Chapter Six- The Flower

Yusuke sat at a cozy little table in the kitchen with Yoko the next morning. A simple breakfast full of energy-rich food sat on their respective plates. Yusuke listened raptly as Yoko continued his life story which had begun at dinner last night. He was learning a lot about his beloved fox, Yoko and Kurama both. His almost fifteen years of life seemed meager compared to his boyfriend's 1,000 years and said as much.

"That may be, but you have seen and done much as spirit detective," Yoko pointed out. "When you boil down my tales, what is left is just countless thefts in which I escape each time."

"You're saying your life was boring."

"Indeed. In hindsight, it did get boring, eventually. I now would prefer to have a career that isn't criminal, a loving mate, and maybe even a family one day."

"Well, you have me. One out of three so far."

Yoko blinked rapidly. "Are you saying you would like to be my mate now?"

"Yeah, I would. I feel I've gotten to know you from your stories and our time together yesterday."

Yoko smiled as he put his clawed hands on top of Yusuke's. "Then you, Yusuke Urameshi, are now my mate." He leaned over the table and captured Yusuke's lips in another loving kiss.

An hour later, the two mates emerged from their home to look for seeds that Yoko could use in battle or for Yusuke to practice on. The pair separated to cover more ground. Yoko wasn't worried about Yusuke's safety; the boy was an able fighter and quite prideful as well. He was not the type to call or ask for help. I have nothing to worry about; he will be fine.

Yusuke dropped some seeds into a bag and labeled it. He recognized it from his library book and was pleased with his memory. Maybe I should join a gardening club when I get home. I might learn a lot more from a club than I would from a book. He tucked away the bag and stood up to survey the area. All was quiet and peaceful; no demons nearby. I guess news of our fight had spread and no one wants to take us on. His eyes raked the ground for more plant seeds to gather as well as a unique flower to present to Yoko as a token of affection. It seemed appropriate to give a plant user a flower as a gift.

Yusuke moved deeper into the forest, gathering more seeds along the way. He had seen different types of flowers but they didn't seem right to him. His search was starting to wear him down and he was thinking of heading back. I could gather those flowers I saw into a bouquet; that could work. A glimmer caught his eye and he turned toward it.

There, in a small pool of sunlight, was a single flower. He went over to it and crouched to see it better. It was a deep red color, its petals almost resembling a rose's pattern. It's pretty, he thought. Perfect for my fox. He carefully removed the flower, roots and all, thinking Yoko may want to re-pot it. He held the flower up as he stood in the sun, admiring it. the sun caught on the petals, sending rainbow lights into his eyes and making them glow briefly. Wait. Something tells me I'm not supposed to give it as a gift. I'm supposed to eat it; all of it. Yusuke licked his lips before bring the flower to it and he began to chew on it. A delicious taste like honey greeted his tongue and he ate the entire plant eagerly. He swallowed and licked his lips again. That was delicious. I had no idea that a flower could taste so-

Yusuke then gasped as a burning sensation spread from his stomach to his entire body. He felt intense burning at the base of his spine, his fingers, and his ears. He gasped again as the burning grew in intensity before abruptly stopping.

He panted from the residue pain before exhaling slowly. Man, what was that? Geez, if I had known eating it would cause burning, I wouldn't have eaten it. But, it was so good. He headed back toward his home, choosing to not give Yoko a bouquet, deciding the seeds he gathered would be enough of a gift.

Yoko's head shot up and he stood from the foliage near his home. He smelled a fox demon approaching as well as his mage, both from the same direction. He doubted Yusuke was running from the demon, but he wondered if his mate had been knocked out and was being used as a hostage in order to kill Yoko. If that is the case, then the fox is sadly mistaken. Yoko conjured a rose and held it at his side, ready to transform it instantly.

The scents grew stronger and a black fox appeared. He wasn't much taller than Yusuke and didn't appear threatening. Indeed, he had a grin on his face upon seeing him. Still cautious, Yoko said, "Hello. Who are you?"

The fox blinked brown eyes and a look of confusion crossed his face. "Yoko, you okay?" he asked in a very familiar voice.

"Yusuke!?" he gasped, the rose falling to the ground.

"Yeah. Why did you act like you didn't recognize me?"

He hasn't realized that he has changed. "Yusuke, did anything happen on your search?"

"I ate a strange flower. It looked almost like a rose and I had a desire to eat it."

Yoko swallowed hard and he sensed Kurama recoil in shock. "That was a rare flower called Foxes' Desire. When eaten by a fox, the urge to find a mate becomes overwhelming. If a mated one eats it, his or her love for his or her mate increases and if a non-fox eats it, they become a fox demon."

Yusuke stared at Yoko, digesting what he had heard. He swallowed. "Wait. You mean I'm a fox, like you?" He looked down to see clawed hands and used them to reach up and feel a pair of soft furry ears. He ran a hand down to find his hair now ended just past his shoulders. He craned his neck to see a black tail behind him. He looked back at Yoko. "How are my eyes?"

"Still brown."

Yusuke felt his heart beat two times quickly as he looked at his mate before going over, grabbing Yoko's tunic, and pulled his down into a deep almost hungry kiss. He felt Yoko hum into his mouth, a content sound. He parted and said, "I think my love for both of you just got stronger."

"That is a side effect of the flower," Yoko admitted. He smiled down at Yusuke. He found him attractive as a fox. Makes sense as I am a fox, but how does he feel about his change?

Yusuke looked at his claws again. "I guess I can't go to school anymore, huh?"

"I imagine that would not disappoint you much, however you can go as you can cast an illusion around yourself."

"Cast an illusion? How would I do that?"

"It is an ability fox demons can do. Watch." Yoko focused and a female demon that was vastly different from a fox appeared.

"Whoa!" Yusuke gasped.

Yoko reappeared. "Once an illusion is cast, it only requires focus to drop it. Also, food is necessary to replenish your strength after the illusion is dropped."

Yusuke nodded and then frowned. "My heart's not beating."

"Well, as you are a demon now, your heart will not beat in the way a human heart does."

Yusuke moaned softly and fingered an ear. "Guess I have a lot to learn about being a demon."

"You do. I must say, though, you look good as a fox demon."

"Really?"

"Yes. Look in a mirror when you get the chance."

"I'll do that. Now, let me show you the seeds I found."

"And I will show you what I found. Then, we will split them between us and afterwards, we will go home." Yoko and Yusuke retreated to their home to do just that.