Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Rose Red ❯ Reappearance ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: I do own any Yu Yu Hakusho character.

A Note: I was always fascinated with Youko Kurama and his alter Shuuichi Minamino. They're like two sides of a coin, the light and dark; and yet, Shuuichi IS the Youko, so he in turn must still possess some of that darkness from his former demon self, correct? Afterall, he still basically possesses the power of a nature spirit. What if it was there all the time, the personality of the Youko? What if he were keeping it surpressed in his guise as Shuuichi? We all know that Kurama has tremendous control and patience, but what if something happened to break that control? What follows could be a psychological disaster wrought with maturity, personal growth, and pain.

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Rose Red: Chapter one

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`..And the maiden ran through the forest. And the Kitsune saw her, and wanted her for himself..'

They were being followed.

He could sense it as plain as day, although the two humans seemed oblivious to it.

Hiei's eyes flicked towards him briefly, confirming his suspicions. Yes, they were most definitely being followed; but by whom? And why?

He decided to wait. Hiei didn't seem too concerned, and the humans Yuusuke and Kurama had yet to even NOTICE. If that was any indication, then whatever it was probably wasn't all that much of a threat. He smiled.

`Perhaps it's just a curious demon.'

Most of the demons he'd met previously had been cruel; usually after some sort of power or out to cause pain. Since becoming human, his perception of such things had been greatly dulled, so he had no idea as of yet just what the motives of this particular demon were.

And yet his interest was piqued, so he decided to wait a bit before acting. Patience was something of which he had a great abundance.

"So what now?," Yuusuke wondered aloud, glaring at his surroundings.

"We've been walking around this stupid place for HOURS!!," Kuwabara whined. "When are we gonna get to the fighting?!"

Hiei snorted. "Please. You of all people should be THANKFUL for the lack of fighting seeing as how YOU'D be the one to LOOSE."

Kuwabara glared. "Oh you're just *asking* for it, short stuff-"

"Don't make me laugh."

"Ok, that's IT!!!!! Spirit Swor-"

Yuusuke shoved Kuwabara away, glaring daggers at the two.

"Come on CHILDREN! I'm not here to baby-sit, dammit!!! Hiei, stop provoking Kuwabara! And Kuwabara, stop being so damned STUPID!!!"

"Not an easy task for him," Hiei remarked dryly. Kuwabara stiffened.

"Why you-"

Kurama smiled. Those two were intolerable. And as much as Hiei would deny it, the human got under his skin more than he'd like to admit. Unconsciously he glanced behind him, fingers going absently to his flaming red hair.

"If you keep doing that, it's going to realize we're aware of it's presence." Hiei murmured quietly. Kurama jerked forward, eyes darting sharply to the shorter demon's. He hadn't realized he'd been glancing back so much.

"Sorry," he said softly.

"Hey, what are you two whispering about?!" Kuwabara demanded. Hiei rolled his eyes, not even bothering to grace him with an answer. They were currently in Makai's castle, in search of the four Saint Beasts. About ten minutes earlier the four had barely escaped the Gate of Betrayal, but now they were in a long dark corridor.

"Are you guys talking about that person who's been following us?" Both Hiei and Kurama looked surprised. Yuusuke looked confused.

"Huh? What are you talking about? You mean we were being followed and NOBODY told me?!" He looked slightly hurt. Hiei crossed his arms and studied Kuwabara.

"So," he quipped, "You actually had the brains to realize we were being trailed…I'm *mildly* impressed." Kuwabara beamed with pride.

"I could sense the energy with my spirit power," he revealed with a grin. But then Hiei continued.

"Too bad you weren't smart enough to keep your MOUTH shut." Kurama silently agreed. Already the figure was retreating back into the shadows, it's presence fading. He'd hoped that they'd have some sort of element of surprise on their side, but apparently that wasn't going to happen, now.

"You just SHUT UP, Hiei," Kuwabara replied huffily, but Hiei was already goine, melting swiftly into the shadows. A moment later he returned, throwing a green cloaked figure to the ground before them. The two humans looked on in shock as Hiei glared down.

"We'll have to kill it, ofcourse" he exclaimed matter-of-factly while drawing his sword and aiming it purposefully down at the figure. "But first, why don't' you tell us who you are? I'd like to have a name before I kill you."

"HEY! Hold on!!!," Yuusuke started, but Kurama shook his head. He was curious to know about this as well. They were in the Makai, so obviously this person was a demon of sorts; perhaps even a servant of the Saint Beasts themselves. But something was nagging at the back of his mind..something that seemed vaguely familiar, oddly intriguing. His demon half was reacting strongly to this person, and he crossed his arms in an effort to calm himself.

With the blade of his sword, Hiei reached over and flung the hood back, revealing a mass of wavy dark hair. Yuusuke and Kuwabara, who were facing the person, gasped in shocked surprise.

"It's a GIRL!!!," Kuwabara grinned widely. "Urameshi!!!! You didn't tell me that there were GIRLS in this place," he accused.

"That's cuz I didn't KNOW Einstein!!," replied Yuusuke furiously. The figure's back was facing him, preventing Kurama from seeing the face. But his pulse began to quicken, and he felt himself grow oddly impatient.

Hiei rolled his eyes. "Shut UP you freaks! It doesn't matter WHAT she is because in about ten seconds she'll be DEAD anyway." He raised his sword, glaring down. "Now. Tell me, girl. Why were you following us?" The girl didn't answer, looking down at her gloved hands then back up again towards the humans. And then,

"Which one of you is called Yuusuke?" Her voice sounded young; wistfull; small. It reminded him of days long ago. It was a voice Kurama remembered. A voice he dreamt about late at night. He stepped forward slightly, standing just behind the girl.

"I'm him," Yuusuke stepped forward, glossy black hair shining in the flickering lights of the torches that lined the walls. "Now how did you know my name?"

The girl smiled, the corners of her mouth going up happily, revealing a dimple in her left cheek.

"Everyone knows of the boy who defeated Randau," she said simply.

Kuwabara grinned slyly. "Y'know, he defeated Hiei here, too." Hiei frowned.

"Very good observation," the fire demon remarked steadily, looking at the girl but talking at Kuwabara. "But had she said that, she would have been dead." He turned his full attention back to the girl. "Not that I've changed my mind about killing you, that is. Now why were you following us?" She ignored Hiei, gazing almost desperately now at Yuusuke.

"Yuusuke Urameshi? The great demon killer. I've been searching for you ever since I've heard of Randau's defeat. I was wondering if...I mean, I needed you to-"

"On NO!" Yuusuke cut her off, shaking his head. He could guess where THIS was headed. "I'm not getting involved in *any more* demon dealings if I can help it!! And besides; I don't even KNOW you!!! How do I know you aren't some crazy demon chick sent by some psycho to kill me?!!" he crossed his arms in finality.

The girl looked stricken. "Please!!! You don't understand!!!" And she sounded so desperate that Yuusuke looked startled. Her eyes filled, and in the dark it was almost impossible to tell what color they were. Kuwabara blushed.

"Um..hey. I could help you. I'm just as good as Urameshi, y'know. Probably better, too-" Yuusuke glared.

"You big LIAR!!! You are NOT!!!"

"Well at least I'm not the one making girls cry!!!!"

"I *didn't*!!! And anyways she's not a girl; she's a DEMON-" Kuwabara ignored him, kneeling down and leaning forward.

"Who are you anyway?," he asked kindly. And she gave him a shy smile before opening her mouth to answer. But someone beat her to it.

"Toriko."

He felt everyone's eyes on him, but he kept his own glued to the figure on the floor. He watched silently as her body gave the slightest tremble. And then she turned.

She was exactly the same. Exactly the same as she had been the last time he'd seen her. Well, almost. The wings were missing of course, and she was dressed differently. The white streaks that ran through her hair were gone as well. But the hair itself..the hair was the same dark color, the same onyx black that he remembered from so long ago. It still hung in dark bouncing ringlets cradling a heart shaped face. A face that still held some of the reminisces of youthfulness. He was shocked to discover how young she still looked; how young her *eyes* still seemed. Eyes that, had they been in the light, would have been a beautiful violet blue. But now those eyes held fear; wariness; BITTERNESS. Bitterness of HIM.

Ofcourse, she didn't recognize him *physically*; he had changed too much for THAT. He was nearly a foot shorter, and both his voice and body were different. His hair was now a shocking red instead of the shimmery silver she remembered, his eyes a warm emerald green instead of the piercing ice gold. And his lips; they didn't hold the cruel twist he so often used to wear. They were gentler now, less severe. But no matter what his form, there was no denying his grace, the way he carried himself so calmly…so precisely.

She remembered that preciseness, he knew. Remembered his coldness, his cruelty. And he could stop the faint heat that spread through him. Couldn't stop the look of darkened desire that came to his eye.

It was the Youko, of course. He himself had changed. He was Shuuichi Minamino, the 16 year old model humun with the rose red hair, and the leaf green eyes that glowed like emeralds in the sun. He was nicer now; he held compassion for others, something he had learned in his 16 years as a human. But somewhere deep within him he could feel the essence of his true self resurfacing of his buried. He could feel the Youko.

And at the moment, he feared it would break free.

They stood like that, for what seemed like an eternity; him staring calmly into her eyes, and she trapped in his gaze like a deer caught in headlights. But then she suddenly broke loose, standing clumbsily and backing away. Beside him, Hiei raised an eyebrow. "I take it you two know each other." It wasn't a question.

"Yes. She's my - I mean, we're…old acquaintances, you see." Kurama smiled, looking almost apologetic when she grimaced. He'd caught himself before the words left his lips, the words he'd meant to say, words he'd ALMOST said. But unspoken they hung between them as loud as any voice could utter.

`She's my pet.'

Her eyes widened, and he knew she was remembering as well, though her memories were considerably less pleasant. He wanted to make her understand, to assure her that he was NOTHING like he had been back then, that hew as truly sorry for the things that he'd done to her. Back then he'd been a great displeasure to ANYONE who crossed his path or captured his attention, and unfortunately for her, she'd done both.

He forgot about Yuusuke then; forgot about Hiei and Kuwabara, forgot about the mission. Forgot about everything except the delicate retreating figure before him.

And once again he became the Youko.

`Are you walking away from me, little one?'

She froze, hearing his mental voice as clear as if he had spoken it. But it wasn't HIS voice she heard, it wasn't Shuuichi Minamino, but the Youko. Suddenly she straightened, apparently deciding to ignore him. Deciding to see him through his new form, his HUMAN form, which looked utterly and completely harmless in comparison to that of his alter. His human guise, with it's effeminate limbs and androgynous stance. He felt himself grow vaguely amused. Appearances were most definitely deceiving, something of which she had obviously still yet to learn in the past centuries. But she was still a child afterall - at least in demon standings. His amusement grew, and surprise suddenly blossomed within him. Surprise at the fact that even after all this time she could still manage to amuse him.

"Earth to Kurama…you there?," he was jolted back to reality by the somewhat annoyed voice of Yuusuke, who was giving him an odd look. He shot the boy a bemused glance.

"Of course. We should get going." And he turned, hands in his pockets, eyes lowered with a mysterious half smile on his face. He looked for all the world completely indifferent to the girl's arrival. But on the inside he was reeling. What possible reason could she have for seeking out Yuusuke? It was obvious that she hadn't expected to see him here. Probably she hadn't expected to see him ever again.

`Calm down, Kurama.'

It wouldn't do to get all worked up about it. Besides, she was never good at keeping secrets, and he was sure that she'd slip up sooner or later, and then everything would be revealed.

There was a sudden loud gruff laugh. Immediately all four boys snapped back to attention.

"You've come THIS far," it said, the texture of it's voice reminding Kurama of a dry barren land.

"There is a door to your left. Enter it!" And then the voice went silent, it's dry heedy laughter echoing throughout the long corridors.

"Okay this is seriously freakin' me out!!," Kuwabara exclaimed nervously. Yuusuke nodded slightly. Behind them, a ways off, the girl stood by uncertainly. Hiei snorted, crossing his arms and disinterestedly stepping towards the door. Kurama and Yuusuke followed, after a moment Kuwabara sauntered after them, looking about nervously.

The room was dark, and Kurama could barely make out his surroundings with his human eyes. The lone torch on the wall helped little; what minimal light it gave off seemed to be completely consumed by the darkness around it. Stepping forward, he wrinkled his nose at the faint decaying odor which laced the room.

"Greetings." The voice spoke suddenly. The same voice they'd heard before. That gravely low voice that rumbled like thunder over the desert.

"Where the hell ARE you?!" Yuusuke shouted, looking around futily. The voice seemed amused then, laughing softly. And then it stepped forward, Kurama's ears picking up the shuffling of heavy feet against stone. And then he saw it.

It was a monster. That was the only thing he could describe it as. Ofcourse, he'd seen worse things, but never had he seen this particular TYPE of creature. It was made entirely of rock as far as he could tell, which would explain why it's voice sounded so dry and gravel-like. Behind him, he could hear the shock of the others.

The thing laughed, seemingly enjoying their reactions.

"I am Genbu," it stated. "Over there is the entrance to the saint beasts lair. You can either go through it…or be dragged there…once I've KILLED you!

Kuwabara quaked.

"H-he's a ROCK Urameshi!!!!!! How are we supposed to fight a ROCK?!" Kurama smiled, stepping forward and to the shock of them all, spoke four words.

"I will fight him."

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