Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Between Death and Reality ❯ A Kiss of Darkness ( Chapter 6 )

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Chapter 6

 

A Kiss of Darkness

 

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Kurama slumped wearily against a nearby tree as Yusuke and Kuwabara congratulated each other on killing the rogue demon. Hiei took a perch in a branch above the fox as he sheathed his katana. It had not been an especially strong demon, but sleepless nights were catching up with him once more. It had been four days since he had recovered from his wound, but once more, the fox had been avoiding sleeping.

 

Kurama knew that it was silly to avoid sleeping, as it was quickly depleting his energy stores after recovering from such a serious wound, but the threat of the dreams was keeping the red-head awake at night yet again. He knew Hiei could not and would not stay awake every night with a shield so he could sleep; he could never ask such a ridiculous thing of his friend.

 

Emerald eyes blinked away fatigue as Yusuke and Kuwabara made their way over. Kurama forced a smile for his two human friends.

 

“Nothing like a good ass-kicking to make your day,” Yusuke said with a grin. “Normally, it would be Kuwabara, but he was lucky we found that demon today.” Kuwabara glared at his friend.

 

“Lucky nothing, Urameshi! I could beat you any time I wanted!”

 

“Yeah, whatever, Kuwabara. Just like you beat Rinku, Shishi, and Suzuka?” Yusuke retorted.

 

“I just got cheated is all!” the orange-haired boy replied angrily. “Besides, I beat Risho to save your neck when I was all injured.”

 

“He's got you there, Yusuke,” Kurama said, amusement evident in his voice and eyes. Yusuke opened his mouth but no sound came out. Kurama could just feel Hiei's eyes rolling above him.

 

“Now you're turning on me, fox boy?” Yusuke said finally. Kurama merely gave the Spirit Detective an innocent smile. Yusuke threw up his hands in frustration.

 

How can you stand this? Hiei's voice asked in Kurama's head.

 

It's amusing, Kurama replied, still smiling.

 

Stupid fox.

 

I'm going soft, right? Kurama asked, still amused.

 

Hn.

 

Kurama stifled a combination of a laugh and a yawn, which came out sounding more like a cough. The red-head could feel Hiei glaring at him. Yusuke and Kuwabara looked over the two demons; from Hiei to Kurama and back to Hiei.

 

“Don't you two ever talk the normal way?” Yusuke grumbled. Kurama smiled mysteriously and Hiei turned away. The Spirit Detective sighed and turned to Kuwabara. “Arcade?” he asked. Kuwabara nodded his agreement. He turned to Kurama.

 

“Kurama?” The red-head shook his head.

 

“I'll have to decline, Yusuke.”

 

“I'm going to get you to come some time, fox boy.”

 

“I'm sure you will,” Kurama replied. “But just not today.”

 

“Okay. See ya later.” Yusuke waved a farewell as he and Kuwabara headed out of the park. When the two had made it out of hearing range, Hiei jumped down in front of his fox friend. He frowned at the red-head. Kurama returned the expression.

 

“What?” he asked finally.

 

“Those two might not have noticed anything, but that demon had a target,” Hiei answered tightly.

 

“And what was that?” Kurama asked wearily.

 

“Don't play stupid,” Hiei growled. Kurama sighed.

 

“Fine,” the red-head snipped, as wave of irritation hit him. “It headed right at me. Is that what you're getting at?”

 

“That's exactly what I'm getting at.”

 

“I could have been the fire one it saw, you realize?”

 

“But it kept coming back at you,” Hiei retorted. Kurama rubbed his temples. The fire demon frowned at the tired appearance of his friend. “Have you been dreaming again?”

 

“No.” You can't dream if you don't sleep, after all.

 

“Have you been sleeping?” Damn. Kurama hesitated. “Kurama?”

 

“No,” he said finally. Hiei's eyes narrowed in a rare show of concern.

 

“You need to sleep. You're still recovering.”

 

“I know. It's just…” Kurama trailed off uncomfortably. He hated showing weakness.

 

“The dreams,” Hiei supplied. Kurama nodded. “Damnit fox. You know very well that you have to face your problem to get past it. That's never been a problem for you before.”

 

“I know.”

 

“Then why now?” Kurama opened his mouth, but nothing came out. That was a question he didn't have an answer to. It was an answer he had been searching for himself.

 

“I don't know, Hiei. I just don't know.”

 

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

 

“Spirit Gun!” Yusuke cried as he shot down another demon. The creature crumpled to the ground lifeless. The Spirit Detective bent over, hands on his knees. Kuwabara's Spirit Sword vanished as Kurama's Rose Whip once more became a rose, which he returned to his hair, and Hiei sheathed his katana. Kurama made a quick scan of the surrounding area. Luckily, there was no one watching. Yusuke stood up and slumped against the alley wall. He pulled out his communication mirror and flipped it open. Kurama leaned against the opposite wall and slid down to a sitting position.

 

“Yusuke?” Botan's voice said. “What's wrong?” Her voice was suddenly concerned.

 

“Oh, nothing,” Yusuke replied sarcastically. “Unless you count all the demons that have suddenly been attacking us the last three days.”

 

“What?!”

 

“I thought demons were supposed to be quiet after a Tournament.”

 

“They are,” Botan replied. Kurama could hear the frown in her voice. “Oh, but speaking of the Tournament; that spectral reading we've been following has been getting stronger, but peaked about a week and a half ago.”

 

“And?” Yusuke prodded irritably.

 

“Perhaps these occurrences are linked,” Kurama supplied. Yusuke looked over at his friend.

 

“You think so?”

 

“I don't believe in coincidences,” the red-head replied firmly.

 

Yusuke turned back to the mirror. “What do you think, Botan?”

 

“It's a definite possibility,” she replied. “I'll talk to Koenma and get back to you.” Yusuke nodded and was about to shut the mirror when Botan spoke up a bit hesitantly. “How's Kurama?” Yusuke looked up at Kurama, who was taken aback by the concern.

 

“Fine,” he said, quickly covering his surprise.

 

“Good,” Botan said. “I better tell Koenma.”

 

“Right.” Yusuke clicked the mirror shut. “I don't know about you guys, but all this demon butt-kicking is making me hungry.”

 

“I'm with you there, Urameshi,” Kuwabara said.

 

“Let's get some food. Kurama? Hiei?” Yusuke said, turning to the demons.

 

“Hn,” Hiei snorted before disappearing.

 

“I'll take that as a no,” Yusuke grumbled. He turned to the red-head.

 

“Kurama?”

 

“Sure, why not,” the fox said, pulling himself to his feet.

 

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

 

Kurama yawned as his clock read 2:33 a.m. It was getting harder and harder to stay awake. His mother was beginning to worry. Dr. Hikari had been by the house the day before as proof. As much as he knew he needed to sleep, he just couldn't bring himself to face the dreams again.

 

Whenever he thought of the dreams, memories of his fight with Karasu would flash through his head. The helplessness and the anguish he had gone through would come through with such force that he would have to sit down. But it wasn't only the memory of the match that kept him awake; he could feel a dark, foreboding feeling in the corner of his mind whenever he thought about it. Every so often he could swear he could feel a dark presence in his room, but when he investigated further, the feeling would vanish. He passed it off as a fancy due to fatigue. But Hiei was right; avoiding the problem would not solve it.

 

Still awake?

 

I could say the same to you, Hiei.

 

Hn. The familiar retort was followed by Hiei perching himself on Kurama's windowsill.

 

“What are you doing here?” Kurama asked, not caring how blunt the question was. Hiei quirked an eyebrow.

 

“What does it look like?”

 

“Have you decided I need a babysitter?” Kurama replied, raising his own eyebrow.

 

“Until you face your problem,” the fire demon retorted.

 

“I see.”

 

“Do you?”

 

“Perhaps better than you think.”

 

“Oh?”

 

“I won't lie to you, Hiei. I can feel my energy leaking away. I can feel my reflexes slowing because of fatigue. I know I need sleep. And I know I need to face this.”

 

“Then what's stopping you?” Hiei demanded, trying to provoke some kind of response.

 

“I'm afraid,” Kurama said softly.

 

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

 

Koenma walked into the records department and found the person he was looking for. Botan had files and books open in front of her, papers strewn all about. He made his way to the preoccupied ferry girl's side.

 

“Botan?” The blue-haired girl flinched in surprise then looked sheepishly at her boss.

 

“Koenma, sir.”

 

“Don't you think you're overworking yourself?” he asked gently.

 

“Of course not,” she replied. “There is a connection between all of these goings-on, and I want to know what it is…”

 

“Before it's too late,” Koenma finished. Botan nodded. “This wouldn't have to do with Hiei's suspicion that the demons were attacking Kurama, would it?”

 

“I just don't want to see him hurt like that again. I don't know if I could stand it,” Botan replied, tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

 

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

 

Another long, tedious day had passed. Well, there had been another demon attack, but that was becoming routine as of late. Kurama put down the book he was reading to check the clock. 2:15 a.m. the red letters read. The red-head rubbed his face in his hands, then picked up his book once more.

 

He had scarcely read a page when he heard his door open. Frowning, he looked up to see his mother poking her head through the doorway. She blinked when she saw him sitting at his desk.

 

“Suuichi, you're still awake!” she said worriedly, stepping into the room. Kurama turned to face her.

 

“I suppose I'm not tired.” Shiori frowned.

 

“You're exhausted.”

 

“I-” Kurama began, but was cut off.

 

“You're still recovering from your illness, but you seem to be relapsing. Your face is pale, you barely eat, and even your plants are dying.” Shiori argued. Kurama hid a grimace. “Dr. Hikari came by again yesterday. He shares my concern.”

 

“I'm fine, Mother. You worry too much.”

 

“I'll stop worrying when I see you back to normal,” she countered.

 

“I-” Kurama stopped himself mid-argument. The only way to keep her from worrying is to make her think I'm doing what she wants. “What would you have me do?” he asked instead.

 

“Sleep,” Shiori answered immediately. Kurama nodded, trying to act agreeably. She smiled at him. “I'll get you're a drink. It will help you sleep.” She stood up.

 

“No! It's alright, Mother. You don't need to-” But Shiori had already left. Kurama groaned to himself. I'll just have to drink whatever she brings and pretend to sleep, and maybe she'll stop worrying so much. I don't want her to worry herself ill over me.

 

Several minutes passed before Shiori returned. She held a warm mug in her hands. Kurama frowned at the smell.

 

“Warm milk with a little brown sugar,” she explained. “It's an old family trick. Try it.” She handed the mug to Kurama, who dutifully took a sip.

 

“Not bad,” he said, taking another sip. Shiori sat down on Kurama's bed and beckoned her son to join her. Kurama obliged, taking another sip. He returned his mother's smile as he finished off the contents of the mug. Shiori took the empty cup into her own hands.

 

Now I just have to pretend to… Kurama's vision blurred and he gasped. He could feel his eyelids becoming heavier. He began to feel light-headed. He looked up at his mother through blurred vision.

 

“Mother, what…?” She smiled sadly at him, tears in her eyes.

 

“Suuichi, I'm sorry.” It hit him as his eyelids began to drop.

 

“The pills… Dr. Hikari…”

 

“I really am sorry, Suuichi,” Shiori said tearfully.

 

“It's… alright...” he mumbled as consciousness left him.

 

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

 

Shiori caught her son's limp form in her arms as the sleeping pills took their effect. She carefully laid him down on his bed and brushed a few strands of red hair from his face.

 

“I'm sorry, Suuichi,” she told her sleeping son. “I don't want to see you ill.”

 

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

 

Emerald eyes blinked open as Kurama took in his surroundings. Those same emerald orbs widened when the fox realized where he was; he stood opposite Karasu in that dreaded ring. Oh no. The crow smirked maniacally at him. I feel asleep. The fox willed himself to keep a calm face, even if it was only a façade. He felt the emotionless mask slip into place as it had so many times before. If at all possible, Karasu's smirk widened.

 

“Why do you bother, Kurama?” You're not fooling anyone with that mask of yours,” the crow crooned. The fox suppressed a shiver.

 

“I don't try to fool anyone, Karasu. I am what I am,” he replied coldly.

 

“And what you are is weak,” Karasu said. The intensity of the implied threat behind those words caused Kurama to take an involuntary step backwards. A familiar trap sprung from under the concrete, trapping his leg; the same leg as in the Tournament. A shocked and fearful gasp escaped Kurama's lips.

 

“I see you remember by Mad Bomb.” The bomb exploded against Kurama's skin and his world erupted in a familiar pain. He could feel the warm stickiness of blood flowing from his re-wounded leg. Kurama fell forward with a cry of pain. As he hit the ground, the consistency changed; his hands hit concrete while his head came in contact with dirt.

 

Not again, Kurama thought irritably. Painfully pushing himself to his feet, the fox found himself in a forest. Karasu stood across from him, as usual. Kurama frowned at the choice of scenery. Why would we be in a forest? I obviously have the advantage here. Karasu laughed, as if he were reading Kurama's thoughts.

 

“You find something amusing?” the fox snapped, trying to hide the pain in his leg and the sudden feeling of dread that had sunk in his stomach.

 

“You, Kurama,” Karasu answered. “So cold and calculating. Yet…”

 

“Yet?” Karasu shrugged, as if inviting an attack. Without a second thought, a rare action by Kurama, the red-head pulled out a rose, which immediately became his Rose Whip. However, in mid-swing at Karasu, the whip disappeared. Kurama lost his balance when he realized he was holding only a rose. Eyes wide, the fox looked up at the crow, whose maniacal grin had widened.

 

“Oops,” Karasu said mockingly. A wave of anger was competing with one of hear in the red-head's heart. Hating to feel weak or vulnerable, especially in front of Karasu, Kurama, whose loss of balance had dropped him to a knee, felt his power rise in his body, and put a hand to the ground. He could feel all the plant life in the surrounding area; he directed the vines to wrap around the crow. However, instead of heading at Karasu, the plants turned on Kurama. He gasped in surprise as he felt vines wrap around his wrists and ankles, bringing him above the ground. He tried to call off the plants, but to no avail. The vines dug painfully into his flesh.

 

Unable to keep up the emotionless façade, Kurama felt the mask slip as Karasu slowly and meaningfully approached. Those violet eyes were glinting with an unrivaled bloodlust.

 

“The fear in your eyes is beautiful,” Karasu said softly, as he stopped in front of his prey, for that was what Kurama had become. “That fear and pain is what gives me power.”

 

“Power?”

 

“Of course. Power over you in your own mind.” Kurama's eyes widened further. “All the fear in your heart has given me the strength to control your attacks here.” Kurama was speechless. The crow was controlling his plants. Karasu traced a finger along Kurama's cheekbone, under his chin, and down his neck. He forced the fox's chin up; a sign of forced submission. The anger in Kurama's heart had long since faded to fear in his helpless position. Digging a nail into Kurama's neck, Karasu drew a small trickle of blood. Kurama bit his lip against the sensation until he felt blood.

 

The fear quickly turned to revulsion as he felt Karasu luck the trickle of blood from his neck. With his head forced up, Kurama tried to look away, but Karasu forced his head back down. The blood from his lip became obvious against his now pale skin. Karasu's eyes glinted maliciously as he reached up and licked his tongue on Kurama's chin and lips. Karasu pulled away and looked victoriously at the ensnared fox, then reached back up and kissed him. Kurama was frozen in shock. By the time the crow pulled away, the remaining color in Kurama's face had drained away.

 

“You're so beautiful when you're afraid, Kurama,” Karasu crooned. “It must be a rare feeling for you. You're always in control of you emotions, so cold and distant; calculating. But to lose control of it all, you've lost your edge. The despair in your eyes is intoxicating.” Karasu's smile widened once more. “I told you before that I wanted to place you at my side forever. With just a little more of your fear and pain, I will be able to do just that, my beautiful kitsune.”

 

“You're insane,” was all Kurama could manage to say.

 

“Perhaps. Or perhaps I just know what I want,” Karasu replied. The vines suddenly tightened around the fox's wrists and ankles, beginning to draw blood. Karasu stooped over and picked up the rose that Kurama had dropped when he had become ensnared. In his hands, it became the familiar whip Kurama wielded in battle. Between gasps of pain, one of surprise escaped Kurama's lips.

 

“I told you I control your attacks here,” Karasu said. The crow slowly made his way around to Kurama's back. A cold feeling ran down his spine. Before he could brace himself, he felt the sharp thorns of his own whip come in contact with his back and rip at his skin mercilessly. The fox cried out in agony as the blows continued.

 

I'm asleep. This is just a dream. Why can't I wake up? Behind him, Kurama could hear Karasu laughing.

 

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

 

Botan sat in the records department, head resting on a book that she had fallen asleep reading. A heart-wrenching cry of agony jerked her awake. Looking around for a source of the scream, she saw she was alone. Blinking, Botan tried to remember what she had been dreaming. Her eyes widened.

 

“Kurama!” Immediately, the ferry girl made her way to Koenma's office, afraid of what could be happening to the fox.

 

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

 

The blows seemed to continue forever. Kurama knew that his whip was a formidable weapon, ideal for cutting obstacles down, but he had never used it for torture… or had it used against him for torture. He could feel the blood running down his raw back from the continued lashings. Finally, the whip stopped, though he didn't realize it until Karasu appeared once more in front of him. His back hurt too much; the fox's vision blurred against the pain.

 

“Now, now, Kurama. Don't pass out on me now,” Karasu said maliciously. “If you beg me to stop, I might just listen.” If there was one thing Kurama refused to do, it was beg. His demonic pride would not allow it.

 

“Go… to… Hell…” he replied tightly instead.

 

“I thought you might say that. You've always been so proud,” Karasu said. “We'll have to work on that. Nevertheless, the fun can continue.” Stepping up to the weakened fox, Karasu put a hand into Kurama's fiery locks and pulled out a seed. Holding it in his hand, it formed into a sword. As it did so, Kurama felt his own energy being used to create the blade. However, the pain was far too much for him to care at the moment. Karasu studied the blade and nodded appreciatively.

 

“An old favorite of yours,” he said, still looking at it. Smiling widely, he took a stance and charged Kurama. Emerald eyes widened fully in pain as blood began to drip from his mouth. Karasu had stabbed him in the chest, just missing his heart. A final earth-shattering cry of agony escaped him before his world went black once more.

 

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

 

Shiori heard the heart-wrenching scream from her son's room and immediately, fearfully, made her way there. Bursting open the door, she could immediately smell… blood. Gasping, she made her way to her son's side.

 

“Suuichi! Oh, Gods, Suuichi!” There was a hole in his chest and red was quickly draining out of it. The sheets underneath her son were also red. His emerald eyes were slightly open, but not really focusing on anything.

 

“Suuichi, please, say something!”

 

“Can't heal it… not enough… energy,” he muttered almost inaudibly before his eyes closed.

 

“Suuichi, please, stay with me!” Shiori cried frantically.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

 

As Botan hastily explained to Koenma what she had witnessed, she felt a pang in her heart. She stopped speaking, amethyst eyes going wide, her face draining of color.

 

“Botan, what is it?” Koenma asked the pale ferry girl.

 

“It's Kurama. He's… dying.” At that moment, Ayame came bursting into the office.

 

“Ayame? What is it?” Koenma asked, turning shakily to the other ferry girl.

 

“Koenma, sir. We have a lock on that rogue spectral reading,” she said breathlessly.

 

“Where?” the prince demanded immediately.

 

“Kurama's bedroom.”

 

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

 

Author's Note: I am so sorry this update took so long. I got about six pages in and had the end planned out, but didn't think it was going to be long enough, so I tried to think of something to add, but couldn't come up with anything. So I finally just wrote out the ending that I had planned and it was more than long enough. So, sorry again for taking so long. Hope you liked. Leave me a review and let me know what you thought. They really do wonders for motivation.H