Author's Note: Sorry for the slight delay, but here it is: the final chapter!

Disclaimer: You know what goes here.

Chapter 4: Decision

Remain silent for who's sake? For his? For mine? I am so absorbed in thought, I don't even notice as the wind picks up speed outside. When the storm begins in earnest, the scrapping of tree limbs and the patter of rain drops on the window is merely a nuisance, a pathetic attempt at distracting me from contemplation.

Nothing could be so bad that you can't tell me, Shuichi. If you have done something wrong, we can work it out together. You are a smart boy, gentle and kind. It's not as though you are a criminal – not a thug or a thief. If you have gotten mixed up with the wrong crowd somehow, I can help you with that too. Whatever it is, are you worried I'll think less of you? Not love you? Throw you out on your own and disown you? You are my son, how can you not trust in my love for you?

For all the noise outside, what finally draws my attention is a gentle rustle of fabric. Under the heavy weight of his blankets, Shuichi must be getting uncomfortable, because, though still asleep, he is beginning to stir – his arms pushing at the thick layers covering him up to his chin. As he unconsciously moves the top blanket down so that his right arm is exposed to the open air, the most bizarre thing greets my eyes.

A strange, dark brown…moss?…covers two short lines below his wrist – one on the underside of his arm and the other on top. The surrounding areas are a vibrant red and a paler shade of the same color runs in a streak along the underside of his arm as if heading straight to his heart.

"What is that?" I ask almost to myself, but as I reach out to touch the moss, my hand is intercepted.

"You don't need to understand." I withdraw my hand in confusion as he continues. "You want your questions answered, but at what price?"

"Why are you being so cryptic?"

"When he sees you here, that's when you will have to choose." Returning to Shuichi's bedside for a moment, Hiei moves his left hand under my son's. He seems to cradle it in his while he uses his other to move the blanket back to cover my son's injured arm.

I spend the next few minutes contemplating what he could possibly mean but find myself more in the dark than when I started. The renewal of the rustling from the bed begins a new train of thought: my son is awake.

Shuichi rolls his head toward the window, but I can still see his eyes squeeze tight before they finally flutter open. Blinking several times to adjust to the light, a small smile comes to his lips. "Hiei…you're…still here." His words are drawn out, still coated with the weight of sleep.

Despite being addressed, Hiei makes no move in response. Unfazed by the lack of reply, Shuichi broadens his smile. "I'm glad…but did you have to leave the lights on?" Shuichi punctuates his question by partially shielding himself from the light with his good arm. Using his eyes, Hiei directs my son's attention to me.

Shuichi's expression, as he follows Hiei's line of sight to face me is one I will never forget, my always articulate son at a loss for words. His eyes are as wide as they can go, the color rushes out from his face and his lips start to move but no sound comes out. I can hear Hiei's voice in my mind. You don't need to understand. Choose.

As hard as it is to ignore my son's face, I put on the largest smile I can manage and fix my tone of voice. Going with the first thing that comes to mind, I begin. "Oh, Shuichi! You're finally awake. I cannot believe you went out on a walk so late at night, young man! It's a good thing you weren't alone when you fell. Do you need anything? You should have something to drink: water, juice, or maybe even some miso soup? You know it only takes a few minutes…"

I never was a very good actor and even injured, Shuichi is still as perceptive as ever. As I prattle on, aware of how hollow my words sound, Shuichi's demeanor changes to that which I had believed I would never have to witness again. "No mother. I am fine. Thank you. Please don't trouble yourself." It is the same hopelessness he had when I was ill. I cannot handle this. Not again. I am the cause of his suffering and suddenly Hiei's words start to make sense, I begin to understand: I do not know my own son, not wholly.

I let the fake smile drop and with all seriousness reply, "Good. You are a smart boy, Shuichi. I trust you." One last glance at Hiei and I am certain that it is relief on his face. God! I don't even know my son, but somehow, that strange young man does. With this, I walk out of the room, unable to ask the necessary questions to make a decision for Shuichi's best interest.

Despite his insinuation that not demanding the truth from Shuichi is selfless, I know better. I am weak. In my own greed to have a happy son have I given him license to put himself in harms way? Yes, I'm sure of it. I can feel it in my bones. When I try to help, I cause him pain. When I leave him, I put him in danger. I am a horrible mother.

-End-

Author's Notes: So in the end you know no more that Shiori (which is to say, not much). Of course, that is entirely the point. Does that make me evil? Oh well, I can handle that. If I ever manage to start working on it again, the full events of the night will come out in Silent Devotion, which as stated earlier will contain mild shounen ai themes. Don't say I didn't warn you. I started this project over two and a half years ago and have since moved onto other things so if you are interested in Silent Devotion please let me know. It just might provide the extra motivation I need! Thanks for reading, I hope you have enjoyed it.