by: Kawaii Kitsune
Disclaimer: Yu Yu Hakusho and all the characters in the wonderful show do not belong to me, blah, blah, blah. You get the point. No money, don't sue, blah, blah, blah. Moving on.
Note: italics indicate thoughts.
All four members of the Urameshi-tachi had all been briefed about the current situation. It was quite clear-cut, actually. About four months ago, activities in and around Syrona started picking up. It was slow and gradual but the changes were there. More and more youkai traveled to the city and less and less of them left. Then the Reikai sources within the kingdom walls noticed an increase in military activity, as if they were preparing for war. And just a week ago, those sources were captured and killed, but not before they could warn the Reikai of the inevitable war that was about to start. The only logical target for Syrona's army was the Ningenkai.
Syrona's king was discovered to be a telepath and a mind-controller. However, due to a lack of proper training and power, he could only control the minds of lesser life forms, such as animals, and low-class demons. A regular A-Class demon could easily overcome his attempts of domination.
The plan was simple enough. All Reikai Tantei groups were on alert, ready to fight and defend the Ningenkai at a moment's notice. Troops were already stationed at the portals nearest to the kingdom. Koenma allowed his four friends a choice since they were no longer official detectives for the Spirit World.
They did not disappoint.
Yusuke and Kuwabara agreed whole-heartedly. They were born and raised in the Human World and now they lived there happily with their own families. The black-haired youth married Keiko long ago and worked contently in her family's ramen shop. Kuwabara eventually gathered up enough courage to propose to Yukina, and she had accepted, much to Hiei's despair. However, being the loving brother that he was, he did not refuse her the happiness she deserved. In fact, he gave away Yukina to the tall human at their wedding. Now the two lived peacefully at Genkai's temple.
There was no question as to why Kurama wanted to find for the Ningenkai. His mother had long since discovered his other self and had not only accepted him, but had accepted Hiei into the family as well. Shiori Minamino still lived in his childhood home with her husband and stepson. They lived without worry and Kurama intended to keep it that way. But besides his strong urge to protect his family and loved ones, the redheaded fox knew that this was a perfect opportunity to save Angel. He no longer needed to sneak back into Syrona; Syrona was coming to him. And he wouldn't let the opportunity slip.
Hiei was not in the mood to risk his life for the weakling humans that lived in the world. He did not care for the Ningenkai. Yet, he agreed, because he was not about to leave Kurama alone fighting against an entire army. The fire demon completely justified his decision with his overprotective feelings towards the fox. Or so he told himself.
[Lying to yourself again, Hiei?] After a year, that annoying voice was back.
I don't know what the hell you're talking about, Hiei mentally growled in response.
[Oh but you do. You know very well.]
Well, since you know all, enlighten me. What is it that I know so well?
[You'll have to figure it out yourself.] With that final badgering comment, the voice disappeared as quickly as it appeared.
I'm going crazy again.
* * * * *
The summer nights in the Ningenkai were serene and calm. The chirps of crickets sounded melodically in the darkness. Every now and then, a wind blew, rustling the leaves on the trees as it passed. Kurama leaned against the windowsill, listening to the sounds of the night through the opened windows. Even after spending an entire night fighting and an entire day preparing for battle, he couldn't sleep. He couldn't stop thinking about the impending war and Angel.
Hiei stirred awake. Not finding his lover next to him, he sat up on the bed and looked over to the figure by the windows. He smiled at the image of the fox staring solemnly out, the moonlight washing across his perfect face and lighting up his beautiful green eyes. The smile vanished when he saw the redhead sigh deeply and he watched with a frown as Kurama's face became troubled. "What's wrong, fox?"
Kurama was a bit startled by the voice but quickly relaxed. He turned away from the outside world and faced Hiei with a sad smile. He stared into his lover's blood-red eyes and decided to let it all out. No point in hiding his emotions from his partner in life. "Hiei, what if we can't save her?" Kurama turned once again to look out the windows. "What if she's already dead?"
The fire demon didn't know a logical way to react; so he allowed his hotheaded temper do the reacting. "I say good riddance. So what if that bitch is dead?" Hiei asked in an angry, caustic tone.
Surprised by the bitterness in Hiei's voice, Kurama whipped his head around. "Whom are you calling a 'bitch'?" he inquired, though he already knew the answer.
"You know very well whom I'm calling a bitch. I'm sick of you insisting on protecting her. You may not see through her disguise, but I do. And she will bring us nothing but pain."
"Watch it." Kurama's voice grew cold and dangerous. "That's our daughter you're talking about."
"No, I'm not talking about our daughter. We have no daughter. I'm talking about the soulless monster that was created from samples of our blood. I'm talking about the creature who brings nothing but chaos every time we see her. I'm talking about the creation that should never have existed, the thing that should have died when we destroyed Hikoku. That's who I'm talking about."
"Stop it, Hiei! Just stop it!" the fox exclaimed, "Don't say things that aren't true."
"What have I lied about?" Hiei demanded, "Tell me, fox, what exactly have I lied about?"
"Angel is not a monster or a thing; she is the child of our blood. She may not have been born and she may not have a soul, but she is alive. And she's hurting. You said so yourself that she'll live through life wondering why she was created, why she's alive. A forbidden child." Kurama paused to catch his breath and to calm himself. He walked over to Hiei and kneeled in front of him, extending his hand to caress Hiei's cheek. "She didn't ask to live, Hiei, but she wasn't given a choice. I thought you of all people would know what she's going through, what she's gone through."
Hiei didn't respond.
"In my heart she is my daughter - our daughter - and I will not abandon her when she needs me the most. Without any love, she will suffer just as you have. I can't let that happen to her if I can prevent it."
"Do what you must, Kurama, and I will do the same." The statement came in Hiei's usual apathetic tone. "Just don't get yourself killed."
Kurama nodded, accepting it as the best answer that could be expected from Hiei. He got up from the floor, walked over to his side of the bed, and slowly climbed in. "You know, I wish you'd give Angel a chance. If you think about it, she's never willingly harmed us." The fox settled his head on the soft, fluffy pillow and yawned, finally letting his fatigue get to him. "Anyway, all I'm asking is that you think about it. Oyasumi nasai, koi."
Think about it, Hiei repeated in his head, Think about what? There's nothing to think about. Angel shouldn't be trusted.
[What is your grudge against her, anyway?] That pestering voice again. [What has she ever done to you? Besides saving both your lives and bringing you two together.]
It's not what she has done, Hiei argued with himself, it's what she can and will do. She almost killed us once and I'm sure-as-hell certain she can do it again.
[She wasn't herself then. In fact, you barely know the real her. Who are you to judge if you don't even know her?]
I'm not judging anyone; I'm simply stating the facts.
[Uh-huh. Right. The 'facts'.]
Shut up. What the hell do you know, anyway?
[I know that I only show up when you're denying a part of yourself.] If a voice could show facial expressions, Hiei was sure that it'd be smirking right now.
Leave me the fuck alone! But the voice was already gone, leaving behind a very confused and irritated fire demon. He couldn't fall asleep for the rest of the night.
The battle came sooner than anticipated.
Before noon, soldiers were already crossing the borders between the Makai and the Ningenkai. As expected, Kamishi's army was divided into sections, the biggest section coming through the portals closest to the city. So far, 300 troops have entered the Human Realm, with several hundred more advancing behind them.
Urameshi's team was stationed at the portal used by the main attack force. By the time all four of them arrived, the fighting had already begun. They abruptly stopped when they witnessed the scene.
Bodies from both sides littered the floors, blood everywhere and the air reeking of death. In the middle of all the carnage stood a beautiful silver youko dressed in black. She was armed with a fire sword, which she used to slash mercilessly at the Reikai soldiers. The victims of her weapon only had one second to scream before their bodies burned to a crisp. The battlefield reminded them of the pictures from the previous year, when Angel first made her appearance in the Ningenkai.
"Whoa, who's the youko?" Yusuke asked, unable to look away from the scene, "She looks a lot like you, Kurama."
"That has to be Angel," Kurama answered, also unable to tear his eyes away from the deadly figure. What happened to her?
"Angel?" a confused Kuwabara asked, "Who's Angel?"
"Evangeline," Hiei said, "The one who killed all those ningen and kidnapped Kurama."
"Whoa whoa whoa, the same Evangeline that was created from you blood?" Yusuke asked in disbelief, "I thought she was dead."
"So did we," the fox said, "until she showed up a few days ago."
"And now she's fighting for the enemy." The leader of the team smacked his forehead. "Great, just great." Then he cracked his knuckles and put on a serious face. "Well, better stop her before she kills more Reikai employees." He jumped into action, followed closely by Kuwabara.
Hiei engaged in battle as well, killing demons left and right with his katana. That left Kurama alone with his indecision. I don't wish to fight her. Not again, the redhead thought, She's not the real enemy. He glanced over again at the ruthless youko that he knew to be his daughter. Two more Reikai soldiers fell at her sword. But I can't just stand here and do nothing while she kills more people. If she's under a spell or some sort of mind control, I'll just have to free her. Kurama reluctantly joined the fighting as well.
Ah ha! The action appears...sorta. Just one more chapter and the epilogue. ^_^ Please review!
