Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Draw in the Rain ❯ Chapter 3: Inside the Storm ( Chapter 3 )

CHAPTER 3: Inside the Storm

Youko was furious.

There he was, having an intimate moment with his lover and about to win another kiss, only to be interrupted by a bunch of low-level youkai, all of which were beneath his notice. They were all ugly, thick leathery skin covering their large hulking bodies and ranging in color with horns in varying sizes sprouting from their tough hides. And it wasn't just their looks but their movements as well as they clomped forward in a heavy ungainly fashion that offended his ultimately tasteful sensibilities.

Everything about them grated on his supremely fine sense of aesthetics.

Especially the way they were looking at his lover.

Even as he watched with narrowed eyes and bristling fur, one of them tainted a putrid shade of green gave her a thick-lipped leer, making a rude smacking noise with the gesture. Youko seethed and decided then and there quite logically and with all due justification -

That one would be the first to die.

"I don't suppose we could all just go our separate ways and forget this ever happened?"

For one brief moment, everything seemed to freeze in place as stunned silence fell at the softly voiced words. Then, as one, every single body in the clearing turned to look at the speaker with varying degrees of silent disbelief and shocked surprise. And as for the one who had successfully drawn all attention…she flinched at having so many eyes upon her, most of them definitely unfriendly, and nervously fidgeted with the hem of her tattered blouse.

"I'll take that as a `no,'" Keiko said with a tiny sigh. "It was worth a try."

One of the youkai, the putrid green one with the leering problem, guffawed and slapped a meaty claw on a large bulging thigh. As if on cue, the other surrounding youkai did the same until the clearing was filled with their grating harsh sounding laughter.

Youko's sensitive ears twitched madly at the unpleasant noise and growled low in his throat. First they insult his lover and now he was subjected to this!

He'd just found another reason to kill them all.

Not that he'd really needed one in the first place.

"Oh, I like her," snarled the leering green youkai after his laughter died away. "She's got a lot of spirit in her - makes it more fun to break." He cackled. "It's a good thing you managed to escape, Youko Kurama." He grinned, displaying a row of glistening sharp teeth that showed signs of decay. "Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to play with us after we kill you."

A cold smirk graced his lips. "You're welcome to try."

"Don't be so fucking cocky, kitsune. Winning's against all of us is impossible. You're outnumbered nine to one." He cast a speculative glance Keiko's way in a manner that had Youko's eyes narrowing to slits. "Unless the pretty little human's going to be joining the fight?"

"There won't be enough of you left over for her."

"Arrogant as ever, aren't you, you pretty-boy bastard?" The green face distorted angrily. "You haven't changed at all."

Youko cocked his head. "Do I know you?"

"Don't play stupid, bastard. You stole our treasure, how could you forget?"

"Well, I've stolen so many things." His tone was bored. "I don't remember the lesser ones."

"What the fucking hell does that mean?"

"Ah. Not just big and ugly," Youko said with a disappointed sigh, "but rock dumb too." He casually examined a claw-tipped hand. "Too easy…a fight is hardly worth the effort of my time."

Horrified, Keiko observed the ring of ugly faces around distort with anger and become…well, even uglier than they already were. She could practically feel their rage building and spilling over, all of that fury directed at her dangerously mischievous companion who was acting like an uncaring irresponsible child…and standing much too close. If they came at him and attacked with whatever supernatural abilities they had, she was sure to be caught in the crossfire.

It was not something she was looking forward to.

"Do you have to taunt him?" she hissed lowly. "You're making things worse!"

"Don't worry, honey," he said airily, patronizingly. "I'll protect you."

An eyebrow twitched at his blasé attitude. It was far from reassuring.

"Now, take a few steps back," he advised calmly, never taking his attention from his opponents. "I don't want you getting accidentally hurt. It would might ruin the fun I had planned for us afterwards once I finish taking care of these miscreants."

"Can't you think of anything else besides that?" she asked in exasperation, even as she found herself doing what he'd said and moved back a few paces. "Especially when we're in a life or death situation?"

"Well, I'd hardly go as far as to call it that. And thinking of continuing our tryst is ever so much more enjoyable."

"You fucking kitsune born piece of shit!" the green youkai burst out angrily, his rage having magnified with every passing second that the silver spirit seemed to ignore the danger he was in. "Don't ignore us! And don't think you can take us all on that easily, you bastard! We'll rip your cocky ass apart and hand your still beating heart to the woman before we fuck her on the scattered pieces of your body - just before we tear her to bloody shreds and eat her up!"

Keiko paled.

"Well, no wonder why you have to resort to force," came Youko's voice, light and cool and uncaring, deceptively masking the rage seething beneath the calm surface at hearing his little goddess defiled by the other youkai's crude words. "You can't get a woman any other way being the ugly and clueless creatures that you are." He smirked coldly as his taunts continued. "And you're all obviously terrible fighters in the bargain. Can't even set one simple trap right. It'll be a snap to defeat you - and then I can have my lover all to myself in peace and quiet."

"You fucking bastard!" snarled the youkai as he and his friends lost control in their rage and started to rush him. "Kill him!"

"Kill him!"

"Kill him!"

"KILL HIM!"

The growling howls from the other youkai rose as they took up the violent chant as they threw themselves at the kitsune all at once in an unorganized and raging fighting force. Anyone lesser might have been intimidated at seeing a wall of hulking youkai hurtling themselves with ugly features twisted in fury but Youko remained cool and collected, calmly reaching under his silver hair and pulling out a handful of glowing roses in one smooth and graceful motion.

The battle was over in an instant.

He threw the roses like darts in rapid succession, each flying flower-tipped stem unerringly hitting its intended target in testament to the thrower's superb skills. It was quick, nary a moment to spare for thought, but he made it look easy as the differences between their levels of combat were clearly displayed.

As promised, the one that had leered at Keiko was the first to die, his annihilation a thing of the past before he could even release whatever power it was that he had. The charging youkai was immediately torn to bits by his exploding rose upon impact as pieces of him rained down on the earth, only to be followed a scant millisecond later by several other loud booms as his compatriots met the same fate. And when the last body part had fallen to the earth with a dull thud, the rain continued to pour down, mingling with youkai blood and soaking into the saturated dirt that lay witness to their defeat.

`It's ironic that such beauty in nature will be fed by such ugliness,' Youko thought absently, as he turned to look behind him to see how Keiko fared.

She wasn't there.

Horrified panic overtook him in an instant, swamping his being and swallowing him whole, drawing his soul into a dark place devoid of light where it had never before been until a muffled sound drew his attention. Immediately, he whirled towards the noise only to see a feminine form crouched down next to a chunk of charred flesh with her pretty features twisted in disgust and the faintest shadows of pity.

Relief as intense as his panic had been swept over him in a powerful rush followed closely by a blazing rage that he had made to feel such shattering fear for even an instant.

No one had ever made him feel that way before.

He didn't like it; it was too intense, too unfamiliar, and it made him want to run away.

But…he didn't want to let her go.

Unaware of the dark emotions swirling within the victorious kitsune behind her, she studied the grisly remains of one of their captors with a thought niggling at the back of her head, wanting to emerge into existance. There was something off about their previous kidnappers and their most recent captors who were now laying in broken pieces around them. And when she finally grasped the question that had been trying to take shape, she addressed the kitsune, never turning around.

"These aren't the same youkai that captured us, are they?" Her tone was skeptical. "There's no way these guys could have blended in with the other humans when they kidnapped us from the city."

"They probably hired temporary help. Of the lower level human-looking youkai variety."

"Hmm." She raised contemplative eyes to the dark sky still shedding its tears upon them. "It's certainly been a long day. Who would have thought that a simple accidental run-in with the famous Minamino Shuuichi would have led to this? Or should I say the legendary Youko Kurama? They were hunting for you, after all."

"So it would seem."

"And they wound up with me in the bargain." Her eyes examined the damage he'd done. "Though I don't know why they bothered with the effort. I'm hardly worth it."

"A matter of opinion. The ones who kidnapped us were most likely spying, observing and waiting for an opening, which they could take advantage of and attack. No doubt, they followed me, us, and saw our meeting, how we interacted. They saw that you were important to us and took you to distract us."

She suddenly stilled as his words sank in. "Important?"

"Little goddess…do you not realize yet?"

Mouth gone bone-dry, she became aware of just how dark, how clipped, his tone had turned. There was no playfulness, no light; he was as intensely serious as she'd ever heard him and, hardly daring to breathe, she slowly swiveled her head until she faced him. And what she saw…

She didn't know whether to melt at his feet…or to run away and hide.

His expression was black, frightening, burning, his body tensed in battle-readiness even though their enemies lay fallen. And his eyes were just as murky, swirling with turbulent emotions that gave her heart pause before it began pulsing at an even faster tempo as he regarded her unblinkingly.

Then he began to move, approaching in a slow graceful motion that all dangerously beautiful predators had. His predatory stalk made her wary, had her wondering if all her enemies truly were gone or if she still had one more to worry about. She inched upwards carefully from her crouch, cautious of making any sudden movements that might set him off, until she was standing and still being bombarded with the conflicting indecision of whether to stay or to flee.

Then he was before her, and it was too late.

Clawed hands gripped her shoulders in a firm clasp, not hurting but sending a clear message warning that she would not be able to escape from his strong grasp unless he chose to let her go. And, judging from the drawn expression on his strained features, such an event was not something that was going to be occurring anytime soon.

"Y-Youko-san?" she whispered uncertainly, only to wince when his grip on her shoulders tightened to an almost painful degree.

"Don't call me that," he told her harshly, succinctly. "There will be no formalities lying between us, Keiko."

Her eyes widened, shocked.

It was the first time Youko had ever used her name. Until now, he'd only addressed her using playful endearments. And the use of her name now sent a shiver of foreboding stealing over her for she had a feeling that whatever was to happen right then and there would have a monumental impact that she'd never be able to forget if she even managed to survive the confrontation unscathed. It set her on the edge, made her worried as she addressed him in a wavering voice.

"Youko?"

"That's right. There will be no barriers between us - not in actions, not in words. I don't want that from you."

"Then…what do you want from me?"

"You."

It was such a simple statement, but the feeling behind it was so much more complex, layered in mysteries she couldn't even begin to comprehend, not at that moment. It sent her head spinning, thoughts whirling madly but with no direction and leaving her even more confused. She still wasn't quite certain what it was this legendary centuries old youkai would want from a little human like her except for -

"If it's just sex you want, you're going to have to find yourself another partner." Her voice trembled, but remained strong, sure. "Despite what happened down there, whatever impression that may have given you, I'm really not the type of person who just does something like that with the first attractive male that crosses my path."

"It's not just sex." He laughed, a dark, humorless sound that, for some reason, made her heart ache. "I have no need for you to tell me that. I know full well that there are easier, more malleable partners that could be chosen. But such a thing is not what I want, not anymore."

"Then what do you want?" she asked again.

"You. Your choice."

"My choice?"

"I want you to choose."

Her brow creased in confusion. "Choose what?"

"Me."

She blinked. "What?"

"I want you to choose me, to come to me willingly of your own accord." His voice was black with shadows, almost frightening in its intensity. "Without coaxing, without tricks, without seduction, I want your choice made plain and for you to give yourself over to me."

She swallowed, throat dry. "That…that kind of thing…I don't think I can do that unless I know that there are real emotions involved. If this is some kind of twisted game-"

"This is no game!"

The snarling cry was so filled with rage that it made her go stock-still at the unexpectedness of it. But there was more than just the rage. Staring into him through the gold mirrors of his eyes that swirled and overflowed with churning emotions that belied the impression she'd once had of him of being a cold and indifferent creature, amidst those turbulent emotions she thought she also saw pain and…fear.

It made her heart hurt.

"What I feel," he growled angrily, almost painfully, "is very, very real."

"I see," was all she said as her mind struggled to come to grips with this new twist in her life.

"Do you? Do you really?" He bared his fangs in an uncharacteristic snarl.

She flinched.

"Know me, all of me," he whispered harshly. "The good, the bad. Take a long, hard look and choose - decide to accept me as I am or cast me aside. Upon what little honor I may have, I will abide by either decision, no matter how much I may not wish to. But be warned," his eyes flashed dangerously fierce, "there's no going back if you choose to accept. Your body, your heart, your soul - I will have it all and I will never let you go. Once you pledge yourself to me, you will be mine forever. No other will have you and I will kill anyone who attempts to take you from me."

She gasped when he suddenly pushed her away, taking a few steps back as he glared almost viciously and roared his final words.

"Now…DECIDE!"

Silence fell heavily after the echoes of his roar died away, leaving the endlessly pattering sounds of rain to fill the gap. Wordlessly, they stared at each other across the short distance that separated them as thick tension vibrated in the air, almost choking in its viscosity.

`I've lost her…' was Youko's final despairing thought as his rage frayed and dispersed as reason returned with each moment that passed by.

He hadn't meant to rage at her like that, or to spew such furious words. But he'd been overwhelmed by the turbulent emotions that she'd inspired in him and had lost control, as if some uncontrollable force had taken him over and he'd been unable to stop the course of his disastrous actions. His words had been so angry, so desperate…no woman would choose a man after something like that - she'd be fleeing for her life. The knowledge pained him, defeated him, had his chest squeezing with a strange agony he'd never imagine could be felt before and wished to never experience again.

His ears drooped and he turned away.

"And where do you think you're going?"

Her words, serious and expressionless, froze him. Slowly he turned to face her again, body tensed against whatever expression might be written across her features.

What he saw wasn't what he'd expected. She was -

She was smiling at him!

Not only that, but her eyes were sparkling with what looked to him like laughter, her expression filled with a humorous light. Confused and thrown off guard, Youko wasn't sure whether to be insulted or annoyed or…anything else.

"You know," she said playfully, "for a centuries old being, you've still got a lot to learn about relationships. Like how to start one properly."

Youko did something he had hardly ever done in his long, long lifetime.

He gaped.

"I mean, you do realize you sounded like an obsessed psychotic stalker, don't you?" Her voice held a teasing lilt. "Normally…not a very attractive approach. Or one conducive to gaining a girlfriend, which - I'm assuming - is what you were trying to do, right? I have to be honest, it sounded more like you were trying to get me to run away screaming in fear rather than declaring my undying affections for you."

Perplexed, Youko stared back. "Are not human women supposed to become upset when they're yelled at?"

"Oh, that." She waved a dismissive hand. "If you were a regular human male, I might have - I would expect him to know better, after all. But you're not human, exactly, so I figure I'll make allowances."

"Then," he cocked his head, unsure, hopeful. "You…choose me?"

"Well…not quite. I do have a couple of questions first before I decide anything definite."

"Yes?" he asked warily, as if expecting a trap.

"That little rant you just did…am I supposed to take that as some form of kitsune love declaration? Sweet…in a violent sort of way."

He blinked, thrown by the question. It was an unusual experience for him being so off balance, proving just how much this situation had rattled him. It was as unsettling as the way she was revealing herself to be unexpectedly surprising.

It was kind of fun.

He relaxed enough to give her his best charming smile.

She didn't look impressed.

Somewhat nonplussed at the lack of reaction, he answered in a subdued tone, "It is hard to say. Love is a human emotion. From what I have seen through my other half's eyes, it's a sweet and gentle thing between people. And my feelings for you are much more than that."

"Oh, you might be surprised." The corners of her lips tilted. "Though I see why you'd have that impression if the most you've observed of loving relationships center around Kurama-san and his mother or what's on TV. But real love between a couple can be both the sweet gentleness you described as well as leaning towards the darker, more passionate side of the spectrum ."

"You speak knowledgeably on the subject."

"Ah, well." Her eyes were shadowed with mysteries as she shrugged easily. "I know a little."

"You've had experience with it," he accused suspiciously, jealously.

An eyebrow arched though she said nothing. Truthfully, she was referring to them as the example in her mind when she spoke on the topic, but she wasn't going to let him know that just yet. Maybe one day, but if she told him now…

No, his ego was already big enough as it was.

"So you love me," she chirped cheerfully. "Great!"

He scowled at her darkly. Her attitude was too blasé for his liking, especially when his emotions were still tumbling over themselves in turmoil. It was unfair and he barely resisted the urge to pout like a child. As it was, his tail swished back and forth in an expression of his annoyance.

"Aw, don't be like that."

He crossed his arms, still scowling.

"Please?"

He turned up his nose.

"What if I told you a little something that would make it better?"

His ears pricked forwards though he remained silent.

She shifted closer, hands behind her back and leaning towards him at the waist with a playful glint in her eyes, she reminded one of a child about to impart a naughty secret. And, despite himself, Youko found himself leaning closer as well so as not to miss the whispered words she imparted to him.

"I love you too."

His heart skipped a beat.

`Well…that's new.'

Then she kissed him, a feathery butterfly brush of the lips. Gentle and light, not the deep passionate ones he was used to though that passion was still there, simmering just beneath the surface.

His knees went weak.

`So is that,' he thought dazedly.

Unconsciously, he leaned forward, seeking more of the sweet kisses. But she placed a gentle finger on his lips to stall him and shook her head chidingly.

"Uh-uh, not yet. I told you a had a few questions; I'm not done asking them yet."

"More talking?" He pulled back with a resigned sigh. "Very well, ask your questions."

"Well-"

She broke off abruptly, causing his gaze flicked around warily for anything that might have caused that. But there was no danger nearby that he could sense and he glanced back at her with concern, especially when her features shifted into a strange expression that he couldn't read.

"What's wrong?" he asked urgently.

"It's…" She shook her head.

"What?"

"I…we…"

"Yes?" he asked, growing more anxious by the second.

She sighed, one hand rubbing at her temple. "Why do you have to be so unpredictable?"

He blinked, perplexed once again at the sudden switch of topic. He had the uncomfortable impression that he was going to have to get used to the odd feeling, at least when it came to her. As it was, his gaze flickered around again on the off chance that she could be referring to someone else. But there wasn't any other being around that he could sense.

Blankly, he stared back at her. "Me?"

"Of course. Whom else would I be talking about?"

Exactly what he wanted to know.

"This isn't how I imagined things to go." She sighed heavily. "Out of all the multitude of scenarios that I've dreamed where I declare myself to the one I love, I have never ever pictured me doing it in a clearing amidst a pile of dead youkai carcasses. It's more like a nightmare come true rather than a fantasy - and it leaves a lot to be desired." She sent him an irritated scowl. "Couldn't you have waited until we were somewhere…oh, I don't know…less bloody and riddled with body parts before you went emotional on me?"

Affronted, he returned the scowl. "Are you daft, woman? I had waited long enough. You have no idea how hard it was to hold myself back all these years-"

"Years?" she gasped in shock.

A slow smile curved his lips and he practically preened at her reaction, happy that he'd unsettled her. It was only right after all the little surprises that she had been throwing his way recently, tossing him off his normally steady stride.

"Mm-hmm," he purred silkily. "Of course, I wanted to go after you immediately but I had the unfortunate bad judgment to listen to my other half-"

"Kurama-san!"

He frowned, irritated at being interrupted so many times. In olden days, he would have ripped into such a rude offender with nary a blink of an eye, but that wasn't a method he could apply in this situation, not with her. Still, it rubbed his fur the wrong way, especially when he noted how worried thoughts about his other half seemed to be taking over her.

That was the most annoying part of all.

"Youko-sa-"

He growled.

"Youko," she hastily amended and was awarded by the sound of a pleased rumble. "Where's Kurama-san?"

He scowled. "Locked away."

"What?!"

"He was being very rude." Youko turned up an arrogant nose. "He wanted to interrupt our fun and keep me from exploring our relationship while we were underground. I couldn't have that now, could I?"

Her expression turned pained. "You're going to be a never-ending headache, aren't you?"

"But you love me," he reminded her, smugly. "And you chose me so now you can never leave."

"Whoa! Hold on a minute! I may have said I loved you, but I haven't made a choice just yet."

His smile vanished. "What did you say?"

"You heard me the first time. I didn't actually say that I'd remain with you."

"What? Why?" Panic bubbled in his chest. "Why not? Did I do something wrong?"

She shot him an arch look. "You've done a lot of things…but, no, this doesn't involve anything that you did. It's just…I need to talk to Kurama-san."

He was still tense. "Why?"

"You both share the same body. And, I believe, that you're going to continue to do so, aren't you?"

"Yes," he replied, tension easing as he began to understand just where this was going. "Full separation is only possible as long as the human body and the soul it harbors dies, allowing the youkai to shake free from the melding of the two. But, as immensely trying as my other half can be at times, such an even is something I have no desire to enforce."

"I see," she murmured, relieved. "But then, you see, if you two are going to come as a package deal, I need to make sure that he's okay with this, with me."

Youko chuckled richly. "Oh, he is, believe me."

"I do…but…I still need to hear it from him."

"Very well," he sighed, resigning himself. "I will let him out. But he's not going to be very happy. He was a bit…upset before I locked him away."

"Like you wouldn't be if he did the same to you?"

His eyes widened then he laughed. "Exactly!" He wrapped his arms around her, cuddling his precious bundle of delight close. "Don't worry," he assured her joyously, "we're going to make you very happy."

"I need to hear it from him first," she reminded him, gently but firmly.

"One more kiss before I go?"

She wanted to say `no,' she really did. But he the way he was gazing at her like a hopeful puppy awaiting a treat crumbled her resolve before it could even fully form. She conceded to his request with a resigned sigh.

"Just one."

He didn't hesitate, sinking a hand in her hair to hold her in place. Then he swooped in, capturing her mouth and delving inside to savor once more the pleasure of her taste. And only when she moaned, her body involuntarily swaying towards his, did he draw back.

He gave her a playful smile. "Don't forget me while I'm gone, little goddess."

"Wait!" She blinked her daze away. "I have one more question. Why do you keep calling me your goddess? I'm no such thing!"

"You are to me. To us." He chuckled. "But I'll let him explain that particular tale." He winked. "Bye-bye, honey!"

And then silver hair flowed into red and white material transformed into khaki slacks and mint green button-down shirt that instantly darkened, plastering to the form with the aid of dampening rain.

`It's about damn time!'

`Oh, don't be so cross with me, Kurama. I got her to say she loved us, didn't I? I did good.'

`She only said she loved you. Not me.'

`She loves both of us. Trust me.'

`I don't want to hear that from someone that shunted me aside and locked me away.'

`Now, now. It's not nice to hold grudges, very unattractive. She deserves better than someone like that.'

`Shut up! You almost botched the whole thing!'

`I did not!'

`I may have been locked away, but I could still feel what you did. I know you realize how close you came to ruining it all - I felt your fear. You can't deny it.'

`You're keeping our lover waiting,' Youko said primly. `It's very rude, especially when she wants to discuss our future.'

`Hey! You can't just change the subject like that! I-'

`She's waiting,' Youko prompted again.

Torn between continuing their argument, one-sided though it may be, and the impulse to see her, talk to her again. This time with his own body, his own personality, Kurama wanted to be with the young woman who had been haunting his dreams for far too long. Caught in wavering indecision, he finally made his choice with a last muttered curse.

`We'll continue this later,' he promised Youko.

`Take your time,' the kitsune responded airily.

"So…not to interrupt, but are you two done arguing yet?"

He opened his eyes to find her gazing at him quizzically. He watched as a slow smile tipped the corners of her lips, her expression warm and inviting.

"Hello." He returned her smile. "And, yes, we're done."

"Good." Her eyes twinkled at him. "Welcome back."

"It's good to be back."

Then an uncomfortable silence fell, neither knowing what to say next.

"Um…so…." She was the first to finally break the quiet, a blush stealing over her cheeks. "You know everything that happened, right?"

"Yes." His face warmed as well. "I saw."

"I see."

Silence fell again.

`Oh, come on! Why do you have to be so slow? If I had known this is what would happen, I would have stayed so that I could spend more time with her instead of letting you throw precious moments together to waste!'

`Youko! Go. Away."

`Then hurry up and do something for God's sake!'

Kurama heaved a sigh, hating to admit it but Youko was right. Nothing was going to be accomplished with silence. He mustered his most reassuring smile.

"There was something you wanted to ask me?"

She looked startled. "Oh! Yes. Yes, there was." She hesitated. "Um, Kurama-san-"

"No honorifics, please."

"Eh?" She blinked "What?"

"You don't use them with Youko," he explained gently, "and I prefer that you not use them with me as well."

"Uh, sure." She cleared her throat. "K-Kurama."

"Better. That wasn't so hard, was it?"

She flushed.

"Now, what was it you wanted to ask me?"

"Well…" She tried what she felt was the safest topic first. "Why does Youko call me a goddess? He said you'd tell me."

"Ah." He floundered. "Well…"

`Damn you, Youko,' Kurama cursed. `Couldn't you have done it yourself?'

`But it's so much more fun to watch you squirm.'

`One of these days, I'm going to get you back for this!'

`Promises, promises.'

"Well?" she prompted. "Are you going to tell me?"

"Er, um…"

`You're such a coward,' Youko remarked snidely.

That did it!

He gazed at her with renewed determination, strong enough to have her taking a half step back in surprise. Though imbued with different qualities than Youko, the intensity in Kurama's emerald green eyes was just as great, just as thrilling.

He took one of her hands in his and placed his other over her skin, sandwiching it between warm flesh. It was a gentlemanly gesture; he did nothing else but hold her hand in a warm embrace.

"You want to know?" Kurama asked, his voice low and soothing, lulling. "Then I'll tell you." He smiled. "The story of how a goddess was born in our hearts."

`That's so…what is the human word?…corny!'

`Shut up and let me do this my way. Or I'll be the one locking you up."

`Empty threats. You don't have the power to do that.'

`Try me.'

Youko gave a snide snort, before conceding the stage. He wasn't quite that willing to take the risk that Kurama might actually be able to do that and keep him from their lover.

"It all started," Kurama continued, this time without any interruptions from within his mind, "the want of you, perhaps from the day we met. But the name…that occurred shortly after the break between you and Yusuke."

She regarded him curiously. "How?"

"It began on a day much like this." He looked up.

So did she.

"It was raining hard then too." His words washed over her. "I saw you crossing a street; the sight of you drew me and I called out to you. But you didn't see or hear me, continuing on your way. And when I noticed that you didn't have an umbrella, I followed you, worried that you'd get sick from being out in the rain and planning to offer the use of my own. I caught up with you in the park, standing still in a secluded area. There was no one else around and you were surrounded by nature's life. Bushes, trees, flowers…and you were the jewel in the setting, a living painting, a perfect picture drawn in the rain."

Her chest squeezed tight at the emotion vibrating in his words, seduced by his description as he related his tale.

"You were turned sideways to me and I approached closer. It was a sequestered area and the abundance of greenery may have concealed me because you never noticed that I was there. But it was getting late, getting darker, and I couldn't leave you alone. So I approached closer, tried to address you but…I stopped."

Kurama's voice turned dreamy, distant, as if he were caught up in the memory, just as she was being caught up by him.

"I was entranced. You had tossed your head back. Eyes closed, hair streaming down your back in dark and wet strands, your arms were thrown wide open as if you were worshipping raging nature itself or inviting the storm in to be your lover, tempting it to take you away and possess you. You stood there, absorbing your surroundings, as if you were becoming Mother Nature herself. You were flesh, you were nature, you were woman…you were a symbol of all we wanted and, at that moment, I knew," his tone increased in intensity, "that we were in love."

Her breath caught.

"You were a vision that drew us," his husky words wrapped around her in silky entrapping threads, "kept us in place and how long we were there, watching, I don't know. But no matter how much time passed by, I…and Youko…we couldn't take our eyes off of you. We watched you soaking in the rain as water streamed over your skin, molded the dress you wore to every curve and dip of your body. We watched as your mouth parted, kissing the rain, licking the water on your lips and tasting the wetness. We watched, Keiko." He eyes blazed with emerald fire. "We watched and we longed."

Unable to take her gaze off of him as described a scenario, a person, that couldn't possibly be her, her breath came out in shallow pants as one of his hands came up, stroking the wet skin of her neck. His touch was light, caressing, and she shuddered.

"Youko wanted to take you then and there, pressed for it, tried to wrest control and follow through on the urges that pulsed in our blood, but it was too soon and I wouldn't let him - no matter how much I wanted to do the same. But there was something else I wanted as well. I wanted to wait until you'd healed from the pain of your break-up with Yusuke before pursuing you, ensuring that if you ever came to us, accepted our advances, it would be without any lingering thoughts of another on your mind."

He shook his head, sending red wet strands cascading down his back. Her eyes traced the motion, almost hypnotized by their sway it as his words continued to weave its web around her.

"But no matter how long we were patient, ready to make our move should the right moment come to us, the timing never seemed to allow for an opening. So we waited…and we watched." His gaze was deep, steady on her own. "You don't know how many times we followed you, shadowing you to make sure you were safe. We watched you many, many, many times too numerous to count. And whenever it rained," emerald eyes flared, "we watched you then too. Watched and longed, drawn again and again, unable to resist the pull." He stroked over the rapidly beating pulse below her ear. "Our little goddess of the rain."

Awed by his words, his revelation, she was unable to articulate any sort of response as she stared back at him helplessly, her body aching and pulsing impossibly at the emotions he'd aroused.

And he hadn't even done anything but speak!

His words, his tone, his expression as he related his memories, opening himself up to her…the combination of them was lethal, arousing, and left her body hungering uncomfortably for something more than just words. She tried to draw in a calming breath but…

It didn't work.

"Well," she managed to say in a breathy tone that didn't sound like her normal self, "took you long enough."

Desire faded to be replaced by confusion. "What?"

His baffled expression was so out of place on his intelligent features…it was adorable! And his words, his intensity, they relaxed her, reassured her and made her feel easy as the knot that had been tied within her chest began to unwind. She thought of him, them, and their confessions and declarations as memories of all that had happened to them coalesced in her mind, taking form and shape within her mind, her heart.

And she began to laugh.