Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Kuwabarra's life lesson number three hundred thirty six ❯ Chapter 1

AN: entry in mediaminer's May maximum challenge drabble contest

 

Drabbles must be between 100 and 500 words long.

The Story Type must be "Vignette"

The theme for the contest is "Lessons Learned"

 

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho, Yoshihiro Togashi does. This is a work of fan fiction not to be mistaken for an official part of that property.

 

An: I am kind of pulling this one from the hammer space behind my back so I don't know when or if it fits into the cannon of the series, so just go with it ok?

 

 

 

 

Thinking it over, that last goodbye he had said to his three closest friends seemed kind of final. Then Kuwabara realized it. It was a simple fact that he had overlooked `til then. Not that he hadn't overlooked lots of stuff in his lifetime; even he had to admit that. Hiei delighted in pointing out things he had missed in his perfectly annoying little shrimpy way. But this was a fundamental truth he hadn't seen until now. Truth was he was going to be alone for the rest of his life. Not alone as in a hermit or monk who chose to be off by themselves to find the greater meaning of life; but alone as in a piece to a different puzzle than the one that is being put together at the moment. It took the air out of him.

 

He was too strong, had fought too hard and too often, to go back to a normal human way of life, but on the other hand his friends were a part of an entirely different reality now. They were probably fighting against opponents he couldn't hope to stand against and if they weren't killed, they would probably outlive him by decades if not centuries. They had no doubt decided to leave him behind so they didn't have to watch him wither and age.

 

And what about Yukina? Dear, sweet Yukina, who he loved so much, could never be his wife. He couldn't ask her to stand by his side and then break her heart by leaving her so soon. It would all take place in the blink of an eye in a demon's lifespan.

 

He sighed heavily, leaning against the wall, trying to figure out what to do about this new awareness. As he stood there, pondering his sour fortune, he felt a familiar pressure against his shins. Looking down, he saw Eikichi, his cat, rubbing against him for attention. He reached down to fondle her ears and another thought hit him. His cat was getting older now, at three she was in her prime but before too long she would start to slow down and show her age. He sat down cross-legged on the floor and let her climb into his lap as he petted her. He knew she wouldn't live as long as he did but he wouldn't trade having known Eikichi for anything in the world. He was going to enjoy her company while he had it. And hey, maybe things could be that way between himself and his friends too. Put in that light, it was even possible things weren't completely hopeless with Yukina either.

 

“Thanks pal,” he said to the cat, patting her on the head with his large calloused hand, his mood improving greatly.

 

Eikichi looked at him and sniffed his finger, sneezing lightly she curled up on his legs for a nap.