The Gift of Oneself
Written by xDarkxMagicianxGirlx and Ookami no Kokoro.
Disclaimers: Neither I nor Ookami no Kokoro own Yu Yu Hakusho, though we can wish, right?
Okay guys, I am like wicked sorry that I messed this up! I accidently posted chapter three up instead of chapter two. Yeah, silly me. But here's the real chapter Two. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Chapter Two
Closing his eyes tightly, Yusuke looked away, fighting the tears that threatened to fall. "If that's what you want, Kurama.. I know its not what I want.." he whispered, before turning to walk away.
"Hey! Hold it!" a voice said suddenly. "How can you just walk away?!"
Yusuke turned, tears dripping from emotionless eyes. "He did, didn't he..?" Not even caring to know who he was talking to.
"It's not like he WANTED to do that! He did it for you!"
The younger teen sighed, looking at the ground.
From up in one of the trees, a bat-like demon jumped down, landing in front of the younger teen.
Looking at the demon before him, he asked in a dull tone, "Who are you anyway?"
He swung his red pendant in a circle. "My name is Kuronue," he replied.
He nodded slightly, showing he understood.
He spun it until he held the pendant in his hand. "But how can you just walk away from him? Especially now."
He looked up at the demon. "Because it hurts.. to see this happening all over again.. And no matter what I do, he'll keep making me go through this pain.."
"And you think it's a walk through the park for him? He does it for you, sure, but that doesn't make it easy. Kurama's lost a lot in his life, and he just doesn't want to lose anyone he cares for anymore."
"I don't see what I can do.. even if I try to help, he'll push me away..." He sighed slightly. "It wouldn't have mattered if I had walked away tonight.. I would've gone after him sooner or later... Sooner then later."
"He pushes you away because he doesn't want you hurt. What would YOU do if you were in his position?"
The teen shook his head and walked past Kuronue, in the direction Karasu and Kurama had gone.
"Are you planning on going after them?" the tall demon asked.
"What do you think?" he asked, not stopping.
"Because, if you are, you're going the wrong way......."
He stopped. "This is the way they went.."
"They way they were walking in. But if you keep going that way, you're just going to find yourself in the park. If you don't know, Karasu now has the powers of Yin, which is how he was able to escape out of hell."
"Then where I should I go?" he asked, growing incredibly impatient with the demon before him.
He nodded his head in a different direction. "Follow me," he said, before turning and walking away.
Nodding, he followed. A small sigh escaped his lips. 'Why is everyone after Kurama?'
"Kurama was always sought after, even when we were in the Makai," Kuronue said suddenly. Then, looking at the young teen, he said, "Sorry. Didn't mean to pry into your mind......."
"That's all right.." he replied quietly.
"Would you like me to continue? Or, do you just want to drop it?"
"Keep going.." he replied, hoping for anything that might break the silence.
"Well, as I had said, even when Kurama and I were living in the Makai, he was sought after for his.......untamed beauty.......I can only assume that this was also so after I died. Even now, as Shuuichi Minamino, this is so. However, it's much harder for him now, because he no longer possess the power to protect himself as he did when he was Youko."
Yusuke nodded, looking down at the ground, not saying anything.
"And no matter how much I tried to teach him, he's STILL as stubborn as ever. I'm surprised he's not dead yet."
He smiled a little at the stubborn comment, but it soon turned back to a frown.
He looked at the younger teen. "You alright?"
He nodded slightly, looking up at the taller demon. "I'm fine.."
Kuronue smiled softly, almost sadly. "You two really care about each other, don't you?"
A small trace of a blush formed on his cheeks, and Yusuke looked away. "I... guess so.."
"I'm glad. I wasn't sure if he would be able to move on after I died. But, I should have known him better."
At this comment, the younger teen found himself wondering what would've happened if he hadn't come back one of the times he had died.
"Though, I must say it took him awhile. And I'm slightly surprised that he fell in love with someone who is.........part human..............."
"What's that got to do with anything?" he suddenly asked, making it sound a little more defensive then it should've been.
He shrugged. "I guess it just means that I don't know my old partner as well as I thought I did....."
"Oh.."
He nodded, his eyes holding a sad look. "Well, I suppose it's alright. It's not like I'm here forever anyway.........Not like we can make things the same again........"
"What do you mean?" he asked, slightly confused, but having an idea about what he meant.
"Can you guess?"
He sighed slightly. "Yes.."
"But don't worry about it. That was a long time ago..............Besides, I'm just here to help."
"Why?" he asked suddenly. "There is always someone helping us.. most of the time someone one or both of us doesn't know.. Like Yang.."
"Did Karasu tell you that it was because of Yin he was able to return to the living world?"
Yusuke nodded.
"So, how do you think I got here?"
"Oh..." he replied softly.
He nodded. "Yup. That's basically it."
He sighed again, looking around. I hope Kurama's all right.. "Where are we going?"
"When Yin and Yang died, their world exploded. But it was never truly erased. Now, it's just like an empty hole in between worlds. Since both Karasu and I possess the powers of Yin and Yang, we can transport ourselves, and others, to that place."
"So... we're going back there..?"
He nodded. "It won't be the same as when you were last there, though."
"I guess that's a good thing.." he replied.
Reaching the top of a high cliff, he looked down into the canyon. "How do you feel about jumping?" he asked.
He shrugged. "Jumping off a cliff? Piece of cake.."
"Well, that's where on of the portals to the world is. Let's get going." With that, the bat jumped over the cliff, disappearing before he hit the ground.
Nodding, he jumped into the portal, disappearing.
Kuronue landed on the black ground, swirled with white patterns. The area around him looked exactly the same.
Landing on the ground near Kuronue, Yusuke stood and looked around.
Standing to his full height, he began to walk away.
Yusuke followed closely. "Now where are we going?"
"You want to find Kurama, don't you?"
"Of course..."
"Well then, let's go."
Catching up to the demon, he stayed at the same pace. 'I wish I knew where we were going.. So I could get there faster.. I don't even want to think about what Karasu's done by now... How could I be so stupid..?' He mentally kicked himself.
"How are you stupid?"
Kicking himself again, he sighed. "Because its all my fault if anything happened to Kurama.." he replied softly.
"Kurama doesn't blame you. He never blames anyone, really. Just himself."
"I know Kurama doesn't blame anyone..."
"But you should know when it's really not your fault, and stop blaming yourself."
Yusuke sighed again. "Do we have to talk about this? I'd rather just find Kurama."
"Right......"
"What?" he asked, looking up at the demon.
"Nothing."
He sighed again, looking around at the surroundings. 'I hope we're almost there..'
Kuronue stopped suddenly, placing his hand on the wall in front of him.
Stopping also, Yusuke watched the demon curiously.
He walked along, his hand moving against the wall. When he stopped, sliding open a door.
Seeing a door slide open, Yusuke walked over.
The fox teen sat in the farthest corner of the room, leaning against the wall behind him, with his knees drawn up to his chest, his bangs shadowing his eyes.
Yusuke ran over to the teen, not even caring if Karasu was there or not. Dropping down in front of Kurama, he embraced him.
His eyes widened, his senses returning to him, as he realized exactly who was embracing him. "Yusuke..........?"
Closing his eyes, he smiled. "Yeah.. it's me.."
He closed his eyes, embracing the younger teen back.
"I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner.." he whispered.
He shook his head. "It's not your fault."
Pulling away, he finally looked over the teen. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," he replied.
"Good," he replied, and, taking the other teen's hand, he helped him up. "Come on, I think Kuronue is waiting.."
His eyes widened. "K.....Kuronue......?"
He nodded. "How do you think I got here?"
"I........I wasn't sure......But.....is he here? Now?"
"Yes, he's at the door waiting for us."
Kurama wasn't sure it was good or bad that Kuronue was there.
"Come on," he replied, pulling the teen across the room.
He allowed himself to be pulled until they got to the door, where he saw Kuronue waiting for them.
Looking up, the bat demon looked first as Yusuke, then at Kurama.
Yusuke pulled the teen out of the room.
He nearly stumbled, but caught himself, and looked up at the taller demon, slightly afraid of what he would say.
Kuronue smiled gently. "It's okay, Kurama."
The redhead let out a relieved sigh, obviously understanding what he meant.
The younger teen didn't say anything, just waited patiently.
"It's been a while, Kuronue," Kurama said.
"Yes, it has. I'm glad to see that you were able to move on after I died," he said, looking at Yusuke slyly.
The fox teen flushed slightly.
Yusuke blushed a little also.
He nodded to the two of them. "We better get going now. I don't know where Karasu is, but we should leave before he comes back."
The younger teen nodded in agreement, then looked at Kurama.
Kurama nodded, looking at the ground.
"It doesn't matter if you stay here, I'm not leaving.." Yusuke replied stubbornly, knowing what was on the teen's mind.
"No," Kurama said, still looking at the ground. "I'll go. I don't think I want to stay here any longer."
"Good.." he replied, still wondering what was on the other's mind.
Kuronue nodded, walking slightly ahead of the two.
Yusuke started walking also, staying next to Kurama as he did.
The fox teen nodded, keeping his eyes focused on the ground.
"Kurama... what's wrong?" he asked, watching the older teen.
"Nothing......"
"Liar..."
He said nothing in reply.
"Well... I guess if you don't want to tell me, you don't have to..."
The fox just inhaled deeply.
Yusuke sighed sadly, looking at the walls opposite the older teen.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Kuronue asked.
"I'm fine........" he replied.
"You're not walking straight, Kurama."
Hearing this comment, Yusuke looked over at the teen.
He stopped walking as he realized that Kuronue was right. As he stood, he seemed to sway slightly.
Concern filled Yusuke's chocolate orbs as he watched the older teen. "Do you.. want help?"
He closed his eyes, trying to find his balance. "No.....it's alright......"
The younger teen looked down at the ground. "All right.."
Kuronue stopped, looking at the redhead. "Are you sure?"
He nodded. "It's fine."
The bat shook his head, a sympathetic smile on his face. "You're just as stubborn as ever."
Yusuke sighed, glancing at Kurama from the corner of his eye. 'I really wish he would tell me what is bothering him..'
Opening his eyes, he felt as thought the room was spinning. His head pounding, he groaned slightly as he felt as though he was thrown off his feet.
The younger teen gasped and caught Kurama before he hit the ground. He looked down at the teen in his arms as his concern and pain filled eyes. "Please tell me what's wrong, Kurama.."
Kuronue, seeing the fox fall, took a step towards him, but stopped as Yusuke caught him.
"I.......I really don't know........" he replied quietly, almost breathlessly. "I........I wasn't like this before........"
The young teen closed his eyes and sighed softly. 'I wish Kurama didn't have to go through so much pain..' Opening his eyes, he looked back at the older boy.
Kuronue walked up to the two. "Kurama, are you sure he didn't do anything to you?"
"I don't know..................."
"What can you remember?"
"I..........I don't know............."
Kuronue looked down at the redhead. "Is it, you don't remember? Or you don't WANT to remember?"
The fox looked up at his friend, then back down at the ground.
"Kurama... no one can help you if you don't tell us.." Yusuke replied.
He closed his eyes tightly, tears running down his cheeks.
Yusuke embraced the teen tightly. "It's all right, Kurama.."
The red-haired teen shook his head. "No it's not," he whispered, barely audible.
The younger teen gently placed his head on Kurama's shoulder, sighing slightly. What am I supposed to say?
Kuronue sighed as well. "We should go," he said finally. "We're not safe here."
Yusuke nodded, slightly pulling away from the older teen. "Can you walk? Or do you want me to carry you?" he asked.
"I'll walk," he replied, getting to his feet. But, as soon as they touched the ground, he stumbled slightly.
The detective sighed. "Let me help, please?"
The fox nodded once, his headache not allowing him to do any more than that.
Placing one arm around the older teen's waist, he helped him walk forward.
The bat slowed his steps down slightly until he was walking next to his old partner. "Should we stay someplace for you to rest, Kurama?" he asked.
The fox looked up at him, fear mixed in his emerald orbs. "No. We should leave now. While we still have the opportunity."
The teen looked over at Kuronue, then to Kurama, nodding.
Kuronue nodded. "All right." And he continued to walk on.
Yusuke looked straight ahead, glancing occasionally at the older teen he was supporting.
He leaned against Yusuke, his body feeling slightly weakened. What's wrong with me? he wondered. I wasn't like this before......
Feeling the red head lean on him a little more, Yusuke looked over. "Feeling all right?"
"I......I guess......"
"If you're not feeling all right and you want to stop and rest, just say so.." he replied, keeping his eyes glued on the path ahead of them.
"No. I want to get out of here as soon as possible......."
Yusuke nodded slowly.
"Are you sure you don't remember what happened?" Kuronue asked.
He looked up at the demon in front of him, before looking down at the ground.
"You can tell us, Kurama..."
"I......I don't know............"
The younger teen sighed, looking away. "All right, I believe you."
The fox shuddered slightly.
Quickly looking at Kurama, he tilted his head, but didn't say anything, knowing what the teen's answer would be.
"How long do you think you've been here?" Kuronue asked suddenly.
Looking up, slightly confused, Kurama replied, "A......few hours, I guess......."
Yusuke blinked. "A few HOURS?"
He blinked, still confused. "I think so........It sure feels that way......."
"That's no surprise," the bat said. "The process of time in this world can be either faster or slower than in the other worlds. When you two were here, it was much slower, which is how two weeks in your world only seemed like a few days to you.
"But Karasu probably sped time up here, so a few hours to Kurama was only about half an hour to us."
A half an hour is STILL too long.. He sighed.
"Karasu had a LOT of time," Kuronue said. "Are you sure nothing happened, Kurama?"
"He already said he didn't know." The younger teen looked at the tall demon, pain in his chocolate orbs. "If he doesn't know, he doesn't know."
Looking at the two, he turned away. "Your mind may not remember," he said, "but your body seems to."
Yusuke looked away also, closing his eyes tightly.
Kurama still appeared confused. "What do you mean?"
Kuronue shook his head. "Never mind."
The dark haired teen opened his eyes and watched the other two.
The redhead looked at the ground. "I........know something happened, really..........But, I don't know what............"
"How could you not know?" he asked, slightly confused.
"I don't know," he replied honestly. "I........just can't......."
Yusuke nodded. He was still confused but didn't want to prod.
Kuronue stopped in front of a large white door. Opening it, he stepped in it, disappearing into the light.
The younger teen followed slowly, helping Kurama through also.
Kurama winced slightly as he stepped into the daylight. He blinked, trying to adjust his vision.
Blinking a few times, Yusuke looked around wondering where to go now.
Kuronue stopped, turning to look at the two of them. "So, do you two need to stay someplace for the time being? I haven't been here very long, but I'm sure Kurama's human mother won't be too happy with the way he looks now."
Yusuke nodded in agreement. "I suppose we could go back to my house.."
Kuronue nodded. "I think that would be the best choice."
Kurama kept his eyes on the ground, not saying anything.
The younger teen nodded again, and started walking forwards, his arm still around Kurama's waist.
Looking up, Kurama was about to say something, but Kuronue cut him off. "I'll take care of your human family," the bat said. "You just go rest." Jumping up into the air, the older demon disappeared.
"Don't worry." He gave a small smile. "Everything will be fine."
Kurama nodded, still looking at the ground. "Thank you," he said suddenly.
"You don't need to thank me.." he replied. "I am just glad you're all right.."
He nodded again.
The two walked out of the park and onto the sidewalk, towards Yusuke's apartment.
The redhead closed his eyes as they walked, not caring who bothered to look at them.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there sooner," Yusuke replied softly. "I guess I was stupid, feeling sorry for myself and everything.." He turned the corner carefully, trying not to bump into anyone.
"There's no reason for you to feel sorry. The way I was acting didn't really help matters, and I'm sorry about that."
He smiled slightly. "Don't be sorry. You were only doing it for everyone else's safety."
He nodded, closing his eyes as his headache slowly grew worse.
Yusuke noticed this action. He looked up, seeing his apartment just up ahead. Looking from the apartment to Kurama, he quickly picked the teen off his feet and ran to the building.
No longer walking, Kurama rested his head on Yusuke's shoulder, beginning to tremble slightly.
Feeling the boy in his arms tremble, Yusuke made his way as fast as he could to his apartment, opening the door and walking into his bedroom.
The redhead felt cold for some reason. Through his trembling, he shivered, if that were possible.
Placing the teen on his bed, Yusuke pulled the covers over the boy's body, leaving quickly to close the door and returning soon after. "Are.... are you all right?"
"I.....I don't know......."
Yusuke sighed, looking down at Kurama. "Well, do you at least want anything?"
He shook his head.
Nodding, Yusuke started for the door. "Then I'll leave you alone so you can get some rest."
Reaching out, he grabbed Yusuke's wrist before he could get any farther. "Please...." he said, almost frightened. "Don't leave me alone......"
The teen smiled sadly. "All right, I won't leave." With that he sat down on the bed next to the older teen.
He smiled back, looking slightly relieved. He pulled the sheets closer to his body as he shivered again.
"Do you want a heavier blanket?"
"I guess........"
Nodding, Yusuke stood and walked over to his closet, pulling out a heavier green blanket and draping it over Kurama.
He accepted it gratefully, rolling on his side and curling up, trying to preserve his body heat. He felt a little strange doing so, an action almost damaging to his pride, but he didn't mind, since it was only Yusuke who would ever witness such.
Smiling slightly again, Yusuke walked over and sat down on the bed, looking at the older teen.
He closed his eyes, feeling the bed sink slightly under Yusuke's weight. 'Why can't I remember?' he wondered. 'There are times when something almost comes back to me.....but it never does.....not totally........What's going on?'
The younger teen blinked and looked out the window, wondering what the red head was thinking about.
"Yusuke?"
"Hmn?" the younger teen looked back at the other on the bed.
"What exactly did Kuronue tell you? I mean, during the time you were with him?"
"He.. told me about why he and Karasu were here... that he was glad you had moved on after his death.. and.." The teen looked at the floor trying to remember anything else.
"Glad I moved on.....Did he mention anything else about that?"
"He... well he sounded a little sad when he said he wouldn't be able to make things the same again.."
Kurama nodded, opening his eyes to look at the wall opposite him.
"Are you all right?" he asked, hesitating slightly.
"Yes, I'm fine. Just......remembering, I guess......"
Yusuke nodded. "I see."
He shivered again, pulling the blanket closer to him.
Seeing the teen shiver again, he sighed sadly. I wish I could help you, Kurama.
"You're mom's coming," Kurama said suddenly.
"What? How do you know?"
"I'm still a fox," he replied, a slight sly, though tired smile on his face.
He smiled. "Oh yeah.." He looked toward his door. "Don't worry, she won't mind you being here."
"Maybe not.......but she'll wonder." He turned to lie on his back, looking at the younger teen. "What are you going to tell her?"
Looking at the ground, he thought about his choices. "I... I don't know.."
Suddenly, the door opened, as Atsuko came into the small apartment.
Yusuke stayed as quiet as possible, thinking up something to tell his mother.
As she entered the room, she looked at the two teens with a puzzled look.
"Hey Mom," Yusuke replied, grinning.
"So, what's going on here?" she asked, almost slyly.
"Nothing.."
As she looked at Kurama, he simply pulled the covers over his head. She smiled slightly. "Just as long as you two aren't sleeping together, or anything......."
Yusuke shook his head and rolled his eyes slightly at his mother's reply. "We're just talking.."
Beneath the covers, Kurama blushed slightly.
Suddenly noticing that the older teen had covered himself up fully, he chuckled.
Atsuko shrugged, walking into the kitchen. "Whatever. Just don't be doing anything you'll regret, alright?"
The redhead's blush deepened.
The teen rolled his eyes again, leaning over Kurama. "You can come out now."
"I'll just stay under here for a while, thank you."
"Aw, how come?" Yusuke asked, a hint of playfulness in his voice.
"It's quite comfortable under here," he replied, slightly embarrassed.
Climbing over the older teen, Yusuke sat in between Kurama and the wall, looking at him curiously.
He felt the younger teen move slightly, and he turned so he was on his side again, facing Yusuke, though the blanket was still over his head.
Blinking again, Yusuke tilted his head. "You know, it's kinda weird talking to a blanket."
"You're not talking to a blanket. You're talking to me, who happens to be under the blanket."
The teen laughed softly. "It's still weird."
The covers went down only enough to reveal emerald eyes. "Deal with it." And the covers went up again.
The younger teen smiled. "All right, if you wanna be that way.."
"I'm waiting for my face to cool down a bit."
Yusuke blinked. "What?"
"Just wait until some blood leaves my face....."
Gently taking hold of the blanket, Yusuke pulled it down away from the teen's face and grinned when he saw a bright red blush over his cheeks.
More blood rushed to his face as he reached for the covers and pulled it over his head again.
"Aw.. C'mon! It's not like I've never seen you blush before." he replied, a grin still on his face.
"Your MOM hasn't," he said in a hush whisper, "and I prefer to keep it that way........."
"But you're so cute when you blush, Kurama," he said playfully.
"Not helping."
"All right, I'm sorry.." Yusuke crawled back over the older teen and stepped off the bed.
"Where are you going?" the teen asked, the covers coming off as he sat up suddenly.
Turning around to face the teen, he smiled gently. "Don't worry, I'll just be a second... bathroom calls."
He relaxed slightly, lying back in the bed.
Walking out of the room, he noticed his mother sitting at the kitchen table. Smiling slightly, he walked past and into the bathroom.
Seeing her son go to the bathroom, Atsuko got up, heading into the bedroom. Seeing Kurama lie on the bed, she said, "So, what ARE you doing here? Not to be rude, or anything......"
Kurama sat up again, looking at her. "There was an.....incident......so Yusuke brought me back here...."
"I see. So, nothing happened?"
He flushed again, knowing what she meant. "No..."
Opening the door to the bathroom, Yusuke walked out and saw that Atsuko wasn't in the kitchen anymore.
She chuckled slightly. "I never imagined someone like you would blush, really."
He flushed deeper.
Walking in his bedroom and seeing the red blush on Kurama's face and his mom smiling, he blinked slightly.
Seeing the younger teen, Kurama averted his gaze out the window.
Noticing the older teen averting his gaze, Yusuke looked at his mother. "What did you say...?"
"Nothing, really. I was just asking some questions." She turned, walking back into the kitchen.
Yusuke sighed. "Mothers..."
Kurama looked back at the younger teen. "Yes, mothers can be like that."
Smiling back, Yusuke sat back down on the bed.
As the younger teen got on the bed, Kurama shivered slightly again, lying back down.
Why is it that Kurama only gets like this when I am near him? he wondered. He wasn't shivering when mom was in here...
What is this? he wondered, placing a hand on his chest. Every time Yusuke's near me...........Something happens inside my body.......it's always a physical reaction............What did Karasu do to me?!