LOVE CONQUERS ALL

"BAKA!" Shizuru screams so loud that the windows in the apartment shake a little. She has a cigarette in her hand and is standing in front of her brother, Kuwabara. "You're not serious!"

Kuwabara stares off to one side with a blank, emotionless expression on his face. "Of course I am Shizuru. I've never been more serious." The tone in his voice was very impassive.

"You could die if you go to the Makai!" Shizuru inhales.

"I know. But…I'll protect myself. I'm strong enough."

"You have no way to get there!" She exhales.

"I'll ask Koenma for a favor. I'm sure he'll grant it."

"Still…it's stupid."

"I know. But I must try."

It's been months since Yukina's departure. Kuwabara's soul has been diminishing, little by little each day. But now, he has decided to go to the ice world and see Yukina. Perhaps by seeing her, he can recover the parts of his soul he lost.

"I just don't want you to get killed and come back safely." Shizuru has become much more calm.

"I don't guarantee that I'll come back."

"Nani!" Shizuru punches Kuwabara in the face. "What are you saying!"

"Oneesan…." Kuwabara looks at Shizuru with such focus, such seriousness in his eyes. He was completely unaffected by the punch.

Oneesan…he hasn't called me that in ages. Shizuru went from calm to angry to confused.

"I have given this lots of thought. I know that once I go to the Makai, I won't be able to come back. So I had to choose…you or Yukina? I have been separated from Yukina so many times. I just thought to myself…No more…no more. I do not want to be away from Yukina anymore. Gomen nasai Shizuru…but…I must leave you behind." Kuwabara walks past her and to the front door.

"Otooto-san…you can't leave me alone…not now…not ever…" Shizuru leaves her back turned.

Kuwabara opens the door, carrying his stuff with him. "Gomen Shizuru…farewell." He leaves the apartment and closes the door. Shizuru's left behind, entirely gone from reality. She just stares at the wall, hoping it'll give her some answers. There she stays for a long time.

I'm sorry my sister. I truly am.

Kuwabara walks in the darkness towards…nowhere. He has no way of getting to Koenma. My destination is the Makai…but I have no way of getting there.

He stares at the ground while walking, totally unaware of his surroundings. He had no idea that a dark figure was in his path. Walking right past the figure, Kuwabara continues on his journey.

"…I could have killed you six times. Pay attention to your surroundings more…baka."

That voice…I'd know that annoying voice anywhere. Kuwabara stops in his tracks and turns around. "Hiei, what are you doing here?"

"Hn. Wouldn't you like to know." Hiei speaks in his usual, unreadable tone.

"Not now shrimp. I'm not in the mood." Kuwabara mimics Hiei's previous manner.

"Like I really care."

"Then if you'll excuse me, I'll be on my way." Kuwabara turns around and continues walking, back towards Hiei.

As Kuwabara walks away, Hiei speaks.

"You're going to the Makai, aren't you? To Glacier Village where Yukina is at?"

Kuwabara stops again, just like he did previously. "How do you know about that?" He turns towards his little ex-comrade.

Hiei walks slowly to Kuwabara. "I'm the one that took her there. I'd figure you'd come after her, even though you wouldn't last two minutes alone."

Grr…he took Yukina to the demon world? Without me knowing? He really is a bastard.

"Damn you Hiei…for making me go through what I had to."

Hiei stops in front of him. "My pleasure." He smirks so evil-like.

Kuwabara tries to ignore that last remark. "Demo… why are you here again?"

Hiei's face goes from smirking evilly to extreme seriousness.

"First, let me say that I have come here of my own free will. During these last months, I have noticed Yukina acting very… dark… empty… depressed. Her usual cheerful self is gone. It's as if your stupidness and your constant strive for her attention has bottled up that darkness and was concealed from everyone.

But now, that darkness is poking its ugly head out. It's sickening to see Yukina like that. Every time I visit her, she has become more and more cold, almost like me. That's why I've come. I have come to bring you to Yukina."

Kuwabara remained silent throughout Hiei's whole speech, taking in every word the little koorime said. As the words sink in, he speaks. "Really?"

"Hai." Hiei passes by him and keeps on walking. "Now hurry up or you'll be left behind."

Why is he doing this? Hiei, doing something nice? Doesn't sound like the same shrimp I know.

"Hiei, doushite?" Kuwabara turns to him.

"I'm doing this for Yukina, not you, remember that. This will probably be the only time I ever assist you. Now come on!"

No…there has to be a better reason. We will see.

Kuwabara runs up and catches up to Hiei. Both disappear in the shadows together as it starts to rain.

Two rivals working together for one purpose, the happiness of Yukina. One's sister…and one's love.

ya see, in this raining scene, after Kuwa left, Shizuru ran out to go to Kurama's place. i didn't say that but that explains why Shizuru was soaking wet from running in Kitsune's Rose.