Disclaimer: see previous chapters.

Belonging

Chapter 10

Kurama took a deep breath of the fresh evening air and stretched before leaving his place by the fire. He was thankful when they left Lord Whedon's fortress this morning. Sessho-maru had been correct when he said that their stay was over. The next morning while having a private breakfast, Lady Lena had apologized for keeping Sessho-maru away from his territory for so long.

The entire stay had been nothing short of torture for Kurama. Pretending to be Sessho-maru's sex toy as a cover to alleviate suspicions that he was a wanted thief would have been bad enough. But he had also been subjected to Lady Lena's animosity and forced to witness her fawning over Sessho-maru in an attempt to win him as a mate.

Kurama's tail began to bristle just thinking about it. But he shoved those thoughts aside as he looked up into the night sky and took another deep breath. Now Kurama could finally relax. I never thought I'd be thankful to be going back to Sessho-maru's fortress.

"Happy?"

Kurama stiffened at Sessho-maru's question. How does he always know what I'm thinking?

"Well, leaving Whedon's fortress didn't make me unhappy."

Sessho-maru allowed a smirk to show as he threw another log on the fire. They had stopped to eat and sleep for the night, deciding to return to the fortress through a different, longer path. Being cooped up in Whedon's fortress had left both feeling cloistered, so Sessho-maru opted to spend a few nights outdoors in the fresh air.

"I'm going to bathe."

"Be careful."

"Are you offering to be my escort?"

Kurama looked over his shoulder at Sessho-maru, a playful smile made almost malicious in the firelight. He saw Sessho-maru hesitate which made him chuckle, then he disappeared into the bushes.

"I'll yell if I need help washing my back."

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Kurama was enjoying the fresh cool water as he swam in the small pond. His body was becoming overheated sitting so close to Sessho-maru on Aun and now it was being brought under control again.

As he floated in the dark water and stared up at the starless night, he heard a cry of agony and the clash of steel. He quickly made his way to the shore, pulling on his pants and running towards Sessho-maru. As he came to their site, he saw Sessho-maru facing off against four youkai. He didn't have his own ki to sense how powerful the other youkai were but he was determined not to let Sessho-maru face them alone. He was not without skills, just his spirit energy. He still possessed the natural speed and strength of the kitsune and he was skilled in various fighting techniques.

As Kurama looked around for an appropriate branch to turn into a fighting staff, the youkai attack and he turns to see Sessho-maru handling them with speed and agility he'd thought impossible. As he stood there, mesmerized by Sessho-maru's fighting, he sees a small flash off to the side. There in the bushes is a fifth youkai, hiding, waiting to attack Sessho-maru's back once it's turned.

Without thinking, and without a weapon in hand, Kurama sprints forward and tackles the hiding youkai, alerting Sessho-maru to his presence. As they roll to the ground, they wrestle for control of the sword. The youkai manages to gain the high ground and he jams his elbow into Kurama's throat, breaking his hold on the sword. Before he can cry out a warning, Kurama finds a sword buried in his stomach.

"Kurama! No!"

The air is suddenly charged with demonic energy as Sessho-maru's eyes turn red with rage and he transforms into his full inu youkai aspect, wasting no time in ripping the attackers to shreds.

Sessho-maru is by Kurama's side, cradling his head against his chest and checking the deep stab wound in the kitsune's midsection.

"Kurama. Can you hear me? Kurama?"

"You….called me…..by my….name."

Kurama attempted to smile but he was quickly losing consciousness.

"Kurama! Don't close your eyes. Look at me. I'll say your name all you want, but you need to stay awake!"

"Thank you…."

Sessho-maru's heart felt like it was in a vise as he watched Kurama's eyes close and he felt his body go limp. The thought of losing Kurama was more than he could bear. He carried Kurama to Aun and they took off, taking the most direct route to his fortress.

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Sessho-maru stood at the foot of the bed, keen eyes observing the scene before him. He had arrived with Kurama only hours ago, both covered in Kurama's blood by that point with the kitsune having remained unconscious the whole trip, despite Sessho-maru's best efforts. Jaken, having sensed his master's approach, was already outside waiting when they landed. Sessho-maru jumped down with Kurama cradled against him and strode past the sycophantic toad youkai.

"Kurama is hurt. Get the necessary supplies and meet me in his room. Move!"

Jaken didn't waste a moment obeying his master's orders and soon arrived in Kurama's room to find Sessho-maru stripping the kitsune's upper body to expose the wound.

"Damn it, Kurama, what were you thinking?"

"M-my lord?"

Sessho-maru backed away and took his current position at the foot of the bed and watched as Jaken cleaned and treated the hole in Kurama's stomach.

"Guards!"

Instantly two guards appeared and Jaken gave them orders to lift Kurama and completely remove his clothing and the soiled bedding. Jaken quickly bandaged Kurama's midsection and he was once again laid down in his bed which now had clean bedding. Finally turning to Sessho-maru, Jaken noticed the straight back, clenched fists and burning golden eyes. He's truly worried about the kitsune. What did he call him? Kurama? He's become more than a toy for you, hasn't he, my lord?

"He's lost a lot of blood, but it was a clean wound and I was able to close it. He needs rest and I'll make sure he takes this elixir twice a day. It will help him regenerate blood faster."

Jaken still watched his master for any acknowledgement or sign that he heard what was being said to him, but those golden eyes remained fixed on the unconscious kitsune.

"He'll be fine, my lord. Why don't we get you cleaned up while he rests?"

A small tug on his sleeve pulled Sessho-maru's attention from Kurama to the worried toad youkai next to him. Big, yellow eyes looked up at him full of concern and sadness.

"Please, my lord. Your clothes are covered in blood."

Sessho-maru looked down at himself and then back at Kurama. Finally, without a word, he left the room, leaving Jaken to ponder what had happened during their trip to cause such emotion in his master.

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Sessho-maru had gone straight to the hot spring and tore the clothes from his body, burning them to ashes with his acidic claws. He quickly washed and then soaked his tense body in the therapeutic hot water. As he sank deeper his mind and body began to slowly relax and he closed his eyes, grateful for the quiet.

Why did you do it, Kurama? I was in no real danger.

Images of Kurama rolling on the ground with the youkai, the blade flashing in the firelight until it was plunged into Kurama's stomach. Sessho-maru felt the sharp stab of panic in his chest again and he brought a hand up as if the feel of the warm, wet hand would somehow make it go away.

Why would you risk your life like that? Was it really for me?

Ever since Kurama had entered his life, he'd found himself with more questions than answers and he was unaccustomed to such a state of mind. For every piece of knowledge Sessho-maru gained about the kitsune, ten questions would arise to confound him even further. He wanted to know more about Kurama. Everything, in fact. He had told Lady Lena the truth when he said no one had captivated him like Kurama.

Sessho-maru let out a bitter chuckle as he laid his head back and stared up at the ceiling.

"I still don't even know what you want from me. And I don't think I want to know." I just may give it to you, Kurama. Then what? Will you try to escape? I would give you anything you asked if you would stay by my side.

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Why did I do it? Why did I try to save him? He's powerful enough to handle himself.

Kurama lay secure within Sessho-maru's arms as they raced through the air on Aun. He could feel the softness of his clothes and strong arms holding him close. Is that….his heartbeat? He could feel the wind trying to steal his shallow breaths away and the powerful muscles of the dragon straining to go faster and faster. He was too weak to speak, move, or even blink. So he lay there and recalled the panicked words of Sessho-maru in his head.

"Kurama! Don't close your eyes…."

He remembered feeling a smile and thanking the inu for the honest words and for using his name, but he wasn't sure if he managed to project either as his lids closed.

"…..Look at me. I'll say your name all you want……"

There was nothing Kurama wanted to do more than open his eyes and gaze into the golden orbs and tell him everything was going to be fine. He didn't like the worried look he saw on the inu's face. He wanted to see that wicked smile and yes…he wanted to hear Sessho-maru say his name. He didn't want it yelled in alarm. He wanted it whispered in his ear.

Why did I do it?

He thought back and saw the youkai hiding in the bushes, waiting to ambush Sessho-maru from behind and suddenly, that feeling hit him again. And then he knew.

I didn't want to see him hurt. Or even scratched. He's too beautiful to suffer even the slightest blight to his image.

Kurama felt a darkness closing in around his mind and he fought to keep what little bit of consciousness he had, but the lure was too strong. He was in pain and cold and his body just wanted to shut down. Maybe…maybe I'll just sleep for a little bit. He'll keep me safe. I know he will.

To be continued…..