Kurushimi: Man, it's been a long time, hasn't it? Couple of reasons for that: Major brain block, and lots and lots of stress. But I am SOOO over that. In fact, I'm in a great mood. Hopefully meaningful reviews keep it that way, hm? Anywho, I own nothing in these stories, 'cept the ideas, which have probably been recycled more than a shoebox at a school science fair. Ok, not funny. Onward!
Part Five: Gems of Our Lives
A breeze danced through the trees around the two demons as the scene and their feelings unfolded. The breeze at a standstill for a moment, one tree continued to rustle. Running one hand up and down the opposite arm, the black haired youkai sighed, "How happy Kurama has made Yukina," looking down at the strong branch on which he sat, Hiei closed his eyes, "He said I could give her that happiness. Another lie," his eyes wavered with sadness and betrayal. As another playful breeze twisted and snaked about the park, the downtrodden fire demon dropped himself from the tree and trudged in the opposite direction of the other youkai.
"Hey! Shrimp!" an unfortunately familiar voice bellowed, "When did you come back?" Kuwabara approached his former comrade. Recalling the task he had set out to complete, the human looked down at Hiei, "Hey, have you seen Yukina around? I mean, I just wanted to, uh,"
The anger flared in the demon for a moment, but subsided, and he bowed his head, "I should rip your vital organs out for what you did to her…" his ruby eyes wandered about the area, "But I am no better than you. I have hurt her more than I could ever repair, and staying would cause more pain," glancing up at the carrot top, Hiei reached under his scarf and retrieved a thread strung through a single tear gem, "When you find her, give her this," placing the accessory in Kuwabara's open hand, the demon once again lowered his gaze, "Tell her I couldn't find her brother. He may be dead. She was better not knowing him."
Watching as the fire youkai flitted out of sight, Kuwabara couldn't help suspecting more between the two red eyed demons. Brushing the thought out of mind, the orange haired human cut through the grassy fields of the park, only to find what he had hoped to never see: Yukina in someone else's arms. A faint whimper escaped the boy's lips as his eyes locked on the scene before him. Yukina…with someone else…but…no. "That's it!" he growled to himself. Sprinting to the two youkai, he stopped just short of them, and cleared his throat.
Turning only his head, Kurama glanced backward, spotting Kuwabara, "Hello," he paused, "Kuwabara," the Yoko released his grip on Yukina's shoulders. Folding his arms across his chest, the red head stared into the eyes of the human emotionlessly. A small gust blew through the entire park, whisking the fox's hair before his face, never faltering his gaze on Kuwabara, "What do you want?" he demanded finally, beginning to sound like the Yoko that lurked within. Raising an eyebrow, Kurama awaited his answer.
The entire park, no world, seemed to stand still. Kuwabara shifted uneasily, not knowing how to deal with what he had thrown himself into. The winds fell silent and the sky glowed an ominous red in anticipation. Thick with the stench of betrayal, the cloud of hatred seemed to loom over the two former best friends. Though no winds called the park home, trees swayed, creaking and moaning as they did so, prodding Kuwabara onward.
Finally rising to the occasion, Kuwabara straightened his posture and locked eyes with Kurama, "I came to talk to Yukina, not you. Move out of my way," the orange haired human commanded. Motionless, Kuwabara glanced from Kurama to Yukina and back again. Something had changed…But what? Their eyes the emotion within - they seemed so…alike.
Breaking into Kuwabara's thoughts Kurama recovered from the shock of the human's courage and nodded, "I'm not stopping you, please, go on," he motioned kindly toward Yukina and stepped aside. Turning his head, Kurama jammed his hands into the pockets of the long coat he donned and anticipated the departure of the human ox. 'Hopefully soon, then we can get back to our pet,' the dark voice in Kurama's head teased. Pushing the alter ego back, Kurama shook the thought off, 'No, Yukina and I are the same, we are equal,' he told the voice in the back, 'And Kuwabara is not enemy. He is a trusted friend.'
Yukina smiled meekly at Kuwabara's presence, but fear was present in the back of her mind, "H-hello Kazuma," she managed to squeak out at the man who seemed to tower over her. The Ice Maiden grasped one wrist with the opposite hand, holding it close to her body, as if trying to protect herself. Looking back up at the human fighter and lingered on the thought of his strength.
"Uh, Yukina," the boy began awkwardly, "I just wanted to, um," Kuwabara's cheeks took on a pinkish hue to them, "I just wanted to talk to you about what happened a few days ago," he stopped, not knowing the fox behind him was now listening with remarkable intrigue. Shifting in place slightly, the carrot top continued, "I just wanted to let you know that I didn't mean to be so harsh about what I said. I know it was stupid, and you guys are just friends with Hiei and stuff, but, I guess I was just jealous, cause ever since he left, you talked more about him than me. Kinda stupid, huh?"
Mood visibly dropping, Yukina toyed with her hair, winding it around her fingers, "Kazuma," she began, sounding as kind as she could manage, "That's very sweet of you to have come and apologize," the ice apparition looked into the human's eyes for a moment, then back at the slate gray cement path beneath her, "But, while you were…gone, I realized a few things. I," she glanced over at Kurama, standing tall in the moist grass with his back turned on the two beings locked in conversation, "I know that you love me, and I did love you. But now I found that there's someone who understands me much more, and that's what I need. I know you think you know about me because of my past, but there's more. I'm sorry, Kazuma," Yukina concluded, tears welling in her eyes, magnifying the vibrant red that now shakily fixed their gaze upon the equally red sky.
Longing love within the human molded itself to a hatred he hadn't known before. Half turning, he wildly gesticulated toward Kurama's turned back, "This is what you need?!" he bellowed, "This guy doesn't know who you are! He doesn't know what pain is! He's been raised better than all of us, pain wasn't a part of his life until he began fighting with us! And even then," the seething human glared through the Yoko, "Even then he thought he was better than us! And he's not! He's just some self proclaimed perfect snob!" Kuwabara paused, allowing the bright red to subside from his face. Panting from his rave, he looked from Yukina's teary face to Kurama's steel posture, never faltering, "But to me, you're everything."
"You don't know what pain is," Kurama coldly broke the silence. Turning to face the two, his face was locked in a mixture of hate, betrayal, and pain, "You think you know what my life was like? Go on, human, try me. Witnessing my pain alone would kill you in an instant. And I don't mean the physical pain. I mean the mental abuse I've always faced. Betrayal, never having a family until only a couple of decades ago. Thousands of years that I may as well have been alone, and never once did I complain. To myself, yes, but none others knew my pain. I saw it as a weakness, just as you did. But for a change, I was as wrong as you. Pain is a strength that adds to the wisdom of one's soul. If you wish to try me my friend, by all means, I'm glad to share," the Yoko held his arms wide open, his face beaming maliciously.
Just as Kuwabara began to close in on Kurama, a figure stepped between them, "Stop it, now." the figure commanded coldly, "I said step back!" the fire demon stroked the hilt of his katana. Glancing at the calm Yoko and the hatred pouring out of the human, Hiei nearly overlooked Yukina, "Kuwabara, Kurama," he glared at the two of them, "Out of my sight." With neither of them responding Hiei used a technique he used commonly – threats, "Out of Yukina's sight. I wish to speak to her, and you two are no help. Now leave."
Glaring at one another, the two fighters strode off on separate paths. Looking up at the black clad demon, Yukina smiled a true smile for the first time that day since she had been alone with Kurama, "Thank you, Hiei."
Almost shocked by the thanks, Hiei flinched, but smiled back, "It's my job, I'm here for you." he replied coolly. Holding out the tear gem he had lifted off of Kuwabara as he had left, the fire demon looked into Yukina's eyes, eyes almost identical to his own, "Yukina," he began, "I searched for your brother, and when I found him, I told him to come to you, and give you your tear gem back," he explained, placing the jewel in the Ice Maiden's delicate hands, "It's not how far I searched that took so long, but how deep. Yukina, I am your brother."
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Kurushimi: Cliffy!!!! And, decently long, saying as my brain's been off lately. I should look into more coffee…. Anyway, review if you want more, cause I need at least some feedback, cause as far as I know, about two to five people are reading this. Now I guess if this is actually true, if these people REALLY want it continued, I will do so, if asked. As always, flames are accepted – so long as they are meaningful reviews, not just "you suck". Honestly, I don't know what to do with, "You suck". If I suck so much, tell me why! I like to know opinions. (In most cases to argue them, but in writing, it's so I can make things better.) Ok, I think I've blabbed, or typed at you enough, go on and review.
