Hiei's Human Lover Part 23: Rest in Peace, Genkai

Kurama was reading a book, Yusuke and Kuwabara were playing a videogame, and Hiei was napping, using my lap as a pillow. Kurama looked at the two of us and smiled.

"I don't recall seeing him so relaxed before."

"I don't think I can recall, either."

Koenma appeared out of nowhere, causing Hiei to wake up. I giggled and smoothed out his slightly ruffled hair.

"Sleeping Beauty has awakened at last."

He narrowed his eyes at me and Kurama chuckled.

"Relax, Hiei. She's just joking."

"I'm afraid today, there shall be no jokes. I've come to inform you all Genkai's time had come. Yukina and Keiko are already at Genkai's getting her ready."

After following Koenma through a portal, we found ourselves outside of Genkai's place. I hesitated at seeing the front door, and Hiei took notice.

"Rin, you must be strong."

"I'm just nervous, that's all. I've never been at someone's deathbed before."

"Hn, neither have I. Just stick by me and you'll be fine."

Yusuke narrowed his eyes as he saw Genkai on her bed, which had been moved to the living room. Koenma narrowed his eyes and shook his head.

"Poor Genkai..."

Kurama knelt beside her and placed a hand on her forehead.

"Her fever has passed, but I'm afraid she is unable to sustain herself any longer."

Keiko and Yukina went to join Yusuke and Kuwabara, hoping they could provide some comfort. Yusuke didn't seem to be in the mood for it, so he lightly brushed Keiko off and went to kneel beside Kurama.

"Hey, Grandma. We're here."

"I knew you would come, Dimwit."

He jumped as Genkai opened her eyes.

"I don't have much time left and I want this 'goodbye crap' to be out of the way as soon as possible. I'll speak to each of you, starting with Kuwabara."

Kuwabara pointed to himself and approached, Yukina linking arms with him.

"Kuwabara, your loyalty to everyone here is unlike anything I've seen in a long time. Despite being outclassed during most of your fights, you've always managed to survive them. Yukina, your calm nature is a reason why I allowed you to reside here with me. Make sure you treat everyone you meet with that same demeanor."

"Yes, Master Genkai."

Hiei's POV:

I held Rin to me with one arm as Genkai looked at the two of us.

"Rin, be sure...to keep Hiei...in line. He's...not so easily...controlled."

"Of course, Master Genkai. Just wish I had more time to get to know you before you go."

"Hmph. I know you well enough through watching you train. Hiei, keep a tight hold on this one. I can tell she means a great deal...to you."

"Hn, I'd be stupid to let her go after all we've been through."

Rin giggled and kissed my cheek, an action that caused me to blush slightly. Genkai then turned her eyes to Kurama and Keiko.

"Keiko, keep an eye...on the dimwit...for me, will you? You seem...to be what keeps him...from going under."

Keiko nodded and backed up so Kurama could be in Genkai's line of vision.

"Kurama, take good care...of your family. Since they now know...about you and Spirit World, enemies...may try to take...advantage of them."

"I shall let no harm come to my family, Genkai. I assure you."

Now all that was left was for Genkai to talk to Yusuke, who took Genkai's hand carefully.

Yusuke's POV:

After taking Genkai's hand, she looked up at me and smiled a weak smile.

"Grandma?"

"Yusuke, I am proud of the man you've become. Who would've guessed out of all the people I trained with, you'd become my favorite dimwit?"

I smiled a weak smile back at her and tried to keep the tears in my eyes from falling. I took a quick glance at everyone else and saw the girls had already begun to shed tears. Yukina was being comforted by Kuwabara, Rin was being comforted by Hiei and thankfully, Kurama took it upon himself to comfort Keiko since I was a little busy.

"Dimwit..."

I jumped and looked back at my former mentor. I held her hand a little tighter and nodded.

"Yusuke, take care...of everyone in your life. Keiko...your friends...they all depend on you one way or another. Whenever they...come to you, don't...push them...away."

"You got it, Genkai."

"Good. Now listen up, all of you. What my will stipulates still stands. My home, and the property I own, shall belong to your group. I know you will take good care of it while I am gone."

Koenma nodded and bowed to Genkai.

"I shall keep you informed, Genkai. Since you're going to wind up in Spirit World, that shouldn't be a problem."

"Good. One last thing, Yusuke. Can you do something for me?"

"Anything for you, Genkai."

"I want my home...to become...your home."

"You mean you want me...to live here?"

"Yes, I do. I feel my favorite student...should be allowed to reside here."

"I'm fine where I am at Koenma's, Grandma, but I will keep this place and use it as a vacation home or something."

"Good enough for me. Thank you, all of you, for...filling my life...with your presence. I shall...be waiting...for you."

The tears, which had been contained until now, were now falling down my face as I felt Genkai's energy disappear. I respectfully closed her eyes and Koenma picked her up.

"It's only right that her body be buried here on her property."

"Good idea, Binky Breath."

Once Genkai's body was placed into a deep hole near an apple tree just outside the house, we all lent a hand in filling it up. Kurama placed a red rose on the grave and bowed.

"Farewell, Genkai. May your journey to Spirit World be a peaceful one."

After everyone else said their goodbyes and left, I noticed Hiei had stuck around.

"Where's Rin?"

"Hn, she left with everyone else for Koenma's. They thought you could use some privacy. I remained to escort you to where the portal back is waiting."

"Oh, thanks, I guess."

Hiei placed a headstone with Genkai's name on it at the head of the grave and smirked.

"Wouldn't be complete without this."

"Good thinking. What does it say on the bottom?"

"Mentor, Advisor, and Trainer of the Biggest Dimwit in the Universe."

I chuckled slightly and stood up.

"Yeah, that sounds like her. Okay, I'm ready."

After we got back to the mansion, Kurama and Kuwabara were the only ones present.

"Where are the girls?"

"Oh, Yukina's sleeping in my room, Urameshi. Said she was tired."

"Kurama?"

"Rin claimed she was tired, as well. She retired to her room with Keiko."

Hiei shook his head as he looked upstairs.

"Considering what they're going through, can you blame them? They seem to be taking Genkai's passing pretty hard and would rather grieve in privacy."

"Makes sense, I guess."

Kurama nodded to us and handed me a glass of tea.

"Thought you could use something warm to drink, Yusuke. I gave everyone else one already."

"Thanks, Kurama."

That's a wrap for part 23. After a goodbye to everyone in the group, and a special goodbye to her favorite dimwit Yusuke, Genkai began her eternal rest. Part 24 will begin in Keiko's POV a few weeks after Genkai was laid to rest, her talking to Kurama about Yusuke becoming distant. Also in part 24, Team Urameshi heads off for their first case since Genkai died. Stay tuned to see what happens