Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ The Sacrifice ❯ Aftermath ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter Two- The Aftermath

 

*****Hiei's *****POV******

 

When I come to the sun is glaring down upon me, reflecting through my red eyes painfully. Soon though, it is blocked by a face I most definitely want to avoid as often as possible.

 

“ H-hey shrimp. You're finally breathing. We could have used your help out here.”

 

I accept the oaf's arm before I can think not to, and stare around, blinking away prominent weariness.

 

“ Where's Kurama?”

 

“ I'm right here, Hiei.”

 

Bruised, slender arms wrap around my torso and I tense instinctively. Only now do I realize the stadium is completely abandoned. Further proof that I'm hallucinating is obvious, because Genkai stands grim before me in the middle of at least a dozen lifeless corpses, a few of which I recognize.

 

“ How long have I been out?” I ask. My voice is unusually hoarse and my knuckles are white around my lover's hands. I know the grip must be painful but I can't seem to find the motivation to let go.

 

“ Around five hours.” Genkai snaps. “ And during that time we've had to cut down every Tom, Dick, and Harry who disapproved of your rather dim-witted way of winning the tournament.”

 

My heart sinks and I glower. Kuwabara is staring oddly at the Detective, who's crying silently and shrugging off the arms of his female. Koenma is flinching as Boton wraps up a nasty chest wound. My sister is comforting an ashen-faced Shizuru, who's flicking a bloody lighter over and over again

And Karasu is walking towards me, smirking evilly in a way that makes me want to rip his tongue out and shove it down his throat while slowly slicing open his pallid chest and squeezing his withered heart with a strong fist-

 

“ Well Kurama, Hiei, I'm sorry to break up this touching reunion, but a deal is a deal.”

 

My love holds tighter to my waist. I'm going to yell, but the Detective beats me to it.

 

“ No! I won't let you! Kurama we can kick this creep's ass! Y-you don't have to do anything you don't want to!”

 

Koenma nods. “ Yeah! I can have him arrested for something…like, uh, statutory rape! You're only fifteen, right?”

 

Kuwabara growls. “ Uh-huh. This weirdo had no honor to begin with! I'm not letting you go anywhere with him!”

 

I feel my face redden in pure rage. This is ridiculous. So many people wanting what's mine. I'll not have it! I'll die before I let this go on. Almost spazmatically I free myself from Kurama's arms, shoving him so that he stumbles. With a shaky hand I draw my katana, painfully aware of my weakness as I advance on he-who-shall- be-ribbons.

 

“ QUIET. ALL OF YOU.” I say forcefully. “ YOU ARE ALL NOTHING! “

 

Karasu doesn't move an inch as I hold the sword up to his neck, cutting a small river of blood into his pasty flesh. I am blinded by rage, needing to see him suffer.

 

“ Did you hear that, Crow?” I snarl, pressing the blade harder against him.

“ Nothing. He is mine.”

 

It happens much too quickly for any regular mortal to observe. I increase the pressure one last time, aiming to empty his jugular vein. He reaches out and grabs the tip of the metal, shattering it with his yoki.

Steel flecks and the force of the blast knocks me to the ground, leaving me vulnerable. Karasu kneels before me, and slowly lowers his fingertips to my bloody forehead, aiming for the jagan.

So be it. I will fight even in death. I will return as his bane, never allowing him peace. He will tremble at the feet of a psychic phantom!

 

“ NO! Karasu, please! I will make good on my promise…unless you hurt him.”

 

I blink. The Quest Class pauses. So, my Yoko martyr has saved my skin again, has he? Hn. Don't do me any favors.

 

“ Are you sure, Kurama? It may be delightful to see him suffer. Just think, the Forbidden Child, your lover and confidant, the one you share your body and your soul with, ended to protect your dignity. The once Great and selfish Hiei, perishing at the hands of the competition. The intimacy of his brains, his very self showering over you in a crimson waterfall, forever part of your guilt and memory. A worthy souvenir, to be sure.”

 

I hear the others gasp at this revelation; they truly are thick. To my right Kurama's shoes stand firm beside my head, no doubt fighting the urge to collapse.

 

“ Koenma…” my beloved chokes, “ If you would be so kind as to conjure a portal. Yusuke, Kuwabara, I will never forget meeting you. The s-same goes to the rest; my band of reformers. Genkai, I w-would've liked to help train your pupil more, but…obviously my time in this dimension is short. Karasu…I b-beg you, as a slave would a m-merciful master, let me say goodbye to him my own way.”

 

Karasu's violet eyes narrow, but he stands and steps back. I swear venomously as with one strong pull, Kurama gets me to my feet so that I face him. Everyone is watching this; my dreaded nightmare. Tears are streaming down his face, his fingers twine through my hair fondly as if he is trying to memorize me. No secrecy, no privacy, and soon no Spirit Fox.

 

“ Itooshi…I…I love you. I did this, because it was the only way to make sure you, My Heart, stayed safe. Tell me that you understand.”

 

I am shaking with fury and panic. The Detective won't stop sobbing. Eyes everywhere, looking grim, staring at the doomed with morbid fascination. Just make it go away.

 

“ Hn. What do I understand?” I snap. “ You have no faith, no hope for us. You believe sacrifice is an answer to everything. Gods, I despise you! I despise you because I…because I-”

 

I won't say it. Not in front of them all. That surrender is something I will not relinquish. So instead I pull him down, and lose myself in a kiss ten times more violent than the Crow's. He groans in surprise, anguish, fear, but I don't care. I don't care about anything anymore. Just his lips on mine, my fingers bruising skin, our tongues writhing to the rhythm of a mutual lust and purest form of love. Nothing matters…and never will again.

When I break away he gasps, but I can no longer hear sound or feel regret. Without realizing what I mean to do I cradle his neck, and unceremoniously sink my fangs into his throat. The world is a blur of torture…and the tonic's in his blood. He quakes in my arms as I drink from him, cleaving to my back and waist desperately. It takes all the discipline I have not to drain his life force. Reluctantly I disconnect and run my tongue along the puncture wounds, using my limited ice powers to re-grow the skin. The bleeding stops, but two, purplish scars remain, marring the smoothness that once…still, belongs to me.

 

“ There!” I yell, and push him harshly into the arms of Karasu. Hiruseki line the ground around me but I could no more stop a title wave. “ Ruin yourself at the hands of this foolish agreement! Just remember when you look at your PATHETIC self in the mirror who really owns you! I h-hope you die a painful death!”

 

The last sentence is little more than a quivering string of sadness. I can't remain here anymore .They look at me like I am crazy…perhaps I am. It wouldn't be the first time. His green orbs close in hurt…I hurt everything, and I hold nothing. Except my pride, which slips now too.

Running.

Running.

Running.

 

*****Kurama's****POV*****

 

His teeth marks sting, but the words he speaks sting more. Hiei, I'm so sorry. I'm…so…

He is verging on hysterics, every emotion bottled up spewing out at the thought of losing me. I wish he hadn't run away. I fear what he'll throw himself into. My little flame, extinguished by his own grief.

 

“ Yusuke!” I say, as Karasu leads me to the dark, consuming portal. “ Promise me you'll help him! Promise that you'll keep him from the shadows.”

 

I'm not sure if his head movement qualifies as a nod. But I trust him. As Karasu leads me through the pseudospace, I realize…

That I have to trust him.

 

AN: Short Chapter, I know. That's why I posted it so fast. Don't worry. Then next one's longer. I'm so happy! I checked yesterday and I had five whole reviews for that first chapter! That's a better response than I got for my other epic in progress! Whoopie!!! My muse is so happy now, that he's only sharpening his ax about half as much. But keep'em coming folks!