Surviving Love
Sequel to ...And They Lived Happily Ever After
By: Obsidian Sphinx
Chapter 4
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho . . . so uh, yup.
Author's Note: Chapter four! It's up! It's ALIVE! MWAHAHAHAHAHA! ^_^, Happy Readings
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A painful cry pierced the air at another guard went down, thanks to Kurama's rose whip. He grinned. He was enjoying himself. However, he reminded himself no to get carried away. They had work to do and Ro would need their help. He scowled. Noth that he wanted to help her, but for Hiei's sake he'd have to.
"There!" came the fire-koorime's voice over the battle cries.
Hiei was pointing to a somewhat cleared pathway leading up to the entrance. Kurama nodded and the pair fought their way to the dark entryway. Circling stairs greeted them and they did not hesitate to start their assent. In no time flat they found themselves atop a platform facing closed doors. Suddenly, a yell broke the air, coming from inside. Hiei reacted instantly, practically blowing the doors off their hinges. As they were about to run in, Kurama's sensitive ears twitched at the thundering sound of youkai running up the stairs.
"Go on Hiei, I'll take care of them," the fox said.
"But-"
"Now!"
Hiei nodded and disappeared. Kurama watched him leave, then turned to his oncoming battle.
Meanwhile, Hiei nearly got his head blown off as a stray attack came his way. He looked up to see Ro, her clothes torn, her hair tousled, and scratches and cuts heavily bleeding. He watched in horror as Crandar, a thin, lanky man, with waist-long brown hair and greenish eyes, sent a ball of youki flying towards Ro. The attack exploded against her chest, sending her backward into the stone wall.
"Ro!" Hiei yelled.
This brought Crandar's attention to the intruder.
"Ah, one of Koenma's boys," he said with a sickening smile. "Let's see, what are you here for, the girl or the Laurel Archery?" Hiei clenched his teeth. "You bastard!" he seethed.
Another laugh. "Angry? What are you going to do? You are in MY world. This is my reality," Crandar said and crossed his arms over his chest.
Hiei attacked, the blade of his sword glinting dangerously. The enemy smiled and slowly put his hand up in the air, catching the blade with ease. "What?" came Hiei's surprised response as Crandar held the blade as though it were a butter knife, not even slightly piercing the skin.
Crandar chuckled. "I told you, this is my world!" And with his other hand, he punched Hiei in the gut, sending him plummeting to the floor. He sent another ki blast to follow the previous attack, but Hiei dodged it narrowly, jumping to his feet and getting into a defensive stance. Crandar attacked once more, and no matter how the fire demon fought, Crandar repeatedly gained the upper hand.
Ro watched this, unable to assist, as her body was to much in a state of disarray and her energy spent. However, if she didn't do something soon, Hiei would be joining her. That's when her eye caught the silver bow and arrow resting atop a red silk pillow on an alter. With Crandar's attention on Hiei, perhaps she could get it and if so, she could break it and then his power would be lost. Her mind made up, Ro forced herself to move towards the desired object. It seemed so very nears and yet, her body moved so slowly it felt as though it took forever to reach the alter. As she reached out for the beautiful artifact, once again she found herself hesitating as a sense of it's overwhelming power enveloped her.
Meanwhile, Kurama fought on in an attempt to keep the youkai from running to help their master. At the same time he tried to keep his eye on the battle opposite him. From what he could see, Hiei was getting the shit beat out of him and Ro was. . . what? She was dragging her mangled form towards the archery. He figured what she was planning and hope for her success sparked in him. He watched her hesitate, fingers twitching a mere inch from the artifact. 'Come on, pick it up!' Kurama urged mentally.
As if she heard him, her hands reached out and grasped it. She held it above her knee, preparing to snap it. In her concentrated state of mind she failed to notice that Crandar's attention was now on her. He gathered a ball of youki in his palm and from the point where he tossed the orb towards the unsuspecting victim, everything seemed to go in slow motion.
Kurama jumped clear over the mob of attacking youkai. Hiei's eyes went wide as the silver kitsune streaked past him and he realized his intent. "Kurama!! NO!" he yelled, but it was too late. Time sped up just as Kurama threw himself in front of Ro, his abdomen intersecting the attack.
His limp body fell to the floor and slowly, a dark red puddle began to form beneath him. The thick liquid stained his white clothing and spread outward turning some of the once silver strands of hair into locks of sickening red. For Hiei, the battle, everything came to a earth shattering halt. However, Crandar's laugh took him back. "Damn. Killed a youko. What a waste.. . . . oh well."
"Kurama. . . no. . . y-you, please, no," Hiei whispered and clenched his fists. Then, he set his deadly red stare on the still chuckling Crandar. "You bastard!! You will die!" he yelled.
He then lept into the air, sword blazing. Crandar expected a head-on attack and prepared a defense. It so happened that the fire-koorime jumped over his head and landed in front of a still stunned Ro. Hiei grabbed the archery set from her grasp, tossed it in the air, and in one swipe, cut the bow in half.
"No!" cried Crandar as it landed with a clatter on the stone floor.
Hiei grinned evilly as a burst of ki build itself in his palm. He let it loose on the two pieces of the artifact, and from behind him, Ro tossed the arrow, which had been forgotten, into the flame. They watched as the set disintegrated.
A scream laced the air and the two youkai turned their eyes towards the satisfying sight of Crandar on his knees, bent over and clutching his stomach in pain. The Laurel Archery's power drained from his body, leaving behind the weak being he'd been before. The demons who had been pouring into the room disappeared. ~*~
"They're coming! We'll be forced to fight," said Kuwabara. Yusuke nodded and stoop up.
"Yeah, I know. We'll have to try and lead them away from here."
Keiko shook her head. "No, you can't! Both of you are spent energy wise. You'll only accomplish killing yourselves!" she protested, also standing.
Yusuke smiled sadly at her. "Sorry, Keiko, but it's what I gotta do," Yusuke replied.
"But--" he put a finger to her lips.
"I love you."
"Keiko sighed. "Quiet Yusuke, don't act like that's the last time you'll say those words to me," she ordered.
Yusuke nodded and turned away. "C'mon Kuwabara." The orange-haired man followed him silently out of the building. It seemed that the moment they stepped into the open, a dozen youkai pounced on them. As they were about to defend themselves, the monsters just. . . .disappeared. "What the-?" Yusuke started. He put down his fists and looked around, dumb- struck.
"Hey, Urameshi. . .. . this, this means Kurama and Hiei did it!" exclaimed Kuwabara. "Yes!!" The two men hugged each other in glee, practically dancing a dance of victory.
"Hey, Yusuke, you wanna divorce me or something?" came Keiko's voice. She was standing with her hands of her hips, a relieve smile lighting up her face.
Yusuke and Kuwabara immediately released each other and laughed happily. "I only hope my brother and Kurama are alright." Yukina appeared beside Keiko, her pretty, young face twisted in worry. Keiko placed a hand on her friend's shoulder.
"I'm sure they're fine, Yukina," she said softly. The koorime nodded, but worry and the thought that something was wrong still showed on her face and in her red eyes. ~*~
"Kurama," Hiei whispered as he cradled the fox in his arms. The kitsune stirred a little and golden eyes opened slowly.
"H-Hiei. . . . . you. . . ." Kurama stuttered.
The fire demon placed a finger to his lips. "Shh. . . . save your energy, love," he said.
A small, painful smile, painful smile crossed Kurama's features. "You. . . . you love me. . . Hiei?"
"Of course I do, I always have, Kurama, it's always been you. I LOVE you." Hiei held him tighter now, completely uncaring of the blood that spilled out on him.
"I love. . . . you too." Kurama slowly lifted a shaky hand to caress the fire-youkai's face. Hiei covered it with his own hand.
Ro watched the couple. Kurama had risked his life for her. . . no, for Hiei. Seeing the way Hiei's eyes gazed into the golden eyes of the youko, she knew that their hearts belonged to one another. Hiei still cared for her, but not the way he cared for Kurama.
A choking sound grabbed her from her thoughts. She looked over to see the silver youko shuddering in a coughing fit. Blood fell from his mouth and his breathing became slower.
"Kurama, no, please Kurama, don't leave me. . ." Hiei started. Tears welled up in his eyes and streamed down his cheeks. Small clinking sounds filled the room as those tears turned to black gems. He bent his head down and covered Kurama's bloodied lips with his own. The fox responded briefly, but slowly, his tensed up body replaced and his head fell to the side, breaking the kiss. "Kurama? No, God please no, NO!" Hiei yelled making Ro wince at the pain in his voice. The koorime hugged the fox's body to his own, uttering inaudible things.
Gems kept falling to the floor and with every one, Ro felt pain stitch its way into her heart. No, she couldn't let this happen, not to Hiei. Slowly, she approached them. She put a slim hand on Hiei's shoulder.
"Hiei, move," she ordered, her tone told nothing of her feelings. Hiei hesitated, but sensing something coming from the other youkai, he moved aside. Where he once was, Ro knelt down next to Kurama's still form. She reached behind her neck and pulled off the chain that held onto a black tear gem. The one Hiei had given her so long ago as a declaration of their love. It matched perfectly the one around Kurama's neck. She took the gem from its chain and held it in the palm of her hand. Her hand began glowing sapphire blue, as did her eyes. Suddenly, she was in her cloaked form again.
"Ro. . . ?" Hiei began, but could not finish his sentence. Her palm she placed on the large wound in Kurama's abdomen. The dark tear gem glowed amber and seemed to liquify. The amber pool hovered above the wound before it swirled into the bloody hole. Then, right before Hiei's eyes, the wound began to heal, gradually becoming smaller until there was nothing left except for the tattered clothing. Hiei gasped as Ro stopped glowing and her cloaking for disappeared. She turned to him then, a soft smile on her lips.
"It is done" As if on cue, a gasping sound came from Kurama. Hiei was at his side immediately. The fire-youkai took the fox in his arms once again.
"Kurama?!" his voice was shaky. For him, the few seconds that ticked by before Kurama opened his eyes seemed like hours. But as soon as those beautiful orbs opened Hiei took the fox's lips in an eager kiss. Kurama wrapped his arms around the petite form of his lover and kissed him back. Once they parted, both panting, Kurama smiled up at the dark figure.
"I thought I'd never see you again, love, how-?"
Hiei responded to the partially asked question by pointing to Ro, who was tired looking, her blue eyes looked unhealthily weary. She tossed them a half smile, although it looked forced.
"You saved me," Kurama, said.
"A life for a life, Kurama, my debt to you is repaid." Suddenly, her entire body became transparent and began fading.
"Ro!" Hiei cried. He wanted to run to her, but Kurama held him back.
"Hiei, your tear gem was a token of the love you had for me. . . . I always said that one day I'd give you something in return. The life of the one you love is MY token of love for you. . . bye. . ." And with that she disappeared completely. Now, everything was silent, and remained so for at least ten minutes. Finally, Hiei stood up and looked down at Kurama with a smile. He offered the fox a hand up, which Kurama took. Hiei pulled him to his feet.
"Let's go home," said the fire demon. "Hiei," Kurama began.
"I'm okay. It's time to let her go. I'm in love with you, Kurama," he said.
The fox nodded and slipped an arm around Hiei's waist.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
End Chapter 4
To Be Continued
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho . . . so uh, yup.
Author's Note: Chapter four! It's up! It's ALIVE! MWAHAHAHAHAHA! ^_^, Happy Readings
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A painful cry pierced the air at another guard went down, thanks to Kurama's rose whip. He grinned. He was enjoying himself. However, he reminded himself no to get carried away. They had work to do and Ro would need their help. He scowled. Noth that he wanted to help her, but for Hiei's sake he'd have to.
"There!" came the fire-koorime's voice over the battle cries.
Hiei was pointing to a somewhat cleared pathway leading up to the entrance. Kurama nodded and the pair fought their way to the dark entryway. Circling stairs greeted them and they did not hesitate to start their assent. In no time flat they found themselves atop a platform facing closed doors. Suddenly, a yell broke the air, coming from inside. Hiei reacted instantly, practically blowing the doors off their hinges. As they were about to run in, Kurama's sensitive ears twitched at the thundering sound of youkai running up the stairs.
"Go on Hiei, I'll take care of them," the fox said.
"But-"
"Now!"
Hiei nodded and disappeared. Kurama watched him leave, then turned to his oncoming battle.
Meanwhile, Hiei nearly got his head blown off as a stray attack came his way. He looked up to see Ro, her clothes torn, her hair tousled, and scratches and cuts heavily bleeding. He watched in horror as Crandar, a thin, lanky man, with waist-long brown hair and greenish eyes, sent a ball of youki flying towards Ro. The attack exploded against her chest, sending her backward into the stone wall.
"Ro!" Hiei yelled.
This brought Crandar's attention to the intruder.
"Ah, one of Koenma's boys," he said with a sickening smile. "Let's see, what are you here for, the girl or the Laurel Archery?" Hiei clenched his teeth. "You bastard!" he seethed.
Another laugh. "Angry? What are you going to do? You are in MY world. This is my reality," Crandar said and crossed his arms over his chest.
Hiei attacked, the blade of his sword glinting dangerously. The enemy smiled and slowly put his hand up in the air, catching the blade with ease. "What?" came Hiei's surprised response as Crandar held the blade as though it were a butter knife, not even slightly piercing the skin.
Crandar chuckled. "I told you, this is my world!" And with his other hand, he punched Hiei in the gut, sending him plummeting to the floor. He sent another ki blast to follow the previous attack, but Hiei dodged it narrowly, jumping to his feet and getting into a defensive stance. Crandar attacked once more, and no matter how the fire demon fought, Crandar repeatedly gained the upper hand.
Ro watched this, unable to assist, as her body was to much in a state of disarray and her energy spent. However, if she didn't do something soon, Hiei would be joining her. That's when her eye caught the silver bow and arrow resting atop a red silk pillow on an alter. With Crandar's attention on Hiei, perhaps she could get it and if so, she could break it and then his power would be lost. Her mind made up, Ro forced herself to move towards the desired object. It seemed so very nears and yet, her body moved so slowly it felt as though it took forever to reach the alter. As she reached out for the beautiful artifact, once again she found herself hesitating as a sense of it's overwhelming power enveloped her.
Meanwhile, Kurama fought on in an attempt to keep the youkai from running to help their master. At the same time he tried to keep his eye on the battle opposite him. From what he could see, Hiei was getting the shit beat out of him and Ro was. . . what? She was dragging her mangled form towards the archery. He figured what she was planning and hope for her success sparked in him. He watched her hesitate, fingers twitching a mere inch from the artifact. 'Come on, pick it up!' Kurama urged mentally.
As if she heard him, her hands reached out and grasped it. She held it above her knee, preparing to snap it. In her concentrated state of mind she failed to notice that Crandar's attention was now on her. He gathered a ball of youki in his palm and from the point where he tossed the orb towards the unsuspecting victim, everything seemed to go in slow motion.
Kurama jumped clear over the mob of attacking youkai. Hiei's eyes went wide as the silver kitsune streaked past him and he realized his intent. "Kurama!! NO!" he yelled, but it was too late. Time sped up just as Kurama threw himself in front of Ro, his abdomen intersecting the attack.
His limp body fell to the floor and slowly, a dark red puddle began to form beneath him. The thick liquid stained his white clothing and spread outward turning some of the once silver strands of hair into locks of sickening red. For Hiei, the battle, everything came to a earth shattering halt. However, Crandar's laugh took him back. "Damn. Killed a youko. What a waste.. . . . oh well."
"Kurama. . . no. . . y-you, please, no," Hiei whispered and clenched his fists. Then, he set his deadly red stare on the still chuckling Crandar. "You bastard!! You will die!" he yelled.
He then lept into the air, sword blazing. Crandar expected a head-on attack and prepared a defense. It so happened that the fire-koorime jumped over his head and landed in front of a still stunned Ro. Hiei grabbed the archery set from her grasp, tossed it in the air, and in one swipe, cut the bow in half.
"No!" cried Crandar as it landed with a clatter on the stone floor.
Hiei grinned evilly as a burst of ki build itself in his palm. He let it loose on the two pieces of the artifact, and from behind him, Ro tossed the arrow, which had been forgotten, into the flame. They watched as the set disintegrated.
A scream laced the air and the two youkai turned their eyes towards the satisfying sight of Crandar on his knees, bent over and clutching his stomach in pain. The Laurel Archery's power drained from his body, leaving behind the weak being he'd been before. The demons who had been pouring into the room disappeared. ~*~
"They're coming! We'll be forced to fight," said Kuwabara. Yusuke nodded and stoop up.
"Yeah, I know. We'll have to try and lead them away from here."
Keiko shook her head. "No, you can't! Both of you are spent energy wise. You'll only accomplish killing yourselves!" she protested, also standing.
Yusuke smiled sadly at her. "Sorry, Keiko, but it's what I gotta do," Yusuke replied.
"But--" he put a finger to her lips.
"I love you."
"Keiko sighed. "Quiet Yusuke, don't act like that's the last time you'll say those words to me," she ordered.
Yusuke nodded and turned away. "C'mon Kuwabara." The orange-haired man followed him silently out of the building. It seemed that the moment they stepped into the open, a dozen youkai pounced on them. As they were about to defend themselves, the monsters just. . . .disappeared. "What the-?" Yusuke started. He put down his fists and looked around, dumb- struck.
"Hey, Urameshi. . .. . this, this means Kurama and Hiei did it!" exclaimed Kuwabara. "Yes!!" The two men hugged each other in glee, practically dancing a dance of victory.
"Hey, Yusuke, you wanna divorce me or something?" came Keiko's voice. She was standing with her hands of her hips, a relieve smile lighting up her face.
Yusuke and Kuwabara immediately released each other and laughed happily. "I only hope my brother and Kurama are alright." Yukina appeared beside Keiko, her pretty, young face twisted in worry. Keiko placed a hand on her friend's shoulder.
"I'm sure they're fine, Yukina," she said softly. The koorime nodded, but worry and the thought that something was wrong still showed on her face and in her red eyes. ~*~
"Kurama," Hiei whispered as he cradled the fox in his arms. The kitsune stirred a little and golden eyes opened slowly.
"H-Hiei. . . . . you. . . ." Kurama stuttered.
The fire demon placed a finger to his lips. "Shh. . . . save your energy, love," he said.
A small, painful smile, painful smile crossed Kurama's features. "You. . . . you love me. . . Hiei?"
"Of course I do, I always have, Kurama, it's always been you. I LOVE you." Hiei held him tighter now, completely uncaring of the blood that spilled out on him.
"I love. . . . you too." Kurama slowly lifted a shaky hand to caress the fire-youkai's face. Hiei covered it with his own hand.
Ro watched the couple. Kurama had risked his life for her. . . no, for Hiei. Seeing the way Hiei's eyes gazed into the golden eyes of the youko, she knew that their hearts belonged to one another. Hiei still cared for her, but not the way he cared for Kurama.
A choking sound grabbed her from her thoughts. She looked over to see the silver youko shuddering in a coughing fit. Blood fell from his mouth and his breathing became slower.
"Kurama, no, please Kurama, don't leave me. . ." Hiei started. Tears welled up in his eyes and streamed down his cheeks. Small clinking sounds filled the room as those tears turned to black gems. He bent his head down and covered Kurama's bloodied lips with his own. The fox responded briefly, but slowly, his tensed up body replaced and his head fell to the side, breaking the kiss. "Kurama? No, God please no, NO!" Hiei yelled making Ro wince at the pain in his voice. The koorime hugged the fox's body to his own, uttering inaudible things.
Gems kept falling to the floor and with every one, Ro felt pain stitch its way into her heart. No, she couldn't let this happen, not to Hiei. Slowly, she approached them. She put a slim hand on Hiei's shoulder.
"Hiei, move," she ordered, her tone told nothing of her feelings. Hiei hesitated, but sensing something coming from the other youkai, he moved aside. Where he once was, Ro knelt down next to Kurama's still form. She reached behind her neck and pulled off the chain that held onto a black tear gem. The one Hiei had given her so long ago as a declaration of their love. It matched perfectly the one around Kurama's neck. She took the gem from its chain and held it in the palm of her hand. Her hand began glowing sapphire blue, as did her eyes. Suddenly, she was in her cloaked form again.
"Ro. . . ?" Hiei began, but could not finish his sentence. Her palm she placed on the large wound in Kurama's abdomen. The dark tear gem glowed amber and seemed to liquify. The amber pool hovered above the wound before it swirled into the bloody hole. Then, right before Hiei's eyes, the wound began to heal, gradually becoming smaller until there was nothing left except for the tattered clothing. Hiei gasped as Ro stopped glowing and her cloaking for disappeared. She turned to him then, a soft smile on her lips.
"It is done" As if on cue, a gasping sound came from Kurama. Hiei was at his side immediately. The fire-youkai took the fox in his arms once again.
"Kurama?!" his voice was shaky. For him, the few seconds that ticked by before Kurama opened his eyes seemed like hours. But as soon as those beautiful orbs opened Hiei took the fox's lips in an eager kiss. Kurama wrapped his arms around the petite form of his lover and kissed him back. Once they parted, both panting, Kurama smiled up at the dark figure.
"I thought I'd never see you again, love, how-?"
Hiei responded to the partially asked question by pointing to Ro, who was tired looking, her blue eyes looked unhealthily weary. She tossed them a half smile, although it looked forced.
"You saved me," Kurama, said.
"A life for a life, Kurama, my debt to you is repaid." Suddenly, her entire body became transparent and began fading.
"Ro!" Hiei cried. He wanted to run to her, but Kurama held him back.
"Hiei, your tear gem was a token of the love you had for me. . . . I always said that one day I'd give you something in return. The life of the one you love is MY token of love for you. . . bye. . ." And with that she disappeared completely. Now, everything was silent, and remained so for at least ten minutes. Finally, Hiei stood up and looked down at Kurama with a smile. He offered the fox a hand up, which Kurama took. Hiei pulled him to his feet.
"Let's go home," said the fire demon. "Hiei," Kurama began.
"I'm okay. It's time to let her go. I'm in love with you, Kurama," he said.
The fox nodded and slipped an arm around Hiei's waist.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
End Chapter 4
To Be Continued