Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Running From You ❯ Running Shoes ( Chapter 10 )

Chapter 10: Running Shoes

 

 

It was easy to usher Kurama out of the room with the threat of Hiei trying to kill the detective and Kuwabara. The red head chased Hiei to figure out what made the Koorime snap. Quickly, Keiko snuck into Akemi's bedroom to check on the girl with Yusuke right by her side.

 

“Akemi… Are you awake?” Keiko asked as she opened the door to the bedroom. Yusuke closed the door after he walked in, careful not to slam it shut. The girl was awake and just staring into the air at nothing. Keiko walked up to her and took her hand, trying to make Akemi snap back.

 

“Is she alright?” Yusuke questioned, hoping that the little girl he once knew was still in the existing shell of a young woman. Keiko sat at the edge of the bed and brushed Akemi's hair slowly, taking her time to pamper the girl. Yusuke walked up to the ivory haired girl and poked her, eliciting no reaction except anger from Keiko.

 

“I think she isn't doing so hot.” Keiko responded. Yusuke nodded and then looked at Keiko.

 

“I think I know what might help!” Yusuke rushed out of the room and minutes later, returned with the pink-haired master in tow. Genkai walked into the room and felt the heavy aura of depression almost knock her down. The girl in the bed wasn't really a girl anymore, and Genkai could sense the pain that plagued her.

 

“Genkai, can you help?” Yusuke asked the master. Genkai nodded and motioned for Keiko to get up so that she could have a look at Akemi. Keiko reluctantly moved away and let the older woman take care of the once little girl who she adored.

 

“I will need some time alone with Akemi, please wait outside for a bit.” Genkai spoke softly, so as not to indicate anything. Yusuke nodded and pulled Keiko out of the room and back to the kitchen where Yukina waited with Botan. Genkai looked at Akemi and sighed deeply. “Come back, Akemi. I can help you deal with her.” Genkai whispered, catching Akemi's lost attention. The girl's lilac eyes widened as she felt herself come back to life, feeling the tremendous pain again in her chest. Genkai smiled.

 

“Where did she go?” Akemi asked the older master. The Kioko inside her wanted to listen to what the woman had to say; wanted to believe in her. The skeptical new Akemi wanted answers without questions.

 

“She isn't coming back… but I can help you forget… that she ever existed…” Genkai whispered quietly, afraid that any one person would hear. Akemi looked up at the old woman with a sense of wonder and astonishment.

 

“You can make the pain… disappear?” Akemi gripped the bed sheets tighter with anticipation, her fists turning white. Genkai looked at the girl and sighed.

 

“Not me, but someone I know.” Genkai smiled and brushed the girl's hair out of her eyes. The girl nodded.

 

“Please… make this go away… I don't want to remember anything…” Akemi choked, trying not to cry all the tears that had welled up in her body. Genkai held the girl close to her and nodded, hoping that it would be strong enough to erase everything.

 

“Ohkay. I can't do it right now, but later tonight, I promise. I will fix this for you.” Genkai spoke softly and then held her finger up to her lips. Akemi nodded and sat back in the bed, pulling the cover over her shoulders and trying to sleep.

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ LATER THAT NIGHT ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

A shadow stepped out into the clearing as Genkai led Akemi out into the darkness of the forest surrounding the temple. Slowly the girl walked with the master, holding all her emotions in, waiting for them to disappear. Genkai sat the girl down on a tree stump.

 

“Close your eyes, Akemi. This will only take a few seconds.” Genkai told Akemi as she went to talk to the figure.

 

“I'm glad you came, I was worried you might change your mind.” The figure spoke to Genkai. The old woman sighed and looked towards the girl, whose heart was truly ready to forget everything she ever knew; even if it was a second of good in all the lies and pain.

 

“I want her to have a chance at a normal life. You know that if she stays with me, she never would have a chance. I need this from you, Koenma. She needs it.” Genkai spoke to the prince of the Spirit World. Koenma looked at the old woman and then at the girl; a small look of pity falling on his face.

 

“I've arranged for her to live with a family downtown. She will still be close by; I'm just warning you now.” Koenma added. Genkai nodded and stepped out of the way. Koenma rolled up the sleeves to his shirt and walked up behind Akemi, who didn't flinch or draw away. Genkai stepped in front of the girl and held her hands.

 

“Okay, Akemi, it's time. You still want this?” Genkai asked for the last time. Akemi nodded and closed her eyes. There was never going to be any pain worse than what was bottling up inside her as she waited. Koenma placed his hands on Akemi's head and a bright blue light appeared around the girl as the prince struggled to erase everything. “This isn't hurting her is it?” Genkai asked the prince.

 

“No. Not at all; she thinks she is falling asleep right now, into a deep sleep… There, done.” Koenma backed away from the girl and caught her in his arms as she slumped over, asleep. “I will take her over to the family's house. Don't worry, she will be safe.” Koenma promised as he picked up the girl in his arms and walked away with her. Genkai felt her heart break as she watched the prince walk away with the once little girl who charmed everyone.

 

“Good by Kioko. Good bye Akemi.” Genkai whispered into the night.

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ MEANWHILE, AT THE TEMPLE ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

 

“What do you mean she is GONE?!” Keiko screamed at the kitsune. Kurama fumed and searched the entire temple frantically, turning over all the furniture. Every sign of her had been erased. Her clothes weren't there, her hair brush was gone, even her bed was made up; as if she had never existed at all.

 

“You have to be joking fox! Tell me you are joking!” Yusuke begged. Kurama shook his head as he continued to search for the girl. Yukina looked frightened at all the chaos.

 

“Maybe she left us.” Yukina spoke softly, trying not to upset anyone. Kurama sighed and looked at the Koorime, hoping that no one would say that. He sat down on the floor and looked around the room.

 

“It's likely fox, you know that.” Hiei spoke. Yusuke glared at the Jaganshi, but Kurama nodded.

 

“It is. You are right.” Kurama said quietly. Keiko started to cry and grabbed tightly on to Yusuke, who didn't look happy at all. Slowly Kurama got up and went into the girl's old room, trying to find a clue to anything.

 

{Where did you go?}

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ AKEMI ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

 

She drifted in an out of consciousness as the cold flecks hit her skin frequently. Slowly she let herself wake, but didn't venture to open her eyes. There was nothing she recognized about this body, not a single thing she knew. It was gone. What ever she was before this moment, it was gone.

 

“Oh My GOD!” A voice cried out as light hit her face. The voice was deep and friendly, pulling her into the kindness it radiated. Warm arms enveloped her and a hot hand touched her forehead and then her neck to check for a pulse. It was there, and the arms lifted her up and pulled her into a warm place. “Ayame, there is a girl on our doorsteps! She's freezing, get some warm blankets!” The voice demanded of another person. It was moments before she felt the warmth of hot wash towels on her forehead and her hands, warming her up so she wouldn't freeze to death.

 

“Oh Hisashi, is she going to be okay?” A higher pitched voice asked of the deep voice. It was delicate, but strong in spirit. Her mind wandered before she tried to open her eyes. “Hisashi! She's opening her eyes!” The voice supposedly called Ayame called out. Slowly her eyes opened and she saw an older woman looked down at her. A man slowly looked over the woman's shoulder; his balding head reflecting the light.

 

“Hi there. Are you okay?” The man named Hisashi asked kindly. She looked at him and nodded, looked at her body for any marks. Hisashi had deep brown eyes that disguised their pupil with darkness; but they were warm, unlike what she thought they would be.

 

“What is your name young lady?” Ayame asked.

 

“I…I don't know…” She responded, unsure of what to call herself.

 

“Hmmmm. Well, we can't let you go around with no name. How about we give you one?” Hisashi asked her. She nodded and sat up slowly, looking at the older couple as they fawned over her. She let her attention wander over to a picture of a young girl with ivory hair and lilac eyes, smiling with a set of two boys behind her.

 

“Is that me?” She asked the couple while pointing to the picture. The couple looked at her and smiled.

 

“I've got it. Kyoko. Your new name is Kyoko. You remind me so much of our late daughter. Won't you stay here Kyoko?” Ayame asked. The girl looked at her and let the new name soak in. Kyoko. She had no idea where she was from, no idea how to get back and no idea if anyone was looking for her. It seemed the only rational idea.

 

“Yes ma'am.” Kyoko spoke, pushing her ivory hair behind her still semi-cold shoulders. Ayame sat on the bed and pulled Kyoko's hand into her own.

 

“Please, call me mom.”

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ NINE MONTHS LATER (OCTOBER) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

 

Kurama walked down the street, kicking the occasional leaf before him as they all fell to the ground. His spirit was low; the world in a constant state of dying. Slowly he made his way in the direction of the temple; to check on Yusuke and the rest of the gang. It had been months since he had left and gone to the Makai to find himself again after Akemi's disappearance. The air smelled sweeter to him then he remembered, even in a time when everything dies off. Kurama looked up and noticed a group of girls running towards him in high school cross-country uniforms. He chuckled as he thought about what school had been like when he left. There was no explanation or letter; he had just told his mother that he needed to take some time off. Shiori didn't fight him; it seemed like she just understood the heart break of losing something important.

 

“Hey, Ume, HURRY UP! Don't fall behind now!” A voice called out as the lead group of girls passed him. They giggled and a few looked behind to watch him in his melancholic state. Slowly two girls came running up as Kurama stepped up onto the temple steps. They kept jogging, one struggling to keep up, and the other slowing down to give support.

 

“Kyoko… you….are….the…BEST!” the slow girl exclaimed, almost out of breathe as the other girl encouraged her to do her best. Kurama watched as a head of ivory colored hair and lilac eyes passed him by. She turned her head and caught the boy staring at her. Kurama's heart swelled and he felt his body warm instantly. Kyoko turned her head around and continued to jog with the other girl, leaving the red-headed boy alone; but with hope.

 

“Akemi?” Kurama whispered into the Autumn air.

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ A WEEK LATER ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

Kurama waited again for the girl to show up with her group of jogging-crazy friends. She had come by every day at the same time for the last week. Kurama had first kept to himself, but managed to show up at the same time she did. He waited for her in anticipation, nervous at what she would say today. Her eyes were energetic and happy; unlike the girl she was when he had last seen her. He wondered why she never stopped to say hello, or why she never tried to come by at any other time. Kurama hadn't told Yusuke and Keiko about her yet, wanting to confirm that she was really Akemi. Slowly, there was a tap-tap-tap of running shoes on the pavement, signaling Akemi's return. Kurama waited on the steps of the temple, sitting there for her. When the footsteps stopped, Kurama's eyes widened. Slowly he pushed himself off the steps and moved forward to see where she went. His head rounded the corner when he saw her standing there, her arms on her hips as she panted. Kurama could feel the energy coming from her as she stayed put for a moment. It was his chance.

 

“Are you okay?” Kurama asked the Akemi look-alike. The girl looked up at him and nodded, still panting.

 

“Just…Working…Out….Season's…Almost& #8230;Done…” Kyoko spoke, looking at the red head she had seen every day this week. He always managed to beat her to the temple, even if she started out early in the day. She looked at his emerald eyes and smiled, guessing that she and he were about the same age.

 

“Looks like it may be really hard work. Do you want to sit down?” Kurama asked cordially, not sure why Akemi wasn't being friend to him.

 

{She knows me, right?}

 

{Maybe it isn't her?} Youko questioned.

 

“Mmmmkay…Sounds…Great.” Kyoko sat next to the boy and tried to breathe deeply. Kurama could feel his insides jump up and down. He longed to hold her, to hug her, to tell her that he had missed her so much that he had left everything he knew to try and forget she existed.

 

“So, what school do you attend?” Kurama spoke softly and sweetly. The girl drank some of the water she had in her hand. Slowly she pushed back her ivory bangs.

 

“Furabawashi. You?” The girl said quickly. Kurama debated about his answer.

 

“I attended Meiou, but then I went to study abroad.” Kurama settled back and focused on his supposed Akemi. She looked perfectly like the girl who was once Kioko. No longer was she an Elite, but now it seemed she was a high school student.

 

“Wow. That's an amazing school! What made you want to study abroad?” Kyoko asked the boy. His manner was saddening, like he was searching for something and hadn't found it yet.

 

“I lost someone really dear to me, and being here was too hard. I suppose it is a coward's way.” Kurama muttered, thinking about how he had just run away from the problem, instead of facing it together with the Tante.

 

“No. I don't think so. To be honest, I don't remember anything before last January. My adoptive parents found me outside their doorstep, with no memory of anything. Lucky for me, I'm a fast learner!” Kyoko laughed. Kurama's eyes widened with fear.

 

{She doesn't remember ANYTHING!?} Youko screamed.

 

{Oh.My.God.}

 

{What happened to her?!}

 

“Don't look so scared! It's okay! Sometimes I think it was a blessing in disguise. What if I had been really miserable? It would be a good think I forgot everything!” Kyoko smiled at the boy. He seemed unhappy with her answer, and she felt odd for telling him what was going on.

 

“I'm sure there are people who love you and are searching for you though.” Kurama spoke softly of himself.

 

“I'm sure there are. And they might find me. Or they might not. Either way, I'm happy where I am, and I'm sure I will be okay. Anyway, I have to go and finish my course! Bye…” Kyoko left a long pause so the boy would leave his name.

 

“Kurama.” The boy added.

 

“Kyoko.”

 

“Stop by soon, Kyoko.” Kurama waved as the girl ran away from him. It seemed all she was doing these days was running from him.

 

“Kurama!” Yusuke called to the kitsune from the top of the stairs. Kurama stood up and stopped, looking back for the once Akemi, who no longer existed.

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ INSIDE THE TEMPLE ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

Kurama cleared his throat, catching everyone's attention.

 

“I found her.” Kurama said softly, but loud enough to catch everyone's attention. Keiko and Yusuke looked directly at the fox, worried and confused.

 

“Akemi? You found her!?” Keiko asked passionately, ready to burst from the happiness.

 

“She has a new name. A new family. A new memory.” Kurama said sharply. Yusuke held Keiko back from trying to beat the information out of Kurama. Hiei looked at the fox and listened intently; he himself had wondered where the ningen had fled to.

 

“Where is she? Is she okay? Can we see her?” Yusuke asked. Kurama shook his head and sighed, trying not to be over taken with the raw emotion he was feeling.

 

“She doesn't remember any of us. Her name is Kyoko, and she is fine. I cannot believe how happy she is…” Kurama murmured.

 

“Nothing? You mean her entire memory is erased?” Kuwabara asked the kitsune, afraid of what it would mean for Yusuke; who had grown attached to the once little girl.

 

“At least she isn't in pain. That is the only important thing; that she is happy. I can live content with that…” Keiko pleaded with her own emotions. Yusuke held the girl close and nodded, knowing that it was a losing battle to try and win her back.

 

“She is happy; but we aren't.”

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ KYOKO ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

Kyoko looked at the picture of her and her adoptive brothers and compared it to the original Kyoko in the other picture. Ayame was in the other room, making plans for a night out with her adoptive brothers and Hisashi. The girl in the original picture was so carefree and happy, that sometimes it worried Kyoko that she would never be good enough to fill the hole that the original Kyoko had left. Ayame tapped on the bedroom door, slowly opening it to find Kyoko laying on her bed, staring at the photographs; judging them.

 

“What's wrong, Kyoko?” Ayame asked the girl. Kyoko raised her head and Ayame saw a sad pair of lilac eyes. The older woman walked in and motioned for Kyoko to scoot over on the bed to make room. Slowly Ayame ran her hands along Kyoko's beautiful ivory hair, careful not to get it caught in her fingers.

 

“I feel like I'm just replacing the original girl, Mama.” Kyoko shrugged and rolled over, trying to ignore what ever feeling was welling up inside her. Ayame touched Kyoko's shoulder lightly and sighed.

 

“You are never replacing anyone. You will always be my Kyoko, regardless of your real name or who ever comes looking for you. I will always love you; I want you to be happy. But I have this feeling, that maybe you are not really that happy here. Maybe there is something inside you that draws you to people who are looking for you.” Ayame spoke softly, knowing that her own heart was breaking as she was letting her daughter go- for the final time.

 

“But, Mama Ayame, I want to stay here and make you happy!” Kyoko turned around quickly and begged her adoptive mother to let her stay so she could make her and Hisashi happy. Ayame shook her head and stopped.

 

“Kyoko, don't fight what you feel. I made the mistake of pushing my first daughter too much, and it drove us so far apart. I've been granted another chance to make it right- and I know that this is what I have to do. I have to let you do what you feel is right. I love you very much, you know that. Right?” Ayame cried silently as she smiled at her Kyoko. The girl looked back at her and smiled, tears silently rolling down her cheeks. Both women met in an embrace of a mother and child, both lost and struggling to figure out who they are.

 

“Alright, I'll find what is right. Not just for me, but for Kyoko the first.” Kyoko added, trying not to break down and seem weak in front of her adoptive mother.

 

“Find who is looking for you.”

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ A WEEK LATER ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

 

It had been a week since Kurama had last seen his Akemi/the new girl Kyoko. He waited for her every day, just hoping that he would get the chance to tell her good bye. It was off to the Makai for Kurama, back to searching and trying to recover what he felt he lost. Slowly, the wind brushed his hair to the side and Kurama could finally feel her approaching aura. It seemed that she was more somber today, that she had a decision to make; and regardless of what anyone said… she was going to make it on her own.

 

“Kurama, you waited?” Kyoko asked surprised, seeing the red head sitting at the foot of the temple steps; like he always did to wait for her.

 

“Yes, unfortunately, this is a good bye instead of hello.” Kurama sadly spoke. Kyoko looked at the boy and frowned.

 

“Actually, I came to tell you good bye too.” Kyoko smiled nervously. Kurama looked shocked. Kyoko laughed and sat next to the boy and looked out over a very lifeless scene. The trees were dying and the foliage around them was already a dirty brown.

 

“Where are you going Kyoko? Aren't you staying here?” Kurama asked the girl. Kyoko shook her head.

 

“I'm going to find the person who is looking for me. There must be at least one, don't you think so?” Kyoko smiled, looking into the red-head's well natured eyes. He was sad, almost terribly alone.

 

“I'm right here….” Kurama whispered and turned away quickly. Kyoko looked at the boy and noticed that he was almost crying.

 

“What's wrong?!” Kyoko asked, scared that she had made the boy cry. Kurama tried to stifle his pain so he wouldn't hurt Kyoko instead.

 

{TELL HER! Don't be a FOOL! She'll continue RUNNING FROM YOU!}

 

{I can't….}

 

{TELL HER!}

 

“I'm right here. I've been searching for you. I've searched for you since January when you went missing. I've gone to the darkest parts of my own heart just to find you…. I'm right here, in front of you.” Kurama looked at Kyoko and spoke softly so as not to scare her. Kyoko's eyes were wide with shock; she didn't understand.

 

“But…. You…..?” Kyoko asked, confused.

 

“I had no idea you were still alive. I thought the worst. I assumed you hated me, I assumed you hated all of us. We took care of you, we loved you; I loved you. But, things are different. Go. If you must, I'm sure there are more people who will know you, will wel-“Kurama was cut off by the sudden mass that hit his chest. Kyoko latched on to the boy's neck and hung on to him for dear life.

 

“I can't believe I didn't see it before….” Kyoko cried and smiled, feeling a sense of true happiness at being found. Her chest pounded and she could feel warm arms envelope her; physically and mentally.

 

Don't let him go, Akemi.Hold that boy tight and never let go.

 

“My name… It's Akemi…. Kurama!” Akemi grabbed a hold of Kurama and hugged him tightly, scaring the kitsune. Kurama held the girl tightly and tried not to cry.

 

{Thank you Mitsuko…I just have a feeling you were indeed watching her this entire time. Thank you for returning her to me…. You really are protecting her.}

 

“Kurama, there is one more thing I need…” Akemi asked the kitsune.

 

“Anything.” Kurama responded.

 

“Good.”

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ IN THE FOREST ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

“I think it is over here.” Akemi said, searching. “AHA! Got it! OVER HERE!” Akemi yelled for Kurama. The kitsune came running fast until he found Akemi, kneeling over a small opening.

 

“This is where I tracked you down so Yusuke could rescue you…” Kurama said; astonished that even he remembered where he was. Akemi smiled and leaned over it, brushing off the leaves until she felt a cold, carved stone beneath her. Kurama looked down at the writing on the stone.

 

“Mitsuko: beloved priestess and guardian of memories.” Akemi read off the stone before smiling. Kurama pulled the girl tightly against his chest.

 

“You cannot outrun the past, or the future.” Kurama laughed. Akemi smiled and held Kurama's hand tightly as they stood up to leave.

 

“But I can still run from you, kitsune!” Akemi winked and then took off, headed back to the temple; back to home.

 

 

><><><><><><><><& gt;<><><><><><><><><> <

 

That's IT! I finished it! OMG!

 

Bunny: *huggles all the characters* YOU GUYS ROCK!

 

Hiei: *glares* let go onna…

 

Kurama: *huggles Akemi* Hiei is just jealous because I got the girl this time.

 

Yusuke&Keiko: X-X you aren't going to have her much longer if you mistreat her *protective parents*

 

Kuwabara: just no more insults! PLEASE! And no more Hiei trying to kill me and Yusuke!

 

Bunny: but why!? The folks REALLY liked that!!! ^_^

 

Hiei: *raises hand*

 

Bunny: yes Hiei?

 

Hiei: me too. I enjoyed it too.

 

Bunny: I know you did. Ssshhhhh.

 

Alright my faithful fans! There is fanfic number 3 by chibibunny! Thank you sooooo much for your support! It means the world to see that people are reading my stuff!

 

Lovels, chibibunnys