Chapter One
Kurama watched from the balcony as Hiei sparred with Mukuro. Gently he touched the tear gem pendant and smiled. He could hardly believe it, but soon Hiei would be his mate. A wistful sigh escaped his lips as his smile faded. No matter how impossible his mind told him it would be he still wished that his family would be present to witness their union. Kurama missed them even more these days.
"Are you all right dearheat?" Makino asked, her voice full of concern. "I'm fine Kino, just thinking," Kurama answered. "You miss your family don't you?" the white fox asked softly. "Yes, it seems I've been thinking about them a lot lately," Kurama replied. "As much as I love being here with Hiei, there are times I wished I would have stayed long enough to finish my training with Tomoyo-dono and left," he confessed. "Dearheart, if you had done that there would be no chance of you returning to your village," Makino responded. "I don't see what the difference would have been Makino, I would have been banished just the same," Kurama replied. "You were banished unjustly, and thus there is a chance for that wrong to be righted. If you had been banished for truly breaking an oath it would have been just and thus no way to reverse it," Makino explained.
Kurama turned his attention from his fiancé and turned to look at Makino. "Are you saying that I have a chance of going home again?" He asked. If Makino were human Kurama would swear she was smiling at him. "Of course dearheart, but not while Raijuta is the leader of your clan," she replied. "Your clan will need a new leader, one who is fair and just," she added. Kurama smiled softly. "My father would certainly have been that if Raijuta had not stolen the leadership of the clan from him," He responded. "What is stolen can always find its way back to the true owner," Makino said. "You know that better than anyone," she added. Before Kurama could reply to Makino's cryptic words the white fox headed back inside. The sound of Hiei calling his name returned Kurama's attention to his fiancé.
Hiei beckoned to Kurama with a gesture. The yoko smiled and left the balcony. He headed downstairs to the grassy area where Hiei and Mukuro were training. Kurama and Hiei both thought it too risky for him to use his plant wielding abilities while he was away from his forest home. Anyone who saw him use the plant life would suspect his true nature immediately and Kurama wished to avoid that attention. It would only bring attention they did not want if it were widely known that Kurama was indeed a yoko.
Kurama entered the grassy side lawn below his and Hiei's adjoined rooms. He bowed to Mukuro. "Hiei has told me that you accepted his token and will become his mate," she said. "Yes, m'lady," Kurama answered. "He has surprised me and honored me with his choice," he informed her. Mukuro smiled. Kurama padded over to Hiei and took his hands gently in his own. "In fact m'lady I vow to you both that I will honor the promise that I made to become Hiei's mate. Only death and Hiei himself can release me from this pact," Kurama said softly. "You have shown your loyalty to my heir in times past so I have no objections to your union. I know the two of you will make each other happy," Mukuro said. Kurama smiled at her. "Thank you m'lady," he murmured softly.
Mukuro left the two alone. Kurama saw the curious look in his fiancé's eyes. "It's customary among my people to make a vow of fidelity when one has accepted an offer of marriage," Kurama explained. "Is that what you did just now?" Hiei asked. Kurama nodded. "Then I make the same vow to you Fox that you have made to me," Hiei said. Kurama smiled at him. "Then all that is left is to seal it with a kiss," he said. Amusement sparkled in Hiei's eyes as he leaned forward and gently captured Kurama's lips with his own. With their pact made and their promise sealed, Kurama and Hiei pulled apart and began their sparring match.
The sparring match was more like play than actual sparring. The couple spent more time stealing kisses and wrestling with each other than exchanging practice blows. Their fun came to an end however, when Hiei had to attend to his duties as Mukuro's heir. With one last loving kiss, they departed from one another; Hiei to clean up and attend to his duties and Kurama to clean up and visit his friend Miyuki.
Kurama smiled to himself as he leisurely made his way through the marketplace. Hiei was holding audiences with Mukuro and would probably not be done until near sunset. Makino was probably out hunting or something, and he was in no mood for studying the information in the book Tomoyo had given him at the moment. In other words he was in no hurry.
Kurama spent quite a while at Miyuki's home. It had been quite a while since he had seen her and so they spent quite a while catching up on what the other was doing. Although Kurama had greatly desired to tell his friend that he and Hiei were engaged he could not tell her. Hiei and Kurama had kept their relationship secret from all in the kingdom except Mukuro. Neither wanted complications to arise from anyone else knowing. It wouldn't be long before that secret was out though. Still, both felt that that their relationship was strong and with their love growing stronger by the day, they could deal with any complications that might arise once they wed. But soon the time came for him to leave and Kurama began his trek through the marketplace once more.
Kurama decided to sit by the water fountain in the city's square for a while before continuing to the palace. He glanced over the vender's stalls as he made his way to the fountain but nothing caught his eye. A familiar scent tickled his senses as he neared his destination. There were two women sitting upon the stone benches set into the brim of the massive fountain. Kurama didn't recognize either of them, but the familiar scent grew stronger as he neared them. With a start, he realized that the scent was that of his sister.
Kurama studied the women intently as he approached. One appeared to be of middle age with long dark hair tinged with a little grey. The other was a young woman probably not even out of her teen years. Her dark hair framed her lovely face which was so full of sorrow that Kurama couldn't help but wonder what could be the matter. The girl looked up at him. It was then he spotted the necklace around her neck. He was taken aback, the girl was wearing the necklace he had given Sata when he left his village.
The girl spotted him. With hope in her eyes she stood and approached him. "Excuse me Sir, but I'm looking for my brother," she said softly. "Oh, have you lost him in the crowd?" Kurama asked. "No sir, he left home and I've managed to trace him here," the girl replied. "What does he look like?" Kurama asked. The girl sighed. "That's just it, I'm not sure. I believe he's disguised himself," she said. "His name is Kurama,"
"Tell me, why do you seek out your brother if he has left home?" Kurama asked. "Has he gone missing?" The girl shook her head. "Our parents were devastated when he left home. I wanted to find him to give him a message, and perhaps convince him to come home," she said. Kurama raised his eyebrows. "It is getting late in the day, have you a place to stay?" he asked. "No, neither of us knows anyone here," she replied. Kurama smiled. "Then let me offer you my home to you and your companion," he said. The girl's eyes widened. "Surely, we cannot put you out of your home," the girl protested.
"You are putting me at no inconvenience miss, I assure you," Kurama said. "I have quarters elsewhere," He smiled charmingly and bowed. "Permit me to introduce myself, I am Shuichi the court dancer of Lady Mukuro and Lord Hiei, the rulers of this realm," he said. Sata smiled. "It is a pleasure to meet you Shuichi, I am Sata and this is my teacher Tomoyo," she said indicating the older woman. Kurama's heart skipped a beat. Tomoyo and Sata had actually found him after all these years. He only wondered why the had come looking for him.
"Having fun?" a soft voice inquired from behind Kurama, breaking his thoughts. Kurama turned to find Hiei standing behind him. Kurama smiled radiantly at his fiancé and bowed. "I didn't expect to see you until dinnertime m'lord," Kurama said. "I had to get some air," Hiei replied. "I had to see where my fox had run off to," he said telepathically to Kurama. The redhead held back the wide grin that would have adorned his handsome face. "Is he the Lord Hiei you spoke of?" Sata asked. "Yes miss, he is," Kurama answered. "Do you know them?" Hiei asked Kurama telepathically. "Yes, this young lady is my sister, her companion is Tomoyo-sensei," Kurama replied. "M'lord, I was just inviting this young lady and her companion to my home, would you like to join us?" Kurama asked aloud. The handsome redhead pleaded with his eyes for his fiancé to join them.
"I'll send word to Mukuro that we're staying at your place tonight," Hiei replied. Kurama resisted the urge to throw his arms about his fiancé and kiss him senseless. "We'll meet you there then," he said instead. He then turned to Tomoyo and Sata. "If you ladies would follow me," he said to them.
Hiei turned and vanished into the crowd as Kurama led Tomoyo and Sata out of the city. As they walked Kurama noticed that Tomoyo was studying him intently. She had yet to speak and did not until they had left the city "Why have you so generously invited two strangers into your home?" Tomoyo asked. "I believe in helping those who seem in need of it," Kurama answered. "If others had not done so for me, I would not have survived long enough to offer my home to you," he added. "It sounds as if you have an interesting tale to tell," Tomoyo said. "I for one would like to hear it," Kurama smiled at her. "Then I will tell it to you m'lady, just as soon as we've had some dinner," he responded.
The moment they reached the grounds of Kurama's forest home, the two female yoko in disguise looked around in awe. They recognized the building immediately as a temple of Inari. "You live here?" Sata asked in surprise. "Yes," he replied. "Wait until you see the lake and the gardens," Both ladies were taken by surprise at the view that awaited them when they did come upon Kurama's garden. It was apparent that it was created and maintained with great care. Sata gently touched a beautiful red rose. It reacted to her instantly, gently caressing her fingertips. Her eyes widened in shock and Kurama held back his laughter at her expression.
"I'll show you to your rooms so you can get settled in and then I'll give you a full tour," Kurama said, leading the women inside. He stopped at two doors at the end of the hallway and opened them revealing tastefully furnished bedrooms. As he left the ladies to get settled in he felt Hiei's aura as his fiancé approached. A soft smile graced Kurama's face as he headed to the kitchen to greet him.
Only seconds after Kurama had reached the kitchen, Hiei entered carrying two large picnic baskets that were packed with delicious smelling food. Kurama suspected Mukuro had sent Hiei with the food, which was a good thing since Kurama had not stocked his pantry in a while. It had been hardly necessary these days.
Kurama took the baskets from Hiei with a brilliant smile. "I could kiss you for bringing this," Kurama said as he set the baskets onto the kitchen counter. Hiei slipped his arms around the redhead's waist. "What's stopping you?" the fire apparition asked huskily. Kurama shivered at the tone in his fiancé's voice. "Only the fact that we have guests, and I doubt things would end at one simple kiss," Kurama said softly. "We will go no farther than you wish Fox, you know that," Hiei murmured in Kurama's ear. He then kissed the fox's cheek and began setting the table, leaving Kurama to unpack the food.
Sata and Tomoyo entered the kitchen soon afterward. "Why don't I show you around before we eat?" he suggested. "That's a wonderful idea, I would like to see more of this place," Tomoyo said. Kurama nodded and then began the tour. The temple wasn't very big. There were three bedrooms, two of which Sata and Tomoyo now occupied. The largest was Kurama's, which he showed them first. Next he showed them where the bathrooms and bath houses were, the common room, and lastly the sanctuary of the temple.
The sanctuary wasn't very big at all. In fact, it was just large enough for the three of them to move about comfortably. At the other end of the small room was a small shrine to Inari that was original to the temple. "Do you come in here often Shuichi?" Tomoyo asked. "Yes, when I am here. I like this room, it's very peaceful," Kurama answered truthfully. "It's very well tended," Sata commented. Kurama smiled. "Thank you," he said softly. "Shall we have our dinner now? I'm sure Lord Hiei has gotten quite impatient waiting for us by now," Kurama inquired. "Then lets go. We don't want to keep him waiting," Tomoyo said.
They returned to the kitchen to find all the food unpacked and the table set, ready and waiting for them. Hiei was not in the room however. Kurama spotted his fiancé in the common room sitting on a plush rug in front of the hearth. A fire was blazing merrily in the fireplace. The raven haired fire apparition stood and calmly joined them without a word. Kurama pulled out the chairs for the ladies and waited until all his guests had seated themselves before sitting down at the table himself. He said a silent prayer of thanks for his food and began eating.
"M'lord you know the people here well don't you?" Sata asked. "Some of them," Hiei answered. "Shuichi tells me you are searching for your brother," he said. "Yes sir, I am. I hope to bring him home," Sata replied. "Why did he leave home?" Hiei asked casually. "He was forced out." Sata answered. "He was accused of a crime that he did not commit and left home to avoid facing something that he would be unable to bear," she informed him. "Why try to bring him home now? Surely he'd be just as reluctant to face whatever it was he tried to avoid when he left," Hiei inquired. "Things have changed," Sata said softly.
Kurama ate in silence. He was debating with himself whether or not to tell Sata he was the one she was searching for. He wanted to, badly. Still, he did not want Raijuta or Leiko finding him through her. Kurama knew that while Raijuta was in power he could not go home. A soft squeeze of his hand brought Kurama's attention away from his inward struggle. "Tell her Fox," Hiei urged telepathically. "Even if you don't want to go back, tell her anyway so she will not have to spend her life searching in vain for a brother that does not wish to be found," "I want to Hiei, but I fear what may happen once I do," Kurama responded.
Dinner progressed in silence. Hiei could sense his fiancé's sorrow and longing. He wanted greatly to put the fox in a better mood. Kurama's reunion with his sister and beloved teacher should be a happy occasion, not the mixture of turmoil and sorrow emanating from him that Hiei could feel. When they had finished their meal Hiei decided that he would try to do something to make Kurama feel better.
"Shuichi, why don't you show your guests why you became my court dancer," Hiei suggested, knowing that dancing was something that Kurama greatly enjoyed. He hoped that performing would lift his beloved fiancé's spirits. Sata looked saddened. "What's wrong miss?" Kurama asked softly. "It's nothing," Sata replied. "Kurama used to dance as well," Tomoyo said. A soft smile briefly touched the older woman's lips. "He tried several times to coax me into dancing with him, but I never did," she said. Sata sighed softly. "Whenever he danced at celebrations, he always danced with me and mother before anyone else, Leiko used to get so mad at him, he'd always dance with her last," Sata said.
"Go ahead Shuichi, show them how well you can dance," Hiei urged. "Yes, m'lord," Kurama responded. "Before I do I would like to ask you something Miss Sata," He said to the young woman. "What is it?" Sata asked. "You said things had changed. How so?" Kurama inquired. "The man responsible for my brother leaving our home is no longer around. He lost his hold over my brother as well as his seat of power," Sata replied. Kurama's heart sped up. Raijuta was no longer the leader of their clan? "Who holds his position now?" Kurama wanted to ask, but he feared that would give himself away. "Tell me one more thing before I begin? Is the one who is now in his seat of power, is he just, is he kind?" Kurama asked. Sata smiled. "Yes," she answered. Kurama's heart soared. There was a chance he could be with his family again. He decided then and there to reveal his identity to his sister and his teacher.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to change into something a little more suited to performing," Kurama said softly as he stood. "Please, follow me to the common room where there's more room and I'll be along shortly," he assured them. With a soft smile he ushered his guests to the common room leaving the kitchen to be cleaned later. He then retreated to his quarters to change into something he would be comfortable in, in either form.
He smiled as he opened his wardrobe and retrieved a white tunic and pants. Hiei had Mukuro's tailors construct the outfit as a gift for his last birthday. It was trimmed with a silver border and of a simple design. Kurama quickly stripped and slipped the clothing on. The tailor had been clever with the design. The pants merely slipped on and the waistband was made of a material that would stretch. Kurama had tested them out, switching between forms in the outfit several times and it worked beautifully.
He tied the tunic loosely and headed into the common room. With excitement he went to one of the bookshelves and took down a small metallic box. It was a device that recorded and played music. Something highly popular among the rich and the courtesans. With barely contained glee he took it with him to where his guests awaited them.
Kurama was glad to see that Hiei had lit the lamps in the room as well. In all his excitement he had forgotten about them. He sent a mental thanks to his fiancé and set the little black box upon one of the seats not currently occupied by one of his guests. Kurama pressed a small button on the box and moved into position. Joyous music filled the air as the machine came to life. Kurama moved with the music letting his own joy flow through him.
Sata and Tomoyo stared in amazement at Kurama's graceful dancing. Hiei couldn't take his eyes off the fox. Watching Kurama dance was one thing he would never tire of. He smiled as Kurama's eyes met his. Kurama smiled back at him, giving him one of his brilliant smiles that Hiei loved so much. A mischievous twinkle in his eye told the fire apparition that the fox was planning something. Hiei could hardly wait to see what it was.
Sata gasped as Kurama leapt into the air, turning his body in a complicated move. Her gasp was suddenly joined by Tomoyo's as Kurama flipped into the air, abandoning his redhiared form as he came out of the flip to land gracefully on his feet before them as the music ended. Hiei smirked as the females started at Kurama in stunned silence. Kurama smiled happily and held his arms out to them. "You needn't search for me any longer, for you have found me," he said softly.