A/N: All your reviews have made me very happy! I know my grammar isn't perfect, but it'll get better over time. I edited a little of it the previous chapters. I made careless mistakes. Keiko and Yusuke's kids are NOT twins, and Kuronue found Kagome by scent, not scene.
;;; I'm sorry. I really hate it when I do that. I really do hate my carelessness.
Layers of a RoseChapter Three
Kuronue purred in satisfaction. "That feels nice Kagome-chan."
Little giggles came out as she slowly pulled her hand away from his hair. She gathered it all and gently smoothed it out. Her fingers slightly touching the back of his neck while she collected his hair. "Higher or lower?"
"Hm… You know how I want it. It is much easier that way." Kuronue replied, straightening his back while he sat. He leaned in closer to Kagome.
"Alright, high it is then. Now, be a good little birdie and hand me the band. I'm almost done." Kagome ordered. Her grasp on his hair tightened as she leaned over to reach the elastic band from his fingers.
"Thank you! Now we are done! Lets go now!" chirped Kagome finished brushing his ponytail. She was now working on her finishing touch, straightening it out.
Kuronue had changed his clothes, and Kagome did his hair. They were both ready to go out and play while Youko stayed in and worked.
"Oh!" Kagome grabbed an item from a table by Kuronue's window. She quickly stalked towards him and playfully jammed a black accessory onto his head. His eyes were covered, and his hat squished the ponytail Kagome made with such care. "You can't go out without your hat, now can you?" she giggled.
"No, I certainly cannot Kagome-chan." Kuronue straightened his hat until he was satisfied with its position. He held out his elbow as a sign for Kagome that he was ready to go. "Window or door?" He asked jokingly.
"Hm… Now that's a tough decision…" Kagome replied. She crossed her arms and held her chin in between her thumb and index finger. She thought about it for a while. After a minute or so, she put her arms down and she looped her arm with Kuronue. She had decided. "The window."
"The window seems like an excellent choice Milady."
They started to laugh after he spoke. It was funny when he pretended to be her servant, and when he called her such things like 'Milady' and 'Mistress'. She could never see Kuronue as a servant because she saw him as a best friend. He was someone dear to her heart and would always be.
As he prepared to jump, being at the highest point of the castle, he held onto her closely, not wanting to drop her. "Hold on, alright?"
"All… Alright…" Kagome stuttered. She gripped tightly onto him. Maybe the window wasn't the best choice after all, but she knew she could trust Kuronue. He shifted her body a little until he was comfortable with how he held her. Holding her bridal style, he positioned himself on the rim of the window and jumped.
He could hear her whimper against him as she tightened her grip around his neck even tighter. "Ack. Kagome-chan, you're killing me. You don't have to be afraid, so can you please loosen your grip." He choked out along with a few coughs while gasping for air.
His black wings soared through the sky as he held her close, looking for the perfect place to land. He thought going near the river would be nice. There was an old sakura tree there that was perfectly to spend the day. The tree made the area beautiful, along with the clean stream that it was by.
Besides, it wasn't far from his and Youko's home anyways, so if they were to run into any trouble it would be easy to get help.
"Hmm." The figure from another window moved away. His silver locks flowed behind him as he turned to leave the room, shutting the curtains from the window he was at recently. He had heard and watched everything that had happened.
"What is it Yomi? It had better be important because I just can't simply forgive you for making me cancel my plans for today." He stated in a cold manner. Why? Why had he could have said no and it would be him that would be spending time with Kagome. Then it had hit him. Why was he so angry? Why was spending time with her such a big deal? Yomi was a friend, and here he was, speaking to him in an unkind approach.
Still he stood there with a calm face. It was as if he knew Youko would react like this even though he, Youko, always held coldness in his eyes and seriousness in his voice. If he did know Youko would react that way, would he know why? Would he know it was because he loved the girl he and Kuronue harbored? What could Yomi possibly know what would be on Youko's mind when he lived elsewhere? Or is it because he had been around Youko long enough to know how he would act?
"I apologize Youko. I was merely curious if I would be expecting you and Kuronue-san next week. We are all looking forward to this rare article; I hear that this one is heavily guarded with holy magic and guards." Yomi replied with a smirk. Knowing Youko, he would probably say something about having no problem.
"Heh. It is as if you are warning me like it is my first theft. I've done this many times, and there hasn't been one that's stopped me, now has there. What makes this one any different? Magic? I believe not." Youko said as his eyes held a glint of something quite suspicious.
"I would never give up such an offer would I, Yomi? Do you believe that I had forgotten about our plans? We planned them together so I have not forgotten it. A new kingdom that we would rule together."
He, Youko, had never failed to steal anything, and for sure nothing would stop him. He lived to steal. He loved the way the blood would rush through his veins when he would run. What was the fun of a theft if you didn't run from someone? Of course, he never killed anyone when it wasn't necessary. It just wasn't his style.
"This time, Kuronue won't be attending." Yomi only replied with a nod after Youko spoke and turned. He and Youko wanted to make a new kingdom that they would rule, but in order to do that, they need money and followers that would listen to them. They new it would be impossible to work for it, and that was how they decided the most dangerous of the usual paths of Makai, to steal what they needed. Youko was their leader, and leaving Yomi was second-in-command.
It was their dream and they were determined to reach it. Yomi had just hoped nothing would stop Youko from their dream. He then left, and Youko stood where he was and stared at the window, which was covered by the curtains, and only one thing ran through his mind. Kagome.
Sure, Kuronue was his best friend, but why was it that he had felt jealous when he and Kagome got stuck? It was practically his fault, but he blamed the pillow and his friend. It didn't bother him that much because he also got to hold her. He held her when she talked to him.
It was very comforting. How could he and Kuronue grow so attached to someone in less than a year? It was as if she had been with them forever. She made them all happy, laugh, and they played together. A normal female in their time would never do that. They were refined and did what they were told, unlike Kagome who would do what she wanted and would say anything she wanted.
"You know, the point of coming out here was to play. Not sleep. You can very much do that inside the castle grounds, Kagome-chan." Kuronue told her as he stroked her hair.
"Mm-hmm." She covered her face in her arm, which was on his chest. Her body was sprawled across the grass and held her eyes closed.
"Did you hear a word I said missy?" He stopped stroking her and poked at her endlessly until her hand grabbed his.
After grabbing a hold of him, Kagome got up by using her palms. "I heard you. It's just so nice here. We'll play, don't you worry about a single thing." She gave him an evil smile and then planted a kiss on his forehead.
"Thank you for taking me out here Kuro-kun. It's just I like to go out every once in a while."
"You know I don't mind doing things for you Kagome-chan." He replied, as he watched his necklace swing side-to-side between his fingers.
Kuronue just lay on the grass, keeping his gaze on his treasured necklace. He would look through the corner of his eye once in a while to make sure Kagome was safe and near. She was sitting, playing with the little animals that were drawn out of their homes.
When she first brought to their home, he was intrigued by her scent and appearance. He found he passed out and it looked as if youkai were going to attack. He had saved her, and that was how she grew attached to him first. Together, they figured out how it was that she was able to come to their time in Makai.
Being a demon himself Kuronue had sensed the Shikon no Tama. That was one of many reasons he was drawn towards her, but if it were only the jewel, then he wouldn't be where he was today.
Kagome was given her family shrine and deeply wished that she could be a better priestess than what she already was. When she wished for it, and she was taken in by a bright light and she woke up meeting Kuronue and Youko for the first time.
Was this the second month she was with them? If so, then she was happy with the results of their friendship. Strange things always happened in their family, so she wondered how her family was.
Kagome remembered Kuronue's words. He had said that the jewel grants the wish of its beholder and when the time is right, their deepest wish will be granted. They both concluded that Kagome was there to learn what she wanted, and she would go home when she was ready.
She would read the scrolls and books Youko had, and she learned things there. Time to time, Kuronue would let her go to the nearest village when he watched over her from a distance. Almost everything that she did, she would learn something that was involved with being a priestess.
She already knew how to use the bow and arrow, but Kuronue helped her with it until she perfected it. She had gotten a lot better than before. Everything good that happened to her was all thanks to Kuronue. If it hadn't been for him, she would have never meet Youko. To her shock, she had fallen for him.
She wasn't like the other girls where when they liked someone that they would blush like crazy and can't talk. Kagome didn't want Youko to know at all. He just didn't seem the type to settle with just one person. He didn't seem like one to commit, but she loved him anyways.
She always worried for him when he would leave, but he would always come back and with Kuronue close behind. She would be happy for then when they succeeded in stealing something. Being a friend, she was allowed to hug, and she wouldn't be accused of loving Youko, but what she didn't know was that her feelings were obvious. Kuronue knew how they felt about each other. Sometimes the view of a third person is fun and wiser.
He would help bring them together, but then he preferred them to do it their own way. It would be more romantic that way. Youko never said a word as well as Kagome. They acted like they always have, not wanting their feelings to take over them.
This was their problem and couldn't be fixed unless one person confesses which isn't likely. Both were stubborn and could never admit their feelings. They would wait until the time was right.
"Kuronue!"
"Eh..?" He turned and an acorn was thrown at him. He let out a little sound that meant he was startled. That was when he placed his treasure in his pocket and grabbed onto the acorn only to throw it back at her. They did this repeatedly until a big swoosh came over them.
"This is what you two are doing. To think I felt guilty for not coming with you Kagome." Youko said as he landed on a branch of the sakura tree. They both looked at him in shock and then Kagome threw an acorn at him with Kuronue following not far behind.
"What the… Acorns? Why the Hell are you throwing these tiny things at me?"
"…"
"…"
"Well?"
"It is our way of expressing our love to you Youko-kun." Kagome replied casually while throwing five more at him. Kuronue agreed with her by throwing four more and saying that it was true.
Youko growled and jumped for Kagome. Knowing what he was about to do, Kagome jumped up and ran. Of course Youko got to her and they tripped and rolled into the river. The pressure wasn't high at all, so there was nothing to worry about.
"Youko! You jerk!" Kagome yelled splashing water at him.
"Jerk?! I came out here and all I get is acorns thrown at me and now you call me a jerk?! I don't think so!" He used his hands and pushed her down deeper into the river. After a second or two he let go and, the two argued. They felt a shadow come and the stopped talking to see a standing on land Kuronue. They both looked at each other and Kagome made a gesture with her eyebrow. Youko understood and they each grabbed one of Kuronue's feet and pulled him in getting a loud yelp fro him.
They played in the water until it was sundown. They all had to go back. Kuronue went ahead leaving Youko with Kagome in his care.
"Youko…" Kagome called out to him while she squeezed all the water out of her hair.
"Hmm…?" He squeezed the water out of his outer clothing while he listened.
"Thank you… for coming. It means a lot to me." She was looking straight at Youko and he walked her way. He abruptly plopped the piece of clothing he hand in his hand on to her wet hair, and massaged it gently. She figured what he was doing. He was drying her hair. He was left shirtless, but he didn't seem to care, did he?
"Use this. It wouldn't be good if you got sick, would it? Let's go. I bet Kuronue is waiting." He turned and started walking leaving Kagome in shock and happiness. She used it and dried her hair as she chased after him.
"Won't you get sick Youko? I mean, I have most of your clothes and, well, your hair is longer and wetter than mine." Her small fingers gripped the soft white material.
"I'll be fine." With that he had sneezed.
"Sure." She replied with a sarcastic tone. She walked in front of Youko, standing in his way.
"Move."
"No."
Youko growled and moved to the side with Kagome following his every step. "Move." He gritted out once again.
"Youko, I'm not the one who is going to get sick. It's going to be you!" She threw the white material, grasping it. Then she had pulled on each end, which brought Youko's face closer. His head was caught in between his outer clothing and Kagome. She motioned the cloth to dry his hair and he just stood there. He was shocked and appalled.
He mumbled out a little thank you, hoping she didn't hear, but she did and she smiled up at him.
"Almost… There." Kagome said to herself as she held on to her bag while running. Reaching a corner, Kagome steadied herself one hand on the building, and the other resting on her chest while breathing in for air. She then looked up and read the sign. It was the restaurant she was going to meet her mother as well as her to-be-fiancée. 'Made it.'
She straightened her clothes and adjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder. She cleared her throat, brushed her bangs away from her eyes and pulled open he door to the restaurant.
When she stepped inside she already spotted her mother along with another woman. She casually walked over to their table and kindly greeted the anonymous woman. "Okaa-san, I'm here now." Kagome called out to her mother. She replied by smiling warmly and happily towards her daughter.
"Good Evening. It is a pleasure my pleasure of meeting you. My name is Kagome. Higurashi Kagome." She bowed politely with a smile.
"Oh my, what a sweet girl you are. I am Hatakana Shiori, or as your mother told you, Minamino Shiori. I'm glad to have finally met the daughter of my best friend. You are exactly as your mother described you to be."
The comment made her blush lightly. "Thank you."
"Please sit down Kagome dear." Kagome's mother said politely as she pulled out a chair, signaling Kagome to sit there. She sat down after brushing it off even though there was nothing on it.
"What do you do, Kagome?" Shiori asked wanting to start conversation.
"I'm a teacher at the shrine at home, and I teach archery to students who want to learn the art of the bow and arrow." Kagome answered slowly and kindly. She was happy to be a teacher of something she loved to do.
"That is quite impressive for a girl at your age. Shuuichi, my son, works with his father and they work quite well together. Kazuya, my husband, hopes that Shuuichi will consider taking over the company."
"That's great Shiori! It's too bad we can't get Sota to consider being a priest at our shrine." Kagome's mother sighed with a hand on her cheek. Kagome just giggled. It was true. Sota wanted to be a soccer player and there was a time period when their mom wanted Sota to be a doctor.
Wind chimes rang when the door to the restaurant door swung open. A young male with red hair had stepped in. He was looking around the restaurant with a bundle of roses in his hands. He looked worn out by his semi damp hair that touched his face and sweat. His blazer looked a little wrinkled as well as his white shirt underneath the dark blazer and tucked messily in his pants.
Kagome watched as he talked to the man at the stand that took care of the reservations and tables. It seemed as if he asked him something and the man nodded in return, then he gave the roses to him and headed to another direction. 'Hmm… he's strange, but then who in the world isn't…? I wonder who he was looking for. He kind of looked stressed…'
Kagome's thoughts went deeper as she gazed into space thinking about her happier days. 'Maybe… Just maybe I'm doing the right thing. It would be easier, right? If I am unable to tell him I love him, then it is better to wait for a lifetime.'
"Ahh." Kurama let out a frustrated growl. At least he made it in time. He straightened out his shirt and tucked it in a little more neatly after washing his face and drying it. He combed through his hair with his fingers and swept it all behind his shoulders. He looked in the mirror making sure he looked presentable and straightened and tightened his tie.
'Alright then… I guess I should go and meet them now. I don't know why I'm so nervous. Maybe it is just the thought of what this girl going to be like.' For some unknown reason, Kurama had waited for Youko to say something, but no, nothing had come. 'I guess Youko is that upset, but what can I do about it? I really don't have the time to settle down and start the ideal family I've always wanted.'
He pushed the door and walked out towards the man who sat in a stool. He asked for the flowers that was held for him and made his way towards his mother and the other two females. "How are you Okaa-san?"
"Shuuichi dear!" Shiori got up and went over to her son and hugged him. "I would like you to meet the Higurashi's."
"Good evening Higurashi-san." Kurama bowed towards both mother and daughter. When he got up, his mother sat down, leaving one seat open, by Kagome. Both mothers stared at their children and then looked at each other smiling. After a few brief seconds they started a whole new conversation, ignoring their children.
Kurama pulled out the chair and gracefully sat by Kagome. It had hit him. He then realized what the flowers were for. "Here…" He whispered to her as he handed her the dozen roses.
"Huh…?" She hesitated when she took the flowers from him, but she really loved them. They really were beautiful. It had made her wonder where they came from, not from store Sango worked at, that's for sure. She reached for the flowers and her fingers gripped lightly onto it. Only for a second, their hands brushed across each other and they felt each other's warmth, but ignoring it.
"Thank you." She whispered back. She lowered her head to smell them and loved it. They reminded her of her past, which gave her happy memories. That was a time she never wanted to forget. She wanted to remember and cherish her memories of Kuronue and Youko. "They are very beautiful and smells really nice."
He replied with the friendly smile he gave everyone. He found it a little amusing when she had told him they smelled nice. Of course they would, but when it came to complimenting flowers, a person would never really say they smell nice.
They kept quiet and watched their mothers talk. They just sat and stared for minutes until the waiter finally came. The mothers stopped talking, ordered what they wanted, and continued on where they left off, leaving their kids to order themselves. They did, and waited patiently. They would watch their surroundings. Who knew that having dinner with a complete stranger could be so… Unexciting…
Maybe it was the fact was that they were going to get married if they chose to do it. Side by side, they just stared at their environment, and at times, at each other.
'He doesn't look like the type to have trouble getting a girl. I doubt he would agree to this arrangement. Please… Please disagree… Then, my life would stay the way it is. The last thing I would want is a husband I don't love to cheat on me. Then again… He is pretty cute. I guess it wouldn't hurt… To give him a chance… Would it?"' Random thoughts just kept popping in and put of her head. She talked to herself until the food finally came. That was when their parents finally took notice of them and spoke to them once again.
'So she's the girl. At least she gets one point from Yusuke. Her appearance isn't horrifying. She was actually very cute. I wonder what Yusuke would've said if he saw her…' She looked younger than what is mother had told him, but that didn't really matter. Maybe she would be the one to refuse this proposal. He hoped she would, but then she might save him from the desperate woman that chased him.
After eating the main course, the mothers ran off together to talk some more and play while they left their kids at the table. The restaurant wasn't empty it was actually full and crowded compared to how it was before. Empty. At first, they were one of the few who occupied the store, bow it was crowded, and there were people waiting for a table. Obviously, this was a very good restaurant.
Kurama and Kagome were waiting for the last part of the meal, their dessert. They both liked to have something sweet after a main course. They both ordered something different though, but that didn't really matter. It had shocked them both that they were able to make it through the night. They actually shared conversation and laughed friendly laughs. Of course they had talked quietly. The last thing they wanted was their mother's to watch them talk and assume that they 'hit it off'. They began speaking in regular toned voices when their others had ditched them.
They talked about their jobs and where they lived. Apparently, they worked for their families and they lived with friends. Then, it led to their families again. They both had little brothers and lost their fathers when they were young. The difference was that Kurama's mother had remarried and Kagome had her grandfather.
"So, how is it living with your friends Shuuichi-san?" They had argued about formalities and Kurama got stuck with being called Shuuichi-san instead of just Shuuichi and Kurama. He however was allowed to call her by just her name, but he decided he would do the same she did to him. He would call her Kagome-san too. Kagome asked as she watched the waiter put down their desserts. Kagome ordered ice cream and Kurama had ordered pudding. Picking up her spoon to eat her ice cream, she looked up and kept her focus on Kurama.
It is always a polite thing to do when someone speaks to you. You should let them know that they have your attention.
"Mmm… It's pretty fun. Well, once you get used to their violent actions towards one another, then it is quite amusing." Kurama replied casually with a tinge of humor in his voice. Yusuke and Kuwabara never failed to start a fight everyday. They'd fight over meaningless things, but it was still fun for them both. It was their main way of showing their love towards each other. They knew each other when they were in school, and they were the best of friends.
"Violent?" She chuckled. "Really? Then violent isn't a problem. I live my best friend. He is one-of-a-kind too. I'm shocked that no one has beaten him for his actions…" Her words started indistinguishable when she put the spoon in her mouth. She really seemed to enjoy the ice cream. At least he knew one thing she liked. Mint chocolate-chip ice cream. It did look very appetizing compared to his pudding. It was good though, but he would've liked to try what she had.
"Beaten?" he asked curiously as he ate his food. Beaten… This didn't seem like a word that would have come out of this girl's mouth, but yet it did. She really was strange.
"Mm-hmm." She nodded and then took her clothed napkin and gently patted her mouth clean. "You could say he is a bit of a… pervert. He has this habit of asking every woman he sees to 'bear his child'. Of course he gets away by his appearance. The only person who ever really hurts him is Sango-chan."
He nodded his head, wanting to know more. Her life was interesting as well. In his hands, he held the silver spoon with grace, giving her his full attention.
"They really like each other, and that's all you really need to know. Sango-chan just wants to try and keep Miroku-kun in place, but it doesn't see to work." She waved her spoon in a suggestive way as she spoke. They were her best friends, and she knew they were in love with one another. She just never knew when they were going to tell each other. They would have never met if Kagome never meet Sango.
This dinner brought back many pleasant memories back to Kagome. She finished her ice cream and waited for her new acquaintance to finish his share. She gathered her things together as he held he finally finished.
"Ready to go then Kagome-san?" He cleaned off his mouth after he drank the rest of his tea. Then he got up and pulled on his jacket as he pushed in his chair. She nodded her head yes and he left to go pay. She gracefully put on her light sweater and followed after him when she picked up her flowers that had lain on the empty chair she sat next to.
When she caught up with him he had already paid and was waiting for her. "You… You paid for the whole thing? I was going to pay for my share, but I can pay you back then." Kagome said pulling on the strap of her small purse.
"No, no. I was happy to pay for it all. After all, it was for our mothers, wasn't it? I couldn't allow you to pay. It doesn't seem right." He replied slowly and kindly. His breathtaking smile made her accept his reply. He wasn't speaking to her in a rude manner. He was saying he was doing what was right. As a gentleman, he paid for everything, and now he held the door for her. Her guess was that he was going to walk her home.
Kagome just watched him walk to a corner and she followed. He looked as if he was lost and that made her chuckle and he heard. "Shuuichi-san, do you even know where you are going?"
"Well, I was planning on taking you home. You don't mind, do you?" He scratched his head, as he stretched.
"No, I don't mind… It's just that…"
"What?"
"Well, home is that way." She extended her hand to the opposite direction of where Kurama had walked.
"Really? I am sorry… I don't know why I went this way." A nervous laugh came out. Actually, he went this way because he usually walked this path home.
"Oh, don't worry about it. Not everyone is perfect, hmm? Next time, you should follow the girl if you want take her home. Come on." She smiled at him. He had noticed that this was a different smile compared to her other ones. This one made his heart jump and his face started to form a tint of pink.
Her smiles before were one of a friendly person, someone that you would meet and say hi. Then they would smile and turn away. That would be the end of the conversation until you would meet again. This particular smile though was different. It was a smile filled with joy and love. He saw it in her eyes. Even though he never felt that emotion of love towards a different person, he just knew it by her eyes.
A person that would express feelings like those have a happy life. He had wondered why it was then she smiled like that. The expression on her face made him happy. The way she acted towards him wasn't false. She seemed like she was herself, or she was just really good at hiding her true self.
Many thoughts flowed through his mind. Then he had realized he hadn't heard from Youko at all. Was he that upset about this whole arrangement? It would how it was before Youko had emerged in the fights in the Dark Tournament. Youko wouldn't be bothering him, but he would miss him. Once a nuisance comes to you, you want it to leave, but when it does, you wished it were still there.
"We're here!" Kagome suddenly said. They were in a nice looking neighborhood and in front of bar gates that led to a homely looking two-story. He had thought to himself the whole time they walked. Kurama had just hope Kagome didn't feel lonely.
"This is where you live? It looks so… big." He was awed at the sight of it. It was certainly beautiful, but then he was told she lived with someone else.
"You could say. There are like four rooms total, three upstairs and one downstairs, and a total of two bathrooms." She stopped and laughed a little. "Now it sounds like I'm a real estate agent. I'm sorry."
"No, I'm very interested in what you have to say. That is a fine house you have."
"Thank you very much… Well, I had a nice time tonight, but I have to go inside now." She strode by him and stood on the tip of her toes to reach his cheek. All Kurama could do was look at her in shock. She smiled and opened the gate and headed towards her home. He just stood there. When she reached the front door, she turned back and waved and said one last thing, "Good night Shuuichi-san."
"Good night… Kagome." His hand touched the area that had been pecked. The feeling in made him warm and fuzzy inside. It was rare for him to like a girl, or to like her back. Of course there was that one time in middle school, but things just didn't work out. Anyone he wanted to be with was just in danger. It would've made him mad if someone he loved die, but if someone he didn't love were to die, then he would blame himself for that person's death.
He knew he could protect the ones he wanted, but he could never be too sure. He wanted to prevent himself from falling in love and getting hurt. What Yusuke and Keiko have is unique because they had known each other since they were very young. They had been long time friends that happened to fall in love.
Kuwabara fell in love at first site with Yukina, who returned his feelings. Of course that didn't make Hiei too happy, but as long as his little sister is happy then he wouldn't keep it from her.
Those were the feelings of true love that strengthened Yusuke and Kuwabara. People don't grow younger, they grow older and well, as time passes by people want different things. For Kurama, he wanted to feel the strength that would be gained by the desire of protecting that one person you love, even to death. His love for his mother is different than the one he is yearning for, but he would die for his mother because she was hurt protecting him.
He thought about everyone else in his life and compared it to his own. He was happy with what he had, but could it get better or worse? Taking on this marriage gave him a fifty-fifty chance of happiness, but this was for his mother.
He was so lost in his thoughts that he hadn't realized he was already home. Walking up the steps, he wasn't shocked at all to see Hiei. What shocked him was seeing both Kuwabara and Yusuke waiting for him at the steps together.
"Well?" Yusuke asked while scrambling to his feet and dusting himself off.
"Yes Yusuke?" Kurama replied, knowing what he wanted, but wanted to bother him.
"How was it? Did you refuse or accept?" Kuwabara answered for Yusuke.
"Yeah, was she hot? Or was she ugly?" Yusuke added with that goofy face he always held.
"Hn." Hiei just stayed in his tree not saying a word.
"Well, the night was nice. Oh, and the food was very good. You should go with Keiko one day Yusuke." Kurama smiled. He described what his day was like, evading every detail about Kagome.
"Kurama! We don't have time for this! Answer the questions we asked dammit!" Yusuke yelled at the smiling redhead.
"Why of course Yusuke. Why didn't you say so sooner?" Yusuke's face fell and looked as if he was going to beat the crap out of someone. As he was about to strike, Kurama just stood there with his head titled down and eyes closed. He looked like he was in a tranquil place of his own. His hands dug in his pockets and he stood tall.
"I like her."
"Like?" Yusuke repeated dropping the fist in shock.
"As in how? Like-like? Like-love? You just met her Kurama!" Kuwabara cried in shock.
Hiei stayed in his tree, but stared at his kitsune friend. Life is filled with many wonders and tonight they unlocked one of many. Kurama liking this girl back could mean trouble. He and Kurama still had to serve their time to Koenma, so that could problems with the 'wife'. To Hiei, he knew humans always had a problem of lying and trusts. What would she think if her husband hadn't come home for about a week?
'You are making a foolish mistake.' Hiei spoke to his friend through his mind.
'Yes, but it can't be helped. It is my choice to make, and if it is wrong, I'm the only one to blame.'
'Hn.'
"Kurama… if you want to do this, you know I'll back you up, alright?" Yusuke said. "But, I have to go or Keiko will really get upset." He patted his friend's shoulder and stretched, leaving his arms behind his head and trotted back to his corner.
"Of course Yusuke. Good night to you too, and Kuwabara, you should go too. You shouldn't leave Yukina alone for so long." After hearing just that one word, Yukina, Kuwabara ran a mad dash back to his part of the huge home while Hiei followed close behind. He, after all, was protective of his little sister like any big brother would be when it came to another male.
Hands in his pocket, Kurama walked on to his door and prepared to sleep. He concluded that Youko wouldn't be speaking with him anytime soon. Why would he? He made a decision that affected them both, and he didn't choose the choice Youko wanted. He would really be lonely if Youko would choose not to talk to him anymore.
He made hot tea so he would drink before he would sleep. He just sat in his living room by himself thinking about the previous thought that had already run through his mind. When he finished, he placed the dishes in the sink and headed up to the second story. Undoing his tie, he was undressing on his way to his room. It would be quicker when he got there to put on his pajamas. He placed the clothes he had worn in a hamper and hung the blazer on its hook.
He then wore his bathrobe and headed towards the bathroom to wash his face and brush his teeth. Then he would sleep. His room was very room because he didn't have many things to decorate. His whole house was roomy. It was empty.
Drying his face with a clean towel, he pulled out a pair or silk pajamas and slipped them on. When he worked with the buttons on he stared out the window with one thing running through his mind.
"I really like. I really, really like her…" He muttered to himself. He had fallen for her the first day they had meet. It wasn't love at first site. He had never met her until now, so it wasn't that. He had fallen for her on the first night they spent together.
She was young and he found her appearance cute, yet very attractive. When they talked, she would talk back and an actual conversation would begin. He loved how her eyes would shine when she replied. Compared to the others he had been with, they either wouldn't stop staring at him in a lustful way or they would kill the conversation. One thing he knew he liked about her for sure was that they had things in common. That might have been what he liked most about her, her life and personality.
With Kagome running through his thoughts, he turned and then stared at his bed. It was large, but it didn't take up the room. That only proved how big his bedroom was. He had actual doors for the bedrooms, but for the living room and kitchen there were shoji screens.
He had a western style bed which was king sized. He didn't know why he even bought such a big bed. Why couldn't he have stuck with simple Japanese style bedding? He remembered. This was bought for him. He didn't buy it. It was a gift from everyone, Yusuke, Kuwabara, Keiko, and everyone else. He wasn't too sure about Hiei because Hiei was never one to have money that humans and one to buy something in a human store. When the four of them moved here, they each bought everyone a house-warming gifts, and Kurama got the bed.
Crawling under the sheets, Kurama closed his eyes. His left hand crossed over his chest on his hand rested on his cheek. For the moment, that was his favorite part of his body. Even after washing his face, he could still feel the tingle that he felt after she kissed him. He instantly fell asleep after murmuring one last thing while an image of Kagome came into his mind.
"Damn."
A/N:Whee! I finally finished it! I'm going to work on Iikawasu now. Don't worry, if I get a LOT of reviews for Layers of a Rose, then that would mean I would be forced to push Iikawasu back and update this fic for all you reviewers!
Please review because that what makes me want to update soon. I think this might be a boring and short chapter, but they have to meet somehow. Hmm… I thank all of my reviewers! You all have made me so happy. I didn't think I would attract that many readers.
I hope that this chapter gave you an idea of what Kurama's view of this relationship will be like. If not, then ask it in your review and I will be happy to make it noticeable in the next update.