. : Muichi Motsu : .
: . By Akikazu . :
. : Chapter Seventeen : .
Kagome had finally chased down Lon and she crouched, shuffling Shippo into one arm while reaching out with another to grab Lon out from under a chair.
"WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!"
Her head shot up as the loud shot penetrated her mind. Lon then bit her hand and her head shot jerked back down.
It was then that the window above her shattered.
"Damn, I'm defenseless."
Release me
The smirking demon youth that had jumped into the room smirked at her and took a slow step towards her.
"Perfect, now I'm hearing things," she growled to herself, wishing she had her daggers so she could wipe that obnoxious smirk off the boy's face.
Stupid mortal, release me NOW
"FINE! I temporarily release whomever I'm hearing in my head," Kagome shouted.
To her surprise Lon walked out from his spot under the chair Kagome was huddled near. With every step the small creature took he grew tall and more human like, taking on the unmistakable form of Epsilon.
"Aw the little miko has a pet to protect-"
The youkai's words were cut short when Epsilon viciously cut through his neck in a single slice. Blood splattered everywhere raining down on the occupants of the room.
"I am no ones pet," Epsilon spat spitefully.
He then turned to Kagome, who was cradling Shippo protectively as she watched the scene with narrowed eyes. Her eyes focused on the long fingered hand that was held out to her.
"Well?" Epsilon demanded impatiently.
"Well what?"
With a growl he grabbed her arm and yanked her to her feet. He then pulled her out of the room and dragged her behind him as he walked throughout the halls.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"I have no desire to be killed because a stupid mortal woman wants to become a sitting duck."
He never once stopped in her walk, not even to slay the many demons that attacked them, Epsilon merely slayed as he walked.
Soon they came to one of the inner room and he yanked open the door and shoved her in.
"Stay there," he ordered.
Kagome grumbled but did as he commanded, knowing she would be more of a burden than an asset being both defenseless and drained. She set Shippo down on the unstained sheets and sat down in a chair, waiting.
It looked like she really did need protection after all.
: Kurama :
They had managed to fight of the first wave of youkai but there seemed to be no end to the enemy ranks.
Yusuke was holding backed against the shrine, with Yukina behind him, but instead of the position being a disadvantage, it help assure that ice maiden wasn't snatched from behind, because that seemed to be the intention of most of the demons. Yusuke fought harder when cornered as well.
Hiei was doing more than fine as was expected but he seemed unable to make his way to Yusuke and his sister. Not to say that he wasn't doing his best, in fact Kurama expected that he had slaughter more than any of them.
Genkai fought valiantly besides him but being as aged as she was she had suffered a few wounds and Kurama set about take up the slack.
He worked as efficiently as he could in the mass chaos of the battlefield. His rose whip never once stopped in its movements and occasionally he threw out rose petals to weak the mass that surged before him.
Then as suddenly as the masses appeared, they were gone. Hiei was at his sister's side in an instant, looking her over for injuries. Yusuke plopped onto the ground, completely worn out and was knocked flat onto his back when Genkai smack his head.
"If you're worn out after that, then you out of shape."
"Like I care what you think, Grandma," Yusuke hissed exhaustedly.
Kurama was only mildly surprised that Yusuke was so snappish toward Genkai, but he was both physically and mentally drained so it was explainable.
A beeping was heard and Yusuke cursed violently as he pulled out his communicator and opened it.
"What the fuck do you want?" Yusuke demanded.
To Kurama's amusement, Hiei glared at the detective when Yukina's eyes widened slightly after hearing his violent cursing.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN THE MANOR'S UNDER ATTACK? WE'VE ONLY JUST FINISHED THE ATTACK HERE AND NOW YOU'RE GOING TO SEND US OFF INTO ANOTHER BATTLE!"
He winced mentally, Yusuke's shouting hurting his fox enhanced hearing. None the less he continued to listen to the exhausted boy's ranting.
"KOENMA I'LL KILL YOU FOR THIS YOU STUPID TODDLER!"
Yusuke threw the communicator away from him and into a nearby tree, glaring at it hatefully.
"That Kagome girl is being attacked."
And then Yusuke passed out.
Yukina hurried to the boy's side while Kurama watched Hiei closely. His sister coddling the detective had a very negative reaction on the forbidden child and he decided that he needed to intervene. This new attack created the perfect diversion and would allow the fuming fire demon to slaughter to his heart's content.
"Hiei, we should leave Yusuke here and head over to the manor," Kurama suggested calmly.
"Hn."
The familiar black portal appeared again and Botan grinned as she stepped through. She looked curiously at the Yukina, who had Yusuke's head in her lap, before glancing at Hiei and ogling Kurama.
"Ready to go boys?" She chirped.
They walked through the portal without replying.
The manor had been thrown into utter chaos. To Kurama it seemed as if all the demons that had been attacking Genkai's shrine had been teleported into the halls of Sesshomaru's manor.
"H-he's here."
Kurama turned to look at Botan over his shoulder seeing as Hiei had already taken off. She was pale and slowly sinking to the floor, mumbling incoherently.
"Botan?"
"He's here, I… I've got to get out of here."
"Who's here?"
Her eyes were glazed over in fear when she looked at him, her normally cheerful expression gone.
"Death."
: Epsilon :
He could sense her.
She was so close, so within reach.
He could snap her neck and regain his rightful position with only a minimal amount of trouble. He was that close.
However, he could not leave if it meant a certain occupant of the room behind him died. He would not be able to survive while she died with him still bound to her.
A growl of frustration escaped him.
That was when he saw her.
The moment was too tempting to resist.
He left his position.
: Kurama :
"Do you want me to carry you out of here Botan?" Kurama asked politely.
"N-no, I'll be fine. You should find Kagome-sama."
Kurama nodded and did as she had suggested, drawing him whip out before him as he sliced through the thong of demons in the hallway.
He followed his nose till he came to a closed door that was under attack by several lower class demons. Disposing them was no hard task and Kurama, having cleared the immediate area, twisted the door knob.
Startled blue eyes snapped up to met him from within the room.
Kagome…
"Oh, Kurama-kun you startled me."
"What are you two doing in here?"
"I kind of… Where'd Epsilon go?"
He drew a blank, "Epsilon?"
"He was supposed to be right outside, guarding the door…"
"There was no one guarding the door Kagome-chan, merely a horde of demons trying to break in."
"Oh."
They paused for an awkward silence only a slight groan from Shippo broke through the still air.
Kurama turned his back on her, "come on, let's get you to your room. It's where you left your weapons, correct?"
"Yeah."
Kagome reached down and lifted Shippo into her arm before walking towards the silent fox's still figure.
"I'm ready," the announcement was unnecessary.
She followed him down the hallways, allowing him to protect them from the demons that attacked them. On one occasion they had been ambushed from behind but Kurama had done a marvelous job in keeping them safe and soon enough he and Hiei, whom had just showed up, slaughtered the ambush party. Afterwards Hiei had once again taken off in the opposite direction from her room, leaving the trio to continue their trip in silence.
: Epsilon :
"P-please d-don't kill me."
Epsilon looked down at the pale, tearfully face below his. To him there was nothing that could compare to the look on a death youkai's face when there were about to meet their end.
His weapon tore through her back, leaving a deep wound and she screamed in pain. Epsilon crouched down and tilted her face towards him, absorbing the fear he saw in her eyes.
"There is no escaping your fate, my dear. You we're given many an extra year courtesy of my sealing, but now that I am once more free, you cannot continue this charade," he whispered, his voice deceptively tender.
"I-"
He tipped her back further so her neck was straining to relieve the discomfort. His blade came up to rest lightly at her throat.
"You can never hope to be Death."
The blade slid through her easily, taking away the existence she had taken several years to build. His blades drank in the blood of the 'Grim Reaper' the humming that came form they and was only audible to him rose joyously at being able to spill the blood of another death youkai.
Epsilon was satisfied for the moment.
Turning his back on the corpse he walked off, intent on finding that foolish girl he was now forced to protect.
Death Harmonize Eternal, indeed.
: Kagome :
"I'm sorry."
Her words were blurted out suddenly and the red head lounging near the door looked at her curiously.
"I don't know what I did but I'm sorry if I hurt you somehow."
His eyebrow quirked but Kagome continued her rambling, feeling the absurd need to fill the silence that weighed so heavily between them.
"I'm not used to being around company yet. With Sensui and Itsuki it was pretty much be rude, snappish, and quick thinking."
He was still quiet but the silence was more companionable. His emerald eyes were gentle and Kagome found the power to prevent further rambles from slipping past her lips.
"I just… don't know how to act anymore."
She dropped her gaze to the floor unwilling to let him see the confusion swirling in her mind. A hand softly cupped her face bringing her eye back up to catch onto his.
"I think it's cute."
: Sensui :
"I don't understand you…"
He glanced at her briefly before returning to the book her was reading.
"No I suppose you don't."
The answer riled her to an anger that overcame her listlessness.
"Why are you doing this? Whose side are you on?"
Sensui shut his book and stood, deciding to go somewhere where there wasn't so much noise.
"Tell me!" Keiko howled.
He shot her a look over his shoulder.
"I wasn't aware that I had to choose."
The door clicked shut and she knew that it was lock tightly. There was no escape.
: . End Chapter . :
. : Author's Note : .
Yes, this week's update is Muichi Motsu! I know that all you readers out there have been anxiously awaiting this chapter and I bet you all extra proud of me now.
This chapter features Botan's death, Epsilon's reappearance, and a bit of fluff. Am I not fabulous?
Well I'm taking all hard classes this semester but I will do my best to update one of my stories every week, however I can make no promises.
All of the reviews I have gotten are remark on the whole Yusuke/Keiko/Sensui incident. I love the reaction I'm getting, I enjoy the "you're twisted" and "you cruel person" comment greatly. I make it my top priority to keep readers on their toes.
It is now illegal for me to answer review as part of the story but if you want me to reply to your review type with you're email and I'll reply when I read the emails for that story.
However I can answer the only question I have received:
Q-If Yusuke doesn't propose during the next day but proposes later, wouldn't that change their future?
A-It probably would but, being who he is, Sensui isn't going to take that chance. He's going to rewrite history completely and Keiko isn't allowed into the picture because of it. We'll be seeing how Sensui has already been changing the future in a chapter or two.