A Demon's Love pt. 4
Kurama walked out into the cool Ningekai air looking for her. Kizna cautiously walked out of the alley hidden by her cloak. He placed his arm around her waist and walked in the cool night air in a comfortable silence. Unbeknownst to them, Kuwabara was watching.
Kuwabara secretly crept to the window looking out into the night sky. He watched as Kurama began to look for someone or something. Then he saw it. It walked out of the alley near his out and into Kurama's arms. Whatever it was, he instantly recognized the shimmer of silver he had seen earlier coming from its cloak. He decided he would ask Botan later as he watched the couple suspiciously.
"Is your friend all right?" Kizna asked as she looked up into his eyes.
"He'll be fine, he just needs rest," Kurama replied as he got lost in her silver stares.
"Where do we stay?" she asked.
"We'll stay at my mother's apartment," Kurama replied.
"It must be nice to have a mother," she replied sadly.
He smiled down on her pitying her sad expression. He lifted her chin to match his gaze. His eyes held promise of protection and love for her and only her. She smiled as she read the evident emotions running through his gaze. He leaned down and gave her a light kiss as the cool Ningekai wind blew around them. She shivered.
"Come on, we're almost there," he whispered. She nodded.
They came to a large white building with many windows and balconies. He guided her through the lobby as she looked around curious by everything she saw. He smiled. She was enjoying herself and he didn't care if he broke the rules for her to come here. Kizna stared strangely at the elevator as Kurama pushed the button waiting for the metal doors to open. Gently, he guided a nervous Kizna into the elevator whispering soothing words in her ear. She smiled.
They arrived in a small apartment fit for two. Simple white furniture, wooden tables, and warm inviting plants greeted them as they made their way inside. The room was warm and cozy and had a family's touch. Warm blushes streaked their faces red due to the sudden change in temperature from the cold night air. Kizna put down her hood and walked around the apartment curiously looking at the human necessities.
Gently, Kurama took her hand and led her through the small apartment explaining all he knew about the Ningekai. Kizna listened intently as his hands warmed hers as they walked around the apartment.
"This is my room," Kurama said as he opened a door to a small room.
With a simple desk and a bed with red and green sheets, Kurama showed off his room. Many plants and biology books lay on the desk and scattered around the room. She walked around the room touching and seeing with curiosity. He watched her lovingly from the door way as she looked at all his plants and other human items he kept.
"What this?," she asked as she walked towards the bed.
"Humans call it a bed," he answered. "They use it for many things."
"Like what?" she asked as she sat down on the edge. "It's quite soft."
"Sleeping, relaxing..... making love," he replied softly as he sat down next to her.
"Is that a hint?" she asked seductively. He smiled as they locked in a passionate kiss.
Kuwabara heard another knocking at his door. Quietly, he opened the door and found Botan on the other side. Stars grew in his eyes. Botan sweat dropped. A small figure stepped out from behind her. Hiei.
"How's Yusuke?" asked a nervous Botan as she and Hiei walked in.
"He's sleeping," Kuwabara replied as he pointed up the stairs to his room. "Did you guys feel anything strange?"
"Other than the feeling of annoyance when you're around?" Hiei replied sarcastically.
Kuwabara glared.
"Hm," Hiei grunted.
Walking up to the bedroom, they saw Yusuke fast asleep in the small bed. Botan pulled something out of her pocket.
"What's that?" asked Kuwabara from behind her. Botan jumped.
"It's a Demon Compass," Botan replied. "It belonged to Yusuke."
Kuwabara snatched it away from her and tried to turn it on.
"Hey!" she yelled. "That's a delicate piece of machinery there."
"How does it work?" he asked shaking the small watch-like object.
"Why do you want to know? You're not a Rekai Tantei," said Botan snatching the compass back.
"Because I want to protect my beautiful future wife," he replied with stars in his eyes as he grasped her hands in his.
Botan sweat dropped again. Annoyed, Hiei rolled his eyes. Botan quickly pulled her hands out of his grasp.'I'd just better show him,' she thought nervously.
"You just push this button and it locates any demon within five mile radius," she instructed. (Authors note: I forget how many miles Botan said it was so I just made up a number. Sorry!)
Kuwabara walked over to the window and looked at the night sky in contemplation. Then, he pushed the button. After he pushed the button, the compass began to go wild before pointing to a distance in the horizon. Botan looked over his shoulder and raised one eyebrow in confusion.
"If what I think is right," started Botan. "That's around where Kurama lives. So we don't have to worry."
"Idiot," Hiei muttered.
"Well, I saw something earlier tonight," said Kuwabara. "Kurama is hiding something, and I don't know what."
"Huh?" asked Botan confused. "What do you mean Kurama is hiding something."
Kuwabara told the two about what had happened earlier in the evening. He told of Kurama's odd behavior. He told of how Kurama constantly tried to keep from looking behind him and out the window. Botan and Hiei listened intently to what he said their minds riddled with questions.
"Well I must admit," began Hiei thinking. "Kurama did seem to be acting strange."
"How so?" asked Botan.
"When I met him at Koenma's office, he smelled.... odd," said Hiei.
"Odd?" asked Kuwabara.
"He smelled of a female you idiot," sharply replied Hiei. "When I asked him who it was, he didn't answer."
"Well he said he'd be back tomorrow we can just ask him then," said Kuwabara.
The others nodded. They stayed throughout the night rarely leaving Yusuke's bedside. They watched him sleep soundly waiting for him to be woken up. Hiei watched from a shadowed corner of the room. Though he would never admit it, he was worried.
The stars in the midnight blue sky glittered outside the house where all of them stayed through the night waiting for a friend to return to them.
The morning light shined through Kurama's curtains. Everyone in the world was awakening. His plants shined greener feeding off the sunlight that could reach them through the window. In his arms, Kurama found his little fairy sleeping away under the soft blankets. Fortunately his mother was out of town that week, and he had the house to himself and her. He pulled her into a tight embrace gently caressing her wings. His gentle caress sent tingles throughout her body as she sleepily awoke to her lover's face only inches away from hers. Emerald greens and moonlight silvers stared at one another telling of all the love the other held. If possible, they snuggled closer together enjoying each others' warmth and love.
"I'll be in the bathroom," said Kurama as he wrapped himself in a blanket to get up.
"A what?" Kizna asked still unfamiliar with human concepts.
"Come here, I'll show you," he replied as she got up and wrapped herself in a blanket with her large wings sticking out behind her.
He led her to the bathroom and turned on the shower. Filled with curiosity, Kizna placed her hands in the warm water the fell from a spout near the ceiling.
"You humans are very interesting," she said still watching the warm water fall from the shower head.
A layer of mist began to fill the bathroom fogging the mirror. Kurama unwrapped himself from the blanket and walked in the shower. Kizna blushed. He reached a hand out to her begging her to take it. She placed her hand in his as he pulled her into the shower with him. Outside the bathroom door, soft giggles and moans echoed in the small room.
"Well, I must say humans bathe in a rather interesting way," said Kizna as she sat on the counter wrapped in a towel with her hair and wings wet. "And this clothe is so soft."
"It's called a towel," said Kurama as kissed her wrapped in his own towel. She smiled.
"And what do they call this stuff you put in my hair?" she asked innocently.
"The humans call it shampoo and conditioner, it's suppose to clean your hair," he replied smiling with stars in his eyes.
That was the one thing he had to admire about her most. Her innocence. No matter how many times they kissed or made love, she was like a little child. Even though in reality, all her innocence had been taken from her when she had been abandoned by her family and village. Yet, he still saw her as innocent as a little human girl.
"Turn around," Kurama said softly.
"Why?" she asked as she turned away from him.
"Don't worry," he said as he reached for a drawer taking a brush out. "I'll brush your hair."
"Huh?" she asked, her confused reflection showing in the mirror.
He gave her a reassuring smile. Gently, he began to brush her hair taking out all the tangles in the process. She sighed at the strange tingles that went down her head as the soft bristles of the brush ran through her light blue locks. As he ran the brush through her hair, small blossoms of white and pink flower petals fell from her mane and covered the counter in a swirls of pink and white snow. She didn't know what this particular human concept was of brushing your hair, but she liked it. He stopped and looked at her in the mirror. Her hair was in thick wet sections that hung down her back and over her shoulders.
"I must admit I like these human concepts," she said as he put the brush away.
He smiled. Pulling out another brush, Kurama began to brush his rose red mane. She watched him in fascination and curiosity. 'There are so many interesting things about these humans,' she thought. He turned and caught her staring. She blushed, and he smiled.
"What?" he asked.
"You intrigue me kitsune," she said as she hopped down from the counter. "You and all these humans."
"And I love you," he leaned down to whisper in her ear.
"I love you too," she whispered back. He smiled again.
He changed into his regular clothing in the bedroom while she changed in the bathroom. As Kizna walked into his bedroom dressed in her light blue outfit, she was suddenly swept up in a tight embrace and a fiery kiss. Their bandages were gone, and they had made a full recovery with the help of each others' love.
"What was that for?" she asked softly.
"I don't know. Just because I love you," he said sweetly.
"I wonder sometimes how you could love me," she replied softly. He looked at her strangely. "You're handsome, smart, kind, gentle, caring, chivalrous, and I'm..."
"Beautiful, innocent, kind, loving, charming... do you want me to continue?" he asked. Her face was lightly tinted a rosy pink. She shook her head.
"And you give me the confidence I never had," she said as she laid her head on his shoulder with her arms around his neck. "Are you going to see your friend today?"
"Do you mind?" he asked still holding her. She shook her head as she buried her face into his shirt.
"You must introduce me to these humans you know," she said.
"Soon don't worry," he replied burying his face into her damp hair. "It's just too bad you can't be seen."
She nodded.
"Sing for me," he asked softly laying soft kisses in her hair.
She began to hum a soft tune as they unknowingly began to sway and dance. The plants began to glow with spirit energy as they watched the lovers dance in the small room. Glowing, the plants began to grow and blossom into lush green bushes and flowers. The sun shone through his bedroom curtains making the kitsune and the fairy glow with a heavenly light. Her song ended long ago, but he didn't want to leave. They stood in the middle of his room enjoying the love they radiated in each others' arms.
"You better go see your friend," she said as she loosened her grip on him. "They're probably waiting."
"Are you sure you want me to go?" he asked softly. She nodded.
"He needs you," she replied.
He kissed her gently and left. She looked through the curtains partly opened and found her love and waved a goodbye. He waved back.
Kurama looked up at his mother's apartment one more time. In his bedroom window stood a small figure with large white wings waving goodbye. He waved back.
Botan and Keiko sat in the kitchen talking quietly when a soft knocking came from the door. Kuwabara walked toward the door, opened it, and found Kurama on the other side.
"How is he any changes?" asked Kurama.
"He was stirring this morning, that's when I called everyone over," replied Kuwabara.
Kurama nodded as Keiko and Botan walked over. Simple introductions were made before Kurama and Kuwabara went up to the bedroom. Kurama took the chair that sat next to the bed as Kuwabara leaned on his desk. Quickly, Kuwabara whispered something into the kitsune's ear. Kurama nodded. Yusuke stirred as the sun shone in his eyes. Wearily, he opened them to find Kurama and Kuwabara looking at him. (Sorry the dialog may be wrong)
"We were wondering when you would wake up," said Kurama. "You've been asleep for three days."
"What about Keiko and Botan?" Yusuke asked worried. Kuwabara and Kurama cast their eyes to the floor. "What about them?! Are Botan and Keiko all right?"
Their gazes still held to the floor. All of a sudden, the bedroom door flew open revealing Botan and Keiko.
"Yusuke?!" screamed Botan. "Are you still in bed?!"
Yusuke stared wide eyed at the two girls who walked in then turned his gaze to Kurama and Kuwabara. The kitsune and orange haired boy burst out laughing.
"Gotcha!" yelled Kuwabara. "You should've seen the look on your face!"
"Yes it was quite amusing," added Kurama.
"Yusuke could I talk to you?" asked Keiko as she began to walk out of the room.
Yusuke and Keiko reached a bridge when Keiko stopped. Yusuke was expecting the worst.
"Look I know you're mad," said Yusuke. "Just hit me ok?!"
He waited for the deadly blow, but it never came. When he opened his eyes, he found Keiko holding a finger in front of his face.
"Yusuke, I don't know what happens when you go on those missions, but just tell me when you go," said Keiko. "All right?'
Yusuke nodded.
The others waited patiently in the bedroom for Yusuke. Kurama constantly looked out the window and into the neighbor's yard looking at the white flowers she grew. It only reminded him of one thing. Kizna. He reached into his pocket and found something unexpected in there. He looked up in surprise to find the rose bud. It was still as pristine and flawless as the day she had given it to him. He smiled longingly at it. The others noticed Botan being the first.
"All right Kurama," she asked teasingly. "Who is she? Don't deny it. Who gave you that rose?"
He quickly hid the rose blushing in the process. Then, the demeanor of the conversation turned serious.
"And who was that person you were walking with last night?" asked Kuwabara suspiciously. The fox's eyes shot open at the comment. "You know the one. It had a cloak on."
Kurama was speechless. 'He must have been watching and he must have told the others,' he thought panicked again. 'What if they tell Koenma?' Then, Hiei walked in. Hiei began to notice the strange smell in the air coming again from Kurama. 'He smells of her again,' he thought. 'It's faint, but it's still there.'
"We may have a demon on the loose," said Hiei. 'This will make him confess,' Hiei thought. "Did you the rest of sense it?"
Botan and Kuwabara nodded.
"Did you Kurama?" asked Hiei. "It seemed to be coming from your neighborhood."
"No," said Kurama calmly as he could muster. "Excuse me, I have some business to take of."
Hurriedly, Kurama left the house and ran to his mother's apartment.
"He's hiding something," said Hiei. "I think we should investigate."
"Investigate what?" asked Yusuke suddenly as he and Keiko walked in. "Why did Kurama leave so suddenly? I was almost hit by him when I came through the door."
"We think he's snuck something into the Ningekai and we don't know what," said Botan. "But we don't know what."
"We'll keep tabs on him throughout the day," said Hiei. "Yusuke take the first shift."
"That sounds fine by me," said Yusuke. "You'll take the next one."
"I guess that leaves me with the last shift," said Kuwabara.
"I'm not leaving that duty up to an ugly human like you," growled Hiei. "Botan will take the last shift."
Kuwabara glared at Hiei. Hiei ignored him.
"I'm taking the last shift whether you like it or not," said Kuwabara. "Botan you don't have to do anything."
"Well I can't anyway," she said. "I have work to do for Koenma."
"Great," mumbled Hiei.
Yusuke turned towards Keiko. She understood and nodded. Running, Yusuke hurried to Kurama's neighborhood.
Kurama ran as fast as he could to reach his home. They had found out his secret, and he feared for her safety. He bounded through the lobby and up the elevator praying it would move faster. Finally as the elevator reached his floor he stampeded down the hallway running to his mother's apartment.
Kizna sang. She sang her heart out to all of the strange human plants Kurama kept. She only knew one of these strange plants and those were his roses. They were the only plant that grew in the Makai other than ravenous demonic vines and man eating flowers. She looked up in confusion when she heard the apartment door slam as she found Kurama panting like he had ran all the way here.
"What's wrong?" she asked concerned.
"They..... know you're...... here," he said between breathes.
Her eyes went wide as she remembered what he had said the night before. 'No,' she thought harshly. 'I can't be punished.' She watched helplessly as Kurama ran frantically around the apartment trying to shut all the curtains and blinds. Snapping out of her doze, she ran to help him. As she was about to close another curtain, she saw a young man with raven hair in a school uniform watching her.
Yusuke walked down the street pondering what had happened earlier. 'Kurama snuck something into the Ningekai?' he thought confused. 'I thought he changed.' He looked up into the building and saw a strange sight. He saw Kurama hurriedly shutting all the windows and curtains one by one. Then he saw something bizarre flutter past the windows. It seemed to be wearing a light blue shirt and something large and white stuck out of its back. He quickened his pace curious of what he saw as the mysterious figure in the window shut the curtains.
She quickly shut the curtains as she saw the strange young man quickened his pace. She ran to her love's arms for support and comfort. Kurama held her tightly. The sunlight seeped through the curtains making thin strips of light mark the carpeted floor. The apartment was cast in darkness with everything shrouded in shadow.
"What do we do?" asked Kizna worried. "Someone's watching."
"The Rekai Tantei," whispered Kurama. "We'll leave at nightfall and run back to the Makai."
"All right," she replied.
Yusuke stopped walking when he reached the street across from where Kurama lived. He stared curiously at the shut windows. His mind filled with doubt for his friend's innocence. 'Maybe he is hiding something,' he thought. 'And what was that in the window?' He stared into the curtains that obscured his vision of the apartment. He stood unmoving unwavering his gaze from the windows.
Kurama walked over to the windows and cracked open a curtain. He knew the form instantly. It was Yusuke. He seemed to be thinking. Kizna moved across from him trying not to be seen and look out at the same time. Kurama turned to the small clock that sat on the end table. 4:56 pm, the clock read. Kurama knew it would be a long wait.
Yusuke watched as his brown eyes matched the green in the distant window. Their gazes battled for dominance neither backed down. The exotic shadows of white fluttered by behind Kurama standing on his opposite side. He didn't know when Hiei would come to relieve him of his duty, but he had a feeling it would be a long wait. Being impatient as he is, he decided to just surprise Kurama with a little visit.
Two pairs of eyes looked deep into the others' in shock as they saw Yusuke walk towards the building.
"What do we do?" asked Kizna scared. "I don't want to be punished."
"You won't be," said Kurama reassuringly as he closed the curtain and pulled her close. "But you have to hide."
"Where?" she asked. Kurama had an idea.
He ran to get to her cloak that sat by the bed. Quickly, he placed the cloak on her and opened a window in the back of the apartment.
"I want you to fly to the roof and don't be seen understand?" he asked. "I'll come get you then."
She nodded. As she jumped out of the window, she unfurled her wings and took to the sky for a sanctuary on the roof. He watched as she disappeared into the heavens into a midnight blue dot. He turned at the sharp sound of a knocking at his door. He strolled to the door trying to act calm as possible. He knew he couldn't slip up like he did earlier. After a few deep breathes, he opened the door. He found Yusuke on the other side.
"Hello Yusuke," said a collected Kurama.
"Hey," he said happily. "So what's up?"
"Nothing," Kurama replied slightly suspicious. "You?"
"Well lets see I just woke up from a three day coma after defeating a bunch of demons. I'm all right," said Yusuke with his normal sarcasm. Kurama chuckled trying to hide his nervousness.
The wind billowed her cloak wildly as she raced towards the roof. Her hair flapped in the untamed winds of the Ningekai. She had to make it to the roof. If she didn't, she would risk being severely punished. She reached the roof and gracefully landed. She looked in awe to find a lush rooftop garden filled with flowers. She walked around looking and smelling the flowers' strange and foreign aroma. She plucked out the weeds that invaded the garden, for she saw that there had been no owner for many years. She sang soft lullabies for the seedlings to grow watching as they grew into healthy plants of flowers and vegetables. Planting and singing seemed to take her away from her troubles, but she could sense Kurama was having trouble getting rid of the strange human that invaded his home. Among the flowers, she patiently waited for her love.
"This is a nice place you and your mother have here," said Yusuke strolling through the apartment looking for something. Kurama easily took notice of his actions. 'I have to get him out of here,' he thought. 'What could he be hiding?' Yusuke thought. 'There's nothing here.'
"Well I'm sorry Yusuke, but I have to run some errands for mother," said Kurama. "Unfortunately, I have to ask you to leave."
Finding nothing but sensing something was up, Yusuke acted satisfied with his answer. He politely smiled and cooperatively walked out the door. Once Yusuke was out of site, Kurama ran to the elevator and went to the roof. In a hidden corner, Yusuke saw the whole thing, and he knew had to contact the others. Running, Yusuke reached a payphone not far from the apartment building.
Ringing, the phone sounded for its owner at the Kazuma household. Kuwabara rushed to pick it up.
"Hello," he said in his raspy voice. "Oh Yusuke, what did you see?"
"Kurama is acting strange all right, he's definitely hiding something," said Yusuke at a payphone. "He tried to get me out of his apartment and when I left he ran for the roof."
"The roof?" asked Hiei listening and hearing the muffled conversation. Kuwabara nodded. "Tell him we'll be right over."
"The shrimp says we're coming over," said Kuwabara. Hiei shot him a death glare.
"All right I'll be waiting," said Yusuke hanging up the payphone.
The elevator dinged as it reached the elevator and rooftop gardens. He smiled as he saw her sweetly singing to the small plants that were abandoned in the garden. She looked up and ran into his arms. In the distance, the sun set sending their shadows to stretch over the city casting it into an early nightfall.
"We have a change of plans," said Kurama as he stroked her hair.
"What do we do?" she asked looking into the eyes she had fallen in love with at first site.
"We leave now," he replied. "And we have to hurry."
She nodded. Kizna pulled on her hood as they walked to the elevator.
The Rekai Tantei walked into the hotel lobby. The sun was beginning to set through the glass doors casting their shadows to stretch many times their usual size. They walked to the elevator and watched the buttons slowly descend from the rooftop. They prepared themselves in a fighting stance as the elevator reached the second floor all of them not knowing what to expect.
Kurama and Kizna watched the elevator slowly descend to the ground floor. They were eager to make their escape back to the Makai and were hoping nothing would go astray. He grasped her hand as the elevators reached the ground floor both prepared to make a mad dash for the gates to the spirit world. When the doors opened, they found something unexpected.
The elevator doors opened revealing Kurama holding hands with something under a midnight blue cloak. Yusuke and the others charged in. Kurama and Kizna barely escaped thanks to a quick burst of speed. They headed after the fleeing lovers.
The first light of evening stars appeared as the last golden ray of sun disappeared over the horizon. As the lovers ran through the evening streets, they could hear the loud screams and yells of the others as they chased them. Using their fighting skills to their advantage, Yusuke and Kuwabara easily tackled and wrestled Kurama to the ground. Kurama wouldn't give up that easily. With his demon strength, he threw Yusuke and Kuwabara off him. Kizna ran to her love's side and to help him up.
"Run," Kurama said worriedly.
"I'm not leaving you ," she said as she pulled him up.
She grabbed his hand, and they took off running once more. Hiei drew his katana and charged in to strike. Kurama noticed what Hiei was doing, and he quickly pulled out his Rose Whip. He let go of her hand as Hiei was about to strike her down.....
"ROSE WHIP!" Kurama cried as the vine of thorns wrapped around his ankles making him fall to the ground. "Kizna run!"
She didn't need to be told twice. She ran for her life. Loud footsteps echoed behind her easily catching up to her.
"SPIRIT SWORD!" cried Kuwabara as he leaped into the air getting ready to strike.
As the sword approached at an alarming speed, Kizna leaped into the air and spread her wings to fly barely missing the glowing blade of the Spirit Sword. Yusuke and Kuwabara looked up in wonder as they watched the unusual creature under the cloak float in the air before them. 'I wish I had my bow and arrows right now,' thought Kizna. She immediately flew to find Kurama.
Kurama ran. He managed to get away from Hiei and needed to find her. 'They had not better hurt her,' he thought. Then he saw her flying towards him. She opened her arms and enveloped him in an embrace.
"I told you to run," he said as he broke the embrace.
"I'm not leaving without you," she replied as she hugged him tighter. He smiled. "Take my hand."
He placed her hand in his, and with all her strength they flew into the night shocking Kuwabara, Yusuke, and Hiei. The others looked in amazement as they watched the beautiful creature one white wings of love fly into the night with the red rose demon.
Kurama walked out into the cool Ningekai air looking for her. Kizna cautiously walked out of the alley hidden by her cloak. He placed his arm around her waist and walked in the cool night air in a comfortable silence. Unbeknownst to them, Kuwabara was watching.
Kuwabara secretly crept to the window looking out into the night sky. He watched as Kurama began to look for someone or something. Then he saw it. It walked out of the alley near his out and into Kurama's arms. Whatever it was, he instantly recognized the shimmer of silver he had seen earlier coming from its cloak. He decided he would ask Botan later as he watched the couple suspiciously.
"Is your friend all right?" Kizna asked as she looked up into his eyes.
"He'll be fine, he just needs rest," Kurama replied as he got lost in her silver stares.
"Where do we stay?" she asked.
"We'll stay at my mother's apartment," Kurama replied.
"It must be nice to have a mother," she replied sadly.
He smiled down on her pitying her sad expression. He lifted her chin to match his gaze. His eyes held promise of protection and love for her and only her. She smiled as she read the evident emotions running through his gaze. He leaned down and gave her a light kiss as the cool Ningekai wind blew around them. She shivered.
"Come on, we're almost there," he whispered. She nodded.
They came to a large white building with many windows and balconies. He guided her through the lobby as she looked around curious by everything she saw. He smiled. She was enjoying herself and he didn't care if he broke the rules for her to come here. Kizna stared strangely at the elevator as Kurama pushed the button waiting for the metal doors to open. Gently, he guided a nervous Kizna into the elevator whispering soothing words in her ear. She smiled.
They arrived in a small apartment fit for two. Simple white furniture, wooden tables, and warm inviting plants greeted them as they made their way inside. The room was warm and cozy and had a family's touch. Warm blushes streaked their faces red due to the sudden change in temperature from the cold night air. Kizna put down her hood and walked around the apartment curiously looking at the human necessities.
Gently, Kurama took her hand and led her through the small apartment explaining all he knew about the Ningekai. Kizna listened intently as his hands warmed hers as they walked around the apartment.
"This is my room," Kurama said as he opened a door to a small room.
With a simple desk and a bed with red and green sheets, Kurama showed off his room. Many plants and biology books lay on the desk and scattered around the room. She walked around the room touching and seeing with curiosity. He watched her lovingly from the door way as she looked at all his plants and other human items he kept.
"What this?," she asked as she walked towards the bed.
"Humans call it a bed," he answered. "They use it for many things."
"Like what?" she asked as she sat down on the edge. "It's quite soft."
"Sleeping, relaxing..... making love," he replied softly as he sat down next to her.
"Is that a hint?" she asked seductively. He smiled as they locked in a passionate kiss.
Kuwabara heard another knocking at his door. Quietly, he opened the door and found Botan on the other side. Stars grew in his eyes. Botan sweat dropped. A small figure stepped out from behind her. Hiei.
"How's Yusuke?" asked a nervous Botan as she and Hiei walked in.
"He's sleeping," Kuwabara replied as he pointed up the stairs to his room. "Did you guys feel anything strange?"
"Other than the feeling of annoyance when you're around?" Hiei replied sarcastically.
Kuwabara glared.
"Hm," Hiei grunted.
Walking up to the bedroom, they saw Yusuke fast asleep in the small bed. Botan pulled something out of her pocket.
"What's that?" asked Kuwabara from behind her. Botan jumped.
"It's a Demon Compass," Botan replied. "It belonged to Yusuke."
Kuwabara snatched it away from her and tried to turn it on.
"Hey!" she yelled. "That's a delicate piece of machinery there."
"How does it work?" he asked shaking the small watch-like object.
"Why do you want to know? You're not a Rekai Tantei," said Botan snatching the compass back.
"Because I want to protect my beautiful future wife," he replied with stars in his eyes as he grasped her hands in his.
Botan sweat dropped again. Annoyed, Hiei rolled his eyes. Botan quickly pulled her hands out of his grasp.'I'd just better show him,' she thought nervously.
"You just push this button and it locates any demon within five mile radius," she instructed. (Authors note: I forget how many miles Botan said it was so I just made up a number. Sorry!)
Kuwabara walked over to the window and looked at the night sky in contemplation. Then, he pushed the button. After he pushed the button, the compass began to go wild before pointing to a distance in the horizon. Botan looked over his shoulder and raised one eyebrow in confusion.
"If what I think is right," started Botan. "That's around where Kurama lives. So we don't have to worry."
"Idiot," Hiei muttered.
"Well, I saw something earlier tonight," said Kuwabara. "Kurama is hiding something, and I don't know what."
"Huh?" asked Botan confused. "What do you mean Kurama is hiding something."
Kuwabara told the two about what had happened earlier in the evening. He told of Kurama's odd behavior. He told of how Kurama constantly tried to keep from looking behind him and out the window. Botan and Hiei listened intently to what he said their minds riddled with questions.
"Well I must admit," began Hiei thinking. "Kurama did seem to be acting strange."
"How so?" asked Botan.
"When I met him at Koenma's office, he smelled.... odd," said Hiei.
"Odd?" asked Kuwabara.
"He smelled of a female you idiot," sharply replied Hiei. "When I asked him who it was, he didn't answer."
"Well he said he'd be back tomorrow we can just ask him then," said Kuwabara.
The others nodded. They stayed throughout the night rarely leaving Yusuke's bedside. They watched him sleep soundly waiting for him to be woken up. Hiei watched from a shadowed corner of the room. Though he would never admit it, he was worried.
The stars in the midnight blue sky glittered outside the house where all of them stayed through the night waiting for a friend to return to them.
The morning light shined through Kurama's curtains. Everyone in the world was awakening. His plants shined greener feeding off the sunlight that could reach them through the window. In his arms, Kurama found his little fairy sleeping away under the soft blankets. Fortunately his mother was out of town that week, and he had the house to himself and her. He pulled her into a tight embrace gently caressing her wings. His gentle caress sent tingles throughout her body as she sleepily awoke to her lover's face only inches away from hers. Emerald greens and moonlight silvers stared at one another telling of all the love the other held. If possible, they snuggled closer together enjoying each others' warmth and love.
"I'll be in the bathroom," said Kurama as he wrapped himself in a blanket to get up.
"A what?" Kizna asked still unfamiliar with human concepts.
"Come here, I'll show you," he replied as she got up and wrapped herself in a blanket with her large wings sticking out behind her.
He led her to the bathroom and turned on the shower. Filled with curiosity, Kizna placed her hands in the warm water the fell from a spout near the ceiling.
"You humans are very interesting," she said still watching the warm water fall from the shower head.
A layer of mist began to fill the bathroom fogging the mirror. Kurama unwrapped himself from the blanket and walked in the shower. Kizna blushed. He reached a hand out to her begging her to take it. She placed her hand in his as he pulled her into the shower with him. Outside the bathroom door, soft giggles and moans echoed in the small room.
"Well, I must say humans bathe in a rather interesting way," said Kizna as she sat on the counter wrapped in a towel with her hair and wings wet. "And this clothe is so soft."
"It's called a towel," said Kurama as kissed her wrapped in his own towel. She smiled.
"And what do they call this stuff you put in my hair?" she asked innocently.
"The humans call it shampoo and conditioner, it's suppose to clean your hair," he replied smiling with stars in his eyes.
That was the one thing he had to admire about her most. Her innocence. No matter how many times they kissed or made love, she was like a little child. Even though in reality, all her innocence had been taken from her when she had been abandoned by her family and village. Yet, he still saw her as innocent as a little human girl.
"Turn around," Kurama said softly.
"Why?" she asked as she turned away from him.
"Don't worry," he said as he reached for a drawer taking a brush out. "I'll brush your hair."
"Huh?" she asked, her confused reflection showing in the mirror.
He gave her a reassuring smile. Gently, he began to brush her hair taking out all the tangles in the process. She sighed at the strange tingles that went down her head as the soft bristles of the brush ran through her light blue locks. As he ran the brush through her hair, small blossoms of white and pink flower petals fell from her mane and covered the counter in a swirls of pink and white snow. She didn't know what this particular human concept was of brushing your hair, but she liked it. He stopped and looked at her in the mirror. Her hair was in thick wet sections that hung down her back and over her shoulders.
"I must admit I like these human concepts," she said as he put the brush away.
He smiled. Pulling out another brush, Kurama began to brush his rose red mane. She watched him in fascination and curiosity. 'There are so many interesting things about these humans,' she thought. He turned and caught her staring. She blushed, and he smiled.
"What?" he asked.
"You intrigue me kitsune," she said as she hopped down from the counter. "You and all these humans."
"And I love you," he leaned down to whisper in her ear.
"I love you too," she whispered back. He smiled again.
He changed into his regular clothing in the bedroom while she changed in the bathroom. As Kizna walked into his bedroom dressed in her light blue outfit, she was suddenly swept up in a tight embrace and a fiery kiss. Their bandages were gone, and they had made a full recovery with the help of each others' love.
"What was that for?" she asked softly.
"I don't know. Just because I love you," he said sweetly.
"I wonder sometimes how you could love me," she replied softly. He looked at her strangely. "You're handsome, smart, kind, gentle, caring, chivalrous, and I'm..."
"Beautiful, innocent, kind, loving, charming... do you want me to continue?" he asked. Her face was lightly tinted a rosy pink. She shook her head.
"And you give me the confidence I never had," she said as she laid her head on his shoulder with her arms around his neck. "Are you going to see your friend today?"
"Do you mind?" he asked still holding her. She shook her head as she buried her face into his shirt.
"You must introduce me to these humans you know," she said.
"Soon don't worry," he replied burying his face into her damp hair. "It's just too bad you can't be seen."
She nodded.
"Sing for me," he asked softly laying soft kisses in her hair.
She began to hum a soft tune as they unknowingly began to sway and dance. The plants began to glow with spirit energy as they watched the lovers dance in the small room. Glowing, the plants began to grow and blossom into lush green bushes and flowers. The sun shone through his bedroom curtains making the kitsune and the fairy glow with a heavenly light. Her song ended long ago, but he didn't want to leave. They stood in the middle of his room enjoying the love they radiated in each others' arms.
"You better go see your friend," she said as she loosened her grip on him. "They're probably waiting."
"Are you sure you want me to go?" he asked softly. She nodded.
"He needs you," she replied.
He kissed her gently and left. She looked through the curtains partly opened and found her love and waved a goodbye. He waved back.
Kurama looked up at his mother's apartment one more time. In his bedroom window stood a small figure with large white wings waving goodbye. He waved back.
Botan and Keiko sat in the kitchen talking quietly when a soft knocking came from the door. Kuwabara walked toward the door, opened it, and found Kurama on the other side.
"How is he any changes?" asked Kurama.
"He was stirring this morning, that's when I called everyone over," replied Kuwabara.
Kurama nodded as Keiko and Botan walked over. Simple introductions were made before Kurama and Kuwabara went up to the bedroom. Kurama took the chair that sat next to the bed as Kuwabara leaned on his desk. Quickly, Kuwabara whispered something into the kitsune's ear. Kurama nodded. Yusuke stirred as the sun shone in his eyes. Wearily, he opened them to find Kurama and Kuwabara looking at him. (Sorry the dialog may be wrong)
"We were wondering when you would wake up," said Kurama. "You've been asleep for three days."
"What about Keiko and Botan?" Yusuke asked worried. Kuwabara and Kurama cast their eyes to the floor. "What about them?! Are Botan and Keiko all right?"
Their gazes still held to the floor. All of a sudden, the bedroom door flew open revealing Botan and Keiko.
"Yusuke?!" screamed Botan. "Are you still in bed?!"
Yusuke stared wide eyed at the two girls who walked in then turned his gaze to Kurama and Kuwabara. The kitsune and orange haired boy burst out laughing.
"Gotcha!" yelled Kuwabara. "You should've seen the look on your face!"
"Yes it was quite amusing," added Kurama.
"Yusuke could I talk to you?" asked Keiko as she began to walk out of the room.
Yusuke and Keiko reached a bridge when Keiko stopped. Yusuke was expecting the worst.
"Look I know you're mad," said Yusuke. "Just hit me ok?!"
He waited for the deadly blow, but it never came. When he opened his eyes, he found Keiko holding a finger in front of his face.
"Yusuke, I don't know what happens when you go on those missions, but just tell me when you go," said Keiko. "All right?'
Yusuke nodded.
The others waited patiently in the bedroom for Yusuke. Kurama constantly looked out the window and into the neighbor's yard looking at the white flowers she grew. It only reminded him of one thing. Kizna. He reached into his pocket and found something unexpected in there. He looked up in surprise to find the rose bud. It was still as pristine and flawless as the day she had given it to him. He smiled longingly at it. The others noticed Botan being the first.
"All right Kurama," she asked teasingly. "Who is she? Don't deny it. Who gave you that rose?"
He quickly hid the rose blushing in the process. Then, the demeanor of the conversation turned serious.
"And who was that person you were walking with last night?" asked Kuwabara suspiciously. The fox's eyes shot open at the comment. "You know the one. It had a cloak on."
Kurama was speechless. 'He must have been watching and he must have told the others,' he thought panicked again. 'What if they tell Koenma?' Then, Hiei walked in. Hiei began to notice the strange smell in the air coming again from Kurama. 'He smells of her again,' he thought. 'It's faint, but it's still there.'
"We may have a demon on the loose," said Hiei. 'This will make him confess,' Hiei thought. "Did you the rest of sense it?"
Botan and Kuwabara nodded.
"Did you Kurama?" asked Hiei. "It seemed to be coming from your neighborhood."
"No," said Kurama calmly as he could muster. "Excuse me, I have some business to take of."
Hurriedly, Kurama left the house and ran to his mother's apartment.
"He's hiding something," said Hiei. "I think we should investigate."
"Investigate what?" asked Yusuke suddenly as he and Keiko walked in. "Why did Kurama leave so suddenly? I was almost hit by him when I came through the door."
"We think he's snuck something into the Ningekai and we don't know what," said Botan. "But we don't know what."
"We'll keep tabs on him throughout the day," said Hiei. "Yusuke take the first shift."
"That sounds fine by me," said Yusuke. "You'll take the next one."
"I guess that leaves me with the last shift," said Kuwabara.
"I'm not leaving that duty up to an ugly human like you," growled Hiei. "Botan will take the last shift."
Kuwabara glared at Hiei. Hiei ignored him.
"I'm taking the last shift whether you like it or not," said Kuwabara. "Botan you don't have to do anything."
"Well I can't anyway," she said. "I have work to do for Koenma."
"Great," mumbled Hiei.
Yusuke turned towards Keiko. She understood and nodded. Running, Yusuke hurried to Kurama's neighborhood.
Kurama ran as fast as he could to reach his home. They had found out his secret, and he feared for her safety. He bounded through the lobby and up the elevator praying it would move faster. Finally as the elevator reached his floor he stampeded down the hallway running to his mother's apartment.
Kizna sang. She sang her heart out to all of the strange human plants Kurama kept. She only knew one of these strange plants and those were his roses. They were the only plant that grew in the Makai other than ravenous demonic vines and man eating flowers. She looked up in confusion when she heard the apartment door slam as she found Kurama panting like he had ran all the way here.
"What's wrong?" she asked concerned.
"They..... know you're...... here," he said between breathes.
Her eyes went wide as she remembered what he had said the night before. 'No,' she thought harshly. 'I can't be punished.' She watched helplessly as Kurama ran frantically around the apartment trying to shut all the curtains and blinds. Snapping out of her doze, she ran to help him. As she was about to close another curtain, she saw a young man with raven hair in a school uniform watching her.
Yusuke walked down the street pondering what had happened earlier. 'Kurama snuck something into the Ningekai?' he thought confused. 'I thought he changed.' He looked up into the building and saw a strange sight. He saw Kurama hurriedly shutting all the windows and curtains one by one. Then he saw something bizarre flutter past the windows. It seemed to be wearing a light blue shirt and something large and white stuck out of its back. He quickened his pace curious of what he saw as the mysterious figure in the window shut the curtains.
She quickly shut the curtains as she saw the strange young man quickened his pace. She ran to her love's arms for support and comfort. Kurama held her tightly. The sunlight seeped through the curtains making thin strips of light mark the carpeted floor. The apartment was cast in darkness with everything shrouded in shadow.
"What do we do?" asked Kizna worried. "Someone's watching."
"The Rekai Tantei," whispered Kurama. "We'll leave at nightfall and run back to the Makai."
"All right," she replied.
Yusuke stopped walking when he reached the street across from where Kurama lived. He stared curiously at the shut windows. His mind filled with doubt for his friend's innocence. 'Maybe he is hiding something,' he thought. 'And what was that in the window?' He stared into the curtains that obscured his vision of the apartment. He stood unmoving unwavering his gaze from the windows.
Kurama walked over to the windows and cracked open a curtain. He knew the form instantly. It was Yusuke. He seemed to be thinking. Kizna moved across from him trying not to be seen and look out at the same time. Kurama turned to the small clock that sat on the end table. 4:56 pm, the clock read. Kurama knew it would be a long wait.
Yusuke watched as his brown eyes matched the green in the distant window. Their gazes battled for dominance neither backed down. The exotic shadows of white fluttered by behind Kurama standing on his opposite side. He didn't know when Hiei would come to relieve him of his duty, but he had a feeling it would be a long wait. Being impatient as he is, he decided to just surprise Kurama with a little visit.
Two pairs of eyes looked deep into the others' in shock as they saw Yusuke walk towards the building.
"What do we do?" asked Kizna scared. "I don't want to be punished."
"You won't be," said Kurama reassuringly as he closed the curtain and pulled her close. "But you have to hide."
"Where?" she asked. Kurama had an idea.
He ran to get to her cloak that sat by the bed. Quickly, he placed the cloak on her and opened a window in the back of the apartment.
"I want you to fly to the roof and don't be seen understand?" he asked. "I'll come get you then."
She nodded. As she jumped out of the window, she unfurled her wings and took to the sky for a sanctuary on the roof. He watched as she disappeared into the heavens into a midnight blue dot. He turned at the sharp sound of a knocking at his door. He strolled to the door trying to act calm as possible. He knew he couldn't slip up like he did earlier. After a few deep breathes, he opened the door. He found Yusuke on the other side.
"Hello Yusuke," said a collected Kurama.
"Hey," he said happily. "So what's up?"
"Nothing," Kurama replied slightly suspicious. "You?"
"Well lets see I just woke up from a three day coma after defeating a bunch of demons. I'm all right," said Yusuke with his normal sarcasm. Kurama chuckled trying to hide his nervousness.
The wind billowed her cloak wildly as she raced towards the roof. Her hair flapped in the untamed winds of the Ningekai. She had to make it to the roof. If she didn't, she would risk being severely punished. She reached the roof and gracefully landed. She looked in awe to find a lush rooftop garden filled with flowers. She walked around looking and smelling the flowers' strange and foreign aroma. She plucked out the weeds that invaded the garden, for she saw that there had been no owner for many years. She sang soft lullabies for the seedlings to grow watching as they grew into healthy plants of flowers and vegetables. Planting and singing seemed to take her away from her troubles, but she could sense Kurama was having trouble getting rid of the strange human that invaded his home. Among the flowers, she patiently waited for her love.
"This is a nice place you and your mother have here," said Yusuke strolling through the apartment looking for something. Kurama easily took notice of his actions. 'I have to get him out of here,' he thought. 'What could he be hiding?' Yusuke thought. 'There's nothing here.'
"Well I'm sorry Yusuke, but I have to run some errands for mother," said Kurama. "Unfortunately, I have to ask you to leave."
Finding nothing but sensing something was up, Yusuke acted satisfied with his answer. He politely smiled and cooperatively walked out the door. Once Yusuke was out of site, Kurama ran to the elevator and went to the roof. In a hidden corner, Yusuke saw the whole thing, and he knew had to contact the others. Running, Yusuke reached a payphone not far from the apartment building.
Ringing, the phone sounded for its owner at the Kazuma household. Kuwabara rushed to pick it up.
"Hello," he said in his raspy voice. "Oh Yusuke, what did you see?"
"Kurama is acting strange all right, he's definitely hiding something," said Yusuke at a payphone. "He tried to get me out of his apartment and when I left he ran for the roof."
"The roof?" asked Hiei listening and hearing the muffled conversation. Kuwabara nodded. "Tell him we'll be right over."
"The shrimp says we're coming over," said Kuwabara. Hiei shot him a death glare.
"All right I'll be waiting," said Yusuke hanging up the payphone.
The elevator dinged as it reached the elevator and rooftop gardens. He smiled as he saw her sweetly singing to the small plants that were abandoned in the garden. She looked up and ran into his arms. In the distance, the sun set sending their shadows to stretch over the city casting it into an early nightfall.
"We have a change of plans," said Kurama as he stroked her hair.
"What do we do?" she asked looking into the eyes she had fallen in love with at first site.
"We leave now," he replied. "And we have to hurry."
She nodded. Kizna pulled on her hood as they walked to the elevator.
The Rekai Tantei walked into the hotel lobby. The sun was beginning to set through the glass doors casting their shadows to stretch many times their usual size. They walked to the elevator and watched the buttons slowly descend from the rooftop. They prepared themselves in a fighting stance as the elevator reached the second floor all of them not knowing what to expect.
Kurama and Kizna watched the elevator slowly descend to the ground floor. They were eager to make their escape back to the Makai and were hoping nothing would go astray. He grasped her hand as the elevators reached the ground floor both prepared to make a mad dash for the gates to the spirit world. When the doors opened, they found something unexpected.
The elevator doors opened revealing Kurama holding hands with something under a midnight blue cloak. Yusuke and the others charged in. Kurama and Kizna barely escaped thanks to a quick burst of speed. They headed after the fleeing lovers.
The first light of evening stars appeared as the last golden ray of sun disappeared over the horizon. As the lovers ran through the evening streets, they could hear the loud screams and yells of the others as they chased them. Using their fighting skills to their advantage, Yusuke and Kuwabara easily tackled and wrestled Kurama to the ground. Kurama wouldn't give up that easily. With his demon strength, he threw Yusuke and Kuwabara off him. Kizna ran to her love's side and to help him up.
"Run," Kurama said worriedly.
"I'm not leaving you ," she said as she pulled him up.
She grabbed his hand, and they took off running once more. Hiei drew his katana and charged in to strike. Kurama noticed what Hiei was doing, and he quickly pulled out his Rose Whip. He let go of her hand as Hiei was about to strike her down.....
"ROSE WHIP!" Kurama cried as the vine of thorns wrapped around his ankles making him fall to the ground. "Kizna run!"
She didn't need to be told twice. She ran for her life. Loud footsteps echoed behind her easily catching up to her.
"SPIRIT SWORD!" cried Kuwabara as he leaped into the air getting ready to strike.
As the sword approached at an alarming speed, Kizna leaped into the air and spread her wings to fly barely missing the glowing blade of the Spirit Sword. Yusuke and Kuwabara looked up in wonder as they watched the unusual creature under the cloak float in the air before them. 'I wish I had my bow and arrows right now,' thought Kizna. She immediately flew to find Kurama.
Kurama ran. He managed to get away from Hiei and needed to find her. 'They had not better hurt her,' he thought. Then he saw her flying towards him. She opened her arms and enveloped him in an embrace.
"I told you to run," he said as he broke the embrace.
"I'm not leaving without you," she replied as she hugged him tighter. He smiled. "Take my hand."
He placed her hand in his, and with all her strength they flew into the night shocking Kuwabara, Yusuke, and Hiei. The others looked in amazement as they watched the beautiful creature one white wings of love fly into the night with the red rose demon.