At Least We Have Forever 26 - Here's Love

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.

AT LEAST WE HAVE FOREVER—Chapter 26: Here's Love

Two weeks had passed and surely, a lot of things happened after Riya went back to school. It was just the day after that formal confession and even if they didn't tell everything to the team, it would appear that they already have an idea about what was going on. And in a way, they could see that they were really supportive about it.

When Riya went back to school after Genkai made sure that she was alright, the whole class was glad for reasons that only Ayako and Kurama knew. They never told Riya about Ayako's outburst that scared Reina and they wanted to keep it that way. For the whole two weeks, they continued the filming for their movie presentation for the Rose Festival. The filming went went and fast. The class, even the team, made sure that no fagirls of Minamino Shuichi would cause a ruckus during the filming. Keiko, Botan, Yusuke and Kuwabara had watched the filming process onetime and due to that, they anticipated to watch the whole movie. Ayako assured them that they would be watching the movie on the day of the screening on the front rows.

Yumi went to the Demon World along with Hiei (of course, with Koenma's permission) in order to commence her mission since there were no signs of activities from the demon shinobi, Koenma allowed the two to go.

"Seriously, why am I tagging along with you again?" Hiei asked Yumi, slightly irritatted but deep inside, he was happy. Well, sort of.

"You're the only one whom I could ask about the Demon World when it comes to locating my father," Yumi said placidly as she pulled her hair to a bun. "Since I didn't really grew up here and I don't know my way around because of having a bad sense of direction in this world, I could only ask for your help."

"Why me? You could've ask Koenma for that."

"I can't do that," the blonde responded. This time, with a sad tone that surprised Hiei.

For the past three months since she asked for his assistance that he couldn't turn down for some reasons, he had never seen Yumi this sad. Not even once. Before he could even say something to counter that, Yumi spoke again.

"For some reason, I wanted to trust you with this. I couldn't just ask something so selfish to Koenma. Besides, I'm a criminal as of now. I have to do things on my own."

"Then why did you ask for my assistance?" Hiei seriously asked.

Silence filled the air for some seconds before Yumi sighed and faced Hiei.

"Like I said, you're the only one that I could trust with regards to this. And I'm sure—" she paused. "—you wanted to know what happened to your father, right?"

Hiei stiffened and was stunned upon hearing those words from Yumi. He wanted to talk but no voice were coming out. From the looks of the blonde's face, he could tell that the Fire Wielder was serious when she said that.

"I was recently informed by someone who knew my mother that my father was the leader of a certain clan of fire demons. And his right hand man was someone who once had a relationship with an ice apparition. For now, you're the only one I know who might be a proof of that forbidden relationship—its offspring, that is," Yumi said before she walked passed the fire demon. "I don't know much about your past and all, but I'm selfishly asking for your help so I could find my father. No matter what happens, I want to know who he is and why he had forsaken me. That way, I could finally move on for good."

They weren't facing each other, but the silence between them was enough to create a tense atmosphere. But then they didn't mind that. She head Hiei heaved a silent sigh before she turned around and wait beside her as they faced the same direction—the bloody red sky was somehow reminding them of so many thing no one knew.

Things that have something to do with their past.

"Let's go. I don't want to waste my time here goofing around," he said before he started walking away from that spot. "But let me remind you. I'm not doing this because of what you said."

Yumi gave a small smile before she shrugged.

"Whatever you say."

And with that, both of them proceeded to their journey. Along the way, they had dealt with several demons with a thirst for human blood. Since they've smelt her scent for having human blood, those demons usually went after her. Hiei was the one taking almost all of them down. As for Yumi, she just threw some fire spell to the demons. But that alone was enough for Hiei to notice something.

"You said that your father was a leader of a fire demon clan. But do you have any idea about his powers or skillls?" he asked as soon as they found a spot to rest for a while after taking those demons.

Yumi pondered on it for a while before she answered. "The only thing I heard about him with regards to power was that he's a master of the Spirit Summoning Arts like the Miyuzaki clan. But for him, he actually deals with fire spirits."

Hiei frowned. "Fire spirits?"

"Not just any fire spirits. From what I heard when I was young, he was able to summon spirits that enabled him to control the four mystical flames," she stated seriously that surprised him.

"Seriously?!" he exclaimed. Yumi nodded, looking down.

After a few minutes of resting, the two proceeded to continue with their journey. But little did they know that by mentioning that part of the story enabled them to open up a new book in which the story of their journey together was written.

Meanwhile, back in the Human World, Riya was memorizing her lines for the filming of the second-to-the-last scene of the movie written on the script. It was the part where Kimiko's best friend Misa (played by Miwako) would reveal to Kimiko the hidden feelings of Kenji. Later on, if there would be no retakes to be done, then they would proceed to filming the last scene—the conclusion of the story when Kenji and Kimiko pour out their hearts to let each other knew their feelings.

But as she continued memorizing her lines, there was one particular line in the script that had caught her attention.

"No matter how much it will haunt me, I can't afford to let my past ruin what I have today…"

It was actually the exact words that Yumi said to her when she talked to the Fire Wielder that Sunday night while they were at Genkai's. Upon reading that, she remembered the conversation that she and Yumi had that night…

After Kurama and Riya arrived, they saw that the wielders and the team were waiting for their arrival. Like what they had predicted earlier, they interrogated Kurama that only made him look at her pleadingly. She just smiled in amusement but then she noticed that Yumi wasn't there. When she tried sensing her weapon's energy, she learned that Yumi was outside.

To be exact, on the rooftop of the house.

"It's unusual for you to be staying all alone here," she said that made Yumi tur around. The blonde only responded with a smile.

She frowned when she noticed Yumi's smile was somehow sad. She sighed before sitting beside her.

"I guess you're having confusions right now, huh?" Riya commented as she looked at the same direction Yumi was looking at. "Don't ask how did I know that since it's really obvious. So? What's bothering you right now?"

None of them spoke a word. Riya saw Yumi pondering about her question but she noticed that the blonde was slightly blushing. And there was only one thing she had in mind that would make Yumi blush like that.

"Something happened between you and that shorty three-eyed demon." It was more of a statement than a question. After that, she smiled as she faced the blonde Fire Wielder.

Yumi looked at her, surprised by what she said. "How did you know that?"

"Let's just say that in a way, Hiei is facing the same predicament as you are. Care to tell me what happened?"

The blonde just looked at he for a few seconds before heaving a heavy sigh. "I just did something foolish enough to stir my emotions. This is the first time I've felt something like this, that's why I don't know what to do."

Riya frowned slightly when she saw Yumi blushed again and stammering. But deep inside, Riya thought it was quite a sight for Yumi to be like that.

"Something foolish, huh? I wonder what could that be," she said with a teasing smile on her face.

And since Yumi was already cornered with that question, she was left with no choice but to say her worries to her bestfriend and mistress.

"Hiei and I accidentally… kissed…" Yumi admitted, followed by heat running to her face and making her bury her face to her knees as she hugged them. Riya stared at her with wide eyes open.

"EH?! How did that happen?" Riya could only say after recovering from shock.

Yumi told her about what happened in the Demon World during their journey. She explained everything to Riya in details so that it would be understandable, since she knew her to be someone who would dig to bring out the truth.

"So that's what happened…" Riya said after the story was told. The blush that ran through Yumi's face lessened a little and her heartbeat returned to its normal tempo.

"I know it's an accident and he's having delusions when it happened due to the effect of the arrow that was supposed to strike me. But I couldn't get it out of my head. More often, it would appear in my dreams. It's a good thing he didn't remember that."

Riya looked at her intently before speaking. "From what I could tell, I guess he remembered just parts of it and that explains the reason for his sudden change of treatment to you."

What the Wielders' mistress said had made Yumi face her in surprise. But upon analyzing the situation, it turned out to be true.

"What am I supposed to do now?" Yumi asked in frustration as she scratched her head rashly before sighing exasperatingly and lying her back down on the roof. "Now I'm confused."

"It's always like that at the start," Riya commented. "We're getting all confused when we feel emotions that are completely new to us. But when we look inside our hearts, we'll be able to find the answers we're looking for. It might take some time for us to realize that, so we're forced to give it up. There are a lot of things that prevent the answers from coming out but we'll be able to find it as long as we're willing to wait and look for it."

The blonde sat up again and faced Riya before chuckling that made the mistress slightly confused.

"What's so funny?"

"You talk like you based everything from your own experience," Yumi said before she topped chuckling and faced the night sky with solemn face. "But whatever answer my heart could come up with, I don't think I would be ready to face that."

"What made you say that?" Riya asked innocently.

Yumi sighed to calm herself before continuing. "You know abou my past, right? All about the details that has something to do with me and my powers." Riya nodded. "I was just afraid that if he finds that out, he'll avoid me for good."

"Do you really want your past to destroy everything that makes you happy right now?" Riya asked seriously that struck Yumi and made her look at her mistress.

The mistress stared at Yumi and waited patiently for the Fire Wielder's answer. She knew that Yumi was thinking about the answer to her question.

"No matter how much it would haunt me, I couldn't afford to let my past ruin what I have today. It should be my stepping stone to reach the future I aimed for," Yumi answered seriously but with a smile.

Riya smiled at that, as well. "I knew you'd say that. One day, he'll know everything about you and you can't avoid that. Whatever his reactions, face it heads on. Even if he'll hate you because of it, try to bear it. Don't worry about crying and your feelings being one-sided. It's just a part of the trials we're facing in life."

"You're right. And you'll be there for me, right?"

Riya nodded and both of them watched the starry night sky together, just like what they were doing when they were kids…

Riya smiled upon remembering that. She didn't know how Yumi's feelings for Hiei would lead her friend to finding what the Fire Wielder had lost in life. But she would be there to support Yumi no matter what. The only thing that she was afraid of was the puzzle surrounding Yumi's true powers. All those times that they had been friends, she wasn't able to figure out the true source of Yumi's powers. But she was determined to find that out.

She continued to read the script when a cold can of soda touched her cheek. She was surprised with that so she looked up to know who did that. What she saw upon looking up was Kurama with a smile on his face while holding two cans of soda, with which he handed one to her.

"Gezz! Why in the world did you do that?" she pouted as she took the can offered to her. "Now my cheek is wet."

Kurama laughed before taking out his handkerchief and gently wiped Riya's wet cheek.

"Sorry about that. You were pretty serious while reading the script so I just thought of a way to divert your attention away from it for a while," the red head said before drinking. "What seems to be the problem?"

Riya's faced turned solemn as she put the can on her lap, still holding it. "I'm just worried about Yumi. But I'm sure Hiei will take care of her… I guess."

"I'm not really sure about Yumi's past that made her overdo things but I'm sure she'll be fine," Kurama said and then he faced her. "So stop thinking seriously or else, you'll get too much wrinkles on your forehead."

She managed to laugh at that and she opened the can. She drank the soda before heaving a sigh. That was when Kirika and Miwako called them.

"Riya-chan, Minamino-kun, we'll start filming your scene in 10 minutes. You can have your date later after the shoot," Kirika said with a teasing smile that made her blush slightly. Kurama only laughed before standing up.

It wasn't a secret to the whole campus anymore that Riya and Kurama became an official couple. They were not becoming lovey-dovey while inside the campus but a lot of students and teachers could see how much the pair liked each other.

No one was against their relationship, which was a good thing. And if there were, they couldn't do anything to break them up since Kurama and Riya's classmate and friends were definitely doing their best to protect those two people's relationship.

Their relationship also reached Kurama and Riya's families and they were relieved to know that they were supportive about it. Suuichi even teased Kurama that the relationship had finally progressed to the next level. Shiori and Kazuya were happy about her being Kurama's girlfriend and they felt that they had earned a daughter which they never had. Ritsuko and Haruna were also happy knowing that Riya had finally found the happiness she deserved after all the pain and loneliness she had been through.

When they arrived at the spot where the scene would be filmed, they only saw a few of their classmates in charge of the filming equipments. They also saw Miwako reading the script and mouthing the lines. Then Ayako approached Riya.

"Riya-chan, we'll be filming your scene with Miwako-chan first before filming the last scene. Okay?"

Riya nodded and was about to take her leave to go to her spot when Ayako spoke again.

"As for the last scene, we made a little bit of changes, though."

She was puzzled when she heard that. "Changes?"

Ayako nodded. And with that, the girl came to her and whispered the changes that she was talking about. Her eyes widened when it was said and done.

"What?!" she exclaimed that surprised Kurama but Ayako was just smiling.

The brunette put her hands together. "Please, Riya-chan. This is for our movie presentation. And besides, you and Minamino-kun are a couple so we're just taking advantage of that. The movie will surely come up good with that. I promise," Ayako pleaded while bowing down.

Riya looked at Ayako for some seconds before heaving a heavy sigh. After that, she scratched the back of her head since she was a bit confused right now.

"Does Shuichi know that plan?" she asked.

The brunette raised her head and smiled a bit guiltily. "Well, how should I say this…? You see… He's the one who suggested that."

"Eh?! You're kidding, right?"

Ayako shook her head as an answer.

She heaved an exasperated sigh. "Seriously…" And before she would even voice out her answer, she went to Kurama and grabbed his hand as she dragged him away from their classmates.

"Riya, what's wrong?" Kurama asked even though he already had an idea what was going on.

"We'll just talk for a minute or so," she answered.

Kurama looked back to Ayako and their classmates. He could see them grinning at that sight.

'Good luck dealing with her, Kurama,' Ayako said telepathically as she winked at him.

-x-x-

Kurama and Riya ended up underneath a sakura tree just a few meters away from the rest of the class. Riya faced him with her hands crossed in front of her.

"Alright! Care to tell me what was that supposed to mean?" she started but he could sense that she was not angry. She was just probably demanding an explanation.

Kurama heaved a heavy sigh before facing her and answered. "I wasn't planning anything bad when I suggested that kissing scene. Well… they kind of forced me to it."

"That's not what I want to hear," Riya said seriously.

Upon hearing that, Kurama knew that Riya figured out the real reason behind his suggestion on that kissing scene to be done on the last scene of the script. All she wanted was to hear that from him directly.

But for a minute or so, no words came out of his mouth even though his mind was already screaming the answer. As he opened his mouth to say it, he was surprised to hear Riya utter his answer.

"You wanted to have a solid proof of our relationship, weren't you? A proof that I had existed in your life…"

Kurama's eyes widened when he heard that.

I love you

I don't know what else to say

'Cause I long for you more each day

"H-how did you…?"

But Riya just smiled gently and lifted her hands to touch his cheeks. It made him look directly at her eyes and was happy to see overwhelming emotions shining in them.

"I'm your girlfriend, right? Of course, I would know that," she said before she looked at him with sad eyes this time. "I know… that you're scared."

"Huh?"

"You're scared of losing me. Not because of the battle but because of the curse of my powers," she stated.

Kurama looked down before holding the hands that touched his cheeks. He held them tight before pulling her to his arms and embraced her.

"I can't help it… I can't help feeling this scared when I'm about to lose someone important to me. I just want to prepare myself no matter how hard. But how could I do that?"

But she pushed him slightly and looked into his emerald eyes before planting a soft kiss to Kurama's lips.

I need you

I want to feel your embrace

And have a chance to touch your face

After kissing him, Riya faced him with a smile on her face.

"If that's the case, then you should've told me clearly. That way, I wouldn't be shocked by the sudden changes in the script," she said, still smiling.

Kurama was a bit confused upon seeing that smile on her face. "You're not… angry?"

She gently shook her head. "Why would I? This way, we had memories to go back into. You can play it where you want and whenever you want. Many things could happen but this is one proof that our love did exist even just for once. And you have forever to live in it, no matter what happens." Before he could even voice out his thoughts regarding that, Riya pulled him away from that spot before she looked at him. "Let's go. Everyone's waiting. Let's finish this up so we could proceed with our date later."

I was lost and alone

But you showed me the way

Now I call you my own

Things will never be the same

Kurama, even though he was still pondering on what Riya said, managed to smile and so he caught up with her. He pulled the hand that Riya held and he just placed his left hand to her left shoulder.

Ever since their relationship became official, many changes happened. But among those changes, there was one thing that they were sure of.

It was definitely the first time they had felt so much happiness welling up in their hearts. No one ever thought both of them would be able to feel something like that.

How could I've known

You will hold me close so tenderly

The movie shooting continued without a fuss and the final scene—the story's conclusion—was filmed. Kurama and Riya did their best to make it realistic and would touch the viewers' hearts when they would be able to watch it. When it was done, their classmates allowed them to go ahead without helping on the pack-up since they figured out that the two had some important "business" to attend to.

As for Riya and Kurama, they just let them think what they wanted to think. They decided to head to the cliff side park once again. Since they first met there, it has become a place for them that reminded so much about their love story. A lot had happened to that place in which they were willing to treasure forever.

Right now, that place became their sanctuary. A place where they could entrust their dreams for each other and for their future together.

Even though I'm alone

I can feel your arms enfolding me

And that love became mine in just one night

When you hold me tight

Oohh… it felt so right

"Wow!" Riya exclaimed. "I really love inhaling the sweet breeze from up here." With that, she inhaled as she closed her eyes. Then she exhaled after a few seconds. She turned around to face Kurama. But she was surprised to see him looking at her with a serious face. "What's wrong?"

Kurama looked at her for a minute or so and she didn't even flinch. She knew there was something wrong but even so, it didn't leave her mind. Even when Kurama shook his head and faced her with a smile, that feeling didn't leave her.

"Nothing," Kurama answered. "I was just thinking… if moments like this could last eternally."

She didn't say anything regarding that. She knew a lot of things was worrying Kurama right now. But for him to say something like that, in a way she could sense his fears.

"It can," she whispered that startled him. "As long as you cherish it in your heart, I'm sure it will last for eternity. Just believe in it."

I feel you

You're always here in my heart

It's where I've kept you since we fell apart

"But please—" she said before approaching Kurama with a reassuring smile and held his hand. "—please stop thinking about what might happen tomorrow. Just cherish what we have today."

"What we have… today?" Kurama asked slightly confused as he looked straight at her.

"I know you're scared right now… and so am I. But I want to spend everyday of my short life with you. I don't want to think of what might happen after all these. That's why I'm enjoying my time with you because I don't want to feel regret if ever I'll be gone," Riya said as her voice became softer as she uttered each sentences. "It's not easy, I know. But I'm proud of the life I lived right now. And I'm happy that someone like you came to my life in spite of everything that I did for you to stay away from me. That's why I'm not going to regret anything."

The way Kurama looked at her turned soft as he eyed her intently. She smiled and stepped closer to him before embracing him. Seconds later, he returned her embrace and kissed her rose-scented hair before smelling it.

I was lost and alone

But you showed me the way

Can't go on, on my own

Wishing that you would stay

"You're right. I'm sorry if I made you worry like that," Kurama said to her ear. Riya just smiled at that.

"It's alright. I understand. Just remember that I love you, Kurama… More than anything else in this world…" she said emotionally. More than life itself…

Kurama just embraced her tight before he whispered his answer. "I love you too, Riya…"

The day continued as the two of them enjoyed their date. Of course, they went to various places together in which they saw familiar people also enjoying their own days. And without those people's knowledge, Riya and Kurama took pictures of them. They did it for fun since they learned that Yumi took a video of her and Kurama's first kissing scene. They thought that it would be best if they could create a memorabilia of some sort about how they lived their lives as normal people.

How could I've known

You will hold me close so tenderly

Even though I'm alone

I can feel your arms enfolding me

And that love became mine in just one night

When you hold me tight

Oohh… it felt so right

"You'll end up in serious interrogation if they had caught you taking pictures of Yusuke and the others," Kurama commented as they sat on one of the benches at the park after buying snacks and drinks.

"I know how to escape that so don't worry," Riya said confidently with a smile. "But I really love looking at the progress of my friends' relationships. Yusuke and Keiko-chan, even though they constantly bicker to each other, really looked good together. Kuwabara-kun and Yukina-chan were having a good progress, as well. Or at least that's what I wanted to say. I could hope Kuwabara-kun could really prove himself worthy for Hiei's sister without receiving glares, death threats and all."

Both of them laughed at that. Kurama took out the digital camera from Riya's bag and had a look at the pictures taken using that particular camera.

"Well, it seems that Botan found another friend that will match her personality," he said as he looked at Botan and Yukari's picture having a good conversation together while having snacks in a pastry shop.

Riya leaned to have a look at the said picture after drinking her juice. "Their personalities do match in a way but not to the extent that it would match each of it. They still have differences. But you know, I think I have an idea as to what could they possibly be talking about."

"Really?"

Riya nodded. And then ate her bread and drank her juice again.

I was lost and alone

But you showed me the way

"Yukari wanted to become a grim reaper… but she said that she wanted to do it using the Flute of Melody," Riya said seriously. "Anyway, it'll take a long time before it will come true."

"You approved of it?" he asked.

But she just faced him and shrugged. "It's her dream… I guess." And then she chuckled. "As long as they would be happy, I won't stop them."

"What about you? What's your dream?"

"Me?" Riya asked, pointing to herself. Kurama nodded before looking at the rest of the pictures.

She looked at him intently as he continued on what he was doing. After a few seconds, she looked at the blue sky.

"The only dream I have right now is for us to live our lives to the fullest. I don't want to end up regretting everything, that's why as much as possible, I want to spend it with you."

Kurama stopped looking at the pictures and slowly faced her.

Can't go on, on my own

Wishing that you would stay

"What about you?" she asked after answering.

"I just want every moment I had with you to be worth remembering in my lifetime," Kurama replied with a genuine smile on his face.

"I'm glad to hear that from you."

Tell me that you would stay

"Just like you, I don't want to end up regretting things in the end," Kurama said seriously before reverting his attention to the pictures on the digital camera's screen. "I just hope the wielders and these two demon shinobis will do the same thing."

Riya stopped chewing and leaned over to have a look at the pictures. She smiled when she saw a few shots taken about Soujiro and Akane, and also about Ayako and Noboru.

"They have a lot of time for them to do all that." And then she brought out one bonbon chocolat from the box before offering it to Kurama. "So instead of looking at the pictures over and over, I suggest you better eat your share before I gobble it all up."

Kurama smiled before starting to eat as she put the chocolate into his mouth. The two of them began eating and sharing their snacks. After that, she rested her head on his shoulder as they both watched the sky changed its color from blue to orange since the sun was beginning to set.

How could I've known

You will hold me close so tenderly

Even though I'm alone

I can feel your arms enfolding me

The wind started to blow cold and even though Riya was wearing jacket, it wasn't enough to prevent her from shivering slightly and Kurama felt it. He took off his jacket and wrapped it around her. Soon after, Riya's eyes started to droop as Kurama's warmth while embracing her sent a calming sensation to her body. And it was enough for her to feel sleepy.

As for Kurama, he couldn't help but to smile when he felt Riya's head almost fall from his shoulder where she was leaning. He carefully lifted her head and have her lean on his chest, particularly near to where his heart was beating. Riya let out a soft moan before she slightly snuggled to Kurama.

And that love became mine in just one night

When you hold me tight

Oohh… it felt so right

Hours had passed but Kurama stayed beside Riya even after the sun had finally set. Stars began to shimmer as it decorated the night sky, showing a stream of clustered stars and gallery of constellations. No doubt it was a magical night, especially now that he was with the woman he chose to spend the rest of his life with.

But even so, he couldn't help feeling sad since he knew that sooner or later, a curse would separate them and he would eventually lose her. He didn't want that to happen. But what could he do to stop her inevitable fate?

Kurama just heaved a heavy sigh before planting a soft kiss on top of Riya's head. Upon looking up to the night sky, he saw a streak of light passed.

Felt so right

If he could really wish upon that shooting star, there was only one thing he could even wish for.

He wished that this wonderful moment together with the one he loved would freeze so that it wouldlast forever. That way, he could at least have forever to show and prove his love for her.

Hmm.. felt so right…

For now, that was his one greatest wish.

-x-x-

The featured song here that I could never own but can still love is entitled "Felt So Right" by Sarah Geronimo. I just love this song. And this looked like another Valentine chapter.

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? :)