The sound of the alarm startled me, open palm tapping on the night stand until the infernal sound finally stopped. As I sat up, Kurama barely opened his eyes, trying to understand why I was up at seven in the morning "Come on, let's drink a coffee and get going." Rubbing his eyes he refused in the end as he actually groaned burring his face in the pillow. Sliding back under the warm covers, I placed a kiss on his naked shoulder, pressing my face against his skin "We need to go to the temple."
Upon hearing that he finally lifted his face, looking at me a bit sceptical "Is it safe to assume everyone is already aware of where they need to be?" giggling I nodded, biting a random portion of his back, causing him to flinch.
"Come on, I'll go make coffee." Draping a hand over me, I was stuck between him and the bed the next second, mischievous grin lighting up his eyes. There was something truly fascinating about the man hovering over me, blood red hair tickling my face, forest lush eyes taking me in. A gentle hand caressed my cheek before kissing me slowly, a small guttural "Good morning" being murmured against my lips "Good morning to you too beautiful."
Leaving the warm bed wasn't something I really wanted, but I had to do it, I had to resume my normal routine and stop hiding from everyone. Kurama must have been on the same page as me since he asked no more questions instead wondering out loud what my mischief schedule had planned out for today.
Never before have I seen his eyes widen to such proportions when he reached my truck and saw what I had in the back. Waving my hand in front of my face, I tried my best not to burst out laughing "Come on, we don't have all day." Finally deciding to leave the content of my truck alone, he sat in the passenger seat, belt strapped tight as we headed out to the temple.
I was honestly overjoyed with the fact that I got my car back, my ugly, lame but very capable truck.
On the other hand I couldn't help but notice Kurama was lost in thought, his mind clearly somewhere else. Once the traffic wasn't an issue anymore and we were on the forest trail I just had to address it "Hey" turning to me he provided a small smile "what's going through that head of yours?" stopping the car, the forest sounds made their way to my ears as I turned to provide him my undivided attention.
"I honestly do not know where to begin." My brows drew close, a tightness in my chest making me nervous. Kurama is usually able to convey his messages and doesn't have issues with finding words, but for some reason what he was trying to say appeared to take a lot out of him "I have done something, hid." He shook his head slightly, looking unhappy with how he presented the situation "Hana" him suddenly lifting his head to look at me properly startled me "there are things you do not know about me and my past as a demon."
"Can I stop you right there?" that definitely put him off but he allowed it "You don't need to feel pressured to tell me everything now that we are together. Sure I'll listen, but I just wanted to tell you that." Offering him a smile of my own I let him continue.
"That is not the reason why I am doing it." His eyes diverted from my face, taking in the forest before us instead "I have not been entirely truthful, tested you and your reactions."
"And were you satisfied?" his hair whiplashed with the fast motion on his head, but I kept the same straight face and tone "Answer me, did I disappoint?"
"No, I only disappointed myself with my actions."
Turning the key in the ignition, I started the car once more "As long as you know you made a mistake and regret it I am fine with it." I could've sworn a small growl left his chest, but he didn't utter another word until we reached the temple steps. There was something going on, something that he wanted to let out but couldn't yet. It darkened his eyes, the state from the previous night vanishing completely, but I didn't want to push him in any way because I felt that he would just leave for good if I did. I needed to be patient for once.
Speaking about patience, I rolled my eyes seeing the incoming call. Kurama looked at the phone, waiting for it to go silent before speaking "Are you not going to talk to him?"
Staring at the wheel in my hands I just shrug my shoulders containing the urge to grip the false leather under my skin as tight as I possibly could "There's nothing to talk to him about. He always calls after exams but he can see the results online if he wants." He didn't push it and it was for the best. I didn't need any distractions, especially from my father.
I had other plans, bigger ones and they involved one word: FUN.
Getting out of the car, I ignored Kurama's insistent look and called out for Hiei at the top of my lungs. Seeing how I wasn't getting any response, I pressed down on the car horn, letting it echo through the forest.
Finally after some time and a couple of eye rolls, someone appeared at the top of the stairs and started making his way down. That someone glared daggers at me and although I knew for a fact he was hanging around now I couldn't help the tightness in my body. Same went for him when looking at Kurama.
"Why are you making such a ruckus woman?" Ito was furious as I must have woken him up or something by the state of his bed hair.
"I need help with the bags." Grinding his teeth ruby eyes diverted to Kurama once more before passing me and picking up a few bags from the truck "Thank you." He totally ignored me as he mumbled something while making the hike back up to the temple. Shrugging my shoulders I also took a few bags and headed on my way followed closely by Kurama.
Once I was in the yard I snickered away at the image unfolding before me. Yusuke and Jin were both outside on the porch, sleeping back to back and by the sheer number of bottles I was seeing I was honestly surprised anyone woke up. Inside the temple I found Kuwabara spread out on the living room floor, snoring happily. By the amount of noise he made I don't know how Ito heard my honking but it was a fact that demons have heightened senses.
Speaking of the grouchy demon, there he sat in the door way looking over at me. I honestly can't say how the friendship between him and the boys started, but I don't think Ito is an easy person to have around. He appears rough around the edges like Hiei, but I witnessed first-hand he is more prone to violence "How are you going to stop it?" with just a few words he made the blood in my veins freeze. Ito took a few steps, closing in, but stopped before reaching me "I know you have the power." He was holding back, trying not to lash out, but I could swear the temperature around us increased.
"No, I don't." I spoke slow, trying to control the sound of my own voice and the trembling that threatened to overtake me.
His head cocked to the side, upper lip twitching "You heal souls, you are the one." A sad expression darkened his face, more than likely recalling all the deaths he witnessed. His file was an interesting read, of course not that I would tell him that, but I knew for certain there was something good in him. He was the one who got his brother out of Demon World, grovelled for a chance at getting a relocation in place, getting accepted. He knew he didn't stand a chance so he bargained and won. Smart demon.
"Ito" he looked genuinely surprised that I knew his name "I'm trying." A simple nod was all he provided me in response to my words and I held in a heavy sigh "Now can you please help me get the last thing from the truck?"
By the time the lovely drunken trio were up and about, Hiei also appeared in the temple yard, having returned from training. I knew he returned because he startled me just as I was setting the final pieces for the outdoor mini pool I got my hands on "What the Hell?" turning, my mind stood still before I ran in front of him, eyes scanning fresh blood glistening from different cuts and lacerations.
"Christ Hiei, what kind of training have you been doing?" light emanated through my palms, wounds slowly closing without me even touching him. He stared down at my hands, eyes finally lifting to look at me "What?"
"You're improving." Heck, if that isn't a compliment from him, I don't know what is. Creating more distance, I took a hose and started filling the pool with water all while he continued to look at his healing wounds and me without saying more.
Kurama appeared on the porch, looking tired from dealing with the hangover gang "They have been fed." That made me laugh, especially since Kurama looked like he was done with just about everything for the day. Truth be told, a bunch of groggy men were hard to handle, it was like trying to take care of a bunch of brats on steroids who didn't get to nap in the afternoon.
Speaking of brats, as soon as the sound of laughter was heard coming up the stairs, Hiei vanished from sight, heading inside the temple to probably wash and change clothes so that Yukina wouldn't see him covered in blood.
The girls entered the yard, carrying with them everything you would usually see near a swimming pool, but amongst all the items, Shizuru's gift for me stood out more. Hugging the inflatable fox, I grinned at Kurama who tried his very best not to roll his eyes at me "Does it also sing that dreadful song?"
Pointing a finger at him I smiled "That actually would've been awesome." But of course he didn't appreciate it. Stepping close to me, I was inclined to jump to the side, but I knew for a fact he wasn't going to hurt me…too much. Taking the fox, his nose wrinkled slightly before throwing it in the small pool.
"Why do we have this? The ocean is near." Shizuru was quick to counter Kurama's statement, especially since she knew as well as everyone you had to walk almost two hours to reach the beach. Kicking off her shoes, she took off her clothes, revealing the swimming suit underneath.
It didn't take long for voices to bounce around, happy people having gathered to either get drunk, get sober, get drunker since they woke up drunk. We set chairs and blankets around the pool and I was actually proud of the summer start.
I wanted to enjoy it, enjoy it all and take it in, hold on to the memory and let it fuel me in my darkest times. But for that to happen I needed Kurama on my side, for him to let go of the weight clinging onto his soul.
That's it!
Enough is enough!
A mixture of shock, anger and a hint of amusement painted his now wet face as he stared at me leaning against the mini pool, index finger pointed at him, water gun close enough for another attack "Bang! I got you."
Running a hand through his wet bangs he smirked "That is entirely true. However" he started walking towards me, like a cat on the prowl and joy filled me as I took the water gun once more, his shirt soon soaked, sticking to him, a very unhappy Kurama looking over at me.
Grabbing me, the water gun was taken away from my hands, but that was definitely not the only weapon I had. Suddenly stopping from trying to escape him was something he expected and I placed a bet on that. His grip tensed around my arm as I grabbed his shirt, lips locking with his as I pushed him inside the pool, both of us landing with a huge splash.
Gasping for air, we both sat up, the gang suddenly quiet.
Next to me, Kurama slapped his knees, hair obscuring his features and for a second I thought he managed to hurt himself when falling in the pool. Seconds later I realised he was trying to contain himself but couldn't. Throwing his head back, he laughed holding onto his sides and we were all looking at him like he just lost his marbles.
Finally managing to contain himself he took everyone in "You should see your faces."
The girls were quick to recover from that, Shizuru adding in the mix, the word "finally". They did tell me off though when they learned we have actually been together for a while.
The boys on the other hand weren't on the same wave length. Hiei, who was sitting up in a tree napping, didn't even bother with the entire commotion. Ito didn't care and that was obvious as he cracked open another beer and went to sunbathe. Kuwabara, bless his heart, was the only one happy for us and I was worried about that since I expected Yusuke to be on the same page as him. Jin no since I knew he had a thing for me, but Yusuke? He was looking only at Kurama, a silent conversation being held, one we were not privileged to.
Once he finally glanced over to me, I rose my brows, muttering a "what the fuck" to him. Shaking his head, he waved me off "Happy for you kid." Before heading inside the temple.
"You don't look like it jackass." I stared at his back, more than one pair of eyes directed at the temple entrance.
"Hey" a hand touched my shoulder, Kuwabara snapping me out of my daze "he just gets like that when hung over." It wasn't that, I knew it wasn't that and nothing anyone would say could convince me otherwise.
"What happened between you two?" I asked quietly, Kuwabara's hand leaving my shoulder, all attention directed at Kurama. My foxy boy didn't even look my way, didn't want to or didn't dare and I was losing my mind not knowing which "You know what? It's fine." Getting out of the pool, I just stood there dripping wet "I will punch it out of him." Ignoring the towel Yukina extended to me, I chose a beer instead, finishing it in one go, feeling my nostrils sting and eyes water from all the bubbles "Now, Yukina sorry for ignoring you, Shizuru smexy outfit honey" I mentioned pointing at her swimsuit "Kuwabara, bring in more drinks please, Jin smile love and get your ass here so I can drink with someone." Kurama was trying to dry himself off as I ranted on "And you need to lighten up, you being gloomy is fucking up my zen. I'm going to change out of these wet clothes and when I come back I hope you all join me."
Strutting inside the temple, I tried to at least look cool, because the sounds my wet shoes and clothes were making were not.
Speaking of sounds that were not cool, my phone was ringing off its proverbial hook inside my bag, the number being the same, always the same. I took the time to write up a small text mentioning the exam results can be found online and that more than likely they would be posted in the upcoming week. Not like my father would be happy even if I had the top scores. Muting the phone, I launched it back inside my bag and got dressed.
Screw all these problems, I don't have the heart for them right now.
"Bitch-ass I am going to drink more beer than you." I yelled from my room, the response soon coming from Yusuke as he ran to my room and showed me the middle finger.
"As if you can stomach it ass-bitch." There was still some tension showing on his face, but it was clear it was not directed at me, especially with how he put me in a headlock and messed my hair up "You like that huh? You think you can out drink the great Yusuke huh?" as we were fussing around, his grip loosened, but he still didn't let me go, voice dropping "Look, I know you like him" holding onto his arm I just stood there in that uncomfortable position listening to him "I like him too, he's one of my best friends, but he has a weird way of doing things sometimes."
"I know." Was the only thing I could say, the only true thing I had knowledge over. Yusuke was trying to protect me, in case of something and from the looks of it, shield me from something happening now "But I also know I don't want any mess right now." Poking his ribs he finally let me go.
I ran outside, him hot on my tail and didn't speak another bad word all day long.
We needed to relax, all of us.
We needed to forget, to become stronger.
We needed the weekend at the temple.
A/N: Hello lovelies and a happy new year to you all. I hope 2020 brings you the happiness you all deserve and also grants you enough patience to deal with everything that might come your way.
This chapter might be a little short, however firstly I needed to get back in the game after the small break and second I needed a transition chapter because oh boy, we are looking at a lot of things that are going to unfold so hold on to your hats.