Winter Story: Part 1
Yae sat alone on a cold black rock waiting patiently for the sun to rise, stars twinkled faintly in the dark gray sky. She had gotten up at 4:00 this morning to see the sun rise over the beautiful snow covered mountains that encircled the cabin she and the gang had rented for the week…Its soo beautiful…Yae thought to herself with a smile as she brought her knees up to her chest and rubbed her ears with her mittens, she watched her breath turn into mist and shivered. A young man walked up behind Yae silently and dropped a fuzzy blanket over her shoulders and pulled her against his chest into his embrace. Yae gasped and stiffened, the young man looked down at her with a kind smile, and his soft red hair brushed against her face. Yae smiled and giggled in delight.
"Kurama, You scared me!" She said softly as he joined her on her rock. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into his lap.
"What did I tell you about wandering off alone?" He said as she stared over her head at the glistening mountains. Yae flinched as Kurama's arms tightened around her.
"I-I was going to watch the sunrise, I didn't want to wake anyone." Yae said as she looked at her hands guiltily. Kurama smiled and kissed her head,
"I just worry about you….Look! The sun's rising." Kurama said calmly as he pointed towards the mountain. Yae looked up, the sun's light was pouring down the sides of the mountains, slowly making its way to the rock. Yae smiled impishly and jumped out of Kurama's arms and slid down the big rock.
"Hey! What are you doing!?" Kurama asked as he grabbed the Yae by the back of her coat and pulled her back. She turned around excitedly and grabbed his arm.
"Come on Kurama! We can go run into the sunlight! We can run into the Day!" Yae said as she stared up at him excitedly, giving him a pleading look. Kurama smiled, and shook his head,
"Only you…." He said softly with a giggle and began to jog across the snow with Yae.
* * *
Saiyuri lay on her futon, squinting at the window…morning already?…She moaned and turned on her side in tired protest, Her eyes adjusted slowly to the bright light. Saiyuri stared at Yae's futon It took her a moment to realize it was empty, the blankets were all in a neat pile at the foot of the bed. She sat up alarmed…I told her not to go anywhere!…she thought to herself angrily as she kicked her blankets off and jumped out of bed. She picked up her robe from the floor and threw it over her shoulders as she headed for the bedroom door. Keiko murmured some incoherent words as Saiyuri stomped over her, and swung the door open.
"I'm going to find Yae." Saiyuri said and slammed the door shut. Keiko sat up, confused.
"What? Is Yae missing?!" Keiko called, but nobody replied.
Saiyuri walked down the hall briskly, and peeked into the den, nope, Yae wasn't there. She went upstairs to the boys room, and pounded on the door.
"Wake up! Is Yae in there?!" She called, The door swung open and a very tired Kuwabara in boxers looked at her with a confused look on his face.
"What did you say Saiyuri?" He asked in a groggy voice, Saiyuri looked at him furiously.
"I said Is Yae in there! Have you seen her?!" Saiyuri demanded and pushed past Kuwabara and walked into the room. Hiei was sitting on his futon, he looked up at her coolly.
"So, the girl is missing?" He inquired casually, the body in the futon next to him stirred and Saiyuri saw Yusuke's eyes open slowly.
"Hhnnn?" Yusuke muttered and looked at Hiei and Saiyuri tiredly.
"Yae's missing." Kuwabara said as he walked over to Kurama's empty futon.
"And so is Kurama, do you think somebody kidnapped them?" Kuwabara asked thoughtfully. Hiei rolled his eyes and scoffed.
"No you idiot, Their out together, go back to sleep." Hiei retorted irritated. Saiyuri sighed in relief and fell to her knees, Kuwabara and Hiei both moved to help her, Saiyuri smiled at their response.
"Sorry, I didn't even think about that, ever since Taguro…I've been…" Saiyuri started feeling tears sting her eyes, she looked away ashamed, and left the room quickly. Kuwabara sighed and fell to his futon.
"Man, I'm soo glad nothing bad happened." Kuwabara exclaimed, grinning like a fool. Hiei sighed and got dressed.
"Humans are such pathetic creatures." Hiei's usually sarcastic monotone voice now had a hint of emotion in it. Kuwabara yawned, and shrugged off Hiei's remark.
"Where are you going?" Kuwabara asked as Hiei slipped on his shoes.
"Out."
* * *
Kurama stood in the snowy field looking at the still rising sun, He didn't notice Yae behind him patting a snowball together in her mittens. She giggled childishly and threw the snowball at him. Kurama heard the white ball cutting through the air and smiled, he waited for the snowball to hit him. Yae laughed in delight when the snowball hit the back of his head, leaving only crystal like remnants of snow in his hair that sparkled like diamonds in the early morning sun. Kurama turned around and smiled playfully at her.
"Now you're gonna get it!" He warned, and chased her around the snowy fields. He caught her easily, and wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to the ground. Yae giggled and looked up at the beautiful boy laying on top of her,
"What do I get?" She asked mockingly, Kurama laughed and brushed her cheek with his hand.
"You get a thousand kisses!" He said grinning widely, and leaned down and brushed his lips against Yae's, and kissed her on the cheek.
"1.…"
* * *
Hiei trudged along in the snow, looking for that idiot Kurama and the girl. Didn't he know Taguro was looking for Yae, (He had made that painfully clear at their last encounter.) How could Kurama let her be put in so much danger? Hiei's jaw tightened at these thoughts and he quickened his pace, It was easy for him to track the two, the imprints of their shoes lay perfectly intact in the powdery snow. Hiei's eyes widened, He saw Kurama laying on top of Yae and gasped…He better not be doing what I think he's doing…He thought to himself grimly as he sprinted towards the two. Kurama was too lost in Yae's sweet embrace to realize Hiei was standing inches away from him. Hiei reached out and pulled Kurama off of Yae in one fast fluid movement. Yae gasped, and let out a panicked scream.
"What are you doing to her!?" Hiei demanded, He had become some-what overprotective of the girl who had befriended his sister, and even though she was a defenseless burden on their group, He couldn't help but love her childish innocence, and sweet mannerisms. Kurama pulled out of Hiei's grip and gave Hiei a confused look,
"You startled me Hiei." He said with a nervous grin, Hiei regarded him with a look of pure contempt and crouched down next to the trembling girl.
"Are you okay Yae?" Hiei asked in a voice that was unusually kind. Yae looked at Hiei in shock, and nodded.
"I-I'm fine." She managed to get out, Hiei smiled and nodded in approval.
"Come on, We're going back to the cabin." He said in his usual monotone voice and helped Yae stand up. Hiei turned around and gave Kurama another look of resentment, before pulling Yae along with him back to the cabin.
"Hiei! Wait!" Kurama called, still confused by Hiei's reaction. He fell to his back and sighed.
"Its not what you think…."
* * *
Yae winced as Hiei's strong hand dug into the soft flesh of her upper arm, he didn't seem to notice and dragged her along at a pace that was nearly impossible for the girl to keep up with. A single tear rolled down Yae's cheek, and she sniffled at the thoughts of him being angry at her.
"I'm sorry…" Yae's voice was an exhausted breath, How fast can this man walk? She thought to herself on the verge of an asthmatic attack. Hiei, looked at her alarmed. And saw the tear stain on her cheek and slowed his pace. Hiei stared forward, avoiding all of Yae's timid and scared glances at him.
"There's nothing to be sorry about." Hiei said in a voice that wavered, if only slightly. He was known to get carried away with his emotions, maybe he shouldn't have been so harsh on Kurama. He looked over his shoulder and saw Kurama, following at a distance, perhaps 50 yards. Kurama froze when he saw Hiei turn his head, this satisfied the grim demon and he continued to walk with the girl at a slower pace. Yae's cheeks were flushed, and her chest burned like no-other. She had never felt this out of breath in her entire life. Hiei looked at her quizzically then opened his eyes in understanding, he had forgotten her asthma! Aa…I'm soo stupid! He cursed himself under his breath and stopped walking. Yae, didn't realize he had stopped and bumped into him. She fell limply into the snow, and tried to breath. Hiei gasped, and crouched down next to the girl, he put his arms around her and gently pulled her against him.
"Shhh-shhhh-" He comforted, as he rocked her back and forth.
"Shhh-Its all right, I got you."
Kurama nearly screamed when he saw Yae fall into the snow, and the sight of Hiei cradling her only scared him more.
"Yae!" He said in a panicked whisper as he darted towards her at a speed that was barely traceable, to the untrained eye.
"What have you done to her!?" Kurama screamed as he pushed Hiei into the snow and took the girl into his own embrace. Hiei looked Kurama in surprise, and then got to his feet.
"There's no time, We got to get her back to the cabin.' Hiei's voice was quick and panicked. Kurama looked up at him in anguish, but nodded solemnly, and lifted the girl as he stood.
"Lets go."
* * *
Saiyuri was showering when the cabin door swung open and she heard some shouting. She sighed and reluctantly turned off the steaming hot water. She rubbed herself dry, slipped on somewhat of a scandalous pink and white cotton robe and tied a towel around her hair. Saiyuri threw open the bathroom door and shouted,
"What's going on in here!?" She heard running footsteps, but no response. Saiyuri groaned as she trudged down the stairs, she saw everyone hovering over the couch.
"I said, What's going on in here!!?" Saiyuri demanded, Keiko spun around and sighed.
"I'm soo glad you're here. Yae had an asthma attack!" Keiko exclaimed, and moved aside as Saiyuri came charging at the couch.
"Is she okay? What the hell happened!?" She demanded even more angrily than before, She looked down at Yae, Who was sleeping in Kurama's arms, she was pale, but it looked like she was going to be alright. Saiyuri sighed, thank god! She collected herself, and looked around at everybody.
"What happened?" She asked in a calmer, but still irritated voice. Kuwabara and Yusuke looked at her and shrugged, all they knew was that Kurama and Hiei kept blaming what had happened on each other.
"Well?" Her voice was cold, Like Yuki-Onna's, Keiko flinched and excused herself to go make some tea. Hiei looked up at her with the same look of cold reverence.
"I found her under Kurama, and brought her back here. I forgot about her asthma" He said coolly as he stared at Saiyuri.
"What do you mean…'Under Kurama?'" Saiyuri asked angrily, her hands clenched into fists and begged to hit something…or someone with long red hair. Hiei scoffed, Kuwabara looked at Kurama with a lopsided grin on his face, which Yusuke was happy to smack off.
"Exactly, what I said." Hiei said with a smirk, and crossed his arms. Saiyuri stared at Kurama hatefully, barely able to control her fists that were now aching to break the little red-haired bishounen's pretty little nose. Kurama looked at Saiyuri and winced under her cold stare.
"Sai, I would never hurt her, not in a million years. You know that right?" Kurama asked defensively, he was a little hurt at both Hiei's and Saiyuri's reactions. Saiyuri felt tears welling up in her eyes, she felt so hurt and angry. Her fists clenched harder and she tried to hold back her tears.
"I love her, Sai." Kurama said on the verge of tears himself, He snuggled his face into Yae's hair, and kissed the top of her head. Saiyuri unclenched her fists and stared over both of their heads, She fell to her knees and felt tears stream down her cheeks. Yusuke knelt next to Saiyuri and put his hand on her back, she shrugged it off.
"I don't need your sympathy Urameshi!" Saiyuri barked, and wiped at her eyes vigorously. Yusuke ignored her comment and put his arm around her lovingly and pulled her into him. Saiyuri let herself be held, it felt nice. After a moment, Saiyuri had cooled down, She looked up at Yusuke and grinned.
"I feel much better now, thank you." She said softly and sat up.
"Any time, Sai." He said, a little sad to see her leave his arms, He never got to hold Keiko like that! Saiyuri stood and held her arms, she looked down at Yusuke and smiled longingly at him.
"Hey Sai! Nice robe!" Yusuke said as he looked her body over with a smirk…Wait! what am I doing?… Yusuke thought to himself alarmed. Keiko walked into the room holing a tray of tea and set it down on the coffee table. Saiyuri looked at Keiko and blushed.
"I'm going to go get dressed!" She called and darted into the girls room. She cursed her self for letting her emotions get out of control and flipped through all the outfits in the closet. She pulled out a pair of jeans and a baggy sweater, and threw them on…No more getting carried away!…she told herself as she let the towel out of her long dark brown hair and brushed it in front of the mirror.
* * *
Saiyuri, Keiko, and Hiei did their best to make sure Yae wasn't left alone with Kurama…not even for a second. And Saiyuri and Keiko also made sure to let Kurama know how big of a jerk he was at their every convenience.
"How could you be such a jerk!" Keiko exclaimed as she passed the boy in the hall. A moment later when Kurama walked in on Saiyuri cooking some lunch, she spun around on him and threw her spatula at his head.
"I can't believe you would take advantage of her like that! You…You… Jerk!" Saiyuri yelled as Kurama dodged the onslaught of kitchen utensils Saiyuri was hurling at him. He left the kitchen and made his way into the den. Yae was sitting at the coffee table putting together a puzzle. Hiei was sitting on the couch behind her giving Kurama a dirty look. Yae looked up and smiled,
"Kurama! I'm putting a puzzle together!" She said with a giggle, Kurama almost cried he was so relived to hear some kind words. "Come and help me!" Yae invited and moved over to give Kurama some space. Hiei looked up at him grimly, and shook his head. Kurama ignored him and smiled at Yae.
"Okay!" He sat down next to the girl, and smiled.
"I don't know where this piece goes." Yae said and held up an oddly shaped puzzle piece. Kurama took the piece from Yae and looked at the puzzle, he longed to be holding her again…away from the watchful eyes of Hiei. Kurama put the piece on the table and sighed.
"Got me!" He said helplessly and put his hand on Yae's thigh. Yae blushed and looked at him with a shy smile as she leaned in to kiss her love…Hiei's swung his feet onto the table separating the two. Yae bumped her head against Hiei's boot, and looked up at him confused. Hiei acted like nothing was wrong, ignoring all of Yae's looks. Kurama slammed his fist onto the table and stood up.
"That's it!" He yelled and pulled Yae up by her shoulders. Hiei stood up defensively and pushed Kurama's hands away from Yae.
"Fool! Leave the girl alone." Hiei demanded looking up at the red haired demon. Yae reached out to stop the two but was glared at by Hiei, She recoiled and fell on the couch. Kurama looked at Hiei angrily and pushed past him.
"Lets go, Yae." Kurama said as he grabbed Yae's hand and pulled her towards the door.
"Hey! Where do you think you're taking her?!" Saiyuri demanded as she walked in from the kitchen. Kurama slammed the front door shut behind him, and led Yae around the cabin.
Hiei, Keiko and Saiyuri looked at each other in shock. Saiyuri felt a frozen ache begin to throb in the pit of her stomach and she let out an icy breath that turned to mist. Keiko began to feel the room freeze and looked at Hiei scared.
"Saiyuri, now's not the time." Hiei commanded in his cold monotone voice. Saiyuri shrugged and closed her eyes trying to calm herself down…not now Yuki-Onna… She told herself and tried to control her anger.
Yae stopped and looked up at Kurama worriedly and pulled his face down to kiss him. He smiled at her and pulled her towards the woods behind the cabin.
"Come on! Lets go for a walk!" He said excitedly, as he led Yae giggling into the woods.
* * *
"Oh No He didn't!" Keiko exclaimed, She was watching them through the window in the den. Saiyuri and Hiei looked at each other anxiously and walked to the window.
"That sly fox! He took her into the woods!" Keiko pouted, and gave Hiei a 'you're a man, go do something!' look. Saiyuri growled, fell on the couch and closed her eyes…You just wait till' that red-haired baka brings her back…She thought to herself with a smirk and began to focus her energy on creating a vengeful storm. Hiei looked at Saiyuri in disgust, mistaking her concentration for sleep. How could she possibly sleep when that boy was probably putting his hands all over his sis…Yae. Keiko looked at Saiyuri and shrugged, she was a little tired herself, maybe now was a good time for a nap.
Yusuke and Kuwabara stood in the room not knowing what to do.
"Uhh…Should we go get her guys?" Kuwabara asked uncomfortably.
"No…They'll come back." Saiyuri said with a sly smile on her lips.
"I have a feeling its gonna be really cold tonight." She said and continued focusing her energy.
Yae and Kurama walked through the snow covered woods hand in hand. A cold wind was beginning to blow, an angry wind, but Kurama and Yae paid it no attention. They were too busy talking and having fun.
"I'm sorry Saiyuri is being like this.." Yae said softly, and looked at the snow. Kurama smiled and put his arm over her shoulder and squeezed her.
"No, Its okay, I know how much she cares about you." He said sweetly and kissed her on the nose. Saiyuri was a bitch when you crossed her, but she was a Satanic monstrosity when you crossed Yae…I bet she wants to kill me…Kurama thought with a smile, He'd seen Sai fight as Yuki-Onna before, and he wasn't sure if he could take her in her demon form. He looked down at Yae with a thoughtful frown, but he could also understand Saiyuri's sentiments completely, Yae was just one of those people you had to protect. He didn't think Yae even gained any strength when she turned into her goddess form, and she wasn't a very strong human (but she'd tell you other wise) Yae was always a little touchy on the subject of her ability to protect herself. She hated having to rely on the strength of others when the fight was her own. But, Kurama and Saiyuri were both convinced that Yae couldn't take on a 8 year old with leukemia, who his hands tied behind his back…and wearing a blindfold. But they loved her even more for all her faults.
"You need to grow." Kurama said teasingly as he pulled Yae into him for a kiss. Yae giggled and kissed him back. She felt a warming pulse in her lower stomach and moaned as Kurama slid his hands to the small of her back to pull her tighter against him. A blanket of warmth engulfed the two lovers and Yae looked up at Kurama her eyes had changed into a lighter radiant green and her skin was glistening. Kurama had never felt so loved in his entire life, The orb of warm pinkish light that engulfed the two was soo warm…It felt soo nice, almost like her was drunk off of her love. Kurama cupped Yae's chin in his palm and looked at the girl longingly.
"Don't ever leave me." He whispered, and lifted Yae off her feet and swung her in circles.
* * *
Keiko was awakened by a loud thunder clap and let out a surprised yelp. She sat bolt upright on the couch across from Saiyuri and looked around. Another loud clap made her jump and she ran to the window.
"A storm?" She asked aloud, Hiei looked up at her and sighed.
"Obviously…" He grumbled and looked at Saiyuri angrily…Sleeping away…stupid girl, what about Yae?!… His eyes widened as he realized what his anger had hid from him before, Saiyuri wasn't sleeping, she was concentrating some type of energy…not spirit energy…something more natural… The storm!
"Saiyuri Stop!!" Hiei commanded as he fliped over the couch and shook the girl violently, Saiyuri's eyes opened and Keiko and Hiei both gasped when they saw Saiyuri's usual deep brown eyes had been replaced by a pair that were a lonely cold ice blue. Hiei dropped Saiyuri's shoulders and she fell against the couch laughing wickedly.
"Lets see what that pretty boy will do now!" She said in a voice that was harsh and supernatural. Keiko screamed and ran up the stairs to the boys room. Saiyuri's eyes darkened and she looked up at Hiei with a smirk on her lips.
"You fool! What about Yae!" Hiei choked, trying to keep himself from lunging at Saiyuri, and bolting to the door to find Yae. Saiyuri looked at him confidently,
"She'll be fine." She said with a shrug, and looked out the window. Clouds were rolling in fast…faster than she had ever seen in her entire life and thick bolts of lighting were striking the ground not more than a mile away from their cozy little cabin. Hail and snow began to pound the ground fiercely, making a racket on the cabin's wooden roof.
"We'll all be snowed in!" Yusuke's voice called from above…oh yeah…Saiyuri didn't think of that…Oh well, They could deal with that glitch later.
* * *
Yae screamed as the first thunder clapped, Kurama took her in his arms and calmed her down.
"Its just thunder…" He assured her, and looked at her blushing face.
"I wasn't scared, It just startled me!" Yae said and looked at Kurama embarrassed at her reaction. He held her to him and smiled as the second thunderclap made Yae shudder in his embrace.
"Where are we?" Yae asked worriedly. "I think we should find shelter, the clouds are moving really fast!" She pointed at the clouds and looked around for some form of protection. Kurama nodded in a agreement and ushered Yae around looking for somewhere to go. Snow began to pelt the earth, It stung Yae's face and she used her arm to guard her eyes. Kurama looked around using his fox like eyes …He saw a cave about 40 feet up a nearby mountain. Yae looked at him desperately,
"Kurama! What do we do!?" She asked on the verge of tears, hail was starting to falling like bowling balls from the sky, and Yae knelt down and covered her head for protection. Kurama hauled her up by the back of her jacket and pointed to a mountain.
"There's a cave on that mountain, we can stay there!" He yelled in the storm, Yae squinted at the mountain and then looked back at Kurama.
"But that mountain has to be at least 5 miles away!" Yae whined helplessly and fell back on her knees. Kurama pulled her back up again and wrapped his arms around her tightly.
"It won't be that bad!" He assured her, then leaned in closer and kissed her cheek.
"I'll carry you if you'd like?" He offered, He could get to the mountain in 5 minutes if Yae let him carry her, but she would never let him do that willingly, She did have pride.
Yae looked up at him and smiled,
"You don't have to carry me, It won't be that bad!" She said mocking his assuredness. Kurama smiled and looked back down at the girl.
"Oh, but I insist milady!" He said smugly and swung Yae over his shoulder.
"No! Kurama! I can walk!!" Yae screamed as the boy took off at a supernatural speed, The amount of G's Yae felt was unbelievable and she whimpered before blacking out.
Kurama flight from the woods to the mountain was all just at blur of motion, He felt Yae's body become limp against his and touched down to the ground in the cave a moment later.
"Yae? We're here." He said softly and cradled the small girl in his arms, He had felt the wind change direction as he flew through the woods, and realized immediately that this storm wasn't natural. The wind and snow was now blowing into the cave, Kurama put Yae down gently inside of the cave and looked for a way to block the entrance. He pushed a large boulder that was sitting in middle of the cave to the entrance, It was too big to reach all the way to the front of the entrance, but it blocked the cave almost completely anyways.
Kurama sighed and walked back over to Yae, Her face was very pale and she was breathing hard. He took the girl in his arms and leaned against the cave wall waiting for her to wake up.
"Yae….Yae!" He whispered as he shook her gently, She moaned and stirred a little. Okay, She was just sleeping, Kurama smiled at her and kissed her gently on her forehead.
"Kurama…..mnnn…" She mumbled as her warm hand fell limply on his chest…hmm he could get used to this. He took her hand in his own and pressed it to his lips. He sighed and hugged her closer to him as he drifted to sleep.
Yae sat alone on a cold black rock waiting patiently for the sun to rise, stars twinkled faintly in the dark gray sky. She had gotten up at 4:00 this morning to see the sun rise over the beautiful snow covered mountains that encircled the cabin she and the gang had rented for the week…Its soo beautiful…Yae thought to herself with a smile as she brought her knees up to her chest and rubbed her ears with her mittens, she watched her breath turn into mist and shivered. A young man walked up behind Yae silently and dropped a fuzzy blanket over her shoulders and pulled her against his chest into his embrace. Yae gasped and stiffened, the young man looked down at her with a kind smile, and his soft red hair brushed against her face. Yae smiled and giggled in delight.
"Kurama, You scared me!" She said softly as he joined her on her rock. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into his lap.
"What did I tell you about wandering off alone?" He said as she stared over her head at the glistening mountains. Yae flinched as Kurama's arms tightened around her.
"I-I was going to watch the sunrise, I didn't want to wake anyone." Yae said as she looked at her hands guiltily. Kurama smiled and kissed her head,
"I just worry about you….Look! The sun's rising." Kurama said calmly as he pointed towards the mountain. Yae looked up, the sun's light was pouring down the sides of the mountains, slowly making its way to the rock. Yae smiled impishly and jumped out of Kurama's arms and slid down the big rock.
"Hey! What are you doing!?" Kurama asked as he grabbed the Yae by the back of her coat and pulled her back. She turned around excitedly and grabbed his arm.
"Come on Kurama! We can go run into the sunlight! We can run into the Day!" Yae said as she stared up at him excitedly, giving him a pleading look. Kurama smiled, and shook his head,
"Only you…." He said softly with a giggle and began to jog across the snow with Yae.
* * *
Saiyuri lay on her futon, squinting at the window…morning already?…She moaned and turned on her side in tired protest, Her eyes adjusted slowly to the bright light. Saiyuri stared at Yae's futon It took her a moment to realize it was empty, the blankets were all in a neat pile at the foot of the bed. She sat up alarmed…I told her not to go anywhere!…she thought to herself angrily as she kicked her blankets off and jumped out of bed. She picked up her robe from the floor and threw it over her shoulders as she headed for the bedroom door. Keiko murmured some incoherent words as Saiyuri stomped over her, and swung the door open.
"I'm going to find Yae." Saiyuri said and slammed the door shut. Keiko sat up, confused.
"What? Is Yae missing?!" Keiko called, but nobody replied.
Saiyuri walked down the hall briskly, and peeked into the den, nope, Yae wasn't there. She went upstairs to the boys room, and pounded on the door.
"Wake up! Is Yae in there?!" She called, The door swung open and a very tired Kuwabara in boxers looked at her with a confused look on his face.
"What did you say Saiyuri?" He asked in a groggy voice, Saiyuri looked at him furiously.
"I said Is Yae in there! Have you seen her?!" Saiyuri demanded and pushed past Kuwabara and walked into the room. Hiei was sitting on his futon, he looked up at her coolly.
"So, the girl is missing?" He inquired casually, the body in the futon next to him stirred and Saiyuri saw Yusuke's eyes open slowly.
"Hhnnn?" Yusuke muttered and looked at Hiei and Saiyuri tiredly.
"Yae's missing." Kuwabara said as he walked over to Kurama's empty futon.
"And so is Kurama, do you think somebody kidnapped them?" Kuwabara asked thoughtfully. Hiei rolled his eyes and scoffed.
"No you idiot, Their out together, go back to sleep." Hiei retorted irritated. Saiyuri sighed in relief and fell to her knees, Kuwabara and Hiei both moved to help her, Saiyuri smiled at their response.
"Sorry, I didn't even think about that, ever since Taguro…I've been…" Saiyuri started feeling tears sting her eyes, she looked away ashamed, and left the room quickly. Kuwabara sighed and fell to his futon.
"Man, I'm soo glad nothing bad happened." Kuwabara exclaimed, grinning like a fool. Hiei sighed and got dressed.
"Humans are such pathetic creatures." Hiei's usually sarcastic monotone voice now had a hint of emotion in it. Kuwabara yawned, and shrugged off Hiei's remark.
"Where are you going?" Kuwabara asked as Hiei slipped on his shoes.
"Out."
* * *
Kurama stood in the snowy field looking at the still rising sun, He didn't notice Yae behind him patting a snowball together in her mittens. She giggled childishly and threw the snowball at him. Kurama heard the white ball cutting through the air and smiled, he waited for the snowball to hit him. Yae laughed in delight when the snowball hit the back of his head, leaving only crystal like remnants of snow in his hair that sparkled like diamonds in the early morning sun. Kurama turned around and smiled playfully at her.
"Now you're gonna get it!" He warned, and chased her around the snowy fields. He caught her easily, and wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to the ground. Yae giggled and looked up at the beautiful boy laying on top of her,
"What do I get?" She asked mockingly, Kurama laughed and brushed her cheek with his hand.
"You get a thousand kisses!" He said grinning widely, and leaned down and brushed his lips against Yae's, and kissed her on the cheek.
"1.…"
* * *
Hiei trudged along in the snow, looking for that idiot Kurama and the girl. Didn't he know Taguro was looking for Yae, (He had made that painfully clear at their last encounter.) How could Kurama let her be put in so much danger? Hiei's jaw tightened at these thoughts and he quickened his pace, It was easy for him to track the two, the imprints of their shoes lay perfectly intact in the powdery snow. Hiei's eyes widened, He saw Kurama laying on top of Yae and gasped…He better not be doing what I think he's doing…He thought to himself grimly as he sprinted towards the two. Kurama was too lost in Yae's sweet embrace to realize Hiei was standing inches away from him. Hiei reached out and pulled Kurama off of Yae in one fast fluid movement. Yae gasped, and let out a panicked scream.
"What are you doing to her!?" Hiei demanded, He had become some-what overprotective of the girl who had befriended his sister, and even though she was a defenseless burden on their group, He couldn't help but love her childish innocence, and sweet mannerisms. Kurama pulled out of Hiei's grip and gave Hiei a confused look,
"You startled me Hiei." He said with a nervous grin, Hiei regarded him with a look of pure contempt and crouched down next to the trembling girl.
"Are you okay Yae?" Hiei asked in a voice that was unusually kind. Yae looked at Hiei in shock, and nodded.
"I-I'm fine." She managed to get out, Hiei smiled and nodded in approval.
"Come on, We're going back to the cabin." He said in his usual monotone voice and helped Yae stand up. Hiei turned around and gave Kurama another look of resentment, before pulling Yae along with him back to the cabin.
"Hiei! Wait!" Kurama called, still confused by Hiei's reaction. He fell to his back and sighed.
"Its not what you think…."
* * *
Yae winced as Hiei's strong hand dug into the soft flesh of her upper arm, he didn't seem to notice and dragged her along at a pace that was nearly impossible for the girl to keep up with. A single tear rolled down Yae's cheek, and she sniffled at the thoughts of him being angry at her.
"I'm sorry…" Yae's voice was an exhausted breath, How fast can this man walk? She thought to herself on the verge of an asthmatic attack. Hiei, looked at her alarmed. And saw the tear stain on her cheek and slowed his pace. Hiei stared forward, avoiding all of Yae's timid and scared glances at him.
"There's nothing to be sorry about." Hiei said in a voice that wavered, if only slightly. He was known to get carried away with his emotions, maybe he shouldn't have been so harsh on Kurama. He looked over his shoulder and saw Kurama, following at a distance, perhaps 50 yards. Kurama froze when he saw Hiei turn his head, this satisfied the grim demon and he continued to walk with the girl at a slower pace. Yae's cheeks were flushed, and her chest burned like no-other. She had never felt this out of breath in her entire life. Hiei looked at her quizzically then opened his eyes in understanding, he had forgotten her asthma! Aa…I'm soo stupid! He cursed himself under his breath and stopped walking. Yae, didn't realize he had stopped and bumped into him. She fell limply into the snow, and tried to breath. Hiei gasped, and crouched down next to the girl, he put his arms around her and gently pulled her against him.
"Shhh-shhhh-" He comforted, as he rocked her back and forth.
"Shhh-Its all right, I got you."
Kurama nearly screamed when he saw Yae fall into the snow, and the sight of Hiei cradling her only scared him more.
"Yae!" He said in a panicked whisper as he darted towards her at a speed that was barely traceable, to the untrained eye.
"What have you done to her!?" Kurama screamed as he pushed Hiei into the snow and took the girl into his own embrace. Hiei looked Kurama in surprise, and then got to his feet.
"There's no time, We got to get her back to the cabin.' Hiei's voice was quick and panicked. Kurama looked up at him in anguish, but nodded solemnly, and lifted the girl as he stood.
"Lets go."
* * *
Saiyuri was showering when the cabin door swung open and she heard some shouting. She sighed and reluctantly turned off the steaming hot water. She rubbed herself dry, slipped on somewhat of a scandalous pink and white cotton robe and tied a towel around her hair. Saiyuri threw open the bathroom door and shouted,
"What's going on in here!?" She heard running footsteps, but no response. Saiyuri groaned as she trudged down the stairs, she saw everyone hovering over the couch.
"I said, What's going on in here!!?" Saiyuri demanded, Keiko spun around and sighed.
"I'm soo glad you're here. Yae had an asthma attack!" Keiko exclaimed, and moved aside as Saiyuri came charging at the couch.
"Is she okay? What the hell happened!?" She demanded even more angrily than before, She looked down at Yae, Who was sleeping in Kurama's arms, she was pale, but it looked like she was going to be alright. Saiyuri sighed, thank god! She collected herself, and looked around at everybody.
"What happened?" She asked in a calmer, but still irritated voice. Kuwabara and Yusuke looked at her and shrugged, all they knew was that Kurama and Hiei kept blaming what had happened on each other.
"Well?" Her voice was cold, Like Yuki-Onna's, Keiko flinched and excused herself to go make some tea. Hiei looked up at her with the same look of cold reverence.
"I found her under Kurama, and brought her back here. I forgot about her asthma" He said coolly as he stared at Saiyuri.
"What do you mean…'Under Kurama?'" Saiyuri asked angrily, her hands clenched into fists and begged to hit something…or someone with long red hair. Hiei scoffed, Kuwabara looked at Kurama with a lopsided grin on his face, which Yusuke was happy to smack off.
"Exactly, what I said." Hiei said with a smirk, and crossed his arms. Saiyuri stared at Kurama hatefully, barely able to control her fists that were now aching to break the little red-haired bishounen's pretty little nose. Kurama looked at Saiyuri and winced under her cold stare.
"Sai, I would never hurt her, not in a million years. You know that right?" Kurama asked defensively, he was a little hurt at both Hiei's and Saiyuri's reactions. Saiyuri felt tears welling up in her eyes, she felt so hurt and angry. Her fists clenched harder and she tried to hold back her tears.
"I love her, Sai." Kurama said on the verge of tears himself, He snuggled his face into Yae's hair, and kissed the top of her head. Saiyuri unclenched her fists and stared over both of their heads, She fell to her knees and felt tears stream down her cheeks. Yusuke knelt next to Saiyuri and put his hand on her back, she shrugged it off.
"I don't need your sympathy Urameshi!" Saiyuri barked, and wiped at her eyes vigorously. Yusuke ignored her comment and put his arm around her lovingly and pulled her into him. Saiyuri let herself be held, it felt nice. After a moment, Saiyuri had cooled down, She looked up at Yusuke and grinned.
"I feel much better now, thank you." She said softly and sat up.
"Any time, Sai." He said, a little sad to see her leave his arms, He never got to hold Keiko like that! Saiyuri stood and held her arms, she looked down at Yusuke and smiled longingly at him.
"Hey Sai! Nice robe!" Yusuke said as he looked her body over with a smirk…Wait! what am I doing?… Yusuke thought to himself alarmed. Keiko walked into the room holing a tray of tea and set it down on the coffee table. Saiyuri looked at Keiko and blushed.
"I'm going to go get dressed!" She called and darted into the girls room. She cursed her self for letting her emotions get out of control and flipped through all the outfits in the closet. She pulled out a pair of jeans and a baggy sweater, and threw them on…No more getting carried away!…she told herself as she let the towel out of her long dark brown hair and brushed it in front of the mirror.
* * *
Saiyuri, Keiko, and Hiei did their best to make sure Yae wasn't left alone with Kurama…not even for a second. And Saiyuri and Keiko also made sure to let Kurama know how big of a jerk he was at their every convenience.
"How could you be such a jerk!" Keiko exclaimed as she passed the boy in the hall. A moment later when Kurama walked in on Saiyuri cooking some lunch, she spun around on him and threw her spatula at his head.
"I can't believe you would take advantage of her like that! You…You… Jerk!" Saiyuri yelled as Kurama dodged the onslaught of kitchen utensils Saiyuri was hurling at him. He left the kitchen and made his way into the den. Yae was sitting at the coffee table putting together a puzzle. Hiei was sitting on the couch behind her giving Kurama a dirty look. Yae looked up and smiled,
"Kurama! I'm putting a puzzle together!" She said with a giggle, Kurama almost cried he was so relived to hear some kind words. "Come and help me!" Yae invited and moved over to give Kurama some space. Hiei looked up at him grimly, and shook his head. Kurama ignored him and smiled at Yae.
"Okay!" He sat down next to the girl, and smiled.
"I don't know where this piece goes." Yae said and held up an oddly shaped puzzle piece. Kurama took the piece from Yae and looked at the puzzle, he longed to be holding her again…away from the watchful eyes of Hiei. Kurama put the piece on the table and sighed.
"Got me!" He said helplessly and put his hand on Yae's thigh. Yae blushed and looked at him with a shy smile as she leaned in to kiss her love…Hiei's swung his feet onto the table separating the two. Yae bumped her head against Hiei's boot, and looked up at him confused. Hiei acted like nothing was wrong, ignoring all of Yae's looks. Kurama slammed his fist onto the table and stood up.
"That's it!" He yelled and pulled Yae up by her shoulders. Hiei stood up defensively and pushed Kurama's hands away from Yae.
"Fool! Leave the girl alone." Hiei demanded looking up at the red haired demon. Yae reached out to stop the two but was glared at by Hiei, She recoiled and fell on the couch. Kurama looked at Hiei angrily and pushed past him.
"Lets go, Yae." Kurama said as he grabbed Yae's hand and pulled her towards the door.
"Hey! Where do you think you're taking her?!" Saiyuri demanded as she walked in from the kitchen. Kurama slammed the front door shut behind him, and led Yae around the cabin.
Hiei, Keiko and Saiyuri looked at each other in shock. Saiyuri felt a frozen ache begin to throb in the pit of her stomach and she let out an icy breath that turned to mist. Keiko began to feel the room freeze and looked at Hiei scared.
"Saiyuri, now's not the time." Hiei commanded in his cold monotone voice. Saiyuri shrugged and closed her eyes trying to calm herself down…not now Yuki-Onna… She told herself and tried to control her anger.
Yae stopped and looked up at Kurama worriedly and pulled his face down to kiss him. He smiled at her and pulled her towards the woods behind the cabin.
"Come on! Lets go for a walk!" He said excitedly, as he led Yae giggling into the woods.
* * *
"Oh No He didn't!" Keiko exclaimed, She was watching them through the window in the den. Saiyuri and Hiei looked at each other anxiously and walked to the window.
"That sly fox! He took her into the woods!" Keiko pouted, and gave Hiei a 'you're a man, go do something!' look. Saiyuri growled, fell on the couch and closed her eyes…You just wait till' that red-haired baka brings her back…She thought to herself with a smirk and began to focus her energy on creating a vengeful storm. Hiei looked at Saiyuri in disgust, mistaking her concentration for sleep. How could she possibly sleep when that boy was probably putting his hands all over his sis…Yae. Keiko looked at Saiyuri and shrugged, she was a little tired herself, maybe now was a good time for a nap.
Yusuke and Kuwabara stood in the room not knowing what to do.
"Uhh…Should we go get her guys?" Kuwabara asked uncomfortably.
"No…They'll come back." Saiyuri said with a sly smile on her lips.
"I have a feeling its gonna be really cold tonight." She said and continued focusing her energy.
Yae and Kurama walked through the snow covered woods hand in hand. A cold wind was beginning to blow, an angry wind, but Kurama and Yae paid it no attention. They were too busy talking and having fun.
"I'm sorry Saiyuri is being like this.." Yae said softly, and looked at the snow. Kurama smiled and put his arm over her shoulder and squeezed her.
"No, Its okay, I know how much she cares about you." He said sweetly and kissed her on the nose. Saiyuri was a bitch when you crossed her, but she was a Satanic monstrosity when you crossed Yae…I bet she wants to kill me…Kurama thought with a smile, He'd seen Sai fight as Yuki-Onna before, and he wasn't sure if he could take her in her demon form. He looked down at Yae with a thoughtful frown, but he could also understand Saiyuri's sentiments completely, Yae was just one of those people you had to protect. He didn't think Yae even gained any strength when she turned into her goddess form, and she wasn't a very strong human (but she'd tell you other wise) Yae was always a little touchy on the subject of her ability to protect herself. She hated having to rely on the strength of others when the fight was her own. But, Kurama and Saiyuri were both convinced that Yae couldn't take on a 8 year old with leukemia, who his hands tied behind his back…and wearing a blindfold. But they loved her even more for all her faults.
"You need to grow." Kurama said teasingly as he pulled Yae into him for a kiss. Yae giggled and kissed him back. She felt a warming pulse in her lower stomach and moaned as Kurama slid his hands to the small of her back to pull her tighter against him. A blanket of warmth engulfed the two lovers and Yae looked up at Kurama her eyes had changed into a lighter radiant green and her skin was glistening. Kurama had never felt so loved in his entire life, The orb of warm pinkish light that engulfed the two was soo warm…It felt soo nice, almost like her was drunk off of her love. Kurama cupped Yae's chin in his palm and looked at the girl longingly.
"Don't ever leave me." He whispered, and lifted Yae off her feet and swung her in circles.
* * *
Keiko was awakened by a loud thunder clap and let out a surprised yelp. She sat bolt upright on the couch across from Saiyuri and looked around. Another loud clap made her jump and she ran to the window.
"A storm?" She asked aloud, Hiei looked up at her and sighed.
"Obviously…" He grumbled and looked at Saiyuri angrily…Sleeping away…stupid girl, what about Yae?!… His eyes widened as he realized what his anger had hid from him before, Saiyuri wasn't sleeping, she was concentrating some type of energy…not spirit energy…something more natural… The storm!
"Saiyuri Stop!!" Hiei commanded as he fliped over the couch and shook the girl violently, Saiyuri's eyes opened and Keiko and Hiei both gasped when they saw Saiyuri's usual deep brown eyes had been replaced by a pair that were a lonely cold ice blue. Hiei dropped Saiyuri's shoulders and she fell against the couch laughing wickedly.
"Lets see what that pretty boy will do now!" She said in a voice that was harsh and supernatural. Keiko screamed and ran up the stairs to the boys room. Saiyuri's eyes darkened and she looked up at Hiei with a smirk on her lips.
"You fool! What about Yae!" Hiei choked, trying to keep himself from lunging at Saiyuri, and bolting to the door to find Yae. Saiyuri looked at him confidently,
"She'll be fine." She said with a shrug, and looked out the window. Clouds were rolling in fast…faster than she had ever seen in her entire life and thick bolts of lighting were striking the ground not more than a mile away from their cozy little cabin. Hail and snow began to pound the ground fiercely, making a racket on the cabin's wooden roof.
"We'll all be snowed in!" Yusuke's voice called from above…oh yeah…Saiyuri didn't think of that…Oh well, They could deal with that glitch later.
* * *
Yae screamed as the first thunder clapped, Kurama took her in his arms and calmed her down.
"Its just thunder…" He assured her, and looked at her blushing face.
"I wasn't scared, It just startled me!" Yae said and looked at Kurama embarrassed at her reaction. He held her to him and smiled as the second thunderclap made Yae shudder in his embrace.
"Where are we?" Yae asked worriedly. "I think we should find shelter, the clouds are moving really fast!" She pointed at the clouds and looked around for some form of protection. Kurama nodded in a agreement and ushered Yae around looking for somewhere to go. Snow began to pelt the earth, It stung Yae's face and she used her arm to guard her eyes. Kurama looked around using his fox like eyes …He saw a cave about 40 feet up a nearby mountain. Yae looked at him desperately,
"Kurama! What do we do!?" She asked on the verge of tears, hail was starting to falling like bowling balls from the sky, and Yae knelt down and covered her head for protection. Kurama hauled her up by the back of her jacket and pointed to a mountain.
"There's a cave on that mountain, we can stay there!" He yelled in the storm, Yae squinted at the mountain and then looked back at Kurama.
"But that mountain has to be at least 5 miles away!" Yae whined helplessly and fell back on her knees. Kurama pulled her back up again and wrapped his arms around her tightly.
"It won't be that bad!" He assured her, then leaned in closer and kissed her cheek.
"I'll carry you if you'd like?" He offered, He could get to the mountain in 5 minutes if Yae let him carry her, but she would never let him do that willingly, She did have pride.
Yae looked up at him and smiled,
"You don't have to carry me, It won't be that bad!" She said mocking his assuredness. Kurama smiled and looked back down at the girl.
"Oh, but I insist milady!" He said smugly and swung Yae over his shoulder.
"No! Kurama! I can walk!!" Yae screamed as the boy took off at a supernatural speed, The amount of G's Yae felt was unbelievable and she whimpered before blacking out.
Kurama flight from the woods to the mountain was all just at blur of motion, He felt Yae's body become limp against his and touched down to the ground in the cave a moment later.
"Yae? We're here." He said softly and cradled the small girl in his arms, He had felt the wind change direction as he flew through the woods, and realized immediately that this storm wasn't natural. The wind and snow was now blowing into the cave, Kurama put Yae down gently inside of the cave and looked for a way to block the entrance. He pushed a large boulder that was sitting in middle of the cave to the entrance, It was too big to reach all the way to the front of the entrance, but it blocked the cave almost completely anyways.
Kurama sighed and walked back over to Yae, Her face was very pale and she was breathing hard. He took the girl in his arms and leaned against the cave wall waiting for her to wake up.
"Yae….Yae!" He whispered as he shook her gently, She moaned and stirred a little. Okay, She was just sleeping, Kurama smiled at her and kissed her gently on her forehead.
"Kurama…..mnnn…" She mumbled as her warm hand fell limply on his chest…hmm he could get used to this. He took her hand in his own and pressed it to his lips. He sighed and hugged her closer to him as he drifted to sleep.