko walks back to his den, feathers gripped tightly in one hand. A breaze blows and Youko's tiny body begins to shiver. Without his fur to keep him warm, Youko wraps his arms around his chest, his tails around his midsection.
Making it back to his den, Youko stays awake all through the night, listening to the sounds of nature. As dawn approaches, Youko stretches his stiff joints and scratches behind his ears.
With the feathers safe in the den, Youko needs cloths if to keep warm, and the only place he knows that have any material is the human village, just below the mountain.
His father took him there days before he was killed. That day, With had changed into his human form, covering his demon traits with his cloths. Youko had stayed hidden in the bag his father carried, watching from a small hole. The language the humans spoke was nothing Youko had ever heard, but his father seemed to speak it fluently. Shops carried many treasures Youko seemed to find beautiful, but when he asked his father for them, With would make a small growl and told him to stay hidden.
After leaving the village, Youko had asked his father many questions about what they had seen. With had told him that, 'A human is afraid of any creature that they are not familiar with, be it human or otherwise. An unwritten truce had been spread with the beast of the forest and the human villages, each respected the boundries of territories and demon lords that protected the lands. Never are you to approach a village with the wrong intention.' Youko had taken it to heart as he stares at the business of the early humans. Some began to open shop and others whent to the fields and began to harvest the last of crops before winter.
Youko was never taught the language humans speak, and was unsure as to what to do, with his ears and tail, he didn't know how to conceil himself to be able to enter the village. Looking around he sees a few houses along the edge of the village.
Sneaking around the side of the homes, Youko peaks in through a window, a family lay sleeping under blankets while the father prepares for his day. Youko looks on saddened at the family wishing he too still had his. Youko stops his thinking when the man began to move. Hidding below the window, Youko listens as the man walks out of the hut. Going over to the edge he watches as the man is greated by another.
Each man greats the other with a 'hello.' Wanting to learn the language, Youko tries to mimic the sounds the humans made. "Herro..erlo..lo..hel-o, hello...Hello." Smiling at his success, Youko follows the man a little farther, watching him closely as he works.
Becoming bored easily, Youko jumps into a tree and looks around the village. The sun has been up a while and the humans have began their morning duties. From his perch on the tree, the wind blows more cold and Youko remembers why he came in the first place.
Climbing down quickly, he walks below the tall grasses, making his way back to the hut with the family. Looking inside, no one seems to be around. Jumping in he skurries around quickly looking for cloths that he may use. Lifting up blankets he wraps it around his head and body, warming himself.
Hearing a loud noise Youko quicky turns around and sees a small human looking at him. Using the only word Youko knows he says to the child, "H-hello." The human child smiles happily and says the same word.
"Hello, who are you?" The child asks. Youko tilts his head to the side not understanding the human. Upset that Youko doesn't answer, the child walks over to him and repeats her question.
Youko, afraid of what might happen walks back into a corner, stepping on the blanket shielding himself, it drops to the floor.
The human child gasps at Youko's form. Covering her mouth with her hands she says, "Your naked!" Before laughing and pointing.
Cold, Youko grabs the blanket and wraps himself again, staring confused at the human child. "...aked..." Youko repeats, squinting out the words.
The human child stops laughing and walks over to Youko. "No silly, naked. Can't you say it right? Na-ked." The child repeats slowly for Youko.
"Na-ked..." The child beams happy that Youko said it right.
A sound comes from another room, and both look to see another human. The human child goes over and huggs the elder ones leg and says, "Mama!" The woman looks over at Youko and starts to scream.
Afraid Youko jumps and heads for the window but the blanket is snagged on the wall, tripping him. Falling on his back, Youko burries himself under the blanket, trying to hide.
Shaking Youko grips the blanket tightly before it is able to be pulled off. A tug from his back side and he grips the blanket harder, wimpering with fright.
Many footsteps are heard entering the hut, cries and loud yells are all Youko can hear, the words of the villagers mumbled together in one massive voice. Quickly the noise quiets down. Trying to smell for humans, the scent of the family lingers in the blanket.
Breathing deeply, the blanket begins to feel stuffy and he can't breath. Unsurely Youko peeks out through a crease in the blanket. Quickly hiding back in, many men of the village surround his hiding place, standing and waiting to see what happens.
A human makes a noise, steping closer to examine the bundle in the blanket. Cautiously, he prods at Youko with his foot, testing to see his reaction.
At being touched, Youko yelps and begins to shake. Fear of being beaten by the humans causes him to inch away, draging the blanket with him. A tug at the blanket makes Youko stop. Lifting the blanket, a light shines through and the image of a man appears infront of him. Covering his eyes, Youko curls into a ball and tries to crawl to his back. Leaning to the side he manages to curl onto his side, wimpering in submission.
The humans gasp. Throwing the blanket from Youko they stare hypnotised. The women in the room look on at Youko with a sence of aww. The men look unsure of the situation.
Youko peeks out from his fingers, his golden eyes sparkle at seeing the women look of fasination, but doesn't know what to do with the men looking warily at him. Sitting to a more comfortable posision, he sits on his legs, his ears held low and eyes down casted, every once in a while glancing up to look at the humans.
A women tries to get closer but is held back by a man. A few words are said before she lightly places her hands on the mans arm, relaxing him. With a nod of his head, the man allows the women to get closer to Youko. Kneeling a small distance away, the woman outstretches her hand, slowly inching her way closer.
Youko looks around the room confused. Side glancing the woman, Youko inches away from the outstretched hand, his ears twitching for any sound.
The little girl from earlier starts to laugh at the scene in front of her. Her mother is trying to reach for Youko but he backs away looking at her funny.
All the adults in the hut turn to see the little girl. Her hands cover her mouth and she tries to hold back a laugh.
"No mama, like this." She says, skipping away before anyone can grab at her. The room quiets again when the little girl stops infront of Youko. Bending down to look at him better she smiles and tilts her head. "Hello again." She continues to smile at him.
Youko smiles at the girl, his tails begin to twitch with the desire to wag. He mimics the girl's "Hello again" and the room loudens in a gasp. Flinching from the sudden noise, his ears flatten.
The little girl gets upset at the grown ups scaring Youko and she starts to scold them. The adults listen intently at the girls some what knowledge of the situation. Turning her attention back at Youko, she smiles and asks, "What's your name?"
Youko tilts his head and looks at the girl confused. He begins to get upset not knowing what it is that is being said.
The woman speaks to her daughter and the girl frowns. She stands and walks over to her mother with her head down.
Youko worries. A wind blows into the hut and Youko's bare skin cools and he begins to shiver. Wrapping his tails around his body, he snuggles into his tails.
An adult speaks and the woman leaves, comming back with a bundle of cloths in her hand. She was going to walk over to Youko but stops when she remembers his nervousness. Kneeling again her distance, she stretches out her hands and hands the cloths to him.
Youko smiles happily and begins to nodd his head quickly and reaches out for them. Grabbing them, he looks at the bundle quizicly. Putting it on the floor he stares, he doesn't know which are the top and which are the bottom. Looking to the lady in front of him he points at the cloths.
The woman looks down at the cloths and back to Youko, who continues to point at the cloths. Moving closer to him, she grabs the haori and shows it to him. "This is called a haori. Ha-o-ri. Can you say it? Ha-o-ri."
Youko smiles at the lesson and tries to learn the language. "Ha-ri-"
"Ha-O-"
"Ha-o-"
"Ri."
"Ha-o-ri ."
The lady smiles and begins to smile and laugh. "Very good."
Youko beams with pride and begins to wag his tails, his ears standing tall. Standing up, he points eagerly to the hakamas. Once the lady told him the name, he runs to the wall and starts to pat it then look to the people. Everywhere he goes he stops and picks up an item, wanting to know the name, jumping with anticipation.
The village by now have gone back to do their jobs and the wemon were left to tend to Youko.
By nightfall, Youko had learned many of what things were called. Staring up at the sky, Youko turns to the people who had helped him; the lady, Mia, the little girl, Pallet, and the father of the family, Tori. He points out into the woods and says, "forest." The family look at him, wondering what he means.
"What's wrong Kit?" Pallet asks. Kit was the name the family gave him, deciding it being the best thing to call him.
"Forest, home go." Youko says jumping through the window. Poking his head back in he smiles back to the family. "Back sun." And he points to the sky. "Bye-bye." And he runs back to his home.
^^^
Bird of Paradise- Spirit of Rare Beauty- The Bird of Paradise (Manucodiata, "Birds of God") is a vision of iridescent color. Its long flowing plumage, as light as gossamer, shines golden, orange, emerald green, and chestnut brown. Without flesh or bone, this bright spirit lives in Paradise, where it feeds on dew. It decends to earth only to rest. Lacking feet it attaches itself to the branch of a tree with two strings that extend beyond its tail feathers. Only after does a Bird of Paradise dies and its body is discovered on earth are human beings able to look upon its beauty. Rulers wore the feathers in battle, beleaving them to be as strong as armor. Knowing that live birds never touch the ground, hunters cover strings and reeds with lime and hang them in the air, but the entangled birds die in the trap. (Taken from "The Book of Dragons and Other Mythical Beasts" By Joseph Niggs.)
A/N: Well, I'm writing two stories at once now that I don't have intrenet. The idea of writing about adventures with Youko has been in my head for a long time, and now that I have the time to write it I am. The book of Dragons and Other Mythical Beasts will be the book I get my information and mythical beasts from. There are fifty of them so I want about one new beast in each chapter so expect fifty or more chapters for this one. ^-^ Have fun reading and don't forget to review please! ^-^ OH! and if anyone has any information on Karasu please tell me, everything from the proper way to spell his name would be helpful. I want to put him in later when Youko gets older but I know nothing about him. Hmmm is that all I want to say.... Think so... Well again Read and Review please. ^-^ Oh yeah, this has been bugging me for a while... it may be stupid but if it's obvious, it's not for me... Is Youko's first name Youko or Kurama? I know in Japan its Last name first name, and here its first name last name, was it transfered over here in the U.S. or is his first name realy Youko? Youko Kurama, or Kurama Youko? If anyone knows please tell me T-T I don't want to feel like an idiot for this.