Fighting to Live Again
Author's Note: This is a sequel to Learning to Live Again. Please read that story first, otherwise this story may not make much sense. :) Please let me know what you think about this by leaving your opinions through a review or a private message. I love reading what you all think. :) Pairings are: YusukexAurora(OC), KuwabaraxKeiko and HieixMukuro.
Disclaimer: I do not own YuYuHakusho, its universe or its characters. I only own my plot and my character, Aurora. I do not make any money off of this story.
Thanks and enjoy...
Chapter Two: Of Realizations and Returns
Shizuru closed her book with a snap. "Genkai, why are you yelling?" she called down the stairs to her eldest niece. No reply came. A cold chill raced down the woman's spine. "Genkai?" she called again.
"No! No!"
Shizuru ran down the flight of stairs to the guest room. The guest room that Genkai had called her own since she was a small child. It was clear that she loved her Aunty Shizuru very much; they had been close since the day she was born. Throwing open the sliding wood panel door, Shizuru found her niece laying face-down beside the bed. Kneeling and fearing the worst, she shook the teen. "Genkai," she whispered. "Wake up."
"I'm awake," came the mumbled reply.
"Why were you yelling?"
The girl shifted and sat up. "I saw... terrible things, Aunty."
Understanding dawned. "What did the vision show you?"
"Uncle Yusuke."
"And what about him?" she coaxed gently.
"He died."
:-:-:-:-:
"What did you say, sis?"
"Listen, bro, just come pick her up, alright?" Shizuru snapped into the receiver of the phone. "I'll explain everything when you get here." Quickly, she added, "And do not bring Keiko."
"But-"
"Just do it! Get here as soon as you can, and leave Keiko at home! Got it?"
"Yeah," Kuwabara sighed, resigned. "I'll be there in 20."
Shizuru set the phone down. Slowly, her head came to rest in her hands. Why now? Why again? She and Yusuke were not in any real way related, but she loved that stubborn kid. And even though he wasn't actually a kid anymore, it was easy for her to call him one. He still had the face of a young man and the typical perverted humor. He still was, and always would be, her little brother. "He can't die," she muttered to no one in particular.
She wanted to believe that Genkai had been wrong, had misinterpreted the vision. The truth, however, was that she had seen it a long time ago. Before the Dark Tournament finals, she had had a dark vision. One of death, destruction and sorrow. Yusuke, and several others she now held dear lost their lives in what she saw. For a long time, she believed she was seeing the battle with Sensui. But the scene had been all wrong. Yusuke had died then, but it wasn't the death she had seen.
The door bell ringing brought her from her reprieve. "It's open," she called.
Kuwabara stepped over the threshold. "Alright," his expression was stern. "What's going on?"
His older sister sighed, "You'd better sit down. We need to talk."
:-:-:-:-:-:
"I believe we should get in contact with Koenma," Kurama murmured. He sat quietly at the table with Yusuke and Aurora. Hiei had already been contacted and was on his way.
Yusuke nodded. Aurora remained silent. Though many thoughts were churning in three separate heads, no one spoke. Kurama, of course, was mapping out all possible explanations for what they had seen. There were several plausible conclusions, though none of them inspired much hope. Yusuke was trying to think of a way to prevent any and all of the things he had seen. There had to be a way, he kept telling himself silently. Aurora was returning over the images one by one, over and over; trying desperately to take note of any and all relevant information. Trying to find anything she had previously missed.
The sound of the fortress doors opening to admit their visitor was the next sound to break the heavy silence. Hiei swept into the room. "Show me what you saw," he demanded in a most Hiei-like fashion.
Aurora nodded and got to her feet. As she extended her hand to touch Hiei's forehead, he frowned. "Not that way," he told her quietly. She sighed, and he opened the Jagan.
Throwing her arms out to each side, Aurora began glowing with faint white light. The Jagan lit up fiercely, and Hiei's energy caused a slight breeze. It soon became clear that Hiei was seeing what they all had seen; gradually, his eyes widened. By the end, his mouth was slightly agape.
Finally, Aurora lowered her arms with a sigh. Yusuke could feel her energy waning; exhaustion was winning the war against her. "Rora," he murmured. "You should go get some sleep. We can handle planning the next move."
For a long moment, she looked as though she might adamantly refuse, but she finally nodded. "Wake me once you've decided." She swept silently from the room.
Kurama frowned, "What are your thoughts, Hiei? You're being remarkably quiet."
"Hn," was all he said as he made his way to his usual perch on the nearby windowsill. "For sometime lately the Jagan has been sensing some unusual and potentially dangerous energy. I don't doubt this is connected. Aurora's visions, while rather vague, make one thing perfectly clear. That Human Realm you two find so important is in danger... Again."
:-:-:-:-:
Kuwabara frowned, "So let me get this straight. My fourteen year old daughter had a vision where Urameshi died?"
Shizuru nodded.
"And you believe her?" he pressed.
She nodded again.
Kuwabara's frown deepened, "I don't like it. I'll be honest, I contacted Koenma a few weeks ago. My spirit sense has been picking up on some crazy energy. I thought he might want to know. Now I'm thinking we should call Urameshi and Kurama."
"I agree," his sister said quietly.
The man nodded. In the past few years, his age had become much more prominent. While his high Spirit Energy allowed the aging process to slow, he looked much older than he usually felt. Gray hair streaked through the orange, laugh lines etched around his mouth and his joints ached more than they ever had, even after a hard fight. He found, though, he didn't mind it. This was the life he wanted; a normal, peaceful life. And that included growing old. Urameshi could keep the greatly extended life-time.
"Well, I'll take care of it," he told Shizuru as he got to his feet. "I'll have Botan get a hold of them." He sighed, "Also, I think we should keep this as quiet as we can for now. You know how Keiko gets sometimes."
"Yes, I do know. I'll get Genkai from her room." With that, she turned from and stalked down the hall, a thousand thoughts racing through her head.
:-:-:-:-:
Kuwabara sighed as he pulled the white sedan up to the house. "Genkai," he said softly.
"Yeah, Dad?"
"Listen, I know your mom would probably want to know about the vision you had today, but let's just keep it quiet from her for now, okay?"
"Yeah. I know how mom gets about this stuff. Remember the night she punched Uncle Yusuke for talking about Demon stuff?" she laughed.
"Vividly," her father agreed. "I think he remembers it well, too." On one hot summer evening, Yusuke and Kurama had stopped by for one of their usual visits. That particular time, however, Yusuke had come to inform Kuwabara about some goings on in Demon World. Keiko had happened to come home in the middle of the discussion to find her children listening in on their talk. To put the events of that night lightly, she was not pleased.
"We'll have to tell her eventually, though, Dad," were Genkai's parting words as she exited her father's car.
He knew that far too well. Sighing, for what felt like the hundredth time that evening, he pulled out the small communication mirror from his jacket pocket. It was something he didn't use too often, but liked to keep close in case he did need it.
The screen quickly popped into life, and Botan's face appeared. It seemed she was expecting his call for some time now. "Hey, Botan. I was wondering if you'd be able to get a hold of Urameshi for me. The sooner, the better."
"I'm already on it," she replied, and the line went dead without so much as a 'goodbye'. Frowning, the man stepped from his car.
The walk that lined the driveway and led up to the front porch was dimly lit. The large, front bay windows of the living room cast a long orange glow over the front yard as Kuwabara made his way to the front door. It was as he was approaching the three steps of the porch that he felt it. A cold chill sliced its way up his spine. Not a minute later, he could hear his wife yelling. "Kuzuma! Quickly, in the house! You have to see this!"
Picking up his pace, he rushed into the living room where Keiko's eyes were glued to the television screen. The news reporter appeared to be having a field-day. "And as I said," the man in the expensive gray was stating, "beings from another world, at this time are being referred to as demons, have had free access to our world. Many governments, including the United States, Germany, Japan and several others, are planning a preemptive strike to get these heathens out of Earth for good."
"Did you hear that?" Keiko whispered. "Dear God..." she appeared to be extremely close to fainting. "We have to warn Yusuke."
Kuwabara moved to stand behind his wife and support her as they listened to the reporter continue. Several times, he repeated his words. Adding near the end, "It begs the question, however, what action these so called demons will take in response." The middle-aged couple watching in rapt silence couldn't agree more.
:-:-:-:-:
Kurama looked up from the plants he had been tending. "Do you sense that?" he asked his companions. The four of them, Hiei, Yusuke, Aurora and himself had moved out into Kurama's garden to continue their planning and discussing. "It feels like-"
"Botan?" Yusuke called out, a smile forming as he realized it was her. "Haven't seen you in... years. How've you been?"
Botan smiled weakly at him. "I've missed you," she told him. "I wish I was here just for a visit... Ningenkai is in trouble again..."
"Human World?"
"Yes. Kuwabara has contacted Koenma. He said his psychic awareness has been bothering him for weeks," Botan informed them, looking over the four now-somber faces.
Hiei looked meaningfully at Kurama, who stood beside him. This is what we've been sensing.
The ex-spirit detective looked only slightly surprised with this news. "Saving the world?" he asked softly. "Well, that is, after all, what I do best," he laughed. Glancing at Aurora, he frowned, "Will you come with us?"
Startled, shimmering golden eyes moved slowly to meet intense brown ones. For a moment, she did not respond. Indecision flickered over her expression, several mixed emotions fighting one another for dominance. Human World... Disgust lasted just a moment too long, and Yusuke was able to decipher it before it was quickly and skillfully hidden.
Disappointment seared through him though he tried his damnedest not to allow it to show on his face. He remembered Kurama telling him she'd never been there. He remembered how Hiei loathed to be there. Would she go simply because he asked her to?
"I..." she looked very uncomfortable. "I suppose." Sighing, she nodded, "Yusuke, where you go, I will undoubtedly follow."
Hiei eyed her and nodded in agreement. He, too, held a rather strong dislike of the Human Realm, and yet, he had no doubt in the world that he would be accompanying them, as well. He just hoped Mukuro would understand. Who knew? Perhaps she would come along. He nearly laughed aloud at that thought.
"Good," Botan murmured. "The plan as of right now is to meet up with Kuwabara at his-" She was cut off by a the communication mirror buzzing for the second time that night. She frowned deeply as Kuawabra's face appeared once again in it. "What it is, Kuwabara?"
"Get Urameshi, and quick." He looked on the verge of a breakdown. "This is much worse than we thought. Have a look at this." The mirror on his end was turned toward a television set. Botan moved closer to the others and turned hers as well so that they could all see what was being shown.
When the telecast was over, Kurama was the first to speak. "I'll admit, I did not see a move like that on the horizon. This is grave news, indeed."
Yusuke nodded slightly, still attempting to digest the information. "The sooner we leave, the better. I say we head out tonight."
A round of nods and murmured approval were his answer. Botan summoned her oar to depart, then, "Oh! I nearly forgot! Koenma wanted me to inform you to be sure you take on your human personae before you arrive in Human World."
Yusuke almost couldn't stop his eyes from rolling, "Obviously." He realized quickly, however, a problem. Turning, he looked at his mate. "What about you, Rora?"
She smirked. "I'll be fine."
Raising an eyebrow, Yusuke nodded. "Alright, well, Botan, where are we meeting?"
"Right! At the Kuwabaras' house. Quickly!" she added as she took off on her oar.
"So, how exactly are you going to pull off looking human?" Yusuke asked Aurora as they watched the blue-haired deity soar into the distance.
"Honestly, Yusuke, it is as if you forget what I am."
Furrowing his brows, he glanced at Kurama for some assistance. Who, in fact, was smirking more than his sister. The red-headed fox informed him, "We are kitsune, Yusuke. As such, we have many tricks up our sleeves"
"One of which happens to be some simple shape-shifting," Hiei finished, aware of the fact that the two siblings could be more vague than anyone he'd ever met.
Yusuke looked impressed. "Really?"
"Yes," she murmured. "Would you like a demonstration?"
He nodded.
"Very well." Concentrating, she closed her eyes. Slowly, her physical features began to change. It was simple things at first; her claws shortened, her skin took on a more natural hue. But then it was more drastic; the fox ears atop her head shrank and disappeared altogether, to be replaced by a human set on either side of her head, her tail vanished as well and her hair became a shade closer to brown. When she finally opened her eyes, Yusuke realized those had changed, too. No longer that hauntingly chilling gold, now a pair of steely pale green eyes gazed back at him. Her hair was not nearly as dark as even Keiko's, but was obviously more brown than silver. When she smiled gently, he realized her sharp canines were gone, as well. "How's that?" she asked quietly. Nearly unnoticeable, but Yusuke caught it, her voice had changed slightly as well.
"Impressive," her mate replied.
"Indeed," Hiei agreed, though his tone was unconvincing, at best. "Shall we get going?"
Another round of nods. Each moved quickly in their own directions to gather together a light pack of what they would need. In less than a half an hour, they met up again at the front doors of Yusuke's fortress. "Human World, here we come," Yusuke muttered, as they headed out together towards the portal.
The nearest Human World portal was one which was connected to the ground of the deceased Genkai's temple. Though it was a rather short distance in Demon World, it was a bit further once they reached Human World. However, they would be able to collect Yukina and bring her along, as well. There was a very real possibility that she, as a demon living in Ningenkai, was in danger. Yusuke, as much as he tried to conceal it, couldn't help the feeling of nostalgia that washed over him. Saving the World... It was just like old times.