Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Shura's Quest ❯ Scene 36 ( Chapter 36 )

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

Scene 36 ------------------------------------------- A Half Hour Later

* Kurama looks toward the shelter when Lazurama sits up again. He sighs and goes over to look down at the younger demon. Lazurama wounds are not as noticable and Kurama can feel that his energy is a bit more stable.


Kurama- You are ready to accept my judgment, Brother?


* Lazurama nods and looks up to briefly meet Kurama's shielded golden eyes. Unable to gather anything from them, Lazurama lowers his own once more.


Lazurama- I am ready.


* Lazurama raises his head to expose his neck submissively to Kurama. After a moment, Kurama moves one of his hands to lay it on top of Lazurama's head. He then kneels to lay his hand on the worse of the wounds still remaining, the one in his left shoulder. When Lazurama feels Kurama's energy beginning to help it heal he opens his eyes again and looks back up at Kurama confused.


Kurama- My judgment, Lazurama.. is something I learned from the humans.. It's called mercy.


* Before Lazurama can speak again Durga's green sphere pops up over the edge of the okunenju plateau. Both the kitsunes look toward the sphere as Yusuke and Clint shield their eyes. The sphere of light disappears as Durga settles onto the ground quickly.


Durga- Kurama, don't!


* She hurries over closer to them.


Kurama- Don't? Don't help my brother heal, Mother Durga?


* Durga pauses, puzzled.


Kurama- Lazzie is wounded.. I'm helping him to heal.

Durga- Oh.. Well, then.. Uhmm, please continue.


* Kurama nods and turns back to his concentration. Lazurama looks up at Durga.


Lazurama- Mother Durga,.. he.. calls this.. mercy..


* Kurama senses Lazurama's agitation and looks up at him.


Lazurama- Mercy.. to allow me to live and go on.. killing.. Mercy to save me j-just.. so I'll die s-slowly.. without her..

Kurama- Laz,..

Durga- Mercy.. to see your kits again.


* Kurama and Lazurama look back up at her. As she lifts the two fox kits up out of her pockets nobody, but Yusuke, notices the two black blurs that dart up onto the plateau. They come to a crouching stop behind a larger boulder. Yusuke starts to raise his finger to aim until he recognizes one of the faces that peek out at the scene.


Yusuke- (Whispered) Hiei..?


* Clint breaks out of watching the happy kitsune reunion to look at Yusuke.


Clint- What?


* Clint looks in the direction Yusuke is looking and sees the dark, crouched figures. They are obviously communicating vigorously over something.


Clint- Spies!


* Before Yusuke can stop him, Clint flies into his cat form and races toward the figures. Yusuke races after Clint.


Yusuke- Clint, no! Stop!!


* Banashima sees the cat coming and both he and Hiei leap aside to avoid the cat demon's spring. Kurama turns, quickly accesses the situation, and kneels to slam a hand to the ground.


Kurama- Restraining vines! Grab that cat!


* In half pounce, a dozen or so tendrils shoot up out of the ground to entangle Clint. Hiei draws the large sword he's carrying to defend himself, but Kurama's vines snatch the snarling cat backward and down to the ground. Clint spits and tries to squirm free when he realizes what's happened. Yusuke hurries over to talk to Clint. Kurama moves to examine Hiei.


Kurama- Hiei?


* When Hiei looks up at the tall Youko the scent of roses coming from Kurama sparks the terrible memory of what the koorime found when he had raced into Mukuro's chambers. Once more, the unusual feeling of grief overwhelms him and the jagan begins to glow underneath the new ward his Father had placed on him. Hiei crouches into his attack stance and snarls.


Hiei- You!!


* Kurama leaps back, alert but confused. The action flaps the sheer, white robe Kurama's wearing and Hiei spots his sheathed sword on the Youko's hip. Banashima stands and starts over.


Hiei- My Kitanna?!


* Kurama nods.


Kurama- We found it at your post. I brought it along to return it to you..


* In a blur, Hiei charges Kurama. His speed just barely helps him to dodge the koorime, but they pass close enough for Hiei to reclaim his own sword. He leaps away and lands to face Kurama, brandishing both swords.


Kurama- Hiei, why..?

Hiei- You killed them!

Kurama- Them?

Banashima- Hiei,..


* Hiei glances a glare toward the taller fire demon.


Hiei- Roses! I remember that.. abominable scent!

Banashima- Hiei, look at me!


* Hiei curses at Banashima. When he charges toward Kurama again the elder demon blurs between the two and raises his hands. A force knocks Hiei backward several feet, but the koorime lands on his feet. Banashima can tell that Hiei is waging an internal battle so he just holds his position. Soon the ward on Hiei's forehead begins to smoulder as his jagan tries to burn free.


Banashima- Stop this, son! I showed you..

Hiei- I smelled.. roses.. in her chamber!


* Hiei shakes his head, snarls again, and starts to charge again. Banashima thrusts a hand up toward Hiei.


Banashima- Freeze!


* Hiei screams and tries to fight the spell when his body lurches to a stop. Lazurama gives his kits back to Durga and goes over to face Hiei.


Lazurama- My brother didn't kill them.. I did.. I killed them all!


* The sight of a second silver kitsune makes Hiei stop fighting. He heaves and glares from one to the other.


Kurama- Stay back, Laz..

Lazurama- No.. You seen me do it, Little One.. That day in Shura's dungeon.. You watched me kill Kirin..

Banashima- You didn't kill because you wanted to, Fox.


* Lazurama glances toward Banashima, wondering who he is a moment.


Lazurama- N-No.. B-but I..

Banashima- And you didn't kill Mukuro.


* Lazurama glances back toward Banashima again. Yusuke and Kurama exchange surprised glances.


Lazurama- No.. I didn't kill her.. I.. I was just told.. to kill the other Border Guards.. And the king and queen..


* Before Yusuke can speak up Hiei begins to snarl again. The Toushin decides to go over and see if he can get through to Hiei, who is obviously struggling to control himself or so it seems. When Yusuke is a couple feet away from him Hiei growls.


Hiei- S-Stay.. back..


* Hiei raises his hands to clutch at his chest.


Hiei- F-Fath-er,.. re-lease me! Now! I have to.. fight.. this..!


* Hiei grimaces and growls angrily again. Since he's closer now Yusuke recognizes what's happening and looks at Banashima quickly.


Yusuke- Do it, Old Man! Release him!

Banashima- But..

Lazurama- He's fighting a parasite demon..


* Banashima's eyes widen. So this is why Kandero was so agreeable with his suggestion to release Hiei. The elder fire demon snatches his hand back to himself, breaking the halting spell. Immediately Hiei drops to his knees and begins to dig at his chest. He ignores the pain he's causing himself as he rolls down onto the ground to lay on his back. The others watch the struggle helplessly. When Hiei's hands begin to pull something skinny and black out of his chest Yusuke starts forward with his finger ready.


Lazurama- No!


* Clint switches back to his human form.


Clint- He has to get it all the way out, Yu!


* Yusuke stops, lifting his finger skyward with a curse, but keeps his eyes on the struggle. After managing to get the head of the parasite demon all the way out of him Hiei looks up at Yusuke quickly. The parasite demon squeals and tries to wrench loose.


Hiei- Yusuke,..

Yusuke- Hey. Nice to see you again.

Hiei- Fool! - Take off my.. head ward! Quickly!


* Yusuke obeys and yelps when he snatches the ward off and it burns him.


Hiei- If.. I weren't so.. busy.. I would've.. warned you..

Yusuke- Don't mention it.


* Hiei then looks the parasite demon right in the eyes. He growls as he wills his jagan to open. The parasite demon bucks and squeals as it tries to squirm away. Hiei grimaces as he feels the creature clawing and ripping at his insides. The koorime finally manages to force the demon to look right at his jagan.


Hiei- Come.. out of me.. now!


* With a shriek the parasite demon rips itself up out of Hiei and wrenches out of Hiei's grasp. The koorime releases it and doubles up in pain as the parasite attempts to slither away across the ground. Kurama strikes it with his Rose Whip, but only manages to wound it. This causes it to rear up with a painful scream. It gives Yusuke time to aim his finger again.


Yusuke- Spirit gun!


* The blast hits the parasite and obliterates it as well as a nice size chunk out of the edge of the okunenju plateau. Everyone, but Hiei, looks at Yusuke.


Yusuke- Oops.. I used a bit too much, I guess.


* He hears Hiei groan and looks toward him. Banashima hurries over to kneel beside his son. When he sees how badly Hiei's body, weakened still from his recent imprisonment, is injured his protectiveness kicks in. When Yusuke starts toward Hiei the elder Fire demon flicks a finger at him, knocking him away head over heels several feet. Banashima glances at Yusuke as he leans to begin healing Hiei.


Banashima- Oops.


* Yusuke rubs his head, smirking at the show of power that reminds him of a certain teacher he once knew.


Yusuke- Uh.. Yeah.. Just heal the little guy, okay?


* Clint, still wrapped up in squirming vines, raises his head.


Clint- Umm.. Hello? - I'm kinda still wrapped up here.


* Kurama kneels on one knee to touch the ground. The tendrils quickly retreat. Clint sits up, rubbing his arms.


Clint- Would you happen to be able to make catnip?

Yusuke- No!


* Clint snorts, amused at Yusuke's knowing reaction. When Banashima helps Hiei sit up Yusuke moves forward again, a little more cautiously, to help him.


Yusuke- Will you be okay?

Hiei- Hn.. I just.. need to heal.. some more..


* Hiei's head drops forward as he slips into his healing hibernation. Banashima stands and they all watch Yusuke embrace the koorime, hiding his face against Hiei's spiky hair. Banashima quirks an eyebrow and looks toward the others.


Banashima- I take it they are.. friends?


* Kurama nods. The kitsunes' good hearing catch Yusuke's whispers of thankfulness that Hiei is still alive and back in their care. Lazurama turns to go back to get his kits from Durga, Kurama follows. Banashima holds a hand out, chants quietly until a new ward appears, then kneels to place it over Hiei's half-closed jagan. Yusuke is a bit amazed that the protective jagan doesn't react to this strange demon. Durga strokes Heido, Lazurama's silver son, gently.


Durga- Your kits were very brave, son.. They need food to regain their energy.. but they will both be fine.


* Lazurama nods, but refuses to meet her eyes.


Lazurama- Thank you for saving them, Mother Durga.

Durga- The demon that.. caused you such pain is dead.. One of them, at least.


* Lazurama closes his eyes as he embraces his two kits.


Durga- I'll talk to my Father and..

Lazurama- No, Mother.. I- I must pay.. somehow for the crimes I've committed.. When Shura and Kandero are dealt with..


* Now he lifts his eyes to meet Princess Durga's.


Lazurama- Then I will turn myself in to King Enma.

Kurama- Laz,..

Lazurama- No, Kurama.. Let me do.. what's right.. If you won't judge me.. correctly.. I know King Enma will..


* Lazurama looks up at Kurama.


Lazurama- Besides,.. my Methanei.. is gone.. (Quietly) I won't last another year..


* Kurama looks at Durga as Lazurama moves back to the shelter with his kits.


Kurama- (Quietly) Mother Durga,..

Durga- (Quietly) Trust me, son.. I will do what I can.


* With that she steps away, forms her green sphere, and Kurama watches it shoot skyward quickly. Kurama then goes over beside Yusuke again.


Kurama- Should we get the others..?


* Yusuke glances up at Kurama, then shakes his head as he looks back down at Hiei.


Yusuke- Let them stay there until morning.. Kuwa's probably already asleep. I'm not leaving Hiei laying here or disturbing him.


* Kurama nods, but he moves back toward the shelter. He still sends a telepathic message to Shishi informing them of their safety and that they should hold their position until morning.