InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Broken Promises, Shattered Dreams ❯ Chapter 10

Title: Broken Promises, Shattered Dreams
Authors: BrokenSouledPoetess and Ryukotsusei
Disclaimer: We don't own any part of Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho. We merely torment the characters for our own amusement.

 

 

The last two days seemed to fly by for Hiei, yet drag along at the same time. During that time he had refused to leave Kagome's side for more than a couple of minutes at a time and even that was under protest. She had woken up briefly a few times but she was very disorientated, somehow he doubted she even knew he was there yet he continued to hold her just the same. It was going to be pure torture for him to leave, the time was fast approaching when he would be forced to go yet he couldn't bring himself to let go of her just yet.

 

Watching her suffer through detoxification was torture, even if she wasn't awake for most of it. The tremors her body had gone through were almost as bad as the seizures she had experienced in his arms and he knew that she was plagued with nightmares yet he could do nothing as she screamed for him in her sleep. Over and over he had attempted to project himself into her mind but was met with incredible resistance. If he had any doubts about her love for him before they were destroyed when he heard how broken she sounded, calling for him as if her world had just been completely destroyed.

 

Hiei looked up when Kurama entered the room and sat in the chair next to the bed. He knew that his partner wouldn't allow anything to happen to her but it didn't stop him from worrying. Kagome stirred in her sleep, pressing closer to him as her arms wrapped around his waist. Even though she wasn't awake she seemed to know that he was there. He wanted more, he wanted her to truly open her eyes and see that he was by her side at least once before he had to go. He needed to explain to her why he had to go but Fate wasn't feeling generous that day it would seem. "It's hard to believe. I never thought I would dread the day I had to return to the Makai, yet here I am and that's exactly what has happened."

 

Kurama sighed as he stared at the two of them on the bed. How could things have gotten this bad between them? Even he had not foreseen anything of this magnitude and he had been the most skeptical of their relationship at the start. It had even put him on rocky ground with Hiei for a while until he was convinced the hybrid wasn't going to treat her like one of his previous lovers, used and then discarded once he became bored with her. "It truly is sad my friend, that it took something this severe and destructive happening to Kagome for you to realize your feelings for her."

 

 

Hiei said nothing to this, he knew that Kurama was right and he didn't know where to start to try making it up to her. He brushed her hair back away from her face in a rare gesture of affection. Rare because there was someone there to witness it but then again he had been doing a lot of things lately that would surprise anyone should they see them. He felt comfortable enough with Kurama there to let some of his barriers down. He looked up at the kitsune with his eyes unguarded. "Will you tell her? She will probably wake up and think that I left her again because of what happened."

 

 

Kurama leaned forward slightly, his voice completely neutral. "I will help you with this Hiei, not because we are friends but because for better or worse that girl loves you. To let her think that you just ran off would be counterproductive to her recovery. There are times I've wondered if she would be better off cutting her loses and trying to move on but after seeing this I don't think she would be able to. I will tell her how you feel, as well as why you had to leave but mark my words Hiei. You get back here at the first available moment, I don't care what it is Mukuro has you doing. If you intend on leaving her to suffer through this alone any more than is absolutely necessary don't bother coming back. Myself or Yusuke will see to her in that event."

 

 

Hiei growled at that last part though he knew it wasn't Kurama saying it. His golden eyes were a dead giveaway of just who he was talking to at that moment. Youko was blunt and didn't mince words when it came down to something this important. He knew exactly what Youko was implying and it went well beyond that sibling bond his human side shared with her. He meant what he said, if it meant he had to be the one to mark her and keep her safe he would do so. "Your warning is not needed nor is it appreciated Youko. I refuse to be gone any longer than necessary. In the meantime make sure that both you and Yusuke keep your hands to yourself."

 

 

Youko fully emerged then, taking over Kurama's body and glared down at the apparition coldly. "Neither Yusuke or myself would force our attentions on her Hiei. However, I think it only fair that you are aware that we won't stand idly by and watch as she breaks down further. She will live Hiei, regardless of whether or not is for, or because of, you." Never in his life had he taken a woman by force and he was insulted by Hiei's warning that suggested he would do so.

 

 

If Hiei was surprised by Youko coming out he didn't show it. He didn't like the position he had been put into in the least, Youko's appearance just set him more on edge and he knew he was a breath away from losing her forever. It was unacceptable, he refused to give her up. The only thing that would separate them permanently was death or if she told him that she never wanted to see him again and meant it. He had very few choices left to him and his time was running short. She already bore Yusuke's courtship mark but it was rapidly fading, and within a few days would be no more. He stared at it hard for several long moments before moving her hair aside and burying his face into her unmarked shoulder, inhaling deeply. His teeth grazed her delicate flesh and he prepared to mark her as his before he had to leave. At least then she would know of his intentions, they could complete the bond upon his return as long as she didn't reject him.

 

 

Youko's eyes narrowed and he stood up, fully prepared to intervene if necessary. He knew that Hiei had heard him move since he had paused in what he was doing."I do hope you aren't intending to mark her now. It is a little late for that Hiei. You should have done that long ago, when you first started courting her. If she awakens to find another mark, she will know it was you and only think that you are doing it out of spite. After all, you never even considered marking her before." He waited to see if Hiei would continue, ignoring what he said or if he would let it go for now.

 

 

Hiei raised his head away from her neck, glaring fiercely. The kitsune knew nothing, he had though about it several times since he had known her and had come close quite a few times. He always hesitated though, unsure of if he was ready to take that step. Once it was done and the bond completed there was no going back for either of them. "Don't speak to me about that which you don't understand Youko. Stand down before I make you kitsune, Kagome will be my mate if she will have me. You have no say in this."

 

 

Kurama fought Youko for control over their body once more, knowing that if one of them didn't give soon there would be a physical confrontation and that would endanger Kagome unnecessarily. With great reluctance Youko gave up the struggle, wanting nothing more than to put Hiei in his place for challenging him like that. Once Kurama was in control he laid a hand on Hiei's shoulder ignoring the growl coming from the apparition. "I understand how you feel Hiei but you gave her to me to protect and right now you'll do more harm than good. Let her be the one to choose when you get back, not before."

 

 

Hiei sighed and visibly reined in his temper, he cursed knowing that his time was up and that he had to leave. He wouldn't be able to mark her now anyway, not with Kurama hovering over him like that. While he could, the kitsune's reaction was likely to be violent and he was not in a position to fight at the moment. He let go of Kagome with reluctance and stood. He was about to walk out the door but hesitated for a moment before walking back to the bed. He ignored the questioning look on Kurama's face and pulled his cloak off, laying over her gently. He was well aware of her fondness for the garment, often finding her wrapped in it on the few occasions he had left it at the house when he went to the Makai. He looked at Kurama, his normal mask back in place. "I meant what I said Kurama. Look after her, I will be back soon."

 

 

 

~*~

 

 

Kagome truly woke for the first time three days later. Her memories were vague, thinking she had seen Hiei and heard his voice but she couldn't be certain. Everything had seemed like a dream to her, including the constant warmth she had had felt around her until recently. That was finally what helped pull her out of her sleep, while the warmth was there she had felt safe, loved and protected but when it disappeared the nightmares had come back. She sat up in bed groggily and brought a hand up, scrubbing at the tears that lingered on her cheeks. Her gaze traveled down into her lap and fell to the black cloak Hiei had left behind. He had been there, her hand touched it shakily as if she were afraid it and what it represented would vanish. "Hiei..."

 

 

She looked around the room frantically, hoping that he would be there. Who she found surprised her, she locked gazes with Yusuke. She didn't know what to say to him, they never really had a chance to talk and suddenly she wasn't so sure she wanted to. She closed her eyes and laid back down, really not wanting to speak to him at the moment. Why was she here anyway? She recognized this as being Kurama's guest bedroom but it didn't explain how she got there. The last thing she remembered was writing the note. All the color drained from her face as she remembered the note and what she had tried to do. She was alive, it hadn't worked and now they knew.

 

Yusuke stood and walked over to the bed, he had seen the hurt and shame in her eyes and he needed to tell her that everything was going to be okay. He was a bit angry that she had tried to kill herself but he wouldn't yell at her. Not yet anyway, she didn't need that added to everything else. He sat down beside her and touched her softly. It hurt him that when she woke the first person she looked for was Hiei but he understood. "Kagome I know you probably don't want to talk to me right now so I want you to just listen. No one blames you for this, none of us. And... To a point I think we all know why you tried but... We want you to talk to at least one of us. It doesn't matter who but you can't keep holding it all in."

 

Kagome clutched the black fabric tightly. He couldn't mean that, there was no way they saw her as blameless for all of this. She was the cause of it all and they would never be able to convince her otherwise. What good would talking about it do? It wouldn't change anything so it was pointless.

 

Yusuke continued speaking, not caring that she hadn't said a word. He would get his point across one way or another."We've been worried sick since we found you. Thankfully Kurama knew how to stop those pills from doing any permanent damage. You should have told someone that you were feeling like that, I'm sorry I wasn't there to notice what was happening to you."

 

 

Kagome had suspected as much, Kurama had been the one to pull her back from the edge of death. That would explain why she was in his house and not in a hospital. 'I should probably count myself lucky, if they had taken me to the hospital they'd lock me in a padded room and throw away the key.' Not that this was really any different, no doubt between Yusuke and Kurama they intended on keeping her under constant watch. That was just as bad, at least at the Psych ward they'd load her up on drugs and maybe she could forget everything that happened. She heard the door open but didn't turn around. She already knew who it was.

 

 

Kurama shut the door behind him as he studied Yusuke sitting next to her on the bed and then to the girl facing the wall. "Yusuke, if I may?" He waited for the man to remove himself from the bed before taking a seat himself. He turned Kagome towards him, forcing her to look at him. "Before we go any further with any conversations I want your word. Promise me you will never try anything this foolish again. There are a lot of people who would miss you if you died, myself included." He waited for her to say something and then sighed. "Until you promise me that we don't have to worry about you killing yourself you can expect to have one of us watching you at all times. That is including Youko, he is most put out with what happened and said to tell you that if necessary he will keep you bound until these notions go out of your head. I don't wish to see that happen however. Will you promise us?"

 

 

Kagome had no doubts Youko meant every word that he had told Kurama. The thought of being watched constantly did nothing to make her any more comfortable but could she continue on like this? She stared into Kurama's eyes and sighed. Most likely if she succeeded he would be making a trip to the Reikai just to speak with her. She'd be lucky to escape that confrontation in one piece, even if she was dead when it happened. "You win Kurama. I give you my word, I won't kill myself."

 

 

"Thank you Kagome." Kurama was relieved to hear her say that, she wasn't the kind of person to go back on her word. Having that promise made him relax slightly, knowing that he wouldn't be worrying constantly about her when he was at work. Someone would still sit with her at night however, he had seen how prone she was to nightmares since Hiei had left. Youko was able to sooth most of them away but they never disappeared fully and they probably wouldn't until Hiei returned. He plucked at the black cloth held loosely in her hands. He wasn't sure how much Yusuke told her about what was going on. "He will be back you know, hopefully soon."

 

 

Kagome looked at him confused for a moment. "Hiei?" So it was as she suspected, he was gone again. No surprise there.

 

 

Kurama nodded and then cast a glare to Yusuke when he snorted in derision. "Yes, he was most irritated with having to leave. I was afraid Mukuro was going come here herself and pry him away from you." He took note of the look of disbelief on her face, she couldn't have known how distraught Hiei was over her. He didn't cry or complain about what happened but it was still easy to tell he was deeply troubled. "He still cares Kagome. No matter what you think, he still cares. He was the one to find you and bring you here, he's also been watching over you since you got out of the hospital, though how this got by him I'm not sure. He said to tell you that he will return as soon as he possibly can and when he does he has something important to ask of you."

 

 

Kagome could only stare at him blankly. She wanted, no needed, she needed to believe what he was saying but she didn't know if she could. Would he come back to her or was it just something that was said to keep her there with them? The cloak in her hands was proof enough that he had been there at least once but it didn't necessarily mean anything more than that. Her voice was soft, she needed to know. "Will he? Can he forgive me for what I did? I really don't think so, I've hurt him too deeply."

 

 

Yusuke had heard enough, she carried far too much guilt for what had happened. It was time for her to realize a few things. "Kags it wasn't your fault. No, don't give me that look. It wasn't. If anyone needs to be blamed it should be me. You were drugged and while I took part of it as well I could still think at least. I should have said no and didn't, if I had known that you were drugged I would have dragged you to the hospital instead of to bed. I know this and Hiei knows this, he doesn't blame you for it anymore alright?" While it was something she needed to hear he knew that it would be a blow to his case for winning her away from Hiei. It was already going to be an uphill battle for him with how easily she would forgive Hiei for what he had said and done. Now he had just increased the difficulty, he felt like kicking his own ass. He looked over to Kurama and sighed. Based on that look, Hiei wouldn't get the chance at this rate. Kurama would beat him to it.

 

 

No matter what Kagome was sure they were just trying to make her feel better. She looked to Kurama curiously, remembering what he had last said. "What is it that he wants to ask me?"

 

 

Kurama shook his head, it wasn't his place to tell her that. Especially not with Yusuke standing there. He could feel the jealousy radiating off of the Toushin and he knew that things were likely to get ugly between his two friends. Unfortunately Kagome would be the one to suffer when it finally happened, he could only try to shield her from it as best as he could and right now he would do it by withholding information. "I'm sorry Kagome, that is up to Hiei to tell you. But like I said, he should be back shortly unless he was called in for something serious. Surely you can wait for a few days?"

 

 

"I guess." Kagome allowed the slightest flicker of hope to flare to life. Kurama sounded so sure of Hiei's return. It was hard not to get her hopes too far up but she desperately wanted to see him, to know that what Kurama and Yusuke said was true. That he still cared for her and had forgiven her for what happened. "Did he.. really stay here the whole time?"

 

 

Kurama chuckled at Yusuke's scowl, the man had refused to come in the room for any length of time after they had determined that the medicines were taking affect and that she would be fine. "You could say that, he refused to leave that bed until it was time for him to leave. He damned near took our heads off if we got to close to you." He didn't go into too much detail, like the reason Yusuke stopped coming in the room in the first place. He had the mistake of trying to touch her and he ended up with Hiei's hand wrapped around his throat. Apparently the apparition was in no mood to allow Yusuke to get too close to her while he was present. He didn't react much more favorably to him touching her either but he refrained from actually attacking him. He did have to continue monitoring her after all. Though Hiei had taken up the task of trying to feed her the broth. At least now he knew how to do it if it ever became necessary again. Speaking of food, maybe it was time for her to attempt eating again on her own. "Are you hungry? I can make you lunch if you like."

 

 

Kagome managed the smallest of smiles, her hope had returned. Although it was the smallest of flickers, it gave her something to look forward to. If Kurama was right, then Hiei would return and she could finally be happy again. Maybe things were finally starting to look up.

 

 

Please read and review. Next chapter: Going to the movies and a confrontation with Keiko.