Chapter 2: Lies, Lies, Lies
It was ten in the morning, on a lovely Saturday. The sun shone brightly, and the weather was fair. People went about doing pleasurable activities, taking a much-needed break from work and school. However, back in the apartment when Kurama and Hiei dwelled, there was no play. The fire demon sat cross-legged on the floor, eyes closed. He concentrated his energy vigorously in the less active form of training. All the while, the redhead sat before a desk, studying hard in the education wished by his human mother. His eyes darted back and forth on each page, taking in all the information his college books printed. In this apartment of such concentration, the phone rang. However, each too consumed in their priorities, neither noticed until a few more rings. Hiei's eyes flicked open, hearing the ruckus breaking his concentration. He mumbled quietly to Kurama, as he never picked up phone, "Phone's ringing. Better pick it up."
Kurama's head popped up, as he too noticed after Hiei spoke. He stood up quickly, knocking over his chair, as he rushed to the telephone. Picking it up before the answering machine came on, he gave a rather breathless 'hello'. It was his mother's voice, which was heard on the other line.
"Hello Shuuchi! You sound a bit breathless. Is everything all right over there?" She greeted, and then asked, a bit anxious.
The fox laughed softly, and answered, "Yes Mother, I am fine. I didn't hear the phone ringing until just now. A bit of a rush to pick it up."
"Oh I see. Well, don't get too caught up in your studies. A person needs a break every once in a while." She cautioned her son, not wanting him to wear himself out.
"Yes Mother. I know." Kurama answered shortly.
"I'm just calling to remind you to come by the house at 10:30 ne?" His mother then said, which was the main reason she called.
"Nani? Oh! Yes, yes, I remember. I will come on time." Kurama said, recalling that his mother told him this yesterday.
"Well, see you in a little bit then." She bid a farewell, and then hung up.
As the redhead placed the phone back down, Hiei quietly said, "So it was you mother ne? Meeting her at 10:30?"
Kurama nodded, not surprised that Hiei heard the whole conversation. "I should get ready now. You will be all right on your own right? I will be back in a couple of hours."
Hiei snorted, and nodded. "Of course I'll be all right." The fox nodded as well, and cleaned up his study area.
"Then, I should probably get going. See you later." He said, as he quickly kissed Hiei. He then grabbed his jacket, and went out the door.
Back at the office, Botan paced back and forth, nervously biting her nails. The feeling that something bad was going happened had only increased in the past couple of days. She shook her head, not knowing how to tell the boys. They wouldn't believe her. They would say it was only her imagination and that they'd be ready if something were to happen. The ferry girl shook her head once more, feeling that the four wouldn't be ready. In all this, she did not notice Koenma watching her.
"Botan?" He called out softly, in his teenage form.
The blue-haired girl jumped back a bit, a little surprised by him. "Y- yes?" She managed to say.
"Is something the matter? You seem a bit jumpy." He asked in concern, looking her right in the eye.
"No. No, I'm all right. Really I am, just thinking. That's all." She partially lied, smiling, assuming her usual cheerful and bubbly self.
Koenma nodded, "Oh really?" He asked in disbelief. "And what were you thinking about?"
"Oh nothing too important. Just about the boys and the missions they'd had to take on." Botan answered, which was another half-lie.
Koenma nodded again, and started to walk away. He rose up a hand, and said, "All right then. I guess I'll be going." He decided not to interrogate the ferry girl further. For it seemed to him, that she was far too troubled herself, to even get her thoughts straight. 'Oh Koenma,' Botan thought to herself. 'I wish I could tell you how I feel, but under our circumstances, and my mind, it's far too complicated for you to get involved.'
In the Kuwabara resident, Kazuma stood by a window, gazing outside. His hands were pocketed, as he too, was deep in thought. 'Man, that Urameshi. Can never figure him out. But I swear, when he gets his mind straight, he will never hear the end from me until he answers my questions. If his mind is on somethin' else, things could go seriously wrong in a mission Koenma assigns us.' He gave out a desperate sigh, and continued to stare out the window. After another few moments of silences, he heard footsteps coming down from upstairs. Kuwabara knew it was Yukina, so he turned to face her. "Good morning sleepy head." The orange-haired one said, smiling.
The ice maiden let out a soft yawn, before replying. "Good morning Kazuma," She said, smiling back at him. Although Kuwabara looked happy on the outside, Yukina sensed something troubling him. He was hiding his true feelings, and it bothered her to know that something was bothering him. "Kazuma." She then said softly again.
"Yes?" He replied immediately.
"Is something the matter? Please, I want to know, so I can help." Yukina asked with a concerned expression.
Kuwabara shook his head, lying. "No, nothing's wrong. Don't worry about it, I was just thinking."
Yukina sighed half-heartedly, evidently not getting the answer she wanted. "Are you sure Kazuma? Please tell me if something is troubling you."
"Yeah, I'm sure. It's all right. Don't worry. I'm fine. Maybe you should start worrying about yourself, instead of everyone else for a change. You know, take a break, or maybe even a vacation. Don't want you to get too stressed over nothin'." The tall man said, apparently, lying once more.
As Kurama reached the door of his mother's house, he sighed, and just stood there for a few moments. Ever since she had found out about his relationship with Hiei, their relationship had become uncomfortable. The fox knew his mother had wished for him to marry a woman and have children. Despite that fact, she did not want to deny his son his happiness either. His mother still loved him, and they still saw each other on a daily basis, but still, something was different. The woman didn't have as much to say to Kurama as before. Knowing girls at collage swarmed him, she had probably had high hopes that one of them was be the one for him. Sighing, the redhead finally rang the doorbell. Hearing footsteps coming from inside, the door opened to reveal his mother. "Hello Shuuchi." She greeted, smiling. He went inside, and slipped off his shoes. Settling down in the living room, where tea was all ready set, the conversation began. "So, today is such a lovely day ne?" She asked him. All Kurama did was nod, not knowing what to say to her. "Really, you should take a break from studying once in a while. Especially on a day like this, wouldn't want to be cooped up in an apartment with your nose in a book while everyone else is relaxing."
Kurama smiled, and spoke finally. "Yes, I know, but collage tends to pack on a lot of work. It's a bit overwhelming at times, but I can handle it. I do take the occasional break however," He said, lying. The redhead didn't need to take breaks from studying. His demon side allowed much more than his human side. Being a very old age, he gained wisdom, which was very helpful. Then came the topic, which was difficult to carry.
"So, how is your relationship with Hiei?" She asked, still smiling.
"Fine." He answered, which was true.
"And how is Hiei?" His mother asked again.
"Hiei is fine also." Which was also true.
"That's good to hear." She said, nodding respectively. "And how have you been doing?" The woman then asked.
"I am fine also." He said, wincing the slightest bit. Kurama lied to his mother too many times to count, but one half of him was forced to be kept secret from the woman. "How are you Kaasan?" The redhead then asked. Her mother was obviously answer with something like 'I'm fine' or 'I have been doing good.' This was how the conversation was carried every time they met, very polite and on the surface. Worrying that their relationship would soon fade, Kurama tried very hard to figure out a way to strengthen it. However, every time he came to a dead end. It would appear that if nothing was done, Kurama and his mother would soon have no relationship.
So how do you like it after the prologue and the first 2 chapters? Please review to tell me what you think, and what I should work on to improve on my story! Arigatou!
It was ten in the morning, on a lovely Saturday. The sun shone brightly, and the weather was fair. People went about doing pleasurable activities, taking a much-needed break from work and school. However, back in the apartment when Kurama and Hiei dwelled, there was no play. The fire demon sat cross-legged on the floor, eyes closed. He concentrated his energy vigorously in the less active form of training. All the while, the redhead sat before a desk, studying hard in the education wished by his human mother. His eyes darted back and forth on each page, taking in all the information his college books printed. In this apartment of such concentration, the phone rang. However, each too consumed in their priorities, neither noticed until a few more rings. Hiei's eyes flicked open, hearing the ruckus breaking his concentration. He mumbled quietly to Kurama, as he never picked up phone, "Phone's ringing. Better pick it up."
Kurama's head popped up, as he too noticed after Hiei spoke. He stood up quickly, knocking over his chair, as he rushed to the telephone. Picking it up before the answering machine came on, he gave a rather breathless 'hello'. It was his mother's voice, which was heard on the other line.
"Hello Shuuchi! You sound a bit breathless. Is everything all right over there?" She greeted, and then asked, a bit anxious.
The fox laughed softly, and answered, "Yes Mother, I am fine. I didn't hear the phone ringing until just now. A bit of a rush to pick it up."
"Oh I see. Well, don't get too caught up in your studies. A person needs a break every once in a while." She cautioned her son, not wanting him to wear himself out.
"Yes Mother. I know." Kurama answered shortly.
"I'm just calling to remind you to come by the house at 10:30 ne?" His mother then said, which was the main reason she called.
"Nani? Oh! Yes, yes, I remember. I will come on time." Kurama said, recalling that his mother told him this yesterday.
"Well, see you in a little bit then." She bid a farewell, and then hung up.
As the redhead placed the phone back down, Hiei quietly said, "So it was you mother ne? Meeting her at 10:30?"
Kurama nodded, not surprised that Hiei heard the whole conversation. "I should get ready now. You will be all right on your own right? I will be back in a couple of hours."
Hiei snorted, and nodded. "Of course I'll be all right." The fox nodded as well, and cleaned up his study area.
"Then, I should probably get going. See you later." He said, as he quickly kissed Hiei. He then grabbed his jacket, and went out the door.
Back at the office, Botan paced back and forth, nervously biting her nails. The feeling that something bad was going happened had only increased in the past couple of days. She shook her head, not knowing how to tell the boys. They wouldn't believe her. They would say it was only her imagination and that they'd be ready if something were to happen. The ferry girl shook her head once more, feeling that the four wouldn't be ready. In all this, she did not notice Koenma watching her.
"Botan?" He called out softly, in his teenage form.
The blue-haired girl jumped back a bit, a little surprised by him. "Y- yes?" She managed to say.
"Is something the matter? You seem a bit jumpy." He asked in concern, looking her right in the eye.
"No. No, I'm all right. Really I am, just thinking. That's all." She partially lied, smiling, assuming her usual cheerful and bubbly self.
Koenma nodded, "Oh really?" He asked in disbelief. "And what were you thinking about?"
"Oh nothing too important. Just about the boys and the missions they'd had to take on." Botan answered, which was another half-lie.
Koenma nodded again, and started to walk away. He rose up a hand, and said, "All right then. I guess I'll be going." He decided not to interrogate the ferry girl further. For it seemed to him, that she was far too troubled herself, to even get her thoughts straight. 'Oh Koenma,' Botan thought to herself. 'I wish I could tell you how I feel, but under our circumstances, and my mind, it's far too complicated for you to get involved.'
In the Kuwabara resident, Kazuma stood by a window, gazing outside. His hands were pocketed, as he too, was deep in thought. 'Man, that Urameshi. Can never figure him out. But I swear, when he gets his mind straight, he will never hear the end from me until he answers my questions. If his mind is on somethin' else, things could go seriously wrong in a mission Koenma assigns us.' He gave out a desperate sigh, and continued to stare out the window. After another few moments of silences, he heard footsteps coming down from upstairs. Kuwabara knew it was Yukina, so he turned to face her. "Good morning sleepy head." The orange-haired one said, smiling.
The ice maiden let out a soft yawn, before replying. "Good morning Kazuma," She said, smiling back at him. Although Kuwabara looked happy on the outside, Yukina sensed something troubling him. He was hiding his true feelings, and it bothered her to know that something was bothering him. "Kazuma." She then said softly again.
"Yes?" He replied immediately.
"Is something the matter? Please, I want to know, so I can help." Yukina asked with a concerned expression.
Kuwabara shook his head, lying. "No, nothing's wrong. Don't worry about it, I was just thinking."
Yukina sighed half-heartedly, evidently not getting the answer she wanted. "Are you sure Kazuma? Please tell me if something is troubling you."
"Yeah, I'm sure. It's all right. Don't worry. I'm fine. Maybe you should start worrying about yourself, instead of everyone else for a change. You know, take a break, or maybe even a vacation. Don't want you to get too stressed over nothin'." The tall man said, apparently, lying once more.
As Kurama reached the door of his mother's house, he sighed, and just stood there for a few moments. Ever since she had found out about his relationship with Hiei, their relationship had become uncomfortable. The fox knew his mother had wished for him to marry a woman and have children. Despite that fact, she did not want to deny his son his happiness either. His mother still loved him, and they still saw each other on a daily basis, but still, something was different. The woman didn't have as much to say to Kurama as before. Knowing girls at collage swarmed him, she had probably had high hopes that one of them was be the one for him. Sighing, the redhead finally rang the doorbell. Hearing footsteps coming from inside, the door opened to reveal his mother. "Hello Shuuchi." She greeted, smiling. He went inside, and slipped off his shoes. Settling down in the living room, where tea was all ready set, the conversation began. "So, today is such a lovely day ne?" She asked him. All Kurama did was nod, not knowing what to say to her. "Really, you should take a break from studying once in a while. Especially on a day like this, wouldn't want to be cooped up in an apartment with your nose in a book while everyone else is relaxing."
Kurama smiled, and spoke finally. "Yes, I know, but collage tends to pack on a lot of work. It's a bit overwhelming at times, but I can handle it. I do take the occasional break however," He said, lying. The redhead didn't need to take breaks from studying. His demon side allowed much more than his human side. Being a very old age, he gained wisdom, which was very helpful. Then came the topic, which was difficult to carry.
"So, how is your relationship with Hiei?" She asked, still smiling.
"Fine." He answered, which was true.
"And how is Hiei?" His mother asked again.
"Hiei is fine also." Which was also true.
"That's good to hear." She said, nodding respectively. "And how have you been doing?" The woman then asked.
"I am fine also." He said, wincing the slightest bit. Kurama lied to his mother too many times to count, but one half of him was forced to be kept secret from the woman. "How are you Kaasan?" The redhead then asked. Her mother was obviously answer with something like 'I'm fine' or 'I have been doing good.' This was how the conversation was carried every time they met, very polite and on the surface. Worrying that their relationship would soon fade, Kurama tried very hard to figure out a way to strengthen it. However, every time he came to a dead end. It would appear that if nothing was done, Kurama and his mother would soon have no relationship.
So how do you like it after the prologue and the first 2 chapters? Please review to tell me what you think, and what I should work on to improve on my story! Arigatou!
