A/N: This is an old story of mine that I found and thought I might type up. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho or the poem Fire and Ice.
Fire and Ice
by Hoshi Nagaiki
"Fire and Ice. By Robert Frost. Some say the world will end in fire, some say in ice. From what I've tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire. But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate to say that for destruction ice is also great and would suffice."
Kurama looked up from the book he had been reading aloud. He was clearly pleased that I had stayed to listen to his foolish poem. "So, what do you think?"
"Hn." It was idiotic, but I wouldn't disappoint him.
A small frown appeared on Kurama's face. He knew I didn't like it. Oh well. He'd get over it.
"How do you think the world will end, Hiei? Fire or Ice. Hatred or Apathy."
"You've been a human too long, Kurama. Youkai don't worry about these trivial matters. Who cares how the world ends? This is dumb."
That was how I used to think until–
"Hiei. Hiei. Hiei!"
"Leave me alone, detective."
"We're all sad . . . I mean . . . he was our friend too."
"I said leave me alone." A slight growl escaped my lips.
"Come on, Yusuke, leave him alone. I'm sure he wants some time to mourn."
– until he died.
It wasn't the way any demon wanted to die. He had not died during battle. He had not died standing up for what he believed him. He had not died the death of the hero he was. He died lying in a hospital bed in the middle of the night alone.
It had started about three months ago when he came down with a cough. At first, he shrugged it off saying something about temperature changes. After two weeks, he was still ill so he went to see a doctor. The doctor prescribed him some medicine and said he would be better within a week. That fucking liar.
Around four weeks passed, and his illness had gotten worse. He lost his voice, coughing fits were frequent, and he began coughing up blood. So, he visited another doctor. This time a specialist. The doctor said he had some infection, and it was too late to be treated. They stuck him in a hospital without much hope.
Being as stubborn as he was, he stuck around for another month. In fact, things were looking better. The doctors said he would make a full recovery within a week. I gained slight hope along with everyone else. I was ready for him to be free from that horrid place, but of course, the so-called doctors had lied again.
When I went to the hospital to visit him, I was informed he had fallen into critical condition the night before and had died. After much "overreacting" on my part, I found myself dragged to the ningen ritual of a funeral and a burial. I was depressed for a long time after his death. He was my best friend, but the world moves on.
Years later, I sit in a tree outside of the detective's house. He is having a party tonight. He smiles and laughs. His friends smile and laugh. They seem happy. Do they remember their good friend, Kurama? Yes, he is a memory currently dormant to them. They mourned over him, but that was years ago. Now, he is in the past. He was merely a chapter in their books. Now, they have moved on. That was the right thing to do, after all. The world is a present, ongoing thing, and we must all strive to keep up. The stars will shine as bright no matter whose life is taken. The sun's rays will still beat down upon the earth no matter who is no longer on it.
I stand up and jump out of the tree. This is the last time I come to the detective's house to reflect on things from long ago. As I am about to leave, I remember the ningen writing my old friend read to me long ago.
I smirk remembering that day of the past. "Ice," I mutter, then teleport away.
A/N: Was Hiei too OOC? Did my writing flow well? Do I need to add more descriptions? Any questions, comments, complaints? Please tell me. Review.