Chapter 4
"We're going on a Trip!"
The departure date has finally arrived. Students Kuwabara, Kiyoni, Keiko, and Kurama are all on their last (and most trying) day of exams. Since they're scheduled to leave a bit early, they've all sacrificed their lunch breaks in order to complete their week of testing. As a reward, their teachers have allowed them each to bring a snack to eat prior to testing. It's Kuwabara's saving grace until he gets home.
When the day comes to a close, the four make their way to the pawn shop where they're joined by Yusuke, Shizuru, and Yukina shortly after. Kiyoni calls for a short meeting before everyone disbands. "I just remembered, yet again. I never did give you a spot where to meet and leave from," she declares. "I thought we were leaving from your place," Kuwabara retorts.
"Well, we could but, people were wondering about the strange noises coming from the roof the other night since my parents used the hover car to make their exit. The top three floors were particularly nosy. So with that said, my place wouldn't be a good idea."
"Aw, man. Where else can we go?"
"There's Demon's Door Cave," Shizuru recommends as she lights a cigarette.
"Of course! That's perfect," Kurama agrees.
Kiyoni is in disbelief, "Demon's Door Cave? You actually want to go inside that thing?"
Yusuke admits, "Well, yeah. The cave was where the barrier between the human and demon worlds was split. Kuwabara knows about it. Don't you, Kuwabara?"
Kuwabara's face turns blue as another deathly, "Ugh," escapes his mouth. The moment he was mere inches from being demon food still haunts him. "Do we really have to go back to that place," he whines.
"It's the perfect departure spot, Kuwabara. Seeing as how most of us are familiar with that area, we can enter Demon World without detection," Kurama informs.
"Oookay. DDC it is. You guys go on ahead, I'll meet up with you later," Kiyoni suggests.
The group disperses for home. Kurama is going the same direction as the Kuwabara siblings when Kiyoni stops him. "Hold up, Minamino," she grabs his shoulder, "You should come with me." "But, I have to go get my things," he argues.
"You can get them after I get mine," she starts walking, "There's something I have to give you first."
"Me? What exactly would that be?"
"You'll see."
In Spirit World, Botan makes a report to Koenma, "It's confirmed, sir. We'll all be leaving from Demon's Door Cave. Most of the group are making their way there now." "Very well. That gives me some time to get the last part of business out of the way," Koenma gives her a new order, "Be sure to relay the message to Hiei."
"I'm on it," Botan vanishes.
"Now then. It's time for me to choose my substitute," Koenma faces his two best candidates, Ayame and Jorge, "One of you will have to take my place while I'm gone. Before I do, I want to ensure you both that the decision I'm about to make is in no way a sign of favoritism. This is strictly based on your level of performance." Ayame and Jorge stand silently and bow to their boss. They're confident that whomever Koenma chooses, is the one most suited for the temporary position. With a freshly cleared throat, "Alright, for the next few days, I hereby select…" Ayame is still calm while Jorge is in a nervous sweat, "I hereby select…Ayame as the temporary administrator of Spirit World. Congratulations, Ayame."
"I am most gracious for this position, sir. I will do my best," she bows with grace and gratitude.
"But…but…Koenma, sir," Jorge contends, "I've been your right hand man since the beginning of time. I'm the one who should be taking your place, not her."
"Sorry, ogre. I had not that much of a choice. Even my own father recommended Miss Ayame," Koenma hands a note to Jorge, "See for yourself." Jorge reads the note and it's confirmed. Whatever King Yamma says, goes.
In his toddler form, Koenma skips out of the office, "Well, you two, I'm off. Ayame, take care of my seat while I'm gone." "As you wish, sir. Have a good time," Ayame responds with another bow, "Well, ogre. Shall we get started?" The expression on Jorge's face screams, "Whatever".
Once the office doors close, Koenma changes into his teenager form, "Alright, princess. Let's see what this kingdom and you are all about."
At the Daiichi School for Girls, Keiko gathers the last of her things while on the phone with her mother. "Yes, mom. I'll be back by Sunday, that's what the conference organizers say. Yes, Kiyoni's parents will be with us, they volunteered to go. Yes, Yusuke is coming along, too. Miss Atsuko said it was okay," she closes her suitcase, "Mom, I have to go now. Tell dad I said goodbye. Love you, too." She hangs up, "Oh, mom. If only you knew what's really going on. Maybe I wouldn't feel so guilty for lying."
There's a knock on the door, "Keiko, are you in there?"
"Come in," she calls. Her guests are the two companions that were attacked the same night as Keiko. Underling Hotaru, didn't cause as much harm to them as she did to Keiko with master vampire Alena.
"So, it's true. You're leaving Japan," alleges the first girl who steps inside.
"It's not for good. Just a short vacation for a conference," Keiko answers with a sweet smile.
The second girl steps in, "But, what about your boyfriend?"
"Well, he's coming too. In fact, I'm going to go meet with him, now." Recent thoughts go through Keiko's mind concerning a private conversation with Kiyoni:
"You know, Keiko. Climates, such as the one you're about to encounter, can spark a flame between lovers like you and Yusuke. At least, that's what I've heard," Kiyoni suggests, "Maybe you should take advantage of that once you get there."
"Thanks for the advice, I guess you'll do the same?"
Kiyoni replies with a mischievous grin, "It's one of the reasons why I invited Suu'chi to come along in the first place."
The first girls calls for her attention, "Keiko? Keiko?"
"Hm? What?"
"Are you okay? You spaced out," informs the second girl.
"Oh, I'm fine," Keiko looks at the clock on her phone, "Oh, gosh. I have to go," she pushes her guests out of her dorm before locking her door and taking off, "I'll see you guys in a few days!"
"I swear that girl gets weirder and weirder," states the first girl. The second nods her head in agreement.
On the roof of Kiyoni's apartment building, Kurama interrogates his girlfriend one last time while handing her, her suitcase, "Are you sure this is all you need?" "Yes, Suu'chi. I'm sure. Any more requirements I may have, it'll be available on the other side," she answers with a smile.
"So, how come we're meeting here instead of with everyone else?"
"I have to be there a little bit earlier than the rest of you. Final precautions and all that."
"That's fine but, now there's a problem."
"What's the problem?"
"With you already there, how are we supposed to know where to go?"
"Oh! Just go to the desert lands of Demon World. You may have to search for it, but you'll find it."
"Excuse me?"
"Here are some words of advice, 'when you've reached the point where you think you'll never find it, that's when you'll find it'."
Kurama is confused at this point, "Come again?"
Kiyoni drops the act, "Ugh! Okay, that was something papa Kenichi wanted me to say to you because he thinks Heliopolis doesn't need any more intrusion from outsiders. Better yet, he doesn't completely trust you even though you saved my life. Instead, I'll do the opposite and give you this," she hands Kurama a handwritten note, "This is the real reason why I asked you to meet with me here."
Kurama opens the piece of paper, "What's this?"
"A portal spell. Pronounce the words correctly and it'll take you directly to vampire central. Remember, when speaking Latin, 'V's' have a 'wa' sound, 'C's' have a 'ka' sound, 'U's' have an 'ooh' sound, and 'I's' have an 'e' sound. Huh, I guess it's not too far off from Japanese. Since it takes energy and will to make it work, your own spirit energy and will should be enough. Once you arrive in the desert, we'll take it from there."
"Good to know. It's been a while since I've uttered the language but, I should be alright. And are you sure that's all we have to do?"
"Yes, that's all you have to do. I'm putting my trust in you, Suu'chi," the alarm on Kiyoni's phone goes off, "Oh, that's my exit cue." Like a feather in the wind, she lifts off.
Kurama chases after her until he reaches the end of the roof, "Hey, don't you need this spell to get over there?"
"I'll be fine, fox boy. Don't worry about it. A magician shouldn't reveal all of their secrets, remember?" Kurama watches in awe. Blowing a kiss to her boyfriend, Kiyoni departs, "I'll see you later, Shuuichi." A shimmering outline of his girlfriend becomes the last thing he sees of her.
Kurama sighs, "I guess I better get going. She'll just have to receive her gift from mom when I get there."
It's a little after three in the afternoon when everyone gathers at the cave. Kurama is the last to arrive, "Oh, good. Everyone is here." "Took you long enough," Yusuke grumbles, "And aren't we missing somebody?"
"Kiyoni departed for her world about an hour, or so, ago. So for now, leave it to me."
"So how long is it gonna take until we get there," Hiei inquires still as sulky as ever.
"Since we've been down this road before, it'll take us two hours, at least," Kurama guesses, "Well, shall we go?"
"Hey, why don't we use that truck over there," Shizuru suggests, "I already checked it. Has a little less than a full tank left and the keys are still inside." The vehicle in question is the one Amanuma drove when he, Gourmet, and Sensui kidnapped Kuwabara.
"I don't see why not," Kurama digresses. The gang loads their things on the truck bed. With enough space, Kuwabara and Hiei join Yukina and Keiko in the back, Kurama and Yusuke share the front seats with driver Shizuru, and Koenma hitches a ride on Botan's oar.
Shizuru starts the truck, "Seeing as how you guys have been inside the cave, you're gonna have to play navigator for me." "That's not an issue. I left lamp weeds to make a trail. They should lead the way," Kurama informs. The truck takes off with Heliopolis as its destination.
Within a few minutes, Kurama's lamp weeds make their presence known. As dark as it is inside, the plants make the path look like an airport runway. Yusuke gives Kurama a nudge, "So, exactly how do we get there?" Kurama takes out the note Kiyoni gave him, "With this. It's a portal spell that'll take us directly to her world."
"Oh, well okay then."
Shizuru chimes in, "So, how far should I take this truck?"
"It'll probably still be of use when we get there so let's just get as far the original trail and I'll cast the spell there. If you please."
In a little more than an hour, everyone arrives in familiar territory. It's the same area where the spirit detective team fought against Sensui. Shizuru stops the truck when she sees one of Kurama's creations, "What the hell…is that?" The boys develop the same angry look on their faces. After two years, Elder Toguro is still trapped inside Kurama's sinning tree. Still wailing and screaming in torture and pain. "I swear I'll kill you, Kurama," he cries in a muffled tone, "So long as I remain alive, I'll kill you." Everyone stands around the gruesome sight.
"I can't believe one of the Toguro brothers is still alive," Yukina whispers.
"How did he get like this," Keiko wonders.
"His insatiable desire to kill me and regeneration ability became his downfall," Kurama dictates, his voice mixed with pride and dismissal, "This is his eternal punishment. His own hell on earth."
Yusuke comments with a little fear in his voice, "I'm sure Toguro looks like shit underneath those branches by now. Regardless, you are wicked scary, Kurama."
"Yeah. Now let's go before Kiyoni gets all upset, okay," Kuwabara heads for the truck. The rest follow.
Once inside, and using his spirit energy, Kurama puts the spell in motion, "Portal ex spatio et tempore, exaudi orationem meam. Nos omnes Heliopolis urbs lamia (Portal of space and time, hear my plea. Take us to Heliopolis, the vampire city)." Flashes of blue lightning stream in front of the small crowd as a dimensional portal opens. The first thing most of the group sees is an image of sand dunes. "I take it that's the desert area of Demon World," Kurama mumbles.
Surprised, Yusuke challenges Kurama, "That's Heliopolis? You better not have gotten us lost."
"Trust me, Yusuke. I read the spell correctly. Kiyoni said her territory is in this area anyway."
Kuwabara knocks on the back window, "Hey, what are we waiting for?"
"Well, here goes nothing," Shizuru puts the truck in gear and heads for the other side with Koenma and Botan following close by. The gang is now entering an unfamiliar area of Demon World. From here on out, it's Heliopolis or bust.