"If you're courting me, you know you have to fight me." I said.

Kurama paled. "We can wait, surely."

"You really don't want to?" I smiled. "What's the matter? Afraid I'll purify you?"

"No!" Kurama said. "I'm afraid of hurting you!"

"It's part of the courting." I stared. "You must."

Kurama pulled a rose from his hair.

I pulled out an Ofuda, and a barrier of ofuda rose out around me.

Kurama struck it with his whip, but nothing. Finally he broke through, grabbing me with the whip.

I pooled my reiki and drove it into the whip. It struck him and he lurched back.

"You purified me!" He growled.

"I..." Weakness overtook me. "Concede."

Everything went black.

Xxx

Kurama caught Kuri in his arms.

After looking over her, assessing her cancerous condition, he took her to the hospital where he worked.

"I'll be taking Miss Hikawa's case personally."

No one argued. Even without demon energy, there was steel in his voice.

When he was alone with her, he caressed her cheek. So beautiful, yet so weak.

Her body created a barrier, but purified already, he could penetrate it.

He laid his head on her chest and cried. His mate.

He had to save her.

No matter what.