Chapter 5: The truth out of the maiden's mouth
Five days later, Kurama was lying on his bed, covered in thick blankets, with a wet cloth resting on his forehead.
"Great, Just great. How long am I supposed to be here with this idiotic fever"
He was regularly visited by the members of his team but none of his classmates had visited him. He had received messages and cards from them but not even one of them came to visit him in person. But today was an exception.
Kurama thought that one of his teammates had come to visit him as he heard the main door close until he heard a different yet familiar voice.
"Good evening" Kurama heard a soft voice, which he instantly recognized as Sumire's. His heartbeat count rose dramatically and his already abnormal body temperature became more abnormal. She had not forgotten about him... She had not forgotten that they were friends... that they are friends.. that he never doubted her for being a killer...that she was
His chain of thoughts was broken as the door opened and Sumire entered.
"Shuichi? Are you awake?" Sumire spoke as she entered.
"Oh yes, I am" said Kurama and he sat up on the bed.
"Shuichi, I'm sorry for not visiting you earlier. I didn't know you had a fever" she apologized
"Oh, It's fine, really. I'm happy that you came"
"I took notes for you in class"
She handed him the notes of the past 5 days. Kurama took it and said
"I'm sorry you had to do that for me"
"Oh, it was no bother"
"Shuichi? I have to drop by a grocery store. It may take me long. Will you be okay on your own?" His mom asked, entering the room
"How long exactly would it take, mother?"
"Probably an hour or so"
"I think I'll be fine"
"I can look after him while you visit the store" Sumire offered
"That would be really nice of you" Shiori said thankfully and left
"Hey Sumire?" Kurama spoke up as his mother left for the store
"Yes?"
"I want to ask you something"
"Sure"
"It's...It's..about something..Ayami said earlier" he spoke hesitantly
"Oh, what was it?" she urged but therewas a little something in her eyes.
Kurama told Sumire about everything that Ayami had told him. Sumire's face was getting paler and paler with every word. When, finally he finished, Sumire spoke up.
"So you've been told about this" she said with a smile "Then..I guess my presence is not welcome anymore"
"What? No! Don't leave. I just..wanted to ask you that how and why on earth did they make up such a story"
"It's not..a story" she said and her beautiful face became emotionless.
"You're joking, right? It can't be true" said Kurama "Come on, tell me the truth. I'm your friend, I won't judge you. Trust me" he added
"Then I think you should judge me"
"Tell me everything, right from the beginning" Kurama urged. Sumire sighed and started
"I was around six at that time. My parents used to argue a lot. One day, I came home and my mother and father were fighting..I..tried to stop them" her bottom lip began to tremble "The next thing I knew was that I woke up in a pool of blood...My parents were dead...I don't even remember what exactly happened."
"I'm sorry to remind you of that" Kurama apologised because he was unable to think what else to say to her. Sumire had also gone silent.
"Shuichi?" Sumire spoke up after a long period of silence "You remember I had black hair?" she said holding up an old photograph she always carried. It was a photograph of two children; one Kurama and the other a black haired girl.
"Ah yes! How could I have forgotten? But why did you dye them red?" Kurama asked but felt that he didn't wanted to know the answer.
"It signifies blood...of my parents. I've not quite gotten over their death, yet"
Kurama grabbed some of his own hair
"Blood" he murmured, looking down.
"Oh sorry! I ruined your mood. How dumb can I be!? I shouldn't have told you all this" she said panicking a little, her face a little red; a common habit of her when she thought she messed up something.
"No, I'm happy that you told me everything. You had so much on your mind, the least I could do as a friend was to listen to what it was."
"Thank you. Anyways, get well soon, Shuichi. Everyone is missing you" she smiled
"Yeah, I miss everyone too" he looked at her and his heart skipped a beat. The rays of the sun coming from the window behind her, illuminated her like an angel from the heavens. Kurama felt his face becoming hot but he knew it had nothing to do with his fever.
"Shuichi? Your face is red" Sumire spoke with concern
"Oh I'm fine" he replied
'She's...an angel'
"Sumire, I really would be obliged if you let me teach you self defense" Kurama blurted out without thinking; something uncommon for him.
"Self defense? Why?" Sumire asked, confused at the sudden change in topic.
"Well you're really pretty...and..you know..that is why...you can be in danger"
'Why on earth do I end up stuttering at times in front of her?Get a hold on yourself Shuichi, you're a prideful demon. A mere human shouldn't make you bashful'
"Why, thank you Shuichi. I don't have any problems with you teaching me but I don't think you'd be okay with that"
"No, I'd love to teach you and don't worry, none of us will get hurt"
"Okay but then Shuichi, you better get in tip topp shape for that soon"
"Oh I will, don't worry"
"So Shuichi, what gave you the idea of teaching me self defense?"
"Well.." Kurama told her everything about the incident in the school, how people stared at him everyday, whenever he went anywhere and treated him like an object. When he finished, Sumire gave him a weak smile and said
"Don't you think you should teach defense to other girls too"
"Well, I'm not very good of a teacher. I will be able to teach one but not many"
"Oh..huh? Looks like your mother is back earlier than she anticipated" Sumire said as they heard the main door close
"Nah, it's Yusuke"
"Who's Yusuke?"
"He's a friend of mine"
The door opened and Yusuke entered the room
"See, I told you" said Kurama
"Told her what, Kurama?" asked Yusuke, raising an eyebrow
"Nothing. So what brings you here Yusuke?
"Oh well" Yusuke looked at Sumire "Would you mind leaving us for a moment?"
"Oh alright" Sumire said and exited the room
"Well Yusuke, what's the news?" asked Kurama
"It's really bad. We haven't found a trace of Team Taguro's members in the human or the demon world. I am not even able to think what to do"
"Oh I see. That's some bad news" Kurama laughed
"There's nothing funny about it!"
"I know. It just sounds funny for some reason"
"It won't sound funny anymore if Karasu appears out of the blue right now"
Kurama shivered "I'm sorry, Yusuke. I didn't mean to l-"
"What's wrong Kurama? What's bothering you this time?"
"Nothing's bothering me, I'm fine"
"You know, your abilities of lying are getting worse day by day"
"Fine, I just don't wanna talk about it right now"
"Okay. Well that was it. I better get going and you know, Keiko is still not talking to me"
"Whatever"
"See ya later"
Sumire entered the room when Yusuke left.
"Shuichi, what's Team Togaru? And Who's Karasu?" she asked after sometime. Kurama stared at her and her cheeks turned red in embarrassment. "Oh..umm..well, Yusuke-san was talking a bit loudly..and I just..happened to overhear your conversation. I'm sorry" she said, completely red in the face
"Oh well..."
"He said something like the human and demon world. Is he an author or something?"
"Yeah. He is writing a story and comes to me for ideas"
"Oh. I'd love to hear the story"
"Sure. I'll tell you once it's finished. Oh! Looks like mom's home"
"Yeah, you're right. Well I better get going then" she said and walked towards him
"Okay"
"Hmm...looks like your fever's down now" she said while checking his temperature. She then leaned forward and kissed Kurama on the forehead "I'll see you later, Shuichi" With that, she left.
Kurama, on the other hand, nodded, his gaze rooted at the door, still shocked from what had happened. His body temperature again became abnormal while his insides danced conga. Smirking, he grabbed his pillow, hugged it and buried his face in it so that no sound escaped. The rest of the night he battled his insides to allow him to sleep.
Author's Note: Hey guys, The first thing most of you would wanna point out is that Kurama is not acting like his calm and collected self at all, and how can he? Girly hormones kicking in you know ;) Secondly, Sumire gave Kurama a friendly kiss (she's not lesbian or anything). Anyways, hope you enjoyed.
Edit: I think I'm going to be away till June first week because I have very important exams coming up in a month. I'll try my best to update, no promises though.