Note from author:
I truly apologize for the LATE LATE update, and I hope the long chapter makes up for the delay. Thank you, WinterHarlequin, zeinaseira, and Catharina M, for favoriting and contraception for following my story in the long interim. Thank you, Scarlet Rosaria,for choosing me as one of your favorite authors. I'm honored, especially when I disappeared for nearly a year. Thank you for believing I would come back. And finally, a HUGE HUG goes out to selena23loveless for your reviews! It really means a lot to me that you tried to review to each chapter and I really needed that pickup this year! Thank you all! It reminded me that this story had not been forgotten.
Dedicated to all of you, my readers, enjoy this chapter and thank you for coming back.
Chapter Seven: Whispers
"Hey, Kurama!" Kuwabara shouted, waving his hand and pool stick from the corner of the diner with the game tables.
He yelped as Yusuke hit him with his pole. "It's Shuichi, dummy," the demon boy muttered.
Kuwabara sighed. "I know that, but it's not like anyone paying attention will remember."
"You sure about that?" Yusuke retorted.
"Caution never was Kuwabara's strongest suit," Kurama murmured as he joined his friends, hands in his grey coat. He raised one. "I apologize for the wait."
"No problem," Yusuke replied. He smirked. "It just gives me more time to waste this punk before you flatten both of our asses."
"Hey!" Kuwabara shouted. "You're not doing that much better than me, and you never know," he pointed a threatening finger at his rival, "I could beat you this time."
"Right~" Yusuke replied with a chuckle. "If you do that, I'll buy the next round of drinks."
"And if I lose, I'll buy them!" Kuwabara declared.
"DEAL!"
The two moved back to the game.
"Don't worry, Shuichi, this game will be over soon," the former detective announced with a casual stretch.
"And then, he'll be buying us drinks," Kuwabara interrupted, challenging his friend once again.
"Maybe if you keep saying that, it will be true," Yusuke called back.
"OH! It's soo on! Yusuke, you're going down."
"I know I am," Yusuke chuckled again, chalking the point of his stick. "I'll be getting drunk on beer your money's buying. Perfect Friday ending."
"Oooh! I am going to pulverize you," Kuwabara growled, stiffly moving to the white ball. "It's not fair your demon blood cures hangovers in mere hours."
Yusuke laughed. "It's not my fault the stuff's weaker here than back in the Makkai."
Kuwabara muttered something else under his breath and Kurama chuckled. It seems I missed the present this time. I wonder if Yusuke was cornered.
Kuwabara cursed and Yususke stretched his limbs behind his back. "Only one ball in. Better luck next time, pal."
"One mistake from slippery hands won't kill me, Yusuke," Kuwabara stated stoutly. "Make your move."
"Alright," the boy shrugged and swung his pole downwards, "if you insist."
Kurama continued to follow the game with his eyes, but his mind wandered…. back to the memory he had uncovered: Kaira. The name alone unleashed a torrent of images and sensations through his mind, leaving behind a growing ache of emptiness and never completely faded fury. He suppressed both as his fingers drummed along his arm. Once more, he tried to order his knowledge as that, nothing more.
She's dead. It was a dream. Nothing more.
The more pragmatic side of his mind overturned that simplistic logic. Again.
If she were nothing, you wouldn't have chosen to forget.
The redhead's eyes narrowed slightly.
I am no fool. But it's gone. She died. And the dead do not return.
The lullaby from the keep echoed in his head. He pushed the rage backwards into the mist of his mind once more. He was not a person to seek vengeance, not for something this distant. No matter how potent the returned memories remained for his former self and his current guise.
Suddenly, Yusuke crowed and Kuwabara groaned, signaling the end of their rivalry for the moment. Kurama walked forwards then paused as the doorbell rang out. Taking a seat at the booth, Shizuru beckoned Yusuke over. The former detective joined her.
As they conversed in low voices and Kuwabara ordered more drinks, the fox's eyes narrowed once more. What about him? his inner voice asked in a voice much like Youko's smooth purr.
Kurama closed his eyes before smiling and taking his soda from Kuwabara.
"Shall we set up a new match?" Kuwabara asked. "They seem to be going at it still."
"It does seem to be a more complicated discussion," Kurama responded in agreement. "But don't worry. Your sister has the viewpoints of demons and the information from her employer. She will be fine."
"Heck yeah, she will," Kuwabara agreed, shaking his fist. "She makes an awesome detective. Sometimes, she 's better than Yusuke, if you ask me."
"Careful," Kurama murmured. "If he hears you, he may take it out of your hide."
"I don't care. I can take him," Kuwabara grinned, punching his hand. "And she's my sister. I've got to be on her side." He looked to Kurama, who had chuckled. "So? You ready for a round now?"
"Of course, if you don't mind losing," Kurama intoned easily enough. He knew a game of pool wouldn't tax him.
"Nah, I"m fine with that," Kuwabara shrugged. "Besides," his grin grew, "I have a new trick up my sleeve. I've been waiting to show it off to just the right person."
"Be my guest then," Kurama stated, motioning with his hand for Kuwabara to start. He started chalking up his pole. "And remember, take your time."
Kuwabara chuckled loudly and flexed his fingers. "Don't say I didn't warn you," he responded, marching up to the table.
Kurama smiled.
I have already decided not to act. She's dead. Attacking Koenma will do nothing for me. Besides, I know from my travels with Yusuke that he's changed. He's made up for the past with him. Today, that's enough.
His ire faded. Once more.
I will not make the mistake of letting the past decide my future.
A flare of energy made him blink and three balls soared towards the holes. Kuwabara's fists pumped the air. "I did it! It worked. Three balls in!" He laughed noisily and grinned. "I've got you this time. You and Yusuke. Just you watch."
Kurama chuckled, amused. "Do you? I think you may have underestimated my ability to deduce the situation, Kuwabara. I've already seen through your trick."
"Ha! It doesn't matter if you've seen through it," Kuwabara grinned. "You can't stop it so, this time, I'm going to win." He gulped down a large portion of his beer. "Time for round two!"
Yusuke, coming over, laughed lightly. "Hey, Kuwabara, don't tell me you're better at the game drunk."
Shizuru put out her cigarette. "Whatever he did, I predict that his luck won't last that much longer."
"Not with Kurama still acting cool as a summer breeze back her," Yusuke agreed with a smirk.
Kuwabara scowled. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, sis," he muttered. A moment later, he grinned again. "It's my new secret weapon. It doesn't matter what you say. I am going to beat Kurama!"
"Shuichi," Kurama stated quietly from his place against the wall. "And if you are so confident, why don't you continue?"
"Yeah, buddy, do it again," Yusuke taunted. "If it's so powerful, why are you hesitating?"
Shizuru huffed. "If he's smart, he's realized he's been caught and is considering a change to his strategy."
Kuwabara hunched his shoulders. "You think you all got me scared, but I know better. I. Am going. To win!"
"Yeah, yeah, good luck with that one," Yusuke called out, waving his hand.
Shizuru looked at her watch. "Alright, baby bro, if you win, as you say you are going to, I'll give you $20 and skip dessert at work for a week."
"Really?" Kuwabara asked after her, disbelievingly. "But you love those little pastries you get with the dinner service."
"Then don't win, baby brother," she responded simply. "Or back down. Because if you lose, I'm going to pound you into the dirt."
Kuwabara shuddered.
Yusuke grinned. "There you go, old friend. Choose wisely, but don't think too hard," he warned lightly. "I don't want you bursting a vein and needing a hospital trip."
"We do have Yukina if that ever happened," Kurama gently reminded them all.
"That's true," Yusuke admitted. He smirked. "So?"
"So what?" Kuwabara spat.
"What'cha gonna do? Fold? Surrender?"
Kuwabara's hands became fists. "No one tells me to back down. I said I would win this game, and I will."
"Right~"
"LEAVE ME ALONE, URAMESHI!"
Kurama remained silent on the matter.
Kuwabara puffed loudly. "All of you, trying to scare me off or put pressure on me. It doesn't matter. Not this time." He pointed at Kurama. "BECAUSE I AM GOING TO BEAT KURAMA!"
"Careful there, Kuwabara," Kurama murmured, "you're forehead is twitching. If you pass out, neither of us wins." Kuwabara growled. He chuckled. "I have warned you, and Shizuru was kind enough to make a small wager on your behalf." He stood off the wall. "Shall we continue and find out which of us has better luck?"
"Yeah!" Kuwabara shouted. "I can do it. I will beat Kur- I mean, Shuichi."
"It was still your move, as I recall."
"That's right!" Kuwabara glared at Yusuke and his sister and then, turned back to the pool table. He leaned over the table, wrinkling his brow in concentration.
Kurama's being kind of intimidating today, but I still have my weapon. He looked over his shoulder. On the other hand, losing might be easier than taking a punishment from Big Sister. But I just have to win. That's all.
Kuwabara's pool stick flew forward. Kurama set a hand on the table, Kuwabara's energy spiked, and then he missed all balls.
"What?!" he yelled out, staring at the tiny branching of leaves on his pole.
Yusuke laughed. "I think Kurama's right. You underestimated him. But is that kind of manipulation allowed?"
With the same enigmatic smile on his face, Kurama returned the pole to its former, lifeless self in a matter of moments. "He started using his energy first, and I never touched the balls."
"How- when-" Kuwabara slumped against a chair leaning against the wall.
"I told you not to underestimate me," Kurama continued. "Manipulating wood to become fertile takes a lot less energy than your ability to change the shape of your sword. Your effort is like water in a geyser — hot, bright, and easily spotted. My ability is a spark of life in the darkness. You didn't even see what I was doing until your move had been completed."
Kuwabara scratched his head. "I thought it was a good idea."
"In different circumstances, it would have been," Kurama offered, "but unfortunately, I am both superior to you in energy manipulation and strategy. And in this situation, your stamina doesn't serve as well as subtlety. It took moments to realize what you had done and turn it against you."
"That's true…."
Shizuru and Yusuke chuckled.
"Big Sister, can you not hit me?"
Shizuru hummed in thought, lighting another cigarette. "I won't do it now. I think Shuichi's hammered you enough. I"ll save it for a rainy day."
"But a rainy day means I am stuck inside."
"Exactly."
"Wha - Wait!"
The group laughed…..
Yusuke took a swig of his beer and set it back on the table. "You know, I wonder if I could do something similar to that trick Kuwabara pulled. As a fun experiment, you know. Do you think if I used only a pinprick of my energy, my spirit gun would work for that?"
"I suspect not," Kurama replied, leaning back in his own chair. "Your energy is suited for attacks and large-scale defenses, and even if both Kuwabara and yourself take damage well, his energy is more suited for using smaller amounts because of his human limitations. You lost that in your resurrection. Therefore, your attempt could take out the table. But then again, if you are curious, try it at Genkai's first."
Yusuke shook his head. "Grandma has enough tricks in our games without learning that one. I"ll pass, thank you."
"So I'm the only who could do that?" Kuwabara asked. "Well, besides you?"
"I didn't say that," Kurama chuckled.
"Who then?" Yusuke asked. "Surely not Hiei?"
Kurama shook his head. "Not that Hiei would need it — his skill with a sword would make short work of the game — but if he tried something like that, I believe he would take out at least half of the building."
"Sister?"
Shizuru tapped her fingers. "I suppose I could do something like that, but I don't want to get tired."
"How so?" Kuwabara asked.
"Shizuru couldn't move against you with her energy like Yusuke or myself," Kurama surmised, "but she could focus on freezing your energy long enough to stop the move altogether."
Shizuru flipped her hair back. "That takes too much work," she stated. "Scattering the balls is much easier."
"But then you would be touching the balls!" Kuwabara pointed out.
"That excuse really only counts if you can see the move," Shizuru responded easily enough. She put out her second cigarette. "I have to get to work. Don't stay out too late, guys."
"Bye, Sis!"
Yusuke waved. "Good luck with that case."
She nodded and then left.
Yusuke leaned back and then jumped as Kuawabara pulled out a wad of paper from his jacket and slammed it on the table.
"Kuwabara, is that-"
It looks like I was wrong. He changed tactics and decided to do this after the game.
Kuwabara smirked widely. "Alright, guys, playtime is over. I have a girlfriend to make happy and I want to get her a present to show just how pretty she is."
"Not another one…" Yusuke groaned.
"What was that, Urameshi?"
"Uh, wait, did I say something? I don't think I did."
Kuwabara gave him a disbelieving look and then pushed the paper towards Kurama. "I looked at a whole bunch of bracelets and necklaces, and these were my favorite. Which one do you think she will like?"
Kurama chuckled. "You know, she'd like any one of-" He froze-
Caught by a delicate bangle of silver links and sakura blossoms.
I had forgotten when I had sown those seeds…. the seeds that burst into blossom and stopped Shigure's final attack in the demon tournament…
"Um… Kurama….?" Kuwabara snickered. "Don't tell you're drunk tonight?"
Kurama pushed the paper back towards Kuwabara. "Choose one of the bracelets in a light blue. She already wears her brother's pendant."
"Oh, yeah, that's right. I forgot that. I mean, who is-" Kuwabara quickly stopped musing as Kurama rose from his chair. "Um… Where are you going?"
"Home," Kurama stated, letting his crimson bangs shadow his eyes. He smiled before he started his tale, weaving truth with lies. "It is late, and I still have another test to prepare for. Or did you forget?"
"Oh, yeah, but I thought-"
Kurama looked to Yusuke. "Give Keiko my regards."
Yusuke looked closely at him and then gave him a thumbs up. "Will do. Don't work too hard."
Kurama nodded and retrieved his coat.
"That's strange," Kuwabara muttered, half to himself. "I could have sworn that the test was today."
Yusuke slapped his friend on the back. "Come on, Kuwabara. Let's go one more round," he declared loudly.
As Kuwabara complained about still needing to choose this gift, the former spirit detective's eyes narrowed. I bet if I stepped out of the building, you'd already be gone, Kurama. I know you think you're good at hiding your emotions, but when you use school as an excuse…. I know that something's up."
He recalled his talk with Shizuru…..
"It's just some vandalism by a bunch of goons, but I can't help getting a bad feeling about them. Even before my compass started whirring from the energy, I was shivering with goose bumps."
"What did they take?"
"That's just it. We're not sure. I understand the herbs and spices — I mean that research is easy— but what would demons want with human records?"
"You sure it's the same group?"
She nodded….
Something is stirring in this town. Or two things — if I count Kurama's mood tonight. But what? He looked to Kuwabara, who was moving his finger between three bracelets on the page. He chuckled quietly and pointed to the one with the cat-eyes. As Kuwabara exclaimed, he looked to the window. Whatever it is, I better be careful not to drag Keiko into it.
...
A feminine hand lifted the results left on the countertop for her. Shiori smiled and turned her head. "Shuichi, are you home?"
"Yes, mother," Shuichi called from the direction of his room.
"I see… well, don't stay up too late studying. You excelled in each of your exams. You have time to relax and enjoy life." The door to her room closed.
Kurama lay on his bed, hands behind his head. His eyes like hard garnet, his energy flowed around him, but no plants moved from their pots.
I said I would not let the past tie me down. If that means I have to forget again, then forget I will.
I apologize for the long delay in posting this chapter. Life has been throwing all sorts of drama my way, and it easily saps my health and my ambition. I hope the long chapter made up for it. I like how Shizuru snuck in there and the long banter surrounding the pool game.
In the next chapter, we get more hints about Shizuru's current case and just when Kurama thinks he has put everything behind him, a chance meeting changes that. Finally, Hiei will show up again.
Please leave commentary. I miss seeing them, and it's a great source of energy for me.
