Charm of the Forbidden
By: Hakai
Disclaimer: I [Hakai] don't own anything Yuu Yuu Hakusho related. They belong to their respectful owners. Beware bad writing skills. Song is "Nightmare" sung by Oogata Megumi.
A/N: To answer a question in the Reviews by Tatoosh, Kurama is 26, but he's in College. Make sense? Hope so. ^^ Thank you for all the reviews. Hope to hear more from you folks. I've never had so many reviews before! ^_^
Chap. 3: Futashika na Ryuu [Uncertain Dragon]
//Neither have I heart to stay, nor wit enough to run away//
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Hiei jumped over to a nearby tree branch. The wind raced through his black hair and cloak. It was a nice day. Good weather. Warm, yet breezy. One couldn't help but have their spirits lifted on a day like today. Well, Hiei was the exception. A week ago, his friend Kurama had confessed his love to him. But why should the fire demon believe him. Youkos were known for lying in matters of the heart.
The koorime flitted over to yet another tree, one close to an open window. In the room, a girl and her friend sat listening to something he now knew as, a CD. It had a catchy beat to it, so the youkai paused to listen:
Dark sky that stretches out limitlessly
The sound of distant, cracking thunder.
Whenever I stand, my steps
sway.
Borrowing the words of a warm person
Borrowing the form of nostalgic days
Bad dreams step ever closer.
Nightmare!
The few times he'd been able to sleep, purely out of exhaustion, he'd been surrounded by nightmares. Nightmares that always seemed to include silver youkos and red-haired humans yelling at him while crying. Teasing him, scolding him, once even trying to seduce him. He smiled. He had liked that one. But the smile soon disappeared when the memory of last week came rushing back.
A strange voice, a cold hand...
From out of the darkness, they call me. Again and again, they call me.
What in the world is right?
What in the world is wrong?
Memories! Please, illuminate this darkness immediately!
A light in the dark. What light. It was all dark. He'd been betrayed, by the person he'd thought to be his closest friend. Someone he could truly rely on. He'd thought Kurama had been that friend. But the fire youkai had been wrong. He had betrayed him. How could Kurama turn him in to one of his victims. The koorime confidently wondered if the kitsune had known the spiky haired demon's feelings, or had just closed his eyes and had happened to pick the one who had been secretly harboring deep feelings for the youko.
If it's to protect someone precious to me,
it's OK if this body of mine is wounded
it's OK if this heart of mine burns.
He wondered. Had those tears he'd seen streaming down the red-head's smooth cheeks been real? Or had it all been part of his act. Somehow Hiei felt it had been a lie. But then if it had only been a ruse, why did he feel so bad? Those tears did not suit the youko. He had regretted leaving as soon as a glimpse of those tears had came into sight. The koorime had dearly wanted to rush back, whip the tears from his beloved's face, and tell him that 'yes', he loved him too. But it had been a lie, a fabrication, not meant for him at all. But for the lust of his youko half. Or maybe both his youko and human self.
Dark sky that stretches out limitlessly
The sound of distant, cracking thunder
Don't be fooled
by what you see.
Fooled by what you see? Apparently the fox had seen something in him that obviously wasn't there. Why'd he even bother. //forbidden my ass…my ass indeed// for that's all he figured the youko had wanted. But then.. Maybe, just maybe the red-head wasn't what he had appeared to be either.
My heart is uncertain if it should
track down the wounded future
or tread on the broken tomorrow.
Love
Love… who knew what that truly meant anyway. Searching for a wounded future or tread on a broken tomorrow, each sounded as feeble as the last. There was nothing to look forward to. Hiei hadn't been able to visit Kurama since then. He'd wanted so much to be by the fox's side. To just sit and stare at the red-head as he worked on his college paper. He truly wanted their friendship to be as it had been. Now he just wanted to run. Run as far away as possible. But the portal to the Makai was closed, and would be for long time more. Even if that portal had been open. He doubted he'd be able to run quite so far.
Your voice, your gentle hands
They call me from out of these dreams.
Always, they call me.
Even when struck by the fierce rain
Even when blown by cold winds
Seeking the light
I think of that tree's strength
Dark sky that stretches out limitlessly
The sound of distant, cracking thunder.
Whenever I stand, my steps
sway.
He had, and still, loved the youko. So when he'd heard Kurama utter those words, he'd stayed, half-hopefully. But as the logical part of his brain had taken over, he'd grown angry. Angry that the man he'd thought of as his friend would betray him. Would dare trick him like that. As if anyone could love the forbidden child anyway.
If it's to protect someone precious to me,
I'll become much more extraordinary than anyone,
I'll become much stronger than anyone.
The song ended and Hiei shook his head. Why had that song seemed to touch him? It was as if the song had reached into his heart and gave it a squeeze. Bringing back memories he'd rather forget. Making him remember, making him think.
"That was such a cool song!" the girl's friend exclaimed.
"That it was. It's called Nightmare, by Oogata Megumi. She's such a great voice actress. I especially loved when she voiced--" He'd had enough of that place. Hiei leaped off the tree and began running. Running where? He didn't have a clue. Nor would he, not in till he got there anyway.
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He didn't know how far, or how long he'd been running. But for some reason, his feet had been conspiring against him and brought him to Genkai's temple.
"Hiei-san!" Yukina called running over to the confused fire demon. "What brings you here?"
"I… don't know." He told her honestly.
"Oh… Would you like some tea, Hiei-san?" The ice maiden asked smiling.
Hiei blushed slightly. Yukina was always so kind to him. She was kind to everyone though. How they were related, he didn't know. He followed how indoors. No matter how bad he felt inside, he couldn't refuse his sister's sweet offer. Even if she didn't know that the fire demon sitting before her, drinking tea, was indeed the brother she'd been searching for.
"Any leads to my brother?" she asked, starting their conversation with her usual question.
"No. I'm sorry…" Hiei stared into his cup. She often asked that question. And he always gave her the same answer. But when he apologized, he truly meant it.
"Hiei-san. I… heard about what happened between you and Kurama-san." Hiei's ears perked up. How had she known? Would she be upset with him? "Do you hate Kurama-san so much?"
"No…"
"Do you love him then?"
"…Yes…" Somehow he couldn't bring himself to lie to her.
"Why would someone want to hurt the ones they love?" The ice maiden asked innocently confused.
"Because…" Hiei thought about it. "Because he hurt me. By lying to me."
"Why would he lie to you? Kurama-san is a good person. I don't think he'd lie to you. He cares for you very much, Hiei-san." The fire demon looked up at Yukina. His twin. She looked confused. Upset, perhaps even saddened by the whole predicament.
"Why do you care?" He asked, tearing his eyes away from her pretty face. He hated to see her upset. And knowing that he had caused her to feel that way made him even more disappointed in himself.
"I saw Kurama-san the other day." Hiei's ears perked up for a second. In till he realized he'd reacted to hearing the fox's name. He scowled. "He was sad. It seemed like he wanted to cry, but couldn't bring himself to. As for why I care? Kurama-san is a kind person. He deserves to be happy… As do you, Hiei-san. Everyone deserves to be happy." Yukina smiled.
Hiei looked back up. "I--"
"You're like what I believe my brother to be like. When we find him. I hope he's like you, Hiei-san." Hiei stared blankly at her. Sometimes he really wondered if she knew or not. "Hiei-san--"
"Don't call me 'san'. I don't deserve that kind of respect." The koorime grimaced.
"… hai. Hiei. Go to Kurama-san. You two should talk. Work things out. I want both of you two be happy."
"Y-Yukina…" Hiei wasn't able to finish his sentence, for the blue-haired ice maiden had wrapped her arms around him. It was a warm embrace. As usually Hiei had stiffened. But Yukina held the held him tight. He relaxed and smiled.
"Go." She said when they finally let go of one another. "Go to him."
Hiei stared at her blankly. He smiled. "I-I will. Thanks, Yukina." He said as he disappeared into the distance.
"Everyone deserves to be happy… Oniisan." The koorime whispered to the wind.
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Yukina's words to him had inspired him. Given him hope. Perhaps Kurama really did care for him. Maybe, just maybe, it hadn't been a lie. There was a chance, a small one, that the fox really did love him. Him, the forbidden child.
When he finally came to a stop, he was back in the park. In the same park, by the same tree, that he and Kurama had had that argument under.
"Poor tree. Your branch broke off." Hiei ducked behind a nearby bush. Somehow that voice sounded familiar. "Let me help you." the voice said again. But this time he felt a familiar ki. Youki that is.
"I-I know who that is!" He shouted jumping up as realization hit.
~Tsuzuku, To Be Continued
A/N: hm… and this is where writer's block kicks in. Anyone have any suggestions for the next chapter? If someone suggests something interesting, Fuyu [my muse] may by inspired to strike me with inspiration. lol. The inspirer needs inspiration ^^ Please comment! I love to hear from you guys! ^_^;
