Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Veiled Vision ❯ The Youko ( Chapter 1 )

VEILED VISION

Author: ZeroCool

Summary: Mysterious enemies come to the human world to find Youko Kurama. While Kurama tries to save his family from the danger, much of his Youko unspoken pasts are revealed.

Timeline: Alternate Universe; Take place after the Makai Tournament

Rating: PG-13

Date: 2/21/2004

Original Character: Youko Kurama's mother

Declaimer: Nothing belongs to me except for the plot! Seriously, I would LOVE to own Kurama! Too bad I can't!

Author's Note: Sorry for all the English errors I made in the fic! I have only lived in an English speaking country for five years and I have NOT mastered the language! So if you don't like to see something that is full of grammatical mistakes, don't read this!

Just to make it not so confusing, since Kurama's human name and his step-brother's name are the same, I would spell Kurama's name as Shuichi while his brother's name as Shuuichi.

I am so excited to be able to write this fic! I have been a fan of YYH since fifth grade when I was flipping through the channels on one boring midnight and suddenly saw the coolness of Kurama on the episode Youko Kurama (where Kurama v. Karasu) on TV. Ok... so that was... about eight years ago, but I am still CRAZY about YYH! I would really like to have feedbacks for the story! So please review!!! And correct me if I make any mistakes about YYH storyline ^_^.

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Chapter One - THE YOUKO

"Kurama." A grown demon called. Her voice was melodically too seducing that it suggested the cunning characteristic of the fox demon. Her back was facing him. The silver colors of her hair matched well with the snowy world, as if she was merged with it.

A distance from her there sat a little youko. His upper body was bended low, concentrated at watching something on the ground closely. At the voice of his mother, he stopped examining the small green spout that was growing strongly under a thin layer of snow and stood up, offered a bright smile at her, although he knew she couldn't see his smile, "Yes, mother." He had the desire to run toward his mother and hold her, but he knew it was impossible, for he had never done so in his life, and he could not recall a single moment where his mother showed any sort of affection. This was the way in Makai. The belief that was shared by most residents in Makai, the demons, was that emotion was weak.

"You know that in Makai only the strong demons survive." Kurama swallowed at his mother's choice of subject. "And you know that the weak demons will only left to wither and they will be killed by the stronger demons."

Kurama nodded, "Yes, mother. I remember what you taught me."

The older youko chuckled, "I did, didn't I?" She paused for a moment and continued, "What have you learned from me, Youko Kurama?"

Kurama felt his mother's voice sounded more distance than it usually was. He thought thoroughly and worded his answer carefully, "I learned that if I want to live, I need to be strong."

"And are you?" His mother turned. The pair of golden eyes stared at his.

"Shuichi, would you help me for a moment?"

The recall of his past ended when he was brought back to the reality by his mother's voice. He put down his work without hesitation, since he wasn't exactly working anyway. Stealing a quick glace on the beauty of the untouched falling snow flasks dipping onto the earth, he stepped out from his room and descended the familiar stairs. The sight of winter always brought him the unwanted memory. But these stairs. . . these stairs reminded him of the old days he cherished. The worrisome expression on Shiroi Minamino's face whenever his barely two-foot tall self climbed the stairs up and down. It was very lovely.

It had been a year since Yusuke returned to the human world. And he had been working for his stepfather's company. He and his friends were still very close, just like the old time. He would occasionally visit his friends, and vice versa. Kuwabara often came to ask helps for his school work. Not to mention Koenma would assign them a case or two each month. And, when it was absolutely necessary, Koenma would ask the permission from Muruko to give leave to Hiei, so the four team members of Reikai Tantei could work together. This was a peaceful and stable life. The life that the human side of him would want, but deep down in the abyss of his heart, a youko was lurking, distrusted at the present calmness, berating himself for letting the weak emotions to become part of him.

He walked to the living room. The compositions of the furniture showed that every bit of pieces in the house was well planned out. The sweet aroma in the air gave out a pleasant sensation. The warmness contracted greatly against the cruel bliss outside, bringing a homely feeling to the heart of any being.

In the middle of the living room stood a middle age woman next to the coffee table, who was tending a withering plant ever so carefully. "Yes, mother?" Kurama asked softly as he observed her mother's gentle movements. Her blue hair matched so well with the plant's flower's colors.

"Could you do something for this plant, Shuichi?" Shiroi asked sadly. She touched one of the dried flowers lightly with her fingertips, "I must have done something wrong. Maybe I have watered it too little or too much or there isn't enough sunlight."

Kurama embraced Shiroi, "No. You did not do anything that upset it. I know it is very content to be under your care, but its time is almost come."

Shiroi released a sigh, carrying a bittersweet taste in her words, "It was a very lovely birthday present."

"I will grow another one if you'd like," he said, and smiled.

~~~~~~~~

When Kurama excused himself early from the dinner table Shiroi voiced her concern, "Are you feeling well, Shuichi?" His step-father and Shuuichi gave him questioning glances. Then again, he had hardly touched the food these few days, and he himself wondered why the loss of appetite appeared. Not wanting to make them worry, he smiled, reassured, "Yes. I just need to finish my work that's all." He had to make up some excuses. That was the most hateful part of his life: to lie to his family.

"Don't work too hard Shuichi. You are doing excellently in the company already. Well beyond my expectation," Kazuya Hatanaka complimented. There was an unmistakable hint of proud feeling in his voice.

His mother asked, "Would you like me to bring out some food later tonight?"

Kurama smiled, declining sincerely, "No thanks mother. I am fine. If it's alright, I would like to be undisturbed. It's better for me to concentrate that way."

"Sure. Remember not to go to bed too late."

"Good night," he said heartedly to his family and left. A sigh of relief escaped when he finally exited the dinning-room. Not that he felt his family was too troublesome; it's just that there was something he needed to do, alone, without the being known from them.

"Shuichi!" That was his step-brother's call.

Kurama answered, the usual smile appeared on his face, "Yes?"

"You're okay? You don't look too well." Shuuichi eyed him carefully.

Just a small move he had already alerted the entire family. He must have lost his touch.

"Of course. I just have a lot to do lately," he replied in a casual tone.

"I figured," Shuuichi looked up at the ceiling, then back at him. He punched his right fist against his left palm, "Tell me if the people give you troubles at work or make you do all the work for them. I will take care of them for you."

Kurama was a little surprise at his brother's protectiveness. The smile on his face disappeared. "Thank you Shuuichi, but it is unnecessary. Besides, you shouldn't think that way. Violence doesn't resolve anything."

"But that's what you told me back then when I first entered High School."

"I certainly did not think or express it in the way you put it."

His brother looked disappointed, ashamed at his actions. Kurama said warmly, "Your intention was good." He stepped closer to his step-brother, and giving him a squeeze at his shoulders. He couldn't help but asked, "Why do you feel the need to concern about me that much all of a sudden?"

"You have been acting strangely lately. I thought it must be because of your job because that is what you spend time on the most. And I've heard father saying the company's business had expanded and they haven't hired enough people and everyone had to do extra works. So maybe the people from work make you do their shares since you are so nice and you obviously won't refuse it if they ask." His brother asked one more time, seemingly not very convinced, "Are you sure you are feeling okay? We can tell father if the workloads are too much for you. I swear it looks like you are doing ten times as much things this few weeks as what you were doing."

"Well, you don't need to worry about me. I can certainly take care of myself. You should be concentrating more on your school work instead. How's school going lately?"

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After coming back to his room, he made sure the door was locked securely. Putting on his fighting uniform, he made his way to the window, away from his home, to Makai, where he had left his past.

The female demon looked at him intensively, "Look after yourself, and yourself only. Don't expect anyone to protect you."

"I understand." Kurama ears were laying flat against his hair while his tail waved slightly back and forth with hesitatively. The words were a sharp knife that shredded his imagery safe world into pieces, making him completely aware of the danger laid in this reality. He knew that one day he would have to face Makai alone, but somehow he was hoping he could hide behind his mother's protection forever.

His mother eyed him in silence and said, pointing at the cave that they previously slept in, "There's still some food left. Eat and rest."

"Yes, mother." The small demon did as he was told. He found there was still half of the animal's body left. Watching his mother quietly, he ate, although the food was tasteless in his mouth. He was undoubtedly hungry, and his body was exhausted from the rigorous trainings he just went through, but what his mother said bothered him.

He started to yawn involuntarily after he finished his meal. Lying onto the cold stone floor, facing the entrance of the cave where the female fox stood gracefully, he began to drift off, with the image of his mother still in his memory. And this was the last image he remembered of her.

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The even breathing sounds from the youko child told her that his conscious was completely engulfed by sleep. She observed him in the deadly silence of Makai. Old and new bruises and cuts he earned from the trainings smeared across the pale skin of the small form.

Just one stab, one stab would end the small youko's life. It would be painless, she would make sure of it. It was like sleep; he wouldn't even be awakened during the blink of life and death. A simple penetration through his heart would be all it took, and he would be liberated from the sufferings. The child- her child- had endured too much tortures already. Yes, life was difficult in Makai for every demon, but even she, a youko, had to admit a child like her son should at least have the chance to enjoy a time of contentment. The constant running and the almost non-stopped trainings had worn off the spirit and the body of the child. Why not put all these to an end?

It would be much better to use her own hands to end her son's life than having him to destroy her son. She had to do it, or else her son would be languished in a much worse scenario.

Despite of everything he went through, the small spark of his spirit was burning lively. Could she do it? She told herself that it was for his good, but doesn't it seem too selfish of her, to end her son's life without asking his consent. But that's the way of Makai; strong survived while the weak perished.

She took out a seed from her hair. A plant grew out and went around her arm, forming a shape blade. Aiming at her child's heart, she was ready to strike.

"Mother..."

Kurama called out softly in his sleep. His tiny fists tightened up for a while, then relaxed again.

The small youko was completely oblivious in his slumber that a hand caressed his face for a few moments, and the flash of shadow ran away from him.

Somewhere away from Kurama's resting place, gigantic explosions suddenly started, followed by the appearance of some of the deadliest Makai plants.

And then a bloody youko made her desperate escape from her predator.

To be continue...

Next Chapter: The Kidnap