The Significance of Cherries
Chapter 2
Part III
"A Stolen Kiss has Come too Late"
-Savage Garden
AN: Why did this take me so long? Oh I don't know, maybe I already wrote a chapter for this, and HATED it, then decided to write a completely different one. The former Part three was already long (9pgs), so Yes, I suppose this will be long too. I say 'will be' because I haven't actually written it yet. We'll see if this is any better than my first try.
Disclaimer: Yu Yu Hakusho is copyrighted to Yoshihiro Togashi.
Kuwabara stared forlornly out the only window to his apartment. The leaves had filled out all of the trees, and were rustling in the warm spring breeze. Today was unusually warm for spring, like a summer day actually. People were out running, laughing, playing, and in general, enjoying the sun.
Except for him. Except for the great Kazuma Kuwabara, who was firmly caged in his small apartment. His leg was healing fast, far faster than his abdominal wound. The others had deemed this a bad thing, and all granted, it was important that barrier holding his vital organs was healed. However, there were more ways to die than disembowelment. Enemies could cut at him, burn him, tear out heart and lung alike, and it would be less painful, than being stuck inside on such a nice day.
He turned a hateful eye on his own, personal, sentry. Yusuke was laying leisurely on the futon, watching T.V. Two earlier scuffles by the door had ended in two, humiliating defeats. He only wanted to go for a walk after all. Kuwabara studied his tyrant guard further; low, even breaths gave the illusion of sleep. Kuwabara knew better though. The minute he headed for the door, Yusuke would be up to block him.
So he returned to staring out the window. He pulled himself up onto the counter, to get a better view. The tiny balcony had just enough of a wall to keep your flowers from tumbling out. He slid his hand across the smooth empty surface; it was hot to the touch. He didn't have plants, unlike most of his neighbors; he didn't have much of a green thumb. He'd thought about asking Kurama for one a few times. Anything that came from Kurama's garden would probably never die. Then again, it could probably defend itself too.
He moved restlessly, shifting his weight off his bad leg, and sighed to himself. Looking at the long drop from his perch, Kuwabara wished he could be Hiei. To leap right out of here, and off to freedom. He could imagine the feeling of the wind sliding over the body, as the demon sailed through the air like water. He'd never admit it, but sometimes, it sucked to be human.
Kuwabara closed his eyes, and let his mind escape the crippled shell of his body. He could feel the sunlight on his skin, all over. Bright beams of life pushed over his body, and swam through his blood. He could hear the soft thud of running feet, as his body rebounded from the earth. He could smell the season's soft fragrance, on the thick cool air. There were no injuries, just a machine of muscle and bone, glorious perfection. The rest of he world blurred, as Kuwabara lost himself in his thoughts.
It was the most invigorating feeling. The wind hummed in his ears now, it was fresh and vital, unlike that stagnant stuff that continually circulated through the apartment. But there was something wrong here. The air humming in his ears dies, being downed out by another sound. A soft little sound at first, but it was enough to overcome the wind. He's not running anymore, there is light but it's not sunlight. The vision shifts.
The austere golden light twisted, forming an image. Kuwabara watched in interest as the haze slowly wore away. It was an image of Hiei, not surprisingly. The demon haunted Kuwabara's dreams, nightmares, and more often than not, thoughts. It was Hiei, who raced through a wooded area. The scene was washed in gold, all the shadows and light was gold. Kuwabara wondered if he'd caught some memory of Hiei's, making the scene so vivid. Kuwabara could still smell the subtle aroma of spring, and he could feel patches of sunlight, as though he was under the patchwork shade. This had to be some kind of memory, but where would he have gotten it? It took direct contact to accidentally slip something like this.
Kuwabara turned his attention back to the vision, as Hiei's form slowed. He was definitely looking for something, or some one. He must be pretty near now, the small form of the demon looks left to right, checking to see if anyone has followed him. Hiei froze, and Kuwabara watched, as Hiei slowly turned in his direction. Hiei had drawn his sword, and the look in his eyes was not very reassuring.
'This is only a memory… a scene… he can't…' Kuwabara stumbled over his thoughts, as he watched the advancing demon. The sword was no joke, no… Kuwabara tried to run, red eye's glared out of the gold vision, trapping him, like a bird in the eyes of a cat. Hiei continued his slow advance, only five paces away. Kuwabara's heart, felt like it would hammer right out of his chest.
"Hiei," a soft, and oddly familiar voice called. Hiei's eyes released Kuwabara, in favor of the voice. Kuwabara felt himself fall back on the ground in relief, but heard no sound. He looked up just in to see Hiei leap out of view. Another person, presumably the owner of the voice watches him. The golden figure is impossibly… The face turns back to look Kuwabara in the eye. Kazuma felt the breath leave his body; he was looking into his own eyes. The same eyes he saw in the mirror, and reflected in glass. The golden figure favored him with a grin and a wink, before stepping easily over the bushes Hiei had jumped, disappearing from view.
Kuwabara lay there for innumerable moments, his mind trying to comprehend this. He looked at the scenery, but he couldn't pull anything from his memory to match. He ran his fingers through the grass, and could feel it. Kuwabara tried to grab the little strands, but couldn't seem to get a grip on the them. He swiped his hands quickly over the ground, but the grass remained undisturbed. He pushed himself to his feet, and followed his own fleeting image. He walked right through the bushes, and as he expected, made no sound. He came upon his golden form, sitting in the shade of a tree in the clearing. Hiei leaned against that tree; both golden figures stared unseeing into the forest before them.
When Kuwabara came into the clearing, Hiei's head, whipped around in his direction. This time, Kuwabara knew the demon couldn't see him. Hiei could sense Kuwabara's presence, but could neither pinpoint its location, nor its owner it. A very bad feeling pitted itself in Kuwabara's stomach. One could not exist as a watcher and an actor in visions. It was just… the way things were.
Kuwabara's golden form reached for Hiei's arm, his large hand locking about Hiei's wrist. Hiei looked down at the golden double, and Kuwabara felt immediately bad for his doppelganger. Nobody told Hiei what to do, and hardly anyone was aloud to touch him. Hiei looked down at the hand, and then at the face of gold Kuwabara, his face stony.
Kuwabara's double tugged gently on the arm, and looked the golden demon straight in his red eyes. Moments passed and nothing happened, Kuwabara could feel the air getting thicker, harder to breath. He was slowly beginning to recognize this place. There was only one place in the entire universe like this one, none other on earth, the spirit world, or demon world. The realization was giving him a terrible headache.
Hiei's golden form smiled slowly, and allowed Kuwabara's reflection to pull him down into his lap. Kuwabara's head felt like it would explode, his lungs begged for air that wasn't there. He watched as the gold twin wrapped the demon in his arms and kissed him gently on the forehead. Kuwabara fell to his knees, his heart pounding, his lungs burning, fighting for his sanity. No!…
But he was losing… badly. His golden form locked eyes with him. Kuwabara knew what was going on, and he fought it with all his might. The golden figure smiled as he continued the battle of wills, with no sign of tiring.
"Kazuma," Hiei purred, nuzzling his gold partner. Kuwabara's image never broke eye contact with Kuwabara, as he drew the demon closer. 'Yeah Kazuma,' Kuwabara's voice as he knew, it echoed in his head. Kuwabara felt the gold figure's will pressing on him, keeping him from breathing. Kuwabara continued to fight, knowing what the doppelganger wanted. If Kuwabara gave in, they'd share a link, and if they shared a link…
'Then you join us,' he figure confirmed telepathically. 'Come on Kazuma,' the gold vision's wry smile seeped through his thoughts, though it didn't show on his face. 'You'll like it,' the form promised, before breaking eye contact. Kuwabara's body collapsed to the ground completely, as he inhaled painful, but necessary gulps of air. He could see his golden form lightly kissing Hiei's forehead, leaning closer, and kissing lips, eyes, nose, chastely as you please.
Kuwabara fought the growing sense of jealousy welling in his belly, as his double continued his promises of love. If Kuwabara caved now, there would be no turning back. Somewhere, deep inside him, he craved the feelings of his golden twin. He could hear a chuckle, and the shifting of bodies, as the golden figures leaned back more, golden Kuwabara, pulling golden Hiei to where they were eye to eye.
Kuwabara fought desperately against the desire to feel that. He wanted that closeness, to feel Hiei sigh against his skin. Hiei was so beautiful, so strong, and yet at the same time, there was a weakness in him Kuwabara could feel. He couldn't identify it, but he wanted to protect him. To reassure the most self assured person he knew, to comfort him.
Kuwabara's double, bushed his lips lightly over Hiei's waiting mouth. Hiei's lips were parted slightly, and his tongue darted out, tasting the double's. Kuwabara licked his own lips, as though there might be some taste there. Hiei moaned with need, and Kuwabara's conviction broke. The vision form's thoughts crashed down on him like a tidal wave. As the control seeped deep into Kuwabara's body, he began to feel things he'd never thought possible. He could feel Hiei's body pressed tightly to his chest, his arms encircling the small demon like bands of steel. He could smell Hiei's light, though unmistakable spicy sent, filling his nose, and blurring his senses.
Heat drove through Kuwabara, as he shared in the kiss his double dove into. First covering Hiei's mouth with his own, then tasting those sweet parted lips with his tongue. The enthralling heat this created, encouraged him to delve further into Hiei's mouth. The sweet sensation was beyond anything Kuwabara could recall or imagine.
The doppelganger broke the kiss for air, and he and Kuwabara gasped in rhythm. "Hiei," they moaned as one, before returning to the demon. This time there was no chastity in their kiss, as the gold twin sought satisfaction more passionately. He swallowed Hiei's moan in his own guttural cry.
Kuwabara lay helplessly on the ground. Unable to move or speak, gasping as the waves of new feelings wracked his body. He knew this was wrong, it was so very wrong. Fantasies should never become this real, but he didn't want to stop. His stomach tightened as his golden twin pulled Hiei beneath him. Hiei locked his arms around gold Kuwabara's neck, and moaned as the friction between their bodies caused unwarranted heat.
'No,' Kuwabara moaned mentally. 'I have to stop this…'
His golden form sneered at him through their link. 'We're just getting to the good part,' he purred. Kuwabara twisted away, renewing his fight against his feelings. He could feel the golden doppelganger's rage overwhelm him. 'Have it your way then fool!'
The ground beneath Kuwabara gave way, and he left the golden paradise for a world of darkness. It felt an awful lot like dream falling, as his form spiraled into the abysmal plane. The darkness was cold here, so cold it burned his skin, and hurt his lungs to breath the air. He could see the ground now, and was going toward it fast. At least he'd then wake up from this nightmare. Closer and closer, but before he hit the ground he'd wake up, that's how it always happened.
Closer still… but something didn't feel right. It was too late before Kuwabara realized the outcome of this fall. He got to see his doom really well, before he hit it with full force. His body connected with the ground with a sickening crunch. He was sure that if he had had the ability of recall, there was something in his memory, about what happened to a living being when its body hit the a solid surface at maximum velocity. Something about being splattered into a bloody mess all over the place. What had Urameshi called it? "Street Pizza."
Kuwabara never imagined falling to your death would hurt this much, and it kept hurting. Hurting like Kuwabara never knew it could, and lasting long past his will to live with it. If he didn't know that hell was a hot place where you burned in eternity, he'd think he was there.
"No you're not in hell," a horse voice confirmed. Stepping from the darkness was yet another form of himself. This one black, like the vortex Kuwabara had landed in, but so much darker. The figure walked over to him and knelt in the oozing blood, his face an inch from Kazuma's. "But before you leave hear," the figure swore, "You'll wish you were…"
The thing rolled him onto his back, a painful motion, that earned the double a gurgling cry of pain. Gurgling, because blood choked Kuwabara's windpipe, bubbling as he yelped in agony.
"Aw, did that hurt?" the shadow form mocked circling Kuwabara's broken body. He watched helplessly as the dark figure put a foot to his ribs. "Not as much as this is gonna," he sneered pressing in with all his strength.
Kuwabara didn't yelp this time, he howled, the forlorn sound accompanied by the crackling of his ribs, or what was left of them. The figure didn't smile, but satisfaction reflected in his eyes for a moment.
"So tell me something perv," the shadow double said conversationally, circling again. "What made you think, you could screw him?" The shadow took Kuwabara's unbroken wrist in both hands. It was perhaps, the only unbroken joint in whole of his body.
"What, made you think… you were worthy?" The shadow bent Kuwabara's wrist all the way back, and the popping sound echoed through the otherwise silent sphere of darkness. Kuwabara's screams were choked out by blood; the cold was swallowing every thing. He couldn't take it anymore.
His body once more pulled his spirit back to the world of the living, though this time it was not by choice. Conscientiousness took him from the strange limbo of his mind, and the Nothing had to give up again.
Kuwabara woke up to being shaken by small, but strong arms. His eyes opened slowly, and the shaking stopped. He lay there several moments, not knowing whether he was alive, or dead, or somewhere in between.
"Kuwabara…" Yusuke's frightened voice registered in his ears. Yes, frightened was the world. Kazuma's stormy blue eyes, searched for and found, Yusuke's extremely concerned face staring down at him.
"Urameshi," Kuwabara confirmed aloud after a moment. His throat was dry, causing him to rasp. He swallowed experimentally, and sighed in relief. There was no taste of blood to swallow back, no pain as he sat up. He looked around to find himself in his room on his bed. He tried to recall when he'd moved from the kitchen to here, but couldn't dredge it out of his memory.
"You're cold," Yusuke stated worriedly. Kuwabara brushed Yusuke's hands away indifferently.
"I just had a weird dream," he stated in monotone. He could still recall the 'dream' as vividly as though it had actually happened. The Nothing had been bothering Kuwabara off and on since his injury, but it had never been so real before. It was too real, as though… well never mind that.
Yusuke stared at his tall friend for a moment, not knowing what to do. Kuwabara had been cold, almost a dead sort of cold. Even as Yusuke watched him now, he didn't shiver at all. Yusuke was completely at a loss. Kuwabara was in bad shape, and wouldn't talk to him. Maybe it was time for a trip to Genkai's. Sure, Genkai would know what to do with him.
"Hey Kuwabara," Yusuke began carefully.
"Un?"
"You wanna… wanna get out of here for a while?"
Kuwabara gave Yusuke the 'Don't patronize me,' look before nodding. Swinging his legs easily under him Kuwabara stood. He rolled his shoulders until a popping sound emitted.
Yusuke had not realized how tall Kuwabara actually seemed. He'd always seen things level with him, Kuwabara obliging by bending down a little to talk to him. Now his best friend wouldn't even look him in the eye. Whether that was because Kuwabara was mad at him or not, he didn't know
Kuwabara took the lead out the door, leaving the kitchen window open. He didn't have to worry about getting burgled all the way up here. The only person able to get to that window would be Hiei. Kuwabara opened the door, grabbing a coat he was pretty sure he wouldn't need on the way out. He could hear Yusuke not three paces behind, and could sense his anxiety. Good for Yusuke, he needs something to throw off his cocky attitude once in a while.
Completely ignoring the sinking feeling in his gut, Kuwabara continued out of the damned apartment building. He knew they were headed to Genkai's, but by this time he was too desperate for a way out to argue.
Cherry trees opened their blooms early, spreading a warm cheer throughout the neighborhood. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood, laughing and preparing to enjoy an early summer. A tall orange haired boy strode past them, his steps dogged by a shorter raven-haired youth. The taller boy seemed totally and blissfully unaware of what was about to take place. In the light breeze, the tree's whispered to one another, low enough to be sure the sensitive human wouldn't hear. 'The time is coming… Coming soon…'
Author's Note: And that is it for this long awaited chapter. The next one Should be soon in coming, but I make no promises. Since exams are over, I'll be having some free time.
Megumi: Aced my Honors English exam!! *Does a dance*
Redragon: Owned the Math test in Calculus!! *Makes 'V' sign with fingers*
Megumi & Redragon: *Hugging*
Megumi: Only two more days *stars in her eyes, fist toward the heavens in determination*
Redragon: Then we are FREE *Ditto*
Redragon: *Stops pose* ya know this is a special occasion! *winks at ff.net readers*
Megumi: Yessa! And you know what that means!
Redragon & Megumi: TREAT FANFICTION!! *Jump up and down*
Announcer: What is "Treat Fanficiton?" Treat fanfiction is a game our authors play when they feel particularly silly and creative. i.e. around 2:00 AM when they are high on caffeine free sugar bombs and root beer.
This form of writing was adapted from a writing exercise used to get the mind ready for writing. It goes like so: The 'host' author will right the first paragraph of the first chapter of a story. After writing the first paragraph, the 'host' will send the last sentence to the co-author. The co-author then rights paragraph two, with only the last line of the paragraph to go off of. The author may spin the line anyway they choose. The goal is to go back and forth, for about 10-15 paragraphs.
This may not seem like much, but there are a few other rules. Each paragraph has to be at good length. And if characters are talking, the switch in talking doesn't count as a paragraph. The author may only do three of these however, and if descriptions in the talking take up 4-5 sentences, it counts as a paragraph.
After the first chapter of exercise, they will co-write the rest of the fanfic, in a more serious and professional tone. It's fun.
Megumi: It's a hard, but fun game to play. *Thumbs up*
Redragon: Trying to spin the story is the best, you have to practice though… *shrugs*
Megumi: Yeah, you don't want the other author to become stumped, and blather nonsense for an entire paragraph… The flow is damaged. *Nods*
Redragon: I'm hosting, which means I get to choose the series, characters and theme! *-- Proud*
Megumi: We know what that means. *Winks*
Redragon: Yaoi!!! *'V' sign*
Megumi: Yeppers!
Redragon: *0.o* … You mean your willing to go along with this?
Megumi: *Shrugs* Yeah, one shonen ai, every once in a great while can't hurt too badly.
Redragon: Lemony fresh? *-- Hopeful*
Megumi: *sweat drops*…no
Redragon: Please?? *Puppy dog eyes*
Megumi:… It can be… citrusy
Redragon: Aw! Lime? *Pouts*
Megumi: Yeah, that's as far along the line as I can walk anyway… for now. *Snickers*