A/N: Hi there again! Wow, thank you so much for all the nice reviews
everyone! ^--^ and yay! Over 80 reviews!! Very surprising for me though,
but cool at the same time! And congrats to AG! My 80th reviewer!! (I
think...^^ ;;)
Let's see what I was going to say...oh yeah, thank you for the nice review
BP...I wonder, was Keiko daydreaming of Yuusuke freaky? Hmm. ^_^ and yes, it
was a good thing that I posted NDCT here instead of at fictionpress.net,
that would be harder to do...-___-...thx for saying Sorceress Kirara! ^-^ Now I
have updated after a while now. Let's see, about the last chapter, how no
one can hear them fight, I have no clue why, but maybe it might be
explained here. Maybe....Anywho must start now! ^-^ please review when you're
done!
Disclaimer: I have been listening to one of Do as Infinity's CD for the past hour now. Do you think I'm in the mood to write this disclaimer? J/k, I love listening to DAI ^_^. But still, me no own!!
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
CHAPTER NINE: MORE DISCOVERIES OR SOMETHING??
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~__~_~_~
Inuyasha smiled and pushed his katana forward. Hiei's eyes became wide as the sound of flesh being pierced rang through his ears. "What?" he asked slowly when he saw blood fly across his eyes. He looked at Inuyasha, he was now quiet and the smirk that was once there had disappeared. Then he looked down; blood was dripping everywhere onto the floor...
* * *
"No..." Hiei said silently as he saw the red liquid drip onto the floor, creating a pool of fresh blood. "Why? Why did you do this?" he asked. Hiei looked down at Kurama. Kurama had his hand over his stomach, the source of the blood that had fallen upon the ground. The boy began to wince in pain. "Kurama..."
Hiei looked at Inuyasha, he was silent; however the katana that he had was not in his hand anymore. He didn't have a smirk on his face; instead, a look of concern replaced it. Hiei hid his knife and knelt beside his best friend to help him up. Despite seeing the amount of blood on the floor, Hiei ignored it; he was more worried about Kurama. "Kurama, we need to get you back to your apartment."
"I'm fine," Kurama answered slowly. "I'll heal in a few minutes..."
"But that wound of yours is too deep."
"I know...but I will heal. Don't worry about me..."
"Fine, I'll just take you to the roof. No one goes up there," said Hiei. He looked at Inuyasha and narrowed his eyes. "We'll finish this fight later." Hiei then disappeared with Kurama.
Inuyasha remained there. That moment was quick; the moment where the one called 'Kurama' had gotten in front of him and his opponent. He didn't sense Kurama's energy. 'Is he a Kurokiba too?' he asked himself, for sensing a Kurokiba can be difficult for dog demons like him. But didn't Hiei sense him too? Was that why he didn't attack him quickly?
Inuyasha transformed back into his human form. The claws, the ears and the white hair had disappeared and his hair returned to black. The demon smoothed down his hair and his school uniform. Before he left the hallway, he saw the blood and cleaned up the mess. The students who would pass by soon will begin to wonder why blood was on the ground. It was a surprise that no one heard the little battle just a few minutes ago and that no one passed by them. Otherwise, the beings that all humans thought that didn't exist would walk among them and soon, they will begin to become paranoid with everyone within their sight. It was also fortunate for them to be fighting in a hallway that no one passes through that much either.
The demon returned to his class and sat down in his seat. The teacher didn't mind him coming back in, so she just kept reading her book. The boy didn't miss much at all. It became a free period after he left. He lied his head down and looked out through the window and saw the sakura blossoms...ready to bloom and fly away...
* * *
"Kurama, why the hell did you do something foolish like that?" Hiei asked as he placed Kurama down to sit. The two were on the roof-top, alone. "You could've gotten yourself killed like that!"
"Heh, now look who's talking," Kurama answered. He was sitting down and he looked on ahead. It was still noon and lunch would be starting soon. "If I didn't come in between, you would've been stabbed through the heart."
"Feh," Hiei crossed his arms. "I would have been alright. I didn't need your help at all."
Kurama didn't reply back to the stubborn Hiei. He remained silent. "Did you know that, when his sword pierced through my skin, I saw Kikyou's face during that moment?" he asked.
"What? You're still thinking about that conniving wench?"
"Yes, but," he continued, "she didn't seem happy at all..."
"Of course she isn't happy!" Hiei said immediately. "She's dead!" (a/n: isn't that a rude remark or what?)
"It isn't because of that, Hiei."
"What then?"
"Kikyou's face was there, but suddenly it had changed into Botan's face. She came into my mind..."
"Who in the world is Botan?"
"She's the one who sits beside me with blue hair."
"Whatever."
Kurama continued on. "I saw her face; she seemed to be so happy..."
"So you're saying that you're falling in love again? Falling in love with a mere human?" Hiei questioned.
"I didn't say that."
"It sounded like that." Hiei leaned back against the fence that was behind him.
Kurama closed his eyes; he began to feel his body heal from the deep wound slowly. "So, who was your new friend in the hallway?"
"His name is Inuyasha," replied Hiei, "he's a demon, and a strong one at that. He was the demon that we have both sensed earlier today."
"Do you know why he's here?"
"No...He just kept going on and on about the Kurokiba. Saying that we are the most legendary beings ever," Hiei explained.
"Hmm...." Kurama stood up, already he was healed. "Why would he be here? Certainly he did not come for the Elementals, has he? Did you say anything about them?"
"No, I only said that we have already claimed that their deaths will be our doing and nothing more. It didn't seem as though he was interested in killing them."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
"He's a dog demon, right?"
"By the way his ears looked, yeah. I think so."
Kurama was silent. "This cant be so..." he whispered. "He should be dead."
"Who's supposed to be dead?"
"You've never heard of what happened many centuries ago, have you?"
"Never heard what?"
"You've never heard of the two dog demons?"
"No, I haven't heard of it."
Kurama sighed. "A long time ago, there were two youkai lords reigning over this part of Japan. One's name was Sesshoumaru, the other was named...Inuyasha..." the boy paused. Hiei's eyes began to widen at the name of Inuyasha. "There was a battle...A battle between humans and demons. It seemed as though the demons were winning, until the last moment. Sesshoumaru's younger brother, Inuyasha, was shot through the heart by an arrow. The arrow was shot by a witch named Kaede."
"A witch shot him?"
"Yes, and Sesshoumaru was there when this happened. He didn't attack the witch. Instead, Sesshoumaru lifted up his dead brother and walked away. He buried Inuyasha near a well and had left. When he returned to that same place one month after, his remains were gone. His grave had been dug up by someone...His body was missing and still is to this day..." he finished.
"So you're also saying that the Inuyasha we know now was this 'once powerful' youkai?"
"Correct."
"Were he and Sesshoumaru both dog demons?"
Kurama nodded his head.
"Then that must be why he was so strong. He's still powerful after all these years..."
"But the question really is...Why is he here and why is he alive? That's just a wonder to think about right now," said Kurama. "However, it is possible that a being can be resurrected from death; with the aid of a powerful witch. Maybe...that's why his body is gone..."
"What are you rambling on about now, Kurama?
"A witch; a witch could have possibly resurrected him."
"How do you know of this stuff?"
"Kikyou...Kikyou told me before she died. She taught me things that I will never forget..." he replied.
"Then how does she know about those things then?"
"That I do not know...She --"
"There you are!" someone yelled out from the doorway entrance to the staircase. "I've been looking for you two."
Kurama and Hiei both turned around and saw two brown eyes watching them.
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_
Lunch had started and everyone began to eat their own obento (boxed-lunch). They were all chatting happily with one another and eating at the same time. Kagome and Sango were thinking about going to the classroom next door to pay a visit with their new friend Inya and probably have lunch with him if possible.
Yukina was with Keiko – Botan had left the room to go the school library when the bell rang. Yukina and Keiko volunteered to come with her, but Botan declined them to follow. So there they are, two of them with each other. Yuusuke was gone and it appeared as though he went out right after the bell rang. No one knows where he went off to. Like Yuusuke, Kurama and Hiei were both gone as well – no one minded the absence of the three. Yukina and Keiko were chatting; Keiko had a concerned look upon her face. It seemed as though she was worried about something.
"What happened? How'd she get them?" Keiko asked Yukina.
"I don't know...She didn't tell me..."
Keiko placed her hand over her mouth. "Strange..."
"Yukina!" someone called from the doorway. "Botan! Kei –"
"Shut up, will you!" Koenma said as he smacked Kuwabara on the head. "Everyone in the whole school could have already you by now!"
Kuwabara rubbed his head. "Fine, whatever."
Yukina and Keiko stared at Koenma and Kuwabara. "Uh, hello..." they both said in unison.
The two boys walked over to them and sat down. "Hmm...Where's my sister?" Koenma asked. "She's usually here munching on snacks and gobbling them down her throat."
"She went to the library when the bell rang, we wanted to come with her but she said no," Yukina replied. "And what are you two doing here anyway?"
"We were hungry and you guys always bring food. So might as well come," said Koenma as he reached over to Keiko's lunchbox (^_^). As he was doing so, the intercom turned up to make an announcement.
"Koenma Daioh of Class 2-B, please come to the front office. You have a visitor. Koenma Daioh of class 2-B, please come to the front office now."
"Shoot," Koenma said under his breath. "Well, I'll be back." With that, he left.
"A visitor?" Keiko asked.
"Yeah, I guess so," Kuwabara responded.
"Well then, let's chow now!" Yukina burst out suddenly. "Just leave some for Botan by the way!"
"Yeah..." Keiko said slowly. Her eyes began to go off into another place. She was thinking of the dream that she had of Yuusuke earlier. It was surprising and yet embarrassing when she stood up and cried out his name unexpectedly. She felt the side of her neck, no bumps could be felt – but still, why would she dream of Yuusuke being a vampire? 'Vampires don't exist,' she told herself. Maybe she just had that dream because of sleepiness or that she was under a lot of stress lately. It could be that.
"Keiko, you okay?" Yukina called out.
"Huh?"
"You've been dazed for about a few minutes now; I've been trying to get your attention since then, but you haven't answered."
"Oh, sorry about that," Keiko said quickly. "I was just thinking, that's all."
"'Kay, but are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure." ^-^;;
"Kazuma, what's been on your mind lately?" Yukina asked as she turned towards Kuwabara. He was staring outside the window.
"Hmm? Oh, nothing," he said silently, "just a little sleepy."
"Alright."
Kuwabara looked out the window. He had a bad feeling about the school. He felt strange, but yet powerful energy-vibes; all around the school, he can feel it.
Kazuma was no ordinary human; he has this sort of power. A sort of power that he had learned throughout the time he has had it. He can see ghosts, heavenly creatures and demons, he can sense any power coming from something, and premonitions can occur to him at any random moment. He practically has the power of a psychic – spiritual energy and all. He knows of things that exist or don't exist, he knows of vampires and witches; he even knows legends and stories, the prophecies that have yet to come and be fulfilled, even the prophecy that the oracle told to the Kurokiba king; the prophecy of the Elemental witches. He knows, Kuwabara knows; however, he too does not know who the Elementals are...
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
Botan searched and searched through the dozens of books that contained prophecies, legends, fairy tales, monsters, demons, and angels – anything that contained the supernatural. But try as she might to find what she was looking for, no success. All she found were stories about other types of witches, any kind except the "Elemental Witches."
"Elementals...Elementals...Why isn't there anything about the Elementals?!" she asked out loud. She sighed, "Maybe it was all just something that I made up in my mind." The girl was about to grab for another book until she paused. "Wind..." she whispered quietly. She tried to remember her dream again. Her mind went back to that place, the place where she was tied up in and crying to herself. The man that threatened her, that man called her another name: 'The Elemental Witch of the Wind...'
"Kaze..." she said to herself. "Wind...Elements..."
She sat down at an empty table and took out a piece of paper and a pen out from her bag and placed them on the table. She began to write down the word "Wind" and paused. After a few seconds had gone by, she had written down the four main elements: "Wind" "Water" "Earth" and "Fire".
"There are four elements...one witch for each element..." Botan said as she placed her pen down upon the table. "Four witches with the power of the Elements! That's it!" The girl stood up and slammed her hand upon the table.
"Shhh!" the librarian ordered. This is a library, young lady and you must keep your voice down!"
"Whoops! Sorry about that!" Botan apologized quickly. She gathered her stuff and then left the library. She's getting hungry now.
She walked hurriedly down the hallway, trying to avoid hitting or crashing into anything as she walked. As she turned a corner, BAM! She fell onto the floor. "Itai..." she said as she rubbed her head. "Watch where you're going next time, buddy!"
"I'm sorry," the 'buddy' said instantly. "I wasn't watching where I was walking."
Botan opened her eyes when the person had spoken. His voice sounded familiar. "Kurama?" she asked when she looked up. Right in front of her face, two green eyes belonging to Kurama looked at her with concern. "Did I hurt you? Are you okay, Botan-chan?"
Botan began to turn red. "Oh, it's okay," she said. "It's okay, it was my fault." She started to get up, as she was doing so, she saw Hiei and Yuusuke standing behind Kurama. "Oh, hi there."
"Hello," Yuusuke replied back. Hiei looked away.
"O...kay...Anyway," started Botan, "what are you doing? You've been gone since PE ended. No wait, Kurama, you were in PE and so was Yuusuke for once, but Hiei. You weren't there!"
"So what if I wasn't there, you wench?" Hiei responded coldly. "It's not like as if this stupid school is important to me anyway."
Botan felt hurt. Never in her entire life was she called a 'wench'. Not even her own brother would call her that. "What did you call me, shrimp?"
Hiei grinned. "You heard me, wench."
The girl narrowed her eyes; she began to lift her sleeve up as she made a fist at Hiei. "Why I oughta tear you in half, you –"
Kurama grabbed onto Botan's arm before she could have finished her sentence. Botan looked surprised. "Now, now children, this is no place to have fights. Right, Hiei?"
Hiei stopped; Yuusuke remained still.
"Okay," Kurama said suddenly. "Botan, is it okay if you come with me for a while? If that's okay with you," he asked.
"Uh, sure," Botan replied. "But, um...will it be all right if you could let go of my arm, please?"
Kurama looked at her arm, he was still holding onto her. "Oh, sorry about that," he said.
The two then left, leaving Hiei and Yuusuke to themselves.
"Err, Kurama," began Botan as they walked, "what were you three doing out here? You guys have been missing since last period."
"We were on the roof, talking. That's all," Kurama answered quietly.
"You were on the roof?"
"Yes..."
"So...where're we going to? Did you need to talk? Because I can try to help you if you have any problems or if you just need help with homework, I can help."
"It's okay, Botan. You're sweet, you know that?"
"I am?" She began to blush.
"Yeah, you barely even know me, but you still offer to help me."
"Oh."
As the two walked, Kurama led Botan towards the roof of the building. But as they were doing so, out of front office, came out Koenma. He saw his sister walking with a boy that he has never seen before. But by his the color of his hair, he must be the boy that the girls around the school were talking so obsessively about: Kurama. Koenma started to follow them silently.
Earlier, while Koenma was in that office, his father came to see him. Well, he was there for his father was to go on a 'business trip' out of town and he needed to go immediately. So, he was just there to tell them ahead of time before going home to find the house empty and that some clothes were gone. Koenma sighed, taken out of eating a good lunch just because of his 'visitor'.
And on he went to follow his little sister.
~_~_~_~_~_~_~
"So, I'm guessing that you and Botan don't get along real well then," said Yuusuke as he and Hiei were walking back to their classroom.
"No, that is the first time we've ever talked."
"Then why were you being a bit mean to her?"
"I hate humans, especially female humans," Hiei replied without emotion. "She is also the cause of Kurama's distraction. He's beginning to fall for that wench."
Yuusuke raised an eyebrow. "Do I sense a bit of jealousy coming from you; jealous of Botan, maybe?"
"No."
"Worried about your best friend?"
Hiei remained quiet. Yuusuke was right. Kurama was Hiei's best friend, and has been for over half his life now. Kurama was there to help him when he actually needed it. The boy was right, Hiei was worried about Kurama...he doesn't want to see him ache in pain when someone close to him dies before his very eyes. So many centuries of friendship has gone by quickly.
"Then I'm right, you are worried."
The two entered their classroom and sat in their seats. The classroom was half-empty, since many students were outside eating as well. They saw Yukina and Keiko eating and talking and saw a boy that's not from the class: Kuwabara...
***
Back on the roof, before bumping into Botan, Yuusuke, Hiei and Kurama were on the roof, talking.
***
"You're looking for the Elemental Witches, right?" Yuusuke asked as both Kurama and Hiei turned to face him. "Am I right?"
"What is it to you?" Hiei asked.
"I'm here to help you."
"Feh, I bet you work with that dog demon!"
"I didn't know there was a dog demon in the school. I didn't even know that demons existed. Then again, I lie about that. I know that demons exist, so forget what I said."
"What are you doing up here?" Kurama asked.
"I was looking for you two. I heard the fight that was in the hallway, and I heard the blood that spilt. I even heard that you, Hiei, were looking for the Elementals. So I am here, to help you with that search of yours," Yuusuke replied.
"And what do you want in return?" Hiei demanded.
"Nothing," Yuusuke said bluntly. "But what I do want is a head from one of the Elementals."
"You want a head? Why would you want that sort of thing?" Kurama inquired.
"The one who wants me to go after them, wants their precious little heads," Yuusuke replied. "He too, wants them dead."
"Then why isn't he here with you?" Hiei asked. "Does he fear them as well?"
"Pretty much, yeah; he fears them. That's why he sent me. But I can't do this alone though."
"Why is that?" asked Kurama.
"I'm not a vampire like you two. I'm just a human, a human whose blood was taken by a vampire. And now I do as he bids," Yuusuke replied solemnly. "I'm just a servant, in other words. I had a life, until I met him...So, if I bring in the head of one of the Elementals, I'd be free. That's why I'm here to help you and that you're here to help me."
"Couldn't you just bring in the head of a human girl?" Hiei brought out.
"That won't be easy. He can tell that it's not an Elemental."
"Do you have any powers, Yuusuke?" Kurama wondered.
"Not really," Yuusuke answered. "All I have is that I can hear anything that I want that is over a mile away or more; seeing in the dark and over a mile as well...Just things that a normal human doesn't have. I can see spirits and – "
"Pretty much like a psychic, right?" Hiei interrupted.
"Err, pretty, much yes."
"Then we might need you then."
"So, when do we start?"
"As soon as we can," Kurama said.
~_~_~_~_~_~_~
{Back with K+B}
Kurama and Botan both stood on the school's rooftop. A breeze began to blow around them, creating a mood that seemed a bit too quiet to be comfortable. Botan looked at Kurama, he was staring on ahead. 'Wow!' Botan said to herself, 'I'm here with Kurama!' Her heart began to beat harder and faster as the seconds passed by.
"Botan?"
"Huh?" Botan asked as she snapped out of her thoughts. "Yes?"
"Umm...do you have anything to do this weekend?" he asked.
"Uh, no," she answered. "I have nothing to do; why do you ask?"
"Umm...would you like to go see a movie...with me?" he asked nervously.
Botan became quiet. 'He's asking me out?!' Her heart began to beat faster now. 'Breathe, Botan, breathe,' she told herself. "Um," she began to tell him. She too was nervous about what she was going to say...but why is she so nervous? It's only Kurama...
"Botan, there you are!" Koenma called out. "Better hurry, lunch is going to end in a few seconds."
The girl turned around and saw her brother. "Koenma! How long have you been there?"
"I just came out and called out your name when I saw you two," he lied. "Now come on, the bell's going to ring soon."
Botan looked back at Kurama. "Uh, is it okay if I think about this for a bit? I need to speak to my brother." she asked him.
"Sure, take as much time as you need."
"Thanks." Botan ran back to her brother. The siblings then left and closed the door.
Kurama was by himself. He knew that someone was following him, he sensed it. But what he didn't know was that it was Botan's brother...He looked out to the horizon...The sun was shining directly above him, though his skin isn't being burned to a crisp like most other vampires. Wind was blowing around him; it was strong, pulling him back away from the fence. "The Wind is calling for someone..." he said silently.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Hi again ^^; Err, how was it? I was reading it over again...and to me...this was a downer chappie...A bit confusing in a way...-___-...gah...but anyway, I just finished watching the whole series to Fruits Basket and I might've gotten distracted a bit while typing this up ^^;;...Furuba, is a GREAT series that many people will absolutely love...ah...so cute...^^ ANYWHO, please don't send any flames...-___-...I know I didn't get any so far (okay, I might've gotten one by this one girl who didn't even bother to read the first chappie...she just read the prologue and already said she hated the pairing...T___T...Anyhow...she's gone....so please...no flames..-___-) Hmm...I'm forgetting what else to say...oh, sorry for not updating in a long time again...I had a research paper to write and it takes a month to do (since researching, outlining, putting it all together...evil...) I'll try to update as soon as I can...just as long as I receive up to 5 reviews for this chappie ^-^... Another thing...I've just decided...I'm not going to do the three-part thingy anymore...I've thought about it...but as I think about it again, I'll just get even more confused than ever... (*me* @_@) so...I'm not going to do it...^^ but thx to those who suggested for me to do so ^^ Welps, me g2g now...Byes for now everyone! And don't forget to review!! ^^ Yay!! It's raining now!! ^_________^
Disclaimer: I have been listening to one of Do as Infinity's CD for the past hour now. Do you think I'm in the mood to write this disclaimer? J/k, I love listening to DAI ^_^. But still, me no own!!
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
CHAPTER NINE: MORE DISCOVERIES OR SOMETHING??
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~__~_~_~
Inuyasha smiled and pushed his katana forward. Hiei's eyes became wide as the sound of flesh being pierced rang through his ears. "What?" he asked slowly when he saw blood fly across his eyes. He looked at Inuyasha, he was now quiet and the smirk that was once there had disappeared. Then he looked down; blood was dripping everywhere onto the floor...
* * *
"No..." Hiei said silently as he saw the red liquid drip onto the floor, creating a pool of fresh blood. "Why? Why did you do this?" he asked. Hiei looked down at Kurama. Kurama had his hand over his stomach, the source of the blood that had fallen upon the ground. The boy began to wince in pain. "Kurama..."
Hiei looked at Inuyasha, he was silent; however the katana that he had was not in his hand anymore. He didn't have a smirk on his face; instead, a look of concern replaced it. Hiei hid his knife and knelt beside his best friend to help him up. Despite seeing the amount of blood on the floor, Hiei ignored it; he was more worried about Kurama. "Kurama, we need to get you back to your apartment."
"I'm fine," Kurama answered slowly. "I'll heal in a few minutes..."
"But that wound of yours is too deep."
"I know...but I will heal. Don't worry about me..."
"Fine, I'll just take you to the roof. No one goes up there," said Hiei. He looked at Inuyasha and narrowed his eyes. "We'll finish this fight later." Hiei then disappeared with Kurama.
Inuyasha remained there. That moment was quick; the moment where the one called 'Kurama' had gotten in front of him and his opponent. He didn't sense Kurama's energy. 'Is he a Kurokiba too?' he asked himself, for sensing a Kurokiba can be difficult for dog demons like him. But didn't Hiei sense him too? Was that why he didn't attack him quickly?
Inuyasha transformed back into his human form. The claws, the ears and the white hair had disappeared and his hair returned to black. The demon smoothed down his hair and his school uniform. Before he left the hallway, he saw the blood and cleaned up the mess. The students who would pass by soon will begin to wonder why blood was on the ground. It was a surprise that no one heard the little battle just a few minutes ago and that no one passed by them. Otherwise, the beings that all humans thought that didn't exist would walk among them and soon, they will begin to become paranoid with everyone within their sight. It was also fortunate for them to be fighting in a hallway that no one passes through that much either.
The demon returned to his class and sat down in his seat. The teacher didn't mind him coming back in, so she just kept reading her book. The boy didn't miss much at all. It became a free period after he left. He lied his head down and looked out through the window and saw the sakura blossoms...ready to bloom and fly away...
* * *
"Kurama, why the hell did you do something foolish like that?" Hiei asked as he placed Kurama down to sit. The two were on the roof-top, alone. "You could've gotten yourself killed like that!"
"Heh, now look who's talking," Kurama answered. He was sitting down and he looked on ahead. It was still noon and lunch would be starting soon. "If I didn't come in between, you would've been stabbed through the heart."
"Feh," Hiei crossed his arms. "I would have been alright. I didn't need your help at all."
Kurama didn't reply back to the stubborn Hiei. He remained silent. "Did you know that, when his sword pierced through my skin, I saw Kikyou's face during that moment?" he asked.
"What? You're still thinking about that conniving wench?"
"Yes, but," he continued, "she didn't seem happy at all..."
"Of course she isn't happy!" Hiei said immediately. "She's dead!" (a/n: isn't that a rude remark or what?)
"It isn't because of that, Hiei."
"What then?"
"Kikyou's face was there, but suddenly it had changed into Botan's face. She came into my mind..."
"Who in the world is Botan?"
"She's the one who sits beside me with blue hair."
"Whatever."
Kurama continued on. "I saw her face; she seemed to be so happy..."
"So you're saying that you're falling in love again? Falling in love with a mere human?" Hiei questioned.
"I didn't say that."
"It sounded like that." Hiei leaned back against the fence that was behind him.
Kurama closed his eyes; he began to feel his body heal from the deep wound slowly. "So, who was your new friend in the hallway?"
"His name is Inuyasha," replied Hiei, "he's a demon, and a strong one at that. He was the demon that we have both sensed earlier today."
"Do you know why he's here?"
"No...He just kept going on and on about the Kurokiba. Saying that we are the most legendary beings ever," Hiei explained.
"Hmm...." Kurama stood up, already he was healed. "Why would he be here? Certainly he did not come for the Elementals, has he? Did you say anything about them?"
"No, I only said that we have already claimed that their deaths will be our doing and nothing more. It didn't seem as though he was interested in killing them."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
"He's a dog demon, right?"
"By the way his ears looked, yeah. I think so."
Kurama was silent. "This cant be so..." he whispered. "He should be dead."
"Who's supposed to be dead?"
"You've never heard of what happened many centuries ago, have you?"
"Never heard what?"
"You've never heard of the two dog demons?"
"No, I haven't heard of it."
Kurama sighed. "A long time ago, there were two youkai lords reigning over this part of Japan. One's name was Sesshoumaru, the other was named...Inuyasha..." the boy paused. Hiei's eyes began to widen at the name of Inuyasha. "There was a battle...A battle between humans and demons. It seemed as though the demons were winning, until the last moment. Sesshoumaru's younger brother, Inuyasha, was shot through the heart by an arrow. The arrow was shot by a witch named Kaede."
"A witch shot him?"
"Yes, and Sesshoumaru was there when this happened. He didn't attack the witch. Instead, Sesshoumaru lifted up his dead brother and walked away. He buried Inuyasha near a well and had left. When he returned to that same place one month after, his remains were gone. His grave had been dug up by someone...His body was missing and still is to this day..." he finished.
"So you're also saying that the Inuyasha we know now was this 'once powerful' youkai?"
"Correct."
"Were he and Sesshoumaru both dog demons?"
Kurama nodded his head.
"Then that must be why he was so strong. He's still powerful after all these years..."
"But the question really is...Why is he here and why is he alive? That's just a wonder to think about right now," said Kurama. "However, it is possible that a being can be resurrected from death; with the aid of a powerful witch. Maybe...that's why his body is gone..."
"What are you rambling on about now, Kurama?
"A witch; a witch could have possibly resurrected him."
"How do you know of this stuff?"
"Kikyou...Kikyou told me before she died. She taught me things that I will never forget..." he replied.
"Then how does she know about those things then?"
"That I do not know...She --"
"There you are!" someone yelled out from the doorway entrance to the staircase. "I've been looking for you two."
Kurama and Hiei both turned around and saw two brown eyes watching them.
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_
Lunch had started and everyone began to eat their own obento (boxed-lunch). They were all chatting happily with one another and eating at the same time. Kagome and Sango were thinking about going to the classroom next door to pay a visit with their new friend Inya and probably have lunch with him if possible.
Yukina was with Keiko – Botan had left the room to go the school library when the bell rang. Yukina and Keiko volunteered to come with her, but Botan declined them to follow. So there they are, two of them with each other. Yuusuke was gone and it appeared as though he went out right after the bell rang. No one knows where he went off to. Like Yuusuke, Kurama and Hiei were both gone as well – no one minded the absence of the three. Yukina and Keiko were chatting; Keiko had a concerned look upon her face. It seemed as though she was worried about something.
"What happened? How'd she get them?" Keiko asked Yukina.
"I don't know...She didn't tell me..."
Keiko placed her hand over her mouth. "Strange..."
"Yukina!" someone called from the doorway. "Botan! Kei –"
"Shut up, will you!" Koenma said as he smacked Kuwabara on the head. "Everyone in the whole school could have already you by now!"
Kuwabara rubbed his head. "Fine, whatever."
Yukina and Keiko stared at Koenma and Kuwabara. "Uh, hello..." they both said in unison.
The two boys walked over to them and sat down. "Hmm...Where's my sister?" Koenma asked. "She's usually here munching on snacks and gobbling them down her throat."
"She went to the library when the bell rang, we wanted to come with her but she said no," Yukina replied. "And what are you two doing here anyway?"
"We were hungry and you guys always bring food. So might as well come," said Koenma as he reached over to Keiko's lunchbox (^_^). As he was doing so, the intercom turned up to make an announcement.
"Koenma Daioh of Class 2-B, please come to the front office. You have a visitor. Koenma Daioh of class 2-B, please come to the front office now."
"Shoot," Koenma said under his breath. "Well, I'll be back." With that, he left.
"A visitor?" Keiko asked.
"Yeah, I guess so," Kuwabara responded.
"Well then, let's chow now!" Yukina burst out suddenly. "Just leave some for Botan by the way!"
"Yeah..." Keiko said slowly. Her eyes began to go off into another place. She was thinking of the dream that she had of Yuusuke earlier. It was surprising and yet embarrassing when she stood up and cried out his name unexpectedly. She felt the side of her neck, no bumps could be felt – but still, why would she dream of Yuusuke being a vampire? 'Vampires don't exist,' she told herself. Maybe she just had that dream because of sleepiness or that she was under a lot of stress lately. It could be that.
"Keiko, you okay?" Yukina called out.
"Huh?"
"You've been dazed for about a few minutes now; I've been trying to get your attention since then, but you haven't answered."
"Oh, sorry about that," Keiko said quickly. "I was just thinking, that's all."
"'Kay, but are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure." ^-^;;
"Kazuma, what's been on your mind lately?" Yukina asked as she turned towards Kuwabara. He was staring outside the window.
"Hmm? Oh, nothing," he said silently, "just a little sleepy."
"Alright."
Kuwabara looked out the window. He had a bad feeling about the school. He felt strange, but yet powerful energy-vibes; all around the school, he can feel it.
Kazuma was no ordinary human; he has this sort of power. A sort of power that he had learned throughout the time he has had it. He can see ghosts, heavenly creatures and demons, he can sense any power coming from something, and premonitions can occur to him at any random moment. He practically has the power of a psychic – spiritual energy and all. He knows of things that exist or don't exist, he knows of vampires and witches; he even knows legends and stories, the prophecies that have yet to come and be fulfilled, even the prophecy that the oracle told to the Kurokiba king; the prophecy of the Elemental witches. He knows, Kuwabara knows; however, he too does not know who the Elementals are...
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
Botan searched and searched through the dozens of books that contained prophecies, legends, fairy tales, monsters, demons, and angels – anything that contained the supernatural. But try as she might to find what she was looking for, no success. All she found were stories about other types of witches, any kind except the "Elemental Witches."
"Elementals...Elementals...Why isn't there anything about the Elementals?!" she asked out loud. She sighed, "Maybe it was all just something that I made up in my mind." The girl was about to grab for another book until she paused. "Wind..." she whispered quietly. She tried to remember her dream again. Her mind went back to that place, the place where she was tied up in and crying to herself. The man that threatened her, that man called her another name: 'The Elemental Witch of the Wind...'
"Kaze..." she said to herself. "Wind...Elements..."
She sat down at an empty table and took out a piece of paper and a pen out from her bag and placed them on the table. She began to write down the word "Wind" and paused. After a few seconds had gone by, she had written down the four main elements: "Wind" "Water" "Earth" and "Fire".
"There are four elements...one witch for each element..." Botan said as she placed her pen down upon the table. "Four witches with the power of the Elements! That's it!" The girl stood up and slammed her hand upon the table.
"Shhh!" the librarian ordered. This is a library, young lady and you must keep your voice down!"
"Whoops! Sorry about that!" Botan apologized quickly. She gathered her stuff and then left the library. She's getting hungry now.
She walked hurriedly down the hallway, trying to avoid hitting or crashing into anything as she walked. As she turned a corner, BAM! She fell onto the floor. "Itai..." she said as she rubbed her head. "Watch where you're going next time, buddy!"
"I'm sorry," the 'buddy' said instantly. "I wasn't watching where I was walking."
Botan opened her eyes when the person had spoken. His voice sounded familiar. "Kurama?" she asked when she looked up. Right in front of her face, two green eyes belonging to Kurama looked at her with concern. "Did I hurt you? Are you okay, Botan-chan?"
Botan began to turn red. "Oh, it's okay," she said. "It's okay, it was my fault." She started to get up, as she was doing so, she saw Hiei and Yuusuke standing behind Kurama. "Oh, hi there."
"Hello," Yuusuke replied back. Hiei looked away.
"O...kay...Anyway," started Botan, "what are you doing? You've been gone since PE ended. No wait, Kurama, you were in PE and so was Yuusuke for once, but Hiei. You weren't there!"
"So what if I wasn't there, you wench?" Hiei responded coldly. "It's not like as if this stupid school is important to me anyway."
Botan felt hurt. Never in her entire life was she called a 'wench'. Not even her own brother would call her that. "What did you call me, shrimp?"
Hiei grinned. "You heard me, wench."
The girl narrowed her eyes; she began to lift her sleeve up as she made a fist at Hiei. "Why I oughta tear you in half, you –"
Kurama grabbed onto Botan's arm before she could have finished her sentence. Botan looked surprised. "Now, now children, this is no place to have fights. Right, Hiei?"
Hiei stopped; Yuusuke remained still.
"Okay," Kurama said suddenly. "Botan, is it okay if you come with me for a while? If that's okay with you," he asked.
"Uh, sure," Botan replied. "But, um...will it be all right if you could let go of my arm, please?"
Kurama looked at her arm, he was still holding onto her. "Oh, sorry about that," he said.
The two then left, leaving Hiei and Yuusuke to themselves.
"Err, Kurama," began Botan as they walked, "what were you three doing out here? You guys have been missing since last period."
"We were on the roof, talking. That's all," Kurama answered quietly.
"You were on the roof?"
"Yes..."
"So...where're we going to? Did you need to talk? Because I can try to help you if you have any problems or if you just need help with homework, I can help."
"It's okay, Botan. You're sweet, you know that?"
"I am?" She began to blush.
"Yeah, you barely even know me, but you still offer to help me."
"Oh."
As the two walked, Kurama led Botan towards the roof of the building. But as they were doing so, out of front office, came out Koenma. He saw his sister walking with a boy that he has never seen before. But by his the color of his hair, he must be the boy that the girls around the school were talking so obsessively about: Kurama. Koenma started to follow them silently.
Earlier, while Koenma was in that office, his father came to see him. Well, he was there for his father was to go on a 'business trip' out of town and he needed to go immediately. So, he was just there to tell them ahead of time before going home to find the house empty and that some clothes were gone. Koenma sighed, taken out of eating a good lunch just because of his 'visitor'.
And on he went to follow his little sister.
~_~_~_~_~_~_~
"So, I'm guessing that you and Botan don't get along real well then," said Yuusuke as he and Hiei were walking back to their classroom.
"No, that is the first time we've ever talked."
"Then why were you being a bit mean to her?"
"I hate humans, especially female humans," Hiei replied without emotion. "She is also the cause of Kurama's distraction. He's beginning to fall for that wench."
Yuusuke raised an eyebrow. "Do I sense a bit of jealousy coming from you; jealous of Botan, maybe?"
"No."
"Worried about your best friend?"
Hiei remained quiet. Yuusuke was right. Kurama was Hiei's best friend, and has been for over half his life now. Kurama was there to help him when he actually needed it. The boy was right, Hiei was worried about Kurama...he doesn't want to see him ache in pain when someone close to him dies before his very eyes. So many centuries of friendship has gone by quickly.
"Then I'm right, you are worried."
The two entered their classroom and sat in their seats. The classroom was half-empty, since many students were outside eating as well. They saw Yukina and Keiko eating and talking and saw a boy that's not from the class: Kuwabara...
***
Back on the roof, before bumping into Botan, Yuusuke, Hiei and Kurama were on the roof, talking.
***
"You're looking for the Elemental Witches, right?" Yuusuke asked as both Kurama and Hiei turned to face him. "Am I right?"
"What is it to you?" Hiei asked.
"I'm here to help you."
"Feh, I bet you work with that dog demon!"
"I didn't know there was a dog demon in the school. I didn't even know that demons existed. Then again, I lie about that. I know that demons exist, so forget what I said."
"What are you doing up here?" Kurama asked.
"I was looking for you two. I heard the fight that was in the hallway, and I heard the blood that spilt. I even heard that you, Hiei, were looking for the Elementals. So I am here, to help you with that search of yours," Yuusuke replied.
"And what do you want in return?" Hiei demanded.
"Nothing," Yuusuke said bluntly. "But what I do want is a head from one of the Elementals."
"You want a head? Why would you want that sort of thing?" Kurama inquired.
"The one who wants me to go after them, wants their precious little heads," Yuusuke replied. "He too, wants them dead."
"Then why isn't he here with you?" Hiei asked. "Does he fear them as well?"
"Pretty much, yeah; he fears them. That's why he sent me. But I can't do this alone though."
"Why is that?" asked Kurama.
"I'm not a vampire like you two. I'm just a human, a human whose blood was taken by a vampire. And now I do as he bids," Yuusuke replied solemnly. "I'm just a servant, in other words. I had a life, until I met him...So, if I bring in the head of one of the Elementals, I'd be free. That's why I'm here to help you and that you're here to help me."
"Couldn't you just bring in the head of a human girl?" Hiei brought out.
"That won't be easy. He can tell that it's not an Elemental."
"Do you have any powers, Yuusuke?" Kurama wondered.
"Not really," Yuusuke answered. "All I have is that I can hear anything that I want that is over a mile away or more; seeing in the dark and over a mile as well...Just things that a normal human doesn't have. I can see spirits and – "
"Pretty much like a psychic, right?" Hiei interrupted.
"Err, pretty, much yes."
"Then we might need you then."
"So, when do we start?"
"As soon as we can," Kurama said.
~_~_~_~_~_~_~
{Back with K+B}
Kurama and Botan both stood on the school's rooftop. A breeze began to blow around them, creating a mood that seemed a bit too quiet to be comfortable. Botan looked at Kurama, he was staring on ahead. 'Wow!' Botan said to herself, 'I'm here with Kurama!' Her heart began to beat harder and faster as the seconds passed by.
"Botan?"
"Huh?" Botan asked as she snapped out of her thoughts. "Yes?"
"Umm...do you have anything to do this weekend?" he asked.
"Uh, no," she answered. "I have nothing to do; why do you ask?"
"Umm...would you like to go see a movie...with me?" he asked nervously.
Botan became quiet. 'He's asking me out?!' Her heart began to beat faster now. 'Breathe, Botan, breathe,' she told herself. "Um," she began to tell him. She too was nervous about what she was going to say...but why is she so nervous? It's only Kurama...
"Botan, there you are!" Koenma called out. "Better hurry, lunch is going to end in a few seconds."
The girl turned around and saw her brother. "Koenma! How long have you been there?"
"I just came out and called out your name when I saw you two," he lied. "Now come on, the bell's going to ring soon."
Botan looked back at Kurama. "Uh, is it okay if I think about this for a bit? I need to speak to my brother." she asked him.
"Sure, take as much time as you need."
"Thanks." Botan ran back to her brother. The siblings then left and closed the door.
Kurama was by himself. He knew that someone was following him, he sensed it. But what he didn't know was that it was Botan's brother...He looked out to the horizon...The sun was shining directly above him, though his skin isn't being burned to a crisp like most other vampires. Wind was blowing around him; it was strong, pulling him back away from the fence. "The Wind is calling for someone..." he said silently.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Hi again ^^; Err, how was it? I was reading it over again...and to me...this was a downer chappie...A bit confusing in a way...-___-...gah...but anyway, I just finished watching the whole series to Fruits Basket and I might've gotten distracted a bit while typing this up ^^;;...Furuba, is a GREAT series that many people will absolutely love...ah...so cute...^^ ANYWHO, please don't send any flames...-___-...I know I didn't get any so far (okay, I might've gotten one by this one girl who didn't even bother to read the first chappie...she just read the prologue and already said she hated the pairing...T___T...Anyhow...she's gone....so please...no flames..-___-) Hmm...I'm forgetting what else to say...oh, sorry for not updating in a long time again...I had a research paper to write and it takes a month to do (since researching, outlining, putting it all together...evil...) I'll try to update as soon as I can...just as long as I receive up to 5 reviews for this chappie ^-^... Another thing...I've just decided...I'm not going to do the three-part thingy anymore...I've thought about it...but as I think about it again, I'll just get even more confused than ever... (*me* @_@) so...I'm not going to do it...^^ but thx to those who suggested for me to do so ^^ Welps, me g2g now...Byes for now everyone! And don't forget to review!! ^^ Yay!! It's raining now!! ^_________^