Chapter 5 – Cornello and Rose

The sound of the waterfall in the background reached Kurama's ears, and the scent of roses reached his nostrils. The trees were mostly large oaks and sycamores, and the rose vines climbed the trunks. Floral hammocks hung, strong enough to hold a strong man.

"You are the only one who knows about this place?" He asked. Sarome nodded.

"Other than you, Kurama," she smiled as if she remembered something. "Except one person, well, he doesn't have legs." She transformed back into her cat-form, and gently placed her head on the water's surface, and it happened all very quickly then.

A man jumped out of the water and pulled the giant cat into the water. "Sarome!" Kurama yelled. When her head broke the surface, Kurama stepped back. She was laughing.

"Cornello!" she yelled, pulling herself out of the water and shaking the droplets of water form her fur. "Freak!"

"What's wrong?" he asked, by Sarome's side in an instant.

"Nothing," she said, tapping his shoulder with the tip of one of her tails. "Cornello knows I hate getting wet."

"Who's Cornello?" he asked. A young man's head broke the surface. His hair was shoulder-length and blonde, and his eyes were as blue as the water he swam in, but, he had no pupils. When he spoke, his voice was full of mischief.

"Hey, Sarome!" I haven't seen you in a while!"

"That it exactly why, fish-boy!" Sarome snapped, sarcasm filling her voice. Sarome turned to Kurama, who was reaching for his rose-whip. She stopped him by walking over between him and Cornello. "Cornello, this is Kurama, Kurama, this is Cornello." They shook hands, and the tension in the air dissipated. Sarome smiled as she saw Cornello bow towards Kurama, a sign of acceptance.

"What are you?" Kurama asked. Cornello looked at Sarome, who nodded in approval.

"Fish-demon," he said. He pushed himself off of the bank and showed a light blue tailfin, with access fin coming off of the sides. He was a merman!

"Sarome, I have a couple gifts for you," he said. He pulled out a pink jewel shard, and placed it on the bank in front of Sarome.

"A Shikon Shard! Where did you find it?" she asked. She was quickly in her human form, and she took up the fragile jewel with her claws. Before he could say anything to her, she was by his side, and she kissed his cheek. "That means one less for Naraku. The others will be happy."

"What will you tell them?" Cornello asked. "A merfriend of mine beat the shit of a demon to get at it for me. You should accept it. It was a gift! Ha! I wouldn't be surprised if they kill you first! Do they even know I exist?" he mocked. Sarome smiled and kissed his cheek again.

"No, and I intend to keep it that way. This is where I come if I am upset or something."

"Well, I am glad it isn't in Naraku's hands, which could be used to put you against your friends again," he said, kissing Sarome's cheek back. "I'll go get the second." Cornello dove under the water and from sight. Kurama moved over to Sarome and looked at the pink jewel.

"Is this the Shikon jewel Shelbra was talking about?" he asked. Sarome nodded. "So, Sarome, Kagome broke this jewel?" Another nod. "I am curious, why are you so quiet?"

"You are curious a lot, aren't you, Kurama?" she asked. She kissed his cheek and they both blushed. "I am sorry, I missed." She pressed her soft lips against his, and they met. Kurama let it. He enjoyed it, and something inside him told him not to offend her. He ran his fingers through her hair, and she did the same with him.

"Ahh, what a pretty scene."

They both jumped back to see Cornello in the water, with a young woman beside him. Her hair was long and red, like Kurama's, which floated on the water's surface. Her eyes were also the same color. The same shade of forest green. Sarome's face was just as red as Kurama's hair.

"One day, Cornello, I am going to catch you at your game!" she snapped. She noticed the two little kids in Cornello's arms. "Is this-? Is this them?" she asked. Her blush went away, and her eyes were black to their soft tone. "Oh, Rose," she said, turning to the woman. "They are beautiful! How old are they now?"

"Five years," she answered her voice soft. She swam over to the bank in front of Kurama. "Who's he?" she asked, her voice cold.

"Kurama. He is with me, and he will not hurt them, I promise."

"Stick your hand in the water, Kurama. I must see for myself," Rose ordered. Kurama looked at Sarome, who kissed him lightly, and motioned for him to do it. He did, and Rose began to drink the water around his hand.

"What is she doing?" he asked Sarome. She whispered her answer into his ear.

"She is tasting your aura, to make sure it is clean. If it isn't, I'll get you out of here as fast as I can, but, since Tarja thought you and I were similar, it shouldn't be a problem."

"Clean?" he mimicked.

"Clean," Rose answered. A big smile came on her face. "Unbelievably clean. I haven't seen one so pure in a long time, just a little while longer than you, Sarome. You picked a good mate."

"Mate?" Sarome mimicked, a huge blush coming on her face.

"You kissed him, didn't you?" she asked. Sarome stayed quiet, and so did Kurama. Cornello snickered, and Sarome flashed him a dark glare. Rose turned back to Kurama. "Welcome to Dia Legara, Kurama, where you are always welcome, and safe."