Outside Wants In
-
-
Just Let The Love In There
-
I couldn't believe how easily my heart's content was divulged. How could I sell out my mother like that? I betrayed her memory by trying to be civil to this strange young man. Even if he was my father, that didn't undo the past sixteen years of my life. That didn't erase the pain, it didn't stop the beatings, and it didn't cull the safe hatred. No, if anything, the ire in my heart reverberated through my head, demanding vengeance. My embarrassment and shame at the moment knew no bounds.
Before I embraced my slumber's master, the last thought on my mind had been the audacity of a man who has never met me, or knew of me. Insecurities plagued my thoughts and I pondered the sincerity of his words. He claimed to love me, this perfect stranger who only shares the similarity of DNA. Could this cold, silver haired Youko of legend really be my father? Divulging my most private and shameful secret to these strangers had been hard, and I would have fled at that instant, never to return if it weren't for my father's friends holding me in place. The short one, Hiei—knocked me out and I then succumbed to the numbness of unconsciousness.
I awoke about thirty seven hours later, inside a modestly furnished bedroom. The room was clean, of medium size, and most likely housed a boy, probably a teenager. Everywhere, there were pictures of kittens, and a few portraits. I recognized the tall brunette, Shizuru, I believe. Smiling brightly next to her was her brother the carrot topped ball of excitement Kuwabara. Two unrecognizable people embraced them; most likely it was their parents. I stretched sat up suddenly, scratching behind my pointed ears. My ears were no longer furry and fox like. Also, my tail disappeared, and I felt a sense of panic rise within me. Where was my furry appendage?
Looking around in frantic, I found my answer in the form of a dark haired, punk with a greased up hairdo. He smiled at me weakly as if he knew some shocking secret about my life. I couldn't imagine what the kid could be privy to. I'd already told every one about the sexual assault. I had forgotten to mention that in defense of myself, I'd manage to hurt that bastard. It's hard being a sixteen year old D-class half demon, especially when you have the scent of the fox.
Once more, my mind reverted back to flashes in my childhood. I remember the journal my uncle Kwasi had given me. He was my only supporter among an unkind village. He saw me as my mother's child, and not as the evil demon that killed my mother. While he was still alive, and before I was kicked out of the village, he left me journal kept by mother while she was pregnant with me. I read the book over and over again in my youth, and each time I read it, I hated the man who was my father. My mother wrote so lovingly of him, but how could I love a man that abandoned me, and my mother? There was also the conundrum of my unusual conception and birth.
I wasn't going to be able to mull over my thoughts any longer however, because Yusuke snapped his fingers in front of me, bringing me back to reality. I glared at him then, knowing that I probably didn't scare him at all. He did defeat Toguro after all. When we locked eyes, I looked down ashamed of myself and wishing that I had never met these people, let alone told them about what happened to me. I could feel the bed droop a bit, and I knew that he was sitting next to me. We said nothing to one another, and he looked straight ahead, while I looked anywhere but at him.
"You know, you've had a hard life. You've been through a lot of crap, shit that most kids our age have never and will never go through. I admire that. I mean here you are in a foreign country, wondering how you got there and how you'll get back home."
This kid was beginning to annoy me. What did he know? Hell yeah, I had a hard life. A lot of crap he says. Hmph. I recall times during my uncle Kwasi's decline in health when people would actually stone me as I walked to school. No one wanted to be my friend, and no trusted me because they probably thought I'd still from them like my progenitor had done. Home? What a strange concept. For me, home was not a building, but more of a place in my heart. Home was waking up to see my uncle teaching me archery. Home was tending the garden with him. Home was laughing at his jokes, and feeling that bittersweet twinge of happy sadness whenever he mentioned how much I resembled my mother. This boy's quaint notions of "home" didn't fit into any picture that I had of it.
"What's your point Urameshi? Furthermore, what happened to my ears and tail? Where the hell am I?"
"You are at my friend Kuwabara's house. He's the redhead with the ugly mug. Shizuru suggested that we bring you here after Kurama fainted."
I frowned at him, narrowing my eyes. His impudence may impress some girls, but I found it rude and annoying. He still hadn't answered my questions either. I folded my arms across my chest, recalling the stance that many of the mother's in my village would take when their children were ill behaved. He sighed, obviously realizing that I wasn't going to play any games.
Alright! Geeze, chill out. Old lady Genkai worked some magic mojo on you so that normal humans cannot see your foxy attributes. My point is simple. You are a survivor. You are a fighter, I can tell. I don't know the history of your Mom and Kurama, but I do know that Kurama's a good guy. He's already very protective of you, and he wants to be in your life. Don't shut him out because of the past. Don't cry for the moon."
I arched my eyebrows at this kid, surprised that even he could be serious. I never figured Yusuke to have a thread of seriousness in his body when it didn't pertain to fighting. I of all people knew that you should never judge people based on appearances. Still, he did have a point. Maybe I was being a bit unfair. I did have the bias of the villagers to grow up in. Perhaps, I could give this guy a chance. Of course, family hugs and father-daughter day's were not forthcoming, but I could at least refrain from trying to kill my father every time we were in the same room.
"Maybe there's more to you than wise ass comments and spirit guns."
I smirked, silently laughing as frowned marred his face. He left the room then, mumbling that I had better be grateful that I was Kurama's brat, or else he would have to pound me into next week. At the mention of Kurama, I felt a wave of uncertainty wash over me again. Where was Kurama anyway? It's not as if I missed him or anything, but the only reason I was even in this country was because of him. I walked around the room a bit, glancing at a few odds and ends. Basically, I was trying to delay having to leave the room. Mortified by my feelings, I opened the door, and walked down the hallway.
As I neared the family room, I could hear soft voices of passionately discussing something. I heard my name mentioned a few times, and I knew then that they were discussing me. They were probably talking about how to get rid of me. Nah. That didn't make sense. If they wanted to get rid of me, why would they go through all the trouble of smuggling me into the country? I snuck around to the bathroom, about to sneak in and listen even further when I felt a blush come across my face. Had I become such a coward, that I was even afraid to be in the same room as my father? Besides, anything that they had to say about me could be said to my face. I wasn't a coward.
"Kurama, she can't stay with you! What will your mother say when you come home with a foreign girl who has fox ears and a tail?!"
Keiko argued, as she squeezed that blue spirit beast for all he was worth. The poor blasting was turning blue, uh, bluer in the face than he already was. At this rate the little guy would die before a year if she ever got excited about something while holding. I could hear Kurama sigh, turning his head slightly to stare at my hiding place while I stood hidden in the shadows. All eyes turned to me then, and I had the grace to blush. Clearing my throat, I went to the nearest, seat and searched my pockets for my extra smokes. Pulling one out, I made motion to light up, but the angry frown on Kurama's face made me hesitate. I shrugged then, choosing to light up anyway.
"Let me just get a few things straight. Just because I found out that you are my old man doesn't give you the right to dictate my life. I have gotten along just fine without you these last sixteen years, and I don't need some over bearing, red headed demon trying rule my life now. Besides, you're fifteen, making you younger than myself."
I blew the smoke, silently taunting him as the smoke billowed from my mouth. Everyone in the room could feel the tension in the air no doubt, but I didn't care. If anyone besides Kurama was bothered by the smoke, they gave no indication. Shizuru was smoking along with myself, and remained silent.
"You'll get brown teeth and bad breath if you keeping smoking, Maya."
Kuwabara said, trying to prevent me from goading his teammate. I rolled my eyes at him, but acquiesced anyway. I got one drag out of the cigarette, and then crushed the butt on a coaster. I smiled at him then, a giving him a genuine grin that was rarely shown.
"You know I think I kind of like you. You're entertaining in a strange way. As for the smoking, well you develop bad habits when you grow up on the streets. But out of respect to your, I'll be happy to stop for now. Just don't blame me when I go ape shit on your asses because a nicotine fit."
"If we could get back to the issue at hand, everyone."
Kurama had returned to his human form, and I silently wondered how he was able to revert back to his weaker self. I also needed to talk to Genkai about returning my fox ears and tail. Though these very appendages had gotten me kicked out of countless villages, they were still what helped to make who I am.
"Before you joined us, we were discussing where you could lodge temporarily until I had the opportunity to arrange for something permanent. Now that you are here in Tokyo, we need a safe place to house you. Adjusting to life here may be a challenge."
I didn't know what to say at this point. Who in the hell did this man think he is telling me what to do? Moreover, since when had I agreed to stay in Tokyo, let alone this country?! These people had kidnapped me, and despite their so called good intentions I wasn't going to willingly go anywhere with them! Sure, they seemed like nice people but that was beside the point. I had a life before the Dark Tournament, and as crappy as it was, it was still my life. Before I knew it, my rose whip had been summoned, and the energy I was expelling was beginning to burn the drapes. My ears had returned to their normal shape all on their own. My tail fluttered behind me, as if it were riding on an ill wind.
"I refuse to stay here, and I will not be treated like a child by you. If blood must be shed to ensure this, then so be it."
Before I knew it, Kurama had reverted to his Youko form, and with it, his righteous anger. I reared back ready to defend myself, when he backhanded me. I reeled back, embracing the furious anger that coursed through my blood. I didn't care if he beat me, I would at least get one good shot in. I charged at him moving as if to land a right hook to the jaw, when I suddenly feinted to the left behind him and lashed his back and lower right leg. We jumped apart, ignoring the shouts of the other occupants in the room begging us to stop.
Youko smirked at me, feeling the bleeding wounds on my body. I know that I had gotten lucky and that the only reason I managed a hit was because I was his kid and he underestimated me. He wouldn't make the same mistake twice. His face was a mixture of pride and anger, of frustration and patience. Wiping the blood, I could see that his wounds were already healed once more. Oh shit! I didn't stand a chance against this guy, but I'm stubborn. Staring death in the face only made me fight harder. My breath was ragged as he neared me, and I tired my best to regulate my breathing.
Kurama had taken control again, while his Youko self remained dormant. His greens eyes betrayed a sadness that I believe I would remember until the end of my days. His hands reached for me, and I thought that he was preparing to attack once more. Instead of slapping me, his hand cupped my chin gently, and he looked at me with a gentle smile. Still, I was cautious of his behavior so I decided to remain perfectly still.
"I apologize for slapping you. I wouldn't have done it, but my original self, Youko was perturbed by your adamant disobedience. If you'll recall, I did say earlier that being around you heightens my power. When you became angry like that my instincts called for me to discipline you."
I noticed that there were a few people missing from the room as I scanned the den. Kuwabara and Yusuke went upstairs to play video games, Hiei left to parts unknown, Botan returned to Spirit World, while Keiko and Yukina adjourned to the kitchen. Now, the only people left were the adults Genkai and Shizuru. We sat down once more, but I chose to sit on the love seat next to Shizuru effectively preventing Kurama from sitting adjacent to me.
"Maya, I know that it's fair to say that you pretty much despise me. The people who reared you never bothered to learn much about me and so you've naturally had a very biased opinion of me. I understand that, which is why I am asking you to please think about staying here. You don't have to live here forever. Think about the opportunity that this situation affords us."
"We have been given a chance through providence of being united with one another. I am eager to learn of the person that you have become. I want to know you, and I want you in my life. I understand that this all sudden for you, but you deserve to know your history. You deserve to be surrounded by people who will care about you, and protect you."
"You don't even know me! Stop acting like you care."
I spat, feeling the hot tears run down my cheeks. I had shown weakness again. Why couldn't I just suck it up and take it? Why did the pain have to burn a hole through my heart?
"Damn it, girl! Stop wallowing in self pity. Your father, Kurama is trying to help you! Your mother would have wanted you to know him. She spoke highly of him when she came to me, and she made me promise to watch over you. I broke that promise when I handed you over to your uncle and his wife, but I won't break it any longer."
"Don't talk about my Uncle Kwasi that way! He loved me, and raised me as if I were his own!"
I argued, becoming sick to my stomach at the way she so callously spoke. My uncle and his wife may have lived simple lives compared to the people in Tokyo, but they lived fulfilling lives. They were not rich in the monetary sense, but they were definitely rich at heart.
"Listen, Maya. Genkai is not trying to offend you. I am sure that your aunt and uncle were very kind, nice people. What she is trying to say is that she wants to rectify her mistake. She wants to fulfill her promise to your mother. What have you got to lose anyway? You're a drifter."
Shizuru said, finally speaking out. She did make a valid point, but I was not going to stay in Tokyo just to absolve an old woman of a promise made to her by mother on her death bed. If that was what Genkai thought, she could just forget about it.
"You are a drifter are you not? What could it hurt staying in Tokyo for a while? I'll make a deal with you. If you stay in Tokyo for a year, and are willing to give us a chance to bond as a family and all that comes with it, I'll give you six million yen. If, by the end of the year, you still do not want me to be apart of your life, I'll throw in another six million and the promise to never contact you again."
I mulled his words over in head. Six million yen was roughly 51,000 American dollars. Add that to the other six million he promised if I decided to part ways after a year. That was another 51,000. I was looking at a cool hundred grand by this time next year. His promising to leave me alone forever was pretty sweet as well. With that amount of cash, I could get a green card and move to America to start my new life. Still, one little thought threatened my plans. How did he benefit from all this?
"What's in it for you?"
"Why, I get the chance to bond with my daughter, and that opportunity is priceless. So do we have an accord?"
Although, I knew that something was fishy about the agreement I was about to make, dollar signs clouded my judgment. Somehow, I knew that Kurama was good for the money, and if not he could get it. The guy was a celebrated thief, after all. Nevertheless, as I shook his hand I knew that I forgot to ask what the terms were for the "bond as a family and all that comes with it" part. I hoped that this agreement didn't bite me on the ass later. Well for better or for worse, I've agreed to get to know Youko Kurama as his daughter. As these new developments swam in mind, I wondered with whom I could stay.
-
-
-
-
Footnotes: It's been forever and a day since I updated. I'm sorry everyone. It's just that real life is a cruel mistress and school is no better. I've had to prioritize. Which is more important, a new chapter or passing all of my classes? Thank you all for being such supportive readers and reviewers. I have the most awesome reviewers of all! Thank you to following for reviewing: Spiraling Vortex, smurf87, V-LOVE, KristyKamae, SessyLover180, Armed'n'Strangerous (I like the nameJ). Please continue to read and review. Your words of encouragement are what keeps me going. Once again, I apologize for the delay.