TEMPORARY PAGE 2
YuYu Hakusho Beyond! excerpt two
for Manga Challenge, Discussion Page

[There is a knock on the door. Midori sets down her pencil and slides her notes into a pile then gets up and goes over to open it and sees Kayko with her son, Kazuki]

Midori: Oh welcome Kayko! What a pleasant surprise; do come in!

Kayko: [enters] Thank you. How have you been feeling?

Midori: I’ve been hanging in there, the best I can. [sits down in a chair] May I hold the little one?

Kayko: Oh that’s right, [hands Kazuki over for Midori to hold] you haven’t met Kazuki yet. [sits down on the couch]

Midori: [cooing] Ah isn’t he the most precious thing you have ever seen? That’s right, you are absolutely precious!

Kazuki: [coos]

Midori: [normal voice] So how has life been treating you?

Kayko: I suppose it is all right. Other than Yusuke gone, I can’t really complain.

Midori: [looks thoughtfully past Kayko] Yes, Kurama has been gone for a while too. I suppose I shouldn’t expect him back until the end of the month.

Kayko: Doesn’t it scare you? That he might not come back?

Midori: [closes eyes and smiles] No. I trust that he will return. [places Kazuki on the ground]

Kayko: [shakes head and smiles] I don’t understand how you can remain so happy.

Midori: How can I not be with such a cute face around? [looks at Kazuki] His eyes are so bright and smile so sure. [Kazuki crawls to the coffee table and holds on the edge] Children are the hope of the future. Our men are out there to protect us and our kids. [Kazuki gets hold of a book and pulls it onto the floor with him] Thanks to them, this little boy will be able keep on smiling and laughing.

Kayko: But he’ll need a father too.

Midori: It is true that sacrifices must be made to preserve peace. Our husbands chose that sacrifice. And we are making a sacrifice to let them go. Not only so they can keep our lives safe, [Kazuki grabs keys and opens the book puts the keys in and closes the cover] but all the others around us. [Kazuki opens the book and sees the keys are still where he left them] When I think of it like that, I can’t help but love Kurama that much more. [Kazuki closes book] He is risking his life for everyone’s freedom. So is Yusuke.

[Kazuki opens the book again to see the keys have not moved. With joy, he clasps his hands together and coos.]

Kayko: It does sound admirable. But Yusuke has gone off so many times in the past; I can’t help but feel, well…selfish. I mean, why can’t someone else take a turn to defend us?

Midori: Is there anyone else capable?

Kayko: Well…

Midori: We married great men. With that comes great sacrifice; where much is given, much is required. We can only expect that there will be other demands for their attention.

Kayko: But what about my need for his attention? It feels like I don’t matter…

Midori: But you do matter! You inspire Yusuke; even when you are not right there beside him. Remember, behind every great man is a very wonderful woman. What you are doing and the sacrifices you make are just as admirable, even if they aren’t as recognizable.

Kayko: I still miss him.

Midori: Look at this little one. [holds Kazuki in standing position] How he turns out will be greatly influenced by his mother. By now teaching him principles of love and truth, you will help him with decisions later down the road. If you don’t believe me, look at my mother-in-law. She raised a demon and he turned out okay.

Kayko: [laughs] I suppose that is true. [takes Kazuki back from Midori]

Midori: So tell me what was it like when you were pregnant…was labor hard? I’m kind of nervous about what it will be like…