Chapter Eleven: Sub Rosa

Somehow we all ended up at our place, extending the celebration. "Hey Urameshi, what are you gonna do with your share of the money?" Kuwabara asked as he leaned back on the couch. Yusuke suddenly looked very thoughtful as he considered his answer. "You know when we started this I said to myself that if we won I was going to use the money to pay for Keiko's engagement ring, or the world's best honeymoon," he said seriously. We all looked at him in shock. "Ok, that was unexpected," Kuwabara said. "Yes," Kurama agreed. "Very unexpected," "What about you Kurama?" Yusuke asked. "What are you going to do with your share?" Kurama's gaze wandered to the window. "I…I'm not sure…" he answered. "…but I want to use it for something special…" He then rose to his feet. "Forgive me for being a poor host, but the day has taken it's toll on me and I am sorely in need of rest," he said. I looked over at him, something was bothering him and I was going to find out what.

"Detective, you take my room," I said. "Hey, what about me?" Kuwabara protested. "You get the couch," I responded with a smirk. "You'd only keep Yusuke up with your snoring," The tall carrot top started to stand but was restrained by Yusuke. "What about you?" Yusuke asked. "I'm sleeping with Kurama," I answered. Kuwabara's eyes widened. Yusuke was obviously holding back laughter. "You do realize that could be taken the wrong way don't you?" he asked. I rolled my eyes. "You know what I meant," I growled. I was too tired to deal with their joking and teasing at the moment. An idea suddenly came to me and I stared them both in the eye. "Would it have bothered you if I'd meant it the way you'd obviously first interpreted what I'd said?"

They both stared back at me in complete and utter shock. "…I…guess not," Yusuke said after a long moment's pause. Kuwabara for once was at a complete loss for words. "Uh…wouldn't that be kinda awkward?…" he asked "I mean how would you actually…" He stopped in mid sentence as his cheeks grew a deep shade of red. "…Um…never mind…" He stammered as Yusuke stared at him wide eyed. Kurama murmured good night and headed quickly to his room.

Yusuke rose and followed me to mine where I grabbed my nightclothes. Since the door to Kurama's room was closed, I assumed he was changing and headed into the bathroom to give him privacy while I did the same. When I emerged Kurama's door was partially open. He was sitting on the foot of his bed running his brush though his long red hair. I was glad he'd let it grow back to it's full length. I knocked softly and he turned his head to face me. He motioned me inside and I entered. "For a moment I thought you were going to tell them," he said softly. I shook my head. "You want us to tell them together, do you not?" I asked. He nodded as he rose and set the brush on his dresser.

My eyes widened slightly when I noticed that his pajama top was unbuttoned, giving a hint to the finely chiseled chest underneath. Kurama must have caught me looking. With an uncharacteristic smirk he slowly slid the shirt onto his shoulders and let it slide down his arms to the floor. "It's much too warm for that , don't you agree?" he asked as he turned to me. I couldn't speak. My eyes traveled over the red haired god that stood before me. He was clad only in a pair of emerald green shorts, showing off his powerful arms and legs, and his smooth well toned chest. He chuckled as he stepped toward me. Involuntarily, I took a step back, right into the bed.

"What's wrong Love?" he asked teasingly, "Cat got your tongue?" "Not a cat," I thought "A very crafty, and very sexy fox," Suddenly, he was upon me, tackling me to the bed. He pinned my hands above my head and chuckled. "Perhaps I can help you find it," he whispered sensually, then gently ran his tongue along the outside of my ear. I shivered, but not in cold or fear, but in anticipation. He gently trailed kisses down the side of my face to my neck, making his way to my throat, which he gently nipped. While I was distracted one of his hands had worked its way under my top gently caressing my chest. A soft moan escaped my lips. His lips were upon mine in an instant. He made a soft sound of happiness when his tongue bushed against mine.

"Looks like I found that lost tongue of yours," he teased as he released me from his hold. I scooted back to the head of the bed. Kurama stalked toward me on all fours with a predatory glint in his eyes. For an instant I could swear they were gold. Our lips met again and this time the fiery kisses became a struggle for dominance. For once, I didn't mind loosing. I closed my eyes and moaned into the kiss as Kurama's talented lips and tongue sent my mind reeling.

Suddenly he stopped and I opened my eyes. Before I could ask why I noticed he was looking toward the doorway. My eyes swiftly darted in that direction. Kuwabara stood in the doorway, his mouth agape in shock. Busted by the oaf. How humiliating. "Aw man, Urameshi was right!" he exclaimed. To add to the embarrassment Yusuke was behind the tall carrot top a moment later. "What's all the yellin' about Kuwabara?" He asked sleepily as Kuwabara turned to face him. "I was just getting to sleep…" His eyes widened when he saw what the yelling was about. "Holy Hell!" he exclaimed.

I felt Kurama bristle above me. "Living room," he commanded. "Now," Yusuke and Kuwabara didn't hesitate to follow his order and vanished from the doorway in an instant. He muttered something under his breath and I recognized it as the same thing he'd said during our "date". "Care to repeat that in a language I can understand?" I said. He turned to face me and his cheeks turned red. "I'd love to discuss my choice of curses with you Love, but we've got a bit of a situation on our hands," I smirked at him. "Didn't know you still knew how to cuss Fox," I teased. "Nice to know the humans didn't completely ruin you," "There's still a lot you don't know about me," He said with a wink as he climbed off me then off the bed. He picked up his shirt and put it on, hastily buttoning it.

I got off the bed and headed into the living room. Yusuke and Kuwabara were seated on the couch, anxiously awaiting our arrival and explanation. Kurama plopped tiredly into the plush armchair. I perched on the arm and Kurama pulled me into his lap placing his arms around me protectively. I raised my eyebrow at this show of affection but said nothing. Yusuke and Kuwabara were watching us with wide eyes. The silence in the room was maddening. Thankfully Kurama broke it.

"We …have a confession to make…" Kurama said softly. "Hiei and I are…" he paused for a moment, obviously trying to think of think of a word to describe our relationship. "…more than friends…" I supplied. Yusuke grinned wolfishly. "Looks like I didn't take that line about you sleeping with Kurama the wrong way after all," he teased. "You assume too much Detective," I growled. "We're…not intimate yet Yusuke," Kurama confirmed. I looked up at Kurama. "What?" he asked. "…yet?…" I questioned. "You're not planning something are you?" Kurama smiled devilishly at me. "Maybe…" He said. "…maybe not…" I scowled. "You know I hate games Fox," I growled. Kurama chuckled.

"So, how long have you two been…?" Kuwabara began. "Dating?" Kurama supplied. The tall carrot top nodded. "Two weeks," "Huh, no wonder the shrimp's been in such a good mood lately," he muttered. I glared at him. Kurama chuckled. "You guys could have told us earlier you know," Kuwabara said. "Yeah, did you think we'd freak out or somethin'? Yusuke agreed. "Actually we weren't sure how you'd take it," Kurama responded. "…and with the competition going on there never seemed a good time to tell you," "I assume from your words that you two are ok with this," I said, my statement sounding somewhat like a question. "Sure, after I got over the shock," Kuwabara replied. "It was your own fault for barging in like that," I said. "Well, at least we know now what was so different about you two lately," Yusuke said. "Congratulations," Kurama smiled brightly and thanked him.

"Now that you know, we should get back to bed. It's late, and we'll have plenty of time to discuss this further tomorrow," Kurama said. Yusuke rose and stretched. "Alright but I expect all the juicy details in the morning," he said with a wink the headed off to my room. I just rolled my eyes. Kurama released me from his hold and I quickly got to my feet. Kurama bid Kuwabara good night then followed me into his bedroom.

As we entered the bedroom he turned to me and took my hand in his. Gently, he pulled me toward him then bent down to capture my lips in a loving kiss. I returned it eagerly and soon found myself being led to the bed as more kisses were exchanged. He lifted me off my feet, into his arms and gently laid me down on his bed. "Good night Love," he whispered as he crawled in beside me. "Good night Fox," I replied as he put his arms around me and drew me close. I closed my eyes and for the first time in my life I felt protected, loved and content. I hoped that whatever happened in the future, Kurama and I would remain together.

A/N: Only the epilouge to go folks and this story will be at an end.