There we go.. took a bit longer but hey.. better late then never, right?
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the YYH characters!
I'm working on improving my writing, there might still be some mistakes. But other then that enjoy!
Emotions overran him like a heavy cargo train. He felt everything at once, regret, frustration, anger, more than he could summarize. Time seems to pass unnoticed, with no window to the outside, Yusuke had no idea if it was day or night. He could only tell the time by listening to his body, if he was tired he figured out that it must be night otherwise it would be somewhere between dusk and dawn.
Kuwabara was fast asleep, snoring loudly as he mumbled in his sleep. Yusuke looked over to the other side of the room, where his two demon comrades resided. Hiei stood against the wall, his arms and legs crossed while his eyes were closed, Yusuke didn't know if he was sleeping or just silently monitoring the still form sitting next to him. Kurama sat slumbed against the wall, eyes closed tight. His breath coming in slow and almost unnoticeable. He had apologized for his misunderstanding, he saw Kurama as the brother he never had. For the next couple of days he noticed that Kurama began to slow down, his movements lacked their grace and his eyes got dull. "Kurama is an elemental spirit, not being in touch with his element could have drastic consequences." That's what Hiei told Yusuke and Kuwabara when they started to notice the change in the fox's behavior.
Kyra knew about this, the fox had shown changes during her 'isolation' plan. He became slower and tired. It would not matter if he were to go through this alone or if his friends were there to witness it. She decided to put them all together, alone or not, the fox would suffer from the elemental withdrawal. Kyra figured that, watching how his friends would not be able to help him, would be more entertaining.
She wiggled the pen in-between her index finger and thumb in a nervous habit, just one more day and she would be allowed to enter their room to break the news.
There has been a request for a new event involving the four prisoners. The little tournament wasn't as successful as she hoped it would be, they played it smart, to smart. Using the rules to get away unharmed and disappoint not only both her and her brothers but also her boss. Such a thing would be unacceptable if it wasn't for the quick change of plans, this new event had to work. It was the boss who came up with the idea for a fox hunt, using the actual fox, Kurama, as bait. They could never catch the fox if they were to release him right away, it was too risky. He would be able to escape, no one would know what would happen next, if he would return for the other three with help, an army. That's where Kyra's 'isolation' plan was relaunched. They would use the elemental withdrawal to slow Kurama down for the event and release him while still wearing the collar. During the little tournament the collars have been turned off so they could use their energy in their attacks, keeping it on during the fox hunt would allow them to keep control, to prevent escape. Charge it up to the highest level and when he would make a run for it beyond their borders...
"Zap.." Kyra whispered as she moved her hand as if pressing a button.
"Talking to yourself again?" Anzu stood against the wall, staring out of the small window that lit the otherwise grim room.
"Just reimagining the next event." Kyra kicked her legs up on the table and folded her hands behind her head.
"Nervous?" He asked after seeing Kyra leaning back in her chair.
"Just a little, this event has to impress the boss, or else we're dead meat... Not that that would happen! I'll make sure he won't escape. We need him for something else after this after all." Kyra shifted her tone to a more positive one after seeing how Anzu reacted to her 'dead meat' statement.
"Can I count on that?" Anzu shifted nervously.
"You can count that." Giving him a reassuring smile. "You can count on me."
'His movements lacked their grace' Yusuke watched as Kurama straightened himself. He has been sleeping for most of the time, sleeping even when they were receiving their food from underneath the door. Yet, the bags under his eyes suggested otherwise. They were a mix of red and purple, the eyes that looked over them didn't have the iconic charm anymore. They saw Yusuke but they didn't focus on him, as if he was looking right through him. It send shivers down his spine. His skin, usually soft with a peachy glow, was grim and grey especially against his fiery red locks. He hardly ate anything, although Yusuke had to admit that the food wasn't good at all, he came to accept it. Kuwabara had reached out his hand to help the fox on numerous occasions but he always refused the help. They had to find a way to escape or call for backup.
The door slammed open and Kyra busted in. Yusuke and Kuwabara covered their eyes for the sudden assault of bright, synthetic light.
"I hope you all got some rest." Kyra continued with a smile. "The next event will be held tomorrow, I expect you to be ready and in good condition."
"What 'event' are you talking about? We aren't your puppets you know." Kuwabara protested.
"Yeah, we will take you and your circus down, just you wait missy." Yusuke added after receiving a glance from Kuwabara.
"Oh I guess I haven't explained things clearly enough for you... See, with those collars you actually ARE my puppets and I can do with you as I please. As long as it pleases the boss and the crowd I don't care what happens to you." Kyra responded.
"The boss? So you are saying that you are not the one in charge?" Hiei asked, lifting an eyebrow.
"Well, yes and no." Kyra crossed her arms as the thought about what her status was in this whole operation.
"Care to explain?" Kurama's voice was hoarse but still strong enough to reach her ears.
"I am in charge of the rogue's, the boss is in charge of everything. He gives us the missions, choses our targets.." Kyra counted on her fingers.
"Wait, we were targeted?" Yusuke got even more confused. "Listen Kyra, we are spirit detectives working under lord Koenma, the prince of spirit world. We were send out to catch some rogue ninja's who've been causing havoc among human and demon world. You targeting us must be some kind of mistake, I've never seen you before in my life. So now I ask you politely to let us go so we can return to our mission." Yusuke tried his best to keep his voice down in an attempt to talk himself and his friends out of this.
"Well of course you were targeted. At first we had to get some humans and demons to get Koenma's attention so that he would send you here. We didn't even know who you are or why the boss targeted you, but now that he explained why I am even more excited for what he wants to do next." Kyra smiled as Yusuke's face lit up.
"So you are the rogue's we were looking for! Great, well in that case. In the name of spi-" Yusuke grabbed the collar with two hands as electricity shot though his body.
"I'm sorry but I'm not going to be arrested 'detective'." Kyra slightly waved the remote in-between her fingers. "I just came by to tell you about the next event." She looked Kurama in the eyes. "Be ready tomorrow." With that she left the room, slamming the door behind her.
Left alone in the room Kuwabara laid a hand on Yusuke's shoulder. "Hey man, you oke?"
Yusuke nodded at Kuwabara and silence once again filled the already empty room.
'Be ready tomorrow' Hiei looked at the fox who had, once again, closed his eyes. 'what could she mean, and why did she address Kurama directly.' Hiei sighed. Time had passed but he didn't know how much time actually had past. Kurama noticed Hiei's brainstorming session, the way he quirked his eyebrows at a possible outcome but quickly frowned afterwards. Kurama turned to looked up at Hiei.
"Got something on your mind?" He knew exactly what Hiei was thinking about, he would be lying if he said he himself wasn't puzzled by it as well. As much as he wanted to, his head was spinning too much to actually think clearly about all this.. His eyelids felt to heavy.
Hiei looked down at the fox, he blinked slowly, almost as if he had trouble staying awake. "It's nothing.." Hiei quickly dismissed Kurama's question and the fox rested his head against the wall once again. Hiei stayed trapped in his thought for a while before softly speaking again. "You know damn well what I'm thinking about. Why would she address you?" Hiei waited for a response, the fox had his eyes closed and his breathing was shallow.
"Fox?" Hiei raised his voice a bit.
"Hn?" Kurama kept his eyes closed as he answered.
"Why would she address you?" Hiei repeated his question.
"... I don't know." Kurama hesitated, his voice barely above a whisper.
Hiei looked across the room, Yusuke and Kuwabara seem te be fast asleep. He turned back to the fox, sliding down the wall to sit next to him. "She said to be ready and in good condition.."
"What they see is what they get." Kurama chuckled. He opened one eye and noticed Hiei sitting next to him, his knees propped up to his chest. "Are you feeling alright?" Kurama asked Hiei.
"You should be more worried about yourself... I just have a bad feeling about tomorrow." The sarcastic tone that usually edged Hiei's sentences was lacking.
"We'll get out of this mess." Kurama whispered.
"Rise and shine!"
The four tentei were instantly awake as the door swung open with a loud bang and Kyra entered the room, followed by Anzu who stayed in the door opening.
Kyra happily walked, almost skiped towards Kurama. "You ready?" she asked as she stood in front of him, her voice jolly.
Kurama didn't say a word, he eyed Yusuke and Kuwabara who were on the other side. Kuwabara shrugged while Yusuke avoided eye contact or any contact whatsoever. 'Is he still mad?"
"oke oke, let's go!" Kyra grabbed Kurama by his collar and started to pull. trying to get the fox on his feet. "You.. just.. gotta come.. with me..!" Kyra tugged harder. Kurama, however, didn't move an inch no matter how hard she tried. after a few tries, Kyra gave up. She panted slightly as she wiped her sleeve across her forehead. "Damn you're heavy."
"I see you are not really good with 'heavy' work?" Hiei was quite amused by her effort. He knew he and the others could pick Kurama up without any effort, he was the lightest after Hiei himself.
"What are you planning to do?" Hiei continued, curious as to what their plan was.
"Oh haven't I told you yet?" Kyra was surprised, it wasn't important for them to know but she swore she had told them. "It's a fox hunt."
Hiei turned to Kurama who's pupils had dilated due to the 'fight or flight response'. 'fear.' Hiei grabbed Kurama's arm and pulled himself closer.
"Trying to protect your friend?" Kyra smiled, the room was filed with silence untill Kyra walked back to the door. "I need Guo to carry this dead weight. I think I sprained my elbow." Kyra whined and closed the door.
Hiei waited in silence for the footsteps to disappear.
"Kurama." Hiei's voice was firm, keeping his eyes focused on the door. The fox shivered but didn't answer.
"Kurama." he light tugged on Kurama's sleeve but there was still no response.
"Kuwabara.. Yusuke.." Hiei waited for someone to respond. Anyone.
"We have to do something." Yusuke suddenly responded. "We have to get out..."
"No." Kurama raised his head, looking Yusuke in the eyes. "You have to get out.. This might be a opening to escape.."
"What is your plan?" Yusuke's voice sounded hesitant. "And no, we are not leaving you behind."
"No you won't leave me behind, because you will be staying here as well." Kurama recieved another tug on his sleeve. Hiei didn't say a word, he just stared. The way Hiei looked at him reminded Kurama of a dog, looking at it's owner, begging to go for a walk. But this look wasn't for a walk in the park, he knew what he was planning and begged, prayed for it to not be truly Kurama's plan. Kurama, however, had to disappoint Hiei. "We'll use the fox hunt as a distraction. I bet almost every guard would be there to watch it, so that is when you'll strike."
"We? What about you?" Kuwabara interrupted.
"I'll distract them with the fox hunt and hang on for as long as I can." Kurama continued. "Use that time to find an escape route. Kuwabara, you are fully human, you will have no problems getting back to human world when you reach the border. Hiei, you are the fastest of us all, if there is someone they can't chase and catch then it's you. Yusuke.."
"I'll stay here.. to fight off any guards and give Kuwabara and Hiei as much time as I can get." Yusuke nodded and Kurama nodded back.
"You want me to leave you behind?" Hiei whispered in disbelieve.
"No." Kurama replied. "I want you to get help."
Hiei tightened his grip on Kurama's sleeve, he was not going to let them take away his best friend, and honestly his only friend.
"And what if it doesn't work?" Kuwabara kept his eyes focused on the floor.
"This has to work." Kurama lowered his voice. "This might be one of our last chances to get out. This has to work."
Hiei was about to protest against his plan but as soon as he opened his mouth, the door swung open. Kyra had returned with Guo, she made a quick gesture towards Kurama as Guo started to hesitate which one to pick. He picked the fox up with one motion, putting the fox down on his feet. Kurama's legs gave out in no time, he was caught before his knees touched the ground and swung over Guo's shoulder. Before they knew it the door was slammed shut and Kurama was gone.
"Oke, we have no time to waste.." Yusuke looked over at his comrades. "Let's try to get you two out of here."
He knew he was in trouble, but this would somewhat help him. Suffering from elemental withdrawal, a run through the forest would strengthen him for what was to come next. But this wasn't a relaxing run, a run to clear your head after a long day of stress. This was a "run for your life" run, they would hunt him down like an animal. Kurama frowned as Guo kept walking, after a while he was able to find his balance to walk again. A sudden push in his back disturbed this train of thought. He never realized it himself but he had actually slowed down during his brainstorming session.
The halls never seem to end, he never thought this place would be this huge. He looked around as he walked, cell doors covered the walls, some empty and some packed to the max. A small object hit his head 'a pebble' the prisoner yelled something inaudible but rather then figuring out what he said, he ignored it. They kept walking until a metal door came into sight. This door wasn't a cell door, this one had no lock. Kyra walked past Kurama to open the door and he was lead inside by Guo.
Kurama looked around, demon spectators filled the benches of their so called arena. Kurama was lead to a small stage, a single spotlight pointed at him. The crowd roared, then fel silent, then roared louder then before. He couldn't see any of his surroundings because of the bright light focused on him, he squeezed his eyes closed against it. A certain line brought him back to the situation.
"Dead or alive!" Kyra yelled. The crowd roared and screamed.
'Dead or alive... so lethal weapons are allowed?' Kurama looked down at his hands, tied tightly with rope.
"He won't be able to hurt you, hurting one of you will result in a penalty." Kyra laughed enthusiastically. "He'll get a 5 minute head start!"
Kurama felt himself being dragged to another door, probably leading to the outside. His hands were freed and the door closed behind him with a loud bang. A beeping sound was heard from a digital clock, a countdown. Kurama took a few seconds to plan a route, grass stuck to his face as he lifted himself off the ground. '4 minutes and 48 seconds' He took the first path he saw and began running, more like stumbling.
Kyra watched as the timer ran out. "That's 5 minutes folks! Happy hunting and remember, the one who brings the fox back will receive some nice prices. Dead or alive."
Oh boy, oke. Let's continue..
There still might be some mistakes but i'm doing my best to improve my writing!
Hope you liked this so far!