Yomi smiled when he heard that peculiar giggling. He lifted his head, pushing aside the pile of documents and papers he had on his office table. It was just in time to notice the door swooshing open, and the beautiful pair of lovers enter his office.

Yomi felt happy for his son. In a way, he felt happy through his son. Knowing  Shura was content, not only by being loved and loving, but also because he was more and more powerful as days passed, was the best relief for the hollow inside his soul.

Bitterness had faded away. But loneliness still followed Yomi, like a shadow. It burdened him as if he were covered by a long leaden cloak. It added darkness to the gloom caused by his blindness.

That beautiful blond youko was like a sun in his kingdom. And even though it rotated around his son Shura, Yomi still felt warm by the energy and happiness Kinno spread around every one.

"Papa Yomi!" The King heard, in that joyful young voice which could never be mistaken. "I came here to say goodbye! I'm going back home!"

Yomi pulled himself back, resting against his confortable, cushioned chair. He opened his arms then, knowing Kinno had come to hug him goodbye.

He was such an adorable youko... Yomi could not deny he envied his son a little.

"Ah, Kinno-kun! Good morning! It is always a pleasure to have you here. I wish you a good trip back. Shura will find you a troop to escort you."

Yomi chuckled, silently. Kinno sat on his lap, like he always did. The king was suddenly enveloped by that pretty fox's arms, and he felt a noisy kiss being smacked on his cheek.

"Papa Yomi is so good! Thank you for letting me date Shu-chan, Papa... I  will bring you a basketful of fruit next weekend!"

Yomi patted the youko's back, extremely delighted with the liveliness of that demon.

"Yes, please. And send my regards to your father."

But Shura cleared his throat loudly. He hurried to yank Kinno out of his father's lap. He could not feel comfortable on seeing that; he knew it was not healthy to be so jealous, but...

"You are working too much, Papa Yomi. You have to take vacations! Take a trip! Find a boyfriend..."

Shura nudged Kinno sticking an elbow on his ribcage, to make him shut up. Kinno jumped, startled. If his father were ever suspicious of their plans everything would be ruined!

Yomi laughed. And Shura's concerned furrow left his brow. Blessed golden youko! He was the only demon who managed to make his father laugh. And he knew how deeply the King needed distraction...

"It is too late for me to engage into such relationships, my sons. It is better to save such distractions to younger demons like you two. I prefer to attain myself solely to my responsibilities."

Kinno felt himself encouraged by the King's sympathetic response. He had always imagined Kings were so serious, bad, and ill-humored. Finding his sugar's father to be as sweet as Shura himself was indeed a pleasant surprise.

"Papa is a King. He has a lot to care about, Kinno. He can't find himself time for leisure."

Yomi acquiesced to his son's words, gently.

But Kinno insisted. He slipped out of Shura's arms to come nearer to Yomi. He sat on the edge of Yomi's table then.

"Papa, tell me... Do you like boys?"

"Kinno!!"

Yomi laughed loudly, like Shura had never imagined his father could.
 
"Son! Don't be hard with Kinno! He is just curious!" Yomi exclaimed, playfully scolding his son. One of his large hands patted Kinno's bare knee. Those short, tight-fitting clothes he wore, together with his delicious physique made his son's lover a very sexy youko; he surely rivalled Kurama. "Yes, Kinno, I like boys. I like big, bad boys, if you know what I mean..."

Kinno's golden eyes twinkled and he giggled, genuinely amused with Papa Yomi's confession. Of course he knew what it meant - after all, he was a professional; he knew everything in that field.

"Oh! Papa Yomi! You're a naughty King! I did not know you enjoyed this kind of game!"

"Ah, I do... Your father and I played a lot in the old times..." Yomi continued, not ashamed of the rosy tone which colored his cheeks. He kept a mischievous smile, and he was about to talk longer, but Shura interrupted them. He cleared his throat noisily again. Then he held Kinno by one arm, yanking him away from his father.

Yes, he trusted Kinno; and he trusted his father too. The problem is that he could not trust them together. Let alone the way that talk was heading to...

"Papa, it's late, Kinno has to go home now..." Shura explained, with a furrow of concern marking his brow. He pulled Kinno along with him then, not even giving the youko chance to wave his father goodbye.

Only after shoving Kinno out of the office, is that Shura turned on his heels to address his father again.

"Papa. Can I hire a new tutor?"

Yomi fumbled with the pile of papers, thoughtfully.

"Son, I have always granted you freedom enough for you to choose your own instructors. Do as you wish."

"But he's a youko, father. Is there a problem?"

Yomi seemed startled for a moment.

"A youko? Another one? Why?"

Shura showed a very composed face as he explained his reasons to Yomi.

"There's much I don't know about Youko, papa. I want to know their habits, their characteristics, preferences, the history of their race. I want to know everything."

"Are there not books and treatises available in our library?"

"But papa, a preceptor on this field is much better! After all, I do intend to engage in a serious, lifelong relationship with Kinno. I must be prepared."

Yomi seemed absent for a moment, but Shura knew the King was merely thinking and re-thinking all possibilities. He carelessly slipped his fingers along the lines of a document, reading the symbols in his peculiar manner. Only after a while he responded.

"Do it, Shura. I allow it if it is to make you happy and facilitate your relationship with this gorgeous blonde youko. But make sure it is a respectable youko that you bring to our palace."

Shura agreed.

"Yes, papa. There'll be no problem. He is a very dear and educated friend of Kinno's. You won't regret hiring him, I assure you."

They heard Kinno's voice calling Shura then. The boy smiled to his father, and bowed slightly before leaving.

"Thank you, my father..."

Shura left the room after his fiance then. He promptly enveloped Kinno's waist with his arm, bringing him closer. He smiled to his golden youko, exultantly. He had already envisioned the perfect plan to bring Hikaru and his father together.

"Kinno, I've got an angle. I'll need your help."

The fox's smile widened. He laid his arm around Shura's back, playing with the long black hair.

"Sure, honeybun! I can't wait till Hikaru and your papa are dating! It's gonna be so cool!"

Shura assented.

"We just have to do the following..."
 
 

To Be Continued...