There Will Be A Dawn
Full summary:
When a catastrophic event mentally shatters Youko, his three friends come up with a plan to pick up the pieces. Unfortunately, it all falls apart when one of them dies before it can be put into action. What danger does the plan's fallout conceal from Kurama?
The past and present collide when the dead refuse to stay so. A race against time ensues to ensure an important crystal doesn't fall into the wrong hands as the demon world descends into utter chaos. The two issues may be connected...but that connection will have to be located before the one who almost destroyed Youko returns to attempt it a second time.
This story (well, the prologue at least) was inspired by the song "Beauty from Pain" by Superchic[k].
The rest was spawned from my insane imagination.
NOTE: Exempting flashbacks, the rest of the story is NOT told in my character's P.O.V.
-x-x-x-x-
Prologue:
The End of It
I take a deep breath and turn away, feeling slightly reassured by the sound of my best friend's footsteps beside me as we walk away. Both of us pause, involuntarily, and glance at each other.
"We did it once, Kimi." My best friend tells me, biting her lip in nervousness. "We can do it again." Her voice betrays her anxiety; her tone makes it sound as though she is unsure. I nod, knowing both of us need it. Feelings of fear, of panic, begin to press down on me; the further we walk, the worse it gets. Silent tears cascade down Kat's cheeks as we continue. I pause and turn; the look in Kuronue's eyes show me that he is as broken as we; the look in Youko's...it chills me. I see no recognition, only a hostile hatred that, if it were only slightly stronger, would turn into outright violence. His golden eyes narrow, his gaze becoming a glare; I turn back around to face my friend and we continue on. I pause again, but do not turn to face him; Kat touches my arm. "Kimi?"
I turn wordlessly, signaling for her to stay there, and head back towards Youko. I know I am walking into a mine field and that I could be killed in an instant, but I...foolishly...continue on. When Youko is clearly in my view again, I see that the rest of his band, including Kuronue, have continued on. His glare deepens but I do not faulter; I walk up to him, within arm's reach and hold out a multicolored crystal on a cord to him silently. He stares at me for a moment before accepting it; I nod to him and walk away...but not before I see him slip the cord around his neck, and look down into the jewel. An image appears...a smaller him and a small me...he is hugging me, soothing me, as I cry into his shirt. His eyes widen and I flee, hurriedly catching up to Kat.
Our silent, sorrowful march continues until Kat stops; her tears have returned.
I give her a questioning glance; when her eyes connect with mine, I wince, as hers are hollow and broken.
"We'll never see them alive again, will we?" She manages out shakily. I immediately start walking again; that gives her enough of an indication of what the answer is.
As I crest the top of a hill, I face the direction we came from for one last time. A lone tear slides down my face; it lands on the ground with a slight 'thump'. If Kat notices, she ignores it and continues on. I watch the last spot I saw Youko in for a moment longer before following her.
I will never see my beloved sensei or his best friend and partner in crime alive again.
But then again...it is better off this way.
This way, at least...sensei...Youko...will live for a little longer.
-x-x-x-x-
First time writing in the present tense, so don't eat me.
"It" is not the story...but something vital to the story. "It" will be referred to and eventually explained.
Chapter one should be up A.S.A.P.
Emma
