This is the final chapter!! I rarely finish anything I start writing, so this is a HUGE accomplishment for me!! Although, I am contemplating an epilogue...And then maybe a short little oneshot between Yusuke and Keiko, cuz they're just so cute together...Okay, anyway! lol, I hope you enjoy!! This last chapter is a quite a bit more on the fluffy side, but I believe that everyone needs a little fluff to brighten up their day!!
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho...I just borrowed Kurama and company for awhile...I might give them back now...Maybe...Oh, and I don't own Le Petit Prince either...It gave me the inspiration for this!
One runs the risk of weeping a little if one lets himself be tamed...
Letting his emerald eyes fall shut, he basked in the glow of the sunlight from the window. The quote echoed aimlessly through his troubled thoughts, but on the outside, his smooth face appeared calm and controlled. Warmth spread over his cheeks, and his skin greedily sucked it in. He had come so close to falling into neverending darkness...
Kurama blinked his eyes open. Thoughts like that got him nowhere. He picked up the cup of tea from the bedside table and contemplated his bandaged hand as he brought the warm liquid to his lips. The white wrappings covered most of his hands, arms, and nearly all of his stomach and chest. Patches of white were taped onto his cheek and forehead. Sighing, he leaned back against the fluffy pillows, letting his body heal itself. A small smile curved the edge of his lips. He had always been a fast healer. He would not be bedridden for long.
The door opening caused him to turn his head in surprise. Hiei slipped inside, his black cloak swishing. Silently, he sat in the chair next to Kurama's bed. When he did not immediately speak, Kurama turned his attention back to the window.
"The girl's mother woke up about an hour ago. We've explained to her and the boy."
"Good. And Mika?"
"Still asleep. What are you planning to do about her?"
Kurama tapped his bandaged fingers against the blankets. "I don't know yet."
Hiei's red eyes looked at him sidelong. "She's going to wake up soon, you know."
"I know."
"Hn."
Hiei stood and left. Kurama sighed heavily and looked down at his hands, wrapped in white bandages. The image of the fox and the little prince floated before his eyes, the conversation about wheat echoing in his mind. I am not tamed. A part of me is still Yoko Kurama. Mika's laughter pierced joyously through everything, and a thin smile touched his face. And along with her laughter came memories. Her blushing smiles during chemistry class. Her spiritual awareness. Her screams when she thought he was dead. And then her willingness to sacrifice herself, her refusal to move from in front of him...and the light that emitted from her very skin that saved his life... A sea of emotions raged behind his emerald eyes, but then he blinked, and the sunlight shone on a calm ocean.
Keiji saw him from the window first. As his mother still spoke with Keiko and Genkai, he slipped into the hall and out the door. The tall teenager stopped walking as soon as he heard Keiji's running footsteps. Slanted afternoon light shone on the vivid red hair that splayed back over his shoulders and swished at the top of the book bag he held over his shoulder. Keiji jogged up to him and stared at him strangely.
"Where are you going?" he finally asked.
Kurama turned slightly so he could look at the boy over his shoulder. Blue eyes under a fringe of dark brown hair peered at him curiously. He adjusted the book bag and looked to the setting sun.
"I'm leaving, Keiji."
The boy's eyes widened. "But you can't! Mika just woke up! You at least have to talk to her!" He grinned boyishly. "I'm sure you two have a lot to talk about."
Kurama could not look at him. The curve of his face was too similar to that of his sister. "Yes, Keiji, but she and I will not be having that conversation."
Keiji recoiled, shocked. He gabbled for words, surprised that his teasing did not even seem to bother this tall man. "But I thought you liked her!" he cried in astonishment. He remained silent. Keiji plunged on. "And you know she likes you! It's obvious! And you said you liked her, didn't you? With all that stuff about the rose?"
Kurama looked down at his shoes and sighed. "Yes, Keiji, I like your sister. But I can't endanger her any longer." He took a step forward and paused in surprise when Keiji jumped in front of his way. The boy stood with his arms raised, his eyes narrowed.
"Mika loves you. When she woke up, she asked about you first. She didn't even think about Mom until a little while later. She risked her life for you, and you're not even going to say goodbye?" Slowly, Keiji lowered his arms, and his eyes softened. "I'm just a kid, but you're the coolest person I've ever met. I haven't had a hero to look to since Dad died..." The shadows passed over the boy's face, but then he brightened slightly. "You can leave if you want, but at least say goodbye to Mika first. It might break her heart if you don't."
"He's right, Kurama. You need to say goodbye."
Kurama turned as Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Hiei walked across the lawn to where they stood. Yusuke had not bothered to put gel in his hair, and the dark bangs fell over his forehead.
"It's not like you to run away from your problems, Kurama. I don't see why you're trying to get away from this."
Kuwabara folded his arms across his chest. "Have some honor, Kurama. At least say goodbye to the girl."
Kurama felt trapped. "Are the girls talking with her?" he asked softly.
"Yeah. Keiko and Botan are talking up a storm," Yusuke said. He punched Kurama softly on the shoulder. "What's your problem, Kurama? You like her a lot, don't you?"
Eyes as hard as jade pinned him to the spot. "If I stay, I'll be putting her in danger."
"Then that's her decision to make—"
"Mika is not Keiko," Kurama cut him off. He shook his head, concentrating on his shoes. Keiji watched him intently. "She said she loves me. During the battle, that light...That light was the manifestation of her spirit awareness and her love for me. And Kumori, being a shadow apparition, could not stand the intensity of the light, and so it destroyed him." He turned his face toward the sunlight. "Such power..."
"Kurama."
Hiei, previously silent, stepped forward. "Do what you think is best. But she deserves to be happy." The fire demon turned and gestured for the others to follow. Reluctantly, Yusuke and Kuwabara followed, and Keiji jogged after them, glancing back at a stunned Kurama. Hiei's words mirrored what he had once told Hiei about Yukina. Slowly, Kurama lowered the book bag to the ground and lifted his face to the sky.
Mika breathed in a deep breath of fresh air. Botan and Keiko had gone to help Genkai and Shizuru in the kitchen, and her mother watched Keiji play with the boys. Settling herself on the porch, she drew her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her knees, sighing. The sun poked its red rays through the trees.
She started in surprise as footsteps sounded behind her. Turning, she beamed at Kurama as he sat down beside her. At first, he did not meet her gaze, and when he finally looked at her, his eyes were troubled and guilty.
"I'm sorry, Mika," he said softly. "I've put you in terrible danger."
She forced a smile. "It's all right. Everything turned out okay." She twisted her hands in her lap nervously. "I'm sorry I just ran off like that," she muttered. "I should have stopped and thought first, but I felt like I couldn't waste time. I had to do something to save Mom." She took a deep breath. "My dad died in a car crash. Keiji really looked up to him, and the news crushed him. Ever since then, we've been trying to pull our life back together. When Keiji said that Kumori had Mom, I couldn't...I couldn't let the same thing happen again..."
"I understand." Kurama turned back to face the sunset, the dying light illuminating his handsome face.
"You truly believe all of it, don't you?" he mused quietly. Mika waited for him to explain. "You truly believe that stars can laugh. That you are responsible for what you have tamed. That what is essential is invisible to the eye."
"Yes," she replied simply.
He stood up suddenly and held out his hand. "Walk with me?"
Nodding, she let him pull her to her feet, and they headed towards the tree that had served as base during hide and seek. Mika walked silently, waiting for him to speak whatever was on his mind.
"When I read The Little Prince, it taught me lessons, but those lessons would never have meant so much to me if you did not truly believe them yourself. You've given me stars that can laugh, Mika. Whenever I look up at the sky now, the stars will ring with your laughter. And it was your intense faith in that what is essential is invisible to the eye that saved us during the battle with Kumori." He nodded to her in respect. "I thank you, Mika. I owe you my life."
They arrived under the tree, the slanting light of sunset turning the green leaves amber. A gentle breeze tossed the branches, and Mika watched them curiously, listening to the rustling that sounded to her like laughter. She concentrated on his face when he spoke again.
"You've seen me as Yoko Kurama. I have no secrets from you now."
She ducked her head. "Maybe you'll tell me more about him someday...when you're ready. I'm sure you could tell some wonderful stories." She smiled, trying to make him feel more relaxed.
Kurama took a deep breath and plunged on. "When I was Yoko, I knew friendship and camaraderie, but that was all. And then I was reborn as Shuichi Minamino. Only then did I learn how to love. My mother taught me, and I found I could not leave her because I love her. I was even willing to give my life for her." He paused and looked at her with lost green eyes.
"But the love between a mother and son is different than that between two teenagers." He faltered, and Mika realized this was the first time she had ever seen him unsure of himself. Her heart pounded loudly in her ears.
"You said you love me," he breathed, looking at her in confusion. Her cheeks instantly flared up. "But I must warn you, Mika, if you travel down that road, there will be others like Kumori. There will be others who want to hurt you because of mistakes I have made..."
Mika bit down on her bottom lip as her cheeks burned. "I--I'm willing to take the risk..." she trailed off.
Kurama blinked, almost in surprise, then reached up to his hair and pulled out a pearly white rose, a bud just beginning to unfurl. He twirled in between his fingers.
"I once read that white represents purity and innocence. It reminds me of you..." He shook his head, his hair blazing like fire. "I'm sorry, Mika. I don't know how to love you. I'm not tamed. I'm sure I could learn, if you...I want to learn..."
Mika took the rose from him, and he fell silent. She held it to her face and breathed deep, the sweet fragrance tickling her nose. Smiling softly up at him, she leaned against him contentedly, burying her face in his shoulder. He faltered, then placed his arms around her loosely, holding her gently to him.
"Mika," he whispered in her ear. "Please...teach me how to love...Please...tame me..."
She grinned into his chest, pulled away from him slightly, and beamed up at him. After a minute, he smiled back at her, the beautiful emerald eyes sparkling.
Her cheeks burned as she pushed herself up on her tiptoes. Her eyes fell shut and his flew open when her lips lightly rested upon his own. Kurama stiffened, then slowly relaxed, letting his eyes fall shut and reveling in the sweet sensation of her kiss. She tasted soft, like the petals of a rose. They pulled away slowly, and both of them trembled. Mika giggled softly, and Kurama's lips still tingled from the contact.
"I think you've already been tamed, Kurama..." she whispered happily.
FIN!
Thanks for reading!! I hope you enjoyed it!! I'm gonna miss writing it; it was a lot of fun to write! Thanks again! Reviews are greatly appreciated!!
(I'm still debating a possible epilogue, if anyone's interested!!)
