Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Ties That Bind ❯ Decision ( Chapter 9 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Chapter 9
Decision

Kurama lays his head back, taking in the comfort his Mother so willingly provides. My decision. he sighs. How does one go about deciding matters of life and death for a friend... you think I would be used to it by now though.

"You are quiet Suuichi." His mother wraps her arms around him a little tighter. "They are letting you decide aren't they? Whether or not to put Hiei to rest." He looks up at her.

"Yes. I am the oldest, the team strategist, adviser to Yomi, Yusuke, and Enki. I have also known Hiei the longest." She gives him a look of understanding.

"But to place that on your shoulders dear..." He shakes his head.

"I won't shirk the responsibility." He pauses for a moment, as though a new idea has occurred to him. "Hiei didn't shirk the responsibility of taking care of me... even after he had lost his mind. I owe it to him to give him the best solution my three thousand year old mind can. I owe him that, and much more. After all, they were after me... not Hiei."

"How do you...?"

"They used an herbalcide. Hiei doesn't manipulate plants. He probably would have gotten out of there too... if I hadn't passed out. I am far more susceptible to things that kill plants than normal people, but on the opposite end, I have a higher tolerance for plant based poisons. That we were in Genkai's forest at the time made it a hundred times worse. I didn't last two minutes."

"Oh Suuichi, I feel so bad. I asked him to take care of you. I never thought... well I never thought something like this could happen." Her voice is tinged with guilt, and she won't meet his gaze.

"Hiei and I were partners long before you asked him to take care of me." Their eyes meet, his are horribly sad.

"Partners?" He smiles, sad and reminiscent.

"I am a thief Mother. It is all I know; my chosen profession. Whether it be treasure, love, lives, secrets, or even time. But like every good thief, I do my best work with a partner." She opens her mouth to object, but he cuts her off. "Stop. I know what I am, I am even proud of it. For no better reason than that I believe my best work to have been done since you showed me that the most valuable treasures are not the ones that glitter with jewels. I consider my greatest heist to be stealing your soul away from King Enma. I simply could not have pulled that one off though, if not for my partner. My partners guard my back while I break seals and pick locks; watch over me while I am wounded or sleeping; provide a rebound for my ideas. I need my partners, every bit as much as they come to depend on me."

He takes a deep breath.

"In return for their loyalty I grant them their deepest desire, ones they themselves may not even be aware of. Genwa wanted a purpose. He went from seeking a way to die to helping me eliminate ninety percent of the hunters that seek to steal the hides of animal spirits, on top of stealing back thousands of pelts sold. When we parted he continued, last I heard he was in some of the deeper levels... still stealing pelts. Shinta wanted adventure. I took him from a small apple farm in west Makai, to over three hundred raids; some the most perilous and impenetrable fortresses at the time. He died fending off 500 A-class demons in one of the most famous heists in history... such a smile on his face. Yomi wanted a friend, I did my best but eventually could not stand for his negligence of our partnership; he just wasn't old enough to understand. Now that he's older... we may not be partners anymore but I still choose to be his friend. Kuronue wanted love, the most difficult for me to grant at the time. It seems they just get harder with time. He died to protect me, his death is still my greatest regret."

Kurama turns and runs his fingers through Hiei's hair, the young demon not stirring from his rest in the slightest.

"Hiei is the most stubborn, secretive, deceptive, prideful, relentless, and complicated person I have ever had the pleasure to meet. It was like dangling an emerald... or perhaps a ruby would be more appropriate, in front of Yoko's face. It took me ages to figure out what his desire is. I have had to fight for every inch toward the goal in mind... but it has been worth it. He is the most protective and loyal partner I have ever had. I just wish I knew how to grant his wish, and give him peace at the same time." Shiori is entranced.

"What is it? What is Hiei's wish Suuichi?" She breathes out.

Kurama just smiles.

"Now Mother, didn't I say that Hiei is secretive? He wouldn't approve of my saying." She pouts. "I simply do not think I could stand to loose another partner. Were Hiei here, the solution would not be so difficult to find, he knows just how to throw my ideas back at me..." He rubs a tired hand over his face.

"Then you need to find a way to save him. There just isn't any other way." She nods astutely.

"Thank you Mother." She laughs.

"Anytime you need a substitute for Hiei just tell me dear." He looks a little shocked, and a little sheepish. "You didn't really think I hadn't figured that much out now did you Suuichi? I may not rebound as well as Hiei, but I will always try my best. Now we'll just leave you alone to think for a time, call if you need me dear." She slips out from behind him and fluffs his pillows a bit.

"Yes Mother, I love you." She kisses his cheek and shoos Kazuya and Suu-chan out.

"I love you too Suuichi."

***
"I don't know why you insist on my staying at the temple dear, I won't be alive much longer you know."

"Oh but I'm sure Master Genkai won't mind! Please Father!?"

"I certainly will but I don't want you to be disappointed when I..."

"Oh stop talking like that it just isn't going to happen!"

"Yukina, darling. It is in my nature. My mate has moved on, I must follow." Yukina kisses Meiyo's cheek and settles back into his arms, resting against the sakura tree. "The only reason I haven't taken it upon myself is because I think your Mother would like to know more about you when I get there."

"Oh Father, if you were going to move on, it would have happened by now." He shakes his head.

"Yukina I don't know why I haven't yet, but I attribute it to my lack of knowledge. Now that I know... well, mates are meant to be together." Kuwabara pipes up.

"Well... maybe she isn't gone..." They both look at him. "I mean, if she's dead... but her soul didn't move on then he would have to stay here right?" Yusuke squats done next to him.

"What do you mean Kuwa?"

"Shizuru told me that people who... who... who kill themselves have trouble moving on. I kept getting depressed whenever I passed this one house you know? There was a guy who lost his wife in childbirth and he couldn't take it... She said that they they become lost souls; they cling to worldly objects because they can't move past the pain that haunted them in life. I've been thinking about it since you told me. Maybe that's why..." Meiyo's eyes darken a shade and he licks his lips.

"So Hina may still be with us?" Kuwabara nods.

"I always feel strange when I see Yukina's hiruseki. Everyone else just said that it is pretty or something like that. It always made me sad though. I think maybe... maybe she wanted to look after Yukina and her brother, even after she was gone."

"So Mother is in my hiruseki!? Then I can give it to Father and he won't have to leave! Then we can really be one big family again!" Yukina jumps up giggling, she pulls Meiyo to his feet.

"Indeed darling. Then when I pass on naturally my soul will guide hers. Where is it dear?" Yukina's face falls for a minute.

"I... gave it to Hiei-kun. He is helping me find brother, with his jagan."

Kuwabara's jaw drops. "You gave it to the runt!? Yukina! He probably sold it or something!"

Yukina is visibly distressed by this. "Kazuma-kun! Please don't say such mean things about Hiei-kun! He may act mean but he's really nice! He helped save me too and anytime no one else is around and I get in trouble he's there to help. Sometimes Kurama can even convince him to have tea with us. He saves me and helps me and gives me really good advice, so please Kazuma-kun. I know Hiei-kun would never do such a thing!"

"But Yukina!" Yusuke cuts him off.

"No Kuwa, I don't think Hiei would sell it. In fact I think he'd die before willing giving up Yukina's tear gem." Yusuke has a very serious look on his face, so Kuwabara keeps quiet. "Your brother also has one of those gems right Yukina?"

"Of course! That's how I will know its him when I find him! Rui, my Mother's best friend said she gave it to him before she had to throw him off."

Kuwabara looks shocked. "Your Mom's best friend threw your brother off!? What kind of friend is that!?" Yukina shakes her head.

"Rui didn't have a choice Kazuma-kun. The elders decided Brother's fate. So she gave him Mother's hiruseki and told him that when he returned, he should kill her first, the least she could do. She raised me after Mother died, and told me about Brother."

"Oh..."

"Hey Yukina, why don't you go get your Mom's hiruseki back from Hiei? I bet if you ask him, Kurama can get it. Take Kuwa with you just in case there is trouble. I'll stay here with your Dad, Hiei might not take well to strangers." Yukina brightens up again.

"Ok Yusuke-kun!" She grabs Kuwabara's hand and tugs him along. "Come on Kazuma-kun!" As soon as they are gone Meiyo speaks up.

"I'd like to see Hiei. I think it might prove... enlightening." Yusuke's eyes snap to him, he is wearing a more serious expression that is nearly never present with Yukina around.

"Figured it out did you?" Yusuke pulls the same picture of Hiei and Kurama from his wallet that Kuwabara had shown Suu-chan and Kazuya. Meiyo looks at the photo a little surprised at the thing itself but resigned to what he saw.

"What an amazing little painting, someone you know has great talent. At least I am correct in thinking that Hiei is my son. I never spoke with him, only the kitsune. By the time we were in close enough proximity to speak, he had already retreated within his mind and was covered by too much filth for me to see the resemblance. But... he looks just like me, as I was at his age." A small grin grows on his face. "Minus the spiked hair and white star burst. Why does he not tell Yukina?"

"I don't know. He told me not to but I wasn't going to listen... but Kurama told me not to interfere. He said that Hiei needed to deal with some things before he could be the kind of big brother Yukina deserves. That he has to deal with it in his own time. So I let them be. Kuwabara doesn't know, in fact I think only Kurama, Yomi, Shura, Botan, Koenma, and myself do. Well... the only ones that are alive anyway."

"The kitsune and my son are... close?" Yusuke puts his hands behind his head and leans back looking toward the ceiling.

"Kurama and Hiei are friends. Nothing beyond that... that I know of anyway. They knew each other long before I met them. I know that Kurama can get Hiei to do things he wouldn't normally do. He can get away with saying things that would get us killed. But Kurama does that with everyone else too. Hiei only lets Kurama and Yukina treat his injuries, and the only other person he visits in the human world other than Yukina is Kurama. Make what you will of it, Kurama is the only one Hiei has let into his little world."

"I see. You realize now that I cannot let you kill my son." Yusuke gets a big cheesy grin on his face.

"That's why I let Kurama decide. You just watch! Kurama always comes up with the best plans! There is gonna be explosions and rose petals and awesome fights, and when its all over, Kurama is gonna laugh while he treats everyones wounds probably tell us to be more careful. Hiei will give a livid glare and mutter something about 'baka ningens' before flitting off, probably to wait for Kurama to get home so he can get treated. Last but not least Kuwa and I will get into a stupid fight. Then we head back home until we all inevitably meet again."

Meiyo was going to comment on the impracticality of that when he is interrupted by a very loud explosion.

***
Shiori rests her head on the windowsill of her and Kazuya's room. He just needs time to think, soon we will go back home and everything can get back to normal. Kazuya's hands come to rest gently on her shoulders, his voice is soft and comforting.

"I am sure Suuichi will come to the right decision. When he does, we will be able to set him back on his feet and he'll go on just as he has." Shiori turns around sharply to meet her husbands eyes.

"The right decision? Kazuya that is not for you to say!" He shakes his head.

"Shiori that boy has been not but trouble for him. Convincing him to steal and lie and go out on those dangerous missions! Now he is brain dead and violent. It is best for both Suuichi and that boy if he is laid to rest. Suuichi is a smart young man, I am sure he will realize this."

"You seem to forget that Suuichi had a dangerous life long before he met Hiei. Do you not remember the things they said about Yoko Kurama? He and my Suuichi are one in the same Kazuya."

"Suuichi is a wonderful young man that protects his family! He and that other demon have nothing in common! You changed him Shiori."

"Suuichi is wonderful, and perhaps it was my influence, but you cannot damn Hiei without knowing him! You cannot judge parts of a race as the whole! Suuichi is a demon, Suuichi is a thief, and Suuichi is loyal to both his family and his friends! I am proud of my son, the fox spirit, the thief, the caring individual! Suuichi and Hiei are both demons but they share at least one other trait... a good heart. Whether its hidden or not."

"Shiori enough! I am sure that Suuichi will come to the right decision and have the boy laid to rest. Then we can all move on and leave this in the past!"

"This is not to be left in the past! I refuse to let things go back to how they were, with Suuichi having to hide who he is Kazuya! I want to know! I want to be part of his life, all of his life! Why can't you understand that!?"

"I understand it Shiori but with that boy gone he will leave this part of his life behind."

"No! Hiei or no Hiei Suuichi is Kurama. What about Yusuke and Yomi-san? Not to mention this man Enki-sama? He will not abandon his responsibilities, his friends, his life Kazuya! Part of him belongs here, just as part of him belongs with us!"

"Suuichi will leave it behind! He is a man!"

"Yes! As a man he will follow his own path Kazuya! Not yours!" His eyes get wide and he takes a step back.

"Mom? Dad?" They both turn to see a wide eyed Suu-chan standing in the doorway, looking a bit sheepish.

Shori quickly smiles and slips on the mask her son must have used on her a thousand times. "Yes sweetie? I there something you need?" He relaxes and smiles back at her.

"Yomi-san is here to speak with you." Shiori shoots Kazuya a 'we'll talk later' look, straightens herself out in the mirror and goes to greet their guest. Kazuya soon follows.

"Yomi-san, how pleasant to see you! Please do have a seat, after all, this is your home."

Yomi laughs and Shiori looks a bit puzzled. "My apologies Hatanaka-san, it is simply that in being near you for such an extended period of time I am learning as to where all of my old friends new behavior patterns come from. You see, the Yoko I knew, only bothered with pleasantries and manners when necesary, yet your Suuichi's are flawless, even in the heat of battle. At first I attributed it to a way to throw his opponents off, much like his softer appearance... both deadly in his hands. Yet now I must wonder, how much of it is by design, and how much ingrained?" Shiori laughs as well, before her face falls a bit.

"I may be blind Hatanaka-san, but even a blind man can sense your worry." She looks a bit surprised and he smiles. "One must be able to fight in order to survive in Makai, if I had not overcome my so-called handicap I would be dead. I fight better now than I ever did with my sight, and the lesson I learned is what made me who I am today. The Yoko's lessons are ones hard learned, but he will inevitably make the right choice to suit his ends. It is a pity that his ends and my own will differ in this time."

"What do you mean Yomi-san?"

"I am here to warn you, when the alarms go off... stay here. You will be safe here. Kurama will not see to his own well being with Hiei's at risk. I will not permit my friend, who has bruised ribs and is still underweight, to leave until he is well. Both he and I know this. If you stay in your rooms, you will not be harmed in the ensuing chaos."

"You mean... you are trying to lock him up?"

"Only if he chooses to leave and take care of the fire demon before he is well. Which, given the mental state he's had since we were reunited, I expect he will. Don't worry, I would not harm him. I have the best technology there is to restrain him." Kazuya speaks up.

"Well if he did try to leave it would be rather foolish. He needs to stay in bed until he's better." Yomi smiles.

"You know nothing of your own step-son. How amusing." Both Shori and Kazuya look shocked by the statement. "Kurama, Suuichi, Yoko... it matters not his name. What matters in the mind that lays underneath. That mind is the same now as it was when I first met him, willing to do anything to achieve his goal. Just because the goal has changed does not mean that he is any different. Just because he seeks not treasure, but the mind of his friend, will not make him any less capable." He stops, tilting his head toward the door. "Ah, it seems the time has come. Sooner than I expected... most likely to throw me off. Clever, I will enjoy this game you have set out for us to play old friend." Yomi stands up. "Stay here, Kurama would not wish you to come to harm. I will retrieve you when it is safe." He turns to go.

As his hand brushes the door the room is rattled by a very loud explosion.
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A/N: No answer for you yet. Next chapter, I promise.

Please review!!!

-san: Mr. or Mrs.
-sama: Lord
-kun: Young man that is a friend
Makai: Demon world
Reikai: Spirit world
Ningenkai: Human world
Kitsune: Fox spirit
Baka: idiot
Ningen: Human
Mazaku: Type of demon that Yusuke is
Sakura Tree: cherry tree
Jagan: Hiei's 3rd eye