Email: swythangel@hotmail.com
Title: The Reddest Rose
Type: Series 14/?
Rating: PG (just to be safe)
Disclaimer: All characters of YuYu Hakusho are owned by their writer and company. They aren't mine (sigh!) and even if I wished on a hundred falling stars, Kurama will never be mine. This fiction was made to entertain and hopefully does not infringe on their copyright.
Minna-san, I never meant to tease or drag this out. I just want to clarify that ne? The reason I haven't been posting and setting up target dates to post is because I had things to do in real life and have not had the time to beta and check this fic. I did not do it to tease. It just makes me guilty to have you assume such things so I'm not gonna beta it anymore and sending it to you raw. This is the end. I promise.
The Reddest Rose
Reikai, Inner Dimensions
//Wait for me, Hitori. I will be there.// She was startled from her quiet meditation by the river because of the quiet whisper. She looked up and around but there was no one near her. Who could it have been? And who's Hitori?
"Hitori…" She repeated the name out loud. There was something familiar about that name. Is it my name? She couldn't remember. Now that she thought about it, she couldn't remember anything about her life at all. She knew this should make her panic but it didn't. Somehow, all her cares and worries seemed to drain out of her and into the river, all save one which nagged at her. She kept seeing a rose, the reddest rose she ever saw, or at least she thought it was the reddest rose she ever saw.
//Ai shitteru. I love you, beloved, more than anything in this world… //
***
"There she is." Botan gestured at the figure leaning on a tree beside the river. "You can go to her now, I'll wait here for you."
Kurama had started to walk towards Hitori when he heard Botan. "You have 2 hours."
"2? You told me I had three."
"Gomen, Kurama but I didn't realize that Hitori spent all her time near the river. At that proximity, you can very well lose your memory faster than I expected. Now isn't the time to quibble about the hours. You should go. Time is running out."
As Kurama approached the solitary figure, Botan whispered to herself. "Good luck, Kurama. Please, please bring Hitori back."
***
"Konnichi wa."
Hitori turned to look behind her. No one had approached her here before. She started to smile but lost it to startlement as her eyes traveled over the stranger. He was handsome, this strange man, with long red hair and green, green eyes. But what really startled Hitori was the golden glow that surrounded the stranger.
"Are you an angel?" She asked.
The man issued a delighted chuckle. "No, I'm not." He was looking at her with eyes that seemed to stare intently at her, eyes that held an intense look of profound joy, almost like he knew her...
Do I know you? And then the man advanced on her. It was a little too unnerving for Hitori and she shrank back a little…a move that the man apparently noticed.
"I don't bite." Laughter tinged his voice. "I just wanted to sit down near you."
An image flashed through her mind.
Dark night, stinging hand, heavy heart. A laughing voice…
//I don't bite. I just want to see your hand.//
***
Kurama couldn't quite contain his happiness at seeing Hitori again. He knew he shouldn't frighten her off but he couldn't help staring at her, remembering every curve and feature, wanting to pull her into his arms…you look exactly the same way you always do in my dreams, kireida…please remember me, I don't want to go back without you.
Exactly the same way in the dreams that haunted him every day since Hitori had died…died because of him…
If I hadn't killed her, she would still be alive and maybe she wouldn't be looking at me like I am a stranger. He would be lying if he didn't admit that he had felt a twinge of hurt when Hitori's eyes didn't register any sign of recognition as she looked at him. There had been only polite interest there and a startled wonder. If she hadn't died, I could put my arms around her right now…
//You have 2 hours, Kurama.//
I want to hold you so much Hitori. I want to hold you close. And this time I will never let you go. Never ever. Kurama caressed Hitori's face with his eyes. I would do anything if there is even a small possibility of getting you back. Kurama looked at Hitori who had gone back to staring at the river. But I do not know where to start… Iwish I knew what to say, what to do, to make you remember.
Kurama sighed. Better something than nothing. He smiled at Hitori. "Its such a beautiful day today. What about I tell you a story? By the way, my name is Kurama."
Hitori looked at him and shrugged. "I'm sorry, Kurama-san. I…can't give you my name. I can't seem to remember it."
Kurama shrugged. "It doesn't matter. So what about my story?"
Why not? I don't have anything else to do…"
"Well, this is the story of a kitsune assassin who went into the ningenkai to kill a red-haired ningen who was also a former kitsune…"
***
//Hitoriii! C'mon, let's train some more!//
//I trust you, Hitori. Yusuke and I both do.//
//Ohayo, Hitori! How are you feeling today? All better I hope.//
//Hitori! Anou…about Akari-chan, gomen…//
//Bee-da! Yusuke is such an idiot. Don't you agree, Hitori?//
//Gomen, Hitori. It seems like the task must fall to you…you have to kill Youko…//
//Ai shitteru. I love you, Hitori, beloved, more than anything in this world…//
Hitori? Am I Hitori?
***
"You might think that this is really stupid," Hitori hesitated, facing away from Kurama and gazing at the river, "but the story you just told me…it seems so familiar somehow. Like I have heard it before. A…and you seem like someone I know." Someone I love…
It's starting to work. Botan was beside herself with glee. During the course of the conversation she had eventually drifted nearer. She knew they needed privacy but her curiosity got the better of her. She had perched herself beside Hitori but had been uncomfortable with the way Kurama always threw these little glances at Hitori so she moved away to perch on the branches overhead where she could hear but couldn't see.
Toot toot! Toot toot!
Her watch began to ring an alarm. She had set it to warn her in case she forgot the time.
Any longer and Kurama will forget who he is…She hesitated. Botan hated to ruin the elation Kurama seemed to be feeling at Hitori's words and it seemed a shame when it looked like only a little more time was needed but she shook her head. Regardless of that fact, she couldn't jeopardize Kurama's life in exchange for Hitori. She jumped down from the tree and told Kurama.
"We have to go…"
Botan could see the beseeching look in Kurama's eyes, begging for a little more time but she ignored it and shook her head at him. "No, we have to go."
She saw Kurama bow his head, shoulders starting to slump in defeat, then he straightened up again, standing up to face her, determination in his eyes…Somehow Botan knew that it was a bad sign.
"You go Botan. I'll stay here."
Botan closed her eyes for a moment. She was wrong, it wasn't just a bad sign. It was utter disaster.
***
"You go Botan. I'll stay here."
I can't go, not without Hitori.
"Are you kidding, Kurama?" Botan burst out. " This isn't the time to argue with me. You can't stay here."
"I won't go. Not without Hitori."
"Anou…" Both of them turned towards Hitori. "Kurama-san. Who are you talking to?"
If this wasn't so serious, Botan would have laughed herself silly at the priceless look on Hitori's face. Instead, she shed her invisibility like a cloak and startled Hitori more in the process. If Botan had bothered to look at Hitori, she would have seen Hitori jump a few inches off the ground in surprise. But Botan was too concerned with Kurama to spare her a glance.
"Baka. If you stay here any longer, you won't even remember who Hitori is, you won't even remember who you are. You will become a wraith, hollow and empty."
Kurama shook his head and smiled a sad smile. "And isn't that the same life I led this past month?"
"Idiot! It is not the same. Then, you remembered her, kept precious memories that would sustain you. If you stay here, even those memories will be erased. And what about your friends in the ningenkai, your okaasan? Would you just leave them without saying a word?"
"Gomen, Botan. I understand what you want to say and what you want me to do. But Yusuke and the others have each other, my 'kaasan has my step-father and step-brother with her, they won't suffer unduly. But what about me? What would I have there?" He asked her. "This might sound selfish…But here, eventhough I know that my memories would eventually fade and that Hitori will not even remember me, at least I am with her. I cannot let her go this time Botan, I simply can't."
"If my memory fades then so be it, let it fade while I stay here with her, let my last memory be of her face and the happiness that comes from knowing that I am with her." He walked away from Botan and sat down beside the confused Hitori. " I would give up the world…"
"…if I could be with Hitori."
***
Kurama looked at Hitori gazing out at the river. This time I will never let you go. I will remain here beside you…
An image flashed before Kurama's eyes…raven haired youko, Kuronue, partner…and slipped away into the darkness…Who?
It is starting…Kurama thought to himself, his eyes clouded a little at the alien feeling of something invading his mind, wresting his precious memories from him. He was a little bit surprised. He had never thought that losing memories could be so painful.
Brilliant headstrong youko whose eyes were blinded by my orders…Yomi…Darkness…
My memories are fading one by one…He clenched his eyes shut at the pain, I..I wish I had known you earlier. I wish things could have been different…happier… and opened them again to see Hitori who looked about to bolt. He reached out his hands to cover hers, he wanted her to be the last thing he remembered.
"Don't leave. Stay with me… please."
***
Who am I? Why do I feel like I know her? That I know him? Am I the one they call Hitori?
She had listened, as the two argued before her, sparking her non-existent memory to painful half-remembrance. Why I can't I remember a thing? I want to remember…She stared hard at the river, the river which had been her solace here in this place. But it offered no solution. In fact it seemed to look forbidding and dark. Just like my mind…dark and full of secrets…help me remember, ANYONE!
She couldn't sit still, she started to get up…
"Don't leave. Stay with me…please."
She turned her head to see Kurama reach out towards her with a pleading look in his eyes. Is there something wrong with him? Hitori looked closer and saw the pain in emerald orbs. It was enough to make her forget her own problems. She scooted a bit closer, allowing him to cover her hands. "I will stay with you…Kurama-san…" //Because I love you…//
Hitori looked at him and murmured almost to herself…"I have a feeling I can't leave you, even if I wanted to."
//Because I love you…//
***
Damn baka! Botan said, she knew that the river Lethe was starting to take effect when Kurama's eyes misted over. The surprise that followed didn't astound Botan. She knew Kurama must have been feeling the pain of losing his memories…such was the price of Lethe being used on a living mind.
I cannot stand by and let this happen. Gomen, Kurama, but I can't let you stay here. Not when there is still time to save you.
As quick as a flash, Botan glided over to where Hitori and Kurama were seated. She opened a portal out of the Reikai and started to violently yank the semi-conscious Kurama to it.
She didn't see the rose that slipped out from Kurama's shirt and fell into Hitori's hands.
***
Hitori was surprised to find Botan yanking Kurama away to a portal nearby and didn't have time to react. What is she doing? Hitori clenched her hands. Ow! What…Something had dug into her flesh and she looked down to see…to see a dried up rose…a rose, memory, the reddest rose she ever saw…
//Ai shitteru. I love you, beloved, more than anything in this world… //
A barrage of images entered her mind then of different people and different scenes…it was too much. She screamed.
***
"What are you doing, Botan?" Kurama asked through the haze of pain. He tried to struggle out of her grasp, trying to get away from the portal she was dragging him to.
"I am trying to save your life, idiot!" Botan shrieked at him, exerting more effort, pulling him in.
"I told you I don't want to go back. I want to stay here." Damn her…another memory slipped away…
"Well, sorry, buddy boy, you promised me you'd obey my…"
Botan didn't get to finish her sentence as Hitori screamed.
***
"What's wrong, Hitori?"
Kurama bent down near the girl who knelt with her head between her hands. He had managed to get away from Botan when Hitori had screamed.
Dilated eyes, panic…something's scaring her. "What's wrong?" He repeated just as Botan came closer to cast a worried look at Hitori.
"Stop it, stop it! Too much, too much. Somebody stop it…" Hitori was rocking her head back and forth, oblivious to her surroundings, the rose still clutched in one hand.
Kurama and Botan both saw the rose at the same time and understanding dawned on both of them.
"What can we do?"
"Nothing." Botan answered Kurama. "All we can do is wait, if we had the time, and see if Hitori can ride this out…"
Kurama threw a pleading glance her way.
"Alright, Kurama. Stop giving me those pleading looks. We'll wait and see if Hitori remembers." Kurama started to grin. "But only for a few minutes. The minute I see you losing your tangible body, that's it. We're out of here. With or without Hitori. Got it?"
"Got it." Kurama was relieved. Unnoticed, he hid his semi-transparent right hand from Botan. He didn't want to leave Hitori now, not when they were so close.
As he sat and watched Hitori, another memory slipped away and Kurama was forced to sit down as the pain returned. Well, with more than a thousand years of memories, surely it wouldn't hurt me to lose at least some of them…He joked to himself, unwilling to think of the consequences, concentrating on Hitori…
***
A few minutes had passed by since Hitori had screamed. Botan's eyes were straining as she alternately watched over Hitori and Kurama. Thank goodness Kurama isn't fading yet. She scrutinized the red-haired boy minutely as he closed his eyes. Color's still ok, except for the paleness. He looks as white as a sheet. Aside form that, he looks alright…what I see of him, that is. I just wish I can see under that long-sleeved shirt of his, see if he's fading or not.
Just a little longer, gods, please…don't let Kurama fade away before Hitori remembers.
Hitori groaned. A sound that spurred both Kurama and Botan to action. Kurama got to Hitori first.
***
Kurama could feel Botan's scrutiny and tried to act nonchalant. He didn't want her to see anything wrong so he tried not to move around so much so she wouldn't be able to see just how much of his body had faded under his long-sleeved shirt and pants. If Botan could see, she would have been alarmed. All that was left of his body was from the neck up, everything else had become transparent, just as his memories were now confined to his teenage years as a ningen. Soon, he knew, he would fade away completely. He had already accepted the fact. But not before Hitori regains her memories. Not before she can recognize me.
Hitori. She was his lifeline, the one memory that he clung to with tenacity…
Hitori groaned. And Kurama was at her side at once, forgetting pain and everything else…
"Are you alright?" He asked her, peering into her downcast eyes.
***
I am Hitori…
After what seemed like an eternity, she finally remembered who she was. So many memories…she was awed at the sheer number of memories she had accumulated. She lifted her head and groaned as it throbbed in pain…
"Are you alright?"
She raised her head and to meet concerned emerald eyes. Beautiful, deep, eyes. I remember drowning in them the first time we met. I remember! Happy tears started to form in her eyes as she put arms around Kurama, pulling his head down lower to within a 2 inches of her face. She smiled the sweetest smile. " I remember you, Kurama. Beloved. Ai shitteru."
***
" I remember you, Kurama. Beloved. Ai shitteru."
Kurama wept, too overcome by emotion to answer back, Instead, he put his arms around her and held her tightly against him for a moment. Then he tipped her head back and kissed her with all the loneliness, pain, desolation and love that he had kept inside him for the past month. Ai shitteru, kireida. Itsu made mo. I love you forever whatever happens…
***
At last…tears leaked out of Botan's eyes. She never really thought Kurama would succeed at such an indomitable task. She shrugged, then again she had never factored in love before either. I should probably give them a few more minutes of privacy…Botan turned around. Wouldn't want them to think I'm a peeping tom…
Seconds after she turned around, she heard Hitori gasp.
***
As Kurama's lips met hers, Hitori closed her eyes, willing time to stand still. This is where I want to be forever…
Her eyes flew open in surprise when Kurama pushed her away, roughly. Wha…
"Nani?" She gasped, astonished and not a little bit scared at what she saw. Kurama…Kurama was disappearing. His hands and feet were nowhere to be seen and his face…it might be her imagination but Hitori was moderately sure that the color was leeching out even as she watched. Her Kurama was fading before her eyes. Somehow she knew that if this continued, Kurama would die…
Panic, shock, and overwhelming fear.
What is happening…
Somewhere on her left she heard Botan swear. "Kurama, you baka!"
***
Damn the baka. I should have known, should have kept a closer eye on him. Stupid, Botan! This must be the stupidest thing you've ever done. I only hope it isn't too late.
She opened a portal again and tried to tug Kurama inside, throwing an apologetic glance at the shocked Hitori. "Gomen, Hitori, but we have to get out of here as quickly as possible."
As if her problems were not enough, Kurama didn't budge the slightest. This made Botan lose her temper, she started screaming.
"Move, Baka! We don't have any time left!" A blank look greeted her heated pronouncement as Kurama turned to look at her. "Kurama! Damn it!" He's lost all his memory already. We have to get out of here before he forgets who he is, before there is nothing left…
"Hitori, we have to get him out of here." Or else…
***
Hitori shook herself into action, aware of the desperate tone in Botan's voice.
Botan's unspoken 'or else' hung in the air as Hitori started towards Kurama and touched an invisible shoulder. "Kurama." She began and was rewarded by a similar blank look. "Kurama, its Hitori and Botan. Don't you remember?"
No reaction. A blank stare from colorless eyes that were once a verdant emerald. "Please…we have to get out of here." She tugged at his sleeves.
He didn't budge. The tips of his hair was rapidly losing its fiery red. Gods…what can I do?
She clenched her hand and got pricked. She was still holding the rose…that's it. This will make him remember! She took Kurama's hand, put the rose in it, closed it and lifted it up near Kurama's face as she held her breath.
Seconds passed…Kurama stared at the rose with no apparent sign of recognition…
Beloved, remember…please remember!
Seconds passed and more of Kurama's hair faded…nothing happened.
***
Too late…even the rose won't do it.
Botan decided to take matters into her own hands. This isn't the way I wanted it to be but there's no other choice. She sighed.
She alighted from her broom, took it firmly in both her hands and with one giant swing…
Ke-rack!
Kurama crumpled to the ground.
Botan met Hitori's dazed look with an apologetic shrug. "It was the only way. Now help me drag him into the portal." Botan bent down to take hold of Kurama's arms.
Hitori nodded and took hold of Kurama's legs, maneuvering so she could slip into the portal.
***
Reikai, Enma Daioh's palace
Koenma was reading an important document that was labeled urgent. Or at least he was trying to read it. He had scanned it for the thirtieth time and finally decided to give up. It's no use. I'm too worried about Kurama and the others. It's been too long…
Koenma started to pace around his office. Thirty steps to the right, turn, thirty left. Again and again. Worrying like this had become a habit with him ever since he had become Yusuke's boss. Boy, did he worry. There was even a prominent bald spot on the carpet where he'd tread on too many times.
Can't help it. Botan hadn't returned and he was getting more worried. Kurama is a little bit hard to handle. Never did he doubt Botan's capacity as a deity of death, because for all her ditziness, Botan had never failed in her Reikai duties before. On the other hand, Kurama, he knew, had a stubborn streak in him. It might surprise Yusuke and the others but not Koenma. Kurama might try for diplomatic tact most of the time and almost always acceded to the group's decision but when it concerned something he really wanted, he could be ruthless and determined as hell. Behind the affable emerald gaze was tempered steel forged out of an ex-kitsune thief. And Koenma was in doubt that Botan can curb the ex-kitsune's stubborn streak.
Pace, pace, turn. Where can they be? Damn! Pace, pace…
"Ow!" Koenma fell down on the floor, bumped by someone who appeared from a portal. He didn't have to see to know who it was. Only one person ever 'ported to his office. "Botan!"
"Gomen, gomen!" Botan sweatdropped at the menacing tone in Koenma's voice. "It was the only place I could think of that was easily reachable."
"And why do you need to make a quick getaway?" Koenma said in an irritated voice. Botan raised her eyebrows at him and looked at a point behind him. He turned his head to see Hitori crawl to Kurama's side and cradle Kurama's head. Oh, right! I forgot.
He braced himself on the floor and got up, walking towards the two, immersed in his thoughts, oblivious to the fact that Botan was actually shaking her head at him, trying to pull him to one side.
I really didn't think Kurama could do it…I really shouldn't underestimate him. Well, at least they're finally together, maybe now the old Kurama will come back…Koenma's random thoughts died down as he reached the two. Something's wrong. He could feel it. Why isn't Kurama moving?
He reached Hitori's side and dropped down on his knees beside her. Empty eyes, transparent skin…Shit! I've seen this look before. Koenma looked at Botan with a question in his eyes. Too late?
She hesitated then nodded slightly. Damn! He turned towards Botan again and cocked his head at the silent Hitori.
Botan shrugged, shaking her head. She didn't know what Hitori was feeling right now. She'd been too busy getting them out of the Reikai to monitor the kitsune's emotions.
***
She couldn't feel him anymore. She couldn't feel Kurama's skin, Kurama's hair, as she cradled his head in her arms, couldn't see herself reflected in his eyes, eyes that had been a vibrant emerald but were now only a washed-out copy, a shell of the person she loved.
Hitori squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn't bear to see him like this.
I want to see myself reflected in your eyes, I want to feel you here in my arms, I want to see you smile at me and say that everything will be alright, that you love me, I want…I want you to… live, Kurama. I want you to live…
***
Koenma turned back to the pair and looked closely at Hitori. Her color was good for someone just recently returned from the Reikai's inner dimensions. Her eyes were squeezed shut though so Koenma couldn't gauge just how fine her spirit was. Well, she's alright for the time being. Koenma shifted his attention to Kurama. Though Botan had given her verdict, he still scanned the almost completely transparent boy again, minutely…going over every inch…after all, he was still Prince of the Netherworld and had more experience with these things.
There!
"Botan, 'port the four of us to my father's chamber, NOW!"
***
"UNACCEPTABLE, KOENMA! HOW DARE YOU TELEPORT YOURSELF WITH THESE NINGENS WHILE I AM HAVING A MEETING!"
Normally, the sound of Enma Daioh's disapproval would have Koenma quaking in his boots and scurrying for cover. It was ridiculous really, after hundreds of years, he still felt like a child in his father's presence, afraid of what his father would dole out as punishment. But right now was not the time to contemplate consequences. His friend was fading away, turning into a wraith, he willed his knees to stop knocking together. Squaring his soldiers, he tried to phrase his next words as calmly as he could.
"Gomen Nasai, Otosan." He bowed before his father. "But it is a matter of some urgency. We couldn't wait around for an audience." He indicated the fallen Kurama and the silent Hitori.
"Aa. THE NINGEN HAS SUCEEDED." Enma Daioh peered more intently. "AT THE COST OF HIS OWN LIFE I SEE. IT LOOKS LIKE THE REIKAI GAINS ANOTHER WRAITH."
"'Tosan, there is still hope for Kurama. A part of his life force is still inside him. You can still bring him back."
"KOENMA, YOU KNOW THE RULES OF THE REIKAI. I HAVE ALREADY GIVEN HIM THE CHANCE TO BRING THE KITSUNE BACK, I DID NOT RECALL GIVING ANY TO SAFEGUARD HIS LIFE."
"B…but…"
"NO BUTS. IT IS NOT YOUR PLACE TO GAINSAY MY DECISION, EVEN IF YOU ARE MY SON."
"But it is mine!"
What? Koenma looked back to see that Hitori had shaken herself out of her preoccupied state. She had put Kurama into Botan's lap and was now striding forward, her face set in a determined look.
"NANI?" Enma Daioh was astonished at the interruption.
"I said, it is my right to question that decision."
"AND BY WHAT RIGHT DO YOU GAINSAY THE KING OF THE NETHERWORLD'S DECISION?"
Enma Daioh's voice was at its most menacing tone, irritated at this kitsune's presumption.
***
Hitori didn't back down from Enma Daioh's tone. Kawakami 'Tosan had always used the same tone on her before and she had never backed down from him. She wouldn't back down now. I wouldn't back down if I had to face a hundred Enma-samas. She looked back once at Kurama. I would risk all for you.
"The right of the one who is the reason for all these troubles."
"AND YOU THINK THIS GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO GAINSAY ME?"
"Hai."
"HMMNNN…YOU ARE PRESUMPTUOUS, KITSUNE, BUT ALL RIGHT, I WILL GIVE YOU A CHANCE. PRESENT YOUR CASE. WHAT DO YOU WANT?"
"Help Kurama before it is too late."
"NOTHING IN THE WORLDS, BE IT NINGENKAI, MAKAI OR REIKAI, COMES FOR FREE, KITSUNE. WHAT DO YOU OFFER IN RETURN?"
Hitori wasn't surprised. It had been the kitsune way too and she had anticipated this. She didn't hesitate. "Anything."
"ANYTHING? EVEN YOUR LIFE BACK?"
//No!//
Enma Daioh cocked his head back, as if hearing something no one else could.
"Anything." Hitori repeated. "I have died once already." She shrugged. "A second time will not matter."
//No!//
"Aa. BUT THIS TIME IT MAY NOT BE SO EASY, KITSUNE. THIS TIME YOU WILL NOT BE SENT TO THE DIMENSION YOU INHABITED BEFORE. THIS TIME YOU WILL BE SENT TO THE FIERY DIMENSION, THAT WHICH NINGENS CALL HELL. DO YOU ACCEPT THIS?"
Hitori hesitated, then shrugged, silent acquiescence. It does not matter. He is the only one that matters.
//No!//
"No, Hitori!" Botan had glided up to her side and caught hold of her arm. "You don't know the fires of hell. It is pure torture, hopelessness, pain. Your spirit will not be able to take it. You cannot agree."
"Much as I would like Kurama to be here," Koenma said, "I think Botan is right, Hitori. Besides, I doubt Kurama would appreciate you throwing your life away after all he has done. You cannot accept. There must be another way."
//Yes.//
The precarious calm Hitori had been holding finally evaporated. And the tide of emotions broke free. "Another way? What other way? If there was another way, I'd take it but there isn't. There is no time left. If we don't do something now, Kurama will die." This seemed to finally sink in Hitori's mind, weakening her. "He will die…" She slid to the floor. "I do…not…want him to die."
Botan looked at her friend and sighed. "I do not want him to die either Hitori but think about yourself too. The fiery dimension, eternal damnation, pain…I cannot let you go." She gripped Hitori tight.
"The pain of dying, even of eternal death, is nothing compared to losing Kurama. The pain of hell cannot surpass the pain of knowing I caused Kurama's death." Came the reply. "I cannot, will not, see him die. Not like this and not…not because of me."
"B…but…"
Hitori shook her head at Botan, smiled a little smile and whispered. "I appreciate your concern, Botan. But if you were me and Kurama was Koenma, wouldn't you do the exact same thing?"
Hitori's words shook Botan to the core.
"Let me go, Botan. Let me do the right thing. Kurama cannot last much longer."
She gently disentangled herself from Botan and walked to where Kurama lay on the floor forgotten. No, not forgotten, never forgotten. She bent down, a sad smile on her face and whispered to Kurama. "I guess this is it, beloved."
//No!//
I wish it could have been different…I wish we had had more time. "You had better take care of yourself, baka. No more running around trying to rescue me alright? And don't even think of moping around, you're going to worry your 'kaasan, Yusuke and the others." A tear fell on one of Kurama's transparent cheek. "Be strong and live…Ai shitteru…I love you. And I will never forget you, not this time, I promise." She kissed his lips and stood up. She closed her eyes for a moment to hold back the tears and walked towards Enma-sama, towards the path she chose for herself. Goodbye, my love.
"THE NINGEN WILL NOT LAST MUCH LONGER. WHAT IS YOUR DECISION,KITSUNE?"
"Help Kurama."
Koenma caught a flicker of admiration in his 'tosan's eyes. He actually likes Hitori. Fat lot that does. Koenma thought bitterly. Why can't he grant this request just once?
"Aa. I WILL FULFILL MY END OF THE BARGAIN. PREPARE YOURSELF KITSUNE." He started to wave his hand.
"Not so fast." This stopped Enma-sama.
"NANI? ARE YOU GOING TO BACK OUT?"
"No, but before you send me to whatever infernal dimension, I want to see you fulfill your end of the bargain first. Bring Kurama back to life then send me anywhere you like."
Enma Daioh shrugged. Then closed his eyes for a moment. Hitori heard Botan gasp. She looked to Kurama and a bit of her sadness lifted. He was showing a bit more color now and his eyes registered conscious thought. He sat up and Hitori could see beautiful emerald eyes searching the room and stop as they found her. Beloved…before she could even run to him, a darkness engulfed her and she fell into the unending void, unconscious…
***
She floated into consciousness. Is this…hell? She didn't dare open her eyes, afraid of what she would see. Strange, but it doesn't feel any different from before. Where's the pain, the agony and all the stuff Botan said? This is most strange…
Bog!
The sound distracted her from her thoughts and she tensed sensing the presence of others. Demons perhaps? She still didn't open her eyes. Better they think I'm not conscious…
Plink!
"Dammit, Yusuke! Stop that already will you?"
Swat!
"Kuwabara no baka! You started this."
"Will you two stop that, already?"
"Shizukane shite kudasai. Keep quiet, please. Kuwabara-san, sit down here."
"Bee-da! Yusuke and Kuwabara are both bakas."
"Botan, stop that."
Kuwabara, Yusuke, Keiko, Yukina, Botan, Koenma, my friends, gomen, I cannot be with you now…
A cool cloth was put on her forehead.
"Please guys, stay quiet. You might wake her up."
Pain lanced through her. Kurama. This must surely be the torture Botan spoke of. Hell was mental torture, not physical. To hear Kurama's voice, to see him, to see her friends, give her hope and then take it away when she least expected it. She couldn't help the tear that slipped out of one eye. I won't give them the satisfaction of knowing it hurts me. I will not open my eyes.
***
Kurama put the cloth over Hitori's still form. He sighed. How long are you going to sleep, beloved? He sat down beside the bed, ignoring the others' antics and just looked at Hitori's features. He never got tired of looking. It was then he noticed the tear that fell down Hitori's cheek.
He inched closer to Hitori and traced the tear's path with feather light touches. Crying? Why? He whispered in a worried tone. "Hitori, are you awake?"
***
The sweet loving tone in his voice almost broke Hitori. Demon or not, she couldn't help opening her eyes, she wanted to see Kurama's face, even if it was just some trickery.
***
Slowly, Hitori's eyes opened and Kurama could see pain and longing in them as red eyes darted over his features. He smiled a sweet smile and hugged her tight. "Its over, Hitori. We're finally together."
***
He is beautiful. She thought to herself as she proceeded to look intently at Kurama's face before her. All the pain and longing she felt slipped out of her eyes, she couldn't help it. She knew that the demon would probably take advantage of her weakness but she couldn't help it, just couldn't help it.
"Its over, Hitori. We're finally together." Kurama hugged her.
"This isn't real! This isn't real!" But it felt so real to her. "This isn't real!" Hitori tried to tell herself over and over. Soon, she knew Kurama would disappear. She couldn't take it…tears started to fall from her eyes and she whispered over and over, trying to convince herself.
This isn't real! This isn't real...
***
"This isn't real…"
Kurama heard the softly whispered words near her ear as he hugged Hitori. Why is she like this? Then he remembered what had happened and understanding dawned on him.
"Hitori." He said gently, trying to get through to the girl he held in his arms, he pulled her to about arms length and captured his eyes with his own, waiting until Hitori looked calm enough. "Hitori, listen to me. This is real. I'm real. You aren't in the Reikai anymore."
***
Before Hitori could respond…
"OOOOOooooiiii, Hitori! Welcome back!" Kuwabara screamed at her from behind Kurama.
"Welcome back, Hitori-chan." Yukina peeped out from besides Kuwabara.
"Hitori…" Keiko's eyes were tearful.
Botan floated up above Kuwabara and the others and flashed Hitori her trademark effervescent smile. "Hey there, Hitori! Glad you're back."
Hitori turned her head and found Koenma on the side. He nodded in her direction and smiled.
Everyone…There was still some doubt left in her eyes. Demons were known to be very tricky…
***
Kurama remained silent as everyone converged on Hitori. He could see the doubts still playing in Hitori's eyes…
***
"Oi! Hitori!" Yusuke jumped up into the air and grabbed hold of Botan's broom.
"Yusuke! Get off, you're going to tip us off..eeeek!" Botan, Yusuke and broom tumbled into the group's midst, only Kurama who had been sitting on Hitori's bed, remained. "…balance." Botan narrowed her eyes. "Yusuke no baka!"
Yusuke just grinned his maniacal grin, ignoring the others' swears and got up. "So Hitori are you ok now? When are you going to train with me again?"
Bam! A fist landed on Yusuke's cheek.
"Yusuke, you baka!"
Yusuke turned to see Botan, Kuwabara, and Keiko staring at him with eyes that promised pain. "Uh oh!" He squeaked out. "Help!"
***
"Yusuke, you idiot!"
"Baka."
"This'll teach you!"
Hitori stared at the group on the floor pounding Yusuke, stunned at first. But she quickly shook out of it. I'm back! I'm really back! Any doubts she might have were dispelled just as soon as Yusuke opened his mouth. No one could ever emulate Yusuke's brand of silliness.
She stared back at the group and burst out laughing. Joy mingled with relief on her face. Quickly, she turned to Kurama smiling and quietly said. "I'm back."
"Welcome back…beloved." Kurama smiled.
~OWARI~ (although I will be putting in an addendum tomorrow just to wrap it all up ^^ and explain a few things.)