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 Sixteen: Brace for Impact

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.

Touya didn't not let go of Aurora, even as their energies began to die down. It soon became apparent that neither could stand without the other's support. They were both panting, eyes finally closed. Kurama began to take hesitate steps toward them. Before he could reach them, however, something happened. It was so fast, Kurama wasn't even sure at first what actually had occurred.

From somewhere above them, a strange light had fallen upon the two ice apparitions. Almost as soon as it had completely engulfed them, it solidified into something that look remarkably like ice. A crystalline structure that had seemingly captured them both inside it. It was difficult to see clearly into the ice, as its surface was uneven and warped. The three left watching this occurrence were fairly sure two different voices could be heard as their owners cried out.

For several long moments, nothing changed. Then, just as Kurama, Hiei and Yusuke had drawn and readied weapons, the ice shattered, melting as soon as it hit the ground. Suddenly released of their icy prison, Touya and Aurora dropped to the ground together. Neither seemed to be injured in any way. "What the hell just happened?" Hiei asked sharply, still unsure as to whether or not his katana would be needed.

"It would seem," Touya responded slowly, "that our goddess has seen it fit to provide us with a return of our energy."

Aurora gave a faint smile, eyes still closed. "It would also seem, young toushin, that even the gods themselves smile down upon you and your cause."

Yusuke still looked shocked and dazed. "What was all that?"

"The storm?" He nodded. "It was three demons saving your kingdom from destruction."

"Three?"

"Yes," Touya answered this time, rising gingerly to his feet, then turning to help Aurora to hers. "Aurora started it, Jin added to it, and I assisted in completing it."

Yusuke could only nod as he thought about this. That huge display of power. It could still be felt stinging through the air. "Do you see now, Yusuke?" Kurama asked him softly after a moment of silence. Yusuke looked questioningly at him.

"Do you see how valuable you are?" Kurama gestured toward his sister, Touya and the fortress. "Never think for one single moment that any of this would be taking place were it not for you. Do you even realize the last time Makai saw anything like what it has in the past few years with your influence? Never forget what your friends and allies are willing to do for your sake and that of your cause."

Touya added softly, "Not many would trust their power to anyone else. In the last few days alone, a trust has been built by rivals simply to aid you."

Yusuke stared at him, and then each of the others in turn. Aurora moved to stand beside him. "They're right, you know." She glanced over her shoulder. "And as much as I'd like to give you a few moments to allow that to sink in, I'm afraid we don't have that luxury."

Hiei frowned, "What do you mean?"

She closed her eyes. "I'm afraid the enemies we just destroyed were only the first wave." Opening golden eyes once again she stared off into the forest that lined the western border. "It would seem that the real war has finally begun. We've won the first battle. Now, we must win the rest."

The five fighters ran at top speed back to the fortress where Mukuro waited patiently to greet them. While they ran, in the distance to the south, where the unnatural winter storm had struck, some of the destruction could be seen. Fragments and boulders of ice lay tainted red from the blood of those they had killed. Many demons had been torn limb from limb from the sheer force of the wind. Trees lay uprooted all around. Bloody snow covered everything. It seemed none had survived. Yusuke was proud of them, his friends. They had gone to great feats this day to fight for him.

As they approached Mukuro raised her gaze to them. "I must say, that was a rather impressive show," she said, eyebrows raised gently.

Hiei spoke to her first. "That was just the beginning. Are you ready for the real fight to start?"

Mukuro grinned with her canines. He took that as a 'yes'.

Yusuke was pleased to see that Hokushin had done an outstanding job of ensuring that everyone was ready and prepared. Rallied before them was the near entirety of his army. Some he recognized, many he didn't, but all of them were willing and able to fight for him. With a inaudible sigh, he looked over them, almost wondering which would survive this day, survive the rest of this war. Sadness and regret stole over him for just a moment. Maybe he should have taken one last trip back to the Human World before now. Said a real goodbye to Kuwabara, Keiko, his mom, Yukina, Genkai... He hoped now, more than ever, they would remember him if something happened to him here, today. He hoped with most of his heart they would remember all the great things he'd ever done, and that they'd smile when his name came up in a passing conversation or thought.

Most of all, though, he hoped he get to see all those people he cared about again. He hoped that each and every one of those standing before him made it back to where they wanted to be, wherever that was, one more time. And if that couldn't be achieved, which he believed firmly that it could not, he hoped that they all had realized what he had in his life. He hoped they knew what love was, what trust was, what friendship and loyalty were. Because he did.

He could see Koenma off in the distance, close to the fortress. The ex-detective gave his old boss a wave and a grin, before turning around, facing what was shortly to come. Touya moved with ease to his place beside Jin and the others. The three others standing near Yusuke turned as well, effectively creating the front line. Eyes resting on where the opposing army could now be heard clearly in their approach, they waited.

When the opposing army finally broke through the trees, continuing their charge toward Yusuke's own army, four figures stood further forward from the group of soldiers. Yusuke stood in the middle with Aurora on his left, Kurama on his right, Hiei brought the other side, on Kurama's right. Baring his sharp teeth, Yusuke allowed that old shitting-eating grin to take to his face. This was it. Their last stand. The stuff history was made of.

Aurora was dressed in the same pale green dress Hiei had seen her in last night, hair still up neatly, white necklace glittering faithfully on her neck. Her golden eyes were clear and rested firmly on the approaching army. In her left hand was the red glow of her demon bow, which hung at her side. In the forefingers of her other hand, she twirled absently an arrow, waiting patiently to notch it. Her lips were set in a firm line that tipped only slightly at one corner. The snow that was still falling seemed to flutter around her for a moment before falling normally.

Yusuke's outfit, like most he ever wore, had been chosen simply for its efficiency in battle. Today, he had taken a leaf from Kurama's book, wearing a red silk shirt, the hue of blood. For his pants, which hung slightly loose, tightening at his ankles, were as black as Hiei's hair. His feet were placed easily apart, slightly to the side. In front of him, his right hand was formed in the shape of his favorite and signature attack, his trusty Spirit Gun; his left hand clasped onto his right wrist. Blue energy glowed faintly, especially at the tip of his pointer finger, waiting at the ready. Steady, deep brown eyes flashed in anticipation. That same old Urameshi grin never left his face.

Kurama, or rather Yoko, was dressed as he often was in this form. The long white tunic hung on him as perfectly as it ever had. There was a flawless rose in one hand which rested against his leg, the other was placed lightly on one hip. The picture of calm, as the fox always was. That same knowing, soft smile touched his pale lips. Hard caramel colored eyes watched with feigned disinterest as their enemy marched steadily closer. Tail flicking the air absently, his smirk widened.

Hiei, too, was clad as he was so often was. Black being the primary color of choice. The ward over the Jagan had been removed previously, as had the long bandage-like one that covered the Dragon tattoo on his forearm. It twined on his skin, never still, as though it too, could feel the upcoming battle. Cunning crimson eyes danced with excitement, flashing at random intervals. His face was the usual cleverly formed mask. His mouth was set in a firm line, but if one looked hard enough, a ghost of a smirk could almost be seen. His hand rested diligently on the hilt of his sword, ready at a single moment's notice, for its master's command.

"Are we ready, men?" Mukuro could be heard not far behind these four. Cheers of an affirmative echoed after her voice.

Yusuke took his eyes off his enemies for a moment to glance to his left and right. The three people he cared for the most. Hiei, his favorite rival-turned friend; Kurama, his most intelligent, cunning and compassionate friend; and Aurora, his newest friend and, if they lived through this, maybe something else. The three people who, if it came down to it, would be dying at side, as they had fought at it so many times before. A wave of nostalgia crashed over him for a single moment in time. Flickering through his mind were the memories of so many years. Back to the very beginning, back to his Spirit Detective days with Kuwabara as the fourth member. Back to the time when each and every battle felt equally daunting and seemingly impossible to overcome. And yet, there they were. All alive. Every hardship overcome.

And here they were again. Facing down the uncertainty once more. As teammates, as fighters, as friends. Each one of them in their own way, an essential part of it. Yusuke was undoubtedly the strength; Kurama was the brains; Hiei was the speed; and Aurora was the grace. Each important in making up the whole. Though each possessed a bit of what all the other's had, each had a specific job and talent. The three on either side of him, he realized now, were the others that rules broke around. Just like him. Each of them had taught him something so invaluable, he knew he wouldn't be here, or possibly alive at all, were it not for them. The most important thing they had taught him, and each other, was how to live. They were all guiding each other in just learning to live again.

"Learning to live again," Yusuke whispered, a feeling of contentment sweeping over him as though he had just discovered the answer to an exceeding important, age-old question.

"What was that?"

Yusuke glanced at his friends again. "Nothing. Was just thinking." He was met with three smirking expressions in varying degrees. "Are we ready, my friends?"

"Always," came the answer from three different mouths.

Sorry it's a bit short. I just felt this was a perfect place to separate it from the next chapter. Two updates in one day? :) Thank you all for the awesome reviews! I look forward to reading them!