Spirits of War
Chapter 4
The Shadows Aren't Real
Kayko finally woke up after the long, brutal night. She was a bit dazed; her head felt fuzzy and her body ached from sleeping on the cement. She stood up and wiped the sleep from her eyes. That was when she noticed Kurama was gone. Frantically, Kayko called for Kurama. She checked around the corners of the alley, but found no Kurama.
Then she remembered the night. Kurama...the creature must have done something with him, too. Just like Kuwabara...and...Yusuke...Tears formed. They trickled down her face. She felt completely alone and helpless. I need to find help. But who will help me now? No one else knows about the Demon World...at least no one in this city...
Kayko ran out of the alley, her tears falling behind her as gentle breezes brushed her face. Kayko stopped at a bus stop and plopped herself on the bench, trying to catch her breath. The bus came. It stopped with its screeching brakes. Kayko stepped inside to put change into the machine. But Kayko had no coins to give. She searched all of her pockets, but found nothing...
KAYKO: No! I must have some change with me! Oh no, no!
The bus driver grew somewhat impatient. The passengers also grew somewhat impatient with Kayko. Then to Kayko's suprise, an elderly woman sitting in the front seat next to the door gave her some change. The woman just smiled and simply told her to cheer up. Kayko smiled back and put the coins into the toll box. The door was closed behind her as she made her way down the little aisle. She sat down next to a window and an empty seat. Kayko anxiously crinkled her skirt, thinking about how the guys were doing, and if they were even alive.
About half an hour passed by. Kayko waited patiently for all of the previous stops. Then it was Kayko's turn to stop. She pulled the cord that dangled above her head, telling the driver to stop. The bus came to a halt. Kayko stepped down and bowed to the driver, thanking him for waiting for her before. The bus drove off with a cloud of dust trailing. Behind Kayko was a small dirt pathway. She took a deep breath and sprinted up the path. The shadows of the large trees kept her cool as the sun rose higher into the sky. There were flocks of birds everywhere, all moving from tree to tree. Kayko began to slow her running to a jog. She could see a flight of steep stairs up ahead. Her jog turned into a walk as she neared the concrete steps. At the foot of the staircase, Kayko stopped and looked to the top. She could barely make out a sort of arched structure. She squinted her eyes, for trees were scarce at the top and the sun was shining brightly.
And so Kayko started to climb the stairs. Each step she took she felt less and less secure. Thoughts were racing through her mind. She was thinking about Yusuke and the others, where they were, how they were doing, and why that creature appeared. Kayko stopped on one step for a while thinking of these things...
KAYKO: under her breath What if no one can help? What if I never see them again? in a harsh tone No, Kayko! Stop thinking these things! shaking her head Stop doubting your friends! You will find a way!
At that, Kayko carefully ran up the stairs, occasionally skipping a few. She reached the top within minutes. She stopped for a few seconds under the arch. There was a dojo a couple hundred feet away from her. There was a small fountain in the middle of the dojo and a cement pathway that lead to two entrances. The dojo was in the shape of a "u"; the wings that stuck out on the left and right sides of Kayko had sliding doors. The right wing included a large entrance way with an overhang and large doors leading to the inside. Kayko ran to the right wing's main entrance. Normally she would have gone to the sliding door, but she wanted to be formal since she did not know if anyone was home...
KAYKO: pounding on the door, yelling Hello! Hello! Is anyone home? I need help!
As Kayko pounded her fist for a fifth time, the door slowly opened, revealing a short, elderly woman standing in the doorway. Her eyes were sagged and she had a frown on her face. Her right arm was behind her back and her left holding the door handle...
KAYKO: Genkai! I'm so relieved you're home. I need help! ranting Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Kurama are gone, and there's this monster in the city, and--
GENKAI: interrupting Kayko Slow down, slow down. I'm here to help. Come inside and sit with me. You can tell me all about it inside.
Kayko nodded her head and took off her shoes, placing them against the wall. She walked in, taking notice of how dark it was; the only light given was coming from another open sliding-door and a few candles. There were two mats straight ahead of the young girl. She sat down on one of them while Genkai closed the door...
GENKAI: walking towards Kayko Now, child, what were you saying about my dimwit pupil and a monster?
Kayko took a deep breath and exhaled. She tried to ease her mind before she said anything. Genkai knelt to Kayko's head...
GENKAI: How about I get you some tea? That might help you relax. with a small smile Besides, you look tired from climbing my staircase.
KAYKO: Oh, yes, please.
Genkai walked into a room behind Kayko. She came back out with a tray that had two cups of hot herbal tea. She gave one cup to Kayko and then out the tray down on the floor. Genkai sat down on the mat and picked up her cup...
GENKAI: Alright, now. What do you want to tell me? takes a sip
Kayko looked down at her tea. She took a few sips before she spoke. Kayko explained what had happened, from when the creature appeared in the alley to when she woke up alone this morning. Genkai's expression did not change. She blew away the steam from her tea and took another sip...
GENKAI: Hmm...Well, I'm not exaclty sure what I can do. Kayko, I want you to go home--
KAYKO: interrupting Genkai Oh my gosh! Home! My parents must be worried sick about me! And to think that things couldn't be get any worse...
GENKAI: Let me finish! I want you to go home and relax, ok? Can you do that? I will notify your parents--
KAYKO: panicking And tell them what! That I've been out all night encountering monsters who keep making everyone I know disappear!
Genkai began to grow impatient of Kayko's interruptions. Her eyebrow was twitching and her hand was about to smack Kayko across the face. But Genkai just sipped her tea and tried to explain slowly to Kayko...
GENKAI: I will simply tell your parents that you were here with me all night, that you stayed with your friends too late after school, and since you were closer to my home, you came to spend the night. How does that sound?
KAYKO: Really? I feel bad about lying to my parents, but...leans over, hugs Genkai Oh, thank you, Genkai. stops hugging Genkai, leans back But what about Yusuke and everyone?
GENKAI: I'll see if I can get in touch with Koenma or Boton. Just leave it to me. I'll call you when I find out anything. Here, hands Kayko some change take this. I know it's a long bus ride into town. Be sure you get home safely.
Kayko took the change and put it in her pocket. She stood up and walked to the door with Genkai closely following behind. Kayko put on her shoes and walked to the arch. Genkai gave her a farewell, as did Kayko to Genkai. The young girl descended the staircase carefully so that she would not trip.
Genkai stood there until Kayko vanished down the path. The old woman walked back to her dojo, now thinking about what Kayko had told her. She thought to herself, It seems we have yet another problem on our hands. Yusuke, you dimwit. What trouble have you gotten yourself into now? She stepped inside and walked into the same room where she fixed the tea. Genkai picked up the phone and called Kayko's parents. She explained everything, which seemed to calm down Kayko's worried parents. After telling them Kayko would be home shortly, Genkai gave a "Good-bye" and hung up the phone. Her hands became shakey. Heh, I'm actually shaking. There's definately something odd happening around here, she thought to herself...
GENKAI: after pausing for a few minutes Now to contact Koenma.
Genkai walked over to a desk near the doorway. She pulled out a device from one of its drawers and flipped it open. Its screen flashed blue and white before it fully turned on. Genkai pushed a large button on its pad, making the screen go blank. The screen then turned blue again, showing a bar slowly changing orange. When the bar turned completely orange, there was a beep and a face on the screen. The screen was a bit fuzzy, but a voice could be heard...
VOICE: cracking Hello--o--Ko---en----speaking--
GENKAI: Hold on, let me move into the next room. Reception is bad in here. walks into front room This is Genkai. Can you here me, Koenma?
What seemed to be a small child appeared on the screen. He was sitting in a large chair with his arms crossed...
KOENMA: Oh, hello, Genkai. So, you're actually using the comlink after all. Told you it would come in handy. What can I do for you?
GENKAI: We have a situation down here. Can you locate Yusuke for me?
KOENMA: Um, sure. Hang on a second leaves screen, comes back a few seconds later That's funny, I can't get a hold of him. Must be some sort of interference or something.
GENKAI: What about Kurama?
KOENMA: Hmm...no, sorry.
GENKAI: This isn't good. Any chance Boton can locate them?
KOENMA: I'm sure she can locate both of them. Hold on. screams HEY GEORGE!
GEORGE the OGRE: appears on screen next to Koenma Yes, Koenma, sir!
KOENMA: George, where is Boton currently?
GEORGE: I believe she is escorting a soul to Spirit World as we speak, sir. She should be here in your office very shortly.
KOENMA: Good. See to it that I see her as soon as she walks in through the gates. We have a small emergency here.
GEORGE: Right away, sir! leaves screen, closes door while leaving the room
KOENMA: Boton will be here shortly, Genkai. And, just out of curiousity, why do you need Yusuke so badly? Is he late for your training chuckles
GENKAI: No, this is quite serious. Kayko paid me a visit not too long ago. It seems there is a monster loose in the city. Apparently, it did something with Yusuke, Kurama, and Kuwabara.
KOENMA: Is that so? Well, we do have a problem then. We'll see if Boton can find them. She should be here soon.
GEORGE: in doorway Sir! Boton has arrived. Here she is.
BOTON: bowing What can I do for you, Koenma? turns to screen Oh hi, Genkai!
KOENMA: Boton, can you locate Yusuke and Kurama for us?
BOTON: Certainly, sir. One minute. pulls out device similar to Genkai's Hmm, they aren't responding.
GENKAI: sighs So much for that idea.
BOTON: Is there a problem?
KOENMA: Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Kurama are all missing. There's a monster loose in the human world, and it found them and Kayko.
BOTON: Oh my! What about Kayko? Is she missing, too?
GENKAI: No. She came by this morning and told me what happened.
BOTON: Maybe we should send a search team. What do you think, Koenma? Koenma, sir?
Koenma was sucking on his pacifier anxiously, which made a very annoying sound. He finally sopke up...
KOENMA: No search team will be able to find them. They could have lost their comlinks, Yusuke and Kurama that is. Or the monster could have eaten them.
BOTON: Koenma! Please don't say that!
KOENMA: I'm just naming possibilities! It's not like they were sucked into another dimension or something crazy like that!
BOTON: Koenma!
GENKAI: Actually, that's quite possible.
Both Koenma and Boton looked to the screen with confusing stares...
GENKAI: It's a possibility, right? Do you know anyone that is able to travel interdimensionally?
KOENMA: Hmmm...Nope. Can't think of anyone in particular.
BOTON: Neither can I.
GENKAI: Call in Magic. She should be able to help us more than anyone in both the Human and Spirit worlds. The Demon World, too, for that matter.
KOENMA & BOTON: Of course! Magic!
KOENMA: screams GEORGE!
GEORGE: runs up to Koenma's desk Y-yes, sir?
KOENMA: Send for Magic Caster, immediately!
George saluted and left the room in a flash. Coincidently, Magic had entered the palace just as George had run out of the room. George ran down the hallway, dodging other working ogres. Down a little ways, he could see a cat-looking creature. Magic's large cat ears, red fur, and long blonde bangs stuck out perfectly amongst the ogres around her. The silver in her hair shimmered in the light as she walked. George then came to a halt, almost running into Magic. He grabbed her arm...
GEORGE: panting Magic!...Koenma wants you...right now!
Before she could say anything, he bolted back toward Koenma's office with Magic being dragged behind him. They reached the office, both of them out of breath. The doors were opened. George let go of Magic and gave her a small nudge in her back...
GEORGE: panting Here's Magic, sir! May I go rest now, sir?
KOENMA: Very well. waving his hand You're on break. You got ten minutes.
GEORGE: WOW! TEN MINUTES! Oh thank you, sir! I'm definately buying you a gift for this year's Christmas party! leaves room
KOENMA: grumbling Oh, so now you buy me gifts?
MAGIC: Someone needed me?
BOTON: Have you seen Kurama, Yusuke, or Kuwabara recently?
MAGIC: Nope. Not since the Dark Tournament. notices the screen Hey! Genkai's on the screen! HI GENKAI!
GENKAI: smiling Good to see you, Magic. But I'm afraid we have some bad news.
Kayko arrived home hours ago. She was expecting Genkai to call her a long time ago. She sat on her bed, tapping her foot on the ground and her finger on her crossed arms. She looked every few minutes at the phone on the night stand next to her bed. And every time she looked, it remained silent...
KAYKO: When will she call? I need to know what's going to happen! Maybe I should call her back...No...If Genkai says she will call me, she will call me.
Kayko got up and walked over to her window. It was getting dark out. Goosebumps ran down her body as she remembered the night she and Kurama encountered the creature. The memory lingered in her mind. Kayko frightened herself, so she closed the curtains on her window, paranoid of the creature showing up. Just as the curtains were closed, Kayko heard a knock on her door. She gasped as she turned around. She heard a muffled Kayko and a few more knocks. She walked to the door, her body shaking uncontrollably. She reached to turn the doorknob. She flung the door wide open. It was her father at her door. He informed her that dinner was ready. Kayko sighed in relief that it wasn't the creature. She followed her father to the kitchen, staring at her feet the whole way.
Her mother was already sitting down. Both Kayko and her father sat down. All were silent as they ate, except for the occasional gulping and sipping. Then Kayko's father spoke up. He had noticed that since Kayko had returned home, she had been acting different. He asked her if something happened between her and her friends afterschool. Of course, Kayko could not tell them the truth. They would never believe her. Kayko lied, saying that her friend heard some bad news and it made Kayko feel bad, too. Her parents believed her. Kayko felt even worse lying to them, but even if she did tell the truth, they would probably never let her see Yusuke or any of her friends again.
After the dishes were washed, Kayko's parents watched t.v. together in the living room. Kayko went to her room. She closed the door and was about to lock it, but she thought that she should keep it open in case her parents came in to check on her; they might think something terrible was bothering Kayko. So she left it unlocked, but kept it closed tight. Again, she sat on her bed waiting for the phone to ring. There was no call, even when Kayko was getting ready for bed. Her parents had gone to bed already. She would have to answer the phone right away if it rang so that her parents would not wake up. The lights were turned off. She climbed into bed and pulled the covers over her head, still afraid of the creature showing in her room. Kayko couldn't fall asleep. Her fear of the creature excited her imagination. Kayko shook so badly, her bed began to shake, too.
It was getting warm under her covers. Kayko popped her head out to breath the cooler air. She looked about her room. There were shadows of the trinkets on her shelves and floor. There was some light shining through the curtains from the street light outside. The dark, as well as her imagination, played with Kayko's mind. She imagined the creature showing right in front of her. A car passed by outside; its shadow was shown in her room. It raced across the wall, which made Kayko jump. She sat up. She told herself over and over It was only a car, just a car. Laying back down was a task, but she managed to put her head on her pillow and pull the covers over her head again. More car-shadows passed along her wall. She could barely make them out through the covers, though. Then it was silent again. For a while, nothing could be heard. No cars passed the house, no dogs barked. Wind blew fiercely against the house. The bedroom window was being tapped by occasional harsh gusts of wind. Kayko was more paranoid than ever. She started imagining the creature again. But she told herself again and again that there was no creature. To prove herself, she threw the covers off and sat up in the bed, her fists clenched. There was nothing there as before. There, you see, Kayko? Nothing there. Just darkness. Now go to sleep. And so she laid back down for the last time. The covers were pulled up to her neck this time. She turned over, now facing the bookshelf, her back facing the opposite wall. She closed her eyes and tried to fall asleep. Just as she closed her eyes, she heard a noise coming from behind her. Kayko, half-convinced that there was nothing behind her, ignored the sound. But as it continued, it grew a bit louder and louder. It sounded like someone was sweeping her carpeted floor with a broom. Kayko kept her eyes closed but could not ignore the sound. Then, she felt something moving her hair. It was moving from the top of her head, down her spine, and back to her head. Whatever it was, Kayko thought to herself I'm just imagining this. Nothing's touching me...
Just then, the covers were pulled all the way over her head. Her body was engulfed in the bed sheets. Kayko yelled for her parents, but her screams were muffled by the sheets. Kayko felt herself being picked up. She was hung over something, her head facing the ground and her legs kicking in the air. Kayko screamed until she was hit in the head. She was knocked out cold. Her body was thrown onto the ground and left alone.
MAGIC: in a sarcastic sort of tone Wow, that is bad news.
KOENMA: OF COURSE IT'S BAD NEWS! We have our best detective, one of our best fighters, and a goof missing!
BOTON: You don't have to scream at her, sir.
MAGIC: So, why do you need me again?
GENKAI: I have a hunch that they are trapped in another world.
MAGIC: Did you check all of Spirit World? What about Demon World?
BOTON: They aren't in any of those worlds.
MAGIC: So when you say world, you mean they're in another dimension?
GENKAI: That's right. I have my reasons for thinking this mind you. I can't really explain it. After all, it's just a hunch.
KOENMA: Magic, since you can travel interdimensionally, we need you to try and track them down. Got that? You don't have a problem with it, do you?
MAGIC: Ok, ok, hold up. First of all, do you have any idea how many dimensions there are? Do you even have a CLUE about about how many worlds are even IN a single dimension? It may take forever to find them! crosses her arms But, I could narrow down the possiblities by, say, looking for their spirit energy levels only.
BOTON: You can do that without using a scouter? Amazing!
GENKAI: Let's go with that plan, then. I need to contact Kayko soon, so try and make it fast.
MAGIC: You can rush me all you want, Genkai, but there's no guarentee I'll find them that quickly.
KOENMA: Just do it as best you can.
MAGIC: All righty then! Stay quiet so I concentrate.
Magic looked off into a random direction and widened her eyes. They glowed their sky-blue color as Magic focused her thoughts on finding her friends' spirit energy levels. Everyone was silent. Genkai watched Magic on the tiny screen in her palm. Koenma watched from his chair, while Boton stood near Magic...
MAGIC: Ok, they aren't in your dimension.
KOENMA: Well that was quick. You searched our whole dimension in just a few seconds.
MAGIC: Yes, well , your dimension only has a couple hundred worlds.
BOTON: anime sweatdrop Just a couple hundred...?
Magic held her claws up, signaling for silence. Genkai was getting bored of watching the red-furred catgon stand there motionless. She put the comlink on the floor and walked into the kitchen to get some more tea. She came back and sat on the same mat as before. Magic still remained motionless...
KOENMA: sucking his pacifier loudly Mmmmm...How many dimensions have you searched now?
MAGIC: grunting at Koenma's sucking noises Counting yours, about thirty-eight.
BOTON: Are there few worlds in those dimensions as well?
MAGIC: No. Just small populations of lifeforms with energy levels equal to that of Kurama, Kuwabara, and Yusuke.
GENKAI: takes a sip Try checking your own dimension, the world where you're from.
MAGIC: Um...ok. Hold on...No way!
KOENMA & BOTON: WHAT!
MAGIC: My brother, Bart, moved out of his home again. talking to herself I wonder where he moved to this time?
KOENMA & BOTON: both fall over anime style, then pop back up MAGIC! just Koenma Stop fooling around! just Boton Yes, I agree! Focus on Yusuke and the others!
MAGIC: Ok, ok. Sorry! Let's see...
Genkai chuckled to herself. What did you expect from Magic? She never stays serious about anything for very long; she never has, and never will. She took a large sip of her tea just as Magic exclaimed...
MAGIC: FOUND THEM!
Genkai spat her tea all over herself. Koenma fell out of his chair just as Boton swung her arms in the air out of excitement, smacking him back into his chair which caused him to spin around.
MAGIC: They're in my world, Felius Repta. But...but how did they end up there? eyes dimmed, now regular The only way they could have gotten there would be if they used a saim wormhole.
BOTON: Don't you mean the same wormhole?
MAGIC: No, SAIM. S-a-i-m, saim. It's a wormhole that goes only two ways, from point A to point B, back and forth. It only has one path. That's the only kind of wormhole that can penetrate Felius Repta's Interdimensional Barrier.
KOENMA: And that would be...?
BOTON: I'm guessing it's like a firewall on a computer, right? It keeps certain viruses out. And like a firewall, it keeps certain wormholes from opening into your world.
MAGIC: Very good. I didn't expect an Earthen to figure it out that quickly. Yes, it's like a firewall. And a saim wormhole is the only wormhole that grants you access to Felius Repta. Of course, you don't have to use a saim wormhole to leave my world. turning to Genkai SO, what made you think they were in my world?
GENKAI: staring at her tea It would take too long to explain. I must go now. I need to contact Kayko. I'll talk to you later. leaves screen
KOENMA: So we know where they are. Now we need to rescue them. We'll figure out how they got there later. Magic, this will sound awkward, but I need you to go home and bring back Yusuke, Kurama, and Kuwabara.
MAGIC: Will do! Of course, I didn't pinpoint their exact location. So when I arrive, it may take a while for me to find them. My world is quite large.
KOENMA: eyebrow twitching You mean to tell me that you didn't actully find them?
MAGIC: You said to just locate their spirit energy levels, not their bodies!
KOENMA: Genkai said to look for their energy levels! I said to just find them!
MAGIC: And so I did! You need to specify what you mean by "them" next time.
BOTON: Now, now, children. Oh sorry, Koenma, hehe.
KOENMA: holding his forehead Just bring them back, please.
MAGIC: Ok! I'm going all ready.
Right before Magic could open a portal in front of herself, Genkai came back on the vidscreen...
GENKAI: Kayko is gone!
GROUP: WHA---!
GENKAI: I called her house and this message came up. It definately wasn't her or her parents. It said, "Kayko is with the others now".
BOTON: How horrible!
KOENMA: Magic, make sure you come back with Kayko, too--
MAGIC: Well, duh!
KOENMA: I'm not finished! Bring her back as well as whoever is doing this! No, scratch that. Get rid of whoever is doing this! I mean it!
MAGIC: Yeah, yeah, I gotcha. I'm on the job.
BOTON: Good luck, Magic.
MAGIC: under her breath Luck has nothing to do with it. There's no such thing...
Magic pointed her left index claw toward the wall. It glowed a bright orange color. Everyone took notice as the portal appeared. On the other side, an endless field could be seen. Magic stepped through. When she was on the other side, the portal closed behind her...
BOTON: That was pretty neat.
GENKAI: Indeed. We'll just wait for her return then.
KOENMA: Yes. sigh What to do til then?
BOTON: Ya know, I was thinking. Isn't it a coincidence that Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama, and Kayko were kidnapped?
GENKAI: Come to think of it, it does seem coincidental.
BOTON: You think someone's been spying on them?
KOENMA: I suppose. Anything is possible, as Magic always says.
BOTON: This also makes me wonder if Hiei was kidnapped as well.
KOENMA: laughing That's a good one, Boton. Hiei, kidnapped.
BOTON: Well I'm just saying. I mean Kurama was kidnapped so...
GENKAI: She has a point.
KOENMA: Hmm. We'll see. Boton, can you pull up Hiei's recent activity? He's still on probabtion right now so it should be easy to find him.
BOTON: Um...Koenma?...I can't find him...
End chapter 4