At Least We Have Forever 25 - No Matter What Happens

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho and its characters. I do own the plot, Riya and other OC's of this story, though.

Warning: The characters might not be in their usual selves. In other words, possible OOC.

-x-x-

AT LEAST WE HAVE FOREVER—Chapter 25: No Matter What Happens

The next day (which was Sunday), the gang decided to stay for a day at Master Genkai's house along with the wielders and the two demon shinobis since they decided to train themselves for a while. The other part of the wielders's stories regarding the weapons had been cleared and the team agreed to join forces with the wielders to defeat Erithea though they didn't have a clear mission plan yet to do that. Still, they were definitely fired up to do so.

As for Riya, Genkai told her to rest for the whole day because the strain of using the Crystal Spear caused her wound to bleed profusely since it was too deep. The girl complied but that was after she was insisted to do so by almost everyone. Just to make sure she would do so, Kurama decided to stay with her.

That morning, everyone (with the exception of Riya and Kurama) were having breakfast in the dining room. It did not come as a surprise that all of them got along very well despite the tension among them during their initial meeting. It was also noticeable the Keiko and Akane got a little closer than they were at school. It was like their racial differences didn't matter at all.

Not only Keiko and Akane. The other wielders got along with the team quite well and they have thought that there wouldn't be any problem with teamwork, though it would take some time getting used to have so many people in the team.

"But you know, I'm really surprised when I found out that the wielders were of the same age as us," Kuwabara commented before gobbling up the food on his plate. "I thought you would be a lot older than I thought."

"Well, this came as a surprise for us, too," Yukari said. "But I guess it's for the best. Good thing Koenma-sama allowed us to have the weapons for the time being… just until we finish our mission."

"Koenma couldn't do anything to take the weapons from you since they had already chosen their masters," Hiei stated nonchalantly and matter-of-factly.

Yusuke, Kuwabara and Botan eyed the fire demon strangely before glancing at each other.

"There's definitely something wrong with Hiei," Yusuke whispered to Kuwabara. In turn, Kuwabara nodded to agree.

But even though Hiei heard and so did Yukari, Hiei ignored it since they didn't actually know the full story. By far, only Yumi knew that since he has been with the said Fire Wielder for almost three months.

"Whether there's something wrong or not, I guess it's better if we just keep it to ourselves. Right?" Yukari said with a smile before continuing to eat.

Yusuke and Kuwabara shrugged and breakfast continued.

"By the way, aren't Kurama and Riya-chan going to have breakfast with us? Riya-chan's injury doesn't seem that bad now," Kuwabara inquired.

"I brought food for the two of them a while back before we started eating," Yukina replied softly. "Besides, Kurama really insisted on staying beside Riya-san."

"So that would make them a real couple now, huh?" Botan asked with a smile.

"Probably," Keiko answered. "With the trial now over and Kurama kissed her before, I guess I could say that they finally confessed their feelings for each other." But she was surprised to see the two demon shinobi and three of the wielders froze upon hearing what she said. And from the looks of it, they were surprised, seemed unexpectant.

Botan noticed that, as well. "Don't tell me you didn't know the part that Kurama kissed Riya-chan the night of the Rose Ball?"

When the thought had finally settled into their minds, three of the wielders (Yumi's the one exempted) and the demon shinobi siblings exclaimed all at the same time after inadventently dropping their spoons.

"Seriously?!" Ayako asked disbelievingly. Botan and Keiko nodded as an answer. After that, she sighed. "So I guess that explains it."

Yukari eyed the brunette Light Wielder. "Explains what, Ayako-senpai?"

"The strange closeness between Minamino-kun and Riya-chan during the movie's filming the day after the Rose Ball. It's as if their relationship somehow reached a new level," Ayako explained.

"We didn't tell you about this because we don't know how. We were surprised," Keiko said apollogetically.

Soujiro sighed before proceeding to eat.

"Well, if something like that happened, it's for the best," the blue-haired guy said.

"You're right about that," Akane responded. "But I want to know what happened that night."

"Me, too!" Yukari exclaimed enthusiastically before facing Botan and Keiko. "Ne, can you tell us what happened that night?"

"Please?" Ayako pleaded to the two girls who were now unsure of what to do.

But before one of them replied, Hiei suddenly spoke while looking outside since he was just sitting on the windowsill of one of the windows of that room.

"Hey, Yumi. Why don't you show them the video to make it easier?" Hiei suggested without looking at them.

After he said that, all of them faced the said girl who was already done eating. Yumi glowered at Hiei in response to what he said.

"Sheesh, Hiei! You ruined the suspense."

"Whatever," Hiei said before jumping away to a tree away from the others. But Yumi smiled inwardly when she saw him smirked when he said that.

I'll let you get off the hook for now. Just wait until I get you for doing that, Yumi thought and then faced the others.

"What's that video he was talking about?" Yusuke asked curiously.

"It's actually a video about Kurama and Riya's kissing scene that I recorded," Yumi stated that surprised the others.

"You were there, Yumi-san?" Keiko asked and the blonde nodded.

"Anyway, if you really want to know what had happened that night, better finish your meals so that we could watch it together," the Fire Wielder said as she stood up and left the room. "I'll just get the tape."

The girls then giggled as the boys sighed at the sight of the girls' obvious excitement.

-x-x-

Meanwhile, Kurama and Riya decided to go out of the house to breathe some fresh air. They went out without the others' knowledge since they knew that they wouldn't let them have time together now that they were really considered a couple after all that commotion.

Though Hiei noticed them from one of the tree he was resting, he just let them have their ways. Besides, Yumi wouldn't want any distraction to happen between those two people's moments, especially when she would let the others watch the video and he knew that.

"Just make sure she'll be safe, fox," Hiei muttered before he jumped to another tree.

Kurama ended up on a tree at the top of a certain hill near the house. That way, the others wouldn't worry as to where to find them when they find out he and Riya were gone.

Riya took a deep breath as she stretched her arms wide before laying her back down on the grass. "This is the life!"

Kurama laughed softly as he sat beside her. This was when she faced the red head.

"Sorry for asking you this selfishly," she said apologetically that made him look at her. "I just couldn't take it staying all day in that room lying in bed like I have a very serious sickness. In a way, it suffocates me."

"I don't mind. Besides, I need to get out of there, as well. I know they would never stop bugging me about what happened yesterday."

She smiled when she heard that.

"You mean, you have to prepare yourself for their interrogations sooner?" Kurama nodded before laughing.

I remember so well

The day that you came into my life

You asked for my name

You had the most beautiful smile

Riya's face turned serious before looking at the field just below the hill. "Why did you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Facing my attacks knowing I could kill you…" And then she sighed before facing him. "I know I asked this to you last night but I want to hear it again. I want to be certain about your feelings… at least once more…"

Silence surrounded the two of them as they lokked intently at each other. The soft wind blew passed them with the rustling of the leaves and the chirping of the birds resounding much like a soft melody. Their hearts pounded as feeling still concealed inside tried their best to be released from it. Kurama stood up and then he laid his hand in front of her. In turn, Riya took it and he helped her stand up. Now they were only inches away from each other, their eyes still locked ub each other's gazes.

Before he could say something, he lifted his hand and gently touched her face. She held that particular hand, in return.

"I love you, Riya," Kurama said emotionally. "A lot of things had happened between us, making us face an inevitable battle. But that didn't stop me from knowing my feelings for you after realizing that I gave a part of my heart to you along with the Snow Rose. I couldn't deny that any longer. After I kissed you, it made me realize completely that you're not just merely special to me. I love you and I want to be with you no matter what."

"Kurama…"

"When you attacked me, I couldn't do anything to counter that at first. But when I realized your inner predicament with just merely your words, that's when I remembered what I said to you before."

She frowned at what he said. "What you said to me?"

He nodded with a smile. "I told you before that I'll trust you forever. We'll always be together no matter what happens and I'm not going to break that even if you ask me to."

My life started to change

I wake up each day feeling alright

With you right by my side

Makes me feel things will work out just fine

"You're really one persistent person, aren't you?" she commented that made them both chuckle.

Then Kurama looked at her amethyst eyes with much intensity and emotion. "Now do you believe me?" he asked in a hopeful tone.

Her face also turned serious as she looked at his emerald eyes. That was when she figured out that what he was saying was nothing but the truth.

But instead of answering him with words, she decided to answer it in a different way…

A way she knew he would definitely understand.

How did you know

I needed someone like you in my life

That there was an empty space in my heart

You came at the right time in my life

Riya slowly stood at the tip of her toes, her hand caressed his cheek before gently pressing her lips against his. This act of hers had caught Kurama off-guard, no doubt. It was completely unexpected; nonetheless, his heart began to overflow with so much happiness.

And so he decided to express his feelings once more. This time, without the use of words. He wrapped his arms around her waist and gently placed his one hand on her nape, dragging her face closer.

Then he returned the kiss gratefully and lovingly.

At that moment, his heart had felt Riya's answer to his question a while back. She believed in him with all her heart and soul. He was obviously gratefl about that.

How he wished… that this loving and most beautiful moment would last forever…

I'll never forget

How you brought the sun to shine in my life

And took all the worries and fears

That I have

Riya smiled inwardly as soon as Kurama returned her kiss. And she was undoubtedly glad that he received the answer with all his heart.

Tears glistened on her cheeks as she cried, her heart began to overflow with so much happiness that she never thought she would actually feel. She wrapped her arms around his neck as the kiss began to deepen.

The cold wind blew but they seemed not tomind the cold. All that mattered to them was each other.

I guess what I'm really trying to say

It's not every day

That someone like you comes my way

No words can express how much

I love you

The kiss ended after a minute or so and when Riya pulled away, she smiled at the sight of overflowing happiness in Kurama's emerald eyes. She rested her head to his chest and allowed herself to feel his heartbeat.

"I love you too, Kurama…" she said truthfully and sincerely. "I always have."

"Since when?" Kurama asked, almost in a whisper.

"At first, I wasn't sure. But when I finally figured out everything and patch them up together, that's when I realized that I have been in love with you since the day you entrusted the Snow Rose to me. It might have been destroyed physically but the memory that goes with it still lived inside my heart until now. Like that Snow Rose, the feelings I've felt for you back then never withered. In fact, it blossomed into an even more beautiful flower. And it will always stay that way," she answered emotionally as she looked at his eyes afterwards.

Kurama smiled as a response to that.

"If I've heard that a long time ago, then I guess we didn't have to face that kind of trial. But it's for the best… now that we managed to survive this. This time, I won't let you go. I'll do everything to make you stay with me. Even if it means I have to defy everything and everyone that will get in the way," the fox demon said before planting a soft kiss to Riya's hair and embracing her at the same time.

Upon hearing that, Riya couldn't help but to cry silently. Given the fact that Kurama already knew her real situation, she was feeling afraid of what might happen to the two of them in the next coming days. The fated battle has yet to come and her string of life was already measured. She couldn't afford for everything to end in vai that she was sure she would regret afterwards. She didn't want that to happen.

As soon as she thought about that, she buried her face to his chest and cried harder. In a way, Kurama could sense her fears since he, too, was afraid of what might happen from then on. Even still, he was glad that things turned out like this for the two of them.

How did you know

I needed someone like you in my life

That there was an empty space in my heart

You came at the right time in my life

I'll never forget

How you brought the sun to shine in my life

And took all the worries and fears

That I have

A lot of things happened, each of which had caused them pain, sadness, fear… and most of all, happiness. Kurama and Riya had gone through all that. And yet, there was more to come for the two of them.

But there was only one thing they were glad about after all that…

I guess what I'm really trying to say

It's not every day

That someone like you comes my way

No words can express how much

I love you

Both of them were glad that they found love despite the confusing truth surrounding them.

As they kissed each other again, both of them sealed the promise that their hearts ahd spoken. No matter what happens, it would be the vow that would always live in their hearts for as long as they love each other.

In life and in death, we'll be together eternally. And we'll be loving each other till beyond eternity…

Now they knew the reason why people were not meant to live life alone.

-x-x-

That's it for Chapter 25. By the way, the featured song here is entitled "How Did You Know?" and it's actually an OPM (meaning it's a song composed and popularized in the Philippines). I think it's an 80's song (or maybe 90's but I can't be sure). That's how old this song is. Can you please tell me what you think about this story and this chapter? I need inspiration to write, that's why I want to know it through your reviews. Please? :)