Why oh why can't I have internet in my bedroom?

Chapter Four: Death in the trees

Kuwabara shivered. It wasn't so much that it was cold outside, it was just the feeling, the tickle feeling. It was worse than ever. "This place is haunted," he said to his friends.

"Well, duh!" said Yusuke. "Ten people died in this part of town. Botan can't round them all up at once."

"Not just that," said Kuwabara. "There's death everywhere- No, not just because people died. Look! The plants are dying. There's death in the trees. Death in the air. It's so spooky and there's no one around. People keep staring at us from behind their blinds."

"What do you expect?" said Yusuke. "That we'd be welcomed like heros? They probably think we're the ones killing people. Who else would be out here?"

"How is it that no one has seen Mukuro?" asked Kurama.

"Where the hell did that come from?!" yelled Yusuke. "Sorry, didn't mean to scream in your face. But that was random even for you."

"If you two would stop fighting like children, maybe Kurama wouldn't have to inturrupt your 'conversation' with a relavant question," said Hiei. "That is a good point. She only kills one person at a time, except for at the points of the star."

Insanity… thought Kurama. Insanity is not systematic… "I don't know how she does it. The killings have all been during daylight."

"Maybe she's faster then Hiei?" said Yusuke.

"She would have to be faster than light to be completely invisable and that would be dangerous," said Hiei. "If she were merely fast, a gifted human would be able to see her."

Insanity… "That's it!" said Kurama. "Insanity!"

"What?" said all three of his friends.

"Brain washing; mind control; she's spreading insanity," said Kurama. "Do you remember what they said about the so-called witnesses to the murders?"

"Everyone in the area either said they didn't see anything or were too traumatized to speak," said Yusuke.

"She can't brainwash people, only people like Hiei can do that," said Kuwabara. "I studied her powers, it didn't say anything about psychokenisis!"

"Where did you study her powers?" asked Hiei.

"A library in the Makai. There was a whole section on the Makai lords. Yusuke's there too."

"What in blue hell were you doing in the Makai?"

"I just said, research! I wanted to know as much about Mukuro as possible."

"Let me rephrase that," said Kurama. "She isn't using mind control, so to speak, she's merely using psychological torture."

"Sounds fun, what is it?" asked Yusuke.

"She feeds emotions into a person's psyche through her energy. You were right about death being everywhere; Mukuro is filling the city with the imprint of chaos and destruction. Very astute observation Kuwabara."

"Guys," said Yusuke. "We're here."

They all stopped and stared at the street before them. The dot where the next murder was to take place.

"We don't have a plan yet," said Kuwabara. "Does anyone know what to do?"

"We provoke her into following us and lead her to the Makai," said Kurama.

"Sounds easy in theory but- fuck!" yelled Yusuke. "Kuwabara is the only human in the area!!"

"Fine," said Kuwabara. "She can chase after me if she's hungry."

"Don't be an asshole," said Hiei. "You are not food, baka."

"Did Hiei just swear?" asked Kuwabara, stunned. "I've only heard Hiei swear once, and that was when he was trying to kill Sensui. Since when does Hiei swear?"

"Hiei swears when Hiei is pissed off," said Hiei. "Like now, when an obnoxious man keeps saying Hiei's name like Hiei isn't present."

Everyone stared at Hiei.

"I think Kurama's right about the insanity thing," said Kuwabara. "It's starting to mess with your head… Hiei…"

"Don't say my name in italics," said Hiei. "It's rude."

Kurama looked at Hiei intensly for a moment. "Right again, Kuwabara," he said. "Hiei, what time is it?"

"How should I know? You are the one who carries time in his pocket."

Yusuke exchanged a glance with Kuwabara. They were starting to become worried. This wasn't the Hiei they knew at all.

"What are we doing here?" asked Kurama.

"The star, we have to complete it."

"Yusuke, take Hiei back to the hotel and feed him fruit."

"What will that do?" Yusuke asked rather loudly.

"Mukuro must be near by, Hiei is being affected by her nearness. I should have thought of this!"

"Make Kuwabara bring Hiei back to the hotel!" said Yusuke. "He's the only human. He's in the most danger."

"No one is taking me anywhere," Hiei growled. "I'm fine, I was just confused for a moment."

"What time is it, Hiei?" asked Kurama.

"Judging by the position of the sun, around noon. I don't know why I didn't think of that before."

"And why are we here?"

"To save that man's life," Hiei said pointing to a homeless person standing right where the dot was. "Mukuro is behind that building," Hiei whispered. "I can smell her breath." Hiei looked like he was about to throw up but contained himself.

"Don't panic," Kurama said in a low voice. "Panic is exactly how Mukuro controls her victims. If we stay calm, she can't control us."

"Easy for you to say!" Yusuke hissed. "You're used to being calm in freak-ass situations."

"Yusuke, remember our purpose."

"He's right, Urameshi," said Kuwabara. "Are you calm, Hiei?"

"As death," Hiei replied. He stepped forward toward the man who was searching through the garbage for forgotten food. The irony was not lost on Hiei. "Don't be afraid," he said to the homeless man.

"Who are you?" the man asked in a raspy voice.

"I am an angel," said Hiei.

"Shit," Yusuke whispered "He's nuts again."

"Shh!" said Kurama.

"You're here because the killer is here," the man replied.

"Yes," said Hiei. "The killer is very near by. I am going to protect you. Here's what I want you to do: go into that ally and pretend to be invisible. You won't be harmed."

The man did as Hiei said and Hiei opened his jagon. His friends joined him.

"Nice one, Hiei," said Yusuke.

"You thought I was nuts again," Hiei replied dryly. "That man is insane, I wanted him out of sight. Crazy people will do whatever you say if you tell them what they want to hear. Kuwabara, run."

"Run where?" asked Kuwabara.

"To the portal. You're the only human. Quick, she's coming! She's hungry…"

Kuwabara took off at a sprint toward the nearest portal. It was at least five miles away.

Mukuro rounded the corner and looked for the man she had arranged to be standing there by the trash cans. He wasn't there. She couldn't sense him or smell him. But wait, there was a human up ahead. He thinks he can run, she thought. Pathetic, but he will make a nice snack.

She started after Kuwabara at a swift pace, keeping him several yards ahead at all times, she wanted to chase him. Hunt her prey.

"She didn't even see us!" said Yusuke.

"Run, you fool, she's going to eat Kuwabara!" Hiei yelled, sprinting after Mukuro.

Yusuke started to run as well but stopped abruptly when he realized that Kurama wasn't moving. "Kurama, buddy, we gotta go," he said gently.

"I'm useless," said Kurama.

"Now is not the time, Kurama. We have to go save Kuwabara. He's being chased."

"What's the point? She'll kill us all in the end."

"Snap out of it!" Yusuke yelled. "I can't leave you here alone!"

"Take care of Hiei." Kurama collapsed.

"Fuck!" Yusuke yelled. He did the only thing he could think of, he lifted Kurama on his shoulders and started after Hiei.

I can't feel his heart-beat, Yusuke thought. No! Don't think it, don't you dare think it!

There in the dark where shadows lie. Be still, be silent. Just. Don't. Die.