The Corpse

Chapter 10: The Power of Taboo

Botan pounded on the compound's gate. "Genkai! Master Genkai!" she called.

The gate was pulled open and she saw not Genkai but Yusuke. "Quiet down, will you? She's sleeping."

"In the afternoon?" asked Botan. "Genkai's not the sort of person who would take naps."

"Old age is catching up with her, I guess," said Yusuke. He glanced at the dark-haired woman in priestess clothing behind Botan. "Hi there," he said. "And you are?"

"This is Kikyo," Botan said coldly. "She escaped from Spirit World with me."

"Escaped? What happened?" Yusuke led them inside the house. They seated themselves around a table.

"They found out about my correspondence with Koenma," said Botan. "Yama threw me into Hell." She shuddered at the thought.

"How did you get out?" asked Yusuke.

"Toguro saved me," said Botan. "Then Kikyo helped me."

"Well, come on in," said Yusuke.

"Perhaps we shouldn't," said Kikyo. "If we stay for long, it will bring Spirit World here."

"Don't worry about it," said Yusuke. "Spirit World's been after me for a while and they haven't gotten me yet. Us fugitives gotta stick together."

"Why is Spirit World after your life, Yusuke?" asked Kikyo.

"I worked for them for a while, before they found out that I was the descendant of a very dangerous demon."

"You're a half demon, then?"

"Something like that, yeah." Yusuke paused as Kikyo's eyes became distant and a wry smile appeared on her face, as if half-demons brought up some amusing memory. Keeping his voice friendly, Yusuke asked, "What's so funny?"

"Hm? Sorry, but I've always had terrible luck around half-demons," said Kikyo. Yusuke did not know how to respond. There was an awkward silence for a moment.

"So, Yusuke," said Botan. "We have so much catching up to do. How's life?"

"Actually, my mother was killed just a few days ago."

"What?" exclaimed Botan. "How? Why?"

"It was a demon," said Yusuke. "And his name was Inuyasha."

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Inuyasha squatted next to Kagome, peering at the thick scroll that had been dropped off at her doorstep this morning. The strange-smelling paper was written on with many different colored inks and had surprisingly detailed pictures.

"Inuyasha, stop reading over my shoulder!" Kagome snapped at him. She went back to reading the front page article.

TOKYO MOTHER AND SON MISSING

Atsuko Urameshi, 33, and her son Yusuke Urameshi, 17, disappeared from their Tokyo apartment last Monday. Police have yet to find any leads concerning why they left or where they went to. "We are all very worried," said Shuichi Minamino, a friend of Yusuke. "Atsuko and Yusuke have many concerned friends and we all hope that they return home safely."

"Yusuke Urameshi, huh?" Kagome looked up to see Ayame.

"What about him?"

"He's a demon, and a very dangerous one," said Ayame. "He's been living as a human for quite some time. Kagome, you and your team are to investigate his disappearance." Ayame held out a piece of paper. "This is the address of his apartment. I suggest you start there. Good luck. And remember your reward for completing this mission."

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"Well, this is the place," said Kagome. They had chosen to come at night, when no one would be able to see them carrying their strange weapons.

"This is the room," said Miroku. He noticed a piece of paper taped to the door. He read, "'If you should enter, take this advice. Do not say the word ice.' What's this?"

"We do what it says to do," said Sango. "Don't say that word."

"We've got no time to waste on stupid little limericks," said Inuyasha. "Let's just go."

The companions entered the apartment building, hands on their weapons. Inuyasha noticed one of the "light switches" that was so common in this era and flicked it on as he had learned to do. The apartment was instantly lit up revealing a teenager sitting in an armchair, reading a book. Instantly, demonic energy flooded the room.

"Who are you and what are you doing here?" Inuyasha demanded.

"My name's Kaitou. Yuu Kaitou. As for your second question, I've come to intercept you."

"Intercept us?" asked Kagome. "You mean from Yusuke Urameshi?"

Kaitou flipped a page in his book. "It was foolish to come here. A criminal should never return to the scene of the crime."

"Crime?" said Kagome. "You mean…"

"Yes. The murder of Atsuko Urameshi."

"So, that friend Kido mentioned was Yusuke Urameshi. You, Kido, Yusuke, and Naraku are all working together. Is that right?" asked Inuyasha.

"Tell me something, Inuyasha," said Kaitou. "Out of all the humans you could have chosen, you chose to eat the mother of a former Spirit Detective. Quite a coincidence."

"Former Spirit Detective!" exclaimed Kagome.

Kaitou ignored her outburst. "Do you actually need to eat humans?"

"I don't eat humans at all," said Inuyasha. "C'mon. I don't see why we have to stay here." He headed for the door.

"I do," said Kaitou, holding up his hand. The bottle containing the Sacred Jewel shards shot out of Kagome's pocket and hovered over his hand. "These gems are made from a disembodied soul. I'm able to control them within my Territory."

"So, you work with disembodied souls?" Miroku tried to keep his voice even.

"Yeah. That's the consequence of saying the taboo word. The one posted on my door."

"I don't have to listen to this," said Inuyasha. "Iron Reaver Soul Stealer!" He charged at Kaitou, prepared to rip the bastard's face off. A shield of light sprung up between them, snapping one of Inuyasha's claws.

"Oh my. Looks like you broke a nail, Inuyasha."

"I don't have to take this from someone who doesn't have the balls to fight fair. Besides, how do we know you're telling the truth about that word? Just because you put a note on the door?"

"There's only one way to find out," said Kaitou, smiling widely. First Hiei, now Inuyasha. There's a sucker born every minute.

"Fine," said Inuyasha. "Ice." Immediately, Inuyasha's stomach clenched and he exploded in golden light. His soul formed into a ball of yellow light and floated into Kaitou's hand, sitting beside the jewel shards.

Ignoring the horrified faces of Inuyasha's friends, Kaitou said, "Inuyasha was wrong about one thing. This is a fair fight. You see, I'm bound by the rules of my Territory as well. If you can get me to say the taboo word, I'll lose my soul and my Territory will shut down. Inuyasha will have his soul back and you'll have your jewels again. But to do that, you'll have to keep me talking. So you'd better talk about something that interests me."

"Don't listen to him," said Sango. "He's trying to decide our next move for us."

"If you can think of a better idea, you're welcome to try," said Kaitou. Sango simply glared at him. "Well, let's get started, then. Tell me about yourselves."

And Kagome did talk. She told him about falling the well and meeting her friends. She told him how she freed Inuyasha and broke the Shikon Jewel. She told him about how Naraku had turned Kikyo and Inuyasha against each other. Kaitou was quite the conversationalist. He seemed very interested in what Kagome had to say. But all the while, Kagome couldn't get him to say ice.

"Stop this!" said Miroku. "I'm getting very tired of this futile game. Obviously, no matter what we do, Kaitou won't say the taboo word. This is a waste of time!" Miroku tugged at his collar, trying to cool off.

"My, my, Master Monk," said Kaitou. "It seems that this frustration has got your blood boiling. Perhaps you'd like a drink to cool off? They're in that white box, the refrigerator."

Miroku eyed him suspiciously. Kaitou smiled. "Don't worry, Miroku. There's no booby traps. There's no violence in my Territory, remember?"

Miroku pulled open the refrigerator door and browsed through its sparse contents, which were mostly takeout leftovers. "Beer, sake, hmm, no soda," he muttered. "Anyone want some orange juice?" He gasped and doubled over, as if he had been punched.

"Miroku, are you alright?" cried Sango. Miroku's soul burst out of him, forming into a deep purple orb that floated into Kaitou's grasp.

"That's not fair!" Shippo shouted. "He didn't say ice! Uh-oh." Kaitou collected a third soul, this one the color of foxfire.

"This is quite a game," said Kaitou. "You've got two lives left."

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Sorry I haven't updated for so long. College application time. I really appreciate my readers, especially those who review. PLEASE send a review, even if it's just a two-word comment. Any feedback would be great. I mean, 1137 hits but only 13 reviews? Come on!