Tsukimisou
By Elendea
I want to thank all my reviewers! I really appreciate it. I'll make a deal the more reviews the faster I'll post the chapters of the story I've already written. If you have an idea don't hesitate to share it! Oh and I'll post up a small guide to the Japanese words as soon as soon as I can...
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 3: Ikkasei
"Omedetoo!" "Oh you brought that again...?" "Koenma!" "Hello Koenma-san." "You look so good!" "Hey, ahh where did I put that thing..." "What thing Kazuma?" "You'll find it." "Oh yea, hah he couldn't remember where he left his brain if it where attached." "Yusuke!"
The sun shone brightly overhead as the picnickers gathered, blankets being tossed out as food was arranged. The first body planted on a red and white gingham sat with legs and arms crossed. "Now Yusuke no pouting."
"Who said I was pouting?"
"Keiko, sit down let me take care of this."
"You're too kind Rei."
"Meru you're son wants to play."
"Oh he's my son, LAZY!"
"Now now, no violence. It's been quiet, let us keep the blood shed to a minimum."
"Perhaps they just can't keep their hands off each other."
"REI!" This came at the victim in stereo.
"Yusuke help me sit."
"I'll help you Keiko, wouldn't want Urameshi to be too rough with you."
"Shut up Kuwabara."
"Yusuke there are children present."
"Heehee now she told you off. Eeeek... What was that for?"
"That ugly face of yours."
"Why you-!"
"Now boys, you mustn't quarrel, try to have a good time..."
"Stay out of it Kurama."
"I'd say so you might loose a hand..."
"Quiet Botan!"
"I don't believe those to can be taken any where, hey get off the blanket."
"Wha? Hey! What was that for!?"
"I told you to move."
"No you pulled that thing out from under me!!"
"Shoes off."
"Alright!"
"Keep you're voice down..." Keiko smiled up lovingly at her husband, a hand resting on her stomach. Her face glowed with an inner light, her beauty intensified by the burden she carried. Yusuke returned her smile, doing as Rei had ordered and snuggling up to his wife. Leaving Kuwabara and Rei staring at his abrupt departure. Rei laughed and Kuwabara glared removing his own shoes and flopping down on another blanket.
"Do I have to follow orders as well?" Rei glared, Kurama smiled and helped her spread out their own soft baby blue one. The red head sat down but the wolf moved to another one, actually dropping one on Meru's husband's head. Meru burst into laughter and came to sit next to Kurama, cradling her young infant in her arms. Together Rei and Minoru though fumbling set down another blanket. Botan curled up on Kurama's other side.
"Hey Kurama you're surrounded." Came Yusuke teasingly.
"Indeed, I can't say I'm complaining though." He smiled mischievously, more laughter following in his wake.
"Kuwabara I can't believe you brought that cat!"
"So what! Leave me alone and keep that mutt away!"
"He won't hurt her." Rei kneeled next to Kuwabara, her arms encircling Aki. Slowly the wolf pup reached out its neck to sniff at the little bundle of fur in Kuwabara's lap. It moved and placed its nose against the dog's. Rei laughed and Kazuma quickly pulled his cat away. But the creature was intrigued by the big wet nosed animal, slipping away and walking up to Aki. The dog was nervous but looked at the cat with playful interest. When the walking ball of fur rubbed up against the larger animal Rei was sure she heard a group aw, well female aw anyway. She smiled and let go of her dog, cat and dog curling up together.
"Now if only the boys would behave like that." Keiko spoke suddenly.
"You know how males are, right baby brother?" Shizuru smacked him on the back.
"Shizuru!"
"Who's hungry?" Rei cut in, removing plates from a basket. Murmurs of approval where heard collectively and the prefect gentlemen took over watch of the young infant as mother prepared a bottle, husband shuffling to bring them both a plates. A sudden flash paused the group as eyes turned to the blue haired woman and a camera, snapping a picture of Kurama and the baby without either's knowledge.
"It looked to sweet!" She protested, snapping a sudden picture of everyone else.
"Botan!" The woman only grinned, snapping a rather unattractive shot of Yusuke trying to grab the little flash box from her. She danced away and hid behind Koenma, smiling. With only a few more pictures everyone settled minutes later, facing each other in a rough circle, some in chairs but many remained on the spread blankets. Rei leaned into Kurama; hands now empty as Meru cradled her son on a chair.
"Hey when are you two gonna have a kid?" Shizuru asked aimed at the cuddled couple. Rei blushed and cast her eyes downward, Kurama took the chance to speak up.
"When it happens it happens, though I'm hoping soon." His hand came around her waist, pulling her into his chest. Everyone laughed, Rei squirmed and nearly knocked into the arm he was leaning on.
"You looked cute holding Ryu." Rei smiled softly once they were alone. A nice walk after lunch, though they weren't the only ones with a walk in mind, Meru and Minoru had disappeared shortly after and still not returned. Keiko kept watch over the little boy, Botan nearby with camera and a helping hand. "I wonder where the happy family ran off to..."
"Don't worry about them, worry about yourself." Kurama cooed into her ear, taking his wife in his arms.
"Really now? And what have I to worry about fox boy?" She tilted her head backward as the red headed fox nuzzled into her skin.
"I just might decide to return the favor for biting me the other day Mrs. Minamino." Gently he licked the lower part of her neck, just about were a vampire would choose to bit their victims. Her skin salty, wondrously soft and welcoming to his mouth. Rei sighed as she felt the tingle of his touch, the nip of his teeth and his cool breath over where he'd had his mouth. She shivered into him, laughing.
"But your bite is no worse then your bark and that was a week ago."
"Are you challenging my able ness to bite back?" His voice muffled as he nuzzled deeper, pulling her body close. Her shivers excited his senses, her taunts enticing as he moved to the pulse point. The strong rhythm beneath his tongue shot electric currents through him, arousing him as she groaned gently at his efforts. Her mouth opened at his bidding, and he claimed it fiercely. Hands slowly running down her spine to lift her up to him, but the added height gave Rei the advantage as she sunk her teeth into his neck. It didn't hurt as the pervious time's bite; he could feel the sharpness and tiny pricks. She turned the sensations against him, the experience more enthralling then he using only human teeth. The fangs were wicked but the gentleness was impressive.
His own moans of pleasure escaped unmonitored. The madness she invoked overwhelmed his control; holding her tighter to him, as he made sure she felt his swell. With her as she was, so tight within his grasp she would be helpless to refuse him, but he made no move. "You're going to be my death..." Fighting for his voice to stay level he muttered.
"No just your weakness, you may be old and wise but you still a male." Rei smirked mischievously. Kurama slipped his hand up her button up shirt, running a thumb across the soft hem of underclothes.
"And you my dear are a female." Bottle green eyes narrowed in mischief, mouth curled up in knowledge. Before the wolf could catch his intention he slipped his roving hand to her back, seeking out the clasp. Two sharp pricks of pain ran down his arm, causing his fingers to twitch. The fox hissed, shifting his prize so she couldn't find another soft spot to bite. No blood was drawn but the fangs struck deep into a nerve, intentional if he knew Rei. "That was low."
"Hmmm not with your example." Kurama wedged her back against a thick truck, smiling darkly. Hips against hers he was free to use his hands, Rei made a motion for a second bite and he caught her jaw.
"Ah ah ah, keep that mouth of yours closed. Not even I have teeth the size of yours in youkai form, yet you can let them grow in either." He flicked on one of the stark white fangs glaring at him, but Rei yelped pulling away faster then he could balance and keep from injuring. Head and shoulders slammed into the tree as she struggled out of his grasp. With his knee under her thigh there wasn't much room to accommodate her reaction.
The wolf held her mouth, glaring a death glare. Kurama cradled her against his chest and sat them both on the soft grass. "Let me see, what happened?" Stubbornly Rei twisted away until he was leaning over her. Holding both her arms he got a spilt second to see into a closed mouth before the wolf sat upward and bumped heads with him. Dazed he let her go and sat back, rubbing his head. She spat suddenly, an ill red fluid he could smell strongly. Her mouth was bleeding. The headache coming on was forgotten as he turned her head to face him. "Open up." He ordered, Rei complied reluctantly. Her top right fang was red, she shook her head free and spat again. "Is it from that one punch when you sparred with Jin?"
Rei nodded, gently running the back of her hand up to said tooth. "I had it looked at, at your request, it was supposed to be fine..." Her voice was funny, muffled like she was having difficulty speaking.
"I'm terribly sorry..." Softly he ran a hand over the side of her head, brushing the fall of bangs away. He edged closer and dipped her backward, lowing his face to hers.
"What are you doing?"
"You never know what the smell of blood can do to a fox demon." He smiled suggestively, letting a hand wander down her thigh. Rei groaned in exasperation. Kurama laughed softly and pulled his wife to her feet. "We should take care of that." Together they started walking again, Rei feeling her stomach turn with the different tastes splashing around her mouth. She picked up her pace and pulled Kurama after her, cresting a small hill in the park but a soft scent reached her nose too late as she rounded a thick bush, eyes averting as she spun on her heel crashing headlong into Kurama. His arms encircled her but Rei was too hurried and simply pressed her hands against his chest and pushed him backward down the hill they'd just climbed. Rather confused Kurama stopped her dead as he planted his feet, letting her crash into him. "What was that all ab-"
"Took you long enough, you're the one with the trained nose." Rei looked up at him, voice less muffled. For a few seconds Kurama just eyed the top of the hill before losing to a fit of laughter. "We can never let them live down this one."
"But we weren't far from it." Kurama smirked, his composure returning.
"Yes but they don't have to know about that one.
Rei yawned, curling up in a little ball, forgetting even to pull up her covers. Kurama smiled, watching this from the desk in their room. Standing he placed his hands on his hips and looked down at her. "Your tired huh?" Rei didn't bother look at him, she murmured what he thought was a yes and took hold of the blankets covering her amused, gently he brushed the skin of her arm the fire burning in her skin startling him. Quickly he placed a hand against her forehead but Rei batted at him.
"What? Go away, I'm fine..." She said through a half asleep daze, Kurama leaned a knee on the bed beside her, turning his wife over even with her sleepy protests. She was burning. "Rei maybe you shouldn't go to work tomorrow, it is a Sunday after all and my mother and step-father are coming for dinner. You feel like your running a fever." The young woman groaned softly, feeling her forehead. Her cheeks reddened and Kurama wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm fine. I wasn't around anyone else who'd been or was sick..." She mumbled into his shirt, welcoming his embrace as she felt a sharp flash of pain in her lower back. A pain she'd realized was associated with her fevers, even with her cover up the Kitsune noticed.
"Well we can't have that can we?" Kurama smiled softly, turning to fish in her nightstand drawer for a ribbon; gently he ran his hand through her hair, brushing it back from her face. Rei lifted a hand to take the tie but the fox was faster, slipping his favorite ribbon of hers around the silky strands, tying it tightly in a bow. "Let's have a look at you." His hand gently traced the side of her face, brushing the short strands behind her ear.
"Stop babying." Rei smiled, her thoughts falling upon hours earlier. "I'm not a child."
"No, that your not, but think of it as payback for when I fell ill. Your definition of peace and quiet is maddening when you left nothing but a clock to keep me company." She grinned at him pulling the red head into a tight embrace. Kurama kissed the top of her forehead and forced her to lie back down. "I'll be right back, no moving."
"And where would I go?" Rei asked in seriousness, though she chuckled dropping her head back down to the pillow as Kurama rolled his eyes. Retuning as promised he offered her a glass of water and two tiny white pills.
"It's a human remedy but I'm sure they'd work just fine on a stubborn Wolf." Rei's eyes narrowed and she took the medication without protests. Kurama took the glass away again setting it on the nightstand and sitting on the bed. "Don't over work yourself, get some sleep then we'll see in the morning if you up for work." He brushed her bangs away and felt her forehead again, worry thick in his light tone. Rei nodded and leaned into his touch as he ran his hand down the side of her face, taking her chin between thumb and index finger. Slowly he leaned into a kiss but her hand pressed against his lips.
"I don't want to get you sick if that's what it is." Kurama smiled and took her hand in his stealing a kiss nonetheless.
"I don't care." He whispered into her lips, pulling her into his lap. He sat and held her for a while, Rei's head against his shoulder as he played tenderly with her hair. Once her breathing slowed and became more rhythmic did Kurama shift Rei back into bed, covering her up with a kiss upon her forehead. He watched her quietly for a few minutes before retuning back to the books he had been working on. Every gentle move she made he's eyes wandered over, his thoughts dwelling on the heat he felt in her skin.
Rei awoke early, reaching over to feel her husband but finding empty space, sheets cold and the fresh smell of fabric softer. "Kurama?" The Okami called quietly, soft shadows still playing on the walls as dawn slowly rose. Kurama had his head down on the desk, his long rose colored hair pooled in font of him. Rei wandered over slowly, casting an eye about for what he had been doing, hardly had he begun his work, numbers still unfinished... She smiled softly and ran her hand along his hunched shoulders. "Shuichi." Gently she shook him awake, enough to get him to stand that was. He was still fully clothed, his dark red shirt rumbled. Like a small child she led him to his side of the bed, having him sit down she quickly unbuttoned his shirt. Tossing it toward her side she turned and walked to their dresser, ruffling through his drawer to find his bed shirts. But when she turned with white t-shirt in tow he was already out by the time she returned to the bed. Covering her mouth to keep form being heard Rei replaced the shirt chuckling.
"Don't worry about that come back to bed." Kurama mumbled into his pillow.
"I think that's my line, you're bed was the desk..."
"Technicality." Kurama sat up a little and reached a hand out for her. "You shouldn't be up, the fever might come back or get worse."
"Do you want your shirt or at least change out of your slacks?"
"Will you just be quiet and come to bed." Kurama sat up fully and pulled Rei to his chest, very much scooping her up and depositing her on the bed. Gently he snuggled into her back, holding her tightly to him by her waist. Rei laughed softly and attempted to kick the covers over them, Kurama giving in and finishing the job. "Now sleep..."
"I-" He covered her mouth quickly.
"Silence." He murmured, falling back into his dream as Rei huffed.
It was several hours before Rei awoke, staring at the clock as if it'd bite her. With nimble grace she dashed out of bed and bee lined for the bathroom, the phone ringing suddenly. Kurama rolled over, intent on letting it ring. Sighing Rei took the phone call in the kitchen, eyes widening as Shori's voice welcomed the morning to her.
"Good morning Kazuyu-sama."
"Oh Rei call me okasan. How are you this morning?"
"Well, and you?"
"Ugh... Tired, Yuki has been up nearly all night working on ledgers and I've gotten little sleep, did Shuichi get enough sleep? I know he too had books to work on."
"Yes, though he's still asleep, I'm afraid I might of worried him last night..."
"Oh? What is wrong Rei?"
"Nothing terrible I can assure you, I just had a bit of a fever and he was being to kind."
"Ah, please take it easy. You don't need to fall ill; Shuichi will worry himself ragged... Makes me wonder what will happen when your first child comes..." She teased but Rei blushed furiously. Clearing her throat but only coughing. "Don't feel so shy about it Rei, having a child with the man you love is the greatest thing in the world. I know you'll be a great mother and Shuichi a wonderful father. But anyway I've gone off and embarrassed you beyond anything." She laughed softly. "I'm terribly sorry..."
"It's quite alright, I know the subject is delicate with me..."
"Indeed, to go from a priestess, how scary it must have been... Giving it all up for an uncertainty."
"Yes... But I didn't one assurance... My love for him... I know sentimental..." Rei couldn't see it but Shori smiled, wishing the young woman were speaking with her face to face.
"I'm sorry I over looked that, I've seen the way you two look at each other. I'm so glad to have you apart of our family, let us get closer Rei... Don't be so formal all the time."
"I-...ugh..." Shori chucked softly.
"Now now you've got me off track from my original reason for calling so early... Oh what was it... Ah! Would it be all right if we had dinner instead of this Sunday the Sunday of next? Shuu will be coming home from school and I thought it'd be wonderful for a family dinner, if you don't feel like cooking we can always go out?"
"Shuu coming down? I'd love for him to join us, sounds wonderful, I don't mind cooking for one more."
"You're a dear Rei, I'm so glad. Though you'll let me make dessert correct?" She asked in mock sternness.
"Yes ma'am. Any particular beverage you'd like?"
"No... Well coffee and tea after would be nice over a discussion."
"Dinner, dessert and discussion then?"
"Sounds wonderful see you Sunday Rei."
"Yes, Sunday. Take care Ka-"
"Goodness! If you feel uncomfortable please call me anything but Kazuyu-sama!"
"I'm sorry Shori-san?" The older woman laughed.
"Alright alright, that will do. Sayoonara."
"Sayoonara." Rei hung up and sighed deeply, gently she tapped the receiver against her forehead, more in deep thought then frustration.
"That's no way to talk on a cordless phone."
"Urusai!"
"Now that's not polite."
"Neither are you, doesn't look like I'll get to work today and your mother rescheduled dinner."
"Hm, then we've the day to ourselves." Kurama advanced on Rei, taking her into his arms smiling seductively. She on the other hand waved the phone like a weapon.
"I am making sure the apartment is spotless and you've still got work to finish."
"What do you plan to do? Clobber me with it?" His emerald green eyes darted to the small object in her hand.
"No."
"Then," Quickly he snatched the phone away and dropped it on the counter, pulling her tighter to him. "It can wait, spend the day in bed with me. You had a fever, nothing of difficulty will you do today." Rei snuggled into his chest, still bare of the morning's adventure.
"I know, though I don't know the next time I'll be able to clean without being sick and work."
"Clean what? You keep everything in prefect order."
"Yes but still vacuuming and such has to be carried out."
"Who would of thought a Wolf can be domesticated so w-" Rei poked Kurama in the rib cage, glaring. Green eyes narrowed. "That wasn't very nice." He smiled furtively, bringing her chin up until they where nearly nose-to-nose. Before he had a chance to speak again Rei's lips closed over his, caught off guard Kurama opened his mouth to her. Feeling her kiss deep into his loins, the gentle sweetness stirring his heart. He purred into her mouth, pressing a hand to her back the material of her shirt slipped up slightly to reveal bare skin. Green eyes snapped open as the heat registered. Quickly he broke away and felt her forehead.
"What is it?"
"You're still hot, I don't think it ever broke." He slipped a hand to her back, tracing the gentle curve of her spine, making sure it wasn't the heat of a quelled passion but the same fever that claimed her the night before. Her skin was clammy, slick from a prolonged sweat. "No housework, go lay down and I'll try something better then a human remedy."
"But Kurama I-"
"Rei I rather you in health then clean an already clean apartment. Please just listen to me." The Okami looked up with a sigh, turning without another word she padded off to the bedroom. Kurama sighed in relief, heading to a small cupboard he had set aside for his herbal practices, a small garden tucked away behind the apartment, a small snip of a thing people called a 'backyard'... But soon he planed to purchase a house on the city outskirts, more for extra room as for space for planting. Quickly with practiced hands he mixed a few crushed herbs into a glass of a precise amount of water, adding a few drops of vanilla extract to give it a better taste then bitter herbs.
Rei had curled up on the bed, the dog lying next to her with its head in her lap as she read from a novel. Kurama smiled softly, a chuckle announcing his presence. "Un... I knew it..." Rei smiled, but her eyes fixed on the glass.
"I know but it'll taste better, for a Wolf you're picky about tastes." She stuck her tongue out at him, taking the milky glass. He sat next to her legs, petting Aki as he stretched out his neck to Kurama. Rei stared at the mixture, studying its contents.
"It won't bite." The red head encouraged, perhaps that was the push she needed for he saw little of her face but the full circle of the bottom of the glass. "Good girl." Rei removed the glass from her mouth and coughed, sneezing softly. Raising an eyebrow to the empty glass and then toward Kurama, sneezing before she could get a word out. He chuckled taking the glass away.
"Alright, not bad. What did you put in it?"
"Vanilla, thought it'd be better then bitterness. Though I didn't think you'd sneeze over it."
"Well you didn't tell me so I tried to swallow it all at once and avoid the bitterness." She laughed, her soft laughter giving way to a yawn and Kurama frowned.
"You had to have been around someone, you just don't get sick all of a sudden." Rei shrugged, picking up her book again.
"I don't know... There were a lot of people at Koyama-sensei's presentation... One of many could have been sick and I hung in the back ground, answering questions here and there... I also stopped by the temple a week ago... That reminds me I have to go again and soon..."
"I didn't bring this up to plan a schedule." Kurama stated dryly, Rei glared over her book. "No one you noticed significantly sick?"
"Not that I recall..."
"Then I'll have to call around, your fever seems to high for a normal cold or flu... I have a bad feeling but nothing to place with it. Just take it easy, I'll worry for the apartment and what to plan for dinner next Sunday, just get well." He smiled and placed a hand on her head, ruffling her bangs and pieces of hair that'd fallen out of his bow. Kurama stood and kissed the top of her head, turning his brilliant emerald gaze toward the lazily lounging dog. "Now Aki, she doesn't move, and if she does you shadow her like a fox." He winked at Rei's glower; Aki sat up alert, looking at her intently.
"Your humor is less then desirable..." Rei mumbled from behind her book, staring at the dog.
"I wasn't joking." He called from the doorway. The brown haired young woman yawned and put her book down, sinking into her covers. She yawned again, thinking he'd given her something to make her sleepy. Either way her eyes watered, unable to keep them open she drifted off into a shallow dream.