Kurama, it seemed, had spoken to soon when it came to Cora's safety. Hiei and himself arrived back to the human world with the two unconscious teens slung over their backs only to find that while Keiko and Botan were indeed unharmed, Koenma had supposedly beamed Cora off to another mission. Alone. And to make matters worse, he had lost communication with her, and the tracking device she had been given to lead Yusuke to her position had been destroyed. If it hadn't been for the burden on Hiei's back Kurama was sure that Hiei would have slit Koenma's throat right then and there, probation be damned. But his hands were full with his task of carrying Yusuke; once Hiei had dumped the teen's body in Kuwabara's bed he had flitted from the house, no doubt to begin his search for his now missing partner.
Koenma later informed Kurama that Hiei had made a stop in his office and 'voiced' his displeasure about Cora's being sent out on a solo mission when she was clearly, and horribly injured. That was nearly two weeks ago and the coloring on Koenma's cheek was almost back to normal.
Kurama stood before him at this moment discussing Yusuke's next mission. "Have you sent him?"
Koenma sighed, his eyes half lidded in sleep deprivation and his hand folded together across his plump baby belly. "Yes, Yusuke should be receiving the tape right now so we can only pray things happen as planned."
Kurama nodded."Do you think Hiei suspects anything?"
"Probably; but hes still far from the truth I think." Koenma groaned and rubbed his temple. "Maybe you should have accompanied him to be sure."
Kurama gave him a soft smile of reassurance. "I believe we'll be alright; Hiei way sense something wrong, but he'll leave Yusuke to fix it. His mind it to distracted with his search to think to much on this one strange occurrence." His tone took a grim edge as he finished; Hiei had been using the Jagan to search relentlessly for Cora, but as before it was useless. He just couldn't get a lock on her energy.
"Hmmmm, I hope your right..." Koenma said cautiously...I just hope that Hiei doesn't get any leads on Cora's whereabouts...Kurama too for that matter... then this whole plan would be ruined!...
"Kuwabara!" Kuwabara jumped a little as he slid the door to his next class open only to be greeted in an overly enthusiastic way by his rival turned friend. "You've got a nice VCR in your room don't you? Ours is a piece of junk so lets go to your house." Yusuke pulled a plan white VHS tape from the inside of his coat, a sly grin plastered over his face.
"What is it Urameshi? A nudy movie?" Kuwabara got a lecherous grin on his face as he leaned in to get a better look. Yusuke snickered before he held it up and gave it a curious look.
"Maybe, its from spirit world."
Kuwabara reeled back like he had been slapped in the face. "I had a dream you'd bring that up today!" His face was scrunched up in irritation. "And the answer is no; your not risking my life again!"
Yusuke quirked a brow at him. "What are you talking about? Your the guy who leaped into that portal last time while I was telling you to go home."
"Dress up the facts all you want, but I'm not fighting any more; period!" Yusuke gave him a look that clearly said 'the-hell-are-you-talking-about'.Kuwabara walked past him and to his desk placing his bag on its surface. "Yep, I am gonna be a scientist." Yusuke scoffed and glared at the back of Kuwabara's head heatedly.
"Yusuke," his glare was replaced with a look of surprise as Kaiko's voice rang from the hall. He turned to face her only to blanch when he saw the glare she was giving him. "Is it your goal to get a detention every day of school? You know you cant bring videos here."
Yusuke scowled and attempted to hide the tape from her. "Well at least I'm here, right?"
Her glare seemed to intensify as she saw him try to move the tape from her line of sight. "Are you trying to hide something from me?"
"No, wh-w-why?" Her face melted from irritated to pleading.
"There's a cachet in your arm pit." He gave her a slightly guilty look. "What Yusuke?"
He sighed and brought the tape out of hiding. "Ok fine," he looked down at the tape and then glanced back at her. " To tell you the truth I got this thing from Spirit World."
Keiko's look became a little confused. "huh?"
"I haven't seen the video yet but odds are it's my next big case." He grinned at her cheekily. " So hows that for spilling my guts?" Keiko didn't answer, her face staying blank as she stared at him in thought. "Hey, whats wrong?"
"What's a 'spirit world'?" Yusuke dead-panned.
"You got amnesia or something? I thought Botan explained everything to you about me being spirit detective?" Yusuke could feel a tick start to develop in his right brow; what had Botan told the poor girl?
"Huh? Right she told me all about that internship with that great detective." As if her light bulb had suddenly lit she grind up at him and giggled. "Oh of course, Spirit World must be the name of the agency that the guy you work for!" Yusuke's face fell. What had Botan gotten him into now?
"OK BOTAN! What the hell kind of explanation did you give her? She thinks I'm some freakin' intern in some screwed up after school program!" Yusuke glared at Botan who only gave him a catty smile in return. "For juvenile delinquents!"
Botan got right up in his face, pointing an incriminating finger at him. "Well I had to make up something believable to explain your absence with out mentioning the supernatural!" Yusuke scowled at her. "A basic tenet of Spirit World is that it cant run properly if normal humans have prof of it."
"Well you made me sound lame." Yusuke said with a pout.
"ENOUGH ALREADY!" Kuwabara shouted as he sat before the TV in his room. Some how Yusuke had convinced him to let him use Kuwabara's VCR as long as Yusuke promised not to 'twist his arm' about helping him with the case. "Can we please just watch the video instead of arguing? Your gonna annoy my sister." Botan stuck her tongue out at Yusuke who grumbled something under his breath about 'lame' and 'dumb grim reapers'. "Besides, Botan is right," Yusuke gave him a quirked brow in response. "Keiko's not supposed to know so the truth would only get her in trouble. Maybe you should care more about her safety then worrying about some stupid cover story."
Yusuke gave him a dull glare. "I just love being tag teamed."
Botan how ever was celebrating her victory. "Oh thank you Kuwabara, you're very wise!" Kuwabara's ego seemed to inflate right before their eyes as he grinned in a way that they were sure he thought was charming.
"What can I say Botan, you and I seem to be a perfect match in every way." Botan laughed nervously while Yusuke continued to glare at him. "Now, one more thing before I press play Urameshi; what ever kind of mission it is there's no way I'm getting involved!"
Yusuke placed his hands on his knees and leaned forward in an attempt to be intimidating. "Ok, ok just start the tape!"
Cora wasn't sure were she was, but she did know one thing. She was going to kill Koenma; no, not just kill. Mutilate. Yes, Mutilation seems like the perfect punishment for sending her to this hell hole. Soon after reuniting with Keiko and Botan Koenma had contacted them, saying that Yusuke's mission was complete and that the boys where on their way back to the spirit world. She had been so relieved and a little excited; she was going to see Kurama and Hiei for the first time in three months. But when she walked through the hidden portal to go and greet them she was dumped off in some strange forest with nothing but the sounds of the birds and the beeping of a communicator to accompany her...
"Where the hell am I!" Cora glanced around, searching for the annoying beeping that echoed dully through the small clearing. She saw a dim blue light flashing beneath a bush and hurriedly went to it, pulling the communicator out of the foliage and flipping the screen open. A very happy Koenma greeted her.
"Yo!"
"Yo my ass Koenma, what the hell happened?! Your portal dropped me off in this stupid forest in the middle of nowhere!" Koenma gave her a sheepish grin before shuffling through some paper work on his desk.
"I'm glad to see you Cora! Your next mission starts now-"
"Excuse me?! I'm not a detective; our agreement was that I would help Yusuke!"
"Trust me, you will be helping Yusuke; now pipe down." She felt her brow twitch. "I only have a few moments to tell you the mission before they come for you!" Cora felt her eyes widen; what did he mean 'come for her'?! " Your job is to sit tight and wait for Yusuke and Botan to get to you; the communicator in your hand has a tracking device in it! It will lead Yusuke and Botan to the location of his next mission!"
"Your using me as a homing device!? And who's coming for me-!" The communicator suddenly exploded in her hands making her shout in surprise. She gaped at her slightly singed fingers, disbelief etched across her face and a cold sweat beading across her forehead.
"Well lookie here..." She spun on her heel to face source of the gravely voice, gulping audibly as a group of four to five large male humans came sauntering out of the woods, each one armed with a hand gun that was aimed directly for her heart. She didn't need to ask to know that it was one of these guns that had destroyed her communicator. "The Boss will undoubtedly be interested in her..."
Death. That was what she wanted to bring to Koenma!
"Hey. Girl." She turned, her eyes landing on the solid oak door that now lay open at the front of the room. A man in a black suit stood there with a gun in hand; a gun that was aimed right for her. She didn't feel any fear from this. The last person to pull a gun with the intention of actually hurting her had been ordered to death; her captor wanted her to be in top physical condition for reasons he had yet to divulge to her, though her mind could only preserve that the reason was nothing short of hellish. "Let's go; Boss wishes to speak with you." She narrowed her eyes but followed the henchman out of the room, her hands folded before her and her head bowed as she was lead down the unfamiliar halls towards the stairs leading to the tower- wait. Tower?... why is he in the tower?...
"You'r going to help make your new master a lot of money today! You've heard about his little money pot, right?" She gave him a side long glance, her eyes narrowing at the word 'master'. Since when was she owned by another, let alone some lowly human?
"How can you call it a money pot if it doesn't give up any of its gold?" She asked. Her voice was dull and monotone; she learned that they didn't like it when she showed no emotion. The man beside her glared down at her proving her point. He didn't say anything more as they reached the top of the stairs. A sudden biting cold made her look around herself for the first time leaving the room.
A thin sheet of ice covered the walls, stairs and ceiling. Her breath was visible in the dimly lit corridor and she could feel her fingers and toes going numb.
"Every time we come to visit, she freezes the room." She stiffened when the familiar voice of her captor floated down the hall. "Fridge'd little whore huh?" She glared down the hall as the familiar out line came into view...Tarukane... "Ah, so good of you to join me. I thought for sure I would have to use force to get you up here."
Tarukane looked her over as she came closer making her skin crawl; this was her captor. A fat, lazy millionaire who liked to dabble in the black trade. She wanted nothing more then to gouge his eyes out as they lingered a little longer then necessary.
"Is this the girl you wanted to accompany me into the room? She doesn't seem like much." She looked over Tarukane's shoulder her eyes going wide as she took in the size of the man behind him. He was at least twice the size of Kuwabara with a thin, sharp angled face and dark hair. His eyes were hidden behind dark sunglasses. A second man sat on his shoulder and he looked nothing like the other. He was tiny compared to his partner with long grey/black hair and beady black eyes. He hung on the taller mans shoulder like some kind of parasite.
"Yeah, her names Cora, not that it matters much; feel free to use her how you wish, I only ask that you don't injure her above the shoulders or bellow her elbows and knees; she has to look good for the cameras later." Cora glared up at the man, daring him with his eyes to make he first move. She knew she couldn't take him; not by a long shot. But that didn't mean she would go down with out a fight. The air grew tighter with every passing second as Cora and the strange man stared each other down.
"Any ways- there she is," Tarukane turned and gestured into the room just beyond the large man. "Little knock out ain't she?" Cora looked into the room, her entire body going ridged as she tried to hide her shock and horror. Sitting at the far end of the cell, her shoulders squared and her face set with stony indifference was the object of Hiei's never ending journey... Yukina! How did he-"But when it comes to feelings it's like her hearts been frozen shut."...Yukina... is this why we couldn't fine you?...all this time, you've been with this filth... "Well, lets get things going- you, girl, open the door."
Cora gulped; the guard who retrieved her- he said that Tarukane wanted her help to make millions...they can't think that I would hurt her?...
"Today girl!"
Cora sent him a defiant glare; she couldn't- WOULDN'T remove the one thing that separated Yukina from these horrible men. Tarukane huffed and reached out, intent on opening the door himself but stopped mid motion as a fierce snarl slipped past Cora's lips. Tarukane gave her a surprised look before a sneer distorted his ugly face. A quick movement of his hand and Cora was snatched up from behind as Tarukane pushed open the door. Cora shouted and kicked before she was shoved into the room, landing harshly on her hands and knees. Soon after Tarukane and the two strange men entered at a much more relaxed pace.
"Lookie what I brought you my dear; a new play mate!" Tarukane said as Cora scrambled to her feet, glaring daggers at the three men. "Have you decided to warm up to your Uncle Tarukane yet?" Cora glanced between the stationary ice maiden and the three men. The two strangers (or more like the larger one) walked towards Yukina. Cora growled low in her chest making the man stop and regarded her with what Cora felt where cool eyes. She met him head to head with a glare, but unlike their brief encounter in the hall he seemed to lose interest and returned his attention to Yukina. The small, sickly looking man on his shoulder flinched, and moments later the sound tearing flesh echoed from over Cora's shoulder. She turned on her heal, her eyes widening as a small trail of blood slipped down Yukina's cheek.
"Don't bother," Tarukane said with disgust. " We've already tried filling that girl up with every kind of pain imaginable. No matter what she just stares at the damn wall!" The tall stranger grunted, but weather it was in understanding or disbelief Cora couldn't discern. She felt every fiber in her body coiling, ready to spring into action should either one of the men so much as twitch an eye. But neither of them moved.
The room was silent. And then, the sweet song of the native sparrows filled the room. As if hit with a bolt of lightning, Yukina sprang to life and jumped to her feet, her brows furrowed with anxiety and her eyes wide with fear. Yukina stumbled on her way to the window, but Cora moved quickly to stabilize her by grasping hold of her arm.
"Stay away!" Yukina shouted out the window. Cora looked up to see two small birds, one brown and one blue flew towards the window. Yukina clutched at Cora's arm as she pleaded with the birds to flee. "It isn't safe!"
"Brother." The stranger, who's face had been impassive, gave a sinister smile over his shoulder to the smaller, sickly looking man hanging from his shoulder.
"Of course!" The little man hissed. He brought his hand forwards, his fingers elongating like warm silly putty before they encompassed the defenseless birds in their strong grip. He pulled them into the room, their chirps of desperation only seeming to excite him more.
Yukina gasped. "Please, don't hurt them!" She pleaded as detached herself from Cora and reached out towards the two strange men. The largest raised his hand, the motion making Cora reacted, grasping hold of Yukina's shoulders and pulling her back and away from the two vial men. The largest still hit his target, sending both Yukina and Cora to the ground though Cora still felt some relief; they had only suffered from half of the hit. If Yukina had been hit full on she would have surly been killed. Cora helped Yukina onto her knees, trying her hardest to shield as much of the ice maiden from their captors. Yukina grasped as Cora's arms for support, staring with pleading eyes at the restrained bird.
"These innocent little birds keep you company and give you a small reason to hope, don't they." Cora glared murderously at the tall man, her entire body shaking with barely restrained rage. He was lucky Yukina was holding her in her place; hell, Cora knew that she was lucky to have Yukina to weigh her down. This man could kill her in the blink of an eye, and then what? Yukina would be left defenseless."To bad your feelings have betrayed them."
"Please, spare them." Yukina's voice was pleading, her small hands grasping at Cora's flesh hard enough to draw blood with her tiny claws. The sickly man chuckled as he stared down at the struggling birds, his eyes alight with blood lust. "Please!"
The sound of breaking bones and painful shrieks emitted from the mans iron grasp. A single feather floated down from the birds bindings, landing gently beside Yukina's tucked knees. The occupants in the room sat stock still, nobody making a sound for fear of shattering the silence that was gradually building. And then it was over; Yukina fell to ruins, her whole body falling into Cora's waiting arms as she screamed her denial at the death of her only companions. A small fortune fell from her cheeks, clinking against the slick, thawed stone floor.
"I'll do anything you want!" Yukina exclaimed as Tarukane made his way across the room to collect his polluted gems. "I don't care!"
"Oh, you've done quite enough missy-" Cora moved back, pulling Yukina with her, keeping the distance between them and Tarukane. "For now any ways!" He examined the jewels in his hands, his fat face scrunched up in a crooked grin. "A fortune, do you know that?!" He chuckled darkly. "How a creature like her-" Cora narrowed her eyes. " Could have feelings is beyond me; and to think she made all that noise over some stinkin' birds!"
"She's a better person then you could ever hope to be you filth!" Cora growled out, making to strike the man down while he was distracted by his dirty gems. Yukina grasped her arms tightly, shaking her head vigorously.
"Please, no more..." She whispered to Cora making her wince as guilt cascaded over her, extinguishing her rage. Cora sent a half assed glare at Tarukane who looked as smug as ever as he pocketed the gems. She never thought she could hate someone any more then she had the detective, but this man... she would eventually forgive Yusuke, Cora knew that. She didn't have it in her to hold that kind of a grudge; but Tarukane?
Cora knew with every fiber of her being that the day he drew his last, pitiful breath couldn't come soon enough. "Even now she begs for your life..." Cora hissed out making Tarukane's smug smile fall a little as he glared down at the two of them.
"Just be happy you didn't have to get involved!" Tarukane said in a threatening tone making Cora growl. "Now, you get the honor of cleaning up her face! I like my people to look happy when I'm having a good day!" He shouted as he turned and sauntered off towards the cell door. "Call the market boys!" He said over his shoulder. The two men stared down at the two females, and for the first time sense meeting them, Cora felt a bit of fear streak through her though she was sure to hide it behind an indifferent mask. They had only been acting on Tarukane's orders before... but what were they capable of on their own?
"You can make this easier on yourselves..." the tallest said. Cora watched him with mild surprise as he started to walk away; was this strange and dangerous man going to show a little sympathy?. "Give up hope and start practicing how to cry." Nope. Just more cynical bull shit.
Cora tore off a the bottom hem of her shirt and used it to gently wipe away the tear stains on Yukina's cheeks. Yukina watched her as she worked, taking in the strange girl. Yukina was sure they had never met before, but there was something about this odd demoness that seemed familiar... "Who are you?" She finely asked as Cora finished strengthening out the wrinkles that had accumulated on Yukina's collar.
"Cora." She answered simply as she motioned for Yukina to turn around. Yukina complied, allowing Cora to straighten out her slightly disheveled hair with tender hands. "I was sent to the forest surrounding this hell hole when Tarukane's men captured me."
Yukina perked up a bit; someone was looking for her. Was it the Elders? "You where? Who sent you?"
"Spirit World; I was supposed to lead the spirit detective to the forest, but the tracking device was destroyed by Tarukane's henchmen." Cora saw Yukina's shoulders slump a bit making her feel a little guilty; she hadn't meant to dash Yukina's hope for rescue, but she had to be honest with her. Cora wasn't sure anyone was coming for them. Well, at least no one from Spirit World. "I can't count on Koenma being able to find me, but I know that Kurama and Hiei are probably looking for clues-"
"Kurama and Hiei?" Yukina echoed making Cora nearly choke; had she really been so forward as to mention him already?!...please god don't let him find out... he will kill me for sure...
"Y-yeah. Their friends of mine; I've known them for a few years. Hiei and I traveled together up until a little more then three years ago when I met Kurama. After that I lived with Kurama until Hiei came back and got us all into trouble. So now, I work for Koenma." She said, ending with a small huff that made Yukina giggle.
"They sound like good people." Cora chuckled, but nodded in agreement.
"Hiei's kind of quiet; he doesn't like to talk to people he doesn't know, and he try's to avoid crowds as much as possible, so I guess you could say that he's shy but not to his face; he has an ego the size of an elephant! And Kurama-"
"E-ellifant? What is that?" Cora giggled.
"It's a big land animal that lives in the grass lands of another country in the human world; its big, and grey, with giant floppy ears and a large nose that looks like a tree trunk that they use to move stuff from out of their way." Yukina turned around, giving her a cute pout as she tried to imagine what an elephant looks like.
"And his ego is like that? Big and grey with floppy ears and a strange nose?" Cora muffled her laughter with her hands.
"Yes, exactly like that! But there's more to him then that; he's very loyal and trustworthy. I'm sure it's one of the reason's Kurama has stayed with us for so long. Kurama's strong too, and very smart. Almost to smart actually..." Cora said, her nose scrunching up at the end making Yukina giggle
"They both sound like amazing friends; do they know where you are?"
Cora's face fell. "No; I haven't seen either of them in person sense the beginning of spring. We've been separated ever sense Hiei got us into trouble."
Yukina patted her knee. "I'm sorry Cora. I'm sure you will see them again soon!" Cora sighed; she sure hoped so. But the big question was, how did Yukina come to be with these horrible humans? Before Cora could ask, the cell door was thrown open, with two of Tarukane's men following close behind. They both had black hair and brown eyes, but the bigger one had a nasty looking scare going from his brow to his chin.
"You there, girl, your not supposed to be up here!" Cora stood, using her self a shield between the two men and Yukina.
"Your master told me to see to her and I-!" She was silenced by the back of Mr. Scares hand as it came crashing down on her cheek. Before she could recover, she was snatched up by the back of her shirt and dragged towards the cell door.
"You were instructed to get her cleaned up, not to make a social butterfly out of her! Besides, the boss has a new job for you to do!" Cora yelped as she was thrown from the room and down the dimly lit hall the lead to the stairs.
"Cora-" Cora looked up just as Yukina made a run for the door in a hope to aid her.
"Yukina, don't! I-I'll be fine. I'll be back- we won't let you stay here!" Cora yelped as she was grabbed by her hair and dragged down the hall by another of Tarukane's lackeys. "Do you hear me Yukina?! WE WON'T LET YOU STAY HERE!" And then she was gone, dragged away to god only knows were, leaving a distraught Yukina behind in her cold lonely cell.
"LET ME OUT OF HERE!" Cora pounded her fist's against the hard wood door, ignoring the pain that flew through her arms as her hands started to bleed from the abuse. She had been taken from Yukina's cell and thrown into this empty room, with nothing but a surveillance camera and a blank TV that was protected by bullet and shatter prof glass; she has already broken a finger trying to destroy it. "LET ME GO!"
"Why so much anger? Not happy in your new room?!" Cora growled, her head wiping around to glare heatedly at the now lit screen. Tarukane's putrid face glowed with barley restrained joy and rapture; he was enjoying every moment of her anger. "I've brought you here with the hope that your close proximity will help to put the odds back in my favor. You see there's a fight going on, between my new body guards and some goofs who call themselves the spirit detectives-" Cora's eyes widened in shock. "- and if my boy Toguro wins I'll be the richest man in all three worlds! So be a doll, and pray for his swift victory, would ya? If your good, I'll let you see that Ice broad again." Cora growled and took a swing at the security camera, only to miss it by a whole foot...curse my short stature!... Tarukane laughed heartily, his face turning purple in his mirth.
"And one more thing girl, you had better hope that my boy Toguro wins; I may have forgotten to mention that if he loses, your life is part of the winnings. And I can tell you that my adversary is not as merciful as I am." Cora's face paled; she was being used as collateral in this despicable humans gambling ring? Before she could react, Tarukane's face vanished from the screen, leaving her alone in her stone prison... Hiei... Kurama... were are you two when I really need you?... She growled, turning and slamming her hands against the wooden door with so much force they shook under the impact.
"LET ME OUT OF HERE! YOU SLIMY, PUSS SPEWING, HUMAN SCUM BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAG!"
Hiei glared down upon the putrid human compound that sat at the base of the valley he now resided in. He had been running for the last day and a half trying to reach it. He let out a growl, his hands clenching into fists.
"So this is her filthy prison," he focused on the many energies coming from with in the walls of the mansion. He was instantly met with the familiar energy signatures of two people he did not expect. "I can't believe they would be here." A flash of two men; one outrageous in size with dark hair and dark glasses hiding his eyes, and a smaller, sickly looking man with scraggly hair, flashed across his mind...Yukina... hold on, I'm coming...
Grrrrr... come on Cora, think! Use all that training that Hiei put you through years ago..."...if you get stuck, find a way out..."... "Oh, I already have! There's nothing in this room but that damn camera and the unbreakable TV!"..."...if you can't find a way, MAKE one..."... "GAH! You'r not any help at all Hiei!" She slammed her hand against the door again with more force then ever before and was rewarded with a loud 'pop' from the wood.
She paused, her eyes going wide as she looked at the small crack that had appeared under her palm. "Oh..." A hissing sound erupted into the room making her jump. All along the paneled ceiling small holes opened, releasing a light grey steam into the room. As it hit her face Cora fell into a coughing fit, her hands coming up to cover her mouth and nose...poison?! No, it's smoke! He must have had the room booby trapped! Damn it!
She turned, slamming her fists against the door once again. "Help! Let me out of here!" She coughed and hacked violently as the burning smoke invaded her lungs again and again, seeping into her blood in its attempt to ravish her body for all it was worth. She never stopped though; her hands beat against the hard wood over and over again, drawing more blood from her battered flesh with every strike. "Help me! Yusuke! Kurama?! Anyone!" Her vision began to swim, the edges growing darker by the second; she was losing the battle to stay conscious. She felt tears rolling down her cheeks, but weather they were caused by irritation from the smokey room or the feelings of helplessness that rolled over her as her fists hit the door one last time, she didn't know... what the hell was I thinking? I could train for the rest of my fucking life, and I still wouldn't be able to bust down a damn door...
And then like a switch had been thrown the door flew open, allowing the smoke to thin out just enough to allow her to see into the empty hall. Yes! She was out! With shaking limbs she forced herself to her feet, using the walls as a brace as she scrambled away from the torturous room. When she hit clean air Cora gasped, her hands wiping feebly at her face and eyes to try and rid herself of the sting from the smoke. As she regained her bearings, she could hear shouting coming from down the hall, recognizing Tarukane's voice midst all the chaos. A feral growl ripped from her throat as she pushed her body forward, intent on finding Yukina and making a break for it while Tarukane was busy with his so called bet.
"- I know how all you demon creatures are into torturing! Besides, my Black Black club could use some-" Cora blocked out what ever else the human was going to say as she came upon the door. All she had to do was make it past them and she would be able to make it to Yu- she glanced around the corner of the door way, her entire body freezing in place as she caught sight of Yukina. The ice maiden was flanked on either side by a couple of Tarukane's henchmen, her eyes squeezed shut as Tarukane grabbed hold of her chin, forcing her to look him in the eye. "Hey why aren't you lookin' baby! I know it's the way that you like it- humans gettin' killed because of you-"
Cora moved to enter the room but was stopped by a loud voice shouting behind her. "Hey! What are you doing!" Cora cried out as she was suddenly lifted off the ground by her hair. She had been so focused on Yukina that she hadn't seen the guard come waltzing up behind her. He carried her into the room and tossed hermercilessly to the floor at Tarukane's feet. Cora gasped for air (despite the protest of her smoke damaged lungs) and glared up at the disgusting human that stood above her, a smug smile stretched across his repugnant lips.
"So, you managed to break free, huh? Just couldn't stand to be away from the gore!" He motioned to one of his henchmen, and she was picked up roughly by her arm and pushed to Yukina's side where the Ice maiden started to fret over her.
"Cora what happened to you?" Yukina placed a reassuring hand on Cora's shoulder in an attempt to help steady her shaking friend; it would seem the smoke had done far more damage then Cora had first believed. Cora went to reassure Yukina, but stopped short when she saw exactly what Tarukane was so excited over. Behind Tarukane sat a large observatory window looking down into a round room with no doors or windows to the outside. Her eyes widened as she saw Yusuke being kicked around like rag doll by the large man from before while Kuwabara lay seeming unconscious to the side. Botan, the poor thing, was tucked as close to the fare wall as she could get, trying her hardest to stay out of harms way.
"Yusuke...?" She croaked out, wincing as the simple name plucked at her frayed throat. Tarukane quirked a brow at her before glancing down at the fight just as Kuwabara began to stand back up.
"So you know these strange boys?" Tarukane said to her snidely making her hiss at him in return. "Well I'm sorry to disappoint, but it doesn't look like their any match for my boy Toguro! But then again, perhaps you would rather they die; after all, if they lose you get to stay with me!"
Cora watched as Toguro reached down and picked Yusuke up by the front of his jacket, preparing for the finishing blow. Her stomach clenched tightly; sure, she didn't really care for the idiot detective after what happened to get her and Hiei stuck working for spirit world, but that didn't mean she wanted him dead.
"Disgraceful!" Kuwabara suddenly shouted, his entire body flaring up with yellow spirit energy. Toguro turned to face him, curiosity plain visible on his normally blank face. "And you call yourself a man!? Seeing you live makes me sick!"
"Interesting," Toguro said with a smug smile. "Your spirit power has increased greatly." Toguro tossed Yusuke aside like a broken toy, sending the young man skidding across the stone floor. Botan was quick to his side, inspecting the damage done to him with worry filled eyes. "You'll be much more fun then that carcass."
"Get lost; I'll have to deal with you and your brother some other time!" Kuwabara clenched his fists, his eyes flicking from Toguro to the box that held Tarukane, Yukina and Cora. "Tarukane's the one I was talking to!"
Tarukane had the gall to look shocked, the smug smirk still playing across his face. "What? You wan't to beat me up? HAHAHA! Sorry kid, but I'm to expensive-"
"Worthless is more like it." Cora croaked out making Tarukane growl in irritation.
Yukina grasped Cora's hand. "Cora, please don't erg him on-!"
Tarukane had turned in his chair and was now giving Cora the evil eye. "You got somethin' to say sweet heart? If so, I'd appreciate you sayin' it to my fa-!" Cora summoned all her power and spat directly into Tarukane's face, the loogie landing right int he middle of his protruding forehead.
"There; that should bring up your value." Cora said smugly as Tarukane wiped her saliva from his face.
"You little- Toguro! You've had enough play time! Lets wrap this up so I can collect my money and you can teach this bitch a lesson-" Cora once again shut out his annoying voice as a familiar energy signal washed over her making the corner of her mouth lift upwards in a knowing smirk.
"Your the one who's going to *cough* learn a lesson- scum bag." Cora said sadistically. Tarukane looked away from the fight long enough to give her a dirty scowl before gasp's of excitement and disbelief echoed through the room.
He turned back, the excitement on his face shattering into a million pieces as he took in the scene of the arena bellow. Toguro stood with his arms raised, a strange grey sword held tightly in his hands, and Kuwabara's spirit energy in pushed clean through his abdomen as if it where a blade. "What just happened?!" Tarukane shouted, a heavy sweat building on his bulbous head.
"It's simple old friend," a smooth voice came from seemingly nowhere. "You've lost the bet. "I believe 66 Trillion 50 Million is the total that you owe me, along with the Meimu demon that you posses." Cora blanched; surely he couldn't have been serious about using her as collateral?
"Well, I know that you founded the Black Black club, however, I'm afraid we cant associate with poor men." Another, much older voice said with murmurs of agreement coming after him. Tarukane looked as if he had seen a ghost.
"It's time to move to plan B!" Tarukane shouted, turning to face one of his henchmen. "Go get the chopper ready to go and make sure that Yukina is with us-"
"Have you forgotten what I have told you?" Cora said, a smug smirk tugging at her lips as Tarukane and his men came to a grinding halt. "About your lesson?" Tarukane turned to her, grabbing her by the front of her throat and pulling her up to eye level. Cora gagged, her traumatized air way screaming at the rough treatment.
"Listen here you bitch, I've had just about enough of your mouth-!" The door to the observation room slid open, taking everyone aside from Cora by surprise. Behind it stood an eerily calm Hiei, his hands set lazily in his pockets and his eyes set in a cold glare at the occupants in the room. The two guards that had been flanking Yukina drew hand guns from the inside pockets of their suits.
Tarukane gasped, releasing his hold on Cora's throat as Hiei vanished into thin air and his men began dropping like flies around him. By the time Hiei reappeared, he was standing directly in front of Tarukane a mere foot from Cora. He glanced down at her, his eyes narrowing before they rose to meet the terrified eyes of Tarukane.
"The games over you ugly fool." Hiei said smoothly, his voice tight as he tried to restrain his anger. Yukina hesitantly reached down and helped Cora up off the ground. "I saw all the talismans that you had hung in the tower; that explains why I couldn't find her with my Jagan eye." Tarukane took a tentative step back making Hiei's eyes narrow even further. "But you can't run from death forever."
"W-wait! I don't know who the hell you are, but if its money your after-" Cora saw Hiei's fingers twitch. "We can talk! Listen," Tarukane pointed an incriminating finger at Yukina making Cora growl lowly at him and Hiei's hands clench into tight fists. "That broad behind you makes jewels you wouldn't even believe! All I have to do is kill off her bitch of a friend here and I could pump millions from her-" Hiei growled so fiercely that even Cora took a step back before he took a single hit on Tarukane, knocking the filthy human into the large, shatter prof window with enough force to make it crack. Cora watched with morbid satisfaction as Hiei delivered blow after blow to the humans head, blood lust shinning brightly in his eyes as he released all his pent up anger and frustration. At least someone was beating that horrid human.
"Stop it Hiei! Don't kill him!" Yusuke shouted, catching Cora and Hiei's attention. Hiei scowled, grasping hold of Tarukane's disgusting throat as he prepared to deliver the finale blow. Yukina ripped herself from Cora side much to Cora's surprise, and rushed over to Hiei, grabbing hold of his flying fist and stopping it mid punch.
"Stop!" She pleaded up at him. Hiei's entire body seemed to go ridged before his hold on Tarukane began to go lax. "Please, no more."
"Are you crazy? Is this not the man who tormented you and made you his slave?!"
"He is- and I have to bare that." She said solemnly. "But taking his life would not pay off his debt to me; it would only bring more pain. Just more nightmares." Cora reached over, placing a reassuring hand on Yukina's shoulder. "Please no more! I can't take it..." Cora glanced at Hiei who had also taken the moment to look her way, his eyes searching for some kind of approval. She nodded gently at him making him sigh and release his hold on Tarukane's unconscious body.
"Understood." Hiei said, his previously angered tone replaced with one of mild annoyance, though it was well hidden from the untrained ear. "I wont make you cry. He's to worthless for that." Yukina released his arm, a gentle smile falling onto her face.
"How can I ever thank you?"
Cora patted her shoulder gently, offering up her own crooked smile. "There's no need Yukina," she said gaining the ice maidens attention. "Knowing that your safe is enough for us all." Yukina nodded, a small worried frown falling onto her face.
"You don't look so good Cora..."
Cora waved off her worries. "I still have half a good lung left; I'll live." She said jokingly before turning her eyes to the arena bellow. Yusuke and Botan looked relieved as Kuwabara sat up and grasped at his abdominal area...not so sure about them though... Yukina and Hiei both turned to inspect the injured boys. Or at least, Cora thought Yukina had done so.
"You look... familiar." Yukina said to Hiei making his eyes widen in momentary panic. "But I'm not sure why." He turned to look at her, his face back to its normal unemotional mask. "Who are you?"
"No one." Hiei said back to her as he turned back to watching the three in the arena. "Just a member of the team." Cora frowned a little, but kept to herself; she knew Hiei didn't want Yukina to know who exactly he was.
"Oh no!" Yukina suddenly said making the two of them stiffen up in mild panic. "I forgot about them!" She rushed from the room, intent on helping Yusuke and Kuwabara. Hiei and Cora watched her go, the later of the two sighing and allowing herself to crumple to the ground, ending up on her back and staring up into her partners irritated face.
"...You look like shit." He said flatly making her brow tick.
"Nice to see you too ass hat." Hiei smirked in response, his mind feeling the most at ease it had in the last four months. He had already been livid to discover the condition Yukina had been kept in; finding Cora had been held captive by the same man only added fuel to his ever burning thirst for revenge on the sniveling human. Sure, Cora was nearly battered beyond all repair, but if she was well enough to call him names she couldn't be nearly as bad off as it seemed. A light chuckle pulled him from his thoughts.
"I see I didn't have to come after all." Hiei glanced over his shoulder, annoyance clear on his face. Cora used her elbows to push her upper body up just enough to see Kurama come waltzing out of the far corner of the room.
"How long have you been standing there?" Hiei asked snidely. "Long enough right?"
Cora glared half halfheartedly at the fox demon. "Your answer better be 'not long at all, I actually just got here I'm just trying to act mysterious and foxy'- cause if it's not, then I'm going to beat the living shit out of you for letting that filthy human choke me out." Kurama chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender.
"Forgive me; I knew that if I had stepped in Hiei would have been angry that I had stolen his revenge from him." Cora coughed, flipping him the bird before allowing herself to fall back onto the floor. Kurama smiled apologetically at her before turning his attention back to Hiei. "Why don't you want to tell Yukina? She deserves to know she has a brother-"
"Tch, she deserves to be happy."
"I thought the two where the same?" Hiei shook his head gently.
"This is the way I want it." Kurama sighed but nodded; he had no business trying to sway Hiei's thoughts on the matter, what ever they may be. The three stayed in silence for a while, just basking in the serenity of a job well done.
"Well, all I know is that one of you two are going to carry me out of here." Cora said, her arms and legs beginning to feel like lead.
Hiei scoffed and glanced down at her out of the corner of his eye. "I saved your useless hide. Again." Hiei turned to leave the room. "Kurama, it's your turn to baby sit."
Cora glared heatedly at Hiei's retreating back. "You ass! Just wait until I get my hands on you!" Cora shouted, only to fall into a fit of coughs that had Kurama at her side in a second.
"You shouldn't push yourself so hard." Kurama chided as he reached into his pant pocket and pulled out a vial of strange green liquid. "Here, take this..." Kurama uncorked the bottle and held it up to her lips, tipping the foul smelling liquid into her mouth. Cora nearly spat it back out, the bitter taste being enough to almost make her hurl, but she forced herself to drink it. "It's a mild anti inflammatory; it should keep your air way from closing up until we can get you to the doctor."
Cora grimaced as the taste refused to leave her throat, but she instantly felt relieved. "I knew you would have something in that magic hair purse...of...yours..." Cora could feel her mind slipping in and out of consciousness.
"Oh," Kurama said with a small chuckle. "And I forgot to mention it's also a sedative. Sleep tight."
Cora tried to curse him, but the words came out slurred together in an unrecognizable blob. She felt herself being shifted around as something warm was wrapped around her like a cocoon, the scent of campfire and pine enveloping her, lulling her to sleep just as she was lifted off the ground.
Cora sighed as the annoying energy monitor was finally removed from her room. It took the staff three day's to realize that it would be useless to monitor her energy; it wasn't traceable, so they were constantly running in as the monitor screamed that her energy had dropped down to zero. But now it was gone, and she could actually have a moments peace. It had been nearly a week sense Yusuke and the others had come to rescue Yukina and unknowingly Cora herself, and she had been in the spirit world ICU up until last night. She was now in her own private treatment room, and had just gotten the okay to be taking off all of monitors though she would still need to spend the night there before being allowed to go back to work. "Not that I'll be doing much; the doctor said no training for another two weeks!"
"Talking to yourself again? Your mind slips further and further every day." Cora scowled as the irritatingly familiar face of Hiei came waltzing into the room, his hands tucked pensively in his pants pockets. He looked ragged and near the point of collapse with heavy bags falling under his eyes and his jaw slacked. Even his shoulders, which he normally kept firm and straight where sagging a little, adding to his tired appearance.
"Your one to talk; at least I don't look like a train wreck. I only sound like one." It was his turn to scowl as she snickered teasingly at him. "But seriously, you look like you should be the one in a hospital bed, not me."
"I'm fine."
She quirked a brow at him. "Riiiight."
He huffed, turning on his heels and making a B-line for the door. "If all your going to do is question me then I'm leaving; Kurama should be over soon to check on you-"
"Yukina went home didn't she." Cora said making Hiei stop in his tracks, his hand lingering on the sterile white handle. "To the island that is." She saw his shoulders drop a little more as he grunted, flicking his fingers over the door and locking it from the inside. He turned back to the bed, crawling onto the top of the covers until he was able to rest his head against her stomach. He fist'd his hands into her hospital gown before allowing his entire body to relax against her legs, his shoe'd feet hanging of the bottom.
"Shut up."
Cora readjusted her legs a little so that her knees fell on either side of him. "Your heavy." She stated making him stiffen up a little. She sighed, her left hand coming up to rest against the back of his neck, shielding his eyes from the room while her right hand grasped as his forearm, rubbing slow circles over his skin. He slowly relaxed again, the strain of the last three months soothed by her gentle fingers. He could spare himself this small moment of weakness.
"Your bony." Cora smirked a little at his lame come back. Not a moment later she felt him slip into slumber, his whole body going into a dead weight against her thighs and stomach. The sound of his deep breathing was the only thing that permeated the silence around them, and before to long Cora felt herself slipping off into dream land. With little care of the panic her locked door would cause the nursing staff, Cora fell into the most fitful sleep she had enjoyed in a very long time.
