Chapter Six- Two Potions

Kurama stirred Kuwabara's hair and blood into a bubbling mixture that contained the anomaly from his blood, a silver hair from his demon form, and the binding agent plant. Kuwabara stood nearby, watching the process. It was Friday and Kurama was anxious for his client to arrive in order to see if the potion really worked.

"He should be here soon," Kuwabara said as Kurama turned off the Bunsen burner.

"He will but your potion needs to cool before you drink it. Have you spoken to Yukina since Monday?"

"Yeah and she said Hiei hadn't come by yet. She's afraid that he left and I'm starting to think he did."

"No, he's around. We spoke last night."

"Good. When he shows up, she'll confront him with the truth."

"Yes, the truth is preferable especially among family and lovers."

"Indeed it is," said a voice at the window. Both looked to see the bat demon at the sill. He eased into the room with an eager expression. "So, Kurama. What's the report on my request's progress?"

"Better than I anticipated. I had a theory of how to create the potion and used a little of your blood sample to confirm it. So, I worked all week on it and I am pleased to say that it is complete."

"Complete?" the demon repeated.

Kurama held up the bottle. "Yes. Once you drink this, you will change to your human form and remain in it until morning as your body needs to fully absorb the effect of changing when you desire."

"And how much do you want for it?" The demon's eyes looked longingly at the bottle.

Before Kurama could say anything, Kuwabara said, "No charge. Love is too special to put a price on it."

"My boyfriend speaks truly," Kurama said as he came forward and handed over the bottle.

The demon eagerly took it, opened it, lifted it in a toast, and drank it down. The effect happened as he handed Kurama the bottle. He gasped as his skin became a light tan, his claws and wings vanished, and his sharp teeth became human teeth and his ears became rounded. A hand flew to his chest as his heart began to beat like a human one. His energy, however, remained the same. He lowered his hand and stared at it, flexing the fingers. "Amazing," he breathed. "I have human form and a human heartbeat."

"I take it you are pleased?" Kurama said.

"Pleased? I am grateful and thrilled. Now, we can go on proper dates and even wed one day. Thank you." The demon went to the window and carefully climbed down the tree.

Kuwabara grinned brightly. "It worked."

"Yes. Kazuma, your change will be a bit more painful as you will go from human to demon instead of the other way."

"I understand." He accepted the beaker of potion and proceeded to drink. He felt it settle in his stomach before he felt it race through his body and he gasped as his body felt like it was on fire. He panted as he felt parts of him itch or stretch and he sensed his energy change and strengthen before the pain faded and ended. He breathed fast and hard as he recovered from his change.

"Kazuma," Kurama said in soft awe. "You are a handsome fox."

Kuwabara lifted his head and straightened before going to Kurama's mirror. A six-foot fox with creamy white skin was reflected there. His eyes were the brown eyes of an Earth fox and complemented the waist-length crimson hair he had. A pair of long ears a darker shade than his hair sat on his head. He turned to see a matching tail and his fingers sported long, sharp claws. "Wow," he said softly. "You're right and it's so different."

"Your energy is also stronger," Kurama added, feeling his heart beat faster as he gazed at Kuwabara. He was glad he had made the potion and looked forward in guiding his boyfriend in his abilities and learn if he had gained a power or powers.

"Stronger?" he repeated. "Why would it get stronger?"

"It could be a side effect of a human taking a demon form or it could be because I used a strand of my hair so you could become a fox."

Kuwabara scratched behind an ear as it itched and then gently fingered it with a small smile. He knew the novelty would wear off but right now it was amazing and he loved how he looked. He could hardly wait to show Yukina and Shizuru. But I have to. I can't be human again until tomorrow morning.

"Kazuma, I would like to learn what power or powers you may have gained."

"Sure. Where do you want to start?"

Kurama plucked a rose seed from his hair and focused. A small shoot broke through the seed before he put it in Kuwabara's hand. "See if you can bring it to full bloom."

Kuwabara stared at the seed, willing it to become a full rose. He sensed a spark of energy snap into his palm before a small flare of fire consumed the seed, burning it to ash. "Oh, man. I'm sorry," he said as he tilted the ash into a can Kurama held out.

"Do not apologize. It helped identify your power. You are not a plant user. You are a fire fox."

"That may explain the burning I felt shortly after I drank the potion."

"Burning? Yes, that maybe another side effect. The feeling of the potion could be different to each human who would become a fox demon."

"Don't know anyone else who would want to be a demon."

"True. I may be able to modify it so a demon could drink it to change into a fox demon permanently."

"Yeah. There could be demons who would wish to be a different type of demon."

"Indeed. The potion's base is the same for any potion so all that is needed is the demon's blood and hair or skin combined with my demon hair and the binding agent."

"Did you tell your family of my asking to be like you?"

"I did and said that the potion may work. They will want to see you as you are in the morning before you resume human form. I am correct in assuming that you will want to see Yukina tomorrow, yes?"

"You're right. I hope she accepts me now."

"She should; as I said before, you are handsome." Kurama came up to him and ran his fingers over some of the hair. "The same color as my own," he said as the hair slid out of his fingers.

"A result of using your hair?"

"No. I think it was the potion combined with your genes and DNA."

"I'm not complaining. It's beautiful."

"Indeed." He smiled a little as Kuwabara yawned, fangs briefly showing before the mouth was covered. "I think we need to sleep. It has been a long day and you need to let the potion fully absorb into you."

"You're right." Kuwabara leaned down to kiss Kurama and he felt an ear being felt before pulling back and leaving the room. He was now human and demon and looked forward to showing Yukina and her admitting that they could be together.