Disclaimers- I still don't own Yuyu Hakusho or Weib Kruez but I still wish I do.
Blood
Kurama woke up feeling nothing from the trial he just did. He also felt nothing from his injured arm, looking at it there was nothing that could even show he was attacked. He looked around at where he was currently staying and found himself in his 'oblivion' again. He sighed. And sat up, this time his body had followed him effortlessly. In front if him, suspended, was the orb he took from the temple. Having a closer look of the orb he found that it bore a crescent moon inside, he was astounded at how it had been hidden from his sight from afar. He shook the thought off and looked around him again, his senses screaming and yet finding nothing. He looked around him carefully anticipating something or someone to suddenly appear.
A voice...
A face...
And then nothing...
He shook his head again, mistaking the thing he saw as a mirage and opening his eyes a girl stood in front of him. She was wearing a long flowing off-white dress with the sleeves a transparent hue and ending a few inches after her fingers, her hair was long straight and had a whitish silver color, her eyes were silver but they did not hold any life into them, they were dull and deadly, her lips were as red as blood but they held something else, something much like poison in them, her skin was almost as white as snow and white wings were spread behind her and she was surrounded by a soft white hue. Kurama was enchanted at the being in front of him which smiled at him so gently, angelic and outstretched her hand towards him. He stood up without noticing it and reached for her hand. She smiled even more but before he could reach her, a hand slowly closed his outstretched one snapping him back to whatever it was he was in for it could not possibly be reality.
"I see you have been partially informed of your next trial. The fates seem to place a significant amount of hate in you... And for you..."
"What are you talking about?"
Kurama looked around again and found the girl had vanished. He sighed and noticing his outstretched arm he lowered this and looked at Yuna.
"The girl you saw was to tempt you to fail; her lips held death in them as her beauty bears the curse of immortality and deception. She is the girl you are to face in the next trial, the trial by Air. I can not tell you much about this trial except that you are expected to get the Kori Iki and you will travel back to the time in your past, which, I do not know I was not informed of such things."
"And as like the last there is no time allotted for me to finish this?"
"Yes but there is a catch, as you people call it."
"What is it?"
"You can not in any way use your plants in this trial. It had been decided that you would fight or rather pass this trial without violence in your part."
"How do they expect me to pass then?"
"'You're the intellect of your group, you'll figure it out.' That was what they told me when I asked the same thing."
Yuna turned to leave when she looked back and smiled at Kurama bitterly.
"Remember that this is a trial where you must pass to save that girl you came here for. I bid you luck..."
When Yuna disappeared the place shifted and changed into a place in Makai he knows by heart, a place he could not possibly forget, a place he once called home. He walked around it and suddenly his sense told him something was wrong, something was hiding and ready to kill. He turned just in time to see a girl bring down a sword towards him. He stopped it by trapping the sword between his hands and looking at the girl. Her eyes held familiarity and also hate.
"Yuko."
"Traitor!"
She had said it with so much despise Kurama almost let go of the sword. He batted it to the side sending the girl towards the wall. She stood up and looked at him with so much hate. Kurama could not understand why she was so angry, he could not even decipher what she meant by what she said.
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't play around with me. You told me you'd help me and what did you do? You handed me to those demons and left! I came back for my revenge."
"I don't know what you're talking about!"
"Liar!"
She advanced towards him and Kurama evaded it. He started running outside and saw the carnage that Yuko seems to left for him. He did not know why there was so many demons near him when he in fact lived a life of hiding. He continued to run farther away from the girl and hid in one of the trees while he watched as she went past still looking for him. What could have happened to him and why is the world like this? He was filled with this thought when he found himself in the same path he used to take Yuko to her mother's grave. Finding no reason not to go there and look at the flowers he took the path and followed it remembering the shortcuts he did not show Yuko, cutting his travel time more than half.
When he got there he stopped at how barren the place looked. There was no trees, no flowers, no grass... Only the forest floor and the grave stood noticeable there, that and the figure standing in front of the grave. He was standing in the shadows so Kurama could not distinguish what he was. However Kurama felt nothing that denotes evil or fighting from the figure so he went to him slowly and carefully. When he was a few feet away the figure started to talk.
"It took you too long to get here you know that?"
"You knew?"
"Of course, you of all people would be the only person to know this place, you and that princess."
The voice was familiar to him, the way he stood and the shadows of his body made Kurama think of himself. Before he can even ponder on these thoughts some more he began to speak again.
"What do you think would have happened if I chose differently from what I did?"
"What are you talking about?"
"So you still don't get it do you Kurama?"
"How did you know my name?"
"How could I not know my own name?"
The figure walked towards the light and Kurama was face to face with himself. He backed a little at the change he had undergone from what he used to know about himself. The figure laughed and walked towards him.
"Surprised? You are poisoned if you haven't figured this out. Kurama you're in the past moving to the future."
"But that impossible, two individuals could not possibly live in one parallel universe."
"But what you do not know is that you do not exist in this universe. The only way Yuko could see you or fight you is because the fates intervened."
"What you're telling me is that this is the world I would have to live with if I had chosen to give up Yuko, not gone to the real world and defied
Koenma?"
"Exactly."
"Tell me what did happen?"
"You... I mean I gave up Yuko to the demons causing the destruction of Subete, how? She could not return, the king misused the powers hidden there and struck a deal with the metaworld. Now both the real and spirit world are collapsing slowly and painfully. I gathered a band of demons to fight the other kings of the spirit world and of course Yuko. She stayed here coming after my life. I never went to the real world; there was really no point into going, so there's no Minamino Shuuichi in that real world. Yuko had been constantly going after me for revenge and Koenma is now dead."
"Yusuke and Hiei what happened to them?"
"Yusuke? You must mean Raizen's son. He rules the Southern part after his father. Hiei well he went with Makuro. They destroyed the West kingdom and rules it now. And if you're thinking of Yomi he's dead. Yuko killed him a few weeks ago. She's feared by most demons, she's alone but no one ever knew she was strong. Makuro almost struck a deal with her but Yuko would not accept... She destroyed one of Makuro's battle ships in one beam."
"Everything really is collapsing."
"True. Better get out of the way. Yuko's coming."
Kurama looked back and felt the energy of the girl he had been running away from. He looked at the other Kurama who had just stood there smiling.
"What are you doing?"
"Something I should have done a long time ago."
This Kurama went down on one knee and placed his palm on the ground. He channeled his energy towards it and trees, flowers and grass sprouted in the clearing they were in. It appeared as the clearing he took Yuko in to see her mother's grave. When he was finished Yuko was standing at the edge of the clearing panting and looking at the two Kuramas looking at her.
"You found another one like you to kill me then?"
"No he is just going to watch. I am the enemy you want."
"Then prepare to die traitor."
Yuko attacked as Kurama watched. He found that if he did fight Yuko there was no way he was going to win in his current level of power. Trees fell and powers collided but there was something else happening. Yuko was changing, her features were shifting and changing but they were moving too fast for Kurama to have a closer look. When they landed a few feet away from each other panting and looking at each other hatefully, trees around them fell and Kurama saw the changes clearly. Yuko was now wearing a long flowing off-white dress with the sleeves a transparent hue and ending a few inches after her fingers, the weapon she was using was gone on her hand was a staff but he could not make out what it looked like; her hair was long straight and had a whitish silver color, her eyes were silver but they did not hold any life into them, they were dull and deadly, her lips were as red as blood, her skin was almost as white as snow and white wings were spread behind her and she was surrounded by a soft white hue.
Kurama could not believe the girl he saw and Yuko was one. He could not believe he would have to fight her after all. The girl appeared to him again in front of him even though the fight was continuing at the background. She was smiling softly, invitingly. Kurama could not deny the fact he wanted to follow her to hold her but something held him back. Until there was a force that pushed him forward towards the girl, he did not know why but he smiled towards her and outstretched his hands. He was snapped back when he saw the sword coming straight for him; it passed the girl and went to his left chest. Pain exploded through his whole body. He looked at the owner of the sword and saw Yuko smiling triumphantly at him. He fell limp as she pushed the sword further to his body and new pain filled him. He looked down as blood flowed from his wound and to the sword, then to her hands and dress. Kurama looked up to her and found something in her eyes, an answer perhaps or maybe something else he has no name for but his next action made her expression different and entertaining to see.
He held her hand that was holding the sword and made it go through his body further, the tip tearing through flesh and bones to his back coming out to the other side. The pain was excruciating but he did not care, the shock on her face was enough. He smiled towards her and held her cheeks with his blood soaked hand and leaned to kiss her causing her outstretched hand, holding the sword go through his warm body and around his flesh and bones it stayed as the sword completely went through his body and fall to the forest ground as his lips touched hers and something came out from her and into him. He had let go and felt life slip away from him slowly and painfully. He smiled as he fell forward, closing his eyes awaiting the death that was already surrounding his soul.
He felt nothing but the cold nothingness around him. He opened his eyes to the golden ones that were looking down at him. They were gentle and soft, tired and old. He opened his eyes wide remembering to whom they belong. He sat up feeling his left chest. It was there all right, no blood, no hole nor was there pain. He looked around him and found his oblivion staring him at the face once again but behind Yuna, suspended are the two things he had acquired, the orb and the breath.
"It's nice to know you could still join me."
"Must I always end up like that when I'm going through the trials?"
"The first wasn't suppose to happen like that but the second it was suppose to end like it."
"I was suppose to die at the second one?"
"In a manner of speaking yes."
"Great and I believe the third would be much crueler than the last two..."
"I'm not sure how it ends I am only a messenger for now. Rest, your next trial would start in a few hours. It would give you enough time to think the things over."
Without anything else Yuna disappeared leaving a tray of food in front of him suspended. Kurama took the cup and drank from it realizing that it was the same wine Aya had given him back at the inn. The drink that was so much like blood and yet it wasn't. It warmed him much but it did not warm the coldness his heart suddenly possessed.
So Yuko is a princess...
Princess of what?
Subete?
It was the first thoughts that echoed in oblivion. He listened as he drank from the cup which seems to never go dry. He took a piece of bread and started munching on it as other thoughts echoed vividly in the space where he was.
You helped her escape the demons back in Makai. You brought her home and healed her.
Then what?
You brought her to her mother's grave.
Your souls bonded and you promised to always find her.
Suddenly images and feelings surged through his mind like stampeding buffaloes. He held on to his head as if it would explode causing the cup to fall from his hold. When it had stopped he was kneeling and breathing heavily, there was a something in his heart that was fighting it and it caused him pain as it tried to overcome him once again. Darkness his thoughts whispered to him. There was really nothing else to describe it but darkness. He closed his eyes and saw those images vividly but also saw the darkness engulfing them and replacing them with emptiness. He held on to himself and tried to push it away. Unknown to him the objects he acquired glowed and emitted a bright light that went straight to him. This light returned the images and feelings but did not destroy the darkness in him.
He opened his eyes and saw, instead of the orb and breath, an orb with wings on either side, suspended in front of him and glowing softly, from behind it appearing as a faded figure and then materializing stood Yuko smiling at him and offering a hand. He accepted and looked at her. Her smile never left her lips and those twinkling eyes held much joy and life. This was the Yuko he knew, the one he loved. Love? Was there even such a thing? How could he say when he does not even know? But he did not care at that moment. He embraced her tenderly and buried his head on her hair, he didn't want to let go but the echoes in his head kept warning him, kept shouting at him. He didn't want to follow but the stabbing pain at his back made him push away and let him see the Yuko in her flowing dress and dull, deadly eyes, smiling evilly as she backed away and in her hand was a dagger and Kurama fell on his knees feeling the weakness over come him. He looked up just as Yuko was bringing the dagger down again...
He woke up with a start treating him to a huge headache. He held his head and looked at the object in front of him, it was the orb with wings but there was no sign of Yuko or of anything or anyone else. He sighed and massaged his temple with his hands. I can't keep doing this to myself. He thought as he tried to calm down and relax. Remember Yuko's in the Blue forest, currently in bed suffering from a burn out. With that train of thought passing his head another headache invaded his head and the realization of why he had not much time. He stood up, a bit wobbly and walked around the oblivion he was starting to get used to calling his 'room'. Without even calling out Yuna appeared, walking slowly towards him.
"I see you're ready for your third trial as well as healing fast. Your impressive."
"What's the third trial then?"
"It's quite easy; you're just going to fight someone in an arena. That is all, the objective is to kill your opponent and win the Hikari no Hoshi, in the event that you do not wish to kill your opponent you must still win the object in any way possible."
"That is all?"
"Yes."
"And the catch?"
"I am not allowed to say... I am sorry. Follow me."
Yuna walked past the orb and straight to an unknown direction. Kurama followed her and could not help thinking about the catch he was going to get used too. He followed Yuna around the oblivion seeing nothing and yet hearing things, some incoherent others too clearly. When Yuna stopped the oblivion vanished and Kurama found himself in an arena. Yuna bade him luck and farewell and then lights burst in the arena and Kurama saw his opponent on the other side looking at him hatefully. Of course, I should have known. He told himself as he saw Yuko advancing to the center, an indication that he should do the same. When he had done so, spot lights appeared in front of them showing the three fates seated on a balcony. They bowed to them and then turned to each other and did the same.
"You will die."
It was the only thing she uttered before going into a fighting stance. Kurama did the same but he was uneasy about this fight. Yuko attacked first and delivered punches and kicks which Kurama easily blocked or evaded. However he did not notice the energy gathered in one of her hands and when he was hit he was sent to the wall. It was powerful but not enough to knock him out. He was being played with. He looked at Yuko as he stood up from the rumble and positioned himself for an attack. He charged and delivered the same amount of punches and kicks as what she had done but he did not send her to the wall instead he pushed her backward using his two hand with a powerful force then jumping backward and looking at her. She was still standing as expected but blood was slowly trickling from her mouth which she wiped with her tongue and she smiled amusingly towards Kurama.
"You don't want to hurt me do you?"
"And what if I don't?
"You will pay for it with your life."
Yuko positioned herself putting her right hand in front of her, her palm facing the left side and her left hand at the back of the right, across and her index and middle finger outstretched. She looked at Kurama and green aura slowly seeped out from her. Kurama on the other hand bent forward with his right leg, his right hand like Yuko's but his left was clenched into a fist and placed waist level and red aura seeped out from him. There were no more need for movement or words, everything was happening in their connected minds. They did not move or lose eye contact and once in a while a part of the arena would explode or tumble down but they were not affected. Then in a pain striking minute Yuko moved towards Kurama, he on the other hand seem to gather energy and when she was just a few inches away he moved but not to block or evade, he moved to take the full force of Yuko's attack.
When power connected to flesh, blood seem to burst out of the wound and the body which whom the power had seem to destroy fell but before making contact to the ground bloody arms caught and gently guided to soft landing. Kurama looked into the bloody face of the person who had helped him and saw the bloody, surprised face of Yuko. He smiled up to her as pain surged through his whole body causing him to flinch and close his eyes most of the time.
"Idiot, you could have evaded it and saved yourself. Why didn't you do it?"
"I told you I won't harm you."
"You fool! Don't you know this is all just a mirage? It's just a trial you stupid fool!"
"Then why are you so angry at me? Shouldn't you just stand up and kill me so you can finish this and you'll emerge as the champion?"
Yuko did not answer but tears fell down her bloodied cheeks and unto Kurama's wound. It stung so much it made him flinch again. He was now coughing blood. He hated the taste of it, the metallic, rusty taste. He had been hurt badly before and had been hurt badly to draw blood from him and sometimes even cause internal bleeding but this time he was aware that even with Yukina's healing ability he would still surely die. Then his body seem to move and he felt the cold floor come in contact with his back. Then a soft voice...
"Why? Why didn't you block or evade it?"
"Because you wouldn't believe me if I did."
Kurama had smiled but kept his eyes closed awaiting the final pain that will surge through his body before he dies. However it never came. He opened his eyes and saw Yuko fall on the ground beside him a dagger piercing her heart. She looked at Kurama and smiled. She took something from her neck and pulled; she opened her palm and let the object fall unto Kurama's hand. She was still crying but she uttered her words with a tone of finality.
"Hikari no Hoshi... We are even Kurama. A life for a life..."
With that she closed her eyes and faded from the place just as Yuna appeared and the wounds and injuries he had disappear. Kurama went to where Yuko's body was and bowed his head. Repeating to himself what Yuko told him.
"It's just a mirage..."
"True it is but the things you learned are not."
"You came here to tell me that I failed?"
"No I came to tell you, you passed and you made the fates hate you even more. What ever you told that Yuko worked. You passed. You got the Hikari no Hoshi."
"Tell me why am I going through these trials again."
"Treatment."
"Don't lie to me."
His voice was cold, and his aura was increasing, Yuna did not like it but she had no other choice.
"I'm not lying to you. You are here for treatment."
"I'm not sick! The only person who needs treatment right now is Yuko and she's back at the Blue forest waiting for your medicine!"
Kurama spun around but Yuna wasn't there anymore. What greeted him was a staff. It was crystalline in texture and Kurama recognized the orb with the wings as the object he had acquired from the first two trials. But now there was something else, the handle was clear crystal ending with a green orb at the bottom; it was small compared to the yellow orb. It was glowing a dull green and Yuna appeared beside it. She touched the handle and when she pulled her hand away dark aura seem to dance on her fingers.
"We know she's in need of help, why do you think Rairan and the others send you when they know more about this place than you? They know only you can pass these trials and come back to cure Yuko. It's utterly difficult to explain why but don't you think it's helping you as well?"
"Why does it seem that the mirage knew what is happening and what had happened but I do not when I am inside these mirages?"
"They are help... The fates do not approve of it and do not know of it's existence."
"Why are they making me suffer so much?"
"Because you are the key to opening the chamber where the power slumbers. You are the only person hindering in their plans and in their future. If you die or fail their plan would increase in the possibility of achievement. You are important and yet dangerous for Yuko, it just depends on how you see it."
"And you? What is your role in this game?"
"I am nothing more than an audience, a keeper and an informer. I can not and will not do anymore than what I had said or expected of me. If I do it will be my diminish."
"So you're telling me that I do not have any escape from this?"
"In a way that is true in another it is not."
The place started to shift and Yuna looked around her. She looked at Kurama who had slowly stood up and turned to her. His eyes held something remotely like evil and yet a gleam that says otherwise. She could not move or stop what was happening, she is after all just a keeper, a watcher.
"The fourth trial is the trial by Water, you have to acquire the Hono'o Aoi. It is found at the bottom of that lake over there."
"Anything else?"
"Nothing that I could impart to you. The wish of the fates."
"Okay I'm ready."
Yuna disappeared as Kurama made his way towards the lake. He had not felt anything that resembles evil or enemy. He was at the edge of the lake when something bubbled in the center. He ignores it and looks at the lake, his reflection shimmered for a moment before disappearing. Something tugged at him from the inside which made him look back and yet he found nothing. He turned back to the water and saw a part of it slowly dim and form. He backed away and watched as a figure much like himself emerged from the water's surface and look at him. Kurama pulled him rose whip and positioned himself for the fight ahead.
The figure did the same and attacked him. Kurama waited and when the right chance came he made the rose whip dance, cutting the figure into pieces. However instead of flesh and bones falling, water rained on Kurama much to his astonishment. He made his way towards the water when he heard movement from behind him. He turned and witnessed the droplets merge and form into 7 more figures. Sensing the danger he was currently in Kurama ran into the forest and waited there for the attack the clones would do.
They seem to converse then look at his direction and right at him. Kurama felt the danger and started running away from the lake and deeper into the forest. He could here the movement that was behind him and was aware that he was just going in circles. He jumped unto the lower branches and ran back towards the lake. We was about to jump unto a branch when something went past his cheek. Touching it without stopping he felt the blood trickle down his cheek. Then hearing a rustle of sound from above him he looked up as leaves as sharp as blades started raining down on him. He jumped away from the spot positioning him in the direction of another attack causing him to get slammed on the tree. He looked up at the seven clones that were looking at him.
They smiled evilly and slowly made their way towards him. Kurama suddenly got an idea and went down on one knee. He channeled his energy causing red aura to come out of him. When the clones were a foot away from him vines grabbed there ankles and suspended them above Kurama giving him enough time to turn around and run towards the lake. He was still up the tree and he saw that some branches are hanging out unto the lake's banks. He jumped from branch to branch channeling enough energy to move them towards his desired position. He looked back at the sound of movement and moved faster. He had just finished the deed when black energy balls came towards his direction. He evaded them except for one that sent him unto the entwined branches. He stood up as the seven clones walked unto the branch he had made.
Smiling to himself he backed away from them and they in turn followed him. When he was far enough and at the edge of the made branch he smiled towards the clones and back dived into the lake. The clones followed him but before they could reach the water's surface they turned back to water, which Kurama saw bounce unto the water's surface.
What came from the water must return to the water.
The thought Kurama had as he was about to go up for air but then he felt the water's surface and it was solid. He pounded on it but it would not yield. So he pulled something from his hair and planted it on the surface. It seems to breathe and while this was happening Kurama dived deeper into the water in search of the Blue flame. His lungs were burning and his body was getting tired when he saw the glint of something on the bottom. He tried to reach it but his body was giving up already. He was drowsy, he wanted to breathe air and opening his mouth water invaded his lungs making him cough and take more water. He was about to be engulfed by darkness when a figure slowly made its way towards him.
He looked closely even with his already burning, water diluted lungs, and blurred, stinging eyes. He was surprised to see a girl's face smiling at him. Her hair was dark green and her eyes were bright blue, her skin a pale blue green and her feet... She had no feet; her lower body was that of a fish. She reached for Kurama and Kurama could not move anymore, he was tired and he was gasping for air. She caressed his cheeks and leaned to kiss Kurama. His eyes widened as she kissed him and seem to send air to his lungs. When she pulled away she smiled towards him and touched his hands. A voice filled Kurama's head.
"Don't be fooled by the glint you see. You will die before you reach it."
"Why are you helping me?"
"Yuna called me. We do not show ourselves but she said it is urgent that I help you."
"This is not a mirage?"
"No there is such a lake within the dark forest. That is why the trial of Water is the most dangerous. Many had tried and failed this trial."
"Then you know where the blue flame is?"
"I will take you there but I would not help you anymore after that."
She kissed him again sending new air into his lungs and she took his hand and swam towards the darker side of the lake. From time to time she would stop and give him air and also look around her and seem to make a sound. Kurama was wondering how much longer he needs to stay underwater when his line of sight was blinded for a moment by a blue light then the voice was back in his mind.
"The blue flame."
"Thank you."
"You are welcome. Tell Yuko that we are counting on her."
"You know who Yuko is?"
"Wait!"
The girl only smiled and kissed him for the last time before swimming away and leaving Kurama to take the blue flame. He swam towards the blue flame and saw a blue crystal emitting the blue light. He reached for it and when his hand came in contact with the flame the water around him started freezing. He grabbed the flame and swam upward towards the surface. That was the only time he noticed that the lake was as wide as an ocean underwater but only a small part when you look at it on the surface. He was able to know this when he reached the surface and saw the plant he had placed as a marker as well as his way out. The water was freezing around him fast, his lungs were already screaming for air and the object wasn't making his task easy. He placed his palm on the seed and channeled his energy unto it. In a matter of seconds it erupted upward, destroying whatever made the surface solid. When Kurama's head emerged from the lake he gasped and coughed as oxygen made its way towards his lungs and brain.
The water seems to stay liquid around him and under him. He swam towards the bank and laid there breathing heavily and still coughing trying to get the water out of his lungs. He closed his eyes and stayed there for a few more minutes before standing up again. He picked up the object and looked up just as a figure emerged from the trees looking at him. Kurama looked at him and positioned himself, readying his body for anything that was coming his way.
"I'm not here to fight you."
"Then what?"
"To warn you. You do not know that you are waking up something that can kill you."
"What are you talking about?"
"Yuna had told you, Yuko, that girl you are trying to save and love, her lips bear death in them as her beauty bears the curse of immortality and deception."
"And what makes you think I will believe you?"
"Don't you understand she will only bring you pain, hurt and death. I am helping you."
"Do you really think I will believe you? The only thing that is clear to me right now is that I must help her."
With that Kurama threw the blue flame towards the clone, upon contact the clone turned to water and froze, creating an arc where the blue flame rested on top. Yuna appeared beside the arc coming from the shadows. She smiled towards Kurama and took the blue flame. She threw something towards Kurama and he in turn caught it.
"You passed and healed as well. You are impressive."
"How much time had I wasted and how much time do I have?"
"You have stayed here for about five days, it took you 2 to get here leaving you with 3 to get back and give Yuko that medicine. As well as warn them that the trackers are coming closer to them. They are slowly finding the weakness of the forest, they must escape."
"Where do I go to find the exist of this forest?"
"The end of this path is the exit you are looking for. And a reminder Kurama, once you step out of this forest you and Yuko's bond would become sealed. Whatever she feels you will."
"I understand. Goodbye."
"Good luck."
Kurama sprinted towards the exist Yuna was talking about. And once he was at the edge of the forest the pain that exploded through his body was unbearable that he had to stop and fall to his knees clutching his body. He pushed the feeling away and struggled to get up and started walking, walking for there was no strength for running. He walked, sometimes run for a few minutes before falling painfully to the forest floor again. He would stand up and continue, letting the roots trip him, the bushes bruise and slap his body, he knew he had to move on. He knew there was not much time and yet his body would not let him go much further than what he was accomplishing now. He had let the things in the forest bruise and hurt him for there was no more time to evade them, to bat them aside, no more time and no more strength left to do it. There was only one thing running in his pain stricken mind and that was to move forward, at least that his body understood and accepted. The sun sank on the trees and Kurama knew night was just ahead. He did not know what lay under the sheets of night and he knew he was incapable of fighting if it came to it but he continued on. There was no more time and he was in no position to stop.
The sun rose and set upon him and finding himself at the edge of the Blue forest on the third day, full of bruises and wounds, exhausted and uncaring, the pain intensified greatly sending him to complete numbness and darkness. He was only able to take a few steps before he fell inside the Blue forest not knowing what was going on around him or in him. There was no more sounds entering his ears, no more feeling from his body or around him, his eyes could not even distinguish the colors that was swarming around him. All he could think off was that Yuko was just a few more meters away, suffering and dying because of him. And he would be found just a few more meters away from her, suffering even dying from the same fate she would be experiencing. This line of thought had not sent fear creeping up inside him, he was not afraid of death. This line of thought had done nothing to fuel his strength or lessen his pain either; all it did was make Kurama hate himself and curse himself for not being on time with the medicine or the warning. Neither that realization gave him enough strength to move on. However he still tried to stand up but in doing so he felt his limbs tore as well as his muscles, sending more pain in him and making him fall painfully hard on the ground.
He sighed as images blurred his thinking, plunging him to the past that send him in this dilemma. The past of what he was and what he had become, in a way his life was passing before his eyes. There was nothing left to think about but death and the things he had done in the past. His body was in complete pain, his muscles would not heal nor his limbs. There was nothing that could save him but a miracle. He smiled at the thought of a miracle. It was a miracle he was able to last this long but no miracle, how great it is could save him from his impending death. His breathing was already shallow and his body anticipated the death that was nearing him though there was nothing to anticipate, his body was already dead as it is. Only his mind and his heart, to whoever would notice, would tell that he was still alive, suffering a death he should not have. Though he did not expect his body to move, he turned around much to his amazement and watched as the sun sank behind the trees, announcing the fact that he failed. In defiance to that fact, he let the pain course through his body willingly, let the vial fall from his hands to his side, the tears finally fall from his eyes and in closing them accepting the fate that was clearly and cruelly bestowed upon him...
Blood
Kurama woke up feeling nothing from the trial he just did. He also felt nothing from his injured arm, looking at it there was nothing that could even show he was attacked. He looked around at where he was currently staying and found himself in his 'oblivion' again. He sighed. And sat up, this time his body had followed him effortlessly. In front if him, suspended, was the orb he took from the temple. Having a closer look of the orb he found that it bore a crescent moon inside, he was astounded at how it had been hidden from his sight from afar. He shook the thought off and looked around him again, his senses screaming and yet finding nothing. He looked around him carefully anticipating something or someone to suddenly appear.
A voice...
A face...
And then nothing...
He shook his head again, mistaking the thing he saw as a mirage and opening his eyes a girl stood in front of him. She was wearing a long flowing off-white dress with the sleeves a transparent hue and ending a few inches after her fingers, her hair was long straight and had a whitish silver color, her eyes were silver but they did not hold any life into them, they were dull and deadly, her lips were as red as blood but they held something else, something much like poison in them, her skin was almost as white as snow and white wings were spread behind her and she was surrounded by a soft white hue. Kurama was enchanted at the being in front of him which smiled at him so gently, angelic and outstretched her hand towards him. He stood up without noticing it and reached for her hand. She smiled even more but before he could reach her, a hand slowly closed his outstretched one snapping him back to whatever it was he was in for it could not possibly be reality.
"I see you have been partially informed of your next trial. The fates seem to place a significant amount of hate in you... And for you..."
"What are you talking about?"
Kurama looked around again and found the girl had vanished. He sighed and noticing his outstretched arm he lowered this and looked at Yuna.
"The girl you saw was to tempt you to fail; her lips held death in them as her beauty bears the curse of immortality and deception. She is the girl you are to face in the next trial, the trial by Air. I can not tell you much about this trial except that you are expected to get the Kori Iki and you will travel back to the time in your past, which, I do not know I was not informed of such things."
"And as like the last there is no time allotted for me to finish this?"
"Yes but there is a catch, as you people call it."
"What is it?"
"You can not in any way use your plants in this trial. It had been decided that you would fight or rather pass this trial without violence in your part."
"How do they expect me to pass then?"
"'You're the intellect of your group, you'll figure it out.' That was what they told me when I asked the same thing."
Yuna turned to leave when she looked back and smiled at Kurama bitterly.
"Remember that this is a trial where you must pass to save that girl you came here for. I bid you luck..."
When Yuna disappeared the place shifted and changed into a place in Makai he knows by heart, a place he could not possibly forget, a place he once called home. He walked around it and suddenly his sense told him something was wrong, something was hiding and ready to kill. He turned just in time to see a girl bring down a sword towards him. He stopped it by trapping the sword between his hands and looking at the girl. Her eyes held familiarity and also hate.
"Yuko."
"Traitor!"
She had said it with so much despise Kurama almost let go of the sword. He batted it to the side sending the girl towards the wall. She stood up and looked at him with so much hate. Kurama could not understand why she was so angry, he could not even decipher what she meant by what she said.
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't play around with me. You told me you'd help me and what did you do? You handed me to those demons and left! I came back for my revenge."
"I don't know what you're talking about!"
"Liar!"
She advanced towards him and Kurama evaded it. He started running outside and saw the carnage that Yuko seems to left for him. He did not know why there was so many demons near him when he in fact lived a life of hiding. He continued to run farther away from the girl and hid in one of the trees while he watched as she went past still looking for him. What could have happened to him and why is the world like this? He was filled with this thought when he found himself in the same path he used to take Yuko to her mother's grave. Finding no reason not to go there and look at the flowers he took the path and followed it remembering the shortcuts he did not show Yuko, cutting his travel time more than half.
When he got there he stopped at how barren the place looked. There was no trees, no flowers, no grass... Only the forest floor and the grave stood noticeable there, that and the figure standing in front of the grave. He was standing in the shadows so Kurama could not distinguish what he was. However Kurama felt nothing that denotes evil or fighting from the figure so he went to him slowly and carefully. When he was a few feet away the figure started to talk.
"It took you too long to get here you know that?"
"You knew?"
"Of course, you of all people would be the only person to know this place, you and that princess."
The voice was familiar to him, the way he stood and the shadows of his body made Kurama think of himself. Before he can even ponder on these thoughts some more he began to speak again.
"What do you think would have happened if I chose differently from what I did?"
"What are you talking about?"
"So you still don't get it do you Kurama?"
"How did you know my name?"
"How could I not know my own name?"
The figure walked towards the light and Kurama was face to face with himself. He backed a little at the change he had undergone from what he used to know about himself. The figure laughed and walked towards him.
"Surprised? You are poisoned if you haven't figured this out. Kurama you're in the past moving to the future."
"But that impossible, two individuals could not possibly live in one parallel universe."
"But what you do not know is that you do not exist in this universe. The only way Yuko could see you or fight you is because the fates intervened."
"What you're telling me is that this is the world I would have to live with if I had chosen to give up Yuko, not gone to the real world and defied
Koenma?"
"Exactly."
"Tell me what did happen?"
"You... I mean I gave up Yuko to the demons causing the destruction of Subete, how? She could not return, the king misused the powers hidden there and struck a deal with the metaworld. Now both the real and spirit world are collapsing slowly and painfully. I gathered a band of demons to fight the other kings of the spirit world and of course Yuko. She stayed here coming after my life. I never went to the real world; there was really no point into going, so there's no Minamino Shuuichi in that real world. Yuko had been constantly going after me for revenge and Koenma is now dead."
"Yusuke and Hiei what happened to them?"
"Yusuke? You must mean Raizen's son. He rules the Southern part after his father. Hiei well he went with Makuro. They destroyed the West kingdom and rules it now. And if you're thinking of Yomi he's dead. Yuko killed him a few weeks ago. She's feared by most demons, she's alone but no one ever knew she was strong. Makuro almost struck a deal with her but Yuko would not accept... She destroyed one of Makuro's battle ships in one beam."
"Everything really is collapsing."
"True. Better get out of the way. Yuko's coming."
Kurama looked back and felt the energy of the girl he had been running away from. He looked at the other Kurama who had just stood there smiling.
"What are you doing?"
"Something I should have done a long time ago."
This Kurama went down on one knee and placed his palm on the ground. He channeled his energy towards it and trees, flowers and grass sprouted in the clearing they were in. It appeared as the clearing he took Yuko in to see her mother's grave. When he was finished Yuko was standing at the edge of the clearing panting and looking at the two Kuramas looking at her.
"You found another one like you to kill me then?"
"No he is just going to watch. I am the enemy you want."
"Then prepare to die traitor."
Yuko attacked as Kurama watched. He found that if he did fight Yuko there was no way he was going to win in his current level of power. Trees fell and powers collided but there was something else happening. Yuko was changing, her features were shifting and changing but they were moving too fast for Kurama to have a closer look. When they landed a few feet away from each other panting and looking at each other hatefully, trees around them fell and Kurama saw the changes clearly. Yuko was now wearing a long flowing off-white dress with the sleeves a transparent hue and ending a few inches after her fingers, the weapon she was using was gone on her hand was a staff but he could not make out what it looked like; her hair was long straight and had a whitish silver color, her eyes were silver but they did not hold any life into them, they were dull and deadly, her lips were as red as blood, her skin was almost as white as snow and white wings were spread behind her and she was surrounded by a soft white hue.
Kurama could not believe the girl he saw and Yuko was one. He could not believe he would have to fight her after all. The girl appeared to him again in front of him even though the fight was continuing at the background. She was smiling softly, invitingly. Kurama could not deny the fact he wanted to follow her to hold her but something held him back. Until there was a force that pushed him forward towards the girl, he did not know why but he smiled towards her and outstretched his hands. He was snapped back when he saw the sword coming straight for him; it passed the girl and went to his left chest. Pain exploded through his whole body. He looked at the owner of the sword and saw Yuko smiling triumphantly at him. He fell limp as she pushed the sword further to his body and new pain filled him. He looked down as blood flowed from his wound and to the sword, then to her hands and dress. Kurama looked up to her and found something in her eyes, an answer perhaps or maybe something else he has no name for but his next action made her expression different and entertaining to see.
He held her hand that was holding the sword and made it go through his body further, the tip tearing through flesh and bones to his back coming out to the other side. The pain was excruciating but he did not care, the shock on her face was enough. He smiled towards her and held her cheeks with his blood soaked hand and leaned to kiss her causing her outstretched hand, holding the sword go through his warm body and around his flesh and bones it stayed as the sword completely went through his body and fall to the forest ground as his lips touched hers and something came out from her and into him. He had let go and felt life slip away from him slowly and painfully. He smiled as he fell forward, closing his eyes awaiting the death that was already surrounding his soul.
He felt nothing but the cold nothingness around him. He opened his eyes to the golden ones that were looking down at him. They were gentle and soft, tired and old. He opened his eyes wide remembering to whom they belong. He sat up feeling his left chest. It was there all right, no blood, no hole nor was there pain. He looked around him and found his oblivion staring him at the face once again but behind Yuna, suspended are the two things he had acquired, the orb and the breath.
"It's nice to know you could still join me."
"Must I always end up like that when I'm going through the trials?"
"The first wasn't suppose to happen like that but the second it was suppose to end like it."
"I was suppose to die at the second one?"
"In a manner of speaking yes."
"Great and I believe the third would be much crueler than the last two..."
"I'm not sure how it ends I am only a messenger for now. Rest, your next trial would start in a few hours. It would give you enough time to think the things over."
Without anything else Yuna disappeared leaving a tray of food in front of him suspended. Kurama took the cup and drank from it realizing that it was the same wine Aya had given him back at the inn. The drink that was so much like blood and yet it wasn't. It warmed him much but it did not warm the coldness his heart suddenly possessed.
So Yuko is a princess...
Princess of what?
Subete?
It was the first thoughts that echoed in oblivion. He listened as he drank from the cup which seems to never go dry. He took a piece of bread and started munching on it as other thoughts echoed vividly in the space where he was.
You helped her escape the demons back in Makai. You brought her home and healed her.
Then what?
You brought her to her mother's grave.
Your souls bonded and you promised to always find her.
Suddenly images and feelings surged through his mind like stampeding buffaloes. He held on to his head as if it would explode causing the cup to fall from his hold. When it had stopped he was kneeling and breathing heavily, there was a something in his heart that was fighting it and it caused him pain as it tried to overcome him once again. Darkness his thoughts whispered to him. There was really nothing else to describe it but darkness. He closed his eyes and saw those images vividly but also saw the darkness engulfing them and replacing them with emptiness. He held on to himself and tried to push it away. Unknown to him the objects he acquired glowed and emitted a bright light that went straight to him. This light returned the images and feelings but did not destroy the darkness in him.
He opened his eyes and saw, instead of the orb and breath, an orb with wings on either side, suspended in front of him and glowing softly, from behind it appearing as a faded figure and then materializing stood Yuko smiling at him and offering a hand. He accepted and looked at her. Her smile never left her lips and those twinkling eyes held much joy and life. This was the Yuko he knew, the one he loved. Love? Was there even such a thing? How could he say when he does not even know? But he did not care at that moment. He embraced her tenderly and buried his head on her hair, he didn't want to let go but the echoes in his head kept warning him, kept shouting at him. He didn't want to follow but the stabbing pain at his back made him push away and let him see the Yuko in her flowing dress and dull, deadly eyes, smiling evilly as she backed away and in her hand was a dagger and Kurama fell on his knees feeling the weakness over come him. He looked up just as Yuko was bringing the dagger down again...
He woke up with a start treating him to a huge headache. He held his head and looked at the object in front of him, it was the orb with wings but there was no sign of Yuko or of anything or anyone else. He sighed and massaged his temple with his hands. I can't keep doing this to myself. He thought as he tried to calm down and relax. Remember Yuko's in the Blue forest, currently in bed suffering from a burn out. With that train of thought passing his head another headache invaded his head and the realization of why he had not much time. He stood up, a bit wobbly and walked around the oblivion he was starting to get used to calling his 'room'. Without even calling out Yuna appeared, walking slowly towards him.
"I see you're ready for your third trial as well as healing fast. Your impressive."
"What's the third trial then?"
"It's quite easy; you're just going to fight someone in an arena. That is all, the objective is to kill your opponent and win the Hikari no Hoshi, in the event that you do not wish to kill your opponent you must still win the object in any way possible."
"That is all?"
"Yes."
"And the catch?"
"I am not allowed to say... I am sorry. Follow me."
Yuna walked past the orb and straight to an unknown direction. Kurama followed her and could not help thinking about the catch he was going to get used too. He followed Yuna around the oblivion seeing nothing and yet hearing things, some incoherent others too clearly. When Yuna stopped the oblivion vanished and Kurama found himself in an arena. Yuna bade him luck and farewell and then lights burst in the arena and Kurama saw his opponent on the other side looking at him hatefully. Of course, I should have known. He told himself as he saw Yuko advancing to the center, an indication that he should do the same. When he had done so, spot lights appeared in front of them showing the three fates seated on a balcony. They bowed to them and then turned to each other and did the same.
"You will die."
It was the only thing she uttered before going into a fighting stance. Kurama did the same but he was uneasy about this fight. Yuko attacked first and delivered punches and kicks which Kurama easily blocked or evaded. However he did not notice the energy gathered in one of her hands and when he was hit he was sent to the wall. It was powerful but not enough to knock him out. He was being played with. He looked at Yuko as he stood up from the rumble and positioned himself for an attack. He charged and delivered the same amount of punches and kicks as what she had done but he did not send her to the wall instead he pushed her backward using his two hand with a powerful force then jumping backward and looking at her. She was still standing as expected but blood was slowly trickling from her mouth which she wiped with her tongue and she smiled amusingly towards Kurama.
"You don't want to hurt me do you?"
"And what if I don't?
"You will pay for it with your life."
Yuko positioned herself putting her right hand in front of her, her palm facing the left side and her left hand at the back of the right, across and her index and middle finger outstretched. She looked at Kurama and green aura slowly seeped out from her. Kurama on the other hand bent forward with his right leg, his right hand like Yuko's but his left was clenched into a fist and placed waist level and red aura seeped out from him. There were no more need for movement or words, everything was happening in their connected minds. They did not move or lose eye contact and once in a while a part of the arena would explode or tumble down but they were not affected. Then in a pain striking minute Yuko moved towards Kurama, he on the other hand seem to gather energy and when she was just a few inches away he moved but not to block or evade, he moved to take the full force of Yuko's attack.
When power connected to flesh, blood seem to burst out of the wound and the body which whom the power had seem to destroy fell but before making contact to the ground bloody arms caught and gently guided to soft landing. Kurama looked into the bloody face of the person who had helped him and saw the bloody, surprised face of Yuko. He smiled up to her as pain surged through his whole body causing him to flinch and close his eyes most of the time.
"Idiot, you could have evaded it and saved yourself. Why didn't you do it?"
"I told you I won't harm you."
"You fool! Don't you know this is all just a mirage? It's just a trial you stupid fool!"
"Then why are you so angry at me? Shouldn't you just stand up and kill me so you can finish this and you'll emerge as the champion?"
Yuko did not answer but tears fell down her bloodied cheeks and unto Kurama's wound. It stung so much it made him flinch again. He was now coughing blood. He hated the taste of it, the metallic, rusty taste. He had been hurt badly before and had been hurt badly to draw blood from him and sometimes even cause internal bleeding but this time he was aware that even with Yukina's healing ability he would still surely die. Then his body seem to move and he felt the cold floor come in contact with his back. Then a soft voice...
"Why? Why didn't you block or evade it?"
"Because you wouldn't believe me if I did."
Kurama had smiled but kept his eyes closed awaiting the final pain that will surge through his body before he dies. However it never came. He opened his eyes and saw Yuko fall on the ground beside him a dagger piercing her heart. She looked at Kurama and smiled. She took something from her neck and pulled; she opened her palm and let the object fall unto Kurama's hand. She was still crying but she uttered her words with a tone of finality.
"Hikari no Hoshi... We are even Kurama. A life for a life..."
With that she closed her eyes and faded from the place just as Yuna appeared and the wounds and injuries he had disappear. Kurama went to where Yuko's body was and bowed his head. Repeating to himself what Yuko told him.
"It's just a mirage..."
"True it is but the things you learned are not."
"You came here to tell me that I failed?"
"No I came to tell you, you passed and you made the fates hate you even more. What ever you told that Yuko worked. You passed. You got the Hikari no Hoshi."
"Tell me why am I going through these trials again."
"Treatment."
"Don't lie to me."
His voice was cold, and his aura was increasing, Yuna did not like it but she had no other choice.
"I'm not lying to you. You are here for treatment."
"I'm not sick! The only person who needs treatment right now is Yuko and she's back at the Blue forest waiting for your medicine!"
Kurama spun around but Yuna wasn't there anymore. What greeted him was a staff. It was crystalline in texture and Kurama recognized the orb with the wings as the object he had acquired from the first two trials. But now there was something else, the handle was clear crystal ending with a green orb at the bottom; it was small compared to the yellow orb. It was glowing a dull green and Yuna appeared beside it. She touched the handle and when she pulled her hand away dark aura seem to dance on her fingers.
"We know she's in need of help, why do you think Rairan and the others send you when they know more about this place than you? They know only you can pass these trials and come back to cure Yuko. It's utterly difficult to explain why but don't you think it's helping you as well?"
"Why does it seem that the mirage knew what is happening and what had happened but I do not when I am inside these mirages?"
"They are help... The fates do not approve of it and do not know of it's existence."
"Why are they making me suffer so much?"
"Because you are the key to opening the chamber where the power slumbers. You are the only person hindering in their plans and in their future. If you die or fail their plan would increase in the possibility of achievement. You are important and yet dangerous for Yuko, it just depends on how you see it."
"And you? What is your role in this game?"
"I am nothing more than an audience, a keeper and an informer. I can not and will not do anymore than what I had said or expected of me. If I do it will be my diminish."
"So you're telling me that I do not have any escape from this?"
"In a way that is true in another it is not."
The place started to shift and Yuna looked around her. She looked at Kurama who had slowly stood up and turned to her. His eyes held something remotely like evil and yet a gleam that says otherwise. She could not move or stop what was happening, she is after all just a keeper, a watcher.
"The fourth trial is the trial by Water, you have to acquire the Hono'o Aoi. It is found at the bottom of that lake over there."
"Anything else?"
"Nothing that I could impart to you. The wish of the fates."
"Okay I'm ready."
Yuna disappeared as Kurama made his way towards the lake. He had not felt anything that resembles evil or enemy. He was at the edge of the lake when something bubbled in the center. He ignores it and looks at the lake, his reflection shimmered for a moment before disappearing. Something tugged at him from the inside which made him look back and yet he found nothing. He turned back to the water and saw a part of it slowly dim and form. He backed away and watched as a figure much like himself emerged from the water's surface and look at him. Kurama pulled him rose whip and positioned himself for the fight ahead.
The figure did the same and attacked him. Kurama waited and when the right chance came he made the rose whip dance, cutting the figure into pieces. However instead of flesh and bones falling, water rained on Kurama much to his astonishment. He made his way towards the water when he heard movement from behind him. He turned and witnessed the droplets merge and form into 7 more figures. Sensing the danger he was currently in Kurama ran into the forest and waited there for the attack the clones would do.
They seem to converse then look at his direction and right at him. Kurama felt the danger and started running away from the lake and deeper into the forest. He could here the movement that was behind him and was aware that he was just going in circles. He jumped unto the lower branches and ran back towards the lake. We was about to jump unto a branch when something went past his cheek. Touching it without stopping he felt the blood trickle down his cheek. Then hearing a rustle of sound from above him he looked up as leaves as sharp as blades started raining down on him. He jumped away from the spot positioning him in the direction of another attack causing him to get slammed on the tree. He looked up at the seven clones that were looking at him.
They smiled evilly and slowly made their way towards him. Kurama suddenly got an idea and went down on one knee. He channeled his energy causing red aura to come out of him. When the clones were a foot away from him vines grabbed there ankles and suspended them above Kurama giving him enough time to turn around and run towards the lake. He was still up the tree and he saw that some branches are hanging out unto the lake's banks. He jumped from branch to branch channeling enough energy to move them towards his desired position. He looked back at the sound of movement and moved faster. He had just finished the deed when black energy balls came towards his direction. He evaded them except for one that sent him unto the entwined branches. He stood up as the seven clones walked unto the branch he had made.
Smiling to himself he backed away from them and they in turn followed him. When he was far enough and at the edge of the made branch he smiled towards the clones and back dived into the lake. The clones followed him but before they could reach the water's surface they turned back to water, which Kurama saw bounce unto the water's surface.
What came from the water must return to the water.
The thought Kurama had as he was about to go up for air but then he felt the water's surface and it was solid. He pounded on it but it would not yield. So he pulled something from his hair and planted it on the surface. It seems to breathe and while this was happening Kurama dived deeper into the water in search of the Blue flame. His lungs were burning and his body was getting tired when he saw the glint of something on the bottom. He tried to reach it but his body was giving up already. He was drowsy, he wanted to breathe air and opening his mouth water invaded his lungs making him cough and take more water. He was about to be engulfed by darkness when a figure slowly made its way towards him.
He looked closely even with his already burning, water diluted lungs, and blurred, stinging eyes. He was surprised to see a girl's face smiling at him. Her hair was dark green and her eyes were bright blue, her skin a pale blue green and her feet... She had no feet; her lower body was that of a fish. She reached for Kurama and Kurama could not move anymore, he was tired and he was gasping for air. She caressed his cheeks and leaned to kiss Kurama. His eyes widened as she kissed him and seem to send air to his lungs. When she pulled away she smiled towards him and touched his hands. A voice filled Kurama's head.
"Don't be fooled by the glint you see. You will die before you reach it."
"Why are you helping me?"
"Yuna called me. We do not show ourselves but she said it is urgent that I help you."
"This is not a mirage?"
"No there is such a lake within the dark forest. That is why the trial of Water is the most dangerous. Many had tried and failed this trial."
"Then you know where the blue flame is?"
"I will take you there but I would not help you anymore after that."
She kissed him again sending new air into his lungs and she took his hand and swam towards the darker side of the lake. From time to time she would stop and give him air and also look around her and seem to make a sound. Kurama was wondering how much longer he needs to stay underwater when his line of sight was blinded for a moment by a blue light then the voice was back in his mind.
"The blue flame."
"Thank you."
"You are welcome. Tell Yuko that we are counting on her."
"You know who Yuko is?"
"Wait!"
The girl only smiled and kissed him for the last time before swimming away and leaving Kurama to take the blue flame. He swam towards the blue flame and saw a blue crystal emitting the blue light. He reached for it and when his hand came in contact with the flame the water around him started freezing. He grabbed the flame and swam upward towards the surface. That was the only time he noticed that the lake was as wide as an ocean underwater but only a small part when you look at it on the surface. He was able to know this when he reached the surface and saw the plant he had placed as a marker as well as his way out. The water was freezing around him fast, his lungs were already screaming for air and the object wasn't making his task easy. He placed his palm on the seed and channeled his energy unto it. In a matter of seconds it erupted upward, destroying whatever made the surface solid. When Kurama's head emerged from the lake he gasped and coughed as oxygen made its way towards his lungs and brain.
The water seems to stay liquid around him and under him. He swam towards the bank and laid there breathing heavily and still coughing trying to get the water out of his lungs. He closed his eyes and stayed there for a few more minutes before standing up again. He picked up the object and looked up just as a figure emerged from the trees looking at him. Kurama looked at him and positioned himself, readying his body for anything that was coming his way.
"I'm not here to fight you."
"Then what?"
"To warn you. You do not know that you are waking up something that can kill you."
"What are you talking about?"
"Yuna had told you, Yuko, that girl you are trying to save and love, her lips bear death in them as her beauty bears the curse of immortality and deception."
"And what makes you think I will believe you?"
"Don't you understand she will only bring you pain, hurt and death. I am helping you."
"Do you really think I will believe you? The only thing that is clear to me right now is that I must help her."
With that Kurama threw the blue flame towards the clone, upon contact the clone turned to water and froze, creating an arc where the blue flame rested on top. Yuna appeared beside the arc coming from the shadows. She smiled towards Kurama and took the blue flame. She threw something towards Kurama and he in turn caught it.
"You passed and healed as well. You are impressive."
"How much time had I wasted and how much time do I have?"
"You have stayed here for about five days, it took you 2 to get here leaving you with 3 to get back and give Yuko that medicine. As well as warn them that the trackers are coming closer to them. They are slowly finding the weakness of the forest, they must escape."
"Where do I go to find the exist of this forest?"
"The end of this path is the exit you are looking for. And a reminder Kurama, once you step out of this forest you and Yuko's bond would become sealed. Whatever she feels you will."
"I understand. Goodbye."
"Good luck."
Kurama sprinted towards the exist Yuna was talking about. And once he was at the edge of the forest the pain that exploded through his body was unbearable that he had to stop and fall to his knees clutching his body. He pushed the feeling away and struggled to get up and started walking, walking for there was no strength for running. He walked, sometimes run for a few minutes before falling painfully to the forest floor again. He would stand up and continue, letting the roots trip him, the bushes bruise and slap his body, he knew he had to move on. He knew there was not much time and yet his body would not let him go much further than what he was accomplishing now. He had let the things in the forest bruise and hurt him for there was no more time to evade them, to bat them aside, no more time and no more strength left to do it. There was only one thing running in his pain stricken mind and that was to move forward, at least that his body understood and accepted. The sun sank on the trees and Kurama knew night was just ahead. He did not know what lay under the sheets of night and he knew he was incapable of fighting if it came to it but he continued on. There was no more time and he was in no position to stop.
The sun rose and set upon him and finding himself at the edge of the Blue forest on the third day, full of bruises and wounds, exhausted and uncaring, the pain intensified greatly sending him to complete numbness and darkness. He was only able to take a few steps before he fell inside the Blue forest not knowing what was going on around him or in him. There was no more sounds entering his ears, no more feeling from his body or around him, his eyes could not even distinguish the colors that was swarming around him. All he could think off was that Yuko was just a few more meters away, suffering and dying because of him. And he would be found just a few more meters away from her, suffering even dying from the same fate she would be experiencing. This line of thought had not sent fear creeping up inside him, he was not afraid of death. This line of thought had done nothing to fuel his strength or lessen his pain either; all it did was make Kurama hate himself and curse himself for not being on time with the medicine or the warning. Neither that realization gave him enough strength to move on. However he still tried to stand up but in doing so he felt his limbs tore as well as his muscles, sending more pain in him and making him fall painfully hard on the ground.
He sighed as images blurred his thinking, plunging him to the past that send him in this dilemma. The past of what he was and what he had become, in a way his life was passing before his eyes. There was nothing left to think about but death and the things he had done in the past. His body was in complete pain, his muscles would not heal nor his limbs. There was nothing that could save him but a miracle. He smiled at the thought of a miracle. It was a miracle he was able to last this long but no miracle, how great it is could save him from his impending death. His breathing was already shallow and his body anticipated the death that was nearing him though there was nothing to anticipate, his body was already dead as it is. Only his mind and his heart, to whoever would notice, would tell that he was still alive, suffering a death he should not have. Though he did not expect his body to move, he turned around much to his amazement and watched as the sun sank behind the trees, announcing the fact that he failed. In defiance to that fact, he let the pain course through his body willingly, let the vial fall from his hands to his side, the tears finally fall from his eyes and in closing them accepting the fate that was clearly and cruelly bestowed upon him...