Adult-FanFiction.org : YuYu Hakusho

Second Try
By : kle10
Category: Yuyu Hakusho > Yaoi - Male/Male
Views: 5939 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own YYH.
Chapter List
- 1-Love is Love
- 2-Missing
- 3-Past
- 4-Gift
- 5-Obsession
- 6-Journey
- 7-Night
- 8-Destiny
- 9-Memory
- 10-Intrusion
- 11-Omen
- 12-Threat
- 13-Concession
- 14-Heedless
- 15-Damaged
- 16-Artifice
- 17-Encounter
- 18-Consideration
- 19-Revelation
- 20-Boundaries
- 21-Schism
- 22-Visitant
- 23-Fraught
- 24-Epilogue: Third Try
- 19
- 20
- 21
Disclaimer: I don’t own Yuu Yuu Hakusho, or any of its characters. Those belong to Yoshihiro Togashi-sama, who made a lot more out of them than I ever could have. ^^;; I just do fanfiction for fun, and earn no monetary rewards for writing it. Reviews are, of course, worth as much as silver.
Title: Second Try

Chapter Twenty: Boundaries

Word Count: 8,067
[ Total Word Count: 140,562]
Anime: Yuu Yuu Hakusho

Pairing: HieixKurama, KanisawaxKurama (the latter, from now on known as KarasuxKurama)

Warning: Suspense, violence, language, BL
Author: Kita Kitsune

Date: Sunday, September 14, 2014
Miscellaneous Notes: Holy shit I wrote this all today. Eight hours, man (it’s 8:21 PM here in Germany right now, and I started around noon). Sheesh. (If I can proofread it all really quick, I’ll post it tonight on AFF and FF Dot Net before I go to bed!) Sorry if it sucks – not the end, and I hadn’t meant for it to happen this way, but the story… sort of did it, itself. They took too long with Toguro Ani, hahaha. Oh well~ Hopefully it doesn’t disappoint – enjoy! :3
Thanks for all your reviews and support, guys. Here’s hoping I can make it to the end, sometime soon! ... Proofreading done at 9:05 PM German time (but please forgive any typos, yes, my lovelies?)! On to getting the word count, choosing a chapter name, and then it’s finally posting time! :D
AFF: Thanks, Selena Rose, for your very nice comments. Much appreciated, and glad you're enjoying this little neverending story of mine (haha~). :3
: : : : : : :
"But why hasn't he tried to kill me?" Kurama murmured aloud, green eyes gone sharp in thought.
“A relevant question.” Touya intoned softly, eyes drifting to the passed-out figure under Jin’s watchful eye. He had seen the end of the tournament, of course, and remembered well Kurama’s fight with Karasu.
“I dunno about this, you guys.” Yuusuke sounded doubtful. “He seemed pretty normal to me.” Kurama shook his head.
            “No, Yuusuke. His youki is…” Kurama hesitated. “It is Karasu’s. At least it explains the explosion, earlier.” Yuusuke frowned at him.
            “But if he could use his explosives, why didn’t he use them before? I remember, in the tournament, he couldn’t wait to use them on you. And didn’t you say he helped you beat Ani?”
            “That could easily have been because Ani could read minds, and would reveal his identity.” Kurama stated quietly, remembering the mocking way Toguro Ani had taunted him, earlier.
Yes, very good, Kurama. But you've no way to beat me! I'll take great relish in killing this little human in front of you, but maybe I should play with you, first, and tell you –
“Or, he could have just been trying to help you.” Yuusuke reiterated.
            “It is also possible this has all been a very elaborate ruse.” Kurama murmured. Hiei scoffed at him.
“It must have been, to fool you.” Kurama ignored this comment, although Touya’s eyebrows rose and Yuusuke’s brow furrowed. Yukina, however, was the one to break the silence.
            “He did not feel like a bad person, though.” All eyes dropped to her, and she stared up at them with a slightly reassuring smile, expression steady in her conviction. The blood on her face had been wiped away, but her bad eye was still milky and white; lending a level of solemnity to her sweet face that had never been there, before. “I felt his spirit, earlier. It is dark, but not evil. I remember your final battle in the Ankoku Bujutsukai, Kurama-san.” Her face grew saddened, for a moment, at the memory. “However, I do not believe this is the same Karasu you fought.” Kurama gazed at her, flatly.
           “I would not put it past Karasu to be an adept actor when the situation calls for it.” He stated, a tad chilly. Hiei smirked, and Kurama caught it, but chose not to react. Yuusuke, however, glared at Hiei, pointing at the small demon.
            “What’re you so happy about, hunh?” Obviously smug, Hiei didn’t deign to answer.
            “Hn.” Kurama shook his head, and turned towards the forest.
            “I believe I need a moment to think. If you’ll excuse me.” Kurama strode off, hands in his pockets and not looking back as he disappeared into the foliage. Yuusuke stared after him, frowning. Hiei glanced off towards where Mitarai lay, asleep, against the trees. Touya left them, heading over towards Jin and the unconscious Kanisawa – Karasu, that is – ostensibly to fill him in. When Yuusuke turned back towards the group with a sigh, Hiei was gone. He scowled.
            “Son of a bitch can’t leave Kurama alone.” Yuusuke muttered, and Yukina smiled gently at him.
            “He does care for Kurama-san greatly.” Yuusuke started, having forgotten she was there, and blinked at her.
            “He – What?” Yukina glanced off in the direction Kurama had gone.
            “’niisan cares for Kurama-san a great deal.” She repeated calmly, gaze steady as it returned to Yuusuke. Her smile didn’t fall, but again, it turned a touch sad. “I am afraid he is quite glad Kanisawa-san turned out to be Karasu, if only because it eliminates a rival, for him.” Yuusuke stared at her, for a minute.
            “So he was jealous.” Yukina nodded, sighing softly.
“As it seems, Yuusuke-san.”
: : :

            Trying to ignore the sounds of Botan’s excited squeals, Koenma turned off his monitor and spun in his chair, looking slightly less harried.
            “It’s resolved itself. What good news.” He sighed, leaning back in the chair made especially for his toddler form. Botan’s smile was a kilometer wide, and Koenma smiled slightly at her. “Yes. You may inform Minamino-san and Kanisawa-san of the current situation when you leave. They should both be pleased to learn Karasu isn’t fooling anyone, anymore.”
            “Thank goodness for Hiei’s Jagan!” Botan proclaimed, her relief lighting up her face. Koenma nodded again.
            “Yes. We can focus on Sensui’s movements, now.” Botan’s expression faltered, at that.
            “I thought he asked for no interference, though?” Koenma frowned.
            “Well, yes, but if Yuusuke acts on his own, without orders from me, there shouldn’t be a problem.” Botan blinked at him.
            “Oh. I see. So I am to tell them… ?”
            “Someone is trying to open a portal to Makai, and they need to stop him. That’s all they need to know.” Koenma asserted firmly. “I also give you authority to reveal that Karasu’s soul was never accounted for, and thus confirm Kanisawa Takashi is housing it. Oh, and you might want to tell them – especially Hiei, given his reaction, and Kurama, who might feel himself justified in doing so – that Karasu’s still in a human body, and has killed no one while inhabiting that body, so no one but Yuusuke can kill him unless they want to be carted into Reikai prison for the crime of killing a human.” Koenma sighed, irritably. He hated bureaucracy. Botan scowled at him.
            “Understood, sir.” She said, tone crisp. “Will there be anything else?” Koenma shook his head, dismissing her with a wave of his hand, and she turned and left, closing the door behind her. Koenma leaned an elbow on his desk, closing his eyes and massaging his temple with the other hand.
His job was such a headache, sometimes.
: : :
            Kurama walked well out of earshot of the group he’d left behind in the clearing, hands in the pockets of his pants. His tunic brushed against plant life he didn’t bother to manipulate as he passed, eyes on the roots of many trees as he went.
            Kanisawa was Karasu. It seemed unbelievable, and yet he knew Hiei wouldn’t lie about this. Also, once the wards had been removed – how unsettling, that he hadn’t noticed when Kani… Karasu put them on – Kurama could feel the truth for himself. Yuusuke wasn’t spiritually sensitive, so of course he hadn’t noticed. And it was unforgiveable that he had been lied to for all this time, had his youki leeched and his whereabouts traced without his permission.
            Yet, all of this really wasn’t so horrible, by demonic standards. Karasu could have put any number of wards on him, but he chose those two. Had he planned to add more? It seemed a realistic conclusion, but the age of the wards on him differed greatly. The one on the back of his neck must have been as old as his first meeting with Kanisawa. The one on his elbow had been more recent – perhaps even last night.
Kurama’s eyes narrowed on the path before him. That brought another thought to mind. If Kanisawa was Karasu – and he was – then had he done something to Shizuru? She was a psychic, as well – kilometers better than Kuwabara-kun, who was very attuned, himself. Had she sensed Kanisawa’s true nature, seen something Kurama hadn’t? And so Karasu had silenced her? Yet, still, she wasn’t dead from the overdose. Honestly, it made much more sense that Karasu had poisoned her with the drug to keep her quiet rather than Shizuru having attempted suicide. But still, to use that drug, Karasu must have known exactly how much to use; he hadn’t used enough for a lethal dose. That… That was strange.
The Karasu Kurama had met in Dark Tournament, six months ago, wouldn’t have hesitated to destroy something he saw as an obstacle. The Kanisawa Kurama knew was all a carefully fabricated lie, and yet… Even in the Ankoku Bujutsukai, Kurama knew Karasu had wanted him. His interest had been blatant and oppressive, bordering on obsessive desire and nothing more. Karasu destroyed the things he loved. Briefly, Kurama thought over all they had shared, over the past few months. How much was a lie? Had Karasu just wanted to get close to him, gain his trust, so he could kill him all over again? Was it for revenge, for beating him in the tournament, for killing him? Or was it just because Karasu felt he had to kill Kurama? And if he did feel like this, why hadn’t he taken any of the numerous chances he’d had to catch Kurama unawares, and get his revenge? Kurama had thought he was dealing with a human teenager; harmless, besotted, charming. For it to be Karasu, instead, who was infinitely more conniving…
There were too many unanswered questions. Kurama’s gaze darkened, and the roots twitched gently out of the way of his feet, smoothing out the soil before him in an instinctive attempt to soothe the anger they felt. Speculation would do him no good. They were in the midst of a mission, anyway, so there wasn’t really time for a long discussion, but –
“Come to your conclusion, yet?” The voice made him pause, and Kurama sighed, glancing up at the tree from which the voice had come.
“Hiei.” The youkai jumped down, landing neatly a few paces in front of Kurama. Kurama met his stare neutrally, face washed blank of all emotion. After a moment, Hiei scowled.
“You chose poorly, fox.” Kurama smiled at him; it was superficial and unfelt.
“As you have said. However, I do not believe it is any of your business, Hiei.” Those red eyes flared up at him.
“How is it not?” Kurama’s smile turned saccharinely sweet.
“You left, Hiei. Not for a day, not for a week, but for months. Did you expect me to wait for you?” Hiei looked slightly uncomfortable, and, feeling merciless, Kurama pressed on. “Why would I wait for someone who was bored with me? Bored with what we shared, day to day. I know you never liked the Ningenkai, but I didn’t realize you’d grown not to like me along with it.”
“That’s not true!” Hiei snapped at him, making Kurama pause, again. Kurama stared down at him, waiting. Hiei looked more uncomfortable, and glanced off elsewhere, not meeting Kurama’s gaze. Kurama gave him a minute, or two, but when nothing more was forthcoming he just sighed, eyes closing briefly in frustration.
“Hiei. You are my friend and my teammate, and I care for you. But you are not my lover – not anymore.” Kurama stated, firmly. “You relinquished that title when you left. If you wanted it back, you should have returned.” A little bit of blood leaked from Hiei’s lip, revealed when Kurama opened his eyes again, and he smiled sadly. Hiei must be biting the inside of his cheek, and he still wouldn’t look at Kurama.
“You’d rather have that psychotic admirer than me?” Hiei finally stated, not bristling and furious, but quiet and subdued. Kurama remembered a flash of the intimate bond they’d shared, before they broke apart. This was Hiei being vulnerable, and he had to be very gentle and exact.
“I would rather have someone who does not run away from their emotions.” He settled on, calmly, and now Hiei’s head jerked up towards him with a furious glare, dark ki flaring.
“You’re choosing Karasu over me? Are you insane, fox?” Kurama smiled coolly in the face of that fire.
“I am not choosing anyone over anyone. But you and I, Hiei – as lovers, we are finished.” Hiei looked ready to protest, but Kurama cut him off unhurriedly, by continuing. “You made that decision. I understand your insecurities, but what you did is unacceptable. If you had asked for time, I would have waited for you, perhaps. But you did not. You left, cutting all ties and never even bothering to try and contact me. If you had wanted to return, you would have. Now, you are being jealous and greedy. I am not yours to watch out for, Hiei. I can handle my own affairs.” Hiei glared at him, and this time Kurama gave him the room to speak.
“You wouldn’t have known about the wards if it hadn’t been for me. Or about Karasu.” Hiei spat.
“And, as a friend, I thank you for the assistance.” Kurama conceded gracefully. “But my gratitude does not inexorably extend to giving you another chance. Relationships do not work that way.” Hiei kept glaring at him, but Kurama could see that he knew he had lost.
It was just as well. Hiei hadn’t cared until he saw Kurama in danger, had he? He hadn’t cared until he knew Kurama had moved on? Well, that jealously protective emotion would be just as fleeting as the boredom had been. Kurama didn’t have the patience to waste on someone who was only half-invested. Hiei’s numerous insecurities aside, there was only so much someone could take before a line was crossed, somewhere. Hiei had crossed that line when he left and hadn’t returned. No matter how he had felt about it then, Kurama knew trying to go back and reclaim what they had lost, now, would be a fruitless endeavor.
They had both changed; Kurama the wiser for it, Hiei perhaps a touch regretful.
However, it was better for them to be friends, and not risk losing each other again, due to the danger of expressing more intimate emotions. Hiei was very dear to him, of course. But there had to be boundaries. Hiei wasn’t ready for the type of relationship Kurama wanted, and this had been made abundantly clear to him in the half-year since Hiei’s departure. Perhaps only now was Hiei realizing the ramifications of his leaving; it was sad, but unavoidable.
Kurama smiled sadly down at his friend, and Hiei scowled off to the side.
There was silence for a short minute.
“What happened to Yukina’s eye?” Kurama asked softly, then. Hiei grunted, but responded anyway.
“Toguro Ani tore it out. She put it back in, but it won’t heal right.” Kurama sighed, nodding.
“I would expect not. Healing ki does not work well on oneself, and the eye is very delicate.” He waited, and watched as Hiei glanced back at him.
“Can you heal her?” Kurama smiled at him – rewarding the asked question that had not been a conceited demand.
“I will certainly try, my friend.” There was a moment where Hiei hesitated, and Kurama waited patiently for him to gather the courage to speak whatever-it-was that was bothering him.
“What will you do about Karasu?” Ah, the loaded question. Kurama sighed, answering frankly.
“I do not know.” It was a simple answer, really, but one that had Hiei frowning up at him.
“He tried to kill you in the tournament. He stole ki from you. He could have harmed your mother – ” Hiei cut himself off at Kurama’s dangerous smile.
“Yes.” Kurama assented, still sounding softly angered. “But it would be a poor example on my part to judge someone for their past wrongs. Surely, if he had returned to his old ways in the body he is currently possessing, Reikai would not have stood idly by. There must be a reason they have not gotten involved.” Hiei frowned at him.
“They’re incompetent.” Kurama found he had to chuckle, at that.
“Yes. But if Karasu had been killing humans since his return to life, I doubt the souls coming in would have gone unnoticed.” Hiei gave a dismissive grunt, to that reasoning, and Kurama gave him a patient smile. “Tell Yuusuke and the others I will be back, shortly. I need some time to myself, if you don’t mind.” That was gentle enough, even as the searching look Hiei gave him flashed uncertainly, for a moment. But then the fire demon nodded, and disappeared.
Kurama breathed a small sigh of relief, at that.
: : :
            Minamino Matsuo was sitting on the same bench he’d comforted Kanisawa Meirin on, when Botan appeared and delivered the good news. He smiled.
“Well, that’s certainly good to hear. These months out of the afterlife have been really tough on me. Meirin-chan, too.” Botan nodded.
“I completely understand.” Then she paused, glancing around. “Where is Meirin-chan?” Minamino-san blinked at her.
“She said she was ready to move on, so I sent her off to find Ayame-san with an oni who knows his way around these halls.” Botan pouted a little, at this.
“Mou, really? I wanted to say good-bye!” She sighed, but then materialized her oar in one hand, anyway. “Well, Ayame-san will take good care of her. I’m on my way to update Kurama-san and the others on Karasu’s situation – what with him being human, and all, there are rules.” She explained, and Minamino-san nodded. Botan smiled, kindly. “Is there anything you want me to send along to Kurama?” Minamino-san smiled in gratitude at her, but shook his head.
“Just tell him I’ve been watching out for him, and that I’ll see him the same time, next year.” Botan gave him a cheery salute and hopped on her oar. Minamino-san chuckled and waved at her as she flew off into the clouds, heading for Earth. He turned with a sigh, and began the trek back to the afterlife. He could use some well-deserved rest, after all this excitement.
: : :
            Walking hand-in-hand with Ayame-san, Meirin looked up at the Gate of Judgment. With her soul finally ready to move on, Ayame-san had safely led her this far, but now she was on her own. She gazed fearfully up at the huge gate, and felt a gentle squeeze on her hand. Meirin glanced at Ayame-san, who tried to look comforting despite her somber face.
            “You will be fine, child.” Ayame-san intoned softly, even though she didn’t smile. Meirin nodded, and let go of her hand, taking that first, brave step forward. Ayame-san watched her go, until the gates swung open and admitted her. Her job done – although it had taken six months to complete this particular case – she turned away from the gate and summoned her oar, floating solemnly down to resume her other duties.
: : :
            The Gate of Judgment’s halls were tall and dark. Meirin was afraid – of course she was. Enma-Daioh-Sama must be much larger than she, if the halls were so big, and the heart of her meek soul trembled at the thought of meeting him. She had told Minamino-san she was ready to move on, but that was a lie. She couldn’t forgive the demon – Karasu – who had stolen her brother’s body, and taken her life. Botan-san and Ayame-san had said it was no use worrying about it when she couldn’t do anything, but something Minamino-san had said had given her hope of another option. If she couldn’t go back officially, then she would go back in secret. It wasn’t fair that this ‘Karasu’ went unpunished for his crimes. It wasn’t fair that she had died so early – Botan-san had said, herself, in trying to comfort her, that Meirin’s death had been unexpected. Botan-san had read from her book and said Meirin was supposed to live a long time, into old age, dying retired, as an esteemed chemist.
Karasu had stolen that from her. He had stolen her brother from her, as well.
Meirin came to two halls perpendicular to each other. She was surprised – so far, her path had been straight ahead, with no other options. She glanced around at the halls. The one straight ahead was easily as large as the one behind her – big enough for Enma-Daioh-Sama to walk through. The one to her left got smaller, she saw, and trailed off into darkness. The one to her right also got smaller, but Meirin could see a light far at the end. Afraid of the darkness, and afraid of Enma-Daioh-Sama, and not wanting to give up on her brother, just yet, Meirin turned to head down the right, lit path. The ceiling shrank down to her size, so it was only a few centimeters above her head, and stayed that way. Upon seeing the light, Meirin had hoped it would lead her somewhere outside, so she could find her way back to Earth.
It couldn’t be that hard, could it? If Minamino-san could do it, so could she.
: : :
            Shizuru was floating. She could see her hospital room around her, but didn’t stay long. She knew she was a ghost – having an out-of-body experience. She’d seen other people having this, and heard from Yuusuke about the time he’d come back in Kazu’s body. They’d both had a good laugh at her little brother’s expense.
            Now, she hovered in the hallway outside her door, looking around. Her father and Kazu had gone home – one had work and the other classes – but Keiko was dozing outside on that uncomfortable-looking chair, Puu held securely in her lap. He seemed to notice Shizuru, and looked up with a soft peep, but she put a finger to her lips and he chirped in response, settling back into Keiko’s arms. She felt him watching her as she floated down the hall. She hovered near the ceiling, flying horizontally, not wanting to run into anyone and give them a chill, observing.

            Nothing too exciting seemed to be going on, so Shizuru floated up to the roof of the hospital, feeling in her jacket pocket for her cigarettes. She lit one, and was amused to see ghostly smoke curling in the air around her. She looked up at the sky, where it was well past midday, and took her time working her way through the cigarette. The sun began to dip towards the horizon, and she spied a figure flying across it. Straightening in surprise as the outline grew clearer, Shizuru blinked as Botan’s panicked yells carried across the buzz of the rush-hour traffic.
            “S-Shizuru-san?! What are you doing out of your body!” Shizuru gazed bemusedly up at her.
            “Having a smoke?” Botan looked close to hysterics, and immediately sped over the hospital roof towards her.
            “It’s not safe for spirits to wander around outside their bodies unescorted!” She chided furiously, and Shizuru watched her, amused, as she started off on a tirade. “A demon could get you, or someone doing a summoning spell, or – ”
            “I didn’t go far.” Shizuru protested, pointing down. “I’m just a few floors down. Thought it’d be interesting to take a look around while I could float through walls, you know?” Botan glared at her, and Shizuru chuckled, flicking away the stub of her cigarette. “All right, all right. Keiko’s downstairs, anyway.” She started to ease down through the roof, Botan following her easily. “Did you want to talk to anyone? Dad’s at work and Kazu’s probably finishing up his last class, soon.” Botan shook her head.
            “No, I’m actually on my way to see Yuusuke and the others.” Interest peaked, Shizuru blinked slowly at her.
            “They on a case?” Botan tapped her fingertips together, at that.
            “Er, well, not officially…” Shizuru scoffed, shaking her head, while they floated down the halls back towards her room.
            “You heard anything about Yukina? Haven’t seen her around for a while.” Botan nodded, at that.
            “Oh, yes! She’s with the others, don’t worry.” Shizuru rolled her eyes at Botan’s perky smile.
            “Right. So, how did you know where I was?” Botan actually looked a bit bashful, to that.
            “Well, I… I sort-of, after the tournament, I made sure to set alerts on all of you so I’d know if someone was out of their body. So I could come help you before it was too late! … And I noticed you were separated as soon as I entered Ningenkai.” Botan said softly, and Shizuru stared at her, having not expected something like that.
            “Oh. Well… thanks.” She offered, honestly enough, and Botan nodded, before smiling down at Keiko, a bit sadly.
            “Yes. I don’t want anyone to go the way Genkai-shihan did.” Just like before the tournament finals, Shizuru clapped Botan gently on the shoulder, voice confident and sure.
            “Don’t worry, no one will.” Shizuru said, firmly. “Now go tell the others what you need to – I’m sure it’s important.” Botan grinned weakly at her, and nodded.
            “It is. Take care, Shizuru-san. Don’t stay out of your body too long. It weakens your soul.”
            “Gotcha.” Shizuru watched as Botan floated back through the ceiling, and hovered over to her bed, watching her unconscious body. She sighed, and sank back into it. She did feel a little tired, maybe, and Botan knew her stuff when it came to her job. Might as well follow her advice.
: : :
            Kurama returned much later in the day, to a well-established campsite. Jin was training playfully with Yuusuke, Yukina was attending to building a fire circle with stones – Hiei standing uncomfortably nearby – and Touya was keeping solemn watch over Mitarai and Kani… Karasu. Those last two were still passed out, Kurama noticed, and he let his gaze linger for a moment longer on the latter. He was still undecided about what to do. Part of it depended on how Karasu would react to the confrontation, after so long hiding his identity. It was reasonably possible he would lash out, and with his type of youki it could be quite literally explosive. And yet, he had shown remarkable restraint as the human Kanisawa. Karasu had stopped when Kurama asked (during certain… activities), had adhered to the rules of human society well. Kurama might even say he had been assimilated. Certainly, it was hard to get around the fact it was Karasu he had been interacting with, for all this time, but another part of him was curious.
Kurama had told Hiei it was a possession, but Kurama wasn’t completely quite sure about that assessment. Reiki and youki were woven intricately into the layers of Kanisawa’s body; it was hard to tell where the human started and the demon ended. If Karasu had used his explosive youki against Toguro Ani, it must be possible for him to control it again – Kurama remembered that mask too well – but there were likely drawbacks. Kurama recalled their fight, in the tournament; after that huge blast, when Karasu’s hair had bleached to blond, Karasu had been in the center of it and yet remained unharmed. But now, since it undoubtedly must have been Karasu’s bomb that detonated, it burned him – his arms were proof of that. Was the difference in the body? Could a borrowed human form not withstand the abrasive nature of Karasu’s ki as his original demon body had?
Kurama knew his own ki was different; he had been lucky. Was that why Karasu had leeched his youki, then? Kurama’s was a mix of human reiki and demonic youki – much the same as Karasu’s body was, now. Had Karasu been trying to mimic Kurama’s merger? Had he leeched Kurama’s ki in an attempt to acclimate his new human form to youki – a youki more forgiving than his own? From there, it was clear to see why Karasu would have done so. Firstly, to ensure his body could handle the different wavelength of youki, and, once that had been established, to then introduce a different variant of youki. It was a brilliant work-around, to some extent, and seemed to have at least partially worked, since Karasu could make his bombs, again. Kurama was astonished at the rapid rate of youki regeneration, as well. When he had been near death fifteen years ago, it had taken ten years for his youki to regenerate, and even then he had been much weaker than his Youko self. That Karasu had managed in six months what took Kurama ten years was astonishing. But then, perhaps Karasu’s youki had not been as weak in death as Youko’s had been, so it had taken a shorter time to recover. Kurama knew he had only scraped the surface of Karasu’s ki, when their match ended – Karasu could have gone on for much longer, had all his blood not been sucked out of him. It was a physical death, not a death from ki-exhaustion.
Perhaps that was the difference.
Smiling slightly as Yuusuke noticed him walk into the clearing and wave at him, Kurama nodded, but headed over to Yukina and Hiei. Hiei remained where he was standing – about a meter away – when Kurama knelt down at Yukina’s side and smiled at her, reassuringly.
“Yukina-san.” She blinked at him.
“Kurama-san?” He reached for his hair, keeping his expression kind.
“Let me see if I can help with that eye of yours…”
: : :
            In the cave, Sensui and Itsuki watched the tunnel grow wider. Amanuma stood nearby.
            “They have not come.” Itsuki murmured, softly. Sensui smiled at the clawed youkai hands reaching through the tunnel.
            “No. It seems they were distracted, but it does not matter. It is too late, now.” Itsuki glanced at him.
            “You will go through with it without facing him, then?” Sensui nodded. He looked down at Amanuma.
            “You are free to go.” The boy pouted up at him.
            “But you said I would get to play!” Sensui chuckled.
            “I apologize. Things have turned out differently than planned. I need you to return to Tokyo and tell the others the mission was successful, and to stand down. I’m sure Sniper and Doctor will enjoy keeping their lives the same.” Amanuma frowned at him, voice almost whiny.
            “But you said there would be demons everywhere, and they’d eat everyone unworthy!” Sensui smirked down at him.
            “I lied. Spirit World will not allow the tunnel to be open long. The Special Defense Force will come and close it before many demons escape. Those that do escape will be B-class-or-weaker, and there is no doubt Urameshi’s team will not allow them to leave this forest alive. But the mission was a success; the tunnel is open. What you do from here on out is your own decision, Gamemaster. I am sure Gourmet has been revenged upon by Yukina-san’s friends – with good reason – and Seaman, I knew, was weak from the beginning. But you are strong. Go, and live your life.” Sensui turned away from him, walking towards the portal, and Amanuma frowned after him. Itsuki watched the child, before asking softly.
            “Would you like me to send you home? Your parents must be worried about you.” Amanuma huffed.
            “I doubt it, but sure.” He shrugged. “Nothin’ else to do. What a boring ending scene.” Itsuki gave him a thin smile, and summoned his Uraotoko. Amanuma showed no fear as the interdimensional creature swallowed him up, and then – at a command from Itsuki – slunk away into the cave, in the direction of Tokyo. It would deliver the boy safely, as for Sensui… Itsuki turned to watch the man walk towards the widening portal. Shinobu would find peace, at last, and it was Itsuki’s duty to witness the man’s death at the hands of one of the strongest demons – be it Raizen, Yomi or Mukuro. Once in Makai, Sensui would seek them out, and fight against each. The strongest would win, the weakest would fall, but surely one of these demons would prove to be Shinobu’s end – just the way he wanted it.
            And no matter how long it took, Itsuki would remain by his side.
: : :
            Shiori gazed out the front window, worriedly. It wasn’t like Suu-kun to be so late getting home. She had gotten that note this morning, and marveled at Kanisawa-san’s sense of responsibility, to think to inform her so she wouldn’t worry. Perhaps they had gone out on a date? Shiori smiled to herself; yes, that was likely. Ah, young love. Those two boys were likely so caught up in each other, they’d forgotten the time. Resolving not to worry, Shiori started on dinner. If they were late coming home, she’d at least make up two plates for them.
            Yes; that was what she would do.
            (That was what she could do.)
: : :
            It was twilight – maybe around rush hour, in Tokyo – when Botan appeared out of nowhere above their campsite. She breathlessly relayed Koenma’s orders, and they all stared at her in disbelief.
            “Tunnel? What tunnel? Koenma-brat said nothing about a tunnel!” Yuusuke fumed. “He just sent me up here to get Hiei! Is that what this guy – ” He pointed a thumb at Mitarai, still asleep and out of it, under Touya’s watchful eye. “ – is up here for? He’s got some dastardly-plotting buddies? Well, hell, Botan, that would’ve been good to know a few hours ago!” She squeaked and held up her hands.
“But I couldn’t tell you, then! Koenma-sama specifically forbade me from it! But you just have to go close the tunnel, otherwise there’ll be demons pouring out – ”
“There’s no one around here but us, Botan.” Kurama interjected tiredly, from where he sat applying salve and healing youki to Yukina’s injured eye. “Not to mention it’s been a very long day…” He glanced towards Touya, and Botan perked up.
“Oh, and also! Koenma-sama says none of you can kill Karasu – except Yuusuke, since he’s not a demon – if you don’t want to end up in Reikai prison.” She stated this rather cheerfully.
They all stared at her.
“Well, why not? And since when did you know that’s Karasu!” Yuusuke bellowed at her. Botan ‘eep’ed and held her oar in front of her, protectively.
“W-We’ve been watching him!” She blurted. “Minamino-san – er, your dad, Kurama – said he’d noticed something strange, and the little sister of Kanisawa Takashi showed up dead, and reported her brother acting strange, and appealed the case, so I looked into it and then told Koenma-sama and we combed through the records and Karasu’s soul was never accounted for, so we suspected it was him but oh we couldn’t tell you, Kurama, because you would’ve never believed us without proof and we couldn’t arrest him or anything because, as a human, Karasu hasn’t killed anyone or committed anything other than petty Human World crimes!”
They all stared at her – again – letting this information sink in.
“So…” Kurama began slowly. “You… knew Kanisawa was Karasu, but you were afraid to tell me because you didn’t have proof?” Botan nodded frantically, and Yuusuke swore he saw Kurama’s eye twitch. He resisted the urge to snicker.
“Well, you are sorta full of yourself, Kurama.” That earned him a baleful, green-eyed glare, and Yuusuke grinned at him. Kurama sighed.
“Regardless, it is good to have Reikai confirmation, I suppose.”
“What happened to his sister?” Surprisingly, that was Touya, and Botan blinked at him before smiling a bit.
“Oh, she’s moved on, now.” He raised an eyebrow at her.
“Moved on? After all that effort trying to help her brother? She just gave up?” Botan looked hesitant, but still nodded.
“Er – yes. That’s what Minamino-san said. We sent her with another ferry girl to the Gate of Judgment, so she’s likely passed through into the afterlife, by now. She was really cute.” Botan reminisced, sadly. “It was a shame she had to die so young. It was quite unexpected – like your death, Yuusuke.” He blinked at her, and she went on. “She wasn’t supposed to die until she was very old, but sometimes things like this happen and there’s nothing we can do…” She sighed.
“Hm…” Touya glanced towards Kanisawa’s sleeping body, sounding thoughtful.
“But how ‘re we supposed t’ close the tunnel, anyway?” Jin brought up, floating cross-legged in the air, as usual. He tiled his head curiously when Botan looked at him. “I mean, we can take care of a few demons that get through, but none of us can do something like that.” Botan looked a little unsure.
“Ah, well…”
“Let me guess. Koenma just sent you out with simple orders and no useful information. Is that it?” Hiei’s voice was curt and unexpected, and Botan flinched.
“Well…” He scoffed at her, not needing to hear an answer.
“As I thought. Typical Reikai incompetence.” Hiei sneered, and Botan glared at him, but Yukina beat her to it, voice gently chiding.
            “’niisan. She’s only doing her job.” Botan froze, her jaw dropping, and Yukina blinked at her. Botan pointed back and forth between them.
            “Y-Y-You… I mean, you know – ?” Yukina’s confused look shifted into a kind smile.
            “Yes, Botan-san. I know Hiei-san is my brother.” Botan offered a shaky smile, to that.
            “R-Really? Well that’s just great, Yukina! I’m so glad you found him!” Yukina beamed at her.
            “As am I! And I am certain you had good reason to keep it from me, so please, don’t worry, yes?” Somehow, Yukina was very scary when she smiled like that. Botan was reminded uncomfortably of Kurama in a bad mood, and she nodded hastily.
            “Y-Y-Yes, of course! Oh, I wanted to tell you during the tournament, but Hiei threatened me if I did and – ” Yuusuke burst into loud, raucous laughter, and Yukina only looked amused, glancing at Hiei, who looked off.
            “Oh, did he?”
            “Hn…”
            During all this commotion, Touya noticed one of their ‘sleeping beauties’ stir, and glanced to his side. It was Mitarai, finally, and the blond shot up into a sitting position, eyes wide as he breathed hard. Everyone’s attention zeroed in on him, and Mitarai stared around at them.
            “Yo.” Yuusuke said, first, looking smug as he waved – even smirking a little. “Look who’s finally awake.”
: : :
            As it turned out, Mitarai couldn’t really tell them anything Botan couldn’t easily confirm. In the end, though, he spilled about the Black Chapter, Hiei’s eyes gleamed, and Kurama explained. They talked more, and found out about his nightmares and how Mitarai blamed himself, and had come to the conclusion why all of humanity had to die. He eventually broke down in tears, harmless, and they gave him some cash and sent him down to the train stop with Jin, to make sure he didn’t get lost.
            Soon after, they started in on the same argument as before – that there was no way they could close the tunnel so late in the game – that is, now that it was open – so Botan’s orders were really useless. By then it was dark, and they each split off into their separate tents. These tents were from broad, purple leaves, courtesy of Kurama. The fire was flickering with dark flames, roasting the squirrels and other small game Touya had caught for their meal. The berries and nuts were provided by Jin, gathered from the forest itself. Yukina managed to help, despite her injured state, with providing ice for Hiei to melt into drinking water. Yuusuke watched on, keeping an eye both on Hiei and on their still-sleeping demon-in-disguise. Hiei’s Jagan must have done a real number on Karasu’s head, for him to sleep this long.
            Kurama had refrained from speaking on the subject, but Yuusuke knew things hadn’t gone as Hiei wanted, earlier. Hiei hadn’t been jealous of Kanisawa because he hadn’t known, but Yuusuke’s remarks had made clear to him just what Kanisawa was to Kurama, and by then he was already in a protective rage from realizing it was Karasu.
Hiei had been jealous, then, even if he hadn’t wanted to show it. Yukina, somehow, had shown remarkable insight into her sibling’s thought process, too. Hiei had disappeared to talk to Kurama, and Yuusuke had no doubt it was to see if he could get Kurama back. Hiei had been a little too smug, now that Yuusuke reflected on it, when revealing Kanisawa’s true identity. It made more sense if he thought about it being motivated by jealousy and a sense of ‘winning Kurama back’ in addition to fury.
Hiei regretted what he’d done to Kurama. Maybe he would never say as much, but it was obvious enough. Hiei didn’t know what to do to fix it, and honestly Yuusuke could understand Kurama not giving him a second chance. He’d seen the fox after Hiei left – how Kurama withdrew from them all. Knowing now what had happened, then, Yuusuke couldn’t have really expected Kurama to want to get back into that state of mind.
Karasu, however, was a completely different story. He’d lied about himself to Kurama, but hadn’t done anything really bad besides the wards. The wards, now those were weird. But remembering their fight in the tournament, Yuusuke could see Karasu being the type to do that. Yuusuke didn’t know what had gone on between Kurama and Karasu before their fight, but Karasu had clearly enjoyed trying to blow Kurama to bits – nice and slow, and Yuusuke remembered those floating green bombs too well.
He’d thought Kurama had really died. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling.
But that was the Dark Tournament. They weren’t there, anymore. No one had to die, anymore. Maybe Karasu had seen it as a second chance, too? Why else would he have waited so long? If Karasu had really wanted to kill Kurama, Yuusuke couldn’t imagine the guy waiting so long to do it.
Judging by how Kurama had been talking with Kanisawa before Hiei’s meltdown, they hadn’t been bad together, either. Kurama almost seemed like himself – well, maybe not himself, but more… relaxed? Kurama wasn’t one to get flustered easily, but Kanisawa had made him blush, and he’d been so protective of him when he thought he was human – something like that couldn’t be faked, right? Surely Kurama would have seen through the act if it hadn’t been real, on some level?
They sat around eating dinner in silence. There was too much going on in their respective heads for much else. As the evening wore on, they saw streaks of light arc over the night sky. Botan gasped, perhaps the only one who could tell what they were.
“The Special Defense Squad! They must be going to close the tunnel!” She sounded relieved, and Yuusuke couldn’t blame her. Whoever this ‘Sensui’ was must have gotten what he wanted, because over the next few hours the air slowly seemed much less oppressive. The tunnel must be closing. What a stroke of luck was that – Reikai actually doing something right for once? It was the general consensus that a few demons would probably make their way through the forest overnight, and so they decided to sleep in two shifts.
Botan offered to take Yukina back to Genkai’s temple, where it was safer, but she refused, saying she would return on foot with Hiei. When Hiei didn’t refute this, Yuusuke grinned. Sounded like a nice, long sibling trip – especially since Yukina wasn’t as fast as Hiei, so it would go at a normal speed (because Yuusuke didn’t doubt Yukina would refuse to be carried). He wanted to tag along, just to see Hiei’s awkward-older-brother face, but a warning look from Kurama shut him up.
Jin and Touya took the first shift, letting Yuusuke and Hiei rest from their battle with Mitarai earlier in the day. Yukina and Botan settled in one tent, with Hiei sleeping in the tree above them. Karasu and Kurama had another tent – at Kurama’s quiet insistence – and Yuusuke took Jin and Touya’s tent while they were up. Yuusuke and Hiei would take the next shift after half the night had passed; they trusted Touya’s timekeeping, at least. The beds were courtesy of some moss of Kurama’s, as drained as he already was. Kurama and Yukina were given the whole night to recover; Kurama, from his two battles as well as the ward that’d siphoned off his youki, and Yukina from her injuries due to Toguro Ani’s abuse. Botan, well – she was pretty useless in a fight, but at least she was another girl for Yukina to talk to. Hiei was only so good a conversationalist, after all, and so Yuusuke was glad Botan had decided to stick around until daybreak.
Kurama had grown up his and Karasu’s tent around the sleeping not-human, and after dinner bid them good night and disappeared into it. Yuusuke watched the flap of his tent flutter closed, for a moment, but Touya’s quiet voice brought him back.
“He’ll be fine.” Yuusuke glanced towards him, and Touya met his eyes steadily. “Kurama’s better, now. He’ll make the right choice for himself. Have faith in him.” Yuusuke sent a lopsided smile towards Touya – it wasn’t Kurama he was worried about; not anymore.
It would kill Hiei, either way – seeing Kurama choose Karasu over him, or choosing to be alone over him. Yuusuke just hoped they’d get through the future together – he didn’t want Hiei running off, again, and not just because of Koenma’s pain-in-the-ass orders. Hiei was a part of their team, Kurama’s ex or no. Things just weren’t right without his holier-than-thou attitude hanging around.
: : :
            When Kanisawa drifted back towards consciousness, it was slowly and painfully. His head ached, but he was dimly aware he was lying down – on a bed of moss. He shifted, slightly, and noticed the soft glow of a Lamp Weed as he opened his eyes. His eyes trailed up – a purple leaf-tent? – before then falling on a pair of calm green eyes. Kurama was sitting atop his own bed of moss, watching him. Kanisawa tried desperately to remember what had happened before he fell asleep – when had he fallen asleep?
            Kurama’s face was too composed, too guarded in the dim illumination of the tent.
            “… Kurama?” Kanisawa tried, no louder than a whisper.
            “How do you feel?” Kurama asked just as quietly, eyes flickering in the reflection of the light. Kanisawa hesitated, but reached out for him anyway.
“I have a headache. What happened?” Kurama didn’t move, just stared at him.
“Hiei attacked you.” Kurama stated, calmly. “Do you remember that?” Kanisawa was starting to feel very unsettled, and let his hand drop, half-extended in the air. Flashes of memory hit him, and he winced – oh yes, Hiei’s Jagan. But a normal human wouldn’t know the name of that, so…
“An eye in my head – ”
“A Jagan.” Kurama’s voice was almost sharp; impatient. “Don’t pretend you don’t know what it is.” Kanisawa’s mouth went dry. Kurama couldn’t – Hiei wouldn’t have had enough proof to convince him –
“What – ” Kurama’s eyes flashed gold, and Kanisawa went very still.
“The lying stops now.” Kurama intoned, voice low and threatening with suppressed anger. Those green-gold eyes lashed into his own, challenging and… hurt? “Karasu. I know about the wards.”
Oh, fuck. Shit.
Karasu stared up at the fox, not daring to breathe as the niggling absence of the seals finally registered. The jig was up. It was the end. Kurama knew. Hiei must have used the Jagan – must have identified his youki, somehow, remembered it, and with the wards gone there was nothing to prevent Kurama from recognizing his youki, either –
The silence in the tent was very tense.
Karasu didn’t know what to say. Kurama was angry, that much was obvious, and… why wasn’t he dead, yet? Frozen in place, Karasu just watched Kurama, memorizing every detail of his unreadable face – even as cold as a statue, Kurama was beautiful. At least it would be the last thing he saw before he died – again. Karasu didn’t know what Kurama saw in his expression, but that icy glare softened minutely, and his voice was a touch less chilly when Kurama spoke, at last.
“I have a few questions for you.” Karasu gulped. Surrounded by Kurama’s plants, infused with Kurama’s ki – not to mention being in a forest – he didn’t stand a chance. Any bomb he summoned wouldn’t be strong enough to do damage anyway; he’d used up all his stores of youki earlier against Toguro Ani, and without Kurama’s ki to account for the difference, Karasu couldn’t regenerate his youki fast enough to do him any good now. The best he could manage, maybe, was a firecracker.
Or a sparkler.
… He was trapped.
You should know better than to corner a fox – we tend to show our teeth.
“A-All right.” A mirthless smile curled up the side of Kurama’s mouth, and those youthful features suddenly reflected every inch the dangerous Youko he really was.
“I can smell when you’re lying, Karasu.” That tone was almost a caress; just on the knife-edge of certain death. “So answer honestly and you’ll avoid a very messy fate, yes?”
~*~To Be Continued~*~
- 19
- 20
- 21
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Second Try	By : kle10 Category: Yuyu Hakusho > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 5939 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own YYH.

Second Try