“Let’s
Fly as the Birds Do…” Chapter Twenty-Two
8/22/01
By:
Hikari
E-mail:
[email protected]
Notes:
Music theme to chapter: “Right Direction” by En Vogue.
~*~*~*~
Little sheep, little sheep do you know what to do?
You’ve stumbled upon a jagged rock…
Snapping your leg in two…
Little sheep, little sheep shall you
‘baa’ until noon?
Your surrounded by your flock…
Yet, little sheep, no one can hear
you…
~*~*~*~
Yatori opened the folder and read
down the list. Good, everything went as planned. All of his runners were
registered with one regional number and one team number. He smiled. With
Shuiichi out of the way, Yatori may find peace in that he won’t be humiliated
of having his best runner be a ‘fruitcake’. Zero period would be starting in
ten minutes. The students should already be in the lockers suiting up for
another sprint and relay drill. Once he would take out the roll sheet, Yatori
could easily eliminate Shuiichi from the team. His name wasn’t there, and
consequently, he wasn’t registered. Non-registry means you never existed on the
team. It was the redhead’s own fault for not appearing to the meet, and so
wrongdoing cannot be detected. He smiled again. His name, team, and pride were
saved.
Standing from his desk in the gym
office, Yatori walked leisurely outside- happy to see that his team was already
dressed and ready for the start up jog. He spied Shuiichi from a distance due
to his stark red hair, and he chuckled to himself knowing that that blotch of
red was going to be an eyesore no more. He was rid of him.
“Chie?”
“Here.”
“Itakura?”
“Here.”
Standard procedure. Reading down the
list was making the coach giddy. The bliss of émigré was in mind. When at last
he came to that all-too-familiar name, Minnamino, Shuiichi, Yatori put on his
professional tone, as if sorry to have to go by the school districts
regulations. “Shuiichi, you weren’t at the meet…”
The redhead expected this, and
smirked coolly. “I wasn’t there when YOU arrived, but I made it no less…”
“I’m sorry, but your name isn’t on
the roll-call… Nor do you have a regional number…”
“That’s fine.” Kurama replied in
utter simplicity. “I have the regional number on the track shirt they gave me…”
Silence. Some of the other students
had drained in color in their face.
“Where is this shirt, then?” Hope,
always reaching for that last string of hope to pull yourself out of blunder.
Lifting the top of his regular track
uniform, which was marked as number three of the school team, there it was- the
regional number: U.H. T. 16. Everyone looked at each other nervously, while
Yatori kept his composure by swallowing.
“Well- well-done…” he choked out.
*****
“You should have seen their faces,
it was almost comical…”
“Despite the nuisance, the victory
was sweet, was it not?”
“Relatively speaking, yes it was…”
Honoka was lounging on her leather
swivel chair, smiling fondly at her student who was sitting at one of the front
most desks. Playfully, she swung herself from side to side in a pendulum-like
motion- arms settled on their rests. “Well, I’m glad for you… I would have
liked to see Yatori’s face, however… That man, really… I find him to be a
child.”
Peculiar, in the few days Kurama had
consulted with his sensei- he had never gotten information on her part. She had
always been the one to talk and query, while he was constantly the one to
answer and absorb whatever advises he could get a hold off.
It
was practically uncouth. He wanted to make up for it by switching the tables
for a change. “Kairu-san…”
“Mm?”
“You’ve had your own… share of
romance, haven’t you?” That was coming out all wrong. The words were too
prying. The redhead narrowed his eyes at his slip-up. “Oh, pardon my rudeness-
I’m just curious…”
“That’s fine.” Honoka excused. In a
twist Kurama wasn’t expecting, however, Miss Kairu brightened. “Actually, I
have much to tell you about MY love life…”
“Oh?” Unbeknownst to either of them,
there was a rise of enthusiasm that filled the room. She wanted to divulge her
own experiences and he wanted to hear them. Perhaps Kurama was tired of talking
about his miseries, and maybe Honoka was out of guidance to give. Whatever the
state of affairs, it was always beneficial to learn more.
“Yes,” the woman said- preparing to
speak of hidden memories. “In all honesty, I’ve had someone sweep me away so
quickly I lost my breath… His name was Kojiro… The man of every woman’s dreams-
in general, anyway. “ She spun to look out the window in her classroom- eyeing
how the sun kissed the cherry blossoms outside with warmth and gold. “Of
course, people who look perfect on the outside tend to have something dissolute
in the inside… He was a playboy; a man who knew the tricks and strings of the
heart. He knew how to play those strings- make you go in the direction he
tugged you until at last the chords snapped and you were left broken on the
floor…”
“He hurt you?” The student asked,
now concerned instead of curious.
“And DID he.” She allowed a
whimsical laugh to leave her. “I was in college then, could you imagine my
reaction when I saw him with another woman in the dormitory? Huh’, I remember
throwing the closest thing to me at him… A lamp. It’s quite humorous, now that
I look back on it. I was a fool to think I could ever find a place in his
heart- let alone have his attention all for myself.”
“You don’t seem to be so bitter
about it…”
“Why should I be? The man was a
bastard- I know I deserve better than him, so I have no regrets in catching him
with that other broad…” On the chair, she swung away from the window and
directed herself toward Kurama. “But this just goes to show you, Shuiichi,
before you can ever intimately love someone- you have to know who that person
genuinely is first. I hope that’s how it is between you and Hiei, because
otherwise, I would question whether or not your emotions are being wasted…”
“Did you… ever make love?”
“No… I have not.”
Sighing at the response, he moved
his focus towards the surface of his desk. “You see, that’s where I’m having trouble
understanding myself- forgiving myself… It’s wrong to lose ones virginity
before marriage- and in my case, marriage is impossible.”
“You’re already thinking about
that?” The tone by which her voice chose betrayed the real sympathy she had.
“Does it sound so perverted?”
Perversity- always there was the perversity to not neglect.
“I can’t say it doesn’t disturb me…
It IS unorthodox…”
In self-mockery, Kurama chortled. “I
believe everything about me is unorthodox…”
“Hm…” As she had grabbed one of the
fountain pens on her desk, Honoka spun the pen like a pinwheel between her
dainty fingertips. Her eyes grew wary
of the next discussion, and it could be seen unmistakably as her irises had
darkened in color.
“That’s most likely why my mother cannot
accept it. We’ve rarely spoken, but I can tell the very idea of me and another
man is still unheard of…”
“Traditional- that’s good. ” Putting
down her pen, she exchanged it for her glasses, which she promptly placed
before her face. “At the same time, unfortunately, her mind is so sure and
focused on the label that what you and Hiei have is not only immoral, but also
impossible, that her mind won’t permit the chance that there COULD be real
love. In other words, there’s no support in your favor for the mere reason she
feels it’s ridiculous for such a relationship to exist. In her ideal of a
world, it doesn’t exist- period.”
The redhead found no desire to
defend his flesh and blood. “Physical lust…” Kurama offered. “That’s what
mother said it was…”
“And, hypothetically, you’ve been
feeling more so ‘lustful’ because you’re deprived of him?”
Elbows stabbing the table, his palms
opened to cover his visage- some mumbling coming out him that Honoka clearly
comprehended: “If you mean yearning, yes…”
“Words are ambiguous, Shuiichi…”
He raised his head. “True, but I
can’t deny that I DID want him in body…”
“Oh?”
“Mm… I plead guilty,” Resembling the
gavel of a judge- his forearms dropped to the table heavily. “No matter how
close we got- there was always that fantasy of getting closer…” An acidic taste
assaulted his senses. “It never happened. We can’t- our own bodies won’t permit
it…”
“I grasp you didn’t make love with
him the OTHER way…”
“What kind of love is THAT?” Kurama declared, almost standing from his
seat. “When you show someone you care about him, wouldn’t it only be right to
show him it face to face?”
She smiled. “You have very good standards… Other people
fail to recognize this facet- this includes ordinary couples.”
Simmering down, the redhead inclined
forward at his desk. “It’s come to the point, where, I wouldn’t mind not having
him within me or me within him…” It took some endeavor to haul up his irises
without shame. “I know that sounds gross, but… it’s the truth. We can’t have
each other that way and the way we want it. If only I could have him as close
to me as possible, then… that’s enough for me…”
Her eyelashes pulsed at his
acceptance. “Why?”
“I don’t know… After all that has
taken place, after being- what feels- miles away from him- seeing my friend
even at a distance is rewarding to me…” For a moment, he paused. “It still
stings… but it’s better than no feeling at all…”
*****
She had been waiting the whole day
for the redhead to leave the proximities of the school. Out in he sun she was,
sitting on her oar and praying the bell would ring soon as she began to
perspire under the heat. When the chimes finally did their task, her magenta
eyes lowered and sought out for the Reikai Tantei below. Given that everyone
was uniformed in red, this made her hunt far more difficult- like finding a
needle in a haystack. Luckily for her, no one could match Kurama’s shade of
hair. She spotted him.
“Kurama-kun!!” The fairy flew down
on her oar, and traveled quickly to not be noticed. After all, it won’t be a
good thing if someone were to see her hovering in the air like a witch.
Hearing his name, he caught the
shadow of a flying girl on the concrete of the sidewalk. Halting, he turned and
came face to face with a bubbly blue-haired teenager. “Botan?”
“Konnichi-wa!” The redhead could not
prevent from grinning. He loved the way Botan was so carefree and optimistic.
“Kurama-kun, we have a group meeting at Genkai-san’s…”
Especially when she was running
errands for the spoiled brat. Reikai meeting equals Genkai’s temple. Genkai’s
temple equals big stone steps. Kurama grimaced. “Thanks, but… can’t Yusuke
relay the message to me?”
“I’m afraid not…” She said, clasping
onto the sleeves of her kimono timidly. “You have to be there- Hiei too.”
“What? At the same time?” This would
be difficult. If the gathering were to be in early evening or afternoon, there
was no way he or Hiei could leave the house without being questioned by Shiori.
The contemplation in his features set Botan to apprehension.
“Is that bad?”
“No, but… One of us has to be within
my household at all times…
“Doishiite?” She blinked childishly.
Kurama enhanced his beam to pay a tribute over her cuteness.
“Ugh… it’s hard to explain…”
“Well, whatever the problem is, you
BOTH have there. Koenma-sama’s orders…” The firmness in her voice was
remarkably adorable.
“I understand… I’ll… think of a way.
What time is the meeting?”
“Nine-thirty at night tomorrow!”
Seriousness was chopped off. One of Botan’s fingers went up and circled around
exuberantly. The other thought about it. Nine-thirty was far too early. There
was no means it could be done, unless Hiei threatens Shiori with his blade.
Naturally, Hiei WOULD do that if he hadn’t taken a penchant to his mother.
“Do you think you can change that to
eleven?”
“I- I guess so…”
He nodded. “What’s this meeting
about, hm?”
“Eh…” ‘Trouble! Trouble!’ the fairy
sirened in her head. “Koenma-sama will be the one with the specifics, not me…”
Marvelous evasion.
“Is it that serious?”
“Um…” No choice, but to be vague.
“It’s a matter of opinion… Will you tell Hiei for me?”
“Yes, of course…”
“Oh, arigatou! You saved me! I mean!
You saved me the bother!!” Nervous giggles tumbled out her petite lips
ceaselessly. Jumping on the bar of her oar, she took off when all the other
students had departed. “Ja ne!”
*****
The blades of grass creased from
beneath him as his feet slid to widen his stance. His hands gripped tightly
around the hilt, arms pulling the blade in stunning movements. Hiei pulled
down, to the side, up, and diagonally. The light from the sun polished the edge
of the sword- leaving behind visible slices of flashing white. He was nowhere
in particular. Since Kurama was only on his way home, Shiori only permitted him
to go into the backyard of the residence. The demon grunted to himself from
being so restrained, but he concluded that it was better to be able to get some
fresh air rather than be inside continually.
It
was steaming. The patio bricks, when touched, felt as though they were warmed
up grills for bar-b-queuing. Hiei put an end to his practicing by resheathing
his sword…. with class, of course. By the hilt, he whirled the katana- creating
a whistling noise that was very charming to his ear. After revolving it, he let
the weapon take flight into the air, and when it descended- Hiei caught it
flawlessly with its sheath. Landing inside its cover, it clanged menacingly.
“Hn.” Shutting his irises, his nose
pointed to the air. The feat was too undemanding. With unending time on his
hands, maybe he could waste it all by creating new ways to put away the blade.
He opened his eyes. ‘So very dull…’
Shafts of light made the demon
shield his view with the level of his hand. Beads of sweat were collecting on
his forehead- more than half it sopping up into his ward. “Uh…”
The palms of his hands went to rub
his bare shoulders. Hiei’s frame quaked temporarily, and when the chill ended-
he shrugged it off. “…Kudaran…”
*****
Arriving home, Kurama was thankful
to have had an extraordinarily good day. He began humming to himself as he
headed for his room- eyes covered and head swinging to his own melody. One of
the best parts was that he had no homework. The redhead finished it all during
his lunch session with Honoka. Honoka was a first-rate tutor, too. The teacher
knew calculus as if it was the back of her hand, she knew biology
comprehensively, essays incontestably were her forte, and she was an intuitive
for the arts. History was
one
of her secondary points; yet she was still strong at the subject. ‘Be a
Renaissance man…’ Miss Kairu stated. “Well-rounded and aware of everything…
It’s better to know a little about all subjects than to be a genius in only
one…’
Talking to her was a must. He was
estranged from Hiei by a wall, and Kaasan WAS that wall. Yusuke and Kuwabara
went to an entirely different school, and Kurama wasn’t on amicable terms with
Shidou or Arisu. ‘Communication makes the world go around…’ She told him
gently. ‘Whether or not the communication is positive or negative does not
matter because people will listen. One speaks, one listens… It’s a partnership
that will never be destroyed... The problem with this is misunderstanding- or
bias. It’s not the words that are the problem, it’s the people who use and
acquire those words…’
Kurama decided not to go to his
quarters, in place of doing so, he knocked on his mother’s door.
“Come in…”
Given permission, he pushed on the
knob quietly. Shiori transferred her head from the computer screen, sliding
down her glasses. “Yes?”
“Where’s Hiei?”
His mother went back to the monitor
and ensued to type. “He was outside a minute ago… I think he’s in his room
now…”
Swallowing expectantly, he dared to
ask. “May I see him?”
Not looking at her son, she shook
her head.
“…Oh…”
The redhead was disappointed, but he
promised himself not to let it tarnish his day. Going back downstairs, he went
into the kitchen and explored the cupboards and fridge. His eyes found him a
box of yellow cake mix in the pantry, and from probing the kitchen, he came
across chocolate fudge frosting. ‘There’s nothing else to do…’ Kurama thought,
opening the box of mix and pouring it into a large bowl. His hands stretched to
open the fridge again, where he took out a carton of milk, some eggs, and
butter. Walking to an overhead cupboard, he reached for the sugar. By means of
a wooden spoon, he blended all the ingredients and poured the batter into a
baking pan. With his fingers, he switched the oven knob to the desired temperature
and placed the pan inside.
Over an hour and a half slipping
away, he pulled out the dessert with a blue and white-checkered oven mitt. The
cake radiated a gorgeous aroma- the mix having turned into a square piece of
yellow fluff. Flipping the pan, he carefully removed the treat from its mold.
It landed with a slight bounce on another plate- signaling to Kurama he had
done a fine job of preparing it. Letting it cool for ten minutes, the redhead
later covered it with the frosting- giving it a very French look by swirling
the chocolate and glomping it on generously.
Finished, he cocked his head. “Hm…”
Tossing the used utensils into the
sink, he took out a knife and sliced off a portion. Delicately, he placed that
slice into a smaller dish. Glancing about the fridge another shot, Kurama
pulled out the chocolate and caramel syrup and drizzled it. As a final touch,
he put a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. Happy with his craft, Kurama
carried the dessert and fork to the front of Hiei’s room. Pattering at the
door, he turned and started for the stairs.
Hiei pushed the door open, sensing
that it was shoving something on the carpet. Staring down, he smiled. He bent
to pick up the plate and found a note beneath it:
‘Conference at Genkai’s. Eleven at
night tomorrow- you HAVE to be there.
Always,
Kurama
P.S. – Eat slowly.’