Komeko's body felt heavy and limp, like she was stuck in jello almost. Her lids were too weighted to lift even a tiny bit. She could hear quite clearly though. Everything was amplified, like her breathing. She managed to slightly move her finger and felt silky liquid around it. As more feeling came to her, she also realized her mouth was covered by a mask of some sort. It must have been allowing her to breathe. Her skin began to feel like tiny pinpricks were covering every inch and she finally opened her eyes.

She looked down at her body and saw that she was naked, except for tubes covering part of her chest and lower half. The liquid she was submerged in tinted everything she saw teal. Between not knowing where she was, how long she had been there, or how to get out, she started to panic.

She saw movement as someone walked in front of her and the cords on her body tightened before withdrawing. The water around her drained slowly; she rubbed her eyes and took off the now cordless mask. The panel behind her slid open and she turned around to see Botan holding a towel out for her. She wrapped it around her body immediately and shivered. Her limbs felt stiff and her gate was affected accordingly.

Not even allowing her to adjust to the new feeling her body had, Botan flung her arms around Komeko and cried softly on her shoulder. Komeko winced at the tenderness her skin had, but returned the embrace with one arm nonetheless. As she looked over Botan's shoulder, she could see a small woman in a white outfit who must have been the attending nurse. She cleared her throat in a way that asked Botan to ease up on the hug. Botan pulled back and Komeko wiped away some of her tears.

"Don't worry, friend. I'm okay. You can't kill me that easily!" Komeko gave the deity a large grin.

Botan returned the grin and hugged Komeko in another bone-crushing embrace. Komeko laughed at the enthusiasm and was genuinely happy to be alive. A few minutes passed before more people crowded into the room. Kurama, Yusuke, and Koenma clattered in and took turns hugging Komeko. A touch of red heated her face at being stuck in the towel.

"We're so happy you're okay!"

"You're very lucky to be alive."

"Yes, we were all very worried."

"I guess you can join the club with me and Genkai now."

"Guys, not that this isn't great, but can I get some clothes first, please?"

The nurse ushered the guys out swiftly, but allowed Botan to stay behind to help Komeko. She was lucky that Botan had brought a few extra things for when she would wake up. After drinking some water and getting dressed in loose a tank and shorts, she reunited with the group.

"What happened to me?" Komeko asked as she sat down on a chair beside Kurama.

A scowl crossed his face. "You were attacked by a demon named Jirou. He shot you through the chest and you would be dead if it wasn't for the regeneration tank."

Komeko looked down at her chest and realized for the first time that she was still in her demon form. She was embarrassed about not realizing it sooner, but decided it wasn't too big of a deal. She'd just have to change when she was alone. Komeko ran her fingers over her chest, noticing a plump section of scar tissue on the right side.

"So, I did or didn't die?"

"You did, but it was momentary."

She stared at her lap and fiddled with some of the strings on the shorts.

"What happened to this Jirou fellow?"

"He's had a series of unfortunate events." Yusuke supplied, eyeing Kurama.

Komeko did not miss the look and laid her hand on top of Kurama's.

"I'm so happy to be back with all of you."

Tears threatened to spill as she rubbed her eyes. Kurama laced his fingers through hers and put his arm over her shoulders. This slightly surprised the other three, but they didn't make a huge deal out of it.

"So, what was the whole thing behind why he shot you anyway?" Yusuke asked.

Komeko bit her bottom lip. "I was part of a battalion quite a few years ago. We were called the Muon and everyone believed we helped people, including us. Over time, I was given promotions to higher positions – I even made it up to being chief. What I did not do was put the pieces together right away as to why I was given that position.

"The soldiers trusted me and it was too late when I realized that Commander Norio used this to his advantage. The places that we went, where I thought we were protecting the villagers, we were actually conquering the ones who wanted to rebel against us. There were so many things that were covered up and we were mislead about. I can't make too many excuses about it though, because I should have seen it for what it was. The demon that shot me did so because of how the battalion wronged him, however that may have been. I was typically the most iconic reminder because of my race – easily remembered."

Komeko stared at her hand, laced with Kurama's, and traced small designs with her finger on his skin.

"Well, that sucks, but at least you're with us now! Isn't that right, Koenma?" Yusuke clapped the ruler on the back roughly, jolting him forward.

"Of course it is. She's been very helpful." Koenma smiled.

After a small amount of conversation, specifically about how the tournament had ended, Botan and Koenma both left at the same time and Yusuke did the same shortly after them.

"So, Enki's the new king, huh?" Komeko asked.

"Yes, and I think that he'll be quite peaceful. What he's done already is a strong indicator of that."

"Kurama?"

"Yes?"

Komeko stared up at him with a look of contemplation. He urged her to continue with a soft squeeze of her shoulder. She swallowed before continuing.

"I saw that little girl and her family when I died."

Kurama held on to her tighter once he realized she was talking about the baby from the Dark Tournament.

"She was with her parents, Umeko and Eiji. The girl's name was Sora." She paused. "They were so happy together when I saw them. Is it bad that that makes me feel better? Shouldn't I still be overcome about their deaths? I feel so confused on how to feel, exactly."

She rested her head on his chest and listened to his calm heartbeat. He lowered his arm to her waist and circled the skin there with his fingertips.

"I believe it's good to have closure, which is what this sounds like. You should be happy they're together. What's the point of being sad over a family that's happy?"

His question was logical and she felt her body begin to unwind the tense muscles it had retained from her distraught and torn emotions. It was pleasant to hear his voice reverberate in his chest when he spoke and the aroma he admitted was always able to mellow her out. This was the man that went after Jirou – a demon who killed her. She felt for once that she was the one who was being protected, rather than doing the protecting.

"Thank you."

He looked down at her from the corner of his eye. "Hm?"

"For being so sweet and caring to me. You've been my protector, Kurama."

He sighed. "I almost lost you, Komeko. That doesn't precisely make me feel like I've been successful."

"I didn't even have time to react. Don't be so upset about it. What matters is that we're together and we're happy."

She placed her hand on his face and kissed him passionately. Without breaking the kiss, they turned towards each other and he pulled her into his lap. His hands wrapped around her hips and he slid his hands up the back of her shirt. She pulled away slightly at the movement and rested her head on his chest.

"I'm sorry. You just… drive my senses kind of wild." Kurama apologized lightly, smiling down at her.

"It's nothing to apologize for. I just have something that I'd rather you found out about before you get kind of – well I'm not sure about your reaction."

With a perplexed look on his features, he watched her stand up from his lap. She turned her back towards him and sighed. Even more confused, he stood up.

"What are you talking about, Komeko?"

She lifted up the hem of her shirt to reveal the small of her back and refused to meet his eyes.

"You know how my sister died, but you didn't know what happened to my family afterwards. Our home was set on fire and I was the only one to survive it."

She was marred with twists of gnarled skin tinted with beige and red tones. She lowered her shirt again and turned back around.

"I had a large burning beam fall on my back at the time and I've had these scars ever since."

She kept her eyes on her feet as she sat back down, Kurama following her.

"Komeko," he picked up her hands, "you're very beautiful. No matter if you're in this form or your human one. I find everything about you just that much more unique and enjoyable. You can't take away your past and I'm not asking you to."

She looked into his eyes through slightly blurred vision.

"Good, because I can't." She gave a small chuckle and kissed him again.

They continued like that, entwined in each other's comfort and passion. She was the happiest she had been in her entire life. She had her life and her friends and her lover by her side. She could not have asked for more.

A few months later.

"Hey, Kurama."

"Yes?"

"How do you feel about tag?" Komeko smiled mischievously.

"I'm not so sure, but," he tapped her on the shoulder, "you're it!" He laughed as he ran off into the forest outside of Genkai's temple.

Komeko hopped up on her feet and chased after him. They managed to tag each other back and forth before it was back to Komeko chasing him again. She hid behind a tree, covering her scent and calming her breathing. She listened very carefully around her and smelled the air. He was close and she turned around just in time to follow him through the northern side of the property. They were running quickly and she had just the right opportunity, so she tackled him into the grass. They smiled at each other, both of them slightly breathless from the activity. Komeko snuggled into his chest as she lay on top of him. He ran his hand along her arm and stimulated the skin there lightly.

"I don't think I've ever been so happy, Kurama." She smiled as she inhaled the smell of roses.

"I would happily say the same for me."

She faced him and maintained her position, kissing his chin playfully. He lifted his head and kissed her nose. She gave him a wide grin as she traced her fingers down the side of his face and along his neck. She let her digits wander over his torso and came close to his side. With another impish grin, she began to avidly tickle Kurama.

He laughed with the invasive touch and flipped her over and held her down with one hand. He used his other to return the gesture around her underarms and sides, using his legs to hold hers down too. She laughed wildly with the touch until he slowed down and stopped. He moved to the side of her and they laid next to each other peacefully. The birds around them chirped and they could hear the water of a nearby stream passing on its journey.

Komeko leaned over towards Kurama, putting her weight on her elbow. Their eyes met.

"I love you."

He peered into her eyes for a moment, seeing the sincerity clearly. He kissed her sweetly.

"I love you, too. Now, come here."

He pulled her onto his lap and she straddled his hips, entrapped in his arms and kissing him fiercely. He held her close and she ran her fingers through his silky hair. They deepened the affection and stayed close to each other. The world around them kept its serenity, but was lost to them as they became so wrapped up together.

Well, my readers, that is that! I hope you enjoyed this. If you are new here, I had originally planned to rewrite this and include a lot of interesting shit that would have kicked this up 10 levels (I believe). Due to the unavoidable, I could not get that far. However, I encourage anyone who wishes to use this character, please go ahead! Use the tsuiseki, Komeko, or anything else you find interesting in this work. And if you do, drop me a message! I would love to read it. I hope I've at least inspired someone, somewhere to write something - even if it's bashing or nasty, worry not, because I'm merely happy to have this piece exist in all its imperfect glory.

FOREVER | FORNEVER