Rae-chan/Greetings and salutations! I am Rae-chan, your almighty ruler! ' Actually, I'm just the dork that has an obsession with writing and Yu Yu Hakusho, and was smart enough to combine the two hobbies. XD Aren't I speecial? I thought so. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the story, and please, write a review! We'd love to hear from ya! (Even if you hate us…+Sniff+)
K-chan+Glares at Rae-chan+ I am your almighty ruler. Don't listen to Rae-chan; she's a pathological liar…If you hate us, Kurama will get you.
Kurama/I will?
K-chan/Yes.
Rae-chan+Grumbles+ Am not a pathological liar…
Legend/'+'-Used in authors' notes; represents actions.
Italics-Thoughts of characters.
''-Telepathy, usually used between two characters, though sometimes more.
Disclaimed/Rae-chan and Crazy-chan do not own Yu Yu Hakusho, though we have tried. (Rae-chan/Why is life so hard+Sobs+) Ahem. We do own all original characters, however, including, but not limited to, Reiko, Kasumi, Kusahiko, and Muratsu.
And now! On to the story!
Wind blew through the trees in the Forest of Darkness. No birds chirped, though, and the forest was silent. No sunlight shone through the bows of the trees that were taller than buildings. In the shade, a long haired, redheaded boy with deep, penetrating, emerald eyes could be seen, sneaking up, zombie-like on his unsuspecting target with a knife in hand. Said target was a fifteen-year-old looking girl who had short brown hair and eyes that were endless pools of blue. She never heard him coming.
Behind both of them was another girl. She had long light brown hair and eyes of a deep, chestnut color. She also looked to be around the age of fifteen.
Kurama, the redhead, came up behind the short haired girl, Kasumi, and, as she turned, stabbed her in the vicinity of the heart, but then stopped and turned again, stabbing Reiko in the same way. Soon, however, Kurama realized that he wanted neither of them to die.
Hiei, the little fire demon, emerged from the shadows; his jagan eye was glowing red as he placed the white bandana on his forehead. His raven hair stood up straight and seemed to defy gravity. A little white starburst could be seen in the front, as his black robes swayed in the wind.
"Hiei, what are you doing?" Kurama asked.
"I was controlling your mind in an attempt to kill those two girls."
"Why?" Kurama asked, confused.
"Because, it isn't right for a couple of half demons to live."
"How do you know they're half demons?"
Hiei's eyes darted across his face. "Um, well, you see…I promise I won't try to kill them again."
"Are you sure?" Kurama asked, seeing the look in Hiei's eyes and hearing the tone of his voice.
"Why would I lie to you?" Hiei asked.
"That's a good question." Kurama said, waving the knife around. "Would you lie?"
"NO!" Hiei answered, a little irritated that Kurama dared to brandish a weapon at him. Kurama noticed that he was waving the weapon at his friend and put it away. Hiei sighed. "I promise I won't try to kill them again." He said, crossing his fingers behind his back.
Kurama seemed to consider it for a moment. He's made mistakes before; maybe he's realized it this time. Well, one can only hope. "All right. Don't let it happen again."
"Okay, I will." Hiei felt an odd pang of guilt as he realized he not only broke his code of honor; he had lied to his closest friend. Kurama felt a faint smile form on his lips.
"What do we do now?" he asked, motioning towards the two unconscious girls.
"HEY, what are you smiling about!"
"Nothing…"
"You're smiling about something!"
"It's just that I think you've finally come around."
"Come around to what?" Hiei asked, annoyed.
"Not killing the girls even though they're half-demons."
"I only spared their lives because I didn't want you to waste time mourning," Hiei said, resuming his old pastime of being heartless.
"If you want to save time, Hiei, then help me stop their bleeding. Under your mind control, I got confused and stabbed them both."
"Uh, heh heh…Okay." Hiei drew his sword and stepped towards Kurama.
"Not that way! I meant help them in a way for the bleeding to stop and so they can keep their lives." Kurama said, panic rising in his voice as he was more specific with his wishes.
"Ha ha ha, funny." Hiei used his sword to cut strips of Kurama's shirt for make-shift bandages. Kurama helped him, but soon they bled through.
"Hmmm, not working. Maybe we should bring them to Master Genkai; she may know what to do"
"Sure." Kurama swiveled around at the sound of approaching footsteps. They certainly sounded familiar. Hiei raised his sword in case it was an enemy. A mirror image of Kurama appeared from the trees. Hiei looked dumbfounded as his gaze went from Kurama to his twin.
"Haven't I introduced you?" Kurama asked.
"No." Hiei replied, irritated.
"Oh? I thought for sure you had met before…"
"Kurama, I know that you are about three-hundred years old, but please tell me you're not going senile," Hiei growled.
"Of course not."
"Hn." Kurama's twin looked Hiei up and down.
"You're kinda small, aren't you?" Kurama bit his lower lip.
"I wouldn't do that…" he warned, knowing how pissed Hiei could get.
"Why, does he have short-man syndrome?" Hiei looked over to Kurama's twin and growled. Kurama raised an eyebrow.
"Anyway, this is Kusahiko. Kusahiko, this is Hiei, a good friend of mine," Kurama said, introducing the two.
"And I should care what the baka is called because?" Hiei said, irritated that Kurama could be related to such a fool. Kurama rolled his eyes and turned to his twin.
"That's his way of saying, 'Greetings, I'm Hiei," he explained with a small smile.
"Ah, I see. So is he anti-social and suffering from short-man syndrome or is he simply simple minded?" Kusahiko asked, amusement lacing his words. Kurama rolled his eyes.
"We have more pressing matters to attend to, gentlemen," Kurama said, cutting off Hiei's retort. He motioned to Rieko and Kasumi.
"OoO, so little brother, I'm finally a gentleman?" Kusahiko said with even more amusement.
"No, baka, he was referring to me. Kurama, I thought we were going to go ask Genkai about it…? Hiei said scathingly. Kurama considered this. Kusahiko was the elder of the two, yes, but it seemed as though Kurama was a little more level headed at times. He wanted to know what his brother had been doing all this time…and why did he appear to be the same age as himself? Kusahiko should not have looked part human as Kurama did…but still, as he had said, they had more pressing matters to attend to.
"Yes," Kurama said, turning to Hiei. "But, we still have to get there," he replied.
"Well, Kurama, it was your genius plan to take them all the way to Ningenkai just to see an old human, so you figure out how to get there," Hiei said, even more irritated than before. While he was not dumb, it was Kurama's job to think. "And, if you're twins how can he be older?"
Kurama tapped his foot impatiently. "First of all, Hiei, twins can not be born at exactly the same second. It's not possible. One of us has to be older, correct?" He stooped beside Kasumi and checked her pulse. Suddenly, his back stiffened, and he looked around. "Be alert. We are not alone," he said quietly. Hiei raised his sword, his eyes narrowing dangerously. Kusahiko immediately got a black rose out of his hair and prepared to turn it into his own version of the 'rose whip'.
Kurama drew a rose as well, but hesitated as he looked around. He defiantly sensed a strange aura. It wasn't Hiei's or Kusahiko's; he knew their presence all too well. Kasumi and Reiko's aura wouldn't have been as strong. They seemed to be only half demons, and the fact that they were wounded didn't contribute. "We should move out of here…."Kurama muttered.
As if on cue, a menacing figure leapt from the shadows of the trees, brining the scent of blood and death among the group. "Heh heh. You're not going to move anywhere, maggot, unless you will save me the trouble and kill yourself and your friends." Kusahiko quickly summoned his rose whip, his being black instead of Kurama's green.
Kurama's rose instantly formed his trademark whip as soon as the shadow caught his eye. But he didn't seem fazed by the stranger's words. He took a dangerous step forward. "And before you um…kill me…" he started, and amused look glittering in his eyes, "may I at least have the privilege of knowing why?" he asked softly.
"I kill you, fool, because I can." The demon brought its fist down and a crater formed in the earth on impact.
Kusahiko was just as laid back as Kurama appeared to be-if not more so-and burst out laughing. "You really think that you can kill us? Th-that's got to be the-the funniest thing I've ever heard…" Kurama's gaze shifted to his brother. Kurama was one to be slightly more serious, and Kusahiko was quite obviously more amused. Though Kurama would never show it, he took battles seriously, because underestimations led to disaster. "So, you kill for sport? Alright then. Have it your way. But I feel compelled to point out that you are outnumbered three to one. You still wish to continue?"
"Of course, I 'wish to continue'. I will not bow to a single maggot in the dirt, or even three!" Kusahiko seemed to immediately grow more serious. It seemed to him that, while this demon didn't look like much, it was obviously a slight contender.
"You do realize we won't take it easy on you?" he asked, his tone dangerous. The demon spat the earth in answer. Kurama shrugged, looking to his companions. "I'll take the liberty of going first, if you don't mind," he said with a small smile as he neared his opponent. He pulled his arm back as if to swing his whip, but at the last second, dodged to the left, swinging his whip to the demon's backside in what he hoped was a surprise attack.
The demon, of course, would not be so easily tricked and leapt into the air. He let out a howl that would raise the dead and two more demons of his type leapt from the trees. Kurama stumbled backward. "Hm. That was unexpected," he murmured, arching an eyebrow. How many more are there? he wondered. "It seems there's enough to share, my friends," he said with a small laugh.
The two demons scowled at him. "Make this easy on yourself, human-lovers. Where are the Ningens?" the taller of the two demanded. Kurama looked around him.
"Did you not realize that you were in the human world? There are many humans here. Are you looking for one in particular?" he asked in amused, mocking tones.
The shorter, plump demon's claws dug into bark. "The two half-breeds," he scowled. "Where are they?"
"Okay bro', I'll take the ugly one," Kusahiko said, completely ignoring the demon's words. It didn't matter to him; he didn't know any half-breeds.
Kurama, what should we do? They seem to be after Reiko and Kasumi Hiei asked as he raised his sword to ward off the remaining demon.
Kurama grinned at Kusahiko. "Which on?" he asked with a grin, his expression completely different from his thoughts. What do you mean? I have no idea who you're talking about, Kurama responded, playing dumb. Surrendering two seriously injured, unconscious half-demons was simply not in his nature.
Don't play dumb with me, Kurama. You told me earlier that they were half-demons. So, what do we do? I know you; you're too damn nice to just give the two over to them. How do we protect them?
Kusahiko looked the demons over. "Mmm, I'll take the one with the purple nose. He's abnormally ugly."
"Where are the half demons? If you tell us, demon traitor, we may allow you to live," demanded the apparent leader of the group.
Kurama seemed to consider the offer, which was actually a distraction so that he would have time to converse with Hiei. Am I rubbing off on you, then? Are you actually suggesting attempting to protect them? If this is the case, I'm actually quite clueless. I haven't been in this type of situation very often. Let the demons come to us. If we stray from those two, the demons will take the opportunity to strike. As he finished, Kurama looked to the so-called 'leader'. "Sorry, but my surrender quota has expired for the day. So, if you want them, you'll have to come and get them."
Baka. Kurama, you can be very useless at times. Do not let the demons get either of the girls, or their escape will be easy to execute, Hiei said, a plan forming in his mind. If only I could control it properly…
"Ha ha, fool. You have no chance!" the leader yelled again and charged at Kurama, his claws raised. Kusahiko raised his whip. It seemed to be different from Kurama's as a clear liquid was dripping from the tips of three-inch-long thorns.
Kurama ignored Hiei's comments and raised his whip as well. He lashed forward, charging towards the leader, and swung his whip, giving it enough force to perhaps curl around his body, piercing him in all places…
Meanwhile, the other two followed suit of their boss. They needed to get at those two little brats, or all would be done for. The shorter of the two darted towards Kusahiko, while the taller made his way towards the two girls, grinning madly.
Hiei got in front of the demon headed for the girls. "And where do you think you're going to, baka?" Hiei's fists began to glow and his spirit energy rose significantly. "FIST OF THE MORTAL FLAME!" he cried, punching the demon in the gut with flames erupting from his fists.
Kusahiko grinned at the fact that the demon thought it could charge at him and live. He swung his whip in a circle, hoping to cut the demon in half…
The leader allowed himself to be caught by the whip. Kurama had fallen into his trap. His body caught aflame and an inferno launched itself down the whip, straight at Kurama! Kurama seemed taken aback by this. The demon, at first, had seemed lower class and stupid. He hadn't dreamed that it would come up with something so clever. But, he had quicker reflexes, and ran in the other direction, quickly going towards Hiei. He drew Hiei's sword from the side and held it to the fire, allowing it to bounce off the blade, sending it in the opposite direction. He turned to Hiei. "Thanks for that," he said quickly.
Kurama noticed that Hiei had actually protected the half demons, and couldn't help but grin to himself. However, the demon Hiei was fighting was not half as pleased, as he was caught off-guard. He stumbled backwards as Hiei punched him with rapid speed, and howled with pain as his body became charred and black. He fell backward, gasping for breath, trying to summon energy.
As it charged Kusahiko, the demon's eyes widened as he swung his whip, and ice crystals began to fly towards his opponent. His element became clear. Kusahiko had been expecting some kind of offense, though he had hoped his plan would work. The agile fox demon quickly dodged all of the crystals and began to swing at the demon's vital points in rapid succession.
Hiei drew his claws and beheaded the demon on the ground to be sure it was dead and then stood guard over the girls as Kurama and Kusahiko finished their fights.
The lead demon growled at Kurama and began to hurl searing balls of fire at the Kitsune. Kurama couldn't help but think that Hiei had gotten off easy as he clutched a sword too short for him, rebounding the fireballs. In a flash, he moved behind the demon in an attempt to slit his throat, while the other demon tried desperately to dodge Kusahiko's attacks, failing miserably, for he was slow and sluggish. At last, one of the blows landed near his heart, and he gave a sharp cry of pain before falling backward.
The leader leaned forward while punching a flaming hand behind himself in an attempt to catch Kurama off guard. He had indeed managed to escape the whip unharmed.
Kusahiko just stood there. "I'll let the poison from my whip kill you…" A gurgle came from the demon as it looked up, wide eyed before drawing his last breath.
Meanwhile, Kurama was having a bit more trouble. How does this thing keep escaping! He wondered in amazement as he dodged the hand and swung to wrap around the fist, hoping the demon would not have seen it. The demon, yet again, let his fist be caught by the whip. This time, however, Kurama was at such close range that the demon engulfed himself and Kurama in one huge flame! Kurama couldn't help but let out a small gasp of surprise as the fire burned around him and the demon. He quickly pulled back his whip in the confusion and struck again, trying to ignore the fire.
The demon dodged the whip by stepping into the flames. The hellfire strengthened his energy and he hurled another larger, hotter fireball at Kurama. Kurama attempted to dodge it, but it caught his arm as he swung the whip again with his good arm. He winced as he let loose a powerful kick at the same instant, hoping that one would connect. The demon allowed both strikes to hit, but at the same time, he made the wall of flame around himself grow larger and taller catching Kurama's whip afire.
Kurama stumbled backwards. "Damn it…" he murmured, looking up into the wall of fire. He looked around him for something to do…Anything…but luck was on his side as a gentle rain began to fall from the sky. He grinned. "Looks like your game is over." The demon noticed the rain and immediately supped up his fire in hopes that it would get so hot the rain wouldn't matter. Nearby, trees soon burst into flame as well…
Kurama staggered backwards, looking around wildly. "There has to be something…" he murmured. He noticed a rose growing nearby and immediately stooped, plucking it from the dirt. He held it up to the fresh droplets, and it began to grow as a new whip formed.
"Ha! Your puny little whip won't save you, fool," the demon, though bleeding badly from all the times he had allowed Kurama to hit him, still thought he had the upper hand. He charged up his fireball attack and threw it at Kurama….
But Kurama's whip continued to absorb water through the thorns, and upon his command, the thorns were released into the air, pelting the fireball and releasing cool water before proceeding to do the same to the demon. "Sure about that?" Kurama called with a small chuckle.
The demon felt the cool water touch his searing flesh. He began to literally steam from the pours as his body tried to cool itself. The demon, his plans ruined, drew a long sword from his belt and charged Kurama. Kurama met his attack head on, a sharp clash sounding through the air as their swords met. Actually, he was holding up Hiei's sword, but that mattered little as he swung his first weapon, his whip, into the air once more, scattering piercing, wet thorns everywhere.
The demon made a horizontal slash with his sword and the thorns from Kurama's whip punctured him everywhere. The demon would have gone down, but adrenaline kept him going. Kurama, not wanting to show his exhaustion, was clearly having trouble using the arm that had been blasted by the fireball. He dodged the demon's blow, launching another of his own, using yet more thorns as he thrust his sword towards the demon's abdomen. The demon howled in pain as both sword and thorns entered his flesh. He refused to fall, though, and raised his sword to hit Kurama in the shoulder one final time.
Kurama bit his bottom lip as his eyes darkened. He moved his sword downward quickly, moving straight towards the demons heart to finish him. The sword punctured the demon's chest. His eyes grew wide and then clouded over as blood spouted from the wound. The demon growled and then choked and bile rose up in his throat. He coughed up blood and drew his last breath and fell over backward.
"You go bro'! That was one hell of a fight!" Kusahiko cried, running to Kurama. "Hey, are you okay?" Kurama wheeled around to face his brother, and nodded briefly.
"Yes," he lied. "Fine. Anyhow, Hiei and I were just about to head off and find Genkai. Do you know of her?" he asked.
"Um…I think so…She's some powerful old hag Ningen, right?" Kusahiko asked. Kurama rolled his eyes.
"You should be a bit more respectful. She's powerful enough to knock you into next week. So, watch it."
"Oh, really? She's an old human; what is there to respect, wrinkles?" Kusahiko asked. He was very dubious that there could be anything too special about an old human. He had problems with old people due to his grandmother being insane, and he rather disliked old people because of it.
Kurama shook his head. "Well, never mind your opinions for now. We have more pressing matters. Not only did Hiei trick me into harming two half demons, it appears that there are others who wish to do the same," he explained.
"Yes, that is obvious, isn't it?" Kusahiko said, rolling his eyes. "So, bro', I never did ask you, but aren't you happy to see me again?"
"Didn't Kurama just say we need to get to Genkai, baka? Why would he care that an annoying bug like you came back into his life?" Hiei said. He seemed to strongly dislike Kusahiko. Kurama rolled his eyes.
"Kusahiko, Hiei is right. We don't have time for this. We'll have to exchange stories later," he concluded.
Kusahiko pouted. "Fine."
"We still don't know how to get them there," Hiei said, looking to Kurama.
Kurama rolled his eyes once more; it was something he did a lot lately. He lifted Kasumi off the ground. "Let's see. Have to think about where we are for a second here…"
"YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU ARE!" Kusahiko and Hiei shouted at once. They looked away from each other. Quite obviously they were embarrassed.
"Bro', please tell me you're kidding," Kusahiko said pleadingly. Kurama looked sideways at him, shifting his weight, and Kasumi's, slightly.
"Do I appear to be kidding?" he asked calmly. Indeed, his face was straight and he showed no signs of amusement. "Anyhow, Hiei," he said, turning to his friend. "You're the one who brainwashed me. So, where are we?"
"We are in the middle of the Forest of Darkness, east of the city of Yokohama," Hiei said.
Kurama looked up at the sky, as though trying to reach the depths of memory, recalling which way to go. "South, then, I believe. Right?" he asked hopefully, praying that Hiei would know for sure.
"No, Kurama, have you been whacked with a stupid stick recently? Since we are east of Yokohama, we want to go west," Hiei said. He was irritated again. "And anyway, shouldn't we do something for your injuries first?"
"Like what?" Kurama retorted, growing equally annoyed. "I can't think of anything else to do! Unless, of course, you have anymore ideas," he asked coolly.
"Heh heh, you two bicker like an old married couple…" Kusahiko laughed.
"Hn. Shut up, baka. I suppose I can't think of anything to do with them either…" Hiei said turning to Kurama and rolling his eyes.
"By your calculations, Oh Wise One, how long will it take for us to get there?" he asked curiously.
Hiei growled. "I won't tell you now that you have angered me."
"This is priceless!" Kusahiko burst out laughing. Kurama rounded on his brother, scowling at him.
"One of you just get Reiko, alright?" he ordered before turning and heading for the home of Genkai.
Kusahiko sighed. My brother gets mad so easily… The disappointed fox demon leaned over and picked Reiko up, hanging her over his shoulder. The group was on their way.
Rae-chan/I know the beginning is a little slow, as in many stories, but there's so much action to come, so don't miss out! Oh, and send a review, please.