Returning To You

Chapter Eighteen


Kurama stepped into the kitchen knowing his mother was in there waiting for him. He wasn't sure what had gone on but was about to find out. He'd told her whatever it was they'd discuss it in the morning, he'd used Sango's health as an excuse. She was sitting at the table sipping on a cup of tea.

"Morning mother."

"Morning Shuichi, please sit down." She patted the chair beside her. "I'm sorry about the way I reacted last night."

"Why don't you tell me what happened?" He sat down beside her, letting her take his hand.

"I'm not sure why you boys made up the story about them two girls having a relationship. I'd like to think it was so I wouldn't worry. I was a little upset at what I saw last night. It just caught me by suprise. I've thought about it, all four of you are full grown. I have no right to interfere in what goes on between you four." She squeezed his hand. "All I ask is that you be careful. And try not to hurt her, she seems like a really nice girl."

"What are you saying mother?"

"I'm going to head home today. I miss my own husband and you don't need a babysitter. I trust you to do whats right. My things are already packed and I've called a cab." She stood up and put the cup in the sink.

"You don't have to leave."

"I know but I think it's about time I did." A car honked outside, she gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I'll give you a call tomorrow to see how everything is going. Take care of her okay."


Hiei watched the older woman leave and felt like smiling. Not that he disliked the woman, she was always nice to him. But she had really shitty timing. He'd been ready to feel the proof of what he had smelt. He was almost convinced there was another reason the miko had been stripping the girl that day. Their closeness could have sprung from the time and journey together. What he knew for certain was that the girl had been responsive to his advances.

The front door opened and the fox called to him. He jumped off the roof to land in front of him. A smile split his face at seeing the confusion on the other man's. "What?"

"Why don't you tell me what my mother saw?"

"Nothing, I didn't have time to make sure she got a good show." The damn woman had interrupted before he even got a chance to get under her clothes.

"Hiei, what exactly did she see?"

"If you really must know fox, she caught me trying to change the miko's mind." He saw the confusion clear to be replaced by astonishment.

"Are you telling me she actually responded to you?"

"Are you trying to imply something?" Anger entered his eyes.

"No, that's not what I meant. We both thought."

"I know what we thought, I decided to find out first hand for sure." Hiei walked into the home, he was hungry. "I don't suppose she made breakfast before she took off."

"No, I will do it." Kurama closed the front door and followed Hiei into the kitchen. Was it really possible they had read the signs wrong? A smile crossed his face as he prepared breakfast. He'd have to learn from Hiei and try to find out for himself.

Kagome sat on the bed not really doing anything while Sango looked through one of the books. "I'm bored."

"Go find Hiei, I'm busy." She flipped to the next page. Her attention suddenly perked at seeing what was written, it might be what they were looking for. "Listen to this. Whomever controls the staff controls the dark skies, whomever wields it controls them all. To do so the soul is consumed, Consumed to eternal damnation."

"Wow, what else does it say?" Kagome leaned forward looking at the mess on the page.

"It speaks of an ancient being to begin with, then tells who he forged a staff using his own soul. Something else about him living on inside the belly. Whatever that means. There's some more but I need to keep reading."

"Do you feel like walking? Take it into the kitchen and show the others." Kagome suggested even if it meant facing him again. "I think you might be onto something."

"Okay." She placed her finger to mark her spot. Kagome put her arm around her waist.

"Damn you are heavy." They made their way into the kitchen, the talking stopped as they neared. Both gawked at seeing Kurama cooking instead of Shiori.

"You shouldn't be out of bed." Kurama looked up.

"I'll do what I want." She placed the large book down on the table. "I think I might have found something. You might want to call your boss, see what he has to say."

"Read what you've found."

She read the first few paragraphs for both men. She marked the page with a doggie ear and closed it. "What do you think?"

"I'll contact Koenma and see what he thinks." The fox turned back to the stove.

"It's a better explanation than what you tried to come up with." Kagome mumbled under her breath.

"Yes, I agree. Breakfast is done."

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