Chapter 08 risoluto (Or, resolute)

Kurama watched Asuka inhale deeply, then exhale for three seconds. She grabbed a portion of her tummy, squeezed the skin together, and then inserted the needle with a grimace. Patches of bruises mottled her skin across her thighs and stomach. Some were black, some were blue, and some were a sickly yellow color.

"When the doctor said it would hurt, she wasn't kidding," Asuka said after she'd finished. "Even with my pain tolerance."

Kurama walked over and embraced her. There was little else he could do. "How are you feeling?"

"Anxious," she said truthfully. "But no bouts of depression or anger. Well, ones that are out of the ordinary, anyway."

He hugged her just a little tighter. "Are you sure you're okay with me going to Kuwabara's?"

"I'm sure. Himari said she would drop off the music I'm getting from Joe Hisaishi today and I'm excited to look at it."

"All right," Kurama said. "I'll see you later this afternoon. Call me if you need anything."

"I love you," Asuka said after they'd kissed.

He ran his fingers through her hair. "And I love you."

Kurama turned and left despite the familiar tug of his heart while he did.

She's safe here, he reminded himself. The building is secure and besides the flower by the door, I've got traps by every window and a special surprise hidden near the roof access door.

Those precautions only mildly helped his paranoia, and it flared every time he left her alone.

Once outside, Kurama looked into the sky. Gentle flurries blew down and he pulled his jacket tighter to block out the cold.

Asuka had thought little about the strange incident at her concert, but he was. He hadn't been able to stop thinking about it. If someone meant to harm Asuka…or took Asuka from him, he didn't know what he would do.

I won't let anything happen to her, he thought firmly. I don't care if the entire world falls apart. I'm not giving her up. She's mine.

Some part of him hissed.

That's why he was meeting with Kuwabara and Yusuke today. He couldn't just sit around and wait for something to happen. He needed to do some detective work, and the only people he trusted were his brothers.

Yukina and Kuwabara's house was located toward the city center and was an old, traditional house surrounded by tall brick walls. Kuwabara had purchased the dilapidated house for Yukina's sake and restored it to pristine condition. Kuwabara hoped that the serene gardens he'd put so much thought and care into, plus the traditional wood layout of the house, would make her feel at home. It did, but Yukina still preferred Genkai's mountainous retreat to city life, and she and Kuwabara went up and stayed there often.

Kurama entered the passcode next to the gate, and it opened. Then he walked up to the house, slipped off his shoes, and stepped up into it.

The door slid open. "Hello, Kurama," Yukina said sweetly.

Kurama bowed his head. "Hello, Yukina."

Her belly was large and her face had rounded some. "Yusuke hasn't arrived yet," she said. "But Kuwabara is sitting in the back room. There's tea, waiting."

"Thank you. You look well, Yukina."

She absentmindedly pushed on the side of her stomach. "I'm starting to feel uncomfortable because of my size, but I do feel good." Her mouth dropped into a tiny frown.

"What is it?"

"Well," Yukina hesitated while she pushed on her belly again. "I wish Kuwabara would listen to me. If he brings anything up, maybe…you could talk some sense into him?"

Kurama wasn't sure what she meant, but if Yukina was asking for help, there must be a strong point of contention. "I'll do my best."

"That's all I can ask, thank you." Yukina offered another sweet smile and then turned to go down the hall.

As Yukina waddled away, a vision of Asuka in the same state filled Kurama's mind. In it, her long wavy hair fell over rounded breasts and went upward again over her belly—a belly filled with his child. For a moment, Kurama stopped breathing.

He shook his head and then walked along the outer corridor to the sitting room that overlooked the koi fish pond. He found Kuwabara reclining at a low kotatsu table with most of his body underneath the blanket.

"Afternoon, Kuwabara."

"Yo, Kurama. Yukina made tea if you want some."

"Thank you. I saw her when I came in." Kurama sat at the table and draped the blanket over his lap. He immediately felt the heater's warmth on his toes. "She's looking radiant."

A smile crossed Kuwabara's face before it morphed into something more worried. He rubbed his forehead. "Tell you the truth, we've been arguing a lot."

"About what?" Kurama sipped his tea, delighted by its flavor. Yukina's taste was exquisite, and she always found the most interesting blends.

Kuwabara sighed and dragged his large hands over his face. "She wants to go up to Genkai's to have the baby, but I want her to go to the hospital."

Ah. "And why's that?"

"What if something goes wrong?!" Kuwabara said, a bit too loud. "What if there's a complication? Or…or something bad happens? Did you know babies can sometimes face the wrong way and get stuck?! Or…or what if the umbilical cord is twisted? Genkai's isn't anywhere near a hospital. What if Yukina can't stop bleeding? Or something is wrong with the baby?"

Kurama reached over and grasped Kuwabara's shoulder.

"Sorry," Kuwabara said. "Ever since we took that baby class I can't stop thinking about somethin' bad happening to Yukina or my baby girl."

"Lots of women have babies outside of a hospital and you forget—Yukina isn't human."

Kuwabara hung his head. "Yukina keeps telling me. She says she can heal herself. But what if it's…really bad? I don't want her to take the risk."

Kurama couldn't blame Kuwabara for worrying, but he also knew Yukina's feelings had priority in this scenario. "Well, ask yourself. Do you think forcing Yukina to be somewhere distressing is good for the birth? Do you think it's worth the resentment Yukina will feel toward you? Kuwabara, don't forget that she was forced to stay locked away all those years ago."

Kuwabara's head snapped upward. His eyes went wide as he gaped. "That's not what I…I'd…I'd never want her to feel that way."

"I know," Kurama said gently. "But you have to consider it from Yukina's perspective."

Kuwabara glanced back toward the door. He lowered his voice. "But…what if something bad happens? And I couldn't do anything?"

"Perhaps a small compromise? What if Botan was there? She has healing abilities."

Kuwabara sighed. "I guess. Maybe my sister could be there, too. She's had babies and all."

"Indeed."

"Think Asuka would come up for support?"

Kurama set his tea down. He wanted to say no. Asuka would if asked—despite how that would make her feel. But maybe it would be fine. If Asuka was pregnant, she would have no reason to feel poorly.

"It depends on her situation," Kurama said carefully.

"Yeah, I guess she's real busy. Well, I'll talk to Yukina. Maybe less people would make her feel more comfortable, anyway."

Kurama nodded. He could see from Kuwabara's expression that he'd successfully changed his friend's mind. He knew it would be difficult, but Kuwabara had to trust Yukina because she was the one giving birth.

"Hey, sorry I'm late," Yusuke said as he slid the shoji screen door open. "Keiko was throwing up, and the demons were unleashing hell. Had to wait 'till Keiko's parents got to our place."

"No worries," Kuwabara said. "Have a seat."

Yusuke settled under the kotatsu table with a groan. "This pregnancy is a lot worse than the others. She wasn't nearly as sick with Genki and Raiden. Whoever is in there is already givin' her a lotta trouble."

"Definitely a boy then," Kuwabara laughed. "Maybe you should name this one Yusuke Junior."

"Shut up Kuwabara," Yusuke said. After a long pause, he got a faraway look in his eye and smiled. "Can't believe we're havin' another one."

"Excited?" Kuwabara asked.

"Hell yeah," Yusuke said.

The two men shared a glance that was filled with pride and warmth. It made Kurama feel like an outsider.

"Anyway. How can we help you, Kurama?" Yusuke asked.

"Yeah," said Kuwabara. "How can we help?"

Kurama took another sip of tea. "Asuka's mind has been…preoccupied as of late, so she has given little thought to what happened at her concert…but I have. And I'd like to find some answers."

"Yeah," Yusuke said. "We'll do whatever we need to."

Kurama breathed outward. He couldn't express how his emotions were getting to him, but he immediately felt better after hearing their offer of support. They cared for Asuka, too, and wanted her safe. All of their family did.

"I'd like to go back to the concert hall," Kurama said. "Whoever's ki I felt was in the front left section. There are three boxes the ki could've originated from."

"I'm in," said Kuwabara. "How are you planning on getting the information?"

"I assume the office will have it. That should be on one of their computers."

"They're not gonna let you just waltz back there," Yusuke said.

"I know. Depending on who they are, I have a plant that can make them more suggestive. I was hoping we could get some information about who was in the box seats and then go up and search them for clues."

"Sounds solid," Yusuke said. "Let's do it."

The three men finished their tea and stood. Kuwabara found Yukina and told her they would be gone for a few hours. After slipping on their shoes, they set from Kuwabara's house and took the train to the stop closest to Orchard Hall.

Kurama flared his ki and scanned the street. There were no suspicious persons that he could see, but that did not mean he could become complacent.

"You know, Kurama," Yusuke said casually as they walked toward the concert hall, "I didn't think I'd be into the kid thing. I never had a father, so how was I supposed to know what a good one acted like? But when Keiko got pregnant with Raiden, I promised myself I'd figure out how to be a good dad. Man up, for their sake. And now? Those brats are the best damn thing that's ever happened to me besides Keiko. Makes me think everything we went through as teens wasn't for nothing."

"And you're telling me this, because?"

Yusuke smiled. "Just giving you something to think about, Mr. Logic."

Yusuke had a point. Kurama had not thought of himself as the fatherly type. He had never sired children when he lived in the yokai as Yoko but agreed to have children now because of Asuka. Kurama believed he would love his children when they came, of course. But there was a difference between being fine with children and wanting children.

Before Asuka, he believed he'd stay single forever and take care of his mother. But then she crashed into his life and now he couldn't imagine it without her. Perhaps it would be the same with children.

Or perhaps a silent change had already taken root in his heart, and that flower was now blossoming. His thoughts about Asuka being pregnant were proof.

Kurama wanted to be candid with his friends. He wanted to tell them his desires were changing. He wanted to talk about Asuka's misery and heartache, and the effect it was having on him. He wanted to confide that he'd been feeling possessive of her, and how everything that had happened after she returned to him was making it worse.

But…Asuka didn't want her friends to know about her struggles. And he couldn't betray her wishes. "We will see what the future holds," he said simply.

Yusuke grinned and then slapped him on the back.

"We're here," Kurama said, pointing with his chin.

They walked up to Orchard Hall and went through a set of large double doors. Yusuke flared his yoki and said, "Don't sense anyone yet, but I'll keep watch. Go on in Kurama. We've got your back."

The ticketing booth was just down the grand hallway. As Kurama approached, he saw a man of similar age sitting at the desk.

"Hello, can I help you?" the man asked without looking at Kurama.

"I hope so."

The man glanced up and his eyes widened. Kurama knew that reaction and, for once, was glad of it. The man would be even more susceptible to his suggestions. Kurama tucked his raspberry hair behind his ear and the man's eyes followed. As he did, Kurama pulled a seed out. It bloomed within his palm and released pollen. Kurama opened his hand and gently blew it at the man's face.

The man inhaled, and his eyes widened before they hazed over. "You're so beautiful," he whispered. "I want to take you home so I can—"

Kurama put up his hand. Susceptible to suggestion and more willing to say exactly what was on his mind, apparently.

The man licked his lips.

Kurama smiled. "I'd like some information. I am wondering who purchased tickets for the three box seats on the upper left side of the concert hall. This would be for Asuka Minamino's concert."

The man blinked and stared at Kurama's mouth.

"Please?" Kurama asked.

The man dragged his eyes upward to Kurama's and inhaled sharply. "Yes…I believe I can look up that information. Only for you, though."

"Thank you," Kurama said softly. He leaned forward over the desk. His hair fell forward, which made the man bite his lip.

Kurma waited while he watched the man move the mouse and click on something. He squinted. "Looks like all three of the boxes in the upper left are continually reserved. The first is for the Kajima Corporation, the second is for the Tokyu Group, and the furthest from the stage is for guests of the orchestra."

"Corporations?" Kurama asked.

"Yes. They donate enormous sums of money to the hall and thus have permanent boxes."

Kurama frowned. If corporations had permanent box seats, that meant it was someone at said corporation who gave out the tickets to various people. It was the same for the orchestra. He had no way of knowing who the tickets went to.

"I see. Well, thank you very much."

"Will I see you again?" the man looked desperate as he looked at Kurama.

"Unfortunately not, and you will forget you ever met me."

The man looked sad for half a moment before his eyes glazed further and his posture changed. Kurama turned on his heels and left to rejoin Yusuke and Kuwabara.

"You're ridiculous," Yusuke said. "What did he say?"

"The boxes are continually reserved so we can't know who was in them specifically. We best go up and see if we can find any clues."

"Were there any concerts between now and then?" Kuwabara asked.

"No. The orchestra was at a different concert hall for last week's performance."

"That's good," Yusuke said. "Come on."

The stairs to the box seats were close by, so all three men jogged up the stairs and looped around the side to the far left. Each box had its own door. Kurama used a planet seed and opened the first door.

"The man said this box is reserved for guests of the orchestra," Kurama said as they entered. "Any little thing could be a clue."

Kurama flared his ki on the slight chance he could detect something. Kuwabara and Yusuke got down on their hands and knees and searched each of the seats.

"Sorry Kurama," Yusuke said as he stood. "Don't see anything."

"Yeah, I got nothin'," Kuwabara said.

"Let's move on to the next box."

Kurama closed the door behind them and then moved to the second box. After half a second, the door opened. Everything looked spotless, which wasn't surprising, but Kurama still hoped they could get lucky.

They searched each chair and underneath the chairs. Kurama was just about to suggest they move on when Kuwabara said, "Yo, Kurama. I found this business card shoved into the seat. Here."

Kurama took the card from Kuwabara. "It says Kaji Hijikata of the Tokyu Group. That's who this box is reserved for. Let's check the last box."

The last box was just as empty as the first. "Sorry, Kurama," Kuwabara said.

Kurama didn't reply. Instead, his head turned sharply at the same time Yusuke's and Kuwabara's did.

"Do you feel that?" Yusuke asked.

"Ki," said Kuwabara.

"It's…yoki," Kurama said, "and it's coming from…backstage?"

"What's the fastest way to get down there?" Yusuke asked.

Kurama looked out over the seats below and at the stage. When he found no one present, he said, "Jump."

The three men lept over the railing and used their ki to land on the floor below without injuring themselves. Then they jogged up the stairs to the stage.

Kurama's heart beat rapidly. The ki was coming from the dressing room Asuka used when she got ready for the concert. He increased his pace and barged into the room.

The yokai was slumped on the floor. All four of its eyes were rolled back in its head, and its green skin was paler than it should have been. The yokai looked like it was going to die.

Kurama rushed over and pulled the yokai up by its skinny limbs. "Who are you?" he demanded.

"Kurama," Yusuke warned, "be gentle."

"Must…return," it mumbled.

"Must return?" Yusuke asked. "Who? Who must return?"

Its eyes focused for a moment. "The…time. Must return…stars be…"

Fear gripped Kurama. "Time? what stars? What are you talking about?" They only had moments left. None of the plants in Kurama's arsenal would save a yokai this close to death.

"She must…return," the yokai managed.

"Where?" Kurama demanded.

The yokai's head rolled to the side.

"Where?!" Kurama shouted.

The yokai went completely limp in his arms. Then, the body crumbled into dust.

"What the hell?" Yusuke said above him.

"Was he talking about Asuka?" Kuwabara asked.

Kurama blinked and tried to process what the yokai said. He knew this was about his wife, but he wasn't sure what the yokai meant, or why he said what he said. Does someone want Asuka? Kurama gritted his teeth and clenched his fist.

"Are you gonna tell her?" Yusuke asked.

Kurama stood and smoothed his jacket and pants. "No. We don't even know if this yokai was speaking about her. I'll not distress her until I have some concrete facts."

"I think you should tell her, Kurama," Kuwabara said. "It sounded important."

Kurama shot Kuwabara a warning glare.

Kuwabara held up his hands. "I'm just saying. She might know what this yokai was talking about."

Kurama ran his hand through his hair. He already felt resolute. Asuka wasn't going anywhere, so it didn't matter what this yokai said, or if it was true. It was irrelevant. "It could be a trap," he said. "Perhaps whoever was observing her sent this yokai."

"Are you gonna go home?" Yusuke asked.

"Yes." Kurama needed to see Asuka for his own sake.

The three men left the dressing room and went back out to the street.

"Let us know if you need anything else," Yusuke said.

Kuwabara nodded. "Yeah, whatever you need."

"Thank you both for helping me today," Kurama said. "This business card could be a clue. I'll do some research and let you know if I find anything."

They all parted ways. Kurama decided to hail a taxi and go home directly instead of using the train.

I should get a car, he thought. We can easily afford one, and I could get home to Asuka quicker most days.

I need more time with her.

-* ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ *-

Asuka bid Himari farewell and closed the door. Her music from Joe Hisaishi had arrived, and she couldn't wait to see it. Her fingers tore at the sealed, thick envelope.

To Asuka's delight, there was a letter inside with a few missing details and instructions for recording day. It is for Ghibli, she marveled.

The rest of the papers were sheets of music. Asuka's eyes hungrily scanned the music. The first song was simply titled, "Opening song, the Merry-Go-Round of Life". The piece opened with an organ, then went to a soft melody played by the orchestra. Then, she saw the piano music. It was the only instrument playing in this section, and what she'd be playing was clearly the theme.

This music…is beautiful.

It was soft, gentle, and romantic.

This is for a love story.

Asuka's tears welled as she continued to thumb through the music. The titles of each piece confirmed her suspicion.

"Unspoken love," "In the rain," and "Heartbeat" were all titles to songs she'd be playing.

Joe…this music.

Her heart pricked. She'd be working with Joe Hisaishi on a Ghibli film. It felt too good to be true.

Asuka stopped at the song "A walk in the skies" and read the music. Most of it was in 3/4, making it like a waltz. She could hear it perfectly in her mind. First, the song opened with the plucking of strings. One two three, one two three. One two three. Then the melody was picked up by the flutes, and after that, the rest of the instruments.

The melody got faster, rushing and rushing until cymbals clashed and there was the plucking of a harp.

The music changed to a full waltz. Whomever the characters were, they were walking on air. Asuka started to sway with the music she was reading. The piano entered with the same melody and Asuka moved like she was waltzing. Her mind was full of music. One two three. One two three.

Just then, gentle hands grabbed hers over the music she was looking at.

"I didn't even hear you come in," Asuka said.

"Keep going," Kurama whispered. "I want to dance with you."

"You can't hear the music," Asuka said.

"Show me."

Asuka set down the sheets she'd been holding, flared her ki, and surrounded Kurama with it. His eyes fluttered. She knew he wasn't able to hear the music—it was more like he could hear the impression of the music based on how it affected Asuka.

But it was enough, and Kurama waltzed with her to the music in her mind. He twirled her in and out as they danced.

Asuka's eyes closed, and an enormous smile spread across her face.

When she opened them, she found Kurama staring down at her. His eyes were passionate and loving. She stepped closer and brought her hands around his neck. The dance changed from a waltz to something more intimate. As they swayed together, the tender theme continued in Asuka's mind.

Kurama sighed and placed his head on hers. "I love you."

"And I love you. How was hanging out with Yusuke and Kuwabara?"

"Good. Will you play some of the music for me?"

Asuka nodded and thumbed through the stack of music. "This one is just for piano."

She pulled out "You're in love" and played for Kurama. He sat down in his favorite chair and watched. When she glanced at him, she found his emotions spilling out.

"Asuka, my love," he breathed.

She lifted her hands off the piano and turned to face him. "What is it?"

"I'm just glad to be near you. Will you play for me some more?"

"As much as you like." And with a smile, Asuka restarted the song.

Author's Note:

Hello again! It's winter where I am and it's been particularly miserable. Everyone in my house is sick (not Covid thankfully!) but sick nonetheless. I'm glad I was able to get the chapter out today.

I got to write the guys doing some detective work. How fun is that? Some more puzzle pieces were given today.

I hope you're enjoying the story. Shoot me a comment if you liked the chapter! I enjoy hearing from all of you.

See you next week!

-Arielle