Chapter One
He absent-mindedly brushed a small dried leaf off his shirt. He kicked a stone and toyed it with his feet until it went out of his way. Sighing, he thought that the walk back to the hotel from his nature-tripping wasn't really a blast. Actually, it was annoying. His eyebrows deepened to a frown as he recalls what had happened.
When he woke up early that morning, he thought a stroll deep into the forest would do him good. He had hope to catch some fresh air and relax a bit. Well he did, but before he could enjoy it, four Makai creatures attacked him. The fight was a short one. He was able to beat them in less than five minutes. They were no match for his powers. There's no doubt about that. They only succeeded on annoying him.
Who wouldn't be annoyed? They had just finished the Black Tournament Finals and he is no mood for more fighting. Even with weaklings like the ones he had just beaten. And besides, it was their last day in Makai, he thought he earned some relaxation after that gruesome tournament. Don't they give them a break?
He touched a swollen part of his neck. Well, weaklings or not, he has to give those demons some credit for pricking his neck. They fought well, he can tell that. It was obvious from all their moves. And if he is not mistaken, the whole attack was even planned. What were they thinking? They'd kill me with a needle? Kurama shook his head at the thought of it. Poor creatures.
The sound of rustling leaves distracted his thoughts, he looked at the direction of the sound. Quickly he hid behind the trunk of a tree. Reflex told him so. Not again! His morning is going from bad to worst. Nah, can't be. I don't feel any powers surrounding him. To make sure he's not dealing with another demon, he quickly look at his potential opponent. But to his surprise, he didn't see any demon. There, with tears and all was Botan. She was sitting cross-legged on the ground. Her hands half covering her tearful face. The bubbly little Botan he was used to seeing was replaced with this gloomy image of her.
Damn! Paranoid me! He silently cursed himself. His day isn't turning out to be the break he was expecting. He shifted his attention to the grieving Botan. She looks bad. His guess was that she had been here since the break of dawn crying her eyes out. He quietly left Botan, not wanting to disturb her mourning.
He continued walking towards the hotel. He thought of Genkai's sudden death. She was a great loss. But he isn't dealing with her death like Botan or Yusuke. Sure, he was sad. Sad for knowing that such great life was taken away by some monstrous selfish creature. He smiled a little at himself for thinking of Toguro that way. After all, he was a Toguro himself a few years back when he was still a thief in Makai. Maybe even worse. He added silently.
He entered the hotel thinking of what he can do for the rest of the day. Everybody seems to be out of it. All of them too busy grieving over Genkai. He looked at his wrist watch, 7:30. Too early to do anything. He decided that he'd pack his things for tomorrows trip back to Ningenkai. He'd be able to buy some time and maybe even let his day pass by faster. It wasn't really turning out to be a good one. And besides, he would be seeing his mother pretty soon. He missed her as any son would miss his mother.
Kurama's thoughts was interrupted with Kuwabara slightly slapping him from the back.
"Hey Kurama! Nice morning, isn't it?" He said with his usual grin.
"Yeah, I guesso"
Kurama saw drumsticks on Kuwabara's hand. Another clown. He commented on his mind. But sure is a great one. He didn't notice Kuwabara's grief over Genkai for a while there. Kurama had to hand it to Kuwabara when it comes to silly smiles. He seems to perfect the craft of putting that grin even when he is breaking down inside. But his pretense ends there, the drumsticks alone gave way to his emotions. Kurama had seen him frequenting the hotel's music room. It was his way of letting out what he has inside. It sorts of shout for him with all that noise and banging.
"Playing this early?" Kurama said while pointing at the drumsticks in his hand.
"Yah, you know how boring it gets around here. No one to talk to, you know." He said matter-of-factly.
Good grin, bad liar. Kurama sensed his sudden change of mood upon covering his grief with that lie.
"So, where are you going? I believe the Music Hall is on that way." Kurama's hand motioned for the direction of the hall.
"Yeah, i know. I was just heading for the diner. I'd like to get some coffee for myself. Wanna join me?"
"Nah, i'm not a big fan of caffeine. I think i'll nap for a while. Hey, you've seen Yusuke?"
"Your the first familiar face i've seen since I got up this morning. So, that's a no. See ya around!" With that Kuwabara waved his hand and turned to walk for his coffee.
Kurama was left wondering how incapable humans are when it comes to lying. Lack of training. He reasoned with himself. Humans live a simple life. Too simple that it sometimes bore the hell out of me.
"Hey Kurama!"
Kurama looked up to see Yusuke.
"Hey yourself." He answered back.
With looking at Yusuke's face alone, he can tell that somebody has been robbed off his sleep last night. Yusuke's eyes bear dark circles around it.
"No sleep?"
"Can't sleep." Yusuke's expression changed. Unhappiness covered his wide brown eyes.
"Hey, it's okay." Kurama comforted.
Yusuke just smiled then stared at the ground. He hesitated for a while and then added "I know everything will be okay. Somehow. But I just can't shrug off the thought that maybe, if I came a little earlier, I would have saved her from Toguro."
Kurama saw tears welling from Yusuke's eyes. But before they had the chance to fall, he blinked them back.
"Yeah, its okay. I'm okay" He assured Kurama.
"Well, you know where to find me in case you need help or anything."
"Okay, thanks."
Kurama headed for the elevators. Somehow, this whole grieving thing left him a little dizzy. Maybe some sleep would do me good. He left his door unlocked as he entered his room. The coolness of his room was a welcome. It was a bit hot outside. He changed his mind about sleeping. He thought he'd really start on his packing.
He went to his closet to get his travel bag. A slight pain on his neck distracted him. But he ignored it and continued for the closet. He got his bag along with some of his clothes from the closet and placed them on the top of the bed. A slight dizziness washed over him. He sat on the side of the bed for a moment. Sensing if anything wrong was happening in him. Nah, I don't feel anything. He checked his temperature. Normal. He frowned a little. Then what could be it? Damned me! Paranoia! That's what it is!
Maybe some sleep would do me good. He moved his clothes and bag on the other side of the bed and laid. He was feeling a little sleepy now. His eyelids were starting to get heavy. He fumbled for the blankets. He cozied himself with it and concentrated on getting his nap.
A pain on his neck slightly disturb him. He touched the part where he was pricked by the demons he encountered this morning. It was now swollen and a bit watery. Before he could get up to examine the wound. The pain went away. He then felt a sudden heaviness of his head. Like he was coming down with a flu or something. He tried to think of what possibly could be happening to him. But he suddenly felt too tired to think. His eyes were already screaming for sleep. He decided to stand up and shake his sleepiness off. Somehow he felt something is terribly wrong with the way he is feeling right now. But his body was too tired to even sit up.
Something is wrong. He can tell that. But before he could do anything from his predicament, he fell into a deep sleep.
* * *
Kurama slowly opened his eyes. He felt like he had slept forever. His eyes were still heavy from it. A sharp pain banged on his head, making him wince. He tried to reach for his forehead. But before he could do so, pain pierced through his head again.
"Aaargh!" He tried to move his hand. Where are my hands? He can't feel them anymore. He blinked hard. He can vaguely see his arms. His vision was a lot blurry. He blinked again, clearing his sight. He focused his eyes on the his sides. He managed to make out his arms. He made them move. Shock covered his face as a sudden realization sinked in him, his arms were numb!
Panic jolted through him. He forced himself up. He managed to stanp up. But his right leg gave up as he was about to walk for the door. What the hell is happening to me?
He was already half kneeling. He felt a throbbing pain on his neck. The pain was getting worse and worse after every second. "Aaargh!" He let out a cry but to his surprise no voice came out of his mouth. He tried again to reach the door half kneeling but his other leg also failed. He landed head first on the floor.
He felt his nose bleed. He hazily made out the sight of his blood pouring out. He was already loosing blood in an alarming rate! Something is so damned wrong! He tried to think of a way out of his situation. But he can't think, the pain on both his head and neck was worsening. What the hell is happening to me?! He tried summoning one of his plants. But he can't. Whatever this is, it was snuffing his life out of him little by little.
He never felt so helpless in his life. It was like he was already nearing the end of him. No, i'm not! He refused to believe so. No, I can't be dying! His last-ditch attempt for survival was to scream for help. With the last bit of his energy, he screamed. But nothing came out of his mouth. He was already losing it.
No, Kurama. Don't sleep! He silently argued with his eyes. He was slowly drifting away. Something tells him that he might not be able to wake up once he close his eyes. Unable to fight it anymore, his eyes gave way. But he was still conscious.
Then he heard something. Footsteps? He felt a flicker of hope. Somebody is here to help him. Then the sound grew increasingly close. No, it wasn't footsteps. He forced his eyes to open. But he can't. It was like they were sealed. The sound continued. What the hell is that?
Then the pain in his neck increased as the sound grew stronger. It doesn't sound like footsteps anymore. It sounds more like a breaking of something. Then, it hit him. It was the sound of his skin breaking! He felt the pain of his skin breaking from his neck up to his cheeks accompanied by the constant banging on his head and the throbbing pain on his neck. Whatever it is, it was eating him alive!
As if to end it all, a sharp pain landed on his neck. Knocking the life out of him. He laid there unconscious. His blood everywhere. His skin lashed out.
He absent-mindedly brushed a small dried leaf off his shirt. He kicked a stone and toyed it with his feet until it went out of his way. Sighing, he thought that the walk back to the hotel from his nature-tripping wasn't really a blast. Actually, it was annoying. His eyebrows deepened to a frown as he recalls what had happened.
When he woke up early that morning, he thought a stroll deep into the forest would do him good. He had hope to catch some fresh air and relax a bit. Well he did, but before he could enjoy it, four Makai creatures attacked him. The fight was a short one. He was able to beat them in less than five minutes. They were no match for his powers. There's no doubt about that. They only succeeded on annoying him.
Who wouldn't be annoyed? They had just finished the Black Tournament Finals and he is no mood for more fighting. Even with weaklings like the ones he had just beaten. And besides, it was their last day in Makai, he thought he earned some relaxation after that gruesome tournament. Don't they give them a break?
He touched a swollen part of his neck. Well, weaklings or not, he has to give those demons some credit for pricking his neck. They fought well, he can tell that. It was obvious from all their moves. And if he is not mistaken, the whole attack was even planned. What were they thinking? They'd kill me with a needle? Kurama shook his head at the thought of it. Poor creatures.
The sound of rustling leaves distracted his thoughts, he looked at the direction of the sound. Quickly he hid behind the trunk of a tree. Reflex told him so. Not again! His morning is going from bad to worst. Nah, can't be. I don't feel any powers surrounding him. To make sure he's not dealing with another demon, he quickly look at his potential opponent. But to his surprise, he didn't see any demon. There, with tears and all was Botan. She was sitting cross-legged on the ground. Her hands half covering her tearful face. The bubbly little Botan he was used to seeing was replaced with this gloomy image of her.
Damn! Paranoid me! He silently cursed himself. His day isn't turning out to be the break he was expecting. He shifted his attention to the grieving Botan. She looks bad. His guess was that she had been here since the break of dawn crying her eyes out. He quietly left Botan, not wanting to disturb her mourning.
He continued walking towards the hotel. He thought of Genkai's sudden death. She was a great loss. But he isn't dealing with her death like Botan or Yusuke. Sure, he was sad. Sad for knowing that such great life was taken away by some monstrous selfish creature. He smiled a little at himself for thinking of Toguro that way. After all, he was a Toguro himself a few years back when he was still a thief in Makai. Maybe even worse. He added silently.
He entered the hotel thinking of what he can do for the rest of the day. Everybody seems to be out of it. All of them too busy grieving over Genkai. He looked at his wrist watch, 7:30. Too early to do anything. He decided that he'd pack his things for tomorrows trip back to Ningenkai. He'd be able to buy some time and maybe even let his day pass by faster. It wasn't really turning out to be a good one. And besides, he would be seeing his mother pretty soon. He missed her as any son would miss his mother.
Kurama's thoughts was interrupted with Kuwabara slightly slapping him from the back.
"Hey Kurama! Nice morning, isn't it?" He said with his usual grin.
"Yeah, I guesso"
Kurama saw drumsticks on Kuwabara's hand. Another clown. He commented on his mind. But sure is a great one. He didn't notice Kuwabara's grief over Genkai for a while there. Kurama had to hand it to Kuwabara when it comes to silly smiles. He seems to perfect the craft of putting that grin even when he is breaking down inside. But his pretense ends there, the drumsticks alone gave way to his emotions. Kurama had seen him frequenting the hotel's music room. It was his way of letting out what he has inside. It sorts of shout for him with all that noise and banging.
"Playing this early?" Kurama said while pointing at the drumsticks in his hand.
"Yah, you know how boring it gets around here. No one to talk to, you know." He said matter-of-factly.
Good grin, bad liar. Kurama sensed his sudden change of mood upon covering his grief with that lie.
"So, where are you going? I believe the Music Hall is on that way." Kurama's hand motioned for the direction of the hall.
"Yeah, i know. I was just heading for the diner. I'd like to get some coffee for myself. Wanna join me?"
"Nah, i'm not a big fan of caffeine. I think i'll nap for a while. Hey, you've seen Yusuke?"
"Your the first familiar face i've seen since I got up this morning. So, that's a no. See ya around!" With that Kuwabara waved his hand and turned to walk for his coffee.
Kurama was left wondering how incapable humans are when it comes to lying. Lack of training. He reasoned with himself. Humans live a simple life. Too simple that it sometimes bore the hell out of me.
"Hey Kurama!"
Kurama looked up to see Yusuke.
"Hey yourself." He answered back.
With looking at Yusuke's face alone, he can tell that somebody has been robbed off his sleep last night. Yusuke's eyes bear dark circles around it.
"No sleep?"
"Can't sleep." Yusuke's expression changed. Unhappiness covered his wide brown eyes.
"Hey, it's okay." Kurama comforted.
Yusuke just smiled then stared at the ground. He hesitated for a while and then added "I know everything will be okay. Somehow. But I just can't shrug off the thought that maybe, if I came a little earlier, I would have saved her from Toguro."
Kurama saw tears welling from Yusuke's eyes. But before they had the chance to fall, he blinked them back.
"Yeah, its okay. I'm okay" He assured Kurama.
"Well, you know where to find me in case you need help or anything."
"Okay, thanks."
Kurama headed for the elevators. Somehow, this whole grieving thing left him a little dizzy. Maybe some sleep would do me good. He left his door unlocked as he entered his room. The coolness of his room was a welcome. It was a bit hot outside. He changed his mind about sleeping. He thought he'd really start on his packing.
He went to his closet to get his travel bag. A slight pain on his neck distracted him. But he ignored it and continued for the closet. He got his bag along with some of his clothes from the closet and placed them on the top of the bed. A slight dizziness washed over him. He sat on the side of the bed for a moment. Sensing if anything wrong was happening in him. Nah, I don't feel anything. He checked his temperature. Normal. He frowned a little. Then what could be it? Damned me! Paranoia! That's what it is!
Maybe some sleep would do me good. He moved his clothes and bag on the other side of the bed and laid. He was feeling a little sleepy now. His eyelids were starting to get heavy. He fumbled for the blankets. He cozied himself with it and concentrated on getting his nap.
A pain on his neck slightly disturb him. He touched the part where he was pricked by the demons he encountered this morning. It was now swollen and a bit watery. Before he could get up to examine the wound. The pain went away. He then felt a sudden heaviness of his head. Like he was coming down with a flu or something. He tried to think of what possibly could be happening to him. But he suddenly felt too tired to think. His eyes were already screaming for sleep. He decided to stand up and shake his sleepiness off. Somehow he felt something is terribly wrong with the way he is feeling right now. But his body was too tired to even sit up.
Something is wrong. He can tell that. But before he could do anything from his predicament, he fell into a deep sleep.
* * *
Kurama slowly opened his eyes. He felt like he had slept forever. His eyes were still heavy from it. A sharp pain banged on his head, making him wince. He tried to reach for his forehead. But before he could do so, pain pierced through his head again.
"Aaargh!" He tried to move his hand. Where are my hands? He can't feel them anymore. He blinked hard. He can vaguely see his arms. His vision was a lot blurry. He blinked again, clearing his sight. He focused his eyes on the his sides. He managed to make out his arms. He made them move. Shock covered his face as a sudden realization sinked in him, his arms were numb!
Panic jolted through him. He forced himself up. He managed to stanp up. But his right leg gave up as he was about to walk for the door. What the hell is happening to me?
He was already half kneeling. He felt a throbbing pain on his neck. The pain was getting worse and worse after every second. "Aaargh!" He let out a cry but to his surprise no voice came out of his mouth. He tried again to reach the door half kneeling but his other leg also failed. He landed head first on the floor.
He felt his nose bleed. He hazily made out the sight of his blood pouring out. He was already loosing blood in an alarming rate! Something is so damned wrong! He tried to think of a way out of his situation. But he can't think, the pain on both his head and neck was worsening. What the hell is happening to me?! He tried summoning one of his plants. But he can't. Whatever this is, it was snuffing his life out of him little by little.
He never felt so helpless in his life. It was like he was already nearing the end of him. No, i'm not! He refused to believe so. No, I can't be dying! His last-ditch attempt for survival was to scream for help. With the last bit of his energy, he screamed. But nothing came out of his mouth. He was already losing it.
No, Kurama. Don't sleep! He silently argued with his eyes. He was slowly drifting away. Something tells him that he might not be able to wake up once he close his eyes. Unable to fight it anymore, his eyes gave way. But he was still conscious.
Then he heard something. Footsteps? He felt a flicker of hope. Somebody is here to help him. Then the sound grew increasingly close. No, it wasn't footsteps. He forced his eyes to open. But he can't. It was like they were sealed. The sound continued. What the hell is that?
Then the pain in his neck increased as the sound grew stronger. It doesn't sound like footsteps anymore. It sounds more like a breaking of something. Then, it hit him. It was the sound of his skin breaking! He felt the pain of his skin breaking from his neck up to his cheeks accompanied by the constant banging on his head and the throbbing pain on his neck. Whatever it is, it was eating him alive!
As if to end it all, a sharp pain landed on his neck. Knocking the life out of him. He laid there unconscious. His blood everywhere. His skin lashed out.