Wow! It's been ages! My hard drive melted (MELTED!), and then classes started up, AND I got a job. I know, excuses excuses. Hopefully updates will come quickly now. Here you go:

Chapter 5

Yukina began to feel sweat dampening her face and armpits. How long had they been in the upper office? An hour? Maybe two? She had never had a strong sense of time and the digital clock was behind her.

Slow and steady footsteps echoed down the hall. Yukina blinked purposefully, regaining all composure. It had to be Kurama returning. He had simply been told off about spending too much time chatting. Yes, that must be it.

The thoughts of hope lightened the lines of worry on the ice maiden's face. She was so sure that Kurama was coming down the hall.

Kurama winced as the needle slid cleanly into his wrist. I must fight the effects. I will fight the effects. His face began to gather the shine of sweat.

Camden sat back in his chair, smiling at the struggling demon. "Fighting it won't help a thing. Someone as clever as you should realize that no one can fight the rules of science." He then swiveled in the chair and looked over what could only be record at his desk.

"You would turn your back to me?" Kurama said in a calm voice. "Hmm, how rude. You underestimate me." Kurama glanced around the room, looking for any plants that could aid him. Not finding any, he began to allow a the seed in his shoe start to climb up his leg.

The scientist's eyes did not waver from the papers in his hand. When he reached the end of the last page he gracefully pulled his wrist to eye level. Staring at his watch he said aloud, "and six, five, four, three, two… one. That should do it." He turned and faced Kurama again. Leaning forward he said, "If you would please, Mr. Suichi, are you a threat to me right now?"

Kurmama's teeth clenched, his brain was yelling at him to tell the truth. It tensed; his whole body was under attack and the only releif would be to say exactly what was true. In a gust of breath he spurted out a "yes". Everything relaxed. Yes, yes this was better.

Camden raised an eyebrow. "Really? And why is that?"

This one came easier. "I have control of a vine strong enough to break you neck." Kurama couldn't remember why he had ever lied, the euphoria was wonderful. He planned on going home after this and telling his mother that he was really a demon.

At this, the scientist pushed his chair back from his captive. "and how would one stop such a vine?"

"Oh, it's simple really. The vine is rather sensitive. Any solution that is has a ph reading of less than five should do the trick. Just pour it on my right shoe."

Nodding, Camden reached for the intercom button and leaning towards the microphone, spoke calmly. "Daren?" His voice rang throughout the building. "Look through the fridge in the break room and bring something acidic to my office." Not a minute later a pale young man with close cut hair and large ears stepped into the room.

His voice was matter-of-fact, "This was the best I could find." He held out a small bottle of vinegar. "But you know, Dr. Camden, I could always send someone out for lemon juice if… "

Daren stopped short as he watched his boss dump the entire bottle on Kurama's shoe. The pungent smell filled the air as the shoe darkened with liquid. The vine shriveled and fell limply out of the demon's pant leg.

Dr. Camden had a large, ugly grin across his face. "Now that that's out of the way, let's figure out who you truly are."

Yukina stretched her neck to see the entering figure. It was Kurama, yes, but not how she had hoped to see him. He was unconscious, carried by Dr. Camden, and in the simple white hospital gown that Yukina had grown so accustomed to. Her eyes widened and her lower lip quivered.

"No," Just a whisper, but it escaped her mouth. Regaurdless of whether Camden heard or not, he continued to carry the boy to the observation cells. He tossed him in, allowing Kurama's body to slump listlessly on the thin mattress inside. Closing the barred door with a heavy click, he looked toward Yukina.

"Looks like you'll have some company."

Thank you to all my watchers, reviewers, and especially my BETA!