Authoress: Michelle C.
Date: October 12, 2002
Series: Yu-Yu Hakusho
Disclaimers: Mwahahahahahah! I own Kurama! XD *wakes up from dream* Oh foo… I knew it was too good to be true… You know the drill for this.
Kurama's Ordeal
Chapter 2
Kurama groaned and slowly blinked. The first thing that he noticed was the sound of water… rushing water…to be more precise, it sounded like…rapids?! Suddenly, he bolted upright and realized too late that it was a big mistake. His head started pounding again so he was forced to lie back down to soothe the pain.
After a few minutes passed and Kurama started to feel a little better, he slowly tried to sit up again. This time, he was rewarded by being able to get a good look around the fairly large area of dim, eerie light he woke up in.
What he found was the most amazing site he had ever seen in his whole life, in both Makai and Ningenkai. He was indeed right about the rushing water. In fact, he woke up only a few yards away from a waterfall.
Wait a minute, he thought. Something isn't quite right. If I'm so close to that waterfall, why does the water sound a little…muted?
Kurama waited a few more seconds lest his headache started again and then started to stand up. Slowly and carefully, Kurama walked towards the waterfall, the sound never growing louder. "Huh?" Kurama said as he felt something tap him lightly on the forehead, only about another 2 yards away from the waterfall. That tap was definitely not hard enough to actually hurt Kurama, but enough to startle him plenty. What was that? he asked himself. Kurama tried to move on, but something like an invisible barrier was blocking his path. He put his hands in front of himself and lightly tapped the strange, seemingly normal, area of air, it feeling like a somewhat cross between glass and a very light shock. Hmm…the kind of protective aura that normally serves as a warning or used for privacy, Kurama thought. Interesting… that would explain the muffled waterfall and that little tap… But… I wonder… Who's—or what's— aura could it be? And why is it around this waterfall, of all places?
And— but he didn't get to finish his thought.
@}----'----,----,----'----
"But Botan," protested Shiori, "won't your parents worry about you?"
"M-my parents?" Botan asked. "Oh," she managed a weak chuckle. "My parents are—um—away. Yeah. They're out for the week, on—ah—a trip," Botan said unconvincingly.
"Oh," Shiori said lightly, obviously not noticing the poor excuse. "As long as they don't worry, then, of course, you may stay."
"Arigatou, Shiori-sama," Botan said, bowing slightly.
"Hm…" Shiori Said absent-mindedly. "Yes, I'm sure Kurama wouldn't mind a beautiful girl like you watching over him, would he?" she said softly. She turned around to face Botan and gave the girl a kind smile as Botan's face flushed to be nearly as read as Kurama's hair.
Oh my! thought Botan. Why am I so embarrassed? Many people have complimented me before, why do I feel especially embarrassed now?
Genkai watched everyone from her small corner, nearly hidden in the shadows. Most of them are exhausted, she thought to herself. Hmm… maybe Botan would like to talk about now.
Yuusuke blinked at the sound of Genkai's voice, "What was that again, grandma?"
"I said, baka, that you guys should all probably get some rest," Genkai repeated, a little irritably.
Kuwabara yawned and stretched his legs, "Well, I dunno about you guys, but I'm gonna take the old lady's advise and take my Yukina home."
Yukina shifted in Kuwabara's arms slightly. "Arigatou Kuwabara-kun," she said, smiling at him.
"Come on Yuusuke," Keiko said, pulling Yuusuke by the hand, "You can walk me home as well."
Yuusuke got reluctantly to his feet and shoved his hands into his pockets. "Oh alright, just stop naggin'," he said, only to be rewarded by a thwap on the head. Yuusuke rubbed his head. "What was that for you violent maniac?" he said, almost to himself, only to receive a look of death on Keiko's worn out face, "I heard that, you know, you jerk."
"Maybe you should get some sleep too, Shiori-san," said Genkai gently as the others left.
"I suppose so…" said Shiori, glancing at Kurama's slightly pale form. She looked at him, not seeing him as the few hundred-year-old youkai he was, but as her son, Shuuichi. She brushed a lock of his crimson hair far from his face and bent to kiss him goodnight. Get well, Shuuichi, she thought as she went out the door. And I know that Genkai and Botan will take good care of you tonight. I'll be back tomorrow, she promised her son silently.
"Goodnight, Shiori," said Botan from her spot at Kurama's bedside. "Sleep well," she smiled.
"I will, knowing that you are her watching over my son, Botan. Goodnight to you both," Shiori said softly as she turned to the door.
The door shut quietly behind her and the room fell completely silent aside from Kurama's soft, even breathing…
End of Chapter 2 Authoress' Notes: So what did you think of chapter 2? Give me some feedback to how you like it, ok? If I get around 8 reviews I'll try to continue, k? ^ ^ (Evil li'l me ^ ^) If anyone reviews, (insert my infamous 'Until next time' thingy here) ^ ^ Ciao~