Er....... Hi *sheepish wave*

Before anyone comes after me with raging pitchforks for not updating in ages, i would like to humbly and grovelingly apologize as i have no inspiration what's so ever T_______T

so here is what i have successfully beaten out of my brain

Disclaimer: not mine nada zilch nothing

"Okay run that by me again?" Came the frustrated and bemused voice of Yusuke Urameshi, which floated over the hubbub of the Gryffindor common room from the fireplace, where the gang was sitting.

They all were reclining in the large worn arm chairs by the fireplace and were thankful for the warmth of the heat as the early march weather was still bitterly cold at night, Touya was cuddling against Jin who was comfortably sprawled on one of the chairs and wasn't really listening to the conversation as he was idly playing with Touya's hair, opposite him was Yusuke, who was fisting his hair in confusion.

Opposite to him was Yomi who was sitting in the larger of the armchairs one hand supporting his head, as he looked at Yusuke with a mixture of amusement and exasperation twinkling in the newly revealed eyes, his other arm was wrapped securely around Kurama as he leaned his back to Yomi's chest, shaking his head in amusement, whereas Hiei watched the whole display from the window, with lordly composure and rolled his eye's at Yusuke's dull witted understanding of the explanation that had been repeated four time's already.

Kurama smiled and asked "What do you understand then Yusuke?"

The bemused boy drew a deep breath and began to rant

"Well…. I get the part where you ordered fan assassin after Yomi 'cause he was endangering your men and was getting loads of them killed and that the assassin failed but managed to blind Yomi.

Yomi was pissed obviously but never hated you 'cause he new he was in the wrong and if you had wanted him dead you'd of killed him yourself and all, but what I don't get is how the hell are you now Un-blind!!!!"

Yusuke finished and en hailed deeply, out of breath.

Yomi smirked and pulled Kurama closer as he spoke and wrapped his other arm around the red head as he spoke,

"I am what is referred to as a Nue, Yusuke, it is a Japanese chimera that has the ability to change its form at will, traditionally they are depicted as tigers with the hind legs and tail of a monkey, but in reality we have many forms mine is that of a horned lion with the ears of a goat.

My ability to control my form is what assured me that Kurama's punishment was just and far more merciful that he would have you believe.

He new of my power and new that I would be able to heal, although when he saw me at the demon tournament I believe he had convinced him self to be cruel and heartless I also understand he thought I had not been able to heal my sight."

Kurama looked away eyes down cast he had never felt worse than when he had seen Yomi and believed that he had taken his sight from him.

He had always loved Yomi's eyes they were a gorgeous they were electric blue and purple an unnatural colour that only the Nue had, it took your breath away and had always made his heart speed up, although he would never admit it, when Kuronue had found out the jerk had teased him mercilessly, Kuronue had always been there for him like brother offering endless support and annoyance when he wanted to.

Yusuke scratched his head "You see that's the bit I don't get, if you could heal all along why the hell didn't you?"

Yomi smiled once again, it was beginning to irritate Yusuke the stoic jerk never used to smile he was grumpy all the time, then what happens he gets beaten up, travels with his son a bit, confesses his undying love for Kurama, mate's him and then is all smiley, GAHHH!

His inner rant about demon lords and their mood swings were interrupted when Yomi replied with that damnable smile that made his purple eye's all glittery.

"I took it as a chance to get stronger if I could become strong enough to gain territory with out my sight I would double in strength when I finally chose to use it again."

"I can understand that but GAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! That means when you and I fought you were only at half strength!!!!!"

oOoOoOo

The third task loomed over Hogwarts and Harry was becoming Nervous as a few week's before he and the other champions were brought down to the Quidditch pitch and to his and Cedric's horror, it had been taken over by hundred's of interlacing hedges only about a meter high.

When asked Dumbledore assured the to distraught boy's that the pitch would be returned too normal after the task.

Kurama stooped down to examine the hedges and hummed slightly as he said to him self,

"This shall be interesting, spider's trap yew, very rare, will be dangerous as it's growing at an advanced rate"

He smiled serenely once again and broke off a spall cutting and ran his hand through his hair, Harry didn't notice that the sprig of yew disappeared as his eyes were attracted to the mark on Kurama's neck, just below his collar where his neck met his shoulder there was a black mark in the shape of a horned chimera , it was tattoo like but he couldn't remember if he'd ever seen it before , Kurama seemed to notice his stare and merely smiled calmly.

oOoOoOo

Harry's nerves mounted as June twenty fourth approached, but they were not as bad as the nerves he had experienced before the first and second tasks. For one thing he was confident that, this time, he had done all he could to prepare for the task. For another, this was the final hurdle, and however well, or badly he did the tournament would at last be over, which would be an enormous relief.

Breakfast was a noisy affair at the Gryffindor table on the mourning before the third task, Harry was startled when Professor McGonagall tapped him on the shoulder and addressed him: "Potter you and Mr. Kurama are expected in the meeting room after breakfast."

"But the trial is not till tonight!" exclaimed Harry accidentally spilling his eggs down his front, afraid he had mistaken the times.

Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow as Kurama (who had been otherwise been engaged in conversation with the ever stoic Touya) handed Harry a napkin, smiling amused when he accepted with a blush of embarrassment.

"I am well aware of this Mr Potter, but the champions families have been invited to watch the third task at it is merely an opportunity for you to greet them."

Harry gaped at her as she turned away, Kurama patted him on the back as he turned back to the table and asked Ron dumbly,

"She doesn't expect the Dursleys to turn up does she?"

"Dunno" Ron replied just as blankly, " But I'd hurry up mate, If they are here doubt they'd want to be kept waiting."

"When you're finished we can go together Harry." Kurama stated as he elegantly nibbled on a piece of toast. Harry nodded and finished up.

As the two entered the small room of to the right at the top of the great Hall, Harry was startled when there was a sharp exclamation of joy. A young boy about 11-or 12 years of age, seemingly out of mid air, promptly tackled Kurama with a joyful expression and shout of "Anuue!"

Kurama responded in kind with a winning smile and a return of the bear hug to the boy, and then replied "I missed you as well Ototou. I assume you've gotten a lot of practice in my absence?" the boy nodded with a smile "You bet!" the heavy accent obvious.

A warm friendly voice floated across the space, the accent thick when it spoke. " I can assure you Shuuichi-kun, Shuu-Chan has done nothing but practice since you left I can barely take two steps before the little scallywag teleports in front of me!"

The voice came from a middle age woman with a kind face and long brown hair greying a little with the stress of life, her mischievous brown eyes twinkled with mirth but had an undertone of steel and had a kind of wisdom that made you believe as though there was a thousand things that she had seen.

Kurama smiled and the younger boy released him as the woman opened her arms and enveloped him in a warm embrace. "I missed you mother" said Kurama softly.

Kurama's mother Beamed and said, "We all missed you too, Shuuichi-kun, Shuu- Chan and Kasuyu-kun were worried too!" before releasing him holding him at arms length and giving him the once over

"You're too thin. Have you been eating enough?"

"How is Chichue?" asked Kurama, strategically changing the subject from his mothers worrying, Shiori pouted and said "oh Shuuichi-kun, how many times does he and I have to tell you to call him Tou-Chan? You are way too formal young man!"

"A thousand more before I do so, I believe that Chichue would have a heart attack if on top of everything recently I called him so informally" Kurama's eye's twinkled with playfulness.

Shiori and the Shuu-Chan burst out laughing " Tou-san would have a heart attack indeed, I don't think anything could ever rival his expression when he read the letter you sent us! He was ranting about the "Improper conduct of your suitor" and how "the villainous man should have come to him first and he would have seen to his character!" then he burst into tears!!!"

Shiori smiled fondly "Kasuyu-kun cares for you both so much, he is really a big softy inside"

Kurama chuckled at his younger brothers rendition of his stepfather. Secretly pleased as Kasuyu had really encouraged his mothers playfulness and had helped put the spring back in her step after she recovered from her illness.

Shiori eye's burned with mischievous intent when she asked slyly "So were is this Mate of yours Shuuichi-kun? "

Kurama smiled and said "we were going to meet at the lake by the cherry trees, you can come if you like?" his attention was stolen when a shy voice stuttered to get his attention.

"H-hello Kurama- kaa-Chan, its nice to see you again." The small voice originated from a timid figure of a boy about 9 years old, he had dark hair and pinkish purple eyes as well as a small horn in the centre of his forehead.

"Shura! I had no idea you were here! How are you? Was you trip all right? Would you like anything to eat?" Kurama instantly bombarded the boy with questions, unwittingly giving off a motherly aura (much to Shiori's amusement and curiosity).

Shura smiled and hesitantly tugged on Kurama's sleeve to stop his maternal rant halfway. He had grown close to Kurama and thought of him as a mother, even though at first he had resented Kurama for being close to his father.

"I'm good Kurama-kaa-san, I was wondering if I could go with you to meet Chichue?"

Kurama smiled warmly and said, "of course you can, Shura!" he held out his hand and Shura took it, Kurama brought him over to were Shiori and Shuu-Chan, and introduced him. Shiori looked at the boy for all of three seconds before glomping the timid young Nue with a girlish squeal of " He's so cute!!!!"

At this Shura blushed whilst Shiori gushed at told him to call her "Baa-Chan" whilst Kurama sweat dropped and Shuu-Chan looked faintly exasperated at his stepmother's grandchildren obsessed actions.

Meanwhile when Harry entered the room, he looked around and saw Cedric and his parents talking by the fireplace, Fleur, her little sister and her Mother and Father conversing in rapid fire French. Krum was exchanging greetings to his mother whilst his hooked nosed father smiled. He then spotted Mr and Mrs Weesly as well as Bill Weesly.

"Surprise!" exclaimed Mrs Weesly excitedly, as Harry smiled Broadly and walked over to them. "Thought we'd come and watch you, Harry!" She bent down and kissed him on the cheek.

You all right" said Bill grinning at Harry and shaking his hand. "Charlie said you were incredible against the horntail, he wanted to come but couldn't get time off.'

Fleur Delacour, Harry noticed, was eyeing bill with great interest she, apparently had no objection to the long hair or the fang earring.

"Its really nice of you " Harry muttered, "I thought for a second that -- the Dursleys—"

Mrs Weesly "Hmmmmmd" her eyes flashed, although she never openly criticised the Dursleys (or at least in front of Harry) her eyes flashed whenever they were mentioned.

"Its great to be back here" said Bill looking around the chamber "Haven't seen this place for five years. Is that picture of the mad night still around? Sir Cadogan?"

Harry nodded grinning.

"And the fat lady?" Bill questioned with a grin.

Mrs Weesly 's eye's twinkled and said, "She was here in my time!"

Bill grin widened and said "Fancy giving us a tour Harry?"

A while later and in the early afternoon Harry and The three Weesly's Met up With Kurama, Yomi, Shura, Shuu-Chan (or Shuuichi as he introduced himself, he explained he was called Shuu-Chan as he and Kurama have the same name (to Harry's confusion) because their step brothers).

Harry and the others watched amused as Shiori had immediately sprung to her feet and enveloped Hiei in a bone-crushing hug a sight which Harry had never thought he would live to see (nor he mused would the person who tried it).

They sat in one large group by the lake (later joined by Ron Hermione and the twins plus Ginny) The large group laughed and chattered. And were much amused at the stories regaled by Shiori and Kurama's younger brother, including Yomi and Shiori's first meeting.

xXxXxXxXx flashback to earlier that day XxXxXxXxXx

The group approached the figure of Yomi, waiting by the lake sure he was sitting in the shade of one of the Cherry trees, he stood upon the approach.

Shura ran to his father and embraced him laughing as Yomi spun him round with a smile. Yomi then put him down gently as he and Shura began to pretend to wrestle, by the time the others reached them Shura was being tickled mercilessly by his father, and called to his 'mother' for help, Kurama then pretended to think about it before taping his mate on the shoulder and bending down for a kiss. Shura groaned and covered his eyes, but was smiling anyway.

Shiori looked upon this scene smiling gently, happiness and relief filled her as she watched the heart-warming scene, Shuuichi cheered as Shura managed to tackle his 'mother' into the soft sand, commencing round two of his wrestling matches.

Yomi stood and brushed him self of laughing at the spectacle as now Shuuichi had joined the fray and were ganging up on Kurama, who's usually composed self was laughing hard and being tickled mercilessly by his brother and his 'son'.

Shiori approached Yomi a playful twinkle in her eye, she gave him the once over, sniffed slightly, in a mock snooty look and said, " Well I suppose you'll have to do."

Yomi smirked at her approval, as it was obvious through the mock insult, and replied "Thank you, Hahaue."

Shiori laughed and brushed the formality aside " You can just call me Kaa-Chan, Yomi, any man who can make my son smile like that has earned that much at least. Though I warn you now Youkai or not Lord or not, you could be a Kami- Sama for all I care, hurt my boy and I will, and the devil him self won't save you from me!"

Yomi nodded " I would expect nonetheless from the mother of him"

Shiori smiled "good" she nodded, "now what have you done about my future grandchildren?"

XxXxXx end flashback XxXxXxXx

Laughter echoed along the shores of the lake as the rendition was re-told by Shiori, much to Kurama's embarrassment (if the blush was anything to go by) and much to the amusement of Yusuke and Jin who were roaring with laughter, Jin elbowed Kurama, suggestively and wiggled his eyebrow's but blushed along with Touya when Shiori said slyly:

"Don't think you can escape me, Jin! Touya is like a son to me so I expect grandchildren from him too!"

The group laughed, Mrs. Weesly getting along well with Shiori, and the twins were talking with Shura about the demon tournament, as the conversation evolved, Mr. Weesly finally asked (as it appeared he had been dying to)

"Do you use Muggle tek-know-la-gee? Like elek-tristy?"

Shiori looked at him and giggled, "Of course I am Muggle!" This statement caused confused silence to those who herd, Mrs. Weesly looked bemused,

"You're a Muggle? So is Kurama the only one with magic?"

Shiori smiled and explained, "Shuuichi-kun is a Youkai, but he is a blend between human and Youkai, his soul is that of a Youkai, but was born human, soon his body will stop ageing and he will move back to the Makai." She trailed off unknowingly.

Mrs. Weesly looked sympathetic, wondering if she would be able to cope if one of her children would have to leave, and would live long after her bones had turned to dust.

Shiori spotted this and smiled again, "oh don't looked so depressed even if I die before Shuuichi-kun's children age at all I can still see them as the mate of a Demon lord or part of the Reikai Tentai he would probably just come and visit me in the spirit world until I re-incarnate"

Mrs. Weesly looked surprised at the fact Kurama had that sort of connections but dismissed for curiosity, "does Shuuichi-Chan have any magic?"

Shiori laughed and said, "Why yes he does! Oh when Shuuichi-kun found out!" before smiling fondly, as she told Mrs. Weesly just how Kurama had "found out" about Shuu-Chan's powers.

XxXxXxXx flash back XxXxXxXx

Kurama was irritated……

Kurama was never irritated……

Kurama was sure he was being followed……

Kurama couldn't find out who was following him…..

Kurama sighed in frustration, at first it had been a slight niggling feeling, one he associated with budding psychic's, only problem he couldn't catch this Psychic.

Hiei couldn't catch this Psychic. (Kami-sama, he'd tried!)

Hiei was irritated…..

Hiei was always irritated…

Kurama chuckled at the thought, as if were to ask for help on this matter Yusuke or whoever he asked would catch Hiei and call the problem solved, as Hiei was determined to catch the psychic stalking his 'Hahaue'

There it was again, the sensation was similar to having someone stand just out side your peripheral vision, so all you can see is a shadow that distracts your attention from whatever you are doing.

He had his suspicions but he needed proof.

Later that day Kurama was on his way to Genkai's temple, the sensation following him, so Kurama announced his presence with a blast of Youki (Youkai magic), his sensitive hearing heard a gasp, it triggered a slight slip in his pursuers aura, allowing Kurama to know his identity, mischievously he told Hiei his knowledge.

Genkai greeted him with a raised eyebrow before asking gruffly,

"And to what do I owe the pleasure of the Great Youko Kurama at my temple?"

Kurama smiled and bowed to Genkai before replying, "I will not sty long, I merely wished for my dear stalker to reveal himself. I thought your temple would be best incase a large Kamikiri or a Kanbari-nyuudo appeared?"

He turned as Genkai snorted, and said, "So are you going to come out my mysterious shadow? Or shall use force?"

He reached into his hair and produced a rose but smiled when a figure appeared from be hind a tree, a timid and slightly confused voice asked,

"What is a Kamikiri and what's a Kanbari-nyuudo? Are they dangerous? Why did she call you Kurama? That's what your friends call you right? How did you know I was following you? Did you know all along?"

Shuuichi-Chan's face was revealed to the autumnal sunshine that filtered through the high trees that surrounded the aging temple, the would aged and cracking and weeds fought their way into the cracks in the stone, it was a serine place and as Shuuichi-Chan looked on his step-brothers red hair blew in the wind the faded jeans he wore and that beaten leather jacket, green eyes glinting with mischievous intent, some how, even in old worn clothes he looked like something out of a story book.

For the first time in his 11 years of life, some how, it made Shuuichi-Chan feel incredibly small and insignificant, yet he could not quite put his finger on why he had the feeling.

He faltered slightly before asking, "Who are you?"

The old woman in front of him spoke and replied, "I am Genkai and this is my temple, though I'm surprised you were able to pass my wards normal humans can not come here." Her gravely world-weary voice rang clear in the crisp autumn air.

Shuuichi-Chan frowned in confusion, "normal humans?" he asked confused, "so you are both not normal?"

Genkai smirked and muttered, "at least he catches on quicker than the dimwit." Before addressing Kurama, " I assume you did not tell him and your step-father what you are when you told your mother?"

Kurama nodded before saying quietly, "I had not wished to put pressure on them, my mother is one thing but for me to tell two mortals Koenma-sama had decided that I should not, "for the best" I believe he said"

Genkai snorted, "Koenma's an idiot and you of course never listened to him so when were you planning to tell them?"

"When mother thought it was a good time"

Genkai looked at him before saying quite bluntly, "You're a real mama's boy aren't you?"

Shuuichi-Chan watched the conversation with no end of confusion, but in the end plucked up the courage to ask the crazy old lady:

"What did Anuue want to tell us?"

The two who had seemingly forgotten him both turned their attention on him at the same time, Kurama smiled but it was undermined by the flicker of apprehension in his eyes. He finally answered and said,

"Shuuichi you have powers don't you?"

Shuuichi nodded and said," I can hide myself and I can disappear and reapers somewhere else -" he frowned slightly "-there's always this white smoke though."

Kurama nodded, and looked at Genkai, she nodded back and said:

"Teleportation is rare amongst Psychic's but not uncommon"

Kurama smiled slightly before continuing,

"There are other beings with powers other than psychic's like yourself and Genkai, older things, beasts with powers that are unthinkably large, and those who's culture seems cruel and primitive but at the same time out wits the human society and understanding.

These …… Demons are referred to as Youkai but although demonic quite aptly describes there appearance or at least that of the lower ranks, they are more like animals (as they often take the form of such) than the tempters of mythology and although there is a Hell and it does have Demons that guard its gate, they are more to keep those in and keep mortals out, actually in my experience they are some of the most trustworthy-"

Genkai coughed slightly interrupting Kurama's (uncharacteristically flustered) rant as Shuuichi eyes had lost focus and he was looking rather dazed, slowly after a minuet or two to collect himself, he asked, "Why are you telling me this?"

Kurama sighed his eyes filled with apprehension and resolution to some form of rejection that Shuuichi didn't understand; finally he attempted a smile and spoke.

"I am what's often referred to as a Youkai, I merged with this human form becoming the son of Shiori, I will soon stop ageing and return to the realm of Youkai, the Makai"

Shuuichi was quiet for a long moment and Kurama looked at him before a huge smile broke out on his face and he said, "Sweat!"

Kurama looked at him a look of relief on his face that quickly became an anime sweat drop, as Shuuichi bombarded him with questions, adoration in his eyes.

"Cool! What animal do you look like? What powers do you have? Are you strong? How old are you? What's a Kamikiri? What's a Kanbari-nyuudo? Can I become a Youkai too? Why does every one call you Kurama?"

Kurama grinned wolfishly and answered the questions, " a large silver fox, that of plants, quite, the equivalent of about 17, a demon that cuts hair, bathroom demon (both are quite harmless, if a little startling in appearance) no unless you slay a thousand Youkai. Youko Kurama was my name before I became part human."

"Cool!"

Genkai snickered, "Well there you go Kurama now all you need to do is explain that you can bear children to your step father and your family will know everything!"

Shuuichi looked at Kurama, "you can bear children? Doesn't that make you a girl 'cause I swear you were a boy"

Kurama twitched and said "I can assure you I'm quiet male, but I'm a beta so I can just get pregnant, but only by my mate."

"Oh… Should I start referring to you as Onee-san?" Shuuichi grinned cheekily.

Kurama grinned down at him having a few inches height advantage, " not unless you want me to refer to you as Imoutou in front of your friends."

When the two got home, Kurama was met with the sight of Shiori patting Kasuyu's back sympathetically, before he spotted Kurama and threw him self at him Blubbering about how he had always wanted a daughter!

To which Shuuichi-Chan snickered at Kurama and said, "Trust me you think its bad now wait till its new years you'll be in kimono's at every opportunity he gets!"

Kurama smiled and patted Kasuyu on the back, sweat drop in place but secretly thankful that he was surrounded by accepting people that had accepted him for who he was, and as family.

xXxXxXx end flashback xXxXxXxXx

By the time the stories had finished the sun was about to set, they all gathered their things in friendly silence, soon they all broke off into pairs or threes as they went their separate ways, Yomi and Kurama exchanged one last embrace as Harry and Kurama headed for the champions tent.

The Third Task was about to begin….

This Chapter is donated to the wonderful Silver-chan who puts up with me even though i am awful at keeping up to date with my stories ^^;;

Ps. also too JEveeNii (don't ask)

PPS Review!!!!!!!!