Okay. No one asked me to stop the story last chapter. Heck, a few people
even called it a cliffie. Either way, this is chappy 14 of A Chance
Reunion.
Kuronue: tell them about- *Nagem claps a hand over his mouth*
Nagem: Hush! All shall be revealed in this chapter.
Kuro: Really?
Nagem: Yep!!
Disclaimer: BWAHAHAHAHAH!!! You think I own Yu Yu Hakusho? HAHAHAHAHAH!! That's funny!!
The figure had a slow walk, limping, almost as if it were wounded. It clutched at its stomach, and blood dripped steadily from its hand. Another cut on his arm had long since dried, and was forming a scab over the open wound. The figure knew he had to clean it soon, or face a burning infection. His long hair was matted with sweat and his clothes were damp in various places. He groaned as he took another step, hoping to find something that would lead him out of the forest and find his friends.
Kurama anticipated the shriek even before he heard it.
"SHUICHI!!" the voice cried. It was Shiori. He slowly made his way to the source of her voice. He was being louder than he wished to be, shuffling through the leaves and walking heavily because of fatigue and the wound in his stomach. He knew his mother heard him, but she made no move to come to him, with her eyes closed, tears streaming out of them. He walked up to her. She said nothing, but her sobs were genuine. "Shuichi . . . why?" she half-muttered. (A/N: I know this wasn't in the last chapter, but bear with me here.)
"Hold back your tears," he whispered in a raspy voice, as if he wasn't used to using it. "Do not cry for me." She opened her eyes and shrieked. He smiled as she reached out to him.
"Shuichi," she whispered as she embraced him. "I thought you were dead."
"I thought I was to," he muttered. She squeezed him tighter, and he gasped as blood gushed out of his stomach. "Easy, mother, please." She drew away from him.
"You're hurt!" she cried.
"It's nothing," he mumbled. But his head was spinning from the loss of blood. He stumbled, and Shiori caught him. "Okaa-san . . . there's something I need to tell you."
"Later, when you're better," she whispered. "Come on, we need to get you to the house. I don't think I'll be the only one glad to see you're alive."
Hiei, Yusuke, Kuwabara, Jeroun, Kuronue, and Koenma stood in Kurama's living room. They all looked sad as they milled around, making half-hearted conversation. No one was really in the mood to talk much, although Yusuke occasionally muttered, "I can't believe I shot Kurama." Whenever he did this, Kuronue half-heartedly assured Yusuke that it was not his fault. Finally, Jeroun tried at conversation.
"We told Kurama's mother, Shiori," he said miserable, as though he had betrayed Kurama in some way. Koenma looked at him sharply.
"What did you tell her?"
"Just that her son died in an accident," Jeroun said.
"Then she cried," Kuronue said.
"And then stopped crying," Jeroun said lamely.
"She went out into the forest alone," Kuronue continued.
"Then we heard her scream 'Shuichi'," Jeroun finished. Kuronue blanched.
"That was the worst part," Kuronue confirmed. "Hearing his mother despair over her lost son." Yusuke nodded. He remembered that part when he himself had died. Just then, Botan came in, annoyingly cheerful and happy. She stopped when she saw the look on everyone's faces. Kuwabara was the first to speak.
"Botan, how can you be so-"
"Disgustingly happy?" Hiei finished.
"Why are you all down in the dumps?" Botan asked. Everyone stared at her as though she had three heads.
"You mean . . . you weren't the one who guided him?" Koenma asked.
"Guided who?"
"Kurama," everyone except Botan chorused. Botan stared at them.
"Koenma-sama, I think you should go over your paperwork again," Botan said.
"Why?" Koenma asked.
"Because Kurama's not dead," Botan said. "He never crossed over." Everyone, once again, stared at her as though she had three heads. Botan put her hands on her hips. "Really, he never crossed over."
"Y-you mean my partner's ALIVE!!" Kuronue demanded, approaching Botan and shaking her by the shoulders.
"Y-yes," Botan said through Kuronue-shakes.
"Really, stop that behavior, Kuronue, otherwise I might have to throw you back in jail," Koenma joked, using a lighter tone than he had in a few days.
"I don't care!!" Kuronue said, grabbing the child ruler. "My buddy is alive!!" Everyone was pretty much, more or less, on the same lines as Kuronue. Even Hiei, who usually showed no emotion, looked happier than he had a few minutes ago.
"What do you say we go out and find him?" Jeroun declared, a goofy smile plastered on his face. Everyone agreed, and they were about to do just that, when they heard Shiori's voice ring out from the kitchen.
"Kuronue? Jeroun? Are you two in the house?" She called. "Please come help me with Shuichi, he's wounded badly. . . . " So, naturally, everyone rushed out to see what happened. Shiori had Kurama's unwounded arm flung about her shoulder, and was half-supporting him and trying to get him into a kitchen chair. There was a large wound in his stomach that would usually be fatal to a human. "Please, we have to get him to a hospital, he's lost too much blood."
"A hospital?" Kuronue asked. "Why are we going to take him to a n-" several hands were instantly clapped over Kuronue's mouth, belonging to Yusuke, Botan and Koenma. Jeroun looked as though he were about to ask the same thing as Kuronue but was stopped by the sound of Kurama's voice.
"Jeroun . . . Kuronue," he mumbled when he saw them. "Let her do what she wants." Jeroun shut his open mouth and nodded. Kuronue looked from Shiori to Shuichi and then bowed his head, as much as an agreement as they were going to get from him.
"Someone . . . " Shiori said, her attention going back to her wounded son.
"Right! I'll call!" Botan declared, running for the phone. At about that time, Kurama passed out again, from blood loss.
"Shuichi!" Shiori grabbed her son. Kuronue was there in a second, and checked Kurama's pulse. Then he tried to reassure Shiori that Kurama was alive.
"Miss, miss Shiori," he said. "Shuichi is alive!! Really!!"
"Shuichi . . . are you sure, Kuronue?" Shiori looked up at them, newly formed tears in her eyes.
"He's alive," Jeroun said, once he also had been able to check Kurama's pulse himself. "We just don't know for how long." Kuronue nodded.
"Like you said, he's lost too much blood," Kuronue said. "I think we'd better try to patch him up a bit, to keep him from bleeding anymore." A few moments later, Yusuke and Kuwabara had fetched the bandages while Koenma and Botan led Shiori into the next room so that Hiei could try some simple healing spells.
"That's all I can do," he panted after about five minutes; the effort had taken a lot out of him. He stumbled slightly and Jeroun caught him and set him down in a chair.
"I know better than to expect a thank you," Jeroun muttered to Yusuke as Kuronue demanded that he help put Kurama's bandages on. He was so persistent that they finally just let him. About that time, Shiori said that they had better just take him to the hospital when they were done. So then three demons, three humans, Koenma, Botan and Kurama (who was still unconscious and being carried by Kuronue and Jeroun) tried to stuff themselves into one car. It worked, but just barely.
While they waited for news about Kurama, Shiori, Yusuke, Kuwabara, Hiei, Koenma, Botan, Jeroun, and Kuronue loitered about the hospital waiting room. Eventually, Koenma and Botan left, complaining about the work that they had to do. Then Hiei left, muttering something about going back to the Makai. A while after that, Shizuru stormed in, dragging Kuwabara out, just stopping long enough to tell them all how sorry she was. Even later, Atsuko came for Yusuke (an unlikely show of motherly affection on her part) doing the same as Shizuru and telling them to let her know how Kurama was in a while. Jeroun had nodded off and Kuronue was trying (and failing) to make Shiori relax when a nurse came out to them.
"Are you the family of Shuichi Minamino?" Shiori practically ran to the nurse, Kuronue right behind her, and Jeroun snorted and woke from his sleep, getting up to join Kuronue.
"I'm his mother," Shiori said as Jeroun skidded to a stop behind them, collided into Kuronue, and caused them both to fall over. The nurse eyed them critically before continuing.
"And they are?"
"His cousins," Shiori replied promptly, causing Kuronue and Jeroun to look at her from the floor with questions in their eyes. Shiori gave them a look that said, plainly, "I'll explain later."
"Okay then," the nurse said, looking at her charts. "Well, I just came out to inform you that your son will be fine after a long rest. And to ask if you wanted to go see him."
"We would love to," Shiori said after she hauled Kuronue and Jeroun to their feet. The nurse led them to a room where Kurama lay, asleep, hooked up to several machines that monitored his heart rate and other things. After the nurse left, Shiori turned to Jeroun and Kuronue.
"Listen, I said you were Shuichi's cousins because they only let family in on the first visit," Shiori said.
"Really," Kuronue wasn't sure if he approved of the way ningens did things.
"Yes, and I can tell that even though you've only known each other for a short while, you care about Shuichi almost as much as I do." Shiori let out a breath as Kuronue and Jeroun smiled; she had been very nervous about saying that.
"You're right," Jeroun said.
"There's just something in Shuichi that makes him . . . easy to get along with," Kuronue finished. It was slightly lame, but it was all he could think of. He couldn't very well tell Shiori that her son used to be a master thief and that Kuronue had been his partner. Kurama would have his head. Jeroun thought the same.
"Well then, we know he's all right," Shiori said. "Why don't we all go home and get a good rest." Kuronue and Jeroun glanced at each other. "You're welcome to stay with us, unless you would like to go somewhere else." Thoughts of the Makai briefly entered Jeroun's and Kuronue's heads. Then they grinned at each other.
"We'd love to stay with you and Shuichi," Kuronue said.
Phew, that took a while. Oh, and for the people who didn't understand this (I didn't really make it too clear, so it's my fault) Shiori won't find out who Kurama is.
Kuronue: no kidding.
Nagem: So . . .
Kuronue: Is this the end?
Nagem: I dunno. I guess it could be . . . but I was planning a scene where Kurama got out of the hospital.
Kuronue: Maybe we should ask the reviewers what they want again.
Nagem: All righty then! What do you all think? Should I continue with this?
Kuronue: tell them about- *Nagem claps a hand over his mouth*
Nagem: Hush! All shall be revealed in this chapter.
Kuro: Really?
Nagem: Yep!!
Disclaimer: BWAHAHAHAHAH!!! You think I own Yu Yu Hakusho? HAHAHAHAHAH!! That's funny!!
The figure had a slow walk, limping, almost as if it were wounded. It clutched at its stomach, and blood dripped steadily from its hand. Another cut on his arm had long since dried, and was forming a scab over the open wound. The figure knew he had to clean it soon, or face a burning infection. His long hair was matted with sweat and his clothes were damp in various places. He groaned as he took another step, hoping to find something that would lead him out of the forest and find his friends.
Kurama anticipated the shriek even before he heard it.
"SHUICHI!!" the voice cried. It was Shiori. He slowly made his way to the source of her voice. He was being louder than he wished to be, shuffling through the leaves and walking heavily because of fatigue and the wound in his stomach. He knew his mother heard him, but she made no move to come to him, with her eyes closed, tears streaming out of them. He walked up to her. She said nothing, but her sobs were genuine. "Shuichi . . . why?" she half-muttered. (A/N: I know this wasn't in the last chapter, but bear with me here.)
"Hold back your tears," he whispered in a raspy voice, as if he wasn't used to using it. "Do not cry for me." She opened her eyes and shrieked. He smiled as she reached out to him.
"Shuichi," she whispered as she embraced him. "I thought you were dead."
"I thought I was to," he muttered. She squeezed him tighter, and he gasped as blood gushed out of his stomach. "Easy, mother, please." She drew away from him.
"You're hurt!" she cried.
"It's nothing," he mumbled. But his head was spinning from the loss of blood. He stumbled, and Shiori caught him. "Okaa-san . . . there's something I need to tell you."
"Later, when you're better," she whispered. "Come on, we need to get you to the house. I don't think I'll be the only one glad to see you're alive."
Hiei, Yusuke, Kuwabara, Jeroun, Kuronue, and Koenma stood in Kurama's living room. They all looked sad as they milled around, making half-hearted conversation. No one was really in the mood to talk much, although Yusuke occasionally muttered, "I can't believe I shot Kurama." Whenever he did this, Kuronue half-heartedly assured Yusuke that it was not his fault. Finally, Jeroun tried at conversation.
"We told Kurama's mother, Shiori," he said miserable, as though he had betrayed Kurama in some way. Koenma looked at him sharply.
"What did you tell her?"
"Just that her son died in an accident," Jeroun said.
"Then she cried," Kuronue said.
"And then stopped crying," Jeroun said lamely.
"She went out into the forest alone," Kuronue continued.
"Then we heard her scream 'Shuichi'," Jeroun finished. Kuronue blanched.
"That was the worst part," Kuronue confirmed. "Hearing his mother despair over her lost son." Yusuke nodded. He remembered that part when he himself had died. Just then, Botan came in, annoyingly cheerful and happy. She stopped when she saw the look on everyone's faces. Kuwabara was the first to speak.
"Botan, how can you be so-"
"Disgustingly happy?" Hiei finished.
"Why are you all down in the dumps?" Botan asked. Everyone stared at her as though she had three heads.
"You mean . . . you weren't the one who guided him?" Koenma asked.
"Guided who?"
"Kurama," everyone except Botan chorused. Botan stared at them.
"Koenma-sama, I think you should go over your paperwork again," Botan said.
"Why?" Koenma asked.
"Because Kurama's not dead," Botan said. "He never crossed over." Everyone, once again, stared at her as though she had three heads. Botan put her hands on her hips. "Really, he never crossed over."
"Y-you mean my partner's ALIVE!!" Kuronue demanded, approaching Botan and shaking her by the shoulders.
"Y-yes," Botan said through Kuronue-shakes.
"Really, stop that behavior, Kuronue, otherwise I might have to throw you back in jail," Koenma joked, using a lighter tone than he had in a few days.
"I don't care!!" Kuronue said, grabbing the child ruler. "My buddy is alive!!" Everyone was pretty much, more or less, on the same lines as Kuronue. Even Hiei, who usually showed no emotion, looked happier than he had a few minutes ago.
"What do you say we go out and find him?" Jeroun declared, a goofy smile plastered on his face. Everyone agreed, and they were about to do just that, when they heard Shiori's voice ring out from the kitchen.
"Kuronue? Jeroun? Are you two in the house?" She called. "Please come help me with Shuichi, he's wounded badly. . . . " So, naturally, everyone rushed out to see what happened. Shiori had Kurama's unwounded arm flung about her shoulder, and was half-supporting him and trying to get him into a kitchen chair. There was a large wound in his stomach that would usually be fatal to a human. "Please, we have to get him to a hospital, he's lost too much blood."
"A hospital?" Kuronue asked. "Why are we going to take him to a n-" several hands were instantly clapped over Kuronue's mouth, belonging to Yusuke, Botan and Koenma. Jeroun looked as though he were about to ask the same thing as Kuronue but was stopped by the sound of Kurama's voice.
"Jeroun . . . Kuronue," he mumbled when he saw them. "Let her do what she wants." Jeroun shut his open mouth and nodded. Kuronue looked from Shiori to Shuichi and then bowed his head, as much as an agreement as they were going to get from him.
"Someone . . . " Shiori said, her attention going back to her wounded son.
"Right! I'll call!" Botan declared, running for the phone. At about that time, Kurama passed out again, from blood loss.
"Shuichi!" Shiori grabbed her son. Kuronue was there in a second, and checked Kurama's pulse. Then he tried to reassure Shiori that Kurama was alive.
"Miss, miss Shiori," he said. "Shuichi is alive!! Really!!"
"Shuichi . . . are you sure, Kuronue?" Shiori looked up at them, newly formed tears in her eyes.
"He's alive," Jeroun said, once he also had been able to check Kurama's pulse himself. "We just don't know for how long." Kuronue nodded.
"Like you said, he's lost too much blood," Kuronue said. "I think we'd better try to patch him up a bit, to keep him from bleeding anymore." A few moments later, Yusuke and Kuwabara had fetched the bandages while Koenma and Botan led Shiori into the next room so that Hiei could try some simple healing spells.
"That's all I can do," he panted after about five minutes; the effort had taken a lot out of him. He stumbled slightly and Jeroun caught him and set him down in a chair.
"I know better than to expect a thank you," Jeroun muttered to Yusuke as Kuronue demanded that he help put Kurama's bandages on. He was so persistent that they finally just let him. About that time, Shiori said that they had better just take him to the hospital when they were done. So then three demons, three humans, Koenma, Botan and Kurama (who was still unconscious and being carried by Kuronue and Jeroun) tried to stuff themselves into one car. It worked, but just barely.
While they waited for news about Kurama, Shiori, Yusuke, Kuwabara, Hiei, Koenma, Botan, Jeroun, and Kuronue loitered about the hospital waiting room. Eventually, Koenma and Botan left, complaining about the work that they had to do. Then Hiei left, muttering something about going back to the Makai. A while after that, Shizuru stormed in, dragging Kuwabara out, just stopping long enough to tell them all how sorry she was. Even later, Atsuko came for Yusuke (an unlikely show of motherly affection on her part) doing the same as Shizuru and telling them to let her know how Kurama was in a while. Jeroun had nodded off and Kuronue was trying (and failing) to make Shiori relax when a nurse came out to them.
"Are you the family of Shuichi Minamino?" Shiori practically ran to the nurse, Kuronue right behind her, and Jeroun snorted and woke from his sleep, getting up to join Kuronue.
"I'm his mother," Shiori said as Jeroun skidded to a stop behind them, collided into Kuronue, and caused them both to fall over. The nurse eyed them critically before continuing.
"And they are?"
"His cousins," Shiori replied promptly, causing Kuronue and Jeroun to look at her from the floor with questions in their eyes. Shiori gave them a look that said, plainly, "I'll explain later."
"Okay then," the nurse said, looking at her charts. "Well, I just came out to inform you that your son will be fine after a long rest. And to ask if you wanted to go see him."
"We would love to," Shiori said after she hauled Kuronue and Jeroun to their feet. The nurse led them to a room where Kurama lay, asleep, hooked up to several machines that monitored his heart rate and other things. After the nurse left, Shiori turned to Jeroun and Kuronue.
"Listen, I said you were Shuichi's cousins because they only let family in on the first visit," Shiori said.
"Really," Kuronue wasn't sure if he approved of the way ningens did things.
"Yes, and I can tell that even though you've only known each other for a short while, you care about Shuichi almost as much as I do." Shiori let out a breath as Kuronue and Jeroun smiled; she had been very nervous about saying that.
"You're right," Jeroun said.
"There's just something in Shuichi that makes him . . . easy to get along with," Kuronue finished. It was slightly lame, but it was all he could think of. He couldn't very well tell Shiori that her son used to be a master thief and that Kuronue had been his partner. Kurama would have his head. Jeroun thought the same.
"Well then, we know he's all right," Shiori said. "Why don't we all go home and get a good rest." Kuronue and Jeroun glanced at each other. "You're welcome to stay with us, unless you would like to go somewhere else." Thoughts of the Makai briefly entered Jeroun's and Kuronue's heads. Then they grinned at each other.
"We'd love to stay with you and Shuichi," Kuronue said.
Phew, that took a while. Oh, and for the people who didn't understand this (I didn't really make it too clear, so it's my fault) Shiori won't find out who Kurama is.
Kuronue: no kidding.
Nagem: So . . .
Kuronue: Is this the end?
Nagem: I dunno. I guess it could be . . . but I was planning a scene where Kurama got out of the hospital.
Kuronue: Maybe we should ask the reviewers what they want again.
Nagem: All righty then! What do you all think? Should I continue with this?