Kurama's Challenge
Chapter 1: Memories
February 18, 2007
By CCD
A/N: I just wanted to explain something real quick. In the English version of the show they call Kurama's stepbrother Kokoda. I'm changing it to that because the two Suichi thing confused me when I did it in another story. Sorry if this bothers anyone. Also if you write questions or comments in your reviews, I have a forum on to answer them. Please check that out (Link in my biography as well as a excerpt from the next chapter). Enjoy!
MEMORY – 1. The particular act of recall or recollection
2. An image or impression of one that is remembered
3. The time within which past events can be or are remembered
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
The streets were silent with the exception of the soft pattering of rain on the asphalt. It was a dreary Saturday morning and anyone who was in their right mind would be sleeping. It was odd however for one particular person in the Minamino household to be sleeping in, and that was exactly what he was doing.
The red-haired teen still occupied his bed. His body was tangled in crisp white sheets. His arm clutched one of the pillows on the bed; the other had fallen to the floor sometime during the night.
The young teen was completely oblivious to the world around him. It was almost unheard of for him to sleep in that late. Most days found him up before the sun rose, however, the stress of being on a detective team, and taking care of his scholarly duties was taking it's toll on his human body. The need for sleep became more and more necessary as challenges presented themselves.
Unbeknownst to Kurama, someone opened the door with the stealth of the spirit fox himself. A dark haired teen slipped his head into the room. He smirked when he saw that his friend was still sound asleep in his bed.
He slipped the rest of the way into the room. Padding on silent feet he approached the sleeping figure, collecting the discarded pillow from the floor. As he took another step, the floor creaked under his feet. The teen stopped and glanced at his friend.
Kurama only rolled onto his back. The grin on Yusuke's face only widened. This only made his prank easier. The detective continued his approach to the bed. He stood over the red head and placed the pillow about a foot from the sleeping figure's head. He was about to press the pillow down when a voice startled him.
"Really Yusuke, I would think by now you would know better than to try and sneak up on me like that."
"Well, damn Kurama, a guy's gotta try! How do you do that?" Yusuke asked with a laugh.
Kurama smiled and opened his emerald eyes before pushing himself up into a sitting position. Yusuke backed up and plopped in Kurama's desk chair. He let his demon friend wake up before expecting a response.
"I heard the creaking of the floorboards and I felt you watching me. It also didn't help that I noticed the blocked sunlight when the pillow was over my face."
"Well that's the last time I'll try and sneak up on you. You take all the fun out of it."
"What are you doing here, Yusuke?" Kurama asked wanted a reason for the prank and why Yusuke was in his home.
"I've got a favor to ask you. Grandma called and told me she wanted me to come to the temple today for some stupid reason that she wouldn't tell me over the phone. Do you think you could watch Hiei for the day? He's determined to spend today studying for Akashi's stupid science test on Monday and refuses to come with me."
The fox demon sighed. Yusuke had been taking care of Hiei for the past five months since he was on probation. The Spirit World stripped away his demonic powers when they discovered that Hiei had violently attack two teachers who had decided to piss him off.
"And where is Hiei?" he asked hoping the detective hadn't let the former fire demon alone.
"Downstairs, I think your mom is trying to make polite conversation and you know how much Hiei doesn't like to talk.
Kurama sighed again. He knew that if Hiei was left alone with any member of his human family for long, there would be hell to pay. With the return of his powers only a month away, there was no doubt in Kurama's mind that revenge was not far from Hiei's mind. As it was, Hiei was moodier as ever and hated the idea of being babysat. After all, who would want to be looked after if they knew that they had the potential to be stronger?
"Go sit with him for a bit, and let me get more presentable Yusuke."
Yusuke nodded before throwing the pillow on the bed and exiting the room. The red-haired teen stretched and untangled himself from his sheets before climbing out of bed. He took a quick shower and dressed in a pair of jeans, a white tank top, and a red button up shirt that he left open. He padded barefoot downstairs to a sorry sight.
Hiei was squished between Yusuke, and his younger stepbrother, Kokoda, who were teasing him mercilessly. Kurama's mother called Kokoda into the kitchen to help with breakfast, leaving Hiei and Yusuke in the living room. As soon as he left, Hiei scrambled to get away from Yusuke. He glared at the detective.
"I hate you," Hiei hissed between clenched teeth.
"Calm down, Hiei. We were just teasing you. After all you shouldn't be such a bookworm. Have some fun every once in a while."
"I don't do fun, detective."
"All right," Kurama said as he climbed down the rest of the stairs, "enough fighting."
Yusuke's smirk was back as Hiei folded his arms across his chest and sulked. Kurama was amazed at how much Hiei had changed in five months. The fire demon was a bit more open with his feelings and opinions.
"Well, I've gotta go find out what the old hag wants. I'll see you two later," Yusuke said, before he left.
Kurama glanced over at Hiei who was watching Yusuke leave with a scowl on his face. At the sound of the door shutting, the red-haired demon noticed that the dark-haired demon relaxed.
"Does he really make you that uncomfortable, Hiei?"
"…Only when we're around others."
They were silent for a moment. Kurama could hear his mother setting the table. He glanced at the clock and saw that it was about 9:30. It was still semi-early considering how late he slept. It was a bit of a shock that Yusuke had dragged himself out of bed to drop off Hiei and then go to Genkai's temple. The sudden silence was broken when Shiori stuck her head through the kitchen door.
"Suichi, breakfast is ready. Will you be joining us Hiei?"
"No thank you. I already ate."
"I'll be right there, mother."
She smiled and with a quick nod ducked back into the kitchen. Kurama turned to watch Hiei grab his bag off the floor and take out one of his textbooks. The shorter one plopped on the couch and started to read. The taller apparition smiled before entering the kitchen. His mother smiled as he entered the kitchen.
"So, what are your plans for the day, Suichi?"
"I don't know yet. Yusuke had to go visit a friend today and asked me to keep an eye on Hiei."
"I didn't even know that they were related until a few months ago. It's strange that he's been your friend so long and we just found that out about them."
"Hiei doesn't talk about his family much. His parents passed away a few months ago and he's been living with Yusuke and his mother since."
"I remember when you told me about that terrible accident. I feel so sorry for him."
"He's doing well, mother. Yusuke actually dropped him off today, because he wanted to work on his studies. I'll probably get him out of the house later on today. Yusuke told me last week that Hiei needs to go shopping for clothes since some of the ones he has are falling to pieces."
Kurama saw his mother nod before she headed to the table. As she turned a sharp pain shot down his right arm. He grabbed his arm and for a few seconds he lost his composure.
The fox demon glanced at his family; they hadn't noticed. He didn't have time to question the pain in front of them. Kurama flexed his hand and slowly moved his arm. The pain was gone.
He pushed it to the back of his mind and walked to the table and sat down. His family engaged in lively chatter. Kurama listened quietly to his stepbrother who was talking about what he was planning on doing this weekend. His stepfather discussed a project they were trying to market at work and his mother discussed the latest news that had appeared in the paper that morning.
Kurama was always silent at breakfast. He had learned that it was better to listen. Listening was valuable for gathering information. Kurama knew his family so much better than they knew themselves. There was nothing of importance to learn from that day's conversation, but being with his family created a sense of peace within him.
At the end of breakfast, Kurama started to help his mother clear the table. Since Kokoda had helped set the table he was obligated to help clean up, however he wanted to get back to Hiei. His mother stopped him with a smile and gently grabbed Kokoda by the back of the shirt before he exited through the door. He was trying to sneak behind her.
"Kokoda volunteered to help me with the dishes already, Suichi. Why don't you go and keep Hiei company? Actually, why don't the two of you get out and go do something while the rain has stopped?"
"Thank you, mother, I think that I'm going to take him shopping, like I said earlier. I just need to get him away from his textbook first," Kurama said grateful that his mother could see how much he didn't want to leave Hiei alone for too long.
"Have fun," Shiori said in a sing-song voice as her son exited the room.
Kurama saw Hiei was now lying on the couch, still reading the textbook he had pulled out earlier. The fox demon gave a knowing smirk before approaching and plucking the book from Hiei's hands. The ex-fire demon instinctively tried to snatch the book back only for Kurama to pull it further away. He scowled.
"Give it back, fox!"
"I'm afraid I can't do that Hiei. My mother wants us to get out of the house and according to Yusuke; you need some more clothes and a new school uniform. He also mentioned new shoes."
Hiei glared at the smirking fox. He knew that there was no way that the fox was going to back down about leaving. The stubborn ex-apparition sighed.
"Let's just get this over with quick. Going shopping is hell enough, but better with you than Yusuke."
Kurama watched as Hiei reached into his bag and pulled out a black leather wallet. Hiei noticed Kurama looking at the wallet. He shrugged.
"Koenma decided that I should have my own money to spend. I think Yusuke told him I needed clothes and put money in a bank account for me."
"Just another way for you to fit in to the Human World I suppose. Shall we go?"
Hiei nodded and the two of them grabbed their coats. Kurama called to his mother to tell her they were leaving. After grabbing an umbrella in case it started to rain again, the two of them exited the house not knowing what the day would bring.