Yusuke struggled against the policeman, too weak and exhausted to fight him off. His eyes blazed as a cop handcuffed the half-conscious Karasu and dragged him away. Only then was Yusuke released.
He ran to Kurama and stared despairingly into the fox's placid face. "Kurama…"
"He's alive, but in need of serious medical attention. We'd like the doctors to take a look at you, too," the police chief was dialing the hospital as he spoke. "You're lucky the lady next door heard screaming and called us when she did, or he might not still be with us."
"Whatever…" suddenly Yusuke felt very tired. He followed the police officers to the ambulance and fell asleep on one of the benches.
-----------------------
The soft murmur of voices stirred Kurama into consciousness. He opened his eyes and blinked as the sunlight glared from the reflection on the pristine white walls.
"Oh, hey, you're awake!"
Kurama slowly turned his head to look at Yusuke. An officer stood and left the room abruptly.
Yusuke blinked. "Where's he go—"
"Suichi!" Shiori burst through the door, teary-eyed and frazzled. "Suichi…oh my God, Suichi…" she sat on the edge of his bed and sobbed into her hands.
"Please don't cry, Mother. I'm fine," Kurama said gently. He hated seeing Shiori cry. She could not bring her tears under control, so the fox let her be for the moment and looked back at Yusuke. "What happened, Yusuke? How did we get here?"
The ex-Spirit Detective shrugged. "I dunno, really. Some lady heard the noise and called the cops," he scowled and lowered his voice so only Kurama could hear, "Too bad they got there so soon…I had just broken free and was in the process of beating him to a bloody pulp."
Kurama sighed fondly. Yusuke…that's what made me fall for you in the first place—your devotion and protectiveness. Perhaps another display of anger in my defense is exactly what I needed to reawaken my love for you… The fox looked up as Shiori stopped crying.
She smiled at her son through bleary, red-rimmed eyes, whispering, "You've always been so strong, Suichi. You're lying there so calmly and I'm the one in hysterics." She dried her eyes.
A commotion in the hall prevented Kurama from responding.
"I'm sorry sir, but only three visitors are allowed at a time, and he's already got two!" The nurse sounded nervous.
Yusuke grinned as they all heard Kuwabara's angry response. "You and your stupid rules! We're his friends!" The door slammed open and Kuwabara stormed in, ignoring the protesting nurse. Following close behind was Shizuru, Yukina, Hiei, Botan, and, trailing sadly at in the rear, Keiko. She looked shyly at Yusuke as she entered.
"Kura—ow! Shizuru, what the hell is your problem!?" Kuwabara glared at his sister, who had stomped purposefully on the boy's toes. She shot a meaningful look at Shiori, and Yusuke mouthed, "Suichi" behind the woman's back.
Kuwabara blinked. "Oh…what did I say? Suichi—god that s too weird—we saw you and Urameshi on the news last night!"
Kurama paled. "Th-they had this in the news!?" Besides him, Yusuke looked just as shocked.
Yukina came to sit at the edge of Kurama's bed, and it creaked irritably under the weight of four people. Yusuke sprang up, and the ice maiden took his spot, laying her hand on Kurama's head.
"I don't know all the details, but I do hope you feel better," Yukina smiled at him, and they all heard Kuwabara's tiny growl of jealousy.
"Goodness," Shiori laughed. "Let me see, I know you," she nodded at Hiei, "you're that boy who's forever climbing our trees!" Botan giggled. Yusuke snickered. Hiei fumed, his fists clenching. Shiori remained oblivious, adding, "And of course, I know you Urameshi-kun. But I had no idea you were so popular, Suichi!"
Kurama smiled, "Mother, this is Kuwabara Kazuma, his sister Shizuru, and Jaganshi Hiei," he nodded to each in turn. "And this is Botan, Yukina," he paused for a moment, "and Yukimura Keiko."
Yusuke looked up as he spoke Keiko's name. He met her eyes and stood. "I'll be right back," he said quietly. The two left Kurama's room and headed for the waiting room.
"Oh, yes, Ku—Suichi, we brought you some flowers," Botan pulled a bouquet of roses from somewhere and handed them to the fox.
Kurama brightened a drop. "They're beautiful. Thank you," he said. Shiori took them from him and set them in a vase on the night table.
A doctor chose that moment to storm in, looking furious. "All of you, out!" he barked. "Crazy kids, disobeying ever rule you come across…three of you can stay—well, two, because this woman here wants to ask some questions."
The crowd left; only Hiei and Shiori remained. Kurama sank back into his pillow, sighing in relief. "As nice as it is to have friends, I think having all of them here at once is a little overwhelming," he complained. "I do hope Yusuke and Keiko will be alright…"
Hiei snorted. "Kurama, half the reason that human came was to tell the detective that she understands. And no, I will not call you by that ridiculous human name," he glared at the fox.
Shiori blinked. "You've got such a deep voice for someone so young!" she exclaimed.
Kurama bit back laughter. "Hiei's not young, Mother. He's just…vertically challenged," he chuckled.
"Watch it, Kurama," Hiei warned. "You're lucky you're injured…"
Yusuke beat the police officer back into the room. "Stupid cops…" he growled. He looked around at them. "What's with you, Hiei? And why does your mom look so confused, Kuram—Suichi? Damn…"
Suichi looked at her son. "Why on Earth do they keep calling you 'Kurama'? And what did Jaganshi-kun mean by your 'human name'? What's going on?"
Kurama looked away. "It's—it's a long story…" he sighed. "A very long story…"
Hiei glared at the fox. "If you really love her, Kurama why do you keep lying to her? And if she's your mother, you think she'd care if she knew what you are?" he turned around. "Stop being stupid…fox." Hiei flitted away out the window.
Shiori cried out in alarm and ran to the window. "He's gone… what was that?" She turned to her son. "What is he talking about, Suichi? What did he mean by 'what you are'? And why did he call you a fox?"
Kurama frowned as Yusuke started laughing. "Looks like Hiei's put you in a bit of a fix, Kurama," he snickered.
"Indeed," the fox sighed. "Well, to begin with, Mother, my name is not Suichi…"
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Kurama didn't dare look at his mother's face. "It sounds absolutely insane, doesn't it?" He laughed shakily. "But I assure you, I am as sane as ever. Watch," he reached over and pulled a rose from the vase. "I would move, Yusuke. I need clearance."
Yusuke nodded and got out of the way. Kurama closed his eyes and muttered. "Rose Whip!" and his trademark weapon unfurled itself. Shiori cried out in alarm and leapt off the bed.
Kurama retracted the whip and returned the rose to the vase, explaining, "Each of those thorns is sharp enough to slice through solid stone."
Shiori had to take a few deep breaths. "If-if you can do something like that, then how did he manage to—"
"Because Karasu is a demon, too," Kurama said simply. "And he is stronger and faster than I. I am limited by my existence as a human. He is not."
Shiori still looked pale as the door opened. The doctor poked his head in. "Look, this officer doesn't have all day, so one of you has to lea—huh? Where's the third?"
Kurama swallowed. "He left. You must have missed him."
"Oh, well, in that case…"
The officer entered and bowed apologetically to Shiori. "Sorry ma'am, but I need to speak with these two boys alone," she explained.
Shiori nodded. "That's fine, officer. I think I need to go lie down, anyway," she kissed her son on the cheek. "I'll be back tomorrow, Suichi. I can still call you 'Suichi,' right?"
Kurama nodded, and she left. The fox heaved a sigh and sank deeper into his pillows, the pain and despair he had been valiantly hiding now plain on his face.
