MagiStream

When I decided to leave my den, I realized I’d slept longer than I thought I had. It was getting closer to evening now, and that probably explained why Reeku was back. Shade was dozing in the little bit of sun left in the clearing, which explained why he wasn’t part of the conversation I’d overheard.
“Sleep okay?” Rose asked, smiling at me as I yawned and sat down. I stretched my paws out in front of me before looking at her.
“Fine,” I said simply, not wanting to elaborate. Since I hadn’t explained anything, I guess my lie was pretty convincing. Usually they aren’t… Maybe Rose just didn’t ask, because when she wasn’t looking Reeku sent me and look that said ‘I know you’re lying.’
“I’m glad, you looked awfully tired… Actually I’m pretty tired myself,” Rose grinned, rolling her eyes at her own comment. Weird. But, I guess Rose is the kind of weird you can’t help but love.
“Then go to sleep,” Reeku told Rose flatly, and I knew it was because we got a lot less sleep than she did everyday. But, neither of us would ever tell her that. I knew.
“Would it kill you to say something nice?” Rose scolded, but I could tell she wasn’t angry. It was just in her nature to mother people, I supposed.
“Yes,” Reeku said bluntly. “That’s what killed my mother.” I couldn’t help but chuckle a little at that one. Rose just looked appalled. That made Reeku himself chuckle.
“You shouldn’t talk about your mother that way!” Rose wailed, a desperate look in her eyes. Sometimes she just couldn’t stand Reeku.
“I’ll talk about her how I want too,” Reeku had a bored expression as he curled his tails around his paws, not looking away from Rose. She just scowled at him, making me stifle a giggle. Rose turned to give me a playful glare.
“Whatever,” Rose rolled her eyes at Reeku. Just then Oak decided to walk from his den, I tired look in his blue eyes. I found myself wondering what he did in his den all day.. Like I usually wondered. Reeku nodded in greeting and I smiled to the old Kitsune.
“Hi Oak,” Rose smiled happily towards Oak.
“Hello everyone,” Oak replied, taking his time as he made his way over to sit by the three of us. I wondered what he wanted, or was this just one of the times when he felt like coming out and chatting? Guess I’d find out.
“Something wrong?” Reeku asked, a serious look on his face. I could tell Oak didn’t just want to chat, he had a more serious look on his face as well.
“No, nothing,” Oak assured, his voice just as rough as it always ways. I guess that’s what age does too you. “It can wait until Shade wakes up.”
“You might be waiting a while,” Rose added lightly, making the grey Kitsune leader smile. Although he was old, I could tell he was still very powerful. He must have been alive for a long time, he did have nine tails after all.
Then again, Bone had nine tails and he seemed to still be rather young. I suppose Oak had been around a long time since he got his ninth tail. Wow, I hope I never live long enough to become that frail.
“Just wake him up,” Reeku looked pointedly over at Shade, who was still asleep although the sun was gone.
“No, he needs his rest,” Oak shook his head, smiling in the direction of the currently sleeping Shade.
“I’ll get him,” Rose surprised me by agreeing with Reeku. “He’s been sleeping too long anyways.”
After a few moments, Shade was awake and sitting next to Rose as we waited to hear what Oak had to say. Oak made a gruff noise as if to clear his throat, and then he began speaking.
“As you know, our last attempt to spy on the Dark Ones was a failure,” the leader started. Here we go. “I’m just going to straight out say it… I’d like to try again.”
“And get someone else killed?” Reeku objected as soon as the words were out of Oak’s mouth, his ears flat against his head. It was obvious that Reeku still hadn’t gotten over Lunea’s death, that he still blamed himself.
“We need information, Reeku,” Oak’s voice was scolding as he looked back at Reeku with an emotionless expression. “And this is how we get it.”
“Fine,” Reeku growled like a child, turning his back on the leader and looking away. I saw him glaring at his paws out of the corner of my eyes.
“Now then,” Oak started again. “I want Shade to lead this time, Reeku and Ghost, you tag along.”
“But…” Rose had a somewhat frightened expression. “Then I’ll be the only warrior left back here. What if-”
“Nothing will happen,” Shade assured, a confident look in his eyes. Rose didn’t look very convinced.
“If its that much of a problem, Shade could stay behind,” Oak compromised. “I just wanted to send him so he could get some experience as a General.”
“Its fine…” Rose trailed off again, her brown eyes wide. But, she looked like she knew the right thing. Oak nodded.
“Perhaps you guys could leave tomorrow. Follow the same strategy as before, only, this time find a safer hiding place,” Oak went on into details of our mission.
“Sure,” I smiled, trying to sound confident. I was rather sick to my stomach… What if we got caught again? Well, we were bound too. I looked over at Reeku and saw he had the same pained expression.
There was one thing I’d never understood. The Dark Ones could successfully spy on the Auras and gain just about any information they wanted. But, no matter how many times we tired, the Auras always seemed to get caught. Perhaps we just weren’t as good as sneaking around… We were supposedly the good guys after all.
“Good then,” Oak nodded, a grim expression on his face. No one wanted another death… But, sometimes risks needed to be taken. “Everyone should get some rest.”
“I’m fine guarding,” Reeku said coolly, keeping his usual blank expression on his face. I wondered if he was tired and just didn’t show it, or he’d completely adjusted so he didn’t need as much sleep. Huh.
“No, Reeku should sleep,” I insisted. I didn’t want to sleep either. Look at me and Reeku, floating in the same boat once again. “I’ll guard.”
“You two,” Oak shook his head, letting out a sigh. “Work it out on your own. I can’t force you to sleep.” With that, the grey Kitsune gave us both knowing looks, rolled his eyes, and headed slowly back towards his den. Rose and Shade were both looking at Reeku and I oddly.
“What?” Reeku snapped at them, irritation flashing in his green eyes. They snapped out of it.
“Nothing,” Rose blinked a few times.
“Night everyone,” Shade smiled, acting like he hadn’t witnessed what he just did.
“Yeah, night,” Rose agreed. And the two of the headed off to their dens to go to sleep. I turned and gave Reeku a pointed look.
“Go to bed,” I insisted. Night was already falling, the sun completely gone and the stars visible. The moon wasn’t too bright yet, but it would be soon…
“Make me,” Reeku growled, ears flattened against his head again. A cool breeze ruffled by, and this time I shivered. I’d been completely oblivious to the fact that winter was setting in… It was growing colder and colder. Soon it would snow.
“Reeku, do Kitsune hibernate?” I wondered aloud. For a moment, Reeku looked surprised at my completely random question. It had never occurred to me that the multi-tailed foxes slept through the winter… I don’t think I could stand that many nightmares.
“No,” Reeku replied, still looking a bit surprised. He shrugged it off as I let out an internal breath of relief. Thank the spirits for that.
“Anyways,” I rolled my eyes at myself, looking at Reeku through the falling darkness. “I’m staying up.”
“No, you’re sleeping,” Reeku’s ears were still flat, despite the fact that my random question had distracted us from our current argument. I didn’t want to go to sleep.
“I can’t sleep…” I whispered. “Nightmares.” My voice dropped at least an octave as I said the last word. As if it was something I shouldn’t be saying. Reeku’s gaze softened a bit, and he looked like he understood. I knew he understood.
“Did it ever occur to you that I can’t sleep either?” Reeku’s voice was still harsh, but not as harsh as it usually was. I nodded silently, not meeting his glance. It actually had occurred to me before, but now I finally new.
“Then neither of us will sleep either way,” I pointed out softly, looking up. It was true. For the time being, nothing was going to make me go back to sleep. I didn’t want too… I wouldn’t. I knew eventually I’d have too, but not now.
“Fine then,” Reeku responded, turning away from me, his tails swishing. He was so temperamental… His tails lashed along the ground and he looked irritated that I wasn’t sleeping. For some slight reason, this irritated me.
I didn’t want to sleep, then he could go without sleep as much as he wanted? It didn’t seem fair that I had to sleep through the nightmares and he didn’t. Its not like I was very rested after I slept anyways. I sighed.
I sat down next to Reeku even though he wasn’t looking at me and curled my tails around my paws. Another cool breeze whipped by and I resisted the urge to shiver. My blue eyes just looking into the forest, watching nothing in perticular, as I was lost in thought for the thousandth time.
I didn’t know what to expect anymore… Time was flying by and now Oak was sending us on another spy mission. I was nervous, even more nervous than I was for the first one. Even if there wasn’t much of a chance the Dark Ones would catch us for a second time, you never know.
And what were the Dark Ones planning? I mean, they’re bad guys, of course they’re always planning something… But what was it this time? Oak seemed like he had some way of knowing that it was especially bad. It was as if he was sent a dream by Bone. Or, maybe he was just worried that Bone wanted me dead.
Then again, if Oak was so worried about me, he wouldn’t be sending me on all these missions. They were dangerous, but I needed practice. The only thing I could tell myself was that I’d have to find out. I yawned, and looked up at the stars, wishing for answers.

Reeku and I spent all night sitting there in silence, not speaking. I found it rather boring, but Reeku was good at being silent. I supposed it was because he spent so much time sitting and walking alone all the time… I bet he got lonely.
The plan was the same as last time. We were to walk to the Dark One’s territory, but only travel on it at night. So, we’d be waiting a little while. And hopefully this time we wouldn’t get caught. I was a bit worried about Rose, as she’d be the only one in camp.
“Ready?” Shade came up to Reeku and I shortly after he woke up.
“Sure,” I shrugged, trying to calm the nerves that are swimming around in my stomach. I yawned, closing my eyes for a moment.
“Did you sleep at all?” Shade asked, looking a bit worried.
“No,” Reeku growled, answering the question Shade had asked me.
“Neither did you,” I countered, glaring at him.
“Okay,” Shade had the look in his eyes that said ‘I don’t want to know.’ I smiled at his reaction. It wouldn’t be fare to take my anger at Reeku out on him.
“Let’s just go,” Reeku flattened his ears against his head as he started walking out of the clearing and into the forest. I looked at Shade and he shrugged, following after Reeku.
As we walked I tried to ignore Reeku’s attitude and focus on the early morning forest. Fall leaves swayed colorfully in the wind, and it was cold. It wasn’t as cold as last night… But still. Winter was fast approaching.
I could feel a chewing inside my stomach the closer we got to Dark One territory. Like something bad was going to happen. I didn’t like the feeling… Something about it wasn’t right. I had the urge to turn back, but I knew I couldn’t give up.
I started to fall a bit behind Reeku and Shade. The two of them were walking side by side a little ways ahead of me. It was starting to get lighter and lighter outside, and my paws were starting to hurt from walking across the cold ground for so long.
As another breeze whipped by I shivered ran through me. Only, I couldn’t tell if it was just the could of if my fear was beginning to scare me more. Bone… I was going to be seeing my worst nightmare again. The reason for all my fear and the death of one of my best friends. Lunea.
For some reason, the mention of Lunea fills me with hope. I looked up to the sky and forced myself to smile. She would be facing death again, even if it were me who died. She was brave and a truly loyal Aura. She would have wanted me to keep fighting.
I could hardly see Shade and Reeku now. They were just moving shapes in the distance, but I didn’t really want to catch up to them. I felt peaceful right now. Thinking about Lunea and everything. It seemed these things were all I thought about now a days, but I really was beyond caring.
“Ghost!” Reeku turned around and said, as if he could hear my thoughts and wanted to do the opposite. “Hurry up!”
“Fine,” I yelled up to him, sighing and walking a bit faster. Shade had taken the lead, walking in the front. We were almost to Dark One territory now anyways. Reeku fell beside me, but he didn’t say anything as we walked.
I caught myself glancing at him a few times, but I didn’t know why. I just felt as there was something I should’ve said to him and I didn’t. Perhaps I should have apologized… But I couldn’t know. We were going to face our death and I wasn’t in good terms with my best friend.
“We’re almost there,” Shade looked back at the two of us. Reeku nodded as if to say he already new that, and I just smiled.
“Okay,” I whispered, more to myself than to anyone else. Not that it was important that anyone heard my response.
When we finally stopped, we were almost at the Dark One’s border but not quite. My paws ached from walking all day, but I’d done it before. The stinging memory of our last spy attempt rushed through me and I chocked on a sob.
“Are you okay?” Shade asked, looking at me with a concerned expression. I nodded.
“Just a bit scared,” I admitted, lying slightly about why I was upset. It wasn’t entirely a lie, only partially. I was scared.
“Don’t worry, it’ll be okay,” Shade assured me, a tone of pity in his voice. He pressed his fur against mine to comfort me. For a moment, I thought I saw Reeku’s body stiffen, but I must have been imagining it.
“Thanks,” I mumbled to Shade, even though his comfort hadn’t really helped me any. I didn’t want him to feel bad.
“No problem,” Shade smiled, stretching his paws out in front of him and yawning.
“Just get some rest,” Reeku’s voice was emotionless. His green eyes showed hardness, as if he just wanted to get this mission over with. What was his problem? I guess he’s just being Reeku.
“I am pretty tired,” I admitted. Watching Shade yawn had let a yawn of my own escape from my mouth. But then my stomach decided to rumble, making me look at the ground, slightly embarrassed. “I guess I’m hungry too.”
“I guess we could eat first,” Shade shrugged, sending a questioning look to Reeku, silently asking for his permission.
“Whatever,” Reeku muttered, turning the other direction to go and hunt. I decided now would probably be my chance to talk to him, so I dashed off in the direction he’d gone, leaving Shade to hunt alone.
“What is your problem?” I growled as I caught up to Reeku. My blue eyes looked straight at him, waiting for him to answer. Reeku didn’t look at me as he spoke.
“Nothing,” Reeku said flatly. He didn’t even glance away from the path in front of him. It was like he didn’t care.
“Come on,” I pleaded slightly. “You can’t still be upset over the sleep thing.” Was he honestly still upset over that?
“I’m not,” Reeku responded. His voice still had no emotion in it. There was something he wasn’t telling me.
“Fine! Don’t tell me!” I growled weakly, feeling tears sting my eyes. He was my best friend… What if we died? I didn’t want to die on bad terms. But, before Reeku had time to say anything else, I turned around and went off in my own direction. Let Reeku be that way. Let his feelings swallow him into a shell like they’ve always done.
I thought that too myself, but I know I didn’t mean it. I could tell by the silent tears that felt hot as they ran down my face. I didn’t know why I was crying. Life, it seemed, had just gotten to me.

I sat in my den, next to Scar. We were discussing our latest plot, as we usually did. The only difference was, this time, Moon was also sitting on my other side. I liked her sitting there, next to me. It was where she belonged. Mine.
Of course, we weren’t actually together as mates. I’d simply invited her to discuss things with us. Three minds is better than two, if I do say so myself.
“We have to get rid of Ghost first,” I snarled to Scar, my reddish eyes burning through the dark. We couldn’t carry out our plans until she was out of the picture. We’d already let her live long enough.
“How?” Scar countered, being sure to keep respect in his voice. He didn’t want to sound like he was objecting to me, I assumed.
“What exactly do you think we’re talking about now?” I gave him a ‘duh’ look. Moon smirked ever so slightly and Scar just looked at his feet, embarrassed. I chuckled and told him to relax.
“We could raid their camp?” Moon suggested with a dark glint in her eyes. I liked it.
“True, they never catch us!” Scar agreed. “Yet, we always catch them.”
“That’s because sneaking is just our thing,” I winked and caused my Kitsune to laugh. I gave them a toothy grin in response. I twitched my ears as a sound hit them.
“Did you… Hear that?” Scar asked. I nodded, flicking my tail and ordering them to silence. I turned towards the entrance of my little cave and grinned at what I saw. I recognized those green eyes.
“Oh, Reeku! How lovely of you to join us!” I chimed as my amber eyes burned through the dark and into his. Reeku’s eyes disappeared and I heard him whispering something to a few others. Then I heard the sound of paw steps running through the cave and I looked at Moon and Scar. They nodded in response and headed after the paw steps.
“Run!” I heard Reeku shout after someone before tackling into Scar and stopped him in his tracks. Moon, however, slunk by and continued after our enemy. The Auras. I sat back on my paws and was content to see how Reeku faired against my general.
Scar was winded from Reeku’s tackle but he recovered fairly quickly. He got to his feet and snarled, but Reeku wasn’t phased. The white Kitsune simply snarled back in response.
“You shouldn’t have come! I thought you were taught enough of a lesson last time,” Scar growled as he swiped his claws across Reeku’s nose. Reeku sneezed as stepped back as blood dripped from his nose. Scar took his chance and lashed his tails, sending a jet of fire lashing towards his opponent.
Reeku recovered faster than I’d intended. He flicked his own tail quickly and water splashed into Scar’s fire. A sizzle sounded in the air as the fire steamed and burned out. Reeku narrowed his green eyes and was met with a glare from Scar’s own yellow ones. The two Kitsune circled each other for a moment, anticipating their opponents moves.
It was Reeku who moved first this time. The white Kitsune’s blow was fast but powerful and struck Scar’s legs, sending him crashing to the ground. Before Scar had a chance to react I’d hurtled myself across the den and billowed into Reeku, knocking the wind out of him. Reeku let out a groan as I pinned him down to the ground with my paw over his throat and snarled in his face.
“You… you never did like to play fair,” Reeku growled as he struggled to get out of my grip. His eyes were clouded with pain.
“And I probably never will,” I smirked at him. I spread my tails out slightly and let darkness seep from the corners of the room and wrap their way around Reeku. My powers were even stronger since we were actually in the dark. Reeku’s eyes went wide and he let out a yowl of pain as the shadows brushed against his skin and burned into it. I laughed.
“You can’t win,” Scar said from behind me. He’d gotten to his paws and was coming to stand in front of Reeku now.
“I can’t win, but I’m not going to loose,” Reeku began struggling under my weight again, attempting to free himself so he could fight back. In response I flicked my tail again. Shadowy hands reached towards Reeku and sunk into him again. He wailed, his eyes staining with pain.
“I think you already have,” I informed, letting the confidence drip from my voice. Reeku was pinned and I had every intention to torture him. I wouldn’t just kill him. I would use him in every possible way I could to destroy Ghost and all The Auras.
“No,” Reeku growled, his eyes showing determination. Perhaps I’d underestimated his persistence. He always was a stubborn one.
“Now Reeku, we can do this the easy way or the hard way,” I whispered close to his ear in a teasing voice. I laughed as Reeku’s eyes widened with a shiver of fear. I knew he was afraid of me.
“You can do what you want to me. You’ll never get her,” Reeku growled. I knew he meant Ghost.
“How brave,” Scar smiled. “But for all you know, Moon could have already caught her.”
“No!” Reeku snarled, struggling even more now. I released my grip on his throat to make him think he was throwing me. I let Reeku throw me off him, carefully landing on my feet. The white Kitsune struggled to his paws. I could see pain swimming in his eyes but not in his expression. Reeku’s white fur was covered in black burns from my attacks and he held one of his paws up as if it hurt to put pressure on it.
“Oh, we’re so scared,” Scar teased, dashing in front of Reeku. The Aura lashed out to hit my deputy, but his attack was too slow and Scar easily jumped away. I grinned and circled behind Reeku. His eyes glanced from me to Scar and back again, unsure which Kitsune to keep his eyes on.
“How wonderful!” I let out a laugh. The sound of my chiming laughter echoed throughout the den. When Reeku’s eyes were on Scar I lashed out and sunk my teeth around one of his tails. The white Kitsune’s jaws clenched, but he didn’t cry out. I smiled as I tasted his warm blood in my mouth. It dripped to the den floor when I removed my jaws.
“Let me go!” Reeku demanded, trying to dart forward. Ah, here comes the begging. My favorite part!
“Why ever would we do that? Not after what you heard!” I gave him a toothy smirk. Scar laughed and sliced his claws across Reeku’s back. Blood splattered from the new wound. By now I couldn’t really tell Reeku was white. His fur was covered in a black burn marks and red bloody. His green eyes were cloudy and squinted slightly.
“Never,” Scar growled lowly, his yellow eyes dancing with excitement and the sweet pleasure of revenge. I imagined mine looked about the same. I was really getting a kick out of this. See, the more you get to know me, I’m not really that bad in personality. It’s the pleasure I get in harassing, torturing, and scaring people that makes me truly evil.
“Of course, its not too late to save yourself,” I smiled widely. Reeku’s eyes went wide with confusion and curiosity. “You could always join us again.”
“I hate you!” Reeku snarled in rage. “I can’t believe I ever followed you!”
“Your choice,” I informed darkly, a glint making its way to my eyes as I let the shadows drift and enclose Reeku in their cold arms once again.