A.N. We've hit the ground running. Let's not waste any time!

mugiwara-no-lucy: I'm so glad to be back! Ooh, can you imagine another set of twins?!

CocoaBeanie144: :D I love your enthusiasm.

Black Dragon 42: Hopefully I can keep your excitement up!

Wolfs Child/Guest: The wait is over. As for a chapter schedule, I'm planning for every 1-2 weeks.

Hina714: I'm so glad to see you here! Poor Kurama is going through it!

The Zod: You're right, Three Kings is the weakest arc in the series and I do intend to expand on the lore and change a number of things. Having Sakura really helps.

KeywordLF: Wait no more, because it's here!

Chapter 2: Respite

How much longer is this going to take?

Shiori got up and started pacing the room. 5:30pm. Well past the 24 hour mark since Sakura was taken, and there still hadn't been so much as a whisper. She couldn't take this anymore. She couldn't–

"Shiori," Kazuya came up from behind and wrapped his arms around her. "Shuichi will call when he has news."

"I know," she said. "But why hasn't there been any at all? It's almost been 27 hours since she went missing, and–!"

"For all we know, the investigators have likely told him not to contact anyone. A missing person case can change quickly. He probably doesn't know much more than we do right now."

The slight tremor in Kazuya's voice made Shiori turn around. He was concerned too. And it was this, more than anything, that calmed her pounding heart. At least a little.

She leaned into him again with a sigh. "You're right. It's just…I feel so helpless. The twins have already been through so much, and now this…"

Kazuya tightened his embrace. "It's going to be alright, dear," he said softly. "They'll find Sakura. We have to trust them."

Shiori nodded and allowed Kazuya to lead her back to the lounge. She looked at the phone, willing it to ring with good news. But it stayed silent.

Shiori buried her head in her hands as time stretched on. Her mind drifted to her son, her precious son, the only person with Yusuke while they navigated this nightmare. She just wished she could hold him…

Brrring! Brrring!

Both of them paused at the shrill ring of the phone.

Shiori reached for it, but her hands shook uncontrollably. What if it was bad news?

"It's alright, Shiori. I'm here," Kazuya said. "Put it on speaker."

Shiori squeezed his hand. She pressed the button and, in a voice barely above a whisper, answered.

"Hello, Minamino residence."

"Mother, it's me."

"Shuichi!" Shiori gasped. Her son sounded exhausted, but fairly calm. "Thank goodness…listen dear, you're on speakerphone; Kazuya's with me. What's going on?"

"I'm still with Yusuke at the hospital," Shuichi said. "And I don't have a lot of time, but I do have some news."

Shiori gripped Kazuya's hand even tighter. "Tell me."

"I received a phone call from one of the lead detectives a few minutes ago," Shuichi's voice trembled. "They found her. She's been rescued."

Shiori burst into tears. "Oh thank God! Is she…?"

The rest of her question was lost while she broke down.

"Shuichi, is she alright?" Kazuya asked. "Is she injured?"

"I'm not sure. The detective merely said they're bringing her to the hospital now. We should know soon."

"How did…?" Shiori took a shaky breath before trying again. "How in the world did they manage to find her?"

Shuichi hesitated, then said, "All I can say at this point is that a lead came through in the early hours of the morning. I'll explain later."

"Where was she?" Kazuya asked. "And what about the offenders, have they been arrested?"

"The officer didn't give any details regarding that. I'm sure we'll find out as things unfold."

"Of course, of course," Shiori said. "What about Yusuke? Is he any better? And the twins' mother?"

"We haven't managed to make contact with their mother yet," Shuichi muttered, and Shiori heard his anger. "As for Yusuke, he's awake and stable. It won't happen overnight, but his test results point to signs of a full recovery. And needless to say, he's utterly beside himself at the news."

Kazuya smiled. "We are too, Shuichi. This is the most wonderful outcome. You must be so relieved."

There was silence on the other end of the line as Shuichi took a breath. "More than I can say," he said, voice cracking slightly. "There is still much that we don't know, but she's safe, and that's all I'm concerned about right now."

"Absolutely," Kazuya said. "That's the most important thing."

"I'm afraid I won't be coming home just yet, Mother. I…I can't leave her. I'm sorry."

"No, don't apologise," Shiori said. "Is there anything we can do? Is there anything you need?"

"Not at this stage. Truly, the only thing I need right now is to hold her in my arms again and never let go. First chance I get, I'll…oh, wait a moment…"

There was a brief pause and some unintelligible voices in the background. Shiori held her breath until her son spoke again.

"They've just arrived, Mother. She's here."

"Thank goodness," Shiori wept. "I hope she's okay."

"We'll see what the doctors say, Mother. They'll take care of her," Shuichi said. "But for now, I really should be going. Forgive me."

"Not at all, son. You go right ahead," Kazuya said.

"If you can, give our love to Sakura," Shiori finally smiled through her tears. "And Yusuke as well."

"Of course. I promise I'll call back as soon as I know anything else."

Click.

Shiori leaned into Kazuya's chest and began to cry in earnest. "Oh, thank heavens, thank heavens…she's safe, and Yusuke's alright!"

Kazuya gently stroked her back, saying, "We couldn't have asked for a better ending. It's absolutely wonderful."

"I just hope she's not been hurt," Shiori began, but then a horrible thought struck her. "Wait, if she's in the hospital, then that must mean-!"

"Not necessarily," Kazuya said. "She'll need a medical check regardless. It's standard procedure. I'm sure Shuichi will let us know when he's able to."

"Oh, yes. Of course," Shiori mopped at her face. "Silly of me not to realise. But that poor girl, Kazuya. What a terrible ordeal she's gone through. And Yusuke, imagine how he must be feeling."

"It's a dreadful situation," Kazuya said. "But she's been rescued. The worst is over now."

Shiori nodded. "As much as I'd love to race over to the hospital and see her, I don't think I'd be allowed in."

"No, I'd say not. Best to wait until Shuichi calls again before we talk about visits."

"That probably won't be for a little while. Not until she's been taken care of," Shiori rubbed her tired eyes.

"All in good time, dear," Kazuya kissed her again before continuing, "I think you should go to bed for a little while. It's been a difficult night, and I know you're exhausted."

"I suppose so, but I think I could do with a cup of tea first."

"You head up to bed, dear. I'll get it for you."

Shiori heaved herself up from the couch and leaned into Kazuya's embrace. "Thank you. For being with me. I love you."

"And I love you," Kazuya pointed Shiori towards the staircase. "Go on. I'll bring your tea up when it's ready."

Shiori climbed upstairs and collapsed on her bed. The exhaustion had started to hit home and she expected to fall asleep in moments, but this didn't happen. She couldn't even close her eyes right away. Instead, Shiori lay awake while Kazuya bustled around in the kitchen downstairs.

Sakura…that poor girl…

The relief she felt gave way to profound sorrow. Yes, Sakura had been rescued. She was going to be looked after in the hospital. The offenders would surely face justice, and any physical wounds would mend.

But beyond that, how in the world could Sakura recover from such a nightmare?

She'll need a lot of support. More than Shuichi can give, probably. Definitely professional therapy. Will her mother be able to step up?

Unlikely, from what Shuichi had said.

Shiori took another tissue. Sakura had been through so much already. But this? A violent attack and abduction, held for over twenty four hours, and heaven only knew what had happened during that time…

The thought was unbearable. Thankfully, at that moment Kazuya arrived with the tea.

Shiori sat up and took the cup from him. A calming herbal blend. Exactly what she needed.

"Shiori," Kazuya began. "What Shuichi said before, about the twins' mother…why aren't their parents at the hospital?"

"Shuichi hasn't said much, but from what he told me, their mother had Yusuke and Sakura when she was a young teenager. Their father is nowhere to be found, and…well, their mother isn't the most responsible parent. Shuichi strongly implied that she's an alcoholic."

Kazuya shook his head. He hadn't expected that. "It sounds like they've gone through a lot."

Shiori nodded. There was really no other way to respond to that.

"Well, they won't have to handle this alone," Kazuya said. "We can be there for them."

"That's right."

Kazuya wrapped his arm around Shiori and she curled up beside him. Warmth and relief flooded through her in the silence.

"Get some rest, dear," Kazuya said when she'd finished her cup. "Don't worry; I'll wake you when Shuichi calls again."

With a kiss, he left. Shiori settled into the quilts. As she finally drifted off, she wondered what she could possibly say or do for Sakura when she saw her again.

Kurama hung up and took a deep breath. Underneath his fear and devastation, a tiny spark of relief reared up. His mother could stop worrying now. Even if she didn't know the full details of the dire situation, at least she knew that Sakura was safe.

He already had the cover story mapped out in his mind. Of course, he'd have to forge some evidence and iron out a few other details, but he could worry about that when he got home–whenever that happened.

For now, home was out of the question. Sakura's condition made moving her out of Genkai's estate impossible for the time being.

But then what?

The million dollar question. Her physical and mental health aside, she was in untold danger from Spirit World and the SDF. They might have retreated for now, but it wouldn't last. If the SDF couldn't attack Yusuke head on, then they would almost certainly target Sakura to get to him…

No.

Kurama's fists clenched. That wasn't going to happen. He wouldn't allow it. If anyone dared threaten his precious flower again, he'd unleash his wrath upon them without the slightest hesitation.

No-one will ever touch her again.

"What the hell was that about? Who were you talking to?"

Kurama turned around. Yusuke was standing behind him, seething under his fuzzy mop of hair. He must've only just returned.

"That was my mother, Yusuke. I was merely explaining that Sakura is safe now. She's been worried sick."

"Oh really?" Yusuke's eyes narrowed. "Then what was all that crap about me being 'awake and stable'?"

Kurama paused. This was not the way he'd wanted Yusuke to find out, but there was no sense in lying now.

"It's all part of the cover story I'm working on," he said. "I couldn't tell her the truth about what happened."

"So what exactly are you telling people, Fox Boy? That I got jumped and beat up?!"

"Essentially, yes," Kurama said. "I told her that Sakura was abducted on your way home from school, and you were injured in the altercation. It was the most plausible explanation without mentioning demons or Spirit World."

"WHAT?!" Yusuke shouted. "Why the hell would you say that?!"

"Because I knew that this case would have far-reaching consequences. It was best to be prepared."

"Oh, gimme a break with that shit, Kurama! There's a million other ways you could explain it, but did you think about that? No! You just had to go ahead and make me look like a total pansy who can't take care of his sister–"

"Woah, woah! The heck is all this shouting for?"

Kuwabara appeared from around the corner. Yusuke shot a warning glare at him.

"Stay out of this, Kuwabara!"

But Kuwabara took one look from Yusuke's clenched fists to Kurama's tight expression and made a beeline for them.

"Urameshi, what's going on?" he asked. "What's the matter?"

"Oh, you mean other than my sister being beaten into a coma, the whole of Spirit World after us and my stupid ancestor mistaking me for a sock puppet?!" Yusuke snapped. "Well, we've just added a side order of me looking like the world's most useless brother!"

Kuwabara blinked. "Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Why don't you ask him?!" Yusuke jabbed an accusing finger at Kurama. "Let's see what else he comes up with. Maybe I'll be made of glass next!"

"Ok, Urameshi. Just chill out," Kuwabara said. "Kurama, what's the deal?"

Kurama took a deep breath and began to explain. "As I said earlier, I came up with a cover story for the whole…situation. And I was just relaying part of it to my mother. To put it simply, I told her that Yusuke and Kura were attacked on their way home from school which resulted in Sakura being taken and Yusuke being significantly injured. I realise it's not the most ideal of explanations, but I knew it would be credible. As long as I fabricate the correct paperwork, nobody should question it."

"Oh, right," Kuwabara said. "That makes sense."

"Maybe it does, but why'd you have to drag me into it like that?" Yusuke hissed. "You could've just said she'd gone missing or something–!"

"Urameshi, will you just stop it already?" Kuwabara groaned. "I can see why this would tick you off, but it's not worth throwing a fit over."

"I'm sorry, Yusuke," Kurama said. "Given the circumstances, I had to make a quick decision. One that would account for almost any outcome and prevent unwanted inquiries."

"Exactly!" Kuwabara nodded. "Come on, Urameshi. I get it; you're stressed out. We all are. But yelling at Kurama isn't gonna help."

"And neither is him making me look like a damn weakling! It's already bad enough with Kura, and–!"

Yusuke stopped, chest heaving and hands shaking. Then, as if he could bear it no longer, he turned on his heel and stormed off, past the newly arrived Keiko and Shizuru.

"Yusuke?"

He vanished into the garden without a word.

"Urameshi!" Kuwabara yelled after him. "Come on!"

He made to follow when a hand went on his arm.

"Kuwabara, let him go," Kurama said firmly.

Kuwabara hesitated for a moment, but one look from Kurama put an end to that.

"Alright, alright. I just…he's just…GAH!" Kuwabara dragged his hands down his face. The already dire situation seemed to be getting worse and worse.

Kurama stared after Yusuke, unblinking, while the blood pounded in his ears. He barely heard Shizuru speak.

"Kazuma, what was that about?" she asked, and Kuwabara threw his hands up in defeat.

"Kurama made up a cover story for the whole thing and Urameshi's all pissed off about it. Like we don't have more important things to worry about," he sighed. "I don't know what we're gonna do with him."

"Oh no," Keiko looked on the verge of tears. "Yusuke, wait!"

She'd barely taken a step when she too was stopped by a restraining hand.

"Kurama?"

Keiko's blood ran cold when she saw Kurama's face. Shizuru and Kuwabara took a step backwards from the bone chilling fury that had begun to radiate from him.

Kurama narrowed his eyes in the direction Yusuke had left.

"Stay here," he said. "I'll deal with him."

And he strode off without looking back once.

Kuwabara, Keiko and Shizuru remained silent in the frosty atmosphere left in Kurama's wake. His quiet, ice cold fury was truly the most frightening thing they'd ever experienced.

"I've never seen Kurama like that before," Keiko breathed. "Should we follow them?"

"No," Shizuru said. "What Kurama has to say is just between them. We can't interfere."

Kuwabara shuddered. The one time he'd ever seen Kurama that angry was when confronting Elder Toguro.

"Man, I'd hate to be in Urameshi's shoes right now."

Kurama followed Yusuke's aura through the garden, around the house and towards the koi pond. He could already hear the sounds of Yusuke punching something, but that meant nothing.

This was it. The absolute last straw. Over and over again, he'd watched Yusuke treat his sister as an afterthought. Well, no more. He wasn't going to let him get away with it.

Not this time.

A.N. Ohhh boy. Things are heating up. Shiori might be relieved, but Yusuke is in BIG trouble.

Just an FYI, the next chapter will probably not be out next week purely because my best friend is getting married on the 7th, and as I am her only bridesmaid, it's all hands on deck these last couple of days. Also, the wedding is quite a distance away and I won't be bringing my laptop to edit.

But don't worry, you won't be waiting for the new chapter for long. It's nearly ready, just needs polishing.

Fan Fiction's emails might still be down, but please let me know what you think of this chapter if you find it.

See you soon!

Rosentic xx