Chapter Nine- Kokoda

Kurama smiled as he emerged from the portal into the woods behind house. It felt good to be home. Shiori appeared beside him, looking human due to an illusion. Yoko had coached her on manipulating her energy and focusing on how she wished to look. The illusion would last until Shiori dropped it or her energy ran low. The two of them had also discussed how they were to handle the confessions as the original plan could not proceed due to recent events. "Are you ready, Mother?" he asked as they reached the front door.

"I am, Kurama." Shiori pulled out her key and opened the door. "Hello, we're back," she called, having been told by Kurama of the note he had written.

Kazuya came into the hall to hug his wife while Kokoda briefly embraced Kurama. "How was the trip?" Kazuya asked.

"It was…" Shiori began before glancing at Kurama. "Actually, we need to talk. All of us." She led the family to the living room where she and Kurama took the couch while the other two took the armchairs. Shiori was struck by how they were divided: Humans versus demons. Well, actually Kurama's both human and demon, but still.

"So, what are we going to talk about?" Kazuya asked.

Kurama exhaled slowly. "Last weekend, I revealed to Mother a secret I have been keeping for my entire life and now it is time to tell you. I am not just a human, I am also…a demon. A fox, to be precise."

"A…fox demon?" Kazuya asked in apparent disbelief.

Kurama nodded. "My true name is Yoko Kurama and I was a thief. It was during one such attempt that I was badly hurt. I used the last of my energy to escape and merged my spirit with Mother's unborn child. I am human and demon, actually. I have felt guilty of keeping it secret, though I had done to protect Mother."

"I was afraid of him after he told me and proved he was telling the truth," Shiori jumped in. "It took me until Monday night to take it all in as Shuichi had me the truth Saturday night. Then, his concern of me being used as bait to trap him happened as I came home this past Friday. I had gotten abducted by another fox demon who was hired by an old friend turned enemy of Yoko's. He was certain he would succeed in killing Yoko and keeping me for himself. He was so certain, he did this to me." She dropped the illusion to reveal her true self.

The mouth of father and son fell open at her appearance. Kazuya stood and took a step toward her. "Shiori, dear? You're a fox demon now?"

Shiori nodded. "It can't be reversed. This doesn't change that I still love you and can go to work." She stood and held out a hand, palm up. Kazuya stepped back, grabbed his still stunned son, and left the room with him.

Shiori dropped her arm and sank onto the couch. "He's afraid of me," she said, shock and irony in her voice. "I could smell his fear."

Kurama nodded. "I smelled it, too. However, I smelled no fear from Kokoda. He simply seemed shocked."

"So, I should give them some time like you did with me."

"That would probably be best."

Shiori sighed. "I guess I will be sleeping down here tonight."

"I will stay with you if you like."

She smiled and patted his hand. "That's all right, Kurama. I will be fine alone down here." She stood back up. "I should start dinner."

Kurama stood as well. "I will help."

"Shuichi's a demon?" Kokoda said, still stunned as his father paced.

"So it would seem and now so is your mother."

Kokoda looked down, the shock staring to fall away. He didn't see why his father feared his wife and stepson. Shiori had said that her being a demon didn't change her love for them. He believed that and was curious about his brother. He knew his father would want to keep him from both foxes but as he was on break from school, he could approach Shuichi and question him.

Kokoda watched from his window as Shiori and Kazuya left for work separately, the former looking human, but seemed sad. Dinner last night had been a quiet, strained affair. His dad refused to look at mother and son who kept their eyes on their plates. Shiori retired to the living room after dishes were done which Shuichi had helped. He hated to see his parents being estranged and he wanted to be close to his mother. Once he saw the cars leave, he headed for Shuichi's room.

He knocked before entering. He saw his brother already dressed and lying on the bed, arms folded under his head. He had always wondered why Shuichi looked nothing like either of his parents, but had no real idea. But now, he wondered if Shuichi's fox demon side had red hair.

Kurama had looked over when Kokoda had entered and now he pulled himself up to a sitting position and gave that smile he usually gave. "I thought you would come once our parents were gone."

Kokoda joined him on the bed. "I want to know everything about you. For one, are you a red fox?"

Kurama chuckled. "No, I am a silver one. So, let me start at the beginning." Kurama proceeded to tell his brother everything he had told Shiori about his past and being a Spirit Detective. He made sure to make it clear that he would never hurt any of his family. Kokoda asked to see his demon form and was in awe of the tall fox.

"Your name's Yoko Kurama in that form, right?" he asked when Kurama had changed back.

"Yes, but sometimes it is simply Yoko. I use my name Kurama when I am fighting in my human form, otherwise I am just Shuichi."

"I like the name Kurama."

"If you like, you can use it whenever we are alone. Mother had asked to use it in private and I said yes."

Kokoda hugged him. "Thanks. Can I tell Dad about you and Mom? I hate to see her sad."

"No. I think it best to let them work it out themselves."

"Okay, but I will try to talk to Mom."

Shiori walked inside, dropping her illusion in relief. It had been a bit uncomfortable to sit in her chair with her tail and a bit hard to maintain the illusion, though bathroom trips gave her time to drop it and re-create it. Surely regular use of the illusion will strengthen it as well as my powers which will in turn make it easier to maintain the illusion.

"Mom?"

Shiori looked up from her thoughtful downward look to see Kokoda. The boy seemed a bit tentative but definitely not scared. "Yes, dear?" she asked with a gentle smile.

"I talked to…Kurama and he told me everything about himself and what you told him when you were kidnapped. I want you to know that I'm all right with you being a demon."

Shiori smiled brightly as she went over and embraced him. "Thank you," she said, gently running a clawed hand over his hair. "Believe me, I won't hurt or harm you or Kazuya."

"I believe you."

"Good. So," she released him and added, "How would you like to help me with dinner?"

"Sure." Kokoda followed Shiori to the kitchen, the latter happy that her son accepted her. That just left her husband. I won't force him to accept me. I will wait for him to come around.