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Destiny Part 6-10 by Cherrie
part 6	part 7	part 8	part 9	part 10
Part 6
Destiny Standard disclaimers apply. Yu Yu Hakusho and all it's characters are not mine, I'm merely borrowing ^_^ Chapter done in Botan's point of view. I've rewritten this chapter about five times, I just can't seem to get it right!!! *teary eyes* Lord, thank you for letting me finish this chapter!!! *hearts popping out* Chapter 6 "Nani?" I looked at Koenma-sama with obvious shock, feeling my eyes practically bulge out of their sockets. I have been called from my daily duties to come by Koenma-sama's office. I've stopped abruptly, my steps retreating from the files room to head towards the doors of his office, greeting him with my usual smile. It had been a constant routine, I've learned long before to refrain from testing Koenma-sama's patience. With that said, I suppose it explains why I would always try to obey his orders, he may be easy-going at times as other ferry girls knew him, but he wouldn't be the type one would want to anger. But right now, as he faced me here, asking me to miss the very thing I've been constantly obsessing about for the past weeks, I wouldn't even bother to restrain myself. I was completely convinced he had gone mad. But my surprised gaze was only met by a leveled stare, his brown eyes settling upon mine unflinchingly. I frowned, shifting my hands to my waist as I glared at him. It's very seldom that he and I argue, mostly because there isn't much to seriously argue about, but I guess I've been to engrossed with my tantei jobs that I had been too attached to Yusuke and the others. And to see them fight their final battles, that is too much of a treasure to miss. The staring game abruptly ended with Koenma-sama's sigh. "Botan, I'll be very busy on that day and I can't attend to you while I'm there. It would be safer, and not to mention productive, that you stay in here and help out on whatever assignment otousama gives us." He had said it with such easiness and indifference, as if it didn't matter. He had definitely gone mad! I wanted to go over there and knock some sense into Koenma-sama's head. This is the tournament, the finals for goodness sakes, and he expects me to be the good girl and stay in here and help? Did he actually think I'm that easy? "Koenma-sama, I don't want to stay in here!" I argued, my fists tightening beside me as patience died down from my nerves. I had always waited for the finals to come, for I've missed so much of the tournament because of the constant assignments that have been passed on to me. I've made past arguments about missing those fights before, but I had let myself lose some once I find a reasonable excuse. But just because Koenma-sama has something else to do, that isn't much of a reasonable excuse at all. I can take care of myself, I'm not a child. "Botan, do understand, I cannot attend to you on that day and…" he seemed to drift away from what he had intended to say, his brows creasing, as if he had something deep to think about. I waited for him to say what he wanted to, wanting to hear why he thinks I should stay here. My frown hardened even more as he closed his eyes and shook his head. "Botan, fourteen or fifteen years before, how long were you lost in Makai?" My frown left my face, replaced by another surprised expression. But it didn't seem like Koenma-sama's joking, or was trying to change the topic. Something about his eyes told me he had a lot in mind. And I didn't dare ask. "A week." I simply stated. I was once lost in Makai, a few years from now. I was on my way back from an assignment that was given to me when a violent wind came knocking me off my oar. I was so afraid, afraid of the upcoming dangers that the Makai imposes on alien people that ever dared to take a step on its territories. And sure enough...I've met my own encounters. Koenma-sama nodded his head. He's too serious, usually I'd see him as someone lively and comical, almost taking everything as a joke. But now…he doesn't seem like the Koenma-sama I knew. I was about to ask him if something was wrong when he spoke, cutting me off in mid attempt. "During your stay there…how did you survive? How come nobody tried to kill you?" he asked, eyeing me with a determined look that kept me glued to the ground. It almost scared me, it was like one of those trials Reikai presented on criminals. But I didn't do anything. Unless… "Did you meet somebody?" The question caught me off-guard, I couldn't help the gasp that came through my lips. I felt Koenma-sama's eyes narrow at me as he repeated his question, his brows mockingly rising as if he didn't know anything. And how I wished he didn't. How much I prayed to the heavens that was just merely asking. But the look in his eyes told me that the possibility was vague. I sighed, hesitating whether or not I should reply. But as I sneaked up a look at those eyes, I knew for certain that an answer was required. "A-anou…a youkai…" "A male, youkai kitsune, am I right?" he stated, causing my eyes to fly towards his in an even more shocked state. I felt my heart beating mercilessly inside my chest, my fists clenching the obi of my kimono. "H-hai…how did you know?" I dared ask, all the while wondering yet dreading for the answer. Koenma-sama turned away, but not before I caught the blaze in his eyes. "You will -not- go to the tournament," he affirmed, completely turning his back to me. He didn't answer my question, nor did he show any signs that he planned to. Before I could protest again, he raised his hand in a swift gesture, silencing me. "You're dismissed." I was stunned. I hardly noticed my retreating steps, probably a reflex from the alien attitude that Koenma-sama had just shown. I sighed as I reached the end of the corridor, feeling my heart beat slowing as I tried to catch my breath. A male, youkai kitsune… How did he know? When had he found out? That statement…I couldn't lie to him when he asked me, his eyes held a certain affirmation to his own statement, I knew he knows enough to put me under his supervising eyes. But I couldn't understand. How did he know? If he had known this since the beginning, he should've mentioned something. Koenma-sama's not the kind who keeps things for too long. And it had been fifteen years. "Botan-chan!!!" I looked up from my reverie to the running form of another ferrygirl. It was Inu-chan. I watched as she smiled wider as she saw my recognition of her, running a bit faster to reach me. She stood in front of me for a second, catching her breath. I waited, and fell slightly aback as she laid her hands upon my shoulders, her eyes filled with excitement and murder. I stood there confused, feeling a sweatdrop run down my head. It was always like this when the ferry girls find someone to lie their eyes upon. "Botan-chan! You work for the Reikai tantei group right now, ne?" I knew it. I slowly nodded my head at her, all the while keeping a confused smile on my face. "H-hai, daijoubu ka, Inu-chan?" I asked, trying to balance us both on my two feet. She was leaning so close, and she was grinning too widely, almost as if she was in a trance, I doubt she'd even notice if she hit herself on the head. Or if she noticed that she was depending on me to stand upright at all. "Botan-chan, who's the tantei with the gorgeous red hair and mysterious green eyes?" she asked suddenly, causing me to blink. Red hair? Green eyes? I felt the constant electricity that ran through me just by the thought of those features. I tried shaking myself from it, I already told myself that I will never allow such personal intrusion anymore. I've learned my lesson, I will never be hurt again. What I feel for Kurama…it's another girlish infatuation and nothing more. I felt my heart die down, feeling a sudden ache in my chest as I let my mind and memory take over my emotions. But I knew it's for the best. I must've zoned out for the next thing I realized was Inu-chan's hands waving frantically in front of me. "Oi, are you sleeping there? I asked you a question, Botan-chan. Come one, don't be selfish, who is he? The whole group wants to know!" I blinked. "Whole group?" Inu-can grinned and pointed to a nearby path in the corridors. Sure enough, about a dozen other ferry girls were there. I couldn't make out all of them, there wasn't sufficient light for that, but I know I recognized their voices and their little squirms and sighs. The whole scene made me laugh. Inu-chan frowned and knocked on my head. "Oi! His name, please?" she asked, her voice filled with frustrated anxiety. I sweatdropped. I couldn't imagine what these girls were talking about him. I stumbled back as I felt Inu-chan's grasp lighten a bit, feeling the relief from my aching shoulders. I looked at her, then to the other ferry girls, all of them giving me anxious, yet waiting looks as if I held the most important knowledge in the whole world. And from their view, I probably am. "Oh, uhm…Kurama. His name is Shuuichi Minamino in Ningenkai, but he's called Kurama by the other tantei." An expected amount of sighs and squeals erupted in the air as the girls deliberately fell back against the wall with excited murmurs and giggles. The scene was truly pathetic, they were like a bunch of lovesick fans if I was asked. Like you haven't done what they're doing. You're doing that almost every night when you're alone. Was it me or did that inner voice just laughed? I shook my head, mentally kicking it as I watched the girls' retreating back. It wasn't until they were a few meters away did I remember the question that had been built at the tip of my tongue. "M-matte! Chotto matte yo, Inu-chan!" Inu-chan turned around to give me a questioning look. "Hm? Daijoubu, Botan-chan? You seem a little pale. Did Koenma-sama hurt you?" she asked. That last part was a joke, the ferry girls have this certain thing about teasing Koenma-sama. I never really joined them most of the time. But I guess she was half right when she asked that. Although I wouldn't exactly ruin Koenma-sama in front of them all. I shook my head. "Iie…uhm, how did you know him?" I asked. Inu-chan looked at me blankly for a moment until a spark of understanding hit her. "Oh! Kurama-sempai?" she asked. I didn't ask when she started calling him that, but that's hardly what was on my mind. I nodded. "He was here a moment ago!" she practically squealed, and fought hard not to cover my ears. Until understanding dawned on me. "He was here? When?!" I couldn't hide the anticipation in my voice as I clutched Inu-chan's wrist. Kurama was here? Why? Inu-chan grinned at me. "Interested?" she asked with a mocking voice, her eyes giving off a spark of mischief. But she abruptly ended her teases when I glared at her. "Okay fine, you're in a bad mood aren't you? Yep, Koenma-sama must've done something. Anyway, sempai came and talked to Koenma-sama, that's it, we weren't able to hear anything. Why the hell does Reikai have to have thick doors anyway?" Inu-chan and the other girls talked continuously about Kurama, but I could hardly understand what they were saying. He came. He actually came! Not that he haven't done so before, but something about his arrival then made my heart skip a bit. Whether it was from that infatuation thing or something else, it made me nervous. I couldn't understand it. I wanted to go back to that office and ask Koenma-sama himself. Now you're being like these girls here. Shut up! I sighed. I was driving myself mad. The continuous flow of questions kept flooding my mind. Why was he here? What was his purpose? Did it have anything to do with Koenma-sama's sudden order? I winced at that last one. It didn't fit at all. I frowned as I turned my back from the girls, my head suddenly throbbing. I paused briefly in front of Koenma-sama's door, feeling my pulse quicken. How did he know? Am I in trouble? Just as I was lifting my feet to move on, the door suddenly came open. It was Koenma-sama. "Botan." he called, his arms folded seriously on his chest. I raised my brows to him in question, waiting for him to speak. His brows furrowed slightly, his fist clenching. "I changed my mind. You will go to the tournament."
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Part 7
Destiny Standard disclaimers apply. Due to my constant worrying that a misunderstanding might occur, no, Koenma and Botan are not in a relationship, I'm afraid that I might've wrote a too much out of character Koenma that it might get misunderstood. Oi, do appreciate my cowering attempt to watch this stupid battle, I hate this so much I actually got physically sick because of this. Minna, I'm pathetic, I know ^-^ That's all, hope you enjoy reading! Chapter done in Kurama's point of view. Chapter 7 I looked around to see if anybody was there. The dark hallways and the creeping silence convinced me that I was alone, the room void of any other presence but mine. I eyed the bottle warily, watching the purple liquid swirling in a cloudy mist. I sighed, pulling the top off to take the pointed cover, dipping it slightly on the surface of the purple pool. I held it up above my lips as I opened my mouth to let the drop in. Suzuki. I never saw him since then, I figured he must've gone on his way. Kuwabara and I never talked about him either, or maybe I guess Kuwabara was too busy practicing with his sword to even think about anything else. I wasn't able to find out why he had given these to us, whether it may be of ill intentions or not. But I suppose we'll be needing all the help we could get by now. Karasu. I don't know why, but something about him seems to draw me to him. Eversince that encounter near our team's room, he and Bui never bothered me again. But his strength and power will always be tainted in my mind. I glanced at my shoulder, eyeing the bandage, thinking about the wound that the bomb had caused. I knew it wasn't even half of what he could do, and the mere thought just added to my dread. I wasn't even able to sense it. I frowned as I sat down the cold floor, my mind filled with too many questions and anxiety to even think about how I must've looked. I touched the bandage lightly before pulling on the loose end. I took it off, discarding the soiled cloth beside me and gazed down the wound. It had healed already, with only a light scar to cover it. I sighed and closed my eyes, willing my mind to just take a rest and disregard all further thoughts. But there was another thought that kept me insanely bothered, the one thing that I thought I should've forgotten after all these years. I took a deep breath, feeling the ghostly presence of her memory spread in my head, willing my mind to accept the temporary presence of her eyes, accepting the electricity and heat of emotions as I remembered her touch. I let myself remember the softness of her hair, the sweetness of her smile. But it was all too much. I snapped my eyes open, feeling a bead of sweat run down my temples. I never allowed myself to think about her before this, keeping myself busy just to be able to forget about her. But she never left me. I saw myself on those sleepless nights. Cold, lonely nights when her face would just appear out of nowhere, her smile seemingly present just to mock me. But it wasn't until now have I realized why I kept dreading her presence. I was in love with her. I was in love the very first time I looked at her seriously, in love by the very first smile that she had given. Her eyes, formerly filled with fear and remorse just seemed to fade away when I walked to her, filling those gorgeous pools with a strange and intense gaze that had kept me bound to my feet. What I felt for her, it was very much unlike those that I had ever experienced. I admit, lust was not an alien feeling to me, it was a sinful world after all. But something about her, that thing that draw me to her…what I felt was not at all lust. I never even dared go far with her, wanting every moment to be cherished and felt. And to be remembered. Only now did I regret I ever carved her in my mind. It seems as though I had made a mistake of even trying to help her. From that very first time I heard her scream, it was like a personal call to me. I should've trusted myself to stop meeting her, to stop the torturous attempts to hide myself from her. To stop myself from ever touching her, from ever looking at her. To stop myself from falling for her. I shut my eyes closed, hitting the back of my head on the cold wall. It was cold, reminding me of those nights when I ached for her presence. But I guess I'd never have the chance to be with her again. I will always try to hide behind the mask of Shuuichi Minamino to cover myself from her. I wasn't even sure if she remembered me. That was why I wanted to talk to her, to ask an indirect question about her experience in Makai. That was all I ever want, to know that she still remembered. Much as I would avoid her presence now, all I really need is to know she still knew me, that she hasn't forgotten. Selfish indeed. I'm not sure if what I'm doing is for the best, I almost wished it wasn't. I wanted to be with her, to always be by her side, without the worries and painful possibilities to force me to hide from her. I wanted her to know me. But she was too pure, too innocent for me to stain, her skin too much like an angel's to be touched by the hands of a demon such as mine. I figured I'll just have to live in her memory now, never allowing myself to even get a chance to touch. For a mere touch may just send me falling for her again. A thief is not capable of loving, void of any emotions that may be a nuisance to his being a bandit. But she broke that oath, cutting through me like a hot knife. And I was an idiot to let her in. "Kurama, where are you?" Kuwabara's yells suddenly woke me from my thoughts, his voice muffled by the distance that was between us. I shook my head to wake myself up completely. I stood up, fixing myself up as I waited for him to come. "Kurama, the tournament's about to start!" "Hai, in here, Kuwabara-kun," I responded, facing the curve in the hallway from which Kuwabara was supposed to appeared. He came after a few seconds, frowning at me before he led me down the halls. The finals is about to start. "You two, wait a second!" Kuwabara and I looked around to see Koenma walking behind us, his usual childish form replaced by a more mature feature. Except he still had the pacifier. "Oi, look good in the pacifier there, heh heh," Kuwabara teased, causing a glare from the Reikai prince. I eyed Koenma curiously, willing him to look at me. I had asked a favor from him, to keep Botan from coming to the tournament. I had come to Reikai directly to ask him the personal favor. He hesitantly refused, asking why I had asked such a bizarre request. I was forced to tell him a bit of the story, forced to tell him about Botan and a youkai kitsune she once knew. I wasn't sure if he gave me his word, but I had hoped that he had heeded my request. It was a matter of life and death to me now. Botan is better off thinking that her lover was dead. But it seems as though he was avoiding my gaze. I frowned, all the while keeping my steps intact. We reached the ring soon after, the announcer declaring that Koenma and Sakyo would be fifth players on both teams. The first battle began, and sure enough, I was faced to face with Karasu. I eyed him warily, both of us still on the first seconds of the battle. The whole stadium's noisy cries were left ignored, with only eyes as sharp as the sharpest blade piercing through the other's. I clenched my fists. He grinned. "So you came after all, eh Kurama?" I ignored him, taking a step back as I did the first move. I materialized a rose from my hair, its petals flying around me in random patterns. It was supposed to be a diversion in the battle as I wait for my youkai form to appear again. It was a risk I'm going to take, to keep myself alive and to give my team a chance of winning. I had promised Yusuke that I would do my all, and I have no intention of breaking my word. I just hoped she wasn't here. "Do you actually think these things would keep me from you?" Karasu asked, his steps taunting me as he came closer. My eyes narrowed as he raised his hands, abruptly followed by the rose petals exploding in mid air. I stifled a cursed breath, stepping away from him as far as possible. Only to meet up with his first attack. My cry wasn't ignored as I heard Yusuke's worried yell. "Kurama, watch out!" he shouted, his wide eyes filled with worry as I sneaked up a glance at him. I turned my head to glare at my opponent, all the while dodging his attacks. He had nails as sharp as pointed needles, it was as if his hands were made as claws. I hid a curse behind my throat, trusting my reflexes to just avoid the attacks. I should've changed by now! But that thought was left swiftly after I felt another explosion on my leg. If I hadn't known better, Yusuke was practically gritting his teeth. It was obvious that my human form was no opponent to Karasu, I was as a pathetic as a mouse against a tiger. But I tried to stand up, ignoring the sharp pain that started to run up my leg as I tried to stand on both feet. But it wasn't over yet. Just as I had stood up straight, another bomb exploded on my shoulder, causing me to gasp out in pain. And then there was another. And another. The next thing I knew, I was on the ground, crouching weakly as I attempted to stay up lest I wanted to lose. Karasu's mocking never ceased as he appointed new bombs, showing them to me as he added more intensity. Explosions seem to cloud upon me as he kept on talking, and I felt even weaker as I felt my strength start to drain. Behind all the smoke that the bombs emitted, another kind of mist started to circle me. It was the potion, it was working. I felt the familiar coldness that started to run through me, feeling my body change behind the distraction of the clouds. I heard the announcer's anxious voice as she started to say things about my former battle with Uraurashima, her voice questioning the possibility of another change. The clouds started to part, and the expected gasp came from the crowd as I stepped out. Let her not be here. I stole a glance towards Koenma, my eyes delving through his in an attempt to find an answer. His eyes widened. He wasn't dumb, he must've realized the connection of the story and my request. But it was until a few seconds later did he looked at me indifferently until he shifted his gaze to Yusuke who was already asking questions. I frowned. Somehow, I wasn't sure if Koenma even bothered to give me his word. The battle was fair now, I produced plants as Karasu did his bombs. It was uncertain who would win, but it was for sure that I stood a chance. But still, I couldn't help feeling the dread that started to flow through me, the sudden insecurity as I fought through this battle. It was as if I had made a mistake. It was as if she was here. The battle was almost coming to an end as I watched my plants appear to devour Karasu. But I wouldn't want to enjoy the victory until I was sure she wasn't here. I stood still for a moment, then quickly turned my back to walk away from the ring. I needed to change, I didn't feel well being in my youkai form. I felt like I wanted to hide. But the referee's voice stopped me in my tracks, as I watched in mild surprise as my plants started to explode. Karasu limply fell on his feet, glaring at me through his eyes. His mask had fallen off when he was grasped by my plant, and his grin was now obvious without it. He started to take deep breaths, and I watched as his hair color changed into the dark black ones to a light blonde. He had looked even twice as demonic as he had been. We started the battle again, my head throbbing from the distant thoughts that had started to form. I felt weak, and I felt devastated from everything. All I ever wanted was to get out of there and let everything out. It wasn't until another attack that he had made caused me to slam into the fence that separated the ring from the audience. Sharp pains started to course through my body, feeling the heavy pieces of rubble cover me too hardly that I found it hard to breathe. I felt my strength draining, as if sharp needles started to prick through my skin. I took a deep breath at that revelation. I was changing back. I shut my eyes as I willed the pain to go away, the old, familiar sensations coursing through me and filling my whole body. I didn't know if I could still stand up, and I was running out of time. They're going to declare Karasu the victor if I stayed in here. But right now, I wasn't sure if I even cared. "Kurama! What the hell do you think you're doing? I know you're alive, stand up!" My eyes snapped open at that call. That voice…that very voice that had haunted me in my sleep. I muttered a muffled curse and willed my body to take all the strength I might have to push the heavy pieces of debris away from me. I tried standing up, clutching the wound in my arm that had started to throb all over again. But it wasn't that pain that had my attention now. As I stood up, I gazed up to see her beautiful eyes down on me, those mystical orbs filled with tears as she smiled at me. There wasn't any sign of anger or sorrow. Just happiness. She was happy that I was alive. And I couldn't help but feel a similar kind of happiness with that. Her smile widened, blinking back the tears that had started to flow down her cheeks. "Ganbatte yo, Kurama-kun!" End of chapter 7
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Part 8
Destiny Standard disclaimers apply. Ooooohh…it's turning heated and confusing for me now ^-^ Thanks to everyone who reviewed, I really appreciate it, you guys keep me sane ^_^ Chapter done in Botan's point of view. Chapter 8 I couldn't help the sharp intake of breath as I first saw him, feeling my heart tense and stop its maddening beats. I felt my body grow numb and cold, the constant screams and cheers of everyone dying down in the back of my head, with only darkness surrounding me. I couldn't take my eyes off him. I couldn't blink, I couldn't breathe, I couldn't say anything. All that my body focused now was to catch his every move, to watch his graceful stealth as he walked towards his opponent. To miss a single second would be like a knife through my body, feeling my chest tighten at the mere thought of it. He hasn't changed. Those eyes, even from a mile away, I could still recognize those eyes. The very same gleam of pure gold, the very same sparkle that seem to emit from its shimmer, I could never forget those eyes. They have kept me restless all these years as I constantly find myself haunted with such beauty, with such a painful memory that I can't help the screams that trouble me through the nights. Never have I realized how much I have missed him. Not even the years that passed…not even those could erase the clarity of his memory in my mind. But I suddenly snapped awake as I heard the other man on the ring utter his name, yet another attempt of mockery. Kurama. My eyes widened, if it was even more possible than holding my breath for so long. This man…he was Kurama! He was Kurama, the red-haired young man that had kept me busy during the times I willed myself to forget about the mysterious youkai. The very same man who constantly reminds me of him, the very same person whom I tried to forget to avoid any more pain. So that was why they seem so alike. I watched in silent astonishment as the battle ensued, barely taking the course of the battle in. Is this why Koenma-sama first refused to let me go? It wasn't only until I felt Keiko-chan's violent shake did I realize I must've zoned off. "Botan-chan?" came her worried voice, causing me to snap out of my thoughts. I shakily turned my head to look at her, shifting my eyes to from the ring to Keiko's concerned gaze. "Daijoubu, Botan-chan?" I promptly nodded my head, pasting a forced smile on my face. "Hai! Of course I am, why wouldn't I?" I exclaimed, a little bit too lively at that. But I doubt my eyes even reflected what my voice had tried to show. But Keiko smiled, she seem to be convinced enough. I sighed in relief, trying hard not to think much, but my heart and breathing betrayed me. And my mind did as well soon after, shifting me back to reality and the scene that stood before me. He. Was. Alive. "Iie, Kurama-kun!" Yukina-chan's gentle voice interrupted me this time, causing me to whirl my head back to the direction of the ring. A sharp gasped escaped my lips, watching in horror as Kurama's body slammed into the wall, causing a fury of smoke and rumbling stone to come down tumbling him. The crowd roared, ironically mocking me with their enthusiasm and cheers for the other team. I was caught in surprise, my heart beating almost to a dead stop as he disappeared under the wreckage, mentally begging him to stand up. But the cheers grew wilder, the announcer grew louder, all the while causing the whole stadium to shake through the noise as I fought back the tears. He can't die now! I quickly stood up and ran down, heedless of the angered cries of the youkai I stepped on as I went on my way. Shizuru-san's call even remained unanswered as I stepped several steps more. My mind seemed to stop working, with only the goal of coming to him as the key to every movement of my body. I felt my hands shaking as cold wind started to strike my skin, but I remained impassive to everything as I prayed that he stand up and come out. I couldn't hold back the tears. "Baka yarou!" I screamed, mindless of the eyes that started to dart up to me. "Kurama! What the hell do you think you're doing? I know you're alive, stand up!" I reached the boundary between the ring and audience seats, leaning as far as I could go just to be sure he heard. I discarded all second thoughts of the possibility of him dying. Not now. Not that I've found you! As if on cue, the rocks beneath the wreckage started to move. I held my breath as I watched him stand on his feet. Silver hair didn't come out as I had expected, instead, there was the familiar fiery mane that had found its place, etched in my mind. He had come back to being human, clutching his renewed wounds. The whole scene just made me shed even more tears. I've never seen him this bad, and I just wished I could ask the tournament to end. But I couldn't do that, and I know he wouldn't let me either. I could only hope he still stood a chance. But even before he could move, his pained look was replaced by an obvious surprise as he looked back at me. Suddenly, I felt numb, all other thoughts started to die down at the back of my head. But as the tension grew on, I masked my feelings with a smile. A smile that was supposed to be a mask, but then grew to be a smile of relief and happiness. He was all right. "Ganbatte yo, Kurama-kun!" Before he could even say another word, Karasu had started taunting him again. I drew back a little, watching Kurama jump back at the ring and went on to fighting his opponent physically, his eyes now shining with an unfamiliar glow. Was it...anger? Why? I held my breath, feeling my body shake all over again. "Botan-chan!" Shizuru's voice called to me. I looked back and saw the three of them, Keiko, Shizuru and Yukina, all gathered up around me. "Are you insane?! You almost got yourself killed!" She then pointed to the angry glares the audience I must've passed gave me, their complains almost unbearable. I looked blankly at them until I felt myself being pulled on the wrist. I then felt myself being dragged back to our seats…the right way. The battle continued, and I found myself dreading each and every second. He was losing! Kurama was covered in his own blood, with only a little wound on his opponent. I couldn't stand it. Only Keiko's hands kept me from running over there. I tried shifting my gaze, avoiding the physical pain that battle inflicts on me, shutting my eyes from further attempt in braving reality's cruelty. I flinched at every sound of a small explosion, flinched as they were all followed by his pained voice. I slowly opened my eyes, yet still trying to avoid the nightmare that is being held in front of me. I abruptly met with Koenma-sama's gaze, noticing the intent stare that he had been giving to me. His eyes were glaring, his brows creased as his fist tightly clenched at his sides. I felt cold. Ferry girls are not allowed to love youkai. Koenma-sama...you don't understand. Another explosion. I felt my heart slowly sink, yet keeping a hopeless optimism that he would still stand up. It didn't matter now if he won or not, all that mattered to me is that he lives. "Keiko-chan…he will still make it, wouldn't he?" Keiko was in the verge of tears as well, but she nodded her head. "Kurama-san's strong, we should trust him." He fell down again, this time, trapped in a midst of small bombs that started to circle around him. The stadium felt silent, with only the voice of the announcer sounding across the whole place. Everyone seemed to anticipate what would happen next. I held my breath, flinching as another explosion went off. I felt Keiko's hand tighten on my own, her eyes filling with tears. It only made me feel worse. Unexpectedly, as if in some sort of miracle, another huge plant seemed to burst from the ground, pinning their tips on Karasu's chest. Keiko and Yukina covered their eyes as Shizuru and I continued watching. Kurama was crouched on the ground, looking fully exhausted, watching as his plants began to devour Karasu. I covered my mouth from the sheer bloodshed, both fighters most probably in their worst shape. Yusuke was probably who first snapped out of his shock. "Kurama!!!" he yelled, right after the referee announced Karasu the winner despite his death. I didn't even mind what reason it was, all that mattered to me was that Kurama was alive. I watched as he stood up to meet Yusuke, Kuwabara and Hiei, all of them worried as they helped him out of the ring. I stood, overlooking the crowded audience to watch him limping, depending on Yusuke's shoulder to keep himself standing up. "Did you see that? He's okay!" Keiko-chan exclaimed, tears in the brink of falling from her brown eyes. Yukina-chan joined in with her, and Shizuru let out a satisfied smile. I watched them impassively, suddenly feeling the cold dread that started to rush in within me. It didn't feel right…much as I tried to catch his eyes…it seemed like he's avoiding my gaze. But… Kurama… The one I've been looking for all these times…it's him all along...but why was I afraid? "Did you come for me?" I want to be with you. "…H-hai." I want to make sure. "Why?" Please say you remember. "You know why. Is this the reason why I'm not supposed to watch the tournament?" Was I expecting too much? Did it really matter to you? Did I mean as much as you have meant to me? "You were not supposed to know." Do you really care? "Why?!" I don't want to believe my doubts. Give me your reassurance. Please. "Because…I thought you should've forgotten by now." I want to believe what I once believed fifteen years ago. "What do you mean?" I want to believe you'll open yourself to me despite our fears. "We shouldn't live through that anymore. It's over." Or was it only me who was afraid? "How could you say that?" Is this your lie? I don't believe you "How could you trust someone like me? A youko who once prowled the grounds of a realm that barely had anything good to offer you? What's the use of being with that kind of person? What made you believe I truly cared?" When you smiled...I knew you meant no harm. "..…" Because it was a sincere smile. "You shouldn't have trusted me in the first place." Even if it didn't last. "I thought…" You can't hide it from me. "..…" I know...I thought...we could go back. "I thought…you were different." Go back to the past and live through it once again. "I almost took advantage of you before, how could you say that?" It was my fault. "I don't care! By that time…by the time I saw you…I wasn't even sure if I wanted to go back to Reikai!" I wanted to be with you that time...and I still do. "..…" Why can't you understand me? Why do you keep on hiding? "Can't you understand? I love you, and I've been looking for you all these times!" Please say you felt the same way. "Don't say that!" Please say you're not rejecting me. "Why?!" I've found you. "I never..." I don't want to lose you again. "….." I don't want to cry anymore. "You should leave…" I don't want to be alone again. "…So that's it? All these years, that's all you wanted to say?" It hurts to be away from you. "…Yes." Give me another chance. "…Kurama..." Don't tell me they were just lies. "Botan, please go." But...maybe I was just too naive to believe you. "...I..." Maybe...my mistake was ever asking for your help. To ever meeting you. "....." Tell me this is not the end. "I understand..." But if this is what you want...maybe... "....." This is the truth... "Goodbye." And the past was the lie. End of chapter 8
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Part 9
Destiny Standard disclaimers apply; Yu Yu Hakusho is not and will never be mine. Another flashback, minna ^-^ Chapter done in Youko Kurama's point of view. Chapter 9 The cliff from which I hung was too high, too weak, that the dark abyss below suddenly became too tempting. And so I fell. The next thing I knew, I was kissing her, kissing her with all the burning passion that had built up inside me. From the very first moment that the perfection of her eyes captured mine in a fury of selfish desires to hold her, to make sure that she would be mine, I knew that any kind of resistance would be futile. I am one with myself, I have never lost control. But her eyes had imprisoned me in their depths, leaving me mesmerized and enchanted with their mysterious beauty. They left me wanting, and hoping, almost willing them to never close that I may look into them longer and deeper. I watched her through half-lidded eyes, until the kiss got too deep that I couldn't help closing my eyes. She was trembling, those beautiful eyes of purple nearing the verge of tears. The movement of my hand to draw away those tears was inevitable, it was almost a reflex. She had looked so small, so vulnerable, that the mere thought of the youkai I had just confronted sent a shiver down my spine. I wanted to kill him again, to feel his blood as he breathed his last. I wanted to make him miserable again, and again, until I satisfy myself with the thought that nothing, nobody, could ever harm her. She was the little treasure that I had decided to protect. I had leaned down to kiss her again, slowly as to not make her more afraid as she already was. I had taken great care not to pain her, but the sudden, muffled cry caused me to sit up abruptly. She had tried to resist the urge to scream in pain, but the hard moan that escaped betrayed her. I was afraid that I must've hurt her, and so I quickly lifted myself from her lithe frame, watching her try to sit up. It was only a matter of seconds before she limply fell on me, her head resting upon my shoulders as she weakly gripped my arm for support. She tried moving her leg, and I watched her in dumb curiosity as she struggled to show me what was wrong. It was dreadful the way I saw it, those dreadful spots of crimson on the white sheet as she took a deep breath to calm herself. I have seen more blood, more pains than this, but never have I actually cared for them, I had never reacted. But now, as I looked down upon her helpless form, I couldn't help the sudden sickness that started to rise up my stomach as her beautiful face twisted in pain. "It hurts," she cried, stifling a sob as she gestured to her ankle. I took the cover away, my eyes glued to the source of her pain. Indeed, it was her ankle. It was covered in a mass of red, the surrounding area was already dark from the entrapped blood coming out from a deep, slashed wound she must've acquired from that son of a bitch. I mentally cursed that youkai again, hoping that whatever thing that found him lying on that forest floor would devour him with no such decency to heighten up his already contorted shame even more. I glanced up to her, for I didn't think I could stare at the wound any longer. She was gasping for air, obviously shocked at the amount of blood that must've come out of her. That was when I saw how young and innocent she must've been, ignorant and mindless of the things that were happening around her. I saw her even more vulnerable, but strong to may have faced these things with only muffled sobs and tears. She never said anything more, and only looked back at me with those mesmerizing eyes of hers. She looked at me without fear now, through the tears and through her cries. She looked at me in trust. A trust that I felt like keeping. "Can't you use your power to heal yourself?" I asked her. She shook her head. "I'm only new to that kind of deity power and I can't do more than one in a day," she said, lowering her gaze as she vaguely played with the material of her clothing. "I…already used it for you." If it was guilt that had suddenly arose from me, I have no intentions of denying it. It was, afterall, my fault now that she couldn't heal herself. Much as I hated admitting something as my fault, it was no use fighting it now that she needed help. My hand reached up to my hair, the silver locks falling limply on my shoulders as I thought of the thing I needed. I reached behind my neck to pull out a single white flower, with leaves soft and curled in a sea of evergreen as they lightly stuck themselves on the thick stem. I rested my hand a few inches above her wound, the glow of bright gold surrounding her. The soft sparkles of light were tiny seedlings from a fern here in Makai, they were good in dealing with open wounds. As I felt the bleeding stop, I plucked two leaves from the flower I held and wrapped them around the injury. I tore a piece of my sash to use it to tie the leaves on her. She looked down quietly as I nursed her wound, her breathing once again even and no signs of sobbing. Once I had finished, she muttered a small "thank you" before looking away again. It doesn't really take the sharpness of a youkai's eyes to see the soft harmony of pale pink and red on her cheeks. She was trying to hide a blush. Much as I wanted to say something, I decided against it. She badly needed rest. "Go to sleep," I told her simply, pushing her to lie down. I took out a new sheet for her to use, and I laid it upon her as she tried to struggle to sit up. "Wait, where are you going?" she asked, grasping my hand as tightly as her strength had allowed her. "I…have things to do," I said as I laid her down again, steadying her hands from clutching mine to tightly. She was terrified, although I didn't exactly know why. As I looked into her tearful eyes, I kept asking myself if leaving is even such a good idea at that moment. But I shook my head against it, willing myself to secure my gaze as to not let her get the idea that I've started to care. Not that I haven't kicked my own behind already, but I convinced myself that I can't afford to have more. "But…how long would you be away?" I frowned, thinking about it for a moment. I go to my hunt with my pack almost for a whole day, our next destination quite far. It might be a bit longer than I may suspect. I looked at her, with her eyes delving into mine as she awaited my answer. I drowned in their depths again, the sea of glowing purple enveloping me once again in their innocent mystery. That was when I knew I couldn't stay away for long. I shook my head. "You ask too many questions," I grunted, eyeing her sharply as I turned to leave. My hands fell limply on my side as I took a single step, suddenly realizing the smooth and soft petals of the flower I held in my hand. It was the same flower I had used to heal her. The misty white silkiness was calling out for my attention as I gently held it close enough for me to smell its sweet fragrance. I remembered its name now, The Lily of the Realm. I suppose the realm that was stated was Makai, for I doubt this same beauty grows in the other two. It had always been my favorite, next to the rose. The rose had been my weapon, this flower had been my remedy. Remedy from my wounds, from my pains. Remedy from the bloodsheds. I realized that I still stood from where I had taken that first step, unable to leave the place. As if I was expected to be in need of something before I leave. I looked up to see her tantalizing eyes once again laid on mine, our gazes meeting in a mixed harmony and turmoil with their intensity. She was teasing me, mocking me with her ignorance of what I felt. I had started to hate her even more, because she had a sudden ability to manipulate me through her gaze. I hated her, because I felt the ice in whatever heart I have left melting just by her stares. I hated her, because I felt like I couldn't bring myself to give her my hatred. The hatred that I used to give the world. My feet betrayed me as they started towards her again. So did my hands when they lifted up to hold one of her hands, lifting them to place the single white blossom in the softness of her touch. I stared and touched, mesmerized by how the bloom seem to suit well in her hands, both their softness matched the other. I would've smile, but I decided against it and just let both her hand and the flower go. "You do have a name, do you?" I asked her, willing myself to forget about how her hand seem too tempting to hold. It wasn't until a few seconds when she snapped, turning away abruptly as she started playing with the cover again. "Uhm…it's B-Botan…" she said, her voice a bit low as she mumbled the words out. But I heard her, as I felt her name being carved into my mind. I repeated her name silently in my lips, savoring its perfection in my tongue. Although I knew that her name wasn't at all special exactly, I knew that I would never bring myself to forget it. It was beauty in it's own way, especially since she was the one who owns it. I must say that she and her name fit perfectly well. Both gave me peace. I turned to leave, my soft sounding steps echoing softly through the walls of my lair. I kept my ear alert, waiting for any sign of movement from her. It was only until I was about to reach the end of the cave's path when I sensed her movement, the rustle of the blanket as she buried herself underneath its warmth. I ceased my steps to now look at the dark path behind me, her form now invisible through the walls of the cave. I suddenly had the thought of actually staying, but my mind started against it as I shook my head off the idea. I didn't know why I now cared, but I couldn't help finding myself wishing to whatever god to watch over her. Watch over her from whatever evil that could come while I was away. "Yo, Kurama!" I looked up to see Li's eyes frowning at me, one twitching slightly in irritation. I raised one brow as a response, annoyed at the fact that he was watching me. But I couldn't blame him though, I must've lost myself again. Lost myself in her again. I couldn't help it. Ever since I've set foot away from my lair, thoughts of her, of what she might be doing, they all started a flood in my mind. I was almost in a hysterical paranoia that something might happen. That is, if you consider perfection to stumble more than even thought possible with such a skilled thief, I wasn't exactly the type who'd go maddeningly hysterical. But very much to say, I wasn't acting myself. I had made mistakes in a short span of an hour. I had dropped an artifact that could've caused a fortune and accidentally gave it to a rival pack, I've hurt a fellow mate with my whip and I've drifted into deep space while Li gave me pointers about our supposed to be plan. I was impossible, I'm actually wondering why Li hadn't kicked me just yet. "What do you want?" I asked, pulling up the cold exterior once again. As suspected, I gained dominance over Li as he only let out a soft grunt of irritation. Even though Li and I had equal powers when it comes to our group, he couldn't exactly argue with me longer than three seconds. He sighed, his lean shoulders suddenly sagging. "Come on, Kurama, you can't go around stealing from others when you let your own mind get stolen," he said, poking my head once for emphasis. "Especially not by a woman." I snapped, my back suddenly straightening as shock and fury started to burst from the flame in my eyes. "What are you talking about?" I asked him, glaring at him as the gold of my gaze intensified. Of course, I had a slight thought of what he had meant, but I couldn't exactly wonder how he could've known. I had only met her today, and no one could have possibly seen me rescue her. "Oh come on! You know what I'm talking about!" he exclaimed, throwing his hands back as he eyed me in distaste. "You know, blue hair, pretty face, gorgeous body. I was actually waiting for you to share her with me, but that doesn't seem like one of the ideas that you have running around your head, is it?" I stared dumbstruck at that. He had described her perfectly! All right, so scratch the parts where he was being too bold, but I couldn't exactly disagree. But mostly, I could've used other terms. Li was like that, straight and frank, he doesn't go around in circles like I do. He doesn't care what others might think, all he cares about is himself. And his treasures and his identity as a thief. He must've noticed my silence when he grinned. "Well, well, so I was right, huh? I wasn't really sure if that's it exactly, just a wild guess. But your expression gives you away, kitsune, hahaha!" he laughed wildly as he fell slightly back. I rolled my eyes. He really couldn't stop mocking me, could he? "Shut up, baka!" Even though I exclaimed this in irritation, he still continued laughing. I decided to ignore it. "How did you know?" He stopped momentarily to look at me. "Oh? Well, it's not exactly unusual to obsess with such a fine woman but--" "I meant, how did you know about her?" I said, cutting him off almost impatiently. Really, he was impossible when it comes to women. Sure, he gets his usual herd of youkai females whenever he wanted to, but that wasn't exactly a good reason to fill himself with this idiocy. For Li, women are just for past time, he can have them when he wants them, and he can leave them as soon as he starts getting tired of them. I didn't exactly feel sorry for those women, they were fools to even fall for a thief. But still, sometimes Li gets too much of this that it bothers fellow thieves sometimes. "Oh! Haha! Would you believe I came to call for you this morning?" he said, bursting in roars of laughter once again. "I was actually surprised when you didn't seem to feel my presence, but that's when I saw the babe you were with." He laughed again. It took me a great amount of self-control to keep myself from knocking the guy's head on the ground. Maybe I decided to listen, I wanted to know how on earth I could've let down my guard. "Thank me, oh loving buddy, I decided not to bother you two. It might ruin the atmosphere, as they always say." Now I really wanted to hit him. A little bit more, you idiot, and I'll be having your head displayed on my lair. Only a moron would try to tease me more than twice. "So tell me, how's it like to make out with a Reikai girl?" Confirmed, Li's a moron. "I can have your head for those, Li, I swear." I told him, glaring at him almost too intensely now. Li sighed, hitting me on the shoulder as he tried to cease his laughter. "But seriously, Kurama, how was it? Was she good?" I sighed, burying my aching head on my palm. "Nothing happened," I stated simply, moving my palm in circles to ease the pain in my head. "I'm not like you." It should've come out as an insult, but I suppose it backfired when I heard Li's laughter again. "Good one, kitsune!" he exclaimed, holding himself up from his laughter. "Oh gods, Kurama! You really know the exact words to say, no wonder the girl fell for your ‘charms'. Lucky girl you got there with you, very lucky!" I rolled my eyes again, muttering silent curses as I left Li on that cliff. He was still laughing and shouting insults, but they seem to drift away with the wind as I looked up at the darkening skies. I decided that I had to go back, it might get dangerous for her now. I still didn't know why I wanted to protect her so much, maybe it's what Li always call "manly instincts". But I doubt that idiot knew what he was talking about, he had hurt his women more than he ever tried protecting them. But whatever it was, it was a real pain when you're a thief. I couldn't concentrate, I had to go back. Three days, and I knew she's well enough to ride her oar again. And as I watch her grip the wooden object, I couldn't help but feel like wanting to break it. To keep her from leaving. It had only been a matter of three days, and she completely won my mind, making obsess over her during the heat of the day and the coldness of the night. I couldn't imagine myself going back to the old life I used to live, it was too unusual now that it had been completely changed. This must be Reikai's way of vengeance for breaking its laws. "Anou…" she started, her fingers lacing around the thin handle of her oar. She had her head down, as if she was struggling for words to say. She didn't let me catch her eye, it was as if she found the dusty ground far more interesting than I was to her. Maybe that, or she still couldn't look at me. I've always had that effect on people, making them stand still just by my gaze. I suppose that certain aspect would never change. Even if I wanted the person to look. Stay, I thought. It was the most explainable thing I could think of. But even though I wished, almost willed, her to say the words I wanted her to say, I knew she'd never agree. Never. She knows the danger from which she now faced, the contemptuous stranger that I am. I know she wouldn't want to stay. She fidgeted again, daring to raise her head so our eyes could meet. She turned away again. "T-Thank you…for keeping me here," she said, poising her oar to lift her up in midair. I could only stare and watch as she was lifted higher and higher, until she was face to face with me. Our gazes locked, making me stand in near surrender to her goodbye. I watched as a trembling hand came up to the side of my face, almost touching. She seemed to be resisting the urge to touch me, probably from fear that I might hurt her. I couldn't blame her, for the few days that she had stayed, I had shown nothing but a cold mystery to her. We barely spoke, we barely even tried any means of communication. All that were let out were a few sidelong glances, that and nothing more. I was about to turn and leave, leave her alone so she could go back to where she was supposed to be. My strides moved along the grassed ground, my eyes fixed directly in front of me, not daring to look back. But it was her voice that made me slow down. "Wait!" I dared not stop. I might've slowed, but I kept myself from looking at her. From making me lose myself again. I'm a thief, a feared youkai. I was Youko Kurama, the dreaded kitsune of the Makai. Nobody can control me, no one can manipulate me. No one can make me let down my guard. Not even her. But she didn't give up. She didn't give up the battle, as her voice sounded through my head once again. "Wait," she called again, yet she stayed where she was. And I kept walking away. "Can I…when I have the time…can I come and see you?" So bold, yet so naïve. I guess she still didn't know the danger that she faced just by asking me that. And the sanity that she dared take from me by doing so. Yes, was my mind's only answer, and yet I couldn't bring myself to say it out loud. It would've been better off if she wouldn't, but I can't exactly say that that is what I desire her to do. I've wished her to stay, but I suppose this might be the closest way I can have that wish. I ceased my steps, eyes narrowing as I turned to my side. Silence lingered through the violent winds of our surroundings, the thick vegetation muffling the heavy howls. I didn't look back, I didn't look at her. My fist clenched at my side, my head screaming to let her inside. But no, I'm a youkai, she was a ferry girl. We don't exactly go together. "Probably." I just wish I can come to understand that. End of chapter 9
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Part 10
Destiny *Hands shoot up from the ground and reveals Che-chan, back from the dead* I live!!! Mwahahahahahahahahahaha--*gets struck by lightning* *puffs out smoke* Ayah! Minna, sorry for the delay!!! >_< Come on, it's chapter 10, do I have to repeat every single disclaimer in every chapter? *sweatdrops* Let's spare the pain, ne? ^-^ I'm back from the dead, mwahahahaha!!! *ducks out for possible lightning, happy to find none* It's been a long time, but hey, at least there's improvement ^-^' (PATHETIC attempt for an excuse, I know, gomen!) Although, I can't assure you all a perfectly written chapter, I must've lost it after all these times of staring at the corner of my wall ^-^' Chapter done in Botan's point of view. Uh…you might get confused because I'm REALLY twisting the episodes now…ehehehehe ^-^' Chapter 10 I've cried. And I'm still crying. I don't know how long I've been lying in my room, with only the safety of the dark as my source of comfort. I didn't know what time it was, I didn't even know if the sun had already risen. All that I had ever come to know was the immense pain that had grown in my chest, and that that pain was still growing. My body felt limp for some reason, with only my constant sobs as the only sounds echoing around the room. I didn't feel like doing anything, because I can never do anything else. There was nothing else I could think about. Nothing else but one. Goodbye. I didn't know what to say after that, after my lips uttered that word. Such a single word had let out a thousand meanings, but all was lost now that he took everything away with him. I had walked out of the room quietly, I didn't even remember closing the door behind me. Nor did I remember how I got back to Reikai. Nor did I remember how I got in here, how I laid myself in this messy heap on my bed. The image of Kurama's cold, impassive face was the only thing that remained. He looked away after I bid him that goodbye, he didn't look like he had anything else to say. He had held such a hard expression that time that I didn't know what it truly meant. But one thing had been clear to me after I stepped out of that room. My goodbye was final. Maybe that's the reason why I'm crying. After all those agonizing years of trying to know where he had gone to, after all those times I've thought about him, this was the welcome he had given me. I sighed. Maybe I was just fooling myself. Maybe he didn't really feel anything for me after all. Maybe he was just like those other ones I've heard about. Maybe he had just used me. Maybe it was only I who had thought something had been there. But I shook my head. Looking back on that time on the tournament, when he rose from the heavy rubble of that ruined wall, he looked at me. I had never seen him so surprised. But he did try to smile back when I did, and that mere attempt had given me all the hope I needed to assure me his safety. But I suppose it wasn't enough to assure me of what he truly feels. After all, he looked away even before he could give me his smile. I buried my face on the pillow I held, the softness of its fabric taking all my tears. But if he still felt the same way, why did he turn me down? I had been expecting something else, something less depressing. Even though I was afraid of going to him, afraid that he might've forgotten me, I didn't expect to say such a quick goodbye. He once had asked me if he could talk to me, was this what he meant by talking? Any goodbye was painful, a soundless goodbye, a furious goodbye, a sad goodbye. Whatever it is, it's painful, and I hate it. And I hate him. But maybe it was because I had come to love him so. Everything had fitted so well, how he could always lock my gaze with his own. The once golden hue had turned into a sparkling green, but they still held the very same gleam that only he could ever possess. He had been the one, the very same man I have come to love even through the time that he was absent. I still loved him, after all those years of just living through his memories, living through my dreams. But after that day during the tournament, every single one of those dreams have been shattered piece by piece, leaving none for me to hold on to. My hope was all gone, for it was I who had said that word to say the least. I was the one whom he had made to say it. I was the one who declared our end. But I wouldn't have done it if only he gave me the chance. Why must it end like that? What was he hiding that he didn't trust me to know about? "Botan-chan?" I looked up, quickly wiping the tears away and tilted my head towards the door. A ferry girl stood there against the light, her head to one side as she looked at me, her hands clasped in front of her. It was Inu-chan. She wore the usual purple kimono she owned, opening the door slightly, enough to just let a narrow ray of light to be emitted inside the room. "Daijoubu ka, Botan-chan? Are you crying?" she asked, her voice worried. I sighed, clearing my throat so my voice wouldn't shake. "Hai, daijoubu, Inu-chan." It didn't need me to be good in acting to fool her. She nodded after a few seconds, opening the door further to let herself in. "Koenma-sama is sending you to go to Ningenkai on a new assignment." I wasn't in the mood to go, but I nodded. I can do without Koenma-sama's whinning at the moment. "Arigatou, Inu-chan, I'll be getting ready." I sighed as the door closed, leaving me in the darkness again. I bowed my head, letting out another tear before finally standing up to fix myself. My hand trembled as it held the tie I use for my hair, dropping it from time to time from the shaking. My heart was still racing, my sight still blurry from the darkness. Maybe this would help me clear my thoughts out. Maybe, as long as I stay away from him, things would work out well. Maybe if I stay away, things would get back to where they were before. Years before I ever came to know that mysterious youkai thief who had succeeded in stealing my heart. Yusuke was kidnapped! My day was definitely not getting better. Puu had come to us in a panic, flying about the room as he tried to tell us something. But due to his inability to speak, we were having a hard time getting everything he was saying. Kuwabara was already in hysterics, glancing now and then somewhere to try and find a way to understand him. Puu finally flew to the chalkboard and started scribbling the words, causing Kuwabara-kun's hysteria in a real maximum. So now we're running, following Puu to the site where Yusuke was abducted. It was obvious that Puu was really worried about Yusuke. And so was Kuwabara. And so was I. Yusuke had just won the tournament against Toguro, and now a few measly humans were able to abduct him? "Oy, Puu, where the hell are we going anyway?!" Kuwabara asked, panting tiredly as he went on running after Puu. Puu just replied with a high-pitched "Puu!" and went on. The sun was about to set, but we barely noticed it. We were only thinking of Yusuke. We finally reached the site, a vacant lot behind a wooden fence. The area was empty, as Kuwabara and I desperately tried to look for Yusuke. But there was no one there, with only a note and a bag in the middle of the lot. Kuwabara's eyes widened, recognizing the brown bag as Yusuke's and hurriedly ran to it. He picked up the note, reading it, his eyes rapidly flying through the letter. The note had asked us to go to a certain house, confirming our fears that they have Yusuke. They said that they didn't care how many would come, as long as Kuwabara, Hiei and Kurama would come as well. "How the hell did they know about Kurama and Hiei?!" Kuwabara stood aghast, crumpling the letter in his hands. He pocketed it eventually though, as he turned to me, his eyes in a panic. "Nevermind that. We have to go find Kurama first, let's go!" I blinked. Kurama? But before I could say anything, Kuwabara was pulling me towards the streets, his steps in big sprints as he dragged me behind him. Kurama. My heartbeat skipped just by the thought of seeing him again. A mixed fury of anxiety and fear started welling up in my chest, that I barely noticed it when Kuwabara pulled me across the road with him. I clenched my fists, dreading every step I took that would lead me to him. I was scared to see him, afraid that my mind might relive everything that had just happened. No, I wasn't ready yet. I hesitated to go on, slowly pulling Kuwabara to a stop. He turned back, pulling me again, but I remained where I was. "Anou…Kuwabara-kun? I'm not sure, maybe we shouldn't bother Kurama-kun right now." "What? Have you gone mental, Botan?! Yusuke's kidnapped for God's sakes, and we NEED Kurama at the moment, if it's not yet obvious from the letter!" he said, pulling the crumpled letter from his pocket and shoving it to my face. I frowned. "I know but…let's just find Hiei-kun first. Or maybe you should just go to Kurama and I'll find Hiei." Kuwabara shook his head. "We're just going to lose each other doing that. And even if we don't, we need Kurama to convince Hiei to come! That small fry for an idiot wouldn't listen to us even if we threaten his life with a stinkin' gun for cryin' out loud!" "But Kuwabara-kun---!" "No buts! We're only one street away from Kurama's school, we can't turn back now!" Even before I could resist, he was pulling me more forcefully than before. It wasn't until a few minutes when we finally reached the gates of Meiou High, its metal bars cold and hard as I clutched to it in resistance. "Ne, Kuwabara-kun, maybe I should really look for Hiei…" but even before I can say anymore, Kuwabara shot me a suspicious glare. "Oi, you sound like you're afraid to go to him," he said, pointing his thumb at the opened doors of the high school. "Something happened? ‘Cause if Kurama did something to you I'll---" "Iie, it's not like that." "Then what the hell's the problem?!" I didn't reply. I didn't know what to reply. I couldn't possibly tell Kuwabara-kun what happened between me and Kurama, the story's too long, too complex for me to even understand. I heard him puff out an exasperated sigh as he started pacing down the walkway towards the front door. I stayed where I was, watching him reach for the latch on the front building. He turned to me, shooting up an eyebrow as he held a hand to his waist. "You coming or not?" he asked. I sighed, willing my feet to move as I took that first step. I suppose nothing would happen, I mean, that was our final mention of what happened in the past. Maybe, like what I'm trying to do, Kurama had forgotten. Maybe, he hadn't even given it much thought. But I guess that's fine, as much as that hurt, it's the best thing for both of us now. Yusuke is in trouble, and we're the only ones who can help him. I can't turn back now. I followed. "KURAMA!!!" A sweatdrop ran down my head as I tried my best to stop Kuwabara-kun from his…er, very loud search. "Ne, Kuwabara-kun, that's a bit too loud," I told him, timidly avoiding the annoyed stares the other students gave us. I laid a hand on Kuwabara's shoulder to stop him from shouting again, pulling him back from his giant, and VERY loud steps. "But how can we find him if we won't call him? He HAS to hear us through THIS!" And to my grief horror, Kuwabara-kun took a deep breath and… "KURAMA!!! COME OUT! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?!" As if that wasn't bad enough, he started kicking doors now, startling the poor students of Meiou High to no end. A bunch of them had started following us with curious eyes, whispering to each other as they shot Kuwabara-kun a curious gaze. I frowned. How come these students look like they don't know who Kurama was? Surely, he would've been known, he's probably the most intelligent of them in here, not to mention one of the best looking most probably. But I shook my head vigorously to stop that line of thought. How can I forget about him if I kept on thinking about him this way? I sighed, and just settled on trying to calm Kuwabara down. "Kuwabara-kun, I swear, we're going to get kicked out if you keep doing that!" I protested in vain, watching helplessly as he landed another kick on a laboratory door. I think I heard a faint, "Minamino…!" before my eyes shot out as I saw a young male get ran down by the door that Kuwabara just kicked. Kuwabara, meanwhile, didn't seem to see the boy. "There you are!" he exclaimed, throwing up his hands as he hit Kurama on the back. "We've been looking everywhere for you!" Kurama blinked, his green eyes looking at Kuwabara as he stood there dumbstruck. He was probably surprised to see Kuwabara there, and his eyes glanced around, probably to see if there was any more. I tried backing away, hiding behind a number of students that had stood there watching. But he saw me, his eyes locking mine in one of those mystical, penetrating stares, and I cursed the uniform I wore. It must've caught his attention. The uniform of Kurama's school was a tad bit on the dark colors side, while Yusuke and Kuwabara's were light. The color was a bit of a show off compared to the other students', I'm afraid. Kurama stood still, his eyes on mine as was mine on his. Suddenly I couldn't move, my hands turning cold beside me as my feet felt like they were glued to the ground. It seemed like hours, our gazes intact, our bodies immobile. I couldn't look away. Fortunately for me, just before I thought I couldn't breathe anymore, one student asked, "Excuse me, who are you looking for?" Kuwabara frowned, and was about to answer when the student flashed a questioning gaze at Kurama. "Minamino-san, do you know these people?" Minamino? I thought, looking at the boy. That was when I remembered. Kurama's human name, Shuuichi Minamino. The thought must've slipped my mind. It wasn't until a few seconds when Kurama stirred, his head seeming to hesitate. Finally, his eyes let go off mine, turning to the boy that asked the question. He let out a sheepish smile, holding up a hand in assurance. "Ah! Nevermind, it's just a street name I use." He then turned to Kuwabara and I and whispered, "You're the only ones who call me ‘Kurama'. Here, I'm known as ‘Minamino'." Kuwabara nodded in understanding, staring dumbly at Kurama as he thought of what to do. Kurama let out a sweatdrop, his eyes sliding down from us to the broken door. "And…Kuwabara-kun, would you mind…?" he finished off the sentence with a slight point to the ground, referring to the poor boy who laid sprawling on the floor as Kuwabara stood on top of him with the door. Kuwabara yelped, jumping down the ground as he lifted the door. "Gomen!" he exclaimed, lifting the door up and bowing down before the boy in apology. Kurama and I stared with sweatdrops on our heads. But then, another student approached us. He was as tall as Kuwabara, his black hair combed out of his face, hands tucked casually in his pockets. He put an arm around Kurama's shoulder, letting out a mischievous grin as he punched him lightly on the arm. "Oya, Shuuichi! So this was where you've been hiding your girlfriend, eh?" he teased, eyeing me up and down. I stepped back, trying to avoid his piercing gaze and looked away. I felt him grin again, and he turned to Kurama. "She IS your girlfriend, isn't she? If she's not, you're not as smart as you look after all! I mean, she IS pretty and all…" he looked at me again. I frowned, definitely not pleased with him. I looked at Kurama. He must've felt the same thing. He held a passive face now, very much unlike the one he gave the other boy from the room. He didn't hold the usual, innocent expression he frequently held around other people. I could've sworn he held the expression of his youkai side, his lips curved in a small smirk, his eyes as cold and passive as they were during his fights. He looked at the other boy, a satisfied twinkle shining from his eyes. And I held my breath as I heard his reply. "I didn't say she's not, Imonu-san, but I would truly appreciate it if you don't ask any more questions about my personal life," he said calmly, his eyes of shimmering jade looking straight into the other one's own. Even before the other boy could say anything else, and even before the other students reacted from their little trance of shock, Kurama pulled me by the hand as he gestured Kuwabara to follow. It wasn't until a few seconds before Kuwabara was able to shake his head from the very same trance he went into and followed. We exited the building. I hid my face in embarrassment as I tried avoiding the other students' gazes, ignoring their silent murmurs about Shuuichi Minamino's new ‘girlfriend'. I also tried avoiding Kuwabara's confused eyes as he looked at us uncertainly. And though in vain, I was trying to ignore Kurama's warm hand as it held my own, obediently following his quick strides out of the suddenly heated building. "Oooiii…you didn't tell us you were dating!" he exclaimed, frantically pointing fingers at me and Kurama by the time we were out of the gates. "How come you didn't tell us? How long have you been together?!" It wasn't until then did I realize how much I was blushing from the earlier show Kurama had done, and I tried hiding my face from them both as I looked away. I didn't dare say anything. And by the time I was certain that there nobody else but us three, I took my hand back from his, dreading the fact that it had caused my heartbeat to quicken into an unimaginable pace. I turned away, hiding behind the tall shadow of Kuwabara as he went on with all of his questions. I felt Kurama's eyes on me before he turned to Kuwabara, giving him a patient look with a slight shake of his head. "Iya, Kazuma-san, I was pretending. That guy there was Hyo Imonu, and he's been trying to rival me in everything, I think it's been his past time embarrassing me from other students," he said, frowning slightly. "And…" he looked at me from the corner of his eyes, but he quickly took it back and looked up at Kuwabara again. "I've heard he's a known hentai around here, I didn't want him to…" he paused. He let out a tired sigh, letting a hand sway nonchalantly as he turned his back to us. "Iya, nevermind. Let's just go." He started walking, and I followed him, a few steps behind. I couldn't walk beside him, I was blushing too much to even risk it. Kuwabara was left staring in place, must've been contemplating on what Kurama said earlier. I held my peace, not knowing what to say or what to do. I felt as if a cold knife was stabbed on my throat, and it seemed impossible for me to speak. I have never felt this uneasy with anybody before, but as I stole a glance of him now, I didn't need any further questions. It was plainly because he was there, and it was plainly because he didn't show any sign to reassure me that tings would be fine. I felt myself frowning again, as I bit my lower lip to keep it from trembling. But even before I could entertain any old pains, he stopped in mid-step, turning back to face me. He held the most mysterious expression he had ever revealed, his eyes on the ground. He tapped one tip of his shoe on the cemented street, seeming to hesitate at first but decided against it. He sighed. "Anou…" he started, glancing up at me, his lips curving into a small, almost hopeful smile. "Gomen." I blinked up at him. It seemed like an eternity before I could take that word in. But after a few moments of understanding, my chest felt light, as if a heavy burden had been lifted up from it. I looked at him silently, his eyes still on mine as he held a silent apology. His smile never left him, and he cocked his head to one side and waited for my reply. Call me naïve, but that smile had somehow meant the world to me then, like it usually had been. And for the first time after the end of the Ankonku Bujutsuukai, I let out the expression that I seemed to have missed, and seemed to have doubted to ever come back. I smiled. End of chapter 10
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