Kurama Loses His Memory: Enter the Little Brown Youko
Epilogue
by Erikka Gallas and Gillian Passovoy
Kurama rolled over to look out of his open window. Hiei lay on his back next to him, sleeping soundly. One arm was over his chest, the other curved above his head. Despite his efforts to stop himself, Kurama just stared at the youkai, admiring the way the moonlight lit up the smooth skin. In the light, he could see the bandages that wrapped around the fire demon's shoulder. A sharp pang of guilt hit Kurama before he was even ready for it. He hadn't meant to hurt Hiei, physically or mentally. He had done both in a matter of days, and it made tears spring to his eyes to think that he had almost lost Hiei. He had tried to kill him. He tore his gaze away from the fire demon and buried his face into his pillow. His sobs were muffled, his body shaking. He didn't want to forgive himself for being so weak when Hiei needed him the most. He didn't deserve...
A warm hand fell on Kurama's shoulder. He hadn't noticed any previous movements, and the touch startled him. He lifted his head, wet tears making strands of his red hair stick to his face. He blinked. Hiei was sitting up, looking at him with a quizzical expression on his face. His hand pulled away and Kurama wished he hadn't. He needed Hiei's touch, to know that he was forgiven.
"What's wrong with you?" Hiei asked, an almost annoyed tone in his voice.
Kurama shook his head. "I'm sorry," he murmured.
"Sorry?" Hiei narrowed his eyes, puzzled. "Sorry for what?"
"For what I did," Kurama replied, nearly dissolving into tears again.
The hard look on Hiei's face made him believe his doubts. Hiei couldn't forgive him and Kurama didn't blame the youkai. Hiei sighed, his breath reaching Kurama's face in a soft gust.
"Kurama, how many times do we have to go through this?" Hiei said, raising his voice a little. "Stop apologising for the things you didn't have any control over! Did you mean to get sick?"
Kurama shook his head, a tear slipping down his cheek. Hiei reached out to brush it away with his thumb, the palm of his hand remaining on Kurama's face.
"Did you mean to forget?"
Kurama clenched his eyes shut. "No," he hissed, his voice strained.
Hiei gently moved his hand to brush away the strands of hair that clung to the warm skin. "You didn't want to forget me, you didn't want to leave, you didn't want to lose your soul, you didn't want to hurt me."
"No, no, I didn't," Kurama choked, the tears running freely again.
"Then you have nothing to be sorry for, boku no itooshi."
Kurama lifted his gaze back to the fire youkai's, briefly daring to believe... Hiei's lips met his a moment later, catching him into such a fierce, passionate kiss, that it took his breath away. He was forgiven. His lover forgave what had happend. Oh Hiei... He wound his arms around the small, compact body, revelling in the feel of the powerful arms that held him just as tightly. His bare chest was pressed to Hiei's fiery hot one, making him swell with warmth and love for this delicate little creature that was his own. They separated only a second to glance into each other's eyes. A light smile touched Kurama's full lips before he captured his Koorime into another kiss, deeper and more passionate than the first.
"Cousin Kurama! Uncle Hiei!"
The demon couple broke apart, Hiei recognising that cheerful voice all too well. They sat up look where the voice was coming from. To their surprise, they found a rather tall youko female standing in the moonlight. Her dark chocolate skin shone amber in the silver light, her crimson eyes fixed on the two lovers, a slight smirk on her face.
Kurama's jaw dropped. "Aunt...Kimiyo...?"
"Greetings, Kurama. It's been a long time."
From the woman's arms waved a tiny kit. He grinned at them gleefully, hopping out of his mother's embrace. He bounded onto the bed, tackling his cousin.
"Cousin Kurama !" he squealed. "You're okay! I knew you would be! Hiei would take you home and bed you and you'd be just fine!"
"Koko," said Kimiyo sternly, "your bandages."
"Oh, yeah! Guess what, Kurama! The healer said I broke two ribs and that I was really brave to help Uncle Hiei blow up the bad ladies! And I have to be really careful when I'm training!"
Hiei rolled his eyes. Kurama looked from the kitsune child to his aunt.
"Aunt Kimiyo...may I have a word with you, please?"
"Certainly." She glanced at Koko. "I'll be back in a few minutes, Koko. You be good for your uncle Hiei."
"'Kay, Mom!"
Kurama got out of bed, grabbing the first article of clothing he could reach. He slipped his uniform jacket on and buttoned up the bottom a little. He and Kimiyo disappeared into the hallway, Kurama shutting the door behind them.
Hiei noticed Koko smirk mischieviously as a violet gaze became trained on his hair...
Once out in the hall, Kimiyo's gaze swept over Kurama appraisingly. She raised a dark eyebrow.
"Really, Kurama," she scolded affectionately. "Magenta? It clashes horribly with your hair."
Kurama looked down at himself and the indeed mageneta jacket he was wearing. "It's my school uniform, Aunt. I have to wear it."
Kimiyo shook her head. "Couldn't you just transfer?"
Kurama chuckled at the spark of youko vanity, but shook his head. "Aside from the uniform, what is going on? I haven't seen you in years...not since before my 'death' to be exact."
"Tragic, those hunters should never have gotten off such a lucky shot."
"I didn't even know you were with kits. All of a sudden, I have a Cousin Koko, who helped my lover find and rescue me."
"Koko is a lot more tactical than he lets on. He is young still," Kimiyo laughed softly. "He adores you, Kurama. He's been wanting to follow in your footsteps since he was old enough to understand where you were going. He's learning...but he needs guidance. Right now, I don't have the time nor the resources to give him what he needs to carry on the family tradition."
Kurama held up his hand. "Are you trying to say that you want me to raise him in the art of thievery? Aunt Kimiyo, I gave that up after I changed my soul."
"Well, one never loses such valuable skills, Kurama. I've seen you put those skills to the test, even as a human. I need you to train Koko for me. I am a fighter, an assassin if need be, but I am no thief. I make enough not to have to rely on such tactics. You, however, can teach him what he needs to know. And when he's done training, he can come back to the Makai. Besides, he seems to have taken a great liking to your lover. Hiei's all Koko would talk about this entire week. Please, Kurama? A family favour?"
Kurama sighed. "What about my ningen mother?"
"You have your ways. Pass him off as a little ningen boy...baby-sit for awhile. Your mother will buy the story and you know it."
"All right, Aunt Kimiyo, I'll try. But I'm very busy with school, and there's a chance my mother won't take the story."
"If you find that you can't do it, I would understand."
"Hiei's not going to like this."
Kimiyo laughed as she heard Hiei protest to the sacriligious braiding of his short spiky hair. "He'll get used to it. Arigatou, Kurama." Kimiyo leaned forward, pulling Kurama into a tight hug. "You remind me so much of your mother. Megumi would be proud of you, Youko Kurama."
The redhead smiled sadly, wrapping his arms around his aunt. "Thanks Aunt Kimiyo. I'll make sure you're told of your son's progress."
"I might not be that easy to reach. It's a busy season right now, but we'll see what happens. I'll be seeing you soon, Kurama. Take good care of my baby."
"I will."
Kimiyo nodded, pushing the door to the bedroom. Koko was sitting atop a fuming Hiei's shoulders, fervently working the Koorime's hair into braided knots. Kurama blinked, noticing this, just murmuring, "So that's how his hair ended up such a mess that night we came home."
Upon seeing his mother, Koko hopped off of Hiei and ran to Kimiyo.
"Now, you behave for your Cousin Kurama. Remember what I've taught you, and be polite and cooperative with his ningen family. I'll come back soon."
"Promise?" Koko asked, his violet eyes big and teary. He gripped Kimiyo around the neck.
"I promise. Love you, Koko."
"Love you, Mommy."
Kimiyo smiled tenderly, one of the very few times Kurama had ever seen such a gentle expression. She only used to have it for his mother. It was very sweet to see it now. She turned toward the window.
"Ja, minna!"
With that, she disappeared. Hiei turned a very suspicious gaze upon his lover and the brown fox now wrapped around the ningen's neck.
"What was that all about?" he asked sourly.
Kurama smiled widely, nuzzling the kit's cheek, making him giggle. "Koko's going to be staying with us for awhile to train."
"He's...what...?"
Hiei's eyes rolled back into his head, and he fell flat on the mattress.
