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.
"Just concentrate your youki into that one spot to make the rose petals bigger and brighter," instructed Kurama. After Evangeline received permission from Hikoku to take lessons from Kurama, they began the tutoring sessions. They had been going at it for about two hours, and Evangeline was showing fast improvement. The garden was already filled with shimmering flowers.
"Like this?" asked Evangeline as she closed her eyes and released her powers. The rose in question immediately began to grow and bloom, spreading its larger-than-ordinary petals. The strong aroma of roses filled the air, mixing into the already perfumed atmosphere. Hikoku-sama, your plan is working brilliantly. "I see. So that's how you do it."
"You're a fast learner," commented Kurama, "You've already mastered so many techniques in under two hours." Thank goodness these are only miniscule techniques. No need to make my enemy even stronger.
"I have a good teacher." Evangeline cracked a smile, but as soon as she realized it, the smile disappeared.
"Why don't you smile?" the fox inquired. "The only time I've even heard of any kind of emotion coming from you was when you found Hiei and me."
"Kurama-san, I am a fighter, a killer. My only purpose is to serve my master and be his weapon. What use are emotions to me? I may have gotten a little excited during our battle, but that's it, nothing else."
"I see..."
"Now, if we are finished for the day, Hikoku-sama requested that you wash up before you join him for dinner." Evangeline stood up from her crouched position and patted the dirt from her clothes.
"Hikoku wants me to join him for dinner?" Kurama suddenly felt a chill down his spine. What's he planning now?
Evangeline nodded and indicated for the kitsune to follow her back to his room. The walk up to the tower was silent; Kurama was too busy pondering what Hikoku was up to, and Evangeline was content in remaining speechless. They returned to the elevator and it ascended to the appropriate floor. The two figures, father and daughter, stepped out of the elevator and walked down the path, onto the corridor. Once they reached the door to Kurama's room, Evangeline whispered the password, so as not to reveal it to the captive, and proceeded with the rest of the security procedure. The door opened and Kurama stepped into his prison once again. Evangeline followed him into the room. She let the door lock itself behind them.
"The clothes that Hikoku-sama ordered for you are on the bed," said the female demon.
Kurama walked over to the bed and looked at the clothing that was placed on it. It was a beautiful, white Chinese tunic with elaborate red embroideries stitched all over the fabric. The tunic was accompanied with an equally beautiful sash made of red silk. The ensemble was chosen with impeccable taste and complimented Kurama very well. "It's quite beautiful," Kurama finally admitted out loud.
"My master will be very pleased to hear that," replied Evangeline, "Now, if you will please, a bath has been drawn up for you. It'll get cold if you don't get in soon."
"Thank you." The red-haired kitsune walked passed Evangeline and into the bathroom. Everything was prepared for him: the bath, the towels, a robe, everything. At least Hikoku has some manners. He proceeded to undress from the dirty clothes. It'll feel great to be clean again. I've been in these clothes for far too long. Kurama slipped into the bath water, and was almost instantly relaxed by the soothing feel of the liquid on his bare skin. He let out a long sigh and sank further into the comforting bath. He scrubbed all the film and dried sweat from his exhausted body, and then went on to lather his hair with rose-scented shampoo. After ever inch of his body was cleansed from the toils of the past day or so, he drained the tub of the water and refilled it with clean, warm water. He soaked in it and relaxed, thinking of ways to escape his current imprisonment.
Well, today wasn't a complete waste. With the wards taken off, Kurama had the opportunity to gauge Evangeline's youki level. She's definitely at S-level, perhaps even higher. How did Hikoku ever attain such a power youkai as a servant? I think the easiest way to defeat him would be to turn his weapon against him. If I could just find out how he's controlling her... Kurama allowed himself to get lost in that train of thought.
As soon as Kurama disappeared behind the closed door of the bathroom, Evangeline left the room to report to his master. She stopped to change the vocal password for the door, a procedure enforced by Hikoku long ago. She walked briskly to her master's chamber and knocked on the shut door.
"Enter," the voice behind the door answered.
Evangeline turned the knob and pushed open the door. The room was elaborately furnished, unlike the throne room. There was a gigantic king-sized bed placed in the center of the rear wall. Huge draperies and tapestries hung on the neatly painted walls. There were also numerous mirrors scattered throughout the room. A sofa and loveseat were against the left wall and a large futon was against the right. A rack of weapons and restraints stood by the bed, along with a massive black chest. Carpet and rugs were spread out on the floor and bright candles lit up the room. Hikoku was propped up on his bed, bare from the waist up and covered by the sheets from the waist down.
"How did it go, my beautiful weapon?" asked the demon on the bed.
"Just as you hoped, Hikoku-sama," answered Evangeline, bowing a little to show respect and submission. "He willingly showed his techniques for controlling his plant ki."
"They were all pretty trivial acts, right?" remarked Hikoku.
"Of course, Master. From that I can adapt it to better suit me in battle."
Hikoku smiled. "I knew it was worth the effort to enhance your intelligence. Well done, my pet. Go and get ready for the next event."
"Yes, my lord." Evangeline bowed and left the room.
"Wait, you're telling me that what's-her-name Evangeline was genetically created in a tube?" inquired Hiei. For the past fifteen minutes, he had been sitting on top of a nearby tree, listening to the amazing story of the girl who kidnapped Kurama, and it wasn't over yet.
"Not only was she genetically created, she was also genetically enhanced," added Akuma, "Therefore, she is far more advanced than a normal living being, physically and mentally; she's faster, stronger, and smarter."
"Hn, I see. This has been an interesting tale but it doesn't help me at all. You promised secrets and all I got was bedtime story."
"Impatient, aren't we? Alright, here they are. Although Evangeline #20010 attained both the ability of wield fire and to control plants through the original blood samples, those are not her only powers. Somehow, a third control was extracted from the blood and given to her. I do not know what it is, for it was the top most secret, but be forewarned, it does exist and it may hit you when you least expect it. Secondly, she is powerful, but since she was only created a month ago, give or take a week, she has not had the adequate amount of time to truly develop her powers to their highest potential. Meaning, though she is powerful, she's not as powerful as she can be. Lastly, and possibly the most important fact, the key to her imprisonment is the circlet she wears around her forehead. That is how Hikoku is controlling her and that is why Evangeline obeys his every word without hesitation or thought. Destroy that and she will become confused, giving you a momentary distraction to finish her off." Akuma's voice finally stilled.
"An advantage. So all I need to do is destroy that piece of jewelry. Hn, sounds easy enough."
"Don't be so sure of yourself, Hiei," warned Akuma, "Remember that Evangeline's speed is far greater than any normal being. From what I could discern from the blood samples, one of her "parents" was already faster than the average human eye could see; the other "parent" wasn't a slowpoke, either."
Hiei flipped through all the information in his head and pieced together some broken pieces. Created by Hikoku, who's out for revenge, blood of two demons: one fire and one plant. Something seems suspicious. "Whose blood were used to create Evangeline?" Hiei finally asked.
"We were never given that information. Apparently, Hikoku wanted to keep that a secret," answered the female "scientist."
Again, Hiei replayed all the information he had gathered since the attack. Dark red hair, red eyes, slender build. Controls both fire and plant. Hiei's eye widened visibly when it suddenly hit him full-force. Impossible! Evangeline couldn't have been made from our blood! I won't believe it. But deep inside, Hiei knew it was true. It couldn't have made any more sense. Everything fit. Kisama! So, she's the creation of Kurama's blood and mine...kind of like our child. Hiei immediately stopped that train of thought for he was unprepared to go down that road of future possibilities.
"Hiei, don't you think we should do something to protect ourselves from Hikoku's henchmen? They must be everywhere by now, searching for us missing scientists," Akuma suggested to the perturbed fire demon. "Plus, it's getting dark and we should really camp out somewhere."
"You may camp out wherever you wish but I am going to Hikoku's lair."
"You mustn't," cried the female spy, "Hikoku's fortress is deep within the forest and at the base of Mt. Hiei. The winding paths are dangerous and guarded. In the dark, you'll be caught for sure. It would be better if you waited until sunrise."
"And let Kurama die?" screamed Hiei.
"Hikoku is a perverted youkai who enjoys the sight of suffering. I can almost assure you that he won't kill your acquaintance until you arrive to watch it."
Hiei thought it over and found reason in what she said. He reluctantly agreed and they quickly found a cave to settle for the night. The fire demon raised a kekkai around the cave, strong enough to keep out anything below S-class. Akuma quickly fell asleep due to extreme exhaustion, but Hiei lied awake, thinking of how he was going to defeat his own blood-born.
Can I kill my own blood's creation?
It's finally getting somewhere. Yay!
