Author's Note: I know it's been a while since I updated, but I've been busy, and there just didn't seem to be much interest in this story until the review I received a few days ago. I hope that this chapter will bring more reviews so that I can force myself to continue. Many thanks to my newest reader and reviewer. If you like this story, feel free to check out my other stories. (Yes, a shameless promotion.)
Yusuke leapt out of reach of the demon's wildly slashing claws and landed a few feet from it. The demon was fast, but its attacks were weak. He probably could have finished the demon long ago, but Yusuke was enjoying the chance to match his speed against a worthy opponent's. Hiei would make a better opponent, but he would settle for the lesser demon for now.
Suddenly the demon roared and launched itself at Yusuke. Yusuke met the attack directly and began exchanging blows with the ivory colored demon. He had to give it to the demon. It was giving more of a fight than most of the other demons he had been fighting.
The demon leapt backwards and went still. Yusuke stumbled to a halt, eyes widening t the demon's unexpected move.
"Now what?" he muttered, eyes narrowing suspiciously.
Was the demon going to attempt to flee? Yusuke frowned at the demon. Something curled around his throat and slammed his back against the ground. His head landed hard against a rock as whatever had caught him began dragging him backwards. Yusuke broke free and whirled to find on of the demon's severed tentacles reaching for him again.
Yusuke leapt out of the way and leveled his finger at the demon. "Spirit gun!"
He watched the demon dissolve under the massive spray of energy, He turned to glare at the now still tentacle. The demon had hid its ability to control disconnected portions of its body, but that wasn't any excuse for Yusuke being caught off guard.
Yusuke swore and rubbed his head, wincing at the sharp throb making itself known. Lucky thing my head's so hard or it would have split for sure, he thought, glaring down once more at the tentacle at his feet. Shrugging slightly, he turned, preparing to continue his training. Three men stood blocking his path.
"Well, well, what do we have here? Special Tactics finally decide to act on that death warrant?" Yusuke asked the three men standing before him.
"Lord Koenma has requested your presence. The death warrant has been revoked."
"Great. How'd he manage to get his father to drop it?"
"His father was overthrown. Lord Koenma is ruler of Spirit World now."
"You're kidding? The toddler actually threw a tantrum and got rid of his father? He's got some guts. So, why does he want to see me?"
"There is great unrest in the Human World."
"Isn't there always? So, my old job is still open?"
"Lord Koenma's replacements were killed, so, yes."
Yusuke frowned, "Killed? What's going on?"
"Lord Koenma will answer your questions."
"Fine. Lead me to him."
Koenma glanced up from the papers he had been signing and found himself facing an irritated Yusuke. Two and a half years hadn't changed him. He had grown taller, stronger, but was essentially the same. Koenma sighed and stood.
"Welcome back, Yusuke."
"Yeah, yeah, what's this I hear about you overthrowing your father?"
Koenma gestured for Yusuke to sit and lowered himself into his chair. "My father was not guarding as he was meant to. Human World is being destroyed but he has done nothing to stop the destruction. I had no choice."
"What do you mean Human World's being destroyed?"
"Several unknown demons are polluting the air with poisonous toxins that only affect humans."
"So what's the bad news? Your teams can't find the demons?"
"Human World is in near chaos. The demons are spread out, making it hard to pinpoint any of their locations. To tell you the truth, I don't know what else to do. Every second hundreds of humans are infected. It may already be too late."
"Don't give me that crap. You wouldn't have sent for me if it was too late. I'll find these demons and kick their asses back to Demon World. You can cure all of those infected, right?"
"I will try."
"What do you mean? Can you or can't you?" Yusuke demanded.
"I don't know. Spirit World has never dealt with these kinds of demons before."
"All of this is Spirit World's fault. You're gonna have to clean up your mess."
"I'll try! I wish I could promise more, but I can't."
Yusuke stood and glared darkly at Koenma. "You better find a cure," he replied, before stalking out of the office.
Koenma dropped his head into his hands, groaning softly. Why did everything have to be so difficult?
Kurama paused on the sidewalk. His eyes drifted across the road to the paramedics frantically working on another victim of the plague. So many infected. If there was no cure, thousands, possibly millions would die.
He glanced to the right, feeling the powerful presence of an unfamiliar demon. So many had managed to drift across the border from Makai. There was no telling how many were taking advantage of Human World's weakness.
His jaw clenched as he started toward the demon's presence. Kurama couldn't tell from the demon's aura if it was one of the plague creators. He really didn't think that those demons would be foolish or arrogant enough to so openly display their presence. True, there was no longer a Spirit Detective to hunt them, but there were still other forces that could pose a threat to them.
It could be a trap, he thought, pausing on the sidewalk once more. The demon's presence was too easily followed. The demon was powerful, judging from the power emanating from its hideout. Either it really believed that nothing could harm it, or the demon was cunning enough to arrange a lure for hunters. Either possibility was enough to make him proceed with caution.
Kurama continued forward, moving down the silent alley way to the long abandoned warehouse where the demon seemed to be lurking inside. He drew a rose from his hair and sent power into its core. The rose transformed into his Rose Whip. He slipped inside through a broken window and quickly scanned the darkness.
"I wondered how long it would take until one of the demon traitors was sent to capture me," a raspy voice whispered through the darkness.
Kurama stiffened and focused his senses on finding the demon.
"Who are you?" Kurama demanded.
"Who am I? You dare say that you know nothing of Eaizben?"
A small form separated from the darkness. Kurama stared at the short demon, frowning slightly as something tugged at his mind. Why did that name sound familiar?
""I am Eaizben, Keeper of Dark Souls. Are you ready to join my collection, traitor?"
"I don't plan on joining any collection," Kurama replied.
"You're in for a surprise, then," Eaizben said.
Suddenly the darkness around thembecame a living blob. Kurama braced himself as several shapes sprang from the darkness and lunged at him.