Chapter Text
Yukio glared down at the ground, watching the dust cloud with wary eyes only to blink as a series of vines shot out at a speed too quick for the dark haired man to dodge. They wrapped painfully around his frame and yanked him downward, his cry of pain muffled as he was smashed face first into the concrete.
Youko emerged from the dust field, peering down coldly at the smaller man. "It will take more than simple tricks to fool me, Yukio," he growled. Squeezing his hand shut, the vines crushed his opponent, a burst of green light flaring from the contact. The fox spirit grabbed a falling bamboo leaf, feeding it energy and the shape changed instantly, coming to life as a long green sword.
The kitsune slashed to the side, the clang of metal against organic ringing in the night air, his gold eyes meeting the surprised brown ones of Yukio. Using his physical leverage, Kurama pushed the blade up and out, sending the smaller being backwards.
Yukio skidded to a stop as he rose from a crouch, glaring hatefully at the kitsune.
"I told you I will not fall for your tricks, Yukio," Youko said, turning to face the dark haired man. "No matter how many doppelgangers you create, I can sense the real you, so drop the act and face your death like a man."
The scientist's mouth twitched into a sneer. "You, kill me? You couldn't even protect your family from me, Kurama. You were too busy worrying about that stupid ferry girl to even save your mother and brother. You couldn't stop me from sealing off the two realms from human world and you damn sure won't stop me from spreading my virus through Tokyo. No. You're already dead, Kurama you just don't know it yet, so let me enlighten you."
Yukio lowered his blade to the palm of his left hand then sliced it open. squeezing his hand into a fist. Blood began to seep between his fingers and down onto the ground. An explosion of red ki swirled around the dark haired scientist, his eyes glowing with a power to rival the fox spirit's. His body grew larger, stronger, and more lethal.
Kurama took a defensive position, blade in front of him, blinking when his opponent vanished, turning at the last second to block the downward swing of Yukio's blade. He grit his teeth as his feet sunk into the ground from the impact. He released more of his ki, forcing Yukio up but the smaller man danced around, slashing left and right, his blade slicing through flesh, blood spurting from the gashes on his left then right shoulder.
Youko grunted and jumped back, dodging a vicious sideswipe, a burst of air hitting his right cheek, splitting apart skin, crimson fluid erupting from the thin gash, seeping down and along his neck. He had little time to worry about the loss of blood, his mind already formulating a plan, even as he was tore up by the many cuts of Yukio's blade.
XXXXXXXXXXX
Kane grinned in satisfaction as he watched the Black Dragon consume Hiei, the resulting deflection of the Koorime's strongest attack causing an explosion of rock and tree from the impact. His gaze focused over to the tall female youkai, eyes narrowing at the smile that spread on her features. Why is the bitch smiling?
His back snapped at the sudden pulse of ki that exploded behind him and he looked over his shoulder, eyes widening in alarm.
There, surrounded by a strange black aura, floated Hiei. "What the hell? I blocked your dragon and sent it back onto you. How can you be still be alive?"
"You did precisely what I wanted you to do," Hiei countered, voice as ruthless as his features. "And now I have become the dragon." In a blinding flash of movement, the Koorime lashed out, striking the taller man right in the sternum, the force of the blow knocking Kane downward, the blond's body slamming into the ground, debris flying in his wake.
Mukuro watched as her second in command floated downward, landing at the edge of the crater, a dust cloud hovering above the destruction. Hiei's handsome face shifted into a look of surprise as a series of small round red orbs shot through the dust haze and he reached up, hand wrapping around the hilt of his katana, yanking it out and slicing through the energy attacks in lightning quick slashes, explosions erupting on contact.
A larger barrage of red energy rocketed outward and the fire demon flipped up and away, dodging the ki spheres, his gaze focused on the approaching form of Kane, smirking at the torn clothing, blood visible from the wounds inflicted from impact with the ground. "Is that all you have, Kane?" he taunted. "I expected more of a challenge than this. Oh well... I suppose I'll end it now."
"The only thing ending is your life, runt," Kane growled, focusing his energy inward, the numerous gashes sealing shut, save for a single cut on his right hand. He made a fist, blood seeping through his fingers and onto the ground, blue eyes glowing as a red mist swirled around him, the ki exploding out, pushing Hiei back, the fire demon gritting his teeth at the intensity of energy, noting the level was now equal to his own and his eyes widened when the blond disappeared from view.
Where did the bastard go? Hiei snarled inwardly, his body suddenly lifted up and tossed like a rag doll, crashing headlong into a group of bamboo trees, the trunks snapping like twigs, his form smacking into the arms of Mukuro as she vanished and reappeared in front of her second in command, catching then cradling him to her chest, skidding to a stop.
She straightened her frame, lowering Hiei to the ground. "Are you alright?" she asked, nonplussed when the fire demon merely growled, features pissed as he whirled back towards Kane.
He rushed forward, blade outstretched, not stopping, even when the blond lifted his right hand, sending several dart size orbs of red energy straight towards the charging Koorime, who dodged each attack, leaping up into the air, bringing his blade in a downward swipe, cursing when it struck and was repelled by an invisible force.
Hiei flipped and landed onto his feet, fixing a level stare at his enemy.
Kane merely laughed at the fire demon's angry look. "Why are you so surprised, Hiei? Did you really think you could harm me with that little blade of yours? My force field can repel any and every attack you throw my way. Face it little man, you can't defeat me... not even your dragon can bypass my defenses."
"Is that so?" Hiei quipped, sensing a weakness in his opponent's barrier, and he closed his eyes, black flames bursting and swirling around the blade of his katana and with a violent motion he stabbed the ground, the flames flickering then going out.
Kane frowned at the action, What is that bastard up to? A gasp of surprise fled his throat as the ground under his feet suddenly crumbled. Black flames shot up, nearly engulfing the blond who dissolved the barrier in an attempt to escape. "You little runt! I'm going to kill you for that!" the blond snapped his head up at the dark ki he sensed, eyes widening at the sight of Hiei, his voice silenced as the fire demon slashed outward, the lethal blade slicing clean through his neck, severing his head, sending it flying, blood spurting from the fatal wound as his body crumpled down.
Hiei's booted feet landed softly onto the ground, katana pointed down, blood trailing along the blade in rivulets as he turned, eyeing the decapitated body of Kane critically. "Not if I kill you first," he murmured, his gaze lifting as he sensed Mukuro approach.
"A flawless killing move, Hiei," the female youkai said softly as she appeared beside her second in command. "And a well deserved death for Kane," she added, looking away from the dead body to the fire demon.
"I killed him too quickly," Hiei countered with a yawn, eyelids drooping a bit, his mind starting to shut down, though the strength of his thoughts and the understanding of the pain inflicted on the woman he cared about most guided his words and actions as he added, "Torturing women for twisted experiments. I should have done the same to him... so he could understand... what it was like..." The fire demon's knees gave way and he collapsed, already asleep before Mukuro could catch him, his body worn down from the after effects of absorbing the black dragon.
Mukuro smiled, holding the Koorime against her as she settled on the ground. "Hmm... Seems you care more for others than you claim, Hiei." She rested her chin on top of his crown, voice softer, almost tender as she whispered, "It is why I chose you, after all..."
XXXXXXXXXXX
A bright flash appeared above the skyline of Tokyo, Botan zooming down low, Yusuke and Kuwabara clinging to each other as the deity came to a stop, hovering above an undulating mass of wicked looking flowers, troubled purple orbs studying the rooftop.
"What the hell, Botan? I thought you said Kurama, Hiei, and Mukuro would be here," Yusuke said gruffly.
"Well... they were here," Botan replied, eyes and voice distant. Where did you run off to, Kurama? Her heart sunk in realization. You went off after Yukio, didn't you?
"Obviously," Yusuke replied, frowning as he looked around, "But where the hell are they now?"
"That way," Kuwabara answered for the ferry girl, pointing straight into the heart of the city. "I am getting a really creepy vibe in that direction."
The head Spirit Detective turned his gaze in the direction that his best friend pointed to, brow furrowing at the soft orange glow that emanated on the horizon, the faint smell of smoke in the air and his features grew serious. "Something bad is happening over there. Let's go, Botan."
The deity bit her lip, fear welling in her chest at the thought of something bad happening to Kurama and it drove her to increase her speed, zooming forward, unfazed by the cries of surprise from Kuwabara and the subsequent curses from Yusuke as the two boys clung tightly to the oar.
Hang on, Kurama. We're coming.
XXXXXXXXXXX
Kurama fought back against Yukio's onslaught, feeding the trees energy, leaves falling in a swirling pattern, surrounding the kitsune and he shot them outward, the ki infused leaves razor sharp cutting into Yukio who jumped back, eyeing the taller man cautiously, even as his wounds healed instantly.
"It seems you have tricks of your own, Kurama," the dark haired man began, smirking at the bloodied form of Youko. "But it won't be enough to defeat me. Do you know why?"
The fox spirit said nothing, gaze locked coldly on the scientist as the smaller being continued.
"Because I have the power of the Gensou running in my veins. Their blood magic allows for me to tap into an unlimited reserve of ki. No matter how many times you cut me, hit me, or bruise me, I can regenerate and keep the same level of energy before injury. So you might as well give up and accept the fact that you will be the one dying today."
Kurama stared at Yukio, features a display of arrogant impassivity as he spoke, voice low and unaffected, "I already know of the Gensou. It was a survivor of that clan that allowed me to enter human world after all." He smirked at the irritated look of Yukio. "And with her help, I am going to kill you today and stop this madness."
The dark haired man scowled, his amused facade fading into a look of rage. "Madness? I'm doing the world a favor by thinning out the herd of animals that populate this realm. How can you not understand that? These humans are little more than cattle for my experiments. Death is no less than they deserve."
"It is not your place to decide who lives and who dies," Youko countered. "No matter what delusional state you're under, you're not God and I'll show you just how mortal and frail you really are, Yukio."
"I'm not delusional!" Yukio snapped in return. "I'm a genius! None of you simple minded fools can even begin to comprehend the glory of my vision!" He rushed forward, blade to the side, features full of hate as he spat, "I'll show you just how wrong you are, Youko! Now... Die!" Lifting up his hand, the scientist unleashed a volley of fire, eyes manic as he gained control of it, directing the flames to chase after the kitsune who flipped and dodged, wincing at the intensity of the heat, frowning as his sleeveless yukata caught fire and he reached up, ripping the fabric off, tossing it aside.
The kitsune landed then vanished before a series of bamboo trees, the green matter bursting in patterns of red and orange, consumed by the flame, the fire occupied with the new target. The now shirtless Youko landed on the ground, his eyes narrowed when he could not see Yukio. His ears picked up the sound of fabric and he whipped around, features twisted in pain as his right pectoral muscle was impaled, a dark red aura surrounding the blade of Yukio, who grinned in triumph.
"Got you at last, you bastard..." He sneered, driving the blade deeper, the tip bursting out the kitsune's back, twisting the sword, glee crossing his manic features at the sharp cry of agony that exploded from the fox spirit's lips. "Does it hurt, Youko?"
Kurama snarled, gritting his teeth, but said nothing, not giving the scientist the satisfaction of an answer. Just... need... to.. hang.. on.. a … little bit... longer... Alarm filled him suddenly as he felt his ki being drained, red replacing silver, fox ears receding, his body smaller, more vulnerable and he groaned, trying hard not to pass out as his wounds opened and blood flowed freely from the numerous cuts.
"Oh dear... back to your human form, I see," Yukio said, contempt in his voice as he shrugged. "Well, time to put you out of your misery." He sensed the sudden loss of Kane's ki, gasping then snarling, looking off to the side where Hiei and Kane had fought, suddenly distracted. "Kane... stupid bastard... you let yourself be killed by such a weakling?"
Kurama steeled his will, kicking out and back, grabbing hold of the sword, sliding off and away, blood spurting out of the open wound as he jumped as far back as he could manage then collapsed onto a knee. The kitsune's features grew pale and he panted heavily, clutching the wound with his left hand, eyes tight with pain as he watched Yukio turn his attention back to him.
"So you still have some energy left do you? Good. I can have a little more fun before releasing the virus and ending the miserable lives of everyone in this city." Yukio frowned at the soft chuckle that emitted from Kurama's lips, growling. "What is so funny?"
Kurama said nothing, a vine appearing behind him, a silver cylinder in its grasp.
Yukio's eyes narrowed and he reached into the pocket of his pants, looking down in shock then back up to the kitsune in anger. "You son of bitch... You let me stab you... just to get to the virus.."
"It was the only way... to get close enough to you... so I could retrieve it..." Kurama replied then straightened his frame, a blast of purple light erupting around the fox spirit who reached up to clasp the silver vial in his hand then stuffed it into the pocket of his jeans. Amusement gave way to resolve as he lifted both hands then waved them, the entire ground erupting into a wall of green, forming a dome above the pair.
Yukio tried to teleport away, cursing as he bounced off the plant matter, hissing out, "What the hell is going on?!"
"There is no escape for you, Yukio. My plants recognize your energy and have adapted to it."
"Im... Impossible! I have the ability to vanish and reappear anywhere at will.. How could you possibly know how to stop that?!"
"Your blood gave me the answer," Kurama began and smirked, pointing to the scar on the smaller man's cheek. "Along with the trace amount of my own energy that lives in that wound of yours. The plants respond to my will and my command. So long as I order none of my ki to leave this space, so will we remain confined."
Yukio reached up, caressing the damaged flesh that would not heal, snarling. "Bastard... you planned this all along, didn't you? Do you truly think you can stop me with this? I refuse to die by your hands."
"The moment you decided to kidnap Botan was the moment your death at my hands was assured," Kurama countered sharply, stalking towards Yukio.
The dark haired being snarled and rushed forward, lifting his blade up in an attempt to strike the kitsune down but Kurama reached behind his hair and grabbed a rose then fed it energy, turning it into a whip. He flicked his wrist and lashed out, wrapping the plant matter around the blade before yanking it out of the scientist's hand.
Breaking the sword Kurama tossed it aside, features a dark mask as he silently commanded a series of vines to attack, wrapping around Yukio's arms and legs, thorns embedding into his skin, binding him still as a cloud of bamboo leaves swirled around the red head's body. "I could kill you quickly but the just punishment for your crimes is to suffer... and I'm going to make you suffer for what you did to Botan, my family, my friends, and to me..."
A bamboo leaf lengthened into a blade, zooming forward, stabbing into the sensitive flesh of Yukio's right shoulder, Kurama's ki emanating from it, not allowing for the scientist to heal himself as he slowly stalked towards the bound man, cold indifference upon his handsome features as the smaller being screamed in pain.
"You kidnapped and tortured ferry girls for your experiments..." he spoke, a hint of indignation in his tone as he began to list the scientist's transgressions. "You conspired to shut off human world from Reikai and Makai..." Another blade sunk into Yukio's left shoulder. "You destroyed an entire city in Makai, killing hundreds of thousands of innocent people for the sole purpose of creating a barrier." A blade shot out, embedding into Yukio's right knee. "You experimented on my brother.." Yukio's left knee shook as it was stabbed by another bamboo blade, his screams nearly deafening as he thrashed about in pain. "You kidnapped my mother and forced her to watch my brother murder a group of humans."
A blade shot straight into Yukio's heart, the scientist gasping, eyes widening as Kurama was now upon him, his fading brown eyes staring up into the ruthless green ones of the kitsune. "You kidnapped Botan and tortured her... forcing her to cut me with a cursed blade." Yukio gurgled as another blade ripped into his neck. "You took what was most precious to me and hurt her... you hurt my family... for that... the punishment is death..."
Kurama released the last of his ki, feeding all the blades at once, the plant matter expanding into a series of spikes, piercing Yukio's vital organs, blood exploding outward,the red head enacting a barrier to avoid the splatter, Yukio's death cry unheard as his voice chord was severed and his entire being was obliterated.
"That was for my... family... and for you... Botan..." he whispered, eyelids growing closed, severely weakened by the loss of all his ki and he collapsed onto his side, the green dome retracted as the kitsune's energy faded.
Fire continued to roar around him, destroying everything it touched.
XXXXXXXXXXX
Flames met the gaze of the deity and her two companions as they hovered above a bamboo forest, confusion on everyone's features.
"What the hell is going on?" Kuwabara voiced, his brown eyes studying the burning trees with trepidation. "I can feel Kurama's energy throughout the entire forest... he must have found and attacked Yukio with his plants... but..."
"But what, Kuwabara?" Yusuke asked, his chocolate orbs focused on his best friend. "What is it?"
"His energy... it's fading... he must be hurt pretty bad, guys..."
Botan bit her lip and descended quickly, oblivious to the protests of the two boys, landing and jumping off the oar before the two detectives could stop her.
"Botan!" Yusuke shouted, worry in his voice and features as he chased after her. "Wait up, will ya?! Kurama will kick my ass if anything happens to you!"
Kuwabara tried to slide off the oar and fell, hitting the ground hard and he grit his teeth, shouting. "Dammit, Urameshi! Wait for me!" He pushed off the ground, blinking at the pair of booted feet that greeted his vision, tilting his head back, his gaze falling on the form of Mukuro, and unconscious Hiei slung over her shoulder.
Yusuke meanwhile used his speed to catch up to the ferry girl, coughing at the smoke that whirled around them. The heat was nearly unbearable and he had to wipe at the sweat that trickled down his forehead. He reached out, grabbing the ferry girl by the arm, growling. "Botan, you have to stop before you're burned to a crisp!"
The deity yanked her arm out of the detective's hold, voice in a near panic. "Kurama's in here, Yusuke! I have to find him!"
"I know that!" Yusuke countered over the roar of the fire, voice commanding as he added, "So stay right next to me and we'll find him together!" He used his own energy to seek out the kitsune's, taking hold of Botan's hand then raced forward, creating a barrier as burning trees fell around them, skidding to a stop at the horrifying scene before them.
There, impaled by hundreds of spikes, stood the remnants of Yukio. Blood splattered the entirety of the ground, settling into a large pool of red, and the detective shifted his gaze, his eyes falling upon the unconscious form of the kitsune.
"Kurama!" Botan cried, letting go of Yusuke's hand and she rushed towards her fallen lover, crouching down to clutch his prone body, her eyes welling with tears at the infinite number of gashes and bruises that lined his bare chest and arms. And his face was a mess, blood still seeping from the long cut across his right cheek. "Kurama... Kurama, please, wake up!"
The fox spirit's eyelids fluttered open, tired emerald pools unfocused as he whispered, "Botan..."
"Yes... it's me..." she replied, relief filling her. "It's okay now.. everything is okay now.."
His brow furrowed and he reached up, caressing her face with his wounded fingertips. "I killed him, Botan.. it's over.. all over now..." God he felt weak.. weak and tired... "I need.. I need to sleep for a while.. I'm sorry... so.. sorry.. Botan..." Consciousness left him, Kurama passing out in his lover's arms, unable to respond to her pleas.
"Kurama!" Botan cried. "Don't you die on me! I won't allow it! Wake up!"
"Botan..." Yusuke whispered, trying to get the deity to let the kitsune go, blinking at the ferocity in the ferry girl's voice as she swatted his hand away.
"Leave me alone, Yusuke! I won't allow him to die!"
"But he's not dead, Botan!" Yusuke snapped back before sighing. "He's just passed out! So lets get the hell out of here before we get as burnt as the trees around us!"
Botan blinked, looking up at the head detective, reluctant to let the kitsune go but she did, allowing Yusuke to scoop up Kurama.
The pair ran back the way they came, clearing the forest just before it was consumed completely by fire. The head detective turned back, watching the flames engulf the woodland.
"That fire will take a while to go out," Mukuro's voice sounded from behind Yusuke and the head detective turned to face her, noting that the female youkai held Hiei over her shoulder.
"What the hell happened to Hiei?"
"He used the black dragon to its fullest extent, the result of which drained him of his energy," the female youkai answered. "Hiei should wake up within an hour or two."
"So I take it Kane is dead then?" Yusuke asked.
"As is Yukio," Mukuro commented, motioning over to the kitsune. "Kurama made sure of that."
"Yeah.. it... well.. it looked pretty gruesome," the Mazoku replied.
"No less than the pair deserved, given their inclination to experiment on humans... and their desire to kill entire populations," Mukuro countered softly.
Yusuke quirked an eyebrow at her comments but didn't press her, his gaze shifting to Kuwabara who spoke.
"So, is it over then?"
"No," Mukuro answered, lifting her gaze as the sun began to rise in the sky. "Yukio and Kane are dead but the barriers to both Makai and Reikai are still in affect, and that virus is still out there. Until we solve these problems, this event is not over."
"You.. don't have to worry about the virus... or the barriers..." Kurama whispered, awake once more and the head detective lowered his friend to his feet, helping him stand, Botan coming to his aid, crooking the kitsune's arm over her neck and the red head smiled weakly, leaning into her. "Thank you, koishii."
Botan blushed, though her features were worried. "Kurama... you need to be healed... let me heal you..."
"After we leave this place, Botan... but first..." He paused, reaching into his pocket, pulling out the silver vial that housed the virus.
"You retrieved it from Yukio?" Mukuro asked.
"Yes... I managed to steal it from him... that threat is over... as to the barrier.. and the mist..." He reached down, the purple bag still tied to his jeans, the vials of potion unbroken as he added, "I think I can replicate this in a high enough degree that we should be able to disperse the barriers.. and dissipate the mist..."
"You really are quite clever, Youko," Mukuro commented with a smile. "I can see why Hiei calls you friend."
Kurama smiled. "We'll see if I'm clever enough to solve the riddle of barriers and viruses," he replied, voice softer as he whispered in the deity's ear. "Take me back to my family, Botan. We need to retrieve them so I can heal them."
"But what about you, Kurama?" Botan asked, studying her lover in concern. "You must be in a lot of pain."
"I've felt worse pain than this," the kitsune countered. "I'll survive. Right now, I'm worried about my family."
And so Kurama was reunited with his family, allowing the deity to heal him enough so he would work to solve the riddle of how the barriers were created, using the facilities in the medical science building to isolate the particles that would counteract the barrier.
The kitsune turned the potion into a gaseous form, filling it in cylinders, giving one to Mukuro and the other to Botan, sending them back to their respective realms with instructions on how to release the gas. It didn't take long for him to sense that both realms were now accessible.
Feeling he was being watched, Kurama turned, finding the form of Hiei looking up at him.
The fire demon, now awake, studied his best friend, inwardly surprised at the number of healing scars that marred his friend's body, a smirk upon his lips. "Seems you had a rougher go of it than me, Kurama."
"Yes.. well.. not all of us have a black dragon that makes us go to sleep now do we?"
"Hmph.." Hiei sounded, though the smirk remained. "I can sense Makai now. Mukuro will be expecting me."
"Yes, I'm sure she is," Kurama said dryly, a smirk now upon his face. "Don't keep her waiting, Hiei."
The fire demon tossed a look of irritation the kitsune's way. "I could say the same of you and your ferry girl, Kurama," he replied, tapping his temple. "She's wondering how much longer before you go to her, fox. Don't keep her waiting too long."
The fox spirit quirked an eyebrow at his best friend's words, watching the Koorime vanish, sighing as he looked over at his family. "Just wait a little longer, Botan. I promise to see you soon."
Yusuke and Kuwabara helped to clear the sleeping mist, the city once again alive and bustling. The pair returned to their perspective homes, leaving Kurama alone to do one last task.
He altered the minds of his mother and his brother, erasing their memories of the past events, healing Suichi of the virus Yukio infected him with then creating a cover story for the human population in regards to the murdered scientists and the burnt bamboo forest.
Kurama returned his family to their home as if nothing had happened. But the memories remain for me.
He had nearly lost his family and his koishii to a madman's plan for world destruction and domination. I will not let it happen again, he vowed as he made his way up to Spirit World.
XXXXXXXXXXX
"So Yukio and his brother were descendants of the extinct Gensou clan?" Koenma said, studying Kurama as he stood before the toddler lord, his green eyes impassive and his features a mask of calm reserve.
"Yes, Lord Koenma. The twins were offspring of one of the Reikai Scientists and a female youkai from the Gensou. Yukio claimed that this virus," Kurama said with a pause, removing the silver vial and handing it carefully to Koenma. "Was the creation of his mother. He also mentioned his family being put to death for their experiments on humans. He tried to continue her work. Hiei and I managed to kill the pair and send them here judgment."
Koenma took the vial gingerly, handing it to Ayame, who headed off to lock it in one of the Reikai safety vaults. "Yes... Yukio and Kane's souls arrived here the moment Spirit World was accessible and promptly sent to Hell. I tried to get them to talk, but they were not very cooperative."
"I would imagine not."
Koenma frowned. "But who were they really, Kurama? Why did they get like this?"
"I suspect they were also experimented on by their parents," Kurama answered. "It would explain their abilities... and their loathing of humans... most likely they were under the same affect as the drugs they used to restart Cosmic Dissonance... either way.. it doesn't matter now.. they're dead... they've been judged... and it's time to move on."
"Yes, I suppose you're right," Koenma said, studying the red head with troubled eyes. "And what of your family?"
"They will recover with no lasting effects," Kurama answered, though inwardly he still worried over them. "For now things are back to normal and I plan to keep them that way." He paused, voice softer. "Will that be all, Koenma?"
The toddler lord blinked, brow furrowed. The young man in front of him was hurting still and not for the first time did Koenma feel a sort of sympathy for the kitsune. To carry so many burdens must be exhausting. "Yes... thank you, Kurama... and.. as a friend.. can I recommend something?"
The kitsune paused, remaining quiet, nodding as he listened.
"Take a vacation. Go far away from here... take my head ferry girl with you... you both deserve a break."
A smile tugged at the corner of the red head's lips. "Is that an order?" he asked gamely.
"No... just a suggestion..."
Kurama nodded again, giving a slight bow, exiting the office and into the courtyard, slowing to a stop at the sight of Botan at the bottom step.
"Kurama," Botan murmured, studying her lover with concerned eyes.
"Botan," the kitsune replied, walking down to her.
The deity reached reached up, cupping his face, her eyes on his as she whispered. "Is everything alright?"
The red head smiled softly, his mask falling, tender emotion on his face as he pulled her to him, resting his forehead against hers. "Everything is fine, Botan, now that I'm in your presence once more."
The blue haired girl blushed but laughed softly. "Charmer," she teased lightly, leaning up to kiss him softly.
Kurama returned the kiss, tugging at the girl's bottom lip as he pulled back, eyes twinkling as he asked, "How about we head to your room and I'll show you how charming I can really be?"
Botan giggled, letting out a happy squeak as the kitsune scooped her into his arms, arms around his neck as she nuzzled his skin, voice tender and excited as she whispered. "I thought you'd never ask."
The red head laughed softly, open affection on his handsome face, enjoying the closeness of her as he made his way up to the deity's room, tender kisses and touches giving way to desire as they made love until the moon rose high in the Reikai sky, lost in the sense of each other, never to be parted again.