Wash, wash... rinse rinse... soapy warm water covered her hands.
Yukina had rolled her sleeves all the way up to her elbows, taking her time to clean the plates from dinner as she blinked blearily at the wooden backdrop of the sink. Though her chore was menial, it was soothing in a strange way. She was alone, in the dark of the kitchen with none to bother nor question her. She often disliked being intruded upon, particularly when she simply wanted to be alone and think. Now a days, those times came more frequently, and it seemed that the more days passed with Shimo under her roof... the more she simply wanted to be away from him.
Away from her brother. How could that be?
She'd thought it over time and time again, her heart heavy with pain and regret. She tried to recall every detail that Rui had told her of her brother, knowing only that Rui had begged him to kill her first when he returned to end them all.
Yukina wondered what Shimo thought of that... if he'd ever thought of returning to the Hyouga and killing all the other koorime. Yukina wouldn't have blamed him- she might even have gained a small grain of dark pleasure from the act. Damn them all, and the icy blood that coursed through their veins. With no emotion in their hearts, nor empathy in their souls... they destroyed all that they touched. They took the very beauty out of life.
Yukina shook her head, and continued to wash the plate.
A shadow crossed by the door to the hallway, and Yukina felt the hairs rise on the back of her neck.
"...Is someone there?" Yukina spoke up, her hands still soaking wet from the sink. She dried them off hastily on a spare rag, tucking a stray strand of aqua hair behind her ear before venturing out into hallway. It was dark, quiet, and cold. Genkai had gone to bed long ago, and with all the chores done Yukina was about to do the same.
She knew that with Genkai in bed, there could only be one other person out in the halls... the one person that she did not see at the moment.
Nor any moment for that matter.
It was quiet, too quiet, and though Yukina had called out to a nameless shadow, no one answered her. Statues of armor lined the hall- memorabilia from past students- it was hard to tell what was alive... and what was not.
Nervous, she tucked her outer robe closer to her throat and headed off at once towards her own room which lay only a few doors down. She reached her door without interruption, and laid a hand upon the knob-
"Sister."
Yukina screamed, absolutely terrified, whipping around with her heart pounding in her throat. There he stood before her, so close that their noses were almost touching, and it frightened her so much that she fell back into the wall, shaking as she drew deep breathes through her nose.
His eyes... so cold and red... so glassy and lifeless...
Shimo looked at Yukina's hands, which were trembling violently, and he took one of them in both his own.
"You're shaking." Shimo's voice did not shift with tone. "Are you cold?"
"I do not know the cold." Yukina replied, eager to leave Shimo in the hall to seek refuge in her room. "As you well know. Brother." She added as an afterthought. "Goodnight."
She turned to go, but Shimo's hand was still upon her own with an iron grip. He did not let her loose, and as Yukina slowly turned back around to face Shimo once more, she could see a strange light behind those normally glassy red orbs.
A light almost similar to a howling white wind she'd known what felt a hundred years ago.
"You are consorting with a man." Shimo murmured. "The tall one... who never leaves."
Yukina blushed, feeling a spark of irate anger beginning to rise within her. She knew that Shimo spoke of Kazuma- there could be no other. The fate of her mother, damned for supposedly sleeping with a man, flashed into her mind, and she jerked her hand hard out of Shimo's grip so that Shimo nearly fell along with her pull. Giving him an icy glare, she reached behind her back for the doorknob to her room.
"Goodnight." Yukina repeated again, though this time there was cold fury in her voice. Opening the door to her room, she backed away, never taking her eye off of Shimo's strange expression of blank surprise as she slammed the door. She immediately locked it, though she'd never done it before now, backing away till her legs hit her bed.
In their cage, her little birds twittered quietly, disturbed by the slamming of the door.
Sitting down on her bed, Yukina raised her hand to eye level. There was dirt upon her skin where Shimo had touched it, a pale white dust, and she immediately brushed it off. No doubt he'd stuck his hand in something and carried the stain around. Even so, his touch had not been cold nor hot. It had been... blank. Like that of a mannequin.
Shivering, Yukina grabbed the quilt that hung on the lower half of her bed, pulling it around her shoulders and taking deep breathes. There she sat, almost all night, awake and fearful... staring at the door.
When sleep came, she dreamed of a bright burning flame... and it consumed all things false.
Keiko awoke the next morning in the arms of her fiance, curled up in a contented ball upon their bed. Opening her eyes slowly, she soaked in the morning sun and looked up into the face of-
A pillow. She was in the arms of a pillow.
Grunting, she sat up, rubbing her face to dispose of the crud that sleep brought to the eyes and mouth. Her hair was a mess, flying all about the place, and as she looked about the bedroom she noticed that the pallets on the floor that had been laid down for Kurama and Kuwabara were both empty.
She was the last one up, which was bizarrely abnormal for her.
Quick to the call, Keiko scooted out of bed and fetched a simple blouse with jeans from her closet. There was much to do today, for she needed to find a suitable kitchen table. She also needed to talk to Kurama about the carpenters that would have to start work as soon as possible. She would need to visit the market and fetch fresh supplies for Yusuke's ramen stand, and eventually she would need to call her mother and start putting down dates for her bridal duties. There was a kimono to buy, a ceremony to plan, an after dinner that would have to be both extravagant and simple (for Keiko was never the gaudy type). Oh... the list never ended did it?
Running a brush through her hair and applying chap stick to her lips, Keiko toed on some socks before exiting into the hallway.
The minute she did, she immediately interrupted a great deal of commotion in her living room.
Hesitant, she wandered down the hallway to see Kurama, Kuwabara, and Yusuke were all three arguing while inspecting the damage of the hallway wall. Wrappers from a fast food chain were upon the coffee table- clear remnants of an early breakfast- and now the boys were hard at work attempting to rectify the disaster from yesterday.
"We can fix this ourselves!" Kuwabara kept demanding, "We're men aren't we?"
"I cook noodles!" Yusuke snapped, "I can make you lunch not put a wall!"
"Indeed, I'd say you're much better at destroying them." Kurama chortled, flipping through a phone book while holding his cell phone. "No matter, we'll sort this all out soon enough."
"Man I still say we can fix it!" Kuwabara argued, "C'mon lets at least try! We can get wood and nails! It can't be that hard. And chicks dig it!"
"Oh yeah, I can see Keiko's face now!" Yusuke sneered. "Oh Yusuke, you're so big and strong! Won't you hammer my nail?!"
"Very funny Yusuke." Keiko snapped, not amused by the sexual innuendo. All three boys looked around, shocked to find that Keiko had finally risen. She scowled at the greasy fast food wrappers, picking them up with disdain to toss them into a garbage bag already overflowing with splinters. "We've got a lot to get done today so I'd appreciate it if you guys didn't mess around?"
"All in good sport, Keiko." Kurama chortled from the couch, finally finding the number he wanted before dialing. With the phone to his ear, he gave Yusuke back the borrowed phone book and waited patiently for the man on the other end to pick up. Yusuke stored the phonebook back in a random kitchen cupboard, sneaking up behind Keiko who was attempting to start a shopping list. He planted a kiss on her cheek, which she shied away from clearly still agitated.
"Hammer my nail, eh?" Keiko growled. "You're so gross."
"I couldn't help it." Yusuke shrugged with a loping grin, "Kuwabara's nuts for thinking we could repair the wall by ourselves. It's not like setting up a tv or something. We need a professional."
"I agree." Keiko nodded, "And will you quit kissing my neck?" She squirmed, but there was a smile growing upon her playful lips. Yusuke captured them, finally managing to kiss her despite her writhing. She gave him, melting into his embrace like warm butter. His arms, strong and safe, were like a forcefield that could block out all the cruelty in the world. Hands that had once pursued crime and hurt had transformed over time into hands the cupped her cheeks with smooth and tender fingers. Fingers that could blast holes the size of buildings could also stroke her skin till she forgot her own name.
"Eww gross!" Kuwabara spoke up, "Would you two quit makin' out right in front of us!? Get a room!"
"Ay!" Yusuke snapped, breaking away from the kiss so quickly that he left Keiko winded in his embrace, "I pay for this kitchen! I pay for this room! This is my damn house! If I wanna kiss my fiance-" Yusuke gestured to Keiko's left hand were a pathetically tiny diamond lay as glittering proof of a whole year saving up tips, "In my house then I'll do it!"
"When I marry Yukina, I'm only gonna kiss her in private!" Kuwabara huffed, "And spare my friends the trauma."
"Well good for you." Yusuke sneered, "Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to kiss my fiance again in public!"
He turned back around, intent on kissing Keiko with full force, but ended up only with a mouth full of hair for Keiko had turned back to the list she was writing. Spluttering, he gagged on the dark brown strands before wiping his tongue clean and letting go. Kuwabara snorted with laughter, and from across the room Kurama hung up the phone.
"It's done!" Kurama called out, and all eyes turned to him. "Takahashi Trades will be here at one. They'll clean the site, and repair the wall. We need only leave a key under the doormat. It will take them two days to completely repair the wall. Now all that's left for us to do is find a table and all will be as it was." Kurama smiled, rising to his feet. "Shall we head to town then?"
"Wait!" Kuwabara begged, "We gotta pick up Yukina first. I don't want her around Shimo if I can avoid it. Now that I know the guys not really her brother, I wanna pound his face in!" Kuwabara's cheeks reddened with anger.
"Remember Kazuma, we can't attack until-"
"Until the shrimp gets back, I know, I know." Kuwabara huffed, deeply irritated by this notion. With that, coats were fetched and wallets were pocketed. A line formed at the door, with each boy dragging a trash bag full of splinters behind them bound for the trash chute in the stairwell. As Keiko slipped a spare key under her doormat, she smiled fondly at the thought of a brand new kitchen table. She could recall the days when having a new doll or game would have brought her just as much joy. Now that she was older, her heart only desired a home to call her own... and perhaps... the pittering of small feet.
Perhaps.
One day.
It was a bright and clear saturday, and not a cloud was in sight as they descended the stairs to Keiko's tiny car. Piling in many a cramped limb, Keiko took the wheel and drove them out onto the main drag.
"Why don't we fetch my car?" Kurama offered, "That way there will be more leg room."
"I agree!" Kuwabara seconded from the back, pressed thigh to thigh with Kurama. "No offense Keiko but your car is made for a mouse!"
"It's made for a tight budget." Keiko corrected. "But yes. Let's grab your car, Kurama."
And so it was that the group turned off from the main drag once again to head far across town where the Minamino residence lay waiting. Kurama dialed Shiori's number, knowing full well that if he dropped by without saying hello to his mother she'd be thoroughly disappointed.
"Hello, mother." the others heard Kurama begin, and a smile spread across his face as he heard her familiar voice on the other end. "Yes, I'm back! My trip was a great success. I spent the night at Yusuke's... we had a long talk. Oh no-!" Kurama paused, "Yusuke's just fine. He's not the one having family problems. It's Hiei actually. You remember Hiei? Yes." Kurama chortled. Whatever her answer was must have been humorous, "Well... I'm one step closer in any event. I have much to do today. We're planning a party for Yukina. She's a good friend of mine that I don't think you've met yet. A very sweet girl. The two of you would get along well. Yes.. I'll be home in about ten minutes. We're swapping cars. I'll see you then, mother."
He hung up, the grin still upon his face.
"Mama's boy." Yusuke muttered, but there was no malice in his voice. He too smiled at the thought of Shiori.
If there had ever been a devoted mother, it was her.
As they drove across town, Kurama noticed that Kuwabara was staring quietly into his lap.
"Something wrong, Kazuma?" Kurama prodded gently. Kuwabara shrugged, not letting on to whatever it was that bothered him. When only silence greeted him, Kurama patted his friend comfortingly on the shoulder. "All will be well." He promised. "I assure you, Kazuma."
"... I guess." Kuwabara sighed.
Kurama did not disagree, thinking of Yukina who was no doubt still miserable at the temple. His mind turned to Hiei and Mukuro. Where was he now? Was he traveling already for human world? If so when would he arrive, and where would he go? Yusuke's ramen shop was conveniently placed right by the portal- perhaps they out to set up times to wait and watch for Hiei. Kurama wondered if Hiei would be worse for wear. The more he reasoned, the more it made sense to attack Shimo in a group. There was strength in numbers... and the nature of their enemy was as of yet unknown.
Besides that he was a murderous puppet being controlled by koorime elders intent on slaughtering the last of a rebellious line.
They arrived at the Minamino residence with great time as the clock turned to eleven thirty. There, as expected, was Shiori inside the enclosed front pavilion. She wore a light kimono typical of fall festivities, and had a watering can in hand. She was working in her garden, perhaps trying to prepare her plants for winter. As she spotted Kurama's face, she broke into a wide smile and set the watering can down.
Shiori was just as Yusuke remembered. Her dark hair fell in well combed waves behind her shoulders, tied into a simple pony tail that did not reflect on her waning health or age. Her face was lined, her eyes were bagged, but she was more full of life than ever before.
"Remember, what's my name?" Kurama muttered out of the corner of his mouth.
"Shuichi." The other three repeated in tandem. Keiko turned off the car, and everyone stepped out with a great breath of fresh air.
"Shuichi!" Shiori cried, opening her arms wide so that Kurama could embrace her with all his might. He picked up right off her feet, and she laughed gayly as he set her back down. "How I missed you... You look so very tired!" Shiori murmured, touching his cheeks and looking into his deep emerald eyes, "Have you been getting enough sleep? You haven't stopped taking your vitamins have you?"
"No mother."
"And you're changing your underwear and socks everyday?"
"Yes mother."
"And you're eating well? No junk food?"
"Yes mother."
"Liar!" Yusuke bellowed, "He ate a Mc Muffin this morning! I bought it for him!" He grinned cheesily from ear to ear as Kurama sent him a filthy look. Shiori thwaked Kurama lightly on the chest with motherly humor, stepping aside to embrace Yusuke as if he were her own son.
"Yusuke, how good to see you." Shiori sighed. "I can always rely on you to keep my Shuichi in good humor! And look how you smile... you're getting excited for the big day aren't you."
"We finally saved up enough!" Keiko added, bowing in greeting. Shiori touched her cheek sweetly, pleased for the engaged couple.
"Marriage changes everything, and yet nothing." Shiori offered them sage advice, "Remember the old but embrace the new. Speak to one another from your heart... and hide nothing. For in lies, we sow our own downfalls."
Yusuke grimaced.
How true that advice had proven to be in the last few weeks.
"Hi Mrs. Minamino." Kuwabara blushed as Shiori gasped with delight upon seeing him.
"Kazuma Kuwabara, I haven't seen you since my summer harvest, you naughty boy!" Shiori embraced him, pulling back to look into his eyes, "Oh but dear... you're sad. Don't be sad!" Shiori tried to cheer him up. "The sun is shining, the sky is bright blue, and you have a wonderful group of friends to fill your day with joy."
"Yeah. That's true." Kuwabara admitted with a small smile.
"There's that smile I'm so fond of." Shiori seemed pleased, pulling back to regard her own son once more. "Shuichi, where's Hiei? I thought he would be with you."
"He's recovering from surgery." Kurama explained.
"Oh my!" Shiori gasped, "Shuichi how could you not tell me? Is anyone at the hospital with him?"
"I- well-" Kurama did not seem sure how to best answer that question. Shiori's face became set with determination, and she turned for the front door as if to fetch her coat.
"I'm going to the hospital." Shiori informed them all, "I'll stay by his side. Shuichi you must always remember to stay with a friend at the hospital if their own family cannot! One must always have a person there looking out for them, you can't leave everything up to nurses- oh poor Hiei, he's probably exhausted-"
"No mother!" Kurama tried to make light of the situation, "Hiei's not in Sariashiki Hospital. He's in- uh- Tokyo." Kurama supplied. Keiko mouthed the word 'tokyo' over Shiori's shoulder, looking a little tickled at the lie.
"It was invasive surgery." Kurama explained. His mother sighed, touching her lip.
"Oh dear... is that where you were? In Tokyo?" She asked. Kurama nodded.
"Yes. I stayed with Hiei's..." Kurama paused. It seemed almost insulting to call Mukuro Hiei's 'girlfriend'. Was there another term? "I suppose you could say she's his girlfriend. A very close lady friend." Kurama gestured for the term.
"I didn't know Hiei had a girlfriend! Not that I'm surprised, he's such a polite and gentle young man."
Kuwabara nearly choked on his tongue at this. Clearly 'polite' and 'gentle' were not the terms he'd use to describe Hiei.
"Yes. Well... he's still in Tokyo. He'll be coming home soon though." Kurama assured Shiori, smiling fondly down at her. "You know I wouldn't leave a friend alone in the hospital mother."
"No... my sweet boy... staying with me everyday." Shiori remembered fondly, "Ah but those horrid days are past. Well, if Hiei's in the hospital I'll simply have to find time to go visit him. Perhaps we can go together?" She supplied. Kurama nodded, unsure of how to dissipate such a bizarre situation. He should have picked a farther city than Tokyo- but he had to keep the lies simple.
He did not like lying to his mother.
"Well, we're going shopping!" Keiko bounced on the balls of her feet at this, "I'm getting a new kitchen table today because my klutzy fiance fell into my old one and shattered it." Keiko snapped, giving Yusuke a dirty look.
"Those things do happen." Shiori laughed, waving them all goodbye, "Well, you four have a wonderful time. Shuichi, do come home tonight won't you? It's been too long since our family sat down together."
"Yes mother." Kurama assured her, kissing her upon the cheek before fetching his keys from his pocket. His own car, a dark red mercedes built for speed and luxury, was a welcome ride compared to Keiko's lime green bucket. They all climbed in, and as Keiko relaxed into the fine leather seats, they all waved goodbye once more to Shiori who was still standing upon the stoop.
"Tokyo?" Yusuke sneered from the backseat. "Lady friend?"
"What was I to say?" Kurama asked, a little irritated. He set off for Genkai's temple which was about a thirty minute drive from his own residence. "That Hiei was having a jagan implanted in demon world while his boss and sordid lover watched over him? I'm sure she would have understood." Kurama sighed, feeling remorse inside himself for the lies.
"Lets just hope she doesn't drive up to Tokyo Hospital." Keiko sighed. Kurama agreed, nodding without another word.
The traffic of the inner city thinned out by the time they reached oak mountain. It was a massive hill, and by the time one reached it's summit nearly all the heavy traffic had vanished to the left or right where shopping centers lay waiting. There was a fine mall not too far away from Genkai's own residence. Perhaps they would go there instead of driving all the way back to Sariashiki.
"Man..." Kuwabara sighed, and Kurama felt his larger friend tapping his feet in nervous anticipation, "Can't this thing go any faster?"
"Not without a ticket." Kurama grimaced. "We'll be there soon enough."
"Yeah but what if Shimo's like... kidnapped her?" Kuwabara shuddered, "God I can't go through that again!"
"Genkai would never let that happen." Yusuke shot down. "You keep forgetting Grandma has the whole dojo on lockdown. Don't worry. If anything Shimo needs to be watching his little fake ass. Genkai'll break a hole through his face if he tries anything."
"Say, Yusuke, if Shimo's a doll then what's underneath his skin?" Keiko asked.
"The source of his power." Kurama replied, "Which could be a variety of things. Grave dust, ancient scrolls, charmed objects... It'll all depend."
"So how do we get rid of Shimo once we find out his power?" Yusuke asked.
"That will either be very easy or very hard. Recall Genbo, one of the four saint beasts? He had a special rock-"
"And his face became his crotch!" Yusuke added with a burst of hysterical laughter. Even after ten years, the incident did not fail to get a rise out of Yusuke and Kuwabara. Both boys howled maniacally till tears formed in the corners of his eyes.
"... I give up." Kurama grumbled, turning the radio up as, in the backseat, Kuwabara and Yusuke relived the moment in full detail. Kurama and Keiko enjoyed popular music, trying to drown out the adolescent snickering in the background.
As they pulled up to the dojo, Kuwabara seemed to grow in anticipation. Leaping from the car before Kurama had fully shut off the engine, he began sprinting for the long flight of ancient marble steps that lead to the large barrier gates. As Kurama and Yusuke mounted the stairs after them, they noted that the woods were unusually silent as if all birds had fled. Keiko had decided to stay in the car, unnerved at the thought of running into Shimo again.
"Why is it so quiet?" Yusuke asked.
"It is getting closer to fall. Perhaps migration has begun." Kurama offered. Yet despite his attempt for casualness, Kurama knew full well that migration was still a few weeks away. The animals had fled because the animals understood something was wrong. In that moment, Kurama suddenly remembered his youth as a kit in Demon World... it have been nearly eight thousand years...yet still, sometimes, he could recall a few scant details.
His mother, her hips wide set from many birthings and her tails a pure pristine white, smelling the grass and noting the animals leaving.
"Man is in the forest." She would say, for Yokos set themselves apart from other demons by their dedicated animalistic roots, "When animals leave, you must leave too".
His mother had been wise, and Kurama would not ignore her wisdom even if it was old.
"Be wary." Kurama warned Yusuke as they reached the summit. The doors to the entrance courtyard had been opened in Kuwabara's wake, and so the pair of them slipped through with their eyes cast about for suspicious activity.
"... Everything looks... normal." Yusuke grumbled. "But it doesn't feel normal. It feels like it's somehow haunted."
Kurama could not help but agree, for a strange feeling of impending doom hung over the normally bright and cheery temple like a veil between the estranged world of the dead.
"... My fears are confirmed..." Kurama murmured to himself, "This is not the worked of a cursed object. Grave dust has been involved."
Yusuke paused, his slanted eyes falling onto Kurama's face. As a cold wind whistled through the courtyard, Yusuke felt the hairs bristle on the back of his neck. Rubbing his arms nervously, he felt the familiar tingling in the tips of his pointer fingers.
His body wanted to defend itself.
"So... what does grave dust mean?" Yusuke asked, trying to be calm though his teeth wanted to chatter. Above them, the normally bright blue sky was starting to become overcast. The afternoon would bring a rain shower... Yusuke wanted to be inside by then.
"It means that Shimo's power is forced. That the soul who provides him with life has been bound against their will... what we feel in the air, what our senses demand we acknowledge, is not the presence of a farce... but of a ghost. An angry, violent, ghost. Until we stop Shimo... we are all doomed to feel it's wrath." Kurama murmured. At the word 'wrath', Yusuke thought he might be sick.
"... So you're telling me... this... spirit... is.."
"Angry." Kurama murmured. "Can't you feel it."
Around the temple, the feeling of gloom only thickened. As the air dampened with oncoming rain, a howling wind ripped through the tops of the trees with sudden force! Nervous, Yusuke and Kurama both took off for the temple porch. Under the cover of fine wood, they managed to avoid the whirling leaves that danced in the wind like ballerinas upon an invisible stage. Stepping inside the dojo foyer, they were both consumed by the odd darkness which contrasted the usual golden light that would fill up the entry room.
"Kuwabara?" Yusuke called out, a little worried. Where had Kuwabara gotten off too so quickly?
From somewhere in the temple, a strange shriek- as if a mouth had been covered up mid scream.
Kurama and Yusuke glanced at one another, their hesitancy and nervousness fleeing in the face of a scream- for who could it be other than Yukina? Panicking, Yusuke fled to the hallway which lead to the south wing. Yukina's room, along with the kitchen and four other guest rooms were practically on the other side of the dojo from where they were. Still, every step brought them closer. They reached a corner, and nearly crashed into the wall (along with each other) as they tried to make the sharp turn onto the next hall. Every room was dark, and every door was flung ajar. It was as if they were running through a haunted house instead of a familiar and sacred space. The south wing came into view, and Yusuke picked up speed as he saw Yukina's room.
Out of no where, Yusuke felt a hand on the back of his neck! He was grabbed by the collar, and yanked back so hard that he flew off of his feet only to be shoved behind an adjacent wall. About to lash out, he was stunned to see that it was Kurama who had him by the throat, now pressing him tight into the wall with his emerald eyes flashing.
Kurama took his free hand, pressing a finger to his mouth as if to say 'silence'.
Yusuke said nothing, his lips pursed tight together as he tried to breath quietly through his nose. He saw a shadow upon the wall, as someone walked from door to door. Kurama's eyes flashed again, and he withdrew a pearly white seed from his hair. Letting it drop to the floor between their feet, a strange silvery plant began to grow at an alarming rate right up from the wood. It entwined their limbs, and with each wrapping Yusuke watched a small piece of him vanish...
The plant was cloaking them.
Just as the last of the thread of the silvery plant wrapped around both their heads, the owner of the shadow appeared around the corner to Yukina's room.
It was Shimo.
He looked paler than ever, and his normally glassy red eyes were roving with madness. He seethed, tripping over his own unclad feet as he tried to sniff the air for signs of life. Yusuke prayed that Kurama's plant would work as Shimo suddenly turned.
His eyes fell on the spot right where Yusuke and Kurama stood.
Yusuke felt the very breath catch in his chest as Shimo's lip curled. Opening his mouth wide, Yusuke had to swallow a shout of fright at the sight of Shimo's orifice. He had no tongue. Just blackness, that seemed to go on forever.
Shimo closed his mouth, leaning back. It seemed he was none the wiser.
"... Soon..." Shimo murmured, his voice delicate and soft.
He turned away, walking back up the steps which Yusuke and Kurama had just taken from the northern wing. He left without a real hurry, looking into each room as he passed. As soon as he was out of sight, Yusuke let out a breath of relief and Kurama released them both from the plant. As they climbed free of the vines, their flesh became visible once more, and Yusuke immediately turned the corner again.
To run smack into a person.
"AHH!" Yusuke gasped, his heart leaping into his throat as he collided into Yukina! Yukina looked downright petrified, wearing a threadbare purple sweater and gray jeans with her hair in a bob. She had several bags in her arms, and it looked as if she was packing her things in haste.
"Yusuke!" Yukina looked automatically relieved, clutching at her breast and seizing with fear, "What- where- who- how did you-?"
"Great god alive you scared the shit out of me." Yusuke gasped, trying to find humor in the dark situation, "Are you alright? Have you seen Kuwabara?"
"Yes. Kazuma just came through. I-" Yukina blushed, looking at her feet, "I'm leaving the temple. Today."
"... Does Genkai know?" Kurama asked.
"She does." Yukina agreed. "She said she'll take care of.. everything." Yukina looked nervously over her own shoulder.
"Creepy boy just passed." Yusuke assured her, "Heading in the direction of the foyer."
Yukina immediately took a sigh of relief.
"Where's Kuwabara?" Yusuke asked.
"Putting my bird cage in the car." Yukina explained. "He said he'd driven here to come take me away. I can't tell you how grateful I am! How did you know that I was trying to leave?" She asked, curious.
Kurama frowned, clearly unhappy at the thought of a fecal filled birdcage in the back of his luxurious trunk. Still, he put on a mundane smile and shrugged.
"Everyone needs space from time to time." He merely stated, "Shall we help you with your bags?"
"If you could I would be forever in your debt." Yukina bowed graciously.
"Don't sweat it, little lady." Yusuke grinned, grabbing as many bags as his arms could hold and hoisting them under his arms. "You're practically a light workout compared to the empress." He sneered. Keiko's name went unspoken on the air. Kurama, not wanting to leave Yukina alone, kept watch as Yusuke toddled through the backdoor to take the long way around the outer edge of the temple. Clearly it was worth it to walk longer and not run the risk of seeing Shimo again. Did Shimo know Yukina was leaving? Kurama doubted it very highly, and wondered if Shimo would become violent if he found out. Closing the door behind them both, Kurama watched as Yukina stuffed a few of her more personal belongings into a small white shoulder bag. In a carrier cage, her little finches tweeted indignantly at being taken away from their usual large and luxurious space. Kurama smiled, bending down low to get a better look at them. They were well preened and fat... clearly Yukina doted on them.
"I fear they are angry at me." Yukina spotted Kurama looking at her finches, "But they will be much safer when we are at Kazuma's house. That is where Kazuma wants to take me, and I cannot say that I mind. Indeed, this would not be the first time I have lived with the Kuwabara family. Though of course, this time I will be living only with Kazuma." Yukina smiled, "It makes me feel lighter, somehow."
"Yukina." Kurama paused, "I don't mean to startle you... but you do realize now the implications of the situation you are in? You do realize why it is that you do not feel comfortable around Shimo?"
Yukina said nothing, though her expression turned from sincerity to strange coldness. She fetched a white wooden box from underneath her bed, and gently placed it atop the many other items in her little satchel. Taking a long threadbare blue shawl and wrapping it around her shoulders, Yukina looked around at her room with fond recollection. It was now devoid of all things that had once reflected her personality. As Yukina plucked her little carrier cage up and held it securely in her arms, she looked up at Kurama with weary resignation.
"I know only what I knew before Shimo arrived." Yukina replied calmly, "Pain. Emptiness. A sense of shattered reality. Nothing has changed."
"And you understand that-"
"I understand many things." Yukina replied, overriding his sentence. "... My brother will never be one of them. Excuse me." Yukina passed him by, walking back into the hallway.
Kurama immediately took the only bag left (a dark leather one that Genkai had leant Yukina to borrow) and slung it over his shoulder. Walking into the hallway, Kurama followed Yukina out through the back, but paused in her wake even as Yukina walked into the garden with a quick pace.
He felt... uneasy.
Turning around, Kurama bristled upon seeing that Shimo was staring him down from the opposite end of the long southern hallway. Even from a far distance, Shimo's wrathful expression could not be mistaken. Holding his ground, Kurama refused to turn his back.
"Men are all the same." Shimo hissed, "They take what is not theirs. They are greedy, vile, and vain."
"Fine words, considering you yourself are male." Kurama warned, letting the crude words roll of his back like a duck in water. "You are a fool, Shimo. If that is even your name. I am not fooled by your facade, and neither is Yukina."
Shimo narrowed his eyes.
"... What do you fear when you look at me." Shimo replied.
Kurama's eyes widened slightly, for he was unable to hide his physical reaction to the words. Those very words had been uttered to Hiei, moments before Hiei had been viciously attacked without a single punch being thrown. Steeling himself, Kurama cleared his mind with swift ease.
Shimo waited for a response, Kurama did not give one. The longer Shimo stared, the more Kurama felt that he was being searched for a weakness of some kind. Yet Kurama, unlike Hiei, did not have a weakness, and it seemed that Shimo was growing desperate as cold waves washed over Kurama's mind. The more Shimo searched, the more fruitless the mission became... and with heavy resignation Shimo pulled back.
Kurama had escaped attack.
Hiei had not been so lucky.
Kurama recalled another time where his wits had saved him- a time when his classmate Kaito had captured Hiei's soul through his impulsive irrational behavior. Kurama, however, refused to be swayed by such ridiculous nonsense. Shimo would have to try harder than a simple mind sweep to knock him off his feet.
And it seemed Shimo was now aware of that.
"Take her where ever you like. She'll return." Shimo murmured icily. "Her heart is that of the Hyouga... without her feigned savior, she will have no where to go. She will be swayed by her biology... which begs her to come home."
"Ah, but you forget." Kurama grinned, "Yukina is Hina's daughter."
At Hina's name, Shimo physically recoiled, backing up with a look of disgust upon his face.
"Yes, I thought Hina's name would impact you." Kurama reasoned, "I saw that you swiped her hard copy from Spirit World. 'A foolish martyr'." Kurama quoted the note, "No martyr is foolish." He denied. "Never underestimate the power of a martyr to change the hearts of a people. I assure you, ice spirit, it is the only thing that ever has."
Shimo did not reply, quelled by Kurama's logical attack. Turning to leave, Kurama descended the steps from the patio into the back garden which was now dead from cold and weeds. As he walked around the perimeter of the dojo, he spotted Genkai on an outer ledge drinking hot mountain tea and watching him go.
"Gather yourself." Genkai spoke up, "I will keep him here."
"When Hiei returns, we will be here promptly." Kurama replied, waving her fond farewell. She merely smiled as he continued on.
Kurama reached the dojo gate, and cast a glance over his shoulder at the hollow house behind him. Houses were meant for living in- for thriving in. They were meant to be warm and full of life, with flowers about their edges and the sound of children emitting from within. When a house sat cold and empty, it was almost like a ghost in and of itself.
Kurama almost felt sorry for for Genkai, but he knew that she was used to toil like this. She was strong and sturdy despite her old age- she would be fine. Shimo couldn't lay a scratch on a woman with intelligence.
Which was a sore fact for Shimo, because none of the females in their little group could be deemed 'unintelligent'.
Descending the massive marble steps, he spotted Yusuke and Kuwabara finally managing to get the large wire bird cage into the trunk of his car. Kurama had only meant to take Yukina out for a friendly excursion, not move her. Yet it seemed their day plans had been put on hold, if only for another moment. Keiko was outside the car, giving Yukina a warm and welcoming hug. Clearly the girls were happy to see on another after such a long time apart.
As Kurama hit the bottom step and walked onto the road, he sat yukina's final bag into the trunk of his now stuffed car, and helped Kuwabara and Yusuke in closing the lid.
"Thank you Keiko." Yukina wiped her eyes, "Oh thank you. How can I ever repay you for this kindness?"
"Think nothing of it! I completely understand." Keiko smiled warmly, giving Yukina another hug, "You can stay with me and Yusuke for as long as you need to. Our guest bedroom is pathetically small, I'm afraid, but it'll do for now."
Kurama raised an eyebrow, catching Kuwabara's downcast gaze.
"I thought you were staying at the Kuwabara house?" Kurama asked, slightly confused, "Not that Yusuke and Keiko's charity is unwelcome."
"I just... I figured if we all stayed together we'd be safer. Y'know, till Shimo gets canned." Kuwabara explained.
"So you intend to also stay with Yusuke and Keiko?" Kurama hinted, sensing an ulterior motive at play. Kuwabara blushed.
"I'll sleep on the couch Kurama, geeze." Kuwabara grumbled, not meeting Kurama's eyes.
"Naturally." Kurama replied, forcing a smirk down.
Couch, indeed. Not that he'd be the one to bring it up to Hiei.
As they all piled into the car once more, the backseat was once again cramped as Yukina slid in between Kuwabara and Yusuke. Keiko, in the passenger seat, looked exhausted but still determined to make something of the day.
"Right. Well." Keiko pulled out her list of things to do, "I suppose I'll simply do this another day, not that I mind, it'll give me time to search for online coupons for party supplies."
"Party?" Yukina asked, "Whose having a party?"
Keiko smiled, looking into the rear view mirror to catch Kuwabara slipping a friendly arm around Yukina's shoulders. Yukina smiled, looking up into his face with adoration.
"Well, I was just thinkin' bout what you said the other night." Kuwabara shrugged. "And I figured... we oughta have a party, y'know? So that way we could all be together, and you could be happy again."
Yukina was touched, and the expression on her face showed it.
"You.. You're planning a party for me?" Yukina asked, shock in her voice. "You'd do that for me?"
"I'd do anything for you, Yukina." Kuwabara replied with a cheesy grin. Yusuke made a motion as if he was vomiting into his lap. Driving on, Kurama merely smiled as the trees rushed past.
They returned to Yusuke and Keiko's apartment, after a good long car ride that involved stopping for lunch at a bistro and a small walk around a few wedding boutiques that seemed determined to turn Yusuke into a pauper. By the time they finally returned to the actual apartment, the work men had come and gone, leaving a bill underneath the front door mat along with the spare key. As their group entered, Yusuke and Keiko both paused to admire the handiwork of the men. They'd re bricked the inside of the wall, putting chicken wire around the edge in preparation for the plastering which would come tomorrow. It was macabre looking compared to the rest of the apartment, but it would do for now. The boys all took turns dropping Yukina's bags into the guest bedroom, leaving the bird cage for last so that by the time they were done all were exhausted and sweating. They rested on the couch, and Yusuke leant both Kuwabara and Kurama beer for posterity's sake. Keiko and Yukina were eager to unpack the finches first, all of whom were downright indignant at having been moved at ready to get back to their cage. The twittering and tweeting soon faded into the background as Yusuke massaged his temple.
"Thanks." Kuwabara mumbled, "For letting us stay here."
"No problem." Yusuke shrugged. "I don't mind. She'll be happier here, and we'll be able to keep an eye on her till Hiei gets back."
"... Hiei better hustle." Kuwabara grumbled. "Pissin' me off... takin' too long. How hard is it to get a jagan implanted."
This exasperated Kurama, who put his head in his hands with a groan.
"Oh Kazuma..." Kurama sighed, thinking of Mukuro and Shigure who had both run themselves ragged trying to save Hiei's life "...You have no idea..."
It was nighttime.
Yukina, still in the process of unpacking her new home, was very tired from the days efforts. Still, she knew that tonight she would sleep better than she had done in weeks... tonight she would not fear shadows on the wall. Tonight she would dream of flame.
Her white satchel, which had held her most precious possessions, was the last to be unpacked. After all, clothes needed to be put in drawers... shoes needed to be placed by the door... even a few pictures must be put on the walls. This was but a temporary home, one that Yukina could not settle too well into for the moment. She'd had many temporary homes before, and in her travels through demon world to human world, she'd found that the only things one really needed... were the things in her white satchel.
And so at last, she unpacked it.
Her satchel was, in and of itself, a gift from Rui that she'd received upon the night of her escape from the Hyouga. It had been Rui who had help her to escape through the dark and blistering winter. It had been Rui who had attempted to amend her sins by supposedly 'killing' Hina's son by helping Hina's daughter 'live'.
As she opened it, she toyed the faded white leather with fond recollection, looking inside to see that her mothers heart box was still in neat condition.
On the day that her mother had died, the entire town had raided the house. Taking the corpse down, and ransacking every room for valuables, they'd thought to inherit all that Yukina never would... yet once again they'd been outwitted by Rui, who had gotten there only minutes before the others, and had taken the heart box away swiftly. Inside, nothing more than a few personal belongings were kept... a brush that her mother had once used on her own hair. A book of poetry and a small shell with lip rouge that her mother had somehow coveted from demon world without the elders finding out. A pair of hair pins that her mother had used to hold back her massive curtain of long icy blue hair... A mirror that her mother had once used to gaze into her own face- once copper and now tinged with gray and green from age.
Yet it was her kimono and shawl that Yukina had coveted most... for her elders had cast her mothers naked body into a shallow grave without any preparation. It was her kimono, simply made of black, white, and gray thread that Yukina adored the most (along with her faded gray shawl), for they had once clothed her mother. They had once protected her from the wind... they had once smelled of cooking oil and weeds (her mothers daily chores).
Setting the heart box aside, Yukina tugged with all her might to remove both the kimono, obi, datejime, and haori all at once. They were a crumpled ball, having been thrust in far too quickly for Yukina's liking. As she pulled each piece out, she laid them fresh upon her new guest bed...
They still smelt faintly of a familiar order.
Yukina closed her eyes.
A cold bitter wind hammering at their door... tampering with the icy blue flame that gave them their only warmth. Upon the dusty floor, yukina toyed with a few of her homemade dolls, nervously eyeing the rattling window pane. Her mothers skirts, massive and flowing, were like a curtain she could hind behind with every blasting jet of icy torrent.
She looked up into the dim light, seeing the pointed chin and fair almond eyes of her mother. Hina was older than her years, with frail composure and hands that looked like a corpse. Still, her strength was never fading even with the heartache of losing a child to the hands of her elders. Hina looked down as Yukina gasped at another blast of wind at the door. Terrified, Yukina ran for her mother's kimono folds. She hid there, between her mother's pale legs, taking warmth from the soft and supple skin.
"Yukina."
Hina reached underneath her skirts, helping Yukina out so that Yukina would not hide from the wind.
"What do you fear?"
"The storm." Yukina whimpered, her large adolescent eyes finding the weather beaten entrance again, "The storm is mean, mother. What does it want?"
"Evil wants nothing more than to be acknowledged." Her mother replied sagely, "Do not acknowledge the storm that raps at our door, Yukina. Its presence changes nothing."
"But what if it blows in our house?" Yukina asked fearfully, "What if it blows us all away into the snow? What if I get lost from you, mother? I don't want to be lost."
Hina smiled.
Taking Yukina into her arms, the aged woman lifted her daughter into her lap. There, cradled against her mothers bosom, Yukina sought comfort and refuge from the fears of what she could not yet understand. Hina stared with empty eyes into the fire that flickered in the grate.
"There will be many storms, Yukina." Hina admitted tenderly, "And they will blow with a gale that shall break in many a door and ruin many a home. There will be times when you will feel lost in the snow, lost from me and lost from all the things you know to be true. Yet you are never alone... and your cause is never lost. Never. Do you know why?"
"Why?" Yukina asked, her eyes bright with curiosity.
"Because I will always be with you." Hina replied kindly. She touched her daughter's breast, underneath with a tiny but pure heart beat proudly, "Right here."
Yukina opened her eyes, unable to control the burning sensation in her throat and eyes. The tears fell un apprehended as she pressed her hand over her breast, now swollen with the gifts and burdens of womanhood.
She choked down a sob, unable to contain her grief.
Her mother had been brave and kind, keeping faith and staunch resistance despite having the whole village (save Rui) against her. She'd been like the very door that had kept their hut safe from the storm. She'd held her ground till the very... very... bitter end.
If only Yukina could be strong like her mother.
Breaking down, Yukina clapped her hands over her mouth as she wept aloud. Hiroseke stones slipped from her chin, bouncing upon the floor and scattering everywhere like children's marbles.
Her mother had been right, though Yukina had not understood her words at the time. There would always be horrific storms, coming and going; whether they were kidnappers looking for loot or psychopaths hell bent on taking over the world, it did not matter. Evil was all the same. It only wanted to be acknowledged, to be recognized for its efforts. It only wanted to be feared. The answer was simply not to acknowledge it or fear it... yet how hard that was at times. The cruelty in the hearts of men was staggering. The apathy, and ignorance, all of it unbearable at times... and it made her feel utterly alone in the dark of her new room.
She'd wanted to believe when she'd first seen Shimo, that he was her long lost brother. She'd wanted to believe that Shimo was the answer she'd so desperately longed for... that he was the man whom her mother had prophesied would come. She'd prayed every night for the dark man whom Rui had seen one fateful winters eve approaching their mothers battered grave marked only by a dead tree. Rui had thought then that her brother would kill them all... yet he'd not touched a single koorime. But why? Was it because he simply didn't care... the apathy and cruelty within him dooming the broken ice maidens to toil without relief? Or was it because he simply did not want to kill people? Was it because he, like their mother, knew that evil only wanted to be acknowledged. By letting them live... he deemed them unworthy of his attention. By letting them live... he let them die.
Yukina now knew in her heart that Shimo was not her brother. Indeed, he was the worst sort of person... the kind that fed off other's weaknesses. Part of her was even scared that he belonged to their elders. That perhaps, he was part of a darker plot which centered on the icy and barren Hyouga shores. Yet Yukina fathomed the elders had forgotten her existence entirely. Why would they care about her? Why would they seek her out in this way.
Why would they do this to her. After everything else.
Slipping from her bed, Yukina crumpled onto the soft carpet floor. Her limbs failed to give her strength, and so in a fetal position amid her scattered tear stones she lay in the moon beams.
She'd once believed, when she was young and perhaps a little foolish, that her brother would come. She'd believed that he would seek her out beyond a shadow of a doubt, going to unimaginable lengths just to catch a glimpse of her face.
But she'd been wrong. Hiei had probably been right. Her brother might even be dead.
And if he was, he'd be the lucky one of the pair of them.