Part Twelve: Home at Last and A Surprising Event
The demon looks at Ani in shock. "How did you know they were here?" he whispers.
"I sensed my brother. It doesn't matter if I'm warded, I know when he is close," Ani murmurs thoroughly enjoying the frightened look on Koenma's face as Kurama glares at him. It served the idiot right. He should leave things that didn't concern Spirit World alone meaning that he should keep out of the demon world, which he had obviously not learned how to do yet.
"Why?" Kurama grits out, "Why would you hurt him?"
"He was pregnant," Koenma answers still trying to retain some composure…and failing miserably. The redhead's green eyes flash angrily and in a few moments, the normally placid Kurama has been replaced with a fuming fox-demon.
"You had no right!" Yoko snarls, "I don't care what your excuse is, you had no right to kill him!"
Koenma seems to realize the danger he is in as he faces an extremely infuriated fox that happened to be an A-class demon. He swallows nervously and looks around seemingly trying to find a way out. There is none. "I think you had better start giving us a good reason as to why we shouldn't kill you on the spot," Oto says slowly walking closer, "I am pretty sure Yoko wants to see you dead for this and I…well, I am not too pleased that you kidnapped my brother with an intent to kill him."
"So, do you have a reason that I shouldn't just end your life?" Yoko snarls as his
rosewhip unfurls at his side. His golden eyes show no mercy and Koenma knows that if he doesn't think fast, he's going to die.
"I-I can't bring them back, Yoko," Koenma whispers, "I know that is what you want to hear but I cannot bring them back…unless due to special circumstances. That is my father's rule."
"Then you can at least stay out of the Makai, toddler. You are prince of Spirit World so stay out of ours," Yoko hisses, "and leave my friends and their families alone."
Koenma looks like he's about to protest but the look on the silver-haired kitsune's face is enough to make him silent. He merely nods his head. "Good, now get out of my sight!" Needing no further prodding, he runs for his life. Yoko reverts back to Shuichi.
The redhead looks mournful. "So it was him all along?" he asks.
"Yes," Ani says softly. Kurama shakes his head.
"Well, now that you're here I need to talk to you," the demon says slowly helping Ani up, "He's pregnant with triplets so you're all going to have to tread very carefully.
Within the next few weeks his mood-swings are going to get really, really, nasty so be warned that anything he can throw…he will."
"Triplets?" Kuwabara asks sounding just like Ani had when he'd been told.
"Yes, triplets. Two boys and a girl," the demon answers. The carrot-top manages a slight smile.
"Well, that is going to make things interesting," Karasu comments.
"No one asked you, crow," Ani huffs. The violet-eyed demon grins.
"Shall we leave or would you like to see how long it takes for Ani to catch a chill down here?" the demon interjects.
"Let's go," Oto says before walking passed him and gently picking Ani up. The shorter demon rests his head against his shoulder.
"Why isn't Bui here?" he asks.
"He's probably still unconscious," Oto answers, "And because you seem to not like him around."
"He called me a midget freak. That wasn't nice," Ani huffs. Oto just chuckles. "Don't laugh at me!"
"I wasn't laughing at you, brother."
"Yes you were!"
"No, no I wasn't."
Kuwabara smiles as he watches Ani and Oto bicker back and forth. He is glad that the smaller demon is safe. He turns to see that the demon who had been right next to Ani is no where to be found. "Hey, where did that demon go?" he asks. Ani looks at him.
"He told me that he would leave. It's all right," the golden-eyed demon answers.
Kuwabara merely shrugs and decides to trust Ani.
"Hopefully that is the end of this," the carrot-top mutters once they get back to
Toguro's home, "I am not going to be happy if he doesn't keep his word and Ani disappears again."
"None of us will," Oto remarks. Kuwabara nods and turns to leave.
"Kuwabara, could you stay…just for a little while?" Ani asks softly. That stops him in his tracks and he turns around. The smaller demon gives him a timid smile. "Please?"
Kuwabara's heart melts.
"All right, I guess I could," he consents, "Do you mind telling Yusuke that I am not to be bothered, Kurama?"
"Of course," the redhead answers before smiling at him, "Congratulations. May I suggest that you DON'T tell Shizuru?" Kuwabara chuckles.
"That would definitely not be a good thing to do at this moment."
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Kurama heads into the Ningenkai and towards his home with a heavy heart. 'So, you knew he would lose the pendant and go after it…you planned on it. I cannot believe you. He was everything to me,' he thinks. Tears fill his green eyes and he tries valiantly to blink them away, 'I am so sorry, Kuronue.' "Fox, did everything go all right?" a familiar voice inquires. Kurama looks up at Hiei who is leaning against a tree.
"Yes, Ani is back where he belongs," he answers.
"Why did you have to go?" Hiei asks. Kurama doesn't feel like bringing up painful memories but Hiei was a dear friend and even if he didn't show it, the fire-demon cared.
"Koenma was responsible for the death of my partner Kuronue. He was pregnant," he answers after a moment, "He said that Kuronue can only be returned by special circumstances."
The fire-demon hears the sad, wistful quality to the redhead's tone and decides to do something about it. Kurama had done so much for him that it was high time that he returned the favor. He has yet to reveal to the others that he still has his wish from the Dark Tournament. He'd been saving it for a special occasion and decides that this was that time. He heads deeper into the forest so as to not be disturbed or overheard. He opens a small communicator Koenma had given him until he made his wish. He opens it and waits. It takes a few minutes for Koenma to respond. "Yes, Hiei?" the prince inquires.
"I am ready to make that wish," Hiei says simply.
"Very well, what is your wish?"
"I wish for you to return Kuronue to life as he had been before he was killed."
He almost smiles seeing the shocked look on the toddler's face.
"Are you sure?"
"Would I have said it if I wasn't?"
"No. Very well, your wish shall be granted…so help us all."
Hiei closes the communicator, which immediately disappears and smiles…a true, happy smile. "You're welcome, fox," he murmurs knowing that Koenma wouldn't be stupid enough to tell the redhead that Hiei had been the one to return Kuronue to him.
He hides his emotions back behind the mask he had created over the years to survive a life of isolation and danger. Maybe one day he would show the others the real him…maybe one day.