YYH AU Fate's Plan - ABANDONED

The village was bustling with people going to and fro. Hana never seen anything like it. Demons of all kinds, in different shapes, sizes, colors, and types were all wandering around getting stuff and talking. It was amazing how /alike/ they were to humans. Hana was kind of thankful that she decided against wearing a priestess uniform because she was very certain that not only would she look out of place, but highly offensive. She wore a pastel sky blue sundress with white flipflops. She knew that she still stood out, but she wasn't a sore-sight at the very least.

"You look lovely in sky blue. What /is/ your favorite color, anyway?" Kurama decided to ask as he had his arm looped around her arm to keep her close...and to keep /himself/ steady. "I thought you'd look nice in a sundress. I was right," he added with a smile, and he did have a bit more life in him now than before. He hadn't changed outfits, didn't have the energy or patience to.

Hana's cheeks tinted pink, but she fought down the need to blush too much. It was a gentlemanly thing to do, holding her arm, but hell it was kind of nice. She clicked her tongue as she thought about her favorite color. "Well, it changes from day to day depending on my mood and what I'm feeling. I think today is probably a red or a green." She glanced at him from the corner of her eye. "Most likely a red. What about yours?"

"Your favorite color wouldn't be influenced by me, would it?" Kurama smirked a bit at her, then he glanced down at the list in his hand and guided them to a food stand, "White...but I do wear other colors with it. I have a yellow fighting outfit I favor. I also have a more...stylish outfit that's mainly white with a pale purple-pink sash. Besides that, green and blue."

"I'll torment you on whether my favorite color is based on you or not." Hana smiled warmly as she peered over his arm to see the list as well. Yukina had written a lot down, considering that Eri was on bed rest. Poor girl hated it immensely, but Raiden must really know Eri well enough to know how to keep her down, "I'll keep those colors in mind."

After getting what he needed from the stand, Kurama directed them somewhere else, "I'm trying to keep an eye out for anyone who'd give us information. It's a bit difficult since I'm disoriented...but with you here, I can focus," he smiled down at her, "I needed to get away from there. Arigato."

Hana nodded, "You're welcome." She was split between wanting to tell him that he didn't have to torture himself into staying there and to tell him that he needed some kind of closure, which was obvious. Talking to a grave wasn't working. Nira was trying to get him to go to the other village. She wanted closure too. She felt her head begin to hurt.

She felt so bad. She felt bad for the both of them. Both of them were trapped in an endless loop and until she could get Nira to give some sort of insight, or have some sort of epiphany she didn't know what to do till then. "I'm glad that I can help you in some fashion. I kind of needed the outing as well." She smiled warmly at him. "I love my son to death, but even I can use a break from time to time."

"I understand. It's nice to be able to have the option to talk about whatever we want or say what we want without little ears to overhear," Kurama agreed. The two of them continued around the market and he was about to pick up an apple at a stand to just pay for and eat to keep his energy up, when black flashed by his vision out the corner of his eye. Whipping around he scanned the crowd.

Sure enough, an all black outfit with ripped edges and a white sash stood out to him. Followers of their village who would listen more to Kuronue would wear a uniform just like that. So two and a half decades didn't change that. He was overwhelmingly grateful, and he set one bag down, "Hana, please stay here with our stuff. I think I found what we were looking for."

"Huh? Oh..." Hana blinked as she looked over to see that there was someone that wore something very close to what Kuronue wore. She nodded her head. "Okay." She said, watching him leave and going towards the demon.

The demon looked over at the redhead that was approaching them. He recognized that it was the adviser to King Yusuke Urameshi. Wasn't he also the former leader? He bit his lip, watching him with a steady gaze. Regardless, former leader or not, there was a reason he was approaching. "May I help you?"

"You carry yourself well, I like that," Kurama smiled, holding his hand up non-threateningly, "I merely wish to ask your assistance. I am looking for your home. It's been...a very long time since I've been there, and I just need some help being pointed in the right direction. If you have...a contact of sorts or anything in another village, that would work, too, if you don't trust me with details."

The demon thought about this for a moment. While it was good to have a healthy amount of distrust, he really doubted that Kurama would do anything to harm his fellow comrades. He really did want to go. Kuronue had kicked the bucket years ago. Otherwise, he would have demanded to know why the bat-demon didn't know where they were. "I can point you to a half-way point." He told Kurama. "It's a half of a day's walk towards the northwest." He pointed at the direction. "There should be someone there that'll guide you the rest of the way. If not..." He shrugged.

"Arigato, I appreciate it a lot. I'm sure Kuronue would like to know there are people with his colors and morals still running around," the redhead bowed to him, "See you around." He waved and went back to Hana, "That was short, but I now have a direction. If you want to go back now, we could talk to those we want to go with us and head out, get there at nightfall and sleep in an Inn."

Hana nodded her head, glancing back at the demon that was leaning against the wall. The woman appeared next to him, a cheeky smile on her face but it didn't quite reach her eyes. She blinked and the woman disappeared. Nira....Hana let out a long, exhaled breath before she followed Kurama back towards the mansion. She was going to have a lot of work cut out for her. Nira was a strong ghost, but closure came on both sides of the coin, not just one.

~*~

"So you want us to go to your old village?!" Kuroi's eyes were wide, "Wouldn't Otou-san want to go?"

"Yes, but we agreed that it'd be best if he stayed here. Neither of us know what would happen if everyone knew he was alive yet. There's no doubt still people from when we were there twenty-five years ago. They still wear our uniforms," Kurama explained.

"You don't want Kokoro to go, either, do you?" Hiei folded his arms over his chest.

"No, the less people we have the better. Yusuke, your going at least will assure we can talk to them about backing you up in your Rule," Kurama rubbed his forehead, already his headache was returning.

"Can I go?" Ryoko asked from Yusuke's side.

"Hai, of course. I already planned on it. We have to leave soon, though, if we're going to get the the half-way point by nightfall. Pack quickly for a two-three day trip," he told her with a smile and she hurried off, an excited grin on her face.

Masanori watched Ryoko run away, his mouth curved into a frown. While he was happy that his sister would get to come along with them, his eyes traveled to his twin who didn't look up at all, her eyes determined somewhere else. He closed his eyes, "If my sister goes I go." He said simply as if that ended the matter. "I can be a grounding tool."

Hana smiled warmly, "I knew you'd come."

Someone had to, if a bomb was going to explode, he might as well be there to see if he could delay the explosion. "So it's us, Hiei, Kuroi, Kurama, Ryoko, and Yusuke that are coming along. That's a big group for a small mission."

Yusuke nodded his agreement, "But it's like Kurama said, we're going to kill two birds with one stone. If I can get them to join me that is." He stood up. "I'm going to start packing as well. The faster we move the better. It's a shame Kuwabara's not here, could you imagine what he'd say if we were on a ghost hunt?"

"He has a strong sixth sense too, doesn't he?" Hana questioned.

"Yeah, can't see them, but he can sure as hell feel them. Maybe that part got stronger. I know he's able to sense catastrophes before they happen."

"You know that could've been useful," Kurama sighed, "I wonder how Kuwabara's doing. Anyway, Hana, I'll escort you to your room if you'd like."

"I should go, too," Kuroi nodded, grinning and bounding off, wings spread a little in her excitement. Her dad wouldn't be watching her back the whole time, either! She could actually /relax/ around Masa and that was going to be great! Maybe she could get him to drink at the next town...that would be an adventure.

()

The longer they walked the more tired Kurama felt. The sun was setting and the relief he felt when he saw the town in the distance was immense. The area...looked familiar in a deja vu sort of way. Once they were walking through the streets, he was surprised he noticed anything of significance because his mind was so fogged. There were many more people wearing their uniforms here, mingled with the rest of the crowd.

Kuroi had no qualms about approaching anyone, especially someone wearing an outfit similar to her father's, "Hey! Excuse me, could you point us in the right direction of the town Inn?"

Just like Kuronue. Straight to the point, always with a grin on her face. The similarities were striking, Kurama mused.

"Should she do that?" Yusuke asked, watching to see if something was going to happen. Kurama was nearby, so technically nothing should happen but still. It was nerve wracking since he didn't know what the bandits were capable of. He didn't know their leader was either.

"She's a child of one of theirs." Masanori responded, though Hana could tell that he was also a little nervous at the outcome. "They wouldn't hurt her." He took a breath and sighed it out, trying to relax.

The person was pointing towards the direction. "Next road over is the inn." The person said. "Be careful, they like to steal money and possessions."

"No excitement, maybe we'll have to wait till tomorrow." Yusuke shrugged. "So, let's go before we all fall down dead."

Hana looked at Kurama as Yusuke said that. He was staggering a lot more than he should and she knew Hiei was giving him a look that meant murder or worse. She knew better than to bring it up, he'd only tell her that he was okay. Maybe when this was all over, he'll sleep better knowing that Nira was gone and away. If not, then she'd have to wring the truth out of him. She hoped that wouldn't happen, that it wouldn't get that far.

The demon that'd helped them was watching Kuroi carefully, though, staring at her wings and taking note of physical attributes that were similar to Kuro's. They were all moving along too quickly, however. Hiei was sure rumor would spread about what he saw.

They all got settled in separate rooms, and the demon never asked who was boarding with who, just gave matching keys to who he believed the couples of the group were, and a single key to Hiei. "Just don't make too much noise," he grumbled. It was late, the demon looked tired and grumpy.

"Long day?" Kurama asked, too tired to care as well while ninety-percent of their group was blushing.

"You could relate I see," the Innkeeper huffed and shrugged before leading them up the stairs to show them which room was which, "Goodnight, sleep well," he gave Kurama a pointed look before he went back down.

Kurama knew all the signs and signals. He would know what he meant even if he /was/ asleep.

"S-Should any of us trade keys?" Kuroi asked, dangling hers, "Now before we get settled in the rooms we were assigned?"

"If you trade keys with Hana, then that leaves Masa with Kurama," Ryo hummed, "If Hiei and I trade keys then I'll be by myself."

"I don't think it's going to be that much of a problem, do you?" Kurama asked Ryo curiously, "I'm sure as hell too tired to care about much, let alone who I sleep with." He opened the door to the room and went inside.

"Looks like you'll have to deal with it, Kuroi," Hiei's door was also open and he disappeared.

Masanori looked at his sister questioningly. "Do you want to trade?" He offered her, wondering if either of the girls were really that upset about staying in the same room as a male. "I'm fine either way."

"I'm fine the way that I am. I'm worried." Hana admitted.

Masanori understood. He also knew that Ryoko wanted to sleep with Yusuke so that was out. He looked apologetically at Kuroi. Hana quietly went into the room that Kurama disappeared in, most likely tomake sure that he got some sleep. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. Don't worry, I'll do my best to keep to my side of the bed, or even sleep on the floor. I don't want you to feel pressured by anything."

"Looks like that leaves us. Shall we?" Yusuke questioned, looking at Ryoko and wondering if she was going to trade anyway for Kuroi's sake.

"If you don't have a problem with it, I don't," Ryo smiled brightly at Yusuke. She'd just been put off by the situation, "I know! We could at least change into our PJs in each other's rooms. Is that a good compromise?"

"Oh! Ryo, that's a good idea. Let's do that," Kuroi nodded, taking Ryo's hand and dragging her into the room with her and leaving Yusuke and Masa outside.

~

Back in Kurama's and Hana's bedroom, he had flopped onto his bed. He wasn't going to change because he didn't plan on sleeping. He was too wound up from the day and it was at the point he'd been up so long he wouldn't be able to anyway. He knew that Innkeeper had something he wanted, and he had the money and resources to pay. He'd just wait until Hana fell asleep.

Hana walked over to her bed and sat down on it with a sigh. She had watched him flop over the bed, looking more exhausted than he had when he was walking towards the hotel. She knew that if she fell asleep, he'd probably get coffee or sake or something to make him stay awake. He'd probably wasn't looking forward to the trip to the village, even if it was Nira that wanted him there.

Their relationship was odd. It was obvious that Kurama felt the guilt, but...she couldn't help but to feel like Nira was torturing him. She knew that this went both ways, neither of them were getting the closure that they needed. She scooted herself back towards where the pillows were, brought her legs up, and leaned against the wall, her head resting against it.

What are they doing to themselves? She thought to herself as she glanced over at Kurama. He hadn't moved to make himself more comfortable. She slid down towards the bed, pulling the covers up and resting her head against the pillows instead of the wall. Maybe if she looked comfortable, or got comfortable it'll be easier to sleep in. She turned on her side facing away from Kurama and closed her eyes.

This isn't healthy. For neither one of you.

It didn't take long for her to fall asleep, exhausted from the day's travel.

One he was sure she was completely and utterly asleep, Kurama slipped out of the cot and stretched, silently moving out of the door and locking it behind him. He was so, so glad this was something a child like Kai shouldn't be on, because without the worry of watching out for her surrogate son, Hana had passed out faster than he had anticipated. Walking passed each door, he heard Ryo giggling and she and Yusuke were having a conversation...ah, telling her a more personalized version of the Dark Tournament. He could tell Yusuke was happy and excited someone was willing to listen, share his enthusiasm for fighting, and support or even encourage him.

Their time together would take lots of time. Moving on to Kuroi and Masanori's room, he heard Kuroi's wings flutter and she asked him what he was reading. Hiei of course was awake and silent, so he simply ignored his room and went downstairs.

Following his nose, he made it to a back room which was hidden from the rest of the place. The Innkeeper's office. Knocking, he waited for the go-ahead and went in.

"So, how long has it been?" was the simple question as the small demon bustled about and got into a case, bringing it onto his desk. He wasn't human in appearance by any means, so he was a fairly low-level, but he was smart and that meant just as much as strength.

"A week tomorrow," Kurama admitted, face glum.

"And you've reached the point where you're afraid if you fall asleep now you'll wake up a week from now," the Innkeeper nodded knowingly, "Shocked you haven't started hallucinating. You walk and talk like you've only missed a night or two."

"I'm feeling it," he assured, "So what do you have for me?"

This is where the Innkeeper grinned, glad to finally get to the point, "Some herbal roots and buds, a loose-leafed tea. It is almost like the thing called coffee in the human world, but this rejuvenates you and keeps you going for at least twenty-four hours. If you don't stress yourself, at least, and get your adrenaline pumping...because the longer you've been awake, the worse off you are."

"What happens?" Kurama asked, fishing for his coin purse in his pocket, "How much?"

"I'll take a third of whatever ya got, I'm a reasonable guy and you're the King Urameshi's adviser," he nodded mostly to himself as he scooped a little into a bag, "If you let it run it's course like it's supposed to, you won't crash but you'll sleep like the dead for just as long once it's out of your system. If you get into a fight or get really stressed out to the point where you're using most of your brain power and will to focus and stay aware...once that stress disappears and you're out of danger...you'll pass out on your feet, and you'll probably sleep for two days, it depends on the person and how bad the stress is. Nothing will be able to wake you either way you let it happen."

"Which is why you said I'll sleep like the dead," Kurama nodded, "Any side effects besides comatose?" hand hovering over the desk with the money.

"Hyper-awareness of the senses is rare but can happen along with the rejuvenation...headache to migraine...weakness after you wake up...nothing bad, though," the Innkeeper assured, watching his hand greedily. They traded and he put the case away, "You're welcome to the kitchen to make it."

He nodded his thanks and left the office.

~
Ryoko was an active listener and she was a wonderful audience Yusuke never dreamed of having. He was so used to having someone else belittle or lecture him about his stupidity. While yes, Ryoko agreed that some of things he did were brash, she was thankful that it all worked out and that his quick thinking saved the day somehow. He had finished telling her about the Dark Tournament and had decided on taking a break so he could grab a drink. His throat was parched from the excitement and from how long he had talked for.

He was kind of discouraged though. Discouraged that he couldn't ask her to do anything while they were here and that there were issues that needed to be resolved before he made a move. While it wasn't a bad thing, he worried that the issue he was thinking of would only esculate...and one of them would break off.

Would he follow Ryo or would he stay behind? He'd more or less would offer Ryo a way out. The castle was far enough away and he could keep an eye on her. But then he had to think about whether or not she'd be a good leader.

Yusuke undoubtedly sucked at it. He was tossed into the position to save someone the trouble. To save the people the trouble of beheading a royalty member at the very least. So who the fuck was he to judge on whether or not Ryoko was a good leader?

Fucking politics. Seriously.

He walked into the kitchen where he saw Kurama brewing tea. Yusuke had his suspicions, but this was getting out of hand. "Another caffeine run, Kurama?"

"Mm...no," Kurama decided to lie and tell the opposite, "Something soothing for the mind to help me have a solid sleep. Hana's passed out, I think this is the first time in a very long time she's been away from Kai, and like any mother who is relieved of their child for a little while, she relaxed and that was it." He gave Yusuke a smile, "I would offer you some but there's only enough for one." He coated his spoon in honey and stirred the liquid with it, unsure if the mixture was going to be bitter and he wasn't in the mood.

Kami, his body was shaking...and he was sure he was going to collapse long before he drank the damn tea. Closing his eyes for a brief second to draw on Youko's power, he heard the mental scoff from the fox who wasn't even bothered by the lack of sleep, the bastard. Before his untimely death, he'd stay awake four-five days at a time no sweat...which explained why Kurama was acting fairly normal.

Grabbing his cup with as much of a steady hand as possible, one around and one underneath, he turned to Yusuke, "Cups are in that cupboard, if that's what you're lookin' for. How was your chat with Ryo? I heard her giggling on my way down here."

"It's going good, but you're lying to someone that used to lie to get out of school," Yusuke pointed out as he walked towards the cupboard and pulled down a cup. "I ain't going to lecture you about staying up, god knows I hate lectures and they don't do anything good, but I am gonna tell you that you're killing yourself. You may be fine now, but I know you. You're not as observant as you usually are and I recognize your energy."

"I must be tired, because I'm loosing my touch," Kurama hummed and he brought the tea up to sip, feeling the burn down his throat and welcoming it, "Very well...then I will assure you that as long as nothing happens and I don't get really stressed, tomorrow's the last day which I'll be awake, and it'll be natural. There's no crash if I just let it work it's way through my system." It wasn't /all/ the information, but it was plenty for now. Yusuke didn't need to worry about him passing out on his feet, "Don't tell the others, especially Hana. She'll just feel responsible and it's not necessary."

"I'll keep my mouth shut about the others, but I can't promise Hana or Hiei." Yusuke told Kurama as he turned on the sink's faucet and filled the cup with water. He didn't sit down since he didn't want Kurama to think that he was ganging up on him or anything. "Those two are more observant than you give them credit for. Hiei probably already knows and Hana's probably on her way to suspecting something's up. She's with a /kid/ for crying out loud. Mom's automatically have eyes on the back of their head."

"I'm aware," Kurama sighed and took another soothing sip, already feeling more like himself. His eyes weren't drifting closed anymore, "Anyway, goodnight, Yusuke. I'll see you in the morning," he waved to the leader as he finished his drink and went upstairs back to his vampiress.

~*~

Come morning, Ryo blinked open her eyes to the sunlight streaming through the window and she hummed, shifting and found she had a snug arm tight around her waist, and a face digging into her shoulder, hiding from the sun. She grinned, enjoying how she was being cuddled. When she tried to move away, he tightened his arm. Trying a different tactic, she shifted around so she was facing Yusuke and she started stroking his face. First brushing his messy hair from his eyes...he looked cute without it gelled back. Then down his nose and she watched his face muscles twitch and scrunch up. When he didn't wake up then, she rubbed her thumb over his cheek...then down along his jaw-line. My, what a heavy sleeper he was. It wasn't until she started touching his lips and feeling how soft they were did his eyes flutter open, "Hello, sleepy-head."

"Morning." Yusuke mumbled around her finger that was against his lips. He looked at her, and saw that she was looking at him with unbridled affection and...was it lust or was it adoration? He was half-asleep still, so the expressions kinda looked like both. Knowing better than to to think with his second head so to speak, he closed his eyes again. "You been up long?"