"You're kidding," Kurama told his stepfather.
"Nope. My son, this is a truly great honour. I'm so proud of you!" the man said.
Kurama was being sent overseas on assignment for his dad. There was a deal that had to be closed with a certain company and the negotiations were too delicate for an outsider to handle. Because the general elections were coming, the company could not afford to send their chairman over to Japan. However, they had 'invited' a representative to come over there at their expense. The company chairman, who bore a striking resemblance to one of the ferry girls in Koenma's employment, had seen Kurama in action and told Hatanaka Sr. that Kurama should go.
"But father…" Kurama began. He liked this man, mainly because his mother adored him, but the guy had his heart in the right places.
"No buts, Minami. I'm sorry but the chairman insisted that you go," he said.
"Bring me back something!" Syuichi Hatanaka said.
Looking imploringly at his mother, the woman just smiled a soft smile of pride. Kurama sighed. There was no way he could get out of this. Then again, time out from his duties as part of the Reikai Tantei would be good for him. He ruffled his brother's hair good-naturedly. Then he looked at his 'Kaa-san. She, of course, was the main reason why he was so reluctant to leave. She was several months pregnant, and though the doctors had said that she was fine* Kurama was still concerned about her.
"When do I go?" he asked.
"This Friday. We have a meeting with the president tomorrow," his father beamed at him. "Oh, and Minami," Kurama looked up, "Thank you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Thank you for coming," the man in the mask said.
"What do you want?" Hiei asked him. He wondered why these Ninjens bothered wearing masks. It was not like he could tell them apart, the YYH crew no withstanding. The only reason he was here was because Inari had told him to come.
"It's my sister. I want you to look after her for a while," the man said.
"I'm not babysitting!" Hiei said vehemently.
"This is not babysitting, Hiei-san. This is protection. My sister's memories and skills have been locked away for her own protection. Only in cases of extreme danger will they be unlocked, and even then, only partially. The only way for her to recover her full memory is if she remembers people whom she trusted. Contrary to her appearance, my sister did not trust many," he said.
"Who is she?" Hiei asked.
"Sukina Toriyama."