Chapter Eight

"She's going to assault the first human she sees," Kurama said to Koenma. The King of the Reikai sat behind his desk, arms crossed. Yuzuki stood beside Kurama, her glazed eyes indicating that she was in another world. Her hair was pinned in a messy bun and her kimono was lavender. "You know how she is."

"And it's your job to control her," he replied. "You're obviously got to help her with whatever she's afraid of."

"But I'm not a therapist!" Kurama half-shouted. "I don't know how to help her!"

"Kurama, I-"

"Both of you, shut up."

The men then looked to Yuzuki. Her eyes were now closed. "I will not intentionally harm anyone. If a human offends me, I will destroy them. It is their choice on whether they live or die."

God, it was going to be a long day.

"Here we are, Yuzuki," Kurama said, mustering a smile. "This is your room now. Tell me if you need anything else."

He was moving the demon into his old bedroom, since he now had his mother's old one. He'd washed the sheets earlier that morning. She was still a guest. He wanted her to be comfortable.

"Thank you, Kurama, but I will manage." She stepped inside almost curiously, placing the suitcase (that Kurama had gotten her) on the bed. "I hope yo do not mind if I have a plant or two, or maybe a candle."

"I have gardens in the yard. And the candles are downstairs, in the pantry."

"So I may have one?"

"Of course. And flowers can be brought up in a vase."

"Wonderful." She looked around. The bedroom was rather large. The bed was small, but there was a desk and a closet with a mirror on the door. The rug was soft beneath her feet. The window had a nice view of the garden and yard. "You… have a lovely home."

His smile only slightly became real. "Thank you, Yuzuki," he replied. "It used to be my mother's, and she moved awhile back."

"Hmm." She turned to face him. Her golden eyes seemed to see beyond where he stood. "Isn't your mother a human?" she asked.

He felt his protective instincts rise, but he held back. "Yes," he responded. "She speaks with me often, too. Maybe one day, you can meet her."

"Perhaps," she replied, and sat on the bed. "My mother left us shortly after she birthed me."

Oh?" Kurama moved to sit in the chair in front of the desk. "Why would she do that?"

Yuzuki shrugged slightly, looking straight ahead. "She was satisfied with her life. She was two thousand years old. She gave birth to three children, all by my father. She thought her purpose had been served."

Kurama's eyes widened. "Your mother…"

"Turned herself into a youkai garden, just like anyone else." Yuzuki closed her eyes. "I have told you before, my people are honorable for suicide. We can either age and live very long lives, or we can become one with the plants we love so dearly."

"The ones you eat."

"It is the circle of life."

At least she wasn't a total hippie, then. She wasn't exactly justifying her reasons for not eating meat, but it was all right. He would deal with it.

"Do you know how to use modernized human technology?" he asked. "I know a few demons who don't. I could help you."

"You will have to show me the restroom. I will learn to prepare food through observation."

"Right. Well, let's-"

"Kurama, open up!"

Oh, no. Tamara and the kids. Kurama stood and rushed out of the room, heading downstairs to the front door. Tamara was there, all right. Her dark face was covered in sweat. Ryuu was in his carrier, bundled tightly and sleeping.

"Watch him," she said, and held out the carrier. Kurama watched his friend carefully. Her wings were still spread in broad daylight.

She mst be in a hurry, he thought.

"My wonderful husband has lost Hina and Akane in the fucking Demon World. I've got to help him find them, and then promptly kill him."

"Be careful."

"I'm glad you're available this time, but nothing would have happened if you had gone with him like usual."

"Right."

She nodded and flew away quickly. Kurama sighed. This afternoon kept getting better and better. Now he had two people to babysit.

He took Ryuu into the kitchen. Good thing he kept formula and diapers handy. He always watched the kids. He had the time to kill, and he was more trusting than Kuwabara. He was going to go ahead and make a bottle ahead of time.

"Is that a baby?" he heard Yuzuki ask from the doorway. He smiled a real smile.

"Yes, that's Ryuu," he replied. "That is Tamara and Hiei's son."

"The demons who now live like humans?"

"Yes. Tamara just wants a normal life. Anyway, she wants me to watch him for a little while."

"Can I touch him?"

"If you don't-" Kurama had already began turning around, but he stopped when he saw that Yuzuki was already holding him, half-smiling down at Ryuu's two-week old face. He was awake now, gazing up at her with his grey eyes. Kurama wasn't sure what to say.

"I see much of the fire demon in him," she said quietly. "He will be much like his father."

She was right. The infant's pale grey eyes held intelligence, just like Hiei's apparently had when he was born. He could understand them. Hiei had been able to do that as well. One of a kind, for sure.

"You say that like you know Hiei," he said slowly.

"In a way, I suppose I do. I left my home many years ago. I heard many stories while I was away." Her gaze flitted to meet his for only a moment. "I was also present in the Dark Tournament you were invited to all those years ago. And the first Demon World Tournament."

"Wait… you attended both?"

"Of course. And to all of them since." She winced slightly as Ryuu reached up to pull a lock of her hair. "I do not participate in violence, but I find sport in it."

"Oh?" Kurama raised an eyebrow. "I've heard that your battle skills are impressive."

"Back in the Mari Forest, we are taught strictly to fight in self-defense. We are forbidden from attacking otherwise. And I have never broken any law."

Hm, must be nice to brag. "So will you be attending the next Demon World Tournament? It is next year."

"Perhaps. It depends on who is competing." She went to put Ryuu back into his carrier. "Yes, this boy will be a fine warrior, just like his father."

How would she tell by just looking at him? Surely she wasn't that much of a psychic. "Well, I hope that he is. It would make Tamara and Hiei proud."

She looked at him, and then turned to walk away. Ryuu's eyes began to close. "Yes. It is good when you make your parents proud."

Kurama hesitated before asking this question; she was halfway across the room. "When are you going to tell me more about your home?" he called.

He heard her quiet footsteps come to a halt. "Maybe after the infant is gone, or tomorrow. If you are so interested in my origin."

"I am."

He didn't get a response. Yuzuki continued up the stairs and into her room. He made a mental note to grab a candle for her after dinner.