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 11"Destiny! I'm going out for a bit!" Shad yelled up the stairs before running out of the house.
Now where is he off to? She wondered but went back to packing her things. Their mission here was complete, and it was time to move on yet again. Destiny looked thoughtfully out of the window and up at the night sky. It was three nights after the Veznens has tried to take over both her and Shadow and Silvon already had something else for them to do.
"No rest for the wicked." She said wryly and closed her suitcase with a snap. She glanced around her room then and noticed a photo that someone, Shad probably, had taken of her and Kurama. They were both dressed on everyday clothes and had huge smiles on their faces as the posed for the camera. Destiny sat down lightly on the edge of the bed as she studied the picture and felt a sharp pain tear through her heart. She had learned a lot of things on this trip, things that she wished she hadn't learned and some that she was grateful for. One lesson she would always remember, there could be no love without trust and no trust without love.
But it was her fault as much as it was Kurama's, possibly more. She should have told him about her past but hadn't been able to. She still felt a lot of shame deep insider her despite the fact that she had been a child and unable to protect herself or Shad. We really did grow up too soon but it couldn't be helped. Sure we lost a childhood but we did gain other things even if the price of that knowledge was a child's innocence of looking at the world. She thought a little sadly and didn't notice the tears sliding down her face. Destiny just wished that fate had given her and Kurama a chance, she truly did feel like he was her soul and heart mate but she and Shad shared a certain curse. Once they loved, they loved with all their heart, mind, and soul. And loving someone like that without them returning those feelings was almost as bad as being eaten alive from the inside out.
Destiny bowed her head and wiped the tears of her face but didn't look up when the picture slid out of her hands and to the floor. If she had she'd have seen Kurama in his Youko Kurama form watching her silently while he felt his heart break on the inside. He knew it was because of him that she was crying and he wanted anything but that. His face, normally so cruel in this form, was both vulnerable and a bit fearful and he headed towards her. He loved her and he'd be damned if he let her leave him. But… What if she wants to? He thought worriedly and knelt down in front of her.
At first Destiny thought it was Shadow and shook her head. "Go away, Shad. Please." She whispered and tried to turn away but two very strong hands held her tenderly in place.
"I'm not Shad and I can't go away." Kurama said softly and tilted her head up to look at him.
For a moment the shields that Destiny had built up over the years locked into place but when she saw that his were all gone she let them fall. "Why?" She managed to say.
"Why what?" He asked worriedly.
"Why are you here?" She replied and felt the flinch that ran through his body at her question.
"Because I can't let you go. I love you."
"Kurama… You can't love someone if you don't trust them and… you don't trust me." She said quietly and looked down so that he couldn't see her eyes.
"Destiny, look at me. Do you think I allow anyone to see me like this, especially when I'm so vulnerable?" He asked with a slight smile and she looked back up at him.
"But-"
"Please, listen to me before you say anything." He pleaded and proceeded to tell her everything about his past. His life as a thief, the fact that he was a demon, and how he'd once been crueler than most demons could ever be. How he changed when he realized how precious his mother was too him and about how he let lies and jealousy cloud his judgment and he'd lashed out at her. When he got to that point he had to stop for a moment and kissed the hands he held tenderly before going on. Or rather, he would have gone on but Destiny placed her fingertips on his mouth and wouldn't let him.
"It's my turn now." She said and began to tell him of her and Shadow's past. She'd been made to train every day since she was a little over four and anything less than perfect would get her a beating that would very nearly kill her. The nights were the worst by far though, that was when the guard were allowed to try and do anything to her, including rape despite her age. Thankfully Shadow had been spared all of that because he hadn't been able to change from his wolf form to human but he was with her through all those long nights and beatings. In truth, he kept her sane. Years later they had been able to escape and Silvon had found them and taught them to let go of their hate and their training increased, as their fate became known to them.
Kurama held her tenderly as she told him all of this and more. They both held much of their feelings inside of themselves but they couldn't from one another, not any longer at least. Too much pain was caused that way and neither of them wanted to hurt the other.
"Can you forgive me?" He asked and looked intently into her eyes with his own. Destiny didn't answer immediately but just searched his eyes for something he couldn't see before smiling softly at him.
"Always." She reassured him. "And Kurama?"
"Yes?"
"I love you too. Heart, mind, body, and soul." She said and gently caressed his face with her hands. This was a new side that she would have to get used to. The older and more dangerous side of Kurama but it was still him. Kurama closed his eyes as her hands wandered over his face; it was like she was trying to memorize him by touch as well as sight. He was a bit surprised when she slid her hands through his hair but didn't protest, especially since he liked having her touch him. And in this form his senses were even sharper than when he was a human and he felt each tiny caress. He did open his eyes a bit when she touched his ears but closed them again when she started to rub one at it's base. When he started to purr it surprised both of them so much that they both just froze.
"I didn't know you purred." She said with a smile.
"I didn't either. You're the first person I've ever let touch any vulnerable part of my body before." He answered truthfully, cupped her face in his hands and leaned close and breathed in deeply. Her scent was an enticing mixture of rain and sun with a hint of rose in it. "You smell like spring." He murmured and traced her face with one of his hands. He was very pleased when she leaned into his gentle caresses like a kitten seeking affection. Kurama stood up a bit so he could sit on the bed and moved Destiny into his lap, craving her nearness as much as he craved her love.
"I love you." She said again and began to rub his ears. Kurama purred in pleasure and lowered his mouth to Destiny's and kissed her softly. Destiny nipped gently at his lips, placed her hands on his shoulders and made slow rubbing motions. Kurama let out a low growl, pulled her closer to him, threaded his hands through her hair and kissed her a bit more heatedly.
Stay with me Destiny. Be my mate, my wife, my heart, and my soul mate. Let me love you till the day we die and I'll not ask for anything save that you love me in return. He said to her in mind-speech and broke off their kiss so he could calm himself back down and so that he could look at her.
Kurama… She whispered achingly before continuing. I can't stay here with you. Shadow and I came here to keep you and the others safe. Now that our mission is completed we have another we must move on to. She answered sorrowfully
"Then I'll come with you!"
"I... I don't know if you'll be able to." She answered truthfully but a glimmering of hope showed through her voice.
Kurama looked at her and his gold eyes blazed in determination. "I will not let you leave me Destiny. Do you understand? I will not lose you. You belong to me as much as I belong to you." He all but growled. "And if you even try I will find a way to follow you, even if it's through hell's flames."
"That sounds exceedingly painful." A deep voice said from the doorway in amusement. Kurama snarled, stood swiftly while holding Destiny behind him and got ready to attack the intruder.
Silvon studied the young demon silently and waited to see what he would do. In this form Kurama was even taller than Silvon but this didn't worry him. Kurama, despite his many years, was still considered to be a teen among his fellow demons, compared to Silvon's age, he was still a child.
"Do you know what it means to be a Learian's soul-mate?" He asked.
"I don't care." Kurama said defiantly.
"You will, youngling. You will." Silvon warned and sat down on the desk. "Destiny? I'd like to see my daughter." He teased but was actually pleased that Kurama's instincts had been to protect her. Destiny stepped around from behind Kurama and would have gone to Silvon but stopped when Kurama touched her hand lightly. She stopped instantly and looked up at his eyes, there was a vulnerability in them along with a fear that she would leave him. Destiny smiled and motioned him to bend down a bit. Kurama thinking that she wanted to tell him something did so and was surprised when she kissed him deeply with her adopted father watching them. "I love you." She said again before letting him go and walked over to Silvon and hugged him.
Silvon watched her and Kurama smugly but quickly changed his expression when Kurama looked over at him. Wouldn't do for the boy to be getting the wrong idea. He thought with a wry smile and hugged his daughter back. After she kissed him lightly on the cheek she went back to Kurama and linked her hand through his.
They were a striking couple. Both with silver hair but Kurama's was straight while Destiny's was more inclined to be wavy and curl. Kurama also about seven feet tall or a little more while Destiny was barely five feet and seven inches in height. Destiny with her sapphire blue eyes with their silver streaks in them and Kurama with deep gold eyes that shone with intelligence, and his face that had looked almost cruel and remote when he looked at Silvon changed when he looked at his daughter into something softer. Very well then. He thought pleased at how the turn of events had gone. Even though he wouldn't tell the two in front of him for a very long time.
"Kurama, you accused my daughter of being unfaithful, a liar, and a whore as well as other things, correct?" He asked seriously and took note of the flinch that went through Kurama's body at his words. Most would not have noticed it but Silvon was watching him very closely.
"Yes." He answered softly but met him proudly.
Backbone. Very good. Silvon noted. "You are aware that Learians are an extraordinarily beautiful and sensual people?" He asked and smiled when his daughter scowled at him while rolling her eyes.
It's a sin to lie heart-father. She chastised him.
"Yes, I'm aware of that." Kurama answered with a slight grin and looked down at Destiny. He'd overheard her comment as well.
"Then you are aware that there will be many who will want her because of her looks. Just as there will be those who want her or Shad because of their power."
Kurama nodded and wondered what the old man was getting at.
"You will also become wanted Kurama, once bonded to Destiny there is no way to break the bond. There will be those who kill try to hurt you to hurt Destiny or vice versa and will hurt Destiny to hurt you." He stated.
Kurama looked a little surprised at that but other than to shift Destiny a little closer to him he didn't really react to this information. "And?" He asked coolly.
Silvon smiled at his impatience and continued, "It will not be easy on either of you. At times it will probably seem like everything is against you being together but if you truly love one another you will find a way through any problems that fate may throw at you."
"That's not a problem." Kurama said confidently.
"So you say, but here are my requests children. I would have you wait to be completely bonded until Destiny is twenty-three."
"What? Why?" Destiny asked in surprise.
"He must be trained Destiny. Shad will want his own mate soon as well and you cannot afford to be unprotected. Kurama will train with the two of you to bring him up on his fighting skills so that he can protect, and fight with you. Being bonded will make the both of you vulnerable and I want you to wait until you both have fully matured." He answered.
"Fine." Kurama answered coldly.
"Wonderful, then you two are now betrothed." Silvon said delightedly and turned to leave. "Oh by the way, if I were you two I'd tell your friends soon." He said and disappeared.
For a moment Destiny and Kurama were both silent and then Kurama scooped her up in his arms with a grin. Destiny laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled his face happily. "I get to keep you!" He said teasingly and he kissed her to muffle his laughter. "More like I get to keep you.' He answered.
She smiled and looked at him thoughtfully. "I've never thought about being engaged or married before." She said.
"Well you'll only have to go through it once." He joked and traced her jaw with his lips and added with a growl, "but only with me."
Destiny smiled and touched his face softly. "Only with you." She agreed and kissed him lovingly and Kurama returned her love with his own and they both felt a bit of a tingle run through them.
"What was that?" He asked.
"I think we're starting to bond." Destiny answered hesitantly and he grinned at her.
"Even better." He said teasingly and would have kissed her again but she managed to slide herself out of his arms.
"Come on. You need to tell your friends and family and I need to tell Shad."
"They can wait." He joked but changed back to his human form and followed her out of the house.
~ Ugh. Really, really loooong chapter with a lot of mush. Mitzustarangel, I hope this helps you with what's going to happen to Destiny and Kurama and makes your headache go away. Please read and review! ~