Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Like Sakura Petals Falling... ❯ Incidental ( Chapter 10 )

Blanket Disclaimer: InuYasha belongs to Rumiko Takahashi, YuYu Hakusho belongs to Yoshihiro Togashi. Perverse bastardizations of both can be blamed on me.      

 

"I am invisible, unknown, and no one will recall me. And I can't see the water for the tears in my eyes.” - `A Conversation Piece' by David Bowie        

 

Chapter Ten (Incidental)  

 

Shuuichi stared dully out the window of his hospital room, not really absorbing much of anything. It had been a week since his admittance into the neurological ward. A week filled with tests, questions, worried stares, and more test, more questions, more concern etched on the faces of others. And not a damn thing to show for all their efforts and endeavors to discover what ailed one Hatanaka Shuuichi.  

 

Therefore, they did the one thing doctors always seem to do when in doubt; assume the symptoms and condition was psychosomatic and pump the teen full of drugs. That'll get him acting normal again. Sure. Well done, modern medicine.  

 

He was only dimly aware of the bustling activity around him as his father and step-mother prepared for his release. Apparently, the good doctors were letting him return to the comforts and amenities of his own home. Not to mention, the nurturing care only his loving family could provide. How charitable of them. Perhaps, he should write them a note of gratitude. Absolutely, right after monkeys begin to fly out his ass, and penguins take up figure skating in Hell.  

 

Of course, if he were to voice such sentiments aloud they'd probably be viewed as more of his delusions; thus, delaying his sojourn in the hospital's tender mercies for yet another week. Better to shock the “in” off his “sane” before it stuck, after all.  

 

“I think that's everything,” His step-mother sighed out, taking one last assessing look around the small hospital room.  

 

“Then let's get you home.” Shuuichi's father added with forced cheer, as he patted his son's shoulder affectionately.  

 

“Sounds great.” Shuuichi replied mustering up a forced grin for his father's benefit.   “Good. I'll go sign whatever release papers that need signing.” Hatanaka said with a curt nod, before exiting the room.  

 

“Your brother will be so glad to hear of your improvement and release. He's been quite worried. That, and he's never been very fond of hospitals, I'm afraid.” Shiori said, sitting down next to Shuuichi and offering a gently smile. “And then to find out a close childhood friend of his has been recently hospitalized, as well. She added with concern radiating off her features. “And such a sweet girl.” She fretted but then brightened turning to face the sullen teen.  

 

“Which reminds me!” She exclaimed, silently shocking Shuuichi with her sudden mood swing. “Your friend Souta and his sister stopped by yesterday. But you were off with tests… I did tell you that already, didn't I?” At Shuuichi's nod, she continued. “Well, we should be sure to invite them over. I'm sure it'll ease their minds and raise your spirits.” She said brightly, then glancing at her step-son, frowned slightly at his lack of animation toward her suggestion.   “Of course we don't have to if you'd prefer your solitude.” Shiori added gently.  

 

“No, that sounds great.” Shuuichi said starting from his complacency. “I've yet to meet his sister. She's only recently returned home.” He added quickly in an attempt to alleviate his step-mother's concern.  

 

“Why, yes, my Shuuichi did mention that.” Shiori replied. “He's been tutoring her for her college entrance exams.” Shiori shook her head at the thought with a tender smile. “Such a small world.”  

 

Shuuichi nodded distractedly as his father walked back in, immersed in polite small talk with the resident overseeing Shuuichi's release.

 

“Thank you again, Makimura-sensei.” Haranaka replied graciously with a small bow.   “Now you all take care!” The resident dismissed jovially. “You're all set to go.”  

 

“Oh, wonderful!” Shiori enthused, rising from the bed to gather bags, as a nurse with a wheelchair entered the room for Shuuichi.  

 

“It's just protocol.” The young woman confided in the teen with a wink as she helped him into the wheelchair. “Do you have a preference on who wheels you out?” She asked brightly as she began maneuvering him to the door.  

 

Shuuichi merely shook his head indifferently. It honestly didn't matter to him as long as he got the hell out.  

 

“I've got it.” His father replied, taking over pushing Shuuichi's wheelchair down the hallway toward the elevators.   Shuuichi could almost taste his freedom, and it tasted sweet if he must say so himself.

 

  ~*~  

 

Kurama stood outside the door with a bouquet of roses in hand, their heady fragrance drowning out all other scents. Knocking swiftly on the door, he then pushed it open to reveal privacy curtains and railed beds. The standard of any hospital room.  

 

Silently, he made his way to the second bed, and looked down at the fragile and petite form. He suddenly felt at a loss, first his younger step-brother, and now her. Two people he'd strived to protect with his very life and now they lay helpless and feeble by some unknown malady.  

 

To say he's been shocked by Kuwabara's slip, during their phone conversation had been an understatement. Kuwabara had often call him in the past when stumped by cases. A fresh ear might lead to a fresh perspective, and all. But Kuwabara had never accidentally let facts like victims names, when withheld from the public, slip.  

 

So to hear the name of the girl who'd once proclaimed Kurama to be her first love. A girl whom he, admittedly, had once felt some sense of warm regard for in return. It had been an unsettling omen.  

 

“Maya?” Kurama called softly to the still form. He frowned at the soft restraints bound to her wrists, as well as the layers of gauze over her eyes.  

 

«Where her eyes were.» The youko corrected. «She clawed them out according to Kuwabara, remember?» Surprisingly, there was no mockery or scorn in the remark.  

 

 

“Yes?” The young woman replied, turning her head blindly toward the sound of Kurama's voice. “Who is that?” She asked, then sniffed the air delicately. “Are those roses--- oh.” Kitajima replied turning her head to face forward. “Minamino.” She breathed his human name out with a bereft smile.  

 

“Yes.” Kurama confirmed. “I heard you were in the hospital through a mutual acquaintance.” He added, setting the roses on a nearby table, then took a seat in a small bedside chair.  

 

“And so, of course, you came.” Maya replied with a faint smile. “With your courtesy and perfect manners. Minamino Shuuichi, ever the friendly enigma.” She turned her head again slightly toward him. “You're the first to visit.” Sighing, she added. “You have a knack for being the first in a lot of thing.”  

 

«Touché.» Youko laughed. «She may have gone crazy, but at least her wit is still intact.»  

 

«That's enough.» Kurama shushed forcefully.  

 

“I am sorry your stay has been so lonely. Had I known sooner…” Kurama began, only to be cut off by Maya.  

 

“You'd have come sooner. My Prince Charming.” She bit out. “Then, perhaps, you'd make me forget any display of real truth as to who and what you are. With the pollen of some strange flower, if I'm not mistaken.” She snapped out startling the kitsune. “See, the funny thing is, is that suddenly I'm seeing things much more clearly now. But what eludes me is why… Why, Shuuichi? You could have trusted me with your secrets.” She demanded softly.

 

Something in her tone causing Kurama to stiffen at her words, nearly flinch at the touch of guilt that surfaced within him.   “I didn't want to burden you unnecessarily.” Kurama replied, glancing away. “I wanted to keep you safe from those who would use you against me.”  

 

Maya seemingly stared straight ahead in silence for a few moments, as Kurama's words hung in the air with an unseen weight.

 

“Damn you, Minamino!” She suddenly cursed. “Why must you be so damn noble?”  

 

“It's a recent development, I'm afraid.” Kurama quipped, winning a small laugh from the young woman next to him.  

 

“I'm scared.” She confessed after another moment's pause.  

 

“There's no need to be.” Kurama assured solemnly only to be rewarded by a bitter laugh.  

 

“My hero.” She muttered with a rather unladylike snort. She then turned toward the door as a nurse entered the room, with a bright smile.  

 

“Time for your medicine.” The nurse announced cheeringly as she made her way to Maya's IV and injected a clear serum into the rubber tubing. “Don't worry, it's just some more pain medication.” The nurse cooed soothingly.  

 

“I'll go and let you rest.” Kurama spoke rising from his chair.  

 

“M'kay,” Maya replied drowsily, “Wait, are you comin' back?” She asked around a dainty yawn.  

 

“I will.” Kurama promised warmly.  

 

“You better.” Kitajima sighed as her breathing began to even out, succumbing to sleep.  

 

Across the bed, the nurse smiled brilliantly at the kitsune lifting a finger to her lips in the universal “shh!” sign and winked. Kurama nodded back, slightly confused by the nurse's odd antics as she turned and silently left the room.   With only last glance down at the fragile, dreaming figure, Kurama made his own stealthy departure.  

 

~*~  

 

“Rei Gan!”  

 

The ki blast took out the last straggling youkai of the hoard as Yuusuke panted for breath due to the exertion from his impromptu battle royale with lower class demons.  

 

“What the fuck is going on?” He muttered irately to himself, as he fished out his two-way communicator with the Rei-kai.  

 

“Botan!” He barked out loudly into the handheld device.  

 

“Yuusuke! What a pleasant surprise.” Laughed the aqua haired ferryman… or was that ferry-girl? Yuusuke simply couldn't summon the energy to care.  

 

“Don't play dumb with me!” He snapped. “You know damn well what's been going on!” He yelled in heated accusation at the girl on the other end. “Now, get that damn toddler on the line!”  

 

“Yuusuke, what have I told you about abusing my employees? And your fellow co-workers, might I add?” Scolded the youthful demi-god haughtily.  

 

“Can it! I don't have time for your crap!” Yuusuke shouted furiously. “I just took out forty youkai, at least. And you better pray your dear ole Dad will be able to put all your pieces back together if you tell me `Nothing' is what's going on.” He threatened lividly.  

 

“Yuusuke,” Koenma replied in a placating manner, while he sucked furiously at his pacifier. “I truly have no idea what you're talking about. There have been no breeches in the barrier. If anything the barrier has grown stronger in the last few weeks making it more impenetrable than ever.” Koenma reasoned with another placating gesture.  

 

“Are you telling me, I'm making this shit up?” Yuusuke bit out through gritted teeth.  

 

“No! Not at all!” Koenma defended hastily. “I'm simply illustrating that I have no explanation that is readily available.”  

 

“What about Kurama's theory?” Yuusuke asked, his brow twitching in his ire.  

 

“It's a real possibility; though I have no explanation for why dormant youkai would be awakening now.” Koenma replied calmly.  

 

“Then why the hell aren't we getting to the bottom of this? That is our job!” Yuusuke demanded, reissuing the newly established standard argument.  

 

“As much as I appreciate the newly found initiative to performing your duties as Spirit Detective, I don't think it's necessary.” Koenma dismissed dryly. “I'm sure it'll sort itself out eventually. Now, go away, I am very busy!”  

 

“Eventually?” Yuusuke erupted at the small device, only to have the screen unceremoniously go blank.   “Son of a---” Yuusuke swore loudly, before picking up on another more powerful jyaki and youki.

 

“Shit!”   Without further thought, Yuusuke took off after the dark energies, sighting the steep steps of a Shinto Shrine.   Another shrine attack, huh? He thought as he raced up the steps, only to have his head nearly ripped off by a towering oni as it screamed wordlessly at him.  

 

“Well, hello to you, too, Ugly.” Yuusuke muttered easily dodging another blow from the strange scorpion-like monster.   He was about to center his energy for another ki attack, when a streak of blue caught his eyes. Before him the oni screeched as it imploded from the waves of purification energy rolling out from the epicenter of its intended target. Leaving only a single arrow alone and untouched in the power's wake.  

 

“Huh?” Yuusuke grunted, in shock. Turning to look in the direction the arrow had come, his eyes fell upon a figure backlit by the setting sun, leaving him with only the blackened silhouette of a miko with a bow poised.   Slowly the miko lowered her bow, and with a reverent bow toward Yuusuke, turned and walked deeper into the Shrine complex. Yuusuke could have sworn, though, as he saw her turn away her eyes had flashed an iridescent blue. No, not flashed. Glowed. Her eyes had glowed blue.  

 

“Who the hell was that?” Yuusuke muttered under his breath. A nagging sensation saying the miko was familiar, though he could not place her. Hell, he'd never even gone to school with any shrine maidens.  

 

“Who?” Inquired a voice from behind Yuusuke, causing the Spirit Detective to curse loudly.  

 

“Fucking hell, Kurama!” Yuusuke shouted at the serious kitsune.  

 

“Something happened here.” Kurama commented with a marked frown. “Recently.”  

 

“Yeah, no shit!” Yuusuke snapped. “First, I chase down a hoard of bottom-feeding youkai and take them out. Then, chase down another oni to here!” Yuusuke ranted belligerently at his comrade. “Only to have Super Miko from the West blast the thing to oblivion with a damn arrow!” He shouted into the kitsune's unaffected face, gesturing sharply toward the west and the innocuous looking arrow lying on the ground nearby. “So, yes. Something definitely happened.” Yuusuke seethed.  

 

“I see.” Kurama replied calmly. “The attack against the oni was a hama-ya, I take it then.” The kitsune assessed unfazed by his colleague's hot tempered antics, as he bent down to examine the lone arrow.  

 

“And Koenma's not saying a damn thing.” Yuusuke groused, venting his frustrations on his nearest target.  

 

“Koenma hiding pertinent information is nothing new.” Kurama replied flatly. “I would think you'd be well aware of this by now.” He added green eyes flashing in mild amusement.  

 

“Oh, shut up, Fox Boy!” Yuusuke snapped, turning his back on Kurama stubbornly, only to come face to face with a giggling miko.  

 

“I am sorry.” She replied sobering and bowing to Yuusuke. Her warm brown eyes still dancing with her obvious amusement at Yuusuke's raging tantrum. “But you remind me of someone I knew once.” She explained with a gentle smile before glance over his shoulder at Kurama.  

 

“Shuuichi-kun! You're early.” She greeted with an equal warmth and openness that had Yuusuke thoroughly stumped.  

 

“You're the miko!” Yuusuke suddenly blurted out, startling the girl.  

 

“What?” She asked flustered. “Oh, yes. I was actually coming to make sure you were alright.” She replied with a worried frown.  

 

“Yeah, whatever.” Yuusuke dismissed hastily. “Just tell me how the hell you did that?” He demanded of her girl.  

 

“Did what?” She asked, puzzlement playing softly, yet clearly across her face.  

 

“That arrow thing! What's it called again, Shuuichi?” Yuusuke demanded, stressing Kurama's human name in open suspicion.  

 

“Hama-ya.” Kurama volunteered with a thoughtful look.  

 

“Yeah! That!” Yuusuke confirmed smugly.  

 

“Oh, that's just something I learned when I was fifteen during my miko training.” The girl dismissed with a light laugh.  

 

“Miko training?” Yuusuke repeated in disbelief.  

 

The miko simply nodded in affirmation. “Though truthfully, I started late. Certain-- events-- led me to the path of the priestess. I suppose you could say it chose me.” She admitted in a self-deprecating air and light shrug, before her eyes widened in some personal revelation.  

 

Guiltily, she regarded Yuusuke and grimaced softly. “Forgive me. I haven't properly introduced myself. My name is Higurashi Kagome. Welcome to the Higure Shrine.” She introduced herself in a polite, yet formal air.  

 

Yuusuke's eyes in turn widened and he then laughed outright. “So you're the girl Shuuichi found, huh? You already met my fiancée, Keiko, then.” He stated in a sudden mood swing, and slapped Kurama on the back. “Keiko was right, the girl's a real looker. Trust you.” He teased the kitsune, whom if he wasn't mistaken was actually blushing. So, she was the miko, well, damn the luck!  

 

Turning back to Kagome, he thrust his hand out at the baffled and flustered miko. “The name's Urameshi, but call me Yuusuke.” He introduced to the stunned miko.  

 

“Hello, Yuusuke-kun.” Kagome returned faintly before hesitantly accepting his hand in a handshake.  

 

“So what are you two crazy kids up to anyway?” The Spirit Detective asked with a mischievous grin.  

 

“Eh, well, Shuuichi-kun has been helping me prepare for the college entrance exams.” Kagome explained glancing questioningly at Kurama who merely shrugged.  

 

“That sounds like ole Shuuichi-kun.” Yuusuke laughed. “Well, I best be off before Keiko calls out a search party.” Yuusuke dismissed with a wave as he headed off down the shrine steps.  

 

It wasn't until he was stepping off the platform and onto the train that he remembered his original line of questioning for the girl. Shaking his head with an indignant snort at how easily she'd managed to deflect his interrogation. Really, she was a cunning one. Kurama had his work cut out for him with that one.   At that thought, a soft chuckle eased out of Yuusuke's throat.