I have heard the plea of my reviewers
And I must comply to their wishes!
Here, from sessha to you...
The Price of Kindness: Chapter 9

I decided I was being cruel to all my reviewers who waited months for me to update so I sat down the other day, and typed. And typed. And typed. I've gone over it millions of times regretting, then liking my descisions at some parts, but finally, I like the way it came out. I was gonna end the story here, but I remembered there was a song I wanted to incorporate in this story, so that will be in the next chapter.

A/Note: When I created this idea, as I said before, I didn't know a thing about exactly how Youko's band worked. AKA I didn't know Yomi was blind... I'll leave it at that. Also, in all my sources, Kuronue's pendant does nothing. 'Tis merely a piece of jewelry, right? Well, I'm taking an authoress liscense.

Disclaimer: No matter how long I pray, no matter how many chickens I sacrifice, YuYuHakusho will always belong to Yoshihiro Togashi-san. Such is life, sigh.

Demons of the oncoming and the defending lay strewn about the front lawn of the mansion. The hoard just kept coming for the entire day. The sun was beginning to set and the flesh eating demons were having a feast. Youko slashed his whip, his energy depleting quickly. He always had to keep a reserve though to heal major wounds inflicted upon him. Blood stained his white-as-snow garments and ran his hair red. Sweat mingled with blood and it tasted metallic on his lips. Despite most of his band dead on the ground, he kept his weapon high for a new purpose.

Her face was the only thing in his mind. His promise to her. The promise to himself. To never let anything happen to her; and to return. At first, he wanted to protect her so that she wouldn't have to pay him back, but now... Youko threw a seed at an enemy and the enemy burst into pieces. He wanted to protect her because... because he wanted to. Is that selfish? Youko thought. I never thought of my own selfishness. I never considered anyone's feelings but my own for all my life. Why should I care so much about this girl? Is it because I want to see her laugh or smile? ...Or is it just because I want her at my side?

Youko's eyes raged with confusion as an enemy appeared directly in front of him. The leader of the attack, he immediately guessed. A circle formed around the two. The fighting stopped as the leader glared at Youko. Kuronue appeared at Youko's side. Both were breathing heavily. Kuronue glanced over at Youko. Youko glanced back. Both could see the determination in the other's eyes. Kuronue gave a pathetic laugh.

"Never thought it would end like this, eh Youko?"

Youko laughed back. "We can't give up just yet Kuronue. They're waiting for us."

Kuronue nodded. "We have to go back to them." he coughed harshly, falling to his knees, and then struggled back to his feet, scythe shaking in his hand. "We have to... Mina would die just kick my ass in the afterlife."

"Either that or you'd just haunt her dreams." Youko said darkly. Kuronue glanced sadly at Youko, grasping his scythe tighter.

"I wouldn't mean to."

"I know. All the more incentive."

The leader in front of the two slammed his great axe's hilt on the ground. The armor covering him made visibility of the actual demon impossible. When he spoke, it was echoed and deep. "Where is my jewel?"

Kuronue shrugged. "I thought it didn't suit your image so I took it for myself."

Youko chuckled as the leader growled. "Where is the gem!" the voice screamed. The ground shook with the voice and Youko struggled to keep his weak legs standing. The blood he had lost was now taking its toll. He was exhausted, as was Kuronue. His band was all but dead, only a few strong lingering behind the two. This leader however was fresh and ready to battle.

"It's gone." Youko said simply. "I destroyed it."

A gasp went through the demons then silence. After a moment, the leader began to shake. "My gem..." the armor shook violently. Suddenly, the chest plate fell off. Everyone gasped. No one was inside. "My heart..."

Youko looked at the boss in confusion. "Your heart?"

The left arm fell to the ground, it shook the earth with its weight. "I created that stone. It was cursed by the gods. It stole my body... it became my heart... my purpose."

Youko and Kuronue stared in confusion, not quite understanding.

"You took the most important thing to me-- now I shall take yours!" the voice screamed as the armor fell apart. The demons that came rushing towards the mansion hours before, burst into a million pieces then and floated away in the air. The only one's left standing were the band, Kuronue and Youko. The two looked at each other in panic.

"Mina..."

"Macha..." they said at the same time. Both turned to the mansion as screams erupted from it. In a mad fury they bolted for the mansion. Kuronue ran immediately down the right most corridors to Mina's room. His most important thing was her, he couldn't lose her! Kuronue burst into the room and saw Mina standing in the middle of the room, a blood puddle on the floor.

"Mina...?" he said cautiously. She turned to him, perfectly fine, a sword in her hand. Her eyes were brimmed with tears and they were glazed in shock.

"Kuronue...?" she whispered, reaching a hand to him. He ran to her, and took her in his arms. The sword dropped from her hand and she held tight to him, tears running down her cheeks. After a moment, Kuronue pulled away, looking her over to make she was ok.

"What happened?" he asked. Mina shook her head looking down at the sword on the ground.

"I was waiting in here, like you told me, and I had my sword, just in case, and... something came in here! I don't know how, the door was locked and he came at me. We... we fought and I stabbed him straight in the gut, just like you taught me Kuronue... then he burst into a million pieces just a moment ago." Her eyes darted around the room, scared. She never had to fight anything before; Kuronue only taught her how to fight because he was bored. Kuronue almost collapsed with thankfulness that he taught her how to defend herself.

"By gods..." he muttered, taking her in his arms again."Thank the gods you're safe... I don't know what I would have done."

Mina laughed. "I would've haunted you forever."

"Haunt me day and night; I would've never forgiven myself."

Mina rested her head on his chest. "Where is Macha-san?"

Suddenly, the moment was pierced by a scream. Not one of terror, but agonizing pain and complete suffering.

Youko ran down the hallway, half blinded by blood and tiredness, the other half by the image in his head. Her face never left his thought. The last face he saw. The confusion he left her in earlier. But her eyes... Youko ran harder. Her eyes held such faithfulness and loyalty. Youko's legs gave suddenly, falling to his knees in exhaustion. He mustn't let her down. He promised to protect her-- and now more than ever. That bastard wants to take her away! I can't allow that. A pain in his heart pulled him up, not down, and pushed him forward.

Finally! He had reached his bedroom door. He stumbled to the padlock and struggled to punch in the code. The numbers ran blurry in his vision as he felt wetness on his cheeks. "Dammit!" he screamed, finally plugging in the code. The door clicked to unlock and Youko shoved the door open.

"Macha!" he screamed. It took his eyes a moment to adjust. The room was dark, save for the window that shone with the light from the moon that rose in the sky. His eyes widened, that wasn't the floor that shimmered in the moonlight; it was blood. Frantic, he reached for the light switch, but it was carved out of the wall. He walked carefully towards the blood stain on the floor. In the light he was able to see around the room.

There, right under the windowsill, was the source of the blood. "Macha!" Youko screamed, running to the body lying on the floor. It lay back to him, curled in a ball. He knelt and touched it tentatively, scared of what had happened. The body tensed and a sob came from it. An unmistakable sob. "Macha?" he said in a softer voice, now sure that it was her. "Are you alright?"

"Y...Youko...sama?" the body said, it uncurled a little. Youko reached over and pulled the shoulder towards him, so that she would roll into his lap. The body curled back, refusing to be rolled. "No... Don't look at me."

Youko took her shoulder and held it. "Macha please... let me see what's wrong."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

"Don't be sorry, let me see." his voice was gentle, but firm. Something was wrong, she was bleeding and he wanted to help. He could feel her life energy slowly flickering. She shook her head and sobbed. Youko grabbed her shoulder, most forcefully this time and rolled her over into his lap. "No... Oh no..."

Macha laid face up to him and he saw her wounds quite clearly. Across her chest were numerous slashes, not deep but many there were. Also, a deep gasp was in her leg, most likely from a knife stab. But, what Youko saw first, and imprinted in his memory forever, was her face. Not only was a bruised and beaten, but across her eyes was a gash. A large gash. And from it, poured blood, tears and juices Youko didn't even want to name. Youko stared in shock, not knowing what to do; he put a hand to her cheek, turning her face to look at him, though she couldn't.

Macha lifted a hand up slowly, not sure where it would land. Youko didn't move but let her reach out, letting her hand touch his chest. She pulled back, unsure if she should. Youko nodded, unable to speak, but she couldn't see it he realized and a soft cry escaped his lips. Macha laid her hand back down on his chest, over his heart. It didn't beat, but a pulse that she knew coursed through his body as well as hers radiated to her hand. She traced her hand up, tickling his almost bare shoulders. Then she hit a thick wetness, she sobbed, knowing that it was blood. Her cold hand ran up his neck, sending shivers down his spine, until finally laying on the side of his face. Youko closed his eyes feeling the warmth escape her hand and he prayed to what ever gods could hear him to spare her life. She traced her fingers down his jaw line and ran her fingers over his lips. Youko sighed, if her life wasn't in so much danger, he would so be enjoying this. But he couldn't do anything, he didn't want to leave her, for fear that she would slip away in loneliness... but she needed help, now!

"Youko-sama..." she said, her voice soft and faint. Youko leaned forward, stroking her bloodied face with his thumb. How could someone do this to her? What did she ever do? How anyone could hurt someone as... as pure as she.

"Don't bother with that." he whispered, "call me what I know you want to call me... please, Macha."

Macha sighed, each breath she drew was harder than the last, but when he said her name, just like that, she could have ended her life right there and been happy. And now, he was telling her to drop the suffix on his name. Ever since she realized what this was inside her, she wanted to do that, but dare not disgrace all that he had done for her by treating him as an equal. But when he said her name, she knew and understood that he wanted her to be his equal. She took a deep breath, trying to get out all she wanted to say.

"Youko... I... I'm sorry..." Youko shook his head. "I do nothing but burden you, ever since I met you. My debt I owe, and now you are compelled to stay with me--"

"Macha," Youko said, louder, but still as gentle. "I'm not compelled, I..."

"Youko, please, I must say this." Macha took another deep breath. It wasn't must longer now, but she had to say this. He has to know this one thing. "I don't want to burden you with this... but Youko... I love you."

Her words got softer and softer until they were almost inaudible. Youko knew she was going to say this, but when she did, his heart still jumped. He put a hand underneath her neck and pulled up her head gently and he lowered his closer to her.

"I have to tell you something too, Macha." he hurried, knowing that her time was shortening. He could feel her warm breath on his lips and he leaned his forehead to hers. The scent of her warm blood was almost too much, it made him gag painfully. He swallowed and took a deep breath. "Macha I..."

Before he could speak, he felt a sigh escape her body and become limp. Youko froze. "No..." he put a hand to her lips, in hope that a breath would come out again. After a moment... nothing. Her cheeks and hands were as cold as ice, and her head rolled back, limp in his hand.

"No... Macha, don't do this." he traced his hands over her face but no response. She was gone. Someone reached into his chest and squeezed his heart. Nothing ever felt this painful in all his life. An empty hole now resided where his heart, she, used to be. He pulled her body to him and held her in an embrace, leaning over, and the weight on his chest unbearable. So strange, never had he felt the wetness comes down his cheeks that graced hers so often. But now his eyes overflowed with salty tears mingling with blood and sweat on his face. He began to rock her back and forth, unable to do anything else. He mumbled incoherencies growing louder and louder until a cry escaped his lips.

Kuronue ran down the hall, Mina at his side. They didn't say a word after they heard the scream. They knew in an instant that it was Youko. But why did he scream? They prayed it didn't have anything to do with Macha. They reached the opened door and saw a figure cradling another in the dim moonlight. Youko's hair shone brightly, as he sat in the middle of the blood puddle. Kuronue took a step into the room, Mina at his side. The stench of blood was unmistakable and powerful. Mina gasped, pointed to the body that Youko held. She knew those feet. She took a staggered step forward, looking over Youko's shoulder. She collapsed seeing Macha lying in his arms. She knew by Youko's position and firm hold on her that she was gone. Mina put a hand to her mouth, feeling sick. She leaned over, supporting herself with her arm.

"Macha-san..." she muttered, tears also coming from her eyes.

Kuronue stood there in shock. How could anyone do this? Me and Youko are the bad guys, why did they attack Mina and Macha? He walked over to Mina, kneeling next to her and pulling her close. She sobbed into his chest and he patted her back, trying to comfort her. Her sobs were hard to listen to, but the cry he heard earlier echoed still in his head. It wasn't a living sound, it wasn't of this plane, and so full of grief it broke the bounds of sanity. Kuronue shuddered as it rang in his ears again. If he could... if he could do anything, he would prevent Youko from ever feeling the loss he was feeling now. To prevent that nonliving cry to pass his lips again.

A thought came to his mind; however, he would need to get Youko away from Macha's body first. He pulled his arms out from around Mina and went to kneel by Youko.

"Youko?" he asked quietly, not wanting to break the deafening silence. Youko didn't respond. He merely pulled Macha closer to him. Kuronue reached out a hand to Youko, touching his shoulder. To this, Youko responded. He jerked his head up to face the bat demon. Kuronue jumped, frightened by the face that greeted him.

Youko's face, not only covered in blood, sweat and tears, was pulled tight in grief. His eyes were blood shot and not wanting to see. His lips were bitten raw and bleeding. "What? What do you want?" the fox demon asked, harshly, glaring at Kuronue.

"Youko, let her go, please, you'll break her--" Kuronue said, unable to say anything else to that face. Youko, however, leaned back over rocking the body back and forth.

"Leave me!" he screamed, muffled by the body, his voice cracking as tears flowed once again down his cheeks. Kuronue turned to Mina. He didn't know what to do. Youko needed to be away from Macha if he could do what he thought he could do. He pulled his pendant from around his head. Most thought it was useless, only there for decoration. Not even Mina or Youko knew what it really was for. All the years he's been alive, over a thousand, he's carried it around. And all this time, he's been storing his demon energy in it. He had more energy in his pendant than everyone in their band combined. He believed it could even rival most of demon world's greatest demons. And with this power compressed into one space, perhaps he could reach past the dimension they're in, to the next and pull back Macha's soul. He could bring her back to life!

Mina knew she had to get Youko away from Macha, for the body's sake. She placed a hand on his back and he tensed. "Youko-dono please let her go. You're hurting her--"

"I would never!" the hoarse voice said. Mina nodded.

"I know that sir, but, I would like to pay respects to Macha-san. Please, could you let her go?" she asked gently. Youko released his grip on Macha a little, raising his head. He turned to her, his eyes blinded with sorrow. "It's ok Youko-dono, let her go, please. She's not going anywhere."

Youko released the body slowly, until it lay again on the ground. Mina kept her eyes averted from Macha's face, one look telling her that Macha was blind in her last moments. Mina motioned for Youko to come to her. Like a lost child, Youko scooted over to Mina, letting himself fall into her motherly embrace. She felt Youko shake in her arms, knowing that he was crying freely. She cooed to him softly, hoping it would soothe him.

"I didn't... I never..." he mumbled after a moment.

"What is it Youko-dono? What didn't you do?" she asked gently.

"I didn't tell her what she could do... to pay off her debt." he lifted himself up. Watching Kuronue like a hawk as the bat demon moved the body to Youko's bed. Youko picked himself up and sat on the edge of the bed near her. Kuronue stood by, not sure where to start his proposition about Macha. Mina went to stand next to him. They watched for a moment as the fox demon gently stroked the face of the one who held his heart. The tears on his face had dried but his movements were slow and dream like still.

"Umm, Youko?" when Kuronue didn't get a response, he continued. "I think I can help. M-my pendant, it... it stores energy. I've been storing it for years and years, centuries! And I think I might have enough. I think I can reach into the next world and pull back her soul."

Mina gasped and Youko turned slowly to Kuronue. "D-do you really think you can?" Mina stuttered. Youko blinked slowly.

"I think I could. I thought about it and I don't see why it's not possible."

"And if you can't?" Youko asked bleakly. Kuronue looked down then to Macha.

"I'd use it to heal all her wounds and have her beautiful for her funeral," he promised. Youko looked back down to Macha.

"I've nothing to lose." he said and stood. Before he left the bedside, however, he leaned down and kissed her forehead. He turned to Kuronue, his eyes etched with pain. He had nothing to lose, she could come back, or she could not. The situation was dry cut. If she didn't... Youko's knees weakened. He'd never see her smile. Or her laugh. Or her tears again. Her soft hands... Youko touched his face where she left a bloodied handprint.

Kuronue nodded to Youko and took a seat on the bed. "I think that you should leave the room Youko, you too Mina. I think that I should do this alone. Just in case. I don't know what will happen. Although, it might take a while. Go clean yourself up, Youko. So when she wakes up, you won't have to leave her."

Youko nodded dumbly, that logic was sinking in. Mina guided him from the room, shutting the door behind her and Kuronue focused on Macha.

"Well, Ma-chan. This is gonna be one heck of an adventure." he smiled and touched her forehead gently. He took a deep breath and held his pendant in front of him. He channeled the energy inside of him into the pendant, activating his store. It glowed a deep blue and encased him and Macha's body. He closed his eyes searching for a way to open the next world.

There! A door just above Macha's head. He reached towards it and it opened. He felt his spirit rise up out of his body and go inside the door. After a bright light, he was in a green field. The air was soft and the sun was warm on his face. He looked around, seeing nothing. He sighed, please let me be right. For Youko's sake!

"Kuronue-san?" came a small voice. The bat demon spun around to see a transparent Macha standing behind him. She was free of cuts and injuries and her violet eyes were bright. "Why are you here? You didn't die, I've been watching." she pulled up a window out of no where in front of her. It showed Kuronue's body propped up on the bed sitting next to Macha's body.

"I'm here to bring you back."

Macha shook her head sadly. "You can't decide that Kuronue-san, only Enma-daiho can--"

"Screw Enma! I don't care what he says!" Kuronue stepped towards Macha, his hands pleading with his voice. "You have to come back. Did you see Youko? Did you see what your death did to him! He was ready to die right there!"

Macha looked away, "I saw. You don't know how hard it was Kuronue-san! I wanted to reach in and hold him. I don't know if he would approve... but just for me. I wanted to tell him it was ok... because now I'm not a burden anymore."

Kuronue laughed, rubbing his eyes at the still naiveté of the girl. Just when he thought he understood her, she went childish again. "Dammit Ma-chan, you never were a burden. We want you back. And... Youko knows his wish."

Macha cocked her head to one side. "What do you mean?"

"Your debt, you wanna repay it right?" He pointed to a hill in the distance. People were lined up and walking into the sunset. "You haven't completely traveled to the other side. If you didn't want to come back, you would have gotten in that line. Youko knows how he wants to be repaid. Now will you?"

"Yes! Then I will be able to rest peacefully!" Macha's eyes glowed and she spun around happily. "Please, I want to pay him back. He has been so kind to me I want to pay him back. I will go back... but only to repay him. Then I will return."

Kuronue smiled sadly. "I don't know if Youko will let you. I don't think he wants you to leave again."

Macha blushed, looking down. She saw a hand come into view and looked up to see Kuronue smiling at her. "Come on Ma-chan. Let's go home."

Macha smiled and took his hand. "K..."

The moment her hand touched his, a bright light encompassed them. Kuronue kept a firm hand on Macha even though he couldn't see her. After what seemed like forever, the light subsided, and Kuronue felt his spirit sink back into his body. He opened his eyes and saw he was back in Youko's room. Macha lay still on the bed. She wasn't breathing. Kuronue's face fell; did it not work? Suddenly, she gasped, taking in air as if she had been drowning. After a moment of harsh breathing, it slowed to a normal pace. Kuronue realized his hand was in hers and he stroked the back softly.

"Ma-chan?" he received no response. After listening to her breathing, he guessed she was sleeping. He smiled. He did it. She was back. He felt a weight come off his chest. Now to heal her wounds. Kuronue picked up his pendant and held it above her again. The concentrated his energy to the pendant and released the rest of the store. There wasn't much left, but it glowed around Macha and her wounds closed and her bleeding stopped. When the glow dimmed, her wounds were gone; the only scar was across her sightless eyes. She would never see again.

Kuronue stood and turned temporarily blinded. The moon had sunk into the sky, and the sun was beginning to rise. Time passes differently in the spirit world, he guessed rubbing his eyes. He stumbled over to the door, and opened it. Youko was leaning on the wall across the hall, sleeping. His head snapped up when the door opened. He was clean and bandaged, but in his eyes were still felt deep wounds.

"Did it work?" he asked quietly, with a trace of fear. Kuronue nodded, smiling.

"Yeah, it worked. She's sleeping. I healed her too, just let her rest." Kuronue leaned against the door frame and Youko caught him before he fell. The fox demon smiled his eyes brighter than before.

"Now it's your turn. Get some rest, Mina is waiting for you." He said helping the bat demon stand. "Thanks Kuronue."

The bat demon stood and waved the thanks away. "You would 'a done the same." he put his hands in his pockets and began to walk away.

Youko smiled. "Yeah..."

No strange Japanese for this one. Strange, huh? The longest chapter has no Japanese worth explaining.

The next chapter is the last. I hope you've enjoyed your journey with me

As always...
I like helpful criticism.
Reviews gratefully appreciated; flames, not.