Tsukimisou
By Elendea
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 4: Jonan
Kurama called Genkai; questioning her on sicknesses she was aware of matching Rei's symptoms. So far no luck... Trying to get his mind off it he delved into his books, he's stepfather no doubt ahead of his progress. Hours passed as numbers sprawled quickly across paper, tallies on profit and expenses wasn't the most uplifting of things to have done, but it was something that needed attention, even if he's mind was only half interested. As afternoon set in and passed he yawned himself stretching out, feeling comfortable to pull his eyes away long enough for a late lunch and check on his patient. Surprisingly she'd fallen asleep, Aki on the other hand remind alert, his front paws resting against her thigh. The dog whined softly as Kurama entered.
"Shhh you're doing wonderful, keep up the good work." The red headed man scooped up the glass, tucking a blanket beneath Rei as she rolled over. The phone rang loudly in the quiet apartment; Kurama darted to his desk, snatching it up quickly. "Hello?" He mumbled, nearly snapping.
"Kon'nichi wa Onisan! How are you? And Nechan?"
"Shuuichi, ano... Give me a second while I switch phones, Rei is asleep."
"OK!" Kurama sighed as he laid the phone down, moving quickly into the kitchen he grabbed the cordless and turned it on. Choosing not to say anything as too keep Shuuichi from asking questions that might wake Rei he headed back into the bedroom, a sudden drop of the receiver made him frown. The Wolf was awake, possibly not in a good mood if she'd not even bothered to ask if it was still in use.
"Moshi moshi..." Kurama said softly with a sigh.
"I thought you said Rei-chan was asleep?" Kurama blinked.
"She was, at least I thought so..."
"Oh... well she doesn't sound too good, really tired but she said hi at least."
"That's good to know, what do I owe the honor of your call Shuuichi?"
"Just call me Shuu, makes things easier... Just wanted to make sure your mother told Rei-chan that I planed to come with them next Sunday."
"Oh? I didn't know about you joining us. Glad to hear it nonetheless, though she did inform Rei of the time change... Might have wanted it to be a surprise..."
"Opps... I like to ruin things it seems. Ichio... surprise..." Kurama laughed softly.
"Oh well, it will be good to see you again. How long will you be out of school?"
"Just a few days, not long and dad wants me to help out. Though I'm quite sure you can handle the books and stuff... I'm frankly not interested." They laughed together.
"No, no I've got it under control, just wish Rei felt better..."
"What's wrong with her?"
"Just a fever right now but I've a bad feeling it will turn worse before better..."
"Ah, tell Rei-chan I hope she feels better for me. I can't wait to see you guys. Ja ne!"
"You to, jaa." Kurama hung up, rubbing his temple softly. The hair on his neck pricked suddenly and he turned to see Rei standing in the doorway, hair cast to her waist free from confines. She wore one of his long button down shirts, legs bare. "I'm sorry I woke you."
"You didn't I was awake for the most part, the phone just fully woke me."
"What has caused the change?" He motioned at the shirt.
"I was planning for a shower but you comfy shirt was to tempting."
"I see, can't complain. I see less clothing then normal, always a plus." He teased back, approaching slowly, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"I thought you'd like it."
"How do you feel?" The rose colored tresses tickled Rei's cheek as he pulled her closer.
"Mmm..." Midnight colored eyes closed as she snuggled into his chest, placing her arms around his neck. "A little tired, but better." Kurama smiled and picked her up, taking her back into the bedroom and setting her down on the bed. "I'm really getting tired of seeing these four walls..."
"Take it easy-" Rei's lips suddenly closed over his, he'd grabbed the blanket she now leaned on pulling him downward into her kiss. Having the tables turned Rei broke and leaned back on her hands as he caught himself, leaning so that their faces were inches away. "Someone's in a rough mood." The brown haired woman blushed crimson; Kurama only leaned into a deep kiss. Easily he pulled her up toward the pillows, lost in the kiss. His breath heavy against her neck as he undid the first top three buttons, going no farther as he kissed her neck. Rei groaned softly, his mouth finding hers and claiming it hungrily. He didn't want to give into temptation; she was just so damn tempting! Her hands gently caressed his sides until they closed over his belt, unlatching and pulling it free. Kurama held his breath, arousal coming against his will. He almost lost; Rei urging with her soft caresses and gentle moans. Her hands moved dangerously and he forced himself away. "No."
Moving her hands away, pinning her right to the bed. "Not like this, not when you're sick." His voice was husky, vibrating deep in his throat. Rei blinked, confused and humbled by his refusal.
"I-I'm sorry..."
"Oh no Rei... I just can't, I want you to get well..." He knew she could smell his helplessness next to her but she did nothing more, merely placing her arms around his neck, laying her body against his. Her scent softened, a blessing but his own became more powerful. He swelled against her at first, pushing their bodies far enough she would notice. "S-sleep..." He murmured, forcing inflection out of his voice. Gently he turned her over and rested an arm on her side, afraid for her to notice. Patiently he waited, hoping she'd fall into a deep enough sleep he could make a clean get away.
"Kurama? Thank you... for everything... And I'm sorry..."
"You have nothing to be sorry about, you've done nothing wrong." Carefully he propped himself on an elbow, catching sight of Aki's salt and pepper colored coat. "Aki, Aki come here boy." Kurama called the dog over, tapping the bed in font of Rei. Obediently he came and curled up right against Rei's chest. The red head sighed and laid back down.
"Since when did you want the dog on the bed?" Rei sat up turning. Kurama gasped, grabbed the summer blanket and pulled her tightly against his chest. This wasn't the best as the scent of her hair enticed him even more. Inadvertently he clutched the material at her stomach and snuggled into her neck, only the thin rumpled blanket keeping Rei ignorant of his troubles. She fell silent; hugging the mutt to her chest, luckily for him it was sleepy and yawned loudly. Rei didn't notice, or chose to ignore, he couldn't tell. His thoughts turned ill as he swelled, hardening hidden in the messy blanket. He clenched his teeth, holding Rei tighter to him unintentionally. Sweat beaded his forehead as Kurama's breath came in heavy gasps, discomfort making the feeling of her against him nearly unbearable. Now afraid he wouldn't be able to stand. He let go of the blanket he had fisted and rolled away from Rei.
Her slow deep breaths suggested she'd fallen at least into a shallow sleep, what he'd hoped for but now he was dizzy by the pangs, breathing heavier trying to suppress it then not... He vowed to himself he'd keep it from happening again with greater self-control, even with Rei's allures... In a slight lull he chanced standing, moving to the bathroom as careful as fresh wave of anxiety would allow. Rei indeed had fallen asleep, thankfully unknowledgeable of it. Aki on the other hand raised his head slightly, looking at him as if he'd just come in wearing a bright yellow clown suite trying to play hopscotch. Kurama glared and shut the bathroom door with a snap. The sight of Rei laying as she was with the soft light splashing across her still from made the need more intense.
Long minutes passed before a disgruntled looking Kurama left the safety of the bathroom, Aki was staring at him. "You're not to speak a word of this, even if you are bribed." He ordered, pointing a finger at the large pup, his voice low. Aki wagged his tail as the red head departed into the living room. Rei's eyes opened slowly into slits. Now lying on her stomach she buried part of her face into a pillow, a tangle of sheets beneath her. Unseen was the soft blush of her cheeks and muffled chuckle that escaped her hold.
Distracting his mind Kurama dusted the furniture, using a polish that made his nose burn from chemical fumes. Aki didn't like it either as his sneezes erupted behind him. The poor animal had been locked up all day and desperately whined to be taken for a walk or at least let out to the backyard. Kurama took pity and leashed the half wolf for a short walk, covering Rei with a sheet as she moved restless in her sleep. Long shadows were cast by the low sun, a cool breeze ruffled the Kitsune's crimson tresses as he walked deeper into the small park. Aki didn't pull as he thought he would, apparently Rei had been training him in manners, a smirk crossed his face as the bounding animal retrieved a stick. Sitting when ordered, taking the training further he walked him through the steps of staying until given the command to move. This took several tries... But when he finally managed to hold himself in place as Kurama tossed the stick he was rewarded with affection and the promise of treats once home. Aki rolled over and the Kitsune tickled his stomach, playing with him for awhile, though having his fist in a mouthful of sharp teeth was disconcerting. Never did the pup bite down roughly though, thankfully, he'd already teethed on something else.
He tossed a final stick for Aki, making a mental note to bring a ball next time when an out of place scent crossed his nose, a white ball of fur came running toward him suddenly. Aki had just walked up when the white fluff ball burst into loud high pitched barks, the younger dog dove behind its master. Kurama blinked and looked between the two.
"Oh dear! I'm terribly sorry! Snow Ball, get back here! Come here Snow Ball, come here." But said Snow Ball continued to bark as if it hadn't heard anything. Aki whined and cautiously put a paw in front of Kurama's foot, staring at the intruder. The insistent dog was suddenly snatched up by a young woman, taping the gray muzzle until the barking subsided into whining. "I'm so sorry sir..."
"That's quite alright... No harm done."
"No I guess not, oh your dog is looking evilly at me..." Kurama chuckled and kneeled next to Aki, rehooking his leash. His green eyes looked up as the young woman suddenly stepped closer.
"What kind of dog is he, it is a he right?"
"Yes, a German Sheppard/Wolf mix, a new addition to our family." Kurama smiled faintly. "Shuichi Minamino."
"A Wolf!?" The blond haired woman stepped back, staring as if she expected Aki to attack her. Her brown eyes looked up weary as he extended his hand, she wasn't Japanese that much was certain. "Oh Angelica Weaving." She shook his hand enthusiastically.
"A pleasure to meet you Ms. Weaving."
"Oh just call me Angel, everybody does." She grinned. The Snow Ball in her arms wiggled and began to bark again. "Will you shut up!? I think it's her time of the year if you know what I mean. I should of spaded her when she was little, if I do it now she'll get confused." Kurama looked on in silence, neither contributing to the conversation nor ending it. "You get him fixed?"
"I don't believe so, though I could be wrong..."
"Oh? Well how could you, you're a guy too, how could you knowingly cut down his manhood in his prime kinda has that brotherly affection guys have for each other." Kurama rose a brow, casting a gentle gaze on the salt and pepper colored dog, hanging close to his leg, seemingly afraid of the lady.
"I guess one could say that... Though the decision would fall upon my wife, it has taken a while for him to even warm up to me, brotherly love will be slow in coming." He grinned as Aki whined softly, cringing at the mention.
"Oh? Stepped into that realm I see. Not looking forward to being tied down... Too many things out there to experienced."
"Indeed, though I'm quite happy."
"Hmm guess it's for some people, just watch when she gets older." The woman mock shivered then laughed harshly, Aki seemed to whine in imitation. Snow Ball started barking again... Inwardly Kurama infamously sweat dropped, sighing deeply. "Be quiet!" She yelled at the dog, setting her down roughly, again without a leash.
"Per-"
"Wanna get something to drink? I've had to chase this silly dog down and I'm thirsty, you?"
"I'll be fine, I actually planned to return home. It was nice meeting you Ms. Weaving." He held his hand out again.
"You to, gonna have to walk our dogs together again sometime! Meet ya here anytime." She grinned, flashing perfectly straight pearly white teeth at him. Kurama didn't return such an open smile. He reserved himself and gently removed his hand form her grasp, watching large eyes batting at him. "And call me A-N-G-E-L! Ms. Weaving seems too uptight."
"Very well Angel-sama."
"Sama? Ain't that a Japanese thing?" A Japanese 'thing'? Kurama looked at her for a second, choosing his words carefully.
"A suffix one adds to a name as a sign of respect. It is a common practice in Japan, yes."
"Oh, hmmmm So I call yoouuu? Sue-E-chi-sama?"
"Minamino-san is just fine."
"Mina-me-no. Very well, alls fine." She smiled again. Kurama smiled politely.
"Again nice meeting you." Aki pulled against the leash in the direction of home, his sudden strength nearly pulling the Kitsune of his feet. The young woman yelled another good-bye but Aki pulled harder. "I don't think you took to Ms. Weaving very well..." The dog stopped and turned to face him, glaring if he knew better. Kurama chuckled and tugged on the leash to keep going.
Kurama gently opened the door, halting Aki in his tracks as he tried to run in with muddy paws. Getting the dog to sit still long enough to clean them was a hassle, putting teeth to good use the animal nipped his hand, wiggling away as if the towel he'd set aside for such an occasion was trying to bite him. "Aki, sit still. Aki, ouch no, sit still."
"Okaeri nasai." Rei yelled from the bedroom door.
"Tadaima... Ouch!" Kurama let the puppy go, rubbing his hand gingerly. "He's paws aren't totally clean yet."
"Ok..." Rei moved to scoop up the animal, catching him in mid leap and whisking him away to the kitchen sink. She turned it to a gentle stream, whispering soothing words she ran a paw beneath the warm water. Aki squirmed, dug his back legs into her hip and tried to spring out of her grasp. "What's wrong with him!" Water splashed, the dog jerked to the left, dislodging himself. Rei yelped as Aki crashed to the ground, taking off toward the bedroom like a shot. But a large potted indoor plant found itself in the way. "Oh no..." Rei dodged to catch the tipping tree as Kurama tried to grab the dog.
Rei was a fraction too late and the plant went, landing on an awkward angle. Aki didn't emerge from beneath it. Doing the only logical thing she right sided the innocent bystander and nearly fell over laughing. Aside from the mess of soil now covering the light colored carpet, Kurama sat with the dog in his lap, wiggling to be free up nonetheless held steadfast. "Honestly I don't think he liked the young lady we met upon our walk, though I can't blame him..." The Kitsune said calmly, eyes forward.
"I see, I think both of you need a bath now..."
"That would seem the case... Wouldn't happen to have a sedative?"
"Er... No."
"Very well, I shall take him to get his nails clipped tomorrow after work." Rei blinked, deciding it was better not to ask she retrieved his leash and successfully latched the feisty creature. Kurama released him, but Aki seemed to give up the fight, sprawled in his lap not moving to get up. Both bi-pedaled masters looked at one another then the puppy. Rei sighed and dropped the leash as Kurama petted him gently.
"Let me see you hand." Crouching next to him the Okami inspected his knuckles, the teeth marks deep but no significant bites. "What in the world got into him..."
"Maybe he missed you?"
"Ha, unlikely." Lifting the shirt she moved to loosening her drawstring pants slightly exposing the claw marks he'd made into the soft flesh of her hip. The skin was inflamed but the injury dwarfed in comparison to Aki's number on Kurama's hand. "Let me clean you're wound and then give him a bath. Or he can sleep in the backyard for the damage he's caused." The Kitsune forced Rei back into a crouch, running a thumb over her hip gently.
"Don't be so quick to punish him, it wasn't so much his fault I believe. Has he been neutered?"
"What kind of question is that?"
"A question that expects an answer."
"Yes, before I received him. Remember I had to wait longer so he was old enough for the surgery?"
"That's right... Well he met another dog in estrus and I guess it went over badly, plus it's owner proved to... loud for his tastes." It was Rei's turn to raise a brow. Kurama chuckled and relinquished his hold. Rei gently stroked Aki's head and neck, looking thoughtfully at the how small he looked. An arm snaked around her waist and pulled her onto her backside, taking the hint she nuzzled into his side, her head resting on the red head's shoulder. "If it's this bad with a pup think what will happen with a litter of kits."
"Cubs." They laughed softly together, Rei still petting Aki. "Besides there won't be a litter."
"Oh? The hard way then?" Rei's eyes widened and she smacked him softly in the chest. Aki turned his eyes to them, sighing deeply.
"Oh be quiet trouble." Rei crossed her arms and looked at the far wall. Kurama couldn't contain his laugher.