deliciae
I Return to You : Chapter 12
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deliciae: Thank you everyone for your kind reviews! I can't believe it's taken over a year for this chapter, and I apologize for that. I won't waste your time with excuses so you will be able to read the new chapter faster.
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Disclaimer: Last time I looked, I didn't own it.
Warnings: Yaoi: boy x boy. Don't like, don't read, don't flame. Major OOC-ness.
Pairings: Kurama x Kuro ; Youko x Kuronue ; implied Yusuke x Koenma.
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Several days later found the teenage duo in the basement of Kuro's house. The last box was stacked, and Kurama wiped sweat from his forehead. A smile lingered on his lips when he glanced at his mate, who stood nearby. They were finally done. Everything in Kurama's apartment had been packed and stored, mostly in the basement, but some things would be taken to the Makai when they left.
"It wouldn't have taken so long if you'd have only let me help," the dark-haired scythe master complained lightly, already knowing the reply. Kurama had refused to even allow Kuro to lift one box due to his "delicate condition". And that exact chide came, which only caused the pregnant male to roll his eyes with displeasure.
The redhead sighed and walked over to the staircase. Gently he leaned against Kuro, pulling him into a hug. "I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you…" The melodious tenor broke off, husky with emotion, before the male buried his face is the other's neck, a comfort-seeking gesture. Idly scythe-worn hands threaded through the silky fire-toned mane, only to be forgotten as lips locked in a post-comfort passion.
Moments passed before a discrete cough broke them apart. Blushing, both men turned and looked at the top of the stairwell. Yet instead of Ikka, whom they had expected, a young man stood there, grinning mischievously. His brown eyes glinted with internal glee, despite the glare the youko-human was giving him.
"Yusuke," the name was said warningly, and finally the glee dampened.
"Koenma sent me." The words held a "don't kill the messenger" plea, and Kuro shrugged. As it was, the chimera-human was having one too many mood-swings and most of which had been released on the redhead. Now it was the Tantei's turn to be on the receiving end. "So, you just had to be the loyal puppy, eh?"
The snide remark echoed in the room, only to be followed by brief shock. Brown eyes blinked at the black-haired male. Yusuke was beyond confused, as he had no experience with pregnancy before. Suddenly the mood shifted, and tears welled in Kuro's eyes. Quickly Kurama took the moody male into his arms, and Kurama looked at the still-stunned detective. "I'm sorry, Yusuke…"
In response, the Reikai Tantei shrugged off the apology and offered concerned smile. After the room grew silent, Kuro pulled back and grumbled, "I hate these mood-swings."
That brought a laugh from the other members in the room. With everything righted again, Yusuke told of why he had been sent, "Koenma needs both of you to fill out some forms before going back to the Makai."
Kurama's green eyes stared into Kuro's dark violet-blue, and softly the kitsune asked, "Love, are we ready to do this?"
A brief frown deposited itself on Kuro's lips before they split into a smile. "Yes, we are. Father pulled strings at the school and had our diplomas given to us early. The school did not care since we are the top students; they only regretted our departure. All your things are packed away, and you've already taken some supplies to the cave. I think that is all…"
Yusuke turned and began to leave the room at the end of Kuro's statement. Glancing back, he smiled at the duo, "I'll see ya in a bit then."
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Koenma sat at his desk, stamping the never-ending pile of documents. The double-doors opened and paused in his workload to acknowledge who had entered his inner sanctum. His favorite and most loyal but self-preserving ogre, George, stepped through the entrance, his long blue arms laden with a large stack of paperwork. "Where do you want this, Koenma Sir?"
"Put it on the other table," came the reply, and George blinked. There had never been another table in the demi-god's room. Yet, as he looked around, he spotted the 'foreign item' and proceeded to do exactly what Koenma had wanted. With that task completed, he had only to ask, "Anything else, Koenma Sir?"
"No, that will be all for now. Kurama and Kuro will be arriving soon, and when they do, I want no interruptions. Got that, George?"
The blue ogre's name was drawn out and said ogre scowled at the implied message behind it. "Yes Koenma Sir."
Just as the blue-skinned worker turned to exit the enormous chamber, the doors banged open and in strode the hardworking, esteemed lover of the demi-god, the lone Reikai Tantei, Yusuke. Behind him were the two anticipated humanized-demons. Koenma glanced at George and nodded. The ogre instantly understood the unspoken command and rushed from the room.
The Tantei moved off to the side to observe as the duo moved closer to the desk. Kurama glanced at Kuro before returning his gaze to the demi-god. Koenma's expression was closed, almost secretive, just before breaking into a giant smile. "My father authorized your request to live in the Makai. If you just sign these," he pushed a couple documents, taken from a pile on his desk, toward the couple, "then everything will be finished."
Kurama exchanged a stunned glance with Kuro, before stepping forward and taking the offered quill in hand. With great flourish, each scrawled their names to the appointed spots on the parchment. The ink soaked in, finalizing the document. The two mates pushed the paperwork back at the demi-god, each smiling with boundless joy.
"Now you can transform back into your primal selves and stay in that form. You have to apply each time you wish access back to the Ningenkai, but most times it will be granted. Everything else seems in order." Koenma's amber eyes twinkled with excitement, and glittered softly at 'loss' of the two people, especially Kurama—people he had grown close to, expecting to see them at a moment's notice.
But now it was changing. Like the forms they shed, the past was put behind the two thieves. They had a second chance, one they were not going to pass up for anything. A shimmer and a shift of magic allowed the two humanized-demons to discard their mortal bodies for the tougher shell of the demon, but partially keeping the human mentality.
Kuronue pressed his wings closer to his body, looking wary at his surroundings, in an attempt to protect his unborn young from whatever danger that may be present. Youko stood defiantly, close to his mate. "Thank you," the mischievous fox murmured to the godling, "for giving us this."
With a bite on the pacifier, the Reikai heir nodded his head in response. "Don't forget us," Yusuke stated to the duo, before Koenma requested that they follow him to get to the Makai Portal. Not many words were exchanged past the exit of the large room; Kuronue and Youko had their hands clasped and the barest minimum was exchanged through the nonverbal body language—that of comfort and reassurance. Neither knew what was going to happen once they crossed that barrier and left the Ningenkai behind.
After a few minutes walk, Koenma stopped and opened a large ornate door. A swirling mist filled the entryway, almost bursting the doorframe with its intense mass. "Well… this is it." Before each demon knew it, they were drawn into the demi-god's arms in a hug. Backing away, the amber-eyed teased them, "I don't want to see you two stealing from my vault for a while."
Youko let loose a bark of laughter while Kuronue softly chuckled. "Oh, of course not, Koenma."
And with that, the two entered the portal to return to the life they had lost many years ago.
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Epilogue…
Youko paced around outside the cave, hearing the cries and complaints of his mate. The stench of sweat and blood was rank in the air, but other demons wisely stayed away from the area. Hours had passed by in similar fashion, and the fox demon was certain many more would slip by as well.
However, his thoughts were interrupted by the high-pitched cries from inside the cave. Urgency filled his veins, wanting to make sure Kuronue was alright, and the kits were healthy as well. Before he could make his way to the residence, and the antechamber in which the chimera had nested, the demi-god Koenma stopped him. The golden eyes searched amber orbs, attempting to draw out any information.
Like he had done many months ago, the teenage-formed godling drew the nervous male into his arms, in a congratulatory hug. "They are all doing well. You have twin sons." Once those words had been heard, the thief slipped from Koenma's hold and rushed into the room where his mate and children were. Outside, Koenma shook his head in amused understanding and left back to the Reikai, for his skills were no longer needed.
Deep inside the cave that the mates had returned to were many antechambers, most vacant. However, one deep in the bowels of the hillside was in use, and held a large pile of furs and various Ningenkai blankets of different materials. In the very center of the nest was what Youko sought.
Kuronue was asleep on his side with his wings pressed tightly against his body. His arms and blankets were used to shield the male kits from open view and for protective heat. However, as the silver-haired fox neared, the other thief opened an indigo orb and looked at the approaching person. Upon recognizing the vision and scent of his mate, the chimera pulled back the blankets eager to show his mate their offspring.
The revealed babes were identical and had obvious characteristics from both parents, combining to make each a beautiful child. From his youko heritage, each infant received the fox ears on the top of his head and the small puffy tail that would multiply with knowledge and age. Both forms were slender and pale-fleshed, a trait gained from both parents.
Kuronue's influence on the characteristics was seen as the black hair that coated the sleeping babes' heads and colored the tails. Black featherless wings were pressed against each kit's body, and each pair of hands were clasped around a red jewel, much like what was a part of Kuronue's treasured necklace.
"It keeps us in a corporal form," the chimera explained. "The jewel is created from the first blood shed by the mother upon the birth of the child." The youko nodded, as the explanation was unnecessary but thoughtful at the same time.
Almost silently, the former leader knelt then laid down, curling around his kits, opposite of his mate. Both boys nestled against his form, instinctively acknowledging their sire. "What do you wish to name them, my heart?" Youko softly asked, as not to disturb the infants resting against his form.
Kuronue closed his eyes momentarily in thought. He opened them and looked at each one with a decision. "The first born will be Kisho, for he already knows his own mind." As if agreeing, the young kit mewled against his sire, and both parents looked on.
"The younger, quieter twin will be Kiyoshi." No response came from the infant, but both Kuronue and Youko knew of his acceptance. With an intense feeling of joy, the two parents followed their young into the world of dreams, a minor comparison to the current reality they shared.
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And perhaps it is here that we end our tale of the two lovers, Youko and Kuronue, known from their mortal lives as Shuuichi and Kuro. They still live in the Makai, in the cave with their kits, enjoying their time within the world the two elders had returned to. However, if one was to listen closely, they would hear the cries of Koenma as the sirens blared within the Gate of Judgment as the Vault had been broken into yet again.
THE END.
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deliciae: Yep, the fic is complete. I hate to say it, because as Kuro has become one of my favorite characters. Perhaps in the future we might see the (mis)adventures of this youkai family, but that will be a long time in coming, if it ever does. Keep an eye on my profile and don't forget to read some of my other fics. Thank you so much for reading! Please don't forget to review.