True Dedication

Well 'ello one and all. I have returned with a new chapter for the new year, funny, no? But yes, this story still has a beating heart as long as mine contiunes. This chapter was tough one that didn't want to obey me so i had to beat it down into submission. Hope I did it well and that everything made some kind of sense.

Again thank you to all who reviews and reads this story. It really means alot that my hard work is appreciated by people like you, thank you thank you thank you.

At long last, chapter 17

Chapter 17


To say Kurama was nervous would be an understatement. He was down right petrified. To face demons was one thing, but when it came to facing his human mother, Shiori, it was another. He had to confess everything he swore he would keep hidden from her for her own safety. It pained him to do this for it would bring her closer to a part of his life he wished to keep her away from.

He knew stressing about the situation would do him and the child harm but he could not find the will to calm down. His nerves were getting the best of him and were wearing thin on his lush carpet. Yusuke went to fetch his mother ten minutes ago and reassured his mate that things would work out, they always did. While he was gone, Kurama made the phone call to his mother to tell her he wanted to have a chat. She agreed before he could finish his sentence and said she would be there in five minutes.

‘I can do this…Yusuke will be here with me and we can get through this. We are only going to talk…nothing more…everything will be fine…’ Kurama chanted as he placed a hand on his flat stomach. He felt the tiny energy and smiled. ‘Yes we will get through like always.’

His head shot up when he heard approaching footfalls outside his door. He closed his eyes and drew in a deep breathe. The door opened and Yusuke walked in followed by his mother, Atsuko. She looked in better condition than the last time Kurama had saw her at Yusuke’s home when the half-demon returned from Makai. Her brown hair held in a ponytail and her lithe form was clad in denim jeans and a red shirt with a brown jacket hugging her body tightly.

‘She looks lovely. Just like her son.’ Kurama smiled and went to hug Yusuke. Yusuke smiled back and embraced his mate, nuzzling his neck.

“Hello Atsuko. How are you?” Kurama asked as he approached his mate’s mother.

“I’m better than ever now that Yusuke found himself a better catch.” Atsuko replied bringing the fox into her arms and hugging him tightly.

Kurama stunned for a moment looked to Yusuke who continued to smile. He returned the embrace and found himself smirking and chuckling a bit. She released the fox demon and smacked her son on the back while smiling.

“Geez mom, any harder and I’d swear your part demon.” Yusuke tried to rub his back where his mom hit him and frowned.

“You told her? I thought we were going to tell our parents together, Yusuke.” Kurama said, his voice tinged with hurt.
“Tell her…NO…no I didn’t tell her that part. I just told her that me and you are well…we’re dating and she’s a little ecstatic.” Yusuke confessed rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

“Yeah he told me about that damn Keiko…how dare she hurt my Yu Yu. I’m glad you two got together. He smiles more and that’s thanks to you.” She gave Yusuke a pinch on his cheek and reached out to hug Kurama again.

“Mom please not in front of ‘Rama.” Yusuke complained as he hid behind his mate.

Kurama chuckled and embraced Atsuko while his lover clung to him from behind. He felt the warmth radiating from both mother and son and knew these people truly cared for him. They broke away and Atsuko still wore that smile, gazing at them both.

“So this is the man that’s captured my Yu Yu’s heart. Good choice Yusuke, he is a looker. Besides he has an almost girlish quality about him.” She commented as she eyed the fox demon up and down approvingly.

“MOM! Okay that’s it; you are not allowed to speak until Kurama’s mother arrives.” Yusuke scolded as he led his blushing fox from the room.

“Um…thanks…I think.” Kurama replied as his mate pushed him towards the kitchen. Once out of earshot from his mother, Yusuke pulled Kurama towards him and kissed his breath away. “What was that for if I may ask?” He smiled and kissed his mate on the lips again.

“For being my friend and giving me what I’ve always wanted,” He said placing his hand over his lover’s flat stomach, “a family and a place where I know I’m wanted. Thank you Kurama.”

“Awe Yusuke, you… (Sniffles)…you’re going to make me cry. Damn, it seems I am experiencing the hormonal aspect of this pregnancy early.” Kurama said as he wiped away stray tears. “I love you Yusuke, we love you.” Kurama leaned in to kiss his mate again and felt the tiny spark flare at their joining.

“Yea we love you too Sparky.” Yusuke laughed as he rubbed the stomach. “Let’s get back in there before my mom thinks we’re up to no good. Actually, that’s not such a bad idea, come here ‘Rama.” Yusuke grinned lecherously.

“I think not Yu Yu. It would be rude and I’m still upset at you.” Kurama said moving away from his mate.

“Awe what I do now?” Yusuke whined as he tried desperately to capture his fox.

“You got me knocked up and haven’t even dealt with the consequences.”

“Uh…what’s bad about that? There will be a little you running around. What else is wrong Kurama? I know something’s eating at you. What’s wrong? Hm?” Yusuke finally caught his fox and held him tightly against his body. Rubbing soothing circles on his lower back.

“I’m scared love. What will I say to my mother? How can I tell her when she has this preconceived ideal about me marrying a young girl and giving her grandchildren. What will she say or do when I tell her the truth? That I’m not the son she thought I was. I can’t bear losing her Yusuke, I can’t.” Kurama finished as he clutched his mate closer, tears cascading down his cherub cheeks.

“Shhh, don’t cry ‘Rama, please I don’t like seeing you cry. I’ll tell you what, what you can’t explain I’ll do my best to fill in okay. And when it comes to our relationship, I’ll handle that and you fill in where you want to. Deal?” Yusuke asked, lifting his fox’s chin so they looked eye to eye.

“Yes, I like that plan. Thank you Yusuke. You are a remarkable person, you know that.” Kurama smiled through his tears.

“Keep flattering me fox-boy and we’ll never have our chat with our folks.” Yusuke purred as he kissed the tears away. “Now, Shiori should be here soon, let’s get you cleaned up.” He smiled and led his mate to the kitchen sink, running the tap and wetting a paper towel. Wiping his fox’s face clean, they both returned to the living room where Atsuko lounged on the couch watching some TV. “Sorry to keep you waiting mom, anything interesting on?”

“Not a damn thing. And don’t worry I embarrassed you both for one day.” She smiled and sat up straighter on the couch. “So when do we meet this young man’s mother, I’m getting bored.”

“She should be here any moment now.” Kurama replied just as the doorbell rang. “Seems I’m getting better at that.” He smiled and went to answer the door. Shiori stood on the other side, her aged smile bright as ever when she looked upon her only son. She wore a light blue dress that stopped at her knees and a green sweater jacket. “Mother, so good to see you. Hope your trip here wasn’t too troublesome.” Kurama said as he ushered her in.

“Oh you stop that nonsense Shuichi, you know I would never turn you away. And as for my travel here, Hatanaka wasn’t that hard to convince. Now, what’s this little conversation you have to have with me? And don’t think I haven’t forgotten that hospital incident, it seemed we all blacked out and when we came to, you were gone.”

“Yes, about that, I will explain everything once we are all settled.” Kurama gestured towards the two people occupying his living room. Yusuke stood up to greet Shiori while Atsuko gave a short wave from where she sat. “How have you been otherwise, mother?”

“I am well as can be. I hope the same thing can be said of you?” She fixed him with a stern looking over which caused Kurama to shrink under the intense glare.

“Mother, I’m fine. Please have a seat while I retrieve us some refreshments.” Kurama offered as he disappeared into the kitchen.

Shiori sat in the armchair while Yusuke sat back down beside his mother on the couch. Kurama returned several minutes later with a tray and placed it down on the coffee table. Yusuke reached out to grab his soda while the two women both took their teas. Kurama sat to Yusuke’s left and beside his mother.

Everyone took leisurely sips of their drinks, each waiting for one another to make some move or speech but none came. Kurama cleared his throat and flung a loose strain of hair behind his ear. Atsuko finished off her tea and stared at the group in mild boredom. Shiori continued to sip at her tea, her eyes darting between her son and the other two people.

“Well I don’t know about you guys but this silence is killing the mood. Let’s get down to business then.” Yusuke said clapping his hands together.

Kurama gave Yusuke a sidelong glance and then returned his gaze back to the hands in his lap. Yusuke sensed his mate’s anxiety, reached out his right hand to stroke Kurama’s tense ones. Kurama returned the gesture with a squeeze of his hand and took a deep breath.

“Okay…so how should we start this thing…hm…well I guess the beginning is always a good place to start, huh. Here goes, you remember Keiko Yukimura, right Mrs. Minamino.” Yusuke began as he rubbed his chin in thought.

“Yes, I believe I recall the young woman. Short, brown hair if I am not mistaken.”

“Yeah, yeah that’s her.” Yusuke fought back the urge to growl out his annoyance but refrained. “Yeah well after I returned from my training, me and her were ‘pose to get married.” Yusuke glanced at Kurama to see his reaction and noticed his hands clenched in his lap. “Well you see there’s more to the story than what I let on.” Yusuke watched as Kurama’s eyes locked with his own. He sent a pleading look to his mate who only nodded his head slightly. Taking a deep breath, Yusuke began the other half of his broken relationship with his ex, Keiko.

“Here’s the whole story. We’re no longer engaged and some other crap came into play to help make sure that didn’t happen. The real reason why we’re not getting hitched is ‘cause she had been cheating on me for almost a year.” Yusuke confessed. He could feel the old wound in his heart start to bleed out and placed a hand over the spot. Atsuko growled under her breath and her eyes seemed to change to blood red. Shiori gasped and placed a hand over mouth. Kurama felt anger rise in him as tears they threatened to fall and did his best to comfort his friend, his mate, and the father of their unborn child. He pulled Yusuke into a hug and just held him until he could gather himself.

“I’m sorry to hear that, Yusuke.” Shiori spoke. She reached over to pat his knee soothingly. “No one should go through that type of pain, no one.”

“That fucking bitch. Wait until the next time I see her. Oh Miss Keiko is gonna have some serious damage done to her bodily.” Atsuko seethed from her spot, it seemed like a great wall of flames engulfed her body.

“Mom, calm down please.” Yusuke asked as he pulled himself from his mate’s embrace, sitting up straighter, eyes still filled with hurt but calmer now, Yusuke continued his story. “Besides I found someone better than her. But that’s later in this memory lane journey,” Yusuke grinned at Kurama and then returned his gaze to Shiori, “she cheated on me and the guy, here’s the funny part, was the one we saw at the restaurant Kurama. Ain’t that a hoot? Oh but the best part is yet to come. She told me she stopped seeing him AFTER the day I caught them both in our bedroom. OUR bedroom. That other stuff I told you and the guys happened because she couldn’t handle the guilt of what she was doing behind my back. She only used my not getting the promotion to stoke the fire. Coward. So yeah, whatever, we’re over and that door won’t be opening anymore. So enough about my sordid relationship. What else is there to talk about?” Yusuke finished lamely as he finally released all the angst of his past.

Atsuko sat upright on the couch, her mind supplying different ways to torture her sons’ ex-fiancé. She wanted to tear her limb from limb, or better yet give her another place to shit. Kurama was making similar plans in his analytical mind, forming new ways to test his plants out. He also felt the waves of heartache emanating from his mate. His instincts told him to comfort his lover, however without his mother knowing their relationship it was bound to raise questions. Shiori sat quietly, her cup of tea long forgotten as she sent all the love and support she could for her son’s best friend. Her wise eyes took in the way Yusuke’s form seemed dejected, then at her son who looked torn by indecision. His verdant eyes held what she deemed concern and love, love not meant just for friendship but something more.

“Yusuke,” Shiori started tentatively. Said youth turned his gaze to hers and held it until she spoke again, “who is it that has made you happy again? If you do not mind me asking.” She asked while pulling her sweater closer to her body.

Yusuke was about to reply when a firm squeeze was placed on his shoulder by his fox. He looked towards his mom just to make sure it wasn’t her but she just smiled and gave him a quick hug. Kurama gave his shoulder one last grasp and gave him his best grin.

“Mother, this is the part where I step in now. Thank you for your offer earlier, Koi, but I believe this is where I explain the rest.” Kurama said as he turned to give his mate a quick peck on the cheek. “As you can see mother, things are not as they appear to be.”

“What to you mean, Shuichi?” She asked. She could feel her heart race and beat against her ribcage in anticipation of what her son was about to tell her.

“Mother, know this, no matter what I say from this point on does not change my feelings towards you and I hope the same can be said for you. You will always be my mother and I hope to remain your son.”

“Shuichi, you will always be my little boy, so whatever you must tell me, please. I love you.” She took his hands in hers and he held them tightly in his.

Yusuke beamed at his mate and Shiori at her declaration. Atsuko smiled and cried out ‘that a girl’. Kurama swore he find out more on his current situation for he shouldn’t have had this many outbursts of tears, even if this confession from his mother did help lessen the strain on all he had to tell her.

“I am really happy to hear that and I love you with all my being, mother. You raised me and taught this old soul what it meant to love and care for another. For that, I am eternally grateful. However, it seems I’m getting off track. What I want to convey is not easy. It is a bit too much for someone to take in all at once…”

“Oh come on fox, just tell her already. I would like to be young when you decide you’ve told her.” Yusuke prodded his mate and gave him a wide grin.

“Very tactful Yusuke. And here I’d wondered who it was that kept your head in the game. Thank you Kurama.” Atsuko said bopping her son on the head with her fist.

“Thank you Atsuko. And thank you as well, Yu Yu.” Kurama replied smacking his lover on the knee and grinned wickedly.

Yusuke sent his mate a glare as he rubbed the spot where his mom hit him. He also stuck out his tongue childishly for the use of his pet name from said mother.

“Shuichi? What is it that you have to tell me?” She asked again, gaining his attention once more.

“Mother…I’m not what I appear to be.” Kurama took a deep breath and held fast to his mate’s hands. “I’m a demon, mother, a demon residing in a human body.” There, he had admitted one of his long time secrets to his mother and now Kurama awaited her reaction, for better or worse.

Shiori sat solid as a statue as, her eyes grew wide when he mentioned he was a demon.

“You’re…you’re a demon? But how…I mean…I would have thought if I’d given birth to a demon the doctors would have said something. Wouldn’t they? And demons don’t really exist, that’s a myth. No Shuichi, you are no demon, how could you say such a thing.”
“They would not have been able to pick up on my demonic signature on their machines. Let me rephrase that. I was born a demon in another world. It is known as the Makai and houses many different kinds of demons. I was born a spirit fox and my name is Youko Kurama. I was a demon thief. I was known far and wide in the Makai and those who had heard of me feared me. I stole and killed ruthlessly. I cared not if my underlings were wounded or killed I just wanted the prize. I did have one trusted ally. I watched his back and he had mine. He had something else as well…my heart…”

Kurama looked at Yusuke and smiled sadly. Yusuke’s eyes darkened and he felt his fangs trying to escape but he managed to keep his demon in check. Kurama felt the energy spike and quickly try to placate his irate mate. He knew his mother might not understand at this point in time but he pulled Yusuke to his body and gave him a chaste kiss to the lips.

“Never doubt my love for you Yusuke. He was my past, you are my present and future.” Kurama whispered against his lips. Yusuke didn’t care who was in the room, all he saw was his mate and gave him a proper kiss, full of the love and promises yet to come.

“I don’t doubt it. I just don’t like the fact that you were with anyone else, that’s all.” Yusuke said in a small voice. Kurama kissed his lover again and turned his attention back to his mother who seemed to be trying to figure out what she was witnessing.

Shiori watched the exchange in mild confusion and curiosity. She wasn’t ready to put the pieces together yet here before her very eyes her Shuichi had kissed his friend not once but several times. She had to know, had to find out if her son was…

“Shuichi…my son…I must know before you continue. Are you…what I mean to ask is the way you and Yusuke act towards one another…are you and Yusuke…together?”

Once again silence befell the four occupants as each of them tried to form some kind of speech. Yusuke looked towards Kurama who in turned went a shade paler and seemed to not be breathing. He knew his mate was beginning to panic so he just took the plunge for his fox.

“Mom, Mrs. Minamino…this is still weird but in a good kind of way. Geez, well I know mom you know but Mrs. Minamino doesn’t. You see ma’am, I’m half-demon as well. I’ll tell you that one later. Anyway yeah so I’m half demon and well…ah hell,” Yusuke took a deep breath and blurted, “meandyoursonareinarelationshiptogetherandarenowmated!” Yusuke took another inhale and blinked a couple times.

Shiori blinked several times trying to decipher what the young man had just spoken. Atsuko laughed and grabbed Yusuke into a huge bear hug and giving him kisses which he did not find amusing. Kurama just chuckled and turned to see his mother still gaping like a goldfish.

“Yusuke, I don’t think mother quite understood what you just said.” Kurama said taking his mother’s hands into his. “Mother, what Yusuke tried to explain is that he and I are in a relationship. I am sorry I never told you before, but I cannot be the ideal son you have set your heart on. I am in love with a man and a good one at that who in returns loves me. I hope you can understand my feelings. I want what you had with my father. I saw the way the two of you looked at one another. You two were so in love and that is how I feel towards Yusuke. If anything, you taught me, a demon, how to love mother and I thank kami everyday that you are in my life.” Kurama finished, he was near tears again and wished he could hold it together just for once this day.

“So…you’re…I see…” Shiori fell quiet again. Kurama felt the unbidden hands of rejection clawing at his anxiety ridden body however he was not expecting her to reply with, “Then congratulations Shuichi. I am glad you have someone worthy to share what I had when I was with your father. I do understand more than you will ever know, Shuichi. You cannot control who your heart falls for. I am just glad it found a special person like Yusuke.” She faced Yusuke who held Kurama close to him for comfort. “Yusuke, please take care of my son. He is all I have. From what I have seen, I have no doubt you will make sure he remains happy and safe. Thank you for loving my son.” She stood up and wrapped her petite arms around both boys, stunning them into silence.

They returned the embrace not knowing what else to do. Kurama could not believe his mother willingly accepted his relationship with Yusuke with not so much as a protest. Yusuke hugged his mate’s mother and felt the turmoil rolling off his fox. Something else was bothering him and he didn’t know what it could be.

Shiori cleared her throat softly as she brought attention back to her person. Kurama knew he was crying but he couldn’t figure out how to turn them off. His mother had accepted the one thing he feared most, his sexuality. He did truthfully admire women and found them attractive but not sexually. She had accepted him and that was all that matter, well that and his other secret.

“Shuichi, you were saying something before I interrupted you. I’m sorry for that but I just had to know, I didn’t want to be rude about it. I was just a bit confused by your actions that is all.”

“It’s okay mother. I am pleased by how well that went. I have wanted to tell you for so long, I just did not know how to broach the topic. However, I do have more to divulge. As I was saying earlier, I was in a relationship with a bat demon named Kuronue. However, on our last heist, we were not as fortunate as we thought. As we made our escape from the fortress, we triggered an unseen trap causing bamboo like spears to jut out of the walls. He was trapped and when I went back to help him, he yelled for me to escape. How could I leave the one person who loved me? I couldn’t but it was his dying wish and I had to obey. I left him. I ran, transformed into my demon form and fled for the human world. As I ran I was hunted and just before I could make my way out of the Makai, I was struck and severely wounded. That is when I picked up on your signature, mother. You were with child and that was a perfect place for my soul to reside until I could fully recover my demonic energy.”

Shiori gasped as she placed a hand on her flat mid-section. Her eyes welled with tears and felt herself slacken in the chair. Her mouth moved to form speech but nothing came out. After minutes of remembering how to form words she asked, “Then…then what happened to the child that I was carrying?”

“The two of us merged into one being, your son. I was born Shuichi Minamino, a human who held the soul of a demon spirit fox. I had to remain in this human body for ten years, which is how long it took for me to regain my full strength. I had planned to leave the moment I had my power returned but something stopped me. Do you recall the day you pushed me out of the way, when the dish was to fall upon me. That day, I realized you cared for me, that you would sacrifice your own well being for my own. Mother, if it were not for you, I would have never become the person I am.” Kurama went to his knees, clasping his hands with his mother’s smaller hands. “I owe you so much and here I am asking for so much more. Please forgive me, I was nothing but a handful and I didn’t truly comprehend how you could love me. I am so sorry for what I have put you through. Please, forgive me.” Kurama begged as he held onto her for dear life. Yusuke didn’t like to hear his mate beg like that, it didn’t sit well with him so he went and knelt by Kurama’s side, rocking him in his arms.

Shiori was lost for words. Here, her son was begging for forgiveness when in turn she should be doing the same. She felt the cold hands of guilt gripping at her insides and knew she couldn’t bear to be in his presence. She was happy for him and even more so that he had shared something so personal about himself, but this feeling, she couldn’t rid herself of it. She excused herself and went upstairs to the restroom and closed the door behind her, securely locking it. Pulling the lid of the toilet down, she sat and allowed the tears to fall. Her little boy, her Shu-chan had confessed to being a homosexual, in a relationship with his best friend who was a demon, and Shuichi saying he was one too. It was all too much for her to grasp and she cried until no more tears could form.


Here you are my lovelies, the wonderful chapter 17. I hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Years, ja na