Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ To The Rescue ❯ Loyalty ( Chapter 14 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
Chapter 14: Loyalty
Takara woke up to an empty room that morning. She looked around for her partner, and when she realized Yoko wasn't in the room, Takara darted out into the temple to make sure that her partner was still there. She didn't have to look far for the water demon. Yoko was talking to Yusuke in the kitchen over a cup of coffee. When Takara ran through the kitchen door to find Yoko; she turned around after her discovery and went right back to her room. Yusuke looked at the dog demon strangely after she left.
“What is her problem?” Yusuke asked Yoko. The water demon sighed.
“We had an argument last night, and she woke up worried, but she wants me to apologize to her. It won't happen though. What I told her was true and that is it.” Yoko said. Yusuke decided not to interfere with the little fight between the two girls. He yawned and had a sip of coffee.
“So what were you up to last night? You came in pretty late…” Yusuke mentioned. Yoko shrugged.
“I just wanted some air. I had a lot on my mind.” Yoko said. Yusuke looked confused. Yoko laughed lightly.
“I was thinking a lot about this mission.” Yoko clarified for the detective.
“Yeah. I know what you mean. Like, how the hell are we supposed to get up to that dude's palace in the sky? Koenma isn't helping at all!” Yusuke complained. Yoko blocked out all unnecessary thoughts.
“You need a wind demon to take you up.” She said. Yusuke looked at her.
“See, why didn't anyone tell me that?!” Yusuke laughed. Yoko spent a moment trying to memorize Yusuke's laugh. It was cocky, but it was warm and it was confident. She wanted to take it with her.
“What were you thinking about?” Yusuke asked. Yoko looked at him over her coffee cup.
“I was just thinking that not everything is what it seems. Sometimes people have to do things they don't want to do in order to protect other people…” Yoko said honestly. Yusuke looked at her like she was nuts.
“Hey… I don't know how to respond to that.” Yusuke replied.
“Don't worry about it now. But keep it in mind for later.” Yoko told the detective. He nodded and they both went back to finishing their coffee.
`I hope you are a smart boy Yusuke…' Yoko thought to herself.
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Kurama noticed that Yoko hadn't participated in the insults towards Yusuke and Kuwabara at all during dinner. He had been watching her and noticed that she wasn't her normal smiling self either. When dinner ended, he grabbed Yoko by the arm and dragged her outside for a little walk. The air was chilly and it was close to the first snow.
“What's wrong with you?” Kurama asked Yoko once they were away from the crowded temple. Yoko didn't look at the kitsune; she just walked towards the lake.
“I want to show you something.” She said softly. Kurama stopped and waited for Yoko to look at him. She paused and finally looked at him. Her eyes were shallow and she looked worn out.
“Are you okay?” Kurama asked, concerned.
“Yeah, this is just REALLY important and it honestly cannot wait.” Yoko pressed. Kurama nodded and walked with her. The two of them stood at the edge of the lake, looking out at it. Yoko stepped out onto the water, her feet never going in. She walked a few steps across the water to Kurama's surprise. Yoko motioned for him to follow her. Carefully, Kurama put his foot on the water, and was surprised that it didn't go through.
“I want to show you where I'm from…” Yoko said softly. She held her hand out to Kurama and looked at him. He noticed that she was being strangely forth-coming with information; but he liked the idea that maybe she trusted him. Kurama placed his hand in Yoko's and he felt the water give through.
Kurama's head was spinning fast and he could feel the water pass them all around. He tried to breathe but found he couldn't. Yoko squeezed his hand and Kurama's eyes shot open. He found he was already breathing and didn't need to try. All around the two of them were luxurious domes and buildings, surrounded by lush greenery. Kurama marveled at the ancient architecture that adorned the buildings.
“We are viewing my home as it was…” Yoko told him. Kurama noticed that they were now in a large throne room with lots of banners and paintings. Pillars surrounded the room and there were large men clad in old world uniforms. Suddenly the door burst open.
“FATHER!” Kurama watched a young girl cry out as she ran down the carpeted walk towards the throne. Her beautiful blue dress swished behind her, creating a ripple of blue. She had a set of ocean blue eyes that twinkled as the girl picked up the edges of her glitter blue dress. The girl was adorned with a silver tiara that had large sapphire gems on it; and a matching necklace that lay gently on her neck.
“Ahh! Mizuko!” The man called. He stood and welcomed his daughter into his open arms. The man clanked from all his medals on his chest when he moved to reach his daughter. The girl jumped into her father's arms and he twirled her around; her long black hair flowed like a liquid behind her.
“My darling, how are you? Come to your mother.” A woman said as she came from behind the man's throne. Kurama took a moment to steal a look at Yoko, who's eyes were straight fixed the scene being played out before her. When Kurama looked back at the couple and their daughter, they were smiling at her as she danced in front of them.
“Mother, did you like my dance?!” The girl asked when she finished. The older woman smiled at the young girl. Kurama assumed the scene before him. When he turned to face Yoko, he saw that she was already watching him.
“My parents loved their country just as much as they loved me. My mother was so delicate, but she was determined…” Yoko whispered to the kitsune. Kurama noticed how soft Yoko's face looked when she talked about her parents.
“Mizuno, your highness, you have more visitors.” A guard said as he walked up towards the king and his family. The man looked up at the guard and nodded. He had a fine mustache and his hair was black as night. The mother's hair was just as black, but it was pulled back and tucked under. Their eyes were all ocean blue and perfectly emotional. Kurama was shocked at how similar the king and queen looked.
“FATHER! MOTHER!” Three children called as they came running into the throne room. Each of them had dark hair and blazing blue eyes. Kurama watched Yoko's lips curve upward into a satisfied smile.
“Your siblings?” Kurama asked. Yoko just pointed back towards them. There were two twin boys, who looked the same, exact for the way they styled their hair. Both were tall and built gently. The older sister looked more mature and had a definite look to her eyes. The young Yoko raced towards her siblings and they hugged her gently.
“Father, we were just coming to tell you that there is no news from the station in the Kazekai.” One of the twins said. The king looked towards his wife and she looked fearful.
“Mizumaru, Mizutayo; you should not be running messages for the guards.” The father warned. Kurama watched the boys hang their heads slightly.
“Boys, your father means well. Mizuno, you shouldn't be so rough with them; they are just preparing for taking over the kingdom.” The queen said as she gathered the boys in her arms and kissed their heads lightly. They beamed at her and she touched their noses lightly with her index finger.
“Yes, Mizumi, I suppose you are right. I apologize, but please, do try to concern yourselves with less important matters. You are still children. Mizuki, how are you darling daughter?” The king spoke to the oldest daughter. She smiled at her father and hugged him tightly.
“I am wonderful. I just finished my correspondence with the prince of the Tsuchikai. He and I met on an outing last spring. Such a wonderful young man.” The girl said. Suddenly, the doors burst open and a young guard stumbled in, wounded and bleeding from the stomach.
“YOUR HIGHNESS! The…KAZEKAI! They are…. Attacking…..” The young man fell to the floor, dead. Kurama reached his hand out for a moment, as if he could help. Yoko shook her head.
“Mizumi, take the children! LEAVE!” The king yelled as he unsheathed his sword. The remaining guards surrounded the king and his family.
“I cannot leave you! Come with us!” The queen said as she grabbed hold of Yoko. The young girl looked frightened as she was fixated on the dead body lying in the door. Several guards rushed past the door to defend the family.
“Father! Come with us!” The eldest daughter said. She was begging him to go with. He looked at his precious children and he went to them and kissed them each.
“I love you all.” He said to his children. Kurama could feel his heart crushing. The king had known he was going to die that day. There wasn't a doubt in the man's mind; but he wasn't going to try and run and die as a coward. Kurama could feel a sense of respect for the man who had honorably defended his family.
“Yoko, why didn't you run?!” Kurama asked the water demon, but she was still watching the scene before her. Kurama watched as the remaining guards closed off the doors as they left to go and fight the invading Kazekai. The family stayed close to the thrones, and the twins stood directly behind their father. Quickly, gun shots were heard and the main door to the throne room was blasted open.
“NOOO!” The queen screamed as her husband and her sons rushed to kill the guards and protect the females. Kurama watched as a firing squad took them out quickly. The eldest girl held her sister as the queen stepped in front of her two daughters to protect them. The guards separated them and pulled the eldest daughter and the mother away from the youngest girl and shot them both in the head.
“MOTHER! MIZUKI!” The young girl cried. She was on her knees; her dress scattered over her. The Kazekai guards did not shoot her, and Kurama knew what would happen next. From the group of guards came a young man. He had long black hair, gelled to the front of his head. He wore a white head band and a black uniform designated for royalty.
“Good work.” The young man said as he passed the guards. He surveyed the young girl; her vulnerable state. She was crying into her hands, a few tear drops escaping onto her blue dress. He walked up to her and pried her hands from her face. Her blue eyes looked scared and sad. The young man wiped away the tears and pulled the girl up to her feet. She didn't fight the young man; she just let him take control. He looked her over and grabbed her tiara. She gasped and went to reach for it, but he snapped it in two. Her eyes watched as he dropped the pieces to the floor. Kurama watched as the girl rushed from the room, crying. No one tried to stop her or shoot her, they just let her run.
“Clean up this disgusting mess.” The young man said.
“Yoko….” Kurama said as he looked at her. She was colder, her shoulders more rigid.
“Look…” Yoko managed to say. Kurama turned back to the panoramic view of Yoko's past. The girl had grown up a bit. She was at the arm of the young man, who looked proud. Her black hair was straight and in a bun, with an elegant white and blue dress on. The young man was ushering her around, greeting people. They were in a ballroom, with hundreds of people in blue and white. All around the ceiling of the ballroom were white and blue flags together. Kurama watched as everyone smiled and laughed except for the young girl. The music started to play and Kurama watched as the young man and her danced, never once smiling or looking like they were in love. Yoko continued to freeze herself off. When the music stopped, the guests clapped. Kurama noticed guards in white all around the room, watching everyone's move. The young man escorted the girl to the throne in which Kurama was sure her father had once ruled from. The girl stood in front of the audience, and then the lights went out. The guests screamed and the lights came back on; but the girl was gone. Yoko fell to her knees as the many guards opened fire on the unsuspecting guests. They screamed and blood flew all over the white flags and the blue flags. The guards were covered in the blood of innocent guests. Kurama noticed that Yoko was sobbing uncontrollably. Kurama watched as everyone at the ball was slaughtered, except for a select few of the guests who proudly wore all white. Kurama kneeled next to Yoko. He wrapped his arms around the water demon and pulled her to his chest. She broke down and grabbed his shirt, pulling and crying.
“DAMNIT! DAMNIT!” Yoko cried. Kurama softly tried to soothe her and run his hand down her hair. He hadn't expected Yoko to let all of her out to him, but he wasn't going to push her away. He wanted her to trust him.
“Yoko, it's okay… I'm not going to let anyone hurt you, even if it means sacrificing my life!” Kurama said honestly. Yoko screamed and pushed Kurama away forcefully. She pounded the floor and looked at the fox.
“NO! NO YOU WON'T! GET AWAY FROM ME! GET THE HELL AWAY FROM ME!” Yoko screamed at Kurama. Kurama's face changed to one of shock. He stood up and went over to Yoko. She got to her feet and pushed the boy away before he could gather her up in his arms and change her mind.
`There is only one way for this to end Kurama! Just let me hurt you! I have to!' Yoko told herself. She was falling apart. There wasn't going to be anything she could take back.
“I am never going to be with you! JUST GO AWAY!” Yoko yelled. Her eyes were determined and Kurama couldn't think straight.
“You don't mean that!” Kurama yelled back at her. He went to touch her but she slapped him.
“You disgust me! GET AWAY!” Yoko growled. Kurama noticed that Yoko's eyes were glazing over. She really didn't want him anymore.
“DAMNIT YOKO! Don't do this! You need me just like I need you! Admit it!!” Kurama could feel Youko building up the rage that he was feeling. He had just watched her life and all the death and destruction. For what?! He didn't want her to leave.
“I DON'T LOVE YOU! I NEVER HAVE! I WAS JUST USING YOU!” Yoko screamed as she sent Kurama back to the surface. Kurama could feel the bubbles around him as he tried to breathe. Kurama struggled to pull himself out of the lake. He made it, soaking wet, but on stable ground. He cursed himself for ever trying to love the water demon.
“She was using me… using me?” Kurama said out loud. He punched the ground below him and lay there on the cold ground.
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Yoko sat on the ground, crying hard. She could barely breathe and almost didn't notice the figure standing before her. A hand rested on her head. Yoko looked up, her eyes pleading.
“Please… don't…” She begged. The figure gave a small laugh.
“No. Remember, this is your entire fault. You fell in love. You put that kitsune in danger. If you hadn't run away, this wouldn't of had to happen…” Raidon said.
“Raidon, please…..” Yoko choked. She stared at the tall man before her. His grey eyes looked right through her, making her remember that she was only waiting for death to relieve her from the guilt. Raidon picked Yoko up and held her in his arms. He was surprised that she wasn't fighting against him.
“I can't do this… I can't….” Yoko kept saying to herself. Raidon snorted and chuckled.
“You can go, but just remember that every one of those people you love will be killed; including Kurama and Takara. Can you live with that?” Raidon laughed. The water demon cried and cried, not knowing what she could do.
“Enough. It's time to go. My castle is awaiting your arrival, and I want you to look good for our guests.” Raidon brushed away Yoko's tears and started for the surface.
`I love you, Kurama. I really do. I'm so sorry!' Yoko thought. She made herself promise that she could pay for what she did.
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WOW! OMG! I cannot believe that this is actually the end to my last chapter 10. HAHA!
Oh jeeeze… well, there are only going to be more original chapters from here on out! I cannot give you all a real definite chapter number to when I'll be done. I do have a feeling that I might actually go over 20 chapters. That would kinda be cool, huh??
Bunny: DAMN RAIDON!