Hey everyone! Yay! Another chappie! I'm so excited! I want to give a big thanks to everyone who reviewed. Without you, I probably would have not posted it for everyone to see. And that's not good at all, because people need to know what's going on inside Karasu's mind! So keep on doing what you do best! I have some responses to people who reviewed!
This story will contain shounen ai. But it is a bit more complicated than that. 'Cause it is a one-shot feeling right now and also layers upon layers of over emotions. Confusion, uncertainty, and longing. To say KxK just wouldn't do it justice.
Okay next one. Kuruna Icefire. You are very clever. That's all I'm going to say.
And now I'm just going to say a little something about the title of this chapter. It takes both points of views. Kurama and Karasu fought one another in what was a death match, but never managed to kill each other.
That's it for now! Instead of my usual quote I have something else for you. Before I give ya the response to my last cliffie, I'm gonna stall...er... I mean give you guys a look by on chappie 4 to refresh your memory! It was a long chappie after all! So here it is! (Amber energy is not responsible for any bashing of characters) (Poorly drawn characters come up into view)
Reenactment of Chappie 4:
Tebiki: Oh, look at this! There is something new! I don't know what it is but I'm gonna touch it anyway! Kurama: No! You mustn't! Get awa...Ooo look at the pretty eye. (Eyes become round and large.) Oni: who rubbed my lamp, er pagoda? Kurama and Tebiki: Oh no, monster! Run! Oni: Hey, come on I'm just here to grant a wish... and please don't name call, I'm sensitive. (Kurama and Tebiki running in opposite direction)
Oni: come on you guys, I'm gonna miss my favorite T.V. show! Let's get this wishing over with! Kurama: I'll stop him cause I'm the protagonist of the story and it's what I was meant to do!
Oni: Man, I hate tourists. (Kurama sticks out foot and oni falls)
Tebiki: Yay! You saved the day! Kurama: I know, but now I need to use the bathroom. Tebiki: Hey let's walk a wicked long way and accidentally be right by the castle! Kurama: Great! I wonder if Karasu has a toilet there.
(Enter crappy fog machine, sputtering out a couple puffs.) Kurama: Oh no! I'm blind! Yomi, I'm so sorry! All these years, this is what it's like!
(Looks around) Kurama: Hey, I'm not blind! But I kinda wish I was now. Some people went to the bathroom in this swamp. (Cringes as he sees swirling matter) Tebiki: That must explain why it smells so bad. Kurama: But I still gotta go potty. Maybe if no one's looking...
Hey where am I? (Sees cabin) Kurama: Oh boy, it probably has a toilet! (Chibi Karasu comes in to view) Grr. I am poorly drawn, but still lethal! Ha! (Old demon comes up) I hear a voice. Ooo, maybe it's room service.
(Knock on door) Old demon: Who is it? Chibi Karasu: Candygram. Old demon: Candygram? Oh boy, I hope it's taffy. (Instead Chibi Karasu walks into house) Ha! Foolish old man! You should have never let me in! Now I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house down. (Killing you in the process) Ha! Hahahaha!
Boom.
Kurama: Noo! That was my only chance to use the bathroom! Why are you so cruel Karasu? (Chibi Karasu sees Kurama) Chibi Karasu: Itooshi! Kurama: Wait, you're not supposed to meet me for another couple hundred years! (Glomps onto Kurama's leg)
Chibi Karasu: Mine.
Kurama: This relationship is suffocating me.
Tebiki: Kurama wake up, you're dreaming! (Kurama comes back to his senses) Kurama: It was horrible! There was a toilet right in front of me, and I when I got there it blew up! Must be the fumes from the polluted bog that messed with my mind. Let's ditch this place.
Tebiki: Oh my, this place looks good to settle down. Kurama: Hey a birdie! Oh boy, dinner! Tebiki: Kurama you can't eat that, it's high in carbs! Carbs are the enemy! Besides, don't you still have to use the toilet? Kurama: You're right! Oh no, what am I to do?
(What will happen next? Will Kurama ever find a bathroom? Dun dun duh!!!!!!)
Okay, so maybe that wasn't exactly what happened, but it was fun to write. I mean this story is in the angst section, and it will get more angsty, but I gotta have some humor in the chapter! Even Shakespeare had humor in his tragedies! So that's it, now comes the real story full of pain and suffering! Yay!!
"Nani?!"
Kurama froze.
'What am I to do now? Okay, think Kurama, what's the best thing to do in the presence of a dangerous beast?'
'Face the creature and back away slowly.' Kurama answered to himself in a practical sense.
'But this thing has a brain and is hunting for me.' Another thought spoke in addition. 'And back in the Makai, I would have shredded it to pieces with my whip. Fortunate enough for me, I don't have that option.' Kurama added in sarcasm.
'Okay, then slow and steady it is.' Kurama finally settled on.
Kurama rotated slowly clockwise, letting his long scarlet mane glide over his left shoulder, as he prepared to confront the tengu.
Kurama's sleek emerald eyes met with tiny ruby ones.
The crow tilted its head slightly, blinking at Kurama. The fox knew if he could just take a few steps back, maybe he could then make a mad dash away from the tengu. It was all he could do.
Gradually lifting his foot, he placed it behind the other softly. Then another one. It was working. The crow was not reacting to Kurama's sloth movements.
Tebiki was watching from behind. He wasn't sure why Kurama's plan was working. The tengu should have at once gone for Kurama. Perhaps it really was just a crow. But even still, crows were still spies. He thought he should brace himself to flee with Kurama.
The raven-haired boy's sneaker toke a step forward to stance himself, regrettably in doing so he trampled a fallen twig, snapping it in half.
The loud interruption in the mist of the silence caused Kurama whipped his head around. He prayed that it wasn't something else. When he saw that it had just been Tebiki he sighed in relief, but that same relief was quickly disrupted.
The crow in front of them began a shrill caw, penetrating through the stillness of the forest. Whether it was the clamor from Tebiki or the quick movement he had just made that caused the crow to respond, he didn't care.
All he knew was that he had to get the hell out of there and fast.
Meanwhile, Tebiki observed on in horror that behind Kurama, a new crow had just swooped in, landing right behind Kurama, and rapidly changing its form into the large creature they had both become accustomed to.
Tebiki did not even have to warn Kurama; he already knew by the look on Tebiki's face. Kurama mouthed the word run, before attempting to take off. But he was, unfortunately, encumbered by an extraordinarily heavy foot bearing down on his spine.
Kurama grimaced in pain as sharp talons dug into his back.
Twisting under the weight, Kurama had been too busy to notice that surrounding him were more tengu flying to the crow's call. In less than 15 seconds, the area was teeming with at least a dozen tengu.
Tebiki knew better than to run into a murder of tengu, but Kurama was in trouble and was not going to let him be taken away if he could help it.
Darting in and out between spread wings and vicious claws, Tebiki succeeded in reaching Kurama and his hostile keeper.
The surrounding tengu enclosed in on the three, sealing off any gaps for a possible getaway. Tebiki scoped up in his hand a fallen bough, smacking the tengu, which held Kurama down, with all his might.
The large beast screeched vociferously, fully spreading its wings and glaring with its large eyes at Tebiki with malice. The tengu glanced at another, sending it a quick mental note. The other tengu swooped up and then down in an instant on Tebiki, restraining him.
Kurama felt his body jerk upwards, the tengu was preparing to lift off with him as its delivery package.
"Kurama!!" Tebiki yelled, muffled by the weight of the tengu on top of him, "Catch!!" He said lastly before he threw the dead limb to Kurama. The fox caught in his left hand. He prepared to strike the tengu in order for his release, but was hindered when the tengu's right hand snatched Kurama's wrist. (Yes, tengu have hands as well as wings.)
It seemed the thing did have a brain after all, and was not about to let itself be hit again. Kurama struggled restlessly against his captor, but it was no avail. The tengu hoisted into the sky, carrying off Kurama as well.
The ground disappeared from Kurama's sight as he was forced into a world of cold haze. For the second time Kurama had been in Karasu's mind, Kurama sensed a strange wind. The vent of air was almost pulling the tengu into its destination; it was gliding along with no effort.
Meanwhile, Kurama didn't exactly want to share the same destination the tengu had. Not that he had any say in where he wanted to be anyway. But that fact did not stop the feelings of apprehension and terror that rose in Kurama when the daylight around him became nightfall.
Kurama increased his resistance, thrashing madly about. In the back of his mind he knew he really shouldn't, if the tengu was to drop him, it would be a long, long way down. But he had something more prominent on his mind. He did not ever want to see the inside of that castle, much less even see it up close. He only wished to stop the distance inclosing between the shiro and himself.
The tengu, however, seemed to pay no attention to the frantic fox in its clutches. It began to gradually lower itself down, the shiro was very close by and so was Kurama's end. And that was something Kurama was not willing to accept, yet.
As the beast was nearing ground level, Kurama put forth his plan into action.
Kurama drove his left knee into the abdomen of the tengu as hard as he could in his position. This caused the tengu stop its plummet, and it did exactly what Kurama had hoped it would do. Caught up in its own pain, it let go of Kurama's wrist, giving Kurama a free shot at the creature with the stick in his hand.
But he couldn't just hit the tengu with it. He needed to do something that would cause the tengu to drop him. And seeing how persistent Karasu's lackeys were, he would have to do some serious damage. In one great thrust, Kurama jabbed the bough straight into the beast's eye. (Oh my, how positively violent.)
The large creature shot out a piercing shriek, yanking out the stick, and immediately clutching it destroyed left eye, purple blood flowing freely over its face. In this chaos, the tengu released Kurama, allowing him to fall to the ground.
The fall wasn't as nearly far as he had guessed, and with absolute grace landed on the solid ground. Kurama had managed to escape the tengu, but unfortunately the tengu had dropped him behind the inside of outer curtain of Karasu's castle. Right by an immense iron rod gate, in which during the tengu's cries, had awakened many more guarding the gate.
A few of them flew up to greet the wounded one, and learn what was the matter. That was Kurama's cue to run.
Not having a clue where he was going, Kurama tore through the stone paved path, very much in a hurry to get out of there. He knew it had just been declared open season for hunting fox. After a while of running, he slowed down, letting all that had happened to him sink in.
Tebiki was gone. Kurama hoped greatly that the boy had got away with his life. But something told him that the chances of that were very slim. Kurama looked up at the lofty stonewall. He was inside the shiro now. Maybe not the main keep, the tenshu, but he was in a part of it. He moaned to himself. After all that running and fleeing, he had ended up here. The place where Tebiki said Karasu's mind was the most dominant. The first place he saw that gave him a sinister vibe. The site where the man never killed resided. Just the thought alone was enough for shivering.
Kurama gazed up then at the ominous shadow clad fortress. Hanging onto the stale air was a gloom that left one feeling or better yet, lack of feeling with a terribly emptiness and numbness. It appeared as a world distant and detached from everything suitable to sustain life. If Kurama wasn't sure he was in Karasu's mind, he'd think he'd stumbled into some kind of netherworld.
Then that made Kurama think. This was the most stable part of his mind. What was the rest of it like, before he arrived? Could it have been worse than this? And if so, why wouldn't Karasu want to change it, perhaps something more animate? These questions were coursing through his mind.
Kurama stared once again at the towering tenshu. Then something struck Kurama's mind that had never dared to cross it before. Underneath it all, Kurama could make out a profound sensation from Karasu's tower. After all these years of killing was a terrible loneliness. It made Kurama think maybe if he had had someone in his life to ease the pain, he wouldn't have slipped this far from sanity.
Maybe if... Kurama stopped himself immediately.
What was he thinking? He was going to feel sorry for the man that had wanted to kill him? The man who provoked fear in him? But he was also the man who presented an overwhelming desire to just have him by his side. Thinking about now, Kurama wondered, what was it that Karasu really wanted from him?
Kurama shook off the thoughts, they were making him faint. Besides, he had to find a way to escape, and philosophizing of Karasu's desires was not going to get him anywhere.
Kurama skimmed the inner lining of the stone wall, silently, with great caution not to be seen by any searching eyes. He was partly glad that it was so dark between the tenshu and the castle wall; this way could move with slight more ease.
But much to Kurama's disappoint there were no side gates or backdoor exits. He could walk forever and still have gone nowhere. This place seemed to get you nowhere, but right where you started, and Kurama definitely do not want go back there. It seemed that with the tengu airborne everywhere, inspecting the walls under heavy surveillance, he had no chance of scaling the towering barriers.
His only two options now were to either sit it out and wait for the tengu to lessen, or find a way into the castle, where they wouldn't be expecting him to be. Since he particularly disliked the latter's plan, he decided to stake out for a while where he was.
That didn't last too long. The tengu were getting impatient, and a few of them swooped down to investigate the area between the donjon and border of the wall.
'They never stop, do they? I suppose that rules out my first plan.' Kurama frowned and sighed in exasperation.
He would have to go with option number two. He detested having to enter the place where he knew his most prominent adversary lurked, but at least he had a better chance of giving the tengu the slip if he was indoors and out of sight.
And it wasn't an easy thing to do. Karasu's inner fortress was so dense and sturdy, not even a flea could get through this barrier. It was kinda funny to think about. Here he was trying to get into the dwelling where Karasu was, probably where they tengu would take him if captured, the one place he wished to get away from, and he couldn't find a way to penetrate the unyielding thick walls.
The tengu were drawing near, if he was ever going to escape them, it would have to be now. Kurama's hands smoothed over the cold stone, fumbling in the darkness for access.
Nothing.
Kurama looked up to the skies anxiously, half-expecting a tengu to swoop down on him any second. And that's when his attention was drawn to a beam coming from an unlatched window, high above him. He had been so engaged in searching ground level he never thought of checking above him.
The timing couldn't have been more perfect. Now he just had to gain enough momentum for the bound up to the window. That was not going to particularly easy, since his hunters were closing in on him. They weren't aware of his presence yet, but if Kurama made one slight mistake, it would be all over.
Cautiously, he snuck back to the castle wall, then prepared himself in a traditional runner stance, back arched, feet at ready. He had one shot, lifting up his head, he focused on his target.
And in an instance, he shot like a bullet across darkened distance, leaping up to a ledge that held a crow-like gargoyle. There he froze, positioning himself to the shape of the crow statue to hide from a tengu soaring by. The tengu noticed nothing out of the ordinary, and kept on flying. Then quickly him leapt on then on top of bust, giving one last push he needed to grab the windowsill. Using his strength one last time he lifted himself vigorously into the open window. (Kurama is like a secret agent here. Except he doesn't get any cool gear to help him out. I think he deserves his own theme music.)
He had made it inside. Kurama sighed in relief. 'But wait,' Kurama thought. He was now inside Karasu's abode. He'd have to be even more on guard in here. Things are never as simple as they seem.
Kurama sighed again, this time from exhaustion. Back when he was a thief, he was accustomed to running and hiding. But this was insane. Kurama could never get a real moment's rest here. He hoped that rest of the gang would find Karasu's body soon. Living in this nightmare for too long would surely have damaging affects on his own mind. (Kurama, you have no idea.)
Kurama abruptly realized he had been reflecting too much. He needed to be more careful. He could jeopardize the mission pondering on things like that too hard.
Looking down at the marble hallway before him, Kurama could make out the vague light he had seen was coming from the opposite end of the hallway. If he choose to investigate it, he knew three possible things could be the outcome.
One, he could find a better place to hide, two, end up getting lost, or three walk right into a mass of tengu with Karasu. Since two of the three choices were definitely not to his liking, he decided to not investigate. It was the logical thing to do, and he strongly reminded himself of what happened last time curiosity got the better of him.
Kurama's mental body slid to the floor. He would stay here for as long as he could. Kurama yawned lazily after a couple of minutes of sitting blankly on the floor. Oh, kami-sama how he wanted to shut his eyes. Just a little bit of sleep would satisfy him. But he couldn't. And not to mention it didn't help that it was constantly dark there. The lull of his tired mind signaled to Kurama if he sat here doing nothing as he was doing now, he would surely fall asleep.
'I have to think of something to keep myself alert. Now think, what things would keep me awake?' Kurama asked himself sensibly.
Caffeine. Sugar. Homework.
Homework?! How the hell did that get in there? No, not school. Don't think about dreary lectures and endless papers and... Don't think about it... That was the last thing he spoke in his mind before succumbing to his subconscious. (Now I know what you're thinking. Usually Kurama likes school and can stand being there for a long time. But on the brink of sleep, having been on the move for a long time, it's not exactly the most thrilling thing, okay? Well it never was to begin with, but you get the point.)
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Lifting his head off what was a desk, Kurama took a quick glance around with half closed eyes. He was back at his school. This new information awakened the fox completely; he rubbed at his eyes to make sure what he saw was really there. It was mathematics class and everyone else appeared to be busily working at their own desks. "Hey, Shuichi-kun, are you awake?" A boy on his left whispered, tapping his shoulder.
"Nani? What's going on?" Kurama asked glancing again around.
"You fell asleep, duh. You'd better hurry too; time's almost up to finish the test."
"Mr. Takahashi, this is a test. No talking." The gruff teacher reprimanded.
"Hai, sir." The boy returned his attention to his own test.
'School? I'm in school? Then I must have dreamed the whole thing. I never went into Karasu's mind.' That struck a cord in Kurama's mind. 'I never went into his mind. I'm free.' Kurama thought happily in realization. 'But what if this is the dream? I must have fallen asleep. That means... Oh no. I hope dearly that this is not the dream.' Kurama thought in distress.
Was it for real? He had to find the rest of the Reikai Tantei to make sure.
"Sensei, may I be excused to go to the nurse? I'm not feeling well." Kurama heard himself say.
"Why, Mr. Minamino, you're feeling ill, are you? I don't want my star pupil to become more unwell on my account. You are excused."
"Domo Arigatou, sensei." Kurama bowed, and headed for the door.
Kurama had no intention of going to the nurse's office. Although on normal accounts he would never skip school, he had to make sure he was back in the real world. That meant he would have to find Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Hiei. Though he seriously doubted they would be all together, he just needed someone who could tell him what was going on.
Maybe they would all look at him like he crazy, and tell him he just had a bad dream. That was all Kurama wanted right now, for someone to confirm it was only a nightmare.
Walking down the boulevard, towards Yusuke and Kuwabara's school, Kurama noticed a familiar loud voice coming from his right. It was coming from the park where he and the others had found Kuwabara and Yusuke sleeping. Or did he dream up that part? No matter if it was real or fake, Kurama would examine this voice further.
Carefully stepping over the miniature park fence, Kurama walked closer to find, there, lounging on the grass was Yusuke.
"Yusuke! I'm so glad to have found you at last! I need to have you tell me something." Kurama approached warmly.
"Who are you? How do you know my name?" The teenager spoke suspiciously of the other.
"Nani? Look, Yusuke if you're playing a game, I'm really not in the mood. I have something important to ask you. Our last mission, what was it about?"
"Look buddy, I've never seen you in my life. I don't know how you know my name, but if don't leave you might just find my fist in your face." Yusuke replied, a little defensively.
"Hey, Urameshi, whatcha doing?" A recognizable carroty haired boy asked casually, coming down the park path.
"Kuwabara, finally you came, what toke you so long? Don't tell me you got lost on your way here." Yusuke asked lazily, stretching out a yawn.
"For your information, Urameshi, I was feeding Eikichi! It's not always about you!"
"Whatever. Let's just go okay?"
Kurama was extremely perplexed at this point. He could figure out why they wouldn't recognize him. Edging his way over to Kuwabara, he gently tapped him on the shoulder.
"Kuwabara? Can you tell me what's going on?" Kurama asked innocently.
"Aaaahh!! What the heck was that? Urameshi, I just got a really bad vibe." Kuwabara yelled, jumping out of his skin.
"You're such a wuss, Kuwabara."
"I'm serious Urameshi! Something weird is here! I think it might be a evil spirit." Kuwabara said tensely.
"Then let's leave already." Yusuke replied carelessly, walking away.
"I'm with you, this place can get creepy sometimes."
"Matte! Kuwabara, Yusuke! Can't you see me?" Kurama called out at the two of them walking away.
But they did not stop. Kurama frantically tried to think, throwing his hands to his head. He then realized his hands were fading away. His whole body was fading into nothing.
He watched the two of them walk further away. "Matte... Don't forget me." Kurama called out one last time before he vision went blurry.
Kurama groaned when his senses returned back to him. A dream. It had been all a dream. Kurama cursed silently to himself for being so moronic to believe he was free of his tribulations. That anger would have occupied his mind for a time, but there was something else more pressing. Kurama became conscious of the fact that he could distinguish nothing in the hallway. It had grown completely pitch black.
Kurama stood up slowly, letting the back wall guide him upwards. Kurama expected to feel the indent of the windowsill, but received nothing but the touch of cold stone.
The window had vanished. Either that or... he was in another room.
This struck panic in the kitsune's mind. He had fallen asleep. Who knows what happened to him during that time. 'Not mention that sleep was not at all worth it.' He thought bitterly to himself. Kurama had woken up more confused, which only led to more exhaustion.
He attempted feel around for anything that would give him some clue to where he was now. But in return he collected no answers. It was silent where he was. Only the sound of his quickened heartbeat kept him company. It dawned on him. The truth was he had been imprisoned. Someone or something had found him, sound asleep, the easiest prey in all three worlds. He couldn't believe it. All the times being chased, of almost being caught, and slumber was his bane. He had practically given himself up. He might as well walk right to his foe's gates, tied up with a red bow. (Oh, there are so many things to comment on that, but I won't.)
Kurama leaned back his head against the chamber. His ears twitched at a small sound. It was thumping. Closer it came until Kurama made the comprehension that they were footsteps. A light flickered from beneath what appeared to be a door. It groaned as it was forcefully swung open.
Standing tall on its hind legs was a very powerfully built tengu. Making its way into the room, the tengu grabbed Kurama up by his chinese tunic, and slung him effortlessly over its shoulder. Anyone one in his situation would have fainted. Kurama was too dismayed to even perform that.
He knew he could not fight off the tengu. Its grip was far too firm. All he could do was wait for his executioner to take him wherever he was to go. The fox sighed and closed his eyes. The creature carried down an unlit hallway, giving Kurama no indication of where he was or going anyway. Upon approaching another door, in which light was seeping out, beneath Kurama's eyelids, he could make out a rush of illumination. The tengu brought his walking to a halt. Kurama opened his eyes slowly; fearfully awaiting what would happen to him next.
Thrown roughly to floor, Kurama exhaled before he lifted his head up gingerly. His eyes widened. There, standing in all his malevolence, was Karasu.
It's time for Cultural Enrichment from amber energy! – Japanese castles or shiro in Japanese, starting popping up during the Sengoku or Warring states period. Surrounding the innards of the castle, was a large fortified curtain wall. Inside was the main keep (donjon or tenshu in Japanese.) strongly built and several stories high. Ha! Take that! School. Smhool. You can learn more things with me! And it's all about Japan!
Hola amigos! Yeah I know. So many things are going through your mind right now. (Or if you are still brain dead, it's all good.) So what heck about those tengu, huh? How were they able to appear so fast? Well they are very quick to respond to another's or a fellow Karasu's henchman er animal. Before when they were chasing Kurama and Tebiki, they had no specific location of where they were, so they couldn't go as fast. They can be extremely swift when they know exactly where they are going.
Okay, second thing. Why did Kurama have to fall asleep? He'd never do something like that! Okay that's Kurama in the normal world. In Karasu's mind, things are 10 times more exhausting then in the normal world for someone not used to it. Kurama has been running around like crazy, keep in mind that time is also different here, he couldn't help falling asleep. If he didn't, he probably would have died. Your mind can only take so much before it shuts itself down. So Kurama really had no say. His impulses kicked in to stop him from killing himself. It just happened in the wrong place at the wrong time.
And about him being captured when he was asleep, did you really think Karasu would have some random window open? I mean that's way too convenient. Karasu could have just given Kurama no opportunities. But I suppose he enjoyed toying with the fox. And lastly... Why did he have to be captured? Okay, every time he has faced enemies in this world he has managed to escape. I couldn't have him win ALL the time.
Wow. That was a lot of explaining. (Brain shutting down) zzzzzzzzzzzzz Okay I'm back! Now to tell everyone of next chappie! Kidding, it's a surprise! But I will tell you it will not be fun or Kurama. Karasu is going to seriously mess with his mind. Poor fox! There's some... other things too, but I will not tell! Hahahaha! I will make you suffer! Until I post the next chappie. Which I will try to do soon. As they say on my home planet, &$#&%$!!