As you meandered your way through the complex, you rehearsed different ways to tell Kurama.

Punch him in the face. That would let him know I know he lied and almost let me marry Yomi.

Tackle him with a hug. A show of affection stronger than before might do the trick.

No. Neither of those would tell the whole complexity of your feelings and knowledge. Maybe a combin-

A gasp escaped your throat, effectively taking your breath away, when you saw Kurama in the garden sitting on a bench. True, you had seen him multiple times before, but now he looked different. Your heart ached in your chest. He was still Youko Kurama, the king of thieves. Everything about him hinted at his past life. The curve of his lips, the way he held himself… Except now he had the most devastating green eyes, the kind that haunted a girl's dreams. All the ways you came up with to tell him vanished as you found yourself lost in his eyes. Spotting you, he waved. Sheepishly, you left your hiding place and took a seat next to him on the bench.

"I hear Yomi will be busy all day." You commented.

"Yes," Kurama nodded. "He has a meeting with Yusuke."

Normally, you curiosity would have pushed you to question why. Yusuke left to the demon world to see his great, great, great grandfather shortly before you came with Kurama. Yet, if Yomi wanted to talk with Yusuke, you would just let it be. He would be occupied with that for the day, leaving you to talk with Kurama.

"Listen, Kurama," You said abruptly with force. "I have something to tell you. I thought about telling you in a song that went, 'Que sera, sera' but…" You continue to babble gibberish, until Kurama took your hand in his, instantly silencing you.

"Why don't you start from the beginning?" Kurama smiled encouraging. "You have something to tell me…"

"Yes." You tried to find your courage. "I believe the best way to tell you is to tell it in a story… But you can't interrupt." You shot him a warning glance and he nodded in agreement. "Okay… Once upon a time there was a half wolf, half cat demon who had the misfortunate of falling in love with a thieving fox demon."

"Jun, are you-?"

"You said you wouldn't interrupt!"

"Yes, of course, sorry." Kurama looked at you to continue.

"As I said, she fell in love. They were married and our story would be short and sweet if that were the end, but they were not that lucky. The fox demon had a hard timing giving up thieving; he was the King of Thieves after all. For years he went on raids with his partner, a bat demon. During one of the raid, the bat demon… didn't make it." You clenched your fist and held back the tears. "The fox's wife begged him to stop before he suffered the same fate and he did stop, for a while. His wife was able to run a small medicinal herb operation to earn money. He helped grow the plants and she made the remedies. One day, she announced she was pregnant. The couple was elated, but he was worried about their finances. The husband feared he would not be able to provide for the baby and his wife."You slowed down, preparing yourself for the next part.

"He decided to sneak out, by himself, on one more raid, just to earn what they would need. But a Hunter, one of the Spirit World's Elite Soldiers, caught him. The trauma and grief affected his wife terribly and she miscarried… For days, she cried, having lost both in such a short time." You paused to wipe the tears streaming down your face. "A friend of the family comforted her and housed her. After a while, she helped out as a barmaid in their tavern and nursed a rumor about a hermit in the mountains who granted wishes to those who were worthy. When the rumor was well known, she left the friend's tavern. She moved to the mountains, were she became a hermit. Occasionally, she wrote to the friend. Nothing more than a few lines letting the friend know she was alive and well. She kept to herself, never using the same path to or from the cottage, and rarely visiting nearby towns. When a traveler found her cottage and asked for the siren, she assessed their wish and life. If it was a noble cause, she granted the wish or at least tilted the odds in their favor."

You grinned, remembering some of the creative ways you granted their wishes. Kai's case was particularly interesting because it required… certain persuading, for lack of better words, but that is a story for another time.

"She lived this way for quite a long time." You continued. "Secretly, she believed her husband would return. So she waited, gardening and granting wishes as the years pasted. Then a Lord's soldiers stole her away, claiming he wished to use her services. She complied since she didn't have much a choice. He proposed marriage and she refused. Eventually, they came to a deal both could live with. She would live in the castle for a year. If she still did not want to marry him, the Lord would let her go. While roaming the castle one day, she noticed the generals and the Lord watching the dark tournament. One of the competitors caught her attention: An all too familiar demon appeared on the field. Questions swarmed her head, but mostly how and why. How was still alive and why, if he was still alive, why was hadn't he told her? I decided I must find out, but Yomi caught me."

Unconsciously, you stopped using vague terms and pronouns.

"Before I finished packing, Yomi tackled me to the ground. He hands clutch my neck. Squirming, I shifted my body until most of it covered the transportation inscription. I recited the incantation, but something went wrong. Without being about to specify a date or place, I was lucky to make it to the human world were a boy took me in."

Kurama wrapped his arms around you tightly as soon as you finished.

"I'm so sorry." He apologized. "I intended to come back, but then my human mother got sick. So much time had pasted, I didn't think you would want me back after leaving you like I did…"

"I just wanted you." You rubbed the tears off your face. "Nothing else mattered."

"I missed you so much." Kurama squeezed you tighter before letting you go. "What Yomi did… I'll kill him for that."

"No, don't." You stopped him. "It isn't worth it. We found each other again. Don't bother with him. He just needed an heir to the throne. I just happened to be the only female he knew. He spent all him time climbing to the top, he didn't stop to find a wife."

"He tried to kill you." Kurama growled.

"Others have done worse in fits of rage." You replied matter-of-factly. You raised an eyebrow in his direction. "Have you ever told a demon his wish wasn't righteous enough to grant after he spent years looking for you? It isn't pretty."

"You are too forgiving." Kurama shook his head.

"No." You smirked. "I can just think of better ways to spend the evening. All of which do not involve anyone else but us." As if reacting to the suggestion, Kurama leaned in. "We have a lot to talk about." You added.

Kurama held your face and brushed your cheek with his thumb. Your eyes widened, realizing he had other plans.

"K-Kurama?" You managed a whisper.

"Shhh…" He said softly. "I don't want to think anymore. I just want to kiss you."

He leaned forward and kissed you, softly at first, then with a growing hunger and urgency. He ran his fingers through your hair. You wrapped your arms around his neck to bring close the space between you and him. One hand trailed down from his neck to feel his chest. It had been much too long since you felt such hunger. You could feel his body tight with desire. If you weren't out in the open, you would let him have you right here and now. Wait… You were in the garden, in Yomi's garden, for everyone to see. With self-control you didn't know you had, you placed both hands on his shoulders and pushed yourself away.

"We're in the garden." You commented, half in a daze.

"Yes." Kurama nodded as he understood he meaning of your abrupt remark. He looked as if he was going to add more, but the clock caught his eye. "It looks like I'm going to be late for the peace talks between Yusuke and Yomi." Kurama stood up. "The others are waiting I'm sure. You're coming right?"

Noticing you hadn't moved, he turned around. "Yomi asked his top seven subordinates, the demons I gathered while I was gone, to observe the talks behind a screen secretly."

You shook your head. "I have other matters to attend to."

"Alright." Kurama nodded. "I'll find you once it is finished."

As he began to walk away, I thought entered your mind. You grabbed his arm. "Promise me you won't die if a war breaks out. I lost you once, I can't handle losing you again."

"I'll do my best." Kurama hugged you tightly.

The power you felt emitting from the meeting place overshadowed any other you felt before. There was also another presence. Two apparitions with power that rivaled Yomi's and Kurama's. No ordinary war talks were about to take place and you wanted no part in it. Quickly, you packed your things. The complex held more of your things than what was in your room. The closet that held your ballroom gown also had some of your old clothes. Everything that you brought when you were first dragged to Yomi's doorstep you took. Gifts and other similar items you left. You didn't need any reminders of your time with Yomi. When all was said and done, you had two bags. Yet, something was missing. Your book of plants wasn't where you left it. It was the first thing you ever owned or rather the first thing you ever stole. Either way, you weren't leaving with out it. Time was running out. You felt Yomi powering up. If you didn't hurry the demon's peace talks would erupt into war before you were ready. Quick as a whip, you started down the halls to find your book.

After searching the library and every other hiding place to put a book, you found yourself in Lord Yomi's office. You didn't know why he would have your book, but it was the only place left. Slowly, you opened the door. It was empty. He must still be with the others. With stealth a wind ninja would be proud of, you closed the door and surveyed the shelves. Alchemy, training techniques, tax reform, cloning… Gee. No wonder the guy still was unmarried. He probably never left his office for anything other than meals, if even that.

'I was his last chance for an heir.' You thought to yourself. 'He needed a female he liked and trusted enough to have as a mate. It didn't hurt that I appeared vulnerable. I'm sure he'll find a better fit for him. One that won't take his…'

You paused as your fingers found the title. A smiled spread across your face and you hugged it tightly.

"You're still here." You heard Yomi's voice. "And in my office of all places with your book."

"I was just gathering my things." You turned around swiftly. Yomi searched among the papers on his desk. "Yomi about your proposal…"

"Don't worry about it." Yomi didn't face you, focusing on the papers on his desk. "I heard you tell Kurama you recovered your memory… You may leave."

"Thank you." You bowed and headed for the door, but before you left, you stopped. "Yomi I think I understand why you did all of this: Pride and the expectations of being a King. Well, good-bye. I hope you find what you're looking for."

Yomi nodded but didn't say anything.

Once Jun left, Yomi paused in his search for a document.

'Pride?' He pondered. 'Did I want to take back what Youko took from me? I liked her, but he got the girl anyways. It's reasonable I would want her back and she was alone and helpless… I thought she'd be ecstatic to share the power and wealth I gained. Plus I would have the satisfaction of winning in the end. Yet, I didn't feel the same about her when I saw her again and she didn't want me either. I couldn't let her leave though. Her secret was revealed and the blow to my status would be devastating. I'd be weak for letting her go and cruel for throwing her out without a mate to protect her. But she tried to leave and what could I do?' Yomi rubbed his temples. 'Then she lost her memory and I thought maybe we could enjoy each other's company, if not love each other. The problems would disappear and no one would be the wiser… But this is better. She is happy and I have no need for a wife.'

"Lord Yomi, it's Shura!" A guard burst through the door, interrupting Yomi's thoughts.

"Is he hurt?" Yomi shouted as he ran down the hall to where his son incubated in a test tube.

Shura cackled excitedly. The bust of energy in Lord Raizen territory awakened him. He was ready to fight and Yomi also felt rejuvenated. It was time he returned to the battlefield.

Author's Note: The next chapter will contain a sexual encounter. Due to the rating level of this story, I will be publishing the chapter without the sex scene here. I am very disappointed I can't post it here. If you want to read it, sent me a PM with your email address and request it. Then you can read which ever chapter you want. Thank you for your ratings and favorite-ings!
Oh, and no more song lyrics due to 's policies. Good thing I don't need it to progress the final chapters. ^.^