deliciae
I Return to You : Chapter 11.
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deliciae: ::looks around for Muse:: Hmm, I don't know where Muse went.
Muse: ::laughs somewhere in the distance::
deliciae: OO That sound worries me. But thanks to all who reviewed last chapter… My mom is doing a whole lot better now. And, here is the next chapter…
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Disclaimer: If I owned it, you'd know.
Warnings: Yaoi: boy x boy. Don't like, don't read, don't flame. Major OOC-ness.
Pairing: Kurama x Kuro ; Youko x Kuronue.
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After the initial shock and disbelief had worn off, the two began to talk on what to do now. There was much to plan and much they had to learn about having a child. Neither had any experience with younger children, since both had no siblings; indeed, Kurama did have a stepbrother, but they did not spend any time together.
Several days later, both were inside Kurama's apartment, going over various books on children, and going over the more in-depth information from the ancient book. However, other questions had captured their attention away from these informative books.
"What will we do?" Kuro asked, his blue-violet eyes looking directly at Kurama. "I think we should tell them," the sullen reply came, and the apparentness of the situation met the dark youth. After 17 years of living a lie, a false life, it was time to give up the charade and come clean to those who loved them the most. And from there, the two humans would trade places with their youkai halves, living most of their life in Makai, with the occasional trip back to Ningenkai for visitation. It was something they had only dreamed of doing, and now, it was a reality.
Kurama glanced at his mate, and smiled lightly at him. Despite all the changes—having to leave Ningenkai and all the things he'd come to love, the youko-human was glad to have a reason to return to Makai. He had already refused to renew his lease on his apartment, and he was supposed to leave by the end of the month. What things he decided to keep would go into his mother's possession, or storage, provided the outcome of the confession. And hopefully, with both of their good grades, they'll be able to complete their schooling and receive their degrees early, not that they were lacking any credits or anything; instead, they were already past the necessary credits for graduation.
With those thoughts, it was now time to do something about them. Kurama had already called Shiori and Ikka, asking them both to be at the apartment promptly at seven. A glance at the clock showed it was just a quarter past five, and the usual unease was not present for once. There was no room for indecision or nervousness; everything was set in motion, even if not everyone agreed with the plans.
The minutes ticked by in slow succession, drawing out the silence and finality in the room. Kuro's dark eyes closed, then he rubbed a hand against them, yawning. He had not slept well since finding out; it was not that the thought of a child worried him, but the changes that one would bring. The first of those changes was set for tonight, when the truth would come to light—the truth that had been hidden for all of their mortal lives.
Gently the chimera leaned against his mate, resting his head on the other's shoulder, and green-eyes looked at Kuro questioningly. The dark-haired male's features were relaxed in his slumberous state, and Kurama did not feel right about waking him.
With caution, the stealthy Tantei member used one of his seeds, infusing it with ki; long strands of grass grew in every direction. Together, the strands sought out one book from the rest on the coffee table, and clutched the ancient book within its long spears, holding it carefully. From there, the grass brought the book to its master, and once the book was in Kurama's hold, the grass retreated back into the seed. A smile lingered on the youko-human's face as he flipped open the volume on chimeras.
Time passed swiftly as Kuro slept and Kurama read. Finally a knock on the door jolted both from their actions, effectively startling Kurama and awakening the chimera-human. The redhead stood from his seat as Kuro wiped the sleep from his eyes and yawned. Kurama opened the door, and welcomed his guests into the house, as both were standing outside. Shiori looked apprehensive and Ikka appeared uneasy at first, but after being led to the already-prepared kitchen table and food was placed out, their fears lessened.
However, once all had their fill and the remaining food was removed, the unease fell back in step in the two parents. Ikka twisted his fingers together in an agitated method, and Shiori looked at her son worriedly. Kurama swallowed nervously, showing unease for actually the first time in his life. "Mother and Ikka." At the address, both looked at the green-eyed youth worriedly, and once he held their gaze, he began to reveal the past in a tale.
"Seventeen years ago was a joyous time; you both held newborn sons in your arms." They nodded, not understanding where this would go; yet Kuro did and clasped Kurama's hand. "But the sons you held were not the innocent babes you had thought of them. No, we were—are much more than just the simple beings before you. Mother, have you ever thought of why I have been so polite, so courteous, and why my eyes were so cold and desolate when I was young? Or even you, Ikka, have you ever looked at Kuro and wondered why he heard voices early on, or why he was better than others at certain things?"
At this, Shiori began to tremble, looking at her son fearfully. She did not like where this was heading, and it appeared that Ikka didn't as well. He looked confused, yet angry at the questioning, and his normally calm voice uttered irately, "No."
Kuro bit his lip, and then continued instead of Kurama, "Seventeen years ago marked the end also. The end of two demons that wished to continue their lives, to hide and gain strength in hopes of meeting up again. Two demon thieves." At the sight of Ikka and Shiori's paled faces, the chimera-human almost couldn't continue.
His gaze dropped to the table, to his and Kurama's clasped hands, and from there he resumed the tale, "Youko and Kuronue were their names; in vain, as they struggled to keep from going to the Reikai, they fled the Makai and sought refuge in pregnant humans, in the unborn fetus, merging their soul to the human-child's."
The table clanged as Shiori stood, a trembling hand pressed against her lips as tears welled in her eyes. "Tell me this is not true; please, tell me it is a lie." Her words held a hysterical tone, and the youths hung their heads, unwilling to answer. Ikka stood at this, backing away from the table, anger and fear both burning in his blood. Finally, Kurama and Kuro looked up, their eyes holding a mixture of fear, worry, and pained love.
With the two mortals away from the table, two billowy fogs cloaked the individuals still seated, appearing from nowhere. "Shuichi!" Shiori cried, her emotions twisted, but fear still evident, as she was no longer able to see her son. Finally, after two different inhuman cries, the fog began to dissipate, leaving the room as it was prior.
A silver-haired youko sat in Shuichi's seat, and a dark-haired chimera sat in Kuro's. Shiori's eyes widened to their extreme then rolled back as she fell into a faint. In a split-second move, Youko rushed to Shiori's side, and caught her, laying her gently on the floor.
Despite the momentary commotion, Ikka had not moved; instead, his eyes were riveted to his son. Was this monster truly his son? He did not know what to think about this turn in events. The boy he had raised, had loved, was no more than a monster, a body-stealer, and a liar. Yet, in all the years, Kuro had been the loving son, a devote youth, one a person could trust. But was that truly his son, or was it this thing? He was only able to hope for an explanation that would be soon in coming.
Shiori began to rouse, and her luminous orbs immediately were cloaked with thick tears. "Shuuichi?" She called out, hoping against all else that what she had seen was not true. A lithe, silvery figure leaned over her, and whispered, in a much deeper voice, "Yes, Mother?" Tentatively she reached a hand out, and Youko cupped it. Tears leaked from the elder woman's eyes, rolling down her face, as she wrenched her hand from the demon above her.
"Please…" The word was whimpered, hurt-filled and broken-hearted. The very uttering of it caused a deep pang in each person's chest, and all attention was brought to the one who stated it. Kuronue's form began to flicker and waver, his arms wrapped around his middle, as saltine drops fell from his eyes in rapid succession. In a heartbeat of a second, the chimera had transformed back into the youth that was known to all.
At this, Kuro began to openly sob, the sounds extremely gut-wrenching. Ikka hung his head, uncertain whether to comfort his son or not; yet, as another inhuman cry was issued, his paternal instincts kicked in and quickly he made his way to his son. Gently he wrapped his arms around the upset teen, and held him close, whispering promises of "always being there," and others.
Kurama gathered Shiori close, after unconsciously transforming back into his human-state. He whisked his red locks back over his shoulder, and softly he asked for her forgiveness; he had never meant to hurt her through this deception. With a soft sigh, the maternal woman nodded; after all, Kurama had been the perfect son, and his cold nature was no longer there, as it had been warmed up through the honest love.
"I still love you," the words were simultaneously uttered from both parents, and everything appeared to be settled from their perspectives. However, Kurama and Kuro knew it wasn't yet. Once each youth had broken away from his parent and had linked arms in a sign of love and protection, the last of the secrets gave way.
Shiori looked at both and understood that indeed the jokes and snide remarks that her husband had made about Shuuichi's sexuality were true, yet she did not hold it against him. If he had truly found happiness, even with a man, accepting it was for the best. A smile lingered on her lips, yet it was disappear at her son's last statements.
"Despite all that you have done for us, for the past seventeen years, and the endless love you have, Kuro and I must return to the Makai." Silence reigned supreme after this, and Kuro looked down at the clasped hands. This secret, that was soon to be told, was the last one withheld from their parents. And now, if Kuro wished, it could be. The uncertainty gnawed at his mind, and finally, he came to a conclusion.
"Shuichi and I…" His voice cut through the stillness, and as three sets of eyes gazed upon his form, he trembled slightly. "We wish we didn't have to leave. But we can no longer stay. However, I promise we will return."
Once more tears slipped silently from Shiori's luminous orbs and slipped over her cheeks. Ikka looked away, his own heart felt torn by the new information; yet, if that was their decision, who was he to stop them? "We will wait for you."
The words slipped from Ikka, startling everyone, including himself, with their sincerity and truth. Shiori smiled sadly and agreed to the comment, "Yes, we will, no matter what."
The consolation relieved much of the burden on Kurama and Kuro's shoulders, despite the main reason being withheld. However, the truth would be shared in time, and with that in mind, it was easier to say 'farewell' for now.
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After hours had passed, and the two parents had left, Kuro and Kurama slouched onto the couch, seeking relaxation after the stressful incident. Dark violet-blue eyes closed as he leaned against his redheaded mate, his black strands of hair making a pillow against the other's chest.
Kurama gently stroked the hair, idly relishing in the silky texture, as his mind drifted elsewhere. The moment was calm and peaceful, only to be broken by a single question, "Why did you not tell them?"
There was no reprimand, just curiosity, and Kuro sighed, opening his eyes. "I didn't want to burden them, especially with them knowing that we will soon leave. It would break Father's heart, as well as… Mother's." It still felt unusual to Kuro to use the term Mother, but Shiori had insisted, so he had no choice.
However, the term went unnoticed by the youko-human, for he made no comment about it. Instead, the fingers continued to thread through Kuro's hair, and silence regained its hold on the room. Outside, rain pelted the windows; making the room more comfortable and lethargy filled the two youths, the sound luring them to sleep in their current positions.
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TBC.
deliciae: ::follows Muse's laughter and looks at the scene in shock::
Muse: ::sitting on throne, reading letter from her MiniMiniMini…Muse army:: Ah, they've taken over another country…
MiniMiniMuse: ::glares at Muse::
deliciae: Well, it appears that Muse's plans for world domination are falling into fruition. But as for you the readers, this chapter dealt more with the finality of Kuro and Kurama's stay in the Ningenkai. Next chapter will be more about their move… maybe more, since I haven't really plotted out next chapter (I have a vague idea for it). So, please, please, review, and if you have any ideas for what should happen in the next chapters, I'd be more than happy to hear them. Thanks for reading, and again, please review.