Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ YYH DS 8: Let Sleeping Demons Lie ❯ One-Shot

HieiWannabe: Hokay, folks, with this installment my series becomes firmly established as a timeline. This story takes place just after the 'Rescue Yukina' arc, and contains some spoilers.

Wynne: And since her name is 'HieiWannabe', not 'Yoshihiro Togashi', it's safe to say the girl don't own YuYu Hakusho.

*************************************************************** **********************

YYH Deleted Scenes Part 8

Let Sleeping Demons Lie

Yusuke and Kuwabara were feeling rather pleased with themselves as they escorted Botan and Yukina from Tarukane's mansion. Kurama listened quietly as Kuwabara recounted -- yet again -- for Yukina how bravely he had fought to rescue her. Botan giggled when the smitten boy 'neglected' to mention how Yusuke had helped him take down Gokumonki, and his momentarily forgotten partner-in-heroism rolled his eyes and snorted.

Ever since they had left the rich man's private arena Kurama had been feeling more and more anxious. He was loathe to tell the others of his -- thus far unfounded -- misgivings, but his centuries-old demon instincts were whispering a warning to his inner ear, and the whisperings became louder the longer he pondered them.

In an unconscious signal of his inner turmoil, the graceful redhead ran a slender hand through his wavy hair, manually checking for seeds. From a nearby pine tree, Hiei saw the gesture and correctly interpreted its significance.

Hiei flared his ki slightly for a moment, knowing it would be enough to catch Kurama's attention. Sure enough, the kitsune ceased following his other friends as they made their way back through the woods and turned to walk toward the jaganshi's perch.

"Well, they certainly seem happy," the fox began as he stopped below Hiei's branch. "It's good to know Yukina is safe."

Hiei nodded his agreement. Kurama noted the jerkiness of the move, and the slight tension around Hiei's eyes. Narrowing his own eyes at the worried frown, Kurama decided that if they both were afraid, then their fears were probably true.

"Do you think we should tell them?" he asked quietly, watching the smaller demon's face carefully.

Hiei snorted, ignoring the fox's searching look. "No. Whatever reason the Toguro brothers have for faking their defeat is unimportant, as long as it lets us get out of here alive."

"But what if they decide to come back for revenge?"

A sigh preceded his answer. "If they decide to go after Yusuke any time soon, warning them won't accomplish anything. You know how powerful these demons are, Kurama. Do you really think even all four of us could beat them in a real fight?"

It was Kurama's turn to sigh as he replied. "You're right. But, even if they don't come after them soon, Yusuke and Kuwabara may be sent after them for another crime. Do you still think we shouldn't tell them?"

Hiei thought carefully for a moment before giving his response. "What they need is more training and experience. If Yusuke gets sent on a few more cases first, perhaps he'll acquire the strength he needs to defeat the Toguros. That boy has incredible potential."

Kurama cocked his head to the side as he squinted into the trees where his human teammates had disappeared. He knew Hiei had a point, but the fox had not survived for over a millennium by ignoring very real threats or over-estimating his chances.

Catching his friend's consternation, Hiei continued, "If they were willing to let those two think they won, I don't think they'll come looking for a rematch. They might be looking for a way to disappear for a while, or it could be something else. Either way, I have a hunch the Toguro brothers think that anyone who believes they could lose to Yusuke and his sidekick is no one to bother about; and they probably never even noticed us."

'What a humbling thought,' Kurama mused, trying not to grimace at the thought. It was painful, but he had to acknowledge Hiei's reasoning. Twenty years ago, he had been feared throughout Demon World. But now, with his frail human body and weak youki, the reincarnate [1] knew that he was forgettable.

'Well,' he thought, 'Perhaps it's time to do something about that!' With new resolve, Kurama lifted his head to look directly into the little naysayer's eyes. "If what you say is true, we do not have much time."

"Hn?"

"We are going to train them," the kitsune finished confidently. He ignored Hiei's look of surprise, as well as his nearly falling off the branch, and continued, "If the two of us help them, I know they'll soon be ready for anything!"

At the sight of the pretty redhead's brilliant smile, Hiei could only wonder, 'When did I agree to this?'

With a nod and a smile -- which was quickly turning into a smirk --, Kurama placed his hands in his pockets and turned to start walking toward the portal he had used to travel from Reikai to the mansion. But, before he got five meters, he was pulled up short by Hiei's quiet call, "I know you were the one who told Koenma."

Slightly alarmed, the youko-turned-ningen turned around slowly and looked up at the koorime. In the last few minutes, the sun had begun to set, and under the trees it was already twilight. Kurama could make out only a dim outline a few branches over his head, and he could not see Hiei's face at all. Not sure whether his little ally was angry or not, the fox simply waited.

After a few moments the silence became uncomfortable. Kurama could see the silhouette shift slightly, as if it was focusing on a point somewhere in the distance. After another minute, a soft, shy whisper and a rustle of pine needles reached his ears as the dark shape vanished.

"Arigato…"

*************************************************************** *****************

[1] I stole the idea of using 'reincarnate' as a noun from Hikari Nanase's story Paradise 6! And I'm not giving it back! (I hope she doesn't mind.) =^_^=

Ah, a Kurama-centric story. Hopefully that makes up for giving him a whopping *one* line in 'Trust'.

*Little bit of bragging* People are starting to like me! I don't get many reviews, but the ones I do get are always really nice! That makes me very happy ^____^ . It also makes me happy just to see the hit counter go up, though I think people are looking at 'Desires' a lot because they think I'm referring to a certain type of desire. Maybe I should've used a different title? I meant it to refer to the different things the characters, but mostly Hiei and Kurama, were wanting. The other thing I've noticed is that nobody likes 'The Interview' much. Not too surprised, there; it's not about an anime, and it's a little strange. I wrote that thing 11 years ago, so I don't consider it my most mature work... >_>

Thanks to my beta, Tikia Thundaren. Or, should that be, domo arigato gozaimousu, Tikia? Hee, hee!