Chapter Preview: Rampant misunderstandings ensue as Shiori, who has gone to wait for her son's return home, finds Shuichi has somehow returned home without her notice in this, the first chapter of Unspoken Fears.
Author's Note: This is the first of four planned chapters. It is also likely to be the longest at only 1,650 words so I hope no one is looking for an epic here.
Disclaimer: It should go without saying: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho or its characters.
--
Chapter 1: Distrust
Light floods out from the open door and I inwardly chide myself. I was the one that left the light on and the door open, a sign to Shuichi that it was time we had a talk. His late night gallivanting has gone on for far too long and I'm ashamed that it has taken me this much time to work up the courage to confront him. I'm finally ready though. Tonight, I will wait as long as necessary.
Stepping through the doorway with my eyes downcast, I am more than halfway to the bed before noticing. The quick intake of my breath is audible. How can this be? A trembling hand moves to hide the shock covering my face. It's not possible for this to be an illusion nor is it possible for this to have happened without my notice. Yet for all that, here he is; my son lie sleeping beneath a thick layer of blankets.
Bewilderment is soon replaced by frustration and irritation. How could you do this – making me worry even after you have come home! I have fixed in my mind just what to do about the situation. Intent on rousing Shuichi, I place my hands on my hips and begin to speak his name.
"Don't wake him." At the words, my head jerks around the room, startled being a mild description of the reaction. Who would have expected someone else to be here in Shuichi's bedroom? And though I had been oblivious to his presence, the owner of the deep voice was leaning, arms and ankles crossed, against the wall by the window – clearly visible to anyone paying the slightest bit of attention.
"You are Shiori…Shuichi's…"
"Mother. Yes. I am." I finish his sentence for him while my mind replays the way he had said my son's name…the hesitation in his voice. How absurd! It was as though he honestly thought he had the wrong name.
"There is nothing you can do here. You should leave."
Nothing I can… What are you talking about? Who are you? How did you even get in my house! Opening my mouth to demand answers, the slim figure leaves his spot on the wall and I'm left gaping as I change my mind. The intruder radiates danger with the intensity of his focus on Shuichi and the reduction in distance between him and my son sets off parental alarms. It doesn't matter who he is; I want him away from Shuichi. Taking a deep breath, I prepare for a stern tone of voice. "Stay back from my son!"
Stopping his advance, the stranger pulls his gaze away from Shuichi and bores into me with cruel eyes. I take an involuntary step back. His reply is eerie in its calmness. "Keep your voice down. He needs rest."
Rest? Why? "Shuichi looks..."
"Remain silent." The words are low in volume but harsh in inflection.
Heedless of his warnings, I raise my voice in the beginnings of a protest when a sudden painful groan from Shuichi draws the stranger's attention as well as my own. I can see Shuichi mumbling in his sleep, though from my position still halfway across the room, the words are impossible to make out. The unwanted visitor finishes his short walk to my son's bedside and using his distraction, I take a few steps closer as well, careful not to come too close to the intruder. What are you trying to say, Shuichi? You're calling for me. I know you are! I make a silent promise, though I have no idea how to fulfill the vow. Shuichi, I won't let him hurt you.
My ears ring when I draw close enough to make out one of his words, "…Hiei."
Hiei? Why Hiei? My brow knits in frustration. It is difficult trying to remember the details of someone you have never met. You rarely even speak of him – he doesn't live around here so the two of you don't see each other often – but from those few times that you have, Shuichi, it is obvious you consider Hiei your closest friend. But why call his name...unless? For reasons unknown, I'm sure the young man in front of me is responsible. Shuichi, was Hiei with you wherever you were tonight? Did this man hurt you and your friend? Is Hiei still in danger? Is that what you are trying to say?
The stranger has taken a seat on the bed to study Shuichi's now restless movements. My poor boy. His facial muscles twitch, eyes squeezing tight, then relaxing in rapid succession and his head sways slightly from one side to the other, mussing his hair. Bracing himself with one arm placed to the right of Shuichi's shoulder, the intruder leans his body down, his face mere inches from Shuichi's. His lips are moving. What are you telling my son? If you threaten him...
Searching for anything that could be used to my advantage, my vision drifts across the room and I notice something for the first time. How could I have not noticed before? My body goes rigid and breathing becomes difficult. The situation is far more desperate than I could have imagined. That madman actually brought a weapon into my home! The solitary katana leans in its sheath against the wall where the intruder had been standing. What are you planning to do with that? I look back to the man sitting on my son's bed. He is back in an upright sitting position but his arm is moving forward. I want to scream – do anything to stop him from touching Shuichi but I still feel paralyzed. What if I provoke him? What if he grabs his sword and... A shudder marks the unwanted thought.
No ease comes when the stranger's light touch merely sweeps Shuichi's bangs away from his eyes. How could he be so casual? How dare you act so familiar! It is obvious he doesn't know my son. When you said Shuichi's name, it had been the first time. It had sounded so foreign on your lips. You even had to stop to remember his name for goodness sake!
The man is glaring at me again. "If you don't allow him to rest you will leave."
I steal a glance at the katana and give a slow nod. The stranger manages to look pleased with himself without the use of a smile and moves to take a seat on the window ledge. What are you playing at? Do you think my agreement not to wake Shuichi means I'll do anything you ask? You're not even looking at me! How could you be so unconcerned? You think you are in complete control. You think I am completely helpless. I'm not. I am NOT helpless!
Only now do I take the chance to study him, trying to memorize every detail for the police. Save for a small piece of white fabric hid in part by black hair and a larger piece of the same colored material resting loosely about his neck, the stranger is covered in black. And his eyes – his blood red eyes – are even more alarming in that for some reason they reminded me of my son's.
Just to look at, I would assume him to be of an age with my son, despite his height. No one could confuse him with a child, save maybe from afar. His eyes are far too mature to be considered childlike. With such a deep voice though – he is defiantly older than Shuichi, though whether it is by a few years or more is still a mystery.
A move to my son's side allows for a close study of his face. The stranger alluded that Shuichi was sick…or injured, but the only immediate danger seems to be from the man sitting at the window. My son's breath is coming at a slow even pace consistent with that of a restful sleep, a great improvement from the restlessness he had displayed only a short while ago. A slight pallor to his skin is the only visible sign of illness though when he had spoken his voice had sounded strained. Just sleep now, Shuichi; I'll deal with this crazed man.
Drowning in unanswered questions, I seek the knowledge of the only other conscious person in the room, hoping he will give away an important detail that will allow me to piece together the events of my son's evening. Playing on his feigned concern, I keep my voice low so as not to disturb my son and not agitate the young man at the window any further. "You say he needs rest. If that is true then tell me what is wrong with him; I can help." Silence. I wait, still trying to find further signs of sickness on my boy's face. "Well?" But when I glance back to the window, the man is gone.
Part of me relaxes in seeing the sword still leaning against the wall. At least I know where it is. Then again, that means he will be coming back for it. I take a step back and slowly spin to take in the whole room.Nothing is out of place, the stranger obviously had his focus on my son, not the contents of the house. But where could he have gone?
After finally convincing myself that the mysterious young man is not in the room, I return to my son and try to clear my thoughts. I make up my mind to call the police before the stranger returns for his sword. Outside the window, the moon is moving toward its zenith. Time has passed with amazing speed while I have stood passive. I still feel hesitant to be away from my son's side as I begin to leave.
The sound of water drops hitting the floor announce that my action has come too late.
--Author's Note: Ah that Shiori! I just want to shake her in this chapter. I tried to tell her what was going on, but she just didn't want to listen, go figure! Anyway...thank you for reading! For those who are interested, I hope to have Chapter 2 posted sometime next week.