Disclaimers- I still don't own Yuyu Hakusho or Weib Kruez but I still wish I do.
Blood
It had been a week since Yukiko was last in school. Kurama and the rest of the class had thought that it could have been a fever or what had happened in the trip but when Aya had come into the principal's office one day the teacher confirmed Kurama's fears.
"I'm sorry to announce that Yukiko won't be joining us for the rest of the year. It had seemed that she needs to be taken cared off."
Kurama had looked at Aya's eyes and found nothing in them to tell him what had truly been the reason why she wasn't going to school anymore. Aya's eyes would not tell him anything but his heart knew the answer too well, it was because of him. He had tried to talk to Aya but he had avoided him and his eyes.
"Kurama!" He turned at the call and found Hiei, Yusuke and Kuwabara outside the school entrance.
"What are you guys doing here?"
"You have been avoiding us for a week. What do you think are we doing here?" Yusuke said grabbing his shirt.
"Fine I'll meet you tonight at Gensai's temple."
Yusuke let him go and turned to the guy going into the Porsche.
"Hey isn't that the guy we saw in the mansion?"
"Yeah the one that held that burning sword." Kuwabara confirmed and before any of them could ask Hiei had followed the Porsche to where it was going. Kurama had not been able to stop Hiei from following Aya.
"Tonight then."
"Yeah tonight."
Yukiko had asked Aya to tell the school principal that she wasn't going to school anymore. She didn't have time to go to school anymore if she was going to train and push the feelings out of her heart. She had spent most of her days in the room she made in the WeiB house. When she wasn't training she was looking after the shop. There were other reasons she didn't want to go back to school. One was that Kurama was there and he was going to ask questions. Second was that she did not see any reason to keep the powers in the ball anymore and with that she needed to bring her body back to its original fitness and resistance.
"Yuko chan. Yuko chan."
"Hai Momi kun."
"Rai san just returned he said he needs to show you something. He said to change and meet him in the kitchen."
"Thank you Momi kun."
Yukiko stood up from the bed and opened her closet. She picked the blue sundress that dropped until her knees and which Aya bought her and puts it on. She took the new sandals she bought with the guys and combed her hair. She took one of the flowers and tucked it in her right ear. She went down to the kitchen and found Aya leaning on the door frame wearing an orange sweater and beige pants. He walked towards the garage door and Yukiko followed him. They went to the car and sped away leaving the three guardians to fix and take care of everything.
They stopped at a nearby beach and Aya opened the trunk and took out two wooden swords. He threw Yukiko one and went to the sand. He positioned himself and waited for Yukiko. Yukiko followed him and took her position. They sparred for a few minutes in slow steps. Taking little time in defending from the opponents attacks. Then Aya's sword started blazing and Yukiko taking the cue placed enough energy in the sword to defend herself. They sparred for another few minutes still not doing anything drastic.
Yukiko had batted Aya's wooden sword to the side hard enough for it to be unbalanced but not hard enough to fly out of Aya's hands. Aya smiled towards her and took another fighting pose. Red Aura seemed to seep out of him and when he attacked sparks flew in all directions. Yukiko did the same thing but with a green aura, she blocked his attacks and fired a ki blast towards him. He jumped out of the way and returned the ki blast with another.
Yukiko side stepped the blast and took a handful of sand and threw it towards the slowly darkening sky. She chanted something and they turned into small aura balls. They rained on Aya and while this was happening she attacked him with the sword. Yukiko had estimated incorrectly and the sword went to his side. Wood connected to skin with such force that it sliced some flesh. Yukiko looked up at Aya and drew the wooden sword back.
"Wonderful. You regained your fitness. Tomorrow you can get your powers back to normal." He said as he fell on his knees using the sword to support him. His side started bleeding and he placed his hand on the wound.
Yukiko fell to her knees and looked at Aya. "Rai kun I'm sorry I miscalculated that last one."
"Don't worry about it, this is nothing, it didn't go too deep." He said as he winched at the slight pain.
"Take your hand off it I want to see how bad it is." She gently took Aya's hand away from the wound and saw that it wasn't very deep but clearly very painful. Blood was still flowing out and splinters of wood were inside the flesh. She pulled the flower on her ear and crushed it in her hand.
"This is going to be a little painful but after the pain it will be gone."
"Yuko I'm not a little child anymore, you don't have to tell me."
Yukiko smiled up at him and placed the crushed flower on the wound. Aya winched at the pain and held the sword a little tighter. Yukiko tore her dress a little and pulled enough cloth to cover the wound. She chanted another spell and the cloth turned green. She placed it on the wound and tied it around Aya's waist.
"There, that ought to hold it. By tomorrow the wound would be gone." She sat across Aya and looked at the warrior in front of her. He had his eyes closed but he still looked like the guardian she remember him to be.
"Tell me Rai... What does she look like?"
"Who?"
"You're wife."
"Hold my hand, I'll show you."
Yukiko took Aya's left hand and closed her eyes. She saw a beautiful girl with long blonde hair, blue eyes and pale complexion. She had the sweetest smile and cheerful eyes. Yukiko felt a pang of envy as well as hurt. She opened her eyes and looked at Aya. She smiled and turned her eyes away.
"Why do you turn away? It was not your fault I lost her. If there is someone to blame it would be me and only me."
"But you are wrong, I do have a part in her death. If it wasn't for me you wouldn't have to choose between her and me. And I only turned away because I feel envy at her."
"You're a princess, you're beautiful, intelligent. Any guy would love you just the same."
"But she did not have to hide it, she did not have to wait a century to see her beloved. She could see you when she likes it. I on the other hand had to hide, sneak away and wait. It hurts and it's making both of us suffer. It's destined to happen but..."
Aya wiped the tears on her face and lifted it up. "Don't worry about those things. He loves you more than anything. Souls that bond can't be separated. How powerful a being might be." He turned to the setting sun and pointed this to Yuko.
"Remember that when the sun sets in Subete everyone hides from the darkness. Everyone's afraid of its hidden chambers but lovers would treasure the darkness for this is their time, the moment they can be with their love. The sun brings fear and yet hope. There will always be another tomorrow Yuko. All we need to do is not give up."
"To love one and only one..."
Kurama turned his head to the setting sun as if hearing his name being whispered by the wind. There had been a tugging feeling in him again as if there was something pulling him somewhere that he could not see. He had missed the feeling of the wind's embrace and it's warnings. He had missed the times he was with Yukiko. He missed her terribly but there was nothing he could do to bring her back.
Flash Back
"What do you mean you don't know?"
"I don't know. The king had her imprisoned in her own home."
"Look, who ever you are. How could I talk to her? Even just see her?"
"Go to Subete."
Kurama growled at the stranger in front of him. He pulled a seed and let it grow on his palm. The stranger looked at the plant with it's flowers becoming mouths that spit acid and the razor sharp leaves and nodded.
"You can't scare me or defeat me with that. That is all I can tell you. Go to Subete if you are really keen on seeing and talking to her. People there would help you but a piece of warning, never ever cross the king." He turned to leave when he remembered something. He turned back to the Youko and gave him a piece of paper.
"The business I really came here for. Yuko wanted me to give this to you. She said that you can reply or not. Send the paper through a sparrow. She would know."
The stranger left and Kurama was left with a piece of paper in hand. He opened the letter and sweet smelling honeysuckles filled the air.
"Kurama, My father would have you killed if you are even a few meters away from the gates of Subete. I don't want you to die. Please don't come you are welcome as I have said but my father still governs the land I can not stop him. Please hear me out, don't go."
Kurama took one of his roses and cut himself. He used the blood to write the five words that best described his promise and vow.
"I will always find you."
End of Flash Back
It had been a hundred years and the memory of that time still haunted me. It had made me wonder if things could have been a lot different if I did not try and enter Subete. Would she still be imprisoned there? Would I ever be Shuuichi Minamino?
He did not know the answers to those questions but he could still remember the time, the place, the smell, the sound and the feel of those last moments of his life as a Youko. He could not forget.
From all his thinking he did not notice that he had already arrived in Gensai's temple. He entered it and looked up at the pairs of eyes that were waiting for him there. There had been five pairs all in all. Yusuke, Kuwabara, Hiei, Koenma and Gensai...
"Kurama..."
"Don't let that meddlesome fox escape! I want him dead!"
"Papa no..."
"Shut up Yuko!"
Yuko turned to the glass separating her from the world beyond. Not only did the wall stop her but also the chains on her neck that prohibited her to move beyond the glass wall. It wasn't really that thick but the enchantment that held it in place was powerful enough to drain her without the chains she might have the chance but with her father looking on and the chains prohibiting her, there was just no chance of that happening. She pounded on the wall in hopes of the fox hearing her message. She had seen the sparrow and the message. It was simple and true. The five words that had remained in her mind ever since the incident happened.
"I will always find you."
And by the time she was able to read the message the fox was already on his way towards Subete, towards his death. Yuko had pleaded her father but she had not been heard. Now she watches as Kurama tries to escape the bullets of the hunter that was after him. Kurama who had changed into a demon fox to find his way to her. She pounded on the glass wall some more and tried her hardest to cry out her words of warning.
"Kurama go back! Don't go near the gates! Kurama."
She pounded on the wall until her hands were raw and still she kept on pounding. Her warning must come through. There was no use living in a world when the one you love would disappear forever. Her guardians were just there watching her. Then it happened. The hunter had hit it's mark and the Youko fell and never moved. Half of Yuko's soul seem to leave her, she had seemed to die and yet she was able to utter the next words with utter accuracy,
"KURAMA!!!! Iie!!!!!!!!!"
Yuko woke up shouting the same words that she was shouting a hundred years ago. It took a few minutes for it to register in her head that it was only a dream, a memory from before. She had been crying in her sleep again and she stood up and looked out the window to the moon above. She was thankful that the others were out on a mission and they weren't able to hear her screams. It would have broken their hearts.
She wiped her tears away and went back to bed. She stared up the ceiling thinking of the times they were together. The times that she was considered free. Those times were gone and yet she could still remember them clearly.
"What do you mean by that?"
"We need to fight."
"You must be out of your mind Kurama. Have you forgotten what Koenma said? Our souls won't be able to go back to this world."
"There is another way."
"What other way?"
"The princess."
"I don't get all this could you start from the beginning?"
"Fine." Kurama turned to Kuwabara and started the tale.
"The spirit world depends on Subete to balance the three worlds, the spirit, the real world and the metaworld. When Subete collapses, the spirit world would collapse with it causing the barriers to break and the demons loss thus collapsing the real world."
"Okay that I already get."
"The mansion you guys went too houses the demons that are training for the up coming battle in Subete. A tournament."
"Okay that I get too."
"Now the princess is the only access to Subete and the only living creature that can control Subete. She is what most of the demons need to control, destroy and get to Subete."
"Now about this princess... You haven't told us anything about her. And you seem to know more than you would tell us."
Kurama bowed his head at Yusuke's statement.
"Honestly I thought I could do this alone and leave you guys out of all this since this is my fight."
"What are you talking about?"
"A hundred years ago when I was a Youko I met the princess and fell in love with her. Her father detested it and had me killed. Now he is the one who is holding the tournament as well as have his daughter killed."
"Why?"
"He made deals with the metaworld. If he helped the metaworld destroy the spirit world they would get the real world."
"And these so called guardians?" Hiei had finally said something after all the silence.
"The protectors of the princess and the gate."
"You have met them then?"
"I have."
"Will they pose as a problem?"
"No they are bent on protecting Yuko. We don't do anything to her we are safe."
"What's so scary about those guys."
"If you haven't felt it Kuwabaka they are more powerful than any of us. They were able to kill the demons in seconds while we couldn't even get a scratch at them."
"That is true and they are different. They will kill when they have too."
Just then Botan arrived with George.
"Botan what are you doing here?"
"Telling you that you guys are entered in the tournament. The king of Subete sent the invitation."
"But it says here that we need another member. A Cerenian?"
"How the hell are you going to get one?"
"I know of one."
"Kurama!"
"Just wait for me at the bus station we're going to the kitty in the house."
"Kurama!"
Yuko had volunteered to watch the shop as the guys get some lunch. Omi and Aya and stayed with her but since there was not much customers they had stayed at the back room where Omi and Aya discussed matters concerning Subete. Omi would check on her from time to time but seeing that she could handle everything he went back to Aya and continued the plans.
Yuko had her back turned to the door, arranging some papers but when she heard the welcome bell she turned around but did not look up.
"Welcome to kitty in the house, how can I help you?"
"Yuko chan..."
Yuko recognized the voice and looked up. There in front of her stood Kurama, Yusuke, Kuwabara and Hiei. She pulled the nearest thing she could hold and channeled her energy to it.
"What do you want?"
"We need to talk." The four advanced towards her as she backed away.
Aya and Omi heard the voice as well they took out there weapons and ascended the stairs towards the shop, they saw Ken and Yoji do the same.
"We don't have anything to talk about Kurama."
"Hey we are being nice here lady." Yusuke walked towards her and before Kurama could stop him darts had flown and went pass Yusuke's cheek, causing a small cut on his cheek.
"You heard the princess." The thrower said and emerged from Yuko's back, holding up three more darts. He had sandy brown hair and not more than maybe 16 years old.
"You should really have respect for ladies." Another guy emerged holding a length of wire that sparked of electricity. He on the other hand had blonde hair that was shoulder length and seems to be around 24 years old.
Yusuke backed away and Kurama moved forward.
"We're not here to fight any of you."
"Really Kurama? We said you got our trust but we never said your friends did." A brown haired guy said as he appeared beside the sandy haired one.
"Kenren, Momi, Yokan that's enough." The three guardians seemed to look at their princess through the corner of their eyes and sighed.
"Fine princess. If you need any of us we'll be out back."
"Only one thing Yokan. Restrain Rairan. He's waiting outside with his katana. We don't want to frighten any customers."
"As you wish."
Yuko had not taken her eyes off Kurama the whole time and when the three guardians left she placed the thing she was holding on the counter, which happens to be a red rose. She took a piece of paper and a pen.
"Your address and your order."
Kurama took the paper and wrote the arrangement he wanted. He turned to leave when he saw Aya from the corner of his eyes. He smiled and nodded.
"I need that at 12 midnight tonight. I want you to deliver that in the address."
"As you wish. But do not expect that I would be staying for long or that I would be alone."
"I never did."
With that he left the shop with the others following him. When she could not feel their presence any more she sank into the floor holding her left chest. Aya came beside her and placed his hand on her shoulder.
"I'm fine."
"I know you are. Let's get the arrangement done; it would take most of the day to finish it if it's from Kurama."
Yuko gingerly stood up from the floor and went with Aya to the back room.
Yoji, Ken and Omi had come prepared with their weapons, even Aya had his katana tucked in his coat. Yuko just placed a flower on her ear and nodded to the guardians. When she looked at them they were wearing their mission clothes, Aya in his black trench coat, Yoji with his long sleeved coat, Ken with his goggles and orange shirt and Omi in his shorts and dark blue shirt.
"Would you expect Koenma with them?"
"Surely. They would have gotten the invitation like we did."
"Come on let's get this over with."
They had driven the Porsche to the temple and parked it a few feet away. They got out and Yuko carried the arrangement out of the trunk. It had three different kinds of flowers in the middle, rose, foxgloves and cherry blossoms. Around the three flowers were bamboo leaves and tulip leaves. The tulip leaves where bent to form the background and the bamboo leaves where placed on either side as a added decoration. They walked up the temple stairs and the guardians had pulled out their weapons. The temple was silent and peaceful as if there was no fight that's going to happen.
When they got to the top four figures waited for them. The four guardians waited at a generous distance and Yuko walked towards the center and placed the plant down. She took hold of one of the flowers as Kurama walked and took hold of another. She was wearing the same black fit sleeveless shirt, baggy pants and arm warmers that she wore when she first saw Kurama and Kurama was wearing his school uniform.
"What do you want with us?"
"We need you to bring us to Subete."
"Why?"
"A tournament at your kingdom. To find who will get to have the real world."
Yuko pulled the flower and jumped back to her guardians.
"Let me handle this. This fight is mine."
The guardians walked back a couple of steps and Yuko formed a sword from the plant. Kurama on the other hand a rose whip.
"To get to me you must defeat me."
"As you wish." He turned into a Youko but Yuko stubbornly held back her powers.
She positioned her sword and energy seemed to seep out from her. Kurama attacked her but she was able to evade the on coming attack. They continued to do battle when Hiei took out his sword and was about to jump when a dart landed a few inches away from his feet.
"You heard the two. If you value your life fire demon you would not go against the princess."
"Shut up peepsquek."
"Temper temper..." Yoji said as he pulled what seemed as wire from his watch. Aya stretched his katana sideways to stop Yoji and looked at Yuko.
"Do you guys have a place we can rest?"
"Rai san what are you doing?"
"Trust me."
Gensai came out of the temple and gestured out to the four guardians and Yusuke's group. Aya and the others came towards Gensai as Yusuke and the others did. When Aya and the others came inside and saw Koenma they disarmed themselves and did the greeting of respect. Aya placed his two fingers on his right shoulder then his temple and then his chest as he bowed down. The others followed and they all looked up at Koenma. He nodded to them and they sat in front of him.
"So it had seemed that the invitation had reached you as well Master Koenma."
"It has. And you also received a letter?"
"The kings knows that wherever the princess is the guardians are around. He will not rest until she is dead and the worlds collapsed." Aya said showing him a scroll.
"We have decided to not fight in this tournament. The princess would not forgive us if we hurt one of the people or them." Ken said pointing to the other three at their back.
"And it had seemed she has found Kurama's identity?"
Omi nodded and snapped his fingers making the tatami move and show them the two figures fighting in the moonlight. Yoji snapped his fingers and lightning strike around the figures. Yukiko turned to him and sent a flower to his direction. He evaded the flower and smiled.
"It had seemed that she has."
"You're not helping her get out of this?" Yusuke asked as he stood nearer to them.
"You must be kidding."
"We, help her?"
"We're not ready to die yet Yusuke."
"How..."
"Did we know your name? The same way we know Kurama's, Kuwabara's and Hiei's"
"Koenma sama told us."
"What?" The two fighter said in unison.
"I told them. I had to tell them."
Just then Yukiko and Kurama broke into the room. Yukiko was thrown towards the wall as Kurama ran towards her. She jumped and handed Aya a scroll. Kurama growled and followed her. Yukiko smiled and evaded him again. This time she turned to Koenma and did the sign of greeting.
"Thank you Koenma. But I'm terribly sorry I'm causing you this much trouble."
"It's nothing."
Yukiko had not sensed Kurama advancing towards her and he tackled her into the next room destroying the wall. As the smoke cleared they all saw Kurama pin Yukiko on the floor and he had his hand around her throat. Yukiko tried to move but Kurama tightened his hold on her throat.
"Kurama stop it."
"He can't hear you Koenma. He won't hear you."
Aya had said as he watched Yukiko struggle to get out of his hold. He turned away as he heard her scream and green aura filled the next room. When he turned towards them he saw Kurama face to face with another Youko. She was wearing a black sleeveless shirt and white pants, on her waist was a black cloth tied to her side. She has silver hair that fell until her knees and her tail and ears were also silver. Her eyes that was once golden was now silver as well.
"Yuko..."
"Kurama..."
They both growled and attacked each other but did not take their eyes off each other. When they passed the guardians, Aya and the others could see red streaks on the middle section of Yukiko's hair. With that they stood up and followed the two figures. Aya and Ken went to Yukiko as Yoji and Omi took Kurama. Yoji threw his wire around trees and then wrapped Kurama with the wire and held him with Omi's help while Aya and Ken restrained Yukiko.
"Princess stop this!" Aya had shouted.
"No."
"Let go of me. I need to defeat her."
"Over our dead bodies Kurama." Yoji said and tightened his wires.
"Aya we can't hold him any longer. Snap them out of this trance."
"I can't get through any of them." Aya said as he tried to stop the blood from her throat. Yukiko's eyes turned to gold and she pushed them away from her just as Kurama did the same but his eyes were silver. The four guardians were sent flying in different directions as Kurama and Yukiko stood a few feet across each other.
"Let's finish this once and for all Kurama."
"My pleasure Yuko."
Their aura made their silver hair fly upward and when they attacked it had seemed at the ground was going to crack. At the last minute they moved together in one direction towards the trees and punched a tree. When they pulled their fists back a demon came out and looked at them.
"I thought I already had you."
"You almost did."
"But I got to thank you. Because of you I was able to talk to her."
"But now you must die."
Yuko held on to her throat and from her hair she pulled three strands of hair. She whispered something and they stiffened like needles. She threw it towards the demon's throat and the demon died. She turned to Kurama who in turned looked at her throat. He gently pulled her hand away and saw the claw marks he made.
"Oh god."
"Don't worry about it. It's just a scratch."
"Oh no it's not. Come here."
Yukiko moved towards him but her sight was blurred and she stumbled into his arms. Kurama held her and supported her up. He tilted her head to the side and ran his tongue on her bloodied neck. She gave out a soft growl and he felt something different. He ignored it and continued running his tongue on her neck as if healing it. He snuggled his face on her side and growled softly. Yukiko on the other hand growled back affectionately. Kurama had felt the exhaustion in her so he picked her up and carried her into the temple where the four guardians were waiting and healing their injuries.
Aya was the one who saw the gleam in Kurama's eyes, he picked his sword and sent it flying towards him. Kurama moved to avoid the sword bringing Yuko with him but it followed him. He turned to it and jumped out of it's way. He looked at Aya and the other guardians. He nodded and brought Yukiko into one of the empty rooms and laid her on the floor. When he was about to leave she growled in detest and tried to stand up. Kurama pushed her back gently and pushed the stray hair out of her eyes.
"Stay here. I'll call your guardians."
"No... They won't be able to heal me."
"Then who?"
"You."
Yukiko pulled him to her and he fell on top of her. He growled towards her more on detest than affection. Yukiko smiled and took his right hand and placed it on her left chest. Then she placed her left hand on his left chest. Kurama had growled again.
"Don't get me wrong Kurama. If I could heal myself I wouldn't ask for your help."
"But you..."
"Only to get you comfortable. Believe me you'll thank me later. Just promise me one thing."
"What's that?"
"If I scream or fight let me, fight back if you must but don't stop okay."
"I'll try."
Yukiko kissed him lightly on the lips and closed her eyes, channeling her ki towards Kurama's heart. Getting what he was suppose to do he closed his eyes and channeled some of his ki towards her heart. Yukiko seemed to struggle and is currently in pain and Kurama could feel it inside his heart. He stood true to his word and didn't stop the ki connection. Silver aura seemed to flow from Yuko while red flowed out from him.
Outside the room the guardians sat guard as they conversed with Koenma. Aya had reluctantly let Kurama be the one to heal her. Omi had been worried by the marks on her throat but when he saw her again they were healing remarkably. Yoji had not really cared about the fight, he knew the princess was going to let Kurama win she had always been giving and as for Ken he was still a little fumed when he found out that Hiei was the one who gave Yuko the scar on the neck.
"Ken calm down. They are our comrades now. If Subete is to survive we need their help." Aya had uttered restraining him with one arm.
"Koenma sama. The guardians would not fight this match. We can not fight this match."
"But then how are we going to get to Subete without killing the demons and the human?"
"We talked to the princess she agreed to be the fifth member and she will arrange everything about that."
They could hear the screams and the shouts. The four guardians had not minded it for they know it was for the best however Yusuke and the others winched at the screams and the snarls they could hear.
"Are you sure it's okay that she's screaming like that? And Kurama isn't killing her?"
"If he did kill her he will just feel that he killed himself. Yuko is his soul mate. A soul bonded is a soul united into one. And no she is fine Kurama is just helping her heal physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. We could not do that for only soul mates can."
After a few minutes of silence Aya had stood up and opened the door to the next room where Kurama and Yuko was staying. The room had smelled of flowers an indication of something good. Aya had smiled when he saw Kurama beside Yuko apparently sleeping; his arms around her and Yuko had snuggled beside him, her Youko features fading just like Kurama.
Blood
It had been a week since Yukiko was last in school. Kurama and the rest of the class had thought that it could have been a fever or what had happened in the trip but when Aya had come into the principal's office one day the teacher confirmed Kurama's fears.
"I'm sorry to announce that Yukiko won't be joining us for the rest of the year. It had seemed that she needs to be taken cared off."
Kurama had looked at Aya's eyes and found nothing in them to tell him what had truly been the reason why she wasn't going to school anymore. Aya's eyes would not tell him anything but his heart knew the answer too well, it was because of him. He had tried to talk to Aya but he had avoided him and his eyes.
"Kurama!" He turned at the call and found Hiei, Yusuke and Kuwabara outside the school entrance.
"What are you guys doing here?"
"You have been avoiding us for a week. What do you think are we doing here?" Yusuke said grabbing his shirt.
"Fine I'll meet you tonight at Gensai's temple."
Yusuke let him go and turned to the guy going into the Porsche.
"Hey isn't that the guy we saw in the mansion?"
"Yeah the one that held that burning sword." Kuwabara confirmed and before any of them could ask Hiei had followed the Porsche to where it was going. Kurama had not been able to stop Hiei from following Aya.
"Tonight then."
"Yeah tonight."
Yukiko had asked Aya to tell the school principal that she wasn't going to school anymore. She didn't have time to go to school anymore if she was going to train and push the feelings out of her heart. She had spent most of her days in the room she made in the WeiB house. When she wasn't training she was looking after the shop. There were other reasons she didn't want to go back to school. One was that Kurama was there and he was going to ask questions. Second was that she did not see any reason to keep the powers in the ball anymore and with that she needed to bring her body back to its original fitness and resistance.
"Yuko chan. Yuko chan."
"Hai Momi kun."
"Rai san just returned he said he needs to show you something. He said to change and meet him in the kitchen."
"Thank you Momi kun."
Yukiko stood up from the bed and opened her closet. She picked the blue sundress that dropped until her knees and which Aya bought her and puts it on. She took the new sandals she bought with the guys and combed her hair. She took one of the flowers and tucked it in her right ear. She went down to the kitchen and found Aya leaning on the door frame wearing an orange sweater and beige pants. He walked towards the garage door and Yukiko followed him. They went to the car and sped away leaving the three guardians to fix and take care of everything.
They stopped at a nearby beach and Aya opened the trunk and took out two wooden swords. He threw Yukiko one and went to the sand. He positioned himself and waited for Yukiko. Yukiko followed him and took her position. They sparred for a few minutes in slow steps. Taking little time in defending from the opponents attacks. Then Aya's sword started blazing and Yukiko taking the cue placed enough energy in the sword to defend herself. They sparred for another few minutes still not doing anything drastic.
Yukiko had batted Aya's wooden sword to the side hard enough for it to be unbalanced but not hard enough to fly out of Aya's hands. Aya smiled towards her and took another fighting pose. Red Aura seemed to seep out of him and when he attacked sparks flew in all directions. Yukiko did the same thing but with a green aura, she blocked his attacks and fired a ki blast towards him. He jumped out of the way and returned the ki blast with another.
Yukiko side stepped the blast and took a handful of sand and threw it towards the slowly darkening sky. She chanted something and they turned into small aura balls. They rained on Aya and while this was happening she attacked him with the sword. Yukiko had estimated incorrectly and the sword went to his side. Wood connected to skin with such force that it sliced some flesh. Yukiko looked up at Aya and drew the wooden sword back.
"Wonderful. You regained your fitness. Tomorrow you can get your powers back to normal." He said as he fell on his knees using the sword to support him. His side started bleeding and he placed his hand on the wound.
Yukiko fell to her knees and looked at Aya. "Rai kun I'm sorry I miscalculated that last one."
"Don't worry about it, this is nothing, it didn't go too deep." He said as he winched at the slight pain.
"Take your hand off it I want to see how bad it is." She gently took Aya's hand away from the wound and saw that it wasn't very deep but clearly very painful. Blood was still flowing out and splinters of wood were inside the flesh. She pulled the flower on her ear and crushed it in her hand.
"This is going to be a little painful but after the pain it will be gone."
"Yuko I'm not a little child anymore, you don't have to tell me."
Yukiko smiled up at him and placed the crushed flower on the wound. Aya winched at the pain and held the sword a little tighter. Yukiko tore her dress a little and pulled enough cloth to cover the wound. She chanted another spell and the cloth turned green. She placed it on the wound and tied it around Aya's waist.
"There, that ought to hold it. By tomorrow the wound would be gone." She sat across Aya and looked at the warrior in front of her. He had his eyes closed but he still looked like the guardian she remember him to be.
"Tell me Rai... What does she look like?"
"Who?"
"You're wife."
"Hold my hand, I'll show you."
Yukiko took Aya's left hand and closed her eyes. She saw a beautiful girl with long blonde hair, blue eyes and pale complexion. She had the sweetest smile and cheerful eyes. Yukiko felt a pang of envy as well as hurt. She opened her eyes and looked at Aya. She smiled and turned her eyes away.
"Why do you turn away? It was not your fault I lost her. If there is someone to blame it would be me and only me."
"But you are wrong, I do have a part in her death. If it wasn't for me you wouldn't have to choose between her and me. And I only turned away because I feel envy at her."
"You're a princess, you're beautiful, intelligent. Any guy would love you just the same."
"But she did not have to hide it, she did not have to wait a century to see her beloved. She could see you when she likes it. I on the other hand had to hide, sneak away and wait. It hurts and it's making both of us suffer. It's destined to happen but..."
Aya wiped the tears on her face and lifted it up. "Don't worry about those things. He loves you more than anything. Souls that bond can't be separated. How powerful a being might be." He turned to the setting sun and pointed this to Yuko.
"Remember that when the sun sets in Subete everyone hides from the darkness. Everyone's afraid of its hidden chambers but lovers would treasure the darkness for this is their time, the moment they can be with their love. The sun brings fear and yet hope. There will always be another tomorrow Yuko. All we need to do is not give up."
"To love one and only one..."
Kurama turned his head to the setting sun as if hearing his name being whispered by the wind. There had been a tugging feeling in him again as if there was something pulling him somewhere that he could not see. He had missed the feeling of the wind's embrace and it's warnings. He had missed the times he was with Yukiko. He missed her terribly but there was nothing he could do to bring her back.
Flash Back
"What do you mean you don't know?"
"I don't know. The king had her imprisoned in her own home."
"Look, who ever you are. How could I talk to her? Even just see her?"
"Go to Subete."
Kurama growled at the stranger in front of him. He pulled a seed and let it grow on his palm. The stranger looked at the plant with it's flowers becoming mouths that spit acid and the razor sharp leaves and nodded.
"You can't scare me or defeat me with that. That is all I can tell you. Go to Subete if you are really keen on seeing and talking to her. People there would help you but a piece of warning, never ever cross the king." He turned to leave when he remembered something. He turned back to the Youko and gave him a piece of paper.
"The business I really came here for. Yuko wanted me to give this to you. She said that you can reply or not. Send the paper through a sparrow. She would know."
The stranger left and Kurama was left with a piece of paper in hand. He opened the letter and sweet smelling honeysuckles filled the air.
"Kurama, My father would have you killed if you are even a few meters away from the gates of Subete. I don't want you to die. Please don't come you are welcome as I have said but my father still governs the land I can not stop him. Please hear me out, don't go."
Kurama took one of his roses and cut himself. He used the blood to write the five words that best described his promise and vow.
"I will always find you."
End of Flash Back
It had been a hundred years and the memory of that time still haunted me. It had made me wonder if things could have been a lot different if I did not try and enter Subete. Would she still be imprisoned there? Would I ever be Shuuichi Minamino?
He did not know the answers to those questions but he could still remember the time, the place, the smell, the sound and the feel of those last moments of his life as a Youko. He could not forget.
From all his thinking he did not notice that he had already arrived in Gensai's temple. He entered it and looked up at the pairs of eyes that were waiting for him there. There had been five pairs all in all. Yusuke, Kuwabara, Hiei, Koenma and Gensai...
"Kurama..."
"Don't let that meddlesome fox escape! I want him dead!"
"Papa no..."
"Shut up Yuko!"
Yuko turned to the glass separating her from the world beyond. Not only did the wall stop her but also the chains on her neck that prohibited her to move beyond the glass wall. It wasn't really that thick but the enchantment that held it in place was powerful enough to drain her without the chains she might have the chance but with her father looking on and the chains prohibiting her, there was just no chance of that happening. She pounded on the wall in hopes of the fox hearing her message. She had seen the sparrow and the message. It was simple and true. The five words that had remained in her mind ever since the incident happened.
"I will always find you."
And by the time she was able to read the message the fox was already on his way towards Subete, towards his death. Yuko had pleaded her father but she had not been heard. Now she watches as Kurama tries to escape the bullets of the hunter that was after him. Kurama who had changed into a demon fox to find his way to her. She pounded on the glass wall some more and tried her hardest to cry out her words of warning.
"Kurama go back! Don't go near the gates! Kurama."
She pounded on the wall until her hands were raw and still she kept on pounding. Her warning must come through. There was no use living in a world when the one you love would disappear forever. Her guardians were just there watching her. Then it happened. The hunter had hit it's mark and the Youko fell and never moved. Half of Yuko's soul seem to leave her, she had seemed to die and yet she was able to utter the next words with utter accuracy,
"KURAMA!!!! Iie!!!!!!!!!"
Yuko woke up shouting the same words that she was shouting a hundred years ago. It took a few minutes for it to register in her head that it was only a dream, a memory from before. She had been crying in her sleep again and she stood up and looked out the window to the moon above. She was thankful that the others were out on a mission and they weren't able to hear her screams. It would have broken their hearts.
She wiped her tears away and went back to bed. She stared up the ceiling thinking of the times they were together. The times that she was considered free. Those times were gone and yet she could still remember them clearly.
"What do you mean by that?"
"We need to fight."
"You must be out of your mind Kurama. Have you forgotten what Koenma said? Our souls won't be able to go back to this world."
"There is another way."
"What other way?"
"The princess."
"I don't get all this could you start from the beginning?"
"Fine." Kurama turned to Kuwabara and started the tale.
"The spirit world depends on Subete to balance the three worlds, the spirit, the real world and the metaworld. When Subete collapses, the spirit world would collapse with it causing the barriers to break and the demons loss thus collapsing the real world."
"Okay that I already get."
"The mansion you guys went too houses the demons that are training for the up coming battle in Subete. A tournament."
"Okay that I get too."
"Now the princess is the only access to Subete and the only living creature that can control Subete. She is what most of the demons need to control, destroy and get to Subete."
"Now about this princess... You haven't told us anything about her. And you seem to know more than you would tell us."
Kurama bowed his head at Yusuke's statement.
"Honestly I thought I could do this alone and leave you guys out of all this since this is my fight."
"What are you talking about?"
"A hundred years ago when I was a Youko I met the princess and fell in love with her. Her father detested it and had me killed. Now he is the one who is holding the tournament as well as have his daughter killed."
"Why?"
"He made deals with the metaworld. If he helped the metaworld destroy the spirit world they would get the real world."
"And these so called guardians?" Hiei had finally said something after all the silence.
"The protectors of the princess and the gate."
"You have met them then?"
"I have."
"Will they pose as a problem?"
"No they are bent on protecting Yuko. We don't do anything to her we are safe."
"What's so scary about those guys."
"If you haven't felt it Kuwabaka they are more powerful than any of us. They were able to kill the demons in seconds while we couldn't even get a scratch at them."
"That is true and they are different. They will kill when they have too."
Just then Botan arrived with George.
"Botan what are you doing here?"
"Telling you that you guys are entered in the tournament. The king of Subete sent the invitation."
"But it says here that we need another member. A Cerenian?"
"How the hell are you going to get one?"
"I know of one."
"Kurama!"
"Just wait for me at the bus station we're going to the kitty in the house."
"Kurama!"
Yuko had volunteered to watch the shop as the guys get some lunch. Omi and Aya and stayed with her but since there was not much customers they had stayed at the back room where Omi and Aya discussed matters concerning Subete. Omi would check on her from time to time but seeing that she could handle everything he went back to Aya and continued the plans.
Yuko had her back turned to the door, arranging some papers but when she heard the welcome bell she turned around but did not look up.
"Welcome to kitty in the house, how can I help you?"
"Yuko chan..."
Yuko recognized the voice and looked up. There in front of her stood Kurama, Yusuke, Kuwabara and Hiei. She pulled the nearest thing she could hold and channeled her energy to it.
"What do you want?"
"We need to talk." The four advanced towards her as she backed away.
Aya and Omi heard the voice as well they took out there weapons and ascended the stairs towards the shop, they saw Ken and Yoji do the same.
"We don't have anything to talk about Kurama."
"Hey we are being nice here lady." Yusuke walked towards her and before Kurama could stop him darts had flown and went pass Yusuke's cheek, causing a small cut on his cheek.
"You heard the princess." The thrower said and emerged from Yuko's back, holding up three more darts. He had sandy brown hair and not more than maybe 16 years old.
"You should really have respect for ladies." Another guy emerged holding a length of wire that sparked of electricity. He on the other hand had blonde hair that was shoulder length and seems to be around 24 years old.
Yusuke backed away and Kurama moved forward.
"We're not here to fight any of you."
"Really Kurama? We said you got our trust but we never said your friends did." A brown haired guy said as he appeared beside the sandy haired one.
"Kenren, Momi, Yokan that's enough." The three guardians seemed to look at their princess through the corner of their eyes and sighed.
"Fine princess. If you need any of us we'll be out back."
"Only one thing Yokan. Restrain Rairan. He's waiting outside with his katana. We don't want to frighten any customers."
"As you wish."
Yuko had not taken her eyes off Kurama the whole time and when the three guardians left she placed the thing she was holding on the counter, which happens to be a red rose. She took a piece of paper and a pen.
"Your address and your order."
Kurama took the paper and wrote the arrangement he wanted. He turned to leave when he saw Aya from the corner of his eyes. He smiled and nodded.
"I need that at 12 midnight tonight. I want you to deliver that in the address."
"As you wish. But do not expect that I would be staying for long or that I would be alone."
"I never did."
With that he left the shop with the others following him. When she could not feel their presence any more she sank into the floor holding her left chest. Aya came beside her and placed his hand on her shoulder.
"I'm fine."
"I know you are. Let's get the arrangement done; it would take most of the day to finish it if it's from Kurama."
Yuko gingerly stood up from the floor and went with Aya to the back room.
Yoji, Ken and Omi had come prepared with their weapons, even Aya had his katana tucked in his coat. Yuko just placed a flower on her ear and nodded to the guardians. When she looked at them they were wearing their mission clothes, Aya in his black trench coat, Yoji with his long sleeved coat, Ken with his goggles and orange shirt and Omi in his shorts and dark blue shirt.
"Would you expect Koenma with them?"
"Surely. They would have gotten the invitation like we did."
"Come on let's get this over with."
They had driven the Porsche to the temple and parked it a few feet away. They got out and Yuko carried the arrangement out of the trunk. It had three different kinds of flowers in the middle, rose, foxgloves and cherry blossoms. Around the three flowers were bamboo leaves and tulip leaves. The tulip leaves where bent to form the background and the bamboo leaves where placed on either side as a added decoration. They walked up the temple stairs and the guardians had pulled out their weapons. The temple was silent and peaceful as if there was no fight that's going to happen.
When they got to the top four figures waited for them. The four guardians waited at a generous distance and Yuko walked towards the center and placed the plant down. She took hold of one of the flowers as Kurama walked and took hold of another. She was wearing the same black fit sleeveless shirt, baggy pants and arm warmers that she wore when she first saw Kurama and Kurama was wearing his school uniform.
"What do you want with us?"
"We need you to bring us to Subete."
"Why?"
"A tournament at your kingdom. To find who will get to have the real world."
Yuko pulled the flower and jumped back to her guardians.
"Let me handle this. This fight is mine."
The guardians walked back a couple of steps and Yuko formed a sword from the plant. Kurama on the other hand a rose whip.
"To get to me you must defeat me."
"As you wish." He turned into a Youko but Yuko stubbornly held back her powers.
She positioned her sword and energy seemed to seep out from her. Kurama attacked her but she was able to evade the on coming attack. They continued to do battle when Hiei took out his sword and was about to jump when a dart landed a few inches away from his feet.
"You heard the two. If you value your life fire demon you would not go against the princess."
"Shut up peepsquek."
"Temper temper..." Yoji said as he pulled what seemed as wire from his watch. Aya stretched his katana sideways to stop Yoji and looked at Yuko.
"Do you guys have a place we can rest?"
"Rai san what are you doing?"
"Trust me."
Gensai came out of the temple and gestured out to the four guardians and Yusuke's group. Aya and the others came towards Gensai as Yusuke and the others did. When Aya and the others came inside and saw Koenma they disarmed themselves and did the greeting of respect. Aya placed his two fingers on his right shoulder then his temple and then his chest as he bowed down. The others followed and they all looked up at Koenma. He nodded to them and they sat in front of him.
"So it had seemed that the invitation had reached you as well Master Koenma."
"It has. And you also received a letter?"
"The kings knows that wherever the princess is the guardians are around. He will not rest until she is dead and the worlds collapsed." Aya said showing him a scroll.
"We have decided to not fight in this tournament. The princess would not forgive us if we hurt one of the people or them." Ken said pointing to the other three at their back.
"And it had seemed she has found Kurama's identity?"
Omi nodded and snapped his fingers making the tatami move and show them the two figures fighting in the moonlight. Yoji snapped his fingers and lightning strike around the figures. Yukiko turned to him and sent a flower to his direction. He evaded the flower and smiled.
"It had seemed that she has."
"You're not helping her get out of this?" Yusuke asked as he stood nearer to them.
"You must be kidding."
"We, help her?"
"We're not ready to die yet Yusuke."
"How..."
"Did we know your name? The same way we know Kurama's, Kuwabara's and Hiei's"
"Koenma sama told us."
"What?" The two fighter said in unison.
"I told them. I had to tell them."
Just then Yukiko and Kurama broke into the room. Yukiko was thrown towards the wall as Kurama ran towards her. She jumped and handed Aya a scroll. Kurama growled and followed her. Yukiko smiled and evaded him again. This time she turned to Koenma and did the sign of greeting.
"Thank you Koenma. But I'm terribly sorry I'm causing you this much trouble."
"It's nothing."
Yukiko had not sensed Kurama advancing towards her and he tackled her into the next room destroying the wall. As the smoke cleared they all saw Kurama pin Yukiko on the floor and he had his hand around her throat. Yukiko tried to move but Kurama tightened his hold on her throat.
"Kurama stop it."
"He can't hear you Koenma. He won't hear you."
Aya had said as he watched Yukiko struggle to get out of his hold. He turned away as he heard her scream and green aura filled the next room. When he turned towards them he saw Kurama face to face with another Youko. She was wearing a black sleeveless shirt and white pants, on her waist was a black cloth tied to her side. She has silver hair that fell until her knees and her tail and ears were also silver. Her eyes that was once golden was now silver as well.
"Yuko..."
"Kurama..."
They both growled and attacked each other but did not take their eyes off each other. When they passed the guardians, Aya and the others could see red streaks on the middle section of Yukiko's hair. With that they stood up and followed the two figures. Aya and Ken went to Yukiko as Yoji and Omi took Kurama. Yoji threw his wire around trees and then wrapped Kurama with the wire and held him with Omi's help while Aya and Ken restrained Yukiko.
"Princess stop this!" Aya had shouted.
"No."
"Let go of me. I need to defeat her."
"Over our dead bodies Kurama." Yoji said and tightened his wires.
"Aya we can't hold him any longer. Snap them out of this trance."
"I can't get through any of them." Aya said as he tried to stop the blood from her throat. Yukiko's eyes turned to gold and she pushed them away from her just as Kurama did the same but his eyes were silver. The four guardians were sent flying in different directions as Kurama and Yukiko stood a few feet across each other.
"Let's finish this once and for all Kurama."
"My pleasure Yuko."
Their aura made their silver hair fly upward and when they attacked it had seemed at the ground was going to crack. At the last minute they moved together in one direction towards the trees and punched a tree. When they pulled their fists back a demon came out and looked at them.
"I thought I already had you."
"You almost did."
"But I got to thank you. Because of you I was able to talk to her."
"But now you must die."
Yuko held on to her throat and from her hair she pulled three strands of hair. She whispered something and they stiffened like needles. She threw it towards the demon's throat and the demon died. She turned to Kurama who in turned looked at her throat. He gently pulled her hand away and saw the claw marks he made.
"Oh god."
"Don't worry about it. It's just a scratch."
"Oh no it's not. Come here."
Yukiko moved towards him but her sight was blurred and she stumbled into his arms. Kurama held her and supported her up. He tilted her head to the side and ran his tongue on her bloodied neck. She gave out a soft growl and he felt something different. He ignored it and continued running his tongue on her neck as if healing it. He snuggled his face on her side and growled softly. Yukiko on the other hand growled back affectionately. Kurama had felt the exhaustion in her so he picked her up and carried her into the temple where the four guardians were waiting and healing their injuries.
Aya was the one who saw the gleam in Kurama's eyes, he picked his sword and sent it flying towards him. Kurama moved to avoid the sword bringing Yuko with him but it followed him. He turned to it and jumped out of it's way. He looked at Aya and the other guardians. He nodded and brought Yukiko into one of the empty rooms and laid her on the floor. When he was about to leave she growled in detest and tried to stand up. Kurama pushed her back gently and pushed the stray hair out of her eyes.
"Stay here. I'll call your guardians."
"No... They won't be able to heal me."
"Then who?"
"You."
Yukiko pulled him to her and he fell on top of her. He growled towards her more on detest than affection. Yukiko smiled and took his right hand and placed it on her left chest. Then she placed her left hand on his left chest. Kurama had growled again.
"Don't get me wrong Kurama. If I could heal myself I wouldn't ask for your help."
"But you..."
"Only to get you comfortable. Believe me you'll thank me later. Just promise me one thing."
"What's that?"
"If I scream or fight let me, fight back if you must but don't stop okay."
"I'll try."
Yukiko kissed him lightly on the lips and closed her eyes, channeling her ki towards Kurama's heart. Getting what he was suppose to do he closed his eyes and channeled some of his ki towards her heart. Yukiko seemed to struggle and is currently in pain and Kurama could feel it inside his heart. He stood true to his word and didn't stop the ki connection. Silver aura seemed to flow from Yuko while red flowed out from him.
Outside the room the guardians sat guard as they conversed with Koenma. Aya had reluctantly let Kurama be the one to heal her. Omi had been worried by the marks on her throat but when he saw her again they were healing remarkably. Yoji had not really cared about the fight, he knew the princess was going to let Kurama win she had always been giving and as for Ken he was still a little fumed when he found out that Hiei was the one who gave Yuko the scar on the neck.
"Ken calm down. They are our comrades now. If Subete is to survive we need their help." Aya had uttered restraining him with one arm.
"Koenma sama. The guardians would not fight this match. We can not fight this match."
"But then how are we going to get to Subete without killing the demons and the human?"
"We talked to the princess she agreed to be the fifth member and she will arrange everything about that."
They could hear the screams and the shouts. The four guardians had not minded it for they know it was for the best however Yusuke and the others winched at the screams and the snarls they could hear.
"Are you sure it's okay that she's screaming like that? And Kurama isn't killing her?"
"If he did kill her he will just feel that he killed himself. Yuko is his soul mate. A soul bonded is a soul united into one. And no she is fine Kurama is just helping her heal physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. We could not do that for only soul mates can."
After a few minutes of silence Aya had stood up and opened the door to the next room where Kurama and Yuko was staying. The room had smelled of flowers an indication of something good. Aya had smiled when he saw Kurama beside Yuko apparently sleeping; his arms around her and Yuko had snuggled beside him, her Youko features fading just like Kurama.