Chapter 6
I was on the edge of hyperventilating. How the FUCK could I blow it like that!? There is no doubt that I was going to die, for certain! I didn't even MAKE IT to the team! And there is NO reasonable lie to explain how I knew his name. What do I do? What do I do! Kurama still kept walking, but he was very much aware of my every movement. I tremble, fearful of what would come next.
"How do you know that name?" he repeated, his voice deepening with an edge of gravel.
What could I say? There was no way that he would believe the truth! But the truth was the only thing left that I had to tell. There was no other explanation that I could provide. Or if there was, it escaped the grasp of my mind. I had no more options.
"Can…you wait, until we get to my apartment? We are almost there. Please."
"You are stalling."
"Do you really want to have this conversation about your demon counterpart in the middle of the street?" I countered.
"Very well." He finally answered after a moment of silence.
While it was true that this was a topic not safe for the streets, this would give me a little bit of time to collect my thoughts. So I don't just spew things in a mindless gibberish. But that two minute remainder of the walk was the longest of my life. It was unbelievable how much fear could slow down your perception of time. My hands shook as I slipped the key into the lock and entered the apartment. No sooner had the door shut (and I noticed with a sense of dread how Kurama locked it behind him) I was shoved up against the wall.
His reflexes were even faster than I originally suspected. I tried to resist, to fight him off because I was certain he was going to kill me , but it was useless. Kurama took a powerful grip on my forearm, yanked it forward and pressed a seed against my wrist. I felt a hum from his fingertips, likely from him using his demon energy, and a tangle of thin vines emerged from the seed. Without warning, one of the tendrils dove down at my skin and I suddenly cried out, throwing my head back in pain as it burrowed through my flesh. At several more points along my arm, more and more tendrils did the same thing, until they had taken root into my tissue.
Kurama then backed away and I slumped against the wall, my injured limb shaking as I fought back the tears by gritting my teeth and spitting out a string of swear words in English that I still remembered from my first life. My shaking stilled at last but the pain was still throbbing powerfully in my arm. I turned my gaze up to him, pain making me angry and almost feral.
"What the hell was that for?!" I snarled.
"To ensure your honesty." Kurama answered coldly then his eyes narrowed, "I can come up with more creative methods if you prefer."
I paled and shook my head wordlessly.
"Good. This plant is very attuned to your heart rate, your breathing. Should you lie to me, it will know and it will devour you from the inside. As you can imagine, this is not a quick death and it is very, very painful. It would be in your best interest to tell me the truth."
"Yeah, about that…" I squeaked, "The truth is pretty crazy and unbelievable."
"Well, you had best hope that I find it believable."
A shudder of fear racked through me. My life depended on me being able to tell this story and make him believe it. I always did want to be a novelist but I didn't really it want it to be under this kind of situation!
"Ok, well, it's kind of a long story, so, um, can we sit down? Your plant is starting to make me dizzy…"
He nodded coolly and we made it to my living room. Kurama did not help me however, despite the fact that every step seemed to jar the vine burrowed into my flesh. This in turn sent waves of agony rushing through me. I sat gingerly on the couch, trying not to move my arm so much and Kurama propped himself up against the wall opposite of me, watching me with unwavering focus.
"So, to start this off, I'm not actually a fifteen year old girl. Well, I am in body but…how do I say this? I died. And I was reincarnated, I guess, into this world. In truth I'm actually thirty seven years old. Even if I don't always act like it. I thought it was just a normal setting but then I saw you…In the life that I lived…you were… a character in a tv show…"
His eyes stayed cold but he raised a disbelieving brow.
"I told you it was pretty crazy!" I cried, "Ummmmm, lemme think of something to make my point. It's been fifteen years since I saw it….Oh! So, you were a fox demon that went by the name of Youko. Um, I don't know how old you are, I don't think the show was ever clear on that. But one of your partners was Kuronue who died in a botched thievery and he carried some sort of pendant with him. I don't remember what it does. And at one point your second in command was Yomi who was hot headed and would always jump ahead into thefts that he should have assessed more and got a bunch of men killed. You sent an assassin after him but in the end he only blinded him and now he's one of the three kings of Demon World along with Raizen and Makuro and has been for about a thousand years. "
A muscle in Kurama's face twitched. It was the only kind of hint I had that some of this might have been shocking to him.
"Um, you control plants but your primary weapon is your Rose Whip and you keep it as a normal rose underneath your hair. I think that's all I've got right now…Look, I know it's utterly insane sounding but Spirit World is supposed to be a complex network of worlds. If you could be reduced to spirit form and slip into human world, don't you think it would be possible for a soul or spirit or whatever to make it's way here and retain their memories? If it wasn't at least a little true how would I know about all of this?"
Kurama was still silent but it was a silence that was engaged from him thinking about and processing all of the information that I had just told him. Oh please let him believe me. I looked down at the vine burrowed into my arm for extra measure, to show that I haven't lied. And also to double check and make sure that it wasn't burrowing deeper into my flesh. I then looked back to the red-head before me.
"It is evident you did not lie but there are some parts of your information that are incorrect."
I blinked. I know it has been fifteen years since I last saw the show but still, I was pretty sure that I got it right. I practically worshipped the show so it wasn't like me to get anything wrong. Even if it had been a long time since I had last seen it.
"What did I get wrong?"
"While you are correct, Yomi was my second in command and I sent an assassin after him, he only just recently came into his throne. Although he likely was building his power and followers for the last thousand years. The assassin was a test. I told him not to go, but he did not listen. Kuronue did not die, however…On that mission he volunteered to stay behind so the rest of our band could escape. We had assumed him dead for while before he returned. To my knowledge he is still alive."
I KNOW those did not happen in the series. And yet…it was truth here. What the hell was going on?
"Ok, that's weird…I know that didn't happen in the series."
"However, you do have information that you should not be privy to. Even Spirit World intelligence does not have that information. Which leads me to believe that there must be at least some truth to what you are saying."
"Good!" I chirped, "Now can you get your demon plant out of me? It's very painful and I don't want to be eaten alive."
He carefully advanced forward but I could see that he was still wary, that he still didn't trust me. But I didn't expect him to immediately. Kurama began to work carefully on removing the vine that was burrowed into my flesh. I hissed as it slowly receded and left nothing but open bleeding, wounds. I spit out another string of swear words in English and rushed to the kitchen to clean up the blood. When the water hit my open wounds, I nearly screeched in pain. I came back into the living room cradling my injured arm.
"So how am I going to explain this to people? Namely my father." I demanded, annoyed that he had to inflict bodily harm upon me to determine whether I was lying or not. But I couldn't fully blame him.
"According to what you told me, you are a grown woman. I'm sure you'll figure something out."
"You're such a gentleman." I retorted, my words dripping with sarcasm, "So are you still going to teach me how to use Spirit Energy?"
He stopped, "Does this mean you knew about it all along?"
"Well, in a way, yes. I actually until recently had no idea where I was until…"
Kurama looked at me expectantly, "Until?"
"Until I saw you." I answered, my cheeks flushing a bit red from embarrassment.
It's even worse to admit that you were nearly forty years old and you fainted. That was just…pathetic. Kurama's expression was one that was filled with mirth. The faintest hint of a smirk quirked at his mouth. It was an expression that both made me even more embarrassed and made me want to slap it off his face. Of course I would NEVER do the latter but the urge was still there.
"Ah, so you did faint because you were-"
"Oh my god, no!" I exclaimed cutting him off, "I totally fainted because I was in shock that I was in this world in the first place!"
His expression was amused –he seemed to be amused a lot with me, I'll take it as a good thing- and doubtful.
"Ok, so it might have been a bit of fear too…"I grudgingly admitted, "But give me a break here! You're a terrifying guy when you want to be! And I'm pretty sure you ate teen-aged girls for breakfast in your hay days. Or at least I'd believe it."
Kurama snickered, whether it was from my reaction, the explanation or if there was truth behind it, I couldn't say. But I glared playfully at him and glared.
"Not to worry." He said easily, "I can assure you I have not taken part in the activities of consuming humans."
"Oh good."
"However, my plants, I cannot promise you the same thing and still be truthful."
"You just love yanking me out of my comfort zone, don't you?" I deadpanned.
"But Midori," He pointed out in an antagonizing manner, an infuriatingly mischievous smile on his face, "But you aren't a teen-aged girl, so you have nothing to fear."
"Yeah well considering that's in mind only at this time, I think that's a moot point. And you know it!"
A small smirk appeared on his face and I huffed.
"Can you just teach me about Spirit Energy, already?!" I exclaimed exasperatedly, "So I can use it on you…." I added softly.
"That would be ill advised." He pointed out, still adopting a light-hearted tone, "You would find yourself very out matched."
"Yeah, I got that much."
I stuck my tongue out at him but Kurama was not affected by my childish display.
"First, let's move to the living room, there's more space and it will be easier to work."
We relocated as he recommended and I found myself brimming with excitement. I was finally going to start making progress with my Spirit Energy! Just the idea of acquiring the ability to do things that weren't even possible in my world was exhilarating. Kurama instructed me to sit down and I did so enthusiastically, ready to begin work on learning how to harness this mystical power at my fingertips.
"You were correct in assuming that meditation was key with working with your Spirit Energy. But it is more used as a way to 'awaken' it per say. Now that you have brought it to your mind's attention, you need to work on harnessing it. Which, I'm afraid, is harder than discovering it."
"Dammit…."
And here I thought the hardest part was over. Serves me right for getting my hopes up.
"Now you will need to meditate regularly to gain better control. The more your mind sees it, begins to associate where to pull it from, it will make it that much easier to access. Now let's begin."
Xxx
I regretted asking Kurama for help. Well, almost. He was intensely knowledgable and that was wonderful but he settled for nothing short of perfection. Whenever I tried to meditate, he would intentionally distract me, by say, tossing things at me, bumping up against me or speaking to me about theories and the like. When I finally snapped and demanded how he expected me to meditate with him continually distracting me, he retorted that I likely would not really get the luxury of being undisturbed in harnessing my energy.
"I'm beginning to think asking you for help was a bad idea…" I told him, opening one eye and giving an annoyed glare at the crumpled paper ball on the floor.
"You will rarely get the opportunity to have time to really focus on your Spirit Energy, I am merely preparing you now and having you learn this way first. It will be better for you in the long run."
"You just want to throw things at me." I retorted cantankerously.
"No. But I do consider it a bonus. You make it very easy to pick on you."
It has been two weeks since we started this training. The scratches on my face had healed up but the bruise that had been on my cheek from that fight with that punk from Rugafuchi still was there. It had faded to that ugly yellow but it would be gone. Once Tou-san got home in two days, I could just say that I tripped and fell on my face. Easy cover.
The wounds made by Kurama's plant were now thin scabs but I knew the injuries were still deep below them. Still if I wore a jacket or something, I could play it off and not have to explain it. But I KNEW there would be scars there. With the wounds that deep, I should have had stitches but that wasn't an option.
I opted to throw the paper ball back at him instead of trying (failing) to meditate. Kurama easily caught it, ruffling my metaphorical feathers. Am I not allowed to have just one hit on him? I blinked suddenly when the paper ball bounced off my forehead. With a laugh, I threw it back at him. He dodged it easily and glanced down at his watch.
"Ah, is that the time already, come we need to go."
I blinked, "Go? Go where?"
"You will be eating dinner with us tonight."
Even though it was Kurama, I was still irked that he didn't even bother asking me.
"How do you know that I even can?" I pointedly asked.
The demon took a look around the empty house and then raised an eyebrow at me.
"Ok, ok, I see your point. But you couldn't have just asked me?"
"My mother is eager to know who the girl is that I've been spending much of my time with of late. I'm not one to disappoint her."
Wait, I was going to meet Kurama's mother? This was strangely exciting and even…somewhat of an honor. He would not lightly introduce someone to his mother, whom he adored so much. He wouldn't do that unless he felt that I wasn't a threat. This perked me up instantly. I gave a big smile.
"Fair enough. Um, do I need to change or…."
I was still wearing my school uniform and I wasn't sure if that would be appropriate. Kurama smiled.
"You are fine as you are. Come, let's not keep her waiting."
The sky was very clear and bright with dollops of cheerful white clouds. I was practically skipping down the side walk while Kurama kept at his leisurely pace a bit behind me. It was not lost on me how he didn't seem to keep his eyes off me. Not in any sort of romantic way, but one who was very intently studying what was before them.
"What's on your mind, Kurama?" I asked, walking backwards.
"You said that I was a character in that show of yours. I do think there may be some truth to it, since you had knowledge you should not have known. What role did I play?"
"You were definitely a main character. There were three other main characters as well. One of them you already know. Or at least, I think you do."
I paused for a moment. Should I tell him? This was tricky territory and I don't know what is safe for me to tell. I could drastically alter everything . I bite my lower lip in thought.
"Oh? And who is that?"
"Hiei." I finally answered.
"You know of him, as well?"
"Oh yeah. Telepath, uses a katana, throw in hair like a traffic cone, Jagun-Jagin –fuck it a third eye- a bad attitude and that should be him." I stopped walking, "Er, don't let him kill me, please. I don't wanna die again."
Kurama chuckled, "Yes, any death at Hiei's hands will be an unpleasant one."
"Death in general is unpleasant. I mean, afterwards, when your soul or spirit or whatever has separated from your body, there's a never ending blackness. It's like that the abyss is all there will ever be and you'll only drift for eternity. No light, no air, no people, nothing. Just emptiness."
I shuddered at the memory.
"I have a question, if I may."
"Shoot."
"How did you die?" Kurama inquired, "I realize that this may be an uncomfortable question for you…do not feel obligated to answer."
"No…" I told him, "No it's fine…I had asthma in my previous life. It was pretty mild especially in comparison to other people who had the disease. I was pretty dutiful about carrying my inhaler with me but one day I forgot it when I went to walk on a path through the woods. I caught a face full of mold which I was allergic too, and I had to worst luck to have allergy triggered asthma living in a state that had the highest allergen levels in the country. It triggered an attack. And I had no inhaler. Add in a dead cell phone –er a phone that is portable and runs on batteries- and out in the woods where not a lot of people frequent…well, it's not pleasant dying from lack of oxygen."
"I am sorry."
"Don't be. I suppose it's what I get for forgetting my inhaler when I shouldn't have. Anyways, I'm meeting your mother, huh? Does this mean we're married now?"
Of course I was joking but Kurama gave me a devilish smirk.
"Are you implying that you want to be?"
"What? No!" I exclaimed, rubbing my temples, "God, way to ruin my joke, Kurama. I hope you're happy."
"Immensely."
I glared playfully at him but it was short lived as we arrived in front of his house.
"This is it." He told me and lead the way inside.
The house was neat and orderly. I would have been surprised if it was anything less, considering that Kurama was the one who lived there. It was a warm home, with pictures of Kurama and his mother –I forget her name- through out his life. I bent over a studied a picture of Kurama as a toddler and I gave a squeal.
"Awwww, is this you? You were so cute!"
He pinched the bridge of his nose, "Midori, you are wasting time."
A wicked grin crossed my face.
"What's the matter K-Suichi? Embarrassed by your toddler pictures?"
Kurama sighed, "My mother is waiting, Midori, please."
"Ok, ok, I'll let you off the hook this time." I told him in a sing song voice.
"How relieved I am."
His mother was in the kitchen, washing her hands, back to us. With how she had not turned or reacted, I was certain that she did not know that we were there.
"Mother, I'm home." Kurama said.
She turned to face us then. I was almost stunned by how beautiful she was. And she was young. Based on her appearance she had to be in her mid to late thirties. A bright smile lit up her face when she saw the two of us and she dried her hands.
"Suichi, welcome home." She turned her gaze to me, "And is this the girl you told me about? Midori?"
I bowed respectfully, "Yes, Minamino-san, I'm Midori. It's a pleasure to meet you. Suichi speaks highly of you."
The look in Kurama's eyes when I rose was one of very mild, very hidden surprise along with approval. I don't think he realized that I could be as eloquent and polite as I just was.
"Please, you don't have to be so formal, call me Shiori."
Ah, right. That was her name. I smiled widely at her.
"Ok, Shiori."
She turned to Kurama, "She is not as talkative as you made her out to be."
I flushed in embarrassment then, "The night's still young. I'm sure that will come out."
Shiori laughed weakly and that was when I began to notice some things that were wrong. Shiori was extraordinarily pale. Paler than what she should be. I could see sweat beading at her temple and she seemed to be trembling very finely. And, from what a could tell, her breathing seemed to be a bit ragged. I furrowed my brow, worried.
"You two go ahead and sit in the dining room. I'll be there shortly."
We did as she bade but as soon as we were out of the room I immediately turned to Kurama.
"Is your mother sick? She does not seem well at all."
"She told me that she has begun to feel unwell this week but has thus far refused to see a doctor yet."
I glanced back in the direction of the kitchen. And then it hit me. In the series, Kurama's mother ended up in the hospital. And had been in a very critical state. I wanted to tell him immediately to take her to the hospital or a doctor but that would not do. Kurama's need to cure his mother drove him to steal from Spirit World and as a result meet Yusuke and become integral to the storyline. I could severely alter the storyline. And that could make things end very, very bad.
"Just…keep an eye on her, ok?"
"I always do." He told me serenely, "If she does not improve within a few days, I will make her go to the doctor."
"Here we are!"
Shiori emerged into the dining room with two plates and set them on the table for Kurama and I. After a trip back to the kitchen to grab her own plate, she sat down with us and we began to eat. Enthusiastically, I took a bite and it was so wonderful. Shiori's skills in the kitchen were outstanding and I was a bit jealous. In my first life I was inept at cooking. It wasn't an enjoyable process for me so it wasn't something I endeavored to be better at. But here, Tou-san had pretty much forced me to learn. Even with the few years under my belt cooking, I still was lacking in skills to cook a decent meal. It was edible but it certainly was not to this level.
"This is wonderful, Shiori!" I exclaimed after swallowing a mouthful of food.
Despite her seeming so exhausted and worn down, the compliment made her beam, "Thank you, Midori. That's kind of you to say."
"It is more than kindness, mother." Kurama chimed in, "It's truth."
If Shiori looked happy before with my compliment, she was positively radiant at Kurama's words. It gave me warm tingles. Even if that was an incredibly cheesy notion but it was still very sweet. The love that Shiori had for Kurama was so deep. It was no wonder he warmed up to her. The dinner we had was pleasant and filled with idle chatter. Shiori seemed very happy for her son to have finally brought over a friend. I would imagine that hasn't happened often in Kurama's life span.
"I have a dessert for us too." Shiori said, rising to her feet, heading towards the kitchen, "It's…it's…"
"Mother?"
Shiori swayed and suddenly crumpled to the floor. I shot up from my seat but Kurama got there first. Immediately he rested two fingers against her throat right over the Jugular.
"She has no pulse…"