He turned his eyes down, refusing to stare at that shifting, moving black spot which tainted the space, a few steps away from them. He did not want to leave... He did not want to leave his family behind...

"Oh, Shura... Please..."

"We must get out of my father's reach. His power is spread all over the Makai! He can send spies, armies, mercenaries... It will be harder to find us in the Ningen world. We must leave now!" The young prince extended his hand towards Kinno, calling him close. He gently tried to hold Kinno's hand, and bring him into an embrace, but the golden youko hesitantly moved one step behind.

"My daddy... I want you, sugar, but I can't leave daddy Kurama behind... He needs me to take care of the kids, and clean the place, and cook, and I can't leave him now... Daddy loves me now, I know..."

"Kinno, please... I cannot protect you if we stay here. I cannot oppose to my papa. He is very powerful..."

"Will you let me come and visit daddy and ji-chan and the kids once in a while?"

Shura said nothing. It was something he could not promise to his sweetheart. In fact, he doubted they would be able to return to the Makai so soon...

"We can try, blondie."

"I worry about daddy... Daddy and your papa must be fighting and hurting each other."

The small opening between the words was very unstable. The black gap oscillated; Its form pulsated, like a black plasma... It was starting to shrink, very slowly. The passage Shura had burrowed them from one dimension to the other was already starting to shut down... And Kinno was not sure yet...

"They can take care of themselves. Come..."

"But what if your papa hurts my daddy?"

"Papa won't do it. He still loves Kurama."

"And if daddy hurts your papa? Oh, Shura... I am so afraid..."

"Kurama is not match for my father. My papa is the King of the Makai. He is the most powerful demon there is!"

"But..."

Shura frowned. He could not wait any longer. In fact he must be the one to regret the departure - He was leaving not only his papa behind, but all his ambitions, all his dreams, all he had always been taught to yearn and struggle for. From that day on he would not be a prince, but a fugitive, wanted by the Makai, and chased by the Reikai Special Forces, as soon as Koenma heard of his breaking into the Ningenkai.

But who cared if he had Kinno?

"Come with me, my foxie... I love you. You are all I need."

The blonde youko sighed in very deeply, before gathering courage enough to reach out for his prince's hand. He stepped forward to allow Shura to encircle his waist with one very tender touch.

"I love you too, my prince..."

Shura smiled then. He turned towards the passage, gently bringing Kinno along. Then, as he faced the dimensional hole, he found a small but fast black shadow barge in their way.

Kinno halted midway. He clung clumsily to Shura, hiding behind him, afraid of the short youkai with red eyes who faced them with an angry frown, and yet keeping a soft mischievous half-smile in his lips.

The youkai withdrew his sword from under his cloak in a daring, nimble movement. His smile widened, as an amused sense of irony appeared in the corner of his lips.

"Where do you intend to take Kinno, Shura? Are you planning to kidnap him?"

Shura pulled himself backwards; not for fear. He just did not intend to fight that youkai, whom Kinno liked so dearly. He furrowed, and tried to evade, not even giving Kinno the chance to say anything.

As he turned to his left, there was the other youko, that despicable silvery one, with an angered expression, staring evilly at them.

"I demand reparation of my son's honor, boy! This secret date of yours is an offense to me and my partner!"

Shura was about to protest, but insisted in escaping, dragging him along, heading the opposite direction. It was then Gandara's prince became livid with the shock of seeing his father standing there, right in his way, hindering their getaway.

The sweethearts merely held hands tighter. Kinno trembled, and he was confused, his eyes darting incessantly from one demon to the other. Shura still showed himself very resolute, and instead of fearing for the situation, he merely held Kinno closer to himself.

Gandara's King opened his arms wide, indicating to the couple they would have no means to run away in that direction.

"You have no escape but to assume an engagement by contract. You must be pledged to marry; It is the only way I will accept your relationship." Yomi seemed very outraged as he pointed a finger at Kinno. "Youko! Are you aware my son is three years old? You have seduced but a pure, innocent child with your evil sexual gifts! You are robbing Gandara's craddle!"

Kinno was appalled with the news. He faced Shura with wide, shocked eyes, and withdrew himself from his embracing arms. The youko steeped a little away and observed his lover, checking on him, trying to understand that new, scandalous fact...

"Oh! Sugar! I didn't know... You're so big, how could I know you were a kid?"

Shura flushed with his lover's comment, mainly because his golden eyes were set straight in his groin's direction... Shura embarrassedly placed his crossed hands at his lower abdomen in embarrassement. Then he burst out:

"I am not a kid!" Shura complained back, peeved.

"You are indeed a very naughty kid! It was you who induced my son to engage in sex! I should have known! Kinno is a freak magnet!" The silver youko stopped then, to take a breath. Enraged, waving his finger to Shura, he continued his demands. "You must assume the consequences of your acts! You seduced my good-hearted son, now you must pay for it, or be bound to marry him!"

"I never thought I 'd be saying this, but I agree with Youko Kurama. You must get into a serious commitment." Yomi announced then.

Shura  looked evilly at the Silver youko, enraged for being insulted. Then he aimed a sideways look at his father. Nervous, he tried to rehearse excusing words, sure that his father must understand how impossible it had been to him to fight that passion for Kinno. It was then he suddenly realized that it was all on his and Kinno's side - Forced to get married?

The boy showed a wide, brilliant smile. He looked at Kinno, who seemed very worried, and tried to soothe him, reaching out and gently caressing the delicate curve of his shoulder. He played with one of his long beaded tresses then, still smiling, as happy as he could.

"Foxie... They are going to force us to get married..."

Kinno was very confused.

"But... I am too young to get married... And you are a kid..."

Shura frowned.

"I am not a kid, I told you!"

The golden youko looked at his father. Kurama stepped closer to them, staring viciously at the pair.

"You ruined it, now you must fix it. That's all I have to say about it. I don't want to waste my time worrying about you any longer! It's a commitment!"

Yomi also seemed angry.  At least keeping both lovers under his vigilance he could have some peace of spirit.

"And if you ever cheat my son, I will force you to join the army and be sent to the furthest and most hostile region of my Kingdom! You would not like to serve the Army, would you, youko?"

Kinno ran towards Shura's father, in a fit of panic. He threw himself at the youkai's feet, kneeling before him, and eagerly circled Yomi's knees with his arms, weeping and insistently leaning his head on his thighs, in a pleading fashion.

"No! Please! Papa Yomi... Not the army! Please, no! I don't want to have my hair cut! And the uniforms are ugly and old fashioned! I love your son, I love Shura, I will never cuckold him, I promise!"

Hiei, who was still blocking the passage to the dimensional hole, was struggling not to burst into laugher.

Yomi smiled, very discreetly, convinced that situation was reaching the best solution they could think of.  He had been truly unable to detain his son's passion... Therefore...

But Youko Kurama was still very annoyed. Yomi realized the indignant stare Youko Kurama kept upon him, when he saw his own son bending his knees before him.

Yomi gently reached down, to pat the golden youko's soft hair. He was very beautiful...

He stroked the golden, glossy head, sensing the weak you-ki emanated from him. He was not a menace to anyone, let alone to Shura... In fact, that blond fox was harmless like a big baby, and apparently as sweet as one.

The King smiled. He had no reason to doubt it was Kurama's child, but he had never  imagined his former chief and lover could ever become a father...

"Don't you dare to threaten my kid, Yomi! You have no authority upon him!"

Yomi made an appeasing gesture to his former partner. Youko Kurama was very different from the old times; he was not cold and collected as he used to be 1000 years ago; in the past, he would keep in control, even under the most distressing situation... And now he showed all that excitement...

The King bent over, still smiling, to help Kinno stand up.

"Kinno... Don't panic. Just be good to Shura, and nothing bad will happen to you, yes?"

"Please, Shura's papa, don't be angry at me! I love Shura! I love him very much! I will never be a bad youko, I will never be mean!"

Kurama interfered. He walked closer to Yomi, but all the time his eyes were fixed on Shura. The enmity that young clone had for him was clear.

"I will allow this marriage, but I need guarantees this evil-eyed clone will never try any vengeance upon me, my partner or my family. His plan must have been to use Kinno to get to me, and then exert his wicked revenge!"

Shura's brow was altered by a deep frown of anger. Again he lowered his head, and tensed his shoulders, almost on the verge of attacking.

He directed harsh words at the youko, brandishing one closed fist at him.

"You are lucky my father hid the truth about your relationship with him till now! If not I would have killed you since last Tournament! You have tried to kill my father, you blinded him, and you betrayed him! I hate you, youko! The demon boy heaved a deep, respiration, forcing himself to calm down. "I hate you, but I renounce my revenge for Kinno!"

A sudden tension grew in the group. Hiei felt as if the whole arrangement could be ruined at that moment, with Shura's hard words. But then, as far as he knew, Kurama was not in a position to deny the accusations - He had been a wicked bastard in his past; everybody knew it... The youko had to learn to live with it...
 
Kurama took a deep breath. He was visibly trying to keep collected before that loud, hot-tempered young demon.

"These are matters that do not concern any one but your father and I, young Shura. You can't pass judgements; I doubt Yomi has told you every little detail..."

Yomi spoke aloud, cutting the topic.

"I am sure my son will do his best to try to balance this extreme situation between us, Kurama. Our feud has ended long ago. I took revenge upon you, and you paid it back; we are even... Of course I would not like my son to be involved with any of your fox kind, but there is no other alternative..."

The Fire Youkai placidly watched the dimensional hole be shut, finally. The frame of the Makai's reality enclosed the passage completely. He sheathed his katana then, and walked closer to the group, observing the fathers and their sons.
 
Hiei was happy that Kinno had found someone. In fact, he could not bear any grudge on Yomi; just on the contrary. If he was still alive, living with Kurama, they owed it to Yomi and the regeneration chambers he kept in his city's laboratories.

Jealousy? If there were to exist anything serious between Yomi and Kurama it should have already happened long ago.

Shura seemed a good, noble youkai. Therefore, why not?

"I am pleased to know Kinno has found a friend and lover. Now we must set details and officialize it." Hiei added.

He had excused himself from the others, asking permission to have a private talk with Kinno. The fox followed him in frightened hesitation, mumbling  excuses, so nervous that Yomi could sense the sweaty smell of his distress cloaking the mild honey and musk natural perfume he carried.

That golden fox was the most extraordinary youko...

Yomi sat down a little away from the others, on a rock under the shadow cast by a steep cliff nearby. The King knew everyone's attention was focused on him and Kinno. In fact, he was not stupid enough not to notice Shura was jealous of his newly-found foxy lover.

He could not blame his son. That youko was far more gorgeous than Kurama had ever been. Moreover he was surprisingly innocent and good-hearted. It was his charm... Yomi now knew well why Shura had not been able to fight that passion. How to blame Shura? How could he ever resist such an alluring grace?

Yomi called Kinno closer with one slow gesture of his hand. And he allowed his beautiful smile to show, to make Kinno see he was not angry or displeased at all.

"We must talk, my boy. Don't be vexed. I will not harm you in any way."

Kinno hesitated, but he slowly walked closer to the King, step by step, in a fearful approach. He trembled intensely; he had never been near a real King before...

"You are a very beautiful demon. I hope my son be happy with you."

Kinno whined an excuse. He got on his knees before Yomi, and held his hands before him, in a nervous plea for forgiveness. He looked up at Shura's father then, and he was so scared he was totally livid.

"I will make Shu-chan very happy, papa Yomi... I swear it to you..."

Yomi laughed. Papa Yomi? How sweet of that pretty youko...

"Come nearer; Let me touch your face, will you?"

Kinno shifted closer. Though he was quivering, he tried his best to remain very quiet, keeping even his breath suspended for a while as the King reached out, very calmly, to touch and sense his face.

He had such large hands... Kinno closed his eyes, as Yomi's soft fingertips felt their way along his face, measuring his high cheekbones, caressing the delicately curved eyebrows, touching his fleshy lips...

Poor youkai... Kinno imagined it must be hard for Shura that his papa was blind. And in a way, it was hard for him also...

"Poor papa Yomi... Was it really my daddy that blinded you?"

Yomi finished his examination patting the boy's head very gently. He did not let go of his soft smile, not even after Kinno had asked that of him. His hand slid down that deliciously soft blond hair, and for a short moment, sorrowfulness struck the King. It brought him a dull pain which echoed deeply inside his chest.

Yomi sighed very discreetly.

"He was not your father when he did it to me, my sweet future son-in-law. He was a very different youko."

Kinno rested his hands on Yomi's knees. Then he leaned his head on his thighs.

"Does it mean you forgive my daddy, Shura's papa?" Kinno raised his eyes towards the King and smiled. "Daddy was very evil in the past. He abandoned me and my momma... But now he is not evil anymore. He is a good youko, just like me. Don't bear any grudge on him, please..."

Yomi made one of his fingers touch the youko's brow. He was sweating cold with nervousness. Poor kid; he surely had none of Kurama's bold, cold ways. Yomi made his touch slip down the gracious and slender nose, and move down, to sense his smiling lips.

He knew his son had found a treasure in youko aspect. Not for his beauty, not for his graciousness, but for the tender child-like innocence of his heart. Kinno was just the opposite of the black-hearted youko he knew in his gangland days.

"I will forgive your father, because it is you that is asking me that. I know you will make my son the happiest youkai there is." Yomi's hands held Kinno's, in a tender clasp. "Shura is strong and determined, but he is too sensitive and lonely. I imposed too many obligations and responsibilities upon my son. He had always been forced to a dry, rigid discipline, but I hope you can brighten Shura's days with your loveliness, young Kinno. You are welcome in Gandara, and in my small family."

The youko's golden eyes became teary at once.

"You are very good, papa Yomi... Now I know how Shura could be so kind and noble... He's got it after you..." Kurama's son threw himself into Yomi's arms, cuddling to the King with a deeply moved affection. "I will be a good youko, and I will dedicate all my life to make Shura happy, papa Yomi... I promise it... I love Shura so much..."

Yomi chuckled, and froze with the surprise, when he sensed the sudden movement, and then felt Kinno's warm, luscious lips touch his in a kiss. It was a peck, a soft smooch, which was quick, lasting but one split second... And yet, it was extremely delicious...

Yes. He had not been fortunate in his liaison with Youko Kurama, but their children would be happy. He was definitively sure about that.

"I envy my son. You are a dream of a youko..."

Kinno smiled back. Then, he sat at Yomi's feet, much more at ease before the great and fear-inspiring Gandara's Sovereign.

"And I can see why Shura is so gorgeous... He took after his papa..."

Yomi laughed aloud, totally relaxed. He was really in need of some ego-polishing...

"Thank you, Kinno. You are very kind. Now, please, I need to know about you. Tell me how you and my son met. I am curious to know how you managed to get along."

Kinno nodded, enthusiastically. Yes, it was a story he would love to tell. Even now, after all that had happened, he doubted he had been so lucky as to find in Shura that real and sweet love he had always dreamed of...

He sat in a coquettish pose, graciously crossing his legs while his long fox- tail waved slowly behind him. He would not let go his smile for a single moment, neither would Yomi. The King was virtually enchanted with Kinno, pleased with his docility and coy manners.

The golden fox placed one arm across Yomi's knees, and propped his chin on it, to start his story.

"I met Shura in Gandara. I was selling my daddy's cucumbers when I saw that gorgeous horny boy come talk to me. I was impressed... He was so polite... And he was wearing military uniform and black leather boots. I love youkai wearing boots..."

"Oh... You do?"

Kinno nodded. Yomi exchanged a conspiratorial smile with his future son-in-law.

"You're just like your father then..."

Kinno's eyes widened with enthusiasm. He loved to know things about his lovely daddy Kurama. He agreed, and continued.

"Shura and I started dating. He always came to meet me at the market. But then my former Master caught me and I could not see Shura any more. Shura must have been so sad; he thought I had dumped him, but I hadn't... I was kidnapped, and I missed Shura bad while I was imprisoned... But daddy and Hiei ji-chan came to rescue me and..."

Yomi followed the story, kindly, very attentive to every little detail. He was glad that at least his son could be happy in love...
 

He was still trying not to let his eyes meet Youko Kurama's. He insisted in keeping a safe distance between himself and Kinno's father. He was still very hungry for revenge.

It had been Hiei who called him aside, when he realized Yomi's son was hardly holding back his grievance. But the Fire youkai could understand him perfectly. Revenge was something which cried too loud within every youkai's heart, and he must admit, Kurama must have been a despicable bastard in the past by all he had heard and all he had been told...

He approached the young youkai very carefully.

"We don't want any trouble, kid. Personally I have no objections of your relationship with Kinno. This is all between Yomi and Kurama."

Shura rumbled something, so low and guttural, Hiei could understand nothing. But it was a complaint, most naturally... He seemed a grumpy kind of youkai. But Kinno would change that ill-tempered boy in two shakes of a fox's tail...

"Like I said before, on behalf of my feelings for Kinno I renounce my right for vengeance. Reluctantly, I have decided not to harm Youko Kurama."

Hiei agreed. He was somehow amused to see the jealous glance Shura kept in the direction where Yomi and Kinno were alone, talking.

"You must be good to Kinno. He doesn't have a noble past, but he is trying the best he can to be a good youko, like he says. He loves his daddy too much; to live with Kinno you need to put up with Kurama, despite all he had done to your father..."

Shura agreed somberly. It was a very unpleasant situation, but he was ready to face it the best he could.

Hiei could not avoid a mordant little smile to tug up the corner of his lips.

"Kurama's past is so black he hides it even from me... But the youko is trying to overcome the weight of all his guilt. I am sure soon there will be no more ill-will and hatred between you two."

Shura looked at the other side. Kurama waited alone down the slope, his hands on his hips, showing haughty airs, as he looked around, impatient and annoyed.

"I must confess it was very difficult for me when I found Kinno is Kurama's son. I have always been taught youko were despicable, mean demons; let alone the fact it had been Kurama who disgraced my papa's life. Not seeking revenge is a personal ordeal to me." He looked down, very seriously, at Hiei. "You don't need to worry about Kurama's safety. I love Kinno, I would never betray my promise to my sweet fox."

"I take that you will keep your word of honor then." Hiei added.

It was then Shura waved a finger at Hiei.

"Tell your partner that I will not tolerate any more of those cursed Dream Flowers! If I find a single one around I will chase Kurama down all over the Makai, till the End of Time, to make him pay for addicting my father!"

Hiei frowned. Dream Flower?

"Hey, what are you talking about? Dream Flower? I know nothing about it..."
 
 

The Horny Doom of the Makai had won.

The silver fox watched the scene in silence. Kinno and Shura were hand in hand, enthusiastically talking with Hiei. Kurama tried to be apart from them, but he could not avoid that Yomi came to him.

Kurama kept his eyes straight at Yomi, proud and fearless as always.

It was one of those sick twists of fate. If he had been told, in the past, that Yomi would still return to his life, and that their children would fall in love and engage into a serious relationship, he would have had a laughing fit which would last hours...

He had the habit of laughing of his own fate, and always tried to gamble with the others, using them as pawns of his own private game.

Now the game's last play had him cornered.

The worse of it all was the vanquishing realization he must abide to the circumstances not to make things much worse.

He frowned when he perceived the placid contentment on Yomi's face. It seemed the King was in fact enjoying the whole situation; but then, why shouldn't he?

"You could never avoid me the way you intended, Kurama...  I'm always coming back to you..."

Kurama showed a displeased scowl.

"Yes. You're a thorn on my side, Yomi. I can't get rid of you..."

Yomi kept a smile on his lips, not altered by the youko's harsh grumpiness.

"You were kinder while you retained your human form. These youko hormones might be going on your head..."

Kurama furrowed his brow. His ears twitched, and he could not help but murmur a low insult in between his teeth.

Yomi's smile widened. He had heard it perfectly, of course...

"Yes, Kurama. I'm just a despicable upstart... But now I am the King; I rule the Makai. And in fact it was you who helped me getting up here. Every time you despised me, the more I wanted to show you my valour... If I am a King today, it is because you treated me like garbage in the past..." The King reached out slowly, not to offer any threat, and he grasped the youko's shoulder, in a friendly touch. "I think in the end I should thank you for it, Kurama..."

The youko was about to protest, but then he took a fleeting glimpse at his lover. Hiei was still a little way away, talking to Shura and Kinno.

Kurama breathed deeply, to control his first impulse to rebuff Yomi's words in the harshest way. He could not forget that even being betrayed and abandoned, Yomi had helped him in his darkest hour...

"I guess I have always been too big for my britches..."

The King's hand moved down Kurama's shoulder, in one soft and fleeting caress. For one second, the smile let go of Yomi's lips, as he bashfully withdrew his hand, crossing both at his lower abdomen. He bowed his head a little then, and the smile returned to is lips, but being given bitter tones...

"I merely wanted to prevent my son from getting involved with you, or any other youko. I could not run the risk that my son might be attracted by you, and thus fall in the same love trap I have been prisoner of. "

"Kinno is a very sweet and caring youko. You need not worry about Shura's relationship with him. My son is true and loyal." Kurama gave a half-hearted little smile, embarrassed but bound to confess his own flaws. "He is very different from me when I was his age."

Yomi sighed in, and a rosy tint of delight covered his cheeks for a moment.

"He is delicious. Like Shura, I would have fallen madly in love for him if I had known him before..."

Kurama felt a sudden sickness start inside him at the mere thought of it. Yomi and Kinno? That size queen and his tender-hearted son? Over his dead body!

"It seems you are not lucky with youko, Yomi. You should try to change your preferences..."

"Well... And you are not lucky in your love life with winged youkai, are you?"

Yomi's good-humored remark made Kurama show a displeased grimace. The youko fumbled with one strand of his silvery hair, keeping a straight, angry stare at Yomi, indicating he had reached the point where the play had turned into serious matter.

"I am sorry, Kurama. I just could not resist... I feel very happy that things ended well for these two young lovers. I was very tense and worried that Shura might be deceived and hurt. But Kinno is such a sweet child that I do not regret my son's liaison with Kinno any more." Yomi made an appeasing gesture then. "I tend to make very stupid comments and tell silly and sick jokes whenever I am too happy..."

"I guess it goes on your head, Yomi..."

Yomi laughed softly.

"Kinno told me a little of his past life. He fought hard not to let himself be defeated by adversity. His life history is similar to my own... Whether he is actually your son or not, it still makes a fabulous child out of him."

Kurama agreed. He looked at the Blond Menace of the Makai; one of the many nicks he had given Kinno.  In fact, Kurama felt much more at ease with that fox's presence. He had indeed become his son at heart.

"I had a hard time getting used to the idea of having a son, but now I love him deeply."

Yomi turned over his shoulder. Hie ears twitched slightly as he overheard the conversation his boy was exchanging with Kinno and Hiei.

"I understand your feelings, Kurama. I also had Shura engendered for very practical reasons, but now I feel a true father's love for him. He is not my clone; he became my real son, my heir and above all, my dearest friend."

The fathers kept silence then. Kurama could see, and Yomi sensed Hiei bringing the sweethearts closer to them.

Kurama nudged at Yomi's side.

"Yomi. You do forgive me, don't you?" The silver fox asked then, cautiously.

Yomi acquiesced. A sweet smile curved his lips.

"Yes, Kurama. The happiness of our children is joining us now."