Everyone say hi to Karasu! Yes this will be K/K, and it will be consensual.
A concept is introduced in here called the kundalini. It will be explained more later, but anyone wanting explanations now check out spiritwalk.org for their section on the kundalini.
Thanks to my wonderful beta reader Rin!
Please do review, as it's highly encouraging. And when the author is encouraged, chapters get written faster. -Ish
Chapter 2 - The Kimono and the Fox
Two days later found Kurama and Botan in the Makai town that, according to Koenma, had been the hardest hit by who ever-- whatever - was responsible for all the missing women. It was a large town, but with a quaint feel to it. As Youko, he would have avoided it merely on the principle that there was nothing worth stealing. Except apparently, the women. Now if they could only find out why.
"Botan, why is Koenma so sure that someone will come after us?" Kurama whispered to the giddy, blue-haired reaper. They were pretending to browse the stands in the local market. Well, at least Kurama was pretending. Botan was shopping away enthusiastically with the money that Koenma had given them to be used only in cases of emergency.
"Oh, come on - who wouldn't? I mean, look at us!" She grinned, hooking her arm in his. "As far as anyone knows, we're a couple of beautiful young ladies. Demons. Demon ladies. Whatever. Prime targets you know." She waggled her finger at him, winking and laughing. Glancing around, Kurama repressed the sigh.
"I'm going to study the area. We'll have a better idea of where we stand that way."
"Right! And I'll, uh, continue in character!"
"Shopping?"
"Right!" At her enthusiastic answer the red-head let loose a grin. Even in the constricting kimono, it was hard to stay angry at Botan. She was the way she was. And he- The grin faded. He had drifted to a little park. There wasn't much there, just a small fish pond, and a couple of children tossing around a ball. It had been a long time since he had just spent time in the Makai like this. He had almost forgotten that places like this existed even there.
Sitting down on one of the benches, he allowed himself to slump and think. A long time since visiting the Makai. A long time since Youko had lived in Makai. And how much of who he was - how much was the fox spirit Youko Kurama and how much was the human boy Minamino Suuichi?
"Hey, lovely. You look bored. How 'bout I entertain ya?" A blue-skinned demon leaned on the back of the bench, face peering into Kurama's.
"That will be unnecessary." The red-head shifted down the bench. "I was just leaving."
"Yeah, well, I'm not busy or anything..."
"You will excuse me now." Kurama rose and strode away as quick as his garments would allow. He glanced back to see the demon casting him a dirty look, but he merely brushed it off and began to look for Botan. He spied her soon enough, trying a new hair comb out.
"Back? Did you have a nice time."
"Not really. Botan-" He paused, then dove in. "I have something to ask you."
"Sure. Shoot."
He frowned. "Not right here." She started to protest but stopped, seeing the seriousness in his eyes and frown. She put the comb down and they began walking. Once they had cleared the market place, Kurama drew a deep breath to speak. However, before the first syllables could emerge, he spied the blue-skinned demon from the park, with some cloaked and shadowed figures.
"There. There she is. And she brought a friend. There's two for Lord Yagata. Now!"
As the last words left the demon's mouth, a bright light surrounded Kurama and Botan. Kurama had prepared for a fight, but the blinding light and pain that came left him no chance. They both blacked out - only one thought finding time to flitter its way into the fox-spirit's mind. 'At least we didn't have to wait long.'
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Kurama slipped back into consciousness some time later. Instinctively, he reached behind for a rose seed. Now armed, he took a quick glance around, trying to ascertain how long they had been out and where they were now. Botan was still at his side, stirring slightly but not yet awake. He could make out a couple of other forms in the darkened room. Prisoners most likely.
The room was a small one: 10 by 10, with one narrow and high window that let in the only light. As his eyes adjusted to the dimness, Kurama could make out a door on his right. He felt a tug on his arm and looked down to see Botan pulling herself upright. He shushed her abruptly, not wanting to give away their awakened state to their captors. Suddenly his eyes caught a dull gleam and he leaned closer to her for a better look. A gun-metal grey collar encircled her neck. The fox spirit became aware that he wore a similar one. Despite the metallic color, the collar felt to be made out of a much lighter substance. Botan and Kurama exchanged glances, a coldness settling in the pit of their stomachs as they both reached the same conclusion. How would one imprison demon women? By preventing them from using any of their spirit power of course.
Kurama concentrated on the seed, then tossed it from him in frustration when nothing happened.
"Now what?" Botan whispered anxiously.
"We resort to our other resources. Try to contact Koenma."
She pursed her lips and did so, eyes flickering around the room. Meanwhile Kurama rose, making his way past a shaking form on the ground to the door. His heart ached to comfort the women, but logic and experience - 'Youko's experience' he thought - told him to first check for guards. Muttered curses from behind him were already letting him know that Botan's efforts had failed.
The red-head forced himself to repress a sigh. He might have guessed. Koenma's plan was going wrong just as it began. No access to his spirit power, no way to contact help. He would need all of Youko Kurama's famed wits to pull Botan and himself out of this one.
He pressed an ear against the door, straining to hear any faint noises of a guard outside the heavy steel barricade. Footsteps! A hiss escaped from between clenched teeth as he leaped away from the door. All within the room could hear the loud rasp of a bolt being removed. One of the women, a cat- spirit from what the red-head's sharp eyes could make out in the dim room, began to keen loudly.
"Huh now, shut your yap!" A large, rough looking demon blocked the entry to the cell. The guard's size, shaggy mane, and thick coat of body hair, reminded Kurama of Byakko. Streams of light flickered in, illuminating Botan and Kurama. Botan did a quick tally, counting six women in the cell. Two appeared human but the others were clearly demons but all wore the same collar as Kurama and herself.
A massive hand reached out and grabbed Kurama, who stood closest to the door. Afraid of what might be done to the helpless women, he didn't resist the pull. He shot Botan a quick look, hoping she got the message not to endanger the kidnapped women by putting up resistance. He was shoved roughly into the hallway and into the hold of another guard. Kurama tugged anxiously at the loosed kimono, pulling it tight around him before it gave away their charade. They would get to the bottom of this case yet!
All the women were soon shepherded out and into a line. One of the demon women struggled with her captor and was given a heavy blow. She slumped to the ground, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth.
"Watch it!" The guard they had first seen shouted the order. Apparently he was in command. "We need them alive for Lord Yagata!"
The unconscious woman was heaved over a shoulder and the order to march was given. In the confusion, Botan sided up towards Kurama as best she could. He gave her a tiny nod, all he felt they could risk. But the meaning was clear. The women's (and their own) lives were safe. At least for now.
The sad group was herded through the corridor, than another, and another. Each hallway was stone, hung with a mixture of torches and ghostly lights that gave off a greenish cast. Here and there were more heavy steel doors, like the one to the cell they had awakened in. They passed few people: a couple more unsavory demons wearing the same red tunics as the guards, and a few demons dressed in rags and possessing a completely miserable appearance.
'More guards and servants?' Kurama pondered to himself. He rifled through Youko's memories in hopes of finding a reference to this Lord Yagata. Unfortunately, that was one of the things that had been disturbing him lately. The memories of Youko Kurama had always been less clear than those of Suuichi, but recently they seemed even more distant. From the patchy memory of his previous life, Kurama was able to delve up a faint mention of a Yagata. An old demon, he would
be reaching his 1,000 year birthday now. With most demons, age brought power. But Yagata had always been of a minor level, barely even reaching a B classification. However, he was sly and ambitious and a thousand years was a significant mark. So he was gearing up for something. But what? And why the women? The Tantai was perhaps a baby step closer to solving the case, but no more than that.
His green eyes fixed on the ground; Kurama almost stumbled when the woman in front of him came to an abrupt halt. Apparently, one of their captors had groped at her. The same guard leered at her now, chuckling. The stop brought the head guard up to the front.
"Eh, let go of her. They won't be so pretty once Yagata's drained their energy." The head guard spat toward Kurama's feet. The woman jerked her head away, rubbing her chin as she glared at the offending captor. But Kurama's ears had perked up. This was their first clue to why the women had been kidnapped. So, Yagata was somehow draining them of their energy. For his own use no doubt. But how? And why only women?
"Here I thought minions were supposed to refer to him only as Lord Yagata. Or has your lord's power slipped so much that such infractions go unpunished?" Kurama started, recognizing that silky voice. Silky and vicious.
"Karasu." He hissed under his breath. Botan looked up at the Tantai, her eyes widening. "But how-" She began to whisper before being cut off by the Yokai's physical appearance. He appeared to gather form from the shadows, clothed head to toe in black, his shirt dipping down dangerously low to reveal pale skin. As he moved, his long coat gave off a sound that reminded Kurama of some animal's dying rasp. Karasu was the same - long, coal black hair falling wildly, violet eyes glittering. But - and here Kurama choked on a gasp - the mask was gone. Instead two thin lips were revealed, pressed into a threatening smirk. Those eyes - ones that still haunted the fox/human in his nightmares - they fell onto the group of trembling women and paused. A faint chuckle escaped the tall demon as he took in Kurama, glaring defiantly back at him. Botan stepped closer to the red-head.
"What's this all about? Lord Karasu?" The head guard attempted to shove himself in between the dark Yokai and the women. But Karasu brushed him off, striding directly to Kurama. His fingers hovered mere centimeters away from the kitsune's face. Kurama forgot how to breathe.
"Pretty, pretty, pretty." Karasu mused. The guard approached, and then shrieked in pain as a bomb planted near his knee exploded. "I'll take these two." Karasu gestured toward Botan and
Kurama.
"Buh - but." one of the lower sentries stuttered. "They - they're for the Lord Yagata. The kundalini!"
Karasu waved his hand dismissively. As it left his face, Kurama gasped, his lungs again working. "Yagata" he drawled out "has plenty of females for his charger. I am taking these two. And then perhaps I shall forget to bring up the earlier disrespect." Violet eyes gleamed with threat. The guards gulped, wisely choosing to stand back.
Kurama considered putting up a fight but decided against it. With the collar even one of the low class guards could squash him. He stood no chance against Karasu who had defeated him at the tournament. But he thought he had killed the damned crow! As if the thought invoked his attention, Karasu turned his head. The violet gaze pierced through the red- head's thoughts. Growling under his breath, Kurama grabbed Botan's hand and hastened after the Youkai.
Once the small group had moved beyond sight of the guards Karasu gestured them to halt. The crow-demon approached one of the heavy doors, forcing it open then peering in. Apparently finding it to his satisfaction he indicated for Kurama and Botan to follow him in. Grave misgivings caused Kurama to dawdle but when Botan started forward he forced himself to follow after her. Inside the room was cast all in a ghastly green light from the glowing balls on the walls. Karasu pulled the door shut, hovering in front of it.
"Now then" he began. Kurama repressed the shiver that the voice caused to well up and instead concentrated all his animosity into a cold glare. Karasu ignored him. "The grim reaper first then." Botan gave a start.
"Hold on! How do we know we can trust you? You tried to kill me!"
A dark grin crept over the crow-demon's face. "And you did kill me, Itooshi." Kurama bristled at the endearment. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end. "Fortunately, Lord Enma was able to correct that small problem."
Botan gasped. "Koenma's father?! But why? He hates getting involved." Karasu gave a slight shrug.
"Apparently, what Yagata is doing required even the attention of the Lord of Death. And since I had a previous acquaintance with Yagata, not to mention being in the right place at the right time-" He paused, smirking at Kurama. "Thanks to you Itooshi."
"Lord Enma and I reached a mutually beneficial arrangement. I would spy on Yagata and in turn Enma would return me to life. Running into the two of you was merely an unforeseen benefit. Well - " The smirk grew. "-maybe not completely unforeseen."
Kurama still hung back, not trusting the dark youkai. "So what is Yagata up to then?"
"He's setting up to challenge Yomi."
"WHAT?!" The exclamation emerged from both Botan and Kurama at once. Karasu gave a dark laugh.
"Yagata's manor is set on the outer border of Yomi's realm. He wants to challenge Yomi for complete control of the realm but has lacked the power till now."
Botan regained her composure first. "But why would Lord Enma care about Makai politics?"
"He doesn't." came the reply. "He could care less if Yagata ruled instead of Yomi. The problem is how Yagata is gaining his power. What do you know of the kundalini?"
"Nothing" Kurama began but Botan interrupted him. She turned to the fox spirit to explain.
"It's a human word, from India. It refers to a part of the creative Universal force. It's considered to be a feminine force."
"Then the women-" Botan nodded at Kurama's interjection. She paused, not sure of how much she should tell him. Certain things mortals just weren't supposed to know. But there was a lot more she could explain. However, Karasu interrupted before she could begin.
"We can go into depth later." He tipped his head towards the door. "Yagata is already suspicious of me and I'm sure he'll soon here that I pulled the two of you away from the others. We have little time. Botan?" He held out a small, odd-shaped piece of metal. "I stole the key to the collars and made a copy. I suppose it's time to release your spirit powers." He gave Kurama a wink as he spoke.
Botan's collar gave off easily and she gave a laugh as she rubbed her now- bare neck. He moved towards Kurama, then froze. The red-head became rigid. He too heard many footsteps moving down the hall. With quick motions, Karasu indicated for the other two to move towards the door while he crossed to the other side. He then set a series of bombs against the outer wall. The crow reached Kurama and Botan just as his bombs exploded. Karasu threw himself over the other two, using his body and cost to shield them from flying debris. Kurama's breathing hitched as the dust settled. Green eyes wide with wonder stared at the black covered chest directly in front of them. Karasu had acted to protect them.
Just then the crow rose. He grabbed Botan and tossed her to the huge hole he had created in the wall. The wall had been on the very outer edge of Yagata's castle. Below it was a sheer cliff and a swift flowing river. Though the reaper couldn't see it, the river became a large waterfall just beyond the castle. Karasu hissed at her.
"Go on - get out of here." As he spoke, he knelt down. He had dropped the key in the explosion and now was searching frantically for it. Botan paused, her eyes anxiously trying to meet Kurama's gaze. Green eyes caught hers.
"I'll be fine. Get going. You have to tell Yusuke and the others. Hurry!" Kurama gave the door a swift glance. The noise from the explosion had been near deafening and a slew of guards would soon be upon them. Botan finally came to a conclusion. She knew that the mission had to come first. Materializing her oar, she hopped on it and flew off.
"Be careful! Stay alive, kay!" She shouted as she took off.
Kurama grinned, then gave a start as something heavy slammed against the steel door. Karasu cursed, giving up on searching for the key. Instead he seized Kurama's hand and yanked him towards the opening.
"We need to get out of here. Now!" Kurama pulled his arm free.
"You could defeat them easily." Bitterness filled his voice. Karasu nodded tensely
"Yes, but that would give us away completely. And I would have to face Yagata. I couldn't stand against him now, not with the energy he's been able to collect." Violet eyes captured him as surely as the two strong hands did. "We stand a better chance with the river. Then we can regroup with your tantei and strike at full force. You know this is the best course Kurama." Swallowing hard, he nodded and the two leapt into the swirling water below.
The cold of the water hit as an even bigger shock than the force with which they struck it. Kurama kicked towards the top, lungs heaving in air as best they could in the frigid water. He
floundered in the merciless current. A strong arm connected with his, wrapping around him as they were taken over the falls.
"Take a breath and hold it." Karasu's strong silky voice was the last thing Kurama heard before the pounding of the falls filled his ears, and white water filled his vision.
A concept is introduced in here called the kundalini. It will be explained more later, but anyone wanting explanations now check out spiritwalk.org for their section on the kundalini.
Thanks to my wonderful beta reader Rin!
Please do review, as it's highly encouraging. And when the author is encouraged, chapters get written faster. -Ish
Chapter 2 - The Kimono and the Fox
Two days later found Kurama and Botan in the Makai town that, according to Koenma, had been the hardest hit by who ever-- whatever - was responsible for all the missing women. It was a large town, but with a quaint feel to it. As Youko, he would have avoided it merely on the principle that there was nothing worth stealing. Except apparently, the women. Now if they could only find out why.
"Botan, why is Koenma so sure that someone will come after us?" Kurama whispered to the giddy, blue-haired reaper. They were pretending to browse the stands in the local market. Well, at least Kurama was pretending. Botan was shopping away enthusiastically with the money that Koenma had given them to be used only in cases of emergency.
"Oh, come on - who wouldn't? I mean, look at us!" She grinned, hooking her arm in his. "As far as anyone knows, we're a couple of beautiful young ladies. Demons. Demon ladies. Whatever. Prime targets you know." She waggled her finger at him, winking and laughing. Glancing around, Kurama repressed the sigh.
"I'm going to study the area. We'll have a better idea of where we stand that way."
"Right! And I'll, uh, continue in character!"
"Shopping?"
"Right!" At her enthusiastic answer the red-head let loose a grin. Even in the constricting kimono, it was hard to stay angry at Botan. She was the way she was. And he- The grin faded. He had drifted to a little park. There wasn't much there, just a small fish pond, and a couple of children tossing around a ball. It had been a long time since he had just spent time in the Makai like this. He had almost forgotten that places like this existed even there.
Sitting down on one of the benches, he allowed himself to slump and think. A long time since visiting the Makai. A long time since Youko had lived in Makai. And how much of who he was - how much was the fox spirit Youko Kurama and how much was the human boy Minamino Suuichi?
"Hey, lovely. You look bored. How 'bout I entertain ya?" A blue-skinned demon leaned on the back of the bench, face peering into Kurama's.
"That will be unnecessary." The red-head shifted down the bench. "I was just leaving."
"Yeah, well, I'm not busy or anything..."
"You will excuse me now." Kurama rose and strode away as quick as his garments would allow. He glanced back to see the demon casting him a dirty look, but he merely brushed it off and began to look for Botan. He spied her soon enough, trying a new hair comb out.
"Back? Did you have a nice time."
"Not really. Botan-" He paused, then dove in. "I have something to ask you."
"Sure. Shoot."
He frowned. "Not right here." She started to protest but stopped, seeing the seriousness in his eyes and frown. She put the comb down and they began walking. Once they had cleared the market place, Kurama drew a deep breath to speak. However, before the first syllables could emerge, he spied the blue-skinned demon from the park, with some cloaked and shadowed figures.
"There. There she is. And she brought a friend. There's two for Lord Yagata. Now!"
As the last words left the demon's mouth, a bright light surrounded Kurama and Botan. Kurama had prepared for a fight, but the blinding light and pain that came left him no chance. They both blacked out - only one thought finding time to flitter its way into the fox-spirit's mind. 'At least we didn't have to wait long.'
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Kurama slipped back into consciousness some time later. Instinctively, he reached behind for a rose seed. Now armed, he took a quick glance around, trying to ascertain how long they had been out and where they were now. Botan was still at his side, stirring slightly but not yet awake. He could make out a couple of other forms in the darkened room. Prisoners most likely.
The room was a small one: 10 by 10, with one narrow and high window that let in the only light. As his eyes adjusted to the dimness, Kurama could make out a door on his right. He felt a tug on his arm and looked down to see Botan pulling herself upright. He shushed her abruptly, not wanting to give away their awakened state to their captors. Suddenly his eyes caught a dull gleam and he leaned closer to her for a better look. A gun-metal grey collar encircled her neck. The fox spirit became aware that he wore a similar one. Despite the metallic color, the collar felt to be made out of a much lighter substance. Botan and Kurama exchanged glances, a coldness settling in the pit of their stomachs as they both reached the same conclusion. How would one imprison demon women? By preventing them from using any of their spirit power of course.
Kurama concentrated on the seed, then tossed it from him in frustration when nothing happened.
"Now what?" Botan whispered anxiously.
"We resort to our other resources. Try to contact Koenma."
She pursed her lips and did so, eyes flickering around the room. Meanwhile Kurama rose, making his way past a shaking form on the ground to the door. His heart ached to comfort the women, but logic and experience - 'Youko's experience' he thought - told him to first check for guards. Muttered curses from behind him were already letting him know that Botan's efforts had failed.
The red-head forced himself to repress a sigh. He might have guessed. Koenma's plan was going wrong just as it began. No access to his spirit power, no way to contact help. He would need all of Youko Kurama's famed wits to pull Botan and himself out of this one.
He pressed an ear against the door, straining to hear any faint noises of a guard outside the heavy steel barricade. Footsteps! A hiss escaped from between clenched teeth as he leaped away from the door. All within the room could hear the loud rasp of a bolt being removed. One of the women, a cat- spirit from what the red-head's sharp eyes could make out in the dim room, began to keen loudly.
"Huh now, shut your yap!" A large, rough looking demon blocked the entry to the cell. The guard's size, shaggy mane, and thick coat of body hair, reminded Kurama of Byakko. Streams of light flickered in, illuminating Botan and Kurama. Botan did a quick tally, counting six women in the cell. Two appeared human but the others were clearly demons but all wore the same collar as Kurama and herself.
A massive hand reached out and grabbed Kurama, who stood closest to the door. Afraid of what might be done to the helpless women, he didn't resist the pull. He shot Botan a quick look, hoping she got the message not to endanger the kidnapped women by putting up resistance. He was shoved roughly into the hallway and into the hold of another guard. Kurama tugged anxiously at the loosed kimono, pulling it tight around him before it gave away their charade. They would get to the bottom of this case yet!
All the women were soon shepherded out and into a line. One of the demon women struggled with her captor and was given a heavy blow. She slumped to the ground, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth.
"Watch it!" The guard they had first seen shouted the order. Apparently he was in command. "We need them alive for Lord Yagata!"
The unconscious woman was heaved over a shoulder and the order to march was given. In the confusion, Botan sided up towards Kurama as best she could. He gave her a tiny nod, all he felt they could risk. But the meaning was clear. The women's (and their own) lives were safe. At least for now.
The sad group was herded through the corridor, than another, and another. Each hallway was stone, hung with a mixture of torches and ghostly lights that gave off a greenish cast. Here and there were more heavy steel doors, like the one to the cell they had awakened in. They passed few people: a couple more unsavory demons wearing the same red tunics as the guards, and a few demons dressed in rags and possessing a completely miserable appearance.
'More guards and servants?' Kurama pondered to himself. He rifled through Youko's memories in hopes of finding a reference to this Lord Yagata. Unfortunately, that was one of the things that had been disturbing him lately. The memories of Youko Kurama had always been less clear than those of Suuichi, but recently they seemed even more distant. From the patchy memory of his previous life, Kurama was able to delve up a faint mention of a Yagata. An old demon, he would
be reaching his 1,000 year birthday now. With most demons, age brought power. But Yagata had always been of a minor level, barely even reaching a B classification. However, he was sly and ambitious and a thousand years was a significant mark. So he was gearing up for something. But what? And why the women? The Tantai was perhaps a baby step closer to solving the case, but no more than that.
His green eyes fixed on the ground; Kurama almost stumbled when the woman in front of him came to an abrupt halt. Apparently, one of their captors had groped at her. The same guard leered at her now, chuckling. The stop brought the head guard up to the front.
"Eh, let go of her. They won't be so pretty once Yagata's drained their energy." The head guard spat toward Kurama's feet. The woman jerked her head away, rubbing her chin as she glared at the offending captor. But Kurama's ears had perked up. This was their first clue to why the women had been kidnapped. So, Yagata was somehow draining them of their energy. For his own use no doubt. But how? And why only women?
"Here I thought minions were supposed to refer to him only as Lord Yagata. Or has your lord's power slipped so much that such infractions go unpunished?" Kurama started, recognizing that silky voice. Silky and vicious.
"Karasu." He hissed under his breath. Botan looked up at the Tantai, her eyes widening. "But how-" She began to whisper before being cut off by the Yokai's physical appearance. He appeared to gather form from the shadows, clothed head to toe in black, his shirt dipping down dangerously low to reveal pale skin. As he moved, his long coat gave off a sound that reminded Kurama of some animal's dying rasp. Karasu was the same - long, coal black hair falling wildly, violet eyes glittering. But - and here Kurama choked on a gasp - the mask was gone. Instead two thin lips were revealed, pressed into a threatening smirk. Those eyes - ones that still haunted the fox/human in his nightmares - they fell onto the group of trembling women and paused. A faint chuckle escaped the tall demon as he took in Kurama, glaring defiantly back at him. Botan stepped closer to the red-head.
"What's this all about? Lord Karasu?" The head guard attempted to shove himself in between the dark Yokai and the women. But Karasu brushed him off, striding directly to Kurama. His fingers hovered mere centimeters away from the kitsune's face. Kurama forgot how to breathe.
"Pretty, pretty, pretty." Karasu mused. The guard approached, and then shrieked in pain as a bomb planted near his knee exploded. "I'll take these two." Karasu gestured toward Botan and
Kurama.
"Buh - but." one of the lower sentries stuttered. "They - they're for the Lord Yagata. The kundalini!"
Karasu waved his hand dismissively. As it left his face, Kurama gasped, his lungs again working. "Yagata" he drawled out "has plenty of females for his charger. I am taking these two. And then perhaps I shall forget to bring up the earlier disrespect." Violet eyes gleamed with threat. The guards gulped, wisely choosing to stand back.
Kurama considered putting up a fight but decided against it. With the collar even one of the low class guards could squash him. He stood no chance against Karasu who had defeated him at the tournament. But he thought he had killed the damned crow! As if the thought invoked his attention, Karasu turned his head. The violet gaze pierced through the red- head's thoughts. Growling under his breath, Kurama grabbed Botan's hand and hastened after the Youkai.
Once the small group had moved beyond sight of the guards Karasu gestured them to halt. The crow-demon approached one of the heavy doors, forcing it open then peering in. Apparently finding it to his satisfaction he indicated for Kurama and Botan to follow him in. Grave misgivings caused Kurama to dawdle but when Botan started forward he forced himself to follow after her. Inside the room was cast all in a ghastly green light from the glowing balls on the walls. Karasu pulled the door shut, hovering in front of it.
"Now then" he began. Kurama repressed the shiver that the voice caused to well up and instead concentrated all his animosity into a cold glare. Karasu ignored him. "The grim reaper first then." Botan gave a start.
"Hold on! How do we know we can trust you? You tried to kill me!"
A dark grin crept over the crow-demon's face. "And you did kill me, Itooshi." Kurama bristled at the endearment. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end. "Fortunately, Lord Enma was able to correct that small problem."
Botan gasped. "Koenma's father?! But why? He hates getting involved." Karasu gave a slight shrug.
"Apparently, what Yagata is doing required even the attention of the Lord of Death. And since I had a previous acquaintance with Yagata, not to mention being in the right place at the right time-" He paused, smirking at Kurama. "Thanks to you Itooshi."
"Lord Enma and I reached a mutually beneficial arrangement. I would spy on Yagata and in turn Enma would return me to life. Running into the two of you was merely an unforeseen benefit. Well - " The smirk grew. "-maybe not completely unforeseen."
Kurama still hung back, not trusting the dark youkai. "So what is Yagata up to then?"
"He's setting up to challenge Yomi."
"WHAT?!" The exclamation emerged from both Botan and Kurama at once. Karasu gave a dark laugh.
"Yagata's manor is set on the outer border of Yomi's realm. He wants to challenge Yomi for complete control of the realm but has lacked the power till now."
Botan regained her composure first. "But why would Lord Enma care about Makai politics?"
"He doesn't." came the reply. "He could care less if Yagata ruled instead of Yomi. The problem is how Yagata is gaining his power. What do you know of the kundalini?"
"Nothing" Kurama began but Botan interrupted him. She turned to the fox spirit to explain.
"It's a human word, from India. It refers to a part of the creative Universal force. It's considered to be a feminine force."
"Then the women-" Botan nodded at Kurama's interjection. She paused, not sure of how much she should tell him. Certain things mortals just weren't supposed to know. But there was a lot more she could explain. However, Karasu interrupted before she could begin.
"We can go into depth later." He tipped his head towards the door. "Yagata is already suspicious of me and I'm sure he'll soon here that I pulled the two of you away from the others. We have little time. Botan?" He held out a small, odd-shaped piece of metal. "I stole the key to the collars and made a copy. I suppose it's time to release your spirit powers." He gave Kurama a wink as he spoke.
Botan's collar gave off easily and she gave a laugh as she rubbed her now- bare neck. He moved towards Kurama, then froze. The red-head became rigid. He too heard many footsteps moving down the hall. With quick motions, Karasu indicated for the other two to move towards the door while he crossed to the other side. He then set a series of bombs against the outer wall. The crow reached Kurama and Botan just as his bombs exploded. Karasu threw himself over the other two, using his body and cost to shield them from flying debris. Kurama's breathing hitched as the dust settled. Green eyes wide with wonder stared at the black covered chest directly in front of them. Karasu had acted to protect them.
Just then the crow rose. He grabbed Botan and tossed her to the huge hole he had created in the wall. The wall had been on the very outer edge of Yagata's castle. Below it was a sheer cliff and a swift flowing river. Though the reaper couldn't see it, the river became a large waterfall just beyond the castle. Karasu hissed at her.
"Go on - get out of here." As he spoke, he knelt down. He had dropped the key in the explosion and now was searching frantically for it. Botan paused, her eyes anxiously trying to meet Kurama's gaze. Green eyes caught hers.
"I'll be fine. Get going. You have to tell Yusuke and the others. Hurry!" Kurama gave the door a swift glance. The noise from the explosion had been near deafening and a slew of guards would soon be upon them. Botan finally came to a conclusion. She knew that the mission had to come first. Materializing her oar, she hopped on it and flew off.
"Be careful! Stay alive, kay!" She shouted as she took off.
Kurama grinned, then gave a start as something heavy slammed against the steel door. Karasu cursed, giving up on searching for the key. Instead he seized Kurama's hand and yanked him towards the opening.
"We need to get out of here. Now!" Kurama pulled his arm free.
"You could defeat them easily." Bitterness filled his voice. Karasu nodded tensely
"Yes, but that would give us away completely. And I would have to face Yagata. I couldn't stand against him now, not with the energy he's been able to collect." Violet eyes captured him as surely as the two strong hands did. "We stand a better chance with the river. Then we can regroup with your tantei and strike at full force. You know this is the best course Kurama." Swallowing hard, he nodded and the two leapt into the swirling water below.
The cold of the water hit as an even bigger shock than the force with which they struck it. Kurama kicked towards the top, lungs heaving in air as best they could in the frigid water. He
floundered in the merciless current. A strong arm connected with his, wrapping around him as they were taken over the falls.
"Take a breath and hold it." Karasu's strong silky voice was the last thing Kurama heard before the pounding of the falls filled his ears, and white water filled his vision.