Chapter 4
"He's dead." She flat out said.
"No." His head shook again, refusing to believe it. "He is not dead." Tears started running down his cheeks. His body was numb, unresponsive. He felt nauseated and his head was throbbing so he was unable to form a clear thought, no matter how hard he tried to concentrate. The harder he tried, the more he was losing the battle. One of his hands somehow made it up to touch his chest, to try and feel the necklace, but he knew the gem wasn't there anymore and panic really sat in. 'Necklace….Yomi…get back….only thing….left.' His mind's thoughts were broken, but he knew.
Smell….lavender, lilacs…pheromone….Youko…..strange…….
"The tear gem was shed by Hiei, wasn't it?" Though he couldn't form a clear thought he could hear her perfectly.
"She….knows…."
(Laughter)
Fog….confused….body….will not…..move…. lifted.
'Where?'
Softness, weightlessness, light, airy, floating in a haze of mass confusion. Voices in and out of hearing range, a deep voice chuckled at something a softer voice said.
'I am being touched….stop….stop it…….laying on my back….must move.'
'What is happening…why...? (Gasping)….is that me? Look, concentrate….what…why is she…..oh Inari no……'
His body was reacting without his mind.
'Open wide.'
'What……arms…cannot move……fight…. out…..musk….spit it out…cannot breathe…choking…can not get it out…fight…move…..darkness…..'
(Laughing)
PAIN……stop it…..fight…..I will welcome the darkness.
'Kurama.'
The red head let out a soft gasp as his head, drenched in sweat, rolled slowly side to side. It was followed by a moan as the feeling of pain and little pleasure washed over him, the memory feeling so real.
'Kurama.'
Dull green eyes opened to see nothing but white. 'What?' He thought, almost panicking as a hand came up to feel that something had been placed over his eyes. When it was removed, green eyes blinked in the brightness of the morning sun.
'Kurama, are you alright?'
'Youko? What…?' Kurama looked at Hiei's white scarf in his hand. It was folded and stiff, like it had been wet then air dried.
'You spiked a fever last night. Hiei was very worried.' Youko said.
Speaking of the fire demon, the red head looked beside him to see the smaller figure still asleep.
'No worries little one, I shielded the dream.' Youko informed.
'Nightmare.' The red head really thought.
'I believe it was caused by the fever, not from seeing Yomi's doctor.' Youko said bluntly.
'Does it matter?' Kurama said. The yoko was right in saying he didn't remember much of that incident. Taiga had told him Hiei was dead and then had used her pheromone to incapacitate him so Yomi and she could…he had obviously been raped by Taiga and Yomi.
Green eyes looked to the fire demon again. 'Thank you for…..'
'No need. He has his own nightmares to contend with. There is no reason for him to have to relive ours as well.' The yoko replied. 'I would not wish those on anyone, especially our little fire.'
Kurama was thankful for the mental barrier Youko provided. Since he and Hiei had marked each other, their mental communications were strong. Their thoughts completely open at anytime unless one of them kept a barrier, which they rarely did because of the true bond they shared. Though Youko always blocked any nightmares the red head had, for which he did not object. Sometimes his dreams were not too bad, like remembering when his okasan was sick, but then they would progress. The loss of Kuronue was always a deep, emotional one, but then seeing Yusuke die by Sensui's hands, to his battles in the dark tournament leading up to, and including, Karasu. Those were always raw pain and now the list included Yomi and Taiga. The red head was grateful his mate did not have to see them, for it was bad enough that he relived them at any given time.
Taking in the foliage canopy covering them, Kurama asked. 'Why did you not head back to Alaric last night?'
'I told him I would travel while you slept, but he said he wanted to stay near the doctor incase you needed something.' Youko answered.
'Figures.' Kurama muttered, though he was wondering why Hiei wanted to stay around after obviously wanting to kill the doctor just yesterday.
The red head knew Hiei was being a little over protecting, but he loved him for it. This little trip was supposed to have been a one night deal, so they hadn't packed anything, planning to stay at an inn. But, leave it to the red head to get into trouble and get sick on top of that, so one night turned into two and there was no inn within miles, because they had not intended to be here.
'I feel fine, you should have forced it.' Kurama said, sitting up slowly, not wanting to disturb Hiei as well as try to control the nausea that immediately washed over him when he moved.
'You get upset when I force him to do anything.' Youko mused.
Kurama didn't say anything as he slowly stood and began making his way out of the makeshift tent. Hearing the creek nearby, the red head made his way towards it.
Reaching the water that was only several yards away, Youko asked. 'And just how well are you feeling little one?'
'Much better, though the taste was somewhat lacking, it seemed to do the trick.' The red head said, getting down on his knees to cup some water. He drank some and then began to wash his face and neck, wishing the creek was bigger so he could take a bath.
Youko chuckled. 'Did you expect it to taste like fine wine?'
'No, but things can be added to improve the taste.' Kurama said, coughing up some water, his stomach feeling queasy.
'You alright?' Youko said, thinking the red head was going to throw-up again.
'I wish you two would quit asking me that.' Kurama muttered.
'Do you have any of the medicine left?' Youko asked.
Kurama reached in his pocket and pulled out the small vile. It was still half full of the bluish concoction.
'You should finish it.' Youko said.
'Why, I feel fine now.' The red head really didn't want to taste the fowl stuff again.
'It would be best to finish all the medicine. There is not much left, be a big boy and drink up, it could not hurt.' Youko chuckled again, taking in the facial expression the red head was making.
Closing his eyes, Kurama tilted his head back and poured the remaining bluish liquid down the back of his throat. Immediately gagging, he drank some water, trying to wash the taste out of his mouth.
"That stuff can be worse than the sickness." Kurama heard from a nearby tree, causing him to freeze. Since his hand was near his face, he made the casual move of placing it behind his neck, rubbing it as he slowly looked up to take in a form that had moved into view from behind a tree.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." A boy said.
"You did not scare me." Kurama said calmly, his hand coming down, without the rose, as he stood up. He studied the young demon, who was no more than 15 feet in front of him, before letting his guard down some more.
The demon was about 4 feet tall, lean and a little muscular for his young frame. He had short, choppy, dark red hair and Kurama could see dark gray furry ears poking out the top of his head. He could also see a dark red fluffy tail swishing back and forth behind the boy. Looking to the face, he made out yellow/green cat eyes and what he would call 'handsome' features on the pale face. The boy was wearing a pair of cutoff blue colored pants, with a pair of loafers and a dark green t-shirt.
They stood in silence, each taking in the other, until finally Kurama spoke.
"Do you live in the village?" He asked.
"Oh, yeah I do." The boy said, looking at the ground shyly.
'He kind of looks like the person you tried to save.' Youko said. He too had been studying the young demon.
"You said the medicine tastes bad. Did you have to take it after you fell into the pond?" Kurama asked, he agreed with Youko and decided to test the theory.
"I didn't fall, I slipped and I never said it tasted bad…I just said it could be worse than the sickness. I'll have you know I made it myself." The boy gloated. Realizing he had fallen for the ruse, he began to panic and rambled out. "Please don't tell anyone. I was told not to go back to the pond."
"Then why did you?" Kurama asked in a calm voice.
"I needed to get more algae. It's the only way to make the remedy." The boy said softly, lowering his head.
"I will not tell anyone." Kurama said with a nod and a soft smile.
The boy looked up and seeing the plea in the yellow/green eyes, Kurama added. "You have my word."
"Thank you." The boy muttered.
"So what brings you to the outskirts of town this morning?" Kurama asked, squatting back down to continue his washing.
The boy scuffed his foot in the dirt. "I saw you go into the doctor's hut. I felt bad because you got sick saving me and I just wanted to make sure you were alright. I didn't mean to cause any trouble." He said and then turned to walk off.
Kurama let a small smile play on his lips.
The boy looked back and added. "Please don't tell Bones, he would kill me if he knew I disobeyed him."
"Bones?" Kurama said, confused.
"Sorry, Dr. Yasekoketa." The boy turned back, but averted his eyes.
'So that is the doctor's name.' Kurama thought, but asked. "You said you were getting the algae, do you work for the doctor?" He finished washing and stood back up.
"Sort of." The boy shrugged. "I guess you could say he's more like my father. My mother and sister died when I was really little. Bones has raised me and because of him, I'm studying to be an apothecary. He doesn't tell anyone I make the stuff because he thinks I'm still too young and no one would use it, knowing a child made it."
"You look older than a child." Kurama said.
"Thanks, I'm almost 13." The boy boasted, sticking his chest out.
"Really and already studying to be an apothecary…that takes some dedication." Kurama praised.
"Please, just don't tell Bones that you had to rescue me. I wasn't supposed to go back alone, but…" The boy rambled, pleaded.
The red head gave nod, saying. "Your secret is safe with me and I am glad to see you are well, by the way, my name is Kurama."
"Kuma…and thank you Kurama, what your friend did was amazing. I've never seen anyone do something like that, the way he just appeared and made the whole pond turn into vapor and…" The boy was getting excited as he remembered what he saw Hiei do, but Kurama cut him off.
"He has a tendency to overreact sometimes." The red head smirked.
"Well, I'm glad you're okay. I should be heading back. Bones wanted me to stay close to the hut for some reason, so…" The boy said, waving. He then jumped up on a tree branch to grab a backpack that had been sitting next to the trunk. Sitting down on the branch, he then leaned back, flipping backwards to land firmly on his feet.
Kurama watched the acrobatic move, but then saw a sparkle and his eyes focused in on something that had fallen out of the boy's shirt. The object was on a string that was around the boy's neck. He watched as it came to rest on the boy's chest.
Green eyes blinked. "That is an interesting item." He said, not wanting to believe what he was seeing.
"Oh this." The boy said, holding up a necklace that had fallen out of his shirt, allowing the small white ball on it to glisten in the sun. He continued. "It's an ice maiden's tear gem, well…not a 'real' one, but a good replica." He then shrugged. "So I was told." The boy looked at the gem, studying it. "See…there is this center flaw. I was told by a merchant that real ones are flawless, very rare and worth a lot of money……I don't believe the part about them being the 'real' tears shed by…what did he say the women were called?" He started muttering, lost in thought for a moment. "Oh yeah koo…ra." He said, trying to remember.
"Koorime." Kurama whispered as he just stood there, shocked. 'Was it possible?' Was it one of Hiei's, though they only knew of two, there could be more, since he more than likely shed a few as a baby. But what were the chances that the tear was mounted in the same setting as one of the two given to him many years ago?
"Yeah, that's it, you've heard of them then?" Kuma asked, cocking his head.
With his head slowly nodding, Kurama managed to get out. "May…may I see it…please?" While taking numbing steps closer to the boy.
The boy looked at him with confusion, but then shrugged. Taking it off, he said. "Sure…like I said, it's not real, so if you try and steal it, it's not worth anything."
"I do not wish to steal it, I……" Kurama's jaw clamped shut when he was handed the necklace. Feeling a weird connection to the gem almost immediately after touching it made him realize this wasn't just any fake gem. This was the first tear gem Hiei had given him. The one Taiga had taken off him and put on Yomi after he had been kidnapped.
'How did this child…..' Youko wondered, feeling the same emotional tie to the gem.
Green eyes narrowed and the red head hissed. "Where did you get this?" He couldn't help but be angry at seeing something he thought was forever lost and then seeing it hanging around the neck of a child no less.
"Hey." The boy exclaimed. Becoming somewhat afraid of the sudden change in domineer, he did manage, however, to reach out and grab the necklace back, clutching it to his chest.
Realizing he had scared the boy, Kurama put a little plea in his tone. "I am sorry, please, where did you find that?"
"I didn't find it. It was my mother's, Bones told me. He gave it to me after she died. Saying she never took it off. It was special to her, so he thought I would like it as a keepsake."
"Your mother?" Kurama was taken aback. 'Who?' "Do you know her name?" He asked.
"Taiga…I was told she was a cat demon." The boy said firmly, getting his courage back and sticking out his chest, daring Kurama to say anything against her.
"You said your mother and sister passed….." Kurama said, trying to understand, yet nothing was making sense.
"Yeah, when I was three." The boy said softly.
'Why did the doctor lie? He said they had parted ways…why not just tell Hiei she was deceased.' Youko asked.
'Maybe to protect the boy.' Kurama replied.
'It does not make sense. If Taiga had moved on with her life and had children, then that was her right…….yet.' Youko started to say, but then said. 'But then how did 'Bones' become the one to raise him.'
'I am wondering how she came into possession of the necklace. Why would she want it and why was it special to her?' Kurama thought.
'Taiga must have somehow obtained the necklace after I defeated Yomi.' The yoko said.
'But why? It was of no importance to her. Not worth any real value….' The red head said.
'Maybe we should ask the doctor a few more questions.' Youko said.
"I need to go. Like I said, Bones told me to stay near the hut for some reason." Kuma said, finding it strange that the man seemed to be talking to himself.
"Thank you Kuma." Kurama said, giving the boy a nod.
"Yeah…sure…" The boy stuttered out before quickly walking off.
Kurama stood there lost in thought until Youko said. 'Hiei is awake and calling.'
When Kurama still hadn't made to head back, Youko started to say. 'We should tell Hiei we found…' But was cut off.
'No, do not tell Hiei anything.' Kurama said, finally heading back to the campsite after feeling Hiei's concern.
'Why, he would want to know, we should not…' Youko said.
'No…not yet.' Kurama said. 'The boy is innocent. He knows nothing of the necklace. It is of no concern either.' The red head said, his hand subconsciously reaching in his shirt for the matching gem hanging around his neck. The second tear gem Hiei had shed…for him.
Reaching the makeshift camp, he found the fire demon sitting by a fire, cooking food.
"I was just coming to get you. Are you hungry?" The black haired asked, dividing some food.
"No." Kurama said, taking a seat.
"You should try and eat something." Hiei said with concern. Getting up, he went over and placed a hand on his mate's forehead. "Your fever seems to have broke during the night. That's good." He muttered.
Kurama didn't move as he was 'checked out' by his mate. Knowing the fire demon was only concerned about him. He looked up to see red eyes studying him and said. "I will try and eat." And reached over to grab some of the food.
Hiei went and sat back down, but continued to study the fox. Kurama was blocking his thoughts, he realized and Youko was quiet as well. He knew the yoko had blocked their dreams during the night, which meant Kurama had had a nightmare. Yes, he knew about them and told the red head several times they didn't bother him, too much, but Youko agreed with Kurama and blocked them when possible. It was only fair, for he did block his own nightmares, the yoko would remind him.
The fire demon let it be, he had learned not to push. Kurama would tell him when he was ready and then he would listen to every word as he comforted his mate.
Kurama sat there, knowing he was being watched. Knowing the fire demon would not push him, he tried to concentrate on eating even though his mind was screaming at him to just get up and walk away, let it be. But the more he sat there, the more curiosity started to creep in and before he realized it, he had eaten all the food. Still lost in thought, he just sat there until he heard Hiei say.
"I was thinking, since we're still here. I want to check out a few more places and ask a few more questions before we leave. I didn't get to ask many yesterday." He had finished eating as well and had begun cleaning up.
'Maybe we should stop by the doctor's…….' Youko said.
The red head didn't say anything as he thought maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to have another talk with the doctor and hopefully get answers to all the questions now forming in his and Youko's mind.
End Chapter 4
Okay, I guess I should clear up Kuma's age. Remember, I said 10 years after Regretting Expectations, but I also stepped 3 years ahead at the end of that story, so it would be almost 13 years total. Sorry for the confusion.
