Chapter 5 – Resolution

(Standard disclaimer: I don't own YYH or its characters; they are the sole property of Yoshihiro Togashi, Shonen Jump Comics Weekly, Studio Pierrot and Fuji Television)

They spoke of everything…..

"How? I… I thought you were… I mean… how did you….?" The normally articulate kitsune suddenly seemed incapable of forming a coherent thought or sentence as wide viridian eyes stared at his sister.

"The same way you did, I should think," was the wry response. "I am a youko, after all."

Suddenly, the soft voice turned serious, though Kurama could hear the underlying sadness in it as well. "I couldn't leave you alone," Kasumi said, head bowed, "not after….." She didn't finish the thought but lifted her head, unseeing eyes looking up at him. "It was the only way… the only way for me to stay alive… and though you'd be alone for awhile, at least I'd be able to return; to be with you again." She tried to smile. "That was the idea, at least," she finished softly, regretfully. "Forgive me, kyodai… I never meant to….."

A gentle finger to her lips stilled her words. "Don't, aneki," he replied, "it doesn't matter. What is important is that you are here, and I am here; and we are together once more."

"Even though it took 28 years?" she asked, and Kurama watched as hope suffused the elfin features of her face.

"Yes," he answered. Taking her hand in his, Kurama moved the few feet that separated them and seated himself beside her on the bench. "Will you tell me?" he asked, never letting go of the hand in his.

She nodded and began her story; touching only briefly on how she'd left her dying body behind, sending her spirit into the Ningenkai. She told him of the circumstances of her birth and the orphanage where she'd spent her formative years; of the accident that took her sight at the age of ten and how, because of that, she'd had to abandon her plans to return to the Makai and to him (her voice becoming laced with regret as she did so). She told him of learning to play the piano and how that, in turn, led her to Jason and her surrogate family, "the first real family I'd known", she said; she told him of her life in London and 'on the road' as she toured; and finally, she told him of the invitation she'd received and the compulsion she'd felt to return to the land of her birth for the first time in 14 years.

"I knew who you were, of course." She smiled. "Well, who 'Shuuichi' was, anyway. And even then, whenever Yoshi would talk about his friend from his university days, I'd often wonder why I felt that you were important to me. And so when Yoshi told me who it was who'd designed the new performing arts center where I'd been invited to play, I knew I had to come back, to find out, finally, just exactly what you meant to me."

When she fell silent, Kurama gently squeezed the hand he held. "Does Jason know… about you… and about me?" he asked quietly.

Kasumi nodded. "He is the only one who does. He knows what I am and that I have a brother, but nothing else. I've never told him about my feelings about his friend, Shuuichi, or even why I had to come back." Once again she smiled. "Guess I'll have to now, won't I? But first, I'd like to hear about your life as a human, kyodai."

"Of course," Kurama smiled, giving her hand another gentle squeeze before he began his own tale.

"I was careless," he began then paused, as if reconsidering what he'd just said. "No," he continued after a moment, shaking his head, crimson mane rustling softly with the movement. "Not careless… I was arrogant."

And with those words, Kurama began his own life's story. He told his sister of the day he'd been hunted, mortally wounded and left for dead by the bounty hunter. He described how he'd expended the remainder of his youki, along with one of his tails, to escape his dying body, sending his own spirit to Ningenkai and taking refuge in an unborn child, just as she had done. He told her of his mother, "I cannot wait for her to meet you… she's always wanted a daughter, and now she'll have one," he beamed; of his stepfather and young stepbrother. He told her of his first meeting with Hiei; of the theft of the Reikei artifacts that led to his meeting with the Spirit Detective, Yusuke Urameshi, and his subsequent 'recruitment' as a member of the Spirit Detective's team, as well as the friendships that had developed between himself, Hiei, Yusuke, and Kuwabara as a result. And finally, he told her of the one friendship that had developed into something more… his love for, and mating with, his beloved fire demon.

"He's stubborn; abrasive; hot-tempered; over-protective; caring, tender… and I love him with all of my heart," he finished with a soft smile.

"You're mated?" Kasumi asked.

"Hai," Kurama responded proudly. "Five years now."

Kasumi smiled tenderly at the happiness she heard in his voice. "Well, it seems my little star has grown up," she replied.

"Again," he laughed.

Kurama slipped his hand from hers and rising, he reached down to take both her hands into his own. "Come," he said, gently pulling Kasumi to her feet. "There's something I want to show you.

…..and they spoke of nothing…..

The courtyard garden was magnificent; a miniature Garden of Eden. Upon a stone bench amidst the flora and leafy green foliage, brother and sister sat together. Neither spoke – afraid that by doing so, they'd suddenly wake to find it had all been a dream… an illusion.

It was Kasumi who moved first. Slipping her arm beneath Kurama's, she reached down to clasp his hand in hers. Leaning into the slender body next to hers, she rested her head against his shoulder.

Kurama smiled softly at the contact. Tilting his head, he rested his cheek on the top of his sister's head. Turning his head slightly, he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

They were still sitting this way when hurried footsteps were heard entering the garden. Kurama raised his head just as a voice called out.

"Here you are!" The owner of that voice exclaimed, sounding both frightened and somewhat angry. "I've been looking all over this damned building for you, Kyo, and where do I… find... you?" the voice sputtered. It paused just a moment, then spit out, "What the HELL is going on here?"

Jason Yoshihiro Rutledge gaped (there was no other word for it!) at the sight that met his deep blue eyes; his mouth dropping open. Lifting his head, Kurama returned Jason's gaze as his sister straightened. Lifting her head from his shoulder, she turned toward the spot where Jason stood, his breath coming in smothered gasps as he fought to regain his composure; eyes still fixed upon the two before him.

Giving her friend and manager a dazzling smile, Kasumi spoke. "Yoshi, there's something I have to tell you."

Owari

A/N: It's done. I hope you've enjoyed 'meeting' Kurama's sister. Rest assured, this is not the last appearance she will make.

And please, be kind and leave a review. The muse adores them!