Disclaimer: I don’t own Yu Yu Hakusho. Only the werewolf and demon are mine.
Chapter One- Rejection
Kurama shivered as he huddled under a thin blanket before nudging a piece of wood into the minor fire in front of him. He curled up in a ball under the blanket, the firelight reflected in his intense, green eyes.
I cannot say I did not see this coming. I wish the alternative had come to pass but wishing does not make it so. Oh, if only I had not been so foolish in taking that shortcut home the other night:
Kurama had stayed a little late at school and had chosen to take a dark shortcut so that he would arrive at home sooner. He had only gone a few steps down that path when a large black wolf with gold eyes had leaped out of a bush and had growled at him.
Kurama had backed up and the wolf had slowly advanced, nose flaring. The wolf had then…laughed. “You are perfect,” he had said.
“What…are you?” Kurama had gasped, knowing this was no demon.
“I am a traveling werewolf,” he had answered. “I go where I want and try to bite at least one person in each city I visit and impart some knowledge of what they are now. Sometimes I fail to do so but more often than not, I succeed. I sense you are not just a human and I would love to-,”
Kurama had summoned his whip and snapped it, but the werewolf had zipped to the side to avoid the strike and then had sped forward and sank his teeth into Kurama’s arm. The redhead had cried out and the whip dropped and became a rose again.
The wolf had released his hold and backed away. “It is done,” he had said. “Tomorrow night, you will transform into a wolf much like how I look now, though with red fur and green eyes.” The wolf sniffed again and nodded. “Yes. Now I know that scent: The smell of a demon.” He then laughed. “Your demon side will change too. You will be a wolf demon if you choose to take your demon form.”
“Anything else you wish to share?” Kurama had asked, his voice shaky from the bite.
“Yes, much. You will change every night and if you become angry. You will also be able to change when you want. The full moon change will be in the form of a brutal, vicious version of wolf. Your human form will have long pointed ears and a wolf tail. Your aging will stop once you are fully mature and you will be impossible to kill. Right now, anything can kill you. Try to avoid touching silver in human form as it’ll cause you to change until the next morning. Well, good luck to you.” The wolf had turned and sped away from the scene.
Kurama was able to get to his room the following night by eating out for dinner and climbing through the window. He had experienced pain from his change which he had expected. He looked exactly like the wolf had said. He was large with red fur and intense green eyes. The senses were not anything special; just a little sharper but that was all.
The next morning, Kurama had looked into his mirror to see a red wolf tail and long pointed ears, the latter he was able to conceal with his hair and the former was tucked into his pants. He had gone down to eat breakfast and was about to leave for school when Shiori came down dressed save for her jewelry.
“Shuichi, could you help me put my necklace on?” she had asked.
“Of course, Mother.” He went to take the necklace only noticing a split second before he touched it that it was silver! No! he had thought as his fingers touched the metal.
The necklace fell to the floor as Kurama shifted to wolf form. Shiori, Kazuya, and Kokoda back away from him. “Shuichi?” Shiori had asked in fear.
Kurama had bowed his head. “I ran into a traveling werewolf the other night. It seems the bite can be done anytime. He warned me not to touch silver, so I cannot be human until tomorrow morning.” He had looked up at his family. “I will not hurt you,” he added as he took two steps forward.
Kazuya had gotten between his family and Kurama and snatched up the necklace. He swung the unhooked length of silver toward Kurama who had halted and backed up.
“Go!” Kazuya shouted. “Get out of here!”
“What?” Kurama had asked, confused.
Shiori had stepped up beside her husband. “You heard him. Leave. You’re not welcome here.”
Kurama was stunned to hear his mother speak to him like that. Hadn’t he just said he wouldn’t hurt any of them? His eyes drifted to Kokoda whose eyes were wide and scared before looking at Shiori again. “Mother, please,” he had pleaded.
“No,” she said, her voice firm and hard. “We will not have a werewolf living with us. You just admitted that you were bitten on a non-full moon night. You are a dangerous monster. You could choose to bite us at any time.” She had pointed at the door. “Leave and don’t come back.”
Kazuya had kept the silver out in front of him as he went past Kurama and opened the door. Kurama’s ears folded back as he slunk toward the door, seized his schoolbag, and crept to the door. He paused at the door, looked back with sad eyes, and whined plaintively.
“Go!” Kazuya had roared and swung the necklace, catching Kurama on the cheek.
Kurama had yelped around his bag’s handle at the sting and burn of the silver before he ran out the door which had slammed shut behind him.
Tears had streaked Kurama’s cheeks and muzzle as he walked through alleys with his head down. He had been kicked out of his home, his family essentially disowning him. He had trotted to the park and found a place to hide for the day. He hunted for prey to eat throughout the day and to save for later. He rooted though the trash to find a thin blanket and used it to carry food, wood, and his schoolbag to an isolated, abandoned house where he managed to kindle a fire, ate his dinner, and then huddled under the blanket.
I cannot be angry at my family for rejecting me. It is accepted that werewolves are a danger to humans as they can turn them into werewolves or be killed and eaten as it is said that my kind eat humans. Kurama shuddered at the thought. He couldn’t imagine eating humans or turning them; no matter how badly he was treated by his family, he would not retaliate or get even by killing them.
I will need to go to school tomorrow to get the assignments I missed today. I hate missing school but I cannot go to school as a wolf even though I can talk. I would cause a panic and I would have to figure out how to write and turn pages with paws.
Furthermore, is the matter of making sure the signs of my condition are concealed. Both are easily done, though the tail may be a little tricky as it could twitch and swish at times.
I will need to get more uniforms. Naturally, I will need to sneak in to get them. I tend to keep my window unlocked in the event that Hiei visits, only he doesn’t now that he’s back home. Speaking of home, I should find a place to stay at least until I graduate. Kuwabara or Keiko, maybe. I will tell them I’m a werewolf and what I know. I hope one of them will allow me to live with them.
I do need to know more about being a werewolf. I know about changing every night, especially the full moon which will make me a monster. I also change when I want, when I become angry and when I touch silver which is clearly my allergy as it stings and burns. He rubbed a foreleg over his cheek, feeling a small patch of skin instead of fur. I’ll heal it in the morning and now that I think of it, I need to take my demon form and learn about it at some point. Kurama shivered as he fell asleep.
Chapter Two- Sanctuary
The heat of a strong fire woke Kurama and the familiar ash scent tickled his nose. Hiei! he thought happily. He felt his tail wag as he opened his eyes and sat up to see the warm fire and Hiei near him, brows knitted in confusion. “Hello, Hiei.”
Hiei frowned, brows still knitted together. “Fox, what are you doing here and why do you smell different?”
“Smell different? How so?”
Hiei sniffed. “Smells like…hm, woodsmoke. A scent associated with fire powers, like ash is.”
“Fire?” Kurama repeated faintly. No! Even my powers have changed. He bowed his head at this news, causing his hair to slide forward and expose the ear points.
“Kurama?” Hiei asked as he stared at the points.
“I encountered a traveling werewolf Wednesday night and he bit me. I change into a wolf every night, whenever I want, when I become angry, and when I touch silver while in human form. I have pointed ears and a tail in human form.” He stood and let the blanket slide off to show the tail. “I was also told that my demon form is a wolf instead of a fox and, thanks to you, I find my powers have changed too.”
“A wolf demon with fire powers,” Hiei said as Kurama drew the blanket around himself and sat down. “But why are you here and not at home?”
“Yesterday, Mother wanted me to help her put a necklace on her before going to school. I realized too late that it was silver. I changed, admitted all I knew of the bite and the reaction to silver, and that I’d be unable to change until the next morning. They…kicked me out.” Kurama’s voice choked and his eyes filled with tears. “Mother called me a dangerous monster and to leave and not come back.” His tears fell and his breath hitched with stifled sobs.
Hiei, who did not care for humans, could not stand to see Kurama cry. He went to the redhead’s side and put his arm around him. “Shh, Kurama. It’ll be fine.”
“Fine!?” he repeated. “How can it be fine when I’m homeless?”
“Because you are Kurama. You’ve handled tougher matters than homelessness. You always knew what to do.”
Kurama brushed off Hiei’s arm, stood which caused the blanket to fall off, strode away from Hiei, and snapped, “I don’t know what to do! Everything about me is gone and replaced with aspects I am unfamiliar with! I am human but also a werewolf and a wolf demon with the power of fire! I have no home and a family who’s disowned me for being a werewolf which I did not ask to be! I was a fool to take that shortcut home!”
“All right, all right. Calm down, Kurama. Change out of anger now and you might not be able to change back until tomorrow morning.”
Kurama closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly let it out. “Okay,” he said calmly as he opened his eyes and sank to the floor. “I’m ashamed to admit it, but I’m scared. I know nothing about werewolves save for the different changes. I am familiar with wolf demons so that does not frighten me.”
“You are still Yoko Kurama, despite being a wolf demon,” Hiei said firmly. “Go ahead and take your demon form. Let’s see it.”
Kurama stood again and closed his eyes. White mist filled the room and Hiei breathed deeply to smell wolf and woodsmoke in the mist before it dissipated to reveal Yoko. He was still tall with fair skin and wearing his white tunic and pants. His hair was still long and silver but his white ears were those of a wolf as was his white tail. His gold eyes examined his body and hair before feeling his ears and craning his neck to see the tail. “It seems my ears, tail, and powers are the only things different about me.”
“Use your power. Just something simple.”
Yoko held up a hand, focused on his new power, and each finger popped alight with a slender flame on the tips.
Hiei nodded in approval. “Nice. I never thought of doing that.”
“It should feel hot and I should feel pain, but there is nothing,” he said with soft wonder.
“You control fire. It makes sense that it does not hurt you.” He smirked. “You could adapt some of your plant attacks to fire ones.”
Yoko thought of his rose whip and the leaves of a plant that let him glide/fly and knew he could adapt those. The flames would not harm my clothes when I choose to attempt wings of flame. He clenched his hand into a fist and the fire was extinguished. He then resumed his human form, albeit, with a red tail.
“Feel a little better?” Hiei asked.
“Yes.” Kurama took his tail and stuffed it down a pantleg. “I need to collect the assignments I missed yesterday,” he said at Hiei’s raised eyebrow. Kurama arranged his hair to conceal his ears and left with his schoolbag.
Hiei stood there, thinking. He had been confused when he found Kurama in an abandoned house and smelling of woodsmoke. He now understood. He was a werewolf whose family had disowned and a wolf demon who had fire powers like himself.
He can’t live like this. He needs a place to stay until he’s finished high school. He also needs his uniforms and other essentials. I bet he left his window unlocked on the off chance that I would show up. Hiei sped off for Kurama’s room, able to enter it quietly, find a duffel bag, and put some clothes, hairbrush, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, and shoes in it before leaving and returning to the abandoned house to find Kurama doing homework by sunlight and firelight. He looked up as Hiei dropped the bag.
“Hiei, thank you.” Kurama grabbed the bag, opened it, and seized his hairbrush.
“You need a place to stay. I know you’ll have a fur coat at night and be able to create a fire, but that will not be enough.”
“Agreed. I was thinking of Keiko or Kuwabara.”
“I say Kuwabara. You would have too much to explain to the girl and her parents may not let you stay due to being a werewolf.”
“Yes, but would Kuwabara let me stay?”
“He knows you better than the girl does. You can assure him that you will not bite.”
“Yes, and when I promise something, I won’t break it.” Kurama packed his schoolwork and gathered both bags. “I’m going to speak to him now.”
&&&&
“Gee, Kurama. That’s awful,” Kuwabara said.
“I know I am asking a lot to ask for houseroom. I could live at Genkai’s, even though it would be quite the commute to and from school.”
“No, no. You can stay here. You’re my friend and need help. You just have to hide the ears and tail like you are now.”
“I appreciate your hospitality. I also give my word that I will not bite you or your family.”
“I know you’ll keep your word.” Kuwabara stood and Kurama followed suite. “We have a spare bedroom not far from the bathroom if that’s okay.”
“Any room is fine compared to living in an empty house with only a thin blanket and a small fire for warmth.”
“I’d say so. So…Hiei’s back, huh?”
“Yes, and he has offered to teach me about fire and retrieve other belongings I will need.”
The pair reached the room and Kurama entered to find a desk with a chair and a comfortable bed. He turned to Kuwabara and nodded in approval before setting his schoolbag on the desk, sitting down, and pulling out his homework. Kuwabara left him to it, feeling terrible that his friend had been kicked out of his own home. There has to be something more I can do to help.
Chapter Three- New Home Life
Kuwabara knocked on Kurama’s door hours later with food. He heard, “Enter,” and he did so, startling slightly at the sight of a large red wolf with green eyes sitting on the bed. “Whoa,” he said.
“I did say I was larger than a normal wolf,” Kurama said in amusement.
“Uh, yeah, but I didn’t think you’d be this large.”
Kurama laughed and jumped off the bed as Kuwabara put the tray down. Kurama licked his chops at the cooked meat before he began to eat. The meat was well-cooked and had a slight seasoning to it that was delicious.
“This is wonderful. Did you cook it?”
“Yeah. I figured you haven’t had a good, cooked dinner since…”
“Thursday. I had dinner away from home and climbed into my room through the window so no one would see me change.”
“What are you going to do tomorrow?"
“I still have a little studying left and then I’ll wash up and take a walk.”
“I guess speaking to your family is not part of that walk.”
“No. It is not.”
Kuwabara sighed. “Kurama…”
“No. Kuwabara, I explained and assured them they were safe but they turned on me, evicted me from my home. I will defend them from danger but seeking them out to convince them that I am harmless seems pointless. I wish they had understood from the start but I can see their point. They do not want to risk being bitten though I swore I would not do that.” Kurama returned to his dinner and Kuwabara left, sensing his friend was done talking.
He won’t talk to them. I guess I can understand that. If I had become a werewolf and got kicked out, I wouldn’t want to try to talk to my family either. I could try to talk to them on Kurama’s behalf. I know my friend and I know he wouldn’t hurt them.
The next day, Kurama finished his homework and moved ahead to tomorrow’s assignments before changing clothes. He tucked the tail into a pantleg and brushed his hair, styling it to conceal his ears. He checked his reflection, was satisfied, and left the room.
“Oh. Kuwabara,” Kurama said when he met his friend at the front door. “Also heading out?”
“Yeah. Getting food for my cat.”
“I see. Curious that your cat is not reacting negatively to me as I’m related to dogs.”
“Yeah, that is curious but good that she doesn’t react to you. Well, enjoy your walk.” Kuwabara went out the door and Kurama did the same.
Kurama walked among the people, feeling his tail’s fur tickling his leg and he fought the urge to let it come out to relieve the itch. He took in the smells and sounds around him with ease as it was nothing new aside from being a little sharper. He surmised that it was due to being a wolf in human and demon form.
His footsteps carried him to the park and he found a pleasant, secluded spot. He sat under the shade of some tress, brought his tail out, closed his eyes, and breathed in the grass, flowers, and trees. The scents tickled his nose and he smiled at how nice it was. It is ironic. I am a wolf who prefers forest homes, but my demon powers are fire which can destroy a forest.
The scent of ash reached him and he also sensed demon energy. He kept his eyes closed as he calmly said, “Hello, Hiei.”
“Kuwabara took you in.”
“He did. I gave him my word that I will keep my teeth to myself.” Kurama opened his eyes.
“Of course. You will be careful at school tomorrow, right?”
“Yes.” He then smiled. “Hiei, do you know what the trickiest part of having a tail is?”
“What?”
“Going to the bathroom.”
Hiei snorted a laugh. “Yes, I can imagine.” Kurama chuckled as well. “Kurama, would you like some fire training?”
“I would but in the form of a discussion. I am quite comfortable here and have no desire to cause a park fire.”
“I can discuss it. I love to talk about what I can do and how we can apply it to your own powers.” Hiei sat down. “Actual training is not necessary. You are strong and have excellent control. I believe you would be great at using a sword of fire and fireballs.”
“A sword of fire. You used one with your darkness flame.”
“Yes. You could adapt your rose whip into a fire whip.”
“I have thought of that and the plant I utilized as a glider.”
“Wings of fire,” Hiei said in soft awe. “That would be very impressive.”
“Yes. I would just have to figure out how to do that.”
&&&&
“Wait, wait. Kurama’s a werewolf?” Keiko asked as she and Kuwabara sat in her room.
“Yeah, and he found that he’s a wolf demon instead of a fox and he uses fire instead of plants now.”
“And his family kicked him out for being a werewolf?”
“They did even after Kurama said he wouldn’t hurt them.”
“Of course he wouldn’t. He must be feeling hurt about that more than being a werewolf and a wolf demon.”
“I don’t doubt that. I’d be hurt too if my family kicked me out. I asked if he would try to talk to them and he said no.”
“No?”
“That’s right. He will protect them but trying to get them to take him back seems pointless to him. I think he’s wrong. I’m sure once the shock of seeing him change has worn off, the family will take him back.”
“I don’t know. They may not. I mean, people fear wolves and werewolves would fall in that category. How will Kurama handle his full moon change by the way?”
“I don’t know but I’m sure he’s thought of that.”
“Of course I have,” Kurama said when Kuwabara voiced the question. “I have considered spending those nights in Demon World or in some kind of construct that will contain me.”
“It’s that necessary, huh?”
“Yes. I was told I would be vicious and brutal and I have no reason to dismiss that as everything else I was told is true.”
“Kurama, how likely is it for your family to take you back?”
“I don’t know. I would love to go home, but I will not go back and beg for understanding. I did not ask to be bitten and did not deserve to be evicted.” Kurama’s eyes turned shiny before tears slid down his face.
Kuwabara was stunned as he had expected anger, not tears. “Whoa, Kurama. Easy there. Of course, you didn’t ask to be bitten or deserve to be kicked out. I was just thinking that your change was a bit of a shock and perhaps once the shock has worn off, they’ll ask for you to come back.”
Kurama wiped away the tears and the tearstains. “Yes…yes, they might do that.”
“Until they do, you can stay here for however long it takes.”
“Thank you. I will see how my idea of being in Demon World works for my first full moon night which is a little over two weeks away.”
“And I look forward to hearing about it.”
Chapter Four- Encounter
Kurama was relieved when school came the next day. He found a way to keep his tail tucked down that wasn’t annoying and he busied himself with schoolwork to stop dwelling on why his family hadn’t sought him out to apologize and welcome him home yet.
The full moon came and Kurama found himself craving meat and nothing else. He retired to Demon World where he took his monster wolf form which stood on two legs, had clawed hands, and glowing red eyes. He terrorized the demons he found and behaved viciously as he killed them. He didn’t turn any as he wasn’t thinking that way. He only wanted to rend and tear as brutally as possible as he ate those he killed.
Kurama recalled the night with dread and horror and told Kuwabara as much. He turned to using an abandoned but sturdy shipping container at a deserted construction site that he passed on the way to school. The night passed with a lot of ramming, snarling, and howling which pleased him. He deemed this satisfactory and used it for his third night. He felt confident that he could find a way to pay for a new shipping container and have it transported to a closer location…once he had a job and place of his own. I can live at the compound while I go to college; I had wanted to work for my stepfather, but right now that does not seem possible.
Kurama had spent time before and after the full moon practicing his fire powers with Hiei guiding him. He had learned to conjure a barrier from his fire energy, a whip of fire, and a fire sword, the latter two not burning his hand due to wrapping his energy around it.
The signs of his condition were still disconcerting and occasionally brought a surge of anger at himself that resulted in a change to wolf where he softly growled and snarled. These changes luckily happened shortly before nightfall.
Kuwabara,” Kurama said one night a week after the full moon. “What if my family never takes me back?”
Kuwabara didn’t answer for a moment. “If they don’t,” he said slowly. “I’ll try to convince my parents to have you as another son.” He smiled. “I always wanted a brother.”
“Convincing them may not take long. We have told and shown them I’m a werewolf and they were understanding.”
“I think Shizuru helped convince them part of the way.”
“Even so, they have accepted what I am; adopting me would be easy.”
Kuwabara left when Kurama yawned and curled up on his bed. Telling his parents about Kurama being a werewolf was a necessity when the full moon was a week away. Kurama had repeatedly said he was harmless and then showed his tail before changing to a wolf to provide real solid proof. Kuwabara’s parents had been stunned at the change and flabbergasted when Kurama talked. They were sympathetic at him being bitten and getting kicked out. They repeated Kuwabara’s statement of him staying there as long as necessary. My whole family has spiritual awareness so the fact that werewolves exist is not too much of a surprise. A shame Kurama’s family is not that way. They do know demons are real as some good ones gave TV interviews not that long ago. Hey, wait! Did Kurama tell his family about him being a demon?
“No. I had not,” Kurama said as they walked to school. “If I had, they probably would have kicked me out sooner.”
“But foxes are revered.”
“Only by some people. Others fear them. I believe my family would fear me if I said I was a fox demon.”
“Be safe to say you’re a demon now. Can’t get worse, can it?”
“It could in one way: That they truly would not take me back. Right now, there’s still a chance they will accept me.” Kurama took a turn for his school while Kuwabara took the other way.
Kurama left school as soon as it let out. He used to love staying after, but his condition put a stop to that. He would head back to his new home and finish his homework there. However, this was Friday so he could do his homework tomorrow. He elected to wander and subtly tapped his demon speed to cover more ground. His footsteps unconsciously carried him in the direction of his old neighborhood and park. He breathed in the grass, trees, and flowers as he wandered through the park. It always feels so peaceful here, he thought. I may be a fire demon, but I’m also a wolf and have always loved plants.
He paused as he approached an isolated section of the park and sniffed the air. He smelled a demon among all the humans. He followed the scent praying the demon was peaceful, just enjoying the park. His prayers were not answered as he found the demon cornering three humans: A man, a woman, and a boy. It was his family! His mother screamed in terror and Kurama knew he had to act. I swore I would protect them from danger and I will.
Mist flowed behind and around the demon who paused and turned to see Yoko. The wolf’s gold eyes burned with annoyance. “You are not supposed to be causing trouble in Human World,” he said firmly. “I suggest you leave these humans alone and go about your day.”
“You think I’m going to listen to a demon traitor like you?” the demon grunted as he approached Yoko.
“It would be advisable.”
The demon’s nose flared and said. “Wait. You are Yoko but you smell like a wolf.”
“Yes. Weeks ago, I became a wolf demon and I have different powers.” He raised a hand palm up which glowed before a fireball appeared. “I am not weak but I will allow you to depart.”
“Uh, I don’t want to mess with a fire wolf,” he said before he split, Yoko smelling his fear as he left. He resumed his human form, his tail now out. He gazed levelly at his family before he turned, shifted to wolf form, and began to walk away.
“Shuichi, wait,” Shiori called and Kurama stopped. “Are you a demon too?”
“Yes,” Kurama said softly. “My name in that form is Yoko Kurama. I was a fox demon until the bite. Now I’m a wolf demon and a werewolf. I used to control plants, but now I control fire.”
“You’re a demon but you saved us.”
“I’ve lived here for seventeen years and love this world. I will not let bad demons cause trouble if I can stop it.”
Shiori took a couple of steps forward. “Shuichi…maybe I was wrong to ask you to leave-,”
“Shiori!” Kazuya exclaimed as he came up to her and put his back to Kurama. “Dear, don’t get too close. He could bite you!”
Kurama looked back at them, his eyes sad. “I said I will not harm any of you and I mean that.” He knew he could not return home if Kazuya was still fearful of him. He looked away and started to walk away again.
“Shuichi, don’t leave,” Shiori said.
“I must leave,” he said.
“But-,”
“No,” he snapped. “You told me to not come back and that you would not have a werewolf living with you. I cannot be cured so it is best if I stay away.”
“Shuichi-,”
Kurama shook his head and his voice choked as he said, “No! Just leave me alone!” He then took off, tears streaking his cheeks as he ran off.
Shiori watched as the red wolf ran off and out of sight. Her eyes pricked with tears as her husband kept her from running after her son. Hearing Shuichi telling them to leave him alone was heartbreaking to hear, but she knew that it hurt him to say those words. He would like to come home, but his being a werewolf and a demon is a bit disconcerting and terrifying. I know Shuichi wouldn’t hurt me. He loves me too much to do that. Perhaps he is staying with a friend. I will look for a phone book of sorts and track him down for a private talk.
Chapter Five- Private Talk
The sound of sobs caught Kuwabara’s attention as he passed Kurama’s room and came in to see a red wolf on the bed, his muzzle buried between his paws, and his body shaking from the sobs. “Kurama?”
He looked over, his eyes bright with tears. “I just saved my family from a demon by taking my demon form. The demon ran off when I revealed my powers and then I changed to a wolf and started to walk away. Mother tried to speak to me but Kazuya kept her away from me and I really did not want to listen. When she asked me to not leave, I snapped at her and asked them to leave me alone before I ran off. Kazuya is still afraid of me and I will not live in a house where I am feared.”
“Oh, Kurama. I’m sorry, man.”
“I should have come back here and did my homework instead of taking a walk.”
“You can’t stay shut up in the house all the time except for school and the full moon. Anyway, dinner’s ready.”
Kurama got up and jumped down. Kuwabara grabbed a tissue and wiped the tears and stains from Kurama’s face before the pair headed downstairs to eat.
Shiori shuffled through Kurama’s desk the next day. It wasn’t really shuffling as the desk was neatly organized. She looked over papers and through folders before she found a small black book tucked in a small desk drawer. She looked through it to find names, numbers, and addresses. There only a few and she dismissed any girl entries and came up with two. She sat down and called the first one, Yue Kaito, according to the book. She got an answer and asked if he had seen Shuichi and he said no. She thanked him and called the other one, Kazuma Kuwabara. The phone was answered by a man and she asked for Kuwabara. He came on after a few minutes and she said, “Hi, I’m Shuichi’s mom. Is he there?”
“Yeah, but I don’t think he’ll come to the phone. He told me about last night.”
“Then…you know he’s a…a…”
“Werewolf? My whole family knows but only my sister and me know he’s a demon too.”
“Well, I’m glad he’s not sleeping outside in the cold. Goodbye and thank you.” She hung up and took the book with her as she headed out, saying she was going out for a while. She got in the car and drove off for Kuwabara’s house. It was time to talk.
Kurama was hard at work to stop dwelling on the phone call earlier. His sharp ears had heard Mr. Kuwabara call his son for a phone call and Kuwabara had told him that the caller had been his mom asking if he was there so she would be comforted that he wasn’t out in the cold. He shook his head. Don’t think about that. Just work and study. It is the only thing that helps. He buried himself in his work, blocking out everything. Thus, he didn’t hear the doorbell or the door opening. He did hear footsteps but was too absorbed in his work to smell the owner. When a knock sounded, he said, “Come in.” He did not turn around until he heard Shiori say, “Shuichi?” He stood and whirled around. “Mother?” he asked.
Shiori smiled as she took in Kurama’s wolf tail and noticed his long, pointed ears. “Shuichi, can we talk?”
“All right,” he said neutrally as he went to the bed and sat on it as did Shiori.
“I know you said to leave you alone, but…you’re my son. It shouldn’t matter what you are. I know you won’t hurt me; you love me too much to harm me.”
“Yes. It hurt when you told me to leave and not come back. That is what prompted me to say leave me alone.”
“I have had time to think of your change and your words.” She gently brushed her fingers over his cheek: The one that had been hit with the silver. “How long did your burn take to heal?”
“It was gone the morning after. I had thought of healing it myself but it turned out to be unnecessary.”
“You can heal injuries?”
Minor ones. I can’t heal broken bones.”
Shiori’s fingers traced one of Kurama’s ears. “It looks like a wolf ear, which makes sense. “So, have you learned anything more about being a werewolf?”
“I only know what I was told when I was bitten. I did not endeavor to learn more as I was preoccupied with my eviction.”
“You many want to look it up. I…saw you make a fireball yesterday.”
“I am friends with a demon who controls fire and I learned a few tricks. It was productive.”
“I imagine learning to use your powers was not needed.”
“Correct. I was already an expert in shaping and summoning my energy. It just took a different form. I was stunned when I found it had changed. It was completely unexpected.”
“So, what were you told about werewolves? You mentioned one can be bitten at any time and silver cause a change until the next morning as well as causing a burn.”
“I was told I would change every night, when angry, when touching silver, when I want, and on the full moon, naturally. I was also told that once I am fully mature, my aging will slow. I am impossible to kill as well.”
“I’m guessing you’ve been angry a few times.”
“Yes, but not at you or the others. I was angry at myself for taking the shortcut that led to the encounter.”
Shiori put an arm around Kurama’s shoulders and pulled him close. “Honey, you could not have known that a werewolf was lying in wait to bite the first person who came along.”
“That is true. He must have been experienced for he was able to identity my demon scent after he bit me.”
“He could smell your demon scent? What does it smell like?”
“It used to smell like fox and roses; as I had plant powers and preferred using roses as a weapon, which makes sense. Now, I smell like wolf and woodsmoke, the latter is one of a few that hints at having the power of fire. My friend smells of ash.”
Shiori smiled a little. “Interesting that you’re friends with a fire demon when you had plant powers.”
Kurama chuckled. “Agreed and yet we get along quite well. We got off the subject of werewolves. I know nothing specific about them. I’ve always had sharp senses as I was a fox; as a wolf they are a little sharper but it’s not as intense if it been a human who was bitten.”
“You mentioned being impossible to kill. Any thoughts on what that could mean?”
“It could mean that I am invulnerable to most weapons like swords and bullets. Silver does burn and sting so silver weapons could be what kills me. It could be that a certain part of me has to be stuck to kill me which would account for the impossible aspect.”
“Shuichi, I am so sorry I sent you away. I was afraid of what you had become and shocked at seeing you change.”
“Then, it turns out Kuwabara was right about my change being a shock.”
“Indeed. I will talk to Kazuya and Kokoda about letting you come home. There may be a few conditions for you to abide by for a brief period of time.”
“That would be acceptable. I do have a request, though.”
“Oh?”
“I used an abandoned but sturdy shipping container at a deserted construction site near my school to contain myself on the full moon.”
Shiori smiled as she caught on to what he was saying. “I believe we can rent a sturdier one and place it in the back of the house for you.”
Kurama hugged her. “Thank you, Mother. I hope I can come home soon.”
“Of course, and you’re welcome.”
Chapter Six- Home Again
“You talked to him?” Kazuya gasped. “I did. I was wrong to tell him to leave. We were wrong to not listen to him. Shuichi has never hurt me and he still won’t.”
Kazuya was silent for a moment. “He could have attacked us at any time since being kicked out,” he said slowly.
“And he didn’t ask to be bitten,” Shiori added.
“Of course he didn’t. No one asks to be bitten.” Kazuya inhaled and slowly let it out. “Shiori, we were wrong to evict him. Shuichi is not a monster or a danger to us.”
“Well, he is a monster three times a month and he told me he uses an abandoned but sturdy shipping container at a deserted construction site. If we could transport a new one here in the back, that would be helpful.”
“Yes. Sturdier and a soundproof one, I think. A restrained werewolf would likely make a lot of noise.”
“I have no doubt of that.”
“All right. I’ll look into that container so Shuichi can come home.”
“He can come home now. The full moon is two and a half weeks away.”
Kazuya smiled. “Yes, of course he can come home now. I’ll admit, I miss him and so does Kokoda.”
“We all have.”
“I can come home?” Kurama said on the phone.
“Yes, honey. Kazuya understands that you’re not really a monster. He’s looking into a studier and soundproof container for you.”
“I’ll pack up and head for home right away.”
“Please do. I have a juicy steak you can have for dinner.”
“Sounds perfect. I will see you soon.” He hung up and rushed upstairs to collect his belongings. His tail swished happily. He was going home! He sensed someone and looked over to see Kuwabara.
“They understand now?” he asked, seeing that Kurama was packing.
“Yes. My stepfather came around and is currently trying to acquire a sturdy, soundproof container for my use.”
“Soundproof. Yeah, that makes sense.”
“I appreciate you and the family allowing me to stay to wait for this moment.”
“Like I say, you’re my friend and you needed help. It was a pleasure having you. I’ll let the family know that you’re home.”
“Thank you.” Kurama zipped up his bag, clasped hands with Kuwabara, and left the house.
Kurama tucked his tail and hid his ears before walking down the streets that led home. He was glad that he was now accepted and could return to his home and resume his life, albeit, as a werewolf. Really, I’ve been a werewolf for weeks. I’ve just been living as one at Kuwabara’s house. Now, I will be one at my place and I will have company tonight. He smiled as he sensed Hiei nearby, watching from the shadows of the trees.
His home came into view and he tapped his speed to arrive at the front door. He noticed that the knob had been replaced by a handle and a key was hanging in the keyhole with a cord threaded through the top of the key. He turned the key and opened the door. “Hello?” he called as he stepped in, pulled out the key, and closed the door.
Shiori came into the hall with her warm smile and embraced her son. “Welcome home, Shuichi.”
“Thank you, Mother. I missed everyone,” he answered softly, feeling warm and loved in Shiori’s arms.
“Shuichi, how would you like your steak made?”
“The way you always make them.”
“Sure. I’ll call when dinner is ready and on the table.”
They broke the hug and Kurama kissed Shiori’s cheek before heading upstairs with his bags. He opened his bedroom door and found Hiei already inside and perched on the sill.
“They finally let you come back,” he remarked as Kurama hung up his clean clothes and put the dirty ones in the hamper.
“Yes. I spoke to Mother yesterday. She apologized for her words and actions. She convinced Kazuya that I would not harm them. He is looking for a sturdy soundproof container for me to use here.”
“The full moon.”
“Yes. I am a real monster during that time. I spent my first night in Demon World but I terrorized demons, brutally killed them, and even ate some. I used an abandoned shipping container the other two nights. I recall feeling angry as well as howling, snarling, and trying to ram my way out.”
Hiei listening impassively as Kurama lamented the terror of the full moon. He personally thought terrorizing and killing demons was appealing and knew that Kurama, due to his human upbringing, was appalled at his actions so he said nothing except, “I see.”
Kurama left to put away his toothbrush and paste and came back as a wolf, night having fallen. Hiei blinked as he had never seen his friend’s wolf form before. Kurama flashed a wolf’s grin. “So, what do you think?”
Hiei regarded Kurama’s red fur, large body shape, lean frame, firm muscles, full tail, and muzzle with sharp teeth. A smirk crossed his face. “I like it and I bet I would look just as good.”
Kurama’s intense eyes gave Hiei a stern look. “I will not bite you. I swore to myself that I will not turn anyone.”
“Hn. Fine. I would prefer to keep my power of fire, anyway.”
“I would prefer for you to keep it as well. I feel I still could learn more from you.”
“I would say so. Thus far, all I’ve seen is the flames on your fingertips.”
“I did produce a fireball to intimidate a demon who was threatening my family the other day.”
Hiei raised an eyebrow. “Did you? I would have liked to have seen that.”
“I had taken my demon form as well. My family now knows that I’m a werewolf and a wolf demon.”
“They know and let you come back.”
Kurama nodded. “I am grateful to Mother that she convinced Kazuya to relent.”
“Kurama, is it possible to use your powers right now?”
“I…have not thought of testing that.” Kurama lifted his right paw, summoned his energy to wrap it around his paw before calling up the fire. He sensed his energy rising up in him and then his paw was engulfed in fire. He grinned at the result. “It would seem I can use it. I might be able to use a fire whip with my tail.”
“Try that another time and preferrable outdoors.”
“Agreed.” He extinguished the fire and sniffed the air. “I believe dinner is almost ready and a good thing as I am hungry.”
“Shuichi! Dinner’s ready.”
“Coming, Mother!” Kurama padded out of the room while Hiei left. He looked forward to sitting down to dinner with his family who had accepted what he was now: A werewolf and a wolf demon who would protect them and he was determined to do so for a long, long time.
