Learning to Live Again

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

Notes: Possibly some pairings later on. Also, there are additions of 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. :)

Thanks and enjoy...

Chapter Six: Of Suspicion and Trust

Koenma looked back at Yusuke. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Yusuke, you know that, but I must tell you, the outlook isn't a good one. Spirit World had already been contacted. There is a war on the horizon."

Yusuke swallowed. "I was afraid of that," he muttered.

"I suggest someone contact Murkuro. She has many loyal demons as her disposal, and she seems to respect you, lord. I believe the Fire Child would be the best choice to go to her," came an unexpected voice. It was Aurora, of course.

Her cold eyes took everything in; she was nothing if not watchful. It was similar to something Kurama had told them once. How do you think I've survived for so long? Being aware of one's surroundings were more important than anything else. After living over a thousand years, it's something that is learned well. Yusuke was slowly becoming used to the chill that took to the air when she was in the room. Now was not an exception. Snowflakes fell from the ceiling every now and then, fluttering lazily down to the marble floor. Yusuke wondered idly what it would be like when she was fighting. A blizzard?

"I've already spoken with her," Hiei snapped after a pause. It had been a very short discussion with Murkuro. He knew he needed to stay here with Yusuke, as he had a nagging suspicion that the enemy was much closer than they had previously thought. And now, after the explosive conversation Yusuke had had with the female kitsune, Hiei was even more suspicious of her. Mukuro had allowed him to leave shortly after he arrived. Stating simply that she would be in touch should he need her services sooner than a war breaking out. She knew she did not have to help the young toushin, but she had always had a soft spot for him. Besides, wars could be quite fun.

"Is she sending aid?" Kurama asked, breaking through Hiei's thoughts.

"Of course," he replied curtly.

Kurama nodded, "I believed as much."

Yusuke looked over all of the people standing in this room. Most were his dear friends. He frowned, thinking. Once again, here they were, staring down the barrel of the hypothetical gun, as it were. Watching their lives flash before their eyes in the face of almost certain death. Could he stand to watch them give their lives for him... again? Wouldn't it be easier if... But they wouldn't have any of that. It seemed even Aurora, who had no real ties to him, was willing to put forth the ultimate price.

Demons were truly fascinating creatures. Without much thought, they will lie, cheat, betray, and kill so long as it benefits them in some way to do so. However, some are remarkably intelligent, incredibly powerful, ruthlessly cunning, and, most importantly, fiercely loyal. Loyalty; extremely hard to gain, but never wavering once it is gained. Hiei and Yoko, and perhaps Aurora, were prime examples of this.

Yusuke vaguely heard more conversation taking place around him, but he couldn't quite here it. Thoughts flooded, almost unbidden, through him. Blood. There was blood everywhere. Too much blood. It was Hiei's blood first, the jaganshi's eyes wide as he realized he'd made a terrible, fatal mistake. Deep, red eyes caught Yusuke's. Acceptance filled them. It's alright, detective, they said. Then, those eyes, that so matched the blood, faded, becoming Kurama's.

The fox was not completely a fox; he was a mixture of both the dangerous white-haired kitsune and the familiar red-headed human. His vibrant crimson hair was streaked with the silver of Yoko's, his expansive green eyes flecked with a chilling gold. But it was his blood that Yusuke saw clearest. Kurama's eyes were not wide, as Hiei's had been. His taking that blow had not been a mistake; it had been purposeful. He had taken to save his friend. Slowly, Yusuke met Kurama's gaze. It, like Hiei's, was calm, accepting. It's alright, Yusuke, it told him.

The scene changed again, this time, he could see them all, lying before him. Hiei, Koenma and Hokushin were dead, along with so many others, and Kurama nearly was now. He was reaching for his sister's hand. She was mere feet from him, golden eyes fading. She looked away from her struggling twin and up at Yusuke. "Be at peace, young toushin," she whispered, blood snaking its way down from her lip. "We do not regret this sacrifice." Kurama found her hand then and clasped it tightly for a moment, as they too, slipped from life. There was blood everywhere... Too much blood...

No... That one word swept through him. No...! He wouldn't let that happen. They had all seen enough pain, felt enough. He wouldn't let them die for him. He would give himself, instead. He would fight, of course, but he would do so alone. He would die, eventually, he knew. But, at least, they would live. Slowly, that old determination filled him. He reached an easy decision. He would sacrifice himself... again... for them.

Stop, detective, came a familiar voice, breaking through his thoughts. Don't be a fool.

Wincing, Yusuke's unfocused eyes remembered suddenly how to see and centered on Hiei. The jaganshi wasn't looking at him, but the slight smirk on his face told Yusuke he hadn't imagined Hiei's voice in his mind.

I won't let you guys die for me. The Mazaku told him, unwaveringly.

Hiei's smirk deepened, and he chanced at stern look at Yusuke. Fool.

Kurama, who, surprisingly, hadn't seemed to take notice of the unspoken conversation before now, fixed Hiei with a carefully blank gaze, before finally, coming to rest on Yusuke. "Yes," he answered Koenma's question, offhandedly, though Yusuke hadn't heard what had been asked. The very wise kitsune never took his eyes off the former detective, even as he spoke.

A small, gentle smile tipped Kurama's lips as he whispered, "Yusuke believes we will step aside and allow him to sacrifice his life so as to spare ours'."

Koenma, looking completely lost, stared between the others in the room, searching for an explanation on the conversation he had obviously missed. "Fool," was whispered to Yusuke. It was so quite, he thought it might have been a thought. The voice, however, was not his own and not Hiei's, either. Chocolate eyes flicked past Kurama to land heavily on another pair of golden irises.

Aurora was watching him with carefully feigned disinterest. "Don't be a fool," she mouthed to him, reminding him eerily of Hiei's previous words. In the few seconds their gazes held on another, many realizations came upon the toushin. The first, and most important, was that he believed he trusted her...

The plans were laid out, Murkuro was contacted again, along with every other demon any of them could think of, who would help. The Demon Lord agreed to send an army and, of course, lead them herself. She refused to miss out on the best action. Chu, Rinku, Toya, Jin, Shishi, and Suzuka were also all summoned, along with anyone they knew who was willing to assist. Yusuke realized with a smirk that he had his own army.

Hiei gazed at the five others in the room, his eyes finally falling on Aurora. "I think we need to see what you're capable of, Fox," he told her.

She didn't bother to look up from the hand-drawn plans in front of her. "Very well," she replied, tone conversational, "but I refuse to waste my time fighting you."

In less than a second, using his inhuman speed, he was right next to her, the tip of his sword against her throat. "You dare insult me?" he growled.

"Hiei-!"

"No, brother," she silenced Kurama. Gold met Crimson as she stared at the man holding a sword to her neck. "It wasn't an insult," she told him, calmly. "You are simply beneath the level of my strength." He pushed the sword harder against her skin, drawing blood. "The Mazaku is the only one who could best me in a fight, and I will settle for fighting no other."

"Hiei, stop," Yusuke commanded. "She's right, anyway. I am stronger than you." There was a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Don't tempt me, detective. I could easily slit you throat, as well," Hiei hissed in response, but he slowly lowered his blade.

Aurora got to her feet, eyes never flickering from Hiei. Do you truly distrust me so?

His eyes widened a fraction of an inch, but whether she noticed or not, she did not comment. Slowly, her cold eyes fell on Yusuke. "Shall we?" she murmured with a slight bow.

He led the way to the training grounds at the back of his home. He and Hiei had spent many hours throwing each other around here, Kurama, too, though he usually just watched. "I normally don't like kicking girl's asses much, but I'll go easy on you," Yusuke taunted lightly.

Some things never change, Kurama thought with a reminiscent smile.

The white Kitsune bowed low to Yusuke. "Very well," she chuckled. Raising one arm, palm facing him, she murmured softly, "We begin."

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