Wildfire

Chapter five: The First Flame

By Funara

Disclaimer: Yu Yu Hakusho belongs to more people than I can count on two hands, but none of them is me. Anyone attempting to sue me will be written into a bad parody of "Law and Order" involving drunken squirrels and retired baseball coaches that arbitrarily hit on passerby. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Notes: I apologize for the length of this chapter. It's just that everything happened that needed to, and it did so within a short word count. Luckily, since I'm home more or less all the time, the next chapter should be out fairly quickly….unless I get sidetracked. This may or may not be foreshadowing.

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Alaric's imperial palace was nothing like that of Gandara. While Gandara's palace was really a series of elegant, elaborate buildings with a red column motif, Alaric's was a redoubtable fortress, strengthened by stone and marble. With the entrance gate made out of spears of polished iron and the main hall supported by gray, granite columns, it was clear that Alaric's stronghold was designed to induce fear rather than to just impress.

The sound of footsteps brought Kurama's attention to the page Shigure had sent to tell Mukuro of their arrival. The boy held up one finger and bowed deeply to their party.

"Her Majesty is free," Shigure translated. "You may see her now or rest first, though she may be occupied later."

The red-haired emperor glanced at Tojin and Anju, who had accompanied him. Both of them looked a little tired but still alert. They nodded at him. "We will see her now. It would be impolite of us to arrive without warning and still make her wait."

"Fine. Follow me." Shigure led the way through a side door in the main hall, which led to another hallway. He stopped before a door with a set of handprints imprinted in its center and knocked three times before pushing open the doors, careful not to touch the handprints.

The first thing Kurama noticed was that all the sides of the circular room seemed to be made of a clear, smooth crystal. Behind the transparent walls, there appeared to be a glowing source of light that changed colors intermittently. It was difficult to clearly make out the rest of the room, as the light rays did not penetrate far, but Kurama could discern several tables and chairs scattered about.

"Your Majesty, Mukuro-sama, I've brought the emperor of Gandara and his companions." Shigure bowed briefly and left, shutting the doors behind him.

"This is certainly a surprise," came Mukuro's voice.

"I apologize, Mukuro-san. There were urgent issues I wished to discuss," Kurama replied, attempting to locate the source of her voice.

"I see." A figure rose from the center of the room and suddenly, the light source was no longer changing color but remained a steady, bright white-yellow, approximating sunshine.

Mukuro stood before them, her form darkened by the light shining behind her. "Sit, please." As Kurama, Tojin and Anju seated themselves at a table across from Alaric's empress, they could not help but glance at the glowing walls.

"There is a crystal positioned behind the walls. It absorbs energy and emits it in the form of light. I had it placed here, because I enjoy watching its variations in color." Mukuro pulled a chair out and sat down. "But I doubt that this was the reason you came to visit me."

Kurama shook his head, a rueful smile tugging at his lips. When Mukuro said nothing, he settled into a more serious demeanor. "This morning, Shigure-san informed us that you had requested the immediate return of the soldier we had captured." He paused. "However, I'm afraid I cannot comply."

"Oh?" Mukuro arched an eyebrow.

"The soldier—his name is Hiei, I believe—assaulted two of Gandara's soldiers. He must stand trial and serve his sentence before we release him."

She folded her hands and gazed at them idly before asking, "Is that all?"

"No. There are questions we'd like to ask you about Honetadare."

"Such as?"

"Your soldiers left first, Mukuro-san. Did they find anything that might be of aid in finding the Orb or Sosen no miko?"

Alaric's empress leaned back in her chair and regarded Kurama silently. "I'm afraid I cannot comply," she said, imitating Kurama's earlier remark.

Kurama was taken aback. "Why not?"

Mukuro fixed him with a steady look. "Alaric and Gandara have been allies for a long time, Kurama-san. They've aided each other in war, traded successfully and profited from the relationship. Always, though, it has been Alaric that gave more. After all, we are the larger country. It seemed fitting.

"Recently, my advisors have been pushing me to cut off that bond." She paused, to let the words sink in. "I resisted them at first, but now, I am beginning to see the wisdom of their words.

"Alaric offered Gandara a lucrative plan for utilizing the Orb. We did not have to, but we did. We then heard, through our sources, that the emperor was violently opposed to our offer." Mukuro fastened her gaze again on Kurama.

"His Majesty had reason to believe it was danger—" Anju began.

"And then, we are told that the Orb had disappeared in Gandara," Mukuro continued, ignoring the advisor. "We offered our aid in retaking Honetadare. In return, Gandara captures one of our soldiers and refuses to return him. They even approach us for information when they have exhausted their own sources."

Kurama had remained perfectly still while Mukuro had spoken, and he now met her gaze evenly. But inside, a cold feeling had taken hold.

"Perhaps you don't have enough political experience to understand my meaning," she said contemptuously. "Let me lay it out for you—"

"How dare you!" Both Tojin and Anju had stood abruptly and were glaring down at the orange-haired woman.

"No!" Kurama commanded suddenly. "Anju-san, Tojin-san, please take your seats." The two sat uncertainly, giving their emperor bewildered looks. "Mukuro-san, please continue."

Mukuro did so. "In short, Alaric is cutting itself off from Gandara. We are retracting all aid and treaties, including the one regarding the Orb." Kurama clenched his hands but made no move to interrupt her. "If Gandara should retrieve the Orb, then it is possible that negotiations may be reinitiated. Until then, I have no wish to see a single soul from Gandara." She rose from the table and turned her back on them, watching the crystal, which had once again begun to change colors.

Kurama rose as well. "Mukuro-san," he began, aware of how much was at stake here, "I have heard your reasoning and your decision, and I understand your justifications, but I strongly urge you to reconsider." He closed his eyes briefly and gathered his thoughts. When he began again, his expression was determined. "Gandara had no intention of offending or distancing Alaric. The actions we took were meant to—"

"Did you not hear what I said?" Mukuro cut him off. "I have no intention of listening to anyone from Gandara. So," she half-turned to face him. "I would suggest that you GO!"

The room exploded with cruel white light. Kurama threw his arms over his face and heard the cry of his advisors as they were forced back and could feel the floor rushing away from him.

And then, abruptly, the room and the light were gone, and the three of them found themselves outside Alaric's iron gates.

"What—what in the world was that?" Anju asked, getting up a little shakily and dusting himself off.

"I have no idea," replied Tojin. "Are you all right? Where is His Majesty?"

"I'm fine. His Majesty is—"

"Over here." Kurama had been cast a few dozen meters from Anju and Tojin. "Our horses are here as well." He gestured to their mounts, which had been tethered to separate trees.

"What now?" The question came from Anju.

Kurama smiled, albeit a little wearily. "What choice do we have? We must return to Gandara."

They mounted their horses and began the journey home.

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It was already late afternoon when the three of them returned to Gandara. The guards at the main gate, in the midst of changing shifts, saluted them as they passed through, the fading light bathing them in a golden sheen. As they reached the building that housed the throne room, an official came hurrying from the back of the building, spotted them and hastened to them.

"Your Majesty, Anju-sama, Tojin-sama," he gave a brief bow, "welcome back. There is something urgent that—"

"Is it about Alaric? Tell the royal assembly that we will not meet until tomorrow." Kurama dismounted, his two advisors doing the same.

"No, Your Majesty—it, well I mean of course I'll inform them, but something else has happened. Tarukane has escaped! There is not a trace of him to be found!"

Kurama's eyes widened. "What? How is that—"

"There is more, Your Majesty! Even now, the royal assembly is—"

The doors behind the man swung open, and he jumped, stopping mid-sentence to glance behind him. A young man in his mid-twenties leaned against a door smoking a long, thin pipe. His long black hair was brushed neatly back from his face, and the relaxed, malicious expression in his face was added to by the scar across his right eye. "Ah, Your Majesty," he drawled. "right on time. We were just discussing who would be best to replace you as emperor."

—to be continued—

Notes: They really do talk too much. Oh well. Once I get the premise and everything set up, things will happen faster, and people will actually take action! Also, to all the people clamoring for Kurama to meet Hiei, I promise, it'll happen very soon. Hiei will feature in the next chapter in any case.

So…reviews anyone? Oh, and a virtual cookie to the first person to figure out who the guy at the end of the chapter is. It's really pretty obvious, but…maybe it's just me.