I'm so sorry about the delay! I know I said I was going to be updating sooner and I was. I swear! I had planned to post it Nov. 6, but I still had a few paragraphs to go. I had to leave for Navy Boot Camp that night! It pissed me off the whole time I was there. I was so close! But hey, I'm back and all that's left is to post the next chapters. I hope you enjoy. This is probably one of the the most important chapters and contains the scene that started it all. Read and review and don't be afraid to criticize. I hope I haven't gone rusty since I've been gone.
I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho.
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The rest of the day seemed to pass in a daze for Yukina, Rei's statement playing over again and again in her mind: "He's your brother." It was as if she couldn't comprehend the idea; it was too unreal. If he was her brother, why hadn't he told her? He'd had so many opportunities: at Tarukane's mansion, the Dark Tournament, even when she had asked him to search for himself. Why did he, instead, return her hiruseki stone, telling her that her brother was dead? What reason would he have to keep it a secret from her?
But at the same time, it made sense. They had the same crimson eyes, face shape, nose, ears, and similar height. It even explained his actions over the years. It was the reason he had come with Kazuma and Yusuke to save her from Tarukane. It was why he had pulled her out of the way of the falling rubble at the Tournament. It could even have been the reason he disliked Kazuma so much. Looking back, she should have seen it. Even Rui had said that her brother had a fiery aura, just like Hiei. Had she been so intent on finding a shadow, a phantom, a dream, that she had overlooked him?
She finally noticed night had fallen when the temperature dropped, a chill wind blowing her aqua locks into her face. There was one final thing she had to do, if nothing else than to clarify things for herself. She would have to speak with Hiei.
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The next day, Kuwabara and Kurama came to the shrine the next day before classes started. Kuwabara rushed up and clasped Yukina's hands, "I'm so sorry I couldn't come yesterday but with the tests and projects an' stuff..."
She smiled at his goofy apology. "It's alright, Kazuma."
"Are you sure? Cause you know I could always..."
"It's fine.
"Ok. But if there's anything I can do, ya just gotta ask."
"Actually," she said, and turned her head towards Kurama, "I wanted to know if I could speak with you, Kurama... alone."
"Of course."
Kuwabara noticed Yukina was nervousness and upset. Concerned he asked, "Hey, is everything alright?"
"It's nothing. Would you mind helping Rei weed the garden while we're gone."
"Sure." He watched as Yukina led the way into the forest, hoping Kurama would be able to help her with whatever was bothering her. Maybe there are some problems only demons can understand.
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Yukina led Kurama deeper and deeper into the woods behind the shrine until they came to a small clearing. She turned and looked up to speak with him, but her head instantly dropped back down. She could no longer find the words to ask him.
"Yukina, are you sure you're alright?" Kurama asked, worried. He noticed how she twiddled her fingers, shifting her weight from foot to foot. She nodded, but said nothing. Softly, he asked, "What did you want to talk to me about?"
At first, he couldn't make out what she said, but she swallowed and continued more strongly, "I... I wanted... wondered... could you find... Hiei for me?"
"Did something happen?"
Yukina had already planned what she would say, "I wanted to apologize for the way Rei acted yesterday. She was frightened by him and was yelling. I just feel bad about what she did."
Something didn't seem right to Kurama. "I could always tell him for you, Yukina. It wasn't your fault," he replied, hoping to get the real reason.
"No, it's something I really need to do myself." Kurama was prepared to continue but noticed the look of determination in her eyes. He knew it would be pointless.
"Well, I'll do my best, but there's no guarantee he'll come," he said, trying one last time to get the answer, but to no avail.
"That's fine."
"What would be a good time?"
Yukina hadn't thought about that. She paused a moment, slightly confused and for some reason, embarrassed, before staring at the ground and answering, "It doesn't really matter."
"How about this evening?" Kurama asked. Yukina didn't look up or speak; she just nodded. "Alright. Expect him sometime after sundown. I doubt he'll come any earlier," he answered, half joking. Once again, Yukina only nodded. "Well, why don't we head back. I'm sure Kuwabara's already missing you, and I should apply another herbal patch to Rei's wound." She obediently followed as he led them out of the forest.
"Thank you."
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Kurama came to a stop under one of many trees. Looking up, the small black shape was barely discernable, hidden behind a curtain of thick leaves. "Hiei..."
"I already know," he answered, cutting Kurama off.
"Then will you be going over to the shrine?"
"I don't see why I should."
"Not even to console Yukina?"
"Hn."
"Well then, do you mind explaining Rei's little 'outburst'?"
"..."
"From what I heard, she was terrified by just your presence."
"Why wouldn't she? Where we're from, I was something to be feared, even as an infant." Kurama chuckled softly. "What's so funny?"
"I don't think I've ever heard you speak so much about your past."
"And you won't be hearing any more, fox boy."
"Have it your way, but you really should go. Yukina's quite upset," and Kurama left, leaving Hiei staring into space in the tree branches.
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What if he never told me because he doesn't like me? Yukina paced outside the shrine, at the same time wishing Hiei would and wouldn't come. She watched as the last of the vibrant hues of the sunset faded into gray, and then a deep blue. It was a clear night with the stars shining vibrantly, but she paid no attention to them.
Does he think I'm weak? Maybe I am. It seems like I always need rescuing or protecting. Does he hate me for it? She was so scared as she waited for him to come; now, she almost regretted it. What if he doesn't come? He never told me about our relationship for years. Maybe he just doesn't want to be with me. However, she was instantly calmed when she saw the fire demon walk onto the grounds.
He stopped at the courtyard, looking annoyed as she walked out to meet him. He looked annoyed, wanting to end this as soon as possible.
He started before she could say anything, "There's no need to be sorry. I don't care what your so-called 'friend' thinks of me," he spat out.
"It's not just that," she said, and trailed off, not knowing where to start.
"Then what?"
"Well, it's just... I just..." she started, unable to find the words.
Hiei looked away, "If you can't even figure out what you want to say, I'm leaving."
"Hiei," she walked toward him, and before he could act, grabbed him around the waist and buried her face in his chest. "You are my brother, aren't you," she asked without expecting an answer. She pulled herself closer to her brother, "I can tell."
Hiei was too shocked to speak or act. He could only stand there, dumbfounded, with his arms out at his sides. Yukina's words seemed so sad; he feared she would shatter if he returned her embrace. The only reply he could manage was a weak "Yukina."
Without warning, Yukina pulled herself out of Hiei's shirt and shouted, "Why?! Why didn't you tell me? I've been searching for you this whole time and you've been right in front of me. Why didn't you tell me?" Yukina's pleading eyes searched his face, begging for the reason he had kept himself hidden all those years. A single tear welled up and gracefully rolled down Yukina's pained face. The gleaming crystal fell to the ground and landed with a soft clink.
Hiei freed himself from his sister's grasp and took a few unsteady steps back, unsure how to handle her reaction. Quietly, he said, "You didn't need to know."
"What are you saying?"
Hiei's hand shot out to Yukina's shoulder, stopping her as she tried to come closer. He turned his head, unable to look her in the eyes. "I..."
"Yukina!" Rei shot forward and slapped Hiei across the face; both he and Yukina stood stunned. Rei stood, arms outstretched, shielding Yukina from her brother. Shaking, she shouted, voice full of fear as well as determination to defend her friend, "Leave her alone! Get out of here!"
Hiei turned his back to the two ice maidens, "Don't have to tell me twice." Grateful for the excuse to leave, he disappeared into the surrounding forest.
Yukina snapped back to her senses and shouted out after him, "No, wait!" She reached out and started to follow, but Rei grabbed her. Yukina struggled against her, wanting to reach her brother. "Rei, what did you do? That's my brother!"
Still struggling to hold her, Rei answered, "Forget him. He's the Imiko, the forbidden child. He can only cause you pain."
"He's my brother!" Yukina said, continuing to struggle. "My brother!" He strength left her, and she fell to her knees. Rei knelt by her, cradling her in her arms as Yukina began to sob. "My brother..."
"Shh," she said gently, stroking her hair, "it's alright. This is for the best."
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I hope you enjoyed it! The final scene where Yukina confronts Hiei was the first scene that came to me. I woke up at 1 am, thought of it, and scribbled it down as fast as I could before I forgot it. On another note, this is the only story I've ever come up with where I hate my original character. I hates her wit' a passion! I hope you do too for what she did.
