He was going insane. He had followed the woman beneath him for the last week, trying to figure out her secret. Her life was frustratingly mundane. She cleaned her home, cooked meals for her husband and children. She went into town for shopping and visiting friends. Her aura wasn't strong, and he was sure she didn't know that he was following her. Once again he came to the conclusion, as he had several times in the last week, that she was simply a human. However, his doubts still plagued him. Growling in frustration, he jumped into the upper story window of the woman's home. If his presence startled the room's occupant, they gave no indication.
"Hiei! To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?" Kurama chuckled as he asked the question. He had felt Hiei tailing his mother home. Kurama could sense his mother in the kitchen, dealing with the groceries she had brought from the store. Hiei paced in the space beside Kurama's bed. Kurama worked on his homework as he waited patiently. He knew there was no sense in trying to rush his friend, and his patience was rewarded.
"Your mother is just a plain human!" Hiei finally stated, irritated. His pacing got faster.
"Yes, of course…..?" Kurama answered, clearly puzzled.
"Then how does she know?! Always, she knows when you go somewhere, or need something! She says that she has eyes in the back of her head, but she has no demonic energy at all! How does she do it?" Hiei plopped down to sit in the windowsill, as Kurarma gaped at him.
"Eyes in the back of…. Hiei, what in the world are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about last week, after our run in with those disgusting rat demons! She came in to fuss over you, and I had to hide in your closest!" Kurama thought back to the night in question. They had encountered some rat demons that had set up shop in the human world selling black market goods. Unfortunately for the rats, some of those goods included human slaves. Just because the Spirit Detective team was no longer employed by Koenma didn't mean they were going to stand some low level scum breaking the peace they had worked so hard for. Kurama had ended up with a nasty scratch down the length of his arm, and when Hiei had finally gotten him home, he was faint from blood loss. Shiori had come in within minutes
Kurama hissed in pain as he slid his arm out of his sleeve to look at the wound. It was deep and long, but no arteries had been cut. Hiei grunted as he looked at it with a critical eye.
"Might need stitches, but we better clean it first. Those pathetic excuses for demons were filthy. Where do you keep your supplies?" Kurama was about to answer when there was a knock at his door, and Hiei flashed to the closest as it opened to reveal Shiori with a basin of water and other medical supplies.
"Mother! I didn't mean to wake you up!" Kurama paled as he held his arm, trying to hide the scratch, which was useless.
"Hush, Shuiichi. The only time you sneak in is if you are hurt. Let me see." Shiori took his arm gently and started to clean in. The muscles in her face tightened as she saw how deep the cut was, but she made no comment. After the wound was cleaned, she began to stitch it closed.
"You know the new construction over in the shopping district? I had met up with some friends this afternoon, and when I was coming home, I tripped and fell against some rebar that was piled up." Kurama said as the tension built up. "I didn't realize that the cut was so deep until I was almost home and felt dizzy."
"Well, it's a good thing you are up to date on your shots, though you may need to go get a booster for tetanus. It's nothing to play chances with." Shiori wrapped Kurama arm and tied the bandage neatly.
"I'm sorry Mother, I didn't mean to be such a bother to you. I am sorry I woke you." Shiori laughed lightly
"Oh son, what kind of mother would I be if I didn't have eyes in the back of my head? I have two boys to take care of. If I'm not on my toes, you both will end up in a lot worse shape than you are right now." Shiori picked up the ruined shirt and gathered all the supplies up before kissing Kurama on his forehead. "Get some rest dear."
Kurama started to laugh as he realized where Hiei's confusion stemmed from. Hiei frowned; irritated that Kurama wasn't taking him seriously.
"Hiei, she wasn't being literal. It's a figure of speech that human parents use. It doesn't mean that they actually have extra eyes. It means that parents are more observant than their children give them credit for. That they usually know more about their children's lives then they...let…" Kurama paused, a concerned look on his face. A knock sounded at the door, startling both boys as the door opened. Shiori stood there, with a tray of tea with two cups.
"Here you go boys. This should tide you over until supper, which will be done in about an hour. You will be staying, won't you Hiei?" Shiori smiled at his startled expression, and his stomach chose that moment to announce that he had neglected to eat at all that day as it growled. Shiori's smile grew wider. "I'll take that as a yes then dear, wonderful. You boys remember to wash up before supper" Shiori set the tea tray on the desk, and paused at the door before she left.
"Oh, and Hiei dear," Shiori smiled at him again, "You don't always have to use the window. Our door is always open for you." Shiori closed the door softly behind her as the two continued to stare at where she had been standing.
"On." Kurama finished, his voice softened with awe and love. Then he smiled and shook his head. He looked sidelong at his friend, chuckling at the look on Hiei's face. His eyes were wide, and his mouth was hanging open. "She's right you know. It gets too cold to open the window in the winter." Hiei's eyes narrowed in a glare, which only made Kurama laugh harder. "Maybe I should look for extra eyes. After supper though."