The Choice (A Yu Yu Hakusho fanfic)

The time had come again to make the choice. It was a difficult choice and one he was not looking forward to making. Even after hours of analyzing, he still couldn't make the decision. Either way, he'd be giving somwthing up. Either way, he would feel at least partially empty. And either way, he was sure there were consequences to either decision. It was just a decision of which was harder to live without.1

The Makai. Staying in the Makai could provide him with all of his old power. He'd be restored to his previous position as a feared demon and could relive his past. Maybe he could change it a little. Maybe he wouldn't be as cruel, but he'd still be powerful.2

But then came the downfall to that plan. His mother, step-father, and step-brother. What would they think if he just never returned? Could he really do that to his family? He'd grown so fond of all of them. Choosing Yoko meant hurting the family he adored so much was imminent and unstoppable. It meant hurting his mother was unavoidable.3

His dear sweet mother. He'd risk his life for her. She'd cared for him since he was just a child. She was the reason he didn't go back before. At a young age, he could've shifted back. But he hadn't wanted to. He'd become too attatched.4

No matter what he did, she'd always loved him. She'd take care of him when he was sick and always worry about how he was doing. She never thought of herself, only her son. And there was just something about that loving sleflessness that Kurama couldn't turn his back on.5

But there was another downfall. If there was more demon activity in the human world, he could be putting his family and his mother in grave danger. He knew he couldn't live with himself if anything were to happen to her. And, if it did, it would all be his fault. He would be the one they were after, not her. Did he really want to put her in that kind of danger?6

A choice had to be made. And soon. Everyone else but Hiei were heading back to the mortal world. He needed to make that dreaded decision and decide what he was going to do.7

As he contemplated, his cell phone began to ring, letting him know he had a message.8

"Shuichi, dear, how are you? Is your business trip going well?" the message said. "Well, I hope it is. I just wanted to let you know that I love you and we all miss you. Oh! And your brother says hi!"9

A smile crossed his once serious face. How could he even consider leaving his family? His permanent departure from their world would crush them. It was time to forget the past and move onto a new future.10

Punching in his home number, he let the phone ring.11

"Hello?" a feminine voice answered.12

"Mom? It's Shuichi," Kurama said, smiling.13

"Shuichi!" she exclaimed brightly. "How are you? Are you coming home soon?"14

"I'm fine. And I'll be home tomorrow."15

Kurama could hear how ecstatic she was. And he knew she wouldn't be the only one. As he closed his eyes that night, he vowed to live a normal human life. He'd get a job at his step father's company and make his mother prouder than she already was.