Hey, I'm back! I'm on a roll so I figured I'd better run with it. Chapter 2!
Curiosity Killed the Cat
Chapter 2: Little Miracles
Despite being continuously jostled, Botan couldn't help but smile as she weaved her way through the crowded Tokyo streets. Yesterday she had managed to slip "Fates Book of Soul Mates" back into Koenma's desk and erase all history of her searches through his files before the prince of Spirit World returned from his relaxing bath in the hot springs. He'd been upset to find her in his chair but she escaped unharmed with the names of Kurama and Hiei's soul mates tucked safely in her pocket.
She paused momentarily outside of the library, causing someone to run into her from behind. The man threw her a quick apology before scurrying off but she ignored him, proceeding up the front steps.
Botan had only managed to make it back to Human World by convincing Koenma to go visit Keiko and Yusuke at the hospital. She was due any day now. That was one reason why Yusuke wouldn't be participating in the Makai Tournament next week. He'd be raising a family soon--probably not the best time to be the king of Demon World....
Silently, Botan made her way to the other end of the library where 8 computers were pushed up against the wall. 2 were in use. The remaining 6 showed fish swimming across the monitors--screen savers. She plopped down in the spinning chair and jiggled the mouse of the computer on the end. She planned on finding Kurama's human soul mate on line. she'd have to ask around at the tournament to find Hiei's.
Bringing up the internet, Botan typed Akari's name in to the nearest search engine. The first 3 results were facebook pages. Botan clicked on it, noticing that the woman was 63. She made a face, hoping that this wasn't it. Reluctantly, she scanned the profile.
This woman was insane! Her status threatened the entire country of Japan because leaves from her neighbor's trees were clogging her gutters, her wall sported reviews for various internet dating websites, and she had a group honoring each of her 28 deceased cats.
"That can't be her," Botan told herself firmly, pressing the back button. The second profile belonged to a 12-year-old boy. She enjoyed a moment of visualizing Kurama as a pedofile before moving on.
The last profile seemed significantly more likely. This Akari was a 19-year-old girl who actually lived in Tokyo. Her profile picture showed her as having black hair and bright blue eyes. She was really very pretty. She was part of several Tae-Quan-Do groups; had 4,572 friends; and was single. Botan tried to read the girl's wall but gave up after a hundred or so comments. Akari must be very charismatic.... This definitely looked more like Kurama's type.
The ferry-girl's train of thought was interrupted by the ring of her communicator. The librarian at the island desk in the middle of the room hissed at her be quiet. "Sorry!" she whispered, answering it. Kuwabara's agitated face appeared immediately.
"Botan-chan, IT'S COMING!"
Koenma snatched his communicator from Kuwabara after Botan had hung up, effectively preventing him from crushing it in his nervousness. Keiko was screaming in the other room and they could hear the soft coos of the doctors trying to help her. Through the crack in the door, the prince could see Yusuke holding his wife's hand. He looked pale and shaky.
"How's she doing?" Shizuru asked quietly. She'd had to leave a minute for a smoke. Yukina, Kurama, and even Genkai were there as well.
"Still in labor."
Suddenly, Botan appeared at the end of the hall, nearly knocking over a poor kid carrying a stack of towels higher than the top of his head. She sprinted toward the group and skidded to a stop right next to the door, panting. She sighed in relief. "I'm not too late!"
"Yusuke looks terrified," Shizuru said with a smirk, straining to see over Botan's head. "It's like he's the one having the baby...." Kurama chuckled softly and had to resist looking for himself.
Then there were several short gasps from in the room and a high-pitched cry. It was here! The group of 7 gathered around the door immediately, trying to look in. Shizuru hushed them all curtly and they listened for the nurse's voice.
"It's a boy."
There was more crying and they watched as the woman wiped him off with a towel. She then set him down on a short examination table and gave the child a cursory appraisal. They heard her mumble to herself as she went through her checklist. Keiko looked exhausted but found the energy to squeeze Yusuke's hand. He looked about ready to faint. Everything he'd been through and this very well might be the thing to kill him.
"Airways look good... heartbeat's slow, but steady (they all exchanged looks)... no visible deformities..." the nurse continued down her list and, after a moment wrapped him tightly in a blanket and picked him back up. She strode briskly over to Keiko, whose arms were outstretched, and gently set him on the brunette's lap. "He appears to be healthy."
One of the nurses, previously in the corner furiously filling out the paperwork, approached the trio. "What do you want to name him?"
Yusuke blinked and tore his gaze away from his newborn son for a moment to answer. "A-," he paused to swallow and tried again. "Akio. Akio Urameshi." She tried asking the couple how they wanted to spell it but they were too occupied with their son to care.
"Akio, huh?" Kuwabara grunted.
Kurama gave him a look. "You didn't know? I'd have figured he would've told you at least."
"Well, yeah. They talked about names and stuff, but they didn't want to know whether it was a boy or girl until it actually came. I know they'd decided on Kimiko as a girl's name but last I knew they were still considering Daichi as a boy's name."
Botan suddenly whipped out a baby name book. "...Akio: meaning 'bright man'." She pouted slightly. "Not much of a meaning, but it's still a cute name! Can we go see him?"
Kurama chuckled. "Not yet, Botan-chan. Be patient."
"We need to go, Botan," Koenma announced, glancing at his watch. "We still have some preparations to make for the Tournament. We only have 3 days left."
"What!"
"We're all coming back tomorrow. You could come see him with us," Yukina suggested quietly.
"What time?"
"Botan--."
"KOENMA-SAMA, WE'RE COMING BACK TOMORROW TO SEE THE BABY!"
"1:30, Botan-chan."
"We'll both be there!" she promised. "See you guys then!" The group sent the ferry girl and her boss off with polite goodbyes and peeked in to watch as the nurse took the baby from a pissed-off looking Keiko. They could tell she didn't want to give him up. They took him to an adjourning room and transferred her to a cot so that she could be taken back to her own room. She was sweaty and looked about ready to pass out. Yusuke gave them a grateful nod as the nurse guided her cot through the hall but didn't leave her side. He looked like he might need the cot next.
After the doctors had gotten Keiko hooked up to all of the monitors, the group of 5 entered her room. Atsuko and Keiko's parents were still in there, insisting that there would be nothing to see. The nurse gave them a run-down as Kurama pulled a chair up to the bed for Yusuke.
"Thanks, man." Kurama and Kuwabara sat in some of the chairs across the bed from Yusuke, Yukina perched delicately on the windowsill, Shizuru leaned against the thresh hold, and Genkai stood beside Kurama. Yusuke heaved a heavy sigh and wiped his brow. Keiko had fallen asleep. "A boy..." he said quietly. "I have a son...." He seemed to be in shock. The group watched as he gently placed his hand on Keiko's.
There was a moment of silence before Kuwabara tried to start a conversation. "You should've seen Botan-chan, Urameshi. I thought she was gonna barge in there and steal him from Keiko-chan."
Yusuke smiled tiredly. "I bet she would have too. Where is she anyways?"
"Koenma-sama had a few more things to take care of for next week. They will return tomorrow to see the baby with the rest of us," Kurama answered.
"When?"
"About 1:30, if that's okay?"
"Yeah, sure." Yusuke looked at Keiko affectionately before returning his attention to the group before him. "And guys? Thanks for coming...."
1:30 Tomorrow
Once again, a large group was gathered at the glass by the nursery. It was Keiko's parents; Atsuko; Botan; Koenma; Shizuru; Kuwabara; Yukina; Genkai; Kurama; and, of course, Yusuke and Keiko (who was leaning heavily on her husband). The couple hadn't gotten much sleep that night. The nurses kept waking them up to feed every 2 hours.
The females of the group (aside from Keiko) gasped when the nurse brought Akio up to the glass. He was so small and had a little tuft of black hair on the top of his head. Big, chocolate brown eyes opened sleepily and blinked at them curiously.
"Aww...." Botan pressed her nose against the glass.
Behind her, Kurama leaned over to whisper something into Yusuke's ear. "Guess who else is here?"
Yusuke Squinted his eyes in concentration and extended his reiki. On the roof of the hospital there was a familiar energy. "Hiei?" He turned around to face Kurama who cleared his throat and subtly touched his forehead. Of course, the Jagan.
The girls had formed a little group off to his right and were talking with Keiko.
"They said it's a little early, but they're going to let us take him home tomorrow morning."
"Tomorrow?"
"Really?"
Shizuru gave the brunette a skeptical look. "Then why the glass?" She wrapped her knuckles on it for emphasis.
"They want to make sure he's alright before they release him."
"Don't they want to see if he's strong enough deal with everything first?"
"I don't know..."
"You should come visit us tomorrow," Yukina suggested. "Genkai-sama and I could baby sit Akio so that you and Yusuke could get some sleep."
"That sounds nice Yukina. I could use some sleep." Yukina beamed.
"Can we come see him too?" Kuwabara interrupted, leaning over into their huddle.
"Of course!" Shizuru brought a fist down on the top of her brother's head, chiding him for being intrusive. They all gave a chuckle and watched as the nurse placed little Akio back in his box.
Kurama placed a hand on Yusuke's shoulder, expression serious. "Yusuke, could I talk to you a moment?" The ex-spirit detective gave an uncertain nod and told Keiko he'd be right back. They slipped around the corner and noted that Hiei had left. "Yusuke, I don't want to alarm you but.... Do you remember Suzaku?" He watched as Yusuke's expression slid into a look of rage. He remembered.
"That's the bastard who sent his zombie army after... Keiko...." As realization dawned on him, there was a flash of horror in his eyes. "... You think...?" Kurama nodded and Yusuke looked away. Kurama had definitely alarmed him. "Someone may try to get to me through Akio, just like Suzaku used Keiko."
Botan exited the hospital with Koenma in tow. They weaved their way through the crowd to the bus stop at the park down the street. Botan slid onto the bench with a grin still firmly fixed on her face. "Akio-chan is so cute!"
"I suppose so..."
Botan looked horrified. "What do you mean 'I suppose so'? He's adorable!"
"I was joking Botan."
"Oh." Bored and slightly embarrassed, she stood up and glanced around the park. It was almost empty, which was unusual. Almost. Botan stiffened. In the middle of said park, perched on the edge of the enormous fountain, was none other than
Akari...
Suddenly, Akari stood up and smiled at someone to her right.
"Ryuko-chan! There you are!" Ryuko?! Botan's jaw dropped and she stared openly as another girl walked across the street. She was an extremely short brunette with green eyes. As she approached, she began to... sign?! She couldn't talk?! Akari smiled. "Come on, we'll be late for the movie!" More signing. Akari laughed. "Yes, I'll pay."
"Botan?" The ferry girl felt a hand on her shoulder and whipped around to find Koenma giving her a worried look. "Are you ready?"
The bus had arrived.
"Uh... yeah...." She followed her boss onto the bus, looking back when she'd reached the top of the stairs. They were gone....