'Fate And Destiny'
Part 2: Biding Our Time
03/18/06
...-...
Kurama stared at the top of his wooden desk, fists clenched in anger. 'Damn...' He thought. Damn that monster for taking her. Damn Koenma for saying they should 'lay low'. Damn himself for not protecting her. Just damn it all!
"Kitsune, you need to calm down," Said a deep voice from his window.
"Shut up, Hiei," Kurama retorted coldly.
"It's true. You'll never save her in this condition."
"I...know" His voice softened "It's just that...I-"
"Shouldn't blame yourself. It was by chance, Kurama. That thing needed a hostage, so it took one. That's all. No one's at fault here."
Kurama sighed, leaning back in his chair. "I just can't help it, you know?" He said, mostly to himself, knowing Hiei wouldn't care. His hands relaxed and he closed his eyes, seeing her there. 'Oh... Botan...'
"We'll get her back, fox."
"I know. I know."
"Hn. Good." And there was one less presence in the room.
---
Keiko fumbled around the room, refolding blankets, patting pillows, alphabetizing all the DVDs in their rack. She was a hopeless reck. And it showed. Pathetically. "Yusuke, lift your feet. I'm going to sweep."
"Again?" He groaned.
"Yes." She said firmly, the confused undertone showing slightly.
"Keiko, that's the forth time!"
"Yes, well... you're a very messy person."
"Keiko, calm down. I know you and Botan are good friends. And we'll get her back. Okay? Now settle down..."
"But, Yusuke," Keiko said, eyes brimming with tears. "Shh... I know Keiko, I know," Yusuke said, embracing the girl. He stroked her hair in comfort, letting her cry. When she was finished, she placed her hands on his shoulders and smiled. "Thanks Yusuke..." She said. "Yeah, yeah, but you owe me." HE replied with a kiss.
"Does this cover it?..."
---
Kurama paced the halls, waiting for Koenma to let them in. Yusuke was there to, arguing with Kuwabara about something, and Hiei was standing against one of the pillars by the double doors, eyes closed with an annoyed snarl slipping out. Everyone was aggravated to be pulled out of their Sunday plans. Almost.
Kurama was anxious of any new Koenma might have. It had only been three days, but he was still restless. Finally Ayame, the head of the research department, called them in "Koenma is ready to see you now."
"He should have been ready twenty minutes ago. When everyone was called here!" Yusuke said, glaring at the girl.
"Lord Koenma had much paperwork that needed to be taken care of." Ayame replied, turning away and disappearing into one of the many halls. Kurama was the first to move, opening the door and walking in to Koenma's office. Yusuke and Kuwabara followed, with Hiei entering last. After a few moment of silence Kurama spoke.
"Why have you called us here, Koenma?"
"It's not information about Botan's whereabouts, if that's what you're asking." Kurama sunk visibly at Koenma's works, eyes growing dark. After a moment, he looked up at the demi-god. "Are you even trying to find her?"
"What?"
"Are you even trying to find her? The hell, she could be dying!"
"Kurama, calm yourself. Botan is an asset to this realm; of course we're trying! Now sit and listen. There has been a break in the reikai barrier. However, this one is not between the Makai and the human realm, but more of less, the human realm and reikai. Highly unusual, I know."
"Who would want to break into spirit world?" Kuwabara.
"That's what you're going to find out. The leak is in Yokohama. Ayame will direct you to a portal."
As on cue, Ayame walked in, taking a hand out of her crossed sleeves and motioning for the tantei to follow her. Once in the halls, they made many turns, finally coming upon a room with energy just leaking from it. Many seals were placed on the double-doors leading to it. "Only high-ranking Reikai personnel can open these doors. Otherwise, Koenma-sama would have so much paperwork about escaping demons and spirits." As they walked inside the room they found a large series of portals. "5...7...9...here, 11. This is where you and I part." Ayame said, pointing to a portal before walking back out of the room. Only demon ears could pick up the small words of hope she whispered.
"You will find her..."
---
"Grrr... Fox, you owe me." Hiei grumbled, his bandana growing a pale green color, energy seeping through the piece of cloth. "I don't make habits of using my Jagan for the sake of the ningen." But still, the continued their search around the city of Yokohame, Yusuke and Kuwabara
Kurama growled slightly. "Please, just be quiet, Hiei." He said, running a hand through his hair. Hiei paused for a moment to look at him. The fox was a mess. Not only was he much more irritable and snappy, but Kurama was also weak physically. Hiei could see the dark circles under his friend's eyes, and though no one else noticed, his slowly thinning frame. It annoyed him to no end.
"Stop it, will you! I've had it. All you do is mope and fuss. You're acting like a baka ningen!"
"Well, technically I was born a ningen."
"And technically my sword should be shoved up your ass right now. But it's not, because I'm your friend, and finding Botan at this point is more important. I thought you felt that way too, but if you don't, then I'd be happy to oblige and beat you." Hiei steamed. Kurama eyes widened, and his head snapped up. "Hiei..."
"No. Cut the crap, feel better, and go get her."
"But..."
"No buts." Hiei said gruffly, before disappearing a small black blur.
"Oi..." Kurama said, hitting himself in the head. Just then, Yusuke appeared behind Kurama. "Hey, you alright? Where's Hiei? Oh wait! Look what I found!" He said, holding up a small impish demon, green with yellow eyes and a tail. It flailed around in his grasp, shouting random curses in demon tongue. Holding the thing up as far as he could, he called the thing to attention with his words.
"Ya know those horrible stories about Yoko Kurama? Well he's right here, and pissed." He motioned to the fox-human in question. "So... either you loose some limbs, or you open that little mouth of yours..."
"Now talk!"