All eyes had settled on the fire demon.
"What is all this about?" the doctor demanded.
Hiei sighed and was about to speak and confess, when Shiori spoke up instead.
"When I learned about my son, I couldn't believe it. It was hard to imagine him being that way, and it was hard to imagine that a demon came out of my body. I rejected him, and I suppose a lot of women would have done the same."
"Um... Shiori..." the doctor started. He was confused. What the hell is she talking about?
"After that first meeting a couple of weeks ago, Hiei showed up without my son. It was strange seeing him alone, and I was afraid of what he wanted, considering how tough and angry he looked." Shiori giggled a little and smiled at Hiei, who scowled.
"I was angry about what he had said to me, but afterwards I began to think about it some more, and realized that I still do love my son, demon or not."
Tears glistened in the corner of her eyes but her face was lit up with a priceless smile.
Kurama's eyes had been wide with suprise, but now were narrow with contentment. His mother had forgiven him... because of something Hiei told her. That was a new one.
"I am so sorry Shuichii. I don't know what I can do to make you forgive me."
"Nothing mother. You don't have to do a thing," the fox replied softly. Walking over to her, he bent down and hugged her like he'd never let go. His mother hugged tightly back.
Hiei smiled at the embrace, but didn't let the doctor or journalist, or even Kurama's mother see it.
Hiei still couldn't believe how easy it had been. Why hadn't he done that before? Maybe they wouldn't have had to live with the fact that Kurama's mother hated him for as long as they did.
Oh well. The fact was that it was over, and they could live happily together, just as they have been for the past eighteen years.
Finally mother and son parted. Tears were streaming down Shiori's face, yet Kurama's was dry.
"I'm so sorry Shuichii," she repeated again.
"Mother, it's all right. Truthfully, I didn't expect you to say okay right away. Let's just forget about this, and focus on you getting well enough to come back home. It's been lonely without you." Kurama purposly left out the fact that Hiei had been staying with him for the past few weeks while she had been in the hospital.
"I'm sorry doctor to have wasted your time so unpleasently..." Kurama spoke up, slightly bowing to the doctor. "But I believe we have this problem resolved."
The doctor seemed to be stunned for a moment, before shaking his head and speaking. "Shuichii, what about the attempted murder? and what was that talk about a demon?"
Kurama laughed to cover up his uneasiness. "The demon was just a figure of speach doctor. Think nothing of it. And for the murder... I did not."
Shiori suddenly became extremely nervous.
"Mother... it is okay if it was you... I no longer care. I'm just glad you're safe," Shuichii replied kindly.
Shiori shook her head. "No... it wasn't me..."
"What?" Kurama started. "Then who was it? You must have seen them."
Shiori nodded. "I did..."
"Shiori..." the doctor said in a warning tone.
"What is it doctor?" Kurama asked impatiently.
The doctor didn't answer, just shrugged nervously. "I have to go to the bathroom. I'll be right back." He stood up and walked out of the room, his shoulders rigid.
"No.. stop him Shuichii," Shiori whispered hoarsly. "It was him. He threatened to try to kill me again if I told anyone."
"huh? What do you mean by that mother?"
"The doctor, Dr. Kurokawa, has been a friend of mine since high school. I had two good guy friends, him... and Miyaki."
"Your fianceƩ?"
"Yes. We all went to the same college, coincidentaly, and continued to stay close friends. Kurokawa was planning on asking me to marry him after we graduated, but Miyaki beat him to it. He was enraged at Miyaki and I, but eventually got over it. I never thought that he would still hold a grudge. He was angry at me for accepting. Besides, I had always liked Miyaki in a more romantic way then Kurokawa, but I still loved them both." Shiori spoke quickly, so the doctor didn't have as much time to try and escape.
Kurama's eyes were wide. His mother had never told him about this before.
"Please Shuichii, get him. He tried to kill me for revenge. He already tried to kill Miyaki last year, but failed. I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to get worried."
"I... understand mother. This is all just surprising, that's all."
"Yes, but it's true. I promise you Shuichii. He only tried to get me once because he didn't want to look suspicious. Now please get him! I don't want to live in fear of him any longer!" Shiori was crying as Kurama darted out of the room, followed by Hiei.
They ran through the hospital, refusing to get stopped by nurses and other doctors who tried to slow them. They reached to bottom floor and rushed outside. Since the doctor had walked through the hospital, and Kurama and Hiei had run, he couldn't have gotten too far. Maybe just to his car?
Kurama ran around the building to the staff parking lot, where Dr. Kurokawa was just pulling out of the lot. He caught a glance at Hiei and Kurama as he passed them, his eyes widening with fearas he sped onto the street. He weaved between cars until he was out of sight. They could hear tires screeching on the pavement as they stopped to avoid the mad driver.
"Dammit he'll kill someone driving like that. He's desperate to get away," Kurama mumbled in frustration.
"Fox, calm down. I'll chase after him. You call the police. They can speed, too. Right?"
"Yeah, thanks Hiei."
The demon gave a firm nod before darting off and disappearing in a flash.
He'll easily catch up with him, Kurama thought. The police... where's the nearest payphone? he wondered frantically, searching his pockets for change.
Okay guys! After this chapter, there should be two, maybe three chapters left. I want to thank everyone for their kind and supportive reviews, and for all who have stuck with my story from the very beginning.
Thank you everyone!
