Ch. 10 – Switch
"Well…" Koenma tires to think before responding.
"I know your team isn't in dire need of another member. So what are your true intentions?"
"Don't you think you should fully heal before we have this discussion?" Koenma suggests.
"I am healed enough."
"But you were in real critical condition when Yusuke brought you here."
"I am aware of that. But now I am almost back to normal, so spill."
"But what about two days ago? When you made all of my machines go haywire and I had to bring you to my father?"
"You left me with King Yama. I am mostly healed."
"But you're still not completely healed."
"Koenma…" Kagome starts to get mad. "Tell me right now or I'm leaving."
"…But but…what about Youko?"
"I do not need to stay here to be able to see him."
"What about the team?"
"What about them? I do not know them personally."
Koenma sighs. "I would like you to join my Rekai Tentei."
"Why?" She inquires.
"Well…they need someone to take care of them. I can't have Boton go with them all of the time. She has her duty as a grim reaper to take care of. I would like you to go on missions with them and be able to heal them right away as well as keep their inside demons at bay and block attacks that they are unable to. Will you do this? Please?"
"…I will have to think about it."
"How long will that take?"
"The amount of time is undetermined. I will call you when I reach my decision."
"Alright." Koenma resigns. "Then I will return to my office to await your reply." He gets up and leaves the room.
(Later that Afternoon)
"Where are you going fox demon? Stop right there and I promise I won't kill you." A voice sounds behind Kurama as he is walking home from school. He freezes.
-This is not good.-
-Suichi! What did you do!?!-
-What do you mean!? You're the demon half! This is all your fault!-
-I haven't done anything yet today!-
-Well something must have happened!-
Kurama starts to slowly turn his head. Something sharp touches the back of his head near his neck.
"Stay facing forward or I'll shoot. Now you will start walking forward and follow the directions I give you or I'll kill you and your friends."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Don't try to act innocent Youko Kurama I know you've been hiding in that human for several years now."
"I am just Suichi Minamino, student at Sunset High."
"And a Rekai Tentei for Koenma, son of King Yama of Spirit World."
-This one's done their research.-
-That doesn't help us though.-
-True. You'll have to switch with me.-
-Humans will notice. Never mind the situation.-
"If you're concerned about normal humans, they cannot see me. However, they can still see you. Take a right here." The unknown person directs.
-Who could this demon be? I don't remember Koenma saying that any have recently escaped or it anyone else knew who we were.-
-I don't know, they've disguised themselves pretty well. I can't even sense them behind us other than the sharp object they are poking with.-
"There is a reason only you cannot sense me, Youko. Go right again. I am hiding my spirit energy. You should be able to do this as well. Isn't this why you are able to live among the humans without being constantly attacked by demons? Take a left."
"You must be foolish to have come after me. If you know everything about my past you'd be miles away." Youko takes control but doesn't shift.
"On the contrary, I came after you because I know everything. And I've been waiting to catch you."
"Really? That's unusual."
"I've liked you for a while Youko. I've seen you a few times as well."
"…"
-Who is this? I can't sense them at all! There's no trace of power or a scent of them anywhere! This could be anyone! What the heck?!-
He notices that the unknown person has directed them to a clearing in the middle of a forest. "Did you lead me here so you can kill me? Or try to?"
"If I wanted to kill you I would have done so already. But that wouldn't have been fair."
"So you're after a fight." Youko muses.
"Shift forms, fox." The unknown person demands. He does so.
"Now you see me. It is only fair that I see you." The sharp object is pulled away from his head and he slowly turns to face a hooded figure. Without warning the hooded figure tackles him to the ground, holding his arms to his sides.
"I got you my dear fox." The cloak's hood flips back to reveal a laughing Kagome. "You were so scared Youko! I so scared you!"
"Kagome!" Youko looks bewildered. "What are you doing here?! You're supposed to be resting at Koenma's."
"I took the day off."
"You can't take a day off from healing, Kagome."
"Says who? You're pinned."
A mischievous smile spreads across Youko's face. "Am I now?" Without warning he flips Kagome and pins her to the ground. "It seems to be the other way around."
"And what, are you going to do now?" Kagome looks at him with a sly smile on her face. "Out of ideas?"
"What now?" Another Kagome comes out from behind a tree, looking identical to the one being held to the ground.
"…" Youko looks from one to the other. "What…is going on, Kagome?" He looks at the one he's captured trying to make sense of the look in her eyes.
"Sorry lover boy." She shoves him away, standing and shifting into a demoness with half her face covered in dead scales with a demonic eye, short dirty-blonde hair, pointy eyes, fangs, and a pair of horns coming out of her head. "Are you angry Kags?"
"…" The real Kagome just stands there. Youko watches the two from a distance in bewilderment.
"He didn't even notice the difference. He was having fun."
Shita taunts. "Are you angry? You must be angry. C'mon, show me you anger."
"Nakushita…" Kagome calls out in a monotone voice.
"Let it out Kags. Test your control." Nakushita is surrounded by burning red flames. "You haven't used your powers in a while, now is the time to find out what you can still do. You know, I'm pretty sure if you didn't step out Youko would've kissed me. What would you feel then? The love of your life kissing another? Being fooled by another? Being happy with another?"
"Then…it is just like Inuyasha." Kagome puts her hand forward quickly and a huge amount of purified blue energy fills the clearing, blocking out Youko's vision because of its brightness.
(Elsewhere)
"Isn't Shita using Youko to get to Kagome a little harsh?" Raihoushi asks his brother as they sit on the couch playing a video game.
"Yes, but that's the best way to make sure Kagome doesn't hold back. I win." Daihoushi states.
"You what?" Rai looks at the TV screen. Dai's character is dancing across the stage. "You suck."
"Kagome needs to start using her powers again or she won't be able to control them. And if she can't control them we could all die. Shita has volunteered to test her with a battle out of anger. You and I will just fight her without involving her emotions." Dai pulls out some complicated combination in his controller. "I win."
"Bro…you suck." Rai whines.
"Well that takes care of the best 2 out of 3. Want to try 3 out of 5?"