Disclaimer; See Chapter 1 and as always please don't flame.
Warning! This chapter contains some spoilers from episodes 5-8 and the last two (111-112) episodes of YYH. Mostly it's background material. You've been warned.
Chapter 13: Confessions are Good for the Soul
"It will remain a secret, like a confessional, Shuichi."
He handed over the carry all. "This was from the hostage situation a week ago. Please, sister, keep my name out of it. If there is a reward, please accept it for the convent. I just want to put this behind me." He flashed her one of his best smiles to the stunned nun.
As he was walking out the door, he stopped and without looking around, "Come out. Barbara."
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Barbara silently cursed herself as she stepped out of the shadows. She had thought she was being stealthy enough for him not to detect her.
Before she could say anything, he grabbed her by the elbow. His eyes were cold and almost expressionless as he took her to the convent's garden. 'I think I should be afraid,' she thought.
Finding a small marble bench by the back corner of the garden where they wouldn't be bothered or overheard, he let go of her. Sinking unto the bench, she looked up at him.
"How long did you know?" she asked.
Leaning against the cement and brick wall, he shrugged, "I've always known. I'm always very much aware of my environment."
"Bruce says you are testing us. Are you?" she asked, feeling a bit brave, licking her dry lips. Maybe it is time to get some answers from him. Why else did he bring her out here?
Looking up at the steeple roof of the convent, he said, "Somewhat. Some of it has been a game to see if the rumors of his intelligence were accurate. I've find himself impressed with his abilities."
She looked up at his profile as he became lost in thought. She couldn't quite put her finger on why she was attracted to him. Licking her lips again, she asked, "Can you tell me how you figured out who we are?" Being in a public place, she felt exposed about talking about their dual identities.
Still looking up at the spiral and the sky, he smiled, "I've known from the beginning. Bruce gives off the aura of a samurai and then there is his scent. Aura and scent are unique as finger prints." He turned to look down at her, "Any demon having met both identities would know at once."
"Tell me about demons, Shuichi. Bruce says that Japanese demons are different then the Christian beliefs," she asked, hoping he would understand that she was interested in his answers. "How did you become soul bonded to one? Is it like selling your soul? What can we do to free you?"
Looking back up at the sky and the convent steeple, he closed his eyes, allowing the afternoon sun warm his face. He stayed like that for a few moments as if having a mental debate with himself.
Barbara waited patiently. 'I know I asked the right questions. Bruce said to be very careful in asking personal questions. Shuichi may or may not answer them.'
"I did not sell my soul to Yoko," Shuichi said softly, as he turned to look back at her. "There is no need to free me from him. You couldn't anyway. However, I will tell you about demons but I will not tell you how Yoko and I became soul bonded. I don't trust you that much."
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The afternoon flew by. Shuichi was content to tell her what she needed to know. Occasionally, Yoko would grouse and make a rude comment, causing him to rub his forehead.
"Shuichi? Do you suffer from migraines?" Barbara asked, noting that he was rubbing his forehead.
Yoko had just blasted him with a nasty comment. "Well, sort of. I've had them all my life," he said. Yoko was smirking in the background. 'Quiet Yoko. How can I keep you a secret if you keep doing this?'
/Just keeping you on your toes, Red. /
"Shuichi, would you mind coming to dinner tonight at the Manor? Bruce would like to speak to you and maybe we can continue this discussion on demons?" Barbara asked, breaking his thoughts.
"Very well. Do I need to go home and change?"
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Barbara assured him changing wasn't necessary. She called ahead to her uncle to say she would be bringing Shuichi home with her and not to go to anything fancy, a nice quiet dinner with the four of them.
They arrived at the Wayne Manor just at dusk. The police had picked up the valuables without realizing that Shuichi and Barbara were still at the convent.
"Thank you for having me over, Mr. Wayne," Shuichi said, bowing slightly.
"Call me Bruce,' Bruce said with a smile as he welcomed the red head into his home. "I understand you and Barbara have been talking all afternoon?" When Barbara had called, she had informed him of much of their earlier conversation over the phone with Shuichi listening in.
"Yes, Bruce. It was very informative,' Shuichi said, politely as they walked into a small dining area near the kitchen. Bruce noticed that although the boy seemed calm, there was a slight feeling of nervousness. "I do want to thank you for keeping the police away from me until I was able to return the bag that Yoko took."
"This is where the family eats when there isn't anything formal going on. We don't like standing on ceremony around here," Bruce explained as he waved Shuichi to be seated by Barbara. "According to my sources, the bag of stolen valuables turned up in a convent. The sister there said she found by the altar."
Shuichi smiled and bowed slightly. He seemed relieved. "That is good to hear," he said as he seated himself, giving her a warm smile. "Barbara knows I have simple needs."
"Speaking of which. I wanted to ask you about your building. Who really owns it?" Bruce asked as Alfred brought out dinner.
"I do. Yoko, as you are aware, is a very legendary bandit in his own right. He allowed me to used some of his hoarded treasure to see to my needs. The building suits me and in time, I should be able to put it in my legal name," Shuichi explained.
"About Yoko. Will we see him again?" Dick asked as he filled his plate.
"Probably. He enjoys his time out here. This city seems to suit his sense of humor," Shuichi said, rubbing his forehead. For a moment, he seemed lost in thought.
"Bruce, you were right about demon lore," Barbara said, taking up the conversation. "It is so different then Christian beliefs. Shuichi was telling me about different demons he has come across. He was telling me about Hiei? Right Hiei?" She looked to Shuichi to see if she got the name right before continuing, "Who is a half fire and half ice demon. I think he would give the Flash competition on being the fastest."
"Wasn't he the one you sent the Scarecrow to?" Dick asked.
"Yes. Well, I have heard from Hiei that the Scarecrow has settled in and enjoys the lab he was given. You need not worry about him. He is quite safe," Shuichi reassured them. "Demons come in all shape and sizes as well as strengths. Only those of animal natures seem to enjoy being around humans. I know of a shrine maiden, we call them mikos, that has actually mated with a half dog demon. Mikos are pure in heart, but I heard she is extremely happy."
"Half demon?" Bruce asked, speaking for the first time.
"Half demon and half human. In ancient times, such combinations would mean the death of the hybrid. They were hunted and killed whenever they were found. Both humans and demons alike consider half breeds to be tainted and not worthy to live. Today, there are more half demons then full bloods on Living World. Most of the full bloods remain in the Makai."
"Living World? Makai?" Dick asked.
"This is Living World. Up until recently, it was off limits to demons. The Makai is Demon World," Shuichi explained.
"Just were is this Makai?" Dick asked.
"Its in a different dimension but connected to Living World by portals. A portal can be open anywhere and any when in Living World."
"Now there's a cheery thought," Dick said, dropping his eating utensils onto his plate, leaning back.
"So is Gotham in danger from demon attacks?" Bruce asked.
"Not really. Spirit World and Demon World have made a treaty. There is one law in that treaty," Shuichi explained. "That law says, 'There will be no mischief in Living World.'"
"Spirit World? What's that?" Dick asked.
"It's where dead souls go to be judged. It is ruled by King Enma. I worked for his son Prince Koenma for a time to work off my probation," Shuichi said, with a slight amused look on his face.
"Probation?" Bruce asked as his ears narrowed. Shuichi sighed, rubbing his forehead, looking a bit put out.
"Well yes," Shuichi shrugged. " With Yoko's help, myself, Hiei and another demon stole three magical and ancient artifacts from the vault in Spirit World. Hiei was caught, but because I turned myself in, I was given a lighter sentence then him. The other demon was killed by a Spirit Detective." He went on to explain why he wanted the artifact to save his dying mother. He left out key details like Yusuke's involvement.
"And your parents? What did they say about this?" Bruce asked, clearly not pleased with this bit of news.
"They don't know about Kurama, Yoko or my involvement with Spirit World and I would like to keep it that way. They are true innocents and I will protect them," Kurama said, as his green eyes turned cold and hard. "As you have seen, I will kill anyone that threatens them."
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Well, I hope I didn't do too bad of a job on explaining things. Although I didn't name them by name, I wonder if anyone caught a reference to another anime? Which I don't own the characters, just the DVDs.
Flaming Kitsune: I saw a couple of Teen Titan crossovers that were decent but unfinished.
Until next time.-- GF