Love for Kurama 29: Finale
Tears fell down my face as we all gathered around a coffin covered in flowers. Not long after Kurama and I had gotten married, Genkai had passed away. She had developed cancer that spread over time, and she didn't tell anyone until it was too late. Apparently, she didn't want anyone to know what she was going through and she didn't want the needed treatment to keep her going. Koenma, in his taller form, faced everyone and his face held a look of exhaustion and sadness.
"Genkai...was a remarkable woman. She had great power and always managed to find a way out of a scrape. Despite her gifts, we all knew her age would eventually slow her down. Unfortunately, this cancer that took hold of her body greatly decreased the distance between her and death. I have gathered you all here to Genkai's temple to say your final goodbyes."
Kurama noticed Yusuke was about to step forward and stopped him.
"Hey, what the hell, Kurama?"
"I am certain you would rather say goodbye to her privately, Yusuke. Why don't you wait until everyone else has said their goodbyes?"
Yusuke sighed and nodded, sitting down. As everyone else took their turns, I left Kurama's side and knelt beside Yusuke.
"Kurama's right. I can tell you'd rather share your feelings in private."
"It...it still sucks. She was brought back to life after Toguro killed, and she survived everything up until now. All kinds of demons would have jumped at the chance to kill her, but a stupid human disease beat them to the punch. She...taught me everything she knew...and now she..."
I gasped slightly as I saw the tears form in his eyes.
"Yusuke..."
"Damn it, Rin. Why'd she have to leave me again?It...it was bad enough to lose her the first time..."
"Humanity is like that, Yusuke. Our bodies can only live so long before nature decides it's time to return to the earth."
"You're not scared of dying someday?"
"Of course I am. I think about it sometimes. I don't let it stop me, though."
Yusuke frowned and looked at me closely.
"Your husband/mate is a demon, and you're a human just like Genkai was. How do you think he'd feel when it's you in a coffin like that and he's saying goodbye to you?"
"He'd mourn just like we all are now, but he wouldn't let his grief consume him. He would eventually learn to move on and perhaps find someone new to fall in love with. He and I are simply going to enjoy the time we have together."
"Not necessarily."
Yusuke and I looked up as Kurama approached.
"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. I have no intention of letting you go, Rin. Recently, I've spoken with Koenma about a procedure that can turn you into a demon that matches the breed of your mate. Soon, your human life will be but a memory."
Yusuke's POV:
As Kurama and Rin continued to talk, I noticed everyone else had gone inside the temple. I took a deep breath and approached the box that held my former teacher's body inside its clutches.
"Hey, Grandma. I...guess it's my turn to talk to you. Quite a turnout. Knowing you, you'd have wondered why the hell so many people were on your property."
Just the thought of her saying that made me smile a little.
"I...I promise to make sure this place stays in the best shape. I'll...we'll take care of it for you, I promise. I-...damn it!"
I fell to my knees and pounded the ground in anger, tears rapidly falling down my face.
"Why, Genkai?! Why didn't you tell anyone you were sick?! We could've helped you get better! Did you want to be away from me that much?!"
All of the pain I felt when I first heard she was sick came flooding out of me all at once. It hurt that she didn't want to even try to get better, and it hurt more that this time, she seemed ready to accept her time was up. I was about to pound the ground again when someone caught my fist.
"Yusuke, I think you've pounded the ground enough."
I looked up and saw Koenma standing above me. I sighed and stood up.
"What do you want, Koenma?"
"Rin suggested I come out to talk to you. Truthfully, I was on my way out here anyway to...put Genkai to rest. You may help, if you want."
I grabbed a shovel and started digging a hole for Genkai's coffin.
"So, how was her journey to Spirit World?"
"It was comfortable and quiet. She actually left a message for you."
That immediately caught my attention.
"Well, what'd she say?"
"She didn't tell anyone she was sick because...because she was tired of living this way. She was tired of being considered a crippled, old lady and hated that she couldn't get around like she used to. She never wanted to hurt you, Yusuke. She...just accepted that it was her time."
I smiled a little, realizing that both Genkai and Koenma were right. No human was really meant to live forever, and I just needed to accept it. Once Koenma placed the coffin in the hole, he helped me fill the hole back up with dirt. I looked at the hole she was buried in and nodded.
"I'll join you someday, Genkai. When I do, there's no way you're going to be rid of me."
I felt a sudden rush of wind blow around me, and I could've sworn I felt Genkai with me. It's as if she was right next to me. I smiled and looked up to the sky, ready to start the next leg of my journey through life.
Sorry this final chapter was more about Yusuke. I felt the story was about ready to end and wanted to end it with our favorite Mazaku. I hope you all enjoyed it. Feel free to reread this and all of my other creations
