WARNING!: Yaoi references and some Cheez Whiz... (Please note: Yu Yu Hakusho and characters are the property of Yoshihiro Togashi, Shonen Jump Weekly, Fuji Television, and Studio Pierrot, etc., etc., etc. All somg lyrics © 1990 Bon Jovi Publishing/PRI Music, Inc. There. That's my disclaimer. Don't bother suing me, I don't even own my own computer.) Bishonen no Miko presents: Mirrors of Truth, Chapter Six *** *** *** "Shuuichi! Breathe, please!!" Shiori wailed as Yusuke and Shizuru continued working Kurama's still figure. Yusuke pounded furiously on Kurama's chest, but did not hear even a thump. *Kurama... what's happened, Hiei, Kuwabara? Come on Kurama, fight! You can't die...* *** *** *** Chapter 6: Truth Bang a drum for the promise Bang a drum for the lies Bang a drum for the lovers And the tears they've cried Bang a drum bang it loudly Or as soft as you need But as long as my heart keeps on bangin' I got a reason to believe -"Bang a Drum" Jon Bon Jovi "HIEI! Wake up, runt!" Kuwabara yelled, but he was as limp as a rag doll. "Don't you dare die... wake up!" Hiei could hear Kuwabara, but couldn't respond. He wanted to tell him, 'Idiot, I'm fine,' but his lips wouldn't form the words. He couldn't even open his eyes. Was Kurama alive? He couldn't tell. Kuwabara felt a little relief when he heard a sigh escape from Hiei's lips, but there was no further response. Then he turned his attention to Kurama. When Hiei had collapsed, Kuwabara had turned around to find the koorime lying on top of the youko, their lips still connected. But Hiei was still passing on his youki, even though he was unconscious. Kuwabara had to seperate them. He knew if he didn't, he would lose Hiei for sure. Kurama was alive, barely, but yes, he was definately alive. Kuwabara gave a sigh of relief, then turned to Hiei and said, "It's all right, Kurama's alive. So don't die, you little shrimp." No response. Kuwabara's brows furrowed and he thought for a moment. "Hiei, if you die, who will take care of Yukina? I can't do it all on my own..." he began. Ah, he twitched! "Hiei, if you die, it'll be very cold at night..." mumbled a half conscious Kurama. He picked a black tear gem out of his hair, opening one gold eye to study it. He showed it to Kuwabara, then turned his head stiffly towards Hiei. "Yeah, Hiei, if you die, Kurama will be... hey! Knock it off!" Kurama gave a thin smile, despite the fact that he felt like crap. "Hiei... please... I know you can hear me... I love you." Hiei frowned. Kuwabara and Kurama exchanged hopeful looks. "The shrimp's tough," Kuwabara admitted gruffly. Hiei opened his eyes and fixed Kuwabara with a glare before shutting them again. "I'll kill you if you touch my sister, stupid. As for you, crazy youko..." "Thank you, Hiei." Kurama reached over stiffly and kissed him on his Jagan. "Hn... crazy fox," he said before shutting his eyes again. *** *** *** Yusuke and Keiko parted from their hearty hug, a little embarrased. Shizuru laughed. "You're excused. But at least he's alright now. That was close, though." Everyone turned to look at Kurama lying in bed. Not only had he started breathing again, he had also switched back to his familiar redheaded human form. "I... I want to thank you, Yusuke," said Kazuya sheepishly. "I'm sorry about doubting you." "It's okay... thank Kuwabara and Hiei when they get back. I don't know what they did, but it worked." Kazuya allowed himself a smile, then turned to Shiori. "I'm sure my wife would agree... if there's anything I can do for you boys, just ask." Yusuke stuck out his hand, which Kazuya accepted. "Agreed." *** *** *** Progress was slow on the way back from the rescue mission. Kuwabara had to carry Hiei AND Kurama, one on each shoulder, being that neither one of them had the strength to walk. At least Kurama had switched back to his Shuuichi form, lightening the load, but Kuwabara had to constantly stop and shift their weight on his shoulder, perturbed that Kurama still had enough energy to make jokes from over his shoulder. "Hiei, come on, one more kiss," Kurama insisted, his eyes flashing gold. "Hn! Don't be stupid. How can you make jokes right now?" "If the two of you don't stop that, I'll leave both of you in the Makai!" Kuwabara announced. Kurama gave Hiei an alarmed look, complete with wide green eyes, then giggled. "Oh, that's fine, since Hiei's too weak to fight off my advances..." "Kurama!" Hiei and Kuwabara yelled at the same time. "And who's fault was that?" added Hiei, checking the regeneration of his youki and considering blowing away both Kuwabara and Kurama. Everyone was silent for a moment, then Kuwabara said, "That Murata guy was a real asshole..." "He was with my cousin Ranako, but he treated her terribly, so I went to convince her to leave him. When he fought me, I did what I had to do to save her. He always hated me for what I did... I can't really say I blame him." Kurama's eyes darkened a little. "But Ranako didn't listen to me and he killed her when she tried to go back to him. And I hated him for that." "And the weird thing is, he used to look just like you," Kuwabara started to say, but Kurama shook his head in disagreement. "On the outside, there was a passing resemblance. But inside, he was always an ugly youko. The way he looked after he fought me... that was the true Murata. A twisted face to mirror a twisted soul." Kuwabara considered it for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "I hate him too," said Hiei, turning to give Kurama a nervous look. "Because of what he's done to you. Are you ok?" he said in a near whisper. Kurama's smile faded for a minute, as he considered everything. He looked as if he were going to cry for a moment, but then he nodded solemnly at Hiei and said, "I'll be okay, Hiei, as long as you're with me... and Hiei?" "Hm?" "Really, Hiei, thanks." Kurama kissed his fingertips and pressed them against Hiei's face as Kuwabara carried them back through the portal. *** *** *** Kurama (as Shuuichi) looked up at his family and friends. "Hey, what's everyone doing here," he joked weakly. "Shuuichi..." whispered Shiori before she started crying on him. "'Kaasan, please, don't. I'm all right." He hugged her and then his little brother and even his stepfather. Then Kuwabara walked through the door, still carrying Hiei, who was now protesting loudly. "Put me down, baka, or I'll kill you." Kurama laughed over his mother's shoulder. Yusuke cocked his head, regarding Hiei for a moment. "What happened?" "Kazuma, put the boy down," commanded Shizuru. Kuwabara promptly dumped Hiei on the bed with Kurama, much to Kurama's delight and Hiei's embarrassment. But Kurama tried not to betray his feelings, his face smoothing into his usual mask. "Thank you Hiei, Kuwabara," Kazuya said, grinning slightly, but his eyebrow arched when he saw Kurama hug Hiei. "Shuuichi, don't. You look gay." Kurama, Hiei, and Kuwabara all froze, then Kurama began laughing. "What do you mean?" he asked innocently enough. *Sometimes, the truth is right in front of you...* "Hiei saved my life..." Kurama said gratefully, and he meant it. Kazuya nodded, accepting this as an answer, but Yusuke saw through Kurama's facade, his eyes widening slightly as he took it all in. "Ahem, we'll be outside," Yusuke said, pulling Kuwabara, Shizuru and Yukina out with him. He was sure that Kurama's family would want to spend some time with him now that they knew his secret. And Kuwabara remembered to scoop up Hiei at the last moment and took him to his room to recuperate. *** *** *** Hiei sat watching Kurama for half an hour as the redhead took his time planting seedlings in the garden. He knew Kurama was aware of his presence, but he had not yet acknowledged him, so Hiei stayed perched on the tree branch he was on. But when Kurama began watering the plants, Hiei could tell something was wrong... "It doesn't help to keep watering them if there's no more water left in the watering can," Hiei pointed out after he landed next to him. Kurama's only response was to drop the watering can with a dull thud. Hiei became alarmed when Kurama suddenly pitched foward and dropped to his knees, shaking. "Kurama, are... are you all right?" Kurama's only response was to wrap his arms tightly around Hiei. The koorime gulped, then gently began to rub Kurama's back. He couldn't think of anything to say, but it didn't matter. Kurama was just happy to have Hiei there; he didn't know what he would've done if Hiei wasn't there, if Hiei had died for him... Kurama wanted to apologize, he wanted to tell Hiei about how frightened he was, how much he hurt, how he could not live without him... Strange, that was the thought that scared him the most... losing Hiei. Despite all that Murata had done, he could only think of Hiei. "Kurama, do you want to talk about it?" Hiei asked with an uncharacteristic softness. Kurama exhaled slowly, gave a curt nod, then brushed himself off and stood up. He would survive, he knew he would... as long as he had Hiei. So he put on a slight smile and wiped away his tears and took Hiei's outstretched hand as his lover began to walk with him out of the garden. *** *** *** End chapter 6 Author's notes: The end! Thanks for sticking with me. Next week I'll start "Phantom of the Makai". Not as good as the one in the opera, but hopefully someone will read it, ne? Please stay tuned for the following advertisments: Hey, if anyone likes *FUSHIGI YUUGI*, please visit my page and read "Les Miztérious Play," my fun version of Les Miz with the Fushigi Yuugi cast. The URL is "http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/4814/fanfics.html". Thanks! And a plug for Jen, who loves Kurama's ears. Her webpage is at "http://www.keil.com/~jenaw/yyh/kurama.html". Please be generous and visit her site and send her lots of e-mails about Kurama's ears... Did I mention she loves ears? Soft, fuzzy kitsune ears, like cashmere, sensitive to every sound and touch... hehehe. Now back to our regularly scheduled program. Kurama: So who's the Phantom going to be? Bishonen no Miko: ... I'm not telling :p ... read it next week. Kurama: Better not be me. Murata: Or me. (Everyone looks at Murata) Bishonen no Miko: Sorry, you are a one shot character AND you're dead. Kurama (grin): Thank Inari. Hiei: Ch. I've had enough of that guy. Bishonen no Miko: Oh fine... Mukuro is going to be the Phantom... Hiei: Maybe we should bring back Murata... Kurama (indignantly): Hey! Bishonen no Miko: And Hiei is going to be Christine Daae. Kurama: What about me? What about me? Bishonen no Miko: Raoul. Kurama: So I get to res... urmph... (Bishonen no Miko promptly gags Kurama) Bishonen no Miko: Don't give it away! Stay tuned, everyone! HEY! (Blatent plug) If you have a webpage showing anyone evil (any youkai count) in a good light, please join my new webring: The Wickedly Cool Evil Ring of Anime. It's at: "http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Flats/4814/revil.html" If anyone wants to reach me, come to my Shrine of Bishonen at: http://www.aestheticism.com/visitors/Miko/ or you can e-mail me at: bishonennomiko@rocketmail.com Bishonen no Miko, May 7, 1997