Chapter 2
A horrible howl filled the air. It was a high pitched shriek. Sharp was the sound and near deafening. A dark haired woman tried desperately to calm the child, though nothing came close to working.
"Shhhh Terumi." Shiori gently tried to comfort the child. She held the child close to her chest and softly snuggled the girl. "You're alright. Your father should be home soon." Tears continued to fill the babe's chocolate colored eyes while a loud wail followed. A sigh left the woman's lips. This didn't make sense. Terumi had been fine only an hour before. Well, she hadn't been screaming like this at least. The small girl had continued her disinterest in her new environment. She barely responded to Shiori's attempts to play or interact with her. Shiori found this behavior quite unusual. She knew the girl was in an unfamiliar place, however she was sure she could get Terumi accustomed to her home quickly. That clearly wasn't happening.
Flustered and overwhelmed the woman rocked the child as she walked throughout the house. The screaming continued as she heard the front door of their home open.
"Mother?" she heard her son call as the door closed. She could hear a couple footsteps walk further into the house.
"In here Shuichi." she answered. The woman made her way towards the front of the house. They met in the kitchen. Kurama quickly assessed the situation while Terumi's screams filled his ears. His mother's face was flushed while the baby's screams caused Terumi's face to turn a tomato red.
"I'm sorry I had to call you." Shiori said, her voice had a defeated tone to it. He quickly noticed this and knew he needed to take the girl over. He would not have his mother doubting herself over this. "I'm not sure what to do or what I did."
"Don't worry about it mother. I'm sure she's fine. How long has she been like this?" Kurama questioned as he set his briefcase down and extended his arms out for the banshee-like child.
"Not long." Shiori replied as she gently handed him the girl. "I would say forty five minutes at the most." Kurama nodded before his gaze turned to the obviously stressed girl. She didn't have a fever, nor did she seem plagued by any form of physical illness. His brows furrowed. The day before she hadn't made a sound. Why was she suddenly screaming so intensely? She was receiving attention and he was sure his mother would have tried to feed her. What brought this on?
"I've never heard a child scream like this before." Shiori told him, a concerned look remained on her face. "It's like she's in pain but there's no visible sign of harm." Kurama nodded. Something else had to be going on, though he wasn't sure what. An idea came to mind but it was something he'd have to try away from the house. He couldn't risk his mother catching him using his powers. If his plan worked, it should at least calm the child down while he continued to sort through the cause.
"I'm going to take Terumi for a walk. Perhaps the fresh air will sooth her." he told her while he wrapped the baby in a blanket.
"Alright, Shuichi." Shiori agreed. She hated to admit it but she would gladly welcome a few minutes of silence. Still, there had to be more she could do. The child was her granddaughter after all. Meanwhile, Kurama stepped out of the house, towards the that grew behind his family's house. He needed to go deep enough that his mother or anyone else couldn't find him easily. He continued to walk through the trees until he came to a small opening about half a mile away from the house. The girl's insufferable screams continued as Kurama pulled out a seed. Using his demon energy, the seed rapidly began to grow and blossom into a tall stemmed plant with small, dark purple blossoms at the end.
'Lavender.' he thought as he crushed the petals together. The plant was well known for calming the mind and body. Hopefully it would help the girl. Carefully he turned the girl onto her stomach and began rubbing her back with the herb's essence. The flower's aroma filled the young child's lungs and slowly she began to quiet. Within a few minutes her sobs had stopped completely while her eyes closed.
A sigh left the demons lips as he continued to rub the sleeping girl's back. He couldn't leave the girl until whatever ailed her had been tended to. He would not put his mother through that again. The problem would remain the same at a daycare. Something clearly bothered the child, as the parental figure, he needed to solve it. He began to think through possible solutions when he felt a powerful and recognizable energy. His hand paused and his attention shifted.
"So it's true." He heard just as a small figure jumped from one of the trees. The black haired, smaller demon approach him. His eyes glared down at the baby before he glanced up to his old friend.
"Hiei, what are you doing here?" Kurama questioned surprised to see his old friend. Hiei had always made it clear his place was in demon world. Why was he suddenly back in human world?
"I heard about Keiko's death and that her child had been handed over to Yukina. So I decided to pay my sister a visit. When I arrived at Genkai's temple Yukina was alone. So it's true, the detective gave the child to you. I must say I'm surprised you'd even consider taking her." Hiei explained before his gaze turned back to the child.
"Yes, it was an unexpected development." the fox admitted. "I had always assumed Kuwabara would be Satsuki's guardian."
"Yes, the fool should have been the first choice babysitter. So, what exactly happened that night? What caused the detective to leave her?" the smaller demon asked. Kurama's mind thought back as he began to tell his long time friend of the events that had taken place.
...
"Keiko...Keiko...wake up." Yusuke's voice was heard. "Keiko, stay with me." Two other figures stood in the background. Their faces were turned away from the scene before them. The scent of fresh human blood stained the air. It was a smell Kurama had long been accustomed to, however this was different. This was the blood of a dear friend.
They stood in the middle of the Urameshi residence. There, Yusuke, Kuwabara and Kurama had come to defend the lives of Yusuke's family. However, such help was not to be. The former spirit detective had arrived first, Kuwabara and Kurama followed soon after only to find their friend holding onto his dead wife.
Thoughts flowed through Yusuke's mind. How could it have come to this? Wasn't there suppose to be some kind of happy ending for them? That monster, that fiend who had managed his way into the ningenkai only to destroy what he loved most. How could he have been too late to save Keiko? He always managed to save her at the end...what? How? His head shook as his arms cradled his broken wife.
Suddenly a loud cry filled the air. Kurama sharply turned to his right to see an overturned pink bouncy seat. Quickly he moved it out of the way to find a baby kicking and screaming on the floor. He knelt and picked her up. She was startled but seemed otherwise uninjured. His leaf-colored eyes turned back to the child's parents, her father continued to hold onto her mother.
"Yusuke..." Kurama spoke as he approached the demon before him. Surely he'd want to hold Satsuki; she was the last living part of Keiko. However, Yusuke simply held his hand up. His gaze remained on the Keiko's torn face.
"Everyone's here it seems." they heard a familiar female voice say. Kuwabara and Kurama turned to see Botan in her usual pink kimono. A melancholy look was present on the grim reaper's face. She didn't want to be here. Most of the time she didn't mind her job, however, she found it broke her heart when she had to take a dear friend back to spirit world.
"Botan." Kuwabara stated while Kurama nodded. Agony spread throughout the group. Botan made her way towards Yusuke and what remained of Keiko.
"Yusuke, you know I have to..." Botan began but was quickly interrupted.
"Bring her back, Botan!" Yusuke ordered. His fists balled up. "You brought me back, now bring her back."
"You know I can't do that Yusuke." the normally sassy blue haired woman replied. Even if she could revive her, Keiko's soul would need a body to return to. Looking over her friend's remains...there was too much damage. There was no way to salvage what was left. Yusuke's fists remained curled in a ball. His eyes darkened and hallowed. It was as if he had been stabbed with a thousand knives at once. His dearest and deepest love was gone. His heart fell in his chest. The simple task of breathing almost became too much to bare. His body trembled in pain and anger.
"Fine." his forced through thinly pressed lips. "I will speak with Koenma." With that he stood from his wife's mangled remains. His eyes looked straight as he began to walk. His pace was steady as he walked passed Botan and Kuwabara. Kurama extended the baby towards her father as Satuki's arms reached out for her father. However, Yusuke walked passed them; he didn't even glance down to her.
"Yusuke." Kurama called. This didn't make sense, why wouldn't he take her? She needed his comfort, his protection. Why...?
"I'll take her, Kurama." Botan offered, breaking his train of though. Her arms reached out for the baby. "I'll take her to Yukina for the time being. I'm sure she'll welcome the girl until her father is ready for her." The fox nodded and with caution, placed the babe in the woman's arms.
...
"I've never seen him so angry or so grieved. It was like all the light from his world had been shattered and taken from him, piece by piece." Kurama paused, perhaps the answer to Terumi's current state rested in that night. She had been there when her mother's life was taken. She had heard those screams of pain, the cackling laugh of her family's destroyer and the anger in her father's voice. Such a traumatic event could cause severe damage to a still developing mind. Was her demon blood strong enough that she could remember all that?
"Pitty. How long will you keep her?" the black haired asked. His own thoughts were forming. He wasn't sure why but he felt compelled to help his former companion.
"I'm not sure. He may come back for her, when he's had his time to grieve."
"No one but Koenma has seen him since that night. You really think he cares enough for the girl to come back for her?"
"She's his daughter." Kurama replied, "He won't leave her behind." Suddenly Hiei jumped up into one of the trees.
"I'll leave you to your babysitting." the red-eyed demon scoffed. "I'll help the former detective find the demon that killed Keiko." This surprised Kurama greatly. Keiko was human and meant very little to the fire demon. Why would he help...? His lips turn up in a smile.
"Careful Hiei, someone might think you care for Yusuke's family." Kurama teased. Hiei paused before he looked back down.
"Just see the girl is safe and taken care of. Then, join the hunt when you can." With that Hiei was gone. The smile lingered on Kurama's lips. It was strange how old alliances could be reformed during times of tragedy. The kitsune remained there for a moment before he stood and made his way home. Suddenly a blood curdling scream filled the trees. Terumi was awake.
Three days later
'This isn't working.' Kurama thought as he sat on his bed as the baby girl continued to scream in her crib. His head rested between his pointer finger and thumb. His eyes pierced the floor while he was deep in thought. Yukina hadn't mentioned this. This dreadful screaming was something Terumi had only started to do since coming into his care. 'This cannot continue.' The child was not thriving; in fact she seemed to be deteriorating. Each day she ate less and less.
Three days of these unnerving howls was taking a toll on his family. He and Shiori had tried everything they could think of to calm the girl. The herbs helped but they did not solve the problem. They had even taken Terumi to a doctor, who insisted the girl was simply colicky. A condition they would merely have to wait out. Kurama did not agree with this assessment. There was more to it. He was sure of that. However, he could not pin point what the exact problem was.
'She must return to Yukina.' He decided after a minute. He had fully intended on keeping her and raising her until Yusuke returned for her. However, keeping her wouldn't do her or him any good if her life would only fade away. He knew she had been healthier and happier with the ice maiden. He nodded to himself. The decision had been made. He would protect her from afar until her father's return. In meantime, he would take her back to Genkai's temple and allow the kind hearted ice demon to care for the child.
Kurama continued to stare at the floor a moment when the child's cries began to fade. Within a couple of minutes all was quiet. Figuring Terumi had fallen asleep his eyes closed and he welcomed this rare moment of silence. A moment later he heard some movement from the crib.
"Mama!" He heard a small voice say. Still resting his head in his hand he turned to look at the teary-eyed girl. "Mama…mama!" Terumi had managed to sit herself up in the crib as was watching him with wide eyes. Her cheeks were tear-stained and her lips puckered into a pitiful pout. Desperation was heard in her voice. Her eyes continued to pierce into his. His brows furrowed in confusion before he began to catch on. His eyes softened as he realized what she had wanted these passed few days. He stood and made his way towards her. "Mama!"
"I understand." He whispered softly while his hand gently touched her back. "You want your mother, don't you?" While she knew things were different and remembered bits and pieces from that night, she didn't understand. She couldn't fathom why her mother or father weren't with her. Nor could she understand why she was being passed around like a plate of food. That could be why she didn't trust him and why she was so detached. When he gave her to Botan that night, she took it as he did not care for her. She was more aware than a normal human child but not as much as a full blooded demon would be. The matter was more complex than what she could comprehend.
Kurama sent her a small, sad smile and gently picked her up. His arms enfolded around her and held her tightly to his chest. He knew if his mother died suddenly it would cause him great heartache. He understood the cycle of life and death while the child did not. Her once stable and unaltered life had turned into one of uncertainty. Terumi's hard crying was the result of being overwhelmed with change and experiencing the ache of loss. She was expressing this the only way she knew how.
"I know you miss your mother. I'm sorry for your loss." His velvety voice began. He held her tighter to him. "Your mother, she loved you dearly. I know you don't understand what's happened. You feel like you're alone and unwanted. I assure you, you are cared for." Terumi lifted her head and watched him closely, her lip quivered. Kurama paused, somewhat hesitating at this next part. He wasn't sure what the future held. However, as time went on he found he doubted Yusuke would return for the child. "I know you're in pain and that my presence can't make up for your mother's absence… You're my daughter now. I won't leave you. I want to help you, if you'll allow me."
The girl's sad eyes lowered. She continued to sniffle but her tears began to dry. Then, to his surprise, Terumi nuzzled into him and inhaled his scent. She wanted his warmth and comfort. Carefully he rested his head on top of hers in attempt to offer her more comfort and security. After a few minutes time, he heard her soft snores. A warm and bright smile began to form on fox demon's lips. For the moment the crisis had been settled. A foundation of trust had been established between the supposed father and daughter. It was a small victory but a victory nonetheless.
Kurama continued to hold and rock her for a few minutes as she continued to slumber. His fingers gently rubbed her back encouraging her sleep before he attempted to place her back in the crib. Her body quickly jumped, her eyes shot opened and looked up to him. Once more, he held her to him and continued to rock her; soon he heard her soft snores once more. He would try to set her down a couple more times before he realized she needed the security his arms provided her. He thought for a moment before an idea formed in his mind.
He took a few steps towards his bed before he carefully attempted to lie down. Terumi remained nuzzled against his chest as his head hit his pillow. His hand rested gently on top of her, to ensure she wouldn't fall off of him. Kurama watched the baby sleep, it was the most peaceful he had seen her since he brought her home. Her breath was steady and soft. His hand continued to rub her back until it lightly went over her over her shoulder and down to her small hand. It was strange to think he was once this small. His pointer finger glided over her small palm. Her tiny petite fingers curled around his larger finger and tightly held on. This caused a strange sensation to fill him. It was new, small and somewhat peculiar like she was. It caused his heart to beat slightly faster and his desire to protect her became stronger.
'Is this what becoming a father feels like?' He wondered as their parent-child bond began to form. Perhaps the last few days hadn't been the disaster he believed them to be. The next few days would tell him for sure. Thoughts of giving her back to Yukina began to fade away as he felt the desire to sleep overcome him. His eyes closed and his breath evened out. For a moment, peace filled the house.
~Author's Note~
Hi everyone! Sorry it took a little longer to get this chapter out. I've been busy but am so glad you've decided to join me for this chapter. Thanks to everyone who has been following and favoring my story! A special thanks to those who reviewed:
FireStorm1991: Thank you for your review! You were right about her parentage being closer to the original four! I hope you've enjoyed this chapter! Thanks again for the review! :)
drafter: No problem! I always make sure to respond to those who take the time to review my stories! Thank you for leaving a second review and for your supportive words! I hope you've enjoyed this chapter as well. You were right about Yusuke being her father! Hopefully I've managed to keep everyone in character. Thanks again for your review and for your kind, supportive words! I appreciate it! :)
Thanks again to everyone who has followed my story this far! This has been such a fun story to write and I hope you all continue to enjoy it. I'll update again soon! Please feel free to leave a review if you have a moment and are so inclined. As always constructive criticism is welcome! Thanks again!~Lin
Random note: If you're more interested in a Kurama romance fic, feel free to check out my story No Strings Attached. I only have the prologue out so far but am working on getting the first chapter out. Feel free to let me know what you think of it!
