Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Before I Die ❯ Chapter 20

The weeks seemed to process rather well when it came to Touya's situation. The medicine that the shaman healer would give to him to help with most of the affects his illness had worked wonders. It soothed the pain in his throat, and he felt like walking around in the fresh air a bit more. It was never advised for him to do so, however, as they were unsure of what his condition held for him.

 

Touya wandered to the balcony while Jin was still slumbering that morning. His robe wrapped tightly about his body, he opened the door and made his way outside. The air was a bit much for his entire body to endure, so he made sure he was bundled at least. He gazed up at the trees, which seemed to go several miles high. Their branches and leaves attempting to cloud out the sun that morning. Beams of the light broke through and lit up parts of the peaceful village.

 

It sure is peaceful here, he thought to himself as he watched some of the villagers' head on about their daily chores. He watched as one woman of the clan led her mule deeper into the forest with a few empty bags on either side of it. She seemed to stop and feel as though someone was watching her, prompting her to look over at the male. Touya stopped staring and straightened up quick knowing that he wasn't really welcome there just yet. He hesitated to do anything before finally waving briefly at the Alma Kinan. `Hey' he mouthed.

 

The woman seemed void of any emotion towards him till his actions. A smile appearing upon her face, she nodded once as if to say `hello' in return before turning to continuing on her way.

 

Jin stirred slightly in bed before realizing what time it probably was. Moaning softly, he sat upright in bed with a big stretch and yawn before getting to his feet. “I guess I overslept a little bit,” he mentioned mostly to himself before looking over his shoulder to find Touya there at the balcony. Jin walked over towards the terrace, opening the door quietly to step behind the ice demon. “It sure is nice out today.”

 

Catching Jin's words, he turned his head ever so slightly to find the redhead there out in the corner of his eye. “Morning,” he felt the need to say as he had yet to see the wind master up. It was abnormal, as Jin was usually up quite early. “I didn't expect to see you up for awhile with how long you were sleeping.”

 

“I overslept, I guess,” Jin responded as he came up from behind Touya. He wrapped his arms around the ice master with a smile. “At least you're up and about. That is a good sign.”

 

“Ever since the shaman has been giving me that medicine she makes, it has been very helpful,” Touya expressed as he leaned back against Jin's chest to relax for a moment. “My body hasn't been a complete and total mess as usual.” His eyes shifted about the green environment with a relaxed sigh. “It makes me feel a bit more willing to go out and about.”

 

“Did you want to do that?” Jin asked. He has been trying to be more at ease with the thought of the ill stricken demon walking about the fresh air more. He was always told that it wasn't up to the ice master to decide what was best for him and what wasn't.

 

“It really would be nice. I haven't been able to walk about this village completely for awhile now,” said Touya as he pushed himself off of the railing of the balcony. “How about you get dressed, and we can do that?” He attempted to make his way past Jin only to have the wind master stop him from continuing for a second. Pulled to the taller demon's side, he looked up at him to find Jin encouraging at least a kiss for the time being. Closing his eyes, Touya accepted the oncoming kiss. He knew with how his time was mostly spent with reading, being tended to, or sleeping, they hardly seemed to have time for one another. “I love you too,” Touya whispered upon parting from the kiss.

 

“I am just relieved we found this place,” Jin explained as he followed his partner back inside. “You seem to be getting better from the looks of it.”

 

“Jin, they are using better medicines with the doctor's help to keep the sickness from dragging me fully under,” Touya explained as he removed his robe for some of his clothes in the bamboo crafted drawer. “It isn't like I am recovering. I still have whatever it is, it just appears to be further from killing me.”

 

Jin leaned against the wood crafted wall with a sigh at Touya's persistent attitude to remain sour about everything. “One of these days I am going to get you to be happy again. Even if it kills me.”

 

Touya smirked as he took one of Jin's shirts out to throw at the half-naked wind master. He watched as it smacked the redhead in the face before falling to the floor. “Get dressed. I am ready to see this village for what it really is.”

 

 

 

 

Upon getting dressed, the two demons made their way out into the Alma Kinan Village. Touya walked outside of the inn to venture into the Grassland Clan's boundaries surrounded mostly by nothing but trees and log houses. All that could be heard throughout the village was the sound of birds and some of the local women playing their instruments. It was very relaxing for the ice master, as he wanted a break from all of the noise back in the city.

 

“They seem to have some nice stores around here too,” Jin said as he tugged on Touya's arm to point at one. “This way.” He headed over to one of the stores that had many handmade wind chimes hanging just outside the door. “I love these things,” Jin whispered to himself as he blew the wind slightly with a purse of his lips to cause them to chime together. “Humans would have these things everywhere outside of their homes. I loved making them ring together like that.”

 

The woman who owned the store could see the two men just outside from the window. Making it to the front door, she opened it to watch the wind demon play with the wind chimes on display. “Enjoying yourself?” She chuckled slightly. It had been three weeks since she knew the two were around the village, so she wasn't too afraid of them much anymore.

 

Jin stopped himself from causing the wind to continue to make the objects chime. Clearing his throat, he pointed at the handcrafted items. “What are these?” He asked, thumbing towards one before touching it with his hand. Jin gazed at the small, circular hardwood area that had strings attacked to part of it to leave way for bamboo stems and a few exotic feathers for decoration.

 

“These are called wind chimes,” said the young woman as she pointed to one from where she was standing in the doorway.

 

“I would see humans all the time keep them outside, and I enjoyed prompting them to make the sound they make,” Jin said as he opened his palm under one to cause the wind to disturb one.

 

Seeing him cause the wind to move startled the villager yet intrigued her as well. “Oh my…you can control the wind?”

 

Jin withdrew his hand, nodding with a toothy grin at the woman. “Yes, I am a wind demon. When traveling, I would stop by some of the Zexen towns to see these out and about and play with them a bit. I never knew their purpose, but they sure are soothing.”

 

“Well, that is their purpose,” the woman explained as she unhooked one from the ceiling. “Their purpose is to sooth people when the wind blows. I am sure you were putting some people at ease unknowingly.” She giggled at the mere thought, while handing one over to the demon. “Are you sure you're not a mischievous wind sprite?”

 

Touya smirked at the comment. “He sure does appear the type.” He hid his soft laughter behind his hand as Jin shot a glare at him.

 

“What special talent do you have?” She asked, motioning towards Touya.

 

“Me?” Touya asked as he placed his hand on his chest. “Well, I am an ice demon. I can use ice for attacks and can control the temperature to help increase their power. But, with me so sick, I am afraid there is very little I can do regarding all of that now.” Outstretching his hand, the ice demon focused what power he could into the palm of his hand. The ice began to form upon his palm to create a rose. “And it took me a lot to be able to just do that, so I don't even want to think of what doing more would cause me to do.”

 

“Wow,” gasped the young villager as she looked at the ice sculpture. She reached for it, only to withdraw her fingers with a raise of her brow. “Mind if I…touch it?”

 

“Go ahead and take it, if you like.” Touya handed the rose over to the intrigued female. “I have little need for such things.”

 

Opening her hand, she accepted the ice sculpture. “Thank you!” Remembering she still had the wind chime in her hand, she handed it over to Jin. “Here. Take this then. It is the least I can offer for something so beautiful as this.”

 

“Oh, thank you!” Jin exclaimed as he accepted the wind chime. “I am sure I will have fun with this thing!”

 

The two seemed to talk a bit longer then Touya cared to listen to. His mind heading off into a world of its own, a strange wind blowing from the right of him caught his attention. Hearing someone almost whispering to him, he furrowed his brow in wonder as he gazed down a pathway, which seemed to head deeper into the village away from the markets and houses. What is that? He wondered to himself as he slowly climbed down the stairs to gaze off in that direction.

 

Feeling Touya leave his side, Jin looked down at the ice master to see where he was staring at. “Touya? What is it?” He asked as he hopped down the last step.

 

“Something is…down that way,” he whispered mostly between them before turning to the sale's woman. “Excuse me, but what is down that way?”

 

“Down there?” She asked pointing down the road Touya was staring at. “That is where the sacred shrine is.”

 

“May we look at it?” Touya wondered as he scratched an annoying itch in his bi-colored hair. “I am a little interested in seeing it.”

 

The woman was a bit hesitant on what to say to that. She twiddled her thumbs a bit while biting her lower lip. “I don't see what harm it could possibly do as you guys have been here for a bit and no trouble has been caused.”

 

Touya could tell she was none too eager to let them see it. “I promise we won't touch it or anything of that nature. We just want to look at it.”

 

The seller nodded with a gesture towards the shrine. “Go right ahead. I don't mind, and I am sure the others won't either.”

 

Taking Jin's hand, Touya headed down the grass road lined by trees. They followed the narrow path deep within the woods to come upon the shrine that the woman spoke of. The shrine seemed to sit in the back of the woods with three triangular pillars of stone in an almost half circle right behind a large, round stone in the middle. The shrine appeared to sit right at the bottom of a very large tree—parts of which seemed to be hallowed out to make room for it at the bottom, and at the very top, it appeared broken open. Moss grew all over parts of the tree, almost hiding the very large trunk within the greenery. Looking straight up, the sun could be seen.

 

“Wow,” Jin gasped as he walked closer to the shrine. “They sure put a lot of effort into this.” His hand graced one of the stones etched out with weird markings before making it to the tree concealing the main part of the shrine.

 

Touya nodded in silent agreement before making it over to the tree to look at the stones a bit closer. “This sure is nice. Wonder what it is used for.” He kneeled down to roll his fingers across the designs etched within the circular stone. Upon running his fingers over the stone, he could hear something whispering to him again. He couldn't make out what was being said, causing him to place his hand to his head.

 

Jin caught Touya's reaction to the stone tablet, prompting him to make his way over to the ice demon. “Touya, are you okay?”

 

“Y-Yeah, I was…something was just hurting my head, I guess,” he mumbled, keeping his sights fixed upon that shrine. Jin helped him to his feet. Taking in deep breaths, Touya got his body to relax. “I'll be okay; I'll be okay.”

 

Just around one of the trees, Neleen was paying attention to what the two demons were doing with Piper right behind her. “Here they are,” said Neleen aloud as she headed towards the two. “Your troublemakers are just where I thought they might be.” She used the term as a joke. Putting her hands behind her back, she leaned forwards slightly to try and get eye contact with the ice demon. “I had a feeling this place may call to you.”

 

“Why do you say that?” Touya wondered, shrugging off the thought of sharing the voices he just heard.

 

“I just have this feeling is all,” Neleen remarked vaguely. “How do you like our fair village?”

 

Touya smiled a bit as he looked up at the forest canopy. “Being out and about it for the first time is really worth while. With everything so peaceful and harmonious here, I can see why you prefer it in solitude.”

 

Neleen raised her brow as the four of them headed back into the main part of the village. “I guess I can imagine back where demons roam, it isn't so peaceful, hmm?”

 

“Not so much,” Jin and Touya both answered.

 

“Even back in Zexen all there is is noise,” the ice master explained as he walked the grassy streets of the Alma Kinan Village. Taking in a deep breath and letting it out, he shrugged at the two women. “So, you both were looking for us?”

 

“Yes, I was looking for Jin so we could continue our reading lesson,” Piper felt need to point out as she grabbed onto his wrist to yank it playfully. “It sure has been awhile since we last had such a lesson!”

 

“And I needed to talk to you about your condition,” Neleen said as she looked right into Touya's eyes. The stare was enough to cause the demon to look away from her. With Piper pulling Jin away, Neleen did the same with Touya, heading towards the shaman Galleria's house. “So, obviously you are feeling a bit better. I haven't seen you brave the outdoors since you got here three weeks ago.”

 

The wooden stairs creaked beneath Touya as he made it to the porch belonging to the one-story, wooden house Galleria lived within. “Yeah, I was actually glad to be out for once. It is nice to see the world instead of lying bedridden.” With Neleen opening the door for him, he bowed slightly to her for his thanks before stepping inside. “I haven't felt the slightest bit unsettled since I got out of bed too.” Touya cautiously walked about the house as there were at least four cats running about. He tiptoed over them and made his way to the handmade sofa to have a seat.

 

Neleen made a quick stop by the cabinet to pull out a glass. “Did you want anything to drink? I can get you something if you want it.”

 

“Just water is good, thank you,” answered the ice demon as he placed his elbows on his thighs, gazing at the crystal ball right on the table in front of him. He could see some previously lit candles about it as well, making him wonder what went on. “So, what did you want to talk to me about?”

 

Neleen handed over the water she had to Touya before sipping on her herbal tea. “I wanted to talk to you about something before Galleria looks you over again. I asked her to give me some time.” One of the cats jumping in her lap, she made room for the tiger pelted kitten. “You, as demons, have your own powers, right?”

 

“My tribe is that of the ice demons,” Touya explained as he lay back on the sofa to relax. “And Jin's tribe was that of wind demons; thus we both have our own abilities, which are in tuned to ice and wind. Why do you ask?”

 

She seemed a bit hesitant to ask her next question as she stroked the cat in her lap. “Well, I was curious, did your tribe ever have any special…runes?”

 

Hearing her ask such a thing caused Touya to be taken back to the True Water Rune he lost. “There was one in particular. There was a True Water Rune that belonged to my people and was passed down to me. I used to have it on me at all times, but during a run with Jin, the rune came out of my weapon, and I lost it.” He didn't acknowledge Neleen's surprised expression as he looked into the glass he held. “If I had it, I might be able to cure myself and be done with all this mess that it has caused.”

 

Neleen straightened out her dress with her hands once the cat removed itself from her lap. “Touya, what would you say if I told you that this clan's primary duty for a good while now was to protect the True Water Rune that you lost?”

 

Touya shot his eyes at Neleen quickly and with his mouth slightly open. “E-Excuse me? Do you know where my rune is!” He exclaimed quietly between them.

 

She pointed to the crystal ball in front of him as well as the candles that had obviously been used previously. “Well, as you see, I was busy with a ritual here. I saw you in the past dealing with your rune. But, my vision into the past and future is very clouded, so I couldn't make out what rune you were holding,” she admitted while moving her hands slightly near her head. “You say you lost that rune?” Seeing him nod, Neleen continued. “Well, long ago, our people found it here within these woods. It caught the eye of one of our younger villagers when she was out exploring. We know about the True Runes and the great power they posses. But, it has been advised to keep such things under a powerful magic field until the true barrier can use it. Runes choose their masters, and we dared not try to wield its power when we knew nothing of it.”

 

“If you had used it, I would have been too weak to pick up on its signal anyways. Not like I would have found you,” Touya explained as he rubbed a slight soreness in his throat. “So where is my rune? Where did you put it?”

 

“It is hidden behind a door, deep within a cave system. The door leads to the old Cyndar Ruins. Within that chaotic maze, the True Rune will be found,” Neleen explained. “It is surrounded by a barrier that the Alma Kinan have sealed it within—the same can be said for the door leading to the ruins.”

 

“So my rune is safe then?” Touya opened his hands briefly before intertwining his fingers once more. “Well, this is great. Just great! That means I can go and get my rune back and possibly fight off this sickness.”

 

The door up the stairs opened slowly to reveal Galleria. She had overheard part of the conversation, as she was hoping that the two were done a bit earlier. “Touya, it isn't that simple.” She made her way down the steps slowly to the vacant spot next to the ice demon. “While we would be more then happy to return what is rightfully yours, you're not that well to make this trip.”

 

Rolling his eyes back, Touya rested his head on the cushioning of the couch he was upon. “Why is it I am always way too sick for something!” He exclaimed angrily. “I am fine! I feel fine!”

 

Galleria shifted her eyes over to Neleen with a simple nod. “Can you leave the two of us alone?”

 

Neleen raised her hand as if to argue with that notion, but she answered the shaman's wishes regardless. Pushing herself off of the sofa she was on, she made her way back outside.

 

The brown eyes of the shaman followed Neleen until she was out of the room. She noticed the ice master didn't feel like looking at anything else but that crystal ball before him, as he appeared to be a bit embarrassed about his outburst. “The seal we have put around your rune isn't so easy to break, Touya.” Galleria obviously had his attention as he looked to her now. “In order to do so, we would need to send someone to the spirit world to release the barrier.”

 

Touya was quiet for a little bit before speaking. “A sacrifice?”

 

“We put a barrier around it, because we weren't sure if it were a good idea for such a powerful rune to fall into the wrong hands.” She turned to Touya and opened her palms to him. “Let me see your hands.” Galleria knew he wasn't sure what this was all about, but she was relieved to see he did as she asked. “You are still quite cold to me.” Galleria ran her fingers over his palms to pick up the energy reading on them. “You did once hold the True Water Rune long ago. I can sense the power of it still within your hands.”

 

“I guess you Grasslanders will never trust the word of a demon.” Touya took his hands back after Galleria was done examining them. “While none of you know how the True Water Rune works, I do. It has healing abilities like non have ever seen before.”

Galleria's palm faced Touya's body as she felt the energy he had inside of him. “I think you don't understand the situation you are in, Touya. Your body is so badly damaged from whatever it is that has you, that there is a very slim chance the rune would even work for you. It may heal the sickness, but the damage left in its wake would certainly need tending to.” She closed her eyes to focus on the inner pain his soul was going through. “Your lung tissue and everything is in such bad shape. I wish I knew what this was.” She put her hand back into her lap. “Have you been coughing any?”

 

“No,” answered Touya simply with a shake of his head.

 

“Burning up at all?”

 

“No.”

 

“Anything at all that I should be aware of?”

 

“No, everything has been fine for the most part. I've still been slightly lethargic but that is it.”

 

Getting to her feet, Galleria made her way to the cupboard. Opening it, she pulled out a glass and a few things to make the medicine she usually made for the ice master when it came to his temperature of all things. She knew crushing up some special ice crystals that usually lasted all year long with cold water would keep him at his normal temperature. It always did the trick whenever he complained about being too warm when he first arrived. “If you want your rune back, we can give it to you, Touya, but keep in mind a few things to consider before going for it,” she insisted, handing the drink over to him.

 

Touya was speechless at what all had been said to him. He just sat there staring off at nothing in particular thinking about his options. Not wishing to voice them, he kept them to himself during the remainder of that visit.

 

Jin was continuing his reading lessons from Piper most of that afternoon. They chose a nice spot out about the village to read, as they both agreed it was far too nice a day to stay inside to do so. Finishing the page that Piper had given to him, he handed it back over to the Grassland woman. “Good, good,” she praised. “You seem to be getting better. Before you know it you will be able to read every written word out there.”

 

“Thanks to you, I will be able to,” Jin said with a thankful smile.

 

Piper blushed at his comment. “So, how is Touya been doing? I have to admit I've never seen him up and about before.” Her slender fingers turned a few pages to try and find another that Jin could read that may have a few words he hadn't been introduced to yet.

 

Jin's smile turned into a serious frown as he thought about his friend. “I am glad he is walking around more, but his personality is still as dreary as ever.” He gazed up at the clear blue sky upon feeling the wind caressing his wild hair. “I know it has always been within Touya's nature to be cold and aloof, but I was hoping I could eventually break him of that.” Jin fidgeted a bit thinking about his partner. “And with him always talking about death…I just don't know.”

 

Closing the book, Piper placed her hand on Jin's shoulder. “Why don't you talk to him a bit more? I just think with him even getting better, he still has it in his mind he is going to die.” When Jin looked at her, she smiled reassuringly. “Just talk to him, Jin. Let him know he has someone to live for at the very least.”

 

Knowing she was right, Jin nodded at Piper. “I will try talking to him tonight. Thank you, Piper.” He ran his fingers through his hair while clearing his throat. “So where were we?”

 

 

 

With the moon high in the sky, Touya sat out and about by himself just to gaze up at it upon a fallen tree stump. He didn't wish to return back to the inn to have Jin chat his ear off, as he needed time to think about what to do with himself. His narrow eyes watched each of the stars sparkle in and out about the sky. The stars reflecting in his cold eyes, he closed them for a moment to take in a deep breath and release it. “I have very few options,” he whispered somberly. “I should just accept death and be done with it.”

 

With his eyes closed, he saw Jin suddenly in the darkness causing him to open them rather quickly. “Jin…!” He said softly to himself.

 

Touya, the image of Jin seemed to call to him. Jin turned around in his mind's eye with a bright, carefree smile on his face. The image fading out into the darkness again before showing Jin again but with a more worried expression Touya, are you okay…?

 

Having the images flash one after the other of the wind master, Touya grabbed his head and shook it. “Stop it! Stop it!” He yelled angrily as he fell to his knees.

 

Touya, Jin seemed to call again. Touya's eyes widened as he saw himself staring out at the horizon with the wind demon beside him. It was some time after they had found their way to Zexen after his tribe exiled him. He could remember the feel of the breeze and the smell of the sea when Jin turned to him with a worried frown. We'll always be together, right?

 

The fist of the ice master hit the ground beneath him as he started to shake violently. He fought the tears that threatened to come. “Jin, I am sorry…I cannot live like this anymore! I can't!” Looking somberly ahead, he could feel the water welling up in his eyes. “I am dying…why can't you accept that…? I am tired of suffering!” A single tear managing to make its way from his eyes, Touya was shocked to feel it roll down his cheek and suddenly harden. He heard the tear tap the solid ground. His mouth open, he couldn't find the words to speak as he looked down at the tear and what had become of it. Taking it into his hand, he pocketed it carefully. When a single branch cracked not too far from where he was, Touya got defense upon wiping his eyes clean. “Who's there!” He demanded to know as he got to his feet.

 

Jin made his presence known as he came from behind the tree with a worried look upon his face. “There you are, Touya. I was worried. Why didn't you come back to the inn?” He made a slow advance towards the ice demon. Jin saw Touya turn from him as if to hide some sort of shame. “T-Touya…? What is wrong?”

 

Not wishing to see Jin's expression, Touya kept his back to his partner to conceal himself in the darkness of the night. “Jin, I am afraid that I have made my decision about what I want to do.”

 

“A-And…?” Jin stammered, as he didn't like Touya's tone.

 

“I have decided to live out my final days here in Alma Kinan,” said Touya as stern as possible. “I don't want to take anymore medicine or anything of the nature. I just want to—.”

 

“Don't say that!” Interrupted Jin quickly as he closed his eyes and clutched his fists at his sides. “Why the hell do you have to be so God damn stubborn!” Blinded by his anger, he walked over to Touya to turn him around forcefully just so he could punch him across the face. He knew as far as demons went, the punch wasn't going to harm Touya much and merely would shock him into thinking logically, if even that. Watching the weak demon fall to his hands and knees, Jin stood there shaking in a mixture of anger and sadness. “I don't care what it takes! I am not going to let you die!”

 

Hearing Jin starting to sob, Touya closed his eyes hating to hear such a painful sound. Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth on the back of his hand, he got to his feet and turned to the wind master. Stepping into the moonlight where Jin stood, he reached out for the demon for a second only to stop and withdraw his fingers slightly before actually reaching to touch Jin's cheek, which was now stained with his own tears. “Jin,” he whispered between the two of them. Jin almost refused to look at Touya, causing the ice master to come closer and attempt to gaze into his eyes. “You've never cried like this before.” Seeing the tears himself soon enough when Jin did gaze at him, Touya pressed his forehead against the wind demon's. “I am a horrible person having hurt you like this. I am sorry.”

 

Jin bit his lower lip before hugging the ice master close to him. “I don't want to lose you…” he whispered through his tears.

 

Touya allowed Jin to rest on his shoulder and cry throughout most of the night before the two of them returned back to the inn. The wind demon pretended to be asleep for the most part as he kept his back to Touya. When he heard the ice master lightly breathing to indicate he was sleeping finally, Jin turned around to look at him before pushing himself up to stare down at his partner. Not wishing to cry again, he turned his focus from Touya and headed outside to the balcony. Looking angrily up at the moonlit sky, his eyes shook with the tears, which threatened to fall. His fists hitting the wooden railing, he bared his fangs. “You can't have him…!” He said angrily to the heavens. “YOU CAN'T HAVE HIM!” Jin yelled loudly. His nails digging into his palms, they began to bleed from the force he was putting upon them.

 

Within the surrounding forest, Neleen was out and about when she heard the wind master yelling to the sky. She stayed out of sight within the woods when she saw him come out of the inn. Hearing such a thing brought her to her knees at having to hear a grown man eventually cry.