by: Kawaii Kitsune
Disclaimer: Yu Yu Hakusho and all the characters in the wonderful show do not belong to me, blah, blah, blah. You get the point. No money, don't sue, blah, blah, blah. Moving on.
Note: italics indicate thoughts.
"I see that you remember me, Kurama," the man, Hikoku, said, "I'm flattered that of all the lovers you took, I was one of the few that was remembered."
"It's great to see you too, Kiyoshi," Kurama replied in a sarcastic tone.
"I'm not Kiyoshi! Kiyoshi died the day you left him! I'm Hikoku now." After a few moments, the man calmed down. "Sorry about losing my composure like that, but then again, it's not everyday someone receives a visit from the infamous Youko Kurama."
"As if I had a choice," Kurama said dryly.
The man chuckled and then turned his gaze to the female youkai standing behind Kurama. "Evangeline, why don't you go take a rest. You need to be refreshed for training tomorrow."
"As you wish, Master," the youkai, Evangeline, said with a bow. She then exited the room silently. Kurama watched as she left.
"Isn't she beautiful, Kurama?" Hikoku asked, "Almost as beautiful as you."
"Yes, she is quite attractive," the youko answered, "Where did to buy her from? A whorehouse? A slave trader?"
"Oh, she wasn't bought. She is far too special to be bought from an ordinary place, far too special."
"Whatever. I'm sure you didn't bring me here just to talk about your new plaything. What do you want?"
"Revenge," Hikoku said with anger, "For what you and your precious fire demon did to me."
"Hiei? What did Hiei ever do to you?"
"He cut off my sword arm! After that, it took me years to train and master the sword with my left arm. The many years of suffering paid off, though. I finally have enough power to end both your pathetic lives." Hikoku let out a long, maniacal laugh.
"In your dreams," retorted the kitsune, "if you couldn't defeat us before, how can you expect to defeat us now that we have both gotten much stronger? From what I can read from you, you have yet to reach S-class."
"That may be true, but I do have control of power beyond those of S-class. I have Evangeline and she will exact my revenge."
Evangeline was just getting relaxed in her bath when she heard a knock on her door. She rose from the porcelain tub and grabbed a towel to wrap around her naked body. Her untied hair dripped a trail of water as she went to answer the knock. A female servant stood behind the door.
"Hikoku-sama said that his orders have changed," said the girl, "My Lady is to guard and entertain Kurama-sama in his chambers tonight. Hikoku-sama reminded that no information must pass between my Lady and Kurama-sama, other than those permitted. That is all."
"I understand," answered Evangeline. The servant bowed and left swiftly.
The dark-haired youkai towel-dried her hair and dressed quickly. She left her hair down since it was still damp. Evangeline could have used her fire ki to dry her hair, but she didn't want to waste energy, no matter how miniscule. She dressed in a black, sleeveless nightgown that reached her knees. It was simple, but comfortable, and in case of a battle, very maneuverable. She was created for battle and must always be prepared.
Evangeline walked silently down the dark hall leading to the prisoner's chambers. The passage was void of decorations. No tapestries of paintings hung on the stone walls. No statues stood in the hall. No rugs or carpet graced the floor. It was drab and empty in the passage but Evangeline didn't care about all that. She was just intent on following her orders.
The door at the end of the passage, the only door in the entire passage, was locked and warded. Evangeline walked up to the door and placed a hand over the ward. She whispered a short spell that caused the wards to be engulfed in flames. The lock was no ordinary lock, either. It required a retinal scan of the person wishing to enter, in addition to a voice-coded password.
"Password please," the mechanical voice commanded.
"Vengence," said the youkai. Ningen technology is quite interesting, thought Evangeline.
"Password accepted," the machine said. "Please stand still for retinal scan." Evangeline obeyed and a laser passed over her eyes. "Retinal scan complete. Evangeline #20010 allowed to enter." The door was unlocked. As soon as Evangeline entered the room, the door locked itself.
The room was void of windows but warmer than the passage that led to it, both in temperature and in atmosphere. Numerous candles lit the room, making it brighter, giving it a soft glow. It was easy to see that the room was furnished to make the "guest" feel as comfortable as possible. A large, soft bed was placed on the right of the room. On the left side was a door, leading to the bathroom. Expensive rugs were laid on the floor and antique chests held a variety of exotic clothing. Vases filled with roses occupied the room. A bureau with a large mirror was placed on one side of the bed. Kurama sat in front of it, mindlessly brushing his hair.
"Konbanwa, Kurama-san," greeted Evangeline when she saw the redhead.
"Konbanwa," answered Kurama, mechanically, "I suspect you're here to either torture or kill me. Or maybe both." He sounded like he didn't care at all.
"Actually, Hikoku-sama has ordered me to guard and entertain you tonight."
"Entertain?" Kurama inquired, slightly confused.
"Hai. I have been trained to obey and please my masters. I will do whatever you wish of me, within certain restrictions, of course."
"You'll do anything?"
"Hai."
"Alright, answer me this," said Kurama, "Why do you follow Hikoku?"
"He is my master and has been my master since before I came into existence. I must follow him."
"Sou desu ka."
"Are there any other questions you wish to ask me?" questioned the girl.
"Yes. Who was the youkai that helped you attack us?" asked Kurama. "The one who controlled plants."
"There was no other youkai. It was I who controlled the plants that tied you up," answered Evangeline.
Kurama's eyes widened in surprise and shock. "But you're a fire demon, aren't you? You used fire against Hiei." The youko was very confused. "And how is it possible that you can utilize black flames? It's a forbidden art."
"I am both a fire demon and a plant wielder, results of an interesting heritage. The power to use black fire came from my predecessor."
"Who were you parents?"
"Gomen nasai. I am not allowed to divulge that information. Hikoku-sama's direct orders."
The answer given to Kurama only made the fox more curious and suspicious. He looked carefully at the youkai who stood at the door. She had not moved since she walked in, only answering Kurama's questions with an expressionless face and a dead tone. I can't read her at all. She shows no outward emotions. Who is she, really? I need more time to think about this. "Well, I'm finished with my questions for now," Kurama lied, "If you don't mind, I'm a little tired and would like to get some sleep."
"Of course," answered Evangeline. Sleep tight...Father.
The candles were blown out and the room was filled with darkness.
Hikoku took a sip of the blue-colored liquor in his glass. He was sitting back in his throne, pondering on upcoming events. His lips curved upwards into a smile when he thought of the amount of pain and suffering he will cause to the demonic couple.
How will Hiei react when I kill Kurama in front of him? wondered the demon lord, And what about Evangeline? How will they like being killed by their own blood-born? Hikoku laughed at his own genius. "I will enjoy this thoroughly." He prepared himself for bed, eagerly awaiting the near future.
Green eyes blinked in the darkness. The owner of said eyes could not fall asleep. He was in enemy territory, a prisoner, and he was being constantly watched by never-wavering blood-red eyes. It was enough to make anyone uncomfortable, even the millennia-old-youko. I've got to figure out some way to get out of here, and quickly. But how?
"Kurama-san, if you can't sleep, I can provide you with something to soothe you," suggested Evangeline.
"No, that's quite all right," Kurama answered quickly, "I'm fine, thank you." How did she know I was awake? She may be more powerful than I previously thought, if she could sense that.
"Might I suggest a mild sedative, to help you relax?" asked the girl, "I could grow something for you."
"I said I was all right. Why are you being so helpful all of a sudden?" Kurama asked, on guard and very suspicious. What's she trying to do? Poison me?
"I was ordered to guard and entertain you. Anything that causes you distress, I will try to eliminate. That is all."
"Well, thank you for your concern, but I can fall asleep without any help. So, if you don't mind, please stop talking and allow me to rest."
"As you wish."
Getting out of here will be harder than I predicted. Hiei, where are you?
Only when she felt the steady flow of Kurama's ki, indicating that he was truly asleep, did Evangeline move from her position at the door. She slowly and quietly walked to the redhead's bedside. The girl stared at the sleeping figure with an expressionless face. However, she felt a pull towards the slumbering youko, an invisible force attracting her to the person whose blood flows through her veins.
What is this feeling? Evangeline subconsciously reached out to brush a stray lock of hair from Kurama's face. She abruptly stopped when she realized what she was doing. This is ridiculous. I was not meant to feel anything, especially for my father, the enemy of my creator. I was created to serve my master and after all this, my purpose in this world will be fulfilled.
Wow, this is really going slowly... I'll work on that.
