Yomi's Story: Worth

Characters: Yomi, Kurama

Pairings: None

Continuity: English Anime

Summary: He had idolized the fox from the time they met, and longed for nothing more than his acknowledgement. Twoshot.

Author's note: A request from The Countess of Monte Cristo! Thanks for the inspiration!


Part One: Acknowledgement

When the young demon was taken into the gang of thieves, it meant a chance at life.

Not just a chance at making something of his life—though that was certainly true. But it also meant a chance to survive. Demons on their own seldom lasted for long in this harsh world, unless they were old and skilled enough to take it on.

So when he was taken in, he was desperate to prove his worth, to show that they hadn't made a mistake in accepting him.

All of them, but especially their leader.

Youko Kurama was already a legend in the Makai, and Yomi was incredibly privileged to have been chosen as part of his group. He looked up to the fox, wanted to be like him, desperately desired his respect and approval. He was like the father he'd never known.

Yomi worked hard, steadily rising through the ranks until he was second in command.

He was actually partners in crime with his idol…but somehow, it wasn't enough.

Kurama still didn't consider him an equal. He was forever the young, inexperienced one—partner, yes, but junior partner. No matter how hard he tried, Kurama never truly gave him the respect he craved.

So he grew reckless.

He would show him.

He would prove that he was just as good…no, he was better than Kurama. He would steal twice as many treasures, break through even more highly guarded vaults. He would become a legend to eclipse even the great Youko Kurama.

And then Kurama would acknowledge him.


It was unfortunate that Yomi did not understand the traits that Kurama truly valued.

The fox valued patience and stealth, not brashness and defiance.

A frontal assault would never gain Kurama's respect, and taking—losing—half his best men in the process was a quick path to disfavor.

Still, Kurama was willing to give him another chance—and another, and another, bailing him out of the trouble he kept finding himself in.

He had proved his worth on many occasions, after all.

But each time, Kurama's face grew colder.

Finally, it was too much.

Kurama set a trap, one last chance to pass the test, and waited.


When Yomi heard the rumors about a fabulous treasure not far away, he jumped at the chance.

Kurama ordered not to go after it, telling him it was too dangerous, and that he would not come after him if he went.

Yomi ignored him.

He took the few men who were still willing to listen to him and went to the place the rumors had indicated, visions of fabulous wealth and Kurama's approving smile dancing before his eyes.

But there was nothing there.

There were only desolate ruins, stark and barren...

The whistle of a blade slicing through the air was the only warning he got.

The attack came out of nowhere. The demon cut down Yomi's allies with his double swords, and then turned to do the same to him.

Yomi threw himself back, survival instincts taking over.

The blades missed his vital points, but Yomi almost wished they hadn't.

Pain exploded across his face, and he found himself screaming.

No! The light!

It was gone.

Everything was dark.

Dark, pain, terror, blood—that was his whole world.

Part of him wanted to die right there.

But another, stronger part of him rebelled.

NO!

He struck back with blind fury, catching his opponent off guard, apparently wounding him badly, though he had no way of knowing for sure.

The demon muttered something as he slipped away, and Yomi's ears, working overtime to compensate for the darkness, caught a statement that confused him.

"Life's more important than the reward."

What?

What reward? Who was rewarding whom? For what? Was this not just a random attack?

But he could ponder that later, if he survived.

Yomi bandaged his face as best he could and huddled in the lee of the ruins, waiting to be rescued.

The cold of night fell around him, though the world remained unchangingly dark.

He shivered, though not so much from the cold around him as from the icy knot that was slowly tightening in his stomach.

He wasn't coming.

Kurama's words echoed in his mind, telling him that he wouldn't come if he got in trouble again. The fox's cold golden eyes flashed in his mind's eye, and Yomi's unbeating heart sank within him.

He wasn't coming.

Yomi wrapped his arms around himself, willing the tears not to fall from his burning eyes.

Too late, he realized that Kurama had spoken the truth, and would not go back on his word now.

He was going to die here.

The wind picked up, and harsh drops of rain began pelting him.

He was going to die.

The rain fell faster, chilling him to the bone.

Die.

Thunder, forever severed from its visible half, cracked and rolled around him.

The roaring sound poured over him, filled him with its defiance.

And the defiant part of himself roared to life with it.

NO!

He was NOT going to die!

Yomi gritted his teeth and threw himself to his feet, opening his mouth and roaring back at the sky.

"Is that it? Is that all you've got?" he shouted at the universe. "If you want me dead so badly, then strike me down! Kill me! Go on, STRIKE!"

A peal of thunder cracked, and Yomi laughed harshly.

"Of course not. That would be too kind. But know this: I will not give in. I will live, and I will fight, and I will show the world how great I truly am."

His rage and bitter humor were fading, replaced by a calm that was deadly cold.

"Kurama…abandon me, will you? I promise you this: you will acknowledge me. I will become greater than you could ever hope to be, and you will be the one to look up to me."

Focusing on the sounds and smells around him, and the sensations of the ground under his bare feet, Yomi made his way out of the ruins.

He would find a way.

No matter what it took, he would survive. He would become powerful. He would make the world—no, the worlds—respect him.

And he would make that damned fox acknowledge him.