Disclaimer: I don't own YuYuHakusho
Chapter Fifty-Two: Pain
"I apologize for bothering you Kiyu."
"No it's fine." She placed a tray down on the coffee table, pouring them tea. "I'm afraid Ricky's not home right now."
"Yes, I know. But for some reason after work I drove around and ended up here." Kurama saw his reflection in the tea.
She gazed at him. He wasn't in work clothes. Getting up, she went back to the kitchen.
/You shouldn't hold yourself back so much./
He glanced up. The way the light hit her hair made her someone else to him. "What?" He barely whispered.
/You heard me. Haven't you been told more than once that you need to allow someone in?/
He closed his eyes and allowed himself to visualize her again. /Why? Why can't you tell me what happened that day? Why do you only allow Ana to see it. Why even involve her?/
/Simple Kurama, its called fate./ She brushed her lips against his cheek. She began to fade. /When the time comes, you'll know./
/I'll know what?/ He asked but she was already gone.
Kiyu glanced from the kitchen island. /Pain. This whole thing has caused so much pain./
The ringing of the phone jolted both of them. The answering machine picked it up. The voice on the other end was quiet for a while. "I see." It was Aki. "Be safe Ricky, Kiyu. Protect each other." She was crying, they could tell. "I'll be here."
"Your mother?"
Kiyu looked down. "Yes."
"Shouldn't you pick it up and talk to her?"
"She's the only parent I know." She shook her head. "I've been so selfish in my desires." She slowly walked back and sat across from him. "For seventeen years she's loved me unconditionally; as if I was her own daughter. But there were times when I know I've hurt her, wanting to know who abandoned me and why?"
"That's the love of a parent though Kiyu. We're suppose to give everything to watch you grow."
"Is that so?" She looked down. "If what you say is true, then what happened that made my parents give everything for my life?" She shook her head. "No never mind. Forget it. You came here for something different I'm sure."
"I suppose we both have questions with no answers." He sipped his tea. "Ana's been worried about you. She's been confused also, realizing that the chosen twins are also her siblings but she plans to continue her training with Reiko."
"You have a wonderful daughter, Kurama."
Masaki suddenly felt a twinge of sadness as he listened, anger and horror rising, to Treffen's plans of annialation.
Daichi grinned evilly. He nodded at Treffen's ideas. "I like it. The whole thing would rid me of those pains."
Treffen leaned against the cliff wall. "Yes it would. And of course with the help of my group, you'd be safe from any opposition. Remember though, if that girl is there, she is to not be harmed."
"What's so special about this girl anyway. If we just kill everyone, there would be no reason for her to live either."
Treffen smirked. "I have a reason for her to live."
Daichi shrugged. "Suit yourself. I'll be sure to tell all of my men to keep her alive."
Masaki shivered inside. There was no way he could possibly leave and warn those at the meeting, while also getting away with his life. He glanced up. But perhaps there was one who could.
Shiori closed the door to the spare bedroom. Emi fell asleep long ago and now the boys too were sleeping. She came down the stairs. In the living room, Ana was reading a magazine. She shook her head. /Suichi what are you thinking?/
When the doorbell rang she hurried to it.
"Shiori."
"Ah, Jody." She let the woman in, taking her coat. "Emi and the twins are sleeping upstairs."
"Oh? I'm sorry if this interfered with your plans today."
"Not at all. I enjoyed my grandkids. Always do, you know that." Shiori smiled. "Some tea?" Jody nodded. They went in the kitchen. Ana listened to them. Jody sat down, Shiori started to boil water. She pulled out two cups from the cabnet. "How are you feeling?"
"Hm?"
"Suichi said you weren't feeling well. I sent him home with some remedies, didn't he give them to you?"
"I see." Jody looked away. "No, I'm feeling better. Thank you."
Shiori sighed to herself. "I'm glad to hear." She poured the hot water in the cups and then soaked tea bags. She sat down and handed Jody a cup. "You know, why don't you leave the children with me tonight?"
"But Shiori."
Shiori shook her head. "Don't worry about Jody. Like I said, Emi and the boys are already sleeping. And Ana and I were on our way to bed." She smiled. "I'll take them for a while. Besides it'll give Suichi and you some time alone."
Jody sipped some of her tea. "I don't know Shiori. It wouldn't be right of us to just spring this on you."
"Honestly Jody, I'm offering to watch them."
Kiyu closed the door behind her. She went to the living room and cleaned up the table. She rinsed the dishes and covered up the remaining food, placing it in the refrigerator.
She was headed to her room when the door bell rang. "Now who could that be so late tonight." She walked slowly down the hall, turning on the light. She looked through the peep hole, unlatching the door. "Hiei, you too?"
"Me too, what?"
"Kurama was just here. Didn't you see him?" She moved to let him in.
"No I didn't see him." Hiei stepped in just inside the door. "I have news for you from the Makai." He eyed her. "Do you want to hear it?"
