I know the first chapter didn't reveal much, but I guess most first chapters are like that, to start you off. Anyway in this one a lot more will be revealed about the 'mysterious' killer.
Thank you so, so much for all the people who reviewed! You don't know how much I appreciate it.
After Hiei left, it was too late to go home so Kurama spent the night at Genkai's. The next day, Yusuke rang to let him know that the team was going to the Spirit World to talk to Koenma. Telling Yusuke that he would be there, Kurama got ready for the trip, feeling uncomfortable because he would have to see Hiei there. After last night, he wasn't feeling too confident about talking to the fire demon again.
"Thank you for letting me stay, Genkai. I'm going to Koenma's office now, so I'll see you later!" he said hurriedly, practically running out the door.
When Kurama arrived at Spirit World he noticed that Yusuke and Kuwabara were the only ones there. The two stood up as soon as he got in. Kuwabara, he noticed, wasn't saying much, nor was he his usual cheerful self. This event has affected all of us, but Kuwabara most of all, he thought. With the exception of her brother...
"We couldn't find Hiei at such short notice, so we have to go on without him." Yusuke explained, look none too pleased with the idea. "Koenma said there isn't any time to spare, so you'll have to tell him the details later."
"Does he know who the demon is?" Kurama asked.
Koenma answered the question himself. "Yes, although we don't exactly know his name. He's infamous in the Makai, apparently, and he's been responsible for a large number of rather- unusual deaths."
"Unusual? As in?" Yusuke inquired.
Koenma shrugged. "Unusual meaning the bodies were so unrecognizable, we couldn't figure out what had been done to them."
Yusuke winced. "Sorry I asked."
"What does he look like?" Kurama said.
Koenma showed them a picture of the alleged demon. He was tall and lithe, and he had a catlike grace about him. His hair was just past his shoulder, and silky, tied loosely at the back of his neck by a simple cord. His eyes were a dark, sparkling green. He wore slim fitting black silk pants and a a flowing silk shirt, topped off with slim black boots, a black choker, and several earrings in each ear. The demon's nails were long and deadly.
Near the back of the room, Kuwabara gasped, and Yusuke swore. They couldn't put their finger on what was so upsetting about the sight of the demon, but it seemed everyone in the room was disturbed by the picture. Kurama, in particular, had to fight back a shudder of revulsion. The man's appearance and character reminded him, painfully, of the time that the sadistic demon Karasu was a threat to him. He could not help but feel that this demon would have the same sick, distorted view of the world that Karasu had.
"What can he do?" Yusuke asked, his voice barely audible.
Koenma shifted through the papers on his desk, looking for the particular file. "Aha!" he announced when he finally found it. "Let's see...it seems to me he is a spell-type demon of some sort. It says over here that he has 'uncanny knowledge of powerful incantations, spells, and potions', whatever that means."
Yusuke groaned. "C'mon, Koenma, we can't get him with just that. Spells? Potions? That's too vague! For all we know the guy could be making horses out of mice or something."
Koenma sighed. "I know it's not a lot to go on, but that only means you have to be more cautious. This guy is dangerous; as all of you probably noticed, he doesn't seem very right in the head. Potions can be made to do almost anything, remember."
Kurama could feel something wrong in the information that Koenma had given them. Something important. But he couldn't figure out what it was.
Sighing, frustrated, Kurama got up. "I'm sorry, you guys, but I'm really tired right now. I think it's time for me to go home. I'll check in on you later." With that, Kurama exited, the burning feeling of wrongness still in his chest.
Yusuke stared after Kurama's retreating form, a frown on his face. "What's wrong with him?"
Koenma shrugged. Kurama was Kurama, after all; there were no explanations for his behavior. He was sure, however, that whatever Kurama did would only help them in the long run. "I don't know where he's off to, but it'll probably help us, either with this case or finding Hiei."
Yusuke nodded, signaled to Kuwabara, and the two former delinquents left, already starting to plan how they would find that demon. Outside Koenma's office, they met Botan, who was also helping them with this case. The people of Spirit World were anxious to get the person caught, and the more of their associates working on it, the better. Let's hope that all of us together will be enough for that demon, Yusuke thought grimly.
Meanwhile, as the trio wandered the streets for signs of the demon's whereabouts, Kurama walked aimlessly through the city, trying to settle his confused thoughts. He was worried about Hiei. surely, and where he was; but Hiei was fully capable of taking care of himself. The only real concern was if Hiei would come back. What Kurama's thoughts were on may have been much more dangerous- he was thinking of the demon who'd injured Yukina.
Why did he go for Yukina, he wondered.
She's certainly no threat to him. Her powers are merely limited to healing, and although they are valuable talents, he can't possibly have any use for them, if he is really the clever potions master Koenma says he is.
But then, Kurama thought suddenly, Yukina hadn't been injured by spells or poison- her body was bloody that night, I remember, and there were gashes along her body. If he was merely a potion-making youkai, why would he waste his time wounding her physically when he could have easily killed her with one of his concoctions?
Kurama furrowed his brow. He was missing something. Something incredibly important. And then it hit him-
He wants us to think he is a potions master! But he can't be, if he did that to Yukina- that means...
Kurama frowned, thinking hard.
He's setting them up! He knew that Hiei and I would figure it out, and now he's waiting for Yusuke and Kuwabara to find him!
Kurama began running, frantically trying to sense his friends' Spirit Energy.
Inari, please, don't let me be too late, he prayed.
Just a few blocks away, Hiei was sitting on a tree, brooding. He was in an especially bad mood. Not only because his sister was hurt, but because he had the nagging feeling that something from his past was about to haunt him- hurting Yukina in the process. And to add to that, when he'd tried to get to the Spirit World, his stomach had growled miserably, reminding him that his last meal had been well over 20 hours ago.
Oh yes, he was pissed.
Hiei knew that some demon from his old life was probably behind it- hungry for revenge of some sort, no doubt. Just the thought of some snarling demon, crazed for revenge against him, laying his hands on his innocent sister was enough to make his blood boil. He'd realized this as soon as he saw the marks on the Ice Maiden's body, and he disappeared quickly after that. He felt that it was his problem to solve, and he needn't trouble the team with it.
Besides, the incident had reminded him how dangerous it was to make friends when he was- well, himself. He had too many old enemies for them not to get hurt.
I'll look for that demon myself, he promised. And then I'll disappear from everyone's lives.
With that thought in his mind, the second piece in the wall he'd started building between himself and his friends was now set in place.
"Who the hell are you!" Yusuke yelled angrily, his arms bound to the cavern walls by thick vines. Kuwabara stood next to him, just as tightly bound, glaring furiously at the demon in front of him.
You could see in the teen's eyes how badly he wanted to kill the demented demon in front of him, for attacking Yukina, and capturing he and his friends, as well. Botan had been able to escape before they'd encountered him; when they'd found the suspicious looking cave, she'd flown off to report to Koenma. Hopefully, she would realize the situation and send for help soon.
The demon stood before them lazily, his mouth closed but his sparkling green eyes smirking.
"Don't worry Yusuke, you'll find out soon enough. After all," he said, his voice full of muffled laughter, "the fun is just beginning."
Yusuke shuddered hatefully at the youkai who so resembled the hated Karasu. "You'll pay for this," he hissed.
The demon's eyes gleamed. "I'm looking forward to it," he practically purred in Yusuke's ear.
Yusuke felt his spine tingling unpleasantly. He knew that the worst was yet to come- and probably reserved for Hiei and Kurama.
Kurama, he thought desperately, please, please don't find us. Seconds later, he passed out from lack of circulation. His eyes closed to the sight of the demon laughing gleefully, and then all he saw was black.
...to be continued...
Whew...I'm sorry I haven't been able to update for a while but my e-mail got totally messed up and all my fics were in there so...you get the picture. Please review!
-Eblis