Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Mating ❯ Keiko's Transformation ( Chapter 25 )

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

"The Mating"

         Disclaimer: I still own nothing in relationship to this fic, save for the plot which came out of my own twisted imagination.

         AN: Note here guys: Authoress liberties again engaged. Any information on Inari save for he is also known as the trickster god, and he is the god of rice, if I remember my mythology correctly is hereby created ON THE SPOT. I know nothing, save his avatar is a youko/kitsune form and is seen as a golden nine-tailed fox. Anything else, also came out of my twisted imagination. Also a warning for plot twists, I know, this whole plot is one mass of twists and turns. Well, boys and girls, there's more on the way!
         Now for some response to my devoted readers/reviewers-
         Gomen for not updating sooner.
         Sakuralovesli- Thank you
         Midnightdemon- I apologize profusely, however I shifted jobs, was struggling with writer's block, seems to be gone, but I want to write a little more before I make that         determination. Glad you're enjoying.
         Lady Dais- Glad you found where I continued this. Thanks for the compliments on my writing*blushes*. I look forward to your next update, too.
         Morwenre- Many thanks. I'll be eating it while writing!
         Rabidfangirl- Just for any other's who may see the same thing, yes, these are all getting paired up, though Touya's going to turn into a bit of a side story, becuase I think I have a little too much going on in the background here.

         Chapter 25- Keiko's Transformation

         The next two days passed in a complete blur for Kurama. Keiko stayed as a fox the whole time. She communicated telepathically and in general slept almost constantly only waking to eat and use the bathroom, refusing to go outside to take care of her needs. Fortunately her body was very nimble and acrobatic so it wasn't really too difficult.

         Kurama woke the third morning from the day that Hiei had suggested that Keiko take her fox form to find a surprise waiting for him. The first thing he registered was that he didn't sense the overwhelming exhaustion, which had even tugged him with her. The next thing that registered in his mind was that there were two long arms wrapped around him. He was almost afraid to look, but curiousity had killed not only killed the cat, kitsune were even worse. He opened his eyes to let out a gasp. Keiko's body was beautiful! She was still sleeping, but much lighter. Her face had not changed shape at all, but her hair was almost down to her thighs, her skin had taken on the slightly golden tone that silver youko's were renowned for. He quickly estimated her height at just under six feet. She was still short for a youko, but she was his. Her tail poked out from her hair, soft and bushy. His eyes came back up to rest on her ears, small, dainty and pointed. He could not help himself as he changed his own body to match hers. Bending down to one of her ears, he whispered, "Good morning, my flower."

         Beside him, Keiko gave a very large stretch and she yawned, showing her own small set of fangs. She rolled over onto her back only to look puzzled. "Okay, this feels wierd." She blinked in surprise at finding Kurama above her, in youko form and she tried to figure out what was under her. Her voice was the same, just slightly deeper.

         Kurama grinned down at her. "Your transformation is complete, my mate. You are only laying on your tail, which feels a little strange until you get used to it."

         "How long is it?" Keiko asked, wanting to stand up and see for herself.

         "I would estimate about mid-calf, same as mine." Kurama bent down and took her mouth with his. He had not had his mate in a week and a half, which had not added to his tolerance of others at all.

         Keiko responded with an ardor that left her mate breathless. Her arms went around his shoulders, involuntarily pulling him closer. She needed this as she had needed water and food.

         Kurama finally pulled back from the kiss that had shaken him and set about relearning his mate's body. He feathered soft kisses on her face, a hand going up to caress her delicate ears, bringing moans to her throat. He did not worry that the rest of the house would hear them, as all bedrooms had been soundproofed due to the Jaganshi's efforts.

         Keiko could feel herself drowning in the most pleasent of sensations. Her ears were so much more sensitive! She idly wondered if the rest of her would prove as sensitive. She could feel the increased strength coursing through her. Her head flung back as Kurama proceeded to explore her neck.

         Kurama grinned when he felt her responding. Her arousal was a fierce scent that assailed his nose, though he thought he could smell something else mixed in her scent. He would investigate, in time. Now, he was revelling in his mate's body and nothing would deter him from that. He kissed his own mark upon her skin, the only mark upon her beautiful body.

         Keiko's hands, now tipped with claws of her own, smoothed over Kurama's back, urging him on.

         Kurama explored her torso. This had not changed all that much. It had kept her with the same proportions that she had when she had been human, which he was quite happy with. He licked the tips of her breasts, bringing the peaks to hardness. He rolled one between his thumb and forefinger as his mouth ravished the other. He was pleased to smell her arousal increase even further as he heard his name on her lips. One of Keiko's hands threaded through his hair, trying to bring his mouth to her other breast. After one last lick, he willingly complied, bringing his other hand up to breast that his mouth left.

         Keiko had thought that she knew all the sensations that could accompany lovemaking, but this body of hers seemed to be determined to teach her a few new things. She felt every sensation more acutely, even as she was aware that her skin was actually tougher.

         Kurama lifted his head, sensing her puzzlement. "Keiko, my mate, my flower, I promise, I will explain whatever I can, just not now."

         Keiko nodded her agreement. She didn't want this to end either.

         Kurama kissed the sensitive underside of her breasts, leaving a smattering of kisses across the expanse of her stomach. He clutched at her hips and looked at her now silver curls.

         Keiko instantly parted her legs for him, giving him free access to her.

         Kurama bent down to pay hommage to her core before he reclaimed her as his mate in this form. He wanted to taste her demon blood and bring the two together even more than they already were. He breathed in the smell of her core before puzzlement came to his brain, there was that elusive scent again!

         Keiko could feel his confusion through their bond. "What's wrong?"

         He lifted his head, desire, love, tenderness and possessiveness all swimming in his own golden eyes. He only said, "You are pregnant, Keiko." He didn't grin, it was too serious for that, but she could tell that he was pleased. "Just barely conceived."

         "Maybe that's why my body was in a hurry?" Keiko asked. "It wanted to be ready?"

         "I shall accept that for now. But now, I want to reaffirm our bond." Kurama said, bending back down to her core and inhaling her fragrance once again. He plunged his tongue into her, just as he wanted to do with another portion of his anatomy. Her taste was sweeter and even more intoxicating. He could feel that she was close to her climax and withdrew his tongue, hearing her moan in disappointment, he moved his tongue to her nub of pleasure, even as he thrust two fingers in her passage.

         Keiko screamed his name as she came, clamping down on his fingers, which Kurama proceeded to lick off once he withdrew them from her warm cavern. He then kissed her, letting her taste herself on his tongue. She moaned into his mouth as she tasted herself, feeling her arousal suddenly spike again.

         Kurama grinned as he smelled her arousal come back to life. He lowered his legs to rest between hers, his arousal just brushing where she wanted it most. He felt the softness of her pelt as it rested against his thighs and moaned as she gave an experimental twitch of her tail to purposefully brush his legs, causing them both to moan. He suddenly surged up to encase his length within his mate's body.

         Keiko arched to meet him and cried out as she felt herself being filled. Both mates could tell that this would not be a long interlude, but neither minded, it had been too long for either.

         Kurama savored the heat surrounding him for a moment and then started moving. Keiko wrapped her legs around him and met each of his thrusts forcefully. He reached down and with one finger, teased her nub as he thrust.

         Keiko couldn't help but clutch at his shoulders as she felt her climax approaching. She looked up at golden eyes that proclaimed love for her, even as he forcefully thrust himself in and out of her body. Her eyes moved down to the juncture of his neck and shoulder where she saw a small, one tail fox, clutching a pink rose in it's mouth. She knew that was her, but as her climax rose up to meet her with a vengence, her mouth latched on to the mark, piercing it with her fangs. His blood tasted sweet in her mouth and intensified her contractions around his length.

         Kurama felt Keiko go over the edge and with the double stimulation, his own climax washed over him, forcing him to bite his own mark on her shoulder. She had tasted sweet before, but now her blood tasted even better. The wounds closed in a matter of moments after they withdrew their fangs and Kurama slipped out of her.

         They both panted for a bit, trying to get their breath back. Kurama rolled over onto his side, bringing Keiko with him, cradling her against him. They were about the same proportion in this form as they had been in their human ones. He was just about seven feet tall and she was just under six where he had been just about six feet and she was just about five feet. As he held her, he wonderingly murmurred, "Kits."

         Keiko felt like blushing, but for some reason, her face didn't get redder. "Kurama?"

         "I realize you have many questions about this new form, especially now that it's complete. I shall answer them as best I can." Kurama told her..

         "I still feel just slightly tired. And why can't I blush?" Keiko asked, sounding almost embarrassed at the innane question.

         Kurama smiled down at her. "You still feel slightly tired because you have a slight drain on your youki due to the kits. It can be counteracted by eating kela, which I happen to enjoy, provided a certain fire demon isn't preparing it with dried herbs." He added dryly. "Though I did appreciate it at the time" He answered her question, "As to why can't you blush, well that's a hard one. No youko blushes. I figured it was something to do with the way we live, however you used to blush quite prettily and now you say that you can't. I would guess that it has something to do with our body, then."

         Keiko just snuggled closer to Kurama, breathing in his scent, only to find that there was another scent present than his. Hers was kind of a misty morning rose scent. "Is there some reason why I smell similar to you?"

         Kurama inhaled the fresh fragrance of her. "Roses just kissed with morning dew. I never knew why I smelled like roses, though they are very good smelling. It clears the air very quickly of unwanted aromas and enables one to pinpoint your enemy with ease."

         Keiko just listened. His voice was so soothing. "I don't object to smelling like that, I just wondered why I did. Also, have you seen the mark that I have left upon you lately? Your rose is blood red, but mine is a pink."

         Kurama looked at her. "You mean that you, too are clutching a rose in your teeth?"

         Keiko nodded. "I don't really know what that means, if you can explain it?"

         Kurama held her closer. "The sign of the rose means that you are a favored child of Inari, our, for lack of a better term, god. We are his children, but those he favors, he marks with the sign of the rose."

         "Have you always been one of his favorite?" Keiko asked.

         "Kind of. We have our moments. I asked for his blessing before I mated with you, though." Kurama held her tight against him. Thank you, Inari. "I imagine that you are feeling more than a little cabin fever, love. Shizuru is stil sleep bound. She'll end up probably a little taller than you were as a human." He told her.

         "But I don't have anything that will accomodate my tail, or my new height." Keiko protested.

         Kurama chuckled. "Why do you think I insisted on clothing from the Makai? It will fit itself to you, it's the Ningen clothing that you'll have to worry about." He wrinkled his nose, "Not that it's terribly comfortable around one's tail anyway, I know from experience."

         Keiko wrinkled her own nose. "I imagine so. One last question, why does my skin seem so much more sensitive to the touch, even when I can practically feel how tough it really is?"

         Kurama smiled at her. "It is a two sided gift. Your skin is tougher and will take more to damage it, that really goes for your whole body. However your skin has many nerve endings and they are very sensitive. So while it takes more to physically hurt you, sensations are more intense. That goes for pleasure and pain both."

         "Sounds very two sided."

         Kurama chuckled, "Yes, but it does have it's perks." He said as he ran his hand down the side of her face, watching as she leaned into the caress.

         Keiko chuckled back. "You look so much free-er now than you did even three months ago."

         "It's called happy, Keiko. Before I was content. I had friends who cared about me, a mother who loved me, but no one loved me just because. It took you to do that." Kurama kissed the tip of her nose, "Thank you. For just being you."

         Keiko bowed her head in embarrassment. "You don't need to thank me, I did nothing really."

         "On the contrary, you did a great deal, Keiko. I changed my ways, but there was no one there to walk the path with me. I needed a mate, Keiko. Not just any mate," He forstalled her when it looked like she was about to say something, "I needed you. I realize that it sounds stupid, sentimental and probably full of crap, as Hiei would put it. How we ended up best friends is beyond me."

         "Well, they say that opposites attract." Keiko replied. "I happen to like the silly, sentimental words. They're something I haven't had many of."

         "Which is why you cherish them and take harsh words so hard." Kurama interpreted. "Is that also why you are so defensive sometimes?"

         "I don't know." Was the reply. "I guess it was all due to growing up around perverts. My dad was never that bad, provided it wasn't sprung on him. Just don't hand him Pandora's box, unless you've warned him, and you're fine."

         "Well, we had Pandora's box, didn't we?"

         Keiko nodded, "In spades. Turning everything upside down on Dad is never good. I knew it would be bad, I just didn't know how bad." She sniffed, "I'm just glad he's back. I do love my folks, and I want to see them again, when I'm not being wracked with pain. That couple of hours was not fun, and I'm so glad that Hiei though of the fox form." She took a better look around the room. "Oh, dear. Did I have a case of cleptomania?" There were little items strewn around the room, mostly small trinkets.

         "I will say this, you have a natural talent for theivery, if we ever find ourselves strapped for cash." Kurama replied with a laugh. He got up and fished through the closet for some clothing for himself and Keiko. He tossed her one of the dresses that he had gotten her, the purple/blue/pink one while he got out a sky blue outfit. "This will not be good to wear with Shuuichi's coloring."

         "I've never heard you refer to yourself that way before." Keiko commented.

         "It is only to differentiate between the human, well, kind of human anyway, body and this one. Red hair and emerald eyes are stunning, I suppose, but it's not how I really look like." Kurama sat down on the bed. "My human body started human, but when it inherited this displaced kitsune's soul, it remained the base of a human, but gaining the abilities of the demonic soul that inhabited it. Helping it form like that, it took the gene's available and I tried to mould them as best I could. I was only partially successful. I needed to concentrate on looks, as well as physical ability. It kind of worked." Before he got dressed, he changed back into his human body. "You see, Keiko, this body isn't me. It was never meant to be permanent, but when my mother did the first selfless thing I'd ever seen, saving me, her only child, well, let's just say that I had a revelation. I knew that I was a son who would do anything for his mother. I wanted to do so as myself, though. Not the image that I'd built of who I was, but me. The one who fits with Hiei, Yusuke and Kuwabara, all of whom are the opposite of my image. My image was what most of the girls at our school fell 'in love' with. I was very lonely, Keiko."

         "Your image is what you refer to as 'Shuuichi', isn't it?" Keiko asked. "It's a mask that you can show the outside world without being afraid, no that isn't right. You know what I mean though."

         "I know what you mean. It is what I was trying to say, but wasn't terribly successful." Kurama told her, holding his own head down now.

         Keiko brought his chin up with her hand, being careful of her new claws. She didn't know quite how sharp they were, but she knew that she could probably do some major damage. She kissed him gently, pulling away to say softly, "You've never been at a loss for words, my love. Your mask has always been transparent to any whom you have let in past it. Hiei may have been the first, but you have let your mother see your true self. Those you truly love accept you for who you are. Mask or not, you are Kurama."

         "Thank you, Keiko. There are times that I need the reassurance as well. Not very often, but it has been a very stressful time and I needed to know that you were happy with this."

         "Kurama, you always have made me happy. Don't belittle yourself." Keiko replied. "Okay, so your body didn't exactly give you the proper courting time. Who cares? I had already said yes, if you'll recall. It was just a bit more permanent than I thought it would be and I didn't know it would bind us together in quite this way." She said with a laugh. "Now we're together and need to face the future." She gave him a stern, though laughing look as only Keiko could do. "Okay?"

         Kurama nodded firmly, melancholy forgotten. He involuntarily changed back into his youko form and looked at himself in surprise. "This could be a problem. I am having trouble holding my human form."

         "We can both hold illusions, correct?" When Kurama nodded, Keiko went on, "Another bridge crossed." She put the dress over her head and laughed in delight when she discovered that this one had an equivalent to a sports bra built in, only much more comfortable. She quickly fastened the belt and looked at her mate. "Now, let's go get something to eat! I'm starved!"

         Kurama laughed and stood, quickly dressing. He went over to her. "Come, then."

         Keiko took his hand in hers and leaned her head on his shoulder. "I hope Shizuru ends up as happy as I am."

         He held her briefly. "She should. Hiei is a good man, well, demon."

         Keiko pulled back. "Not what I thought when I first met him, but you're right." She opened the door. "You have no idea how good it feels to be in humanoid form once again. The fox was fun, but walking on four legs and with being so much smaller got to be a pain." She shuddered.

         The two came down for breakfast, seeing Shiori standing at the stove and Kazuya reading the paper. Shuuichi looked up from his bowl of cereal and just said, "Cool!"

         Keiko ducked behind Kurama's shoulders, not quite at ease with her new look yet.

         Kazuya hadn't put down the paper yet, "What is it son?"

         "I am sorry, sir, you seem to have two youkos in your kitchen." Kurama replied.

         Kazuya slowly put down the paper as Shiori turned from the stove. Shiori smiled at her son, and then saw Keiko shyly peeking out from behind Kurama. "Don't be shy, my dear." Shiori told her. She held out her arms to Keiko, accepting her as she had accepted her own son. Shiori was now only slightly shorter than Keiko, the difference being about an inch. Shiori held her for a moment, then pulled back. "You are beautiful, Keiko. Never let anyone tell you otherwise."

         Kazuya took in the slender frame and looked at his own stepson's frame, which was more substantial, but not by much. Both physiques promised acrobatics rather than brute strength. He looked at Kurama, tenderly watching his mate and his mother. "Son, you've done a fine job."

         Kurama looked at his stepfather in surprise. The times that this man called him son were very few. "Thank you sir. Now the true work begins."

         "What do you mean?" Kazuya asked.

         "Now I must work with Yusuke to stabilize things in the Makai. Yukina's not the only one in the group now that is pregnant." He rested possessive eyes on his mate.

         "Keiko?" Kazuya asked.

         Kurama only nodded.

         Hiei came into the kitchen, also showing signs of being exhausted. "Fox? Can you make us some kela for breakfast? Shizuru's body is burning the youki as soon as it's producing it."

         "You don't look like you're in much better shape, Hiei. Sure. Keiko needs some in any event." Kurama replied.

         "Thank you." Hiei stumbled back up the stairs to his room that he now shared with Shizuru.

         "He is in bad shape. And still using his Jagan." Kurama grumbled. "Excuse me, sir. It seems we are needed."

         "Of course." Kazuya went back to reading his article. After Shiori and he had talked about normal, they both agreed that whatever was going on, it would be treated as if it were normal. Not always was this possible, but seeing the way that the two youkos worked together, made for a very harmonious picture. Keiko was taking seeds from Kurama, growing, picking, reverting the plant back to the seed and then moving on to the next one, even as Kurama took her pickings and put it into a large bowl, mixing it as if it were a salad. He looked at which burners his mother was using and placed the wok so that he could use the stove without disturbing her stuff. Keiko already had the oil out and a few other normal household ingredients. He lightly stirfried the salad-like dish, just barely browning the leaves, before dumping that back in the bowl and taking the few odd looking vegetables that Keiko had also grown and chopped up, lightly turning them in the wok as well, this time letting them get warm and then added that to the browned leaves, while Keiko tossed the collection together. The two worked in silence and total cooperation.

         "Fortunately for you, my flower, this dish is also highly nutricious." Kurama told her as he kissed her softly. "Thank you."

         Keiko gave an embarrassed smile. "It was really kind of fun." She looked down, seeing the 'knife' that she had been using. "A grass blade?"

         "You are definately a silver youko. We always prefer to use plants when possible." Kurama laughed, happy. "Now, for two bowls, two pairs of chopsticks, provided Shizuru is up to feeding herself, and I shall be right back." Kurama quickly gathered the aforementioned objects and took two large portions of the mixture that he made upstairs, not knocking on the door.

         Hiei sat on the bed, looking like he was ready to sleep. "You know, Fox? This is even more tiring than a training bout with Mukuro, and I wasn't sure that was entirely possible. The constant control. I've never had to use my Jagan eye for such a long time, not constantly."

         "Here. Some kela should revive you." He said handing the Jaganshi a bowl and chopsticks. "I will feed your mate, if that is alright with you."

         "What about your own?" Hiei asked.

         "She is downstairs with my parents and stepbrother. Her ordeal is over." Kurama said quietly.

         "Hopefully, that means that ours is almost over too." Hiei replied, starting to eat, even as Kurama started feeding Shizuru the Makai dish. "Why are you in your youko form?"

         "I seem to be stuck in my original body." He replied evenly. "I am still pondering that."

         "Hn." Hiei said thoughtfully. "I will let you know. How is Keiko doing then?"

         "She is fine. She concieved sometime during the night, transforming into her youko form probably at the same time." Kurama replied. "Her breakfast is kela as well, possibly some bacon, which Shiori is making. While highly nutricious, as we all know, this is low in protein. I will watch her diet and make sure that she gets what she needs for the kits."

         "Hn. I shall leave that in your hands. I wonder how the detective and company are doing?" Hiei asked.

         "Keiko and I will put illusions over ourselves and go check things out, unless you think we will be needed here."

         "If you could hang around, it would be appreciated. I am not a very good defender in my current state and need defending myself." Was all the reply that he gave

         "Done." Kurama finished feeding the only half-conscious Shizuru, who had obediantly chewed and swallowed. He gathered up the dishes and on his way out. "Keiko is also marked with the rose."

         "Congratulations. You know that your diety, such as it is, has blessed your union with Keiko."

         "More than that. He likes her." Kurama closed the door on that piece of news and went downstairs. Keiko was finishing her own helping and sure enough, had two peices of bacon set off to the side. "Sorry, I'm late. I decided to check on how Hiei was holding up with how he looked just a little bit ago. I fed Shizuru for him while he ate himself."

         "How is he?" Shiori and Keiko both asked at the same time. They looked at each other before looking back at Kurama.

         "He is exhausted from the constant use of his Jagan eye. In the past, he has used it for short bursts of time. Now he is having to use it continuously for Shizuru's sake." Kurama got his own helpings of the dishes provided. He took some kela, more because of enjoyment, though he did notice a slight drop in his youki from the morning's activities, some bacon and a pancake. "Odd looking breakfast, but no more so than stew."

         Keiko giggled, hearing what he mumbled by the stove.

         Shiori, Kazuya and Shuuichi all looked at her. "What was funny?" Shiori asked.

         "Kurama's comment about breakfast." Keiko replied. As Kurama carried his plate to the table, they saw the kela salad-looking stuff as a small pile on his plate, two slices of bacon and the pancake.

         "Odd looking breakfast." Kazuya commented.

         "Any worse than stew?" Was the reply, sending Keiko off into a laughing fit. "I remember that morning that I made rabbit stew for breakfast quite well, Keiko."

         "Sorry." Keiko replied, her eyes laughing.

         "It's okay, love." Kurama told her.

         "So, what is on the agenda for today?" Shiori asked.

         "We stick close to home until Shizuru is done. Hiei is in no condition to fight or defend anyone right now. Keiko and I will go into the back yard, though. We have not smelled fresh air for some time, save through my window. What day is it?"

         "It is Tuesday. And it is six fourty-five in the morning." Kazuya replied. "Just time for me to go to work."

         "I need to go make sure that my things are ready for school." Shuuichi replied.

         "And I need to do the dishes." Shiori sighed.

         Keiko looked at Kurama. She didn't have to say a word before he nodded. "We'll help, Shiori." Keiko replied.

         "You don't need to do that." Shiori protested.

         "I realize that." Keiko said in response to the protestation, "However I want to help."

         "And I," Kurama said, "Need to make a phone call. Hiei and myself have been out of touch with the rest of the group for a little too long now. It's time to have a meeting. Hiei will stay in his room with Shizuru, but we need to know what else is going on." He kissed Keiko's temple. "I'll help you ladies dry. The others should be going to school here shortly."

         Kurama called over to the Kuwabara residence, where Touya answered. "Can you bring the group by tonight?"

         "Didn't you tell us to go away?" Touya asked with a little humor.

         "Well, yes, but that only held true until Keiko's transformation was done. Hiei's in no shape to notice anything at the moment, and Shizuru's even worse."

         "Is your voice different?" Touya asked.

         "That's one of the things that we need to talk about tonight." Kurama replied.

         "I'll make sure they are there, m'lord." Touya said before he hung up.

         "What was that about?" Kuwabara asked.

         "Kurama wants to see us all tonight." Touya replied.

         "Could it be that Keiko's transformation is done?" Yukina asked the ice demon.

         "I don't try to predict Kurama. The last time that I tried to predict him, I lost the fight." Touya replied. "I'll inform Moya, if you two can take care of Yusuke and Botan."

         "Yeah, leave it to us." Kuwabara replied. He looked at his mate, "You doing okay?"

         Yukina gave him smile. "Yes, my morning sickness should not truly appear til next month, I think."

         "Well, then." Touya grabbed the bookbag that he had gotten only two weeks ago.

         Kuwabara carried his own as well as Yukina's. Yukina and Botan both had been given special dispensations to wear kimonos to school, once Hiei had shown up in his official role as Yukina's brother and explained that the customs of their village required them to be clothed from head to foot at all times. After seeing how Hiei himself dressed, it was easy to understand for the principle's office.

         They quickly arrived and Kuwabara met up with his cronies, who had come to like the reserved demoness. Yusuke and Botan showed up as well. Touya just told Kuwabara, "Don't forget." And went over to meet with Moya.

         "So what did he mean?" Yusuke asked Kuwabara.

         "Kurama wants the group over at his house tonight after school." Kuwabara told him. "He called and talked to Touya."

         "But I thought he wanted us to stay away for our own safety?"

         "Well, who knows?" Botan interjected. "Maybe Keiko's done!"

         "I hope so." Yukina said. "It looked like that could have been a tricky transformation."

         "Yeah," Kuwabara said glumly, "I wonder if I'm going to even recognize Shizuru when she's done."

         "I don't know." Botan said seriously. "We need to get some kind of a game plan together, though."

         Touya came over with Moya. "We may have a small wrinkle here. Moya's told her uncle about me. Apparently I'm the first 'boy' that she's ever mentioned. He wants to meet me."

         "Takanaka's cool. He's the only teacher that ever got my respect in junior high." Yusuke said.

         "I even met him once, when I was still Yusuke's assistant. I thought he was very sharp for a normal human." Botan added.

         "The problem is, he wants to meet me tonight." Touya replied.

         "Can anyone call them?" Yusuke said.

         "I can try telepathy, but it usually doesn't work for me unless the person is right there." Touya replied.

         "I am only telepathic with my Yukina." Kuwabara added.

         "Well, damn!"

         "Maybe we can explain what happened to Touya and Moya?" Botan suggested.

         "No, from his tone, he wanted us all over there." Touya replied. "You know that tone of his."

         Yusuke shuddered. "Yes, well, it's unwise to keep an S-class youko waiting. Moya, can you call your uncle and explain that there's an important test or some such, that you need to study for?"

         It was an interesting group that met for lunch. Kuwabara's three friends joined them.

         "So, what brings you over here?" Touya asked.

         "Just boredom." Komata replied.

         "Yeah, there's nothing to do today." Okubo added.

         Miyomoto nodded. "We just got done with a big test, so we're just kinda celebrating."

         Botan looked around. "This seems too small without Hiei, Kurama, Keiko and Shizuru, doesn't it?"

         Yukina nodded. "I want to see how my brother is doing."

         "I'm sure he's fine, Yukina. Hiei always lands on his feet, kind of like a cat." Yusuke told the fretting ice apparition.

         Moya leaned against Touya as she ate. She had found herself comfortable with Touya. She liked the way that he made her feel. "So, what are we going to tell my uncle?"

         "Let's not open Pandora's Box so soon." Came a voice from the tree. It sounded similar to Keiko's, but was lower pitched.

         "Agreed." That was Kurama's demon voice, recognizable by Yusuke and Kuwabara.

         "Kurama! Is that Keiko with you?" Yusuke asked, immediately jumping up and heading towards the tree. He stopped when he saw two pairs of gold eyes looking out of the tree at him.

         "Why do you think that I called for a meeting. We need to discuss certain changes that occured. Moya, what is this about your uncle?" Kurama asked.

         "My uncle wants to meet Touya, as the only guy that I've ever talked about." Was the reply.

         "Okay, tell him that you regret to inform him that we are meeting to study for an important test in a few days, and as it's easier to move one person's worth of books, you are meeting over at my house. I'll renew the illusion over Touya then. It looks like everyone's gotten used to his looks here at school."

         Keiko took over when her mate stopped. "We wanted to make sure that you'd be there this evening. We told Hiei that we would only be gone a short while, though, so we should be heading back."

         "Indeed we should. All of you need to be there."

         Okubo looked over at the tree. "Excuse me, does that include us?"

         "I know we've always been on the fringe of this group anyway, but . . ." Komata added.

         Miyomoto just nodded.

         "Come, or not. It makes very little difference now." Kurama said. "Yusuke, I think we're going to end up with anyone connected to this situation caught up in it somehow. We can always take care of the memory situation later if we need to."

         Keiko asked, "Moya, I need to talk to you while the guys are discussing the serious issues, is that okay?"

         Moya looked puzzled, but nodded.

         Kuwabara looked at his three friends. "Ya know, guys, I don't know any reason why you need to be there."

         "It's simple, Kuwabara." Okubo replied. "We know you've been disappearing for a while now, and we need to know what's going on. We've always been best friends."

         Miyomoto just added, "Yeah. We know something's going on with you. Come on, man, we've been friends forever!"

         "Well, we shall plan for your presence there tonight." Kurama told them. "Now, we must get back."

         Those who were combat trained watched as the two youkos took off faster than the normal human eye could follow. Yusuke just murmurred, "She's beautiful."

         Botan gave Yusuke a hard look. "What do you mean, she's beautiful?!"

         Yusuke gave Botan a reassuring hug, "Just what I meant, don't worry. I mean it's still as if she's my sister!"

         Touya nodded his agreement to Yusuke's summary of Keiko. "A female youko's beauty is something else again."

         "Dang, watching those two move is amazing." Kuwabara said.

         Okubo just looked, "I couldn't see anything."

         "Count me in for that." Miyomoto added.

         "Me three." Komata added to his two friends.

         "Kurama did have a point, though." Yusuke said. "Your three friends are involved simply because of their friendship with you."

         "Yeah. Guess you're right." Kuwabara acknowledged.

         "Kazuma, you need to talk to them about what's going on." Yukina told her mate.

         Touya interjected, "You cannot tell them here. You need more privacy for this. I suggest Kurama's house tonight."

         "I have to work tonight, though. I don't know if any of you know, but I need to support my siblings and can't afford to miss work." Okubo said.

         Yusuke swore. "Dang, I forgot about that."

         Miyomoto asked, "When did you learn about that?"

         Kuwabara looked at Yusuke in surprise. "And how?"

         Yusuke blushed. "It was while I was dead, the first time. I was around as a ghost the whole time, remember?"

         Botan smiled brightly. "I'll never forget that stupid Iwamoto and the test that you all had to score over 50 points on."

         "You were around then?" Komata asked.

         Botan looked slightly embarrassed. "Well, kind of. I was in charge of Yusuke's ordeal."

         "Okay, we're getting into things that are better not discussed during school hours." Touya interrupted as he watched the three get pale. "Do not worry about this until after school."

         Okubo shrugged. "Whatever. As I said, I have to work."

         "Can your pride stand being supported for a day?" Yusuke asked gently.

         "What do you mean?"

         "I can help."

         Touya piped in, "I'm sure that Kurama would be willing to help, as well."

         Yukina said, "Or my brother, too."

         "Huh?" Okubo looked around.

         "A problem shared is a problem solved." Botan said. "Your problem should be able to be aided by your friends, especially now that you have such friends as these."

         Miyomoto just shook his head. "I don't know. I guess we just don't understand."

         "That's why I want you guys there." Kuwabara told them. "I want you guys to understand, before . . ."

         Yusuke nodded. "Yeah, wouldn't be good for you and Yukina to stay here, would it?"

         Yukina just smiled. "I must be back in four months."

         "We may have other issues." Touya told her. "But I cannot confirm anything."

         "I am so glad that I turned you over to Kurama!" Yusuke told the ice demon. "If I need to start charging Kurama for being cryptic, you're off the charts."

         "I apologize for that, my-" Touya saw the look aimed in his direction from Yusuke and corrected himself, "Yusuke. However, my lord has requested our presence this evening. Moya, do you think that your uncle will fall for that excuse?"

         "Most certainly, though do not be surprised if he drops me off personally and comes in to meet you." Moya said.

         "If you guys really can help, I'll call in to work after school and let them know that something came up at home and am needed there. They know my situation." Okubo said.

         "Meeting at five-thirty then?" Yusuke asked, just as they had to pack up their lunches.

         "Sounds good here."

         As they all departed, those that had seen Keiko pondered what she would look like when they could actually see her.

         To be continued . . .