Author's Note: Sorry for the delayed. I just got my computer fixed! Anyway, here it is…

Thanks for those who reviewed!!!

Usagi-Chan=P, death of deity1, Sparkle3, mutsumi, Lady Nightshade, Mizustarangel, Penny: Angel of Darkest Dreams, I won't tell, tifftiff, sailor dark, k, shikonstardemon, eunc, wolfgirl, K+B_Fan, Kuramas Kitsune, roses in bloom, white seraph, temptress nagisa, grand master ffx, fallenstardust, harpygirl*91, noeru inu, naoko-san

DISCLAIMERS APPLIED!!!

CHAPTER 12: HOME AT LAST

"Wake up, sweetheart," Kurama said softly as he brushed away some of her blue locks away from her face.

She stirred, but did not wake up. Instead, she turned her back on him, her eyes still closed, then went back to sleep.

Kurama sighed and stood up to look at the rabbit he was roasting. When he was finally satisfied with the way it was cooked, he removed it from the fire and the stick, then put it on a plate and placed it beside the fruits he picked that morning and sat down on the blanket he laid.

This has been their routine for four days. Early in the morning, he would wake up and to hunt for a game and some fruits to eat while letting Botan sleep for a few more hours.

It was obvious that she was not used to the outdoors. Yeas, though he was used to the hard work because her family was poor, a day's work in the forest was simply too much for her lithe and fragile body.

So he tried to let her rest as much as she can to be able to handle the journey. But that proved to be rather difficult when the little minx wouldn't keep her hands off him – literally.

She wouldn't let him walk without her latched in his arms. She said he walks too fast and by holding his arm, she had managed to control his pace. But that didn't explain why she had to sit close to him when they eat, or wipe a smudge on his chin gently for a few times already.

There's also no reason why she would always blew on his ears, which she knew was sensitive, caress his silver tresses, pinched his nose and cheek and leaned on his chest every time they sat down to rest. That was the only time she could play with his face, hair and ears – when he was sitting down.

And if that isn't bad enough, every night, she would insist that he sleep close to her, insisting that it made her feel safe, even at the expense of his own comfort. Because then, she would snuggle very close to him, he thought they might mold into one; and even when he thought they could never be closer without joining, she would do something to prove him wrong.

Like burying her face on his chest, inhaling his scent deeply, wrapping her arms around his waist, touching him softly and rubbing her body against him until he succumb to her innocent seduction, his resolution melting, and ended up making love to her.

He grabbed an apple and was about to bite when an arm went around his neck and a chin rested on top of his head. "Morning," she breathed.

"Breakfast?" Kurama asked as he offered the apple he was holding to her. Truth be told, he never want this journey to end.

Being with his wife for four days alone proved to be a very surprisingly pleasant experience for both of them. Yes, they do a lot of bickering because both of them are just too stubborn sometimes. But both of them knew it was only normal for them and that they didn't have to take it personally.

They are like a newlywed couple on their honeymoon. Well, of course, they are a newlywed couple, but they're not on their honeymoon. He was just fetching his obtuse little wife who ran away.

She grabbed the apple from him and before he knew what her intention was, she shifted so that she was sitting on his lap and pressed her lips to him. It was a quick kiss that was over and done with before he could react.

That was one thing he noticed about her. Ever since he went after her in hopes to bring her back to the estate, she had acted quite boldly around him. No longer was she the innocent woman/girl he married who trembled when he told her he'd be sharing her bed.

She was not afraid to show her affection towards her husband and it pleased him a lot. Kami, he could not believe he was married to a very caring and affectionate woman. And now, he could only stare at her while she filled her plate with food.

When Botan saw him looking at her, she smiled brightly at him and handed him the plate she was holding which she had filled with roasted meat, a few grapes, an apple, two slices of cheese and a bread. He took it and mumbled a 'thank you' in return.

Yes, even if the past four days had been very tiring for her, walking very fast for the whole day; only stopping to eat and to rest for an hour, she wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

Having her husband with her not only made her feel safe, she was very pleased, too. She liked teasing him by playing with his face and she would always laugh immaturely whenever he would glare at her because of it.

She had also made this one big realization – she like her husband. Not the like as in simple like, but she was attracted to him. Attraction that made her heart flutter and her stomach tingle whenever she stared at him. And whenever their skin came in contact.

They were having an unusually quiet breakfast and both of them were just looking at each other while they eat when Kurama broke the pleasant silence surrounding them.

"We'll reach the estate before noon," he said as he looked at her, wondering what her reaction would be like.

Botan swallowed hard and nodded slowly. She didn't have any idea why she was suddenly saddened by the idea that they would reach their destination and the journey would be over.

Maybe because it was the feeling that their so-called honeymoon would be over. Or that the reality, which she had conveniently forgotten all throughout the journey, should have to be faced again. Or maybe, because she would never have some time along with her husband again.

"Are you through? We should get going," Kurama said and stood up then hurriedly packed their things.

She nodded and sighed then stood up reluctantly.

They were walking quietly back to the estate, the walls surrounding the front gate can be seen already amidst the high trees.

Kurama stole a glance at his wife and tried not to sigh. He didn't know what was wrong with her - again. Ever since he told her they'd reach the estate today, she seemed awfully quiet, distant...aloof.

He cleared his throat and when Botan looked at him, "By the way, when we reached home, we could not act this way on public anymore," he said.

Botan looked at him, confused. "What do you mean this way?"

"This way."

"What way?"

Kurama looked at her uncomfortably, "This way, you know. You cannot just kiss me in public anytime it pleases you. You can't drag me to bed when you want to. Why are you frowning?"

Botan was indeed, frowning. But then, she forced a smile and calmed her voice that it seemed in a natural tone when she said, "I have an opinion to what you just said. Can I say it?"

"Sure."

She smiled and took a deep breath before yelling, "Why don't you go and jump on the nearest cliff? Then maybe, you can deflate your ego a little, you bastard!"

Kurama looked at her, shocked. "What? What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Nothing. Nothing's wrong with me," she said, still yelling.

Kurama looked at her irritatingly, then yelled at her, too-complicated-to-understand wife. "Then what the hell are you mad about? What the hell are you yelling about?"

"You want to know what I'm mad about? You impliedly told me that you are just playing a stud for a whore you have for a wife! I'd be damned if I ever lay with you again!"

Kurama's jaw dropped. He certainly did not mean it that way. "Botan, I –"

"Forget it. I'm not talking to you again," she said, tears clouding her eyes. But she wiped it angrily. She was showing him her affection and gratitude and this is what she got. Did she deserve all of this?

"Fine, don't talk to me. But at least, listen to what I had to say. I did not imply any of that. All I'm saying is that, as much as I liked this show of affection, and believe me, I do like it, we cannot act like a married couple in front of our people. We have to act like their leaders, people that they are obliged to follow. I did not insult you, even if my words seems like I did. If it did offend you, I apologize; I did not mean it that way. Never in my life did it occur to me that I will insult my wife. You of all people should know that," Kurama said softly, while they walk side by side, neither of them looking at each other.

They continued to walk just like that – as if they were two strangers. Neither of them talking or even looking at their companion. When at last they reached the estate, Botan immediately excused herself to go and rest in her chambers and Kurama nodded at her, sighing when she turned around and walked away hurriedly.

This is not good; he never liked any argument with his wife. Bickering, yes, but never arguing. Especially since he's bound to leave again.

"Yo, kitsune? Are you listening to me?" Reilan asked as he waved his hand in front of his friend who suddenly spaced out again.

"Yeah, you were saying about Enki's concern for the farmers?" Kurama asked.

Instead of nodding his approval, Reilan glared at him. "I've said that twenty minutes ago. Haven't you heard anything else after that?"

"I –"

"Forget it. Why don't you just go to your wife if it would give you your peace of mind? You can't be like that when we leave. It's going to get you killed," Reilan suggested and patted his back when a knock interrupted them.

"Come in," Reilan said.

Botan came in, head bowed and looking refreshed after having napped for three hours and bathed. She even skipped lunch just to avoid going downstairs – perhaps avoiding her husband? But she knew this was inevitable.

Sooner or later, she knew she had to face the insensitive clout she had for a husband. And though she was still mad at the words he told her, she knew he meant it when he said he would never insult her – his wife.

And, damn it all, she was still attracted to him even if his previous words, which he didn't mean, told her he's just playing with her and being her sex toy.

So, Botan gathered all her courage and decided to talk to him before she got used to not talking to him and she got awkward whenever she's near him.

"Is this a bad time?" she asked, looking at Reilan.

"No, not really. We're done here. I need to see Enki for his report, anyway," Reilan said and gathered some folders on the table and left the room, shutting the door behind him.

"Well? What is it?" Kurama asked, not looking up from the paper – Noriem's report on the cubs – he was reading. Actually, he cannot absorb anything from it but it keeps him from looking at his distressed wife. He wanted to avoid confrontation as much as possible.

"I want to apologize –"

"Why don't you come closer?" Kurama asked, still without looking at her. She was a good five meters away from him and it was really awkward talking to her when she's that far.

Botan slowly moved towards him and stopped when he was about two meters away from her. She opened her mouth to continue what she was saying when –

"Come closer," Kurama instructed still.

So Botan took three steps still and her eyes widened when –

"Closer still," he said then looked at her.

"But if I come any closer, I'll be directly in front of you," Botan protested though she moved towards him.

"That's the point exactly," Kurama said huskily as he grabbed her by the waist and settled her on his lap.

"What are you doing?" Botan demanded, her voice shrill from the surprising action from her husband.

"Nothing," he said innocently then flipped through his papers again. "You were saying?"

"Huh?" she asked, utterly confused.

Kurama smiled inwardly. He was rattling her as much as she was rattling him with her presence. Surely no one would believe he could study this report when his wife is sitting on his lap. "You were apologizing to me," he drawled out.

"Oh, yeah," Botan breathed and forced herself not to lean her head on his shoulders. She was very tempted to do so, though. "I'm sorry for accusing you of insulting me and for telling you vulgar words. I don't really know what came over me."

"It's alright. I don't take it against you," Kurama said, still playing with the papers that he didn't really notice it distracted her.

"What was that?" Botan asked, then looked at him straight in the eye.

"Oh, this?" he asked, holding the paper, "It's nothing." He said then eventually let go of the paper to put his arms around her waist.

Then as if not contented with their position, he laid Botan's head on his chest and slowly rubbed her back while he rested his chin on top of her head.

"I have to go away for quite some time," he whispered to her but she heard him alright that she straightened and looked at him.

"Why?"

"Well, I didn't finish the hunt because Kuronue sent for me because of you. I only have to finish it," Kurama said and almost frowned when Botan blushed and lowered her gaze. What's wrong with her now?"

"I'm sorry if I've been nothing but a nuisance to you, husband," Botan said in embarrassment, and buried her face on his shoulder to hide from his intense gazes.

He chuckled and patted her back, "that's alright, wife. Just be good this time and behave properly."

"I will. But I don't have anything to do here, can I decorate your home?" she asked.

"Why? Haven't you got any more families to visit?" he asked and when Botan looked at her in confusion, he grinned, "Kuronue told me you've been spending your time visiting the families here. It was nice, too, if you ask me."

"Well, yeah," Botan agreed, blushing from embarrassment, "I thought it would be nice to get to know your people –"

"It's your people, too."

"Well, okay, our people. But I'm almost done with it. I cannot go visit them all over again, right?" she asked, still embarrassed.

"Why not?" Kurama asked, thoroughly confused. "Weren't they hospitable to you?"

"They were most hospitable, of course," she hastily said to calm her starting-to-get-worked-up husband. "But I don't want to impose on them."

"Of course, you are not imposing on them. You are their mistress. They should feel honored that you are visiting them," Kurama said rather proudly that Botan snorted her disapproval.

"That's very arrogant, milord. Anyway, I just don't want to keep on interrupting their work. I know it's all for the good of the estate," Botan said as she began playing with his silver tresses.

One can only control her temptation for quite some time. And his locks never ceased to amaze her. Yeah, though his husband is quite masculine (except for his scent which is ultimately feminine – roses) with his muscled body, tall figure and calloused hands from working, his hair is surprisingly soft. So soft that it had become her fascination to caress it whenever she has the chance.

"Well, yeah. Maybe," he said sheepishly then kissed her on the cheek.

"So, may I decorate your home? It will keep me busy for awhile," Botan asked hopefully, and to gain more bargaining power, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed herself closer to him.

"This is your home, too, Botan. You may do anything with it as you please as long as you won't make it collapse," Kurama said seriously that Botan gasped, appalled.

"Husband, surely you jest when you said I will make it collapse?"

Kurama laughed. "Of course, I jest. Don't be too serious, you'll develop wrinkles at an early age," he teased and Botan glared at him.

But then, the reality that he had to leave crept to her again that she never realized a frown appeared on her face.

"Is something bothering you?" her husband asked.

She hesitated; then decided to tell the truth. "When are you scheduled to leave?"

"At dawn," Kurama answered truthfully and subconsciously tightened his hold on her. "Kuronue would be back before that time. As Reilan is still recovering from his injury, he would remain here to take charge. You may assist him if you want."

"Oh," Botan said and nodded. Clearly, her husband is giving her more responsibility but is being very subtle about it. How considerate of him.

"Will you wake me up before you leave so I can kiss you goodbye?" she whispered to him.

"You may do it now," Kurama said, matching the softness of her voice; as he leaned down to accept the kiss.

*-*

Kuronue was already fuming with anger by the time he reached his destination.

He entered the estate swearing under his breath and had taken off his boots before entering their home. The servants would be displeased if he walked inside with that smelly and dirty boots. He carried it, instead.

Naomi saw him at once and rushed forward to welcome him when she noticed his furious expression. However, it didn't deter her.

"Welcome back, mi-"

He shoved his boots to her hands. "Here. Wash it. And by gods, be quick about it."

"Certainly, sire," Naomi said, even though she's rather confused.

"Where's the kitsune?" Kuronue asked but before Naomi could answer, Kuronue already started walking towards their conference hall.

Neither of them noticed the blue-haired young woman panting after Kuronue for trying hard to keep up with his pace.

Of course, Kuronue had always been a gentleman but in this case, he was just too furious to bother. Fortunately for him, the two guards had already left even before they could witness the woman throwing up on him.

And he was so bloody furious he didn't talk to the woman after that incident.

He entered the room without bothering to knock and didn't seem to notice that his lord and his wife were in a middle of a passionate and heated kiss.

However, Yukina gasped loudly at the scene, the couple broke their kiss to look at the intruders.

Botan blushed when she saw her sister but frowned and run to her to embrace her when she noticed she looked like she would burst to tears.

Botan paused, but still embraced her then glared at the man she thought is responsible for her sister's misery – Kuronue.

He glared back at her. So what if she's her mistress? Her sister threw up on him and almost ruined his boots! And he loved that boots.

"Stop glaring at my wife, Kuron. It's a hell of a disrespect," Kurama snapped, then looked at him coldly. He was so irritated because he had just decided he would make love with his wife on the table when Kuronue entered. So much for the timing.

He decided he would lecture his friend about his privacy as soon as he got to the bottom of this. "What in Kami's name happened?"

Kuronue stopped glaring at Botan – only to glare at the kitsune. So much for respect. "I introduced myself."

Kurama glanced at his wife, who was still glaring at Kuronue's back while trying to soothe her sister, then raised an eyebrow at his friend. Obviously, he did not believe a word he said. "And then?"

"She threw up all over me!" he said irritatingly.

Kurama coughed to cover his laughter. Botan stopped glaring at Kuronue to look at her sister in astonishment and –

"I told you it was the apples," Yukina wailed.

"The apples?" Botan managed to ask.

"I was so hungry, 'neesan, and I ate some apples. It didn't sit well in my stomach and I got sick," Yukina confessed, blushing. She was so embarrassed to have it confessed in front of her lord.

"Figures," Kurama said, amused. "You stink, youko."

"Well, I'm sorry. We were on the other side of the territory – no lake or river there for me to wash for your sensitive nose. You should be glad I didn't kill her in my irritation," Kuronue snapped at his friend.

"How dare you say that in front of me," Botan said angrily.

"He was just jesting, wife," Kurama said, highly amused with the situation. "Right, Kuron?"

"Hn."

Kurama turned to his wife. "See? Why don't you just escort – what's your name, sweetheart?"

"Don't you sweetheart my sister!" Botan cried, eyes blazing with jealousy.

"This is no time for jealousy," Kurama said, exasperated, then turned to Yukina. "Well?"

"It's Yukina, milord." Yukina said just as Botan pouted at her husband.

"Oh. Why don't you escort your sister, Yukina, to her room and get her settled? I knew you, two, need to catch up on each other," Kurama said.

When the two women were out of the room, Kuronue glared at him –again. "Next time you ask me to do your bidding, make sure it didn't involve a woman. They're so damn annoying. And don't tell me you don't find your wife the least bit annoying," he challenged, and looked at him expectantly – waiting for him to agree.

"Go take a bath, Kuron. You really stink."

Kuronue glared at him and Kurama only smirked back.

Author's Note:  I really like the bond between Kuronue and Kurama. Don't you agree?

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