Chapter One: Stolen Purpose
A shadow dropped from the ceiling. It crept against the wall. You could barely see it; it blended in so well with the darkness surrounding it. The shadow crept along silently until it came to a large vault. It twisted the knob with expertise. The vault opened and it crept in. A small red box glowed in the corner among other things. The shadow snatched it and slowly made it's way out, carefully shutting the door. You could barely make out two glowing red cat eyes through the darkness. The shadow grinned and jumped through an open vent you could see only by the glow cast by the cube. As it dropped right outside the invisible laser beams, the shadow purposely threw a piece of paper into the middle. An alarm sounded. "What a stupid sound." It muttered as it seemed to vanish back into the darkness as it ran into the night.
The lights flashed on through the hallway as two demons considerably high- classed ran to it. They looked around and at the vault. One of the demons spotted a piece of paper on the floor and picked it up. "Itto! Look!" He hissed at the other demon and then read the note out loud. "'Sorry if anyone cries. I'll make their life less miserable if they really want it. Tell that stupid Koenma to stop sending those Spirit Detectives after me. They're annoying. Signed, Death.'" He read. The other demon sniffed at the air. "Demon." He snarled. "Where?" "Gone."
Death was a light sleeper, who woke up at even the faintest sound that was unusual. Having no home to boast or brag about, Death usually slept in trees or caves. Sometimes Death would sleep in the special cave it had found to store items. Being discovered was not something Death could afford.
It's eyes snapped open. Gazing around the forest Death recalled the night before. It reached into it's pocket and pulled out the green glowing cube. Examining the item, Death hoped that this was what it had been searching for all these years.
Death put the cube on its palm and watched carefully. Mist surrounded the cube and an image appeared on the box. It was a person with two red dragon ears and a slim tail. The person was changed to the wall and Death watched without flinching as the cube replayed a memory from its past. The person was being hit by fire, water, lightning, and wind continuously. Death watched as the person did not utter a sound, teeth clenched, body tense and stiff, and eyes burning with hatred as the person received each blow and reacting like it was nothing. But it was an act. Death knew too well what the person had gone through. Just because someone can take pain better does not mean it will hurt any less. The image disappeared as Death looked away, not wanting to see anything anymore. This was not what Death was looking for. It tucked the cube into it's belt pouch along with many other priceless items Death had stolen over the years. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yuskue Urameshi walked towards school, looking down at the ground with his hands stuck in his pockets. It's not like he was in a rush, anyway. Someone poked his shoulder and he turned around sharply as he slightly tensed. Then he relaxed. "Botan, I told you not to do that!" He commented as he saw who had poked him. "Sorry!" She said. "Well, what do you want?" Yuskue stated plainly. "Koenma has another mission for you." "But I just got back from The Dark Tournament!" Yuskue protested. "Tell that to him, I'm just a messenger. Anyways, I need to take you back. Come on!" She replied cheerfully and grabbed him. They disappeared.
Yuskue walked into Koenma's office followed by Botan. He could see who was in there. There was Kuwabara, Hiei, Kurama, and Koenma. "So, what's the deal this time?" He asked. "You guys are going on a very dangerous mission. You are going after Death. One of it's other nicknames is The Shadow. No one knows what it's name is. No one has lived to tell. I need you to bring Death back, alive. I will tell you the truth; you may die on this mission. Death has stolen yet another priceless item from a vault." He stated clearly. "Heh. We'll beat this punk. He doesn't sound tough to me." Yuskue replied confidentially. "I'm going to give you a few things, Botan will assist you. On where to find Death, Hiei will have to help you." "Hn." Hiei grunted in the corner. "It is very important that The Shadow comes back in one piece." "Koenma sir, so you only know his nickname?" Botan asked. "I'm afraid so. We don't even know what gender Death is. We don't even know if Death is human or demon, but our guards say that it smells like a demon crossed with something else." "Oh dear." Botan sighed. "My sentiments exactly." Kurama commented. "I don't see what you guys are all worked up for." Yusuke, always the confidant one, turned around and prepared to leave. "After all, how bad can one little crook be? Don't worry Koenma, we'll catch this guy and have him up here in no time." He turned to wink at Koenma, who just sighed as the others prepared to leave as well. "That's right, Urameshi." Kuwabara agreed. "That little punk won't know what hit him!" "I hope you're right Yuskue." Koenma sighed.
"So, Botan, what'd he steal this time?" Yuskue asked Botan. "You mean besides the other two-hundred and fifty items he stole?" "Uh. Yeah." Yuskue replied. "This time Death stole the Cikora Cube. It lets a person see visions from his or her past." She replied. "Why would anyone want that?" "Well, if someone's memory was erased, a person could use this to get their memory back." Botan replied. "Any luck Hiei?" Yuskue shouted. "Hn. No." Hiei was obviously not liking this one bit. "Hey, maybe this will help." Botan commented as she drew out a circular watch thing. "Remember your old Demon Compass?" She asked. "Yeah, the one that blew up?" Yuskue replied sarcastically. "This is an improved version of that one. It is made to track very high-classed demons like The Shadow, if he's a demon. Here, try it." She handed the watch over. "I guess it wouldn't hurt. Hey, this thing is going berserk! Are you sure it works?" Yuskue replied as he took it from her. "Either that or there are a lot of demons like Death around here." She replied.
Death hadn't moved from that spot all morning, thinking about where to strike next. The cube hadn't helped much at all, but Death decided to keep it anyway. Death was thinking about a mirror. Rumors say that it will give the user power beyond belief and the ability to have one thing out of everything in the world. It could be the power to resurrect people or just a second mirror. It depended on the user. This could be good. Suddenly Death stiffened. Standing up, it gazed at the direction the Spirit Energy was coming from. More than one person was coming. She could tell by their scents and the way they walked who it was. One was Hiei Jaganshi. Another was Youko Kurama, and there was Yuskue Urameshi and Kazuma Kuwabara. They were searching for Death. This was not uncommon, many have tried to get her but all have failed.
Death grinned evilly. It would have a little fun with them before the fight. 'Let them come. I need some practice. It will be fun to kill them, too.' Death thought. It smiled and jumped down and ran towards a clearing not too far away.
"Hey, the compass is pointing that way!" Kuwabara pointed in the direction it said. Yuskue had given it to him. "What?! It was going berserk!" Yuskue said as he examined it. Yuskue took the compass and considered throwing it away. - Hey, detectives, follow your compass. - A voice sounded in their heads. "What the-" Kuwabara started. "Did anyone else hear that?" Kurama asked. "Yep." Botan replied. The voice laughed. - Follow it if you want to find what you're looking for. Of course, you can simply go back to the toddler and say you didn't find me. - The voice said again. "Hn. Let's go." Hiei walked northeast, the direction the compass was pointing towards. "Well, now we know Death is telepathic." Botan commented. - Great observation, Grim Reaper. - The voice laughed again and disappeared.
"I think this may be a trap." Kurama said. "It probably is. The Shadow knows we are coming to get him." Botan replied, agreeing. "Ah, he's not so scary!" Kuwabara said. "He sounds like a sissy! I bet he's just trying to scare us off 'cause he knows we're a lot stronger than him!" "I don't think so." Kurama disagreed. "I don't believe we should underestimate Death. Botan has a good point; from what we've heard about him, he could very well be leading us into a trap." "Hn." Hiei simply said. "Well, what does it matter?" Yusuke shrugged. "He's just making our job that much easier. He'll lead us to him, so now all we have to do is get him to come with us." "You think that's going to be easy?" Hiei eyed him. "What makes you believe that 'Shadow' is going to come quietly?" "He will if he knows what's good for him." Kuwabara answered. "Nobody wants to mess with Kazuma Kuwabara, 'cause they know they'll get beat up!" "Would you care to test that theory?" He commented. "Shut up, Shrimp, or I'll hit you so hard it--it'll hurt so bad, it'll hurt...really bad!" Kuwabara boasted. "Man, Kuwabara, is that the best you could come up with?" Yusuke stared at Kuwabara, holding back a laugh. "That's pathetic." "What do you know anyway?" Kuwabara mumbled. "Boys, shouldn't we be looking for the Shadow?" Botan interrupted. "Oh yeah."
The Shadow chuckled as it sat in a tree, waiting for the victims. Death was looking forward to a challenge. "Ah, more deaths, more blood, more begging." Death laughed. "Hmm. I wonder who will fight me. Hopefully not that idiot Kuwabara. I can kill the others and send Botan back to tell Koenma to stop. K'le kikio. Stupid idiots." Death muttered. The Spirit Detectives were four miles away.
"We've been walking around for hours!" Yusuke announced. "I bet this guy is just having fun with us all because he knows where we are and we have no idea where he is. This is so stupid!" "Don't get angry, Yusuke." Botan said, still cheerful. "I'm sure we can't be too far from the Shadow now." "She's right," Kurama said. "We're getting closer. Death is leading us into the deepest part of the forest; probably to a spot suitable for a fight to take place."
- I see you're a smart one, Kurama. - They all stopped as they heard the Shadow's voice inside their heads again. "You know, you're really starting to tick me off! When I find you, I'll-" He stopped, remembering that they weren't supposed to kill Death. - Kikio. - Death responded. - You don't need to worry about "finding" me. I already told you I would lead you to where I am. - "Why are you doing this?" - Why? I could avoid you, if you prefer. - "There's no use avoiding us!" Kuwabara yelled. "We're gonna get you no matter how far you run, you little punk!" - Do you really believe that? - They heard the Shadow laugh quietly; a laugh of scorn with just the hint of malice. - You must be that idiot, Kuwabara. - "Hey! I'm not!" He protested. "You still haven't answered my question." Yusuke said. "If you know we're after you, then why are you leading us to you?" - I haven't had a suitable opponent in years. Besides, I could use a bit of...entertainment. - "Fine! But if we beat you, then you're coming with us!" Yusuke yelled back. He waited a few seconds for an answer. "Do we have deal?"
It spoke again. - I don't make deals kikio. And if you're going to stand around all day and waste my time talking, then don't bother coming. If you want me, then come and get me. But be prepared to die. I don't leave any survivors. Even though I wish I could. - Kurama wondered what Death meant by that, although he dismissed it like the others. "Just who do you think you are? You don't scare me!" Kuwabara retorted when he was sure the Shadow wasn't listening anymore. - Do you see that log a few feet ahead? Just beyond that is where I'll be waiting for you. Quit wasting time. -
"I see it." Yusuke said. "Let's go!" They began to run towards the spot that Death had told them about, Yusuke leading the way and Botan bringing up the rear, all of them mentally preparing for the upcoming fight in one way or another. They jumped over the log and found themselves in a small clearing surrounded by trees. There was no light except for a beam from an opening. "We're here!" Yusuke yelled. "Now show yourself!"
AHAHAHAHA! Cliffie! ^_^ This is 4 pages long. .
A shadow dropped from the ceiling. It crept against the wall. You could barely see it; it blended in so well with the darkness surrounding it. The shadow crept along silently until it came to a large vault. It twisted the knob with expertise. The vault opened and it crept in. A small red box glowed in the corner among other things. The shadow snatched it and slowly made it's way out, carefully shutting the door. You could barely make out two glowing red cat eyes through the darkness. The shadow grinned and jumped through an open vent you could see only by the glow cast by the cube. As it dropped right outside the invisible laser beams, the shadow purposely threw a piece of paper into the middle. An alarm sounded. "What a stupid sound." It muttered as it seemed to vanish back into the darkness as it ran into the night.
The lights flashed on through the hallway as two demons considerably high- classed ran to it. They looked around and at the vault. One of the demons spotted a piece of paper on the floor and picked it up. "Itto! Look!" He hissed at the other demon and then read the note out loud. "'Sorry if anyone cries. I'll make their life less miserable if they really want it. Tell that stupid Koenma to stop sending those Spirit Detectives after me. They're annoying. Signed, Death.'" He read. The other demon sniffed at the air. "Demon." He snarled. "Where?" "Gone."
Death was a light sleeper, who woke up at even the faintest sound that was unusual. Having no home to boast or brag about, Death usually slept in trees or caves. Sometimes Death would sleep in the special cave it had found to store items. Being discovered was not something Death could afford.
It's eyes snapped open. Gazing around the forest Death recalled the night before. It reached into it's pocket and pulled out the green glowing cube. Examining the item, Death hoped that this was what it had been searching for all these years.
Death put the cube on its palm and watched carefully. Mist surrounded the cube and an image appeared on the box. It was a person with two red dragon ears and a slim tail. The person was changed to the wall and Death watched without flinching as the cube replayed a memory from its past. The person was being hit by fire, water, lightning, and wind continuously. Death watched as the person did not utter a sound, teeth clenched, body tense and stiff, and eyes burning with hatred as the person received each blow and reacting like it was nothing. But it was an act. Death knew too well what the person had gone through. Just because someone can take pain better does not mean it will hurt any less. The image disappeared as Death looked away, not wanting to see anything anymore. This was not what Death was looking for. It tucked the cube into it's belt pouch along with many other priceless items Death had stolen over the years. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yuskue Urameshi walked towards school, looking down at the ground with his hands stuck in his pockets. It's not like he was in a rush, anyway. Someone poked his shoulder and he turned around sharply as he slightly tensed. Then he relaxed. "Botan, I told you not to do that!" He commented as he saw who had poked him. "Sorry!" She said. "Well, what do you want?" Yuskue stated plainly. "Koenma has another mission for you." "But I just got back from The Dark Tournament!" Yuskue protested. "Tell that to him, I'm just a messenger. Anyways, I need to take you back. Come on!" She replied cheerfully and grabbed him. They disappeared.
Yuskue walked into Koenma's office followed by Botan. He could see who was in there. There was Kuwabara, Hiei, Kurama, and Koenma. "So, what's the deal this time?" He asked. "You guys are going on a very dangerous mission. You are going after Death. One of it's other nicknames is The Shadow. No one knows what it's name is. No one has lived to tell. I need you to bring Death back, alive. I will tell you the truth; you may die on this mission. Death has stolen yet another priceless item from a vault." He stated clearly. "Heh. We'll beat this punk. He doesn't sound tough to me." Yuskue replied confidentially. "I'm going to give you a few things, Botan will assist you. On where to find Death, Hiei will have to help you." "Hn." Hiei grunted in the corner. "It is very important that The Shadow comes back in one piece." "Koenma sir, so you only know his nickname?" Botan asked. "I'm afraid so. We don't even know what gender Death is. We don't even know if Death is human or demon, but our guards say that it smells like a demon crossed with something else." "Oh dear." Botan sighed. "My sentiments exactly." Kurama commented. "I don't see what you guys are all worked up for." Yusuke, always the confidant one, turned around and prepared to leave. "After all, how bad can one little crook be? Don't worry Koenma, we'll catch this guy and have him up here in no time." He turned to wink at Koenma, who just sighed as the others prepared to leave as well. "That's right, Urameshi." Kuwabara agreed. "That little punk won't know what hit him!" "I hope you're right Yuskue." Koenma sighed.
"So, Botan, what'd he steal this time?" Yuskue asked Botan. "You mean besides the other two-hundred and fifty items he stole?" "Uh. Yeah." Yuskue replied. "This time Death stole the Cikora Cube. It lets a person see visions from his or her past." She replied. "Why would anyone want that?" "Well, if someone's memory was erased, a person could use this to get their memory back." Botan replied. "Any luck Hiei?" Yuskue shouted. "Hn. No." Hiei was obviously not liking this one bit. "Hey, maybe this will help." Botan commented as she drew out a circular watch thing. "Remember your old Demon Compass?" She asked. "Yeah, the one that blew up?" Yuskue replied sarcastically. "This is an improved version of that one. It is made to track very high-classed demons like The Shadow, if he's a demon. Here, try it." She handed the watch over. "I guess it wouldn't hurt. Hey, this thing is going berserk! Are you sure it works?" Yuskue replied as he took it from her. "Either that or there are a lot of demons like Death around here." She replied.
Death hadn't moved from that spot all morning, thinking about where to strike next. The cube hadn't helped much at all, but Death decided to keep it anyway. Death was thinking about a mirror. Rumors say that it will give the user power beyond belief and the ability to have one thing out of everything in the world. It could be the power to resurrect people or just a second mirror. It depended on the user. This could be good. Suddenly Death stiffened. Standing up, it gazed at the direction the Spirit Energy was coming from. More than one person was coming. She could tell by their scents and the way they walked who it was. One was Hiei Jaganshi. Another was Youko Kurama, and there was Yuskue Urameshi and Kazuma Kuwabara. They were searching for Death. This was not uncommon, many have tried to get her but all have failed.
Death grinned evilly. It would have a little fun with them before the fight. 'Let them come. I need some practice. It will be fun to kill them, too.' Death thought. It smiled and jumped down and ran towards a clearing not too far away.
"Hey, the compass is pointing that way!" Kuwabara pointed in the direction it said. Yuskue had given it to him. "What?! It was going berserk!" Yuskue said as he examined it. Yuskue took the compass and considered throwing it away. - Hey, detectives, follow your compass. - A voice sounded in their heads. "What the-" Kuwabara started. "Did anyone else hear that?" Kurama asked. "Yep." Botan replied. The voice laughed. - Follow it if you want to find what you're looking for. Of course, you can simply go back to the toddler and say you didn't find me. - The voice said again. "Hn. Let's go." Hiei walked northeast, the direction the compass was pointing towards. "Well, now we know Death is telepathic." Botan commented. - Great observation, Grim Reaper. - The voice laughed again and disappeared.
"I think this may be a trap." Kurama said. "It probably is. The Shadow knows we are coming to get him." Botan replied, agreeing. "Ah, he's not so scary!" Kuwabara said. "He sounds like a sissy! I bet he's just trying to scare us off 'cause he knows we're a lot stronger than him!" "I don't think so." Kurama disagreed. "I don't believe we should underestimate Death. Botan has a good point; from what we've heard about him, he could very well be leading us into a trap." "Hn." Hiei simply said. "Well, what does it matter?" Yusuke shrugged. "He's just making our job that much easier. He'll lead us to him, so now all we have to do is get him to come with us." "You think that's going to be easy?" Hiei eyed him. "What makes you believe that 'Shadow' is going to come quietly?" "He will if he knows what's good for him." Kuwabara answered. "Nobody wants to mess with Kazuma Kuwabara, 'cause they know they'll get beat up!" "Would you care to test that theory?" He commented. "Shut up, Shrimp, or I'll hit you so hard it--it'll hurt so bad, it'll hurt...really bad!" Kuwabara boasted. "Man, Kuwabara, is that the best you could come up with?" Yusuke stared at Kuwabara, holding back a laugh. "That's pathetic." "What do you know anyway?" Kuwabara mumbled. "Boys, shouldn't we be looking for the Shadow?" Botan interrupted. "Oh yeah."
The Shadow chuckled as it sat in a tree, waiting for the victims. Death was looking forward to a challenge. "Ah, more deaths, more blood, more begging." Death laughed. "Hmm. I wonder who will fight me. Hopefully not that idiot Kuwabara. I can kill the others and send Botan back to tell Koenma to stop. K'le kikio. Stupid idiots." Death muttered. The Spirit Detectives were four miles away.
"We've been walking around for hours!" Yusuke announced. "I bet this guy is just having fun with us all because he knows where we are and we have no idea where he is. This is so stupid!" "Don't get angry, Yusuke." Botan said, still cheerful. "I'm sure we can't be too far from the Shadow now." "She's right," Kurama said. "We're getting closer. Death is leading us into the deepest part of the forest; probably to a spot suitable for a fight to take place."
- I see you're a smart one, Kurama. - They all stopped as they heard the Shadow's voice inside their heads again. "You know, you're really starting to tick me off! When I find you, I'll-" He stopped, remembering that they weren't supposed to kill Death. - Kikio. - Death responded. - You don't need to worry about "finding" me. I already told you I would lead you to where I am. - "Why are you doing this?" - Why? I could avoid you, if you prefer. - "There's no use avoiding us!" Kuwabara yelled. "We're gonna get you no matter how far you run, you little punk!" - Do you really believe that? - They heard the Shadow laugh quietly; a laugh of scorn with just the hint of malice. - You must be that idiot, Kuwabara. - "Hey! I'm not!" He protested. "You still haven't answered my question." Yusuke said. "If you know we're after you, then why are you leading us to you?" - I haven't had a suitable opponent in years. Besides, I could use a bit of...entertainment. - "Fine! But if we beat you, then you're coming with us!" Yusuke yelled back. He waited a few seconds for an answer. "Do we have deal?"
It spoke again. - I don't make deals kikio. And if you're going to stand around all day and waste my time talking, then don't bother coming. If you want me, then come and get me. But be prepared to die. I don't leave any survivors. Even though I wish I could. - Kurama wondered what Death meant by that, although he dismissed it like the others. "Just who do you think you are? You don't scare me!" Kuwabara retorted when he was sure the Shadow wasn't listening anymore. - Do you see that log a few feet ahead? Just beyond that is where I'll be waiting for you. Quit wasting time. -
"I see it." Yusuke said. "Let's go!" They began to run towards the spot that Death had told them about, Yusuke leading the way and Botan bringing up the rear, all of them mentally preparing for the upcoming fight in one way or another. They jumped over the log and found themselves in a small clearing surrounded by trees. There was no light except for a beam from an opening. "We're here!" Yusuke yelled. "Now show yourself!"
AHAHAHAHA! Cliffie! ^_^ This is 4 pages long. .