The next day Kurama rose and dressed in one of the nicest sets of clothes he owned; a white button-up dress shirt and dark slacks. Karasu would object if he were present but Kurama would happily risk it. He removed his earrings and applied his makeup carefully. Just enough to cover the bruise on his cheek.
His first stop for the day was a nearby florist. He purchased a bouquet and then got on the train.
He took the train to the nearest hospital, bypassing reception and heading straight for the third floor. He had been here many times lately.
When he entered the room the woman inside was asleep. Her dark hair was pulled back, though some of it had come loose. Her face was pale and her cheeks sunken. Her form beneath the sheets was thin and frail. Kurama's stomach twisted as he placed the flowers in the vase on the dresser. The sweet scent of the flowers helped to mask the horrible antiseptic smell of the hospital room.
Kurama sat down on the uncomfortable chair next to her bed, not wanting to wake her. He picked up the book on her bedside table and began to read. He'd left the book there the last time he'd visited.
After some time, Kurama felt a hand on his arm. He looked towards the bed to find the woman awake and smiling at him.
"Shuichi," she said fondly. "Don't you have better things to do on the weekend?"
"No, mother," Kurama said, smiling at her.
"Well, you should," she told him.
"I don't want to be anywhere but here," he assured her.
She shook her head, smiling thinly. "You're a good boy," she said softly, squeezing his hand. Kurama fought to hold back his tears. He'd vowed he would never let her see him cry.
"The doctor said I'm making progress," she told him. "It looks as if the new medication is helping."
"That's excellent," Kurama said, feeling hope stir in his chest. The medicine had been extremely expensive, which had led to him seeking a loan from Sekyo. His mother had been unable to afford the treatment and Kurama had been desperate. He would endure anything if it meant that his mother would be well.
"How are you doing?" she asked.
For once, Kurama had good news for her and he wouldn't have to lie. "I have a job," he told her.
"Are you enjoying it?" she asked and Kurama didn't miss the worry in her tone. It did not escape Kurama's notice that she had not asked him what the job was. He often wondered exactly how much she knew or guessed about his current circumstances.
"Yes, I am. My colleagues seem very nice." He smiled at the thought of Yukina and Keiko. "My boss is a little stern, though."
She laughed. Something about his expression must have allayed her worries. "I'm sure you'll do just fine," she told him.
Kurama patted her hand. "Don't worry about me, mother. Just concentrate on getting better."
She coughed, and Kurama rose to get her a glass of water. After she sipped it, she smiled weakly at him. "You're my only son," she said. "Of course I worry about you. I don't know how you've managed on your own, what with looking after yourself and paying for my medical bills."
Kurama had always been tight-lipped on that subject. She would never find out how he'd gotten the money. He knew that she would be devastated.
-0-
Kurama spent most of the day at the hospital. Before returning to his apartment, he went to the grocery store. He wasn't able to afford very much as Hiei had yet to pay him anything. Kurama had been told that he would receive his first pay at the end of the week. Likely Hiei still thought that Kurama would bail out on him.
Kurama knew as soon as he opened the door to his apartment that someone was there. The lights were on and he was certain that he had turned them off before he'd left that morning.
A tall, slender man with long dark hair lounged on Kurama's bed as though he owned it and Kurama swallowed a lump in his throat. He toyed with the idea of simply turning around and leaving, but he knew that it would only delay the inevitable.
"Hello, Karasu," he said quietly. He walked to the kitchenette bench and set his two bags down.
"How is your lovely mother today?" Karasu asked, his voice silky sweet.
Bile rose in Kurama's throat at the sound of Karasu's voice. His hands shook as he put away the groceries. It took him some time to answer.
"She's... fine," he finally managed to get out. He leaned against the bench, needing the support and not wanting to move any closer to the man.
"You must be pleased," Karasu said, sliding gracefully off the bed. He had removed his black jacket and now he wore a dress shirt, several buttons undone to show off his chest and tight leather pants. He walked slowly towards Kurama, as if he were a lion stalking his prey. His eyes remained locked on Kurama, pinning him in place.
When Karasu was right in front of Kurama, he lifted the redhead's chin so Kurama was forced to look him in the face.
"Right?" he asked, his voice still silky.
"Y-yes," Kurama stammered out. He began to tremble with apprehension and fear.
"Good." Karasu rubbed his thumb over the corner of Kurama's lips and he parted them on instinct. Karasu lowered his face to Kurama's and kissed him gently. Kurama turned his head away, disgusted.
Karasu stepped back and slapped Kurama's face, leaving a sharp sting. Kurama cried out in surprise and pain.
"Your mother is alive because of my boss's generosity," Karasu sneered. "You should show a little gratitude."
Kurama wanted to point out that he didn't have to show any kind of gratitude to Karasu since he wasn't Sekyo, but kept his mouth shut. It would only enrage Karasu more and Kurama didn't want to find out what the man was truly capable of if he were angered enough.
Karasu grabbed a fistful of the redhead's hair and this time Kurama didn't resist as Karasu kissed him again. He felt Karasu's hand groping his butt as he deepened the kiss.
Karasu finally pulled back, a thin strip of saliva connecting his mouth to Kurama's for a moment before it snapped. His hand continued to grope Kurama's backside and Kurama couldn't help but squirm uncomfortably. From the smirk on Karasu's face, he was obviously enjoying it. He pushed his body hard against Kurama, pressing him back against the bench. Kurama could feel Karasu's growing erection.
"Since you went to visit your mother today, I'll forgive your choice of clothing," Karasu purred. "Go put on something more suitable. And put those lovely earrings I bought you back on as well."
He stepped back, allowing Kurama room to move. Kurama took a deep breath before walking past Karasu to the bed. Karasu slapped his backside lightly as he brushed past him, chuckling quietly.
Sitting on the corner of the bed was a pair of pink lacy panties and a matching pink bra. Kurama knew that he didn't own them so Karasu must have bought them. He liked to buy Kurama female clothing and make him wear them, particularly underwear.
Kurama hesitantly picked up the small garments, feeling sick to his stomach.
"I told the sales assistant that they were for my girlfriend," Karasu informed him. Kurama chose not to respond, deciding that it was information he preferred to forget. He walked to the bathroom, all the while expecting to hear Karasu object from behind him, but there was only silence. It seemed Karasu was content to allow him to change in private today. Kurama closed the bathroom door behind him, wishing he could stay in there all night, or at least until Karasu left. It was a futile hope, he knew.
