Eternal Flame- Chapter Two
Dedicated to Angelkitsune
Disclaimer: I don't own YYH.
Thanks to my reviewers:
Kyra Malfoy- Ah, it's the brother with the first letter of the alphabet! I just realized you have the first, I have the last…and I hope you're happy! I hope you're happy now!
Angelkitsune- Domo arigato. Every one of my chapters is dedicated to you, my friend.
Ran-chans best friend- If you kill me, I won't be able to continue the story…
Note: This chapter is told in Kurama's POV.
This chapter may seem very rushed, but that's the kind of feeling I'm trying to convey. Everything in this story happens so fast…there's almost no time to think. Besides…I find many carefully-explained chapters take longer to write (note my quick update!) and are usually extremely dull. Please review!
…………………
That night I couldn't sleep. I had allowed the guilt and anger sweltering inside me to take control. I had accused my love of being heartless.
Really, I was the heartless one. My betrayal had hurt him deeply; I had been too selfish to understand that.
I made my way to Reikai early in the morning. I had to apologize to him, even if he rejected me again.
I was greeted by Koenma, in his older form, at the front gate. I found this unusual, for he was usually a child in appearance and in his office, hidden behind huge stacks of paperwork.
"I know why you came, and I'm afraid it's not possible," he said before I had a chance to open my mouth.
"What?" I questioned in surprise. "I can't speak with Touya?"
He slowly shook his head.
"Why not?" I asked, panic beginning to edge into my voice.
"My father...he won't allow it."
"What!"
He sighed and walked into the palace without a reply. I followed him in desperation.
"Sir, please-"
"I'm sorry, Kurama."
"You don't understand-"
"My father won't have it."
"I must-"
"You can't."
"But isn't there something-"
At this, he turned sharply to face me. "I assure you, I've already tried. There's nothing I can do."
He began to walk away, leaving me alone in the corridor.
"Why can't I talk with him! Just tell me why!" I yelled suddenly, purely out of desperation.
Koenma stopped short and sighed heavily.
"I had wanted to avoid this..."
He then slowly turned to meet my eyes.
"He's dead, Kurama."
It took a moment for his words to register in my mind. Even after they had sunk in, I did not believe the Reikai prince. Touya...dead? Impossible.
"You don't honestly think I'll believe that," I said in slight amusement.
He gave me a saddened stare. "I'm sorry, Kurama, but it's the truth. Touya was executed at midnight. I tried to change my father's decision, but nothing would sway him."
I slowly realized that he was not lying to me. I sank to my knees in disbelief. He was really gone...
"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked, half yelling, half sobbing.
"My father was afraid you'd interfere-"
"I didn't apologize to him, Koenma! I didn't even say goodbye!"
"Perhaps you still can."
I looked up. "How?"
"We haven't disposed of his body yet. I could take you to him if you wish."
&&&&&
I stood alone in the room with my love's lifeless body before me. He looked so peaceful lying there, as if simply sleeping. Still, a slash through the abdomen, one through each wrist...the doings of the executioner.
"I'm sorry, Touya..."
I stroked his pale face, ran my fingers through his soft hair.
"I'm sorry I couldn't save you..."
This was a sin above all sins. How I wished our roles had been reversed. He didn't deserve to die; I didn't deserve to live.
"I'm sorry I couldn't ease your pain..."
It was almost ironic. Through death, his pain was eased; my own pain simply intensified. But perhaps I could find the same relief.
"I'm sorry that I must do what I must do..."
I pulled a rose from my hair and used my energy to transform it into a long, sharp dagger. I held it close to my skin.
"Now I join you..."
Suddenly, the door to the room was thrown open, and in a flash I was pinned against a wall, the dagger forced from my grasp. Blood red eyes stared into my own.
"Hiei!" I spat, struggling against his strong hold. "What do you think you're doing!"
"I might ask you the same question," he replied calmly.
"I'm doing what I have to!"
His grip remained firm. "As am I."
"You're wrong!"
"So are you."
"Let me go!"
"I think not."
Blinded by rage, I threw all my energy into one attempt to break free, but only met with short success.
He pounced on me, and we both fell to the floor, grappling for the advantage.
"Let me go!" I yelled again.
"Why? So you can take your life?"
"It's what I must do!"
"For whose sake, Kurama? Yours?"
"It's none of your concern!"
He gained the upper hand and pinned me forcefully to the ground. "Listen to me, fox, and listen well. I will not allow you to be selfish this time."
"No, Hiei, you listen to me! It's my fault he's dead!"
"Tell me this, Kurama. Would he want you to take your own life?"
I knew all too well the answer to this question. As much as I hated to admit it, the fire demon was right. Slowly, I ceased my struggle.
After making sure I wouldn't try anything, he released me. We both sat up, panting.
"Why do you even care?" I asked after a few moments of silence.
"Because..."
He stopped suddenly. I gave him an expecting look. He sighed and looked away.
"Because you're my first and only true friend. Because I care for you too much to allow you to waste your life over someone you cannot bring back. Because..."
He stopped again and took a deep breath.
"...because...I love you, Kurama," he whispered.
I was shocked. Never had I thought Hiei...Hiei...would love me...and declare his love!
"Hiei...I..." I stuttered.
His head shot up and he stared into my eyes.
"You belong to Touya, and only to Touya. I will not try to take you from him."
He paused, and continued softly.
"But...as your friend...I will try to help you through your grief."
Very suddenly a wave of my unreleased emotions hit me at once, a tsunami of happiness and guilt and despair and gratitude washing over my heart.
"Hiei..." I whispered.
I threw myself into his embrace and buried my face in his cloak. "He's gone...Touya's gone," I sobbed.
Only minutes before he had been forcefully keeping me from wasting my life, but now he simply held me close and let me weep.
&&&&&
Months passed by slowly, and with each day I learned to accept Touya's absence from my life. Hiei was there for me, helping me as promised. Little by little, the wounds began to heal. Still, there was a scar on my heart that I knew would never mend.
Then, one day, something unexpected happened.
I came home from a hard day at school. The girls had been especially loud, the boys had been especially annoying, the teachers had kept me to ask for my opinion of their classes.
I walked into my room and began to unbutton my uniform top, intending on changing into more comfortable clothing. I hung the shirt in my closet and turned toward my bed.
My eyes grew wide as a soft, familiar smile greeted me.
