Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Falling Apart ❯ Decisions and Acceptance ( Chapter 2 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Kurama couldn't sleep that night. He was going to have to decide soon what to do. He clenched his hands into fists. The urges were growing on him. He wanted to run free through the forests and steal whatever caught his fancy.
Worst of all, Kurama couldn't remember his mother's voice anymore. He could barely see her face when he closed his eyes. She was fading from his memory.
He curled into a tighter ball, his chin tucked close to his knees and arms wrapped around them. He was afraid, an odd feeling a Youko who had never feared anything in his long life. Kurama didn't want to lose the precious feelings he had so recently obtained.
"Hiei?" he whispered, raising his head to find the youkai leaning against the wall of the cave.
Hiei stirred, lifting his head and his hands tightening around his sword. He glanced round, searching for a threat. Finding none he returned his attention to the fox laying curled on the cavern floor. As far as he could tell, Kurama wasn't injured so what had
disturbed the fox?
"What is it?"
"I don't want to…. I want to go back to my human form."
Hiei knew what it cost Kurama to say those few words. Even with the human feelings, he was still Youko deep down and cared about his demon half as much as his human half. If he wasn't so concerned about his mother the fox would probably have enjoyed being a full demon once more.
"Kurama, you can always change your mind later. This can be an adventure to keep your mind busy while you wait for the transformation. You don't have to make your mind up now," Hiei said, feeling sympathy for his friend.
Kurama nodded and slumped back to the ground. He closed his eyes as he asked, "What did you do to Rumbrigan?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Just curious."
"I…sent him to oblivion. He is in a void that will never become more or less. He will exist but not live. He will die but not die. He will just be in never ending torment."
Kurama shivered. He could imagine what Hiei spoke of easily. Hiei was constant. Nothing could deter him from his habits. If he was insulted he would make sure the one with such audacity would ever speak to him that way again. It didn't matter who it was or why. Nothing ever affected his actions or decisions.
"Do you think it is wise to think such thoughts?" Hiei asked quietly.
Kurama jerked up, bracing for an attack. Hiei remained where he was, not moving. His grip on his sword had even relaxed as a somewhat gentle expression crossed his face. This was unexpected.
"You were reading my mind?" Kurama asked hesitantly.
Hiei grinned, flashing fangs at Kurama. Kurama was so far gone he didn't even know
what to think. Hiei grinning, and, more surprisingly, laughing at him.
"Foolish fox, I wasn't reading your mind. I took a guess, and you just proved me correct. Care to tell me what has caused that guilt in your lovely gold eyes?"
"If I don't will you harm me?" Kurama asked.
Again that mischievous grin appeared, the fangs once more visible. Kurama gulped, pressing his back to the wall. This new version of Hiei was more frightening than even his coldest glares.
"Hiei?"
"You don't want me to harm you, do you?"
Kurama couldn't tell whether Hiei was actually joking or not. He drew his knees to his chest, eyes locked on his strangely acting friend. Hiei winked at him, startling him even more.
"Well, do you?" he prompted.
"I…. was just thinking…well, you aren't affected by anything. You keep true to you standards no matter what. You could even kill me without the slightest hesitation if I insulted you as Rumbrigan had."
Hiei slowly laid down his sword and leaned forward, ruby eyes locking with Kurama's. Kurama couldn't look away even if he hadn't been terrified out of his mind. If Hiei ever attacked him, he didn't know if he would be able to fight back and live.
"You are wrong, Kurama. Many things affect me. You, for instance. I didn't torture Rumbrigan because of his insult. I did it because of what he had done to you. You and I have a great deal in common. You are like… a brother. You are almost like Yukina."
Kurama's eyes widened. Hiei thought of him as a brother? He cared about him as nearly as much as he cared about Yukina, his twin sister? Kurama couldn't help but grin. He launched himself forward, the playful kitsune in him taking control as he tackled Hiei to the floor. He never would have dared touch Hiei, much less tackle him, had Hiei not opened up to him. Hiei grunted as he landed against the hard floor with the large demon on top of him.
"So you like me, huh? You can't kill me now," Kurama said, his gloating face inches Hiei's.
"Fox, you are about to find yourself on the wrong end of my sword," Hiei said, but his voice was filled with amusement and lessened the impact of his threat.
"Ha, ha, Hiei. Even you can't resist my charms. I really am good," Kurama said, smirking.
"Fox, you don't want to tempt me into killing you."
"I'm not scared of you anymore! We're brothers!"
Hiei lunged upward and knocked Kurama backwards. Kurama hit the ground seconds before Hiei covered him and pinioned him down. Hiei sneered down at him.
"Not so tough now, Fox. Must be embarrassing for an old fox like you to be beaten by a young demon like me."
"Beaten? I'm not beat. I'll show you beat," Kurama growled and slammed his weight against Hiei.
Hiei twisted and caught Kurama, forcing him back. Kurama struggled but couldn't break free. Hiei laughed softly and leaned forward.
"Youko must have lost his touch after being confined in the human world for so long."
Kurama's gleaming eyes was the only warning Hiei had before something wrapped around his chest from behind and yanked him backwards. Kurama sat up, grinning broadly as Hiei struggled against the vines.
"Lost my touch, you say? I'm afraid that I have to disagree."
"Free me or your precious plants are going to die."
Kurama hesitated before giving the command. Hiei stood and crossed his arms over his chest. Kurama couldn't hold back a quiet chuckle.
"Hiei, face it. You're no match for me."
Is that right? Hiei thought. He moved so quickly that Kurama didn't know what had happened until he was jerked against a hard chest with a blade pressed to his throat. Hiei placed his lips near Kurama's ear and said, "No match for you? Fox, you're in over your cocky head."
Kurama didn't so much as breathe, knowing that the slightest movement would bring pain. He closed his eyes, plotting his revenge.
"Think first, Kurama. If you attack me I'll have to put you in your place."
Kurama grinned and moved his neck slightly. The blade cut into his skin before Hiei quickly drew it back a hair.
"Hiei, I am thoroughly amused at your…attitude, but I'm afraid that no child can ever put me in my place."
Kurama slammed his elbow into Hiei's chest and felt Hiei's hold loosen. He broke free and quickly darted out of reach.
"Good move, fox," Hiei said, rubbing his chest.
"Hiei, I'm glad you finally accept me. I've always thought of you as family, even when you nearly killed me."
"That wasn't my fault. You shouldn't have jumped in front of Yusuke."
"You shouldn't have tried to kill him. I warned you."
Hiei stared at the fox, shaking his head, "You said always."
"Yes, ever since you first attacked me, long before Yusuke stepped into the picture. I have thought of you as a younger brother ever since."
"I would have killed you, kid or not," Hiei said quietly. He remembered too well what kind of demon he had been when he had first run across the fragile child playing alone in the forests. He would ahve killed Kurama without a thought back then. In fact, he had tried to do just that, but the 'fragile' kid turned out to be Youko Kurama, who, although in a young, human body, had maintained nearly all of his previous powers.
"You thought I was your enemy. I've never held a grudge. Besides, you never stood a chance. You underestimated me all those years ago. You thought I was a common demon."
"And you proved me wrong."
Kurama smiled, remembering the fight. He had been only five at the time. Hiei had been searching for a powerful demon when he stumbled upon Kurama. He had attacked him meaning to kill him, and Kurama had beat him, knocking him out and then taking him home to care for his wounds.
"You should have killed me," Hiei said.
"No. I was lonely and missing home. You reminded me of what I was. You could almost say that we grew up together."
"I am fifty seven years old, Kurama."
"And equivalent to a human teenager. So, yes, we grew up together."
"I am not a kid."
Kurama slid down to the floor and curled into a ball, ignoring Hiei's protest. Hiei sighed and took his place in the corner of the cave. Tomorrow they would start out in search of the dagger. He picked up his sword and closed his eyes.