Once the tournament began Kurama seriously doubted they would advance.
He had seen Kumiko off and on since he rescued her from Yomi's. Kurama tapped into his demon energy and put Kumiko through hell and back.
Kurama sighed. Kumiko swore to Youko that he she would take care of the 'human' side of him. Kumiko sighed. Kurama looked at her. "Kumiko..." he said She looked at him. He took her hand. "Talk to me as Suichi Minamino and not Youko Kurama" he said.
She looked down. "I didn't realize it was going to be one sided...you have showed me nothing but kindess...but." she said trailing off.
"Hold that thought" he told her. She nodded as he stepped into the ring.
She wqatched him as he fought in his human state.
'I could love his human side...he's gentle and kind' she thought to herself
Once the fight was over he came back to her. She treated his wounds.
He smiled at her. "But what?" he asked. She blushed. "Would it be wrong of me to want to be with your human side? Could I live on Earth with you? Is that wrong?" she fired at him.
"Kumiko, take time and really think this through. I fyou want to be my wife, I will take you as one...my human side loves you a lot...and you could but we would have to live in the woods and keep your ears and tail hidden" he said.
She nodded as fights wrapped up for the day and the team went back to the room, Kumiko followed.
They got something to eat and she sat alone.
Botan knocked on the door. Kuwabara answered it. "Kurama, can I take Kumiko to the all girls room?" she asked.
He went to her. "Miko, would you like to go with Botan? It's a room full of girls and Hiei's 'friend' Yukina is a demon as well. You could see what human girls are like" he said.
She didn't want to show anyone she was scared. She went with Botan.
Kurama sighed. Hiei and Yusuke decided to leave. "What's up Kurama?" Kuwabara asked. "It's Kumiko, I'm worried about her..." he said. "She is very pretty...what's wrong with her?" he asked. "I hardly expect you to understand Kuwabara...you still can't get past Hiei to get too Yukina" he said snidely.
"Don't worry about that! I WILL ask her out! NO half-pint is standing in my way!" he said.
"I forbid you to date Yukina!" Hiei said causing Kuwabara to jump. "Why is she your sister or something?" he countered. "What does it matter to you?" Hiei asked. "Kuwabara, what do I do about Kimiko?" Kurama asked trying to avoid Hiei being Kuwabara down.
"Wow, okay...um..." he said thinking while Kurama a sideways glance.
"GET OFF ME!" Kumiko yelled. Kurama went to the girls room and knocked. "Kumiko?" he called to her as Yukina opened the door. "What's going on?" he asked. "They are trying to get her to shower, change clothes and cut her hair" she said. He walked in. "Miko" he said softly. She went to him. He held her. 'DO NOT change her" he said. "Okay, sorry Kurama" Shizuru said. "Yukina took Kumiko's had. "I like you how you are" she said. Kumiko smiled. "Thanks Yukina" Kumiko said. Yukina led her off to talk.
Keiko bowed. "I'm sorry. I wanted to see her in a different outfit...I wasn't trying to harm her" she told him.
"Why would you give her one of your outfits? She needed a hole in it for her tail, or did you forget that?" he asked rudely.
He heard her laugh and smiled. "Yes, I do like Kurama's human side, it's kind..unlike Youko's" he heard her say.
"Keiko, would you come with me for a bit?" he asked. Kumiko didn't notice Kurama leaving.
Keiko followed him. "What exactly are we doing?" she asked. Shopping for Kumiko" he said, leading her out of the room.
