Outside of the authors house.... (A/N if you just want to get on to the story, feel free to just skip this. ^^;;)
*Pioko: (my muse ^^V) comes out wielding a small sword as the authoress watches. A large sheet of paper is hung to the side by a piece of string and some laundry clips*
Arahazi: *Is standing off to the side with arms crossed* Ok Pioko, while we're young here...
Pioko: *licks finger to test the wind as he goes to stand behind the paper, which is turned sideways to the 'audience'* Give me a minute!! Art takes time and skill!
Arahazi: You have to actually HAVE that before you can use it though...
Pioko: *Ignores her as he takes a stance. The wind blows through his badly made high ponytail as old fashioned Japanese music begins. A light drum plays in the background, slowly picking up in tempo*
Our author all this time, during all of the tension....
Arahazi: *is leaning on a wall* yawn...
Pioko:*The drum is now at full speed then suddenly stops* Slash!! *We see the samurai on the other side of the paper posing a la Ruronin Kenshin style. He gets up from his stance*
Arahazi: So?
Pioko: *Looks smug and walks up to the paper. The audiences view now turns to the front side of the paper that is still whole. The muse blows at the paper lightly and little pieces of paper fall out 'till a group of letters chained like paper dolls appear* Just look at it!
DISCLAIMER:YYH-NOT-MINE
Arahazi: *impressed* Nice going Pioko-chan! *golf claps*
Pioko: *no longer being able to hold his excitement jumps up and down hyperactively* So can I have my own sword now? Can I? Huh? Huh? Huh?
Arahazi: *Uses Botan the boken to zap Pioko's temporary sword away. Begins to walk off to a sound room where she post her authors notes* Work on making full sentences and we'll see...
Pioko: O.o *stares at empty hands* . Curses!! *stomps of after her*
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Everything has now been set into place, and now the story finally takes its turn to delve into the depths of my characters and those of Togashi's. What I hope that you, the readers, will find is the frailty of human conscience despite all of the strong fronts, no matter who they may be. However, it is our frailty which gives us the conviction to become stronger. Weakness tells us what we need, and that in the end we cannot live without it. Our task alone is to overcome our constraints that limits us, and look within ourselves to see what we need. Despite what we may think, we cannot be alone, and sometimes, we never really are...
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Bonds Never Cut
Ch. 3 - A New Case: The Catalyst
tooku naru yubisaki megakete____________ I set my sights far away
nando mo nando mo namae yobu_________ Over and Over, I call out your name
toki wo sora wo koete__________________ Beyond time and the heavens
anata wo mamotteiru tsutaetai no_________ I want to say I'm protecting you...
-Earth Girl Arjuna, Sanctuary
Half an hour before...
"I can't believe you thought that I would think that movie would be the least bit interesting..." Chiyo muttered as she walked with Daisuke through the darkening streets. It was a warm Friday evening, and both were still in their school uniforms.
"Well I heard that it was really popular and thought you might enjoy it." Daisuke said while holding his violin case and satchel.
"And that's what you get for making assumptions." the braided girl answered tersely, "I mean what's so great about it anyway? It was just some boat! I was really close to wetting myself after the first two hours, and all of that water..."
"Oh, come on!" the young man cried out lifting his arms into the air with playful exasperation, "You have to admit that the costumes did a great job in depicting early twentieth-century Europe and America. I mean, you heard all of the swoons people we're making in the audience!"
"I think all of those we're more directed at that main actor what's-his-face and the girl that co-starred with him..." Chiyo rolled her eyes as she lead the two of them into an open alley that provided a good shortcut to home from the shopping center. However, so absorbed were they in their conversation, neither took the time to notice.
"At least it was a nice way to spend the afternoon, since neither of us had practice." Daisuke replied as they walked deeper though the dimly lit alley. Practice for the orchestra had been cut short since most of the seniors we're getting ready for entrance exams into college.
"I suppose it was nice to have the afternoon off." she shrugged. Chiyo's kendo practice had been canceled since Tetsuya, the team captain, had fallen ill that day. Not wanting to carry all of her equipment home for the weekend, she decided to leave it in the gym closet over the weekend. Her family's dojo had plenty of extra gear for her to use, anyway.
"Crash!" A trash can fell over causing a loud clatter to echo in the closed in alley. The two of them jumped in surprise.
"Chiyo, didn't I tell you that I didn't want us to take your shortcuts anymore!?" Daisuke cried out suddenly shaken as he recognized the surroundings. He touched her arm lightly to get her attention, "Let's get out of here."
"What?" Chiyo said snapping out of mid-thought. She could have sworn that she had this feeling... Or it could have just been a cat... she thought. Not wanting her paranoia to get the best of her.
"What did you say, Daisuke?" she said turning back at him to look into his apprehensive face. "Alright, alright, I heard you," her hands coming up in her defense, "we'll leave..."
But their path out was blocked by two familiar identical twins.
"What the...?" Chiyo said aloud. She had let her guard down. I really should listen when I get a feeling like that...
"Sthorry litthle kendo girl," another annoyingly familiar voice called out from the shadows as a straggly haired head first appeared as he stepped out, "but we've come to sthettle the sthcore..." Snickers could be heard as his right hand man with the sick mask came out with an arrogant look on his face.
"Daisuke, get behind me." Chiyo whispered trying to hide her fear. She didn't have her shinai and hand-to-hand combat wasn't her strong point.
"Chiyo, we're surrounded." Daisuke answered back. His voice was oddly calm.
Not just that, we're trapped. a resigned voice realized from the back of Chiyo's mind.
"Grab her." the bucktooth leader said simply as the two twins came up in a flash to grab each of Chiyo's arms. One large thug with burly arms came forward to hold back Daisuke.
"Chiyo!" Daisuke cried out, his voice now full with alarm, What are they going to do to her?! Daisuke thought as her struggled in the punk's hold. "CHIYO!" he called out again.
"Hold her." the leader ordered as the two twins steadied the girl in their grasps. Ever prideful, Chiyo held a straight face, accepting whatever was going to happen to her.
This is my fault anyway... she thought sadly. But before fully resigning she made one final plea, "Whatever you're going to do to me, leave Daisuke out of it." her voice was low as she said this barely above a whisper. Any louder and they would have heard her trembling.
"Don't!" the young man struggled again.
"Dammit, Daisuke, just save yourself for goodness sake!"
"I'm not going to leave you!!"
"Awww, isn't that sweet?" said one of the twins tauntingly, "She want us to spare her little man."
"Bullshit girlie," said the other twin shoving her roughly while still holding her, "we want shorty, here, to watch this."
"Masafuchi," the leader called out to the sick mask, not taking his eyes off of their soon-to-be-victim. "Take it out."
"With pleasure," sneered the sick mask boy as he pulled out a handheld gun from his pocket and aimed it a Chiyo's head, "Impressed?"
"Not really, considering you're going to all of this trouble over one girl..." Chiyo intimidated. If she was going to go down, she would go down without showing her fear.
"You think you got sthome tough balls ya little bitch?" the leader cried out getting pissed at her calm face, "This ain't yer shitty little kendo school where everything is set up by rules! Consider this your welcome into street fighting, where every thing's and anything goes. Or should I say your goodbye..."
"This is what you get for messing with the thugs of Kasanegafuchi!" the sick mask pressed the gun to her face.
"NO!!" Daisuke yelled, breaking out of his captors grasp. Through the shock Chiyo pulled out of the twins arms and kicked them away into some nearby trash bags where they tripped and fell. Using his violin case, Daisuke tuned it into a weapon by swinging it into sick mask's head, knocking him to the ground.
"Come on!" he grabbed Chiyo's wrist and the two proceeded to run out of the alleyway. Chiyo, being faster, caught up a few steps ahead of him. She turned around to make sure Daisuke was still behind her.
"BANG!!" a shot echoed though the walls as the shock of the fall made the gun's holder pull the trigger.
"LOOK OUT!!" Daisuke shouted, pushing her out of the way. As Chiyo fell back from the shove, she could see the whole moment as if it were in slow motion.
Daisuke's body jerked forward as the bullet passed though his body ...
Chiyo's face forming into horror and shock. No...
His eyes dilating as his life passed out of him...
Her head turning slowly in denial...
His form dropping limply into her arms...
Chiyo fell to her knees as Daisuke's head rested facedown in her lap. His head was turned to the side. She looked at him, and he wasn't breathing.
"Oh shit..." burly arms whispered aloud. Everyone was still in their spot for a single moment until what had just happened sunk in.
"EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF!!" yelled out one of the twins as both scrambled out of the broken garbage cans.
Their leader also forgot himself, and out of his fear he ran pass the two fallen forms.
"This is so messed up!" he cried as the ran from the alley. The one who had pulled the trigger was now sitting up shaking with fear. They were the only ones left.
It was then that Chiyo finally looked up from Daisuke's fallen form, "How could you?" she whispered her face shocked and confused.
Masafuchi said nothing. He was now sitting on the ground paralyzed as the gun in his hand smoked. His body was shaking and he was breathing hard. Finally, "I-I, I didn't know it was loaded!!! I, I d-didn't mean it I swear!!" Despite his tough facade, he was still a boy.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DIDN'T MEAN IT?!?!?!" her voice full of rage.
With all of her rational thoughts gone, Chiyo ran up to Masafuchi. In a flash, she grabbed a steel pipe that had fallen out of one of the trash bags, grabbed him buy the collar and shoved his back to the wall full force.
"You killed him! YOU KILLED HIM!! HOW COULD YOU!?!?!" Chiyo screamed into his face as she pinned her friend's killer to the wall with her arm on his chest.
"I-I didn't even know that the gun was loaded, honest!!" his sick mask had fallen off, fully revealing his frightened face. "It-it's my Dad's!
"WHY?!?" she lifted the pipe above her head. Masafuchi cried out as he saw she was ready to strike.
"We-We were just going to scare you!! As soon as we made you cry or something, we we're just going to beat you up then leave you alone!!! P-Please!! I'm sorry!" tears we're now rolling down his face as he begged for his life.
Despite that her wrath wanted full out revenge at that moment, and despite the fact that an overwhelming pain was threatening to burst from her chest...
"Wh-what h-happened?" cried out a shaky voice from her memory. Chiyo's eyes widened as she heard it. "Did-did you get into a f-fight?" A face appeared, one that she could never ignore. A concerned, pleading look.
What you did was still dangerous, Chiyo. What if you had gotten hurt? You shouldn't get mixed up in things like that!"
Daisuke... her mind finally remembered.
Can't I worry about you? his voice said again softly, Just a little bit...?
Her breathing calmed down. All of the world sounded muffled, even the tearful cries of Masafuchi as he begged for his life sounded like a voice in the distance. Slowly her face relaxed, and so did her arm.
"P-please, please! I'm s-sorry!!" Masafuchi tried again, this brought back Chiyo into reality as she made a swift swing with her arm, and dropped the pipe before it contacted with his face as she punched him. He fell to the ground unconscious. She had spared him, but she wasn't going to let him get away.
Finally, she began to hear sirens and see traces of blue and red light's flashing. However, it still remained part of another world as she walked back to Daisuke's still form. A tiny river of blood was flowing to a nearby drain. Gently, she took his head and laid it back on her lap.
"Daisuke, hold on..." she whispered, pleading. "Please..."
But her calls were never heard, he was already dead.
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The Next Day...
"Hey Botan, something bugging you?" Yusuke called out to the usually bubbly girl who's face had a uncharacteristic look of sadness. They we're in one of the room's of Genkai's temple where she and the tantei had agreed to meet so Botan could inform them of their next mission. Botan, in her kimono, and Yusuke, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, were sitting on the floor of the Japanese style room. Hiei sat at the side, clad in his black over-coat, his back leaning on the paper door between the porch and the room, in his usual fashion, looking out into the garden. Kuwabara had gone of to the bathroom, so they were still waiting for Kurama.
Botan perked up after hearing her name, her face forming a cheerful smile once more, "Ah! Gomen Yusuke!" she answered him, her face formed into her kawaii* version of a cat with two kitty ears on her head, "You know me, just spacing out a bit! Meow!" as she batted a paw into the air.
"O...k," the tantei said, giving her an odd look, "I was just sayin' that you looked weirder than usual."
Botan's face turned back to normal as she remembered last night. Sadly, the girl's night out was cut short. It had taken most of the night to comfort Keiko enough so that she could sleep. Poor Keiko-chan, first the whole thing with Yusuke, and now her friend dies! the ferry girl recalled sadly.
She turned to Yusuke with a serious face, "Actually it's about Keiko-"
"What about Keiko?!" he asked slightly alarmed, "Did something happen? Is she in trouble? What the hell-"
"Hn, baka*." the fire demon in the corner commented on the young man's outburst.
"Calm down, Yusuke!!" the blue haired girl replied, trying to calm the boy down. At least I know that he's still concerned about her. That's a step in the right direction, right? Botan though with a small smile. "She's alright, but maybe you should talk to her and find out, she just might appreciate it!" she perked seeing the possibilities in Yusuke's concern.
"I dunno..." the spirit detective said hesitantly as Kuwabara pushed open one of the doors on the other side of the room in a blue tank top and also in a pair if jeans. He was wiping his hands on a handkerchief, still freshly wet from washing them, "Okay, I'm here when do we get this thing started?"
"Aho*, no one cares whether you come in or not, so you don't have to make an announcement out of it." Hiei called out, quickly getting on the carrot-top's case.
"Bite me, shrimp!" the pissed of young man responded while sitting down Indian-style on the opposite side of the room from where the fire demon was.
"Sorry I'm late," Kurama called out while entering from the porch next to where Hiei sat, "I just had to finish some homework." He was dressed in a button-up shirt and a pair of dark brown kakis.
"Actually you were just in time Kurama-kun!" Botan said happily from where she sat.
"Yeah," Yusuke added, "David and Goliath, here, were about to start another war, again." the mentioned parties both shot the spirit detective a glare.
"Well then, now that everyone's here let's get this thing started!" Botan jumped up from her place then turned to Hiei, "Do you have the equipment from Reikai?"
The spiky-haired demon turned his glare to the ferry girl, "Hn, you were the one carrying the garbage Koenma gave us on your damned oar, onna*, so you should be the one who knows where it is."
"Well no need to get touchy!" Botan said nervously, partially from Hiei's cold stare, "Oh yes! Now I remember!" the blue haired girl joyfully recollected as she skipped to the other entrance, "I left it in the other room. Hang tight, minna, I'll be right back!" The others sweatdropped as she left the room as she brought in a medium sized sack from the next room. She opened it to reveal what looked like a set of computer parts and began to swiftly assemble the parts together.
"That reminds me, Hiei," the red-haired young man turned from where he was sitting over to his friend, "why exactly did you have to go to Reikai anyway?"
"You'll hear it from that fool, Koenma, soon enough." Hiei answered.
"Alright! We're all set!" Botan moved to the side to reveal a small, silver box with various switches and buttons. Wires connected it to a strange circle the size of a hula hoop in the center of the room with two speakers on each side.
"Wow, Reikai's sure going up on the whole technology thing." Kuwabara stared at the contraption curiously, "What exactly is it?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Yusuke snorted annoyingly as he rolled his eyes. "It's some weird projector-gadget-thing pacifier-breath's showin' off with again."
"It's a hologram projector if I'm not mistaken. Am I right Botan-san?" Kurama piped up as everyone ignored the tantei's snide remark.
"Bingo! You answered the million-dollar question!" Botan cheered as she tapped into a microphone also connected to the box. "Testing, testing! Koenma-sama* can you hear me?"
"Loud and clear, Botan." a young voice crackled, getting clearer by the second. "Preparing to send an image." The circle in the middle of the room began to glow slightly as a 3-D (or as 3-D as you can get in a 2-d anime ^^;;;) image of a little baby in a blue outfit and a large hat with the word's "Jr." appeared with his trademark pacifier.
"Greetings Reikai tantei!" the prince of the spirit world said as he raised a hand in hello, "It hasn't been too long since the tournament ended, if I am right?"
"Cut the small talk Koenma, why the hell didja have to waste our Saturday to call us here?" Yusuke began, already beginning to get impatient. His time off was a valuable thing.
"Not 'showin off my weird projector-gadget-thing' as you so amply put, Yusuke." Koenma answered sarcastically throwing the young man a knowing stare.
"When did you heard that?!" the greased up punk called out in surprise.
"Botan had the speakers on as you all chit-chatted." the baby replied, earning the ferry girl a glare from Yusuke as she put up her hands in defense.
"Anyway, you're new case shall be one of great importance-"
"Not like the others in the past weren't. Painful, too." Kuwabara thought out loud as he winced in memory.
"-and shall determine the fate of Ningenkai*. The reason why we had to use this nifty hologram projector was for security purposes. The whole thing already has Reikai in a mess of paper work. Plus, you never know who may be listening in from afar." Koenma commented as Jorge sped by carrying a stack of papers.
"What exactly is this force that is causing such a commotion?" Kurama asked inquisitively.
"It is a demon cult from Maikai known as the 'Society of Blood'."
"Cheery name. It sound pretty cult-ish, too." Yusuke snickered.
"Don't take them too lightly, Yusuke, they're not just your average demon gang." Koenma remarked, waving his tiny finger in the air.
The screen faded from Koenma to a picture of a countless number of ferocious demons surrounding a large Chinese style castle. "They are a group of radicals who, over the years, have been collecting countless apparitions, of various talents in dark magic, from all around Maikai to build an army. Their goal is not only the human world, but the three worlds altogether. Once they have taken the human world, they plan to use it's resources and man power to engage in an all-out assault on Reikai."
"Their animosity would most likely have stemmed from the authority that the spirit world has placed upon them over the centuries." Kurama stated, analyzing the situation, being a demon in soul himself. "But the barrier should stop them since it is there to keep the three worlds apart."
"Yes, you humans are by no means ready to accept the world of the demons." Hiei agreed. "It may take decades, centuries before you probably could."
"You are both right about that," Koenma stated simply, his voice in that rare tone whenever the situation was serious "Until the human world comes to terms with the existence of the other two worlds, a shaky balance will have to depend on the barriers. If those barriers are permanently destroyed, and if the society does succeed in what it intends to do, there will be very little Reikai can do to stop them."
Everyone was silent as this news sunk in.
"The good news is that our spies in the spirit world were able to gather information on the Society's plans, so as of now there's still hope of stopping them." the prince piped up positively. "Luckily their plans are still in a very introverted and discrete stage. This is where all of you will come in. All of their plans are based on the supposed dogma of a single demon named Mokushi.*" The screen switched to the image of what looked like a large demon looking similar to a war god from Chinese mythology fully decked out in dark grey armor from head to toe. His body stood at three stories, about half the height of the castle where his minions gathered.
"Man, he's huge!" Kuwabara gaped.
"Not exactly friendly lookin' is he?" Yusuke replied at the ferocious-looking face.
"Size isn't everything," Hiei muttered to himself so the others couldn't hear, except for Kurama who gave a silent chuckle.
"Despite his intimidating looks, his fighting skills are somewhat lacking." Koenma continued, "His power lies more in his influence upon the demons of Maikai through his so-called dogma stating, and I quote:
The blood of both worlds shall create a pathway which will usher a new era for demons in all three worlds. Find the catalyst that will unite them, and the prophecy shall be fulfilled.
Researchers have been able to discover that Mokushi stumbled onto old relics of back when the demon world and the human world once co-existed before the barrier. These relics were what enabled him to create this 'religion.' With the help of specialists in energy waves, his plans to tap into an old frequency that was once commonly used as a portal in the old era. To do this, he has secretly built two temples, one in the demon world and one in the human world in an underground cave below a shrine not too far from here."
This time the screen switched to an image of a large one-sided wall of marble inside of an old cave. On the floor below it, lay a half circle slate, its height of about three feet, serving as its base spreading twenty feet in diameter. Steps lined the outside of this half- circle as intricately placed pillars stood on both sides of the base and the wall. It was all in a very Roman-ish style.
"Tell me," the kitsune* interrupted, "how is it that they were able to do all of this?"
"Yeah, this whole thing was going on under our noses, and you just now found out about it!?" Yusuke complained, being none to subtle.
"Mokushi has under him a powerful psychic that prevented many of our people from discovering his plan until now, since all of the ruckus over the prophecy lead to flaws in the security." Koenma rebutted as a small throbbing vein signaled his annoyance. "You see the reason why they called 'The Society of Blood' is because they use blood, which holds a person's spirit energy, that exactly matches the frequency of the temple to create a opening from one temple to the other, or between the two worlds. Using the blood of one demon from their side they were able to create a small entrance for a tiny portion of Mokushi's minions to begin construction in Ningenkai. However, in order to create something large enough to bring in the entire society, they must find a being in this world who's energy also matches the barrier. Only one being like this is born every generation. Once found, they must take that being's blood and pour in onto the temple. A connection will join with the blood shed from Maikai and the pathway will open. As you can tell, that being is the catalyst."
"Bleh. You mean its some kind of virgin sacrifice or somethin'? Kuwabara reeled in disgust.
"Not exactly, the person doesn't have to die, but the blood that is used must come from a wound cut by the catalyst willingly. The reason why it is called the catalyst is because it has the power to determine if the pathway will open or not. The relics also mention that the catalyst can close the gate permanently by giving an offering, 'one not only the essence of our bodies, but that of the mind and the soul' as the writings say."
"So this catalyst has the will to determine whether whole mess of nasty demons will come from Maikai or not?" Yusuke asked curiously.
"Yep."
"Then what does that whole thing about the offering mean?"
"I have no clue."
Everyone sweatdropped as Yusuke face-faulted to the floor. "Kuso*..." he commented as he got off the floor.
"But your mission will be to figure that out. You are detectives after all. Find the catalyst, protect whoever it is, bring that person to the temple, and find a way to destroy their plans before it is too late. You had better hurry, too. Mokushi's second in command, and leader of the small forces already in Ningenkai, Dokuhito* is his main psychic who can manipulate people's feelings to his own will." A new image appear of what seemed to be a stringy, weather-beaten monk, garb and all. He could be mistaken for a peaceful monk if not for his strained face with a look of a constant glare, lidless eyes with no pupils, and the string of small skulls that wrapped around his neck. "He'll have the upper hand in finding the catalyst. His powers can increase by devouring souls. This had caused great trouble for the ferry girls who guide dead souls to Reikai."
"Which is why Hiei had to come with me as I went to check in with Koenma-sama." Botan interjected, "Before I could go back, I had to make sure that every single soul was out of the vicinity of this area to make sure that they were safe. To protect myself, I needed Hiei to act as a bodyguard. The whole system is a mess!" she said exasperated.
"Which is why it is imperative that you find this person as soon as possible. The threat of this itself has all of Reikai in an uproar. Good luck, and I hope that you survive." and with that Koenma's image vanished.
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The same time that night...
"Please allow me to offer my condolences for what has happened." Chiyo said solemnly as bowed low to the ground to the people in front of her. She was in a suburban, western-style house not too far from the Tsuyosa dojo. It was now after the wake, and everyone had left. The room was a washitsu* where Daisuke's shrine and coffin now lay. Chiyo had been silent the whole time standing on the lawn close to the porch where people entered to pay their respects. Many had come from the neighborhood and Utagawa to mourn. Takao could be heard to the side on the verge of wailing. The pushy red-head may have shown her affections in an unusual way, but she had cared for the deceased boy nonetheless.
Keiko had tried to talk to her while coming herself, but Chiyo merely stood there ignoring her while staring blankly at the shrine. After a few minutes, she gave up, paid her respects, and left, not being able to take another wake due to her own experiences with Yusuke's.
"It was my fault," Chiyo whispered to herself as her hands on the floor rolled into fists. "I'm the one who took away your son. I do not expect your forgiveness..."
The three people in front of her sat silently on the tatami* as they stared at the girl for a minute. They had known her since she was a child, and had welcomed her family as good friends and neighbors. "Chiyo..." the woman in the middle called out softy as she got up. It was Daisuke's mother. She wore a black kimono with her dark-brown hair tied into a neat bun. Her son had inherited her looks, and she was quite pretty despite her eyes red from her tears.
Yasashiro Ruri kneeled down to the girl in front of her and placed her hand gently on the girls fist. Chiyo slowly looked up in surprise to see the woman's serene face as Daisuke's mother wrapper her arms around her, the girl stiffened from the touch.
"Chiyo-chan, it's not your fault." she began, "The police told us everything, he was trying to protect you. Pointing the finger aimlessly at anyone will not bring Daisuke back. So please..." her voice began to shake as she started to weep as she embraced the girl as if she held her own son again. She silently prayed, hoping that her plea would be heard by the now suffering child in her arms.
Daisuke's father was dressed in a dark suit. He calmly got up, he had light gray hair which was hereditary, and not from age. Yasashiro Isao wrapped his arm comfortingly around his wife shoulders then placed a hand on Chiyo's. "She's right," he replied, his voice full of emotion, "we're just glad that you're safe, Chiyo."
"Onee-chan," Daisuke's five-year-old sister, Mai, called out to her shyly in her low pigtails and black little dress. She saw Chiyo as her role model and had loved to follow her and Daisuke around. She scooted on her little knees towards her 'onee-chan' , "it's alright." she said simply, trying to smile. Losing 'onii-chan*' had been tough on her as well.
No wonder Daisuke was so kind, a voice in the back of Chiyo's head reflected, when you're raised by parents like this what else can you be?"
However, despite the comfort she was receiving Chiyo's face remained placid as she sat
rigidly in her place. Finally she moved slightly out of Ruri's hold and sat up straight. "I don't deserve your forgiveness." she spoke out, her voice cold as stone her eyes refusing to look into their own. Their gazes were just too familiar to his. She got up and began to walk into the yard towards the exit "Shitsurei shi-mass*" Chiyo called out as she exited the room.
"Onee-chan?" Mai's spoke up, confused by Chiyo's actions.
"Chiyo!" Daisuke's mother cried out standing on her knees with an arm reaching out to her. Isao put his hands on his wife's shoulders as he shook his head, "We should probably give her some time alone," he soothed.
Ruri placed a hand on her husbands, "I know," she whispered as her daughter came up to sit next to her. Ruri wrapped her in a protective embrace, "but I'm just worried that it might not be enough..."
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A few day's later...
Yusuke walked home from another day of sleeping in class and cutting gym. Today he pulled two pranks on Iwamoto-sensei*, and had left school before the irate teacher started calling out his name in rage while covered in blue paint as he hung his head out the third story window after him. Strangely enough, despite all of his problems and a new case, today was a good day.
Speaking of which, he frowned as his eyes caught sight of a little glimmer emanating from his wrist while carrying his satchel in his arm. As much as he wanted to go out on the town gallivanting, as he usually did after school, the little bracelet that now graced his wrist reminded him of his duties.
*Flashback to Genkai's Temple after Koenma's case assignment*
"Alright, boys!" Botan cheered out loud with her finger pointed in the air with enthusiasm. They were all still in their spots in the room after Koenma's image disappeared, "Let's get this thing started!."
"But how exactly do we find this catalyst?" asked Kurama.
"Yeah, its not like this person's just gonna pop out of the blue waving flags and all," Kuwabara included.
"Dammit, couldn't he have been more specific about the clues other than having the same wavelengths as some crappy old temple?" Yusuke groaned. "I mean, hell, it could be anyone!" Then he turned to Kuwabara, "You're able to see ghosts, and crap like that, can't you sniff out whoever it is?"
"Hey! It's called spiritual awareness, Urameshi, and it's not like I can tell the difference between different individual souls!"
"That's where I come in to save the day!" Botan announced as she slipped her hand into her obi* to pull out four trendy 'good-luck Asian bead bracelets.' "Here, catch!" She threw one each to the boys accordingly.
"What in the hell is this absurd apparatus you've given us?" Hiei said glaring oddly at the little trinket in his hands.
"Isn't this one of those crappy trendy bracelets girls wear for whatever they wear them for?" Yusuke also asked looking strangely at his, "Give them to the other girls I'm sure they would like them."
"For goodness sake they're for the mission!!" the ferry girl exclaimed with a look of murder at the two black-haired tantei. Then she calmed herself down and looked to the rest, "All four of these are from Reikai, and each has a sample of the frequency of the gate. It reads the spirit waves of anyone you come within ten feet of. When the charm finds a person with the same waves as it does it will begin to glow. These little bracelets are going to be your guiding light in this case, so you'd better get used to them." Botan ended matter-of-factly.
"So all we can do is walk around an hope that we find this person?" Kuwabara stated.
"Yep, yep!" she chirped.
"Awww, so much for free time," the carrot-top muttered "I was gonna take Yukina-san to the zoo to see the animals... she seems to like them a lot." Hiei cringed silently as he heard this. Those two were getting too close for his comfort. He almost thanked Koenma for this assignment, inwardly anyway.
"Well then," Kurama said while getting up, "I suppose we should start tonight in our own areas near our houses. The sooner we find the catalyst, the better." Everyone nodded in agreement as each person walked, or in Hiei's case 'Whooshed!' to their respective grounds.
*Flashback ends*
Alright, Yusuke thought to himself, if I'm gonna have better chances finding this 'catalyst' then I'd better start somewhere crowded, right? His head turned to the right to see a stylish gate with the sign "Park" written in English with katakana* to translate for the non-English fanatics. Okay this place seems familiar, the young punk pondered, not exactly my favorite place to look, but it's crowded, near, and I don't feel like walkin' too much. With that logic taken care of he walked through the gates.
As he treaded along the main path, he looked around at the various people having picnics or playing with their kids. He couldn't help but feel that this place was familiar somehow. I remember! Keiko once brought me here once! he recalled.
At first he didn't like the idea, but after she showed him around a bit he kind of liked how peaceful the place felt, especially after he began his hectic life as a spirit detective. Then he frowned, as he passed by a young couple sitting on the bench talking while sharing a bento*. He stiffened as he began feel this emptiness inside himself, as if a piece of himself had been cut out of him, and nothing had been left there to replace it.
Okay, now this place doesn't feel so pleasant anymore... He looked at the charm on his wrist. Nothing here, so I might as well leave.
However as he turned he saw a familiar figure sitting alone on one of the benches. She was by still in her uniform as well, clutching a handkerchief as she fought back her tears.
"Keiko!?!" Yusuke yelped in shock, then he ran up to her, but then hesitated in grabbing her shoulders, "What is it?!? What's wrong?!?" he said in a worried tone.
She looked up at him then in an instant flung herself into his arms, "Oh Yusuke!" she cried out as she began to cry on his chest. "I-I don't know what to do! Something is wrong with her!"
The young man hesitated before he wrapped his arms around her back. All arguments up to the side for a moment. He hated to see her like this, "Hey, its alright." he whispered trying to get her to calm down, "Something is wrong with who?"
"It's Chiyo," Keiko replied her sniffles starting to slow down, "I went to her school after our last class ended..." she began.
*Flashback to Utagawa*
"Aiko-san! Mariko-san!" Keiko called out to the two girls while she waved at Chiyo's acquaintances from the festival.
"Hi Keiko-san! Its great to see you again!" Mariko called back cheerfully.
"Do you know where I can find Chiyo-chan at?"
"Gomen ne, Keiko-san," Aiko answered, "she didn't come to school today."
Mariko nodded, "We were hoping that you would come to talk to her, or something, she has the whole school worried."
"Why's that?" the brown headed girl replied.
"For one thing she quit the performance club when she first came back. Takako, the club president, even tried to convince her to stay, but she didn't even listen. To be honest she won't even talk to anyone around school, and even skipped out on kendo practice for the past few days. If she keeps this up, she might get kicked out of Utagawa!"
Keiko's eyes began to glimmer with worry, "Do you guys know where she lives? I don't know if I can do much, but I would like to talk to her."
"She gave us her address after the festival," Aiko replied as she shuffled though her satchel and pulled out her address book. She scribbled down the address and gave it to her. "Dozo, Keiko-san and Gambatte*!"
"Hai!" Keiko answered as she turned towards Chiyos house
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Fifteen minutes later...
Keiko arrived at the entrance of a reasonable large house with a small sign on the side wall saying, "Tsuyosa Kendo dojo."
"This must be it," Keiko mumbled to herself as she stuffed the paper back into her satchel. She entered inside of the compound and gasped as she saw the large training ground. On both sides were groups of lush trees framing the shine of the clean porches that lined the outside of the house and lead to the main training rooms. It was as if she had stepped back into the Tokogawa* era of Japan when samurai ruled.
Once she reached the front door, she pressed on the doorbell on the side, I guess this house still has some modern conveniences. Keiko thought with a smile.
The door slid open to reveal Chiyo clad in her white kendo training clothes like before.
"Keiko-chan!" she called out in mild surprise, "What are you doing here?"
"I'm sorry for the sudden visit," Keiko bowed, "but I got your address from Aiko-san and Mariko-san, and thought I'd just drop by." she said cheerfully.
"Well then, irrasshai*, won't you come in?" Chiyo replied politely as she lead her friend into the house.
"Ojama shimas*" Keiko said as she took off her shoes and began to follow Chiyo silently through the hall. Sliding paper doors lined the walls which lead to the various rooms within the house. The setting sun filtering through the paper provided the only light as it glowed with an orange-red tint. One opened to reveal a middle aged man also in similar training clothes.
"Who is this?" he asked in a detached manner.
"Ah, sensei!" Chiyo's eyes widened in surprise, he usually could be found at this time of day in the training hall, "This is Yukimura Keiko-san, a friend of mine from school." she gestured to the girl next to her.
Keiko looked at the man, although he had some wrinkles on his forehead and under the eyes, he looked like he was quite handsome in his younger years. His face had a kind-looking visage to it, if he didn't have a constant frown constantly on his face, anyway. "Hajime mashte," Keiko said nervously as she bowed. Her face red from realizing that she was staring.
"If I may have your permission," Chiyo continued, "I would like to invite her into the dojo since she had the trouble of stopping by."
The man looked for a moment then answered while nodding, "Do as you wish, but make sure that you continue your practice while she's here." With that, he walked off into the hallway towards the training hall.
"This way," Chiyo said as she opened one of the nearby sliding doors which lead Keiko into another room. In the corner, nearest to the wall, was a small desk where a person could kneel to sit with the standard lamp and two bookends holding various books. In front of the opening, was a small table with four flat cushions on each side where guests could sit.
Keiko sat on one side of the table as Chiyo opened the sliding door on the other side to reveal the outdoor walkway and into the yard. Then she headed towards the entrance, "I'll be right back." she said before leaving.
"Hai."
As soon as she left, Keiko couldn't help but look around, This must be her room. Keiko realized as she noticed the school books on her desk. Then she looked to the floor between the porch and the table. There lay a simple scarlet book with a single yellow ribbon tied into the cover, a picture book. She walked towards it and kneeled down while reaching out a hand to open it.
"Don't touch that!" Chiyo said all of a sudden from the door. Her hands were holding a tray with rice balls and a cup of tea for Keiko. "Please." she added in a calmer tone as she set the tray down. Then she walked to her closet where her futon was held and pulled out her shinai from school.
"Sorry!" Keiko said as she reeled back her hand from the book, "I let my curiosity get the best of me." she answered sheepishly as she hastily sat back down at the table.
"Its alright, I shouldn't have left it in the middle of the room like that." with that the braided girl headed to the porch and slipped her sandals on and began to practice some basic strikes. The room was silent as Keiko watched her practice for a few minutes. The only thing that could be heard was the whooshing of the bamboo sword as it struck at the air.
"Ano, Chiyo-chan?" Keiko finally not able to take the silence any longer, "That man in the hallway, are you related to him in any way?"
Chiyo's swings went out of tempo, she looked like she was reluctant to answer, "Yes, he's my father actually."
"I thought you resembled each other," Keiko answered cheerfully, "but why do you call him sensei?" she asked her face turned back into a questioning stare. "I mean it's not as if you're in his class or something. Ah, gomen!" she gasped, remembering her manners, "I'm being too nosey-"
"It's okay," Chiyo interrupted, "I know that he acts a little... distant from everyone." she said as she struggled to find the right words to explain. "He's been like that for some time. Also I am in his class as well here at the dojo, so I'm able to sharpen my skills with the extra practice. That's why I call him sensei."
Thinking that she had overstepped her boundaries, Keiko reached for a rice ball off of the table and took a small bite, "Oishii*! Did your mother make this?"
"Actually, I did. My mother passed away some years ago." the kendo student mentioned as she continued her practice, however, her eyes we're hidden by her bangs. "To tell you the truth," she continued, "my father was quite different before she died, but I can't blame him. It was pretty tough for me, too."
Her friend sat in shock from what she just heard. Chiyo was never one to really share much about herself, "I'm sorry," Keiko finally said sincerely as she got up and sat on the porch.
"It's ok,"
"Not just about that," Keiko continued her voice now with a tinge of sadness. "but also what has happened lately. I miss Daisuke, too."
Chiyo paused then stuck the tip of the shinai into the grass as she held onto the hilt, "He was going to die soon anyway..."
"What?" the brown headed girl gasped not believing what she just heard.
"It's true," the sandy-haired girl answered turning her head to her friend, "Daisuke had a disorder called 'Ventrical Septal Defect.' He had little holes in his heart which kept him from doing any strenuous activity. If he even went faster than a light jog, he'd over work his circulatory system and air wouldn't reach his body effectively. Once in a while he'd have small attacks, have horrible chest pains, and his lips would turn blue. It's plagued him ever since birth." she paused for a minute as she remembered, "Quite honestly, he wasn't even supposed to live beyond childhood. It was a miracle that he got this far."
"How can you say that?!" Keiko asked incredulously getting up from the porch and onto the grass not caring that her socks were getting dirty.
"Some things just weren't made to exist in the world, Keiko."
"But I know that you cared about him, Chiyo!" Keiko went up to where her friend stood and placed her hand on Chiyo's, "Look, the reason I came is because everyone is worried about you, and I know that he wouldn't want you to deny yourself from the world like this."
"Well I don't, because he's not here anymore, he's dead." Chiyo replied indifferently, "and unlike your case, Keiko, I doubt that he's going to come back."
Keiko looked at her shocked, not by what she just said, but the way that Chiyo's eyes looked as she said this. They were blank, void off all emotion, as cold and calculating as a computer filled with data that had come from a cold, calculating world.
"I just wish..." Chiyo paused struggling with some inner force that seemed to paralyze her whole being, "I just wish... that I could disappear."
For a moment, just a moment, Keiko could have sworn that she was standing before the most vulnerable, pain-filled gaze in her life. It was something that only the inner most turmoil's of despair could create. However, this gaze quickly faded as Chiyo's face blinked in shock of herself then once again turned placid. "Maybe you should leave..." her voice was low and serious.
"Chiyo..." Keiko tried.
"Please!" she said with more conviction mounted with a tinge of desperation, "please... just go..."
There's nothing I can do, and only staying is going to make things worse, Keiko though as she fought to gain her composure in front of her friend, just like with Yusuke... I can't do anything...
I can't do anything to help them....
"Excuse me..." Keiko said politely as she quickly collected her things and walked swiftly out of the door. The only thing that she took with her other than her own things was the feeling of utter anguish that still hung like a cloud of mist in the room she left.
*End of Flashback*
Dounaru ka wakaranakute_______________ I don't know what will happen
Nakinagara koe no ageru________________ I cry out loud
Onegai______________________________ Please
Hitoribotchi ni sasenaide________________ Don't leave me alone
Inochi wa akkenakute__________________ Life can be disappointing
Hounto ni inakunatte__________________ You are really gone
mouichido daitehoshii_________________ I want you to hold me again
Anatadakega tenshi dattanori____________ You were my only angel
-Earth Girl Arjuna, Kuuki to Hoshi
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Later that evening...
Chiyo silently walked through the streets as she carried a bag of groceries home to cook dinner. The kitchen had run out a few spices so she had to go and restock them.
"Hey, Chiyo!" a loud voice called out from behind her. She turned to see Yusuke glaring at her as if she had just stepped on his face. His arms were stiff at his sides while his knuckles began to turn white by the tight fists he was making.
After hearing Keiko's story, her two friends from their school had come by to bring her home. They had though it was Yusuke who had made her cry and hastily retreated before Yusuke could say anything to her. The whole thing had left him as confused and upset as she was, for sadly Keiko's emotional state had not allowed her to explain everything clearly. So instead to thinking everything over, he decided to do what he always did when something bothered him: Find the bastard who caused it, and make them regret that they ever made him as such.
"Hello, Yusuke. How are you this evening?" Chiyo said curtly as she turned fully to face him.
"Cut the polite crap!" Yusuke snapped, getting quickly to the point not caring that the other inhabitants of the street were beginning to stare, "What the hell did you say to Keiko?!?" Despite the fact that he wouldn't mind punching her face to the concrete. He knew that harming her wouldn't solve a thing for either him, or with Keiko.
"So I'm guessing you heard."
"You bet I heard! Right from the source, and right now she's crying her eyes out cause she tried to help someone who completely shoved her away!" his voice grew angrier with every word.
"Oh," the girl scoffed, half amused, "Like with how you talked with Keiko?"
"That's got nothing to do with this!"
"Look," Chiyo began, her voice calm and intimidating at the same time. She never left a challenge without saying, or doing, her piece, "all I did was tell her the truth. and that was it. Frankly, I don't think you have the right to tell me how I handle other people. Not with what I've heard, anyway."
A hand quickly shot out to grab the young woman by the collar, "You'd better watch what you say," Yusuke whispered to her face, his voice dangerously low, "I don't care if you're a girl or even Keiko's friend, I'll make you pay for your words if you cross the line."
"Oh, not like I don't have reasons for thinking this way," Chiyo replied to the threat coolly, her voice beginning to match Yusuke's, "From what I've pretty much picked up ever since your relationship began is this: you come to see her for a few days then go off gallivanting somewhere for months on end leaving her to wait for you. Then you come back with injuries from God knows where and she accepts you back with open arms! All the while you go off to do your own thing, you leave her to take the burden of what you leave behind. Do you even think of what she feels when you leave like that?!"
"I don't need to hear your preaching crap!" Yusuke shouted as he shoved the girl away roughly. By now he was pretty much tempted to give this girl a piece of his fist, but if he did he knew that he would regret it. Damn conscience and reasoning just had to come at the worst times!
Luckily for Chiyo, her words had also hit a bit of guilt that was slowly subduing the fire of rage that was Yusuke Urameshi, he had never though to Keiko's position on his job in that way. He had always though that he had the perfect reason since he was protecting her as well as Ningenkai, but that had not meant that Yusuke didn't hurt her in the process.
And although Chiyo felt good being able to keep her mind off of her troubles for a moment, warning bells were ringing loud a clear in the kendo student's head. This guy had done nothing wrong to her, plus he had saved her from the goon with the brick not too long ago either. However, she was irritable and in no mood to take anyone's crap, so this logic went unnoticed.
"Well I don't think you deserve her and if you can't even face her to apologize then maybe you should just leave before she ruins herself with you!" Chiyo criticized callously as she sauntered up to Yusuke to face him, "If you don't want to be preached then stop going around like you have the right to yell on someone's behalf, so don't you tell me how to act!" her face was about a foot close to his as she said this to his scowl. She pulled away suddenly, her eyes purely mixed with shock. Then she clamed as her eyes grew tired then mixed with the inevitable shame. If she hadn't crossed the line several times over by now, it was assured that she just did.
"You're a real bitch you know that?" The tantei calmed only because he just didn't want to listen to her anymore.
"Just... leave me alone..." she said wearily as she turned around and began to walk away from him.
"No problem there," Yusuke snorted, "If Keiko hangs out with someone as cold as you any longer she might catch whatever damn disease made you so stuck up."
The braided girl looked back at him, "You're probably right." she smiled sadly. Yusuke looked at her retreating form in shock. He didn't exactly expect her to agree with him.
He was about to leave himself as his scowl returned until he saw a strange glow from his wrist. Of all the stupid timing! Yusuke looked around, all of the other people around him were off to the side talking about the two 'rowdy kids' so no one was in range. Wait... his thoughts halted as the pointed the bracelet on his wrist towards the retreating girl walking away from him. The tracer glowed brighter.
No friggin' way... the tantei thought in disbelief.
The catalyst had been found.
End Ch. 3
Arahazi: Yes, yes another chapter done FINALLY!! Man, did I make people suffer in this chapter, especially poor Keiko! I'm probably not giving you a very good impression on my main OC, am I? However, I ask you, please don't write her off completely as some brazen upstart just yet, but that the chemistry of the two characters made it ideal for a person's worst side to come out. Think of it like this: Yusuke isn't the type to let any incriminating gestures or words go without many of his own in return, have another character who is just as prideful enough to leave a challenge unchecked. Mix that with a death of a loved one and relationship troubles and you have a nasty experience when you see these two stubborn forces clash.
Moreoever, you have to remember, Keiko and Chiyo may be friends, but not so close to that Keiko will spout out everything about Yusuke and the Spirit world. The girl knows how to keep a secret, especially for Yusuke. I wanted Keiko to have an outside force that she could at least talk vaguely about her troubles who is not within the tantei group or familiar with Yusuke's illustrious history like her two friends at school. So unlike the quick and stereotypical judgments that people at Saryashiki would make, Chiyo's information comes from a more personal source. Chiyo may know some things going on, but due to the lack of details she's had as to why Yusuke is frequently absent, it would be easy for her to make harsh assumptions, but Chiyo's are due to the concern for a friend rather than a distaste or Yusuke as a person. That's what I hope was shown in this scene anyway.... ^^;; I probably didn't knowing me.
Anyway, enough of my rambling!
Pioko: I agree, please God make it stop...
Arahazi: Hey, what did I say about agreeing with me when I'm downsizing myself? *smiles to the readers* Anyway, I know that these chapters are long and I am considering whether I should cut my chapters so that you, my wonderful readers, can see more of the plot in a shorter time. However, its hard because there are many parts of the story where I want the initial effect of the previous scene to directly intermix with that of the next. So there's my problem. That brings me to my question: Do you want shorter chapters? I know you are all busy people, and don't have time to read everything in one sitting. So if it is keeping you from fully enjoying my story, then I would appreciate the opinions. Until next chapter, please review!
Translations
Kawaii - cute
baka - idiot
Aho - moron
onna - woman
-sama - Another suffix used towards people for their prestige, power, and full out respect. Sort of what you would call a lord or a lady, or in this case a prince ~_^.
Mokushi - In kanji, one of its translation means "Apocalypse."
kitsune - a spirit fox
Kuso - "Dammit" or just plain "Damn" cuss words don't have the full affect of rudeness as ours do here in America.
Dokuhito - "Doku" in Kanji means "Poison" while -hito" is a suffix meaning second.
washitsu - A Japanese style room. Many suburban houses have a room like this that is used for formal occasions or greeting guests.
tatami - a woven mat floor
Onii-chan - A word for an older brother especially one of a close bond.
Shitsurei shi-mass - "Excuse me, please."
Iwamoto-sensei - If you don't remember, he's that jerk teacher with the glasses that tried to throw Yusuke out of school several times in the beginning of the series.
obi - (I forgot this one from Ch. 1) It's the long piece of cloth which holds the kimono in place.
katakana - A second style of writing used for foreign, non-Japanese words.
bento - A Japanese wrapped lunch consisting of mostly rice, vegetables, and some meat.
Gambatte - A casual way of saying "Good luck."
Tokogawa era - Occurred around the 1600's to the mid-1800's, the final shogunate of Japan before western influences began to arrive during the Meiji era (mid 1800's to the early 1900's).
irrashai - "Welcome!"
Ojama shimas - A term usually said when entering someone's home. It literally means, "Sorry for the disturbance."
Oishii - "Delicious!"
