Disclaimer: I don't own YYH.
Dedicated, of course, to Angelkitsune. I hope you like the last chapter, Kitty-chan!
Thanks to my other reviewers:
xKokurox- I'm sorry, I'm sorry I left a cliffhanger! I was going to update a lot sooner, but I was…distracted… But thanks so much! I'm so glad you like this and Eternal Winter!
Kimi Keiko- Oh, it's you again. lol j/k Had to kill him…that's the point of the whole story, dear "brother."
Neori- I as well am tired of Hiei/Kurama pairings. There are way too many of 'em…which is why I write Touya/Kurama!
FujiriceCakes- You'll find out in this chapter! Enjoy!
Hello, and welcome to the final chapter of Eternal Flame. Please keep in mind this is a Touya/Kurama fanfic (as if you haven't already noticed…) This chapter will be told in…er…maybe I shouldn't tell you, because the POV is quite clearly explained. But it's not Kurama, I can tell you that much…
Anyway, enjoy the last chapter, and please review!
…………………
He looked as if he had just seen a ghost. His eyes were wide with astonishment, and not a muscle in his body moved. His pale skin was bathed in silver light, his brilliant hair shone with the brightness of a thousand stars, his mouth hung slightly open.
His emerald eyes glistened in the moonlight as he gaped at me. I stared right back at him, not saying anything. I wanted him to be the first to speak. He deserved that much after what I had done.
After a few moments, I began to grow impatient, but I forced myself to hold my tongue. I had limited time. If he didn't kiss me...
"T-Touya?" he whispered in disbelief, almost daring himself to speak my name.
I slowly smiled at him.
"But...Koenma told me you were dead..."
"I was dead," I replied softly.
"Then how..."
My gaze silenced him. "Three nights ago, something terrible happened. King Enma, Lord of the Spirit World, was assassinated."
A small gasp escaped the fox's lips.
"Koenma, of course, was heartbroken..." I continued, raising an eyebrow to let him know I spoke with sarcasm. "So...after two days of mourning, he took on full responsibility as Ruler of the Spirit World. That means no more foolish child form...and no more of his father's foolish grudges."
I could tell he understood what I was saying, but he was still hesitant to believe. I had to confirm it for him.
"Koenma knew how much you suffered because of my death. And so, the first thing he did after assuming the role of Lord..."
Again I smiled.
"He brought me back, Kurama."
My time was growing thin. Of course, I was leaving out the time limit...I was forbidden to tell him of it. He had to kiss me of his own free will before time ran out. If he didn't...I would instantly disappear forever, and he would never see me again, not even in death.
Quite suddenly, a tear ran down Kurama's cheek. "I thought I'd never see you again..." he said. "I had been on my way to see you when Koenma told me...I had wanted to apologize..."
He looked down, and I could hear the small splatters of tears hitting the floor.
"I had no right to call you heartless, for that's a lie...you have the warmest heart of all the people I know..."
I was surprised to hear him speak like this. I? Warm-hearted? No, that couldn't have been right. I was ice, not fire. My heart could never be warmed. Could it?
"I'm the heartless one. I was too selfish to understand your pain, too selfish to know how you could possibly refuse my apology!"
His fists clenched at his sides, and the tears came more rapidly now.
"And it's true...I was hurting as well...but nothing compares to the pain I put you through...!"
"Kurama!" I exclaimed.
He looked up at my sudden voice and stared into my eyes, waiting for me to continue. But I fell silent. My purpose was not to speak; only to calm him.
He looked away again, tears staining his perfect features.
"Now I know my mistakes," he murmured. "I refuse to make them again. And so, Touya...I understand if your forgiveness is impossible. I simply must make my deepest apology heard."
"You are forgiven, kitsune," I whispered.
His head jolted up, and I could see disbelief in his eyes.
I smiled. "I suppose I have learned my mistakes, as well. I spoke to you out of anger, words never meant to be said. And so, being presented with a second chance..."
His warm lips were on mine before I could finish. His arms were wrapped around my body, holding me tight. I let my own fall limp at my sides, for I could not pull myself closer than he already held me.
"I love you, Touya," he breathed as we broke apart. "I promise...never again will I let you go."
I smiled, partly because he had kissed me before the deadline, which would have been up in another few seconds...but mostly my smile was due to his vow.
"I love you as well, my kitsune. Thank you...for everything."
He seemed puzzled by my gratitude, but he simply leaned toward me, and we shared another passionate kiss.
&&&&&
Eternal winter. That's what I was; that's what I am.
Even so, I can feel my love's cool breath on my skin.
I know the warmth of his lips against mine.
I have felt the sting of his betrayal, but also the joy of his repentance.
I have finally found peace in the eternal winter. Ice is my home; ice is my life. But even the coldest ice can melt if exposed to the right flame.
Kurama will always be my eternal flame, slowly melting the ice of eternal winter that encases my heart.
