Second chapter, is up now, thankfully. I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho, and I'm a little disappointed with the lack of response this story is getting. If part of it is because you're confused about the summary, it'll come clear in a few chapters. However, if you've figured out about Haru from the clues I've been dropping, GOOD JOB!
(LINE)
"Haru? What are you doing here?" Kuwabaka shouted, I jumped to my feet and flashed him a trademark grin.
"I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd…drop in." He laughed and smacked me on the back, a typical Kuwabaka response when he was pleased about something or another.
"Man, am I glad to see you! Urameshi, can you believe it?"
"You know this woman?" The short guy from earlier demanded; I glanced at him again; he was actually kinda cute, in a brooding chibi kinda way. I just wanted to hug him! But, something told me that that wasn't exactly the best idea, considering the way he was glaring at me…
"Yeah, I go to school with the two of 'em. Sorry we weren't properly introduced. I'm Hachitaka Koharu." I held out a hand for him to shake, but he stared at it impassively. "You shake it, man."
"I refuse to come into contact with the likes of you."
"Friendly, arent'cha?" I joked, petting him on the head. No joke, he growled at me, like a dog. "So, what're we all doing here?"
"First off, how did you even get here?" Urameshi demanded, before I could answer, he grabbed me by the collar and glared. "Are you a spy for the 4 Saint Beasts?" I punched him in the face, so he let go, and dusted off my front.
"Look, genius; 1.) I don't know what those are. 2.) Where is here? 3.) I followed you two idiots because Yukimura's worried about you, and frankly, so am I. Ever since you came back from the dead, the two of you have been hanging out together. Then, Urameshi, you disappear for 6 months to some exclusive summer camp without a word to Yukimura. Something's not right, and I don't like being kept in the dark." I snapped, before thinking about it. "Oh, and don't put your hands on me again unless you want your jaw broken. Got it?" I jabbed him in the chest.
"Perhaps you should explain to, Koharu, was it?" A calm, rather pleasant voice suggested. I turned to the other guy.
This one was taller than me by half an inch, but that wasn't what caught my attention. What caught, and held it, was the long, blood red hair he was sporting, as well as eyes so green emeralds were jealous.
I've never seen this guy in my life, but…something about him looked…awful familiar.
"Yeah, but everyone just calls me Haru." This one did shake my hand, but I noticed something.
He looked awful pale…like he was terrified.
"Call me Kurama." I nodded and gave another look at the small guy, who made a point not to look at me. So cute…
"What about the other one? Can't say I got his name."
"That is Hiei." I grinned, but he glared.
That's when I turned on Yusuke.
"Now, what are we doing here, where is here and who are these Saint Beasts?"
"Look, Haru, it's a long story, and we're short on time."
"So I'll come with, you can fill me in on the way."
"Are you crazy? You could get killed, Haru!" I stared at Kuwabaka who looked ashamed, even before Hiei started berating him.
"Killed by what, exactly?"
So, Urameshi started talking.
(line)
"What…the…hell?" I muttered, staring at him in confusion. I'd remained silent up until the end of the story. Okay, I'll admit, I've never exactly believed in the afterlife. My issue with it is really simple; if there is something that judges us after we die, why not just punish us while we're living?
Why is it that the good people die, and the monsters we face every day are successful and live long a healthy lives? Why did the people who had done nothing suffer? And why were there bad people in the first place. So, I guess, you could consider me an atheist.
But Urameshi's story was so out there, so unbelievable, that either he was completely pulling my leg, or he was telling the truth. Under normal circumstances, I'd believe it was a lie, get mad and hit him, get into a fight, and then when we were both finished talk it over.
However, I was in a world with a red sky and had just fallen from the clouds after climbing through the floor of a warehouse…so I really had no choice but to believe him.
"Okay, demonic bugs are about to take over the world…odd as that sounds, I could believe that. But where do these two come in?" I indicated to Hiei and Kurama.
"We tried to take over the world and Yusuke apprehended us. We're on probation, so long as we assist him." Kurama explained, I nodded and looked at them.
"Well, if what you said is true, then I guess that we better go stop these monsters, right?" Everyone looked at me like I'd gone insane. "What? Something on my face?"
"Haru, you can't come!" Kuwbaka insisted, I rolled my eyes.
"Why not?"
"Because you might get hurt!"
"You'll get in the way." I looked down at Hiei, who still glared at me like I'd kicked a puppy.
"What?"
"You're useless, you have no powers, no special abilities. You'll weigh us down, get us killed. We don't have time to deal with some weak human woman!" He looked so indignant, I couldn't help myself and patted his head. He blinked in confusion, totally ruining the glare but enhancing the 'cute' thing he had going for him.
"You are a normal human, aren't you?" Kurama asked, I shrugged.
"Hey, as far as I know." All of them stared. I held up my hands in defense. "Look, until a minute ago, I didn't think demons existed, so anything's possible. As far as I know, yeah I'm human. Anyway, I'm helping."
"You'll get in the way!" Hiei turned to everyone else. "We'll leave her here!"
"Oi, problem with that, guy." Hiei raised an eyebrow. I grinned. "I…don't quite know how to get back."
Hiei smiled wickedly. "You found your way in, you can find your way out."
"Sorry, Hiei, but Haru's a pretty good friend, and she might be useful. Even if she isn't I'm not just leaving her behind." Kuwabara pumped a fist in the air and I grinned at Hiei.
"You'll get us killed." He informed me, like we were discussing the weather. I smiled gently.
"I get the feeling you're a funny drunk." Kuwabara and Urameshi burst into laughter, and even Kurama chuckled. Hiei grimaced.
I followed the boys to the castle whistling under my breath.
"You never did say how you found the portal, Haru." Kuwabara called back to me, I jogged up to the group and fell back to their pace.
"I followed some vendor's directions to a clearing. It was where those possessed kids met up with you guys. From there there was one exit, and then it was purely on instinct until I found the warehouse. That reminds me, you guys really need to work on covering your tracks. You left footprints, and I just copied the blue skanks movements till the portal opened." Urameshi stared at me. I grinned. "I know, I'm good."
"You found all that out, but you fail math?" I rolled my eyes.
"Hey, you're one to talk, Urameshi. When have you ever passed a math test?" That made him shut up really quick.
"How exactly did you meet Yusuke?" Kurama asked, I shrugged.
"He tried to pickpocket me. Long story short I kicked his ass." I admitted, making him stare. I raised an eyebrow. "He was hungry and tried to snatch my lunch, after I won the fight, we split it. From then on we were friends…sort of…"
"And Kuwabara?"
"Misunderstanding. He attacked Urameshi in the middle of our fight thinking that he was about to hurt a girl," I scoffed, "after we both beat the hell out of him, it started an annual thing. He'd interrupt our fights and I'd usually win…but then he always held back because-"
"I don't fight girls!" Kuwabaka snarled, making me smack him.
"I don't make a habit of fighting idiots either, but still I put up with you." Urameshi laughed loudly and grinned back at me. "And you, Urameshi."
"You beat Yusuke in a fight?"
"Eh…last time we went at it full force was last year, and the only reason I won is because it took a long time. Despite his strength, his endurance wasn't that good, all I had to do was keep on the move."
"Asshole." Yusuke taunted.
"Bitch." I countered.
My parents wanted a boy, and when it became clear that my mother couldn't have any more kids, Dad took to treating me like a boy. I've never exactly been comfortable with being a girl anyway; as long as I can remember, I've preferred men's clothes and styles to the uncomfortable outfits worn by the in crowds of people of my own age and gender. Yusuke treated me as an equal, regardless of gender, and everyone else was intimidated by me. Kuwabara, while he didn't act like I was a delicate flower or anything like that, didn't give me that same courtesy.
The gate approached, and I stared at it, admiring the craftsmanship that had gone into making the thing. It was beautifully terrifying, and sent shivers through me, though not entirely unpleasant.
"Real homey ain't it?" I stopped dead, staring into the stone ahead.
"Something wrong, Haru?"
"We shouldn't go in there." I warned, backing away; my flesh recoiled from the stone archway, and I smelled something foul in the air.
"There isn't another way-"
"Something isn't right in there," I hissed, clenching my teeth.
"Hn, stupid woman, it's a mere gate-" Hiei taunted, I snarled at him.
"It has nothing to do with my gender, bean sprout, but something is seriously wrong in there! I can feel it!" Hiei scoffed, glanced at all of us and headed in. There was nothing to do but follow the moron, me shivering like it was 20 degrees.
(line)
It was ridiculous, Kurama reminded himself, for the 6th time, as he watched Haru clench her teeth and go through the gate.
I saw him die, and there's no trace of demonic energy from her. He reasoned, again. But he couldn't help the feeling that he knew her.
There was no way to deny how similar Haru and he looked though; had he been living, they could have easily been mistaken as twins; long, midnight black hair that didn't have a trace of a curl, tanned skin, easily bordering on burnt, and a long, lanky body that seemed awkward, but still moved with a fluid gracefulness that seemed at ease with itself and those around. Haru's body had almost no hint of femininity; there was no soft curve, or subtle hints at what may have been breasts, despite the tight black tank top. Her black pants clung to her legs, revealing lean, shaped muscle. Haru was thin, but there was muscle beneath that, like silk over steel. Perhaps, though, the most convincing was her face; narrow, with a slightly gaunt look, high cheekbones creating a slight hollow beneath. Her face, although not masculine, wasn't feminine either. Her eyes had the look of a suspicious cat's, the color of violets, and tilted up. The look of eternal suspicion and anger was softened by her mouth, the only feminine thing to be found; a plush bottom lip, and slightly thin upper, the look that many a woman paid top dollar for.
Haru still shivered as they walked further and further down the hall, her skin growing paler and paler with each step.
Finally the end of the tunnel shed light, or more of it.
Haru stared at the creature that hovered near the exit; a batlike creature whose body was merely a giant eye with purple wings and small tentacles.
"Welcome to the Gate of Betrayel," it greeted, it's voice a metallic whine that sounded like it was coming through faulty speakers under water. It made them all grimace. In that span of time, the eye creature pulled a level on the far wall.
The ceiling rumbled threateningly, and began to descend in a cloud of dust and grit. "The ceiling!" Kurama shouted, alerting everyone to the present situation. Almost simultaneously, their hands went up, bracing against the heavy stone intending to crush them all.
"The sensors in this gate are very intelligent; they can sense the limits of the groups strength, leaving it just below with just enough weight that one person can escape, and slowly adding more weight. The ceiling will become heavier, and heavier until it crushes you all. Insist on teamwork and the lot of you will die. That's why it's called the Gate of Betrayal, you see?" The creature began to cackle. "Only the traitor among you deserves to enter Maze castle."
"You talk too damn much!" Haru snarled, although her mind was racing a mile a minute.
The little monster was right; her muscles strained with every passing second; she could feel the weight growing, and knew that it wouldn't take much to convince the average personality to abandon their comrades.
Comrades? She though, snickering to herself.
"That little, I oughta-" Kuwabara shifted and the weight bore down on them more fiercly than before.
"Stay focused on the weight, you fool! Or you'll kill us all!" Hiei snarled; it was faint, but Haru could see the panic growing in his eyes.
"Stay focused! There's got to be a way out!" Yusuke reasoned, for once he had the right idea.
"I'm not about to die for a bunch of worthless humans!" Hiei snapped.
"Don't you dare consider it, Hiei!" Kurama begged, Haru's breath began to race. Death didn't look too promising. Adrenaline flooded her system and she glanced around, wildly, looking for something, anything to use.
"The lever!"
"That's what I'm talking about!" Yusuke glanced at Hiei. "Hiei, you're faster than anyone of us, you need to pull the switch."
"Are you crazy, he'll be glad to get rid of us!"
"For once the oaf has a point," Hiei said quietly, "I did say that I'd take my revenge on you, detective."
"That isn't your style. I can support the ceiling for a couple of seconds with my Spirit Energy, so go. I trust you." Hiei hesitated.
"You can do it, man." Haru urged quietly, and just like that, Hiei was a black blur down the corridor.
The difference in the ceiling with and without him was incredible; Haru wasn't weak, but she knew that they couldn't hold out long without him.
Please, Hiei, don't let your anger blindside you. She thought, just as he reached the lever. Of course, then the Eye had to interfere.
"Think carefully, Lord Hiei. The Saint Beasts could use you, come with me, and they will gladly welcome you among their ranks. They will understand you more than these humans ever can."
Hiei stared at the Eye, and Haru felt despair well up in her chest. No, please, no.
"YOU TWO TIMING NO GOOD-" Kuwabara raged, before Hiei began to laugh.
"Fools," he sliced the creature so quickly no one saw it. The monster shrieked, and blood poured from it's now blinded body. "Tell your Masters they get one chance! They have one opportunity to beg for mercy at my feet and submit to MY will!" It flew off, and Hiei finally pulled the switch, releasing them from the torment.
"I knew that he'd do the right thing." Haru chuckled, smiling warmly. Kurama felt nostalgic. It was His smile on a woman's face.
At that moment a boulder came down, right where Hiei had been standing. Kuwabara let out a shriek, just as the small Fire demon appeared again, unharmed.
Everyone raced up to him, and Yuske gave him a thumb's up.
"Knew you wouldn't let us down."
"Don't misunderstand me!" Hiei defended, "this would go easier with backup!" And with that he stomped off, leaving Kurama smiling.
"It seems that Hiei's undergoing a difficult change." Everyone stared at him. "He's beginning to like you."
Haru caught up with him easily, he glared at her. "What, are you hoping to act like a simpering fool?" Haru raised an eyebrow.
"No, just came to say thank you, and good job." And she fell back, leaving Hiei to his thoughts.