Disclaimer: Don't own YYH or Osa.

Warning: More God/Satan references.

Chapter 19

Memories of Old

"Death?" Osadyro questioned. "No, death does not scare me."

"How fortunate," Kurama smiled, narrowing his eyes as he paced.

"Why?"

"Because my journey is wrought with death. The death of friends and enemies; deaths of people I never knew…collateral damage, if you will; and, most importantly, my death."

"Yet, here you stand," smirked Osadyro, tracing his movements with her watchful eyes.

"Only because I refused to leave this world. Only my soul survived that gun shot…simply because I am a yô-ko. Despite my body and heart being human, I am still a demon bent of thievery and murder. Still, I've been accepted as normal and kind." He paused and turned a sharp eye on the girl. "But you've no idea what it's like to live a true lie, do you?"

Her calm eyes met his and she smiled knowingly. "My whole life has been a lie. I told friends that I would never leave them. But when push came to shove…I backed away. Deserted them to save my own skin. A lie, Kurama, is a word which defines my entirety."

A strange new air developed about the two. An air made of love and hatred; strength and fault; goodness and sin. No matter how the fox looked at her, all he could see was the face of his murderer. And no matter her view, all the girl could see was a silver fox with five brilliant tails. A shotgun blast resounded in their memories, Osadyro's heart cracking with guilt.

"Forgive me, dear fox, for the wrong I have committed against you," a silky voice said from Osadyro's mouth. "Believe my cry when I say I had little choice."

Kurama took in a sharp breath and stopped. "This scent…" he murmured. "The same from so look ago. Who are you?"

"An angel of God. Long ago I was told to murder a famous demon thief. Namely you. I trusted Him when He said that everything would turn out fine. So I killed you, disguised as a man. Forgive me." She took his shoulders firmly. "But…did it not turn out fine in the end? Are you not happy where you are?"

"My life has turned out as I wished it to."

"What will you do now, fox? Will you kill me?" she purred, circling him, stalking him. "Revenge is within arm's reach. All you have to do is take it."

Kurama took her chin and stared into her playful eyes. Eyes of swirling green, churning as water over rocks, or as waves crashing back into the ocean. Those eyes that betrayed no emotion. They glistened under his gaze, taunting him, begging him, threatening him, everything all at once. It fascinated him.

"Born there?" Hiei questioned in disbelief. "Impossible."

"I said in a way. It was a long time ago…when I got my wings. They were once white, pure white. But that was three thousand years or so ago," replied Darkfire, eyes softening on the land across the river. "I was once loved by Him. Once…I could do no wrong."

"Three thousand…? You lived three thousand years ago?" The demon was flabbergasted. Was it really possible?

She nodded and turned to him. "I was betrayed by someone I loved. I should have hated him. But as I lay dying I could only think of how much I loved him. Betrayal meant nothing to me." She paused and gazed into the river for a moment. "I should've gone to Hell. I was born before Christ. But He took me and gave me wings."

Hiei thought and looked across to the distant bank. "Will you take me there? To where you were accepted."

"I will never go back to that place," Darkfire hissed, casting a hateful glare at him. "And never will I take another there."

"I'm not asking you to hold my hand. I can get to the other side by myself. I was simply asking of you to guide me to the location—"

"No! Heaven is not a place you visit. You wouldn't even wish to live there without acceptance. Memories will arise, Hiei, that neither of us wish to relive. Forget this place and it will serve you well. Embrace the knowledge that when you die again you will return to Hell."

"I don't need your permission!" Hiei snarled, leaping into the air. Darkfire sprang after him, wings sprouting, and grabbed him about the waist.

"May you live to regret this decision." As they crossed the far bank, the scenery burst into a blinding white. Winged beings floated all about, laughing and carefree. All was serene and perfect. Nothing was out of place; nothing seemed as though it didn't belong. Save the demon and his black-winged guardian.

An angel noticed the pair and shrieked, "Demon, you are not welcome here!"

"Leave Paradise, black foes!" cried another.

Others joined in on the cursing and calling. They shrank away from the couple descending upon their perfect world.

"This pain," Hiei thought, staring at the running creatures, "I remember it. Memories of old and gone. They haunt me now, fresh and doubled. Damn them. Damn them!" His feet touched the sacred earth and Darkfire released his body.

Sharp cries of horror echoed in the recesses of her mind. Faded images of pain and death brightened as they emerged from the darkness. "Yes," she thought, "haunt me once more. Crush my spirit once again as you beat upon me. Come, hated memories of old, come and do your worst."

"Gabriel!" an angel cried. "Gabriel will deal with these demons!"

Darkfire's heart skipped a beat and her breathing faltered. "No, not Gabriel," she choked, eyes wide with horror.

A white glow descended upon the two. Three feathery white wings spread from the light; a hand emerged. And then the light began to fade. In its place stood a man with white-blue eyes, threatening eyes. His hair was shoulder length and a bright blonde. He wore white robes that just missed brushing his bare feet. About his neck were several crosses, all having a special variation.

"Welcome back, Darkfire," he spoke, voice of vanilla. "I thought we would never meet again."

"We were never meant to," she hissed, mustering her courage.

"Testy, aren't we?" Gabriel smiled, slyly taunting the girl.

"Last we met, you were sending me to Hell. So excuse me for being less than cordial," she answered curtly.

"That was such a long time ago, dear friend. Can you not forgive me?"

"Only when the action is repaid…friend."

"Why did you escort a demon here, Darkfire? You know the Law."

"No, Gabriel, I've forgotten the Laws of this land, and of all other lands. I live as I please with no regard for laws." She paused and a devilish smile came on her face. "I bet all of Heaven was in an uproar when I invaded this human's body and thrust out her soul. And then that poor soul was eaten by a nearby demon before you could get to it. Yes, all of Heaven hates me even more for that."

Gabriel hit her hard across the face with a sickening smack. Hiei twitched and his eyes narrowed.

"What?" the Archangel challenged, staring at the demon. "Do you not like that?" He smacked her again, and again Hiei twitched. "What are you going to do about it, demon? Strike me down? I would thoroughly love to see you try."

Darkfire tensed and looked off into the distance. A great hand was moving over the land, searching. Taking Hiei's hand, she shot into the air and then took him about the waist once more.

"Close your eyes and don't look back," she ordered, beating her wings with great power. Up, up, up into the air she flew until it became a burden to breathe. Taking aim at the river, she flapped her wings once with a powerful gust and then folded them behind her. They gained speed rapidly as they rocketed towards the bank. All the while the hand just out of reach.

The river came into view. And so did Gabriel, blocking her way. Darkfire pulled up and turned so she hit him with her back. She dropped Hiei into the river, and Gabriel caught her in a tight hold.

"Go, Hiei!" she cried, struggling. "Get back home and don't look back!"

"You can't escape," sneered Gabriel, overpowering her struggles.

Her wings receded back into her body and she dropped into the river. She swam with the current, desperate to catch up to Hiei.

"Don't think this makes you free!" Gabriel called after her. "You'll never be free!"

Darkfire pushed through the water, calling Hiei's name vigorously. She floated down that river for what seemed like hours. And then she felt a strange pull and the water moved swifter.

"Hiei!" she cried, pulling herself to the bank. "Hiei! Answer me! Please, Hiei!" She ran to the edge of the cliff, staring down into the fires of Hell. "Hiei!" she called once more, staring at the waterfall. "Why didn't you get out before the Styx ended?"

She spread her wings an leapt into the chasm. The heat stung her face as she floated down. Gently, she touched down on the steaming rocks, no longer soaked.

"Hiei!" called Darkfire, looking around. Spotting a bubbling pit of lava, she raced to it. "Lucifer!" she yelled over the screams of the damned. The man bathing in the molten rock looked up and saw the woman.

"My, my, what a surprise," he cooed, making his way to her. "I never expected to see you back in my home."

"Never mind that. Tell me where Hiei is."

"Hiei? Where have I heard that name…? Oh yes, I remember. He came here not too long ago. But, as I recall, you stole him from me." He stepped from the pit and Darkfire turned away.

"Has he come recently? Alive?"

"No one has come here…except you."

"I know he fell from the river! Where is he?"

Lucifer turned Darkfire to him and took her by the throat, still naked. "You dare say I lie?" he hissed.

"I can sense him here, Satan," she choked, grabbing his arm. The skin on her hands and neck began to sizzle painfully. "Someone took him!"

"What do you care?" the Devil sneered, throwing her to the floor. "He doesn't want your pity." He pulled on a black robe and tied it at his waist. "He'll be happy and without pain here."

Her eyes burned with hate as she glared up at him. "I don't care! He still has a life to live! People who love him are waiting for him to return home! As his guardian angel I must do what's best for him!"

"Then leave him here! You are no longer an angel, either. You have no power here. Hiei is mine and I will not let you steal him again…for a fourth time!"

Darkfire jumped to her feet and her wings fanned out angrily. "He's not yours."

"He's certainly not yours, my dear girl." He touched her face gently; red eyes gleaming like fire. "How 'bout a compromise."

She hesitated but did not pull from him.

"He may return home, but you must stay here…with me. Just as the old days." He caressed her cheek lovingly as he stepped closer. "When I loved you as no other would."

She touched his lips tenderly and closed her eyes. "Lucifer, I did not allow it then and I will not allow it now. Understand, dear Lucifer, that you were not the only to love me as you did. I cannot love you as you wish me to." She stepped back from him and smiled sadly. "I'm so sorry."

"So am I." He turned from her and hung his head. "Hiei will not return to you; his home is now here."

Darkfire dropped to her knees and her wings lay limp. "Please, Lucifer, don't break my heart again. I'm begging you, please return that man to my arms. Return him to Yukina. Please, Lucifer…."

He knelt to her and rubbed her shoulders softly. "If I cannot have you, let me embrace you one last time. Let me feel you in my arms once more, Darkfire."

She pressed her head against his chest and drew in her wings. He pulled her to him in a tight, loving hug as she sat in his lap. Kissing her head, he rested he cheek upon the spot.

"No man has or will ever love you more than I. Never will you find a man who understands you more than I," Satan whispered, standing.

Darkfire followed him up and stared into his fire-red eyes. "Is that a curse?"

"No, just the truth." He waved his hand and Hiei appeared. "Take him." The Devil started walking away, thinking of his loss.

"Lucifer, one day I will repay every kindness you have shown me." She took Hiei's hand, spread her wings, and soared from Hell.

"Will you ever let me rest?" Hiei inquired, looking up at Darkfire.

"When your time is spent."

And so the plot thickens...