Disclaimer: See chapter 1 and as always, please don't flame. There is some mild language in this chapter.
Chapter 24: A Fox's Love
"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.
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Poison Ivy strolled leisurely closer to her prisoners as if she was walking down a fashion show run away. Kurama watched her slink towards him. He was quick to sized her up and wasn't that impressed.
"My partner said you're dangerous but if I kidnapped your mother, you would be docile like a little puppy," she cooed as she walked up to Kurama. "He was right." She slowly ran a hand across his bare chest as her lips brushed against his. Her tongue started licking, forcing him to open his mouth.
/Amateur. She's using chemical pheromones. Red, should we give her a taste of ours/
'It would not be wise at this time, Yoko. Mother is also watching. However, let's see if she has something we can use against her.' Instead taking the bait, he was trying not to allow the vile rising in his throat to overwhelm him. Instead, to distract himself, he sent a bit of demon energy around her as he allowed her to tease him.
/Honestly, she really needed more training in the art of being a slut. Hey Red! She has our seeds/
Carefully, he send a small sliver of energy into the bag holding them. A tiny rip appeared. Seeds started to drop out. 'Not anymore, she doesn't.'
/How foolish of her to bring them within our range. Always appreciate a foolish enemy. Cherish them, Red./ Yoko cackled with glee at the thoughts of what to do with her after they were freed ran through his mind.
Poison Ivy stepped back and slapped him hard across the face. Kurama glared at her. "Just letting you know who's boss around here," she laughed as she walked away.
"Shuichi? Are you alright?" Shiori asked, concern and worry filled her voice. "I don't understand why this is happening. What did she mean?"
"Yes Mother, I'm fine," he sighed with regret, closing his eyes. He never wanted this day to happen but he needed to get her out of here. He never wanted her to know about Yoko. It couldn't be helped. He could feel himself getting weaker from the pain of his injuries, plus he still have the residue of foxbane running through his system. It's slow seductive poison was eating away inside. His human body couldn't cope with it. He would need Yoko's strength and energy to counteract it. Whoever her partner was, he or she knew him well.
Looking over at the woman that birthed him, that raised him, he said softly, "Mother forgive me. Know that I love you very much. There are some things you weren't meant to . . . I am sorry to have deceived you." His voice broke with regret.
"Shuichi, you are scaring me."
He felt with his energy for the seeds that were scattered on the floor. Activating one, he sent the vine shoots up to the chains and handcuffs that were holding him. He heard a gasp from his mother. Barbara, of course, was well aware of his abilities.
"Don't be scare Mother. Yoko and I won't let anything happen to you," he said as the vines broke the lock, setting him free. "I'll have you and Barbara free in a moment."
The vines moved over to the lock on their cell as he scooped up the remainder of the seeds. Within moments, they were freed. Shiori rushed over to hug her son. "Shuichi?"
"Yes mother?" He picked up her hand and rubbed the scars gently. A look of love and sorrow flashed across his eyes as tears started to flow down his cheeks.
"I could never hate you. You are my son," she smiled up at him, as tears welled up in her eyes.
"We need to get her out of here," Barbara said, looking around.
However, Kurama started to coughing. He could feel the blood coating his throat. Clutching his side as he sank to his knees. Using that small amount of energy had cost him.
/Red. You need to let me out. You need to rest. /
Kurama nodded, looking up at the two women. "Mother. Don't be afraid. Remember no matter what you see, I . . . we love you," he said between the coughing spasms. "We didn't want you to know because we didn't want you to hate us."
"Shuichi . . .?"
Between coughing, Kurama's hair started to turn white. His body stretched out. His ears moved from the side of his head to the top becoming fox ears.
"Sh. . .Shuichi?"
Yoko Kurama gave his mother a tentative smile, wiping the blood off his chin, "Hello Mother. You can call me Yoko."
Barbara hissed and repeated, "We need to get her out of here."
"Agreed. Come on." Yoko with his arm around Shiori, moved cautiously out the door. Using his demon energy he scouted the exits. "This way. Stay behind me."
"I thought you didn't have your seeds?" Barbara hissed softly as she looked around for guards.
"Poison Ivy, I believe you called her, is a very naive little weed. She was carrying my seeds on her person. I just re-appropriated them," Yoko purred. "Don't worry about Shuichi. He's trying to heal himself."
They made it without incident to an exit. Shiori hugged her son, causing him to pause. "I expect a full story from you, young man," she said softly as she and Barbara left.
Yoko turned to face his captors. They would pay for this night's work.
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Barbara couldn't believe that Kurama and Yoko were the same person, but as she thought back to the statements that he had let drop, she wasn't surprised as well. He did say that Yoko and him were closer then lovers with a relationship like father and son.
She and Shiori made it outside. Thankfully, all Poison Ivy had done was make sure that Kurama wasn't armed. She didn't take anything from her or his mother. The moment she was awake, she activated her location signal in her watch.
Batman should be waiting for her outside. Quickly and quietly, she and Shiori moved in the shadows until a large shadow and a smaller one stood in front of them.
"Miss Wilson. Mrs. Hatanka?"
"Batman?"
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"Hello Mrs. Minamino? Remember me?" asked a slender young man with greased back hair, wearing faded blue jeans and a white tee shirt.
"Yusuke? Isn't it?" Shiori asked a bit confused.
"Look, it's nice to meet you, but we really need to get her out of here. Any news on Shuichi's stepfather and Kokota?" Barbara asked in a very business like fashion.
"They are in the hospital, lady," Yusuke said, cracking his knuckles, "And I'm ready to kick some ass for what they did. Shuichi and his family are friends of mine."
Barbara blinked. Now she understood Kurama's comments about Robin.
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Well of course, I just had to bring in Yusuke. He's about the only one Kurama might listen to. Until next time. Thanks for the reviews. Please keep them coming. --GF