Kenshin
Chapter One: Kenshin
Forward:
Yep, here I go again, writing more than I can chew in stories. Sigh. I love it but I know it annoys my other readers. Bad Li Cruz. Bad. Okay, here we go with Kenshin….
You asked for it and you got it. An extended version of the inspiration piece and I will write the next chapter soon enough.
AN:
Shuiichi: Kurama
Shuichi: Little bro
Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, is now known as the Boy-Who-Disappeared. His depression combine with the worsening conditions at his 'home' activate his accidental magic even though all that the Order knows is Harry blew apart the wards somehow and vanished. Egg-mother, how can humans be so stupid?
Even Voldemort was mystified by the Golden Boy's disappearance. Hell, Harry seemed to have destroyed the connection between them both as Voldemort could no longer sense the boy's mind on the other end. Voldemort became fearful and more paranoid. Thank The Mother, for Winky's reading skills.
Not even two days of his disappearance, the Daily Prophet was proclaiming him either dead or traitor. How sad and utterly pathetic. Good luck, Harry Potter, wherever you are. I hope you will return for I, Winky, and Dobby are missing you.
A dark-headed boy blinked as he crouched in the alley behind some cans. He had woken up, not remembering how he got here, or even who he was. But he had to shove it aside when something caused him to hide. A group of people were fighting each other. The word was were. They seemed to be dragging them away. They spoke in a different language for a while before the boy realized he understood it. His head felt lightheaded for a moment before they became understandable. He had to lean against the wall and listen.
"Okay, well. I'm off to see the toddler." One male voice said. "He'd be glad we caught these guys."
"Hn. I have business with Koenma." Said another.
"Okay, so all of us are going?" Said a bubbly female voice.
"No, my mother will be expecting me home soon." A gentle male voice said.
"Okay. Man, you are whipped." Said the first voice.
"See you later." The last voice said.
There was the slight sound of something closing and footsteps. The boy tensed and laid on his stomach. They stopped. The boy felt intense fear and a strange calmness.
He looked up at a pair of emerald green eyes and the person was staring back in surprise as well.
"Hello." The other person said. "Are you okay?"
The boy frowned deeply. "I think so."
"Doesn't anything hurt?" The teenage asked him.
"No, not really." The boy shrugged.
"How about you come with me and we get some of your injuries treated?" The red-head asked gently. "My home isn't too far.
The boy felt he could trust this red-head so he nodded. He managed to stand and pushed away the offered hand. The teen looked worried but the boy gestured to continued. The teen was surprised when he limped after.
"I'm Shuiichi." The teen seemed surprised at himself.
"I don't know mine." The boy admitted.
Kurama watched out of the corner of his eye, the strange boy. The boy's eyes were almost exactly like his own, a vibrant green. However it was perhaps the look in them. They were haunted and sorrowful like the life he had been living was difficult and full of death. Kurama had surprised himself by only offering his human name and not adding his surname. The boy with a weary smile informed him that he didn't know his own.
Kurama felt actually comfortable around the boy which with a few exception was rare. Youko commented on the boy's endurance and pain tolerance as he opened the door to his home.
Kurama getting the bandages and first aid kit, found the boy sitting in the kitchen table stiffly. He seemed to avoid getting the floor bloody as the boy was now cradling his hand. The boy looked up sheepishly.
"Sorry, I went to wash my hands and I've seemed to have opened a cut." He apologized.
The boy allowed him to examine the cut. Luckily it was shallow but still it was long and need to be properly tended to. The boy was dirty and his clothes were rags.
"Would you like to take a bath?" Kurama asked.
The look of both longing and surprise passed over the boy's eyes. Kurama smiled at it.
"The bathroom is to the right, first door."
"Um, thank you."
Kurama had enough time to find some spare clothing. He left it on the counter before closing the bathroom door completely. This gave Kurama a chance to think about the kid. Youko gave his two-cents.
'He might be a year younger than us.' Kurama thought.
(Younger, hell he's as short if not shorter than Hiei.)
Kurama rolled his eyes.
(I'd wonder where he came from. His spirit energy is strong for some random kid.) Youko said. (There's also the slight aura of magic about him.)
'Magic?'
(He might have been using a spell to escape from something or someone and screw it up royally. He might have hit his head coming out which might explain his amnesia.)
'So he could be dangerous?'
(No, more so to himself I think. Notice how subservient he is. We might be dealing with someone who's had a very bad life.)
Kurama sighed sadly. There was a very distinct possibility what Youko was implying was true. The boy had even flinched slightly as being touched.
The boy came back out in the clothes Kurama left for him. They had been Kurama's old things and fitted better than the rags. Kurama however was struck by how small he seemed in them. His arms were dotted with bruises and healing cuts.
He sat down and allowed Kurama to treated the cuts on his hands and legs. Kurama watched as he reluctantly removed the shirt. The boy's gauntness showed through his visible ribs. The more serious injuries were on his torso. Kurama barely kept his cool. The boy had been abused just recently but there were older injuries there as well.
Kurama fed the kid and allowed him to fall asleep on the couch. Kurama debated what to do. He didn't know the kid's name so reporting it would be hard because it was a possibility despite he speaking perfect Japanese, he was from somewhere else.
His mother returned early with his half-brother. Kurama explained that he found the kid and what some of his suspicions about what happened to the kid. Of course he modified the story. His mother surprising accepted it and even put forth another idea.
"There have been stories where children have been born and there are no records of them. He might be one of them." She said softly. "But I will allow him to stay here."
When he woke up, he bolted up and looked around. He was tense as if he was about to go into battle. Shuichi chewed his apple as he watched.
'Wow. Half-brother had to bring home a odd one.' Shuichi coughed.
Instantly the black-haired boy dove under the coffee table and was on his feet. Shuichi blinked. The boy had grasped at the back pocket in what seemed to be a automatic response. Either he was starting to think or something because he blinked at Shuichi and then relaxed.
'Okay, correction. The kid is strange.'
"Hello." The kid said. "Sorry, you startled me."
'Okay, and polite.'
"I'm Shuichi, Shuiichi's foster brother."
The boy blinked. Shuichi nodded. "I get that response all the time."
"I would suppose. It is a little odd." The boy replied.
Shuichi took a step back when the kid finally looked at him properly. Shuiichi found himself a mini-me! Eyes. Same. Hair. Not really, has red-highlights in black hair. Thin. Yep. Smart. Seems-so. Height. Short, Shuiichi tall. Polite. Okay, I think he got it. Oh. Cool Scar on his Forehead.
Without thinking, Shuichi spoke up. "Hey, you'd look like my foster brother if we dyed your hair red."
The boy smiled a bit at that. Shuichi looked at his watch.
"Yeeks! I got to go. My friends are waiting for me."
Shuichi could have sworn he rolled his eyes at him as he rushed out the door.
Mrs. Minamino came in from the store to find the boy awake. She felt a twinge of something.
'He reminds me so much of Shuiichi and his father." She smiled softly. 'I wonder if anyone misses him.'
The boy moved around the room, examining pictures. She watched him for a while. The look of sorrow and something else seem to make him seem a forlorn child. She didn't think he was aware of how much of his emotions were showing or what emotions were. He turned as if aware she was there and looked on curiously.
"You must be hungry. Come, I can whip up something quick." She said. "You've slept most of the morning away, dear."
She watched him pick at his food. It was clear he wasn't used to large meals yet he continued to eat out of politeness.
"You don't have to finish it all."
He smiled a bit and shrugged. "Sorry."
She spent a hour speaking with him, trying to figure him out. She had to laugh when she was alone. The boy was like her baby, only he didn't have that distant her son had. She had to chalk that up to his father's death.
She would have been happy to adopt a child like the boy. He was a sweetheart and no doubt a joy. It's sad to know that he had been abused for whatever reason.
Her foster child came back in as her eldest came down from the stairs. She quickly put to mind of giving the boy a name.
He was hesitant to take one up, but he caved in easily. Her eldest was obviously somewhere else mentally which happened from time to time and her youngest had a thoughtful look. So the name game began. They went through about five names before she stumbled upon one that seemed to touch a memory in his head.
"What about Hatori?" Mr. Minamino asked.
The kid shook his head vehemently.
"Kenshin." Shuichi piped up.
"Ah. Why?" Shuiichi asked.
Shuichi smiled. "I don't know. Kinda fits. He's got this wicked scar, polite as all get go, and probably has a dark background. And he also on the short side and looks younger than he probably is."
Neither Shuiichi and the kid realized they were both looking exactly the same as they looked at Shuichi. Like he was a bit crazy. Mrs. Minamino giggled.
"I think it fits too, Kenshin."
The newly dubbed Kenshin shrugged. "If it makes you happy."
She smiled. "It's fine. It does seem to suit you."
Kurama was normally not a bad guy. Yes, he was a criminal on the Reiki's list but being human has long tempered his demonic impulses. Shuichi claimed that he was overprotective of Kenshin and to be frank it was true. He wanted to kill his fan-girls.
Mother, with cunning that he didn't think his mother was capable of, placed Kenshin in the same school as Shuichi and him. In his grade and in every class he had. Kurama didn't know whether to be pleased or upset he didn't know his mother as well as he thought. Youko was saying some things complimenting their mother but some thing inappropriate for this story currently.
Kenshin didn't like the spotlight if half-hiding in back of Kurama until he was dragged off meant anything. The girls flocked on poor Kenshin like flies do on honey. Kurama half-expected for Kenshin to say Oro. Many of the girls cooed over the darling 'Kurama mini-me'. Kurama swore revenge on Shuichi and the big brother feelings kicked in.
Yet the harder he tried, the worse they would cling to him or Kenshin. He was so close to actually losing his cool. In the back of his mind, he could hear Hiei laughing at him. He shot a glare in Hiei's general direction.
"Hey! Where'd Kenshin go?" A girl cried.
Instantly the rabid fangirls left Kurama alone to search for Kenshin, the adorable Shadow! Kurama stared after them.
"That was scary." Kenshin said from behind him. "How do you deal with them?"
Kurama jumped nearly a foot in the air. Kenshin was there, a little mused but otherwise fine.
"Where?" Kurama asked.
"I think I'm just very good at hiding in front of people." Kenshin shrugged. "What class is first?"
(He's got to teach us that trick!) Youko crowed from his backseat position.
Kenshin quickly became like part of the family within a week and a half. Kurama had been surprised to find himself thinking that Kenshin had been around all his life. Granted Kenshin seemed puzzled by the most basic of things like computers but he was quite the quick-learner. It was the half-week when Kenshin first met Hiei face to face.Both had managed to elude their 'stalkers' and were heading for home. Hiei surprised Kurama when he appeared in front of them. Kenshin was instantly wary.
"Hello, Hiei." Kurama recovered some of his composure.
"The toddler wants to speak with you." Hiei said, glancing over at Kenshin. "Who's this?"
"Kenshin, this is Jaganshi Hiei. Hiei, Kenshin."
Kenshin bowed slightly. "Nice to meet you. Should I inform Mother that you'll be late to dinner?"
Kurama nodded. "I'll see you later, Kenshin."
Kenshin gave Hiei a measuring look before continuing homeward.
"Is he your twin?" Hiei asked.
"Why do people assume that?" Kurama allowed some annoyance to color his voice.
"Had he red-hair, you'd look almost the same." Hiei said. "Koenma is waiting."
When Kurama returned, he was surprised to see Kenshin up. Kenshin smiled softly, indicating the dinner plate on the table.
"How?" Kurama didn't think he announced his presence.
"I felt you." Kenshin became serious. "You shouldn't leave her in the dark you know. One day you might come home and find her gone or you might not return."
Kurama and a now piqued Youko listened.
"She trusts you so much. She didn't even question what I told her. She deserves to know, Shuiichi. Everything. I know you might not think it wise but to keep someone in the dark could make the difference between life and death." Kenshin's eyes were glazed if he was remembering something. Then it faded and he looked directly at Kurama. "She loves you, no matter what Shuiichi and I think I'm envious of that. My own mother died when I was very young. Don't waste this chance."
"How much do you remember?"
"Not much. My mother dieing to protect me. A green light. A man I think was an uncle or something falling to his death. A lot of anger towards a man I trusted. Little things." Kenshin sighed. "A boy who died next to me because he was there. Small details."
Kenshin looked away. "I really don't want to remember, but I think I got to. For not only my sake but others."
Kurama sighed. "Is it so hard to be selfish once, Kenshin?"
"The needs of the many outweigh that of the few, Shuiichi. And also I think it's my destiny that I've been avoiding. I don't want to give this up." Kenshin's small hand gestured towards the house. "But I have to one day. Well, good night, Shuiichi."
"Night, Kenshin."
Meanwhile, half the way across the globe…
"We found him!" Yelled a red-head.
"Ron." A bushy brunette, Hermione, sighed.
"Where?" Albus Dumbledore asked.
"Japan." Ron exclaimed.
Kenshin watched as Mother stroked the sleeping Shuiichi's head. He had finally told her the truth. Though he didn't cry, it had been taxing on him to reveal the truth.
"Thank you, Kenshin." She said. "How did you know he was hiding the Spirit Detectives and the fact he's also Youko Kurama from me?"
" I just did." Kenshin sighed.
"Kenshin?" Mother asked.
"Something is going to happen soon. I just wanted to say goodbye just in case we never met again."
Kurama opened a bearily eye. "Kenshin?"
The dark-haired boy smiled sadly. "I promise to try and come back here. It's more likely my ashes to make it here than me alive."
Mother pulled Kenshin to her. "We'll miss you."
"I know." Kenshin whispered. "I know."
Kurama placed a supportive hand on his knee. "Don't get yourself killed, alright."
"I'll try. Could you tell Shuichi and Father goodbye for me?" Kenshin closed his eyes, enjoying his last moments with them.
The familiar feeling appeared. He gulped. "They're here."
Mother cried a bit as he stood up. Kurama went with him. Kenshin opened the door. There stood a group of foreigners in an assortment of robes.
"Who are they?" Kurama questioned.
"My destiny." Kenshin said. "Very probably my death. Guess this is goodbye."
Kurama nodded solemnly as he pulled Kenshin into a hug. "Goodbye little brother and good luck."
Kenshin held on a moment longer before pushing back. He straightened up and walked stiffly towards them out the door. Cries of Harry went up as he was nearly tackled to the ground. He smiled falsely and looked back. They placed in his hands something he remembered a portkey but his eyes remained glued to the house. Mother and Shuiichi watched on from the window. Then he was gone.
"Today, in the United Kingdom, reports of terrorist actives have now come to a stand still. The leader of the terrorist group was killed just yesterday, also taking one life with him. The boy was named Harry Potter who bravely stood against the madman who attempted to blow up a village. The country mourns the lose of this courageous teen."
Kurama turned off the television. It had been nearly seven months since Kenshin, no, Harry Potter left to embrace his destiny. And now to hear that he was dead hurt a bit. How to break this to his mother?
There was a knock at the door. Kurama opened it. A mane of dark hair met his eyes. The short figure looked up with a slight smile. Green eyes met each other.
"Hello, Kurama or should I say, brother?" Came the witty question.
Kurama laughed before replying. "Hello, Kenshin."