The Corpse

Chapter 11: Breaking Taboo

Kagome and Sango stared helplessly at the jewel shards and the souls of their three friends, hovering over Kaitou's hand. The bespectacled psychic had a smug grin on his face. He was clearly enjoying his power over these people.

"You're cheating," said Sango. "Miroku didn't say your magic word. How did you get his soul?"

"That's quite a problem," said Kaitou. "But the solution really is quite simple. Think back to Miroku's last words. What did he say?"

Kagome put a finger to her chin. Beer, sake, soda. Anyone want orange juice? She gasped. "Orange…er, OJ! It has the taboo word in it!"

"Bingo," said Kaitou. "But we're getting sidetracked. Please Kagome, let's continue our conversation. It was quite interesting."

"I think it's my turn to ask the questions," said Kagome. "Tell me Yusuke Urameshi's story. The Yusuke that you know."

Kaitou apparently thought highly of Yusuke. He told them of his work as a Spirit Detective, protecting humanity from the demons. He told them about how Yusuke saved the world from the madman Shinobu Sensui and traveled to Demon World, where he brought order to the demons and laid the groundwork for possible communication amongst the three worlds.

"Yusuke has many loyal and powerful friends," said Kaitou. "You've made many enemies by deciding to oppose him."

"It looks like we've misjudged Yusuke just like you misjudged Inuyasha…" Kagome said diplomatically.

"Kagome, shut up!" Sango snapped. She tightened her grip on her Hiraikotsu. "I'm tired of playing by this bastard's rules!" She lifted her weapon above her head.

"You're letting your brutish temper get the better of you," said Kaitou. "You can't hurt me while you're in my Territory."

"I know!" Sango shouted as she swung her Hiraikotsu. She did not strike Kaitou. Her weapon tore a giant hole in the ground beneath him, causing him to fall into the apartment below, which was fortunately deserted. Sango jumped down after him and grabbed him by his collar.

"You made me fall out of my Territory," said Kaitou. "Very clever."

"Thanks," Sango grunted before she punched him out.

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Yuu Kaitou groaned. He had such an awful headache. What the hell happened? he wondered. He could tell he was lying in a bed. Was that all a dream?

"He's awake," said a man's voice.

Strong arms pinned down his arms and legs while a pair of hands pried open his mouth and forced a bitter paste down his throat. It caused his stomach to burn. Kaitou opened his eyes to see Sango, Inuyasha, and Miroku glaring down at him. Looking around, he saw that he was in a motel room. Instinctively, he activated his Territory, causing the burning in his stomach to fade. He immediately set every letter as taboo.

Sango was prepared for this and held up a sheet of paper. It read, I have just force fed you poison. The power of your territory should keep it from harming you. However, you cannot keep your territory up forever. You will eventually need rest. If you want the antidote, you will cancel all taboo letters and answer our questions.

Kaitou grimaced. Yusuke, I'm sorry.

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Knowing that Kaitou would seize the jewel shards the moment he was able, Kagome had decided to take them home with her. She drove back to her house with Shippo in the passenger seat.

"Kagome, look!" Shippo shouted.

Kagome gasped as she saw smoke and fire rising from the direction of her shrine. She sped down the road, ignoring the honks and shouts of other drivers, arriving at her home. "I sense demon energy. Shippo, wait in the car."

Kagome hurried up the steps, nocking an arrow. When she reached the top, she saw a lone figure, dark against the fire. Squirming in the demon's grasp was Kagome's mother.

The last words of Rumiko Higurashi were "Kagome, run!" In a flash of red light, a stream of blood poured from Rumiko's skull. The demon dropped her without a second thought.

Kagome lowered her bow, her eyes wide and her mouth open. She commanded her arms to fire an arrow, but they did not respond. She dropped to her knees, her whole body limp.

As the demon approached her, she could see his face. "It's you," she whispered. "Yusuke Urameshi."

Right before she fainted, she heard him say, "This is what happens to those who oppose me."

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"Where is Naraku?"

A painful jolt of spirit energy shot through Sniper's body, threatening to burn him up from the inside. He clenched his teeth and glared defiantly at his tormentor.

Ootake, captain of the SDF, adjusted the dial on the torture device. "I'll ask you again. Where is Naraku?" Still no answer. Ootake pressed the switch again. This time, Sniper screamed out loud, if only for a few seconds.

"The pain is getting to you, isn't it?" said Ootake. "You can fight it all you want but you know that you're only human. You know that you'll reach your breaking point soon. That last shock was at level forty. This thing can go up to one-fifty and if I add my power, it can go far beyond that. Why don't we try level fifty?" He turned the dial again and pressed the switch.

Sniper really screamed this time, nonstop. Ootake smirked. The assassin's willpower was broken.

"Imagine three times that pain," said Ootake. Sniper choked back a sob. "Now just answer this simple question. Where is Naraku?"

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