Ride like the Wind
Chapter 56

Maya stared out in space. Suddenly she heard the footsteps of Kurama coming into the room. "Ah, Shuichi! Just the person I wanted to see!"

"Maya, nice to see you, too. You see Kaitou..." Kurama was interrupted and pounced on by Maya.

"Forget my butt-head cousin!" She pulled him to his feet and got in his face once he got good footing. "Shuichi, don't tell anyone I asked you this but... What sorts of things do men like to see in love letters?"

"Say what?" Kurama backed away to gain some personal space. He suddenly was aware of what Maya had asked him. "Why, I've never gotten a love letter before so I won't know..."

"Oh what's the use! I have no idea of how to tell my love to him! I can't put it in correct words!" Maya fell into a chair and sulked.

"Well, what sort of man is he? Or who is he if you don't mind me asking."

"I know his name is Peter! He's beautiful and graceful like a... a..."

"A dove? A cat? A swan?" An elephant? "Well, just tell him in a way that's easy for you. It's the thought that counts right?"

"Shuichi! You're brilliant!" She kissed him and ran out. Kaitou, who came in at the moment Maya kissed Kurama, came in fuming.

"What are you doing to my cousin!" Kaitou growled. "I thought you were gay!"

"I didn't do anything! She just kissed me out of joy! Or something! I thought you wanted her to find a lover!"

"Not you!"

"She was just asking for advice and she kissed me! That's all!"

"I see! So I'll have to punish her and you for putting thoughts in her head..."

"You realize I can hear you both right?" Sakyo asked from the hall. He poked his head into the door. "And Kaitou, really. Your fear of your family curse is so infuriating. Just marry the damn girl. You don't need to love her. There's single women waiting to be your mistress after marriage."

"Shut up, Spaniard!"

"Was that supposed to insult me?" The two shared a glare at each other until Kaitou broke the stare and walked out. Sakyo shook his head and stared at Kurama. "All this over some German man she met on the streets one day. Says his name was Peter Eikenberry or something like that. The twin to Mukuro, the doctor's wife. I don't believe a word of it. I think it's the wife pulling something over us all. Come to think of it..." He put a hand on his chin in thought. "There has been an exorcist running loose lately. I think the doctor's son got thrown into his trouble."

"Yes. Broke every bone in his body."

"The poor thing! But I suppose that's the cost of being what he is. I knew a mayor in Mexico-I don't recall telling you this-that would have killed to have one like him. Shura Cromwell! There's a genuine one. Acts like he's no demon when he knows damn well what he is. Brilliant... Skipping so many years of school. And how old is he? Thirteen?'

"Thirteen. Yes. I believe he will be. In September I think it was."

"And... He would kill for that manslayer Hiei. I would love to have a talk with him. Wouldn't you?" Kurama felt Sakyo closing in on him.

"I... Knew him for a short while. I was in Mexico, the town of Guerroro. And I met him there. He wasn't an interesting man like the people say. He doesn't recall slaying anyone except the first mayor of the town. But..."

"Doesn't remember? Or doesn't want to remember? He's a manipulative type. I could see it in that artist's drawing of him. But I suppose those could be inaccurate. Disappointing." He looked out the window. "But the one he would want the most is... You."

Kurama froze. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't lie. Demon. Funny, looking at you I never would have guessed although... It would have been the same with Cromwell if he looked more human." He walked out of the room. "Good day to you, Shuichi Minamino."

Kurama fell to his knees, feeling drained. "But how...?"

---

Mitarai ran into someone in the street. He screamed painfully as if he were burned the person's touch and nearly had a panic attack. He was under a lot of stress lately.

"Relax you. It's me." a voice called to Mitarai.

He looked up and saw the familiar face of Mukuro standing over him. Dear Lord above, I'm going to be sick of this shit goes on anymore. Just strike me now and end my misery and let me rest in peace. ...Or at least let me die pleasantly.

"Are you okay?" she asked him.

"Do I look okay to you?' The blonde's head was spinning.

"If you did, would I be asking?" Sarcastically.

"I feel like I'm going to vomit my intestines out and it'll be all your fault!" He struggled to get to his feet. He grabbed Mukuro by the arm. "You come with me!"

"Tell and I'll shove this gun up your ass and fire it before Yomi gets the chance to. I'll just happen to tell him that you did something to me and it'll be over for you. He doesn't actually love me but he won't take anyone sleeping with his wife."

"I would never do that! You know it. I know it. Your husband knows it!"

"Or does he?"

"You won't do it."

"It's your word against mine. And I know how to prove it true. I could manipulate it to my will if need be. So will you tell knowing that I'll kill you in the worst way possible?"

He pulled away from her. "Fuck it! I'm not going through your crap if this is what I have to deal with it! Fine, do what you're doing, whore!"

He raised her eyebrows at him. "So he has rage after all."

---

A month had passed. Tensions were building ever faster...

"I wanted to see how he was doing. I never had a real talk with your son before and I would like to get to know him better," Kurama explained his presence to Yomi.

"Ah, right. Watch your step. There's glass everywhere. Mukuro... Mukuro... Made a mess here. She dropped something and got glass everywhere." Kurama noticed he was looking a little odd with that statement. He wondered about it for a second but then figured it was only awkward for the two to admit they were married.

"So what are you planning to do about all this?"

"There's nothing I can do that's not so reckless. I don't want to jump head first into anything anymore."

"Well, save me a hospital bed. I think I'm next."

Yomi reached into his pocket and produced a bloody knife. "Take it if you think so."

"Why is there...? Never mind. I won't need it. I have my Rose whip."

"Youko Kurama. He had the same ability. As I was told as a boy anyway. Those stories fascinated me. But what's that matter to you anyhow?"

Kurama's eyes glowed gold. "I know most of what they say is true. I am him."

Yomi made an odd sound like a gasp-whimper hybrid, the sound you made when you were hit by something. "Shuichi Minamino is... No! Not possible! Shuichi's a human, half at best."

"No. I am Shuichi Minamino to the humans. This is my body."

"After that hunter... You should be dead."

"Humans are liars. Especially when it comes to hunting."

"The king of thieves."

"I have no time for you." Kurama walked into the room, his eyes turning emerald again.The room was filled with the scent of blood. He ran to the bed to see Shura sitting by the window, his arms covered with blood.

"What did you do?" Kurama stepped back.

"I can't take it anymore. I had to do something. So I break every bone in my body and had to deal with it. Damn exorcist came after me because I neglected them," Shura whispered and sucked on a wound on his arm.

"What are you taking about?"

"Kids get hurt by stuff easily you know. That ass hat... What am I saying anymore. I forgot my pill today and I couldn't deal with it so I went and threw my arms in the glass they left. They sure do break a lot of glass."

'You're coming with me. Come here."

He looked up with empty eyes and took the redhead's hand. They walked out together when Kurama looked in the open door. He saw the most disturbing thing ever and he ran out, dragging Shura behind him.

The horrible laughing ceased. The horror was over.

---

"Oh you poor thing. Your wrists were cut up so badly. You could die from this you know!" Maya half scolded Shura as he washed his arms off with a warm towel.

"I didn't mean it. I really didn't," he stared at Kurama. "I'm crazy. Really crazy. I don't know what's wrong with me. I just am."

"What makes you say that?"

"I have a friend named Mao."

"Where is he? You want to talk to him?" Maya patted him on the head as if to relax him.

"He's in this room." A cross on the wall suddenly dropped and broke in half. Maya and Kurama both stared at it then at Shura.

"It's a sign... Mao told me this would happen..."

Maya grabbed Kurama out of the room. "I'm scared!"

"Maya I think..."

"I think that kid's insane..." She looked in the room as if to make sure he wasn't listening.

"I don't know. I don't know."

Shura sighed and curled up in the chair. "Mao." And Mao called back, making Shura laugh a bit. He whispered a prayer to himself. "Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed thee thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from Evil, Amen.

"Heh heh... Mao."

End chapter 56

Notes?
1. Why the name Mao? I thought of the Chinese dictator for some reason during this. He was scary swimming in that video I watched about him.
2. The prayer was Our Father... As I remember it.

That was crazy. I don't wanna look at this for a while.