Chapter Eight- Surprises

"Afternoon tea tomorrow?" Yusuke repeated over the phone.

"Yes. I brought up the subject at dinner last night and set it for tea as I believe dinner would make you uncomfortable."

"It would. Wow, Hiei was right when he mentioned it yesterday."

"I did not tell him my intention. He may have read my mind while Yoko and I spoke."

"He probably did and speaking of Hiei, did he tell you about my power?"

"No. What is it?"

"The same as you and Yoko. I accidentally made the rose seed into a small bush the other day."

"I see. You may want to practice on controlling how much energy goes into you plants and attacks lest it gets out of control and attracts attention."

"Yeah. I'll do that. I'll see you and your mom tomorrow."

"Of course. I love you, Yusuke."

"I love you and Yoko too." The black fox hung up and smiled in satisfaction. He would have tea with Kurama's mom and wondered what they would talk about. He didn't know much about her and figured he could ask about herself. She'll ask about me and I'll answer anything except the precise details of my relationship with Kurama. After all, she doesn't know her son is also a demon.

Shiori whipped her head around and squinted into the shadows and the trees overhead. She could have sworn she was being watched. She had had that feeling a few weeks back; indeed she had thought she had had a fleeting glimpse of something with red eyes. She never told anyone that she had a knack for seeing things that others couldn't; mostly otherworldly creatures. This knack had gotten stronger as her son grew older and wondered why that was. Is Shuichi in danger and likely to be kidnapped because of me?

"Hello, Mother. I called Yusuke and he is happy to…Mother?" Kurama looked at Shiori's preoccupied expression. "Mother, are you all right?"

Shiori looked down at her son's green eyes and felt as if someone else besides Shuichi was looking at her. Has he been…possessed? I need to know and, if so, convince the spirit to leave Shuichi's body. "I am fine, dear, but we need to talk."

"All right." Kurama followed Shiori, concerned about her behavior. Why was she acting so strange?

"Shuichi, dear. I have a secret," she began as they sat. "I have this knack for seeing strange creatures. Otherworldly ones."

"You mean like ghosts?"

Shiori smiled slightly. "No, not ghosts. I mean actual flesh and blood creatures. A few weeks back I felt like I was being watched and caught a brief glimpse of a shadow with red eyes."

Kurama felt his breath catch. That was about the time Roto's brother was tracking her! She actually glimpsed him?

Shiori leaned forward and stared into his eyes. "Shuichi, I am getting that sense I get when I'm near such creatures when I looked at you today. Tell me: Who has possessed you?"

"She suspects," Yoko said. "Tell her."

"It is more of a merger than a possession," he said at last. "I was a fox demon called Yoko Kurama until fifteen years ago. I had gotten badly injured and came to Earth where I merged with your unborn son. I spent most of my life as your son Shuichi and Kurama who fights to keep you and the world safe from dangerous demons. Recently, my identity as the fox, Yoko, has re-awakened and exists alongside Shuichi and me."

Shiori leaned back. "So, you're human and demon? I had…no idea. All this time."

"This does not change anything between us, does it Mother?"

"Of course not, Shuichi. This is who you've been all your life. You have never hurt me and I know you never will. So, does Yusuke know all this?"

"He does and he also loves Yoko and the feeling is mutual. I know that sounds strange but we can make it work and we did this past weekend."

"Oh?"

"Yes. I had my date with him Saturday. Sunday and Monday, Yoko took Yusuke camping in a world where demons reside. Yusuke has a talent for fighting demons like I do, so he can protect himself.

"He came across a flower called Foxes' Desire while in Demon World. It is meant to be eaten by fox demons and gives unmated ones an urge to find a mate while mated loves feel stronger love for their mate. Non-fox demons who eat it become a fox demon. This is what happened to Yusuke."

Shiori gasped. "He's a demon now?"

"Yes. Of course, I still love him as does Yoko. Yusuke is only different in body and abilities, one of which is the illusion ability. He can appear human as long as he likes."

"Well, I will insist that he not use it in the house."

Yusuke rang the bell at four the next afternoon, a half dozen roses in one hand. He heard the door unlock and Kurama was on the other side. He let his boyfriend in and once the door closed, the two shared a kiss. "Yusuke, Mother revealed to me that she can sense demons and thought I was possessed so I admitted the truth about myself and you as well. Your illusion will not be necessary in the house."

"Oh." Yusuke dropped the illusion and became his fox self again. "Well, this will make it easier," he said as they entered the living room where the tea would take place.

"It will," Shiori said, seated on the love seat. She got up and approached with a friendly smile. "It is nice to see you again, Yusuke."

"Same here, Mrs. Minamino," he replied, presenting the roses to her which she accepted.

"I would prefer either Shiori or Mom. After all, mated animals and demons are already family, yes?"

"Yes," Kurama jumped in. "Mother considers Yoko family and since you are his mate, you are family too," he added to Yusuke.

Yusuke couldn't help smiling at that. He like the idea of being part of Kurama's family and told Shiori as much.

"That's good because you already are," she said, putting the flowers in a vase and giving Yusuke a hug. "By the way," she added as they parted. "Those roses seem especially fresh and smell fresh too."

"That's because I can control plants and I have a rose bush of my own."

"I can use plants as well, Mother," Kurama said. "I believe that gave Yusuke an interest in raising plants before he became a fox."

"Oh, I see." The trio settled in the love seat and armchair and Shiori passed out the tea. "Do you plan to have a career with plants?"

"I do," Yusuke said. "I'm thinking of being a florist."

"I would rather work for my future stepfather," Kurama said, inwardly amused at Yusuke's answer as the fox had thought Kurama could be a florist.

"Oh, my," Shiori said. "I will need to explain my ability as well as you two."

"Of course. I suggest breaking it down in parts, Mother. First tell him about your gift and give him time to digest it before adding to it."

Shiori nodded. "Yes, that makes perfect sense and I had considered doing just that."

"I hope it goes well," Yusuke said.

"I'm sure it will," Shiori said.

Yusuke hummed as Yoko scratched an ear and swished his tail across a leg. The mates were in the woods in the back and both were beginning to feel the start of the coming mating season. Yusuke ran a claw along the edge of a silver ear and Yoko growled softly in pleasure.

"Will the mating season be intense?" Yusuke whispered.

"Oh, yes. It will be very intense and passionate, but I like it that way."

"I think I will too."

The two began to kiss lovingly for several minutes before Yoko pulled back. "You and Kurama have school tomorrow and you need rest."

Yusuke nodded, cast his illusion, and said, "Night, Yoko. I love you."

"I love you, too." Yoko watched his mate walk off before becoming Kurama and heading inside for bed. He fell asleep with a happy content smile as did his boyfriend.

The End