Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. Remember: Reviews are welcomed, flames aren't.
Chapter 23: A Fox's Pain
"Very well, Kurama. But I warn you. Keep Yoko under control. The last time you let him out, he grew a tree in the middle of a restaurant. I hate to think what he'll do with cultivated humans."
"Don't worry, Koenma. Yoko has never used them nor does he care for them."
"Then we understand each other."
o0o0o0o0o
Batman wasn't happy with the information he got. In the Cave, he had Barbara pull up all the information on cultivated humans.
Barbara gasped as she read. "This was what Kurama fought? But they're human right?"
Batman shook his head, "According to Koenma and Kurama both, they have no soul. Be careful when you fight them next. They feel no pain and will keep coming. Koenma wants us to destroy the bodies if we can. The public and authorities aren't suppose to know about these."
Barbara tapped a few more keys and sighed. "Any idea who's behind this? I've brought up a list of who's out of Arkham. Surprisingly, everyone is accounted for."
o0o0o0o0o
'Why is it when you're in the shower the phone rings?' Kurama muttered to himself as he raced to grab up the receiver.
/Ever thought of bringing the phone into the bathroom with us/
Rubbing his forehead, he answered. "Hello?"
"Shuichi?"
"Mother?"
o0o0o0o0o
Barbara picked up the phone on the third ring. She had been trying to get caught up on her sleep. Prowling as Batgirl and playing on the computer was taking its toll on her beauty sleep. "Hello?" she asked, sleepily.
"Barbara, I know it's late but I need a favor."
"Shuichi?" She came full awake, setting up in bed. "What's wrong?"
"Seems my mother has been trying to get in contact with me about an important family event. I could use a date."
"What kind of event and what kind of date?" She is now intrigued. Shuichi rarely asked for favors. Sleep can wait.
"My parents are celebrating their anniversary and wished me to attend with you, " Shuichi sighed. "They keep asking me to bring you over more."
"Shuichi, that's so sweet. Sure. When and where?"
o0o0o0o0o
Shuichi stepped into the elegant restaurant with a bit of uneasiness. He still hadn't a clue who had sent out the cultivated humans. He really hated to take a break from the search but he can't say no to his mother. She doesn't ask much from him, even though the dinner date was inconvenient.
Barbara looked lovely in her evening gown as he escorted her to where his family was seated. The maître d' bowed as he left.
The dinner was excellent. The wine was enjoyable. The conversation was amusing and Shuichi was bored. He did however hid it well. He loved his family but he was finding it hard to find common ground with them.
/Let's face it, Red. We've moved on and so have they. I don't think we are fooling Mother or Barbara though. /
Shuichi silently agreed. Maybe staying in human world wasn't a good idea after all. Then again, he wouldn't have met Barbara or Bruce.
As an anniversary present, Shuichi presented his mother with a golden lock and his step father a Rolex. not to be outdone with presents, Shuichi decided to give out more gifts. For his step brother, he gave him a game boy and for Barbara, he also gave her a locket.
/Nice choices Red. Hope the hidden presents won't be needed. /
o0o0o0o0o
"They are inside. What are your orders?" asked a shadowy figure in the alley outside the restaurant.
A woman with red hair wearing a green over coat smiled. "I want the red head and the two women. The men are of no account."
o0o0o0o0o
The attack came as they stepped out of the restaurant, heading for the taxi. Ten men armed with knives.
Shuichi's step father and brother were knocked to the ground as a hand went around his mother. Barbara and Shuichi both being good at martial arts fended off the attackers.
"Freeze or I'll slit the woman's throat."
Shuichi swirled around as someone threw a powder in his face.
/WATCH OUT RED/
o0o0o0o0o
Pain. Blood. Dizziness. Nausea. Whimpering. Mother's tears. Kurama slowly came awake. Mother. Slowly he opened his eyes to see that his mother and Barbara were locked in a cell across from him. Shuichi closing his eyes for a moment as he did a mental inventory. He felt bruised, battered and cold air on his skin. A couple of ribs seem to be cracked if the throb he was getting was any indication. He coughed a couple of times and tasted blood in his throat. His arms are over his head and in an uncomfortable position. Pain laced through his wrists as he moved.
Yoko was whimpering in the back of his mind. /Sorry Red. They used foxbane just before they knocked you out. It trapped me. / He tested the chains around his wrists as he stood.
'Relax Yoko. Remember, we always plan for everything.' Yoko was still whimpering in the back of his mind.
"Sh... Shuichi?" Shiori Hatanaka asked softly. From where he was, he could see that she was nervous, upset and unkempt but he couldn't smell any blood or injury on her.
He was chained against the hall across from them. "Are you alright, Mother?"
"We're fine, Shuichi," Barbara said, coming over. "They took all your clothes and ran a nit comb through your hair." She smirked a bit. "By the way, nice boxers. You always wear red silk?"
He smirked back at her, relieved that she was able to joke. "Every chance I get."
/Damn! They took all our seeds. / Yoko whined again, causing Kurama to wince in pain. 'Yoko. Please. You aren't helping.'
"We need to get out of here, " he said softly, tugging on his chains.
"There is no escape, Red," came a woman's voice from down the hall. "You are my slaves. And I'll be well rewarded for this night's work."
The woman stepped into the light. She wore a lime green spandex body suit that didn't quite go well with her strawberry red hair.
"YOU!" Barbara screamed rattling the cell door.
o0o0o0o0o
Thanks Kara for the review. Until next time.--GF