Part 4=Six Months/The Fox Comes Out
When Kurama showed at about three months they told the other guys. They actually took it well but they bombarded them with embarrassing questions.
"So how do you do it," asked Kuwabara.
"Idiot!" yelled Yusuke hitting him.
"OW!"
They didn't ask any more and started to discuss about the baby. Kurama was hoping for a girl, Hiei didn't care. Meanwhile Kurama's appetite increased and she started to have mood swings that nearly drove Hiei up the wall if he didn't love the fox so much. They went to Yukina regularly to check on the baby. She confirmed there was one and that it was very healthy, but unfortunately she couldn't tell the gender. Shiori suggested going to a real doctor but Kurama refused, not wanting to risk revealing unpleasant confrontations. Yukina also said Kurama may go through youko maternity instincts that will probably come later on. Well later might be sooner then they thought.
Hiei woke up to a low growling and no Kurama. Looking around with his catlike eyes he saw Youko Kurama sitting in the corner, head held in her hands, ears lay back and tail curled around her legs. She was shivering and growling for unknown reason. Hiei bolted out of bed and was at Kurama's side in a second.
"Kurama, what's wrong? You shouldn't have used your ki. You may have hurt the baby."
"Stay away!" yelled Kurama when Hiei tried to hold her.
"What theā¦." Taking off his bandana he opened his Jagan and looked. The baby was still there but Kurama's aura was shooting off the walls.
"Kurama, what's wrong with you," asked Hiei as Shiori came in.
"Hiei-san, what's wrong," she asked.
Hiei shrugged as Kurama whispered, "Forest."
It was a whisper but they heard it. She repeated it. "Forest."
"Shiori, go call Genkai," said Hiei. Shiori nodded and ran to the phone and coming back to hand it to him, not knowing Genkai's number.
`Thank you, Kurama, for teaching me how to use this damn thing,' he thought as it rang.
"Hello?"
"Yukina, can I speak with Genkai?"
"Yes, she's been awake all night. Catching upon research she said. I'll get her."
A few seconds later Genkai came on.
"Hello."
"Genkai, we have a problem. Kurama turned youko but the baby's okay and she keeps muttering about the forest."
"Her youko instincts must have kicked in. You have to bring her here as fast as you can. I'll call the others." Clink.
Hiei handed the phone back to Shiori and quickly got dressed and told her to do the some. He walked over to Kurama who was hissing and growling at him and sat right in front of her.
"It's going to be okay, fox. We'll take you to the forest," said Hiei. He couldn't help but think how much she looked like a trapped animal. He held out his hand to her and she hesitates.
"You know me, Kurama," said Hiei as Shiori came in. "You trust me."
Slowly Kurama took Hiei's hand and stood up. They slowly walked to the car, thankful that it was still dark out so no one would see. When they reached the car Kurama almost panicked from the confining space but Shiori and Hiei managed to convince her to get in. Hiei and Kurama sat in the back while Shiori drove. Kurama laid her head on Hiei's lap, clutching Hiei's hand and pants while the fire Koorime petted Kurama to keep her calm. They reached the temple an hour later and they did all they could to keep Kurama from running into the woods. They walked up the steps, coaxing her along.
Genkai met them at the top and lead them to a room to put Kurama. It had enough plants in there to keep her satisfied for a while, closed and locked the door to wait for the others. They came ten minutes later. Shiori, Yukina and Genkai were sitting on the porch drinking tea and Hiei was sitting on the roof overlooking Kurama's room. Keiko and Shizuru looked like they were ready to start the day but Yusuke and Kuwabara didn't. Yusuke's hair was down and half his shirt was tucked in. Kuwabara had bed head and his shirt wasn't buttoned at the top.
"Go finish ready, boys," said Genkai. "We can wait."
They left and came back a few minutes later hair combed, gelled and dressed. They accepted the tea that was given to them as Hiei joined them, not drinking anything.
"What's wrong with her," he asked.
"Her youko instincts kicked in," said the old priest. "Her turned youko because the baby made her. Obviously it's using the energy from not just Shuichi/Kurama but also Youko Kurama. And like any animal she need open spaces and woodland areas. She's acting on those instincts."
"Why wouldn't she let us ear her," asked Shiori.
"In her youko mind you are outsiders, not a part of the same species, the foxes. Through you may be her mother, Shiori, and you her lover, Hiei, the only reason why she came with you is that deep down she does trust you, but that can only go so far."
"Genkai," said Yusuke, "isn't there something you van do?"
"No," said Genkai, sadly.
"Maybe you can," said Hiei. "I need you to do a spell, Genkai."
"What spell?"
"A spell to give me a new aspect. A youko aspect."
TBC
