Gundam Wing Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Beauty and the Beast ❯ Chapter 4
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Lsama-no-miko 
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Fantasy / Romance | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 05.14.2005 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.9K | Visits: 199 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Fantasy / Romance | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 05.14.2005 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.9K | Visits: 199 | Status: Completed
Part 4!
Beauty and the Beast
A Yuu Yuu Hakushou/Gundam Wing Fic
By
Sakura
Part 4
The two weeks flew by faster than Quatre had hoped. Hiro steadily recovered due to the blond's constant company and Kurama's medicine. Wufei, suspicious of Quatre's sudden reappearance, kept a constant eye on him.
Duo however, was just glad the blond pilot was alive and well. He even insisted on doing all of Quatre's work for him. Which he goofed, causing both Hiro and Quatre to laugh hysterically.
Hiro somehow sensed it was close to the time for Quatre to leave and had called him into his room. "You'll be leaving soon," he said staring at the rose in the vase, which he held reverently.
Quatre ashamed he had to leave his friends again, meekly said. "Hai. The rose won't last another or two. I'll have to back to him soon."
Hiro gently replaced the vase onto the night table. "Ryoukai. You promised your Kura you would return." It was a statement rather than a question.
Quatre only nodded. Hiro firmly wrapped his arms around the golden haired boy and drew him into a fierce hug. "Just remember your promise to say goodbye."
"I won't Hiro." Quatre returned his friend's hug and let the brown haired boy hold him. Shortly, both pilots had fallen asleep, entangled in each other's arms.
At the door, Wufei stood staring at the wilting flower in its vase. "I knew he was hiding something," he snorted.
"Who's hiding somethin'?" Duo said returning with more supplies.
"Duo, we need to talk."
"NANI?!"
"You heard me Duo Maxwell. Quatre is no longer one of us. I don't think he's a traitor or not, but he can no longer be trusted to go on missions." Wufei was hurting. Bad. One of the few people he trusted had been lying to them and he did not like it one bit.
"You're crazy Wu! There's no way Quatre'd betray us. If he's hiding stuff, could ya blame him? Don't tell me you've forgotten how we treated him!"
Wufei angrily slammed his hand on the table. "Of course not! It's our fault he went out there by himself! We should have gone with him, but it's too late now!"
"I still can't believe he's leavin' us. Does Quatre hate us that much?"
"Obviously you hadn't been listening to a word as usual Maxwell. I told you, you idiot that Quatre made some sort of deal with this Kura person to return to wherever he's been for the past few months when that rose of his dies. And it's almost dead now!"
"So he's leaving. Wufei there's no stopping him ya know. Once Quatre's made a promise, nothing in Hell's gonna stop him from keeping it."
Wufei suddenly grinned a like a Cheshire Cat. "Maybe not in Hell, but not on Earth."
"What the hell ya talkin' 'bout?!"
"What if we replace the rose with a fresher one? Quatre wouldn't even know the difference. He'll never realize that he broke his promise if we just keep replacing the rose."
"I'd hate ta play a trick like that on 'im, but I don't see any other way ta keep Quatre here," Duo agreed ruefully.
On the morning of the fifteenth day, Hiro woke to see Duo leaving the room with Quatre's rose. "Just where are you going with that?" he said sensing something was up. No one had touched that rose in the whole time Quatre had been there.
"Eeep!" Duo said almost dropping the vase. "Don't do that Hiro! Ya gonna wind up giving me a heart attack if ya keep doing that!" A small smile appeared on the Japanese pilot's face. "I was just gonna throw it out. It's no use keeping a dead flower in a vase, besides Wufei 'n' I got ya a nicer one." Duo left the room taking the vase with him.
Hiro turned pale. If the rose was dead, then Quatre had to leave. He knew the day would come but didn't realize it would come so soon. Reaching next to him, he gently shook the sleeping pilot next to him. "Wake up Quatre. It's time for you to leave."
Quatre lazily woke up and stretched. "Wazzat Hiro?"
"The rose is dead. You have to go now." Hiro found it hard to look at the blond haired pilot.
"Oh. What?! What's the date?" he asked.
“If you're interested, you've been here for fifteen days," Wufei said with an evil smirk.
"NANI?" both pilots said at once.
"You heard me. The rose died yesterday. I had Duo replace it with a fresher one. Unfortunately, that idiot got a half-dead one."
Hiro suddenly saw red. Wufei and Duo had played a trick on his Quatre! They made him break his promise by staying an extra day. The Japanese pilot leapt out of the bed and strode towards Wufei.
"Hiro!" Quatre yelled, frightened at Hiro's sudden action.
"What are you going to do Yui? You wanted him to stay too. We did it for Quatre's sake. Who knows what this Kura will make him do.”
"You bastard! You're nothing but a hypocrite! You said you weren't going to be selfish anymore, and now, you're doing what you promised never to do. You're only thinking of your happiness not Quatre's! Quatre's told me this person is his friend. He has never done him any harm and never had any intention to."
"But," squeaked the Chinese pilot.
Hiro rose his hand and formed a fist. "Hiro! Don't!" The brown haired boy was beyond reasoning, and thus did not hear Quatre's plea. There was a loud smack of flesh upon flesh as Hiro's fist made contact with Wufei's jaw, which was now undoubtedly broken.
"Oi Hiro man! Stop it!" Duo had run as soon as he heard the shouting.
"Hiro! Please stop this! They meant well. But they realize I have a promise to keep." Quatre, with a strength not even he knew he had, grabbed the irate pilot and turned him around. "Hiro you've got to help me pack! Snap out of it!"
Hiro stared at the blond boy, fist poised to strike. "Hiro, please!" Tears began to fall down his cheeks. The fist fell silently at its owner's side.
"Quatre. Gomen."
"It's all right Hiro. Let's just get going." Quatre angrily stared at Wufei and Duo. "Get out," was all he could say to the two pilots.
"C'mon Wufei. We tried. Let's let 'im leave." Wufei wanted to say something, but Duo pulled him out of the room and shut the door behind them.
"Arigatou Quatre. You don't know how much this meant to me," Hiro said hugging the smaller blond pilot.
"You're welcome Hiro. I'm glad you're better now. I'll find a way to write you. Don't worry about me." Quatre hugged the Japanese pilot.
"Ninmu ryoukai."
"Um, Quatre, look, I know you're angry with us about the rose, but we were just worried 'bout ya. If ya really wanna go back to wherever, then just be careful o.k.?" Duo said. Wufei just stood silently, nursing his broken jaw and equally ashamed. He had dishonored himself and his beloved Nataku.
"I will Duo. You be careful too. Take good care of Hiro and Wufei."
"Sure thing Quatre. We'll keep Sandrock for ya, in case ya decide to come back."
"You do that Duo." Quatre placed his hand on Duo's shoulder and turned to Wufei. "Sayonara Wufei. I'm sorry it had to be like this."
The Chinese pilot nodded. Quatre nodded back and left, walking into the woods.
"He'll be o.k. Won't he Hiro?"
"I think so, Duo," he said staring at the spot where Quatre had disappeared. "I hope so."
*****
When he was sure he had cleared the cabin, Quatre pulled out the silver ring Kurama had given him and placed it on his finger. Turning to look back one last time, he whispered, "Sayonara minna. I shall miss you."
Taking a deep breath, Quatre took a step back and stroked the delicately carved fox, thinking of his fox demon. A puddle of blue light appeared before him. Hesitating for only a second, Quatre bravely stepped through the portal.
*****
Quatre found himself in a familiar forest of twisted trees and a purplish sky. 'Thank god I made it to the Makai. I just hope I'm not too late,' he thought.
Quatre desperately looked around for which direction to go in. He hadn't the slightest idea where Kurama's cave was. "Kuso! I don't know where to go and I'm sure I can't go asking for help not after what Kurama said about this place." Quatre felt tears stream don't his face. At a loss as to what to do or where to go, Quatre slumped down to the ground and cried.
"Cry not master, I can lead you to where you wish to go," said a voice.
Quatre started at the sound and looked about for its owner. "In here master," said the voice.
He reached into a pocket and pulled out the onyx wolf he had found in Kurama's treasure. "How'd this get in there? Did I put you in here?"
"I can take you to where you want to go master," said the tiny wolf.
"You can speak?!"
"Of course master," grinned the wolf. "Where do you wish to go?"
"How could you take me there? You're so small," Quatre said not believing he was talking to a stone wolf.
"Just put me down and you'll see, little master."
Not knowing what else to do, Quatre obeyed and placed the tiny wolf onto the ground. To his surprise, the statuette grew until it was the size of a large wolf. He tentatively ran his hand on the wolf's back and found the stone had turned to real fur.
The wolf smiled and chuckled at his master's amazement. "You ningen are so amusing. Now where is it you wish to go, master?" he asked.
"Um, Youko Kurama's home please," he said shyly.
"Get on master. I shall take you there." Quatre looked at the big wolf fearfully, not sure he should, but what choice did he have? Shakily, he got on the wolf and held on for dear life.
With the speed of the wind, the wolf ran towards Kurama's cave with a very frightened boy on his back.
*****
Moments later, Quatre found himself at the entrance of an oddly familiar cave. Instead of lush plants, there were now decaying bushes and flowers everywhere.
"Are you sure this is it?" he asked the wolf.
"Yes little master," he said and began to shrink back to a statuette.
The blond boy carefully picked up the wolf. "Arigatou, wolf-san," he said.
'Please don't let it be too late,' he prayed. Pushing aside the skin door, he ran into the cave calling, "Kurama! It's me! I'm back!"
The cave was eerily quiet and the once warm, friendly fire was out. "Kurama?" he called once more.
Concerned, Quatre ran to his room and found nothing. His 'bed' was still there, waiting for him. He smiled stroking the fur, missing the feel of Kurama's tail against his skin.
'Maybe he's in the treasure room.' Searching for the crack leading the way to the treasure chamber, he nearly stumbled all the way down the hallway.
Upon finally reaching the chamber, he found a terrible sight.
In the glow of the phosphorescent rocks, he saw the glint of silver hair by the gold mirror. 'No! Please be alive Kurama!'
He rushed over to the youko's prone body, feeling for a pulse. When he found none, Quatre let out a loud wail. "Kurama! Don't you leave me too! I need you! Come back! Don't die Kurama!" He pounded on the fox's chest sobbing uncontrollably.
"Is that you, my little rabbit?" Kurama said weakly. "You broke your promise you naughty boy," he said trying to make a joke. "I'm glad I got to hold you one last time."
Hearing the youko's weak voice, Quatre looked up to see a pair of golden eyes sadly smiling at him. "You're alive! Thank god! I'm so sorry Kurama! I didn't know they'd do that! Honestly I didn't!"
"I know little one." The golden eyes closed, a smile on Kurama's face.
"No! Kurama! Don't you dare die! I need you! I-I l-love you!"
As he stammered the last three words, a strange mist enveloped Kurama's body. "No! You can't take him! Not without me!" Quatre held onto his lover's body as tight as his thin arms would let him. "NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!"
*****
He awoke to the sound of crying. Seeing a golden haired boy grasping on to him with a grip like a vise, he struggled to sit up and managed to do so. Stroking the boy's hair, he began to comfort his little lover.
"Shush, it's all right little rabbit. I'm here. Everything's going to be all right."
Feeling gentle hands upon his hair, Quatre looked up hoping to see his fox's golden eyes. Instead he was gazing at a pair of deep emerald ones. Kurama's body was nowhere to be seen.
"Where's Kurama? What have you done to him?!" he demanded of the brown haired boy who had somehow taken his place.
"What do you mean Quatre-chan? I'm right here," answered the boy.
"How dare you!" Quatre slapped the stranger's face. "How dare you pretend to be him! Tell me what you've done with him! Where's my youko?!
Not believing Quatre had just struck him, the boy touched his cheek wincing. 'That's going to leave a bruise. Who would believe such a little thing could be so strong.'
"Now Quatre-chan calm down. I know you were scared, but I'm all right. It's me Kurama."
"Stop teasing me! I know it's dark in here, but I know a human when I see one!"
"Quatre... What did you say?! A human?!"
"Hai! You're a human! Kurama's a fox demon and I want to know what the hell you did with him you bastard!"
The boy turned to the mirror and gazed into it instead of seeing the longer silver hair and fox ears and tail, he saw a young human man with brown hair and green eyes. One eye had been hidden by the boy's bangs. He stared unbelieving at the small human hands in front of him.
"I'm human again," he said still not believing what he saw.
"What do you mean 'again'?" asked Quatre watching the boy's surprise in amazement.
"Quatre, love, you have to believe me. This is what Youko Kurama really looks like."
"I don't understand. How could Kurama be a human?"
"It's a long story and I suggest we go else where. I'm sure we are both tired."
Quatre at a loss for words reluctantly agreed. Both boys left the treasure chamber.
*****
Once the human Kurama got the fire going again and saw to his 'pets' he sat down next to the golden haired pilot and began his story.
He told of his ancient past as a youko and how he was forced to reincarnate as a human when he was shot by a spirit hunter. He then went on to tell of his life as a human, how he had learned of compassion and love during that short time. He also told of how, as a human, he met and fell in love with a fire youkai named Hiei.
The next part was extremely hard for him, but Quatre patiently waited as he continued his tale.
Hiei had been killed by a former ally and lover of his and Kurama had gone after him for revenge after years of hiding in the body of another human. Yomi, the one who had killed his Hiei, forced a very powerful drug made from a plant called the Zense no Mi, Fruit of Past Life, and Kurama was stuck in his youko form until he found another being who could love him. Yomi had said he loved him, but it wasn't real love, it was more like jealousy. He had gotten jealous when he learned of Kurama's relationship with Hiei.
"Now the curse has been lifted and I'm a human again," he said wrapping an arm around Quatre's shoulders. "Thank you, my little rabbit."
"You, you're really Kurama?" Quatre asked trying to grasp all the information he just received.
"Hai, sweet one. I am." He bent to kiss Quatre's cheek.
Quatre began to cry again. He didn't want this boy kissing him, holding him. He wanted his over-affectionate fox. He wanted to run his hands through the silver hair, feel the youko's furry tail tickle his skin. He wanted Youko Kurama, not the boy he had become.
Sensing his love's uneasiness, Kurama stopped stroking the golden hair. "Doushita no, Quatre?"
Quatre looked at his hands in his lap, ashamed of what he was about to say.
"Kurama, I'm truly sorry. I love you, I really do, but not you as a human. What I mean is, I love the fox part of you."
"Quatre..."
"I don't want to sound selfish, but I want him back. I want the youko back!" Quatre broke into tears sobbing against the strange boy's chest.
Kurama sighed and stroked his love's back. "Do you truly wish for my youko form little one?"
"H-hai!" he sobbed.
"Very well," was all he said. Kurama stood and left the cave.
Sure he'd lost his love for good this time, Quatre ran after him. "Kurama! Matte da yo! Kurama!"
He followed the boy into the Makai forest until they came across a clearing with a strange blue-green bush in the center. Amongst the blue-green leaves were dark purple berries and white flowers. Kurama stood in front of the bush.
"W-what's that?" Quatre asked catching his breath, staring at the strangely beautiful plant.
Startled, the boy turned around. "Quatre! What are you doing here?"
"I-I followed you. I don't want you to be angry with me Kurama." Tears began to threaten to fall.
"I'm not angry Quatre-chan, just sad. I waited all these years for the curse to be lifted only to find the one who lifted it wants the old me back."
"I'm sorry Kurama," Quatre sobbed.
"It's not your fault, little one. I would be willing to go through anything to make you happy. You are all I care about now. I need you, little rabbit."
Quatre held onto the boy. "I need you too Kurama. I'm so tired of friends who always run away. I don't want to be alone anymore." He began to cry again.
"Nor do I sweet one. Nor do I."
He extricated himself from Quatre's vise grip and plucked few of the purple berries.
"What are those?" Quatre asked eyeing the berries in Kurama's hand.
"Zense no Mi."
"Kurama! You don't mean to!"
"I do." He raised his hand to his mouth.
Quatre grabbed his wrist and made the other boy drop the berries. "Kurama! Don't do this because I want the old you back."
"Quatre, could you be happy the way I am now? Answer me truthfully, do you want the human or the youko?"
The blond boy stared thoughtfully at the Zense no Mi and then back at the human Kurama. His human form was rather handsome, but he did truly miss his youko form. He really did prefer his youko over this strange boy. Quatre hung his head in shame at his own selfishness. "The youko," he said.
Kurama nodded and picked a few more berries. This time, Quatre did not stop him from eating the Zense no Mi.
Within moments of swallowing the berries, the strange mist he saw earlier enveloped the brown haired human form of Youko Kurama. A few seconds later, a figure with silver hair and fox ears and tail stepped from the mist.
"Did you miss me, my little rabbit?" he said.
"Gomen nasai, Kurama. I know you really wanted to be a human again," Quatre said looking down.
"Ah, but the happiness of my little one is far more important than my own, besides, I too rather like being a youko. It's more fun."
Before the smaller gundam pilot could say or do anything, he found himself pinned under a tall, handsome youko.
"Kurama!"
"I've missed you, sweet one." Kurama then proceeded to show his little lover just how much he missed him.
The End
It’s not that much longer, but at least I got over my writer's block. ^_^
Any C&C welcome at Firia@linainverse.net.
Beauty and the Beast
A Yuu Yuu Hakushou/Gundam Wing Fic
By
Sakura
Part 4
The two weeks flew by faster than Quatre had hoped. Hiro steadily recovered due to the blond's constant company and Kurama's medicine. Wufei, suspicious of Quatre's sudden reappearance, kept a constant eye on him.
Duo however, was just glad the blond pilot was alive and well. He even insisted on doing all of Quatre's work for him. Which he goofed, causing both Hiro and Quatre to laugh hysterically.
Hiro somehow sensed it was close to the time for Quatre to leave and had called him into his room. "You'll be leaving soon," he said staring at the rose in the vase, which he held reverently.
Quatre ashamed he had to leave his friends again, meekly said. "Hai. The rose won't last another or two. I'll have to back to him soon."
Hiro gently replaced the vase onto the night table. "Ryoukai. You promised your Kura you would return." It was a statement rather than a question.
Quatre only nodded. Hiro firmly wrapped his arms around the golden haired boy and drew him into a fierce hug. "Just remember your promise to say goodbye."
"I won't Hiro." Quatre returned his friend's hug and let the brown haired boy hold him. Shortly, both pilots had fallen asleep, entangled in each other's arms.
At the door, Wufei stood staring at the wilting flower in its vase. "I knew he was hiding something," he snorted.
"Who's hiding somethin'?" Duo said returning with more supplies.
"Duo, we need to talk."
"NANI?!"
"You heard me Duo Maxwell. Quatre is no longer one of us. I don't think he's a traitor or not, but he can no longer be trusted to go on missions." Wufei was hurting. Bad. One of the few people he trusted had been lying to them and he did not like it one bit.
"You're crazy Wu! There's no way Quatre'd betray us. If he's hiding stuff, could ya blame him? Don't tell me you've forgotten how we treated him!"
Wufei angrily slammed his hand on the table. "Of course not! It's our fault he went out there by himself! We should have gone with him, but it's too late now!"
"I still can't believe he's leavin' us. Does Quatre hate us that much?"
"Obviously you hadn't been listening to a word as usual Maxwell. I told you, you idiot that Quatre made some sort of deal with this Kura person to return to wherever he's been for the past few months when that rose of his dies. And it's almost dead now!"
"So he's leaving. Wufei there's no stopping him ya know. Once Quatre's made a promise, nothing in Hell's gonna stop him from keeping it."
Wufei suddenly grinned a like a Cheshire Cat. "Maybe not in Hell, but not on Earth."
"What the hell ya talkin' 'bout?!"
"What if we replace the rose with a fresher one? Quatre wouldn't even know the difference. He'll never realize that he broke his promise if we just keep replacing the rose."
"I'd hate ta play a trick like that on 'im, but I don't see any other way ta keep Quatre here," Duo agreed ruefully.
On the morning of the fifteenth day, Hiro woke to see Duo leaving the room with Quatre's rose. "Just where are you going with that?" he said sensing something was up. No one had touched that rose in the whole time Quatre had been there.
"Eeep!" Duo said almost dropping the vase. "Don't do that Hiro! Ya gonna wind up giving me a heart attack if ya keep doing that!" A small smile appeared on the Japanese pilot's face. "I was just gonna throw it out. It's no use keeping a dead flower in a vase, besides Wufei 'n' I got ya a nicer one." Duo left the room taking the vase with him.
Hiro turned pale. If the rose was dead, then Quatre had to leave. He knew the day would come but didn't realize it would come so soon. Reaching next to him, he gently shook the sleeping pilot next to him. "Wake up Quatre. It's time for you to leave."
Quatre lazily woke up and stretched. "Wazzat Hiro?"
"The rose is dead. You have to go now." Hiro found it hard to look at the blond haired pilot.
"Oh. What?! What's the date?" he asked.
“If you're interested, you've been here for fifteen days," Wufei said with an evil smirk.
"NANI?" both pilots said at once.
"You heard me. The rose died yesterday. I had Duo replace it with a fresher one. Unfortunately, that idiot got a half-dead one."
Hiro suddenly saw red. Wufei and Duo had played a trick on his Quatre! They made him break his promise by staying an extra day. The Japanese pilot leapt out of the bed and strode towards Wufei.
"Hiro!" Quatre yelled, frightened at Hiro's sudden action.
"What are you going to do Yui? You wanted him to stay too. We did it for Quatre's sake. Who knows what this Kura will make him do.”
"You bastard! You're nothing but a hypocrite! You said you weren't going to be selfish anymore, and now, you're doing what you promised never to do. You're only thinking of your happiness not Quatre's! Quatre's told me this person is his friend. He has never done him any harm and never had any intention to."
"But," squeaked the Chinese pilot.
Hiro rose his hand and formed a fist. "Hiro! Don't!" The brown haired boy was beyond reasoning, and thus did not hear Quatre's plea. There was a loud smack of flesh upon flesh as Hiro's fist made contact with Wufei's jaw, which was now undoubtedly broken.
"Oi Hiro man! Stop it!" Duo had run as soon as he heard the shouting.
"Hiro! Please stop this! They meant well. But they realize I have a promise to keep." Quatre, with a strength not even he knew he had, grabbed the irate pilot and turned him around. "Hiro you've got to help me pack! Snap out of it!"
Hiro stared at the blond boy, fist poised to strike. "Hiro, please!" Tears began to fall down his cheeks. The fist fell silently at its owner's side.
"Quatre. Gomen."
"It's all right Hiro. Let's just get going." Quatre angrily stared at Wufei and Duo. "Get out," was all he could say to the two pilots.
"C'mon Wufei. We tried. Let's let 'im leave." Wufei wanted to say something, but Duo pulled him out of the room and shut the door behind them.
"Arigatou Quatre. You don't know how much this meant to me," Hiro said hugging the smaller blond pilot.
"You're welcome Hiro. I'm glad you're better now. I'll find a way to write you. Don't worry about me." Quatre hugged the Japanese pilot.
"Ninmu ryoukai."
"Um, Quatre, look, I know you're angry with us about the rose, but we were just worried 'bout ya. If ya really wanna go back to wherever, then just be careful o.k.?" Duo said. Wufei just stood silently, nursing his broken jaw and equally ashamed. He had dishonored himself and his beloved Nataku.
"I will Duo. You be careful too. Take good care of Hiro and Wufei."
"Sure thing Quatre. We'll keep Sandrock for ya, in case ya decide to come back."
"You do that Duo." Quatre placed his hand on Duo's shoulder and turned to Wufei. "Sayonara Wufei. I'm sorry it had to be like this."
The Chinese pilot nodded. Quatre nodded back and left, walking into the woods.
"He'll be o.k. Won't he Hiro?"
"I think so, Duo," he said staring at the spot where Quatre had disappeared. "I hope so."
*****
When he was sure he had cleared the cabin, Quatre pulled out the silver ring Kurama had given him and placed it on his finger. Turning to look back one last time, he whispered, "Sayonara minna. I shall miss you."
Taking a deep breath, Quatre took a step back and stroked the delicately carved fox, thinking of his fox demon. A puddle of blue light appeared before him. Hesitating for only a second, Quatre bravely stepped through the portal.
*****
Quatre found himself in a familiar forest of twisted trees and a purplish sky. 'Thank god I made it to the Makai. I just hope I'm not too late,' he thought.
Quatre desperately looked around for which direction to go in. He hadn't the slightest idea where Kurama's cave was. "Kuso! I don't know where to go and I'm sure I can't go asking for help not after what Kurama said about this place." Quatre felt tears stream don't his face. At a loss as to what to do or where to go, Quatre slumped down to the ground and cried.
"Cry not master, I can lead you to where you wish to go," said a voice.
Quatre started at the sound and looked about for its owner. "In here master," said the voice.
He reached into a pocket and pulled out the onyx wolf he had found in Kurama's treasure. "How'd this get in there? Did I put you in here?"
"I can take you to where you want to go master," said the tiny wolf.
"You can speak?!"
"Of course master," grinned the wolf. "Where do you wish to go?"
"How could you take me there? You're so small," Quatre said not believing he was talking to a stone wolf.
"Just put me down and you'll see, little master."
Not knowing what else to do, Quatre obeyed and placed the tiny wolf onto the ground. To his surprise, the statuette grew until it was the size of a large wolf. He tentatively ran his hand on the wolf's back and found the stone had turned to real fur.
The wolf smiled and chuckled at his master's amazement. "You ningen are so amusing. Now where is it you wish to go, master?" he asked.
"Um, Youko Kurama's home please," he said shyly.
"Get on master. I shall take you there." Quatre looked at the big wolf fearfully, not sure he should, but what choice did he have? Shakily, he got on the wolf and held on for dear life.
With the speed of the wind, the wolf ran towards Kurama's cave with a very frightened boy on his back.
*****
Moments later, Quatre found himself at the entrance of an oddly familiar cave. Instead of lush plants, there were now decaying bushes and flowers everywhere.
"Are you sure this is it?" he asked the wolf.
"Yes little master," he said and began to shrink back to a statuette.
The blond boy carefully picked up the wolf. "Arigatou, wolf-san," he said.
'Please don't let it be too late,' he prayed. Pushing aside the skin door, he ran into the cave calling, "Kurama! It's me! I'm back!"
The cave was eerily quiet and the once warm, friendly fire was out. "Kurama?" he called once more.
Concerned, Quatre ran to his room and found nothing. His 'bed' was still there, waiting for him. He smiled stroking the fur, missing the feel of Kurama's tail against his skin.
'Maybe he's in the treasure room.' Searching for the crack leading the way to the treasure chamber, he nearly stumbled all the way down the hallway.
Upon finally reaching the chamber, he found a terrible sight.
In the glow of the phosphorescent rocks, he saw the glint of silver hair by the gold mirror. 'No! Please be alive Kurama!'
He rushed over to the youko's prone body, feeling for a pulse. When he found none, Quatre let out a loud wail. "Kurama! Don't you leave me too! I need you! Come back! Don't die Kurama!" He pounded on the fox's chest sobbing uncontrollably.
"Is that you, my little rabbit?" Kurama said weakly. "You broke your promise you naughty boy," he said trying to make a joke. "I'm glad I got to hold you one last time."
Hearing the youko's weak voice, Quatre looked up to see a pair of golden eyes sadly smiling at him. "You're alive! Thank god! I'm so sorry Kurama! I didn't know they'd do that! Honestly I didn't!"
"I know little one." The golden eyes closed, a smile on Kurama's face.
"No! Kurama! Don't you dare die! I need you! I-I l-love you!"
As he stammered the last three words, a strange mist enveloped Kurama's body. "No! You can't take him! Not without me!" Quatre held onto his lover's body as tight as his thin arms would let him. "NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!"
*****
He awoke to the sound of crying. Seeing a golden haired boy grasping on to him with a grip like a vise, he struggled to sit up and managed to do so. Stroking the boy's hair, he began to comfort his little lover.
"Shush, it's all right little rabbit. I'm here. Everything's going to be all right."
Feeling gentle hands upon his hair, Quatre looked up hoping to see his fox's golden eyes. Instead he was gazing at a pair of deep emerald ones. Kurama's body was nowhere to be seen.
"Where's Kurama? What have you done to him?!" he demanded of the brown haired boy who had somehow taken his place.
"What do you mean Quatre-chan? I'm right here," answered the boy.
"How dare you!" Quatre slapped the stranger's face. "How dare you pretend to be him! Tell me what you've done with him! Where's my youko?!
Not believing Quatre had just struck him, the boy touched his cheek wincing. 'That's going to leave a bruise. Who would believe such a little thing could be so strong.'
"Now Quatre-chan calm down. I know you were scared, but I'm all right. It's me Kurama."
"Stop teasing me! I know it's dark in here, but I know a human when I see one!"
"Quatre... What did you say?! A human?!"
"Hai! You're a human! Kurama's a fox demon and I want to know what the hell you did with him you bastard!"
The boy turned to the mirror and gazed into it instead of seeing the longer silver hair and fox ears and tail, he saw a young human man with brown hair and green eyes. One eye had been hidden by the boy's bangs. He stared unbelieving at the small human hands in front of him.
"I'm human again," he said still not believing what he saw.
"What do you mean 'again'?" asked Quatre watching the boy's surprise in amazement.
"Quatre, love, you have to believe me. This is what Youko Kurama really looks like."
"I don't understand. How could Kurama be a human?"
"It's a long story and I suggest we go else where. I'm sure we are both tired."
Quatre at a loss for words reluctantly agreed. Both boys left the treasure chamber.
*****
Once the human Kurama got the fire going again and saw to his 'pets' he sat down next to the golden haired pilot and began his story.
He told of his ancient past as a youko and how he was forced to reincarnate as a human when he was shot by a spirit hunter. He then went on to tell of his life as a human, how he had learned of compassion and love during that short time. He also told of how, as a human, he met and fell in love with a fire youkai named Hiei.
The next part was extremely hard for him, but Quatre patiently waited as he continued his tale.
Hiei had been killed by a former ally and lover of his and Kurama had gone after him for revenge after years of hiding in the body of another human. Yomi, the one who had killed his Hiei, forced a very powerful drug made from a plant called the Zense no Mi, Fruit of Past Life, and Kurama was stuck in his youko form until he found another being who could love him. Yomi had said he loved him, but it wasn't real love, it was more like jealousy. He had gotten jealous when he learned of Kurama's relationship with Hiei.
"Now the curse has been lifted and I'm a human again," he said wrapping an arm around Quatre's shoulders. "Thank you, my little rabbit."
"You, you're really Kurama?" Quatre asked trying to grasp all the information he just received.
"Hai, sweet one. I am." He bent to kiss Quatre's cheek.
Quatre began to cry again. He didn't want this boy kissing him, holding him. He wanted his over-affectionate fox. He wanted to run his hands through the silver hair, feel the youko's furry tail tickle his skin. He wanted Youko Kurama, not the boy he had become.
Sensing his love's uneasiness, Kurama stopped stroking the golden hair. "Doushita no, Quatre?"
Quatre looked at his hands in his lap, ashamed of what he was about to say.
"Kurama, I'm truly sorry. I love you, I really do, but not you as a human. What I mean is, I love the fox part of you."
"Quatre..."
"I don't want to sound selfish, but I want him back. I want the youko back!" Quatre broke into tears sobbing against the strange boy's chest.
Kurama sighed and stroked his love's back. "Do you truly wish for my youko form little one?"
"H-hai!" he sobbed.
"Very well," was all he said. Kurama stood and left the cave.
Sure he'd lost his love for good this time, Quatre ran after him. "Kurama! Matte da yo! Kurama!"
He followed the boy into the Makai forest until they came across a clearing with a strange blue-green bush in the center. Amongst the blue-green leaves were dark purple berries and white flowers. Kurama stood in front of the bush.
"W-what's that?" Quatre asked catching his breath, staring at the strangely beautiful plant.
Startled, the boy turned around. "Quatre! What are you doing here?"
"I-I followed you. I don't want you to be angry with me Kurama." Tears began to threaten to fall.
"I'm not angry Quatre-chan, just sad. I waited all these years for the curse to be lifted only to find the one who lifted it wants the old me back."
"I'm sorry Kurama," Quatre sobbed.
"It's not your fault, little one. I would be willing to go through anything to make you happy. You are all I care about now. I need you, little rabbit."
Quatre held onto the boy. "I need you too Kurama. I'm so tired of friends who always run away. I don't want to be alone anymore." He began to cry again.
"Nor do I sweet one. Nor do I."
He extricated himself from Quatre's vise grip and plucked few of the purple berries.
"What are those?" Quatre asked eyeing the berries in Kurama's hand.
"Zense no Mi."
"Kurama! You don't mean to!"
"I do." He raised his hand to his mouth.
Quatre grabbed his wrist and made the other boy drop the berries. "Kurama! Don't do this because I want the old you back."
"Quatre, could you be happy the way I am now? Answer me truthfully, do you want the human or the youko?"
The blond boy stared thoughtfully at the Zense no Mi and then back at the human Kurama. His human form was rather handsome, but he did truly miss his youko form. He really did prefer his youko over this strange boy. Quatre hung his head in shame at his own selfishness. "The youko," he said.
Kurama nodded and picked a few more berries. This time, Quatre did not stop him from eating the Zense no Mi.
Within moments of swallowing the berries, the strange mist he saw earlier enveloped the brown haired human form of Youko Kurama. A few seconds later, a figure with silver hair and fox ears and tail stepped from the mist.
"Did you miss me, my little rabbit?" he said.
"Gomen nasai, Kurama. I know you really wanted to be a human again," Quatre said looking down.
"Ah, but the happiness of my little one is far more important than my own, besides, I too rather like being a youko. It's more fun."
Before the smaller gundam pilot could say or do anything, he found himself pinned under a tall, handsome youko.
"Kurama!"
"I've missed you, sweet one." Kurama then proceeded to show his little lover just how much he missed him.
The End
It’s not that much longer, but at least I got over my writer's block. ^_^
Any C&C welcome at Firia@linainverse.net.