Author's Notes: I got permission from my cousin to re-post this because this is her idea and she wrote the first chapter. Since she's moved she's had little access to a computer therefore not being able to update her story(s). This story is under new management as of today! The new chapter will be uploaded ASAP Reviews are always welcomed with gratitude! –Farewell xBlackfirex
Warning(s): Language coming from our fellow spirit detectives. Also severe blood-shed in later chapters.
Summary: After the passing of his dear mother, Kurama seems to be his usual sweet self. But when all of the YYH females are murdered one by one will all fingers point to the beloved fox spirit? R&R
"Live, Love, or Die?"
First Chapter written by: Hiei'sFireyGurl52890
Reposted and Continued by: XBlackfireX
He held her hand within his own. Her hand. It felt like ice to his gentle touch. He hadn't left her bedside from the moment she was rushed in. Unshed tears burnt his eyes, but he refused to be seen crying. This had happened once before and luckily she had been spared with no cost. But now there was absolutely nothing he could do about it. Nothing. Her breathing became shallower as she gave her last ounce of strength to speak to her only son whom she cherished so deeply.
"Sh-Shuichi? My dear sweet son. I'm sorry I can't stay here and protect you anymore. Oh Shuichi I will always love you for who you are. Please don't ever change my son. I…..love you," she whispered laying a faint kiss upon his hand. His eyes began to emit tears.
"No, please, mother don't leave me. Please. Mother? Mother!!?" Her hand fell from his as she exhaled her final breath. It felt like all time had stopped. He could feel Yoko cry out in anger deep within him. He gently closed his eyes, allowing the painful tears to trail down his face. She clasped her hand over her mouth as she pulled her ear away from the door.
"What? What the hell happened Botan?" Yusuke asked, arising from his chair in the hallway. Botan stood at the door tears rapidly developing her eyes. "She. She's gone" Botan whispered to the spirit detective. Yusuke looked stunned. He quickly fell back into his chair. Botan placed her ear back against the door only to hear a sound that brought more pain to her heart. The sobs of a loving son who had just lost the most precious gift anyone could ever receive……….. A loving mother.
The day of the funeral passed quickly. Everyone had shown up to try and comfort the spirit fox. Kurama just smiled and insisted he was 'quite alright.' After everyone else had left, only his friends remained.
"Oh Kurama I'm so sorry," Yukina comforted giving Kurama a hug.
Kurama spoke softly, "Thank you Yukina. Your comfort along with everyone else's has truly ensured me of having the world's greatest companions."
"Hey man. I'm sorry."
Kurama turned his eyes to meet Yusuke's. Seeing the spirit detective actually sharing pity with another was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. Kurama gave thanks to everyone and curiously glanced around in search of another. Alas the one he was in search of wasn't there.
2 weeks later
"So you guys haven't seen him since the funeral?" Kuwabara asked, kicking a small stone in his pathway. Keiko and Yusuke nodded in unison.
"I did see him about a week ago. He looked different in a way. I don't know. I've been trying to get Yusuke to go over and talk to him, but Yusuke is as stubborn as ever and refuses to go over there," Keiko remarked throwing Yusuke a frustrated glare. Yusuke 'hmphed' and dug his hands deep within his green pants.
"So sue me. I'm into the whole talky-talky thing."
"Well maybe I should go see what's going on. I feel really bad for missing the funeral. How was I supposed to know that my folks were planning some "quality time" mystery trip?"
Keiko gave into a laugh and turned her eyes to Kuwabara's, "How was the whole trip?"
"Pah! Try sitting in car for three hours listening to Shizuru yap on her cell phone, Adikitchi meowing up a storm, and a dozen rounds of ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall!" Kuwabara muttered also digging his hand in his pockets. Yusuke let out a small laugh as well.
"That sounds great Kuwabara. Well when you're done at Kurama's be sure to tell Yusuke and me everything. See ya!" Keiko waved grabbing onto Yusuke's arm.
"Woo-hoo and where are you two going??" Kuwabara shouted back placing his hands at the sides of his mouth. Keiko blushed furiously.
"Yusuke is taking me to the mall!"
"I am??" Yusuke asked her aloud. Keiko placed a light kiss on his lips.
Yusuke's thoughts changed quickly, "I AM!"
Kuwabara laughed to himself, walking in the opposite direction towards Kurama's place. His mind drifted off into the clouds. He closed his eyes calmly as he pictured as certain ice apparition in a blue bikini. He could already feel himself start to blush when he bumped into something or rather someone. Shocked at the impact, Kuwabara fell back. He looked up to meet a pair of magenta eyes.
"Botan?"
"Hello Kuwabara. I'm sorry I should have watched where I was going," she smiled helping herself up and than putting out a hand to help Kuwabara up. Kuwabara took her hand, and than dusted himself off a bit.
"Nah I should've watched were I was walking. My bad. Hey where are you going with those books, and is that a new hairstyle or somethin?"
Botan blushed grabbing at her two ponytails, "I just wanted to try out something new with my hair……… Oh and these little books! Well about a month ago Kurama lent me these books. It turns out I was so busy I forgot to return them!"
Kuwabara raised his eyebrows up and down, "Are they pictures of naughty she-foxes?" Botan smacked him on the head with one of the books.
"No you pervert! Here take a look," Botan scolded handing him a medium sized book. Kuwabara opened the book to the first page. His eyes squinted as he attempted to read the bold letters.
"The basic morale of physics is com, com, com,"
"Comprehended dear," Botan corrected placing her finger on the word.
"Hey thanks. The basic morale of physics is com-pre-hended in diff-erant ways. Hmm? What's that all about?" he asked shutting the cover and raising an eyebrow. Botan snatched the book going into a fit of giggles. The two of them walked side by side. It was quiet. Too quiet.
"Uh so……….heard from fox-man lately?" Kuwabara aroused breaking the silent haze that had engulfed them. Botan's eyes seemed to soften at the simple question.
"I'm afraid I haven't. I do believe something is troubling him though. At the funeral his spirit energy seemed to take a serious nosedive," Botan answered recalling Kurama's actions that day. Kuwabara rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.
"I feel really bad missing that funeral. Anyone else that didn't show up?"
"Hmmm well let me see, oh yes! Hiei also wasn't there. But you can't rely on him for anything. You would think he would have at least the smallest bit of sympathy. After all out of anyone I would think Hiei trusts Kurama the most. Hmph just the thought is making me angry." The two stopped at Kurama's house. The lights seemed to be out, and a cold feeling seemed to fill the air. Kuwabara gave into a shiver.
"I dunno Botan. Maybe he wants to be alone."
Botan shook her head walking up to the door. Kuwabara trailed behind, cowering behind Botan for protection. Botan knocked on the door gently. No answer. Not even the slightest movement was heard. Again she knocked, and again no answer. Becoming worried she spoke aloud, "Kurama? Kurama dear it's me Botan. I just wanted to return some books I borrowed from you." Kuwabara felt a sudden change in the spirit energy that surrounded the house. It took a swing from disturbed to anger.
"Whoa Botan maybe we should leave, NOW, just leave the books on the doorstep and lets get the hell outa here," he exclaimed grabbing her wrist and tugging it gently. Botan also felt the change in the energy. She placed the books down and followed Kuwabara back onto the sidewalk.
He ran faster, and faster with every breaking second. He was thrilled to be over with the undercover case that Koenma had bestowed on him because of his speed. How wonderful it would be to be back with his friends. Especially a certain kitsune. He stopped breathlessly a few miles from Kurama's house. He hadn't been around for the past couple of weeks and seeing the human world again, rather than Makai, he was happy. He actually felt pleasure seeing the "useless" ningens walk around, as he had put it. He sensed two figures moving in on him. He quickly bounded to a nearby tree branch waiting for them to pass.
"I didn't like what I felt back there. It kind of freaked me out."
"I hope there's nothing wrong with him. I don't know what we would do if something were to happen to him."
Hiei's eyes narrowed as he saw the two walk out of sight. What had Kuwabara been talking about? What had he felt? The fire yokai continued on his way, keeping in thought what he had heard. He came to a sharp halt as he felt an extremely powerful, yet unusual, spiritual force. He came to the usual window, which always remained open, so that he could enter. He shuddered. An unwelcoming haze of an unfriendly force surrounded him as he entered the home. He felt coldness in the air. And being a fire yokai it was extremely difficult to sense coldness.
"Kurama?" he called out wondering what the hell was going on. He remained walking keeping his hand near the hilt of his sword. He entered Kurama's room. It seemed the same.
"It's good to see you, Hiei."
Hiei turned to meet eyes with Kurama or what appeared to be him at least. He appeared to be the same. His eyes held anger, and lacked the gentleness they usually embraced. His voice cold, yet quite strong.
The fire yokai took a step back, "Who the hell are you?"
Kurama seemed to be amused with the question he had heard. He laughed softly, "Now Hiei is that the way to greet a friend you haven't made contact with for a month's time?"
Hiei's eyes widened. It seemed to be Kurama by the way he laughed. Also the use of his words pattern described him. "You seemed to have changed……………..I can sense a great disturbance. What has happened?" Hiei asked not taking his crimson eyes off Kurama for a second.
Kurama yet again gave into a laugh. "Let me see where should I start. First you go off not bothering to tell anyone, particularly me, where your going. Then I loose someone very important to me," he paused drawing in a breath. Hiei looked taken back.
"Loose someone? Kurama what are you.........."
Kurama turned not bothering to care for nothing more Hiei had to offer. He kept his back turned as he spoke softly.
"She's gone."
He raised an eyebrow, "She? Kurama what do you," Hiei's eyes widened as reality finally came in toll with him. How could he have been so stupid? He had gone off knowing that Kurama's mother was ill, but he hadn't the faintest idea she would perish as he ventured. He bowed his head in respect.
"I see. Kurama you'll have to understand I never,"
"You never what Hiei?! You weren't there when she died! Do you know how hard it was for me to watch someone I cared for so deeply die? None the less I couldn't do a damn thing about it! It was harder than anything I have ever experienced!"
"Kurama…"
"And than the one person I expected to come to the funeral doesn't show up. That's low Hiei even for a highly skilled person as yourself. Now leave."
"It wasn't…."
"I said leave dammit!"
Hiei continued staring into the bitter eyes of his friend. He turned and vanished in a black blur. Kurama's eyes flashed as a cold smile came across his face. "As planned."
"Ya got any threes?"
"Go fish."
"You do too have threes."
"How do you know are you cheating again?"
Yusuke glared at Kuwabara from the other side of the table. Kuwabara also glared at Yusuke. Yusuke brought out his hand, a drop of sweat running down his face, as he picked up a card that lay at the top of the deck. His brown eyes trembled as he brought the card into his view. A victorious smile came across his face as he shot up from his chair.
"Yee-haw! Read em' and weep Kuwa-baka," he boasted laying down his pairs of threes. He then reached for a small pile of yen that stood in the middle of the table. Kuwabara threw his cards on the table and sighed.
"It's pointless playing with you Urameshi. I just can't win."
"Heh maybe that's because you play by the rules," Yusuke mumbled.
"What was that?"
"Huh? Oh nothing, nothing I was just saying lets get something to eat."
"Yea I'm hung," Kuwabara paused as his smile vanished leaving an extreme look of worry.
Yusuke stood behind him pulling his ears teasingly, "Aw what's wong widdle Kuwabawa?"
"Something ain't right," Kuwabara whispered. Yusuke's playful grin also faded as he felt his friend's shoulders shaking.
"Whoa man what's wrong with you?"
A large noise was heard coming from the front door. The both turned and headed for the door. Yusuke reached out to open it when Kuwabara took his hand. Yusuke turned aggravated eyes to him.
"It's my house," he told him irritably.
"Urameshi don't……open……the……door," Kuwabara said spacing out his last four words. Yusuke rolled his eyes not heeding Kuwabara's words. He opened the door slowly. Kuwabara's eyes widened in fear at what they saw. All sound had diminished. Only the sound of Yusuke's heartbeat could be heard.
"Y-Yusuke."
Yusuke caught Keiko as she fell into his arms. Her clothes were soiled with her own blood. Her eyes were dull and contained no life. Blood seemed to be dripping from the corner of her mouth. Yusuke's arms trembled as he held her lifeless body. Kuwabara knelt down and placed a hand on Yusuke's trembling shoulder. Yusuke shook his head as tears fell down his face and landed on Keiko's bloody attire.
"No. No! Keikoooo!!!!!"
To Be Continued…….