Chapter Twenty-One

The Summons

Several days had passed since the end of the tunnel. Nakita and Hiei had moved into Kaida and Kurama's home, waiting for Hiei to finish theirs. For a short while, they found peace. Kurama returned to school and Kaida split her time between the flower shop and preparing for their new arrival. At the moment, both she and her father weren't exactly welcome in Spirit World. Especially when Kaida shocked everyone by siding with her father against her grandfather. She even allowed him to stay with her until his father had finally cooled down. Needless to say, her house was crowded. Botan would stop by from time to time to report on what was happening at the palace but eventually she was cut off when King Enma caught on.

Their peace didn't last long, though. Her father seemed on edge as he came down from his room, dressed to look more human than Spirit World Prince. Kiara raised an eyebrow as she looked at her sister than to her father. "Going undercover, dad?" she asked as she placed a plate of food in front of him.

"Meeting with Yusuke today. We haven't talked since Demon World. We need to figure out our next step," he said as he nodded his thanks to her for the food as Hiei and Kurama joined the table.

"Does this mean that you've heard from King Enma then?" Kurama asked as Kaida placed food in front of him.

"Sadly no. My father's temper is notorious. It could be a few thousand years before he even speaks to me again, if he doesn't decide to throw me in jail first," Koenma said.

"Papa won't do that. He's just trying to clean up your mess," Nakita said as she sat next to Hiei, gaining a dirty look from her sister and a soft chuckle from Hiei.

"I can clean up my own mess, Nakita, thanks. I don't need Papa to run my life," Koenma said as Kaida nearly choked on her food. Koenma watched Kurama as he patted Kaida's back before rolling his eyes. "Very funny, Kaida."

"I didn't say anything," she said as she did her best to hide her smile. "Well, I need to get going. Have fun with Yusuke today."

Kurama quickly cleaned up his plate before getting his things for school. Koenma watched his children as they prepared for the day. In a short amount of time things had changed for Koenma and his family but even in this little bubble of peace, a darkness hung over them. Koenma quickly got ready as he went to follow his daughters out. "What are you doing today, Nakita?" he asked as his family started working their way to where Kaida had a car hidden away.

"Heading to Genkai's. Need to talk to her about something. Hiei is still working on our home so I don't want to be in his hair. Besides, I don't sit well with being idle," she shrugged as they reached the car. Nakita hugged her sister than her father before opening a portal and disappearing through it.

"I'll give you a ride in, dad," Kaida said as the three of them got in her car. They drove in silence until they arrived at the cafe that Yusuke was waiting at. Koenma waved goodbye to his daughter and son-in-law as they drove off. Kaida was quiet as they made their way to the flower shop. Kurama would walk from there to his school. As Kaida parked and got out of the car, Kurama was instantly at her side.

Though she wasn't very far along, already she had a decent size bump showing and if Kurama had his way, she'd be in a protected bubble for all time. Kaida and Kurama walked hand-in-hand as they approached the doors of the florist shop. Kaida quickly unlocked the doors and the two disappeared into the back. "Think you can handle going home tonight without me?" Kurama asked, catching Kaida off guard.

Kaida gave him a curious look. "Believe it or not, I'm quite capable of many things," she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "What's wrong?"

Kurama wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his forehead against hers. Her bump gently pressed between them. "I just have a few things that I need to handle tonight. With school and mother. Nothing you need to worry about," he said as he kissed her softly.

Kaida raised an eyebrow as she looked up at him. "Are you and Kuronue going to cause some mischief?" she asked, prompting a chuckle from her mate.

"No. That's this weekend when we visit them. Honestly, just a few after school things and a quick visit to mother," he said as his watch alarm chimed. "I need to head out if I don't want to be late."

Kaida nodded as she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him softly. Kurama wrapped one hand around her waist and the other on her back, holding her tightly to his body. "I love you," he said as he pulled away, his hand gently grazing over her bump one last time before he left for the day.

Kaida wasn't fooled. She knew her mate better than he thought. Something had been eating at him since they returned home from Demon World. Something that unnerved him enough to keep it from her. She knew that he would eventually come to her and tell her what was going on, but still, she worried about her mate.

The day moved by uneventfully, as she worked at her beloved flower shop. Granny Chiyo announced that she'd be closing the shop down for a month as she was going to visit her children all the way in America. Kaida had agreed to care for the plants while she was gone but that was it. On her break, she found herself calling her best friend in Demon World.

"Now what's wrong?!" Sienna said as she feigned annoyance.

"Looks like I might have some free time coming soon. Was thinking I might come home and see if you've burned the house down yet," Kaida laughed as she got an eye roll from her best friend.

"If anyone is burning this house down, it's you. Or if Kuronue is cooking," she mused before ducking from a low flying pillow. "So you're really gonna come home?!"

"Yup! Things seemed to have settled for now so I have some planning to do and I can't think of anyone better to help me than you," Kaida said as Sienna gave her a mushy grin.

"How about your mate? Think maybe he should be involved in your schemes? I seem to remember him and I agreeing that you two are no longer allowed to be alone together," Kuronue said as he came up behind Sienna. "Where is Youko?"

"At school," Kaida said as she watched Kuronue trying so hard to keep a straight face.

"School!" he shouted as he nearly doubled over with laughter.

"Away with you!" Sienna shooed as his laughter slowly faded away. "So, when will you be here?"

"Give me a couple of days," Kaida said as she looked at her watch. "Got to go. I'll call you later tonight."

"See you soon, Kiara!" Sienna said as she winked at her best friend then cut the call.

Kaida chuckled softly as she returned from her break. The rest of the day was quiet and as the night fell, she felt a sense of unease. Something on the wind told her that trouble was brewing. For a moment, she considered finding Kurama and waiting until he was ready to head home but she simply chided herself. She told him that she could handle anything and she could. Quickly, she made it to her car then enjoyed the quiet ride home.

As Kaida opened the door, she was surprised to find that her home was completely empty. She walked around, from room to room, to see if maybe someone was asleep or hiding but she truly was alone. Kaida quickly changed into a more comfortable outfit and made her way to the living room. Drawing a fire in the fireplace and wrapping a blanket around her, she quietly read a book while she waited for any of her family to come home.

It was nearly eleven at night, when Kurama walked in the door. He didn't mean to be out so late but with the news he had just learned about, shook him to his core. He needed to figure out what he would say to his mate after the message he had received. The house was quiet as he made his way through to the living room. He found Kaida sleeping softly in a chair as the fire in the fireplace started to die out.

For a moment, he watched his mate as she blissfully slept, unaware of the events of the night. After a few moments, Kurama put the fire out and lifted his mate out of the chair. She didn't stir, instead she snuggled deeper into his chest, nuzzling her cheek against his heart. When he was with her, he was in heaven but he wasn't sure how long this peace would last. Walking into their bedroom, he placed his mate down on her side of the bed. That slight separation was enough to stir her from her slumber.

"Kurama?" She asked softly as she looked around their room. "What time is it?"

"It's almost midnight. Go back to sleep, love," he whispered as he tried to get her to fall back asleep.

Kaida ignored him as she sat up in the bed and watched him. "What happened?" she asked as she rubbed at her face.

Kurama froze as he was getting himself ready for bed. Kaida slipped out of bed and walked over to him, wrapping her arms around his bare chest, holding him close to her. Kurama slid his hand up and clasped hers, holding it over his heart. She wasn't fooled. Turning around he pulled her into his arms and held her tightly, kissing her deeply. Her body instantly reacted to him. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she pressed herself against him. Kurama slid one of his hands down her back, cupping her backside before lifting her up, forcing her to wrap her legs around his waist.

She moaned softly as her warm core pressed against the bulge that Kurama always seemed to have in the presence of his mate. No matter what was going on in his life, he would always want her, desperate to be deep within her where he belonged. Kurama broke the kiss as he trailed his fangs down her neck, sucking and kissing the skin making her dig her nails into the back of his head, pulling him closer to her.

Kurama moved them back over to the bed, laying her down underneath him. He moved quickly to remove her clothes. He couldn't help but admire her body in the moonlight. Already it had changed to accomodate the child growing within her. Her breasts were larger and her stomach already formed a visible bump. Seeing his mate as he looked down at her, brought peace to the chaos of his evening. Without a second thought, he quickly removed his own clothing and for several hours, made love to his mate well into the early morning hours.

As Kaida curled around Kurama. Her head laid across his chest. She gently moved her hand up and down his chest, her fingers moving against his rigid muscles. Kurama gently rubbed her back as he held her against his body. For the moment, the two laid in silence but Kaida couldn't let it sit. Kaida lifted herself off his chest and looked at him. "Are you done trying to distract me?" she asked softly.

"Am I?" he asked.

"Yes. What happened tonight? You were late coming home tonight and you seemed upset. Don't lock me out. Nothing good happens when you do that," she said before giving him a soft kiss.

Kurama watched her soft before gently rubbing his hand over her bump. "I received a spirit of words tonight. So did Hiei. Have you spoken to your father yet? About Yusuke?"

"No one came home tonight," Kaida said as she held her hand over his on her bump.

"Yusuke was invited to King Raizen territory. To learn from him. Hiei received an invitation from King Mukuro. And I received one from the third King...Yomi," he said and instantly felt her freeze.

"Yomi is dead, Kurama. You know that," Kaida said in disbelief.

"I thought that too but he survived and he is blind. Now he is a King in Demon World and has summoned me to join him," he said as he sat up and pulled her close to him. "And I'm going."

Instantly Kaida moved away from him and glared. "Are you out of your damn mind?! This could be a trap and he plans to kill you. Over my dead body you are going to him!"

"Kai, love. I have to go," he said softly as he tried to pull her to him to reassure him.

"No! You don't! Kurama, this is Yomi! We sent an assassin after him. And what about Yoshi? I sent her away. I highly doubt she will let that go," Kaida said as she moved away.

"Love, calm down. I have to go but I promise I'll be safe. I don't think Yomi will try to kill me. I will be safe," Kurama said as he pulled her back to reassure her.

Kaida glared at Kurama before getting up and pacing in their room. She crossed her arms in front of her chest as she silently paced. Kurama watched her as she paced. For a moment he was amused by her anger, until she stopped and looked at him. "If you're going to Yomi then so is Kiara," she said defiantly.

"No! Absolutely not. Kiara is gone. That's what you said. Besides, you're pregnant. I'm not going to endanger you or our child any further," he said as he walked over to her.

"If it's safe enough for you then it will be safe enough for me," she said as she placed her hands on her hips and glared at him.

Kurama stopped in his tracks as she threw his own words back at him. He wanted to argue with her. He wanted her to stay behind and to stay safe with their child, but if he deemed it too dangerous for her then it would be too dangerous for him. He was trapped in his own words. Kaida was watching him as he glared at her. She could see the conflict and the arguments running around in his head before defeat came into his eyes.

"The three worlds know I'm with Kaida so Kiara and I would have to be friends. But if you're going to come with me, then I want there to be precautions. I won't risk your life or our child's, regardless of how safe I believe we would be. I want Sienna and Kuronue with us," Kurama said as he walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her. "They stay with you at all times. I won't lose either of you."

Kaida wrapped her arms around him and nodded. "Looks like we are going back to Demon World," she said as she held onto him.