Kuronue's Back
Written by: Anikara
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho.
Chapter 4: Success?
(( Kuronue's Point of View ))
Bleak currents of wind drive against me unkindly, its icy arms effectively taking charge. Naturally, my human body begins shivering in a hasty rhythm from the surrounding temperature, my flimsy clothing hardly protecting me from the cold front. Ears and nose already adopted a rosy shade and my teeth began to chatter, ceased only when I caught onto it, otherwise, it was completely out of control; stupid, ningen liability.
Raising my hand to my ear, I enclose it in attempt to bring some feeling to it. Nothing appears to work, but I let my hand explore the shape of my ear either way. I usually find myself doing this, a habit that formed when I became a human. The roundness of my ears reminds me that I'm only human, but also reminds me of my past as a demon. I miss my pointy ears.
Since I got myself into a fight with that demon, I haven't been able to rest. My plans had been to follow Urameshi to his place, thus getting his location, contact and school information. I wanted to figure him out, know his weaknesses, his strengths, his motivation, everything! With that at hand, I would be ensured my good, old friend's whereabouts in return. But that plan had been foiled, completely destroyed…for the time being at least.
Now, instead of my victory, I have a pesky fire demon on my tracks; he's persistent. I've had him on my trail for hours, to the point where the skies have darkened and the night chilly. I'm infuriated to know that I've been reduced into hiding in a backyard of another's property, sitting on a well-built, tree branch with my legs crouched against my chest, arms wrapped around my slender frame…trembling. My body aches, much to my shame, but I'd stay in this position if it meant protecting my family and myself.
Through my dark-colored bangs cold, trained eyes stare expressionlessly throughout the area in search of any abnormality. My enhanced hearing is also on overdrive. I groan when I feel his energy signature a few miles away. Does he ever give up! I thought by now he'd have lost me! I pout in frustration as I lift myself forcibly, prepared to continue the chase of 'cat' and 'mouse.'
I stop on my tracks when diminutive, pounding sounds become known. Noise suddenly fills the entire area—it's raining.
As if my luck couldn't be any worse, it begins to rain! The gods are against me today! Is it because I treat my ningen brother poorly?
My eyes narrow, eyebrows furrow tightly and I'm set to yell as loudly as possible, without a care if the demon hears, in my rash temper. No noise escapes, my eyes are wide, as I feel the demon's presence retreat. My mouth hangs wide open in astonishment; I didn't expect him to just leave so… abruptly. I was on the verge of giving up and facing him when it began to rain. That plan died, for Hiei, a fire demon, left. Wow, the gods aren't against me! I heave a relieved sigh. Quickly, I try to huff it back up after realizing I had been tense about him, a mere half-breed. I fail.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Accomplishing tranquilizing myself, I jump off the tree, land on the grassy plain, knees squat, back hunched before bringing myself to full height; I then abandon my hiding spot. Mother is going to murder me.
(( Hiei's Point of View ))
Rain. It started to rain, damn my luck! I detest the rain, that ningen won't have me pursuing him with water pouring over me, not that I can't handle it; I can tolerate it just fine… just not for him. Though I've solely met him hours ago, high mistrust stimulated. Hn, what do I care? He isn't a threat towards I.
I came to a stop at a ningen house, a two-story dwelling, small compared to other dwellings I've encountered in Makai but decent for an average, ningen family. I flitted to the posterior side of the house and came to a halt. Up above I could clearly see a window with luminosity hanging about it; apparently the holder of the room is still awake.
The window doesn't remain clear for long though, for its light becomes slightly blocked when a figure appears; he looks down at me, I look up at him. Opening the window, the figure disappears. I take it as a welcome. With the help of a tree somewhat near the window, I leap onto a high, bulky branch I've come accustomed to and kick off it, soaring to the open window. For a moment I perch on it before bending my body so that I may fit. My feet make contact with the wooden, glazed floor. Drips of water begin to trickle down my cloak, face and hair, each drop making dull, tapping noises.
A young, slim teenager stands in front of me with an amused look upon his features; I want to bite him, but instead I glower. Closing the window, I sit down forcibly on the floor, not caring that my drenched clothing would cause damage to the wooden floor. I hope the timber formed splinters, for the fox sure as hell deserved it.
"I see that the rain has directed you here. I am pleased to know that my home is of some service to my allies," the redhead spoke in a gentle manner; typical fox. And I also notice that his mood had improved from earlier; this displeases me further. "By your mood, I am guessing that something upsetting has occurred…other than myself?"
I fix him a glare. The fox thinks himself so clever. "Hn," I replied coldly. "I'd say that you constantly irritate me, but other than you, it isn't any of your concern, fox." The formal thief doesn't even wince, but he did lose his amused expression; this pleases me. It didn't last long, for the fox takes a different approach.
"You say I irritate you? In what ways," he asks in sly tone. My frown deepens; I just tampered with a fox's nature. Great. The fox grins and comes near me, sitting beside me and resting a firm hand on my right shoulder. I remain still and expressionless. The fox's antics wouldn't be taking its toll.
I turn to face him with fierce, cold eyes. " It's your human self that disgusts me, fox, your actions of becoming a human shows nothing but a coward's path. You're a fox spirit trapped in a human's body, practically handicapped in demon's eyes, including mine. You can't even summon Makai plants without losing great amounts of energy or the possibility of being unable to control it. It's pathetic!"
Kurama was dreadfully quiet; he had long drawn his hand away. I couldn't place his expression, but his emerald eyes advised me that I got the reaction I aimed for—emotional pain.
He turns away, takes in a deep breath of air and hauls himself up from the stiff floor. I hurt his ningen feelings, but that was the price of becoming a human. Oddly, it didn't gratify me, instead it made me feel worse. Staying around filthy humans was already taking effect on me, making me soft!
When he faced me again in a matter of seconds, his face showed nothing, he was completely expressionless. "I'm sorry I make you feel that way. The deed has been done; there is no turning back. As foolish as this might sound, Hiei, but having an outlook from a human's perspective has taught me many lessons, lessons I would have never gained if still a youko. I don't regret becoming a human. Previously, it had been a big price to pay, but now, the way I see it, it's more of a gift than a curse."
I look at the fox in disgust, but remain silent; I don't want to go further into this touchy topic. Kurama seems to take it well, catching on that the topic be dropped; there was even a small smile on his lips, damn kitsune deems himself triumphant. I don't deny it though.
"The detective and the oaf interfered with a fight. They don't know how to mind their own idiotic business," I finally say after minutes of silence. Kurama keeps an impassive face, knowing well that I'd cease my conversation if he dare tease me with his smiles. His smiles showed his glee and would show his pleasure at getting me to speak. I don't want it.
Having picked out a book from a light-brown bookshelf minutes ago, the fox takes his eyes away from the text to set them on me. A silky voice reaches me, "is that so? Who were you fighting? It is rare for you to have been sparing here in Ningenkai… any particular reason?"
Hiding a small smirk, I slowly reply, "Yes. It was simply a small match with a ningen." I deliberately leave out the reason. Kurama's eyes flash in interest; I caught his undivided attention now. I grin, this time I don't hide it, I plan to answer leisurely to keep the kitsune's curiously hanging. He catches on to my strategy.
"Hiei, be reasonable," he says, almost pleadingly with a catch of annoyance. To my amusement I become conscious that the rain had stopped. Only the water streaming down the roof tops and other objects seemed to be the only water in action. I snicker in a calm, vibrating pulse.
I get up from my sitting spot, the fox's eyes on me the entire time, and head towards the window. Opening it, I dive from it and land on the well-kept lawn behind his house. Last thing I heard was my name being called, no doubt from Kurama's inquisitiveness, if not he would have let me leave with the slightest hold back.
((Kuronue's Point of View))
Ambling across my front lawn in a sneaky manner, I head toward the side of my house. I stop in front of a standard, gray fence that leads to my backyard. I stride back five feet then sprint towards it, I bend my knees and kick off the ground; my body flies six feet above the fence and I land gracefully on the other side with the slightest noise. I creep forward, make a right turn and face a glass sliding door.
Back where I used to live we, as in my family and I, would always leave the back door of our house unlock since my brother, Haruko, had the tendency to come late. No doubt spending it with female ningens. Repulsive! Then again I've as well had my moments when I had been a demon. And somehow the thought of seducing ningens brought me disgust. Since my time here in Ningenkai I've had my share of female ningens getting the nerve to ask me out. They never stood a chance. Quite frankly, I'm not interested in a relationship. Never have been.
Mother became tired of waking past midnight to answer the front door, so the back door was to be left open in hope of getting a good night's sleep. Sometimes that didn't work, my brother lacked quietness. He had horrible sneaking skills, he'd never make a proficient thief; I'm embarrassed that we're related.
Now it seems I'm following in his footsteps tonight, except for the noise part that is. Unlike him, I have skills of a professional bandit; no human ears will ever hear me when I put those skills into play.
Slowly, I press my hand against the cold, transparent window and push it to my right until there's room for me to fit. It doesn't take long, only a matter of seconds and in another second, my body enters daintily. Success.
Closing it back up, I stiffen. I feel a presence watching me. I browse through my second living room, my eyes narrow when they land on a dark figure sitting on one of my couches. Instinctively, I conclude that the demon somehow tricked me, and like an idiot, I led it here to my home. I curse and rush towards it without logically thinking. My hand meets its neck harshly; the figure didn't even bother defending itself. My hand releases a slender neck and now I know why. In horror I stare at my mother.
"Mother!" I squeak in surprise.
My mother coughs as she holds onto her neck as if protecting it. Instantly I'm washed over in guilt. I mentally kick myself for not thinking beforehand, I should have realized it was impossible for the demon to have followed me without being aware of it. I mentally slap myself for not letting my eyes adjust as well. But I was too tired to think correctly. Damn demon!
"I'm sorry, Mom. I'll get some fresh water!" With that said, I run to the kitchen and as fast as I left, I came back with a glass of water that promised soothing recovery. My mother took it gratefully and drank it, coughing again as she had gulped it hastily.
"Kisho, what were you thinking?" She says in a low voice, mildly shocked.
"I hadn't been thinking correctly, I thought you were a stranger of some sort."
"Chocking Mom, huh?" Another voice joins in as the light to the living room is suddenly switched on. I squint my eyes and draw back. My brother was standing next the light switch that neared the stairs; he wasn't far from me.
"Turn the damn light off!" I'm angry and I wouldn't mind fighting my brother and kicking his ass in the end.
"What's the matter, are you a vampire that's terrified of the light?" He says in a mocking, playful tone. "Poor bat."
My eye twitches in resentment. The bat comment had been the last straw. I lunge at him. Together our bodies hit the floor hard and instantly become tangled as we wrestled each other. I didn't demonstrate my full strength, or my skills, it wouldn't have been fair and he'd become suspicious. Simply, I fought like a normal, male teen.
"What's up with you, it was just a joke!" My brother hisses through gritted teeth. Now he was angry alongside me. Great, that makes two of us. I throw a punch and hit him perfectly on his left cheekbone with enough strength that would leave a nice souvenir, yet wouldn't break it. That was the last thing I wanted—sending him to the emergency room.
He growls in pain and thrusts me against the wall, his arm drawn back far in preparation to throw a harmful punch. I hear my mother scream our names in a hoarse voice in warning. I ignore it. I had been itching for a fight, Hiei had put me in a foul mood and I longed to throw my frustration at someone. Who else better than my brother?
Without effort, I move my face to the side, knowing entirely well where my brother's fist was going to strike in advance. His fist plunges into the wall, making it fracture the wall into many cracks. He howls in anger.
I couldn't help but smirk. "Lousy hit, bro. You seriously need to work on your aim." My mood was improving, all thanks to my ningen sibling. "Well, it was nice getting to hit you. It makes me feel much better." I get up. He reaches for me, but I just move to the side, everything playing in slow motion for me. He falls to the floor. Slowly, I bend myself lower so that my face is leveled to his. I have a playful grin; he on the other hand has eyes filled with hatred and a scowl that barked my name.
My face comes dangerously close to his. I don't think I've ever been this close to a ningen's face other than my mother when she'd insist on giving me bedtime kisses as a child. I place a gentle kiss on my brother's nose. Then slowly as if time were playing slowly I stand upright. I grin when I see an intense blush take over my brother's cheeks. Poor kid, I embarrassed him.
Mother had already stopped her yells—the demands that our little fight be stopped—and came to stare at us in astonishment. My brother had a similar look. Had I really surprised that that much? It was just a peck on the nose. It seriously hadn't meant anything! But I suppose it did come to a shock, after all I had never shown any sort of affection to anyone, not even Mother. I'd withdraw from her hugs and kisses each time she tried.
If this had surprised them I can only imagine their expression if they knew what I was really capable of. I smirk inwardly. Haruko is the first to break the face and what does it become, a smile!
"You really can be an asshole, you know that?" He announces. "Not to mention bipolar." He picks himself from the ground, placing a hand over his injury. "That really hurt, you know. But I bet yours hurts more."
I stare at him blankly. "What do you mean? You didn't get a single hit at me. I'm perfectly fi—" I suddenly remember the day's adventures and the souvenirs Hiei generously left me. "Oh," I reply, "those injuries."
My clothing was wet, slightly torn in a few areas and I had bloodstains. A nice way to look when coming home to a loving mother, don't you think?
My dark hair was a mess, too! My bangs were plastered to my forehead and the sides of my face. I could feel the itchiness of having hair stacked to the end of my neck as well.
As for my physical well being, my fists were bruised and swollen, small parts of my body were red from the burns I'd gotten— some were a bit bad and not too good looking. I had the minority of purple blotches on my skin, well, okay, several purple blotches on several areas of my body. The cut I received earlier on my neck burned and was incased in dry blood. To the right of me, my side had a tingling sensation, and now that I notice it, it's a bit numb, not a good thing to take in. Funny, I don't recall the demon ever reaching me there.
I look up to see an observing brother and mother. My brother was amused—the bastard— and my mother, well, let's just say I didn't like the look she was giving me. It's rare to see anger on my mother's delicate face, she's usually so calm, but when it does choose to appear, that's my cue to leave.
"Kisho, what were you doing! Look at you! How will I be able to send you to school looking like that!"
"Well, that's the funny thing there. I," I hesitate, then finally admit, "stupidly got into a fight. There's a lot of thugs here, you know." I sigh. "But I protected myself well enough, the guy didn't stand a chance," I say swiftly. Knowing my mother, she might prohibit me from ever setting foot outside again. Which reminds me, gotta end this fast before she could do anything I might regret. "Besides, it was a nice view. I was just at the wrong spot at the wrong time. And as for school, the uniform practically covers me up. I'll just add a few bandages here and there and presto, good as new!" I say in false cheeriness. I was nearly in pure disgust for performing such an act. Slowly I moved towards the stairs.
"But-!"
"Don't worry, Mother. I'm sorry about today, especially for what I did… to you." I frown in guilt. "I'll make it up to you. But I need to go to sleep, with school and all being tomorrow. Night, Mother!"
I was already half way up the stairs. I glanced at my speechless mother, and then to my brother. I didn't like the expression on his face; a knowing look is what it was. He makes me wonder sometimes. I give him one last glare before retreating to my room. Somehow, I don't think my stay here is going to be peaceful. The city has a tainted smell. If my instincts are working properly, I'll be getting some action. That is, if I'm going to be stupid enough to involve myself. Truth be told, I don't know what I'll get myself into… that there, is for another day to choose.
Inside my dark room, I close my bedroom door; instantly, I'm willingly swallowed by the darkness. It's good to know that I'm still a bat at heart.
To Be Continued…
I have to admit, this has been sitting in my computer for a long time now. I'm sorry for keeping you waiting so long!
I've looked at my previous chapters, and I'm embarrassed to know that I've written them. They are in a serious need of some editing.
As of the moment, the story will not have a yaoi couple; I'll give it some thought and see later if it'll fit into my plot.
Well, I hope this chapter is an improvement from the rest and I hope you like. Please review!
-Anikara