Bwahaha... ok, this was just something at reikitantei.net that I realized would make an interesting fic...the relationship between Kuronue, the former bat demon partner of Kurama and Kaeru, a little Koorime. The world's unlikeliest duo. So I thought, why not? This will basically be chaotic comedy, but who knows...cameo appearances by Kia, Kelsey, and Rei! And Mizu, of course, who I don't own, but her owner said I can use her. Ha. Okay...back to work. If you don't know who Kuronue is, do some searching...or watch the second YYH movie. Bwehehehe...so there. *blinks* Ok, I've never done THAT laugh before...
Rei: Run! It's the apocalypse!! Kia has a new evil laugh!! Lemurs and radishes first!
Kia: ...Rei, that's just too weird.
Rei: ^^ I try.
Kuronue: And you succeed. *inches away*
Kia: *rolling her eyes* Let's get started. NOW.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"What the hell am I doing here?" Kuronue snapped, indigo eyes glittering dangerously, as he glared at the high back of a chair behind the desk he stood at. "Can't a person stay dead in peace without getting dragged to this hellhole?!" Annoyed, the chimera propped his hands on his hips. "Who's in charge here??"
"I am." The chair slowly swiveled around. The demon took a good look- and burst into raucous laughter, pointing a shaking finger at the occupant. "A BABY?!"
Koenma's left eye twitched slightly in annoyance. "I'm probably older than you, bat."
Kuronue choked on that. When he stopped coughing, he peered at the pint-sized ruler of Reikai. "I assume you called me here for a reason. Tell me, was it to get you a bottle? I don't do diaper changes."
"Spare me your pathetic attempts at humor," Koenma muttered, now sporting a sullen grimace-an interesting look, considering he was sucking a pacifier. "Anyway, I have a proposition for you, since I don't think the Reikai Tantei can handle this."
Kuronue started to shake his head from side to side, slashing his palms downward in the universal NO gesture. Luckily, Koenma had guessed this might happen and was prepared.
"You'll get to see Kurama again."
"Kurama?!" Kuronue stared at the toddler, and for a moment, he smiled, all traces of bitterness gone. And then it passed, and he scowled slightly.
"So...what is this...MISSION?" He demanded impatiently.
Koenma cleared his throat. "There is a powerful Koorime hunter gaining power. We're not sure how he's attaining it, but the Ice Maiden population is dwindling, so we suspect it has something to do with that."
"Hai, hai, get to the point," Kuronue said curtly, rolling his eyes.
"In exchange for getting your life back and seeing your partner again..." Koenma hesitated, then suddenly babbled, "youhavetoprotectaKoorimefromthehunterbeforehefindsher."
The chimera blinked slowly, then reached up to touch a pointed ear, his hand brushing against the piece of cloth tied over the front of his head, like some sort of hat. "Say that again- SLOWER this time."
The tiny ruler took a deep breath. "Your mission is to protect a Koorime from the hunter, before he finds her."
"What?! Can't you just get one of your SLAVES to- wait...a Koorime?"
"Hai..." Koenma said warily.
"Those ice girls that cry valuable gems?"
"Uh..." Suddenly, Koenma caught on. "No, Kuronue, you are NOT making her cry!"
"But hiruiseki!" the demon whined. "They're practically priceless!"
"Exactly. If you make her cry, you're coming straight back."
"Fine..." Kuronue grumbled. Then he perked out. "What if someone ELSE makes her cry?"
Koenma raised an eyebrow. "...I don't believe this. You are NOT stealing her tear-gems. You're not TOUCHING her tear-gems unless she gives them to you! Understood??"
"Hai," the chimera said stiffly, rustling his midnight wings irritably. Well...he'd just have to PERSUADE her to give them to him...it shouldn't be too hard. "Ok...so what's so important about THIS Ice Maiden in particular?"
"She has some sort of connection to the hunter...she alone knows what can stop him. And he knows she knows it, so he'll be searching for her...it's YOUR job to keep her hidden from him!"
"Do I get a picture? A name? Her pet bunny? ANYTHING?"
"Umm...she has sea-green hair and ruby eyes...she's short...and she'll be wearing a blue kimono." Koenma smirked. "That's all I know."
Kuronue glared at him, gritting his teeth. "You just described the entire Koorime population!"
"Well...she's one of three Koorime in Ningenkai, and one is male, so that should make her easier to find." The toddler took one look at the chimera, then sighed. "I'll send her over to Kurama's house, okay? That should help."
"...Kurama has a HOUSE?"
"Oh, that's right..." Koenma shook his head in amusement. "Awhile ago, he was gravely injured by a hunter and his spirit fled to Ningenkai, residing in a human body. So, he may look...different."
Kuronue raised his eyebrows. "Diff...never mind. So can I go now?"
"I'll have one of the ferrygirls take you."
"Not Teki," the chimera said immediately. "Anyone but her. That little brat...I swear it was that time of-"
"It's not Teki," Koenma replied, cutting him off before he could finish the sentence. The cynical raven-haired ferrygirl always seemed to pop up when the timing was off. "Botan can take you."
"Botan?! That irritating blue-haired schoolgirl? Tell me you're kidding." Kuronue scowled. "She's DANGEROUS!"
"Of course, I could always call in Teki..." the short ruler said blithely, twiddling his thumbs.
Irritated, Kuronue stalked out of the room. "Fine. Let's just get this over with."
Six minutes and twenty-three seconds later, he was already regretting this. Botan was indeed reckless on her oar, and Kuronue suspected she had gotten into some of Ayame's wine.
"Why don't I just fly?" He suggested desperately.
"Nuh-uh!" Botan giggled, her ponytail bobbing as she turned to look at Kuronue...who was perched on the oar somewhat awkwardly, wings folded tightly and arms wrapped gingerly around her kimono-clad waist.
"Keep your eyes ahead, YOU BAKA!" The chimera shrieked as Botan almost hit another ferrygirl, who practically fell off her oar, catching herself in time and shaking her fist angrily at them.
"Gomen!" The blue-haired "driver" called in apology, and then blinked her bright pink eyes, quickly pulling into a sharp dive. "Almost there! Hang on!"
Kuronue silently prayed to any gods that might be listening that he'd never steal another thing again if Botan could somehow land this monstrosity safely. He'd only been alive for seven minutes!
Miraculously, Botan somehow managed to pull to a stop about four inches from the ground and gave Kuronue a shove, knocking him to the dirt. "Ne, have fun, Kuronue-kun!"
The chimera straightened, brushed dust off his clothes, and turned to send the ferrygirl off with a single finger tribute...but she had already departed. "...Kuso. Baka ferrygirl." He frowned in annoyance when he felt one of his wings being tugged. "What is it NOW?" He exploded, whirling around and flaring the tugged appendage.
A pimply-faced ningen teenager stared at him in shock. "Dude...your wings...they're REAL! What are you, some type of vamp or something??"
Kuronue stared down at him coldly. Before he knew what was happening, a crowd had formed, and a strange white vehicle with the words "KHZTV" was pulling up, and more ningens carrying odd equipment poured out of it. And then a stooped, white-haired man wearing black robes and a golden cross around his neck approached cautiously, dangling a sort of necklace made from...garlic cloves?
"Begone, foul creature..." the old ningen intoned, trying to throw the necklace over Kuronue's head. The chimera, wrinkling his nose at the smell, stepped back. A female ningen began babbling into an odd black thing that amplified her voice, somewhat.
"Leave us!" the other man's voice was also rising in volume and becoming shrill. Kuronue twitched his ears, bothered by the sound, and lunged at the man...and then was gone, flapping into the skies and following Kurama's faint energy signal.
There was a startled pause, quickly succeeded by another shriek from the priest. "My CROSS!" Ah, yes...apparently, Kuro still couldn't resist an easy stealing opportunity.
Speak of the devil, the chimera had already landed in front of a neat-looking house. He hesitated, then rapped on the door with his knuckles. To see Kurama again, after all these years...
The door opened, and Kuronue found himself looking down into a pair of startled brown eyes, belonging to a ningen girl who appeared to be in her teens. 16 or 17, he guessed. Koenma had said that Kurama would appear to be different than as the silver-haired Youko that Kuronue knew...but would he actually come back as a girl? Only one way to tell.
"Kurama?"
The girl blinked at him. And then she was shoved aside as another girl wearing dark robes and with a wicked expression in her twinkling green eyes came to the door. Curly auburn hair tumbled down her back and she grinned at Kuronue. "What can we do for you, bat?"
"Kurama?" Kuronue tried again, slowly stepping forward. This female wasn't as hesitant as the other one and threw herself at him, catching him offbalance. Surprised, he put his arms around her to steady them both.
"FINALLY someone appreciates me!" She said gleefully. "Now, batty, let's go free the Bolivean miniature singing monkeys!"
The other girl rolled her eyes and caught hold of the strange female's hood, dragging her back. "Rei, it's not nice to throw yourself at people..."
"Especially not attractive males." A silvery-haired, blue-eyed female peered at him curiously from behind the other two.
Kuronue hid a grin behind his hand. Looks like Kurama had a harem. "Where's Kurama?" he asked the three of them.
The green-eyed one, Rei, grinned. "Kurama? Right there." She pointed to the brunette.
The chimera hugged the one indicated. "Kurama! It's been awhile..."
"I'm...not...Kurama...!" her voice was somewhat muffled.
He released her, holding her at arms'-length. "You're not?"
She sighed. "No! Kurama! Stop making out with Chitsuko and say hello to your friend!"
"Friend?" A gray-eyed blonde ningen poked her head over the other's shoulder. "Hey...it's that vampire guy from the news!! Kurama, you know the vamp guy??"
"He's too cute to be a vampire..." the silvery-haired female said, smirking slightly.
The blonde gave her a jab in the ribs, provoking an angry yelp from the injured. "Careful, Mizu, Touya might get jealous."
The brunette rolled her eyes. "Kelsey, Mizu, stop..." she raised her voice. "KURAMA! GET YOUR LITTLE FOX BUTT OUT HERE!!"
There was an exasperated sigh and a ningen with beautiful red locks slowly walked over, emerald eyes a bit dreamy from whatever he'd just been doing. Well...Kuronue HOPED it was a male...this one also seemed vaguely feminine, but didn't seem to have the same upper body as the others at the door. Not that he was looking.
"Patience, Kia, you don't have to-" He glanced at the visitor, and then those eyes lost every bit of dreaminess and widened, as if in shock. "KURONUE?"
"Kurama?" the chimera ventured, hoping he'd gotten it right. Third time's a charm, apparently, for the redhead let out a glad cry and hugged his old partner, stepping back with a small smirk on his face.
"You haven't changed a bit, Kuro."
"You've changed a lot, Fox. No ears, no tail, and your own harem."
Kia, Kelsey, Mizu, and Rei all simultaneously choked.
"HAREM?" Kelsey coughed, gasping for air, as Mizu doubled over in laughter.
"Naw, Chitsuko's his girl," Rei informed Kuronue, arching an eyebrow.
A girl about the age of the others slipped between Kia and Kelsey, looking at Kuronue with wary blue-gray eyes. Her golden-brown tresses were braided down her back and she was dressed in a rose-colored sweater and black jeans. The others seemed to dress just as casual, with the exception of the robe-clad Rei. "Someone mentioned my name?" She asked curiously.
Kurama smiled at her affectionately, before grasping Kuronue's wrist and dragging him inside. "I sense we have a lot to talk about, old friend..."
"You're not kidding..." the chimera said dryly. "But you're going to get another visitor soon..."
*OOC*
First chapter done! Sooo...what do you think? I do NOT own Chitsuko, or any of the original YYH characters. Hanyou Lothuial is Chit-chan's...err...creator, and was nice enough to let me use her in this...ne, Lexi-san, if it bothers you, I'll remove her. ^^;; She didn't seem to fit in Yarikake, so I figured she could interact with Kia and co. here! Next chapter...
* Kuronue goes to a bar, while waiting for his "assignment"...what follows can only be described as "pure and utter chaos"...
* Say hello to Kaeru, Kuronue's...err...charge! Only guess what? She's terrified of males...poor Kuro.
* The gang gets together to help Kuronue gain Kaeru's trust...yeah, good luck with THAT, bat boy. Please review! I had a lot of help on this from Mizu-chan! Arigato gozaimasu, Mizu-chan!
I haven't decided yet if this will be romance between Koorime and chimera, or just Kuronue struggling to deal with a reluctant charge. Please let me know YOUR opinion!
Rei: Run! It's the apocalypse!! Kia has a new evil laugh!! Lemurs and radishes first!
Kia: ...Rei, that's just too weird.
Rei: ^^ I try.
Kuronue: And you succeed. *inches away*
Kia: *rolling her eyes* Let's get started. NOW.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"What the hell am I doing here?" Kuronue snapped, indigo eyes glittering dangerously, as he glared at the high back of a chair behind the desk he stood at. "Can't a person stay dead in peace without getting dragged to this hellhole?!" Annoyed, the chimera propped his hands on his hips. "Who's in charge here??"
"I am." The chair slowly swiveled around. The demon took a good look- and burst into raucous laughter, pointing a shaking finger at the occupant. "A BABY?!"
Koenma's left eye twitched slightly in annoyance. "I'm probably older than you, bat."
Kuronue choked on that. When he stopped coughing, he peered at the pint-sized ruler of Reikai. "I assume you called me here for a reason. Tell me, was it to get you a bottle? I don't do diaper changes."
"Spare me your pathetic attempts at humor," Koenma muttered, now sporting a sullen grimace-an interesting look, considering he was sucking a pacifier. "Anyway, I have a proposition for you, since I don't think the Reikai Tantei can handle this."
Kuronue started to shake his head from side to side, slashing his palms downward in the universal NO gesture. Luckily, Koenma had guessed this might happen and was prepared.
"You'll get to see Kurama again."
"Kurama?!" Kuronue stared at the toddler, and for a moment, he smiled, all traces of bitterness gone. And then it passed, and he scowled slightly.
"So...what is this...MISSION?" He demanded impatiently.
Koenma cleared his throat. "There is a powerful Koorime hunter gaining power. We're not sure how he's attaining it, but the Ice Maiden population is dwindling, so we suspect it has something to do with that."
"Hai, hai, get to the point," Kuronue said curtly, rolling his eyes.
"In exchange for getting your life back and seeing your partner again..." Koenma hesitated, then suddenly babbled, "youhavetoprotectaKoorimefromthehunterbeforehefindsher."
The chimera blinked slowly, then reached up to touch a pointed ear, his hand brushing against the piece of cloth tied over the front of his head, like some sort of hat. "Say that again- SLOWER this time."
The tiny ruler took a deep breath. "Your mission is to protect a Koorime from the hunter, before he finds her."
"What?! Can't you just get one of your SLAVES to- wait...a Koorime?"
"Hai..." Koenma said warily.
"Those ice girls that cry valuable gems?"
"Uh..." Suddenly, Koenma caught on. "No, Kuronue, you are NOT making her cry!"
"But hiruiseki!" the demon whined. "They're practically priceless!"
"Exactly. If you make her cry, you're coming straight back."
"Fine..." Kuronue grumbled. Then he perked out. "What if someone ELSE makes her cry?"
Koenma raised an eyebrow. "...I don't believe this. You are NOT stealing her tear-gems. You're not TOUCHING her tear-gems unless she gives them to you! Understood??"
"Hai," the chimera said stiffly, rustling his midnight wings irritably. Well...he'd just have to PERSUADE her to give them to him...it shouldn't be too hard. "Ok...so what's so important about THIS Ice Maiden in particular?"
"She has some sort of connection to the hunter...she alone knows what can stop him. And he knows she knows it, so he'll be searching for her...it's YOUR job to keep her hidden from him!"
"Do I get a picture? A name? Her pet bunny? ANYTHING?"
"Umm...she has sea-green hair and ruby eyes...she's short...and she'll be wearing a blue kimono." Koenma smirked. "That's all I know."
Kuronue glared at him, gritting his teeth. "You just described the entire Koorime population!"
"Well...she's one of three Koorime in Ningenkai, and one is male, so that should make her easier to find." The toddler took one look at the chimera, then sighed. "I'll send her over to Kurama's house, okay? That should help."
"...Kurama has a HOUSE?"
"Oh, that's right..." Koenma shook his head in amusement. "Awhile ago, he was gravely injured by a hunter and his spirit fled to Ningenkai, residing in a human body. So, he may look...different."
Kuronue raised his eyebrows. "Diff...never mind. So can I go now?"
"I'll have one of the ferrygirls take you."
"Not Teki," the chimera said immediately. "Anyone but her. That little brat...I swear it was that time of-"
"It's not Teki," Koenma replied, cutting him off before he could finish the sentence. The cynical raven-haired ferrygirl always seemed to pop up when the timing was off. "Botan can take you."
"Botan?! That irritating blue-haired schoolgirl? Tell me you're kidding." Kuronue scowled. "She's DANGEROUS!"
"Of course, I could always call in Teki..." the short ruler said blithely, twiddling his thumbs.
Irritated, Kuronue stalked out of the room. "Fine. Let's just get this over with."
Six minutes and twenty-three seconds later, he was already regretting this. Botan was indeed reckless on her oar, and Kuronue suspected she had gotten into some of Ayame's wine.
"Why don't I just fly?" He suggested desperately.
"Nuh-uh!" Botan giggled, her ponytail bobbing as she turned to look at Kuronue...who was perched on the oar somewhat awkwardly, wings folded tightly and arms wrapped gingerly around her kimono-clad waist.
"Keep your eyes ahead, YOU BAKA!" The chimera shrieked as Botan almost hit another ferrygirl, who practically fell off her oar, catching herself in time and shaking her fist angrily at them.
"Gomen!" The blue-haired "driver" called in apology, and then blinked her bright pink eyes, quickly pulling into a sharp dive. "Almost there! Hang on!"
Kuronue silently prayed to any gods that might be listening that he'd never steal another thing again if Botan could somehow land this monstrosity safely. He'd only been alive for seven minutes!
Miraculously, Botan somehow managed to pull to a stop about four inches from the ground and gave Kuronue a shove, knocking him to the dirt. "Ne, have fun, Kuronue-kun!"
The chimera straightened, brushed dust off his clothes, and turned to send the ferrygirl off with a single finger tribute...but she had already departed. "...Kuso. Baka ferrygirl." He frowned in annoyance when he felt one of his wings being tugged. "What is it NOW?" He exploded, whirling around and flaring the tugged appendage.
A pimply-faced ningen teenager stared at him in shock. "Dude...your wings...they're REAL! What are you, some type of vamp or something??"
Kuronue stared down at him coldly. Before he knew what was happening, a crowd had formed, and a strange white vehicle with the words "KHZTV" was pulling up, and more ningens carrying odd equipment poured out of it. And then a stooped, white-haired man wearing black robes and a golden cross around his neck approached cautiously, dangling a sort of necklace made from...garlic cloves?
"Begone, foul creature..." the old ningen intoned, trying to throw the necklace over Kuronue's head. The chimera, wrinkling his nose at the smell, stepped back. A female ningen began babbling into an odd black thing that amplified her voice, somewhat.
"Leave us!" the other man's voice was also rising in volume and becoming shrill. Kuronue twitched his ears, bothered by the sound, and lunged at the man...and then was gone, flapping into the skies and following Kurama's faint energy signal.
There was a startled pause, quickly succeeded by another shriek from the priest. "My CROSS!" Ah, yes...apparently, Kuro still couldn't resist an easy stealing opportunity.
Speak of the devil, the chimera had already landed in front of a neat-looking house. He hesitated, then rapped on the door with his knuckles. To see Kurama again, after all these years...
The door opened, and Kuronue found himself looking down into a pair of startled brown eyes, belonging to a ningen girl who appeared to be in her teens. 16 or 17, he guessed. Koenma had said that Kurama would appear to be different than as the silver-haired Youko that Kuronue knew...but would he actually come back as a girl? Only one way to tell.
"Kurama?"
The girl blinked at him. And then she was shoved aside as another girl wearing dark robes and with a wicked expression in her twinkling green eyes came to the door. Curly auburn hair tumbled down her back and she grinned at Kuronue. "What can we do for you, bat?"
"Kurama?" Kuronue tried again, slowly stepping forward. This female wasn't as hesitant as the other one and threw herself at him, catching him offbalance. Surprised, he put his arms around her to steady them both.
"FINALLY someone appreciates me!" She said gleefully. "Now, batty, let's go free the Bolivean miniature singing monkeys!"
The other girl rolled her eyes and caught hold of the strange female's hood, dragging her back. "Rei, it's not nice to throw yourself at people..."
"Especially not attractive males." A silvery-haired, blue-eyed female peered at him curiously from behind the other two.
Kuronue hid a grin behind his hand. Looks like Kurama had a harem. "Where's Kurama?" he asked the three of them.
The green-eyed one, Rei, grinned. "Kurama? Right there." She pointed to the brunette.
The chimera hugged the one indicated. "Kurama! It's been awhile..."
"I'm...not...Kurama...!" her voice was somewhat muffled.
He released her, holding her at arms'-length. "You're not?"
She sighed. "No! Kurama! Stop making out with Chitsuko and say hello to your friend!"
"Friend?" A gray-eyed blonde ningen poked her head over the other's shoulder. "Hey...it's that vampire guy from the news!! Kurama, you know the vamp guy??"
"He's too cute to be a vampire..." the silvery-haired female said, smirking slightly.
The blonde gave her a jab in the ribs, provoking an angry yelp from the injured. "Careful, Mizu, Touya might get jealous."
The brunette rolled her eyes. "Kelsey, Mizu, stop..." she raised her voice. "KURAMA! GET YOUR LITTLE FOX BUTT OUT HERE!!"
There was an exasperated sigh and a ningen with beautiful red locks slowly walked over, emerald eyes a bit dreamy from whatever he'd just been doing. Well...Kuronue HOPED it was a male...this one also seemed vaguely feminine, but didn't seem to have the same upper body as the others at the door. Not that he was looking.
"Patience, Kia, you don't have to-" He glanced at the visitor, and then those eyes lost every bit of dreaminess and widened, as if in shock. "KURONUE?"
"Kurama?" the chimera ventured, hoping he'd gotten it right. Third time's a charm, apparently, for the redhead let out a glad cry and hugged his old partner, stepping back with a small smirk on his face.
"You haven't changed a bit, Kuro."
"You've changed a lot, Fox. No ears, no tail, and your own harem."
Kia, Kelsey, Mizu, and Rei all simultaneously choked.
"HAREM?" Kelsey coughed, gasping for air, as Mizu doubled over in laughter.
"Naw, Chitsuko's his girl," Rei informed Kuronue, arching an eyebrow.
A girl about the age of the others slipped between Kia and Kelsey, looking at Kuronue with wary blue-gray eyes. Her golden-brown tresses were braided down her back and she was dressed in a rose-colored sweater and black jeans. The others seemed to dress just as casual, with the exception of the robe-clad Rei. "Someone mentioned my name?" She asked curiously.
Kurama smiled at her affectionately, before grasping Kuronue's wrist and dragging him inside. "I sense we have a lot to talk about, old friend..."
"You're not kidding..." the chimera said dryly. "But you're going to get another visitor soon..."
*OOC*
First chapter done! Sooo...what do you think? I do NOT own Chitsuko, or any of the original YYH characters. Hanyou Lothuial is Chit-chan's...err...creator, and was nice enough to let me use her in this...ne, Lexi-san, if it bothers you, I'll remove her. ^^;; She didn't seem to fit in Yarikake, so I figured she could interact with Kia and co. here! Next chapter...
* Kuronue goes to a bar, while waiting for his "assignment"...what follows can only be described as "pure and utter chaos"...
* Say hello to Kaeru, Kuronue's...err...charge! Only guess what? She's terrified of males...poor Kuro.
* The gang gets together to help Kuronue gain Kaeru's trust...yeah, good luck with THAT, bat boy. Please review! I had a lot of help on this from Mizu-chan! Arigato gozaimasu, Mizu-chan!
I haven't decided yet if this will be romance between Koorime and chimera, or just Kuronue struggling to deal with a reluctant charge. Please let me know YOUR opinion!