Chapter Nine

Kurama awoke the next morning and was still exhausted. Showing Yuzuki how to work a toilet and the shower was unreal. And Ryuu had decided to be cranky until his own exhausted father came to pick him up. The night had ended too late and he'd woken up to early for it to be a weekend.

But he had to get up and make sure Yuzuki hadn't run off. He never could be too careful.

He got out of bed and stretched, knowing his hair was a mess. Maybe she was gone, and then Kurama wouldn't have to deal with this anymore.

He stood and began walking out of his room. He could sense her demon energy. She was still in her room, maybe still resting.

When he made it to her door and opened it, Yuzuki was sitting on the bed with her knees to her chest, looking out the window. Her cheeks were shining with what seemed like tears. Kurama's eyes widened slightly.

"Are you alright, Yuzuki?" he asked.

Her golden eyes met his green ones. "It was dark," she responded.

An image flashed into Kurama's head: Yuzuki in the dark, broken and naked, bleeding, crying. Surrounded by shadows.

"It's so dark. So… dark… Please make it stop…"

Something dawned on him, then. "You're afraid of the dark."

"Do not be ridiculous." She moved to get off the bed. "The darkness is the destroyer of my mind. In the darkness I relive those days before you found me."

"Well, it's daytime now. You can wipe your tears and come downstairs. What would you like to eat?"

"How well can you prepare food?"

"Very well, actually."

"I will be down momentarily."

Kurama shut the door behind him and headed back to his bedroom. Time to get dressed and get the day started.

The two ate in silence, making for an awkward morning. But at least she didn't shoot him a weird look when he ate bacon. That made it slightly easier.

Afterward, though, he was ready to talk. He didn't know much about the Mari clan or its vast gardens, which were hidden deep in the Demon World. He put their dishes in the sink, finally taking his hair out of its ponytail, and then sat down in front of her at the table.

"You told me you would tell me about your homeland," he said. "I'm very curious about it."

When her gaze met his, he couldn't help but feel a shiver go down his spine. There was something about her eyes… "Tell me what you do know, Yoko Kurama, about the Mari clan."

He had to rack his brain for a moment. "Well," he began, "I know that the 'Mari clan' is actually many different fox demons, and only the royal-blooded are the true Mari." He waited for a response, but got none. "I also know that the Mari Forests are secluded deep in the Demon World. Some think it a legend. The yoko in the Mari do not eat meat. They play music, and are very friendly with whomever they meet, including the human race."

"Very good," she finally said. "You know the basics. But do you know our laws?"

"Not many."

Yuzuki leaned back in her chair. "The Mari are different, as you know. We are taught music from birth." Her gaze moved to the window. "Music is the base of life there. We sing, play instruments universally, and even use our youki to turn sound waves into a weapon or a defense."

"But no one is quite like you, are they, Yuzuki?"

Her eyes didn't look back to him, but her gaze hardened. "I prefer not to speak of my abilities in particular. There is a reason why my file disappeared in the Spirit World. I did not enjoy being hunted down like an animal." She only slightly shook her head. "And yet everyone wondered why I was mostly alone, to be admired from afar."

"What do you mean?" Kurama asked.

Her gaze was blank again when she looked to him. "Another time, maybe, Kurama," she replied. "Now the laws, continue to differ. Mating is not required."

"The rest of the Demon World does not require mating, either."

"No one has to mate at all, really. If they please, they may have as many children from different apparitions their whole life. Sex is casual, whenever we felt attraction for another person. A female can mate with another female. And having artificial children made in incubators is forbidden."

Kurama blushed at the lesbian comment. "I'm sorry, what?"

"It is true. She smirked when she saw his cheeks reddening. So she knew what he'd been thinking about yet again. "Also, the royal Mari can call upon anyone in the Forest to pleasure them physically."

"I-I see…." Why was he so embarrassed!? "Did… did you…?"

"I had a younger female come to me once a week to help me," she said casually. She was so open about it. "After awhile, she asked for nothing in return except my complete satisfaction."

"All right, let's move on to something else," he said, looking down at the table.

"As you wish." She closed her eyes. "The Mari are only allowed to fight when defending themselves against an enemy. And we must not kill, only capture." Kurama looked up and could clearly see the discomfort on the woman's face. "Naturally we can manipulate plants, just like you can. The plants are also our primary diet. We have a large garden specifically for food."

"And what about your festivities?" he asked.

Yuzuki's eyes opened. Her eyes were no longer blank, but shining with something the other fox couldn't place. "How do you know about those?" she asked in response.

He hesitated. "I vaguely remember visiting the Mari Forests a long time ago. There was some sort of concert, and-"

Her smirk returned. "I did not mean to be rude, Yoko Kurama. I apologize. It is correct that we held festivities, at least three times a week. We feast, play music, dance, and many other various things."

"Why, though?"

"To give thanks to the entire Demon World for providing us with such a home."

Kurama smiled slightly. "You sound like religious fanatics," he commented.

She smiled back. "We are wiser than those who foolishly worship air."

He couldn't help but stare at her. She really was a beauty of an exotic kind, even though she looked so young. Such a small thing knew so much. Her beauty was only exceeded by her knowledge.

Kurama had to snap himself out of it. "So, what about your family?" he asked. "Do you have any siblings?"

He was almost disappointed when her smile faded. "I have two older brothers, and of course my father. I have only seen my mother in paintings and carvings." she looked down at the table. "I was told we had the same hair color, but I looked nothing like her."

"And your brothers?"

Yuzuki sighed deeply. "My oldest brother is Aki. Despite his name, he has the heart of a warrior." She looked like she was going to laugh. "He's two hundred years my senior. He always used to rant about one day winning the Dark Tournament."

"What does he play?"

"The ikko, just a small hourglass drum," she replied. "My other brother, Nobuyuki, is only one hundred years older than myself. He loves music, but he is a glutton. He used to be in charge of our refreshments in our concerts. He is lazy and will not take on too much responsibility."

"And what about you?"

Her gaze met his again. "I was different. The heir to my father's throne. Next in line to rule all of the Mari."

"But you… can't, can you?"

Yuzuki shrugged. "My father banished me out of nger. Now one of my brothers will have to rule in my stead when Father passes on." She moved to stand. "I wish to go outside and view your garden, Kurama. Would you mind walking with me?"

"No problem." He almost stammered. "All of my Demon World plants are in the greenhouse, though."

"It matters not."

He stood Hell, at least they were bonding. Sort of.

The day seemed to drag on. Even though she was quiet most of the time, Yuzuki was curious about Living World technology. Though there wasn't much of a difference, she still felt the need to poke around. The television fascinated her, especially, seeing as you couldn't communicate through it. And so did the events on the news.

Yuzuki also decided that she wanted to dress like a modern-day woman. From underwear to pajamas to dayclothes (which meant dresses or shorts; pants did not appeal to her). Koenma, with his infinite watching eye, demanded that Kurama take her to buy these things. And he couldn't have Tamara's help, either.

Damn, the fox thought. Surely she'd be fine with what she has; I can't trust her.

"Yes, you can," she called from the living room. She was peering at the TV. "It is against the law for me to run away. I will not break the law, Kurama."

Go, Shuichi. Go buy the woman who looks like a young girl some clothes. At least then you'll always know what she's wearing.

Stop it! God, sometimes that voice was annoying. He couldn't think o fher that way. It was his job to guard her. And even so what would people say? Yuzuki looked like a fourteen year old.

Does it matter? his inner voice asked. She's perfect, and she'll be in-

I'm not going to be inappropriate when I'm working! he inwardly hissed. I could never do that with her!

The other voice didn't respond. Seems Kurama had won the battle.
"Kurama," she called again, "do you know how long the Reikai plans to keep me under your watch?"

He walked into the living room and sat on the other side of the couch. "Honestly, we will probably protect you until the end of your life."

"Maybe it will be soon."

"Youa re already satisfied with life?" He looked at her with a concerned look.

Her eyes didn't leave the TV screen. There was a horror movie on. "No," she replied, "but when the darkness comes, I am nothing but an insane demon once more."