Chapter Eight-A Reunion and a Departure
"I…I don't know!" Connan sputtered, as the whip came down on him again. "I thought she would be back by now!"
"I don't believe this! Senara of all people!" Razul growled. "Do something with that squalling brat! That crying is nerve racking!"
"Yes sir!" Connan walked over to the net. "Do you want a beating?! Shut your mouth!"
"'rama……." Marcella buried her face in her hands.
"Kurama can't save you now. It's been more than three days. You're as good as lunch!"
"No! No eats me…." Marcella curled up in a tight ball, quivering in terror.
"Oh yes! That's exactly my master will do with you." Connan spat on her. "Little girls like you shouldn't even be allowed to exsist!"
"That's enough." A soft, angry voice spoke up from behind Connan.
Connan turned around. "Who…..Kurama?!"
The red head narrowed his eyes. "Who are you? Certainly you are not he who is called Razul?"
"I….I'm Connan. Master Razul has gone for his noon walk." Connan stood in front of the net. "I cannot allow you to have her." He added firmly.
"I suggest you move it, Peewee,before I blast you." A boy of about fourteen stepped up beside Kurama.
"Who the hell are you?" Connan demanded.
"Trust me, you don't want to find out. Now hand her over!" Yusuke glared at him.
"I've strict orders not to." Connan replied.
"Oh for….Connan, I will blast you if you don't move! That child is in the middle of something that she had absolutely nothing to do with!" Senara faced off with him. "You remember our sister Tannie, don't you?"
"B-botan?! She died…." Connan crossed his arms.
"Of course she's not dead! She's here in front of you, you idiot!" Senara shoved him off balance, and cut Marcella free. "Go on,Little one. There is your Kurama."
"Senara! You're going to be put to death for betrayal!" Connan yelped.
"So be it. At least I will have a clear conscience." Senara glowered at him. "You could do with a dose of reality. We're nothing to Razul. Just puppets."
"You lie!" Connan screamed. "You know we're taken care of!"
"Well, I know I will be. I'm leaving to work with Tannie."
"You're what?!" He blinked.
"Leaving. Koenma's short staffed."
"Koenma….." Connan growled.
"Rama!" Marcella ran right into Kurama's open arms, burying her face in his chest.
"Hey, Sweetheart…." Kurama's heart was wrenching with pain, at the sight of all the cuts and scrapes on his baby. He held her tightly to him. As he was looking her over, his frown turned into a smile. "Look, Hiei. She's acquired a tail."
"So, she did take after your friend." Hiei smiled.
"'rama,wooks. Habe kail wike Tita."
"I see….." Kurama closed his eyes. So, Marcella didn't know that everyone aside from himself and her were dead. "It's a very nice tail. It suits you." He added. He wondered where this Razul was.
"Kurama….perhaps you ought to let me take her back with me to headquarters….she doesn't need to be around while you're fighting with Razul." Botan spoke up suddenly.
"No…..no weave…." Marcella pleaded,clinging to Kurama tighter.
"Botan is right, young one." Kurama said slowly. He could feel himself about to transform into Youko Kurama. That just might scare her. "It is too perilous for you to remain with me. I want you to go with Botan and Senara."
"tay….." Marcella's eyes filled with tears. "You toming toos?"
Kurama shook his head. "No,Baby. But I will return to you, as soon as I can." He handed her to Botan, and took off to find Razul. The other three boys followed close behind. Soon after that, Botan left with Senara, to return the child to safer grounds.
