Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Mating ❯ Worries and Timetables ( Chapter 17 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

"The Mating"

Disclaimer: See chapter one!

AN: Thank you for the reviews! Morwen re, didn't know if I still qualified for that lollipop or not! Anyway, I keep trying to update quickly, but I think I'm getting at the point where I'm either going to leave you folks at cliffies, or I won't update for a really long time, so gomen about the cliffies!

Chapter 17- Worries and Timetables

Hatanaka went over to immediately wake up Shiori, anxious to reassure himself that she was indeed okay. She was still sleepy, though.

Kurama, now knowing what effect was causing that, reached into his hair and pulled out a seed. He quickly grew a small plant and handed several leaves to Yukina. "Can you please make a tea out of these?" He then ungrew the plant, tucking the seed back in his hair.

Hatanaka saw this and raised his brows, but didn't say anything as it appeared that his stepson knew exactly what he was doing.

"Kurama-san?" Yukina looked up at him questioningly.

"It's a short lived stimulant that will enable her to actually stay awake for maybe an hour and a half, long enough that we can catch her up to our discussions, as well as eat." Kurama explained quickly.

Yukina hurried off to make the appropriate tea.

Keiko went over to sit next to Shiori, holding her up. "How are you feeling?"

"Just dreadfully tired, thank you." Shiori replied.

"Yukina is brewing something that should help you shortly." Kurama told her.

"What is it? More of your Makai version of Chamomile?" Shiori asked, curious to know what it was that he grew.

Kurama smiled at the reference, "No, Mother. That would only put you back to sleep with the other herbs coursing through your system. It's a different herb."

"You can always trust Kurama to know his herbs, that's for sure." Yusuke added, staying around to make sure Kurama's mother was okay.

Hiei nodded. "Come." He went over and offered her an arm up.

Shiori looked a little worried about his stature, but took the arm. "Thank you, Hiei." She replied as he easily lifted her to her feet.

Hatanaka took over for Hiei, escourting her into the dining room.

Hiei took Shizuru's arm, while Kurama took Keiko's arm.

Yusuke shrugged and headed into the dining room by himself.

Shuuichi was happy to see that all that was wrong with his step-mother was a sleep side effect.

Dinner was a very quiet affair. As they sat down, Shiori asked, "Who prepared all this?" As it was a small feast laid out, but then there also seemed to be a small army eating it, too.

Yukina looked over, embarrassed, "I hope you don't mind, Shiori-san. I did." She replied in her quiet voice.

Shiori looked at the girl with aqua hair. "I'm sorry, I didn't meet you earlier. Who are you?"

"Shiori," Hiei answered for his embarrassed sibling, "This is my sister, Yukina. She lives with Genkai."

"Pleased to meet you." Yukina replied to the introduction.

"I'm pleased to meet you!" Shiori replied, surprised at the meek tone. So this is the sister that Hiei has protected all these years! She was glad to meet his sister. She seemed so sweet and innocent, not at all what she would expect of someone Hiei's age. She looked closer for the similarities between the two. They had the same eye color, the same complexion and the same height. They were obviously fraternal twins.

Yukina got up briefly and went into the kitchen, carrying out with her a tea cup. This turned into a darker tea with a faint coffee-type smell coming from it.

Shiori took the tea cup, smelling the brew. She took a sip. It didn't quite taste like coffee, didn't quite taste like tea. She took another sip and could feel the energy pouring back into her limbs. "Thank you, son. And thank you, Yukina."

Kurama just nodded. "You're welcome, Mother."

"You don't need to thank me, Shiori-san. I did no more than brew the tea." Yukina protested.

"I insist." Shiori reiterated with a smile.

"I must thank you, instead." Yukina said softly. "For it was thanks to you, from what I understand, that my brother came to me."

"I didn't really do anything." Shiori protested.

Hatanaka knew just how stubborn his wife could be when she decided on something. He heard his son laughing next to him. "Yukina-san," He started, not knowing whether to use san or kun, but if she was Hiei's sister, she was far older than he was and she obviously still used the formalities, "My wife is not one to give up on a point."

Yukina gave him a sweet smile. "Hatanaka-san, I consider all that your family has done for my brother and I find myself in debt to you all."

Hiei bowed his head, looking embarrassed. The worst part was that he couldn't deny it. Due to Shiori's influence and Kurama's constant friendship, he now had his sister back and she accepted him. He also had gotten up the nerve to ask Shizuru to mate with him, not that she had accepted yet, but it looked like she was considering it.

Shizuru studied her suitor. Embarrassment did not sit well with him. She was starting to be able to read his moods, which she was seeing would be an entire art form in itself. She reached under the table and took his arm, giving it a light squeeze.

Hiei looked back at Shizuru in shock. He'd never had anyone support him emotionally like this and hadn't suspected she would do such a thing. He gave her a very slight smile as he placed his hand over hers much as she had done for him earlier.

Kurama watched the interaction and suspected what Shizuru had done. He was happy for his friend. Shizuru was almost as emotionally closed off as Hiei was, or himself. It took a lot to break through armor that had withstood centuries. He carried Keiko's hand up and kissed it, even as he smiled at his mother. She seemed to draw people in just as well as Yusuke, if for different reasons.

Yusuke was glad to have all the deceptions around Kurama's mother out in the open, that meant that they could use his real name freely without having to worry about slipping up. He watched all the family interactions and wondered why he didn't have someone. He sighed. He could have, he knew. He had thought he was empty after the Toguro fight, but he was realizing that demonic emotions sometimes made things feel worse. He wondered how Kurama had dealt with the loneliness when he was born. Sometime he'd have to have a talk with his demonic friends about how to deal with some of these emotions. Most troublesome were these thoughts about Botan. He didn't think he was that desperate, but they didn't seem to be thoughts of desperation. The more he contemplated it, the more it felt, right. He sighed, wondering if he'd ever tell her and wondering if he did tell her, he'd be slapped into next week.

Shuuichi sighed, knowing that he was the absolute youngest at the table, no matter how anyone looked at it. He had been lost for most of the day and was still trying to understand some of what he'd learned in the last 24 hours. His head was spinning from everything. From his brother not only knowing about demons, but actually was one, to having a new adopted brother, sort-of, to learning that he had a new sister-in-law. All in all, this had been the most surprising 24 hours of his life.

Kuwabara just sighed. Yukina's cooking was the best that he'd ever had. He glanced over at his love's brother. Hiei may have had objections, but he had told Kuwabara that he would have to accept their connection. He respected Hiei and thought he was a good match for his older sister. He wondered what it would be like to have Yukina there for him and vice versa. It had been pleasent today, just walking together in the field by Genkai's temple, helping Yukina in their small garden, watching her play with the bunnies and playfully shooing them away from the carrots and lettuce, even as she filched a few leaves and gave those to the small creatures who came to her. They had honestly had a chance to truly talk. For once he hadn't been tongue-tied around her, and he hoped he hadn't made too much of a fool out of himself. He liked to think that he had matured in the years since the Dark Tournament.

Yukina thought to herself that this meal was just as much to thank Shiori and Kurama for doing so much for her brother as to impress Kazuma. She always did cook well, and Shiori had a well stocked kitchen, along with a few cooking herbs that Kurama had obviously grown and dried for storage. Today had been the first day that she could spend alone with her Kazuma. She was starting to think that way now. She knew that he had a crush on her since they had met, and it had concerned her at times that he could communicate telepathically with her if he concentrated as he had in Tarukane's stronghold. He had changed in the last couple of years and she was more comfortable with his feelings. She wondered what had gotten into him today, but it had been very nice. With Hiei having come out of the closet on being her brother, maybe he had given his permission? Her thoughts were whirling, and she was glad to have something mundane to concentrate on.

Genkai looked around. It had been a shame that Botan had left so early, but it couldn't be helped. She still had duties in Reikai. She knew the bubbly ferry girl had a crush on her employers. It seemed both of them, Koenma and Yusuke, but hadn't acted on either of them. She supposed that both of them had their appeal. She 'hmphed' to herself, As if I have room to talk , she thought to herself as she was reminded of Toguro. She still missed him sometimes, but didn't let herself dwell on it. The past was the past and she had done her best with this group to make sure they were emotionally healthy. The worst was still Shizuru, but she seemed to be getting a bit better with Hiei's help. She wasn't surprised the two had formed a bond, the only thing that surprised her about it was that it had taken this long to forge.

Kazuya Hatanaka was still lost in thought. He glanced around the silent dinner table. This table was never rambunctious, but it was also not usually this quiet either. There was almost always a quiet conversation going. If nothing else, then mundane things. Everyone seemed lost in thought. The food was being eaten, but it was thoughtfully, and seemed to be well received. He wondered what would happen to his sons. He'd never been particularly close to his stepson, and hadn't adopted him, as he was not in need of any guidance, which he really hadn't understood at the time. Since understanding this strangely quiet stepson of his, he could appreciate some of what Shiori's concerns had been. She hadn't been concerned about rebelliousness, there wasn't a rebellious bone in the boy. No, she had been concerned about his quietness. She wasn't sure if he was even interested in anyone, not romantically, anyway. This small group of friends had been all he had and none of them even went to the same school as he did at the time. They had ended up in the same school, but different years. He looked at his son and smiled. The normal, well almost normal son of his. He wondered about this wierd position of Spirit Detective.

Shiori looked around. This was her family. She could even claim her son's friends, since they seemed close enough for family. Yusuke was like Keiko's brother, Hiei was like a son to her and Kuwabara was seeing Hiei's sister, from what she could determine. This seemed like such a quiet time for all of them. Her husband was quietly studying his son, as well as hers. Kurama had seemed to have a steadying effect on the boy. He also seemed to be the steadying effect within this group too. Not the leader, but definately one of those the leader leans on, and who knows the most of what is going on. She still wondered how he had kept himself as well hidden as he had. Only his eyes had betrayed him, and a few of his mannerisms that seemed too old for his age. She knew the shock was finally wearing off from the weekend and could now consider things in a rational state of mind. She wondered when the next shock would arrive.

Shizuru figured that she had plenty of time to think in the last almost twenty-four hours between not being able to get back to sleep until almost two in the morning, and most of the day. She found she still had more to ponder. She would have to ask some very personal questions of this demon who was courting her. He was not a normal breed and it showed. He was heir to a full one third of the Makai and he was extremely powerful. Still he worried over being able to protect his mate and had protected his sister for as long as he had lived. He was a study of contrasts and when he loved, it was very deep, coupled with a desire to protect that which he loved. She wasn't sure exactly what to do with him yet, but just being with him made her feel more content, and as close to happy as she could remember since her mother had died, givng birth to her baby brother. She had tried to raise him, but she had only been six. She sighed and held Hiei's strong right arm as she continued to eat.

Hiei thought about this group. He did consider these people his family. He wished that this had been his family on some level, but then he reconsidered. He had chosen his family, all except his sister. He could see that the Baka and his sister were perfect for each other, that didn't mean that he had to like it, but they were. Shiori was everything he could have wished for in a mother and then some. She had that motherly air about her that just reached out and caught anyone who came too close in a kind, welcoming embrace. Yusuke was easily the strongest of them, but still had problems sometimes balancing his emotions. There was the kitsune. If there ever came anything closer to a brother for him, he'd never found it. This brought his thoughts to the kitsune's mate, Keiko. She had never been right for Yusuke and seemed to be a perfect match for the kitsune. He looked at the last on his list. Last, but certainly not least, Shizuru. She held onto his arm as if swamped by unpleasent memories. He knew what that felt like. He was perfectly comfortable in the silence that he usually surrounded himself with for hours on end. Shizuru seemed to be almost comfortable, if she didn't have her sad thoughts getting in the way. He resolved to discuss this with her later.

Keiko wondered about the whole group. They were all changing. Shizuru was not quite as solemn. Hiei was becoming more open. Yusuke was getting a little thoughtful. Herself, well, she was not sure, but she knew that she was changing as well. She glanced over at her mate, currently in his red-headed form and remembered what he had said. That he'd never subconsciously transformed like that. Now he'd done it twice in as many days, almost as if he had to hold himself back to his human form. She wondered when she would start transforming. She knew that she was gaining the abilities, but she didn't know when her body would start chainging into that of a youko, or if it would hurt at all. She knew that her mate would help her through whatever difficulties she would have. It was all new, wondrous, exciting, and terrifying at the same time. She would face whatever happened with courage, she only hoped she had enough.

Kurama sighed. He knew that his mate was nervous about what would be happening, and he would try to help her as much as possible. He didn't know just yet what the physical transformation of her body from human to youko would do to her. All the other entries in the journal had been true demons, not animal spirits such as himself. The demons for the most part only had at the most, two humanoid forms. He had one humanoid, and one animal. Was Keiko going to have to evolve like he did? Or would she start out full youko? He didn't know just how worried he could get. And what if, Inari help them, she was pregnant? He couldn't smell any changes to her, but then, she also hadn't gone through her human monthly yet, either. Once transformed, she would have the fox's gestation period, and there was also the question of kits. He had so many questions, and the worst part, no one to ask them to.

Kurama finished eating as he saw that everyone else was just finishing as well. He quietly got up from the table, heading to the kitchen and pulling the same seed from his hair that he had used for his talk with his mother. If everyone elses thoughts were as scattered as his, they needed this just as badly as he did. He put some water on to boil and plucked several leaves. He came out in time to see the back door fly open and a crying, sobbing really, Botan throw herself into a startled Yusuke's arms.

Botan just kept herself in Yusuke's arms as the tears came pouring out.

Yusuke ackwardly patted her on the back, making soothing noises. "Easy, Botan." Her sobbing quieted down into hiccups. Yusuke tilted her face up to see his, "Can you tell me what happened?" He gently asked as he looked into those big, pink eyes, still dripping tears. He was half afraid that something truly catastrophic had occured. The last time he had seen her this emotionally torn up was when Yakumo had attacked Reikai.

"Koenma-sama has announced his engagement!" She got out between hiccups. She couldn't help herself, she loved both Yusuke and Koenma. "He's marrying Ayame!" She found comfort in the hold that Yusuke had her in and reburied her face in his neck.

Just then, Yusuke's communicator beeped in his pocket. He hated that he had to carry it around, but until a replacement was found and trained he was still it, much to Enma's chagrin. He ackwardly dug it out, still holding Botan in one arm. He held it up, so that he could see around Botan's ever present pony-tail. "Yeah, what do you want?"

"Yusuke! Is Botan there?" Koenma sounded frantic.

Yusuke just tipped the mirror down so that Koenma could see the unmistakable blue hair. "That answer your question?" Yusuke asked, then tilting it back up to his face went on, "What happened, anyway?"

"My father was after me to take a bride. I chose between the two whom I cared for the most. Hardest decision I ever made. She ran out right after I made the choice and gave me no chance to explain." Koenma sighed heavily, "Please take care of her Yusuke. She should stay in the Ningenkai for a while or for that matter, anywhere but Reikai. We'll be getting married two months from now. She told me Kurama's decision. Thank you all. I'll keep in touch. And don't forget to train Shuuichi, he's your replacement!"

With that the mirror went dark. "Great." Yusuke drawled dryly. "Ya know! Between Koenma's rotten timing and everything else coming to a head, we've been ordered to train Kurama's stepbrother! Hell! I worry enough about accidentily killing Kuwabara!"

"It is truly nothing against you, Shuuichi." Genkai replied, watching as the younger teen was crestfallen in light of Yusuke's words. "The group of us have become tougher through training, experience and living that you don't have. Kuwabara went throught the same things the others have, unless you get to Hiei and Kurama's true demonic histories, plus he used to get beaten up by my favorite dimwit on a daily basis. But he still does not have the toughness required to survive one of Yusuke's, or my own, full strength punches. Hiei is stronger than myself, but not quite as strong as Yusuke."

"Thanks, Grandma. Then how is it you can always whip my ass?" Yusuke replied, still holding Botan.

Kurama heard the tea kettle whistle and discretely came into the kitchen to finish making the tea. He saw Keiko enter, carrying a load of dishes. "How are you holding up?"

Keiko looked at him. "I'm doing okay. I'm starting to get frightened about what's going to happen when I start becoming a kitsune, though." She gave him a brave smile.

"You were thinking about that too at dinner?" He asked, cupping her cheek and tilting her head back to look into her eyes. He saw the courage shining through that had always beckoned him as a moth to the flame. She was trying to put a brave front up, but he could see the worry deep in her eyes. "I'm going to look through the journal one more time, Keiko, I may have overlooked something, some entry. I'm going to find something to put our minds at ease. You and I cannot live every minute worried about what will happen when your body starts transforming. I know there will be some discomfort, but what and how strong I cannot determine. Then there would be the complication if I wasn't able to control myself when we mated and you did become pregnant before your transformation." Kurama sighed, wondering how many worries he could have piled on his shoulders. The last time he had felt this burdened was when his mother was dying and he went after the Mirror of Utter Dark.

Keiko smiled up at him playfully. "Kurama, has anyone ever told you that you worry too much?"

Kurama smiled ruefully, "Yes, usually Yusuke."

"He's absolutely right." Keiko pulled his head down to hers and kissed him tenderly. After pulling away, she earnestly told him, "There was nothing you could do to prevent me from becoming injured today. And even if you are worried about the possibility of my getting pregnant, I'm not due for three weeks. In that time, can you give me something to make sure I won't get pregnant? Kind of like a Makai birth control pill? I think you are worrying over nothing, Kurama. We have the support of everyone and you and I are strong enough to make it through this."

Kurama pulled her to him, holding her close. He knew that he could not remain celibate for the entirety of the time left until she transformed. He was a mated youko and required his mate frequently, but for her sake, he was going to try. She had been wounded earlier today and hadn't been able to check with Yukina to make sure she was really okay. He thought quickly through his collection of seeds. When he gained another tail he would be able to summon plants at will, but he knew that he had a while to go for that ability, until then, he was confined to plants that he kept seeds of. He mentally made a list of all the ones that he kept in his room. There were several that could work, but he was unsure of how harsh they would be on the mostly human body. He resolved to ask Hiei if he could get some. There were many plants that he could use there. He knew the right balance would have to be found for her body, which would be even less human in three weeks and even less in the following months.

Keiko decided one thing, that Kurama was too deep in thought and worry. She tilted her head back and drew his mouth down to hers. She used all the skill she had learned from him, until he could not help but kiss her back.

Their eyes were closed and so they never noticed Hiei, Shizuru and Yukina quietly walking in with the remainder of the dishes. Yukina quietly put them all in the sink. The three all smiled at the mates, who were oblivious to everything going on around them. The three then quietly tip-toed out, making sure the door closed behind them, Hiei giving one last fond look at the two before silently closing the door.

"Where's Kurama and Keiko?" Yusuke asked. Botan had finally cried herself out and was just resting on his shoulder, her calves tucked under her legs.

Shizuru drawled, "Might as well forget it, kiddo. The two were very interested in each other's tonsils from what I could see."

Kuwabara shook his head. "Can't they think of anything else?" He looked faintly disturbed.

Hiei shook his head. "He's a mated youko now. They must have each other at least once a day. You do not want to know the consequences if this does not happen." He explained to the group in his usual taciturn manner.

Yukina looked at the group. "Yusuke should understand some of this. All demons have their own habits if they mate."

"However, kids," Shizuru added, "I think we all need to depart to let the two lovebirds fly to their nest."

Shiori looked around, "Do you have anything else to discuss? We can use the back yard, as I understand you were using. It's mild out."

Hiei nodded. "Did anyone notice if the kitsune's window was open?" He had thought that he'd seen it open, but wasn't sure.

Everyone shook their heads. Hiei just departed upstairs. "I will join you presently." He hurried upstairs, flitted into the kitsune's room. As he had thought, the window was open, and it opened right over the back yard. He left by the window, closing it behind him firmly, so that he would not have to worry about noise outside. He flitted to the tree branch and joined the others below the tree. They fell into a discussion about who should train Shuuichi. He was shown a basic kata by Hiei and Kuwabara tried to get him to form a spirit sword, but all that he got for his first evenings efforts was a soft glow in his hands. He was told that this was good progress though, and to work on it with them all.

******************Meanwhile Inside******************

Kurama broke off the kiss as they both gasped for breath. He didn't hear anyone outside. "Come, we should see where the others are." He quietly told his mate. He knew that if they stayed alone for much longer, he would no longer have the strength to resist Keiko's advances.

Keiko allowed herself to be pulled into the dining room, but that was as far as she allowed Kurama to guide their steps. She exerted some of her new found strength, just enough to prove to Kurama that she was only going where she wanted to go. She put on her most determined look. "Come." Her voice and face softened, "There is something I want to do."

Kurama had no choice, unless he wanted to pull bodily out of her grip and he didn't want to risk hurting her, but to follow along. He realized where Keiko was going and tried to protest, but at the fierce look in Keiko's eye he silenced the protest before he could even voice it.

"That's right. We are partners in this, Kurama. You need reassurance that I'm really okay. I need reassurance that you are still there." She pulled him inside their room, closing the door, and turned to face him. She whispered right in front of him, "I feel empty, Kurama. I need you to fill that emptiness, as only you can do." She reached out a hand and took his in hers, placing it over her lower abdomen, just holding it there one the outside of her clothing. She slowly backed towards the bed.

Kurama wondered when Keiko had gotten to be such a vixen. Her attitude at the moment was almost pure youko! He followed her to the bed, not being able to help himself.

Keiko turned them around so that Kurama was standing with the backs of his knees at the bed. She gave a very slight push and he was forced to sit on the bed. She bent down to remove his socks, then reached up to start unbuttoning his shirt. She used slow motions, bringing her mouth into play over his chest as it was revealed.

Kurama watched this all with a sense of unreality to it. He knew this was his mate, and she had asked him to make love to her just yesterday, but this was a first. He was actually being seduced by Keiko! Though if he was truthful with himself, he wasn't exactly resisting. She had made love to him before, too, but this time she was the aggressor. It felt wonderful to be undressed by her and feeling her feather light kisses along his sternum, following the path that her fingers had forged just moments before. She was not removing his shirt, simply unbuttoning it at the moment.

Keiko looked up at the non-resisting kitsune. His shirt was now completely unbuttoned, except for the sleeves. She ghosted her hands down one arm, bringing his finger to her mouth and sucked on his index finger deeply while unbuttoning his cuff. She watched his reactions carefully as she continued her ministrations on his fingers, bringing each of his long, delicate, yet strong fingers into her mouth. His hands captivated her. She knew they were easily strong enough to deliver a death blow, but could be gentle enough to tease her to aching arousal. He was such a combonation of gracefulness and strength. She gave a playful nip at the tip of each of his fingers as she finished with each.

Kurama moaned at the feel of his mate's mouth around his fingers and felt himself coming to life. He had been repressing his kitsune side, using the mostly human body to override his instincts. She was succeeding in bringing every instinct for him to claim his mate that he had to the forefront. He felt her finally releasing that hand, only to begin on the other. She lavished it with the same loving care that she had his other hand.

Keiko was glad that she could completely throw away her modesty when it came to Kurama. She wasn't sure just how she would have ever gotten the courage to do, or say any of this if she still had been hampered by it. She guided him to a sitting position and removed his shirt completely. She had him lay back down and just looked at the marvelous expanse of his chest. He didn't look as strong as he was. He had the wiry strength suited for his acrobatic manuvers. She could see the muscles in his torso and arms, but they were not bulky, instead they were sleek. His body was perfectly suited for her. She placed her hands on his stomach, not moving downwards, as he obviously expected. She saw the twitch at the front of his pants, which now revealed his need for her. She moved her hands up, instead. She ran her palms along his muscled stomach. She had been too fascinated the last time she had a chance to explore him and she wanted to drive him insane with need this time.

Kurama was getting the feeling that letting Keiko learn how to please him was a mixed blessing at best. She made his muscles leap at her touch, leaving him gasping. He honestly wasn't sure whether to curse her inventiveness, or to appreciate what she could do to him. He just held on as best he could and hoped that he would survive this experience.

Keiko saw his hands grasp the cover on the bed in his fists and grinned. She was determined to not let him get away that easily. She continued her assault on his defenses by bringing her mouth once more into play. Her mouth came down, above his nipples, tracing the path of his muscles. She nibbled, she licked and occaisionally nipped across every muscle on his chest. She noted which ones made him moan in pleasure. She memorized his whole chest area, save for that which on him was so hard and on her was so soft. She dragged her tongue with slow, langurous licks to one of his male nipples. So different, yet so similar! She thought, delighting in it.

Kurama was surprised at her ingenuity. Just days ago, she had been a complete innocent, now she was a vixen. He moaned loudly as she captured his nipple with her mouth, proceeding to give it the same treatment that she had given each of his muscles. He idly wondered if this was the instincts of a youko already starting to come into play within her, or just natural inventiveness in some distant part of his brain that was constantly analyzing everything. He clutched the coverlet even tighter, knowing that he was going to leave a few holes in the cloth. He was becoming painfully aroused and knew that she had no intentions of halting this pleasurable torture any time soon.

Keiko could feel his impatience straining at the bonds of his control. It wasn't enough, and she wasn't about to let him have control, even if he wanted it. She lightly scraped her nails down his stomach, her mouth never releasing the nub that it had captured. She felt his muscles leaping and his hardness straining at the cloth. Her fingers undid the fastenings of his pants, releasing the outer layer of restraining cloth. His hips involuntarily raised to meet her hands moaning her name. She never knew just how erotic it could feel being still fully clothed and have the other in bed, being able to do nothing more than moan. She finally released her treasure, seeing it as a small pebble.

Kurama opened his eyes, heated green with flecks of amber coloring his eyes and met hers. In that moment he knew that this transformation would not take the rest of the school year. Her eyes were already a chocolate brown, heated, what truly caught his attention and caused his astonishing assessment, was that her eyes held flecks of the same golden amber that his did. He knew in that moment, that the kitsune instincts were taking over. He pulled her up and kissed her ravenously, letting their hunger feed each others. He then released her, acknowledging her dominance for the moment.

Keiko saw that acknowledgement and moaned, feeling her own arousal spike in response to all she had done so far in addition to his reaction to it. She gave a playful nip at his mating mark, surprising herself, then gave a careful lick, soothing the delicate area. She glided her hands down to his waisteline and sat up, she held his heated gaze with her own as she removed his pants and boxers.

Kurama gave a moan as he was released from all clothing. There was one other reason why kitsune preferred clothing such as Keiko now wore, they hated restriction in clothing.

Keiko smiled and undid her belt holding her top closed. When she had changed into this, she found that she could not stand wearing her bra and so had not put it back on. She slowly removed her wrap around top. The pants she kept on for now, but they were held up by a simple drawstring. She lightly scraped her nails down his thighs and then carefully drew the tip of one finger from his base to tip, coaxing a drop of liquid to form which she eagerly licked.

Kurama knew that he was holding onto his control by a thread. Oh great Inari on the mountain! He wanted to survive such exquisite pleasure and in fact wanted to return the favor. He knew he was lost when he felt her kneeling, straddling his knees, resting her breasts on his thighs and her breath teasing his manhood. She swallowed his length and he cried out, bringing one hand to the base of her neck, holding her there.

Keiko felt like grinning. She followed the rhythm that he set, knowing how close to the end he was at the moment. She quickened her rhythm feeling his length start to pulse and took him as deep as she could, swallowing every drop as she heard Kurama groan loudly.

Kurama felt his climax rush through him, leaving him gasping for breath. He had never felt anything quite so intense, even some of his partners from the Makai had never inspired such within him and they had considerably more experience. This was something vital that was only felt through the mating bond between kitsunes. She released him as he regained his breath. He surged up, reversing their positions in an instant.

Keiko found herself suddenly under him. She smiled up. "And how are you, mate?" She asked playfully.

Kurama's eyes were almost all golden as he looked into hers. "I am still hungry and you have not even found satisfaction once." He growled at her. "I need to fix this." His mouth came down on hers as if it was an oasis and he was in the desert. His kiss spoke of hunger brought to life by her and only half satisfied.

Keiko started to wonder just how she was going to handle this insatiable mate of hers. She wondered where all these new instincts were coming from as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and her legs went around his hips, still clothed. She moaned into his mouth as he rubbed his hardness against where she burned to have him buried, save for the layer of cloth.

Kurama could feel her heat and moisture through the folds of clothing and knew between smell and feel just how aroused Keiko was. He wormed his hands between them, lightly tweaking her nipples and swallowing her cries of pleasure. He released her mouth, only to move onto the mounds that his hands had been playing with. He didn't have the patience anymore to tease her quite as thoroughly as she had teased him, but he could tease her a little. He loved her taste. He tried a few playful nips, as she seemed to have enjoyed doing to him. Nipping was a distinctly kitsune trait while making love, not to break the skin, just a reminder of the fox within them. He heard her cries of pleasure and briefly grinned, looking up at her. Her head was thrown back, eyes closed in pleasure. He almost could not believe the wash of emotions that came over him when he looked at her, pride, love, satisfaction, contentment, desire, these were all present and combined into one simple word, mate, at least in a demon's mind.

Keiko was lost in the sea of pleasure that Kurama always seemed to bring to life within her. She brought her hands up clutching his hair as she met his eyes and felt the same wash of emotion as he did. "My mate." She whispered, the only word that she could think of that said what she was thinking.

Kurama smiled back at her. "My mate." He returned her whispered declaration. He then went back to bringing her desire to a fever pitch. He untied her drawstring, removing her pants and underwear. Her legs instantly parted for him. His hands moved to the junction of her legs. He dipped one finger gently into her already wet core. He felt her insides clench around him, wanting something else in there. "Patience, my flower." He was still urgent, but even urgency could be done with a degree of lesure. He licked at the nub above his fingers and gave a very soft, lip covered nip to the spot, hearing her cry out. He felt the pulse within her as his fingers became even more coated. He removed his fingers, licking them off.

Keiko felt the loss of his fingers and moaned in disappointment. She reached down and pulled his head up to hers and gave him a ravenous kiss. "I need you, my mate. I need you now." She shifted restlessly on the bed under him.

Kurama returned the kiss and tasted their essences combining. He surged into her strongly without disengaging their mouths, both crying out into the other's. He lifted his mouth from hers. "Is this what you wanted, mate?"

Keiko looked up, amazed that she could actually think at a moment like this, feeling herself filled. "Not wanted, Kurama, needed." Her eyes betrayed the fact that it kind of scared her. "I needed you as I feel I never needed anything."

Kurama slowly moved out and then pushed in, feeling her hips instinctively matching his rhythm. "I know, Keiko. I'll tell you later." He felt her lift her legs around his hips, keeping him inside and getting more leverage for her movements. The two moved in tandem until he felt the pulses that heralded her immenent release into heaven. He held himself still hearing her cry out. He started moving again in a slower motion feeling her hips meeting his thrusts. He built the pleasure for them both slower again and the trip to the heavens was shared by both mates as they cried out, his deeper voice joining hers as they came.

To be continued . . .