Author's Notes: YAAAAH! –cries a river- My computer died for a while then I had a mountain of homework and then my pet rock died so I couldn't post in like forever! –sniff- but not to worry I am back and for the people who still read this here is the second to last chapter! –Farewell xBlackfirex
Warning(s): Language coming from our fellow spirit detectives. Also severe blood-shed in later chapters.
Summary: After the passing of his dear mother, Kurama seems to be his usual sweet self. But when all of the YYH females are murdered one by one will all fingers point to the beloved fox spirit? RR
"Live, Love, or Die?"
First Chapter written by: Hiei'sFireyGurl52890
Reposted and Continued by: XBlackfireX
"No…….Kurama……must stop, NO!" Hiei shot up in a cold sweat as he had just awakened from a horrendous nightmare. Botan's concerned face came into view as she entered the room Hiei had been brought into by Kuwabara. The fire yokai let out a small cry of anguish as his body felt weak and as if it had been torn apart. As he clutched his stomach with his arms, Botan placed a hand to his shoulder.
"Please rest Hiei. You need to conserve the small amount of energy you have left," she told him gently as his crimson orbs blinked hazily at her.
"Where are the others? Where's Kurama?" He demanded in a weary tone.
"Yusuke and Kuwabara went after Kurama; now please dear try to rest."
"Hn foolish woman I am in no need of your pity or help," he tried to fight back but was forced into a coughing fit as his weak body rejected his anger.
"Shhh easy Hiei lie down and conserve you're energy," the young woman told him applying pressure to his shoulder and lying him down into the soft futon that had been made for his comfort. She rubbed some healing herbs that would ease his pain onto his chest, shortly after covering it with the warm kimono his body had been wrapped in. His bandana had been removed, a soft, moist linen cloth taking the place of it on his forehead. They had been careful with the Jagan not to harm it in any way. Before leaving she brushed a few strands of his white bangs from his face.
"Why are you taking care of me?" he asked his voice hoarse.
"Because," she whispered softly to him. "Everyone wants to be mothered when they're sick." Becoming drowsier then he had been, and finally finding peace, Hiei closed his eyes in a wave of exhaustion that arose to claim him. Once outside the door she looked high into the dark sky that seemed to be awakening with dawn's light. Yusuke be safe………
XxXXxx
"Ok now if I was a homicidal spirit fox where would I hide?" Yusuke mumbled to himself as he ran across the empty streets of town. He skidded to a halt as he recognized a girl from school he was well acquainted with. "Okina, hey Okina!"
The long black-haired girl turned, her violet eyes coming across Yusuke's form as she pulled on her dog's leash to halt him. A smile came to her face as she spoke to him. "Hey Yusuke what's up?"
"Have you seen a guy with red hair green eyes, well I guess their kinda red now, but anyway have you seen him?" Yusuke asked a look of panic on his face. Okina hesitated for a moment before a look of recognition took a hold of her expression.
"Y'know I did see a guy like that around here not to long ago. He seemed to be headin' for, what's that one dude's name, Kuwabara yea that's right Kuwabara's house. Hey what are you doing out so early?" she asked but was forced to stop once she saw Yusuke's retreating form.
"Thanks can't talk anymore, cute dog, BYE!" he called back as his form jumped over a wall. Okina raised an eyebrow before continuing to walk her every persistent dog.
XxXXxx
"You filthy bastard……your skills as a warrior are beginning to weaken. For that you must be punished…."
"Do what you like with me, but leave my friends out of this." A snake-like creature slithered to Kurama's form that stood shackled to a dark cave wall, his emerald glare narrowing upon its form. The creature laughed menacingly as it used a one of its sharp claws to penetrate through the skin on Kurama's neck. Fresh blood spilled from the newly open wound, the boy neither flinching nor crying out in pain. The creature's crimson eyes flashed as it withdrew its claw and licked the blood from his fingers.
"I see physical pain doesn't affect you in a way I had planned. I suppose now would be the best time to inform you of your doings," the monster hissed as its body slithered now further from Kurama's body.
"What do you speak of?" Kurama asked in a bit of an anxious tone.
"You're friends, as you claim them to be, want your blood to run through their fingers. You are a traitor among them now. Your hands stench of innocent blood as a murderer you've become."
"You speak in lies for I would never kill my friends," the boy now spoke with an angered, icy tone.
The beast gave into a chuckle before its red eyes widened and its stare focused into the emerald-eyed youths. All at once Kurama saw himself slaughtering Keiko, Yukina, and Shizuru as well! This was impossible it couldn't be true. By the time the horrid images had banished from his mind, tears flowed freely from his eyes and fell onto the cold stone floor.
"No, what have I done! What have you caused me to do!" he shouted at the creature, fury and sorrow rising from deep within.
"I've done what you have been too weak to accomplish. Now we must be going as we have other things or rather people to slay." The hideous monster slithered towards Kurama as a blue light engulfed him. The boy cried out as it entered his body and began to take control once more. Shaking his head and trying to fight back, the spirit fox could feel his insides being sickly turned and twisted. All at once he froze, his eyes becoming a deep red, a symbol appearing on his forehead.
"The itsy bitsy ferry girl flew on her oar tonight, then came the demon and gladly took her life……." The controlled Kurama sang sickly as he broke free from the shackles and began out of the cave.
XxXXxx
"Kuwabara, hey Kuwabara!" Yusuke shouted to the orange-haired male that stood outside of his house ready to enter. Turning narrowed eyes to Yusuke's form, Kuwabara nodded and waited until the spirit detective was at his side.
"What kept ya?" he asked voice deep and dry.
"Well excuuuuuse me for being late! I had some things to do. Anyway how's Hiei?" Yusuke said breathlessly as he fought to catch the breath that had been taken from him.
"Last time I saw him he was sleeping. Botan said she'd look after him till we got back."
"Botan and Hiei alone? That's hot," Yusuke laughed as he took a step forward. The two came to a halt as they reached the front door. With a nod from the two of them Kuwabara opened the door to his home unaware of what awaited him inside.
"Jeez what the hell happened here?" The spirit detective asked aloud as he saw the front room trashed beyond reason. Kuwabara's eyes widened as this had not been the way he had last left his home. Sprinting further into his home, sweat began to appear onto Kuwabara's forehead.
"Sis," he called, "Sis are you home!"
"Ku-Kuwabara," Yusuke stuttered as he had knelt next to a shadowy heap on the floor. Kuwabara, hearing Yusuke's call, turned and made his way toward him.
"What is it Ura—SHIZURU!" Kuwabara cried seeing his older sister in a bloody mess on the floor. The girl who was just barely alive looked to her younger brother with a half smile.
"H-Hey Kazuma," she whispered as his arms enwrapped her gory form within his embrace.
"It's alright Shizuru we're going to get you some help and you'll be fine," Kuwabara told her gently as he nudged her forehead his cheek, fresh tears begging to be released from his optics.
"Kazuma forget—about me just go and—" Shizuru began but stopped as she could no longer speak as it caused her pain.
"NO! I won't leave you here to die. I'm your brother and I have to protect you."
"Kuwabara Shizuru's right. We'll bring her back with Keiko and Yukina."
Kuwabara held Shizuru close as he felt her breathing stop all at once. Yusuke watched as the other boy stood and ran an arm across his tearing eyes. "Let's go," were his words after.
XxXXxx
"Ah Botan how is our patient faring?" Genkai asked to the ferry girl that sat in the spare room that had been given to her. The blue-haired female's expression softened as she placed the cup of tea that had been in her grasp down and stood.
"I've done all I can Genkai but this poison, it's nothing I've ever seen. His body continues to grow weaker with every hour that passes by. If Yusuke and Kuwabara don't return soon I'm afraid that….."
"Hush child do not speak of anything of that sort. Have faith in Yusuke and Kuwabara as I do. Now I must leave you for the evening as I have been summoned to attend a matter. I have placed a barrier around the temple so you and Hiei are safe. Do not leave the temple until I return."
"I won't."
As the evening progressed the temple grew quiet with the occasional cicada sounding off in the bush. Botan had checked on Hiei for the final time of the evening and was becoming quite weary. She dressed for bed and began walking towards her quarters.
"The itsy bitsy ferry girl….."
Botan froze. Her heartbeat increased as she had heard an eerie tune fill the air. Looking in all directions she found nothing more then a few pieces of furniture and the outside world tinted blue from the barrier. "Is anyone there?"
"Come out and play ferry girl…."
All at once Botan extended her right arm and caused her oar to appear as she held it as if it were a weapon. "Show yourself!" she demanded letting her feet take her once again. She turned a corner swiftly and let out a shriek as she saw her reflection in a decorative mirror. Catching her breath she continued to prowl, waiting for the voice to call her to her once again.
"I'm over heeere…."
Botan turned and swung her oar into the free air. Taking a step back she felt a warm breath sweep across her neck and turned to look into glowing eyes. "I've missed you Botan."
"St-Stay back," Botan warned her body unable to move for a reason unknown to her. Kurama smiled at this as he brought out a hand and warmly caressed her cheek.
"I've always liked you Botan. From the moment I laid my eyes upon your lovely form I knew love had struck me like a dagger. Join me angel as we both can slaughter lives and be happy together," he whispered as his lips became a few inches from hers.
Eyes trembling, the girl protested, "You're not Kurama! Kurama would NEVER even consider the things you have done!"
"Tsk, tsk such a feisty girl. Can't say I tried hmm?"
"St-Stay away from her you bastard…."
Turning his back on the frozen woman, Kurama found Hiei's struggling form leaning against the wall for support. His eyes were narrowed, his breath coming out harshly. The fox spirit smiled, fangs revealing. "Why Hiei such a surprise to see you up and walking. Hasn't my poison killed you yet?"
"It takes a lot to kill me," Hiei answered through a growl.
"I bet. Hmm it seems I've had a change in my schedule," Kurama sneered as he put forth his rose whip that shimmered a deadly red. Hiei took the sword that he held in his other hand and held it up to Kurama. At once the two had engaged in a battle, Hiei moving slower due to the poison.
"You're slow Hiei!" The possessed being laughed as he had managed to slice Hiei on the arm. Falling to one knee and feeling his head throb, Hiei shook it off.
"Hiei don't fight him your body can't take it!" Botan cried as her body was still frozen by Kurama's spell.
"Shut up," the fire demon growled using his sword to help him stand. Taking advantage of this opportunity Kurama dove in and managed to constrict Hiei with his rose whip. He grinned dryly.
"Go ahead Hiei kill me….kill me and never see your foolish friend again……"
"The jigs up freak show….now…I'm going to ask you nicely before I blow your damn head off. Get out of Kurama's body."
Feeling a finger jabbing at the back of his head, Kurama released Hiei's body from the agonizing hold it had been in. "Why spirit detective," he began, "Whatever do you mean?"
"Don't fuck with me Rishuu, Koenma told me all about you. You're a low-class demon who feeds off of other's sadness. You just happened to come across Kurama when his mom died and made yourself a comfy little home. Well I don't like it when scum like you plays with my friend's emotions or goes around killing people."
"Guilty as charged I suppose but you were too caught up in your own knowledge to know one thing. If I die…..the boy will die with me. Even if we are separated I still have a connection directly to his heart," Rishuu laughed as his eyes gave a flash. Feeling a sweatdrop slide down his face, Yusuke kept his index finger held to the demon's head.
"Hey Kuwabara," he called over his shoulder. Kuwabara, who had not said one word since arrival, looked intently to Yusuke. "Go make sure Hiei's alive." Nodding, Kuwabara walked steadily, being aware of Rishuu's every move, and stood to where Hiei was leaning against the wall. Crimson orbs blinked hazily as Kuwabara knelt next to him.
"Hey man you ok?" Kuwabara asked to the pale demon that fought to stay conscious.
"I'm alive aren't I?" Hiei snapped back harshly, wincing when his throbbing head rejected his anger once more. Kuwabara noticed the small smile that had somehow formed on Hiei's lips and clasped a hand gently onto his shoulder in approval.
"Yusuke be careful," Botan warned.
"I will, I will."
"So what are you going to do spirit detective because either way this battle turns out….you lose."
-To Be Continued-
Author's Notes: Once again I apologize for not updating sooner but like I said my computer died and a mountain of homework magically showed up on my doorstep. –she let out a long sigh as she leant further back into her computer chair- I hope you guys like this because the last chapter will put you through a twist you nevah EVER expected-Blackfire