Kurama's Spring Flower

Chapter Fifteen

It had been a few days after Yusuke's 'death' and the amount of emotional strain placed on Akina as a result made her health rapidly worse. She would mostly try to sleep off the pain and fail to eat, but thankfully Kurama continued visiting her and would gently encourage her to eat and spend time with her whenever he wasn't trying to find a cure for her. But he was now fearing that Akina was running out of time, as she was getting weaker as minutes go by, making him resort to hunting down the mysterious woman who saved his life and gave him the letter. However, whenever he believed he had found her location or had her cornered, she would disappear without a trace, angering him so much that his demon energy would spike and this caught not only a certain female's attention, but also a certain male demon's attention.

"Pathetic." Kurama hears a familiar voice speak out from behind him, making him turn to see the familiar raven haired demon. "A demon with your level of power losing control all because he is on a wild goose chase. Whatever has caused you to become this foolish?" Kurama just deflects his question by asking, "Can your Jagan eye locate people?" Hiei sighs before speaking, "If you're looking for that female, who killed that fool, then don't bother. I've been trying to hunt her down as well to help me achieve something, but she seems to be able to blind my Jagan." Kurama groans in annoyance at learning this before pausing as he repeats what Hiei had just told him in his mind, making him look at the demon opposite him and ask, "May I ask, what is this something you wish to achieve?" Hiei smirks knowing that Kurama would be the best option for the job and was merely using the woman to sneak in the exchange that Hiei has a proposition for Kurama. "I wish to break into Spirit World and get a hold of the three artifacts of darkness. I already have one demon willing to form an alliance over retrieving them, how about you join in as well?" Kurama could feel his inner fox trying to win over the idea of going back to the profession that he has perfected over the centuries of his existence, but he needs to focus on someone who is far more important, Akina. 

Hiei senses the inner battle within the red head and decides to toss his thoughts on the matter aside, and chose a safer approach to coax the teen by saying, "Think about it." And with that he swiftly leaves, making Kurama heave out a sigh of exhaustion before deciding to return home and try to relax so he can hide his stress from his guilt ridden and worried mother.

🌹🌹🥀🌹🌹

In the Minamino residence, Shiori was in the kitchen plaiting up dinner as well as baking some cookies that she is going to give to Akina later on in the evening. She pauses for a moment when she hears the front door open, and she knows who it is. "Welcome home, Shuichi. How was school today?" And in that moment of hearing his mother's voice, Shuichi Minamino wears another fake smile as he walks into the kitchen to get the placemats and cutlery. "It was well mother. How was your day?" He asks her after giving her a kiss on the cheek before he makes his way over to the dining table to set up before his mother can bring through the food. After gently placing down the two plates she answers, "Oh the usual sweetie, nothing to worry about." The two then begin to eat in silence, which has become the norm after hearing word of Akina having the illness that Shiori once had, but the silence didn't last as long as usual as the teenage boy's nose catches a whiff of freshly baked cookies. "Is that your homemade cookies that I smell, mother?" Shiori pauses mid chew when he brings up the treats she has made, before finally swallowing and making a sad smile form on her face as she replies, "Why yes. I made them as a treat for Akina, because I think she might be able to be encouraged into eating more frequently if she eats a special treat from the past. Do you wish to come with me after dinner, Shuichi?" He was happy in hearing that his mother wishes to give Akina a treat to try and benefit her health, especially something the two used to bond over after the two had ended their classes and had no extra curriculums. But his smile removes itself when he remembers the thoughts that have been clouding his mind, making him reply, "Sorry mother, but I can't tonight for my mind is not in the right place." And with that the silence returns as the two decide to focus on finishing their meals. 

🌹🌹🥀🌹🌹

After waiting a few hours, Chiharu had decided to finally make an appearance in the home of her pursuer, knowing full well of the offer that was given to him and decided that this would be the best moment to make the fox pay for his sluggishness and arrogance. She patiently waits in the boy's bedroom for the human woman to leave and the teen to enter the room, during this she looks through the boy's things to see all the research Kurama has done in the arts of healing. 'So the fox does care.' She thinks to herself before her ears catch the sound of light footsteps heading towards the room she is present.

Kurama was thankful for what he believed was alone time in his home, and that Akina wouldn't be alone tonight, but he has to focus on coming up with a compromise to the two thoughts battling each other in his mind, and boy did it give him a headache. And once he reaches the door to his room, he releases a sigh before finally opening it to then freeze as he sees his prey. 'What is she doing here? Why has she ran away from me so long to suddenly infiltrate my own home? Is she a threat now?' All these thoughts flooded his previously rational mind as he glares at the woman, he just stands before him with a smile on her face. He couldn't help but release a growl before he swiftly pulls a rose from his hair and was about to unleash his sudden rage on her with his rose whip and then imprison her with it, but was shocked to find that his body had suddenly decided to stop following the commands coming from his mind, and the rose in his hand die in his grasp. "Now that is no way to greet a guest, especially one that has saved your life in the past." The woman, who was now omitting powerful intimidating spirit energy, speaks to the frozen red head. "I am only hear for the girl you attempted to help last year, so calm yourself fox boy." And when she clicks her fingers, Kurama suddenly collapsed to the ground before he tests to see if he has regained control of his body by slowly getting up, making Chiharu chuckle at him before she seats herself onto his desk chair and says, "Take a seat."