The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies. It comes from friends and loved ones.
Chapter Seven: I didn't lose you, I just never had you
Ran's POV
When I woke up with a start I was very disoriented at first. It was dark, and I didn't remember having a bad dream so I didn't understand why I was awake until the phone rang. I got out of my bed and walked through the small corridor only to find my mom's room empty again.
I wasn't even surprised, and I just walked to the phone and brushed my face a few times.
'Moshi-moshi,' I mumbled partly still asleep.
'Hello, Ran. I apologize for calling this late at night,' spoke the voice on the other end and it took my asleep brain a while to catch on who was calling when it did however it was like someone emptied a bucket of cold water on my back. It instantly woke me up fully.
'No,' I said before I could stop myself. No! No! No! Not her! Not so soon after Yusuke! He just got back! I couldn't lose another person so soon!
'Ran, calm down, my mother is alright at the moment,' said Shuichi as he must have heard me worry. I literally let out the most revealed breath imaginable. I noticed that his voice was a little bit annoyed, but the fact that his mom was alright was too much to think about anything else in the moment.
'Thank God.'
'I'm very sorry I have to ask this of you, but is there any chance you might come into the hospital? I have someplace I need to go, but I don't want to leave mother alone, she needs to stay awake for one of her checkups' he asked sounding very sorry.
'Of course, I'll just get dressed. I'll have to check the night trains, but I will be there as soon as possible.'
'Thank you, Ran. I'll be deeply in your dept.'
I rolled my eyes, 'Fine, heart and hand of the princess. I have to get dress. See you soon.'
I got dressed rather quickly and rushed to the station. It was apparently just eleven so it wasn't so bad. I managed to get to the hospital a little after midnight. It looked so different without the morning and evening rush, it was a little scary. I walked up immediately to Shiori's room. Shuichi mentioned that her roommate got signed out earlier that week so she was all alone in her room. Since Yusuke's unbelievable coming back from the death I haven't been to visit her in a while spending all my time with him. It annoyed the hell out of him, but tough, I had fucking picked his coffin so he would have to deal.
I knocked and entered, 'Hello.'
Shiori smiled at me brightly as always, 'Hello, Ran, thank you very much for coming. You're very kind.'
I waved my hand, 'It's fine. I don't mind.'
Shuichi stood up and walked toward me signaling me to leave the room with him for a bit, 'I have something which I can attend only now, so I can't stay with her. She needs to be awake for the checkup because they can only do it if she hasn't slept for at least twelve hours. She's having a bit of trouble since she's without a roommate, and they don't have enough staff to keep on checking on her.'
I nodded, 'Okay. Seems fine. I'll just stay with her. Do you know when you'll be back?' I really wanted to ask what he will be doing, but I had a feeling that if he didn't tell me instantly he probably didn't want to tell me at all. I should have felt offended, but I couldn't help feeling a sort of pride in the accomplishment that he trusted me with his most precious thing imaginable to him, his mom. In terms of our friendship that was like saying you're my best friend.
'I hope as soon as possible, but definitely at least five hours.'
'Alright, do what you have to do, I'll keep your mom awake,' I told him and walked to the room again, 'Rise and shine!'
His mom stirred a bit as she was already sitting with her eyes closed.
I looked at him and before I knew what I was doing I winked at him, 'All covered.'
I saw amusement in his eyes, but it was clear he was too tense to let it fully show. He said his goodbyes with his mother and walked out of the room. It was sad to watch as he was making sure she had everything she needed before he left. He really cared for her and was very worried. Why people who had so little were always threatened the most to lose it all?
'How are you feeling today?' I asked as I took a seat that was previously occupied by him.
'Today was a good day, but I really don't like the lack of sleep. I need my beauty sleep,' she said and brushed her cheek as if she was putting on makeup.
I chuckled, 'Oh, please, you look so pretty. No wonder Shuichi is so handsome.'
'You find my son handsome?' she asked with a smile on her face, and I quickly raised my hands in defense, 'Yeah, but don't take it the wrong way. I have a boyfriend, and we're just friends. I just meant that he just has many admirers in school.'
She shot me a knowing look, 'Yes, from time to time I see some girls outside our door bringing him food and other things.'
I chuckled, 'Whoa, that bad, huh?'
She chuckled as well, 'Could be worst. It's a sign I have a very handsome and lovable son then.'
I kicked off my shoes and pulled up my knees, 'You must have. I mean the hair? I envy his hair, and I'm a girl.'
'That comes from my late husband's family. Shuichi's grandfather had such red hair while his father had a bit more brown.'
I nodded, 'I see. So he looks a bit more like his dad?'
She nodded, 'Yes, quite a lot actually except for the eyes and my husband had brown.'
'Well, that's not so strange. I have grey, but all my family members had chocolate brown.'
'Oh, so one of your parents was American as well?' she asked, and I nodded. I wondered if Shuichi was adopted or part youkai. He was a youkai after at least the fox glow he had was definitely youkai, and his mom was human. Still was his father American and youkai?
'Yes, my father was. My mom is Japanese.'
'Same with Shuichi. His father came here to work for the company I was employed after school. It's very interesting how people who otherwise would never meet sometimes do. Most of those meetings bring very bright futures.'
Well, not mine, but I got where she was going.
She yawned, and I felt very bad for her, 'Is there anything I can do so you wouldn't fall asleep.'
She thought about for a moment before she smiled and said, 'Oh, how about I did your hair? I always wanted to have a girl with long hair.' The irony of how long Shuichi's hair was was not lost to me, but I decided to ask him once he returned.
'Okay, but I have to warn you, I haven't exactly have time to brush it properly. Plus I cut it recently as you know so there's not much to do with it ' I cut my hair after Keiko cut hers when she got it all burned.
'That's fine, I don't mind,' she looked around, 'Would you mind sitting on the bed with me? It would be easier access.'
I shook my head and simply sat down next to her on the bed.
By the time Shuichi finally did return he stopped in track with an unreadable look on his face as his mom was happily finishing my hair. It's amazing how creative you can get about what you will use as a hairpin.
'Hey,' I called from my spot on the bed.
'Hello, son,' I heard his mom from behind me before she pulled me a bit closer hugging me a bit before she said, 'There all done.'
I nodded before I hoped off the bed and walked to the small mirror she had on her table. It was surprisingly good. She managed to pull my hair in sets of nicely tucked and braded haircut which looked very elegant.
'You should consider keeping your hair long from now on, Ran. You could have such fancy haircuts.'
I chuckled at that, 'I promise to think about it.'
I turned back to Shuichi only to find him silently looking at me still looking a bit stunned. I chuckled before I pointed my finger at him with a very serious look, 'I know what you're doing.'
The change in his body was so visible I was momentary surprised. It wasn't like him to show that something threw him off guard like this if it wasn't because of his mom.
'You're keeping your hair long because your mom does you secretly haircuts too,' I said. I could hear his mom laughing at that, but it took a very long moment for Shuichi to lose the tenseness and smile as well. Still, I could tell he was worried about something, 'Of course, I even play dress up for her amusement. It's our Sunday ritual, isn't it mother?'
The woman laughed some more. It was nice to see her like that.
I chuckled and put the mirror down. I could have went home, but I stayed at least until they came to take his mother for the checkup. Finally.
Shuichi walked me to the elevator again, 'I'm very grateful you came and made her company, Ran.'
I waved my hand at that, 'It was really fun. Your mom is awesome.'
'It really suits you, by the way,' he spoke looking at the elevator buttons instead of me, but that was alright because I was sort of blushing either way.
'T-thanks. Anyway, what now will you stay or go home to sleep a bit?' I asked him and he smiled at me, 'I will stay for a while and then I have to meet a couple of people.'
He was nervous. Shuichi didn't usually show that he was nervous and not the way you would see an ordinary person nervous he showed it by being very tensed, 'Hey, can I help you with anything?' I asked him with a very determinate look on my face. He looked at me and I could see a sort of hesitation. It was like he wanted to even if for just a second to admit and tell me what was going on, but in the next moment decided once again against it and just shook his head, 'You already did more than I should have asked for.'
'Please don't say that,' I told him with a determinate look on my face, 'We're semi-friends, remember.'
He chuckled a bit before he asked, 'What about you? Sleeping or something else?'
'I'm going to visit Ken well that is if his mom is not home,' I said a bit annoyed at that and he frowned, 'She's still not letting you two meet.'
'She's upset that I didn't take her side and thinks I'm pushing Ken against her which is not true just that now I see what kind of a person she really is. She's making him always stay at home when she should help let him have fun and enjoy life. Anyway, if I won't get to see him, I will go see Yusuke.'
'You still haven't explained that to me.'
'Well, I saw that you had a lot on your mind,' You argued. It was true over the past couple of weeks that Yusuke was slowly adjusting back to the land of living, I could tell Shuichi was dealing with something. He used to be depressed about his mom, but now he was constantly thinking. It was as if you could see those wheels inside his mind going into overdrive while thinking about something.
'The bottom line is that police and the hospital believes he's breathing and heartbeat were so low that they were undetected by the devices and that he was alive all the time.'
'What do you think?' asked Shuichi and I sighed. The truth was that although Yusuke said he didn't want to talk about it too much because it must have been a dream, the bits of the story which he did talk about sounded...actually believable.
'He said he flew to Reikai for a moment with some chick and met the Yama's son. I'm not sure if I believe he was brought back completely into life, but maybe he was somewhere waiting until he would be woken up. Besides, you know how I told you I had the dream about him wanting that I do something I wasn't comfortable doing?' I asked blushing. The elevator was almost there.
He nodded.
'Well, in my dream I saw him glowing and that he needed me to kiss him to come back. Keiko swears that when she found him he was glowing so she kissed him and he woke up.'
Shuichi frowned, 'She had the same dream?'
I nodded, 'And not just her and I. Yusuke's mom and even Kuwabara dreamed about him coming to them and telling them that he needed a kiss of life or something while he was glowing.'
Shuichi watched me very intensely with his eyes showing how worried and cautious he got all of the sudden.
'Ran,' he spoke just as the elevator came, 'Yes?'
'The girl that flew him to the Reikai didn't she had an oar?' he asked in a very cold voice which would a couple of years before cause me to shiver.
I blinked, 'I don't know. Why?' I asked stepping inside.
'Just ask him,' he said just as the elevator door closed and I felt seriously weird as if I was worried.
The elevator suddenly stopped and several nurses and a doctor came in with a large bed. I didn't notice until I was pushed to the back of the elevator that the large bed had a little child in the middle. He was lying motionlessly on the bed as if he was dead and I felt so terribly sad.
'Kami,' I breathed out looking at the little boy. He looked so...lifeless it reminded me of when I saw Yusuke.
'Poor boy,' said doctor as he noticed my gaze, 'We still don't know what's wrong with him.' I recognized the doctor as the one who was nice to Shuichi and I when the other doctor wanted to ban us from the hospital.
'What happened?' I asked looking at the poor boy.
'He was found in the park like this. It's terrible his parents are going through the worst moment of their lives.'
I watched the boy for a long time. His eyes were opened, but he was just blankly looking at the ceiling. Why wasn't he moving? The heart monitor showed that he was alive, but he was...like he was gone inside. Like this was just an empty body.
The elevator stopped. It was a moment really. They went to push the bed out and I only had a moment, but I pulled my glasses off and looked at them. Everyone from the doctor to the nurses had a blue glow. Everyone except for the little boy. The boy was colorless. Did that mean he didn't have a spiritual energy? The elevator door closed and I felt a tremble. I felt a tremble and that I should to something. Anything. Something...But what?
Ran's POV
I decided to go to school after all. It wasn't like I needed to but it was Yusuke's first day in school and I figured I should be a good friend.
It had been weeks since Yusuke woke up and started to come back to every day life, but it was just the first day since he was supposed to return to school. It was still unbelievable and insane and people still ran away when they saw him on a street as if he was a ghost or a demon from hell which he wasn't. I checked it the moment I saw him by pulling my glasses off. He was perfectly human maybe his spirit energy was just slightly brighter like Kuwabara's but apart from that he was the same old jackass who annoyed us so bad the next day Keiko showed a sandwich down his throat so hard she almost chocked him. I couldn't believe how much I missed him. I couldn't believe that he was alive, but the thought that I would have never saw him again was just too painful and much. I was blessed with good friends and I couldn't imagine losing them not after I just found out how much it hurt to lose Yusuke.
'Hey, beaten someone up already?' I asked as I finally reached our stop. It felt so great to know see him and Keiko again. I couldn't help a smile to pull at my face.
Yusuke rolled his eyes before he smirked, 'Nah, I've been waiting for you to see the show or maybe help me up since you're so good at it.'
I blinked confused, 'Hm?'
He suddenly went all serious and brushed the back of his neck, 'Look, uh, Ran, you know that we're friends since forever, right?'
I blinked confused. Over the past weeks we were rarely alone in a room with his mom and Keiko constantly at his back making sure he was alright. Strangely, I could tell he wanted to tell or ask me something. I wasn't sure what, but he looked like he wanted to for a while, but not with the others around.
'Yeah, we're practically family,' I admitted, 'A bit dysfunctional, but you know,' I winked at him, but he still looked serious, 'Look, just...It's just that I know that we haven't talked much about things. I mean things like your dad,' he said looking hesitated, and my eyes widened. No we definitely didn't talk about my dad. I frowned and crossed my arms, 'What?'
'Look, when I was dead, I wasn't just dead I was around...I saw things. I also saw you during your training and I know-'
'Good thing Urameshi's gone,' said a boy by as he was walking with his friend. We frowned and the conversation was forgotten.
Yusuke smirked, 'Well, might as well let myself be known,' he said and ran to them while I followed forgetting about the conversation.
'What's up with that?' asked Keiko pointing at Yusuke who was following the boys.
'Nothing just Yusuke living up to his reputation since he was absent for so long.'
It was no use. Once the boys saw him they shouted and ran like they saw an actual ghost.
I rolled my eyes, 'Well, I have to go. I will see you later. Don't let him get into too much trouble,' I told Keiko, who shot me a look, 'As if that could be somehow avoided, Ran.'
I grimaced and waved at them before I stopped for a moment and turned around to look at them again as Yusuke was brushing off dust from his clothes as he fell.
'Hey, if I don't see you again. I love you guys,' I giggled as Yusuke showed me the finger and ran away.
As expected Shuichi didn't come to school. He must have stayed with Shiori so I spent the day on my own.
I decided to go to Ken's first after school. His mom was still angry at me about fighting her about the wake and then getting Ken sick when he went against her wishes to help me. I should have try to make things right with her, but after a night with Shiori I didn't feel like ruining my good mood with her so I just went straight to my tree.
I was half way to knock on the window when Ken opened it with a bright smile on his face, 'Hey.'
God, I love that smile. He was the sweetest boy imaginable, and I really adored him.
I leaned closer toward him and he kissed me softly in a small peek before he leaned away, 'Sorry, but, you can't come in right now,' he said with an apologizing smile on his face. I blinked confused, 'Why? Is your mom in?'
'She might come any moment. She's talking about dinner plans for my father's birthday,' he explained and I nodded. I really didn't feel like seeing his mom right now either.
'Just tell me how are you?' I asked. Strangely every time I called and she picked up Ken wasn't able to come to the phone.
He reached for my hand and linked our fingers, 'I'm alright. I was a bit tired before, but now I'm feeling better a lot. In fact, I'm thinking about sneaking out tomorrow or the day after maybe.'
I blinked, 'Sneak out? You?' I chuckled, but he nodded, 'Mom won't let me out, but I really want to go so let's sneak out. I haven't even seen Yusuke since he woke up.'
I bit my lip. It was tempting. It was very tempting, but I didn't want him to get unwell again because he would go out with us.
'Alright, but only if you'll be sure. No lies that you're fine if you're not. Promise,' I said and he sighed before he smiled again, 'Alright, Ms. Overprotective, I promise.'
I smiled at him as well before I leaned toward him and kiss softly one more time, 'I think I'm going to go see Yusuke.'
Ken nodded, 'That's fine, you shouldn't tempt my mom. Anyway, I don't have any comics for him anymore. Is he still at home?'
I shook my head, 'Nah, his mom forced him to school which he hates so he might stop by and return the comics. Anyway, I should go, bye.'
I kissed him one more time before I jumped from the tree and started to walk. It was great seeing Ken like that. Everything was going on so well lately. Yusuke was back so we were all back to normal and not depressed at all. Since I didn't feel guilty any more I absolutely spent as much time as I could and his mom allowed with Ken. He also seemed like he was getting better not to mention I got to spent the day with Shiori. I hoped she would get better soon as well, or just not get worse. She loved Shuichi so much. I knew that he only had her in this world and if he lost her he wouldn't have survived it. He was lucky to have a mother like that.
As I was walking through the streets to Yusuke's new apartment I noticed one of the TV's.
'Breaking news. A strange illness is treating the safety of your kids. The hospitals reported that so far five kids had been hospitalized with unseen before symptoms. The doctors strongly advise the parents to keep an eye out first signs of cold or another sicknesses.'
I frowned remembering the boy in the hospital. His eyes were so empty. What was this illness? Did seriously no one had a clue?
'So sad, right?' asked Kuwabara next to me and I smiled happily, 'Oh, hey, Kuwabara. I haven't seen you in a while.'
'Hi, Fujioka, likewise. How are you?' I asked the tall boy who brushed the back of his neck, 'I'm good. Urameshi's back in school although everyone thinks he's some demon from hell or ghost.'
I chuckled, 'Well they thought the first one before either way.'
He smiled, 'They kind of did.' He looked at the TV screens again, 'So sad though. I wonder if they can do something about it.'
I nodded frowning at the TV screen's that definitely didn't feel right. Something felt off, 'Listen, I'm sort of glad I ran in to you,' he admitted, and I turned to look back at him.
'Uh, you said before that if I felt like I wanted to talk to an expert about spirit energy and such I could talk to your Master?'
I nodded, 'Sure. Do you have a pen and paper on you?'
He nodded immediately and started to dig around for a pen before he ran into the shop like a maniac. I blinked and watched as he bowed several times probably asking for the pen and then returning with a piece of paper and a pen.
Smiling I wrote down the address and hand it back to him.
'Here, you go. That's the address and her number. On weekends we have trainings there.'
He smiled actually grateful before he bowed, 'Thank you, Fujioka.'
'Come on, I said you can call me Ran.'
He blushed like a red tomato before he nodded, 'Thank you, R-r-ran.'
I gave him an awkward smile. Hope this guy wasn't falling for me or something. I liked him a lot actually and I would hate to have to bring him down.
'Anyway, I'm going to look for Yusuke. So bye for now, Kuwabara. See you around.'
'B-b-b-bye, Fuji-Ran,' he said and bowed again and I rolled my eyes before I continued to walk. It took me a while to get to Yusuke's, but once I did his mom almost slapped me with the door as she opened them, 'Ran, thank God. Is Yusuke with you?'
I blinked confused, 'Ha? No, I haven't seen him all day. Why?' I asked feeling nervous.
She let out a startled breath, 'I just have this feeling. Like a sharp pain inside me like something has happened and I don't know what. I called Keiko, but she has no idea where he is could he have fought with hat friend of his the redhead that saved Keiko and him from the fire?'
I shook my head, 'I just saw Kuwabara and he wasn't with him. Look, I'm sure he's fine. I will go look for him and you just stay home and try calling Keiko in a bit again. I'll look for him,' I said and instantly rushed out. I could think of about ten places to look for him. The first ones were local arcades. At one point I went to Keiko's which was a terrible mistake.
'No, he left school earlier and didn't come back,' said Keiko brushing her forehead worried, 'Do you think something happened to him?'
I tried to ease her mind, 'No, I'm sure he's just annoyed at people treating him like a freak show and he just wants to take a break from us meddling him like a baby. I'll find him, I promise.'
She nodded although I could tell she was worried. I seriously didn't want to act like an overprotective friend, but I was oddly worried. I didn't know why though. I got to see Shiori and Ken and they were fine so why did I feel this unsettling feeling inside me.
It started to rain. I looked up frowning. Great. I didn't even have an umbrella. I felt annoyed as I began to run. It was hard with my bag. I regretted not leaving it at home. For a moment in the crowd I thought I saw Shuichi and I stopped abruptly.
I stopped almost running into a woman as I walked there frowning. He was gone, if it was him in the first place. I brushed my forehead. He did say he was meeting someone.
Suddenly I saw his hair again and I ran toward him only to lose him again. Maybe it wasn't him at all. I continued to ran until I ended up near the park confused that I got there in the first place. Looking around I had to brush my face as I was all wet. I didn't understand it. Did I really saw him or not? What the hell was going on?
Shaking my head I decided to lift my glasses. I instantly saw the glow of a youkai not far away, but it wasn't Shuichi's fox glow. This looked like some sort of org or something, and there were several little human glows. The youkai was so large what was he doing with little kids? Frowning I rushed there. I had a bad feeling inside me with the rain. As I was running there I oddly remembered the sick kids. What did it mean? As I got close I ran into another girl with a glow I never saw before.
'What the-?' I asked as suddenly as the girl grabbed my hand, 'Come, Ran, Yusuke's been hurt.'
My eyes widened. I didn't have time to ask the girl how the hell did she know who I was and that I knew Yusuke. I let her grab my hand and followed her to the spot where we found wet, dirty and injured Yusuke on the ground. Jesus!
Kurume's POV
It was foolish perhaps to lead Ran to Gouki, but I had to help her friend. I instantly recognized him as the boy who's wake I attended. He was one of Ran's best friends. The boy who miraculously woken up. I was already suspicious when she started to speak about the dreams, but once Reikai was mentioned I was certain. It was clear he was involved and when he said he was a new Spirit Detective all was decided. I knew just as Gouki said that his spirit energy was incredibly low. Gouki would eat him alive. Ran had a better chance with her training than him so when I saw her I had to get her to him without letting myself be known. In a few days it wouldn't matter either way. I would be gone and my mother would have her to take care of her. As I saw them bond in her room, I knew Ran would stick around to keep her company for years to come. Ran despite what she thought had a very good heart. Ran's mother was always absent while my mother would be childless after I was gone. It was a perfect situation a child without a mother and a mother without a child. I couldn't ask for anyone else to take care of her than someone like Fujioka Ran.
Ran's POV
I helped the strange girl with blue hair carry Yusuke home. His mom almost killed me once she saw him upset. She screamed at me demanding answers almost choking me while the girl tried to break us free.
'I don't know. I found him like that. Hell, I don't know!' I said and pushed her off me. We continued to bring Yusuke to his bed. He was still unconsciousness. I watched as the girl run around him nursing him back to life while his mom looked like she would faint or like she could use a drink. I had no idea about healing so I just left the girl do her work. She wasn't human. I was certain of that, but she wasn't a youkai either. I followed Atsuke who quickly bowed to me, 'I'm so sorry, Ran. I shouldn't have done that. I was just so scared when he was gone and when I saw him.'
I waved my hand, 'It's fine.'
'No, it's not. You went to look for him and I shouted at you? That's not right at all, and I'm sorry. Thank you for bringing him back to me.'
I smiled and nodded. When she was shouting at me I momentary wondered if I had the face that looked like I was bad influence on sons, but now I felt a bit better. She was just worried, but it made me wonder if my mom would act like that if I was injure like that.
At the same time though. I didn't like the answer that much though. With a sigh, I decided to go home since Yusuke was asleep and the girl managed to sneak out before I could get her to tell me anything. I decided to come back tomorrow and find out what was going on and why was Yusuke with a youkai who had little kids'...It suddenly hit me.
I ran home as fast as I could. I quickly dialed the number I just today wrote down for Kuwabara and waited until the answer.
'Ye-'
'Is it possible to eat souls?!' I shouted into the phone at my Master.
'First of all, don't shout, I can hear just fine. Second, depends. Some youkai can, but it's not easy to pull the soul out. Not without special tools.'
I gripped the phone tighter, 'What tools?'
'I heard of two, but just today I was informed someone took one of them. The Orb of Baast, but it specializes in stealing the souls of the children.'
I swallowed hard. The sick kids. The boy in the hospital. It wasn't his spiritual energy which was missing it was his soul.
'Did you see it?'
'I saw a youkai with several kids with him...I think they weren't really there. I think he stole their souls and ate them.'
Genkai was silent for a moment, 'Ran, the things that were stolen are very dangerous. They could hurt many people and bring destruction.'
I nodded unable to say a word. Why was Yusuke involved though?
'Master, my friend, Yusuke, the one that died. He came back to life and I know he was around the youkai.'
More silence, 'I think it's finally time you and I talk openly Ran about everything. Come here on Friday morning. We have a lot to discuss.'
I nodded, 'Alright, but what can I do?'
'For now be very careful. You're trained and so far you only came across low class youkai. Don't get cocky about it,' warned me my Master, 'Always be alert. See you on Friday.'
I listened as she ended the call before I nodded to myself and stood up. Friday, I would know the truth. Friday, I would know the truth. Friday, I will know the whole truth.
Friday...
Ran's POV
Yusuke was gone, by the time I got to his place. I had no other choice so I decided to just go to school, and come back later, and I seriously hated it.
'Well, where is he? Where was he?' demanded Keiko which I had no answer to either so I just said that he got beat up by someone and probably went for revenge. Shuichi once again didn't come to class, and our sensei was furious bitching about him and I always skipping. Apparently Satome-sensei forgot his embarrassment from a few days ago and decided to be a douche once again. I didn't care though. The only thing on mind was finding Yusuke so as soon as the class ended I rushed to his apartment and waited. Atsuke offered me some alcohol and with my nerves all over the place I was actually tempted to agree when finally Yusuke came home looking just slightly better than before, but once again beaten up with the blue haired girl quick on his heel.
I frowned and he looked like he saw his worst nightmare. Now, sure, you may think that since he died before and he was injured I would be worried about him instead I grabbed the son of a bitch by his shirt and started to bit him with newspapers I had spent the last hour and half rereading as I was waiting for him.
'Jesus Christ, Ran, stop!' cried Yusuke as I broke the rolled papers on his head.
'Motherfu-Au!' he cried some more as I slapped, 'Where the hell have you been? I was worried you died, you idiot! Your mom was worried, Keiko was worried, freaking Ken was worried! What were you thinking?!' I shouted as he was in pain holding his cheek. The blue haired girl walked into the room with a first aid kid, 'Uh, can I-'
I shot her my devil's look, and she looked terrified.
'Sure, fix him up, so I can smash his head against the wall!' I shouted at him and he tried to crawl away from him. I had to take a few breaths before I calmed down.
'Idiot!' I said and sat down as the girl got to work. Yusuke watched me confused as I tried to brush my face because I was worried stress tears would start to fall down, 'I thought you were dead or something. I just got you back you can't do that to me.'
'Yusuke, you have no respect, Ran had to arrange your wake and funeral. She was the one who dealt the most with those things,' said his mom suddenly and I looked away although I could feel his gaze on me.
'I know, she did,' he said and I looked at him confused that he knew about it.
'I know about how you had to go to the memory house and talk to everyone and arrange everyone and how you decorated the house and then cleaned it and got Keiko and Ken to come. I know all that, Ran,' he said looking down at his hands as the girl fixed his shoulder.
'And you can't imagine how grateful I am. Thank you, Ran. I didn't say that yet, so thank for being a friend.'
I watched him before I swallowed hard, 'Baka. We're best friends. My dad is gone, my grandparents want to control me, and my mom is never around. I got just you guys. I care for my guys. I care for you.'
He smiled a bit, 'I care for you too, sis.'
Oddly the statement made me smile and I had to look away and so did he. We did not to sentiment well. I looked at the girl as she continued to fix him before I looked at him again, 'Hey, bro.'
'Huh?'
I frowned at Yusuke and then at the blue haired girl, 'Who's hoe?'
He blinked looking confused before his eyes widened to the sizes of two large plates, 'No, Ran. It's not like that. That's-this is Botan.'
I looked back at the girl, and she seemed to look nervous.
'Who are you?' I asked crossing my arms.
'What? Are you talking about, Ran? I just said this is Botan,' said Yusuke even more nervously than before. I heard it loud and clear since Yusuke was almost never nervous. It was suspicious not to mention Botan had a glow I never saw before.
I frowned at him, 'Okay, this is going to come down to this. You're nervous. So either, you're nervous because of Keiko which you aren't because I would have smashed your head against that wall and threw you out of the window,' I told him with a firmness in my voice pointing at the wall and then at the window. I could see how he looked freaked out even more.
'Or she isn't human and this has something to do with Reikai,' I said all of the sudden and both froze.
'Uh? Huh?' asked Botan with a terrible high pinch laugh.
'Why would you say that, Ran-chan?' asked the blue haired girl, and I looked straight at her, 'Botan, right?'
She nodded as I took a step closer, 'Keiko is my best friends since I was six. Either you're stealing her boyfriend which will make me very furious and extremely violent or you have some other business with Yusuke. So what's it going to be?' I asked, and I could see the sweat running down the blue haired girls neck and face.
'Well, uh?' she looked between me and Yusuke who kept on shaking her head until she suddenly let out a final sigh my dead glare proving to be too much and admitted, 'I'm a grim reaper!'
'Botan!' shouted Yusuke.
I blinked looking at the girl. She looked like an ordinary girl, but the glow around her told me differently.
'A grim reaper?' I asked blinking. It wasn't the most strange thing or unbelievable, but it was a little bit surprising. I never met a grim reaper before after all. I definitely didn't think it would look like this girl.
I titled my head, 'Are all grim reapers good looking girls?'
I heard Yusuke hit his forehead while the girl blushed and chuckled, 'Ran-chan, you're so sweet.'
I smiled back at her before I turned to banged up Yusuke, 'Okay, now spit. Why are you all beat up? What's going on? Does this has something to do with the stolen kid's soul.'
His eyes widened, 'How do you?'
'My Master told me. Yesterday you brought up my dad. Is this because you experienced something as well?'
'Yusuke don't,' said Botan and I glared at her.
He was looking at me so intensely and so worried like he wasn't entirely sure what to say until he sighed and nodded, 'Yeah. When I died I wasn't anywhere. I could see all of you and I saw you train. Your hands glow and you smashed a rock so hard it turn to dust,' he said before he looked up at me, 'You're dad was really killed by a youkai, wasn't he?'
I nodded a bit hoping I didn't have to voice it.
'Ran, I'm so sorry. I didn't believe you. I should have. We always told each other stuff. Now, I get it though,' he shook his head, 'I can't tell Keiko or Ken, can I now?'
I looked away as well. The question about telling them or not was decided early for me. They didn't believe me, but now if Yusuke was also somehow involved should I reconsider telling them the truth?
'You didn't believe me at first, but later I found out it was a good thing,' I admitted, 'I saw how people got hurt. One friend of mine got her memories erased and although I hated the thing back then it changed her life for the better. Maybe some secrets are okay if they protect others,' I shrugged my shoulders, 'Or I don't know.'
I nodded, 'Everyone has to make their own choice. You can think it through. If it's the right thing to do, let's tell them if not...'
He nodded, 'Alright.'
'So what's up with you fighting youkai that are way out of your league?' I asked crossing him arms as the serious moment had passed.
'What and they're not out of your league?' he snapped at me offended.
'I was training since I was twelve and I killed a lot of youkai over the years.'
'What the hell?!'
We argued for a while until he started to whine about Botan using too much alcohol and told me all there was about the Spirit Detective and going after two remaining artifacts. I wasn't very happy about Botan being his assistant. Not because she would steal him from Keiko or something, but if she would spent a lot of time with him Keiko would notice and it could backfire really bad. Botan in general seemed like a nice bubbly person for a grim reaper.
We walked out of the apartment together after Yusuke and I decided to go to the hospital this Kurama suggested together tomorrow.
'Ah, it's such a nice night,' said Botan clapping her hands together excited.
I blinked, 'Yeah, it rained yesterday so it's not too hot anymore.'
She smiled at me like a little child, 'It had been ages since I had a body to feel the breeze and cold. It's amazing.'
I stopped completely, 'So this isn't your real body?'
'Well, it was made for me. I looked just like my body, but now my body has been properly cremated decades ago.'
This was a surprised for me although it shouldn't. I mean, the girl was grim reaper. Anything by now was possible.
'So what's Reikai like?' I asked as we stepped outside of the building and Botan smiles, 'It's amazing. A bit chaotic at times in the main building but very nice still. You'll get used to it. Oh, right, you could come visit if you would like.'
My eyes widened, 'Aren't there rules for that?'
She thought about it for a second before she hit her forehead, 'Silly me, sure there are. Just forget I offered I was wrong.'
I nodded before I thought about it, 'Wait, Botan, does...what about the people that die...Do they like it there?' I asked, and Botan thought about it for a moment, 'Well, if they were good people then yeah, they end up in a good place and it's like a never ending vacations. If not so much then...not really.'
I nodded. What else did I expect anyway?
'Are you asking because of your father, Ran-chan?' asked Botan softly and I looked at her. She might have seemed bubbly and all, but she had very caring eyes.
'Uh, yeah,' I nodded and she smiled, 'If you would like I could find him and see what's he up to?'
I smiled at that, 'If you're not busy.'
She smiled as well. I knew I didn't think much of her, but maybe she wasn't such a bad person after all.
'Yo, you know him Ran?' asked Yusuke next to me as I was looking at Minamino Shuichi, my youkai classmate and friend, who helped me more than anyone over the time Yusuke was dead. He saved my sanity to say the least, and he apparently was the youkai who stole the three artifacts Yusuke was order to find.
He gave me a slight bow, but I couldn't move, 'Ran.' Shuichi stole from Reikai. Even if he didn't want to later he had been working with the Gouki who stole kids souls and almost killed Yusuke and Botan.
Yusuke's eyes widened, 'You know him? Ran!'
I was tongue tied looking at Shuichi because this made everything so unbelievable real. I opened my mouth. I had no idea what to say though so I just rushed inside like a maniac in trance ignoring some woman complaining that I almost knock her out with the strength I used at the door. When I told Yusuke I would help and came with him to the hospital this was not what I was expecting.
Both boys followed me because what was I thinking that they would leave or something? 'So you fucking knew that he was youkai and never did anything about it?' shouted Yusuke at me in the hallway. That was hit hard. Yeah, I knew he was a youkai, but I also knew he wasn't a bad youkai...at least I thought he wasn't...How could he be when he loved his mother so dearly?
Shuichi looked around, 'Perhaps you want to take this elsewhere.'
When Yusuke was about to open his mouth again, I punched him into the face, 'Au! Fuck! Ran!'
'Shut your mouth, idiot. We're in a hospital, and you can't just shout out words like youkai in public!' I warned his as he was covering his nose. I didn't hit as hard as I could I just wanted him to shut up.
'That's Minamino Shuichi. My friend and classmate remember?' I asked, 'I used to bitch about him like every week-,' I cut himself before I turned back at Shuichi, 'Uh, sorry?'
He raised his brows, 'Every week?'
I swallowed hard before carefully mouthing, 'Uh, used to?'
'I can't believe you never told us that you were friends with a youkai.'
I frowned at Yusuke, 'First of all, this is recent development,' I pointed between me and the redhead, 'Not to mention are you forgetting all those times I did tell you!' I knew he had a right to be angry. I lied to him and the others, but he had to understand that it was for his own good and not to mention they really didn't believe me at first.
Yusuke looked seriously upset for a moment, and I was really starting to get ready for another shouting match when he suddenly sighed and brushed his face, 'Okay, fine. Fair enough.'
I was surprised, 'That's it?'
He crossed his arms, 'Well, yeah, I do get where it was coming from. I definitely wasn't planning on you guys to know about me becoming a spirit detective. Plus,' he looked behind me at Shuichi, 'I'm kind of interested in what your reason was for stealing the mirror. You didn't strike me as very much happy about having to team up with Gouki and Hiei, Kurama.'
I blinked confused, 'Kurama?' That's right Yusuke was looking for a Kurama not Shuichi.
I turned to look at the redhead who looked kind of apologizing, 'That is my real name. My youkai name.'
'Oh, wait you said Shuichi something, right?' asked Yusuke.
'Please come, I will explain everything,' he said and we followed him into his mom's room. Yusuke was completely freaked out and confused when he saw Shuichi/Kurama talk with his mom. I assumed he was expecting a total youkai like Gouki and not sweet mommaboy Shuichi.
'Shuichi, you brought another friend. That's wonderful. Hello, Ran-chan.'
I smiled at the woman. She looked visibly worse today. The sleepless night was not good for her.
'Hello, Shiori,' I said hoping my concern wasn't clear from my voice. I didn't want her to be sad that I was.
Yusuke pulled my sleeve at one point and whispered, 'Hey, so that's his mom? But she's…human, right?'
I nodded, 'Yeah. She's the sweetest thing imaginable.'
'Where do you go to school, Yusuke?' asked Shiori kindly all of the sudden and my best friend blushed a bit before he answered.
I was grateful because I needed a moment to contain myself and think. For the last couple of weeks I spent more time with the kitsune youkai than I had over the years I knew him (that includes sitting next to him every day in school). I never really asked him about anything. Partly because I wasn't sure I wanted to and partly because I knew he didn't want to. The problem? I actually thought we were beginning to be friends. Yet, Yusuke knew more about him despite that he just met him. Also he stole something from the Reikai? What the hell Shuichi/Kurama?! I didn't know much, but stealing from the literal Spirit world was not a good idea. Why did we never talk about it? I shouldn't be that surprised. Master didn't tell me anything I didn't know either despite the fact that I killed a few youkai over the years. Why did no one want to tell me anything?
I didn't want to ask him what know or be a bitch about it. Sure, was I expecting a bit more trust from him? Yeah, but his mom was dying. I really didn't feel like shouting at him right now or anything.
'Ran will stay with you for a bit,' I suddenly return to reality when I heard my name. I looked at Shuichi/Kurama and then at his mom before I smiled, 'Sure, take your time.'
I watched as he and Yusuke left, and yes it felt like I was left out a bit until Shiori took my hand as if she sensed I was feeling a bit down anyway, 'So Yusuke is your friend, Ran?'
I blinked before I nodded, 'Yeah, he's one of the three friends I told you about, Yusuke, Keiko, Ken and I. The one that miraculously wasn't dead?'
She smiled softly, 'You really like this Ken don't you.'
The sudden out of nowhere remark surprised me, 'Huh?'
She gave me a knowing smile, 'The way your eyes light up when you talk about him. Only him.'
I blushed and let out an awkward choked laugh, 'Ha.'
She shook her head, 'You're a very good person, Ran. Such a nice person. I'm so happy you're Shuichi's friend.'
I grimaced before I admitted, 'I wasn't very nice to him most of the times.'
She reached for my hand, and I took it, 'You are. You stayed with him here, you came when he asked you to stay with me. He speaks so highly of you. You're a very dear friend of his.'
I squeezed her fingers a bit. I wasn't sure about that since he didn't tell me things, but I still found myself saying, 'I feel the same.'
'I know he can be hard to deal with at times,' that surprised me, 'But he has a very beautiful and kind soul. He doesn't believe he does, but I know it's true. I can see it in his heart. I know he thinks he doesn't deserve any kindness….'
My eyes widened. Could it be that Shiori knew that Shuichi was a youkai? 'I don't know why.'
Her eyes drifted somewhere behind me wondering for a moment, 'Ran, please, I know this is much to ask, but please…stay his friend. He doesn't know how to ask for something like that, but he needs it. Everyone needs friends. Especially friends like you.'
I wouldn't lie, it made me want to cry hearing someone as nice as Shiori say something wonderful like that about me, so I just nodded. I prayed that it wouldn't come to her leaving this soon. I prayed that Shuichi/Kurama would find a way to help her or for her to get better because the world would be a very cold place without Minamino Shiori in it.
When Yusuke and Shuichi/Kurama came back to the room, I had my back to them brushing my face while still holding his mom's hand. I couldn't look at neither of them for a moment as I knew I looked like a cry baby.
'Thank you both for coming,' said the redhead politely trying to see my face, but I easily avoided him, 'I'm sure we will be seeing each other soon.'
Yusuke nodded at that, and I felt very left out for a moment until he punched me lightly in the shoulder, 'I'll wait for you outside, Ran.'
I gave him a quick nod before I looked at Shuichi/Kurama. We were both quiet for a moment neither sure what to say after what happened. At last I decided for something safer, 'So do you want me to continue to call you Shuichi or Kurama now?' I asked. I didn't mention that it pissed me off that I didn't even know he had a youkai name.
He blinked a very strange emotion crossed his face, 'If you wouldn't make a mistake in class or in front of my mother, I suppose you could call me Kurama.'
'Whoa, what an honor,' I started to walk away when he stopped me, 'I'm truly sorry I didn't tell you, Ran.'
I looked up at him just barely as much as I was understanding I was annoyed, 'Okay.'
'I couldn't tell you, Ran.'
'It's fine, Kurama. See you later,' I said the name bitter on my lips and walked away.
'Everything okay?' asked Yusuke when I finally reached him, 'Yeah, fine.'
He watched me for a moment before he shoved me a bit, 'Come on. You can't win them all.'
I chuckled, 'Asshole. So what's up with you and blueberry? Hope you're not cheating on Keiko.'
'Shut the hell up! What about you and cherry?'
'Cherry? I think he's hair is more of a tomato.'
We bricked for a while. Oddly it was comforting since I forgot about Shuichi/Kurama for a while and we just goofed around. We decided to go to Keiko's and she gave the boy a piece of her mind for skipping school again as well as scaring her before.
'Jesus, chill, what is it with you girls beating me?' he asked annoyed before he looked at Keiko's mom, 'Yukimura-sama, can I get a bowl, please?'
'Of course, sit down, Yusuke. You too, Ran,' said the woman with a kind smile and we sat down while Keiko glared at Yusuke. I knew it wouldn't stick and soon enough Yusuke sighed and looked at her apologizing, 'Alright, I'm sorry. I promise to go to school for the rest of the week.'
'Do what you want!' she snapped, but Yusuke took her wrist and pulled her closer to sit next to him as her mom put the hot bowls with food in front of us, 'Come on, Keiko. Please.'
I could see it behind her eyes that she was already giving in. I smiled a bit as Yusuke started to compliment her and bring himself down to make her laugh. She did laugh and sat down shoving him a bit, 'You're such an oaf.'
I started to eat feeling much better with Shuichi/Kurama creeping only in the dark corner of my mind.
I was in my room doing my homework when I heard something hit my balcony door later that night. Frowning I stood up after a moment to look at it. It wasn't damaged or anything, but I noticed the small rock lying behind it.
I opened the balcony door and walked out only to find someone under my balcony.
Raising my eyebrows I chuckled, 'Jesus, oh Romeo, why must you be Romeo.'
'So you do admit to be a secret fangirl of mine,' he spoke amused, and I shook my head, 'Only if you admit to be mine,' I said and almost fondly remembered when he and I were Romeo and Julia for our English school play in middle school.
'What do you want?' I called, 'And do I want to know how do you know where I live?'
'Not really, and I came to talk. I tried to call you, but you're phone is not working.'
I blinked before I remembered that I smashed it when mom called earlier saying she will be gone for a couple of weeks, 'Yeah, family drama. So what's up?'
'Won't you invite me in?' he asked, and I shook my head, 'I only invite friends in. We're not friends. I'm friends with you mom not you. We were semi-friends, but then you decided to commit a robbery in Reikai and not tell me about it even though you left me to take care of your mom, so We're not even semi-friends.'
He sighed, 'Fair enough.'
I chuckled before he jumped in front of me. It wasn't as high as it could be, but I was impressed. It usually took me at least two jumps to get this high, but maybe I was just underestimating myself. He very carefully sat down in front of me.
'I suppose I should explain this then,' He said and pulled out something from his pocket.
'That's the mirror Yusuke mentioned?' I asked and very carefully took a step toward him.
He nodded and handed it to me, 'Yes, it is. Did he tell you something else about it?'
I felt like cursing when I saw my hands shaking, 'Before we found out it was you… well that I know you he just said that three youkai stole from Reikai some artifacts that could cause a lot of damage. One was that thing that stole kid souls, one was a sword and one was this mirror.'
He nodded and as I held the mirror in my hands, 'The artifacts of darkness locked in the most guarded vault in Reikai. This the Forlorn Hope.'
The mirror felt weird in my hands. It was probably the same weight as any other old mirror, but there was something I couldn't quite name about it, 'I have this feeling like I'm holding a bag of explosives for some reason.'
I heard him chuckle, 'Well, that's a nice description. You might as well be. The mirror has the power to do anything the owner commands it to.'
My eyes widened, 'Heal your mom then? You stole it to cure your mom?'
He opened him mouth but before he could say anything I gripped the mirror tightly and threw myself around his neck. Okay, this was totally girly and childish. But holy hell, he stole from the spirit world to cure Shiori. She was going to be alright! He was going to save her!
It was a moment before Shuichi/Kurama very slowly hugged me back as if he was afraid he would hurt me when I was the one who held him so tight he probably couldn't breathe.
I pulled away and returned the mirror to him, 'You're going to save your mom!'
My smile was somehow contentious as he smiled as well although still a bit tense, 'I was expecting you to have a problem with me stealing from the spirit world.'
I blinked kneeling down before him, 'Well, stealing is bad, but if you can save your mom…wait does that mean that you will get punished. I hope they won't want to kill you or anything? Or sent you away, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't be able to hide that you're not just an average teenage boy if she had to cove visit you to some Reikai prison.'
He chuckled some more, 'I'm sure I could think up something.'
'Right, sure you could,' I said, 'Well, what now? Do you have to wait or something? This girl that helps Yusuke said that you need to wait until the full moon.'
He watched me for a moment before he nodded, 'Yes, I will have to wait until tomorrow for mirror to have the right amount of power.'
I nodded. I felt confused that he didn't look happy for some reason. He was smiling, but it was sort of bitter.
'Alright, what's the matter? You're holding a device that will save your mom, you should be happy not this,' I pointed at his face, 'Is something the matter? Does it have a price or something?' I asked worried and I saw something flash through his face. Some emotion I couldn't decode since I never saw it on his face before.
I grabbed his elbow softly looking into his green eyes, 'Kurama.'
His eyes widened for a moment, and just then the atmosphere changed around us. I realized that it was just us on a dark balcony at night and although I liked and was dating Ken saying Kurama's youkai name seemed to cause some sort of reaction in the atmosphere around us. I quickly let go of him and blushed hoping he didn't notice or wouldn't comment it because I seriously didn't know what that was, but it must have just been the dark of the night and that I haven't seen Ken since yesterday.
'What's wrong?' I asked to bring him back to the topic.
Shuichi/Kurama sighed and closed his eyes debating on what to do before he said, 'Tomorrow Yusuke will come to collect the mirror after I used it. I'm not sure what will happen, but may I ask you to come stay with my mother while we'll be on the roof again?'
I watched him for a moment. I could tell there was more. It felt like there was so much more behind his eyes that he wanted to tell me but didn't. Eventually I nodded, 'Of course.'
He nodded as well and stood up. I felt that weird sensation I felt the time Yusuke shouted at me before he died, and I didn't hear what he was saying, so just as Shuichi/Kurama was about to jump off my balcony I took his wrist.
He stopped but didn't turn to look at me which was a good thing because I have no idea why did I do that.
'Hey, no matter what. I'm here for you. Whatever happens to you and if they really take you away...I will take care of Shiori.'
He broke free from my grip only to take my hand instead. I felt so vulnerable in that moment. I felt like I was losing him or something. Like he was slipping away from between my fingers and it hurt so bad. I never would have thought it would hurt this much to lose my youkai semi-friend.
'Ran if I don't see you again,' he said suddenly his voice so different I barely recognized it, 'I wish you the happiest life imaginable.'
I blinked confused and ready to argue that this wasn't me giving him a free pass to give himself up to the cops in Reikai, but in a second he turned toward me and very softly kissed my cheek.
My eyes widened and I must have been blushing so hard my face might have had the same color as his hair. He leaned away and I couldn't see his eyes just the small smirk on his lips before he let go of my hand and jumped from the balcony.
I quickly ran to the edge and shouted, 'Hey! You better not give up! You have to try to get back to Shiori, got it?!'
I didn't see him anywhere, but I was sure he heard me. I bit the inside of my mouth thinking about how soft his lips were on my cheek and that I never noticed that he had a forrestlike smell on him. It wasn't the worst kind of smell it was actually nice.
The next day after school. It was Wednesday and I went to tell Ken that we would have to schedule our date on Thursday since I promised Shuichi/Kurama I would come to look after his mom while he would use the mirror to save her. I had to be really careful since it was quite early and I knew Ken's mom was already home because of her car parked next to the house. I went to the tree when all of the sudden I heard, 'Ran, you shouldn't climb trees in a shirt.'
I froze before I turned around with a small grimace of a smile on my face to Ken's father, who was calmly smiling at me, 'Hey. there, uh, this isn't-'
'I know you climb that tree to get to Ken's room,' said the man calmly as he was enjoying the sun on his backyard. I sighed before I grinned, 'Busted, how are you lately?'
'I'm fine. I have a week vacation so we're spending some time together. I wouldn't advise you to go up. My wife is with Ken now. They're in the living room.'
I nodded to myself, 'Alright, can you tell him without telling your wife something?' I asked and he smiled, 'I know you were supposed to go out today, do you need to reschedule?'
I nodded, 'I promised a friend I would watch over his mom. Ken knows.'
The older man nodded calmly, 'No problem, Ran.' He closed his eyes enjoying the sun. I looked at him more properly now. When Ken was younger we only saw him with his mother so we all thought that he looked a lot like her, but now she knew Ken was a copy of his father. Thank God for that.
I was ready to leave before I stopped and looked at him one more time, 'Oh, and if I don't see you happy birthday.'
He chuckled a bit his eyes still closed, 'Thank you, Ran. You're running a bit late, but still thanks.'
I blinked confused, 'Wait, late?'
He opened his eyes, 'My birthday was two months ago.'
I watched him focused before I looked back up at where Ken's room was. Did Ken seriously lied to me?
Why would Ken lie to me? If he didn't want me to go to his room, he could have just say so...Why wouldn't he want me to go to his room?
Kurume's POV
I very carefully brushed my mother's cheek. She had been too weak. The doctor just informed me that she wouldn't survive the night. That was alright. I only needed a few more hours. I took care of everything. My mother would wake up, she would be confused and sad, but she would have Ran to take care of her and possibly the detective. I could see that he was very similar to Ran. Sharp around the edges, but with a very tender and big heart. They would make sure she was alright. My mother would live the life the way she should have before she had me. A part of me tried to explain that there was no way I could have been responsible for her illness, but another part kept on repeating that it wasn't ordinary for her to have such a disease that no one could explain or stop. Something was wrong about her illness and I couldn't stop wondering if it wasn't because she gave birth to a youkai.
She opened her eyes for a moment, 'Shuichi, have you eaten?'
I nodded, 'Yes, mother. Your friend stopped by with food remember?' I asked and she smiled a bit, 'Juno is a very nice woman. Did Ran already left?'
I shook my head, 'No, Ran will come soon. She said she would stay with you for a while I go deal with something. It won't take long, mother.'
She nodded, 'Good, I wish to see her again. She's such a good girl, Shuichi. She cares for people deeply.'
'I know mother,' I said stroking her cheek as her eyes were slowly opening and closing. She was too weak.
'No wonder, you picked her,' she mumbled and I blinked confused.
'She's perfect for you,' she whispered.
'Mother. Ran is my friend, you know that.'
She shook her head, 'I know, but she's perfect for you. She's like the music to your silence and yet you are the same,' she looked into my eyes and for a single moment I was sure she knew everything about me, 'You both keep everything inside too afraid to show others the truth. She's a little bit more open then you, but just a little bit. But somehow together,' she sighed a bit, 'You complete each other and open up.'
She took my hand suddenly, 'Remember when you were a child? I used to say that you can go play with other kids when you're ready. I said that you don't have to if you're not ready well...When you're ready...tell it to Ran,' she said with a determinate look on her face, 'Promise me, if you'll feel like opening up you'll tell it to Ran.'
I wasn't sure what she meant by it, but I nodded. I knew in her mind mother believed she was telling goodbye to me because she was dying, but the truth was I was telling goodbye to her.
I leaned down and very slowly kissed her nose the way she did when I was a child.
She chuckled a bit before she closed her eyes.
'I love you, mother.'
She fell asleep at that. I let go of her hand swallowed feeling this terrible sadness in my heart. I knew what I had to do, I knew she would be saved, but there was still this sensation inside. I wasn't afraid of death, not like this, but I still felt unsure. She would be heartbroken once she woke up after all.
I sensed Ran and the spirit detective outside. I walked outside to find them both in a gloomy mood. Both mistakenly thought that I would be punished because of my felony neither knew what I would have really done.
I looked over at Ran who was clenching her fists looking away. Last night was a goodbye. I wasn't sure she would even come if it wasn't for my mother and I wanted to say goodbye to the little girl that was my only friend in the human world. I was a bit surprised by my emotions when I came to her. I wasn't planning to kiss her cheek or to almost give in and tell her the truth. She would be angry with me I knew. She would be furious. Mother was right. At some aspect's Ran was a little bit like me. She didn't let people close if she didn't think they were worth it, but once she did she cared for them till it ruin her. That was an admirable characteristic. I felt a bit bad about kissing her. I sensed how flushed she got and how she was all of the sudden confused by her feelings. It must have been my past self-coming up in a last attempt before I would be gone forever.
'My mother is asleep now,' I said which caused the girl to finally look at me, 'You can wait with her if she wakes up. She's very weak though.'
Ran nodded before she looked at Yusuke with a frown and walked to the room without saying one word.
Yusuke brushed the back of his head, 'She's a little bit upset cause she wants to talk to my boss about giving you a shorter sentence. I'm new at this so I'm not sure how does that work, but I want to as well. You didn't steal the mirror to destroy the world, you just want to save your mom. I can't say I blame you. If I could save our friend who's sick I would.'
I nodded, 'Ken. I meet him. He helped with the wake.'
Yusuke nodded, 'Yeah, he's been sick since he was a kid. So how do we do this?'
I lead him to the roof taking each step as if it a was the longest one possible. It truly felt like a dead man walking.
Ran's POV
'Ran, you came,' said the weak voice as Shiori pulled off her oxygen mask. I quickly rushed to her bed.
'No, no, put that back on. You need your strength. I'm right here,' I said biting my lip. Shiori looked so bad. I definitely didn't like how she looked. I felt so utterly useless. I looked outside as it got dark, and prayed that Shuichi/Kurama and Yusuke knew what they were doing.
Shiori shook her head, 'I wanted to see you one last time.'
I shook my head and put the mask back on, 'You don't have to say that. We will see each other again and again so don't say such things.'
She shook her head as well and closed her eyes. She started to breath hard and I could only hoped that whatever Yusuke and Shuichi/Kurama were doing they would hurry.
The monitor started to beep, and I ran outside. It wouldn't be good if Shiori would die before she was cured. I managed to ran into one of the nurses, 'She's getting worse, please hurry.'
The woman nodded and rushed inside just as the doctor and several other nurses did. They closed the door in front of me which I assumed was because they were about to do something.
I brushed my shoulder. I should probably go tell Yusuke and Shuichi/Kurama what was going on. Quickly I ran to the roof. The door was opened and I was shocked by the scene in front of me. There was a lot of light, but it was clear to see what was going on. Yusuke and Shuichi were kneeling by the mirror which was letting out the light.
'Your desire shall be fulfill,' came a voice out of nowhere and the mirror's light was everywhere blurring my vision. I covered my eyes as I couldn't see anything anymore.
Once the light finally faded Shuichi/Kurama and Yusuke were on the floor lifeless. I quickly ran to them just as Shuichi/Kurama stood up.
'I'm alive, but what about my mother?' he asked and ran right past me as if I wasn't even there. I didn't waste time looking back at him before I kneeled to Yusuke and rolled him on his back.
'Yusuke, hey, Yusuke wake up.' All of the sudden Botan flew down from her oar, but I didn't have time to freak out about that as I was trying to wake Yusuke up.
'Yusuke, please,' said Botan with her eyes full of tears.
He gasped a bit, but woke up looking surprised at Botan and then at me, 'Oh man, that was weird, but awesome I'm still alive.'
'You know come to think of it that didn't make a whole lot of sense what I just did,' said Yusuke looking at me as if I knew what the hell was he just talking about, 'The point was to stop the whole sad mom thing, but my mom would have been said.'
Botan swallowed with tears still shining in her eyes, 'Baka.'
I blinked, 'What the hell does that mean?'
Yusuke made a grimace, 'Well, Kurama wanted to give his life for his moms.'
My eyes widened, 'What did you just say?'
Yusuke blinked, 'Uh, you didn't know? Well, he wanted to give his life for his mom's. That's apparently how the mirror works.'
'In light of your actions,' said the strange voice suddenly and we all looked to the mirror on the ground, 'I have decided to fulfill the desire without taking a life.'
I watched the mirror for a moment before I looked back at Yusuke, 'Did he...' Why was I asking that. I knew he knew. He was the smartest person possible. He knew stuff. He was youkai for longer than I assumed. He did what he wanted. He always did what he wanted. I stood up as Yusuke and Botan started to celebrate what just happened.
'Hey, Ran, you alright?' asked Yusuke and I could only manage a silent nod.
He watched me unsure but didn't stop me as I ran away. I came down just as one of the nurses came from the room, 'Oh, it's a miracle. She's so well know. It's impossible.'
I stood still for a moment before I walked into the room without a single word.
'Ran, there you are,' called Shiori as she was sitting on the bed looking very healthy all of the sudden.
I wanted to feel happy. I did feel happy. Shiori was well again. The mirror granted the wish, fulfill the desire, but almost at what caused. I walked to her bed without looking at Shuichi/Kurama and hugged her surprising both her and him. However, she giggled and hugged me back and I wished she would just continue to hug me forever because I didn't want to deal with what my mind wanted to.
'I'm glad you're well, Shiori,' I said as I pulled away, 'I have to go now though. I'm sorry,' I said and I could see that Shiori wasn't that pleased with the fact and she was very confused. I quickly walked out of the room. I thought I heard Shuichi/Kurama say something to his mother and I was sure he did when he caught up with me in the hallways.
'Ran, please, I'm sorry. I didn't expect Yusuke to get involved like that. I'm so sorry,' he said quickly taking my elbow to stop me. I didn't look at him, 'Let me go.'
'Ran, I had to do it. I had to save my mother, I never wanted Yusuke to be put in danger like that you have to believe me.'
I shoved him so hard he ended up against the wall in an instance. I never used my full strength on him like this. I knew if I really wanted to I could hurt him very badly.
I was breathing hard as it all came down to ma again, 'You think I'm this angry because of Yusuke? Asshole!' I shoved him again and as he hit the wall it cracked. He closed his eyes momentary in pain and I tried to calm down, but I couldn't.
'You almost killed yourself. How could you do that? How could you do that to Shiori? She has only you! How could you leave her alone like that?' I demanded.
'You saw what it did to Yusuke's mom at the wake. You saw what it did...you fucking saw what it did to me,' I closed my eyes remembering the agony I felt in my heart when I grieved Yusuke.
'You saw how ruined I was when Yusuke died, how could you not have considered how would I feel if you died like that. If you died on purpose like that?! If you really want to kill yourself so bad, go jump off the roof!' I screamed at him causing people to come rushing to the hallway to look at the girl who was screaming like a maniac with her eyes wet and tears falling down her cheeks. I couldn't stay. I was making too much of a chaos, and I didn't want that. I wanted to fucking leave and not have to deal with it, but I wanted him to know. I wanted him to feel how he hurt me.
I looked him into the eyes, 'I thought we were friends,' I whispered, 'How could you want to bring such pain to me?' I asked completely broken.
I shook my head and ran out of the hallway before he could say anything. Somehow in my mind I stopped calling him Shuichi. Shuichi was someone I considered a friend even though he did some shady and youkai things. The youkai who hurt me the way he did was not Shuichi or my friend. He was, a youkai kitsune through and through. He was Kurama.
'Ran, wait up,' I heard Yusuke call after me, but I didn't stop. Instead I started to ran away. I didn't want to talk to him or anyone about that just happened. As I was running the oddest thing happened. I suddenly felt as if my whole body got warm and in a second I somehow was about twenty steps further. I blinked confused but didn't stop running. Another second and another twenty steps and another. I stopped looking at my hands. They blue light that always showed up when I was using my spirit energy faded away. Did I just teleported or something?
Ran's POV
I was waiting by the tree to Ken's room. It was night so I didn't have to worry about his mom coming and seeing me, but I didn't feel like going inside. I still didn't know what it meant that he didn't want to let me in.
He opened the window surprised to see me, 'Oi, Ran, dad told me you said you would come tomorrow,' he said before he saw my face and his eyes widened, 'Oh, Ran, what happened?' he asked before he climbed out of the window as well and put his hand on my shoulder. Usually when he touched me it calmed me and made me feel at peace. Not tonight though. I guessed too much has happened for me to feel that way.
I just shook my head and pressed my forehead against his shoulder. He put his hands around me and brushed my back a bit as I slowly tried to calm down and get over everything that happened.
'Hey, what happened? Are you alright?' he asked and I nodded against his shoulder although I felt anything but alright.
I leaned away and brushed my face, 'Someone lied to me. I shouldn't be surprised, but it still hurts.'
Ken watched me for a little while before he brushed my hair as well, 'Sometimes people lie because it's for a greater good. They know you wouldn't understand or would feel bad,' he spoke with an odd expression.
'Who lie to you, Ran?' he asked and I sighed, 'Minamino. The boy who walked you home from the wake.'
Ken nodded, 'He seemed nice, but a bit reserved,' he said and smiled, 'He reminded me a bit of you in a way.'
I blinked. He wasn't the first one to say that, and it was total crap since we were nothing alike. 'Anyway, I'm done with him. I don't want to be friends with him anymore. It hurts to much when he hurts me.'
Ken was silent for a while before he looked up at the full moon tonight, 'That just means it's worth it.'
I looked at him, 'What?'
'It just means you care for me,' he said with a small smile that didn't reach his eyes. I wondered what did that mean, but decided to stop thinking about Kurama and just looked up at the moon with him.
'Ken?'
'Hm?'
'Your dad said his birthday was two months ago.'
Ken sighed, 'Yeah, it was.'
I frowned a bit, 'Don't you want to tell me why you lied?'
He was silent for a while so I looked at him properly.
He waited for a moment before he looked at me again, 'I know you've been keeping things from me, Ran.'
My eyes widened shocked.
'I never asked about them because I hoped you would tell me on your own so I hoped that if I lied as well it would make you think about how you're doing the same. If you're ready I would like to know now.'
I watched him suddenly realizing that he was right. I blamed Kurama for lying when I was doing the same with Ken and Keiko and Yusuke before. We all had secrets. Some worse than others. I looked at the full moon. Master was supposed to tell me the whole truth soon. Maybe I should have tell Ken the whole truth as well.
I couldn't be mad at Kurama and be a hypocrite.
I raised my hands in front of us and looked at him, 'What if it's not a just a good thing.'
'As long as it's an your thing, I don't care,' he said with a very firm look on his face and I knew I could trust him more than anyone in the world. I nodded to myself and in the next moment I let my hands gathered the warm and the flow of my energy into them and they started to glow. I was expecting Ken to look afraid or angry instead he just smiled the way that always warmed my heart and put his hands under mine acceptance clear in his eyes and heart. Just like that the day didn't feel so shitty.
