Chapter 16 In the Hands of the Enemy

Touya stumbled slightly and would have fallen had it not been for his demon bodyguards. One of them roughly grabbed his arm and made sure he remained on his feet. He had decided to cooperate for the time being mostly because it was unwise to attempt to fight so many demons on his own, but also because it was a good opportunity to gather more information about the situation he was in. He was familiar with the demons guarding him; big but not very bright. He could probably wheedle at least a little bit of information out of them.

"Please, at least tell me where you're taking me," he said in a small voice, trying to sound as pathetic as possible.

The demon bodyguards glanced at each other and then one of them said, "Sensui want you so we bring you to him. Then after Sensui business done, we can have you. Take you back to Demon World."

"Back to Demon World? Why?" Touya asked.

"There price on head," the demon said. He laughed at the horrified look on Touya's face. "You no have to worry. Shinobi pay much more for you alive so we going to keep you alive."

"The Shinobi?" Touya whispered in horror.

"Shut up! the second demon hissed. "You talk too much. Give away too much information."

"Oh. Sorry," the first demon said.

They walked in silence after that. Touya decided not to push his luck and allowed them to lead him on. After what seemed like an eternity, the cave brightened and they finally reached a large cavern. In the middle of the cavern was a lake and on the lake was a small wooden boat. Sitting in the boat was a bound and gagged Kuwabara and the large man from the passenger seat of the pickup truck. And above their heads was…

The tunnel to Demon World, Touya thought in horror.

It was less of a tunnel and more of a swirling vortex of darkness crammed with demons waiting for the tunnel to be completed. The only thing that held them back was a thin, shimmering barrier. The sight of it made Touya's skin crawl; he could feel its malevolent energy from all the way across the cavern.

"Boss, we have him. The little ice demon," one of the demons said.

For the first time, Touya noticed the cluster of couches and the dark-haired man sitting on the one facing towards the tunnel. He turned and smiled what appeared to be a pleasant smile, but it was a smile that made Touya feel uneasy.

"Ah, Touya, welcome," Shinobu Sensui said. "Come, sit down. You must be tired from all the walking you've had to do."

One of the demons prodded Touya in the back and he stumbled forward. He glanced at the other man with Sensui, who had remained silent up until this point. He looked like a normal man aside from his turquoise hair and his golden brown eyes, but Touya could sense that he wasn't human.

"This is my associate, Mr. Itsuki," Sensui said, following Touya's glance. "Now please sit. Relax. We have some time before our guests join us."

Touya reluctantly sat on one of the sideways facing couches, his demon bodyguards sitting on either side of him. More demons surrounded the couch, making it all but impossible for Touya to escape.

"Would you like anything to drink while you wait?" Sensui asked, gesturing to a small cooler nearby.

"No thank you," Touya said coolly.

Sensui shrugged. "Suit yourself." Then he went back to the movie playing on the small TV in front of him. Touya closed his eyes, took a deep breath, exhaled, and allowed himself to slowly slip into a meditative trance.

.o.O.o.

Touya opened his eyes as he sensed Urameshi and the others approaching. He had to smile; the Spirit Detective was never subtle when it came to his spirit energy. Soon enough, Urameshi appeared at the mouth of the cave, along with Kurama, Hiei, and Mitarai.

"Wha…Touya?" Urameshi said. "What the hell are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to be waiting outside with Kido?"

"We were attacked by demons," Touya said. "Kido was…killed." He tried to ignore the gasps of horror from the others. "I was taken alive." He lowered his eyes. "I couldn't do anything to save him. I'm sorry."

"Hey, it's okay," Urameshi said. "You just sit tight, all right? We'll get you and Kuwabara back soon." He turned to Sensui. "Hey Sensui, that's one hell of a welcoming party you've got in this cesspool."

"It's a beautiful view," Sensui said without turning around. "I tell you, you can keep your sunsets and crystal blue oceans and snow-capped mountains. Just give me a view to the dusk of human civilization and I'm the happiest man alive. The mark of true art, it has a profound impact on those around it. You're all witnesses to history, my friends."

Urameshi, Kurama, and Hiei look like they want to be anywhere but here right now and I don't blame them, Touya thought. They've managed to tap into the depths of Demon World.

Sensui finally turned away from the movie he was watching and got to his feet. "The most disgusting part is that they weren't even fighting for anything real." He threw a glance over his shoulder at the men on the screen who were fighting in some sort of fictional war. "They were killing out of fear of an idea that threatened their greed. It only gets crueler and then it ends with a rather beautiful song."

"Yippee," Urameshi muttered sarcastically.

"I've always thought it symbolized hope, which is why I timed the tunnel to open when the music begins," Sensui said.

So soon? Touya thought in horror.

Cracks were beginning to form in the barrier and demons stuck their arms through. The large man stood up and moved out of their reach, but Kuwabara was not afforded that luxury. He dodged the groping hands as best he could while tied up by a massive amount of rope around his waist.

"Those must be C class demons," Sensui said, watching the scene with amusement. "Simple, characterless creatures governed solely by their appetites."

"I doan wanna be eaten by C demons," Kuwabara said in a muffled voice.

A pair of arms finally managed to grab Kuwabara around the neck and tried to pull him towards the tunnel, choking him

"LET HIM GOOOOO!" Urameshi screamed.

"When the Judgement comes, you simple demons can eat whatever you like. Until then, don't spoil dinner," Sensui said.

He created a sphere of purple energy with his hand and launched it at the tunnel, obliterating the hands holding Kuwabara's throat. Kuwabara gasped for air and coughed, drool running down the sides of his mouth. The remaining demons withdrew their hands.

"C class demons are like seeds: abundant and worthless, but one of every hundred grow into a B class with brains and strength that can easily surpass a human's. Want to tell us all about it, Hiei, Kurama, and Touya?" Sensui said.

Nope, Touya thought.

Hiei and Kurama both just glared at Sensui.

"And then from the B class a handful take the next step, gaining intelligence near to omnipotence and bodies of huge size and powers, creatures fit for human legend like the Titans of Greek myth." A look bordering on ecstasy crossed his face. "They are the A class demons and they're probably watching us right now, waiting for their chance to rise to glory."

You wouldn't be idolizing them so much if you'd actually met an A class demon like I have, Touya thought.

"Spare me the pep rally. You're gonna kill people you were supposed to protect," Urameshi shouted.

"My job was to protect the universe as a whole," Sensui countered. "And that's exactly what I'm doing. I've been trying to enlighten you, Yusuke. Don't you remember Doctor's words? Humanity is a disease. Killing humans can't be horrific for you. You would have killed Doctor if Genkai hadn't been there and Kurama killed a human child."

Touya glanced at Kurama, who looked quite uncomfortable.

"We had to," Urameshi said. "It was for the greater good."

Still, that's not an easy burden to bear, Touya thought. He saw the pained look on Kurama's face. I only hope he's able to bear it.

"And what if every human was bad?" Sensui asked.

Touya held his breath as he waited for Urameshi's answer.

"I don't deal in what ifs," Urameshi said coldly.

Sensui smirked. "Gourmet, would you come here please?"

The large man from the boat leaped out and easily bridged the distance between the boat and the shore, landing with surprising delicacy for a man of his size next to Sensui.

"Gourmet? Does he cook?" Urameshi asked with a smirk.

"If you can kill Gourmet right now, I will not only return Kuwabara to you, but Touya as well, both of them completely unharmed," Sensui said.

Touya frowned, trying to see the logic of Sensui's move. It made absolutely no sense to return someone so valuable as Kuwabara unless Sensui had other plans. Touya had the feeling that he had a carefully laid plan, but for the life of him, he couldn't figure out what it could possibly be.

"Thay yes! Thay yes!" Kuwabara shouted.

"If you refuse the challenge, I'll reflect any other attack by using Touya as a human…I'm sorry…a demon shield," Sensui continued.

Gourmet walked over to the others. Urameshi took several steps back.

"Don't trust Sensui," Touya heard Kurama say in an undertone. "We'll make a break for Kuwabara and Touya the first chance we get. Until then, just play along."

On the surface, Kurama appeared to be calm, but Touya could hear the underlying strain in his voice.

Gourmet's glance fell on Mitarai first. "Aw, how touching, Seaman. You want to save Touya so badly because he spared yours, but at the same time, you're scared of Sensui finding out how much he means to you, aren't you?"

"What?" Mitarai gasped.

He started shaking as Gourmet continued, "You're scared Sensui will kill him to punish you for being a traitor. But your secret is juicier, Kurama." His gaze turned to the red haired demon. "You're a lot more torn up from killing Game Master than Yusuke believes."

There was a sharp intake from Urameshi and Kurama's eyes narrowed.

"Not only are you riddled with guilt, you're embarrassed," Gourmet continued gleefully. "Yoko Kurama would never be so weak. However…I think Touya's is the juiciest." Touya couldn't help shuddering when Gourmet's predatory gaze fell on Touya. "You're still questioning your decision to leave Demon World and the Shinobi. You're torn between your love for Jin and your growing feelings for Kurama. And at the same time, you're keeping a major secret from Kurama, aren't you?"

"No, please don't," Touya whispered.

"Touya, what is he talking about?" Kurama asked.

Touya couldn't bear to look at him, but he deserved to hear it from Touya, not this asshole.

Gourmet's smirk widened. "Go ahead. Tell him."

"I'm…pregnant," Touya said in a small voice.

Gourmet laughed as Kurama inhaled sharply. "That's right, but that's not all. You're not even sure you want to keep the baby you're carrying. Boy, you're just full of secrets, aren't you?"

How does he know so much? Touya thought. It's almost as if…he can read our thoughts. Realization dawned on him as the pieces of the puzzle finally fell into place. Oh, god.

Gourmet bared his teeth. "Say it."

"Murota," Touya whispered in horror.

"That's right," Gourmet said.

"Murota? Who's Murota?" Urameshi asked.

"Murota was a prisoner alongside me who got eaten alive," Touya said, shuddering at the memory.

"Oh yeah, I remember you explaining about that," Urameshi said.

"Right," Touya said. "At the time, I didn't realize it, but Murota wasn't a normal human. He was a Psychic."

"That is correct," Sensui said with a small smile.

"Gourmet swallowed him and obtained his power," Touya continued. "The power to read minds."

"Bingo," Gourmet said. "He may have been a coward, but he sure was tasty."

"You son of a…" Urameshi growled, stepping forward.

"Wait," Kurama said in a harsh voice. "I'll take this one, Yusuke. Do not argue with me. I am not in the mood."

Touya shuddered when he saw the expression on Kurama's face. There were so many emotions there; barely-suppressed, disgust, and so much hatred.

"Um, okay," Urameshi said.

Kurama stepped forward slowly and methodically. He stood still for a long time, just staring at Gourmet. His movements almost seemed mechanical as he pulled a rose out from his hair. He held it close to his face and stood still for a few more moments. Without any warning, he lashed out with his rose whip, wrapping it around Gourmet's head. Then he pulled hard, taking Gourmet's entire skull off. It all happened in the blink of an eye and Kurama's expression never wavered. Nausea rose from the pit of Touya's stomach as he watched Gourmet's headless body stumble backwards and finally fall to the ground. Then he doubled over and vomited all over the ground. The demons around him made noises of disgust, though Touya wasn't sure if it was from Gourmet's decapitation or his vomiting. Sensui snapped his fingers and several demons scurried to clean up the mess. Another one helped Touya to sit back up and brought him what looked like a bottle of water, holding it to his lips.

"Is okay. Just water," the demon said when Touya refused to drink. "At least wash your mouth out. Will make you feel better."

Touya filled his mouth with water, swished it around, and spat it out. He did not trust Sensui to not have the drinks laced with something. He did feel better after washing his mouth out and was able to return his gaze to Kurama and the others. Urameshi and Mitarai both looked thoroughly disturbed, while Hiei merely looked bored. And Kurama…

Kurama's expression still had not changed. Touya shivered at how empty his expression was.

"He took out Gourmet so fast!" Mitarai gasped. "I didn't see the whip until it was all over."

Trust me, it's better that you didn't see it, Touya thought with a little shudder at the mental image of Gourmet's skull being ripped off.

Kurama took several steps closer to Gourmet's headless body. "Rely on impulse and not even your thoughts can betray you. Now come out, Toguro!"

Toguro? Touya thought.

For a moment, he had an image of the younger Toguro brother attempting to hide his massive bulk inside Gourmet's body and the image it produced was comical. Then he remembered the elder Toguro brother which made much more sense.

"Did you think I wouldn't notice?" Kurama said "I could smell your stench since we entered the cave, a far different stench from those low class demons." He nodded to the group of demons guarding Touya.

Touya's skin crawled as a high-pitched cackling sound emerged from Gourmet's body and then the body stood up on its own. There was a disgusting squishing sound and the head of the elder Toguro brother emerged. It was a strange sight, seeing the head of the elder Toguro brother on the body of Gourmet because they were completely mismatched.

"Very good, Kurama," Toguro said. "It seems your powers have improved even in your human state. The silver hair is much prettier than the red, though."

"Guess he missed his Toguro vaccination," Urameshi quipped.

"Gourmet must have eaten him to take on his powers," Mitarai said.

"Right little Water Boy," Toguro said. "But much to fatty's disappointment, I'm the one who got the run of the ship.

Mitarai's eyes widened. "No…then...this whole time…"

"Yes," Toguro said, grinning wickedly. "I play a good game of pretend, don't I? The fantastic tale starts months ago when a man driven to insanity by a whore and her student hurt his own dear brother. I regenerated slowly in the sea, sending out a special energy wave that only powerful…and shall we say…evil beings could hear. I was resigned to wait for years, but my rescue was surprisingly quick. A human, of all things! But he said he could get me my revenge. Isn't that how you remember it, Sensui?"

"When Toguro told me about the many achievements of the new Spirit Detective, Yusuke Urameshi, I could feel the hands of the universe tugging on my arm. At last, I could begin the sentencing of humanity," Sensui said.

"Sensui gathered a bunch of new Psychics for his plan, including this brainless lump." Toguro gestured to the body he now inhabited. "You see, we both agreed my regeneration was taking too long. I needed another body, so Sensui let this ogre take me, making me think that I was being betrayed. The poor ape had no idea what he'd swallowed. I'm like a cockroach with a brain."

You certainly are a roach, you sick, twisted, piece of shit, Touya thought savagely.

"The best was when he realized what was happening—that's when he became afraid. Fear is pleasure enough from the outside, but I felt his terror from within as I slowly took him over. It felt so good!"

He cackled malevolently and Touya felt sick to his stomach seeing this creature boast and laugh about causing someone else fear.

"That is enough." Kurama's harsh tone caused Toguro's laughter to cease abruptly. His expression was dark as he took several steps closer to Toguro. "You've survived…for far too long."

Toguro seemed amused by this rather than threatened. "Uh oh. The fox thinks he can finish me." He cackled. "But I'm better than before! Recovering from what brother did to me has made me stronger! Now I can regenerate from anything. Even if you pierce my brain and heart, I'll still survive. I'm invincible." He began cackling again.

There are ways to defeat you, I'm sure, Touya thought. And I'm sure that Kurama knows how. The problem is, of course, the mind reading. But if anyone can get around to it, it's Kurama.

"Thanks to this lard, I can absorb any power I want. I'll start with yours!" Toguro said.

He sprinted toward Kurama with his mouth wide open, ready to swallow him. Kurama crossed his arms and smoke poured out, though Touya couldn't tell if the source was his hands or his sleeves.

A smokescreen? Touya wondered silently. What will that achieve?

Soon both Toguro and Kurama were completely engulfed in smoke and Touya had to rely on his hearing to learn what was going on.

"Aha! I found you. Your thoughts told me exactly where you are."

Then there was laughter and—

"SCORE!"

Touya didn't believe for one moment that Kurama had been caught. No, he was much too smart for that, even if Toguro could read his mind.

"I'm sorry, was that supposed to hurt me?"

"So your body's tricky like mine, is it fox?"

Then the only thing that could be heard from within the cloud of smoke was Toguro's screams.

What in the world is going on in there? Touya wondered.

He gasped as a figure emerged from the smoke.

"K…Kurama?"

.o.O.o.

Author's Note: I deeply appreciate your patience. Things have gotten a bit hectic around here. I finished the edit of my book on time and I just have to spend next month doing some finalizing and other miscellaneous tasks. I also got a new job where I'm working 40+ hours a week so uh yeah things are going to be crazy. But at least I can support myself and eventually move out of my parents' house.