Author's Notes: I procrastinated hard on this one. I'm sorry. It's been a bit tough lately as everyone is aware, but things are getting better for me. I'm in a better headspace now and I've been working on this like a maniac. And it just keeps getting longer and longer…

Chapter 9 Ave Atque Vale

"Well?"

Touya's heart raced as he entered the room and heard that voice.

"I'm fine," he said, his voice thick with emotion.

He grunted when something warm and solid collided with him, but he closed his eyes and inhaled the familiar scent. He could feel Jin shaking and he knew he was shaking too, but he didn't care.

"I'm fine," he repeated even though he wasn't.

"Wha's gonna happen?" Jin asked. "Are yeh gonna leave?"

"I have to." Touya buried his face in Jin's chest so he didn't have to look him in the eye. "After what Risho did, I can't go back."

"Where will you go?" Jin asked.

"Koenma has granted me safe passage to Living World," Touya said.

Jin pulled away from Touya and stared at him. "Living World? Touya, if you go there, you might never be able to return to Demon World."

"I know." Touya didn't want to look up at Jin because he would weep. He had to keep it together. "The only alternative is death."

Jin sighed and pulled Touya close to him again. "I know," he whispered. "I jus' wish it didn't haveta come to this."

"So you're going to stay?" Touya asked.

"I doan have much of a choice, do I?" Jin said. "Leavin' the Shinobi is seen as a betrayal and the sentence for betrayal is death." He scowled as he repeated the words that had been drilled into both of them. "Besides, I want to find out if Risho's claims about the Elders is true."

"So you didn't know?" Touya asked.

That had been bothering him since their conversation in the forest. It had sounded like Jin was trying to test the waters to see how Touya felt about the Shinobi's practices and gauge just how loyal he was to them. And he'd been awfully quiet during the confrontation with Risho, as if he'd already knew what Risho was going to say.

"I swear to ya I didn't know," Jin said fiercely and Touya was inclined to believe him; it was not in Jin's character to like. "I had suspicions about the Shinobi and that's why I sought you out in the forest, to see if you noticed it to, but I swear I didn't know the whole truth."

"I believe you," Touya said. He looked up at Jin. "I trust you. Just…just be careful, okay? I couldn't bear to lose you."

"I will," Jin said.

The two of them stood silently, their arms wrapped around each other.

"Never thought we'd haveta say goodbye to each other like this," Jin murmured.

"Me either," Touya said.

Jin pulled back a bit and kissed him. Touya clutched at his face and parted his lips so he could taste Jin one last time.

Neither of them wanted to break the kiss, but a lack of oxygen forced them to.

"I'll see you again," Jin said, gently wiping the half-frozen tears from Touya's face with his thumbs. "I'll find a way. I promise."

Touya nodded, though he didn't know how Jin would be able to keep his promise.

"Take care of yourself, Jin," he said.

"And you as well," Jin said.

He embraced Touya one last time and they reluctantly broke apart. Touya turned for the door and made it partway down the hallway before collapsing in sobs.

.o.O.o.

Touya's eyes were red and hurt from crying, but thankfully Kurama hadn't inquired about it when Touya returned to their now-shared room. They had decided this was best; Kurama had volunteered to oversee the first part of Touya's journey to Living World and make sure he was comfortably settled in his new home with Genkai.

Touya still couldn't believe he had the chance to study under the famous Genkai. That chance would have never come had it not been for some complicated politics involving Team Urameshi and Team Toguro that resulted in Genkai being restored to life. Genkai had agreed to train Touya to fit in with the humans until a representative from Spirit World determined he could live on his own. Touya didn't like the idea of a Spirit World representative breathing down his neck, but it was better than the alternative.

He had said his goodbyes to Jin and now he was to be introduced to the rest of Team Urameshi. It was all happening so fast it made his head spin.

He couldn't help feeling nervous as he stood outside Urameshi's door with Kurama. How would they take his presence in their lives? Would they welcome him or see him as an intruder? Would they accept one of their former enemies as one of their own?

At last, Urameshi's door opened and he poked his head out, smiling at the sight of Kurama, though Touya could see it was more of a weary smile than anything. Clearly, the tournament had taken its toll on him.

"Hey Kurama," he said.

"Hello Yusuke," Kurama said. "I hope we're not too early."

"We…?" Urameshi's face screwed up into a puzzled expression until Touya stepped forward.

"Hello Urameshi," he said.

"Oh hey there Touya," Urameshi said with a nervous laugh. "Good to see you again."

"And you as well," Touya said warmly.

He had come to like Urameshi, probably because his personality was a lot like Jin's; loud and obnoxious, but also kind and caring underneath his rough exterior.

"Um…come in," Urameshi said, opening the door wider and stepping aside. "The others should be here soon though I seriously doubt Three Eyes will bother to show up."

Kurama chuckled softly. "Yes, Hiei tends to do whatever he pleases."

Urameshi excused himself to answer the door again and a group of girls entered the room. Touya recognized Urameshi's girlfriend, but not the two others with her. When he saw the last girl in the group, his eyes widened and he excused himself from Kurama's side.

"Hello Yukina," he said, going up to her.

Yukina smiled gently at him. "Hello, Touya. How have you been?"

"I'm well, thank you," Touya said. "And yourself?"

"I'm doing quite well, thanks," Yukina said.

Touya pulled her into a hug and whispered, "Let's talk privately when we can find a moment."

Yukina nodded and they pulled apart, acting like nothing had passed between them.

"Wait a minute," Urameshi said, pointing at the two of them. "You two know each other?"

"Yes, of course," Yukina said. "Our mothers were sisters."

Urameshi stared blankly at her. Touya rolled his eyes.

"We're cousins," he said irritably.

"Ohhh," Urameshi said. He frowned in confusion. "Wait. I thought Ice Maidens were always girls."

"Yuuuuuuuuuuuuukiiiiiiiiinaaaaaa!" Kuwabara chose that moment to burst into the room, saving Touya from a very awkward conversation.

"Hi Kazuma," Yukina said with a smile. "I'm so happy you were able to join us."

Out of the corner of his eye, Touya saw Kurama beckon Urameshi forward and whispered in his ear. From the way the both of them glanced at him, Touya could easily guess what they were talking about.

Touya jumped when he felt a hand gently squeeze his arm and tried to pay attention to the conversation going on around him.

"Touya, this is Kazuma, a friend of mine. Kazuma, this is my cousin Touya," Yukina said.

Kuwabara squinted at him. "Hey, aren't you one of the guys from Team Masho?"

"Yes," Touya said through gritted teeth.

"Yeah, I remember you. You called out that dirty cheating bastard Risho and got clobbered for it. Glad to see you're okay," Kuwabara said.

"T…thanks," Touya muttered, taken aback.

He and Kuwabara studied each other intently for a few moments.

"You're a good guy," Kuwabara finally said. "You…and Jin, you both fought fairly and you stood up for what you believed in even though it led to you getting hurt. I respect that."

"Thank you," Touya said, finally managing to smile.

The conversation turned to other things and Touya found the chance to slip away. He went over to stand at the windows, which offered a panoramic view of the sun setting beyond the sea. He jumped when he felt a cool hand slide into his and glared at his cousin.

"Not much of a ninja are you, if I can sneak up on you so easily," Yukina teased.

"I'm usually the one doing the sneaking," Touya grumbled, but he couldn't help smiling.

They stood silently side by side for a while, staring at the sea.

"Why are you here?" Touya finally asked, not tearing his gaze away from the spectacular view.

There was no hostility in his tone, merely curiosity. It was exceedingly rare for Ice Maidens to leave the Glacial Village. He only hoped that she would avoid incurring the wrath of the Elders, as his mother had.

"I came to cheer on Yusuke and Kazuma because they have been so kind to me," Yukina said.

"They rescued you from Tarukane," Touya remembered.

He had been so grieved when he had learned of Yukina's kidnapping, even more so when he had learned her fate, but his vows as a Shinobi prevented him from interfering. He had been so glad to hear or her rescue and the end of Tarukane's empire.

"There was another reason for me leaving the Glacial Village," Yukina said, bringing Touya out of his silent musings. He turned to his cousin curiously. "It seems I have a brother."

"A brother?" Touya stared at Yukina.

He had been cast out of the Glacial Village long before Yukina was born and had only returned once a couple years ago so his knowledge of life in the Glacial Village was very limited. He had not heard of Hina giving birth to twins, though he wasn't surprised that was kept a secret.

"Yes." Yukina folded her hands and stared out the window, a troubled expression on her face. "A twin. He was cast out of our village when he was a baby and no one knows what became of him or if he is even still alive. Miss Rui believes he is still alive and so do I so I have come here looking for him."

"Why Living World?" Touya asked. "Wouldn't it be more likely for him to be in Demon World?"

Yukina shook her head. "It's only a feeling that I have, but I think he's somewhere in Living World. The Elders have granted me leave to search for him…"

"Bullshit," Touya interrupted. Yukina stared at him in surprise. "The Elders never would have willingly let you go. It's been a long time since I've been there, but I know what they think of the outside world." He paused for a moment, scrutinizing his cousin. "Yukina, did you run away?" Yukina was silent for a while and then nodded. "Ah."

Touya turned to stare out at the sea, waiting for Yukina to speak.

"I couldn't…" Yukina finally said and Touya turned to look at her again. "I couldn't bear to stay there any longer. You know what it's like living there, how confining it is." Touya nodded. "They freeze their hearts in order to survive and I just…I couldn't live like that."

"Well," Touya said slowly when Yukina had fallen silent. "It seems our family is destined to be disobedient. I'm not going to force you to return to the Glacial Village. In fact, I'm not returning to Demon World at all."

"You're not?" Yukina asked in surprise.

Briefly, Touya told her everything that had transpired, including a highly edited version of what Risho had done.

"That's awful," Yukina whispered, taking his hand. "I'm sorry."

Touya gently squeezed her hand. "I'm surviving and that's what matters. Though I would not be able to had Kurama not spoken for me and convinced Koenma to allow me to resettle in Living World."

He gazed at Kurama, who was across the room deep in conversation with Urameshi. Yukina followed his gaze and smiled.

"You like him, don't you?" she asked.

"Well, yes," Touya said. "There's a lot to admire about him. He's strong, brave, an excellent fighter…"

"You know that's not what I meant," Yukina said mildly.

It took a moment for it to click. "What? Oh, no, no, no, no, no. It's not like that at all. Really."

"Okay, if you say so." Yukina's tone suggested she didn't believe him.

"Hey, I know you two are cousins and all, but how about sharing your company with the rest of us?" a woman's voice cut through the awkward silence that had descended upon Touya and Yukina.

"Sorry Shizuru," Yukina said in an apologetic tone to a brunette woman. "Kazuma's older sister," she added to Touya in an undertone.

"Ah," Touya said.

"Come on, let's go and say hi to her," Yukina said, taking him by the hand. "And don't worry, she's not as ferocious as she seems."

Ferocious is not the word I'd use to describe her, Touya thought dryly as his cousin dragged him back towards the others. Obnoxiously loud, maybe, but not ferocious.

He was surprised at how little Shizuru resembled her brother and how much he actually liked her. She was blunt, but it wasn't to be mean. She just tended to speak her mind, consequences be damned. Sort of like Jin.

Touya shook his head. I must stop comparing everyone to Jin.

It made his chest hurt, thinking about Jin.

He hastily excused himself from the conversation he had been pulled into and went to stand by the windows again. It was too dark to see the sea now, but it was comforting to know it was out there. He pressed his hand against the cool pane of class, closed his eyes, and tried to focus on his breathing. His shoulders shook, but he forced the sobs back. No matter how many times he tried, he couldn't completely cover his heart with ice like the rest of his kin. Perhaps it was because he was only half ice demon. Perhaps whatever characteristics he had inherited from his father was the reason why. He knew nothing of his father, not what type of demon he was, not even his name. It was a secret his mother had taken to her grave. He had mostly come to terms with the fact that he would probably never know his father's identity, but from time to time, he found himself wishing he did know. With a quiet sigh, he opened his eyes as he heard soft footsteps heading in his direction.

"Kurama," he said as his companion stood next to him at the window.

Kurama didn't seem surprised that Touya had heard him coming. "Are you all right?"

"Fine." The word sounded hollow. Touya hoped Kurama didn't hear it. "I just needed a moment. I was feeling a little overwhelmed."

"Ah," Kurama said. "That's understandable. You're not used to this sort of thing, are you?"

"No." Touya shook his head. "It does provide a nice distraction from…from…."

Dammit. He promised himself he wouldn't think of it. And now he couldn't stop the memories from flooding back to him. The world seemed to tilt sideways. He curled his hand into a first until his nails dug into his skin.

"Breathe," Kurama said softly in his ear.

Touya exhaled shakily and the tension left his body. The world seemed to right itself. He opened his hand. His palm was streaked with blood from where his nails had broken the skin.

"Come," Kurama said softly when he saw the blood. "Let's retire for the night."

Touya merely nodded. Kurama led the way across the room.

"Yusuke," he said, getting the dark-haired boy's attention. "Touya and I are going to retire for the night. It's been a long day."

Urameshi nodded gravely. "See you two in the morning."

He glanced at Touya, who curled up his hand to hide his bleeding palm.

"Yes," Touya said softly.

He allowed Kurama to lead him out of Urameshi's room and down the hallway to his room. He sat on the couch in the sitting area when Kurama bade him to and waited while Kurama disappeared into the bedroom. He came out a few moments later carrying a small first aid kit.

"Let me see your hand," he said softly, sitting on the couch next to Touya.

Touya held out his hand. He refused to meet Kurama's eyes as the red-haired demon gently tended to his injuries. He winced when he felt the sting of antiseptic, marveled at how gentle yet firm Kurama was when wrapping a bandage around his hand.

"There," Kurama said when he had finished.

Touya finally forced himself to look Kurama in the eye. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Kurama said. He got to his feet. "You should at least try to get some sleep. Today was a long day, but I fear that tomorrow is going to be even longer. You can take the bedroom and I'll sleep on the couch."

"I can't take the bedroom. This is your room," Touya protested. "And you are still injured."

He did not miss the bandages still wrapped around Kurama's arms, although they were less numerous than before.

"I'm all right," Kurama said although Touya didn't believe him.

He could see how weary Kurama was, though he tried to hide it. Touya had only heard bits and pieces of what had happened during his fight with Karasu, but knew that Kurama had come very close to death.

"Please," Touya said. "Take the bedroom. I think I will be much more comfortable out here on the couch. To be honest, I'm not used to all this…luxury." He gestured around the room at all the opulent furniture. "It makes me…uncomfortable."

Kurama smiled. "Fair enough. "Would you like me to bring you a pillow or blanket?"

"No, thank you," Touya said.

Truth be told, he wasn't planning on sleeping if he could help it, but he wasn't about to tell Kurama that.

"Very well," Kurama said. "I will see you in the morning. Sleep well."

He was at the bedroom door when Touya called out, "Good night Kurama."

Kurama paused and turned to smile at Touya. "Good night, Touya."

For some reason, that smile made Touya's heart beat faster.

.o.O.o.

Author's Notes: I apologize if there is any random gibberish in the chapter or something missing. My cat jumped on my keyboard at exactly the wrong time and I think I fixed what she did, but I can't be certain.

The chapter title "ave atque vale" are the last words in a poem written by the Roman poet Gaius Valerius Catullus and it's translated as "hail and farewell".