Story Title: Consumed by Hellfire
Disclaimer: I do not own YYH.
Author's Notes: It feels like forever since I thought about "Hellfire". Originally, I was going to put "To Dance…" on hiatus to work on this story, but the ideas started flowing for "To Dance…" and this one ended up on hiatus. Heh, it's odd how the Stars align sometimes, ne? Oh well, here it is—the second chapter. Enjoy.
Chapter Two: The Decisions We Make
In the following week to come, the city plunged into a state of calm chaos. No one really knew what to do, but they knew something was wrong, so they all stood with their hands up in the air and decided just to wait and see. Of course, the nutcases came out in droves and proclaimed that it was "the end of the world". Those were the same people who believed that when the clock struck midnight on New Year's back in 2000, all the computers were going to crash. Lo and behold, the dreaded time came and nothing happened. The end? Really…a little thing like the moon changing colors is the sign? Yusuke chuckled in his mind at the thought. He always thought that the sign would be something like…umm…mass earthquakes. Something cool like that. Not the moon changing colors.
He sat on the sofa and flipped through the channels. Nothing was really on, but the flashing light kept him from falling asleep.
"Yusuke, just put it on something," his mother said from the kitchen. "You're annoying the hell out of me just flipping around."
"Fine," Yusuke grumbled. "Here's the news."
Some chick reporter was interviewing some scientist who was explaining how the moon could have changed colors…something about space gases and blah, blah—Yusuke tuned out pretty quickly after the guy opened his mouth. Let's just say that if amebas could talk, they would sound exactly like this guy. Wow. Yusuke actually remembered something from biology class. Heh, maybe he should go less often now.
Atsuko set the plate of curry rice in front of Yusuke and took a seat herself beside him," You think you're going to be called away to investigate this?"
With his cheeks stuffed with curry, Yusuke mumbled out a "What?" His mother sighed and shook her head,"The moon, stupid. What did you think I was talking about? The electric bill?"
Yusuke swallowed his food. "I'm not a spirit detective anymore, Mom. Besides," he waved his hand back and forth in a dismissive gesture," I don't think this has anything to do with Reikai or Makai."
"Really?" Atsuko asked in a skeptical tone. His comment surprised her. You'd think after all the stuff he had gone through he would be a little more sensitive to strange occurrences. Apparently not.
"Heh, if Reikai needs me, they know where to find me," Yusuke grinned and put his arms behind his head.
"Of course we know," a bright voice spoke from behind Yusuke.
Yusuke jumped and turned around, "Gah! Oh Botan, it's just you."
"That's it?" she narrowed her eyes," We haven't seen each other in months and that's all you have to say to me? Really Yusuke, your manners are atrocious."
Atsuko shrugged her shoulders," I tried to teach the boy, but it never seemed to stick."
Yusuke shot an annoyed glare at both of them," Botan, spell atrocious for me."
"That's not the reason I'm here," she said with her cheeks puffed out." Okay, we'll it's obvious that you've seen the moon of lately, right? Well—"
Yusuke stood and stretched out his back," Let me guess. There's some really strong and evil demon out there, so go out and take care of it for us. Is that Koenma's message? I've heard it before and I'm not really that interested." The boy walked past Botan and headed toward his room.
Botan pursued after him. "Yusuke! We don't even know if there's a demon. We just want you to look into the matter…"
Yusuke stopped and laughed," Yea, yea, just look into the matter, yea right! Y'know every time you appear it just means something bad for me. You really are the Grim Reaper, Botan. I like living. I like a life where I don't have to wake up and save the world all the time. I like sitting on my ass, flipping through channels, running a ramen stand, being engaged to Keiko, and having dinner with my mom."
"Yusuke…" Botan held the sleeves of her pink kimono up high. She changed to a hard saddened tone of voice. "What would Genkai think about how you're acting?"
"Don't even bring her into this," the back of his neck began to redden in anger," Don't play dirty, Botan. I'm not a spirit detective anymore. If I don't want to fight, it should be my choice."
Botan rummaged inside her kimono sleeve and pulled out a gold and red scroll," You don't understand. This is a request from Lord Enma himself."
Long braziers on chains hung from the high ceiling of the Throne Room. They swayed and creaked and brought little light to the chamber. A handful of small, screeching flaming bats danced about the room and dropped their guano wherever they pleased. There were eight armored guards positioned at various points around the expansive room. There were no walls and instead carved columns supported the high dome ceiling and kept the room aired and open to the outside. Two guards stood beside the King as he sat upon his ornate black iron throne and eyed wickedly as more guards dragged the woman into the chamber. Smoke billowed from his flared nostrils as he took another long draw from his pipe. Her hands and feet were shackled together and a cloth bag covered her face. The King snarled at the sight of the woman. He had great plans for her…all gone to ash for her folly. Blast it! She was not doing as he had planned for her…and the King had no tolerance for insubordination. Why couldn't she just be a good little minion like everyone else? That's women for you, he grinned and shook with laughter at his thought.
He could have done so much with her skills. She was an expert spy with many talents of persuasion at her disposal, and not all of them weapon-based. He thought her pledge of loyalty to him alone was binding, but it seemed that her word was only good by how many coins jingled in her satchel. The bag was removed. She stared at him hard with those cold coffee eyes now sharpened with her hate for him.
"What say you, Jessamine? How can you explain the treachery you have committed against your King?" he raised his chin high and glared down at her. The pathetic creature…she wasn't even worth feeding to the E-class demons.
Half of her face was covered by her thick white hair as her blood red lips cracked into a smile. Jessamine spoke with a voice like the strong rustle of autumn leaves in the wind, "One hundred years ago, a great battle was fought between a demon and a God for control of the afterlife. It was a long and bloody war between the two in which the battle nearly destroyed all three worlds, but in the end, the God slain the demon and scattered his arms and legs across Makai, so that he could never be judged in the afterlife and instead was doomed to wander Makai endlessly in suffering. Secretly, the demon lord's Generals searched and gathered the pieces. Slowly, the demon was brought back to life."
"That explains nothing, Jessamine." The King bitterly replied. How dare she speak of his history like it was some mythic legend! "You were caught in Reikai. Informing Lord Enma of my return nonetheless? You betrayed your kingdom, your people... your King."
She turned her head slightly and gave a sidelong stare," I am no fire demon! I bear no allegiance to the Land of Fire. Yes, I have served you in the past, but by no means am I your minion. A spy for hire goes where the money shines brightest, whether it be here or Reikai or any of the worlds. I am afraid you are mistaken if you believe that I am a part of your kingdom."
The King rose from his throne. His voice bellowed in the openness and the guards shrank into their armor at their master's infuriated tone," I'm afraid that it is YOU who are mistaken. Anyone who has ever served under MY rule for any amount of time is my servant. I can shower you in riches. I can drain you of your blood. I can give you an army. I can feast of your flesh. The fate of your life, along with every one of you, is within MY hands. I am your King! I am your GOD! "
"You are no god… You are a pompous fool of a demon mad with power." Jessamine whispered loudly.
The corners of his lips twitched. His eye grew wide and blazed in the low torchlight. Mad? Perhaps in the eyes of this opposition. However, the King could assure everyone that he was very much sane. Yes, he was not divine. Soon. Soon that too would be a reality. All in time, he thought and calmly made his way down the small set of stairs.
"I am a kind master, though," he said as he circled her. It reminded Jessamine of how savage birds of prey circle their next meal and wait for it to die. Chills ran through her body every time he stroked her hair or brushed her face with his rough battered hands. "I would not like to waste such…potential," the way he spoke to her with that crooked grin knotted her stomach. "I will give you a chance at life. Recant your words and I will let you live."
Immediately, she raised an eyebrow, "On what conditions? That I join your diseased harem in pleasuring His Majesty? Feh, my tongue remains where it is. I am a mercenary, not a sex toy."
The King laughed deeply in his throat. He figured that would be her response. In fact, he liked this way better than having to look at her naked body in his bed. Why reward a traitor for her misdeeds? He gently laid his hand over her whole face. Her eye was visible in the space between his index and middle finger. She had no idea what was going on—it was evident in the fear in her eyes. Slowly, a hissing sound grew louder and louder as thin wisps of smoke billowed from beneath his hand. Her face…he was scorching her face! Writhing and struggling, she tried to break free. His grip only strengthened. He lifted her off the floor by her face for all his guards and anyone else to see. Jessamine tried not to (she wanted to be strong) but couldn't stop her screams. The smoke increased. The King took in the scent of her burning flesh. It was revolting, yet was invigorating his senses. This was the scent of retribution.
He released her by slamming her head against the floor. The King turned and sat back on his throne, "Hang her body. I want everyone to understand that THIS is what happens when you go against your God."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the guard stamped his foot and saluted him. Jessamine's body was promptly removed.
The King leaned back and stroked his beard. So now Reikai knew of his existence…there went his surprise assault. A broad grin broke out onto his face. Reikai now knows of him. So…Lord Enma would probably gather a group of warriors against him rather than face him himself. Perhaps there was someone in Reikai strong enough to challenge him. The idea of fighting a Reikai warrior amused him. Let Reikai do as they wish, he thought. The outcome would still remain the same.
Yusuke stood and blinked his eyes rapidly," Lord Enma himself? Well that changes everything..."
Botan's eyes grew wide, "Really? You'll do it?"
"No," Yusuke replied flatly. Botan fell to the floor.
"Yusuke! The world could be in danger and you're being selfish!" she snapped back at him. Yusuke blew her off. What? The world was the selfish one, not him. Always getting into trouble, always needing to be saved, and did the world ever thank him for his good service. No. The world was an ungrateful brat that needed a little "tough love" this time.
"The big guy upstairs isn't that fond of me. Remember he kind of wanted me dead after I awakened as a demon. Plus he basically fired me from my job, so I don't see any reason why I should I help him." Yusuke said as he put on his green jacket. "I'm going down to Keiko's, Mom. See ya."
"Bye, Yusuke," Atsuko called from the sofa.
"Wha? What!" Botan did a double take. "Atsuko, talk some sense into your son! Yusuke…" The door clicked shut behind him.
"The boy has made up his mind. There's little I can do to change that," Atsuko paused to light her cigarette and take a short draw. "Sorry, Botan. Good luck in finding someone else!"
Her cheery smile aggravated Botan even more. What has gotten into this family? Have they lost all sense of duty and responsibility? Did he not care what happened to his friends and family anymore? Yusuke wasn't just fighting for the sake of fighting. He was fighting to protect lives. What he chooses to do in terms of fighting affects billions of lives…and now his selfish decision has sentenced every life in the human world to death. Yusuke, you fool!
"Fine then!" Botan stamped her feet on the floor and slid open the sliding glass door," But Yusuke is going to have to fight eventually. He'll have to save the world." She flew off on her oar into the sky.
Staggering in the night, wandering the streets, Hiei held his hand against the protective white headband. The Jagan would not rest. All the time it was moving and calling to him. Remove the headband. Remove it. Hiei knew better than to listen to his eye's commands. It was trying to take control, trying to take over his body—no, Hiei would never let it. His forehead…it was burning. His eyes were having trouble focusing. The world was spinning and hazy. He could have sworn he saw demons of molten lava up ahead of him. Rubbing his eyes, the creatures ahead vanished. It was just his eyes playing tricks on him. That was all.
A knock gently rapped on the apartment door as a tall woman with light brown hair made her way to answer the door. As a child she made it a game of sorts to guess who the person was behind the door but after a while it no longer was a game to her. How could it really be considered a game when she always was right? There was no challenge in it. She just had these feelings and an image would pop up in her mind. She had no control in stopping her power, or at least she never really tried to. The person knocking right now was a friend who they had not seen in quite a while.
"Oh, good evening, Botan," Shizuru smiled and ushered her in. "I was just making some tea. Would you like some?"
"Oh no but thank you. I really can't stay long. Is Kuwabara in? I'd like to talk to him for a few minutes," Botan said.
"Yea. First room on the left," Botan made her way past Shizuru. "Wait, knock first, 'kay?"
Kuwabara sat at his desk, diligently studying, as a knock on his door broke him from his trance. Pushing himself away from his desk, Kuwabara walked toward the door and took careful steps on his sleeping foot.
"Yea, sis?" his eyes widening in surprise," Oh Botan."
Botan replied with a shaky laugh in her voice," Yea, Kuwabara it's me. You're well, I see."
He let her in but did not close the door behind her, "Something's wrong right? That's why you're here?"
"Perceptive, aren't we?" she forced another laugh. He was not amused. She grew more serious in her expression," Well yes you're correct."
Kuwabara drew the blinds up and stared fixed out the window. "It's that moon. I'm sure of it. It's not every day the moon changes colors, right? It's a bad omen…"
"Once again you're correct," Botan took a seat on his bed.
Kuwabara turned around and faced her," Yusuke's going again. To Makai?"
"Err…that's where you've missed. Yusuke refuses to go," Botan replied.
Kuwabara rushed and grabbed her shoulders. "What the hell is he thinking? You can't just say no to Reikai. That's not an option. What kind of man is he?" Kuwabara clenched his teeth in anger.
"That's kind of the reason I'm here," she paused as a strong wind rattled the windows. "Kuwabara, I'd like you to go in Yusuke's place. It's a mission to investigate the validity of some information Reikai has recently acquired. It's dangerous but there isn't any fighting."
Kuwabara rolled his eyes in disbelief. There was always fighting. Such was the nature of any mission from Reikai. The young man quietly sat back into his chair at his desk. No answer came from his lips. He sat in deep thought with his hands resting on his desk and stared into nothing. It was an honor, sort of, to be Reikai's second choice but it was also an honor crowned with consequences. Consequences Kuwabara was not sure if he wanted to chance.
Kuwabara turned and looked over his shoulder, "Botan, I can't either."
"Why!" she rose from his bed, "The three worlds need you. Lives are in the balance."
"Hey, get off my back! You think I don't already know what's at stake? You think I want to say no?" Kuwabara rose from the chair and paced around the room. "I want to go. I really do. For once, I can be the hero of the story. I can rub it into Urameshi's face. I can save the world."
Botan was confused. If he really wanted to go, why did he say no? Kuwabara sighed and took a seat beside Botan," Think about it, Botan. Every fighter Urameshi has gone up against has been stronger than the last. The chances are that this one follows the pattern."
Kuwabara stared into his worn rough hands and clenched them tightly," I'm not Urameshi. I know my limits. He doesn't. I'm human, not a demon. The fight's over for me."
Botan laid a hand on his shoulder," Kuwabara, it doesn't have to be this way. You're strong in your own right. Have faith in yourself—"
"I'm not stupid! I'm not going to throw away my life just to please Reikai. A long time ago, Kazuma Kuwabara was left behind while everyone else grew stronger. At first, it frustrated me but now…there is more in my life and to my life than fighting now. Botan, I'm sorry. I can't do it."
"Very well, Kuwabara," she rose from the bed and walked out the door. "By the way, good luck on your exams," she said with annoyance in her tone as she left.
Slowly, he closed the door behind her. He laid his head against the wooden door and stared at his reflection in the brass doorknob. " Thanks," softly he mumbled and returned to his desk.
Hiei swayed in his step as he walked and tried to find somewhere safe that he could lie down. His small body was not used to such high internal temperatures—not once could the demon ever remember being so ill. From behind him fluttered small blazing bats. They danced around him and screeched in his face. Hiei drew his sword and swung it blindly to scare off the creatures. The bats grinned and laughed at him as they deftly dodged the blade.
"Go! Go somewhere," he shouted as he felt his feet sinking into the pavement. Hiei looked down. The air reeked of sulfur, heat, and of burning flesh. The asphalt had become soft like volcanic rock and Hiei was slipping in! The swift demon pulled himself from the ground's hold and raced across the pavement to more stable ground. Hiei peered over his shoulder. The road was normal again.
"Ah…I must be very sick," Hiei mumbled as he sat down and leaned against the brick wall. His eyes drew heavy and he did not try to fight it. Moments later, Hiei fell asleep.
The night wind pulled her light blue hair away from her face as her long kimono sleeves loudly flapped in the air. Botan didn't know what to do—she couldn't go back to Reikai empty-handed. Koenma would be livid with her. Biting the bottom of her lip and holding her head, waves of stress flooded through her. But wait...this wasn't an order from Koenma. This was an order from his father. Koenma would understand, not saying that he would be happy that she failed, but certainly Botan could bear Koenma's wrath. Lord Enma was not Koenma. Botan knew returning to Reikai was not an option. At least not without someone on this mission.
Three loud beeps rang from inside her kimono. Botan removed the communication compact from inside her kimono.
"Hello, Botan. Are you on your way back?" Koenma asked.
"Heh, not exactly…" she shakily replied.
The prince of Reikai raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"
"Things have gotten complicated. The boys refuse to fight," Botan braced herself for Koenma's yell.
"WHAT! What do you mean Yusuke won't fight? Kuwabara too? This…this can't be," Koenma sat back into his chair and hung his head. "Someone has to go…"
"Yes, Lord Enma will be furious—" Botan jumped as Koenma pulled himself close to the screen.
Koenma interrupted her, "Botan, forget my father! If the source proves to be credible, then we're at a greater crisis than my father's fury." Koenma slammed his baby hands against his desk," Makai, the human world, Reikai are all in danger. We have two options left. Neither of whom I want to fully entrust this mission in the hands of."
With her eyes wide open, Botan blinked rapidly," Really, after all this time, you still don't trust them?"
"I want to…" Koenma folded his arms over his chest," but it's hard to read them. At all. Yusuke and Kuwabara are easier to predict…to an extent. However, it's not like we have a choice, so our decision is already made for us. Good luck, Botan. Contact me if you need help persuading." The screen went black. Botan returned the device to her kimono.
Figuring this would be Koenma's advice, her oar was already flying toward the next possible option. Minutes later, she hovered in front of his window and peered inside the lit room. Good, he was home, she thought. He was sitting on the floor. The television was on but Botan could not see past his head haloed by the soft white light. Gently, she rapped her knuckles on the window. Startled by the sound, Kurama jumped and turned around.
He unlocked the window and slid it up, "You startled me. It's quite late, Botan."
She leaned slightly to the side and gazed at what he was doing. She nearly fell from her oar. He was playing video games! Gah, Goblin City once again. He noticed her reaction, looked over his shoulder, and laughed shakily at himself.
"Well, I'm glad to know you weren't busy," she playfully smirked.
"All work and no play…" he chuckled and scratched the back of his head.
"Yes, very well. I'll try to be as brief as possible so you can go back to your games," she presented him with the scroll.
He gave her a funny look but proceeded to unravel and read it. It was a summons by Lord Enma himself to go on a mission in Makai and detailed the general location of where the mission would take place. Kurama was not familiar with the southern territories of Makai. What little he did know did not cast the land in a good light and it was certainly not a place you just walked into for a leisurely stroll. A long, LONG time ago, he prepared a mission to steal a rare sword in the southern territory. His scouts never returned. And that wasn't even deep into territory. This mission was very deep in the southern territory of Makai. Kurama began feeling very uncomfortable in front of Botan.
He looked up from the scroll, "Isn't this a mission more tailored to Yusuke?"
"Yusuke won't go," she replied. "He wouldn't even look at the scroll."
Kurama dryly swallowed," Of course. I'm guessing you want me to go."
Botan simply nodded a yes.
"I don't think it's wise just to send one of us. This is a dangerous territory you're asking us to dive into…it would be safer in numbers," Kurama handed her the scroll.
"True but there are less chances of mistakes being made and will take less time if only one person goes," Botan said as she fumbled in her kimono sleeve.
Kurama cocked his head slightly to the side and regarded her reply with curiosity, "How so? Please clarify—"
"I don't have time," she snapped back in annoyance, "Will you go or not?"
"No," he narrowed his eyes in response to her tone, "Not if I am the only one to go."
"I don't think you have much of a choice," Koenma said as Botan flipped the screen of the communication compact up. "You're overcomplicating a simple mission. Please do this for us…we need to know."
"I know well that simple missions are never Reikai's standard," Kurama paused. "And if it is such a simple mission, why am I needed? Don't you have other operatives in Reikai?"
"None that could handle the stronger classes of demons…" Koenma reluctantly admitted.
Kurama nodded, "Ah…I see. You do know that as I am I cannot face demons of a low A-class. To do so would force my body to change into Youko, a form I have decided never to don again."
"Gah! What's with everyone acting so selfish!" Koenma screamed. "Don't you realize that you're putting lives in jeopardy? If we don't know if this info is valid, then Reikai cannot take action. If no action takes place, people will die."
Kurama understood this and was not against going, but he still felt it would be better if a group went instead of one person. There were too many possibilities of error for him to feel comfortable risking his life.
Koenma sat back in his desk and opened the drawer beside him. This wasn't right…but it might be the only way to persuade Kurama. He removed a stuffed file filled with papers and photos and laid it on his desk, "Kurama, do you know what this is?" He did not. "It is a full record of both Youko's history and of YOUR recent activities. Wouldn't it be interesting if someone got a hold of this file? Someone like your mother?"
Kurama's expression instantly sharpened and tensed. His tone grew cold and vicious, "Be wary of your words, Koenma. You won't want to say something you might later regret."
Koenma rolled his eyes, "Can the theatrics, Kurama. It can and it just might. It all depends on what you decide…"
The fox demon bristled. It made sense that they would keep a file…but still it was a surprise that it existed. He had to give the prince of Reikai a hand…he never would have guessed Koenma had the material to blackmail him. Heh, Koenma outsmarted the fox.
"Fine. I'll do it." Koenma smiled and put away the file. "When is departure time?"
"I'd prefer tonight but you need some rest. Tomorrow night will suffice. Sweet dreams, Kurama." The screen went black.
The young man glared bitterly at Botan. There was a quiver in her laugh as she put away the device. "Sorry….umm…it was nice doing business with you," she smiled and rose into the sky.
What could have he done? Said no and have his mother and subsequently his stepfamily discover that he was demon? NOT an option. Kurama closed the front door behind him. How was he going to explain this disappearance…ugh, he had to work tomorrow too. He couldn't take off work. Kurama sighed. A normal life for him was just not in Reikai's design. Kurama turned the corner. Up ahead there was a large mass of black laying on the ground. Strange. It wasn't a trash bag…it was shivering, despite the mild evening. Upon closer inspection, Kurama's heart raced and his face paled.
"Hiei!" he quickened his pace.
Kurama turned Hiei onto his back. His forehead was burning! Too many nights sleeping out in the rain no doubt. The boy sighed as he picked up Hiei and carried him back to his house. The fever needed to be broken soon. Even if it took all night.
Sleep would have to wait.
–end chapter two
Author's Notes: I felt like I was repeating myself over and over with this chapter. Sorry, if it's really annoying…please tell me. This is a Hiei-centered story, so this is probably the only time Yusuke and Kuwabara will be present. Originally, Yusuke was going to play a larger role, but then again he's the star of "To Dance…" and I'd like to work with someone else for once. I'd like to add "Forbidden Lover", by L'arc en ciel as a source of inspiration for this fic as well. Thank you for reading and I hope you stick around for subsequent chapters.