The Return of the Forgotten
~ Disclaimer: I own nothing off of Yu Yu Hakusho, but… I do claim all original characters. Even the soon to come annoying ones, and will sic Hiei on you if you try to hurt them, *grins* ~
Author's Note- This takes place after the series is over so all the characters are eighteen or seventeen, except maybe Hiei, but anyway. Yusuke and Keiko have decided to wait to get married because Keiko wants to go to college and she wants Yusuke to go as well. (good luck)!
Chapter 6Destiny was restless and had left Shad at the temple to catch up on his sleep. She wandered aimlessly for a few hours and stopped when she came across a lake deep in the forest. Hiei was also there but hadn't noticed her yet. He was staring out across the lake apparently in deep thought. Destiny silent made her way towards the short man and stopped a few feet away from him and waited for him to notice her presence. Fortunately she didn't have long to wait.
"What are you doing here?" Hiei demanded.
Destiny raised her eyebrow at him in a silent reprimand and didn't answer. Instead she just sat down, wrapped her arms around her legs, and rested her chin on her knees. "I bother you for some reason. I'd like to know why." She said after a long period of silence. Hiei turned to her and his eyes widened in surprise. She met his gaze easily and her sapphire blue eyes were merely curious and confused other than angry or upset.
"Wouldn't you dislike it if you were told that you were being hunted?" He asked.
"I've already been hunted Hiei. More than anyone should ever have to be, but such is life. Either we can accept things as they come or we can rant and rave about them. Which do you think is the wisest?" She replied honestly.
Hiei looked a little taken back and looked thoughtfully at the water. "Interesting theory… But why would you have been hunted?"
"Many reasons. What man does not understand he seeks to destroy, what he cannot have he lusts after." She answered quietly and turned her gaze to the water as well. "Despite all of this, life has fascinated both my ancestors and Shad and I. Humans, especially."
"Why?" Hiei asked curiously.
Destiny grinned and fluttered one of her hands. "Look around you. They are constantly searching for newer and better things and when they find these things their ideals change. They've come up with some of the greatest pieces of music, art, philosophies, stories, and a hundred things more. But are they content? Of course not! There is still more and more to see, to learn, to do." She said and her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Oh really? Give one example." Hiei said calmly when in truth he was fascinated. She was so naively innocent about the world that he found it refreshing.
"William Shakespeare." She answered instantly and then looked over at him impishly and added, "There is a method to my madness. Hamlet."
Hiei stared at her for a full minute and started to chuckle. "You're so childish." He said.
Destiny's eyes lost their playful look and a sad smile made it's way to her face as she stood. "Now there's where you're wrong. I stopped being a child shortly after I was four years of age." She said and her voice was full of memories. "See you later Hiei." She said and turned to walk away.
"Wait."
"Yes?"
"Why did you have to grow up so soon?" He asked and Destiny turned around to face him once again.
"I had no other choice if I wanted to survive." She answered and walked silently away. Hiei looked back at the water to think over what he'd just learned.
Destiny arrived back at the temple with conflicting emotions. She wished that she hadn't told Hiei anything now. She hated remembering her early childhood. Grumbling she picked up the pack that Shad had gone back to the house and gotten for her and dug out her small flute. It was Learian craftsmanship and played beautifully, with a sigh of pleasure she ran her hand over the delicate instrument and headed outside to play so she wouldn't bother anyone. She settled down on the steps with her back against a column, closed her eyes, raised the flute to her mouth, and began to play an old ballad that she liked.
It was easy to lose one's self in music and Destiny played from the heart. The flute sang out the heartbreaking notes to the sad ballad beautifully. It was a tale about a warrior who was forever destined to fight. He was forced to leave both his family and homeland behind for honor.
Destiny was so focused on the music that she didn't even notice the small crowd that she was attracting. Kurama, Genkai, Hiei, Yukina, and Botan were all listening to her. But they were also silent, it was almost as if they sensed that if Destiny realized she was being watched she would stop. And they were sort of right. When they last note faded softly Destiny opened her eyes and found five pairs looking back at her.
"Umm… Bonjour." She said nervously and caused a few of them to grin.
"That was just beautiful!" Botan exclaimed.
"Thank you." Destiny answered sincerely and smiled.
"Such an old ballad, child. How do you know it?" Genkai asked. Destiny looked at her for a long moment and didn't answer.
"Go ahead and tell her. It makes no difference." Shad said around a yawn as he walked out onto the porch. He was back in his human form and had a pair of dark blue jeans and a white t-shirt. "Morning." He said cheerfully to the others. Destiny smiled back and shook her head slightly when he laid back down on the porch.
"Lazy." She teased.
"You're just now figuring that out?" He asked impishly.
"Destiny?" Genkai asked.
"Yes?"
"My question."
"Oh yes. After they destroyed their home planet the first Forgotten Guardians worked a spell so that all of their memories and those of their descendents would pass down to the next generation so that they would learn from each generation's mistakes and would gain their knowledge. That's one of the reason's why we are able to create advanced technologies. We have all the knowledge of past generations, like mathematics, science, music, art, the list goes on and on…"
"How is something like that possible?" Hiei asked.
"Our ancestor's wills were very strong. Their people were corrupted by power and they wanted all of those who followed after them to see what they saw and endured." Shad answered
"Wait a minute. Are you two full blooded Learians?" Botan asked.
"Yes." They replied.
"But how? If your people were all destroyed so long ago then…"
Shad reached over and tapped her gently on the leg. "Some things cannot be explained, you just have to accept them as they are."
"Passing on words of wisdom?" Destiny teased and Shad grinned at her.
"Never thought I'd be quoting Silvon." He agreed. "Which reminds me, what are we going to tell the night club people?" He asked with a frown.
"Ugh. I forgot about that." She answered and tapped the flute against her lips thoughtfully. "I guess I'll head over there and explained that a family emergency came up." She said finally.
"Like what?" He asked skeptically.
"Well I dunno," she drawled. "How about my poor, pitiful brother woke up with food poisoning and I couldn't leave him since I'm his only family."
"Great. Make me sound like a weakling." He grumbled.
"Gladly!" She teased and stood up. "Does anyone know where the Dark Volcano night club is?" She asked.
"You two have jobs there?" Kurama asked in surprise.
"Yeah. Is that a bad thing?" She asked worriedly. "I thought Shad said it had a good reputation…"
"No it's not bad. They're just very picky about who they hire." Kurama assured her.
"We're basically part of the entertainment. Dancing, singing, picking what music to play and giving it to the DJ, and we have to be able to work the bar." Destiny rattled off like she was reading the contract again.
I'm sure you're very good at entertaining. Kurama purred teasingly at her in mind-speech. "I'll show you the way if you like." He offered aloud.
"I'd be grateful if you would."
"What about me?" Shad whined.
"You have to stay here. You're sick remember?" Destiny scolded.
"More like bored." He muttered.
Destiny grinned, stood up, walked over to her brother and leaned down to kiss his cheek. "You'll live and if you get bored just follow Genkai around." She suggested mischievously.
"Hey!" Genkai protested and Shad turned his speculative eyes on her.
"Good idea heart-sister. Have fun sweet talking." He said and grinned at Genkai.
Kurama and Destiny headed back into the city in a companionable silence. "Do you mind if we stop by my house for a few minutes?" She asked.
"Of course not." Kurama answered and allowed her to lead the way.
Just like before, he was very impressed with their home. It was decorated with good taste and either a man or a woman would feel comfortable living there. There was a well-equipped entertainment system in the living room and the whole house had a homey feel to it. "What do you need?" He asked.
"A shower and a change of clothes." She said and headed up the stairs. "Make yourself at home. If you're hungry there's food in the kitchen!" She called over her shoulder and disappeared. Kurama chuckled softly and decided to look around instead so he could think.
He was fast becoming very attracted to Destiny despite the fact that they'd only know one another for a short time. There was something very different about the Learian woman that called out to him. She was so young when compared to him but her eyes held more in them than many elderly peoples did. The same went for her brother but unlike Destiny, Shad seemed at times more playful and at others much more colder. One thing he knew for certain was that they were both very protective of one another.
Kurama was so intent on his thoughts that he forgot about the time and barely noticed a light rose scent before Destiny touched his shoulder lightly. "Ready to go?" She asked and he turned around to face her. She was wearing a short black skirt that showed off her well-toned legs, a deep jade green shirt and black sandals. A thin gold circlet with a jade stone at its center covered the star on her brow and her hair was in a high ponytail with a few small random braids in it. Heaven help my heart. Kurama thought as he remembered the old saying.
"Why are you staring at me?" Destiny asked and shifted uncomfortably.
"Sorry… I can't seem to help it." Kurama answered and gently cupped her face in his hands. He was a bit saddened when a wary look came into her eyes before confusion set in.
"Kurama, why are you…" She started to ask him a question when he rubbed his thumb over her lips to silence her.
"A memory." He said quietly and bent his head and caressed her lips tenderly with his own. Somewhere deep within him Kurama realized that he was stealing borrowed time. This girl and her brother had been clearly marked and claimed by fate, and he knew from experience that fate did not appreciate it when people interfered. Bit for once he didn't care, some part of himself recognized Destiny as a part of his soul.
Some part of Destiny must have also sensed the same thing because she didn't pull away and stepped closer to him. Destiny reached up and placed her hands on his shoulders and her fingers played lightly with his hair. Kurama purred deep in his throat and he felt a smile come to her lips. Think that's funny do you? He teased and nipped playfully at her lips.
Yep. She replied and gently bit his bottom lip before pulling away. "We have to go to the Dark Volcano." She reminded him softly.
"I was hoping that you would forget." He joked and slid his hands down to her waist. Destiny smiled in return but her eyes were serious.
"What's happening between us Kurama?" She asked softly.
"I wish I knew," he answered, pulling her close and laid his cheek on her soft hair, "I really wish I knew."
Destiny rubbed his back soothingly and replied, "I know."
~ Aww… Poor Destiny and Kurama! So hard to understand feelings that you've no past experience with isn't it? What's going to happen next? Read and find out, don't forget to review! ~