Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Falling Apart ❯ Youko ( Chapter 5 )

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

Author Notes: Questions answered from review:
*I'm curious as to why Youko, after being split, would kill Hiei* Kurama and Hiei are counting on Youko being pretty ticked and don't really know what to expect
*I'm wondering how Kurama said Youko felt disgusted to how weak he had grown when Youko and Shuichi are the same person* I didn't mean that there was two, only that Kurama's first emotions when transforming back into Youko form were shocking to him--he rarely had his emotions used against him since he kept them so well hidden--

**Of all the Yu Yu Hakusho I've seen I've never heard of Youko being merciless like that with no feelings at all, but it does make it a bit interesting (and I might not know as much about YYH as you).** -- I'm not trying to make Youko sound merciless, just less emotional than his human half, also, i'm hoping to create something original and different, so I may not play it exactly by the show, etc.

Hope that helps with some of the confusion.. Enjoy!
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The pain flooded throug Kurama, taking his breath awya. He fell against the ground, weak and gasping. He tried to raise up onto his knees but was quickly overwhelmed by a wave of dizziness. He groaned, his entire body aching even as the pain faded.
He pushed himself up again, head lowered. Long hair fell over his face. He opened his eyes and saw a veil of red.
Kurama stumbled back quickly and lost his balance. Strong arms caught him. Kurama glanced over his shoulder and saw an irritated Youko staring down at him, the golden eyes dark and angry.
Kurama jerked free and fell against the ground as Youko slowly stood. He was truly frightening with that look on his face, Kurama decided, wondering briefly if this was what his enemies had seen before he killed them.
“Youko?” Kurama whispered, green eyes wide as the tall kitsune stood over him.
Youko bent and caught Kurama’s shoulders in a punishing grip as he jerked him roughly to his feet. Kurama winced at the grip, feeling sharp nails dig into his skin. Youko shook him, hard, lifting Kurama a few inches off the ground.
“Why the Hell did you do that?!”
“I…”
Another hard shake, and Kurama felt his stomach roll.
“You chose to be a human half demon rather than me!”
Another shake. Kurama squeezed his eyes shut, willing his nausea away.
“Please, stop shaking me,” Kurama forced out through clenched teeth.
The grip loosened slightly, and the shaking stopped. Kurama opened his eyes and stared up at Youko, stunned to see that most of the anger in the stunning gold eyes had dissolved.
“Why?” Youko asked, voice soft, almost a whisper.
“Had to…. I was becoming you again. I couldn’t…lose…Mother.”
Youko lowered Kurama to the ground and turned his back on him. They felt Hiei watching them anxiously but both ignored him. Kurama swallowered, hard.
"Youko? I'm sorry."
Suddenly Youko laughed, his silver head going back. He turned and grinned at Kurama. Kurama took an uneasy step back.
"Sorry? I'm free to be me and only me! You think I was satisfied with smothering my kitsune form? I'm finally free, no longer bound by human ties."
"Then why were you so angry?" Kurama asked
Youko's eyes darkened once more, and Kurama cursed himself. He wasn't strong enough to fight Youko and win if Youko decided to attack. Youko moved quickly and caught Kurama's chin in his hand, forcing Kurama to look up at him.
"You chose a human life over me. How do you think that feels? You got rid of me! Youko has never been cast aside by anyone, especially not by himself!"
"What do you want from me, Youko? Are you going to kill me?" Kurama asked, exhausted.
Youko smirked, his grip easing up slightly. He lowered his head and placed his lips near Kurama's ear.
"Kill you? Why would I do that? You are, after all, still me, in another form. No, I won't kill you, but you may wish that I had."
"What do you mean?" Kurama asked, not liking the tone in Youko's quiet voice.
"I don't take well to insults, and you have placed me below a human! You can't expect to just walk away unpunished."
"You're going to punish me? I don't think so. We can fight here and now, if you wish. I'm not lesser than you!"
"Oh, but you are. You carry human blood, chibi."
Kurama glared at Youko as a cocky grin spread across his face. Youko leaned closer.
"It is strange, isn't it? The stories about the dagger were wrong after all. We have not really separated. There's just two of us now. I admit, being in this form I am less emotional than you, but in the end we are the same. Your memories are mine, and mine are yours. I even feel...connected to...our mother. Although I no longer feel the need to hide who I am, I don't think she would accept me like this. That is, after all, the reason we decided to find this dagger in the first place. She would not accept a demon."
"And I don't think a year would have allowed a transformation. That demon hunter did too much damage," Kurama whispered.
"Yes, it should not have hurt so much. You know that when you forced your powers to respond that you added to the damage?"
"Yes."
"But it was neccessary. There was no other choice."
"None."
They glanced towards Hiei and saw the unease on his face. He didn't know what was happening. Youko laughed softly and held out his hand to Kurama.
"This isn't so bad, is it? I'm not angry anymore."
"Good, because I don't feel like fighting."
Youko laughed again as Kurama accepted his hand.
"You know, this is kind of interesting. Imagine what we can do now?"
"I don't even know if I can still use my powers," Kurama said thoughtfully as he reached up and drew a rose from his hair.
He flicked out his wrist, sending a silent command to the rose. The whip snapped into action. He grinned, pleased, and allowed the whip to return to its original form.
"I'm ready to leave this place," Youko said, sighing as he brushed dirt from his clothing.
"I agree."
"Then lead the way. I wonder if you can without me? You were, after all, so eager to be rid of me," Youko teased.
Kurama grinned, enjoying the kitsune's taunts.
"Can I help that I have taste in what form I remain in?"
"What taste, human?" Youko sneered.
Kurama chuckled and looked out at the tunnel. The traps were well hidden but he could easily find them. He glanced at Youko.
"I may be half human but I can keep up with an old demon like you any day."
"Old?"
"Of course. My body is only sixteen. You are ancient," Kurama sneered.
"Yes, but my body won't age as yours will."
Youko glanced away suddenly, his words hanging between them. Kurama frowned. He hadn't thought of that. When he died he wouldn't return. There coudn't be two Youko's, and he had lost the ability to transform back into him anyway.
"We should go. Hiei is concerned," Youko said softly.
"Yes, he thinks we're plotting agaisnt him."
Kurama stared crouched slightly, judging the distance of the hole that had formed in the middle of the tunnel. Could he actually jump it?
"Race you," Youko challenged and leapt into the air, making the decision for Kurama. Kurama grinned and quickly followed, mirroring Youko's moved.


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So, what do you think? If it sounds confusing feel free to ask any questions. Please review and I'll update as soon as possible.