A/n- Well, The reviews are good! The story's progressing…. Semi-evenly paced, and I have no other thoughts for the Authors note… besides that I'm sorry I got the artist's name wrong on the last opening song in chapter 2… I'll change Rascal Flatts to Kenny Cheseny. Sry bout that.
RXR please and thank you!
Watched my life pass me by
In the rearview mirror
Pictures frozen in time
Are becoming clearer
I don't wanna waste an other day
Stuck in the shadow of my mistakes….
Cause I want you
And I feel you
Crawling underneath my skin
Like a hunger
Like a burning
To find a place that I've never been
Now I'm broken and I'm fading
I'm half the man I'd thought I would be
But you can have
What's left of me…
Nike Lache (sp?): Half the man
Chapter 3- Warning bells and Wedding bells
Desota looked over herself once more nervously and fidgeted with her sash on her dress to tighten it anxiously. She whimpered when the long garment was tangled around her AGAIN and looked over to Keiko pleadingly. Keiko rolled her eyes and walked across the women's dressing room to help the poor hanyou get dressed in the wedding maidens' dress Shiori had helped pick out for her.
"Not again," Keiko sighed as she turned Desota around as she pleased and started once again retying the sash to a loosely tied bow at the small of her back, tightening the front of the silver silk dress that reached just past the hanyou's knees but had a slit that went up to her upper left thigh. She wore the silk silver dress that had a lower than usual neckline than Desota was used to. It showed off her cleavage, but not enough for anyone to go suspecting her of being some whore. Her feet were held in dainty silver high heels that had straps that wound around her lower leg and hugged her toe to keep on her foot. Around her neck was the usual Kryptonite sphere on the small black choker. Her velvet silk black mane was pulled up into a fanned out bun and her bangs were combed as well as they would hold o stylishly hang over her left eye while some more rebellious strands of the raven locks simply framed the rest of her face.
Keiko herself wore a dark blue dress that stopped at her knees and was the same style as Desota's was. She had on black pearls around her neck and her diamond earrings flashed to accent her face. Her short hair had been conditioned for this occasion and she wore black heels to boot. All in all, she was almost happy that Yusuke had to leave about a week or so ago to Demon world, because if that last night they shared was anything to go by, Keiko was sure he'd jump her.
The brunette blushed as she remembered the raw passion her not-so-human boy friend had shown her that night. She blushed even darker as she remembered just how well she was to comply and even fuel his passion as he ignited her own!
'Ohh, boy Keiko! Get a hold of yourself!' Keiko shook her head but the lingering blush still remained as she finished the black sash tie around Desota's waist. Her own tie was the same silver as Desota's dress.
"There, now do you think you can keep it in this time?" Keiko asked, "I know it's uncomfortable with a baby and all…,"
"My baby has nothing to do with it, I'm hardly even bulging as it is at 4 ½ months. I've just never been in a dress before…," Desota admitted with an embarrassed blush.
"Never?" Keiko was stunned; she suddenly threw her arms around Desota and hugged her like a teddy bear, "OH! Dessy! You're just soooo cute!" she cooed.
The sound of the Church organ played threw the halls of the church, signifying that the ceremony was about to begin.
"Come on, Dessy, let's go see the new Shiori Minamino take the name Hatanaka. Suichi hasn't seen your dress yet." Keiko winked at the now blushing half demon as she took her hand and led Desota out to the chapel.
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"Daisuke Hatanaka, do you take this woman to be you wedded wife? To have and to hold through sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?" t he priest asked, turning to Mr. Hatanaka who held Shiori's hands in his own. Both middle aged humans looked at each other with adoration written all over their faces.
"I do" Daisuke nodded with a genuine smile.
"And do you, Shiori Minamino, take this man to be your lawful wedded husband? To have and to hold through sickness and in health for as long as you both shall live?" the priest asked Shiori who was in tears of joy.
"I do"
"Then by the power invested upon me from above and through the spirits of the earth, I now pronounce you, Husband and Wife." The Priest smiled as he closed the bible in his hands. He leaned over toward Daisuke with a teasing smile, "This is where you kiss your bride."
"At long last" Daisuke smiled in return and unveiled Shiori's face to bend down and kiss her on the lips.
The wedding was small. Only close friends and family. It was June, only half a month after Desota had started school, and already it was summer break for the year around school. Desota and the other attendants of the wedding followed the happy newlyweds out the chapel doors and watched as they got in that white limo waiting for them with the church bells sounding in the excitement.
Every one clapped and cheered. A few older women cried in happiness. Desota didn't know who they were, but she couldn't really understand why they cried entirely. She was one of the happiest hanyou's on earth! Shiori had become very important to her, and while no one could replace her own mother, Shiori came as close to that as anyone could for her. The woman had given her so much, and she really did like Daisuke and his son Kokota Hatanaka. As the Limo drove off, Desota approached Kurama's side who stared off after the extended vehicle with a very serene look on his face. He seemed content with the wedding.
"How are you feeling?" she asked.
"Feeling?" he looked down at her in the corner of his eye with an arched brow.
"Well yeah, she is your mother….," Desota looked up admiringly at the blooming Sakura trees as their blossoms started to fall and sway in the wind, "After all, since her own father wasn't here, you're the one who gave her away, remember? It's like your trusting Daisuke to take it from here."
Kurama smiled at her concern, and turned to look down at her with a soft expression, "It's touching that you bother to look into my feelings in such a depth, but I'm doing fine. Trust me when I say, I know when she's happy and had always strived to bring a smile to her face. And that is exactly what Daisuke is for her, happiness."
Desota returned his gaze surprised that he actually answered her truthfully. It was only meant as a lingering comment, but he had bothered to answer. He didn't even look like he was even white lying to her either. She smiled her own gentle smile in return that unknowingly made his heart melt, "It's very sweet of you to say that." Desota said softly.
"Hey, love birds! Come on, we gotta get going to the after party or we'll miss it!" Keiko called.
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"You're sure you'll all be okay on your own?" Shiori asked for the 5th time when their plane number was called for boarding at the air port.
Kurama, Desota, and Kokota had come to wish the two newlyweds off on their honeymoon Kurama had given them as a wedding gift. An all expenses paid round trip to the States. However, that meant leaving the 3 teenagers to fend on their own for as long as the 2 adults decided to stay.
"We'll be fine, Mother. Just go and enjoy yourselves" Kurama reassured smoothly.
"I still don't like the thought of leaving you kids alone…. And who knows when we'll return. Maybe we should just go for a week," Daisuke started.
"Don't worry about us. If things get too out of hand with two bachelors in the house, I'll be right here to straighten them out nice and good." Desota winked cutely. The wink always won Shiori over.
Shiori giggled at her houseguests' humor, "Yes, Dessy, I'm sure you will. We'll stay long enough to go the tour of the States and then come right back."
"Don't rush yourselves." Kokota eased.
"No wild parties, now." Daisuke joked as he led his new wife away with a hand resting comfortably at the middle of her back.
"Good bye, kids!" Shiori called as they boarded and waved.
The three teens waved back in return and headed toward the windows of the airports to watch as the plane made lift off.
"They're really going to see America…. Man I wish I could have gone." Kokota said wistfully.
"Perhaps if you study your English enough, you'll get in an exchange program." Kurama advised.
"That's what I'm shooting for!" Kokota held up his fists as his resolve fired up, "one day, I might even be an ambassador!"
"That'll be something to tell. I'm related to the Japanese-American ambassador!" Kurama chuckled as the younger boy lead Desota and himself out of the air port.
Desota looked at her watch, then glanced at Kurama, "You said your College informative bus trip was suppose to pick you up at about 5:00 Suichi, and it's 4:38 right now." She reminded.
Kurama had told her about a mission he was suppose to go on today to demon realm, and they had used the cover up as a College trip instead. Since Kurama was at the top of his classes and all….
Kurama was already dreading having to leave them so soon. He was forced to leave her since she was pregnant. It didn't make much since in dragging a pregnant woman across Makai to Yomi's kingdom of prosperity.
"Right. I'll take a different buss at he station to get to the rendezvous place appointed to me." He said in return.
//Why must we leave her again?// Yoko sighed crushed at having to leave her while she was like this. He could already see the tell tale signs of her falling for them. Even now she showed a small hint of developing feelings for them as she let out a heavy sigh and had a crestfallen look on her face.
'If it's anything to go by, it would be your fault for befriending him in the first place. Yomi wants us to visit him.' Kurama replied.
//If I had known something like this would come up, I'd never have thought about it// Yoko snorted.
Desota let Kokota get a little further ahead of them and lay a gentle hand on Kurama's shoulder to get his attention. She also caught the last part of Yoko's child like claim about befriending Yomi, but chose to ignore him for now, "Promise me this mission doesn't involve anything death threatening?" she whispered up to him.
"You know I cant promise that," Kurama truthfully didn't think that was Yomi's goal, but one cant be too sure, "What ever happens however, don't think I'll allow myself to die with out at least seeing you again." He put a reassuring warm had over her own smaller had on his shoulder, delighted in the was his larger hand practically dwarfed her own and the cute blush that spread across her cheeks.
"Great, now I'll have nightmares of you coming home a bloody mess and on the brink of death." Desota sighed, hoping she didn't just jinx herself. She knew full and well how dangerous his life could be, but she wanted to go with him! That would make this a lot easier on her.
//So long as I'm in your dreams little lover// Yoko purred to her through the contact they shared.
Desota shivered, "Oh great. Nightmares of not only that but being chased by a horny Kitsune on top of that," she said in a dry joke.
//I'm most certainly going to be 'on top' the first time….// he promised her.
"Kurama, where's that leash you had him on?" Desota sighed.
"You should know by now that he's broken it long before my time." Kurama smiled at her over expressed annoyance. He knew it was all for show.
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That was five days ago, and Desota was bored to tears. All she did now a days was go to school, work at school, and go home to be a substitute mother for Kokota. Who would have thought that Kokota could get into small troublesome knots every now and then? Desota had to go to 3 Teacher conferences already that were way over due as the teachers said. Apparently, the little mishap had already happened long ago, but Kokota chose not to inform his father or step-mother. And since Desota was looking after him, Desota was to go to these meetings.
She walked at the boy's side with a yawn and a stretch of her stiff arms after the 3rd conference in 5 days, "I'm not sure you're worth your keep. Those meetings were pretty dang boring" Desota mumbled.
"Dad would have gone, but he's not here" Kokota said.
"Yeah, and 'Dad' could have gone to this meeting a month ago when it was actually issued!" Desota snapped lightly, "Now they think I'm you're Sister in law or something"
"Well, you're not far off from that title, ne?" Kokota commented as if it were obvious, but Desota stopped in her tracks a moment.
"You do know that means I'd have to marry your step brother, Suichi, right?"
"Duh" Kokota gave her a dry look, "It's obvious you two go out."
"We do not GO OUT" Desota denied.
"Then why do you two always go the to mall?"
"It's not the mall, it's the super market! He buys the wrong flavors of Yogurt every time I let him go alone." Desota huffed as she crossed her arms in front of her chest.
"Sure….," Kokota shook his head.
"Listen you! ….." Desota stopped when she felt a small wave of Yoki energy near. She stopped suddenly and looked around, very alert.
"Dessy? What is it?" Kokota stopped a few paces ahead of her.
Desota didn't respond. She took in their surroundings and found that she couldn't sense it anymore. Was it masking its presence from her some how? She took a delicate sniff with her demon traits on high alert, but she couldn't let her hearing enhance or it would reveal her large fox ears to the boy with her that knew nothing other than what Hollywood told him about of demons.
"Desota?" Kokota tried again.
The raven haired girl turned to him. Her blue eyes quickly masking her worry, "It's fine. I just think we might be followed too closely, so let's stick to the more populated way home, ne?"
"Sure, if you say so" Kokota shrugged as he looked around suspiciously for any one who might be a threat.
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Kurama didn't like this demon. He may have felt sympathy for him at first, since the guy was blind and all, but that didn't mean he liked him at all. Yomi had backed him into a corner. After dragging down the fox demon to the cellars of his kingdom, Yomi had taken the liberty of showing the demon who 'took his light from his eyes' just as he killed him with the last request. The demon told who ordered him to attack Yomi in exchange for relief from all this pain and torture Yomi had him go through.
The demon had rasped out almost gladly and finally, "He was a commanding presence of a demon. Hair as silvery white as the angel of deaths wings. Eyes as cold and calculating as the devil himself. Yoko Kurama."
Kurama looked away as Yomi crushed the demons skull alive in an out burst.
"Some how, I thought it was you to begin with" the blind, ancient demon rasped as he tried to calm down.
"Yomi," Kurama started, but Yomi cut him off.
"I respect your decision, Kurama, truly I do. Yet there is the matter of your denial to stay at him side and help me in these dark times. You wish to back out and leave this whole ordeal alone, do you not? Or is it that your own Kitsune blood sings to join that of your own kind and you wish to go and Aid Joseph and advise that arrogant bastard?"
"I do not intend to take anyone's side on this matter Yomi. Neither yours nor the lord of the Eastern lands." Kurama said. His face void of all emotion, "Send anything you want at me, but I refuse to partake in these games you lords play this time"
"How self righteous of you, Kurama. I however had anticipated this kind of revolution from you after observing your situation of ties to the Human world. It seems you have quite the family down there. Nice and loving too,"
//He's beating around the bush again// Yoko wanted to snarl.
"On the one hand, you have a human mother who gave birth to that form of you. She and her newly wedded mate have launched off to the America's over seas. Quite a lot of things can go wrong up there." Yomi was threatening Shiori!
Kurama's expression darkened as he held back with all he could to not snarl at him. This was becoming a closely delicate situation.
"On the other, there is the little hanyou you've taken fancy and had such a misfortunate past with. She doesn't even remember conceiving that child yours with you or even the love you shared together. You're slowly working your way back to her however, but what would happen if her safety where handicapped?"
Kurama's eyes flashed gold as Yoko's unbridled temper slipped, "If you touch them, Yomi…." He snarled.
"I never planned to be pushed to do so; however that truth weighs on you and what you decide." Yomi replied coolly, "I'm sure we understand where each other is coming from. So why not put the past behind us and make this country Unionized. The Eastern Lands are even sending an Ambassador here to observe how we deal with things. His report will influence Josephs alliance, since that damned fox is too cowardly to stand alone in the dark times nearing ahead of us."
//Probably just bored to hell.// Yoko snorted //No true son of Dehora would consider an Alliance of this kind out of cowardness.//
'You don't even know him yet you praise him?' Kurama wanted to slump.
//It takes one to know one. He's a Kitsune. That's all I need.//
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"You want me to be an Ambassador now?" Jaden gave Joey his best doubting look he could muster at the moment, "I thought this country hates him."
"We do," Joey nodded.
The two of them had decided to meet more casually this time. Joseph only stayed in his court room 1/3rd of his time on duty as the Lord of the Eastern Lands. They met in the VIP floor of a favorite night club owned by a cat demoness named Nar, who Joey himself took great interest in. maybe that was why he loved this place so much? Yes, he did so adore his sexy little cat demon. They were only courting right now, but the mating step was reserved for after the country was in a more stable situation. Joey didn't want any attention focused on her incase the rival countries decided to attack her to get to him.
Why a Night Club? Unlike Yomi's Kingdom: known for its technology and prosperity in intelligence and status of business, Mukuro's Kingdom: known for it's Freedom for out of control and simply death and destructive way of life, or even Raizen's Kingdom: known for it's Battle strength and militia, honor and strength, Josephs Eastern Kingdom was known for it's lax life style and an Urban way of environment. It was basically a place where things weren't really taken very seriously until the need was absolutely a must. Just the way Joey liked to live his life- like a party. He didn't stay up in some old stuffy castle watching his people party in the urban clubs and bars below him, he JOINED them.
Which is where he was now. On the top floor of the Night Club "Demonica's Den" also known as the DD, Joey and Jaden sat comfortably in extra plush couches across from one another. The far wall to their left was a glass window that allowed them to watch the dance floor bellow and the loud thump of the music's beat and base drummed was welcomed by the two demons. It was heaven to their ears and blood and allowed them to relax a bit.
Joey took a sip of the red whine he was drinking while his friend's neon green eyes glared at him.
"What?" Joey set down his glass and leaned back in the couch.
"What are you playing at? Sending me behind enemy lines is risky on my part. So why do this? We want to annihilate them, not make a peace treaty, right?"
"Wrong. If at all possible, I'd like to not get involved with the wars. Given to the certain strings attached and my predicament with power and all, we have no choice." Joey stood up and walked over to the window wall to watch his people dance scandalously on the dance floor while the DJ played the songs and remixed parts of it.
"I'm open to any ideas you're about to throw at me, but just stop doing that 'read between the words' crap" Jaden sighed aggravated.
"It's 'Read between the LINES'." Joey corrected while one steal grey ear twitched back at the black fox.
"Same difference."
"The idea is simple. Yomi, as we speak is cornering Yoko Kurama into working at his side. Kurama will insist on returning to demon world to think over his decision. My predictions tell me that Yomi will be influenced by one of his underlings to bring Desota here to make sure Kurama doesn't do anything stupid, but knowing that prick, Yomi, he might just want to see Kurama sweet a bit and hurt her." Joey's voice was serious, "You are to go as our Ambassador to 'observe' them for as long as you'd like and 'report back to me' that 'report' will be our 'final data gathering on whether or not to form the proposed Alliance with Yomi against the other 2 Lands'." Joey explained.
"You really saw all this?" Jaden asked in awe, "Just what power do you hold?"
"I am a being of many small talents. One just happens to be accurate predictive dreams." Joey shrugged, "a trait from my mother's side I suppose."
"When shall I go then?" Jaden inquired.
The doors opened to reveal the young form of the 'Golden Rooster', Ryoga. He bowed down near the couch on one knee with his eyes respectfully downward, "Sire, Yomi has just released Kurama from the demon world in order to allow him his own decisions in human world."
"One of HIS talents must be timing." Joey mumbled and then turned to the younger golden Kitsune, "Thank you Ryoga. You are dismissed."
"Anything else you require of me, my Lord?" Ryoga asked as he stood.
"Go get laid?" Joey joked.
Ryoga looked puzzled but walked out awkwardly, "as you….. Wish, my Lord." And with that, the kit left them.
"Well then, Jaden, how does tonight sound like a starting time?" Joey waggled his eye brows as his blue eyes showed his smirk on his lips.
"I'd say that's a wonderful suggestion. Let me get my horse and I'll be off to seduce me a mate." The black Kitsune smirked. He brushed his red bangs out of his face.
"Perfect" Joey smiled.
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Kurama opened the front door to his apartment and looked around cautiously. It was 1 o'clock am, and since he didn't see anyone, the Kitsune silently closed the door behind him as he stepped in and locked it tight. He took in a deep sigh of relief. It felt so good to be home.
//Well? What are you waiting for? Go check on her!// Yoko barked.
'She's asleep, Yoko' Kurama shook his head.
//So? We can still check her out- uh, check on her while she's asleep. She doesn't have to wake up.//
Kurama thought that over and decided it didn't hurt to check on her. So he quietly made his way to her room and found it empty. Only Kyo lay there curled up in the small nest of wrapped up blankets where he knew Desota had been. The small animal was dead as a log as he slept.
'Where is she?' Kurama looked both ways down the hall, trying to sense where she was before he felt her resting Ki in his own room across the hallway. The door was open just a crack and he lightly pushed it open enough to let himself in.
Green eyes landed on the black silk haired girl nestled under his own covers with her head firmly snuggled into his pillow as she sighed deeply. She had a peaceful look on her face that only held a small tint of … longing? She missed him?
//Of course she did! She's our-//
'Hush!' Kurama cut him off.
Approaching his bed side, Kurama looked down at her sleeping face and brushed back her bangs from her face. She moaned in her sleep and shifted closer to his hand with a small whimper, bringing a smile to his face.
'She seems to have fallen for us,…. Again' Kurama's heart beat slightly faster when he realized just how happy he was that she was starting to see him as more than just a friend or brother figure.
//Maybe now we won't have to take so many cold showers. Those are cruel!// Yoko yelped the last part.
Kurama decided that it was the couch for him tonight since Desota was already occupying his bed, but has he pulled away, he stopped when a whimper of protest called out to him. He looked back to see that she held his hand with both of her own. She was still asleep and her emotion was a worried one.
'She must be having another one of those nightmares' Kurama thought sympathetically.
//Hey, she's the one who invited us, plus we might not get another chance to sleep with her since Yomi's deciding to Bitch on us about the past and all// Yoko encouraged.
Kurama couldn't deny that he wanted nothing more than to at least lie down next to her and fall asleep, but the thing holding him back was the fact that Yoko could take over their body while he was asleep and make a move on her.
//I'M INSULTED THAT YOU THINK THAT LOW OF MY INTENTIONS!// Yoko practically roared in his head //The mere thought of taking someone while asleep is appalling to even be suggested to think about!//
'Never stopped you before' Kurama reminded Yoko of his…. Previous life's Escapades with sexual foreplay.
//Shove it, Red// Yoko pouted while Kurama smirked victoriously in their mind. He looked down at Desota once more contemplating on whether or not to stay….
'I suppose we could say that we were too tired to really think logically when we came home from our 'mission'…' he caved.
Yoko's pout turned into a full blown, prideful smirk //You're turning out to be a fine Avatar!//
'Must you refer to me in such a way?'
//Call it pay back for earlier. An eye for an eye after all. Don't you think?// Yoko snorted.
Kurama chose to start ignoring the Kitsune while he carefully moved Desota over on the bed to make room for himself. He then redressed in his PJ's ((Yes he wear's PJ's…. stop drooling on the Keyboards please…)) and slipped under the covers next to her.
It felt wonderful to do this again. What had it been now? Ever since they found she was pregnant practically since she had forgotten about their love life and how involved they really were, so he had to fall back and start from square one. Meaning – Friend…. The title no guy attracted to a girl wants to be. Yet here he was, 4 months later finally able to snuggle up with her and fall asleep.
Desota rolled over away from Kurama, but snuggled her back closer to his support and warmth with a content sigh as she slept on.
Kurama beamed with male pride and wrapped his arms around small frame to rest on her bulging belly. He smiled when he could fell his own child was inside of her, even if it was grown up much. He could still feel it's new forming Yoki and aura.
// 'Life is good' // they both thought as they spooned up against her and drifted to sleep with a smile plastered on their lips and both hands cupping their child in its mothers womb.
