'written'
"dialogue"
thoughts
Erro Proditio
Chapter 1: The Conversations
"Confidential Files of the Most Personal, Serious, and Confidential Kind."
Koenma blew his bangs out of his face in frustration. "I'm quite happy to say that my labeling skills have improved." He muttered to himself as he pushed a small box of files to the side. Grunting irritably, he gripped the edges of the confidential file box and hefted it up against his chest. He turned around as he shifted his arms to hold it more securely, and then swore as he stubbed his toe on another box. Cursing the non-existent light, Koenma shuffled out of the room.
The demigod let out a relieved puff of air as he set down the heavy box on his desk; which happened to miraculously be free of paperwork.
That ogre is finally doing things to earn his paycheck, Koenma though rather distractedly as he ripped the packing tape off the cardboard. Why he had packed away files in a dark, dusky closet was beyond him. Maybe the aftermath of the Makai tournament had left him dazed…
Shaking his head to rid it of his wayward thoughts – and ignoring the strange looks shot his way by the few passerby – he slipped his fingers under a flap and pried the box open.
His curious gaze was met with four surprisingly plain, large envelopes. Perhaps a little too plain, Koenma mused. Almost as if they were meant to be overlooked by wandering eyes…
Koenma lifted the four pale envelopes from their resting place. Placing three on his desk, he held onto the top one and flipped it over to see its label. Instead of seeing a white sticker with stiff black print, the envelope had a name written across its center.
Kuwabara Kazuma.
Koenma frowned as a spark of recognition registered in his brain. He knew that handwriting…
He set down the first envelope and picked up the second one.
Jaganshi Hiei
Then:
Youko Kurama
Urameshi Yusuke.
An interesting feeling settling in his stomach, Koenma carefully opened the envelope and scanned the first few lines. That was all he needed to confirm his suspicions.
He was looking at the exceedingly private files of the former Reikai Tantei.
"Kurama, are you afraid of death?"
Kurama blinked and looked up from his tea, casting his friend an amused look. "You do realize, Yusuke, that that is a rather ridiculous question. I, technically, have already died."
Yusuke drummed his fingertips against the wood floor, studying Kurama thoughtfully. He rephrased his question, "Well, maybe not death, exactly. I think I'm referring to the time right before you're sentenced by Reikai or right before you enter the place where you're sentenced."
Kurama gave a low laugh. "That, I am not afraid of. I'm going to be presumptuous and assume that neither you nor I will have to worry much about that."
Yusuke was silent for a few minutes, letting his contemplating gaze roam around his friend's apartment. Kurama went back to sipping his tea and leafing through a college textbook. When Yusuke spoke again, his voice was deep and husky. "I think that if I was normal – had never died before – I would be afraid. I wasn't afraid the first time, but only because I wasn't thinking."
Kurama was quiet for a few seconds, but he eventually asked softly, "Were you afraid when Sensui killed you?" Yusuke glanced up to see Kurama staring at his. Catching his gaze, Yusuke rasped, "Yes."
I mean, I really didn't have much time to be afraid. I'd known for a while what was coming; what I had to do. I wasn't afraid of the idea at the time. But when he came at me, for a tiny second I was afraid of what would happen to the people I cared about, and then I felt a bit of doubt of what I was doing."
Yusuke took a breath…and was silent.
Kurama poured himself more tea.
"Why aren't you afraid of death?"
The redhead expelled a slow, steady breath. "My circumstances are different from yours, Yusuke," the kitsune said softly.
Yusuke glanced sharply at Kurama, noting this controlled tone. "Really? Are our circumstances that different? I was under the impression that you planned to live as a human until your mother died, and then disappear. Isn't that your plan?"
Kurama closed his eyes and a sardonic smile curved his lips. "Plans change. I wish it was that simple," he murmured, and Yusuke could've sworn he heard a trace of bitterness in his friend's voice. "However, my future has already been chosen, I'm afraid. Don't, Yusuke, "he chided as the other man attempted to interrupt. "I voluntarily chose this fate for myself, though I fear it was a rash, pressured decision."
Instantly, Yusuke shot back, "Do you regret it?"
The redhead gave a shrug that Yusuke supposed was intended to come off as indifferent. "A bit, I think," Kurama replied.
Silence reigned once more as the ebony-haired man brooded, and the fox stared grimly into his cup. Sun filtered in through the window, the leaves on the tree outside causing the bright splotches to dance and shift. Kurama gazed at the rainbows the light made on his wall; Yusuke studies the highlights the sun created on the stained wood floor.
When Yusuke spoke again, his voice was slow and uncertain, "I'm still confused, I guess. How can you choose the outcome of your own death?"
Kurama laughed softly. "It's a confusing matter, Yusuke, involving more than one party." The method that was chosen for us is rare, and most demons harbor too much fear to follow that path."
"Method? Us?"
Kurama flicked his hair over his shoulder, a slight glint in his eye. "Forget about it, Yusuke. I have already told you it involves more than one party. Don't worry about it."
The toushin shied away from his companion's hard stare. Yusuke would usually be persistent, bordering on annoying, but he knew when he was going into dangerous territory with Kurama. Sighing, Yusuke pushed himself to his feet, calmly meeting Kurama's now slightly surprised gaze. His eyes were perfect emerald jewels set in delicate features. The hard glint in those orbs was gone.
Before Kurama could ask, Yusuke shrugged and explained, "I promised my mom I'd come over today. She doesn't want me holed up in my apartment all week. At least, that's what she felt when she phoned last Sunday," Yusuke suppressed a grimace as he noticed the kitsune's eyes soften slightly, and then gain a frigid edge. He already knew what Kurama thought of Atsuko's parenting abilities.
"So, anyway," Yusuke continued. "I'll see you later, I guess. I know Botan mentioned something about dropping by today, so don't be surprised if she pops up."
Kurama did grimace. "You purposely left that bit of information for the end of your visit, didn't you?"
The ex-Reikai Tantei gave a roguish grin that would have had any female swooning. Kurama's mouth twitched. "Guilty as charged. I have enough complaints taking up my time, thank you."
Yusuke snickered as Kurama told him exactly what he could do with his time, though not as politely as expected. Shouting a response over his shoulder that had the redhead slapping his forehead, Yusuke leapt down the stairs of the apartment building and streaked down the sidewalk.
"Hey!" Yusuke called as he pushed open the door to his mother's apartment. "Mom? You here?" Slipping off his shoes, he ambled into the apartment. He winced at the mess in the kitchen, but a flash of neon yellow soon diverted his attention. Snatching up the bright post-it note, he read it with a sense of sinking disappointment.
'Yusuke –
Sorry I missed you; a last minute party was planned and I couldn't miss it! Put the dished in the washer for me, and we'll do something when I get back. See ya soon!
Love, Mom'
Grumbling, Yusuke crumpled up the note and tossed it into the trash as he surveyed the dish disaster. It would take a few loads to clean up everything. Complaining quietly about his mother, parties, dishes, fox demons, and the world in general, he picked up the nearest plate and set to work.
Ten minutes later, Yusuke dried off an extra fork as the dish washer rumbled. He was just about to tackle the third pile of plates when he was interrupted.
"Why Yusuke, I thought I'd never see the day when you actually would lower yourself to do simple human chores! Did Keiko actually follow up on her threat to drug you?"
Swearing under his breath, Yusuke carefully set the plate back down on the counter and spoke without turning around, "Back off, Botan. It's just a favor for my mom. What does Baby Breath want now?"
Botan softened her voice as she replied, "Sorry, Yusuke. Koenma just wants you to come in for a bit."
"I thought I was retired."
The ferry girl shrugged as the man turned around and leaned against the counter. "You are, but Koenma just has a few things to wrap up. Records and all that."
Yusuke's face darkened. "We took care of records when I came back from Makai three years ago."
"Koenma found a few more boxes of files," Botan said impatiently. "He just needs you to come in for a little while to go over a few things to finalize the records. He wants your opinion, I think."
Yusuke gave a sigh and glanced back over his shoulder.
Hmmm…dishes or Reikai, dishes or Reikai, dishes or Reikai…and the winner is!
Heaving yet another sigh – he seemed to be doing that a lot lately – Yusuke asked Botan, "When does Koenma want me to be there?"
Botan smirked. "Right now."
Being self-conscious had never been Yusuke's thing, so when he followed Botan through the hallways, doors, and offices in Reikai he was completely undeterred by the stares he received. However, they did annoy Botan, and she was quick to snap at some of the shocked passerby.
"Honestly," Yusuke could hear her mutter. "They only fired you, what's so amazing about you coming back to visit once and a while?"
Yusuke didn't answer her. Botan brandished her hand toward him impatiently. "Oh, they probably think that some terrible conflict has arisen, but there's nothing going on…"
Yusuke finally decided to speak. "So how are things going here lately?"
The ferry girl glanced back at him. "Pretty well, actually. Makaian residents barely give us any trouble nowadays. Ah, here we are," They had stopped in front of the large double doors of Koenma's office. Yusuke stepped up to them and glanced over his shoulder at the girl. "You coming?"
She shook her head. "No, Koenma only wants to see you, and I've got things to do. Good luck, my friend," she began to turn and walk away, but spun around again as Yusuke stepped right up to the doors. "Don't forget to –"
Yusuke pushed the doors open.
"Knock."
"Sign there."
The ex-Tantei glared at Koenma's hand, which was waving vaguely at the piece of paper on the desk. Picking up a pen, Yusuke inquired, "Why do I have to sign this? I didn't sign anything last time we looked over your files."
Koenma made an odd sound. "These are different kinds of files."
Gee, what a great time for him to go all Kurama on me and force me to drag everything out of him…
Yusuke paused, the black pen poised just above the paper. "What kind of files?"
He could see Koenma's knuckles turn white. The demigod didn't bother to look at Yusuke, his intent gaze remaining on the manila folder clenched in his hands.
The former Reikai Tantei could tell that his former boss was attempting to keep his expression and voice calm and controlled. "Personal Files."
Yusuke raised an eyebrow. After a few seconds, a mischievous grin began to tug at his lips. "And I need to sign…why?"
Koenma's delayed response came through gritted teeth, "Because I need permission from you to put these in the finalized records and timeline for the Reikai Tantei history file."
Oooh…Ka-ching!
His grin now in full force, Yusuke stood up straight and set down the pen. Koenma flinched slightly as the pen clicked against the desk.
"And if I don't sign?" came Yusuke's drawl.
"As you are no longer employed by me, you are no longer under my protection," Koenma said in a low voice. "I have freedom to punish you as I wish, physically or otherwise."
Yusuke felt a chill run up his spine as he stared at his former superior. It wasn't necessarily Koenma's words than unnerved him, but rather his dark, intense expression.
Damn, but he's serious.
"Alright," Yusuke said silkily. Koenma looked up at him for the first time since the former Tantei had entered the office. His eyes were neutral but calculating. Belatedly, Yusuke realized that he probably should be worrying about the contents of the files, since Koenma was acting so serious…
"Alright," he repeated. "I'll make a deal with you."
The other occupant of the room immediately adapted a guarded expression. "Oh?"
Yusuke took a breath, then, "I'll sign…if I'm allowed full access to these files."
To Be Continued
End Chapter One of Erro Proditio.
Author's Notes (12-9-06): Well well, my first actual chapter fic. Not to mention non-humor. I'm desperate to know how it turned out, so if you could drop me a review I'd appreciate it. In fact, if people review, I may just write in Hiei in Chapter 2: The Revelation. Hark! A bribe and a preview in the same sentence!
Anyway, I'm not too sure of what else to say, besides that this is horribly overdue. All I can say is that finals are truly evil.
Hope you enjoyed the first installment, and hopefully ya'll will stick around for part two in the near future! Ja!
Fury's Footsteps