What I steal...I keep

DISCLAIMER: PLEASE NOTE, I do not own the characters of Yu Yu Hakusho, a Japanese manga written/illustrated by Yoshihiro Togashi; as such, I do not stand to make money or profit from the writings contained herein.


Chapter 3


As dawn made way for morning, the sun peered tentatively into the window. Shiori knocked lightly at her son’s door and then slowly opened it. She went slow enough to give him plenty of time to warn her to not come in.

Still, she was ready at a moment’s notice for a quick retreat. With Hiei there, she never quite knew what position she would find her son and his ‘friend’ in, though, naturally, they swore they were not lovers.

She tended to believe them.

Hiei always wore a frown, foreboding even in sleep—a time of rest and relaxation. Maybe she was reading too much into it, but there was something about the way he looked in his sleep—one leg and arm always protruding from the covers. It was as if he fell asleep in the act of trying to get away.

And her son? Despite his air of quiet repose, there was always something strangely disquieting about the way he rested that she could never quite put her finger on… until now.

Loneliness.

Quickly she shook off her dark thoughts and opened the door. Peering into her son’s room, she paused, the words ‘breakfast’s almost ready’ dying on her lips.

Her eyes widened.

Used as she was to seeing Hiei in her son’s bed, it took a bit of adjusting to the sight of three bodies. For the first time, it made sense. Everything came together in one single instance, especially seeing the way Shuiichi was wrapped around Yusuke.

A speculative light grew in her eyes. It vanished quickly when sharp green eyes, with no hint of sleep, met her eyes.

“Mother…” Gentle and polite as always, yet there was a threat implicit in the steady green stare. A body stirred restlessly. Absently, eyes still on his mother, Kurama reached back to soothed the restless dreamer.

Smiling apologetically, her mind ablaze with new knowledge, Shiori whispered, “I just wanted to let you know breakfast would be ready in about twenty minutes.” Quickly she retreated before her son could say anything further.

Shiori walked down the stairs, an enormous, silly smile spread across her face. It prompted her husband to look at her questioningly, to which she smilingly waved off inquiry while gleefully hugging the secret to herself.

Once he disappeared into the kitchen, however, she couldn’t resist a joyous whirl in the hallway. It was an effort, but she managed to force her face into something approaching calm as she joined her husband in the kitchen.

If she was wrong, then she would be wrong. But I’m not, she thought happily. All the clues had been there…I just didn’t know how to put them together.

Oh, he’s good, she thought.


* * *


By the time the three boys had stumbled down the stairs, drawn by the wonderful fragrance of breakfast, the last of the presents had been wrapped and tucked under the tree. It was Christmas Eve morning and there was an air of suppressed excitement in the air.

It was a Minamino tradition that they got to open four presents on Christmas Eve. The Kazuyus had happily adopted the tradition. Shu-kun was happier since it meant he got to open some of his presents early.

He was at the stage where being blasé and nonchalant was the ‘cool’ thing. Almost fourteen, he considered himself a man. His eyes, however, betrayed a childlike eagerness. His attention kept darting towards the front room where the tree and presents awaited.

A terrible scowl was on his face as Kurama and the other two slowly made their way into the room. Could they be any slower?

Bringing up the rear, Kurama met his parents’ eyes calmly. After he put Yusuke into bed, he had stayed up with them, finalizing their plan. He had already informed them of his plans to transfer to a school in Japan, adding that he was lonely without his family.

They, in turn, had nodded wisely and tried to look understanding. In that odd, mental communication between husband and wife, neither spoke of their elation at the news. One mild glance was enough to convey that Mr. Kazuyu was going to be one lucky fellow tonight by his ecstatic wife.

Unaware that his parents were mentally striking up the marching band and throwing a party, Kurama had continued to outline his plans.

As a strategist, Kurama was used to making sure his plans were nearly foolproof.

He had done his research.

There was a school that had accepted his credits. He would continue to live away from home, in the house his grandparents had left him. It had been empty for years, but was still in good condition. Even better, it was less than an hour from the university he would soon attend.

Last night he had added another element. It was one he had spent considerable time in marshalling his arguments. He even had a diagram ready just in case, but there had been little protests from either parent. They had thought it an excellent idea. Then his mother had shooed him off to bed while his father had unpacked the trunk of the car.

The two had stayed up to finish the final wrapping of presents.


* * *


Shiori eyed the three boys with a misty-eyed smile.

It was a look that caused an imperceptible pause in Kurama’s smooth movements. Yet it was enough to cause both Yusuke and Hiei to momentarily shift into defense mode before relaxing.

Though it had never actually been spoken aloud, they were both pretty sure Kurama would beat them to a bloody pulp if they injured his family.

Kurama ignored the flare of yokai energy as he slid into his seat. Not that I blame them, he thought ruefully.

Mother is a wonderful, highly intelligent woman, but sometimes she gets the most ridiculous notions in her head, he thought wryly.

Had he known what she was really thinking he would have been even more alarmed…or not.

Yusuke eyed the spread of food in askance.

His usual breakfast fare consisted of whatever he could find. Rice mushed on a piece of bread, while not appetizing, did a tolerable job of quelling hunger pangs. Truth was, he had never actually sat down, family-like, and had a home cooked meal. Not even when he was a kid.

With a touch as subtle as air, Kurama guided Yusuke in selecting what he knew the other would eat. Though Yusuke had a virtually a cast-iron stomach, Kurama had long discovered the joy in watching his young friend eat something that pleased his palate.

Soon the room was filled with the contented sounds of breakfast. After cleaning the kitchen, it was time for Opening Presents. As the last dish was put away, Shu-kun’s speed nearly rivaled Hiei’s in his rush to reach the tree.

“Anxious much?” Yusuke remarked sotto voice as he and the others sauntered into the room.

The older Kazuyu gave Yusuke a mock incredulous look. “Now what gave you that idea?” he drawled amusedly. He quickly assumed a serious expression at the furious glower his youngest directed at him.

No one got between Shu-kun’s and presents or, as he liked to call them, bribes to keep him quiet so he wouldn’t sell their secrets to the highest bidder.

It was obvious that he lived with a bunch of lunatics.

He had soberly confided to his brother that they were the only sane ones in the family.

Solemnly Kurama had thanked the boy for the honor. He was chagrined to later learn his points in the sanity column had just edged out their father’s.


* * *


Stone-faced Yusuke observed the huge pile of gifts set in front of him. An uneasy silence had settled over the room despite Shiori’s brittle, happy chatter. Hiei looked bored as he perched on the back of the couch. He was perfectly happy with the black cloak Kurama’s parents had gifted him. He had already secreted the knives and other items he had received from the child and Kurama.

“Yusuke, may I speak with you…outside?” Kurama’s dulcet voice gave no hint to his emotional state. The muscle that jumped in his jaw, however, betrayed his anger.

Hiei perked up, looking profoundly interested.

“Yes…” came Yusuke’s growled response. He stormed towards the door and waited impatiently for the kitsune.

The Kazuyus avoided looking at each other. The door shutting quietly spurred them to rush towards the window. Hiei squawked indignantly when he was booted aside. Glowering, he huffily straightened his clothing before taking another position to enable him to see the fight that was going to take place.


* * *


“You embarrassed both me and my family with your churlish attitude,” Kurama stated without preamble. He decided not to waste time dancing around the issue.

“Me?! Me?! Me embarrass you?” Yusuke voice rose in a hoarse shriek of rage. “You just sat there basically saying that I’m too poor to afford clothes and shit!” He gestured angrily towards the house. “Who the hell do you think you are?” Yusuke shouted, face turning red with passion. Pacing back and forth to expend some of his rage, his brown eyes flashed. “Do I look like a charity case to you?”

“No! You look like a friend, and friends accept gifts from other friends.”

“Not like this… not this many presents! You bought me underwear, man! Friends do NOT, and I don’t care what you say, buy other male friends underwear!”

Head tilted to the side, Kurama blinked. His brow furrowed in confusion. “Is this about the underwear?”

“NO…! Yes…” Frustrated, Yusuke ran a hand through his hair. He stepped closer to Kurama and used a hand gesture to emphasize his words. “Look, I know you haven’t gotten the hang of being human,” he ignored the sardonically amused look Kurama gave him, “but you don’t just buy your guy friends underwear! It… it just sends the wrong message to people,” he muttered, losing his angry bluster.

Taking that final step to bring them closer, Kurama smiled. “That’s why I didn’t buy you underwear…mother did.”

“And it just keeps getting worse,” Yusuke sighed, with an unhappy look on his face. “It’s bad enough you guys know my mom totally sucks… It’s too much,” he finished quietly, looking anywhere but at his friend. Always quick to rage, he was just as quick to calm. Besides, he couldn’t stay mad at his friends. Especially not Kurama. “You guys got me too much...” There was a plaintive note in his subdued voice.

“Yusuke, how many years have I’ve been inviting you to spend Christmas with my family? Two? Three? Four years?” Kurama asked softly. He took a careful step towards his unhappy looking friend.

Yusuke shrugged dispiritedly.

“You have to understand something. Mother, despite her sweet exterior, is a mean woman,” Kurama announced with a heavy sigh as if confessing to some great sin.

Silently he mused on why humans found lying so distasteful. If it served a good purpose then where was the crime? “She determined that if you wouldn’t spend Christmas with us, then you would only get one present from us.”

“Huh?”

Kurama let loose a real chuckle as he slung an arm casually around Yusuke’s shoulders. “We’ve been saving all our presents for you until you decided, or I managed to steal you, to spend Christmas with us.”

Looking gobsmacked, Yusuke focused on something else while his mind struggled to decipher Kurama’s words. “You can’t steal me,” he muttered distractedly as they walked back to the house. “It’s called kidnapping.”

Wrinkling his nose, Kurama shook his head. “Yusuke, I’m a thief…I steal,” he replied with pleasant candor. “Not that I’ve ever stolen a person before, but hey, there’s a first time for everything.” He directed a smirk towards his confused young friend.

“You are so stupid…” With that scathing retort, Yusuke pushed the kitsune into the snow and took off running for the house.

Picking himself up, Kurama smiled before chasing after his fleet-footed companion.

Once the debris from the various presents had been cleaned up, it was time to start preparing for their annual holiday party that would begin tomorrow.

As it was always the case, some idiot would arrive early.


* * *


Globally, the world had underwent a defining change over the last five years since yokai, or as the rest of the world called them, demons cautiously revealed themselves.

Initially, there had been a lot of negativity expressed towards demons. Eventually, an uneasy truce had taken the place of outright hostility. Perhaps, oddly enough, it was big businesses that lead the way to a more tolerant acceptance of demons.

It was a primitive emotion…an emotion dating back to when humans were little more than hairy primates, speaking in grunts.

When the first man cast narrow, piggy eyes on his neighbor and wondered aggrievedly where the hell did ‘Bob’ get that nifty club.

That feeling was greed.

In the years following the yokai visible entrance into human society, it had proven to be, ironically enough, a godsend to the human race.

Yokai technology, while parallel to the human race, had diverged significantly, and humankind could not fail to notice – especially when their profits began tanking with the introduction of yokai technology. Thousands of companies, from all over the world, scrambled to secure some form of partnership with the yokai.

The fortunate few that secured ties with the yokai gloatingly watched their profits soar while their competitors’ profits plunged.

Fortunately for the humans, there were certainly plenty of yokai around with highly sought commodities.

The real trick?

Finding them and signing them.


* * *


By midday, a significant portion of both sides of the families had begin to arrive.

Hiei had left well before.

Years ago, at Kurama’s request, the fire demon had once grudgingly spent a Christmas with the humans.

He vowed never to do it again.

If he couldn’t maim and or otherwise kill the annoying ones, then he would rather not stay, he had coldly informed the kitsune.


The party got off to a rousing start.

It didn’t take long for Yusuke to spot the various alliances. There was the ‘Shiori is Acceptable’ camp, the ‘That Bitch and Her Crazy Red-Head Child’ camp, and finally there were the Neutrals.

Of course there were the absolute Assholes, which mainly consisted of Kurama’s aunt, her husband, and his double asshole of a cousin. Yusuke determined right then to avoid them like the plague.

It was a pity they weren’t inclined.


* * *


Standing with Kurama and Yusuke, Ryuuto, Kurama’s cousin by marriage, had a bored look on his face.

It wasn’t fooling anyone.

Everyone was well aware of the near legendary animosity he had towards the waif-slim Minamino Shuuichi. The others had no clue as to the nature of his dislike, however, it didn’t take Yusuke long to decipher the underlying cause—especially when it appeared that the tall, dark-haired man took an instant dislike of him.

Peering into cup of punch, Yusuke’s shoulders shook with manfully restrained laughter.

Ryuuto took a seemingly casual sip of his drink and looked around with a supercilious expression. “I don’t see your …friend,” he said, putting delicate emphasis on the word ‘friend’, “or has perhaps Urameshi replaced the little Jaganshi in your affections? A record for you, isn’t it, hmm?”

Kurama gazed up at his cousin with a dewy look of wide-eyed innocence. “Yusuke’s always been high in my affections… besides, he’s equally friends with Hiei.”

His face affected a look of shock, Ryuuto’s eyes told a different story. “Must get awfully crowded in bed,” he remarked with thin smile. “Does Urameshi know you’re…a yokai? Or is that the attraction? That all yokai are promiscuous little sluts?”

Yusuke’s amusement vanished. “Dude,” he said warningly, for once mindful that a crowd of Kurama’s relatives were listening, “You might wanna to ease up on the drinking…‘cuz I will take you outside and whup your ass.”

Ryuuto’s lip curled in a dismissive sneer as he gazed down at Yusuke’s much shorter and slimmer form.

He had studied under some of the most exacting masters of martial arts – and had won multiple awards all before he was seventeen. He had taken on opponents reputed to be the very best and had more than held his own.

He wasn’t overconfident…he was just that good.

“Is that how you like them? The rough talking bad boys?” There was something obscenely lewd in the softly voiced question.

Kurama’s face lost its innocent expression. Eyes chilling, he stared at his cousin.

In his eyes, a quicksilver shadow paced restlessly, testing the barriers that caged it.

Startled, Ryuuto froze under that fell gaze. Unconsciously, his hand rose, covering his throat. He felt an all-too real threat of razor sharp teeth.

The soft, snickering laughter from Yusuke, however, brought him back to reality.

Red mottled his cheeks when he met Yusuke’s amused eyes. Despite the quick terror that fluttered in his belly, Ryuuto’s lips flattened into a thin line. For a split second, he showed his true color. Ugliness twisted his features as rage blanched his cheeks.

Thwarted, he retreated to the other side of the room and began plotting revenge.

Rejection always brought out his vicious, vengeful nature.

Ever since his uncle had married the widow Shiori, he had been haunted by disturbingly evocative images of her beautiful, sweet-faced son.

He had licked his lips at the plum that had been ‘dropped’ in his lap. He had lost little time in pursuit of such a rich, succulent plum.

Tall, athletic and exceedingly handsome, he pulled more than just female eyes.

Due to his parents’ extreme conservatism, however, he had become quite adroit in his hookups with the various pretty boys that caught his eyes.

With his smooth good looks and polished, charming manner, he never had a problem wooing a lover into his bed. Though with his male lovers, he had to go a step further after bedding them. It would never do to have his parents or work associates thinking he was some kind of queer.

A few words whispered in their ears got his message across quite admirably. The sharp look of fear in their eyes always sent a dark thrill through him.

However, one Minamino Shuuichi had proven far more resistant to his charms. No amount of carefully worded suggestions or veiled threat had any effect on the red-head.

Conversely, it only made Ryuuto even more determined to have him.

Now he stood, eyes narrowed in thought, as he contemplated ways to get what the little freak Jaganshi and that braying ass obviously had already sampled.

Ryuuto started when a hand clapped him on the shoulder.

It was his father joining him.

“Disgusting, isn’t it?” his father said in an eerie mimicry of his own thoughts. “You’re the one they should be talking to instead of that grinning fool,” continued Takuma Abraham.

At the loud laughter that came from the group surrounding Yusuke, he looked affronted. His glare intensified. “You are soon to become an elite business man! What is that idiot doing?” He snorted contemptuously. “Probably selling drugs if I know his type!” He nodded sagely.

Yusuke’s arms were seen waving wildly before the crowd broke into fresh laughter. Abraham’s shoulders stiffened in determination.

“Come on,” he said over his shoulder. There was a nasty smile on his face, especially when he saw his wife’s brother standing in the group around that punk kid.

More than anything, he wanted to show his brother-in-law up—and finally, he had the perfect opportunity.

When he began hating the man, he had no real clue. It was just… so many things irritated him about Harold. Like for instance, why was Harold more successful and respected than he? He treated his employees as fair as the next man, donated to charity and tried to be an upstanding citizen. But no one ever mentioned the good things he did. Somehow, no matter what conversation was going on, someone would always bring up Harold.

But what he especially hated Harold for?

He hated the man for marrying two beautiful women while he had to settle for a grating, nagging bitch for a wife.

This time, everyone would be looking at him and his family and marveling at their good fortune.

This time…he had Harold beat.

Forcing a wide smile onto his face, he greeted his bemused brother-in-law with a hug. “Harold, another excellent Christmas party!” he said with forced cheer. It didn’t fool the others. With an exchange of glances, they quickly remembered they promised to ‘talk’ to someone else… coincidentally on the other side of the room.

Abraham didn’t noticed, intent on finally being able to top his brother-in-law’s many successes. While he may not have been as financially successful with his dry cleaning business, his son was about to land a huge deal—and after all the many successful deals his son had brokered, this one would finally guarantee his status.

Struggling for casualness, he took a sip from his glass then forced a smile on his face. “Congratulations, I understand, are in order. I’m sure you must be quite relieved that your wife’s son is still in college.” And not a drain on your resources was silently implied.

Harold smiled widely though his eyes were held a wry expression. “Relieved? Proud is more like it! Heck, if Shiori and I ever find ourselves on desperate times, we can always hit my son up for a loan!” He clapped his son affectionately on the shoulder and beamed proudly.

Kurama smiled in return, fondness in his eyes for the man that had brought joy back into his mother’s life. He said simply, “Before he died, my Father made numerous shrewd investments. He left both mother and me sufficient funds to live without too much worry.”

Abraham raised his brows. There was a skeptical look in his eyes. “Interesting that you name a human as your ‘father’…considering that you are a yokai.”

Though he still smiled, Kurama’s eyes had subtly chilled. “Both father and mother crafted this form. Though has father passed, mother instilled all the human qualities that all parents attempt to instill in their children. Of course, some parents succeed better than others.” The cool look he leveled at his uncle made it clear what category his uncle fell in.

Both Takumas stiffened, their eyes narrowing in sudden anger.

At Kurama’s side, Yusuke smirked. His former anger was fading at the cool way his friend was handling his unpleasant family members.

However, Abraham wasn’t through. He had an ace that would trump anything that Harold’s too pretty son could, or would, ever do.

Deciding to quite playing around he looked around to make sure everyone could hear. “My son is soon to be an elite businessman,” he boasted. Chest swelling, he was nearly crowing.

Ryuuto tried to smile modestly. However, the overweening arrogance he radiated belied that attempt.

“Yes, his company is working on a deal with a race of yokai! Ryuuto is heading the team that is actually doing the negotiating for the exclusive rights of distribution,” he exclaimed. He smiled gloatingly at his nemesis, his ill resentment nearly gone.

Takuma Abraham had been waiting a long time to finally have something to best Harold’s good fortune. Through his son, it would finally be the family Takuma’s time to take center stage.

“While I’ll admit my surprise that they are capable of producing anything of quality, my son tells me the electronics they produce are nearly equal or superior to our own,” he said grudgingly.

Behind shuttered green eyes a lightening mind was at work. It didn’t take long for comprehension to dawn. Kurama was hard pressed to keep his expression unreadable. Subtly he relaxed.

Yusuke was confused at the faint smirk that curved Kurama’s lips. Feeling the game was moving too fast for him to understand, he elected to wait and watch. He was confident whatever happened, Kurama was more than a match.

Sliding a secretive look towards Shuuichi, Ryuuto corrected his father. “Actually, while their goods are quite surprising, it will never equal that of a human. They are, after all, nothing more than disgusting, foul demons.” There was an ugly note in his voice that had his uncle stirring in protest. He smiled mocking at his cousin. “Except, of course, present company.” There was a patent falseness in his tone that made his true opinion very clear.

Kurama put a calming hand on both his father and Yusuke’s arms as they jerked forward.

Ryuuto’s eyes flashed as he laughed dismissively. “Though I have to say, with this particular race, I can see why they would have nothing but time.” He looked slyly amused. “A bunch of bald-headed freaks…in fact their entire race is male.” Though he snorted in disgust, his body stirred recalling one of the negotiators.

A beautiful face dominated by a pair of long-lashed, stunning brown eyes and a pair of slim legs that seemed to go on forever. He could just imagine those legs wrapped around his waist as he pounded that tight, little body. Absently he licked his lips.

Unaware of the true direction of his son’s thoughts, Abraham made a horrified face and looked repulsed by the thought. “God, the things you have to do to get ahead,” he complained loudly. He cast a haughty, yet smug look at his brother-in-law.

“This is the kind of character companies look for! The will and determination to get the job done, no matter how it offends all decency!” He directed a solemn, sage look at his son. “That’s probably why when you close this deal, you’ll finally make it as an elite businessman!”

Yusuke looked at Kurama, disbelief in his eyes. He looked back at the two preening, strutting men. Comprehension dawned and there was a suffused look on his face as if he was struggling with some strong emotion.

“Uhm, these butt-loving yokai,” Kurama elbowed Yusuke sharply in the side. Yusuke coughed before saying in strangled voice, “I mean, those bald-head yokai, do you, uhm, by any chance know what race they are?” His face worked before he bit savagely at his bottom lip. A sidelong look at Kurama’s coolly composed face didn’t help matters at all.

Ryuuto cast a look of derision at the imprudent fool. “Toushin, as if that would mean anything to an uneducated fool like you! You probably don’t even read the news!” Lips twisting in a sneer, he said, “What, did you intend to trade my cousin for one of them?”

Those listening avidly to the drama, gasped audibly. The sounds of chatter faded as everyone abandoned pretense and focused on their group. At the boy’s widening eyes and reddening face, they knew violence was imminent.

To everyone’s surprise it was Shuuichi broke the silence. Rich laughter filled the air. It was followed by helpless giggles from Yusuke.

Yusuke leaned heavily on a chuckling Kurama. Both Harold and the Takumas stared in surprise at the hysterical duo.

Each time he looked at the Takumas’ stiff, affronted faces, Yusuke would break out into fresh laughter. Tears rolling down his flushed face, he was near breathless each time he tried to speak. Waving a finger in their faces, his mouth worked fruitlessly.

Gradually Kurama regained control of himself. Despite the amusement dancing in his eyes, he wore an apologetic look. “What Yusuke is trying to say is that he thinks there may be a slight…difficulty in your company getting this contract,” he said delicately.

Yusuke howled with laughter and clung to Kurama’s shoulder.

Ryuuto made a scoffing noise and looked arrogantly disdainfully. “And why is that?”

“Well, you see, Yusuke happens to be the ruling lord of the toushin, and me…?” Though Kurama smiled, there was an edge of viciousness in its lines. “Well, I’m the one that have to approve all major toushin contracts... and this…” he paused, “Is major.”

Face hardening, Ryuuto stared down his cousin. “I’m surprised your mother didn’t teach you the consequences of lying.”

Unfortunately for Ryuuto, he was about to find that Fate was a fickle, perverse bitch.

A faint, quiet chime signaled a new arrival. A cold breeze whirled happily through the room. However, the gasps that dropped from various lips had little to do with the frigid wind. There was a stirring in the crowd as people hastily parted before the approach of the newcomer.

A yokai silently stood in the cleared space. Face impassive, emotionless eyes gazed around.

Having turned around to see what was happening, Ryuuto unexpectedly smiled at the sight of the yokai. He directed a vicious, tight smile over his shoulder at his cousin. “Perhaps we should repeat your assertion to him.” He shot a now snickering Yusuke an even more vicious look.

Chouko’s eyes moved with laser-like precision over the humans before alighting on Ryuuto’s group. The crowd stilled then scrambled even further out the way when the yokai started forward. Rigidly controlled, Chouko made his way towards them.

Ryuuto’s lips were parted to speak.

What the yokai did next nearly caused him to choke.

Chouko paused upon reaching them…then bowed elaborately before Yusuke. A slight smile played on the toushin’s face at the merry, laughter filled face of his lord.

“I’m glad to see you are in good spirits, my lord,” he said drolly. Turning his head, he inclined it respectively towards his lord’s chief advisor, Yoko Kurama. “Please excuse my intrusion, Master Kurama. Had I realized the significance of this time, I would have come later.” The glance he sent his lord was accusing.

With a mere inclination of his head, he looked at a very pale, shaken Takuma Ryuuto. His brows rose at the look of horror on the human’s face. “My apologies, Takuma-san, for interrupting your family time. Knowing your company’s eagerness for this contract,” he paused, looking in concern at the fresh burst of laughter from Yusuke. He didn’t even blink at the brisk smack upside the head Kurama gave to his lord. Clearing his throat, he continued briskly over the pained sounds from Yusuke, “We quickly located Master Kurama for his approval.”

Sliding a hand into his robe, he withdrew the contract and extended it to Kurama.

Taking it from the toushin and with Yusuke muffling his laughter in his shoulder, Kurama tapped the document thoughtfully against his chin. Ryuuto looked frozen with dread. Horrifying visions of his future played before his eyes if word of this got out—and it would. He knew it would and it would destroy his career.

Ignoring his cousin, Kurama directed a pleasant smile at the waiting toushin. “Ah, Chouko, would you mind terribly if I asked you to send me all your notes and those of the others regarding this deal? I want a thorough understanding so that I can make an informed decision.”

“But, of course,” he said, and with a final bow, Chouko took his leave.

Sighing, Kurama turned to his cousin and uncle with an apologetic look. “Sorry, I was hoping that on this vacation I wouldn’t have to do anything more strenuous than eat...” There was a sharp edge to his smile at the fearful hope in his cousin’s eyes.

“Father, if you’ll excuse us…?” Grabbing his still giggling and clearly demented friend, Kurama bowed politely and took his leave from his relatives.

One by one, faces turned towards the Takuma. There was more than avid curiosity as well as laughter in their eyes.

The Takumas, as a family unit, were endured rather than welcomed at family gatherings. Between the father’s bullying, the mother’s general sourness, and the son’s haughty, condescending attitude it made having the Takumas at any familial gathering a lesson in suffering.

The fact that almost everyone had had an extremely unpleasant encounter with either one or all the Takumas made their enjoyment of the Takumas comeuppance a thing of utter pleasure.

In his mind-eye, Ryuuto saw his dream of becoming an elite business man fade.

Harold blinked then smiled widely at his brother-in-law and nephew. He clapped Ryuuto on the shoulder. “So…” he drawled with twinkling eyes, “This job…how’s it working out for you?”

Ryuuto whimpered.

To no one surprise, the Takumas elected not to remain to enjoy the rest of the festivities.

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