WOTW- 3
General notes:
Disclaimer: I live in the middle of the Enma-damned city, why would I own any badgers! …oh, or Yu Yu Hakusho.
See other chaps for this stuff.
Rating- See first chapter. Could be considered R by some people.
hybrid: one who is born part human/Reikai/youkai and part... well you get the picture. because it can't get more complicated that just two sides I'll leave it at that.
(i.e. Yusuke (human-youkai), Hiei is a blend of two youkai races and is also considered a hybrid)
splice: one who was born human/Reikai/Youkai (I suppose they could be a hybrid too) and became another (i.e. Kurama, werewolves, vampires (if they were bitten)). They may consider themselves full one side or the other or may just say that they are a splice but the they are not 1/2 or anything like that.
/borderborderbordercomp'sbein'pissy/
Less general notes: yeah, ummm. So the people at the beginning are speakin' Reikai-ese. Hiei can speak what ever language he damned well pleases. Hiei: that's right. and ummm… I know later they're in Russia, but they can speak… umm… Makai. It' doesn't really matter in this one 'cause they don't switch.
Pleeeeeeaaaaaaase review, even if just to say you've read it. It'd also be nice to say weather or not I'm wastin' my time, but really I just want to know if anyone's reading it.
/borderborderbordercomp'sbein'pissy/
I cry when angels deserve to die.
-Chop Suey, System of a Down
"The definition of success- …endure the betrayal of false friends…"
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
3. Betrayal (I promised loyalties broken, friends betrayed, and bad stuff. This ain't the end of it either)
"That fox is getting annoying."
"It's taken care of, sir."
"Your plan? You know I'm not fond of that."
"Don't worry about it, sir."
"The spell must have an end or anyone can break it."
"Yes. He will be free at the sight of the fox's blood."
"That's still too risky. I don't like it. I want to be sure that the Vermin is gone."
"Leave it to me. He's mine."
BADGER, BADGER, BADGER, BADGER…
Yes. It was a stupid plan. Well, not really stupid—simple. The only reason he hadn't simply done it in the first place is that he figured there were more possibilities. And there were, but after careful deliberation, he decided that the direct approach was the best after all.
He would just challenge the jackass who thought he could weasel their way into his rightful position. Morgon would rue that fate fateful day. Challenges were final. At the end, the winner was in charge and the loser was—well—dead.
Hiei flitted past the unsuspecting guards. He'd deal with them latter. He threw open the great double doors to the great-hall with an angry telekinetic blast.
"Morgon!" he called out marching into the great-hall. Said man sauntered into the hall from the opposite end.
"I suppose you're here to challenge me, ne?
"Damn right. Here and now, Morgon."
"I wish I had time to play, but…" Morgon snapped his long, slender fingers. A flare of energy went up, encasing the room.
/Wards./ Hiei realized/I'm trapped. But how does that help him/ All too soon his question was answered.
From both ends of the Hall, Reikai guards steamed in, lead by none other than… Dear god—or not so dear—Koenma!
"What the hell are you tryin' to pull!"
Koenma's eyes widened for half a second but his face set stern again just as quickly.
"I'm sorry, Hiei." It was true.
"You son of a bitch." Hiei pushed past the guard that had come to cuff him and headed for Koenma. Several other guards stiffened but Koenma held them off.
"It's alright."
Hiei leaned in close to the young god's ear, "And to think I almost trusted you." He held out his hands. Koenma, taking the hint, took out a pair of cuffs.
"You're surrendering?"
"To no one less than you. Though, at the moment, that's not saying much."
Koenma, clipped the cuffs on him. "I'm really sorry."
…MUSHROOM, MUSHROOM!
Kurama ran a finger over the rim of his mug yet again. When he'd developed the nervous habit, he didn't know, but he caught himself this time and knew why he was nervous.
It seemed like he'd been waiting here for hours. Was she (or at least he though they were a she) going to show? He shouldn't be worrying. She (he?) wouldn't even be late for another five minutes at 8:00.
He was supposed to meet some German girl (demon?) interested in joining the band. Of coarse she (we'll say she) didn't think she would be meeting with Kurama himself. She would be meeting with an associate named Revlis. No one was the wiser.
The patrons of the small Russian coffee shop saw, not the legendary 8-foot silver fox thief, but a scrawny, 6-foot, oriental-looking half-breed. Not that he was fooling anyone about his strength. Seven red braids highlighted his long, bushy, silver hair. This was a practice humanoid youkai and some more powerful humans had adopted to flaunt strength to lower humans that had no other way of telling. There was no point in bluffing. Someone would expose you in no time flat. Based on your class (X-S) one could flaunt up to nine braids (1) having nothing (reeeeally ;-) ) to do with the kitsune's nine tails. This lanky fox-eared foreigner was no one to mess with.
The door opened with a friendly 'ting-a-ling.' The Fox lowered his head. Running a clawed finger the mug's rim, he peered up through his bangs with gold-flecked, emerald eyes and inspected the newcomer as he had everyone for the past twenty minutes. He glanced at the clock—19:58 7:58 pm. Could be her. He turned his gaze back on the newcomer. Said demon (he knew they were youkai even though their energy was masked) began to cross over to the Fox's table.
Kurama was caught by surprise. He was sure he'd be meeting with a woman, but as the stranger came closer, it became obvious they were male. The heavy black trench coat did nothing to diminish the seven-and-a-half-foot masculine figure beneath it. As they drew nearer, even the heavy boot-steps became slightly intimidating. /Something's wrong. I sense trouble./ Kurama's tail swayed restlessly under the table but he managed to suppress his give-away ear-flick."
Clutching his mug naturally, he stared up at the stranger with coolly resolute features, quite opposite from his squirming insides.
The tattered, black, broad-brimmed hat went unnoticed as the Fox focused on the hair that sprouted from the opened top of it. The soft, black hair was pulled into a ponytail perched atop the visitor's head and sported eight steal-colored braids.
Kurama felt an unseen shiver tickle his spine. He would have to transform completely to even stand a chance against this guy. Kurama calmed himself. /He just wants to join band. We need people like him. He probably had a girl call to throw people off. It worked./ But still his senses screamed. Still in profiling mode, he finally noticed the hat. /Where dose he get off on that./ Kurama thought fiercely noting the only other person with a hat like that. /That's twisted./
The 'stranger' brightened at his companion's recognition.
"Miss me Fox?"
Kurama gasped at the familiar voice but tensed at the more subtle swip-click. Barely registering the threat on a conscious level, he jumped up and responded with an alarming swish-CRACK!
The entire patronage jumped. The mysterious but inconspicuous stranger sat down at the Fox's table and less than three seconds latter an all too familiar click silenced the house. Almost in the same instant a CRACK answered giving half the customers a heart attack and shortening the lives of the rest by at least thirty years. The latter of the two men hadn't been seated for four seconds and both were standing, weapons at the ready, knocked over chairs; unnoticed.
Once over their original shock the patronage went back to their business. They were used to youkai fights breaking out in more that bars and backstreets. It was the price they paid for being allies with the Demon overlords, but beat dictatorship any day. History proved it.
"Take it out side." The manager casually instructed.
"Gladly." With his free hand, the stunned but chivalrous fox pulled a bill and placed it on the table.
The two men walked calmly out the door still locked in each other's attack range. The door bell tinkled ironically behind them.
"You don't look happy to see me, Fox."
"You're dead, Kuronue." Kurama resoned.
"Bull shit." said ex-partner laughed.
Kurama skimmed the now unbridled energy of his opponent. It was definitely Kuronue.
"You want to know why I'm not ecstatic?" Kurama asked masking his confusion with anger and sarcasm, "One," He ticked it off on his free hand, "You're dead. Two, the Reikai's on the fritz. That makes it even worse that you're here, despite your death. And three," he emphasized heavily, "You're pointing a gun at me!" his eyes flicked to the shiny old-fasioned pistol. "Seriously Kuronue. A gun!"
Kuronue sneered at his had been partner revealing pointed canines. "You don't like guns, Fox? They make you uneasy?" he cooed.
"I can't lie to you, Kuronue," Kurama began to give in, "Yes, they do. I never liked them. You know that. And," he paused, "one killed me."
"I know that, Stupid Fox." Kuronue and Hiei—the only ones who dared to call him that. "The only problem is: you didn't stay dead." He fired off a well placed shot.
Caught off guard, the fox shifted, but not fast enough. The bullet coursed through his right shoulder. Pain seared through his arm. His vision went white for a moment as he clutched his arm. The bullet had gone right through; disappearing in the distance, but the damage was done. He dropped his whip, right arm useless.
When his vision cleared, Kuronue had disappeared. Having nothing better to do, he ran, looking for a strategic point.
Suddenly behind him, Kuronue reappeared, dark, bat-like wings spread behind him. Kurama looked ahead at the dense forest surrounding the town. His face brightened. The forest was not only his element, but would slow Kuronue's flight and maneuvering; forcing him to follow on foot.
He heard his partner's signature scythes sing as they sliced through the air. He bolted for the trees and heard a thud as the scythes hit wood.
BADGER, BADGER, BADGER, BADGER…
Kuronue quickly and expertly pulled his weapons from the two trees they'd hit and folded his wings close as he continued his pursuit into the trees. He knew they were useless here. He felt Kurama transform completely and pressed on in that direction.
…MUSHROOM, MUSHROOM!
Kurama leaned hard against a tree. He felt the blood run down his arm in a heavy stream and heard it hiss, melting and staining the snow as it hit the ground, but in the dark of the woods, he saw almost nothing. He was so disoriented that he didn't hear Kuronue's less than silent approach.
Kurama did, however, feel the muzzle of his pursuer's gun press itself painfully into his hardened but vulnerably soft stomach.
"you really shouldn't show your belly, Fox. It's dangerous." Kuronue taunted.
/Shit./ Kurama cursed, knowing there was nothing he could do.
"Well, aren't you going to beg?" Kuronue was enjoying this far too much for Kurama's taste.
"No." Kurama answered, knowing it wouldn't do any good, "But I have to know…"
"I'm done talking." Kuronue cut him off.
"Kuronue!..."
The shot rang through the forest, unsettling many sleeping birds.
SNAAAAAKE! IT'S A SNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKE!
(1) Nine braids- K- Here's how that goes:
X- no braids (0)
D- one braid (1)
C- two (2)
B (0B or B0)- three (3)
B superior (1B or B1)- four (4)
A (0A or A0)- five (5)
A superior (1A or A1)- six (6)
S inferior (-1S or S-1)- seven (7)
S (0S or S0)- eight (8)
S superior (1S or S1)- nine (9)
Yeah. I know that you can't have "(1)" with out "(2)" but for formatting purposes (meaning the comp's bein' pissy) we'll just use numbers regardless of number of foot notes.
Like I said, please review so I know at least someone's reading it.
In the words of TOAFAQ (read bio): Thanks for reading, please review. IF YOU DON'T, I SHALL TURN YOU INTO A MUSHRUMP!
2-10-2005