Chapter 48
"So that's it?! We're just gonna walk away?!" Yusuke protested, following the red head.
"No." The fox told him simply. "Korina will be here soon and they don't have the defenses to stop her. We have to face her ourselves but I'd like to reduce the number of potential casualties if at all possible."
"Now you're talkin.' This is a big house. How many people are in it?" Kuwabara asked.
"Four." Kurama's steps sounded hollow on the wood flooring.
"What?" Kuwabara paused in shock. "But there's so much..."
"The inhabitants include Fuuyuki-san, Daiki-kun, Miku-chan and Ho-san. Oh, I almost forgot Miku-chan's pet Hoyo-chan. I guess that's five."
"I thought these guys were rich and had a big family? What happened?" The carrot topped teen asked.
"Excellent, Kuwabara-kun. The Hazama family is quite large." the fox explained. "However, their idol was consumed in the fire here ten years ago. Therefore, a majority of the family no longer have a reason to come here. In addition, the mysterious circumstances surrounding the former master's death has labeled this home cursed, driving some of the permanent residents away. They believe that once the heir to the family mastership is finalized they can return."
"You sure know a lot about these guys." Yusuke commented passively. Huh? What did he just say? That's true that I've leaned a lot about this family but...Tosobaru-san's letter didn't say anything about what I just told them. I...there's now way I should know this much. What's happening to me?"So where are we headed?"
"To Miku-chan's room. I'd like to entrust her to Ho-san's care and find a way to force them to leave. Perhaps her call to the police will help us there." Kurama calculated.
"Hey," Kuwabara piped up, "How old is she? Is she cute?"
"Why?" The demon fox had a suspicious feeling about his tone.
"Well, since we're saving her. Maybe I can reasure her that everything will be alright. You know, a shoulder during tough times." he grinned a little too easily.
"How nice of you, ninjin-san (mr. carrot). But What will Yukina-chan say, when she learns about it?" Yusuke raised an eyebrow.
"Uh, S-she'll say I'm reliable." the former gang leader tried to defend himself.
"Sure she will," The brown eyed trouble maker said sarcastically, "two timer!"
"That's a lie!"
"I'll take care of her, thank you." Kurama interrupted them, coming to her door.
"Trying to keep her all to yourself, are you?"
"Please be quiet, she's a very delicate girl with a heart condition. It's tragic, but she's recently lost a guardian to old age. She's probably very fragile right now." the red head turned his wrist and rapped on the door softly with his knuckle. "Miku-chan? Are you there?" A moment passed and he called again. "It's me Shuiichi, your onii-san's friend. Miku-chan?" I didn't consider this but could Fuuyuki have done something with her? Moved her to a different room or...
"Hoyo-chan!" A small girl's voice screamed from the direction of the garden.
"Did you feel that?" Yusuke asked, clenching his teeth and both fists. Feel what? Didn't they hear that?
"The garden!" Kurama ran, putting the lack of 'feeling' on hold for now. His friends followed down the hall turned the corner and threw open the double sliding doors to the solid white of the outside. A rush of cold and snow flakes washed over them as a startling scene appeared just ahead. The huge tree some how lost some of the icicles, presumably from the weight, and had fallen right on the light brown haired girl's treasured pet. That would be the version he would tell the blue eyed girl.
"Miku-chan!" Kurama's heart nearly stopped when he saw the little girl collapse in the snow. Without thinking the red head raced out to get her. She was barefoot in her little white and pink kimono. The girl's light brown hair was slightly wet and stray hairs started clinging to her face and neck. She looked so pale as he lifted her into his arms. He could feel her heart beating irregularly through her back. This is bad. She needs her medicine. I can't leave her, but I shouldn't move her too much."Yusuke, could you go to Miku-chan's room and get her medicine. It's in a little silver locket by her mirror." Wait, how did I...
"Right." Yusuke ran off.
"Who would do such a thing! This is terrible." Kuwabara approached the bloodied corpse that Miku-chan was trying to reach. The animal looked like it had been run through with at least four thick icicles and staked it up to be found.
That is a good question, who would do this? The hunter was more powerful than to be taken down by some overly gruesome pranksters.From the look of the steaming corpse the murder was recent. Blood was still dripping down the crystalline columns and melting a spot in the snow with crimson fluid. Was it Korina? What did the hunter call her? Yukiko, that's right. She was probably the same person and he did seem to know her secrets with the intent to stop her ambitions. She's the most likely suspect. Which means she's already here. The question is, what is she waiting for?Kuwabara took down the animal and wrapped it in his handkerchief for burial later.
"Kuwabara, can she borrow your jacket?" The red head asked.
"Huh? Oh, sure." the orange haired teen removed his blue jacket revealing his sleeveless white shirt. Kurama covered her with it and handed the girl to his friend. "What are you..."
"Go find Yusuke, she needs her medicine."
"But what about you?"
"I've got some things to take care of. Go." Kurama ordered. The teen left obediently. "I can handle this myself. Thanks for coming though, I really appreciate it." the fox said quietly to himself looking at the orange haired teen as he crunched on the snow. Green eyes closed. The wind gently took away the puff of breath as the flakes fell from the trees above. "It was so quite and cold here. One could sleep for an eternity in this space you created."
"Kaishite. (return him)" The woman's voice was behind him as if she'd been standing there the whole time. The red head turned to face her.
"Why do you ask me?"
"Annata wa oboitenai? (You don't remember?)" Her white-blue hair blew slightly in the breeze that chilled the fox's skin.
"Remember what?"
"Ano toki (that time). Ano yoru (that night)."
"I'm afraid I can't help you." the demon fox shrugged. "And I won't give Kohaku to anyone. He's too important to Daiki."
"Annata wa mo ittadaki (you already took him)." Green eyes grew wide with surprise. What?A terrible crash of breaking wood and a horrible scream brought a small section of the house caving in on itself. The red head guarded his face with his arm as splinters scattered into the snow. When green eyes looked again the ice woman was gone. What is this? What in the name of the spirit world is going on?!Kurama picked up his feet and ran to the house. He jumped over a fallen beam and dove into a hollowed area.
"Is anyone here? Daiki, Fuuyuki, Yusuke, Kuwabara, anyone?! What happened?" He had to cough from the dust kicked up from a part of the roof falling. He was probably on the second floor. The red head pulled a rose seed from his silky hair and withdrew his rose whip. He pinched the end, cutting it with his finger nail. He gave the whip a crack and it split into six thorny vines, each as hard as steel. With a flick of the wrist, the fox snatched a good chunk of the flooring and whipped it up and away exposing the partially collapsed floor beneath it. A lamp's exposed wires were sparking in the corner, feeding a quickly spreading fire.
"Daiki, Yusuke!" Kurama called for someone, really anyone, to answer. I was prepared to fight Korina.His grip on his six tailed whip tightened. Did she do this without my noticing? How? Why didn't I sense it?!He covered his mouth as the smoke started to accumulate. The red head searched around, grabbing furniture with his whip and tossing it aside. He suddenly heard coughing coming from some where in the room. "Daiki! Is that you?" The blaze was heating the air sending pressure through the empty space he had made earlier.
I can't see! Where is he?! I'm sure this is where Fuuyuki and Daiki were because Miku's room is in the other direction but... It's so hot! What can I do? I can't think! Daiki's counting on me. Help! Someone help me find him!It was only for a moment, but something flashed in his mind like a message from deep within him. A snow flake drifting against a black sky and coming to rest on a frozen, partially bloomed, rose. What is this feeling? Like a hidden power waiting to be awakened. Is that my power? If I can just reach it...
Suddenly, a gust of wind cut through the flames. Kurama's eyes were stinging, but he could see the flames dying down. It was like the dancing light was turning back in on itself, following the path where it had come from. As the cool air rushed in to fill the gap of the escaping smoke, the room brightened. The fox rubbed his eyes and saw the dark petite form of Hiei. There were still a few licks of flame dancing around his wrist and finger tips. He gathered them up in his palm and closed it, stamping it out completely.
Hiei.The demon tried to say but the words were stuck in his throat. He opened his mouth but nothing came. Hiei. I can't speak. What happened? Why can't I...he tried again, holding his throat as if to help the words form. What's going on? I'm...I'm terrified.His body began to tremble and his knees finally buckled. Hiei noticed him when he hit the floor. The raven haired demon stepped closer to him. Those red eyes serious and examining.
"It's you." the fire demon said simply. Finally you noticed! Where have you been? What do I do? I can't seem to control my voice. But that's not the problem. I think Daiki is in here some where and needs help.his hands reached out, clutching the brunet's coat Please...please help him.He didn't mean to but tears starting welling up in his eyes. His mouth was open and moving trying desperately to get through to him.
"You're not...whole yet," Hiei touched his hair, "are you?" What?The brunet brought up a lock of the fox's hair for closer examination. Dark green eyes looked at that hand and the long white hair that filled it. What?!