Chapter 4
Inari's footsteps echoed off the walls as he slowly walked down the fine marble halls. Hung in various places were tapestries and paintings of gods and ryus locked in deadly combat. The art works are appropriate for this place thought the fox god running his fingers through his long silver hair.
Down he walked till he came to a massive room that was a perfect circle in its shape. The floor was a aqua blue stone, with veins of white, silver, and gold running through it. A thick red line divided the room straight down the middle. It's kind of childish really thought the silver fox god to himself while looking at the line. Like saying, 'This is my half of the room and you'd better stay on yours.'
Inari raised his lovely face up to see who had already gathered. On his side he could see many of his fellow gods including Enma who sat in his giant form on a large jeweled throne. He smiled beautify as he spotted his close and dear friends: Aphrodite- the goddess of love and beauty, Volcanus- the god of fire, and Aresism- the god of war. As he walked toward the three he noticed another among their group. A purple ryu in female form stood quietly at Aresism's side. Inari couldn't help the frown that graced his mouth.
Aresism smiled when his eyes caught sight of Inari looking at the purple serpent. He reached out to pet the ryu's silky head and introduced them. "My new Ryu, Raikou," said Aresism. "Is it not pretty in this form?" He asked grabbed the ryu by the chin and forced its head up.
Inari had the feeling of looking at a dying animal. The shame and misery painted on its lovely face ruined its natural beauty. Inari looked away unable to look on such pain long with comfort. "What happened to your last one, the blue ryu?"
"Dead," said Aresism and gave no farther details.
Inari wondered not for the first time why he called Aresism a friend. The god of war could be downright cruel at times. Of course, war itself was cruel, wasn't it?
Aresism was the lead god against the battle with the Meikai that had broken out recently (recent being a rather long time for a god). He was a fearless fighter; after all, What did he have to lose? He was a god and as a god of war he was probably the only one that truly enjoyed this war with the Meikai. Inari himself had decided to join Aresism in the fight against the Meikai, but for that he would have to capture and collar a ryu as his mount.
Inari glanced at the poor purple ryu standing silently at Aresism's side. Most fighter ryus wore male forms for combat and only female shapes when they wished to have cubs. This ryu looked familiar. Yes, he'd seen this ryu before in a male body. Raikou ryu if he recalled correctly had been a proud powerful wind ryu; that pride was now completely gone from the ryu's green eyes. Inari was well aware that many gods demanded more then services in combat from their ryus. The collars gods place around their necks bound them completely to whom ever had collared them. But the idea of demanding physical pleasure from a broken creature sickened Inari. The shame on Raikou ryu's face told all of what Aresism had asked of the ryu.
"You go through the poor beasts too fast," said Volcanus. "What is this? Your 10th? 15th ryu?"
"No, 17th," said Aresism. "I have yet to find a mount that could match me. None of the others held their battle spark for long. Although, I am thinking of trying to catch one of the black ryus next time."
"But, you already have a ryu. Why would you need two? You can't very well ride them both," said Volcanus looking at the purple ryu with its head bowed.
Aresism laughed. "Volcanus my friend you can be so naïve some times, riding them is half the fun," said Aresism with a wicket grin. "However, I doubt this one will serve me well. I may let it go back to its clan... that is, if it isn't killed in the next couple rounds of battle."
"Speaking of black ryus," said Volcanus looking up. "Here they come."
Inari tilted his head up to watch. There was no ceiling to allow easy access for the ryus who prefer to land fly in. Inari watched as the handful of dark dragons landed gracefully in the area designated for them.
The black ryu clan was the smallest of the clans and by legend the strongest. No black ryu had ever been captured and collared by a god. They had a reputation for being untamable and wild. However, it looked like their clan was doomed. Their numbers were too few for them to reproduce purely inside of the clan. Already they had started interbreeding with the other colors.
Inari spotted the two youngest out of the corner of his eye and turned to regard them. The taller of the two had been at the last gathering a ryu by the name of Rouin. He was a lightening dragon, the product of s unity between a green lighting ryu and a black lighting ryu. Rouin ryu was incredibly strong; it was rumored that he would be among the most powerful of all his kind once he gained more years. No doubt Aresism had his eyes on that one. The next ryu was new; his name still unknown. The ryu was much smaller then his taller company. Heavy looking armor was strapped to his chest, shoulders, arms, and legs. His black scales glistened a dark blue in the light, his belly a pure snowy white in contrast. Over his face the ryu wore a decorative iron mask.
"There's a new one," stated Volcanus with some curiously.
"Rather small," said Aresism giving the ryu a quick look over.
"A product of my design," said Aphrodite who had remained silent till then. They all turned to give her their full attention.
"Cub of a white snow ryu and a black fire ryu. I had thought the combination would be pretty, but the young ryu covers his face," said Aphrodite.
"You made a white and black ryu fall in love?" said Inari, looking back at the small ryu. "I Thought they didn't get along well."
"Love is a powerful thing, Inari," she smiled.
More gods and ryus filled in till the large room was just short of being uncomfortably crowded.
"Aphrodite," said Volcanus. "Are you disappointed that you cannot see the face of that black ryu?"
"He's probably scarred or ugly under there," said Aresism.
"I do not think he would be ugly," said Aphrodite smiling at their fiery friend.
"One of us should challenge him and get that mask off," said Aresism. "I do so hate to disappoint the lady."
"I'll fight him for you, Aphrodite," said Volcanus.
"I think Inari should fight him," said Aresism. "We have yet to see our friend's true skills with his blades and besides," he said with a smirk. "Is not the fair Aphrodite your bride-to-be?"
Inari smiled softly at the goddess of love. Their unity had been arranged by Enma. Even thought it was arranged Inari was not against it, indeed he was rather fond of the goddess of love. Of course, she 'did' naturally inspire such feelings in others. He often wondered why Aphrodite never used her powers to make him a more devoted lover to her, but sometimes they bother preferred their more friendly relationship.
"I see no reason to fight a black ryu simply to have him reveal his face," said Inari.
"Are you afraid?" asked Aresism with a sarcastic smirk.
"No," said Inari defensively. "why should I fear anything, let alone a small ryu?"
"Then fight him. I bet you lose," said Aresism.
"I'll take that bet Aresism, I bet he removes the ryu's mask," said the god of fire giving Inari an encouraging smile.
"What do you say, Inari?" asked Aphrodite.
Inari could not very well refuse with his strength in question and friends backing him, so he took Aphrodite's hand and kissed it. "I shall challenge the black ryu, if it pleases you."
Aphrodite smiled sweetly, but said nothing.
Their conversation was cut short as the room suddenly went completely silent. All turned their heads as a golden figure appeared strolled through the doors. Even though this figure was a ryu it walked through the same entrance as gods, by right it could almost have been one of them. The Golden Ryu, Ryuujin, was the leader of all the ryu clans and the oldest of their kind. Ryuujin was pure gold and seemed to give off a holy glow of wisdom and power. He was taller then any of his kind, age had not tarnish his looks if anything he appeared to be the kind that only got more beautiful with the passage of time. The last of the gold ryus he was said to be among the first of his kind to walk the four realms. Older then all but the ancient gods, he was like a titian allowed to walk the realm of the living. His presents demanded respect.
All the ryus dropped down on one knee as he entered to stand among them.
"Rise," said Ryuujin his voice deep and powerful like all ryus'. As one the ryus stood and looked lovingly at their leader.
No matter how many times Inari saw Ryuujin he would never get over how beautiful and holy that ryu was. Inari was a young god by all standards, Ryuujin would have no problem defeating him he was weak in comparison to such a being. It would take a god as powerful as Enma to defeat the likes of Ryuujin.
"Enma, as we have for countless years, I and my kind have gathered before you at Dragon Springs," said Ryuujin. "As we have for countless years, you may challenge us openly here in his room for the right of servitude. And, as before, once the matches are over your kind shall not raise a hand against mine on this scared ground till we depart as a whole. We are still in agreement on this, are we not, King of the Dead?"
"Yes, it is as it was, is, and shall been," said Enma.
"Then so shall it be, call out your first challenge."
A god stepped foreword and called out a challenge to a ryu. The two moved to stand before all present and clashed without a word, ripping and tearing at each other.
The battles held at Dragon Springs truly were incredible. The rules of combat were simple: a god must corner a ryu, force it to fight, and win in order to collar and claim it as his servant. Challenging a ryu at Dragon Springs made it easier for the god. The ryu was already cornered here and by honor must fight if challenged to do so.
This tournament was held every few years. The Golden Ryu and Enma had created it for mutual benefit. After the tournament, all free ryus stayed at Dragon Springs to breed and find potential mates. Their numbers had decreased rapidly since the being of the Meikai war since they were in high demand for the fighting. They had been easy game to the gods when they gathered to breed, disrupting their reproduction cycles and decreasing their numbers even more. But now, thanks to the tournament, the gods let them be in peace while they stayed at Dragon Springs to breed.
Several rounds of combat took place. Some ryus won, some lost. Inari watched it all with little interest. He didn't care much who won or lost, it was unimportant to him.
When Enma called out for another combatant after a particularly blood match between Neptune and a blue water ryu, which the god won, Inari glanced over his shoulder at Aphrodite, Volcanus, and Aresism. They returned the look with gestures toward the center ring and he sighed out loud and reluctantly stepped forward.
As he stood in the center of the room Inari turned to look at the ryu he meant to challenge. He supposed it wasn't a bad match up, the ryu was young but a black, which meant he had power. He might even be considered wise for trying to trap a young ryu who would doubtlessly grow rapidly in strength. However, he didn't much care to trap a ryu who was barely more than a cub. "You, black ryu. Tell me your name."
Everyone turned to look at the small ryu among the black clan. The taller young black ryu glared at Inari with cold eyes and placed a hand on the smaller ryu's shoulder.
"I am Suoh of the black," said the deep ryu voice.
Inari was surprised that such a small ryu would have such depth to his voice. Ryu's voices in general were all full of strength and power, but it seemed odd for such a small body to have such a deep tone.
"Suoh Ryu, I challenge you," called out Inari lifting one of his blades to point at the rye's chest. "If I win you must remove your mask and show me your face."
A low roar filled the room at Inari's reason for challenge.
"You may ask for whatever you please if you should win," said Inari.
The small ryu snorted in an amused fashion and gently pushed his partner's hand off with a small nod toward the tall black. Turning he walked forward to stand before Inari. "I ask for nothing," he said looking Inari up and down. "The trill of combat is all I want from you."
Inari wondered if the ryu was insulting him. He was a god, surly their was something more then combat the ryu's heart desired. With a snort of his own he dismissed the thought, it wasn't like the ryu was going to win anyway, but it wouldn't hurt to humor him. "Then you win either way don't you dragon?"
The black ryu did not answer which irate him even more. Inari drew his twin blades and crouched down.
The black ryu made no move, just stood straight, arms crossed over his armored chest. Inari narrowed his eyes at the ryu. He was mocked him with that relaxed posture, there was no mistaking that.
"Any time," said Suoh.
Inari saw red. With a hiss he charged forward, once within reach of the insolent ryu he cut across with his right blade. Suoh Ryu stepped back out of its range arms still crossed, stepping lightly with his toes. Inari followed him forward and struck diagonal with his other blade. Suoh gather himself and flipped backwards to land on his toes and out of reach once more, arms still crossed.
"Are you planning on fighting or dancing with me, black ryu!?" growled Inari.
"A fight is a dance, silver fox god," said Suoh uncrossing his arms.
"Then dance, little ryu!" called Inari. The two moved about the floor Inari always on the offensive Suoh on the defensive. The black ryu twisted and turned out of the path of Inari's blades flipping and twisting gracefully on his toes. This truly was a dance to him.
Inari summoned a plant at the ryu's clawed feet hoping to trip him up and stop those fluid twists. The slender ryu noticed his attach and jumped straight up, but not fast enough to avoid the plants that exploded into vines reaching up to snare him.
Inari saw his chance and took it. He leapt up at the ryu, blade singing through the air. Suoh twisted his head to the side in an attempt to avoid the steel that sot him but, his position was poor and getting worse. The vines found and wrapped him. His arms and legs were seized and held as the fox god's blade struck.
There was a clang of metal on metal. Suoh ripped free from the vines to land in a crouched position his back to Inari, one hand clutching the side of his face. Inari landed soon after and turned to look at the crouched ryu a triumphant grin on his lips.
Suoh turned his head to look over his shoulder at Inari. The iron mask had a large crack up one side and as he shifted the crack grew bigger till half the mask crumbled away.
Inari took a step forward for a better look and watched as the black ryu turned and stood.
"You are not bad, fox god," said the ryu. He reached up and pulled the broken mask off his face. Two blazing red eyes pierced the fox god. Suoh's face is white with black markings. His nose button, lips small and full. Long slender horns jutted out from the wild riot of his hair on either side of his head and a short curved white horn stood on his forehead. Suoh was in Inari's opinion was downright adorable.
"You looked shocked, fox god," said Suoh. He reached up and began undoing the clasps that held on his armor.
"I wasn't expecting you to be so... so cute!" said Inari flashing the ryu a teasing smile.
The black ryu glared at Inari with hot red eyes finishing with the last strap holding his shoulder pads in place. The pads slid off the ryu's shoulders and fell with a crash causing a slight tremor to quake the room. Inari was nearly knocked off his feet more from surprise then anything else.
"W-what?" stammered the god looking at the armor at the ryu's feet. The ryu pulled off his breastplate and threw it aside making the room shake again.
"Dragon's steel," said Suoh.
Inari's eyes widened. Dragon's steel! It was a rarity by all standards. Dragon steel was made by the ancient dead silver ryu clan, who had been made legendary for their metal like skin and unique smithing skills. The ancient ryus had created a handful of master works: armor, weapons, and jewelry. They did this by melting their own scales with their hot breath and reshaping them into a desired object. The metal was impossibly strong, all but indestructible, but with one flaw. A portion the size of a coin weighed more than a hundred time its size in lead. Only an immensely strong creatures could wear or wield something make of Dragon's steel.
Inari looked down at the breast and shoulder plates the ryu had been wearing trying to calculate in his mind just how much it must weigh.
"It seems you have gotten what you want," said Suoh twisting lightly on his toes, somehow making the move seem even more light, more graceful than before now that he wasn't weighed down. "You've seen my face," continued the ryu. "But, unfortunately, I haven't gotten what I want yet. Since you've proven yourself to be a tricky opponent I won't give myself a speed handicap." He pulled off the plain steel decorative arm and leg bands tossing them to join his armor and stood before Inari in nothing but a pair of short green shorts and a few pieces of jewelry. "I won't use my sword on you, fox god, that is all the handicap I will give you."
"You do not need a handicap for fighting me, ryu!" growled Inari.
The ryu smiled a all knowing turn of the lips and was simply gone the next moment.
Inari gasped and spun around, but too slowly as a kick connected with his back sending him tumbling forward. He skidded to a stop and got up with a grunt to look for the black ryu who stood across from him leg up in the air having not recoiled yet from the kick. The ryu slowly lowered his leg to balance lightly on his toes once more.
"I see you're very fast," said Inari.
"More then fast," said Suoh and blurred away. Inari's head snapped back and forth trying to keep up with the slender ryu's speedy moves as he leapt around him. A clawed hand came down to rake across his back going right through the armor he wore like it was make of tin. A fist connected with his jaw snapping his head back with a crack. And, a long slender wing dipped low and whipped Inari's feet out from under him. The fox god landed hard on his back, banging his head on the marble floor.
Suoh leap right on top of the silver fox to perch on his chest. He crouched down over him and lifted Inari's head by his silver hair. "Now I am satisfied, fox god," purred the ryu and dropped his head to hit the floor again.
Suoh hopped off the fallen god and bent to pick up his armor tossing it over his shoulder like a horse saddle. Inari sat up with as much dignity as he could muster and watched as the black ryu walk gracefully over to the ryu's side. He stopped before the the red line and glanced back at Inari. "I had fun fox god, we'll have to do this again someday," said the ryu with a grin before crossing the line.
"Defiantly," said Inari glaring coldly at the ryu's back.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Korin stepped out of a room and closed the door behind him. In his hand he held the Ruffian Sphere.
"Korin," said Genma, the earth elemental. The rock demon's eyes looked towards the door the tiger demon had just left. "The boy?"
"Taken care of," said Korin tossing the sphere in his hand.
"I found one of Koenma's imp spies," said Genma. "I killed it, but Koenma will probably know where this place is soon."
"That is fine," said Korin grinning down at the sphere. "I have what I came to the Ningenkai for. Find Yoko and Misuki. We're leaving for the Makai's Crystal Caverns," said the tiger demon grinning wickedly. "Tell Misuki I wish to see her. Tell her I'll let her be the first to see Suoh free."
The rock demon glared at Korin. "What are you planning to do?"
"Don't you trust me, Genma?" He asked brushing past the demon to continue down the hall. "You should. Soon I'll be more powerful then Enma and I always remember those of use to me. If you no longer want to be a part of this stay here and deal with Koenma's detectives once they show. However, I doubt they'll be very understanding when they find out what I did to their friend." The tiger demon didn't wait for an answer just continued down the hall.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Kurama reached out with his hands to feel for the small warm body that should have been there. He opened his eyes to look at the empty place next to him. "Hiei," said the redhead hugging a pillow and pondering the strange dream he'd had. Had it been a simple dream or past memories of him and the black ryu, Suoh? He could still remember in detail every graceful move, the ryu's piercing gaze and lean form: so very much like Hiei. He buried his face into the pillow and wished that it smelt of pine and other forest scents like his fiery lover.
Kurama's head came up as he detected loud footsteps running in his direction. Moments later, Yusuke barged into the room. "Kurama! We found where they are!" he shouted.
The fox was up in an instant. "Where?!"
"Come on! We've got to hurry before they figure out we're coming!" shouted Yusuke grabbing Kurama's arm and pulling him out of the room.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Once again they were walking in the forest not far from Genkai's temple. They should have guessed that those youkai thieves would have a base somewhere in the area.
"Just how powerful do you think this Korin guy is?" asked Kuwabara pushing a branch out of his way. It flew back to smack Yusuke in the face.
"Eek!" said the teen spitting out leaves. "How should I know? He can't be over B class if he's in the Ningenkai. I don't think those youkais are very powerful. They're just really sneaky and tricky."
Kurama was behind the two. He easily commanded the plant life around him to open and let him pass, hi thoughts however were lost on Hiei. What could those youkai's want with a half fire half ice demon that was the reincarnation of a black ryu? What was the connection between Hiei, the Mirror of UtterDark, Ruffian Sphere, and Ghost slayer? If what Koenma said was true, then why hadn't they gone after Yusuke who had also been a black dragon? They'd had Yusuke caught and tied up in their first attack, so why Hiei?
They finally spotted a wide cave entrance up ahead.
"Is that the place?" asked Kuwabara.
"Yah, that's it," said Yusuke.
"How should we go in?" asked Kuwabara.
"Through the front door, of course," said Yusuke stepping out in the open and walking towards the cave's entrance.
"Ahhh!" said Kuwabara. "That's not the tactic I would have picked. Yusuke, matte yo!"
The three walked into the cave to find a door carved in the back of it. "Okay, here goes," said Yusuke rolling up his sleeve. He drew back his fist and slammed it into the door causing it to go flying off its hinges. "Knock! Knock!" called the teen walking through the door frame's remains.
"Yusuke, a tiger with his tail on fire is quieter then you," said Kuwabara going in after his friend.
To their surprise no one was there to greet them.
"Where are they?" asked Kuwabara.
The all felt around with their sixth sense.
"Hiei," said Kurama. "I feel him in that direction," he said pointing down the hall.
"That's strange, he's the only youki I can feel," said Kuwabara rubbing his chin. "Do you think they left him here and ran away when they figured out we were coming?"
"I doubt it. Not after all the trouble they went through to get him in the first place," said Yusuke.
A cold shiver ran down Kurama's spine. He could fell Hiei's youki, but he couldn't feel Hiei. After he'd taken their relationship a step higher, he and Hiei had become more mentally aware of each other. They could often sense each other even when suppressing their powers and sometimes they could sense each other's emotions, but now... He was picking up nothing from the fire demon.
"We get Hiei out first," said Yusuke. "Then we figure out where they are."
"Right," said Kuwabara.
They walked down the hall following Hiei's youki. For an underground cave the place was well shaped. It must have been carved out.
"Where are they?" grumbled Kuwabara under his breath. "This is too easy there has to be a catch."
Kurama couldn't help but mentally agree with his team mate, yes far too quiet.
They followed the hall down till they came to a closed door.
"He's in there," said Kuwabara. As the most spiritally advanced of them with his sixth sense, he could easily pick up the Koorime boy's dark fire ki through the door.
"Do you think it's a trap?" asked Yusuke.
Kurama's eyebrows forked down and stepping foreword he grabbed the doorknob. Yusuke and Kuwabara stepped back prepared incase something happened. Kurama slowly turned the knob and pushed the door open. Nothing happened.
The redhead's eyes widened as he spotted a familiar figure laying face down in the middle of a magic circle.
"Hiei!" called Kurama running into the room. Yusuke and Kuwabara followed looking for traps or demons.
The fox skidded to his knees and grabbed the small youkai to turn him over. "Hiei?" he called shaking as he touched the demon's pale cheek. "Hiei," he called again.
The Koorime boy stared blankly forward, his eyes dull and unfocused. "Hiei!" shouted Kurama. He reached up and felt for a pulse and checked the Koorime's breathing. Hiei was fine, no cuts, no bruises... no marks of any kind. What the hell had happened to him?
After seeing no threats Kuwabara and Yusuke joined Kurama and the non-responsive fire demon.
"What's wrong with him?" asked Yusuke looking at Hiei's blank lifeless eyes.
"I don't know," said Kurama panic starting to show in his voice. "I can't find anything wrong with him."
"Yo shrimp, wake up!" shouted Kuwabara shaking Hiei. The demon's head snapped back and forth, but he never blinked, never made any moves that showed he was even alive. "Wake up, I said!" shouted Kuwabara slapping him hard across the face. Nothing. "Oh god," said Kuwabara. "I don't feel anything from him. It's like he's dead... but still breathing."
Kurama pulled Hiei from Kuwabara's grip and crushed the small boy to his chest. "Hiei," he said into his hair voice cracking.
Kuwabara formed his sword and sliced through the chains on Hiei's wrists. "Let's get him out of here. Maybe Koenma knows what's wrong with him." He moved to take Hiei from Kurama, but the redhead refused, shaking his head against Hiei's spiky hair.
"I'll carry him," he said standing up with the petite demon in his arms. "He doesn't weigh that much. I can handle it."
Kuwabara clamped his mouth shut and nodded. Kurama's taking this so hard, they really must have been good-friends he reasoned with himself felling his teammates sadness.
They moved to leave, but their path was blocked as solid rock covered the doorway.
"What?!" said Yusuke backing up. He turned his head and saw a large rock demon standing right behind him. "Shit!" he cursed trying to turn and face him, but the rock demon raised up one massive arm and struck Yusuke on the back of the head. The teen went flying forward to crash into a stone wall. He landed in a heap of loose rocks which covered him completely.
"Yusuke!" shouted Kuwabara reforming his sword. "Damn you! First Yukina, then Hiei, and now Yusuke! I've had enough of you!" shouted the carrot-top. He charged the rock demon and swung wildly at him. The rock demon was able to keep out of Kuwabara's reach for the most part. Little chips of rock were flying everywhere as Kuwabara's Rei ken buzzed past the demon.
"I'll cut you into gravel if I have to!" shouted Kuwabara.
The rock demon drew back his hand and punched out at Kuwabara. His fist reformed into a spike and stabbed at the teen. Kuwabara was able to twist to the side the spike tore through this blue jacket and ripped his white undershirt.
Kuwabara backed up cautiously and looked around. His eyes landed on the large stalactites hanging from the ceiling and with a roar he race at the earth elemental. The demon punched out at him again and Kuwabara jumped up on the large fist then leapt again above the demon. He giving a shout he sliced through several thick stalactites. They rained down on the rock demon and shattered him to pieces.
"There! That's what you get for messing with Kazuma Kuwabara!" roared the carrot-top laughing. His laugh died in this throat as the broken pieces of rock began pulling back together to reform Genma. The Rock demon tested one of his new arms, now even bigger from adding the broken stalactites to his new body; his red eyes glowed.
"Damnit! What does it take to kill you?!" shouted Kuwabara. The rock demon drew back his fist and punched Kuwabara full in the chest. The carrot-top went flying back to slam into the stone wall, much as Yusuke had, only he hit with his back and not his front. Kuwabara coughed up blood and fell to his knees, clamping a hand over his mouth.
The elemental started stalking towards him.
"Kuwabara! Go for the eyes!" shouted Kurama.
The rock demon laced its fingers together and raised them above his head. "If you can't beat me! Then how do you expect to beat Korin and save your friend?!" roared Genma.
Kuwabara ground his teeth brought his sword up, leveling it at the demon's head. "Rei Ken Extend!" he shouted. The rei ken grew in length and ran straight through Genma's rocky head.
The rock demon quivered for a moment then fell to pieces. Laughter came from the demon's still-intact head. One red eye was gone, but the other still glowed faintly. "Not bad for a mere human."
"Damnit, you're still alive?!" shouted Kuwabara moving to step on the head.
"Wait!" called Kurama going over to Kuwabara and what was left of Genma Hiei cradled in his arms. "Tell me, what did you do to my friend?! What did you do to Hiei?!"
There was a rumble and Yusuke stood up from the pile of rubble he been buried under. "God, you guys make enough noise to wake the dead," he muttered rubbing his head.
"Took you long enough," said Kuwabara.
"Answer me," said Kurama glaring death at the rock demon.
"I did nothing to your friend. Whatever is wrong with him is Korin's doing."
"Where is Korin?" demanded Yusuke.
"Gone."
"Gone where!?" shouted Yusuke picking up the head. "You'd better tell me before I bust you into a million pieces!"
The rock demon laughed.
"I'm serious!" shouted Yusuke tightening his grip on the rock.
"I know you are. Korin is mad. He wants to bring back a black ryu that's been sealed since the end of the Meikai wars. Do you have any idea just how powerful a ryu that old would be?" The rock demon laughed again.
"Suoh, you're talking about the black ryu Suoh, aren't you?" said Kurama.
"Yes, that's the one. They say that Suoh ryu was so powerful that even the gods feared him. Suoh's responsible for killing millions of the Meikai's soldiers and from what Korin has told me the ryu played a roll in the defeat of the king of the Meikai, Yakumo, at full power."
"Just how would he control something like that?" said Kuwabara.
"I don't know," said the rock demon. "Korin never told me how he planned on controlling Suoh. He's been obsessed with the black ryu since the day he saw him frozen in crystal."
"Saw him!" said Yusuke. "You mean that Suoh Ryu is alive and that Korin is going to wake him up!"
"Yes," said the demon. "He needed that boy to do it and I fear he'll use Misuki for some evil purpose. Children shouldn't suffer for power."
"Where? Where is Suoh Ryu sealed?" asked Yusuke.
"In the Crystal caverns of the Makai."
"What'll we do?" asked Kuwabara. "Should we go after them right now?" His eyes moved over to look at Hiei's blank face.
"We go back to the Reikai, we need to see to Hiei and hand his guy over to Koenma," said Yusuke tucking the head under his arm.
"Right," said Kurama turning and walking away with the Koorime in his arms. Hold on Hiei, hold on.