Okay I meant to put this up before Easter but locked my account and I was due to go on holiday just before they unlocked it so I couldn't. Which is still annoying me.
kilikxiaolian: Don't DO that. You seriously scared me for a moment there, I was gonna break down and cry. Well… something like that. As for what happened to Hiei I will say only this: don't worry he is one of my favourite characters and he will play a big part in this. Once I find him… (EAE: --;)
IwuvMyKenshyPoo: Wow! I've never met someone who liked one of my stories so much! I feel happy now ) Have a cookie. (EvilAlterEgo: smacks Shikani over the head) And as for Hiei… meep (cowers away from scary you) please don't hurt me! All shall be revealed in time! Some of it is even revealed this chapter… come to think of it you probably should worry about Hiei…
Ani Mei: Yay my loyal reviewer! I will try not to be too evil and leave you with nasty cliffhangers that make you want to kill me (reads through chapter) erm… yeah...
Apparition7: Oh wow… I think I'm going to cry… you really mean that? That's so sweet! ) Sorry, I'm going all teary and stupid but that was really nice. I'm trying not to make it too depressing and yet it does have to be a little to get the whole point of the story across. Glad I've got you hooked and please keep reviewing.
Oh that's really cheered me up, thank you all so much! ) I feel inspired! A belated Happy Easter to everyone out there and I have (for once) a positive outlook for the future. The number of reviewers is increasing by chapter and you guys really help me along. Here's chapter five! And a nice surprise for you all. I hope. Oh and if anyone spots any spelling or grammatical mistakes at all could they please let me know? I don't want to miss out something crucial because of a dumb spelling mistake. Thank you!
"Koenma-sama!"
Koenma looked up as Jorge burst into the office. The ogre looked absolutely terrified. Koenma frowned disapprovingly at the sweaty faced blue figure as he struggled to wheeze out his message.
"M'lord… Koenma… visitor… don't…"
Koenma rolled his eyes impatiently.
"Spit it out for heaven's sake, I'm busy!"
The ogre straightened up, eyes wide with urgency.
"Koenma-sama. You have a… a visitor."
Koenma frowned, not understanding the ogre's fear.
"Who is it?"
"The two shinobi, ice master Touya and wind master Jin…"
Koenma raised a curious eyebrow. He had not seen the two shinobi since the dark tournament and wondered what they could possibly want to talk to him about. Not to mention that he had assumed that both were either dead or leading prosperous lives in the Makai with far better things to do than come to visit the lord of the underworld.
"And?"
The ogre swallowed hard. He should have taken the Reikai lord up on the filing cabinet suggestion.
"M'lord… it's… it's…
Koenma raised his eyes to the ceiling as though seeking patience from thetiled surface. He had had Kami knows how many forms to stamp and sign, he had bitten his tongue hard when his pacifier had slipped to one side of his mouth, he was tired out of his wits and now this stupid ogre was dithering before him and wasting his precious time.
"For Kami's sake will you just – "
"It's Yoko Kurama!"
Koenma's brain seemed to freeze and a bolt of cold fear shot through him. He could feel the blood leave his face as the message washed over him, dispelling all other thoughts. Kurama… here. Here. Why? He couldn't… he hadn't…
"My lord?"
Jorge was watching his boss anxiously, waiting for a response from the suddenly ill-looking teenager-shaped demigod. Koenma drew in a shaky breath and fought to compose himself. If it really was Kurama then he would need every ounce of his guile and subtlety to survive this encounter. And that was only if Kurama was not feeling persistant and decided to humour his former employer. A chilly feeling in his bones told Koenma that that was not likely to be the case, remembering his last encounter with the kitsune in which Kurama had… conveyed to him that he was leaving and any attempts to contact him would be… forcibly suppressed. Koenma opened his eyes, allowing a blank expression to slide smoothly over his features.
"Show them in."
The ogre bowed somewhat hesitantly and left looking as though he was being sent to the gallows.
Koenma's eyes roved almost instinctively to the photograph standing on his desk, like some sort of miniature shrine. He reached out and took it in his hand, gaze hovering over the frozen figures.
I had no choice…
In that moment, he wondered who he was trying to convince: the figures in the photo or himself. His thoughts were immediately shattered by the soft sound of the door opening. He lowered his hand, allowing the photograph to drop out of sight,
"It's been a while Koenma… sama."
The soft feral voice almost seemed to prowl through the air, sending a chill tingling down his spine, the sarcasm on the honorific making his stomach twist unpleasantly. He composed his features, slipping the photograph quickly into the drawer of his desk. Steeling himself, he lifted his head to meet the infamous green eyes of his former representative.
"Kurama. Nice to see you again."
The fox demon looked exactly the same as the last time he had seen him. It was also reminiscent to the last time he had seen the kitsune as he was trying desperately not to back away. He had to stop himself from flinching as Kurama stepped forward and placed something on the desk in front of him with a faint click.
"I trust you recognise this?"
Koenma stared numbly at the blood-spattered remains of Miela's communication mirror. Oh Gods… why? Why did it have to be Kurama? Why now?
"Where… where did you get this?"
It was not Kurama but a sarcastic Irish voice that answered breezily, "Well we were all takin' a little walk an' we foun' it beside a mangled corpse in the woods o' the Makai an' decided tha' you migh' be interested."
Koenma looked past Kurama to see the two shinobi standing behind him. Jin was firmly behind Kurama's shoulder, muscular arms folded and a forbidding glitter in his cold blue eyes. Touya was leaning against the wall beside the door, the ice master's pupiless eyes fixed unblinkingly on his face. Koenma felt a cold thrill course through him as a vivid memory stirred beneath the surface of his mind.
Spit it out toddler, I don't have all day
He thrust the memories back into the deep recesses of his mind, forcing himself to focus on the matter at hand. Just one slip was all it took and he was dead meat. Quite literally. That fact that he was immortal was doing absolutely nothing to raise his hopes of living for much longer if Kurama found out.
"You don't seem too surprised Koenma-sama."
The hostility lurking in the demon's even tone was almost tangible, dripping like poisoned honey into the demigod's mind. Koenma cleared his throat, fighting to keep his expression neutral.
"I already knew of Miela's death."
Kurama's mild expression was really starting to unnerve him.
"Yet not the circumstances."
Koenma's hazel eyes betrayed him in a faint flash of fear and Kurama's sharp eyes missed nothing.
"I see…"
Kurama's warm smile terrified him more than any threat he could have thought up.
"So you were unaware that when your detectives were killed they had their foreheads cut open?"
Koenma tried not to look too confused and failed miserably. His mind was screaming at him that something was not right about this, andwhatever it was,was going to screw his day upeven more, which was saying somethingconsidering currentcircumstances.
"Maybe," said the kitsune calmly, "I should be a little more specific. A piece of skin was cut from their foreheads in the shape of a seven-pointed star. Ring any bells?"
Glacial understanding filled Koenma and he stood up slowly. Kurama's smile held all the warmth of a midwinter morning.
"You told us he was dead."
Every word was slow, even and emotionless. Koenma almost trembled under the piercing emerald gaze and he searched desperately for a way out.
"It must be a different demon then. Perhaps – "
"Don't lie to me."
The kitsune's calm tone had suddenly turned to a deadly hiss, emerald flashed to gold and Kurama seemed to grow taller. Red hair lashed around silver, crackling with vicious youki.
"You knew."
The demon's voice was like something out of the demigod's all-too-familiar nightmares. He cringed at the pure venom dripping from the kitsune's tone as the normally collected demon practically spat the words at him.
"Not only did you know but you did nothing. You allowed Kuwabara and Yusuke's suffering to be in vain."
Now Koenma did flinch as each quiet accusation streaked through him like red-hot irons, malignant missiles that tore open old wounds, guilt he had thought long forgotten threatened to erupt once again. He pushed his feelings brutally away and forced himself to maintain a level expression, not allowing a single glimmer of what he was thinking show on his face.
"I had no choice. There were factors involved that you couldn't begin to understand – "
Touya almost winced as the demigod snapped his mouth shut abruptly. Koenma had just committed verbal suicide. If there is one thing you do not do when faced with an angry fox demon, it is insult his intelligence. That went triple for a pissed off Yoko Kurama. The ice master was mildly impressed that the fox demon did not just rip the demigod's head off. He suspected that, had Shuichi allowed it, then Yoko would have done. Happily.
"I think there were factors involved that you don't understand," Kurama still spoke in the same quiet voice, "Those factors Koenma, were Yusuke and Kuwabara. Their lives Koenma. Do you understand that? Oh but of course you do."
The kitsune smiled sarcastically, "After all, you are the powerful, all-knowing lord of Reikai are you not? You know about everything that's going on."
Koenma bit his tongue hard, averting his eyes from the fox, staring at the ground. Kurama snorted in disgust, gold eyes flashing. "Tell me, what did you feel? When you saw your papers that morning? Did you feel anything?"
Koenma said nothing. Kurama turned away in disdain, completely disregarding his former employer.
"You know… I blamed myself for a while," he spoke with the distant air of one who is trying to make out something very blurred or far away, "I blamed myself for not being quick enough, for being too complacent, for not being prepared. I thought I was going insane for a little while."
Koenma listened as the kitsune casually recounted his worst moments of weakness, something that no other youkai would ever do. In the Makai, to show weakness was to show vulnerability. To be vulnerable was to be dead. But the normal rules didn't apply with Yoko Kurama. He didn't have to fear admitting his weaknesses because any demon stupid enough to assume that he was an easy target because of them, would be either insane or just very very stupid, neither of which would last long in the Makai. And so the kitsune continued to talk, his golden eyes fixing back on the demigod's pale face.
"But then I realised that there was no way I could have got there in time. Unless of course," an edge entered the calm drawl, "I had been told about five minutes earlier than I sensed it."
Jin saw Koenma's shoulders tense, the hazel eyes dilating into a thin ring around the pupil. Kurama was standing absolutely still, his lazy half-lidded eyes boring into the lord of Reikai as the fox continued to torment the teenager-shaped toddler.
"But you knew didn't you? You knew he was attacking and you knew where he was heading. You could have saved them if you'd wanted to. You could have just called us. Hiei would have got there in time, even if I… what?"
An odd look had crossed the demigod's eyes when he had mentioned the fire youkai's name. After millennia of dealing with some of the most devious politicians in the Makai the kitsune was an expert at reading emotions at the drop of a hat. Kurama's golden eyes narrowed discerningly.
"What do you know Koenma?"
Koenma turned his back abruptly, folding his arms across his chest so the three demons would not see his hands shaking. Keeping his voice in check was another matter and Koenma winced at the high pitched waver that croaked feebly from his suddenly dry throat.
"Now… now listen Kurama, I know we did not part on the best of terms but… I always admired you."
A suspicion was beginning to creep into the kitsune's sharp mind. But no… surely not even Koenma would… His gold-flecked eyes watched the demigod's every move as Koenma spoke.
"I always thought, that out of the Tantei, you were the most rational of them. You would understand that some decisions… have to be made for the greater good."
Jin's blue eyes flashed in utter fury and he made to step forward when something caught his wrist. Kurama met the wind shinobi's eyes and very slowly, he shook his head. Kurama's silence unnerved the lord of Reikai more than any rage the fox demon could have possibly vented. He waited for a moment before ploughing on.
"I know you will understand that the law of Reikai must be upheld even if we don't all necessarily agree with some of the decisions – "
"You know where he is don't you?"
A cold dread settled itself permanently into the demigod's stomach like a malignant virus. He turned slowly to face the fox demon, eyes wary.
"Know where who is Kurama?"
This was too much for Jin. The wind shinobi had been devastated by the news of what had happened to his friends and now this little whelp was lying through his teeth so obviously that any stupid F-class could have seen it.
"Yeh know bloody well who, yeh little – "
A fierce wind whipped up around the shinobi, scattering papers everywhere as the wind shinobi lunged at the demigod.
"Jin!"
Touya leapt forward, grabbing his partner by the shoulders as the wind shinobi struggled to get to Koenma. Jin was mad with rage and deep down, even Touya was shocked at the turmoil of sorrow and anger in the redhead's voice.
"Yeh as good as KILLED Urameshi yeh little son of a bitch, an' then yeh don' even have the decency teh answer truthfully! If ah were you ah'd be cowerin' on mah knees and beggin' fer fergiveness!"
Koenma was about to reply when he saw something that froze his blood completely. Kurama was staring rigidly at a spot on Koenma's desk that had been previously covered with paperwork. Koenma knew what he was looking at and knew that all his carefully constructed plans had just collapsed. There, scored deeply into the heavy wood, was a single, clean cut, blackened fissure as though some sharp weapon had been pressed into the polished surface a little too hard.
If there was one thing that Kurama prided himself on, it was his memory for detail. He had not been back to this office in ten years yet he knew that these marks had not been there before. Kurama raised his eyes very slowly to look straight at Koenma. They were gleaming gold. Touya was still holding Jin back and yet the two of them were transfixed by the scene in front of them. Koenma was tensed like a steel spring but Kurama in contrast looked almost nonchalant.
"You know, something has been bothering me since the attack," the fox's tone was generally used by most people when talking about the weather, "I know that Hiei was in Ningenkai that day, I had seen him. So naturally I was a little confused when after the attack I was told that he hadn't shown up. I assumed he had gone back to the Makai early since there was no way he could not have sensed the attack and he is much faster than I am."
An innocently puzzled look graced the kitsune's flawless features.
"Imagine my astonishment when three years later, I went to the domain of Lady Mukuro and found that she had not seen him for… oh… three years or so. That's strange, I thought, Yusuke and Keiko's wedding was around that time wasn't it? And there was of course that little 'accident' a week later where I lostsome of my dearest friends. What a coincidence."
He looked back at Koenma, a knowing expression lurking around his features.
"I've been looking for him for ten years now. I think I know who could help me find him."
Koenma closed his eyes and sank heavily into his chair. Burying his head in his hands he forced back the flood of memories that the fox demon's all-too-knowing words triggered in his mind. He wrestled with his conscience and his common sense, trying to think of some way he could resolve the situation.
Damn that bloody fox for being too smart for his own bloody good.
Finally he raised his head to look at Kurama.
"Yes, I know. I know where Hiei is."
Really, thought Touya off-handedly as he observed the scene before him with a sort of detached insanity, you had to admire Koenma's nerve, even if it made you want to rip his head off. If Kurama had been looking at him like that, he suspected that he would have melted into a small puddle on the floor quite a while ago.
"How long have you known?"
The question was quiet but Koenma heard it all too clearly. He silently prayed that his immortality would not desert him now as he prepared to do possibly the most dangerous thing he had ever done in his immortal life, including facing Sensui.
"Listen… I'll tell you everything you need to know," he swallowed hard, his dry throat clenching, "but first… you have to do something for me."
For a moment the demigod was convinced that Kurama was actually going to tear his voicebox out. He had to physically stop himself from taking a step backwards at the look in those flashing golden orbs.
"I think I misheard you Koenma-sama," came the silky reply, "Unless I'm much mistaken, I thought you said that you wanted my help."
Koenma was finding it harder and harder not to press back against the wall. He was grateful for the sturdy desk between himself and the kitsune. Jin was struggling against Touya's grip again although the ice master looked as though he was contemplating whether to 'accidentally' let his partner go.
"You didn't mishear me Kurama," replied Koenma evenly, "I will tell you where to find Hiei if you do something for me first. Jin, kindly control yourself or I'll have you thrown out of my office."
"You're treading on thin ice brat," snarled Touya venomously, murky eyes flashing, "and believe me, it's creaking."
"Maybe so but nevertheless I must have your word that what I am about to tell you will stay between us. If I do not feel that I can trust you then you will get nothing."
Kurama had lowered his head, silver streaked hair hiding his face in shadow.
"I must ask you one question first, and you must answer it with the truth." When he raised his head Koenma saw that the amber had vanished where only sorrowful emerald remained. In a way, those eyes were even harder to meet than the flashing fury of Yoko. Guilt swept over him as he stared in the weary, betrayed eyes of the fox demon who had fought for him so long ago, alongside his friends, all of them so happy, so sure, so strong. Koenma forced himself to speak.
"That depends what the question is."
"Is he dead?"
Koenma swallowed hard, his eyes beginning to sting as he looked into the lonely emerald orbs. Touya's eyes had narrowed into slits and Jin was staring at the demigod's face.
"That… depends," answered Koenma hesitantly, "On what you mean."
"Wha' d'you mean 'tha' depends?" said Jin impatiently, "He's either dead or he isn't."
"Jin…" Touya placed a hand on the wind shinobi's shoulder, "As much as I wish to impale him to the wall and sell his skin for parchment in the Makai – " Koenma tried very hard not to gulp, "I think this is one time where we have to hear him out." The wind master threw the demigod a disgruntled look but lapsed into silence. Koenma nodded slightly.
"I can't tell you without violating our agreement, but for now… yes, he is alive."
"What do you mean, 'for now'?" asked Kurama, the silver in his hair receding slightly.
"I've already told you," Koenma said flatly, "you do something for me and I will answer all the questions you have."
"What do you need us to do?"
"Kill a demon."
"What class?"
Koenma looked down, almost sheepishly, at his feet, "High B."
Kurama raised an eyebrow, "All you wanted was for us to kill a B class demon? I thought you had junior Tantei for those kind of jobs. Oh. But I forgot…"
His smile had a nasty sting to it. He turned on his heel, "Good day Koenma-sama."
As the fox demon swept from the room, long red hair rippling behind him, Koenma had the strangest feeling that he himself had just been dismissed. He fought down the feeling of inferiority, noting that the two shinobi showed no signs of leaving. Jin looked after Kurama before turning back to the demigod, blue eyes glinting.
"Ah jus' thought ah ought teh tell yeh," he said brightly, "tha' if yeh even think aboot betrayin' us ah'll personally come and rip yer flesh inteh little pieces an' feed 'em teh K'rama's death plant."
With a smirk the wind master leapt lightly into the air and swooped after Kurama, grinning evilly at a terrified green ogre that scuttled away with a squeak. Koenma attempted to compose his features for the last time as his tired eyes were raised to meet the shimmering orbs of the ice master.
Touya held his stare for longer than Koenma felt comfortable with, before speaking. "You just did something very stupid you know," the shinobi commented noncommittally.
The demigod did not move as the ice demon stepped past him, heading for the open door of the demigod's office.
"Really? And what was that Touya?"
The ice master walked to the door, his face hidden from Koenma. Pausing briefly, one hand curling around the door handle, Touya spoke without looking back at the demigod.
"You made a deal with a fox."
"Well, this is it."
Botan stared out of the car window at the small white dwelling. A gap in the sturdy woven fence allowed her a glimpse of a beautiful traditional Tsukiyama garden, lush greenery screening most of the delicate building from prying eyes. Now that she was here, she found herself wondering what she was going to say. She had been filled with anger at Koenma and determination to set things right but now she saw that dainty, clearly beloved home, the very picture of serenity, a wave of guilt washed over her.
"Are you gonna stare at it all day or are you actually gonna get out of the car?"
She jumped at Shizuru's half brusque, half amused words. The ferry girl sighed and leant back in her seat.
"I… I just… it's difficult. What if they don't listen to me?"
Shizuru lit a cigarette, reclining in her seat.
"Not my scene ferry girl. I got you here and that's it. I'm not gonna start being Miss Referee for you."
Botan glanced uncertainly at the house again.
"But… what if – "
"Geez just get out the bleedin' car will you? You're gonna have to do it sooner or later and I'm getting bored."
Botan smiled wanly to herself. Hidden within all the bravado was Shizuru's way of saying good luck.
"Thanks Shizuru," she said gratefully, "for everything."
The brunette grunted noncommittally.
"Whatever. OUT!"
Botan took a deep breath and pushed the car door open, stepping out into the crisp evening air. Somewhere in the cherry trees a bird twittered happily. Botan swallowed hard. She couldn't remember being so unsure, so doubtful of herself, so –
"Oi!"
Botan turned her head to look back at Shizuru who had rolled down the car window, her long hazel tresses curling slightly in the breeze.
"Think airhead!"
The brunette grinned and drove away, disappearing in a cloud of dust. Botan laughed despite herself. She had truly missed the tough older girl, despite Shizuru's kick ass attitude she was as kind as they came, even if she had her own small vices.
A thought struck her and slowly, she reached up to her hair. Pulling out the two pins that held it, she ran her fingers through the blue waves. Gathering it up, she ferreted around in the pocket of her chalk-white kimono. At last she pulled out a tattered pink ribbon and tied the cerulean tresses into a loose ponytail, allowing long silky strands to fall messily around her face.
Running her hands wistfully through her hair, she was surprised at how much lighter she felt. Taking a deep breath, she looked up. A tall, beautifully engraved wooden archway stood over the entrance, a small unlit lamp hanging from a rusted ring embedded in the old wood. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes and consciously forcing her body to relax. First her arms, then her legs, then her shoulders. Okay… just breathe, just breathe.
She walked timidly under the wooden archway, a strange feeling sweeping through her stomach as she did so. Looking up she saw the kanji symbols engraved into the top and winced. Wards. The smouldering characters were designed to keep enemies away. Well… if it had let her through… Turning around, she could barely keep from gasping in wonder.
A gentle stream trickled down a rocky slope, rippling down into a small, crystalline pool. The clear water was set off by the glimmering pink tinge of the setting sun that danced lightly over the lustrous surface of the water. Delicate paper screens were intermingled with flower laden shrubs and the shapely figure of a slender cherry tree stood in the very centre of the grass, just in front of the home itself, many laden buds swelling on its branches. It seemed Kurama had been busy before he left.
She trod lightly over the verdant carpet, breathing in the smell of the beautiful place, her eyelids closed lightly over cloudy amethyst orbs. She stretched out a tentative hand, opening her eyes once more as they met the bark of the sakura tree. It was nearly April… she looked up at the laden branches overhead. It had been so long since they had celebrated Hanami under the white sakura. So long…
She found herself fighting the urge to just conjure her oar and fly back to Reikai. It didn't seem… right, somehow, for her to be here. She was just a painful reminder of a terrible tragedy; she felt that she was violating the serene place with her very presence. She gritted her teeth, forcing herself to focus. If someone didn't do something then the three worlds would suffer because she got cold feet at the last minute. Alight with new resolve she left the protective shadow of the sakura to look up at the dwelling before her.
A gently sloping roof curved down to meet simple wooden pillars, a set of wooden steps leading up to the thin sliding doors, plain white paper shining with the golden light within the house. She strained her ears and fancied that she could hear the faint murmur of voices inside, warm smells of cooking drifting out into the still night air. She raised her hand and then saw it was trembling. She gritted her teeth.
You're gonna have to do it sooner or later
Botan took a deep breath, Shizuru's words ringing in her ears.
"Well, here goes nothing."
She rapped smartly on the painted wood, three times. She heard a crash and a man's voice cursing colourfully. She clenched her fists in her pockets as footsteps were heard stamping nearer and nearer.
"Do you people have no respect for other people's privacy!"
A familiar voice rang through her mind, stirring the dusty cobwebs of her memory. She opened her eyes as the fragile sliding door was yanked irritably to one side.
"If you're another one of those goddamned sales-people I swear I… will… Botan?"
She looked up, a small smile on her face.
"Hey Yusuke."
HA HA HA! CLIFFIE! REVIEW OR… excuse me… HELP! (runs away from angry reviewers).
EvilAlterEgo: --;