Kuronue's Pendant

Author's Note: To all my readers, I first off want to apologize for the absence of updates on any of my fics. It seemed as though my passion for fanfic writing had dissipated when my mother passed away early last year. I hadn't been able to concentrate on any of my fics and honestly, didn't even want to look at anything I'd written. I still really don't have the inspiration nor the motivation to work on the various fics I have posted, at least not diligently, but I will do my best to at least update a few of my fics within the next few months and hope that you all will forgive me for neglecting you for so long. As a token of my sincerity, below you will find the first part of chapter 8 of Kuronue's Pendant. It's all that is written at the moment but with a little luck, I'll have the rest of it ready to post by next week sometime. Feel free to leave a review if you wish, but it's not necessary. All I ask is that you enjoy and once again, I am sorry for the long delay.

Regards,

Rose aka Vampmistress76

Kagome could feel the outpouring of youkai energy as Hiei slowed to a stop on the edge of a forest just outside of the city. He set her on her feet and they both turned to look at the line of trees. She knew that the toushin was somewhere within the dense foliage and that his rage was the result of this blatant display of power that she could feel down to her bones. Not really knowing what to expect, or to do for that matter, Kagome turned back to the fire demon beside her.

“You think it may be too dangerous to approach him right now?”

"Oh, really?" Kagome threw him a sarcastic look. "Thanks alot."

Hiei gave her a look that said 'you asked'. "Now, if we can both refrain from sarcasm, being it is the fox's forte and does not improve Yusuke's mood in the slightest, we might be able to get somewhere."

"Right... Sorry." Kagome nodded, "Okay then. Slow and easy it is." With that the young miko turned her attention to the fuming toushin only a few yards away. She cautiously approached him, the powerful aura he was emitting giving her pause.

Kurama felt Kuronue recede back into his pendant as Keiko's sobs drew to a close. He would have to tread carefully at the moment, but didn't think that she would be averse to cuddling on the couch. He sat down with her, placing her on his lap.

"Feeling a bit better?" He asked quietly.

Keiko nodded into Kurama's shoulder, her face nestled against the curve of his neck as her breath heated his skin. "Yes, thank you both for being here for me."

'It is our pleasure, Meikin.'

"Kuronue's right, Keiko. Mates support each other, not from duty and most certainly not because we must, but because we want to, it's part of what the bonding of mates is." Kurama told her tenderly.

Keiko pushed away slightly, withdrawing to look Kurama in the face, smiling tenderly. She gazed into his eyes in an almost loving way before giving in to impulse and leaned in to brush her lips against his, one hand coming up to caress his cheek.

Kurama's hand came up to hold her hand in place even as he returned the brush of lips. It felt so good to have her in his lap he couldn't believe that he'd not noticed her this way before Kuronue had opened his eyes, but then that was one reason why he and Kuronue made such good mates as well as partners. "So, what did you want to do?"

"Do?" Keiko blushed, knowing what she would like to have happen between her and Kurama, but... surely it was too soon on the heels of her breaking up with Yusuke.

Kurama smiled at her blush. "Yes, do. I have stated that I will mate with you, but that doesn't mean right now, unless you want it to be. Our pace is up to you. I am a very patient youkai, unlike some other I could mention." At this he touched the pendant for emphasis. "Not that I am criticizing you, Kuronue, on the contrary, it's one of the reasons we compliment each other so well."

Kuronue chuckled, ‘Precisely. Keiko here is middle of the road, which we've needed more than a time or two. Not quite as cautious or calculating as you and not quite as carefree or reckless as I am.'

Keiko's blush deepened at the compliment as she gave the pendant a tender look. "That's so sweet of you to say," She said, caressing Kurama's cheek again with one hand while stroking the pendant with the other. Her gaze rose up from Kurama's chest to look the kitsune in the eye again. Everything in her was screaming to kiss him again, to let him go through with the act of making her his mate and thus completing what Kuronue put into motion earlier. The urge was strong, but she could not voice the words to let him know so she simply relayed it mentally.

'I think it would be nice, Kurama… if… if you would make me your mate now.' The thought was a mere whisper in Kurama's mind.

Kurama almost trembled at the whispered request. "Are you sure, Keiko?" He breathed in her ear.

Keiko pulled away just far enough for their eyes to meet. Her gaze never wavering, she answered his question with a wordless nod.

Kurama studied her eyes for a moment, judging the seriousness of her request before taking her lips in a tender kiss. He relaxed his arms around her, his hands moving down to her own to gently pull her towards the bedroom.

Keiko followed obediently, her body trembling in both nervousness as well as anticipation. Her body remembered the satisfaction it had experienced earlier due to her hands guided by Kuronue's manipulation and she recalled what the bat had told her in regards to Kurama's own expertise in the art of giving pleasure. Her face heated up as she wondered whether Kuronue had been exaggerating, or if he'd spoke the truth. As they reached the door leading to her bedroom, Keiko couldn't help but wonder what Kurama would do to her first.

Author's Note 2: I know, I know! This is a very bad spot to leave you hanging, but I honestly didn't want to make you all wait any longer than was necessary. I'm working on the rest and hopefully will have it posted by the end of the weekend. I promise that you won't be disappointed! ^_^;