Both demons remained in place, very still, for a long time. Shura found himself pale and horror stricken. Kinno could do nothing more than weep, nervously.

"I cannot see you again, Kinno," the prince murmured. Then he made a slow, heavy attempt to stand up. "I love you, but I honor my father."

The youko cried louder. He sobbed with such intensity he could not breathe or say anything. His wide, astonished eyes followed Shura insistently. But he could not yet retort his lover's words.

An extreme sickness started to affect Yomi's son then. Shura gave his back to the youko and walked careful steps till the nearest tree. There, he leaned against the trunk.

The horned prince seemed very ill and exhausted. He placed his hand on his stomach, feeling terribly sick. The thought that he had just eaten fruit cultivated by his biggest enemy made his sight blacken and his knees tremble. Unable to control his revolted stomach, Shura threw it all up.

"You are not going to kill my daddy, are you Shura?" Kinno brushed the back of his hand on his flushed, teary face, trying to compose himself from all that crying and emotion. "It took me all my life to find him; please... Let my daddy live... For me... For our love..."

For a long time Shura acted as if he was not listening to Kinno's plea. Even separated not more than a few steps, the lovers seemed to be miles apart, lost in their own thoughts and emotions. Shura looked fixedly at the clear lake waters, detached from anything else around. Kinno stared intently at his young lover. The blond youko still cried albeit less noisily now; he just gave out a soft, but yet painful, whimpering lament.

"I love my daddy..."

Shura sighed in, still staring at the lake before him.

"I love my papa too, Kinno," Shura spoke. His voice sounded deep, filled with despair. It was obvious how gravely impotent and angered Shura felt. Slowly, the prince lifted his eyes above, directing his desperate eyes towards the skies. "Oh, almighty Gods and Demons! Why? Why of all the demons in the Makai did I have to fall in love with Youko Kurama's son? This is not fair!"

Kinno blinked very wet, sore eyes at his lover's words. He breathed more, deeper, to try to calm down and smother his nervous crying. He could not believe they had been so happy one in the arms of the other just instants before when now the dream had turned into such a disaster...

"Shura... Can't we forget it? It's our fathers who have problems, not us. I love you, I don't mind if you're a prince, or if your father doesn't like youko. Our own love is enough."

Gandara's prince looked at Kinno over his shoulder. His eyes were full of bitterness. And his eyebrows arched in an accusing frown.

"How can such a sweet thing like you be that villain's offspring?"

"My daddy is not that bad..." Kinno kneeled up. Then he stood up and walked, slowly, towards Shura. Again, like before, the youko softly covered his naked sex with his tail. Shura's indignation was so intense Kinno had even become vexed about all that had happened between them. "He's not very affectionate, but he's nice. In fact, he was even cruel with me in the beginning, but I love him still... "

Shura's pinkish eyes shone as if flames were started within them; flames of wrath.

"Cruel? Did that evildoer mistreat you in any way? Was he mean enough to abuse his own son?" Shura asked, stricken by furious indignation.

Kinno nodded. He tried to add something, but Shura cut off his shy words with an ireful cry.

"I am going to torture that bastard in the most agonizing way! How could he be mean to such a jewel like you?" The prince declared, possessed by a strong, valiant determination. "I shall free you and my father of all this ignominy, Kinno!"

Shura pushed his chin up, inhaling air deeply. Resolute, he stood very erect, ready to put his vengeance into action. He tried to walk up the slope and leave the clearing, but Kinno threw himself in his arms, detaining him.

"No! No, Sugar, please! Daddy was mean to me because he didn't believe I was his real son, but he loves me now! He is kind to me now! Please don't do anything against my daddy!"

"I do not know if I can be that merciful, Kinno. I still bear too much anger inside."

The youko cuddled lovingly onto his prince. His arms locked around the prince's waist with a desperate, urgent grasp. Kinno knew he was the only barrier preventing his partner from finding and attacking Kurama. The strength of his fingers as he held Shura was evidence of his despair.

"I missed you Shura..."

The youko started to nuzzle and kiss the other demon's cheek, always whispering sweet words into his ear, supplicating that he could spare his father's life.

"Kinno... Stop it, please... I can't... "

"Let's be sweethearts and forget the rest..."
 
Shura sank his face into that flowing blond hair. With shut eyes and trembling lips, he spoke gravely, still refusing to spare Kurama's life.

"Kurama's death is the only way I can bring my father some peace of spirit. The King needs redemption, and so do I!"

Kinno just sniffled his cry. His hands caressed Shura's flanks with sweet intimacy.

"I know my daddy must have done terrible things in the past, but can't you forgive him? I know you are brave and noble enough to forgive daddy!" The golden youko ran a slow slip of his tongue all along Shura's cheek. Then he nibbled his chin before bringing their mouths together for a quick but wet kiss.

"No... Please... I must forget you... I promised papa I would not get involved with any youko..."

"Why?"

"Because papa does not want me to suffer like he has suffered..."

"But I love you, sugar... I will never let you down."

Shura remained very still within that embrace. For a long moment the prince did not even breathe, thinking about Kinno's words. Yes... Kinno would never betray him or make him suffer... Or would he?

"I don't know..."

On saying this, Shura delicately pushed Kinno away from him. He remained there, by the margin of the lake. This time the prince looked only at the woods surrounding them. It was a way the youkai had found not to be face to face with Kinno, who sulked at his back.

"If you kill my father you will destroy my life, Shura. And if you leave me and decide you can't see me again... Then..." Kinno heaved a long, excruciating sigh in as he held his arms around himself. "I think I'll die. I won't stand the pain of  knowing we love each other and can't be together."

Silence fell upon them. They only heard the murmuring waters, and some croaking and twittering sounds coming from the forest. Shura felt a sudden spasm cut through him when he noticed the soft hand close around his shoulder. Kinno had reached out to him again. The youko closed his arms around his shoulders, to keep him close.

"Kinno... Your father poisoned my papa with evil dreams. He turned the King into a stooge in his hands. My papa is on the verge of insanity because of this sick love he still cherishes for Kurama..."

"Please, Shura... Let's just be together. You're my only boyfriend, the only youkai I ever really loved." Kinno made his fingers stroke Shura's strong neck and slide down delicately to his chest, to stroke his nipples. "I have had sex with countless youkai, but you were the only one who made me feel special..."

The prince kept his eyes closed. He struggled within to resist the delight as Kinno's fingers played on his chest. And he could not help thinking that if   roles were exchanged perhaps Yomi would never renounce Kurama's affections for a mere promise or revenge.

If even Yomi, King, a more than one thousand years old Class S Demon had failed the chance to kill Kurama and free himself, so then why should he, Shura, would have to be the one to sacrifice himself and deny his feelings and his happiness ? Why? He was not a son; he was a clone, a perfect copy. Could it be then that he shared not only genes and characteristics with Yomi, but also emotional traits, affinities, tastes, gifts, deficiencies, and even a similar Fate?

Yomi had fallen in love for Kurama, the father. He, Shura, fell in love with Kinno, the son. Yes, it must be it - He and his father were locked in the same stream of Fate. There was no way any of them could deviate from it.

Shura sighed. At least his youko lover was real. Kinno was there, next to him, surrendered to his arms and his caresses.  Kinno was a good, tender youko and the love between them was for real.

The prince imagined maybe he should heal his father instead of killing Kurama.  The Silver youko was only part of the problem, just like the  Dream Flowers. Yomi was so immersed within that sick passion, that even after death Kurama might still inhabit his demon heart and his deepest desires.

"Oh, Kinno... I need time to think..."

"But sugar..."

"I'll be here again, in three days. In the morning."

Kinno bent over Shura, very slowly, holding him dearly against himself. He covered the youkai's lips with his own then, in a very heart-warming kiss. He made his tongue slide very slowly, with a gentle push, into Shura's mouth, grazing and then pressing with a steady tenderness the small velvet tongue inside.

Shura sighed out; it was a sound filled with pleasure, but also bearing pain and melancholy. His hands closed tight around Kinno's waist, and the prince caressed that naked soft body with a lover's deep reverence. Kinno was not only beautiful to the eye, but extremely pleasing to the touch. He was a dream of grace come true.

"My beautiful youko..."

"Yes..."

"I love you..."

"I love you too, sugar... I'll be waiting for you."

They were about to kiss again for an affectionate farewell, when Shura halted, alarmed with something. His ears pricked up and he gently pushed Kinno away from his holding arms.

"Someone is coming..." Shura whispered, already rolling eyes to try to check who the intruder was. The tension paralyzed him for a long moment. Kinno's pretty ears pricked up, and he rolled eyes towards a very specific direction.

"Kinno! Come here at once!" They heard the rich male voice demand, with energy.

Shura looked at Kinno; the golden youko was shaking within their embrace.

"Oh! It is daddy!"

Shura's eyes grew wide. Their pinkish tone sparkled with fury.

Kinno was very aware of that. Confused, scared, the youko kneeled down to embrace Shura's thighs, pressing his face against him.

"Please, my love. Don't do anything against my dad. I beg you," Kinno supplicated, holding Shura firmly, as he murmured his plea to him, in a child-like, frightened tone. "He's my only family... He must have been a bad youko in the past, but I love him..."

The other youko's voice was heard again. Kurama, that bastard, called Kinno in a real nasty, bossy manner, as if he were his slave, not his son. Shura hated him further after listening to those rude, imperative commands.

The prince hesitated for one instant. But he soon bent over to pat Kinno's blond head. Then he held him by his arms and gently made him stand up.

"Go. I'll be back in three days," Shura told Kinno, with a low, hurt voice. He tried not to let it show, but the decision of delaying Kurama's death brought him much suffering. "Don't let him come near me, or I might not be able to repress my hatred any longer." Shura added, gently pushing Kinno away from his embrace.

The youko consented with a delicious, extremely grateful smile. He blew Shura a kiss, and winked one eye to him.

"In three days, sugar. And don't forget I love you too much..."

Shura's cheeks turned red. He was ashamed, not of the tender way Kinno treated him, but of  the manner he failed his father, allowing that youko assassin to remain among the living.

His body was shaken by anger, but his heart felt a little relieved when he beheld Kinno's contentment and gratitude.

"I love you too..." He murmured to the youko, as they parted.

The golden beauty still smiled before waving goodbye and turning to attend his father's call. He hurried, caught the colorful, embroidered silk trousers which hung from one of the blackberry bushes and started to dress. He ran and put his clothes on at the same time in a hurry. The blond almost tumbled over a slippery step when he ran to leave the clearing.

"I'm coming daddy! I'm here! Just a minute! I'm getting dressed!" Kinno warned in a loud, high pitched scream.

Kinno passed in through the line of bushes to reach the path, leaving Shura's sight. The horned prince sighed in, desolate, still hearing Kinno's voice distancing as the youko rushed to meet his father. All the while Kinno assured Kurama that he was on his way, almost there, and that he was very sorry for being away all morning, and a series of other excuses. Shura could not avoid scowling before the servitude and fear Kurama seemed to impose upon Kinno. That silver fox was indeed a mean character!

Yomi's son hurried also, in order to collect the rest of his clothes. He threw them over himself, dressing impetuously. His main concern now was to reach a good point of observation. He wanted to see Kurama; he needed to see that bastard! He had to take care that evil demon would not do anything or say anything that might hurt Kinno, or...

One squint look, just a grimace, one small curse aimed at Kinno, and nothing else could prevent Shura from striking a deadly, furious attack.

The youkai prince hastily got into his boots. He put on his coat and at the same time he darted in through the bushes to reach the edge of the clearing. Shura cautiously headed forward, moving in stealth, using the trees to conceal his advance.

The voices were very near. Shura reached the narrow path and he was able to see them after taking just some steps forward. The pretty golden youko, who bore downcast eyes, was visibly subservient before the silver youko who had ruined Gandara's King's life - That traitor, that evil seducer, that liar!

Instantly, Shura started to shake, affected by the purest wrath there could be.

"What were you doing? You know I need help home!" the silver youko declared, with proud annoyance.

Kinno murmured something. The prince twitched his long ears to try to catch the sound, but it was too soft. He could only grasp by his blondie's manners that it was a very humble excuse.

"You know that now that Hiei is on the frontier, I need your help! You wasted the whole morning here, Kinno! Now, go get to work! I need potatoes and beets! And you must watch the kids while I hunt something!"

It was then the silver youko halted. He looked around, perhaps perceiving some strange you-ki lurking by. He prodded Kinno away from him with a poking finger. Then Kurama smelled the air, observing all directions.

Shura pushed himself tighter against the tree trunk; then he held his breath and gathered his you-ki together, composing himself. He could not allow that villain to know he was there - Not that he was afraid of a contention,  but the fact is that he had promised Kinno he would wait and think about that whole situation better.

"There's someone around..."

Kinno panicked with his father's supposition. He started to push Kurama gently away from the clearing. His golden tail wiggled nervously as he surrounded his father, stammering excuses, softly struggling to take him away...

"No, daddy, there's no one there... Let's go home..."

Kurama shook his head. He stayed firmly in place, resisting Kinno. He directed an angry stare at the blond youngster.

"Hummm... You're strange... What's going on?"

"N-nothing, daddy... Please, let's go, the kids are alone back there..."

The silver youko refused to move. He sniffled the air before coming closer to Kinno, bending over to perceive his scent.

Shura was very worked up. He chewed his lips not to protest aloud, and his hands clasped tightly the rough wood he leaned against. The grip was so strong it left marks on the trunk. He had to use all his willpower and resistance not to react when he heard Kurama admonishing his blondie in an ill manner.

"What were you doing, you airhead? You smell of sex all over! Who was there lying in the bushes with you?"

The rosy tint fled from Kinno's face at once. A spasm of fear shook him, and he tried to say something, but he could not even mumble any excuse. All he managed was to stare at his father with a pair of flabbergasted golden eyes.

Shura ground his teeth and furrowed his eyebrows with anger. He was ready to fight. The slightest threatening movement from Kurama would be enough to make him attack to kill!

"N-n-no!"

"No?" Kurama brushed his nose on Kinno's hair and sniffed at him deeply. Then he faced his son with a very grave expression. "I smell sex, semen, saliva, sweat, and I suspect there's some other youkai's scent underneath, like..."

The intense fright which struck him made Kinno think and act fast. It was just like a reflex, a response to the panic which overtook him then.

"Oh, daddy... you know how these things are..." Kinno murmured, nervously.

The youko arched one eyebrow and looked at Kinno with intent and suspicion. He snorted then; a feature he incorporated from Hiei.

"No; I don't know. What's going on here?"

Kinno lowered his eyes timidly. But he insisted on standing right in the way between Kurama and Shura, determined not to let them meet.

"I miss sex sometimes, daddy... I was just playing... Alone..."

The moment of silence between youko father and son weighed heavily upon Kinno, like a dark, leaden curtain. For one instant the pretty golden youko imagined he would faint; he was much too nervous! The blond closed his eyes, and a sudden weakness started to bend his knees. A strong sickness started in his stomach, and a bitter flow started to grow inside him, almost making him heave...

"Alright. At least you're not doing it in front of the kids," Kurama stated. And the silver fox could not avoid a small sideways smile. After all, he was a youko; he knew how urgent release could be for a lonely youko in heat. "If you want I can give you a medicine to help you cool down, son. I know it can be hard when you don't have a mate."

Kinno sighed in, relieved. He smiled, and looked up at his father, with confidence and contentment. His father had believed his pretext!

"Oh, daddy, thanks but I'm fine now," Kinno returned, a little vexed about lying to his father and yet being treated so kindly. "Come, daddy, let's go home!"

The youko sensed the air again...

"Are you sure you are alone, Kinno? Don't lie to me again... I trust you now, so don't bring me and Hiei any more trouble, right?"

The silver youko looked intensely at his son, but Kinno could not stand it. A shadow of sorrow covered his young eyes.

"No, daddy. I promise I won't bring any more trouble." Kinno eyes became teary again as he said it; but he pretended to brush his bangs with his fingers, not to let Kurama notice his anguish.

Kurama seemed to be satisfied with such a response. He held Kinno by one hand, bringing him along back to their den.

The young youko felt his heart was torn in two as he left his lover behind. Shura had fulfilled his promise; he had not tried to attack Kurama. Kinno followed his father mildly, but he yet took one chance to look over his shoulder to the trees surrounding the clearing. Shura was still there, quietly observing them...

Kinno had faith Shura would not abandon him... Oh, he loved that pretty youkai so much!

To be Continued...