File 03: Mother and Son

Yusuke bolted upright in his own bed. He had been bandaged. He was wondering how he had got here when his mother entered, letting fall the cloth she was carrying.

"Oh Yusuke, thank God you're finally awake."

"Hello mom. Oww that hurts! You don't hit an already injured person on the head." He whined after his mother had punched him, rubbing his head.

"Do you happen to think of what I must feel because of you when you always go fighting somewhere?" Urameshi Atsuko said sobbing and falling on her knees.

"I… I'm sorry mom. I promise I won't do it again." Yusuke tried (pitifully) to console her.

"Well it can't be helped if you're such a crybaby, but you could be, at least, a bit more sensitive and considerate toward your mother." Akari said reproachfully suddenly appearing behind Atsuko, her arms crossed.

"How the hell did you get here!? And how did you know where I was living?! You..." Yusuke shouted pointing at her but stopped himself when he saw the bandages on her legs. The explanations will wait.

"My my, so rude after Botan and I had such a hard time carrying you here. You could at least thank us." She said, sighing.

"Akari-chan is right. I didn't raise you to behave like this."

"What?! But mom!"

"Well I kinda agree but I'm still glad you're alright Yusuke." Said Botan, who had just come in, grinning.

"Hum, thought so. But, wait a second…. How come? You're not invisible to the normal people?" Yusuke asked loudly at first but then lowering his voice so his mother wouldn't hear.

"Not only weak, inconsiderate and perverted but an idiot as well." Akari sighed, getting desesperate.

"Shut up!" Yusuke whispered loudly.

"Well, it's quite simple. Koenma-sama thought that if I was to assist you it would be better if everyone could see me." Botan explained getting closer to Yusuke, still grinning and totally ignoring her friends' bickering. While Yusuke's mother went to get some tea Botan told them how she got a hold of the detective's location. He really didn't think they were that strong, that he could barely beat the weakest. The pink-haired just replied that she would have defeated him easily, which was true and she was kinda disappointed in Yusuke, she didn't think that he was that weak. Kurama and Hiei were far smarter and stronger.

"Yeah?! If you're that strong then what happened to you and Hiei uhh? He injured you and you let him escape? Oww! What was that for?!" He asked after she had punched him, rubbing his head again.

"Reflex. When you don't know, you don't talk." She answered simply, remembering her painful 'play tag' with the fire demon.

She didn't have much trouble catching up to him but no matter what the two would try one couldn't touch the other. Since the poison used by that darned blasted fox was still strong she could only dodge his attacks while hers just couldn't reach him. Through his arrogant smirk and slight taunt were more than enough to keep her going. At that moment she could have really killed him. And then he used that cowardly trick: he attacked a child who was chasing his ball. Her body moving on its own protected the kid and that damn arrogant bastard sliced her legs while she got his shoulder. She would have frozen him whole but he still could dodge at that distance. And she was forced to use an insane amount of extremely carefully controlled energy to heal herself as much as possible and as fast as possible so she would not become one of his demonic pawns. She would have never been able to bear it... But still that bastard, how could he do that to a poor little fragile girl like her? He would have to pay, for having dared injure her beautiful legs and used that dirty trick. Who cared about the 'other plans' he had for her? She would let him know what true pain was …. She thought letting out a low evil chuckle. A powerful dark aura was surrounding her but mostly around her raised fist where it looked like burning flames. She had her other fist on her hip as her eyes were shining in a rather evil and scary way. Anyway she was lost in her own world.

As for Yusuke and Botan they were sweatdropping wondering what was wrong with her.

"But, getting all the treasures in just one week and defeating them…"Yusuke said clenching his fists.

"It's nearly impossible, I know..." Botan said, letting herself slide to the ground.

"Hey! What's with the depressed face? Cheer up already, we're definitely going to beat them all up!" Akari said smacking them on the head. Though she did add... "That is…. if you do improve Yusuke, I'm lazy and I dun wanna have to do everything. But as weak as you are now..." She trailed off.

"Shut up, I won't lose to you."

"Yeah Yeah..."

"That's right! Yusuke don't give up! You are our last resort! If you don't get the treasures back before my father's return, the earth will really have a hard time... and I will too..." Koenma whined rather dramatically thinking about what his daddy could do.

Back at Yusuke's place Atsuko who was watching the news learned that nearby children had been fainting and would not wake up. Of course the three youngsters (yes, even Yusuke) guessed it was all Goki's deed who especially liked children's souls. The Reikai Tantei remembered Goki teasing him about the souls he got thanks to the Orb of Baast moving in his belly and clenched his fists. And since, as Botan said, the souls could only last 24 hours there, it was time to go and fight him again. Yusuke activated his 'watch' and the trio went to find Goki and yet again interrupt his meal. Akari and Botan stayed sideways to watch. It was Yusuke's fight, if he couldn't win then there was just no point in him become a reikai tantei, he wouldn't deserve it. Though it was still very frustrating for her, who could have just blown him away or cut him in half in a single attack, which would have been the quickest way. Yusuke was in a pretty bad state when he exploded Goki's head thanks to the ring. But Botan did the necessary. Then again that weakling had to rely on a branch for support. Akari sighed. He could really need some training. From that person. She shuddered at the thought, remembering perfectly everything she went through as it was all carved in her body: the defined muscles, the speed, the reflexes, the attacks, natural body balance, flexibility, elasticity, the precise control of her spirit energy… everything. And above all: stubbornness and evilness. Though she didn't get that much success with self-control and patience but well, guess she was just hopeless on certain things.

In town Yusuke would still refuse to lean on Botan to walk no matter how much she'd beg. Akari knew he was too stubborn so she stopped asking after her second attempt and was now boredly walking a little behind with her arms behind her head, trying to tell the 'grim reaper' it was no use to try and convince Yusuke. Suddenly the youki detector beeped and she quickly joined them. The boy was now useless and Botan couldn't do much either so if something was to happen she'll have to care of it. The 'tantei' and his 'assistant' were looking everywhere but she had already pinpointed the location and was glaring in the direction when the people moved a bit and they all saw Kurama standing there, his hands in his pockets. Yusuke clenched his teeth but the demon was perfectly calm as he walked toward them. Of course he was confident since his guard was down but there was something confusing. Why did his eyes reflect such sadness? She just couldn't get him.

"No need to be so tense. I won't fight, and I won't run away. I have a request." The fox said stopping before Yusuke but looking straight ahead.

"A request?" Yusuke asked. He had trouble to believe what he just heard.

"I need a little more time. I'll return you the treasure in three days."

"What?!" But Kurama had already stepped on and was now before her, glancing sideways at her with a little smile.

"You seem to be a fast healer." Indeed, with the poison he had used on her, the girl should have been out for days -a good week at least-, but a single night had been enough for her to recover.

"You wouldn't know. Besides I wanted to see your pretty face again." She said smirking.

"But I'm still glad you're alright." He chuckled.

"You're weird. As a demon and as a thief. But I've got to make you pay for embarrassing me. I won't go easy on you just because you're cute or because I'm indebted." The girl said smirking wider. Then Yusuke stepped between them asking what was going on. Whether he did it because he didn't like being ignored or because he was still being protective of her (men...), it was like he cut something when he did so. She looked at him weirdly. Kurama chuckled.

"I see, you're right. Then see you in three days." The fox thief said yet again ignoring Yusuke and disappearing in the crowd. As she watched him leave, the meaning of her smile and the shining in her eyes was clear: it was all becoming pretty interesting. It was like a big game, the world saving, the stupid hero detective, the annoying but still better assistant, the 'evil demons' who stole the dangerous artefacts and who most probably wanted to conquer the world. But this Kurama, he had two faces. The seemingly gentle human who wouldn't do anything wrong and the great powerful and dangerous demon who stole from a high security place like Koenma's Vault. My my, it was really nice he was there to spice up everything.

Suddenly the young girl came back to reality. She was holding Yusuke's wrist. Most probably he tried to punch her and she had instinctinvely caught his hand. They had been trying to call her for some time but she wouldn't respond.

"Uhh? What?" She asked letting go of the guy's wrist.

"Don't what me!"

"Akari? What's going on? What happened between you and this Kurama? Are you somewhat involved?"

"Humm….." She was looking up like in deep thought, her finger on her lips. Then she lifted it almost as if she were in class.

"That's a secret!" She said grinning and running away laughing. With Yusuke and Botan chasing after her since they pretty much wanted to know what it was all about.

"It's a trap!" Botan said decidedly while Akari was healing the young detective with her reikohadou. "It's too good to be true. In three days it'll be the full moon when the mirror will be the most effective, fulfilling his wish. However one thing must be given in exchange, though we don't know what. He must want to use these three days to find out what this thing is." But she couldn't see why Kurama would then bother to show himself. Yusuke didn't think Kurama was that bad. And the Ferry girl doubted herself even more when the detective said that the three demons were having an argument and that Kurama wanted to withdraw.

"Actually I trust the kitsune too."

"You only say that because you l-i-k-e him!"

...

"Owww that hurts! You…" But he did shut up, cowering before her death glare and her surge of power. She then smiled very sweetly at him.

"Don't be stupid Yusuke -though I know you can't help it- I can't fall for a tricky thief like him, I still got to pay him back. Aarrrrggg but because of that damn depressed face of his I won't have the heart to beat him. Besides he IS indeed cute so that would be a waste. Oh well, I'll just be careful not to hit his face." Akari grinned innocently, Yusuke and Botan sweatdropped. "Anyway, jokes aside, I do trust him because he is not the type to do things without a good reason and he especially won't cause harm without a good reason. He has a certain idea of right and wrong but he won't let anyone stand in his way of achieving his goal."

"Wow. How do you know that?" Botan asked.

"That's called experience. And feminine intuition too."

"But I'm still curious to know what happened to him." The blue-haired girl wondered.

"We'll just have to wait for three more days to find out." The pink-haired one smiled.

"Yusuke! Dinner is ready!" Atsuko said cheerfully, suddenly entering the room, making Yusuke jump. "Botan-chan, Akari-chan, you too!"

"Ah, thank you."

"Yay! Thank ya!"

"Hey! We were talking about some important stuff!"

"And what is it that your mom can't listen as well?" Atsuko asked threateningly, grabbing her dear son by his collar. While Botan was trying to calm the family fight Akari went to the balcony and looked up. She could see Kurama's silhouette detaching itself from the almost full moon. He was standing on a railing, on the roof of a near building. His eyes…. She frowned, her hands tightening around the railing. She was sure there was something fishy, she could feel it. She said he wouldn't let anything in his way; that meant also death itself. This guy wasn't afraid to die to reach his goal. What if the price the mirror would ask was his life? She didn't know if she should admire him or find him stupid but she knew she wouldn't let him have his way if it was to let him die.

"Hey! Akari! You coming? It's gonna get cold! Or should I eat your share?!" Yusuke had just interrupted the piercing staring contest.

"You better not! One missing thing and I'll kill you!" The girl warned him while heading back. But when she tried to look one last time, the demon was gone. And so she wolfed down her plate and stole Yusuke's food too. She needed food to recover. What? He also needed it so he could recover too after having been mangled by that stupid weakling Goki? What about it?

Three days later at Sarayashiki Middle School.

"Urameshi, there's somebody at the gate looking for you." A student said to a bored Yusuke. Though hearing this, his face lit up: Oh! Which high school student is it? It's been a while since anybody came for a chat! He thought. He really loved talking... with his fists, and since most peope were scared of him, very few were still coming to visit him, and he was lonely. But the person was not quite what he had in mind.

"It's you, Kurama!"

"Hi. We had an appointment today. I have to return the treasure right?"

"Yep!" Akari said jumping next to him from a nearby tree. "But it looks like Yusuke forgot all about it. Man, he's really hopeless."

"Shut up! I didn't!"

"Riiiiight. Anyway, let's go."

"But before that, I'd like you to meet someone."

"Me?" Akari and Yusuke asked in the same time pointing at themselves. On the way Urameshi and she didn't stop bickering until Kurama finally intervened:

"Akari, I didn't know you attended the same school as Yusuke." He said, probably referring to the blue uniform the girl was wearing.

"Keh Koenma made me promise to wear it and go to school." She said, humphing.

"I think it does look good on you." He replied smiling. "But then why weren't you in class?"

"Just going to school doesn't mean I will actually attend the classes. Besides I'm still not registered so I can do whatever I want." She said smirking. "Until that damn binky breath notices and make the registration himself and make me promise." She frowned, hoping that this day will never come.

A few minutes later they found themselves before a hospital. They entered and went to the room 501. On the sign the girl could read: Minamino-sama. Minamino? Inside was a black-haired middle-aged woman. There were scars on her arms but she looked very sweet, and very ill.

"Oh, it's so rare to see you bring friends over, I'm glad you did."

"You should just lie down mom."

'Mom?' Akari and Yusuke wondered in the same time.

"I'm feeling better today."

"I'll help you peel some apples." Kurama suggested.

"Don't bother, I'm not hungry today." But he replied that if she didn't eat something healthy she would never recover.

"You are so strict Shuichi."

Then Akari understood, she knew, though she had trouble believing it. Unlike Yusuke who was just as surprised.

"He is right Mrs Minamino," She said gently, starting to peel an apple, "Please recover soon, your son needs you, more than you think." She smiled. 'Shuichi' stared at her, he had guessed right. She looked at him in a meaningful way. Then his eyes would say: thank you, I'll tell you everything later.

"Oh Shuichi, your girlfriend is such a beautiful and caring person." Kurama's mother said smiling, making them both jump, blushing and stuttering. But she was first to recover saying they were just friends. She apologised. Yusuke had a cat-like face with a sweatdrop. It seems like he didn't have the slightest idea of what was going on but still found hers and the fox's reaction suspicious. He had an eyebrow raised at the two.

At sunset the three of them went to the hospital's roof. It was like the whole world was dyed in red and sheets were flapping and swaying in the wind. There Kurama explained everything, about Youko Kurama, the fox thief, disengaging locks, stealing weapons and treasures, how he got killed by a hunter and his soul escaped to Ningenkai to inhabit the baby born from Shiori Minamino. How he came to sincerely and deeply love his human mother that he couldn't leave her. These scars she had, it was because of him.

When he was little he tried to get containers in a high cupboard but plates fell and broke, he fell too, and his mother put her arms under him, the shards digging in her skin, so he wouldn't be hurt. She was still smiling, glad that he wasn't hurt and only caring about him. She didn't even know who he really was. As a demon it was unthinkable to have fostered such emotions. Then she felt ill, and now she won't last another month.

"And now you want to save her using the mirror and return it to us?" Akari said frowing, there was definitely something fishy.

"Yes." He said looking at her right in the eyes. He knew she knew.

"Hey! How do you know that?" Yusuke asked pointing at her.

"That's logic you idiot!" She said smacking him on the head.

"Oww! But anyway why are you telling us this?" Yusuke asked, deciding it was safer to ask Kurama than his 'partner' (and well he was right).

"Perhaps I needed someone to listen to my regrets. After all you believed me."

The pink-haired girl growled. He had made that cute and depressed face again but he was really pissing her off: he would throw away his life like this? Did he not think of his mother's feelings?

Then a nurse came in. It was about his mother. Akari and Kurama quickly ran back to the room while Yusuke was still standing there, dumfounded. Shiori's illness had suddenly got worse. The doctor said that this night would be critical and that she really was in danger.

"She is… dying?"

"We will all try our best." The doctor eluded. On the way back they passed by Yusuke, but he followed them.

"Are you really going to use the mirror?"

"I have to do it now!"

"But what must be given in exchange for fulfilling your wish?" She demanded, though she had already guessed the answer.

"It's 'life'!" Yusuke gasped and she clenched her fists, so that was it. "That's why it is called the Mirror of the Forlon Hope. It fulfils your wish but at the same time takes your life away. And that's also why it often changes hands." Then Kurama put the mirror on the ground and let his hand hover over it and chanted:

"Oh Mirror of the Forlon Hope, accept the moonlight and awaken, reveal your power that will fulfill my wish, reflected on your surface." The artefact glowed darkly and revealed Shiori's face.

"The happiness of this woman; is this really your wish?" the mirror said in a dark voice.

"Yes."

"Hey! You sure about this? If she lives and you die won't it be just as meaningless?" Yusuke tried to convince him

"There's no other way." Now that was really it. She was so furious she snapped and punched Yusuke away without even noticing so.

"Baka!" She shouted. "You'd let mother all alone, there's nothing worse than that! And what if she loves you so much that she'll die from sadness?!"

"Akari…" He whispered half pleadingly half respectfully. Then she sighed.

"You'll do it no matter what, right?"

"I will."

"Then it can't be helped." She said cursing his damn stubbornness and her own damn stupidity before putting her hand on the mirror too and demanding that it takes her life instead of his.

"NO! Why would you do that?!"

"Because you have much to live for." Then she grinned and added: "Besides you must still go to jail for stealing that stupid mirror. AND your death would be a waste of bishiness." She grinned and winked at him making him blush a bit. Though he could still see deep sadness in her beautiful golden eyes, he felt really a great respect toward her and really hoped that both of them could survive. But then Yusuke finally awake butted in.

"Then that makes us three idiots! Hey mirror! Just take my life instead of theirs!"

"Yusuke?!"

"Can't let a girl down right?" Yusuke said smugly. The young girl smirked but still she would have hit him for being sexist. "And as she said, see your own mother crying for your death would be the ultimate unpardonable act!" Kurama smiled gratefully at the two of them. Then they were all engulfed in light and everything went black.

But the three of them woke up soon after, surprised to be still alive. Kurama immediately rushed to see how his mother was doing. Akari was still a bit dizzy. Yusuke was cursing himself for having acted yet again so recklessly and whining about how scary it was. The mirror did let everyone live because each one was willing to die for the others. Well now that this damn thing was in their hands, and since she was glad to be still among the living but also aware that she had not been much better than Yusuke on this one, she didn't hit him but instead went to the room 501. There she had a pleasant sight: Kurama's mother had passed through it and her state was gradually improving, he was holding her hand with both of his and reassuring her. She smiled sweetly, rather satisfied, and left.


Author's note: I forgot to mention it but yes, as someone noticed it, I used to post this story on quizilla under the title 'Demons! Bow before the Human Elemental!^^' on my account KetsuekinoNamida. When the site closed down, I changed my pen name, came here, change the title and improved the content a bit. I'm really glad I found one of my old fans here (or rather that she found me XD) Thank you very much deathangel1630 for your review :). I'll update one chapter every day until I've caught up ^^.