Fox Commandments ((Closed, Kusuriyuri, Kurama))

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

_{((OOC: backdated to Dec. 21, directly related to events here, here and here. Basically, Kurama is retraining for a new prestige class. Also, longpost is long.))}



Kurama, dressed in a thin white kimono belted in red, feet bare and pacing the length of the greenhouse, looked over at himself and sighed. He, or at least, the physical representation of himself he was starting to think of as simply 'Youko,' lounged in one of the hammock-chairs, similarly clothed, swinging his legs lazily and watching himself - Kurama - pace.

"You don't seem worried," Kurama muttered, twisting his hand through his hair. He was nervous, but all that nervousness seemed to be just this part of him. His other half was obscenely calm, and how was that fair?

"I'm not," Youko answered, seemingly bored. "I am hungry, though. And a little tired." Kurama waited. "And kind of horny."

"Aren't you always?"

"Aren't you?"

They glared at each other. Kurama broke first. "So why aren't you worried? This is an entirely new path we're taking."

"Hm, maybe." Youko shrugged. "I'm quite sure the indecisive parts are all you. I know what I am."

"Gukutsushi? Dream weaver? Just because someone had to bribe you-"

"Us."

"Bribe us with a treat doesn't mean that path was the right one."

"So," Youko kicked back and swung about with a little more force. That meant, Kurama knew, that he was already bored. "What were you thinking, then? Eiji?"

"Gods no. Do you want to burn your paws and run around killing things all day? I mean without our own discretion? I was thinking Kataribe."

That got Youko's attention. His ears pricked and his feet skidded on the floor, stopping the swing. "What, Bard? Inari's spy? Come on now, have some dignity."

"This doesn't have anything to do with dignity," Kurama reminded himself. "We did agree to serve Inari. Either way we will regardless of the path we choose, but Gukutsushi..." He shrugged. "It hasn't served us as well as it could now. Back before, sure, but now?"

Youko grimaced, seeing his point. "We're different, now. Hell, as fun as this is, it isn't like we can chose different bowls."

There was a silence. Youko ventured, "Can't we?"

"No." Kurama shook his head. "No, that would be a bad idea. We're too conflicted already, we fight with ourself too much." He sighed. Outside, he could see the sun just dropping under the horizon. He gestured to a bottle of Sake Youko had snatched from the kitchen. "Time to go. I'm sure the right path will present itself to us."

--

Kusuriyuri, who they could feel sitting far off enough to not interfere, but close enough to observe and keep any other spies away, had done a perfect job of setting up the circle of crossroads. Under the moonlight, each one glowed with their representative elements: Lava, clay, fog, and lightning. In the middle of the circle was where Kurama would light his incense, pour a cup of sake over the small offering stone, and receive Inari's commandments.

The two halves of himself stepped into the circle together, flanking the North-Eastern bowl - fog.

Light incense, pour sake. Listen. Youko and Kurama sat facing each other, trying not to shiver under the bitter cold. Neither of them made a move for a bowl.

Youko's ears started to twitch, and he glanced up. The moon was growing dark. Had he known it would be an eclipse tonight? Was it relevant? He glanced at Kurama, who shrugged. They had to wait for the moon to be at its apex before choosing. Would they know? Was it a full eclipse or...

The darkness deepened. The thought passed between them that maybe this hadn't been a good idea after all, that perhaps it wasn't the best choice to take the crossroads on an eclipse night. It was almost pitch black now, the only light being cast from the bowls, glowing with cold and heat on the snow.

Kurama shivered, and instinctively reached across to Youko, who squeezed his hands. It was a small comfort, but it was something. And he was so cold, the bowl of Lava glowing so invitingly and melting the snow around it. He could smell the sulfur, could imagine how nice it would be to just sit near it and not have to deal with the cold anymore...

Since when does a fox choose solely out of comfort? Youko thought, mirroring Kurama.

No, definitely not lava. A hasty choice of comfort over cold meant a hundred lifetimes of fighting shadow creatures in the nightmares of mortals. No, definitely not for him.

Fog? No. Not fog, he'd chosen fog and ended up having it obscure everything. Fog was more trouble than it was worth.

Clay? The human half of him thought so. Clay was easy, malleable, the element of messengers and spies. He was acting as a spy, after all - though for Koenma instead of Inari. After tonight, he wouldn't serve Koenma any longer, he'd be solely under Inari's paw.

So that left...

The moon went dark, then the cold, creepy red light of the eclipse began to filter across the snow, leaving it stained as well as freezing.

The bowl of lightning crackled in the redness, it's light in high relief. Kurama moved - hands still clutching his other half, to stand and go over to the bowl. Youko followed, crouching next to it. Together, they reached into the bowl.

DOSHI. Inari's 'voice' echoed in their heads, the voice of absolute Divinity she hadn't used since his first crossroads. DO YOU HEAR, CHILD OF LIGHTNING?

They didn't need to answer, Inari could see them grimacing just fine. Though whether it was from the voice or the hot, electric pain of the lightning running up their arms was case for debate.

DOSHI, KNOW WHAT IS FORBIDDEN TO YOU. The words were like stones dropping from an infinite height. The Commandments of Inari, known to all foxes, were always part of the Crossroads ceremony. It didn't keep Kurama from wincing a little that he really did need to be reminded.

YOU WILL KNOW POWER, DOSHI. USE IT NOT TO EXTERMINATE THE HUMANS, AS THEY ARE CHILDREN OF THE GODS AS WELL.MAKE NOT WAR ON YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS. TAKE NOT YOUR LIFE FOR HONOR. BREAK NOT THE WORD YOU GIVE AS YOUR OATH, LET THE OATHKEEPER DICTATE ITS FULFILLMENT.

Kurama had bowed his head almost to the ground, hands shaking from the cold and the pain, mindless with fear and shock. Still, even beyond that he knew the ceremony was almost halfway through. All he had to do was keep his hands in the bowl and listen to Inari's commandments and...

DOSHI, KNOW WHAT IS COMMANDED OF YOU. Inari's 'voice' was no less firm, but less painful to hear now. DESTROY THAT WHICH WOULD HARM THIS EARTH, DOSHI, FOR IT IS YOUR HOME AND MY DOMAIN. AID THOSE WHO WOULD AID YOU. REVERE YOUR MOTHER, MYSELF, RESPECT THE GODS AND THEIR FAVORED SERVANTS. KEEP YOUR DUTY IN YOUR HEART, DOSHI, SO YOU MAY SERVE ME WELL.

Kurama could feel the sweat freezing on his skin, where it wasn't burning under the lightning. He could feel something, too, something foreign and strange but still familiar.

The moon was at full eclipse, dark light stilling the world for a moment.

"Doshi," Inari was standing across from him now, outside the circle of crossroads. "You are free to do what is necessary to fulfill your obligation to me. And," Inari smirked a little, "Free to know that, when you give yourself to someone, they are free to share you. That's your present for being a good boy."

Then Inari was gone. The lightning, too, and the red light of the eclipse. Kurama sat back, alone - really alone now, no other half to talk at anymore - and nursed his aching hand. Arcs of lightning had left charred marks all the way up to his elbow. But that was nothing compared to the splitting headache and the irritation that he had yet another scar to pile on the rest of them.

He stood up and brushed himself off, stretching and glancing around the circle. The sake had soaked into the ground by now, the incense burned down to a gently smoking nub. The bowls were empty, even the lava bowl not showing the remnants of its element.

So. It was done. He had taken the path of the Doshi, a spirit talker. Fitting, that he'd be a sorcerer in a school of magic. Now he'd have to start studying again.

He picked up the bowls and the sake cup, carrying them under his arm as he walked back towards where he felt Kusuriyuri was, feeling drained, and yet new.

_{((OOC: most of the terms and the idea of the crossroads ceremony is directly lifted from the White Wolf RP book Hengeyoukai: Kitsune. It's stupid, but it serves the purpose of getting the character on track.))}

Comments

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri watched from a distance, not truly seeing with his eyes, but feeling the flow of energy, simply observing, having no will in Kurama's choice. Inari kept him from hearing, though he was aware of his lover's choice. He couldn't help but to be aware; a part of him was in each of those elements. There was no way for him to summon the elements and not have them contain a part of him in them. The eclipse didn't affect his vision as he was seeing without his eyes, following lines of energy until they were blotted out from him as Inari appeared. He then opened his eyes, watching the world lighten as the moon reappeared from the earth's shadow. He waited, kneeling in the snow, until Kurama appeared.

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

His feet was more than a little numb when he reached his lover, but when he saw Kusuriyuri had passed the time by sitting in the snow, he forgot his weariness and ran. "Koi, you could have gone inside," he murmured, breath steaming in the air. He knew Kusuriyuri disliked the cold just as much as he did.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

"This one could not have fulfilled his duty within," Kusuriyuri replied. He rose, his movements stiff from cold and the length of time he'd been kneeling in the snow. "It was needful," he said as he reached his feet.

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

Kurama reached out to him, dropping the cup and bowls. "Still, koi, there's no need for you to freeze as well. Either way, it's over now; let's get inside."

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

"It was needed," Kusuriyuri countered and left it at that. He stooped for the dropped bowl and cup and handing them back to Kurama before taking his lover's hand.

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

He squeezed Kusuriyuri's hand apologetically, tucking the stuff under his arm, then leading Kusuriyuri inside. "I thank you," he murmured as they walked. "Without you, that ritual would have been ten times as hard." Not only the preparation, Kurama thought, but knowing that he had someone to go back to. After all that had happened with the jinxed water, he'd half expected for Kusuriyuri to hand him the equipment and tell him to handle his own problems from now on. He really wouldn't have blamed him, either.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

"It is what is done," Kusuriyuri replied. "This one has told you, several times, that he does not change his mind easily, Itoshii. I have chosen you, Itoshii; I love you. That things are difficult, that things need to be discussed, does not change that."

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

Kurama nodded, stepping forward to open the door for Kusuriyuri. "When," he coughed, his throat suddenly quite dry. "When you are ready, koi. I'm not going to push."

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri went in, bending to pet the cats who met them at the door, before heading to the kitchen to prepare them tea. "Time is needed, for all of us, but not as much as has passed," he said, his eyes on his work.

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

Keeping his mouth shut, Kurama put away the bowls and the cup before giving the cats their deserved attention. He knew better than to interfere with the teamaking, and busied himself with setting out fresh cups on their little table instead.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri brought the tea to the table and poured it for both of them. He'd made a simple chamomile and lemongrass blend to help warm and calm them. He sighed as he sat, for once finding the western style chairs more comfortable for now. "Itoshii," he said, looking at Kurama then pausing. "You are healed," he said, the words falling over the ones he'd originally intended to say.

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

"Not entirely," Kurama said, looking at his hand. It didn't look as bad as it had felt, just a little electric burn. "Nothing really, it should clear up by the morning." He paused as he looked at it, the cup, Kusuriyuri. Then he put his hand up over his eye.

"Oh," he said, a little blandly. It was the shock, he was sure. He blinked. It was a lovely feeling, to actually blink, instead of irritably winking all the time. "Oh wow," a smile, finally. "Hey, I can see out of both sides now."

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri returned the smile. "That is so," he replied, reaching over to brush his fingers over Kurama's cheek. "I do love you, Itoshii," he said softly.

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

He pressed his cheek to Kusuriyuri's hand. "I love you too, koi. I'm just afraid that I have become very bad at showing it."

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

"Not bad, as such," Kusuriyuri replied. "Perhaps more that you now realize what more there is, what you also desire." He paused, sighing. "Now is not time to discuss it. There is much more to be considered first, both alone and together."

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

Kurama nodded vehemently. "No, later. When things are settled." He still felt like someone had opened the top of his skull and swirled his brains around a bit. And that weirdness was still there, the new feeling of being the same, but with some parts missing, some being put in different places, some entirely new. And the crackle of lightning in his blood would take hours to go away.

What he wanted, more than anything, was to curl up next to Kusuriyuri and sleep for a week. What he knew is that Kusuriyuri probably wanted another night or two to himself. That was okay, he could handle it, but it would suck.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri nodded. "Drink your tea, then let us rest in front of the fire, Itoshii." he suggested, too tired to really want to talk more just then and wanting to spend more time with Kurama.

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

Kurama did as he was told, downing the tea with no small amount of greed. He'd gone without eating before, but the nerves made it worse. He pushed away from the table then, eager to have something else to do. "I'll set it up for us, koi."

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri raised an eyebrow at Kurama before getting up and moving to gather something small for them to eat while they rested as well as more tea. He placed the items on the small table in front of the fire, waiting for Kurama to be finished.

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

He was doing fine until it was time to pull around the cushions they normally used for lounging around the fire. Would Kusuriyuri want to sit close to him? Or would he rather keep a little distance? Did it matter? How could it not matter? He'd never been in the proverbial doghouse before, and now he realized how totally out of his depth he was.

Clutching an armful of pillows and cushions, he tried not to look so helplessly at Kusuriyuri, and rather failed.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

"Has Itoshii forgotten how to set the cushions to watch the fire?" Kusuriyuri asked, reaching over to brush his fingers along Kurama's arm. "Would you prefer I set them or are you capable?" he asked.

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

"...no," Kurama said, clutching the cushions a little tighter. "No, just had a little bit of a brain pause, is all." He smiled wanly and put the cushions down in their customary place. He still felt a bit of a tit, but he was already out of his league anyway.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

"It has been a long day," Kusuriyuri replied. He held his hand out for Kurama. "Itoshii needs to rest."

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

"Yes," he took Kusuriyuri's hand, all the stress and complication of the last few days settling for now. He sank down to the cushions with an unbelievable amount of relief.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri settled next to Kurama, holding Kurama, but giving him enough room to move, if needed. "Rest, Itoshii," he whispered.

[serrulata.livejournal.com]

He leaned his head on Kusuriyuri's shoulder, shifting so the cats could take their customary places.

He wanted to apologize, still. Not talking about it was driving him mad, and it had only been a couple hours. But patience was a virtue he needed to learn in force, not just in regards to work. He knew how to bide his time, to manipulate, but he'd never been able to do that with Kusuriyuri. Infuriating as it was, Kusuriyuri was older and more clever than he, and had infinitely more patience.

But Kurama was also tired, exhausted both mentally and physically. Talking could wait.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri held Kurama. "Sleep, Itoshii. Rest." He rested his cheek against Kurama's hair, his hand resting on Boukensha's back, Belophoebe's paw on top of it. He let his own eyes close, watching the fire flickering against his eyelids.