Chapter 4 – Reunion & Reawakening

(Standard disclaimer: I don't own YYH or its characters; they are the sole property of Yoshihiro Togashi, Shonen Jump Comics Weekly, Studio Pierrot and Fuji Television)

A/N: This chapter will 'flip flop' POVs between the characters of Kurama and Kyoshi/Kasumi. Please read and review!

Kurama's POV

I pause just off stage to stand and watch as she plays, listening as the beautiful melody washes over me. I am entranced, not only by the music but watching her as well. She's exquisite: an ethereal presence – one with the music she plays – her graceful movements perfectly in time with the rhythm of the piece. It takes me several moments to recall why it is I am here, and then I do so with a start, my mind reluctantly turning from the music and the player to the reason I am here.

Jason Rutledge, a friend from my university days and now manager to Mitsunari Kyoshi, was to have come to the performance hall at 3 p.m. to escort the renowned pianist back to their hotel. Unfortunately, he'd gotten delayed; waylaid by the numerous reporters who'd shown up for the rehearsal – each of them vying for his attention and the opportunity to, perhaps, learn a little more about the very private Mitsunari-san. Thus, he'd asked if I would come in his stead, explain the situation to her, and bring her to him. I'd readily agreed, of course. The chance to spend a moment or two privately with one whose skill and talent I'd admired for some time now was too great an opportunity to pass up. And so I find myself here, silently watching, and waiting for the song to come to an end…..

Kyoshi's POV

I felt him. Even before I felt his physical presence, standing silently in the wings, I felt the aura that surrounded him for he was not masking it at all. (I, on the other hand, out of long habit, had hidden my own so completely that it was, as always, undetectable.) And that unmistakable energy was enough to break my concentration, the harsh note sounding in my ears, though I doubt he was even aware of the mistake. Once upon a lifetime ago, that soothing magenta was a breath of spring air upon a barren winter's landscape.

My thoughts raced; a thousand questions rushing through my brain, yet not one of them mattered. I knew now why I'd felt so compelled to return to Japan… knew now, beyond a shadow of a doubt, just exactly what Minamino Shuuichi was to me… my star… my brother.

My fingers stilled upon the keys; the music now finished. Straightening a bit on the bench, I lifted my head but did not turn.

"Hello," I called.

"Forgive me," a soft, gentle tenor replied as quiet footsteps crossed the stage. "I did not mean to disturb your practice."

"It's all right," I assured him. Hearing the footsteps stop, I turned my head slightly, feeling his presence by the piano. "I was finished. Mitsunari Kyoshi," I said with a smile, holding out my hand.

Kurama's POV

She smiled – just one corner of her mouth lifting, and yet my heart lurched. That smile… so familiar. For an instant, I cannot breathe as pain lances through me. Quickly I recover myself, hoping that she had not noticed my momentary lapse in courtesy. Reaching out, I grasp her hand in mine, and bowing over it (though I know she cannot see), I respond, "it is an honor, Mitsunari-san. I am Minamino Shuuichi."

Her voice, when she speaks, is as soft and lyrical as the music she had been playing.

"Ah, the young genius architect responsible for this lovely building. It is I who am honored, Minamino-san… and please, call me Kyoshi." The corner of her mouth lifts once more, and this time, I find a strange sort of comfort in her smile. "You are to be congratulated, Minamino-san," she continues, "for the near perfection of the acoustics in this room. Indeed, I have yet to detect a single 'dead' spot within this entire space."

Sightless, smoky quartz eyes seem to meet mine as my face heats up, the blush spreading slowly across my cheeks at her words. "My praise embarrasses you, ne?" she teases as I release her hand.

"Somewhat," I reply, feeling the blush deepen, "though I thank you for your kind words." Again, I bow. "I would be pleased, as well, if you would call me Shuuichi."

"Shuuichi it is then," she acquiesces. "Now tell me, Shuuichi, to what do I owe the pleasure of this meeting? Has my beloved manager been unavoidably delayed… again?"

Startled, I feel the heat rise in my face once more as I am reminded, yet again, of my reason for being here. "Hai," I nod in agreement, "I fear the reporters are being rather persistent…"

"As always," she laughs. "Ah well, it seems Yoshi's misfortune has presented me with a rather fortuitous opportunity… one that allows me to get to know you better." She pauses a moment, as if carefully considering what she is about to say. "So tell me, Minamino Shuuichi," she asks with a smile, "what shall we talk about now?"

Kyoshi's POV

Funny, after resigning myself to the fact that I had lost my brother, I find him again – in of all places, the Human World – and of all things, a human… as I am. Idly, I wonder what he looks like, and for the first time since the accident, I hate the fact that I am blind.

Yet I cannot help the excitement that courses through my veins. Though every fiber of my being is screaming at me to tell him who I am, I know that I cannot. I must be patient – wait until the time is right. And so, with a smile, I 'look' up at him and ask, "So tell me, Minamino Shuuichi, what shall we talk about now?"

Once again, the gentle tenor, so different from the deeper baritone of his youko aspect – and yet, the same – speaks. "That piece… the one you were just playing… it was lovely. Though melancholy, there seems to be an air of hope that pervades the entire piece… an air one cannot help but hear throughout the music."

You should hear it with the violins and flute, I think, and then silently thank Inari for the opening my brother has, albeit unknowingly, provided me.

"I'm happy you find it so… kyodai," I reply softly.

Kurama's POV

Stunned into silence by the simple utterance of that one word, I can only stand there, gaping unintelligently back at her. Quickly though, my shock turns to anger; Youko's echoing my own. What game is she playing… and why?

Somehow, I find my voice. "Forgive me, Mitsunsari-san," I respond stiffly, my tone icy, "I fear you have mistaken me for someone else. I have no idea why you seem to think I am your brother, nor do I find any amusement in this….."

"I believe it is you who are mistaken, Minamino-san," she breaks in gently, "and why should I not call you 'brother'? It is, after all, what you are, Hikaru no Hoshi." She pauses a moment, her face lifted to mine and smiles. "Or did you think that, even after all these years, I'd have forgotten my own brother's ki signature… or the faint aroma of sun-kissed roses that is his scent?"

Again I am shocked into silence. There had only been one who'd called me that; one who smiled as she is smiling now.

No – it can't be… can it! After all these years, is it possible!

I shake my head then suddenly, Youko's voice echoes in my mind… "Yasei no Hana"… and I am released from my stupor knowing that it is more than possible, and yet…..

"Wildflower?" I hesitantly question, still not daring to believe.

The smile never leaves her face as she flares her well-masked ki; the familiar sage-tinted warmth of it gently enveloping me, just as it had when I was but a kit.

"Hello Kurama," she greets me now, "it's been awhile, ne?"