Coming Home
by Mark Angelo Hosaka
Kurama is sad.No tears spilled on his eyes but he was crying inside.He just let the cold feelings of Youko Kurama to take over just this once,he let it be so that he won't feel too much pain in her death. His pride tells him not to cry in front of his friends,classmates & relatives.After all he is very sick & tired of his Shuuichi role the good & the kind Shuuichi everyone cherish & adored.He will let his youko emotions to take over this time.
Kurama could not believe at the news after he heard it straight from his step father.After he leave his home to go to work everything is fine, his mother is fine. He is in a very good mood that day.How was he to know that this will be te day of his greatest sorrow.After he arrived from work he feel Botan's aura must be sending another human in the reikai I suppose,He thought.Strange she is very near at our place.He suddenly felt uncomfortable & a cold shiver run down to his spine this is a sign of a bad omen.But quickly shook the thought of as he entered his home.
Kurama is greeted by his step fathers tear struck eyes the same uneasiness appears again."W-what's the matter Hatanaka-san"He asked with concern in his voice.
"Shuu-chan,Go-gomen I-I'm so sorry she never told me she never told anyone"Kazuya Hatanaka's grip on sanity is slowly fading & soon only panic & grief will remain.
"Hatanaka-san what is wrong."he too began to panic & put his hands on the man's shoulder in firm grip.
"Sh-shiori is dead."Hatanaka's voice uttered softly & tears finally poured out.
The sentence keep ringing on his head.Shiori is dead?How?I already save her fron that illness didn't I? No! this is not true! "Shiori is not dead."His eyes watery trying hard not to spill any tears.Voice trembly but firm at the same time.His chin is quivering.
"I'm sorry.I should have known earlier but she didn't show any pain until this afternoon when her head aches but even then she tried to confirm me that she is alright."Hatanaka explained slowly."But when her headaches become unbearable she finally confeses that her former illness didn't miracularely healed.The pain just starts showing only last last month but because she didn't want us to worry she just keep silent & suffer....a....very....b-brave woman"& Hatanaka cried loudly & wildly.
Finally Kurama's defences crumbled into pieces the controlled emotions just welled out of his heart his tears finally coming down as if it is not going to stop.With a loud wail"No."
II.
Immediately after hearing the news about Shiori's death.Yusuke came to Kurama's home to comfort his friend.After calling Kuwabara he immediately goes to Hatanaka's residence.
He was greeted by puffy tear stricken emerald eyes.Practically crying his eyes dry since Kurama is no longer crying but with his baggy eyes & puffy red eyes he mustcry all night in his room.Yusuke hug Kurama & give his sympathy gently assuring Kurama that he have friends that would help him.
Hatanaka Kazuya made all the necessary arrangements to Shiori's burial although with grief in his heart.He really love Shiori & this is the second time for all of them to have another love ones disappear into the after life.Hatanaka Shuuichi is still crying even if she is not his real mother.Shiori has the ability to make even the coldest of hearts to melt.
At Shiori's funeral Kurama didn't cry.Maybe there are no more tears that can be spilled in his eyes or maybe he just don't want to.Maybe he doesn't want people to see him weak.His friends & fellow detectives at his side offering comfort which he greatly appreciated.Even Hiei was there silently offering his sympathy but as ailent as ever.
His stepbrother is also weeping.Since he never experienced love coming from a mother that died without having a chance to take care of his son.Shiori though not his biological mother offered him that kind of warm love.So when death take his second mother the pain doubled in his chest.
Kazuya is still crying madly over his wife's death.She is a perfect & dutiful spouse & mother.Everyone who knew her might think she is an angel on earth.Her kindness & gentleness is soothing to everyone.He love Shiori with all his heart since he knew is love is being returned back in doubles.But he couldn't help feeling angry for she left him so quickly that he isn't really ready to face the reality without her by his side.
As Shiori's coffin is slowly descending to her grave.Kurama throw three roses,a red one which has more shade of red as that of blood,a black one which is as dark as night it shows clearly the bitterness & sadness of death,& a white one which clearly shows his mother's purity.
After the burial ceremony,Kurama immediately left not letting anyone talk to him & speak of their condolence & sympathy which would make him remember more of his 'kaasan.Together with Yusuke they walk to a secluded forest.Hiei immediately left & goes to the Makai after seeing his bestfriend he don't want to stay seeing his bestfriend in grief makes him want to cry as well.Kuwabara escorted the crying Yukina with Genkai to the temple.
Kurama wants to tell something to me Yusuke mused.But what?
III
When they finally arrived at the clearing,Yusuke started the converastion."Koenma & Botan didn't come to the burial they should, have I wonder why they didn't?"Yusuke mused.
"They have no right."answered Kurama with anger."Are you angry at Botan for doing his job?"Yusuke asked softly.
Kurama turned around sharply facing the boy"That's not my point!!"Kurama shouted,Yusuke was shocked at his friend's attitude.Kurama take a deep breathe & let out a tired sigh."I plead for Koenma to talk to my mother again."Kurama spoke with sadness in his voice."He-he said I can't the reikai won't let it.The cold hearted bastard refused my only favor I asked to him since I become a Reikai Tantei."Kurama's tears once again wet his cheeks.
"You know it is not his fault it's the law he must do that."Yusuke justified."But just for once,for a friend can't he bend the truth a little?"Kurama defended himself."Didn't you asked the same thing when Keiko died at a car accident with Shizuru?Did he grant your wish?"His tone cold & hard.Yusuke gulped "N-n-no he didn't."Yusuke replied softly.
Silence followed,"Kurama what are you tring to tell me?"Yusuke broke the silence.Kurama looked upon the night as rain drops at their body.Even the heaven s crying for you 'kaasan."I'm sick & tired of this. I am sick & tired of always helping but not getting,I am sick & tired of Ningenkai & Reikai.Sick of human's weakness & shortlive life.Aren't you Yusuke?"Kurama's chin is trembling.
"Yes I am....."Yusuke's answer is very soft that it is barely a whisper.Hugging himself as e felt cold inside & out."I am returning to the Makai."Kurama suddenly intervened his voice carrying no emotions. His back facing Yusuke."I was asking if you would like to come with me.After all I had nothing to lose...I had loose everything already.I want to start my life all over again & that means no more things that involved anything in ningenkai,all it give me is pain."He said softly.
Yusuke is stunned,even if he expects it his mouth moved but no voice come out."Well..."Kurama gave Yusuke a side glance.When Yusuke finally recovered,"Yes.....yes,I will go with you!"
IV
Yusuke together with Kurama,Kuwabara,& Yukina opened a portal at Genkai's temple.The four first pay respect to her grave.Kuwabara & Yukina decided to join the two...
*Flashback*
Yusuke visits Kuwabara in his house together with Yukina.Of course seeing Yukina Kuwabara's mood become bright & cheerful again.Kuwabara invited them in & they turned serious.
"Kuwabara,Kurama,Yukina,& I finally decided to go back to the Makai."Yusuke said."B-b-but why?"Kuwabara sputtered he could not hide the disappointment in his voice."I-I'm s-so-sorry,but this world give us all bad memories so in order to move on we got to put the past behind us."Yusuke can't look into his bestfriend's eyes.
"Yu-yukina are you not happy to be with me?"Kuwabara asked.
Yukina flashed Kuwabara a sad smile."It's not that Kazuma-san,meeting you is the best thing that happens to me."Kuwabara's face lightened."But I don't have a purpose in here anymore I still need to find my brother in the Makai."Yukina hold Kuwabara's hand & Kuwabara blushed intensely.The two not noticing the uneasiness of Yusuke"So please understand me Kazuma."then he kissed the boy.Yusuke blushed at the romantic scene in front of his eyes.With that they decided to leave.
Then Kuwabara's voice came booming."Matte."Both turned around."I-I'll go with you."Both widened their eyes,"Are you sure?"Yusuke asked."Yes,I decided to help Yukina find his brother."Kuwabara flashed the ice maiden a smile."Oh,Kazuma,Doumo arigatou."Tears seeping in the eyes of the girl hugging the waist of her love."I will go where ever you go Yukina."Kuwabara hugged Yukina back gently reassuring the girl.
*End Flashback*
A small smile slip in the face of Kuwabara.He got nothing to loose.He still have Yukina.But what Yukina doesn't know is he already found his brother.Yusuke think that I am not aware of their secret.So the quest is senseless unless the shrimp finally admits it."Yo!Kuwa,you ready."Yusuke suddenly interrupt his thoughts.He just nods.
Everyone concentrates on focusing their ki & opens the gate.All of them jump on it together.The space between the two worlds is covered by darkness.In the mouth of the edge of the portal is a light as the group get near to the opening in the Makai.Kurama suddenly left without even talking to the Hatanaka family.They all stole a last glance at the opening of the Ningenkai & at the gaze was their goodbye.
V
They entered Makai safely & landed on a floating island near Gandara.It is agreed that Kuwabara & Yukina will stay at Yusuke's territory & Kurama is very much welcomed at Yomi's territory.They walked for about three hours since Yukina & Kuwabara needs to recuperate before they arrive at the gate of the main city in Gandara.Where a surprising welcome awaits them,Yomi, Shura, Yoda, Hokushin, Hiei, Mukuro, Chuu, Rinku, Touya, Jin, Shishiwakamaru, Suzuki, Koko, Tsume, Enki,& the three loyal followers of Yusuke are waiting for them in a very warm welcome.
At the sight of this they ran to meet them."Heyyy!!!you guys long time no see!!"shouted Yusuke."I hope you become a greater fighter Urameshi I want to challenge you again."Jin shouted back."Oy,shrimp!!!" Kuwabara hollered.Hiei just snorted "Hn.""Yukina is here!!!"the voice of Kuwabara is booming.Hiei's eyes widen of shock & looked at their direction.Mukuro notice this & gave Hiei a meaningful glance but Hiei just ignore it.
Shortly, they arrived at the main gate of Gandara,"Hi Yomi."Kurama greeted."Hello Kurama"Yomi replied.A simple greeting but expresses their happiness of seeing each other again."It's a pleasure to have you again at our side Kurama-sama."bowed Yoda."Oh,Hi! Yoda it's been a while isn't it?"Kurama bowed back."Shura what are you going to do?"asked Yomi since Shura is not showing a sign of respect. "Ah,H-hai 'Tousan"Shura bowed."It's nice meeting you again Kurama-sama."Shura greeted with uneasiness in his tone.Kurama smiled ane of his most beautiful smile"It's nice meeting you again Shura."Kurama's voice is so sweet as Kurama bowed.Shura blushed intensely & look away.Kurama was surprised & blinked a few times.Yomi see the scene & frowned"Shura stop that."Yomi scolded Shura."Gomen 'Tousan"& he compose himself.
"I see you finally decided to return to Makai,Kurama."Hiei intervened.A sad expression come & passes at the Kitsune's face."H-h-hai."Kurama smiled.Hiei snorted & looked away but suspiciously with a slight blush on his face.Everyone feels weird Kurama thought."Hiei is just happy to see you."Mukuroreasoned. Hiei glared at the woman but can't deny.Kurama stifle a laugh.
"So descendant of Raizen,are you ready to rule your part?"asked Enki,Yusuke grinned uneasily."Well actually I just want to live here without responsibility meaning no kingdom to rule."Yusuke scratch his head nervously."Sorry kid, but Enki here & I won't pass up the chance to have our one thousandth honeymoon & I don't wanna waste his strengt before our honeymoon he will need it a lot....."Enki blushed & appear a shy smile. It is hard to imagine a youkai which is quite large & a powerful S-class could be shy & gentle."so ya better take it or else....."Koko's slurred voice possibly drunk again said.Taking another swig at the bottle.Yusuke laugh nervously."Eh-heh-heh."A sweatdrop appears in his forehead.
"We may join them Tsume."offered Chuu.The girl crossed his arms & turned away."In your dreams." "But Tsume I am almost S-class now,in a few more months I could be more powerful than you."reasoned Chuu."May I remind you that you only have one year to do that or else the wedding is off!"Tsume said grimly.Yusuke's jaw dropped together with Kuwabara.Both uni-son meekly said."W-w-what?"Rinku's head suddenly popped into Chuu's shoulder."The two are already engaged."The couples blushed intensely."Will you please mind your own business?"It is more of a threat than a request since Tsume's S-class power is rising fast.The aura that the group released is warm & happy.All the grief is suddenly put aside.
After a few more greetings,they all parted.As planned Yusuke with his four loyal followers,Kuwabara,& Yuina goes to Raizen's territory.Enki & Koko quickly leave for their honeymoon.Mukuro & Hiei's bug like vehicle soon followed.Their five friends & allies live in Gandara as warriors with the highest positions.Chuu & his more or less fiancee train some more,& Kurama was given the second biggest room in Yomi's castle.
VI
Kurama immediately enters his room,take a hot bath.He puts a pink silk robe sits on the feet of the bed as he dry his hair.Ahhh that felt good he thought appreciatively.A silent knock on his door startled him. "Yes whose there?"Kurama walks to open the door while tying his waistband."It's me."came a calm voice definitely his ex-friend,&.....lover."Yomi."He opened the door to the blind youkai even if the other can't see his smile it is a manner he can never remove."I....I..."Yomi took a deep breath & continued,"I just want to talk."Kurama closed the door.
They decided to held the conversation to the terrace by the windowsill,"It's been a long time Kurama I-I missed you."Yomi said softly.Kurama slowly looked at Yomi."Yomi I'm sorry i can't between the two of us it won't work."Kurama faced Yomi with sad eyes.Yomi smiled a sad smile."I understand.It's okay....I-I'm fine."But he can't hide the pain in his eyes.
----Silence------
"I express my deepest sympathy to your ningen mother,Kurama."Yomi started the conversation again.Kurama just closed his eyes & tilt his head upwards letting the light of the Makai moon highlight his pretty face.You are always beautiful Kurama Yomi thought adoring the sexy creature beside him."Please Yomi,I don't want to remember."Tears brimming to come out.Yomi placed his hand on the youko's shoulder."Okay,I see that you are already S-class even in your ningen form."commented Yomi. "Reikai always keep us busy.But it is not that easy.I thought I will never achieved it."They quickly changed the topic."So I think you are very much ready to be my heir."
"Yomi..."Kurama pouted."This is the last request I am asking you so it is very important to me to hear your yes."Yomi asked."Shura is still agressive just like me once so handing him my territory is very unwise."Yomi explained."I was expecting you to teach him the tools of the trade of course with my help." Yomi reasoned."Okay,I will be your heir...just make sure that your son is a fast learner & I hope he will not be too stubborn for my taste."Kurama mumbled.
Yomi smiled."Thanks Kurama I know I could count on you."
"Just make sure that I won't regret it."Kurama mumbled.Yomi laughed."What?"Kurama teasingly snapped."I am surprised that in your ningen form you are always formal & make sure that no one will see your body's glamorous parts."Yomi teased with a hint of.......you know."I just let my youko side be the carefree & vulgar one."taking Yomi's teasing lightly.Yomi suddenly become silent.Saa,Kurama become more beautiful since becoming a ningen.If he becomes your lover you must be the most lucky living creature since this fine specimen is the fantasy of the three worlds.It's like having two delicious toys with different enjoyment offered.The youko one,the agressive,sadisticly playful,with sculptured masculinity,his unforgiving eyes adds to his mystique just as I remember.An expert in the art of love making.& his ningen personality his feministic aura is very attractive,he shows sensitivity,softness as if a crystal porcelain that is precious as well as fragile.His fragileness could make anyone curl hin in one's arm & protect him from anyone who will dare to hurt him.His appearance shows youth but you can easily perceive a sense of wisdom.A virgin who could give anyone a pleasurable time to rip him apart.His naiveness is very enticing & arousing.Uh-oh thinking about him really turns me on.I wonder how could I seduce him to bed me?If I succeed I will--.
Yomi's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a light shake & a gentle voice."Yomi,Yomi hey,what are you thinking?"Kurama asked."Nothing, just someone unimportant."Yomi lied after all what could a simple lie do.
"Well if you don't have anything to say..."Kurama yawned & as a polite gesture covered his mouth while stretching is arms."I am quite tired on our trip & if you don't mind....."Kurama left it hanging.His eyes half lidded & sleepy.God he looks sexy when he is like that if he is not a friend I will certainly rape him.Yomi thought."Ahh yes.Kurama have a good night sleep since tomorrow you will start your new life in your new home."Yomi said as he approach the door."Oh & Yomi,"Yomi looked at his friend as if he can see him."Doumo arigatou."Kurama thanked Yomi smiled."Sleep well Kurama."as Yomi closed the door.
"Now what to do with you..."Yomi absent mindedly talking to his erected friend.