Disclaimer: I do not own YYH.
Spirit Child
"KAI!" I wailed, and buried my face in his silvery ruff. The same wet, warm tongue lapped at my ear, and I cried for a good hour into his fur. "Oh, thank you, thank you, Botan." I sighed as I stroked his head. She chuckled.
"He needed you, you needed him." Now her voice turned sad. "But I can only keep him here for a certain time. I hate to say this, but now's the time for good byes." I didn't tell her she couldn't, that I'd die too. I just nodded.
"Kai, I want you to know that I love you, and will always love you. I want you to have a good time in paradise, and not to worry about me. I'll be alright, now." I whispered all this into his better ear, and lost myself in his beautiful brown eyes. He whined and licked my face, and I embraced him one last time. Botan didn't say a word, just walked over to the balcony, and motioned for Kai to follow. They disappeared for an instant, then Botan was back, alone. I managed a weak smile, and let the three of them tuck me into bed. Before sleep took me, I asked them what my healer's name was. The girl smiled, and said: "Kurama." With that, I fell into a deep sleep…
After that, it was about three weeks of sleeping, eating, and having my bandages replaced. Kurama did his healing work, though, when I was asleep so that I wouldn't feel upset or scared of him. After about two weeks, however, I felt comfortable enough to tell Kurama that he could heal me when I was awake. He had only smiled and nodded silently, finally letting me leave his room in order to eat and let me peruse his gardens. One day, roughly about noon, I slipped outside to find Kurama, and ended up falling asleep near the koi pond, in a bed of tiny orchids. Someone had carried me back inside, and I know now that it was Kurama, because he was the only one who searched the gardens, rather than the streets.
-
--
-
We all heard Reiko's soft cry of delight when Botan revealed her dog to her, and I silently thanked Genkai. It must have taken a tremendous amount of spirit energy to form that creature a true body. But the girl needed a friend right then, and from what we had gathered, she didn't have any human friends to speak of. The death of her only companion must have been why she contemplated suicide, even though it wasn't her fault. He had been run over, and there nothing she could have done. But I've dealt with a lot of grief and guilt over the years, and I know how she feels.
When Hiei, Yusuke, Kuwabara, and I made a call on the Hijeki home, I was stunned at their response. Her father vehemently denied that he even had a daughter, and her mother went so far as to say that they ought to be arrested for coming in and claiming such wild stories. But Hiei could see the pain in her eyes, and the sadness in her father's for doing such a thing. We left quickly, afraid of being conked in the head with a frying pan. I was quiet, as usual, but was thinking too quickly to care. If Reiko would allow it, she could stay in my bedroom and I could sleep in the guest room. Now that she was in their custody, the girls could handle her needs and wants with ease.
As my thoughts focused more and more on Reiko, I worried. The fear in her elegant blue eyes had me scared, because I've never known a woman to have such a deep terror about men. When she saw me, she had screamed and run towards the window, as if willing to kill herself than to be around a man again. Anger surged at the thought of her attackers.
"Hiei, Kuwabara, Yusuke? I need the three of you to check into the underworld of the city again." I said carefully, drawing all their attention.
"What is it exactly?" Kuwabara asked, his eyes already wary. I drew in a breath. "I need the three of you to find out who assaulted Reiko. Knowing fools, they'll be gloating all over about what they did. Yusuke, Kuwabara, check among the gangs. You have official authorization to pick a fight if you need to. Hiei…"
"I know. I'll be back before midnight." His eyes had sparked at the need for urgency. He motioned to Kuwabara, and after whispering a few words, darted away. I knew enough not to ask. Both Yusuke and Kuwabara took off for their old stomping grounds, leaving me alone.
-
--
-
"She's fine, Kurama. We changed her bandages about thirty minutes ago, and there wasn't a trace of infection." Genkai's voice floated in from the hall as I rested, freshly nude in the bed. Keiko had brushed out my hair when I tried, but realized that I'd reopen the gash in my side if I did. I probably thanked her a hundred times before she shushed me and motioned to the door. Kurama's tall profile was narrowed to a three inch slit between the door and the door jamb. It had been a full month since I was attacked, and from what I could tell, he had been going without food and sleep just to find my rapist. He seemed so worried. I quickly pulled another sheet over myself as Kurama stepped into the room.
"Hello, Reiko." He said easily, coming around to sit at my feet.
"Um, hi, Kurama…" I replied hesitantly. He smiled, but not at my discomfort.
"You look much, much better." He gently took my hand and examined the lacerations on my arm. "How do the bruises feel?" We continued on this way, with his strong hands carefully assessing the full damage to my body. He examined every part of me, but he didn't dare do anything that scared me or made things worse. Kurama's manner was like a friend, not a doctor or a 'specialist'. He tsked, and tutted, cursing the creeps who hurt me. The sutures he had taken out last week, even though my side was still needed to fully close up before those bandages could come off. When he was done, I made a bit of a decision. He had been so kind to me, and he looked like he needed that same care. So, after I got dressed, I curled up in his arms. He seemed surprised at first, but didn't say a word. He cradled me for the longest time, stroking my hair and back, letting take comfort in his warmth.
"Reiko…?"
"Um-hm?"
"Why aren't you scared?"
"Because you didn't hurt me. You joked with me, cursed with me. You did everything you could to ease my pain and make me feel welcome. How could I not reciprocate?" I smiled up at his face, for the first time in ages happy to see a human's, rather than an animal's. He looked surprised, than chuckled. Suddenly I remembered. "Kurama, did you find my parents?" He looked away, his face burning.
"I…We did, but they claimed that they had no daughter. I apologize, truly…" But when he turned back to me, he seemed shocked. "You're not upset?" I sighed.
"I knew they'd do it. In truth, because I wasn't born a boy, I'm not too much to raise a panic about. Had I been a second child, it would be different. But after I was born, Dad didn't give a damn. Mom was delighted, but when I started being a tomboy, I realized that they just didn't care. It's okay. I've got a new family." And I snuggled deeper into his chest.
-
--
-
"…It's okay. I've got a new family." And Reiko nuzzled closer to my body. I was really shocked. First she was terrified, now she's affectionate? But I continued to hold her, and tried to figure out what to do. Then, it hit me like a brick. She was recovering, both from the violent attack and from the neglect at the hands of her parents. When I looked into those sapphire eyes, I was astonished at the change. Happiness made those jewels glow, rather than glitter from anger. I tightened my arms, and silently swore that if her attackers ever came near her again, every power I command will be their death sentence.
Ooooo….Like it so far? Even I'm getting shivers at that last sentence.
KD
