"Checkmate!" Koko claimed happily, cornering Kyoki's piece.
"Gah!" the black-haired boy muttered, crossing his arms. "Stupid ningen game. You cheated."
From the kitchen, a woman's voice laughed softly. "I believe that Michael-san has mastered the game beautifully, ne, Justin-san?" Shiori asked, coming to the dining room doorway, a towel in her hands.
"I still say he cheats. He's doing something he hasn't told me about."
Koko stuck his tongue out at his lover, wishing he could kiss away the annoyed frown. "You're just jealous because I managed to catch on quicker than you did!"
"Am not!"
Shiori chuckled again, heading back into the kitchen. Koko tossed Kyoki a playful smile, whishpering so that the woman couldn't hear. "Stubborn youkai!"
"Crazy youko!"
"You know it!"
"That's enough, you two," Kurama said, walking into the dining room with a smile on his face. "Take your fight upstairs. It's my turn to set the table for dinner."
"Hai, Shuuichi-san," the two snickered, loving their running gag.
Thankfully, Koko's health had improved drastically since his return from the Makai. Kyoki had dedicated every bit of his time and energy to give Koko the strength to live. In a couple of weeks, he was back on his feet and giving his Uncle Hiei a hard time. He was still uncomfortable whenever people touched him, even Kyoki, but he was trying very hard to quell his fears. His greatest nightmare was dead, and it was time to move on.
Shiori Minamino had come back from the states, finding two ningen sharing the house with her oldest son. The redhead had claimed they were exchange students from America, touring Japan for the summer, and the woman bought it with no argument, for she trusted her dear Shuuichi. Koko and Kyoki had been houseguests for about a month, the youko happy in the Ningenkai, and chimera tolerating it for his lover's sake. They would have to end the charade soon, for school started in a couple of weeks, and Kyoki refused to go. Shiori would then get suspicious.
The two boys headed upstairs, playfully shoving each other as they fought over Koko's honesty in the game of chess. Kyoki expected no more from his lover than what he was ready to give, and was content to let Koko handle things his own way. He had settled his own raging passions to make room for the kitsune's improvement and trust. So, it came as a big surprise when Koko shoved Kyoki inside their bedroom, locking the door behind them. Kyoki blinked, looking deep into his lover's eyes for an explanation of his sudden actions.
Koko only smiled weakly, biting his lip. "I can't wait any longer, Kyoki. I have to have you...to touch you...or I'll go mad."
Kyoki shivered slightly. "But, Koko...are you sure you're ready? It's only been..."
"I don't know if I'm ready, but I know that every day...every night...I burn for you. I can't take it anymore...Kyoki, I..." Koko sighed in frustration, the words he wanted to say just not coming out right.
Kyoki took a step closer to the ningen that was his fox. He felt his own form melt into his true one, as Koko's once-blue eyes became their gem-bright violet again. Without another word, Koko stepped forward, taking ahold of Kyoki and pressing his lips to the chimera's. Kyoki's breath caught, his arms wrapping timidly around the youko's waist. Koko held the kiss for a long time, deepening it, savouring it. He had been gathering the strength for this priceless moment for weeks now, and only now did it feel absolutely right.
After a few more moments, Koko reluctantly pulled his mouth away. Kyoki's lips were red from the savagery of the kitsune's kiss, and Koko ran his fingers lightly across them. Kyoki smiled, still holding his lover close. It was good to have his Koko back for good. He had been so afraid that he would never undo what Yakumo had done. But they survived...they would always be together...no matter what.
"I love you, Kyoki," Koko whispered, still panting slightly.
"Koko, I love you more than life itself," Kyoki hissed back, just as breathless.
Koko smiled, that precious adoring smile that Kyoki had fallen for to begin with. They embraced tightly, staying that way for a long time, just enjoying each other's company.
"Mmmm..." Koko sighed, snuggling closer. "Warm."
"Curse of being a fire demon," Kyoki replied. He paused, looking down at Koko's head on his chest.
"Koko?"
"Mm?
"Are you sure it doesn't bother you that we're second cousins?"
"What difference does it make? Love is love, Kyoki, and if it wasn't meant to be, we wouldn't have ended up together, so don't let this bother you. I don't care if you're really family or not...you've always felt like it to me anyway."
Kyoki nodded, still slightly unsure. Something on the bed then caught his eye. It was a newspaper, on top of which was stuck a little note, written in Kurama's neat script. Koko bent to pick it up, pulling out of Kyoki's arms. The youkai peered over his shoulder. The note read:
"My two dearest,
I thought this might be of interest to you.
Love, Kurama"
Koko smiled at the note, then set it aside to read the article on the front page. He burst out laughing. Kyoki looked closer at it, beginning to chuckle as well.
"MYSTERIOUS FALLEN ANGELS LEAVE THEIR TOUR: REPORTERS SUGGEST A ROMANTIC GETAWAY."
Koko, in great glee, turned to the page the article continued on, and began to read.
"All of a sudden, the greatest pair to grace the stage has disappeared mysteriously. No one, not even their manager, knows where they have gone. Much to the disappointment of thousands of fans, all of their remaining tours were cancelled. Crew and management are still trying to formulate a reason for their disappearance, but none are certain. Those that were interviewed by our staff say that the two were bound to end up together in the end. Their lives were a fairy tale, and they are now living out their happy ending."
Finis!
1998 Kyo-chan & Koko-chan and YYH respective creators. Koko created by Koko-chan. Kyoki created by Kyo-chan. All other YYH and Netherworld charas belong to Yoshihiro Togashi.
