Hey everyone! Sorry for the extremely long wait, I've just been busy watching YYH DVD's and updating my Kuwabara website But when I don't update, trust me, this huge guilt consumes me and I feel really bad until I do update my fanfic. So whenever you're mad about me not updating, just know I'm going through hell until I do update. Anyway, thanks everyone for reviewing!
Thanks to bit-blackmage, HieiGenkailuver, Katzztar, Dragon of the Rose, Jesscheaux Kuwabara, Kazima Kuwabara, Gojita the Saiyan Princess, Catgirl- 13, Alex, Nesha, Dokichan, Riye Link/ Reue, Jesanae Tekani, Sharnay, Arcia xinsanexdreamerx, radiskull222, Psyche, Yami, xinsanexdreamerx, KuramaKid15, Kage okibi, Celadine-Girl and Shizuru of the Darkness Flame! Thanks SO much for reviewing! You guys are the only reason I write this fic!
Chapter Seven
There really was nothing like the thrill and power of killing someone. Acting out the murder wasn't the fun part, as most people would assume. No, it was observing your victim's soul rise from the rotting corpse. A lot of things happen as soon as they take their very last breath. Their eyes glaze over, and roll to the back of their head, cursing them to see black forever. Every vital organ stops working and oxygen stops flowing into the lungs. The heart pumps out its last stream of blood, and then... it's over. The victim is dead. How he loved when his prey died; but at the very same time, he hated it. The murder was finished... no more fun. The victim that you despised so much was finally dead, never to be tortured by you again. What a miserable feeling in the pit of your heart.
Oh well, he thought, I'll see my victim again in hell.
A chuckle escaped from his closed lips, as he visualized finally closing his fingers around Kuwabara's bloody neck.
He couldn't wait.
"What the hell? So Toguro was in your dream, and he killed Genkai? And then Genkai turned into Elder Toguro and killed you? What the hell's that supposed to mean?"
Kuwabara shrugged, discomfort settling into the pit of his stomach. Sweat trickled down his damp face and he wiped it off with the back of his hand. Damn it! Why was he sweating so much? He writhed with anxiety, trying to push away the nausea that was at the base of his skull.
The room was in complete silence, except for Kuwabara's harsh and rash breathing. Yusuke held his chin between his hands and gave a large sigh.
"So, where do we go from here?"
Genkai returned Yusuke's sigh and crossed her arms.
"The only thing we can do is to try to analyze Kuwabara's situation. If the only things happening to him are phone calls and nightmares, then the only way to eliminate that problem is to get rid of whoever's causing them. In other words, as soon as we destroy our enemy, this whole ordeal is over."
"Yeah Grandma, we already knew that. I'm just sayin', it's gonna be friggin' hard to catch this guy if he only does stuff to Kuwabara by dreams and phone calls. I mean, where do we start?"
Silence spread throughout the entire room, and the trio sat in the opaque darkness. Kuwabara tightened his fists. Damn it! What the hell was going to happen now? Was he just going to sit around every single day, living in fear, being constantly haunted by that damned voice in the nightmare? Was he just going to wait until a nightmare came, or wait until the phone began to ring? Anger settled into the pit of his stomach, and an unbearable impatience exploded into his soul.
Genkai noticed Kuwabara's impatience and didn't like the eccentric look in his eyes. Damn... she knew all of this was really getting into his skin. An experience like this to happen to anyone would be hard to handle, especially someone like Kuwabara. She knew that Kuwabara had a very short temper, and hated not having full control of a situation. She looked over at Yusuke, and then to Kuwabara. The boys had the same look in their eyes; desperation, impatience, fear. Genkai sighed as she realized what she had to do.
Dawn was approaching the sleeping horizon, making a few of the sun's rays visible in the dark night. To Kurama, the light was somewhat comforting, and to him, it was a beacon of hope that things would soon get better. Kurama was well aware (too aware) of Kuwabara's situation. He knew that an impending enemy was giving the Spirit Detective nightmares and phone calls, and he knew that all contact to Spirit World had been blocked. Of all the information he did know, there were a couple of things he didn't know. He sighed heavily as his conscience ached with guilt, and a dreadful feeling came over his stomach.
He didn't know what was wrong with Hiei.
The fire demon had been acting very strangely over the past couple of weeks, and Kurama had absolutely no idea why. Every single time Kurama mentioned something about Yusuke and Kuwabara, Hiei would cringe or wince and would change the topic quickly. Many times Kurama asked if Hiei wanted to help the two detectives, but Hiei would vainly disagree. Why was Hiei so inclined not to help them?
Kurama already knew that Hiei and himself were keeping a secret from Yusuke and Kuwabara, but what else was crawling into Hiei's skin? Did Hiei know something that Kurama had no idea about? Or... was Hiei the one responsible for all of Kuwabara's nightmares?
Kurama frowned and leaned back onto the pillow in his bed. He closed his eyes to temporarily ease his discomfort, and opened them again. He had no idea where to go from here. He couldn't imagine that his best friend was the one responsible for this whole mess... but what if he really was?
Was this really the end for humanity?
Ah, the darkness. So appealing... and so beautiful. He knew that most people preferred the darkness to the light. Light was irritating, burning your insides and making you blind as soon as it touched your eyes. Light was too bright and harsh. But darkness, on the other hand, was nothing short of perfect. It made your skin cold, it makes your face deathly pale. You can wrap yourself in the darkness, let yourself go. If he had any wish, it would be to make the darkness everlasting. He frowned in annoyance as he realized that the sun was just awakening, and it was rising and becoming visible from the stubborn horizon.
He grit his teeth in frustration and lost himself in his resentment.
"Calm down..." He thought, "Seeing Kazuma Kuwabara's scared face should be enough to ease your anger. Seeing your victim struggle, as it tries to figure out who you are is the best feeling. Poor fools... they don't even know where to start."
A grin was forming at his lips, but his lips turned into a small, serious slit when he noticed who had come to the Spirit Detective's aid.
Aw, Genkai. That wench was too smart for her own good. He almost had the urge to go over and kill her now, but stopped himself. A small chuckle seeped from his parted lips. No, she would stay alive for now. He knew that Genkai was smart enough to figure out where to start. Her intelligence might even help him out a bit. He crossed his arms, loving the fact that he had full control of this situation.
There was no way they would be able to defeat him.
Genkai frowned, and crossed her arms subconsciously. Damn... she knew she had to tell them. Even though the task was dangerous, and life-threatening, she knew there was no other way. She sighed, hating the situation she found herself in. She looked over at Yusuke and Kuwabara, knowing that once she told them what she was about to tell them, that their lives would be plunged into constant hell. But damn it, what other choice did she have? With utmost courage in her heart, she cleared her throat and got ready to explain.
"Dimwit, Kuwabara... listen carefully. I have to tell you something very important-"
"Damn it, Grandma, why do you always have to call me 'Dimwit'? I have a name you know!"
"And as soon as you start calling me by my name, that's when I'll start!" Genkai's face shriveled up in annoyance and she slapped her hand against her forehead. She really didn't need Yusuke's stupid remarks right now.
Yusuke looked over at Genkai, and noticed the serious expression on her face and quieted down immediately.
"Like I was saying, dimwit... I know a way that Kuwabara can receive more information about his dreams."
It was like the eye of the hurricane, everything was tranquil and quiet, but it was just before the worst of the storm.
"Damn it Grandma! Why didn't you tell us before?"
Genkai cringed and continued explaining.
"I didn't tell you before because what I'm about to say will be extremely dangerous. Listen very closely. Around 50 years ago, humans blessed with high amounts of Spirit Awareness kept getting terrible nightmares and horrifying visions. Everyone knows that if you have high Spirit Awareness like Kuwabara, having nightmares and visions are a normal part of having it. The humans back then were sick of getting them, so they came up with a way to give them more information about their dreams. For instance, if Kuwabara can master this technique, he can actually go wherever he wants in his dream. For example, Kuwabara, have you ever had a dream or nightmare that you were about to find out important information and you woke up? Or you wish you could ask someone in a dream something, but you couldn't control what you were saying? Well, if you master this technique, you can control yourself in your dream and not wake up until you choose to."
Yusuke scratched his head in confusion, and gave Genkai a perplexed look.
"Wait, I don't get it. So you're saying, if Kuwabara can master this technique, he can kind of control where he goes and what he does in his dream?"
"Sort of. He can also keep a dream going and not wake up. It's hard to explain, and you have to experience it for yourself to truly understand what I'm talking about."
Yusuke's eyes widened. "Are you saying that you've done this technique before?"
Genkai was quiet for a few seconds, but nodded reluctantly.
"Yes, I have. It's very odd and very hard to accomplish."
Kuwabara, who had been listening to the entire thing in awe, finally broke his silent treatment.
"I'll do it. But... what exactly do I have to do?"
Genkai winced as horrible memories filled her head, but she shrugged them off.
"Going through with this technique is extremely difficult. It will be the hardest task of your entire life. Are you really willing to do this?"
Kuwabara nodded, and Yusuke laughed in bewilderment.
"Aw, c'mon Grandma, this technique doesn't seem that hard. What could be so hard about it? I bet that stupid technique doesn't compare to the things you made me do in your evil boot camp."
"You're wrong, dimwit, like always. This technique involves the utmost discipline and control. Something that you could never do. But if Kuwabara wants this bad enough, then maybe he can achieve it. But I don't promise anything."
Kuwabara crossed his arms and his eyes filled with determination. He wasn't exactly sure he fully understood what this technique was, and he wasn't sure why this technique was so hard to master, but he felt this fire of will power explode in his heart. Whatever Genkai told him to do, he would do without hesitation. He would do anything to find out more information about the threatening voice that froze his soul.
"First I have to tell you how this works. When you finish the first set of rules, whatever dream, nightmare, or vision you have received lately will come back and give you more information. For you Kuwabara, it should be another bizarre nightmare involving that threatening voice. What will happen in your dream is up to the enemy that's giving you these nightmares.
I will explain what you have to do for the technique in a second. First, I have to make sure that you have enough discipline to do this. Hold out your hands and create your Spirit Sword."
Kuwabara wasn't sure how making his Spirit Sword would show discipline but he did it anyway. Despite the fact that he was exhausted and in pain, he concentrated all of his energy and the room erupted with light as Kuwabara's Spirit Sword formed in his outstretched hands.
"Good, you've passed the first test. I at least know now that you'll listen to my every order without hesitation. Test number two. You have to hold your sword in your hand for one hour."
Kuwabara's eye practically popped out of his head. He was about to say something, but Yusuke beat him to it.
"Is your old age finally catching up to you, Grandma? Isn't this being a little too harsh? I mean, Kuwabara looks and feels sick! He doesn't have enough energy to do your stupid test!"
"I realize Kuwabara's feeling under the weather, and his holding his Sword requires ten times as much energy as your Spirit Gun, but if your friend can't complete this test, he can just forget about doing the technique!"
Kuwabara cringed in fatigue, and his knees almost gave out at the thought that he had to hold out his sword for at least 55 more minutes. His eyes began to close, and sleep was starting to take over him... He was so tired. He was so tired that he would've been able to sleep for days. The thought of closing his eyes and not feel any pain for a while seemed comforting. And all he had to do was close his eyes...
No! He wouldn't give this up! He had to learn the technique Master Genkai was going to teach him. Damn it, this was not the time to be weak like he always was. He was sick and tired of being helpless in some situations... He was sick of losing to this stupid anonymous adversary. Now, the fate of his and his friend's lives depended on if he mastered this technique or not. It was up to him. Not Kurama and Hiei, not Urameshi... him.
For one of the first times in his entire life, Kuwabara felt this heavy weight on his shoulders. His stomach tied into nervous knots, and his heart hammered against his rib cage. It was all up to him. If he couldn't hold out his Spirit Sword for an hour, there was no way he would be able to defeat this threatening enemy... He flinched as he felt his energy leave his body by the second, and sweat dripped down his face. Damn... this was so hard... Anger welled up inside of him. If this was hard, how would he ever be able to endure his next task?
He thought of the painful chance that he didn't succeed in this. The entire world would be doomed. Masses of people would be destroyed; buildings and homes would come crashing to the ground. Everyone would be gone and it would all be his fault. Everyone would be dead... his gang, Okubo, Kirishima, and Komada... Shizuru... Kurama... Hiei... He clenched his fists and grit his teeth. Genkai... Yusuke... Yukina...
Suddenly, Kuwabara felt this unmistakable surge of power rush through his entire body, and it flowed through his veins. He was no longer tired, and the fatigue he felt earlier had completely disappeared. In fact, he had felt better now then he had for weeks.
Seconds that seemed like an eternity passed by as if they were minutes. Before Kuwabara even knew it, he was only minutes away from completing his mission.
Yusuke was staring in quiet fascination at his best friend. Where had he gotten all of this energy from? It seemed as if Kuwabara was a mountain of energy and all of it was spewing out as if he had a limitless amount. It was nothing short of amazing. Yusuke smiled, knowing that if there was any way to beat this bad guy, Kuwabara would figure it out.
Genkai grinned in relief, surprised and pleased that Kuwabara had successfully achieved his test. Kuwabara sure had gotten powerful... Genkai's reassurance quickly diminished as she realized that this was nothing compared to the assignment ahead. Anguish filled the depths of her soul and anxiety took over her. Was she really willing to let someone she cares for go through with this? The procedure was nothing short of hell, and Genkai would never forget the one time she went through with it. She had barely made it out alive. Could Kuwabara withstand all the pain, the mental exhaustion?
Damn it, she knew she wouldn't have even told the two boys if she wasn't absolutely sure that this was the only way they could learn more about their enemy. It's either the agonizing pain of one person or the deaths of billions. A pang of guilt spread through her heart like a cancer, and she looked away from Kuwabara.
Kuwabara gave a huge sigh of relief when he looked at the clock and realized that the hour was through. His sword disappeared and the light immediately left the room. Kuwabara was exhausted, but extremely happy with himself. He had done the impossible... and it was all thanks to his will power. Kuwabara walked over to Genkai and Yusuke.
"Congratulations Kuwabara. For a moment there I thought you were going to pull a dimwit on me and back out."
Yusuke's face contorted in anger and he stared a death glare at Genkai.
"Anyway, I am now going to explain to you what the procedure for the technique is. Are you ready?"
Genkai cringed involuntarily as she remembered the time when she had to learn the hellish process.
Kuwabara was dying with impatience, and he was ready to start.
"Alright, enough with the suspense. The first thing you have to have to do is calm your mind. Make sure you're not thinking of anything. Free your mind of any thoughts and make sure you don't feel any emotion. This is easier if you close your eyes."
Kuwabara did as he was instructed and closed his eyes. He took in a deep breath and removed everything from his head. He had to forget about the pain he was feeling in his skull, the thought that this insane lunatic was out there somewhere. It was difficult to forget the possibility that Hiei might be doing all of this, and it was exceedingly intricate to forget that a crazy madman was after him. After he erased everything from his mind, he nodded.
"Are you done?"
"Yeah."
It was really hard to bring her self to tell him what the next step was, but she knew she had to.
"This is for the best..." She told herself.
"Now you need to pretend as if you're going to sleep. Pretend it's just another night and you're going off to sleep."
Kuwabara opened his eyes and walked to his bed. He lay down and threw the covers on himself.
"Like this?"
"Yes, moron."
Kuwabara gave Genkai a death glare, in the same way Yusuke did a few moments ago, but didn't hesitate to close his eyes and go to sleep. Fear overtook him as he realized that he was going to have another nightmare in just a few seconds.
Genkai could feel tears well up in her eyes, but there was no way in hell she let it show.
"Now, repeat this over and over in your head.
The soul has no control, over the fear and danger that the screams bring It happens so fast and quick, you don't even realize it's here You're overcome with torment as you see the story unfold Now become a character of the story..."
Kuwabara found the chant strange, but understood what it meant. He said the chant and repeated it over and over. Strangely, a dream was starting to form in head and his body erupted in excruciating pain.
Great cliffy, right? Yeah, I thought so too. So, why is Genkai so worried about Kuwabara performing this technique? How does this technique work? What new information will Kuwabara receive? What will Kuwabara's nightmare be about this time? Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. This was my favorite part:
"Congratulations Kuwabara. For a moment there I thought you were going to pull a dimwit on me and back out."
Yusuke's face contorted in anger and he stared a death glare at Genkai.
I could so imagine how Yusuke's face looks like. Lol. Well, see you next chapter!