New Friend Found
Chapter Seven
Life at a Gamble
Kouji and Hiei had been going at it since Kayu left that crater in the ground after being brain washed by Kouji; or rather, Hiei had been going at and Kouji calmly dodging and blocking nearly everything Hiei was throwing at him.
Yusuke and Kurama had been both fighting against Kayu while Hiei and Kouji battled it out. Yusuke had been dodging and throwing punch after punch, but to no avail, missed most of the time. She had gracefully moved out of the way of aim in the nick of time and tried slashing him. Kurama, on the other hand, tried to avoid fighting Kayu.
'It's not her fighting.' The youko debated in his mind, 'It's not her. She's being controlled. I would fight back if I didn't think I was going to kill a person in her state.' Kurama's conscience was getting the best of him. He knew that if he didn't fight back, it was possible that he may get killed. But, in the one day that he met and talked to her, it seemed that he knew her as if she was an old friend. Kayu had made such an impact on him that day that she left him with this "friend" feeling of her.
"Yusuke, go left and I'll go right." Kurama quickly instructed, this idea had finally hit him when he narrowly dodged one of Kayu's blows, "She'll follow one of us and then the other will hit her from behind, got it?" Yusuke nodded in agreement has he avoided another slashing blade the hanyou attacked with.
So, in following Kurama's instructions, Yusuke leaped far to the left, and Kurama leaped over to the right. Next, Kayu went for Kurama. Blades held back; ready to sever the youko's head off in one swift moment. Kurama stepped back and braced himself from the on coming attack; his arms crossed in front of him in front of his face. As quickly as he could, Yusuke ran up behind Kayu, only a few feet away from her to attack from behind.
Suddenly, every thing stopped. Even the battle that Kouji and Hiei were having had paused because of the one thing that had happened.
Kayu and stopped right in her tracks. She stood still as if frozen in place. She was bringing her steel rings up to Kurama's neck to slice his head clean off his head, when, she just, stopped. Yusuke had ceased his attack on Kayu when the female froze, staring at the image of her in mid attack. Kouji had looked up from his mêlée with Hiei when Yusuke gasped in surprise and wonder at what Kayu had done. Hiei followed the golden eyed Kouji's actions when his noticed Kouji's gaze was fixed somewhere else and stood in shock and surprise at what was going on.
Everyone was wide eyed and curious. Why did Kayu halt when she was just about the kill Kurama? The green eyed youko concentrated on Kayu's face real hard. Her eyes were still a blood covered red, but her face was no longer blank. She had a look of hatred and anger; her teeth showed as she began the let out a low growl. Suddenly, something happened. Her eyes, Kayu's eyes, quickly flashed to a deep blue color, her normal eye color in a split second. Kurama raised an eyebrow is curiosity. What was that all about?
". . .Kayu?" He began to say slowly and softly, almost in a whisper. The hanyou's eyes flashed a deep blue once again and her snow white kitsune ears twitched lightly. Could she hear him? Was the spell of the collar wearing off, And if it was, why?
". . .Kayu?" Kurama said again a little louder this time. She did it again! Her eyes changed and her ears twitched again! Excitement began to over follow the ever wise youko, the spell was wearing off.
"Kayu, it's me, Kurama!" He began to say towards the brain washed hanyou, everyone stared in amazement and wonder at the unusual phenomenal act that was going on.
"Listen to me! Fight the power that's controlling you! You can over come it! Fight it!" Kurama began to hope and pray that he talking to her was going to break the mind control. The female hanyou's kitsune ears continued to twitch every once in a while and her eyes began to change and flicker to their natural color.
Kouji couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't let Kayu overpower his collar spell. He stretched out his opened hand towards Kayu.
"Sleep!" Kouji shouted. Then Kayu's eyes grew large and went bloody crimson. She let out a small gasp of air and began to fall forward. Kurama caught her so she wouldn't hit the ground and placed her gently down on the golden colored grass. The next thing he knew he was getting up and was face to face with the dark golden eyes of Kouji.
". . . Who are you?" Kouji quickly demanded. Kurama quickly jumped back away from Kouji not wanting to get attacked by him. Kouji only quickly appeared from behind Kurama in almost an instant.
"You have to be close to Kayu in order for my mind control to be overpowered by her." Kouji continued to say. He then wrapped his right hand around Kurama's neck before he could get away. The red headed youko clawed at Kouji's hand to free himself, but to no avail, Kouji's grip on him grew tighter. Kurama's breathing came to him is short deep breaths, trying not to be suffocated.
"But, no matter; you'll just die soon anyway." Kouji's claws started to pierce through Kurama's skin and bright red blood started to drip down his slender neck.
"Let go of him!" An enraged Yusuke began to shout as he charged for Kouji. The tantei's face showed signs of anger and hatred. He aimed a blazing punch at the silvery brown haired demon. Kouji quickly released Kurama and jumped out of the way before Yusuke could touch him. Hiei too in turn tried to slash Kouji, but he simply moved out of harms way once again. At least Kouji was further away and the three were close to each other to help the other.
Kurama was on his hands and knees breathing heavily. His right hand was at his throat where Kouji's hand was once was. Blood slowly dripped down from his hand to the soft grass; thankfully Kouji's claws didn't reach in too deep to do any real damage.
"You alright Kurama?" A worried Yusuke asked. He bent down over right beside the youko and laid a hand on his back. Hiei stood in front of the two; as if he was a wall between Kouji and Kurama and Yusuke. He kept his sword up held in front of him ready for any attack from Kouji.
"Yeah. . . I think so." Kurama softly replied as he began to sit up straight upon his knees. His hand still at his neck, but blood continued to slowly seep through. Yusuke eased up a little, but still wasn't sure about his health.
'Ugh, my head hurts a little.' Kurama thought as he used his other hand to grab a hold of his head. He moaned as his head began to throb painfully.
"Kurama, you sure you're okay?" Yusuke asked once again. He was becoming more worried about his friend and his eyes showed it. He didn't like how his friend was acting.
Hiei glanced behind him to get a good look at Kurama. To him, it looked as if Kurama had a headache or was ill. Whatever it was, he knew that whatever was happening to his companion wasn't good.
'Come on Kurama,' The small fire demon began to think, 'don't go dying on us yet.' He turned back around and focused his attention back on Kouji. He didn't want to get sidetracked for too long, for it could cost his life.
Kouji began to laugh once more. At first it was small but it grew and became annoyingly loud. Kurama and Yusuke looked up to see what was so funny to the golden eyed demon.
"Why do you lie to others?" Kouji replied, obviously talking about Kurama, "You know that you're not doing well. But you tend to tell other that you are. That's not very truthful of you, is it?" He had the evil smile that he had when the tantei first saw him. His fangs showed as he grinned. Yusuke looked back down at Kurama, who was lightly panting. Hiei did the same by glancing behind him, once again, at Kurama.
"Kurama, what's wrong? And tell me the truth." He asked. His voice was firm and almost demanding.
". . . I just have a little headache, that's all." The red head replied strongly, never taking his eyes off of Kouji. Yusuke didn't think Kurama was going to tell him anything else about his condition so he didn't press the matter further. Hiei took Kurama's answer as a good enough answer for him and turned back around and looked at Kouji.
"Yes, it's just a little headache for now, but the pain will grow, and you know it Kurama." Kouji just couldn't help but smile and laugh. Yusuke looked, once again, back at Kurama. He got a good look at him and it seemed like his breathing was heavy and it seemed like he couldn't get enough air.
'This can't be good.' Yusuke thought. He got more and more worried with every bad thought that came to his mind. The worse he could think of that could of happened to Kurama was, well . . . death.
'Darn it, he's right. I can hardly breathe.' The youko began to think also.
"What do you mean Kouji?" Hiei finally spoke since the fighting first began.
"Well, you see," The cloaked demon began; he held up his clawed hand up near his face, "My claws are filled with a deadly paralyzing poison. So, if I happen to dig my claws into someone's skin, they are injected with the poison; such as I did with Kurama.."
"And let me guess, there is no antidote to the poison?" Yusuke said getting annoyed with of Kouji's killing secrets. He took a hold of one of Kurama's arms and slung it over one of his own shoulders and began to straighten Kurama up; trying to stand him up on his feet.
"That's where your wrong, tantei. You see, there is an antidote, but it's very hard to get." Kouji began to explain; pulling back the sleeve of his cloak to reveal his arm. "The antidote is my blood." The three grimaced in disgust at the thought of trying to swallow down a handful of blood.
"Gee, lucky you, huh Kurama?" The brown eyed Yusuke replied sarcastically back at the poisoned youko. He helped Kurama walk over to the edge of the clearing where he could sit up against a tree, out of most of harms way anyway.
"Yes, lucky me." The red head annoyingly mimicked, sitting down.
"You gonna be alright here for now?" Yusuke asked in a worry-like tone.
"Yeah, for the time being. I'll be alright." Kurama reassured Yusuke. He gave him a weak smile. Yusuke nodded and wet back and stood behind Hiei, ready to back the fire demon up when needed.
"Alright, looks like everything is back underway, so let the fighting resume." Kouji replied out of the silence and extended his hand forwarded once again. He muttered something under his breath that sounded like "awaken" but they weren't for sure. Next, they all heard a rustling noise from behind. They all looked back to see a possessed Kayu rise to her feet. She had been knocked out ever since she froze in mid attack with Kurama. The golden haired hanyou turned around and faceed the four. Her face emotionless and eyes as bloody red as ever.
Suddenly, Kayu sprinted forward with warning and attacked Yusuke with her steel rings, summoned once more. The tantei narrowly dodged the attack just in time only to be pelted again with another attack which lightly grazed his cheek.
Kouji too decided to join in on the fun and went head on towards Hiei. Hiei quickly disappeared from Kouji's line of attack and reappeared a few feet away. The fire demon then darted towards Kouji, ready to sever his head off, but the demon safely managed to dodge Hiei's blade once more.
Hiei now fought with a different reason to kill Kouji; for his blood to cure the poisoned Kurama. But he would have to hurry in his killing if he wanted to save the youko's life, for Kurama probably wouldn't last much longer; not the way how fast the poison was spreading throughout his body.
Chapter Seven
Life at a Gamble
Kouji and Hiei had been going at it since Kayu left that crater in the ground after being brain washed by Kouji; or rather, Hiei had been going at and Kouji calmly dodging and blocking nearly everything Hiei was throwing at him.
Yusuke and Kurama had been both fighting against Kayu while Hiei and Kouji battled it out. Yusuke had been dodging and throwing punch after punch, but to no avail, missed most of the time. She had gracefully moved out of the way of aim in the nick of time and tried slashing him. Kurama, on the other hand, tried to avoid fighting Kayu.
'It's not her fighting.' The youko debated in his mind, 'It's not her. She's being controlled. I would fight back if I didn't think I was going to kill a person in her state.' Kurama's conscience was getting the best of him. He knew that if he didn't fight back, it was possible that he may get killed. But, in the one day that he met and talked to her, it seemed that he knew her as if she was an old friend. Kayu had made such an impact on him that day that she left him with this "friend" feeling of her.
"Yusuke, go left and I'll go right." Kurama quickly instructed, this idea had finally hit him when he narrowly dodged one of Kayu's blows, "She'll follow one of us and then the other will hit her from behind, got it?" Yusuke nodded in agreement has he avoided another slashing blade the hanyou attacked with.
So, in following Kurama's instructions, Yusuke leaped far to the left, and Kurama leaped over to the right. Next, Kayu went for Kurama. Blades held back; ready to sever the youko's head off in one swift moment. Kurama stepped back and braced himself from the on coming attack; his arms crossed in front of him in front of his face. As quickly as he could, Yusuke ran up behind Kayu, only a few feet away from her to attack from behind.
Suddenly, every thing stopped. Even the battle that Kouji and Hiei were having had paused because of the one thing that had happened.
Kayu and stopped right in her tracks. She stood still as if frozen in place. She was bringing her steel rings up to Kurama's neck to slice his head clean off his head, when, she just, stopped. Yusuke had ceased his attack on Kayu when the female froze, staring at the image of her in mid attack. Kouji had looked up from his mêlée with Hiei when Yusuke gasped in surprise and wonder at what Kayu had done. Hiei followed the golden eyed Kouji's actions when his noticed Kouji's gaze was fixed somewhere else and stood in shock and surprise at what was going on.
Everyone was wide eyed and curious. Why did Kayu halt when she was just about the kill Kurama? The green eyed youko concentrated on Kayu's face real hard. Her eyes were still a blood covered red, but her face was no longer blank. She had a look of hatred and anger; her teeth showed as she began the let out a low growl. Suddenly, something happened. Her eyes, Kayu's eyes, quickly flashed to a deep blue color, her normal eye color in a split second. Kurama raised an eyebrow is curiosity. What was that all about?
". . .Kayu?" He began to say slowly and softly, almost in a whisper. The hanyou's eyes flashed a deep blue once again and her snow white kitsune ears twitched lightly. Could she hear him? Was the spell of the collar wearing off, And if it was, why?
". . .Kayu?" Kurama said again a little louder this time. She did it again! Her eyes changed and her ears twitched again! Excitement began to over follow the ever wise youko, the spell was wearing off.
"Kayu, it's me, Kurama!" He began to say towards the brain washed hanyou, everyone stared in amazement and wonder at the unusual phenomenal act that was going on.
"Listen to me! Fight the power that's controlling you! You can over come it! Fight it!" Kurama began to hope and pray that he talking to her was going to break the mind control. The female hanyou's kitsune ears continued to twitch every once in a while and her eyes began to change and flicker to their natural color.
Kouji couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't let Kayu overpower his collar spell. He stretched out his opened hand towards Kayu.
"Sleep!" Kouji shouted. Then Kayu's eyes grew large and went bloody crimson. She let out a small gasp of air and began to fall forward. Kurama caught her so she wouldn't hit the ground and placed her gently down on the golden colored grass. The next thing he knew he was getting up and was face to face with the dark golden eyes of Kouji.
". . . Who are you?" Kouji quickly demanded. Kurama quickly jumped back away from Kouji not wanting to get attacked by him. Kouji only quickly appeared from behind Kurama in almost an instant.
"You have to be close to Kayu in order for my mind control to be overpowered by her." Kouji continued to say. He then wrapped his right hand around Kurama's neck before he could get away. The red headed youko clawed at Kouji's hand to free himself, but to no avail, Kouji's grip on him grew tighter. Kurama's breathing came to him is short deep breaths, trying not to be suffocated.
"But, no matter; you'll just die soon anyway." Kouji's claws started to pierce through Kurama's skin and bright red blood started to drip down his slender neck.
"Let go of him!" An enraged Yusuke began to shout as he charged for Kouji. The tantei's face showed signs of anger and hatred. He aimed a blazing punch at the silvery brown haired demon. Kouji quickly released Kurama and jumped out of the way before Yusuke could touch him. Hiei too in turn tried to slash Kouji, but he simply moved out of harms way once again. At least Kouji was further away and the three were close to each other to help the other.
Kurama was on his hands and knees breathing heavily. His right hand was at his throat where Kouji's hand was once was. Blood slowly dripped down from his hand to the soft grass; thankfully Kouji's claws didn't reach in too deep to do any real damage.
"You alright Kurama?" A worried Yusuke asked. He bent down over right beside the youko and laid a hand on his back. Hiei stood in front of the two; as if he was a wall between Kouji and Kurama and Yusuke. He kept his sword up held in front of him ready for any attack from Kouji.
"Yeah. . . I think so." Kurama softly replied as he began to sit up straight upon his knees. His hand still at his neck, but blood continued to slowly seep through. Yusuke eased up a little, but still wasn't sure about his health.
'Ugh, my head hurts a little.' Kurama thought as he used his other hand to grab a hold of his head. He moaned as his head began to throb painfully.
"Kurama, you sure you're okay?" Yusuke asked once again. He was becoming more worried about his friend and his eyes showed it. He didn't like how his friend was acting.
Hiei glanced behind him to get a good look at Kurama. To him, it looked as if Kurama had a headache or was ill. Whatever it was, he knew that whatever was happening to his companion wasn't good.
'Come on Kurama,' The small fire demon began to think, 'don't go dying on us yet.' He turned back around and focused his attention back on Kouji. He didn't want to get sidetracked for too long, for it could cost his life.
Kouji began to laugh once more. At first it was small but it grew and became annoyingly loud. Kurama and Yusuke looked up to see what was so funny to the golden eyed demon.
"Why do you lie to others?" Kouji replied, obviously talking about Kurama, "You know that you're not doing well. But you tend to tell other that you are. That's not very truthful of you, is it?" He had the evil smile that he had when the tantei first saw him. His fangs showed as he grinned. Yusuke looked back down at Kurama, who was lightly panting. Hiei did the same by glancing behind him, once again, at Kurama.
"Kurama, what's wrong? And tell me the truth." He asked. His voice was firm and almost demanding.
". . . I just have a little headache, that's all." The red head replied strongly, never taking his eyes off of Kouji. Yusuke didn't think Kurama was going to tell him anything else about his condition so he didn't press the matter further. Hiei took Kurama's answer as a good enough answer for him and turned back around and looked at Kouji.
"Yes, it's just a little headache for now, but the pain will grow, and you know it Kurama." Kouji just couldn't help but smile and laugh. Yusuke looked, once again, back at Kurama. He got a good look at him and it seemed like his breathing was heavy and it seemed like he couldn't get enough air.
'This can't be good.' Yusuke thought. He got more and more worried with every bad thought that came to his mind. The worse he could think of that could of happened to Kurama was, well . . . death.
'Darn it, he's right. I can hardly breathe.' The youko began to think also.
"What do you mean Kouji?" Hiei finally spoke since the fighting first began.
"Well, you see," The cloaked demon began; he held up his clawed hand up near his face, "My claws are filled with a deadly paralyzing poison. So, if I happen to dig my claws into someone's skin, they are injected with the poison; such as I did with Kurama.."
"And let me guess, there is no antidote to the poison?" Yusuke said getting annoyed with of Kouji's killing secrets. He took a hold of one of Kurama's arms and slung it over one of his own shoulders and began to straighten Kurama up; trying to stand him up on his feet.
"That's where your wrong, tantei. You see, there is an antidote, but it's very hard to get." Kouji began to explain; pulling back the sleeve of his cloak to reveal his arm. "The antidote is my blood." The three grimaced in disgust at the thought of trying to swallow down a handful of blood.
"Gee, lucky you, huh Kurama?" The brown eyed Yusuke replied sarcastically back at the poisoned youko. He helped Kurama walk over to the edge of the clearing where he could sit up against a tree, out of most of harms way anyway.
"Yes, lucky me." The red head annoyingly mimicked, sitting down.
"You gonna be alright here for now?" Yusuke asked in a worry-like tone.
"Yeah, for the time being. I'll be alright." Kurama reassured Yusuke. He gave him a weak smile. Yusuke nodded and wet back and stood behind Hiei, ready to back the fire demon up when needed.
"Alright, looks like everything is back underway, so let the fighting resume." Kouji replied out of the silence and extended his hand forwarded once again. He muttered something under his breath that sounded like "awaken" but they weren't for sure. Next, they all heard a rustling noise from behind. They all looked back to see a possessed Kayu rise to her feet. She had been knocked out ever since she froze in mid attack with Kurama. The golden haired hanyou turned around and faceed the four. Her face emotionless and eyes as bloody red as ever.
Suddenly, Kayu sprinted forward with warning and attacked Yusuke with her steel rings, summoned once more. The tantei narrowly dodged the attack just in time only to be pelted again with another attack which lightly grazed his cheek.
Kouji too decided to join in on the fun and went head on towards Hiei. Hiei quickly disappeared from Kouji's line of attack and reappeared a few feet away. The fire demon then darted towards Kouji, ready to sever his head off, but the demon safely managed to dodge Hiei's blade once more.
Hiei now fought with a different reason to kill Kouji; for his blood to cure the poisoned Kurama. But he would have to hurry in his killing if he wanted to save the youko's life, for Kurama probably wouldn't last much longer; not the way how fast the poison was spreading throughout his body.