Surviving Love
Sequel to . . . And They Lived Happily Ever After
By: Obsidian Sphinx
Chapter 2
Disclaimer: Do I own Yu Yu Hakusho? Now let's think about this. Why would I be writing this if I owned Yu Yu Hakusho?
Author's Note: Here's Chapter 2. Sorry it took such a very long time to get this out. . . .I had a bit of writer's block. Thanks to all that reviewed. Please read and enjoy! Thanks!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
They left the Reikai palace, easily making a portal to the Makai. Fifteen minutes later found the duo walking in the middle of a grove of trees. Kurama shifted uncomfortably. Hiei hadn't uttered a sound, let alone a word since they had left. A thought crossed his mind then. Perhaps he should change into youko form. After all, they were in the middle of the Makai forest and he could sense lingering youkis all around him. He knew that the inhabitants of the forest were watching them, though most of them were merely low A class, high B class, and posed no real threat. He thought better of changing shape, as it would probably attract more demons, seeing as how very few youkai didn't want a youko for one reason or another. Not only that, but, as it stood, if some of his old enemies or lovers picked up on his youki, they'd be in for real trouble.
He sighed. "Koi, I realize we're going west, but where are the Shadow Caverns?" Kurama asked, desperate to kill the silence that existed between them.
"Beyond this forest and then we'll have to cross the Hades Swamp. Past there it's fairly flat land, though there aren't many plants or anything to offer cover of we're attacked. It's kind of like a prairie. The caverns are located deep within the spearmint forest," Hiei stated in monotone.
"I see. . . . .umm. . . . Hiei, what's wrong? And don't tell me 'nothing', because your not that good of a liar." Red eyes locked onto fiercely, yet pained looking green ones, and Hiei suddenly felt the reserve he had over his heart melt away at the sight of the kitsune. He cursed himself mentally. He'd hurt him again. He hadn't meant to, but-
"Please, Hiei. I know it had something to do with the winged youkai on the tape. Won't you tell me?" Hiei bit his lip. Could he tell Kurama? He wasn't sure, after all, it was only a thought that maybe that youkai was her. However small the chances, he couldn't help but hold onto the thought that she was alive, that somehow she had survived.
Both of them were so deeply submerged in thought, that they failed to notice the youki and the looming shadow approaching them. Suddenly, the sound of an arrow broke them from their trances, and gave Hiei just enough time to evade the deadly weapon. Their survival instincts flooded their senses and they got into a defensive fighting stance. Another array of arrows rained down on them and their aim was so precise it was difficult to dodge.
"Where are they coming from?" Kurama yelled.
"Everywhere! I can't pinpoint the source- Ah!" an arrow ripped through his shoulder.
"Hiei!" Kurama called at the sound of his lovers cry. Dodging arrows, he made his way to the koorime, who seemed to crumple when Kurama took him in his arms. Strangely, the assault stopped, but the two barely noticed.
"Take it out, fox," Hiei ordered. Certainly this was not the worst wound he's ever obtained. Kurama nodded. He broke it and Hiei clenched his fists, but the human-youko did not seem effected by this. He placed a slim hand forcefully on Hiei's chest.
"Hold your breath and on the count of three, let it out sharply," instructed the red-head. Hiei merely nodded, doing as he was told and the arrow slid out, bringing a waterfall of blood with it. He let out a cry of pain, although the pain was dimmed by Kurama's method.
Quickly, Kurama pulled a seed from his hair and pressed it ti the ground. Immediately, a few large leaves sprouted, that of which he picked
"What are those?" Hiei asked, eyeing the plant.
Kurama grinned. "What? Don't you trust me?"
Hiei frowned. "Of course! I was just curious." A laugh escaped the kitsune's lips and he set to work.
"These will help clean the wound and dull the pain." Hie placed a leaf on the back of the wound. "Use your youki to singe this." Hiei raised an eyebrow at the request, but used a minimal amount of youki to do so. The now blackened leaf shriveled at the edges and Kurama crushed it in his palm and sprinkled the warm shards into the wound and covered it with another leaf. He then took the sash from around his waist and dressed the wound. "There. That should do it," Kurama said and helped Hiei to his feet
"Thank you, fox."
Kurama ran a hand through his crimson hair and smiled. "Mmhm, but what was with that random attack? And what did it stop so suddenly?"
Hiei sighed and shook his head. "I'm not sure but-" Hiei stopped
"What is it?" questioned the fox.
"That youki," replied the koorime. Suddenly, before the kitsune had time to say anything, Hiei flitted away into the trees. Kurama felt his youki rise and then there was another power too. He saw blurs of light and heard the clang of weapons. Then, a cry was heard, but it was not male, much to Kurama's relief. About a minute later a shadowy figure fell from the tree tops almost right at his feet. Kurama blinked and looked down at the slim form, or what he could see, for most of the body was covered by. . . . .wings? He gasped. The youkai from the tape! Hiei jumped down, his arms crossed over his chest. The figure moaned and stirred slightly. The wings seemed to twitch and flutter and spread out. The grayish-silvery color that covered her body flashed on and off several times before disappearing all together. The dark color gone, revealed a semi-tall woman, probably only 5'5" or so. She had glossy, wavy chestnut brown hair that extended to below her shoulder blades and she had a petit frame. Her clothing consisted of a pair of black leggings and black boots that went up to the middle of her shins. Her slim torso sported a black, wide-sleeved v-neck shirt. Over this outfit was a gray sleeveless tunic of which came to a point at her ankles. A thin black sash circled her waist, the long ends hung down to her knees. Lastly, there was a black scarf around her neck, greatly resembling Hiei's. Her skin wasn't tan, but not pale either. She had well accented, perfectly sculpted features, but most of all were the sapphire colored eyes.
She pulled herself up to a sitting position and Kurama got in a defensive stance. Hiei merely glared down at her. She looked familiar, a lot like. . . like her, and the youki was similar too, but to strong. For the first time, she realized, or seemed to realize that there were people around her. Quickly, she jumped to her feet and also got in a defensive stance.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"That's not your concern. Why were you watching us?" retorted Kurama.
"I had my reasons," she shot back. The white wings began to flutter and she lifted from the ground, gaining speed fast. However, the snap of a whip cracked through the air, and she cried out in surprise, pain shooting through her leg. Around her right leg was a thorny, green whip, the thorns cutting into her flesh. Drops of blood splattered on the ground, mingling with the earth. She found herself staring into mischievous, slightly scary, beautiful green eyes.
"Come down and I won't yank," he said.
She smirked. " You aren't dealing with any normal demon, human."
Kurama smirked back. "And you aren't dealing with a mere human." The two stared at each other, possibly measuring one another. Hiei watched this in interest and his eyes caught sight of a few wines sneaking quietly up behind the female demon. Kurama had his bases covered, indeed.
That's when he saw it, the small black tear shaped gem dangling from her neck.
'A koorime tear gem. . . mine, but how? It was her!'
"Kurama!" he yelled. The fox glanced at him, but made no move of releasing his prey. Hiei drew his katana and in one swipe severed the vine, with ended up throwing the unsuspecting kitsune to the ground. "Ro! Stop! Don't go! Ro!" he yelled as the so called Ro began her retreat into the air. Abruptly, though, she stopped and looked at him.
"How do you know my name? Who the hell are y-" her hands flew to the small pendant and grasped it as though it were her very life. "Oh my God. Y. . . . you're eyes. . . . Hiei!?"
"Ro," he whispered, barely audible. Slowly she descended to the ground, hesitant and cautious. The two demons stepped closer to one another, trusting yet uncertain. Blue and ruby eyes melted together, and mingled in a scene of longing and a familiar feeling of companionship and . . . love? Suddenly, they both smiled and embraced one another, parting moment later.
"But Ro, you're supposed to be dead," Hiei said.
She shook her head. "No, not me, you. You're supposed to be dead. I saw you die," protested the winged youkai. Hiei frowned and furrowed his brow in confusion.
"No, I saw you die." Now both of them were confused, however, Ro straightened her hair and patted the dirt off of her clothing, then neatly folded her white downy wings behind her back. Carefully, she took his hands in her own.
"It doesn't matter. The point is that we're both alive and that we're together again. God, I've missed you, Hiei. You've changed so much." He put a hand to her cheek and she covered it with her own slim hand, savoring the touch.
"I've missed you too, Ro. You're different as well." Hiei found his voice unusually husky and unsteady. Seeing her before him was like seeing a piece of his past coming back. The sudden feeling in his heart was much the same that it was back then and he found his body seemed to want to reach out for her to hold her like in the days before she 'supposedly' died. Hiei felt himself going forwards, his lips yarning to touch hers, and then, a mere inch away, a picture flashed in his mind. A beautiful picture portraying a certain crimson haired, green eyed fox. Kurama. He jerked back, startling bath himself and Ro. She looked at him with worry and surprise.
"What's wro-"
"Kurama," he cut her off.
"Kurama?" came her question. The koorime stepped back and adverted his eyes from the pretty winged demon before him. To the left of him was the kitsune leaning against a tree, his arms wrapped around himself. His eyes watched Hiei, regarding him with a certain amount of jealousy, but mainly fear. A soft wind rustled his hair and gave his entire body an unworldly amount of beauty. Hiei slowly approached his. . . his lover. . . right? Yes, of course Kurama was his lover, Kurama was his life, the best thing that ever happened to him.
Doubt suddenly crept into his mind. He shook his head. No, doubt was not an option here! Kurama was his fox, end of story, period.
With a new bout of confidence, Hiei knelt before the beautiful kitsune.
"Kurama," he said softly. Green eyes caught and captured ruby ones.
"Yes, Hiei?" he asked. There was something in his voice, but Hiei couldn't place it.
"Um. . . are you alright?" The fox let out a sigh and stood up abruptly..
"I'm fine. I was just waiting for you to get done with your. . . reunion. Aren't you going to introduce me?"
Hiei blinked. "Um. . . of course. Her name is Ro and. . ." he made a motion for the girl to come over. She did. The two did not smile or show any form of greeting, merely stared intensely at each other, trying to understand one another's motives. "Ro, this is Kurama, my. . . partner," continued Hiei. Kurama narrowed his eyes at the fire-koorime and then at Ro, who impassively stared back. Silence ensued before finally, Kurama offered her his hand, which she lightly and reluctantly too.
"Pleasure to meet you," said the human-youko impassively.
"The pleasure is all mine," replied the winged youkai.
Hiei cleared his throat. "Yes, well, I believe we should set up camp. As it would appear, we need to talk." ~*~ Meanwhile in the Ningenkai, Yusuke and Kuwabara had located Keiko, Yukina, Botan, and the kids. Currently, they fought groups of youkai and even cultivated humans.
"Tori, stay near me," said Keiko. Tori pushed away from her mother.
"No, mom, I can help Dad and Kuwabara!" she argued. Keiko was on the verge of protesting when a stray demon launched itself towards them. It was an ugly creature with protruding horns all over it's bulky body and sharp fangs dripped saliva. "No you don't!" came Tori's cry. With a sudden flare of ki, a blue light appeared and took the shape of a glowing scythe in her hand. In one clean swipe, she cut the demon in two. Yusuke looked back.
"Good job sweety!" he yelled over to her.
Tori winked and gave him a thumbs up. "Damn right!" she replied.
"Language, Tori, you're grounded," Keiko said.
"Aw, but-"
"Back talk, that's an additional day."
Tori grumbled under her breath, "Damn."
"That's two days."
Tori ducked her head. "Shit."
"Three. . . keep it up, honey, and you'll be going on two weeks." Tori rolled her eyes. She didn't know how her mother did it.
Yusuke shot a few dozen youkai, but the wave seemed to keep coming. Kuwabara dodged a few attacks and diced a couple of demons, who, for some reason or other, had chosen to attempt a head-on attack.
"Hiei and Kurama better do something quick, or we can all kiss life good- bye," Yusuke yelled. They were all running low on energy, to much more of the attach, and they'd either be dead or would have to run for it, though they didn't know where. ~*~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
End Chapter 2 To Be Continued
Disclaimer: Do I own Yu Yu Hakusho? Now let's think about this. Why would I be writing this if I owned Yu Yu Hakusho?
Author's Note: Here's Chapter 2. Sorry it took such a very long time to get this out. . . .I had a bit of writer's block. Thanks to all that reviewed. Please read and enjoy! Thanks!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
They left the Reikai palace, easily making a portal to the Makai. Fifteen minutes later found the duo walking in the middle of a grove of trees. Kurama shifted uncomfortably. Hiei hadn't uttered a sound, let alone a word since they had left. A thought crossed his mind then. Perhaps he should change into youko form. After all, they were in the middle of the Makai forest and he could sense lingering youkis all around him. He knew that the inhabitants of the forest were watching them, though most of them were merely low A class, high B class, and posed no real threat. He thought better of changing shape, as it would probably attract more demons, seeing as how very few youkai didn't want a youko for one reason or another. Not only that, but, as it stood, if some of his old enemies or lovers picked up on his youki, they'd be in for real trouble.
He sighed. "Koi, I realize we're going west, but where are the Shadow Caverns?" Kurama asked, desperate to kill the silence that existed between them.
"Beyond this forest and then we'll have to cross the Hades Swamp. Past there it's fairly flat land, though there aren't many plants or anything to offer cover of we're attacked. It's kind of like a prairie. The caverns are located deep within the spearmint forest," Hiei stated in monotone.
"I see. . . . .umm. . . . Hiei, what's wrong? And don't tell me 'nothing', because your not that good of a liar." Red eyes locked onto fiercely, yet pained looking green ones, and Hiei suddenly felt the reserve he had over his heart melt away at the sight of the kitsune. He cursed himself mentally. He'd hurt him again. He hadn't meant to, but-
"Please, Hiei. I know it had something to do with the winged youkai on the tape. Won't you tell me?" Hiei bit his lip. Could he tell Kurama? He wasn't sure, after all, it was only a thought that maybe that youkai was her. However small the chances, he couldn't help but hold onto the thought that she was alive, that somehow she had survived.
Both of them were so deeply submerged in thought, that they failed to notice the youki and the looming shadow approaching them. Suddenly, the sound of an arrow broke them from their trances, and gave Hiei just enough time to evade the deadly weapon. Their survival instincts flooded their senses and they got into a defensive fighting stance. Another array of arrows rained down on them and their aim was so precise it was difficult to dodge.
"Where are they coming from?" Kurama yelled.
"Everywhere! I can't pinpoint the source- Ah!" an arrow ripped through his shoulder.
"Hiei!" Kurama called at the sound of his lovers cry. Dodging arrows, he made his way to the koorime, who seemed to crumple when Kurama took him in his arms. Strangely, the assault stopped, but the two barely noticed.
"Take it out, fox," Hiei ordered. Certainly this was not the worst wound he's ever obtained. Kurama nodded. He broke it and Hiei clenched his fists, but the human-youko did not seem effected by this. He placed a slim hand forcefully on Hiei's chest.
"Hold your breath and on the count of three, let it out sharply," instructed the red-head. Hiei merely nodded, doing as he was told and the arrow slid out, bringing a waterfall of blood with it. He let out a cry of pain, although the pain was dimmed by Kurama's method.
Quickly, Kurama pulled a seed from his hair and pressed it ti the ground. Immediately, a few large leaves sprouted, that of which he picked
"What are those?" Hiei asked, eyeing the plant.
Kurama grinned. "What? Don't you trust me?"
Hiei frowned. "Of course! I was just curious." A laugh escaped the kitsune's lips and he set to work.
"These will help clean the wound and dull the pain." Hie placed a leaf on the back of the wound. "Use your youki to singe this." Hiei raised an eyebrow at the request, but used a minimal amount of youki to do so. The now blackened leaf shriveled at the edges and Kurama crushed it in his palm and sprinkled the warm shards into the wound and covered it with another leaf. He then took the sash from around his waist and dressed the wound. "There. That should do it," Kurama said and helped Hiei to his feet
"Thank you, fox."
Kurama ran a hand through his crimson hair and smiled. "Mmhm, but what was with that random attack? And what did it stop so suddenly?"
Hiei sighed and shook his head. "I'm not sure but-" Hiei stopped
"What is it?" questioned the fox.
"That youki," replied the koorime. Suddenly, before the kitsune had time to say anything, Hiei flitted away into the trees. Kurama felt his youki rise and then there was another power too. He saw blurs of light and heard the clang of weapons. Then, a cry was heard, but it was not male, much to Kurama's relief. About a minute later a shadowy figure fell from the tree tops almost right at his feet. Kurama blinked and looked down at the slim form, or what he could see, for most of the body was covered by. . . . .wings? He gasped. The youkai from the tape! Hiei jumped down, his arms crossed over his chest. The figure moaned and stirred slightly. The wings seemed to twitch and flutter and spread out. The grayish-silvery color that covered her body flashed on and off several times before disappearing all together. The dark color gone, revealed a semi-tall woman, probably only 5'5" or so. She had glossy, wavy chestnut brown hair that extended to below her shoulder blades and she had a petit frame. Her clothing consisted of a pair of black leggings and black boots that went up to the middle of her shins. Her slim torso sported a black, wide-sleeved v-neck shirt. Over this outfit was a gray sleeveless tunic of which came to a point at her ankles. A thin black sash circled her waist, the long ends hung down to her knees. Lastly, there was a black scarf around her neck, greatly resembling Hiei's. Her skin wasn't tan, but not pale either. She had well accented, perfectly sculpted features, but most of all were the sapphire colored eyes.
She pulled herself up to a sitting position and Kurama got in a defensive stance. Hiei merely glared down at her. She looked familiar, a lot like. . . like her, and the youki was similar too, but to strong. For the first time, she realized, or seemed to realize that there were people around her. Quickly, she jumped to her feet and also got in a defensive stance.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"That's not your concern. Why were you watching us?" retorted Kurama.
"I had my reasons," she shot back. The white wings began to flutter and she lifted from the ground, gaining speed fast. However, the snap of a whip cracked through the air, and she cried out in surprise, pain shooting through her leg. Around her right leg was a thorny, green whip, the thorns cutting into her flesh. Drops of blood splattered on the ground, mingling with the earth. She found herself staring into mischievous, slightly scary, beautiful green eyes.
"Come down and I won't yank," he said.
She smirked. " You aren't dealing with any normal demon, human."
Kurama smirked back. "And you aren't dealing with a mere human." The two stared at each other, possibly measuring one another. Hiei watched this in interest and his eyes caught sight of a few wines sneaking quietly up behind the female demon. Kurama had his bases covered, indeed.
That's when he saw it, the small black tear shaped gem dangling from her neck.
'A koorime tear gem. . . mine, but how? It was her!'
"Kurama!" he yelled. The fox glanced at him, but made no move of releasing his prey. Hiei drew his katana and in one swipe severed the vine, with ended up throwing the unsuspecting kitsune to the ground. "Ro! Stop! Don't go! Ro!" he yelled as the so called Ro began her retreat into the air. Abruptly, though, she stopped and looked at him.
"How do you know my name? Who the hell are y-" her hands flew to the small pendant and grasped it as though it were her very life. "Oh my God. Y. . . . you're eyes. . . . Hiei!?"
"Ro," he whispered, barely audible. Slowly she descended to the ground, hesitant and cautious. The two demons stepped closer to one another, trusting yet uncertain. Blue and ruby eyes melted together, and mingled in a scene of longing and a familiar feeling of companionship and . . . love? Suddenly, they both smiled and embraced one another, parting moment later.
"But Ro, you're supposed to be dead," Hiei said.
She shook her head. "No, not me, you. You're supposed to be dead. I saw you die," protested the winged youkai. Hiei frowned and furrowed his brow in confusion.
"No, I saw you die." Now both of them were confused, however, Ro straightened her hair and patted the dirt off of her clothing, then neatly folded her white downy wings behind her back. Carefully, she took his hands in her own.
"It doesn't matter. The point is that we're both alive and that we're together again. God, I've missed you, Hiei. You've changed so much." He put a hand to her cheek and she covered it with her own slim hand, savoring the touch.
"I've missed you too, Ro. You're different as well." Hiei found his voice unusually husky and unsteady. Seeing her before him was like seeing a piece of his past coming back. The sudden feeling in his heart was much the same that it was back then and he found his body seemed to want to reach out for her to hold her like in the days before she 'supposedly' died. Hiei felt himself going forwards, his lips yarning to touch hers, and then, a mere inch away, a picture flashed in his mind. A beautiful picture portraying a certain crimson haired, green eyed fox. Kurama. He jerked back, startling bath himself and Ro. She looked at him with worry and surprise.
"What's wro-"
"Kurama," he cut her off.
"Kurama?" came her question. The koorime stepped back and adverted his eyes from the pretty winged demon before him. To the left of him was the kitsune leaning against a tree, his arms wrapped around himself. His eyes watched Hiei, regarding him with a certain amount of jealousy, but mainly fear. A soft wind rustled his hair and gave his entire body an unworldly amount of beauty. Hiei slowly approached his. . . his lover. . . right? Yes, of course Kurama was his lover, Kurama was his life, the best thing that ever happened to him.
Doubt suddenly crept into his mind. He shook his head. No, doubt was not an option here! Kurama was his fox, end of story, period.
With a new bout of confidence, Hiei knelt before the beautiful kitsune.
"Kurama," he said softly. Green eyes caught and captured ruby ones.
"Yes, Hiei?" he asked. There was something in his voice, but Hiei couldn't place it.
"Um. . . are you alright?" The fox let out a sigh and stood up abruptly..
"I'm fine. I was just waiting for you to get done with your. . . reunion. Aren't you going to introduce me?"
Hiei blinked. "Um. . . of course. Her name is Ro and. . ." he made a motion for the girl to come over. She did. The two did not smile or show any form of greeting, merely stared intensely at each other, trying to understand one another's motives. "Ro, this is Kurama, my. . . partner," continued Hiei. Kurama narrowed his eyes at the fire-koorime and then at Ro, who impassively stared back. Silence ensued before finally, Kurama offered her his hand, which she lightly and reluctantly too.
"Pleasure to meet you," said the human-youko impassively.
"The pleasure is all mine," replied the winged youkai.
Hiei cleared his throat. "Yes, well, I believe we should set up camp. As it would appear, we need to talk." ~*~ Meanwhile in the Ningenkai, Yusuke and Kuwabara had located Keiko, Yukina, Botan, and the kids. Currently, they fought groups of youkai and even cultivated humans.
"Tori, stay near me," said Keiko. Tori pushed away from her mother.
"No, mom, I can help Dad and Kuwabara!" she argued. Keiko was on the verge of protesting when a stray demon launched itself towards them. It was an ugly creature with protruding horns all over it's bulky body and sharp fangs dripped saliva. "No you don't!" came Tori's cry. With a sudden flare of ki, a blue light appeared and took the shape of a glowing scythe in her hand. In one clean swipe, she cut the demon in two. Yusuke looked back.
"Good job sweety!" he yelled over to her.
Tori winked and gave him a thumbs up. "Damn right!" she replied.
"Language, Tori, you're grounded," Keiko said.
"Aw, but-"
"Back talk, that's an additional day."
Tori grumbled under her breath, "Damn."
"That's two days."
Tori ducked her head. "Shit."
"Three. . . keep it up, honey, and you'll be going on two weeks." Tori rolled her eyes. She didn't know how her mother did it.
Yusuke shot a few dozen youkai, but the wave seemed to keep coming. Kuwabara dodged a few attacks and diced a couple of demons, who, for some reason or other, had chosen to attempt a head-on attack.
"Hiei and Kurama better do something quick, or we can all kiss life good- bye," Yusuke yelled. They were all running low on energy, to much more of the attach, and they'd either be dead or would have to run for it, though they didn't know where. ~*~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
End Chapter 2 To Be Continued