Chapter 6- On the Road Again
"My feet hurt!" Yusuke said for the fiftieth time that day. Amitomo had woken up about a half hour after the battle, and had been very angry at the fact that Karasu had escaped.
"When I get a hold of that bastard," Amitomo snarled, punching his hand with his fist. "I'll make him pay for the dishonor he's shown us,"
"If you can get a hold of him," Hiei reminded him. "He's faster than me now,"
"Remember what he said though? All we have to do to get him is have Kiara summon him." Kuwabara remembered.
"I hardly think he'll come unless I'm alone without a group of people wanting to kill him," Kiara kicked at some sticks on the path.
"He did seem very adamant about the fact that he'd not hurt Kiara," Kurama looked at her with troubled eyes. "He said he needed her for something."
"I'm hungry," Yongei rubbed his stomach. "Can we stop and make camp yet?"
"Not until sunset," Kiara said.
"It is sunset!" Yongei protested.
"Not until dark then,"
"Look, if we wait until dark, we won't be able to see where a good place to camp is," Yusuke protested.
"He does have a good point, Kiara," Kurama laced his fingers through hers.
"Okay, let's stop then," Kiara said crankily. "Right over there in that meadow,"
It was a very nice meadow. Green grass, a few flowers here and there, and it was surrounded by enough trees that the group wouldn't have to worry about firewood. And, off in the distance, a small stream rippled happily. "I call the spot by the oak tree!" Kuwabara said, running towards it.
"I'll go cut down fire wood," Hiei unsheathed his katana, and walked into the woods.
"I'll go search for edible plants. Too bad we don't have some rice," Kurama started towards the woods. "Coming Kiara?" He held out his hand towards her.
"No, I kind of need to be alone for a bit," Kiara walked off towards the stream.
"What's wrong with her?" Amitomo asked Yongei.
"I don't know,"
* * *
Kiara sat down on a broad rock on the edge of the steam. What did he mean by he needs me? Why did he not even want to scratch me at all when he seemed ready to kill the others? Karasu, you bastard, what are you planning now? What do you need me for?
You'll find out in due time, fire dancer, Karasu's voice filled Kiara's head.
How can you do this? How is this possible? Kiara rubbed her temples.
You'll remember that I have grown much stronger over the years. I'm not weak like I was when I fought you at the Dark Tournament four years ago. Remember what I said, when you want to talk, call me with your mind, Karasu's voice turned suddenly sickly sweet. I'll listen.
MURDERER! THE ONLY REASON I'LL EVER CALL UPON YOU IS TO KILL YOU! Kiara sat up straight, and clenched her fists.
How ironic, when you yourself have killed as well, and not always for good either, Kiara detected laughter in Karasu's thought, and lost it.
"GET OUT! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" She screamed aloud, jumping off the rock. "GET OUT NOW!"
"Kiara! What is it?" Yongei ran over to the furious demon.
"NOTHINGS THE MATTER! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" Kiara snapped before she realized what she was saying.
Yongei was shocked, his face was proof enough. Without saying a word, he turned around, and walked back towards Hiei, who had returned with wood and had started a fire.
Kiara sat back down on the rock, her head in her hands, feeling guilty about what she had just did. Karasu's laughter echoing in her ears as steam poured from her eyes.
* * *
"I'm just wondering about Kiara," Yongei said. It was now about three in the morning, and the rest of the group was asleep, except for Yongei and Amitomo.
"She did seem a little distressed tonight," Amitomo leaned against Yongei's knee, as Yongei himself leaned against a stump by the fire.
Yongei picked at his nails, "That's a bit of an understatement. She was yelling for someone to get out of her head. I'd bet money on it being Karasu that was making her unhappy."
"You really did care for her, didn't you?" Amitomo turned around, sat down Indian-style, and faced his friend.
"I still do. I'd do almost anything to make her happy. She was the first girl I ever really loved; she was my fiancée after all. She felt differently though, and started seeing that Kurama guy. When he broke her heart, she came to the Temple, and to me," Yongei's voice was different. It was mindful, and caring. "But, she still loved Kurama she said after a few months with me, despite what he had done to her. Can't blame the girl, that guy's perfect. Look at me," Yongei flung his arms out. "I'm too tall, too skinny, my muscles aren't what they should be, and girls don't like my tongue piercing. They say it gets in the way. I'm rude, conceited, I make light of serious things,"
"Yes, but that's nothing compared to all the wonderful qualities you have," Amitomo moved over to sit beside his friend. "You're kind, compassionate, you're one hell of a fighter, you're a good Cleric, and you're almost as good looking as me,"
"You're a pretty boy, of course you look good," Yongei laughed.
Amitomo joined in, but soon winced, and his hand went up to his neck. He groaned.
"Let me see it," Yongei unbuttoned a few of Amitomo's coat buttons, and took off his bandage. Blood was flowing out of the diagonal cut. "Damn, good thing I have more bandages,"
"Did I mention you're a good healer too?" Amitomo smiled, then his face grew serious. "Yongei, I love you,"
"Love you too, man," Yongei tied the bandage around Amitomo's neck. "You're my best friend."
"No," Amitomo grasped Yongei's hands. "I mean, I love you," As if to make his point, Amitomo kissed Yongei firmly on the lips.
Needless to say, Yongei did not take to kindly to this sudden display of affection. He drew his head away sharply, and gave Amitomo a strange look. "Hey! These lips were made for women, not for men!"
Amitomo's eyes glittered in the firelight. "I don't care. Yongei, I love you. I always have, and always will. I need you, if it weren't for you, I'd have killed myself even if someone had tried to save me. Yongei, I literally live for you."
"And I live for women," Yongei crossed his arms over his chest.
"Yongei," Amitomo's voice trembled. He put a hand on Yongei's crossed arms. "Please, look at me,"
Begrudgingly, Yongei looked into Amitomo's liquid brown eyes, and saw something. Sure, he saw that Amitomo's eyes had started to steam, but he also saw something else. He saw straight into Amitomo's soul. He saw his pain in losing his tribe and family, and the even greater pain of losing Amitare. He saw Amitomo's pride in being a Warrior, and all his strengths and weaknesses. But, the most important thing he saw was Amitomo's genuine and deep love for him. It ran thicker than blood, and had more strength than fire.
Then, Yongei looked inside himself, and saw, much to his own surprised, that he had felt the same for Amitomo for a long time as well. "What the hell," were his final words before he drew Amitomo into his arms, and kissed him on the mouth.
After a few minutes, Amitomo drew back and smiled, "I don't think it gets in the way," He resumed his work at once after this comment.
The night air was only disturbed by Yusuke muttering in his sleep, "Kurama, Kiara cut it out. That's disgusting,"
* * *
In the line of trees, a dark figure sat on a branch, and watched a young woman sleep in the arms of her love. Pity that will end soon. Have fun while you can, my sweet. Karasu folded his arms. The only thing better than loving something, is to take it away. Too bad for you, my fire dancer.
* * *
"Yusuke Urameshi, get up right now!" Kiara kicked the sleeping form with her sandaled feet. "We only have about five hours more! Then you can just fall asleep in Koenma's office. Let's go!"
"Allow me," Yongei held out his hands, and concentrated. Yusuke flew into the air, and began to spin like a top.
"Let's see if this will wake him up. FIRE CRACKERS!" Amitomo flung his arms into the air, and beautiful fire works that made very loud noises filled the morning sky.
"No, Mom," Yusuke muttered as Yongei stopped spinning him. "Just a few more minutes. School's not that important,"
"We'll just have to carry him if he wont wake up," Hiei said.
"I agree," Kurama whipped out a rose. "ROSE WHIP!" He then used the whip to tie up Yusuke, and pull him down the road after the rest of the group.
"You seem happier today," Kiara commented to Yongei. "What happened after I went to sleep?"
"None of your damn business," Yongei smiled at the memory of last night. "And what about you? What happened to make you so bitchy last night?"
"Kiara's contacting Karasu," Yusuke muttered in his sleep.
"WHAT?" Kurama stopped, and looked Kiara in the eyes. "Is this true?"
"Yes," Kiara looked at the ground. "But, for the record, he contacted me,"
"Why did you not tell us this at once?" Hiei rounded on her.
"I didn't want you to know," Kiara said.
"Didn't want us to know? Kiara, you're having conversations with my brother's killer! Why didn't you tell us?"
"Because I knew you'd react this way," Kiara snapped.
"I thought you wanted Karasu dead," Kuwabara muttered.
"I do! Amitare was my best friend! Of course I want him dead!" Kiara protested.
"I'm not so sure you know what you want," Hiei said.
"I'm not sure either," Kiara said before she fainted into Kurama's arms.
AUTHOR'S NOTE- Weird chapter. Yaoi and fainting. 'Nough said.
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Suri-san