Three weeks after the dark tournament had passed and come to an end life returned to normal for everyone. School resumed along with hanging out at the arcade or around the city for the tantai's. Spring quickly beat out winter and Kurama was enthralled to see the plant life come back to life. Thought darkened his personality however and he found himself berating himself more and more. He knew that Keaka hadn't menstruated meaning she was pregnant but she was in denial. She kept saying it will come, don't worry about it I'll get it but still nothing. Kurama stared out his bedroom window staring straight ahead but seeing nothing.
'Three weeks, nearly four, a month. After four weeks the heart begins to beat.' He thought lazily. He shook his head and brought his attention back to his books jumping when the phone rang. He stared at it for a moment before picking it up.
"Konicha'wa. Minamino residence." He said devoid of emotion.
"Kitsune…" The shaky voice said from the other end.
"Keaka. how are you doing?" He asked his mood softening.
"Not well. I'm sick." She said miserably.
"Really? How so?" He asked leaning back in his chair.
"Well I can't stop throwing up." She said softly. Kurama sighed.
"I'll be right over." Kurama said hanging up the phone before she could protest. A quick stop at the apothecary's and was en route to the Kuwabara house hold. He knocked on the door several times loudly before it finally cracked open. Kurama looked down to see Keaka's blue eyes tiredly peering out at him. She opened the door so he could step in knowing well he would force his way in if necessary. Keaka laid back down on the couch and sighed deeply. Kurama made himself comfortable next to her.
"Where are your siblings?" He asked glancing around.
"They went out." Keaka said.
"How long have you been sick for?"
"About a week." She replied.
"You've been sick for a week and your just calling me now?" Kurama asked a bit masking the irritation he felt.
"I thought it would go away." She said tiredly. Kurama took in her appearance and felt an overwhelming amount of pity wash over him. Dark circles shaded under her eyes only intensifying the paleness of her face. Her hair was hurriedly thrown back and appeared to be quite knotted. Kurama sighed and placed the bag on top of her.
"Take this." He said watching her groan and sit up opening the bag. She stared at the contents before taking out the light blue box. She gulped her hands trembling.
"Take it." Kurama said helping her to her feet and leading her to the bathroom.
"Make sure you read the instructions carefully." He said closing the door. Kurama sat at the small island in the kitchen and waited patiently ignoring the crawling feeling in his stomach. A few minutes later Keaka walked out slowly with her head down.
"How did it go?" Kurama asked knowing the answer.
"I think I should have it at Genkai's just in case it is Karasu's." Keaka said tears streaming down her face as her lip quivered of it's own accord.
"Yes that would be our best bet." Kurama said gathering her into his arms and settling her on his lap.
"Everything will be fine. I'll take care of you and our child no matter what the outcome may be." He soothed kissing her cheek lightly.
:"How are we going to tell our families, our friends?" Keaka asked after a moment of silence had passed.
"Together." Kurama replied softly.
(((-------))))
It was decided that both families would be told at the same time. After some persuading, mostly from Kurama, Shizeru and Kazuma arrived with Keaka at the Minamino household. Keaka tried to keep her mood light but couldn't help feeling panicky uncertain of how events would transpire. Kurama greeted them at the door and instructed them to sit in the living room. Shiori was already sitting in a chair her gaze followed the young people uneasily unsure if she was prepared for what ever news her son may give her that could possibly involve the Kuwabara's. The three greeted her politely and took a seat with Kurama sitting next to Keaka taking her hand in his. She looked nervously at him as their gazes met and he nodded his head in reassurance.
"Alright Kesaki so what's this all about sis?" Shizeru asked in her normal tone.
"Well…I uhm…there's something we need to tell you….I just…I mean…" She said struggling.
"While we were away on our trip Keaka was raped." Kurama said nonchalantly. Keaka put her head down as mouths dropped.
"Who was it? I'm kill the bastard!" Kuwabara yelled angrily his fists clenching.
"Karasu." Keaka choked out.
"K-Kesaki-chi…" He managed to get out. Shiori's eyes clouded with tears but wiped them away.
"I still don't understand what this has to do with me." She stated. Keaka felt Kurama's body stiffen and knew it was her turn to come to his aid.
"I was scared that I would get pregnant by him so I talked Shuichi into sleeping with me so if I were to become pregnant there was a possibility it would be his." Keaka sobbed.
"You seduced my son?" Shiori managed to whisper.
"No mother it was a mutual agreement." Kurama said his voice small.
:"A mutual agreement?" She said giving a hard laugh and covering her eyes with shaky hands.
"A baby, huh?" Shizeru said pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. "Well that's the best news we've gotten in years." She said a small smile forming on her lips. Shiori looked up at her horrified.
"How can you say that? They are throwing their lives away! No there is no way this child is Shuichi's, NO WAY!" Shiori shouted at Shizeru.
"Listen lady there are a lot worse things that could happen. A baby is not a tragedy! Believe me I know!" She said raising her voice.
"Oh don't tell me about tragedies because I've had my fair share! My son is only sixteen years old! He has his entire life ahead of him and there is no way he is going to ruin it before it's barely begun." Shiori replied. "There's still the chance that it's not his and if that's the case let me tell you..."
"Mother regardless if the child is biologically mine or not I will be a father to it." Kurama replied. Shiori's hurt filled expression turned to rage.
"Get out." She stated getting up and walking away. The pain that flooded into Kurama's eyes was unbearable as he jumped up and went after her.
"Kasaan kudasei, reconsider this abrupt decision I beg of you."
"Reconsider yours." Shiori said.
"It is not an abrupt decision. I have put much thought into this and I will be a father to this child.
"Why?" Shiori asked turning around abruptly. "Why would you subject yourself to that if it's another mans?"
"The truth is I couldn't protect her from her attacker." He replied.
"Guilt Shuichi? It's because you feel guilty? Oh sweetie." She said taking him into her arms.
"This isn't our concern." She whispered softly. "After the baby's born and it's proven it's not yours then you don't have to worry about it anymore." Kurama sighed sadly.
"Your not going to accept this are you?" He asked recoiling from her embrace.
"Shuichi…"
"I'll grab some of my things. Later in the week I'll stop by for more." He stated climbing the stairs heavily. Shiori stormed back into the living room and glared down at Keaka.
"I hope your happy, you conniving trash." Shiori spat at her as Keaka sadly looked up.
"I'm sorry." She said sincerely.
"Sorry? Oh now your sorry! You weren't sorry when you forced my son to screw you now were you! You probably never were raped." She said darkly.
"Back off." Kuwabara said grasping Shiori by the shoulder. She turned around and stared at the towering teenager.
"Get your hands off of me Kazuma." She said smacking it away.
"Back off." He repeated with restrain. Shiori caught a glance of the anger that flashed through his face and left the room. Keaka buried her face in her hands and sobbed.
"Hey sis don't worry about it. Everything will be okay." Kuwabara said rubbing her back for comfort.
"Kazuma she's right. I've ruined Kurama's life." Keaka sobbed.
"Probably but your damned lucky sis that you have a guy like that." Shizeru stated. Keaka looked up at her and saw a hint of jealousy in her eyes. Shizeru Kuwabara, always the bride's maid.
"Shall we be off?" Kurama asked from the doorway.
(((-------))))
Later that night Keaka held Kurama in her arms as he sobbed silently.
"I'm sorry." She said. Kurama hadn't said much for the remainder of the day which even Kazuma knew was a sign to leave him alone. Once everyone had turned in for the night and the two were alone in Keaka's room Kurama collapsed into an emotional wreak. It was awkward to see Kurama in such a state. The calm, calculating always one step ahead of everyone else demeanor was only a way for him to hide his pain. Guilt, shame, regret were his most dominant feelings but now something else had been thrown in, something Yoko Kurama had never experienced in all his years; rejection.
"I always knew it would come to this." He said softly from the comfort of Keaka's embrace.
"What's that?"
"My mother turning her back on me, hating me. However it is for a completely different reason as to what I thought it would be. I can't even imagine what her reaction would have been if I had ever shown Yoko." He said calming down his sobbing.
"I'm sorry." Keaka said again.
"Don't be. This is a decision that we entered into together and I'll be damned if anyone dissuades me from it." He said his face relaxing back to it's calm demeanor.
"Thank you." Keaka said softly.
"You welcome." Kurama whispered brining his face to hers and catching her lips in a passionate kiss.