Fugitive of Darkness Chapter 3
Showdown at Yusuke's House and the Impatience of Damian
by Rain Darkwood
Dusk was falling at the Uremeshi residence, and laughter could be heard inside. Yusuke, Kuwabara and Kurama had brought Hiei to Yusuke's house for protection, and while they were there Kayko, Yukina and Shizuru had come to visit. They were playing cards now, but Hiei refused. He didn't know how to play anyway, but they forced him to at least sit on the couch with them, between Kurama and Yusuke. His head hunched and he looked more like a caged animal than an enjoying participant, but nobody seemed to care. They all laughed and enjoyed themselves, despite his brooding.
As the top of the orange sun began to swim in heat waves and sink below the horizon, two dark figures jumped down from the Uremeshi house's roof. One tall and one small, they quietly moved toward the front door and stood before it.
"Hm, so... should we knock, or should we REALLY knock?" Koji said, smiling slightly.
Kazunori continued to stare at the door as he spoke. "No need for violence just yet, maybe just a show of power. If this universe has any justice, our reputations should precede us." He knocked lightly on the door, almost in a comical, cheerful way. "The spirit detective will answer, this is his home. You speak."
Yusuke excused himself from the group, still chuckling over Kuwabara's attempt at bluffing. He strode over to the door and opened it. Two people stood at the door, and he examined them closely the second or so before speaking, a habit he had attained quickly as a spirit detective.
There was one that was somewhat tall, or at least he seemed tall next to the other one, who was very short, only a few inches taller than Koenma himself. The tall one was smiling merrily, with his hands folded behind his back. The short one was leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed, looking at the ground, as if to avoid Yusuke's gaze. The tall one wore a martial arts shirt, with no sleeves. Despite it's obvious age and wear, the vestment seemed elaborate somehow, and Yusuke noted that it was probably imbued with spirit power somehow. He was wearing martial arts pants as well, loose fitting for freedom of movement. Both shirt and pants were black, as was this person's hair, which was short and neatly combed back, much the way Yusuke himself liked to wear his. Yusuke noted the small, sharp curved horns just above his hairline, and realized he must be at least part demon. The tall one also wore sheaths on his sides for two katanas. He gave off an aura of great strength, if not particularly spirit oriented. As soon as he thought this, he felt an intense wave of energy. It seemed this being was hiding his energy, allowing only periodical waves to let Yusuke know he had more than he showed.
The short one was a different story. He seemed to be masking none of his energy at all, and Yusuke was nearly overwhelmed when he felt it, tho he hid his surprise. The short one wore a midnight blue robe, with elaborate black dragon symbols. A cream-white scarf surrounded his neck, and drooped fashionably down. Yusuke chuckled in his mind, imagining the idea of fashion-minded mercenaries. This individual has flashingly noticible green eyes., though they were hard to see as he was staring away from Yusuke. He had medium lenght, spiked upward hair that seemed to be kept in place by a black bandana. Yusuke noticed last that his entire left forearm was a shining metal canon...it reminded him of the megaman games he'd played when he was younger and he suppressed another laugh. He realized it in fact wasn't a canon, but rather a machine gun of some sort, a type he thought were called gatling guns, or miniguns.
The tall one spoke first, unsurprisingly. "Hello, Mr. Uremeshi. I understand that you have a friend of ours here, whom is an associate of Lord Damian, much like ourselves. We've been sent to bring him back to Mr. Damian, he's taken a bit too long of a vacation."
Yusuke laughed despite himself. "Well, I've never met such a polite mercenary! From what I hear, this Lord Scumbag you work for isn't much of an employer. He seems to not even be paying Hiei... and Hiei has decided to quit."
The taller one laughed as well. "Well, Mr. Uremeshi, money isn't particularly useful in Spirit World, is it? That's where Damian lives, you see, and where we work." He suddenly looked somewhat shocked. "My goodness, we haven't introduced ourselves! My name is Koji, and this here is my esteemed colleague, Kazunori. We work as bodyguards for Mr. Damian, although we occasionally take on various other responsibilities."
Yusuke crossed his arms and smiled again. "Well, I'm Yusuke, as I'm sure you know. And as for your "various other responsibilities", do those include assassinations?"
Koji cocked an eyebrow. "Sometimes."
Kazunori suddenly broke in. "I've had enough of this. Stop stalling, mortal, and bring Hiei out here. You heard our job, now bring him here so we don't have to bring him back to Damian with broken parts."
Yusuke stepped back and uncrossed his arms. "You seem to have a tough attitude for such a small, under-ARMed guy." He charged his energy into a spirit gun bullet. "I wonder how you'd act without that gun of yours?" A blast rocketed from Yusuke's finger, releasing a roar of sound. The bullet merely bounced off of Kazunori's arm, but not without caving in quite a bit of it.
Kazunori looked down at it as though repulsed. "I should never have let you do that. Though feeling your power gives me an idea of your small strength, I haven't brought any tools for fixing this...hm, bastard."
The sound of Yusuke's spirit gun had brought the attention of the others in the house. They arrived in the room, and immediately saw what had happened. Kuwabara and Kurama pulled Hiei behind them, to shield him.
Koji spoke up more seriously. "I'm afraid we can't let you stand in our way, Yusuke."
As Yusuke turned toward him he felt a powerful wave of energy emanating from Koji. His vision seemed to cloud over and was replaced by images of swirling clouds and rain. Within seconds his vision cleared and returned to him. He was on his back near one of the walls opposite Koji, and in considerable pain. Koji had lifted him with his mind and slammed him backwards. Before he could yell and consider his attack, Hiei had already moved. With a blur of movement, Hiei slashed at Koji. Koji dodged without much difficulty, smiling as he did so. Kazunori batted Hiei with his broken gun arm, knocking Hiei backwards. Hiei landed on his feet, sliding back a foot or so.
Kazunori growled and looked down at his useless gun. "I suppose we can give you another day. You humans had better have machine shops in this town... until tehn enjoy your vacation, Hiei. Damian isn't likely to be lenient with you when you return. We'll be watching." He turned to Koji. "Let's go."
Before anyone could fully take in what had been said, the two had vanished in a blur of speed. Yusuke struggled to his feet, with the help of Kayko. "There's something not right about them... no matter how polite Koji may act."
Hiei was soundless as he resheathed his sword. "Maybe now you understand what I've been telling you. They are immensely talented... we can't afford to underestimate them."
.....
It was still dark the next morning when a figure appeared atop Yusuke's next door neighbor's chimney. Tall and lanky, they kneeled quietly on the perch of the chimney, viewing Yusuke's house with a look of analysis. He looked like a bird of prey, staring at the window to Yusuke's room, waiting for the moment when the occupants, who had spent the night, would depart, undoubtably together.
Kazunori slept on the roof of the house, away from Koji. Koji thought about it for a moment, how they had worked as partner mercenaries for years, and how Kazunori remained as self contained as ever. A loner if there ever was one, with some truly entertaining habits. Kazunori had a tendency to be able to sleep anywhere, like a child he simply fell asleep anywhere he could. He slept in to midmorning always, if possible. Kazunori had never been the best as a partner comes, but he was strong. Koji, on the other hand had always been a very light sleeper and woke up early to stalk his prey. Silently he wondered how the coming day would go. As he wondered, a beeping sound permeated the stillness of the early morning. Kazunori first stirred, then sat up and answered the messenger he carried. Koji heard Damian's voice and imagined the way he would look on the video screen as Kazunori watched.
"Sleeping on the job, I should have known." Damian's voice.
Kazunori came out a growl, as usual in the morning when out in the field. "It's morning on earth... I can't hunt your prey until I've had coffee."
Koji knew that was a bad move. Damian's voice came out a yell this time. "You had better track Hiei night and day! Kill him if you have to, I don't care! Just finish the job, I can't have him going to Koenma personally... Witnesses don't matter, as long as Hiei is erased, he can't come back into Spirit World unless it's in my possession!"
Kazunori paused and coninued his growl. "You told us the job parameters yesterday. Must you continue to bark at us for the sake of hearing yourself? I certainly could have gotten it doen yesterday if you'd allowed me to take my toolbag before we left."
Koji sighed and prepared for worse. Damian's voice had risen to an insane roar. "I have had enough! If you dont bring Hiei by sundown earth time tonight, I will send another team. And this time they'll be after you!" Koji heard the monotonous beep as the transmission ended.
Kazunori layed back down to go back to sleep. "Call from Damian," he said lazily.
Koji smiled despite himself. "Oh really? How's he doing?"
"Insane...as always."
Koji nodded slowly. "So what's he want now?"
Kazunori. "Well I suppose you heard, but I'll humor you anyway. "He says, that if we don't have the target by sundown, he's sending a team to get us." He yawned. "I guess he's just not in a good mood."
"Or maybe he doesn't like being egged on by toddler sized smartasses?"
Kazunori began to answer, but fell asleep before he could.
Koji turned back to the Uremeshi house and thought again of how the day might go. If Damian was to betray them, Koji thought to himself that he may like that more. In the end, he realized, Earth wasn't such a deplorable place. He could stay a while, make friends like Uremeshi's. The life of a human. He chuckled to himself. Romantisizing such a thing. Why, this place certainly had an affect on people.
End of Chapter 3. Please R&R!
Showdown at Yusuke's House and the Impatience of Damian
by Rain Darkwood
Dusk was falling at the Uremeshi residence, and laughter could be heard inside. Yusuke, Kuwabara and Kurama had brought Hiei to Yusuke's house for protection, and while they were there Kayko, Yukina and Shizuru had come to visit. They were playing cards now, but Hiei refused. He didn't know how to play anyway, but they forced him to at least sit on the couch with them, between Kurama and Yusuke. His head hunched and he looked more like a caged animal than an enjoying participant, but nobody seemed to care. They all laughed and enjoyed themselves, despite his brooding.
As the top of the orange sun began to swim in heat waves and sink below the horizon, two dark figures jumped down from the Uremeshi house's roof. One tall and one small, they quietly moved toward the front door and stood before it.
"Hm, so... should we knock, or should we REALLY knock?" Koji said, smiling slightly.
Kazunori continued to stare at the door as he spoke. "No need for violence just yet, maybe just a show of power. If this universe has any justice, our reputations should precede us." He knocked lightly on the door, almost in a comical, cheerful way. "The spirit detective will answer, this is his home. You speak."
Yusuke excused himself from the group, still chuckling over Kuwabara's attempt at bluffing. He strode over to the door and opened it. Two people stood at the door, and he examined them closely the second or so before speaking, a habit he had attained quickly as a spirit detective.
There was one that was somewhat tall, or at least he seemed tall next to the other one, who was very short, only a few inches taller than Koenma himself. The tall one was smiling merrily, with his hands folded behind his back. The short one was leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed, looking at the ground, as if to avoid Yusuke's gaze. The tall one wore a martial arts shirt, with no sleeves. Despite it's obvious age and wear, the vestment seemed elaborate somehow, and Yusuke noted that it was probably imbued with spirit power somehow. He was wearing martial arts pants as well, loose fitting for freedom of movement. Both shirt and pants were black, as was this person's hair, which was short and neatly combed back, much the way Yusuke himself liked to wear his. Yusuke noted the small, sharp curved horns just above his hairline, and realized he must be at least part demon. The tall one also wore sheaths on his sides for two katanas. He gave off an aura of great strength, if not particularly spirit oriented. As soon as he thought this, he felt an intense wave of energy. It seemed this being was hiding his energy, allowing only periodical waves to let Yusuke know he had more than he showed.
The short one was a different story. He seemed to be masking none of his energy at all, and Yusuke was nearly overwhelmed when he felt it, tho he hid his surprise. The short one wore a midnight blue robe, with elaborate black dragon symbols. A cream-white scarf surrounded his neck, and drooped fashionably down. Yusuke chuckled in his mind, imagining the idea of fashion-minded mercenaries. This individual has flashingly noticible green eyes., though they were hard to see as he was staring away from Yusuke. He had medium lenght, spiked upward hair that seemed to be kept in place by a black bandana. Yusuke noticed last that his entire left forearm was a shining metal canon...it reminded him of the megaman games he'd played when he was younger and he suppressed another laugh. He realized it in fact wasn't a canon, but rather a machine gun of some sort, a type he thought were called gatling guns, or miniguns.
The tall one spoke first, unsurprisingly. "Hello, Mr. Uremeshi. I understand that you have a friend of ours here, whom is an associate of Lord Damian, much like ourselves. We've been sent to bring him back to Mr. Damian, he's taken a bit too long of a vacation."
Yusuke laughed despite himself. "Well, I've never met such a polite mercenary! From what I hear, this Lord Scumbag you work for isn't much of an employer. He seems to not even be paying Hiei... and Hiei has decided to quit."
The taller one laughed as well. "Well, Mr. Uremeshi, money isn't particularly useful in Spirit World, is it? That's where Damian lives, you see, and where we work." He suddenly looked somewhat shocked. "My goodness, we haven't introduced ourselves! My name is Koji, and this here is my esteemed colleague, Kazunori. We work as bodyguards for Mr. Damian, although we occasionally take on various other responsibilities."
Yusuke crossed his arms and smiled again. "Well, I'm Yusuke, as I'm sure you know. And as for your "various other responsibilities", do those include assassinations?"
Koji cocked an eyebrow. "Sometimes."
Kazunori suddenly broke in. "I've had enough of this. Stop stalling, mortal, and bring Hiei out here. You heard our job, now bring him here so we don't have to bring him back to Damian with broken parts."
Yusuke stepped back and uncrossed his arms. "You seem to have a tough attitude for such a small, under-ARMed guy." He charged his energy into a spirit gun bullet. "I wonder how you'd act without that gun of yours?" A blast rocketed from Yusuke's finger, releasing a roar of sound. The bullet merely bounced off of Kazunori's arm, but not without caving in quite a bit of it.
Kazunori looked down at it as though repulsed. "I should never have let you do that. Though feeling your power gives me an idea of your small strength, I haven't brought any tools for fixing this...hm, bastard."
The sound of Yusuke's spirit gun had brought the attention of the others in the house. They arrived in the room, and immediately saw what had happened. Kuwabara and Kurama pulled Hiei behind them, to shield him.
Koji spoke up more seriously. "I'm afraid we can't let you stand in our way, Yusuke."
As Yusuke turned toward him he felt a powerful wave of energy emanating from Koji. His vision seemed to cloud over and was replaced by images of swirling clouds and rain. Within seconds his vision cleared and returned to him. He was on his back near one of the walls opposite Koji, and in considerable pain. Koji had lifted him with his mind and slammed him backwards. Before he could yell and consider his attack, Hiei had already moved. With a blur of movement, Hiei slashed at Koji. Koji dodged without much difficulty, smiling as he did so. Kazunori batted Hiei with his broken gun arm, knocking Hiei backwards. Hiei landed on his feet, sliding back a foot or so.
Kazunori growled and looked down at his useless gun. "I suppose we can give you another day. You humans had better have machine shops in this town... until tehn enjoy your vacation, Hiei. Damian isn't likely to be lenient with you when you return. We'll be watching." He turned to Koji. "Let's go."
Before anyone could fully take in what had been said, the two had vanished in a blur of speed. Yusuke struggled to his feet, with the help of Kayko. "There's something not right about them... no matter how polite Koji may act."
Hiei was soundless as he resheathed his sword. "Maybe now you understand what I've been telling you. They are immensely talented... we can't afford to underestimate them."
.....
It was still dark the next morning when a figure appeared atop Yusuke's next door neighbor's chimney. Tall and lanky, they kneeled quietly on the perch of the chimney, viewing Yusuke's house with a look of analysis. He looked like a bird of prey, staring at the window to Yusuke's room, waiting for the moment when the occupants, who had spent the night, would depart, undoubtably together.
Kazunori slept on the roof of the house, away from Koji. Koji thought about it for a moment, how they had worked as partner mercenaries for years, and how Kazunori remained as self contained as ever. A loner if there ever was one, with some truly entertaining habits. Kazunori had a tendency to be able to sleep anywhere, like a child he simply fell asleep anywhere he could. He slept in to midmorning always, if possible. Kazunori had never been the best as a partner comes, but he was strong. Koji, on the other hand had always been a very light sleeper and woke up early to stalk his prey. Silently he wondered how the coming day would go. As he wondered, a beeping sound permeated the stillness of the early morning. Kazunori first stirred, then sat up and answered the messenger he carried. Koji heard Damian's voice and imagined the way he would look on the video screen as Kazunori watched.
"Sleeping on the job, I should have known." Damian's voice.
Kazunori came out a growl, as usual in the morning when out in the field. "It's morning on earth... I can't hunt your prey until I've had coffee."
Koji knew that was a bad move. Damian's voice came out a yell this time. "You had better track Hiei night and day! Kill him if you have to, I don't care! Just finish the job, I can't have him going to Koenma personally... Witnesses don't matter, as long as Hiei is erased, he can't come back into Spirit World unless it's in my possession!"
Kazunori paused and coninued his growl. "You told us the job parameters yesterday. Must you continue to bark at us for the sake of hearing yourself? I certainly could have gotten it doen yesterday if you'd allowed me to take my toolbag before we left."
Koji sighed and prepared for worse. Damian's voice had risen to an insane roar. "I have had enough! If you dont bring Hiei by sundown earth time tonight, I will send another team. And this time they'll be after you!" Koji heard the monotonous beep as the transmission ended.
Kazunori layed back down to go back to sleep. "Call from Damian," he said lazily.
Koji smiled despite himself. "Oh really? How's he doing?"
"Insane...as always."
Koji nodded slowly. "So what's he want now?"
Kazunori. "Well I suppose you heard, but I'll humor you anyway. "He says, that if we don't have the target by sundown, he's sending a team to get us." He yawned. "I guess he's just not in a good mood."
"Or maybe he doesn't like being egged on by toddler sized smartasses?"
Kazunori began to answer, but fell asleep before he could.
Koji turned back to the Uremeshi house and thought again of how the day might go. If Damian was to betray them, Koji thought to himself that he may like that more. In the end, he realized, Earth wasn't such a deplorable place. He could stay a while, make friends like Uremeshi's. The life of a human. He chuckled to himself. Romantisizing such a thing. Why, this place certainly had an affect on people.
End of Chapter 3. Please R&R!