Yuusuke had told Shiori that his son was on some school trip and couldn't tell her because she was out for a business trip last week. With that settled, they were waiting for Inari-sama's green light for Kurama to return.

  "When is he coming back?" Hiei asked Genkai, he started becoming delirious and lonely by the 6th day. Genkai shrugged. When he's coming home, Inari-sama will inform Koenma-sama and Koenma-sama will tell us to prepare," Genkai explained. She was quite please with Hiei paying attention to Kurama. She blushed when Yukina told her about Hiei's experience cleansing Kurama's body.

  "Will he not come home?" Hiei asked, he sounded like a child who lost his mother. Genkai said nothing but nodded her head. "It depends on Inari-sama's decision. He's the one with the power to do so now," she said. Hiei put his hands together in a prayer. "Inari-sama, I beg you to let Kurama come back," he said.

  Genkai smiled and reached out to pat Hiei's back. "Don't worry, keep praying, he might just hear you," she gave him confidence.

  Inari smiled. The koorime half-breed really has a heart for his precious silver youko. He had a lot of prayers for him. He was happy to be the god of youkos, such beautiful creatures that could be shaped and bent into the near perfect beings given the proper training.

 "IT'S TIME," he announced. The god of foxes looked up and raised his hand. "RYUU, CALL KURAMA, MIRUI AND SEKISHI INTO THE THRONE ROOM NOW," the other silver youko nodded and bowed his way to the door.

  The silver youko blinked. Where could those three be? He looked at the schedule for Kurama and found out that today was the day all the youkos were having picnic in the royal garden.

  He elegantly made his steps towards the garden. It looked crowded, there was smoke of grilling everywhere in the garden, here and there, some music, dancing and eating.

  Suddenly someone bumped into him. "Kyaa! Ano, gomen, Ryuu-san!" apologized the being. It was the lavender youko, the morning clock of the palace. "Daijobu, Toki-kun," he smiled. Then he saw the basin in his hand. "What're you going to do with that?" he asked. "I'm going to take more meat to grill!" Toki told the silver youko and skipped away to the kitchen with the empty basin. Ryuu smiled, the young boy looked so happy.

  He made himself to the garden and everyone stopped on their tracks. The music stopped, the eating paused and everyone gave away their attention to the silver youko.

  "He won't come out here if there's nothing serious," said one of the youkos. Ryuu cleared his throat. "Inari-sama requests to have Kurama, Mirui and Sekishi in the Throne Room, now," he announced.

  Mirui smiled. "Inari-sama wants to see you already," he said happily. Kurama nodded. The trio walked towards the silver youko. Sekishi handed him a cookie. "Nice," he commented. Ryuu smiled and took the cookie. "Thanks," he thanked the red youko and walked ahead.

  Kurama eyed the youko named Ryuu. He was also a silver youko. Slightly taller than him, slightly broader but he wears a black tunic not like the other youkos who wear tunics nearly the same color as they are.

  It reminded him of Hiei. Black clad beauty.

  "Why do you wear black?" Kurama suddenly asked. Ryuu turned around and smiled. "Because you already wore white. I don't usually wear black, but because you're the royal guest, I have to give way," he explained. Kurama smiled. "Thank you," he nodded.

  They walked up the grand stairs to the first floor, they walked into the hallway and was met by a big door, carved beautifully with glass tinted with rainbow colors. "What do you think of the door?" Sekishi asked. Kurama nodded. "Full of aestheticism. Wonderful art, Sekishi," Kurama smiled.

  The red youko smiled proudly. "And Arashi dares to say it's ugly," he gritted his teeth. "Behave," Ryuu warned before he opened the door. He was aware of the grudge Sekishi have against Arashi and vice-versa. He himself didn't fancy Arashi that much. She has things for silver youkos. And for unmarried youko such as himself, he was not in a stable and safe condition around her.

  When the three was ready, Ryuu opened the door. Inside was a space of wonders. Kurama and the others stepped in as gracefully and as elegantly as youkos do. The silver youko looked around. The walls were made fine white marble and decorated with gems of unimaginable colors. The high pillars were carved artistically, the glasses and windows were tinted rainbows with faint images of all kinds of foxes with various numbers of tails and the throne chair, it was just marvelous.

  And on the throne was a beautiful being sitting oh-so elegantly. His hair was long, flowing dreamily. Strands of his hair were colorful, some lavender, some pink, some pastel green and it was sparkly. His eyes were serene and gold. Skin as flawless and pale as snow and his voice, diversely deep.

  "HOW WAS YOUR STAY HERE?" he asked. "Pleasant, thank you Inari-sama," Kurama bowed. "MIRUI, SEKISHI YOU TWO HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB ON MAKING MY PRECIOUS SILVER YOUKO HAPPY. I'LL GIVE YOU TWO SOME TIME OFF ALONE IN PARADISE," Inari announced. "Cute, a honeymoon!" Mirui cheered softly. Inari smiled. "Behave," Ryuu warned once again. "IT'S OKAY, RYUU," Inari said gently.

  "It's an honor to finally meet you, Inari-sama," Kurama said with a soft warm smile, full of feelings. The beautiful fox god nodded. "AS MUCH AS I LOVE TO HAVE YOU HERE, THERE'S SOMEONE DOWN THERE WHO NEEDS YOU MORE," Inari reasoned.

  Kurama blushed and gifted Inari-sama with the sweetest loving smile. "I bet it's Hiei," Mirui grinned, telling Sekishi. The red youko nodded. "YES, IT IS HIEI. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO KNOW THAT I GIVE YOU THE PERMISSION TO BOND WITH THE FIRE DEMON EVEN THOUGH HE'S NOT ONE OF US. HE HAS PROVEN HIMSELF WORTHY OF A YOUKO'S LOVE. RARE AND PRECIOUS," he explained.

  Kurama smiled. "Well, that might take some time, Inari-sama," he said softly. Inari nodded. "TIME PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN OUR LIVE. THAT'S WHY YOU DON'T WASTE ANY," he advised. The four youkos nodded.

  "So you're sending Kurama back down?" Sekishi asked. Inari nodded. "TONIGHT'S YOUR LAST NIGHT HERE. I WILL LATER SEND MIRUI TO TELL KOENMA TO INFORM ALL YOUR FRIENDS IN NINGENKAI TO BE PREPARED FOR YOUR RETURN AND GET READY ALL THE NECESSITIES," he said in a long liquid flow.

  Kurama bowed at the beauty in front of him. "I thank you with all my heart, Inari-sama. I appreciate what you did for me. I've learned a lot of things about Youko origins and nature thus leading me back to a perfect youko other than being a reckless irresponsible criminal in the past," Kurama confessed.

  "MY POINT," Inari agreed. "SO, AS I HAVE ACHIEVED WHAT I PLANNED, YOU'RE ALLOWED TO BE SENT BACK TO NINGENKAI. I HOPE HAVING YOU HERE HAS FILLED THE EMPTINESS IN YOUR HEART AS LOVE HAD FINALLY FOUND ITS WAY TO YOU," Inari commented with gleaming sparkling orbs.

  Kurama nodded. "Doumo arigatou gozaimashita," he thanked the god. Inari nodded. "YOU CAN GO AND RESUME THE PARTY NOW, BUT MIRUI, I NEED YOU TO RUN AN ERRAND FOR ME LATER. COME TO THE THRONE ROOM AFTER DINNER," Inari spoke. The golden youko bowed in service to his lord. "Your wish is my command, Inari-sama," he replied. The god nodded.

  Dinner was special that night. Inari had decided to join his youkos. The grand dining hall was full. The cutlery was of fine materials. Crystals, gold plated at the tips and food of finest ingredients.

  The gigantic dining hall was quiet except slight sounds of fork and knifes clashing with the plates. More than a hundred youkos were present.

  "THIS FAREWELL DINNER TONIGHT IS MADE FOR KURAMA. HE HAD TOLD ME THAT HE HAD A NICE TIME STAYING HERE. I THANK YOU ALL FOR MAKING IT COMFORTABLE FOR HIM," he announced. Arashi who was sitting to his left was smiling, trying to take up Ryuu's attention. Inari was aware of this and cleared his throat. "NO FLIRTING IN THE DINING HALL," he said. Arashi blinked and looked down at her food, shifting uncomfortably. Ryuu smirked and resumed his dinner. He needed to get married fast before he's tortured more.

  The golden eyes of the silver youko traveled along the table to somewhere in the middle where a male blue youko was eating his meal as ethically as an angel; soft and slow moves without any clicking sounds of his cutlery.

  "ANY FINAL WORDS TO EVERYONE, KURAMA?" Inari asked. Kurama smiled and stood up. "I would like to thank everyone for their hospitality and their willingness to share their knowledge with me," his eyes landed on Youru, the chief chef who was sitting not too far away from him. They changed knowing glances as Kurama always listens to everything he says when they have dinner that ranges from important information to juicy gossips.

  "This is the best moment of my life as I learn about my true origins and be with my kind. My greatest gratitude goes to all of you, especially to Mirui and Sekishi who had been my hosts and best friends for the week and most importantly Inari-sama for arranging my arrival  here," Kurama bowed and sat down.

  Everyone stopped eating and clapped their hands. Suddenly Toki, the lavender youko walked up to Inari. "Sumimasen, Inari-sama," he interrupted the god's dinner. "YES?" the god asked. Toki leaned closer to the god's ear and whispered something.

  There was a negative answer as Inari shook his head. "NO GIFTS ARE TO BE GIVEN TO KURAMA. HE CAN ONLY HAVE MEMORIES OF US. WHEN HE RETURNS TO HIS YOUKO FORM, HE'S INVITED TO STAY HERE AND THEN, YOU CAN GIVE THE GIFTS TO HIM. HE IS NOW ONLY IN SOUL FORM AND HE COULDN'T TAKE SOLID OBJECTS BACK TO NINGENKAI AS HIS FLESH BODY THERE WILL GET CONFUSED," was the explanation from Inari. A small heard of noise could be heard but they understood.

  Mirui changed into a new set of clothes and leaned down to get a better view of himself in the mirror. His hair seemed to be a bit tangled in the showers just now.

  Suddenly a pair of strong arms wrapped around his middle from behind. "You're as fresh and as sweet as a blooming rose," Sekishi whispered into Mirui's ears as he traveled down to lick the nape of the golden youko's neck.

  Mirui chuckled animatedly and turned. "Of course, I need to see Inari-sama now," he smiled, kissing the red youko on the lips with a loud smack. Sekishi pulled the neck of Mirui's neck gently and deepened the kiss, slowly rubbing their semi-erected members together in a slow rhythm.

  "No, not now… I need to see Inari-sama. I promise you… after I come back," Mirui gleamed. Sekishi shrugged. "I tried," he grinned playfully. "Have a nice journey," Sekishi sat on the bed, still luring the golden youko.

  "Stop seducing me and I might consider running back instead of crawling," Mirui chortled, kissing Sekishi on the tip of his nose. "Meanie," Sekishi pouted. "Bye-bye," Mirui waved at his lover. "I'm looking forward to a nice romantic night, baby! Ja!" with that he shut the door behind him.

  Sekishi laughed. "Romantic, is it?" he beamed when he had just the idea.

  The door to the Throne Room was opened. Inari was inside talking something to Ryuu while the silver youko wrote it on a scroll. "OH, YOU'RE HERE ALREADY," the beautiful fox god acknowledged the golden youko. Mirui bowed and knelt down. "I'm ready, Inari-sama," he uttered.

  Ryuu finished writing and smiled. "Done," he announced. "GOOD. MIRUI, YOU ARE TO READ THIS TO KOENMA-SAMA," he told the golden youko. Mirui nodded. "I will," with that he was handed the scroll and the golden youko put it inside his yellow tunic. "I'll be gone now," he bowed one last time to Inari and retreated his steps.

  Kurama was in the kitchen with a lot of people talking endlessly. All of them didn't want him to go but Kurama promised that he will come and visit them when he was back to youko form in the future.

  Once youko talks, they will get on till morning.