The Invitation
"What's this?" Botan murmured curiously, taking the crisply folded letter from a red ogre who stumbled off, most likely to return to paperwork. Koenma hated the stuff, and had passed it all down to his inferiors under the blind eye of King Enma. It was parchment, and had a scarlet seal imprinted with some character she didn't recognize. She turned it over, sure it was for Koenma. It surprised her to see, in black scrawly cursive, her own name.
She broke it open, careful to preserve the wax. Her cotton-candy-colored eyes narrowed for a moment, then widened. The corners of her lips turned up, and she went to alert Koenma that she'd be leaving soon.
"Shuichi! Mail!" Shiori called up the stairs. She smiled, setting the envelope on the landing to lay in wait for him, then returned to washing the dishes. Her husband and adoptive son were on a fishing trip, and, worried about his mother, Shuichi had returned home to keep her company until the rest of the family had arrived. He usually stayed away at college, but she liked to have him home.
She remembered having opened the front door not two days ago, a young man with short red hair standing, smiling. Hugs all around – he had told her he had a surprise but she would have never guessed that he'd cut his long crimson hair. It always looked so darling on him.
Humming to herself, she rinsed the sink and wiped her soapy hands on her apron, then began to fill a large pot with water for their supper.
Kurama dropped his pen on his still-blank sheet, and descended to find the letter his mother had called him about. It was white, and had only his first name and address. Green eyes intrigued, he opened the letter to find an invitation.
"It couldn't be..." Kurama shook his head, and then started down the steps two at a time to let his mother know he'd be cutting his visit home short.
"You didn't get one? Oh – so Yusuke told Kuwabara, did he?" Keiko sighed, laying on her back on her bed, her head at the foot of the bed. She rolled over, kicking her feet lightly as she spoke on the phone. "Yes, I've got it right here."
"To Celebrate the First Anniversary since the Maboroshi Tournament, You are Invited to a Reunion at the Home of Genkai, Reikai Master. There is no response Necessary. This is Not Optional. Your Presence is Requested the following Sunday afternoon."
"No, nothing special, just like I told you Shizuru. But why would he tell Kuwabara and not me? No, I suppose it's no big deal. Yes, I'll see you there." She laughed lightly, then clicked her phone off, letting it fall to the floor with a dull thud. She turned, staring at the blackness out of her window. That boy..
Yukina set the tray of tea down in front of the statue of Buddha, recounting to make sure she had enough for everyone – nine in all. Genkai had surprised her this morning, telling her the rest of the gang was coming to stay for one or two weeks. Yukina had been happy, although, jokingly, upset with Genkai for letting her know so late. She had to prepare places for everyone to sleep. And there was only enough food up there in the mountains to last two women two weeks, so a shopping trip was in order. But she felt confidant now, now that the others were to arrive any minute.
At his sentry post atop a windblown tree, Hiei watched Genkai's house, his red eyes flashing. The air around him buzzed, and, bouncing across treetops, he made it to the courtyard, sliding inside the room.
Yukina's eyes widened, and she spun around, her expression nervous. "Hiei," she said, relieved, turning back to the tea. "I... I thought.."
Hiei narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "You thought.. what? Yukina?"
"I... um... nothing," she said, waving her hand dismissively. "It was nothing."
Hiei moved towards her from his perch leaning on the wall, but an estranged shout from outside cut him off. "Yukina my looooove!"
The ice maiden's cheeks tinged pink, and she turned to the open door. Sure enough, Kuwabara was running from the stone steps towards her. He would have made it uneventful, but he tripped on the step between ground and porch. She giggled, and went out to meet him, leaving Hiei inside. "Are you alright Kazuma?"
He rose his head, grinning sheepishly. "Yes, Yukina, I will be fine!" he said heroically.
Shizuru was just behind him, Keiko with her. She shook her head, crossing her arms. "Baby brother.." she murmured, exasperated. She looked beyond his crumpled form to the petite Yukina. "How have you been?" She asked conversationally heading towards the interior. "He didn't scare you, did he?"
Yukina shook her head. "No, of course not." She nodded, bowing informally. "Shizuru, Keiko, it's so good to see you again!" As Kuwabara stood, she led the three of them inside. Hiei shot a glare at Kuwabara, but other than that did not make his presence known.
Genkai came in just after them, sitting at the head of the room. Yukina sat on her left, Keiko taking her other side. Kuwabara sat next to Yukina, surprisingly, and Shizuru took a seat next to the young Yukimora.
"Hey everyone!" A delightfully perky voice emanated from the steps as Botan entered the room, sitting next to Shizuru. "Sorry I'm late – it was Hell, quite literally, to get here." She sighed, throwing her hands up in the air as she continued to speak top speed. "The Spirit World's swamped, what with a cruise ship going down in the Caribbean and a few unlucky explosions in Southern Africa." She shook her head. "Koemna's having quite a hectic time, and I don't think he'll be able to meet us. And he was quite looking forward to it."
Keiko smiled. "Hello, Botan." Yukina offered the same greeting.
"Thanks guys," she said, glancing around the room. She blinked. "Where are Kurama and Yusuke?"
"Behind you," a tantalizingly male voice said. "Or, at least half of us." Kurama walked into the room, sitting beside Kuwabara. "I can't speak much for Yusuke, however. It's good to see all of you again," he murmured, sending an especially appreciative glance at Yukina – one that Hiei did not miss.
Genkai took a sip of the tea that Yukina had set out. "Well, I can see most of you are here." She glanced especially at Kurama and Botan, the two who knew of the circumstances around the invitations.
Keiko glanced at the last cup of tea, between Kurama and Botan. Where was he..?
Kuwabara smacked his forehead loudly, causing everyone to look in his direction. "I almost forgot! Urameshi told me to let you know he'd be kind of late!"
Shizuru rolled her eyes. "You're only thinking of this now."
"Well at least I remembered at all."
Keiko stayed quiet, setting her tea down quietly. A sigh escaped her lips. Why did I expect now to be any different...?
Kurama set his own cup down as well, looking at the brunette. "I wouldn't worry, Keiko," he said encouragingly. "Remember, Yusuke's still got business in Makai that pulls him away from here from time to time. It may have been something that he couldn't avoid. If he's not here in the morning I'll make sure to go get him, okay?"
Keiko nodded. But she doubted it was anything of the sort. Now that she and Yusuke were engaged, she had expected him to tell her more than what he had. But maybe she had been expecting too high expectations.
Genkai glanced at Yukina, who glanced outside. It was late evening, and the sun was causing the courtyard to glow red and orange. "Oh!" She said, after a moment. "Dinner." She stood, running to the kitchen.
Genkai smiled. "After we eat, Yukina can help you find your rooms." She rolled her eyes. "I'm sure you're all tired from your long trip here." She took another sip of her tea. "And..that's about it." She stood. "I'll see you all in the morning."
And that, mis compadres, was chapter two.
R&R!