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 Fifteen: Something Worth Fighting For
The frozen air smelled of sorrow. Hiei suddenly wasn't so surprised at all by the unseasonal weather. A mourning snow angel...
Kurama stepped outside, where he knew Hiei was. The snow didn't surprise him, in fact, he should have known earlier that it was coming. As he stopped to stand beside his best friend, he sighed, "No sign of her then?"
"You mean, other than the feet of snow falling? No." Hiei glanced over at Kurama. "You know, I think I like you best as a red-head."
Kurama smirked. "I'm sorry my current hair color is a source of discontentment," he told him dryly.
"How is the Detective?"
Kurama gave a slight shrug, "Better now that I've spoken with him, I believe." His eyes scanned over the fighting in the distance. "They're still fairing well, I trust?"
Hiei's sharp crimson eyes followed the line of Kurama's steely golden ones. "Yes. Mukuro's shift is next."
It went unspoken that a day in the not so far-away future, there would be danger, fear and possibly death for them all. It went unspoken that soon, no one could be sure when, Yusuke would put forth his life once again to try and protect them. It went unsaid that when he did this, they would each counter-act it as best they could. He was someone that rules were broken for, someone that people gave their lives for, someone that was worth trying to save, whether he realized it or not. As Kurama had told him moments ago, Yusuke Urameshi changed people. He gave them someone to believe in. And everyone needed something to believe in, even demons. Or maybe, especially demons.
"Several of the generals believe these weakling demons are merely a diversion."
"Wouldn't they have acted on that diversion by now if that were true?"
"It's difficult to say. However, I believe it would do well to be on our guard. Something bigger is coming, of that, I have no doubt. Aurora has stated there is one mastermind behind this. Obviously, this weakling show is not a battle-plan to be proud of."
Hiei raised a black eyebrow a fraction, looking sidelong at Kurama, "And where does she fit into all this, Fox?"
The kitsune continued to gaze out over the dark land. "What are you referring to, precisely?"
"Don't play dense with me. You know exactly what I'm talking about."
He sighed, "Yes." Pausing, flexing slightly cold-numbed fingers, he considered his word choice carefully. "I believe she is working as a double-agent, as it were."
"A spy?"
"Perhaps. Her loyalty is under Yusuke, however, for I believe, with no doubt, Yusuke would have had an attempt made on his life already if that were not the case." Kurama frowned, "If you absolutely cannot trust her, Hiei, will you place some faith in me?"
"Hn," Although he wasn't whole-heartedly happy about it, that meant 'yes'.
Silence fell once more, each content to simply be in each other's company. The easy comradeship they shared, and Yusuke too, was something each valued highly and enjoyed when they could. Kurama liked best these quiet moments. When nothing need be said, and nothing else mattered at that moment. Friendship that couldn't be replaced. Something he thought in complete certainty he had lost the day Kuronue had died. It was also something he intended not to lose again.
Time seemed to slip past them unnoticed, and neither was really sure how much time had really past before a soft voice stirred their attention. "They're coming."
Kurama found the source of the voice first. "Aurora? Who is coming?"
"The stronger demons that were sent solely to kill Tourin's Lord." Kurama paled slightly and Hiei's hand found the hilt of his sword. "We need to warn him," she continued when neither man spoke. "These are the demons actually capable of doing what they were sent to do; I could feel their energy from the border. They'll be here by dawn, perhaps before."
The kitsure and the jaganshi shared a look for one moment, their eyes meeting in an understanding of what she was implying. They had meant to catch them off-guard. Dawn was typically the time the four of them returned to the fortress for sleep. If it was not for some fluke that they had not had the shift tonight, their enemies would have succeeded. That they needed to be much more cautious than this, was the last unspoken agreement shared between them before they nodded and turned with Aurora to return inside Yusuke's fortress. They needed to find him quickly and ensure everyone was prepared.
Upon entering the massive doors, the three separated, each with a different purpose. Kurama would find Yusuke, Hiei would find Mukuro and Aurora would find Hokushin. Kurama reached the younger half-demon's room in record time. As he knocked louder than he usually did, he spared a passing hope that Yusuke was both awake and in the room. No answer came in response to his knocking. "Yusuke!" Nothing. "Yusuke, I'm coming in," Kurama called, turning the door knob.
:-:-:-:-:
Even without a link with Mukuro, Hiei could almost always locate her with ease. He never thought on the why or how so much. Maybe it was because there was something between them Hiei had never had with anyone else, not even Kurama. He didn't like to think about it too much. "Mukuro?" He asked as he entered the dinning hall. She was readying herself and her fighters as it was approaching dawn.
"Yes, Hiei?" she asked, looking up.
"There is trouble. Several strong demons were sighted near the border not long ago. They're presumed to have come for Yusuke, to kill him. We need everyone to be ready. This is the fight we've been waiting for," he informed her briskly.
Mukuro's eyes lit up a bit. "This is the fight that may be difficult? With high stakes? Challenging?" Hiei gave a nod at each. She grinned. "Excellent, count me in."
"Can you and your men be on the front lines in 20 minutes?"
"Yes."
Her heir nodded and turned to leave. Hiei. It was Kurama.
Do you have Yusuke?
No. A pause. I can't seem to locate him. Can you-?
Use the Jagan, got it. I'll let you know when I have him.
:-:-:-:-:
Aurora approached the Lord's favorite advisor with all the regal air she possessed. She was not fool enough not to notice the way everyone here looked at her. At times, she even caught Kurama receive those same looks. Keeping the dark smirk hidden with precise care, she called out to Hokushin. Tuning, he appraised her with his eyes. If anything, he seemed to trust her a bit more than the majority of Yusuke's other employees. Informing him of the current situation, she kept her tone neutral and void of any kind of emotion. This skill was something both her and her brother had mastered very long ago. She knew from the way everyone around acted in front of Yoko that he was better at it than she was. No matter.
Hokushin, thankfully, took in her words without question. Excusing himself swiftly, he left her to prepare. He would see to it that all of Yusuke's best soldiers who could fight would be rallied on the front lines to fight alongside them. It was truly time to see what the greatest demons in Makai were made of.
:-:-:-:-:
Yusuke.
Don't, Hiei. I'm doing this alone.
Like hell you are.
Like hell I am. No one, especially not the three of you, are going to die for me today. It's me they want. And it's me they'll get.
Stop talking foolish. You aren't seriously going to just hand yourself over to them? Hiei did his absolute best to ensure Yusuke heard, loud and clear, the contempt and disapproval in his voice.
Not without a good fight. But it will be a fight alone. Don't even try to stop me. I've made up my mind. I appreciate everything you and Kurama and everyone else has done for me, really I do. So if I die today, make sure you tell everyone that. And... tell Aurora that I don't mind her loving me because of that Kuronue guy. It's alright. Goodbye, Hiei.
Yusuke, don't be a-! Suddenly, the link the was cut. "Fuck me!" Hiei raged aloud as he swept towards the fortress's front entrance. Kurama! Get your sister and follow me! The Detective is trying to get himself killed.
Understood. As Kurama usually was in situations like this, his reply was calm and curt. Hiei knew that Yusuke would soon be disappointed. The fox and himself especially would not allow this to go the way their friend wanted it to.
Aurora and Kurama had always had a strange ability to be able to detect the other's emotions if they were strong enough. Twin intuition, or something, Kurama had heard it been called before. Regardless, not long after they had realized this could work in their favor, almost as good as Hiei's telepathy, they began practicing how to amplify their emotions to one another when the situation called for it. Kurama concentrated hard on this now. It had been a rather long time since the last time he had had to use this technique.
He was floored to learn it still worked. Without having to try to find her energy signature or her his, he found her waiting, somewhat impatiently by the front doors, holding one ajar. "Yusuke's gone," Kurama called to her, a bit breathless.
She paled minutely but nodded. This was no time to worry. After all, how far could he possibly have gotten? Besides that, he had three of the fastest demons alive after him. None of them were too worried about reaching him in time. Yusuke would be, undoubtedly, able to hold his own until they reached him. As they ran after what Kurama could still feel of Hiei's fiery energy trail, Aurora, not even glancing at him, asked without humor, "Does he take us as fools?"
"No," Kurama replied, running just a few steps ahead of Aurora, leading her. "He doesn't want us to be harmed because of him."
"Surely, he is aware of the fact that we would follow him."
"That's why Hiei is so concerned. He believes that when Yusuke reaches them, he will lead them further away from here, making it much more difficult to get to him before the fight is over, one way or the other," Kurama replied.
"Then I suggest we pick up the pace." And they did.
:-:-:-:-:
Koenma, would had returned briefly to Spirit World to handle paperwork and the like, had returned to Yusuke's fortress earlier that night. Hokushin had made sure to inform the Spirit Prince of the recent new information. It didn't sit well with either of them. Especially after Kurama had told them in a rush, and then left, that Yusuke had gone ahead alone. Not this way. Koenma thought with a heavy sigh. Kami, not again...
:-:-:-:-:
Hiei was pushing himself as much as he could. He could hardly remember the last time he'd needed this kind of speed. If nothing else, he was quite positive that at least he would reach Yusuke. The foxes weren't as fast as him, not even quite as fast as Yusuke, but he had a feeling they were pushing themselves harder than even he was today. He could feel the ex-detective's energy signature not too far ahead. It was flaring. That meant the fight had already started. He pushed a bit harder. Don't be a fool, Detective. Not again. I'll go to Spirit World myself and drag your ass back, if I have to. He thought with mixed emotions. Don't be a god-damned fool!
:-:-:-:-:
Yusuke fired the Spirit Gun again. This was too easy. And that fact was setting him on edge. Demons this strong put up more of a fight than this. "That all you got?" he taunted as he felled another enemy. Apparently, he thought to himself with a cocky smirk. The smirk faded quickly, however. He felt a bit guilty blocking Hiei the way he had. There hadn't been any other way. It was a long shot, but maybe now Hiei wouldn't come. None of them will die. Not today. And not for me. He just couldn't go through it again. That was one of the main reasons he and Keiko were no longer together; why he hadn't called Kuwabara in on this one. He cared too much for them all to be put in danger for him.
Yet, he couldn't forget what Kurama had said to him, "You're someone rules break around Yusuke... People are different when they're around you." He remembered Hiei saying once something like, "I do not have friends, Detective, and yet, here I am, jumping to save you. What does that tell you?" He had responded with a sarcastic, "That you're the fool you're always calling me?" But he knew now, more clearly even than he had known then, that wasn't right. It was because Hiei did have friends, and he was one of them. And because rules broke around him. People did things they normally wouldn't... Like forfeit their lives to save his. Not this time.
He released a few double shotguns, pleased with how many of these demons he had managed to take down already, on his own. Maybe he hadn't needed to fight alone as he had. They didn't seem to be nearly the threat everyone had thought. With only a half-dozen of them left, Yusuke was feeling cocky and confident. And it allowed him to momentarily forget that something was wrong.
:-:-:-:-:
Hiei could smell the fight now; he was close. From what he could discern, Yusuke hadn't hardly taken any hits. That was good. Something didn't feel right, though. It had been too easy. Aurora had seemed almost fearful when she spoke of the strength of these demons. Could she have been so mistaken? Hiei had sinking feeling that answer was a resounding 'no'. Something was wrong. Fortunately, Hiei was nearly there. Nothing terrible would happen to Yusuke on his watch; he'd make damn sure of that.
:-:-:-:-:
Without warning, Aurora stopped running, pointed ears flicking in the opposite direction of where they had been going. Kurama almost didn't notice. Stopping short, he looked at his sister, a mix of question and irritation on his face. She didn't speak immediately, so he tried to hear what she was hearing. "What is it, sister?"
Her eyes were narrowed and not focusing on what they were looking at. She was throwing all of her concentration into listening. She knew she had heard something. There was no doubt. She just had to pinpoint it again. It was clear Kurama was growing impatient, but she didn't reply. After over a minute had passed, she found it. She pointed a slender finger in the direction of the sounds. Her brother focused on it.
And realized... They'd been had. The demons on the border were a trick, a clever ruse. Now they were all headed the wrong way... This was a mistake on everyone's part. An error that may very well have just royally fucked them all. Goddammit...
"Contact Hiei. I have an idea," Aurora eyes snapped open and she took a firm stance in front of her brother, facing north, where they had heard the real threat moving in. She spread her feet shoulder-width apart and raised her arms. The thick clouds and snow hadn't moved on yet and they were going to be used to their full advantage.
Kurama had a feeling he knew what was coming, so he was quick in using the link to call to Hiei. Quickly, gather Yusuke and come back. It was a trick. We've been had. Aurora thinks she can slow them, but without the four of us there and with Mukuro guarding the wrong direction, they may never see it coming. And if no one notices what is happening, they won't be able to stop from being over-run.
He heard that Hiei had understood what he'd said and he turned his attention back toward the situation unfolding before him. "I may need your support after this, Yoko. I may not be able to stand on my own."
Throwing back her head and gazing into the heavens, she called forth her element in larger proportions than were hardly ever necessary. Her amount of energy and her hard-fought control over it allowed her the resources she needed to accomplish something of this magnitude. With a slight smirk, she thought to herself, oh, if this is how they want it, then this is how they'll get it. Take this, you arrogant bastards... With everything she possessed, she summoned the snowy storm clouds, pouring ever ounce of her demon energy into them.
The chanting was quiet, most of it in a language Kurama had never been able to get a very decent handle on. Their mother had taught it to Aurora when they were both small. It seemed if one didn't have an affinity for water, or ice in this case, it was quite difficult to grasp the tongue used by them. It was a way of protecting what was theirs. He remembered vividly, however, the name of the goddess Aurora called upon when doing things like what she did now. Shiva, the goddess of ice and snow, and Aurora's guardian goddess. Most of the words he could decipher of her soft chanting was something like, "...Upon you, Great Shiva... Humble servant... grant one... I beg you... Snow... Storm... Death." The last word always sent chills coursing down Kurama's spine. The word in the icen language Aurora spoke came out in a sharp hiss, sounding something like Sensethia*. It was one word he would never forget the meaning of.
As she closed the chant, the remainder of her power flew from her fingertips, shooting unhindered into the ever-darkening clouds above them. It seemed Shiva was pleased with the prayer and the offering of power. A marvel to behold, so long as it was being directed elsewhere, Kurama couldn't help but allow himself to be forcefully reminded of his twin's power. For the first time in a long time, he realized it was never the legendary Yoko Kurama who so many should have feared. It was her.
Something akin to a funnel cloud of a Human World tornado, the storm began swirling and extending dangerously down toward the earth beneath it. The clouds couldn't even be called gray anymore, they were undoubtedly black. The wind was both frigid and strong. It lifted trees from the ground that weren't even very near the eye of the massive storm. Kurama noticed Aurora was swaying gently on her feet, it was clearly taking her all to maintain control over this unnatural disaster. Guiding it as though she had done this many times before, she carefully avoided the fortress and its surrounding area, forcing the storm to reach its destination without causing their own side any major damage.
Keeping an eye on Aurora's ability to remain standing, Kurama concentrated on the far-off location they had heard the danger from. The storm had nearly reached them. Something distracted his attention back in the direction of the fortress. A tornado in earnest was moving rapidly, following the path Aurora's storm had mercilessly created. It took Kurama a moment to understand. Jin. It seemed the wind master was adding his assistance. That meant someone there had figured out what was going on. Hopefully, Mukuro had realized it. Someone certainly had; there was no mistaking the goal of Jin's own storm. As it met up with Aurora's, she let out a soft cry and her knees buckled.
Rushing forward to catch her before any part of her even grazed the ground, he asked her what was wrong. Breathless and weak, she whispered, "The wind-wielder... He's giving me... the power... over his... tornado... It's difficult to..." she trailed off, panting.
"Perhaps I can assist you?" came a voice from behind them.
Kurama snapped his head back to look. At first, he didn't quite understand. "Touya?"
"I can lend her some of my energy. I'm an ice master, too, you know," he stated calmly. In response to Kurama's questioning stare, he said, "Mukuro discovered the trickery and informed us of it. Jin sent me here as soon as he realized what that storm was." He took several meaningful steps towards them. "Shall I lend her some?"
Understanding washed through Kurama's mind like a flood. Relief was the next thing to follow it. Nodding, he allowed Touya to stand behind Aurora where he had just been. Supporting her, the other ice master began feeding his energy to her. Her eyes snapped open after a moment. It did not take her long to understand what was happening. Murmuring soft words of appreciation, she forced the storm to its final destination.
Touya had opened an almost completely total tap into his energy for her. It was flowing through them like water during a drought. Their eyes were glowing with the pale light of enough energy to level several of the biggest cities in the world. Aurora and Touya let out a haunting battle cry as the storm exploded over its enemies. Touya's energy swirling around the two dangerously, as Aurora's and Jin's destroyed everything in its path.
Watching the two demons before him, Kurama was reminded, once again, of the effect Yusuke Urameshi had on people. It was solely because of him the that those two ice-wielders were doing this. To protect him, to fight for him, to prove their loyalty to him. Because of him. There were plenty of other examples of this; Jin, Mukuro, Yomi (when he was alive), Hiei, and the list went much further than that. The army that had risen to answer the call of Tourin's leader was proof enough.
His ears flicked as he noticed another presence approaching. Glancing for just a moment, he was relieved to see Hiei, accompanied by Yusuke, walk slowly forward. It was clear they had run at incredible speeds to get here. As they came to a stop to watch Aurora, Touya, and Jin's work, Yusuke's mouth dropped open.
Good, Kurama thought, now he can see for himself what his friends are willing to do for him.
* - A word I made up for my use of Aurora's second language, which I also made up.
This was so much fun to write. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed thinking it up and putting in down on paper. :) As a thank you for reading and reviewing so wonderfully, I made sure this was a longer one and got posted quicker. Thank you! Until the next update...