The Gift of Oneself
By IppikiOokami13 and xDarkxMagicianxGirlx
Disclaimers: Nope.. still don't own anything..
Authors Notes: This is the long awaited end.. you didn't think we'd really kill Kurama off.. did you?!
Chapter Fifteen
Yusuke stepped into the grassy park, a distant look in his eyes which were focused on the ground, his hands buried in his pockets. He had just been walking around, letting his feet take him wherever they felt like carrying him. The sun was setting by the time he actually looked up, and he found that he had made his way to the small lake and cave. Why am I here? Tears started welling up in his eyes as he looked at the crystal clear water.
Along the path stood a figure, shadowed by the setting sun. He gazed up at the trees, as his crimson hair was tussled by a small breeze. The ebony haired teen sat at the edge of the water, drawing his knees up to his chest. He had never felt more empty in his life, and he shivered as a small breeze blew by. As the figure walked, he stepped on a branch, causing it to snap. If the teen had heard it, he gave no sign of hearing the small snap, his eyes distant as he looked at the water.
Standing behind the teen, the figure looking at him with sympathetic emerald eyes. "I thought I would find you here," he said softly.
Hearing the familiar voice, the younger teen's eyes widened and he turned to look at the other. "Kurama?"
The fox smiled gently. "Hi Yusuke."
He stood, walking over and embracing the older teen, tears falling from his eyes. "What are... how did?" The teen couldn't find the words he wanted to say, and he was afraid to let the other go.
Kurama returned the embrace. "Kuronue pleaded to Koenma to let me live. After a while, Koenma agreed, at the cost of Kuronue's life, which he accepted."
Yusuke practically sobbed into the other's shirt. "I missed you so much..."
"I've missed you too, and I'm so sorry.."
"Don't be sorry... just don't do that ever again.." Yusuke replied, moving his eyes, which were still filled with tears, to look at the other.
Kurama nodded. "Agreed." He leaned down, gently placing a kiss on the other's forehead.
The younger teen closed his eyes and smiled, he had missed the other's gentle kiss. The elder smiled, tightening his hold on the other. Smile deepening, the younger teen suddenly captured the other's lips. Kurama leaned forward, deepening the kiss. A warmth that had become unfamiliar with the younger teen went through his body and he too leaned closer to the other.
After a moment Kurama pulled back, ending the kiss as he pulled away. Tugging at the other's hand, the redhead silently asked for the delinquent to follow him. The younger followed the other, though still wishing for the warmth that he felt when they were close. The redhead led the other out of the park, through the city just as the streetlights bengan turning on, and into a building nearby. The delinquent cocked his head curiously as he was pulled to a nearby building. Walking a few flights of stairs, Kurama led the other to a room, pulling out a key and unlocking the door, opening it for the younger teen.
Yusuke stepped inside, eyes wide. "Is.. is this..?"
Kurama nodded, closing the door behind him as he entered behind Yusuke. "It's our apartment."
The teen turned and looked at the other, smiling. "When did you get it..?"
The redhead smiled back. "Just today, when I returned."
Yusuke looked around the apartment, taking everything in. The fox followed him, with a smile on his face, as he watched the younger teen observe the place. Turning around, the delinquent smiled at the other. "I suppose I should go get my stuff, huh?" He looked at the other, not really sure if he should, seeing as he hadn't been home for a while.
The redhead flushed slightly. "I already picked up some of your stuff for you. I guess it was a little forward of me, but I guess I just thought.."
Yusuke blinked slightly. "You must've been back a while before you came to the park, ne?"
Kurama smiled shyly. "You wonder why I until the end of the day to find you?" Yusuke nodded slightly in understanding.
"I came back earlier this morning, but I wasn't sure if you'd still be asleep or not. So, I rented this apartment, and went home to get my stuff. My mother looked surprised to see me. Did you tell her anything?"
Yusuke shook his head. "No, but my mom might've called her to ask if she knew what was going on.." he replied quietly.
"Hm. Well, when I went home, she was very surprised to see me. I spent a few hours at home before moving some stuff here. Then I went to your place, hoping to find you there. But, talking to your mother, found that you weren't. So, after moving some of your things, I went straight to the park." He smiled. "You know the rest."
The delinquent nodded gently. "Well, thanks for bringing my stuff over.."
"I wasn't sure if you wanted me to."
Yusuke smiled gently. "I don't mind, really, I haven't been home much lately anyway.."
Kurama nodded. "That's what Atsuko-san told me. Why is that?"
The younger shrugged slightly, dropping his gaze to the floor. "I don't know. I just didn't feel right being there, I guess."
Slowly, Kurama reached out, gently taking the other's hand and squeezing it comfortably. Yusuke smiled gently when he felt the other squeeze his hand. He looked up, his smile deepening slightly.
The elder smiled as well, gently pulling the other. "Come on, there's one more thing I want to show you."
Yusuke nodded, following the other. Leading the other to a glass door, he opened it, pulling the other out onto a balcony, turning on the lights as the sky was dark. The younger teen walked over to the edge, looking down at the street below. Forgetting that his hand was in the other's, he gently pulled Kurama with him.
Kurama followed the other, not really having a choice. Extending his free hand, he pointed to a certain lake. "That's our spot in the park," he said quietly. "And the view of the sunset is very beautiful to look at." The other teen looked at the places as Kurama pointed to them.
The redhead looked at the other with a small smile. "What do you think?"
"I like it," Yusuke replied, smiling back at the other.
Kurama smiled, resting his head on the other's shoulder. "I was hoping you would."
Yusuke gently rested his head on top of Kurama's, looking at the lake in the park. "I'm glad your back.." he whispered.
"I am too. I never want to leave you."
"I never want you to leave either."
Kurama freed himself from the other, leaning over and gently pressing his lips against the other's. Closing his eyes, Yusuke returned the kiss.
After a moment, the redhead broke the kiss, his face only inches away from the other's. "Tomorrow we'll get the rest of your stuff...." he whispered. Yusuke nodded gently, opening his eyes and looking at the other as he spoke.
Kurama smiled, tucking lose strands of his crimson hair behind his ear. "I'm sure your mother will be pleased to see you're alright."
Resting his head on the other's shoulder he nodded again. "I guess.."
"She's worried about you, you know. You could at least say goodbye to her before you move in with me."
"I know, I will."
The door to Yusuke and Kurama's apartment opened as the redheaded teen entered. With a sigh, he dropped his bag by the door, closing it after him. "To think, only a few more or so years of school." With another sigh, he sat on the couch.
At the same time, Yusuke walked out of the pet shop down the street, smiling happily. There was a small lump in the inside of his jacket where a small, tired, young fox was sleeping. The younger teen made his way up the stairs, nearing the floor the apartment was on. Looking at his watch, he wondered if Kurama would be home from school yet. He looked down when he felt the kit in his jacket move slightly in its sleep.
Kurama frowned when he realized how quiet the place had been since his return.
"Yusuke?" he called, getting to his feet and walking into the bedroom. He was surprised to see that the younger teen wasn't there. Removing his school uniform, the redhead placed it in a basket by the bed, then, in his boxers, walked to the closet, trying to decide what to wear.
Finally, the younger teen reached the apartment door, opening and walking in. "Kurama, you home?" he called.
Seeing the other's book bag on the floor, he started for the bedroom door. Oblivious to the delinquent's return, Kurama pulled out a white turtle-neck shirt, slipping it on, and pulling his long red hair out. The younger teen walked to the bedroom door. Seeing Kurama in a white turtle neck and boxers, he chuckled slightly, leaning on the door frame. Hearing the soft chuckle, the fox turned his eyes to the door, blushing as he saw Yusuke standing there. Quickly, he grabbed a pair of jeans.
Yusuke smiled and turned around, walking into the living room. Sitting down on the couch, he unzipped his jacket slightly, not enough though so that the kit inside could be seen.
Pulling on the jeans quickly, Kurama followed the other teen. "Where were you?" he asked, seeing the other's back faced towards him. "I was a little worried when you weren't here."
"I was picking something up," the teen in question replied simply.
"Oh," Kurama careened his head to the side slightly, hoping to see what Yusuke was trying to hide in his jacket. "What was it?"
"You really wanna know?" Yusuke asked, reaching one hand behind him and pulling the other around the couch to stand in front of him. He could feel the small kit stirring slightly in his jacket, but it's movements weren't enough to move the light green fabric.
Curiosity was nipping at the back of Kurama's mind as he nodded once.
Unzipping his jacket, Yusuke pulled his arms out of the sleeves, gently picking the small animal up in his arms and standing directly in front of the older boy, the jacket falling off his shoulders and revealing the small kit blinking tiredly in his arms. "I figured you needed a pet.."
The redhead's emerald eyes widened with surprise, as he gently took the snow-white kit from Yusuke's arms. It looked up at him with curious brown eyes, sniffing him with uncertainty, then gently licked his face. He smiled, looking at the younger teen. "Thank you," he said, stroking the fox's white fur.
Leaning over Yusuke placed a light kiss on the other's cheek. "You're welcome."
The kit yawned slightly, looking at the redhead, then at the delinquent. It let out a small yip. The fox teen smiled. Wrapping an arm around the other's shoulders, Yusuke mirrored the other's smile.
Kurama looked at the other, then at the kit. He held it out, looking into it's deep brown eyes. "Now, what shall I call you?" he said to the baby fox. It yipped again in reply.
"Can't you speak fox or something?" Yusuke asked, stepping away from the other and dropping his arm to his side.
Kurama looked at the other. "Well, sure. But I can also talk normally, and animals can still understand me. It's more of thought than anything else." He looked at the kit. "Besides, he told me that he doesn't have a name."
Gently patting the baby fox on the head, Yusuke looked at the other. "Well, he's yours, so you can name him whatever.."
Kurama smile deepened. "I think I'll call him," he stared into the fox's chocolate eyes, "Yusuke."
A blush formed over the delinquent's cheeks and he looked at Kurama with his own chocolate orbs. "Why would you want to name him that? I don't even think he likes that name."
The little Yusuke gave a yip. Kurama smiled. "He likes it just fine."
The younger teen sighed, smiling at the same time. "I'm going to be outnumbered on everything from now on, aren't I?"
The redhead shrugged. "Depends on his mood. Right, Little Yusuke?"
The fox yipped again, it's eyes shining brightly. Kurama placed the kit on the ground, as it fidgeted in his arms. It rubbed against his legs, before walking over to Yusuke and doing the same. Yusuke looked down at the baby fox rubbing against his legs, then to Kurama. "Guess I picked the right one, hmn?"
Kurama nodded, smiling softly. "He'll fit right in with us." Little Yusuke let out another yip.
Kurama sweat-dropped. "I hope you bought some food with you."
The younger teen laughed a bit nervously. "I was coming back to get the rest of the money I saved for food and things,I didn't really know if the
pet shop had got the fox I had asked for yet.."
"Well, he's hungry."
"Don't worry, I'll go get the money and buy some food for him," with that, Yusuke started to walk past the other into the bedroom. "The pet shop isn't that far away."
"So, I'll come along. We can bring him too," the redhead said, looking down at the kit. "We'll buy a collar for him too."
Yusuke nodded gently, walking into the bedroom and pulling a sock from the back of the closet, where about seventy dollars was stashed. Kneeling down, the redhead gently scratched the kit under the chin. It let out a small sound and another yip.
The fox smile deepened. "I know the feeling," he said softly. "So, welcome home."
Walking back out the younger teen folded the money in half and shoved it in his pocket. "Okay, ready."
The redhead got to his feet, looking at the younger teen. "Alright. Let's go then." The kit seemed to nod in reply.
Walking to the door, Yusuke opened it, and waited for the others to walk out. Kurama walked out, the kit closely behind him, it's bushy white tail waving around in the air. The younger teen chuckled slightly, locking and closing the door behind him and walking down the hall behind the other two.
Kurama slowed his pace slightly, so he was walking next to Yusuke, watching as the little Yusuke ran in front of them, stopped and waited for a while, and then ran again. The redhead chuckled slightly. "He reminds me of when I was a young kit."
"Maybe that's why I liked him," Yusuke replied, looking at the other and smiling gently.
Kurama smiled as well, looking at the other. "But, I only started acting that way after I was abandoned, and after Kuronue found me."
The younger teen looked at the small white fox, as it ran ahead, but didn't go out of sight before stopping and waiting for them.
Kurama's smile deepened. "You really are like Kuronue sometimes."
Looking back, Yusuke tilted his head slightly in confusion.
Kurama smiled as he watched the fox sniff at something curiously before going on his way. "Because of Kuronue, I found a good home after I was
abandoned. The kit, as I would assume, was either abandoned or captured. In any case, because of you, he was able to find a home."
Yusuke smiled back. "I guess if you look at it that way.."
"We're both lucky. This kit and I, to know someone like you."
A small trace of a blush formed on the delinquent's cheeks as they reached the front doors where the kit was waiting for them. Kurama smiled, opening the door to the pet shop. Walking in, Yusuke smiled gently to Kurama and nodded to the owner whom he had seen less than an hour ago.
"You're not returning that kit, are ya?" the owner asked, looking from the kit jumping playfully on the floor to the two boys in front of him.
Kurama shook his head. "Not at all. We're just buying him some food."
The owner nodded. "Well, the pet food is over there." He pointed to an isle in the back.
"We don't get much fox food, so the only thing back there is the expensive stuff next to the dog tag makin' machine." Yusuke nodded in understanding and started walking to the isle they had been directed too.
Grabbing a green collar, Kurama walked behind Yusuke, toward the dog tag machine. The kit barked playfully, jumping a bit.
"I'll get him some food, while you make him a tag," Yusuke replied, walking to the food and finding the small row he was looking for.
Kurama nodded, walking to the machine and, finding an interesting red metal to make a tag with. Smiling slightly, he had a something in mind as he made the tag. Bending down, Yusuke found only one brand of food. Grabbing enough to feed the kit for at least a month, he walked over to the older teen. Taking the rose-shaped tag he had just created, engraved with the name 'Little Yusuke', he attached it to the green collar.
Yusuke looked at the tag and smiled gently. "I think he'll like it."
Kurama nodded. "Let's go pay for this stuff," he said.
Nodding back, they started walking back to the cash register. Yusuke pulled the money out and handed it to Kurama, as he placed everything on the counter.The man at the counter scanned the food then picked up the collar, typing in the numbers on the back into his register. Flipping it over, he looked at the name and pressed the 'enter' button on his keypad. "Little Yusuke, that's an odd name." The numbers came up and he finished. "That'll be 43 dollars."
Kurama handed the amount of money due to the man at the counter.
Taking the money, the man placed it in the register, putting the two items into bag and sliding them across the counter. "Thank you and have a nice day."
Taking the collar out of the bag, Kurama called the kit over, who ran up to him promptly. He gently secured the collar around the young fox's neck, and it yipped happily.
Taking the bag of food, Yusuke smiled gently and started walking to the door. Pushing the door open, the younger walked out and held the door open, waiting for the older teen and the baby fox. Nodding goodbye to the clerk, Kurama walked out, the kit jumping at his heels. Letting the door close behind them, the younger teen walked beside Kurama.
The fox kit yipped, waving his bushy white tail, before running slightly ahead of the two teens. The redhead blinked slightly. Yusuke watched the small kit run ahead of them, then looked at the other. "What's wrong?"
Kurama looked at the delinquent, slight surprise in his eyes. "He just called us his parents.." The younger teen chuckled slightly in response.
The redhead smirked slightly. "You laugh now, mom.."
Yusuke sweat-dropped. "Mom?!"
"So, you're willing to learn?" Kurama asked the darker haired teen as they sat on the bed. The family of three had gotten home and after feeding the small kit, the two boys had gone into the bedroom. They had mostly been talking about nothing, but the subject of Yusuke not being able to understand Little Yusuke came up.
Yusuke nodded slowly. "Yeah, I'll try my best, anyway.."
Before Kurama could say another word, however, the small white kit walked into the bedroom. Hopping onto the bed, he yipped happily and trotted to the younger teen, sitting on his lap. He yipped again, its tone a bit high.
Looking down at the kit Yusuke tilted his head slightly, gently petting the fox's head. "What did he say?"
Kurama smiled. "He said 'hello'."
Yusuke chuckled slightly, trying to remember what it sounded like.
Little Yusuke let out another yip, though a bit longer and lower than the previous one. Then, it curled up in the other's lap, resting its head on its bushy tail, and fell asleep.
Kurama smiled softly. "I'll have to agree with him on that one."
Yusuke blinked slightly, looking from the sleeping kit in his lap to the older teen.
The smile remained on Kurama's face as he looked up at Yusuke, before resting his head on the other's shoulder. "He said that he's happy to be home."
"Well, I'm happy to give him a home.. both of you..." Yusuke smiled back, pulling the other closer and resting his head on top of the other's.
Kurama chuckled slightly, a slight smirk on his lips. "If I remember correctly, I'm the one paying for this apartment, so technically means that I'm giving you a home."
"I'm sorry," Yusuke replied in the same teasing tone, "I'll be sure to check with you next time."
Kurama laughed softly, making sure not to wake the kit. "Well, in any case, I'm glad that I'm home." Yusuke nodded slightly in agreement. The redhead smiled softly, gently kissing his neck. A shiver ran through the younger, and he smiled, placing a gentle kiss on the other's forehead.The redhead cuddled closer to the younger teen, sighing happily. Yusuke pressed his lips to the other's forehead, smiling happily as well.
Kurama smiled, then, as though he thought of something, pulled away and began to look around the room. Yusuke sat there, watching the other. He was afraid to move because of Little Yusuke who was sleeping in his lap. Opening a drawer, Kurama rummaged through it, then closed it and began looking through another drawer.
"What are you looking for?"
"The pendant Kuronue gave me, I haven't seen it for a while."
"Did you check the closet?" Yusuke asked. "Everything ends up there."
Kurama looked over at the other, a small smile on his face. "Already checked there."
Yusuke thought for a minute, trying to remember where he had seen it last. The redhead sighed slightly. "I promised Kuronue I would take care of it. Then I go and lose it."
"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll find it, Kurama."
Kurama smiled slightly. "Thanks, Yusuke."
The younger teen smiled back. "I'd help you but.. mothers have to watch their children," he replied sarcastically.
Kurama laughed. "Be glad you're not really his mother," he smirked. "You don't have the right equipment." A red blush formed over Yusuke's cheeks at that. The redhead laughed again, then continued to search for the missing pendant.
"Maybe it's under the bed." Yusuke replied. "I always find my missing socks under there."
Kurama looked at the younger teen, the shrugged. "It's worth a shot." Getting down on his knees, the fox checked under the bed.
"Is it down there?"
The elder came up, looking at the younger teen. "No.." He placed a pair of socks on the bed. "But look what I found."
"Hey, I like these ones too." Yusuke grinned.
"Well, you're welcome." Getting to his feet, Kurama said as he left the room, "I'll check somewhere else." Finally, the elder walked back into the room, pendant in hand, a smile on his face.
"Where was it?" Yusuke asked.
"By the vase in the living room."
The younger chuckled slightly. "At least you found it."
Kurama nodded, sitting next to the younger teen. Reaching up, the boy placed the pendant around Yusuke's neck.
Yusuke looked curiously at the pendant around his neck. Sitting up straight, he started to take it off. "Kurama, this is yours. Kuronue gave it to you."
Kurama placed his hands on top of the other teen's, preventing him from removing the jewel. "Yes, Kuronue gave it to me, because it was special to him, as I was. But, because you're special to me, I want you to have it." He smiled. "So the two treasures that I'm meant to protect are right here."
Yusuke smiled gently, letting the pendant fall back in place. "Thanks Kurama.."
The redhead smiled, placing a soft kiss on the other's cheek. Yusuke's smiled deepened, and leaned as close as he could, resting his head on the other's shoulder. Kurama wrapped an arm around the other, gently pulling him closer. "I love you," he whispered, resting his head on top of the other's.
The teen closed his eyes, gently nuzzling closer to the older teen. "I love you too, Kurama."