This chapter request comes from kuwayukifan91 and, again, I swear she's psychic because this chapter plays out quite a lot like I was thinking about doing.
This is going to be a sexy fun times chappie so...enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing (seriously, writing sex scenes is pretty fun an entertaining).
Onward!
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A week had passed since the Widow incident and Kuwabara was completely worn out, mentally and physically. School continued after Genkai and Spirit World concocted a fantastic tale about the two boys being unfortunate choices for a Cult ritual sacrifice...it seemed a bit extreme to Kuwabara when he heard the tale, but no one else seemed to find it odd so he, Keiko and Yukina stayed silent about the matter and pretended they knew nothing about it. Yukio returned to school and it was clear that Genkai had put the tale inside his mind as well, he seemed shaken but not as shaken as he would be if he knew giant spider demons hunted humans often.
Kuwabara sat in math class but his mind was not on the lesson at all. He chewed the eraser of his pencil as he thought back to Hiei's conditions of his continued relationship with Yukina.
"Sacred energy?!"
"Yes," Hiei had insisted, "Only a human can master it and it is stronger than any demon energy. You are strong by human standards but they mean nothing to me, with the sacred energy that Sensui had you could be strong even by my standards."
"But, Hiei, it takes a long time to learn if you can learn it at all," Kuwabara had argued, "My life would be half over before then."
"That should be incentive to learn it faster," Hiei said, unconcerned, "Sensui learned in seven years, right?"
"He was also a crazy sociopath with seven personalities!" Kuwabara reminded him, "I'm just..."
"You're a human with unparalleled spirit awareness," Hiei finished, "You obviously have more potential than I ever gave you credit for, your ability to produce the Jigen Tou proves that."
"Is that...a compliment?" Kuwabara was utterly shocked by Hiei's words.
"Don't flatter yourself," Hiei said firmly, his red eyes squinting fiercely, "I was simply implying that you're not as worthless as I thought when I first met you."
"Gee, thanks," Kuwabara muttered, "Ok, Hiei, if...if this is the way to earn your respect then I'll do it. I'd do anything to be with your sister without having to constantly watch my back for your sword."
"Smart choice."
Kuwabara knew if he had any idea what he was getting into by agreeing, he might have thought twice before agreeing to the outrageous condition, but it was too late now. When he had gone to Genkai for help she had been utterly shocked and muttered a long time about not wanting to train another dimwit...but the request must have peaked her interest because she finally agreed to teach him what she could. It turned out that it really wasn't much, she could teach him how to tap into it because it was something every human had the potential to unleash and she could teach him how to feel the difference between normal energy and sacred energy...but the rest would be up to him.
He'd practiced every single day since then and it was harder than he ever imagined. He had developed dark circles under his eyes from the combination of lack of sleep and the physical effort of forcing the energy to the surface and his limbs felt heavy as lead like he'd just spent a day in the gym doing nothing but free weights...but he hadn't even managed a tiny glow of energy yet. He wondered if the effort to use the energy could actually kill him?
"Mr. Kuwabara, did you hear what I just said?" the annoyed voice of his teacher snapped his mind back to the present and he blinked in confusion.
"No, ma'am, I didn't," he admitted with a sigh, "I'm sorry, I was...I have a lot on my mind."
"Well, I certainly hope it's your college applications," his teacher said kindly, "I asked you the answer for problem number one fifteen."
Kuwbara looked down at the algebra problem and thought hard for a long time before sadly shaking his head.
"No," he replied unhappily, "I can't figure it out."
He felt eyes watching him and he glanced to his right to find Keiko watching him in concern, he gave her a weak smile and dropped his eyes back to his textbook. Mrs. Yamamato looked disappointed but she smiled gently.
"Kazuma, you have much potential," she said softly, "But you are so easily distracted. You must focus if you wish to get into a good college. I want you to be successful and math is a very important skill you must know."
Kuwabara looked up and nodded, knowing she was right. He would just have to balance his time better.
After class, Keiko trotted up to him in the hallway, he face full of concern.
"Kuwabara, what is going on?" she asked quietly, "You've been distracted all week and you look absolutely worn out. Is there anything I can do to help?"
Kuwabara looked down at Keiko fondly, she had supported him from the moment he'd decided to dedicate himself to school. She had lamented Yusuke's decision to drop out and had told him she was proud of him for choosing to continue his education unlike her stubborn fiancé. Keiko was a very loyal friend and he found himself wating to share his troubles with her.
"I don't really know if you can, Keiko," he sighed.
"Well, let's start by telling me why you're so distracted," Keiko ventured, "Is it about Yukina?"
"Sort of, but it's not a bad thing," Kuwabara admitted, "Hiei kind of gave me a...suggestion. He told me he would never be ok with Yukina and I unless he felt sure I can take care of her."
Keiko's face took on a look of sympathetic unhappiness.
"He wants me to master sacred energy," Kuwabara finished, "Like Sensui had."
The mention of Sensui made Keiko's eyes darken in anger.
"But...I thought that was an extremely difficult thing to do?"
"It is," Kuwabara's shoulders slumped as he thought about his training so far, "I've been practicing every day for a week and I can only just tell the difference between it and normal energy. A week and that's it, Keiko!"
"At least you can sense it, Kuwabara," Keiko encouraged him, "I mean...if it's as hard to learn as it sounds then that sounds like a good start to me."
"It's exhausting," Kuwabara said grimly, "I can't focus during school if I'm constantly exhausted from training."
"If you want, I can help you stay focused in class," Keiko offered, "I know for a fact that Mrs. Yamamato will let me switch seats to be next to you if she knows I'm going to keep you paying attention and help you learn."
"You'd do that, Keiko?" Kuwabara felt a bit of hope rise in his chest.
"Of course," Keiko said cheerfully, "And, when the time comes, I'll help you put together your college applications and make sure you have everything you need to get into wherever you decide. Remember, you have to make a life for you and Yukina, not just keep her safe. In our world it takes more than brute strength to get ahead."
Kuwabara watched Keiko walk away towards her next class with a smile. He was definitely a really lucky guy to have the support of everyone...everyone but Hiei, anyway.
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When Kuwabara got home, he was slightly surprised to find Kurama standing in his kitchen laughing easily with Shizuru, a potted plant in his hand.
"Oh, hey, little bro," Shizuru greeted him as he shut the door behind him.
"Hey, Shizu. Hey, Kurama, what are you doing here?" Kuwabara asked rather brusquely.
"Oh, I...Shizuru mentioned what she was making for dinner and I have been growing herbal plants for cooking," Kurama explained, his voice slightly higher pitched than normal and his face took on a look of forced innocence, "I happened to have the perfect plant for her recipe. Fresh herbs are always much better than the dried ones and I figured she would put it to better use than I would so I brought her one."
Both siblings eyed the demon with matching confused expressions, but Kuwabara let it slide easily as Kurama held up the plant as proof.
"Rosemary," he stated lamely.
"Ok..." Kuwabara said, turning to Shizuru, "I hope you're making something special because Yukina got her last test back today and it was a perfect score. I think she deserves a little celebration."
Kurama's nervousness faded away and he gave Shizuru a sideways glance before setting his plant down and approaching Kuwabara with a grin, he nodded towards the living room to follow.
"You're right, Kuwabara," the demon stated confidently as soon as they exited the kitchen, "Yukina deserves recognition for her first official human world accomplishment!"
"I wouldn't say it's her first accomplishment, Kurama," Kuwabara said with a roll of his eyes.
"No, of course not," Kurama corrected himself easily, "I just meant her first great accomplishment in school . It's a big deal to her, I assume?"
"Yeah, you should have seen her face," Kuwabara recalled Yukina's excited squeal as she ran down the hallway towards him, her face sporting the biggest smile he'd seen on her yet, "She was so proud of herself."
"As she should be," Kurama said genuinely, "And she deserves a reward, don't you think?"
"Yeah, she sure does," Kuwabara agreed with a nod.
"I have an idea if you're interested," Kurama suggested suavely.
"I'm listening," Kuwabara crossed his arms and leaned against the back of the couch, giving Kurama a grin as he wondered what the Kitsune had to offer.
"My father has a secluded beach house on the shoreline," Kurama said nonchalantly, "Yukina loves the ocean, as you well know."
Kuwabara considered their last visit to the beach and the near disaster it was, he did kind of owe Yukina a beach trip that didn't involve nearly drowning...
"Of course, you two would have the run of the place," Kurama added with a suggestive tone.
Kuwabara felt his cheeks heat up and he knew he was blushing furiously, he looked down at the floor and nodded, knowing full well Kurama was presenting an opportunity he could only have hoped for. It was definitely hard to find any privacy between their friends and his sister.
"You sure your dad won't mind?" he asked, feeling a bit awkward.
"Of course not," Kurama assured him, "He and my mom are on vacation in Australia for two weeks."
Kuwabara was about to ask more questions but the front door opened and a giddy Yukina stepped inside, holding up her paper for Shizuru to see.
"Ok, Kurama," he said quickly, having to make a decision on the fly, "If you're sure it's alright?"
"Absolutely," Kurama smiled, "I'll bring you the key tomorrow morning."
The two boys shared a knowing nod as Yukina bounced into the room to show Kurama her score.
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When Kuwabara offered to take Yukina to the beach house, she was ecstatic. She ran straight up to her room to pack her weekend bag and then she bounced back downstairs and told Shizuru all about it...Shizuru glared suspiciously at her little brother for a while before returning to picking leaves off her new rosemary plant from Kurama.
Dinner passed quickly, Yukina bubbling over about the weekend trip. Shizuru reamined quiet and thoughtful, her eyes often resting on Kazuma and squinting doubtfully, Kuwabara tried not to make eye contact with his sister and kept his head down as he ate as quick as he could manage without choking to death.
After dinner, Kuwabara jumped up and quickly excused himself to pack his bag. He took off upstairs before anyone could say another word and he shut his door with a stressed exhale, Shizuru's glances had made him very uncomfortable. What was her problem?
True to his word, he packed his bag and then stood there wondering what to do next to avoid Shizuru's judgmental gaze. A knock on his door made him look up in surprise.
"Yeah?" he asked warily, the door cracked open to reveal Yukina's smiling face and he relaxed, "Oh, hey, baby!"
"Kazuma, I wanted to come and tell you goodnight," Yukina announced, "I want to get well rested for the weekend! I know we're going to have a lot of fun."
He sure hoped so. He grinned happily when Yukina gave him her usual goodnight hug and quick kiss, it always left him wishing for more. He watched her go with a sigh and walked over to close his door, but came face to face with Shizuru.
"Ah! Shizuru, what do you want?" he asked, knowing he had nowhere else to run. It was time to face her.
"Kazuma, we need to talk," Shizuru muttered, she sounded just as unsure as he felt and that made him relax slightly as she walked in and then turned to face him with her arms crossed.
"About what?" Kazuma asked nervously.
Shizuru took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
"Other than all those street brawls you've been in at school, you're a really good kid," she said all in one breath.
"I'm not a kid anymore, Shizu," Kazuma said, crossing his arms as well and leaning back against the wall.
"Trust me, Kazu, I know you aren't," Shizuru informed him, her voice sounded a little...stressed, "I've watched you grow up from a newborn, crying, stinky baby to what you are now...a brave, strong, honorable young man."
Kazuma felt a little warmed in his heart by his sister's praise but it was still uncomfortable and he shifted his weight around as he avoided her eyes.
"I know you're a good guy, I know your code and I know how much you value honor and honesty," Shizuru continued, and she raised her head to look at him with a very stern expression, "So this weekend you better remember all that."
"What are you trying to say, Shizuru?" Kazuma had a suspicion he already knew but he had discovered long ago to never assume he knew anything about his sister because she always surprised him.
"Here's a simple rule to follow," Shizuru continued, ignoring his question but answering it anyway, "'No' means NO even if it was 'yes' three seconds ago."
"Wha...Shizuru, I'm not dumb!" Kazuma spluttered, taken aback by her insinuation, "You know me!"
"Yes," Shizuru held her palms out in a calming way and seemed unmoved by his outburst, "But in the heat of the moment it's easy to forget."
"Well, I won't forget," Kazuma pouted, feeling slightly attacked by his sister's doubt.
"Just remember, if she says no or even looks uncomfortable you had best not push her," Shizuru continued, "But if she decides she is ready remember this: Ladies come first."
Kazuma rolled that statement around in his mind for a moment, wondering if she meant it the way it sounded...
"And, yes, I do mean it that way," Shizuru assured him.
"Stop reading my mind," Kazuma muttered, annoyed by his sister's abilities to get in his head, "And, trust me, I know that rule too."
"Ugh, I should not be the one having this conversation with you," Shizuru rubbed her eyes with her palms, "Mom or dad should be here to handle this. Alright, you better be really damn careful. Don't do anything stupid because the absolute last thing you need on your plate is an unplanned kid."
Kazuma's jaw dropped in shock.
"Don't look at me like that," Shizuru reprimanded him, giving him a solid slap across the face to make her point. Kazuma rubbed his now sore cheek and glared at her. "Someone has to tell you this stuff. I'm all you've got, little bro, so listen to my pearls of wisdom."
"I don't need your pearls of wisdom," Kazuma muttered, "I'm not completely clueless about this stuff."
Shizuru sighed and left the room, returning a moment later with a small box that she tossed in his direction. He caught it and scanned the label, blushing bright red when he realized what he'd just been given. A box of condoms.
"Geez, you think I need a whole box?" he tried to lighten the mood with a joke but Shizuru did not look amused.
"I've said all I can and done all I can," she said, starting to relax now that the hardest part was over, "The rest is all your problem."
"Thank god," Kazuma muttered, tossing the box at his overnight bag so he didn't have to hold it anymore. To be honest, they scared the shit out of him.
Shizuru nodded once and walked stiffly out, this time she headed to her room and shut the door. Kazuma decided he'd had enough of this day and he shoved his bag to the floor, stripped down to his boxers and collapsed heavily onto his bed, falling asleep almost immediately.
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The next morning found Kazuma and Yukina standing in the kitchen with their bags in hand as Kurama handed over the key to the beach house. Shizuru was leaning against the counter, smoking and looking somewhat smug.
"Thanks so much, Kurama," Yukina said happily as and Kazuma headed out the door.
"You're very welcome, Yukina," Kurama replied with a charming smile, "Kuwabara, I must give you some details about the house!"
Kazuma looked over his shoulder in confusion as heclosed the car door for Yukina.
"Be right back, love," he told her before returning to the front step where Kurama waited patiently. The demon gave him a mischievous smile as he approached and Kazuma felt a little uncomfortable.
"Kuwabara, there's a few things you should know about ice maiden anatomy and physiology," Kurama informed him quietly, Kazuma furrowed his brow in curious surprise.
"O...k..." he said slowly, glancing back to make sure Yukina wasn't hearing this.
"Shizuru told me about your talk last night," Kurama began, making Kuwabara blush, "But I figured it's only fair that you know your precautions are unecessary."
"What do you mean?" the demon had his full attention now.
"As you know, an ice apparition has a child every one hundred years and can reproduce asexually," Kurama pointed out.
"Right..."
"What you don't know is why it only happens every one hundred years, if even that," Kurama continued, "Yukina has not yet reached her hundredth year of life, so she is currently unable to produce a child. It's sort of like human puberty...only she's fully developed, just not fertile. After her first hundredth year, she will be able to conceive at any given time by choice."
"By choice?" Kazuma questioned, not quite getting the idea.
"Yes," Kurama nodded, "Every hundred years ice apparitions have a sort of...mating season. At that point they have no control over their hormones and ability to have children, they are highly fertile. However, at any given time after their first hundredth year until the next they can control their hormones to prevent pregnancy. They've always had this ability, even before they isolate themselves from men entirely."
"So...they can have kids if they want to at any time?" Kazuma asked nervously.
"No," Kurama corrected him, "They can only create a child themselves every hundred years. Any other time they have to reproduce like any other living thing...but they can choose whether or not the coupling results in children."
"Does she know that?" Kazuma asked hopefully, he really did not feel educated enough to explain this to her.
"Of course she does," Kurama assured him with a laugh, "But, like I said, that won't matter until a few more years anyway. Yukina is only ninety seven."
"Don't say that," Kazuma groaned, "That just sounds so intimidating...ninety seven..."
"That's basically the equivalent of eighteen in human calculations," Kurama said calmly, "You two are actually very evenly matched for a demon and human couple. Usually demons don't get to Human World until they are older. Yukina and Hiei are exceptions to that."
"Since you don't need it can I have that box back, little bro?" Shizuru stepped out and held her hand out expectantly.
"Why?" Kazuma narrowed his eyes at his sister, suspiciously.
"You never know when you might need it," she replied simply, "They're mine anyway."
The fact that Shizuru kept condoms in her bedside table drawer made Kazuma feel like his whole life was a lie...how many times had she snuck someone in her room while he'd been there?! He pulled the box out and tossed it to her quickly, afraid now to touch it because who knew where it had been. If he didn't leave now, he was going to puke thinking about his sister's sexual adventures just two doors down from his room.
"Have a good weekend," Kurama called as Kazuma practically jumped in the driver's seat and zoomed away.
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Ok, I lied, this chapter isn't the sexy fun times chapter, but it was a necessary build up chapter to set the situation up. I will continue the next chappie right now!