Kat: (Heart) Chapter twoooo!
Ame: You seem...happier...today...
Kat: Because, Warrior Nun agreed to be my friend! I'm so honored!
Ame: (Scowl) But, I'm still your best friend, right?
Kat: of course! No one could replace my sister!
Ame: Hmph. Fine...for now.
Kat: Anyway, on with the chapter!
Chapter One:
A Visit From The Underworld
500 Years Ago: Part One
Everyone looked around, and though some hid it, they were all awestruck. They were standing in the middle of a large beautiful garden full of the most exotic flowers any of them have ever seen.
They only two that seemed unfazed were Koenma and Botan. But that is because they had already come to visit a few times. Koenma turned to his inwardly gawking and openly gawking team and smirked.
"The Merciful Goddess loves her flowers, eh? What do you boys think?" he asked. Kurama looked around.
"They are beautiful…" he said, gazing longingly at a beautiful purple flower.
"Yes, we in the palace take very good care of them." said a deep voice to their right. Everyone turned to face and old man in armor with black hair and kind but stern eyes. Koenma smiled.
"Ah, Jiroshin. How have you been?" he asked. The old man smiled at Koenma.
"I've been fine, Prince Koenma." he said. "Now, if you'll follow-"
"OLD MAAAAAAAAN!!" A loud scream interrupted Jiroshin, startling him and the Underworld Prince and his detectives. A young boy ran into the garden, waving his arms above his head looking quite upset. Koenma gasped in horror when he lay eyes upon the child. Botan, Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Kurama gasped as well, but for an entirely different reason as Koenma. Hiei just stared wide-eyed at him.
No more that 10 years of age, he had long locks of brown hair reaching a little past his tiny waist, that spiked up near his forehead; jutting out from behind a large golden diadem that he wore on his head. His outfit consisted of a dark blue tank top and white jeans, with shackles of disturbingly heavy chains around his neck, both wrists, and both ankles. But, his most shocking feature were his large, round, beautifully enchanting golden eyes that shone with worried tears.
Koenma stared at the child in shock and horror, then turned to Jiroshin.
"Jiroshin! What is the meaning of this child?!" he exclaimed.
"Yeah!" Yusuke snapped angrily. "Why is he wearing those chains?! He's just a kid!" Koenma gave Yusuke a strange look, before turning back to Jiroshin.
"Well?!" Jiroshin motioned for Koenma to come over.
"Ah yes, I was just about to speak to you about him…" he said. Koenma walked over and began talking with Jiroshin in hushed tones. As they did this, the child stared tearfully at Jiroshin.
"Old Man!! Old Man!! Look at me, over here!! OLD MAN!!" he yelled, trying desperately to get Jiroshin's attention. Jiroshin motioned for Koenma to wait a moment, and he turned to the child.
"Yes, what is it?" he asked. The boy looked up to him.
"I-I ca-can't fuh-fuh-fi-ah-ah-ahuwahh!!" he sobbed, trying so hard to speak properly through his tears. Kurama quickly walked over to him and placed his hands on his shoulders.
"Hush now, it's alright child…try to speak calmly…" he murmured. The boy looked at him, then nodded slowly. He turned back to Jiroshin and took a few deep breaths before continuing.
"I c-can't find Ko-Ko-Konzeeeeen!!!!" he shrieked, bursting into another round of sobs. "Or Ken-niichan!! Or Ten-chan!! Or Homura-san!! I can't even find Nataku-kun!! They're all gone!! I'm scared they might be hurt!"
"Do not worry, Konzen and the other's have gone to a meeting. I'm vaguely aware Tenpou telling Kenren to tell you…he must have forgotten. His irresponsibility never cease's to amaze me…as for Nataku, I'm not so sure I know where he is." Jiroshin replied, giving the child a smile. The boys tears stopped flowing as he wiped off his face and smiled at Jiroshin in return.
"Th-Thank you, Old Man." he said, bowing cutely to Jiroshin. Jiroshin smiled and patted him on the head.
"Now, Koenma and I need to speak. Wait over there, and I'll walk you back to your room so you won't get hurt." he said. The boy nodded, then turned to Kurama, who was still standing behind him only a few feet away next to Hiei, and smiled brightly at him.
"Thank you, so, so, so, so, so, so, much! That's a thank you for everyone of my friends, and me!" he said. Kurama smiled at him.
"It was my pleasure little one." he said. Yusuke walked up to the boy now.
"Hey, kid, what's your name?" he asked. The boy blinked and smiled at Yusuke.
"My name is Goku! Son Goku, I'm 10 years old!" he said. Yusuke grinned at him.
"Nice ta' meet'cha Goku!" he said, reached for Goku's hand to shake it. Goku gladly accepted his hand, then peered up at him with great interest.
"You…You're don't not like me?" he asked. Yusuke blinked. Everyone stared at him strangely. Koenma, who feeling better after his talk with Jiroshin, turned to stare at Goku as well.
"Huh?"
"You don't not like me?"
"…Huh?" Yusuke just didn't understand the question. Goku furrowed his little brow in deep thought. Then, he remembered a word Konzen taught him the other day to describe the question that Goku asked him. He hadn't understood Goku's original question either.
"You don't hate me?" he asked. Yusuke blinked at him again, then shook his head.
"No…why would I hate you? You're way to cute to be hated! Plus, I just met you. Sure, it doesn't take long for hate to form, but you haven't done anything to me." he said. Goku blinked, then smiled the brightest smile Yusuke had ever seen at him.
"If you don't hate me, can I be your friend?" he asked sweetly. Yusuke stared at him in shock, then grinned. Koenma smiled, knowing exactly what Yusuke's answer would be. He felt bad for his earlier outburst, and was glad Goku was getting along with his detectives.
"'Course you can!" he exclaimed. "And you can also be friends with Kuwabara, Botan, Hiei, and Kurama!" he added, pointing at each in turn. Goku smiled at each one of then, until his eyes fell on Kurama. He stared for a moment then walked over to him.
"Is your hair hot?" he asked, staring at Kurama's head. Kurama looked confused.
"My hair? No, my hair isn't hot. Why?" he asked.
"It looks like fire!" he exclaimed. Kurama blinked, then smiled, along with most (Not Hiei) of the boys.
"You are so cute!" Botan exclaimed, clasping her hands. Goku smiled, then pointed at Kurama's hair.
"If it's not hot, can I touch it?" he asked innocently. Kurama smiled.
"Why not?" he asked to no one in particular, before kneeling in front of Goku so the child had access to his fiery red locks of hair.
Goku's small soft hands reached up and gently stroked Kurama's hair. He giggled happily once he confirmed it was not hot. His small fist closed around a handful of it and brought his face closer to it so he could smell it.
"Mmm…it smells like rose's…" he cooed. Just then, another young boy ran into the garden.
"GOOOOOKUUUUUU!!!!!" he yelled, obviously excited about something.
Goku's eyes widened in shock and he jumped back and let out a shrill scream of fright, throwing both of his skinny arms into the air. Unfortunately, this had some bad consequence's…
"OW!" Kurama yelled, throwing a hand up to his head were a certain lock of hair had previously been. Previously. Now, it was clutched in the hand of a very shocked, frightened, and horrified Son Goku.
Horror-stricken, Goku stared at the fistful of red hair he held in his small hand. It wasn't much, since Goku's hands are small, but it was enough for Goku to know…that had hurt like hell. Yusuke, Kuwabara, Botan, Koenma, Jiroshin, even Hiei stared in shock at the hair as well, with mouth hanging open. Though Hiei's was only slightly open.
The boy whom had entered the garden and shouted had his hands covering his mouth, with the same look on his face as Goku currently hand.
"G-Goku! Oh no, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to cause that, really I didn't, but I was just so excited…" he exclaimed, obviously trying to bring attention to himself and away from Goku, for he was waving his arms around like a maniac.
This boy was also no more than 10, and had long black hair with long spiky bangs that looked like hooks hanging in front of his pale face. His outfit consisted of white and gold robes. On his forehead was a small purple diamond, right above bright golden eyes that looked just like Goku's.
"N-Nataku-kun…" Goku choked out. The boy stopped waving and looked at Goku. Jiroshin turned pale and ran inside to inform his mistress about this.
"Yes?, Goku-kun?" he asked. Goku's tiny shoulders began to tremble and his beautiful golden orbs filled with large, round, wet tears.
"I-I…I'm g-gonna cry!" he whimpered. Nataku's golden eyes widened in fright.
"N-No! G-Goku-kun, I hate it when you cry!! Please, please, please don't…cry…" he said, starting off frantic, but trailing off into confusion as he caught sight of Koenma. "Koenma-sama…Prince of the…" his eyes widened once again in fright, of a completely different kind.
"I'M SO SORRY!" Goku screamed, tears overflowing down his face.
"G-Goku! Get away from him!" Nataku shrieked, dashing forward and seizing Goku's arm. Goku turned to look at him in surprise, tears still falling. Nataku turned and, hand clamped tightly around Goku's elbow, dragged Goku as fast as he could out of the garden.
"RUN GOKU, RUN!" he screamed. Goku looked confused.
"Wh-why?!" he asked, trying very hard to keep up with Nataku, Kurama's red hair still clenched in his fist.
"They're Death Gods, Goku!" Nataku said. "If you don't get away, they'll take you to the Underworld and we'll never see each other again! And you won't be able to live here anymore!" Goku's eyes widened in horror.
"N-No! I don't wanna leave!" he said fearfully. Nataku turned his head slightly and grinned at him.
"Then run Goku! I promise I'll never let anything happen to you!" he said. Goku smiled at him and ran faster.
Kurama stood up and shouted after Goku.
"IT'S ALRIGHT!! I'M NOT MAD!!" he shouted, running a hand through his hair on that side of his head. Suddenly he turned very pale and began patting his hair.
"Oh no…Oh no…P-PLEASE SLOW DOWN!!" he shouted, taking off after them. Yusuke, confused, called after him.
"What's wrong, Kurama?" he asked. "You just said you weren't mad!"
"I'm not! But the handful of hair Goku pulled out hand my rose whip in it!" he called. Yusuke and everyone's eyes widened, then they ran after him. Yusuke caught up to Kurama in a few quick strides.
"At least he won't get hurt of it, he's not able to activate it…right?" he asked. Hiei, whom was running next to him, scoffed.
"Of course not, only one with powers of the earth can activate it. And even if that child had earth powers -which I highly doubt, demons with earth powers are hard to come by- he would be to young and weak to wield them properly." he said. Kurama nodded, though he looked a bit uncertain.
"Let's just hurry. I'm worried about Goku and his friend…" Yusuke said. Koenma caught up to them riding on the back of Botan's broom.
"His friend is the Crown Prince, Toushin Nataku Taishi. The 'Killing Doll' of Tenkai." he said. Yusuke looked at him.
"You're kidding, right? Please tell me you're kidding!!" he snapped. Kurama bit his lip.
"Then this might get a little complicated. He might try and kill us…" he said. Kuwabara, whom had FINALLY caught up, looked at him incredulously.
"You're kidding me, right?!" he exclaimed. Kurama shook his head.
"I don't know…he might do anything. He can, after all, get away with it." he said sullenly. Yusuke frowned for a moment, then grinned.
"Whatever! Let's just find Goku and get your rose whip back! Nothin'll happen!" he said, charging forward at a faster rate.
"Sure is optimistic, isn't he?" Hiei asked. Kurama smiled. Kuwabara grinned. Botan giggled. Koenma shook his head good-naturedly.
---
Meanwhile, Nataku and Goku had finally come to a rest under a random tree, both gasping lightly for breath. Nataku cracked one eye open to look at Goku, and smiled. Then that smile grew bigger, and bigger, until he was outright beaming at the other boy. And that's where the laughter started.
Goku looked up questioningly at Nataku, who was now laughing so hard he had to clutch at his sides to keep from aching. Goku pouted, not knowing what he was laughing at.
"What's so funny, 'Taku-kun?" he asked. Nataku grinned at Goku, and spoke through his giggles.
"Second time! That's the second time Goku!!" he choked out. Goku blinked. Then, understanding what he was implying, grinned, then joined in the laughter.
"Hahaha! First Konzen's hair, then that Death God's!! How clumsy can you get Goku?" Nataku asked, wiping laugh-induced tears from his face. Goku smiled and shrugged.
"Just lucky I guess!!" he said. Nataku cracked up again, and Goku turned to his hand, which still held tightly to the hair he had pulled out. He brought it closer to his face, then pulled it away.
"I wonder why his hair smell's like rose's?" he asked. Nataku, finally over his little fit, turned to him.
"It does? Let me smell!!" he said. Goku held out his hand and Nataku sniffed at the shiny red locks of hair. He wrinkled his nose, pulled back and sneezed.
"Wowie, that's some strong stench…but in a good way. You're right, that does smell like rose's." he said. Goku frowned.
"But why? Why have hair smell like a rose?" he asked. Nataku shrugged.
"I dunno…a lot of girls like their hair to smell like flowers." he said, leaning back against the tree trunk and closing his eyes. Goku blinked.
"But…that was a boy…" he said. Nataku's eyes flew open and he gasped.
"WHAT?! Really?!" he exclaimed. Goku gaped at him.
"Yes! You didn't know?!" he shrieked. Nataku shook his head.
"No!! He's as girl-like as Konzen!!" he said, still shocked. Goku blinked.
"Konzen is girl-like?" he asked. Nataku rolled his eyes.
"Yes! You haven't noticed yet?" he asked half heartedly, knowing he hadn't. Goku shook his head.
"I guess I've never noticed because I could smell it right away, I could smell Konzen was a boy, so I never paid much attention to that." he said. Nataku shrugged, then sighed.
"I wish I had the same sense of smell you had Goku…I can only smell slight difference's in scent. You can smell then difference between genders, even if the person wasn't originally the gender he or she claimed to be." he said. Goku blinked.
"There are people like that?" he asked. Nataku shrugged.
"Earth is a strange, strange place." Nataku said. "And that's all she wrote!" Goku blinked.
"Who wrote what?" he asked. Nataku opened his mouth to say something, but stopped cold when he saw the Death God's from earlier.
"Goku! It's the Shiningami!" he exclaimed. Goku gasped and both boys jumped to their feet and turned to face their 'enemies'.
---
Yusuke was the first to spot them. They had gotten to their feet and were now staring at them fearfully.
"There they are!" he yelled. Nataku stepped in front of Goku defensively and shouted.
"You won't take Goku to the Underworld! It's my fault he pulled your hair, not his!" He put his fists up as a warning. Kurama held both of his hands up.
"It's not like that. Don't do anything hasty, I just want my weapon." he said. Nataku's eyes widened, then narrowed in anger.
"You'd attack us just for pulling out some girly smelling hair?" he snarled. Kurama sweat dropped.
'My…My hair smells girly?' he thought, dismayed. Beside him, Yusuke sniggered at his insult.
"No, I just said-"
"AHHHH!!!" Goku screamed, cutting off Kurama's voice. "Just go away! I don't wanna go to the Underworld!" he shouted, waving the hand that held Kurama's hair around in front of him. Suddenly, to the utmost surprise of everyone there, a rose sprouted from the hair. Goku's eyes widened. Nataku turned to him and blinked. Then he grinned.
"So that's why it smelled like rose's!" he exclaimed. Goku and everyone sweat dropped.
Yusuke looked at Hiei with confusion written on his face.
"I thought only earth demons could do that!" he said. "So is Goku an Earth demon?" Kurama blinked, also confused.
"Maybe…but he shouldn't have been able to make it sprout anyway…I could sense no power coming from him, so even if he were an Earth demon…" he said. Nataku heard this, and glared at him.
"How dare you insult him like that?!" he snapped angrily. Hiei scowled.
"What insult?" he asked. Nataku's eyes narrowed.
"Goku is no demon filth! So don't say that!!" he shouted. Hiei glared at him, about to say something when Kurama stepped forward.
"Please, we don't want to hurt you, I just want that rose…you see, it's really a weapon…I don't want you getting hurt on it…" he said. Nataku blinked.
"Weapon? Please, it's just a ro-"
"Nataku, I think I broke the rose…" interrupted Goku, whom was now holding the Rose Whip, in it's full form. Kurama's eyes widened.
"H-How?!" he exclaimed. Yusuke stared at the whip, then at Goku.
"I didn't even feel a power surge or anything…" he muttered. How could Goku have summoned the rose whip without anyone noticing?!
Nataku looked at the whip in awe.
"Whoa…well, I guess he wasn't kidding! That looks like it might hurt!" he said. Goku nodded, then turned to Kurama.
"I-I'm sorry I ran…I didn't want to die, is all…if I had I wouldn't be able to Konzen or Nataku anymore…Or Ten-chan and Ken-niichan… I'm sorry…" he said shamefully. Nataku bit his lip and patted Goku's shoulder.
"No, it's my fault. I jumped to conclusions, because I've never seen a God of Death before. At least not in Tenkai. So I thought you were here to take someone, and because Goku pulled your hair…" he explained. Kurama smiled at them.
"It's alright…we're not here to take anyone anywhere. Just to visit, right, Koenma sir?" he asked. Koenma smiled.
"Yes, just here to see that UN-Merciful Goddess…" he said, muttering the 'Un' part to himself. Yusuke sniggered and Kuwabara stifled a few laughs.
Goku and Nataku smiled at them. Then Nataku looked at the shadows on the ground and gasped.
"Oh no! Goku, we need to get to the meeting hall! We're gonna be late!" he exclaimed. Goku's eyes widened and he turned to Kurama and the others.
"You'll be late to! We need to hurry!" he exclaimed. Kurama looked at Goku and Nataku.
"They're right…but I don't think they can run fast enough…someone will have to carry them. I'd do it, but I'm afraid it would slow me down…" Yusuke smirked.
"I have an idea…"
Kat: Wowie! That was lkonger than teh first chapter!
Ame: yeah... I guess.
Kat: .
Ame: Anyway...
Kat: ... ... ... ...(Glomps Ame) NO MAD AT KITTY!!
Ame: O.o WTF?!
Kat: NO MAD NO MAD NO MAD AT ME!!!!!
Ame: I'M NOT MAD AT YOU!!!
Kat: (Sobs) YOU ARE!!!! YOU MAD AT ME!!!!! WAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!
Ame?!?!?!?! NO I'M NOT!!!! NOT NOTNOTNOTNOTNOTNOT!!!!
Kat: (Shrug) If you say so..anyway!
Ame: O.O
Kat: I already have teh third installment typed, but I won't post until saturday...If I remember...Toodles!
Ame: F-FAKER!!!!
