Kurama breathed a sigh of relief as he saw Koko approaching the house. Kyoki was with him, the two walking hand-in-hand. They both looked like a pair of cats who had been caught in the rain. Kurama briefly wondered what they had been doing, then decided he'd really rather not know. He had purposefully left the door unlocked for their return, hoping that nothing would have happened to Koko. Moments later, it was opened, and the sound of soft laughter that belonged to his cousin drifted upstairs. The noises did nothing to rouse Hiei, who had fallen asleep on the futon. Amazingly, he had even slept through the fight between Koko and Kyoki. The youko smiled. Perhaps the youkai had a worry lifted off his mind with Koko's return, and was enjoying peace in his dreams.
"...well that wouldn't have happened if we hadn't fallen into the water," Kyoki was saying as they came up the stairs. Kurama noticed that his voice had suddenly lowered, as if he didn't want the elder kitsune to hear him there.
"But you looked so adorable!" Koko gushed. "You should've seen the look on your face!"
Kurama heard Kyoki snort before a gentle knock came to his door. He gave Koko permission to enter, and the kitsune stepped in, Kyoki choosing to remain out in the hall. Kurama turned away from his window to embrace his cousin.
"Is everything...okay?" he asked.
"Absolutely perfect, Cousin Kurama," Koko replied into the redhead's hair. "I was wondering if we could sleep here for the night."
"I told you that you were always welcome. You can have my mother's room."
"Thanks!" Koko said. He yawned, lingering to squeeze Kurama's hand before leaving the room, shutting the door behind him.
Hiei woke the next morning to an empty bed, although he could have sworn the last place he'd been was the futon. Kurama had gotten up early to fix breakfast. He knew that Koko had returned with Kyoki and was secretly happy for his lover's cousin. He rolled over and stretched, his languid muscles strengthened with his unusually deep sleep. The youkai then sat up, glancing out the window at the heavy clouds that dotted the gray-blue horizon. He scowled. It was going to rain again. He hated rain. He turned away to see a figure in the doorway. For a moment, he thought it was Kurama, but Kurama had long since stopped wearing his furry ears and tail. Koko stepped into the room with a towel around his neck, Kurama's robe on his lithe form.
"Morning, Uncle Hiei!" he said, just a little too cheerful for the fire demon's taste.
"Hn," was his standard greeting.
Koko giggled and went over to sit by Hiei, pulling the towel off of his wet hair. "Rise and shine, sleepyhead. I need to ask you a favour. Cousin Kurama's busy in the kitchen, and Kyoki is still asleep. Will you braid my hair for me?"
Hiei gave him such a perfectly stunned-perplexed face that it made Koko fall back onto the mattress, laughing. His ears twitched in amusement.
"One would think that I asked you to give Kuwabara a kiss or something," Koko teased.
Hiei's face twisted into an expression of sickness, and he glared at Kurama's cousin. "You're not going to get anything from me that way," he snorted, crossing his arms and looking back toward the window.
"Aw, come on, please, Uncle Hiei! I take back what I just said!"
Hiei growled lowly at him. "If I do, will you leave me alone?"
"I won't if you don't do it."
The youkai let out a groan and grabbed the collar of the robe, yanking Koko up to sit in front of him. He ran his supple fingers through the dark brown silk, much in the way he did Kurama's on certain occasions. One credit he had to give to the youko race, they had such beautiful hair. Once he was satisfied with his own combing, he parted into three uneven clumps. He'd seen Kurama do this a few times when Koko was younger...but how the hell was he supposed to twist them into that funny-looking thing called a braid? In minutes, he was fuming silently, and Koko's hair was nothing even closely resembling the style. It looked more like lumpy, uneven knots of wet hair.
"Here, let me help you with that," Kurama spoke up. He was drying his hands off on a dish towel, trying very hard not to laugh.
Koko caught his cousin's expression out of the corner of his eye, not daring to move his head, in case Hiei decided to get violent about the matter. He could already feel the frustrated ki rolling off of Hiei's person, and he was a bit thankful that Kurama had shown up to lend his assistance. At least he knew how to braid.
The elder youko sat behind Hiei, drawing his knees up beside the fire demon's waist, taking the smaller hands in his own. Hiei seemed to allow it, but did not let Kurama finish alone as Koko had expected him to. Instead, he dutifully followed Kurama's careful movements, first untangling the mess he'd made, then reshaping it into a beautiful braid. Kurama kissed the side of Hiei's neck, and Koko could hear him start to purr. Koko sighed, snuggling closer to his "uncle." Yes, this felt very nice.
"I love you, Uncle Hiei," Koko said sweetly.
"Well, isn't this just so sweet?" came a dark voice from the doorway.
The three on the bed turned in unison to see Kyoki standing, leaning on the doorframe with crossed arms and a disgusted look. Koko seemed to ignore it, smiling at his lover brightly.
"It's about time you got up!" he teased cheerfully. "Come and join us! I haven't braided your hair in a long time."
Kyoki snorted. "No thank you. I'm going for a walk," he said bitterly. With that, he turned and stalked off, leaving a disappointed Koko, still trying to look cheerful.
Kurama took pity on his cousin, guiding Hiei's hands quickly through the kitsune's hair. Once it was finished, he let go of Hiei and tied a cord around the bottom. Koko hopped off the bed, grinning at the demon couple. He winked.
"Thanks, Uncle Hiei. I owe you one! Now I've got to go save my sex life."
Kurama blushed as Koko sprinted off after his lover. "I never thought I'd see him grow up so fast," he mused, wistfully.
"You didn't think you'd have to teach him your version of the birds and the bees, did you?" Hiei muttered.
"It would have been an interesting conversation indeed."
Koko caught up to Kyoki just before the youkai reached the end of the block. He had reverted to his human form to avoid any curious stares from bystanders. Koko found that a good idea, knowing just how ningen reacted to a brown-skinned youko with big ears and a tail. One only needed ask little Wara from down the street. Just let him try and call Koko a chocolate-covered freak now. Koko dispelled the thoughts from his mind as he caught up to the stiff-paced chimera.
"Hey, Justin! Wait up! What's the matter?!"
Kyoki didn't look at him, but did wait for the kitsune to match his strides. "I don't think you need to ask."
"What, you mean you're mad at me for hanging on to my family ties? Come on, Kyoki, we've been through this!"
Kyoki didn't answer. He still didn't trust Hiei, and he wouldn't trust Kurama any farther than a cat could throw him. He couldn't get over Koko's loyalty to them.
"Look, Kyoki, I am still loyal to Yakumo and you. But I will always be a part of them, no matter what. For the short time that I was with them, they were good to me, and they raised me well. I don't care what they did, I'm still going to care for them."
"Do you know what Yakumo would do to you if he found out that you were still caring for those worthless creatures you call a family? Is it really worth the sacrifice?" Kyoki continued to walk, not sure where he was going, but confident that he was putting distance between himself and those he despised.
"Yes. He'd either kill me or worse. But all the same, they still are my family, and wasn't it you who has been preaching about loyalty lately?"
"Not to my enemies. I would never swear any loyalty or family bonds to that bastard youko, even if he is your cousin."
"You don't have to! You're not related to him! But I am, and besides, all of the others were my friends first!"
"I'm sick of this conversation, Koko! Every time I try to even get you to see what's right, you jump right in and defend the same people that are out to hurt you! I give up! You win! You can have your family! I'm going back to Yakumo, and if you have any true sense of family, you'll join me!"
In a flash, he turned youkai, his red eyes flaring as he disappeared.
Koko growled in frustration as his lover vanished. He just couldn't get through that wall that Kyoki had put up in regards to his cousin. Sooner or later, his stubborn chimera would have to understand, and if it took getting the two of them together under sworn oath, he would do it. That in mind, he headed back to Kurama's house to sulk.
Kyoki reappeared in the room he and Koko had spent the night in. He couldn't understand why he felt the urge to do this. Perhaps it was to ease his own fears...or perhaps because he knew it would please Koko. He knew he was right...there was no other explanation for the things he'd seen...the things he'd been told. Maybe with this reassurance, he could bring Koko back...for good. He felt a familiar, if not hated, youki come into existence, and he melted into the shadows, watching the doorway. Kurama came into the room with an armload of clean sheets. He set them on the chair and set to stripping the bed. As he got within ten feet of Kyoki, he paused, looking up with a touch of fear in his eyes.
"Are you going to try again?"
Kyoki stepped into the light, regarding Kurama with a harsh, piercing glare. "No. At least, not yet."
Kurama seemed to relax a little, yet didn't fully let his guard slip. Kyoki gave a small, half-smirk. The kitsune wasn't nearly as naive as he had first let on. Had to have been the lack of energy to fight his earlier impulses.
"Then why are you here? I hardly doubt it was to sit and have a cup of tea with me," Kurama said.
"For some reason, I had to come back and talk to you. I don't know if it's because of Koko or something else. I want some answers, and if I don't like what I hear...well, let's just say you'd better be truthful in your words. I woudln't want to stain those clean sheets with your blood."
Kurama shuddered visibly under the threat. "Fine. Ask away," he consented uncomfortably, lowering himself onto the bed.
"I'm not sure where to begin...yes, I am. What do you want from Koko?" Kyoki asked, sitting on the windowsill, staring hard at the kitsune.
"What do I want from him?" Kurama repeated, confused. "Nothing. I only wanted to raise him in my image, as was requested by his mother. I don't wish to use him, if that's what you mean. Not like some people he looks up to these days," he added bitterly.
Kyoki's eyes narrowed. "This isn't about our master, Kurama. This is about you!" he snapped. "I guess I'm not going to get around this easily...why did you kill Kuronue?"
Kurama abruptly stiffened, his eyes tearing and angry. "I DIDN'T!" he screamed. "I loved Kuronue! Why doesn't anybody believe that?! He meant everything to me then! He died at the hands of youkai guards who wanted to get their day's pay!"
Kyoki raised a eyebrow. "Is that so? And they knew just to hit the pendant? They knew that my father would go after it no matter what the cost? I don't think so! Not a bunch of drunken guards! The one who trapped Kuronue knew to cut the pendant! And even if you didn't, why didn't you try to save him?! If you were so damned close, how could you just let him die?!"
Kurama swallowed back a lump in his throat, rising unsteadily to face Kyoki. "I regret every single day of my life that I listened to him! He told me to run, begged me to! He didn't want me to die saving him, if that was what his life meant! He wanted me to raise his son! He wanted you to have a father, Kyoki! Look what you ended up with!"
Kyoki fumed, wishing he hadn't been too far away to slap the youko. He could have attacked, had him dead in a second, but was too consumed by doubt to act. It seemed to unbelievable...that everything Kurama said made sense...but he'd seen...
"What about the construction site?" Kyoki growled.
"What...?"
"Don't play stupid, Kurama! It's an easy way to lose your head! You know what I'm talking about! Where you killed my father for keeps with your own sword!"
Kurama's mind spun wildly. How could he explain that...? The demon he killed hadn't been Kuronue. Then it hit him, Yakumo had filled Kyoki's head with scenes from the battle a few years ago. That's how he kept the youkai under his influence...no wonder he tried to chop him into tiny pieces for the neighbors' dog. Yakumo had a serious problem of messing with people's minds. One that Kurama hoped to cure personally. For stealing Koko's youth...for turning his best friend's son against him.
"You were deceived, Kyoki. One of Yakumo's former gods assumed Kuronue's shape to trick me into not fighting back. He was going to kill me with an apparition of my dearest friend. I was lucky that I noticed the grave loopholes in his plan. For one thing, your father never preferred an attack from the rear, and always refrained from using one. Second, he threw the pendant away. You know how he was about it. How do you think Koko ended up with it to begin with?"
Kyoki blinked, unsure of how to answer. He looked down, fingering the pendant with his pale hand. "It can't be true...you're lying..."
"You doubt yourself, Kyoki," Kurama said gently, yet firmly. "I can hear it. Why don't you believe me? Koko does; I haven't given him a reason not to. I searched for you for a long time, Kyoki. I would have raised you as my son, just as I would for Koko."
"No!" Kyoki said sharply. "What I saw...my father may have tossed the pendant, but you stole it from him when you killed him!"
Kurama sighed. "Then if you truly believe that," he stood, raising his arms to the side, baring his chest to the youkai, "strike me down. I'm sure your father would be very pleased to see me, but I don't think he'll be too happy with you."
Kyoki stared incredulously at the defenseless youko before him, who offered his life for him. But...why? Had Koko really been right? He drew his sword. He had sworn Kurama would die, and he meant it...for Kuronue. Yet why did it feel wrong now? Growling in frustration, he turned and leapt out of the window. Kurama lowered his arms and sank to the floor with a choked sob. Hiei was by his side in a second, holding him as he cried once more.
Koko felt funny as he let himself into the house. He thought he might have been crazy, but he could have sworn he felt Kyoki's ki there, though it had rapidly vanished. He brushed it off as wishful thinking and headed upstairs.
"Yo! I'm home, you guys!" he called into the quiet house.
He found his cousin's room vacated of both demons, but knew they were close by. He went further down the hall, stopping to peer into Shiori's room. Kurama was on the floor, cradled in Hiei's arms, crying. He ran inside with a speed to rival Hiei himself, a sinking feeling coming to him.
"Cousin Kurama!" he gasped, trying to see through the fire demon's protective hold. He looked up at his uncle. "Is he hurt?"
Hiei shook his head. "Kyoki was here, but he didn't attack."
"So it really was his ki just a few moments ago."
Hiei nodded. "He confronted Kurama with some disturbing questions, some of which they were both sensitive of."
"If you knew he was here, why didn't you..."
"It was not my affair. They were only talking. If Kyoki had actually made an attempt on Kurama's life, I would have stopped him."
Koko nodded. He glanced back down as his cousin's cries got softer. He pushed some of the red hair away from Kurama's tear-stained face. "I'm sorry, Cousin Kurama. I'll talk to him later. Somehow, this will get straightened out. I promise."
Kurama nodded, sitting up. Hiei shifted his hold, but still hung onto him protectively. "I'm okay, Hiei. I was just a bit shaken up. That's all."
"Shaken up, my fuzzy, little..." Koko trailed off, concerned. He knew Kyoki's style, and he liked doing more than a "little shaking."
Hiei relaxed, letting Kurama get to his feet, and joined him.
"I want to call Yuusuke and the others," Kurama stated. "It's time we all have a talk about this."
"I wanted all of you here to discuss the matter at hand," Kurama began, watching uneasily as his cousin glared at Kuwabara from across the room. "If everyone still has a good memory, we can tell that Yakumo probably has more up his sleeve than driving me completely insane." He smiled to hide the actual truth from the others. The only ones who caught it were his cousin and his lover.
"Yeah, last time I remember, he took over the Reikai and had plans to bring his own world and merge it with ours," Kuwabara supplied, growling.
"As far as I can tell, that's still true," Koko said, looking down at a figdgeting Koenma. "But he doesn't seem to have as much of an interest in the Spirit world this time."
"That might have something to do with the fact that it didn't work quite the way he thought it would," Yuusuke replied. "Which brings about another matter. The power sphere."
Kurama, Hiei, and Kuwabara snapped to attention. Koko settled for looking confused.
"Power sphere?"
"Yakumo's store of power. He kept every ounce of stolen energy to create his kingdom in a crystal. Anytime he needed it, he had it at his command. He was powerful enough without it, but not powerful enough to bring about a new world. He would never have survived against our futile attacks without it," Yuusuke explained.
"I don't remember ever seeing one in my master's chamber," Koko mused thoughtfully. He then remembered his choice of words and cleared his throat. "From what I've seen, he has made no use of stored power from anything but himself, especially not your so-described 'sphere'."
Koenma gave a wry grin. "How about a pacifier?" He popped his own out of his mouth, holding it out to emphasise the joke. The others laughed.
Koko, however, found the question serious and plucked Koenma's pacifier right out of the toddler's hand. He held it into his view, oblivious to the young prince's squawks and fruitless attempts to take it back.
"Oh, sure, everyone run and hide! The dreaded pacifier has come to send our souls to certain doom!" He glanced down at the fitful Koenma. "Not one of these, either. But the shrimp had a point. Is it possible that it could have been hidden in something besides a sphere?"
"Well, in the last instance, Botan had hidden the sphere itself inside her own body, thus keeping the power under wraps until Yakumo faced her himself," Yuusuke answered, smirking at Koenma, but trying to remain serious.
"But wouldn't that much power overwhelm one being? If one body had been intended to store the power of many, you guys would have more problems than just a few overzealous demons every now and then."
"Botan on her own couldn't handle the power without using all of her spiritual energy. She was in a deep sleep for most of the time she had it," Kurama answered. "But perhaps if it was being kept by a being with extraordinary power limits, it might be pulled off."
"Well, what sort of limits? Yakumo collects people with extraordinary power limits. He himself has boundless power limits. How does that help us find the sphere?"
Hiei eyed him critically. "Let's say, a nine-tailed kitsune for example. An almost fully matured body, godlike powers. Shall we start there?"
"You haven't been feeling...different...at all, have you?" Kurama asked, on the verge of panic at his lover's suggestion.
"Nope! Still as crazy and deranged as ever! Ain't that so, Kuwabara?" he joked.
Kuwabara snorted.
"What about Kyoki? Could he handle such a burden? Does it appear that he's changed at all?" Yuusuke wondered.
"No, he's grouchy all the time, and that's fairly normal." He looked down to see Koenma pouting, his lower lip stuck out, his arms crossed. "Fine! Just stop looking like that!" Koko tossed the pacifier back to the Reikai prince and returned his attention to the group.
Now that he didn't have to spend his energy pouting, Koenma sucked at his pacifier, then spoke up. "Where has he been getting his power from?"
Koko sighed. "Well, there was the ki he said he gathered while recovering from the last battle with you guys...and then there were the concerts." When he got confused looks from Yuusuke, Koenma, and Kuwabara, he quickly explained his master's plan for him and Kyoki. "And by the way, you showed up for every single one of them, Cousin Kurama. No wonder you could barely lift a hand against Kyoki. Didn't you notice that you were so drained of your youki?"
Kurama shrugged. "Humans call it stress. When we're worried about something, we don't tend to notice the onslaught of exhaustion until it hits us full force." He looked at Koko meaningfully.
"Stupid humans!" Koko declared. He thought for a second. "Stupid fox!"
Hiei glowered at him. "Look who's talking."
Koko growled a soft warning not to start with him.
Kurama cleared his throat. "That's enough you two. I think we should stick to the discussion at hand."
Koko glanced at Kuwabara. "You're not too angry at me, are you?" he asked.
"A little bit sore and upset over the clothes you ruined, but I guess I'm okay."
The little fox glanced him up and down. "I still think I should have aimed for your hair."
This roused laughter from the group. Kuwabara, as expected, took offense. "There's nothing wrong with my hair!" he defended, smoothing his hands over the short, orange locks. "At least mine doesn't look like a makeshift crown gone crazy."
Koko narrowed his eyes. "Looks better than yours, you dumb jock!"
"I am not a dumb jock!"
"Face it, Kuwabara-kun, you look stupid, you act stupid, and you have the mind of an epileptic water buffalo."
Kuwabara began turning a shade of red to rival Hiei's eyes. "Funny, I don't see Yukina as having a problem with it."
That won him a fierce glare from the fire demon across the room.
"Oh, Yukina loves just about everything!" Koko retorted, feeling that hot gaze land on him.
"Come on, you guys!" Kurama pleaded, exasperated. "Give it a rest. We have more important things to talk about."
Koko stood up from his seat and gave everyone an apologetic look. "Sorry guys, but I've taken too long already. I want to find Kyoki. Excuse me."
With that, the brown kitsune politely bowed out of group, heading to the streets, hoping his lover hadn't left the Ningenkai. Koko knew that he wasn't quite ready to yet, and convincing Kyoki of the reasons why was the hardest challenge he had yet to face.
His footsteps echoed in the quiet night. He was lonely, missing Kyoki more than he was ready to admit. They would have to do some serious talking before things were back to normal. As he thought this, he became aware of someone's youki ahead of him. It was deeply familiar, but not Kyoki's or his cousin's. He stopped, straining to see into the blackness beyond the street lamp.
"Who's there?" he called.
The unknown figure before him stepped into the light. His long pale blue hair fell down to his knees, the bangs covering piercing blue eyes. He clothing was more feminine than anything else, nearly pulling off the image of a pretty, if not strange-looking, young woman.
"Hello, Koko," the man spoke, his tone light...just as Koko seemed to remember it.
The kitsune backstepped, frightened. "Dad? It can't be...you're dead!"
"As you can see, I am very much alive," Majari said softly, reaching out to touch his son's arm.
Koko pulled back. "Who are you, really? You can't be my father! He was killed years ago."
"I nearly was. But I returned to find you." He followed Koko's steps, enfolding the youko into a heartfelt embrace. "Yakumo and I want you to come home."
Koko pulled away, shoving Majari back angrily. "This isn't funny! If this was some trick just to get me to come back to my master, I was going to do that anyway! So thanks for nothing! I don't appreciate people messing with my past!" With that, he turned his back on Majari and began walking.
"Maybe if I go and get rid of Kurama, you won't have so much holding you back here!" Majari threatened in a quiet voice.
Koko stopped dead in his tracks and whirled. "You bastard!" He flung his wrist, as he'd seen done, many times. "Rose Whip!" he cried. He lashed out, scowling as Majari jumped out of the way.
The demon smirked, his coloured lips forming two simple words. "Rose Whip."
In an instant, he held one that looked exactly the same as Koko's. The kitsune could only stare in disbelief. His mouth dropped open, his violet eyes wide. His own weapon slipped from his trembling fingertips.
"Oh, great Enma...it really is you!" Koko gasped. He flung himself into Majari's arms, holding him tight. "Oh, gods, you really are alive! But...but I thought..."
"That the human killed me? It truly appeared that way, but a couple of punches lacking any ki whatsoever is hardly a killing technique. Come now, it's time for us to go home."
Koko leaned back to look up at his father. "But I can't. Kurama needs me...I only wanted to find Kyoki...I..."
"Kyoki is back with our master. He needs you right now, as do I. Wouldn't you like to come back with me?"
"Of...course...but they'll worry if I don't come back...or at least tell them where I'm going," Koko answered timidly.
"You're old enough to make your own decisions. Besides, it is only a false front that they have. Your true place is with me and Kyoki and our master." Majari patted Koko's back. "Please return with me."
Koko smiled up at him slightly. "Alright...father."
Kurama sat by the river, deep in thought. He had planted the seed of doubt in Kyoki's head, now all it had to do was find the light to grow by. As much as he feared it, he hoped that Koko would find him...be that light that Kurama so desperately needed. He swiped his tail in thoughtful motions, wondering what it was that he should have been doing. It didn't feel right, sitting by and doing nothing. He felt useless that way. He suddenly looked up, aware of another demon approaching. Kuronue walked toward him slowly, something small held in his arms.
"Kuronue," Kurama started, surprised to see his friend again.
"Hello, Kurama," the youkai greeted. "I can see you weren't expecting me to join you again."
"It is a pleasant surprise," Kurama replied, smiling. Any moment with his dearest friend meant the world to him, no matter where or when it was.
"I wanted to see you," Kuronue was saying. He knelt down in front of Kurama, making it easier to see what Kuronue was holding so gently. It was wrapped in cloth, squirming in his arms. Kurama quirked an eyebrow as he noticed a tiny, fox-like muzzle poke out from the fabric.
"What is it?" Kurama wondered, obviously confused.
"Well," Kuronue said, choosing his words carefully. "I never truly got to do this the right way before. Honestly, it's for my own peace of mind."
He held the tiny bundle out to the silver fox, offering it to his best friend. Kurama took it, not quite knowing what to do as it wiggled in his arms. He met Kuronue's blue eyes with his golden ones. "I'm afraid I don't understand," he murmured.
Kuronue leaned forward and kissed the youko on the lips. He pulled back, smiling. "Kurama...I..." he faltered, reaching out to touch the kit's wet nose. "This...he's...I don't know how to say this..."
"Go ahead," Kurama urged, anxious to find out what was making Kuronue so uncomfortable about what appeared to be an abandoned youko kit.
"You see...Kurama...he's..."
A huge peal of thunder snapped Kurama awake. He sat up bolt straight, the image of Kuronue fading into darkness. Damn! He drew his knees to his chest, closing his eyes, trying to pull the dream back. It was pointless. He saw nothing. His movements had alerted Hiei's attention, and he lay back down next to his lover.
"You okay?" Hiei murmured sleepily.
"I'm fine, Hiei," Kurama answered. "Just startled by the thunder is all."
"Hnnn..."
Kurama sighed, strangely unsettled by his dream. What had Kuronue been trying to tell him? And what did it have to do with a newborn youko?
Once back in his master's stronghold, Koko quickly searched out Kyoki's room. He had some things to discuss, and he wanted to get them off his chest as soon as possible. He knocked lightly on the door. A moment later, it was answered by a grim-faced Kyoki. That bitter expression seemed to brighten considerably when he saw who was on the other side.
"Koko," Kyoki breathed, as if in mild disbelief. "You came back."
"Duh!" Koko grinned, bopping Kyoki playfully on the head. "I told you I was still loyal, you goofball! I don't lie to my lovers!"
"Lovers?" Kyoki sniffed haughtily. "I thought I was your first and only. Just who have you been seeing back in the Ningenkai? I'll have you know I won't share you," he mock-threatened, amusement in his garnet eyes.
Koko snorted and started to tickle Kyoki. Laughing hysterically, the two scuffled their way to the bed. Kyoki stumbled backward, pulling a squealing Koko onto his stomach. He then proceeded to kiss the kitsune soundly.
"I missed you, too," Koko gasped, once they broke apart.
"Good to see that you finally left behind those silly humans," Kyoki said, kissing Koko's exposed neck.
Koko's smile faded, and he sat up, adopting a serious expression. He sighed. "Kyoki, what did you say to Kurama? I found him in tears on the floor. Hiei said that you had been there."
Kyoki gave an exasperated sigh, sitting up as well. "I asked him to tell me the truth about what happened to my father. He denied killing him, saying that all of this was our master's doing...that Yakumo lied to us. He said if I didn't believe him that I could kill him. I swear, I didn't do anything wrong. I just wanted to find some answers, Koko. What's so bad about that?"
"Nothing...did Kurama lie?"
Kyoki faltered. "I...I think he was...but I can't be too sure. Yet I don't wish to believe that Yakumo would have done this to us. He wouldn't hurt us like that, would he? I'm unsure now."
Koko shrugged. "Let's not think about it; it's just another annoying headache. However," he grinned slyly at Kyoki. "if we could pick up on that train of thought we were on when I first came here..."
He needed no more words as he pounced onto Kyoki and pinned him down for another round of kisses. The youkai saw no reason to argue, and lay at his lover's mercy, wanting the reassurance more than anything. Both nearly jumped out of their skin as a loud knock came to the door.
"What is it?!" Kyoki asked testily, apparently annoyed at the interruption. He quickly covered his mouth with his hand, realising that it could have been his master on the other side of the door.
"You both are being summoned by Master Yakumo," Majari's voice announced. "He wishes you to come at once."
Koko moved off of him shrugging. "We'll continue this later, love. Duty calls."
He helped Kyoki up, and both headed out into the hall. As they walked, something came to Koko.
"Hey, Kyoki, did you know that my father was still alive?"
Kyoki smiled. "Only after I returned from accidently joining your midsection with my sword. In the midst of the excitement, I forgot to tell you."
Koko punched him playfully in the arm. "Jerk!" he teased. "Which reminds me, have you gotten rid of that awful stuff?"
"Pitched it out the window as soon as I got back," Kyoki replied. "I've given up on poison swords. Next time, if I want someone to die suffering, I'll just lock them in a room with that annoying Kuwabara."
Koko laughed out loud, trying to control his giggles as they approached the doors to Yakumo's throne room. Majari pushed them open, bidding them to enter the candle-lit chamber. Their master sat on his throne, watching their entrance. Majari came to stand at the side of the Meikai god, while Koko and Kyoki stood before Yakumo. After all, the summons had been for them.
"You wished to see us, Lord?" Kyoki asked.
"I did. I want you both to do me a small favour. It's one that you're quite used to by now."
Koko raised his eyebrow. "And what is that, master?"
"Perform for me," the man replied, a strange gleam in his eyes.
Stealing unsure glances at each other, Koko and Kyoki consented. They took their positions, sliding easily into their roles, as though on stage, even without their human guises. With an unsteady breath, Kyoki began to sing, his voice shaking at first. Koko started to dance, making sure to touch his lover with a reassuring hand as he moved. This seemed to give the youkai the confidence he needed to strengthen the song wonderfully, his voice no longer quivering. Koko gave a satisfied smile as they set to pleasing their master's request with all the skill and beauty that only they possessed. Koko sighed as the song ended all too quickly, and he was forced to slip into a final pose that gracefully showed off his lithe form. Kyoki bowed his head, only now letting his pale face become red.
Yakumo's smile became even wider. "You're better than I imagined. Wouldn't you agree, Majari?"
Majari nodded, astounded at his son's beauty.
"Now, I want you and Kyoki to leave me alone with Koko. We have some things to discuss about his conduct."
Koko looked pained for a moment as Kyoki's eyes turned to him worriedly. He flashed the youkai a broad smile. "Kyoki, my will is in the top, left drawer of my dresser," he joked.
Kyoki found it hard to share his lover's light reaction to what was obviously a promise of his punishment. Stealing a glance at his master, he reluctantly joined Majari in leaving the room. Taking a deep breath, Koko turned back to his master. He was startled to notice that Yakumo had gotten up during the exchange, and was now facing him with barely any space between them. Koko glanced upward; the god was a good three heads taller than he was. He swallowed hard as a cold hand came to rest on his shoulder.
"You've been a very bad little fox," Yakumo admonished, speaking as though Koko were a small child. The kitsune turned a humiliated shade of red, thankful that Kyoki had been sent out. He immediately regretted the thought as he was roughly pulled forward, closing the distance between himself and Yakumo. "What made you think you could reveal my secrets to my enemies and get away with it, hm? It was very wrong for you to assume, Koko."
The youko flushed deeper as he felt his master start to unfasten the shirt he was wearing.
"Now, little fox," Yakumo seemed to laugh, delighting in Koko's discomfort. "You dance for me."
Kyoki wandered the halls of the fortress. Hours had passed since he had left Koko alone with his master. He tried not to let the knot he felt in his gut consume his thoughts. Surely, Yakumo was finished reprimanding Koko by now. Then why hadn't the kitsune returned to him? Passing by the bathing chamber, he noticed steam curling out from underneath the heavy stone door. Could he be in there? Only one way to find out. Kyoki only prayed he wasn't walking in on Majari, or something.
He pushed the door open, the old stone creaking on its hinges. There was a startled splash, and Kyoki strained to see through the steam that clogged the air. He was finding it a little hard to breathe in the thickness of the vapor. However, he knew his way around the chamber, and headed for the bath.
"Koko?" he called quietly.
His sharp eyes finally broke through the smothering haze around him, focusing on the kitsune in the water. Koko regarded him with a wildly frightened look in his eyes. Kyoki's heart sped up in alarm. He hurried over to his panic-stricken lover, wondering what was wrong. He touched the fox's shoulder.
"Koko, are you...?"
Koko jerked away from him, sending water sloshing around him. "Don't, Kyoki!" he cried. "Leave it be!"
Kyoki stared stunned at Koko's reaction. "Leave what be? Koko, what's happened to you?"
"Don't ask, Kyoki...don't ask..." he mumured weakly, hugging his knees to his chest.
"I already did. You look like some animal in a trap, what's going on?" He trailed off as he noticed bruises on Koko's cinnamon skin, some a deep, ugly purple, other's just small welts. He growled softly. "Who did this to you?" In that much time, who knew who had gotten to his kitsune?
Koko looked up at him, tears in his eyes. "I don't want to talk about it, Kyoki."
Kyoki would have normally been annoyed at being brushed off, but it was different. Something had happened to the one he loved, and he wasn't going to let it drop that easily. Not even bothering to remove his clothes, Kyoki began to lower himself into the bath to get closer to Koko. He winced at the temperature, knowing if it felt hot to him, it had to be scalding for Koko. Just one second in it turned his fine skin red. He ignored the discomfort.
"Koko, someone hurt you, and I want to know who and why," he said firmly, holding his hand out to Koko, resisting the urge to embrace him so as not to scare the kitsune.
Koko shied away from him, cowering in the corner. "Please...don't do this to me...Kyoki....I can't," he whimpered.
"You don't have to be afraid of me," Kyoki murmured, softening his tone. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. As much as I would prefer to know what son of a bitch did this, I'm not going to make you do anything you don't want. At least trust me that much, love."
Any control Koko had shattered promptly. He broke into tears, sobbing hard enough to rack his already trembling frame. "Yakumo! Yakumo did this!"
Kyoki froze in terror. "Y...Yakumo...you mean he...?" His stomach lurhced. The god was twice Koko's size... Why? Koko had been wrong to fraternise with his cousin's comrades, but not wrong enough to deserve this. His eyes brimmed with sympathetic tears. He timidly reached out for Koko's shoulders, expecting at any minute to be rejected.
To his surprise, he let Kyoki take him into his arms, still sobbing. "He...he said I needed to be punished...he raped me...gods, Kyoki it hurt! He just...used me like some kind of toy!"
Kyoki pulled the kitsune tight against his chest, holding him protectively. His mind was a confused haze. "Shhh, it's all right now. I'm here." Yeah, for all the good it did them. What would he do now? His own master had dared to hurt Koko like that. Had it been anyone else, they would have died in a heartbeat, but he had sworn loyalty... Fuck! How can you be loyal to someone who raped your lover? Kyoki bit his lower lip until it bled, trying to think of something he could do. Koko couldn't stay here. Not only would he be a frightened mess, but Yakumo might take advantage of him again. He clenched his eyes shut, his mind made up. There was only one place he belonged right now. He kissed Koko's forehead gently. "I'm getting you out of here, Koko. I won't let him hurt you again."
Koko looked up at him. "But where will we go?"
"You are going back to Kurama. As much as I despise the thought, I know that you're better off with him than Yakumo," Kyoki answered. "I know he cares enough not to see you get hurt again. That is the only way we are the same."
"What about you? I'm not going anywhere without you," Koko protested wearily.
Kyoki sighed. "I...I don't belong there...I can't stay with you..." he began.
"No, come with me," begged Koko, gripping Kyoki tightly. "You said you'd never let me be alone."
"I won't break that promise. If Kurama accepts me in his home...I'll stay," Kyoki swore. "Would that make you happy, love?"
Koko smiled softly at him, nodding. So innocent. "Kurama will accept you. Kurama would accept anybody."
"Then it's settled. We're leaving and never coming back." He lifted Koko into his arms, stepping out of the water. He sat the youko on a stone bench and reached for towels. Kyoki quickly dried the kitsune, choosing a clean, white tunic from nearby shelf. With the utmost care, he dressed Koko, then lifted him again. He sought out the nearest window, and escaped through it, leaving everything he once knew as home behind.
Kurama had finally gotten back to sleep, though his previous dream still continued to elude him. Things were just wonderfully quiet and peaceful...and that's exactly why a loud banging proceeded to yank him back to consciousness again. He grabbed the pillow out from underneath Hiei's head and placed it over his own. The fire demon let out an annoyed grunt. He snatched the pillow back and whacked Kurama over the head with it.
"Answer the damned window, stupid fox!" he growled, rolling over to go back to sleep.
Sighing, and resigning himself to the fact that he would never get a decent night's sleep ever again, Kurama got up and went to the window. The steady tap tap of rain accompanied the harsh whump of a fist on the glass. He yawned and unlatched the window. He was amazed to find Kyoki climbing in his inside. Kurama blinked, his jaw hitting the floor. His mind had to be playing tricks on him. Kyoki?! Yet the youkai was there, his dark wings unfolded around him to protect whatever he was holding from the rain.
"Um, good evening?" he murmured, half-asleep, half-unbelieving.
"Morning, technically," Kyoki answered sourly.
By now, even Hiei had roused from his sleep to take in the unusual scene before him. He looked ready to attack at the slightest threatening move from Kyoki. Kurama snickered to himself as he tried to picture Hiei fighting in his silk pajamas, the sleeves and pants of which were a little long on the fire demon. He brushed away the thought as Kyoki's wings began to withdraw from what he was carrying. Kurama gasped as he saw Koko, bruised and pale, grasping Kyoki's shirt as if it was his last tie to sanity as he knew it.
"I have to ask you a favour, Kurama," Kyoki began, uneasily.
"Both of you are welcome here," the youko replied before Kyoki could even finish. The chimera blinked.
Kurama stepped forward to take Koko from his lover's arms. He placed him gently on the futon, brushing the hair away from his face.
"Cousin Kurama..." Koko said softly, his voice unable to do much more.
Hiei had already fetched blankets for Koko and extra towels for Kyoki.
Kurama looked up at Kyoki. "I would like an explanation for this, but you both look like you've had a rough night. You may have my mother's room to sleep, and tomorrow we can talk."
Kyoki glanced down at a drowsing Koko. "Forgive me for asking this of you, but I'd feel better if Koko were with me tonight."
Kurama nodded. "I understand, Kyoki." He smiled sweetly, laying a comforting hand on the youkai's shoulder. "Thank you for bringing him here."
Kyoki stood, dumbfounded for a moment, but snapped to attention as Koko spoke his name. He glanced one more time at Kurama, then went to his lover's side. As he carried the kitsune to Shiori's room, he heard Koko mutter a soft, "I told ya he'd take us in." Kyoki managed a wry smile, kissing Koko's forehead. "So, you did, my fox, so you did."
Kurama rolled over for the last time as early daylight streamed into the window. He knew that there was no chance of sleep now that he'd actually seen the sun. He lay on his back, arms folded behind his head, staring up at the ceiling. Hiei was still asleep, his soft, heavy breathing a soothing comfort to the youko's nerves. Since Kyoki had shown up with Koko, any thoughts about sleeping it off stood no competition with his paternal worry for the kit. Nearly every other hour, he had heard Koko's cries from the room down the hall. Like he had been used to doing when the kitsune was younger and would have the occasional nightmare, he would keep trying to get up and tend to him. Hiei ended up holding fast to his arm, a silent reminder that Koko, too, had someone watching over him. It had been tough for Kurama to listen, but was more or less relieved when the cries died down. Thank the gods for Hiei and Kyoki, Kurama thought.
Sighing, the youko pushed the covers off of himself. The house seemed to be completely quiet as he slipped out of bed, barely arousing Hiei's attention. He began to dress for the day's activities, then snorted as he realised that that probably included insane gods and a handful and demons and spiritual detectives. Once finished, he headed downstairs to get breakfast started.
Koko silently stepped into the kitchen, damp and wearing Shiori's silk robe. He stood in the doorway, leaning on the frame. In turning to pour himself a cup of coffee, Kurama caught sight of his cousin. He smiled brightly, sincerely warm in his affectionate greeting.
"Good morning, Koko," he said, as cheerfully as he could guiltlessly manage.
"I've had better," the kitsune replied, "but thanks anyway. And same to you."
Kurama bit his lip as he turned back to the waffles he was preparing. "I hope you're hungry. I'm making your Aunt Shiori's waffles."
"Sounds nice," Koko replied. "How is Aunt Shiori anyway?"
"Having a wonderful time with 'Tousan and Shuichi-kun in the states," Kurama's voice was a little wistful. He had wanted to go with them, but had to stay behind for his exams. "How are you feeling?"
"Awful, I swear, almost every hour, Kyoki was waking me up from a nightmare. And I'm sore," Koko replied.
Kurama set the finished waffles on a plate and put them on the table. He then moved to gently embrace his cousin. They stood for long moments holding each other, Kurama twisting Koko's wet hair around his fingers.
"Did you want to tell me what happened?" he asked softly.
Koko stiffened at the question, his muscles tense. Then he relaxed enough to be comforted by Kurama's hug. "I'll tell you if you promise you won't let Hiei go out with murder in his heart once he hears about it."
"I promise. I wouldn't let him do anything crazy."
Koko smiled affectionately, then became serious again. "You're not going to like what I have to tell you."
"I also don't like sushi, but I'll put up with it if I have to," Kurama replied. "Whatever you have to say is not going to change anything, so go ahead."
Koko took a deep breath. "All the same, I think you should sit down."
Kurama looked slightly worried, but did as his cousin requested.
"Could I...could I have Uncle Hiei down here too? He needs to know," Koko asked.
"He's already here," a deep voice responded.
Koko yelped, jumping back. His tail fluffed wildly as he scanned for the owner of the gruff voice. He calmed, relieved to see Hiei sitting on the counter, one leg dangling over the edge. He was regarding Koko with an attentive, if not concerned, gaze.
"Hiei!" Koko admonished. "Don't you ever make any noise?!"
The fire demon gave him his best "have you gone nuts?" look. "No."
Koko sighed. "Since you're both here..." He drew in an unsteady breath. "Yakumo...raped me last night." His face flushed with shame, his eyes dropping to the floor.
"He what?!"
In all honesty, Koko had expected his cousin to be the first to speak; Hiei never let his emotions loose so easily. However, it had been the youkai's enraged growl that echoed in his ears along with his heart. Koko glanced upward. Kurama was looking extremely pale, his body shaking, his emerald eyes first wide with disbelief, then narrowed in silent rage. His lips were pressed tightly together, his teeth clenched beneath them, unable to speak. Hiei, on that note, was making his own opinion clearly known.
