Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Swingset Remineses ❯ Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Kurama sat silently under a large oak looking at nothing with a pensive expression. Occasionally a wry smile flickered across his lips lightening his overcast expression. He could remember a time when the world didn't seem so limited. Even playing the child Shuichi time hadn't lain so heavy on his shoulders. But then again time weighs heavily on everyone including his teammates. They act as though the world has left them unscathed. What's funny is that they fool almost everyone except for him. He remembered at least two of them before the layers of lies they acquired for protection.

Under this very tree he'd watched them play- Kazuma and Yuusuke. I remember them as they were as they really are, but they don't remember me. I don't expect them to, at that time I was trying to be invisible. I was still trying to come to terms with my two halves. That was hard enough without the constant assault of human presence. At times of stress he finds himself missing those times, particularly when something his teammates do remind him of their younger selves. Kuwabara-kun and Yuusuke were so different then- not simpler or more innocent only clearer, brighter.

The masks they wear now didn't exist then. Kuwabara didn't wear his current guise of clown. Through the dust reach of time Kazuma can still see a sweet, unpredictable little imp dancing in the sunlight of a golden afternoon. What he recalls best is a strange, little play between them. The little red head pointed his finger at Yuusuke and said `Bang'. Then he pointed his `gun' at his own head and mimicked firing. "Oh, well', he said, guess I'll try again tomorrow. I'm really lucky you know." Then he laughed like it was all a big joke. I found it fascinating even more so than his act now.

Although Hiei's legitimate ignorance and Yuusuke's fringed ignorance to the way Kuwabara truly is presents as nearly an interesting a case. How can they have overlooked his darkness? The frequent silences, the ironic smiles, the patent covert glares and stares, the constant scars? But then he makes his act very believable. I sometimes find myself wondering where the child I knew disappeared to. But he's there I know that for certain. The only problem is getting him to show his self.

Yuusuke however is nowhere near as different from his younger self so much as more muted. The little one of memory wore his heart on his sleeve. That little one was alive if ever anyone was. But that spark of fire has been buried so far inside it can barely flare up from time to time. I can't blame him for it when I'm just as guilty of the practice. It's so much safer to hide your vulnerable soul from the harsh world. Even in a past I paint as idyllic the other children treated him badly because of his home life…and because of his friendship with Kuwabara. Maybe it was for the best the defenses he built up during the years have served him well as spirit detective. Besides if he hadn't have changed he might not have made it. Maybe…maybe I should stop while I'm ahead. I'm making myself depressed.

Something like a real smile touched his lips. In that instant bathed in the golden light of late afternoon he appeared more like a content cat than a fox. A stifled gasp broke his contemplation. "Kurama?" His gaze snapped up in surprise at the soft, gravelly voice. Kuwabara, what is he doing here? And why does he seem so afraid? "Kuwabara-kun, what are you doing here? Is something the matter?" Kurama seemed to hesitate his expression clouded before falling back on foolishness. "Uh…I'm fine Kurama, really! I was just - ah… Just forget I was here okay?! I'm going to go now. Heh, heh bye!" The tall figure turned quickly and loped away. Kurama sat staring after him weighing his options. Sighing at his own stupidity he rose to follow.

End Chapter 1