Learning to Live Again
Author's Note: I'm sorry this one took so long to get out. I've been rather busy here lately. I hope you can forgive me. :) Also, as you all have been so very patient with me, I will be posting a preview chapter for the sequel. I should have it up tomorrow. It will be posted at the end of this story, as a 21st chapter. Please, as always, let me know what you think.
I enjoyed writing this story immensely, and I hope the sequel will be equally as enjoyable, for all parties involved. As a warning, however, it is going to stray away from the plot of this one. You'll understand more with the preview. :) This chapter will conclude Learning to Live Again. Thank you all for being such excellent readers!
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 Twenty: Of Living and Dying
"He... Nikolai killed the Bringer of Death."
Aurora took a shallow breath, Yusuke swallowed with some difficulty and Touya remained absolutely silent. Although unspoken, they all agreed on one thing. That... was not good...
Hiei listened to their short conversation through his link with Yusuke. Kurama knew, as well. Jin, Mukuro and Shishi still hadn't moved forward; they stood, waiting for something to happen. Koenma had moved to hold Botan at some point through all of this, both of them waiting with held breath. Slowly, painfully slowly, the dust began to settle. Finally, the air was clear enough to see the extent of what they'd accomplished.
Nickolai stood, grinning, exactly where he had been before. His clothes were badly singed and torn. A long gash bleed steadily on his cheek, puncture wounds were evident on his arm where Kurama's whip had been. His silver eyes danced with vile intentions and arrogance. "A valiant effort, indeed. It's a pity you've failed."
Aurora sunk to her knees. "No," she whispered.
"I believe I'll kill you first, my little whore," Nikolai chuckled darkly.
"Over my dead body," Yusuke hissed.
"Oh, insolent half-breed. That can be arranged!"
Hiei managed to call out a warning to Yusuke, telling him to move not a second too soon. The Jagan had seen it about five seconds before it happened. Jumping to the left, as Aurora was on his right, the bolt of energy grazed Yusuke slightly, sending shock waves through his body.
Nickolai, for the moment, had his sights set solely on Yusuke. Anger peaking, Aurora stepped in front of him. "Get away from him."
The silver-eyed man laughed. "Found a new brat to play with, have we?" he mocked.
Bearing her teeth, she flicked several shards of ice with her unbroken wrist. "Get. Away," she repeated slowly, dangerously.
Catching the shards and dropping them unceremoniously to the ground, he replied calmly, "Oh, no. I haven't found your weakness, have I?" He chuckled coldly. "I thought that half-breed brat reminded me of someone." He paused, tapping his chin in feigned thought. "Now, what was his name? Ah, yes... Kuronue, wasn't it?"
"Do not say his name!" Aurora cried as two pairs of golden eyes narrowed in anger.
"So I've guessed correctly, then. Excellent. It will be all the more enjoyable when I kill him," he gestured to Yusuke, "knowing that you care so deeply for him. Pity it's only because of that dead bat."
For one brief moment, though long enough, anger blinded her. All that mattered was shutting him up, making him pay for those words. Kurama had seemingly felt the same, as both of them surged forward before better judgment could be made. Before another word could be spoken, any other action taken, Nikolai lashed out. He shoved Aurora backwards, causing her to slam into Yusuke, nearly knocking them both over. He gripped Kurama's forearm, however and did not let go. "That device she warned you to destroy," he spoke to Kurama, "do you know what else it is capable of?" Kurama did not know and did not bother with a reply; he knew he would be enlightened shortly.
"It also has the ability to grant the user with slight mind control." He grinned wolfishly at the red-headed fox. "Would you like a demonstration?" He didn't want for a reply. With his free hand, he pulled the round object from his pocket. As he closed his eyes, it began to light in a sinister color. In a matter of seconds, Kurama's eyes began to glow the same shade. "Now," Nikolai asked smoothly, opening his eyes, "who should you kill first? The unfit king you find so dear, or the beloved sister you've already lost once today? Oh, such choices." Kurama remained still. "I believe we'll begin with the boy. I still may kill her myself."
Kurama pulled a new rose from his hair, instantly it became the trademark whip. "Kurama," came a slightly concerned outburst from three mouths, Hiei's, Yusuke's and Aurora's. He didn't appear to have heard them. He snapped the whip, as if in warning.
"No," Nikolai cut in, "not with that." Without speaking, Kurama's whip was a rose once more. As it was tucked back into his silvery red hear, it was exchanged for a seed. Upon his command, it became the Binding Fist of the Demonic Vine. "Much better."
Yusuke, watching in slight horror, was rather unsure what happened next and in what order. Three different movements were made. Yusuke was shoved to the side, Aurora taking his place in front of Kurama, with Hiei gripping the arm that was encased with the thorny vine, and Kurama moved to destroy anything in his path. "Stop, Yoko. This is insanity." Kurama did not speak, instead he wrenched his arm from the jaganshi's grip and swiped at his sister. She caught it with one hand, fingers curling around thorns and drawing blood. She stared unflinchingly at her twin. "Cease this."
"He cannot. That is the beauty of this lovely little gem," Nikolai interrupted brightly.
"Kurama," Hiei warned, moving to grip the fox's arm again, this time with much more force. He would trust Kurama with his life. However, at this moment, the man standing in front of him was not Kurama.
Yusuke watched, mouth open slightly. What the...? Getting to his feet, he attempted to stand next to Aurora. "Kurama, what're you-"
"Get back, Detective."
Brown eyes flickered to crimson ones that were not focused on him. The owner of those brown eyes was beginning to fear the worst. Hiei refused to take his eyes off Kurama. That meant one thing, and one thing only. He not longer trusted him. That meant, also, that whatever that creep had done to him was working.
Aurora clenched the sword-like weapon wrapped around Kurama's hand. Blood began to drip to the ground, her hand coated in it. She didn't seem to notice it much though. Like Hiei, she had eyes for only one. "I'll not allow you to do this. You will never forgive yourself if you complete the order you have undoubtedly been given. You will not fight him. You will fight me," she informed the half-fox. "Hiei," she continued quietly, "you, Yusuke and the others need to concentrate on Nikolai. You must obtain that device and destroy it, at whatever cost."
Slowly, Hiei responded by releasing his tight grip on his friend and turning to face their real enemy, the others stepping forward as well. Yusuke raised his Spirit Gun, asking Hiei mentally, Do you have a plan this time? I seem to be fresh out. I don't know if we can do this without those two.
Don't doubt yourself just yet, Detective. If we can get that round object and destroy it, we can win. Focus on that. We need to get our hands on it. I believe that may be one of the only ways we can right whatever has happened to the fox.
Alright, you go right, I'll take the left?
Hn.
:-:-:-:-:
"Brother, you must listen to me. You have no idea what you are doing."
"Get out of my way. I have not been ordered to fight you. However, if you refuse to cease standing in my way of killing that half-human, I shall be forced to end you, as well," Kurama's voice was monotone and dead.
She refused to move. He couldn't quite manage to remove her hand from his weapon. For several moments, they stood mostly motionless, locked in a stare-down and battle of wills. Kurama was winning; she could not harm him... But if she didn't stop him, he might do something he would never forgive himself for; something no one would be able to fix this time... "Yoko, please." She didn't know what else to do. "You must remember..." Then suddenly, she had an idea. Never forget.
A tiny flicker of recognition could be seen in those black eyes for just one fraction of a second, but it was enough. Trying again, she whispered it this time, "Never forget." It was working. She could only hope now that Nikolai hadn't taken notice of it yet.
:-:-:-:-:
Murkuro, Shishi, Jin, Hiei and Yusuke faced the man dressed in shredded black clothing. They formed a semi circle once again, just far enough away from the siblings so that they weren't included in it. Hiei had a feeling if anyone could break Kurama of whatever was holding his mind, Aurora could do it. He knew one definite trait they shared was seemingly infinite cleverness. She would find a way. She had to.
"Oh, and I'm going to hazard a guess and say that you want this?" Nikolai held up the key to this operation. Yes, they wanted it. Badly. And he wasn't going to be handing it over anytime soon.
:-:-:-:-:
A glittering golden green was beginning to break through the darkness. His eyes widened and narrowed in turn as he attempted to recognize her through the thick haze in his mind. He was sure he knew her. But... he just couldn't place any concrete memory of her face or features. Besides, he had a mission to complete. He cast a lingering glance at his target. He recognized that half-demon, too. They were friends. And yet, he was supposed to kill him. His resolve faltered further, and he eased the pressure he had on the sharp weapon in his hand. The fog lifted further at the hiss of pain the woman before him made. He turned back, realizing, not a moment too soon, that it was Aurora standing in his path and that he was hurting her.
Jerking the weapon back from her and forcing it back into a seed, his now fully green eyes widened. Aurora snapped her bloody hand back behind her, just out of his sight. "Kurama," she asked, almost hesitantly, but she was sure he was back.
"Yes." He gazed into her eyes. "I'm... so sorry."
"You can make up for it by rejoining in this fight." Her eyes flitted to Nikolai and their friends meaningfully.
"Yes," he murmured, turning to face their opponent.
There was no doubt about it; they needed a miracle. Yusuke dodged another attack, only to come face to face with Nikolai again. Cursing, he tried desperately to avoid the attack. He couldn't. Hiei flitted forward as Yusuke was thrown violently backwards. He drew his sword, body facing his target. Hie eyes, however lingered on Yusuke, trying to ensure he was alright. Because of that, he missed his enemy's movement. "Hiei, no!"
It was Kurama who had shouted. It had also been his saving grace, turning a violent blow into one less detrimental to his heath. He was blown backwards, as Yusuke had been just a moment prior, electricity searing up and down his nerve endings.
As Yusuke got to his feet, his expression was one of simultaneous determination and defeat. It was looking more and more as though there was no killing this guy. He could withstand a Spirit Gun blast that could have killed Sensui and Toguro combined, Hiei's Dragon backed up by Aurora's best attack, Kurama in his Yoko form, all together with four other high-class demons. Suffice it to say, the outcome was not looking good for them.
With a sigh, he planned one last ditch effort. One that might get more than one of them killed. Damn... "Listen up," he called to his fighters, never taking his eyes away from Nikolai. "Here's what we're gonna do." He glanced at Hiei. "You know what to do, Hiei."
"Hn," he muttered with a curt nod.
As quickly as he could, he read the detective's mind to learn the battle plan, then, as he had done before, he telepathically informed the others. "We're ready when you are, Detective."
"Alright. Let's do this..."
Moving quickly, they all gathered behind Yusuke. "Alright, you asshole," he called to Nikolai, "This fight is between you and I."
"We'll kill each other like men, then?" he asked with a bark of a laugh. "Or rather, you'll die like one?"
"That's not what I said," Yusuke scoffed. He took several more steps forward, effectively separating his friends from the fight.
"Be ready," Kurama hissed. A round of slight nods were his answer.
"Very well." Nikolai murmured as he raised his hands to the sky.
"This is it," Aurora breathed.
"And you're certain you can do it?" Hiei hissed.
"Not at all, but it's the last chance we've got." She closed her eyes for a single moment. "You'll need to be quite swift; I doubt the connection will hold for more than a moment."
More nods. As Nikolai was engulfed entirely by electricity, he screamed, "Are you prepared to die, half-breed?"
"NOW!" Hiei and Yusuke cried at once.
Using every ounce of speed she contained, Aurora rushed at Nikolai. The blur which she consisted of came to an abrupt halt directly behind him. She lifted her hand and rested two fingers against the side of his temple. She winced as his electric energy began sizzling against her. Trying to ignore the searing pain, she began flashing images through his mind.
He faltered in his attack. This was their opportunity. Kurama snapped several thorny vines around Nikolai's body. Jin and Touya combined their attack, making a swirling funnel of jagged ice. Hiei engulfed his sword with purple flames and surged forward. Yusuke moved directly to Nikolai's left side.
The toushin reached into Nikolai's pocket just as Aurora's hold on his mind began to fail. "I'll be taking this," Yusuke spat with a crooked grin.
Nikolai was beginning to overpower Aurora. "Quickly, Yusuke!" she cried with urgency. "I cannot hold him any longer."
Nodding, Yusuke threw that damned device up into the air. "Now!"
Three arrows, a Spirit Gun blast, an exploding seed and shards of ice immediately descended upon the circular object of jewel encrusted stone. When it dropped unceremoniously to the ground, Hiei flitted to it, sinking his flame encased sword directly into it. A wailing screech split the air. All eyes snapped to its source. Nikolai stood a few feet in front of Aurora, emitting the most god-awful sound. He clutched the sides of his head as slowly, it separated, once again from his shoulders, and a deep wound gouged through his chest.
"Get back!" Aurora called, moving backwards from the dying man.
As soon as he head slipped from his neck, an explosion of bright yellow lightning extended from his body. Several shocked outbursts littered the air, though they were only just audible over the deafening explosion. They were thrown back several yards, some coming to rest against a tree, some a rock, others sliding to a stop.
Yusuke, who had been slammed into a boulder, winced as he gingerly separated himself from the ruble. "Everybody alright?" he called out.
As he received only four responses, he searched out each of them. Kurama, Jin, Touya and Mukuro had answered him. That left Hiei, Aurora and Shishi. Eyes flickering swiftly, they finally landed on a curled figure dressed in black. He wasn't moving. "Hiei!"
Rushing to his side, Yusuke knelt down. "Hey, Hiei," Yusuke murmured, reaching out a hand to grasp the Jaganshi's shoulder.
"Fine, Detective," was the quiet response. He was clutching his midsection, where Yusuke could clearly blood beginning to drip to the ground. "Just a... flesh wound."
Kurama had materialized at Yusuke's side. "I'll heal him, Yusuke."
The other nodded and resumed his search for the other two members of his group. His eyes landed on Aurora first. She was laying on her side, her back turned somewhat from him. He moved to her so that he could see her face. Her eyes were closed. "Hey," he murmured. Quickly, he took an account of her vital signs. Resting his ear against her chest and pressing his finger against the pulse point at her neck, he was reassured to find both indicated life.
Her eyes flickered slightly at his touch. "Just... tired," she whispered, and her eyes slid closed again.
"Urameshi!"
Yusuke jumped up and turned at the sound of Jin's voice. "What is it?"
Touya spoke this time, "There's been a fatality..."
Yusuke's stomach lurched. There was only one fighter left who hadn't yet been accounted for. Guilt, remorse and a sense of loss took hold on the young leader as he gazed listlessly upon his fallen ally. Though Shishiwakumaru had never been one Yusuke could consider a close friend, his death was a definite loss. The fact that he had been killed fighting beside Yusuke was evidence enough of the shared comradeship and something of trust between them.
Yusuke knelt in silence. After a moment to collect his thoughts, he offered quiet words of respect, gratitude and apology. "It was both an honor and a pleasure to fight at your side. You have my sincerest gratitude. I can only say, in great remorse, that I did not intend for it to end this way. I hope you will find peace and happiness in the afterlife; you deserve nothing less for your acts of bravery and loyalty."
"Well said," came a hushed murmured from the ice master to his left. The wind master on his right gave a solemn nod in agreement.
Kurama and Hiei moved to join the small group gathered around their fallen companion. Mukuro assisted Chu in joining, not far behind. Yusuke stepped away to help Aurora up and over, as well. Together, those who remained stood or sat in silence, allowing respect to be paid and thanks to be given.
As darkness once again descended upon the land, something akin to calm settled. Slowly, so slowly that it went unnoticed for a while, peace permeated the air. Silence in the wake of something so terrible was suddenly the most wonderful sound in the would.
With a whimper, not with a bang, life resumed its quite continuance. All it asked in return was that all who were left to witness it simply began learning to live again.
End...