Chapter 8

Kurama walked to the edge of the steps that led to the temple and took a seat. He was thinking about yesterday and the events that led up to Youko's comments to Yusuke.

Closing his eyes, he asked the boy. 'Shuiichi…what happened yesterday?'

Shuiichi told him everything. 'It does not make sense, It should not have happened.' Kurama said when the boy was finished.

'When I saw our body in the mirror, I was scared, I am sorry for not telling you what happened.' Shuiichi's voice held a hint of panic.

'You know I can heal us faster than normal, we have been worse and have been okay.' Kurama tried to assure the boy.

'Are you mad at me?' Shuiichi's voice now held a hint of fear in it.

'No…I am not mad, more confused than anything. Kurama stated, his eyes were still closed, but now he was biting his bottom lip.

The red head felt someone watching him. Opening his eyes, he looked to the top of the stairs to see Genkai standing with her arms crossed. "Are you coming, I'm not getting any younger you know." She said and stood there as he made his way up the stairs.

When he reached the top, she said. "I wondered if he was going to tell you." She then walked away, heading to the center garden area where they gave Puu his baths.

Kurama followed, letting out a sigh. It appeared she knew more than he realized.

As Genkai assured Puu, Kurama started getting things ready. He waited for the master to say something, for she was always known for her bluntness and he wasn't disappointed. "How long are you going to go on like this?" She asked as she soaped Puu's wing.

"How long what?" He asked, soaping Puu's chest and neck. He wasn't going to volunteer information.

"I'm old, not senile." She said. "Do you realize the danger you are putting yourself in by letting Youko out more?"

He didn't get to say anything as Hiei and Yusuke came out to the garden.

"Hey." Yusuke said, getting their attention.

"Hello." Kurama said back.

"Kurama, I need to talk to you." Hiei said, motioning for the red head to come to him so they could talk privately. As the red head walked to Hiei, Yusuke walked over to Puu and softly talked to him while rubbing his neck.

Scratching Puu's neck, Yusuke watched the two. Genkai was also watching as she continued to wash his wing.

"Is Hiei leaving?" She asked.

"Yes, he has a job to do for Mukuro." Yusuke answered, watching the red and black haired kiss each other and then Kurama give a hug to the smaller demon. Hiei had a look of disgust on his face, but patted the red head's back before turning and leaving the way they had come in.

"It's for the best, Kurama's not right and we need to figure out what's wrong." Yusuke said. He didn't realize he said it out loud until Genkai said.

"What do you know?" She was watching as the red head stood there, like he had lost his best friend.

"More than you realize." He said.

Kurama came back over and started in where he'd left off.

"Kurama, can you finish Puu. I have something for Yusuke to do and I need to show him first." Genkai said as she dropped her washcloth in the bucket.

"Of course." Kurama said and watched as the two walked into the temple.

Closing the door, Genkai took a seat at the low, round table. There was tea waiting and she poured herself a cup, saying. "Spill it."

Yusuke took a deep breath and started telling a story like no other.

She did not interrupt him as he talked, only occasionally nodded her head and muttered, but waited until he was done before speaking.

"It's what I thought." She said, taking a sip.

"Well don't leave me in the dark." Yusuke said.

She didn't get to answer as they heard a screeching outside. Running to the door, they saw Puu flapping his wings, like he was in distress. The bird then lowered his head, butting the prone figure of Kurama who was laying in a puddle of water.

a)a)a)a

While Genkai and Yukina got Kurama settled in a room, Yusuke contacted Kuwabara, who was over in a matter of minutes it seemed.

"What's up?" He asked, as he came barreling through the door.

"I don't know, Kurama passed out, Genkai and Yukina are with him now." Yusuke said, pacing in front of the closed door leading to the room.

"Where's the shrimp?" The orange haired asked, looking around.

"He had to go to the Makai for a few days." Yusuke answered, stopping to run a hand through his hair.

"Shouldn't we get him back here?" Kuwabara asked.

"No." Yusuke quickly said, seeing his friend's look, he explained. "Something's happening to Kurama and Hiei is part of the problem, its best if he stays away for awhile." He saw confusion on the man's face.

"I guess I need to fill you in on a few things, huh." The raven haired said and led them to the table where he prepared himself to tell the story again.

a)a)a)a

Kuwabara sat there in shock and confusion. He was honestly clueless and felt dumb because he didn't see it happening and now had no idea how to help. He admitted to himself that he was caught up with school and his upcoming wedding to Yukina, but that was no excuse for not seeing one of his good friends going down hill.

"And when did this start happening?" He asked.

"I'm sure it started after the night of my wedding and has been getting worse from there." Yusuke said.

"You…you mean…this has been going on for…six…MONTHS!" Kuwabara ended up yelling, getting mad. "And you knew about it and didn't do anything?" He about yelled that part as well.

"You know Kurama…" The raven haired tried to explain. "He kept saying he would deal with it, what would you of done …?" He accused back.

"Something…I mean…." Kuwabara stammered.

Genkai and Yukina came out of the room, cutting off any more talk. Closing the door, they came over and sat.

"How is he?" Yusuke asked.

"Physically, he's fine. It's his mental stability I'm worried about." Genkai said, pouring tea.

"When Kurama passed out, why didn't Shuiichi come out and cover." Kuwabara asked. Now that he knew it was Shuiichi's spirit energy he felt yesterday.

"I don't know." Genkai said and took a sip of tea before adding. "What I do know…is that Kurama is ceasing to exist."

"WHAT!" They all said in disbelief.

"When you told me about the three personalities, it started making sense, now that Youko is allowed out without supervision, Kurama is no longer needed." Genkai said it like it was an everyday occurrence.

"Care to explain to the rest of us grandma." Yusuke said.

Ignoring the boy, she explained as best she could. "Kurama is the middle of Shuiichi and Youko. See Shuiichi as the head side of a coin and Youko as tails. Kurama is the space between the two. He shows all of the ningen characteristics, such as emotions. But then there are his demon characteristics, such as controlling plants and ability to heal fast. He keeps the two on an even playing field, Yusuke…you said that Kurama said Youko was no longer communicating with him."

Yusuke nodded.

"Then they don't need Kurama anymore." She said.

"I'm still confused." Kuwabara said.

Genkai continued. "Shuiichi no longer needs to be afraid of Youko, since he is 'staying in his room' so to speak. So the ningen is coming out more and doing his normal routine. He only needs Kurama now when he feels threaten, scared, or if Youko comes out."

"Gods, this is confusing." Yusuke sighed, laying back against the cushions.

"He's going from three personalities to two. He no longer needs Kurama to be the diplomat for them." Genkai said.

"What about Hiei's role." Yukina asked.

"I'm not sure." She admitted. "Only that with Hiei spending time with Youko, it's allowing Youko to be more himself and become stronger. He probably has no idea what he's doing." She thought for a moment. "With Hiei leaving, Kurama was no longer needed."

"Then what Kuwabara said…about Shuiichi coming out." Yusuke said.

"I don't know…we need to wait and see if he or Youko wakes up." Genkai said.

"I always assumed Kurama was Youko and Shuiichi was just his ningen name, I mean I never second guessed it. I thought Youko was the stronger, cocker, more confidant side of him…." Kuwabara trailed off as he tried to think of words to explain.

"I thought that way too." Yusuke said softly, lost in his own thoughts.

The door to the bedroom slid open and Youko walked out.

"What is going on?" He asked as he saw the looks on their faces.

"Why are you out?" Yusuke asked sarcastically.

"I can not sense Kurama and Shuiichi's door is closed." He said, with a little sadness in his voice.

"Youko, can you get Shuiichi to come out?" Genkai asked.

"No, I never can get the ningen boy to come out, he is afraid of me, only Kurama can handle him." Youko stated.

"Well try. We need to talk to him and get some more answers." Genkai said, taking a sip of tea.

"Well, since I am out, I am going to go enjoy my time. I have only been out at night and once during the day, so if you will excuse me." Youko said and headed to the door leading out to the center garden.

"Youko." Genkai said, not turning to look at the spirit yoko, but looking at the wall in front of her. "Remember your manners…do not leave these grounds."

"Yes master." He mocked, before heading outside.

"You all need to watch him." Genkai said, addressing the others.

"Why?"

"Youko is a demon and his demon instincts will kick in if Kurama's not here to control him." Genkai said.

"Great." They all muttered, just what they needed, a vain, holier than thou, spirit yoko running around.

a)a)a)a

A little while later Genkai walked up to Yusuke as he stared out at Youko, who was still in the center garden. Yusuke had been watching the fox talk and play with Puu.

"How's he doing?" She asked, also taking in the sight.

"Fine, I guess." He shrugged. "What are we going to do if Shuiichi doesn't come back?" The boy asked softly.

"All we have is time…we wait." She said and walked off.

End chapter 8

Lyrics to the song: Easier to Run-by: Linkin Park

(Course)

It's easier to run…Replacing this pain with something more

It's so much easier to go…Than face all this pain here all alone

Something has been taken from deep inside of me. The secret I've kept locked away no one can ever see. Wounds so deep they never show, they never go away. Like moving pictures in my head for years and years they've played

(If I could change I would take back the pain I would) (Retrace every wrong move that I made I would) (If I could stand up and take the blame I would) (If I could take all the shame to the grave I would)

Sometimes I remember the darkness of my past. Bringing back these memories I wish I didn't have. Sometimes I think of letting go and never looking back. And never moving forward so there'd never be a path. Just watching in the sun. All of my helplessness inside. Pretending I don't feel misplaced. It's so much simpler to change