True Dedication

Chapter 12


Two weeks have past for our two lovers. During those days, Kurama's and Yusuke's relationship resembled the ocean, the push and pull on their emotional strings were becoming unbearable. Kurama constantly told his mate that nothing would happen and that he was forever Yusuke's but Yusuke still held onto the fear that some demon would sweep his fox away and nothing could persuade him otherwise. Having had enough, the fox sat his lover down one day and looked him square in the eyes and told him calmly,

"Yusuke, whatever doubt that lingers should not be dwelt upon. I have without a single hesitation proven that time and time again I am eternally yours." He pointed to the mazoku-like markings on his neck. "That is enough to show I am loyal to you and no one, no one, can take me from you, only death. When we make love it is you I see, feel, taste, smell, and love. Yusuke, I can't stress enough how important you are to me and if you still do not believe-"

Yusuke effectively shut his lover up, kissing him breathless. He then proceeded to carry his fox to their bedroom and show just how much he loved his Kurama all through the day and the day after that and into the night. It was only when the fox received a phone call from his worrying mother about him not showing up for work did he and Yusuke take a reprieve. After calming her down and coming up with a cover story he told her he would resume work in a couple days seeing as school was on vacation. She agreed that she would not come by unless he called her though reluctant that request was.

Now that summer break had begun and Kurama having no more excuses to remain away from work (except from Yusuke pointing out the amount of time Kurama slept during the day and his increase in hunger) slept soundly beside his mate who clung to his back like a second skin.

The morning in the last week of July brought with it cloudy skies and rain pouring relentlessly. There were spurts of sunlight here and there but mostly cloudy. As mentioned, the two lovers slept soundlessly, Kurama lying on his left facing the bedroom door with Yusuke curled up behind him, his face snuggled into the crook of the fox's neck, tickling the mating mark with his breath.

Not even the rain could wake them yet the loud piercing screech of the alarm clock caused quite a raucous. Yusuke bolted out of the bed, effectively breaking his hold on his lover and came crashing back down to the floor. Kurama on the other hand smacked the snooze button, stretched his arms out and sat upright finding his Yusuke deadpanned on the floor.

"I swear that thing gets louder every freaking day." Yusuke groused from his spot. "Why can't I break it?" He pouted with his puppy dog eyes.
Kurama stood up, gave Yusuke a one-eyed look, and smiled.

"Because, Koi, we have to wake up for work. I can't afford to miss anymore days nor can you. Besides this is easier to deal with than my internal clock." He continued to smile as he stood up from the bed, "And also I would remain in bed with you all day."

"You say that like it's a bad thing." Yusuke rose to his feet and sat where Kurama was, pulling his lover between his legs.

"Yusuke I would love to remain in bed with you, however we must go to work. As I stated I have missed my fair share as well as yourself. I don't want you to sully your job."

"Five more minutes." Yusuke fell backwards onto the bed, burrowing himself in the blankets. His hair the only thing sticking out from the covers.

Kurama shook his head and proceeded towards the bathroom when a wicked thought crept into his mind. His eyes roved over the form beneath the covers, Youko agreed to the plan and Kurama set it in motion. He reached the bed in record time, gently lowering himself and searched the spot where Yusuke "slept" and found his prize. He squeezed the firm buttock in his hand and earned a guttural groan from the lump in the bed. The body moved closer to the hand stroking him and moaned into the pillow.

"Hey fox, if you keep this up, I won't be held responsible for my actions."
Yusuke panted as Kurama's other hand joined in kneading his ass, going lower and lower.

"Is that so, love? Then I best behave myself, hm?" Kurama leaned towards his mate's head and purred into his exposed ear.

Yusuke began to hump the mattress imagining it was the fox beneath him but it did nothing to alleviate the growing tension between his legs. Kurama continued to molest his lover, licking the uncovered ear and nipping at the rose shaped mark with thorns wrapping around it on his lover's neck.

"Kuramaaaa..." Yusuke gasped out as he went rigid in bed. He tried to wrap his arm around his fox but Kurama effectively pulled himself out of range, smirking all the while.

"Yes, my fiery mazoku." Kurama licked a path from his lover's ear to his neck sending shivers through both their bodies.

Yusuke never replied. Instead he flung the covers off his body, turned facing the fox and pounced him in one swift motion. Yet being a fox spirit has its benefits as Kurama read his lover's intention and jumped back in time to avoid him, coy smile plastered to his face, his green eyes brimming with amusement. Yusuke growled his annoyance and stood to face his playful fox.

"You see what you reduce me to." He pointed between his spread legs where his angry morning wood stood pronounced, "This is your fault, now fix it."
He dove for the fox again but Kurama eluded him again. This time he stood under the arch to the bathroom, his one arm crossed over his chest while the other beckoned his lover towards him.

"If you wish for me to fix your problem, love, I'd advise you to come lay claim to me." He ducked into the bathroom laughing all the while as he heard his fuming mate stomping in after him. The door slammed closed and Kurama had no escape from the hungry intent Yusuke had planned for him. Least to say Kurama got what he deserved.


An hour later found the couple dressed and sitting at the kitchen table for breakfast. After taking several bites of his pancakes Yusuke noticed how his lover's eating habits had changed over the past weeks and told him so several times but the fox shrugged them off. Like last week he wanted to eat only Cajun chicken or other spicy foods when Yusuke knew for a fact that Kurama wasn't partial to spicy foods let alone a full week eating them. A few days ago out of the blue when Kurama was making hot passionate love to Yusuke, he quickly pulled out his lover, made a beeline for the kitchen and didn't return. Yusuke to say the least was a bit pissed off for one not coming and two for having to find his lover in said kitchen eating a bowl of cereal with milk, chocolate syrup and honey mixed together. To sum up the event, Yusuke ran to the bathroom and relieved his dinner from his stomach.

Now, sitting across from him, Kurama was eating quite "normally" from all his other weird food cravings. Today it was pancakes drenched in soy sauce, the bacon was slightly raw, and the eggs were normal, thank Kami. Nonetheless Yusuke tried to remain positive to his lover's new food concoctions but even his poor stomach couldn't handle certain things.

"Say 'Rama, how can you eat that stuff?" Yusuke asked as he pointed his fork at Kurama's plate. "Man, your cravings got worse, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you're pregant or something." He snickered.

"That's impossible, I'm a male." Kurama replied clearly caught off guard by that statement. He stabbed at his pancakes and brought it to his mouth, his eyes closing in rapture. Kurama placed his fork down and drank from his orange juice.

Yusuke made a face as Kurama drank down the juice. The thought of the other contents in his lovers belly mixing together made him grimace and snatched the glass from his hand.

"Well you're eating reminds me of pregnant women or something." He gestured towards the food.

"That is absurd, Koi." Kurama reached back to take his drink and finished off his breakfast, downing the juice in one gulp. "In any case I cannot be impregnated as I am fully male." He rose to place his dishes in the sink, turning to lean against the counter.

"I know that, but the way you've been eating lately...it's kinda weird....(thinks about it more) you know...I remember hearing rumors back in the demon plane that some male demon's could get preggers." Yusuke stated as he too rose and placed his dishes in the sink, closing the gap between himself and his fox.

"It is true that some demons are able, males specifically, to bear young. I too have come across such species as my days as Youko but I can assure you love, mine isn't the type to get pregnant...but I don't know about you," He chuckles deeply and stares at Yusuke slyly, "maybe we should give you a try." He winked at his mate. The aspect of a pregnant Yusuke made him lick his lips hungrily.

Yusuke paled at the image that popped into his head and started laughing nervously. "Yeah, right. Good one 'Rama." He looked down at his flat belly and chuckled awkwardly. "I would like to keep my girlish figure, thank you very much." He nodded to himself then pictured himself with a miniature Kurama or himself, be paled and patted his stomach for reassurance. "Yeah, great joke, just ease up on the weird foods, okay?"

That earned him a playful shove from the fox who ushered him out the front door and towards the blue mustang.

The storm clouds had all but disappeared and the sun shone with a vengeance, its rays drying the wet asphalt. Yusuke hopped into the passenger seat, flicked through the radio stations as Kurama started the car.

The drive to work allowed both men to be distracted by their swirling thoughts. Yusuke's kept going back to the question he wanted to ask his lover but knew it would be a tough subject for Kurama to touch on. Kurama's dwelt on the apparent change in his behavior. He did notice his eating habit had taken a drastic turn from his normal choices in food. He was tired most of the time even when he awoke from a nap. And on several occasions his energy felt off and left him drained.

'It's not possible, even if it were to be true. I would know if there was something using me as an incubator.' His mind wandered as his hand unconsciously rubbed his flat stomach. Pulling his eyes from the road ahead he felt eyes staring at him curiously.

"You okay, fox? You looking a little pale over there. Are you feeling sick?" Yusuke reached over to press the back of his hand against Kurama's forehead. "Want me to take over?"

"No, I'm fine and we're here as it is." Kurama replied as he drove into the parking garage and found a space near the elevator. As they got out the car he shot Yusuke a smile. "Time to work I suppose."

Yusuke smiled back and went to bring his mate closer to his body but forgot where they were. 'That's another thing we have to talk about.' Yusuke's mind supplied as they waited for the elevator then climbed aboard when it arrived. In the tiny box Yusuke began to fidget with his shirt collar, loosening it from his neck. Kurama swatted his hand away from the navy blue polo button up shirt.

"None of that, love. you look fine." Kurama chastised as he straightened his sandy brown suit and fixed the cuff on his left wrist.

"Well I feel like an idiot getting dressed up, and for what? No one cares how I look, I'm only a secretary." He grumbled still pulling at his clothes and trying to fix his hair. Kurama had told him he looked better without the gel look.

"I, for a fact love seeing you dressed up. It makes it all the more fun to undress you." Kurama purred as he sidled up to his lover's side. "Besides, your boss loves when you dress up, he finds it appealing to the eye."

"But your my boss." Yusuke smirked bringing their lips together in a quick chaste kiss.

"My point exactly." Kurama returned the kiss and squeezed his mate's ass, earning him a playful glare and a low growl.

The short ride to the third floor ended and the two of them stepped off. Kurama's office was at the end of the hall and to the left. As the two of them headed in that direction Kurama noticed the way he was getting stared at and saw the same looks directed at Yusuke. One girl, he was sure was named Miyo, stared after Yusuke's butt which flared his kitsune jealousy but reigned it in. His mate was being admired that was a compliment, even if he wanted to gauge out her eyes.

"Yusuke, have you heard any word from Koenma about this case he wished for us to work on?" Kurama whispered for his mate's ears only. "I know he's been calling your communicator, it went off a couple times during the past weeks."

"Yeah, I've been ignoring him for the most part but what he has told me he still has no leads as to where Rando could be and who helped him escape. They cross-examined the guards that were on duty that day but none of them were near his cell. I'm hoping the bastard got eaten by a stronger demon or something then this whole mess would be behind us."

"Is that what you tell yourself every night, love." Kurama grinned as he turned the corner, his office in sight.

"Whatever, Kurama. But in all seriousness I guess I could give him a call after work, just to see what's up. If a demon didn't eat him that dashes my dream, but he's still a threat, and I don't want him running around freely." Yusuke's voice trailed off as his mind wandered to his battle with the demon. He barely won, just by the good grace of marsh gunk in his ears.

Kurama stared after his mate as he approached his office. He hated seeing that dull look in Yusuke's eyes especially since he couldn't do anything to erase it from his past. He grabbed a hold of his shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. Yusuke blinked as he came back to the present. His eyes locked with emerald orbs and he smiled appreciatively. Just as Kurama went to turn the doorjamb they heard Kurama's cover name being called.

"Shuichi...I finally caught up to the two of you. Morning to you both." Kazuya Hatanaka greeted his stepson and his friend. "Yusuke, what do you think of the company so far? Does it seem interesting?"

Yusuke tried to hide his excitement (really he did) and glanced over at Kurama who smiled wistfully back. "Yeah, it's great, everyone is nice and explains to me what I have to do. It's a cool place to work."

"Good, good, glad you enjoy working here. This firm has been around for a while and we only want our employees to be happy and enjoy working, not making it a chore sort to speak. The computer industry is always growing, always advancing. That's why Kurama's head of the Graphic Designs department. He's quick on the uptake and can figure out a way to bring a webpage to life. I swear he's a genius." Kazuya ranted on until Kurama asked his stepfather what he wished to ask of him.

"Oh yes, forgot why I had come." He pushed his glasses up onto his nose and brushed aside a stray brown lock from his face. "Our sister company is having a problem setting up a webpage for their smaller business in the rural area. They wanted to know if someone could assist them and I recommended you seeing as it's your specialty." He looked at his stepson with hopeful eyes.

Yusuke just rolled his eyes, just a bit, and smirked when Kurama had to think about the proposition knowing full well he couldn't resist a challenge no matter what it was.

"Of course I will help them out. It would be foolish on our part not to help one of our own. When do they need the webpage design and what are they looking for in appealing to their general audience?"

"I knew I was right in choosing you. I will give you Mr. Yamako's number so you can get in touch with his people. Thank you again Shuichi, you're a lifesaver." His stepfather shook his hand then took Yusuke's hand and shook it as well. "You can learn a lot from him, I'm sure he wouldn't mind showing you some of his techniques."

"Oh, that I am sure he's not shy to show. Are you Shuichi?" Yusuke asked raising one eyebrow at his lover. Kurama could only blush and try his best to get his office door opened.

"Good. I'll leave you boys to your work. Again thank you, Shuichi and, Yusuke welcome to the family. We always welcome fresh and new minds." With that Hatanaka left and headed towards the elevators, probably heading back to his office.

In the safety and privacy of his office, Kurama closed the door once Yusuke was in and sank into his black high back chair. He sighed his relief and closed his eyes. Only fifteen minutes he had been there and already felt drained just from the talk with Hiro. Yusuke perched himself on the oak desk eyeing his lover thoughtfully. He could tell his mate was tired but he hadn't done anything yet, just walked to his office and chatted with an all-too-enthusiastic Hatanaka. Not wanting to interrupt his light doze, Yusuke looked around the room, admiring the botanical plant sitting in the corner. Probably his doing. There was also a small black leather couch near the right side wall and a tiny coffee table with magazines and folders on top of it. The bookshelf on the left side took up most of the space, brimming with books from philosophy to making unique designs and whatnot. He got up to open the closed blinds a bit, to allow some sunlight to brighten the room. Kurama's eyes fluttered open when light tickled the corners of his eyes.

"I best get to work, I can see I have a workload ahead of me. Do you mind handing me my portfolio and that folder on the table." Kurama asked as he started up his desktop computer. He stretched out his arms and began working on a project he started for a cosmetic company. They wanted to aim their new eyeliner and lipstick line to women between ages 20-45 and wanted a fresh design to grasp their attention.

Yusuke grabbed the folder and portfolio just as a knock came to the door. Kurama looked up but didn't tell them to enter. Yusuke shrugged his shoulders and started sorting out the files scattered about the room when the door opened and in its doorframe two handsome men stood. One was tall, about Kurama's height with brown eyes and shoulder length black hair. His navy suit made him appear older than he really was. The other man was about Kuwabara's height, maybe taller and wore a brown blazer with a white polo shirt underneath and a pair of white slacks. His piercing honey colored eyes made him look fierce. His brown hair was held in a ponytail that made him seem more of a college student than someone in his early 30's.

"Well, well if it isn't Shuichi. Back from your holiday." The ponytailed male said as he stepped into the office, obviously ignoring proper etiquette. "Kinji, he doesn't seem sick at all does he?"

"Not the least bit, Satoshi. Was it getting too much for you to handle?" Kinji replied to his companion. He swept back his black hair from his shoulder. "I dare venture to say that maybe Shuichi can't deal with the competition." He leaned against the doorframe, smirking at Kurama and then sneering at Yusuke who bristled a bit.

"I would appreciate it if the two of you allowed me to work in peace. As you can see I am behind." Kurama said between clenched teeth. His eyes darkened a bit, a hint of gold seeping thru.

Yusuke on his first day working at the company got a bad vibe from these two the minute they came near his fox. He didn't like the way they bullied him, though Kurama allowed no one to bully him, it was just the fact they were his superiors even if he could turn them heads over. Kurama told him he could deal with them but Yusuke still wanted to beat the shit out of them, like he was feeling now. He balled his fists by his side and went to grab Satoshi but Kurama sent a spike of youki, warning him not too. Growling his frustration Yusuke set down the papers on the desk and glared at the two men. Kinji looked at him and took a step back, the look clearly said fuck off or else.

"Let's go Sato, we have to give Minamino the chance to catch up. Wouldn't want to disappoint your stepfather, now would we?" They left, Kinji slammed the door closed and that's when Yusuke lost it.

"I fucking hate them. Pompous old pricks. I swear one day when they least expect it, I'm going to break their bones."

"I love this possessive side of you, Yusuke, but I don't want you wasting your energy on them. I think I can find a better use of that." Kurama pulled away from his desk and went to the door, locking it with a sinister grin.
Yusuke gulped as he inched towards the desk, bumping into it and looking for a way to escape. Kurama prevented that as he placed both hands on either side of his mate, their breaths mingling since they were mere inches from one another.

"I don't think work and play should mix, fox. We may get use to this." Yusuke warned as he closed the little space between them, teasingly kissing his fox with small pecks to the corners of his mouth and then his lips.

"Now whose the one that said work and play don't mix." Kurama took Yusuke's hand and brought it to his backside allowing him to lean in further. "I am just showing off my techniques, like our boss suggested." He kissed his jaw then neck until he met the mark and licked it.

Yusuke's body clenched and he released a low moan. His eyes tried to stay open but that damn tongue was driving him nuts. He pulled Kurama from him and saw the vibrant eyes has grown darker and a hint of gold circled the dilated pupil. Groaning from the sight of a lust-crazed fox Yusuke flipped their positions, Kurama leaning against the desk as his mate attacked his neck.

"Mmmm as much as I would like to be fucked on my desk, I do have work I must complete and you my sexy toushin (gasps) have to go get that number for me, shit, Yusuke..."

Yusuke grinned against the pale column of flesh between his lips, sucking on the passion mark he was making on the neck. Satisfied of his work, he let up on his assault, burrowing his nose in Kurama's hair and inhaling deeply.

"I told you, you reduce me to this, fox. Not my fault I can't resist your charms." He rubbed his semi-hardness against Kurama's leg and shivered. "Best behave myself, don't want my boss finding out I'm having an affair in the office with one of his employees." He said cheekily as he avoided the hand coming to hit him on the cheek.

"Yes, well your boss would understand seeing as I am him. Anyway go get those items before I have to tie you down and have my wicked way with you." Kurama pushed his mate away and slowly made it back to his chair and ignored the way he knew Yusuke was looking at him. He shifted in his chair to alleviate the tension between his legs.

"As you command, senpai." Yusuke did a low sweep of his arm and bowed, blowing Kurama a kiss as he heard Kurama yell something to his back.

"Crazy mazoku, I swear he drives me mad." Kurama couldn't help the smile that spread at the thought of his lover. "But he makes me madly crazy for him."


After a couple hours of staring at a computer screen and doing what Kurama explained for him to do, Yusuke heard his stomach growl loudly and grinned sheepishly at his lover.

"Sorry. Seems we've been at it for a while." He turned to look at the clock on the wall and his eyes bugged out. "When were you going to tell me it was lunch time." He accused his mate as he turned in the chair to see Kurama lounging on the couch, eyes closed, a light snore arising every so often. "No wonder." He walked the short distance and shook him gently. "Oh sexy fox, it's time to wake up and have wild crazy sex with Yusuke." Kurama merely turned onto his side, his back facing Yusuke. Yusuke frowned and pinched Kurama's butt.

"Ow. What the...oh Yusuke did I fall asleep?" He blinked his eyes and rubbed them a bit. "What time is it?" He stifled the yawn wanting to escape and rubbed his stomach.

"Well yeah you fell asleep and it's lunchtime and I'm hungry. I know you are too so let's go. I finished that one thing you gave me. You can look at it after we come back." He said pulling his fox to his feet and ushering him out the office.

They hopped onto the elevator and Kurama pressed the 1 button and the doors closed. Yusuke kept an eye on his mate as he yawned again and rubbed at his eye. Kurama felt the stare and tilted his head to the side.

"Do I have something on my person?" He looked about himself, pressing the wrinkles out of his pants and shirt.

"No, just seeing if you're all right. What do you want to eat?"

"Hmm, I can go for anything really." Kurama said his eyes shimmering brightly. "What would you care to have?"

The elevator dinged and opened on the first floor. The cafeteria was huge with a buffet style to one side and fast food court near the right side. Yusuke never got tired of coming there, seeing as he could get a burger and be satisfied.

"I want a sandwich, yeah a turkey and cheese sandwich with fries." Yusuke's mouth practically salivated with the thought and he quickly walked over to deli part of the cafe.

Kurama followed also craving a sandwich but instead chose a grilled chicken sandwich with lettuce, tomatoes, and horseradish sauce. He also got some fries and added a tablespoon of salt to it with mustard sauce.

"Why don't we go outside to eat, since it's a nice day." Yusuke said as he noticed people staring as Kurama's plate. "I'll get the drinks then come back." He sat his plate down and went back inside to get them some sodas.

Kurama was eating when he returned to the patio table and plopped down across from him. Taking a bite of his sandwich his eyes closed in bliss.

"This is a sandwich." He said between mouthfuls. "So, about that program you showed me, how is that suppose to work. I think I messed up the file when I tried to redo it over."

"It's fine love, I will show you when we get back, it's just a matter of-" Kurama's fry fell from his hand and landed back on the plate. His vision blurred in and out and his breathing sped up. What's this then, not another heat...I thought we were through with this Youko. Kurama growled in his mind but Youko only shrugged and his lingering smirk was the only thing Kurama remembered as a white heat surrounded his body then focused on his abdomen. He wrapped his arms about himself and silently screamed.

Yusuke was up and beside him before Kurama leaned to the side to fall. Yusuke held him in his arms, calling him to ask him what was wrong. If I knew that I would have told you. His mind supplied as the heat began to subside and he passed out.

"Oh shit...oh shit oh shit...Shuichi...Shu...Kurama wake the hell up you're scaring me now." Yusuke smacked his face a couple times to rouse him but he didn't wake. Some people were starting to notice and one man came over to see what was going on and phoned the paramedics while a girl ran to call Hatanaka. Yusuke continued to hold Kurama, hoping he would wake soon.

'You better wake up, I don't want to explain to Shiori that your eating habits are what killed you.'