The Childhood Friend of Kurama Part 4:Dinner at the Minamino House Part 2
Ayame's POV:
I said nothing as I helped Shiori clear the table of the dirty dishes. Like the other times I had her meatloaf and potatoes as a child, I had two helpings and finished it all up. Meals and time with her and Shuichi were the reasons why I always had accepted her offer to come over for dinner.
"Thank you again for having me over, Shiori. I...believe I enjoyed myself."
"Oh, good. That's what I was going for. However, I noticed you didn't really talk with Shuichi."
I finished placing the dishes in the sink and washed my hands, not looking at her.
"Well, Shuichi and I are no longer friends, so it was a little awkward. There wasn't anything to say to him that I haven't said already. Please excuse me."
I sat on the windowsill in the living room and looked outside as the current rain cleared and the sun made the clouds disappear. A small sigh left my lips as I recalled how much I enjoyed being with Shuichi as a child, but now being in his presence was too awkward and painful. It brought me back to what happened upstairs before dinner and how confused I was.
Flashback
Since the bathroom downstairs was unable to be used due to repairs being done, I went to the one upstairs to wash up for dinner. I thought of nothing except how awkward I was sure the evening would be.
'Easy, Ayame. It's just one night. You can survive this.'
Right before I went downstairs ,I heard what sounded like a beeping noise coming from what looked like a compact mirror on a small table in the hallway. I picked it up and opened it, and I was surprised to see a baby wearing a hat and a pacifier sticking out of his mouth.
'Kurama, I have a message for you. I need to see you right away.'
He opened his eyes and they widened when they saw me. His mouth was soon wide open, causing the pacifier to fall from it.
'Y-you're not Kurama.'
'Whoever this Kurama person is, I'm certainly not them. This is Shuichi Minamino's house. Who exactly are you?'
'Uh, wrong number. Bye!'
Soon, the image on the screen went dark and I closed the mirror, placing it back on the table as if I never touched it. Deciding to forget about it for now, I sighed heavily and headed downstairs to join the others for dinner.
End Flashback
"Ayame, there you are. Mother wanted me to give you this."
I looked up as Shuichi handed me a piece of his mother's homemade apple pie and a folded up piece of paper.
"What's the paper for?"
"Oh, that. Mother suggested you have our number here to contact us in emergencies or to just say hello."
I nodded and put the paper in my pocket. Shuichi sighed as he saw me look away from him.
"Ayame, you know why my mother invited you over tonight?"
"To see if we can patch things up and start over."
He nodded and sat across from me on the windowsill.
"Have you given that any thought?"
"Some, but I just don't think it would be a good idea since you're not willing to tell me the secret you're keeping from me. It would...only cause more problems for us if we started over and you still refuse to reveal the secret to me."
"Ah yes, the secret."
Without saying anything else, Shuichi got up, bowed to me, and gave me a small smile.
"I'm afraid I'll be upstairs by the time you leave, so I'll be saying good evening to you now."
I nodded and he went upstairs. After finishing the pie and saying goodbye to Yusuke and Kuwabara,who joined me at the door to go home themselves, I headed to my apartment.
Hiei's POV:
Once Kurama's little friend arrived at her apartment building, I began looking for the apartment that belonged to her. Talking to her about her silly grudge had been on my mind for a while, and I wanted to do it now before I eventually forgot. After finding her apartment, I knocked on the door and she answered it, a surprised look on her face.
"Um, can I help you?"
"I'm called Hiei. I'm a friend of...Shuichi's."
"Oh, come in."
After she locked her door, she offered me a seat on her living room couch and sat in a recliner beside it.
"Did Shuichi send you here?"
"No. I told him tonight at his place that I would talk to you about the grudge you have against him."
Ayame sighed and rubbed the back of her neck.
"What exactly did you want to say about it, Hiei? This isn't really a good time."
"Let me say what I wish, then I'll leave."
After she nodded, I looked closely at her.
"He is torn up at the fact you refuse to restart your friendship. Have you ever taken into consideration why he doesn't wish to tell you his big secret? He may have enemies that could hurt you if they knew of your history with him."
"He was 10 years old, Hiei. How can a 10 year old have any enemies?"
"Just saying it's a possibility. Anyway, I think the grudge is silly. You two are adults now and need to put the past behind you."
After leaving her apartment, a small part of me hoped she would consider my words and let go of her grudge against Kurama. He really was hurting inside that she refused to let it go and basically wanted nothing more than to have her back in his life.
Kurama's POV:
I looked around before entering my room, then shut the door and opened up my communication mirror. I had completely forgotten that I left it on the table in the hall and hoped Ayame didn't touch it when she came up here to wash for dinner. I spoke into it and smiled with relief as I saw Koenma's face.
"Koenma, I hope you aren't busy. There is something I must discuss with you."
"Indeed. Something is to be discussed here today. Some girl answered when I tried calling you."
I gasped at hearing this. Ayame had answered the call from Koenma, and my cover was possibly blown. As if sensing my nervousness, Koenma waved it off.
"I didn't tell her anything, Kurama. All I managed to say was that I need you in my office right away."
"Good. While we're on the subject of that girl, I have something to talk to you about. That girl was my childhood friend, Ayame. Right around the age I discovered I was a fox demon, I began keeping a secret from her despite the fact we both agreed to not keep anything from each other. She noticed this and ended our friendship. I am growing tired of her not talking to me like she used to and would like your permission to tell her the truth."
Koenma sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Yes, I can see how that would be troublesome. I will allow it to be known by your friend and eventually your family, but no one else must know. Keiko knows of Yusuke and Shizuru knows of Kuwabara, so it's only fair that people in your life have a right to know."
"Thank you very much. Now, what did you want to see us about?"
"It's best I tell you in person. I expect all four of you to meet at Genkai's temple. I already contacted Yusuke and he suggested meeting there tonight."
"I'll be there."
Once the conversation ended, I informed my mother I would be going out for a while. With the promise I'd be back before it got too dark, I headed to the train station to make my way to Genkai's temple.
That's a wrap for part 4. Part 5 will be in Kurama's POV as he joins Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Hiei at Genkai's temple for a meeting with Koenma. Also in part 5, Hiei informs Kurama of how Ayame apparently has Spirit Awareness when he reveals she supposedly sensed him in a park in the Human World. Stay tuned to see what happens