File 43: TERRITORY
So Urameshi had really been captured. What more, the opponents knew of Hiei and Kurama. Those guys were not your ordinary adversaries. First they had to let Kurama and Akari know. Botan ordered Puu to return home. The two others headed for Meiou High.
School hours were now over. In the biology room, Akari was dutifully sitting at a desk (and napping) while Minamino was being badgered by the current biology club president to become the new president... but no matter how much and how earnestly the senior begged, the red head had no intention to comply. He didn't feel obligated and he'd much rather spend time with his girlfriend.
"Of course she can participate too, and even become the vice-president! If Minamino is there, lots of girls will come, and if Katsuyama is there, lots of guys will come too! She's really popular as there isn't any other girl like her here but no one has the courage or can talk to her since she's always either with you or nowhere to be found-" The now exceedingly frightened senpai clamped his hand on his mouth before Minamino's extremely cold and menacing expression. Because he had been so desperate, he had blabbered carelessly!
"Heeeh? I won't become president after all, and of course, Akari won't participate in this club either." Kurama woke Akari up and took her by the hand as she was still half asleep. Leaving him aside, he was not about to let anyone use her like this or regard her with such eyes. Certainly because of the kind of life she's had until now, living single-mindedly for one purpose, and the fact she had never cared the slightest bit about other people's opinions – even when it concerned her – that girl was completely oblivious about how men looked at her. And while it could certainly be considered a fortunate thing in some aspects, now he was the one who had unfastened all the locks and opened that door despite knowing it could not be closed again. Even though he knew there was simply no way this fortress would easily submit just because the door was open (as even for him, it had been more than arduous), he still had to carefully guard it, and surely, he wasn't going to be lax about it regardless of the opponent's level. Crush them if they come, don't even let them come close. Well, that said, he knew of only one truly dangerous guy... However, the current president was too desperate to simply let them go. He blocked the door and grovelled before them, apologising over and over. Suddenly...
"KURAMA! AKARI! Where are you?! Come on out!" They heard a familiar voice yell. That completely awoke the young girl who could not help but grin. What she was hearing was not Kuwabara's loud, dumb, and annoying voice but the sweet prelude to excitement and upheaval. The peaceful rest was over. Botan was trying to get Kazuma to lower the volume but he wouldn't. If he wasn't loud, they wouldn't hear him, right? And so, he kept shouting. In the classroom, the club prez had started begging Minamino again (in vain) to listen to his request. Well, from the start it was useless trying to get Akari to convince her lover as she clearly lacked interest in school life and empathy for her poor senpais. She just wouldn't be bothered. And even if they managed to somehow bait her with something yummy, they would incur Minamino's wrath for having manipulated her. He was usually meek and kind but when Katsuyama was involved, he would turn into a demon. The club leader was still on his knees when he was crushed by the door Kuwabara had unhinged with a kick. For some reason, Akari was reminded of a squashed frog. And she didn't bother to ask Kazuma why he hadn't tried to open the door normally. The two other club members frightfully asked the newcomers what they wanted... and who was Kurama...
"Ah, no, it's nothing, pay no attention! It's just a nickname. Right, Kuwabara-kun?" Shuuichi waved his arms in defence. But before the middle schooler's clueless face, the fox leant in a bit and whispered "This is bad. Around here I'm Minamino!" He reminded him with a hint of severity. Kazu apologised and Akari asked what the fuss was about. She and Kurama were shown the letter. They had no idea about the criminals. And there were only 5 hours before 11 o'clock. But then grunts of pain from below made them remember they were having their meeting atop the squished club prez. That was no place for this kind of conversation.
The four joined up on a bridge. They still had to find Hiei. He was still on probation with the Spirit World Court so he couldn't be very far. Kazuma and Botan swore. If only Hiei was here, they could find him using his Jagan! But after a few seconds, they realized just what absurdities they were saying. Kurama sweatdropped. They were pretty anxious. They asked Akari. She had been able to narrow down his location to a nearby park but then she had lost him. He might have moved... or not. She suddenly looked troubled, sad, and worried.
"The other day I had a sparring match with him..." It had been at his request too, and before that she had always felt his presence, something warm, as if he was always watching over her even though she couldn't see him... "And suddenly, things had gotten strange..." They had chosen to fight bare-handed, without even reiki or youki and after a certain time, while fighting, she was starting to get this weird feeling from Hiei. He seemed to be looking at her with different eyes... to the point that it was disturbing her, confusing her... and, flustered as she was, she nearly lost... they got into a deadlock that seemed to last forever... for some reason, the more she'd stare into his eyes, the more she'd weaken... "And then he had disappeared..." Luckily for her... "And after that he kept avoiding me and erasing his presence... even though he's never been the friendliest of guys, don't you think that was awfully cold of him?! Was it my fault?! Did I do something wrong?!" She exclaimed, half-angrily, half-dejectedly. Not knowing what to answer, Botan apologised for having asked her and brought back painful memories. But before Katsuyama could object, Kurama tightly and lovingly embraced her.
"I am here." He said softly and tenderly. Of course, he would never tell her that he was the one who had followed them, seen the match, and glared at Hiei, making his presence known only to him , and making him come to him. And he would never say that he had warned him not to get close to her again if he didn't know whether he was after Akari due to lust or to love or simple arrogance, his desire to subdue her, or to obtain what he didn't get... The fox was already aware of what kind of feeling was driving Hiei but if he could confuse him and get him away from Akari... that was fine. As long as it allowed him to guard Akari, he would use any means necessary, even if they were called 'perfidy'. Even if they were friends... no, because they were friends, he would not hold back... Still, Akari protested... or least tried to. She wanted to say this and that were different things, Hiei was also important to her, but the words sounded strange, disturbing.
Suddenly, Botan remembered the Seven Tools of the Spirit Realm, those Yusuke had used on his mission to arrest Kurama, Hiei, and that other guy. Well, they had broken almost right away and been sent back to Reikai for repairs... and they had been forgotten since then as they were no longer needed. Kuwabara noted those seemed fishy.
"What are you saying? We don't have a choice since we can't rely on Akari." The ferry guide replied.
"Hey!"
"Well, I'm going to get them. I'm leaving you to your flirting, hohoho." Botan left, giggling. Now that Akari was dating Kurama, she was no longer her accomplice and thus she could tease her as much as she'd allow... though Kazuma wasn't happy to be left alone with them as it was both scary and embarrassing.
The four met up again at the park. Botan had brought the whole case. Kuwabara noted it looked like a spy set. But when Kurama asked which they should use, the spirit guide grinned sheepishly. She had not thought about it at all. She really didn't think ahead. But better late than never, she started now. The blue-haired girl took out the youkikei, the wristwatch that detected any youkais. But like this they wouldn't know if the youkai was Hiei or not. Botan pressed pressed a button and the glass panel opened. If you put a body part of the person you were looking for here, like a hair or nail, all would be fine, it would specify him for us. The fox asked if she had Hiei's hair or nail. But clearly they didn't have that. Botan then produced the Reito Megane, eyeglasses that allowed you to search every nook and cranny! Kurama reminded her they had only one hour left. Then the blue-haired girl suggested using the Reigeki Ring to lay waste to the surrounding area. The men sweatdropped. She had really hit rock bottom... and was aware of it herself.
"Even though you said that about me, your toys aren't of much use either. Even I can lay waste to the area, and faster and more thoroughly too." Akari remarked. The guys were also hitting the bottom. THAT was the suggestion Akari had remembered?! For heaven's sake, those girls... there wasn't one better than the other! Kuwabara snapped and took all the tools one by one, looking, then throwing... much to Botan's distress. The fox, as calm as usual, asked if there were a tool that would call Hiei to them instead of one that would have them search him out.
"You dumbass! If there was such a thing she'd have told us first and we wouldn't be having such trouble!" The middle school punk retorted... only to be contradicted by the ferry girl who hit the side of her fist on her palm in a gesture of realization. Kuwa fell from the shock. The Itako-bue, or medium whistle, produced sound waves that could not be heard by normal humans. The stronger the spiritual power of the one who blew it, the farther away a person could hear it. Botan warned her friends to plug their ears as it sounded horrible and blew on the whistle. With her energy, she could reach a radius of 100km. And indeed, what an awful earsplitting noise it was... but of course, with his spirit energy gone, Kuwabara couldn't hear a thing. And it annoyed Akari that he didn't even know his luck. Then it stopped. Even if it had only lasted a few seconds, the pink-haired one regretted having been too lazy to put up a barrier to stop that sound. Suddenly, a small black thing dropped from a nearby tree like a dead beetle. Hiei sat up, his ears and head were still hurting from that terrible noise. He looked up to see the four staring down at him. When his gaze fell on Akari, he averted his eyes and looked away.
"Hiei! I knew you'd come!" Botan exclaimed.
"What you're talking about? I never meant to come to where you are. You're all a nuisance." The little demon clicked his tongue. Kurama showed him the message. "Serves him right, that Yusuke..." He disdainfully slapped the paper with the back of his hand. "He probably got all cocky after the Dark Tournament. He'll probably regret it. There's always a bigger fish." He turned his back to them. The fox tried to pique his interest in what kind of guys could have captured Yusuke and Botan tried to induce his pity saying Yusuke would get killed if he didn't come. But nothing worked. Hiei had no intention to look after so big a fool that he'd get caught so easily after that life-and-death battle. Then Kurama tried to talk about new foes possessing utterly unknown powers... recently, he had heard that strange powers had started to appear in some humans... Yusuke might have been captured by those guys...
"Hiei, you're acting all high and mighty, but aren't you the same as Yusuke?" Akari calmly questioned with naturally a challenging edge in her voice.
"What?!"
"You gained control over the black flames, and the Kokuryuha. You performed outstandingly during the Dark Tournament, not losing a single match. And now, from your attitude, you seem to believe that such a thing could never happen to you, that you wouldn't commit such a mistake, that no matter what kind of people came to you and what kind of power they possessed, you would win instantly and single-handedly. Just believing you're better than Yusuke is being conceited and complacent in itself." Naturally, Akari was speaking in experience. She had made that very same error when she had first met them. Even though her power, speed, abilities had been far above theirs, she had been conceited, complacent, belittled them, played around, thus giving Kurama the chance to poison her. She should have incapacited them and knocked them out in a flash as soon as she had seen them. And that experience was giving weight to her words and assurance to her gaze. "Well, the only way for you to prove me wrong is to come with us." She smirked.
"Alright, then I'll prove it to you!"
The five arrived at the Youjigen Mansion. It was so weird and nonsensically built that it seemed a miracle it could even stand. Well, things that first appeared utterly random were in fact often the results of incredibly meticulous and advanced calculations. Kuwabara wanted Botan to stay out since it could be dangerous but she turned him down as he didn't have any spiritual energy and Akari didn't know how to use the tools... and even if the ferry girl explained, it didn't look like Akari was motivated enough to remember. Akari replied that it was not like Botan's memory was something that could truly be relied upon either... They stopped before the door where a paper was placated. It read: 'Whoever enters this house must by no means say "hot", if they do...' Kazuma mistook it for a riddle but the fox corrected him. It was a warning, though he wasn't sure of the reason. Anyhow, they should watch out.
They entered a sultry room. There were weird lights, an aquarium with tropical fish, book cases, a fridge, chairs, a low table, a device continually releasing very humid air, and of course these high temperatures. At the back of the room there was a sort of entryway with another door leading further into the house. And at the left of this entryway, there were toilets. As soon as the front door closed and they advanced a few steps, they felt something strange. What kind of room was this?
"No kidding." Botan agreed. "And it's so awfully stuffy and h-" But before she could finish, Kurama clamped his hand on her mouth and advised her against saying that word. He let her go.
The two demons started discussing the sensation they had felt, something out of place, like they had entered another dimension. Then a voice welcomed them. They saw a young man standing before them on the other side of the room. Kazuma menacingly asked if he was the one behind this nonsense to what the person replied it was his project alone. It was then Kuwabara identified him as one of the guys who had called Urameshi out... but Kurama and Akari recognized him as Kaito Yuu... who was a classmate of theirs at Meiou Gakuen, although they were not particularly close... and of course they had never told him about themselves, Hiei, Yusuke, or Kuwabara-kun.
"Kaito, why do you know about us? Who told you? What's your purpose in abducting Yusuke." Minamino questioned harshly, not bothering to hide the threat in his voice.
"A certain person told us of you. How you were victorious at a martial arts tournament called the Dark Tournament." Kaito sat down on a chair. "But this is unexpected. Minamino, I hear you possess incredible powers... Would you mind showing me? The way you control plants..." More than impressed, he looked and sounded very haughty. And as this, the fox narrowed his eyes. "My, how fearsome. You've never shown that look on your face around school, have you?" The bespectacled teen laughed. "I, too, have recently discovered that I have an odd ability. Call it a test of strength, I guess, but I've been wanting to challenge you." He explained. However, his attitude got Kuwabara angry for belittling them like this. Hiei unsheathed his sword, determined to show that weak show off just how ill-advised the fight he had picked was. He lunged and slashed, but his sword shattered against a sort of shield before it even reached the smirking human. Everyone was shocked. Kaito informed them that this room was a world where only words had power. Inside here, they would have to fight by his rules. They guessed he was talking about the paper on the door. "One day, you see, I realized that I could create an odd area of space around me. So you cannot take any violent action inside this room. Nobody can. Hiei-kun, was it? I hear you're an expert in sword skills and sorcery. However, here inside my territory, you're just an ordinary runt." Kaito clearly taunted.
"Calm down, Hiei! He's provoking you! Don't fall for it!" The fox warned his as he saw his expression when he stood up.
"Humph, so what happens if I do say it? Are you saying that you can kill me with words?" The fire demon scoffed, evidently disbelieving and belittling his opponent.
"Say it, and you'll find out."
"Just by saying the word 'hot'?"
"Now, you've said it." And it was too late to take it back. Hiei suddenly froze and his soul left his body to go hover over Kaito's hand. It was only protected by a small glass-like sphere. Kuwabara and Botan hurried to Hiei to see how he was. Kaito explained that within his territory, if you say the word you're not supposed to, your soul was taken from you. Now that made two hostages. Urameshi was on the second floor. Ever since Kaito had awoken to this power about a month ago, he had exerted himself. He had to first learn about it. Among those who possessed similar kinds of power, it was called 'Territory'. His was about ten meters in radius. You could freely enter and leave it, but the moment when someone with spiritual powers entered, they seemed to feel a sense of displacement. Kurama asked if Hiei's soul would be returned to normal if they beat him and his power. Yuu pretended not to know since he had never been beaten. Kuwabara fell for it and called him a bastard full of himself.
But Akari, who had been, and who still was being awfully quiet, was not of the same mind. As she had already made the mistake of underestimating, rushing head first, and paying the price, now she was being extra careful and watching and listening attentively. And though she agreed that guy was one pompous bastard, she did not fall for his words. She believed that he had to learn about his power, but for that, the only way was to test it... on others, and on himself to know if it also affected him. However, taking someone's soul basically meant killing them as a soul was an extremely fragile thing and those who could return a soul to a body were extremely rare and hard to come by. And Kaito didn't seem the killer type. Well, actually, beside her, there was only one other person she knew in the area who could fix things when one ended in such a state. That person was also quite knowledgeable about the Urameshi Team and the Dark Tournament. Teaching people in a roundabout and dangerous and not very funny way also perfectly fitted her style. Akari was starting to see what was going on and where. Well, it was only a hunch, but the really plausible sort... she just had to go along with it.
Anyway, as Kaito was pointing it out, they had a choice to make: leaving, or beating him and continuing. But Kuwabara had thought of another option: leave Hiei here and move forward. The way Hiei had selfishly ignored Kurama's warning had pissed him off and he didn't want to have to look after someone as stupid as that. Akari commented that indeed it would give him a taste of his own medicine as that was exactly what Hiei had wanted to do with Yusuke. That should teach him how to listen to others. But then again, she was the fighting type and preferred completely beating the enemy. So she'd be fine with whatever was to be decided. That said, Kaito's way of fighting seemed extremely troublesome and she disliked troublesome things. She had half a mind to smash the whole chess board, destroy the mansion and lure out the mastermind. She could do it without moving a finger. But since she was aware that it wouldn't solve anything, she did not mention that idea. That fight wasn't for her but for Kurama. Kaito praised Kuwabara's idea and said he was brighter than he looked. However, even though he was sincere, the middle schooler got ticked, believing he was being mocked (probably due to the facts that he had never been called 'bright' and that Kaito's attitude was so contemptuous). The thing was, that move had already been anticipated. The second man of the trio that had called Urameshi came in from the door behind his ally, locked the door leading into the house with a key and stood guard in the entryway before the door. Kuwabara menacingly asked who he was but he merely snorted. Kaito told them this was the only door leading further in and Yanagisawa was holding the key.
Kazuma walked over to Yanagisawa and kindly requested (menaced again) that he handed over the key and stepped aside. The dark broomhead burst his gum bubble and flatly refused before taunting and challenging Kuwa-chan into hitting him and taking the key by force. Kuwa-chan snapped and fell for it but just like Hiei's sword, his punch hit a sort of invisible shield. Kuwabara screamed and fell on his knees, holding his injured hand. Yanagisawa laughed and crouched down.
"You're a forgetful one, aren't you? Violence is impossible within Kaito's territory. You'll have to be nice with me. Right?" He petted Kuwa's head, angering him all the more. He showed the key and put it in the pocket of his jack on his left breast.
"So, what will you do?" Kaito questioned.
"It looks like we can't help but play by your rules." Kurama reluctantly acknowledged.
"That's right." The bespectacled teen concluded. Akari sighed, stood up and walked up to the two at the door under the careful watch of the two Meiou high students. Was she going to try something too?
"Well, in Kuwabara's case, more than being simply forgetful, I often wonder whether he even has the ability to learn. How many times have you fallen for the opponent's taunts and suffered because of it, huh?" The pink-haired girl knelt at her friend's side and started healing him. Crying, he gritted his teeth in frustration and kept silent. He had nothing to retort to that! Kurama smiled. However, his girlfriend's (truthful) teasing had not been the only reason. Akari had done something he had been the only one to notice. That was her alright. She was certainly dissatisfied with the situation in many ways but she could still properly play the game as necessary and find things she could do. She brazenly went to sit on Kurama's lap, wrapping her arms around his neck, and just the same, he put one around her waist, holding her tight to him, and the other rested on her lap, as if they were showing off their possessions, marking their territory. But this wasn't simple flirting as everyone believed. In this case, it was more 'I did well, praise me' and 'yes, thank you, good job'.
Some time later, Botan was fanning herself with her hands, Akari was still on Kurama's lap, drowsing, Kuwabara was sitting legs apart on a chair while his crossed arms rested on the back of the chair. He bragged that it was easy not to say the taboo word and otherwise they were free to chat and he asked Kurama about their opponent who raised his eyes from his book to listen to what Minamino had to say.
"Kaito Yuu. He's one of my and Akari's classmates. Ever since he entered the school, people have been talking about his exceptionally high IQ. He has a genius-like intellect unlike any other seen at Meiou Academy since it began."
"You're just bragging about yourself in a roundabout way, aren't you? Not once have I ever beaten you on a comprehensive test."
"You're better at the literary arts, right? You've already published several books of philosophical essays and literary critics. You could say that you're a specialist when it comes to words."
"So you're a genius up-and-coming literary man, are you? You really can't judge a person by how they look!" Kuwa angrily 'praised'. The genius literary man thanked him absent-mindedly. The middle-schooler started ranting again about how Kaito must be taking them for simpletons who'd say that word just because of all this. But man, this room was so stuffy! Meiou's number 2 explained that as he was keeping tropical plants here, the room temperature must be kept at 27°C and the humidity at 80%... although he tauntingly admitted that it must be tough on those not used to it. However, if they were thirsty, there were several kinds of drinks in the refrigerator. There were glasses too. Kazuma menacingly stood up and approached him, accusing him of having put truth serum in the drinks and demanding that he drank first. Again, Kaito called him bright as he (allegedly) hadn't thought of that himself. Kuwa sarcastically replied that he was praising him too much and headed for the fridge. Botan stopped him saying she was going to serve. She had to do something or she couldn't settle down. There were really all kinds of things in there.
"Kuwa-chan, is orange juice okay with you?"
"Yeah, ought to have you put some ice in too, while you're at it." He pointed. "And a straw too, if there are any."
"Geez, that's a tall order." Botan complained. Suddenly, to his friends' shock, Kuwabara's soul left his body and joined Hiei's soul in Kaito's hand. The two other Meiou students sprang on their feet. Why?! "Kuwa-chan never said 'hot', did he?!" The ferry girl protested.
"Botan!" Akari exclaimed, now wide awake as she and Kurama turned to the Spirit Guide who, from their look, realized what she had done before she, too, had her soul sucked out of her and go to the other two. Here, that was three. Kaito laughed at the easiness with which they all fell into his hands.
"You never asked so I didn't tell you, but inside my Territory, taboo words are strictly observed. You cannot say the sounds for 'h', and 'o', and 't' in a row. There's no meaning or intent behind it. Those are just the hard cold rules."
"I get it."
"Souls sure are pretty, huh? The girl one is my favorite color. Katsuyama, I wonder what color is yours. I'm dying to know. It looks as if you're close to snapping. If it's you, you can surely destroy this whole building by causing an earthquake or with the sheer pressure of your power. And that's truly all you can do, destroy. But you know what'll happen if you do, right? That's why you won't. Here, you're powerless, and all you can do is wait for your soul to be taken away too." He tried to goad Akari into action, notably using HER taboo word. But even though it was crystal clear from her eyes and expression that she wished nothing more than to do just that, she was showing remarkable self control. The fox stepped in between them and glared at the man in front who, after a second of intense fear, recovered, smiled, and continued. "No matter how much you strengthen your body and abilities, there's no way to strengthen a soul by itself, you know? Beautiful and fragile... for those of us who can touch them like this, with just a little force, we can crush them so easily..." He smiled with sanguinary curiosity. "Maybe I should see what happens if I scratch one of them just a little bit." His hand hovered over the soul like he was trying to decide which to hurt first. Kurama sat back down on his chair, his legs crossed and his fingers clasped.
"Go ahead and try." The red head challenged with a dark voice. "But let me warn you, to me that would be taboo. If you try to pull something like that, I will use any means possible to kill you. And of course, that goes for her too. It also sounds to me as if you're greatly underestimating Akari. You say she's powerless but..."
"Is that really so?" The girl smirked holding a key aloft. It was Kaito's turn to panic as he recognized the key to the door that should be in Yana's pocket. Kaito and Yana freaked out, it really wasn't in the pocket! She was holding the real key! When, how did she do it?! "I simply snatched it from your pocket when I came to heal Kuwa-chan... without any violence. I just did it too fast for you to see or feel it." She answered smugly. "That said, it's true I don't feel like participating. Not going wild is boring. So, Kurama, I'm leaving everything in your care. As long as we obey your rules, it would appear we can still use our abilities as well." She placed the key on his palm that closed on her hand whose back he kissed before letting go. "I'm going to take a nap. Wake me up when you're done." She smiled and went to lie on a couch.
"Yeah." He smiled back before turning to Kaito and Yanagisawa who were fuming. "So that's how it is. Take close care of those three souls. I'm going to take them back from you safely, no matter what."
"Unless you beat me, you cannot take back those souls." Kaito reminded him. However, he was happy to be able to get a glimpse of the true face of his 'rival'. The fox wanted to know if the taboo word could changed since neither of them would that word, no matter how long they'd sit here. The bespectacled teen confirmed. Actually, that was what he had wanted to do from start, make the rules more advanced once it'd become a one-on-one between them.
"If you let me choose the taboo word, I assert that I can make you say it within 45 minutes." Kurama proclaimed, pointing at his opponent like he was about to shoot him down with a reigun. That provocation picked Kaito's interest. The kitsune smiled slightly knowing his bait had been taken. However, the human wanted to know what would happen if he didn't say the taboo word within that time. "I'll give you my soul." Kurama said gravely. "So, how about it? Is it too much in your favor that you're a bit scared?" The fox taunted further. Kaito was interested in what kind of taboo word Minamino who had just barely learned of his ability would choose. And since after learning of his ability, Meiou's number 2 had researched every type of word puzzle, cipher, and kotodama, there was no need for him to feel anxious. And so, he accepted Minamino's condition. The taboo would be one syllable, but after every minute, one would be added. First 'a', then 'i', 'u', 'e', 'o', 'ka', 'ki', 'ku', 'ke', 'ko'... increasing the taboo in order, and after 45 minutes, the whole alphabet would be eliminated and become taboo. Enjoying the challenge, Kaito also accepted the suggestion. The duel would begin at 1 o'clock, 9 minutes and 28 seconds from now.
The warning changed on the door, and at the decided time, the battle started. But they didn't move a muscle. The seconds ticked by.
"It will only be a short while longer that we can speak freely like this. Very soon, 'a' will be gone." And just as Kaito had spoken, after a few more seconds, 'a' disappeared. "We can no longer use this word. The letter 'i' too, before long. Perhaps you'd like to get in your fill of saying it right now, while you're still able to, don't you think? I bet I just said 'i' about nine times." He pushed his luck, apparently trying to show his pluck and engage his opponent in a chicken game to make things more interesting. However, the provocation didn't work and the fox merely warned him that if he started out this eager, he'd slip up before long. Minutes passed and 'i', 'u', 'e' and 'o' became unusable too. Five minutes had passed since the start of the game. Kaito commented that they could still talk, despite missing one column of the alphabet. Again, Kurama warned him. If he made the slightest mistake, he might accidentally say them. After three more minutes, 'ka/ga', 'ki/gi' and ku/gu' also became taboo. Meiou's second best student asked the best what he was after.
"Well now, you must already have a suspicion..." The fox replied. Two minutes later (no more 'ke/ge' and 'ko/go') Yuu went to the bathroom. He warned Yana not to say anything. The latter saluted and clampled his hand on his mouth, remembered that since he was in Kaito's territory too, he had to be careful. However, Akari was far from such concerns. She had made it so that even if she sleeptalked, no sound would come out so she could fully enjoy her nap. She had only recently recalled that she could do that, and how. But even if she had remembered that before those three lost their souls she still wouldn't have mentioned it since she had decided to go along with the one who had planned this all out. That person had certainly already taken everything into consideration and tabbed on her poor memory, her instinct, her perception, her learning ability, and her cooperation... despite knowing just how intensely annoyed she would be. She had always hated dancing to someone else's tune. But then again, Akari understood where that person was coming from, which was why she had decided to play along even though she didn't want to. Well, she'd just have to make sure to receive proper payback for the sheer kindness she was demonstrating. And also, it would be nice to see those guys' faces once they'd learn everything...
Kaito flushed the toilet and went to wash his hands. He still hadn't figured out Kurama's aim despite what the fox had implied. In another ten minutes or so they wouldn't be able to have much of any conversation! Wait! In other words... they won't be able to even raise their voices! He had finally figured him out. Suddenly, he heard a loud thud. He flung the two doors open and saw Yana on the floor, unconscious, and knelt at his side. How could that be?! He looked up and saw vines on the ceiling that were retracting and he remembered that Minamino could manipulate plants. Could he have gone alone ahead into the next room? Did he wake Katsuyama? Did he make her go with him? No, it was impossible. The artist who built this house was an eccentric and built three door to pass through this hallway. He confirmed he had the key to the second door. And the key to the third one was hidden just in case. He looked at his wristwatch. Fifteen minutes had passed since he had gone to the toilet. Besides, that guy had said he was taking back those three! Could he have just taken the souls and ran away?! He turned back and was shocked that the room was filled to the brim with a growing jungle that completely obscured the view. He cursed the bastard.
He entered and marched on, parting the dense vegetation with a very displeased expression. He arrived at the table. All three bodies and souls were still there. So he hadn't left. He searched the area. Minamino was there... hiding somewhere in this room, waiting for him to drop his guard... He heard a noise that startled him. It was the fridge being encompassed by some plants. Where the hell could he have hidden?! It was 1:30. Another five minutes had passed. He returned to the center with the table, chairs, souls, and bodies. There were only a few letters left that they could use. He wasn't going to say anything... he'd win as long as he didn't say anything! But despite the confidence he had in his counter and ability to see it through, Kaito was in fact very tense. His agitation was palpable. He kept looking around frantically. He knew that Kurama's strategy was to startle him and make him scream... and like this, while his rationality was trying to control his panic, another ten minutes passed. Only five left. As long as he stayed in the center of the room, he'd know immediately where that guy would be calling out from. Only three minutes left. If he kept this up, he'd win. But the stress was making him sweat profusely and gritting his teeth. Only three more letters... 'ro', 'wa', and 'n'. He kept glancing around him, unaware that Kurama was actually hiding in his blind spot. He was kneeling on the large ceiling light. The seconds ticked by. 'ro' disappeared. Only two more... Kaito clamped his hands on his mouth. Where?! From where was that guy planning to come?! What a nerve-racking situation! The clock continued turning. The fox slowly and silently leant in, until he was hanging upside down right behind his classmate.
"Wa!" He yelled. With the staunchest efforts, Yuu (barely) managed to stifle any noise. Sure of his victory, he turned about to face Minamino. He was so shocked by what he saw that he simply froze for a moment. He was only able to suppress a snicker with his lips before he burst out laughing, pointing at the fox's face. Having uttered forbidden sounds, his soul was sucked away. He had lost. His territory disappeared. The three souls Kaito had taken returned to their owners. The room returned to normal too. Kurama woke Akari up with a kiss, picked her up from the couch, and carrying her in his arms, went to sit on Kaito's chair, the pink-haired girl sitting on his lap, her arms around his neck, and a satisfied smirk on her lips. He was her man after all, of course he had won. The three idiots were coming to. The fox explained.
"To fall prey to your own ability and have your soul taken out of you like this..." Kuwabara sighed. That wasn't a pretty end. "In the end we've won but I shudder to think what would have happened if Kurama wasn't there... However, the cause of all this was you, Hiei!" He turned and accused the fire demon who (for once) looked very (cutely) sheepish. "This was all your fault for having your soul taken away from you!" Kazu ranted. Hiei averted his head guiltily but still stubbornly humphed. The kitsune chuckled.
"In a contest like this, thinking that you can not say the taboo word and win will make you lose psychologically." He coolly said.
While upstairs, Kido was wondering what the hell had happened down there. He had the upper hand but seemed rather nervous. And Yusuke, despite being paralyzed, was acting quite confident, and defiant. The guys were here, right? They were sure to make it all the way here. No question about it. Yusuke guaranteed that. And he also warned Kido that when they did, he better brace himself.
