Chapter 1: A New Path

"Kurama, where are you?" called out Monica, searching the house franticly. "This isn't funny!" From behind her, she felt warm arms wrap around her waist.

"You called?" said a voice. Monica turned to face her sneaky husband.

"You had me worried sick! Something could have…" She stopped as his kiss quickly silenced her. When he drew away, he chuckled at her red face. "I'm serious Kurama! Something could have…" Kurama quickly cut her off again with another kiss.

This time, Monica couldn't take it anymore. "How am I supposed to talk when you keep kissing me?" she cried out, looking furiously at him.

"Am I interrupting anything?" asked a voice. The couple turned to find Botan standing before them, holding an envelope.

"Botan!" spoke Monica, blushing with embarrassment. Kurama laughed.

"Hello Botan! Just having fun with Monica!" he told her in a cheerful voice.

"Ready for your honeymoon I see. Well, I'm afraid that will have to wait. Koenma needs you to go to Spirit World now," explained Botan.

"Argh! Not now!" said a furious Monica. Botan giggled.

"Wow Kurama, you sure got her mad!" stated Botan.

"He did have me worried sick!" argued Monica. Kurama laughed then kissed his wife on the cheek.

"We'll have more fun later. Right now we focus on what Koenma has to say," stated Kurama. Monica nodded in agreement, but glared at her husband, who was now opening the envelope.

'To Kurama and Monica, I am sorry to inform you that there was danger upon you ever since your marriage. (Oh the drama. -.- My friends think so too.) My apologies for interrupting your plans, but this could mean your life. Please come to Spirit Wold at once,' stated the note.

Monica and Kurama exchanged serious glances. "Danger, but that would mean that…" Monica stopped looking very alarmed. Kurama frowned, deep in thought.

"We should go. This must be important," advised Kurama. Monica agreed then quickly followed Botan out the door.

"Yo Koenma! Newsflash here! We're not Spirit Detectives! We can't go on following orders!" exclaimed Yusuke as everyone arrived in Spirit World.

"I'm sorry, but there hasn't been a replacement. Rest assured, my father does not know of this," replied Koenma.

Monica stepped forward, a leather bound book held in her arms. "Why did you call us here?" she asked.

"It would appear that Ume still wants to destroy you Monica by activating the curse."

"The curse," whispered Monica, gently laying down the leather bound book. "This should tell you thi things you should know about the future."

Koenma examined it carefully. "What is it?"

"My mother's prophecy," explained Monica placing a hand on the cover. "Book of Prophecy, tell me what lies ahead," she commanded the book. To everyone's surprise, the book opened on its own and turned to a page.

Everyone glanced down at the words written:

'Love of two destined ones shall unite and destroy dark. One is the rose, the other is the fox. Betrayal shall come and death will befall the rose. Then life will come and bring glory to all.'

Monica froze after reading the words. Kurama's face paled. The words of death had shocked them.

"Death and betrayal," whispered Monica. "The curse that Ume placed on me was of death and betrayal."

"What?" asked Kurama looking worriedly at his wife.

"The curse of love and betrayal, the curse that was placed on me many years ago. One under this curse can die when betrayed by a loved one."

Kurama's eyes widened. "So you're saying that I will betray you in the future? That can't be!"

"That isn't fair!" cried out Botan.

"This book is totally wrong!" declared Yusuke angrily.

Monica's eyes filled with tears. "My mother had never been wrong. Her prophecy was always right."

"What about the last line?" questioned Kurama. Monica shook her head.

"I do not know what she meant by that." Koenma nodded at this then glanced at Kurama.

"You will need to protect her. I will send people to keep an eye on you," said Koenma. Kurama nodded then hugged Monica. (Koenma feels the need to keep Kurama under watch. -.- Poor Kurama.)

"This is terrifying," spoke Monica that evening, sitting on her bed. "I just wish it wasn't so."

"Speaking of, if you die because I betray your love then why didn't it happen when Maya came?" asked Kurama.

"I guess I was too overwhelmed then to realize it that you really did love me. You see, before you knew me, you probably did love her, but it didn't affect me. You still did love me even thought you cared for her. It's the same as when Maya came to visit," Monica said thoughtfully.

"But I didn't know it back then," interrupted Kurama.

"Right!"

"This is really a strange curse Ume placed on you. But it just doesn't seem possible that I would betray you," spoke Kurama.

"I thought that at first, but now I'm really worried. I thought Ume was crazy to place such a curse when she knew we loved each other, but she could have known that she could somehow alter our love. Ume is not insane," said Monica, frowning.

"Or it could be that she thought I loved her and just wanted to get rid of you," said Kurama. Monica shook her head in confusion. "I don't know."

Kurama smiled at his wife and placed a hand on her shoulder. "No matter what happens, I will always love you deep down."

Tears filled Monica's eyes as she hugged him. "Thank you Kurama," she said softly.

The next day, Kurama took Monica out to the park trying to get her mind off the current situation. "Come on, it will be fun!" coaxed Kurama. Monica looked at him helplessly.

"Kurama, I don't know," she said, hesitating. Kurama chuckled then kissed her on the cheek.

"Don't worry, I'll protect you," he assured, pulling her into a deep kiss. Monica sighed in defeat.

"All right, I'll trust you."

Kurama smiled then led her to the benches. "I can't always have you worrying," he said. Monica blushed.

"Hey! You worry too! Don't forget, you were worried about me the night of the prom!" argued Monica.

"Don't remind me," said Kurama, shivering. Monica laughed then kissed him on the cheek.

"See, you do worry," she said, teasing him.

"I don't do it as much as you do," he stated giving her a sly grin.

"Hey!"

Deep in the shadows of the park lurked a figure watching the two of them tease each other. 'She will pay. Kurama will be mine soon,' the person thought.

Suddenly, from behind, there came a voice. "Lady Ume, what are your orders?" asked a girl with pink eyes and orange hair.

"Keep an eye on them Hitomi," ordered Ume. Hitomi bowed then disappeared. Ume grinned wickedly then she too disappeared.