Yu Yu Hakusho Inversed

Chapter 12

June 3, 2005

"Mr. Sakyo, you have a visitor."

"Go ahead and let them in," the businessman said. He sipped his drink. "Would you care for anything?"

Yukina shook her head. "No, thank you."

Sakyo nodded, absently glancing at a mirror mounted on the den wall. The looking glass reflected the hall, and currently depicted his approaching visitor. "Yukina, go into my bedroom. Lock the door."

"What?"

"Go."

Sakyo's tone was normal, but something about the way he spoke… "Okay," she said, quickly obeying his request.

Sakyo watched her leave, and then swiveled in his chair to greet the caller. "Karasu, I thought Kurama expelled you from the Youkai."

"He did," Karasu said crisply. "But never fear; that mistake shall soon be fixed."

"Do I even want to know?"

"The reign of the Yoko as leader of the Youkai draws to an end; the reign of Karasu is just beginning."

He raised an eyebrow. "You're going to declare anarchy on the co-founder of the Youkai? That sounds rather suicidal."

"Not really. Over my time served as a Youkai I've established strong ties with a majority of my fellow gangsters, and through much persuasion managed to influence Kurama into accepting many of my more personal associates into his group. True, there may be a clash of loyalties among the Youkai at first, but Kurama lost his grip on power some time ago- my victory is practically guaranteed, with the support of my allies."

"I see," Sakyo said aloofly. "And am I one of those said allies?"

"Naturally."

"And how do you propose we dethrone the Yoko?"

"I don't aim to spill his blood; at least, not yet. Kurama has money, and I plan to arrange it so that when he does- shall we say, ascend into his next life? - that money goes to me."

"You mean through something like marriage? I regret telling you that this specific country has yet to legalize the union you're proposing."

"Not if one of us becomes a woman in the flesh. I've found a doctor who, after my persuasion, won't ask too many questions." He smirked. "And when my new bride unexpectedly expires during the honeymoon, her death certificate shall state that she died of arising complications from the surgery. Gender reassignment can be a fatal affair, you know."

"And when this female Kurama dies, you as husband inherit her money," Sakyo finished.

"Precisely."

"Kurama will never submit to that."

"So I've discovered. But that's what drugs are for, Sakyo. He won't have a say in the matter."

"Uh-huh."

"I plan to strike as soon as possible. When can you join me?"

"Never."

Karasu snapped his head about and stared at him. "What?"

"I allied with Kurama because of his willingness to assist me in the Jaganshi affair. So far, the only 'contribution' you yourself have made to my interests is your attempted rape of Mr. Jaganshi. Thus, I feel inclined to stand by Kurama- does he even know of any of these intentions?"

"Element of surprise," Karasu replied frigidly, inconspicuously reaching within his coat.

"I see. Well, it would appear that you've made the mistake of assuming; you can be sure that Kurama will not be caught as off guard as you planned." Sakyo rose from his chair.

Almost immediately, a hand wrapped around his throat and pulled him back. "I see that you misunderstand, Mr. Sakyo," Karasu hissed. "You see, I will not lose my element of surprise." He held a gun to Sakyo's temple.

'And this is what happens when you mingle with overly-ambitious gangsters,' he thought. 'Oh well.' "Do what you will, Karasu," Sakyo said nonchalantly, though he knew what was about to transpire. "I'm sure that by the time you arrive, Kurama will be expecting-"

Bang.