Learning to Live Again

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Yu Yu Hakusho, its characters, universe, or any of that.

Notes: The only pairing so far is Kuwabara x Yukina, though it won't be that prevalent through the story. Possibly other pairings later on. Also there will be additions of other characters of my own creation; I do own those. :) Comments, reviews, suggestions, etc. are greatly appreciated and encouraged! :)

Please comment/review on this story so I know whether or not to continue with it. :)

I am going to try to get several chapters out in the next couple of days. I was busy this past week, but I have a free schedule for a while. :)

Thanks and enjoy...

Chapter Four: Like Arctic Northern Lights

"Don't you know who I am... dear Yoko?"

"It cannot be..." Kurama took a step back, eyes wide, expression unbelieving.

The female fox demon smiled wider. "I hoped you would still remember me... after all these years..."

"Who are you?" Hiei repeated Yusuke's question with slight malice. He did not like the reaction this woman was causing in Kurama.

She hardly glanced at Hiei, her sharp golden eyes resting again on Kurama. "My name, Fire Child, is Aurora."

Kurama's usual calmness evaporated completely. "NO!" He screeched. "You were dead!" He screamed at the woman. "I held you as you took your last breath... YOU ARE DEAD!" His voice shook with heavy emotion, a sign that tears were not far off.

Yusuke's eyes had widened to twice their normal size. He had never, ever seen his fox demon friend like this. He was shocked and, even a little, horrified. "Ku... Kurama?"

Hiei stepped forward. "Who the hell are you?" he hissed.

"My name is Aurora." she repeated simply.

"No... You're... not..." Kurama gasped. He had not been able to stop the sobs that shook him to his core. "She... she... is... dead... Do you hear me? She's DEAD!"

She shook her head. "Come here, Yoko," she murmured, and suddenly her cold features softened. However, he still made no movement towards her, so, in a quite voice, she added, "Please?"

After an eternity had passed, he moved, ever so slowly, towards her. When he finally reached her, she extended a slender hand to his forehead. "I trust you remember what will happen in a moment?" she asked him softly.

He nodded, and his eyes began to glaze over. She closed her own. Wisps of her pale energy could be visibly seen as she began. A sharp gasp escaped Kurama's lips. Now even more concerned, Hiei strode across the room to where the two foxes stood. "Stop." he spat at her. However, he was ignored. He reached a hand to forcefully remove hers from his friend's forehead, but Kurama caught it before he reached her. The obviously distracted fox did not speak, nor glance his direction, but held onto his wrist until she was finished.

Memories flashed like lightening threw his mind. Suddenly, everything was so clear. He understood. Though the impossible had happened for him, he realized it was true. He saw how she had managed to survive, how she had been living since last he saw her, and that she honestly thought him to be dead. He knew she wasn't an impostor. The only thing that had changed about her familiar energy was the sheer amount. He had gotten much stronger, too, but hers' was impressive, regardless. He thought she might even be able to give Yusuke a run for him money.

After a few moments, she removed her hand from him. "Do you see now?" she whispered, eyes dancing with an unusual emotional display for a demon, especially one that hadn't spent much time in Human World.

"I..." He cried out, releasing Hiei's wrist as he pulled her to him. "But you were dead..."

She smiled into his chest. "Foxes don't die, Yoko," she laughed softly, curling her frame more throughly into his embrace. "Gods, I've missed you." she murmured when they broke apart. A genuine, beautiful smile broke over her face. "I... am equally shocked to learn you're truthfully still alive, Yoko... How... did you escape?"

It was Kurama's turn to laugh, "Let me show you." And Yoko became Shuichi, gold became green, silver became red; tail, fangs, nails, and ears disappeared, leaving the more human Kurama in their wake.

Her eyes widened slightly. "Fascinating!" she murmured. "So you did listen to my advice," she added with a grin.

"Kurama...?" Yusuke finally broke into their happy reunion. "What's... going on?"

He had almost completely forgotten his friends were still in the room, "Oh! Forgive me... Yusuke, Hiei, this is Aurora. My sister, my twin sister." He glanced at Hiei, "I'm surprised you don't recognize her, Hiei."

"Hn." Hiei turned away. "I thought she was dead..." He turned and walked from the room, realizing there, apparently, was no danger, after all.

Yusuke, feeling awkward, followed Hiei. "Come get us when you're... you know, done talking."

Kurama thanked them and turned back to his sister. "Come, dear sister. We have so much to catch up on."

Finally, Kurama and Aurora met Yusuke and Hiei in the dining hall. Kurama had changed back into his full demon self. It was not difficult to see the two were twins. Aurora had removed her rain-drenched cloak completely, which revealed a long, flowing, pale blue dress that pooled on the floor at her feet. She was a truly stunning creature. Yusuke didn't believe he had ever seen a demon like her before. Her white-silver hair and pale blue dress strongly reminded Yusuke of what Kurama had told him about her being an Ice Welder. He also noticed the room chilled considerably when she entered. He could feel her power, she had it in spades. Idly, he wondered how it would be to fight her; wondered how he would fare against her.

"Well?" Hiei asked impatiently. "Mukuro has summoned me already."

Kurama sighed. "We have reason to believe Yusuke may be in great danger..." He looked over at his friend. "I also believe, more likely than not, that this will cause a war... Many demons will not take Yomi's murder lying down. They will want vengeance... Especially if it means killing the... traitors, the human lovers." Kurama looked meaningfully at Yusuke and Hiei. "Us."

"Obviously," Hiei scoffed. "I have no doubt this is the reason Mukuro has called for me. I'll be back. If you need me before I am, though, you know what to do." He glanced at Yusuke. Do not hesitate to contact me if the need arises, Detective. I'll be back as soon as I can. His eyes flicked away and fixed the beautiful female fox standing next to Kurama with a long gaze. "Hn." And he was gone.

Yusuke, who had said nothing through the entire exchange, finally spoke, "So... You're Kurama's sister..." He gazed at her unflinchingly. It wasn't a question. "And why aren't you dead?" he finally added, bluntly.

Her expression was unreadable as she calmly replied, "I am a fox." As if it was very simple.

Yusuke's eyes narrowed a fraction. "Right," he said, traces of sarcasm not completely hidden. Finally, he looked over to Kurama. "You're sure?"

Kurama nodded without hesitation. "Quite."

"Fine," the toushin sighed. He knew better than to not trust Kurama. "Well, I want the details on Yomi. How was he killed? How did you come by this information? And, most of all, who's ass am I going to have to kick?" A wicked smile, showing off his sharp demon canines, kicked up his lips as he finished.

Aurora looked slightly amused at his demeanor, though became somber as she responded, "His throat was slit. I saw his body myself, about an hour after he was found by his personal guard... And I'm afraid I do not yet know who will come to fight you, my Lord. But do not believe for one moment that they will not come. They will, and I have no doubt that there will be many."

Yusuke thought about this information for a moment before he spoke again. "Do you know who actually did kill Yomi?"

Aurora shook her head. "Nay, my lord." She paused before adding, "Though I do have some ideas."

"I suggest we call Koenma," Kurama murmured. "He often monitors the three worlds, and he may be able to help us."

Yusuke nodded vaguely, his eyes glazing slightly as he lost himself in thought. Kurama stayed silent; Yusuke was better left alone when he was in one these moods. Finally, he got to his feet. "I need to speak to Hokushin about this. He'll contact Koenma for us, as well." He strode across the marble floor in a few short strides. When he reached the door, he paused and turned back to look at the two foxes once more. "Though I do not trust you, Fox, a friend of Kurama's is a friend of mine." Without another word, he was gone.

Thank you to those that have commented, please keep leaving your thoughts in the review section! :)