Disclaimer: see previous chapters.

Belonging

Chapter 11

"My Lord, he's awake! My Lord!"

Jaken ran through the fortress corridors, yelling at the top of his lungs. He knew that when the inu lord said he wanted to be notified the moment Kurama was awake, he meant it. Just as the toad youkai reached for the brass door handle, the wooden door swung open, knocking him backwards.

"Ah! Oh! My Lord!"

Jaken looked up to see Sessho-maru spare him a glance before heading in the direction in which he'd just come. The faithful servant picked himself up and followed silently behind his master. For the past two days Sessho-maru had been especially withdrawn and his temper was on a hair-trigger.

Sessho-maru stopped in front of the door, his hand resting on the handle. Why am I so nervous? Kurama is awake and I want to see him. His grip on the door handle tightened and he took a deep breath before finally opening the door.

Sessho-maru walked into the room to find Kurama struggling to sit up on his own. He quickly crossed to the bedside and slipped a strong arm around the kitsune's waist offering his support.

Kurama felt his cheeks getting warm at the close contact. He didn't dare look at the inu youkai. He accepted the help while trying to ignore the warmth and scent of Sessho-maru that seemed to be surrounding him.

Once Kurama was upright Sessho-maru regrettably backed away, taking a seat next to the bed. He fought to maintain a calm exterior as he waited for Kurama to face him. Why won't he look at me? Is he embarrassed? Or perhaps he's angry with me?

Kurama knew he was being watched and it only served to make him even more nervous than he already was. Why am I suddenly so embarrassed? He showed genuine concern for me. He called me by my name. I should….I should…..

"Thank you."

Sessho-maru's eyes widened for a split second at the sound of the hushed statement. He saw Kurama finally turned to face him and when the golden eyes met his own, he felt an unsettling flutter in his stomach.

"You…..you saved my life."

"Of course I saved your life. Were you not doing the same for me, Kurama?"

Kurama smiled and leaned his full weight back against the wall. He'd been trying to sit up straight on his own but he was too weak. So he saved me….but only because I was trying to save him? I don't think I believe that. I saw the fear in his eyes when he called out to me. When he….

"So I didn't imagine it. You did call me Kurama back there, didn't you?"

"I believe that is your name."

Kurama heard the sarcasm and saw the glint in the golden eyes and he chuckled.

"You're right."

Sessho-maru felt the calming effect of Kurama's smile and his laughter. His nervousness was gone and he let himself settle more comfortably in the chair. This feels good…… making him smile. But as he let his eyes roam over the paler-than-usual kitsune, he couldn't keep his brow from furrowing slightly.

"How do you feel?"

"Weak."

"That's to be expected. You lost a lot of blood. Jaken has been treating you with an elixir that helps you to regenerate blood faster. Unfortunately, it also puts you to sleep."

"How long have I been asleep?"

"Two days. Jaken stopped the medication yesterday afternoon."

Both demons remained silent for a few moments, both thinking about the charm around Kurama's neck.

If I didn't have this stupid charm, I would have stopped that dreg and never been injured. Then again, I wouldn't be here with Sessho-maru now if he hadn't put it around my neck. But…..without this charm…..I would have never really seen the true Sessho-maru.

That charm! That damnable charm that makes him weak and almost caused his death. But that charm…..it's what keeps him with me. If I hadn't put that charm around his neck, he would have left a long time ago and I would still be alone.

A gentle knock at the door brought both demons from their internal thoughts and they looked to see Jaken walk in followed by a servant carrying a tray of food and drinks.

"Forgive my intrusion, my Lord. I just thought that you two might be hungry." Jaken gestured to the oni and the tray was placed on a nearby table. "I-if you need anything, just call, my Lord. Th-that goes for you too, kitsune." Jaken stole a quick glance at Kurama and he inclined his head slightly at the appreciative smile. You're welcome, Kurama. Just make sure you never make my Lord unhappy.

Once the door closed, Sessho-maru stood and crossed over to the table, retrieving a bowl of soup and bringing it to Kurama.

"Your stomach won't be able to handle much more than this today. But just let Jaken know what you want to eat tomorrow and he'll make sure you get it."

Kurama took the offered bowl and brought it up close to his face, inhaling deeply. It wasn't that the soup smelled that delicious, it helped to drown Sessho-maru's scent. Why have I not noticed how strong it is before now?

"Wh-where are you going?"

Sessho-maru turned as he opened the door, suppressing the satisfied smile from the desperate sound of Kurama's voice. He actually desires my company?

"I am not hungry so I thought I would retrieve a few books for you. You will need something to entertain you until you are able to move around by yourself again."

"I thought you were going to stay with me." Kurama couldn't hold back the smile for more than a few seconds, but he enjoyed the flush on the inu lord's cheeks for that short amount of time.

"You are not a child, Kurama."

"So a bedtime story is out of the question?"

"Have you heard the one about the troublesome kitsune who got into trouble wherever he went because his curiosity was worse than a neko's?"

"Nope. But I've heard the one about the pompous inu who was haunted by a love-sick toad."

"No doubt it had a tragic ending."

Kurama chuckled and reveled in his victory at getting Sessho-maru to blush for a second time. This is fun. I hope he stays to play some more. It seems like forever since we've talked like this. Things have been so tense between us lately.

"Why don't you stay and let me tell you the story. Then you can judge for yourself."

Two pair of golden eyes met in a silent debate.

Stay with me.

This is what I want, isn't it?

We're getting along so well right now.

To know more about Kurama?

Don't spoil it. Stay.

Those eyes. Is he truly asking me to stay?

Please, Sessho-maru.

Sessho-maru turned his back on the kitsune and took a step towards the open door. He reached out for the handle and gave it a small push, closing it. He turned around to see Kurama smiling at him mischievously as he made his way back to the chair he had just vacated. Once he was comfortable, he gestured widely with his clawed hand in a sweeping motion.

"Alright, Kurama. Tell me a story."

To be continued….