The Truth is a Bittersweet Wine

Chapter 1

Minutes passed before Koenma fully processed what Kurama was asking him. He knew exactly what the fox spirit was saying, what he couldn't fathom was...why? Of course while this wasn't the only turn Kurama had given him, it was the most surprising.

"Excuse me?"

For the first time in what he could remember, Kurama found himself hesitating. And in front of Koenma of all people. It wasn't that he felt superior to the young prince (he knew better than the other members of his team what Koenma could really do), but rather by Koenma's question, he was beginning to wonder if this was a good idea after all.

He had thought about it for weeks. After the Makai Tournament, his life (or rather his human life) had finally begun to settle down. There was no more need for fighting other demons and protecting his family, not that he would ever stop; but with all the peaceful goingons throughout the three worlds, it had suddenly dawn on the fox that perhaps there was no more need for secrecy. Perhaps it was time to tell his mother, a woman he loved dearly, who her son truly was. All the good...and the bad. Unfortunately, the whole truth involved a subject he knew she would not take well. Hence his presence in Spirit World, hesitantly repeating his question to the royal in front of him.

"Would you like to join me and my family for dinner?"

Koenma quickly glanced around as if he was being played some odd trick until he realized that Kurama was quite serious. Never in all his years has someone (no matter who they be) asked him to join them for dinner. And in the human world no doubt. And with family.

"What?" He had to ask again.

Kurama sighed. So much for the hope that Koenma would some how magically know exactly what he was asking and wanted. Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself.

"I plan on telling my mother the truth about me. All of me. The human part...and the demon part. Unfortunately...both of those involve the truth of..."

With Kurama's sentence lingering off into space, the subject of this rather odd conversation suddenly hit the young lord.

"Ah. I think I understand now. You want me to tell your mother the truth of her son? The one you took over?"

He knew the prince probably didn't mean for the words to be quite sharp but Kurama couldn't help but wince.

"Yes."

Koenma closed his eyes for just a moment before looking back at the fox. "Do you fully understand what you are asking?"

Once again Kurama found himself hesitating to answer. Did Koenma's tone of voice imply he wasn't suppose to tell his mother the truth? Was there some law or rule in Spirit World that he didn't know about that forbid him? Of course that was silly since Kaito and the others had learned the truth of Spirit and Demon World during their fight against Sensui.

"I'm sorry?"

Koenma sighed. "Your mother loves you very much. Hearing this news, all of it, won't be easy."

Kurama licked his lips. "I understand."

The men stared at each other, as if challenging the other to reject the idea further.

"I still don't understand why I need to be there. Surely you can tell your mother the truth of...that."

He was right. He didn't need the Lord of Death. And while he knew Koenma's presence would most undoubtedly make the dinner even more awkward than talks of demons, Spirit Detectives, and tournaments; honestly, Kurama wasn't certain he could fully explain to his mother the truth. To this day, he still wasn't sure what happened that faithful day. Which was why he was hoping Koenma would be willing to help out. Though helping out was really something Koenma liked to do.