Kurama hadn't expected things to be so...seamless. Coming back to Living World after the tournament and going out with Asaki felt as easy as breathing. It was like nothing had changed, except...it had. Now, if he caught her looking his way and she blushed and turned away or smiled, he knew the reason why. No more guessing. No more games. He could hold her hand or embrace her and know when she returned the gesture that she was doing it not because they were friends and she didn't quite understand the implications of her actions. She was doing it because she loved him the same way he loved her.

There were, of course, going to be hiccups. Asaki wasn't going to just open up to him like a book. Not to say she didn't wear her emotions on her sleeves, but even if he could tell how she was feeling, her mind and her troubles were still locked tight. Kurama wanted her to rely on him more. Maybe he was being greedy. She'd already grown so much since they'd met. Still, he wanted every part of her.

That was why, when her father showed up at Kurama's parents' house and she'd asked him to make himself scarce, Kurama had been disappointed. He understood it was good that Asaki was learning to face her father on her own more regularly and not just in times of crisis, but that didn't stop him from wanting to be there for her. It was...difficult.

And then she'd gone home without him, this newfound resolution in her eyes. The haircut had given him pause. She'd looked lovely before with her long braid, but he knew the reason she'd kept it like that was because she'd been on guard, prepared to fight at all times. Did this new look mean she wasn't afraid anymore? Just what was going on in her head?

Bumping into her on the train that evening had been pure coincidence. How long would she have kept her internship a secret if he hadn't? Not long, his heart wanted to tell him. Then again, Asaki was stubborn and liked to ram her head against walls to knock them down. She might not have told him for fear he would either judge her or try to help. Maybe that was just Kurama's paranoia at work, but he was glad he'd discovered it either way.

When she talked about her conversation with her father and how easily the man had given in, Kurama realized something really was happening between the two of them, like they were standing on either side of a raging river, building materials at their feet, waiting for the first one to start working. Asaki would throw her heart and soul into this project. Partly because of her stubbornness, but also because she had found a new goal to strive toward. And even if the odds were impossible, she would find a way to succeed. Kurama knew her well enough to understand that.

What he also understood was that they would have very little time together during the beginning of this project she was working on. To that end, he'd casually suggested a family trip to his mother, knowing full well she would agree and that she would invite Asaki as well. The beach hadn't necessarily been what he'd had in mind, but he couldn't help being a little excited at the thought of seeing Asaki in a swimsuit. He was no overly hormonal teenager, not a creature of lust, at least mentally speaking. His body might not be entirely under his control in this, but that was neither here nor there. That was what he kept telling himself.

Asaki had seemed excited about the idea, if a bit nervous. It wasn't until he'd asked her about it that he occurred to Kurama it was entirely possible Asaki wouldn't be comfortable showing so much skin. She had been put on display her entire life, after all. Maybe she wouldn't swim at all. Kurama was such an idiot for not considering such things. Perhaps he would wear a shirt so she wouldn't feel uncomfortable about being the only one not in full swim attire. That was what he would do.

Which turned out to be another misstep. Of course. Kurama felt like he had two left feet lately, and that if they weren't in his mouth, he was stumbling over them.

When Asaki and his mother came out of the changing rooms and his girlfriend walked over to him, Kurama swallowed hard if only to stop his jaw from dropping. Asaki looked...well, stunning was an understatement. The white bikini suited her, the skirt on the suit bottoms drawing is attention to her long legs. He'd seen her in skirts before, but usually school uniforms. How had he not noticed just how...alluring her legs were? Her stomach was flat as well, and he could see muscle tone there, the product of so much training. Her demon form probably had abs….

"This beach is really pretty."

Kurama could only nod. "It is. It's a popular spot for tourists." Stupid. Could he have said anything more lame?

Asaki took it in stride, as she took everything. When Kurama had said he didn't plan to swim, if only to save face on the fact he'd overcalculated his attire, Asaki's smile had grown tense. Was she...disappointed?

"Did you put on sunscreen?" Kurama asked, unconsciously looking her over. Checking her out. The moment he realized what he'd just done, his face flushed. Asaki cocked one hip out, putting her hand on it, and Kurama's mouth went dry. This woman, someone he'd always assumed was too sweet and naive to be doing exactly what she was doing at this moment, was teasing him.

She waved away his concern, turning toward his mother when she spoke. Shiori was trying to coerce her son into the water. This was Kurama's chance to join Asaki…. Until she spoke up, supposedly on his behalf, to say he didn't need to do anything he didn't want to. Of course.

Unable to come up with a way out of this or into the water, Kurama merely acquiesced. At least from the shore he could watch Asaki and his family. His family. Asaki felt like she was part of it already, so why bother distinguishing between the two? She was playing with his mother, father, and brother like she didn't have a care in the world, laughing and smiling so freely. If Kurama could see her this happy always, he would give anything.

When everyone came back to rest, Asaki stayed in the water, and Kurama had to make an effort to pretend he was reading.

"You really should join us later, Shuchi," Shiori said, drying her hair with a towel.

"I think Asaki would like it," Kazuya added.

"I may just," he replied. Setting down his book, he got to his feet and stretched, his gaze seeking Asaki in the waves. She'd drifted quite a bit, but it didn't look like she'd realized just how far. When her dark head went under the waves, Kurama felt his heart sink with her. That hadn't looked natural. It was more like she'd slipped.

Kurama began to run, but there were so many people in the way. Curse this crowded beach. When Asaki's head appeared above the waves again, it was only for a brief second. Then, she went back under, and she wasn't coming back up.

She doesn't know how to swim. How had that not occurred to him? Of all possible possibilities, the idea that she couldn't swim hadn't even crossed his mind. He was too focused on stupid teenage boy things. Dammit. All the planning in the world hadn't prepared him for a fight with the ocean.

He ripped his shirt from his chest, diving into the water, reaching her inert form, and wrenching her from the water's unforgiving grasp. Pulling her on shore, he laid her out, trying to remain calm. She wasn't breathing. She isn't breathing. CPR was his only choice. He didn't even notice the crowd around the two of them as he began pressing on her chest, trying to breathe air back into her and the water out. When she finally responded, rolling over on her side and spewing water from her mouth, Kurama thought he might cry. She's alive. She's okay. She's….

"Kurama?" It's his name that snaps him back from his spiraling. Asaki, staring up at him with such sad eyes, Her chest is heaving breath like it's starved for air, but her eyes don't leave his. It's almost like she's trying to tell him something. What? What did she want to say?

He reached out to lift her, cradling her gently against his chest. He only lets his forehead rest against her soaked hair for a moment before carrying her back to where he'd been sitting only minutes before. His family gives them space, something that he's grateful for. Kurama didn't think he could bear anyone else even looking at his Asaki right now.

He sets her on a towel, releasing her and moving away. Did he even deserve to call her his after his negligence? But her hands hitting his chest stopped him. She was crying, and that was when Kurama realized he was too. Swiping at his eyes, he steps away, returning with a towel. It didn't matter what he called Asaki right now. All that mattered was that she was here, and she needed him. Wrapping the towel around her, he held her tightly, pressing his face into her shoulder and just taking slow, deep breaths. Anything to calm his racing heart.

When she said his name again, Kurama gripped her a little tighter, whispering the words locked tightly in his chest: "I was so afraid."

Afraid was such a weak word. It didn't cover the sheer amount of terror he'd felt watching her disappear. Even now, they were both trembling. Kurama could feel the way she was shaking in his grip. He was ashamed of himself. He'd failed to protect her, and now he was on the verge of tears when what Asaki needed was comfort.

When she tried to wriggle out of his arms, he gripped her tighter.

"Kurama, I...need...to see you!" She barked out the words, and he released her, surprised. Between her momentum and the sudden lack of resistance, she fell over, landing sprawled across his lap and chest. With her hands splayed against him, she sat up, her hands resting there as they stared at each other. He knew his face must be as red as hers, but it was honestly a relief to feel something aside from fear and shame right now. He would take her warmth and this light embarrassment.

She laughed, and the sound took his breath away. Of course she could laugh after escaping death so easily. This woman was the most amazing creature he'd ever encountered. When she bowed, he suddenly remembered just how awkward it used to feel, having someone his age bowing to him so much. After a while, it had just become another part of their exchanges. He didn't feel like he deserved her respect or her thanks then, and he certainly didn't now.

"All that matters is that you came for me," she said, her words attempting to assuage his dark thoughts.

"I'm just glad I made it in time," he allowed.

When she mentioned she'd slipped on kelp, Kurama said, "I may never eat a rice ball again." It was a weak joke, but they both smiled anyway. However, when he informed her that she would not be getting in that water again without him, he was the only one smiling, and not in a joking way. This was not going to happen again.

Kurama offered to get them drinks mostly as a chance to clear his head a little. Asaki was far too forgiving, as usual. He needed some clarity, somewhere away from her kindness. Even if that clarity was for the purpose of berating himself further for his mistakes.

Women surrounded him on his way back from getting drinks. They were all a few years older than him, judging by their looks, but that didn't stop them from hitting on him.

"Ooh, a high-schooler?"

"Aren't you pretty."

"Do you want to hang out with us?"

These were adults treating a teenager like this. It was shameful. Kurama tried to disengage multiple times, but to no avail. He was too tired, emotionally and physically, to deal with this right now.

Spotting Asaki approaching, he watched the inscrutable expression on her face shift to something more akin to the teasing look she'd worn earlier. "Shuichi," she whined, and Kurama felt his heart jump into his throat. He'd never heard her put that much honey into her tone before.

The women glared daggers at Asaki, all of which she ignored as she wrapped her arms around one of his. He swallowed hard, trying hard not to look at exactly what he was touching, his mind racing.

"That's no fair, Shuichi," she whined, batting her eyelashes at him. Gods, but she was beautiful. And so much of her body was pressed against him. Was it suddenly hotter out? He was sweating.

Trying to regain his footing, he pulled her into his arms to play along, but she was better at this game than he was. She pretended to be upset, ducking away so that he would have to chase after her, perfectly disengaging from the older women.

"Where on earth did that act come from?" he asked her, genuinely flabbergasted. It was easier to think clearly without her so close, but his heart was still pounding, and his body could still remember the feel of hers.

"I've had more than my fair share of experiences needing to influence people."

She was too good. Kurama was as impressed as he was mortified. Just how many people had she pulled that on? "If you change character like that again, it may just be the death of me."

"You don't like when I simper and cling?" she asked, a teasing pout on her face.

Kurama felt something hungry stir in him as he said, "I don't think you're prepared for the kind of feeling that clinging evokes in me."

He watched the blush that raced across her skin as she turned away from him. "W-well." That reaction was satisfying enough for Kurama to let it go. Asaki really wasn't prepared for the intensity of his feelings, and that was okay. They had centuries.

After the beach trip, Asaki threw herself in her work, exactly as Kurama had expected. Their every conversation involved practices, policies, and procedures. Even Kaito wasn't immune, getting dragged into her world. Whenever she got passionate about something, people just gravitated to her. She was born for this kind of work. Not to say she didn't work hard to get where she was now. It just seemed as natural as breathing.

That Friday, mere days before the Demon Relocation Center was set to open, Rikka had told Kurama, during lunch, that Asaki's father had picked her up from school. That couldn't be good. What on earth would Taro Anno want with his daughter so immediately that he would have to take her out of class? It pained Kurama that all he could do was wait and hope that Asaki would tell him later. He wasn't worried for her safety. Taro cared for his daughter more than he wanted anyone to know. It was in the way his eyes followed her when she was in the same room or the way he looked whenever he spoke harshly to her, like he wanted to say something else. Still, he waited until around midnight before going to bed. Just in case.

That was why the rocks pinging his window had woken him so easily. He'd never been a heavy sleeper, but he was only just drifting when the sound reached him. The last person he was expecting to see at that hour was Asaki, looking absolutely miserable. He let her in, no questions asked. Of course he did. It wouldn't have mattered if Asaki had been by his side all day and he'd had no reason to worry. He would always welcome her in a space he occupied.

However, when she started crying, Kurama was at a loss. What had happened that had left her so distraught? After convincing her to divulge, he only found himself struggling more. How could he possibly comfort Asaki when her entire world had been flipped on its head? All he could do was offer her a place in his arms and assurances that he was there for her, and that she would be okay.

He hadn't expected her to accept his offer to stay with him that night, but when he pulled her into his arms, his world felt right in that moment. Tomorrow, he would accompany Asaki at work, and they would continue to press on into the future together. With the threat of the half-demon eradication law gone, he could rest a little easier. No one was coming to take Asaki away from him.

As he drifted to sleep, he saw two figures standing in the middle of a bridge, tools in their hands. All they needed was to take a few more steps forward.

A/N: I know everyone has been missing Kurama, so I hope a Kurama POV chapter helps. I haven't had time to write lately since I just moved and started a new job, so I'm not going to pretend this wasn't just me stalling for time. I wanted to get something out to you guys so you didn't think I'd forgotten. We're getting through this together, dang it. Anyway, planned or not, I hope you guys enjoy. Keep hanging in there, and we'll get through this.

Thank you to everyone who has been reading and reviewing. You guys are the best for sticking with me all this time!