It seems some people forget a few things. Damien was introduced back in chapter 10 Air Attack. That's where the description of him is. Thank you and on with the story.

Chapter 63

The Hunt

The two kitsunes and the wolf continued down a winding path toward where Saber held Botan captive. "So Damien, what can you tell me about this Saber?" Kurama asked. "Well from what Ricardo and I have gathered he's a demon hunter who only hunts the most dangerous of demons" Damien replied. "Obviously he wants Yoko" Kurama said. "And we think you chica was kidnapped as bait" Ricardo said. He was taking the lead.

Kurama let out a small growl from his throat. He was trying to leave that life behind and yet he was always forced to remember the life as Yoko. No matter what I will not transform for him he thought. 'Can you really take that risk?' Yoko said from within. I've taken care of myself just nicely with out you Kurama replied. 'If I remember correctly you were practically begging for me to come out at the Dark Tournament. What, did Kasura not knock enough sense into you?' the fox thief said. Leave me alone I haven't needed you for a while now and I don't now. Now leave me alone Kurama thought. 'As you wish' Yoko said before disappearing.

"Hey Kurama, you feeling okay ese?" Ricardo asked. "Don't worry about me. Just thinking about a few things" Kurama said. Ricardo shrugged and turned around. He kept a firm grip on his Thompson in case of trouble.

"Hold it bros" he said holding his arm up. "What is it?" Damien asked as Ricardo kneeled to one knew. "Look carefully" he said as he pinched his fingers. It seems he was holding something. "A trip wire" Kurama said when he saw the string. "This guy is really out to get us" Damien said. "How did you know it was there?" Kurama asked Ricardo. "My hearing picked up the sound the wind made when it blew over it. Now, step back" Ricardo replied.

The three back away as Ricardo pulled out a Model 1911 .45 automatic pistol from behind him (The pistol we used in WWII). "Where do you get theses things?" Kurama asked. "I was issued this back during the war" Ricardo replied. He took aim at the string and in one shot hit it. A huge explosion ripped through the air as a series of mines detonated along the pathway.

"Coast is clear muchachos" Ricardo said as he tucked his gun in the back of his pants. "Where do you get these weapons? First the Thompson, now that pistol?" Kurama asked. "Well I got Tommy while working for the mob and the pistol was issued to me during the war" Ricardo replied. "What war?" Damien asked. "World War II of coarse" Ricardo replied. "Just how old are you?" Kurama asked. "I was born back in 1905 and I've been in every war the U.S. fought in like WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and a few covert missions I can't tell you about" he replied.

"My, you are old" Kurama said. "And I still can't keep the chicas off me" Ricardo said. He started walking and telling them a few of his war stories. When the U.S. entered the war Ricardo fist fought in Europe and Africa. He was one of the soldiers that had to storm Omaha Beach on D-Day, which was why his favorite movie was Saving Private Ryan. After breaking through the defenses his unit was ambushed. In the ensuing skirmish he was wounded. A French girl helped him to get back to his unit. They sent him home to recover. When he recovered he went back to service but instead of going back to Europe he was sent to the Pacific Campaign.

He had just started talking about Vietnam when he tripped on a wire ant fell face first to the ground. Kurama and Damien leaped into the air to avoid a massive branch with spikes attached to it. It missed Ricardo cause he was low enough to avoid it. "This place is starting to remind me of Nam" he said as he got to his feet.

They continued on. "Hey Kurama where are your friends?" Damien asked. "The note said not to bring them, though I'm sure they're searching for Botan and me as we speak" Kurama replied.

At the Temple

"NNNNOOOOOOO!!!" Keiko screamed. "Will you please stop that" Riku said rubbing his ears. "But look who it landed in" Keiko said pointing to a bottle on the floor. It was pointing at a very angry Hiei. The group was in a circle on the floor in the living room. Hiei was sitting Indian style on the floor with arms crossed over his chest and glaring at the bottle. Nami sat next to him. Yusuke was cursing next to her. Crystal sat on the floor to Yusuke's right. Kuwabara lay unconscious with a big lump on his head. Keiko was standing up and Riku was still rubbing his ears from his spot next to her. Yukina watched on from next to him. The order from left to right was Hiei, Nami, Yusuke, Crystal, Kuwabara, Keiko, Riku, and Yukina. 

"Can I spin again?" Keiko asked. "You agreed to play this game. And the rules say if the bottle lands on a guy you have to make out with him for one whole minute. That means you and Hiei get into that closet right now" Riku said. "Like hell I am" Hiei said. Riku walked to him and lifted him by the collar. "I don't want to hear it. You think you got it bad? I had to make out with Crystal for a minute. She's my sister damit" Riku said. "And if I don't?" Hiei said defiantly. "Then you'll have to wear nothing but a pair of Speedos for the next three missions" Riku said. "How is that bad?" Nami said.

Hiei remained silent for a few minutes. He pushed off Riku and walked to the closet while cursing. Crystal and Nami had to push Keiko in. "Alright you two, begin" Shizuru said from a seat next to the closet. She was taking glances at the two through a peephole in the closet door. Her job was to make sure the victims did in fact make out. "Keiko looks like she's about to throw up" she said as she watched on.

After a minute the two literally ran out of the closet. "You alright Keiko?" Yusuke asked. "I don't know, how would you feel if you had to make out with him for a minute" Keiko said pointing to Hiei. "Like the luckiest girl in the world" Nami said. Hiei took a seat next to her. "Stupid humans" he mumbled.

"Your turn Riku" Yukina said. Riku nervously gripped the bottle and spun it. After a few tense minutes it stopped while pointing at Nami. "What!!!" Hiei yelled. Yusuke had to stop him from attacking Riku. He'd already knocked Kuwabara unconscious when it landed on Yukina. "I'm going to kill him!!!" Hiei yelled. "Relax Hiei, now let's get this over with" Nami said as she walked into the closet. "Yukina, just remember I only love you" Riku said before following Nami in.

"Begin" Shizuru said pressing a button on the stopwatch in her hand. She looked through hole as the two started. "Let me go!!!" Hiei yelled. A devilish smirk crossed Shizuru's face. "You should see those two. They're really going at it. You'd think they were boyfriend a girlfriend" she said. Hiei kicked Yusuke off but Crystal grabbed his ankles and stopped hi from going any further. "What's going on in there!!!" Hiei yelled. "Well if you must know, Nami's on his lap and I won't say where his hands are at the moment" Shizuru said.

"Quit lying Shizuru" Keiko said. "See for yourself" Shizuru said. Keiko bent down and looked through the hole. "She's right" she said. "All right time's up" Shizuru said. The door didn't open. "Oh boy" Yusuke said. "RIKU!!!" Hiei roared. He freed himself from Crystal's grip and kicked the door open. Riku and Nami were still going at it. "RIKU!!!" Hiei roared again. The two stopped and looked at each other with dazed looks. "Oh my god!!!" they said as they jumped away from each other. They looked at the entrance to see a seething Hiei and an angry Yukina behind him.   

"Yukina, I swear I only think of Nami as a friend" Riku said. "Then why didn't you stop?" Yukina asked. "Cause Riku is such a terrific kisser" Nami said. "And she can do these things with her tongue, I just couldn't stop" Riku said. "Yea right" Hiei said. "Hiei I may like making out with Riku but I love doing it with you" Nami said. She snatched the stopwatch from Shizuru and set it for thirty minutes. "I'll prove it to you" she said befog pulling Hiei and slamming the door behind them. "I think Hiei's forgiven her" Shizuru said. 

"Yukina please forgive me" Riku said with a pleading look on his face. "Alright" Yukina said. "Really!?" Riku said. "Your just to adorable to resist with that pleading look on your face" she said before kissing his nose and returning to the circle. "I guess the game is postponed until those two are done in the closet" Yusuke said.

Back with Kurama

"So who wants to ring the doorbell" Ricardo said. The three were standing in front of a couple of massive doors. "I take it he doesn't have to much company" Damien said. The doors slowly opened to reveal a courtyard. The sides were lined with exotic plants. In the center was a fountain with a statue a massive bull in it. The water shot out of its horns.

"That's one mean looking bull" Ricardo said. "Botan's not far away. I feel it" Kurama said. "Well let's keep moving zoros (Spanish for foxes)" Ricardo said. Before he could take a step a rumbling sound could be heard. "It's coming from the statue" Damien said. The three looked at the statue.

It's eyes turned red and it started moving. "It's alive" Ricardo said. The bull jumped out of the fountain and charged. The three jumped out of the bull's path. Ricardo shot the bull but the bullets bounced off the bull's stone skin.

It turned to the wolf and charged. Ricardo leaped into the air and landed on top of a flagpole near the entrance. The flag attached to it was red with a yellow bow and arrow on it. The bull charged the pole and in one hit knocked it down. During the decent Ricardo dropped his gun and pulled the flag off the pole.

He landed still holding it and looked at the bull. The bull turned around and looked at him. It started stomping its right front hoof on the ground and snorting. Ricardo was puzzled at first but then remembered he had a red flag in his hands. He held it out to the side and watched the bull's reaction. The bull reared on its hind legs and charged. "I always wanted to be a bull fighter" Ricardo said.

When the bull reached him spun around and caused the bull to miss. "Toro, toro, toro" Ricardo said as he ruffled the flag. The bull charged again and missed. They continued.

Finally Ricardo was starting to get tired. As the bull charged again he reached into one of his pant pockets. Kurama and Damien couldn't tell what he pulled out. He charged the bull. When they reached each other Ricardo threw the flag over the bull's eyes and leaped to the side. After spinning in the air he landed on his feet. The bull shook the flag off and turned to him. Then the foxes saw it. A hand grenade was in the bull's mouth. Ricardo smirked and gave the bull the finger. On his middle finger was the grenade's pin. Before the bull could charge the grenade blew up and completely destroyed its head. The body fell to the ground and shattered into thousands of pieces.   

"Ricardo 1, stone toros 0" Ricardo said as he threw the flag to the side. He walked to his Thompson and picked it up. "Nice work" Damien said as he and Kurama ran up to him.

They heard a rustle noise and looked at the source. Some of the plants were parting to reveal a doorway. "I not one to refuse an invitation" Ricardo said as he walked to the door with Kurama next to him. They kicked the doors down to reveal a long hallway. "Let's go" Kurama said as the three continued.

They stopped in front of two redwood doors with carvings of various animals on them. The doors opened by themselves and the three walked in. They were now in what looked to be a library. The cylindrical room had books on shelves that went along the wall. About thirty feet above the ground the shelves stop and in their place were windows that allowed the light from outside to illuminate the room. The rays of light that poured into the room gave it a magnificent sight to behold.

"So you've finally arrived. I trust the bull gave you a warm welcome" a voice said. They turned around and saw a cloaked figure standing before them. "How'd he sneak up on us like that?" Ricardo said. "I take it your Saber" Kurama said. "The one and only. And you must be Yoko" Saber replied. "My name is Kurama, not Yoko" Kurama replied.

"Whatever the name, your head will look lovely on my trophy wall" Saber said as he threw the cloak off. The cloak disappeared to reveal a man who looked to be in his mid-thirties. He had piercing blue eyes and blond neck length hair. The back came together to form three spiked bangs at the base of his neck. Five spiky bangs went along each side of his head. One bang was at the front of his face. It went over his left eye and stopped at his chin. He wore a black long sleeve shirt. Over it was a royal blue vest with sleeves that reached his elbow and folded back up. A button secured the folds in place. Over his hands was a pair of brown leather gloves that went a few inches past his wrists. He wore black boots that went halfway up his shins. A pair of royal blue pants was tucked into them. They were secured around his waist by a leather belt with a silver buckle. In his hand was a rapier with a red hand guard. 

"I was wondering when you'd arrive" Saber said. "Where is Botan?" Kurama demanded. "You woman is safe. I thought I told you to come alone" Saber said. "They insisted. Aren't you a little to well dressed for a demon hunter?" Kurama said. "Well when I have guests at my estate I must look my best" Saber said. "Just what are you man? You got a weird scent" Ricardo said. "I was human but after bath in the fountain of youth I gained eternal youth" Saber replied.

Damien took a step forward. "You'll need more than a fancy face lift when I'm done with you" he said. "My ,my aren't we grumpy today" Saber said. "Shut up. You attacked my mate and now it's payback time" the fox said. "Well then, let use dance" Saber said holding out his weapon while putting the other hand behind his back. Damien charged and began swing his whip at the hunter. Saber took small hops to the side to avoid it.

"Let's kick some hunter ass" Ricardo said as he raised his gun. Kurama grabbed the end and pulled it down. "What's with you?" Ricardo asked. "I need you to find Botan for me" Kurama said. "Why don't you do it?" the wolf asked. "Because I'm the one Saber's after. You get Botan to safety while I fight him here" Kurama said. "You sure about this?" Ricardo asked. Kurama nodded and turned around. He jumped into the air and joined Damien in the assault.

"Time to find the damsel in distress" Ricardo said as he kneeled down. He carefully sniffed the ground. His nose picked up something. "A scent that lovely could only belong to a chica" he said as he followed it. The scent stopped at the wall. "Must be a secret passage" he said as he searched for a way to open it. He sniffed each boon to see which had Saber's scent on it. He stopped at a book entitle The Prisoner's Diary. "Must have a prison behind it" Ricardo said as he pulled on the book. The wall opened to reveal a winding staircase. "My nose always knows" he said as he ran into it.

With Botan

Botan sighed as she walked to the bared window. Saber had moved her from his trophy room to a prison cell. It was actually not that bad. It had a bed with red silk sheets and a red pillow. A mirror with a modest dresser was on the other side of the room. She was now looking out a yard wide and yard high window that had blue curtains. She had to admit, for a prison it was quite comfortable.

The view from the window was of a sandy beach. The sun was starting to set so the sky was a deep red. It reminded her of Kurama's hair. Where are you Kurama? She thought. Escape was impossible. Two suits of armor Saber had brought to life guarded the door.

She was startled when the sound of gunfire echoed through the halls followed by the clang of armor hitting the ground. She turned around and saw the door being unlocked. "Kurama!!!" she said happily as she ran to the door. She ran though the now open door and threw her arms around someone. "I knew you'd come to rescue me" she said.

Ricardo was shocked when a beautiful blue haired girl threw her arms around his neck. Be fore he could say anything she slipped an arm around his head and pulled his head down into a passionate kiss. His eyes widened as he tried to regain his senses. He liked it but she was Kurama's girl. She finally broke it and rested her head in his chest. "I missed you so much" she said. She still hadn't looked at her rescuer's face.

Ricardo finally found his voice. "Uh, I know you're happy to be rescued and all but aren't we taking this a bit to fast" he said. Botan was puzzled by the strange voice and looked at his face. Instead of green eyes her gaze was meet with brown ones.

She yelped and jumped back. "Who are you?" she asked. Ricardo was soon back to his old self. "Hola senorita, my name is Ricardo Garcia and you must be Botan" ha said taking a bow. "How do you know my name?" she asked. "Kurama told me but he failed to mention how beautiful you were" he said taking her hand in his a planting a kiss on it. Botan's face turned red with embarrassment. Even though she loved Kurama she couldn't deny the wolf in front of her was drop dead gorgeous, and she had kissed him. "I'm sorry about the kiss and all" she said. "No problemo, I kind of liked it. Now let's get you out of here" he said.

She didn't move. "What's up? We have to get out of here" Ricardo said. "Is Kurama here?" she asked. "He's fighting Saber, It's my job to get you to safety" he said. "Take to me Kurama" she said. "But Kurama said" he stopped when Botan gave him her special puppy dog eyes. "Please" she said. Ricardo's biggest weakness in life was the inability to say no to beautiful women. "Alright, I'll take you to him" he said. "Thank you" Botan said.

"Follow me" he said as he started walking down the hall. They stopped when they saw a number of suits of armor blocking their path. "Just stay behind me" he said as he raised his gun and fired. A hail of lead blew hundreds of holes in the suits. "Come on" he said das he jogged forward.

After a few minutes of firing every suit lay broken on the ground. "Reminds me of the St. Valentines Day Massacre, only without the blood" Ricardo said. "What would you know about that?" Botan asked. "I was one of the gunmen" he said before continuing on. Botan was now a little nervous. She was with one of the perpetrators of perhaps the most famous shootings of America's gangster era. "You worked for the mob?" she asked. "I was one of Capone's top hit men" he said.

After ten minutes of walking and more shooting they reached the room the battle was taking place in. Ricardo opened it and Botan gasped. Damien was unconscious against the wall and Kurama had various cuts on his body. "Kurama!" Botan yelled. "I thought I told you to get her out of here" Kurama said to Ricardo. "Hey she insisted muchacho" Ricardo replied.

"I suggest you not get distracted" Saber said as he attack. He started thrusting his sword at Kurama. Kurama inwardly cursed as he dodged. Saber had proven his skills as a fencer and his weapon allowed for quick thrusts. He did all he could to cover his vital areas.

As Botan and Ricardo watched Ricardo was pressing some buttons on his watch. Botan noticed this and asked, "What are you doing?" "You'll see" he replied. After a few more minutes his car crashed through the windows and stopped in front of him. "Do you have any idea how much those windows cost" Saber said.

Ricardo gave him the finger and opened the trunk of his car. He put the Thompson down and pulled out a 50-caliber sniper rifle. "I need you to be quiet. If I can't concentrate I might hit Kurama" he said as he raised the scope to his eye.

Saber continued his attack and swung his sword sideways at Kurama. It slashed Kurama's chest but was only a flesh wound. Saber continued his assault with thrust after thrust. "Come on now I was hoping for a better challenge" he said.

Kurama jumped into the air and threw some seeds on the ground. They sprouted and attacked Saber. He smirked and prepared his weapon for another thrust. "BLADE VORTEX" he thrust his weapon forward and was surrounded by a blue, cone shaped vortex. He plowed through the plants and stopped in front of Kurama.

"I hope you remember this one" he said. He started thrust his sword forward. With each thrust a pointed energy blast shot out of the tip of the weapon. Kurama used his whip to deflect them but one got through. It pierced the right side of his chest and went right through him. He fell to one knee.

"How sad, the mighty Yoko defeated so easily" Saber said. "My name…is Kurama" he said. His whip started to glow. "And it's time you paid for you misdoings" Kurama said as he stood up. He started to swing his whip in a circular motion. A green portal was formed from it. "I just finished mastering the technique, ROSE STORM" hundreds of roses flew out of the portal and toward Saber.

Saber used quick thrusts and swings to destroy the ones that got through but the ones that did left deep gashes in his skin. "You'll pay for that" he said as the attack died down. "I don't think so" Kurama said. Green flames gathered in his hands. "All kitsunes are born with one basic technique. I used this when I was a kit and haven't lost my touch even now" Kurama said as the flames around his fist intensified.

"Well then let's see how it stacks against this, ROARING THUNDER" Saber thrust his fist forward and a blue electric blast in the shape of a lion's head flew out of it. "FOX FIRE" Kurama thrust his hand forward and green flames shot out and flew toward Saber's attack. The two collided and a mix of blue and green light filled the room.

When it died down Kurama was slammed against the wall with Saber's hand squeezing his neck. "I must say, you were better than I thought" Saber said. Kurama grabbed onto his wrist to try to get him to let go. "Struggling is useless now prepare to die" Saber said as he raised his rapier. The point was in front of a small gap in between his fingers so the blade would go right through Kurama's neck.

Saber was about to thrust when a gunshot ripped through the air. The bullet hit his back. He let Kurama go and slowly turned around. "Don't tell me you forgot I was here" Ricardo said. Smoke was coming out of his gun's barrel. "Why you" Saber said as he took a step forward.

Suddenly plants started to sprout from his body. "What's happening to me?" he said. "When I grabbed your wrist I planted a death seed in you, it seems to have sprouted" Kurama said. He nodded to Ricardo and Ricardo nodded back. He took aim and fired. The bullet hit Saber right between the eyes. He fell to the ground as the flowers of the death seed start to bloom.

"Kurama!!!" Botan said as she ran to him and threw her arms around his neck. "Botan, are you okay?" Kurama said as he wrapped his arms around her. It hurt but he didn't care. "I missed you" she said as she looked up at him. "I missed you to" he said as he dipped his head down and caught her lips.

Ricardo smirked and walked toward Damien who was starting to come to. "What happened to you man?" Ricardo asked. "He used some kind of vortex attack on me" the green haired fox replied.   

Botan and Kurama finally brook their kiss and walked to the two. "Thank you, I couldn't have done it without you" Kurama said. "Don't mention it. Need a ride?" Ricardo asked. "Botan's oar will do just fine" Kurama said. "Suit yourself, come on Damien" Ricardo said as he ran to his car. "What are you in a hurry for?" Damien asked as he buckled his seatbelt. "Have you forgotten about those four chicas we ran into. They're waiting for me" the wolf replied as he slammed on the gas. He pressed a blue button on the steering wheel and rocket launches came out of various places on the car. They fired and blew a hole in the wall, which Ricardo drove through.

"Let's go home" Kurama said. He and Botan hopped onto her oar and took off.

What no one had noticed was that a raven had been watching them from a window. The bird spread its wings and flew off. 

It flew for many miles before spotting its destination. It was at the coast on a cliff face overlooking the ocean. The waves pounded the cliff face sending up sheets of water. The wind howled but through all this a figure stood at the cliff's edge.

As the raven flew closer the figures features could be seen. It was a man who looked to be in his mid-twenties. He had white hair tied into a high, spiky ponytail. The only hair not tied into the ponytail were four spiked bangs on the front of his face. Two went along the sides of his face and stopped and inch past his chin. The other two went down the center of his forehead and stopped just past the inside corners of each eye. Speaking of eyes he had indigo irises with red pupils. His ears were five inches long and pointed. His skin was pale and strange black tattoos were on his chest and left arm. The reason there were none on his right arm was because it was covered in a strange black armor that looked to be fused with his arm. It gave his right hand sharp claws. A curved spike stuck out of his elbow and two more stuck out of the side of his shoulder. The armor stopped about halfway over his collarbone. Sticking out his back were two black angel-like wings. He wore only a pair of black pants with a black sash around his waist and black boots.

Stuck into the ground on his right side was a massive seven-foot double-edged sword. The blade was six feet long. It was straight until the end where the tip curved so that it pointed backwards.  Along the length of it were strange markings. The hilt featured two curved horns. One horn pointed upward and the other pointed downward and acted as a hand guard. They were attached to some strange organic like metal. The metal was red with white markings that made it look like muscle. It surrounded a closed eye in the center of the hilt. A metallic handle struck out of it.

The raven approached the man and landed on his left shoulder. "What is it" he asked (With a voice like Legato from Trigun). The raven squawked in reply. "So that hunter was defeated, good the master needs them alive for his plans. No doubt the Demon King will send them his special invitation. And if Ace uses that card I gave him on our target, the master's plan will begin. All I need do is watch from the sidelines" he said. He reached for his sword and with surprising ease pulled it out. "Get the others, I'm heading back to the master" he said before walking off and disappearing. The sky was suddenly filled with hundreds of ravens heading in the direction the man went.

Who is this strange warrior and which member of the gang is his target? More importantly, who is his master? Find out in latter chapters. Next chapter, Ace attacks. Review please.