LAST
The emerald eyes narrowed.
"What makes anyone think
I'll go quietly?"
LAST
TWELVE
Stamp. Stamp. Stamp, stamp. Stamp. Pause. Scratch, scratch. Stamp.
"Hello Koenma."
Koenma jumped at the soft voice, mostly surprised by whose voice it was. "Kurama!" The highly ranked toddler stared, really not sure of what to make of Shuichi's sudden appearance. So, the prince of Spirit World launched into a tirade he normally reserved for Yusuke or Jorge.
"I can't believe this of you Kurama! Disappearing for months without a word! This is more expected of Yusuke or Hiei! You've got your parole on the line, which I have been able to defend against because of your normally well off record. Hiei's been telling me your reasons…of which I am beginning to doubt. If it was really that simple, you would be informing me!"
"Koenma," Shuichi interrupted quietly. "My parole was held while Yusuke was the team leader. I owed it to him. I following any orders from you since then was of basics, minor demons running amuck in the Human World. You are correct. If my reasons were as simple as I have Hiei tell you, I would be informing you. However, I have not and this would be my hint to you that my reasons are…complicated."
"You are still under parole Kurama! There are certain regulations to follow! Come back to Japan and I can leave you without any backlash from this. I am far too lenient in allowing that, you gone for months after all! But you have been a major asset in—"
"I am not coming back Koenma."
Silence hung in the air and Koenma appeared deflated. His mouth opened and closed, unsure of what to say. There was no argument for such a strong statement. Shuichi had been the most reasonable under the former team with Yusuke. It was most likely that these otherwise unwise words to say in such a situation were well thought over with strong rationale behind it. It wasn't to be taken lightly.
Koenma swallowed. Shuichi would know of the consequences and Koenma hardly wanted to do this. "If you won't repeal that last statement, then you have severely broken you parole sentence."
"I realize that Koenma. I have broken it for several months now."
The toddler glanced away from Shuichi. "That only makes it worse for you Kurama! I can't believe you would position yourself like this!" Koenma turned to gaze fiercely at the red head. "Why would you position yourself like this?"
Shuichi sighed. "Have I not made it obvious I will not tell you my reasons? My reasons and actions for the past five months are hardly likely to be condoned."
"What have you been doing," Koenma asked in a fearful whisper.
"Something I perceive is far more valuable than following your wishes and approval. And I have been gone for far too long. I should be returning."
Koenma stood up in his chair as Shuichi turned to leave. "Wait! You know I will be sending the current team after you for breaking probation!"
Emerald eyes peered over a shoulder. "The current team is does not have their hearts set on bringing me in. I have talked to Kuwabara. And although I didn't feel it fitting to inform him of this…" The emerald eyes narrowed. "What makes anyone think I'll go quietly?"
The unspoken warning was laced in with Shuichi's question directed to Koenma. Alarmed at what the threat suggested; Koenma sat back down with his eyes wide. The prince of Spirit World remained frozen; watching the door long after Shuichi had left the room.
Fearful, Koenma realized that at some point and in some way he had lost one of his best. The normal voice of reason of his group of fighters had gone wayward and was now on the opposite side. He had thrown away the notion before, but now Koenma knew.
Shuichi was a renegade.
To be continued…