More Than Partners

More than partners

By Bane Huntress [Sarah B]

Epilogue – The Endish

 

Kurama sat with his daughter on the back porch of their home, they had just been baking and now everything was in the oven as they drank some apple green tea while enjoying the nice summers day.

Tonight Yukina and Hinako were coming up so they could have a ‘girly’ night in, watching romcom’s, drinking themselves under the table and eating lots of junk food.

Kurama just hoped it didn’t turn into a girly pamper session like last time all the other men were away. It had taken Hiei three day’s to find all the hair grips after the girls had attacked him and giving him an impossible hair doo. Never mind the face packs.

He might have been a mother for the past hundred years, and got mistaken for a woman for longer than that. It didn’t mean he had to act like one too.

But he didn’t mind being included on their ‘special’ nights, after all, he had the best of both worlds and got to spend time both sides of the fence.

It was just over a month since Yusuke had won the Makai tournament, so he was now settling into his new life. Kamui had gone with his father, so Atago had obviously gone with him. And Strangely enough, Yusuke had asked Hiei to go with him, they assumed for moral support while he settled in.

Hiei hadn’t wanted to go, but Kurama had convinced him eventually. He knew his Mate was still being protective as Kurama admitted he wasn’t a hundred present still, so the thought of going back to so many people right now wasn’t an option for him.

He sipped his tea wondering what his Mate was up to now as Minako carried on reading her magazine.

‘Hn… I’m bored.’ Hiei suddenly said into his mind, it was a little muffled because of the distance they were apart, not to mention worlds apart, literally.

‘What?’ Kurama grinned to himself. ‘Leading the whole world isn’t as fun as you thought it would be?’

Hiei growled at him. ‘Yusuke’s being too diplomatic instead of just getting on with it.’

‘He’ll crack eventually.’ Kurama assured him. ‘So, how are the kids? Kamui going to stay with his Dad?’ Kurama changed the subject.

There was a pause before Hiei sighed. ‘Atago’s been asking me about the Mate Bonding ritual.’ He said reluctantly.

Kurama closed his eyes as he shared his Mate’s misgivings. ‘Well they will need a bit more training before they can think of it, did you tell him that?’ The last thing he wanted was for the boy’s to kill each other.

Hiei sent him a snort and rolled his eyes.

‘It went down that well?’ Kurama smiled ruefully.

‘He got angry, yelled a bit till I asked him if he wanted to hurt or even kill Kamui.’ Hiei let out a breath. ‘He calmed down… Told him to speak to you when we got back.’ He grinned.

‘Thanks…’ Kurama deadpanned.

‘Well it’s either you talk to him or I slap him about a bit.’ Hiei laughed into his mind, then he sobered a little. ‘How are you doing?’

Kurama settled in his chair a little more. ‘I’m fine… Missing you, and I have to endure a ‘girly’ night tonight.’

Hiei was laughing at him again. ‘My poor fox.’ He chortled with no sympathy. ‘And for Inari’s sake, please make them leave your hair alone!’

Kurama grinned, ‘I’ll try…’

“Mama! Tell Papa Hello!” Minako suddenly said from his side.

Hiei heard and Kurama felt his affection for her through their bond. ‘Tell her I miss her too, and we will be home soon… I don’t think I can take anymore of this before I kill Yusuke… or the council, which ever comes first.’

“Papa say’s Hi, and he misses you too.” Kurama said as Minako sat in his lap for a cuddle.

“Send him my hug.” She insisted.

Kurama did, as he hugged her just as hard as Hiei wanted him too.

He could also feel Hiei’s need to be home at that point. They had never been so far apart or for so long since they bonded, and it was proving a little hard, especially at night when it was even more lonely. They had eventually just opened their minds to each other, just so they could sleep.

He was just about to ask something else when they were all startled by beeping of the oven timer.

‘Ah, best go, we have baking in the over.’ Kurama said hastily. “Come on honey, don’t want them to burn!” he said to Minako who was getting up.

‘Cookies?’ Hiei asked, a stab of hunger going through his gut.

‘No, just some chocolate angel buns.’ Kurama answered as he stood. Then paused as he saw a figure off at the edge of the tree’s. ‘Crap.’

‘What?!’ Hiei asked in alarm feeling his moment of alarm.

Kurama didn’t have the leisure of explaining, so he just let Hiei experience everything through him.

“Minako, go to Yukina’s.” He said as he went to the porch steps, already taking inventory of his arsenal.

“What is it Mama?” she asked, coming to his side. “Who’s that?” she asked seeing the same thing he was. “He smells familiar.” She said softly.

Kurama scented the air. Who ever it was, was standing up wind. So they were a fool, or they weren’t trying to mask their presence, even if they were masking their energy.

“Yomi?” Kurama uttered a little shocked, but it wasn’t his old friend, though this man smelled almost exactly the same, he smelled younger.

‘Shuen…’ He heard Hiei growl. “Yomi! You prick, where the fuck is you stupid son?!” Hiei was now shouting at Yomi who must be with them in the Makai.

“He should be at home… why?” Yomi answered sounding confused.

“Then why the hell is he out side mine at this very moment!” Hiei stormed. ‘I’m on my way!’ Hiei sent him.

Kurama knew he wouldn’t be back in time. ‘Tell Yomi I’m sorry if I have to kill him I will.’

‘Fuck Yomi!’ Hiei snapped back and Kurama could feel him running already. ‘Kill him!’

“Shuen!” Kurama called to the young man. “Stop hiding, we know you’re there!”

The young man stepped out and Kurama was still taken aback, he hadn’t seen him since he was a boy. Now he looked so much like Yomi when they knew each other it was a little freaky, only Shuen looked less hard edged and his hair was a lot longer, his pointy ears sticking out the Curtin of black.

“He looks like an elf.” Minako gasped at his side. “Is he Uncle Yomi’s son?” she asked. And Kurama realized the kit’s had never seen Shuen before.

“Yes.” He said trying to put himself in front of her protectively. “I think he’s come to fight me.”

“What? NO!” She said suddenly grasping his arm to pull him back. “Papa said I should look out for you, and I wont let him harm you!” Then she was striding out onto the lawn to face Shuen.

“Go home!” Minako shouted at the young man.

Kurama tried to catch up with her as he felt her energy growing. Hiei’s training coming to her naturally, he had told her to intimidate her oponant first, like an angry cat, show them you can take them out and mean it.

“You came to hurt my Mana?!” she growled, so much like her Papa Kurama got a chill.

“Err…” Shurn looked unsure as he took a step back.

Kurama smiles, his daughter had already gained the upper hand.

“Well!” She shouted as she eventually stopped her advance and took a fighting stance.

Kurama stood at her back now, prepared if Shuen found some courage.

“I… I saw him fight at the tournament… I was curios…”

Kurama blinked as he watched the younger youkai blush as he kept looking at Minako, then away.

“Normal people use the front door!” Minako raged. “And they don’t try and hide in the woods!”

“I’m… err… not supposed to be here.” Shuen uttered.

Minako sighed deeply. “Then why the hell are you here?! Go HOME!”

Shuen took another step back, then caught Kurama’s eye, blushed some more before looking away.

‘Err…’ Kurama sent his Mate. ‘I think the panics over.’ He felt Hiei suddenly stop in his tracks a little stunned.

‘I can feel his lust from here’ Hiei said a little startled.

‘I always did suspect Yomi had a crush on me… Farther like son?’

‘He’s a bloody clone! I’m gonna kill that six eared freak!’ He felt Hiei turn and start running back the way he had come. ‘And don’t let that little bastard touch you!’

‘Don’t hurt Yomi to much… and I don’t think it’s me anymore that he’s interested in.’

‘Minako?’

Kurama sighed as Hiei turn back towards home again.

‘He touches her either and I’ll kill him myself!’

‘I think she will beat you to it.’ Kurama relaxed a little. ‘Go back to Yusuke, I’m sure you running off like that had scared him, and Atago!’

Hiei growled at him, but took his advice.

“It’s getting late.” Kurama suddenly said into the awkward silence. “You cant make it back to the Makai tonight… Why don’t you come and have some tea?”

Minako turned on her wide eyes. “But Mama!” she protested.

“Mama…” Shuen swallowed loudly and Kurama could see he didn’t know if he should laugh or be shocked.

“Shuen, this is my daughter Minako, Minako this is Shuen, Uncle Yomi’s son.”

Minako looked Shuen up and down suspiciously. “Why haven’t you ever visited when Uncle Yomi did then?”

Kurama felt a flair of angry energy come from Shuen before Minako stepped up to him and shoved him. “No wonder Uncle Yomi kept you away with manners like that.” She snapped at him. “Do that again and I’m going to smack you!”

Kurama was expecting a comeback but instead Shuen suddenly pulled back all his energy and looked at his shoes. “Sorry.” He uttered at her.

Kurama felt Hiei was stunned as he was.

“Shuen couldn’t come to the human world.” Kurama regained his composure. “Because he was going through some ‘Special’ training.” Kurama looked directly into Shuen’s eyes. Hoping the young youkai would take his meaning.

Shuen was still blushing but he nodded. “Yeah.” He uttered. “But it’s over now, so I thought I would come say hello.”

Kurama let his eyes turn gold as he nodded at Shuen. Letting him understand the warning. Shuen just looked at him with wide eyes before looking away in submission.

“Ok then… Lets go make some more tea, and we need to make some cookies.” Kurama said as he purposefully turned back to the temple.

“Papa coming home?” Minako asked exhitedly as she came to his side, seemingly forgetting their guest.

“Yeah, he’s coming with Uncle Yomi, so we have some more backing to do.” Kurama smiled, hearing Shuen walking behind them, more placid.

 

+ + + + + +

 

Yomi couldn’t help but be a little relived that Hiei hadn’t killed him as they made their way to the human world and Hiei’s home.

What he hadn’t expected was his son quietly having tea with Kurama and Minako.

Shuen was sat next to the beautiful young woman as she talked at him while he sat blushing like every word she spoke was gospel.

He had never seen his son so subdued.

“Hiei!” Kurama was standing as they approached, then the kitsune was hugging his Mate like they hadn’t seen each other in years.

Then Kurama was pulling away and Yomi heard Hiei take Kurama’s hand. “Yomi, nice of you to stop by too, I’ve made a quest room for you and Shuen already.”

Yomi bowed his head in thanks. “Sorry for the inconvenience.”

“Don’t mention it.” Kurama answered, but there was a note of agitation in his voice.

Then Yomi felt both Kurama and Hiei go still as they did when they talked to each other in a way even he couldn’t hear.

“Hiei, why don’t you sit down, there are fresh cookies on the table… Yomi?” Kurama said as he stepped up to him. “I cant remember what tea you like.”

“Oh… yes.” Yomi knew he was about to get a lecture as he let Kurama guide him into the temple.

“Sorry for Shuen.” Yomi said as he sat down at the table. “I truly didn’t expect him to come… especially not after the tournament.”

He could hear Kurama making more tea. “To be truthful I’m surprised he hadn’t come sooner… Why especially after the tournament?”

Yomi sighed. “As you know he’s always been self assured, and thought defeating you and Hiei would be easy, it’s always been his goal to prove he’s the best fighter out there, how ever misguided. He was sure you would loose at the tournament. I could sense his eagerness for it. But once you used Hiei’s black dragon, I think it brought him to his senses, especially when I told him you had been holding back most of the fight.” He smiled. “That was always your strongest tactic, even if I still don’t like it.”

Kurama chuckled. “Don’t worry; you’re not the only one who’s never liked it.”

Yomi smiled imagining the fight’s they must have had about it. “I think now he disobeyed me because he just wanted to see you again. You have been a large obsession, one way or another, most of his life.”

He heard Kurama pouring water into a teapot. “You mean kill us most of his life.” Kurama was smiling.

Yomi shrugged one shoulder. “I mean you… specifically, and I really don’t think he wanted to kill you…”

He heard Kurama pause for a moment. “How exactly?” a warning note in his voice made Yomi smile again.

“When he was small, he just wanted to fight you and Hiei, even Yusuke… but as he got older… well, lets just say I’ve heard him on numerous occasions watching your fights or observational footage, then later calling your name as he…”

“YES! I get the picture!” Kurama said hurriedly. “I don’t think I needed it though.”

“I think he had some dream about being the best fighter to show you he was just as good as Hiei, and he could win your affections.” Yomi said more tactfully.

Kurama chuckled at that. “I hope you told him that will never happen. No matter what he does.”

“I tried.” Yomi said suffering. “I don’t think he believed it till a month ago.”

“And now?” Kurama asked softly.

“I think he’s rather taken with that pretty daughter of yours.” Yomi grinned as Kurama groaned.

“I never figured him to be the shy type.” Kurama confessed, “He’s not at all like I remember you.”

Yomi nodded. “He, as I imagine your two children, didn’t grow up as we had too. The Makai is now a stable place and not as much crime going on as there used to be.” He grinned. “Though his obsession has always been with your human form. Though I have no idea why, I was always more impressed when you were Youko.”

Kurama sighed, “So you did have a thing for me back then.” It wasn’t a question.

Yomi shrugged, “Who didn’t. but again I still have no idea what you look like now.”

He felt Kurama go still for a moment. Then he heard Hiei grumble allowed so he could hear. “Go anywhere lower than his chest and I’ll be through this wall with my sword in your belly.”

“Tell him that’s fine.” Yomi sighed as he felt Kurama come to stand in front of him and take his hands, then place them on his face.

Yomi felt the planes and contours of an almost feminine face beneath his hands, a long delicately curved nose, eyes still a little large for a male, and more so than Youko’s slimmer golden eyes had been.

“There green now.” Kurama informed him, “and my hair is red.”

Yomi couldn’t help running his hands through lots of soft silken hair to find two human ears amongst the strands. “So small….” He uttered.

Kurama grinned. “A little, they aren’t as good as my fox ears, I’ll grant you that.”

Yomi moved on to Kurama jaw and chin, then ran his fingers over full lips. Finally he ran his hands down Kurama’s neck and over his shoulders.

“I can see why my son is so taken with you…” He whispered feeling Kurama blush as he stepped back a little.

Yomi took a hurried step back as he heard Hiei suddenly in front of him. Then before the fire youkai could do or say anything Yomi reached out and connected with Hiei’s shoulders. He knew Hiei was shorted than Kurama, but still had no idea what face could have claimed Kurama heart, body and soul.

Hiei’s shoulders were powerful as Yomi ran his hands up his neck to his face. As he ran his fingers over a small mouth and nose then finally over large eyes, Yomi was a little surprised. Hiei’s ears was also small and his hair felt spiky and stood up from his head. He could sense the Jagan and stayed clear of that.

“His hair’s Black and his eyes are red.” Kurama said and there was a note of amusement in his voice.

“Finished yet, you stupid blind elf?” Hiei growled, he also sounded amused.

Yomi stepped away, “What’s the joke?” he asked.

“Hn.” Hiei snorted. “Now you can put a face to the youkai who won.” He said smugly.

“Hiei!” Kurama admonished softly. “I was never a priz… Oh… sorry, forgot who I was talking too.”

Yomi couldn’t resist as he spoke back to Hiei. “You just took advantage of his soft human soul.” He could feel the short koorime bristle with anger.

“And his hardened Kitsune one.” Came Youko’s deeper voice resonated through the kitchen. “Also, I’ve always preferred to steal things than have them freely given without a fight.” Youko purred.

“Didn’t steal anything from me I didn’t already give, Fox.” Hiei growled.

There was a pause before Youko answered with a feral smile. “Of course not dear.”

Yomi couldn’t hide his smirk.

“Shut up and go sit down, I’ll bring the tea.” Hiei snapped as Yomi heard Kurama transform into his human form.

Yomi was just about to get up and follow Kurama, when he felt Hiei in front of him again. “If my daughter doesn’t kill your boy… You’re paying for the wedding!”

Yomi couldn’t help but feel a little shocked by Hiei statement, but he bowed his head. “Understood.”

 

The END!

 

Well… Apart from the Side Bonus Stories :P

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