deliciae
Finding You Again : Chapter 7
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Muse: Thanks to: freakling, Princess Krystal01, Jessica, SiLvEr, animebayb, Raku Ozzarian princess, Katyfoxdemon2, FluffysBijin05, and Suzaku Seriyu. Special thanks goes to: Raku Ozzarian princess and Suzaku Seriyu for your ideas. Hopefully we used them correctly. Oh, I wonder where deliciae is…and where are…MiniMiniMuse and…MiniMuse?
deliciae: ::unseen, but is heard yelling:: I know where I am, Muse, and you put me here!! Let me out!!
Muse: I don't know what you're talking about… ::looks innocent, then tosses key offstage::
deliciae: Muse!!! Let me out!! I don't want to be in here any longer… and oh my G—is that MiniMuse and MiniMiniMuse?!?! What are they doing in here!?!?!?!?! MUSE!!!
Muse: I still don't know what you're talking about, deliciae… ::starts walking offstage:: Well, I don't know how they got there either… but On with the ficcy!!!
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Disclaimer: Me own it? That's a good laugh.
Warnings: AU. Severe OOC-ness. OC: Haru. Yaoi – boy x boy. Don't like? Leave – it's that simple.
Pairings: Hiei x Kurama.
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Golden eyes narrowed, causing the crimson specks to reflect like smoldering embers; the black-tipped silver tail twitched nervously. An ear cocked back as it listened for his prey, and a delicate nose sniffed for its odor… With everything in order, the creature pounced.
Unfortunately his father was quicker and caught him in mid-air by the scruff of the neck. "Haru, don't do that again." A low whine was the response, along with the wiggle of the silver kit as he tried to break his father's hold. At that, Hiei slightly flicked Haru's nose, startling his son with the instinctive and unspoken reprimand.
"What did he do?" The soft words were uttered, and crimson eyes locked with emerald before returning to his captive. With a sigh, he released Haru onto the floor and the kit ran from the room, fearing another admonition. Kurama stepped further into the room, and briefly looked towards where his son had ran before he took a seat at the kitchen table.
Another chair scrapped as Hiei sat down as well, then he frowned thoughtfully. "Haru pounced again." Kurama nodded at the statement; after all, it was an instinct attribute to hunt and pounce. However, something about Hiei's statement nagged at him, and he asked, "From where?" A bandaged finger pointed at the highest perch in the room—the top of the refrigerator.
Green eyes widened in shock at his kit's audacity. His ruby-toned locks shifted as he shook his head in disbelief; Haru was certainly a daredevil in his young age. Yet, before his thoughts were able to carry him away, a tug at his pant-leg returned him to the present. He looked down at where his feet rested on the floor and spied the reason for the tug.
Haru had returned while both of his parents were in thought, and had bit onto the pant-leg. Gently Kurama picked up the kit and ran his fingers through the silver fur, eliciting a purr. Hiei watched from his seat as Kurama idly petted their son, and he felt the love he held for both again at full force. "Hiei?" Kurama's soft voice asked, as the emerald eyes slipped close.
"Hn?" The trademark evasive answer was the response, and it washed over Kurama, bringing back the past. With an emotion-filled tone, the kitsune asked, "How is Mother?"
That wasn't exactly what Hiei was expecting, and his eyes locked on the pair before him. Haru turned around as he felt his mother's fingers trembling in his fur, and watched the expressions fleet across the pale porcelain face. "Hiei?" The words were whispered with a fear evident in the tone, a fear brought on by the responding silence to his prior question.
Luminous green eyes opened, the lashes veiled with tear drops, and Hiei felt his heart clench. The fire-demon hated to hurt his fox, and this was exactly what was happening as Kurama came to the incorrect conclusion. "I… don't know."
Those words lessened the burden on Kurama's shoulders, then confusion settled in. "What do you mean?" Haru's head tilted as even he waited for answer, which came with hesitancy. The words were cloaked with emotion, a rarity for the normally impassive male. "I couldn't… she reminded me too much of you."
Kurama bit his lip while he fought to keep from crying. Haru snuggled against him, and began to purr softly and reassuringly. Across the table, Hiei wanted to comfort the youko, yet he knew his next words would do that. "Fox, why don't we go and see her?"
Immediately, the hard-fought tears overwhelmed the redhead, and he began to sob, his arms loosely hooked around his son. Those words were a loving comfort, one that flooded the gates of his emotions. After a few minutes, the sobs died out, as another set of arms had wrapped around the older kitsune and had just held a solace and warmth like none other. Red-rimmed emerald-green eyes met Hiei's and almost silently, Kurama uttered, "Thank you."
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The lavish mirror reflected the trio of demons exiting the apartment, with Haru once again masked as a human. Amusement reflected in the silver orbs, as he watched the unfolding events. "Interesting…" The words echoed in the lone chamber, as did the swish of his ten gold-toned tails. "Very interesting…"
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The weather was absolutely lovely, and it was perfect to be working in the flowerbed, which many people were doing. Shiori sat back on her hunches and looked down at the almost-weeded bed. Its beauty wasn't as vibrant as four years ago, she mused sadly. Gently her fingers trailed the stem of a blooming rose, accidentally pricking her finger on an unseen thorn. She pulled her fingers back, just as the blood gathered into a drop and fell to the ground.
Even before her illness, Shuuichi had always worked in the flowerbed, keeping the plants luscious and green. He had always laughed when she said he had a true green thumb for it. That was until she had remarried, and strife began between her son and her new husband. Soon after, he moved out, and then a year later he disappeared without a trace. That was three years ago.
Tears began to trickle, dropping to the ground, much like the droplet of blood had done. Slowly the tears began to subside, and finally ended as she began to work in the flowers once again. Behind her footsteps sounded and her head whipped around, causing the brunette locks to slap against her back.
Shiori gasped, and turned fully around, while her mind reeled in shock and absolute joy. Before her stood a lovely red-haired male, dressed in jeans and a casual shirt, but that all did not matter to her. It only mattered that it was… "Shuuichi!" Immediately she stood and rushed into his arms; tears fell from her eyes as she tightly closed them, and she sobbed openly. Her son had returned.
Kurama smiled softly as he comforted her; his arms wrapped around her thin frame. "Mother…" It felt good to hold her again, to smell the familiar scent that only belonged to her, and to know that she was okay. Her tears slowly turned into sniffles and she backed up, looking at him directly in the face.
"Shuuichi… you're back." With those words, she hugged him again, this time not out of frantic joy, but of warmth and love. "I've missed you." Gently Shuuichi squeezed his arms around her reassuringly, "I've missed you too, Mother…" Then softly he uttered, "More than you'd know."
A few feet behind the embracing couple stood Hiei and Haru. Haru was able to smell, even from this distance, that this was indeed his Mama's human mother—his grandma. His eyes gleamed brightly as Hiei clutched his hand and walked forward, allowing his presence to be acknowledged.
Once the pair was separated, Kurama smiled down at his mother, then looked back at his mate and son. "Mother… could we go inside and talk more? Or is…" The question trailed off, and Shiori nodded. "He went to work and won't be back until late. So let's go inside and chat." With that confirmation, the two demons approached closer, and only then did Shiori finally notice them.
However, she said nothing as they followed her son into the house. She was still in disbelief over Shuuichi's reappearance to be curious or concerned, and a large smile was on her lips as she closed the door behind herself.
The interior of the house had only changed due to the addition of new painting and photographs on the walls, other than that it was still the same to the older kitsune. Kurama followed his mother into the library, and each took a seat. Hiei pulled Haru into his chair and wrapped his arms around the small boy, as Kurama and Shiori looked at the other.
"Mother, first of all, I am sorry to have worried you about my disappearance; I needed some time… alone." The older woman nodded, and then she looked at the pair nearby. "Shuuichi, if I may ask, who are your companions?"
A mischievous, yet contented twinkle appeared in the large pools of green, as Kurama sought to explain, "Do you remember my confession to you?" A frown appeared as Shiori sought to recall what her son had told her, then a smile replaced it once the knowledge had been remembered, "Yes. That you… are truly Kurama, a detective, and also Youko, a demon—a spirit fox."
Kurama nodded, then continued, "Then hopefully you will not be wary when I tell you, not only am I a spirit fox, but I am mated to a fire-demon whom you have met before—Hiei." Shiori sat in silence, but her gaze was directed to the black-clothed demon. "Mother… I love him, not because he is the Forbidden Child, but because of his true inner self. We mated roughly one year before my disappearance, just after my departure of this household."
A thoughtful look appeared on the aging woman then she smiled. "I believe you, Shu—Kurama, and I accept your decision." A relieved breath slipped from Kurama, for he had held it without realizing. His gaze quickly glanced at his love and child, before returning to his mother. Hiei's expression had remained unreadable, and Haru watched the proceedings with interest, his golden eyes gleaming with an internal excitement or happiness. Only then did the final confession become unveiled.
Shiori began the discussion, for curiosity finally gnawed at her. "Why did you leave then, Kurama?" There were many reasons that filled her thoughts and made her worry, and she wanted—no, hoped to have an explanation as to why her son left. Kurama sighed and looked at his mother seriously.
"You ask why I left…" He paused as he tried to find the correct way to explain. "I left because I was afraid, afraid that the choice I had made would not be accepted." The words were cryptic, and Shiori frowned, confused by the statements. However, before she was able to ask, Kurama answered, "After being mated for one year exactly, Inari—the Fox God—asked Youko if he ever wanted to bear children. Youko agreed, and Hiei had said soon after the child was conceived that he never wanted to be burdened with a child. Unfortunately, Hiei never explained further, and I left, heartsick."
The fire-demon buried his face into Haru's hair as raw, sickening emotions and memories filled his mind and soul, burning at him. The scene pained both Kurama and Shiori. However, the tale had to be told, and finally Kurama finished after a momentary pause, "That child, Mother… is Haru."
With his name said, Haru slipped from Hiei's grasp, which had instantly loosened, and made his way over. As his feet trod closer, his form flickered and wavered, transforming into his truest nature—that of the youko kit. Shiori was unable to keep the coo from being uttered, and Haru grinned at his grandmother.
Haru was a surprise and a joy to the aging woman, and she was glad to finally have a grandchild to spoil. Hiei moved from his chair, while Shiori spoke with Haru, and sat upon the fox's lap, his arms wrapped around the taller male. He burrowed his face against the cotton shirt, and sighed. Pulling back, he whispered, "Fox… I—I'm sorry…"
Kurama looked down to his mate and smiled, "Don't worry, Hiei, I forgave you long ago." He pulled the petite fire-demon to him, and then whispered, reassuringly, "I forgave you, because I know you'd never knowingly hurt me." A nod was the simple answer as both turned to watch the bond between grandmother and grandson grow.
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TBC.
deliciae: ::still attempting to get free, trying to break the door down::
Muse: Just don't let out MiniMiniMuse, deliciae!
MiniMiniMuse: ::loud growling is heard::
deliciae: Oh, I know! I'll use them as a battering ram… hopefully that'll work and break the door down.
MiniMuse & MiniMiniMuse: ::growling::
deliciae: ::cries out:: They bit me!
Muse: I don't think deliciae will be getting out anytime soon. Well, next chapter will contain more of father/son bonding (thanks in advance to Katyfoxdemon2), and a trip to Genkai's Temple will be involved. Just exactly the events surrounding it are uncertain, as deliciae hasn't yet thought up anything. Remember to Review, as I—err, deliciae lives on reviews. Everything is accepted: flames (which I just love), comments, criticism, and ideas (credit will be given). Thank you!
