***Disclaimer*** ack!! i almost forgot to put this in!! i don't own yyh, and i don't make any $$$ off of this or any fic. don't sue me!!!
Makai--
Duck. Slash. Dead.
Turn. Stab. Twist. Dead.
Parry. Dodge. ::Fwoom!:: Fried and crispy.
Scan area.
Hiei stopped and looked around at the carnage he'd caused, wiping the sweat from his face with the back of his sleeve. Hn, fools. A reckless band of amateur thieves had attempted to ambush him while he'd been napping, apparently thinking he was just another ordinary demon. Ch' ouch! Well not *that* amateur. He'd won the battle, but he'd also earned a nasty gash to his midsection on his left side, just below the ribs. Shit, I've got to get this cleaned up quickly-
Scanning the area with his Jagan one more time, making completely sure that there was no one left alive to follow him, he began to backtrack to the stream he'd passed the day before last. Moving with his lightning-quick speed while harboring a wound wasn't easy, and he was having trouble keeping awake from the blood-loss. Damn, this really hurts. But he blocked those thoughts off at once. Best to not think about it just now, he told himself, and kept going. Instead he thought about what Mukuro had told him a week ago in the middle of training. All of a sudden she had stopped fighting him, tossed him his cloak, and said, "Go, Hiei. Don't come back until you've sorted out your affairs. Then, *maybe*, I'll let you be my heir again." Then he'd been bodily "escorted" from the arena, and then the fortress. Hn, more like picked up and thrown out.
Now what in the nine hells had *that* been about? Was it about my training? No, couldn't have been that; ever since he'd conceded to be Mukuro's heir he'd done nothing *but* improve. Meeting her challenges set for set, and even presenting some of his own challenges to her. Could it have been that ass-hole diplomat? Maybe, but Mukuro didn't have any specific or important business with that area. And besides the guy was as annoying as Koenma when he needs his diaper changed!! Who cares that Hiei toasted him, anyway?! What if it was...? Ch'! Who cares. She probably just has PMS or something. I'll just wait it out and come back in a couple of months; she should be normal by then. Right? But another twinge in Hiei's side reminded him of his wound, so he switched his mind to auto-pilot and ran on.
It took Hiei the rest of the day to get back to the stream, where he finally pulled off his cloak and shirt to examine the wound. It ran from just below his bottom left rib, winding down and around to the small of his back, and it was about an inch deep. At least it's not poisoned. He cleaned it with water from the stream, and made bandages out of his shirt; he could always make or steal another one. Then he washed the blood out of his cloak, which took a considerable amount of time considering just how much blood had soaked into and dried in the fabric. Once done, he glanced at the sky to check the time. K'so, I'm going to have to stay here tonight, he thought as he watched the sun set in the purple Makai sky. Wincing from his wound, he stooped and drank a bit of water, then flitted off to find a suitable tree. There, he settled down on a high branch to sleep. I'll go to the Ningenkai tomorrow and visit Yukina.
But when he slept, his dreams were again filled with flaming red hair and a deep green, soothing ki.
Ningenkai--
Dodge. Smile. Refuse politely. Gone.
Side-step. Wave cheerily. Gone.
Back up. Avoid glomping. Dazzling smile. Gone.
Run.
Once a safe distance away, Kurama turned and looked back at the crowd of girls who'd mobbed him after school again. They were *all* still staring after him, waiting for...something. He sweat dropped, and raised his arm for one last wave and called, "Ja na! See you all on Monday!" While he was really thinking, If I have to keep smiling like this for one more minute, my face is going to crack in half and fall off.
In unison, the crowd of girls called back, in very *high* and *shrill* voices, "Bye Shuuichi! CALL ME!" He winced at the chorus of shrills, and turned to go. He'd gotten away, but he'd still been reined in for a study group next Wednesday, and party two weeks from Saturday. Really, it was the saddest thing he could think of: he, the infamous Youko Kurama, the greatest thief the Makai had ever seen, could be chased down and caught by Ningen high school girls. Really, it was pathetic. Well at least it's my last semester; I can take it for just one more semester.
Ever since the Reikai Tantei had been disbanded two years ago, Kurama'd only had school to occupy him. Not that the old Tantei didn't keep in touch. He saw almost everyone regularly at Genkai's temple, as was her wish to everyone, to keep the place in order and to visit. But it's not the same...
Genkai...
Actually Genkai hadn't changed at all. She was still a wise guidance to all of them. And she still put them (*especially* Yuusuke) through all the nine hells in training, while never breaking a sweat herself. It still astounded Kurama how powerful the old psychic was.
Yuusuke...
Yuusuke and Keiko were engaged, the wedding would be held once they graduated from high school. Assuming Yuusuke actually passed high school...granted Yuusuke had more important things to worry about than school. He ran his large hunk of Makai primarily from the Ningenkai, going back only when something direly needed his personal attention, and letting his regent cover most everything. He and Keiko might move back there permanently once they marry, but that decision rested largely on Keiko, and Kurama had a feeling she and Yuusuke would be here for a long, long time.
Kuwabara...
Kuwabara had passed his high school entrance exams with flying colors, with much credit to Shizuru's threats on his life if he didn't study, and he was doing well in school, which thoroughly shocked everyone, including Kuwabara himself.
He still hadn't officially asked Yukina to court her, he could hardly stammer out, "M-my d-d-d-dear-est, Yu-yuk-i-n-na..." before he gave up, blushing furiously. But the Ice Maiden understood the carrot-top's feelings, and returned them. For some odd reason his clumsy and old-fashioned ways made him all the more appealing to her, and they obviously loved each other very much.
Koenma and Botan...
Koenma ignored the old Tantei, it was if they had never existed, and hadn't contacted them since their disbandment. And so, by association with Reikai, Botan never did either.
And H-
Kurama stopped short on his hike to the temple. He'd purposely *not* thought about the last Tantei member for very specific reasons. For rather embarrassing reasons. I made a complete *fool* out of myself that day...
"That day", Kurama remembered, right before Hiei's permanent departure to the Makai, Kurama had run as fast as his four Kitsune legs would carry him to Hiei's gate. "*pant*, *pant*, *pant*, I've only got 3 minutes left!!" And ran faster. Finally skidding to a halt in a flurry of leaves and dust, directly in front of Hiei's feet. Kurama tried desperately to convince Hiei to stay.
"Change, you stupid Fox, I can't understand your yipping and barking."
With a start and a curse, Kurama realized he was still in his four-tailed fox form, and changed back into Minnamino Shuuichi, his red bangs clinging to his forehead in perspiration. "Hiei! Hiei-*pant*, *pant*- don't -*pant*- go!"
"Why?"
"Because- {uh.... what excuse *did* I have for him to stay?}- because *pant* you... still haven't told Yukina you're h--"
"Damn Fox, I've already explained to you that I'm not going to tell her, she's better off thinking her brother is dead."
"-And...and...you never actually kicked Kuwabara's ass, don't you still want to do that?!"
"Hn. Is this all you had to say? My gate opens in one minute," Hiei said, turning away from him.
" { No! } And because I want- because I want you to stay! { He stopped...}"
"Why?" He asked, not turning around. Kurama didn't answer.
"Why, Kurama?" Still no answer.
"Hn, I didn't think so." He'd said softly, almost too softly to hear.
"{ Did his voice just tremor?} Because...{here goes nothing.} I think I lo-"
"Well don't!" Hiei said harshly, knowing what Kurama had been about to say. "That's reason enough for me to go. Sayonara." With that, he flitted off in a displacement of air through the newly opened gate.
Kurama had stared after him, but before he could move, or even close his mouth, the gate evaporated, leaving him alone in the wide expanse of forest. "That's reason enough for me to go." Hiei's words rang through his head again and again and again. "That's reason enough for me to go." He stared some more, "That's reason enough for me to go." ,then closed his eyes, "Sayonara." changed back into his Kitsune form, "Sayonara." and fled, "Sayonara." not noticing the small, dark, and perfectly round jewel that had fallen to the ground where Hiei had been standing. "Sayonara, Hiei."
Kurama still never went back to that forest.
Snapping out of his dream-like remembrance state, Kurama picked up his pace again. Don't want to be late getting to the temple.
End Chapter 1
Makai--
Duck. Slash. Dead.
Turn. Stab. Twist. Dead.
Parry. Dodge. ::Fwoom!:: Fried and crispy.
Scan area.
Hiei stopped and looked around at the carnage he'd caused, wiping the sweat from his face with the back of his sleeve. Hn, fools. A reckless band of amateur thieves had attempted to ambush him while he'd been napping, apparently thinking he was just another ordinary demon. Ch' ouch! Well not *that* amateur. He'd won the battle, but he'd also earned a nasty gash to his midsection on his left side, just below the ribs. Shit, I've got to get this cleaned up quickly-
Scanning the area with his Jagan one more time, making completely sure that there was no one left alive to follow him, he began to backtrack to the stream he'd passed the day before last. Moving with his lightning-quick speed while harboring a wound wasn't easy, and he was having trouble keeping awake from the blood-loss. Damn, this really hurts. But he blocked those thoughts off at once. Best to not think about it just now, he told himself, and kept going. Instead he thought about what Mukuro had told him a week ago in the middle of training. All of a sudden she had stopped fighting him, tossed him his cloak, and said, "Go, Hiei. Don't come back until you've sorted out your affairs. Then, *maybe*, I'll let you be my heir again." Then he'd been bodily "escorted" from the arena, and then the fortress. Hn, more like picked up and thrown out.
Now what in the nine hells had *that* been about? Was it about my training? No, couldn't have been that; ever since he'd conceded to be Mukuro's heir he'd done nothing *but* improve. Meeting her challenges set for set, and even presenting some of his own challenges to her. Could it have been that ass-hole diplomat? Maybe, but Mukuro didn't have any specific or important business with that area. And besides the guy was as annoying as Koenma when he needs his diaper changed!! Who cares that Hiei toasted him, anyway?! What if it was...? Ch'! Who cares. She probably just has PMS or something. I'll just wait it out and come back in a couple of months; she should be normal by then. Right? But another twinge in Hiei's side reminded him of his wound, so he switched his mind to auto-pilot and ran on.
It took Hiei the rest of the day to get back to the stream, where he finally pulled off his cloak and shirt to examine the wound. It ran from just below his bottom left rib, winding down and around to the small of his back, and it was about an inch deep. At least it's not poisoned. He cleaned it with water from the stream, and made bandages out of his shirt; he could always make or steal another one. Then he washed the blood out of his cloak, which took a considerable amount of time considering just how much blood had soaked into and dried in the fabric. Once done, he glanced at the sky to check the time. K'so, I'm going to have to stay here tonight, he thought as he watched the sun set in the purple Makai sky. Wincing from his wound, he stooped and drank a bit of water, then flitted off to find a suitable tree. There, he settled down on a high branch to sleep. I'll go to the Ningenkai tomorrow and visit Yukina.
But when he slept, his dreams were again filled with flaming red hair and a deep green, soothing ki.
Ningenkai--
Dodge. Smile. Refuse politely. Gone.
Side-step. Wave cheerily. Gone.
Back up. Avoid glomping. Dazzling smile. Gone.
Run.
Once a safe distance away, Kurama turned and looked back at the crowd of girls who'd mobbed him after school again. They were *all* still staring after him, waiting for...something. He sweat dropped, and raised his arm for one last wave and called, "Ja na! See you all on Monday!" While he was really thinking, If I have to keep smiling like this for one more minute, my face is going to crack in half and fall off.
In unison, the crowd of girls called back, in very *high* and *shrill* voices, "Bye Shuuichi! CALL ME!" He winced at the chorus of shrills, and turned to go. He'd gotten away, but he'd still been reined in for a study group next Wednesday, and party two weeks from Saturday. Really, it was the saddest thing he could think of: he, the infamous Youko Kurama, the greatest thief the Makai had ever seen, could be chased down and caught by Ningen high school girls. Really, it was pathetic. Well at least it's my last semester; I can take it for just one more semester.
Ever since the Reikai Tantei had been disbanded two years ago, Kurama'd only had school to occupy him. Not that the old Tantei didn't keep in touch. He saw almost everyone regularly at Genkai's temple, as was her wish to everyone, to keep the place in order and to visit. But it's not the same...
Genkai...
Actually Genkai hadn't changed at all. She was still a wise guidance to all of them. And she still put them (*especially* Yuusuke) through all the nine hells in training, while never breaking a sweat herself. It still astounded Kurama how powerful the old psychic was.
Yuusuke...
Yuusuke and Keiko were engaged, the wedding would be held once they graduated from high school. Assuming Yuusuke actually passed high school...granted Yuusuke had more important things to worry about than school. He ran his large hunk of Makai primarily from the Ningenkai, going back only when something direly needed his personal attention, and letting his regent cover most everything. He and Keiko might move back there permanently once they marry, but that decision rested largely on Keiko, and Kurama had a feeling she and Yuusuke would be here for a long, long time.
Kuwabara...
Kuwabara had passed his high school entrance exams with flying colors, with much credit to Shizuru's threats on his life if he didn't study, and he was doing well in school, which thoroughly shocked everyone, including Kuwabara himself.
He still hadn't officially asked Yukina to court her, he could hardly stammer out, "M-my d-d-d-dear-est, Yu-yuk-i-n-na..." before he gave up, blushing furiously. But the Ice Maiden understood the carrot-top's feelings, and returned them. For some odd reason his clumsy and old-fashioned ways made him all the more appealing to her, and they obviously loved each other very much.
Koenma and Botan...
Koenma ignored the old Tantei, it was if they had never existed, and hadn't contacted them since their disbandment. And so, by association with Reikai, Botan never did either.
And H-
Kurama stopped short on his hike to the temple. He'd purposely *not* thought about the last Tantei member for very specific reasons. For rather embarrassing reasons. I made a complete *fool* out of myself that day...
"That day", Kurama remembered, right before Hiei's permanent departure to the Makai, Kurama had run as fast as his four Kitsune legs would carry him to Hiei's gate. "*pant*, *pant*, *pant*, I've only got 3 minutes left!!" And ran faster. Finally skidding to a halt in a flurry of leaves and dust, directly in front of Hiei's feet. Kurama tried desperately to convince Hiei to stay.
"Change, you stupid Fox, I can't understand your yipping and barking."
With a start and a curse, Kurama realized he was still in his four-tailed fox form, and changed back into Minnamino Shuuichi, his red bangs clinging to his forehead in perspiration. "Hiei! Hiei-*pant*, *pant*- don't -*pant*- go!"
"Why?"
"Because- {uh.... what excuse *did* I have for him to stay?}- because *pant* you... still haven't told Yukina you're h--"
"Damn Fox, I've already explained to you that I'm not going to tell her, she's better off thinking her brother is dead."
"-And...and...you never actually kicked Kuwabara's ass, don't you still want to do that?!"
"Hn. Is this all you had to say? My gate opens in one minute," Hiei said, turning away from him.
" { No! } And because I want- because I want you to stay! { He stopped...}"
"Why?" He asked, not turning around. Kurama didn't answer.
"Why, Kurama?" Still no answer.
"Hn, I didn't think so." He'd said softly, almost too softly to hear.
"{ Did his voice just tremor?} Because...{here goes nothing.} I think I lo-"
"Well don't!" Hiei said harshly, knowing what Kurama had been about to say. "That's reason enough for me to go. Sayonara." With that, he flitted off in a displacement of air through the newly opened gate.
Kurama had stared after him, but before he could move, or even close his mouth, the gate evaporated, leaving him alone in the wide expanse of forest. "That's reason enough for me to go." Hiei's words rang through his head again and again and again. "That's reason enough for me to go." He stared some more, "That's reason enough for me to go." ,then closed his eyes, "Sayonara." changed back into his Kitsune form, "Sayonara." and fled, "Sayonara." not noticing the small, dark, and perfectly round jewel that had fallen to the ground where Hiei had been standing. "Sayonara, Hiei."
Kurama still never went back to that forest.
Snapping out of his dream-like remembrance state, Kurama picked up his pace again. Don't want to be late getting to the temple.
End Chapter 1