Chatper 7
"You're growing soft Kitsune." The demon taunted twirling the blade he held like a true expert.
"My behaviors shouldn't be your concern right now." Kurama said smoothly, whipping out a rose and using his youkai to making the petals fall from it and circle him like a shield. Shortly after he left his den a youkai tried to gang up on him, not that he was worried.
"We'll see about that!" Smirking the demon rushed forwards, sword raised. With a point of his finger Kurama directed the petals towards his opponent, most, which he deflected but the one's he missed cut deep within his skin leaving deep wounds. Moving quickly the demon brought the blade down dangerously close towards Kurama's stomach but the cunning fox flipped, picking up a small blade of grass in the process. Landing neatly behind him he poked the piece into his' opponent's back, extending it into a long blade. The demon let out a loud shriek before bursting into flames. Shrugging it off, Kurama hurried off. He had something to do...
*~*~*~*~
Hiei's eyes fluttered open. Groaning softly he tried to sit up cursing when he found he couldn't. Now he remembered. That bastard Kurama had slipped him something when he kissed him. He tried to move again but stopped, silently confirming that whatever he was slipped not only stunned him, but also knocked him out for a while. Finally giving up he decided to just wait for the effect to wear off and plot the youko's pain strikingly slow death. What else was there to do? His eyes fell on the entrance of the warded cave, snow had begun to pile up and soon he found himself thinking about Yukina. Unlike him, his twin was kind and gentle. He pictured her, childish like features lit up at the sight of so many ningen customs, lights, decorated trees, colors... She'd probably stay with Genkai, unless that idiot Kwabara invited her over for Christmas or whatever it was. Kurama obviously was with that woman and his brother...and no doubt Yusuke was either somewhere with Keiko or Kwabara. Attempting to break free from his prison again he sighed once he failed, again. It was going to be a long night.
*~*~*~*~
Kurama casually walked down the street a large bag in his hand. Though it was late, the street had the appearance of day with so many Christmas lights. Hands shoved in his pockets he trudged on stopping when he came to his two-story house. He heard laughter from the inside; they must have started without him. Taking a deep breath he opened the door and stepped inside. The laughter had stopped now and all eyes were on him. Shiori gasped her hands covering her mouth, tears threatening to fall again. Getting up she walked over to him, her gaze never wandering. Suddenly with newfound strength she reached up and slapped him. Kurama stumbled back in shock then lowered his head. He knew she'd bee mad. "Where have you been? You've been gone for two days and we're now just hearing from you? I thought you were hurt...or worse." Shuichi blinked at the sight. It was shocking to see her like that! She had never lifted a finger to his big brother, not even once!
"I'm...I'm sorry, mother." Kurama stuttered and finally met the women's gaze. She was really worried about him. She had grown slightly thin and very pale, making her puffy red eyes stand out greatly. She appeared frailer than normal, like a rag doll you could toss. So all this was over him. Because she had been worried about his safety...
Snapping out of his daze he noticed now that she was chuckling. Tilting his head to the side he waited, full of curiosity. Her laughter subsided; she brought him into a warm hug, running her hands through his soft hair. "Minamino Shuichi! I swear you'll be the death of me...and you will if you ever attempt something like that again. What were you thinking?"
He smiled sheepishly. "I guess I needed some extra time to go Christmas shopping and got caught up in time." He replied holding up his large bag. She looked at him skeptically, she knew him too well. "Alright...you got me. I guess I just needed time to think about some things..." he finished. An honest answer, sort of.
She nodded knowingly. "You know that I'm here if you want to talk about it.I've always have been." He nodded in response.
"Hey! This is all touching but since he's back can we open up gifts? That's a pretty big bag he's got." Shuichi said looking up at his older brother. Smiling Kurama begin to empty his load and separate them into piles. Shuichi wasted no time in opening his. He received two volumes of the new comic book he begged his mother for, a new playstation game, rare holographic poster of his favorite anime series and a golden locket with a fox sitting on a ruby containing a picture of his family inside. Shuichi thanked his brother and hugged him. Kurama in return chuckled and hugged back, ruffling the younger one's hair in the process. Shiori opened her first gift to reveal a crystallized rose. It was glowing with a glittery substance. It was a rare rose from the Makai, with the ability to grant invisibility. To most of the demon world it was lost forever, but Kurama could grow it in a hot second. Shiori's next gift was a large planted flower. It was beautiful, it's layered petals a glittery gold color. Kurama explained that it lived off of music and that if she sung to it, the plant would produce a gem the same color as the mood of the song. (Black for dark, misty for haunting, blue for sad, red for angry, yellow for bright, clear for happy, and cloudy for if unsure.) For her last gift she received a large amulet on a golden chain, it's only purpose was to act as the human form of a mood charm. It once belonged to a very rich and selfish woman with few words and emotions. The people around her could tell when she wanted to be bothered by the color of the necklace her father gave her.
"Where'd you get the money to pay for all this? And where did it come from?" Shiori asked quietly.
"From merchants...they gave the stuff away for such cheep prices I had to get them for you." Kurama lied. He knew she wouldn't take it well if she knew how he really got them. Oh! Where they came from? I forgot to tell you that in my past life I was a fox demon that was famous for thievery, manipulating plants, and seductive good looks...so I just kinda stopped by the old den and picked up a few things, hope you don't mind. He knew exactly what she'd do. First, she'd laugh, second she'd give him a strange look after confirming he was serious, and finally...she would faint. That would go well.
"Shuichi?" he snapped out of his daze and turned to his mother, her face stern. "You shouldn't have spent that much money on Christmas things...you- "
"Yeah I know, it's the thought that counts, but really it was nothing and I wanted to do it." He replied. The touching moment was interrupted with a knock on the door, which was opened by Shiori.
"Oh...Yusuke! What a pleasant surprise. What brings you here today?"
"Merry Christmas Mrs. Minamino." He sounded troubled, his words strained. "I wanted to speak with Kur...Shuichi for a moment."
Shiori studied the boy for a moment; she sensed something wrong but didn't question him about it. "Alright...come in..." she said stepping inside to allow entry.
He shook his head and smiled politely. "No, no I'm fine." His face then fell back to its original sad trait, one not usually found on Yusuke. Nodding Shiori motioned for her son to answer the door and walked back to her presents, gathering them together while ushering her stepson upstairs to his room.
Kurama watched them leave before turning back to his friend. "I assume that you're not her for eggnog...or caroling for that matter." He said after a slight pause.
Yusuke released a tired sigh, running a hand through his sleek hair. "I wish it was that easy...but unfortunately it's not. Kurama...there's a warrant out for your arrest you're wanted for crimes against the Reikai."
Topazia: there! How was that? I might continue depending on the types of reviews I get. Don't want to keep typing if I'm boring people. ^^' Oh, and sorry for the misunderstanding Dark of Sky, the flashback ends when Hiei starts slipping away. Ja ne!
"You're growing soft Kitsune." The demon taunted twirling the blade he held like a true expert.
"My behaviors shouldn't be your concern right now." Kurama said smoothly, whipping out a rose and using his youkai to making the petals fall from it and circle him like a shield. Shortly after he left his den a youkai tried to gang up on him, not that he was worried.
"We'll see about that!" Smirking the demon rushed forwards, sword raised. With a point of his finger Kurama directed the petals towards his opponent, most, which he deflected but the one's he missed cut deep within his skin leaving deep wounds. Moving quickly the demon brought the blade down dangerously close towards Kurama's stomach but the cunning fox flipped, picking up a small blade of grass in the process. Landing neatly behind him he poked the piece into his' opponent's back, extending it into a long blade. The demon let out a loud shriek before bursting into flames. Shrugging it off, Kurama hurried off. He had something to do...
*~*~*~*~
Hiei's eyes fluttered open. Groaning softly he tried to sit up cursing when he found he couldn't. Now he remembered. That bastard Kurama had slipped him something when he kissed him. He tried to move again but stopped, silently confirming that whatever he was slipped not only stunned him, but also knocked him out for a while. Finally giving up he decided to just wait for the effect to wear off and plot the youko's pain strikingly slow death. What else was there to do? His eyes fell on the entrance of the warded cave, snow had begun to pile up and soon he found himself thinking about Yukina. Unlike him, his twin was kind and gentle. He pictured her, childish like features lit up at the sight of so many ningen customs, lights, decorated trees, colors... She'd probably stay with Genkai, unless that idiot Kwabara invited her over for Christmas or whatever it was. Kurama obviously was with that woman and his brother...and no doubt Yusuke was either somewhere with Keiko or Kwabara. Attempting to break free from his prison again he sighed once he failed, again. It was going to be a long night.
*~*~*~*~
Kurama casually walked down the street a large bag in his hand. Though it was late, the street had the appearance of day with so many Christmas lights. Hands shoved in his pockets he trudged on stopping when he came to his two-story house. He heard laughter from the inside; they must have started without him. Taking a deep breath he opened the door and stepped inside. The laughter had stopped now and all eyes were on him. Shiori gasped her hands covering her mouth, tears threatening to fall again. Getting up she walked over to him, her gaze never wandering. Suddenly with newfound strength she reached up and slapped him. Kurama stumbled back in shock then lowered his head. He knew she'd bee mad. "Where have you been? You've been gone for two days and we're now just hearing from you? I thought you were hurt...or worse." Shuichi blinked at the sight. It was shocking to see her like that! She had never lifted a finger to his big brother, not even once!
"I'm...I'm sorry, mother." Kurama stuttered and finally met the women's gaze. She was really worried about him. She had grown slightly thin and very pale, making her puffy red eyes stand out greatly. She appeared frailer than normal, like a rag doll you could toss. So all this was over him. Because she had been worried about his safety...
Snapping out of his daze he noticed now that she was chuckling. Tilting his head to the side he waited, full of curiosity. Her laughter subsided; she brought him into a warm hug, running her hands through his soft hair. "Minamino Shuichi! I swear you'll be the death of me...and you will if you ever attempt something like that again. What were you thinking?"
He smiled sheepishly. "I guess I needed some extra time to go Christmas shopping and got caught up in time." He replied holding up his large bag. She looked at him skeptically, she knew him too well. "Alright...you got me. I guess I just needed time to think about some things..." he finished. An honest answer, sort of.
She nodded knowingly. "You know that I'm here if you want to talk about it.I've always have been." He nodded in response.
"Hey! This is all touching but since he's back can we open up gifts? That's a pretty big bag he's got." Shuichi said looking up at his older brother. Smiling Kurama begin to empty his load and separate them into piles. Shuichi wasted no time in opening his. He received two volumes of the new comic book he begged his mother for, a new playstation game, rare holographic poster of his favorite anime series and a golden locket with a fox sitting on a ruby containing a picture of his family inside. Shuichi thanked his brother and hugged him. Kurama in return chuckled and hugged back, ruffling the younger one's hair in the process. Shiori opened her first gift to reveal a crystallized rose. It was glowing with a glittery substance. It was a rare rose from the Makai, with the ability to grant invisibility. To most of the demon world it was lost forever, but Kurama could grow it in a hot second. Shiori's next gift was a large planted flower. It was beautiful, it's layered petals a glittery gold color. Kurama explained that it lived off of music and that if she sung to it, the plant would produce a gem the same color as the mood of the song. (Black for dark, misty for haunting, blue for sad, red for angry, yellow for bright, clear for happy, and cloudy for if unsure.) For her last gift she received a large amulet on a golden chain, it's only purpose was to act as the human form of a mood charm. It once belonged to a very rich and selfish woman with few words and emotions. The people around her could tell when she wanted to be bothered by the color of the necklace her father gave her.
"Where'd you get the money to pay for all this? And where did it come from?" Shiori asked quietly.
"From merchants...they gave the stuff away for such cheep prices I had to get them for you." Kurama lied. He knew she wouldn't take it well if she knew how he really got them. Oh! Where they came from? I forgot to tell you that in my past life I was a fox demon that was famous for thievery, manipulating plants, and seductive good looks...so I just kinda stopped by the old den and picked up a few things, hope you don't mind. He knew exactly what she'd do. First, she'd laugh, second she'd give him a strange look after confirming he was serious, and finally...she would faint. That would go well.
"Shuichi?" he snapped out of his daze and turned to his mother, her face stern. "You shouldn't have spent that much money on Christmas things...you- "
"Yeah I know, it's the thought that counts, but really it was nothing and I wanted to do it." He replied. The touching moment was interrupted with a knock on the door, which was opened by Shiori.
"Oh...Yusuke! What a pleasant surprise. What brings you here today?"
"Merry Christmas Mrs. Minamino." He sounded troubled, his words strained. "I wanted to speak with Kur...Shuichi for a moment."
Shiori studied the boy for a moment; she sensed something wrong but didn't question him about it. "Alright...come in..." she said stepping inside to allow entry.
He shook his head and smiled politely. "No, no I'm fine." His face then fell back to its original sad trait, one not usually found on Yusuke. Nodding Shiori motioned for her son to answer the door and walked back to her presents, gathering them together while ushering her stepson upstairs to his room.
Kurama watched them leave before turning back to his friend. "I assume that you're not her for eggnog...or caroling for that matter." He said after a slight pause.
Yusuke released a tired sigh, running a hand through his sleek hair. "I wish it was that easy...but unfortunately it's not. Kurama...there's a warrant out for your arrest you're wanted for crimes against the Reikai."
Topazia: there! How was that? I might continue depending on the types of reviews I get. Don't want to keep typing if I'm boring people. ^^' Oh, and sorry for the misunderstanding Dark of Sky, the flashback ends when Hiei starts slipping away. Ja ne!