Part Twenty-seven: Breakdown
When morning comes and the others find out that Kurama and Kuronue
are gone, there isn't a happy demon or human in that room. "When we find that good-for-nothing peace of shit, he is going to regret ever coming after us," Kuwabara growls.
"His name is Corben, Kuwabara," Ani says softly.
"I don't care what his damn name is! He's got two close friends of mine and I don't appreciate it at all!" Kuwabara responds.
"I am well aware of your personal opinion of him, Kuwabara. I was just telling you his name," Ani answers sounding hurt and angry.
"Well, at this point, all the good his name is going to do is to say what goes on his tombstone!" Kuwabara fires back not sensing the demon's impending hormone induced fit.
"You don't have to yell at me!" Ani says in an upset tone. Immediately, Kuwabara feels his anger drain as he sees the tear-filled golden-eyes of his lover.
"Ani," he whispers, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell at you."
"Well, you did," the demon sniffles. Kuwabara pulls him into his arms.
"I'm sorry," he whispers again cradling him close. Ani snuggles into him and rests his head against his chest. He really, really hates his hormones at the moment.
Oto finds them there a few minutes later and finds a smile curving at the corners of his lips." You two look rather...cute like that," he remarks startling both of them and making them look at him. "Well, you are."
"Go away, brother, no one asked you," Ani grumbles though Kuwabara can feel the smile curving on the smaller demon's face.
"Well, Ryan was wondering where the two of you were," Oto says. That definitely gets Ani's attention. Carefully, he untangles himself from Kuwabara.
"I'd best go see him," the smaller demon says.
"Before you go, would you mind if I called Shizuru and told her about Ryan?" Kuwabara inquires.
"If you want to. I just don't want her coming here in a fit of rage, okay?""Alright. You go see to him and make sure he knows he's loved. You also might want to let him know he's got a few siblings on the way."
"I'll take that into consideration," Ani says before turning and heading upstairs.
"You can go on and use the phone. I am going to help Karasu take care of Tiara, Velaris, and Amarlie," Oto says continuing on into the kitchen.
Kuwabara waits a few minutes before getting up and heading over to the phone. Shizuru would be angry that he hadn't called her earlier and told her about Genkai, Hiei, and Bui, but he doesn't want to keep her in the dark. He picks up the phone and dials the number. It rings twice before being picked up. "Hello?" she asks.
"Hey, sis, it's me," he says.
"Kazuma, how's it going?"
"Well, a lot has happened. There has been two kidnappings the first one involving Genkai, Hiei, and Bui, and then again with Kurama and Kuronue. On top of that, it appears that Sakyo and Ani had a son so now three-year-old Ryan is now apart of the household," he answers.
"Wait...what?" his sister asks confused.
"Alright. I'll start at the beginning. It seems that a demon who was spared by the Toguro Brothers after Koenma paid them to kill his parents who were trying to assassinate him, AND was slighted by Yoko Kurama because he was in love with Kuronue, has returned to get revenge. He started by kidnapping Genkai, Hiei, and Bui. Then in the midst of that, we have a visitor that ends up with Oto walking back into the living room holding an adorable three-year-old boy and asking Ani if he hadn't said he had a son. Well, it turns out that Sakyo made Ani forget he was ever pregnant which is why he has no idea that he was a father. Next, Karasu wakes us up the day after this at four in the morning to announce that Kurama and Kuronue are now gone. There, I think we have covered all the angles."
"Tell me more about Ryan," Shizuru says immediately.
"Well, he definitely takes after his mother. He's got large, almond shaped golden eyes, black hair and is small like Ani. I don't see much of Sakyo in him at all. He's already melted my and Oto's hearts. He really is quite cute."
"I want to see him. May I come?"
"I don't see why not. Just be careful that you don't upset Ani. He's been really out of sorts since he can't remember what happened that made him pregnant with Ryan in the first place."
"Alright. I will be there in a few minutes, baby-bro."
"See you then, sis." He hears the line go dead and smiles slightly. Shizuru wouldn't stand a chance against Ryan's natural charms. If the child had managed to melt Oto's heart than there was no way that she'd be able to not be touched by his cuteness.
Five minutes later, the doorbell rings. He walks over and opens it to find his sister standing there. "So no word on everyone else?" she asks.
"No. We're just going to have to wait and hope that they are going to be alright. There isn't much else we can do at the moment," he responds. From the stairs, he hears a familiar giggle and smiles. "Well, come on, sis, I want to introduce you to Ryan." Wordlessly, Shizuru follows. Kuwabara brings her to the stairs where the three year old is slowly making his way down with Ani.
"Hello, Shizuru," he greets politely.
"Hello, Ani," she answers before looking at the small figure beside him. The young boy looks up at her with his large almond-shaped golden eyes and smiles charmingly. "You must be Ryan. My brother has told me so much about you," she murmurs.
"Ryan, this is my sister, Shizuru," Kuwabara says the child looks at her for a moment.
"Hi," he responds shyly.
"Hello," Shizuru answers, "He is absolutely gorgeous, Ani."
"Yes, yes he is," the shorter demon agrees. Shizuru smiles softly.
Shizuru brings Ryan into the living room as she notices Ani rubbing his temples. "Headache?" Kuwabara asks slightly concerned.
"Yeah, a bit of one. You don't think she'd mind helping you watch Ryan while I rest do you?"
"Of course not, go on upstairs. You need to rest," Kuwabara assures him with a soft smile. Ani smiles at him gratefully before he heads back to the room.
The small demon climbs atop the bed and rests his head against the pillow hoping that a bit of sleep would make his head stop hurting so much. He closes his eyes and soon his breathing evens out as he fades out. Once he's asleep something in him seems to just burst and like a movie, he's assaulted with images he'd never experienced before. Memories assail him and he finds the answers he was looking for and wishes he hadn't. He remembers the pain, the fear, and all the blood along with Sakyo's cruel laughter. A howl of agony escapes him as he becomes lost within the memories.
Kuwabara's head snaps up the cry. Shizuru looks at him. "Keep Ryan here," he tells her before racing up the stairs. He's met halfway by Oto. The burly demon wordlessly follows him to Ani's room. Upon entering, they find him writhing, his golden eyes glazed. "Oh gods," Kuwabara murmurs.
"We have to get him out of here," Oto says, "before he accidentally hurts someone...or himself." Kuwabara nods and both head towards Ani. It takes both of them to get the smaller demon from the bed and they have to dodge various projectiles. They struggle to the door and out of the house. The whole way, Ani is thrashing and screaming.
Hours later, Shizuru meets them at the hospital with Ryan. The child looks frightened. "Where's mommy?" he asks Kuwabara.
"He's resting right now," the carrot-top answers.
"Is he going to be alright?"
"Of course he is, sweetheart. He just started remembering some bad things. He just needs some time to work through them," Kuwabara assures the scared half-demon.
"Kuwabara, I'll take Ryan home," Oto says softly, "Shizuru should stay here with you."
"Are you sure?" Kuwabara inquires, "I mean I know you weren't expecting to get a three-year-old nephew suddenly."
"I'll have to get used to it sometime. I think it will be good. He shouldn't be here while his mother is in such a state and you shouldn't be alone with him in that state," Oto assures him.
"Alright," Kuwabara says before kneeling down before Ryan, "Your Uncle Oto is going to watch you while your aunt Shizuru and I stay with Mommy, okay?"
"You'll come back...right?" Ryan whispers.
"Of course, mommy, auntie, and I will be home as soon as we can," Kuwabara assures him. Ryan throws his arms around him and Kuwabara hugs him tenderly to him.
"Come home soon...daddy," Ryan whispers before kissing him on the cheek. Shocked, Kuwabara can only watch as Oto carries him from the waiting room. He feels a hand on his shoulder.
"Looks like he's chosen who his dad is," Shizuru murmurs. Kuwabara reaches up and quickly wipes the tears forming from his eyes.
"Yeah...it seems so. Now all I have to do is help his mommy get well enough to go home," he answers, "I WILL help Ani through this."
