Chapter Three
The first light of morning fell upon the land, ending the night. A lone bird greeted the new day with a loud and joyous song, waking me from my slumber. I lifted my head and looked toward the dim light coming in through the window, silently cursing the bird for waking me just when I was falling into a deep and restful sleep. Kurama's ear twitched and his eyes fluttered open. He raised his head and looked sleepily at me. "Good morning," he murmured. "Morning," I replied as I laid my head back down. "How do you feel?" I asked him. "Like myself again," he replied. "Thank you. If it weren't for you, right now I'd be a crazed nymphomaniac giving myself to whoever and whatever wanted me," He said. "You seemed rather reluctant to accept my help last night," I reminded him. He turned so that his eyes met mine. His golden eyes were unreadable, giving away nothing. However his gaze was soft and caring. "You're very dear to me, you know that. If we were to become intimate that way, I wanted it to be because we both wanted it, not because we had to," he replied softly. I gave a slight nod and looked away. "Just how dear to you am I Kurama?" I asked him. "Don't you know? I told you last night," he replied. "Last night was an illusion, a dream. I used the jagon to trick your mind into thinking that we had sex. Since you were so reluctant to go through with it, I figured it would be better if I tried making you believe that we had. If that hadn't worked I would have given myself to you right away," I confessed.
Kurama gently spoke my name, causing me to turn to look at him. "That was a brilliant idea Hiei, and I'm glad it worked," he said. "I was afraid you would have just seen last night as a fling or some sort of duty out of friendship, but for me it wouldn't have been because, I …love you," he confessed.
For a moment I looked at him not fully comprehending what he had told me. "You love me?" I asked in surprise. Kurama swallowed hard. "Yes Hiei, I've been in love with you for years it just took your absence for me to come to terms with it," he answered. "I've never felt for anyone what I feel for you, but I was too afraid of loosing you as my closest friend to tell you the truth," he said. I reached out and gently touched his cheek. "I love you too," I said. Kurama's eyes lit up in excitement. Before he could speak I pressed a finger lightly against his lips to silence him. There was something I needed to say.
"Kurama, I want this as much as you, but I want you to really think about it first," I said. "What is there for me to think about? I love you, and you love me," he replied. "I know, but are you absolutely sure that I am really what you want? I'm not at all experienced in love, nor do I have anything to offer you but my heart," I responded. "If we were to begin a courtship, it would be taboo in the human world correct?" I asked. "Yes," Kurama replied. "We would have to hide what we feel for each other in front of everyone, even telling Yusuke and Kuwabara would be a risk," I said. "Think about it Fox. Do you really wish to court me?" I asked him.
"Don't answer me now. When this case is over, I want you to really think about this. If you still feel that you want to see if I would make you a good mate then I will gladly be yours, but if you find that what you really need is a lover to warm your bed at night, then perhaps it is better that we just remain friends," I told him. "Alright, Hiei I'll do as you ask. However, I doubt I'll change my mind. I love you with all my heart and nothing is going to change that," he agreed. I smiled and laid my head back on the pillow. "I love you too fox, now go back to sleep," I said then closed my eyes determined to ignore the overly cheerful chirping of the bird outside and get back to sleep.
Kurama frowned with worry. From his reflection in the mirror I could see it. "Sakura, this is third morning in a row you've been sick. You've hardly been able to keep anything down since yesterday. You should see a healer about this," he said. I placed the hand towel back in it's place and turned to face my mate. "I'm going just as soon as I get dressed and get you some breakfast," I assured him. "Don't worry about cooking anything for me. It will only make you feel sick again," he replied. "As soon as you've bathed and dressed I'll walk with you to the temple," he said. "Why don't we just bathe together, we'll get done faster then," I suggested. Kurama smiled mischievously. "No we won't," he disagreed. "In fact, I think I'll go bathe in the river this morning. I could use a cold bath now," he added. I rolled my eyes at him. My husband kissed my cheek and left the bathroom. I shut the door behind him and prepared to bathe.
As I cleaned my body, my mind wandered to my condition. Kurama and I both had an idea of what was causing me to be sick, but neither one of us wanted to voice it. "What if I am pregnant?" I wondered. "We've only been married a year, what if we're not ready to start a family?" "Kurama and I talked about having children before but, this may be too soon for him and for me," "That herb the healer gave me was supposed to keep this from happening," My thoughts spiraled in the same circle as I bathed and dressed. I was torn between hoping I was pregnant and hoping I wasn't.
I readied myself as quickly as I could and headed out to the backyard where I knew Kurama would be bathing in the part of the river that passed through our property. What I didn't expect was my sister trying to kiss my husband, who was only partially dressed.
Kurama pushed her away, with his eyes wide. "Leiko, what has gotten into you?" he demanded. "I told you," she replied. "You deserve better than Sakura," she said. "And so I should betray my wife?" he replied. "Not betray her, just leave her. She's beneath you. You should be with me, I can keep you satisfied much better than she ever could," Leiko replied. Kurama narrowed his eyes at her. "Leave, I will not have you speak of my mate that way," he said in a low, dangerous tone. "You should do as my husband says Leiko," I said, drawing both their attention. "Kurama is my mate not yours. If he's not satisfied with me then that is between he and I, and none of your business," I said. Leiko glared at me, obviously angry that I had stepped between her and my mate.
Kurama walked away from her, toward me, turning his back on her. "Go, you are no longer welcome here," he said to Leiko. He took my hand and together we headed inside. Kurama's tail lashed back and forth in agitation. "You should be careful of her Sakura. I know that she's your sister but I don't trust her," he said as we stopped and he turned to face me. "She will have to be careful of me if she does something like that again," I hissed. Kurama smiled and nuzzled my neck. "Vicious little vixen aren't you?" he teased, then kissed my lips. Once we broke the kiss he slipped into his tunic and I tied the belt in place and we headed for the healers that resided in the temple on the outskirts of town.
My eyes fluttered open as a noise pulled me out of my dream into full alertness. Yusuke and Kuwabara's voices were growing louder as they approached the room. Kurama rose with a sigh and quickly looked around for something to wear. I quickly averted my eyes. He tossed me a robe, which I gratefully accepted and immediately put on. A moment later there was a loud knock at the door.
Kurama opened the door just as the sliver haired vixen that had saved us the day before walked up behind Yusuke and Kuwabara. "Excuse me," she said, causing them to move aside. She handed Kurama some clothing with a "Good morning," then shooed Yusuke and Kuwabara away so that we could get cleaned up and dress. Kurama set the clothing on the bed to inspect it. It was a pair of tunics with matching pants, one white the other in a dark blue. Kurama handed me the dark blue set, seeing as it was smaller and would not accommodate his larger frame. We took turns in bathing quickly and dressing , then headed down to the dining hall.
As soon as we entered the room Yusuke and Kuwabara bombarded us with questions. Kurama smiled good naturedly and answered as many questions as he could without revealing what had transpired between us. We sat down and he conversed with them as I dished him up a plate. He thanked me as I set it in front of him and began eating.
When the meal was over we were shown to a large common room where several vixens awaited us including the silver haired one that had led us to safety the evening before. "It's good to see you home again Kurama," an older vixen said as she sat down. "It is a pleasure to see you again as well Tomoyo-dono," Kurama responded. "You have heard tell what has happened here and that is what has brought you and your companions to us," Tomoyo said. "Yes, Tomoyo-dono," Kurama replied. "We were told that guys were disappearing," Kuwabara said. "Guys?" the vixen inquired. Kurama couldn't help the small smile that crossed his lips. "It's a human term for a male, Tomoyo-dono," Kurama explained. "I see. Actually they have all vanished, save for the young ones, those who are still in adolescence, and the elders," she replied. "What caused them to vanish?" Kurama asked. "One evening the forest grew still and a lovely song filled the air. Then the males still early in their adulthood to those near to becoming elders all began to walk toward the sound. Their mates tried to stop them, but they said it was of no use. Their words fell on deaf ears, and physically trying to prevent them from leaving did no good. The vixens all said their eyes were lifeless, like one possessed. The males just simply left the village, walked into the forest and were never seen or heard from again," Tomoyo said.
Kurama frowned. He quietly excused himself and headed outside. The silver haired vixen soon did the same. I slipped out of the temple to keep an eye on him. I did not want anything happening to him, nor did I want that vixen making any moves on him. Now that he and I had confessed our feelings for one another I was determined to protect what was mine. I made myself comfortable in the bough of an oak tree with a great view of the garden below. Kurama was below me staring out at the forest around us. A moment later, the vixen appeared and put her arms around Kurama. To my shock, he seemed to welcome her embrace. He put his arms around her in a warm hug and kissed her cheek.
Anger welled up in me. How could he say that he loved me and then hold that vixen like that? I had been willing to trust him with my heart and I was starting to believe that would have been a mistake. I was ready to stand and leave them when the vixen looked up at me.
"Calm yourself, our interests are not the same," she said to me. "Who are you talking to Sata?" Kurama asked. "Your cute but irate boyfriend," she replied. I left my perch in the tree, landing right in front of them. "How did you know he was up there? He had his energy cloaked," Kurama inquired. "Did you forget that I'm an empath brother?" she replied. "No, but you knew who Hiei was by what he was feeling?" Kurama answered. Sata grinned. "Simple deduction brother dear. You allowed him to help you to the temple and cure you of the passionflower pollen. Only one's beloved would be so trusted," She replied.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Hiei," Sata said. I gave slight nod of acknowledgement. "You never told me you have a sister Fox," I said. "There's a lot of things I never told you Hiei. Besides, you never asked," he replied. I scowled at him. "Inari, he's sexy when he's mad," I heard him think. "Is that so? Kuwabara should annoy me more often then," I replied telepathically. Kurama blushed. "Hiei, were you listening to my thoughts?" he asked telepathically. "I could only read your mind if you let me. Besides, you were practically projecting that thought. I couldn't help but overhear it," I replied. His cheeks grew even redder.
Sata's expression became very somber. "Do you think father is still alive?" she asked softly. "I'm sure he's alright," Kurama replied. "Hopefully we can find out who or what is behind this and rescue everyone," he told her as he put an arm around her to comfort her. "We should go back inside. The oracle is to arrive soon," she said softly.
I followed them inside and sat down at Kurama's right. Sata at his left. "You alright Kurama?" Kuwabara asked, clearly concerned. "Yes, I just needed some air," Kurama replied. "Hiei and Sata didn't want me alone, with everything that's going on," he explained. "Sata?" Kuwbara asked. "That would be me," the silver haired vixen informed them. "I'm glad to see my brother has such concerned friends," she added. "You never told us you had a sister," Kuwabara said. Kurama gave him a weak smile. "There are many things I never told any of you," he said.
The door opened and the four of us turned to face a lovely red haired vixen who didn't look much older than Sata. "Makino?" Kurama inquired. The vixen smiled. "It is a pleasure to seen you again Kurama. I just wish that your return had come at a more joyful time," she replied. "I hope that you and your friends will be able to lead us back to more pleasant days," she continued. "What do you mean?" Kurama asked. "I have foreseen what is to come. If you and your friends fail to stop the one responsible for the vanishing of the males all four of you will not return," she answered. I stared at her with narrowed eyes. I didn't like the way that sounded. Oracle or not if she was threatening us…
"One of you will lead two others into betraying the fourth," Makino continued. "I bet that's Hiei," Kuwabara grumbled under his breath. I shot him a glare. Makino smiled at him. "No human, it is he that will save you all, provided that he discovers the secret that will render him immune to the enchantment that binds the others to the siren's will," she said. Kurama frowned, his body tense. "You mean we're to betray Hiei?" he questioned. Makino nodded "That much is certain," Kuwabara looked upset. "Listen lady, I don't care what you saw. Hiei may be a jerk sometimes, but he's our friend and I for one would rather die than betray him," the carrot top said. Makino smiled sadly at him. "Your heart as well as your words are noble, but I never said that any of you would betray him willingly," she said. "If enchanted by the siren's song, you will become the siren's slave and do whatever she whishes, even if it is contrary to your own will," she told him.
"Siren's song? You mean like in the myths?" Yusuke asked. "Similar, but not one and the same. This siren I believe uses an enchantment upon her victims and does not bid them to her with her voice as a real siren would," Makino said. "Do you know who this false siren is?" Kurama asked, meeting Makino's eyes. The vixen raised an eyebrow. "You have your suspicions, do you not?" she inquired. "Is it Leiko?" he replied. "Yes, dearheart it is," she answered.
"Hiei's the one who's supposed to save us right?" Yusuke asked. Makino nodded. "What can we do now to help him?" he inquired. Makino sighed. "I do not know what it is that he needs to discover nor if it is your help that helps him to find it," she said. "I only know that one of you will lead the other two in betraying him somehow and if he does not find out the secret to withstand the siren's song, he will fall by her hand. Kurama will remain ensnared in her enchantment. What becomes of the human and the half human here I'm not sure, but I doubt that either of you two will survive," she informed him. "And if Hiei successfully discovers this secret in time?" Kurama asked. Makino smiled. "Then dearheart, those held bound by the enchantment will be freed and the four of you will have the gratitude of your clan," she said. "Also, the loneliness that has plagued you for so long will finally end, for you will be with your true mate, and find the joy that you once lost," she added. Though the news had sounded good to me, Kurama didn't seem very glad to hear it. In fact, he looked a bit confused.
Before he could ask her anything, Makino rose gracefully in a single fluid motion. "If I discover anything more I will let you know right away," she said then headed out of the room. "I don't know about you guys but I'm more confused then ever," Kuwabara said. I would have made some wisecrack about that remark, but I felt the same.