Hello people! Here is chapter 18. I tried to post it last night but Fanfiction wouldn't let me. I was very mad. It took me a total of 2 hours, maybe a bit more, to write this. I love the way it came out and I hope all of you do too. There will be one chapter left after this and once this story is finished, i'll be taking a break from Fanfiction, but not writing. I am currently working on a collaboration with Nekodemongrl and, when the story is finished, it will be posted. You will all like, we guarantee.
Enjoy!
Yukina stirred and rolled onto her side. Kohaku was sound asleep beside her on the cold, dirt ground. Wait, ground? She shot up and surveyed the area around her. It was barren, no people or trees for miles around. The ground was rock hard and turned up in some places, as if it was sucked dry of all water then an earthquake came through. Gazing to her side, she found Hiei laying right behind her, katana tucked up to his body and his arm within reach of her hand. Yukina took his hand into her hers and lightly rubbed his fingers with her own. Crimson eyes blinked open and gazed into identical orbs.
"Imoto-chan?"
"Ani-kun, you must wake up. Please? We have to get the others."
"What...what happened?"
"Riley."
This caused him to sit up quickly, making him slightly dizzy, but he recovered. Jumping to his feet, he hurried to the closest person, Botan. Shaking the ferry girl awake, he turned to wake Kurama, Chai, and Jin while Yukina woke Yusuke, Touya, and Kohaku. Botan sat up while rubbing her head. Facing her waking fiance, she gave him a swift kiss on the cheek before pulling out her compact to contact Koenma. Kurama and Hiei walked around the area, checking for any signs of their friends. The closest they came to was finding their weapons. There were bits of clothing that were blown off during the blast as well, but nothing more. Botan came up to her fiance's side with Touya right behind her.
"Koenma is on his way so we must go." A tear rolled down her face and she clutched Kurama's shirt. "I miss them all. Why, why didn't Riley tell us?"
"Because we would have tried to stop her. We didn't want her to leave." Koenma responded while stepping out of a portal. "Come, we must return to Reikai."
"Have they passed through the Gate already?" Touya wondered, turning to look at the 'teen' king.
"I am afraid so. Liz, the boys, and I are happy to have at least said good-bye. My father is heartbroken, as am I. Riley lived in Ningenkai her whole life and I never really knew her the way I wanted to, the way a father should. I just wish I could have had that at least."
Koenma collapsed to the ground, his body wracked with sobs. Yukina knelt beside him and wrapped him in a hug. Kohaku joined his mother. The three were crying full-heartedly and were joined by Botan, Kurama, and Touya. Yusuke stood off to the side, face wet with tears, tears for his lost love and friends.
Hiei, however, just watched all this unfold without so much as a flicker of emotion on his face. His eyes, however, revealed his pain. Riley was close to him. He felt a connection to her, something that he only shared with her. Something about her had intrigued him at first sight. She confused him in so many ways and he wanted nothing more then to figure out how and why. He wanted her back in his arms and this confused him. Death and misery fill his past, but Riley radiated a light that cast all those shadows away. Now, his light and life were gone. Riley broke the shell he built around his heart. Yukina had pierced it, but she had shattered it entirely.
A revelation dawned on him. Never, in his whole life, had he felt so strongly for a single person. Never, in his whole life, had he felt so sure about someone. Never, in his whole life, had he met someone like her. These emotions that built up in his heart every time he saw of thought of her were those of love. Love. It was a foreign word to him, one that he never knew entirely...but he liked it. However, she was gone. He was to never see her smiling face again. Never will he be able to hold her again or kiss her soft, pink lips.
"We should be heading back to Reikai, Koenma. Do you have Kuwabara and Keiko's body there?" Yusuke asked, facing him.
Koenma stood up and wiped his eyes. A portal flared to life beside him and he gestured for everyone to enter. They complied except for Kurama and Hiei. Said kitsune watched Hiei as he knelt beside the same place Riley died in. Her sword was clutched in one hand and another hand rested on the ground. Kurama would have let him have a moment if he had not seen something fall from Hiei's face. A lone black, blue, and red gem landed beside Hiei's hand. The kitsune watched wide-eyed as several more fell beside it.
"Hi...Hiei?" he stuttered, stepping beside his friend.
"Why, Kurama? Why did she have to die? We could have saved her like she saved Kohaku and myself. We could have done something, anything. She never told us so we wouldn't get protective, but dammit she could have given a clue!" he yelled, turning his head towards the sky. "You could have said something, anything, Riley! We cared for you! You could have told us! You could have told me! I do trust you! I know I messed up, telling you that I didn't trust you! I'm sorry for it, sorry for not being true to my heart and mind."
Kurama knelt next to Hiei and placed a hand on both of his shoulders, forcing the kajihenge to look him in the eye. Hiei's eyes were slightly darker then usual and black streaks ran down his face. Kurama hugged his friend tightly.
"We all miss her Hiei. We miss them all. I know how you feel. I loved her too. Not in the way you do, but as a sister and friend. She meant so much to me and even more to you. I know she felt the same. The way she looked at you, the way she spoke of you, all of it told her feelings. She would hate to see us weep like this, so we must be strong. Hiei, do you think she would want you to cry or smile at the good times?"
"You're right, Kurama." he pulled away from him and stood, holding her sword tightly. "We should return to Reikai, Yukina and Yusuke need comfort. They also lost someone very close to their heart."
The two men rose and walked through the portal, it closing behind them. A lone figure emerged out of a small bit of smoke that lingered nearby. She had a sad look in her emerald eyes. Light brown hair whipped around her violently as she transported herself far from there.
Yusuke stood on the stoop of the apartment Kuwabara shared with his sister, Shizuru. With a deep breath, he entered and went straight up to the room he knew all to well. Knocking on the door, he heard a gruff voice from inside and hurried footsteps. Shizuru whipped open the door, tears staining her cheeks.
"Please, Yusuke, tell me my vision was wrong. Tell me my brother isn't dead!" she cried hysterically as she threw herself into his arms.
"I'm sorry, Shiz, but...he is." he choked as he felt more tears burning in his eyes.
"No!"
Unable to take it anymore, she broke down entirely. Crying Kazuma's name over and over again, she caught the attention of some of the occupants in the building. They came to her side, asking what was wrong. Yusuke explained to them, without reveling too much, that he was murdered. This got Shizuru going again and he took her into her apartment. Calling Botan, he explained to her what was going on and the ferry girl hurried over. Shizuru had settled down a little by the time she arrived. When she asked Yusuke where Keiko was, Yusuke felt the tears run down his face and hurried out. Botan sat Shizuru on the couch and explained everything to her.
Yusuke ran as fast as he could to the Yukimura's restaurant where he knew Keiko's parents were. They knew of Reikai and Makai after Keiko spent nearly five days trying to get them to believe her. It was Yusuke idea that they knew just in case something came up. She didn't want her parents to worry. He stopped at the window and saw Mrs. Yukimura sitting in a chair with a cup of tea. She looked distressed about something and Yusuke feared that she might have felt something. All humans have a small bit of psychic sense which is why they can feel when something is wrong. Calming his nerves, he wiped his eyes before entering. Mrs. Yukimura looked up at him as he came in. Something on his face made her feel uneasy. She knew he had bad news.
"Yusuke, where is Keiko?" she asked.
He walked right up to her, hugged her tightly, and began crying into her shoulder. With those actions, she knew the answer. Tears sprang up in her eyes and the two cried. Mr. Yukimura emerged a few minutes later and found the two of them as such.
"What happened?" he questioned, placing a hand on his wife's shoulder.
"I am sorry to have to be the barer of bad news, but you must know. Keiko was murdered in Makai, along with Kazuma. Four of our other friends lives were claimed as well."
Making sure they were sitting, he told them about all that had unfurled.
Kurama entered his mother's home with Botan beside him. It was quiet. No sounds echoed throughout the house. Shuuichi wasn't home or else he would have been at the door already. The two made their way to the kitchen. Shiori sat on a stool at the counter, just gazing out the window. Kurama placed a hand on his mother's shoulder.
"Oh, Shuichi. I didn't hear you come in. What's wrong?" she wondered, noticing the look on his face.
"It's Riley, mother. She...she's dead."
"What? How?"
"Let us explain, Shiori. I'll make some tea to help calm all our nerves." Botan assured, making her way to the kettle on the stove.
5 Years Later...
Decorations covered almost every inch of the Ball Room in Reikai castle. Ogres, demons, humans, and deities were all dressed up for a very festive occasion. It was the wedding of Koenma to Elizabeth, his first and only love. There would also be her crowning as Queen of Reikai and the crowning of Richard as prince. Damian and Dante were being announced as princelings for they are sons of Liz, but not Koenma. Usagi and Takini were there, as were the gang.
Kurama and Botan were happily married with a 3 year old daughter, with mothers hair and fathers eyes, and a son on the way. Yukina and Kohaku, whom has grown to be a handsome young man, were accompanying Touya, the two adults in a budding relationship. Yusuke was alone, unfortunately, but did not let that stop him from congratulating his friends. Chai and Jin were mates with two twins, a boy and girl, both with their fathers flaming red hair and their mothers lavender orbs. Kuronue, having been restored to a corporal body, was in attendance as well.
Kurama looked around the room for Hiei. The kajihenge has been staying in Makai, working hard at his job as head of Human Relocation. He knew that Hiei had received an invitation because he delivered it himself. Kurama gazed over at his wife who shrugged at him, signaling that she had not seen him yet. With a sigh, he took his place back up at the alter. Koenma was nervous as can be. Yusuke patted his back, telling him it would be alright. Botan and Yukina stood directly across from Yusuke and Kurama with Koenma in the center. Enma-sama was present and conducting the ceremony. After a few minutes, the orchestra started up.
Liz walked down the hall with a small smile on her lips. Damian was escorting her with Dante and Richard just behind them. Damian's daughter was the flower girl, carrying a basket of roses that she handed to various people sitting beside the aisle. She smiled at everyone, smiling larger when she passed her mother, a beautiful woman Damian had gone to high school and college with. When the bride made it to the alter, Koenma was in awe. She wore a simple, pure white kimono with a pale green obi, matching her eyes. Her blonde hair was pulled up high and secured with jade hair sticks. Light blush decorated her cheeks and her lips shined with gloss. Koenma accepted his wife-to-be and faced his father. Liz met Koenma's eye out of the corner of her own. Both were smiling largely.
The bride and groom sat at the head of the room, a table they shared with Enma and their sons. Yusuke, Kurama, Botan, Yukina, Touya, Chai, Jin, and Hiei, who had come to the wedding, sat at a table just in front of the royal family. The children had a table of their own. Music started up and Koenma escorted his wife to the floor to dance. They were later joined by all the couples. Yusuke and Hiei sat at the table by themselves. Having no one to dance with, they watched the others, occasionally laughing at awkward moments.
"Ladies and gentlemen, your royal Highnesses, a special song for the King and Queen." said a woman from the stage, placing the microphone in it's place.
Everyone on the floor made a circle around Koenma and Liz as the music started up again, this time a love song to be sung the woman.
"I'll
be your dream
I'll
be your wish, I'll be your fantasy
I'll
be your hope, I'll be your love
Be
everything that you need
"I'll
love you more with every breath
Truly
Madly Deeply Do
I
will be strong, I will be faithful
Coz
I'm counting on
"A
new beginning
A
reason for living
A
deeper meaning (yeah)"
The woman began dance a bit while singing this. Her eyes gazed intently on the bride and groom, hidden behind a white shawl.
"I
want to stand with you on a mountain
I
want to bathe with you in the sea
I
wanna lay like this forever
Until
the sky falls down on me
"And
when the stars are shining
Brightly
in the velvet sky
I'll
make a wish send it to heaven
Then
make you want to cry
"The
tears of joy for all the
Pleasure
in the certainty
That
we're surrounded
By
the comfort and protection of
"The
highest powers
In
lonely hours
The
tears devour you"
She gazed to her right where a woman with a red shawl was singing backup with her.
"I
want to stand with you on a mountain
I
want to bathe with you in the sea
I
wanna lay like this forever
Until
the sky falls down on me
"Oh
can you see it baby?
You
don't have to close your eyes
Coz
it's standing right before you
All
that you need will surely come"
The woman began to remove the part of the shawl covering her face. Moving it before her face, she removed it completely before letting it fall to the ground, receiving a gasp from the crowd.
"I'll
be your dream
I'll
be your wish, I'll be your fantasy
I'll
be your hope, I'll be your love
Be
everything that you need
"I'll
love you more with every breath
Truly
Madly Deeply Do
"I
want to stand with you on a mountain
I
want to bathe with you in the sea
I
wanna lay like this forever
Until
the sky falls down on me
"I
want to stand with you on a mountain
I
want to bathe with you in the sea
I
wanna lay like this forever
Until
the sky falls down on me"
Emerald eyes gazed at the wedding party. Moving around the microphone, she walked into the crowd, all of which parted at her coming. The woman in the red shawl followed behind her. She paused before the king and queen, forest orbs looking them over before bowing deeply. Two others joined them, one in a green robe and another in blue. The four bowed in respect for the royal family. Liz stepped forward, placing a hand on the golden-hair of the first woman. She rose to look up at the queen, but was smothered in a hug before she could react.
Yusuke and Hiei sat frozen in their seats. The singer couldn't be who she looked like. She had died five years previous. Unable to take it, they ran to where Liz was hugging the girl. Her emerald eyes opened to gaze up into her fathers brown ones. Their friends stood around them.
"How?" was all Koenma could ask as he took his daughter into his arms.
"We had a little help." Riley mumbled into her father's shoulder.
"Who?"
She pulled away and took a step back. A small child, the very one who appeared before the others right after Riley died, came up to them. With a puff of smoke, she was replaced by a tall woman with light, waist-length brown hair and glittering jade eyes, rimmed in chestnut. Koenma felt tears come to his eyes as he hugged this woman. She accepted him wholeheartedly. Tears were in both their eyes. Riley smiled at this before turning to face Kurama. He stood before her with a mock anger look on his face.
"I should be very mad at you for dying." he started, before breaking out in a smile. "But I'm too damn happy to see you."
Bringing her into a large hug, he gave her a kiss on the forehead while whispering how much he missed her into her hair. Each of her friends gave her a similar treatment, until she came to Hiei. He watched her, emotions coming to life within him. He thought he lost her years ago, yet here she was before him, as beautiful as ever. Her blonde hair fell in soft curls around her figure, it reaching just above her knees. A white, Chinese-style dress clung to her figure and a similar cloak rested on her shoulders. She kept her gaze on him, looking him over as he did the same to her.
"How are you alive?" he asked, emotion not pervading in his voice.
"I thought you would be happy to see me, Hiei-kun." she said with a pout face on. "I guess I should just leave then."
"Onna." he called as she turned away. She stopped and looked at him as he stepped towards her. "Don't do that again."
Shocking her and everyone around, he wrapped his arms around her middle and gave her a passionate kiss on the lips. Riley went weak in the knees and wrapped her arms around his neck to prevent herself from collapsing to the floor. Clapping came to their ears and they pulled away to see it was their friends. A blush came to both of their faces. Riley smiled at Hiei and took his hand.
"Hiei, I want you to meet my grandmother. She was the one who brought us back to life."
"How?"
"Later, I promise. Plus you and I have somethings to discuss."
"Anything."
Wrapping his arms tightly around her waist again, he gave her a soft kiss on the cheek before they walked over to Koenma.
Yay! They're back! I know all of you want an explanation as to how, but that will be saved for the last chapter. Hope you enjoyed the Riley and Hiei fluff! The song is "Truely, Madly, Deeply" by Savage Garden.
Jinx-the-Pink-Goddess