A/N: This is the last One-shot in this series. It's a bit more lighthearted than the last but seeing that I can't write humor very well is still very dramatic. I've quite enjoyed writing this series and have already started on a set with Hiei, though it's proving to be much more difficult. It may take a while to post since I should really work on my longer pieces. Hope you enjoy, and don't forget to leave a review!

Music I Heard

A fanfic by Tsu_chanB

Music I heard with you was more than music,
And bread I broke with you was more than bread;
Now that I am without you, all is desolate;
All that was once so beautiful is dead.

Your hands once touched this table and this silver,
And I have seen your fingers hold this glass.
These things do not remember you, beloved, --
And yet your touch upon them will not pass.

For it was in my heart you moved among them,
And blessed them with your hands and with your eyes;
And in my heart they will remember always, --
They knew you once, O beautiful and wise.

-Conrad Aiken (1889-1973)

He dreamt of the moon. He watched its half-hidden silver light stretch over the grass and up the porch to sit at his feet inside the small room. He stared for an eternity.

Then the moon began to watch him. He trembled under its gaze and his mouth opened in speech, divulging every secret, every betrayal, every deep longing. After a time he slowly awoke to the sensation of tears wetting his cheeks and falling onto the cool hardwood floor.

Plip . . . Plip . . .

It was the only real sound, he realized. Despite his moving lips and constant confessions no noise escaped him. All was silent under the watchful moon save the constant fall of his tears.

A soft hand grasped his arm tightly. He wanted to look, to see who was there, but he couldn't tear away from the radiant moonlight.

The other hand touched his jaw. His mouth clenched shut and the hand turned his head.

Her.

Her presence didn't surprise him. Somehow he expected it. The spell broken, he looked to the floor between them. That smile was still on her lips. How could she smile after hearing of all his wrongdoings? Surely she had been listening to his confessions.

"I'm not afraid," she answered his unspoken question without hesitation.

His roar of anger and frustration broke the stillness. The smile never left her lips. His hands reached for her throat as he let out another desperate shout.

Kurama shuddered as he awoke, his eyes snapping open to the red glare of his alarm clock in the darkness. He turned his face into his pillow after reading the numbers; 4:43. With a sigh he pushed himself upright, the blanket gathering at his waist. Kurama rubbed his eyes wearily.

"Again," he whispered, letting his hands fall back to the bed. He stared out the window at the small sliver of the moon.

That dream continued to haunt him. Kurama thought the reoccurring dreams had stopped months ago, but that was the second time in a week he had that same nightmare. He thought it was in the past, that he had gotten over her. Apparently six months wasn't long enough.

His forehead dropped against his risen knees, arms limp at his sides. It was too late to return to sleep, but too early to be awake. Sleepiness came upon him again and his eyes nearly sealed themselves shut.

But he quickly remembered the dream and his thoughts wandered without his permission; he was too tired to control them. The old feelings on the subject came back to him: longing, melancholy, guilt. He hadn't felt like that in months and unwittingly began to wallow in it. It was strangely comforting, a reminder of what a monster he really was; he could only destroy lives.

"I want to be a part of your adventure, Kurama."

He moved away from the bed and flipped on the light. Reality settled in with his decision to begin the day. Kurama shook his head and traveled to the bathroom. He couldn't allow himself to feel that way, to let himself be useless like that. There was too much to do.

Kurama showered and dressed, getting ready for another day at the office. It was just routine. He read a book to pass the time; he didn't want to get there too early.

He finally left his apartment at seven and still arrived before anyone else. Hatanaka soon joined him and the rest of the staff filtered in as the clock ticked closer to eight. There was plenty of work to do and Kurama dove in, immersing himself in the mundane if only to clear his mind. His strategy was effective, and he didn't even notice as the lunch hour came and passed.

His stomach began to growl at him in protest late in the afternoon. Kurama ignored it. The day was too far gone to bother with food anyway. He was about to resume working when a voice stopped him.

"Still hard at work, I see," Hatanaka said as he approached the desk. Kurama smiled at his step-father and responded accordingly. The two men chatted for a little bit, but Kurama could feel that Hatanaka had come for a purpose.

"Well, you may have guessed I'm not here just for fun," Hatanaka said. Kurama nodded and he continued. "You have the rest of the afternoon off, Shuichi. And the rest of the week, too."

"I don't understand," Kurama said, confused. "I have not asked for any time off and there is a lot I still need to finish here."

Hatanaka smiled. "That's the thing. You are working too much, Shuichi. Your mother and I are getting worried about you. You're here before I am in the morning and you leave after I do at night. While I appreciate your dedication, it's not healthy. You need a life outside of work. And if you won't take the vacation days I'll put you on probation."

Kurama blinked in surprise. He was not expecting that. Knowing that he had no choice, Kurama nodded and stood, gathering the few things he would take home. Hatanaka drew him into conversation again. Kurama complied and Hatanaka followed him to the front door, probably to make sure he actually left.

"You should go hang out with some of your high school friends," Hatanaka suggested. "I know you haven't seen them in a while. Now, go on and relax. I'll see you next Monday."

Kurama smiled and nodded. The two men said their good-byes before parting. The fox sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He had no idea what to do.

It was true he hadn't seen anyone from the usual gang since the incident six months before. Most of them had been pretty upset with his decision. He was still hesitant to visit any of them. His brother was out of town on a summer exchange program and Shiori had left to visit her family in the next city. Kurama scratched family off the list of possible people to visit. He didn't have many options.

Kurama sighed again in his walk home. He was still tired from the lack of sleep the night before and thought of napping once he reached home. He could figure things out from there.

Looking up he spotted the ice cream parlor he passed every day looming ahead. On a whim he thought to indulge in one of the cold sweets. Kurama stopped at the crosswalk on the opposite side of the street from the shop and his attention was drawn to a couple sitting outside at one of the tables, talking and laughing.

His heart pulsed quickly for a moment then flopped over and died. He had a hard time breathing and then containing his anger when the shock passed. He didn't even see the cross light turn white and then red again as he stood waiting. A film of white fury covered his vision and muddled his thoughts. Of all the people he could have seen Shana with it had to be someone he thought he could trust.

Kurama took several deep breaths, composed himself, and approached when the cross light changed to white again. The man sitting with her noticed him immediately, returning Kurama's harsh glare. Shana continued talking to her companion and licked at her ice cream without a care.

Kurama wanted to say so many things but all the words crowded together on the tip of his tongue so nothing escaped. Not to mention he was completely distracted by Shana's presence. She looked almost the same and fairly happy as well. Kurama felt like reality slapped him in the face. She wasn't just a specter haunting his dreams and thoughts. She was real and very much alive.

She also appeared to be dating one of his best friends.

Shana stopped talking and frowned. "Kazuma, are you listening to me? Is someone there or something?"

Kurama wrenched himself away from the scene and returned to his walk. He tried to clear his head, tried not to let his emotions overwhelm him. The last thing he heard from them was Kuwabara's response:

"Don't worry about it. Just some cranky old dude."

Kurama focused all his energy on counting the trees lining the sidewalk on his way home. He successfully distracted himself from thinking, though he couldn't keep the image of Shana's happy face from clouding the vision of his mind's eye. Was she really doing so well without him? Kurama told himself that was what he wanted but a small part of him had secretly hoped that she would be at least a little upset. Then he could know that she was just as miserable without him as he was without her. To the contrary, she seemed full of life.

"I suppose," Kurama mumbled to himself as he separated his house key from the others on the key ring. He opened his door and set down his briefcase, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I should be happy for them. Who am I to say she can't love who she wishes?"

He sighed and rubbed his temples. Kurama was only half-aware of himself as he procured some food from the kitchen. He was still entertaining thoughts of wringing Kuwabara's neck. The idiot had made his whole reasoning in rejecting Shana obsolete. If she was injured by a demon because of the ex-detective Kurama promised to feed him to a man-eating plant.

Then again, Kurama thought with a sigh as he instinctively pulled a hand through his hair again, Kuwabara didn't retain many demon enemies. He didn't usually rank high on their list of people to kill.

Maybe it was better this way.

Kurama forced himself to consider that possibility. He refused to judge the situation. He expected Shana to be happy without him, why not with Kuwabara? Pushing his own emotions and preconceptions aside, Kurama could find no fault in the arrangement. Kuwabara was still a gentleman no matter how much the fox presently hated him.

Kurama sat down with a book and focused into it. He read until the sun lowered and the words blurred together, until he unwittingly dozed. Kurama fell in and out of odd, disjointed dreams. The last of them was the worst.

He was in a large traditional church with Shana at his arm, her hand nestled in the crook of his arm the same way they always used to walk together. She smiled and thanked him, though Kurama wasn't sure what for. The two began to walk.

Kurama became aware of the long aisle and the people lining the way, standing as they approached. Suddenly his eyes opened to Shana's white dress and something clicked. Was she getting married? Kurama didn't remember asking her to.

Shana stopped at the front and left his arm to walk up the two steps to meet her groom. Kurama stood in the middle of the aisle and watched, speechless, as Kuwabara took her hand. He couldn't move as the priest began to speak. They exchanged vows and somewhere in the middle of the ceremony Shana pulled a baby out of nowhere.

She showed her son to everyone in the room and told Kurama that he couldn't hold the baby, that it would create a paradox. She also let the fox know he was supposed to go to war against Russia and save the continent of Europe. The dream digressed from there.

But Kurama remained where he sat when he awoke, wondering what he would really do if Shana married his friend. Could he sit by and watch that? Could he even support the idea? There was no real objection he could make, aside from his own emotions.

"These feelings don't last," he reminded himself. His conviction gave him enough strength to last through the rest of the night. He didn't dream of her once.

Kurama was at a loss for what to do the next morning. He contacted Kaito, who was teaching at a literary seminar, and several other friends not affiliated with the Spirit Detectives. All were busy with one thing or another. Kurama cursed his bad luck and resigned himself to a quiet week by himself. He had no immediate distractions and thought of creating some just to keep his mind occupied. Kurama refused to dwell on the scene at the ice cream parlor.

By some miracle of good timing Yusuke called him that same morning and invited him to breakfast at the restaurant he and Keiko owned. Kurama took up the offer and headed down to meet the former detective almost immediately. He was greeted warmly and spent a great deal of time just catching up. Yusuke and Keiko had many stories to share of their adventures in the restaurant.

"So Kurama, got any new hot chicks on the horizon?" Yusuke asked as Keiko cleared their table and returned to directing the employees.

"That's not even remotely funny, Yusuke," the aged fox said and sipped his steadily cooling coffee. He wasn't surprised; he knew the subject would come up eventually. It was just another reason he had avoided his comrades.

"I'm just saying." The ex-detective held up his hands in appeasement. "You do a hell of a job attracting them. And hey, you know Yukina's off the hook now if you want to stay in your species this time. She's pretty cute."

Yusuke looked to the ceiling in thought. "But, you probably wouldn't make it to second base before Hiei lopped your head off."

Kurama sent Yusuke a glare that could have frozen Hiei's dragon. The younger man blanched.

"Ha, well, I guess you've heard the news then," Yusuke said and rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

"I have seen the news, Yusuke," Kurama said simply. He took another gulp of coffee.

Yusuke winced. "Ouch. Blow to the ego, for sure."

Before Kurama could get a word in Yusuke's gaze had shifted behind him to the entrance. A grin lit up his face.

"Hey, speak of the devil," he said waving. "Yo Kuwabara, you two getting the regular today?"

"Do you even have to ask, Yusuke?" Shana's playful voice rang over the chatter of the room. Kurama stiffened and gripped his mug with both hands. He didn't dare turn around and look, afraid of the consequences, afraid of his lack of control. He appeased himself with scenarios of what he could do in the present situation if he hadn't already made the decision to stay as far away from her as possible.

"Umm, Kurama?" Yusuke's voice broke into his train of thought. Kurama looked up and the other man pointed to the mug in his grip. "You killed my cup."

Kurama let the broken glass fall to pieces on the table. He took a napkin to the coffee on his hands.

"Sorry," Kurama said distractedly. Yusuke called one of his employees over to clean up the mess.

"No prob," he said and grinned widely. "But if Kuwabara's girlfriend is bothering you so much why don't you just go over there and steal her back? You are Demon World's number one thief, right?"

Kurama sighed, crossed his arms over his chest, and leaned back in his chair. "It's not that simple, Yusuke."

Yusuke slapped the table roughly. "Geez Kurama, nothing's ever simple with you. What's the big deal? It's not that hard to walk on over there and give Kuwabara what-for for taking your girl. He could use a good beating anyway since I haven't knocked him flat in a while."

"It's not that, Yusuke," Kurama shook his head. "I have already made my decision. Also, there is a side effect of the Dream Flower Pollen I used to erase Shana's memories that would make the situation difficult."

"What do you mean?"

Kurama sighed again. "It's a bit complicated. I stretched the plant's ability to erase memories and used it to void events that would have a direct effect on the future. Her brain was forced to create an event to compensate for the loss of the reality. I don't know what her mind created and therefore have no way of knowing if she would be amenable to a reunion."

Yusuke nodded several times as he stroked his chin. ". . . You lost me."

Kurama chuckled.

"In other words: because I erased her memory of our separation since it involved an explanation of my demon life, her mind had to create a scenario to offset the loss. There had to be a reason for the break up and she unconsciously made one up to fill in the gaps in her memory. There's no telling how I have been portrayed in her mind because of this."

"Ooohhh." Yusuke nodded again, though this time in understanding. "Well that sucks. But you can work around it. I know you, Kurama. You can think your way out of any problem."

Kurama shook his head. "No, Yusuke. As I said, I have already decided. I will not interfere in her life any further. If she wishes to date Kuwabara, so be it. I have no say in the matter. I don't care what she does as long as she is safe."

"Bullshit," Yusuke growled. "If you didn't care I wouldn't have lost a perfectly good cup. And you know what? She's not any safer halfway across the world than she is next to you. Accidents happen, and I know there are humans out there worse than some demons. What's to say she doesn't run into one of them someday? She could get in a car wreck or just be in the wrong place at the wrong time and get herself killed for it. She's probably safer next to you than anywhere else. And you know what, Kurama? You're not playing fair in this whole relationship thing. You didn't even let her decide."

Kurama closed his eyes. He had let Shana decide. That was the only reason he had explained himself to her: he wanted to see what she thought of him, what she would have thought if he let it all play out. Her answer had ripped his heart in half.

"I want to be a part of your adventure, Kurama."

"I had to do the same thing with Keiko, you know," Yusuke said quietly.

Kurama looked back at him for an explanation. The hanyo continued.

"When I first started as a detective and Suzaku sent those people under control of the Makai Whistle after Keiko because of me, I thought it would be best to keep her away. But, I'm too selfish, I guess, so I just told her I wouldn't let anything else happen to her. I thought I could keep her safe. But she didn't want that. All she said was 'I'm not asking you to protect me. I just want to know when you go on another mission. I don't want to be left fumbling in the dark till all's said and done.'"

"And, you know, I don't think I could have gotten rid of her if I tried. I think she knew what she was getting into more than I did after that. And that was her decision. She willingly put her life on the line to stay next to me. What else could I say to that other than 'I'll do my best to keep you there.'?"

They were silent for several minutes. Kurama looked over the tables of the restaurant, lost in thought.

"She's going to keep coming back," Yusuke said.

Kurama's eyes snapped back to his friend. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Yusuke, but this isn't a fairytale. We are not soul mates destined for each other. And in reality people lose and they don't always get what they want or what they think they deserve. This is just another story with a bitter aftertaste. But even that goes away with time." The fox held up a finger. "Your mind is stuck in the ideal situation, but you cannot afford to dwell on it; perfection does not exist."

Kurama watched as Yusuke closed his eyes and clenched his hands into fists. Suddenly he reached across the table and grabbed onto Kurama's collar, pulling the redhead in close.

"Listen," Yusuke snarled. "I'm sick and tired of you spouting out 'logical' reasons of why you shouldn't do what you're too scared to do. If you're going to keep killing your happiness because you think it's the right thing you should just hop the next portal back to demon world and go wallow in misery out there. At least that would save the rest of us a headache from your stupidity."

Yusuke shoved Kurama back into his seat and stood. "You may be a genius when it comes to fighting demons, but you sure are an idiot about relationships." With that, the younger man stalked off and left his demon friend sitting alone in the chatter-filled restaurant.

Kurama sat for a few more minutes. He traced small circles in the wood of the table as he contemplated the situation. Maybe Yusuke was making a valid point. The hanyo had been married for almost five years. He would have to know something about relationships if he had been able to stay with Keiko for that long. Kurama reminded himself that Yusuke had something to teach him, even if he was far younger. The fox stood and left, noting that Shana and Kuwabara were no longer in the shop. He would need some time to think things over and perhaps review the effectiveness of his previous strategy.

Kurama didn't do much else that day. He did a few random chores and ran some small errands, all the while thinking over his conversation with Yusuke. He looked at the pros and cons of restarting his relationship with Shana, or at least trying. He couldn't be certain that it would work, that she would want to.

But he wanted more than anything to try because, despite all he said and all he forced himself to feel, he still missed her. He missed her mannerisms and way of thinking; he missed how she saw right through him at times and the way she joked with him; he missed the heat of her body, the taste of her mouth, and her wonderfully unique scent.

Kurama knew it was a matter of want. He had been able to live without Shana for the last six months, albeit more dully and with less unexpected adventures. Kurama knew he could survive through the period of wanting what he was being denied until the feelings had passed and he didn't care anymore. He told himself he didn't need her, that he was fine on his own.

It was true to an extent, but that didn't stop him from wishing.

Kurama glowered at the confines of his house. He picked up his keys and walked out into the waning evening heat. He decided a walk would do him good and set out, letting his legs lead him through the town. Kurama continued his mental debate as he went.

There was one major factor that still kept his desire in check: fear. It was the same fear that kept him from pursuing a relationship with Maya, the fear that he would be the cause of her death. Yusuke was correct in one aspect; the world was not a safe place. Shana had already been affected by that truth. But it was not safer for her to be with him. She could very easily share Kuronue's fate. She had already been injured by a demon once before. How could he be certain her second encounter wouldn't end in death? He would not allow that possibility to present itself.

Kurama looked up. It wasn't surprising that his feet led him where they did. He wanted to see Shana and had been thinking about her for the better part of the day. It was natural his subconscious would agree with him.

He stepped up to the multi-story dormitory. He knew she was still in school and there was a good chance she had stayed in the same dorm room. Kurama figured it wouldn't hurt to look. He just wondered how she was doing.

A familiar figure exited the front double doors as Kurama prepared to enter them. Both men stopped and Kurama watched as a grin lit up Kuwabara's face.

"Hey Kurama," the taller man began in a friendly tone. "What brings you all the way out here?"

Kurama stiffened and glared. Kuwabara knew why he was there; the oaf wasn't that oblivious. "I was on a walk and happened to end up on this side of town."

"Oh. Well, I guess you came to see Shana too." Kuwabara's chest puffed out proudly.

Kurama stuffed his clenched hands in his pockets. They stood in silence for nearly a minute before speech slipped out of the breach in the fox's control.

"Why are you doing this, Kuwabara?" he fairly growled. Of all the women he could have chosen, the ex-detective had to go after Shana. That was saying nothing to the fact that she had accepted him.

Kuwabara sent him a glare. "Somebody had to be there to clean up the mess you left after you decided she wasn't good enough for you. Just be happy it was me and not some creep out to take advantage of her. She was pretty messed up when I started coming around."

"You know as well as anyone that is not why I left her," Kurama said evenly, trying to contain himself.

Kuwabara shook his head. "Not what she said. Look, I don't know what you did to her head but it really screwed her over. Do you know how long she's been happy like this? A month and a half; that's it. The rest of the time she was walkin' around like a zombie thinking she wasn't good enough because she's blind. Thanks to you." He pointed an accusing finger at the fox.

Kurama had nothing to say to that but didn't dare let his mask slip. His friend continued.

"So if you're thinking of dropping in just to say 'hi' you might want to come up with a good apology. The rest of us want to hear one but she needs it the most."

"I cannot-"

"You might want to do it now," Kuwabara interrupted and checked his watch. "She said she was going to bed when I left."

"But-"

Kurama stopped himself that time seeing that Kuwabara had made a mad dash from the front of the building. The fox blinked, scratched his head, and looked back at the silent building. He sighed and stepped through the double doors. Kurama approached Shana's front door. He would go in, apologize, and leave. He would let things continue as they were after he made sure she knew he didn't leave because she was blind. He just couldn't stand that Shana would think of herself that way.

Kurama reached out to knock on the wood but stopped short. His hand paused midair as his mind whirred. Now that he thought about it, his presence could worsen the situation. Shana was happy now so there was no need to dig up her previous pains, no need to remind her of his presence. It would only hurt her more, he was certain. He pressed his forehead against the door with a sigh of defeat.

Kurama couldn't deny his real motives in coming: he wanted to see her, plain and simple. But, because of that, there was a good chance he wouldn't want to leave once he got inside. That would ruin all the work he had put into keeping her safely at a distance. He told himself to get up and walk away, that it was the best thing to do in the situation. He didn't want to hurt her anymore than he already had.

He stood up straight after several long seconds of mental battle. Kurama stuffed his hands in his pockets with a shake of his head and turned away from the door. He took three steps before a hand grabbed the back of his shirt and pulled him off balance. Kurama fell hard against the floor.

"You're not going anywhere, fox-boy."

Surprised again, Kurama sat up fully and turned his torso to face Yusuke.

"Yusuke . . . what are you doing here?" Kurama asked as he stood and brushed himself off.

The hanyo pointed an accusing finger at his friend. "I'm keeping you from ruining all my hard work. You can't just walk off like that. It's not how I planned this."

"Hn." Kurama's head whipped to the side as Hiei made his presence known. "The most work you did was pretend that oaf actually had a woman. Amazing it worked considering."

"Whatever Hiei," Yusuke shot back, seemingly ignoring Kurama's presence. "I got Hatakana to help us out too."

"Not like you did much either, slacker," Yusuke grumbled as an afterthought.

"An explination, if you please Yusuke," Kurama cut in before the argument could continue.

"Duh." The hanyo rolled his eyes. "We're playing match-remaker. Everyone was sick of watching you mope around, especially your mom, so me and Hiei put our heads together to get you back with Shana."

"And Kuwabara?" Kurama asked.

"Clueless." Yusuke shrugged. "He's not in on it. He has been helping her study and stuff, but only 'cause he's the T.A. for her chemistry class. That's why they meet for breakfast at my shop once a week. They're just friends. But boy is he mad at you. You just show up again after he was finally able to cheer her up. Kuwa was sure you'd upset her again."

"But that's not the point!" He continued. "The point is: you have to go in there and make up. We were really close to getting you jealous and guilty enough to do it yourself but it looks like you still need our help, stubborn ass. Don't worry though, we're your friends so you can trust us to beat the crap out of you when you need it."

"I appreciate the sentiment, Yusuke, but-"

"Yeah, yeah. You can thank me later." Yusuke pushed open Shana's door. Kurama was caught off guard by Hiei and found himself sprawled across the floor inside her room. The door slammed shut and the light left the room.

Kurama sat up with a sigh and rubbed his head. He knew they were still waiting on the other side of the door and wouldn't let him leave that way. He stood, preparing to exit from the window.

"Hello?" Shana called for him in the darkness.

Kurama stiffened. His eyes fell on her form, visible in the light from the window. She sat up in her bed.

"I-i'm sorry. I did not mean to . . . ." Kurama trailed off as he watched her stand and approach him. His hands clenched into fists and his heart jumped into a wild frenzy. Now that he was alone with her the urge to touch her, to feel her next to him, had increased tenfold.

Shana stopped in front of him. "I know. I heard."

A long silence ensued. Kurama watched her for a time, content to have a few moments before he had to explain himself. Against his better judgement the fox reached out to brush his fingers against her cheek. She leaned into his hand.

"I missed you."

Kurama almost pulled back at her whispered words. His hand fell to his side a moment later as he closed his eyes in frustration.

"You should be angry," he reprimanded.

"Oh, I was," Shana said and wrapped her arms around his torso. Kurama relaxed, draping his arms over her as well. "It took a while, but I got over it."

"So you forgive me?" He leaned his forehead against hers as he gave up on resisting for the time being. He was slowly being pulled back in despite the arguments of the logical portion of his brain. Not that he was much against the reunion.

"Yup, I forgive you," she smiled. "That is, as long as you don't try to erase my memories again."

Kurama grimaced. "I suppose that was the hand Hiei lent to Yusuke's scheme."

"Yeah. I don't know what he did, but I remember everything now," she whispered.

"Then there's no point in trying to leave again?"

"You could," she answered his rhetorical question. "If you want to."

Kurama sighed, "I never wanted to leave. You know that. I couldn't stand seeing you hurt because of me. There were also the possibilities of the future to consider. You are safer without me."

"That's bull," Shana said. "The ones who attacked me were demons, not you. That wasn't your fault. Everyone takes the same risk when they are in a relationship, demon or not. You can't keep me from dying Kurama, it's going to happen eventually."

". . . I know."

They were silent for a long while, still pressed close together.

"It's up to you," Shana told Kurama. "I stand by my previous decision."

He let the quiet linger. Kurama knew what he wanted and was becoming more willing to suffer the consequences for it.

"I would like to be selfish about this," Kurama said.

"I wish you would be," Shana responded. "It's not selfish to want to be happy."

"But that happiness doesn't always last."

"Well of course, silly. But it's there for us to enjoy when it comes around," she said, leaning in until their lips touched. "I want you to be happy. Please don't hurt yourself for my sake."

Kurama refused to answer. He was still trying to make up his mind. But for now he wanted to indulge a little bit.

He brushed his lips back over hers; once, twice, and a third time. He administered each kiss slower than the last as he savored every sensation, unsure if he would receive them again. She responded, melding closer to his body and reaching one hand up to touch his cheek. Kurama didn't want to move for a long time.

He returned to his previous position some time later, his forehead pressed to hers.

"I will try," he finally said. "But I won't promise you anything; I am still not completely certain. In any case, I would like to be a part in your adventure for the time being."

"Good, we can do it together then," Shana smiled.

"Yes . . . but can we perhaps move our adventure to a sitting position? My back is beginning to hurt," Kurama asked as he pulled back and straightened up.

Shana laughed and pulled him into a chair, beckoning him to speak and share what had happened over the last few days. They continued talking well into the night.

ooo

Hah, I always wanted to call Kurama a cranky old man!

Yeah, I think I knocked some people out of character sometimes, but I tried. And I don't think Kurama would get back together with someone on his own. I think he'd need a big shove in that direction and even then it wouldn't be certain. But that's just my take on it. Anyway, here are a few extra notes I'd like to share:

1. I don't know if anyone noticed so I'm going to brag about my literary genius here. XD Or lack thereof. Through this series I have made a progression through music in a sense, moving from instrumental to lyrical music and to poetry, which is the base of lyrical music. I hadn't planned it for the first two but thought of it when I did this one. Just thought it was kinda cool . . . .

2. This is the first piece of fanfiction I have ever finished, so I'm kinda proud of myself. It gives me hope that I can actually complete a project when I start it!

3. This work is something of a miracle seeing that I have never been in a relationship and have never been kissed. All I had to work with was an active imagination and a lot of wishful thinking. I think it turned out alright for it. (God, I'm so lame . . . )

4. Now for another shameless plug! If you liked this story please check out In the Dawn of Twilight. It's a Kurama centric short story and, I think, my best work. Sorry, not a lot of romance, even though there are two female main characters he's interacting with. Please look at it!

Thanks and don't forget to review!