My thanks to lizzieXmarieXyoukai for the review!
Good point, to avoid confusion I had just wanted to have Kurama go by Kurama, but guess that didn't work did it:)
Because I don't know what Kurama's little brothers name is, I thought it would make sense to have him as Suuichi and Kurama as just Kurama... If someone knows the little brothers name, could someone review? Also Kurama's mothers name... I think it's Shiori but I don't know...
Lastly sorry about any funky formatting on the chapter still trying to get the hang of it...
CHAPTER FOUR- INTRODUCTIONS AND A CRASH COURSE OF DEMONS
With an irritable grumble Alex swatted at the hand which was disrupting her sleep. A male chuckle was heard and murmured words of comfort.
"I think she's coming around already Kurama"
"I believe so. Could you get Hiei as I finish tending her wounds Yusuke? I'd like to get her memories modified as soon as possible." A door closed and the two of them were alone. Distantly Alex felt her shirt lifted. A gentle but probing touch on her sore ribs was the last straw. Her fist shot out without thought. Eyes wide Kurama barely caught it before she laid a cold one on him.
"Just a little bit more I promise you. I'm almost done tending you." Dazed brown eyesmet Kurama's. He picked up a roll of bandages.
"I'm going to wrap your ribs now. I don't think anything is broken but you're going to have some impressive bruises." He gently lifted her so she was resting against his chest."…Suuichi….alright?" She whispered into his shoulder. Kurama stilled.
"Yes he is. Our mother is sitting with him in his room right now. You saved his life. For that I am eternally grateful." There was a soft tap on the door and then the short man in black entered the room.
"Are you ready yet Kurama?" His voice was velvet menace. "Yes. Hiei this is……." Kurama trailed off."I'm so sorry. You saved my brothers life and I never even got your name"
"Alex… Alexandra Witfield…." She was rewarded with a smile from Kurama.
"Alexandra…. This is Hiei. He is going to help you remember what happened tonight"
"I know what happened tonight." Her voice was thin and shaky to Alex's embarrassment.
"Demons."
"Demons don't exist human." This was from Hiei. His voice was smooth and low. Waves of fatigue and uncertainty assaulted Alex's mind.
"You found the boy and returned him to his home. On your way you ran into a human gang. You fought them off to the best of your ability until help arrived." The nightmare faces in the dark began to fade and be replaced by men's faces. "No." Alex protested weakly. The pressure on her mind doubled causing her to cry out.
"Demons do not exist ningen"
"Enough Hiei! Do not hurt her"
"You're going soft on her Kurama because she saved your brother. The memory must be erased." Still more pressure fell on her mind. Alex writhed on the bed in pain. She felt Kurama's hands trying to still her body. His hand slipped and hit the bite wound on her leg. Anger suffused her mind as flashes of the night demons and mocking laughter echoed in her mind. 'I AM NOT HELPLESS! STOP IT!' Alex pushed at the foreign presence in her mind, striking out with her mind as her fist lashed out and caught Kurama square across the jaw. She had the faint satisfaction of hearing Hiei grunt in pain as his head slammed against the wall where he had been thrown. For the third time in one night Alex fainted.
"Hn. Latent psychic abilities. She's strong." Hiei said grudgingly. "I think we probably disserved that." Kurama rubbed his jaw.
"Let her rest for now. I doubt that the new memories stuck anyways." Hiei looked at the prone figure on the bed. Her black hair was limp and stringy from sweat and rain. A bandage was tapped on her temple. More bandages on her ribs, ankle, thigh, and back. She was streaked with dirt and blood. She was fragile looking but had taken a heavy beating, his mental bullying and fought everything thrown at her.
"You respect her don't you Hiei"
"Hn. Hard not too. So do you though Fox"
"She's.. admirable"
"Let her keep the memories of her battle then. She's strong enough to know the truth about the world"
"Perhaps Genkai can train her to develop her abilities. I'll tell Yusuke. Maybe he can ask Genkai if she can stay there"
"Whatever."
Early morning light woke Alex to a world of sore muscles, bruises, and a full bladder. Struggling to sit up Alex noticed Kurama asleep in a chair next to the bed. With a certain amount of vengefulness she also noticed the small bruise which marred his jaw of total perfection. Even after the fact he was too perfect for comfort. Trying to move silently she slid the covers back and wiggled to the edge of the bed. As her feet touched the floor Kurama woke.
"Good morning Alexandra. How are you feeling"
"Peachy." Alex growled. Kurama smiled.
"I imagine so. Here are some Tylenol for you to take." He reached out and steadied her. Angrily she jerked away from his touch but her leg couldn't take the sudden movement and she went sprawling back unto the bed. Gasping from the pain, Alex gritted her teeth.
"You have a right to be angry with me but please let me help you now. I owe you answers about last night. All of last night." His hands were gentle as he lifted her.
"I imagine you would like to clean up. Let me show you where the bathroom is and I can get some clean clothes for you to change into from my mother." His hand under her chin forced her face up to meet his eyes. "She and my brother Suuichi believe you fought gang members off last night. They must not know the truth. Please." It was the quiet please which had her nod her acknowledgement."And just what is the truth Kurama? What did I 'fight?'" The bitterness surprised her.
"You fought demons Alexandra. You fought them even after being wounded and saved your life and my brothers."
"Your friend last night seemed quiet apt to have me believe demons don't exist." Kurama winced.
"We thought of saving you from the truth. We were wrong. We never meant to cause you more pain." Alex would have snorted if she thought her head wouldn't fall off if she did.
"C'mon, let's get you to the bathroom. I'll answer everything later." Slowly he guided her down the hallway. Taking care of most pressing need, Alex gasped as she looked in the mirror. She wasn't vain but it was impossible to recognize the filthy creature in the mirror. Her skin was almost transparent causing black circles under her eyes. She was ragged, dirty, and so terribly frail looking. She blushed to realize that is what she looked like and Kurama had still touched her. He was only being helpful but she would have to be dead from the neck down if she didn't want to look even faintly attractive to the red head. Slowly stripping down out of her filthy clothes she took a wash cloth and slowly started to remove the dirt and grime off her body. Several minutes later she was startled as a gentle knock on the bathroom door. Losing her balance she tripped into the wall with a thud. The door opened with a small squeak and in stepped a beautiful older woman.
"I hope I'm not intruding dear but Suuichi said you were up and might need help cleaning up. I brought you some of my clothes which I thought might fit." She fell quiet seeing the bloody, naked savior of her youngest child.
"Would you like me to wash your hair for you?" To Alex's shame she began to cry. There on the bathroom floor, Kurama's mother held her as she cried for the first time in since Alex's own mother had died ten years ago.
"I'm so sorry. I don't even know why I'm crying." Kurama's mother, Shiori,
shushed her. Helping her into the bathtub they washed the dirt off her body, shampooed her hair with something that smelled amazingly of roses in summer, and rewrapped her body with clean bandages. Only then when Alex was dressed in a loose denim dress did Shiori cry.
"You are an angel. You saved my son and brought him back to me. Bless you Alexandra." Lex smiled shyly at the older woman.
"My friends call me Alex"
"Well then Alex, let's go find you some breakfast. I'm sure Kurama's beginning to worry downstairs and he's too much of a gentleman to intrude on a woman in her bath." Alex giggled.
"Downstairs huh? Woo boy. That's going to be fun." Shiori smiled.
"If you like I can get Kurama up here to carry you down them." Alex blushed. "No, no, no. Quite alright. I'm sure I can manage"
"We'll if you like. Just let me know if you change your mind though"
"If I didn't know better I would think you are teasing me Shiori"
"You are brave and beautiful Alexandra. You saved the life of my son and you look to be the same age as my other son. A mother can only hope." With a flaming face Alex laughed as they slowly made their way down the stairs.
"Whatever are the two of you laughing about?" Kurama asked as they entered the kitchen.
"Nothing son. What would the two of you like for breakfast"
"I don't think I'm hungry, thank you though." Kurama looked over at Alex for the first time registering her cleansed appearance. Her collar length black hair gently curled around her face and she had the most beautiful brown eyes he had ever seen. "You should at least have some toast in your stomach to balance the pain killers. "
"French toast it is then! You two go wake up Suuichi and make sure he's dressed for breakfast"
"Yes mother. C'mon Alex, this way."
"You're mother is really something special Kurama. I think I understand why you don't want to tell her." She has no clue does she Kurama? An untrained psychic just starting to learn about the big wide world. With a killer body too… She intrigues me Kurama… Yoko's voice was gentle. Enough Yoko. She is innocent so you can leave her alone. Kurama snapped back. Touchy, Kurama? Or is it that you too are interested in her? Yoko's spirit settled again.
"She has enough to worry about as it is." Suuichi's room was messy like only a young boys can be. A mountain of toys fell from the closet but the floor and desk were clean. Suuichi was almost invisible under the pile of comforters and pillows his bed consisted of.
"Suuichi, time to wake up!" Kurama's voice was full of good cheer and love.
The heap of blankets stirred and Suuichi's tousled head popped out.
"Good morning brother." Suuichi blinked sleepily before looking at Alex.
"Ah! You brought a girl in my room"
"Suuichi! It's just Alex"
"Yeah, but she's a girl!" When Alex started to giggle Kurama gave her a strange look.
"What"
"That's the first time I've heard you laugh." Alex shrugged.
"Your mom said to get you dressed for breakfast. She's making french toast." Suuichi shot out of bed and started pulling out clothing. He looked at the two of them and pointed at the door. "I think we've been excused. C'mon Alex." Once they were back out in the hallway Alex sighed.
"I'm surprised he's acting so happy this morning"
"I'm not. It's human nature to block out traumatic events especially when they're that young"
"Makes sense. What are you majoring in, psychology?" Kurama smiled.
"No. Botany." Alex turned to stare at Kurama. "I thought I was seeing that part of last night. You turned a rose into a whip. What are you Kurama"
"That question is easy to answer somewhere else. I would you like to take you to meet my friends from last night"
"Will the one in black be there?" "Yes, Hiei will be there. Don't be scared of him Alex. He was only doing what we thought were necessary at the time"
"I don't want to be around him. It is cruel to force someone's mind like that. You both violated my mind." There, the cards were on the table now.
"There is nothing I can say except I'm sorry. You can trust me Alexandra. I promise."
Authors notes- I don't expect a lot of people to understand the scene in the bathroom between Alex and Kurama's mother. It's a silent tribute to anyone who was been hurt or hospitalized. It doesn't strike you how bad you're hurting until you realize you can't even wash your own hair or go to the bathroom without help. The best friendships grow out of trust if you can allow yourself to be vulnerable enough to admit you need help. Get well soon Kat.