Effigies

The smell of eggs and miso caused Yusuke to nuzzle into the warmth of his bed. He opened his eyes when his bed nuzzled him back. Light filled the room, but it wasn’t his. “Oh, shit.”

“It’s okay, Yusuke. My mother said it was okay.”

“Boys, breakfast is ready,” Shiori called from the kitchen before either of them could say anything else.

They untangled themselves from the blanket and each other quickly, neither fully looking at the other as they did. Kurama flipped the cover over the back of the couch and Yusuke helped him straighten it. They then entered the kitchen, Yusuke apologizing as they went, “I really am sorry, ma’am. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

“It’s okay, Yusuke.” She looked like she was going to say more but changed her mind. She set dishes on the table and Kurama helped her. Yusuke stood a moment, uncertain what to do, before Shiori told him, “Have a seat, Yusuke.” The table being set, Kurama and Shiori sat as well. Yusuke exchanged a glance with Kurama as they took their chairs, their legs pressing together from the knee down automatically.

“Thank you,” Yusuke murmured, bowing his head over the plate.

“Yusuke?” Shiori began, waiting until his brown eyes looked at her before she continued, “who hurt you?”

Yusuke’s eyes grew wide, “What?” He felt Kurama moving beside him, moving to protect him.

Shiori shifted in her chair, “I wasn’t sure, exactly. But, last night, when I came home, I…well, I expected that things had happened. But, they didn’t. I saw the hickey you gave Shuichi, but you two didn’t go farther or you wouldn’t be here this morning.” She paused, taking in their shocked expressions.

Yusuke took a deep breath, “I was…I was raped because your son loves me.” Kurama pulled Yusuke closer to him, hugging the brunet. Yusuke leaned into Kurama’s shoulder, accepting what comfort the redhead gave.

Shiori looked shocked. “That wasn’t what I was expecting to hear,” she stammered.

“He did say we were going through a rough time, Mother,” Kurama’s voice held mild reproof as he tried to comfort Yusuke.

“Yusuke, Shuichi, I honestly expected that to mean Yusuke coming to terms with being in love with you.”

“I wish it was that,” Yusuke murmured. “Then I wouldn’t have nightmares.”

Shiori thought a moment, “You didn’t have nightmares last night?”

Yusuke paused and shook his head, “No, I didn’t. I think it’s the first full night’s sleep I’ve gotten since…” He looked up at Kurama, “Maybe, maybe we will make it?”

Forgetting his mother was in the room, Kurama brought his hand up to Yusuke’s cheek, “Of course we will, Yusuke. We will make it.” He moved in to kiss the brunet, deflecting to his cheek when his mother shifted in her chair.

“Go ahead and kiss him,” Shiori said, standing and walking into the hall way.

“Wha…?” Yusuke’s question was cut off as Kurama followed his mother’s instruction.

“I don’t know,” Kurama whispered when he pulled back.

Yusuke glanced at the door, “Your mother is scary.”

“I’m just finding this out, too.” He pulled Yusuke to his chest, “Thank you for trusting her.”

“Yes, thank you, Yusuke,” Shiori’s voice came from the door. The boys looked over and were surprised to see tears on her cheeks.

“Mother?” Kurama asked.

Shiori walked over to the table, standing next to Yusuke and brushing her fingers through his hair. “My son loves you,” she began when Yusuke looked at her, “and that makes you part of my family.” She pulled Yusuke closer to her, hugging his head to her stomach, “I wish I could have prevented it from happening.” She released him and handed him a card, “This is for a counselor I know. You don’t have to go see him, but I want you to go to someone, just to talk, to help you work things out.”

Yusuke gave Kurama a mildly panicky look and the redhead spoke up, “Would you accept us talking to Master Genkai?” Genkai at least knew about him being Youko and they wouldn’t have to as careful around her.

“Haven’t you already?” she asked, surprised since Kurama spent so much time at the temple.

“No, we haven’t. We’ve been trying to work through this on our own,” Yusuke answered. He looked at Shiori again, “Thank you very much. It means more than I could tell you that you approve of me and support Ku…your son’s decision. I would feel better talking to gra…Genkai.”

Shiori smiled a little, though it looked watery, “As long as you talk to someone you trust.” She looked at him a little longer and then added, “If it helps you sleep, then you can stay tonight, but you need to make sure it’s okay with your mother. I’d like to talk to her, too.”

Yusuke blanched. “I have to go home soon. I forgot to call her. We fell asleep and I expected to be home last night.” He looked mildly panicky again.

“I’ll drive you home after we eat,” Shiori offered.

Kurama’s hand slid to Yusuke’s leg, squeezing as he spoke, “Thank you, Mother, but…”

“It’s not going to work, Shuichi,” her voice brooked no argument.

“I haven’t told her,” Yusuke said softly.

“I won’t either, Yusuke,” Shiori’s voice softened. “I just want to meet her, that’s all.”

Yusuke nodded, looking at the table, “Okay.”

Kurama gave his mother a look that tried to express what he thought, and it wasn’t very charitable. “Mother, we are working through things.”

Shiori laid a hand on his head, “And you’re doing well, or he wouldn’t rely on you so much, but you need help, too. You’re still trying to cope with trust and things like that. I know you two will work though it, but you need help, too. I love you, Shuichi, but there are some things you do need help with.” She smiled sadly, “I know trust isn’t your strong point, too.”

“Yusuke’s right,” Kurama commented dryly, trying to cover his ill ease, “you’re scary at times.”

Shiori’s smile changed to one of insufferable superiority. “I’m a mother. I have to be, especially with such a son as I have.” There was pride in her expression now. “Eat and then get cleaned up. Maybe you should let your hair down, Shuichi, unless you want your mother to know you’re dating him, Yusuke.”

Yusuke opened his mouth to say something then closed it. He looked at the table, staring at his plate, “I don’t think she’d notice unless someone pointed it out.”

Shiori let that comment go, frowning slightly as she did. “Finish eating,” she said as she returned to her chair. The rest of the meal was silent, not quite uncomfortable, but not entirely comfortable, either. Shiori insisted on washing the dishes, sending the boys out to get ready for the day. She wanted something to do so she wouldn’t cry again. It wrenched her heart when Yusuke confessed to her in a way that let her know she was one of hers now. As with her son, she would do anything she could to protect Yusuke.

Kurama watched his mother a moment from the doorway of the kitchen. He’d changed quickly, retying his hair into a pony tail. He could hear the small sobs coming from her throat. He walked across the room and wrapped his arms around the smaller woman, “I love you, Mother.”

Shiori turned in his arms, “I know, baby. I just wish I could have spared you both, somehow.” She tried to stifle a sob, “I failed you.”

“No, Mother. There was nothing you could have done. It means a lot to both of us that you’re supportive.” He heard Yusuke walk up behind him.

The brunet wrapped his arms around both of them. “It means a lot that you care, ma’am,” Yusuke whispered as Shiori’s arms wrapped around him, squeezing Kurama between them.

They stood there a moment before Shiori said, “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” both boys asked, Kurama looking over his shoulder to smile at Yusuke and they both looked at Shiori.

“I didn’t mean to cry.”

Yusuke pulled away from Kurama’s back, looking at the redhead a moment before turning to the woman, “It’s how you feel. It…it makes me feel special…and, it’s honest.”

Shiori moved away from Kurama to wrap her arms around Yusuke. “Anything you need, Yusuke, anything at all.”

Yusuke tightened his arms around her, his eyes filling, his heart swelling, “Thank you.”

Shiori pulled back, brushing her hands down her shirt and sniffing a little. “Why don’t you two finish up here and I’m going to clean up. We’ll go after that.”

“Thank you,” Yusuke repeated, kissing the woman’s cheek.

“Thank you, Mother,” Kurama said, kissing her other cheek.

Shiori brought a hand up and held each of their faces. “My boys,” she managed to choke out and then quickly left the room.

Kurama’s eyes followed her, as did Yusuke’s. The brunet stepped into the redhead’s chest, “You mother is incredible.”

“I’m finding that out more and more,” Kurama replied, his voice distant, as he wrapped his arms around Yusuke. They stood together for a long moment before Kurama pulled back slightly, “Let’s get these dishes done.”

Yusuke looked up with a half smile, “First things first.” His eyes were pained, but his expression was determined.

Kurama’s expression softened, “I love you so much, Yusuke.” He brought their lips together, his hand sliding into the brunet’s hair as he gently explored with lips and tongue. He felt Yusuke sigh and relax against him before he pulled back reluctantly. “We have things to do, my beloved.” Green eyes were full of desire and tenderness as he looked into Yusuke’s.

“I love how you look at me,” Yusuke whispered. “It makes me feel like I’m the only one that matters.”

Kurama brushed his lips against Yusuke’s, a butterfly touch, and then turned them both to the sink. Again, the task could have been completed faster, but the extra touches, glances did much to help them both feel more secure, to recover from the shock that breakfast became. They were both aware when Shiori stood in the doorway again, but neither changed how they were completing the dishes, continuing to linger over the exchange of soapy dishes, to help each other with the washing and rinsing of the dishes, their bodies pressed together in a long line as they stood side by side. They needed the contact with each other and both felt comfortable enough with Shiori that they continued to enjoy it. After a short moment of watching them, she went to wait in the living room.

When the task was complete, Kurama pulled Yusuke to his chest. “I’m going to change, my love. Any requests?”

Yusuke wrapped his arms around Kurama’s waist, “Any thing you like.” He leaned into Kurama’s shoulder, his eyes going to the purply red mark on the pale neck, “Though, since we’re going to see granny, you may want to wear your hair down.” Yusuke sighed.

Kurama tightened his arms around Yusuke, “I’ll wear it up when we’re together.”

Yusuke brought his lips to just below his mark and Kurama shivered in his arms. Yusuke pulled back slightly and then pressed his lips more firmly against Kurama’s neck. The redhead was hard pressed not to moan as he tipped his head to open his neck more to Yusuke’s exploration. After sampling as much as he could, but no where near enough to satisfy him, Yusuke pulled back, “Go on.”

Kurama reluctantly let go of Yusuke and went upstairs to change. His heart was oddly light and heavy at the same time. Yusuke loved him. He didn’t have nightmares when they slept together. They were both building trust. But, the shocks of the morning weighed him down. It was good that Yusuke trusted his mother enough to tell her what they were dealing with, but her reaction both saddened and gratified him. He didn’t want to cause his mother any more pain, and, inadvertently, he had. He washed his face and neck, his fingers lingering over Yusuke’s marks, before brushing out his hair. He’d have to wait until later to get a shower. He left his hair down since Yusuke was right. If they wanted to have any control over what Genkai knew, the fewer clues they gave her, the better, though he had the sinking sensation that she’d figure it out anyways once they mentioned rape. She knew of Youko’s brutality, his nearly fanatical practicality when it came to what he wanted and what it took to get it. She would figure it out. He couldn’t remember much about Yusuke’s mother. He knew she was a single mother and had had Yusuke before she finished school. He wondered how she would take news of her son preferring his companionship to that of girls. He wondered what Yusuke’s reluctance was to them going to his apartment.

Kurama made quick work of changing into a white button up shirt and black slacks. He’d spent too much time lost in thought in front of the mirror. He ran down the stairs and stopped at the living room door, Yusuke and his mother were sitting on the couch, side by side and Yusuke was giving her a very edited version of how they met. He left out the dark objects and Goku, but left in Hiei and that they didn’t get along at first. When he got to the part where he said Kurama “took a blow” for him, he heard his mother gasp and she looked over at him, “I don’t like that you fight.”

“It’s not something I do by choice, Mother.”

“But, you protected him?”

“Yes.”

“Did you love him then?”

Kurama looked at Yusuke then his mother, “No, I lusted after him then.”

Shiori pushed up from the couch, “If you protected him when you lusted for him, what will you do now?”

“Anything,” Kurama’s eyes were firm, certain as he looked at her.

Shiori smiled and rested her hand on Kurama’s arm. “I’m proud of you.” Before Kurama could say anything, she moved away, heading to the door.

Yusuke followed her, stopping in front of Kurama to whisper, “And I’d do anything for you.”

Kurama smiled and took Yusuke’s hand, saying nothing as they followed his mother out. She insisted they both sit in the back of the car and Yusuke rested his head on Kurama’s shoulder as he gave directions to his home.

Atsuko met them at the door, smelling strongly of alcohol, “Where have you been? I thought you were dead again.”

“I fell asleep watching a movie at Ku…Shuichi’s house.”

“I’m sorry,” Shiori apologized, “I didn’t wake them up when I came home.” She didn’t like that this woman was drunk first thing in the morning.

Atsuko’s eyes went blearily to Shiori, “Who are you?”

“Can’t you be a little polite?” Yusuke groused, looking away, embarrassed. “Come on in,” he said, pushing his way around his mother. He was surprised enough at the number of suitcases in the living room that he could forget the mess, “Where are you going?”

“Got a job in Kyoto. Wanted you to celebrate, too, but you were sleeping at their house without telling me.” Atsuko’s voice was waspish. “Made arrangements so you could finish school here, though, if you want.” Her head swiveled to Shiori again, “Who are you?”

Before Yusuke could say anything again, Shiori stepped forward, “My name is Shiori Minamino, ma’am.”

“Atsuko Urameshi,” was the curt reply. “Why was my son at your house?”

“Because I’m going out with Ku…Shuichi,” Yusuke answered, walking over to the redhead who still stood in the doorway and taking his hand.

Atsuko frowned, “Going out?” She stalked over to her son, “You…you…” her hand raised, “you fucking slut!”

Kurama stepped in front of Yusuke, “We fell asleep watching a movie. Nothing more happened, ma’am.”

“Fucking slut,” Atsuko managed to mumble again, her body falling back until the wall caught her, “going to end up with a kid and no education.”

“He’s a guy, mom,” Yusuke’s voice was angry as he stepped in front of Kurama again.

Atsuko’s eyes barely managed to focus as she looked at Kurama again, “Got long hair, girl.”

“Keiko’s got short hair, does that make her a boy?” Yusuke asked.

“I assure you, my son is a male,” Shiori added, though it sounded like she was torn between laughter and outrage.

“I am fully male, ma’am, though I’d prefer not to have to demonstrate that fact,” Kurama managed to sound calm and confident.

“Oh,” Atsuko managed after a moment of processing things through the haze of alcohol, “well, then. I suppose…I guess it’s okay, then.” She slid down the wall, her eyes closing on the way down.

Yusuke shook his head in disgust and stepped around her. He looked over his shoulder, “I’d invite you to sit, but I’m not sure there’s anywhere you’d want to.”

“Go change, Yusuke. It’s okay,” Kurama assured him. Shiori stared at Atsuko, looking horrified.

Yusuke looked at his mother, “Don’t worry about it. She’ll be fine, just leave her there.” He looked away, “I’m sorry you had to see this.”

“I love you, Yusuke,” Kurama said as he moved to embrace Yusuke. Yusuke turned in his arms and rested his head against the redhead’s shoulder. Yusuke’s body, however remained tense. “I love you because you’re you, Yusuke. This doesn’t change that.” The words were soft, just reaching Yusuke’s ears. “I heard you talking to my mother. Telling her how we met. I would still step in front of an attack for you. You mean so much more to me now than you did then, Yusuke. I would lay down my life to protect you. I would do anything for you.”

Yusuke’s body relaxed and his arms wrapped around the redhead. “I know,” his voice broke. Kurama’s arms tightened around him. “I love you, Kurama. I love you so much. But, if you died, I don’t think I could go on.”

“You’re amazing,” Kurama whispered, tracing the line of Yusuke’s chin with his lips. It didn’t matter to him that his mother was in the room, that Atsuko was on the floor by the wall. All that mattered was showing Yusuke how much he was loved. It hurt him more than he liked that this was what his love had to come home to and he wanted to remove that pain, from both of them. Yusuke lifted his head and their lips met, firmly, without doubt that they both wanted the other. Without prelude, their tongues sought each other out and their hands worked to pull each other closer. Lip locked and still ignoring the women in the room, Yusuke led Kurama to his room and the redhead followed most willingly. Vaguely, they heard a door close, but neither cared enough about the sound to break their kiss.

Just inside the room, Yusuke pressed himself against the wall and pulled Kurama against his chest. Kurama’s hands began to work their way under Yusuke’s shirt, caressing his abdomen while their lips and tongues continued to dance. Kurama felt the pull in his hands to go lower, to slide under the waist band of the one he held, who sought to meet his passion. Very slowly, he pulled back, cooling their ardor without the abrupt break they’d been using. Slowly, by degrees, his hands left Yusuke’s skin and their kiss cooled until it was just lips that didn’t quite want to stop touching each other. He then stepped back and Yusuke let him go reluctantly, his hands lingering as long as they could. “We should go, Yusuke.”

“Thank you,” Yusuke murmured, still leaning against the wall.

Kurama gave him a puzzled smile, “For what?”

“For showing me we didn’t have to jump away from each other to slow down.”

“My pleasure, Yusuke. My pleasure, indeed.” He caressed the brunet’s cheek, his eyes dark with emotion before he left the room.

Kurama frowned when he saw his mother wasn’t in the living room, then he remembered what might have been a door shutting. He opened it to find his mother waiting on the walkway. “I’m sorry, Mother.”

She turned to face him, a smile in her eyes, “Why?”

“We…”

“Showed me how much you two love each other and that you lust after each other, too.” Her face grew serious, “I still want you two to talk with someone. We’re going to the temple when we leave.”

Kurama bowed, “I am learning now more than ever before how cunning you can be, Mother.”

She lifted her chin, “I’ll take that as a compliment, since I’m sure that’s how it was meant.” There was something in her eyes that made him think there was more behind that comment, but to question her would bring questions as to why he asked. There was no safe way for him to find out exactly what his mother knew. She leaned against the banister. “I have to go to work tomorrow morning, but you boys can have the day to yourselves, provided you humor me today.”

Kurama could hear talking behind him. Atsuko had apparently managed to wake up enough to question Yusuke more, from the sound of it. He leaned on the railing next to his mother, “You’re giving me a lot of liberty with him.”

“You’ve earned the trust you have, Shuichi. Remember that.”

The door opened and Yusuke spilled out with cries of “Ingrate!” and other insults following him until the door closed. “Sorry,” Yusuke murmured, hefting a bag to his shoulder. “I asked when she was leaving for Kyoto and what kind of job she’s going to be doing. That makes me a bad son, I suppose.”

Shiori wrapped her arms around Yusuke, “You’re not a bad son.” Yusuke was stiff in her arms a moment before allowing himself to be pulled into her body. “You’re not a bad son at all, Yusuke.” Her voice held conviction and she did believe it. Her son wouldn’t love someone as much as he loved Yusuke if he were a bad person. She believed that. She kissed the top of his head when he pulled away from him.

“Thank you, ma’am,” Yusuke murmured, looking away, embarrassed.

“Let’s go, then,” she bustled them down to her car and drove them to the temple.

Genkai was sitting on the porch with a cup of hot tea in her hands and Yukina standing on the ground near her. The koorime was carrying a small sack over her shoulder and looked surprised to see the boys and Shiori arriving.

“Oh, I was just leaving to return to the…”

“Home,” Genkai cut her off. When the maid’s red eyes looked at her, Genkai flicked her eyes to Shiori and Yukina nodded.

“Yes, home.” She bowed to the group and said softly, “I’m sorry I do not have time to talk, but I must be going.”

Farewells were muttered around and she left, heading into the forest. Kurama knew that Botan was waiting for the maiden just on the other side of the temple. He wondered briefly if Genkai knew they’d be coming. Sometimes, she almost seemed to have a gift of foresight.

“Are you busy, Master Genkai?” Shiori asked when Yukina was out of sight.

“Not terribly. I was expecting these two today, anyways.”

“You were?” Kurama asked, surprised.

“It’s not like you two haven’t been obvious,” she groused.

“Obvious?” Yusuke spat out. “We haven’t even looked at each other while we’ve been here.”

“Like I said,” Genkai smirked. She looked at Shiori, “It’ll be fine. I’ll talk to them. There’s a nice place to wait under those trees,” she pointed.

Shiori bowed, confused, “Thank you.”

Genkai glared at the two before her, “It took you mother, Kurama, to get you two to come talk to me? How long have I been telling you you need to improve your team work?”

“What do you know, granny?” Yusuke groused.

“What do I know?” her gravely voice was full of amusement. “I’ve forgotten more than you’ll ever know, dummy. But,” she grew serious, “I know that you two have been trying to deal with something that almost broke both of you.”

Kurama and Yusuke made eye contact, and Yusuke nodded. They both moved to sit on the steps while Kurama spoke, “During the tournament, I wasn’t aware of everything that Youko did. I only knew what he decided to tell me. While he was out, he came across Yusuke. I have loved him for a while and Youko hated that.”

Yusuke took up the thread of the story, “He told me Kurama loved me and that there were too many things tying Kurama to the Ningenkai, making him soft. He raped me,” Yusuke’s voice dropped to a whisper. “He said he had to, that he had to make me hate Kurama so that Kurama would go back to being Youko.”

Genkai sat quietly sipping her tea, looking between the two who had reach for the other’s hand while they talked. After a long moment of watching them, she stood up and walked away. Green and brown eyes followed her as she walked into the temple and then came back out. In her hand was a tea pot and she poured herself some more to drink after sitting down. She picked up her cup once more and looked at the two on the steps, both looking confused. “It seems to me that you’ve done most of the work to heal yourselves already. I knew you had burned effigies, but I didn’t know why. My advice is to quit trying to push so hard and just do what feels right. If it stops feeling right, then stop doing it, but otherwise, don’t set false limits on yourself.”

Both boys managed to look astonished. “You’re saying we should just go ahead and make love to each other?” Kurama managed to whisper.

“That you say ‘make love’ rather than ‘have sex’ says a lot about how you think about him, doesn’t it, Kurama?” Genkai’s voice was serene. She took another sip of tea, “The only way you’re going to cope with your fear of Youko showing up again is to face it. That your mother brought you here says that she’s okay with your relationship, so my advice is to take the next opportunity and put that fear to rest.” Both boys were staring at her as if she’s sprouted a second or third head. She ignored them while she stood and walked over to Shiori.

Their eyes followed her and Yusuke managed to whisper, “What difference does it make what we call it? It’s the same, isn’t it?”

Kurama looked over to the brunet whose eyes were still following Genaki, “No, it isn’t. Making love to someone involves the heart and soul as well as the body. It is a lot more intimate, more special.”

Yusuke’s eyes turned to Kurama, dark with emotion, “Have you ever made love before, Kurama?”

Kurama shook his head, “Youko kept his heart closed or he wouldn’t have minded that I love you. I’ve had lots of sex, as Youko. I know what to do to you to make you feel incredible. But, as I keep telling you, I want us to have more than just sex between us. I want us to make love to each other.”

Yusuke smiled, “I think we have been making love to each other. We just haven’t gotten to the completely naked part, yet.”

Kurama couldn’t help but smile. “My mother has to work tomorrow and you’re spending the night. Let’s see how things go, okay?”

A nervous laugh made its way out of Yusuke’s throat, “Sounds like everyone is trying to get us into bed together.” He glanced over and Genkai and Shiori were slowly making their way over to the temple.

They spent the rest of the day with Shiori, both insisting that they didn’t mind her company. They had lunch at the mall and wandered around, looking at the stores and the people. Since they were in public, they didn’t touch often, but often met each other’s eyes and smiled. Dinner was a small diner near the house, Kurama insisting that he didn’t want his mother to work too hard. After dinner, they watched an old movie together at home, Yusuke resting on Kurama’s shoulder, their hands intertwined on Yusuke’s chest. They both wore sleeping pants when they crawled into bed, too aware of Shiori near by and Kurama’s tendency to express his appreciation of Yusuke’s touch to do more than kiss and stroke each other’s chests before they fell asleep, arms wrapped around each other

A/N: Well...I had a good vacation...for the most part. And, here, there are three more chapters, loves. *grin* Anyways...ummmm....

Devious Lil Devil: Glad you're enjoying it....*grins*

Joey: I'm good at cliff hangers *grins* And teasing...*grins*

Hanyou no Kokoro: The next part...and I've been called both, though a tease more often than a genious *grins*

Ryukotsusei: Much love and thanks for the cookies *grins* Glad you're enjoying this. And yes, Kurama can be downright evil.