Surviving Love
Sequel to ...And They Lived Happily Ever After
By: Obsidian Sphinx
Chapter 3
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho because, well . . . duh. And if you 're thinking the chicken crossed the road for the reason I know most of you are thinking, then you are quite mistaken.
Author's Note: Well, um, I suppose you're all wondering why I haven't updated. You see what happened was, and it was the craziest thing, I . . . um died. (Stares at glaring people) Okay, I didn't die, I . . . went on a spiritual journey to a distant land to find my inner self! (stares nervously at glaring people) Okay FINE! I'm too lazy to go on spiritual journey to a distant land. Obviously you people aren't stupid (not MOST of you anyway) so I'll tell you the honest to God truth. I wasn't going to post this story, but my friend, Lonely Wanderer, (glares at Lonely Wanderer) said I SHOULD post the story, but my CLS (Chronic Laziness Syndrome) was kicking in on high so I didn't FEEL like posting the story. So, she just HAD to hijack my damned notebook, and she got pretty far, but then HER CLS started kicking in on high, and I forgot about the story completely until she said she was writing on it. (Don't hurt me, I'm sorry! It was all her! She's a witch! Burn her! Burn her!) Well, that's it for me, Happy Readings! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I'm going to go get some fire wood. Be back in a few," Hiei said and disappeared into the forest. This action left the two other demons sitting across from one another, again locked in a staring battle.
"You aren't human, are you?" Kurama blinked and looked away.
"Not necessarily, I'm sort of half human," he replied. Ro watched as Kurama placed a hand on the ground and up sprouted a bunch of plants that she couldn't begin to name. They grew around them, entwining and cris-crossing, even coming up under them, creating a sort of make-shift bedding area, which was actually quite comfortable.
"That comes in pretty handy," she said as she fingered the vegetation. Kurama nodded. About that time Hiei came back with an armload of fire wood and dropped them in the center of their sight. He sat down himself next to Kurama, who scooted closer to the fire-koorime.
"Ro, what were you doing watching us?"
She sighed. "I was informed that you two were after the Laurel Archery. You see, there's this demon who goes by the name of Crandar. We worked together for a whole as thieves, but the bastard tried to have me killed. So after I beat the hell out of him, he disappeared. This was a few years ago. However, recently, I got word that he was going to attempt to steal the Laurel Archery. Well, naturally, I'd heard of what the weapon could do because that legendary thief Youko Kurama's tale still travels around the Makai."
Kurama and Hiei exchanged glances that did not go unnoticed.
"What?" Ro asked. Hiei nodded at the fox and in a swirling of rose petals and a bright, white light, the beautiful red-head transformed into the stunning, breath- taking, beautiful Youko Kurama.
Ro gasped. "Oh. . . so I guess you already know all about that, huh?" she asked, still staring in awe. Kurama shifted uncomfortably under her stare. He was used to being gazed at and he wasn't going to lie, his youko side enjoyed it. It was just he didn't like *her* staring.
"So, continue," he urged as he crossed his arms over his chest. She shook her head.
"Yes, but anyway, I knew that if he got his hands on it, then we'd all be doomed. So I stole it instead. I was going to take it back to my home. I thought it to be the safest place because only myself and. . . and you, Hiei, knew where I lived in the Shadow Caverns. Truth be told, before I could get home, Crandar attacked me. I kept myself from any serious injuries, but could not stop him from obtaining the artifact. Sometime afterwards I realized that the Reikai was putting their people on the case. I thought I'd offer my help because 1, I've got some things to settle with that SOB, 2, I can't defeat him alone, and 3, I've got vital information about Crandar's abilities as well as where-abouts."
Hiei nodded. "I see," he commented. Kurama played with a silver lock of hair that he'd pulled over his shoulder. After he realized that she was done, he abruptly flipped it back into placed and locked his golden eyes on Ro.
"Can you explain to us the random attack that took place? Why it stopped?" he asked.
"That was a group of demons that Crandar created to kill you guys. He fears you despite his newly obtained power. I caught up to the lot of them and took 'em all out," she answered his question with an almost cocky confidence that could rival Kurama's.
"What are you?" the fox asked abruptly.
"I get the feeling I'm under interrogation." Ro's wings moved against the fading light, nothing more than a sillohete lingering amongst the twilight. They spread out and wrapped around her body. "I'm a shadow demon, unique because I've got wings. I guess really, I'm for the most part shadow demon, which is why I can cloak my body as you saw before. But somewhere, a while ago, one of my ancestors mated with a phoenix demon, and so here I am. I'm only part shadow demon, really," she shivered a little, as the cold Makai air surrounded them. Hiei picked up on this immediately and in a burst of ki, set the pile of wood aflame.
"Better?" he asked her, and Kurama noted genuine concern in his voice.
"Much. Thank you lo- . . . er. . . Hiei." Kurama caught the flaw in her sentence, the flaw Hiei hadn't, either that or he preferred to ignore it. Golden eyes narrowed with a glare of caution held in their shimmering depths.
The youkai in the Ningenkai are many and Yusuke and Kuwabara can't hold out much longer, especially if their attentions are on Keiko, Botan, Yukina, and the children. We need to move quickly," Hiei stated.
"Agreed . Crandar resides in Onyx Tower, which lies northwards past the Maze Jungle of Illusion."
"Okay, let's go," Hiei said and stood up. He walked over to Ro and extended his hand to her. She smiled at him and gently laid her own slim hand in his, and Hiei gently pulled her to her feet. Kurama watched this with, what? Jealousy? Impossible! Youko Kurama never felt jealousy, but then, he wasn't the same youko anymore.
The kitsune stood and called on his rose whip. Quickly, he disposed of the bed of vegetation he had created and snuffed out the fire.
"You two just follow me, I'm going to fly ahead," Ro said Hiei nodded. He could easily flit from tree to tree and keep up. Kurama was fast in youko form but faster in fox form, which he's already taken. He could keep up easily as well. As for the jungle, well, Kurama could control the plants. The jungle was as confusing as a maze because it moved and created illusions. Most of the plants in the jungle were man-eaters. However with Kurama's powers, the deadly vegetation would pose no threat to them.
And so their journey began. Kurama of foot, watching and sensing out dangers. His mind wander. Obviously, Ro was Hiei's, or had been, Hiei's lover. It was also clear she still wished to be with him. Did Hiei still want to be with her? Come the think if it, why hadn't Hiei ever told him about Ro? It appeared Kurama knew less about his lover than he thought.
Hiei was in his own hurricane of thoughts. Ro was alive! When she had supposedly died, he felt as though his heart were ripped from his chest. He'd loved her. . . but did he still? No, of course not! He loved Kurama, but he. . . .ah! He wasn't sure anymore. His thoughts enveloped him to the extent that he nearly fell from the tree tops when Ro suddenly appeared in front of him.
"You've got a lot on your mind," she said.
"Yes, I do."
She sighed. "He's um. . . Kurama, that is, is, well. . . . beautiful." She couldn't help but look away. Hiei was so near and yet so didn't feel like she could touch him. So, she was surprised when his hand cupped her cheek and gently forced her to look at him. Those red eyes were so sincere, it was almost painful.
"So are you," Hiei said softly. "Ro, I missed you so much. You meant everything to me. When I thought you died, it felt like my life was over. I couldn't think, I didn't want to live, Ro. I just. . . . wanted you."
She nodded slowly. "I felt the same, love." That was when the two demons suddenly found themselves locked in a kiss. For Ro, it was like bliss, a paradise she'd longed for, but for Hiei, it was. . . it wasn't like Kurama's kiss. He wouldn't lie, he liked it, he missed it, but it wasn't the same. Ro simply was not Kurama, but then, Kurama wasn't Ro. He pulled away. The hurt in her sapphire eyes was evident. She sighed.
"Very well, Hiei, give it time. . . alert Kurama, Onyx is before us," she said, and disappeared. Hiei shook his head.
"Kurama!" he called and jumped from the tree limb. They were just a few yards from the jungle, Ro was a little further off in the distance. Suddenly, a small, silver fox slunk up from under the vegetation. As the creature trotted up towards Hiei a mist swirled around it's tiny form and then, walking towards him was the beautiful, silver youko.
"Sorry, I got a little carried away in there." He brushed a few leaves from his silver mane and grinned. Hiei shook his head.
"Stupid fox," he said. Kurama merely grinned wider. He looked up at the black tower.
"Is that it?"
The koorime nodded. "I suppose."
Ro approached them slowly, a dark look in her eyes. "You two need to distract the many, many, many guards Crandar has surrounding that place. I can get in undetected, you guys meet me inside."
The fox bit his lip. He preferred to plan these things out a little more specifically, but he kept his tongue about him. There was a mutual agreement and Ro raised her hands into the air, her wings wrapped around her body, and when they came and spread back out, they found themselves staring at a metallically-gray clad figure with no facial features except for the vividly glowing pupil-less sapphire colored eyes. Those eyes stared at Hiei for, what seemed to Kurama, a very long time. What stabbed at him the most was that Hiei returned the stare for an equal amount of time, and the look they shared was equal. He narrowed his golden eyes at them. Ro's hand touched Hiei's cheek tenderly and Hiei covered the gray hand with his own. Kurama clenched his teeth and his fists. That demon was over-stepping her bounds. All she had to do was go a little farther and he'd be forced to dispose of the wench. He blinked. 'Damn youko side!' he thought. That demon, Ro, she meant something, a lot of something to Hiei. If he was ever responsible for any harm that came to her, Hiei would never forgive him. Kurama thought of the ain his fire-koorime lover had endured throughout his lifetime. In the end, all he cared about was Hiei's happiness, and if that meant that Ro took his place at Hiei's side, then so be it. The kitsune fought tears, but had no more time to dwell on these depressing thoughts, as a sweep of air blew his hair back and he looked up in time to see the winged-youkai fly away.
"Come on, Kurama, "Hiei ushered. ~*~
Tori sliced another few youkai demons in half. Next to her, Cris took out a few more with a burst of ki he sent flaming from the palm of his hand. As for the you Makori, she was using her energy to form a shield around herself, Yukina, and Keiko. In th for-ground fought Yusuke and Kuwabara. However, despite their combined efforts, the demons kept coming in over-whelming waves. Tori's glave cut another few youkai before she felt her legs tremble beneath her and it seemed the rest of her body became unbearably heavy. She collapsed and her youki weapon vanished.
"Tori!" cried Keiko, the horror apparent in her voice. Yusuke looked behind him, his chocolate colored eyes growing wide at the sight of his daughter lying unconscious on the ground. Dodging the enemy left, right, up, down, whatever, he made his way to the group. "Yusuke?" came Keiko's scared voice. Yusuke picked up the young girl.
"Expended to much energy. We all have, and we have to find some place to hide." With that said, Yusuke put Tori on his back and on cue, Makori dropped the shield and Yusuke picked Keiko up in his arms. Kuwabara picked up Yukina and shoved 'Kori under on arm while Chris jumped on his back. The two families ran, taking out attacking youkai whenever necessary. Eventually, they took refuge in the lobby of a building, ignoring the debris around them. All was silent as Yukina tended to all their wounds.
"What about Tori?" Keiko asked.
"Just some sleep and she should be okay," replied Yusuke. He shook his head. "Come on you guys, we can't hide forever," he whispered. ~*~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ End Chapter 3 To Be Continued
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho because, well . . . duh. And if you 're thinking the chicken crossed the road for the reason I know most of you are thinking, then you are quite mistaken.
Author's Note: Well, um, I suppose you're all wondering why I haven't updated. You see what happened was, and it was the craziest thing, I . . . um died. (Stares at glaring people) Okay, I didn't die, I . . . went on a spiritual journey to a distant land to find my inner self! (stares nervously at glaring people) Okay FINE! I'm too lazy to go on spiritual journey to a distant land. Obviously you people aren't stupid (not MOST of you anyway) so I'll tell you the honest to God truth. I wasn't going to post this story, but my friend, Lonely Wanderer, (glares at Lonely Wanderer) said I SHOULD post the story, but my CLS (Chronic Laziness Syndrome) was kicking in on high so I didn't FEEL like posting the story. So, she just HAD to hijack my damned notebook, and she got pretty far, but then HER CLS started kicking in on high, and I forgot about the story completely until she said she was writing on it. (Don't hurt me, I'm sorry! It was all her! She's a witch! Burn her! Burn her!) Well, that's it for me, Happy Readings! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I'm going to go get some fire wood. Be back in a few," Hiei said and disappeared into the forest. This action left the two other demons sitting across from one another, again locked in a staring battle.
"You aren't human, are you?" Kurama blinked and looked away.
"Not necessarily, I'm sort of half human," he replied. Ro watched as Kurama placed a hand on the ground and up sprouted a bunch of plants that she couldn't begin to name. They grew around them, entwining and cris-crossing, even coming up under them, creating a sort of make-shift bedding area, which was actually quite comfortable.
"That comes in pretty handy," she said as she fingered the vegetation. Kurama nodded. About that time Hiei came back with an armload of fire wood and dropped them in the center of their sight. He sat down himself next to Kurama, who scooted closer to the fire-koorime.
"Ro, what were you doing watching us?"
She sighed. "I was informed that you two were after the Laurel Archery. You see, there's this demon who goes by the name of Crandar. We worked together for a whole as thieves, but the bastard tried to have me killed. So after I beat the hell out of him, he disappeared. This was a few years ago. However, recently, I got word that he was going to attempt to steal the Laurel Archery. Well, naturally, I'd heard of what the weapon could do because that legendary thief Youko Kurama's tale still travels around the Makai."
Kurama and Hiei exchanged glances that did not go unnoticed.
"What?" Ro asked. Hiei nodded at the fox and in a swirling of rose petals and a bright, white light, the beautiful red-head transformed into the stunning, breath- taking, beautiful Youko Kurama.
Ro gasped. "Oh. . . so I guess you already know all about that, huh?" she asked, still staring in awe. Kurama shifted uncomfortably under her stare. He was used to being gazed at and he wasn't going to lie, his youko side enjoyed it. It was just he didn't like *her* staring.
"So, continue," he urged as he crossed his arms over his chest. She shook her head.
"Yes, but anyway, I knew that if he got his hands on it, then we'd all be doomed. So I stole it instead. I was going to take it back to my home. I thought it to be the safest place because only myself and. . . and you, Hiei, knew where I lived in the Shadow Caverns. Truth be told, before I could get home, Crandar attacked me. I kept myself from any serious injuries, but could not stop him from obtaining the artifact. Sometime afterwards I realized that the Reikai was putting their people on the case. I thought I'd offer my help because 1, I've got some things to settle with that SOB, 2, I can't defeat him alone, and 3, I've got vital information about Crandar's abilities as well as where-abouts."
Hiei nodded. "I see," he commented. Kurama played with a silver lock of hair that he'd pulled over his shoulder. After he realized that she was done, he abruptly flipped it back into placed and locked his golden eyes on Ro.
"Can you explain to us the random attack that took place? Why it stopped?" he asked.
"That was a group of demons that Crandar created to kill you guys. He fears you despite his newly obtained power. I caught up to the lot of them and took 'em all out," she answered his question with an almost cocky confidence that could rival Kurama's.
"What are you?" the fox asked abruptly.
"I get the feeling I'm under interrogation." Ro's wings moved against the fading light, nothing more than a sillohete lingering amongst the twilight. They spread out and wrapped around her body. "I'm a shadow demon, unique because I've got wings. I guess really, I'm for the most part shadow demon, which is why I can cloak my body as you saw before. But somewhere, a while ago, one of my ancestors mated with a phoenix demon, and so here I am. I'm only part shadow demon, really," she shivered a little, as the cold Makai air surrounded them. Hiei picked up on this immediately and in a burst of ki, set the pile of wood aflame.
"Better?" he asked her, and Kurama noted genuine concern in his voice.
"Much. Thank you lo- . . . er. . . Hiei." Kurama caught the flaw in her sentence, the flaw Hiei hadn't, either that or he preferred to ignore it. Golden eyes narrowed with a glare of caution held in their shimmering depths.
The youkai in the Ningenkai are many and Yusuke and Kuwabara can't hold out much longer, especially if their attentions are on Keiko, Botan, Yukina, and the children. We need to move quickly," Hiei stated.
"Agreed . Crandar resides in Onyx Tower, which lies northwards past the Maze Jungle of Illusion."
"Okay, let's go," Hiei said and stood up. He walked over to Ro and extended his hand to her. She smiled at him and gently laid her own slim hand in his, and Hiei gently pulled her to her feet. Kurama watched this with, what? Jealousy? Impossible! Youko Kurama never felt jealousy, but then, he wasn't the same youko anymore.
The kitsune stood and called on his rose whip. Quickly, he disposed of the bed of vegetation he had created and snuffed out the fire.
"You two just follow me, I'm going to fly ahead," Ro said Hiei nodded. He could easily flit from tree to tree and keep up. Kurama was fast in youko form but faster in fox form, which he's already taken. He could keep up easily as well. As for the jungle, well, Kurama could control the plants. The jungle was as confusing as a maze because it moved and created illusions. Most of the plants in the jungle were man-eaters. However with Kurama's powers, the deadly vegetation would pose no threat to them.
And so their journey began. Kurama of foot, watching and sensing out dangers. His mind wander. Obviously, Ro was Hiei's, or had been, Hiei's lover. It was also clear she still wished to be with him. Did Hiei still want to be with her? Come the think if it, why hadn't Hiei ever told him about Ro? It appeared Kurama knew less about his lover than he thought.
Hiei was in his own hurricane of thoughts. Ro was alive! When she had supposedly died, he felt as though his heart were ripped from his chest. He'd loved her. . . but did he still? No, of course not! He loved Kurama, but he. . . .ah! He wasn't sure anymore. His thoughts enveloped him to the extent that he nearly fell from the tree tops when Ro suddenly appeared in front of him.
"You've got a lot on your mind," she said.
"Yes, I do."
She sighed. "He's um. . . Kurama, that is, is, well. . . . beautiful." She couldn't help but look away. Hiei was so near and yet so didn't feel like she could touch him. So, she was surprised when his hand cupped her cheek and gently forced her to look at him. Those red eyes were so sincere, it was almost painful.
"So are you," Hiei said softly. "Ro, I missed you so much. You meant everything to me. When I thought you died, it felt like my life was over. I couldn't think, I didn't want to live, Ro. I just. . . . wanted you."
She nodded slowly. "I felt the same, love." That was when the two demons suddenly found themselves locked in a kiss. For Ro, it was like bliss, a paradise she'd longed for, but for Hiei, it was. . . it wasn't like Kurama's kiss. He wouldn't lie, he liked it, he missed it, but it wasn't the same. Ro simply was not Kurama, but then, Kurama wasn't Ro. He pulled away. The hurt in her sapphire eyes was evident. She sighed.
"Very well, Hiei, give it time. . . alert Kurama, Onyx is before us," she said, and disappeared. Hiei shook his head.
"Kurama!" he called and jumped from the tree limb. They were just a few yards from the jungle, Ro was a little further off in the distance. Suddenly, a small, silver fox slunk up from under the vegetation. As the creature trotted up towards Hiei a mist swirled around it's tiny form and then, walking towards him was the beautiful, silver youko.
"Sorry, I got a little carried away in there." He brushed a few leaves from his silver mane and grinned. Hiei shook his head.
"Stupid fox," he said. Kurama merely grinned wider. He looked up at the black tower.
"Is that it?"
The koorime nodded. "I suppose."
Ro approached them slowly, a dark look in her eyes. "You two need to distract the many, many, many guards Crandar has surrounding that place. I can get in undetected, you guys meet me inside."
The fox bit his lip. He preferred to plan these things out a little more specifically, but he kept his tongue about him. There was a mutual agreement and Ro raised her hands into the air, her wings wrapped around her body, and when they came and spread back out, they found themselves staring at a metallically-gray clad figure with no facial features except for the vividly glowing pupil-less sapphire colored eyes. Those eyes stared at Hiei for, what seemed to Kurama, a very long time. What stabbed at him the most was that Hiei returned the stare for an equal amount of time, and the look they shared was equal. He narrowed his golden eyes at them. Ro's hand touched Hiei's cheek tenderly and Hiei covered the gray hand with his own. Kurama clenched his teeth and his fists. That demon was over-stepping her bounds. All she had to do was go a little farther and he'd be forced to dispose of the wench. He blinked. 'Damn youko side!' he thought. That demon, Ro, she meant something, a lot of something to Hiei. If he was ever responsible for any harm that came to her, Hiei would never forgive him. Kurama thought of the ain his fire-koorime lover had endured throughout his lifetime. In the end, all he cared about was Hiei's happiness, and if that meant that Ro took his place at Hiei's side, then so be it. The kitsune fought tears, but had no more time to dwell on these depressing thoughts, as a sweep of air blew his hair back and he looked up in time to see the winged-youkai fly away.
"Come on, Kurama, "Hiei ushered. ~*~
Tori sliced another few youkai demons in half. Next to her, Cris took out a few more with a burst of ki he sent flaming from the palm of his hand. As for the you Makori, she was using her energy to form a shield around herself, Yukina, and Keiko. In th for-ground fought Yusuke and Kuwabara. However, despite their combined efforts, the demons kept coming in over-whelming waves. Tori's glave cut another few youkai before she felt her legs tremble beneath her and it seemed the rest of her body became unbearably heavy. She collapsed and her youki weapon vanished.
"Tori!" cried Keiko, the horror apparent in her voice. Yusuke looked behind him, his chocolate colored eyes growing wide at the sight of his daughter lying unconscious on the ground. Dodging the enemy left, right, up, down, whatever, he made his way to the group. "Yusuke?" came Keiko's scared voice. Yusuke picked up the young girl.
"Expended to much energy. We all have, and we have to find some place to hide." With that said, Yusuke put Tori on his back and on cue, Makori dropped the shield and Yusuke picked Keiko up in his arms. Kuwabara picked up Yukina and shoved 'Kori under on arm while Chris jumped on his back. The two families ran, taking out attacking youkai whenever necessary. Eventually, they took refuge in the lobby of a building, ignoring the debris around them. All was silent as Yukina tended to all their wounds.
"What about Tori?" Keiko asked.
"Just some sleep and she should be okay," replied Yusuke. He shook his head. "Come on you guys, we can't hide forever," he whispered. ~*~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ End Chapter 3 To Be Continued