Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Shura's Quest ❯ Scene 35 ( Chapter 35 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Scene 35 ------------------------------------------- The Okunenju Plateau

* When Yusuke and his friends approach the area where the unconscious fox is Clint stops and motions, but Kurama has already caught the scent and nods.


Kurama- Stay here.


* Kurama looks at the seriously.


Kurama- Interfere.. and I'll injure you.


* Yusuke scowls.


Yusuke- Get serious, why don't you.

Kurama- I told you.. This is between my brother and me.


* Yusuke holds up his hands in a surrendering gesture.


Yusuke- Fine. But I'm not responsible for my actions if he kills you.


* Kurama sighs and softens a bit as he nods.


Kurama- Fair enough.

Yusuke- Gee, I miss the fun-loving guy you used to be.


* Kurama blinks at the Mazoku a couple times then shakes his head. The kitsune squares himself and moves off across the open patch of bare ground toward the large-leafed bush. He knows from his senses that the bush was grown by Lazurama's energy to shelter his wounded brother. Kurama also senses that Lazurama is in a state of healing hibernation that wounded demons slip into when severely wounded. Clint sniffs a breeze that waifs toward them.


Clint- Hmm. He's healed a lot more.. Scent of blood isn't as strong.


* Yusuke glances at Clint, then looks toward Kurama. They hear him call out forcefully to the sheltered kitsune.


Kurama- Lazurama! Wake up.. Now!


* Kurama stays relaxed, but alert, as he watches the silver fox who is in his truest demon form, though a bit larger than any fox any human has ever seen.


Kurama- Wake up and face me, brother!


* In a few moments the silver fox stirs, then takes a deep breath. He raises his vulpine head to look toward Kurama. Kurama's visage stays firm, but he can feel the immense guilt and sadness surging through Lazurama. Silently, the fox sits up and changes into his own Youko form. He keeps his eyes lowered, refusing to meet those of his older brother. Since Lazurama don't feel the familiar forboding sense of being watched anymore he speaks freely.


Lazurama- I.. knew you would.. find me..


* Lazurama coughs, not fully healed internally from the claw wounds in his back. He raises a hand to cover the wound in his left shoulder where one of the claw daggers went all the way through him.


Lazurama- I.. I know that you.. are angry.. That you must.. do.. what you must..


* Lazurama closes his eyes and stifles a sorrowed sob. Kurama stays put and listens.


Lazurama- But, p-please.. be-fore you.. do it.. Hear me out,.. my Brother..


* Lazurama swallows and waits. Kurama continues studying his younger half brother.


Kurama- Speak.


* Lazurama nods his thanks.


Lazurama- Thank.. you.. I have wronged you.. I've done.. terrible things.. I will welcome your.. release from my.. regrets.. B-but I.. I had no other.. choice.. Our clan was at peace.. in our hidden valley.. We lived our lives.. and bothered.. noone.. Then a few months ago.. a demon burst through the.. waterfall gate.. He roared s-something a-bout.. vengeance.. and attacked us.. He was ac-(cough) accompanied by a.. powerful Mage.. When we tried.. t-to defend ourselves.. this Mage bound all of our.. powers.. The Buffalo demon then.. destroyed.. all of them..


* Kurama tries not to show his growing anger as he listens. Lazurama takes a deep, wheezing breath and continues.


Lazurama- He destroyed.. every one of them,.. m-my clan,.. until j-just.. my mate M-M..


* Lazurama bows his head, sobs a moment, then composes himself, and continues.


Lazurama- Only Methanei.. and our young litter of.. kits.. were left.. This is when I.. learned of this Mage's demands.. H-he wanted me to.. portray myself.. as you.. T-to do the.. things.. that I have done.. for Lord Shura..


* Lazurama shakes his head and curses the boy. Kurama recognizes the name of Yomi's son, but again keeps his concentration on Lazurama's words. Yusuke looks at Clint.


Yusuke- (Quietly) Can you hear him?

Clint- (Quietly) Yeah.. You?

Yusuke- (Quietly) Yeah, and I'm starting to get pissed!


* Clint glances at Yusuke. Kurama swivels an ear at them as he waits for Lazurama to catch his breath and continue.


Clint- (Quietly) Down, boy.


* Yusuke tilts his head at Clint until Lazurama begins again. The younger kitsune half glances up at Kurama, but keeps his submissive manner.


Lazurama- D-do you.. know of that.. brat?

Kurama- Loud-mouthed, bad attitude, disrespectful, big earred son of Yomi.


* Lazurama nods.


Lazurama- Hai.. At first.. I refused to.. dishonor you so, B-Brother.. So he told this.. Buffalo demon to kill her.. My Methanei.. This only served to anger me.. until they'd k-killed.. three of..of..


* Lazurama's head droops.


Kurama- Your kits?


* Lazurama nods and a wail escapes him before he continues.


Lazurama- I.. I finally broke.. I only had.. two of my kits left.. When I agreed to do as they asked.. the Mage..

Kurama- His name?

Lazurama- K-Kandero.. He ordered that Buffalo.. to take Heido and Jonelle.. To keep them hid.. until I d-did everything I was.. told..


* Lazurama collapses forward sobbing with guilt and shame.


Lazurama- I.. I've lost.. M-Methanei.. I know that my life.. is done.. I only wanted.. to live.. long enough to.. rescue them and.. find you..


* Kurama moves calmly closer to look down at his broken helf brother. The human part of his soul sobs internally at Lazurama's anguish. The demon part of him becomes increasingly angry, his fists balling at his sides.


Lazurama- They'll need a relative to-to.. raise them.. Y-you're the.. only family I have.. left..


* Kurama suppresses the demon part of himself as Lazurama continues.


Lazurama- I have no choice.. Now that you have.. c-caught me.. but to accept.. your judgment..

Kurama- Enough, Lazurama.. I'm in no mood to make such a judgment at this moment.. Besides this, you need to heal some more.. Rest some more and give me time to clear my mind.


* Lazurama bows to Kurama, then curls back up into a ball and wills himself back into hibernation. Kurama moves back to where Yusuke and Clint are stiffly. Yusuke stands up, but Clint remains seated to study the kitsune. He can feel Kurama's spiritual strength quite easily. It amazes the hybrid that Yusuke faces this silver demon so unshaken.


Yusuke- So what are you gonna do, Kurama?

Kurama- The fault is clearly not Lazurama's.. But he still murdered.. innocent people to frame me..

Yusuke- Well, yeah, but..


* The way Kurama looks down at Yusuke makes the Toushin hybrid step back.


Yusuke- Like you said, you need time to clear your mind.


* Yusuke sighs and watches Kurama move away to sit on a small boulder.