Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Lost and Found ❯ Cristmas in Hell/14-December ( Chapter 9 )

Chapter 9: Christmas In Hell/14 months-December

Shuichi woke to the annoying call of the guards. After spending four months in the hellish prison she had gotten used to the calls and nightly noises. Her first night there she woke to find demons trying to sneak in to see what she had brought and see if it was any use to them. She quickly chased them out and threatened anyone who tried to come in her hut a slow and painful death. People left her alone after that.

Getting up she wrapped Rahne around her hip with a blanket she managed to pilfer from a stupid demon. She also stole clothes for her and Rahne from people who had died to over night from the cold or sickness. She also learned to be quick in taking what she needed or others will get there first.

She called the seeds that she had planted around the hut to protest their small dwelling. When she was done she walked to the feeding area. She wasn't surprised to see the long line at the food stand. It was normal. You get there as fast as you could or you don't get feed. She had spent the first week without food till she made her new schedule. Now she went by it pretty well.

"Hey! Let go!"

Shuichi looked around to find a black haired human trying to protect her meager bowl of food from three demons.

"Give us your food and maybe you'll live," said one demon.

"No! My brother's sick! It's for him, he's hungry!" yelled the girl.

"We're all hungry."

"Yes, we are," said Shuichi walking toward them. She didn't like watching a girl loose her food to a couple of bullies. "And hunger can make us do stupid things. Leave her alone."

"What gives you the right to tell us what to do," growled a demon. He took out a roughly made knife and advanced toward her, his friends followed suit. Shuichi took Rahne from her hip and handed her to the girl.

"Hold her for a second," she said and faced the demons. The three surrounded her in a triangle and she took out a Leaf Blade, willing it to be a sword.

"You won't stand a chance," chuckle the demon with the knife.

"We'll see."

They attacked. She easily dodged their uncoordinated attacks and attacked back. In less than a minute one was missing a head, another had a sliced stomach and one was missing and arm.

"Leave," she said and the demon used his only arm to drag his friend away. Shuichi dropped the blade and retrieved her daughter, wrapping her with the blanket.

"Thank you," said the girl, "I'm Shinken."*

"My name is Shuichi. Where are your parents?"

"They died years ago. It's just me and my brother, Shinta."

"Take me to your brother. Maybe I can help."

"But what about your . . ."

"I've gone longer and my daughter's still young. Take me to him."

Shinken nodded and lead her to where she lived. Shuichi was disgusted at what she saw. Shinken and her brother lived in a ragged tent, holes and patches decorated the sides and it looked like it would fall in a second.

Shinken crawled through the flap and Shuichi followed suit. Inside was a boy about sixteen with brown hair under the dirt and such. His face was pale and he breathed raspy. Around him were all the blankets and clothes his sister managed to get him.

"Shinta," said Shinken walking toward her brother, "I've brought food and someone to help."

"Shinken, is that you?" croaked Shinta opening a steel grey eye.

"Yes brother, it's me and I've brought someone to help you!"

"Don't need nobody."

"You're wrong, kid," said Shuichi. "You have freeze fever and without my help die."

"But it's just a cold!" exclaimed Shinken.

"It starts out like that but as it develops it gets worse. Only on expert healer can see it and he's lucky you found me in the early stages. If not then I couldn't help him."

"Please help him!"

"No," said Shinta taking his sister's hand, "don't need no help from a demon."

"Then how about from a human," said Shuichi and she changed into her human form. She was still a girl without the reverse seed and she kept her only stash in her den. Now she wished she kept one on her person.

"What are you," gasped Shinken.

"A friend. Now let me see your brother." She checked his forehead and heart rate. "He's burning up. We need to break his fever. Shinken, do you know how to start a fire?"

"Yes!"

"Start one and put as many large rocks you can find near it. When they're heated wrap them in blankets. Do it!"

Shinken nodded and ran outside. In a few minutes a fire was started and large rocks were piled around it. When there ready Shinken and Shuichi wrapped them in blankets and placed them around Shinta.

"Take this bowl and melt some snow. Bring it in to help break the fever." Shinken went to do what Shuichi said. In a few minutes they placed a wet warm rag on Shinta's head.

"Will he be okay now," asked Shinken.

"We'll see in the morning. Say. Do you know what day it is?"

"What day is it?"

"It's Christmas Eve!"

"It is? We used to celebrate Christmas sometimes but we last track of the days."

"I haven't. Demons have sort of internal chronometers. We know what day it is and what time it is."

"How can we celebrate Christmas? There's no presents, no decorations."

"You don't need those to celebrate a holiday. Christmas is about being with your family and those you care about."

"Really?"

"Yeah. We can get ready to celebrate in the morning. You're tired."

"Okay." And she fell asleep next to her brother. Shuichi found an extra blanket and found a spot to lie, knowing the children needed her more than her hut. In no time she was asleep with Rahne beside her.

*********

Shuichi woke from a pleasant dream. As always it was filled of home and of her friends but she knew it wasn't real. It was a life that was long past.

`We can always go back,' said Youko.

`No,' she said. `That life died a long time ago.'

`You cannot change who you are. You are no more a youko than you are human.'

`What do you mean by that?' But Youko was silent. Shuichi heard a soft moan and flicked a silver ear in the direction of the sound, Shinken was waking up. Shuichi crawled over to Shinta and checked his forehead. Several times that night she removed the rocks and reheated them at the fire and kept the embers burning.

"How is he?" asked Shinken. She sat up to look at the silver fox.

"His fever is broken, he will be fine."

Shinken's tears flowed from her face when Shuichi gave her conclusion.

"This is better than any present," said the twelve year old, giggling and laughing at her brother's recovered health.

"But he will need to rest s few days more," said Shuichi. "And when he's better you can move in with me."

"Really?"

"As great a job your brother is doing at protecting you, you still need a guardian and I have more room at my place."

"Sure, if Shinta does!"

"While we wait for him to wake up we'll get ready to celebrate tonight and make this gloomy camp a little brighter."

And they went around collecting wood and telling people of the party that night. A lot refused but some said they would think about it. That night they built up their little fire till it was roaring. A few people came but the ones who refused were protesting on why they wanted to celebrate Christmas when tidings weren't good.

"Have you forgotten what Christmas is about?" yelled Shuichi over the crowd. "Christmas isn't about the decorations or the gifts, it's about being with your loved one's and thanking the Lord for the gift of His Son!"

"God never done anything good for us," yelled a person.

"Are you that ignorant to go against our religion?! Have you given up on God because you're in this hell?! Maybe if we work hard enough we can turn this hell into something that can lift our spirits. We just have to take it one step at a time!"

Shuichi stopped as her ears picked up a soft voice singing. It was soft and hesitant at first but grew more courageous. Everyone stopped shouting as the sweet voice rose. Shuichi looked at the small singer.

"Away in a manger no crib for a bead," sang Shinken, "the little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head. The stars in the heavens looked down where He lay. The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay."

As she sang others joined her till the whole crowd was singing along. People put in more wood to build up the fire and all night long they sang songs and played games. One man found a Bible he had saved and read from it. Soon the gloomy camp seemed brighter.

***********
*Shinken: Nam of a sword stance "Sword that Believes"

I thought the name fight perfectly with her. As you can tell I made this chapter during the holidays. I kind of like it.