Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Healing ❯ Acclimated ( Chapter 2 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

AN: Here's chapter two. I know my two reviewers have just been dying to read it.

Disclaimer: I own nothing except the masochistic desire to type words my creativity exploded out of me months ago. And I own a TATU CD that makes me cry.

Chapter Two- Acclimated

Yukina'sPOV

What I see is strangely…beautiful. Is this a human custom? Often I have smiled at Kazuma's attempts of similar acts, not understanding, or perhaps not wanting to.

But this seems right. My oniisan, usually so hard and impassive, looks vulnerable, reverent. His mouth is pressed against Kurama's in a peculiar gesture, one I am almost sure is of a carnal nature. With this realization, I turn red and look down at the sandwich I've brought to him, hypnotizing myself in the pores of white bread. My heart goes out to my brother as I hear the redhead's plea for distance and time…I hope Hiei comprehends his trauma.

He says that he does. But his footing is defeated as he exits the room.

We are alone now. I try not to gasp as I see the two precious hiruseki shimmering in his grasp. The rarest jewels in all the three worlds. He quickly pockets them and gives me a mirthless smile, his lower lip quivering as I hand him the tray and take the chair by the bed, to make sure he eats something if not to keep him company.

“ Arigato.”

“ It was no trouble.” I respond, making sure to keep my voice soft. “ Kurama…he missed you a lot. We all did.”

“ I know. But I…I don't see you, any of you, anymore. I am trapped in this world of fused realities and dreams, each image more terrifying than the next. Even you, Yukina. Even you have lost the innocent luster in my eyes.”

I try hard not to grin absurdly at his use of my name. In fact, it seems his madness had faded into deep depression, which really is a grim accomplishment.

“ I was never innocent.” I lament. “ From the start of my life I have known of sad things…terrible things…but none as terrible as what I saw in you. Kurama…w-we all need you to get better. I especially fear what oni-..what Hiei will feel if you continue this. H-he…is a sword. And you are his sheath.”

There is a long pause, during which I look outside and observe the birds as they bathe in the nearby pond. So peaceful…so carefree in their simple enjoyment of life. Sometimes I wish I were a bird. Then I could fly far away from all of it.

“ You say that.” He replies softly, “ but in truth you are so blissfully blind. If you know of the earth, of us, then you know of my love for that youkai. You know that Hiei viewed me as his, and that I spat in the face of that mutual declaration the moment I spread my legs for Karasu. He says that he forgives me, but Yukina, there are so many layers of trust that have been ripped away…like seedlings from the earth.”

I blush again, but listen to his words. Of their own violation, my lips part and I speak a rhetorical pearl of wisdom that Inari himself must have granted me.

“ Then you will earn it back. Kurama, you will overcome it all and grow those seeds into blossoming flowers of future. And no matter how long it takes…we will all wait.”

I am going to cry again, and so rather than join this chorus of the mournful, I bow and pick up the barely touched tray.

The kitsune has had his alone time. And now I think I need mine.

Hiei'sPOV

I haven't slept at all since last week. Tonight is no different. As the others surrender to exhaustion and curl up in fitful rest on their respective futons, I am left to pace and ponder.

So he fucked the crow. Big deal. He knows he is mine no matter what. Normally, I would be angry, but I know that he had no choice. Or if he did, he was driven by pure desire and not live. I know because he drives himself mad with guilt.

Does he think I am that stupid? Or petty? Or Jealous? Why, I ask, would he love somebody like that! All his pain and what droves him insane is fear that I'll be displeased.

Hn. I wonder what he'll say…when I tell him of the humans. For I have to tell him. Out of honor, if anything else. But not now. Not when the first glimmers of hope have shone themselves through the gray fog of fate I live to defy. Gods above; you will not take my fox away from me.

The sparring moves I've begun to execute take a violent turn; one the air pays dearly for. I growl and swear and break a sweat against this imaginary opponent I am fighting, for with immortality, comes an eternal battle with danger, sorrow, and other cumbersome demons.

My efforts to banish my frustration are about as useful as an advisory would be against a Sinning Tree, but I am still too absorbed to notice the three figures wrapped in golden dawn as they approach.

“ Hey Big Shot! Stop chasing your ass and come over here. We've got some information for you.”

I scream in a peak of pent-up anger and throw my katana.

Genkai catches it easily and tosses it at my slowing feet. I grit my teeth as the faces of she, Yusuke, and the toddler-turned teen invade my line of vision.

“ What do you want!” I snap.

“ I…asked them to retrieve you so that you could assist me to Yusuke's car. Walking is still somewhat of a chore, I'm afraid.”

Despite my bitterness, my heart leaps at the sight of Kurama, clad in a deep plum tunic and black jeans, (obviously the detective's.) I have not seen him stand in weeks. My tone is harsher than I intend, to cover my amazement.

“ Hn. Why not get them to. I'm giving you `space,' remember?”

He glances at the three watching, his pride faltering desperately. I comprehend his plight, but am not quite sure I believe it. Am I really the only one he'll accept aid from?

Brushing away this indecision, I avoid Genkai's commanding eyes and sigh, wordlessly walking forward so that I am next to him.

Though I do not touch him, I act as a buffer so that if he should fall, I will catch him. When at last the five of us have reached the bottom of the mountain, and Kurama, Yusuke, and Koenma are safely buckled inside the transport vehicle, the Human Psychic grabs my arm and yanks me so that if she were taller, our faces would be very close.

“ So?” I ask, “ he has decided to return home.”

“ Yes. Koenma originally told his mother that he had been kidnapped by humans, so his return will be a delicate matter.”

I lower my eyes for a nanosecond out of guilt. I had not even considered Shiori.

“ Hn. And?”

Her expression is grim. “ I gotta admit, Hiei, you've done better than I thought. Yukina told me what happened and if that lip lock was enough to get him up and moving, than what you two have must be very special.”

I redden and pale from anger and indignation in the same moment, pulling out of her grasp.

“ W-what do you know of it!”

“ Heh. Get over it. We all saw what happened during the Dark Tournament, and I know more about love than you think. Does Shiori know about…?”

“ Yes. Why?”

“ Because that will make it easier for you to be there for him. Remember Hiei. There are many different kinds of healing.”

“ We've been over this, Hag.”

“ Yeah, but you're about as thick as Yusuke. So get in the car. It's going to be a long day.”

Silently I obey her, dealing a glare to kill as I slip in next to my fox's trembling form. I want to take his hand, but decide against it as I watch his knuckles go white gripping his knees. He looks strait ahead, lost in thought, and I do not miss the longing look the detective gives him from the mirror as he shifts this `car' into drive.

Neither does Koenma. Hn. I am trapped in a closed space with wanna-be's.

Or wanna-takes. They all want what is mine.

I am glad nobody bothered to wake the oaf.

Kurama'sPOV

I have never been fond of long and tedious trips, but as the distance between the temple and my home is eradicated, I find myself wishing for an eternal journey.

What made me decide to go back? Or more accurately, why am I so afraid to face normality again? Everything; the feel of sun on my face, the kiss of my koi, the thought of my human mother, fills me with a dread I know in my bones is irrational.

And yet there's still that nagging voice in the back of my mind, deep and sultry, telling me in a mocking way that I am soiled and corrupted beyond saving.

Under this, Yoko is furious, and practically screams at my stupidity and condemns the humiliation I put us through.

/ Walk me to Yusuke's car! Could you get any weaker!.. /

/ I'd love to see you bare this pain. Perhaps then you'll be free to judge me./

/ Yes!Allow me! I may yet redeem our shattered reputation!..

/ Shut up./

“ Kurama? We're here.”

Yusuke's voice snaps me out of my argument, and I nearly gag as my heart jumps into my throat. There it is, washed in the fresh spring morning. My aesthetic house with its quaint shutters, twining path, and large flower garden which to my surprise has been maintained. A drop of sweat leaks down from my brow as I realize all eyes are on me. Hiei studies my face, not bothering to hide his concern, (or, I see, his longing to hold me.)

Yusuke sighs and exchanges glances with Koenma before they both turn and inspect me, as if I am a fragile blossom that will wilt at the slightest suggestion of stress.

It is the prince of Hell who speaks.

“ You all stay here. I am going to go prepare her. It was I who brought the bad news, after all. I have to make up something logical.”

Without waiting for our agreement, Koenma gets out and shuts the door. I watch through the tinted windows as he walks quickly to the stoop and rings the bell. You could hear an L-class breathe as we all wait for some sort of response. I concentrate with all my foxish senses to hone in on what will be said; so much so that my ningen ears actually twitch.

At last the door opens, and into my line of view steps Shiori. My gut wrenches, and my fingernails dig into my denim-clad knees as I see her. She is no longer the woman who raised me; not chipper and together, but haggard and sad, with spiritless brown eyes that barely show any signs of recognition under tousled blue bangs. Tearstains mar her hollow cheeks, and her limbs are slow moving under the loose, throwaway garments she wears. Ironically, the Prince bows low to her in an almost unprecedented show of humility and respect. My mother's replying smile is sad.

“ Koenma. It's…been a while since I've seen you. Then again I…don't respond well to pity visits, these days.”

Koenma risks a hand on her shoulder, and I watch as Shiori shivers under the weight of so much hopelessness.

“ Shiori, as you know, I held myself personally responsible for your son's disappearance. As field trip supervisor, it was my job to make sure everyone returned home safely.”

“ Yes…you shouldn't take that burden upon yourself. M-my son…was very charming, and o-often attracted the attention o-of those more powerful than he. T-the evil in this world…does not include a man whose friend was captured.”

My eyes widen in amazement. Beside me, Hiei grunts.

“ Hn! If I were her, I `d drop the saint act and ring his scrawny little neck!”

“ Yusuke glares. “Quiet.”

Meanwhile, Koenma sucks on his pacifier frantically as he speaks.

“ Your understanding says volumes about where Shuichi received his kindness from. But I'm afraid I still feel undeserving.”

“ It was because of this guilt, and worry for my friend, that I appealed to my father some tome ago. He is a powerful executive, and most of the time unbending, but when forced to listen to the outrages of Yusuke and your son's boyfriend at last aquiested.”

Shiori blinks, overwhelmed. “ To what, exactly?”

“ He and I used our many resources to track down both information and the whereabouts of Shuichi's kidnapper. Two days ago, Hiei and Yusuke stormed the apartment in downtown Tokyo, and rescued your son.”

The prince allows this information to sink in, and for the first time I see that familiar spark in my mother's gaze.

“ The captor, they tell me, was deranged, and shot himself in the head once Shuichi was out of his possession.” Koenma continues, “ but…even his death…has not healed fully the damaged done to your son.”

Shiori is standing upright now, eyeing the car with a maddened eagerness. I can practically feel the thumping of her heart. I lower my eyes to my shoes as the next words are spoken, for I know they will shatter this convenient fantasy of reunion.

/ Yes. Why would she want you now/

“ What! What's been done to my baby!”

“ Shiori…I'm afraid it's not my place to-”

“ Shuichi! Shuichi, are you in there!”

My mother has just pushed past the Prince of Hell, and is running down the sidewalk. Hiei, sensing the moment is right, opens the door and pulls me out of the car, making sure to keep his tentative grip on me loose.

I try to smile at the blurry figure bounding towards my quivering form, but it comes out as a sorrowful, tired sort of grimace.

When she hugs me; it takes all that I have not to pull away in terror, and as she sobs on my shoulder I barely manage to talk at all.

“ M-mother…”

TBC

AN: Wow. I just read that over. That was a whole LOT of nothing, wasn't it? Whatever. There's a lot of drama next chapter, I promise. Review