InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Those We Leave Behind ❯ Accidents and Fatal Collisions ( Chapter 19 )

The small group of friends arrived in Tokyo to a very excited Higurashi family. Afterall, Kagome had left to find Kazuma one month ago. Not only would Mrs. Higurashi see her baby girl again, but the two young people she counted among her own as well. She had been so overjoyed to hear news of their impending arrival.

She had been so excited, in fact, that she invited Kazuma's three friends. After hearing about the demon-turned-human, Mrs. Higurashi understood why Kagome felt compelled to bring him and, after hearing about his temper, she thought it would be good to bring the calm, respectable boy who sheltered Kagome while in Kyoto.

However, she could not afford five airline tickets. She didn't know what to do. Mrs. Higurashi found relief when Kagome suggested a portal. Her daughter's cost efficient thinking led to some thinking of her own.

Shizuru could have her old room back. Kazuma share his old room, which was now Souta's. Shuuichi could stay on the pullout sofa bed with the Urimeshi boy. She needed one more space. Where would she put the last boy? She would talk to Kagome about it later.

The group, especially those returning, greeted the family enthusiastically. Souta was not disappointed with the older brother he had only heard about for so long. The now thirteen-year-old boy was thoroughly entertained by the older boy's antics.

After the group entered the house, Kuwabara, who was usually the goofiest, showed all the reverence he could muster when they found Gramps sitting in his priest robes on the couch. Kuwabara, who would normally tease anyone who acted remotely `girly' shed a tear and ran to the old man.

“Gramps! I've missed you, Gramps! I did everything you've taught me Gramps. You woulda been proud. I haven't broken the code you taught me yet. You woulda been so proud. If only youda seen me in action.”

“Kazuma,” the old man gently spoke. The low volume of Gramps's voice and how he seemed to struggle really affected the tall orange haired boy. “What's makes you think that a boy like you could make me anything but proud. I knew when you were a little boy that you would do great things. From what Kagome tells me, you have...more than exceeded any of my expectations. However, I am glad you have parted from your destiny, if only for a brief while, to return home. I've missed you, m' boy.”

Kuwabara couldn't contain the joy at seeing the only father figure he could remember. However, his heart twinged in agony at the sight of “Thanks. That means a lot Gramps.”

Kagome watched the moment. Everything was back to normal. It was back to the way it should be. It was like before her life grew so laboriously complicated. Before her heart was broken. It was as if the emptiness that she tried to deny she felt, had never even existed.

She felt like the girl she was not even five years ago. In fact, just over three years ago, she had been bubbly and happy by nature. Now, she had suffered so much, this moment made her pain seem to dwindle. She was happy her family (her living family) was complete once more.

Her musings were interrupted by the nearly silent, yet mocking chuckles of a ruby-eyed ex-fire apparition directed toward the interaction between Kazuma and Gramps. From an outside perspective, the angry fire smoldering in her eyes singed an odd sensation he had never felt before. It was definitely not a good one.

What could it be? When he would discuss the situation with Kurama later, he would describe his thought process and how his body responded. His heartbeat increased. He began to sweat. Those brown eyes stirred something in him he had never deemed possible. The rage she barely contained evoked an emotion every man feels when the right woman comes along.

Women, he knew, held some strange power over men. Usually lust. However, that was not what the hold she had on him. What he felt was something more pure, more primal. Kurama would later enlighten Hiei what this power she possessed was, fear.

He was at her mercy and there was nothing he could do to stop her.

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This totally sucked. Why did he have to go? It wasn't fair. Kagome always got all the fun. Souta had been in a hurry to finish crossing off everything left on his list. Mama had given it to him only an hour ago. Oh well. The sooner he got done, the sooner he could hang out with his brother. Okay, focus! He needed to get noodles for the yakisoba. Then he needed to get the vegetables and the extra oden ingredients Mama had told him to get.

Where was that little gourmet shop again? UH! This is why Mama does the shopping! She was always so particular about what she wanted to use in her recipes. However, today she was in the process of welcoming four boys and her girls and helping them settle in.

Noticing that he had gone in a circle back to where he was ten minutes ago, Souta flipped the directions his mother had given him. Her normally impeccable handwriting was currently marred by the drops that fell from the sky. Because he hadn't expected it to rain until tomorrow, Souta had left the house without a raincoat. Unfortunately, he still needed the vegetables and he could feel his T-shirt quickly soaking through with the cold showers.

He had finally picked up the final elusive ingredient and started to run the half-mile home. His vision blurred and his senses dulled, Souta did not see the oncoming vehicle as he passed the street. Afterall, both he and the car's driver were in a rush to arrive at their destinations and get out of the rain. No one could have predicted what was about to happen.

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Anger and fury welled within her. She had been waiting eleven years for this reunion. She would not let her family be mocked by someone who didn't know the meaning of the word. He would pay, dearly. She had noiselessly dragged that evil, self-serving son of a bitch outside.

“What the in the Hell was with that stunt you just pulled?!”

Hiei would face this human bitch head on. He would not stand down. “It was funny to watch the monkey cry like a little human girl. That simply proves how weak he truly is.”

The...imp's chuckles pissed her off. She responded the only way her body would allow her. She maintained her cold, stony face as she approached the foolish man. Slowly, she sauntered over, stopping directly in front of him. She used her index finger to trace Hiei's right jaw bone from the just below the ear to where his chin emerged.

This simple action sent chills through his spine. His eyes involuntarily closed as he senses relished the movement. As she removed her finger, she did something he did not expect. She grabbed his shoulders to bring him closer and...she kneed him in the groin.

Pain like Hiei had never felt surged through his body. He was unable to speak as he crumpled to the ground clutching his...injured area. He felt as if he would hurl. Bright light engulfed his vision.

She would take advantage of the few minutes when she would be able to speak without him interrupting or leaving. She needed to get this point across.

“Hiei, I understand that you are a very lonely person. On some level, I can sympathize. However, there is no excuse for such inappropriate behavior.” Her voiced reached a state far from her previously detached attitude. “You will not disrespect any member of my family, including Kazuma, while on Shrine property. As a matter of fact, you will not disrespect any member of my family at any time, ever.”

`I'm gonna kill that bitch! She can't do this to me! Uh!”

“There was this guy I knew back in elementary school. He was a really sweet guy but, he was very shy and hardly had any friends. It so happens, he and I were very close friends. But, whenever I tried to call him, I would know he wasn't there when the phone would keep ringing endlessly. I often teased him about him missing all the calls of people trying to reach him. I also told him to get an answering machine." Kagome recalled the event, remembering the way she jokingly spoke to her friend.

"Do you know what he said to me? He said he would never buy one. When I asked him why, he told me he would rather miss calls from his few friends then come home to no blinking red light on the answering machine. He told me he would rather anger the people who did care about him than be reminded of all the people who didn't. He told me it was worth missing a message to avoid the feelings of loneliness not seeing that stupid red light flash when he would return. Would you like to know what happened to my friend?" All the humor left her voice.

“It was so hard for him. So hard. He wasn't the most socially apt person. Well, when I was ten, I remember we had a school project we needed to work on. No one else would pair up with him so I agreed to. He must have forgotten I was coming over because...when I got there...”

He could visibly notice the tears in her eyes. Her chest heaved with sobs. Why was she doing this?

“...when I got there, he was in the garage. He was sitting in a car with the closed garage door locked. The car was running and he was unconscious. I found him before he died but, I found too late. For the rest of his life he will stay a vegetable. He can't talk or move.” Her voice grew angry and bitter. Her face red and her power pulsed.

“I will not let the same happen to Kazuma. I will not let the same happen to you. Starting tomorrow there will be some conditions you need to abide by in order to regain your power. For now, think about what I have said.”

She left him to reenter the house, his body still crumpled on the ground.

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She had to get there or the boy would never make it! She had to get him taken care of.

“Hang tight, little guy. I'll get you there. Just hold on Souta.”

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Just as everything was starting to settle, the front door burst open with Souta shouting, “Move! I gotta PEE!!!”

Everyone stared at the open door and the boy racing to the bathroom. Kagome walked in the back door to see a girl standing in the front doorway.

“AHHH!!!” Kagome screamed.

The girl leapt on top of Kagome, sending both girls to the floor. “Kagome!”

The smile on Kagome's face widened immeasurably. “Ayumi!”