Thanks…
Chapter 11
(Present)
Green eyes looked to the lowering sun, which was barely visible due to the increase in clouds. Lovely, another bout of rain was coming. 'What's that saying?' Kurama thought. 'The skies shall weep on a day of sorrow. Hn…today is more like a day of penitence.' He needed to be finishing up. Arching his back, he managed to 'pop' it in several places, easing the tightness that had occurred from having sat so long. The red head then cleared his throat, bringing up a pale, numb, hand to rub it. His throat was raw, burning from having talked so much. It'd never occurred to him to bring a drink for he hadn't thought he would be talking this long. "Like…" He began, but ended up choking. Coughing and clearing his throat, he tried again, his voice now raspy. "Like I was saying, my first true mission wasn't a problem, it hurt personally, but it was necessary. Getting to the true goal was where I ended up getting a little bit of a repercussion from."
(Flashback – 4 ½ months ago)
Mr. Takanaka looked at his board of directors with a grim face. "Anyone know the latest?" He asked of the seven men and three women who were all just as grim as they sat around the oval table in the conference room.
One woman looked at her legal pad before speaking. "Sir…I heard from someone that Tourin Incorporated was taken over this week."
One man spoke up. "Gandhara Corporation was taken over just last week…whoever this is, their moving fast and they know what their doing." He related.
Mr. Takanaka gave an understanding nod, saying. "I guess I should go ahead and tell you." He picked up a memo and passed it to his right. "I just got word before I came in here…it looks like the share holders have shifted. Someone managed to buy fifteen shares yesterday just before closing. Someone out there now owns fifty-one percent of this company."
There was an audible gasp from the group. Murmurs soon started as they conversed among themselves. Finally someone said. "Did you get a name?"
Mr. Takanaka placed his hands together, bringing them up to his chin as he said calmly. "Youko Enterprises."
There was silence as the news sank in. Then the murmuring restarted as they tried to find out who knew anything.
Just as Mr. Takanaka was about to speak, the door opened and in walked Shuiichi. "Sorry I'm late…I had to stop by the printers." He said.
Everyone looked at him with surprise on their faces. No one in the company had seen the red head for weeks and here he was walking in like nothing was wrong.
"Shuiichi." Mr. Takanaka whispered, stunned to see his right hand man. The poor boy had been gone for six weeks and probably had no idea what had been happening. He got up and walked over to the red head, shaking his hand and patting him on the back. "I'm happy to see your back but…you couldn't have returned at a worse time. We seem to be in the mist of a hostile takeover and I'm afraid I don't have time to bring you up to par."
Shuiichi looked at his 'boss' with a nod. "I'm well aware of the situation." He said calmly and moved to the empty chair next to the head of the table. Placing his briefcase on the table, he opened it and began taking out bound folders, which he then started passing around.
Mr. Takanaka stood where he was for a moment, not understanding how the red head was even remotely aware of what had been happening over the past few weeks. When he went back and took his seat, there was a folder on the table in front of him and he looked at it in disbelief. The name Youko Enterprises was staring him right back in the face. With fear and unbelieving doubt, he began to flip through the folder and scan the pages, seeing where companies, including Tourin and Gandhara had been taken over by Youko. The last company on the list was Takanaka. He looked at his assistant, not wanting to believe the boy knew all of this, there were even names of companies that he didn't even know had been acquired.
"I'm glad you are all here." Shuiichi said when everyone had a chance to look at the folder. "It will save me some time." He added.
Everyone was looking at him, not one understanding how he could have obtained this information.
"I know you're wondering what's going on. Well, I can tell you…as of today…all the companies on the list you see before you have been merged, they are now…Youko Enterprises."
"What happened?" Some one called out.
"Yeah, what's going on?" Someone else said.
"Who is this Youko?" Someone else said.
"Shuiichi." Mr. Takanaka said softly, since he was sitting right next to the red head, he didn't need to raise his voice.
"Sir." Shuiichi said, looking down at the man.
"How did you get this information?" His boss asked.
Green eyes closed and Shuiichi took a deep breath. "I'm sorry sir, but I needed the resources and the assets." He said.
Mr. Takanaka stood up so fast, his chair rolled back into the wall. "What are you saying boy." He said through clenched teeth, not wanting to believe what he'd just heard.
Shuiichi couldn't look at his former boss. Instead he focused on the men and women around the table. All of whom were sitting just as stunned in their chairs. "I am Youko Enterprises and I assure you…" He paused and made eyes contact with each of them. "No one will lose their job."
"This is an outrage." Mr. Takanaka said. "How dare you."
(Present)
"That's the part that hurt the worse. Mr. Takanaka believed in me and I repaid him by double crossing him. I'd hoped to make it up to him by making sure he was provided for. I made sure he had a big incentive package and told him he should look at it as an early retirement." Kurama lowered his head. "I don't know if I expected him to forgive me or not. I haven't talked to him since, even after I…later…that part comes later." There was silence.
"I know you're wondering why Youko Enterprises." The red head finally said, looking at the name on the stone. "I knew I needed a strong name." He shook his head with a small sigh. "I knew Minamino wouldn't do it and then I got to thinking. I needed a way to disassociate myself so I could basically steal and acquire whatever I needed. (sigh) So I could get to my true goal without feeling any emotions… (shrug)…one way or the other. Who else was like that…Youko Kurama? Yes, the name alone sent shivers down the spines of people in the books…so why not the real world. I became the modern spirit thief. Oh… (smirk)…I let the companies I bought, well stole actually, keep their names. That was until I took over Takanaka. Then I merged them into Youko. It was time after all…time to let the word get out and I had been right. Whenever that name was said, people took noticed and fear spread through out the markets." Kurama paused to let his throat rest and took the moment to rub his red, itchy eyes. Swallowing, he continued. "After the meeting with the board at Takanaka, word quickly spread about my goal...'that' was when I encountered my repercussion." He smirked. "It was pretty early one morning, the sun not quite up yet. I just happened to go home the night before and decided to stop at Starbucks the next morning to get some coffee… when I got outside and was heading towards the car…"
(Flashback)
Shuiichi took a sip of hot coffee as he cleared the doors of Starbucks. It was so hot and good, he almost blatantly smacked his lips at the taste. The office coffee was terrible and not having left the office in three days, he deserved the treat. He knew he could have sent someone to get the coffee for him, but he wasn't that type of person. If he couldn't get something himself, he did without. The only reason he'd finally left the office was because he couldn't put off going home any longer. He'd needed to check his mail and get a change of clothes. His office had its own private bathroom, complete with shower, but he hadn't thought to bring clothes with him and again, he knew he could have sent someone to get them, but, well he did need to get out for awhile.
Making it to the Z, Shuiichi fumbled for his keys while balancing the hot liquid. Putting the bag that contained his breakfast croissant on top of the car, he unlock the door and began to open it. It only made it an inch or so however before it was slammed shut. Turning, green eyes saw a burly man standing behind him.
"Can I help you?" He asked, while deep down wondering if he should be scared.
"Are you Shuiichi Minamino?" The man asked, crossing his arms.
"It depends…who wants to know?" Shuiichi asked turning and leaning his rear against the car door. He could see another man watching from a few feet away.
"Don't know what type of game you think you're playing, but I've been told to deliver a message." He said.
"Oh." The red head said, taking a sip of coffee.
"Mr. Karasu is aware of what you're trying to do…he's says if you think you can take him down, then by all means try. But you won't get away with it and he says he will see you out on the streets, eating out of trashcans."
"I see." Shuiichi muttered. "Well." He said aloud. "You can tell your boss that his threat was delivered and that if I'm going to be out on the streets, I'll try to stay away from his favorite eating holes…I wouldn't want to impose on his dinner with the rats."
"You think this is a joke." The man said uncrossing his arms and taking a step closer, which made the red head get on his tiptoes, for the guy was already in his personal space. The man that had been watching from afar started to walk closer.
"No." Shuiichi said, now thinking he might need to defend himself. He really hated to lose the coffee, but…
"Is there a problem sir?" He heard from the other side of his car.
The voice sounded familiar, but the red head couldn't place it just yet.
"No Problem? You can just mosey on." The man said, looking over the red head at the intruder.
"Why don't I just stay and make sure." The newcomer said and the red head could hear him moving around the car. When he was in sight, Shuiichi almost didn't recognize the man.
"Bui." He said.
"Morning sir." The doorman to the apartments Shuiichi once lived in said. He was not wearing his uniform, which was the reason it took Shuiichi a moment to recognize who he was. He was wearing a pair of gray jogging pants with a deep blue muscle shirt drenched with sweat making it cling to his body.
"I said back off, this is between me and the pretty boy here." The brute said.
Shuiichi inwardly groaned. 'Pretty boy.' But he said. "I think we're done. You have delivered your message and I'm late for work, so…" He turned and proceeded to get in his car. It was a tight move as the man was still standing way to close to him, but he managed to turn and crack the door.
"No…we're not." The man growled, using his body to pin the red head to car, making the door re-shut.
Shuiichi held up his cup of coffee as his body hit the car. The brute then reached for his other arm and was proceeding to twist it behind his back. The red head really didn't want to do it, it was a really good cup of brew and he hated to lose it, but he sacrificed it, tossing it behind him over a shoulder. The man cried out as the hot liquid hit his face and ran down his neck. Bui took that moment to come up and grabbing the man, twisted him around and pushed him away from the red head.
"You alright sir?" He asked. The man that had been standing back watching ran over to his friend who was still swatting his face. Bui crossed his arms and moved to stand in front of the red head. He then gave a death glare to the men, basically telling them 'you better leave while you have the chance.'
A small crowd had formed when the man cried out, but Shuiichi stayed calm, brushing off his suit as he spoke. "Yes Bui…thank you for your assistance."
The man saw the look Bui was giving and helping his friend, hurried off after seeing people staring. Once it looked like it was all over, the crowd went about their business.
Bui moved aside and Shuiichi picked up the now empty coffee cup, looking at it like he had lost his best friend.
"Sorry about your coffee sir." Bui said.
"Thank you." The red head muttered. "It is a shame. I usually don't get that good of a cup." He added softly.
"If you're sure you're alright. I need to get going." Bui said and proceeded to walk away.
Green eyes looked at the man, then down at the coffee cup again. "Bui!" He called out, getting the man's attention. When the doorman turned back, he said. "Do you have time for a cup of coffee? My treat!"
(Present)
"Okay." Kurama said, shaking his head. "Maybe it wasn't that funny, I guess you had to be there, but I was right. My second cup wasn't as good. Anyways, that's how Bui ended up being my bodyguard." The red head smiled. "Bet you didn't know it, but Bui's an ex-Naval Seal and a trainer at the local gym." He shook his head again. "Anyways… something that day made me realize, if Karasu was willing to go through all that trouble to scare me, then he might be willing to do more. After all, within just a few weeks, I was literally knocking on his back door."
(Flashback 3 months ago)
Karasu walked out of the building, slamming the door back on its hinges, Kaitou was right on his heels.
"That son of a bitch." Karasu said to no one in particular.
"Sir." Yuu said, hearing the anger in his boss's voice.
"How is he doing it?" Karasu hissed.
Yuu swallowed. "Doing what sir?"
Karasu ignored him, but continued to mutter to himself. "If I didn't know better, I would say he's got someone on the inside."
Yuu gulped again.
"At this rate, he'll own a third of the companies within the month." Karasu said. "Those backstabbers…thinking they're safe from me by going under his protection." The black haired turned to his assistant. "Call a board meeting. I want everyone still left in my office by nightfall."
"Yes sir." Yuu barked.
"Do you really think that will help?" Both men turned to see Shuiichi standing by the door. He had just stepped out when Karasu issued the order.
Karasu walked up to the red head, saying. "You've giving it a valiant effort my boy, but I'm not out yet. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve."
Shuiichi let the man approach, when he'd finished, the red head replied. "I would watch your self Karasu. You're on a sinking ship and many are willing to climb over your ass to get out of it, leaving you behind to go down with it."
Karasu was fuming, but behind him, Yuu was trying hard to control a smirk. "I will not go down without a fight. I'll see you burn in hell." The black haired fumed.
"I wouldn't expect anything less." Shuiichi said, moving around his former boss. "But, I really doubt I'll get that luxury." He quirked and a small smirk played over his lips.
A black sedan pulled up and all three watched as Bui got out and moved around to open the back passenger's door. "Ready to go sir?" He asked.
"Yes…thank you Bui." Shuiichi said, not seeing the look on the other two's faces as he stepped towards the car. Bui held the door open for the red head and just before he stepped into the car, Bui handed him a Blackberry. The red head took it and looked back before getting in.
"One more thing you forgot Karasu." He said. When he didn't get a reply, he just shrugged and said. "You should remember…I did learn from the best." Shuiichi closed the door, but then window rolled down. "Oh…and one more thing." He called out. When the two looked at him, he held up the Blackberry. "I said I would throw you a bone…well here it is. Your company Koorime stock's just dropped twenty dollars a share." The window rolled back up and the sedan drove off.
"Damn." Karasu muttered.
(Present)
"One notch at a time, that's how I got him. Working day and night, night and day, eating away at his holdings. Closing him down, one section at a time." Kurama said. "That was my only goal, the only thing I was living for…the only thing that kept me breathing." He shuddered at the non-stop pace he'd put himself through to accomplish what he did in a just a few short months.
"Now don't get me wrong." He waved a hand. "I did do a few good things. I managed to help some keep their jobs, most moving up in the ranks and getting pay raises. I even made sure to send a check to station fifty-one when I received the postcard inviting me back to the annual picnic and dance." He lowered his head in thought before continuing. "I wish I could have been there to see the look on Yukina's face. I'd just gotten a hold of Karasu's penthouse and we turned around and sold it for a pretty nice profit. I thought the extra money should go to a worthy cause, but atlas I had to go out of town and missed it. It was probably for the best since I don't think I would have felt comfortable because….that doesn't matter now." When he looked back up, there were fresh tears in his eyes. "Though I was wondering what rock Karasu was trying to crawl under at the time and out of helping the people I could. I truly regret that I ended up hurting more in the end. I couldn't avoid it. I can only hope that wherever they are…they can forgive me for what I did and though I keep trying to tell myself…by hurting them…I will help so many more in the end."
(Flashback-happening at the same time as the last flashback)
Enma King looked around the room at the ten young men under his care. These men had trained hard these last three months and now it had all been done in vain.
"Gentlemen." He said, clearing his throat to get their attention. "I'm afraid the reason why I've called you all here, isn't to tell you that we are not on track, but to tell you that the resort will not be opening as planned."
There was murmuring heard as everyone tried to understand.
"How far behind schedule are they?" Someone asked.
"Only a month." Enma said and someone muttered.
"That's not bad…we can just kept training." Everyone muttered their agreement to the idea.
Enma cleared his throat, again, to get their attention. "I hate to be the one to tell you all this, but when the resort opens, it's not going to be needing your services."
"What!" They all said as one.
"Now calm down and let me explain. I've received word early this morning that the resort has been acquired." He held up his hand to stop anyone from trying to interrupt him. "All I can tell you is that construction of the resort has been altered to house a Hospice facility of some sort…Shore's place…or something like that. The place is being reworked to house terminally ill patients and offer alternative treatments. Since there will be no additional skiers or hikers from the resort. The squad is officially being disbanded as of this moment."
There were immediate outbursts and it took a few minutes for Enma to get the room quiet again.
When he did, he said. "Now I'd hate to see you boys go away empty handed." And he began passing out sheets of paper.
Hiei had been sitting quietly at the back of the room, he was the only one who didn't say a word or show any emotion to anything he'd just heard. Receiving a copy of the paper, his red eyes scanned over a list of jobs in their fields. Enma continued.
"I took the liberty of getting together a list of job openings here and near this area. I have talked to all the Captains and Heads of departments personally and put in a good word for each of you.
(Present)
Kurama looked up at the sky. "I had hoped deep down that maybe you would have come back. But I guess you couldn't forgive me for taking away your dream job. I just hope you understand that I 'had' to close the resort. It was the last nail in Karasu's coffin. He had made a big business mistake, tying up so many resources into getting it built, that when I was able to get a hold of it, it broke him financially and physically. After that, it was like a house of cards falling and all I had to do was make sure I was the one there to pick them up."
(Flashback – a week ago)
Yuu didn't even knock as he hurriedly opened the office door and practically running to the desk, breathed out. "Sir…there's someone here to see you."
"Yuu." Karasu said, not looking up from his laptop. "Go away, I'm busy?"
"But sir." Yuu said, looking back at the door, nervousness clearly evident in his posture.
Karasu was franticly typing away. "If I expect to get anything out of this mess." He stated. "I need to solidify my personal assets. I don't have time for a peon who is having a panic attack. Just tell everyone to vacate as schedule." He mashed the keypad and pushed the laptop back away from him. "Damn." He muttered. "Pennies on the dollar."
"But sir." Yuu said again, again looking at the door. He gulped as the person who had been waiting stepped in.
"That's quite alright Yuu…I can see myself in."
Karasu looked up from his desk. "What the hell do you want?" He asked.
"I just came to see how the eviction was going. You know the city has plans to start tearing this building down in just a few short days. The downtown district is looking forward to their new public parking garage." Shuiichi said casually, walking over to stand in front of the desk.
Karasu held a retort.
"Remember." Shuiichi said when nothing was said. "The furniture stays…but don't worry. I'm donating it and I'll make sure to send you the tax receipts." A red eyebrow arched. "It's a tax write off you know."
Karasu still held his tongue.
"Just a few more things and I'll get out of your way. I can see you're busy." Shuiichi said, looking around the large office and seeing all the boxes packed and in the process of being packed.
"What are they?" Karasu grumbled.
Shuiichi turned back to face the black haired. "You seem to be taking this better than I thought."
Karasu couldn't deny that he had been beaten. He had greatly underestimated the red head and the only thing he could do now was get it over with and move on. "I don't have all day." He muttered.
"So you don't…I'll make it simple then." The red head said. "First, I had Yuu here stop the shredding."
Karasu looked at Yuu, who tried to look innocent and just shrugged.
"Tsk, tsk Mr. Karasu. You know better than to try and destroy important documents." Shuiichi scolded. "Second." He went on. "Make sure all the computers and equipment stay. They belong to the company and the company belongs to me." He looked at the laptop on the desk. "That means that one too."
"You've put a lot of good people out of work." Karasu finally said, standing. He knew the red head had a soft heart and wondered how this news was eating on his conscious.
"I'm aware of that." Shuiichi said. "But I'm also helping people."
The black haired let out a deep chuckle. "Oh my dear pet. You think converting a multi-million dollar resort into some housing for the terminally ill. Giving those poor fools a false sense of hope. Telling them they can live longer, by extending their already weak, pathetic, pitiful, suffering life is 'helping'." Karasu moved to stand right in front of the red head. "You're more of an optimist than I thought." He muttered.
Shuiichi controlled his response, he didn't expect this putrid of man to understand his creating of Shori's place. "I don't expect someone like you to understand." He said softly then seemed to shrug it off. "But, being optimistic is what got me where I am. AND you where you are."
"Well." Karasu said taking a hand and fingering a red lock. "As the old cliché goes, you may have won this battle, but you haven't won the war, my pet."
"Get out of 'my' building." Shuiichi said firmly, stepping back to get the man to let go of his hair. "You can leave word at the front desk as to which alley you will be living in."
Karasu looked at the red head for a moment. "Let's go Yuu." He said and proceeded to walk out.
Yuu just stood there. He had been standing there patiently while the two squabbled.
The black haired paused and looked back with his hand on the door when he realized he wasn't being followed. "Yuu…time to go." He tried not to growl.
"I…I can…can't sir." Yuu stuttered, looking down at his shoes.
"And why not?" Karasu wasn't amused.
"Sir." Yuu looked to Shuiichi.
"Oh…I'm sorry Yuu." The red head reached into his inner coat pocket. Pulling out a thick white envelope, he said. "Here you go."
Taking the envelope, Yuu asked. "And my dad's car dealership?" He was trying to look hopeful.
"Everything is as it should be. But remember our deal…you work for good ol' dad from this day forth." Shuiichi said.
"I understand."
"Yuu." Karasu looked at the boy with raised eyebrows. "It was you?"
"I had no…no choice…I should get going." Yuu said, heading for the door.
"You never can get good help these days." Karasu muttered.
"One last request Yuu…if you don't mind." The red head said, stopping him.
"Of course sir." Yuu said, coming back over.
Shuiichi took a business card out of his shirt pocket then reached over and grabbed a pen off the desk. Scribbling on the card, he said. "Would you please call the number on this card and tell the person to meet me at the address I wrote on the back. Tell them that they will want to hear what I have to say and that I won't take too much of their time."
"Right away sir." Yuu said and almost bowed.
"Thank you. Afterwards you may leave." Shuiichi said, basically dismissing the brown haired, freckled face man.
When Yuu had left, Karasu said. "I will rebuild."
Shuiichi smirked and walked over to the black haired. Leaning in next to an ear, he whispered. "Not in this lifetime." And walked out, not looking back.
(Present)
"Good old Yuu." Kurama smirked. "He was a great help. All he needed was a little…prompting. Just a little provoking can get you far in life. It had been a good day, though I wasn't done. I still had one last thing to do."
(Flashback)
Shuiichi sat at a booth, sipping a cup of coffee. Looking at his watch, he was not surprised the person he'd had Yuu call was not going to met him. Thinking he should just leave and try to find the person another way, he looked up, this time in surprise, to see the person walking towards him.
The man slid into the booth as Shuiichi said. "Thank you for coming sir."
"I almost didn't." The man huffed.
"What changed your mind?" The red head asked, reaching beside him to pull out a thick manila folder from underneath his coat.
Mr. Takanaka leaned forward, placing his arms on the table. "I've always liked you, my boy." He said. "And I thought if nothing else." He waited until green eyes looked at him. "I could at least ask you 'why?'.
Shuiichi held out the folder, saying. "Everything you'd want to know will be in here."
Takanaka hesitated. "I'm not in the mood for another game Shuiichi." He said, raising a hand in refusal to the waitress offering coffee. He then looked at the thick file in the red head's hand. Only to then think back to the last time he'd opened a folder, to see his company, his blood, sweat and tears had been hostility taken over by the man sitting across from him.
"I am sorry sir." Shuiichi said when his saw the man hesitating. "It is too much for me to try and explain right now and no offense…I have a lot to do before the day is over…if you would please just look at the folder." He said placing it on the table in front of the man across from him.
Mr. Takanaka flipped the file open, his eyes widening as he scanned the pages. "You…you can't be serious." He breathed.
"I am." Shuiichi said, taking a sip of coffee.
"You're giving me all your shares and turning the company back over to me."
"Yes…I will make sure it's all taken care of by the end of this business day." The red head assured.
"Why."
"I'm done. As you can see, I did what I had set out to do. I shut down Karasu Incorporated and liquidated the assets. I sold the building to the city, pretty cheaply. I'm afraid we took a bath on that deal, but you might be happy to know…they're turning it into a public parking garage. As for all the companies I bought up and merged." Shuiichi cocked his head and said. "The company might be a little bigger than when you left it."
"But what do you plan to do?" Mr. Takanaka asked.
The red head shrugged. "Like I said, I'm done." He answered, refusing a refill from the waitress.
"But…" The man didn't understand.
"I know I have no right to ask after what I did, but I do have one small request." Shuiichi said, picking up his coat and fishing out his wallet.
"Anything my boy." Mr. Takanaka said finding himself not being able to stay mad at the young man.
Shuiichi tossed a few bills on the table before saying. "In that paperwork you will find that Karasu's once future resort has been turned into a Hospice for terminally ill patients. It's called Shori's place. The facility has been outfitted with the best equipment available. It also has the best doctors, nutritionists, nurses, physical therapists and caregivers available. All I ask is that you find someone you trust to run the foundation and take care of the money I have put in a separate account for its operating costs. Make sure the place thrives from it, by making sure it gets the best of the best of anything it needs." The red head stood and put on his coat.
"Why can't it be you?"
Shuiichi paused and stared at his former boss. "I'm too tired." Was all he said and began to walk away.
"So was it worth it?"
The red head paused, seeming to think of what to say, though finally saying. "Hn…I'm not so sure anymore."
(Present)
"And I'm still not. Though I am sure giving Takanaka back his company was the 'right' thing to do. I'd completed my goal. I didn't need it anymore and I no longer lacked the drive to continue running it anyways. I was…am just too tired." Kurama admitted, thinking back. "Hn." He finally smirked. "Sorry if I'm still boring you. Believe me. I didn't think I would be this long, but if it will make you feel any better. I think I'm boring myself now." He joked, shifting some to get more comfortable. "I, unfortunately, have one last part my friend and then I assure you, I will be done."
(Flashback - morning - present day)
Yukina walked down the hall, tying her robe around her waist. The sun was just peeking over the horizon and she was just about to get in the shower when she heard the doorbell ring. "Kazuma." She said, opening the door. "Did you forget your key again?" Her husband had worked the nightshift and he always seemed to forget his keys when he worked nights. She ended up pausing however when she realized it wasn't her husband at the door, but Kurama.
Seeing Yukina in a robe, Kurama blushed and said. "Is this a bad time?"
Not having seen the man in months, the last time being his mother's funeral. She blinked her red eyes at how thin he looked, how his dress coat seemed to hang on his already lean frame. She finally said. "No…no, not at all…come in?" She moved back, holding the door open so the red head could step in.
"I'm sorry to come unannounced and so early." Kurama began. "But I remembered that I had forgotten to get this to Hiei. I have something important to do today and won't really have another opportunity after today either." He rambled out.
Yukina finally noticed the box in the red head's arms. It was about 24 inches square and was labeled 'Things for Hiei.'
When Yukina didn't say anything, Kurama said. "Can you make sure he knows I dropped it off? Mother left him a few things, books mostly and some of it is things he'd left at my place."
Yukina blinked and shook her head, her eyes had moved from the box to Kurama's face. She'd been studying how tired and pale the man looked. How dull his usually vibrant red head was, there was sadness in his equally dull green eyes. He appeared to be dragged down by life. "Of course." She finally said. "Could you do me a favor and take it out to the garage and put it with his other stuff?" She asked, heading towards the garage door off the kitchen and turning on the light.
"Of course." Kurama said, moving around her and going into the garage.
Yukina didn't know how much time she had, but she ran to the phone in the den and dialed the number that was scribbled on a pad near it.
It began to ring and she silently prayed the person she was hoping would pickup was there. "Southern Yama Ranger Station." Someone finally picked up and said.
"Hiei." Yukina whispered when she recognized her brother's voice.
"Yukina." Came the reply.
"He's here." Was all she had to say.
"Stall him…I'm on my way." The phone went dead.
a)a)a)a
Kurama maneuvered around the stacks of boxes and other items until he came to pile that looked like it belonged to Hiei. He went to sit the box down when something sticking out of another one caught his attention.
Arching an eyebrow, the red head put down the box and went to touch it, only to pull his hand back like it had been burned. 'I shouldn't.' He thought, yet in the back of his mind he knew it could work. He'd been thinking about how to do it and many scenarios he had thought of, had been tossed for various reasons.
"Everything okay out there." He heard Yukina yell.
Not wanting her to come out, he yelled back. "It's fine." And found himself grabbing the item and shoving it in his coat.
Coming back into the kitchen, Kurama saw Yukina by the stove with the tea kettle. She had put on a pair of slacks and a blouse.
"Would you like some tea?" She asked, turning her back to get teacups out.
"No…thank you. I really should be going." Kurama said and moved to leave.
Knowing her brother needed at least four hours from his new job, she resorted to pleading.
"I haven't seen you in weeks. Surely you have some time to enjoy a nice cup of tea." She said looking right at him and giving him a puppy dog face.
Kurama didn't have a hope, she had that same look as Hiei did when he played that card and he couldn't refuse. Sitting down at the kitchen table, he told himself. 'I guess I can consider this my last meal of sorts.'
a)a)a)a
The forest green Jeep Liberty drove down the slushy roads. A heavy, wet snow, the size of cotton balls was falling in thick clumps making the windshield wipers squeak as they valiantly strived to keep the glass clear, but they fell just short. Hiei Jaganshi leaned forward in his seat, peering intently out at the road, the headlights barely illuminating the asphalt in front of him.
The song he'd been ignoring finished playing as he took a slug from his water bottle.
(DJ) "Its six-thirty a.m. here in the Tri county area and boy are we getting hammered."
"No shit." He grumbled, red eyes blinking at the brightness of the snow, looking almost yellowish in the glare.
(DJ) "The weather dude has issued an advisory, with two to three inches of precipitation expected by this evening, so watch for local flooding. In the mountains, the rain has turned into a heavy wet snow, up to a foot possible. The Highway commission has issued a travel advisory. If you don't need to be out…don't be."
"Oh, I would agree, but…just keep stalling him Yukina." Hiei murmured as he looked down at the gauges. He had half a tank of gas and two hours, at least…no, at forty-five miles an hour, make it three, if he was lucky. 'Damn, how did I ever talk myself into this?' He thought he wouldn't have a problem with the four to five month snow season, but there was only one, minor, little problem. He hated snow, always had ever since he was a child. While other kids were out having snowball fights, making snowmen and building ice forts, he was sitting inside the house miserable. Maybe, subconsciously, it had something to do with the fact that his aunt had told him, when he was old enough to understand, that his mother had died during a snow storm.
After being turned down for all the other jobs he'd applied for since the resort closed, well not closed, had been re-zoned was a better term. And with each place basically telling him, 'Sorry, but we don't need another hot-shot hero.' Apparently King's good word had the opposite effect for him. He'd finally taken the job of a forest ranger in the southern part of Yama. The job was a joke, at least right now during the winter season. Him and another guy, his 'boss' got to live at the station. The log cabin was set up as an office downstairs with a sleeping loft above. There was a small kitchen and full bathroom off the office. Food and supplies were brought in when needed by snowmobile and that was about the jest of it. Hiei was so bored, he couldn't wait till spring and the chance to get out and do something. Also because of the weather and, he had to admit, thinking about Kurama, he hadn't been sleeping well.
When he had taken the job, he'd made sure he had called Yukina to let her know where he was and how to get a hold of him. He had long ago given up on trying to call Kurama and had told his sister that if she heard from the red head, to let him know.
He still thought sometimes about why he didn't head back to town. Maybe he was afraid Kurama would refuse him. Still be mad at him for walking out on their relationship, if that's what you could call it. Maybe he didn't want to face the guys at the station, for in a way, he had walked out on them as well. He doubted he could even get his old job back anyways. Most of the time, when you wanted to return to a station, after an extended leave, you had to start basic training all over again as a rookie. After getting through that, he would then have to take the EMT course again and that was a pain in the ass.
But deep down something felt right about what he'd just done, the up and leaving liked he'd did. Yukina calls and says Kurama's there at the house and here he was scrambling to get to him. Even quitting his job to get back to a man he didn't know would even still want him or not. He only hoped that if Kurama wasn't at the house when he got there that Yukina would have found out where he was heading and then he could track him from there.
(DJ) "The closings will be read again at the top of the hour, but now it's time for your stupid news, a man in the City walked into the local area MacDougal's armed with a hatchet. Brandishing the weapon at the cashier, he then began demanding they bring back the Western Omelet sandwich. Unfortunately for the man, Sheriff Deputies, who just happen to be on the premises, quickly apprehended the man and carted him to jail. Can you imagine that, I guess he had an 'axe' to grind over the cancellation of the sandwich? What was this guy thinking, even if they brought back the sandwich, he wouldn't be able to enjoy it because he'll be in the slammer. Maybe someone will sneak him one in…."
"Hn, I wonder if Yukina's bailed out the oaf yet." Hiei said to himself, a rare, wide grin playing across his lips.
Suddenly the rear wheels began to slip and Hiei let off the gas as he took a 50 mph turn at 45. Swearing intently, the black haired fought with himself and the wheel before finally wrenching the car back under control.
"Piece of two wheel drive crap. The sprite would have handled better than this." He hissed, slowly easing back on the gas, until the speedometer read forty.
"And now back to the best of the 80's, 90's and today." The DJ announced.
The beginning lyrics of Olivia Newton-John's – 'Physical' filled the car.
"Hnnn, someone hates me today." He said shaking his head back and forth in an attempt to clear the wicked thoughts as images of getting 'physical' with a certain red head filled his head.
He couldn't think about that right now, so turning off the radio, he then reached up to rub his sleep filled eyes, but his hand went quickly back to the wheel and he ended up yelling instead. "OOH SHhhhiiiT!!" Red eyes caught a glimpse of a dear standing literally yards in front of him. Quickly cutting the wheel, he feathered the gas, trying to coax the SUV to swerve away from the animal that stood there staring deadpan at the approaching lights. But as luck would have it, the front wheels refused to bite on the wet slick roads making him hiss. "Damn!!"
With his foot automatically mashing the brakes, the Liberty careened into the animal at nearly forty miles an hour. He heard wrenching metal as the animal flipped up on the hood and then the high pitch screeching as it slid towards the windshield.
With his brain playing out the scene in slow motion, his mind yelled. 'Duck Hiei.' But his body refused to move. He was frozen stiff, his hands gripping the steering wheel in a death grip.
Red eyes went wide as glass exploded everywhere, the windshield shattering into a million pieces from the force of the deer smashing through it to land in the passenger's seat. Hiei's arms came up two seconds too late as the airbag exploded in his face and he actually thought. 'Shouldn't that of went off earlier?' Seeing nothing but white, he was jolted forward as the car slammed into something, not realizing it was the guardrail.
('Beep, Beep'-noise)
"This is On-Star, we've registered an airbag deployment, are you okay Mr. Jaganshi… Mr. Jaganshi…I'm calling emergencies services…"
('Ring, ring'-noise) "911 dispatch…what is your emergency…"
"Yes, this is On-Star. We've registered an airbag deployment. I'm sending last known coordinates…"
(Present)
"If Yukina hadn't held me up for a few hours, I would have been done well before now." Kurama muttered, rubbing his tired eyes. He was done, his tale had been told. Looking at the name on the stone, he said. "Well dear friend…lover. I'm finished. I hope you didn't mind my ranting to much. I just needed to clear my conscious and make sure I had my facts straight. Though I doubt anyone will care." Bending over, he placed his forehead on the cold stone, closing his eyes as a finger traced the engraving…'He…' "I'm so tired."He muttered. "And I really hate to have to do this here…to you, but I don't think mother's going to be too pleased with me as it is." He started to cry. "Forgive me, but it's the only way I can think of to repent for my sins. I just wanted someone who, I knew, would understand and…I'm so tired of being alone."
The red head finally sat back up and picked up the item that had been laying in front of him the whole time he'd talked. His fingers were numb and it took him a moment to get a proper hold on it. It had been beautiful before the rain had ruined it. Hopefully it was only the outer shell that was damaged, the braiding had come undone and the charm was barely hanging on by a thread. He at least hoped the blade inside was still okay as he slid it from its scabbard.
What Kurama held in his hands was what the Japanese called a Tanto, or in other words, a dagger. The red head had seen it amongst Hiei's items crammed on his bookcase at the beach house and one day, he'd asked about it. Hiei explained that it was a Tanto. A short sword, or dagger, which was used as a stabbing instrument by the samurai, it was kept in their obi and used when needed. They were usually seamless, nearly flat and were usually plain, lacking any real elaborate decoration. The one he had, however, had been made as a ceremonial sword, most likely given as a gift to a lord or higher official. Though this one was seamless between the handle and the blade, made of a black lacquered wood, it had a braided gold roping around the top, near the handle, holding a green jade dragon charm. The black haired went on to say that the blade was also used for seppuku or hara-kiri. A ritual suicide a samurai warrior would do if disgrace fell upon him. "It was one last way to try and save his honor." He'd said. This morning when Kurama had seen it on top of a box of stuff in Yukina's garage, he knew it would be useful for what he had in mind.
The red head had known what Hiei had been talking about that day, but it had been more intriguing to hear the black haired explain it. His deep voice was always soothing when he talked about something he was interested in. Hiei finished his story by saying the sensei had left him the Tanto in his will, the master had even attached a note to it telling his prize student. "Use this to protect your honor among the obstacles of life you encounter in your many journeys through it."
Kurama's face took on a grim look as he thought back to the memory. "I think it's a little too late to try and protect my honor." He said, moving to sit cross legged. He knew what he was about to do would send him straight to hell.
Getting nauseated as he picturied himself sticking the dagger in his stomach and trying to drag it back and forth, the red head knew he could never do it that way and decided his wrists would be the better choice.
Placing the now un-sheathed blade down and peeling off his drenched dress coat. He let the heavy fabric fall behind him as he rolled up his shirt sleeves. There were pros and cons to doing it this way he'd surmised as he finished and picked up the dagger. One pro was that his body was numb and really wouldn't feel a thing. The con was that he was cold and blood doesn't want to flow well when it's cold. That's why a warm hot bath was the best, blood pumped better. The only other pro he had going for him was that he'd already developed a mild case of hyperthermia and if he wasn't found until morning, or better yet, later tomorrow, it should work.
With his hand shaking, the red head placed the sharp edge of the blade to his left wrist. He would need to do it quickly so he could do the other one. He was also thinking maybe if he could just push the blade through his chest, over his heart, it might be better. He could always do it as a last resort if he was found before…well…you get the idea.
Taking a deep breath and trying to control his nerves, he said. "All things pass…this is the law…of birth and death. Once birth and death…likewise have passed, that peace is bliss...Kuronue…please give me strength." The blade made a cut and he watched the red liquid well up.
"Hn!"
Kurama paused, ignoring the sting in his arm. 'What was that?' He wondered, his mind racing. He knew he had talked to long. Knew he was going to be found before he could finish. When he didn't hear it again, he shook his head. The wind was picking up, the rain was starting again and he told himself. 'Must of been the wind.'
When he touched his skin with the blade again, his hand began to shake even more and he cursed himself. Getting a better grip on the handle, he was about to cut when he heard very clearly. "It would be such a waste of beauty, but…if you feel you must, you could at least give the Tanto the honor of using it correctly."
'That voice…it couldn't be.' The dagger almost fell out of his hand as Kurama's control slipped and he began to visibly shake. 'It can't be him. He's gone and he wouldn't know I was here anyways.' His mind tried to reason with him, telling him that he was just staling, but his heart was telling him to turn and look, just to make sure.
The red head turned slowly, his tired, swollen, green eyes blinking. It had just gotten dark and when they were able to focus, they saw an outline of a figure standing not eight feet back. Their arms were crossed as they stood there.
"Hi…ei." He managed to croak out.
The figure uncrossed their arms and held them out, like an angle offering comfort. Kurama moved, the dagger dropping to stick with its pointed tip straight down in the soft ground as he staggered to get to his feet, his body numb. His legs had that tingling sensation from having fallen asleep and he was just so tired, sore. Not knowing if this was a hallucination his delirious mind was trying to play on his physique or not. Though at this point, not caring either way, he forced himself to move. Who knows, maybe he had already completed his task and this was his reward, to see Hiei. 'This can't be right. You don't get rewarded in hell.' He thought.
Hiei couldn't get himself to move as the red head turned towards him. Seeing Kurama in this condition made his heart ache and yet scared him at the same time. 'What the hell has happened to you?' He wondered.
(My hands are searching for you…My arms are outstretched towards you…I feel you on my fingertips….My tongue dances behind my lips for you.)
Hearing his name said in an unsure, quivering voice got the black haired to at least open his arms. Kurama had to do this on his own. The red head needed to make the first move and he was doing it. Besides, seeing the way Kurama looked, like the walking dead at this moment, the short figure didn't think he could move even if he wanted to.
(This fire rising through my being…Burning I'm not used to seeing you.)
'If I hadn't gotten here when I did.' Hiei thought to himself, still watching the red head in his struggles to get to him. Even one more minute later and Kurama would have done it.
(I'm alive…I'm alive)
He had drove to Shori's grave first, thinking back to what Yukina had said about the way Kurama was acting. The black haired had shown up at the house to see his sister crying. She then rambled on about how Kurama had been acting strange and was worried he might do something stupid. She also rambled about a sword being gone. That she had gone to the garage, being nosey she admitted, and saw where something had been taken. When she realized it was one of his swords, she panicked. Thinking the red head was going to hurt himself or worse.
Hiei had turned around and jumped right back in the car, his sister's instincts were rarely wrong and he knew he needed to find the red head and fast. He headed to the only place he could think of, Shori's grave, and silently thanked god for having visited the site the last time he'd been in. When the headlights failed to show Kurama or anyone else near the site, he thought maybe he'd been wrong.
Getting out of the car, the black haired walked over to Shori's grave. Kneeling down, he touched the cold stone with his fingers. Closing his eyes, he found himself whispering. "Shori…where is your son?"
Red eyes then opened and scanned the vastness of other graves. It was like a light bulb going off in his head as a name and place came to mind in a flash. Not thinking, he began running, leaving the rental car as he headed down the path, barely visible now in the fading light. He didn't realize how far he had to go as he cleared that section and ran up through the trees to the next. When he saw an outline of a figure sitting on the ground, he slowed to a walk and approached cautiously, not wanting to scare the person. Getting within eight feet or so, he realized it was Kurama and recognized the item in his hand. His breath hitched at the thought of what the red head was about to do.
(I can feel you all around me…Thickening the air I'm breathing…Holding on to what I'm feeling…Savoring this heart that's healing.)
Red eyes blinked as they realized the red head was on his feet and within a few feet of him. Kurama took a few more staggering steps and raised his arms when he thought he could touch the being in front of him.
(My hands float up above me…And you whisper you love me…And I begin to fade…Into our secret place.)
"Kurama." Hiei whispered when the red head was within reach. Kurama fumbled the last few steps and then collapsed into the smaller figure's arms.
Hiei caught the man and managed to guide them to the ground without flopping to hard. The rain was falling harder now, making 'pitter-patter' noises on the nearby stones. With his head throbbing, not to mention his heart pounding in his chest like a sledgehammer. The black haired also listened to Kurama dry heave and choke on his tears. All of it had a sort of rhythm to it, in its own, morbid, twisted way.
(The music makes me sway…The angels singing say we are alone with you…I am alone and they are too with you.)
"What?" Hiei said, looking down at the figure he was holding.
Kurama swallowed and coughed before saying in a whisper again. "I didn't…didn't think…you'd come back."
(I'm alive…I'm alive)
"Hn." Hiei said, pulling the red head closer as he felt the body trembling and softly chuckling at his reply. "I just got a little sidetracked is all." He added.
(I can feel you all around me…Thickening the air I'm breathing…Holding on to what I'm feeling…Savoring this heart that's healing.)
Kurama pulled back and looked up to see a large, white, compression bandage on one side of the black haired's head. He brought up a pale, shaky hand to touch it lightly. The gauze was swelling with the rain, the tape was losing its stickiness, both causing it to slide to the side and he could see pink blotches here and there.
"You're hurt." Kurama whispered.
Hiei gave the red head a comforting squeeze. "It's just a scratch." He assured.
They sat there in silence as the rain continued to fall, each one exhausted. Lightning began to flash, followed by low roars of thunder. The ground vibrated as Kurama began to cry again and Hiei found himself letting go as well.
(And so I cry…The light is white…And I see you.)
They both sat there, letting it all out, knowing their ordeals were finally over.
(I'm alive…I'm alive…I'm alive)
"I'm sorry." Hiei whispered, brushing the red hair with his fingers as he began to rock back and forth. "I'm so sorry."
"I'm sorry too." He heard Kurama mutter into his chest.
"I'm here now and I'm not going anywhere." Hiei whispered.
Kurama just nodded.
(I can feel you all around me…Thickening the air I'm breathing…Holding on to what I'm feeling…Savoring this heart that's healing.)
Hiei didn't know how long they sat there, only when he felt Kurama's body go limp, did he push the taller figure out, away from him.
"Kurama." He hissed, giving the body a light shake. Green eyes were closed. 'Damn.' He thought. 'Just hang on.' Seeing the blood oozing off the red head's arm, Hiei ripped his shirt and bandaged it. He'd had no idea Kurama had actually cut himself.
Making it to his own unstable feet, Hiei went to pickup the red head in a bridle style fashion, only to realize, he couldn't do it. His body was just too sore and weak from the accident, not to mention the running to get here.
Hiei ended up making a hard decision. He left Kurama and hurried back to his rental car. What seemed like forever, the red Rondo made its way up the hill and its high beams shown on the red head still laying on the ground.
Getting out, the black haired, again pulled on the taller figure. "Damn it Kurama!" He yelled. "Help me!"
(Take my hand…I give it to you…Now you own me…All I am…You said you would never leave me…I believe you…I believe.)
Kurama began to move, helping the smaller figure help him get up and move towards the car. Once the red head was settled in the passenger's seat, Hiei ran around and got in. Putting the car in gear, he then turned the heat on max before turning the car around to get out of the cemetery. As the car turned, the headlights shown over Kuronue's grave, the beams giving it an eerily, somber look to it as they glistened off the Tanto sticking out of the ground.
When they hit the main road, Kurama leaned over, placing his head on Hiei's lap.
"Thank you." He muttered.
Hiei took his right hand and laying it on the red head's shoulder, muttered. "Let's go home."
(I can feel you all around me…Thickening the air I'm breathing…Holding on to what I'm feeling…Savoring this heart that's healed.)
End Chapter 11
Lyrics to the song: All around me – by: Flyleaf