Eyes in the back of her head, Chapter 2

OK, so I really hadn't intended to continue with this. But I've had some ideas,

and want to see where it goes. So here is part two. Hope you like it!

Kurama sat down at the table with Hiei to his left, and his mother to his right. It was so hard to keep a straight face as Hiei's discomfort was plain for anyone to see. Shiori had a small smile on her face as she started to pass plates around, and as she began serving the delicious food that she had prepared, she kept an eye on the two older boys. Grilled fish with rice, sautéed vegetables with beef, a mixed vegetable salad, and miso soup made the rounds around the table, making everyone's mouths water at the smells.

"Itadakimasu." Hiei said quietly with everyone else, and as they began to eat, Shiori kept the conversation going between her husband and stepson. Hiei had asked Kurama what would be expected of him at the table, and Kurama had done his best to explain the basic table manners that his mother had taught him in the hour or so before they were expected downstairs. Even so, Hiei felt timid and unsure, and kept pestering Kurama throughout the meal telepathically. Which in turn caused Kurama to flinch slightly at each mental intrusion, and Shiori would flick her eyes over to them.

"How did you and Shuiichi meet, Hiei?" Shuichi, Kurama's younger stepbrother asked, after finishing telling his parents about his classes, "Is it true that you fought in the martial arts tournament together 3 years ago?" The boy's excited face beamed with eagerness at the thought. Hiei deadpanned for a moment, and then realized that the boy was talking about Kurama, and the Dark Tournament.

~Keep it simple Hiei.~

"Well, I was looking for a friend of mine that had gone missing a few years ago, and Kurama helped me to find her. We also have…. friends, in common who we trained with for the tournament. And yes, we did team up for the group fights." Hiei's voice was strained with frustration and uncertainty. Kurama smiled at his younger brother and spoke up, to Hiei's immense relief.

"You remember when I went to the mountains to train, Shuichi?" He nodded eagerly "Hiei was there with our other friends too. After the tournament, we've kept in touch, even though we don't go to the same school. There are other tournaments that Hiei has competed in, even though they are quite obscure, since they are all connected to his school." The young boy's eyes were wide with delight, and he started to bounce in his seat.

"Do you think you guys could show me some moves? I want to join the martial arts club at school, but I don't want to look like a fool. Oh man, that would be so cool! I could go to the first meeting and everyone would be so impressed that I wouldn't be a beginner! Oh please say yes!" Shuichi slapped his hands together and bowed as low as the table would permit, while both Hiei and Kurama fumbled for an answer to the heartfelt plea. Shiori chuckled as she started to gather up the empty plates and bowls.

"Give them some time to think about it Shuichi dear. With as many clubs as he's already in, I don't know where Shuiichi finds the time to sleep most nights after getting his homework done. Besides, your father was trained in marital arts; he might be able to show you some of what he learned if you ask him nicely."

"REALLY! Oh Dad, that's awesome! Can you? Please, please, please, please?!" Hatanaka groaned good-naturedly, and rubbed his face with his hands.

"And here I was hoping for a quiet night in front of the tv." He looked over at his son's pleading face, and then sighed before mock glaring at Shiori. "You weren't supposed to rat me out, my love!" At the sad whine from Shuichi, he chuckled "Fine, fine. But you have to finish the rest of your homework first. No more notes from your math teacher saying you're skipping steps, or I won't show you a single thing!"

"Deal! May I be excused please?" Shuichi smiled charmingly, and then ran upstairs when his parents nodded. Kurama stood and gathered the rest of the plates and took them to the kitchen, Hiei following close behind. He was just placing them in the sink with water when Shiori came in, and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Those can wait a bit dear, there's something I want to show you and Hiei. I'll finish them later." Hiei and Kurama glanced at each other, and then nodded to the woman. She went up to her husband and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"I'm taking the other two out for a bit dear, so the tv is all yours for a while at least. And you know you want to show him anyways." Hatanaka grinned and kissed her back, before settling onto the couch and relaxing. Shiori grabbed the keys and bustled the boys out of the house and into the car. The quiet in the car wasn't strained, but it wasn't the most comfortable for Hiei either, especially since he rarely rode in the mechanical contraptions.

~Fox?~

~No idea Hiei. Let's be patient and wait to see.~

~Hn~

Shiori drove for about half an hour or so, until they were well outside the city, and then pulled onto a small side round leading into the mountains. After a while longer, she parked in a clearing and turned the car off. After getting out and stretching, she motioned for the boys to follow, then headed onto the path that lead into the trees after the boys joined her.

"Keep up dears. We don't have too much farther to go."