A/N: Hi it's me Crimson, short for Dragon of the Crimson Flame. It's great to see you guys reading this fic and I'm really happy and stuff. I'm also happy that you're reviewing and such good reviews too, though I don't mind criticism or helpful advice when I run out of ideas. Anyways read and review! And sorry for those who couldn't review, but now you can review.
Chapter 4: The Demons
Yume walked around the garden playing happily in the flowers. Yukina sat on the porch watching her playing happily and romping through the grass. Yume stopped for a minute and looked back at Yukina happily. She ran over to Yukina and jumped up into her lap settling there for a moment. Suddenly she lifted her head and her sensitive kitsune ears twitched this way and that. Yukina frowned and watched Yume growl threateningly to the dark forest. "Yume what is it?" she asked concern evident in her voice as she watched Yume bared her teeth. She hissed silently then whimpered hiding behind Yukina as a dark form stepped from the shadows of the forest. Yukina stood up hurriedly and narrowed her eyes, "W-what are you doing here?" she asked softly yet determinedly.
"I'm here for the fox," muttered the demon pointing a finger at the cowered silver kit. He had long flowing green hair and hard reddish gold eyes. Yukina held Yume protectively against her chest, "You can't have her," she said loudly intending to protect the silver kit with her life. The man narrowed his eyes at her, "It's your funeral," he muttered. He raised his palm upwards and a green blast of spirit energy shot out from his hand hitting Yukina in the shoulder. She screamed in pain and dropped the kit. Yume looked from the man to Yukina half of her instincts screaming to run and the other half telling her to protect her friend. Finally Yume decided to choose the latter and stood protectively in front of Yukina growling angrily. The man seemed to smile at this and calmly walked up to the pair. "NO!" screamed Yukina as the man picked up the kit easily. Yukina stood up and rushed to snatch back the kitsune despite the pain. "Watch it bitch!" shouted the man as he dodged Yukina's feeble attempts of rescuing the poor kit. Finally he snarled angrily and fired a blast at her knocking her right in the stomach. Yukina's crimson orbs widen in pain and she fell to her knees slumping to the ground unconscious. Genkai rushed out of the temple just as the man vanished into thin air. "Yukina," yelled Genkai as she rushed over to her fallen friend. She gently turned Yukina over and winced at the burn mark on her shoulder and stomach. "It's alright," she said soothingly lying Yukina gently on the ground. Slowly a blue energy surrounded her palms and she healed the burn marks as best as she could. Yukina whimpered in her sleep and muttered one word, "Yume."
"What the hell? Why couldn't you protect her!" shouted Kura angrily demanding answers from the poor Yukina who laid on the bed. Yukina looked downcast and her eyes didn't shine anymore of unbound joy and kindness. "I'm sorry, Kura," she said softly, "I tried to protect her…but," tears sprang to Yukina's eyes and she bit her lip to hold in the tears. Hiei glared at Kura's back angry at him for making his sister feel ten times as worse then she already was. "Don't blame yourself," muttered Hiei trying to get across the message to Kura that basically said 'hurt my sister and you die.' Kura sighed and walked out of the room not before apologizing to Yukina, "It's alright Yukina I'm sure you would've protected Yume with your life and I appreciate that." He closed the door behind him. Botan rushed over to Yukina's side as soon as Kura left. "Are you okay dear?" she asked concerned, "I can heal you if you're hurting not that Genkai didn't do a good job or anything…" she trailed off waiting for Yukina's answer.
"I'm fine Botan really," she said softly as she closed her eyes, "I'm just upset with myself for not protecting Yume better," she said barely above a whisper her voice laced with pain and sorrow. Kuwabara frowned, "It's not your fault and I'm sure Kura was just overreacting since he is her brother and all." Yusuke and Kurama pointedly look at Hiei at the mentioned word of 'brother'. Hiei glared back at them in response. "Well we will go get Yume for you Yukina don't worry," said Kuwabara helpfully. Botan nodded, "Yes and they will bring her back safe and sound. Don't you worry and with Kura helping them it will be easy!" Suddenly the communicator went off and Botan reached into her kimono and pulled it out. "Yes what is it Koenma sir?" asked Botan as she saw Koenma's face pop up on the screen.
"I'm just here to check on the kit," said Koenma, "Mind showing her to me?" Botan smiled nervously, "Um…about that I she's um well you see…"
"Did they lose the kit already?" groaned Koenma, "You know how important that kit is now we'll have demons running all over the place in Ningenkai. Get the Reikai Tantei to retrieve her as quickly as possible and keep me updated," muttered Koenma grumpily. The screen went blank and Botan closed it and stored it back in her kimono, "Great news guys Koenma just order you to go get the kit."
"We heard," muttered Yusuke, "Let's go guys." Yukina watched their retreating backs before calling out to them, "Wait can I come too." Everyone stopped and turned to Yukina surprised, now this was a first. Yusuke scratched the back of his head, "Um…sure," he muttered softly. He couldn't say no to Yukina. Hiei frowned and discreetly kicked Yusuke in the shin. "OWCH!" shouted Yusuke as he turned around to glare at Kuwabara.
"It wasn't me, Urameshi, honest," said Kuwabara holding his hands in front of him protectively. Yusuke turned his attention on Hiei who was glaring up at him. "Detective if she gets hurt you'll be dead before you can even blink," muttered Hiei telepathically to Yusuke. Yusuke unconsciously shivered as a mental picture was sent with the message. "Okay well then let's go!" said Yusuke nervously. Yukina slowly walked towards them and smiled, "Thank you Yusuke I appreciate it." Yusuke's fears melted away as he saw Yukina smiled, "Thanks Yukina you'll be a great help with your healing skills and all." They headed into the forest ten minutes later for they were searching for Kura, but he was nowhere to be seen.
Yume opened her eyes hazily as she gazed around the room she was in. She mewed softly as she saw she was in another dungeon almost like Koenma's except this one was more dark and scary. A form moved on the other end of the cell and Yume peered curiously at the moving lump. She walked forward hesitantly and suddenly out of nowhere a wolf jumped at her pinning her to the ground. Yume whimpered softly her eyes dilating in terror and fear. The wolf sniffed her and drooled unconsciously as he smelt the fresh meat and intoxicating smell of fresh blood. The wolf's stomach growled nosily and Yume mewed softly knowing that she might be dinner. However the wolf turned its head away and stepped away from Yume laying down on the ground and putting its head on its paws. "So tell me what is a fox kit like you doing out here in a dungeon like this," questioned the wolf. The fox looked surprise, "…you can talk to me?"
"Yes, I can it's what all young pups do when they're young, didn't you know that?" asked the wolf. Yume smiled, "My name is Yume and yours is?"
"Hn, mine's is Yugure," he said softly. Yume cocked her head to the side, "Nightfall…oh I see why," said Yume as she noticed the wolf's dark jet black coat. Yugure watched her silently with his sky blue eyes, "So what're you doing in here?" he questioned again. Yume put her head on her paws and whimpered, "Some demons captured me and put me in this jail cell with you. They took me from my friends and brother."
"Who're you're friends and who's your brother?" asked Yugure. Yume looked up at him remembering what her brother said about demons who tricked you into telling them about your love ones, but she saw trust and hopefulness in Yugure's eyes. "Do you have any friends?" she asked slowly. Yugure whimpered and shook his head, "No one likes me." Yume frowned, "How come?" Yugure shook his head and looked away. Yume smiled, "Well maybe you can be friends with some of my friends," she said happily. Yugure looked up at her his eyes sparkling with happiness, "You'll do that for me?"
"Yeah of course I would," she said happily, glad that she made Yugure happy. Yugure yipped excitedly and nuzzle Yume's head affectionately. "Thank you Yume," he said thankfully. Yume nodded, "You're welcome. So should I tell you who my friends are?" Yugure settled down next to her silently nodding his head. "Okay I have this really good female friend named Yukina and there are more of them like Botan, Genkai, Keiko, and Shizuru. They're all great friends. There are also my male friends like Kurama, Hiei, Yusuke, and Kuwabara oh and another one that I don't know too much about called Koenma and the one who captured me Kurai," she said softly.
"Wait you consider the person who captured you a friend?" questioned Yugure. Yume nodded, "He didn't intend to harm me and later showed up and apologized to me. He's a good man with good intentions and he said that he was protecting me from people who wanted to torture me for my powers." Yugure nodded, "Wow! What kind of powers do you have?" asked Yugure awe and respect in his voice.
"Well I can open portals to different worlds," she said proudly, "But the problem is I don't know how to control it." Yugure nodded, "Yeah I know what you mean." Yume seemed confused, "Why what is your power?" Yugure looked at her for a minute, but sighed and shook his head, "I really don't want to talk about it." Yume smiled understandingly, "I understand you don't have to tell me. Oh and also I have a brother named Kurayami." Yugure looked up at her disbelief in his eyes, "Kurayami…? Are you sure?" he questioned. Yume nodded, "Yup and I love him." Yugure growled at that and Yume looked at him questioningly, "What is it? Did you meet my brother before?"
"Yeah he's the one who—" Yugure stopped as a shadow fell across them. Yume looked up at the form who had made the shadow and her eyes widen in disbelief her amber orbs full of hurt and betrayal. "No…that's not possible," she murmured softly to herself, "NO!" she screamed.
A/N: I hoped you enjoyed this chapter as much as you did before or if not more and please review. Thank you!