Hakusho: Parenthood

Chapter 9: A stands for Audacious

Warning: Off-screen bullying and child endangerment.

May 1, 2008

Hibiki wasn't always a sociable child, preferring to play on his own, but he became even more withdrawn when he gained the ability to see ghosts. He would talk to them, whether disfigured or not, instead of children his own age. He also used these beings as leverage to scare away potential friends, even on girls who showed an interest in him. Hibiki held conversations with ghosts in public areas, he placed fake curses on people, and he would go as far as to draw the ghosts he saw. Now Hibiki was known as 'Haunted Hibiki' by his entire elementary school. His only friends at the moment were the twins and Ayako (debatable).

Shizuru and Kurama were concerned about him.

They could tell that there was some sort of sweetness in him, as evident by what he said some time ago, "Those kids don't want to be Yosuke's and Kensuke's friends because they think they're bad, so I won't bother pretending to be nice to them", but all that alleged sweetness was masked by high levels of antisocialness. They've seen the way other children looked at him. It was like they were staring at the boogeyman.

Then comes Hibiki's judgement. He's an intelligent child, with an above average IQ, but he lacks common sense. Riding stolen shopping carts down hills, climbing up their roof in an attempt to dive into their next door neighbor's pool (thankfully, a plant from the garden nabbed him before he jumped), constantly sneaking out of the house, and, of course, speaking with ghosts that obviously weren't trustworthy.

Just last week, Shizuru and Kurama scared away a vengeful spirit that was trying to possess him!

He probably wasn't even listening when they were giving him that lecture about carelessly speaking with ghosts and the occasional demon imp. That boy...

"What's the matter, honey?"

Shizuru blinked as she returned to the present, remembering that she was currently at the salon washing Shiori's hair. She gazed down at her worried mother-in-law, embarrassment painting her cheeks.

"Sorry. Lost myself a bit there." Shizuru mumbled. "Lately, I've been worrying about Biki. Kurama's worried too. Everything he does either makes him an outcast or puts him at risk." She sighed through her nose as she massaged Shiori's scalp. "He never listens to what we have to say or takes us seriously. One of these days he's going to end up hurt, and what if we're not there to help him?"

"Is that so? I hadn't realized that my grandson was up to trouble. He's usually so well-behaved around me." Shiori said.

"That's because you're you. Everybody's well-behaved around you, Shiori." Shizuru said with a teasing smirk. "You just have that sort of effect on people."

"Oh, that's nonsense." Shiori giggled. "So, about Hibiki's behavior, do you think that he's trying to get a better understanding of himself? I've heard that prodigious children tend to get bored easily, so perhaps he's creating his own excitement."

"Probably. Just wish his idea of excitement wasn't so hazardous."

"You're right."

At the sound of chimes, Shizuru's attention shifted to her glowing pants' pocket. Someone was calling her. Shizuru took a glimpse at her hands, they were wet and soapy. Her phone will end up shattered into a million expensive pieces before she gets to speak to whoever was on the other line.

"Hey, Luka, can you get the phone for me? I'm kind of busy at the moment." Shizuru asked her younger coworker who was sitting within hearing range.

"Alrighty, Ru." Luka said, uncrossing her legs and standing up from the swivel chair. She yanked the phone out of Shizuru's pocket and answered the call. "Hello, hello, Shizuru's fabulous and absolute favorite coworker speaking~." She sang as she examined her heavily decorated nails. "Shizuru is with a client right now, but I can pass the message to her."