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Jiana: Don't worry about the English, we keep improving day by day! I also hope everything will be okay, I'm still deciding on their path. Also updating Purple soon again! Thank you so much for all your comments, they make my day. Sorry for not updating quicker!
Guest: I'm sorry I broke your heart, I am glad you felt it in a way. Time will tell if it heals...
Randomcaz: Thank you so much! I'll do my very best even if that means it takes longer to write a chapter!
Note
The funny thing is that Into The Dark is nearing it's first anniversary! in 11 days to be exact. But I didn't want to let you wait any longer so here it is. I hope I don't disappoint after a short hiatus. After this chapter it has also officially passed the word count of the entirety of 'Another One Will Fall' and we're not even halfway.
Basically the floods happened and that left a huge impact on me, combining that with a colleague who quit and a new fully packed school agenda, lots of things which triggered a small hiatus. But I'm back!
English isn't my native language but I'm trying my best. Do tell me about reoccurring error's so I can implement and improve wherever needed. Tell me what you think or theorize in the comments, they always inspire me.
Human extraction
Kurama opened his eyes to a still darkened world, the sun hadn't risen yet but he was wide awake. He had woken up multiple times during the night, eying the clock on his phone screen with a sigh. The events from the previous day spun in his head like a broken vinyl, yet there was always a looming thunderstorm present.
"She hasn't texted you anything yet.." That damned voice spoke.
An irritated growl escaped Kurama as he threw the sheets over his head, hoping to block out the annoying sounds which had been lulling in his head non stop. It tried to coax a reaction from the fox but Kurama stayed cool and level headed, brushing it away even though it never left that night.
"I can fix this for you, ya know?"
'I don't need someone else fixing my problems.' Kurama replied in his mind, the thing had full access.
"You sure?" It asked.
'Very sure, now shut up.' Kurama thought as he finally had enough of his sleepless pondering. Swinging the sheet off of himself, he got out of bed and got dressed.
The hallway was still dark and he checked the other rooms for any activity. The living room was empty, so was the kitchen. He checked the courtyard but found it silent as well. It was when he approached the gardens he felt a familiar energy.
Genkai sat legs crossed in the flower garden Kurama and Yukina had planted, truely a peaceful place to meditate.
"Get over here will ya." She spoke, not opening her eyes or budging in any way. "Or did you think I hadn't noticed you staring?"
Kurama walked towards her, carefully making his way through the patches of flowers and plants. He sat down opposite of the psychic, mimicking her posture. He was going to speak but stopped when Genkai spoke.
"Silent meditation." Genkai said. She had noticed his sleepless charade that night, she knew something was bothering him but she also knew she couldn't do anything about it now.
…
"Mister Kuwabara." A stern voice resonated through the university's library. Kuwabara looked up from his book and laid his pen down as he saw one of his professors approach him.
"Professor Doffman." He greeted him.
"The library is closing soon. It's eight in the evening, what are you still doing here?" Doffman eyed the seemingly endless piles of books. "Have you read all of these?" He asked, astonished.
"Yes sir." Kuwabara showed him his notebook. "I've almost finished my second notebook as well."
Doffman flipped through the notebook before handing it back. "You've been at campus from the moment it opens until they have to kick you out. What got you so motivated?"
"I don't feel like I can concentrate at home like I can when I'm here." Kuwabara started packing his stuff as he realized the time. "I don't want to fall behind on my studies and risk not being able to graduate."
"I understand that." Doffman replied. "But the final big test is tomorrow and you need to rest."
Kuwabara nodded. "I understand that but I feel so anxious. I've never felt this tense before and I want to pass."
"You will pass." Doffman placed his hand on Kuwabara's shoulder. "I feel you're tense but try to relax for the rest of the night, please. I, as well as all other professors, are confident you'll succeed."
"Thank you, sir." Kuwabara granted him a bright smile. "I won't let you down."
Doffman returned the gesture. "I'm sure you won't. Now hurry home, don't bother about the books, I'll place them back into the shelves for you."
"Are you sure?" Kuwabara eyed the huge pile of books, the knot returning to his stomach as he saw them.
"Very sure. Go home, Kuwabara." Doffman almost had to push him out of the library before he started clearing the table. Books about veterinarian practices on small and large animals, special cases and essays on the practice of animal rehabilitation weren't anything out of the ordinary considering Kuwabara's program. He took the pile in his arms and walked past the isles towards their assigned bookcase. He had almost finished his pile when the next book threw him off, it wasn't related to anything in his study.
"Sir."
Doffman barely managed to stifle a gasp as Kuwabara entered the isle. "Haven't I sent you home?"
Kuwabara approached him. "Yes but I forgot to take one home with me." He motioned at the book Doffman held in his hands.
"This?" Doffman held it up and Kuwabara nodded in confirmation. "I'm confused as to what your relation is with dark ancient magic and folklore. This stuff isn't in your study."
Kuwabara took the book from him and placed it in his bag. "It's a personal interest of mine."
"You're an odd one, Kuwabara. Now get out before you miss your train." Doffman said before kicking him out for a second time.
He settled the bag on his lap as he took a seat on his train. It was just a small hour ride to his station and Kuwabara had his fast array of music ready to keep him from boredom. Music, however, wasn't what interested him. His part of the train was almost empty with only him and another student occupying that specific section.
The thought of going to Genkai's quickly ran through Kuwabara's mind but seeing she would have her hands full with Kurama, he voted against it. Unzipping his bag, he took out the book. It looked old, it's pages yellowed and the cover worn. The names of previous renters were scribbled on the rental pamphlet which was taped to the inside of the cover. Kuwabara ignored the rental rule and had taken the book without anyone's approval. He would put it back unseen anyway so he saw no need.
Throughout the duration of his train ride, Kuwabara read about different kinds of folklore and their connection to their version of either spirit or demon world. He returned home tired and drained as curiosity hadn't gotten him anywhere. He had studied for his exam but had turned his attention towards the supernatural. There was an artifact in the human world he had to find, the only question is; where is it?
A blaring sound reached his ears and Kuwabara slowly opened his eyes. His alarm clock had gone off, signaling the start of his final exam day. He opened his phone to several unread messages, unsurprised to see them all originating from Yusuke.
'I bet you're already asleep and if you're not; go the fuck to sleep.'
'Anyway, good luck with your exams tomorrow!'
'I mean today as it's past 12 hehe.'
'You asleep yet?'
'Hello?'
'Good.'
'I'm going to visit Genkai today, see how they are holding up. I'll meet you at your school's gate at 3, which is probably when your exam is over.'
'See you soon!'
Kuwabara laughed at the texts and replied with a simple 'Thank you, see you at 3'.
…
"Yo!" Yusuke exclaimed as he saw Kuwabara walk out of his school building. "How'd it go?"
Kuwabara opened the door and sat in the passenger seat of Yusuke's car. "It went surprisingly well. Had trouble with one portion but I think I did fairly well."
Yusuke patted Kuwabara on his shoulder. "I'm glad to hear that. We're proud of you."
"We?" Kuwabara eyed him with curiosity. "You and Keiko?"
"Yes." Yusuke laughed. "And Kurama, probably Hiei."
"No way." Kuwabara sputtered but thought back to their time on the balcony, that time when Yusuke wasn't there to see what he saw. Hiei had told him about the way he portrays feelings and Kuwabara hadn't questioned Hiei's sincerity since then. He knew Hiei was proud of all of them, in his own way. "Where is Hiei anyway?"
"He went back to Mukuro's, probably back to patrol duty." Yusuke switched the car to the first gear and started their short drive to Genkai's temple.
Kuwabara waited a few minutes before talking once again. "So have you heard anything from Genkai?"
"Nope." Yusuke chuckled. "That's why we're going. It's been three days and I'm tired of waiting."
They arrived at the temple with ease, sighing in unison as they faced the stairs. No matter how fit they were, they would never get used to the stairs. They met Genkai at the top of the stairs as they promptly entered the barriered temple.
"What are you doing here?" Genkai spat as they approached.
"So much for a warm welcome, grandma. Having a rough day I see?" Yusuke crossed his arms. "We're here to check up on progress, or have you all forgotten we're also part of the team?"
Genkai grumbled but quickly turned when she heard glass shatter.
"What was that?!" Yusuke was on edge, ready to jump into action.
"Kurama." Genkai said. "Don't go inside." She held her hand on his shoulder to prevent him from going anyway.
"Have you found anything?" Kuwabara asked softly.
Genkai pulled Yusuke back towards them. "It's gained a voice."
"It speaks through Kurama?!" Kuwabara shivered, thinking back at the stories he'd read.
"No." Genkai shook her head. "Only Kurama hears it."
"So it's in his head." Yusuke thought out loud. "Does it mean he's going mad?"
"I don't think so." Genkai began. "I'm afraid he's losing his grip." She started walking towards the temple's entrance, signaling for Yusuke and Kuwabara to follow her.
The hallway was darkened and the soft crackling of glass was audible from the room Kurama occupied. Genkai stood just behind the entrance as Yusuke and Kuwabara peeked in.
"Oh hello." Yukina smiled softly as she saw them.
Kuwabara entered the room and took the broom and dustpan from her. "Be careful with that, you might cut yourself." He looked down at the mess, a chair laid amongst the rubble, probably the item Kurama used to break the mirror. He reached down and started sweeping everything into the dustpan before handing it back to her.
"So he broke the mirror, where is he now?" Yusuke turned towards Genkai who raised her shoulders.
"He went to the gardens to meditate." Yukina said as she placed the chair back on its legs, facing the floor. "He's troubled, a total mess."
Yusuke straightened his back. "Well, it's time we talk with him then." He started walking towards the door when Genkai's voice caught up to him.
"What?!" He turned and frowned at the old psychic.
"Think before you speak." She said, her voice gaining a warning tone.
Yuske nodded quickly before taking off, slowing down his pace after reaching the door to the gardens. He shoved the door open, just a little bit, enough to peek through. Kurama was sitting in the gardens, his back towards the door. He seemed still, breathing in a controlled manner which Yusuke remembered from his training with Genkai.
"I know you're there." Kurama spoke up suddenly. "Either come out or leave, Yusuke."
"Hey bud! How ya doin?" Yusuke opened the door completely, stepping into the garden before closing it behind him.
"If you're here to check up on me, I'm doing fine, Yusuke." Kurama didn't make any attempts to look at him. "Now if you'd please.."
"I don't think you're 'fine', man." Yusuke almost kicked himself in the head as he spoke, not following Genkai's advice. He moved towards Kurama, passing him before turning around and sitting opposite of him. Dark circles were visible underneath his closed eyes and his skin had gone a shade paler than usual. "You look like you haven't slept for days."
"That's because I haven't." Kurama casually admitted as if it were no big deal. "Don't act like you don't know. I'm aware Genkai told you."
"It's driving you crazy, isn't it?" Yusuke lowered his gaze towards Kurama's hands as they rested on his knees, the bandage gone.
Kurama opened his eyes at Yusuke's words. "Is that a question or an observation?" He asked. "Either way, both are correct."
Pulling his attention away from Kurama's hands, he stared into dark, empty emeralds. "You're exhausted."
"Another correct observation." Kurama shot him a smile though it didn't reach his eyes.
A moment of silence made Yusuke shift uncomfortably. Suddenly, Kurama began to rise from his spot. "Hey, where are you going?"
"Inside." Kurama replied as he neared the door to the temple.
Yusuke shot to his feet and chased after him. "Wait up, I'm joining you." He took a few leaps and stopped Kurama at the door. "You know you can talk to us, right?"
"Thank you, Yusuke, but I do not think you're able to help me." He said before pushing past the detective.
Yusuke followed him into the temple where he proceeded to walk into the main room. Genkai, Yukina and Kuwabara were seated there. They snapped their heads towards the door as both Kurama and Yusuke entered, their faces as if they were a deer in the headlights.
"Oh you're back soon." Yukina's voice was slightly tense.
Kurama shot her another one of his fake smiles. "I'm sorry you had to clean up my mess.."
"It's okay, I'm happy to help." Yukina smiled back.
Moving towards the table, Kurama sat down, his movement still graceful. "Kuwabara." He addressed him shortly as a way of saying hello.
Kuwabara nodded in acknowledgement, clearly intending to keep his mouth shut.
"Now." Genkai began after everyone was seated. "I've gone ahead and informed Kuwabara about our findings." Genkai addressed Kurama directly, who gave a quick nod.
"Findings? You made progress?" Yusuke asked in disbelief. "We haven't figured out anything yet so I'm glad you guys did."
Genkai folded her hands. "The divarication isn't a separate unit." She began. "It isn't something created by Yami.. It is Yami."
"What does that mean?" Yusuke asked.
"That means that the thing disperses particles of its own energy instead of creating a separate one, like a parasyte." Kurama added.
"Which means there are fragments of Yami all over the forest." Kuwabara fidgeted with the folds in his blouse.
Yusuke shook his head silently. "How do we get rid of that?"
Genkai stood, giving them a quick 'follow me' look as she led them towards a large space within the temple. As they followed her, Yusuke realized he was heading to the practice hall. He remembered he and Kuwabara fought the other contestants in complete darkness during Genkai's quest for a pupil. This time, however, the room was lit, plenty of sunlight revealing a small potted plant in the middle of the room.
It was Kuwabara who stopped first. The flower had a darkened aura to it, its petals bleak and slumped down. Yusuke and Yukina walked another few meters before Genkai ordered them to stay where they were.
"What's that?" Yusuke asked.
"A plant." Genkai answered him quickly.
"Oh wow, yes I see that it's a plant, grandma. I'm not stupid." Yusuke scoffed.
"It's a corrupted plant." Kuwabara said from behind him.
"I see that as well." Yusuke didn't turn towards him. "But what does it have to do with what you found out?"
"It only affects living things." Genkai started. "It doesn't go to the pot, stopping where the soil stops. Kurama can spread it, but he can also retrieve it."
"Retrieve it?" Yusuke repeated her last words with uncertainty and slight disgust.
"Yes." Genkai continued. "Kurama corrupted it, so the plant now hosts a part of yami. We worked hard to find a way to reverse the process." She nodded at the redhead standing on the other side of the plant. Kurama moved closer to it and reached out his arm. Yusuke and Kuwabara watched, eyes wide, as the effect was reversed, the flower regaining its color.
"Doesn't it.." Kuwabara wanted to ask Kurama but he got his answer before he could finish his sentence.
"I'm actually not using my energy for this." Kurama rolled up his sleeve, revealing just three burn marks have been added. "I don't know how to explain this to you, Kuwabara, but it's like when Yusuke received Genkai's power."
"So it strengthens… You… It..?" Yusuke raised an eyebrow.
"In a way, yes." Kurama nodded softly.
"We don't know what it'll do when absorbing larger amounts of energy which have not been distributed by Kurama." Genkai added. "That's our next step, we'll just have to see."
"But if they are particles of Yami, does that mean you didn't have the full first half?" Kuwabara crossed his arms in curiosity.
"Correct." Kurama answered.
Genkai nodded. "We know for certain that most of Yami, in the first artifact, stayed behind in Makai."
"Then how much of it do you have?" Yusuke asked.
"Not counting the second artifact, I suppose less than half." Kurama frowned slightly.
Yusuke shook his head. "It didn't disappear when Hiei thought he absorbed it… It sure as hell didn't give anything its life back."
"I didn't give it it's life back." Kurama eyed the plant. "I just stopped the thing from feeding off of it. It'll regrow on its own as it rebuilds its energy."
"Then we have to check up on the forest." Kuwabara scowled. "We have to go back."
"But what if it hasn't left and you really don't have all of it?" Yusuke added.
"Then I'll have to do what I must do." Kurama said.
…
"You look like you're about to engage in a strategic battle, Hiei. What's with that stoic look?" Mukuro reached the balcony of her threshold.
"It's none of your business." Hiei said coldly, unwilling to turn towards his new companion.
"You are on my land, inside my house, this is my business." Mukuro shook her head. "This isn't your resting bitch face, Hiei. I know you long enough to see the difference between your 'natural' faces."
Hiei just tutted, he knew she was right.
Mukuro took a few steps forward. "Are you still mad about it?"
A deep sigh escaped Hiei. "You're not gonna give up, are you?"
"Absolutely not." Mukuro grinned as she stood next to him, both of them leaning on the railings. "Some things just aren't in your control, Hiei. What's done is done, you weren't the one to host it."
"Thank you for rubbing that in." Hiei rolled his eyes. They stood in silence for a few minutes before Hiei realized the only way to get Mukuro to leave was to tell her what was bothering him. Hiei took a deep breath in. "We found the second half."
"That's great." Mukuro said, unwavering. "What happened to it?"
"Kurama has two of the three now." Hiei grumbled.
Mukuro looked up and turned towards Hiei. "Which means there's only one artifact left.. Do you know what will happen when all three are united inside of a host, Hiei?"
"Do you?" Hiei reversed the question which initiated a silence on Mukuro's end. He knew none of them knew what would happen were they to find the third artifact.
"How is Kurama handling this?" Mukuro asked silently.
Hiei shook his head lightly. "I don't know. I haven't had a heart to heart with him since we went to retrieve the stupid curse."
Mukuro frowned. "It seems you've distanced yourself from the entire situation."
"No I have not!" Hiei spat.
"Then why aren't you with them, Hiei. Why are you here if it's not to run away from something you thought you could handle?" Mukuro spat back.
Hiei was forced into silence.
"He never asked to host it, he never intended to. You're turning your back towards them just because things didn't go your way? You've been slacking around here while they are out and about trying to solve the matter and what do you do? You appear when the deity needs saving and disappear again when she is recovered while your friends are the ones who need you the most right now." Mukuro continued.
Hiei stared blankly at the patch of forest where the first artifact was located. "You're right.."
"What did you say? I can't hear you." Mukuro nudged.
"You're right." Hiei said, louder this time. "I'm letting them down, again."
…
Yusuke and Kuwabara made their way to the exit as the sun began to set, they had eaten at the temple before leaving and had already said their goodbyes at the dinner table. To Yusuke's surprise, Kurama and Genkai joined them outside, watching them.
There was some tension in Kurama's face while Genkai seemed more observant than she should have been. Something didn't add up and Yusuke couldn't place it.
As Yusuke waved at them one final time, he passed the border only to turn around when Kuwabara exclaimed.
"Did you really just walk right into one of the pillars which have been there for centuries?" He laughed as he turned. His expression went from laughing to blankly staring as he saw Kuwabara had not run into a pillar.
"I.. I can't pass the barrier." Kuwabara said, flabbergasted.
Yusuke blinked twice, then looked back at where Genkai and Kurama were. Genkai's expression had gone sour and Kurama had turned his head to look away.
"But the barrier only keeps dark energy from passing…" Yusuke moved towards Kuwabara.
Kuwabara tried again only to recoil backwards. "I'm not passing…" He looked back at Kurama, his eyes wide as he saw him look away. "You knew, didn't you?"
There was no response from Kurama, nor did he look at him. An eery silence covering the temple's courtyard like a weighted blanket.
"You knew." Kuwabara concluded. "The way you addressed me when I came to visit, why you showed us all of this shit. You knew all along."
"I had a suspicion.." Kurama finally said.
"Suspicion, my ass!" Yusuke yelled.
"We had to know for certain. We didn't want to frighten you with a possibility." Genkai intervened. "We would've shown you our findings anyway, with or without knowing."
"That's fucked up man." Kuwabara stared at Kurama. "That's so fucked up. How did you give this to me? Are you trying shit out, is that it? Are you trying to see if you can extract it from a human being?"
Kurama shot him a shocked look. "I would never-"
"How are you gonna get this shit out of me?" Kuwabara continued. "Are you gonna manipulate me like one of your plants?"
"Quit your rambling, Kuwabara." Genkai sneered. "It seems we have some more things to discuss." She motioned for them to follow her, passing Kurama as they did. He kept his eyes on the ground as they passed, following behind.
Genkai waited until everyone was inside before closing the door. Kuwabara turned towards Kurama, who had walked behind them, with a scowl.
"You don't want to know how badly I want to plant my knuckles into your face." Kuwabara sneered.
Kurama didn't look shocked and calmly responded. "I understand but please hear us out first."
Drawing multiple blanks, Yusuke eyed Genkai in the hope for a quick explanation.
As if reading Yusuke's mind, Genkai clapped her hands together in order to acquire the attention of the remaining two people. Kuwabara and Kurama turned towards her and she waited for their eyes to focus on her before speaking. "Kurama didn't 'give' it to you. You gave it to yourself."
"I don't think so." Kuwabara shook his head.
"You had fallen ill after the excursion to demon world, hadn't you?" Genkai raised an eyebrow.
Kuwabara seemed to think before nodding slowly. "Yes."
"And so had Kurama." Genkai added.
"But that was because Kuwabara had been a clumsy idiot and thought our trip was a mud wrestling event." Yusuke snickered as he saw the side eye Kuwabara shot him.
"It is no laughing matter." Genkai said. "We all know it chose Kurama as its host because he came into contact with it first." She turned to Kuwabara. "When he made said contact, you placed your hand on his shoulder."
"Before Hiei sliced my hands away from the tree." Kurama added.
Genkai nodded softly. "How have you been feeling as of late? Have you used any of your spirit energy?"
Kuwabara thought. "I've been feeling quite queasy, like someone is watching me. Other than that, exams are tiring me out more than I thought-"
"It isn't the exams which tire you." Genkai interrupted.
"But I thought it only attaches to demon energy." Kuwabara said.
"That is true. However, that doesn't mean it cannot attach itself to other forms of energy." Genkai folded her hands behind her back. "Though it prefers demon energy as a host, it attaches itself to any form of energy just to feed off of it."
"So that's why I've been feeling so tired lately." Kuwabara looked at his hands. "And here I thought it was just my inability to concentrate." He turned towards Kurama. "How can we get rid of it?"
Kurama blinked a few times as he didn't expect Kuwabara to address him. "Like how I purified the plant. Though I cannot guarantee I won't drain all of your spirit energy."
"I'll regain that by resting." Kuwabara said. "When can you do it?"
"Wait, hang on a second." Yusuke rubbed his eyes. "You're trying to tell me this thing has been feeding off of Kuwabara's energy for weeks?"
Genkai nodded. "It seems that is indeed the case, Yusuke."
"And you are telling us this now because..?" He replied.
"Because we are just now understanding the situation. It isn't life threatening yet because of the small dose. Were he to be exposed to it for a longer amount of time, the odds wouldn't have been in our favor." Genkai walked up to Kuwabara. "We can do it now but it will most likely take a toll on your spirit energy. You'll have to take a couple of days to restore and recharge."
"I'm fine with that." Kuwabara said. "I've finished my exams so I have plenty of time."
…
"Koenma, sir!" George came storming in.
"Enough ogre, I've had it with this dramatic entourage." Koenma sighed. "Just tell me the issue now, calmly."
George walked up to his desk and gently placed the document in front of Koenma. "It's still active, sir."
Koenma looked up from the document. "Still active? Is it still spreading?"
"No, sir." George pointed at one line in the document. "It's advancing into the forest though not spreading. It is not gaining momentum or increasing in size, it's staying the same but it's advancing further."
…
"Be gentle on me." Kuwabara shivered as Kurama approached. They had moved to the training area so as to not accidentally damage the temple itself. "I have sensitive skin." He chuckled.
"I can't guarantee anything." Kurama said. "But I'll try my best."
Kuwabara swallowed thickly. "I trust you, man."
"I know." Kurama said as he reached out his hand to place his fingers on Kuwabara's neck.
"W-where are you going?" Kuwabara said, stammering back a bit.
"I need to have contact with skin, I suppose you don't want to take off your shirt." Kurama explained.
Kuwabara gave a shuddering breath. "Can't you just.. Hold my hand or something?"
Kurama gave a soft but awkward smile. "Your neck is closest to your core."
"Oh.." Kuwabara nodded. "Proceed."
With his approval, Kurama placed his hand on the side of his neck. He shivered as his cold hand made contact with warm skin. He saw him halt, the emerald orbs reflecting his hesitation, calculating and thinking. He nodded slowly at him and Kurama nodded back after some seeming hesitation.
For a while, he felt nothing, a soft pressure on his chest was the only indication that Kurama was indeed doing something. Kurama had lowered his head, hiding his face underneath his bangs.
It was after a few more seconds that his hand moved, his thumb moving to the other side of his neck. Kuwabara wanted to ask him if it was working but changed his question when Kurama squeezed his neck.
"Is everything under control?" He asked as the pressure on his chest increased and with that, the pressure on his neck as Kurama's hand closed itself tighter around his windpipe.
There was no verbal reply but Kurama did lift his head to look at Kuwabara. He looked into his eyes, their color different, though ever so slightly. "Kurama?" He raised his hand to grab at the arm holding him.
Genkai's voice cut through the air, soft and controlled. "That's enough, Kurama."
"Listen to the old hag, let go of me." Kuwabara pulled at his arm more as he felt his chest burn, his eyes becoming heavy as if he was being forced into a slumber.
He opened his mouth to speak but only a soft gurgle came out, the eyes digging into his weren't hesitant at all, they were digging for more. Kuwabara started feeling dizzy as his spirit energy was sucked away.
"Enough!" He heard Genkai raise her voice in a disciplinary manner. Her words fell on deaf ears as none of them were listening. Kuwabara's sound was muffled and his vision blurred though he still managed to focus on those of Kurama, the greens darker than before.
Darkness engulfed him momentarily before he fell back onto the concrete floor, his sight and sound returning in one overwhelming wave, agonizingly loud and bright. Hands pulled at him and he squinted his eyes against the bright lights, two shadows were looming over him.
Kuwabara instinctively reached for his neck, though he felt like he was being choked, he didn't feel any sensitivity. Through his cloudy vision, Yusuke's frame revealed itself, his features and details following soon after.
"Is there.." Kuwabara wanted to ask, his voice soft.
Yusuke eyed his neck and shook his head. "There's nothing there. No bruising, nothing."
"Then how?" Kuwabara replied, his voice louder as he cleared his throat.
"He drained a large portion of your energy." Yukina's voice came into reach, soft and caring as she came into his field of vision. "It feels like you're being choked even though that's not actually the case."
"That's what it feels like getting too much energy drained from you in such a short amount of time." Genkai said from the other side of the room. "It is the reason Hiei goes into a hibernative state though a demon body reacts to it differently than a human's."
Turning his head slowly, he saw Genkai standing with Kurama. From that distance, there was no saying if they were concerned or relieved, Kuwabara felt both.
"I'm so sorry, Kuwabara." Kurama said but Kuwabara waved him off.
"No need, you did exactly what you said you'd do. Don't worry about it." He said.
"Are you sure?" Yusuke's tone came in hushed and hurried. "What if he had taken all of your energy, let alone tap into your life energy?"
Kuwabara saw Kurama retreat back into himself a bit as Yusuke spoke, there was no doubt he heard it.
"I understand what Botan meant." Kuwabara said to Yusuke.
"What?" Yusuke looked puzzled.
Moving himself into a more comfortable sitting position, Kuwabara spoke again. "I understand what she meant by Kurama not being the one who broke the disk." He said as he began to rise back onto his feet. "I know what she meant, I've seen it too."
"Really? When?" Yusuke helped Kuwabara up, supporting him as he stood.
"Just now, before I blacked out." He stared Kurama down. "That's when it rises to the surface, isn't it?"
"Yes." Kurama replied. "I tried to break the connection, I really did, but I felt the same as back in the forest."
"Don't start beating yourself up over this." Kuwabara gave him a thumbs up before letting his arm fall back down. "I do feel like I have to lay down for a bit."
"Let's get you to bed." Yusuke swung his arm around Kuwabara's waist as they made their way back into the temple.
Genkai stayed by Kurama's side as Yusuke and Yukina helped Kuwabara back to the temple, watching them closely. "You did well." She said softly as they disappeared out of sight.
"You think so?" Kurama replied.
"Yes."
"I could've hurt him, or even worse."
"But you didn't." Genkai shook her head. "You regained your control."
"What if I can't?"
Genkai didn't answer that, she didn't want to. "It's not important, what's important is that Kuwabara is safe and freed from Yami."
"I'm glad it was just a small amount." Kurama replied.
"If it's still out there, and I believe it is, other demons might have already been infected."
"Can it have multiple hosts?"
"I guess so." Genkai turned to face him. "And you'll have to free them when you have the chance."
"And what if I can't?"
The same silence filled the room.
…
Kuwabara gratefully sank into the mattress, Genkai had assigned them a room to share and they spared no time testing out the comfort. Though Yusuke got back up, Kuwabara excused himself and stayed down, visibly tired.
"I need you to rest up and regain your energy back as soon as possible, I expect an update from Koenma pretty soon and you might have to return to demon world." Genkai said.
"To take care of the leftovers?" Yusuke joked. "No worries, I think we'll sleep like logs."
"You'll be the only ones then." Genkai shook her head. "Let me give you one word of advice, or rather, take this as an order."
Kuwabara sat back up to listen to her final request before turning in.
"Do not get out of your room, no matter what you hear, see or feel."