Life can't answer right now...
Yosuke
PG-13 (I'm back, mwaha.)
Drama/Romance
AN: And so comes forth from the hands of Yosuke another PG-13 story of violence, bloodshed, and yaoi. With also... depression, of course. Hence "Drama/Angst". I thought of this entire story within one day... uh... okay, maybe two, and I'd have to say that I'm a little paranoid about this one. I just recently read a summary that explained how, in the show, Hiei and Kurama ACTUALLY met, but by that time I had already written most of the story. So, just consider this one of those fanfics that changes the actual anime storyline. I've seen it lotsa times before. So, why can't I do it? Well, I'll try to stick as close to the original show as possible. Have mercy on my poor, otaku soul. (whimper)
The whole story is Kurama POV. First chapter... (wince) Very long. Sorry.
Yu Yu not mine.
I've lived this life... like this... forever. Always avoiding others, keeping to myself, being what everyone else is so afraid of... and hiding in the shadows while I watch the others laugh. I only hurt what I'm supposed to hurt. I only talk to whoever I'm supposed to talk to... if they are worth my time. I don't have anyone to talk to, really. No one like me who isn't out to kill me. I suppose at some point I was wishing for someone to come along so that I might have a conversation or a good match against... but then I guess I always hoped against that as well. I didn't want to draw attention to myself. If others knew I was here... that HE was here... that would be the end of it, and I would have to leave here forever. And, sadly, I've caused my mother enough pain to have to up and leave all of a sudden with no word or clue as to why or where I went.
So that is how I live... in solitude.
Solitude was how it stayed for a while... fourteen years to be exact. I am fourteen now. I kept away from the dark forests only to further my strength. If I went, I went in secret. I knew no one of my own age. I knew no one of HIS age... that was still alive, anyway. Anyone he had fought or known in the past I had most likely killed by now. He didn't exactly have friends either, you know. Guess that means you could call us a pair. We were both beautiful, or so we'd been told, and we both held no damn for those whom we had been obligated to kill... any incident of mine was purely out of self-protection. I never meddled in affairs beyond my own concern. Or that of his...
He... he is Youko Kurama, a great demon fox thief from a long time ago who escaped death by merging with my body. And I am Shuuichi Minamino, a fourteen-year-old child who merely wants to live quietly. And together, our merged form is Kurama.
My life is not important. Anyone who wants it simply takes it and moves on. At least, if Youko Kurama didn't force me to fight back, that is. It's not so much as force as it is impulse. Not to mention I simply won't just hand over my life to someone as undeserving and filthy as Makai demons.
I've been walking to school alone every morning for as long as I've lived and gone to school. I leave home early so that I can spend some alone time in the classroom. For as long as I can remember, I've never been late, and I've had good grades... not that they matter. I do it simply to keep my mother from worrying. She needs no more worries. She had been sick for quite a while, and it was only growing worse. And I felt greatly at fault. I felt that she had given up because of me, because I had always looked down on her even though I was her son. I always saw myself as a higher being than her, knowing that I could kill her and every single person in this city if I had wanted... but I never dared. Shuuichi hurt terribly for everything I had done, and Youko merely disregarded it. It's hard to control a merged form like this. Even though our thoughts are often the same, our mercy levels differ quite extensively.
You can guess why I like to be by myself now.
Over the past few weeks, I had noticed something peculiar in the air while I walked to school. The breeze often shifted a way it wasn't supposed to, but only for a moment. I didn't dare look. Letting a demon know I was on to him would only lead to a fight. And this demon was no particular threat at the moment, seeing as he always disappeared after I entered school grounds. But it was strange; the one glimpse I caught of him, he seemed... rather... small. I've learned in the past not to judge a demon by his size. Often, the smallest ones usually end up being the deadliest ones.
This demon was strong. I could tell… for the small amount of Spirit Energy he kept in sense.
He was just a small black blur when my gaze crossed him. Speed was his strong-point. It was hard to keep track of him, but I was sure he was purposely letting his presence be known. He wanted me to meet him. And I would. He was a smart one. He knew who I was, and knew not to tempt me. If anything, he assumed we were on the same level. And I was quite willing to find out for myself.
One day, while walking to school, I slowed my pace a little. It was a tad chilly that morning, so any breeze change would be a bit more obvious.
I took a different route than I usually did. Instead of turning on the block of my school, I kept going straight, heading towards a less-busy area. The demon following me was hesitant; he knew this wasn't what I usually did. I suppose, in the end, logic took over and he continued following me, going slower like I had so as not to pass me.
It was past the business area and a residential district that the route led us to a small park. I continued walking until we were in the thick of the trees where no one would think to wander. Besides, rarely was anyone out at this time of day, with school and work starting.
I stopped underneath a tall tree, leaning down to set my book bag on the roots, then standing straight and turning. I wasn't surprised to see the demon standing close by, nor was I surprised by his looks. Black, as I had guessed. A long black coat with a white scarf, black boots, black hair with a thin display of white zigzagging across, well-tanned skin and small red eyes. But what drew my attention was a bandana wrapped around his forehead. The white cloth hid something... I was curious to know what, but did not push for it.
"Good morning," I said with false-cheerfulness. The demon did not smile, nor did he move. He stood straight, stiff, his hands shoved in his pockets and his eyes glaring at me as if I had done something wrong. I kept the same calm smile I always kept when bringing myself into an interesting conversation with an interesting person. "I've noticed you've been following me for quite some time. Is there something I can help you with?"
"Actually, there is," he replied. His voice was hard. But I, oddly enough, felt at ease.
"If you're looking for a dual, I'm afraid I can't help you. Anonymous dueling is not my field."
"I want to know who you are," he said simply. I sighed, still smiling calmly.
"I am a teenager who was on his way to school until someone decided to keep following him. He also assumes you need some business with him if he is who you presume him to be."
He kept silent for a moment. He obviously hadn't been out-talked like that before. He never moved an inch; he was dead-still.
"I heard of a talented thief who was killed a long time ago. However, I'm not certain that you would be him."
"I know of no thief who was killed. Only one who was forced to flee and hide."
"Hn," the demon scoffed, cocking his head to the side and closing his eyes. "Then perhaps I've wasted my time. I'm looking for a thief, not a coward."
He was silenced with the sting of thorns tearing through the material of his boots and piercing his skin. He darted up, then growled and drew a sword from a sheath that I hadn't noticed before. Before I could even blink, the whip I held in my hands had been sliced to pieces. With an effortless swing, he slid the sword back into its sheath and stood straight. I could still, however, see a wince of pain on his face, miniscule, from the deep gashes I had inflicted in his left leg with my Rose Whip. I smirked. "Aren't we the talented one."
"And only looking for a member in his group," he added. I sighed, tossing what remained of the whip onto the ground.
"If you're asking for me to join in a killing spree, then I must decline."
"Do I seem that desperate to you?" he snapped back.
"Well, if following me every day for the past few weeks isn't desperate, than I don't know what is." I wasn't trying to tease him, but it somehow came out that way.
He took the turn to smirk this time. "Oh, and the great Youko Kurama, running for his life, instead of facing death like a true fighter, hides in the body of a child."
I tensed. He was saying those things like that intentionally.
"What's more, you have a mother that is sick," he added.
I curled a fist, but kept it at my side. He continued. "I can read it in your eyes that it was your fault that she fell ill. And you can't do a thing about it. Pitiful." He scoffed. I felt my fist ease. I was no longer tense. I dropped my shoulders. I could tell he was reading the helplessness on my face. He shook his head, still smirking. "Your life was ruined the moment you let that fox in, and now you have to pay for it. You're killing your own mother, the worst crime to a human's conscience." He shrugged, sliding his hands back into his pockets. "I suppose I've wasted my time coming here. I don't know why I was expecting the great Youko Kurama's help when all he's turned out to be is a pitiful fox that hides whenever danger comes."
"Then who are you?" I asked casually, shoving any merciful thoughts to the back of my mind. I assumed a stone glare, one I always took when I was cornered or had no other choice but to stand and take the beating. I had become a tad nervous. He mentioned the one fact about my mother's illness... and every memory and thought I had of it came to my mind. This demon was telepathic. He could not only read my eyes and expression, but he could also read my mind.
The demon was silent for a moment, his cruel smile fading. After an eternity, he finally responded.
"Hiei."
I felt my body lift a little, and the frown on my face ease. I recalled him...
"Hiei, the Jaganshi?" I asked, almost breaking out into a small smile. He didn't say anything. I was sure he could read the amusement in my eyes. It was MY turn to give him an uncomfortable moment. "Yes, I remember hearing of you. You've got quite a reward on your head from Spirit World. If I understand correctly, you are a fire demon."
Still, no response.
"No one seems to know where you're from. You're known quite well for your unsurpassed speed and stealth. And a select few know of a terrible incident that happened a few years back... when you attempted a certain dangerous technique that nearly took off your arm. A 'Darkness Flame Dragon', if I'm not mistaken?"
He glared very dangerously at me, but I paid no mind. If he was so desperate for my help, he would not kill me. And even if he DID kill me, I would have no problem with it. He was clearly a terrible cut-throat just like myself. With a talent like his, he was worthy enough to take off my head. And I would die in peace, but Youko Kurama would move on to the next body, and I would die alone... yet... it would be peaceful, still.
"Which brings me to the surgically-installed anatomy on your forehead," I continued. I saw him twitch. "You went through the horrible, bloody pain and misery of putting in a third eye, a Jagan eye. Now, not only are your moves lightning-fast, but so is your vision, making you almost, in every way, unbeatable in a battle. But why would you go through all the trouble of installing a fake eye when you almost certainly didn't need it for battle?"
He knew I had become too curious.
"No one seems to know, except it may have something to do with a personal reason… or were you just that obsessed with your own power?"
I could see him ready his hand in his pocket, prepared to go for his sword and slash away my vocal chords.
"You've had a terrible past, I've heard rumored among other demons. Raised as a thief by thieves, in a place that was most certainly not your home. Where are you from? Somewhere that treated you so badly… or so good that you couldn't stand the attention?" I joked, putting my hands in my pockets.
Then, suddenly... it grew raging hot. I watched in shock as the trees around me took to fire. The dry leaves and bushes on the ground caught aflame, entrapping me in a small circle with Hiei.
The demon in front of me lowered his arm, small sparks of fire fading from his hand. His eyes held the utmost rage, but his face remained calm.
"You will regret those words, or I shall take your head. I don't give a damn about what has happened in your or HIS life. All I am interested in is Youko. If you've truly kept his skills and strength, then I'll meet you at the warehouse in the downtown area at sundown tomorrow." With that, he turned and leapt towards the treetops, over the flames. A few disturbed birds took flight as the fire climbed higher, and Hiei blinked out of view.
I was left in the middle of the fires. The heat was intense and growing. I sighed and leaned down to pick up my book bag. "Cocky little guy..." I said under my breath, putting my bag under my arm and sticking my hands in my pockets. "I hate to leave the trees like this, but there honestly is nothing that I can do to stop it properly. Well, it should calm in an hour or so."
The smoke was growing too heavy. Bringing my sleeve over my mouth, I weaved my way out of the fires and headed to school... late.
Hospitals were always disturbing to me. Such a power handed to humans to give life, save life... and oddly enough, taking lives without even intending to. Not to mention so many unnatural medicinal drugs being passed around, used... it made the hallways smell very unpleasant.
I stepped into the elevator, my mind in a half-daze from the smell and the sounds of the building. I could not spend too much time there; I had to meet with a certain demon in about an hour.
The elevator doors slid open to reveal a familiar, white hallway. Worse stenches came to my nose. Muffling a cough slightly, I proceeded down the hallway until I reached a room with a number and name that I had memorized all too well. I knocked on the door lightly.
"Mother?" I called in.
"Come in," I heard a weak voice call from the other side. I opened the door and walked in the room. The floor was flooded in sunlight from the drawn window. The most familiar scent of those medications hit my senses. I almost felt the urge to recoil, to linger back in the hallway... but I would not talk to her through the door. She deserved more of a conversation than that, though I felt it would only pain her to see me.
I shut the door behind me and walked to the bed. My mother lay there, looking somewhat pale in the sunlight. Her hair was a bit of a mess and the sheets were off near her knees.
"Mother, you should keep the sheets up or you'll get a cold." Hell knows that was the last thing she needed right now.
She turned her eyes to me and smiled. "It's alright. It's too hot in this room, anyway. As a matter of fact, would open the window for me, please?" She struggled to sit up. I put a hand on her shoulder.
"Please, stay lying down, mother. You shouldn't sit up."
"Oh, stop worrying so much," she said, lifting herself up into a sitting position. "Now please, Shuuichi, go open the window."
I sighed. Nowadays, I didn't seem to be winning much of our arguments.
I made my way to the window and carefully opened it fully. A nice breeze shifted in. I remained at the window, my hands on the sill. Usually, when I was at a window, I'd search for some piece of nature to stare unto, but sadly, there was no nature here. Just a collage of buildings thrown together to make no sense. The nearest shrine was too far off to see clearly, knowing that most shrines usually bore some sort of small forest around it, one the government was neglected to take down due to Japanese tradition and respect for the gods.
I looked from my position at the window towards my mother. She was fixing her hair, putting it back into a loose ponytail like always.
"So, how has school been?" she asked, giving some hint on interest in her voice. I didn't change my expression. "Good," I replied casually. She continued to smile, and we carried ourselves into some normal conversation that would usually last us until the nurses decided to kick me out.
That was what it was like every time, and each time... I felt even worse for what I had done to her.
The warehouse was dark and empty. Cold, too. I rubbed my hands together, then breathed heavily onto them. After a moment of that, I slid them back into the pockets of my school uniform and walked slowly through the aisles of dusty boxes, stacked several feet high. It'd be easy for him to hide in a place like this... It would be even easier for me, knowing exactly how this night would turn out.
The sound of my steps reverberated back to my ears, making my presence known to anyone who was listening. And someone did hear me, of course...
Out of the shadows, behind one pile of cargo boxes, stepped Hiei, looking calm yet spiteful. We stared at each other for a long moment before I smiled and proceeded in the greetings.
"Well, good evening." I took a few steps forward until I stood only a few feet from him. "I'm here, but only on behalf of Youko Kurama, I hope you're aware."
"Of course," he murmured.
Another long silence... we tend to have too many of those...
I suppose after a while, he could clearly read my thoughts and answered the question that was in my head at the moment: Why was I here?
"We need some assistance." I assumed he neglected to use the world "help". "There are a few treasures in Spirit World we wish to steal."
"We?" I cut in.
"An acquaintance, rather than I partner, I would like to call. Perhaps you've heard of the Kyukonki?"
"I have." My interest was growing, slightly.
"Then you'll know that I'd need a person with a talent as a thief as well as myself to be able to get us to our prize." The entire time, his expression and his tone hadn't changed.
The warehouse felt like it was growing colder and colder. My skin started to prick a little. Whether it was my nerves or just the temperature, I couldn't tell.
I shifted my weight onto my other leg. "And what prize would that be?"
"Three, actually. Two, I have no actual use for... But I do need the Conjuring Blade."
"Conjuring Blade?" My eyes narrowed a bit. "I believe I know what you're talking about now. The three artifacts held in the vaults of Enma's palace. Well, I can see why you'd need help getting into there."
Hiei scoffed. Guess I had insulted him...
"Care to know what's in it for you?" he asked, almost sarcastically. I smirked.
"I do not need to know. Whether or not you plan to keep the Mirror of Darkness will not matter, as I plan to steal it from you one way or another."
"Nice to know we're on the same page, but I don't plan to keep it. I get the Conjuring Blade, the Kyukonki gets the Rapacious Orb, and you'll receive the Mirror of Darkness. What you do with it, I don't really care." A small, wicked smile crept onto his face. "Though, I can tell what your soft, human conscience is telling you to do with it."
My own smile faded. Another long silence... then I was laughing quietly to myself. "Tease me all you want, if it helps your pride."
He scowled. This was nothing but a game of tag.
"Then, it's settled," I added, stopping him before he had the chance to say something back to me. "I will help you in breaking into the Spirit World palace and retrieving the three artifacts."
We kept a straight gaze at each other. He gave me a cruel smile, finally. "Fine. Consider that a handshake, but before we move on..." He moved into a sort of crouching position, hands moving to the sword sheathed at his hip. "...I'd like to test those fighting skills of yours."
A test?
He leapt to the top of a stack of cargo boxes, glaring down at me. I sighed. "Shows your trust in me..." My hand went to my hair, pulling out my rose.
He made no movement. Instead, he simply vanished. I was prepared though, and watched his trajectory until he landed in front of me, sword drawn...
I winced, rubbing my knuckles thoroughly. Perhaps I shouldn't punch that hard anymore...
My eyes traveled up to Hiei as we walked through a darkened area of a forest he had led me to. We were on our way to meet this Kyukonki he spoke of before. Hiei was in the trees, hopping from branch to branch. Every now and then, I noticed him wince slightly.
"If it hurts, you can just say 'Ouch'," I called up. He scoffed and continued on, landing on branches in such a way that he tried to hide his right leg and make sure the very large gash and slight bone wasn't showing. I sighed. His pride, his pain.
Our battle had come out quite uneventful, really. He hit me, I hit him. Nothing I wasn't expecting... He had given me quite a good blow with his sword to my stomach, however. My fingers tangled in the fabric of my shirt, torn for the sword's blade. Blood stained the surrounding area, seeping from the wound on my stomach. The first real injury I had received in a long while... I guess I was impressed, but hardly. I hadn't exactly been to the Makai very often, so knowing any demons on my level was lacked a bit. I had always told myself that there were other, more powerful demons out there besides myself. Youko said I was just kidding myself, and any powerful demons like that would come racing in a minute to try and kill me. Whoever I HAD encountered, the ones who had come to slay me, obviously thought of themselves as strong... I think the most blows I've ever had to deliver in a fight, before Hiei, that is, was about three or four. The last one usually sent a head flying, an unpleasant reminder to myself of just what I could do.
I still don't understand myself, oddly enough.
The forest was getting darker as we proceeded further. I was beginning to wonder just where he was leading me, as I had never ventured near this area before. These woods were located somewhere behind the lower-class district of our city. I hadn't traveled that area too many times, and whenever I had, I only found poor people and thugs. I think once or twice I found a disguised demon.. and took care of it right away. I prefer no possible threat or danger running around my city without a leash. Not that I exactly cared what happened to others... I just want to keep my mother safe.
I began to feel a faint demonic aura as we walked. Nothing that I felt would threaten me, but I tensed nonetheless. I looked up at Hiei in the trees. His expression hadn't changed. I was beginning to think that maybe this was a mistake. Teenage high-school stories usually included some good boy who did very well in school, had all the right friends, and a perfect loving family... and, one day, went off into the darker parts of the city with a group of gang members his age to talk of some business or other. That's what I thought of when I remembered Shuuichi. He wasn't liking this. But so long as my mother never figured out, I should be okay.
The source of the aura I had fixated on came into view; a large creature, a demon. He was in a disguise, as poor as it was, with the necessary muscles and gruff look that came with almost every disgusting monster. I'm not usually one to judge right away on people I had just met, but it was way past common sense to me to know that I didn't like this guy very much.
Hiei had landed a few feet away from the demon and me, myself only stopping to stand far enough away from any sneak attacks or cheap shots, but close enough to address him properly.
Hiei quickly informed the man, apparently from Hiei's words who, went by the name Gouki, who I was and waited patiently for a reaction.
I wasn't surprised to see him laughing, I guess.
I wasn't too set on trying to convince the guy. No need for childish arguments. A simple demonstration was in order. I pulled out the rose I kept and summoned my Rose Whip. I didn't make too much of an effort. No use in bothering for a lower-class like this one. A gradual flick of my wrist and I sent half the surrounding trees toppling to the ground, sliced by the dangerously sharp thorns. Leaves rained down around us, birds took off to the sky in a panic, thuds echoed through the empty woods. And as quickly as it had come out, I put away the whip. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Hiei smirk. It felt kind of nice to impress him.
My eyes drifted over to Gouki, and I wasn't surprised to see him trying to suppress his trembling. Needless to say, he was very impressed. As much as I dislike showing off, it felt good to be able to bear these powers before others and not have to kill them right away.
And so my participation as the third member to this little crime group began. Spirit World wasn't going to be very happy once they recovered my files. And my mother wasn't going to be very happy once she recovered my dead body. This story already had an ending to it. I already knew how the last chapter would be, and it was... saddening, in a way.
He had been angry, I knew. Very angry. To just up and run off with a sacred artifact that took a lot of trouble to steal, from Spirit World, no less, was quite unforgivable. Why, though, I felt regret for making him angry was a complete mystery. Normally, I wouldn't have given a damn about whether I had made him angry or not. But ever since I left the woods that evening, it felt as if a shadow was following me. There WAS the possibility of Hiei following me, readying to slay me and take the artifact for his own, and I didn't anticipate the possibility either, though a few times I caught myself looking out of the corner of my eye to check the nearby trees or building tops. No Hiei, to my knowledge. Maybe I was just paranoid. But what for?... Maybe because I needed to live for at least three more nights. And though I had promised that Spirit Detective my definite incarceration (as far as HE knows, I'll be alive to be arrested), there was a possibility of Hiei coming to take my head instead. What an interesting feud that would be.
I had taken to my room that night, locking myself in, though no one was home. Out of habit, I locked my window. I knew a thin sheet of glass wouldn't actually keep the demons out. The habit had come from my mother, who persisted on making me lock it every night. Apparently, she'd had some bad experience when she was younger and didn't like taking chances anymore. Guess I can't blame her.
Lately, I hadn't been dressing for bed. Mostly I'd just get myself ready, then sit on my bed, doing something to occupy my time until I practically fell unconscious from trying to stay up so late. How I wake up for school in the morning is a wonder.
I had taken off my uniform jacket and was just laying on my bed, staring at the ceiling. Nothing left to do. To think I only had one day left to live and I couldn't think of anything to do. I deliberately averted my mind from thinking about my mother, and Hiei just worried me, so I thought of how to confront the Spirit Detective the later night, instead.
When I had seen the detective earlier today, he appeared to be about my age, and in quite bad shape. I suspected Gouki, and figured by the mere fact that the boy was up and walking (even with a limp), Gouki had been killed. I was impressed. Even more, with a human strong enough to defeat a Kyukonki like Gouki and NOT be in a rush to confront or defeat me... I'd say this was a pretty good guy. He's lucky he's only having to see me tomorrow. If he fought Hiei in that condition, he'd lose in no time.
Honestly, I'm glad I left that triumvirate when I did.
It was getting very peaceful in my room, and I was close to falling asleep. With half-closed eyes, I peeked over at my digital alarm clock on my nightstand. Ten 'till twelve. Earlier than usual for me to fall asleep. But the earlier, the better, I guess. If it got too quiet, I could hear things that were outside easily from in my room. Silence had an eerie feeling to it, and often I heard things I wasn't supposed to. Sometimes, in silences, I can hear a faint buzzing-sound, though I know that's really just me. That's why I use digital clocks. The ticking of a normal clock would've driven me mad by now with MY hearing--
My thoughts were interrupted with a sound coming from my window. A scraping noise. My eyes opened fully and I stared at the ceiling, remaining motionless until I could register what the sound was. The scratching continued. Someone was trying to get in through the window. I sat up on my bed, supporting my weight backwards on my elbows and watching the window attentively. Different possibilities came to my mind about who it could be, but in the end, I only really considered one person. Unless Spirit World intelligence, like that Spirit Detective, had come intruding into my home to take me under arrest in the middle of the night, and through my window no less, I suspected that it was Hiei out there.
The scratching stopped after a few moments. There was another silence before the window ghosted open, followed by a chill of air. Nothing, no one came in.
I didn't move from my spot. I don't think I even blinked, or breathed, for that matter.
Before I could possibly collect my thoughts, a form blinked into view at the edge of the bed. In a kneeling position was Hiei, one shoulder hunched forward with his hand wrapped around the handle of his sheathed sword. He saw me for a split second, hesitated, then flashed forward at me. My back met the mattress, and my breathing became a bit difficult. My eyes opened to look up at him. He was in such a position that one knee was pressed, digging into my chest to hold me down while the other balanced him upright on the bed. His sword had been drawn, the very tip of the blade poking against my throat.
Guess I was right about him being angry.
I didn't move. Nowhere to go, exactly. Pinned to my bed with a sword to my throat didn't have a bright outlook, and even if I could think of a way out of this (other than talking him out of it), I really didn't have the will. Though I needed my life until tomorrow night, I found no particular urge to fight him.
He scowled at me. "You think you can just run off with the artifact like that!"
I smiled slightly. "I'd say you're not too upset about the artifact. You didn't seem to want to stop me too badly back in the woods."
"I decided to give you a little longer to live, coward!"
"Oh, yes. You must be right. The level of your voice and tone of anger so loudly speaks the truth," I teased. He growled. I really wasn't helping my end of this very much.
The tip of the blade dug a little deeper into the flesh of my neck, and I suddenly realized that I had failed to completely assess my situation. The sword in which he was threatening me with was indeed the Conjuring Blade. My smile faded. To die was one thing, but to be turned into a low-level monster was another. I wasn't too keen on the effects that the Shadow Sword had on other, powerful demons. But whatever they were, even if they had NO effect, I might not be spared in this human form.
I don't know why I didn't feel like the trapped animal in this situation, but my nerves were becoming more and more eased. I just didn't feel so threatened with him, I guess.
"So cut me already," I spoke up. He didn't move. This was starting to become a little humorous. "You're not going to cut me? Or not even try to kill me? If that's not what you had planned to do, then what WERE your intentions?"
I wasn't able to determine whether that was a bad question or not. On one hand, I was able to tell that I'd be alive for at least one more day. On the other, my opinion of Hiei would change... but only by a little.
Drawing back his sword a little, I was given about a second to try and escape... in which I did not take. Mostly because I had no will to try and flee, but I also wanted to see how this was going to turn out.
I felt a pressure on my hands, then my arms being lifted to be pinned to the mattress above me. In one fluid motion, I saw the sword stab down near my arms and out of my sight. I didn't feel any immediate pain, but I did feel a restriction of my wrists. I automatically gathered up what it was; the sword was stabbed through the cloth of my sleeves, right in-between my arms.
I think he knew I didn't plan to struggle, because this was a rather pathetic way to keep me pinned. I guess this just gave him that feeling of dominance. But since he knew that simple dominance wouldn't subdue his anger, he proceeded in making this experience as painful as possible.
Call me a sadist, call me a masochist, call me whatever. It still hurt, and I do recall screaming in pain quite a few times. Damned demons.
The room was filling with sunlight, hurting my eyes through my lids. I groaned and moved my head to try to avert the light. "Who the hell opened the curtains..." I mumbled out, turning to bury my head into the mattress and escape the pain in my eyes. When I did this, however, I ended up on the floor with an uncomfortable, and almost painful boom resounding through my body. My forehead slammed into the wood of the floor and I yelped. My eyes opened, finally, and I rolled onto my back, which was followed by several terrible, throbbing pains throughout my body. I groaned loudly, gripping at the places where it hurt the most. One, in particular, hurt terribly in my groin, and my hand fished down to try and ease the pain. When I brought my hand back up, I noticed something I didn't really want to see: blood. It was then that I also noticed that I was pretty much bare.
I groaned again and attempted to lift myself to my feet, but stumbled over my own legs. My head felt a little heavy. I reached for my half-torn clothes and once again stood, using the bed as an aide.
I tossed my ripped clothes towards the hamper, though I should've probably put them in the trash, and got out a new pair of clothes. This meant I had to go get more school uniforms. I preferred to rip up my uniforms rather than my other clothes. The other outfits, preferably my Chinese-collar shirts or tunics, were pretty expensive. Can't forget, I'm still only a human in some ways.
I buttoned up my pants and slid on a shirt as I padded down the hallway and into the bathroom. I flicked on the light and began assessing where the worst injuries were. If some had gone numb overnight, I'd have to find them before they got too serious.
Yikes... like a herd of cats attacked me... Scratches and bruises everywhere. I could feel a deep one on the small of my back, and another gash at my outer thigh.
I sighed loudly. Reaching out to turn the faucet on, I put it on hot and leaned down to rest my forehead on my arms against the countertop. Last night... was a little fuzzy, but I could remember quite a bit. I knew Hiei, as a demon, could be quite sadistic... but last night was way too extreme. The burning question now was: Did I enjoy it?
... Why am I thinking these things? I've got issues tonight to think about, not how much pleasure I got from being with that demon! My head started to throb some, and I lifted it to stare into the mirror. My face hadn't been touched by Hiei. I scoffed. How kind, spare my looks.
I started to wash my hands and face, the hot water a nice feeling compared to my morning grogginess. The wounds on my body still hurt, and I knew I'd have to take care of those before I went anywhere. Where to go, though? I had a whole two days to kill... then myself. What am I supposed to do on the few days before I die? I suppose my best bet was to be at the hospital, keeping an eye on my mother one last time before meeting the Spirit Detective. I hoped my mother wouldn't despair too much over my loss. If anything, it should benefit her.
I dried my hands and face, turned off the water, and knelt down to look under the sink for all the bandages and cleansing fluid I kept. Soon, I set on patching up the wound on my back.
I don't mean to skip so far into the story here, but...
What more was there to say when Yusuke stuck out his hand in front of mine?
I guess I was touched, in a way, at his offering of self-sacrifice, but at the same time confused. Someone was going to die this evening. Why him? More confusion soon to follow. The light engulfed us, feeling like it was somehow passing through us, and I next found myself lying cold on the roof, trying to clear my eyes of the somehow still-visible light, which I'm sure had dissipated by that time. How long I had been out for, I wasn't sure, but there was the Mirror of Darkness, sitting idly on the ground as if
nothing had happened. It showed my reflection when I looked into it, when before it had shown my... !
"Mom!" I had cried out and rushed as quickly as I could to the rooftop door, heading downstairs just as the Spirit Detective's guide was flying down to call panic-stricken to the boy. I ran away hearing her exclamatory voice.
And then I saw her. My mother, laying in the hospital bed, slowly awakening. Her eyes glittered from underneath her lids. Tears. From her struggle, I think. I stood, watching her, waiting. For what, I don't know. Perhaps for my mind to come back to me. And when it did, I walked to her bedside and took her hand. Never during that night did I leave her side.
AN: Well, this is the end of chapter one… Hoorah. So, how shall I do this…?
NEXT TIME, ON "LCARN"!...
Kurama and Hiei encounter each other again… and again… and again… and so on and so forth.
Good enough? Guess not. Whatever. Be a darling and review!
TBC!
