This is it! The final chapter… Yes I said the FINAL CHAPTER
For the reviewers… if any…
Shiruba Fokkusu: I thought so too… However, I'd like my update secret to stay a little hush-hush if possible… You didn't ask, but to-ni-kaku, ask and you shall receive. Thanks.
Chibikuro rose-sama: Domo arigato. Ask and you shall receive.
Everqueen: Glad you liked it. I was kinda split personalities when he meant to be a gentleman… he wasn't supposed to be evil demon… like Shuichii ya know? Yeah, I twisted in that protecting her thing too, to gain more trust ya know? And lastly, ask and you shall receive.
Kitsune-001: Reviews are good! Thankies! (gives Kitsune-001 Youko plushie) Enjoy.
Rei Minamino: And a well-done review. Yes, well Shiori does have much faith, and Youko is trying to please her… This chapter shall show you their meeting… does she take it okay?
Animefouryou: Hm, I got my work cut out for me… this chapter will be their meeting I am letting her figure it out ask and you shall receive thank you specter.
On with the fic…! Yeah right……
Kurama: Well now, seeing as how Hiei and Specter are engaged in social and physical goings-on, the disclaimer falls to me for this final chapter. Unless…
Genkai: I'm just here for the cake.
Kurama: There's cake?
Genkai: That's what it said on a birthday balloon Yusuke gave me, with the picture of Botan on it.
Kurama: …Right. Oh, oh! Hehe, I get it. He must've been sore for days.
Genkai: To say the least.
Kurama: Hm… yes, well. Specter does not own Yu-Yu Hakusho. You would know if she owned Yu-Yu Hakusho by two words: total chaos.
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……………All that you need is wine and good company………………
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Chapter Five
Normal POV
Light conversation had started again between Shiori speaking aloud and Youko answering telepathically. Fighting a demon had prompted some more of Shiori's eccentric questions about youkais and Makai in general. Sitting peacefully watching thin clouds move across the silver-vanilla white moon brought about another question she had put into the back of her mind. She turned to ask Youko, not surprised to find him already looking at her, as if waiting for the question.
"It's very beautiful isn't it?" she said. Youko gave a small yip like he was clearing his throat. "Yes, there's another question I was going to ask. You got challenged by that thing the same time I was going to ask you…to-ni-kaku, is it true that some demons gain their strength from moonlight, or are only powerful in the full moon?" Youko shifted his weight very slightly.
'Some demons do gain power from moonlight, almost like a charger. Those youkais can soak up their power at night then roam freely on power gained in daylight. It's the opposite of Chimera youkais…' Youko paused. He was treading on Kuronue again, yet he didn't feel uncomfortable talking about him with Shiori. After all, as Shuichii she had told him they were one in the same. 'They'd rather sit in the sun, or at least rest away the day, then go about at night… Much more power can be gained from the sun because it stays up longer.'
"That makes sense," said Shiori, absently stroking his tails. "What about you? Do you rely on celestial objects strength?"
'Not I, Shiori-san. I only pay the moon any heed for it's lovely song, being very comforting to Kuro and I.'
"It has a song?" asked Shiori. "Is there a way for me to hear it?" Youko let out a long-suffering whine, directed as a 'possibly-but-I'm-not-sure' answer.
'Only spirits of Reikai and stronger demons of Makai can hear it, but the only reason Nigens don't hear it is because they don't know it's there…perhaps you can be the first human I know to hear it…' Shiori looked with a confused blank expression on her face. Youko leaned down into her lap, flicking his ear. 'Just rub the lower edge…' Shiori gently brushed her two fingers over the velvet soft surface then she grew into firmer grip as she massaged the softest part near his head. 'Now face the moon and listen.' Shiori raised her face to the satellite above peering closely at the dark spots that were supposedly legend to look like a face. A faint voice reached her ears, but she concentrated on the whispering and it grew.
Over three realms I shine,
But only two hear these words.
The dark Makai seeking power,
And the Reikai in its third.
Sephora of Makai hails the dark,
Crystalline of Reikai brings light.
I command them both,
As three worlds see me at night.
"It is lovely," said Shiori, losing focus as the song repeated. She removed her hand from the soft tissue and rested it gently on the fox's head. "Why can it not be heard normally?"
'It has no element from Nigenkai that can feed its song to here.' His eyes were closed and his answer sounded a little quieter. The backbite of letting human ears grace upon the song had stolen a little of his stamina. Shiori sensed as much.
"Are you alright?" There was a soft growl of reassurance. "Youko-kun, please come and spend some time at my house. Let me cook up something nice to commemorate tonight." Youko sat up quickly and inched away. "Oh, c'mon, Youko, I'm all alone if Shuichii's not there." She stood up and Youko leapt off the bench next to her.
'Well… All right. Shuichii's told me your orange chicken is to die for.' There was only one other couple they saw as they left the park. They smiled at Youko and Shiori, commenting about how she had such a beautiful (not to mention large) guard dog. But Shiori felt this was one guard fox that could put the best police dogs to shame.
Ten minutes later Shiori led them through the backyard of her house so Youko could transform back into his normal form. Youko felt the wonderful tingling sensation as the felt fur subsided and his hair lengthened on his head along with his body into a tall upright position. Shiori gasped when he finished transforming. His right arm had a thin long red bruise and on his cheek was a slightly thicker but not as long scar. Blood slowly ran down his chin and neck. Youko had to try extra hard to resist licking it up.
"Dear me, Youko," said Shiori, taking his injured arm in her hand. "Why did you not tell me?" It was obviously a rhetorical question, for Youko couldn't get his answer out before Shiori was scorning him again. "Does this hurt?" She pressed her finger firmly upon his bruise and ran it down the length of it.
"Itai." hissed Youko harshly, closing his eyes and turning away from her.
"And what about your cheek?" she clucked, bringing his face down closer to hers. She moved it side to side to gaze at the deep gash better. "Probably infected. C'mon inside quickly and let's get you cleaned up." She grabbed his injured arm lightly and pulled him up to the deck and to the back door.
'Don't let her take you in unless you want your cover blown.'
Youko halted immediately almost making Shiori let go of his arm. 'Hiei?' There was no answer but the familiar fiery aura flitting away. "Maybe I should wait here, Shiori-san, do you really want a demon in your home? What if someone was to come and see me?"
"Then you can just make yourself scarce in the basement," said Shiori insistently, resuming her grip-and-pulling motion on Youko. "The only one coming to my house anyway should be Shuichii, and just in time for dinner."
"I still do not think—"
"That you should wait out here for something to kill you. I'm cleaning that cut."
"But—" Shiori's grip became vice like as the thin bruise beneath her grasp burned. "Itai!" She wasn't taking 'no' for an answer.
"See what I mean?" She slid the patio door open and proceeded inside, still pulling Youko and looking forward. As Youko's arm came inside the house, it suddenly disappeared beneath a white sleeve of one of Kurama's fighting outfits. It started at his wrist (the first part of his body that came in) and proceeded up his arm as it came in. Youko held in a gasp as the rest of his body came in the threshold, transforming him like passing through a paper-thin barrier.
The shorter silver-gray tails of his tunic were replaced with a longer soft yellow with green trim, cut at the waist with a red sash of a belt. His feet and slippers reduced in size and he felt his senses dull: his ears vanished and his eyes returned to emerald green, the foxtail faded away and his faintly inhuman claws shrank to normal. Instead of silver locks before his eyes, blood red had resumed its spot there. In total the length was considerably shorter, brushing only the middle of his back. When he was completely human form again, he let out a deep breath and stopped walking, making Shiori halt.
"Youko I told you—" Shiori turned, then gasped upon gazing at her son who was in the exact position Youko had been mere seconds before. "Youko?" she whispered incredulously. Kurama nodded.
"It is I, Youko." A wave of relief passed over Shiori's face.
"Whew! You had me worried there for a moment!" she laughed. "You can impersonate people too? You should've told me before you went off and became Shuichii." The humorous smile that graced her features fell as she noticed Kurama did not join her. "Youko?"
"Yes, Kasaan." Shiori gasped and let go of the kitsune's hand. "It is I, Youko."
"Why did you call me that?"
"Because you are, Kasaan. I am Shuichii Minamino, your one and only son." Shiori's eyes widened in pure shock and she began to back away. Kurama closed the door but remained where he was. "The body, the façade…that is your son, Shuichii Minamino…" Shiori began whispering to herself, 'no, it's not true…no, no.' Inside Kurama's heart was wrenching; she didn't believe him. Still he continued his explanation. "But the soul, Kasaan…that is of Youko Kurama, the kitsune demon you spent the evening with…Kasaan, I'm so sorry." Beneath the red bangs, tears were forming and starting to fall down Kurama's cheek.
"You lied," came Shiori's angry yet hurt voice. Kurama looked up to see that she too, was crying. "All this time you were hiding behind the mask of this being I gave birth to."
"Shiori-san…Kasaan, I'm so very sorry that it happened… But may I tell you something before—" Shiori took a step forward. "May I tell you something?" She looked down and sniffed, but nodded all the same.
"Thank you, so very much." Shiori looked up again, utterly perplexed. "You taught me kindness and love that I had long since lost after… Kuronue… died. It was because of all that you had done that I was willing to risk—no, give—my life to save yours. Your kind heart softened mine and willed me to stay with you even after I said I would leave. When you were in the hospital, I tapped into my thieving abilities to steal a Makai item that would save your life at the price of mine."
"You stole an object to save my life?" whispered Shiori disbelievingly.
"It would've taken my own had not the friend you met taken half of the penalty… I'm sorry it had to end like this Kasaan…" Kurama gave a weak laugh. "It seems that between you and Kuro, I'm not destined to have someone by my side for very long." He ran his hand through his red waterfall and started for the kitchen.
Shiori's POVI believe it now. It does make perfect sense… I just wish I could've been told sooner or realized it before now… then I wouldn't be so heart-broken, knowing my child…what I thought was my child is actually a kitsune youkai reformed.
"So that would explain all your many peculiar traits." Kurama stopped just as he was aligned side-by-side with me. "I knew there was no way an ordinary human could be so soft spoken at every moment, so calm in any situation…or have such a closed face with unreadable eyes." Shuichii looks sidelong at me, the being he has come to call 'Kasaan.' I sigh and smile, turning to look at him as well. "I guess I'm going to have to call you by your real name."
"Please don't… my other name is Kurama… I prefer that now…" Kitsune gazed at Nigen, Nigen gazed at Kitsune with equal feeling. At once we both embraced, a world of understanding passing between us. We finally know each other for real.
What can I say? He's a kitsune demon that has the affection any mother could want. I going to have him explain his past to me a little more…But otherwise, he is a kitsune demon… a very handsome one. I'm going to cherish and honor it. How many other humans can say they gave rebirth to such a beautiful, powerful, and caring youkai?
Normal POV"I'm so glad I was able to spend time with you." The two pulled away from their tight hug. "Now you know exactly who I am, and I've wanted it no other way." Shiori gave a watery smile and slowly ran her fingers through Kurama's blood red hair.
"Kurama… can you hear the song now that you're…in human?"
"It is not as strong…but yes. Why do you ask?"
"I want you to change back to Youko." Kurama obliged, and in moments the fox demon once again stood on Nigenkai, cut and bruise in all its glory. "While you are here, at home, you may stay in like this, your true form, should you choose. Now come." Shiori took Youko back outside, ignoring the wounds she wished to cure so badly. "Your place— I have observed— is with the plants. Can you show me a part of your power?"
"Gladly." They entered the garden path and Shiori sat on a bench beneath a pergola. With a fluid motion, Youko pulled a rose seed from his hair and made it grow to adult form by the time it came in view of Shiori. Not as easy as it sounded, but a millennia of practice turned it into an art form. Shiori was awed, but even more so when Youko placed the plant on a plank of the pergola. "Grow for Shiori-san... my Kasaan," he breathed, and he transferred a little youki to his rose. Before their eyes it flourished and spread, vines tangling up and down on the whole wood surface, sprouting thorns and rose blooms every few inches.
"It is beautiful, Youko." The said demon sat beside Shiori and carefully—if not a little tentatively—placed his arm around her in a hug. She leaned in on him to give him the satisfaction of his new sensation. "You know, you as Kurama are younger than me but I think you shall outlive me and Kurama."
"I have already outlived you by centuries Kasaan. As long as Kurama and your spirits survive, so will I." Shiori smiled and shook her head, gazing up at the still slithering roses.
"My son is a demon, hiding from me all these years. The one thing I love most out of this is the fact that now I feel like I really know who you are; the gold behind the green, the silver-gray behind the red."
"I've wanted it no other way."
"Let me hear the song again."
Youko's POV
I never thought I'd reach the day when I could sit by your side in peace as your son. And you truly accept me now. I've decided to rename my human title. I am Youko Shuichii Kurama Minamino, a nice blend of them both. The cold kitsune demon was taught to love those close to your heart. I love you Shiori… and as such I put everything on the line to tell you who I really am.
As the roses continue to flourish about the entire garden, your hand slowly connects to my ear and rubs the lower edge, allowing you to her the song of the moon through me… it's a wonderful feeling equivalent to being petted that Kuronue discovered. One thought crosses my mind as we sit now in harmony.
It is how beautiful you look Kasaan, with your radiant reiki reverberating throughout you. The song reaches my ears…
…The dark Makai seeking power
And the Reikai in its third.
Sephora of Makai hails the dark,
Crystalline of Reikai brings light…
I was shown the power of Crystalline tonight… Despite my rep, being cutthroat and merciless…I like it much better that Sephora.
/-+---!#$#$
Kurama: I forgive you; you let me stay as Youko.
Specter, Hiei: Yay! Specter hugs Kurama
Hiei: She stopped hiding behind me and trying to snap my katana. This is the end people and you need to review now.
Kurama: Specter promises plushies.
Specter: locks herself in room to look for plushies…comes back out Hiei! Where are all my Youko plushies?
Hiei: Anime sweat drop And you automatically assume it was me?
Kurama: You're not scoring too well in the 'it-wasn't-me-damn-it!' look.
Hiei: Shut up. Shuth
Kurama: Ow, what the—
Specter: Bye-bye Hiei. By the way, that poem/song was 100 my own work. Now, reviewers and readers, say bye-bye to Hiei.