Roses and Regrets
Roses and Regrets
Chapter 20
Kurama held her tightly. She had come close to being injured tonight. Was supposed to have been injured tonight. If he hadn't been there. If Yusuke hadn't called Keiko back. He stroked her still perfect cheek, the one that would have been scarred. One more thing he owed that bastard for.
"Come on." He held out a hand. "Let's go get you some tea to help you sleep." She took the hand. He didn't bother with the shirt. Downstairs Yusuke and the others were gathered around the tv. The news had extensive coverage of the explosion and fire.
Beth stopped to watch the news coverage as Kurama went to the kitchen. Keiko followed him. She was used to him spontaneously growing whatever he required. The plant that sprang to life was one Keiko recognized. She didn't remember the name, but she knew it induced sleep. He added a few leaves to the already steeping tea.
"How long will she sleep?" Keiko asked. "Through the night. I am not going anywhere." Keiko nodded. "My parents are usually up by five." "Then I will greet them at five." Keiko's eyes widened. "I saw Hiei use his jagan. They won't remember tonight. You know what they will think." He nodded. "I will tell them she has been having nightmares. They will either believe it is innocent, or they won't." He carried the tea out of the kitchen, his silence telling her he didn't really care which.
Beth was staring at the tv screen as the station replayed the chaos in the aftermath of the explosion. The reporter's earlier words still echoing in her mind. "Miraculously everyone escaped with only minor injuries. The building however, is a total loss. The driver of the truck is being investigated for driving under the influence."
She sat down. How had everyone escaped? Other than the out of control truck and the explosion, nothing had matched her dream. The cut she understood. Kurama had been there. He had taken the cut she was meant to have. He hadn't been in her dream. His presence had changed that portion of her dream. What, or who, had changed the rest?
Kurama sat down across from her and poured her a cup of the tea he'd made. She remembered the last time he had given her tea. She made a face. He chuckled. "No it doesn't taste that bad. It will help you rest. You need it. We can talk tomorrow." She took the cup and sipped the tea. It wasn't great, but it wasn't bad.
Kurama looked at his watch. He pulled out his phone and dialed his office. He left Hikaru a message that he would not be coming into the office today. If he was needed, he could be reached on his cell phone. Beth put her cup down and waited until he had ended his call. "Aren't you feeling well? I really think we should take you to the emergency room."
He took her hand, his thumb stroking the back of it. "I told you. It's just a scratch." Her brow lifted in disbelief. "Then why aren't you going to work in the morning?" "Because I'm staying with you." "You don't need to do that." Maybe not, but I want to." "You're not going to take no for an answer are you?" He shook his head, amusement twinkling in his eyes. She sighed. "Give me fifteen minutes before you come up."
When she was upstairs, Kurama joined the others. "She almost got hurt tonight. I want this bastard's head." Yusuke nodded. "Hiei is the reason none of those people died tonight. His speed let him get the people in the front of the building to safety. Then he used his fire to set up a back burn that gave us time to get the others. If he hadn't been there, most if not all of those people would have died."
Kurama nodded. He knew that Hiei had saved the day, he just wasn't sure of the details. "Her dream did not have us in it," he told them. "She saw what was meant to happen. She was supposed to be cut. But I got in the way. All of those people were supposed to die. But Hiei changed that."
Kuwabara had focused on them not being in her dream. "If we weren't in her dream, then they aren't really precognitive dreams are they?" Once again eyes turned to him. "I mean, if they were, wouldn't she see everything that happened? Instead she saw what would have happened if we hadn't been there. It's like whoever is planting this stuff in her head doesn't have the whole script. You know?"
Yusuke whistled. "I don't know which is scarier. Her dreams, or you spoutin sense." "Stick it, Urameshi." "Something tells me this vision didn't have anything to do with the company. This attack was solely aimed at playing games with Beth's mind. This may have been my fault." Kurama said.
"How the hell is it your fault, fox?" Hiei demanded. "I found the motive for the visions. 'Uncle Russ' wants Beth declared incompetent so he can gain control of her half of the company." "What?" Yusuke sat forward. "It seems that Beth inherited her father's half of the company and refused his generous offer to buy her out. He tried to pressure her into taking her father's place in the company. I blocked him tonight, supported Beth's claim that she wasn't ready. He was not happy with my interference."
Yusuke put his chin in his hand. "You don't suppose he will come after you directly, do you?" Kurama's smile was positively evil. "One can only hope."
To be continued….