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! :)
Thanks and enjoy...
Chapter Eleven: A Warning to the People
As the two continued their walk down the hall, they missed the golden eyes that glinted in the shadows. So Hiei's Jagan is foretelling the boy's death in the upcoming fight... Interesting...
Aurora swept from the hallway as soon as her brother and the fire demon had vanished. A frown tipped her eyebrows downward as she moved quickly outside. She needed to be quick about this; if anyone saw her... knew what she was doing... Well, she just wouldn't allow that to happen.
The shadows did their job effectively; she was hidden, even to a demon's sharp eyes. "The plans have been set forth. You know what to do. I'll be waiting." Keen gold eyes flashed and dull purple lowered in understanding. "Well? What are waiting for? Get going," the female voice hissed sharply before turning. Two blurred shapes moved away and silence reined in the night once more, but there was a waft of insidiousness in the air this night.
:-:-:-:-:
"I'm sorry, Yusuke, but I think you need to have Hokushin call your people. I think you need to make a formal speech to them," Koenma said evenly.
"I know that," Yusuke replied, a bit of anger coloring his words. "I just..."
"Aren't sure what to tell them?"
Brown eyes snapped to the only female in the room, the one who had spoken. "Right."
She gave him a half-hearted smile, "I'll produce something for you. Not unlike my brother, I have a certain way with words."
Hiei watched the conversation between the three others in the room with carefully feigned indifference. "Should we call Kuwabara to help with the fight?" Hiei nearly laughed at Koenma's sudden suggestion.
"No," Yusuke replied without hesitation, his tone clearly stating finality.
"Why not?" The Price of Death actually looked as if he honestly wasn't sure.
"Has it ever occurred to you," Hiei stepped in, "that some of us actually have better things to do than come running to your aid?"
Koenma raised an eyebrow, "Well, to get technical, he'd be running to Yusuke's aid."
"What did I just say?" Yusuke huffed. "It was one word, Pacifier Breath, and two letters at that; even you aren't that stupid." He added with an eye-roll.
"How king-like of you," Koenma commented idly, realizing he had lost this little argument.
"I'll have something prepared within the hour for you, lord," Aurora stated quietly as she swept from the room. Hiei was sure he spotted something that looked suspiciously like a smile on her face. So he wasn't the only one that thought Koenma being put in his place by Yusuke was amusing.
The fox did not lie. In less than an hour, she returned to Yusuke with a delicately written speech on a long piece of parchment. "Will this suffice?" she asked lightly.
"Yes," was the response.
A slight smile tipped her perfect lips, "You may want to actually read it before you decide."
Yusuke nodded with a grin, recognizing the rare occurrence of humor from the icy kitsune. "I'm sure it's adequate." But his eyes lowered to the paper. Within a few minutes, he nodded again. "Great." Though it didn't sound as though it really was.
"It is necessary, you know," she murmured. He gave her a quizzical look. "They may very well have to."
"Right," he sighed. He knew that, but... He sighed again as he went to have Hokushin summon his people to the grounds out front of his fortress for a formal address. He needed to focus. Focus... Riiight...
:-:-:-:-:
Yusuke gazed down at the demons gathered below him, the citizens of Raizen's kingdom, of his kingdom. "My people," Yusuke's voice rumbled over the crowd. Immediately, this caused an uproar of approval from the mass below him. He couldn't help but swell minutely with pride for one single moment. "I've called upon you today to bare news." They silenced to listen.
"Lord Yomi is dead." The crowd roared again. "Make no mistake," he continued with nary a pause, "I did not take any part in it. However, there are those who believe otherwise." He took a moment to allow that information to permeate before he pushed on, "There will a be a war, I believe." Another uproar. "And so, the most vital matter of which I have summoned you here is this: I call upon you, my people, to fight for me."
"To the death," came a definite feminine whisper from the shadows behind him. Reminding him of their previous conversation.
Yusuke faltered slightly, though, to his credit, his voice did not waver as he repeated this to his people, "To fight to the death, should the need arise."
"Good," the deceptively silken voice praised him quietly.
The crowd was silent for a moment before Yusuke heard the chanting begin, "Long live Lord Urameshi! Long live the King!" Yusuke was firmly reminded of the day his people had learned of Raizen's death, though today, it meant simply that he had their loyalty, and they would, in fact, if the need arose, die for their King.
He smiled as he continued with his speech. Maybe he wasn't doing such a bad job as ruler, after all.
:-:-:-:-:
"They'd be fools to declare war against Yusuke at this point; he has half of the Makai rallied behind him."
"They'll still come," Aurora replied knowingly.
"How do you know that?" was the sharp response.
"You would be a fool to think any different. They shan't be deterred to easily."
"They'll lose."
"Perhaps," she conceded. "But they'll still come."
Hiei still looked a bit unconvinced, but he really couldn't argue. Demons were stubborn and bloodthirsty... and quite a few were just stupid. "When should we expect them then?"
"As I told you before, I imagine we have until the full moon."
"I don't believe they'll wait so long," Koenma cut in.
"Why do you believe that?" was the dry reply.
"Because word has reached Yusuke's people now. Won't they strike before everyone can ready themselves?"
"Doubtful. If they already have a solid plan, rushing in days early would hinder more than help them. I don't think they were planning on relying on the element of surprise anyhow."
Kurama entered the room suddenly. "I've received a report of movement at the border."
Aurora looked displeased, Koenma looked smug and Hiei smirked. "Oh? What kind of movement?"
"It's difficult to say at the point. Several scouts have been sent." Kurama glanced around the room. "Where is Yusuke?"
Hiei gestured toward the same door Kurama had entered from, "Speaking with Hokushin and a few of his other advisors. It would seem they don't trust some of the intel we've received." To his credit, those his neck itched to turn, he did not look at Aurora.
Kurama nodded, "I see." He, however, did look to his sister. "Which part of your information did they dislike?"
She feigned thought for a moment before she spoke lightly, "Oh, all of it, if I remember correctly." There was a playful smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
Kurama rolled his eyes with a sigh, "All of it?"
"Yes, something about kitsunes being untrustworthy. It seems there are some out there that are thieves! Can you imagine, brother? A kitsune thief..." There was laughter dancing in her eyes.
"Yes," Kurama deadpanned, "Imagine that." He allowed a knowing smirk to jump to his lips as he turned to Hiei, "It seems you aren't the only one who doesn't trust her, Hiei." A dark glare was his reward. This only caused his smirk to widen.
"Don't trust me, Jaganshi?" Aurora laughed. "That's quite alright. I can't name any that do." She turned, informing Kurama as she left, "I'll be in my room." Gracefully, she swept through the doorway. "Play nice now, boys," she called as she passed over the threshold.
After she was gone, Hiei rounded on Kurama. "What the hell is wrong with you?" Humor sparkled in the fox's eyes, but he said nothing. "I have good reason not to trust her," he snapped. "I'm aware that she's your sister, but have you forgotten what being in Demon World is like? What demons here are like? She's dangerous. She wouldn't be here at all if it didn't benefit her in some way."
Kurama looked completely unperturbed, "Perhaps she just knows which side will win."
Hiei scoffed, "That may be true, but she's a force to be reckoned with. No matter what side she had chosen, she would be able to make it out alive if she chose to. So why is she here? At least if she won against us, there would land to gain. What is there to gain from fighting for us?"
"Her brother."
"Do you honestly think-?"
"Yes, Hiei, I do. What of Yukina? Do you mistrust her?"
"That is an entirely different-"
"No, Hiei, it really isn't. Besides, if she hasn't already tried to assassinate Yusuke, she isn't going to. She's had ample opportunity to try, and she hasn't."
"Hn." Hiei glared at the wall. "That still doesn't mean I trust her."
"I never said you had to. I'm merely pointing out fact and informing you that I do trust her. With our lives."
"Fine, fox, but don't say I didn't warn you," Hiei snapped and stalked from the room.
Koenma, who had remained remarkably silent through that entire exchange, eyed Kurama thoughtfully. "Yes?" the fox asked sharply after a few silent minutes of this.
"Nothing, just thinking."
"Perhaps you should refrain, it doesn't suit you." And he, too walked from the room before a reply could be formed.
"Demons are... unbelievable!"
:-:-:-:-:
The days before battle were remarkably quiet. Yusuke was in the middle of everything, but he didn't let on how much it stressed him. Aurora and Kurama took as much of his political burden as they were able, while Hiei spent time readying the troops.
"Yes, my lord knows this. Thank you." Aurora informed the demon before her. He had felt the need to complain about his offspring's safety. As he left, the female fox glanced at Yusuke, feeling the lord's eyes upon her. "Everything will be taken care of, lord; Yoko and I will see to it."
He blinked. Had he been staring? A slight blush took to his cheeks before he marched away to take care of something else. Aurora smirked slightly and turned back to the crowd of Yusuke's people. Some were here with complaints, most were here to extend their support. Kurama did not miss the look on Yusuke's face when he had been looking at Aurora. Interesting.
Hours into what Aurora believed to be their last night before the enemy moved in, she removed herself to the darkest place behind Yusuke's fortress. Kurama soundlessly followed. She sighed and leaned heavily against the firm wall, closing tired eyes. Crossing her arms, she smiled gently, "You can come out now, brother."
He chuckled quietly into the dark, "Ah, caught."
She didn't open her eyes but her smile grew slightly, "Why have you followed me?"
"Can a brother not keep his sister company?"
"Come now, Yoko, I know you much better than to believe that."
"Touché," he conceded. "I feel bloodshed on the horizon. I'm sure you can sense it, too. And so, I felt I may not have any other opportunity to say this." One golden eye flickered open to watch her brother. He took a step closer to her. "Dearest sister, you know I trust you with my life."
"I'm aware," she replied cautiously.
"Yes, and I am trusted by you. But allow me to get to my point." He took steps closer until he was standing directly in front of her. The other chilly eye of the set opened. "Believe me when I say, Yusuke is very important to me."
"I'm aware," she repeated, equally as cautious as the first time.
"Furthermore, I will not stand for any harm to come to him... Not even from you." Her eyes flashed. "Do I make myself clear?" he asked softly, allowing warning to darken his tone.
"Crystal," she hissed. Something deadly was lurking in her eyes, and Kurama knew her enough not to miss it.
"You haven't told me everything, not even now." His tone was nearly conversational, though he was seething inside.
"Too correct you are, brother," she said with a laugh, a searingly fake laugh. "Though now, I cannot seem to recall why I would have done such a thing!" Eyes so matching his own narrowed. "Ah," her tone was dangerous again, "I think I remember now." She stood on her toes to come closer to his meeting his height. Staring into mirror reflections of her own eyes, she spoke clearly, "Perhaps it is because you lack faith in me."
"Not at all... Don't make me regret placing trust in you," he told her softly.
Her eyes narrowed further. "Don't play games with me, Yoko. Do you think I'll kill the boy? Is that it? Has the Jaganshi told you the whole of his vision? Well, has he? Do you know who he saw murder the young king?" She bared sharp teeth in a vicious smile because she knew she had won. "It was you, Yoko."
"You're a liar." She was bluffing. She had to be bluffing. But that assurance he repeated to himself silently didn't ease the brick that had formed in his stomach.
"Am I?" she stepped away from him, leaning against the wall and closing her eyes again. "I am no more a liar than you, brother."
"We're in trouble then."
"Quite," she replied evenly. The fight was already over.
Kurama leaned over to her and placed a kiss on her cheek. "Stay alive, am I clear?"
"Crystal," she smiled faintly.
Kurama moved briskly through the dark and back to the doors leading inside. "Protect him, brother," carried on the gentle breeze to meet his sensitive ears.
:-:-:-:-:
Dawn came quickly. Yusuke found he had spent the night gazing out his favorite window in his study. That he couldn't sleep went without saying. No good ruler sleeps on the eve of his battle. He sighed. It was, unfortunately, not thoughts of battle that occupied his mind, however.
"My Lord?" He nearly blanched at the sound of her voice.
He deflected the nervousness he felt with some dry humor, "I have a name; use it."
She didn't quite take the bait, "They're coming."
His head snapped up to look at her. "How far?" he asked, his outside appearance the picture of calm.
A delicate shoulder rose and fell in response before, "Less than fifty miles off, I'm told."
"Alright, get Hiei and your brother. Then the three of you are to come back here to me. I'll have Hokushin rally the troops."
She nodded and swept from the room. Pausing in the door-frame, she whispered, "Are you afraid that you will die this day?"
His toffee eyes appraised her carefully. "If I was afraid of dying, I'd have been dead long ago... Are you?"
"Never, my King," she murmured, and the small, sad smile that brushed her lips stated that she did not lie. He couldn't get her image from his mind.
:-:-:-:-:
Yusuke took a deep breath. He wasn't afraid; he had faced much worse odds than this before. Kurama and Hiei were at his side and Aurora was behind him, what was there to fear? He had three of the strongest demons in the Makai at his side, an army at his command and several other powerful demons he was fortunate to call friends at his back. Yusuke had decided to keep those three demons closest to him, the four of them would fight together, just like old times, only Kuwabara was replaced. Jin, Touya, Rinku, Chu, and Shishi were his acting generals; they were to lead sections of his army, one to each. Mukuro lead the army of the warriors she brought. It was difficult to say who was more excited between them.
Yusuke turned to his three companions, "We'll be the front line, followed by Mukuro, then by Touya and Jin, and so on. They know the order. It is only fair that we dive in first." They nodded; this had already been discussed. "Are we ready?"
"Yes."
"Of course."
"Indeed."
Yusuke nodded, a smile lighting his face, "Alright then." That old, familiar grin of determination lit his face as he said, "Let's do this."
And here we go!