Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Cry For Me ❯ Chapter VII: Sight ( Chapter 7 )

Cry for Me - Chapter VII: Sight

 

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Kuramas gurl: Hmm…I get more reviews at fanfiction.net. ::shrugs:: Oh well, it doesn't matter to me! :P Okay, so it kinda does… Anyway, thanks for the review!

 

Enjoy.

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho.

 

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Peace floated through the air of the car, enhanced by lively chatter. As soon as Yukina had asked, “So, what has happened in the last few days?” Everyone behind me launched into an epic tale of past events. With a certain glance at Yusuke, I silently warned him not to mention any of Hiei's infantile actions. He reluctantly agreed, starting up a private conversation with yours truly. After all, he and I were the ones most aware of the fire demon's mind-boggling behavior over the past ever-so-many long hours of attempting to comfort him.

 

“Well, anyway, I'm glad he's back to normal now,” said Yusuke with a sigh. “I have to admit, that was kinda scary.” He chuckled at his own joke, while a frown spread itself about my face in contrast.

 

“No, I don't think he will ever be the same…” I trailed off, unsure of the world at that moment. Nothing seemed to be normal anymore.

 

Yusuke raised an eyebrow at my statement, and stared at me oddly. “Hmm? Why do you say that?”

 

“Carpe diem,” I answered laconically. When his questioning look transformed into that of utter confusion, I continued with an explanation. “Carpe diem - Latin for `seize the day.' I believe Hiei will realize that at any moment, his sister could vanish once again…” I choked back a sob in speaking those last words, for the dreadful event they proposed was then too difficult for me to imagine. I comforted myself with the knowledge that such a catastrophe would never again take place. Yukina will forever be with us from now on. There is nothing to fear. “…and thus, he will try to connect and spend more time with her than before. He's not ignorant, after all…or naïve.” After a moment of thought, Yusuke nodded in agreement.

 

“I guess you've got a point,” he assented, glancing in the back seat at the topic of our conversation. In the rear-view mirror, I could see Hiei mostly staring out the window, but at times shifting his gaze to the others present. Turning my attention back to the street flying past, I found that we had reached the pizza parlor - the once with outside seating. (A/N: I don't know if they even have outside seating and/or pizza parlors in Japan, and I'm unsure on how Japanese restaurants work, so please bear with me.) I turned to the left and parked the van on cracking asphalt. Through years of service, this restaurant remained steadfast in selling its customers quality pizzas, of which our group has always been a fan. One by one, we unbuckled our seat-belts and stepped out of the vehicle onto the stubbornly sturdy ground.

 

I glanced out onto the sea before us. From the location of the tables, a customer had the privilege of a wonderful view of the ocean. Such a vast expanse of blue beauty, spread over the earth like a soft blanket. The sun was on its way down towards the horizon, beginning to emit shades of orange, red, and even purple and pink. A seagull drifted from the almost-blinding light along a path that sailed above our heads. The freedom in its flight lifted my spirits…it also reminded me of Jin, how he must feel sometimes when he flies above the forest canopy in Makai.

 

A sudden thought struck my head - Jin! I had left him at the house, alone. I mentally slapped myself in forgetting a friend, but quelled my worry with the reminder that he would not care in his unconscious state. But only somewhat. In other sections of my mind, worry over his health condition was augmented. He had told me that the unconsciousness would last for a few days, but could one ever be sure of the impact of a threat to one's Spirit Energy? What if he awoke to an empty house while we were gone? I silently hoped that that would not happen, but instead would wait until he had someone to awake to.

 

Suddenly, a gentle pull on my arm broke through my troubled thoughts. I looked over - and slightly downward - to see Kina with her hand in mine. Instantly, my full attention shifted to the real world. I lifted my eyes to gaze at hers, which were filled with innocence and elegance, with a hint of concern. She should not have to fret over me… I smiled in an attempt to assuage her fears. She smiled back, easing my mind as well. From that and her oculi as vast as the ocean itself I obtained a feeling so extensive and sublime that I could not even begin to describe it.

 

“Aren't you coming, Kurama?” she asked. When I nodded, she gently led me to where the others were waiting by the ordering station, requesting their desired toppings. On the way by, I locked the car doors and slammed mine shut, which I had just noticed was still open.

 

“…pepperoni, and, uh…pineapple,” Yusuke was saying when the two of us arrived, lifting himself up from his position of leaning on the counter.

 

“That leaves just you, Kurama,” announced Keiko, looking at me. I stepped forward, surmising that Yukina had ordered before she came to retrieve my wandering self, and requested a simple Greek salad along with a strawberry Ramune to drink. The total came to 4,800 yen. As soon as I took out my wallet, Yusuke, Shizuru, Keiko, and Kuwabara reached in their pockets as well and pulled out bills of sorts. By the look on Hiei and Yukina's faces, I could tell that they would have, too, if they actually had the correct currency. For, as I recall, Japanese yen was not in use in Makai.

 

After the correct payment was made, we chose the table closest to the ocean to soak in the view of the almost setting sun. As I had expected, Hiei and Kuwabara sat on either side of Yukina, with Yusuke and Keiko next to Kuwabara, respectively, then Shizuru and myself so that I ended up by Hiei. While waiting for the food to be cooked and/or made, we chatted about miscellaneous topics like we usually had in casual times past. Every now and then my eyes drifted to where Kina sat, cheerfully conversing with two people who admired her so. Although, it was mostly Kuwabara who did the talking, for Hiei obviously was quite reserved.

 

I half paid attention to the conversation and half-focused on her shinning, ruby eyes, reflecting light from the overhead lamps of the restaurant. They seemed to fill my very soul with happiness; the happiness in knowing that now she was back where she belonged. With us. In harmony, we sat as friends - as it should be. As only teenagers, we should not have to worry about the death and such that we as the Reikai Tentai do…normally, that is. This time, sitting calmly amongst other fans of scrumptious dough, sauce, and cheese, we had no such worries. Or, at least, I didn't. They drifted away as I stared into her radiant, almost crimson orbs.

 

Then, our order arrived, and the chatter was instantly broken into excited exclamations of hunger. The practically-waiter laid the meal out before us on the table, and with a polite “Enjoy your meal!” walked away to serve another famished group. Hiei silently munched on his chosen pepperoni pizza. Before biting into a slice of green pepper, Keiko disdainfully complained about the eating habits of the so-called “delinquents.” After extinguishing her seemingly omnipresent cigarette, Shizuru calmly ate away at a sub, filled with what appeared to be tuna or chicken salad. (A/N: Do pizza places also serve subs and salads where you live?) Meanwhile, Kina seemed to be enjoying the pieces of grilled chicken in her salad.

 

Just as I was about to take a bit out of my similar order, another voice arrived, louder than the rest.

 

“All right, Kurama! Hand it over!” Uh-oh, I thought, almost choking on a lettuce leaf. I instantly recognized Botan's verbal frequencies, and they didn't sound too pleased. Momentarily, I was confused as to what she meant, but then remembered. The Forlorn Hope. Spirit World must have improved their communications since last I knew for her to know where the mirror was. A tracking device, perhaps? Swallowing, I glanced upward to see five pairs of perplexed eyes staring at me and, I presumed, Botan. Turning around to meet the glare of a very angry woman, I reached into my coat pocket and pulled out what she desired, earning several shocked gasps.

 

“Where'd you get that, Kurama?” asked Kuwabara, as I placed the Forlorn Hope into Botan's outstretched hand.

 

“And what's more, what are you doing with it?” Yusuke continued. For a moment my glance met Yukina's. I opened my mouth to answer, but she was quicker.

 

“You mustn't become angry, Botan!” she defended, standing up to face the one she spoke to…who practically fainted when she saw the ice apparition.

 

“Yukina!?” she shouted, “What on Earth…?” I could hear Hiei's muffled chuckle at her stupor.

 

“Oh, calm down Botan,” Shizuru warned, taking another bite of her sandwich. “You're going to have a heart attack by the time you're 30.” (A/N: Does Shizuru know Botan's not human? oO)

 

“But…” Before she could even get one word out of her mouth, Yusuke interrupted.

 

“Oh, I get it!” he exclaimed, snapping his fingers as though experiencing an epiphany. He turned to look at me. “You must've done the same thing you and I did when your mother was in the hospital, back when this all began.” I nodded, affirming his speculations, but he was not satisfied. “But who was the other person involved?”

 

All the questions made me feel like a criminal. Well, technically, I was one for using the Mirror of Darkness without permission. My heart sank with guilt. But Jin, for stealing it, was more unlawful…Should I tell them about Jin? Would they understand? Would they understand that we did this all to save Kina and bring happiness back? All of a sudden I was struck with the full impact of our quest to bring her back to life. Like several before us, the intentions were all well and good, but the method was corrupted. Several before us had also been punished.

 

“Please, let me explain…” Yukina began, pleading for comprehension. Lowering my head to the ground in guilt and slight embarrassment, I whispered, “Thank you,” knowing full well that she could not have heard it. As her explanation went on in that harmonious voice, the anxiety encompassing my bones felt like a rug slipping out from under my feet. Gradually it departed, relief taking its place. Although, the entire time, I was focusing not on the words departing from her lips, but the way in which they were said. Somehow, it gave me comfort.

 

When she was finished, everything seemed to float back into place, for which I was glad.

 

“Well, technically, you're supposed to get in trouble for this,” Botan stated, and I knew she was directing the warning at me. I lifted my head up again to her location, nodding in cognition. However, although I was clearly distressed, she smiled and winked at me. “But I'll let it slide this time.” I mirrored her expression gratefully.

 

“Thank you, Botan,” I said. “I knew you would understand.” At this, she laughed nervously.

 

“Actually, to tell the truth, I was thinking of doing the same thing.” She waved the Forlorn Hope for emphasis, once again placing her classic goofy appearance upon her face. As the rest of us joined in on her laughter - save for Hiei, of course, who remained silent - she swiftly grabbed a nearby chair and placed it between Shizuru and me. “Mind if I join you?” Without waiting for a reply, which did later come, she reached for a random slice of pizza and indulged.

 

Then, we were at peace again. Or relative peace, anyway. One detail I did notice during her monologue was that Yukina did not mention Jin's present location or state. The reason behind it, I could not guess. But I'm sure she had one or more. After all, she was probably one of the most logical of our group. I admired that about her…along with so much more. All around she was a wonderful person that I could not even begin to describe. Where would I start?

 

Out of the blue, Kuwabara arose and went off to purchase another drink. While he was gone, Hiei finished his own meal and also slowly stood up. However, he left to “admire the ocean view,” he claimed, a bit cynical at being asked why. Seizing the opportunity, Yukina shifted her placement to the right so that she sat directly to my left. For a brief moment before she spoke, I of course wondered the motive.

 

“I don't think I ever thanked you properly for…everything,” she elucidated softy, looking up into my green eyes. As a result, I was forced to stare down into red ones once again. Something I loved, yet feared. It seemed as though those eyes had a depth too great for even the most advanced submarines to fathom. To me, they represented the very quintessence of purity.

 

“No need,” I replied. “It was my pleasure.”

 

“But surely, I must do something in return!”

 

“No, please, you've already done so much for us.” And so true it was. She was the light that shone through our darkness. The hope that drifted through our despair. The healing that came through our hurt. (Literally.) How I wished I could speak those words to her and reveal how much she truly meant to us, but, indeed, from my mouth especially it would have sounded awkward. Maybe Kuwabara had even told her so already.

 

“If you're sure…” Her inner strength faltered for a moment, gazing up at me. I was barely able to notice her gaining a brief guise of puzzlement before it melted away. Even featuring a confused appearance she remained…well, cute. Wait - cute? Since when had I used that word to describe her? I chose to abstain from contemplating it.

 

For the next several seconds our eyes were locked, and I was lost in the very intensity of hers. Then she turned back to her real seat. The key clicked into place, unhinging our simultaneous stare. I averted my eyes to the ocean, before which Hiei still stood, gazing across the vast sea at the sun sinking beneath the horizon.

 

“Well, guys, Kazuma and I should get home soon,” Shizuru suddenly announced, being the first speech I had heard from that side of the table in quite a while. Heard in the forefront of my mind, that is. “Mind if you drive us back now, Kurama?”

 

“Not at all,” I answered, turning my head back to their direction. Therefore, we all rose from our seats - Kuwabara having returned - and headed towards my mother's car. On the way, I called for Hiei and he followed close behind.

 

The last bit of sunlight faded away as the pizza shop escaped from view.

 

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Reviews are much appreciated.

 

*^*^*Ayumi (a.k.a. trueyamigirlfriend)