This is by far my most favorite fic. :)

Disclaimer:FY and YYH are not mine.


Chapter Ten

By Slavedriver2008


Kurama sighed. He barely made it out of the library. And he didn't even find the damn book. Yui even knew he was in the restricted section. Researching something as confidential as a book was beginning to get taxing. There was only one place that can answer his question. Without another word, he disappeared and returned to Makai. He found the temple of Koenma and decided it would be a good idea if he talked to Botan first.

"Kurama, it's been a long time since you came back," Botan greeted him and he smiled.

"I have a question to ask." The blue-haired girl nodded with a wide smile on her lips. "Do you remember ferrying a dragon priestess three years ago?" The girl creased her eyebrows.

"Dragon priestess? Whose priestess?"

"Seiryuu." The girl's eyes widened.

"Mikos don't die. If they had successfully summoned the god, they coupled with that god. To humans, they call it, being devoured by a god." Kurama's eyes widened. Yui coupled with Seiryuu? How was that possible? Why was she still alive?

"What happens then?"

"I don't know. It's not something the underworld should now. It's a peculiar custom. I heard a priestess dies during the coupling but I'm not sure. Versions vary but priestesses always die after the coupling. The process is something only the gods know. Why are you so interested with the affairs of the heavens? And Seiryuu of all gods." Botan sat on her paddle and floated in the air.

"Why not?"

"He's the god of war. He's the most powerful god among the four. They say he's such a ruthless deity. I wouldn't want to be his priestess." The girl sighed and looked at him intently.

"Do you know anything about a book? Shin Jin Ten Chi Sho?" he asked and the girl shook her head.

"Mysterious play? I've heard of it but I'm not very sure what it does. According to rumors it's an alternate universe created by the guardian beasts. The records don't show much but they say a demon tried to dominate that world and now he's sealed away. You should ask Master Koenma."

"No, it's okay. It's not so important." He turned around. "I'm going back to the human world then." He jumped off the temple, leaving the blue-haired girl scratching her head. But instead of going back to the human world, he jumped to the other side of the temple.

"I thought you're never coming back?" Hiei asked and the redhead sighed. "Where are you going?"

"Where else do sealed demons go? In Mt Shi of course." Kurama said casually, jumping away from his dark-haired friend.

"That might not be a good idea." The man followed him and Kurama didn't care as long as he was not going against him.

"I don't know what's a good idea anymore. Botan said the underworld has no hold on the affairs of the heavens, but why did they agree to seal this demon here? If he's too powerful to be sealed away, why here?"

"Hmn. From what I heard, this demon tried to control the human world so Makai had to step in. If it involved only the heavens, Makai would not care."

"Why were we not sent to resolved it then?"

"You forget the battle of the Three Kings. Makai cannot step in with its own ranks under war. What happened to your reasoning, Kurama. You are out of your character all because of that girl."

"You said so yourself, find out her weakness. I'm merely finding out hers—"

"Hmn. If you say so," Hiei said, not convinced. "One wrong move and you'll be hunted down, don't forget that." The two reached Mt Shi, the highest mountain in Makai. The air around it smelled of evil but it was being suppressed by a thin reddish glow. The seal. "You want to do this?"

"You don't have to come," Kurama answered.

"Hmn. I like courting danger," was the man's only response. "It's been awhile since we had a little fun around here." The two jumped toward the top. The air was becoming shadier and the feel of evil was fleeting stronger in the air. Kurama knew that if a lower level demon climbs the mountain, they will be devoured by the evil of it and cause bedlams in this world. It was a dangerous place and if Botan knew they would come here, the spirit detectives will be alerted immediately.

The air was thick with the smell of blood on the top. Evil blood. Kurama's skin briefly prickled at the shrilly sensation running through his spine. The spirit was urging the demon inside him to come out. He transformed to a youkai unintentionally and Kurama knew that he was dangerous force. If a demon like this could enter the god's universe and create havoc in the human world then Yui has reasons to be guilty, especially if she was the one who broke the seal. Kurama cursed, what was he thinking? Yui could never do such a thing. Yui was…

"Ah, I have guests…" a high-pitched cold voice reverberated in the air and the two demons stopped across a humongous earthen gate with a seal. "It's been a long time since someone visited me…Being here alone can be lonely."

"I came to ask questions."

The man laughed coarsely in the shadows. "A demon like you should not desire a human, especially the purest kind." Kurama's brows creased. "I know what you want, youko. You want the Seiryuu no miko. The east god would not be pleased to know that. You see he is a selfish deity, a very selfish deity. She was crying all the time…You should have seen her then, what a pitiful creature."

"Your words have no effect on me."

"No?" the shadows laughed. Long white fingers clutched the cage. "I can see through you. She's a lonely girl, too lonely even the gods cannot make her happy. I can give her to you, create a world for the two of you. You can make her happy then. She needs you…"

"What do you want?" Kurama asked, his hand clenched. Hiei shifted behind him and he knew that one wrong move and the man he called his friend will draw his sword against him.

"Break the seal. It won't be hard for a demon of your caliber."

--

"It's still here," Yui said, relieved Shuuichi had not found the book. It was hard to enter the restricted section through the windows and they had ended up entering the wrong rooms. Good thing the library was bare at this time of the day. It was summer so the students were busy taking their vacations. Only nerds spend time in the library at these times.

"We should check if it's really the book." Yusuke reached for the leather-bound book but Yui grabbed his hand, pulling it away from the shelf.

"No, I don't want to return to the book. Let's just leave it in peace."

"What if Kurama's inside?" Yusuke asked and she froze. "I will just open the first page and see if he's inside. If not, we'll look for him elsewhere." Yui shook her head.

"It's too dangerous. You might get stuck inside. I don't want to enter the book again." Yusuke sighed and put his hand down.

"Alright. It seemed like a bad idea anyway. Let's look for him somewhere else. Where does he often go?" Yui shook her head but before she could answer him screams filled the air outside the room. The two hurriedly opened the door and Yui's eyes widened when a throng of monsters filled the library and turned to them.

Upon seeing them, the monsters walked toward their direction. Yusuke flew to the nearest one and punched it but instead of hitting the monster's face, the spirit detective passed through the creature's burly body.

"What the—" Yusuke's eyes widened when the monsters walked toward the shocked blonde girl. "YUI, RUN AWAY!"

Yui ran toward her right but the monsters followed her, leaping at the speed of light to grab her. Yusuke continued to fight the monsters but nothing happened, he continued to pass through them as if he was a spirit. Yui screamed and Yusuke's eyes widened when the monsters pulled the girl. How can they touch her and he can't? What's happening? Why weren't the fighting? Were they merely shadows?

Annoyed, Yusuke jumped toward the monsters and pulled Yui out of grasp. They jumped out of the window, breaking the transparent glass into tiny shards. Before they fell on earth, Yusuke slowed down and carried the girl. She was trembling.

"What's happening? What are those?" she asked, her voice stuttering.

"I don't know, I can't hit them."

"Yusuke!" A tall man with orange hair ran toward them, followed by a blue-haired girl in a kimono sitting on a paddle. The girl floated toward them and looked at her intently. "What?! You already have a new girlfriend? YOU—I'll kill you for hurting Keiko!"

"Hey, she's not my girlfriend. I just saved her inside the library," Yusuke said, putting her down. "There are monsters inside but I can't hit them. What's happening, Botan?"

"I'm not very sure but the balance has been disrupted. There are movements we cannot define. Master Koenma thinks someone has either unsealed or is planning to release the demon, Tenkou. We need to hurry!"

"Tenkou?" Yusuke asked and Yui gasped. Tenkou was the demon who tricked Nakago. She knew little about him but his name sent shivers down her spine.

"He's a class S demon sealed away by the south god years back. His powers are shifting so we need to hurry." Botan looked worried and turned to her. "Who might you be? Yusuke, who is she?"

"Who's breaking the seal?" Yui asked, her mind drifting elsewhere. None of the Seiryuu seis were alive to set him free. Nakago was…Her eyes widened. Would Nakago set him free? But he said so himself that he was happy with his current life.

"According to reports, two demons were seen headed toward the mountain. We couldn't contact them. If only I knew this would happen, I shouldn't have answered his questions on Shin Jin Ten Chi Sho!" Botan said desperately. Yui's eyes widened. The book. Who would ask about the book? She gasped. Shuuichi.

Yusuke sighed. "I think I know who they are. Yui, how about we save your boyfriend?" Yui's cheeks flushed and the detective laughed.

"B-Boyfriend?" The tall man asked. "Who's your boyfriend? Whip boy or that short brat?" he asked, making Yui blush harder.

"Kuwabara, stop being snoopy. Let's head off to Makai now. Yui?"

"She can't come! It's too dangerous!" Botan remarked but Yui shook her head.

"Please allow me to come. I want to see his world." She looked at the girl intently. "I want…to see him…" Silence filled them. Her heart beat wildly on her chest. "He's doing this because of me and… I'll hit him in the head for being stupid!"

Yusuke laughed. "Come on, we won't get anything done if we stay here." He offered his hand and Yui took it. "By the way, this is Kuwabara and Botan. They're also Shuuichi's friends." Yusuke pulled her close. The two smiled at them and the girl opened a portal.

"Shuuichi? Who's Shuuichi?" Kuwabara asked but no one answered him. Everyone jumped into the portal and when Yui closed her eyes, they were standing on reddish ground. The surroundings have changed and the sky was dark with gray clouds. The wind lapped wildly and the air smelled of danger.

"Where's the mountain?"

"That one," Botan pointed to the tallest mountain that loomed over the entire place. Dark clouds swirled at the tip. "Tenkou's cage is at the top."

"How strong is he?" Yusuke asked again.

"He's not too strong because the seal's still there. But if Kurama decides to break it, no one knows how strong he is. Remember that he did manage to enter the universe created by the gods so he might be pretty strong or he's just sneaky." Botan frowned. "You should stay with me in the temple, Yui—"

"No, I want to go to the top. He's there."

"But it's too dangerous! One moment of weakness and you'll be under his mercy. You might become a liability!" Botan said and Yui shook her head.

"No, I've made up my mind. I won't stand in one place waiting. Even if it cost me my life, I'll go there. I want to be there for him." She smiled at the girl. "Because he's in this mess because of me."

"We better hurry," Yusuke said and before Botan could protest, he carried Yui and jumped away from them. Kuwabara followed, leaving behind the blue-haired girl. "What will you do once you see his original form?" Yusuke asked and Yui shook her head.

"I don't know. What does he look like?" Yui asked back. Yusuke looked every bit normal and he said he was half-demon. So maybe Shuuichi looked normal as well? Maybe there were only minor differences? If Yusuke was half-demon, it means affairs between humans were demons happen, though it seems rare. Would it matter?

"Are you really Kurama's girlfriend?" Kuwabara butted in and Yui blushed. All that she knows was that he was important for her. Love?

"No, we're good friends," she answered and Yusuke made a face.

"Why do I find that hard to believe?" the detective commented and Yui knew what he saw in them was definitely there. Love. She loved Shuuichi.

"Really, we're just good friends." Yui insisted, her face was getting warmer and warmer. It was too early to say they were in a relationship. They never reached the point where they have to formally tell each other what they feel. But would he feel the same thing for her? How does he find her? Does he love her more than a friend? We both know it…

Coldness filled Yui when they reached the foot of the mountain. The skies were making otherworldly sounds, as if on a rage. "Well, Kurama's not the type to break the rules for a friend. Wow, this mountain is really high." A thunder broke from the skies and the clouds seemed to coalesce more at the tip. "We should hurry," Yusuke said. "Stop asking questions, Kuwabara. Need to focus on this thing."

"Is it wrong to ask?" the tall man hit back. "I mean, I didn't know Kurama has good taste in girls. I thought he's gay!" The man smiled at her. "But this place is freaking me out. Let's get this over with so I can visit Yukina!"

Yusuke just nodded, feeling troubled. The air was shifting now and the smell of blood was getting stronger and stronger as they moved upward. There was also an unsettling feeling that lingered in the air. Evil. Yui had never felt a force as evil as this one. Shuuichi, please be okay…

--

"So what is it, youko?" the voice asked and Kurama's jaw clenched.

"Your offers are not what I seek," he answered coldly. He walked closer to the gates. The seal glimmered, as if sending a warning. It won't be long until Koenma sends the spirit detectives and he has to get the answers before they arrive. Even if it meant getting it by force. He had no idea how powerful this being was, but time was not on his side. Killing him was not an option, if he did so, he will take his place as the sealed. But if this creature pushed it, he has no choice.

"Ah, I see it clearly now. You want to know what happened to her three years ago," the voice said in the darkness. He laughed viciously. "What an easy wish, I've had harder ones. But I can show it you, show you the past she tried to run away from. Release me and you will see everything!"

"I don't accept conditions. I usually do it in my terms." Kurama stepped closer.

"You can't kill me. If you do, you will take my place. But you don't have to be a waste, you can be me and I can be you!" He laughed viciously again. "I made her suffer. I used her warriors like marionettes and she followed me without any idea what I am. I used her to gain a spot in the heavens. Don't you see how powerful she is? You can use her too—you can become a god!"

Shadows crept from the cages and before Kurama could move away from them, it hit him like blades. Crimson blood flowed from his pale skin to the damp darkened earth. He kneeled on the ground, not being able to control his body. Hiei moved from his spot and unsheathed his sword.

"Kurama! Jump away from the shadows!" Coherence left him and he closed his eyes. Someone was invading his thoughts, his body. Darkness filled him and he felt himself falling falling falling in an endless abyss.

"You're mine now. Your body will be mine!" A shrill voice reverberated in the air but he could not move. "I will be free!"

Coldness filled him and voices called him. He tried to recognize them. Hiei was calling him, and so was Yusuke and Kuwabara. They have arrived, the spirit detectives. How shameful, he had seen him fall. Then there was another voice. A sweet beautiful voice. But everything was leaving him. His parents. His brother. His friends. His classmates. His world was disappearing before his eyes.

Shuuichi!

Yui.

The youko opened his eyes and her face appeared before him. He reached out to her but she was slowly fading, like the memories he once had but were now leaving him. "Yui…don't leave me…" She smiled, warming him. But her image was slowly weakening. "I love you…" And then she faded like wisps of smoke into nothingness. He was in a blank haze.

He doesn't know her anymore.


A/N:Oh no, what will happen to Kurama once Tenkou takes over his body? Do leave reviews!