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Selfish Desire	By : choukitsune Category: Yuyu Hakusho > General Views: 3970 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own YuYu Hakusho, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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Selfish Desire

By Youko Starr
Disclaimer: I don't own them.
Summary:After an awkward situation breaks apart the group, wounded
hearts and suffering team mates turn cold shoulders to one another. When a
horrible accident occurs that no one ever expected, the group is forced to
reunite, but... can they forgive?
Warnings: Inspired by the recent influx of Yusuke/Kurama
fiction, this story will include a little of that, along with
Kurama/Hiei. I suppose it might be considered angst if I pull off what I
attempt.
A young man in his mid-twenties sat behind a desk in a well-lit office.
Despite the small size, and bland appearance, it was a definite improvement
compared to the stuffy cubicle he had occupied for three years at the company.
He had been given a choice of offices, one of which had been slightly spacious
and roomy enough to be considered impressive, however, it lacked a window. The
second office in the offer was smaller, and would require some intelligent feng
shui to make it look decent, but it had that gorgeous window view the young man
desired.
Three years, and here he was, one of the top artists at an important computer
graphics and animation company. Between his skill with a pen and inks, and his
abilities to virtually sculpt almost any figure into CGI, he was a well-desired
employee in his field.
Mother was proud. It was unfortunate that his promotion had required a move,
but the moment he had shown any intent of turning down the offer, his mother's
concern had overflowed.
"No, Shuichi, darling!" Shiori had cried. "You mustn't turn down such a
wonderful job on the account of me. It's time that you live your life,
son, and ceast your worrying over me. I only want the best for you..." She'd
then smiled sweetly at him, taking both of his hands in hers. "And I can tell
how unhappy you've been in Tokyo...since...since he left."
Everything had been true, and before the week was over, the human known as
Minamino Shuichi to his mother and family, was on a plane destined for the
United States.
Damn, he missed Japan.
He had almost regretted not remaining long enough to say his goodbyes to
those he spent the last of his teen years with. The people that knew him as
Kurama, didn't become aware of his departure from Japan until several months
later when Yukina decided to stop in for a delayed weekly visit (due to her care
of the 'Demon Sanctuary' that Genkai's shrine had become) and was informed by
the land lord that the handsome young man with the gorgeous mane of red hair had
moved out. Curious friends, mostly Yusuke anwabawabara, had then visited Shiori
and received the more in-depth version of the story. Over the phone, Shiori
informed him that she saw his friends. Did he want her to give them his phone
number and United States address? He'd politely requested she not tell them. Or
anyone who asked.
Shiori asked no questions. Her voice never held condemnation, distrust, or
disappointment for her son. She trusted he knew what was best for himself in
most circumstances, and merely promised to keep his location a secret. He
thanked her, and then they had begun to plan their first family visit. Shiori
had always wanted to visit California.
The redhead opened his desk drawer, removing the picture frame from it that
lay face down. The image was of several people from a life he had given up years
ago. Eight years to be exact. A short young man clad in black, glng ong off to
the side to avoid looking directly into the camera, secretly worrying about how
his red eyes would appear in the photo. Kurama scowled at his own image, wishing
he had smoothed down his unruly red locks before Shizuru took the picture. The
image of himself was feigning a serious smile on the outside, while on the
inside attempting to hide the smug and triumphant glee of victory over
convincing the spiky-haired demon to his front tse ise in the picture with him.
Beside the demon Hiei, stood their mutual friend Yusuke, although Hiei would
never have admitted him to be a friend, or anyone else standing in the picture
for that matter. The Detective was still healing from the latest mission, and
wore a bandage on his cheek. Despite his healing injuries from the Dark
Tournament, the handsome youth with the slicked back raven hair smiled
handsomely at the camera, one arm slung around the moussy-haired girl, doe-eyed
girl at his side. Keiko looked stunning in the picture, and posed beside
blue-haired ferry guide of Reikai, Botan. At the time, Kurama and Kuwabara had
been the tallest of the team, and had willingly taken to the rear. His grin was
so large Yusuke later teased that he was surprised his face didn't split in
half.
"He was only smiling so large because YuKIIIIIna was here to visit."
"Quiet, Urameshi!"
"Make me!" The two then engaged in one of the usual fistfights where Yusuke
came out victorious, and Kuwabara emerged a little more bruised and lumped up.
"Hn. Now the oaf's idiocy has been immortalized. It's too bad that your
ridiculous camera was unable to hide his homeliness."
"Bite my ankles, shrimp! At least I wasn't scared of the camera!
Uhh...Urameshi, what's 'homeliness' mean?" Yusuke chose not to answer.
"It means you're ugly, fool," Hiei replied for him, and was chased around by
a yelling Kuwabara.
It had been a long time since they took that picture. It was when they were
all still happy. When the group was still a team of friends. Before the events
of one night became known to all, and had torn apart their friendship. Nothing
had been the same since that night so long ago. Five years came and went, with
only visits from the beautiful ice apparition who was too forgiving for her own
good. She and Kuwabara were the only ones untainted by the events, and in the
end, she was the only one who held no grudges afterward.
***

The life in Makai no longer seemed to be the fast and exciting,
heart-pounding and dangerous life style that it had been when he first left the
human world completely behind. Days blended together, and nights were usually
sleepless.
Hiei longed for the dreamless sleep birthed by battle-filled days. If asked,
he would be lying if he claimed he wasn't disappointed by the lack of action and
back-stabbing he expected the position of heir to Mukuro would bring him. Idiots
were terrified of him. Perhaps they weren't idiots after all...
No assassination attempts on him either! The lack of entertainment was
painful. Maybe he was the idiot if he'd expected his life as heir to be any
better than his life as a detective.
The sound of a projectile whistling through the air surprised him out of his
thoughts. Hiei jerked his head towards the sound, dodging in time for the knife
edge to graze his cheek, leaving a thin line of blood behind.
"That could have been a strike meant to kill you, Hiei." Mukuro stared at him
from the balcony doorway. "You're in need of more training."
"Maybe I wish it had killed me," he muttered, turning away again. "I desire
no more training."
"Brooding upon my balcony won't bring back your friends."
The fire demon stiffened, and refused to grace her with even one of his
contemptuous scowls. The subject of his friends was a sore subject, even after
the eight years they had been apart.
"You're pitiful, Hiei. Eight years and you still haven't gotten over what
they did to you. I'll be surprised if you ever grow up." She turned on her
heels, and strode into the adjoining chamber, leaving him to sulk alone with his
own memories.
The life he had chosen and was now forever condemned to, was a lonely one.
***

Yusuke gazed out into the street, observing the numerous people that rushed
to and fro to their favorite vender during the lunch time rush. Since he had
relocated his cart, business had increased enough to land him with a little more
cash. One of his favorite return customers scurried to his ramen cart, quickly
placing an order.
"Of course, Higarashi-sama. Enjoy your meal," he stated politely. Kissing a
little ass wasn't too bad if it kept money in his pockets. He couldn't get a job
anywhere, too many people feared and distrusted the former street thug. The fact
that he didn't attend high school or any kind of university didn't help that
matter.
"Arigato, Yusuke-kun." The woman smiled at him, then departed quickly to
return to her nearby place of employment.
Yusuke had just dazed off into another daydream when the nasal and
obnoxiously loud voice of a friend called out to him from across the street.
"Urameshi! Don't sleep on the job, you punk! No wonder you never have any
money."
"Oi, Kuwabara, you're going to scare away my customers," he replied.
The orange-haired young man crossed the street to his friend, grinning
wildly. "I'm going to do it tonight, man."
"You say that every year." Yusuke yawned loudly and leaned against the
counter. "So what makes you think tonight is the night, after eight years of
trying to propose to her?"
"Because, I've got this!" Kuwabara whipped out a small velvet box, and popped
it open, revealing a delicate golden ring with beautiful aquamarine gems and
diamonds. "I've been saving," he bragged. "Yukina-chan has to say yes!"
"Well...good luck, man."
"Thanks. I'd better go, before I'm late getting back to the job." He eyed
Yusuke's stand, "How about some free ramen for a fri--"
"Get outta here!"
"Okay okay. Geez." Kuwabara waved, and moments later the tall man was
strolling down the street again to resume his workday.
A few hours later, his own workday was coming to an end, and he began to
close up his ramen stand, counting through his profits for the day. It wasn't
much, but it was enough to help Atsuko with the rent, and a lil for himself. He
felt like a world class loser still living at home with Atsuko at the age of
twenty-four. He could have returned to Demon World by now, and frankly, wasn't
sure why he hadn't. The only person who even talked to him anymore was Kuwabara.
Genkai had died years ago...
...A month before the team split. I wish the old hag was here now to tell
me what a slacker I am. Truthfully, he didn't need Genkai for that,
Atsuko was more than willing. It was just different hearing it in her voice and
her words. Over the years, Atsuko had remained indifferent about her son
remaining in the Human World. She knew plenty about the 'other side' of him, but
she also knew he had only returned for Keiko's sake years ago. So just why was
Yusuke the slacker struggling every day in downtown Tokyo to sell ramen to help
her pay rent now that Keiko was gone?
The one time she asked, he'd yelled at her that it was none of her business.
When Yukimura-san phoned Atsuko asking why the wedding plans were off, she could
only tell the other woman that her s was was as good as her own.
Something happened, and not a single one of the kids would speak about it.
Not even that bubbly, overly cheerful blue-haired girl Botan. She was usually
the blabbermouth of the group...but she didn't blab that time.
Yusuke lit a cigarette, drawing several deep drags from it as he walked down
the streets of Tokyo. He could have returned to Makai by now for a much easier
life, one that certainly would be filled with more action and entertainment than
his current one as a human. Makai was Hiei's domain, though. He sincerely
doubted the fire demon had forgiven him, or anyone else, and wasn't about to
risk some chance meeting. Eight years ago Hiei had tried to kill him, and he
nearly succeeded.
The worst part was, Yusuke felt he deserved that stab in the gut.
***

Yukina smiled and knelt down to water the nearby plants bordering the shrine.
Ever since Genkai's passing, she had received indefinite permission from Reikai
to maintain the elderly woman's shrine. Genkai had specifically told each one of
them that in the event of her death, the shrine was to become a safe place in
the Human World for those apparitions desiring a peaceful life outside of Makai.
Yukina did a wonderful job, and was well respected by many demon boarders who
had relied on the shelter of the temple until they could get their own lifes
started in Ningenkai.
At times, Yukina wondered if Genkai knew what had happened, and if she was
disappointed in the team. No one but Kazuma and Kurama-san had continued to
visit her after betrayal had tore apart the once strong bonds of friendship that
held together the members of Team Urameshi. It was lonely when the shrine was
empty, but the birds were here to keep her company. After Kurama left, it was
the frequent visits from Kazuma that kept her happy. He had phoned her to warn
that he was coming to visit tonight, and that he had a special gift for her.
He's such a clown. I wonder what Kazuma is bringing me that is so special.
Maybe it's another bird, the ice apparition wondered, smiling sweetly.
Kazuma was such a good man, one of the nicest humans she had ever met. He
visited her as often as possible, trekking out to the shrine just to bring her
flowers.
"YuKIIIIIIIIIIna-chan!" the excited voice of her human companion called.
Yukina darted to the shrine doors to open them, and gazed up into the beaming
face of the large man. He'd grown taller with his human adulthood, and as a man
of twenty-four, he towered over her even more.
"It's good to seu agu again, Kazuma-san," she said politely as he entered and
removed his shoes. "Has your day gone well?"
"My days aren't good until I see you, Yukina," he replied, gazing at her with
love-struck eyes.
The ice apparition giggled softly. Kazuma is in such a good mood
tonight. "Would you like some tea? I just made some."
"Of course, lovely Yukina." He had been showing all of his teeth since he
entered the shrine. Yukina was positive she'd never seen him so happy, or
smiling so much. The Koorime exited the room briefly, returning with a tray
bearing two steaming mugs of tea, then lowered primly to her knees beside him,
placing the tray on the low table. "How is your sister? Is everyone well?"
"I saw Urameshi today, his ramen stand seems to be doin' a lil better now
than it was before," he replied, taking his own mug and waiting for the tea to
cool before taking a large gulp.
"That's nice."
"Uh...what about...the shrimp? How's he doin' in Makai?" Kuwabara shifted a
little, looking uncomfortable. Even if Hiei pretended the rest of them didn't
exist, Kuwabara still worried about all of his old friends. Yukina was the only
one that kept in contact with him over the years, sending him letters to and
from Makai.
"He's bored," she whispered. "He misses everyone, I think."
"Shrimp's too stubborn to admit it," Kuwabara grumbled. Weren't they all too
stubborn to forgive and forget? Could such a betrayal amongst men even be
forgotten?
Damnit! Tonight isn't the night to remind her of what happened. Nice
going, idiot, he chided himself. "I bought you a special gift, Yukina-chan,"
he blurted out, turning to face her completely. He replaced his tea to its spot
on the table, and rummaged through his pocket. "Yukina-chan...would you do me
the honor of being marrying me?" he asked, drawing out velvvelvet box and
snapping it open to reveal the gorgeous engagement ring within.
Blank red eyes stared up into his own. "Marry you?"
"Be my wife, Yukina-chan."
Yukina's eyes watered. Why hadn't she seen this coming. "I understand what a
wife is, Kazuma-san."
"I love you, lovely Yukina. I've loved you since the moment I first saw you
on that video and knew that I just had to rescue you from Tarukane. Please say
you'll accept."
Tears threatened to spill. How could she say this, without breaking such a
kind young man's heart? "Kazuma-san...tell me what the purpose of marriage is,"
she whispered quietly.
"Well, you marry someone when you love them, and then you have kids."
"I don't need a man to have children, Kazuma-san. I'm sorry. I don't feel the
same way. I think fondly of you but--"
"But you won't marry me."
"I'm sorry. I can't accept your lovely gift."
"I understand," he muttered, getting to his feet. "I should go.e ste strode
for the door, without retrieving the ring.
"But Kazuma-san--"
"Just keep it, Yukina. It was meant for you to wear."
Numb, the young man walked ahead for a destination unknown to him. Anywhere
but here, where his heart had broken.
***

The pain of his shattered heart was still a fresh emotional wound several
hours later. He had sobbed like a baby most of the way, and couldn't bear the
thought of going home to listen to Shizuru's "I told you so" talk that she had
most likely rehearsed just for him. He should have listened to his sister when
she told him she didn't believe Yukina understood love for anyone but her
brother. The brother who was now in Makai and pretending his friends didn't
exist.
Instead of returning directly home he visihe phe park and sat there, watching
the day go by. He watched the sun descend in the sky until it disappeared from
sight, and only the moonlight and street lamps lit the area.
His watch told him it was nearly midnight. Shizuru would worry if he remained
out too long without at least contacting her, so he lifted up from the bench and
exited the park to find the nearest payphone. It was the only phone on that
particular street, and it took his money, taunting him by giving no dial tone.
"Great!" he roared, punching it. His night couldn't get worse.
Kuwabara stormed down the road, walking until he reached an all-night store
where he hoped he could find another payphone, or a kind person that would allow
him to use the store phone. A lateht cht convenience store was open, manned by a
bored looking cashier who nodded politely when he entered.
"Excuse me, could I use your phone to call my sister?" he asked.
"Sure." She walked down the length of the counter to the phone and picked it
up from the floor, placing it within his reach, before returning to the
register.
While Kuwabara was on the phone, explaining that he would return soon to a
sleepy Shizuru, a second man entered the convenience store and approached the
register. A chill swept over him, similar to the one he always felt when danger
was near. Dropping the phone, he turned towards the man and woman. Something
didn't quite seem right about what he saw. The man was no youkai, but he had
triggered the psychic danger sense that Kuwabara had come to rely on for the
past ten years. The man turned towards Kuwabara, reaching inside his coat to
draw the weapon concealed within it, and realization clicked.
He's got a gun! It required no thought, only action. Kuwabara ran at
the man and dove to tackle the gun away from him before the cashier could become
hurt.
***

Kurama saved his progress on the current design on his computer, then turned
away from the screen to gaze out the window, into the crowded and busy streets
below. He was grateful that he was so high up in the building to escape loudloud
noise of the motorists going to and from their destinations.
"Mr. Minamino, your mother is on line four, she says its urgent," onethe the
secretaries said through the intercom.
"Thank you. I will take the call now," he replied in English. It must have
been very urgent if his mother was calling at this time of the day. He'd only
been at work for two hours this morning, it had to be at least two or three AM
in Tokyo right now!
The redhead turned and picked up the phone, cradling it against his ear and
hitting the fourth numerical button on the dial pad. "Hello, Mother. What's
happened? Hatanaka-san and Shuichi-kun are okay, aren't they? My secretary said
you told her it was an emergency."
He could tell immediately from the sound of her voice that she had been
crying. Her voice was thick, and the occasional sniffle that he heard through
the receiver worried him. "It's about Kazuma, Musuko. I...just received a call
from his sister. He's been shot in a robbery...He...he didn't make it."
The phone slid from Kurama's grasp and clattered against the desk.
***

Yusuke was enjoying sleep when the phone began to ring off the hook beside
him. The young man groaned in his sleep, stirring enough to slap a tired hand
over the phone and snatch it from the cradle. "Whatcha want?" he grumbled into
it.
Shizuru's hysterical voice greeted him, sobbing loudly from the other end.
"Yusuke? It's me, Shizuru. Something awful happened to Kazuma...he's been shot,"
the older woman cried into the phone. It didn't yet sink into Yusuke's brain
that normally calm, cool, and collective Shizuru was nearly screaming.
"Well okay. Is he going to be all right or do you want me to come to the
hospital with you?"
"There won't be anyone going to a hospital, Yusuke. He's dead."
Yusuke's blood ran cold as the words were slowly sank in. His best friend of
the past ten years was gone, and he would never see that homely smile again.
Never again, would he hear that obnoxious and loud voice call out
"YuKIIIIIIIIIna-chan!". No more fistfights, no more afternoons at the arcade
together after work.
"Could...could you let Yukina know? My husband doesn't want me driving..."
she continued in the same tear-choked voice.
"I'll do it." It was the last great thing he could do for Kuwabara. He had to
tell Yukina that he was gone.

A/N: In my main 'saga' if you can even call it that, Kuwabara gets Yukina. Not
that I think its realistic if he does. I don't think she quite understands love,
even if she is living with him at the end of the series, I think she only
believes in him as a friend. I wrotethatthat way in MY story, however, because
my goal was to write a happy story. This, isn't meant to be as happy, and its
how I truly believe it would work out if Kuwabara asked her.
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Selfish Desire