Chapter Two- Moment of Truth

Kurama exhaled slowly and tried to calm his pounding heart. Kokoda was in his room and Kazuya was in his study. His mother was alone in the living room. Dinner had been finished a little more than an hour ago and now, the moment had come. He entered the room to see his mother doing some knitting. "Mother, we need to talk."

She smiled at him, put her work aside, and patted the seat next to her. "Of course, Shuichi. Dear, are you okay?" She took in his serious look.

"I am physically well, but I am feeling a degree of guilt and anxiety."

Shiori took a hand. "Why? What's wrong?"

Kurama looked into Shiori's deep, brown eyes and, to his surprise, his vision blurred and tears fell. "Mother, I am so sorry," he choked.

Shiori was stunned and alarmed by her son's tears and apology. "Shuichi, what are you sorry about?"

Kurama took deep breaths to calm down so he could answer. "Mother, I have kept a big secret from you for years. Please understand that I did it to protect you from harm."

"A secret?"

He nodded. "I am not just your son. I am a merging of a human and a demon."

"A demon?" Shiori's voice shook.

"Please, hear me out. I was a fox spirit called Yoko Kurama. I eventually gained the powers of a demon over the centuries. I took to being a thief and a cold-hearted one at that. Then, sixteen years ago, I was badly injured by a strong pursuer. I used the last my energy to come here and merged with your unborn son. My original plan was to recover my energy over a period of ten years and then disappear without a trace.

"But then you fell ill and I realized that I couldn't leave you considering all you had done for me. Your love and compassion had changed me. I am no longer cold-hearted and ruthless and for that I was grateful and still am.

"It was at the peak of your illness that I was approached by two demons, Hiei and Goki. Hiei had tracked me down wanting my skills to break into the vault of the Spirit World King and I recalled the item called the Forlorn Hope that laid in the vault and that I could use it to cure you. I had to wait until the full moon to use it and asked Yusuke Urameshi, the Spirit Detective to give me that time and then I would hand it over. I invited him to the hospital to meet you and explain myself so he would understand for I knew I would not live past that night. The Forlorn Hope grants the dearest wish of the one who looks into it as it is a mirror. However, in return, the one who makes the wish loses their life. Yusuke refused to let that happen and tried to give up his own life. The Forlorn Hope was so surprised by this selfless act, it granted my wish without taking either of our lives. Once I knew you would live, I surrendered to Yusuke for my crime. I was soon released on good behavior." He saw the wide-eyed look on Shiori's face and asked, "Shall I continue?" He got a nod.

"Six months after using the mirror, I was given a chance to clean my record with Spirit World. I would assist Yusuke in another case. There were four strong adversaries who were unleashing what are called Makai insects who could nest in people's ears and make them seem violent and insane. Our mission was to get the whistle that controlled the insects and allowed them to exist outside a world called Demon World. Hiei was given the same chance I was to clean his record. We succeeded and since then the two of us have assisted Yusuke who also has help from a friend of his called Kuwabara.

"The four of us have been fighting to protect this world from rogue demons who would wish to harm others. A year ago, I participated in a tournament to determine the ruler of Demon World. The winner declared no trouble in this world and the barrier separating Demon World from here was taken down. I explain all of this as I fear an old enemy would violate this law and use you as bait to lure me into a trap." Kurama lapsed into silence and waited for Shiori to speak.

"You're a demon?" she said in a horrified whisper that worried him.

"I am, but as I said before, you taught me to be kind and compassionate. I would never dream of harming you. I would sooner kill myself than hurt you."

"Shuichi, this is all hard to believe."

"I can provide proof, if you wish."

Shiori managed a nod and Kurama stood call upon his demon side. The transformation was a flicker effect as Kurama and Yoko changed back and forth until Yoko was where Kurama had been. His gold eyes were soft as he sat and waited for a reaction.

Shiori stared at the tall silver fox demon that sat where her son had been. He was an imposing figure and she had trouble wrapping her mind around the idea that this demon and her son were the same person. It made her realize that she never really knew her son. He had had this whole other life before her and knew she could ask about it. She, however, did not wish to know.

Yoko waited for a reaction and when it seemed he would not receive one, he returned to human form. "Mother, it is all right to tell Dad and Kokoda the truth. I feel it would be better if the whole family knew."

Yes, it would," Shiori agreed numbly. She didn't feel Shuichi kiss her cheek, but she did see him leave. She then stared at the seat he had vacated. It's all true, she thought in stunned disbelief. He is human and demon. All this time and I never knew. I believe he was cold and ruthless as well as a thief. But then, he joined with my unborn Shuichi. He learned to be kind and loving because of how I raised him. He told me all this so that if an old enemy harms me, the revelation of his true nature wouldn't be such a shock.

He said I can tell Kazuya and Kokoda, but I won't; at least not now. I will wait until I have adjusted and absorbed Shuichi's confession. She nodded, rose, and headed for bed.

Kurama smiled slightly as he worked on a project that wasn't due for some time. He felt the confession had gone reasonably well. Yes, his mother seemed stunned but he reasoned it was because he had explained a lot at once. Once she has absorbed it all, she will act normal toward me, may ask questions and naturally I will answer them. There will be no more secrets between us or between me and the others. He gave a sigh. He felt so free now that he had told the truth.

Kurama awoke Sunday morning and considered his actions as he dressed. He would greet everyone as usual and wait to see how they would respond. If Kazuya and Kokoda responded normally, then he would know that Shiori had not told them yet. If they did not react normally, then that meant Shiori had told them. I would like it if they know, but it's more likely that Mother is still taking it in.

He went downstairs to the dining table and gave a small smile like usual. "Good morning."

"Morning, Shuichi," Kokoda said and his father echoed the greeting. This confirmed Kurama's suspicion that his mother was still taking it in. Shiori came in then and while she seemed normal, Kurama spied fear in her eyes whenever she looked in his direction. He tried to approach her throughout the day, but she made excuses to not stay alone with him and her eyes still held fear and he could smell it coming off her. He was determined to corner her and let her know that she need not fear him. She knows I won't hurt her, so why is she afraid?

"Mother, please talk to me," he pleaded as they prepared dinner.

"What should I say, Shuichi? Or do I call you Yoko Kurama?" she asked in a strained, almost cold voice.

"Shuichi is fine. You know I won't hurt you. You need not fear me."

"No, I don't know that," Shiori said harshly. "I spent a lot of time last night thinking about it all and came to some conclusions. You're not entirely human and I feel I don't know you after all." Shiori turned away. "And you don't need to help me tonight."

Kurama left, stunned. His mother was afraid of him and was trying to distance herself from her. It would seem my good intentions have backfired on me.