_ M o n s t e r _

Chapter 2: Father Dearest

The creature pounced, claws gleaming in the darkness with an almost ethereal glow, creating light trails as it aimed for him; ripping and tearing at air as he dodged it's attacks. It was fast- almost too fast to catch. But Kurama could dodge it, though he felt the air in his lungs steadily being oppressed with dread and fear. It was unnatural. Completely unnatural! It had no Ki; no distinguished markers that would give away where it originated from. It looked like a demon now; yet no demon energy came from it, nor any smell that was distinguishably from the Makai...

Kurama wrapped his whip around one of the extended arms, pulling it towards him as he used his other hand to summon his leaf blade. With a flourish the creature's arm was severed from its body, arcing through the air. It landed a few yards away, flopping like a fish out of water. The creature screeched and faltered, one of its smaller hands suddenly springing to life and gripping at the whip, thorns digging into the flesh as it yanked him forward. He quickly released the whip and brandished a new one, the old whip disintegrating in the creature's hand, dropping soundlessly to the ground below as a small seed. The creature paused its movement as its tongue flicked, tasting the air. 'Like a reptile. Yet it can see perfectly fine. Why?'

The creature roared as it pushed off the cobblestone walkway, jumping forward and slamming its feet into the ground. The earth beneath it shook as a shock wave forced Kurama back a few feet until he could regain his footing; emerald eyes looking up in time to see the creature grabbing it's still moving hand, placing it to the bleeding stub that it was once attached to. The skin sought out the limb, reattaching and sewing the muscle and bones together slowly. His gaze was transfixed, amazed at the healing properties the creature had. That was not something a mutated soul could do. During his time following Yusuke and helping with his detective job, he had seen a few mutated souls- all twisted and gnarled beyond recognition. But none had had the regenerative properties of what he was facing.

"Not the easiest thing to fight, are you?" Kurama muttered, watching the creature shake with barely repressed cackling. 'Not a warped soul and not a demon... Obviously not human. What is it then? An automaton? It doesn't appear to be made of synthetic materials... Perhaps a resurrection gone wrong? Or right...'

It's mouth seemed to move out of time with the words it spoke, repeating over and over like a desperate man's dying prayer. "Play with me Play with me PLAY WITH ME PLAY WITH ME!" It screeched, voice like nails on a chalkboard as it pushed into the air, arm shooting from it's body to slam into Kurama, who dodged it with a back flip, only to be slammed into the ground by another hand. The air left his lungs with a loud woosh as he felt the bricks crush beneath him from the pressure. Not good, not good at all.

"You lose, I win! You lose! You lose! I get my prize now!" It crooned, free hand snapping back into position like a tape measure before it landed before the downed red head, jagged mouth twisted upwards with glee as it's tongue lolled to the side dripping with some sort of goo. It was a disturbing-looking creature, Kurama decided. And Kurama had seen his fair share of ugly demons before.

"How truly...unfortunate. How about a rematch?" Kurama asked, trying to think quickly as his chest was put under increasing pressure. The creature paused, cocking its head one way and then another, as if truly considering. There was a chance. Even in such a disgusting form, it did seem rather childish.

"Rematch? ...We can play again?"

"Yes. We can play again." He insisted. The creature chortled and released him, jumping back in glee. Kurama breathed in deeply, coughing while he stood up, eying the broken rubble with trepidation. It was strong. And for some reason...

"OK! Another game another game~ No rematches after this~!" It announced, breaking Kurama's concentration. Right. Focus on the fight. Worry about details later. He repeated that phrase to himself, knowing it wasn't his style at all. But this thing wasn't normal, and he would have to satisfy his curiosity later, once the danger had passed. "No counting this time! ReadySetGO!"

"What?" Kurama gasped, but was unable to say more as the creature bounded into him, it's large obtuse head slamming into his stomach. He fought down his gag reflex at the smell of the creature up close- A nasty, musty kind of rotten that was akin to a corpse stuffed in a car during a hot day. It was truly a disgusting scent, and with his sensitive nose it was all the worse. He managed to wiggle out of it's hold and flipped over it, whip catching around the neck and forcing it to the ground. The creature howled and gasped, clawing at the thorny vine as it continued to tighten.

"I win. Who are you?" Kurama hissed, the grass around the creature shifting and humming with his Ki as it grew, wrapping around the creatures many limbs. The creature struggled, but then relinquished, laying silently as its eyes searched around, some staying on him as he snorted, trying to rid himself of the remains of the smell the creature exuded. It clung to his nose like the stench of a skunk, and he soon gave up knowing it would dissipate on its own.

Kurama was no fool. It kept bringing up family, so it wasn't alone. And to believe the others were not nearby was truly a foolish thought. Disgusting as it was to look at, the creature showed no true experience of battle, or the experience of years of training. It was just a young... Whatever it was. 'Maybe if I try to reach out,' Kurama thought, 'Someone could pinpoint my location from an energy flare. Surely it isn't completely cut off.' He prayed he was right. Kurama looked down, noticing all of the eyes were focused clearly on him.

"They won't find you~" It said softly, a lilting tease in its voice setting him on edge again. "Father won't let them! The shield is to stop people from finding me. He made it just for me. Because Father loves me. He loves all of us. He loves everyone. But I'm one of his favorites~" It continued, one eye rolling to the side to gaze at the forest.

But then he felt it, and by the pause in the creature's body, he could tell it knew as well. A presence, towards the west. It was hovering by the edge of the shield, as if assessing what it was. Kurama's shoulders sagged in relief. One of his friends, most likely. "It seems your father isn't as thorough with making shields as you thought." Kurama announced, watching the eyes that were staring at him narrow in rage.

The creature growled angrily, renewing its struggling. "Take that back Take that back! Father is never wrong he never fails that isn't true you're lying he can't do anything wrong you're lying you're lying YOU'RE LYING!" It screamed. Energy rushed out of its body, slamming into him full force and ripped the whip away from him, his body colliding with a nearby tree that struggled to remain seated to the ground. The creature snapped the whip's vine in two as it released itself, standing up slowly. "It was a tie... One to one."

"And no rematches, remember?" Kurama said, using the tree for support. The creature showed none of its earlier anger, or amusement. It simply stood there, like it had turned to stone.

[Ah, so it was a tie?]

The new voice was a deep tenor, slow and meticulous like a killer with his prey. Kurama felt his muscles lock up, and realized with dawning horror that the voice belonged to whoever's Ki was near the shield. At least, it would be. There had been only one nearby that both he and the thing he fought sensed.

[It seems you have bested, or at least, stalled Xiuhcoatl.]

The voice came from everywhere. The trees, the grass. It was like the man was inside his head as well. The darkness was becoming more oppressive. Kurama groaned and placed a hand to his chest, trying to relieve some of the pressure he was feeling. It was becoming harder to breathe. Every intake was a challenge, and he felt he wouldn't be up to it for much longer. The creature he had been fighting earlier gurgled and seemed to fade away, ash-like particles drifting off to reveal the small child once more. It stood up right, hands clasping behind its back as it swayed on the balls of its feet. "Hello Father. I was playing."

Kurama couldn't move, but he could still see. From the darkest part of the shadows to the left of him, almost at the very edge of his vision, something emerged. It was as if the shadows gave birth to the being, draping him in the blackest of blacks. But for reasons Kurama could not explain, the cloak of black was the only thing clear about this so called 'Father'. Though he stalked further and further into Kurama's line of vision, it was as if a cloud of static covered the being, flickering in an orgy of grays and whites, obscuring him from seeing the man directly. The static seemed to pulse stronger and stronger the harder Kurama tried to see the man. So strange. So very improbable, yet obviously real.

[You snuck off.] The man said, looming over the child like a parent. Yet the tone in his voice was more akin to one speaking to an employee who worked under you, reprimanding them for a bad job. The child stared back up, face blank of any real emotions once again.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to play." The child responded. The man seemed to take the answer as the right one, for he didn't attack or lecture the child.

[Time to go home, Xiuhcoatl.] The man opened his cloak, obscuring the child from Kurama's view. [I will deal with your new playmate.]

Kurama felt his hackles rise, knowing this man was indeed trouble. No way. He couldn't face him alone. It was statistically impossible that he would survive it. No chance. No third party to intervene or backup. Alone. All alone. He couldn't. He would die. Alone. He couldn't die. He didn't want to die. There was no way he would be found. He had to- To what? Run? The shield was apparently for keeping things out, and with the creepy 'games' the child- if it was a child- liked to play, there was a very real chance that it was near impossible to get out. He could try to hide, to stall time. But would that work? And what would he stall for? An opening to escape? Would that work? The chances of that were just too erratic. He couldn't do this. This was... This was...

'Why am I panicking?' Kurama thought, his mind screeching to a halt. He had no need to panic. He had defeated that creature. He had no reason to fear the man. Even if he was stronger than the creature. 'Somehow... I think the man excretes a pheromone that induces panic or fear... OR perhaps he releases some sort of... Of subliminal messaging that triggers a bodily response. I need to... I just need to focus.'

[You fight base instinct, little one.] The man said, face turning to look at him without fully turning his body. The cloak was pulled back, revealing an empty space where the child once stood. [All creatures naturally fear that which is more powerful.]

"More powerful?" Kurama repeated without thinking. No, he couldn't be that much more powerful than the other one. Speaking of which... Kurama tensed. 'The man distracted me. The other must still be around somewhere. Hiding? Probably for an ambush...'

[Xiuhcoatl was sent home. I have no business with you.]

'Now why doesn't that ease my nerves?' Kurama thought wryly, trying to regain feeling in his hands. The man turned to face him.

Kurama blinked, and then froze. The man was gone. But the fear griping him returned ten fold, every one of his nerves screaming at him to run. But he couldn't move. [However...]

Lines dissipated and colors bled together; reds and browns with greens and blacks. His head felt like he was being drained, the numbness turning into blissful cold. It was cold. So cold. He could sleep. Just close his eyes for one moment- No, he had to stay awake. That thing was right in front of him. He couldn't see. But he could just feel it. But now even his neck felt the cold; like a caress from a lover. Just close your eyes- no, stay awake. No, just sleep- but don't- shhh, it's fine. Yes, it was fine. No. No! His mind was shutting down. Not shutting down. Simply taking a break. Yes. A break. He needed one. Stay awake! Sleep.

He did.

Oblivion. Oblivion was so... empty. Blissfully empty. No, not blissful. Yes. No. Wake up. He was. No. Yes. No, he was asleep. Not asleep. Just... Empty. Blissfully empty. Not blissful. He knew that. Darkness. Darkness everywhere. Outside, around. Inside. No. Yes. Wake up. Wake up. Wake up! No, sleep. Sleep. Don't sleep. Were his eyes open? It would be black either way. Black. Darkness. Alone. No, he didn't want to be alone. Sleep. No! Stay awake. Alone? He didn't know what was worse. Sleeping in this oblivion or staying awake alone. Alone either way. Wake up. Wasn't he already awake? Yes, sleep. No, no he wasn't. Yes he was. No. Yes. He didn't know. He didn't know anything. Yes he did. Worthless. Unneeded. No. He was needed. He was usefull. Sleep. Wake up. Wake up.

WAKE UP.

"Gah!"

His first sight was of his hand, stretching out in front of him towards his ceiling. Sweat glistened off of it. Sweat? Wait. His ceiling? Kurama sat up, his sheets falling around his waist as his eyes widened. His room. His room? How did he end up there? He looked down. He was indeed wearing his pajamas. So what...?

"Shuichi~! You up?" That was his mother. So he was in his room? How?

"Uh... Yes! I am! I'll... I'll be right down!" Kurama replied instantly, scooting to the edge of the bed as he rubbed his eyes with the palm of his hand, the other scratching through his crimson locks.

"That damages your eyes, fox. Stop it."

Kurama started and turned to the window, where Hiei sat, cross legged with his sword resting in his lap.

"Hiei... How long have you-?"

"Been here?" Hiei provided, earning a soft nod from Kurama. "Since last night. You were asleep."

"Really? I don't... Remember falling asleep..." Kurama let his voice trail during the second half, turning contemplative. So it was a dream? It was so strange...

"You screamed. In your sleep."

"I did?" Kurama mumbled, getting up to walk over to his desk. Hiei let out his customary 'hn', though by the tone it was also Hiei's way of asking about it. "I suppose I had a nightmare. I've been really tired lately."

"Nightmare." Hiei repeated, testing it before glaring at the red head. "About?"

"I don't recall." Kurama lied, smooth and fluid as if it were the truth. "People usually don't. Or dreams for that matter."

Hiei grunted again, looking out the open window as Kurama changed into his school uniform. It was comfortable, Kurama thought. Hiei usually was gone during the morning, but knowing he stayed the night made his smile turn soft. At least Hiei trusted him that much. But the small demon seemed... Distant, as of late. Kurama didn't press, for he knew if he did the little fire demon would push him away and flee. That was experience talking. Kurama slipped into his school jacket as he crossed over the small distance in his room to peer out the window.

"It rained last night?"

"Hn."

"Oh, that reminds me-" Kurama said, looking down at the black haired demon. "I meant to tell everyone last night, but I'm going to be unavailable for the next week or so."

"Unavailable?" Hiei's tone was equal parts curiosity and accusation. Typical Hiei, Kurama chuckled inwardly, not willing to poke fun at hiei. Yet.

"Yes. My mother has... Coerced me into going on a family vacation. It won't be for too long, just seven or eight days I believe." kurama explained, looking down to see Hiei's scowl more pronounced than normal. "Oh, I'll make sure to leave the window unlocked in case it rains."

"That's not..." Hiei cut himself off, glaring at the ground. "...Don't bother. I won't be here. I'm going back to the Makai."

"Oh?" Kurama schooled his features into calm nonchalance. He felt both sad and relieved at the news. Of course Hiei would be going back. Back to Mukuro and training: Hiei's only desire was to be stronger after all. But at least while he's gone Kurama didn't have to worry about him and Yusuke or Kuwabara getting into fights with each other. But he wouldn't be there when he got back. That was bothersome. "Do you know when you'll be able to visit again? I wish I had more time to spend with you."

Kurama didn't mention the way Hiei stiffened at the words, but he did feel a little hurt. Was Hiei just trying to get away from The Ningenkai for good? He did always complain of it...

"I don't know." Hiei growled out, tensing to get out as fast as possible. Kurama swallowed down his feelings and smiled at him, hoping to show nothing but amicable friendship.

"Ok then. Give Mukuro my greetings." Kurama said. As soon as the final word left his lips, he was alone in his room. "Well, that could have gone worse."

"Shuichi! Breakfast!"

"Coming." Kurama called, grabbing his schoolbag by his desk before leaving his room, the door clicking shut softly behind him.

Author's notes: Yup. See what I told you? Not so good with the fight scenes. But I'm working and I'm learning. Maybe Ill even improve. But maybe I wont. If it means anything though, I'm proud of my quick not very drawn out battle. At least it wasn't 'he kicked the creature dodged and hit him making him fall to the ground crying in pain he struggled up and hit the creature with his whip killing it' ...That actually sounded better. Damn it! /storms about in a rage

Notes for the chapter:

Yeah... Nothing really major. Just stupid shield thingies. Big creepy guy appears though! And yes, there is a reason Father is Father and not father. If you even noticed. And guess what? Mind f*cking begins next chapter! Yay for mental torture!

Nothing else really to point out. kurama will be leaving on vacation in the next chapter! And of course I'm gonna go through the day he has at school first. Cause to me its weird for it to just be like 'he went to school and when it ended they left for the city'. Err... It just sounds rushed to me. Draw it out! Draw it out! I doubt you guys really care about my own thoughts, so ill just wrap it up for now...

Trivia: Most chapters have a specific song that goes with the feel of it. Some are in english, some aren't. And some are just... questionable english. Either or. Last chapter's song was Zombie Influx 4 - Creeping Death. Just copy and paste that into youtube search. Cant miss it, it has zombies as the picture~ Obviously its not for the entire chapter, but the part where like Kurama is walking through the park alone and meeting creepy little thing. Fun times.

This chapter? I=Nightmare by SeeU, a Korean Vocaloid. It has a nice beat~