Tsukimisou

By Elendea

My first story on fanfiction.net, thought this is just done for fun. I noticed there weren't many Kurama fics without him either in love with the same gender or Botan, so this is what I see for the Fox.

Disclaimer: Yu Yu Hakusho is copyright of it's respectable owners and I in no way take hold over the characters as they appear, save Rei. Original and she is mine.

Chapter One: Iromegane

"Kurama... Kurama wake up...!"

"Hmmmn?" Came a drowsy reply. "I'm awake, what time is it?"

"6:41."

"What!?" The ruby red haired young man threw his warm covers aside and nearly collided with the young woman standing by his bedside. With nimble grace she moved out of the way smiling softly. Though in a hurry the fox stopped to cast a sly glaze upon her. "And what do I owe the that particular smile for?"

"Nothing..." Came her reply, but his gaze turned distrusting, prodding her for more. "Just you're so handsome when you over sleep." She smiled mischievously, tucking her damp hair behind an ear. Bare chest-ed Kurama set his towel down and walked over to the girl, his imposing form causing instinct to step back.

"Really is that all Mrs. Minamino?" He said softly into her hair, his arm snaking around her waist to pull her close to him. The kitsune took a deep breath, her smell clean and strong causing his heart to shutter in delight. He lent forward letting his lips brush her cheek.

"You care to challenge my word?" The woman answered, letting her hand slide up his chest as his emerald eyes met her midnight blue. She shivered, lifting her chin as he placed feather light kisses down her slender neck. "You know your going to be late." She whispered softly, intoxicated as her senses went on edge, his scent alone making her body tremble. Kurama's steady rhythm faltered and he pulled back, smiling softly.

"I know I've told you before how much of a mood killer you are." He tapped her gently on the nose, tracing the side of her face. The urge unfightable until his lips closed over the midnight eyed woman's. Moving softly until a hunger ran through him. One hand on her chin, the other at her waist, pulling her closer. Wanting more then she chastely gave. But a distinctive pressure against his chest caused him to retreat his leisurely dips into her mouth. "What is wrong?"

"Shower, you have morning breath." The woman stated bluntly. Kurama's mouth would of fallen open from her behavior but his protests where cut short as she placed a parting kiss upon his lips, her hand sensually slipping down his chest as she stepped back.

"I see how it is Rei, and you smell like mint every morning." He teased.

"Maybe, you usually do when you remember to brush your teeth before passing out."

"I'll take that as a complement." He smiled, picking up his discarded towel stepping toward their shared bath. "But are you sure you wouldn't like it?" Rei's eyes narrowed and she pulled the bathroom door shut on him, walking into the kitchen with clenched teeth. Content to let Kurama have a cold shower.

Fifteen minutes later Kurama emerged from the master bedroom, sniffing about for him mate. Rei stood at the kitchen counter; papers spread about before her as she quickly organized them. The small band of silver on her finger catching his attention. Softly he crept up behind her, arms sliding around her waist as he pulled her into his chest. "I see more work for you as well?"

Rei sensed his presence, but gasped as she felt his discreet embrace. She laughed softly, leaning her head against his shoulder. "Just going through them, I took today off because Keiko's having an all girl day. I get to go 'shopping'..." She said this dryly.

"You sound enthusiastic, what's the occasion?"

"Pampering and she wants to look for baby clothes."

"Baby clothes?" His surprise entered his voice, clearly noticeable.

"Au Keiko's one and a half months pregnant." Kurama took the news in silence, surprised to hear it at all. Yusuke had said nothing to him, or even Kuwabara.

"You really didn't know did you?" Rei asked, a second surprise hitting him in one day.

"No, I didn't. Yusuke never told me."

"Not surprising, he doesn't know." The fox's grip tightened out of reflex, a brow raised but unseen from behind. "Keiko is waiting for the best time to tell him, they have been married for more then three years, closer to four."

"Indeed, I'm sure you'll offer my congratulations for me?"

"Yes, just don't repeat anything... Especially to Kuwabara... He'll slip..."

"I won't... Rei?" Kurama moved his hand to take hers, pulling her about to face him. "Thank you for marrying me... Now you're mine in both worlds..." He brought a kiss to her temple, his left hand pressing gently against her back as his right turned the wedding band around her finger.

Rei sighing softly, playing with his long crimson tresses, threading them through her fingers. "I couldn't refuse Kurama, you're my everything..." Words became silent as lips moved against each other hungrily. The phone rang suddenly, Kurama the first to relinquish his intensity. But Rei reached back and knocked it out of his reach, distracting him as she brought her ring free hand against his cheek, encouraging his loving kisses. The fox smiled against Rei's lips and passed a hand over the soft flesh of her neck, making her skin tingle. He smoothly reached around her and pulled her up to him, holding her there with ease. But the phone rang insistently, when passion failed against the slave-driving phone Rei was the first to break fully away. Sighing and groaning as he let her down. Roughly she snatched up the phone. "What?"

Kurama smirked at hearing her words, the impolite manner and the huskiness in her voice made him shiver. Gently he again slipped his hands around her waist in a protective manner. "Take a message of whom ever it is…" He kissed into the top of her head.

"Meru-san... No, I haven't just yet. Though I'm not completely sure when that will be... Sure I can pick you up, but I was going to be dragged to a mall of some sort or other, I'm sure I can invite you along." Kurama heard the one sided conversation with vague interest. Meru had gone to their same high school and as far as he knew, the closet friend he'd ever seen Rei keep... Meru and Keiko knew of each other, the day would possibly pass with a bit of an extra laugh with her along. "Alright, see you then..." Rei ended the conversation before he could tell her to say hi for him, the stiffness in her shoulders relaxing as she placed the phone back on the counter. Gently he rubbed her stomach and hips, his hands moving leisurely as she leaned into his chest. The digital clock suddenly struck him and he sighed softly into her hair.

"The store will wait for no on and my step-father might grow impatient." He whispered softly, almost afraid to say it for it would break the spell of their current lives. Rei nodded, moving to release herself from his grasp but a sudden tighten snapped her back against him. "Have lunch with me today, and if you've not finished shopping then with Keiko and Meru as well."

"I'm sure they'd like to join us. But you have to let go so I can leave." She teased, patting his clothed arm. A smile crossed his face and he turned her around to face him again. Pressing a kiss upon her lips without much warning.

The sun was warm on Rei's face as she passed in half shadow through the large concrete structure. Eyes mainly forward save the occasion drift to a store window. Silently she flanked Keiko and Meru, Botan had joined them as well. Yukina had not been able to come and Shizuru would meet up with them later. "Isn't this just the greatest! Only all us girls for as long as we want!" Botan said suddenly, showering Meru and Keiko with a double hug. Long had those to talked, Meru a new mother and Keiko a mother-to-be had uncovered a bit of common ground. Rei on the other hand had behaved as a sentry, always looking bored but ever watchful. Though the sudden 'let's find Rei a dress' had left her almost bitter and reluctant for more. She glanced at her watch at 11:37, having made plans to meet Kurama at a small Italian café at 12:20. She reminded the others when Shizuru showed up with her normal placid manner, if anything laughing at Rei and the promises of finding the perfect dress. Rei on the other hand glared.

Arriving at the restaurant on time they were forced only to wait a matter of minutes before a stately dressed Kurama showed up with a causally dressed Yusuke. The girls recounted their day thus far and Rei endured a flush of embarrassment about her friend's enthusiasm with finding a suitable dress for her.

"I realized she used to wear the uniform skirts yet never did I see her in any really feminine clothing." Meru laughed, sitting comfortably between Rei and Botan. Kurama, to Rei's other side lean forward and said.

"She's worn a few things revealing a little skin, and don't forget her wedding dress." Rei's eyes widened at this, her chaste modesty was still as high as it ever been. An elbow under the table caused Kurama to laugh harder then he had with everyone else joined in chorus. Rei's blush deepened.

"That's alright Rei-kun, it's not like many fully trained Miko's marry once they find their soul mates." Meru patted her back, though meant as a tease Rei only blushed crimson and quickly stuttered a change of conversation. Even though he'd gotten used to the rigorous modesty his wife had been subjected to he was impressed on how hard she stuck with discipline, granted she was still a powerful Priestess, but her guardianship had passed to a better-qualified candidate. The dead souls in which had inhabited the scrolls... Now she just keeps a close eye on the temple in which it resided, making many trips and strengthening its defenses... Because she's given her heart to him, thrown away a lifetime of training and meditation for the marriage bed. Not often could he get her to speak of it, but he knew she missed it dearly, missed her way of life... All for him... A sudden squeeze of his hand brought him out of his reprieve, Rei smiling softly at him. He returned a weak smile and felt relived when a waitress came to take orders.

The doubts had always remained, and though they hadn't been married for very long they had become bonded mates in high school, and yet still nothing to truly show from their union. No children and no prospect of them... It saddened and angered him sometimes at Rei's avoidance of the subject, some tendril of instinct had caused a yearn for a son or daughter. Some assurance that he had his own family, his own life as he'd been denied for so many years... But with a reluctant partner he wouldn't push her into anything she did not want as well, he couldn't... Remembering his human childhood brought a serve pang to his heart, and still the subject was avoided. He decided to stop himself from thinking any further right then, they were after all in the presence of company... Discussing this would be a private matter.

Lunch passed quickly, the girls taking advantage of a the rest to catch up on events and a scare of more then once the unleashing of Keiko's secret. As boys returned to work and the mall once again summoned its weary travelers the girls trooped about with renewed vigor. But an unsettling silence fell upon them when Botan had found what she believed perfect for the solidly protesting Rei. Between her and Meru Rei was coaxed into a dressing room.

"Hurrying up in there! Oh I wanna see!" Botan paced in front of the room as Rei's midnight eyes bore through the double thick pasteboard door. She dressed slowly, intentionally making them wait. When she could delay no longer she stepped from the safety of the little changing room stall. "Oh wow! You look beautiful Rei!!"

"Oh Rei, wonderful!" Meru added.

"Come on guys, your just being nice..."

"Honestly Rei I don't see why you don't wear something feminine like that more often." Shizuru commented.

"Because I don't feel comfortable..."

"And why not? I think its prefect for you!" Botan in cut with a smile. So Rei in turn bought the dress, feeling a bit uplifted at the prospect of showing it off to Kurama.

"Oh Keiko! Look at this!" Meru motioned her over while in the tenth baby store, even Rei filtered over at her friend's enthusiasm. "The colors are prefect for a boy or girl." It was a set of blankets and what she thought was a tale top bassinette, Botan explained it was a carrying basket. Rei felt her cheeks go red and Shizuru smacked her on the back saying not everyone's meant to be a mother. It brought laughs all around but deep down Rei wanted to clock the woman... She knew how much Kurama wanted children... Just wasn't sure is she was ready for her and if she'd be a good enough mother...

"Rei?" Meru's voice cut into her thoughts and she turned a faint smile to her friend.

"Hmm?"

"You look sad, something wrong?"

"Not really, just thinking about some things."

"I bet it's Kurama!" Meru smiled.

"Why do you assume it's him? It could be many things, never assume." Rei shot back, a little unnerved that she wasn't too far off...

"Uh huh, what is it?" Rei glared at the hazel-eyed woman.

"I'm so sure you don't think about your husband!"

"I do, I admit but I'm more worried about him forgetting something important... Like picking up our kid from my parent's..." She sighed and rubbed her temple, looking expectantly at the Rei. The woman sighed heavily.

"I was thinking about children okay... Kurama wants to have them but I'm unsure..."

"Have you talked it over?"

"Not really... He knows I like to avoid it..."

"Why?"

"Because I never had those parental figures in my life... I'm not a mothering type Meru...

"How do you know that?!"

"I do, it's easy, look at me and kids... I've never been around them."

"But you're capable of love, otherwise you wouldn't love Kurama so."

"I... I just don't understand it all..." Rei cast her gaze at her feet, walking slower.

"Rei, you'll know when the time is right, try talking about it more, you are after all in a stable life... save for general runs to the temple, you live a normal life." Meru put her arm around her shoulders, smiling.

"You know you've become that little voice inside my head..." Meru stumbled slightly then burst into laughter at the completely serious face Rei had when she'd teased her.

Once home she cleaned up the apartment a bit and started dinner, casting a quick eye over articles she had to go over for the professor's lecture for tomorrow. With her mentor's approval she'd gone into ancient studies, working at a highly recognized museum of ancient writings. The vast library was enough to get one lost for hours and it was enough for Kurama's over protectiveness... He liked the museum well enough but she'd bet every artifact in there he'd rather have her a housewife.

Kurama yawned as he arrived home, slipping his shoes off as he closed the door with a soft click. "Tadaima." He declared to the empty air, just the small wolf pup in the living room with his head on a pillow. "Spoiled." The dog turned its head clearly unphased by the male presence.

"Kurama? Okaeri nasai." Rei emerged from the study, a book in her hands suggested she was still in work mode. She came over and hugged him, brief but he risked a kiss on her forehead. "How was you day?" She asked, half paying attention to her own question.

"Oh... mediocre compared to yours I guess. Just the normal young woman swooning for me."

"That's nice." Kurama rose a brow and watched her disappear back into the study. She must be heavily distracted. Curious he followed.

"What are you up to?" He asked as she straightened up, that was a persistent trait of hers... Everything was always tidy, though he wasn't complaining.

"Nothing really, just thinking..." Thinking? And you're that far from this plain? He thought frowning.

"Of what may I ask?"

"I... Think we need to talk..."

"Nothing good can come from words like that." Kurama stated flatly, twitching at the tone of her voice.

"That's not funny you!" Rei placed her hands on her hips, leaving her papers behind. "It is actually important..."

"Well then out with it, come on sit down with me." He removed his jacket, laying it gently on the couch arm, choosing one of the middle cushions. Rei joined him, curling up in his open arms. "Tell me what is troubling you..." The kitsune gently squeezed his wife to him, burring his face within her hair.

"I know how much you want children..." He froze turning Rei to face him.

"Only when you're sure it is what you want. I do not wish anything pressed upon you Rei. Nothing."

"I know, but what if I never believe I'm ready."

"Then..." His voice trailed off, unhappy at the thought. "You will, one day..."

"But that 'what if' has thrown a shadow over my thoughts, if I'm worried about that then I'm surely uns-"

"What triggered this? Rei you will be. Why so negative all of a sudden. The most beautiful bud may bloom last... Do not let it cloud your mind." Rei groaned and pulled out of his reach.

"Why negative? Because it's been on my mind since lunch... I've thought to hard on it I can focus on little else... I just want you to realize there's no definite outcome."

"Why? Are you afraid to start a family of our own?"

"No."

"The pain? The ordeal, what? Speak."

"I do not speak on command."

"I did-"

"Yeah I know."

"Why? Rei you are as strong and ripe as any other woman, maybe even more so."

"Ripe like any other woman?! Oh so that's what you see me as when you kiss me, suggesting more."

"Now you've taken that out of context."

"Have I?" Rei shot back, the temper of a wolf burned through her veins. He always admired her control, but even such a fierce animal had times when that temper became un-caged and hungry. It reminded him deeply of the past. Anger, cowardice, cruelty... All these words felt like a knife into his heart, Rei always brought out the best of him, but even her cool manner was displaced when angered and he felt as if she'd let him down. He hurt when midnight eyes leeched to gray, her confusion was eating away and sorrow had passed. He couldn't understand her reasoning, but he saw in her eyes a cornered animal, one he wanted to badly to soothe... Kurama reached a hand out to her, moving to encircle her. But the nimble wolf proved an unwilling victim, dancing out of grip and striding out of the study.

"Rei!"

"Achi." Came an almost bark of a reply, the bedroom door slamming before he could stop it. The red headed man cursed, leaning with his back against the door.

"Yabai..." Kurama dropped his head into his hands.