6. Sanyo and Kakugai
The group stood in front of Kakugai's fortress a little while longer, admiring its crystalline, icy beauty. It's a shame that someone so evil makes his residence in a place so beautiful, Kurama thought sadly as the sun glared off the ice on the building, creating a blinding beam of white light in the sky.
"Hn. Let's stop gawking at the building and go in already," Hiei said, leading the group across the ice-covered walkway to the front gate. The rest of the team nodded, following Hiei, being careful not to slip on the ice-coated path which Hiei seemed to have no trouble with.
About twenty feet from the entrance, Kurama put his arm out to stop the rest of the group.
"What's wrong?" asked Yukina worriedly.
"We must be careful," Kurama said cautiously. "I'm sure Kakugai has guards surrounding the perimeter. We have to be on the alert and ready for when they attack."
Yukina's heart melted for Kurama as she heard him speak. This must be so hard for him, having to go straight to the place where the killer of his wife is waiting for him. And yet, he is so businesslike – careful, alert, and intelligent. If I were in his shoes, I'm not sure if I would be able to fight any of the guards, if there are any…
Just seconds after Kurama had spoken and warned them all of guards and traps, about twenty men in American military uniforms stomped out from seemingly nowhere. The fighters of the group readied themselves in defensive positions, yet ready to attack at any moment. The non-fighters, Yukina and Koenma, stepped back.
"Don't you think it's a bit odd that since Kakugai wanted us to come to his fortress, he's treating us like intruders?" Yukina asked Koenma.
"You have to understand," Koenma replied casually as Hiei, Kurama, Yusuke, and Kuwabara made short work of the fortress guards, "that it's Standard Bad Guy Policy to always have a set of guards around your large, evil, dwelling."
"I see…"
---
"That was too easy," said Kurama as he pushed aside a half-conscious guard and rejoined the rest of the group ahead of him. "I'm sure there are more guards and traps waiting for us."
"Gee, aren't you optimistic?" Yusuke said jokingly, but he knew Kurama was right – as he usually was. Their "infiltration" of Kakugai's fortress was not going to be a simple task.
And just as Kurama had suspected, there were about twenty more military guards waiting in front of the fortress gate. These guards had guns and grenades, but, like before, the Reikai Tantei took care of them before they could use their weapons. Finally, it was time to enter the dark fortress…
The gate swung open, revealing a large, metal, ice-covered door in front of them. A shadow was cast over the from the awning above that was decorated by perfect, lethal-looking icicles, making it look more ominous and uninviting.
"I dare somebody to lick the door," Yusuke said.
"Okay!" Kuwabara advanced toward the icy, frozen door, tongue sticking out like a panting puppy, but Yusuke pulled him back.
"I was just kidding, you idiot," said Yusuke.
"Hn. You should've let him lick it," Hiei said. "Then he could get stuck, and we could leave him there. We're better off going in without him. He would only slow us down."
"Hey, Shortie-punk!" Kuwabara yelled, grabbing Hiei by the same old white scarf that he had been wearing since probably the beginning of time and shaking him. Unfortunately, Kuwabara lost his balance as he shook Hiei back and forth and fell flat on his rear on the ice, bringing Hiei with him.
"Grr!" Hiei growled at having been picked up like a child, shaken, and then brought down on top of his worst enemy and quickly stood up, unsheathing his sword.
"Hiei, calm down," Kurama said, putting a hand on Hiei's shoulder, slightly irritated. "Forget about him, and let's just go in…"
"You got lucky, fool," Hiei hissed, re-sheathing his blade. "Let this be a lesson to you never to touch me again, or I will slice off your nose and give it to my son as a toy."
I think the fact that they're in-laws has made them even more spiteful to each other, Yukina thought nervously as she and Koenma followed the rest of the group into the fortress…
---
The group stepped into a large foyer room with pristine, cream-colored tile floors that seemed to sparkle with a giant, fragile chandelier perched on the ceiling. The lights were dim, casting the back of the huge room into a dark, black shadow. The group heard footsteps – coming from the shadow, obviously – and once again, readied themselves with their weapons.
The footsteps came closer and started moving faster, matching the pace of Kurama's beating heart. He wasn't nervous or scared; instead he was angry, and his heart was pumping blood quicker from rage. This was the man that killed Keiko… This was Kakugai…
"So," said the voice that no doubt belonged to the person still hidden in the shadows – Kakugai. His voice was cool and oddly familiar to one person in the group. "It seems like dear Kurama has decided to bring his friends with him," he continued. "Good thing I had guards, otherwise you all would've gotten in too easily, and I wouldn't want that."
"What do you want, Kakugai?" Kurama demanded angrily, his face contorting with rage as he tried not to growl at him. "Show yourself!"
Kakugai let out a small little chuckle as he replied, "As you wish." Kakugai stepped out from the shadows, his face coming into the light shed from the expensive chandelier. He was a very tall person, his face pale and slender, his eyes black as night, and his hair both blonde and black, every other long spike alternating colors. He wore a tiny smirk on his face, one that matched the casual, laid-back posture he had.
Hiei gasped, then quickly covered it with a snarl. "It's you!" he shouted, narrowing his eyes at the person in front of them. "Sanyo!"
Kakugai – or rather, Sanyo – broadened his smirk and replied to Hiei with a simple, "Yes. That's right, Hiei. I am Sanyo."
NEXT TIME – WOMEN ON A MISSION!
