ask-youkokurama

[ask-youkokurama]

That... was it? Was it really going to be that easy, after all? He swallowed thickly, following along with Kuronue's suggestions, and nodded slowly. "Yes, I think I can do that." Glancing down at the tea selection he'd brought for Genkai, Kurama slowly, reluctantly, pulled back from Kuronue and moved to one of the cupboards instead. Best not to use the medicinal blend.

With slightly shaking hands, he selected some simpler tea that Genkai kept stocked specifically for guests and began the process of filling the kettle and placing it on the stove to heat. His lips pursed, perplexed.

He took it back; this was not going to be easy. Talking about his past and what had happened since... since losing him was something he had never done before. It certainly didn't help that he had always been more open with his emotions around Kuronue than anyone else.

Moving to the fridge, he opened it to look for any fruits that Kuronue may want for his tea. The only thing he could find that was suitable, however, was lemon. As he pulled some out, Kurama glanced over his shoulder and glanced over Kuronue's form, really looking at all of him for the first time. He looked good. Really good.

"I won't, by the way." His fingers fidgeted with the lemon before he finally grabbed a cutting board and a knife. "Kick you out, I mean. That's up to Genkai to decide." A small, hopeful smile played at the corners of his mouth as he carefully sliced the lemon.

Reunited

With a bamboo box in hand, Kurama walked up the many stairs to Genkai's compound to deliver the tea he'd promised her. It was a beautiful day with clear skies. The sun filtered through the trees as he made his way and a light breeze danced through the leaves to cool him every so often.

When he finally reached the top, a light sheen of sweat covered his skin as couple of droplets dripped down the back of his neck. Even though he was still in shape, that many stairs in the heat of summer was still enough to give him a light workout.

Kurama looked around, a slight frown forming on his face. There was certainly a demon's presence nearby, but rather than feeling foreign or new, it was somehow... familiar. A presence that he had known a very long time ago. He tried sniffing the air, trying to catch the demon's scent, but there wasn't a strong enough one for him to gain anything from.

Shaking his head, he decided to ignore it. It was impossible, after all, that it could be him. Finally stepping forward, he headed inside the temple, removing his shoes, and sighed with relief in the air conditioning. He made his way to the kitchen, the nearby demon's energy at the edges of his awareness.

As he unpacked the tea from the box, arranging it neatly on the small kitchen island, Kurama's curiosity got the better of him. Very carefully, he allowed a small amount of his energy to be felt across the compound. Maybe this demon would seek him out if they could sense him. Just in case, he surrepticiously took a seed from his hair and tucked it into his sleeve.

@ask-the-black-chimera

[ask-youkokurama]

[ask-youkokurama]

Kurama stared at their joined hands, frowning. For once, he was unsure of what to do, his heart in chaos. On one hand, Kuronue's tale was rather... fantastical, but on the other hand, Kurama could sense no lies in it. He wanted to believe him, wanted to pull him into his arms and embrace him until time itself ceased to exist.

It would be too easy.

"Kuronue...," he whispered softly, his brows drawing together as he slowly looked up into dark, gentle eyes. "Tell me what I'm supposed to do."

Reunited

With a bamboo box in hand, Kurama walked up the many stairs to Genkai's compound to deliver the tea he'd promised her. It was a beautiful day with clear skies. The sun filtered through the trees as he made his way and a light breeze danced through the leaves to cool him every so often.

When he finally reached the top, a light sheen of sweat covered his skin as couple of droplets dripped down the back of his neck. Even though he was still in shape, that many stairs in the heat of summer was still enough to give him a light workout.

Kurama looked around, a slight frown forming on his face. There was certainly a demon's presence nearby, but rather than feeling foreign or new, it was somehow... familiar. A presence that he had known a very long time ago. He tried sniffing the air, trying to catch the demon's scent, but there wasn't a strong enough one for him to gain anything from.

Shaking his head, he decided to ignore it. It was impossible, after all, that it could be him. Finally stepping forward, he headed inside the temple, removing his shoes, and sighed with relief in the air conditioning. He made his way to the kitchen, the nearby demon's energy at the edges of his awareness.

As he unpacked the tea from the box, arranging it neatly on the small kitchen island, Kurama's curiosity got the better of him. Very carefully, he allowed a small amount of his energy to be felt across the compound. Maybe this demon would seek him out if they could sense him. Just in case, he surrepticiously took a seed from his hair and tucked it into his sleeve.

@ask-the-black-chimera

[ask-youkokurama]

[ask-youkokurama]

He wanted to argue, push him away and tell him he was wrong, but Kuronue's touch and gentle warmth stole whatever argument he could have made. His shoulders sag as though a great weight had been lifted from them.

Kurama stepped further into Kuronue's space, reaching out and grasping the clothes at his waist as though he still couldn't believe he was real. "I just - How did you survive?" He couldn't grasp it; the bamboo had speared him clean through in more than one place on his body. Survival shouldn't have been impossible.

His gaze dropped to the bare skin on his chest, frowning at the scars that marred him there. Letting go of his clothes, Kurama shifted his hand to brush his fingers over them, tracing the curve of each one he could see. The memory of Kuronue's supposed death flashed vividly within his mind, making him tremble slightly. It had taken him years to stop having nightmares about it.

Reunited

With a bamboo box in hand, Kurama walked up the many stairs to Genkai's compound to deliver the tea he'd promised her. It was a beautiful day with clear skies. The sun filtered through the trees as he made his way and a light breeze danced through the leaves to cool him every so often.

When he finally reached the top, a light sheen of sweat covered his skin as couple of droplets dripped down the back of his neck. Even though he was still in shape, that many stairs in the heat of summer was still enough to give him a light workout.

Kurama looked around, a slight frown forming on his face. There was certainly a demon's presence nearby, but rather than feeling foreign or new, it was somehow... familiar. A presence that he had known a very long time ago. He tried sniffing the air, trying to catch the demon's scent, but there wasn't a strong enough one for him to gain anything from.

Shaking his head, he decided to ignore it. It was impossible, after all, that it could be him. Finally stepping forward, he headed inside the temple, removing his shoes, and sighed with relief in the air conditioning. He made his way to the kitchen, the nearby demon's energy at the edges of his awareness.

As he unpacked the tea from the box, arranging it neatly on the small kitchen island, Kurama's curiosity got the better of him. Very carefully, he allowed a small amount of his energy to be felt across the compound. Maybe this demon would seek him out if they could sense him. Just in case, he surrepticiously took a seed from his hair and tucked it into his sleeve.

@ask-the-black-chimera

[ask-youkokurama]

Kurama leaned into the gentle touch of Kuronue's fingers across his cheek without realizing it. A subtle flush coloring his features with the compliment to his eyes. Usually he wasn't affected by words like that, but this was Kuronue. Everything was different with Kuronue. It always had been.

Swallowing thickly, he lowered his gaze and disentangled their fingers. He withdrew, taking a small step back. "I... couldn't save you. Back then." A shaky breath escaped his lungs. "I could have tried harder, but... I - you yelled for me to run and I panicked." Kurama lifted his head to meet Kuronue's gaze with watery eyes. "I never panicked. Not me. Not Youko Kurama."

Reunited

With a bamboo box in hand, Kurama walked up the many stairs to Genkai's compound to deliver the tea he'd promised her. It was a beautiful day with clear skies. The sun filtered through the trees as he made his way and a light breeze danced through the leaves to cool him every so often.

When he finally reached the top, a light sheen of sweat covered his skin as couple of droplets dripped down the back of his neck. Even though he was still in shape, that many stairs in the heat of summer was still enough to give him a light workout.

Kurama looked around, a slight frown forming on his face. There was certainly a demon's presence nearby, but rather than feeling foreign or new, it was somehow... familiar. A presence that he had known a very long time ago. He tried sniffing the air, trying to catch the demon's scent, but there wasn't a strong enough one for him to gain anything from.

Shaking his head, he decided to ignore it. It was impossible, after all, that it could be him. Finally stepping forward, he headed inside the temple, removing his shoes, and sighed with relief in the air conditioning. He made his way to the kitchen, the nearby demon's energy at the edges of his awareness.

As he unpacked the tea from the box, arranging it neatly on the small kitchen island, Kurama's curiosity got the better of him. Very carefully, he allowed a small amount of his energy to be felt across the compound. Maybe this demon would seek him out if they could sense him. Just in case, he surrepticiously took a seed from his hair and tucked it into his sleeve.

@ask-the-black-chimera

[ask-youkokurama]

He nodded quickly, breath hitching the moment Kuronue touched his hand. Rather than pull away, Kurama intertwined their fingers and grasped Kuronue's hand tightly.

"I remember everything. Of course, I do." He gave him a weak smile, "Sometimes too much. It's a long story, but I am still Youko Kurama, in a way." Despite his best efforts, Kurama feels a single tear steal a path down his cheek as he stares at the impossibility that is Kuronue standing in front of him. His chest aches with a love that he thought was long lost.

Reunited

With a bamboo box in hand, Kurama walked up the many stairs to Genkai's compound to deliver the tea he'd promised her. It was a beautiful day with clear skies. The sun filtered through the trees as he made his way and a light breeze danced through the leaves to cool him every so often.

When he finally reached the top, a light sheen of sweat covered his skin as couple of droplets dripped down the back of his neck. Even though he was still in shape, that many stairs in the heat of summer was still enough to give him a light workout.

Kurama looked around, a slight frown forming on his face. There was certainly a demon's presence nearby, but rather than feeling foreign or new, it was somehow... familiar. A presence that he had known a very long time ago. He tried sniffing the air, trying to catch the demon's scent, but there wasn't a strong enough one for him to gain anything from.

Shaking his head, he decided to ignore it. It was impossible, after all, that it could be him. Finally stepping forward, he headed inside the temple, removing his shoes, and sighed with relief in the air conditioning. He made his way to the kitchen, the nearby demon's energy at the edges of his awareness.

As he unpacked the tea from the box, arranging it neatly on the small kitchen island, Kurama's curiosity got the better of him. Very carefully, he allowed a small amount of his energy to be felt across the compound. Maybe this demon would seek him out if they could sense him. Just in case, he surrepticiously took a seed from his hair and tucked it into his sleeve.

@ask-the-black-chimera

[ask-youkokurama]

They were mere feet apart, but Kurama felt as though there miles, instead. As desperately as he wanted to reach out and touch Kuronue, to hold him... he didn't feel like he had the right.

Kuronue left his question unanswered, instead asking him to confirm his identity once more and sounding... joyful about the prospect of having found Youko Kurama. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath before finally lifting his gaze to meet Kuronue's.

"No, I'm not. Not anymore. I left the legend of Youko Kurama behind a long time ago. Now I am simply 'Kurama', or 'Shuichi' to those unaware of my demon nature." Kurama slid his hand over the counter, closer to Kuronue's, but stopped just a few inches short. "You know me as I was, but I am not him any longer. So many things have changed."

Reunited

With a bamboo box in hand, Kurama walked up the many stairs to Genkai's compound to deliver the tea he'd promised her. It was a beautiful day with clear skies. The sun filtered through the trees as he made his way and a light breeze danced through the leaves to cool him every so often.

When he finally reached the top, a light sheen of sweat covered his skin as couple of droplets dripped down the back of his neck. Even though he was still in shape, that many stairs in the heat of summer was still enough to give him a light workout.

Kurama looked around, a slight frown forming on his face. There was certainly a demon's presence nearby, but rather than feeling foreign or new, it was somehow... familiar. A presence that he had known a very long time ago. He tried sniffing the air, trying to catch the demon's scent, but there wasn't a strong enough one for him to gain anything from.

Shaking his head, he decided to ignore it. It was impossible, after all, that it could be him. Finally stepping forward, he headed inside the temple, removing his shoes, and sighed with relief in the air conditioning. He made his way to the kitchen, the nearby demon's energy at the edges of his awareness.

As he unpacked the tea from the box, arranging it neatly on the small kitchen island, Kurama's curiosity got the better of him. Very carefully, he allowed a small amount of his energy to be felt across the compound. Maybe this demon would seek him out if they could sense him. Just in case, he surrepticiously took a seed from his hair and tucked it into his sleeve.

@ask-the-black-chimera

[ask-youkokurama]

The desperation, the fury...

That was all Kurama needed to see. His breath left him in an unsteady sigh, the vines around him finally shrinking away. He felt shaky, almost like his legs would not hold him, as emotion flooded his veins.

"Kuronue...you're really here." His voice hitched, teetering on the edge of falling apart because... because his past partner, friend, lover... was standing in front of him alive and well. It was almost too much of a shock and he reached out to grip the edge of the kitchen island. "I- I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He hung his head, words barely a whisper as he shook. Slowly, he reached across the counter and placed the pendant between them, then withdrew his hand. A tiny vine held together the links of the chain where it had snapped.

Kurama couldn't bear to look up. Not yet. "Could you ever forgive me?"

Reunited

With a bamboo box in hand, Kurama walked up the many stairs to Genkai's compound to deliver the tea he'd promised her. It was a beautiful day with clear skies. The sun filtered through the trees as he made his way and a light breeze danced through the leaves to cool him every so often.

When he finally reached the top, a light sheen of sweat covered his skin as couple of droplets dripped down the back of his neck. Even though he was still in shape, that many stairs in the heat of summer was still enough to give him a light workout.

Kurama looked around, a slight frown forming on his face. There was certainly a demon's presence nearby, but rather than feeling foreign or new, it was somehow... familiar. A presence that he had known a very long time ago. He tried sniffing the air, trying to catch the demon's scent, but there wasn't a strong enough one for him to gain anything from.

Shaking his head, he decided to ignore it. It was impossible, after all, that it could be him. Finally stepping forward, he headed inside the temple, removing his shoes, and sighed with relief in the air conditioning. He made his way to the kitchen, the nearby demon's energy at the edges of his awareness.

As he unpacked the tea from the box, arranging it neatly on the small kitchen island, Kurama's curiosity got the better of him. Very carefully, he allowed a small amount of his energy to be felt across the compound. Maybe this demon would seek him out if they could sense him. Just in case, he surrepticiously took a seed from his hair and tucked it into his sleeve.

@ask-the-black-chimera

[ask-youkokurama]

It was impossible. Wasn't it? There was no way he could have survived such wounds. Kurama's eyes flickered down to his chest, spotting the faint scars that caught in the light which each small movement. He had been the only one to witness those injuries; no one could have replicated those. Every part of him burned with questions that demanded answers.

Before he even realized what he was doing, Kurama had stepped closer, still cautious, reaching out as though to touch the scars on the demon's chest. He blinked, brows furrowing, and he stopped just short of making contact. "Could you really be...," His gaze finds the pendant again and a decision is made in a split second, his outstretched fingers quickly darting for the pendant and snatching it from his neck.

Kurama's heart raced in his chest as he took several steps back, putting some distance between them and keeping a sharp eye on the demon who claimed to be a remnant of his past. How this demon reacted to his pendant being taken meant everything in this moment. It was the ultimate test that Kurama could think of and he had to be sure.

Reunited

With a bamboo box in hand, Kurama walked up the many stairs to Genkai's compound to deliver the tea he'd promised her. It was a beautiful day with clear skies. The sun filtered through the trees as he made his way and a light breeze danced through the leaves to cool him every so often.

When he finally reached the top, a light sheen of sweat covered his skin as couple of droplets dripped down the back of his neck. Even though he was still in shape, that many stairs in the heat of summer was still enough to give him a light workout.

Kurama looked around, a slight frown forming on his face. There was certainly a demon's presence nearby, but rather than feeling foreign or new, it was somehow... familiar. A presence that he had known a very long time ago. He tried sniffing the air, trying to catch the demon's scent, but there wasn't a strong enough one for him to gain anything from.

Shaking his head, he decided to ignore it. It was impossible, after all, that it could be him. Finally stepping forward, he headed inside the temple, removing his shoes, and sighed with relief in the air conditioning. He made his way to the kitchen, the nearby demon's energy at the edges of his awareness.

As he unpacked the tea from the box, arranging it neatly on the small kitchen island, Kurama's curiosity got the better of him. Very carefully, he allowed a small amount of his energy to be felt across the compound. Maybe this demon would seek him out if they could sense him. Just in case, he surrepticiously took a seed from his hair and tucked it into his sleeve.

@ask-the-black-chimera

[ask-youkokurama]

He could scarcely breathe as the demon approached behind him, though he didn't seem to dare coming too close.

Smart.

He listened closely as the demon spoke, using the demon name that he had left behind years ago with a voice that he still dreamed about from time to time. His eyes squeezed shut, letting his vines grow protectively around him. It wasn't prudent to keep his back turned on an unknown demon. Especially one potentially taking the form of someone he had once held so dear.

Slowly, Kurama turned around, expression guarded as he faced the intruder. The demon was a perfect replica of his old friend, head to toe. His gaze caught on the red pendant that rested around their neck before lifting to meet dark eyes that reflected something like nervous hope rather than malice. It caught him off-guard, but he kept his vines between them as they twisted and grew longer and thicker in the space of the kitchen.

"Youko Kurama ceased to exist several years ago." Subtly shifting his stance into a more defensive one, Kurama narrowed his eyes. "What business could you possibly have with him after all this time? The Dark Tournament was nearly three decades ago." He didn't bother mentioning the time that had passed since this demon should have died.

Reunited

With a bamboo box in hand, Kurama walked up the many stairs to Genkai's compound to deliver the tea he'd promised her. It was a beautiful day with clear skies. The sun filtered through the trees as he made his way and a light breeze danced through the leaves to cool him every so often.

When he finally reached the top, a light sheen of sweat covered his skin as couple of droplets dripped down the back of his neck. Even though he was still in shape, that many stairs in the heat of summer was still enough to give him a light workout.

Kurama looked around, a slight frown forming on his face. There was certainly a demon's presence nearby, but rather than feeling foreign or new, it was somehow... familiar. A presence that he had known a very long time ago. He tried sniffing the air, trying to catch the demon's scent, but there wasn't a strong enough one for him to gain anything from.

Shaking his head, he decided to ignore it. It was impossible, after all, that it could be him. Finally stepping forward, he headed inside the temple, removing his shoes, and sighed with relief in the air conditioning. He made his way to the kitchen, the nearby demon's energy at the edges of his awareness.

As he unpacked the tea from the box, arranging it neatly on the small kitchen island, Kurama's curiosity got the better of him. Very carefully, he allowed a small amount of his energy to be felt across the compound. Maybe this demon would seek him out if they could sense him. Just in case, he surrepticiously took a seed from his hair and tucked it into his sleeve.

@ask-the-black-chimera

[ask-youkokurama]

Thank you, Botan. Truly.

I look forward to seeing you later this evening, then.

Hello, @riverstyxbotan. It's lovely to see you again. How have you been faring?

[ask-youkokurama]

I am... Well, no, I don't think I am okay at the moment.

I will be, though. Death is a part of life that we all must one day accept.

It does not make it any easier, unfortunately. I would appreciate having your company any time you're free, Botan. Impending death or not. 😌

Hello, @riverstyxbotan. It's lovely to see you again. How have you been faring?

[ask-youkokurama]

Kurama's hands froze over the tea, halfway from the box to the counter. The demon had taken the bait, so to say, and sought him out. They were trying to conceal themselves, but his nose was sharp and caught their scent.

A familiar scent.

His heart hammered within his chest, recalling a time when a lesser demon had once tried to trick him. That demon could change their voice and their appearance... but they couldn't change their scent; something he had not noticed until the very end. His emotions had been too erratic to hone in on that detail.

Now, however, there was no mistaking it. But, how? His body trembled, ever so slightly, feeling himself being pulled in two different directions. Half of him wanted to turn and confront the demon, but the other half of him erred on the side of caution and kept him rooted in place.

"Who are you." Kurama demanded quietly, speaking only just loud enough for the demon to hear him. "I've dealt with a demon's trickery such as yours once before; I will not hesitate to deal with you, as well." He lowered his hands to his sides, feeding energy into the seed he'd tucked into his sleeve. Vines crept from his clothes, surrounding his body menacingly, but he still did not turn around to face the demon.

Reunited

With a bamboo box in hand, Kurama walked up the many stairs to Genkai's compound to deliver the tea he'd promised her. It was a beautiful day with clear skies. The sun filtered through the trees as he made his way and a light breeze danced through the leaves to cool him every so often.

When he finally reached the top, a light sheen of sweat covered his skin as couple of droplets dripped down the back of his neck. Even though he was still in shape, that many stairs in the heat of summer was still enough to give him a light workout.

Kurama looked around, a slight frown forming on his face. There was certainly a demon's presence nearby, but rather than feeling foreign or new, it was somehow... familiar. A presence that he had known a very long time ago. He tried sniffing the air, trying to catch the demon's scent, but there wasn't a strong enough one for him to gain anything from.

Shaking his head, he decided to ignore it. It was impossible, after all, that it could be him. Finally stepping forward, he headed inside the temple, removing his shoes, and sighed with relief in the air conditioning. He made his way to the kitchen, the nearby demon's energy at the edges of his awareness.

As he unpacked the tea from the box, arranging it neatly on the small kitchen island, Kurama's curiosity got the better of him. Very carefully, he allowed a small amount of his energy to be felt across the compound. Maybe this demon would seek him out if they could sense him. Just in case, he surrepticiously took a seed from his hair and tucked it into his sleeve.

@ask-the-black-chimera

[ask-youkokurama]

Reunited

With a bamboo box in hand, Kurama walked up the many stairs to Genkai's compound to deliver the tea he'd promised her. It was a beautiful day with clear skies. The sun filtered through the trees as he made his way and a light breeze danced through the leaves to cool him every so often.

When he finally reached the top, a light sheen of sweat covered his skin as couple of droplets dripped down the back of his neck. Even though he was still in shape, that many stairs in the heat of summer was still enough to give him a light workout.

Kurama looked around, a slight frown forming on his face. There was certainly a demon's presence nearby, but rather than feeling foreign or new, it was somehow... familiar. A presence that he had known a very long time ago. He tried sniffing the air, trying to catch the demon's scent, but there wasn't a strong enough one for him to gain anything from.

Shaking his head, he decided to ignore it. It was impossible, after all, that it could be him. Finally stepping forward, he headed inside the temple, removing his shoes, and sighed with relief in the air conditioning. He made his way to the kitchen, the nearby demon's energy at the edges of his awareness.

As he unpacked the tea from the box, arranging it neatly on the small kitchen island, Kurama's curiosity got the better of him. Very carefully, he allowed a small amount of his energy to be felt across the compound. Maybe this demon would seek him out if they could sense him. Just in case, he surrepticiously took a seed from his hair and tucked it into his sleeve.

@ask-the-black-chimera

[ask-youkokurama]

I have a young patient that is terminally ill. Perhaps only a few days left. Would you be willing to be there with me? When they pass, that is. Despite even my best efforts, I could not save them.

It's a small comfort, but I know that I would prefer if it were you that handled their spirit.

I apologize for asking this, I know it's never easy.

Hello, @riverstyxbotan. It's lovely to see you again. How have you been faring?

[ask-youkokurama]

I admit that I am in much the same state as yourself. As a doctor, there's always something happening. Speaking of which, I was wondering if I could request a favor from you? As a reaper?

Hello, @riverstyxbotan. It's lovely to see you again. How have you been faring?