Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Inheritance ❯ Loss ( Chapter 13 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
Chapter 13
Loss
Small, so incredible small and frail.
Yusuke's eyes told him, but his mind refused to acknowledge it.
Genkai took the blow for Hiei. Genkai is... She just, shoved him aside. Her body is old, and a blow like that was enough to kill the fully powered up fire demon. Simply put, there is no way that she could possibly still be... But no, not Genkai. Not that ridiculously stubborn, hard arsed, old woman. She is a woman, the woman Yusuke respects more than any other. Not that he'd tell her that. She can't be gone, not after what happened at the dark tournament.
Why won't she move?
The others are yelling. His brain tells him that Kurama has been released. That Makatashi is leaving, but he can't tear his eyes away. Why does she have to look so... broken? Wet, his face is wet. Tears, but why is he crying. There is no reason to cry, she's going to get up right?
She's cold. When did he move toward her? It doesn't matter. Her skin is way too cool, it should be warmer.Dammit Grandma move! But, it slowly damns on him as Botan steps toward him. She's wearing her pink kimono... Yusuke doesn't think he's ever hated it more. She's holding her oar, and he fights the urge to break it.
Her eyes are red and puffy. She's crying just as hard as he is, maybe harder; she knows what she has to do. She won't let anyone else take on that responsibility. She'd told him once, it's an honor to be the one to comfort the souls she carries, especially those of friends, that way she knows it was done right. A very important and honorable job. She's getting way too close.
She kneels down in front of him, and he realizes that he's clutching onto the body tight enough to trap the soul inside. Her eyes are serious and sad at the same time. She's choosing her words, he knows he should let go but... his arms won't move. Botan opens her mouth, and he knows that he has lost even though he never got a chance to fight. Maybe that's the worst. He'll never get a chance to fight what is happening. Grandma wouldn't have wanted him to anyway. Goddamn stubborn old bat!
"Yusuke, she lived a long and very fulfilled life. It's time to let her go."
His arms tighten, crushing her small form, but then... ever so slowly, he loosens his grip. He can feel that free and wonderful spirit leave, head toward Botan. Botan clasps his shoulder for a moment before standing up. She sits on her oar and as she starts to fly away Yusuke could swear he saw her...
She was smiling at them.
Genkai is dead.
***
Kurama slumped, grasping the dirt that should have been Kuro's body. The blood is still soaked into it. He can still smell the Chimera, it coats everything around him. The smell is enough to be overpowering and dizzying. The smell of air rushing past you at a high speed, the smell of treetops grazing your feet, the smell of birds that you pass by, the smell of a lover holding his fox so very close to his chest, of lazy mornings spent in bed deep underground, of sweat, of passion, of sweet kisses, the smell of his longest lover... the smell he'll never know again. That thought makes everything hurt. He takes in as much of it as he can, despite becoming nearly ill. He doesn't move away. He doesn't move at all.
Shura, Genkai, and Kuro. His Mother, Rika, Ryat, Anji, and Reamy. Countless family members, and their friends that tried to defend them. Not to mention those manipulated into doing his bidding, and all those killed by them. Blood, rivers and rivers of blood shed by this single individual. With each motion he makes the blood grows. He'd tried to kill Hiei.
He'd tried to kill Hiei.
One would think, it would be hatred rolling through the kitsune at this point. No. For some reason all the hatred he had felt toward this being up until now has... melted away. There is sorrow, pain, and most certainly anger. Hatred though, means that he still cares about the individual that he is hating. Kurama realizes that in his own way, he has cared about Makatashi. Perhaps as the only constant, the only solid presence that gave his life a constant. That is gone now. There is no caring for the constant presence in his life. Something else fills that void. There is resolution.
"Fox."
A firm resolution now, one that Kuronue has given him.
"Fox?"
With his last dieing breath, Kuronue has given him purpose.
"FOX!"
And Kurama rises.
Hiei stands before him. His partner, his friend, and so much more.
"I'll kill him." They all turn, utterly shocked by the statement. Was it what he said or the lack of hatred behind the statement? True, he has never voiced a plan to kill someone, such things always go unsaid. But the statement is completely necessary in his mind. Perhaps they do not understand.
"I will kill Makatashi." Again the stares, the quiet misunderstanding. "His purpose was to kill me, and while I hated him for that, it is not the reason. He did not have to slay so many others. There is too much blood on his hands." The dirt falls from his fingers; dirt soaked in Kuro's blood. He feels oddly calm as he walks away. He knows his aura is reeling in sorrow, and he feels that sorrow, but something keeps him calm. It is not his masks, for they shattered. It is something else.
There are quiet steps behind him. Kurama knows who it is, expected him even. The presence is at once painful and comforting. Painful for too many reasons that all interlock in too many ways to convey. Comforting for the obvious reason. They walk in silence for a time. Silence has always been welcome between them, it is no stranger. The farther he walks however the more the feeling grows in his chest that his shadow wishes for them to speak. Odd, how very ironic.
"Yes Hiei?" He does not stop or turn around. He knows he is heard.
"Why?" The man sounds terribly confused.
"Why what, specifically Hiei?" Hiei knows that he asked several 'whys' at once, and Kurama wants to know where to begin. But his voice is failing him at the moment. Kurama takes it upon himself. "To protect you. She thought you should live. Don't waste her gift Hiei." The pain in his chest increases at his partner's admission. When had the old hag grown so fond of him? "It is not for you to judge whether she was right or wrong in her decision Hiei. Merely to accept it and move on." Damn Fox might as well have telepathy.
Hiei opens his mouth again, and out comes a 'Hn' instead of what he wanted.
Kurama seems to understand anyway. "I feel I cannot answer that one Hiei. While I know the reason why he did it, I don't think I'm ready to accept it. Perhaps at a later time. As for your last. Yes, I do intend to kill him. I will kill him. I don't hate him anymore. He simply does not need to exist and Inari has chosen me to be rid the word of him. As her messenger I cannot ignore her call. What Mother used to tell me all those years ago makes sense now. He will be back and he will die. I cannot tell you anymore than that I am afraid."
Hiei doesn't know what to say to that. So they keep walking; it is something to do. To where or how long they walk is unknown, the important thing is that they are. They walk and think and care nothing about destination. Perhaps they do so in the knowledge that there are others, others that were close to them, that can no longer do so. They think, they are moving...
They are alive.
***
As her body disappears under the dirt, her soul long gone, Yusuke reflects. Yes, that's right, reflects. As in, the thinking thing again. He's been doing that way to often for his own good.
His mentor and teacher, she is gone. She died to protect another, a vicious little fire demon. Oh the irony. Genkai, known to have slain demons all over, feared for it even in Makai, died to protect one of the most powerful demons that has ever terrorized the Ningenkai. She would have laughed at it, hell, she probably is. But Yusuke can't seem to find the humor for himself.
Fox-boy had already sworn to take Makatashi's life. Yusuke knows that the right belongs to the red-head that had suffered far worse under that bastards hands than anyone else. Despite this, Yusuke wishes the right were his. Even though it will be Fox-boy to kill Makatashi as it is his responsibility, Yusuke will do anything he can to help. Grandma would be proud to hear that. She'd tell him he is finally growing some maturity. Then she'd put him through some hellish training. Yes, He'd give it everything, just like she taught him.
Just for her.
***
Shiori stares out the window of the temple. So much had happened today. The kindly old woman had died. He son's old partner had died. Her son had nearly died. All because of that horrible man.
She was told that the temple now belongs to the group that makes up her son's friends. To be used to help demons move flawlessly and peacefully into the Ningenkai. Shiori is sure that the little ice demoness will do everything in her power to insure that last request comes true. A pity, she had never really gotten to know the woman that everyone else seems to respect so much.
Her son has... changed. He actually plans to kill someone. While the knowledge does not truly jar her, after all, how much death has she seen recently? How many times has her son killed to protect her? That was not the problem. No. It was the way he said it. Pure responsibility.
Then he walked away.
When, she wonders, will he walk back?
And when, she wonders, will Makatashi come back?
_________________________________________________________________ _____________________
A/N: New chappie!!!
So um... yeah. Hiei didn't die. Genkai shoved him out of the way. She is dead. Kuronue is dead. Allow a pause, a moment of silence for two, utterly brilliant characters that deserved much better than the graves I put them in.
...
That important task finished. Yes, it's true, Kurama finally is set on killing Makatashi. The reason? He's lost his hatred of him. Yes, hating someone is in it's own way caring for them. You are giving them a very strong emotion, a power over you. Makatashi has lost that power over Kurama. With Kuro's death he has also lost his insight into Kurama's thoughts and feelings as well.
Hiei is having problems with the idea that someone else would die for him. He doesn't feel worthy.
Genkai was able to protect her children. Don't cry for her, she died with a smile. Besides you know she'd come back and beat you over the head for it anyway!
Yusuke is not happy. Enough said.
Please review!!!
-san: Mr. or Mrs.
-sama: Lord
-kun: Young man that is a friend
-chan: Female, young boy, or lover
Baka: idiot
Chimera: Half animal, half human in appearance.
Haha: Mother
Hai: Yes
Hiruseki: tear gem
Inari: Fox goddess
Jagan: Hiei's 3rd eye
Ki: Energy signal, spirit energy
Kitsune: Fox spirit
Makai: Demon world
Mazaku: Type of demon that Yusuke is
Ne: Right?
Ningen: Human
Ningenkai: Human world
Oona: Woman
Reikai: Spirit world
Sakura Tree: cherry tree
Tantei: Detectives
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho nor any of its characters. They belong to Yoshihiro Togashi. The plot and original characters of this fic, are however, mine.
Loss
Small, so incredible small and frail.
Yusuke's eyes told him, but his mind refused to acknowledge it.
Genkai took the blow for Hiei. Genkai is... She just, shoved him aside. Her body is old, and a blow like that was enough to kill the fully powered up fire demon. Simply put, there is no way that she could possibly still be... But no, not Genkai. Not that ridiculously stubborn, hard arsed, old woman. She is a woman, the woman Yusuke respects more than any other. Not that he'd tell her that. She can't be gone, not after what happened at the dark tournament.
Why won't she move?
The others are yelling. His brain tells him that Kurama has been released. That Makatashi is leaving, but he can't tear his eyes away. Why does she have to look so... broken? Wet, his face is wet. Tears, but why is he crying. There is no reason to cry, she's going to get up right?
She's cold. When did he move toward her? It doesn't matter. Her skin is way too cool, it should be warmer.Dammit Grandma move! But, it slowly damns on him as Botan steps toward him. She's wearing her pink kimono... Yusuke doesn't think he's ever hated it more. She's holding her oar, and he fights the urge to break it.
Her eyes are red and puffy. She's crying just as hard as he is, maybe harder; she knows what she has to do. She won't let anyone else take on that responsibility. She'd told him once, it's an honor to be the one to comfort the souls she carries, especially those of friends, that way she knows it was done right. A very important and honorable job. She's getting way too close.
She kneels down in front of him, and he realizes that he's clutching onto the body tight enough to trap the soul inside. Her eyes are serious and sad at the same time. She's choosing her words, he knows he should let go but... his arms won't move. Botan opens her mouth, and he knows that he has lost even though he never got a chance to fight. Maybe that's the worst. He'll never get a chance to fight what is happening. Grandma wouldn't have wanted him to anyway. Goddamn stubborn old bat!
"Yusuke, she lived a long and very fulfilled life. It's time to let her go."
His arms tighten, crushing her small form, but then... ever so slowly, he loosens his grip. He can feel that free and wonderful spirit leave, head toward Botan. Botan clasps his shoulder for a moment before standing up. She sits on her oar and as she starts to fly away Yusuke could swear he saw her...
She was smiling at them.
Genkai is dead.
***
Kurama slumped, grasping the dirt that should have been Kuro's body. The blood is still soaked into it. He can still smell the Chimera, it coats everything around him. The smell is enough to be overpowering and dizzying. The smell of air rushing past you at a high speed, the smell of treetops grazing your feet, the smell of birds that you pass by, the smell of a lover holding his fox so very close to his chest, of lazy mornings spent in bed deep underground, of sweat, of passion, of sweet kisses, the smell of his longest lover... the smell he'll never know again. That thought makes everything hurt. He takes in as much of it as he can, despite becoming nearly ill. He doesn't move away. He doesn't move at all.
Shura, Genkai, and Kuro. His Mother, Rika, Ryat, Anji, and Reamy. Countless family members, and their friends that tried to defend them. Not to mention those manipulated into doing his bidding, and all those killed by them. Blood, rivers and rivers of blood shed by this single individual. With each motion he makes the blood grows. He'd tried to kill Hiei.
He'd tried to kill Hiei.
One would think, it would be hatred rolling through the kitsune at this point. No. For some reason all the hatred he had felt toward this being up until now has... melted away. There is sorrow, pain, and most certainly anger. Hatred though, means that he still cares about the individual that he is hating. Kurama realizes that in his own way, he has cared about Makatashi. Perhaps as the only constant, the only solid presence that gave his life a constant. That is gone now. There is no caring for the constant presence in his life. Something else fills that void. There is resolution.
"Fox."
A firm resolution now, one that Kuronue has given him.
"Fox?"
With his last dieing breath, Kuronue has given him purpose.
"FOX!"
And Kurama rises.
Hiei stands before him. His partner, his friend, and so much more.
"I'll kill him." They all turn, utterly shocked by the statement. Was it what he said or the lack of hatred behind the statement? True, he has never voiced a plan to kill someone, such things always go unsaid. But the statement is completely necessary in his mind. Perhaps they do not understand.
"I will kill Makatashi." Again the stares, the quiet misunderstanding. "His purpose was to kill me, and while I hated him for that, it is not the reason. He did not have to slay so many others. There is too much blood on his hands." The dirt falls from his fingers; dirt soaked in Kuro's blood. He feels oddly calm as he walks away. He knows his aura is reeling in sorrow, and he feels that sorrow, but something keeps him calm. It is not his masks, for they shattered. It is something else.
There are quiet steps behind him. Kurama knows who it is, expected him even. The presence is at once painful and comforting. Painful for too many reasons that all interlock in too many ways to convey. Comforting for the obvious reason. They walk in silence for a time. Silence has always been welcome between them, it is no stranger. The farther he walks however the more the feeling grows in his chest that his shadow wishes for them to speak. Odd, how very ironic.
"Yes Hiei?" He does not stop or turn around. He knows he is heard.
"Why?" The man sounds terribly confused.
"Why what, specifically Hiei?" Hiei knows that he asked several 'whys' at once, and Kurama wants to know where to begin. But his voice is failing him at the moment. Kurama takes it upon himself. "To protect you. She thought you should live. Don't waste her gift Hiei." The pain in his chest increases at his partner's admission. When had the old hag grown so fond of him? "It is not for you to judge whether she was right or wrong in her decision Hiei. Merely to accept it and move on." Damn Fox might as well have telepathy.
Hiei opens his mouth again, and out comes a 'Hn' instead of what he wanted.
Kurama seems to understand anyway. "I feel I cannot answer that one Hiei. While I know the reason why he did it, I don't think I'm ready to accept it. Perhaps at a later time. As for your last. Yes, I do intend to kill him. I will kill him. I don't hate him anymore. He simply does not need to exist and Inari has chosen me to be rid the word of him. As her messenger I cannot ignore her call. What Mother used to tell me all those years ago makes sense now. He will be back and he will die. I cannot tell you anymore than that I am afraid."
Hiei doesn't know what to say to that. So they keep walking; it is something to do. To where or how long they walk is unknown, the important thing is that they are. They walk and think and care nothing about destination. Perhaps they do so in the knowledge that there are others, others that were close to them, that can no longer do so. They think, they are moving...
They are alive.
***
As her body disappears under the dirt, her soul long gone, Yusuke reflects. Yes, that's right, reflects. As in, the thinking thing again. He's been doing that way to often for his own good.
His mentor and teacher, she is gone. She died to protect another, a vicious little fire demon. Oh the irony. Genkai, known to have slain demons all over, feared for it even in Makai, died to protect one of the most powerful demons that has ever terrorized the Ningenkai. She would have laughed at it, hell, she probably is. But Yusuke can't seem to find the humor for himself.
Fox-boy had already sworn to take Makatashi's life. Yusuke knows that the right belongs to the red-head that had suffered far worse under that bastards hands than anyone else. Despite this, Yusuke wishes the right were his. Even though it will be Fox-boy to kill Makatashi as it is his responsibility, Yusuke will do anything he can to help. Grandma would be proud to hear that. She'd tell him he is finally growing some maturity. Then she'd put him through some hellish training. Yes, He'd give it everything, just like she taught him.
Just for her.
***
Shiori stares out the window of the temple. So much had happened today. The kindly old woman had died. He son's old partner had died. Her son had nearly died. All because of that horrible man.
She was told that the temple now belongs to the group that makes up her son's friends. To be used to help demons move flawlessly and peacefully into the Ningenkai. Shiori is sure that the little ice demoness will do everything in her power to insure that last request comes true. A pity, she had never really gotten to know the woman that everyone else seems to respect so much.
Her son has... changed. He actually plans to kill someone. While the knowledge does not truly jar her, after all, how much death has she seen recently? How many times has her son killed to protect her? That was not the problem. No. It was the way he said it. Pure responsibility.
Then he walked away.
When, she wonders, will he walk back?
And when, she wonders, will Makatashi come back?
_________________________________________________________________ _____________________
A/N: New chappie!!!
So um... yeah. Hiei didn't die. Genkai shoved him out of the way. She is dead. Kuronue is dead. Allow a pause, a moment of silence for two, utterly brilliant characters that deserved much better than the graves I put them in.
...
That important task finished. Yes, it's true, Kurama finally is set on killing Makatashi. The reason? He's lost his hatred of him. Yes, hating someone is in it's own way caring for them. You are giving them a very strong emotion, a power over you. Makatashi has lost that power over Kurama. With Kuro's death he has also lost his insight into Kurama's thoughts and feelings as well.
Hiei is having problems with the idea that someone else would die for him. He doesn't feel worthy.
Genkai was able to protect her children. Don't cry for her, she died with a smile. Besides you know she'd come back and beat you over the head for it anyway!
Yusuke is not happy. Enough said.
Please review!!!
-san: Mr. or Mrs.
-sama: Lord
-kun: Young man that is a friend
-chan: Female, young boy, or lover
Baka: idiot
Chimera: Half animal, half human in appearance.
Haha: Mother
Hai: Yes
Hiruseki: tear gem
Inari: Fox goddess
Jagan: Hiei's 3rd eye
Ki: Energy signal, spirit energy
Kitsune: Fox spirit
Makai: Demon world
Mazaku: Type of demon that Yusuke is
Ne: Right?
Ningen: Human
Ningenkai: Human world
Oona: Woman
Reikai: Spirit world
Sakura Tree: cherry tree
Tantei: Detectives
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho nor any of its characters. They belong to Yoshihiro Togashi. The plot and original characters of this fic, are however, mine.