DISCLAIMER: I don't own YYH…but Mai and all my original characters are mine—so no stealing! (but I do not own Linkin Park or any music or bands)
a/n: …um okay, before all of you start throwing pitchforks at me for this next part…PLEASE DON'T BE MAD AT ME! I decided on this a long time ago…and I really haven't found a good way around it (or at least one that I liked…)
Anyway…
Cookies to my reviewers! (or at least what's left of them)
Umeko Saito: NOOOOOOOOOO MY COOKIES! T.T
XxXHellzFireAngelXxX: um…heh, once again, don't hate me for this next part :nervous laugh:
Shadowkitsune7: You're welcome! Hehe, well here's your super-yummy update! LoL
Little Sakura 87: LoL, what is with everyone and cookies this chapter? Yeah, but Genkai rocked! T.T WE'LL MISS YOU GRANDMA! (hehe, or at least until the end of the Dark Tournament Saga, right?)
Thoughts
Forever Fornever II
:The Beginning of the End: Live:
Mai shifted slightly as the sunlight danced before her eyes. She squinted through the glow at the window in front of her and moaned softly. For a long time, the guardian rolled onto her back and lay staring up at the ceiling.
It was almost as if everything was a blur…everything that had happened the previous day was all a shadow in her mind. Like…like if she stayed in bed any longer, Genkai would burst through the door and start firing spirit bullets at her until she could scramble out from beneath the sheets.
She slowly and carefully closed her eyes; hoping that it really was just some horrible dream. But deep in her heart—no matter how much she wished against it—she knew that old woman would never return…
Not many people did after they had died…
The guardian hugged her pillow to her chest and sighed heavily. Above all else, she dreaded leaving the comforts of her bed…she dreaded returning to the reality that had turned into a terrible nightmare…
All she wanted…was to just fade away…
"Tell Urameshi I'm looking forward to our fight…"
Her eyes snapped open suddenly as a cold sweat appeared along her brow.
"But when you and Urameshi came to Tarukane's mansion, there was something about the passion he had when he fought…" there was a sudden glint in his eyes, "the passion he had when he was protecting you…"
Mai sat up abruptly and clutched her head; trying to shut out the images of the apparition.
No…no she couldn't…
He couldn't—
…Not without her…
Urameshi wasn't going into this without her…They were a team, and she would make sure it stayed that way until the end…
She absently massaged her brow. But her fingers stopped when they began to trace along the edges of the stones etched along her forehead. The guardian paused as she felt over the smooth rocks…
But as she did so however, she suddenly felt a surge of energy race through her fingertips. Mai didn't seem surprised by this, but she abruptly removed her hand from her head and stared off at the ground in front of her.
…They were going to show Genkai, once and for all, what she had done for them…
…and what they could do with the powers she had bestowed…
Determined now, the guardian suddenly rose to her feet and made her way towards the dresser at the other end of the room; reaching out towards her fighting outfit…
Only to hesitate as her fingers made contact with the fabric waiting for her. Mai's eyes grew distant suddenly as she stared at the uniform…
…It only occurred to her now how much it resembled Genkai's…
She stared at it sadly…she supposed wearing it had always been a way for her to show her admiration for the old woman…
…Heh…
A lot of good that did them…
The guardian absently slipped it over her head and sighed. For a long time, the darkness of the room swallowed her; leaving her to linger in her thoughts—
But then she quickly shook her head and ran her fingers through her hair. No, not now…she wouldn't let herself get tangled up in it right now…
So if Genkai somehow had a problem with her ignoring her death—then that old woman would have to come down from Rekai and say it to her face.
Mai tightened the sash around her waist tightly before she opened the door into the main room. She paused for a moment as she stared at her companions sitting silently before her…the silence was almost deafening…
There would be no more practicing…and no more second chances from this point on...
…This was the beginning of the end.
She stopped however, when she realized Yusuke was not among the team. A small frowned furrowed along her face as her head turned towards the detective's room. The door was closed, and from the crack beneath it, she could tell it was still dark inside.
What did that idiot think he was doing? This was there final match, and he wasn't even ready yet!
Silently, she moved across the room towards his door. Kuwabara looked up as she went to go stand next to the room's entryway.
"Good luck trying to get him to come out, Mai," he told her, "He hasn't shown his face since last night…"
But Mai was determined…even though by now, her features had softened slightly. She paused as her hand stretched out towards the handle. Maybe…he hadn't overcome his grief after all…
She knocked softly, "Yusuke…?" her hand reached out towards the knob, "…Yusuke, we're going to be leaving soon…"
The guardian cautiously turned the handle and let the door creak open. It took a moment before her eyes were able to adjust to the gloom—but when they did she found the detective sitting along the bedside. The only light came from the open window in front of him.
Mai quietly stepped inside and closed the door behind her. She watched him sadly as he wallowed in his despair. And carefully, she took a step towards him…
The guardian waited a long time, but Urameshi didn't stir.
"…Yusuke…?"
Abruptly, she started when the detective suddenly stood. His gaze was hooded and his eyes never left the ground.
She watched him worriedly as he stood in front of her. The detective's eyes remained hooded and locked on a point in front of him. It might have just been her…but he almost looked as though he was being weighed down by an invisible burden.
"Yusuke…?"
Mai saw him shake his head slowly. Cautiously, she took another step closer to him…but even then he didn't make any acknowledgement that she was there…
By now, she was growing angry; was he still depressed over Genkai? Dammit, she was still hearbroken over it—but at least she wasn't still moping around! They were supposed to go up against Toguro and he was still sulking in his room!
Urameshi was still silent and the guardian felt her hand balling into a fist; shaking angrily.
So without warning, Mai suddenly slapped him across the face. Angry tears filled her eyes and rolled down her cheek.
His head jerked with the blow and a red welt appeared along the side of his cheek.
…But still he didn't move…
"Yusuke, you ass—!" Mai cut herself off suddenly when she realized that the detective had caught her wrist, "Eh…?" She blinked when she realized that he wasn't holding it forcefully—as if he were mad at her…but gently…as if he was holding her hand. The guardian noticed him watching her hand before he lowered his gaze again.
"…I'm sorry, Mai…"
She blinked again in surprise, "What? I was the one who just slapped you! What could you—?"
Mai was suddenly cut off as Yusuke placed his hands on her shoulders. Without giving her any warning, Urameshi pulled her towards him in one sweeping motion…
"Yusuke, what—?"
--Her eyes became hidden beneath her veil of crimson hair. But from within, the detective could hear her quiet sobs while her shoulders trembled. Teardrops fell from behind her hair, but she didn't seem to try and prevent them from coming.
Yusuke slowly let go of her and her fists clenched at the ground beneath her. He watched as the tears streamed down her face; his gaze softened as she continued to cry.
He sighed, but said nothing. After a long, hesitant pause, the detective found himself reaching out to her. And without waiting for a reaction, his arms suddenly wrapped around her and pulled her towards his chest.
It was almost as if she hadn't even noticed, but her sobs continued. Her tears stained his shirt, even though Urameshi didn't seem to mind. The detective wrapped his arms around her in a protective fashion just as he felt her hands clutching weakly at his shirt.
Both of them sat in silence for the longest time—all save for Mai's muffled sobs. From a little ways off, Kira watched the pair curiously with her head cocked. Yusuke pressed her tighter to him and Mai let out a small hiccup.
"You're…You're hopeless you know that?" he said quietly.—
--She smiled gently and suddenly pointed upwards, "Oh look, Yusuke!" Mai cried and stared up at the sky, "It's snowing!"
Confused, the detective followed her gaze to find the flurries drifting down from the heavens above. The guardian smiled as the snowflakes began to flutter around them; gentling catching themselves in her locks of crimson hair.—
--"Okay…" Kuwabara though another moment longer, "I dare you…" he snickered as the idea came to him, "I dare you to kiss Urameshi!"
"WHAT?" both Mai and the detective shouted in unison.
"I can't do that—!" Yusuke cried.
"I would never kiss Urameshi!"
The detective suddenly froze and blinked. He turned towards the guardian, folding his arms over his chest, "What do you mean 'you would never kiss me'? Are you trying to imply something, Mai?" he demanded.
She stared at him, "What! No! It's just that I—I mean…I can't…"—
--"Stop it, Yusuke!" she screamed as tears swelled within her eyes, "You're killing yourself! I can't stand it anymore, Yusuke! I can't stand the thought of you leaving me alone!"—
--"You're stuck with me, remember?"—
--They were a team, and she would make sure it stayed that way until the end—
Her eyes grew wide suddenly when she realized that his lips were against her own. It wasn't a fierce kiss that those jerks stole in romance movies…
But it was gentle…
…Almost to the point where it was sad…
The guardian blinked and stared at the detective in front of her. What…what the hell was he thinking? What was wrong with him? She asked herself, nearly horrified—but despite this, she felt her defenses leaving her…
…and simply giving way…
Mai started suddenly when she realized that Yusuke was crying. His tears traced her lips sadly and she tasted the salty liquid in her mouth…
But then she abruptly felt him pulling her away and lowered his gaze a final time…
"This…maybe the last time I'll be able to see you…" he whispered.
She blinked at him; still trying to recover from her shock. But when she finally did, she forced an unconvincing laugh, "What are you talking about, Urameshi?" she wondered with a poor excuse for a smile, "We're going to beat Toguro and win the t—"
"Please…" he murmured, "…Live for me, Mai…"
The guardian blinked, "Wha—?"
Everything has to end…
you'll soon find we're out of time
to watch it all unwind
The sacrifice is never knowing…
Her eyes suddenly grew wide…and a flash of pain crossed over her face.
Mai's vision blurred fiercely as she stared up at the detective; her hand weakly reaching up towards him…
"…ke…"
Urameshi reached out his arm and caught her as she fell. With one hand holding the guardian off the ground, his other was balled into a fist that was steadily glowing in a light blue light.
His gaze hardened and became hooded…but that didn't stop several tears from running down his face.
"…I'm sorry, Mai…"
The detective was swept into a silence as he cradled her body to him; tears silently tracing his face. He stared down at her unconscious form for only a moment…before he gritted his teeth and lifted her into his arms.
Carefully, he placed her along the bed and leaned over her body sadly as several more tears raced down the side of his face.
"…I'm so sorry…"
"Urameshi?"
Yusuke didn't have to turn to recognize Kuwabara's voice. Behind the redhead, both of their other teammates peered into the room.
Noticing Mai, Kurama quickly turned to the detective and his eyes narrowed slightly, "Yusuke…?"
But Kuwabara was already charging towards the bed and the detective, "Urameshi, what the hell did you do? Mai! MAI—!"
Yusuke furiously whipped around and instantly grabbed Kazuma by the collar. In one motion, he instantly pinned him against the wall behind him.
His eyes flared angrily.
"Wake her up, Kazuma…and I swear I'll kill you…" he muttered fiercely.
Urameshi roughly released him and stormed out of the room. The redhead's eyes grew wide as he watched him—but he quickly gritted his teeth and in an instant he was racing after him…leaving Kurama and Hiei in the room…
"Hn…" the apparition rested his hand on the hilt of his shattered sword, "…I expected an objection from you too, fox…" he said with a hint of amusement.
The redhead didn't answer.
"She had such a pretty scream from earlier…making her sing will be quite enjoyable…" Karasu told him villainously; suddenly holding Mai within his grasp. His pale fingers laced around her throat and he placed his head up against her cheek.
The akage furiously shook his head, "No…NO DON'T!"
Karasu smirked, "…So let's sing a little song for him, shall we?"
And all Kurama heard was her screams of pain—
Instinctively, he winced as his mind flashed through other—more gruesome—images of Karasu destroying her…The akage gritted his teeth as little by little, those images became more and more clear…
Kurama was silent for a moment; his eyes staring off vacantly at the bed, "…You knew it too…didn't you?" he asked suddenly.
His companion thought for a moment and snorted, "Their feelings aren't that hard to read…it doesn't take a genius to figure out those two…"
Hiei trailed off when he noticed the redhead clenching his fist. The apparition cocked his eyebrow curiously.
"…Then I must be a fool…" he muttered darkly as his fist began to shake slightly…
Karasu smirked, "…So let's sing a little song for him, shall we?"
"…It's better this way, then…"
-:-
"URAMESHI! What the hell's your problem?"
The detective whipped around to face Kazuma.
"Do you want to know, Kuwabara?" he growled furiously; his eyes glaring with a fiery anger.
The redhead appeared unyielding and folded his arms over his chest; narrowing his eyes, "If it means figuring out why Mai is now KO'd back at the hotel room—then sure, why the hell not!"
Yusuke glared at him fiercely, as if he were moments away from grinding the redhead into the ground. Kazuma noticed him clenching his fists at his side; desperately holding back from punching him in the face. There were trickles of blood that seeped through the detective's fingers as his nails dug into his palm.
Kuwabara gritted his teeth and suddenly gripped the detective by the collar, "What the hell is wrong with you?" he demanded angrily, "You've been screwed-up ever since yesterday—and now Mai's lying unconscious back at the hotel room! Either this tournament has really gotten to you, or you're not telling us something!"
But suddenly, his anger died…and Yusuke turned his face away from his friend. The redhead watched him curiously…but the detective appeared to be desperately avoiding breaking down.
He clenched his teeth again.
"Do you want to know…?" he whispered again, more harshly.
The hallway went silent as Kazuma nodded. And Urameshi lowered his gaze a final time.
"…I'm afraid, Kuwabara…" he muttered quietly and his fist clenched again, "…I'm afraid she'll get hurt—that Toguro…" he furiously shut his eyes, "That Toguro would kill her! She's too damn stubborn so even if I told her to stay away, that stupid bitch would come along anyway!"
Kuwabara started in surprise when he noticed the detective's eyes filling with tears.
"He'll do it too…he doesn't care…he'll kill her whether I can stop him or not," his fist shook, "This is the only way I can save her…don't you see that, Kuwabara? Even if we won the tournament…I'm not sure what I'd do if she died…"
Kazuma was silent for a moment. And after a pause, he glanced back towards the hotel room.
The detective was nearly startled out of his mind when he suddenly heard his friend laughing. He turned to find the redhead grinning goofily.
"You know…you have some pretty messed-up ways of showing people you care," he said with a grin, "You can probably bet when she wakes up—whether you're dead or not—she'll be looking for some revenge on your sorry ass."
Yusuke stared at him in bewilderment for a long time as Kuwabara continued to chuckle…
And it was only then that Urameshi broke a small smile, "Yeah, well that won't be anything new…" and he scratched the back of his neck, "…I just hope Kurama isn't pissed at me…"
"On the contrary…"
Kazuma nearly leapt out the air, "Where the hell do you people come from?" he shouted at the two apparitions standing behind him.
Kurama calmly placed his hand inside of his pocket. Both Yusuke and Kuwabara noticed something different about him…only they couldn't quite place what it was…
"If what you say is true…" he began quietly, "…Then Mai would just pose as a danger to herself if she were to come with us today. If this was the only way to keep her away from the stadium…then I have no objections…"
"Hn, not to mention the onna would just find some way of interfering with your fight, Urameshi…" Hiei added on while shooting the detective a glance.
He let out a nervous laugh, "Heh, yeah that's true…" he agreed and ran his hand through his hair absently. But his gaze couldn't help but fall back down the hallway towards the hotel room door…
The group was silent for a long time…but that was before Yusuke calmly stretched and turned down the hallway.
"Well, I doubt Toguro is going to fight himself…Might as well go confront that bastard…" he told them casually and headed off.
Soon after, his other teammates followed; all of them reminded of what today might bring…and filled with a determination to see it through…
Yusuke however, quickly dropped his calm composure when his companions began following him. He lowered his gaze towards the ground as his legs continued to carry him forward…
"…Live for me, Mai…"
He gritted his teeth; it was a horrible thing to say…
…but…he had to…
So he could keep living himself…
"…Live, Mai…"
-:-
"THAT JERK!"
Ayame glanced up from the papers in her hand, "Miss Kira, is there something wrong?" she wondered softly.
The former guardian stood in front of the screen on the other side of Koenma's desk. Images of Mai lying along the bed and Yusuke and the others leaving the hotel flashed across the monitor. Kira however, flushed furiously…almost to the point where it was rather comical…
"ER! He can't just leave her there like that!" she shouted angrily—and looked almost as though she was ready to throw a tantrum.
The ferry-girl calmly went to stand beside her, "…I do have to admit, Master Urameshi's tactics are rather…different," she picked the words carefully, "…But he also has a point as well…"
Kira clenched her fist, "They've come too far together—and he just leaves her behind in the hotel room!"
"It's a failed attempt to save her life anyway…"
Both Ayame and the guardian suddenly turned. Kira blinked.
"What do you mean, Genkai?" she asked as the pink-haired woman stepped into the office. She moved to stand beside them and glanced casually up at the screen.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, "…Yusuke's trying to protect her against Toguro…" she continued quietly, "But whether he likes it or not—even if he thought he was able to prevent it—there wasn't anything he was ever able to do to help her…"
Kira looked at her, horrified, as fear flashed over her eyes, "…What…what are you saying…?" she whispered to the point where she was hardly audible.
Genkai lowered her eyes sadly, "That before this tournament is over…
"…Mai will have to die…"
-:-
Koenma stared determinedly out the window in front of him. He lowered his gaze and rested his head on the back of his hands with a sigh.
"…So this…this is the beginning of the end…" he whispered.
Beside him, Botan glanced up, "Koenma-dono?"
The demigod didn't respond to her, but instead he rose to his feet and made his way towards the door across the room.
"I'll see you at the match, Botan…" he said as he was leaving, "…I have some important business to attend to…"
-:-
The noise beyond the gate was deafening. The ceiling above them trembled as the demons and apparitions on the other side began to chant and stomp along the stands.
Yusuke folded his arms and leaned up against the wall as his team waited for the gates to open.
"Did you ever find a replacement fighter for Master Genkai?" Kurama wondered as he glanced down the hall.
The detective frowned, "Yeah…" he answered somewhat absently. Urameshi paused a moment and glanced down the hallway as well; as if they would be walking there towards them, "…But they should have been here by now…"
He trailed off suddenly when the gateway doors began to creak open. Beyond, a piercing white light shielded the ring from their view, but nonetheless they still knew it was there…
Urameshi straightened and went to stand beside his teammates. In unison they moved to the archway as the gate opened and stared out into the vast arena waiting for them…the stench of blood and death greeting them almost instantly.
Immediately however, the Urameshi team was greeted by the incessant hissing and booing from the crowds around them…
But it wasn't as though they exactly cared about them…
Especially now that the opposing door from them was steadily creaking open.
The entire Urameshi team narrowed their eyes as their opponents came into view on the other side of the stadium. Leading the pack, Toguro and his elder brother made their way into the arena…and they were followed soon after by Bui and Karasu…
Kurama started when he caught the raven-haired fighter's eye. There was a smirking glint within them that the redhead didn't appreciate at all…
Yusuke clenched his fist suddenly when he and Toguro made eye contact. The apparition smirked…but the detective only watched him in an air of determination.
Narrowing his eyes, the area around him suddenly erupted in a mist of energy that swirled furiously around him. It swayed into the air in such a force that caused many of the demons in the stands to grow quiet. Toguro merely smirked again and narrowed his own eyes towards the detective.
It was then that Juri hastily jumped into the center of the arena and raised her microphone above her head after checking both groups.
"Each team only has four fighters!" she announced with a frown, "And neither team has used their substitute—Both teams must have a minimum of five players or else their team forfeits!"
Toguro calmly placed his hand in his pocket, "…Well then…it's a good thing that we have a reserve fighter…"
And as if on cue, the doors behind his team began to open.
From the shadows, Sakyo calmly emerged and moved to join team Toguro near the ring. He unceremoniously ran his hand through his hair and placed his hands in his pockets, oddly similar to Toguro.
"I don't quite see what you get from calling me a 'fighter', Toguro…" he began, "I'm just here for show; my presence simply allows your team to continue…"
Kuwabara gritted his teeth, "Great…" he muttered, "We're going to lose without even fighting! Way to go Urameshi! You know this is your fault? If you hadn't—!"
The detective's eyes flashed suddenly and he whirled towards the redhead, "Shut it, Kazuma…" he hissed threateningly.
"And cool your jets while you're at it," he continued as he turned back around towards the arena, "…We still have some time…"
And as if prompted by what Urameshi had just said, the doors behind their team began to open as well.
All the rest of his teammates turned…only to find Koenma standing in the archway…
"You chose the toddler…" Hiei said bluntly as he turned back towards the detective, who appeared agitated rather than surprised.
"Took you long enough!" he told the demigod while ignoring the apparition's statement.
Koenma came to stand next to him, "Well maybe next time I should come early and make some refreshments for the rest of you…" he answered simply.
"Alright then, folks!" Juri announced cheerfully, "It looks like both teams finally have five fighters! So let's get this show on the road! Teams…pick your first fighters!"
Without even acknowledging his team, Karasu nimbly stepped into the ring and continued walking until he was more than halfway across.
A smirk glittered in his eyes as he pointed towards Kurama…then slowly, he brought his hand back up towards his head in the shape of a gun.
"Bang."
The redhead narrowed his eyes furiously. At his side, his fists clenched dangerously and were at the point where they were nearly shaking. He gritted his teeth as he stepped forward.
"I have a score to settle with this bastard…" he muttered under his breath.
Juri then quickly stepped back into the center of the ring; raising her hand high above her head.
"With no further ado—the first match begins!" she shouted, "Fighting for team Toguro…Karasu! And fighting for team Urameshi…is Kurama!
"BEGIN!"
-:-
a/n: alrighty then, I think I'll end that there…my mind's getting overheated (plus I need to go bug my mom about that book I need for the summer…)
PLEASE DON'T HATE ME! GOMEN NE! T.T
…And yes, Kira was kind of OOC this chapter…but that's okay!
PEACE AND LUV EVERYONE!