Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Mating ❯ Crisis Point ( Chapter 24 )

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

"The Mating"

         Disclaimer: Still don't own it.

         AN: Okay, I'm still going to stay mostly focused on Kurama/Keiko and Hiei/Shizuru for the most part. The others will be showing up when possible.

         Chapter 24- Crisis Point

         Keiko woke up enfolded in Kurama's arms. This was normal in the last three weeks. What was not normal was the fact that she could hear nothing. Her hearing had not been getting acute, unlike her nose, which had been getting seriously sensitive of late. Her tail bone had been getting increasingly sore over the last week and the two of them had noticed that it was the beginning of her tail, which she had yelped at the first time Kurama had gently touched the protrusion. After that, he had made up a paste that they put on every morning and evening, bringing the area blessed numbness as her tail came in.

         Her youko powers were complete and she had a few blessed days that nothing had seemed to change and had a couple of days rest between each major change, even so, she was finding that she was exhausted more often then not. Towards the beginning, she had been able to practice with her powers but for the last week, she had been able to come down for meals, go to the bathroom and take showers. She could tell that Kurama was getting worried about her and he hadn't left her side since the exhaustion had hit her.

         Hiei had his own hands full with Shizuru's metamorphasis, which was only a few days behind hers. Even so, it seemed nearly complete as Hiei's dominant form was in fact almost humaniod Hiei and Shizuru were also staying with Kurama's parents, as it was reasoned that if anyone threatened them, they could team up and easily defeat just about anything. Besides which, Hiei could also flit back to Gandistra and be back within the hour so if Kurama needed any ingredients that he didn't have on hand, he could send Hiei to find what he needed without any adverse affect on either mate. They had contemplated staying in Kurama's den for the time being, but had decided against it, as they could still be needed to protect Kurama's ningen family.

         Keiko saw her mate's mouth moving, and could feel the sentiments through their bond, but couldn't hear a word he said! For about half a second, she considered screaming, but then reconsidered and mentally screamed, ~I can't hear!~

         Kurama just blinked, unable to immediately process this information. ~Keiko, calm down. I think we need to do another examination and check for what's going on with your ears. In the meantime, shall we numb your tail?~

         Keiko blinked at the calm tone. ~How can you be so calm!~

         ~I considered this possibility when your hearing wasn't getting sharper with your nose.~

         Hiei's voice mentally came through to both of them, ~Can you two keep it down? Shizuru's still asleep, but won't be for long with that racket.~

         ~But, Hiei, I can't hear anything outside of my head!~

         ~As Kurama told you, calm down. I do not want to have to control you with my Jagan.~

         ~Hiei, was that really necessary?~ Kurama told him in a cold tone.

         ~Sorry, Fox, but if Shizuru needs sleep, I am not accountable for my actions, anymore than you are where your mate is concerned.~ Hiei replied.

         Kurama just nodded. He reached for the paste that he had left over from before she had gone to bed and put just enough to coat the outside of the stub of what would be her tail. His own sensitive ears hurt when even the lightest touch caused her to yelp in pain. He noticed that her tail stub was slightly longer today, which would explain the extra sensitivity.

         A sleepy female voice broke into their heads, ~Dammit, what's a girl gotta do around here for some peace and quiet?~

         ~Sorry, Shizuru.~ Keiko replied, mortified, ~My soon to be tail hurts even more today.~

         ~Sorry to hear that, kiddo. I assume you're getting that smelly stuff smeared on as we speak?~

         ~Yeah, it was just the initial touch that hurt.~

         Kurama's distinctive voice replied to the two ladies, ~Keiko's tail is almost another inch in length, this is why it's so sensitive. The skin has to grow quite quickly and the nerve endings in the tail are very sensitive.~

         Keiko blushed, remembering her first experience with Kurama's tail. ~Now, what can we do about my absent hearing?~

         ~A moment, love.~

         ~What's this about absent hearing?~ Shizuru asked.

         ~I woke up this morning and can't hear a single sound. Needless to say, I woke just a little panicked.~

         ~Trust me, babydoll, I would have too. You seem to be taking this moderately well.~

         ~Hn, only once Kurama and I calmed her down.~

         ~You hardly helped, Hiei, threatening my mate. Your mate's already awake so the threat should be nullified.~

         ~Will you two stop talking about me as if I'm either not present or a lump of potatoes!~

         ~Keiko's definately here guys, and I can't say that I blame her for being in a foul mood. Kurama, can you determine what's wrong with her ears?~

         Kurama had finished with her tail and buried his hands through her now silver hair. It was thinner than his own in youko form, but just as beautiful, especially since it was growing longer at a phenomenal rate, already it was midway down her back. He looked at where the ear should be. It was not open, and looked a bit deformed, the lobe was missing and the ears actually seemed to be shrinking. His hands moved about two inches above where her human ears were and found what he expected. ~Keiko, looks like your ears are starting to come in. I'm going to look in them.~

         ~Please, just be careful.~ Keiko said cautiously, remembering the first time he touched her tail stub.

         Kurama nodded. He carefully brushed the beginnings of the ear. He was relieved to hear her moan in pleasure rather than cry out in pain. These were already covered in soft fur and as he suspected, not functional yet. ~It appears as though your youko ears are coming in, but they are not open yet. I do not know how long it will be until they are open. I'm sorry to say that your human ears are closing up.~

         ~Let me guess: at the same time?~

         ~I think you got it in one, kiddo.~ Shizuru added.

         ~Indeed.~ Kurama confirmed. ~You may have to spend a few days this way.~

         ~A-a few days ?~ Keiko asked, her voice rising on the last word.

         ~Easy, babydoll.~

         ~Hn, it might be easier on Keiko, Fox, if she is given a sedative until her hearing returns.~

         ~Well, Keiko? What do you want to do?~

         Keiko started to sit up, only to feel her bones aching. She fell back with a moan of pain.

         ~Keiko, what's wrong?~

         ~My arms hurt.~ She tried to move her legs, only to hastily bring them back down. ~My legs hurt too. What's happening to me now?~

         Kurama hung his head. ~I was afraid of this. Keiko, a youko's average height is between six and eight feet tall. You are going through a growth spurt, gaining at least some of the height of a youko.~

         ~Kurama, give her something to put her out through the worst of it. This could be seriously painful.~ Hiei told his friend.

         Kurama nodded. ~I will need some ingredients that I need that I do not have for that.~

         ~Hn, make me a list of what you need. Can it all be acquired in Gandistra?~

         ~Yes, it can.~

         ~Good. Can you watch over Shizuru while I'm gone?~

         ~Certainly, just bring her over here.~

         ~Very well. I shall be gone just over two hours depending on how hard your list is to find.~

         ~They are pretty rare, Hiei.~

         ~Well, then expect me back no sooner than two hours. I have time before the mating bond calls me back.~

         ~I shall expect you when I see you, then. Bring Shizuru across the hall and I shall keep watch over her.~

         Hiei carried a sleepy Shizuru who mumbled something to Hiei which caused him to nod at her before he flit out the window. Kurama sat down, watching Keiko drift off into a restless sleep. Shizuru just curled further into her blankets and pillow that Hiei had brought her before leaving.

         ******** Two hours later****************

       &n bsp; Shiori answered the door only to be surprised at seeing Keiko's parents standing there. Mrs. Yukimura looked worried, while her husband just looked resigned. "Please come in." She moved away from the door to allow the couple to enter. She was more than a little nervous at seeing them there. Kurama was completely wrapped up with Keiko right now and Keiko was sleeping. She felt bad about the two, but all she could do was take them up trays for food, which occaisionally, Kurama came down and prepared himself, leaving Keiko for only a few moments at a time. "What can I do for you?"

         "Keiko's school called to tell us that Keiko hadn't been in school. I idly asked about your son and they said he hadn't been either." Keiko's mother said, "I want to see my daughter."

         "And while I did have a case of the grumps, I'm sorry about that. Surprises are never the best thing to throw at me. I like consistancy, and this situation seriously upset that. Can I please see my daughter and apologize?" He told her, looking shamefacedly at Shiori. "I need her to know that I still love her, no matter who she decides to marry."

         Shiori smiled at Keiko's father, but it was tinged with worry. Keiko was not exactly what one might call in a good state to see anyone. Hiei had left just two hours ago to get the herbs that Kurama required to sedate Keiko through the worst of the growth spurt and he had told her that neither set of ears were working yet. "You both have to understand something, but it would be easier to see it than it would be to explain it. I just didn't want either of you two to be shocked."

         Keiko's mother raised her brows as she looked first at Shiori, then at her husband. "I just want to see my daughter again."

         Keiko's father nodded his agreement.

         Shiori looked at the two with compassion in her gaze. "Just don't say that I didn't warn you." She led them up the stairs to Kurama and Keiko's room. She hated to interrupt them, but it was necessary. Hiei had moved Shizuru in there while he was on his trip to Gandistra. She knocked softly.

         Kurama moved to the door, opening it and asked softly, "Yes, Mother?"

         Shiori knew from the sounds that Keiko was again moaning in her sleep. Shizuru was sacked out on the floor, not aware of anything. "Keiko's parents are here, they would like to see her."

         "Are you sure that's wise, Mother?"

         "Wise or not, they want to see her, and her father wants to apologize to her."

         Kurama caught Keiko's father's eyes with his own. He held Mr. Yukimura's gaze until he felt that such warning was sufficiently delivered. "You may enter, but make it brief, Keiko's body has been under a lot of stress lately."

         Both of her parents gave him a quizzical look, but nodded.

         Kurama made sure that she was covered with a light blanket, before opening the door fully. He looked at her a moment, hating to have to wake her, but he couldn't deny her parents. ~Keiko? Wake up love.~

         Keiko lifted her head, one of the few body parts that didn't ache and opened her eyes. ~What is it, Kurama?~

         ~Your parents are here, and your father claims he wants to apologize.~

         She groaned. ~Can you help me sit up?~ She had been lying on her stomach, as it hurt to lay on her back, and now her arms and legs were joining with the protestation.

         Keiko's parents watched this in silence. Both of them were amazed at how tenderly Kurama was treating their daughter. They barely recognized her, but her facial shape was the same, the rest of her body appeared to be going through a metamorphasis of some kind turning her into the same thing he was.

         Kurama easily picked her up, trying to cause her as little discomfort as possible, but still she squinted her eyes shut and turned her head into his shoulder. He sat down on the bed after wrapping her up in the blanket and leaning her against him. He told them, "Please be brief. My mate has been under tremendous stress and is dealing with many painful changes right now." The two could easily see that he was blaiming himself for whatever she was going through.

         "Keiko?" Her mother asked, stepping around the sleeping Shizuru, who still didn't wake. She briefly wondered about her presence, but didn't worry too much, seeing how wrapped up with Keiko Kurama was.

         Kurama mentally relayed the question to Keiko, who gave a small, wan smile and nodded.

         Her mother rushed over and enfolded her daughter in a hug, which Keiko returned, but cried out in pain when moving her arms. "Keiko?" She asked, worried.

         "She is going through a growth spurt, Mrs. Yukimura. Her bones in her arms and legs are growing again, causing all of her limbs to be quite painful at the moment." Kurama quietly answered the distraught question, enfolding his mate in his arms. He was quieter these past couple of weeks too, their mating bond had been acting up ever since the bodily metamorphasis had begun and so he could feel exactly where she hurt. "Please make this quick. She is not up to a long visit. We should be completely through this in a week."

         She nodded, seeing the pain in Kurama's eyes.

         Mr. Yukimura stepped forward. "Keiko?" He knelt next to the bed and gently cupped her cheek, bringing her youko gold eyes to face him. He looked back into hers that were radiating fear, but it was the same soul that had always looked out of his daughter's eyes. She was afraid that he would reject her once again. "I wanted to apologize to you, and know that you will always be my daughter." He watched as Keiko's eyes widened and looked back and forth between Kurama and himself, who tenderly smiled at her.

         Keiko smiled at him, throwing herself into his arms, heedless of the pain. Her father enfolded her in his arms and then pulled back, seeing the tears that she shed as well as reflecting the pain that she felt.

         Hiei entered through the window and before anyone could notice him, he stated, "Hn, Fox, I thought of an idea on the way back from getting those things you need." Hiei was saying this both outloud and mentally, so that Keiko could hear his words.

         Keiko looked interested. ~Please, if it's a way out of this, share.~

         Shizuru woke up at the presence of her mate. "Is it anything like what you did for me?"

         Kurama looked interested. "What did he do for you?"

         "I'm using my Jagan to surpress her pain. She still must deal with the tiredness that her body is experiencing, but her pain is minimal. I am only sorry that I am not strong enough to help Keiko as well as my mate."

         "Your mating bond helps, too."

         "Hn."

         "Now, what was this idea and why didn't you mention it before?" Kurama looked like he would have liked to hurt Hiei.

         "I honestly didn't think about it until now. Though you should also be asking why you didn't think about it either, baka kitsune." Hiei told him. "Have her use her youki to transform into a fox. Her powers are complete and it's the transformation from human to youko form that is giving her difficulty, this kitsune form has not been tried at all."

         Kurama lit up with hope that had been gradually fading from his eyes at seeing what Keiko had been going through. ~Keiko, if I show this to you, do you think you can duplicate it?~

         ~Kurama, my mate, if it's a way out of this, just show me and I'll do my best.~

         Kurama nodded. He laid her down and stood himself. He did his mental twist with his youki and suddenly there was a five tailed fox there where the red-headed human had been standing. ~Your turn, Keiko. Be warned, this form is exceedingly playful.~

         Keiko nodded carefully and concentrated on that single burst of youki. Now that she knew what it felt like, all she had to do was duplicate it within herself. She concentrated as best she could and then did the same twist with her own youki and then she was looking up at her father from a strangely shortened position as well as being almost completely buried in blankets.

         Shizuru actually sat up, looking over at the bed. "You're cute, Keiko!"

         Keiko let out an exasperated sound that sounded strangely like a growl. Hearing herself, she let out a startled yelp.

         "Well, kiddo, at least you can hear again. Does it hurt still?" Shizuru asked.

         Keiko projected to all within the room which was even more natural in this form, ~No, it doesn't. I haven't felt like this in a couple weeks. Hiei! Why couldn't you have thought of this earlier?~

         This more than anything convinced her parents that it still was Keiko, even in the form of a silver fox. Her father was incredulous. "You are still my daughter, no matter what form you wear. Could you really not hear my words before?"

         Keiko told him, ~I woke up this morning and I couldn't hear a thing, Kurama conveyed your words to me telepathically.~ She timidly added, ~I'd still like to hear them from you, though, Dad.~

         He smiled down at her and scooped her up into his arms as he hadn't been able to do since she had been a small child. She squirmed a bit around in his arms, but gave him a lick on the cheek.

         Kurama transformed back to his humanoid form. "Thank you, Hiei. I owe you greatly. She is now in no pain at all."

         "Hn, we both owe her a debt, we should have thought of this a couple of days ago when her tail was so painful coming in. I did get the seeds you requested, though."

         Kurama smiled at Hiei, "I shall save them. Yukina has no Jagan to control Kazuma's pain which he will have, but to a much lessened extent, nor does Yusuke if he mates with Botan."

         Hiei just looked at the fox, "How is it that the least patient of us manages to mate last?"

         "You make a good point. It remains to be seen if the toushin loves her that much." Kurama looked at his mate, romping with her parents. "Keiko still needs rest. That and I'm afraid that the pilfering nature of the fox is starting to get the better of her."

         Her mother looked down on the bed, only to see her necklace, rings, earrings and watch resting on the bed, along with her husband's watch and wedding band. "How did-"

         Kurama smiled ruefully. "I'm afraid it's nothing that can be helped. In this form we are extremely playful, and quite the collectors."

         "If we can just collect what our daughter so, ah, skillfully removed from us, we shall be back in a week or so and we can actually have a meaningful conversation. For instance, if possible, I would like to see my daughter properly married. After watching the two of you, I have no doubt that you are bonded, but as a father, I need to have my daughter properly wed."

         Kurama nodded at Keiko's father, even as Keiko jumped into Kurama's arms, bowling him over. As Keiko covered Kurama's face with kisses he was laughing, much as he had done to her after he had brought her home from their last meeting with her parents.

         Shuuichi, hearing laughter coming from his brother's room for the first time in a week, poked his head into the room, his eyes widened. "What happened?"

         Hiei was laughing himself at seeing his friend so relieved, and under attack from a very determined, Keiko-kitsune tongue. Shizuru was chuckling herself. "Does someone have a camera? This is too priceless!" She managed out between her chuckles.

         Mrs. Yukimura just looked at her daughter. It was a bit overwhelming, but she was obviously in love with Kurama and he was obviously in love with her. Becoming equals was a bit difficult, but it seemed that it was more than possible. "Hiei, you were there, weren't you?"

         He only nodded, "You are lucky that I mantained control. I nearly didn't when your husband made Keiko cry. She's much as my own sister now and I do not suffer anything to hurt either of them."

         "And thus speaks my mate, Mr. and Mrs. Yukimura, right?" Shizuru stretched and winced. "Right now, though, I need more sleep, these aches that I'm getting should be gone within a week as well. I was mating Hiei only days after your daughter mated Kurama."

         "So you are going through the same process as my daughter?"

         "Kind of. Hiei's a little more human shaped, so her body had to do some different changing." Shizuru explained.

         "Do to my heritage, however, Shizuru is shrinking, while your daughter is growing." Hiei told them. "Neither will be the correct height for their race, but it will be much closer then either is currently. Koorime max out at just over five feet tall, while youko's minimum height is six feet. This is why both of them are having problems with their limbs." Hiei told them in monotone.

         Kurama transformed back to his true kitsune form and the two were romping around. Hiei just sighed. "Now, I have to babysit the two foxes."

         "Could be worse." Shizuru said. "I wonder if they would mind if I moved to the bed? You can watch over them and I can sleep some more, though I must say, I'm getting really tired of being constantly exhausted."

         "I dare say that you have gotten all the meaningful anything that you will for now. Come back either midway during the week, or on Friday night, if possible." Hiei told Keiko's parents, watching the five tail play with the one tail. Their bond was so tight in this form that he couldn't catch what they were saying to each other.

         Shiori hurried her fellow parents out of the room, along with her other son. "Now, come, let's leave the mates to themselves. Their periods of wakefullness are very short, and this seems to be a repreive for my son and your daughter."

         "I wanted so much to apologize to both of them for the way I behaved. I cannot separate them. They seem to belong together somehow." Keiko's father said thoughtfully.

         Shiori smiled ruefully, "I know what you mean. Trust me, I was glad to see my son with someone who obviously made him happy, but I would have been much happier to have him work gradually into a relationship. Before your daughter, he was so closed to everyone around him, save his small circle of friends, especially Hiei. It was just as much of a surprise to me as it was to you." She told them. "Would you like some tea? Being Saturday, my husband should be home shortly, he did have to work today, but not much."

         Keiko's parents looked at each other and shrugged. She told Shiori, "We cleared the morning to deal with this, if we needed to, so we would love a cup of tea."

         Shiori smiled warmly at the two of them, just as her husband came in, who frowned at his guests, though he went over to his wife and asked her, "How is Keiko doing?"

         "I think we now have two mischevious kitsunes in the house. After changing to her full fox form, she found she felt much better." Shiori told them. "Yes, they've already seen Keiko. She also woke up this morning without her hearing in human form. You were gone before that drama occured."

         "Only a week to go, eh?"

         Shiori nodded. "I'm going to go make our guests some tea." She left with an idea of what might be able to help. Shiori looked at Keiko's parents. She had consulted with her son and had served them the calming tea that she had when Kurama had explained who and what he was to her.

         "This is very good." Mrs. Yukimura told her. "Where did you get it?"

         "My son. It's something similar to Chamomile, but with a little calming affect while stimulating the brain."

         Hatanaka looked in surprise at his wife. "Is that why you were so calm?"

         "No, that was called shock. I was numb by that point in time." Shiori replied with a smile.

         "Shock affects everyone differently." Mr. Yukimura said quietly. "I'm afraid that my first reaction has always been anger at something that doesn't fit into what I've thought."

         "I will say this. It was a revelation to me about my son, though I can honestly say that he was always quiet for his age, though he could blend in well enough and didn't really play with the other children a whole lot." Shiori told them.

         "And now my daughter is becoming what he is."

         "Hn." A deep male voice came from behind them.

         At the startled looks they were getting, Shizuru just added quietly. "No matter how much sleep I need, I'm slept out for the time being. Mind if we sit down here? Besides, two foxes in that room is very noisy."

         Shiori smiled at the two. "Certainly. Where would you like to sit? Would you like some tea?"

         "That's one of the Fox's teas, isn't it?" Hiei asked.

         "Yes, his Makai equivalent to Chamomile."

         "I will have a cup, but Shizuru should not." Hiei said.

         Shizuru looked at him quizzically. "Why not?"

         "It'll have a small stifling affect on your Youki. Not enough to affect a demon at full strength, but enough to affect you, who are still developing." Hiei told her.

         "Oh." Was all Shizuru said. The two took up their accustomed spot in the window seat. She turned to Hiei. "What is it about us that seeks these perches?"

         "I don't know. My best guess is that Ground stifles Fire, while Air feeds it." Hiei answered her.

         Shizuru contemplated that while Shiori got her a glass of iced tea and brought Hiei a cup of hot tea. "Makes sense, I guess."

         "So, then you are a fire demon?" Mrs. Yukimura asked.

         "Hn." He replied with a nod. "Well, mostly. True Fire Demons can tell the difference, but it's very slight."

         As she looked about to ask more, Shizuru interrupted, "Don't ask. It's complicated."

         Hiei nodded. "Just be glad that your daughter is becoming a simple kitsune."

         Mr. Yukimura just looked over at Shizuru, "What about your parents? Do they object?"

         Shizuru fumbled for the cigarette that she didn't have anymore, having quit once her nose got too sensitive for the smoke. Finally she replied, "I doubt it. But either way, I have to live my life. They're dead, I'm alive." She looked down at her charm bracelet. Hiei had gotten her a few 'normal' charms, such as those that only took on color. One such had to have been custom made as it had her parents name's engraved. She knew that Hiei was keeping a light touch on her at all times just for monitoring, but this had been a touching detail that she had not expected. She felt Hiei place a gentle hand on her shoulder.

         Hiei looked over at Keiko's parents, "This is still a raw wound, I would appreciate it if you would leave it alone."

         Shizuru gave a shaky smile at Hiei, leaning into him and sipped her iced tea. "Do you have any idea when Keiko's transformation will be complete?"

         Hiei shook his head. "I don't. I wish that I did, then I would have some idea of when yours would be done, as well."

         Mr. and Mrs. Yukimura watching the interaction between the two mates, amazed that someone so dangerous would treat someone so gently. Many people they knew never treated anyone in quite such a cherished fashion.

         Shizuru tucked her head against Hiei's shoulder. He was looking out into the back yard while she was looking in the room and hence saw the looks of amazement that they were getting. "What's so amazing about this? We're mates, in the same way your daughter is mates with Kurama."

         Mr. Yukimura just started, "I-I assumed that was just because she was feeling poor."

         Hiei answered, without turning around. "No, we can never mistreat our mates. One's who are a match enough for us to love and mate with is a very rare occurance. Kurama has waited much longer than I."

         Shizuru smiled at the four sitting on the furniture proper. "I consider the result more than compensation for what I'm going through right now."

         Hiei wrapped his arms around her, resting his head on hers. "I think I'm glad that you have a privacy fence in the back yard. The two foxes are playing outside."

         Shiori smiled. "My son was the one who wanted it installed. At the time I wondered, but now, well, let's just say, I think I understand a little better."

         "Kurama always could be cryptic or vague. It comes from too much reflection." Hiei replied.

         "Did you know him before?"

         "Just by reputation, which the entirety of the Makai knew him by."

         "How bad was it?"

         "You don't want to know." Was all Hiei said, studying the two silver foxes playing together. He smiled at them. "Keiko's transformation is almost complete, though. She's almost full kitsune at the moment, even as a one tail. Just over three weeks."

         Shizuru perked up, "Does that mean that I'm almost done as well?"

         Hiei nodded. "We have another consideration after this, and that's protecting our homeland and our access to our families that are still here. I think all of us have adopted Kurama's family here. Speaking of such, where is Shuuichi?"

         "He mentioned meeting with Touya and Yusuke. I do believe they are training him." She didn't necessarily look happy about that.

         Hiei opened his Jagan behind his ward. "They are indeed. They are not teaching him ruthlessness, though. He does not need to learn that lesson. And the next Dark Tournament, if there is one, won't be for another fourty some years."

         "Thank God for that." Shizuru said. "I don't want to have to go through that again."

         "This time if we participate, it will be because we choose to, not because we are threatened."

         "There won't be a next time! I'm serious, that thing nearly killed all four of you! I'm not doing it, Hiei!"

         Hiei tenderly kissed the top of her head, even as Kurama's voice came from the back doorway, carrying Keiko, "Not doing what?"

         "We were talking about the next Dark Tournament, if there is even one." Hiei replied.

         "I do not see why we would even want to participate." Kurama fumbled around for a brush, sat down in one of the chairs and proceeded to brush Keiko out. He looked down at his mate, "Sometime I'll have you do this to me."

         ~With all those tails! It would take forever, but you were right. This feels great.~

         They all heard her. They watched as she curled up into a silver ball in Kurama's lap. He looked down and sighed. "How much longer, Keiko?" He whispered as she went to sleep on his lap, still being brushed.

         "Not as long as all that, Fox. Her energy is almost evened out. It was her human body fighting the change that was causing her problems. As the fox, her body is just trying to make a natural transition from kitsune to youko. Her powers are already youko, now her body has to follow." Hiei told his concerned friend.

         "How did you figure that out?" Mr. Yukimura asked.

         Kurama looked over at his father in law. "Sir, it is actually quite logical when I think about it. I helped create this body that I'm in now, so I did not have this problem with the human body that I am in now. A normal human body will generate reiki, a demon body will generate youki. The kitsune form which she is in now, while not true demon, has all the powers of the youko. I myself went through the same transition, a very long time ago. Reiki and youki are not exactly what one would call compatable, unless you are both human and demon. Keiko and Shizuru are both going from a body that generates one form of energy to a different form of energy, which is why they are so tired. Without youki, demons have a very large problem and we tend to hibernate until it comes back. Keiko's human body started producing pure youki very early, which makes me wonder if there wasn't some demon in your ancestry, such as there was with Yusuke's, but that is a different matter. Shizuru's going through this transition now from producing reiki to youki." He smiled down at Keiko in her kitsune form. "I forgot how small one tails are in this form. They're barely bigger than a normal fox."

         Hiei just looked over, "And exactly how old are you, five tail?"

         Kurama just shook his head, "Now, that would be telling, Hiei. Suffice it to say, I'm old."

         "That's not an answer." Shizuru said sleepily.

         "No, it's not." Hiei agreed, "But come, I think we should be getting you back to bed, mate." He went to move her, only to see that she was already asleep, curled up against his chest. He smiled tenderly at her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, resting against the wall behind him. "You know, Fox, this is one of the more unusual situations that I think we've ever been in. Pinned down under our sleeping mates." He said softly.

         Kurama gave a small laugh. "Indeed. Did you two have any other questions that I can try to answer about your daughter?"

         "Just one, I think." Mrs. Yukimura asked, after sharing a look with her husband.

         Shiori told them, "Please, just ask. We've asked about a hundred or so ourselves."

         Hatanaka just looked over at the two whose daughter was sleeping as a fox. He was almost glad that he didn't have a daughter, he knew that he would have gone ballistic, too.

         Mr. Yukimura just asked, "After Keiko's transformation is complete, will it be possible to still see her? And where will you live?"

         "Sir, we are planning to move back to the Makai when possible, but we are still hoping for frequent visits, either us coming here, or sending an escourt and bringing people to see us depending on which is safer." Kurama answered. Keiko shifted in her sleep, rolling onto her back, causing Kurama to laugh softly.

         Hiei shook his head. He wished he had've thought of Keiko's fox form a week ago. Her body had had a hard time adjusting to the youko body. Her insides had changed easily, making him wonder if Kurama wasn't right, and there was some demon in her blood, but her outward form had been having a hellacious time adjusting. Shizuru had from what Kurama had read a fairly normal time of this. She had him securely pinned and truth to tell, he wasn't in the mood for complaining, so he closed his eyes, just holding his mate, letting his Jagan eye keep watch.

         Kurama watched as Keiko's parents came over to give his sleeping mate a goodbye. This had gone much better than he had thought it would. They both came over, her mother petting her daughter's head wistfully, before kneeling down and giving the fox a kiss, whispering that she'd see her again a little later in the week. Keiko's father reached out a trembling hand and ran it down her side, before cupping her jaw.

         "I'm sorry, Keiko-chan." He whispered into her ear, causing it to twitch. He also gave her a kiss on the side of her head.

         Kurama caught the hand just before her father had a chance to withdraw. "Thank you, sir. I know that your estrangement has been bringing her sorrow."

         "You are very devoted to my daughter. I could not wish for more as a father. Seeing you stand with her through the worst, I cannot help but think that you will stick with her through the best. When we come next, I will be wanting to talk to you about wedding plans." He told Kurama.

         Kurama nodded and released his father in laws wrist. "It will be my pleasure." He watched silently as the two left by the front door. He pulled the lever on the side of the recliner and laid down himself, just running his hands through his mate's thick coat.

         Keiko sleepily opened an eye and seeing a spot on her mate's chest open up for her to lay on, crawled up, allowing Kurama to put both his arms around her and cradle her head in his strong hand.

         Shiori and Kazuya looked at the curled up mates and smiled at each other ruefully. The red and silver heads next to each other and the black and chestnut also next to each other. One month ago they had a normal household, well, seemingly normal and now, two mated demons managed to turn normal into merely a word from the dictionary. Shiori smiled at how happy her son looked as he dozed off, gently holding his mate in kitsune form.

         In the kitchen, Kazuya just asked his wife, "Please explain how we got here again? I think I lost track of it sometime about three weeks ago."

         Shiori chuckled. "You and me both. Although we apparently we never had as much control as we thought we did when it came to my son."

         "Indeed." Her husband replied. "I wonder how many times we owe our lives to those two, along with their other two friends?"

         Shiori whispered, "I'm not sure that I want to know that answer to that. As with any mother, I want to protect my son from the evils in the world, but I can't do that. Not with the dangers he is facing."

         "Shiori, he has been putting himself in danger for most of his life, and not just this one. It would appear that he has been in danger for most of his existance. You cannot change his nature to that extent." Kazuya bent down and kissed his wife. "You taught him much from what we can tell, but we cannot teach him everything from scratch."

         "No, I know that and I wouldn't change anything about my son, not really. I just wonder how much I really did teach him." Shiori rested her head on her husband's shoulder.

         To be continued . . .