Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Ties That Bind ❯ Reunion ( Chapter 12 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: DNSora 
Yusuke comes across Hiei and Kurama. Kurama has tea with his Mother, and just what is Shura's problem?
Anime/Manga: Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Shounen / Angst / Romance | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 08.07.2008 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.4K | Visits: 242 | Status: Work In Progress
Yusuke comes across Hiei and Kurama. Kurama has tea with his Mother, and just what is Shura's problem?
Anime/Manga: Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Shounen / Angst / Romance | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 08.07.2008 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.4K | Visits: 242 | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter 12
Reunion
Yusuke walks slowly back to the temple. He has been staying with Genkai for training until the next tournament. He has to make several trips a month to the Makai in order to upkeep his position as governor but the benefits are worth it. By living with the old woman he can keep an eye on her, get excellent training, and have access to both Keiko and Tourin. Not that he'd ever let Genkai know he is content with the arrangement she proposed.
Meiyo and Yukina have bonded quite well, she is rarely seen without him, usually dragging him along to see whatever new bird or flower she has found. She had been changing quite a bit. Her shape has filled out, and she's grown a couple of inches. Kuwabara is more infatuated than ever. Meiyo says that her body is finally reaching maturity, and gives Kuwabara a glare to match any his son could give at every opportunity... Yukina remains clueless. Meiyo is trying to train her to defend herself, but usually ends with the first hit she lands, nearly bursting into tears at the idea of hurting her 'Daddy'.
Amazing really how she and Hiei could possibly be related... twins no less. Kurama would say something completely... well Kurama-ish, like Yin and yang are two halves of the same whole. Fire and ice, neutral and colorful, male and female, turbulent and calm, Hiei and Yukina. But both are short with red eyes, both protect what they believe in with ferocity, and both have that uncanny strength of will to survive when the world turns against them. He can hear his friend in his head as clear as if he is right there, standing by his side. Yusuke can see him with that sly smile, twirling a lock of red hair absently as they watch Hiei fight...
Damn he misses those little insights.
Recently he has altered the route he takes between the temple and Keiko's house, now he passes Kurama's apartment on the way, always looking in to see if his friends have returned. So far it's no such luck. Three months, Kurama calls his Mother everyday to let her know he's alright, he still completes his work for his father, and keeps contact with anyone willing to send him an e-mail.
Yusuke hasn't.
Not that he doesn't know how, but if Kurama wants to say something to him he knows that the clever fox-boy would find a way.
He looks up, eyes automatically looking to the apartment window he knows by heart and stops. The lights are on. His breath catches, he quickly counts to verify. It is Kurama's apartment, the lights are on. He takes the stairs at full speed and raises his hand to knock on the door. Two familiar aura greeting his senses and feeding his goofy grin.
The shrimp and fox-boy are back.
***
There is pounding on the door... excited pounding. The damn fool responsible for such a ruckus would surely meet the end of his sword, after all, his exhausted partner had finally been able to fall asleep. This fool would pay severely for attempting to disturb that healing rest. Well... pay without serious damage... his partner had insisted.
He throws the door open to find a ningen looking boy with black hair and a goofy grin. Hiei gives his best glare. His smile falls and Hiei assumes that the pesky brat has gotten the hint that he isn't welcome.
"Hiei man you grew! You've got to be as tall as Kurama by now! What's with the hair!? A ponytail? What happened to the spikes!?" That annoying little pest reaches out to tug on Hiei's hair and just as he is about to smack this seemingly human boy back in his place, he says something to trigger a memory.
"Guess we can't call you shrimp anymore huh?" Hiei is overwhelmed by this recent memory, much more vivid than his others. He grabs his head as the pounding starts in. The young man grabs him, talking in a worried tone but the words are fuzzy, his eyes slide closed to another scene, another's voice reaches his ears. One that is much more annoying.
Yes, annoying can be used to describe the orange haired ningen he has just sent flying. That grating whiny voice assaulting his ears.
"You cheated shrimp! I was talking to Urameshi!" He smirks.
"Don't take your eyes off your opponent Oaf. If you are truly that stupid then I was right in the beginning, training is a lost cause on you." The Orange haired ningen bristles.
"Take that back Shrimp or I'll pound you!" The the other ningen boy, with black hair starts laughing.
"He's right Kuwabara, you shouldn't have got distracted. Hiei won fair and square." Hiei gives a rare grin to the ningens.
"At least you have half a brain detective."
His partner is there, behind him, holding him up. The black haired ningen is giving him a strange look. "I know you..." He cocks his head to the side. "You are 'Detective'." Kurama lets out a breath of excitement.
"Yes Hiei! Wonderful! You do call him 'Detective'. Did you remember anything else?" Hiei looks to the floor for a moment.
"Yea Fox, an orange haired ningen named 'Oaf'... he drops his guard too easily and whines too much. His voice is annoying." Hiei is surprised to hear both the fox and the detective burst out laughing.
"That's right too, good job." The laughter continues for quite some time.
***
Shiori buzzes around him as he sips his tea, trying to catch him up on all that happened since he's been gone. Apparently his stepfather had told everyone that he is working from home until he fully recovers from being pushed down a large flight of stairs by local criminals. Kurama is sure that when he returns to work he will have more fan girls than ever.
Yusuke wound up spending the night at his place, Kurama took advantage of it to visit his Mother alone today; leaving a disgruntled Yusuke to deal with Hiei. He only hopes for his apartment to be in one piece when he returns.
"... and then I told that man that Suu-chan is an excellent student and would never do such a thing. The principal agreed of course. Can you believe that?"
He smiles. "They were obviously mistaken."
"I know!" There is a knock at the door, Kurama felt the approach, his garden plants aren't concerned but something feels... off. "I'll be right back." Shiori scurries off to answer the door.
Kurama nods and pours another cup for himself, paying close attention to the strange... and strangly familiar aura.
Shiori returns with a slightly worried expression and Kurama goes to full guard, just realizing that the aura is suppressed, and he tucks a seed into his palm. "Um... Suuichi I believe it's for you dear." A young man enters and Kurama knows why the aura felt familiar. He stands quickly to greet his guest.
"Shura-kun! How pleasant to see you. Please have a seat." Kurama eyes him slowly. By all means he looks like hell, his hair is tousled, he must not have slept for weeks, and probably hadn't eaten either. But it is the look in his eye that unsettles Kurama the most.
It is time then.
Shrua speaks with a raspy voice, having completely ignored Kurama's invitation to sit. "I wasn't sure at first... but now I am. Just seeing your reaction... I know. You did this to me." It wasn't a question. Kurama finds his nails very interesting. His stepfather and step brother stand up quickly, ready to defend him, but he cuts them off before they have a chance.
"I did." They looks at him incredulously. "What brings you here Shura?" Those eyes snap to anger. He grabs the kitsune by his shirt and slams him into the wall.
"Don't you dare play your games with me! Don't give me that polite little ningen crap that you feed everyone else!" He slams Kurama into the wall, causing a groan of protest from both the wall and Kurama's bones.
"Why are you here?" The voice is even, his face blank, this pisses Shura off even more.
"For revenge! How dare you mess with my head!" The answer is hissed, Shura's face a mess of fury. Kurama remains calm.
"Why are you here Shura?" This earns him another slam into the wall, Shiori whimpers in fright.
"I told you! I am here for revenge!" Shura pulls back to strike, only to find himself on the ground. Kurama's foot is pressing into his chest, making it difficult to breathe. The normally soft eyes are hard, cold, sharp. When he speaks the tone sends fear shooting down Shura's spine, a tone he had never heard from his mentor. It is cold, it is commanding, it is dangerous.
"Lie to yourself if it pleases you Shura, but do not assume you can lie to me. If you are here for revenge, why not attack my unsuspecting and defenseless Mother? You are not here for revenge. The truth Shura. Why are you here?"
Kurama can feel the fear coming off the little clone in waves. "I-I d-don't know..." Those eyes harden even more and the pressure increases.
"Liar!" A sadistic smile emerges. "Just like your Father, I had to beat his insecurities out as well." Something inside Shura snaps, he throws the fox off of him and into the wall fully planning to beat the hell out of him.
"I AM NOT MY FATHER!!!" He screams it at the top of his lungs, the tears run down his cheeks, his fist flies through the air, but stops short. The eyes are laughing at him, lips curled into a real smile. Kurama's tone is soft once again.
"Exactly. That is why you are here Shura." Too much, his legs give out and his knees hit the floor.
"I don't... what do you? I..." His head is swimming too fast.
"You are not Yomi, you are Shura. That confuses you. Now, why are you here Shura?"
"I... I need answers. I need... advice... I need..." He trails off.
"Guidance." Kurama finishes for him, the boy nods. "You haven't slept or ate in weeks have you?" He shakes his head. Kurama nods, and wipes the tears from Shura's face. "Sit down, I will return in a moment." He leaves the room and Shura does as he's told, the stunned ningens remain silent.
Kurama returns a moment later, with a sandwich, a glass of milk, a damp washcloth, and a hairbrush. He sets the glass and sandwich in front of Shura. "Eat." Shura obeys. Kurama picks up the hairbrush and Shura smells rose oil, the brush is treated with it, that is his mentors own hairbrush. The scent wraps around him as Kurama proceeds to work the tangles out of his hair, slowly and tenderly.
"Why do you bother?" It is whispered. "Why do you try so hard... to care for a failed attempt at a carbon copy?"
"You are not." It is a command, but soft. "Your father asked me to guide you. Though he did not realize what he was asking at the time. His words were meant for me to do what is best for you. What he did not realize, and what he could not understand at the time, is happening now. What is best for you, and what he wants from you have split. He asked me to do what is best for you, so I will tell you the truth. You stand at the split right now, you can either go down your own path or the one Yomi has set out for you. Understand that in the end... the choice is yours to make."
"What do you mean by 'my own path'?"
"You do not have to remain in his shadow. You are more than just his clone. It is time for you to come to terms with that. You are not a failed attempt at a copy because you are not a copy. You are Shura not Yomi." Shura finishes eating. "It may not be what you are used to, but it will sustain you for a time." Kurama sets down the hairbrush and ties Shura's hair back before reaching for the washcloth to wipe his face. The cool cloth moves softly over his skin, wiping away weeks of accumulated filth.
"I understand. Thank you. But..." He hesitates.
Kurama coaxes him for the rest."But?"
"I want to ask a favor." The rhythmic motion is very soothing.
"Of course you can ask Shura, I will help you if I can." The smooth alto is sweet on Shura's ears. How deceptive.
"I want you to... Will you be my Dad? I mean... that way I can have a Father and a Dad. I can have two parents, like I am supposed to." The washcloth hits the floor. Shura looks up to find the kitsune frozen in place, his expression moving from soft, to completely unreadable again.
"Kurama?" The fox turns from him, arms crossed, he moves slowly to the widow and leans against it. Shura knows he is choosing his words.
When he speaks, the words are slow... calculated... cold. "You have a lot of love to give out Shura. I am... honored... that you chose to offer some of it to me. Ask me to guide you, ask me for friendship, ask me to be your ally, or to help you obtain a goal. Those things I can do, but Shura, this that you ask of me... I cannot."
Shura feels the sting of rejection and is on his feet once more. "Why!? You already act like my parent! You take care of me and tell Father when he messes up! You make sure I take care of myself and teach me things that no one else will! Why not!?" The infuriating man won't even turn to meet his gaze, that damnable even tone not cracking once.
"That is not for you to know. There are things in this life that I am not allowed, the love of a child is one of them. This is for your own good."
"You even sound like a parent! Why can't you tell me?"
"That is not for you to know right now, you will understand one day, and when you do, you'll wish you don't."
"How am I supposed to learn to be strong like you and Father without you both there? I am not asking you to be with him!"
"I know what you are asking Shura, it is you that doesn't understand."
"Enlighten me then!"
"I can't, not right now. But I will give you something else. Why do you believe us to be strong Shura?" Shura growls.
"Because you can keep your cool. Not matter how tough or awful you feel, no one ever knows what you think. You never show your real feelings." Kurama shakes his head slowly.
"What would you do Shura, if I told you, that those qualities you hold in such high regard, are not a strength but a weakness?" Shura flops back into his chair, stunned. Kurama continues. "There is a difference between not showing emotion, and not being able to show emotion."
"Not able to? What do you mean?" Kurama turned to look at him, that flawless mask in place.
"Yomi, myself, and even Hiei grew up in a place quite different from the Makai you know. Yukina, you, Yusuke, Kuwabara... you all had homes, friends, family, people to protect and nurture you. We did not. Our emotions were exploited and used against us, used to hurt us in ways you've never had to understand... that you never should have to understand. So emotions in general were deemed a weakness; a flaw. They were dealt with appropriately and effectively. Yomi and Hiei buried theirs under carnage and blood and a sea of dead bodies. I simply sealed mine away. They have an advantage over me because of this. Since my return, your birth, and Yusuke's tournament, Yomi has slowly been uncovering his emotions. It is a long, hard process; he does it for you. Hiei started when he found a place to belong, and someone to protect. Both of them have made a great deal of progress."
"And you?"
"I have not. It figures that the toughest seal I've ever come across is one I placed myself. Anytime I have a strong emotion... the mask comes down, whether I want it to or not. Different masks are used for different occasions but the end result is the same. The closest I get to expressing real emotion, is when my mask matches what I feel. You voice cracks when you are nervous, you cry out in frustration, you laugh until your sides hurt and you can't breathe... why would you want to give that up?"
"I don't." Barely a whisper.
"Don't be too hard on Yomi, he's trying his best. He just doesn't know how to deal with certain situations."
Shura cups his head in his hands. "How do I make him understand?"
"Don't play his game, make him play yours. So long as you set the rules, you will win." He looks back up, slightly surprised by such a direct answer.
"That why you always win huh? You make everyone else play by your rules."
"I do. A hard learned lesson, that I give to you free of charge." Something flickers through those green eyes, too fast to discern though. A sad little smile emerges.
Shura sees the sad little smile. "You do that a lot... don't you?"
"As often as I can." Shura's eyes flash, determination undaunted.
"Who has you trapped?" He turns back around quickly.
"Don't be silly Shura, kitsunes can't be caught." Shura nods grimly.
"Because they die when they are captured." Kurama moves behind him.
"Yes."
"Then who is killing you?" Kurama's hands slip to Shura's shoulders, applying gentle pressure, Shura is too tired to throw him off.
"That is not for you to know right now, you will understand one day, and when you do, you'll wish you don't. Whether it be one, ten, a hundred, or a thousand years from now... you'll wish you don't."
Shura slips quietly into blackness.
____________________________________________________________ __________________________
A/N: Holy cow that was a long discussion. Or was it more of a fight? Poor little Shura... he is tormented so. Between Yomi, Kurama, and myself... its a wonder he isn't nuts. Only one more chapter to go!
Please review!!!
-san: Mr. or Mrs.
-sama: Lord
-kun: Young man that is a friend
-chan: Female, young boy, or lover
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
Hiruseki: tear gem
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.
Reunion
Yusuke walks slowly back to the temple. He has been staying with Genkai for training until the next tournament. He has to make several trips a month to the Makai in order to upkeep his position as governor but the benefits are worth it. By living with the old woman he can keep an eye on her, get excellent training, and have access to both Keiko and Tourin. Not that he'd ever let Genkai know he is content with the arrangement she proposed.
Meiyo and Yukina have bonded quite well, she is rarely seen without him, usually dragging him along to see whatever new bird or flower she has found. She had been changing quite a bit. Her shape has filled out, and she's grown a couple of inches. Kuwabara is more infatuated than ever. Meiyo says that her body is finally reaching maturity, and gives Kuwabara a glare to match any his son could give at every opportunity... Yukina remains clueless. Meiyo is trying to train her to defend herself, but usually ends with the first hit she lands, nearly bursting into tears at the idea of hurting her 'Daddy'.
Amazing really how she and Hiei could possibly be related... twins no less. Kurama would say something completely... well Kurama-ish, like Yin and yang are two halves of the same whole. Fire and ice, neutral and colorful, male and female, turbulent and calm, Hiei and Yukina. But both are short with red eyes, both protect what they believe in with ferocity, and both have that uncanny strength of will to survive when the world turns against them. He can hear his friend in his head as clear as if he is right there, standing by his side. Yusuke can see him with that sly smile, twirling a lock of red hair absently as they watch Hiei fight...
Damn he misses those little insights.
Recently he has altered the route he takes between the temple and Keiko's house, now he passes Kurama's apartment on the way, always looking in to see if his friends have returned. So far it's no such luck. Three months, Kurama calls his Mother everyday to let her know he's alright, he still completes his work for his father, and keeps contact with anyone willing to send him an e-mail.
Yusuke hasn't.
Not that he doesn't know how, but if Kurama wants to say something to him he knows that the clever fox-boy would find a way.
He looks up, eyes automatically looking to the apartment window he knows by heart and stops. The lights are on. His breath catches, he quickly counts to verify. It is Kurama's apartment, the lights are on. He takes the stairs at full speed and raises his hand to knock on the door. Two familiar aura greeting his senses and feeding his goofy grin.
The shrimp and fox-boy are back.
***
There is pounding on the door... excited pounding. The damn fool responsible for such a ruckus would surely meet the end of his sword, after all, his exhausted partner had finally been able to fall asleep. This fool would pay severely for attempting to disturb that healing rest. Well... pay without serious damage... his partner had insisted.
He throws the door open to find a ningen looking boy with black hair and a goofy grin. Hiei gives his best glare. His smile falls and Hiei assumes that the pesky brat has gotten the hint that he isn't welcome.
"Hiei man you grew! You've got to be as tall as Kurama by now! What's with the hair!? A ponytail? What happened to the spikes!?" That annoying little pest reaches out to tug on Hiei's hair and just as he is about to smack this seemingly human boy back in his place, he says something to trigger a memory.
"Guess we can't call you shrimp anymore huh?" Hiei is overwhelmed by this recent memory, much more vivid than his others. He grabs his head as the pounding starts in. The young man grabs him, talking in a worried tone but the words are fuzzy, his eyes slide closed to another scene, another's voice reaches his ears. One that is much more annoying.
Yes, annoying can be used to describe the orange haired ningen he has just sent flying. That grating whiny voice assaulting his ears.
"You cheated shrimp! I was talking to Urameshi!" He smirks.
"Don't take your eyes off your opponent Oaf. If you are truly that stupid then I was right in the beginning, training is a lost cause on you." The Orange haired ningen bristles.
"Take that back Shrimp or I'll pound you!" The the other ningen boy, with black hair starts laughing.
"He's right Kuwabara, you shouldn't have got distracted. Hiei won fair and square." Hiei gives a rare grin to the ningens.
"At least you have half a brain detective."
His partner is there, behind him, holding him up. The black haired ningen is giving him a strange look. "I know you..." He cocks his head to the side. "You are 'Detective'." Kurama lets out a breath of excitement.
"Yes Hiei! Wonderful! You do call him 'Detective'. Did you remember anything else?" Hiei looks to the floor for a moment.
"Yea Fox, an orange haired ningen named 'Oaf'... he drops his guard too easily and whines too much. His voice is annoying." Hiei is surprised to hear both the fox and the detective burst out laughing.
"That's right too, good job." The laughter continues for quite some time.
***
Shiori buzzes around him as he sips his tea, trying to catch him up on all that happened since he's been gone. Apparently his stepfather had told everyone that he is working from home until he fully recovers from being pushed down a large flight of stairs by local criminals. Kurama is sure that when he returns to work he will have more fan girls than ever.
Yusuke wound up spending the night at his place, Kurama took advantage of it to visit his Mother alone today; leaving a disgruntled Yusuke to deal with Hiei. He only hopes for his apartment to be in one piece when he returns.
"... and then I told that man that Suu-chan is an excellent student and would never do such a thing. The principal agreed of course. Can you believe that?"
He smiles. "They were obviously mistaken."
"I know!" There is a knock at the door, Kurama felt the approach, his garden plants aren't concerned but something feels... off. "I'll be right back." Shiori scurries off to answer the door.
Kurama nods and pours another cup for himself, paying close attention to the strange... and strangly familiar aura.
Shiori returns with a slightly worried expression and Kurama goes to full guard, just realizing that the aura is suppressed, and he tucks a seed into his palm. "Um... Suuichi I believe it's for you dear." A young man enters and Kurama knows why the aura felt familiar. He stands quickly to greet his guest.
"Shura-kun! How pleasant to see you. Please have a seat." Kurama eyes him slowly. By all means he looks like hell, his hair is tousled, he must not have slept for weeks, and probably hadn't eaten either. But it is the look in his eye that unsettles Kurama the most.
It is time then.
Shrua speaks with a raspy voice, having completely ignored Kurama's invitation to sit. "I wasn't sure at first... but now I am. Just seeing your reaction... I know. You did this to me." It wasn't a question. Kurama finds his nails very interesting. His stepfather and step brother stand up quickly, ready to defend him, but he cuts them off before they have a chance.
"I did." They looks at him incredulously. "What brings you here Shura?" Those eyes snap to anger. He grabs the kitsune by his shirt and slams him into the wall.
"Don't you dare play your games with me! Don't give me that polite little ningen crap that you feed everyone else!" He slams Kurama into the wall, causing a groan of protest from both the wall and Kurama's bones.
"Why are you here?" The voice is even, his face blank, this pisses Shura off even more.
"For revenge! How dare you mess with my head!" The answer is hissed, Shura's face a mess of fury. Kurama remains calm.
"Why are you here Shura?" This earns him another slam into the wall, Shiori whimpers in fright.
"I told you! I am here for revenge!" Shura pulls back to strike, only to find himself on the ground. Kurama's foot is pressing into his chest, making it difficult to breathe. The normally soft eyes are hard, cold, sharp. When he speaks the tone sends fear shooting down Shura's spine, a tone he had never heard from his mentor. It is cold, it is commanding, it is dangerous.
"Lie to yourself if it pleases you Shura, but do not assume you can lie to me. If you are here for revenge, why not attack my unsuspecting and defenseless Mother? You are not here for revenge. The truth Shura. Why are you here?"
Kurama can feel the fear coming off the little clone in waves. "I-I d-don't know..." Those eyes harden even more and the pressure increases.
"Liar!" A sadistic smile emerges. "Just like your Father, I had to beat his insecurities out as well." Something inside Shura snaps, he throws the fox off of him and into the wall fully planning to beat the hell out of him.
"I AM NOT MY FATHER!!!" He screams it at the top of his lungs, the tears run down his cheeks, his fist flies through the air, but stops short. The eyes are laughing at him, lips curled into a real smile. Kurama's tone is soft once again.
"Exactly. That is why you are here Shura." Too much, his legs give out and his knees hit the floor.
"I don't... what do you? I..." His head is swimming too fast.
"You are not Yomi, you are Shura. That confuses you. Now, why are you here Shura?"
"I... I need answers. I need... advice... I need..." He trails off.
"Guidance." Kurama finishes for him, the boy nods. "You haven't slept or ate in weeks have you?" He shakes his head. Kurama nods, and wipes the tears from Shura's face. "Sit down, I will return in a moment." He leaves the room and Shura does as he's told, the stunned ningens remain silent.
Kurama returns a moment later, with a sandwich, a glass of milk, a damp washcloth, and a hairbrush. He sets the glass and sandwich in front of Shura. "Eat." Shura obeys. Kurama picks up the hairbrush and Shura smells rose oil, the brush is treated with it, that is his mentors own hairbrush. The scent wraps around him as Kurama proceeds to work the tangles out of his hair, slowly and tenderly.
"Why do you bother?" It is whispered. "Why do you try so hard... to care for a failed attempt at a carbon copy?"
"You are not." It is a command, but soft. "Your father asked me to guide you. Though he did not realize what he was asking at the time. His words were meant for me to do what is best for you. What he did not realize, and what he could not understand at the time, is happening now. What is best for you, and what he wants from you have split. He asked me to do what is best for you, so I will tell you the truth. You stand at the split right now, you can either go down your own path or the one Yomi has set out for you. Understand that in the end... the choice is yours to make."
"What do you mean by 'my own path'?"
"You do not have to remain in his shadow. You are more than just his clone. It is time for you to come to terms with that. You are not a failed attempt at a copy because you are not a copy. You are Shura not Yomi." Shura finishes eating. "It may not be what you are used to, but it will sustain you for a time." Kurama sets down the hairbrush and ties Shura's hair back before reaching for the washcloth to wipe his face. The cool cloth moves softly over his skin, wiping away weeks of accumulated filth.
"I understand. Thank you. But..." He hesitates.
Kurama coaxes him for the rest."But?"
"I want to ask a favor." The rhythmic motion is very soothing.
"Of course you can ask Shura, I will help you if I can." The smooth alto is sweet on Shura's ears. How deceptive.
"I want you to... Will you be my Dad? I mean... that way I can have a Father and a Dad. I can have two parents, like I am supposed to." The washcloth hits the floor. Shura looks up to find the kitsune frozen in place, his expression moving from soft, to completely unreadable again.
"Kurama?" The fox turns from him, arms crossed, he moves slowly to the widow and leans against it. Shura knows he is choosing his words.
When he speaks, the words are slow... calculated... cold. "You have a lot of love to give out Shura. I am... honored... that you chose to offer some of it to me. Ask me to guide you, ask me for friendship, ask me to be your ally, or to help you obtain a goal. Those things I can do, but Shura, this that you ask of me... I cannot."
Shura feels the sting of rejection and is on his feet once more. "Why!? You already act like my parent! You take care of me and tell Father when he messes up! You make sure I take care of myself and teach me things that no one else will! Why not!?" The infuriating man won't even turn to meet his gaze, that damnable even tone not cracking once.
"That is not for you to know. There are things in this life that I am not allowed, the love of a child is one of them. This is for your own good."
"You even sound like a parent! Why can't you tell me?"
"That is not for you to know right now, you will understand one day, and when you do, you'll wish you don't."
"How am I supposed to learn to be strong like you and Father without you both there? I am not asking you to be with him!"
"I know what you are asking Shura, it is you that doesn't understand."
"Enlighten me then!"
"I can't, not right now. But I will give you something else. Why do you believe us to be strong Shura?" Shura growls.
"Because you can keep your cool. Not matter how tough or awful you feel, no one ever knows what you think. You never show your real feelings." Kurama shakes his head slowly.
"What would you do Shura, if I told you, that those qualities you hold in such high regard, are not a strength but a weakness?" Shura flops back into his chair, stunned. Kurama continues. "There is a difference between not showing emotion, and not being able to show emotion."
"Not able to? What do you mean?" Kurama turned to look at him, that flawless mask in place.
"Yomi, myself, and even Hiei grew up in a place quite different from the Makai you know. Yukina, you, Yusuke, Kuwabara... you all had homes, friends, family, people to protect and nurture you. We did not. Our emotions were exploited and used against us, used to hurt us in ways you've never had to understand... that you never should have to understand. So emotions in general were deemed a weakness; a flaw. They were dealt with appropriately and effectively. Yomi and Hiei buried theirs under carnage and blood and a sea of dead bodies. I simply sealed mine away. They have an advantage over me because of this. Since my return, your birth, and Yusuke's tournament, Yomi has slowly been uncovering his emotions. It is a long, hard process; he does it for you. Hiei started when he found a place to belong, and someone to protect. Both of them have made a great deal of progress."
"And you?"
"I have not. It figures that the toughest seal I've ever come across is one I placed myself. Anytime I have a strong emotion... the mask comes down, whether I want it to or not. Different masks are used for different occasions but the end result is the same. The closest I get to expressing real emotion, is when my mask matches what I feel. You voice cracks when you are nervous, you cry out in frustration, you laugh until your sides hurt and you can't breathe... why would you want to give that up?"
"I don't." Barely a whisper.
"Don't be too hard on Yomi, he's trying his best. He just doesn't know how to deal with certain situations."
Shura cups his head in his hands. "How do I make him understand?"
"Don't play his game, make him play yours. So long as you set the rules, you will win." He looks back up, slightly surprised by such a direct answer.
"That why you always win huh? You make everyone else play by your rules."
"I do. A hard learned lesson, that I give to you free of charge." Something flickers through those green eyes, too fast to discern though. A sad little smile emerges.
Shura sees the sad little smile. "You do that a lot... don't you?"
"As often as I can." Shura's eyes flash, determination undaunted.
"Who has you trapped?" He turns back around quickly.
"Don't be silly Shura, kitsunes can't be caught." Shura nods grimly.
"Because they die when they are captured." Kurama moves behind him.
"Yes."
"Then who is killing you?" Kurama's hands slip to Shura's shoulders, applying gentle pressure, Shura is too tired to throw him off.
"That is not for you to know right now, you will understand one day, and when you do, you'll wish you don't. Whether it be one, ten, a hundred, or a thousand years from now... you'll wish you don't."
Shura slips quietly into blackness.
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A/N: Holy cow that was a long discussion. Or was it more of a fight? Poor little Shura... he is tormented so. Between Yomi, Kurama, and myself... its a wonder he isn't nuts. Only one more chapter to go!
Please review!!!
-san: Mr. or Mrs.
-sama: Lord
-kun: Young man that is a friend
-chan: Female, young boy, or lover
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
Hiruseki: tear gem
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.