Hello, and welcome to Chapter 4!
Little One: Again, it took you forever!
Aww, c'mon! I was super busy! I had no time!
Little one: Okay, I'll let you off the hook if you promise to update faster.
I promise. Now, let's get on with the show!
Chapter 4
Kurama could feel something stir inside of him, but he took no notice, and concentrated on the moment at hand. Botan was with him, and nothing else mattered.
It was only after Kurama left Botan's house that it hit him. Feelings of anger, envy, resentment, and bitter disappointment mixing with feelings of love that seemed without hope. Kurama had never felt anything like it before. It hurt so bad that it took all his strength not to cry. He dropped to his knees in agony.
"Youko…" he whispered.
(Shuuichi,)Youko answered, his voice dripping with mock affection.
/What… What's wrong with you? Didn't I do what you told me to? You got what you wanted!/
(No, Shuuichi. You got what you wanted.)
/I don't…understand…/
(She said "Shuuichi".)
/So? What does that have to do with anything?/
(Are you aware of who "Shuuichi" refers to?)
Kurama's eyes widened. He was beginning to understand.
/Me. It's me./
(Exactly. Not Youko. Not even Kurama. Just Shuuichi. She has no affection for the part of you that is shared with me.)
/That's not true-/
(Yes, it is! You know it is!)
/I…I don't think she meant it that way…/
Yes, she did. Youko's voice had changed its tone. He sounded as if he had no strength left, as if he had given up. Kurama felt much pity towards his demon counterpart, but at the same time, there was a part of him that felt a bit of pride. Was it true that Botan only loved him? There was something exciting about the fact that he might have her all to himself. He hoped Youko wasn't paying much attention to his thoughts at the moment.
In fact, Youko wasn't concerned at all about Kurama's current state of mind. He was too busy with his own thoughts.
(Shuuichi?)
/Yes?/
(I'm taking over.)
/You're… WHAT?!?!/ Kurama was too shocked to react. And before he knew it, his consciousness was being shifted to the back of someone else's mind. He could feel his body changing, but he couldn't do anything about it…
Youko stood up and pushed his flowing silver hair out of his eyes. He grinned.
"Now, Shuuichi," he declared aloud, "it's time to get rid of you."
/WHAT? What are you talking about?/
(I'm going to separate us. Then, I'll win over Botan myself.)
/But Youko…!/
(Silence, Shuuichi. We're going to Akiko.)
/Why Akiko?/
(She owes me a favor. And I'm going to make her separate us.)
/Favor? Separate? But I thought she could only keep us apart for five minutes!/
(There's more to her than meets the eye. Now, here we go!)
Youko took off running with inhuman speed, his hair flying out behind him.
Kurama was dumbstruck. Everything had been going so well… He had gotten together with Botan… and now, Youko was about to try to take her away…
Kurama hated the prospect of having to compete with Youko, but the idea of losing Botan was too much. At least Youko was giving him his own body back. It could have been worse. Youko could have permanently taken over, leaving him to just watch as Botan was stolen from him. But then…
/Youko/ Kurama shouted.
(Yes, Shuuichi?)
/Why are you separating us? Why not just take over?/
(I don't want her to come to me just because your consciousness is in mine. I need you out of the way.)
/So you're going to kill me?/
(No, Shuuichi.) Youko chuckled. (I'm not going to kill you. You saved me in my time of need, and if it weren't for you, I might never have even met Botan. No, I'll let you live.)
/Well, that's nice to know./
Youko was following a strong aura, identical to the one that Akiko had given off the first time they had met. He followed it straight into a forest that Kurama didn't recognize, which meant that they were far from his home. Kurama marveled at how far they had come in such a short while, due to Youko's incredible speed.
Youko ran through the forest, dodging trees and fallen branches. It was fairly dark, as the sun was setting, but you could tell that the forest would have hardly been creepy during the day. The trees didn't offer all that much cover from the sun.
At last, Youko stopped in a small clearing. It was dead silent, and all that could be heard was the sound of Youko's breathing.
"Akiko! I know you're here!"
"Ah, Youko. Nice to see you again."
A hooded figure stepped out from behind a nearby tree. Akiko. Youko turned slightly so that his entire body was facing towards her.
"Likewise. I suppose you already know why I'm here?" Youko smirked.
"Yes, yes. An exorcism." Akiko said flatly.
"I guess that's what you might call it."
"You do know that it will cost you, right?"
"How much?"
"Just enough."
"Figures. Well, you can have all you want. Just separate us."
"Very well. Proceed."
Youko raised a claw and, without hesitation, cut a huge gash down his arm. Blood began to flow from the wound, but Youko didn't seem to even notice. He held out his arm to Akiko.
Akiko approached him quietly. As Kurama watched, horrified, she dropped her hood, revealing the same, cold, emotionless face that Kurama had been so afraid of before, and put her tongue to the wound. She then proceeded to lap up the blood, slowly and thoroughly, as if she did not want to miss a single drop. If Kurama had been physically present, he was sure he would have vomited.
Finally, Akiko raised her head. "That's enough. I am ready to perform the separation."
She stepped back and raised her hands in the air. Her eyes rolled back in her head, making it seem as if she had two white marbles in her eye sockets.
"Katsu…katsu…katsu…" she chanted under her breath. She chanted many different things, but Kurama couldn't hear them. There was a roaring noise, and a wind that seemed to blow from all directions. Kurama felt as if he was being pulled away, as if he was being forced away from everything…. He couldn't think, he couldn't move…
And then, everything went black.
Kurama was awakened by someone calling his name.
"Shuuichi…. Shuuichi… It's time to take you home."
Kurama opened his eyes. He felt weak, and disoriented. He sat up, only to see two golden eyes staring at him.
"Youko?"
"Yes, Shuuichi. It's me. We're no longer connected anymore."
To Be Continued…
Dun dun duuunnn! A cliff-hanger! What will happen to them now? AND WHAT ABOUT BOTAN?!?!?
Little One: Yikes! You're scaring me!
I know. But I have so many ideas for this story! And now that cross-country is over, I can focus all my attention on writing again!
Little One: Yay. More of your stupid stories.
Oh, be quiet, you. Anyway, this was a short chappie, sorry! I'll write more next time, okay? Anyway, thank you all for reviewing! You're all so kind to me…. Here's the reviewer-specific notes for this chapter!
To Lady of Roses: Thanks! Well, you're right, he could be rushing things, but then again, he does have Youko in his head, impairing his judgment…
To JDFielding: Thank you so much! Really, it's not that great… But I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as you did the last one!
To Volpone: Really? You check every day?! Wow, you have no idea how great it feels to hear you say that… Thank you so much! Sorry it took me so long, though…
To rkfan246: I'm glad you enjoyed it! I hope you like this chapter as well. Thanks for reviewing!
To Lady Nightshade: Why, thank you!
To animegirl007: Really, who would have thought he was afraid of roller coasters! I personally love 'em… Thanks for all the nice comments!
To KittySand Katie: You've been waiting for this story since before you registered? You're kidding! Wow, I gotta update more often… Anyway, thanks so much, and I hope you enjoy this chapter, as well!
To cheraichan: I'm glad you think so! I was hoping to try to make it at least a little original… Thanks for the comment!
To Kagorin: Wow, so much praise! Thanks so much!
To Anichan: Exactly! Everyone loves roller coasters and love confessions! Thank you so much!
To Doctor Kiba: Aw, thanks! I appreciate that!
To kawaii Rikku-chan: Cute, huh? Thanks! Sorry this chappie wasn't all that cute, but I'll try to insert as much cuteness as I can into later chapters!
To shygurl: Hee hee… I suppose so! Thanks!
To Luci-chan6: Thank you very much! Here's your update! Hopefully, they'll be another one really soon…
To Disturbedvixen: Hee hee! Yup, poor Kurama… And things are only getting worse… Thanks for all your comments, and by the way- Your fanfics are wonderful! I wish I could write half as well!
