" He told you everything eh?" Karasu muttered.
" Hai."
Kurama glanced around. He felt uneasy. Ironically, he had come to love a majority of Karasu's clan, who have been treating him like family...like he was a part of them. However, he felt uneasy being so close to Malaki, who always seemed to be watching over him. When he had no excuse, Kazunori was always sent to play with him....GIVING Malaki a reason to spy.
Tonight was a special Unity Banquet of some sort. The entire clan was present...importance deciding where at the table they sat. The head of the table was empty. Lord Shikon had not yet arrived. To the clan leader's left sat a quiet and content Ryu, with Chyna beside him, Malaki and Kazunori. On the right sat Karasu, with Kurama close to him and Dawn. Karasu had mentioned that Dawn should have been between them, but, Lord Shikon had placed Kurama ahead of Dawn...for reasons of his own...and to Karasu, for what he thought was obvious. From them on were the rest of the clan members in various orders. Kurama was amazed at how MANY there were.
Kazunori kept silent. Kurama learned that the boy was very passive, shy and silent...so unlike his father. Malaki was never too far away when Kazunori was involved. He must've been an overly protective father over his son....but would that outrank him emotionally over Karasu? It made Kurama nervous. He could feel the dislike from Malaki and refused to be alone ANYWHERE that Malaki would be. He always traveled with Chyna, Karasu or Ryu.
" Any slower and it will be time for the NEXT gathering," Malaki whispered under his mask....one that didn't really seem to fit his personality. It looked as if he were very uncomfertable in it. No one responded, but Kurama heard him clear as a bell.
The door opened and everyone stood in silence. Kurama peered past Karasu to see Lord Shikon. Being old...and having several young clan children carrying locks of his hair....it took him a few minutes to GET to his seat.
" Fellow clan members," he spoke slowly as usual in his worn raspy voice, " My children, my clan brothers and sisters....Malaki."
At that the clan snickered as Malaki's eyes narrowed.
" I have spent MANY centuries as your clan leader. But, I regret to say that this will be...my LAST year as your superior."
The clan began to chatter. Torafu fell from his rank, " Lord Shikon, you CAN'T be serious! What will we do WITHOUT you?!"
Two clan members held the very emotional Torafu back. " Be still, Torafu." Lord Shikon replied calmly. " You will be WELL taken care of by my heirs. They've never steered you wrong before."
" It won't be the same."
" I can't live forever. I've lived my time. It's time for my heirs to have theirs."
...
" I'm beginning to feel some tension rising." Kurama said to Karasu... who was in the bathroom. He himself though was in the bedroom busying himself with a project.
" Lord Shikon has led this clan forever." Karasu called out. " I have confidence that Ryu will be just as fine a clan leader. I do admit thought, Lord Shikon's stepping down is a great loss to us."
" Did you have a good relationship with him?"
" Ryu? Yes. He was a good father and I'm proud to be his son."
" Iie. I mean your grandfather."
" It depends on how you look at it. He was never one of those 'get into the grandchildren' kind of grandfathers. He acknowledged us and praised us...you could even tell he had a little more feeling for us than the rest of the clan...but he never treated us very much different. The clan itself is his child....so he loves the entire clan as his children." Karasu chuckled, " He doesn't have the energy to do anything else."
Kurama smiled and peered in the closet, " Where's my robe?"
" Eh?" Karasu stood straight, " Oh, it was taken to be cleaned. I thought I told you already." He smiled and looked to the door, but not out, " Just wear one of mine. I HAVE four here, after all."
" It's too long. You're likea foot taller than me, remember?"
" Don't be stupid," Karasu snaped playfully, " Role the sleeves up and tie the belt a little tighter."
Kurama glanced towards the bathroom and smirked. He chuckled and changed into the robe, finishing up his project, " Hurry up, Karasu."
Did his EARS decieve him? " Hurry up? What, you got a present for me?" He took a step closer to peer out the door, " You got candles for me to blow out? Did I get a cake?"
Kurama couldn't hold back the laugh, " Actually, I DO have something for you."
" Really?"
Karasu tied his dark purple robe and stepped out. Kurama looked so innocent in his blue robe, which was rather baggy on him...heck THAT robe was even baggy on HIMSELF. He let out a moaning sigh as he glanced around. Kurama HAD been busy while he was bathing....there were several candles burning, even some incense. It excited him.
He peered at Kurama....that was the idea wasn't it? He smiled when Kurama held up a bottle of wine. " Ryu gave me this bottle earlier this evening. No point in letting it sit. I think we should enjoy it."
" Did he?" Karasu whispered seductively, leaning over Kurama, " For?"
" So we could have a special evening." Kurama replied slyly. He poured a couple of glasses and handed one to Karasu. Both sipped from their glasses and kissed.
It progressed into a romantic night of love-making. Robes were removed so the wine would not stain. Karasu dipped his finger into his glass and dabbed the drops onto Kurama's chest, licking and sucking them up afterwards.
Everything was as sweet as the plum wine they drank. It tempted Karasu to nibble on Kurama's lip and nip at his neck...mixing the two tastes he'd grown to love more than anything.
" You taste so good Itooshi."
" Am I sweet?" Kurama asked slyly.
Karasu let out a chuckle and a hum as he progressed. He felt quite amorous due to the wine...but level-headedly was also, though he would not admit it, very ahppy Kurama was accepting him and the feelings he really DID have for him. It only made the realization more wonderful...that KURAMA was the one initiating.
...
" Mmmm, that certainly was special," Karasu muttered. Kurama gave a sweaty nod. He was covered in light purple stains all over his chest from the wine...and was smelly from the sweat, which only made the plum smell more noticeable. There were even purple stains in his hair...which he actually wasn't happy with.
" Let me go."
" Eh?"
" I want a bath. The wine stains are sticky, and I smell all sweaty."
" You smell good to me," Karasu chuckled, licking alone Kurama's jawbone, " taste good too." Kurama gave an amused smile and freed himself from his grip, heading to the bathroom to draw a hot bath. There was still time.
Karasu lay alone in bed, contimplating the evening. Yes, a night like that was romantic and very pleasureable...but he fantasized what it would be like to do something similar within the walls of his castle...in his HUGE bedroom and in his HUGE bed...and then seduce Kurama again in his HUGE garden tu...tub...
Karasu got up and smiled. He peered into the bathroom to see Kurama sinking into the tub.
" Is that better, Itooshi?"
" Much," Kurama sighed....able to ignore the pet name and finally accept that it would be his for as long as he and Karasu were together.
He closed his eyes and sighed, bending forward to stretch....he could have dozed off that way, but his eyes opened when he felt the presence. Karasu slid into the tub behind him, and gently pulled him back between his legs and resting against his chest. He rubbed Kurama's chest and arms....and was able to remove the stain from his hair. After all, he didn't offer to care for Kurama's hair for NOTHING...he actually knew a thing or two about it...having so much of his own.
" You're becoming such a leech. You're always stuck to me." " Only to you, Itooshi."
Kurama was about to reply when he heard a knock. He smiled. " sounds like we have company.. Get your robe on. I'll be out in a minute. I want to finish cleaning up."
Karasu caught the smile and was unsure of what to make of it. However, he stood up and dried, and put his robe on. He opened the front door...and gasped.
" Daddy, LOOK! I came to SEE you!"
" D-Dawn?"
" D-don't you...WANT to see me?"
Karasu stuttered, he had not talked to Dawn in years.
" No?" Dawn sputtered out. She stared up at Karasu, eyes tearing up.
" It's true! You don't love me anymore, do you?! Is that why you don't see me?!" She brought a hand to her face. " Should I just run away so you never have to deal with me again?"
Karasu took a step back, " Dawn,...you don't understand..."
Dawn dropped to her bottom and began to cry...hard. Karasu stumbled back. He hadn't played daddy in so long. " Dawn....d-don't cry. Baby....please."
" Karasu?" Karasu gritted his teeth and peered over his shoulder, seeing Kurama. " Kurama...she's."
" You made her cry..."
" Make her stop..." Karasu whispered. Kurama shook his head and stepped back inside. He felt awful that Dawn was crying...but it seemed to be making the plan go a little better. She's such a resourceful child.
Karasu turned back to Dawn and picked her up, cradling her in his arms.
" Why do you hate me?" She cried.
" I...don't, Dawn" he replied, wiping some of the tears from her face. " I...I LOVE you very much."
She peered at him, " You do?"
" Yes."
" Then...why..."
He hugged her tight and brought her in. He placed her next to Kurama and he sat on the other side of her.
" Dawn, I am very sorry about how I've been treating you. I DO care about what happens to you."
Dawn sniffled at Karasu stroked her hair, " Why don't you treat me like you USED to when Mommy was here?"
" That's not your fault," he clarified. He peered up at Kurama with daggers for his lack of help.
" Dawn, I loved your mother VERY much. But,...Mommy did something very bad. And that hurt me."
Dawn seemed entranced...soaking up everything Karasu said.
" I lost your mother....and realized I could never have her again when it was too late."
" You killed her."
" I did. If I hadn't, Dawn, you know the council would have. Shortly after that...I lost your Aunt Naomi...who I also loved very dearly."
" I remember."
" I'm afraid, Dawn. Everytime I give my heart to someone...openly love them...they get hurt...or killed...or get taken away. You were the LAST person I wanted to do that to."
Dawn sniffled.
" I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to my baby girl. I thought...maybe if...I showed you NOTHING...I'd save you everything."
Dawn took a moment to regain herself. " But, you love Kurama-ma. You're not afraid to show HIM."
Kurama gave a small smile, " She does have a point, Karasu."
" You're different!" Karasu spat....and paused, " Kurama-ma?"
Kurama shrugged.
" Kurama is different, Dawn. He's grown...and a very powerful youkai. He can take care of himself. You're not old or powerful enough yet for me to chance anything. I am not afraid for him...as I am for you."
Kurama didn't take it personally at all. He was RIGHT after all. His child should be more important to him than he was. He felt better that he was able to help the two reform a relationship.
" Do you think someone is trying to hurt me?"
Karasu scooped up his little girl and hugged her, " I hope not, Dawn. But, you're all I have left."
" No" Dawn shook her head, " You have me and Kurama-ma. You have Aunt Chyna and Ryu and Lord Shikon and Kazunori."
" Yes...but if I lose you...I have nothing grand to..."
" Karasu," Kurama finally decided to join in the conversation. " Everyone in this clan loves Dawn very much. Ryu and Chyna...and ME are very protective of her. If YOU can join your own family again....this unity could be stronger."
Karasu glared at Kurama in surprise...Dawn smiled back and forth between them.
To be coninued
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