Invocations

 

Invocations

Chapter two

The day was a little on the chilly side for this time of year. Kurama didn't exactly feel it as keenly as the woman in front of him did, however. She had always been susceptible to atmospheric conditions. Or maybe it was his interesting situation that lead him to believe so. She might have raised him as a human boy but he'd never truly been so. Things like the weather did affect him more than they would have in his past life, just not as much as the woman before him.

"You should have brought a warmer jacket, mother," Kurama said with concern.

He watched from the corner of his eye as she fidgeted with the one she wore now. It was still in great shape, he'd bought it for her for her birthday only a few months ago, and it should have been warm enough. The fact that it was not supplying her with enough protection against the weather was disconcerting.

"I am fine Shuuichi," she spoke out, her tone kind as she smiled demurely at him.

He shifted the fabric grocery bag in his hands to free one up then moved them to the other. In smooth movements he'd pulled his coat off and shifted it over Shiori's shoulders. She looked up at him as though she were uncomfortable with his choice. Kurama smiled lightly.

"I am fine, I worry more about you than myself."

"Shuuichi," Shiori started out, "I am your mother."

"That was never the question," Kurama pointed out politely as they turned the corner.

Soon her house would be in sighte. The one that she now shared with his step-brother and father. So long as he could keep this conversation up she'd have no time to make him take his jacket back.

"That is good. As your mother it is my responsibility to make sure that you are taken care of. Now, take your jacket back so I can continue in my responsibility. You wouldn't want your mother to fail now would you?"

Well, he'd spoken too soon. Not that it was going to affect very much. Two could play this polite stubbornness about the elements.

"Is it not a son's duty to care for his mother?" Kurama rebuked. "If it is...then how can you be failing in your responsibilities as a mother for allowing your son to perform his duty?"

"Oh Shuuichi," there was a hint of a proud smile on her lips. "Were you ever planning on removing the jacket even if I had been correct?"

"Of course not mother," he responded kindly.

She nodded to show that she heard him. The conversation went back to a peaceful quiet after that, though it was broken up by the jingle of keys when they'd gotten to the house. No words were said as he went inside of the house to help his mother separate the groceries for dinner.

 

---

 

The sound of a whistle pierced the air with astonishing ease. Though he knew it was coming, Kurama didn't exactly appreciate the loud sound, it was rather irksome. What came next was arguably worse - Yusuke started to laugh uncontrollably.

"It's refreshing to see that you haven't changed, Yusuke. You still have a lack of decorum," Kurama said in a bland tone.

His laughter continued as Kurama finished off his small cup of tea. The green liquid was soothing if not a little bitter. Most things in life were like that in his mind so it seemed to match. His friend's amusement, however, seemed mismatched. Or at the very least it was extremely exaggerated.

"HAHAHA! Does your mom know that you've hired a matchmaker?!" Yusuke continued his tirade.

"No she does not," Kurama replied calmly. "Just as I know that you weren't listening to what I told you."

Yusuke's laughter slowly quieted down though he was still chuckling. "Sorry. Just the thought of you needing a matchmaker…"

Though it was a misguided concept, Kurama couldn't help but feel curious as to Yusuke's comment. He was still laughing over the idea of a 'matchmaker' for some reason.

"Pray tell, what is so amusing about that statement?"

"Well you of all people needing help hooking up?" Yusuke returned. "I mean look at you. If I were into guys, you'd probably be on my list. Although if I didn't know you and I just saw the long hair and pretty eyes combination, I'd probably think you were a girl anyways."

"Flattering," Kurama responded dryly.

"But I mean you got what all girls look for don't you? You've got money with your job, an education and all that shit."

"I'm glad you think so highly of me, Yusuke."

Well, now he was going to need more tea to deal with Yusuke's oh so astonishing conclusions. That was unkind to think, he admonished himself. This past two weeks had just taken a toll on his patience. When he wasn't at work he'd been abiding by the rigorous interviews and tests (though they didn't call it so) that the company put him through. He wondered if it was thus for all those who sought their services. Somehow he didn't think so. There was something in the eyes of Mister Yashida's eyes that made him believe he was a special case. Why that was, Kurama was uncertain. Though he did have some hypothesis of his own on the subject.

"So what's the deal? Why go to the matchmakers?" Yusuke seemed more serious now, though only slightly. He leaned back in his seat as he rested his hands in his pocket. "I guess finding guys is harder than girls huh? Man you must be in a hurry to get laid if you didn't want to try the whole dating thing yourself."

Kurama took a moment to take a small breath in. He reminded himself that it was just the last two weeks of annoyances that made him so irritable. That it wasn't Yusuke's assumptions themselves that irritated him so. It was just the fact that regardless of his explanation all Yusuke took from it was a mistaken desire for sex.

"Are you always so crude?" Kurama spoke up.

His eyes shimmered with a touch of gold as the irritation played across them. There were days when he admired humans, the ones who grew up as such obviously, but today was not one of those days. To be ruled so much by instincts that one could not see that another was not was one flaw he did not know Yusuke to have before this. After all, wasn't he the one to run into battles? He knew that the years had tempered that down as he saw more and more carnage but Yusuke would always be himself. He just never thought of him to be so crude in a public area.

"Oh don't be such a prude!" Yusuke said with a smirk.

"Shut up Yusuke."

Oh, there was silence he was look for.

"Good. Now that you're quiet maybe I can explain this in a way that you can understand."

Yusuke's eyes locked on his friends. Well, he'd really done something to piss him off. It actually looked like he was about to be devoured by some plant or something. He couldn't have gotten him this riled up so quickly all on his own. Something about him reminded Yusuke a lot more of that silver haired version the first go around, the one that didn't have the normal human attachment to remind him that they were friends. Although judging by the lack of movement in the area (other than the other humans in the shop) it didn't feel like Kurama was going to kill him.

"Alright alright," Yusuke conceded. "So what's the real deal?"

"They are not a matchmaking company," he started off simple. "The coorperation is more complicated than that, and far more temporary. That is not the important aspect. The aspect that is important is that Koenma asked me to undertake this as I am the only one with the connections here that would suffice."

"Yeah, you're hooked up. We all know that. But why did he ask you to do this?"

Kurama relaxed back in his seat. Finally his friend had pulled his mind out of the gutter. Now they could have a decent, polite conversation.

"Apparently there are informants that say that not all is right," Kurama continued, mindful of the public space. "He believes that...illegal actions may be occurring."

"Illegal?" Yusuke mused over.

Last he checked prostitution was legal in Japan...even fancy prostitution. Okay so the actual act of sex was outlawed but even he knew that people found ways around the law. All the time. It was probably more fun that way anyways. Thankfully Kurama didn't have the jagon like Hiei did or he'd probably be in for some more scolding. As it was he was probably going to have to check for rashes when he got home. Kurama was a sneaky fox when he wanted to be...pun not intended. On a serious note...why would Koenma be interested in all the human laws anyways? Wasn't he supposed to be making up for all his mistakes with a load of work or something in Spirit World?

"Other worldy contributions," Kurama amended.

Then Yusuke's eyes widened. "Oh! Why didn't you say so! Man after all this time he's trying to tie you into some work huh? Why now?"

"Like I said, I'm the only one in the position to do so," was the redhead's response.

"Yeah, okay. So why'd you accept?"

Now that one Kurama didn't answer. He merely held his hand up for another cup of his tea and let Yusuke stir in his own thoughts. It would only be payback for his laughing earlier.