Years
To say that I stayed in the shadows while Kamojima raise Ryuji, with the occasional Nidaime doing something, that is a lie. I mothered, played with him and everything in between. I was the mother should have had, but I did my best. Kamojima just raises him alongside me to rule the syndicate when Nidaime dies.
I was over joyed when he said his first words, mama. I cried and hugged him. It saddens me when I remembered that this wonderful child wasn't mine, but I thrashed that thought out of my mind. Ryuji is as my son as if I birthed him.
I was there when he first stood up. Nidaime was there too. We happened to be in front of a mirror when he took a picture. He was so worried even when I there to help Ryuji. I was with Ryuji when he first went to school. I encouraged him to make friends. He didn't, but always talked about this one boy.
He took so many pictures.
That was when the question of why I don't age came up. I had to explain that I wasn't the same species as them, that and I do age, just more slowly. They wanted to do experiments on me. I flat out refused. When they at least asked for my age, I teased them on that question, but gave it to them anyway, 38 even if i still look 23 to 24. I wasn't going to tell them just what i am, just that i was different. I laughed so hard that their faces.
So, when the discussion on how to keep outsiders from finding out about my 'situation', I was touched. The story was that I got a rare disease that makes me age slower than normal and leave it at that. The secret of my real being was only to a select few to make the word not spread like wild fire, others within the syndicate only knew of made up lie.
Back to the wonderful years, there was a time when he was 7 ½ that the Nidaime and I agreed that it was time to tell him I wasn't his real mother. He had his usual blank face but raising him for so long I knew he was surprised and shocked. He was a very bright young boy. He already knew that his father and I weren't married and what I really am. I couldn't trust anyone else with that bit of information.
I shoo-ed Nidaime out of the room and pulled Ryuji close in a hug. I can feel the tears on my shoulder. I cradled him and explained to him that even though I wasn't his birth mother or his father's wife, he was always going to be my son through and through. He pulled away to see my gentle and honest face.
He smiled and wiped his tears away. I smiled so happily and with so much relief. From then on, he still calls me 'mom'.
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I was on my way to Ryuji's school to give him his forgotten lunch that I made him. I stepped out of the car and walked to his classroom. I wore casual today. (black slacks, blue v-neck flowy shirt with a white noodle strap shirt underneath, dark brown sandals, and an over the shoulder black purse) I got to the classroom that Kamojima told me about. I opened the door to find to students bustling to go to lunch. The students paused what they were doing. I scanned the room. I spotted Ryuji and walked over to him with a smile.
"Ryuji! How are you?"
"What are you doing here?"
I pouted. "I just couldn't just come and say 'hi'? Hi Kamojima, Bun-san."
"Hello Kagome-sama"
"See, they say 'hi' and you guys, for the thousandth time, you can drop the 'sama'. I told you I don't go for honorifics."
Ryuji ran a hand down his face and gave a gusty sigh. I flick his brow and sighed, lightly, at him playfully.
"Watch it Ryuji, you already look older than you do, don't make yourself look 40."
I saw the smile pass the hand. I returned the smile and rolled my eyes mockingly. I heard a muffled laughter behind me and my smile widened at the glare at me and the person behind me.
"Fine, honey, you left your bento (it was black with 9 dragon circling each other in the colors of our syndicate. I had it ordered to look like it.) I made earlier for you for lunch. Here you go dear and remember to eat all of it. You are a growing boy so you need food."
I kissed his brow and turned to the door before he could do anything. I did pause at the door when I hear the clearing of a throat I heard so many times before. I looked over my shoulder to see Ryuji blushing a slight bit, but looking cool as ever.
"*cough* thanks mom," he whispered, but I wanted to tease him a bit more.
"Sorry dear I couldn't hear you."
He glared at me for that comment. He knew I could hear him. Kamojima was holding in some chuckles. I can tell from his shaking shoulders. I waved my hand flippantly.
"Fine, fine have a great rest of the day, son. I'll see you at home."
He nodded and I left. As soon as I rounded the corner, I started to giggle. I did peak behind the corner to see Ryuji glaring at the student that laughed at him. I knew it was that student because he was still muffling his laughs and his voice sounds the same as the muffed laugh from earlier. I smiled, but frowned when they ignored each other until they were out of sight.
'They can be really great friends if they just interacted!'
I shook my head and went back to Kuryugumi
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That was a year ago. Right now we are in a meeting discussing about Nidaime's death.
During that time, my main thought was keeping Ryuji safe. I had good faith that Nidaime's bodyguards would keep him safe. Instead he died, so whoever did this is really good. I almost couldn't believe it. That and I had to kick of the clan's men out of a room just to give Ryuji some space under the disguise that I need alone time to coup with it. It did hit me hard that such a kind man could die.
The reason why I am here in the meeting is because Nidaime made a will. Now that doesn't happen in a syndicate but not illegal. In the will, it said for me to take over the syndicate and to co-rule it with Ryuji. I caught on to the meaning: Do most of the work so Ryuji doesn't have to have to have too much stress and live what he can as the kid he is.
Some clans' men didn't like the idea but quieted when Ryuji spoke about my position, my skills, and all the other compliments for being someone besides my son.
With a bang on the table, a demand to find the culprit and stop wasting time from Ryuji, I spoke more diplomatic terms and ended the meeting. I did hear what Kamojima say to Ryuji. I want to know of this 'friend' Ryuji has not told me about. My eye twinkled with amusement.
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*smirk* tug tug bawhahahahaha please review! :D