Author's Note: Sorry I missed my self imposed deadline. I got back home late from my camping trip and was too tired to update. Anywho, if this happens again and I'm late, what I'm going to do is not post till the following weekend. But, instead of one, I'll deliver two chapters. That way I won't deliver any rush jobs like this one will be. Well, RnR, and soon I might have a beta, YAY!
Kurama turned away from the shocked faces of his family, his eyes focusing on the wall behind him so he could explain everything. He opened his mouth to speak, but found himself mute under the scared and shocked faces. It was strange for him. He was always calm and collected, and he knew that this was the best choice of action to follow for the safety of his human family. He knew this, but even with that knowledge he couldn't bring himself to continue.
Was it shame that stilled him? Was he ashamed of what he was? Who he was? Was his human mother afraid of him? So many questions born from the simple fact that Kurama was scared; truly and irrevocably scared. He waited with baited breath, desperate to hear words of acceptance, but knowing that instead he'd hear rejection.
Shiori stared at her son in shock, unable to comprehend what was happening before her very eyes. Her son, her baby boy, had been replaced by this…creature. He was a terrifying sight to behold; his silver figure towered high over all who stood by him*, his eyes golden and flecked with emerald.
Shiori took several long strides towards her son, her movements slow due to how strung the being that stood in the place of her son was. His fear was palpable and she was sure than any sudden movements would startle him.
Kurama tensed at his human mother's approach, awaiting the inevitable rejection that was sure to come. His heart raced and sweat began to bead up along his body. His breath started to increase until he was panting, struggling for breath. He stood frozen in fear and sorrow, but made no move to turn away. Instead, he reached behind him, grasping the hand that Botan willingly offered. He held her hand in a vice like grip and in return she held his.
From this close, the extent of the entity's height was immense compared to her own. Shiori felt small and fragile, dwarfed by him and the power his hulking form produced. She reached up, her hand cautiously slow.
Kurama flinched, sealing his eyes shut and clenching his jaw. When nothing came, Kurama surrendered to his curiosity and looked down at his mother's form.
In her hand, Shiori held a lock of the demon's hair. She knew the texture, the smooth feel with the occasional roughness born from split ends. Her hand continued upwards until Shiori encountered his cheek. The skin was familiar, perfectly smooth and blemish free and farther along his jaw was a scar like indent following down to his neck. He'd always had that scar since birth and it was still there. She placed her hand along his neck, palm flat along the column of his throat and as expected, he jerked away from her touch.
I guess now I know why, Shiori realized, turning away for a moment as so many of her son's other quirks came to the forefront of her mind. He would never allow for her to touch his throat, or play with the hair at the nape of his neck like she was doing now. She could see the silver being struggle to stay in place, but the effort was still there. Her son would always twitch when she did something he didn't like, and she could see it in his left ear. He was her son, there was no mistaking it. Her baby boy, her Shuichi, was this demon that stood in front of her now.
The sound of skin hitting skin reverberated through the entirety of the temple.
Kurama just stared off in the distance, his head snapped to the side from the force of the blow. Resignation filled his entire being as the truth of the matter sank in, she had rejected him. His mind was reeling, trying to separate fact from conjecture. He needed to make sense of everything. He needed to regain control. He fought for this control, but all he found was more fear and sorrow.
"…grounded."
"What," Kurama finally turned back to his mother, her hand red from the force of the blow she delivered.
"I said, when this is over, you are so beyond grounded," Shiori repeated.
Kurama couldn't believe it. She was accepting him. His human mother had accepted him. Kurama sank to his knees as elation filled his heart at his human mother's words. Tears swelled within his eyes before rushing down in a cascade down his cheeks. Botan's smooth hand left his grip, caressing his shoulder before her touch left him completely. It was later replaced by the arms of his mother wrapping securely around his shoulders.
"Why? How? What's…?" Words tumbled from Shiori's lips as she held her trembling son in her arms.
"I'm sorry mother. I'm so sorry for deceiving you," Kurama admitted forlornly, wrapping his arms around his mother's waist and resting his cheek against her stomach.
"…for how long?" Shiori didn't know if she wanted to know how long this form of her son was in existence, almost too scared to hear the answer.
"Since birth," Kurama answered.
"What are you…?"
"…In my truest state, I am a fox; A true kitsune*," Kurama began. "Over the years, I grew bored. I became a thief to pass the time and over the years I had acquired a name for myself. Because of this, I was hunted down. Near death, I escaped to this world and possessed the body of your unborn child before it had the chance to acquire a proper soul*. I've been playing the role of your son since," Kurama explained, glossing over many details in order to spare his mother the gruesome details of his life. His reasoning was purely selfish in that he did not want to risk chasing her away now that he knew he still had her love. He'd already lost one mother, he'd be damned before he lost another.
"That doesn't explain what's going on now," Hatanaka interrupted once he found the courage to speak. He was silenced however by the almost evil glare that was sent to him from multiple directions. He didn't care though, his mind staggered with the implications that his step son's reveal bestowed upon him. He had been living with a dangerous monster all this time and didn't even know it. How many more demons lurked within the shadows? How many people did he know were less than human? Now, because of his step son, this 'Kurama,' he and his family were in danger. He couldn't help but feel rage and resentment to all those around him.
"…What about my son, is he a demon too" the glamorous woman interjected as well, but the reaction towards her wasn't anywhere near as hostile. She stared at Kurama and his human mother with envy. That should have been her and her son. But that wasn't the case and because of this a fresh onslaught of tears swelled up in her eyes.
"In a matter of speaking, yes," Kurama answered.
"Someone in his family line was a demon and the gene was passed down through the ages," Botan continued in Kurama's stead. She sent Kurama a brilliant smile before she returned her attention to the mourning Atsuko. "It showed up in Yusuke a few years back. It's why he left, so he could learn to control it."
"Is that why he's like this?" Atsuko took the knowledge handed to her in stride, not really caring what he was as long as he woke up so she could hit him for leaving her again. She needed her son back. The urge to slap him anyway became to great to deny, but she held fast as her frustrations chipped away at her.
"No. But it's why you're all here," Botan took a deep calming breath before she took center stage. "There are people, who call themselves the Fallen, that have attacked everyone. I don't know why yet, or how they managed to acquire the means and the magic to do so. Their souls were stolen and condensed into crystals, eliminating them from the list of adversaries and allowing for the Fallen to augment their powers. But even with that being said, the guys are still a threat, even as they are now and that's because of their attachments to this world. As long as all of you are okay, they can be brought back and even control the extent of their powers being used because they have a reason to live."
"I don't understand," Atsuko admitted. Voicing her confusion before Botan could continue her explanation.
"Take for example Yusuke and Keiko. Even though his soul had been crystallized, he was still able to save Keiko from their attacker and bring her here, even though his body is comatose. He's still a threat, but only as long as all of us, especially Keiko, are okay. He has enough control over himself and his power to keep his captors from using them to their full extent. But without his reasons to live, then Yusuke might as well be dead and all his spirit energy can be used by whoever holds the shards of his soul. Think of them as Yusuke turned into a weapon. The same could be said for Hiei and Kuwabara."
"What do you mean?" Yukina said, startling everyone with her voice.
"Let's say someone has a fragment of Hiei's soul," Botan elaborated. "With it and a little know how, they could use it as a conduit to summon the Dragon of the Darkness Flame without having to lure it out with their own energy or sacrificing their own life or limbs. By chipping away at the soul fragment in their possession they could call and control it all they want."
"Is that why he… Did the dragon do this?" Mukuro demanded, lifting one of Hiei's hands to her cheeks.
"Kind of… He fought, that's why he has so many burns. I figure his attacker tricked him into thinking they were someone he could trust, which means they either have a powerful enchanter with them, or an even better shape shifter." Botan wished she knew for sure what had happened, but all she had were conjectures and hypotheses to explain what had happened to the members of her team. All she did know was what will happen to them if they wasted more time than they should.
"Jinan," Kurama growled darkly.
"Or another…Do you have any other siblings that would fall?" Botan inquired, not sure how many of his littermates had survived to this millennia.
"…I also have a sister left, but she would never turn," Kurama admitted finally after some thought.
"I hope your right, it's bad enough we have one fallen kitsune to worry about," Genkai interjected. "How many whelps did your demon mother have anyway?"
"Four," Kurama responded, retreating within his own mind as darkness descended upon him. There, memories of his past haunted him, reminding him of the monster he once was.
"That'll be for another time," Botan offered, knowing that this was a subject Kurama was not ready to broach if his file was anything to go by. "For now we need to make sure everyone will be safe while Kurama and I try to get all the soul shards back. In the morning I'll have a couple of safe houses set up for you all to go to. They'll be safe and secure since they're located in celestial blind spots*."
"What about work, or school?" Hatanaka questioned legitimately, refusing to entrust his and his child's life to the hands of some demon and his witch.
"Family emergency," Botan smiled.
"And finances?"
"You'll still be getting paid, and you'll receive a weekly allowance that should help to make the transition easier." Botan sent Kurama's step father a snooty glare before she went over to her remaining companion's side. She gave Kurama's back a pat and he rose to his feet. She craned her neck in order to meet his eyes, but she didn't care. She didn't mind the fact that Kurama was so much taller than her, quite the opposite really.
"I'll be fine," Kurama offered, canting his head so Botan could rub his ear in a rare show of friendship and trust*.
Botan was giddy with glee as she rubbed the offered appendage, scratching and massaging around the base. Her pleasure only increased when a soft, almost inaudible purr sounded and he pressed his ear harder against her hand. They continued for a moment longer before Kurama deemed it enough and straightened his form, ending Botan's massage. She pouted for a moment, but didn't do anything to resume their affectionate display. Instead, she watched him escort his mother towards one of the hallways that held her given room.
Out of impulse, Botan allowed for her eyes to travel downwards, following the flow of his luxurious silver hair and down to his firm derrière. Botan cocked her head to the side, finding something odd and out of place. Granted she didn't make a habit of staring at Kurama's butt…that she'd admit too, but she'd ogled it enough to know that something was off. Hoary fur attached to two beautiful tails wagged in front of her and finally it all clicked into place. She was wondering why so much of her eye candy was obstructed from view.
"One of your tails grew back," Botan blurted. Kurama looked at her over his shoulder, a saucy grin plastered on his face. He knew she had been looking; it's why he wagged his tails a bit. Granted now was not the time, he was too happy to care. Besides, it felt nice to know that people still found him attractive, even in his demon form.
"It grew back around the end of the previous tournament," Kurama informed, swaying them side to side before stilling them.
"…Tournament?" Shiori and Atsuko both did not like the sound of that word at all.
"I'll explain everything in due time, but first you must get your rest. You have your health to think about," Kurama diverted, proving to Shiori that no matter what guise her Shuichi was in he was still her son.
"You worry too much," Shiori found herself saying, but she made no move to go against her son's wishes.
Kurama crawled from his nest of pillows and blankets, slowly easing into awareness as he approached the shoji door that separated his given room from the hall. He peaked out the window, almost appalled to see that the sun had yet to rise for the morning before checking the clock that sat on the window sill. It's not even four in the morning, Kurama thought tiredly. I must have only gotten an hour of sleep.
Kurama had stayed up the majority of the night explaining his entire story, from start to finish at his mother's insistent request. At first he was reluctant, naturally, but he gave in to his mother's pleads. She took everything as it was and had smacked him upside the head so many times that night that Kurama was surprised that he was still capable of complex thought processes. He was far beyond happy though; his mother had accepted him, completely and totally. Contrary to his fears, she didn't care what he was so long as he was healthy, happy and not stealing or killing without justifiable reasons. It was like a weight was lifted from his shoulders and Kurama was now lighter than air. He no longer felt shame or guilt in his human mother's presence. He no longer felt like he was betraying her.
"Um…Shu- er…Kurama," little Shuichi's familiar voice whispered through the thin doors.
"Is something wrong, Shuichi?" Kurama slid the door open, allowing room for his adoptive brother to enter. Around his smaller frame was a thick coverlet that had been given to him by Genkai. Kurama didn't comment on it however, the weather had been sporadic and the temperature had dropped dramatically to a point where the occasional snow flake would drift downwards outside. This did not bode well for any of the realms. Kurama shivered, half tempted to put his shirt back on and protect his torso from the frigid coldness.
"Um…I wanted to ask you if…if other monsters existed. Like vampires and zombies and stuff," he continued, shuffling his feet and refusing to meet his adoptive older brother's eye even though Kurama had shifted back into his human form. He was scared, that much was obvious. But little Shuichi trusted Kurama still, even with how everything turned out.
Kurama sighed, not entirely surprised to receive such questions, but at the same time wishing they had come at a later time. "Yes, creatures like vampires and zombies exist, but not at all like the media projects."
"What do you mean?"
"Zombies can't make other zombies, regardless, and vampire is an umbrella term for most demons." As he spoke, Kurama searched down the hall and waited patiently for the owners of two more sets of footsteps to arrive as well. Botan and Maya soon entered his room wrapped in their own covers. On Botan's face was a sheepish smile and apologetic eyes whereas Maya wore a look of displeasure.
"Sorry to bother you," Botan offered politely. "I was hoping to discuss any plans of actions with you when I ran into Maya. I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all," Kurama smiled, his gaze softening and his heart melting at her sweetness. He should have known that being mad at her for long was a futile effort. He watched as Botan followed the others closer to Kurama's twisted bedding, her form shivering violently in the chill of the temple. She clutched her bright pink blanket around herself almost comically, her body so wrapped that she couldn't make any proper steps.
Maya and little Shuichi had laid out their comforters on the ground in preparation for sleep, Maya's covers closer to Kurama's futon than was appropriate. The two watched the little interaction between Kurama and Botan with curiosity, unsure how to handle their normality on top of their abnormality.
"Would you like an extra blanket, Botan? I wouldn't mind." Botan stared at him with a slight longing, not of the flesh, but of warmth. She definitely wanted to take him up on his offer, but Kurama could tell that a refusal was forming on her tongue.
"I shouldn't, we won't stay long and you need your sleep. Tomorrow's going to be a big day." Botan sent Kurama another wanting glance before she sat down and wrapped her blanket around herself even more tightly. For as much as she loved having a physical body, she could do without being cold.
"If that is what you wish," Kurama conceded, already knowing that she'll cave. He walked back to his bed and crawled back under his own covers. "Is there anything I can help you with, Maya?"
"Not really," she blushed demurely. "I was just scared and didn't want to be alone in a house full of strangers."
Kurama was hesitant to believe her, but he took her reason at face value and let it slide. He had other concerns that took precedence over random ploys to get into his bed. Turning back to Botan's form, Kurama asked: "What did you need to speak with me about?"
"Well, it wouldn't be right if I made plans without running them by you. I wanted to make sure you were okay with moving your family to a safe house in Tokyo? I'm going to split everyone into two groups so that no one is without proper protection should they be found," Botan clarified.
"That sounds reasonable," Kurama agreed. "What about us?"
"You and I will go to a different location since they still want your soul, which should draw their attention away from everythone else." Botan allowed herself to plop down onto her side and scoot closer to Kurama, whose body temperature ran higher than most.
Kurama chuckled to himself before removing his blanket from around himself before placing it over the shivering Botan. "You'll get used to it after a while," he told her while rubbing her arm through the thick fabrics.
"I know, but I should be used to it now," Botan whined, rolling a bit more so that she was half on Kurama's futon and even more tangled in cloth. "I must be coming down with something."
"Maybe," Kurama concurred. "So what shall the groups be? Yukina won't let Hiei or Kuwabara out of her sight, neither will Shizuru or Mukuro."
"They'll actually form one of the groups, including Maya, while everyone else goes with your family to a different house." Botan could tell that Kurama wasn't comfortable with the groups since the only fighter available to guard his family was Genkai. But it couldn't be helped since it would be dangerous to keep everyone together. "I already called my surviving aids and spirit guides and they'll be split up amongst the groups to serve as guards."
"I don't like that idea at all," Maya butt in suddenly. "I'm not leaving Minamino-kun!"
"But it'll be safer for you to stay with Shizuru and Yukina's group," Botan argued.
"I don't care! I don't know them and I refuse to leave Minamino-kun all alone." Maya was adamant. The very thought of leaving her Shuichi alone with that blue haired witch sent a surge of jealous rage down her spine and filled her with such contempt that her body shook with it. She wasn't always like this, but Maya had never been in a dangerous situation...that she knew of. Shuichi was all she had now and the fact that she was in love with him made separating from him all the more angering.
"Katajima-kun…" Kurama sighed, unsure how to take Maya's sudden outburst, but he was sure that her reasoning wasn't born entirely from fear.
"Please, I swear I won't get in the way, just don't leave me," Maya begged, clasping her hands in front of her face in an imploring fashion.
But for how much she beseeched him, Kurama wasn't going to be swayed. She would only be in the way and he couldn't, in good conscience, allow for her to follow him to a potentially dangerous mission.
"Only if you promise to stay out of the way," Botan conceded before Kurama had a chance to say otherwise. She had been won over by her pleading eyes and she didn't have the heart to separate the blooming couple in front of her. Maya's feelings for Kurama were so obvious and Kurama clearly wanted to keep her safe in turn.
Maya turned to faced Botan with an awkward smile. Maya was hoping that it would be her Shuichi to say yes, but beggars can't be choosers. She got what she wanted, but she wasn't satisfied with how she got it. Does he want to be alone with her? I thought he cared for me… Maya struggled with the urge to comment on the situation and settled with being satisfied with her small victory.
Kurama awoke the next morning considerably warmer than when he went to sleep. Peeking with one eye, Kurama was oddly pleased to see a head of blue tucked under his chin. His arm was tossed dangerously low around her ample hips and her leg was hitched high over his. Behind him, Kurama could feel the constant rhythmic breathing of another against his back. Fingers were curled uncomfortably in his hair and part of him wanted to remove them completely. But in order to do so, he would have to remove his arm from its happy placement around Botan.
It's been a long time since I woke up like this Kurama thought with a smirk, scanning the room until his eyes settled on his adoptive brother's form close behind Botan. He shifted slightly, pulling Botan closer to him with his other arm that was pinned beneath her before reaching behind him and dislodging the firm hold around the ends of his fiery mane. He replaced his arm around Botan once he was satisfied with his hair's freedom and closed his eyes to gain a few more minutes of sleep.
Sleep was chased from his mind when Botan snuggled closer to him, pressing her body flush against his. Kurama groaned as he reigned in his wayward thoughts and shifted onto his back. This removed the full frontal contact, but only for a moment. In her search of warmth, Botan rolled on top of him and tucked her head back under his chin. She hummed contently at the renewed contact and started to stroke his hair.
Kurama bit back a moan when her nails accidentally caught against the hair at the nape of his neck and pulled. His hips ground upwards against her stomachof their own accord and Kurama was startled to discover that he was enjoying himself a little too much. He sat up, lifting Botan up along with him which resulted in her straddling his lap. The position was better for continued petting and play, but Kurama needed to put an end to what was happening since Botan wasn't even conscious. Cursing his luck, Kurama lifted Botan up while he stood before turning and laying her down on his vacated futon.
She whimpered at her loss of warmth and moved about listlessly in an attempt to find a more comfortable position. Finding none, and with two decidedly squishier bodies scooting closer to her, Botan started to stir and awaken. She opened her eyes in time to see Kurama pull a tee shirt over his head, hiding his bare chest from view. With a yawn, Botan sat up and wiped the sleep from her eyes.
"Morning," Kurama greeted with his voice coming out slightly deeper than was usual. Molten orbs of gold flecked with emerald stared down at Botan hungrily before his expression shifted to one of pleasantness. "Did you sleep well?"
"Like a babe," Botan grinned.
"I bet." Kurama wasn't necessarily vain, but he knew the affect he had on those around him and often got a slight rush from it. He has yet to receive a complaint from any of his bed partners, and even though he knew he and the rest of his room's occupants haven't done anything, there were those that would kill their own mother just for the chance to wake up next to him.
"What time is it?" Botan slowly stumbled from the limbs and fabric that had wound around her while she slept. She located the clock near the window soon after and made her way towards the door. "It's that late, really," Botan scratched the back of her head, looking at the clock that had announced to her in glaring red numbers that it was almost noon.
"We were awake for quite a while, this is actually early considering." While he said this, Kurama combed his fingers through his hair, riding himself of the tangles that he had not placed there himself. From the corner of his eye he watched as Botan did the same, her long blue hair was pulled over her shoulder as she worked at the knots furiously. Once satisfied, and still under the secretive gaze of Kurama, she bent over at the waist. Her hair followed her head's movement before dropping towards the floor. Her skilled hands worked through her hair expertly, winding the red tie into her hair and placing it in her usually high ponytail. She then snapped her head back, her pony trailing behind before she righted herself.
Kurama licked his lips as more improper thoughts rushed through his head. He kept himself in check however, knowing that his lust would pass and all would be as it should. He needed to keep his head about him and no amount of surprisingly wonderful mornings was going to change that. Even so, he wished more mornings like this would find him since he had been without pleasurable contact for a while. Look's like it's going to be one of those days.
"We should let everyone know to get ready to leave. Who knows how long before the temple is attacked," Botan announced once she deemed herself presentable. Maya and little Shuichi began wake up in time to hear Botan's words, so they were also adjusting their appearances so they could follow her out of the room.
The separation was surprisingly easy. Botan had called George last night, so he and one of his cousins were at Genkai's temple with keys to two separate SUVs. Their disguises were perfectly in place, so they could drive without causing a widespread panic.
Genkai, Atsuko, Keiko, Yusuke's body and Kurama's human family were being driven to a ritzy penthouse apartment in Shibuya while Puu followed them from high above. There, there would be enough room for all of them, including Puu, to live comfortably. The penthouse was in an open loft like style that was roughly two stories high. There was a screened in balcony that was large enough to fit Puu, even if he were completely stretched out.
Shizuru, Yukina, Mukuro, and the comatose bodies of Hiei and Kuwabara were sent in the direction of downtown Tokyo; close enough to the portal to Makai nearest Mukuro's castle. The apartment was considerably smaller in comparison to the penthouse, but none of the girls minded since their temporary home was easily missed by those that passed and was public enough to deter attacks out in the open.
Currently, Kurama and Maya were clinging to Botan as they zipped through the air on her oar. From the padded several bags were secured in place but they did nothing to prompt Botan to slow down. They were making their way to the outskirts of the residential area in Tokyo, clear across the city from Mukuro's group. The apartments that came into view were plane and dull, in both color and surroundings. Random splatters of color would be spotted along the multitude of grey in the form of graffiti and between every couple of buildings was a warehouse or empty lot. Occasionally there would be a worn down playground or basketball court, but the lack of use could be seen even from high up in the sky.
"Sorry it's not as nice as the others," Botan apologized as she steered her oar downwards into a decent. The apartment that they were heading towards was nicer than the others, but not by much. The white and blue paint was new as compared to the old chipped grey of the other buildings and none of the windows were broken. Next to it was a two story warehouse that had a two car garage that led out into the street and only one door off to the side. The windows were black from some form of covering and Kurama could see the powerful seals and charms that seemed to be part of the very walls.
They landed on the fifth floor of the complex, room number 513, and Botan shuffled through the objects in her sleeves before producing a key. She unlocked the door and led her two roommates in. The dwelling was considerably larger than the exterior hinted. The floor plan was open for the most part, the only thing separating the kitchen from the living room/dining room combo was a faux marble counter. The kitchen was a decent size and there was room enough for all of them to maneuver around in at once. Where the kitchen "ended" there was a sliding door that led to an empty balcony. There were two hallways that led to the rooms, one on each side of the housing and leading to two bedrooms and one bathroom respectively. There was no furniture in sight to speak of and, upon inspection by Botan, no food either.
"Looks like we're gonna have to go shopping," Botan cringed. "Let's pick our rooms now and then we can head out to the demon market* to pick up some furnishings and then we can go get some food. We'll leave the actual grocery shopping for the morning since it's getting late"
"That sounds like a plan," Kurama coincided. He walked towards the nearest hall to his right, opening each of the three doors and the linen closet to make sure there weren't any individuals hiding in wait to do harm. What he found was the master bedroom, a bathroom with a large shower and an even larger tub, and smaller bedroom with a broken ceiling fan. He took deep breaths within each room, making sure that nothing was out of place that his ears or eyes had missed. He walked towards the other hallway and repeated the process. Both of the rooms presented to him were equal in size and had nothing out of the ordinary. The bathroom between them was identical to the first, but the linen closet was smaller in comparison to the other.
"So, who gets the master bedroom?" Maya eyed the room eagerly, craving the larger space the room offered.
"Why not play a game of janken to decide? That way it'll be fare for everyone," Botan decided, holding out her fist and waited for her two companions to do the same. The first two rounds had no winners, and in the third and forth there were two. They continued onwards until the ninth round, naming Botan the winner of the room. This left the two rooms down the other hall for Maya and Kurama since neither of them really wanted the room with a broken fan should the temperatures get too hot.
At first Maya wanted to complain and call foul, but when she realized that she would be sleeping so close to her Shuichi she couldn't help but count her lucky stars. She followed him back towards the hall that held their rooms with a happy spring in her step and a song in her heart. She took the right room without a thought or complaint, staring at her Shuichi's rear as he walked into the other room.
"Everyone ready to go," Botan called from the main room, wearing a pair of jeans and a pink tank top. A sweater was wrapped around her waist in case the weather made another abnormal shift and became cold again. The weather Gods must be losing all control; I hope the earth can maintain itself until its guardians can come back. Botan stared out the window next to the door worriedly.
"Yes," Kurama answered finally once he finished dropping seeds along the walls. "Which market are we going to?" he asked, Maya coming up behind him as he spoke.
"There's one a few warehouses down, so I figured we could just walk there." Botan handed both Kurama and Maya their own keys to the apartment as she said this and she waited for them to pocket them before leading them out the door.
They traveled down the hall towards the elevator in silence, none of them really having a topic to discuss at that moment in the open. The doors opened instantly to the downward arrow's summons, revealing a rather intimate couple locked in a heated kiss. The boy had his hands placed firmly on his girlfriend's rear, pushing up her skirt and exposing her red lace thong. One of the girl's legs was wrapped firmly around her partner's waist, giving him ample room to grind against her soaked core.
Kurama watched with his head cocked to the side while his female companions turned away from the sight with blushing faces. There was a slight coloration tinting his cheeks, but outside of that he wasn't entirely fazed. This wasn't the first screwing couple he'd come across and all he could think was that he would have to be stuck in a crammed space, with his nose and the memory of his morning to haunt and tease him. Old addictions eased their way into the forefront of his mind and Kurama was tempted to grab his companions and take the stairs simply to avoid the possibility of trouble.
"Are they done yet," Maya blurted from behind Kurama. Her hands were held firmly in place over her eyes and her nose threatened to bleed.
The couple broke apart, panting and filled with shame from being caught.
"Please, continue," Kurama requested sarcastically, earning a slap against his shoulder from Botan.
"I never thought I'd hear such a thing from you," Botan huffed. She kept her gaze locked to the side and tried to keep her cool regarding the entire situation.
"Sorry," the guy grunted before grabbing his girl's hand and tugging her down the hall. They vanished into one of the doors next to theirs, filling them all with a sinking dread.
"Please let them be done when we get back," Botan prayed.
"They won't be," Kurama groaned, entering the elevator while taking shallow breaths through his mouth. "They were demons and she had entered her heat prematurely." The weather must be affecting mating habits as well… I'll have to take measures to keep myself in check.
"Will you be okay?" Botan pulled her sweater from her waist and held it to Kurama's nose while Maya pressed the necessary buttons to close the doors and drop them down to the first floor.
"I'll be fine." Kurama wasn't all that offended by Botan's inquiry. Demons older than he have been known to succumbed to a female's mating call* and he wasn't going to lie and say he wasn't tempted. Kurama would growl if he could, cursing his luck and wishing to blame Botan for his predicament. If she hadn't been such a cuddly sleeper he wouldn't have woken up the way he did, and now all he could think about was his growing lust. Today was one of those days and Kurama hated it.
They were quick to leave the building and make their way down the road and onwards to some random storehouse that Botan had specified.
Upon entering the warehouse, they passed into a dimensional pocket that contained rows upon rows of venders and stores. All of them were manned by demons and other such creatures hawking their prices to any who passed by. The sky was black as pitch and the only thing lighting their way were red lanterns that lined all the stalls and buildings. From the booths various items and foods were sold ranging from plain and ordinary trinkets to man eating plants. Occasionally they would pass by a stand that sold suspiciously familiar chunks of meat or a stall that specialized in the slave trade. Fortunately there were no slaves being sold, and the cages looked as if they were in disrepair, a sign that at least this market had settled into the new demon laws.
They had been shopping for the majority of the afternoon, shopping for furnishings to turn the apartment into a home. Fortunately, since they went to a demon market as compared to a regular department store, all their purchases were combined and turned into glass eggs that once shattered would resume their original form. It was a handy trick considering the fact that not all the furniture was human friendly. This is the reason why Botan led them there.
They were now finally taking a much needed break to eat at a demonic branch of McDonalds. Kurama and Maya were making their orders while she claimed a table for them all to sit at. Her back was braced against the wall, refusing to turn her back on some of the demon clientele present in the establishment. Around her finger she twirled her keys and in her other hand she held her compact communicator. She had been waiting for George and his cousin to call her and let her know that everyone had been settled into their new homes. It began to vibrate against her palm, and relief flooded her system.
Text wrote itself onto the screen, giving Botan exactly what she wanted. She turned her head, reading the message multiple times to be sure before snapping it shut and dropping it into the front of her tank since her pockets were too small to carry it. Because of this, she was oblivious to the demons present craning their necks in hopes of seeing a little cleavage, nor the shadow demon slip into darkness and slink across the wall.
Botan waved Kurama and Maya over once they had the food in their hands, ignorant to the clawed hands that crept towards her.
Before even Kurama could react, a tiny figure engulfed in white flames rammed into them and chased it back into the now scorched wall.
"You're such a space case, Botan-sama," a tiny male voice barked.
"I am not," Botan argued as she crossed her arms angrily, denying the flaming creature her arm as a perch.
It landed on the table instead, the flames extinguishing to reveal a tiny imp-like pixie. His long black hair fell down his back to his thighs, fading into a pale blonde. His chest was bare and from his waist hung a purple ankle length skirt with a high slit up the side. The slit revealed purple thigh high socks and knee high greaves. His feet were otherwise bare and his toe nails were painted a bright and obnoxious neon pink. His arms were covered by shoulder length gauntlets, the dark metal matching that of his leg armor. His long pointed ears were pointed upwards mischievously, and from his lobes hung crimson tears that matched his eyes*.
"Hi-chan, what took you? I was worried," Botan admitted, dropping her angry façade so she could lift him into her cupped hands and press a kiss to the side of his face.
"Fool," he purred, his demonic wings flapping happily. He hugged her cheek before flitting onto her shoulder.
"Are the others okay?"
"Strangely yes, we were all hiding in your room when the attack happened. It was the only place untouched by our attackers. At first we figured it was because of some powerful barrier you had set up, but now I'm not so sure." The creature paused in order to take in the hesitant faces of Kurama and Maya, unsure whether it was safe or not to speak in their presence.
"Why would my room be unharmed? I never did anything special to it," Botan questioned, ignoring the food placed in front of her for the time being.
"There was a woman there. She just stood at the door but never came it. I think she was looking for you or something, but I can't be sure." After saying this, the pixie jumped from Botan's shoulder in order to lay claim to one of her fries.
"Why would anyone be looking for me?" It seemed that with each passing day more questions than answers presented themselves to the three.
"Dunno, but that's not why you summoned me, is it?"
"No, I wanted to know what you found out about our attackers." Botan watched her little companion munch on her fry for a moment longer before taking a bite from her burger. She knew he'd tell her, so she didn't feel the need to rush him when he decided to finish the fry before answering.
"There have been large concentrations of energy bouncing around that look a lot like they belong to your friends. They keep moving around so they're hard to locate, all except one that is. It's by far the largest in comparison to the others, but they seem bound to some seriously dark spirit energy." He shivered mid explanation before stealing more food from Botan. "It's coming from some ritzy neighborhood near this city. I can show you where but you can't go just yet since it'll be too dangerous now."
"What do you mean?" Kurama questioned, entering the conversation in hopes of prying the information out faster.
"The barriers around that place will kill you on the spot," he grinned, suddenly pleased with the information. "I doubt even you could get in on your own."
Kurama bristled at the insult to his abilities, his eyes flashing gold before reverting back to normal.
"But we have no choice," Botan disputed.
"That's why you have me. The mansion you're going to is having a fetish masquerade ball and I already got you invitations. They're already at your place so all you need is to arrive properly dressed and grab the soul fragments while everyone else is busy."
"How many do you have…?" Kurama didn't know what to call him, sensing that using Botan's pet name for him wouldn't go over easily.
"Hiya, and I got two." Hiya flew closer to Botan, sending Kurama a decidedly wicked glare. "I expect she'll be fine?"
"She shall remain unharmed so long as I'm with her," Kurama vowed haughtily, insulted by the creature's words and implications.
"Why does it have to be Botan," Maya interrupted, drawing attention to herself. "The one doing all the work will be Minamino-kun, right? I don't see why she has to be Kurama's date."
"I'm going because it'll be too dangerous for just anyone. Besides, even with how spiritually aware you are, you won't be able to locate the soul fragments there. I work as a grim reaper; I'll be able to find them easily," Botan countered, seeing the jealousy within Maya's hazel orbs.
"She's right. You'll only get in the way and I don't know what I'd do if you were hurt because of all this," Kurama added, unsure if his words were lies or truths.
Maya turned from them all and crossed her arms in a huff. She knew she'd be just fine. She'd be the perfect date for Kurama, but that blue haired witch had won him over again. Granted, what Botan said about their abilities were all true, she found herself unsatisfied with the reasoning presented to her. But since she had nothing to use in her favor to win the argument, Maya dropped it in favor of eating her grilled chicken sandwich. At least, she hoped it was chicken.
"Call the others and have them split up into three groups. The two strongest groups will go guard the other safe houses while the rest stay with me, okay. Tell Unmei and Tensui to meet me in my room with you. We'll have much to discuss when I get home," Botan ordered, petting Hiya's head before sending him away.
"See you tonight then Botan-sama," Hiya waved before vanishing in a marvelous display of white flame.
"We should finish up quickly so we can get something appropriate for the masquerade," Kurama suggested calmly, happy that the pixie had left.
"You're right," Botan sighed. She was quick to finish her double quarter pounder before tossing the cardboard container into the garbage bin. She grabbed her french-fries and drink, deciding to finish them while following Kurama. "What should I expect for this weekend anyway?"
Kurama didn't answer; he just tidied up their table and led the two young women out.
Kurama lead them to a boutique he had seen in passing, one that advertised toys and clothes to suite the kinks of most demons. Inside, the shop was sectioned off according to style, making it easier for customers to find whatever it was they were looking for. Because of this, Kurama was able to bypass the more… colorful toys and wardrobe in favor of leading his blushing female companions towards the various costumes.
Instantly Maya left them in favor of looking through all the clothing present, refusing to help Botan in her search for a dress that would be suited for the party she and Kurama were crashing. Instead, she sifted through the racks of undergarments and fun wear in hopes of finding something for herself. Not that Kurama or Botan minded, both figured it was probably for the best.
"Why don't you find your dress first," Kurama suggested, steering Botan towards the fancier outfits present. "I'll look for mine once you've made your selection, that way we'll match."
"Okay…" Botan was hesitant to make any selections. To be in a sex shop with Kurama of all people was something she was having a hard time wrapping her mind around. How was it that he was completely fine surrounded by such… items, while she was seconds away from bolting for the door? I know he's been having sex for nearly four thousand years, but surely this must affect him at least a little, Botan thought, checking over her shoulder to see that Kurama was completely unfazed. Quite the contrary, Botan could see the twitch in his lip and the far off look in his eyes as he glanced over everything visible.
This brings me back, Kurama smirked, eyeing the nervous Botan who had yet to move in search of her clothing. He knew she was nervous, he could almost taste it, but this really shouldn't be all that shocking to her. She may not have been as old as him, but she must have experimented at least once in her life. "Would you like for me to find something for you?"
"No! I'm fine," Botan corrected. Her movements were jerky and lacked their usual flow as she randomly pulled renaissance styled gowns from their racks. Each dress had naughty surprises, but Botan refused to check for them while Kurama looked. She wouldn't be able to handle the mortification if she found something truly…kinky while he was there.
"Is there any way I can be of assistance?" The question came from and extremely petite young woman dressed in a simple black mini dress with a red leather corset thrown over the top. All along her face piercings could be found, and yet she was still incredibly adorable. Her short blond hair had a ridiculously large bow pinned to the back. A studded collar was wrapped around her neck with a heart shaped dog tag proclaiming her name as "Mina." She had little bat wings that grew from her back and her ears were large and round.
"Um, yes," Botan smiled sheepishly. "I was invited to a…fetish masquerade and I don't have anything to wear."
"Say no more, I know just the thing that will look perfect on you. You just get inside the changing room and get undressed and I'll bring it to you," Mina purred before skipping off excitedly.
Botan watched the demon 'poof' into a silver and black bat and flap away before she did as she was told. Botan and Kurama both made their way to the stalls that only had bright red curtains to separate the changing room from anyone who wished to peer in. Botan poked her head into the nearest one before slipping inside. She didn't feel the need to give Kurama the traditional 'don't look' speech, trusting him to be the gentleman. I really shouldn't have gone commando…
Kurama waited patiently, leaning against the changing stall with a sense of trepidation. He was taking Botan to a fetish party, of all things. In the past, this fact, on top of many others that came with that particular scene would have thrilled him. But now he was far from it. He didn't know how to go about his situation simply because he didn't know how Botan would react to the environment. He was almost unwilling to admit it, but for all his years of knowing and being friends with Botan, he knew very little about her.
It never bothered him until now, but it was no mystery that she knew a lot more about him then he did about her. He knew she was a shikigami. He knew her name. He knew she was strong of heart and will, regardless of her servitude. He knew she was independent with a delicious edge of defiance. He knew that once set off she had a quick temper and even quicker tongue. He knew she was a couple millennia years old. He knew she had been a shrine maiden, dedicating her life to the very god he had run from. He knew that she was beautiful, inside and out. He also knew that, even though surrounded by death, she was so full of hope and happiness.
Prompted by the sudden exclamation of pain, he peeked in through the curtains of Botan's dressing room. Kurama felt his breath leave him at her nude form. Her long blue hair had been released from their confines so that they could cascade down her back. Her breasts were high and supple. Her waist was narrow and her hips were large. Her legs were long and shapely. But for her body's perfection, she was completely flawed. Thin white lines traced along her limbs and torso in the form of light scarring. Along the top of her heart and tracing downwards through the valley of her breasts was a twisted burn that slithered down her stomach, twisted round her abdomen before vanishing between her legs. The burn spider webbed along her inner thighs and traced along her hip bones.
Their eyes locked through the reflection of the mirror. Botan turned away from him, ashamed of her disfigurement in the eyes of her companion. Wrapping an arm around her bust while dropping the other so she could drape the hand over her pelvic bone, Botan fidgeted in place. She felt no shame from her nakedness, for she had outgrown the human version of modesty, but disgust filled her for allowing another to see her scars. Slowly, a glamour dropped in place. But the attempt was futile, for her scarred reflection still glared at Kurama even though her form showed nothing but flawless skin*.
"I've brought the dress you requested," the tiny bat demon cooed, oblivious to the fact that Kurama was peeping in on her client.
Kurama and Botan hadn't spoken since Kurama had seen her flaws. Not that Kurama hadn't tried, Botan proved to be as slippery as an eel in evading his attempts. That and Maya kept throwing herself into Kurama's path. In all his years Kurama had never been so annoyed by Maya and he was tempted to just lock her up so he could have at least five minutes alone with Botan.
The moment they entered the apartment, Botan vanished into her room with her spelled glass eggs and her dress. Kurama barked an expletive before taking his own egg and trudging into his own room. It looks like I'm going to have to wait...
*1 - Yoko Kurama is roughly 7 feet tall of pure sexy yumminess. Ooh Baby!
*2 - I'm going to say it now that there's a difference between regular foxes and kitsune (usually silver in color and are the eastern equivalent to faeries and serve under Inari-Ookami, usually as messengers). More on this as the fic progresses
*2 - Same principle as falling, just in reverse. Kuwabara ascended to a higher being, like an angel (though he's not) or a Buddha (he's not a Buddha either). Another way to explain it is he went super saiyan due to the extreme situation ;-p. More on this much, much later.
*3 - In my fic, there's no difference between the Yoko we saw from the first dark tournament (and on) and the Kurama we know and love. In my fic, the Yoko that everyone says is the demon personality is actually born from Kurama's ID (psychology term) or his more violent subconscious. More in detail later on in the fic.
*4 - Celestial blind spots are basically places that cannot be found by even the gods. You can only get there by walking in and even then you can't get in without an invite if there's a house present. You can't find it on a map, via GPS, or with magic. And, if you're weak mentally and/or spiritually, you'll forget where it is the moment you leave.
*5 - In my fic, Canine demons only let those they trust near their ears, tails, and necks. It's a trust thing. More on demon quirks as the fic progresses.
*6 - Even demons need to go shopping once in a while.
*7 - A mating call is what it's called when a fertile demon is aroused and they allow the scent to radiate from their form, sending nearby demons that would be interested into a sort of mating frenzy
*8 - A shout out to who ever can guess who Hiya is based off of.
*9 - Mirrors never lie, so even though Botan cast an illusion around herself to hide her scars, the mirror still reflects them.
Author's Note: Again, sorry for the lateness. Please let me know if there are any mistakes I need to fix or if you find an alternative to some of the repetitions present. I hope you liked this chapter, even though it was a transitional one. Review please, I love any and all feedback!