Kurama's Younger Sister, Kurumi

Chapter 18: Tashi's Weakness

Botan's words continuously repeated through Kurama's mind, putting a strange and unfamiliar ache in his heart. Already? Wait! What am I saying?... Now we can kill Tashi... The thoughts just made him sick his stomach. Does it have to end... So soon?... Kurama froze, unsure what he was thinking. He wanted it to end, to forget about Kurumi and Tashi and Shigan... Didn't he? To go back to his normal life and world be truly safe. Maybe I feel this way because is such a nice guy... For the most part... Keeping cold blood murder as a priority wasn't exactly kind. He was nice to me... He thought sweetly, then the sweetness faded as reality popped into his mind, No... He was nice to Kurumi-

"Well, we know Kuru-er, I mean, younger sisters, puppies and his older brother were basic weaknesses, things he loved, cherished, whatever, but his physical weakness is-"

Kurama rose quickly, not sure if he was ready to kill Tashi, not sure about anything.

"Kuru-chan, what are you doing? Sit down." Botan's tone was sharp and girlish.

"Kura-a-a-rumi, what's up?" Yusuke asked, worry covered his facial expression. Kurama gave them smile and sat back down, "Sorry, I thought I heard something."

What am I doing? I posed as Kurumi to figure out his physical weakness and then destroy him, not to fall in love and become his wife... Kurama blushed beet red, as Botan went on talking, "The back of his head." She said firmly, setting her tea down.

"Mm-hm, and how do you know this?" Yusuke asked, almost not believing it'd be so easy. Botan grinned sheepishly, "At the theater, after Kuru-chan left to go to the ladies' room, a guy, behind Tashi accidentally bonked his knee into the back of Tashi's head when he got up to go get more popcorn. And what did Tashi do afterwards? He slightly nursed his head with a rub! The Kidari's only have one weakness and it's a giant one at that!" She smiled and took a sip of tea, "Problem solved! Now, Kuru-chan, you can change back whenever you like. Most likely tomorrow we'll fight him..."

Hours had passed, and all Kurama could do was lay on his bed and let all his thoughts and feeling ramble on and on. Repeating words, sentences and things he'd say; perfecting how he was going to explain, perfecting everything.

How I'm going to explain? I shouldn't need to do that... I shouldn't... He... What I have done is also wrong, what I am doing... Hurting his heart... Tears built up in his slowly, and he couldn't stop them. Each tear was filled with angst, torture and confusion.

My chest... It hurts... Why? Why does it have to be like this? Can't anything be so simple? Why wasn't I born a woman!? He coughed lightly and turned on his side, and slowly started to fall asleep. Hard to... breathe...

Botan had to talk to Kurama, so she sneaked up to his room and carefully opened the door, wondering if she could play around, but stopped when she saw his face wet from the eyes. Guilt washed over her, tightening a knot in her stomach.

"Kuru-" She whispered but was cut-off by Kurama's soft voice, "Why wasn't I... Born a woman... Why couldn't I have been born Kurumi?... I could be hi..." He trailed off as more tears gently spilled from his gorgeous, shut eyes.

Botan's heart was now pounding wildly as her stomach plummeted, confusion taking over everything. Could it be? Could Kurama be in love with Tashi? Their very enemy? They had been spending a lot of time together, but... If he is... How must he feel now?... Broken? Sad... Depressed... Maybe that's why he didn't cheer joyously when I shared Tashi's secret... That's why he didn't smile big and say, 'Finally, I can go back to my normal life!'... He just... Sat there... Maybe crying inside... Hurting... Pain filled Botan's heart as she slid against Kurama's door and sat, depressed, on the ground; her arms hugging her knees and her head low.

It shouldn't be like this...

TBC Tsuzuku