Chapter 2
Kurama walked down the halls of the Reikai palace, it was Wednesday morning and he was in a good mood. Tuesday had been a productive day as he and Hiei, yes Hiei, finished painting the living room and kitchen. A soft smile appeared on his lips as he thought back to them painting. He didn't know Hiei could paint, but once he had shown the koorime what to do, he was quite good. The only problem the small demon had, had been reaching, which Kurama did the upper parts as Hiei did the lower. When the job was done, the fire demon had painted his fox, which led to a wonderful night. Now all that was left was moving the furniture and stuff. He planned to call Yusuke after his talk with Koenma. Hiei had left that morning on a scout mission and was not due back for a few days and he hoped to have everything moved in and set up as much as he could before his return.
Standing in front of the large double doors, he paused and took a deep breath. He had been putting this off for a few days and still did not want to talk to the demi-god. He still didn't have the answers to the questions he knew were going to be asked. Botan had shown up at his new house Monday morning when he was painting alone and said that Koenma wanted to see him. He told her to tell him he didn't have time, she insisted and he told her fine, Wednesday morning, no sooner, he didn't even tell Hiei, for he didn't think it important.
Opening the doors, he was greeted by the demi-god in his teenage form, sitting at his desk. As usual he was sorting and stamping papers and didn't even look up as he walked in.
"I don't like to be kept waiting." Koenma said, still not looking up.
"I was busy." He said calmly as he took his usual seat in the middle of the three that sat in front of the desk.
"Well, I know the missions are pretty much over and things are going well, but I still have interest in your will being and when I request to see you, it is for a good cause." Koenma said, moving some papers to the side. He finally looked up and saw the red head for the first time since his 'merger'. His eyes went wide as he took in the new look, seeing the silver highlights before looking closely at the green eyes with the gold trim around the irises. "My god." He muttered.
Kurama tried not to smirk at Koenma's reaction, only crossed his legs at the knee, placing his hands on them. "Surprise." He said, cocking his head with a slight smug look.
"I…Botan said I had to see it to believe it. She tried to explain, but this…what happened. I mean I know you 'merged' but…this." Koenma said as he kept studying him, his ever present pacifier hanging from his lips.
The red head/with silver highlights shrugged, saying. "I really do not know what happened, I am just as confused. Hiei, I think, knows but I have not asked him yet and do not intend to. I am Kurama and I am happy."
"So you are Shuiichi and Youko in one?" Koenma asked, finally sitting back and relaxing.
"Yes. I have all their memories now and can access most of Yoko's ki. I can not explain any further than that." Kurama said.
"Well, as long as you are well and happy." The Lord said.
Kurama only nodded. "And the reason you needed to see me." He said.
"Yes…well." Koenma started and sat up to grab a stack of papers. "I finally got this, after all this time. It's a report on you and what happened, as usual it doesn't say much. I thought you would like to know though, as you are now, you can not go back to the Makai once you die." He looked to see if there was any reaction to the news.
Kurama just sat there, completely content.
"You're not upset." Koenma asked after he saw no reaction.
"Why should I be? I have said many times that I will be staying in the Ningenkai so…." Kurama shrugged.
"I thought you would change to your Youko form and return to the Makai after your ningen life ended." Koenma assumed.
"I am not Youko, so I have no plans to go back." Kurama informed.
"Well, I…" Koenma sat back, flabbergasted.
"I do not wish to try and explain what my life was like or what I am now. I accept the consequences of what happened and have no wish to dwell or try to change it. Is that all you needed to tell me?" Kurama said and uncrossing his legs, went to stand.
"Yes." Koenma also went to stand, but before he could say more, a siren noise sounded and they could hear people yelling.
Jorge came running in. "Lord Koenma sir."
"What in the bloody hell's going on?" Koenma hissed.
"It's the prison section, sir. Someone's trying to break out." Jorge said, another ogre ran up and said something. Jorge's eyes went wide. "Sir…its section C… Taiga is trying to escape."
Kurama looked to Koenma and they both ran out, heading down to the cell block area.
When they got to Section C, things were in chaos. There was a fire and smoke was quickly filling the area. Kurama covered his mouth as he hit the smoke, he could see a few guards laying on the floor, either unconscious or dead. Moving further in, he tried to see more and saw Taiga standing in the middle of the hall, surrounded by about five guards. 'Good.' He thought, 'they have contained her'. He was shocked however when he saw one of the guards fire at another, killing him. 'What the….'
"Someone tell me what in blue blazes is going on." Koenma yelled. He had moved to stand beside the red head, using his scarf to cover his mouth.
"It is simple, my dear Koenma." Taiga said, the smoke clearing enough for them to see each other.
"Taiga." Koenma said as he saw her and the four remaining guards around her. "What are you waiting for…take her back to her cell." He ordered.
"Sorry sir, but we will be going with Mistress Taiga." One of them said.
"Mutiny?" Koenma said.
"Yes sir, we could not turn down the money." The guard said.
Taiga had been studying Kurama as the others talked. "I'm impressed Kurama, you look good, when I was told what happened, I tried imagining it but…seeing is believing." She purred the last part.
"Taiga, you will not escape." Kurama growled.
"Wanna bet." She said, drawing a sword.
Kurama reached in his hair, pulling out a rose. Taking a stance, he waited for her to make the first move. She didn't disappoint and lunged at him. He called his whip, but she moved at the last second to strike at Koenma. He saw this and moving to push the demi-god out of the way, felt a sting on his hand.
Koenma hit the wall and slide down, stunned. Kurama looked at his hand to see a claw nail sticking out of it. His head began to swim and he dropped the whip, letting it turn back into a rose. He stood there, shocked and feeling stupid at the same time.
Trying to fight the effects and stay focus, he ended up stumbling, but before he could fall, a guard came over and threw him over his shoulder. He had no strength to fight back, as his body went numb.
Koenma stood up and watched as one of his tantei and friends was taken. 'Where in the hell were the other guards?' He thought as he felt a dagger at his neck.
"Now that I have what I need, I think it's time to leave." Taiga said, walking over and running her hand through Kurama's mane, fingering the silver.
"You will not succeed." Koenma said and felt the dagger nick his neck.
"If you do not let me leave, I will kill him." Taiga warned and to prove her point, she pulled the red head's head back exposing his neck and placed her own dagger to it.
"No you won't." Koenma said, hoping to stall until help arrived.
Taiga laughed and drew the blade, making a small line of blood appear. "It is not I who requests his presence." She said.
Koenma's eyebrows went up.
"Fool." She spat. "He'll be Yomi's toy, but if I have to kill him to get out of this place, I'm sure my love will understand." She turned. "Let's go." The guard who was holding the dagger to Koenma's neck took the hilt and knocked him across the head. The Lord's world went blank.
a)a)a)a
Hiei was walking in a secluded section of the Suna no Jikan desert (1). He hated being here, to many memories of his fox fighting Yomi. The only reason he said he would come, was he was willing to do anything to make sure that goat of a bastard didn't get his hands on his fox again. Mukuro had sent word that Yomi had been spotted in the area again and wanted him to check it out, if he found out anything, he was to call immediately and she would send help. This was getting old, so many leads, so many dead ends. He didn't even bother to tell Kurama anymore about the tips, he didn't want to give the red head hopes and then crush them. He made it to the remains of the hut that Yomi had been staying in at one time. All that was left was dead roots from the plants that Kurama and Yoko had used and they were covered in sand. 'Why would he return here?' He thought. Hearing a movement, he looked over to see the sand parting and a few dozen demons surrounded him. 'Well, looks like I get some exercise this morning.' He smirked, drawing his sword and taking a defensive stance. He moved in a slow circle, taking in the demons, trying to judge their skills. Looking more closely at a few of the men, he recognized them as being in Mukuro's army, he didn't know them personally, but he recognized them none the less.
"Well, you must be the great Hiei…don't look to tough to me." One of them said.
"Shut up and let's get this done. I want my bonus." Another one said.
"Let's have some fun first. He looks like a good lay." The one said.
"We were told to take him out as fast as possible and to be careful…he's more powerful than you think." One said.
"Pst…don't make me laugh…he's just a runt…let's have some fun." The one then attacked.
End Chapter 2
(1) Suna no Jikan – meaning - Sand of Time (roughly)
