Because She Died

Dane Soar

Here we are, final chapter and the end of the road. Sort of. I do have other stuff, if you like what you saw here, take a look at my other fics (see me, see me shamelessly promote).

Anyway, thanks for sticking with me this long, this story turned out to be more than just a rewrite and awesome encouragement and great reviewers made it that way! So, before I get too sentimental, here it is:

Part 11- Last Part

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It was two days later, and Kurama was awake.

As a demon, he probably could have recovered sooner, but Kurama had not made much of an effort, thinking that when he woke, reality would not be pleasant.

Hiei was sitting on the windowsill of the unfamiliar room, very carefully sharpening his sword, his attention fixed on that and only that.

The room was not his own, not Kuwabara's, not Yusuke's, and most definitely not a jail cell. That surprised Kurama a bit. He was sure there would be a jail cell. "My mother is dead?" he asked, already knowing that answer.

Hiei glanced up, then down again. "Yes," was his short reply.

Sitting up, Kurama winced at the stiffness that his sleep had left behind. "And Koenma? Is there a charge for my actions?"

Again Hiei glanced up at him. "No charge. No crime." He sheathed his sword and walked out.

A moment later there was some conversation in the other room and Yusuke burst in. He found Kurama at the window, looking out. "Where am I?" the kitsune asked, without turning.

"Hotel room." Yusuke said. "Kuwabara and I clubbed together to get it, we figured it was best idea since your house sort of got burned down."

"… burned down. I see. Maybe that's for the best." Kurama still was looking out the window so Yusuke couldn't see his expression, but when he spoke again his voice was lighter. "I hear from Hiei that Koenma isn't pressing charges. I must admit to being surprised. Before I fell through the window… I thought I remembered seeing a dead human."

"Wasn't you that did it." Yusuke assured him. "He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. So the toddler says that there's nothing to charge you for because technically you didn't do anything wrong. Sorry about your house."

"How did it burn down?"

"A long story. But the cops think your mother died in the fire. And since no one's seen you since, it's assumed that you did too. What are you going to do now?" Yusuke came to stand next to Kurama at the window.

The kitsune sighed, a long, tired sigh. "With Mother… gone, and my human identity done away with, I really have nothing left for me in this world."

"You aren't going to go all suicidal on us, now?"

"I meant nothing left in the human world, Yusuke. Not the mortal one. I think I'll go back to Makai," a faint smile touched Kurama's mouth. "I'm fairly sure that I can find a way back. Surely there are a few treasures I didn't manage to steal while I was my former self. And I have some of my old power back, I think I could manage."

"So that's it? Just like that your mom being gone doesn't mean anything?"

Kurama glared at him; for the first time Yusuke saw that there was grief in his face, though someone had to know the kitsune very well to see it. The mask was slipping, there were shadows in his eyes and the muscles in his jaw were tense, as if holding something back very hard.

He spoke slowly, as if choosing each word with minute care. "I have had many people I care for die. Many times it was my fault. Over the years I have learned that sometimes the best thing to do is to leave. I miss her. And I mourn my mother's loss more…" with a sharp movement he turned head turned away at such an angle that Yusuke still couldn't see his expression anymore. "More than you can imagine. But I can't stay here. I can't play at being human any longer. This world is not my home."

Yusuke frowned. "But what about us? The team? What if we need you?"

"If you need me, I'll be there. But right now, I need some time to myself. So until then…" He twisted open the window lock and shoved it up. "Well, should the worst happen, I'll make sure you know where to find me." And, before Yusuke could do anything, Kurama had vaulted out of the fifth story building. Yusuke leaned out of the window, looking downward.

It was no use, Kurama was gone, no blurring, no puff of smoke, just gone into the night.

He would have run downstairs and tried to pursue the kitsune on foot, but Hiei was in the doorway. "Let him go." he said. "We'll never catch him."

"But he said he was going to the Makai! We need him!"

Hiei shrugged. "You heard him, he'll be there if we really do. For now, leave him alone."

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When Yusuke came swearing back into the other room, Kuwabara shook his head. "Kurama's gone?"

"How'd you guess?"

Kuwabara tapped the side of his head. "I am the one with the freakishly strong sixth sense." Seeing Yusuke's troubled look he sobered. "Don't worry Urameshi. Next time the world's in danger, he'll be back. You know Kurama; he may be smart, but even he needs time to straighten his head out. He'll be back."

"He'd better," Yusuke said. "Because if it's just you, me, and the midget, the world is fucked."

"Hear, hear, Urameshi."

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Last Part- End