Time Heals all Wounds

Okay, so I had to decide between a long chapter or a cliffy. Guess which one I chose? LOL Enjoy and I’ll try to get the rest finished soon.

Chapter 8

Looking at Kurama, Aki smiled. “I always suspected you might be my father. My mother has had many friends and lovers over the years, but you are the only one that came to spend time with me. You trained me different than your other students too. I was also the only one you brought here to train in the queen’s garden.”

Nodding, Kurama chuckled. “After all of our efforts for you not to be given special treatment, I did exactly that and it gave our secret away. Is that what drew you to the palace?”

Aki shrugged. “I really did want to heal the garden, of course I couldn’t resist the opportunity to meet the king, who I believed to be my grandfather. Now, tell me about this plan of yours.”

Serious now, Kurama looked at him. “My plans don’t matter Aki. What matters is what you want. Do you want to keep your life the way it is, or would you like to be king some day?”

Eyes wide, Aki chuckled. “Wow, no pressure there. Why don’t you tell my why you don’t want to be king. Maybe it will help me decide.”

Kurama considered the question a moment. “From the day I was born I was told I would someday be king, and I accepted it without question. I was told what to do, what to say, what to study, every part of my life was decided for me. Then one day they told me who I would mate. That was the day I began to question everything I had grown up believing.”

Seeing that Aki was listening intently, Kurama continued. “Now don’t misunderstand. I love being a Youko, I love my father, I love all the Youko people and under different circumstances I would want to be their king. Up until they wanted to chose my mate I did everything willingly. I only rebelled when they wanted to force me to take a mate of their choosing. Now that I’ve found my mate, I know I made the right decision.”

Aki smiled. “You mean Hiei. Rumors began spreading the moment you arrived. So if I decide to accept my birthright you will leave and I will take your place. What happens if that’s not what I want?”

Kurama sighed. “If that is what you choose Aki, I will respect your wishes. In that case I will request that my father put his beliefs aside and name my half sisters has his heirs.”

Something in Kurama’s golden eyes caught Aki’s attention. “You want me to be king don’t you?”

With a sigh, Kurama looked at him. “I have been proud of you since the day you were born and I would be proud to see you crowned king. However, that means nothing if you are not happy. Do not allow anyone, even me, to influence your decision.”

Deep in thought, Aki nodded. “I’ve actually given it a lot of thought over the years. Like you, I don’t want to be forced to do anything against my will, but I also don’t want to sit idly by as the council becomes more and more corrupt. This is an opportunity most Youko can only dream of.”

Kurama nodded. “Yes Aki, it is. This is a life altering decision that shouldn’t be made lightly. I wish I could give you more time to consider your answer, but unfortunately time is something we don’t have right now. Because I don’t have an heir and don’t want to be king Kin believes he has a legitimate claim to the throne. We have to respond quickly with a strong unified front to discourage any other claims once I’ve taken care of Kin.”

Not even pausing to question the meaning of Kurama’s last statement, Aki nodded. “Then I guess it’s time you introduced me properly to my grandfather.”

Unable to contain his excitement, Kurama gave him a huge smile and pulled Aki into a hug. “He already thinks the world of you Aki. He’s going to be thrilled to have you as his grandson.”

As if they were both anxious to tell Mashiro their news, father and son raced across the garden to the palace. In the library Hiei sat across form Mashiro’s desk with a drink in his hand. Seeing the smile on his fox’s face, Hiei smirked and grunted. “Hn.”

Realizing he was missing something, Mashiro came around the desk to face Kurama. “What’s going on Yoko? How are we going to need Aki’s help to take care of Kin?”
Taking Mashiro’s hand, Kurama led him to the sofa. With a glance, Kurama indicated for Aki to take the chair on Mashiro’s other side. “Actually Father, Aki is quite pivotal to our plan. Let me properly introduce you and you will understand. Father, Aki is my son and your grandson, Prince Akihiko.”

Kurama paused for a moment as his father gaped at him. “I had a brief affair with his mother Laurel a number of years ago. With all the trouble between you and I at the time, Laurel and I decided to raise Aki away from the limelight of being a prince. Now, with Kin’s threat to our line of succession, I’ve offered Aki the option of claiming his birthright. His mother Laurel is actually a distant cousin of Mother’s, and his mark is as distinct aa mine. Therefore neither the council nor the elders will be able to object.”

Momentarily speechless Mashiro looked back and forth between Kurama and Aki before his gaze finally settled on his grandson. “Did I ever tell you why I allowed you to continue working on the garden? It’s because your eyes reminded me of my beautiful Rose. Then when I watched you with the plants it was like watching Yoko lovingly work with them.”

Aki smiled. “When I was a kit he used to bring me here to train. He taught me to love the plants like his mother taught him. He taught me to respect my king and be proud to be a Youko.”

Choked with emotion, Mashiro paused a moment and closed his eyes. When he opened them he grabbed Yoko and pulled him into a huge hug. “Yoko my son, I have never been more proud. You have presented me with a powerful yet compassionate grandson worthy to be my heir.”

Enjoying his father’s attention, Kurama turned his head into a caress and laughed. “I thought I was your heir father.”

Leaning back, Mashiro raised an eyebrow. “Don’t tease me Kit. I know you are not staying.”

Kurama sighed. “No Father, I’m not. However, that doesn’t mean I have to resign as your heir. My intention is to retain my title until it is time for Aki to become king. With the three of us ready to defend our claim to the throne, it should eliminate any further threat.”

Mashiro turned his attention to Aki again. “Come here and see your grandfather Kit.”

Craving affection, as all Youkos do, Aki went eagerly into Mashiro’s arms. After an initial hug Mashiro settled him between himself and Kurama. From across the room Hiei watched as Aki bonded with his father and grandfather. Slipping down in his chair, Hiei closed his eyes for a nap as the three got acquainted.

XXXXX

Hours later, council members, elders and supporters invited by the king gathered in the great hall. Since word had traveled throughout the nation that King Mashiro had called this meeting, the great hall was filled to overflowing with curious Youko. Hiei stood discreetly to one side observing.

When everyone was assembled, Mashiro was announced and took his place on the platform before them. “Welcome! You have all been invited here on this glorious day to help me celebrate. Though you probably already know them, I would like to formerly introduce my children. First my son and heir Prince Yoko.”

Despite his long absences, as the first born and heir to the king, Kurama had always been popular amongst the Youko. Cheers and applause erupted from the crowd. Joining his father, Kurama waved to the people. When they quieted again Mashiro continued. “Next are my beautiful daughters. In the past you have known them only as Jade, Ruby and Saphiro. However, after careful consideration and consulting with Prince Yoko, I have decided to make a decree that from this day forth, all children of the crown, regardless of lineage or the circumstances of their birth will bear the title that is their birthright.”

Mashiro paused as the crowd gasped. “So now for the first time I introduce to you my daughters, Princess Jade, Princess Ruby and Princess Saphiro.”

As the girls came out the crowd again clapped and cheered. Even without the title of princess, the beautiful vixen were loved by all. The king had made sure his daughters were involved with the people as teachers and healers. Before the crowd quieted this time however Ambassador Kin shouted. “You can’t do this Mashiro! You need the approval of the council to make such a decree!”

When Mashiro looked at Kurama he stepped forward with a smug look on his face. “Oh but we can and we have Kin. You are correct that council approval is needed. That is why I, as the head of the council, called an emergency meeting an hour ago. Amazing that in just a few short minutes I had the support of the majority of the council and my sisters now bear the long overdue title of Princess, and if need be can inherit the throne.”

Kin’s face was red with anger as he shouted. “NO! A bastard vixen with impure lineage cannot be allowed to rule our nation!”

Wickedly, Kurama laughed at Kin making him madder. “Let me clarify a few things for you Kin, and for anyone else who might question my sisters’ birthright. There has never been a rule that says a vixen cannot be crowned queen. Nor is there a rule that says the reigning king or queen must be mated to produce an heir. As for their lineage, not even you Kin can claim a purer lineage than a child sired by King Mashiro, a direct descendent of Inari himself.”

Before Kin could voice another objection Kurama growled at him. “SILENCE! I’m not finished Kin! As I said, if need be one of my sisters can carry on my father’s line, though that probably won’t be necessary. Despite your attempts to have me assassinated Kin, I am still first in line for the throne. Succeeding me however is my not one of my sisters, but my son Akihiko.”

At his announcement there was a collective gasp. Kurama now addressed the entire crowd. “Many of you may know him as Aki. As a kit I trained my son here in the royal garden. Many years ago the king assigned him to my old post as Palace Plant Master. He currently maintains the plants and wards that protect the palace. He also tends the queen’s garden. I now formally present to the Youko nation, my son and heir Prince Akihiko.”

When Aki came out to join Kurama the crowd erupted with cheers and applause. Their much loved yet wayward prince had finally produced a royal heir. With everyone’s attention on Aki, Kin ducked into the crowd and tried to sneak away. Kurama smiled as he watched Hiei draw his sword and prevent Kin’s escape. Kurama had to shout over the crowd to be heard. “Quiet everyone! Most of you are probably aware that I was shot and believed to have been killed a number of years ago. What you don’t know is that was actually an assassination attempt by none other than Ambassador Kin.”

When all eyes turned to Kin and found him staring down the blade of Hiei’s katana the crowd moved away as if fearing danger. As the hall fell into a stunned silence Mashiro addressed the crowd. “It has been discovered that Kin orchestrated several failed attempts on Prince Yoko’s life in an attempt to put himself in the position to inherit the throne. The actions we have taken today will insure that there are no further threats to the crown.”

Ignoring Hiei, Kin turned to yell at Kurama. “This is all your fault you whoring bastard! If you had just stayed dead all those years ago, I would be king by now!”

Everyone was surprised when Kin’s energy suddenly flared and the air in the room became charged and began to swirl. At close range the intensity of the air around Kin was pinning Hiei back against the wall preventing him from attacking. Electrical shocks in the swirling air pushed the crowd back further and some were even forced down to the ground. Amid the crowd’s frightened screams Kin continued to shout. “Mashiro, even if I can’t be king, I intend to see you and that thief son of yours dead!”