Kurama was having similar thoughts in between Kiki's kisses. Not that there was much time or space for thinking. When she finally came up for air, though, Kiki appeared to have had a few thoughts of her own. Snuggled against Kurama's nearly naked body, she sighed. Then she leaned back, looked deep into his eyes and slapped him with what little strength she possessed.
"HOW could you leave me at the mercy of that little monster? Do you KNOW what he put me through? Were you even going to let me know you were here before I was shipped off with those two strangers to who knows where under the none-too-reliable protection of Kazuma Kuwabara? Why didn't you tell me you were here when that evil little beast locked me down here? Don't you trust me?" As she spoke, Kiki had progressed from fury to tears and the last question came out more as an agonized wail.
With a sigh, Kurama pulled her closer. "Of course I trust you, Kiki. Hiei was supposed to be taking care of you. He only did what he needed to do to get Kharistahl's parasite out of your mind. Besides, until just a little while ago, I wasn't in a position to speak to anyone. I'm not sure how long I spent in there, but I couldn't even think about seeing you until after I got cleaned up."
"Well, you're clean now," Kiki murmured, sliding her hand along the top of the towel as she rubbed her face against his chest. There was an inevitable physical reaction on Kurama's part, but he heroically grabbed his towel with one hand and extricated himself from Kiki's grasp with the other.
"Kiki, we can't-" His protest was cut short by Kiki's mouth reattaching itself to his. Abandoning all hope of modesty, Kurama released the towel to capture Kiki's wandering hands. Holding them firmly in one of his, he pried her off himself and forced an air space to develop between them, thereby consigning the towel to the floor.
"Kiki, you have to stop," he managed to gasp as she squirmed to get closer. "We don't have time for this right now." A second knock on the door punctuated his statement. Kiki slowly stopped struggling and finally stood staring forlornly at him, tears filling her eyes yet again. "Now stop that," he said sternly, trying not to meet her tearful purple eyes. "We don't have time for hysterics either."
Kiki sniffed a bit and nodded as she took a step back to get a better view. "I'm sorry, Suichi," she sniffled. "I just missed you so much and I was so scared and you looked so good and-" She stopped abruptly as Kurama bent over and picked up the towel, settling it more firmly around his waist. She sighed.
"It will be all right," he said, "I just need to adjust my plans a bit. But first," he smiled, "I need to find some clothes before Hiei and Kuwabara get back."
Kiki sniffed and nodded again. Kurama gently lifted her chin so he could look her in the eyes. "Kiki," he said, "You, of all people know what a vicious monster Kharistahl can be when she is thwarted. Or even opposed. Hiei and I are going to have to be very careful to survive the next few days and I need to know that you are in a safe place watched over by people I can trust to protect you. Now that we are finally together, I couldn't live if something happened to you. Especially something I could have prevented." He pulled her to him and tenderly kissed her lips and gave her a reassuring hug before turning and opening the door.
Faith and Missy looked up as Kurama exited the bathroom with Kiki at his heels. "So," Faith smirked, "What's the plan?"
"The plan has not significantly changed." Kurama said, his head stuck in a pile of clothing, looking for something suitable to wear. "You three are going to Genkai's temple under the protection of Kazuma Kuwabara. I would prefer that you not snack on him. In fact, if we can convince him that all three of you are defenseless human girls, that would be for the best."
"Huh. Like that's going to happen. Defenseless."
"Faith, if he believes it, he will act that way and it will probably cause any assailants to underestimate you. Besides, if he can't tell you from each other, neither will anyone else."
"And your little lavender skinned friend will pass as a human how?"
Kurama turned to Kiki and nodded to her. Kiki closed her eyes for a moment and her skin tones shifted to a more human shade of pink. She opened her eyes and smiled at him.
"OK. That'll work. So we are three defenseless human girls. Won't he think it is strange that you are sending us off with him while you and Hiei stay here and do whatever it is you are going to be doing?"
"He's not going to see me. And you aren't to tell him I am out and about. He will think that Hiei is off on a mission on my orders while I am somewhere far away and unable to be here myself. Which, as soon as you three are safe, will be the absolute truth."
"And that's all you're going to tell us?"
"It's actually more than it is safe for you to know, but I failed to take into account your exceptional abilities since I was unaware of them. I know it is a bit cliche, but the phrase 'need to know' is going to have to apply here. Besides, what you don't know, you can't inadvertently reveal."
Kurama stood up with a selection of clothing in his hand and looked around at the three girls. "This is deadly serious. I know the three of you will take care of each other and that I probably don't really need to have Kuwabara there, but I don't believe in taking chances. There is also an Ice Maiden named Yukina living at Genkai's temple. If things don't go as planned, we may all need to find a safe place to hide for the next millennia or so."
The girls looked at each other and then Faith stared at Missy and nodded toward the door. Missy headed out as Faith said, "I imagine you don't really want Hiei and this Kuwabara guy to find us here with you. Missy and I will wait up by the entrance so you and Kiki can have a proper farewell. Just don't be too long. I expect Hiei back in about twenty minutes and I'd like us all to be ready to go at that point."
"Thank you," Kurama said as they pulled the door shut behind them. Then he found his arms occupied by the little demoness. Giving her a gentle hug, he steered her toward the bed.
Fifteen minutes later, Kiki joined Faith and Missy in the hallway by the entrance just as it started to open. Her eyes were suspiciously bright, but otherwise she looked calm and determined. Hiei's sharp eyes missed no detail of her rumpled appearance and a quick scan gave him the confirmation he sought, but he said nothing as he introduced Faith, Missy and Kiki to Kazuma Kuwabara. Once the introductions were completed, the girls picked up their bags and headed out, although not before Hiei stole a few seconds with Missy. Then they were gone.
