Raised
Chapter Fifteen
After he delivered his threat Piper went quiet. There wasn't much that she could say in return. She knew that the threat which he laid down was serious. If he felt that he was able to, at any point in time, Kurama would go after Yomi. It may not be head on as most people happened to attack others. It might not even be right away. But she had never known Kurama to make threats or violent promises he didn't fully intend to carry out. Of course, in this case, Piper had expected such a threat to be issued. He didn't really share well with others; at least not for the things which he held any regard for. And while she might not be a trinket or enchanted item which could be bought, sold, or used in the ways that items could be used...Piper was still something which he held in high regard. The fact that she was a person only made him that much more protective and possessive.
Which was why the brunette didn't say a single thing to agitate him no matter how much she wanted to. He had worked himself into enough of a temper tantrum that he had started onto the worse-than-death threats early on. There was no reasoning with him when he got into such a state. Piper stood up from her chair and slowly made her way over to the couch. The bed was soiled beyond what she meant for it to have been. Normally she would take the time to clean it and fresh up the space but honestly she was bone tired. There was nothing in her that had the energy to even consider removing the protective fabric off of the contradictory bit of modern society. Instead the woman chose to brave the couch - trusting that the upsetting conversation and her exhaustion was enough to keep Kurama's mind from straying back to the lusty path.
She was correct. Other than that itch that had been there since she'd gotten back to his apartment, there there was no other spark of desire. Piper relaxed back onto her back, loosening the collar of the dress she'd put on after her shower. The loose, long skirt had fabric so thin that it molded against her legs when she was no longer standing up. After she'd gotten comfortable there was little that Kurama could have done from stopping her from taking a nap.
What he did do was continue to sit at the table, staring at Piper's sleeping form. It wasn't an intensive stare as he moved his gaze away every so often in order to not wake her up. He had a lot to contemplate as she took her nap, a lot of emotions to pull back into his tightly held control. There was an irony to the situation he was sure. He was a three thousand year old fox who was known for not having emotions as far as his adversaries were concerned. Yet in the course of a handful of days he'd shown heighten levels of aggression (and more) to a three thousand year old ally. Of course, Piper wasn't rattled by such emotional displays as she had seen them more often than any other living person. It was just that Kurama was uncertain if such displays would prevail during the time he had with her to the point where it could be a distraction.
Some part of him hoped so, it would be a break from the monotony of life. The more realistic, logical aspects of his personality realized that such a shift in his personality in public would not go unnoticed. Especially if he introduced her to the people that had known him for the last few years. He knew that Piper wouldn't purposefully put him in a vulnerable or emotional state in public; she knew him well enough to know what those points of contention would be as well. Or at least, she wouldn't do such a thing if she was unprovoked. And he knew the topics in which would provoke the medium to agitate his emotional state. Honestly - they were probably the topics that they needed to spend some time working out too. Which was going to make them very tricky to navigate. Especially given that all he really wanted to do was keep her locked up in his apartment away from every other person so he never had to share. After all his years away and the years of his aggression being tempered out with his own human compassion, one would have thought that he'd have learned a little restraint; a little sense of the ability to share. They'd have been extremely wrong. If anything the pull to keep Piper all to himself felt stronger now that he knew what it was like to not have her.
It wasn't too surprising really. He'd never learned how to bare and share his soul with others during the last five hundred years. And that's essentially what he'd be doing if he had to share her. Kurama refused to do that on principle. He was not going to share the most intimate corners of himself with anyone else - especially not Yomi.
He stood up from the table and moved over to where the brunette rested, taking a knee. His eyes softened as he stared at her sleeping form. The tension had faded away from all places, jaw slackened and almost left ajar as she slept. Her body curled, face towards the couch, as she unknowingly waited for him to join. Kurama had to admit that the temptation was great; neither of them had really gotten very much sleep this past night. Of course that wasn't a source of irritation for him. It had been a long time since he'd been secure enough in the presence of someone else to even contemplate putting himself into such a vulnerable position that intercourse intrinsically required. He'd almost, almost, forgotten the nerve tingling rush that came with release or the languid comfort that came after. Not to mention the anticipatory buildup. All of which he knew would get better once her health had improved for good.
Kurama's hand gripped his knee as he leaned forward, brushing his nose against Piper's exposed ear. She shivered, for lack of a better term, in her sleep as goosebumps rose to her skin. The redhead smiled ever so slightly at that reaction, pressing said smile into the back of the woman's neck as he moved her damp hair aside. Slowly he leaned backwards once more, hand slightly twisting in the length of her hair, but not before noticing the silver string around her neck. He had already known what was attached to the chain but somehow the visual reminder accentuated the situation.
Even now you clung to the past by wearing Kuronue's pendant. The very same past which he'd tried for the better part of the last few years to truly put behind him. With deft fingers, Kurama removed the necklace and stood up. The pendant rested in his palm as he looked it over with calculating eyes. He could remember when the bat demon had first gotten this particular piece; it had been from his very first heist. And he'd clung to it fiercly. So much so that going back for it when the chain had snapped had cost Kuronue his life. Kurama's thumb brushed against the deep red stone, the light reflecting just right to make a gleaming streak. That gave him pause as did the feeling that seeped through his pores. It was like touching the shoulder of an old friend - a sensation that, even to this day, Kurama did not feel that often.
His eyes narrowed on the piece as he stood up swiftly. After the ordeal with Kaiki impersonating his old friend, it was understandable that Kurama was weary of anything to do with his old partner. Especially this particular pendant. His fingers curled around the red stone and the matte metal that surrounded it, chain dangling as he walked to the bedroom. After he'd picked it up in the urban bamboo forest he'd made and stashed it away in one of the few places he might have called home, Kurama had thought he'd never see a reminder of the bat demon again. He'd been wrong. Just like he'd been wrong about Piper never getting out from under Spirit World. Now that she was, Kurama decided he wasn't going to compete for her attentions with Yomi or the past. He might have learned a lot in his time as a human under the guidance of Shiori Minamino but that didn't include sharing.
He laid the pendant down on the top of his dresser with a hint of caution. Kurama went through his sock drawer and pulled out one silk pouch, sweeping the necklace into that before clipping it closed. He might not like the idea of sharing her, even with a ghost of the past, but he wouldn't dishonor his past partner's memory by treating Kuronue's prized possession like the jealous lover he actually was. Besides he knew that removing it was already going to strike her ire. He didn't want to metaphorically shoot himself in the foot by disposing of the trinket.
Red hair slipped over his shoulder as his head turned sharply in the direction of where his front door was. Green eyes took a less irritated tone as he realized that he was about to have a visitor. Although, Kurama wasn't sure it was the best time to have a guest. Especially considering that Piper was trying to catch a few hours of rest on the couch. Idly Kurama reminded himself that he would need to change and remake the bed soon; the washing machine was going to be a lesson he'd need to teach her about soon. He was pretty sure that her current method of washing articles out by hand in the kitchen sink wouldn't surfice for things as large as bedding, although there always was the bathroom tub for that. Still, he recognized the convenience of the washing machine and once she got used to the technology he was sure Piper would be in favor of it too.
Right before his visitor could knock, Kurama moved back through the room. He'd opened the door before the fist made contact with the wood. The fact that Piper was still asleep with a stranger approaching spoke to how she intrinsically trusted him to protect her while she was sleeping. But Kurama was not going to bet on her rest being undisturbed by loud, almost violent sounds. Cool green eyes swept over his friendly visitor without taking a step back from the door.
"Hello, Yusuke," his voice was soft, nearing a whisper.
It was obviously too much to hope that Yusuke had returned the tone in kind. Though to his credit he hadn't yelled out anything and his introduction had been kept short. "Yo."
Kurama took a half step back through the entryway, slipping the shoes back off appropriately. With the half wall of cupboards shielding the couch from sight, Kurama knew that Yusuke hadn't spotted Piper just yet. Though he'd be a fool to assume that the mazaku descendant hadn't already sensed her spirit energy. Given that it was heavily intertwined with his own at this point, it was readily disguisable from a distance but up close there were the nuances that Yusuke should be able to pick up now.
Before Yusuke had the chance to say anything else, the redhead simply said: "Please keep your voice down. She is finally resting."
As they got to the table and sat down, Yusuke's eyes took in exactly who Kurama meant. The brunette woman laid on the couch, content and safe in the knowledge that there wasn't anything violent going on. She trusted Kurama implicably even if she disagreed with him every so often. As long as everything remained calm, Piper would most likely sleep through this meeting.
Yusuke let out a low whistle as his eyes traveled across all her features, face and body alike. The not so subtle appreciation wasn't something Kurama felt the need to be jealous over. After all, it was more of a compliment to her than anything. He was perfectly fine with people looking it was just that whole touching and taking her away aspect that drew his ire.
"She's the one Koenma's freaking out about huh?" Yusuke started in, keeping his tone surprisingly low and the volume quiet. "Gotta say, she's better in person than on those cameras."
Kurama nodded, a small smile tilting his expression. "What would Keiko think if she heard you say that?"
Yusuke's attention was drawn back to the redhead, a slight look of betrayal across his features. "Come on man, that's not fair. I'm just looking. It's not like I went up and kissed her senseless or anything."
Kurama made a sound of contemplation, though it was really more in agreement than anything else. He leaned back and folded his arms, giving the former spirit detective a probing expression. Yusuke hadn't come here for a social visit; that wasn't something that happened with him. At most their interactions were handled over the phone and then sometimes they'd meet up in the public sphere. Not as often anymore for obvious reasons like conflicting work schedules of course.
"You wouldn't be able to," Kurama pointed out, not really missing a beat in the conversation despite trying to prod Yusuke's topic change.
"Hmm?" Yusuke asked in slight confusion. "Wouldn't be able to what - kiss her senseless?"
The redhead nodded. Yusuke's face took an instant turn, he could practically see the prankster coming out. And it was one that, given their current conversation, Kurama had a disliking for instantly. His eyes narrowed in on the dark haired male as he got up, looking like he was about to take on the greatest challenge. Before Yusuke even had time to contemplate it further, Kurama spoke up once more. Only this time it wasn't with a friendly tone. If anything there was a deadly promise held in his words.
"If you attempt such a thing, Yusuke, you will regret it."
Yusuke looked back to his friend as the expression faded. "Gheese, issue a guy a challenge and then bite his head off for taking it up. What's gotten your panties in a twist? Or are you suffering from blue balls or something?"
Kurama turned his attention towards the open bedroom door. The sheets and blankets were still pretty much everywhere. As were the original articles of clothing. Given that he didn't want to lie to Yusuke, he figured that the clues left in visual sight was still more polite than coming out and saying it. Besides, the look on the former detective's face was priceless.
"Now, if you'd tell me to what honor I owe this visit, I'm sure we can find more diverting things."
"...I don't know, that's pretty diverting," Yusuke replied in response to Kurama's visual admittance.
"Yusuke," the redhead prompted in a warning tone.
"Alright, alright, fine. Koenma is just worried that you've joined the dark side or something. And I was worried that I misjudged her or something. It wouldn't be the first time."
Kurama nodded and with a friendly expression he told Yusuke, "I'm perfectly fine."
"If you say so man. Koenma just made her seem like she was trying to bring about the apocalypse and you were the only thing standing in her way."
"Oh, I most likely am. But I can promise you that I am in no real danger."
"Yeah, I can see that now," Yusuke said with a grin. "So, was that your plan all along? Seduce her to the good side or something? Cause I gotta say that it's an underhanded trick."
"I did no such thing," okay so maybe he had a little bit but he wasn't about to allow Yusuke to take off with the wrong idea.
"Sure, sure, whatever you say."
For someone as brash as Yusuke, it was still surprising at how perceptive the young man was. Of course, he couldn't pick up on everything but he was an interesting judge of character. And he seemed to know when someone was not telling him the full truth. It was a talent that he'd picked up and gotten better with after dying for the first time. Kurama was sure that it was possibly one of the reasons as to why Yusuke Urameshi was still alive.
"Look, I know she's sleeping and you're probably going to want to rest up a bit too, but I wanted to know if you wanted to do something. I came over to check on you and see if you wanted to go out."
"I'm flattered Yusuke, but my preferences run elsewhere."
Yusuke seemed to get ruffled by that, and Kurama's amused smile did nothing to alleviate the situation. "I didn't mean it like that! I just meant as friends okay?! Look, whatever. Kuwabara's just been bugging me recently about getting the band back together for a day out. And I'm sick of hearing him complain. Plus it might get toddler off of my back for a while. You'd think after I stopped working for him he'd stop being such a pain in my ass. If-"
"I will see if I can make it," Kurama cut him off; regrettably it was a bit too late because he could see Piper's eyes open at the increase of volume. "Was that all?"
The young man stopped mid rant. He looked at Kurama then back at the previously sleeping woman. She was sitting up on the couch, looking weary. And from the look he'd gotten from Kurama, Yusuke knew it was his fault. Which put him on extremely thin ice. He didn't exactly know the whole circumstances but he did know that whatever it was, whoever she really was, Kurama was extremely protective of her. He didn't exactly want to stick around and feel the manifestations of his friend's irritation if Yusuke had been the one to cause the woman sleep deprivation. The fox felt snappy enough as it was.
"Yeah, that was all," Yusuke said as he got up from the chair. "I'll give you a call and let you know where and when we're all meeting up. You can bring along the girl too."
Kurama nodded in acceptance of his words, walking the younger man back to the front door. Yusuke was slightly stunned when the door had been closed in his face the moment he turned back around to say something.
