You're coming home.
There's blood on the walls.
Well, Charlie and the family made house calls.
If you're alone then watch what you do,
'cos Charlie and the family might get you.
Can you hear them, in the darkness?
Helter Skelter, spiral madness, yeah,
blood bath in paradise,
but there's no where you can run to baby.
Blood bath in paradise, forever sleep,
in paradise—
"Blood Bath in Paradise"—Ozzy Osbourne
Shadows of the Past
Chapter III
When morning arrived Yusuke's nightmare about the elder Toguro was viewed as simply that—a nightmare. At breakfast, Yusuke assisted Kayko, and chided his son for playing with his food.
"I wonder how many kids starving in Africa would love to have what you're having, Kosuke?"
Kosuke Urameshi's response to his father's question was to laugh. Mostly because he did not understand—nor care—about his father's question.
Kayko giggled, and ran her fingers through Kosuke's hair. "What Daddy's trying to say Kosuke is that you should eat your food, not play with it."
Yusuke smiled. "I take it that since it didn't snow too much last night in the city you, Kosuke, Yukina, and Shizuru're still going to see Grandma today?"
"Yes, I haven't seen Genkai in a while, and I can't wait to congratulate Yukina and Kuwabara on their good news."
"Maybe we should ask Kuwabara and Yukina to baby-sit Kosuke sometime. It'd give them some experience of what it's like to have a baby."
"That's a possibility. But on another topic, are you going to have your drink with Chu today?"
"Yeah, after I check on the restaurant."
"You had better not come home drunk, Yusuke!"
"Don't worry about that, Kayko. I lived with an alcoholic mother. I know when to say when."
"You know that alcoholism's hereditary, Yusuke?"
"Kayko, don't worry about it. I'll be fine."
Kayko nodded. "All right, Then I'll see you this evening, right?"
"Sure thing."
With a small blanket of snow in the tree branches, Kayko, Yukina, and Shizuru marched up the stairs to Genkai's temple. When the trio first arrived at the base of the stairs, Shizuru insisted that she carry Kosuke up the stairs, and that Yukina and Kayko rest at every break in the stairs.
At one of those breaks, while Kosuke played on a step in front of Shizuru, Yukina commented to Kayko, "I never realized until now how being pregnant can wear you down so much. Were you like this when you were pregnant with Kosuke?"
"Sometimes, but I wasn't going to let Yusuke attempt to boss me around as though he was my father. He means well, of course, but I know my limits. And I knew that I had the ability to march up these stairs, despite being pregnant and having a baby at my side."
"Good for you, girl!" replied Shizuru, while she watched Kosuke. "The same goes for you," she added to Yukina. "Don't let my baby brother boss you around too much either."
Yukina smiled. "I promise."
"But on that same subject," began Kayko, "have you told your brother about the baby?"
"No…I haven't seen him…But I do want to tell him…"
"Mommy…" whined Kosuke, as he toddled over to his mother; "it's too cold."
Kayko smiled, as the two-year-old buried his head against his mother's bosom. "Sorry, baby," she replied with a kiss through his brown hair; "I know it is." And turning to the rest of the group she added, "Shall we get going?"
Yukina and Shizuru nodded.
When the three women and toddler finally reached the temple summit they immediately called for Genkai.
"Master Genkai," Kayko said, as she opened the main door to the temple.
Normally Genkai was quick to respond, but on this day all was quiet. No candles or incense burned inside her temple.
"Genkai?" responded Yukina.
But again, the creator of the spirit wave did not respond.
"That's odd," replied Kayko.
"I wonder where she is?" added Shizuru.
"Wait! I think I know!" exclaimed Yukina.
"Oh, and where's that?" asked Kayko.
"Maybe she went for a walk through her garden. When I used to stay and help her at the temple—before Kuzuma and I were married—a walk in the garden was one of her favorite activities…Well, besides playing video games."
Shizuru and Kayko laughed. So did Kosuke, but mostly because he saw his mother laugh and wanted to imitate her.
"Well, let's go and look for her then," replied Shizuru.
Yukina directed Kayko and Shizuru to the door that would lead them into the temple's garden. But as they walked past Genkai's bedroom Yukina let out a scream, which caused the other two women to follow her in unison.