Kurama's POV:
Hana and I retreated to a secluded area so we could be alone for a few minutes without anyone bothering us. We did not speak, instead just holding each other as if it was our last goodbye and no matter how much I tried to ignore the signs pointing to it, it did feel like that. She was right, no matter what we came up with, Darkness could still find the Light. My light.
The light I offered in an attempt of getting an advantage on the enemy. However I felt him, what his energy is like, he is not human, not demon, nor spiritual. A result of so many years of torturing himself until he completely forgot what shape his initial body possessed even. He is unnerving and chilling to the bone, yet I refused to believe he was invincible.
"I'll find a way." She hushed me, trembling lips kissing mine. She refused to speak for she knew she would cry, this was her only way of holding it together and even so she was barely winning against all the emotions trying to break through the surface. For the first time since returning to us she was not focusing on healing the pain latching onto her soul like a second coat, she was just existing in the moment with me, saying goodbye.
I pulled her as close to my body as physically possible, trying not to break apart in front of her, I could not, had to control myself completely, be there for her, standing strong. Trying to breathe without trembling, I shut my eyes tight as I held her close to my chest. It's a suicide mission, if we do not come up with something sensible everything will crumble and Hana will be taken away, Darkness will kill her and keep her soul as a trophy, forever buried deep within the cold dead untamed lands of Demon World.
I pleaded with myself to stop thinking about it, at least until she leaves once more. After that, at least for a moment, all be dammed.
Kissing her again, I tried to pull myself away from the vast chambers of my own mind, hot tears streaming down her face, emotions chocking her entirely. No matter how many times I kissed them away, more kept coming "I am so sorry Hana." I felt my throat closing up, something tickling the back of it as I took a deep breath in "Look at me." She barely could, eyes drowning deep in emotions "I'll always find a way to you, please believe me. Always, no matter what."
She nodded, coughing slightly when she tried to speak, looking toward the sky, blinking rapidly in order to clear up her vision "And I'll always find you. It's time." However I knew she could not linger in my presence anymore.
I watched her hug everyone, jumping inside that portal with Yusuke, glancing back one last time to look at me whispering for only me to understand "I love you." She turned around before I could utter it back. I would have screamed it at the top of my lungs, let the entire world know and deal with them later, if only that could ensure she stayed with me, safe and sound, by my side.
But we are not in a fairytale after all.
The rest dissipated quickly when we reached the train station, Hiei choosing to return on foot back to the farm for which I was thankful, the boys back to their respective homes to gather some fresh clothes before also making their way to the safe house. I could finally be alone with my thoughts, think up a storm in order to understand and come up with a solution.
Frankly it feels like yesterday when I first saw her in front of the class, a forced bow and abrupt presentation signaling she would be trouble from day one. And now, years later, I awe at the power her soul possesses, how she puts others first and tries to constantly keep us safe. Yet it is not her cross to bear, it should be for all of us, to divide the burden resting on our shoulders, threatening to crush us. I understand no one was there for her before to keep her safe, yet we are now living in different times.
We are her family.
Hiding my face behind a slack hand, I felt every possible feeling burning me alive, threatening to turn my heart to cinders ready to be cast in the wind.
I mustn't give in to these feelings, I need to think, not crumble, not now.
Sitting in front of everyone at the farm, I was now the one explaining the events that transpired, uttering everything in a monotone voice, almost robotic, all the facts rehearsed, looking through each and every one of them, but never at them directly. It was bad enough questions bombarded me form left and right. Keiko asking about Yusuke, mother about Hana, why they returned, what was going to happen.
"We will devise a plan in order to counter this enemy. If you will all excuse me." I understood each and every one of their feelings and worries, I was sharing them in equal measures. Kazuma placed a hand on my shoulder, catching up with me in the hallway, however his grip loosened when he finally took a good look at my face "Not now. Please understand."
Hiei followed suite, telling him to let me be.
As I laid in bed, Hana's scent invaded my senses, chocking me entirely. I could not rest despite having a few hours of sleep under my belt. She was everywhere, once more taking hold of me and I did not need it.
That night I managed to catch a few hours of sleep in the living room, on the couch.
The following days were not any better. We poured ourselves in research and meetings, Spirit World playing their part to the letter, however I had no doubt in that regards. Koenma could not risk losing face, especially now with a new king in Demon World. He would allow demon souls to gain entry in Spirit World if that was what Darkness wished for, Yomi sharing the same sentiment as Hiei had. Why would they allow for someone who wanted them extinct to judge their souls?
The religious implications were too heavy to not take into account, too many forces at play, all wishing for a part of the power and fame.
Then there was us.
As days progressed we were all growing visibly tired, nerves stretched thin until we were close to breaking point. Yomi was more on edge than ever, the entire situation pressing down and influencing certain decisions, all eyes set on him since the threat came from the depths of Demon World, they were sleeping with the enemy no matter how we looked at it.
And there was no escaping the eyes of this certain villan.
Hana apparently worked on her powers and understanding the soul matter better. Once every few days she would expand her territory as wide as she could, capturing Gandara in her hold, the display ensuring Darkness knew that she was there, working on a solution, providing the light in the dark.
Demon World almost sent everyone on a war path, each sending scouts, few returning only to die in front of Hana and Yomi. A warning, subtle, however very effective. No one was allowed near Darkness apart from Hana. And he has yet to call her forth.
We cannot wait for a miracle to drop on our laps and the more time we lose, the more worrisome the situation got. So we worked on the sides, united forces, ready to deliver a message of our own in retaliation.
So here I am a week later looking over a plan bound to fail, so many things could go wrong, so many variables unknown, but it's something. We cannot wait anymore and cower. But until the last act, I still have one more thing to take care of.
Taking a walk with mother, the autumn proved to be kind this year, warm sun providing enough heat that it was alright to walk outside in a just a thin sweater and not be cold. I let her enjoy the lakeside view, wishing I was not about to utter the words prepared inside my head.
"Mother" I cleared my throat, her kind eyes traveling to me "we have come up with a plan, however I cannot leave until I say something to you."
She nodded her head, of course she did "Anything." Her hands touched my arms, smile never wavering, making this so much harder than it already was.
"I" it felt like my tongue refused to cooperate "forgive my hesitation, this is not easy." Her eyes scanned my face, confusion and worry shining through. Gently removing her hands from my arms, I took a step back "I have envision this moment countless times in my head, tried to come up with every reaction that you might have, what I would say, yet there is always something missing. So I decided to show you instead, then hopefully if you are still willing to listen, I will explain."
I bit my tongue as my body shifted, her dear boy morphing into Yoko, her heartbeat picking up, beating wildly. She continued to stare at me for a few good minutes, yet she did not utter a word.
"This is who I was." I proceeded to tell her my age, how I came to be in the body of her darling child, why I was the way I was, trembling hands rising to cover her face as I turned back to that familiar face. She listened to every word I had to offer, clung to them with all her might.
I tried to keep it short, simple, sticking to the basics.
"Why are you saying goodbye?" the question shocked me out of my head entirely. Yes I did think about the possibility of not being able to return, to never see my mother, my friends, Hana.
"Please know that I do think of you as my mother and I truly do love you." I had to evade the question, it was already too much pressure being put on her.
She came closer, hands wrapping me in her embrace "And I love you, you are still my son no matter that you are." And then it all overflowed, knees feeling as if they could not hold my weight, fingers clinging to her cardigan for dear life, tears staining my face as I let my feelings collapse in the arms of the woman who raised me, who loved and still does unconditionally, unafraid "I always knew you were different, but I needed you to tell me on your own terms."
Wiping my tears with a gentle hand she asked one of the sweetest questions I have ever heard "So how bad did I botch your name?"
I could not help the overflowing relief and exhilaration that took me over, laughter bubbling in my gut, erupting in a fit that made my stomach and cheeks hurt "It's actually Kurama, Yoko Kurama." She liked it, I could read it in her eyes, the promise that she would refer to me by that name from there on out leaving her lips.
Yes mother, I would like nothing more.
Taking out the communication device, I dialed out for Hana, the response coming rather late "Morning." She tried to smile, a yawn taking over first as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
"Apologies I did not mean to wake you up. "
She shook her head, long bangs getting in the way "I already slept for a few, need to be up and about. What's wrong? You look like the entire worlds are about to collapse."
Rolling my eyes I tried to appear insulted, however she just laughed which made my heart jump. If she was still able to laugh, I could go through with anything "Hana, do you trust me?"
Blinking a couple of time, a grave expression took over the small dose of happiness from before "Of course I do. Kurama you're scaring me."
It wasn't my intention, I just wanted to see her face, even if it was on a screen "I guess I just needed a slight reassurance. Are you eating well? Getting enough rest?" she was not, the bags under her eyes, how her face slimmed down, I knew she was not yet would lie about it, which she did.
"Do you know Botan snores? She's probably the only one making me stay up swearing." Once more she laughed, evading the main problem, however she was doing it for my sake alone so I also laughed.
"Hana" I wanted to say something else entirely, yet it did not feel appropriate, not in the given circumstances "thank you for lifting my spirits, I needed that." We soon closed the call, Hiei coming in view.
It's time.
