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Raven's Pendant
WEIß KREUZ-YU YU HAKUSHO CROSSOVER FANFICTION

Part 3 - Two mother hens over a Kurama-chick

"Ran-niichan! Schuldig-niichan wants to join with us to the park today. Is it okay?" Kurama asked the horror-struck florist.

Ran had turned out to be an exemplary brother to Kurama. He listened to the redheaded fox's chatter, contributing his opinions in the form of grunts. Every so often, he would visit Kurama in the dorm and cook him food. If Kurama needed to go off campus, he would generously offer to drive. Of course, there were days when that was a major disadvantage…

Especially when I'm going out with Schuldig-niisan…

It wasn't as if Kurama was in any danger then. Schuldig was circumspect of his alcohol consumption when the telepath was with him. They never got into any fights they couldn't handle. Kurama hadn't been tempted even once to use his youkai powers. He hadn't even had any bad propositions since he came in with his gaijin of an "older brother". The thing was now he couldn't enjoy the night because he had to keep a constant look out for his 'niichan's friends who might tell the older redhead.

Couldn't enjoy the night? Face it Kurama, it does give a rather piquant thrill to a game that's been getting stale lately… You're a fox all through and through…

"H--hn." It was slow and hesitant rather like the rumble of a coming thunderstorm.

It's good that we're going to the park. I might have to use my powers to restrain them if it gets rowdy…

***

"Kurama-chan, I'm here." Schuldig sang out as he waved. He was sitting on a park picnic table spread with a red-checkered tablecloth and on it was a large incongruous picnic basket right out of a picture.

"Konichiwa, Schuldig-niisan." Kurama shouted back and waved equally hard as the German telepath. He took the picnic basket from Aya and ran up to the table with his half-brother walking sedately behind.

"Hn. People are staring." Aya murmured, but there was a resigned air to it.

Why me?

"Let them stare, it isn't as if we have anything to be ashamed of." Schuldig retorted.

"Wai! You understand aniki's 'hn' language as well as I do." Kurama squealed, hugging Schuldig while he was at it, putting their basket beside the large one.

"Hn." Aya rumbled. He meant it to be threatening but it had a forlorn tone about it.

And why-oh-why him! He's gotten as much affection as I have from Kurama, if not more… He's…he's an assassin and worse yet he's evil…

"Oi, easy on the fan-boy squeal. Your aniki is wincing. You're also making him extremely jealous. I might not survive his glare of death!"

"Hn." Aya glared this time for good measure.

I definitely didn't want him to know that! Thank you, very much…

Kurama-chan looked up and blinked. He left Schuldig and ran up to Aya.

"Oof!" Aya grumped as he was tackled onto the grass.

"Sorry to have left you out, 'niichan." Kurama laughingly apologized. He snuggled onto Aya, rubbing his head under Aya's chin that Aya fell speechless. The warmth and the weight of Kurama-chan were rather comforting though he was aware that he should end this rather unwise display of affection.

"Hn, I think we should continue this in a more private location…"

"Why 'niichan, I never thought you had it in for little ol' me." Kurama teased. The affectionate good humor in his eyes made him so irresistible.

"Hn." Aya grunted menacingly but the edge was taken off by the small smile he wore on his face.

"You're embarrassing him." Schuldig informed Kurama with a jovial wink.

You are not allowed to wink at him… Or anything remotely sexual in nature…

"Hn, you're a bad influence to my brother." Aya said after finally getting control of his voice. Kurama was still on his lap.

"I'm not. Kurama-chan's just like that. He and I have a lot in common." The aggravating telepath said

"Hn." Death glare.

"Schuldig-niisan!" Kurama wailed.

"Caught you didn't I? Playing the innocent with your 'niichan is hardly nice. Do you have a thing for him? Frustrated Oedipal tendencies?"

Caught speechless, grunt-less even, Aya went buggy-eyed. The cold shock abruptly cut off the feelings of comfort and happiness.

I can't be having this at the expense of my brother--well half-brother… I'm not going turn out a pervert as well as murderer…

Aya started to stand up.

***

Schuldig sat on the park bench rather annoyed though he tried not to show it. He gritted his teeth at the display of affection that Kurama gave his half-brother. He was wishing it were the two of them again without the other older redhead to come between them.

You have that vegetable of a sister, you don't need to get Kurama-chan too… He's mine… Not that she's available at the moment, and who's fault it is…

The telepath refused to consider the facts. Kurama-chan was his before Aya ever got into the picture.

"Don't scare my big brother! I'm just making up for ten years worth of snuggling, that's all." Kurama scolded rather crossly.

"Oh, ri--ight!" Schuldig said.

He's afraid of your sensuality…not like me… Why do you insist on being with him? I don't know…

But Schuldich did know. He just didn't want to acknowledge it.

He's your brother--blood half-brother--and what can I offer to match that…? Besides, if you knew what we did to your half-sister, would you still be my friend?

"Schuldig-niisan--" Kurama's voice was rising into the higher registers as he was dumped on the ground.

A satisfied smirk crawled onto Schuldig's face, despite how it would look like.

"Hn." Aya grunted darkly as he got to the picnic table.

"You can't think that, aniki! Surely, you don't believe that. It was just a joke." Kurama exclaimed as he came to sit beside Schuldig.

"Your big brother has no sense of humor." Schuldig jibbed back.

"Hn." Aya just glared where he was sitting across the German. He looked ready to draw his katana and chop them to a thousand pieces.

"I don't like you that way though you and Schuldig would look right. He understands you, too." Kurama mused. A thoughtful light came into those green eyes.

Erk! Aya and me, what a disaster that is going to be…

"Hn." Aya looked a bit green himself at the thought.

"Gods forbid! He's colder'n ice." Schuldig yelped.

"Really? I think you make a cute couple." Kurama teased. His tone was light but the green eyes were oddly intent.

Oh great! Now he's matchmaking me with Fujimiya…of all people… Though I admit that would solve my problems with Kurama-chan, I'd be as good as being his brother-in-law. I'd have as much right to be with him. The Living Icicle does have his own appeal with those lovely purple eyes the color of deep amethysts and that windblown candy red hair that invited one to touch to see if it was as soft as it looked… His sharp good looks don't hurt either… The only difficulty would be Fujimiya being my enemy--what am I thinking!

Schuldig pulled the reins on his thoughts sharply.

"Awww, aren't you even going to consider it? I think you'd do well together." Kurama asked, going over to pat Aya over the shoulder reassuringly.

"Hn." Aya said. However, the violet eyes softened as they looked at the green-eyed rascal.

I guess it was too much to expect that he will stay mad with Kurama-chan… Oh well!

Schuldig wanted to kick himself all the way to the Schwartz headquarters for the jealous thoughts but he didn't know how to stop them.

Shows what happens when you start to care for someone…

***

Aya looked at the concern in the green eyes and felt his anger melt. The gentle tap on his shoulder also calmed him down somewhat.

He's just concerned…that's all… Besides, he and Schuldig look like they're the best of friends… Wouldn't you want to match up your elder brother with someone you liked? If he was matching me up then the horsing around before was meant to be brotherly…

Aya felt himself sag with relief, though that did seem premature by the way Kurama was staring at him and Schuldig.

I wish he were back to being my innocent younger brother… Wait! Schuldig did say something about that… Playing the innocent with your 'niichan is hardly nice… Was it all a game?

"Hn. Kurama-chan?"

"What, 'niichan?" Kurama asked as he brought out the food they have out on the picnic table.

"Are you just 'playing innocent with me'?" Aya asked, looking intently into those green eyes.

"What do you mean?" Kurama asked back, slowly. He cocked his head up to face Aya.

"Hn." Nothing.

Aya couldn't think of anything else to say.

"Ran-niichan, you don't know me too well, yet. Yes, I can flirt and I can fight a bit. I go with Schuldig-niisan to spar and to clubs. That's how I met him." Kurama said seriously.

"Hn." Aya started to glare.

"But 'niichan, 'niichan, I like being your younger brother too much to act that way. I wanted--I wanted--" Kurama faltered a bit at that.

"Hn." Aya encouraged, his face softened a bit. The sincerity that the youngster was radiating was just too strong.

"I wanted to be your brother that's all. The brother, you wanted." Kurama said softly.

"Hn, you don't have to do that." Aya said just as softly and reached out to ruffle Kurama-chan's hair gently.

"Oh come on stop it already, a man could drown in the sweetness here." Schuldig interjected. He had been silently taking out the food he had brought out of his monster picnic basket.

"Burgers…fries…Inarizushi… What kind of meal is that?" Aya asked, everything forgotten at his annoyance at the telepath's food choices.

"Kurama-chan likes it!" Schuldig argued.

"Junk food? What happened to a well balanced meal?"

***

Kurama sighed as he looked at Schuldig and Aya argue over the meal. He didn't know what prompted him to say what he had said.

"The brother you wanted." Did I really mean it?

The redhead fox mused at his words as his two 'brothers' argued over lunch.

"Hey, can it Red! We're on a break." Schuldig protested.

I do enjoy Ran-niichan's fussing…but did I really meant it...?

The trouble with Kurama's pretense was that the false impression it wove had to be played out. His masks were perfect and sometimes even his own feelings became hard to distinguish from them. To create the perfect illusion, one had to be a little deceived as well. He remembered all too well. It was a struggle to admit that he loved anyone.

With 'Kaasan and Hiei, it had come very slowly, every touch, every kindness prying at the door of his locked heart. It had come a realization at a time until it couldn't have been denied anymore. With Kuro...

It's best not to dwell on that...I know well enough not to repeat my mistakes...But does it matter if you want to play it out the way it is now? He is human and his life is short...but then, so's mother's and that didn't keep you from loving her didn't it? So be it... I'll take the consequences as they come... I've already come to feel something for Schuldig-niisan...

"That doesn't excuse bad meal choices." Aya lectured.

He's like the brother I should have had in the Makai had I had a clan… He cares for me. He wants to protect me…and with that fussing, something like mother as well though he is more protective than that...

"Don't tell me you always ate a well balanced meal! I mean…"

And he and Schuldig-niisan would make a nice couple; they certainly bicker like they have been married for ten years…

In just a moment, Kurama said it just that. Both of the older men looked at him in varying degrees of horror.

"We do not!" Aya and Schuldig exclaimed together.

Heh! They're really too cute. If they can just get over being Schwartz and Weiß then perhaps… Kurama, you're really asking for trouble, you know that? Yeah, but I don't care…it'll be good for Schuldig-niisan...

"That's the first time you've agreed on anything."

Without warning, Kurama's hackles pricked up as he thought he felt alien eyes staring at them but the feeling passed as quickly as it came leaving him to wonder if he imagined it. His lapse went unnoticed in the banter.

"Hn."

"No, I mean, yes." Schuldig babbled.

"See?" Kurama added.

"Ku.Ra.Ma. Cha---an!" Schuldig telegraphed in outrage.

Aya just sighed.

"Consider it revenge for interrupting my cuddling with Ran-niichan."

"You see what a little monster he is, do you still want him to be your little brother?" Schuldig teased, however, there was a disturbing undercurrent in his voice.

"Hn." The grunt was backed up by a glare, Kurama was happy to see. Though he sighed at the implications of the exchange.

I have to deal with that soon… I guess he does feel a bit jealous at having to share me with 'niichan…

"I have to talk to Schuldig-niisan for a moment." Kurama said after he had laid the last of the meal on the table.

"Hn." Okay, speak up.

"Umm, alone?" Kurama asked brightly.

"Hn." Fine! Aya glared as he walked a little a ways from the table.

Schuldig gave Kurama an inquiring look, raising one of eyebrow sardonically.

***

"Schuldig-niisan?" Kurama asked the moment they were alone.

"Aa." Schuldig asked warily. He had some idea of what was coming and didn't like it.

This could be the end of our friendship… I mustn't make him choose between Aya and I…

"You don't have to be jealous of Ran-niichan, you know." Kurama stated softly.

"And why is that?" Schuldig asked.

Where did that come from? I thought you were going to be careful…

Schuldig held his breath.

That didn't come out the way I planned it…

"Because you are very different from him. He's the homebody type and the typical elder brother. You, I can bring to the bars and play with while him? Him, I could come home to and rely upon to cook meals and be the wholesome brother. I need you both. I can't have you two fighting one another."

Schuldig breathed easier at the statement. He knew that they were so different and in fact thought that the difference was what was going make Kurama choose Ran.

He's so much the nurturing type than me...

Schuldig knew himself, and that he'd prefer a big brother that would fuss over him but not get in his way. Kurama wasn't the unfaithful type but he worried.

I had to hear it. It would be nice to go home to someone who cared… Wait a sec--where did that come from…?

"What do you think of my aniki? Want me to help you with him?" Kurama asked as he beckoned to the watching Aya to come and join them.

"Kurama-chan!" Schuldig protested.

It might not be so bad to have that one as a lover…but there's still Schwartz and Estet to think about… Besides…other considerations…

***

Aya sighed in relief as he saw Kurama wave at him. He still didn't trust Schuldig with his little brother though he was starting to. The German didn't act normally around the youngster.

Don't fool yourself… They have an understanding that's so profound that it can't be faked…

Aya admitted to himself that he had been envious of that understanding.

I doubted it because I didn't want it to be true…

It hurt somewhat but from the way Kurama told Aya, he also had a special bond with his little brother--something that Schuldig couldn't touch--that pleased him.

I think I can accept their friendship…

The startling thought nearly made Aya jump with astonishment. He looked inside himself and found it true.

Now if there is a solution to the problem of Aya-chan…

Aya felt guilty at forgetting his sister.

How can I accept Schuldig? He's one of those who kidnap Aya-chan and who knows what they're doing to her…

Aya scowled as he joined Kurama-chan and Schuldig on the table.

***

In the bushes, two pairs of feral yellow eyes with vertically slit pupils blinked and disappeared.

***

Later, in the Reikai…

"This is Melaud of Team Melusine. He's a blood gaki and nosferatu mix. He'll execute Estet and call you to do what you must, when you must." Koenma introduced.

A darkly handsome man with feral blue eyes bounced forward and bowed low to Kurama.

"A pleasure to meet you, my grandmother spoke very highly of you…"

"Grandmother?"

"Kaede of the Dark Mist."

"Ah, Kaede-san, she came in the same year with Yomi…didn't she? She did very well as one of the Thirds until she left to join your Grandfather's clan."

"Aa. She'll be greatly pleased that you remember her. You honor us, Kurama-sama." The deference in Melaud's voice sounded strange after all this time.

My reputation precedes me I see…

The thought was half-annoyed.

There are times…bopping heads just to get away from that is very tempting… I don't really have need for it…

"I think you will be credit to your Grandmother…" Kurama said the only thing that came to mind.

~TBC~

Author's Notes:

I swear Schuldig and Aya have minds of their own! This is going to be an Schuldig X Aya fic not a Crawford X Aya fic. I can see them arguing like a married couple over one Kurama-chick.

On food...
Schu-papa: Here I brought you a treat...*gives Kurama Inarizushi(sweet rice balls)*
Aya-mama: Not before dinner!

Going to the bar...
Schu-papa: Don't forget this... *hands over some safe sex paraphernalia*
Aya-mama: Don't forget this... *hands over some safe sex paraphernalia - an iron-cast chastity belt*

Kurama: You're still insisting on the rice balls?
Silrayn: So what if I am? *wolfy grins*
Kurama: How many times do I have to tell you, foxes don't--
Silrayn: --eat rice balls. I know, I know!
Kurama: Rose whip!
Silrayn: Hey, it's not my fault. I didn't create that fanon fact! * hides under her desk *