Author's Notes: I think about Kurama as three people: the human Suuichi Minamino, the demon Youko Kurama, and Kurama, who is a composite of both of the first two. Therefore, you have three separate thoughts in one body…I only use Suuichi occasionally because he is the weaker of the trio and is usually submissive.
-
Chapter Four: Catch and
Release
Yusuke led the group, whacking overgrown bushes, long grass, and low-hanging tree branches away, intent on blazing an unknown trail by the only words of instruction given for the capture of Kikyo.
"Head for the village, boys. It's a few miles south of here! Good luck," was all Botan said before she popped back into the swirling vortex of the inter-time channel that delivered the Tantei.
"Damnit!" Yusuke growled, kicking at the fourth tree root he'd tripped over in the last five minutes.
He pulled back and swung at the tree, only to have its trunk shift and lean to the right to avoid his fist. "What the hell!"
Kurama chuckled.
"Wise guy, Kurama?" Yusuke asked dryly.
"Sorry. I couldn't help but see your reaction."
Yusuke grimaced but gestured for Kurama to take the lead.
"Certainly," he replied. All of the plant life in their path cleared immediately as they followed in order: Kurama, Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Hiei.
When Kurama stopped suddenly, Yusuke nearly ran him over.
"What the hell---"
Kurama slapped a hand over Yusuke's loud mouth and held a finger sternly to his lips. "Quiet! Take a look past these trees."
Walking four-abreast, the Team stationed themselves behind individual trees to watch what was going on.
"Kurama! Isn't that--" Yusuke began, but stopped immediately when he felt the hilt of Hiei's katana press in warning between his shoulder blades. "Shut up, fool!" he muttered under his breath.
Yusuke pulled a face but kept quiet.
After a few moments Kurama stepped back and the others followed his silent retreat. When they were a safe distance Kurama answered Yusuke's earlier query. "Yes, Yusuke. That was me--or should I say Youko Kurama, a long, long time ago. It would seem that my counterpart has been keeping some things hidden from me."
Of
course I have! Youko
replied. There are many
things you have yet to learn about me.
"But
that's not why you retreated." Hiei stated.
"No. I felt another kitsune there. Not very old--but maybe old enough."
"Old enough for what?" asked Kuwabara.
"Every kitsune has a gland behind the part of the brain that controls the six senses. This gland produces a type of pheromone that gives off a scent only other kitsune can smell, but we can only smell it after a certain age. The scent gets stronger if the fox is healthy and in shape and plays a role in the attraction of a mate. However, it fades if the body is wounded, sick, or near death."
"So…if you stick around too long the kit will sense you?" Yusuke questioned.
"It's not extremely likely because he may not be old enough for the gland to work. But in this situation the risk is hardly worth taking."
"Wait just one minute. You said that the Youko we just saw was…you, only in the past…so now Youko is in you, and we're in the past…could he sense you and…?"
"Only if he saw me, but he would still sense a kitsune if the wind were to change. Clearly it wouldn't have been wise to stand there long."
"So we should just watch in turns?" asked Kuwabara.
"I'll go first." Hiei said. His image distorted and then was gone.
-
'This is getting kind of scary! Those demons seem to know what the other is going to do before he does it--and by the looks of things InuYasha is in WAY over his head!' Kagome thought worriedly.
A sudden chill raced down her spine. "Huh?" Kagome's head whipped around to look into the black tree tops. Something red glinted briefly. A tree branch shook slightly for a moment then was still.
"Something's up," she murmured.
-
The team stood when Hiei returned.
"Back so soon?" Kurama asked.
"That girl sensed me." He grudgingly admitted.
"WHAT!?"
"For the last time, stupid! Shut up or I will make you!" Hiei growled, pointing his blade at their loud-mouthed Captain.
Kurama decided to step in and change the subject. "Despite the risk…I think I'll chance it. If this girl could sense Hiei then she'd have to be a miko. Did she look at all like Kikyo?"
"I didn't stay long enough to let her purify me, fox!" Hiei snapped. He added contritely, "However, I did smell a hanyou in the clearing with her. There are other companions, but there is definitely a half-demon in her presence."
"Very well," Kurama replied smoothly. "When I've seen all I can, I'll return." He retreated from the clearing.
-
Kurama moved quietly in the shadows beside a gargantuan tree which grew about five yards to Kagome's right. He could clearly see the fight going on in the middle of the dirt road; upon Youko's insistence, Kurama watched the techniques the two thieves used against a white-haired hanyou.
'Very well executed,' Kurama remarked.
Of course. I am like a fine wine; the more I
age, the better I get.
Kurama snorted, mentally laughing
as Youko basked in demonic pride.
Kurama and his counterpart returned to seriousness and sized-up the miko's personal guard.
The man in purple and black robes and the staff looked physically fit---his stance was prepared and wary.
'He knows what he's doing,' Kurama said.
So does that
girl, Youko said, looking her over. She's strong to wield
such a large weapon--it's considerably sized; even a demon would
have some trouble handling it. Are you positive it is not for
show?
You
forget the day and age, ningen. Youko replied snidely. One
did not--does not--carry a weapon one cannot use.
The
kitsune was about to continue his lecture when Kurama's eyes fell
on the miko. She was turned to be perfectly situated in the silvery
moonlight, caught half-way between light and shadow. Her skin
appeared bleached-out in the strange light and her white top faded to
gray and the skirt was nearly black in the muted night. Dark,
tumultuous hair fell in waves across her thin shoulders. She
shivered slightly when a chill breeze swept by.
She is lovely, remarked Youko.
Indeed! Suuichi agreed.
Because both unanimously agreed that the miko was beautiful, Kurama automatically agreed. He pulled the file picture from his pocket and compared the miko before him to the one in the photo. Hanyou accompaniment: check. Pale skin with long, dark hair: check. Bow and arrows: check. Red and white clothing…no check.
But the similarities are astonishing! It could only be she! Suuichi murmured.
Mmhmm, Youko returned.
So let's arrest her!, The human's eccentric voice insisted.
'The kit will be difficult; he's clinging very tightly to her.' Kurama observed.
I
know what to do. This will get her into our grasp and the kit out of
the way. We needn't be seen, either. Do tell,
The kit won't be able to ignore this---it's instinctive to come immediately to the call. He'll jump from her arms and race to us and the girl will undoubtedly follow. Although, I do regret tricking such a young, inexperienced kit and depriving him of his protector at the same time…I wonder where his parents are? Youko sighed.
'How does this
call work, Youko?' Kurama asked in an attempt to get his
counterpart back on track.
Like this.
A low growl filled Kurama's chest, although no sound escaped from his lips. The incomplete growl reverberated along his throat and slowly dripped from the red-head's mouth. The sound waves rumbled through the air and Kurama saw the kit's attention snap towards him; he prepared to leap from the unsuspecting miko's arms, but hesitated. His ears flicked back and forth with indecision.
Moments later he leapt from her arms and dashed towards Kurama. As predicted, the girl followed as she frantically called his name.
When the kit ran past the tree he hid behind, Kurama pulled a yellow seed from his hair and grabbed his target. Using his spirit energy to manipulate the plant, he grew the seed into a spiny yellow flower with blood-red spots on its petals.
"I apologize, kit." Kurama told him, then made the flower belch grayish smoke that rendered the child unconscious.
He heard the girl nearing where he stood; the shining handcuffs were prepared in his right hand. As the miko ran past, Kurama grasped her left wrist with his left hand and one fluid movement had her in the cuffs.
Immediately the restraints blazed sapphire and began to throw red sparks. Her eyes rolled back inside her head after a few seconds, never once glimpsing her captor.
Kurama carried her bridal-style to his teammates. On
the way there, he noted that the handcuffs were still smoking and
curiously moved them aside, only to see harsh, raw burns.
'Koenma
didn't say these would harm her!' He thought, shocked.
"That her?" Kuwabara asked, scratching his head.
"Of course it's her, you idiot!" snapped Hiei. "Why else would she be in those cuffs?"
"Uh, I dunno. She just feels different."
"Different how, exactly?" Kurama questioned. He was having suspicions himself.
"Her spirit energy is just…well, it's just…clean. Not tainted at all. Not like that one priestess we're supposed to be looking for."
"How would you know? You've never met Kikyo before." Hiei speculated.
"Well no, but in her picture that Kikyo lady looked like a real Ice Monster. She," he pointed to the unconscious girl, "looks fine."
There was a sudden shout of outrage from the clearing, followed by the distinct sound of a pissed-off hanyou clawing through the forest to reach them.
"Why don't we let Koenma decide?" Yusuke interjected.
"Now would be a good time to leave," advised Kurama.
"Agreed." Hiei said.
Yusuke pulled out the communicator, they all grasped wrists, and Yusuke jabbed at the red button just as the hanyou burst into their clearing.
Amber eyes locked with green and Kurama heard him murmur, "Kagome, no!" just as the Team dissipated into thin air.
-
The portal dropped them unexpectedly in the middle of Koenma's office in an ungracious pile.
"Back so soon?" he asked, standing up excitedly.
"Yep." Yusuke replied with confidence.
"Maybe," Kurama said, looking uncertain.
"What do you mean, 'maybe?'"
Kurama shared the bit about hearing the hanyou's brief words in the clearing.
"Well, there's only one way to tell!" Koenma said, still jubilant.
"How's that?" Hiei asked sarcastically.
"Ask her."
"Oh, come on, Koenma! She could be lying!" Yusuke said disbelievingly.
"She can't lie."
"Oh sure. And you know this how?"
Koenma jumped to the ground and walked over to where Kurama was and gestured for Yusuke to place his hand on the cuffs.
"Lie."
"Why?"
"Just do it."
"Fine, fine….Um…Okay. Botan doesn't have a crush on Kurama in any way shape, or form."
Kurama glared but instantly, red sparks flew and Yusuke got zapped. "OUCH! DAMMIT, KOENMA!"
The child ruler cackled and clapped his hands.
"What an idiot," Hiei murmured.
"Speaking of which, Koenma," Kurama interjected. "You never said anything about them burning her." His tone became accusatory.
"Burning her? Nonsense! They'd only burn her if she lied."
"But she never said a word."
"What? But if she didn't say anything, and they reacted to the code…"
"Code?" Hiei asked.
"The DNA code entered in it. We took a sample from Kikyo's cremated remains and used it to program the cuffs."
"You mean Kikyo's dead? We're chasing after a dead girl?"
"No, not exactly, Kuwabara. But we have to secure her past to save her future rei--Oh, no! No, no, no! This is not good!" He stopped suddenly.
"What? 'Future' what?" Yusuke demanded.
"Get those cuffs off of her now!" Koenma screeched. "Who's got the key? Kurama? I said NOW!"
In seconds, the black restraining device lay smoking on the floor.
"Oh, my…those look like second-degree burns…" Koenma muttered.
"Let me heal her, Koenma." Kurama offered.
"Absolutely not! Don't touch those wounds!"
"Why not?" He asked crossly.
"If she is who I think she is, and you touch those burns, her subconscious will think it's an attack. You'll be purified from here to the Makai and back!"
"These wounds need treatment!" Kurama retorted angrily.
"Then wake her up and do it! If she's awake she won't purify you unless you're a threat…Unlessshe'sbeentrainedbutIdon'tthinkshehassoit'snoproblem!…eh…hehheh …." Koenma muttered quickly.
Kurama directed his best dead-pan stare at the toddler. "In other words, if she's been trained for even a little bit and she sees me as a threat, I'll be fried."
"Weeellll…."
"How do I wake her?" Kurama cut him off, not wanting to waste any more time.
"Let's take this to a safer place. That way if anything blows up it'll be contained."
"Bl-Blow up!?" Kuwabara squeaked.
"It's possible, if she is who I think she is." Koenma said, leading the four men down the hall to a large room that had no furnishings but an incredibly high ceiling and white paneled walls. There was one large, very thick window that took up an entire side of the room. The floor, ceiling, and walls were otherwise unremarkable. There was only one door, which only opened for Koenma's password and a series of coded numbers.
"Go ahead, Kurama. But I warn you--you're risking your neck!"
"Oh yeah, like he's not used to that!" snorted Yusuke.
Kurama walked into the twelve by twelve foot room and lay the girl in the center of the floor. Out of his pocket came a small glass vial that was sealed by cork. It appeared to contain a dried weed of unspecified origins.
"What--" Yusuke began, but Hiei interrupted.
"It's Wakeflower; the scent it gives off could wake the dead."
"Oh."
"Hn."
'How she reacts will determine everything,' Koenma thought, staring warily through the glass. He did not let the others know that this was as much an experiment for him as it was for Kurama. He glanced surreptitiously at the thick glass before him and hoped that if anything were to happen, it would be thick enough to stop whatever was inside the room from coming out.
-
Kurama tilted her head back and pulled out the stopper on the vial. Although he held his breath, the flower still made his eyes burn and water.
After he waved it briefly under her nose, Kurama quickly re-stopped the bottle and put it back inside his pocket.
The girl's eyes fluttered and she coughed. When she fully opened her eyes and could focus on Kurama's face, she screamed. In the empty room, her high-pitched shriek reverberated around the walls, bruising both of their eardrums.
She fumbled behind her back, like an archer would for an arrow. Finding none she put her hands up as Kurama advanced slowly.
-
"No! Kurama! Back off!"
Koenma yelled, although Kurama could not hear him. 'She's an
archer--one sign. I want to see another before I'm convinced,
though. I just hope that sign doesn't put Kurama's life in
danger!' -
Kurama slowly advanced, trying to convey safety and reassurance. He could hear her heartbeat palpitating dangerously fast. Despite his intentions she continued to scurry backwards. Her back hit the wall and a look of blazing fire ignited in her eyes. Seconds too late, Kurama realized he'd put her in a corner, facing someone that, for all she knew, was going to kill her.
Kurama held up his hands to show that he meant no harm, but she folded herself into the smallest target possible and held her hand up, palm-out, as if to tell him to stop. There was a moment of infinite silence before Kurama felt the air in the room ionize and his hair stood on end. His eyes widened the moment he realized how much danger he was truly in.
She shouted wordlessly and this time a bright pink-white glow gathered around her hand. It shot off in a funnel at Kurama, who was enveloped in the purifying energy and thrown across the room and into the opposing wall, which splintered with a loud CRACK!
-
"KURAMA!" His teammates shouted, beating on the glass.
"Open the fucking door, Koenma!" Yusuke growled, preparing his Spirit Gun to break the window and enter.
"DAMNIT!" Koenma cried, ripping off his hat and stomping on it. "I shouldn't have let him go in there! Now we have to wait for her to collapse again!"
"Collapse." Hiei murmured, his eyes never leaving the spiraling column of energy.
"Oh, yes--this amount of energy is asking too much from her body. She will collapse."
Sure enough, the column of energy wavered, thinned, and then dissipated. The girl attempted to stand, failed, and then passed out.
Koenma screeched the password to unlock the door and everyone rushed inside.
"Kurama!" Yusuke reached his friend first and shook his friend by the shoulders. He was too concerned for the kitsune's safety to notice that streaks of silver colored his hair.
"Yusuke, get back! Don't touch him! There's still energy in him!" Koenma barked. Yusuke immediately stepped back. "Purifying energy zaps anyone with demonic blood--in this case, you Yusuke, Hiei, and most obviously Kurama. Kuwabara, because you are all human, take both of their pulses and tell me how their hearts are beating."
"Kurama's, too?" He asked, warily nudging the unconscious kitsune with his toe.
"He's just been way-laid by enough purifying energy to desecrate any full-blooded demon. We can just be thankful he wasn't in his Youko form or he would certainly be dead now. All of that energy is still inside his body--you're really the only one truly safe enough to touch either one."
Kuwabara cringed momentarily but obliged. "Slow and faint, but strong." he reported.
"Good. Let's get them both to the infirmary."
-
Kurama slowly blinked his jade eyes open; the migraine and stiffness hit him like a semi truck going ninety down the freeway.
"Good morning, Sunshine!" Yusuke teased, looking up from his card game with Kuwabara.
"I'm not so sure about the 'good' part," Kurama replied half-heartedly. He glanced around the plain infirmary room he'd been placed in. Hiei occupied the window seat and Yusuke and Kuwabara took up the chairs and table. "I get the feeling I've been out for awhile."
"Four days," Hiei supplied.
"Really." Kurama kept his tone carefully neutral but his mind raced. "I must've been knocked around quite a bit by--where is the girl?"
Hiei shrugged, so Yusuke answered for him. "Dunno. Koenma took her to a different room somewhere. The only things we know are that she's not Kikyo, but she's like an ancestor or something. How that's possible I have no idea, because apparently Kikyo didn't have any kids….and we only know THAT because we heard Koenma muttering to himself; he's being really secretive about a simple misunderstanding and I don't like it."
"No," Kurama agreed. "Maybe she will be able to tell us herself."
"No, she won't!" a sing-song voice echoed from the doorway.
"Hello, Botan." Yusuke grumbled.
"Good afternoon, Botan." Kurama welcomed as he tried not to wince at her loud voice.
"Heya!" Kuwabara said happily.
"Hn."
"Hello to you all!" She replied to them lightly, but Kurama instantly noticed that she was tugging methodically at a loose thread on her shirt. If Botan was nervous then something serious was up.
"You may as well tell us what you have to say," Hiei said sharply.
Botan's cheeks flushed, matching the magenta jacket she wore.
"Well, you can't ask Kagome---"
"Who?" asked Kuwabara.
"That girl. Her name is Kagome."
Isn't that what the hanyou called her? Youko asked.
'I believe so,' Kurama replied.
"Anyways," Botan continued, "you can't ask her because she's been sent home. But there are some things we've discovered about her; Koenma has something to show you all so follow me!"
They walked back to Koenma's office and ogres brought chairs in for them all.
"Okay boys. Before I sent Kagome home I ran some new tests we've just created, and it turns out that she is Kikyo's reincarnation. That's why the cuffs burned her--as a punishment for lying about her identity, I suppose. But how she ended up in the Feudal Era I have no idea. I was expecting Kikyo to still be alive then, but my sources are not very specific on their information these days…
"So I hooked her up to this new machine our specialists have invented. They converted an old movie reel projector into a brain activity monitor. Any thought or memory that is brought forward while she was unconscious would be copied to the reel in the form of an image or sound. To improve my chances of getting the answers I wanted, I tried to talk to her. I was using it so that I'd know if her brain began to respond to my questions. What actually happened I hardly bargained for. While she was hooked up she had a nightmare."
Koenma ordered a pair of ogres to bring in the old projector he'd described and set it up to cast the images against the white wall.
"Lights!" Koenma yelled, and the room was cast into complete darkness. "The brain wave detector not only recorded her subconscious thoughts, but it completely surpassed all expectancy. It recorded some of the actual images and voices from her nightmare with stunning. Now watch."
-
