Destiny

Standard disclaimers apply. Yu Yu Hakusho and all it's characters are not mine, I'm merely borrowing ^_^ This chapter is done after Kurama became Shuuichi, in that time where Yusuke was trying to get the three artifacts. Done with that ugly guy, this chapter starts off with Yusuke's face-off with Kurama. As you may notice, the fanfic is somewhat based on the series, although I've changed a few lines and such. It would be a bit too boring if I used too much similarities, it would be like writing a summary with a twist, ne? ^-^ Chapter done in Kurama's point of view.

Chapter 1

I was forced to steal again, the dark memories of my past flooding through my mind as I held the mirror in my hands. The chill of the mirror's surface cut through my skin like a cold knife, the painful mockery filling all my senses, making my hands tremble. Memories, that I merely considered illusions now, started a furious downpour in my mind and left me in a daze. And I find myself struggling to get rid of it, to void it from my head like a distressing nightmare.

I stole it for my human mother, to at least have a chance of saving her from her illness. Never in my life have I found someone to really love deeply since my escape, and I would have given my all just to have her live. Shiori Minamino had always been kind to me, treating me like a son for all these years. Not that she's not taking care of her son, it's just that it's not truly Shuuichi Minamino who she's been with these past years. It's me, a crazed youko who had stolen her son from her. I've done her a grave sin, and all I wanted now is to make up for it, to prove myself worthy of her love as much as her true son does.

The mirror was supposed to grant any wish in exchange for a life. Right now I don't have any sacrifice but myself, but I had convinced myself that I'd rather die than have my mother die instead. I wouldn't have the heart to live through the guilt. My mother had taught me that, how to be kind and how to share. And this is my payment for her patience and love. And for my lies.

"So that was your mother," Yusuke, the Reikai detective whom I promised the mirror to, said in a soft voice. I could've sworn there was sympathy, but nonetheless, I'm not sure whether or not I cared at the moment. All I could think about was my mother. Worry and anxiety swirled inside me that I find myself void of any other emotion.

I nodded my head in response to him. "She had been the one who had cared for me all these years," I started, feeling my fists clench tightly at my side that I thought I felt blood trickling down from it. Yet I still don't care. I took a deep breath and told him everything about my past, about everything that my mother has done for me. He listened with meek sincerity, nodding every once in a while whenever I pause. I watched his expression of pure understanding, but he also had a look of determination. He was a spirit detective after all, and he was here for the mirror. What else should I expect?

"Why are you telling me this?" he asked me, his eyes pointed directly at mine.

I averted my gaze from him, setting the mirror on the ground in front of me. "I just want to let someone know. And I know you trust me enough," I told him indifferently as I sighed. The calm, peaceful look he had given me confirmed what I said. From the very beginning, I had watched him and I knew he spoke in all honesty when he said he felt I wasn't an enemy. And I have no plans of breaking that trust. "I'll give it to you once I'm done," I told him, holding up my hand above the shimmering glass.

The mirror had shown my mother's face as soon as my reflection hit its surface. The smile my mother wore in that image made my heart clench, a sudden burst of pain and sorrow filling me. I couldn't feel myself any longer, all I ever wanted was for her to be well. No matter what the cause. Is this what you long for? I heard a deep voice in my head. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. A breath that most probably be my last. I nodded my head to give it the sign that I have agreed.

For you, okaasan…

I shut my eyes as sparks of electricity flowed through my arm up to my body, causing me to stiffen in my place as the pain coursed through me. I tried to hold on for a few more seconds but the pain was suddenly unbearable. I gritted my teeth as I willed myself to only think of okaasan. I shall die for her. I had made my wish. Through all the pains, I find no regrets.

But just as I could feel my body giving in, the mirror started to give me back my strength. I opened my eyes to see Yusuke crouched beside me, offering his own life to the mirror instead. "What are you doing?" I asked him, frustration evident in my voice. I watched him slowly weaken under the mirror's spell. I glared at him through my stinging eyes as I kept my hand intact for the mirror to take. If only the mirror hadn't held me immobile, I would've pushed the young boy away. I was in haste, and I would never allow anything to go between me and the mirror. Not even Reikai. My mother's about to die, and I can't let myself just sit and wait. But I wouldn't allow this man to be harmed because of my purpose.

"No! Take my life instead!" he yelled at the mirror, ignoring me completely. He kept his hand where it was, edging it closer to the surface. I could see his eyes spark at those words, the sheer look of determination made me almost appreciate his effort. Almost, but not enough. The circumstances were different now, and all I could think about him was that he was stubborn and foolish. I have given him a chance to back away from danger, to only wait for me until I have used it. And here he was, offering his own life. He was a fool. Brave, but a fool.

This is stupid. "Stop it! This is my problem!" I persisted. I wouldn't let him do this. I have been around people too much to may have felt guilt. And no doubt I'd kill myself if this man here would die because of me. It wouldn't make me feel right. Not another life…

And yet he looked at me with an enough amount of desperation to may have actually moved me. "I couldn't bear the pain of a mother crying because she had lost her child," he told me, his eyes piercing into mine. He paused for a brief moment, as if remembering something. I watched his face twist in the possible memory, and he glared at me again. "I can't bear it!"

Suddenly, I felt the mirror pushing me, us, back. I couldn't fight it, and I was thrown away from the mirror. The last thing that I remembered seeing was a white, blinding light as I stumbled upon the hard ground.

Okaasan…

I woke up with a start, feeling blood rush to my body. My head throbbed at the sudden movement, but I merely winced in pain as I tried to contemplate on things. I looked at my hands, moving my fingers gingerly. A sudden struck of horror flooded through me, stilling me. I was alive. I quickly looked back at Yusuke in response to my shock. I watched in mixed horror and relief to see him move. He was alive as well.

But okaasan…no…

"Shuuichi-san!" I heard a nurse call out for me from the door. I glanced at her, my heart filled with anxiety, but the smile on her face had somehow lifted my spirits up. Maybe…"Shiori-san! Your mother! She's all right!"

A surge of excitement and relief flooded through me as I pulled myself up, running for the door of my mother's room. I don't know what had just happened, but I wished to whatever gods up there for my mother to live. She had been, and still is, everything to me.

I opened the door hastily to her room, quite impolitely I must say, and saw several people huddled up around her bed. And then I finally saw her. She extended her hand up to me as I neared her, a sure sign that she was well. I couldn't help the warm feeling of relief spread in my chest as I walked to her.

"Shuuichi…"

"Hai, hai," I muttered reassuringly, taking her hand in mine gently. Her usual warmth and comfort had come back, the love clearly showing in her touch. I'll never let her go again. Never. If given another chance, a similar situation, I would've done the same thing I just did. With or without Yusuke. "I'll take care of you, okaasan."

Her smile had been the whole world to me. "I'm so glad you're here."

I smiled as well, setting her back on her bed. "I'm glad we're together again," I told her before asking her to go to sleep. I stared down at her as she closed her eyes, watched as she drifted of to a deep and peaceful sleep. And for once after all these times, I was sure she'll wake up.

It was a few minutes then before I remembered my earlier encounter. Yusuke. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't even be here. I owe him a favor despite my earlier actions. Actually, I owe him an apology for my behavior. I looked back at the slightly open door that led to the lighted halls of the hospital.

I smiled.

At least I should thank him.

I gave my mother a light peck on her cheek before I turned for the door. I quickened my pace as I neared the top floor, finally reaching the final set of steps. From where I stood, I could hear laughter up on the roof. That of a male's, which surely belongs to Yusuke, and that of a female's. And I stopped in mid-step at that vague familiarity.

My eyes widened at that recognition as I ran faster up the stairs. As I reached the door, it quickly opened to reveal Yusuke's face right in front of me. We stared for a couple of seconds before he held up the mirror to me and grinned. "I believe you'll be keeping your promise, eh Kurama?" he asked me, his brown eyes not leaving mine.

I nodded at him and gave him a small smile of my own. "Of course. I believe I forgot to thank you. I apologize for being rude though…"

He held up his hand to cut me off. "Nevermind, I'm just glad you and your mother are okay now," he said as he walked past me. "See ya!"

I followed him with my eyes, a smile on my lips. Truly, I was grateful. There might be a chance for Reikai afterall. I would've followed him down, but I remembered that voice before I reached the roof. The smile faded. My hands clenched into fists as I willed myself to look back at the roof.

And then I saw her. So I was right.

I sucked my breath and felt my heart skip a beat. I stood in silent admiration as my eyes set on a girl's slim body, clad in a light pink kimono. She sat on her oar, her hair being tossed around by the wind, hypnotizing me in my place. But what had me completely mesmerized was the way she had looked at me with large pools of purple, captivating me in her gaze that was filled with childish ignorance and naiveté. Just like before.

I knew it was her from the very first sound of her laughter, the very first remembrance. I'm afraid I may have only heard the soft bells of her laughter once, once for I kept myself from making her believe she should trust me. I only heard it once, because I never again permitted myself to hear it again, in fear of making it break through my shield. I never let myself hear her again. I promised myself I never would, in fear of getting hurt. In fear of getting us both hurt.

But now we've met again, after all these years, and it had come so suddenly that I felt myself weaken. Just the hope to be able to see her again helped me find my strength. The strength of finally meeting her after years of longing. For that first time that I had heard her laughter, although I swore I forbid myself to hear it, I knew I'll remember it for eternity.

End of chapter 1