--- Spoiler Alert: This chapter contains a scene from volume 3 of the manga. ---
Disclaimer: See chapter 1 and as always, please don't flame.
Chapter 25: A Mother's Concern
"Look, it's nice to meet you, but we really need to get her out of here. Any news on Shuichi's stepfather and Kokota?" Barbara asked in a very business like fashion.
"They are in the hospital, lady," Yusuke said, cracking his knuckles, "I'm ready to kick some ass for what they did. Shuichi and his family are friends of mine."
Barbara blinked. Now she understood Kurama's comments about Robin.
o0o0o0o0o
Shiori Minamino Hatanka was one confused, tired woman and one inch from telling the police and the hospital staff where to go. Normally, she was a quiet, well mannered, shy Japanese woman with two sons and a loving new husband. Life had been very good to her up until tonight. She had had enough. She wanted to visit her family and she wanted a bath.
She blessed whatever god was listening at the moment for Barbara Wilson, Shuichi's girl friend. She was able to answer all the police's questions without giving too much information and for keeping her son's secrets secret. There is more to this young woman, she was sure. Plus, she contacted her mentor's lawyers, and when they arrived all the questions were fielded by them. Much to the relief of both of them. The girl was a treasure.
At the hospital, she was shown to her husband's and stepson's room. Thankfully, they were together in the same room. She was very thankful that all they had were cuts and bruises. Both men were sleeping as she made herself comfortable in a chair. Concussion and cuts and bruises. Nothing majorly serious. Again she thank whatever god was listening.
The doctors wanted to keep her as well but she was fine, tired, frighten but fine. As she sat watching the two new men in her life, her thoughts returned to her son, Shuichi.
o0o0o Flashback o0o0o
"Mother, I'm home."
"How was school, Shuichi?"
"Okay, I need a large can for arts and crafts."
"I'll get you one off the top cabinet."
"Nah, I can get it."
"SHUICHI!"
CRACK!
o0o0o end of flashback o0o0o
She rubbed the scars on the back of her arms. She remembered the shocked look on her son's face that day. She remembered when she had fallen ill when he was fifteen. She remembered how tender and protective he always was of her. How she loved him.
There comes a time in a woman's life that defines her as a mother. Scenes of everyday life flashed through her mind: his first steps, his first day of school, playing in the backyard, his father's death, graduating high school, going to college. Surprisingly, he never dated, never shown any interest in opposite sex until he met Barbara. She shuddered at the fangirls that used to plague him. If anything, she blamed them for his lack of interest.
Now seeing her son in a new light, certain events that confused her made sense. The boy with the black spiked hair, Hiei, that always hung around her son. She had been afraid that he would've been a bad example but now, she wasn't so sure. She remembered snatches of conversation. She remember the pet nickname Hiei used, 'Fox' and 'Kurama.' Then there was Yusuke. She met him in the hospital. He was always a nice boy, helping Shiuchi with his chores around the house. He used to call him Kurama too when he didn't think she was around.
Kurama. She never understood how or where he had picked up that nickname. She didn't hate it. The boys that hung around their home was always polite and addressed her son as Shuichi whenever she was nearby. But voices do carry and she had very good hearing.
She sighed, worried about what her son was doing now. Rubbing her forehead, she sighed. She was so proud of her son. Now, she realized she never really knew him.
She knew he was good with plants. He loved climbing that old cherry tree. She was always pulling him out of it. And the Roses. He loved them. Her garden was always the talk of the neighborhood. Seeing those vines sprout and freeing them tonight, where had he learned how to do that?
What was the old saying? 'Parents are the last to know.' She knew her son was special. She knew he had been hiding something. She knew that no matter what, he was her son and she loved him.
"Mrs. Hatanka?"
o0o0o0o0o
Barbara stood at the door of the room with two cups of coffee, looking a bit nervous. She knew she had a lot of explaining and fast talking to do but how to do it. Batman and Shuichi were counting on her to keep Shiori from talking to the wrong people and to keep her safe from further harm. She would rather be at Kurama's side and helping him but in a way she was doing that by being with his mother.
Shiori smiled, "Hello Barbara, dear. I thought I told you to call me Shiori?"
"Sorry, I don't know how you take your coffee. I have sugar and creamer in my pocket," Barbara said with an apology, offering one of the cups. Noting that the older woman was tired, she said, "Why don't you let me take you home to the Manor? Alfred and I can bring you back in the morning?"
"But my husband and son?" She asked, looking over at the sleeping pair.
"The nurse said that they'll be fine. All they need is rest," Barbara said softly, "And so do you. Come on."
o0o0o0o0o
Shiori was ushered into a limo and back to Wayne Manor. She really didn't want to leave the hospital. What if Shuichi tried to contact her?
"Shiori? Are you alright?"
"Yes, dear. I was just thinking about Shuichi. He won't know where to find me."
"I won't worry too much. He can take care of himself," Barbara reassured her. "I left word at the hospital to call the manor if he came looking for you or if there was any change in your family."
"You didn't seem too surprised by what happened," Shiori commented as she looked out the window.
Barbara chewed her bottom lip for a second. "Well, no. I knew he could use his spirit energy to do things with plants. And I've met Yoko before. At that charity dinner last summer. The one that the terrorists attacked. I just didn't know they were the same person."
"He's managed to keep it from me, his entire life. He was always such a good and polite boy," Shiori said, turning back to Barbara. "He is still my son. Do you think he'll be alright?"
"He'll be fine, Shiori. He loves you very much."
"I know dear. He's very protective of me."
o0o0o0o0o
According to http/en. Shuichi's stepbrother was named Kokota in the English dub and Shuichi in the Japanese. I went with the English dub.
Darkduck: Thank you, thank you for the grammar corrections. I'll do my best to fix those that you pointed out. I am slightly dyxlectic and the biggest problem I have is mixing tenses when I write. I usually have some proof my work whenever I can. I do find if I read out loud my work, I can sometimes find my mistakes but the problem is I write pretty much how I normally speak. Thanks again.
Well that's it for now. Until next time. --GF