Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Ties That Bind ❯ Rescue ( Chapter 6 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: DNSora 
Yea! Kurama and Hiei are finally rescued. How have they faired? How will everyone react? What damage is permanent, and what will heal?
Anime/Manga: Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Shounen / Angst / Romance | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 07.18.2008 | Updated On: 07.23.2008 | Pages: 3 | Words: 2.4K | Visits: 285 | Status: Work In Progress
Yea! Kurama and Hiei are finally rescued. How have they faired? How will everyone react? What damage is permanent, and what will heal?
Anime/Manga: Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Shounen / Angst / Romance | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 07.18.2008 | Updated On: 07.23.2008 | Pages: 3 | Words: 2.4K | Visits: 285 | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter 6
Rescue
Yusuke had caught up to Yomi about 100 miles from their destination, neither of them said anything. Yomi left Shura at Gandara, just as Yusuke had left the others at Tourin... though he didn't explain where he had gone. Just up and left.
The outer guards had been nothings, the crowd dispersed in a hurry. The stench of death and blood hung in the air like a cloud.
Now they move through the lower basements. Breaking open the cages as they go. The games... no wonder they hadn't found any trace of Hiei and Kurama. Yusuke moves to the last cage, in the darkest corner and gasps.
He knows that bright red hair.
Bright red hair he hadn't seen for a month, then it had been immaculate, perfectly washed and brushed. Now it is matted, darkened by blood and dirt. His friend's pale skin is smudged with the same, filth that the cleanly fox would never have willingly tolerated. His slumped form huddles close to the wall. Old and new wounds litter his body, none treated appropriately. Kurama isn't moving, nothing but the light breeze sirring his hair.
They are underground. There is no breeze underground.
Yusuke looks closer, clutching the bars of the cell. The hair isn't stirred by a breeze but a hand, someone is combing their fingers through Kurama's hair. It isn't until bright, blood red eyes open that Yusuke realizes that Kurama is not slumped against the wall, he is slumped against Hiei. But Yusuke can't get a good look at Hiei.
"Yo! Hiei, Kurama! Hang on, I'm here to bust you out!" Yusuke laughs as he crushes the lock. Yomi hears this and comes quickly. Yusuke swings the door open and hops into the cell.
"Dude you guys gave us a scare! Hand him over Hiei, damn you guys look starved!"
His careless approach cost him the skin of his palm.
***
Noise, lot of noise. Guards? No, too loud. Not interested.
Hair, soft hair. Soft red hair.
Noise, noise too close. Look.
Weird boy. Black hair, brown eyes.
Boy coming close. Too close! Wants to hurt red hair!
BURN!
Boy yelps, starts yelling. Another man. Black hair, lot of ears.
Voice, good voice, soft voice.
"Hiei no! Please... don't hurt them. They are friends. Listen to them... please..."
Friends? Don't know word. Follow them... red hair said so. Need red hair.
Hiei will follow.
***
Yusuke holds his burnt hand close to his chest, he really didn't expect Hiei to attack him. The little fire demon is glaring at him.
"Hiei what the hell!? Why are you growling!?" Yomi reaches him and takes in the scene. But before he can comment Kurama stirs, his voice far to weak... too raspy.
"Hiei no! Please... don't hurt them. They are friends. Listen to them... please..."
"Kurama? What's up with Hiei?" Yusuke licks him lips, just the sound of Kurama's voice is enough to make him thirsty. Tired green eyes flick over Yusuke and Yomi.
"So... it worked... thank... Inari..." His whole form goes limp, his eyes roll back and close. Hiei gets up, clutching Kurama's to him, and steps into the torchlight... His already slender form is shriveled. His skin is completely black, spiky hair no longer held up by invisible forces but by crusted blood. His clothes are torn and hang loose on him, he is giving Yusuke a death glare. Doesn't Hiei recognize me?
Yomi speaks first. "Better than I expected. He'll follow us. Let's go to Tourin, its closer."
All Yusuke can do is nod dumbly.
***
Mukuro rounds on the little orange haired ningen. "What do you mean 'not here'? This had best not be some kind of joke! I received word from Gandara that he would be here! Now where is my heir!?"
The little ningen bristles. "Look lady if Hiei were here I'd show ya! I haven't seen him since they got taken!"
She snorts. "I told Hiei visiting you pathetic fools would be his downfall; can't even get your information right!"
He scowls. "Would ya keep it down!? There are people try'n to sleep!"
"Kazuma-kun? What is all the ruckus?" A black haired ningen woman. Why hadn't Mukuro heard her approach?
"Nothin' Shiori-san, sorry, didn't mean to wake ya up. How'd you even hear though? I thought you guys were on the other end of the castle..." She just smiles warmly at them both.
"Don't mind it dear. Suuichi used to sneak out at night to sleep in the garden... I never had the heart to put him back to bed, so I just made sure he had a blanket. He moves so quietly... well I just learned to be a light sleeper. Guess I've never really broke the habit." She smiles at Mukuro. "You must be Hiei's mentor. Mukuro right? I am sorry to say we still don't know where the boys are." Mukuro is oddly reminded of the spirit fox... he and the woman shared that gentle smile. So that's who she is.
"You must be the Yoko's adopted Mother. Shiori is it? Hm. Not what I expected. There really isn't much to you is there?" The orange haired boy bristles again.
"Don't you insult Kurama's Mom like that!" She just laughs at the ningen. Then the doors open to admit a very weary looking form of Raizen's heir.
"Hey Kuwa, Shiori, Mukuro." He rubs his eyes is a weary fashion... one that has nothing to do with his physical state.
"Urameshi! Where the heck have you been!? What happened!?" The boy picks Raizen's heir up by the front of his shirt.
"Sorry Kuwa, needed you to stay here to keep Kurama's family safe. Yomi got word and I managed to catch up to him."
"What do ya mean!?"
"We found them."
Why does he look depressed at that admission?
***
Yomi listens carefully to Kurama's breathing. It is too shallow, probably from broken ribs. He can smell the kitsune's blood, far too much of it. Most disturbing is the pathetic aura; squeezed dry. It is taking all of Yomi's patience not to just tear the little fire demon apart and carry his old friend back to Gandara for proper treatment. That would start a war, but more importantly, Kurama would not appreciate Yomi attacking his friend.
So Yomi waits.
The soft patter of feet reaches his ears, along with deep breaths. Someone is running, quick for a human, too slow to be a higher class of demon. Soon the scent reaches him. Human, a woman. She stops in front of the door and opens it without knocking. She's sweating; Yomi can smell it. She rushes toward Kurama and Yomi intervenes, pulling her against him tightly. What is her purpose here?
"Let me go! Please!" She smells... familiar. But he can't place it.
"No."
"Please my baby! He's right there!" Her baby? There are no human infants in the room.
"Suuichi! Please he's hurt!" Yomi recognizes Kurama's human name, and is about to return the woman, obviously his human Mother, to the ground when Yusuke enters.
"Yomi put her down! That's Shiori! Damn I didn't think she could run that fast..." Mukuro enters behind just as the woman's feet touch the floor.
"I have been made aware of that fact." He says stiffly.
"What then? You just like to smell of ningens you old goat? Figures, that must be why you keep the red head around. I'll never understand why both you and Hiei screw that half dead thief. Makes you smell horrid." Mukuro smirks, he can hear her lips curve, he can feel the heat of a blush creep into Shiori's skin, he just knows that Yusuke is stunned, the spluttering is just confirmation.
Yomi releases Shiori who just looks at her feet, trying to fight her blush. "W-Wh-What!? Kurama and Hiei!? Kurama and Yomi!? No way!"
Yomi clears his throat. "Kurama is my second in command, my old friend, and no more. In addition, I cannot imagine him defiling himself with that brainless twit you deemed your heir Mukuro."
Mukuro laughs, a damn grating sound. "Don't be so sure... he was quite the kitsune whore in his day. 'No more' huh? Bet it isn't for lack of effort on your part."
"Watch your tongue woman or I'll remove it." Yusuke finally recovers and is about to intervene when another voice beats him to it.
Blazing eyes sear into Yomi, such a powerful spirit has rarely been felt, and never from a human. "Stop it! Stop it right now! If you two can't get along then just go! Those boys have probably been through hell and all you can do is sit there and fight! That isn't going to help them! Mukuro-san you obviously care a great deal for Hiei, and Yomi-san, Suuichi has told me you are one of his oldest friends. I only recently learned how old but that hardly matters! Now I am going to go get some bandages, when I come back, there will be no fighting!" She leaves in a hurry, Yusuke echo's both Yomi, and Mukuro's thoughts.
"That is why, Yoko Kurama the legendary fox thief, Hiei the only master of the dragon of the darkness flame, the most spiritually aware human in all three realms, and even I, a Mazaku, don't dare mess with that human woman. Kurama's mom just kicks ass." Yomi can feel his glee, can almost see the cocky grin.
***
Perhaps... there is more to that little woman than I thought.
Mukuro turns her attention back to retrieving Hiei. The little runt had caused her quite a bit a distress over the past month... not that she'd ever admit it. No, she would just have to take every inch of it back from him in his training. Oh, training would not be pleasant for him.
Not that it ever is.
"Hiei its time to go. You should have reported back from leave three weeks ago. I was going to have you take on 2,000 men over the course of a month, only 500 a week. But since you've been so lazy you'll have to finish them off in the next week." She turns to leave, and the young Mazaku stops her.
"Hiei's not going to be very up for training." She looks at him curiously, then looks a little closer at her heir. On first glance, Hiei was filthy, hadn't been very well fed, and was covered in blood. She knows he's faced and survived worse. She isn't concerned about his physical state, what was revealed on the second look is the dire nature of his mental state. She moves closer, right past Yomi, and reaches toward him. Where is the belligerent, tortured soul that has become her companion?
She feels his energy flare and she steps back before she is burned. Yomi sounds amused.
"Your weak minded heir has lost himself to the blood lust of the games." Mukuro just scowls, knowing that Yomi is right, but hating the truth. They just stand there, broken body of the kitsune laid out on the bed, guarded relentlessly by the broken mind of his companion.
***
Yusuke hears Shiori return. He grabs most of what she's carrying and sets it on the table for her, Kuwabara following her in, arms laden with even more.
"Thank you Yusuke dear. I though I should bring some blander foods with me. They look like they haven't had a good meal since they left." Her tone is even and pleasant, like the two were just boys gone on a camping trip that hadn't taken care of themselves. He didn't see her move, Mukuro hadn't expected it, Yomi was blocked from getting to her.
She reached out to touch Kurama.
Yusuke nearly chocked when Hiei grabbed her wrist forcefully. But... she just smiled at him. That brilliant smile that Kurama uses to fool his opponents. Warm, beautiful, caring.
"Hiei dear, its so good to see that you two are alright. Dear me you've just gotten yourself so filthy!" She takes the wet cloth she was going to use for Kurama's forehead and wipes Hiei's face, slowly uncovering his pale white skin.
"There! That must feel better! Now, you sit tight and I'll get to bandaging you up as soon as I finish Suuichi's wounds... his look a tad nastier." With that she retrieves more bandages and begins to treat Kurama, Hiei not interfering in the least, an utterly confused expression on his face.
"Oh Hiei dear, as soon as Suuichi wakes up I'll go get you two some cookies and milk. I'm sorry I don't have any ice cream. Hopefully cookies will pacify that sweet tooth of yours... I know the cookie jar always winds up empty whenever you come by..." Yusuke smiles.
Kurama's mom just kicks ass.
__________________________________________________________________ ____________________
A/N: Yea! They are free... physically at least.
Please review!!!
-kun: Attached to the name of a male friend
-san: Like Mr. of Mrs.
Kitsune: Spirit fox
Ningen: Human
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho nor any of its characters. They belong to Yoshihiro Togashi. The plot and original characters of this fic, are however, mine.
Rescue
Yusuke had caught up to Yomi about 100 miles from their destination, neither of them said anything. Yomi left Shura at Gandara, just as Yusuke had left the others at Tourin... though he didn't explain where he had gone. Just up and left.
The outer guards had been nothings, the crowd dispersed in a hurry. The stench of death and blood hung in the air like a cloud.
Now they move through the lower basements. Breaking open the cages as they go. The games... no wonder they hadn't found any trace of Hiei and Kurama. Yusuke moves to the last cage, in the darkest corner and gasps.
He knows that bright red hair.
Bright red hair he hadn't seen for a month, then it had been immaculate, perfectly washed and brushed. Now it is matted, darkened by blood and dirt. His friend's pale skin is smudged with the same, filth that the cleanly fox would never have willingly tolerated. His slumped form huddles close to the wall. Old and new wounds litter his body, none treated appropriately. Kurama isn't moving, nothing but the light breeze sirring his hair.
They are underground. There is no breeze underground.
Yusuke looks closer, clutching the bars of the cell. The hair isn't stirred by a breeze but a hand, someone is combing their fingers through Kurama's hair. It isn't until bright, blood red eyes open that Yusuke realizes that Kurama is not slumped against the wall, he is slumped against Hiei. But Yusuke can't get a good look at Hiei.
"Yo! Hiei, Kurama! Hang on, I'm here to bust you out!" Yusuke laughs as he crushes the lock. Yomi hears this and comes quickly. Yusuke swings the door open and hops into the cell.
"Dude you guys gave us a scare! Hand him over Hiei, damn you guys look starved!"
His careless approach cost him the skin of his palm.
***
Noise, lot of noise. Guards? No, too loud. Not interested.
Hair, soft hair. Soft red hair.
Noise, noise too close. Look.
Weird boy. Black hair, brown eyes.
Boy coming close. Too close! Wants to hurt red hair!
BURN!
Boy yelps, starts yelling. Another man. Black hair, lot of ears.
Voice, good voice, soft voice.
"Hiei no! Please... don't hurt them. They are friends. Listen to them... please..."
Friends? Don't know word. Follow them... red hair said so. Need red hair.
Hiei will follow.
***
Yusuke holds his burnt hand close to his chest, he really didn't expect Hiei to attack him. The little fire demon is glaring at him.
"Hiei what the hell!? Why are you growling!?" Yomi reaches him and takes in the scene. But before he can comment Kurama stirs, his voice far to weak... too raspy.
"Hiei no! Please... don't hurt them. They are friends. Listen to them... please..."
"Kurama? What's up with Hiei?" Yusuke licks him lips, just the sound of Kurama's voice is enough to make him thirsty. Tired green eyes flick over Yusuke and Yomi.
"So... it worked... thank... Inari..." His whole form goes limp, his eyes roll back and close. Hiei gets up, clutching Kurama's to him, and steps into the torchlight... His already slender form is shriveled. His skin is completely black, spiky hair no longer held up by invisible forces but by crusted blood. His clothes are torn and hang loose on him, he is giving Yusuke a death glare. Doesn't Hiei recognize me?
Yomi speaks first. "Better than I expected. He'll follow us. Let's go to Tourin, its closer."
All Yusuke can do is nod dumbly.
***
Mukuro rounds on the little orange haired ningen. "What do you mean 'not here'? This had best not be some kind of joke! I received word from Gandara that he would be here! Now where is my heir!?"
The little ningen bristles. "Look lady if Hiei were here I'd show ya! I haven't seen him since they got taken!"
She snorts. "I told Hiei visiting you pathetic fools would be his downfall; can't even get your information right!"
He scowls. "Would ya keep it down!? There are people try'n to sleep!"
"Kazuma-kun? What is all the ruckus?" A black haired ningen woman. Why hadn't Mukuro heard her approach?
"Nothin' Shiori-san, sorry, didn't mean to wake ya up. How'd you even hear though? I thought you guys were on the other end of the castle..." She just smiles warmly at them both.
"Don't mind it dear. Suuichi used to sneak out at night to sleep in the garden... I never had the heart to put him back to bed, so I just made sure he had a blanket. He moves so quietly... well I just learned to be a light sleeper. Guess I've never really broke the habit." She smiles at Mukuro. "You must be Hiei's mentor. Mukuro right? I am sorry to say we still don't know where the boys are." Mukuro is oddly reminded of the spirit fox... he and the woman shared that gentle smile. So that's who she is.
"You must be the Yoko's adopted Mother. Shiori is it? Hm. Not what I expected. There really isn't much to you is there?" The orange haired boy bristles again.
"Don't you insult Kurama's Mom like that!" She just laughs at the ningen. Then the doors open to admit a very weary looking form of Raizen's heir.
"Hey Kuwa, Shiori, Mukuro." He rubs his eyes is a weary fashion... one that has nothing to do with his physical state.
"Urameshi! Where the heck have you been!? What happened!?" The boy picks Raizen's heir up by the front of his shirt.
"Sorry Kuwa, needed you to stay here to keep Kurama's family safe. Yomi got word and I managed to catch up to him."
"What do ya mean!?"
"We found them."
Why does he look depressed at that admission?
***
Yomi listens carefully to Kurama's breathing. It is too shallow, probably from broken ribs. He can smell the kitsune's blood, far too much of it. Most disturbing is the pathetic aura; squeezed dry. It is taking all of Yomi's patience not to just tear the little fire demon apart and carry his old friend back to Gandara for proper treatment. That would start a war, but more importantly, Kurama would not appreciate Yomi attacking his friend.
So Yomi waits.
The soft patter of feet reaches his ears, along with deep breaths. Someone is running, quick for a human, too slow to be a higher class of demon. Soon the scent reaches him. Human, a woman. She stops in front of the door and opens it without knocking. She's sweating; Yomi can smell it. She rushes toward Kurama and Yomi intervenes, pulling her against him tightly. What is her purpose here?
"Let me go! Please!" She smells... familiar. But he can't place it.
"No."
"Please my baby! He's right there!" Her baby? There are no human infants in the room.
"Suuichi! Please he's hurt!" Yomi recognizes Kurama's human name, and is about to return the woman, obviously his human Mother, to the ground when Yusuke enters.
"Yomi put her down! That's Shiori! Damn I didn't think she could run that fast..." Mukuro enters behind just as the woman's feet touch the floor.
"I have been made aware of that fact." He says stiffly.
"What then? You just like to smell of ningens you old goat? Figures, that must be why you keep the red head around. I'll never understand why both you and Hiei screw that half dead thief. Makes you smell horrid." Mukuro smirks, he can hear her lips curve, he can feel the heat of a blush creep into Shiori's skin, he just knows that Yusuke is stunned, the spluttering is just confirmation.
Yomi releases Shiori who just looks at her feet, trying to fight her blush. "W-Wh-What!? Kurama and Hiei!? Kurama and Yomi!? No way!"
Yomi clears his throat. "Kurama is my second in command, my old friend, and no more. In addition, I cannot imagine him defiling himself with that brainless twit you deemed your heir Mukuro."
Mukuro laughs, a damn grating sound. "Don't be so sure... he was quite the kitsune whore in his day. 'No more' huh? Bet it isn't for lack of effort on your part."
"Watch your tongue woman or I'll remove it." Yusuke finally recovers and is about to intervene when another voice beats him to it.
Blazing eyes sear into Yomi, such a powerful spirit has rarely been felt, and never from a human. "Stop it! Stop it right now! If you two can't get along then just go! Those boys have probably been through hell and all you can do is sit there and fight! That isn't going to help them! Mukuro-san you obviously care a great deal for Hiei, and Yomi-san, Suuichi has told me you are one of his oldest friends. I only recently learned how old but that hardly matters! Now I am going to go get some bandages, when I come back, there will be no fighting!" She leaves in a hurry, Yusuke echo's both Yomi, and Mukuro's thoughts.
"That is why, Yoko Kurama the legendary fox thief, Hiei the only master of the dragon of the darkness flame, the most spiritually aware human in all three realms, and even I, a Mazaku, don't dare mess with that human woman. Kurama's mom just kicks ass." Yomi can feel his glee, can almost see the cocky grin.
***
Perhaps... there is more to that little woman than I thought.
Mukuro turns her attention back to retrieving Hiei. The little runt had caused her quite a bit a distress over the past month... not that she'd ever admit it. No, she would just have to take every inch of it back from him in his training. Oh, training would not be pleasant for him.
Not that it ever is.
"Hiei its time to go. You should have reported back from leave three weeks ago. I was going to have you take on 2,000 men over the course of a month, only 500 a week. But since you've been so lazy you'll have to finish them off in the next week." She turns to leave, and the young Mazaku stops her.
"Hiei's not going to be very up for training." She looks at him curiously, then looks a little closer at her heir. On first glance, Hiei was filthy, hadn't been very well fed, and was covered in blood. She knows he's faced and survived worse. She isn't concerned about his physical state, what was revealed on the second look is the dire nature of his mental state. She moves closer, right past Yomi, and reaches toward him. Where is the belligerent, tortured soul that has become her companion?
She feels his energy flare and she steps back before she is burned. Yomi sounds amused.
"Your weak minded heir has lost himself to the blood lust of the games." Mukuro just scowls, knowing that Yomi is right, but hating the truth. They just stand there, broken body of the kitsune laid out on the bed, guarded relentlessly by the broken mind of his companion.
***
Yusuke hears Shiori return. He grabs most of what she's carrying and sets it on the table for her, Kuwabara following her in, arms laden with even more.
"Thank you Yusuke dear. I though I should bring some blander foods with me. They look like they haven't had a good meal since they left." Her tone is even and pleasant, like the two were just boys gone on a camping trip that hadn't taken care of themselves. He didn't see her move, Mukuro hadn't expected it, Yomi was blocked from getting to her.
She reached out to touch Kurama.
Yusuke nearly chocked when Hiei grabbed her wrist forcefully. But... she just smiled at him. That brilliant smile that Kurama uses to fool his opponents. Warm, beautiful, caring.
"Hiei dear, its so good to see that you two are alright. Dear me you've just gotten yourself so filthy!" She takes the wet cloth she was going to use for Kurama's forehead and wipes Hiei's face, slowly uncovering his pale white skin.
"There! That must feel better! Now, you sit tight and I'll get to bandaging you up as soon as I finish Suuichi's wounds... his look a tad nastier." With that she retrieves more bandages and begins to treat Kurama, Hiei not interfering in the least, an utterly confused expression on his face.
"Oh Hiei dear, as soon as Suuichi wakes up I'll go get you two some cookies and milk. I'm sorry I don't have any ice cream. Hopefully cookies will pacify that sweet tooth of yours... I know the cookie jar always winds up empty whenever you come by..." Yusuke smiles.
Kurama's mom just kicks ass.
__________________________________________________________________ ____________________
A/N: Yea! They are free... physically at least.
Please review!!!
-kun: Attached to the name of a male friend
-san: Like Mr. of Mrs.
Kitsune: Spirit fox
Ningen: Human
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho nor any of its characters. They belong to Yoshihiro Togashi. The plot and original characters of this fic, are however, mine.