Author's Note: ah!!!!!!!!!! it's been forever since I wrote! (fans: we
know...*evil look; holding pitchforks and torches*) o_O AHHHH!!!!!!!!
Lol...eh-hem...don't mind me. Eh-hem, since it's been so long...like
forever...i'll do a "so far in the story" type of dealy, k? ^_^ good!
Last time in "To Late for Love?": The YYH gang got called to Koenma's office in the middle of the night. Why, you ask? Well, I'll tell you^_^ He had another assignment for them, the slave-driver! (The poor hotties can't take all this exertion...and Kuwabara just needs all the beauty sleep he can get!) Anyhoo, they find out that the assignment is getting rid of Karasu! What, you ask? Yes, Karasu is back, the bastard, and he's creating havoc in the Makai and the YYH gang needs to stop them. They go to the Makai, gut a few...hundred...youkai and find out where Karasu's "lair" is (really just a group of caves where him and his posse hang O_o hehe). K, that's it, now I'll get on w/ the actual story^_^ (fans: there is a God...) ~venusgirl
~*~To Late for Love?: Part II~*~
"Are you sure that creep gave us the right directions? We've been walking for years it feels like," Kuwabara grumbled.
"Stop whining, we're all in the same boat here, ya know!" Yusuke said.
Kuwabara blinked, confused. "We're not in a boat, Urameshi. I think this Makai air is doing something funny to you. I'm telling you this air isn't good for a person...look what it did to Hiei! (^_^)"
"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that, ningen," Hiei growled.
"What a dufas! It's a saying anyway, baka!" Yusuke said. "And we haven't been walking that long anyway."
Kurama stayed silent in thought. *Are we really going to be able to defeat Karasu? I mean, it was so difficult last time; I barely scraped through. What if he's grown stronger? What will happen then?* His thoughts suddenly drifted to Hiei. *How does Hiei really feel, anyway? Well, never mind, I already know how he feels. He's not interested in me like that.* He noticed Hiei looking at him funny and his face burned up in a blush. *Oh, no, he better not have been eavesdropping!*
"Yes, Hiei?" Kurama squeaked. "Is there something wrong?"
"Hn. I could ask the same of you, fox. You're the one acting strangely."
"Strange?!" he rushed. "Ahem. I mean, strange? How so?"
"Like that, 'how so.'"
"Oh...it's...uh...it's uh...it's nothing. Nervous, I guess," Kurama replied. Hiei eyed him suspiciously.
"Hn." With that Hiei slunk back into his normal quiet state. *I'll find out sooner or later, fox, you know that don't you?* Hiei told Kurama telepathically.
Kurama said nothing as a bead of sweat trickled down his face. *Oh, God, if Hiei ever finds out...* He noticed a new shine in Hiei's eyes and stopped his thought immediately. *Damn stubborn youkai! I'm not even safe in my own thoughts!*
Hiei wasn't sure whether to behead his annoying friend or laugh out loud. Hiei's lip curled in a snarl/laugh. Kurama looked down indignantly.
"You're really enjoying this, aren't you?" Kurama asked, somewhat annoyed.
"Of course," Hiei answered truthfully.
"Sadist," Kurama muttered under his breath.
Hiei snorted. "What a remark coming from a youko!" Kurama blushed a bit and turned away.
"What are you two lovebirds doing back there?" Yusuke shouted from about a hundred yards ahead. Kuwabara turned to Yusuke.
"What are you talking about, Urameshi?!"
Kurama blushed furiously and a feral growl escaped Hiei's lips.
"Eh-heh," Kurama laughed nervously. "Yes, Yusuke, what do you mean?"
"Yes, do tell, Detective," Hiei growled menacingly.
"I was just joking! Geez, you two need to lighten up!" Yusuke took one more look at Hiei just to make sure he hadn't dug his own grave. This would be the last time he joked around them, that's for sure.
"Ugh! Don't scare me like that, Urameshi! That's just disgusting!" Kurama looked down and blushed furiously.
Hiei eyed him suspiciously. "What's the matter, Kurama? You look guilty of something."
Kurama snapped his head up. "Guilty?! Uh... Guilty of what? What do I have to be guilty of?" *Keep calm* he thought to himself.
Hiei shook his head. Just something in your eyes is all," he stated. "Plus, the way you keep stuttering and blushing, and you're sweating enough to fill a pool!"
Kurama blushed once more.
"See what I mean?!" Hiei said. "I'll find out, Kurama." Kurama just looked down.
"Hey, I think those must be the caves!" Yusuke yelled loudly.
Everyone looked to where the young Spirit Detective was pointing. Sure enough, there was a whole group of caves up ahead. The air around the caves was dank and smelled of death. The whole area was bare. No plants, no critters; just dirt and rock, nothing living.
"Cheery place," Yusuke remarked sarcastically.
Kuwabara went straight-backed and gave a slight shudder. "There's something here, Urameshi. A whole lot of somethings, and it they're not friendly."
Yusuke nodded. "I guess we should go in then," he said, trying to play it cool.
The others nodded in agreement and started towards the caves lurking just beyond. They entered and all got in fighting stances, expecting an ambush. Nothing came.
Yusuke put his fists down. "What gives?"
"Bad choice, Detective," a growl came from the shadows. Quicker than light an apparition pounced on Yusuke.
"Get...ugh...off o' me!" Yusuke grunted.
"Spirit Sword!" Kuwabara stuck his sword into the apparition and threw him to the ground.
Yusuke got up off the ground with some effort. "For a squirt, he's got some strength in his spindly little body."
"Where's Karasu you stupid little punk!" Kuwabara questioned.
The apparition cackled as sputtered and choked on blood. "Like I'd tell you!"
Hiei went and stood above Kuwabara and the apparition. "I think it's in your best interests to tell us all you know of your master's location." He unsheathed his katana and rubbed it along the apparition's neck.
The apparition just cackled again, sputtering up more blood, staining Kuwabara's blue uniform. "Ah! It bled on me! Disgusting!" Kuwabara backed away, pulling his Spirit Sword out of the apparition in the process. The sword now removed, the stab wound was free to bleed profusely. The apparition writhed on the cave floor for a few moments, gave one final bloody cackle, and gave up on life.
"Great, now we're no closer than we were to finding Karasu than five minutes ago!" Yusuke shouted.
Hiei reached up and removed the cloth strip covering his Jagan eye. He turned toward the back of the cave and said, "This way."
The gang started off, Kurama tensing up with every step. Even he, who had very little spirit awareness, could feel Karasu's presence seeping through the very stone in the walls.
*This way, Kurama...* Kurama stiffened and spun around in a circle.
Yusuke and Kuwabara looked at him oddly.
"What's wrong, Kurama; drop a rose?" Kuwabara asked stupidly.
*Kurama...* Kurama spun in a circle once again, snapping his head in every direction.
"That voice," Kurama stated. Kuwabara and Yusuke blinked, perplexed. "It's inside my head."
"Um...I hate to break it to you, Kurama, but hearing voices is a sign of craziness," Kuwabara informed Kurama.
Hiei just sighed. "Baka ningen." He walked over to Kurama and placed his hands on the side of his temples.
*You're getting warmer, my beautiful fox*
Hiei growled and removed his hands. "It's Karasu."
"Are you sure?" Yusuke asked.
"Yes," Hiei replied. "It had his youki signature all over it."
Kurama swallowed and tried to calm himself down. "Well, let's keep on going," he said, his mouth dry.
*Good, now turn left*
"This way," Kurama said.
Hiei looked up, confused. "What are you talking about? It's this way." He pointed right.
"He said left," Kurama replied.
"Then he's deceiving you. His youki signal is coming from this way. My Jagan never lies or gets confused."
Kurama nodded. That was true; Hiei's Jagan eye saw all. "Okay, then."
Everyone turned and went right. *Where are you going, Kurama?*
Kurama ignored the voice. *Listen to me!* A shot of pain went through Kurama's head and he was sure it would split in half. Kurama screamed out and slipped to floor. The pain increased, causing him to writhe in pain.
"Kurama, what's wrong!" Yusuke asked, worried.
Hiei ran up and placed his hands over Kurama's temples once again. He instantly pulled his away, having the feeling of being burned. He reached out again and his Jagan glowed a soft violet. Slowly, Kurama's writhing stopped as the unwelcome guest was driven away. Kurama lay still, breathing laboriously.
He painfully sat up. "Well, that's a new power. Not good, either."
"What just happened," Kuwabara pondered aloud.
"He's able to come into the mind and even inflict pain now," Hiei answered. "Who knows how advanced it is. He may even be able to control others' will and that's how he got so many minions."
"Yeah, well, whatever, let's just trust Hiei's Jagan from now on, okay?" Yusuke said. Everyone nodded in agreement and continued on through the maze of caves.
Hiei stopped and looked ahead. "He's very close. Right up ahead." They entered a huge domed section of the cave and glanced around at their surroundings.
"Welcome to my home, Detectives." A figure stepped from the shadows.
Kurama gasped. "Karasu."
"I knew I would still be on your mind, love."
Kurama wrinkled his nose in disgust. "Not on your life, Karasu."
"That hurts," Karasu replied. "Here I've led you all to my home and this is the thanks I get? Tsk, tsk."
"We're here to challenge and take you out, Karasu! So let's stop the small talk and get to kicking your ass!"
Karasu shrugged nonchalantly. "As you wish. Follow me then." They followed as Karasu led to an unnoticed opening in the cave that exited outside in a forest.
"Heh-heh. Bring it on, you bastard," Yusuke taunted.
"You think me to fight?" Karasu cackled. "No, no. I have servants for that. I didn't brainwash them to sit around like decorative ornaments."
Yusuke gasped.
"So, they're not here by they're will!" Kuwabara shouted. "You're demented!"
Karasu shrugged off Kuwabara's accusation. "Yes, well, the only one I'm really interested in...is you." He pointed at Kurama.
Kurama stiffened. He still remembered quite well his last battle with Karasu and had no desire to re-enact it by any means.
"So, then, let the games begin!" Karasu shouted as a whole slew of apparitions flew from the trees and attacked Kuwabara, Hiei, and Yusuke.
Karasu walked up to Kurama. "Now we can continue the battle we left off on at the Dark Tournament."
Kurama pulled a seed out of his hair, which immediately grew into a beautiful rose. "Rose Whip!"
"Yes, very good," Karasu said. "This is what I've been waiting for. The time when I'll finally be able to steal the life away from you. To feel your warm blood course over my skin. Feel your heart pulse in my own hands after I rip it from your chest. Watch the confusion and pain shine in your beautiful eyes. This is the day I have dreamed of. And today it will become more than a dream; it will become a reality before our own eyes."
"Only in your dreams Karasu. I defeated you before and I can do it again."
"We'll see. I have more tricks and knowledge this time around. We'll see."
Karasu and Kurama both got in fighting stances and faced each other down.
2nd A/N: yay, I'm finally done! I'm so happy since finals are over I can quit the studying and all the homework 'cuz I'm on my x-mas break now^_^ 'k, well, I hope you liked it. If I said this would be the last part...i lied^_^ teehee I thought it would only take two parts, but three should be the most it will take...gomen nasai^_^ well, ja ne! ~venusgirl^._.^
Last time in "To Late for Love?": The YYH gang got called to Koenma's office in the middle of the night. Why, you ask? Well, I'll tell you^_^ He had another assignment for them, the slave-driver! (The poor hotties can't take all this exertion...and Kuwabara just needs all the beauty sleep he can get!) Anyhoo, they find out that the assignment is getting rid of Karasu! What, you ask? Yes, Karasu is back, the bastard, and he's creating havoc in the Makai and the YYH gang needs to stop them. They go to the Makai, gut a few...hundred...youkai and find out where Karasu's "lair" is (really just a group of caves where him and his posse hang O_o hehe). K, that's it, now I'll get on w/ the actual story^_^ (fans: there is a God...) ~venusgirl
~*~To Late for Love?: Part II~*~
"Are you sure that creep gave us the right directions? We've been walking for years it feels like," Kuwabara grumbled.
"Stop whining, we're all in the same boat here, ya know!" Yusuke said.
Kuwabara blinked, confused. "We're not in a boat, Urameshi. I think this Makai air is doing something funny to you. I'm telling you this air isn't good for a person...look what it did to Hiei! (^_^)"
"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that, ningen," Hiei growled.
"What a dufas! It's a saying anyway, baka!" Yusuke said. "And we haven't been walking that long anyway."
Kurama stayed silent in thought. *Are we really going to be able to defeat Karasu? I mean, it was so difficult last time; I barely scraped through. What if he's grown stronger? What will happen then?* His thoughts suddenly drifted to Hiei. *How does Hiei really feel, anyway? Well, never mind, I already know how he feels. He's not interested in me like that.* He noticed Hiei looking at him funny and his face burned up in a blush. *Oh, no, he better not have been eavesdropping!*
"Yes, Hiei?" Kurama squeaked. "Is there something wrong?"
"Hn. I could ask the same of you, fox. You're the one acting strangely."
"Strange?!" he rushed. "Ahem. I mean, strange? How so?"
"Like that, 'how so.'"
"Oh...it's...uh...it's uh...it's nothing. Nervous, I guess," Kurama replied. Hiei eyed him suspiciously.
"Hn." With that Hiei slunk back into his normal quiet state. *I'll find out sooner or later, fox, you know that don't you?* Hiei told Kurama telepathically.
Kurama said nothing as a bead of sweat trickled down his face. *Oh, God, if Hiei ever finds out...* He noticed a new shine in Hiei's eyes and stopped his thought immediately. *Damn stubborn youkai! I'm not even safe in my own thoughts!*
Hiei wasn't sure whether to behead his annoying friend or laugh out loud. Hiei's lip curled in a snarl/laugh. Kurama looked down indignantly.
"You're really enjoying this, aren't you?" Kurama asked, somewhat annoyed.
"Of course," Hiei answered truthfully.
"Sadist," Kurama muttered under his breath.
Hiei snorted. "What a remark coming from a youko!" Kurama blushed a bit and turned away.
"What are you two lovebirds doing back there?" Yusuke shouted from about a hundred yards ahead. Kuwabara turned to Yusuke.
"What are you talking about, Urameshi?!"
Kurama blushed furiously and a feral growl escaped Hiei's lips.
"Eh-heh," Kurama laughed nervously. "Yes, Yusuke, what do you mean?"
"Yes, do tell, Detective," Hiei growled menacingly.
"I was just joking! Geez, you two need to lighten up!" Yusuke took one more look at Hiei just to make sure he hadn't dug his own grave. This would be the last time he joked around them, that's for sure.
"Ugh! Don't scare me like that, Urameshi! That's just disgusting!" Kurama looked down and blushed furiously.
Hiei eyed him suspiciously. "What's the matter, Kurama? You look guilty of something."
Kurama snapped his head up. "Guilty?! Uh... Guilty of what? What do I have to be guilty of?" *Keep calm* he thought to himself.
Hiei shook his head. Just something in your eyes is all," he stated. "Plus, the way you keep stuttering and blushing, and you're sweating enough to fill a pool!"
Kurama blushed once more.
"See what I mean?!" Hiei said. "I'll find out, Kurama." Kurama just looked down.
"Hey, I think those must be the caves!" Yusuke yelled loudly.
Everyone looked to where the young Spirit Detective was pointing. Sure enough, there was a whole group of caves up ahead. The air around the caves was dank and smelled of death. The whole area was bare. No plants, no critters; just dirt and rock, nothing living.
"Cheery place," Yusuke remarked sarcastically.
Kuwabara went straight-backed and gave a slight shudder. "There's something here, Urameshi. A whole lot of somethings, and it they're not friendly."
Yusuke nodded. "I guess we should go in then," he said, trying to play it cool.
The others nodded in agreement and started towards the caves lurking just beyond. They entered and all got in fighting stances, expecting an ambush. Nothing came.
Yusuke put his fists down. "What gives?"
"Bad choice, Detective," a growl came from the shadows. Quicker than light an apparition pounced on Yusuke.
"Get...ugh...off o' me!" Yusuke grunted.
"Spirit Sword!" Kuwabara stuck his sword into the apparition and threw him to the ground.
Yusuke got up off the ground with some effort. "For a squirt, he's got some strength in his spindly little body."
"Where's Karasu you stupid little punk!" Kuwabara questioned.
The apparition cackled as sputtered and choked on blood. "Like I'd tell you!"
Hiei went and stood above Kuwabara and the apparition. "I think it's in your best interests to tell us all you know of your master's location." He unsheathed his katana and rubbed it along the apparition's neck.
The apparition just cackled again, sputtering up more blood, staining Kuwabara's blue uniform. "Ah! It bled on me! Disgusting!" Kuwabara backed away, pulling his Spirit Sword out of the apparition in the process. The sword now removed, the stab wound was free to bleed profusely. The apparition writhed on the cave floor for a few moments, gave one final bloody cackle, and gave up on life.
"Great, now we're no closer than we were to finding Karasu than five minutes ago!" Yusuke shouted.
Hiei reached up and removed the cloth strip covering his Jagan eye. He turned toward the back of the cave and said, "This way."
The gang started off, Kurama tensing up with every step. Even he, who had very little spirit awareness, could feel Karasu's presence seeping through the very stone in the walls.
*This way, Kurama...* Kurama stiffened and spun around in a circle.
Yusuke and Kuwabara looked at him oddly.
"What's wrong, Kurama; drop a rose?" Kuwabara asked stupidly.
*Kurama...* Kurama spun in a circle once again, snapping his head in every direction.
"That voice," Kurama stated. Kuwabara and Yusuke blinked, perplexed. "It's inside my head."
"Um...I hate to break it to you, Kurama, but hearing voices is a sign of craziness," Kuwabara informed Kurama.
Hiei just sighed. "Baka ningen." He walked over to Kurama and placed his hands on the side of his temples.
*You're getting warmer, my beautiful fox*
Hiei growled and removed his hands. "It's Karasu."
"Are you sure?" Yusuke asked.
"Yes," Hiei replied. "It had his youki signature all over it."
Kurama swallowed and tried to calm himself down. "Well, let's keep on going," he said, his mouth dry.
*Good, now turn left*
"This way," Kurama said.
Hiei looked up, confused. "What are you talking about? It's this way." He pointed right.
"He said left," Kurama replied.
"Then he's deceiving you. His youki signal is coming from this way. My Jagan never lies or gets confused."
Kurama nodded. That was true; Hiei's Jagan eye saw all. "Okay, then."
Everyone turned and went right. *Where are you going, Kurama?*
Kurama ignored the voice. *Listen to me!* A shot of pain went through Kurama's head and he was sure it would split in half. Kurama screamed out and slipped to floor. The pain increased, causing him to writhe in pain.
"Kurama, what's wrong!" Yusuke asked, worried.
Hiei ran up and placed his hands over Kurama's temples once again. He instantly pulled his away, having the feeling of being burned. He reached out again and his Jagan glowed a soft violet. Slowly, Kurama's writhing stopped as the unwelcome guest was driven away. Kurama lay still, breathing laboriously.
He painfully sat up. "Well, that's a new power. Not good, either."
"What just happened," Kuwabara pondered aloud.
"He's able to come into the mind and even inflict pain now," Hiei answered. "Who knows how advanced it is. He may even be able to control others' will and that's how he got so many minions."
"Yeah, well, whatever, let's just trust Hiei's Jagan from now on, okay?" Yusuke said. Everyone nodded in agreement and continued on through the maze of caves.
Hiei stopped and looked ahead. "He's very close. Right up ahead." They entered a huge domed section of the cave and glanced around at their surroundings.
"Welcome to my home, Detectives." A figure stepped from the shadows.
Kurama gasped. "Karasu."
"I knew I would still be on your mind, love."
Kurama wrinkled his nose in disgust. "Not on your life, Karasu."
"That hurts," Karasu replied. "Here I've led you all to my home and this is the thanks I get? Tsk, tsk."
"We're here to challenge and take you out, Karasu! So let's stop the small talk and get to kicking your ass!"
Karasu shrugged nonchalantly. "As you wish. Follow me then." They followed as Karasu led to an unnoticed opening in the cave that exited outside in a forest.
"Heh-heh. Bring it on, you bastard," Yusuke taunted.
"You think me to fight?" Karasu cackled. "No, no. I have servants for that. I didn't brainwash them to sit around like decorative ornaments."
Yusuke gasped.
"So, they're not here by they're will!" Kuwabara shouted. "You're demented!"
Karasu shrugged off Kuwabara's accusation. "Yes, well, the only one I'm really interested in...is you." He pointed at Kurama.
Kurama stiffened. He still remembered quite well his last battle with Karasu and had no desire to re-enact it by any means.
"So, then, let the games begin!" Karasu shouted as a whole slew of apparitions flew from the trees and attacked Kuwabara, Hiei, and Yusuke.
Karasu walked up to Kurama. "Now we can continue the battle we left off on at the Dark Tournament."
Kurama pulled a seed out of his hair, which immediately grew into a beautiful rose. "Rose Whip!"
"Yes, very good," Karasu said. "This is what I've been waiting for. The time when I'll finally be able to steal the life away from you. To feel your warm blood course over my skin. Feel your heart pulse in my own hands after I rip it from your chest. Watch the confusion and pain shine in your beautiful eyes. This is the day I have dreamed of. And today it will become more than a dream; it will become a reality before our own eyes."
"Only in your dreams Karasu. I defeated you before and I can do it again."
"We'll see. I have more tricks and knowledge this time around. We'll see."
Karasu and Kurama both got in fighting stances and faced each other down.
2nd A/N: yay, I'm finally done! I'm so happy since finals are over I can quit the studying and all the homework 'cuz I'm on my x-mas break now^_^ 'k, well, I hope you liked it. If I said this would be the last part...i lied^_^ teehee I thought it would only take two parts, but three should be the most it will take...gomen nasai^_^ well, ja ne! ~venusgirl^._.^