Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Coming Clean ❯ Explanation ( Chapter 10 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: This story was written by me, mhmartini, for enjoyment purposes only. All characters taken from a show/series/book/etc. are property of their respective creators; I am only borrowing them. Original characters are mine. The storyline is mine. I am making no money from this endeavor. The only �profit� involved is the joy of writing and the reviews of my readers. No copyright infringement is intended.

Anime/Manga: Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Fantasy / Hentai | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 09.06.2004 | Updated On: 06.03.2007 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.2K | Visits: 1.1K | Status: Completed

In a deceptively calm and even voice, Mr. Yukimura continued, "You both have exactly five minutes to be dressed and sitting at the kitchen table." He drew the door closed and guided his still stunned wife towards the stairs.

Keiko jumped out of bed and started throwing on her clothing from the previous day. By the time Yusuke sat up, she was halfway dressed, with tears cascading down her cheeks. Standing, he took her into his arms, stilling her frantic rush to clothe herself. As soon as she felt his strong arms around her, she gave up and leaned into heavily, letting the tears fall freely.

"Keiko, it'll be okay," Yusuke soothed, petting her back. "Whatever happens, I will still be here. I will always be here. I love you."

Hiccoughing, the distraught girl drew back enough to look her lover in the face. "When did you get so sensitive, Mr. 'Number One Punk at Sarayaski Junior High'?" she asked with forced humor, a small smile on her trembling lips.

With complete sincerity, Yusuke answered, "When I realized you are more important than my bad-ass image. Now let's go face this together." Keiko nodded, and wiped her eyes as she finished getting dressed.

Four and a half minutes later both teens entered the Yukimura kitchen. Keiko's parents were talking to each other softly, but stopped when their daughter arrived. With a last glance at his wife, Mr. Yukimura turned his gaze to the youngsters before him. "Sit."

Yusuke and Keiko complied. Yusuke opened his mouth to say something, but was cut off. "Don't!" Mr. Yukimura said. His wife took a seat at the table, opposite the kids. Mr. Yukimura remained standing near the counter. Yusuke realized with sudden dread just how close to the counter the older man was... the counter... the cutlery.... With a small gulp, Yusuke was for once grateful for his demonic heritage, which would allow him to survive normally fatal wounds.

With a sigh, Mr. Yukimura continued. "I won't ask again what was going on, I believe we all know exactly what went on this evening. I don't want excuses, I don't want explanations, I don't want apologies. I want answers." Both teens looked at him curiously. He went on. "Yusuke, what are your intentions towards my daughter?"

Yusuke was too shocked to answer for a moment. He had expected to be apologizing and begging for both forgiveness and to be allowed to ever see Keiko again. This talk was too calm, too structured. Realizing his hesitation may be misunderstood, Yusuke stammered, "Wha...what do you mean?"

Mr. Yukimura fixed the boy with a stern look. "Do you intend to marry Keiko?" Keiko, despite her state of mind, chafed at the question. Her father had asked if he intended to marry her, not if he intended to ask her to marry him. It seemed that Yusuke was the one to make this decision alone. She kept her mouth shut, however.

"Wha...I...We...hadn't talked about that....yet....sir," The boy replied, staring at the table.

"Hmm. So, what are your intentions then?" the older man repeated.

Taking a moment, Yusuke gathered his thoughts. He was not very eloquent, and not used to being put on the spot to answer to someone. The punk and the demon sides of him raged at being talked to in this manner, urging him to lash out at the impertinent human before him. But a new aspect of his inner self urged him to be calm, and to respond honestly. This new part of him was the same part that had convinced him to tell Keiko of tomorrow's mission as well. He realized that this new influence on him was his love for Keiko, and was much louder than the demon and punk facets put together.

"I don't know what will happen," he began, raising his head to look the older man in the eyes. "I don't know what will happen tomorrow. I don't even know if I will be alive, I mean, I died already. But I do know one thing. I want Keiko to be there with me, and I want to be by her side. I want to protect her, and hold her, and share her life. Always. If...if she'll have me there."

Inside, Mr. Yukimura was stunned at Yusuke's answer. He expected the punk to either yell, or storm out, or maybe throw a punch. That is why he stood by the counter, next to his weapon of choice: cutlery. (Well, he IS a chef...) He heard the sincerity in the boy's voice, and saw the maturity in his eyes. He knew by these that this was not a high school crush, a fling between kids. Yusuke was indeed serious about Keiko. One question remained. Turning his gaze slightly, he continued. "Keiko, what are you intentions towards Yusuke?"

Keiko was shocked that she was included. This sounded a lot like a marriage arrangement, even though those were rare these days. Still, in a traditional arranged marriage, no one ever asked the girl her opinion. "I...I..." She looked at Yusuke, and suddenly she felt the words coming straight from her heart. "I don't know what tomorrow will bring either. Yusuke and I have always been together, as friends, as classmates, as...more. We have been together through life, and death, and life again. I know how I felt when I lost him, and when I thought I would lose him after that. I want...I need him by me. I want to be by him. Always."

Mr. Yukimura stole a glance at his wife, who flashed him a quick smile. All of this was unnoticed by the teens, staring at each other. "Well, then." Mr. Yukimura continued. "We will have to start planning for your life together. Keiko, your mother and I want you to finish school. Yusuke, before you can formally court our daughter, I want to see you either graduated or gainfully employed. You need to support each other."

The two lovers looked at him in shock. Was he really saying this? "Don't misunderstand...we are NOT giving our blessing to continue any...inappropriate behavior. But you both seem serious, and if you are growing up, we can't turn back time, can we? But you must show us that you are both serious enough and mature enough to handle this. THEN we will give you our blessing. Now, it's late, and you both have school tomorrow. Yusuke, you may stay in the guest room. Keiko, go to your own room." Keiko nodded, and got up.

Yusuke coughed, and interjected. "I...I won't be in school tomorrow. I have to...work," he said softly, without looking up. Keiko closed her eyes, hoping her father wouldn't change his mind about Yusuke. If either had been looking at her parents, they would have seen the shocked, and slightly impressed look they shared.

"You work, Yusuke? For whom?" Mrs. Yukimura asked.

"A detective firm. I have an assignment tomorrow."

"Well, young man, get some sleep. Can't have you falling sleep at work and getting hurt. Not when someone is waiting for you." Yusuke allowed himself a relieved smile, and Keiko let out the breath she didn't realize she had been holding. Both adolescents bid the adults a good night and went to their separate rooms.

Mr. Yukimura sat at the table by his wife. "That went...well...I think...." he said.

Mrs. Yukimura smiled and replied, "They certainly responded better to you than we did to my father, and we turned out alright. I think they'll be fine." With a shared, secretive smile, they went to their room as well.

Shiori opened her eyes to see bright sunlight streaming into the room. Her son was sleeping peacefully. Hiei was still lightly stroking the red mane. "How is he?" she asked softly.

"He's doing much better," the hiyoukai responded. Shiori smiled, and stretched her stiff muscles. Sighing, she walked to the edge of the bed to look more closely at her little boy.

Kurama was still lying turned slightly onto his right side. His loose hair had splayed across the pillow, and a few rogue strands draped over his face. His face itself had regained its normal color. The lines of pain and fatigue were gone, replaced by a peaceful, comfortable expression. Smiling, Shiori placed her hand on her son's left arm. His response was to smile slightly, and snuggle deeper into his pillow, without waking. Both human and demon observers smiled at this. The two watched the fox in silence, until he finally woke up.

Late in the morning, the doctor entered the room with a bright attitude. "Well, I heard my patient was feeling much better last night. It's time to change those bandages and reevaluate that wound. So, I'll have to ask your fan club to step out for awhile." At this, the doctor directed a wink to Shiori and Hiei. Shiori smiled, and Hiei scowled. Still smiling, Shiori led the fire demon out of the room. The two made their way to the hospital snack bar, and ordered some breakfast. Once the food arrived, both human and youkai devoured their meals. After two and a half days without food, they felt as if they were on the brink of starvation.

The nurse removed the bulky bandages around Kurama's arm, shoulder, and chest. The doctor and nurse were both amazed at what they found under the gauze. "Incredible!" the doctor remarked. "Shuuichi, your wound looks better now than it did before you were attacked the second time! If I hadn't seen it myself, I would not believe this is the same wound from two days ago." The doctor also carefully felt Kurama's broken ribs. "As a matter of fact, all of your injuries seem very much improved, and you seem to be much more comfortable. I think we can get away with a light dressing on these wounds. But listen here, young man; you must stay still. Any excessive movement, and I will not hesitate to rewrap you in the mummy suit!"

Although the doctor's tone was serious, there was a twinkle in his eyes. He was very glad that his patient was doing so well. He, along with the rest of the hospital staff, wanted to see this polite, soft-spoken young man recover fully from his grievous injuries.

Kurama smiled and nodded, "I understand, sir." With a nod to the nurse, the doctor made some notes in the kitsune's file, and left to visit his other patients.

The nurse collected some bandage materials, and brought them to Kurama's bedside. "If you feel up to it, we can get you cleaned up a bit before we re-bandage your wounds. You came in six days ago. We have been washing you up as best we could, but I'm sure a shower would make you feel much better. There is a sit down shower in your bathroom." Kurama nodded, and the nurse helped him to get up and get into the bathroom. Kurama was surprised at how weak his limbs felt. "It's okay. Some weakness is normal after lying in bed for six days. You'll regain your strength quickly, once you start walking around again. And no, you can't start today. You have to wait until the doctor gives the okay." Kurama smiled again, as the nurse seemed to have read his mind by her last sentences.

Once he had bathed and dressed in a fresh hospital gown, the nurse helped Kurama back into his bed. He felt immensely better after the shower. While he was washing, she had changed the sheets. When he was settled in the bed, the nurse began to tend to Kurama's injuries. She pushed his damp hair off his afflicted shoulder, and began cleaning the wound with disinfectant, before re-bandaging it. When the nurse had finished, she showed Kurama the buttons on the side rail that would raise and lower the head and the foot of the bed. She explained to him that they had been disabled until now, because with such severe wounds and broken ribs, they wanted to keep Kurama from moving as much as possible. Now that he was healing so well, he was able to move much more. After she left, Kurama adjusted the bed into a semi-reclined position, and snuggled into his clean sheets to await his visitors' return.

After they had eaten their meals, Shiori and Hiei returned to Kurama's room. Both were pleasantly surprised to find him sitting up in his bed, clean and fresh, with only a light bandage and a sling on his right arm. "Shuuichi, you look much better today," Shiori said with a bright smile.

"Thank you, Mother. I feel much better as well." Shiori took her son's hand in her own and sat at his bedside. Hiei sat on the foot of the bed.

After a few moments, the doctor entered the room again. "Mrs. Hatanaka, I'm glad you are here. I would like to discuss your son's condition with you." The doctor glanced uncertainly at Hiei. It was hospital policy, as well as the law, to keep patient records confidential. In the case of a minor, like this, he could discuss the case with the parent(s), but he had to ask the other boy to leave.

"It's alright doctor," Kurama said softly. "I don't mind if Hiei is present."

At a nod from Shiori, the doctor simply shrugged and began. "Shuuichi is doing very well. As you can see, we removed the bulky, constricting bandages this morning, in favor of a lighter dressing. After being in a coma, and then bedridden for almost a week, it is common for a patient to have poor muscle control and to be very weak. It will take some time for him to regain his strength. I want him to be walking on his own again before we discharge him. Once he is mobile, he can go home."

"That's wonderful news!" Shiori said, with a smile and a squeeze of Kurama's hand.

"Your physical therapy will begin tomorrow, young man. I suggest you just relax today. Maybe you would like to go for a stroll in a wheelchair with your mother and friend? We have a lovely solarium on the seventh floor."

Kurama nodded. "That would be nice." The doctor nodded, and left.

After a few minutes, the nurse returned with a wheelchair. "Here you go, Shuuichi." She helped him slip into a hospital robe to cover the gown he was wearing, as those gowns could be...drafty at times, and both the nurse and Shiori helped him into the wheelchair. Hiei watched with interest. He did not realize that his fox's body would require so much assistance. Once Kurama was settled, the nurse tucked a blanket over his lap and around his feet, and transferred his IV bag to a pole on the chair. "There you go. The solarium is on the top floor, floor seven. Get out of the elevator and turn right. It's at the end of the hall," the nurse said cheerfully. Shiori nodded and began wheeling her son to the elevators. Hiei followed.

When the chime rang and the elevator doors opened, Shiori carefully backed the wheelchair into the small, empty compartment. After a moment of indecision, Hiei followed. "You can take the stairs, Hiei," she said gently.

"I will accompany you two," he replied stiffly. The ride was one floor, going up, and took only a second. Hiei hated that second. He hated the elevator. But he loved his fox more, so there he was, by his injured fox's side. He could handle a ride up in an elevator for the sake of his fox. Down...he dreaded the return trip.

The solarium was bright, with sunlight streaming in through the full-length windows and multiple skylights. Many potted plants were positioned throughout the room, giving it the feeling of a greenhouse, but without the heat and humidity. The largest plant was a tree by the window overlooking a more suburban section of the city. Although it was small compared to the trees that grew outside, this plant was larger than the doorframe. Obviously it had been brought in when it was much smaller, and had grown up, so to speak, in this room. No one else was in there at the time.

"Mother, may we sit over by the tree?" Kurama asked in his gentle alto. Shiori veered the chair over to sit beside the tall plant, and took her own seat on a small couch facing her son. Hiei sat on a chair to the side of the kitsune. Kurama sighed and turned his face into the sunshine pouring into the room. Slowly, he reached out a hand to touch the tree. Seeing how the weakened limb shook, Hiei reached out his own hand, and guided Kurama's to the trunk of the tree. Knowing the kitsune wanted to feel the tree with his ki, the fire demon removed his hand, so his own energy would not interfere. Smiling his thanks, Kurama closed his eyes and felt the tree.

The tree had been in this room for many years. Children had played on the floor beside it. Patients had sat beneath it, passing the time while they recovered. Families had huddled below its branches, crying out their grief. The tree enjoyed bringing peace to those around it. The serenity in the plant flowed into Kurama's mind. He hadn't touched the tree to use it; he just missed plants. They were an important source of energy for him, and the contact with the tree helped open the door for his returning ki.

Hiei felt the calm wash over Kurama's energy. He did not realize how turbulent the kitsune's ki had been, until he felt it settle. He also noticed a pleasant, restful look on the fox's face. It was different from the look he had in sleep. Hiei stored this information in his mind for use later. After some time, Kurama opened his eyes, and drew his hand back into his lap.