"Well, well, you've been keeping up with your training, haven't you, Kurama?"
"I'm not as lazy as you are, you know."
Itsutoki sneered. Already he was out of breath. But he trained so hard for this day, he couldn't give up now…
Kurama was a little worn out too. Vines wrapped around his right arm, forming a deadly sword. He had managed to slash Itsutoki a couple of times but it seems like the demon had grown stronger since the last time they fought.
'He most certainly has improved… But why doesn't he stop bugging me?'
His thoughts were cut short by Itsutoki leaping at him with his sword brandished. Kurama brought his sword up to shield the attack, but the force knocked him backwards. Itsutoki recovered quickly and attempted another hit at Kurama.
'I've no time for this… Why can't this guy understand that he'll never beat me?'
Chapter 3 – Challenge From The Past
Disclaimer: Yu Yu Hakusho is the property of Yoshihiro Togashi. I don't own it and it's characters, but the OC's are mine.
Kurama strolled through the peaceful forest. The only company he had were the wind and the trees, rustling in his ear.
He stopped short. Someone was blocking his path in front of him. He looked up at the guy, nodded as an acknowledgement and continued on his way.
When he reached the other demon's side, the guy muttered something into his ear.
"Going somewhere, Kurama?"
Kurama halted his steps and turned around. The demon was grinning.
"Do I know you?"
"Oh no, you may not…But I know who you are. You the infamous Youko Kurama, the most feared bandit in Makai. And you're just the person I've been looking for…"
Kurama narrowed his eyes. "And what, precisely, are you here for?"
The guy just smiled. "I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Itsutoki. You know, I'm only telling you my name because I've always felt that you should at least know the name of your killer…"
"So you want to kill me?"
"No. I just want to challenge you. And then yes, maybe I'll kill you if I win."
Kurama gave him a look that would normally send people scurrying away.
"What am I? Something that lowlifes like you can just come and kill?"
"No, no… You've got it all wrong. I'm not killing you for fun. I just want a challenge because I've fought so many demons in my life, but none of them ever actually posed a threat. Just think about it, if I could defeat you, my reputation will surely rise, and undoubtedly many people will hail me as their hero. You're rather 'popular' among many demons, you know…"
There was silence for a moment. Then Kurama laughed. His laughter would have sent chills down anyone's spine. It was cruel and mocking laughter, portraying the arrogance of the proud Youko Kurama.
"Fine then. If you want to die early, come and get me."
Itsutoki sighed as he remembered that day. He had challenged Kurama, only to lose terribly and nearly dying. Kurama however, had spared his life, saying that he didn't feel like killing that day. Itsutoki had been smart enough, unlike other demons, not to say something stupid like "Kill me now, I'd rather die." or something like that. Instead, he vowed that he would become stronger, to defeat Kurama. To him, Kurama was his greatest challenge ever, and he had enjoyed the fight thoroughly.
"You remember the day I challenged you, right?"
"Of course. You were such an idiot to do so. Why can't people like you just leave me alone? I'd like to have some peace and quiet for once."
"Kurama… You weren't like this last time. In the past, you were ruthless… You welcomed challenges like this."
"Well, let's just say that I don't feel like killing that much these few days…"
Ariya and Kuronue ran as fast as they could. But when they reached the spot where Itsutoki had first attacked them, it was empty.
"Sensei!"
"Kurama, darn it! Where the heck are you?"
Ariya examined the mark made by the dagger on the tree.
"Someone took the dagger. You think he came back for Sensei?"
Kuronue took a quick glance around.
"How did this 'thing' look like?"
"Something agile, with spiky hair too. It attacked Sensei first by throwing a dagger, and then leaped out of the bushes with a sword. It was very fast, I nearly couldn't keep up with it."
"And Kurama frightened it away?"
"No, I slashed it with my dagger, and it fled."
"And Kurama told you to leave?"
"Yes. Now that I come to think of it, I think he wanted me to leave because he wanted to deal with the intruder, alone."
"Ya, but why? It's not like Kurama to… Oh dear…"
"What is it?"
"That thing had spiky hair right? Did you catch his eyes?"
"Yes, they were very evil-looking and green in colour."
"Oh crap. Not him again…"
"Who, Kuronue-san?"
"This guy who's obsessed with defeating Kurama. It happened a long time before you came along. Come on, we have to find him fast."
"Nice girl you've got there."
Kurama stumbled. "What did you say?"
"That pretty girl with you. Your student…"
Kurama kept silent. 'Now what?'
Itsutoki continued: "I did some background research before taking you on this time. You rescued a girl a couple hundred years back, didn't you? That was nice of you…"
Kurama sneered as he tried to hide his anger. He hated it when people started saying he was soft and all that.
"You did your homework this time, I see…"
Itsutoki chuckled. "I've been watching you for awhile before I attacked you. You really care about this girl, don't you? So unlike the ruthless Youko Kurama I knew."
"Can we end this? I don't want to hear your nonsense and besides, all this talking is not going to help you."
The demon heeded none of his warnings. Clever people would have just shut up at the dangerous tone of Kurama's voice. But Itsutoki didn't. He had found a weakness in the fox and he wasn't going to stop until he had provoked the fox.
"Alright then. But you do realize the risks you're facing if you keep her, don't you? I'm surprised they haven't attacked you yet. You shouldn't let her stay. Or have you become too soft to abandon her?"
"I'm warning you…"
Itsutoki could make out that Kurama was starting to become slightly irritated. The fox tended to make mistakes when he was angry. He was right about that. But what Itsutoki didn't know was that he was saying something he really shouldn't have started in the first place. Obviously he didn't know rule number 1: Never provoke the fox with something he cared for deeply…
"Pretty, smart and good reflexes too. Why, she actually managed to hurt me even before I faced you. You become a different person around her. Letting her cry on your lap… The great Youko Kurama comforting a young girl… Hehe…"
He went too far. In an instant, Kurama's expression changed into one of fury.
"SHUT UP!!!"
WHAM!
Itsutoki struggled hard to free himself from Kurama's grasp but the more he struggled, the tighter the kitsune's grip on his throat. He was in a helpless position now, Kurama holding by the neck and pinning him to a tree. Itsutoki was amazed by his strength for Kurama did all this with one hand.
"Alright…gasp…alright!"
Itsutoki choked as he tried to get his words out.
"I'm just trying to warn you, alright?!"
Kurama let go of him. He dropped to the ground, gasping for breath.
"Gasp…Ouch…I have to admit, you're strong…What the…"
Kurama pointed a sharp vine at his throat.
"Hey! Alright, alright, I give up! I'll leave and never bother you again, happy? Sheesh, talk about bad temper…"
"Tell me more."
"Huh?"
"Tell me more about them."
"Hey, I was just kidding."
The sharp point touched his throat. One slight movement, and Itsutoki would be on his way to the other side…
"ALRIGHT!!! I'll tell! But don't tell them I told you!"
"Ok then, I'm listening."
"Your student, you rescued her during a raid that destroyed her village, right? Well, the bandits are ruthless, I believe you know that."
"Go on…"
"Hey, hey, hey! Keep that knife still! I haven't finished! Those bandits don't usually leave survivors. It's like, their tradition to kill everyone and spare no one. So if they ever find out that one is still alive, you're in trouble. They might try to eliminate you too."
He spoke fast and hastily. His life hung on his words and he wanted to make sure he was saying the right thing.
Kurama spoke in an icy tone: "But, they won't know, right?"
"I won't tell, if that's what you mean."
He muttered in an undertone. "But that won't stop them from tracking her down."
"What's that you said?"
Itsutoki scolded himself. "Curse my big mouth…"
Kurama knelt down so they could see eye to eye. "Now, spill it."
"FINE! You really want to know, I'll tell you. But it's not going to help. They know."
Those two words hit Kurama like a cold blast of wind in his face. He felt a chill run down his spine. 'No way… How did they know? I can't let Ariya get hurt.'
"So, can I go now?"
Kurama was brought back to his senses.
"Fine. Leave and don't you dare tell anyone about this. You didn't fight me or even meet me, ok?"
Itsutoki backed away. "Yes, sir…I mean Kurama… My lips are sealed."
"Get out of here, now."
Itsutoki nodded and ran away.
For once, Kurama felt fear. But it wasn't for his own life. It was for another's, for someone he cared for.
Itsutoki ran as fast as his legs could carry him, wanting to get out of there as fast as he could. But something knocked him off his feet.
"Ouch! Oh no, more company…"
Ariya cracked her whip against the ground. Being trained by Kurama, it was natural for him to teach her how to use a weapon like his. Kuronue stood beside her, his blade out too.
"So it's really you again."
"I don't have time to chat, Kuronue! Now get out of my way!"
"What did you do to Sensei?"
"I didn't do anything! Now let me go!"
With that, he whipped out his sword and charged at them. They leaped out of the way to safety and Itsutoki seized the chance to run away.
"Come back here, you…"
Kuronue ran after him. Ariya followed suit.
"What a day. I was just spared by Youko Kurama and now his henchmen are after me…"
Itsutoki grumbled as he sped past the trees. He leaped backwards to dodge an oncoming attack by Ariya's whip.
"Hey! I didn't do anything! Let me go!"
Kuronue slashed with his blade. Itsutoki was frantic. The both of them were skilled fighters, he couldn't take them on.
He leaped on a tree to escape. Ariya followed after him while Kuronue spread his wings and flew up.
Looking back and seeing the two of them still hot on his trail, he conjured up a ball of energy and hurled it at Ariya. She dodged but it hit the tree she was on, knocking her off.
"ARIYA!"
Kuronue caught her neatly in his arms and then glanced towards the ground. He wasn't the only one who shouted her name.
Kurama looked up anxiously. "Is she alright?"
"Sensei, I'm fine. But that guy…"
"It's alright. Let him go. He's already far gone by now. And besides, I said I'd spare him, so I can't go back on my words." Kurama sent a look of deepest loathing at Itsutoki's disappearing form.
Kuronue landed and put her on the ground. "Thank you for saving me, Kuronue-san."
"You're welcome."
Kuronue walked over to Kurama and hit him.
"OUCH! What did you do that for?"
"KURAMA, YOU JERK! WHAT DID YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING? YOU COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!!!"
"Itsutoki was never a challenge to me…"
"Ya, but what if it wasn't Itsutoki? You just step into a fight without thinking, do you?"
"You're talking to an expert strategist here. Who says I never think before I act? I'll have you know, I always have a plan, a plan to back up that plan, and another plan to back up the back up plan…"
"You know how worried you got us?"
"Kuronue-san, chill…"
"And Ariya here was so worried, too!"
"Kuronue-san, it's ok. Sensei is safe now, you don't have to yell at him."
"No, he's right. I should have let all of you know what I was up too. I'm sorry."
There was silence for a minute. Then Kuronue said: "Sorry for hitting you that hard."
"Ya, and for that, you have to let me hit you."
"Oh no, you don't!"
Ariya laughed as Kuronue tried to outrun the fox. Kurama finally managed to slap Kuronue on the head.
"Ouch. Not only do you have a hard head, you have a hard fist too."
"Kuronue-san, you better stop saying that or Sensei might hit you again. You know how bad-tempered he is, even though he always shows a cool and calm face…"
"Now you're the one who needs to watch out…"
Their laughter rang out in the night sky. But Kuronue could sense that Kurama was worried about something.
'There's something he's not telling us. What exactly happened between him and Itsutoki?'
The next day, and most of the previous night too, Kurama spent pondering about what Itsutoki had told him.
"They know."
'How did they know? And do they know where she is now? Do they even know who she is?'
"Sensei? Are you feeling better?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm feeling much better. Thanks."
Ariya looked at him with a weird expression on her face. "Sensei, I'm worried…"
Kurama stared at her. "Worried? About what?"
"You. You're not telling me something."
"No, I'm not. Why would I hide anything from you?"
"Because you wouldn't want me to worry?"
"No, I'm really not hiding anything. Trust me. Look, concentrate on your training. I want you to level up your Spirit Energy by the end of this day, got it?"
Ariya nodded. Reluctantly, she forced herself to concentrate on other things than Kurama.
Kurama watched her progress closely. If what Itsutoki said was true, he wanted to make sure that she could be able to survive their attack. And besides, more training would probably wear her out. That way, she won't think about this problem for she would be too tired to. He didn't want her to worry.
"Tired, Ariya?"
Kuronue could see that the young girl was very worn out. So it was natural that he didn't believe her when she said:
"No, thanks for asking."
"If you're tired, you should rest."
"I'm fine. I'm just a little worn out. I'll be ok, I'm sure."
Kuronue frowned. "Hey, don't look like that! You and Sensei should smile more. It's good for you, you know."
"And besides, I like it when you guys smile."
Kuronue felt his face flushing. He smiled.
"Fine, if you want me to smile, I will. Anything to make you happy."
'The smile on her face is priceless. If only I could look at her smile everyday…'Ok, if this chapter is a little blur, I apologize, because I feel there's something I forgot to add… Cross your fingers and hope I get my memory back…
Please read and review, I appreciate your help. Arigato gozaimasu!
