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 Thirteen: Expressing Emotions
After hours of fighting, Yusuke, Hiei, Kurama and Aurora fell back to take a break. Mukuro lead her warriors to the front line to take their place. As she passed them, she awarded Yusuke with a bright grin. There was no mistaking the fact that she was thoroughly enjoying herself. "Save your energy for later; we'll take it from here, won't we boys?" The four fighters slipped backwards into the group of warriors, heading towards the fortress.
"The four of us cannot fight the whole war, Yusuke. We all need to rest occasionally. That's why we went out of our way to build an army," Kurama reminded him gently as they made their way through the front doors of the fortress.
"I know," the young ruler replied. "I just feel kinda bad leaving others to do my job."
"Believe me, they don't mind. Every demon enjoys a good fight."
"Especially Mukuro," Hiei threw in.
Kurama smirked, "Yes, especially her." He slowed as they reached the dining area. "A meal first, then a few hours of sleep. We'll meet back here in four hours once we're finished eating."
"Aye, aye, captain," Yusuke joked with a mock salute. After a decent meal, they did all, in fact, split up to get a few hours of sleep.
:-:-:-:-:
In accordance to Kurama's previous orders, the four met up near the dining hall. Kurama and Aurora had changed their clothes, Hiei had the ward wrapped around the Jagan once again and Yusuke's hair was still damp from his quick shower. They looked quite ready for what lay ahead of them. Yusuke gave the other three one his winning smiles, his eyes lingering just a moment longer on one of them. However, if anyone noticed, no comment was made.
Mukuro was obviously having the time of her life. A bright grin lit her features as she struck down another opponent. Her warriors were easily holding their own, but it was also time for them to take a break. Their leaders were well aware that they all needed to be well rested for the remainder of this battle. Before they retreated behind the front lines, Hiei stopped Mukuro for a few short words as his companions stepped forward to take control of the fighting. "Are the more talented fighters here yet?"
The lady smiled, "'Fraid not. I won't go so far as to say I'm not enjoying the bloodbath, but it isn't much of a challenge; not even for the weaker of my warriors." Hiei 'hn'ed, and turned to take his part in the bloodshed. "Until later then, heir."
The fighting went much as it did before the four fighters had left for a rest. Most of the demons before them were stupid, spineless and weak. Yusuke joked that he was breaking new records for demons killed in one day. Now they were not paired off, instead they all separated a bit, but stayed near enough to each other in case someone needed any assistance. Yusuke was the first one to encounter a higher class demon. Kurama was certain it was because whoever was pulling the strings had instructed them to take down the strongest and the leader first.
This particular demon had managed to sidestep Hiei's blade, duck Kurama's whip and pounce past Aurora's arrows, landing deftly in front of the dark-haired youth he was looking for. The demon was a B-class, lizard-like, sword wielder. As Yusuke fought, he idly decided he was nearly as good as Hiei was with his katana. But it didn't really matter; one properly timed Spirit Gun blast and it would be over. 'Properly timed' being the key phrase. Yusuke raised his hand, making the trademark gun and fired. He missed. Or rather, the lizard with vomit-colored eyes bounded to the right just before the blast reached him. "Well, shit," Yusuke muttered, dodging another swing from the impressively sharp sword.
Yusuke realized he had made a mistake a moment too late. In dodging, he stumbled, the ground coming up in front of his eyes. "Fuck..." The demon was on him, his sword mere inches from him. Yusuke gazed at his soon-to-be killer. There was no escape now...
Then... something remarkable happened. Aurora jumped gracefully in front of the former detective. Yusuke was reminded absently of the very first time Kurama saved his life... against Hiei. The blade ripped through her, and Yusuke could see it protrude through her back. He winced. This was his fault... if he would have just moved... But it didn't matter now.
She gasped sharply, pain making itself known at the forefront of her mind. But she had saved him, and that was all that mattered. Kurama glanced over at the two. His eyes widened. She had thrust herself in front of Yusuke. So he would live. He almost sighed in relief. Yusuke was alive. Her blood was a sharp contrast to the pale colors that made up her frame. Her light blue dress was torn where the blade had entered and was now soaking up the darker liquid. Her golden eyes were slightly narrowed in pain. Kurama was having trouble focusing on anything aside from that horrible crimson pooling on the ground at her feet.
"But... but why?" Yusuke whispered.
She formed a small dagger of ice in her hand. She flicked her wrist easily, flinging it at the demon holding onto the other end of the sword. She didn't miss. A deadly sliver of ice embedded in his forehead, he demon dropped backwards, dead. "Because," she murmured so quietly, he had to strain to hear her, "your life is... much more valuable than mine..." Her voice faltered slightly. Her breathing was slightly labored.
"But you... you said... you hated me."
"Not in so many words," she murmured, with a small, rueful smile. She gripped the sword firmly and, with a sharp tug, completely removed it. "However, demons are nothing if not deceitful... Now, get on your feet, young toushin, we still have a war to win."
Yusuke's eyes widened, "So... you don't hate me...?"
"No, child... I do not hate you..." She turned her head to meet his eyes. Sad, golden irises danced with tears as she extended the hand holding the sword. For the merest of moments, the walls surrounding her dissipated just enough so that Yusuke was given a brief glimpse inside them. There were many emotions he absolutely did not understand. There were several he knew well; fear, regret, agony. Though she was in pain, she quickly forced the walls back into place before she could be more betrayed by her own self.
"You don't have to hide," he told her in barest of whispers.
She shook her head. "Come now, on your feet."
He stood but didn't take his eyes off of her. "Can you still fight? Maybe you should-"
"I'm fine," she told him forcefully. He nodded, grasping the sword she was handed to him.
Kurama appeared at his sister's side. "Are you two alright?"
"We're fine," Aurora gave him a gentle smile. "Now, brother, I need your assistance for a moment." Kurama nodded. "Listen carefully. I need you to assist me in filling the hole of the wound." She paused, taking as deep a breath as she was able. She was forming a long rod of ice in one hand. "When this is completed, I need you to carefully insert it through. I am unable to do so myself, as my hands are trembling too much. Can you do this?"
If Kurama was at all uneasy of performing this task, he didn't show it. With a nod, he took the icicle from her hand. "Are you ready?" he asked with genuine concern.
She gave him a weak smile, "As ready as I'll ever be. Please be quick about it."
He nodded and proceeded with the precision of a surgeon. "Hold completely still." She nodded and braced herself. Carefully, he worked it through the sword wound. She had crafted the icicle to fit just a little loosely so he could get it through easier. She would thicken the ice to fill the whole completely as soon as it was in place.
She held her breath to avoid gasping. Kurama used one hand for the job, the other to help steady her with. In what was in reality just over a minute, though felt much longer, the rod of ice was in place. Kurama pulled her into an embrace to hold her up while she finished up by molding the ice to entirely stop the bleeding.
"Neat trick," Yusuke muttered weakly. If he hadn't seen so many gross things in his life, that might have made him sick.
"It stills the bleeding," Aurora murmured with a smile. "It also allows me to continue fighting while it heals."
Yusuke nodded. "For the record, I'd rather you two didn't do that to me."
They chuckled, and the three of them returned to the heat of the battle. "I'm going to Hiei," Kurama yelled as he ran off to his fighting partner.
"Guess that just leaves you and me."
"You and I," she corrected with a smirk. "Indeed, just us."
:-:-:-:-:
"How's the wound?"
"Nearly healed."
"Well, that's good."
"Yes." Aurora removed her gaze from the rows of approaching demons for a moment to look at Yusuke. She didn't miss the fond look in his chocolate eyes before he hid it. Hours had passed, long, uneventful hours. Dawn was maybe an hour away, judging on how long ago the second sun had set. Mukuro had insisted she and her warriors take the front line at dawn. Yusuke had not put up so much as an argument because he didn't like the idea of Aurora fighting while wounded, especially when it was his own fault. Mentally berating himself over and over for the past several hours, he had gone out of his way to kill as many demons as he could, whether or not they were even attacking him. Several of Aurora's arrows had been wasted because of this, but she didn't seem to care all that much.
Yusuke knew that regardless of what she told him, or how many times she reassured him, she was pain and needed a break. So he arranged with Mukuro for that break to come at sunrise, now only an hour or so off. Hiei kept up almost constant communication in Yusuke's mind. The latest of which stating simply, Fuck, this is boring. Which the ex-detective couldn't help but chuckle at. He knew better than anyone that Hiei was enjoying himself. Regardless of how effortless this fighting was, Hiei, like Mukuro, would never pass up an opportunity to flex his skills in battle. Plus, this was helping Yusuke, and whether he'd outright admit it or not, he had always had a soft spot for helping the half-human.
Mukuro was early. Yusuke wasn't surprised, but he also intended to keep up their end of the deal. And so, Mukuro fought side-by-side with the King, Kurama, Hiei and Aurora for the remainder of the time before the sun made its appearance. Strangely, the female ruler of Alaric seemed to have taken an interest in the group's newest member. "I always thought I remembered something about that damn fox having a sibling."
Aurora smirked at that. It seemed they had a similar sense of humor. Which Hiei absolutely detested because it was this same dark humor that made Mukuro and himself so compatible. Kurama's eyes danced the moment he figured out why Hiei was suddenly so irritable and the knowing smile quirked his lips. That very smile seemed even more fitting on his youko form than it had on the red-head.
Don't even start with me, you damned fox. Hiei growled mentally with out looking over to the fox in which he spoke. This, of course, only entertained Kurama more thoroughly, however, he didn't speak on it; he'd wait until they were back at the fortress.
"Alright, we can take it from here," Mukuro stated with some finality.
Yusuke nodded, finishing off the demon in front of him. "Fall back, soldiers," he called with a laugh.
Kurama rolled his eyes playfully and Hiei gave his usual response, "Hn." But the three followed their leader without complaint or argument. The trek back didn't take more than several minutes. Hiei and Kurama were quick to separate to their respective rooms, leaving Yusuke and Aurora walking slowly toward the dining hall. However, they continued walking past the entrance. In a few more moments, Yusuke found them coming to a stop not far from his bedroom door. Aurora's eyes were thoughtful, but it was Yusuke who spoke first. "Can we talk for a few minutes?"
Seeming a bit startled, Aurora nodded and followed Yusuke into his room. "What is it?"
"I... wanted to thank you for saving my ass today." He sighed, scratching the back of his head rather absently, "I'm fairly sure I would have died if it weren't for you."
She shook her head, "Do not doubt yourself so thoroughly, lord. I merely made a snap decision that it would be better for all of us if it was I, not you, who was injured."
"That's not how I feel," Yusuke argued gently. "You're equally as important as I am."
"You're mistaken."
He stepped so that he was directly in front of her. "Don't argue with your king," he murmured quietly, for a moment forgetting how close to her he was.
She allowed his closeness and replied, "I beg pardon, my king." Her voice was hushed and laced with something Yusuke was finding he liked very much.
Yusuke couldn't stop himself; he was captivated. He gazed into her eyes. Golden irises held his, and she did not back away from him. He stepped forward to her, slowly reaching out to hold her. He could smell her now; it was a scent like nothing he had ever experienced before. Like mint and pine trees, coffee and winter. He couldn't get enough, it was more intoxicating than anything he'd ever been exposed to. "Can I...?"
"Don't ask," she breathed with a fragile smile he'd never seen before.
He lowered his lips to meet hers. She didn't pull away; she allowed him to do whatever he wanted to. Maybe it was because he was a King, maybe it was because she felt the same, maybe it was because she was just allowing him to experiment. At that moment, he found he couldn't care. He gently pushed his tongue against her lips. She allowed him entry. He couldn't breathe anymore. She tasted amazing. Like cinnamon and spearmint, honey and snow. He couldn't get enough. He was feeling drunk just from the kiss and when he pulled away, he was sure the room was swirling around them. She gave him a slightly firmer smile.
"You're beautiful," he whispered. She kissed him gently and briefly, murmuring her thanks. He pulled her closer, wanting to memorize the feel and shape of her body. Again, she allowed him with no resistance. "Are you afraid?"
"Never, my lord."
"Me neither."
"You have no reason to be."
"Get your fucking claws off of him!"
Yusuke whirled. Hiei stood in the doorway. "Fuck." A blush spread over his face. "Hiei, let me explain-"
"There is no need. Get away from him, you filthy whore."
The smile never left her face as she gazed at Hiei. "Of course," she gave him a small bow as she spoke. "I do apologize."
"Don't apologize," Yusuke stated calmly, continuing to watch Hiei. "Hiei, this isn't what you think. I kissed her. Not the other way around."
"Don't be a fool, Detective," Hiei snapped.
"What are you talking about? I kissed her!"
"Oh, and I suppose you think that wasn't playing right into her clutches."
"Jaganshi-"
"Don't you dare speak to me. Get away from the Detective before I change my mind about killing you," Hiei snapped, taking a few steps protectively towards Yusuke.
"Very well," Aurora replied almost conversationally before turning to Yusuke. "I apologize. This will not happen again."
"The fuck it will," Hiei agreed with heat.
Kurama knew from the first moment he felt Hiei's temper rise that it was most likely his twin that had provoked it. What he didn't know was why. He intended to find out, however, and as Aurora swept from the room, Kurama took his opportunity. "What is going on?" he asked carefully.
She gave him a carefully blank glance without slowing her steady pace and putting distance between herself and that room. "Nothing, Kurama."
Calling him Kurama was his first clue, that raging anger searing through his link with Hiei was the second. "You cannot lie to me," he stated with more calm than he felt inside as he began walking.
"Perhaps not, but that doesn't make this your concern."
"I don't care."
"That makes two of us."
Resisting an eye-roll, he decided to change tactics. "Hiei will tell me, you know." He was walking right beside her now, as it was clear she had no intention of stopping.
"I'm aware."
"Come, sister," he pressed.
She stopped so suddenly, Kurama nearly stumbled as he stopped alongside her. "The young ruler stole a kiss. I did nothing to stop him. It was a momentary lapse in judgment that I do not intend to repeat."
"Yusuke kissed you?" The fox looked almost incredulously at his mirror image.
"Yes," she replied without hesitation and picked up walking once more. "I apologize. This has greatly angered your fire friend." She smirked, "Though I'm not apologizing for upsetting him."
Kurama wasn't sure whether to be irritated or amused. "What were you thinking?" He settled somewhere in between both. "It is unwise to lead Yusuke on in such a way."
"I don't believe I ever stated I had been 'leading him on'."
"What are you saying?" Kurama demanded as his footsteps slowed.
"I'm saying the feelings involved in that... brief meeting may be mutual."
Kurama came to a complete stop, suddenly at a loss for words. Then, "You love him?" he whispered.
She whirled, "I did not say that. If you would desist putting words in my mouth-"
"Does he love you?"
"Did you hit your head in battle today, brother? Demons do not love; demons fuck each other when there is power involved. And I'm sure you've noticed that the young half-demon has it in spades."
Kurama stayed rooted to the spot as Aurora quickly continued away, his thoughts swirling. The only coherent thought he could manage was, well, at least now I know why Hiei is so angry...
I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea about Aurora. I have heard the term 'Mary Sue' used to describe author-added female character, and I promise that isn't what she is. It's just quite difficult to write a chapter story without adding a couple OCs. Let me know if the current plot twist is too much or grounds to discontinue reading. I really hope not, because I am enjoying writing this! As always, don't hesitate to leave opinions or suggestions. Thank you to all of you who have reviewed! It means so much to me! :)