Doubt
Random beginning note: I'd love my hometown too, if I lived in Monterrey... I mention this college CSUMB a lot. Well, there's kind of a reason... There's a lot of empty buildings and it looks creepy. So from what I've heard about it, it'd be the perfect place to have a ghost story. So far I haven't done one of those yet... Not really.
Chapter 5: Splinter
"Could you tell... Yu-su-ke Ura-meh-she to come to the main office? There's someone there waiting for him. She says that it's an emergency."
The whole class turned around to the back of the room where Yusuke was sitting, head face down in his crossed arms. Iwamoto sighed and tapped on his desk. He sat up, awakened from a pleasant sleep. He yawned and swiped the string of spittle that had been dripping off his chin. "What? I was paying attention. Ask me a question on what we were talking about and I'll tell you."
"You have someone waiting for you," Iwamoto growled between gritting teeth. "I'd also like for you to ask them to quit interrupting my class."
"Hey, just be glad that I get to leave class. Must be my lucky week... Or something." He walked up to the front of the room and happily took the hall pass. Iwamoto rolled his eyes as he watched Yusuke walk out of the room.
"I hope none of you get poisoned by him. For the most part you are all good kids. Except you, Keiko. I know that you're immune to his garbage... Anyway..." Iwamoto turned back to the whiteboard. He heard someone whisper in the classroom, "What a teacher's pet..." He threw the class a stern look before turning around again. "As I was saying..."
-.-.-
Yusuke continued rushing through the halls until he reached the front of the school. He walked into the attendance office and sitting in the chair next to the door was Botan, reading the latest issue of Seventeen magazine and curling one of the wisps of hair around a finger. She folded the magazine up and stood up with a grin on her face. She waved at the woman behind the counter and took Yusuke by the arm, practically dragging him out with her without so much as a greeting. "Crap. Not again. Well, actually, I should have known, but still..."
"Yes again. Don't think we'll just let you off the hook just because you don't want to anything today. We've hit an emergency situation," Botan replied as she waved the magazine under Yusuke's nose.
"Do you mean it for real this time or is it just something to keep me on my toes? Come on, don't act like all you Spirit World people act like everything's an emergency. Koenma could have a hangnail and you'll come over and tell me that it's a code red, Jesus." Botan frowned at him. "Okay, forget I asked, sheesh. But after all those times you pulled me out of class? Actually the pulling me out of class part wasn't so bad but..."
"We've confirmed it. It is Maze Castle trying to take over the Human World. We've contacted Reed-REEVE, I mean..." She looked around as if she suspected Mukuro would appear out of the bushes and attack her for mispronouncing her name. "...at the Lovecraft Department, and she said she'll bring in back up for you and keep defense in the case that this whole thing takes a turn for the worse. That's all she can do for now. She says the chances of you coming out of this alive are twenty-two to twenty... Apparently."
"Okay, how'd she get the numbers?"
"...Very carefully...?"
"Yeah, that's cheery. And why do I always end up with all the emergency cases where if I fail everyone gets blown up? I mean, what was the last one I did... Oh, yeah, catch this demon that sucks out people's souls because he could potentially take the whole country hostage... Oooh..." He wiggled his fingers around like a ghost.
"You're meant to do the heavy duty work while all these department-station-y (whatever the correct word is) take care of the smaller cases. Or at least I'm pretty sure that's how it works. That's kind of why we never had you meet them even when they like to meet the Spirit Detectives." Yusuke cocked a brow. "Well, we were afraid to introduce you since you know how demons get when they meet you. Or at least I'm pretty sure you get how it is. To be honest you two both really work separately. I have the feeling you're going to be getting to know each other a lot better now."
"But... hold up, you mean there were others?" Yusuke asked.
"I don't know. I never really met anyone but there should have been more. But enough of this, we have to hurry up and find a way to Demon World before things get any worse. There's been more reports of people getting possessed and there's only so much that I can do. Once the city gets overrun by possessions, then that's the point when the demons of Maze Castle would make their move."
"Hey, wait a minute!" Someone ran to the two, mouth agape and eyes wide. It was a pale teen with reddish brown hair and dark brown eyes. He was tall in height (a little more than a head taller than Yusuke) and large by muscle mass, carrying hims long limbs with the grace of a black bear. "So I follow you guys when I came out of the bathroom and this is what I hear? What the hell is going on now?"
"Dammit, Kuwabara, go away." Yusuke shook a fist at him.
Kuwabara disregarded that comment. His eyes fell on Botan and he grinned, puffed out his chest a little. "Oh, and it's that pretty girl from before..." He shifted in to a straighter stance. "You you been doing, babe?"
"Um... Good, thanks for asking...?" Botan replied, cocking a brow.
"Don't try to sweet talk your way into this one. Go away." Yusuke shoved Kuwabara's shoulder.
"...Man, Urameshi, I wasn't calling you pretty. What's wrong with you?" He shoved the other teen back.
"Oh shut it and go." Yet another shove.
"Hey, didn't you remember what happened at Genkai's tournament? I wasn't just sitting around and waiting. I was actually experimenting with my power and I figured out how to use my Spirit Sword without borrowing power like I did there. And if the world's going overboard then that means our hometown's going with it. I'm not gonna take this without a good fight. I'm coming with you... Wherever you're going. I don't care." Kuwabara- the man loves his hometown. Yusuke couldn't help but picture Fourth of July fireworks explode over his head, complete with an Uncle Sam figure standing next to him giving a thumbs up.
"Well, the more the merrier, I guess..." Botan said. "Though, I suppose in this case Yusuke does need all the help he needs."
"Please. You're just saying that because he said you're hot," Yusuke said.
"ANYWAY... We have to be leaving now if we're gonna get this done right. And you better come, too, Kuwabara. You don't make a speech like that and turn on it like that."
"...Except if you're the governor or something."
"Ugh..."
"So what're we doing right now then? There can't just be some random portal laying around here, can there?" Yusuke asked.
"Funny that you should say that. There actually is one. We found it on accident. There are several ways to get into this world from theirs. I guess you can call it something like a worm hole but I don't know a good way to explain it. I haven't asked Lord Koenma; I'm kind of scared to. I asked the Chief about it a few times and well... Don't ask her about it. She gave me this perfect estimate on the distances and then a long formula to go with it. She said something about how the two dimensions are meant to be separate but humans or demons forced them to overlap. Obviously, in this case it was demons, and it often is, to tell you the truth. You see, a lot of times if there's a way clawed into the human world, then it can end up in weird places. Same vice versa. Or something like that. That was the only part I understood. We really need to hurry. Who knows how long we'll have until this problem gets any worse..." As they left, an ambulance was pulling into the school to assist a freshman who had been stabbed by the junior class president.
They arrived at the college CSUMB and walked into the nearest abandoned building. Botan stopped to make sure the security weren't around and tried to push the door open. It wouldn't budge. She slammed her whole weight in it, but she barely put a dent in it. She turned to the two boys, who took the challenge and succeeded after a few tries. They walked in, stepped over some bits of broken glass and empty beer cans. Botan scanned the ground, feeling out the ground with her feet.
"Yeah, I know this sounds like it's too convenient to come here but... Some partiers came in here and started drinking. A couple had disappeared from the group without a trace. The Lovecraft Department did an investigation of the area, and they just said they ended up in the Demon Realm. That was the end of that apparently. That was a few months ago, so it looks like the school's security caught the open door. Of course, they missed what was really important," Botan explained. She stopped and touched the ground when she found a piece of plywood on the ground. "See that board on the floor here? Apparently, that's where the portal is." She pushed the piece of wood over slightly, revealing a hole filled with a strange light. "I don't know where it'll take you from here though. We can't and won't check."
"Can't and won't? Can't you get those Lovecraft guys to fix it up?" Yusuke asked. "They shouldn't be afraid of their own place."
"They're demons and they hate humans. You think they'll give something like this a second thought?"
"I dunno.. I met this girl from that place once and she seemed like a nice person. Can't say the same about the guy she was hanging out with but..." Kuwabara replied. He shrugged. "I can't think that they're all bad."
"But you know, even with the Chief who acts nice... It just seems so wrong like she's forced to be the way she is or something. I dunno. The people over there... There's something off about them all, don't you think? You seem to have some experience with them so I'm sure you..." Kuwabara shook his head. "...Anyway, if they were to completely plug up this hole, they'd need Lord Koenma's permission and some help from his special forces. It's a lot of trouble, and I'm sure it's too much of an effort over a small hole that'll be reopened quickly." Botan sighed. "I'm being a little too dark, aren't I?" No comment from either side. "...I'll take that as a yes. And Yusuke, you have that phone I gave you?"
"Yeah." He reached in his pocket and took it out, waving it in her face.
"That's great!" She kicked the board off the rest hole with a smile. "Be careful, now. I you shouldn't have much trouble with this case."
"What you're not coming?" Yusuke looked suspicious.
"No. I can only use white magic-healing and stuff like that. I would only get in your way, especially if anyone tries to attack me. All I have to defend myself with is an oar and a basic knowledge of karate. But... I'll keep you informed." She pushed him in the hole. "Tally-ho!"
Kuwabara rushed to the hole before Botan even touched him and jumped in with a weak, "Ciao...?"
-.-.-
Yusuke landed on the intertwining branches of a tree. "Okay, note to self: Do not let Botan take me anywhere near any random worm holes in the ground." He started climbing down the tree, taking every move with care until Kuwabara crashed downward, nearly knocking Yusuke over in the process.
"I really wish she gave us more of a warning..." Kuwabara grumbled as he got to his feet. He looked up at the black hole in the sky. "Sheesh! How did they get out to the Human World from down here. Are these guys grasshoppers or something?"
Once Yusuke got to the ground he said, "I know it's kind of late to ask now but... You sure you still want to do this? You might not get off with just a few broken bones this time.."
"Kinda late? We're already here! And how bad could they be? They can't be that spooky now that we've powered up. Okay, maybe they'll be a little tough, but we have some stuff up our..." He paused when he saw demons that looked like old storybook imps or goblins crowding around them, grinning and some drooling. The two pulled back and readied themselves to fight back.
"Look, humans and they smell so..."
"Fragrant... Heh heh... Fragrant humans..."
"I bet there flesh tastes as good as they smell..."
"Back off!" Kuwabara shoved one away but then four latched onto him, baring fangs. "Augh! Get off me!"
Yusuke came to Kuwabara's aid and punched the goblins off. Some more piled on them just as quickly as they pushed them off. "I did NOT come all the way here to be dog-piled by a bunch of demons..." I didn't think I'd already need my Spirit Gun. But I might have to use it... He positioned his finger, thumb straight up and index finger left uncurled, making an L shape. Just as he was about to fire his Spirit Gun in between struggling with keeping the goblins at bay, there were three gunshots and two goblins fell, groaning in pain and clutching their wounds. The others stepped back and cowered together. One of the wounded ones pointed a crooked finger at one of the tree branches.
"It was them! But... Can you feel the power coming off them...?"
All of the goblins gasped melodramatically. "No! Working with humans or not, I'm not coming near them! Run away!" Of course the last statement appeared to be more like a figure of speech as none of the other goblins moved a muscle, frozen by fear. When one finally got the nerve to move, he only did so to bow down to the two figures who jumped down from the trees. The other goblins followed suit and started to even mumble out complements in between threats (which they quickly took back).
"Don't mind the goblins, you two. They look frightening but they're actually cowards. Actually, that they even tried to kill you on their own is an accomplishment," Kurama said with a half-smile. "And it looks like we came at the right time." He put his gun back in its holster.
"Hey, I remember you guys. I saw you last week... But I remember you," Yusuke pointed at Hiei, "were passed out on some guy. Freaky stuff."
"I was sedated. What do you think I'd do?" Hiei replied with a groan.
"Oh, I think I know who you are, too," Kuwabara added. "You were always with some girl and it was like you were attached at the hip or something. Well, make that leg for you or something. Where is she anyway?"
"...She got promoted."
"What? She got promoted and you didn't? How does that work?"
"What's it matter?" Long silence.
"This is awkward... Uh, I guess..." Yusuke scratched his head in thought, "Well, I'm Yusuke Urameshi, and this guy here's Kuwabara."
"Kurama. A pleasure." They all paused waiting for Hiei.
He rolled his eyes. "Fine. I'm Hiei Heirichovich. Let's just shut up and get this done." He walked away and the other three followed.
"Man, you walk fast. And I thought short people couldn't move fast," Kuwabara said as he ran to try and keep up with him. "What are you in such a hurry for?"
"This is the way I always walk. Are you sure it's not just that you walk really slow?"
"Ugh... And one more thing I've always wanted to ask you, though. Why're your eyes red? Doesn't anyone see that they're a funny color like that?"
"Well, fuck you. I hate my goddamn eyes. And you already know the answer to that question. If you can see them, then you should know."
"About that... I'll give you the explanation I heard a while back. It was news to me, actually, but then again.. Apparently when demons have traits that would set them apart from humans, they appear only as humans to anyone without spiritual awareness-or 'sixth sense' as everyone calls it. So in this case, his eyes would appear as some sort of brown, I'm sure. And the reason behind that is... I guess these two places are different universes so whatever comes from this universe may not be compatible with the human dimension. Because of that, humans live unaware of what's leaking into their world for the most part..." Kurama paused. " Or so I've been told. I don't know how it works for demons, honestly."
"That sounds really made up," Kuwabara replied. "I mean, what if someone has a horn or something and the person who can't see bumps into it? Do they feel it?"
"...You know, I really don't know." They heard a beeping and Yusuke searched his pockets for Botan's phone only to find out the source was Hiei. Once Hiei hung up, Yusuke asked, "What happened?"
"She said we have twelve hours... And that we shouldn't scream 'Fire' in a movie theater." Hiei grumbled something in his native tongue.
"That's too much time. But I guess it's nice to know your girl believes in you."
"It's not like that at all." He rolled his eyes.
"I see how she looks at you. She's definitely got the hots for you. But then again, if you lean on guys like then she has some major competition."
"And you only talked for five minutes, and I wasn't really there when you came."
"...This is gonna be a fun twelve hours. This'll beat school by a long shot."
"Don't make me kill you." They continued to walk to the castle in silence. They walked into the entry hall, which was composed of grey bricks. Just as they were approaching the end of the hall, a bat-like creature flew over their heads. When it turned towards them it revealed it was an eyeball with bat winds and tentacles hanging at the bottom of the eye serving as arms and legs. It cackled ominously.
"Hey look. It must be one of the Demon King things." Kuwabara pointed at it. "Let's get it."
Kurama stopped him and replied coolly, "It's nothing to worry about. The demon's we're supposed to face are more powerful than that. It's a messenger at best."
The creature cackled. "I guess you can call me a messenger. I have nothing to say to you really. Rather, you'll be the ones talking. That is, if none of you fail."
"Fail what? The only fail I see is you," Yusuke said.
"...Yusuke, that was the worst come back I've ever heard. You fail at failing and that's not a double negative," Hiei replied.
"I'd like to see you do better, Spaceman!"
"What did I tell you?" The creature floated towards a lever. "Well, without further ado, I welcome you to The Gate of Betrayal."
"What, is this a bad fantasy novel?" Yusuke replied.
The creature cackled again and pulled the lever. Then the ceiling dropped but stopped short of smashing them all. They were all forced to squat (though Kuwabara had to kneel since he was so much taller). "The Gate of Betrayal. It's a beauty, isn't it? It's able to hold at a weight proportional to the weight of those below it for a certain amount of time. It took us years to make this work and the labor was worth it. And as for the name, we made it so that only one person can escape leaving his friends to be crushed shortly after he does- therefore he must betray his team. Oh, and for those of you who think they're so pure of heart and try and use team work, that won't work. You'll all be dead at the same time. What an accomplishment. Now hurry and decide, time's running out..."
"Oh, shut up." Yusuke growled. "Damn it... How're we supposed to get through this..." He looked around. "Hiei! You're a demon, right? So you have special powers like special speed, right?"
"I can run over there if that's what you're asking," Hiei replied. "But it won't work. I know the second I leave you you'll all get killed and I won't hear the end of that one."
"It'll be okay. I can use some of my Spirit Energy to take up the weight you're holding. Just hurry and do it, we can't hold this damn thing forever."
"Right." Hiei disappeared and reappeared in front of the lever. He was about to pull it but then the demon fluttered above his head.
"Are you sure you want to do this? Go through all this trouble to save these people you barely even know? For all you know, you might end up hating them all. After all, every good you do is unnoticed and doesn't really matter... And besides, whatever consequences that might come from this won't matter. You don't have to deal with that. You'll have a good place here..."
"...You think so...?" Hiei glanced at the other three.
"Hiei, if you do what he tells you, your girlfriend'll never let you hear the end of this and you'll never get laid again," Yusuke said. They were all kneeling at this point, sweat dripping down their faces.
Hiei put his hand in his pocket. "That's fine actually."
"Good choi-" The demon was stopped. He saw Hiei take a pistol out of his pocket. "What, you want to shut one up?"
"No. My aim is too bad to do that right. But on the other hand..." Hiei shot it in the center of its pupil. "One in four chances aren't so bad. And that's a bull's-eye there." He pulled the lever. "And tell your masters I'll take their offer once... Aw, fuck it."
Yusuke crawled out first and laid on his back. "Augh... My arms... My legs... My back..." He rolled onto his stomach. "You had me freaked out for a second there, man. But I guess that comment got you inspired."
He rolled his eyes. "As motivated as a person gets when they slit a goat's throat."
"Goddamn! I didn't think you were into that kind of stuff. I hope we don't end up stuck together like in a hotel or something. I might not see you the same way again."
"Don't over think this gesture either. I only did this because I had to not because I wanted to. I told you already that I wouldn't hear the end of it if I let you all die, and I bet it'd be even worse if I get my partner killed after he just started, too." Hiei rolled his eyes and started to walk away. He turned around. "Well, go on. We don't have all day."
"...I'm sure that means you're welcome," Kurama said to Yusuke. "We barely know each other but..." He shrugged.
"Man, Germans sure are crazy," Kuwabara mumbled.
"He's not German. He's from Russia. Or the Soviet Union."
"What, he can't get with the times or something?" Long silence. They heard Kuwabara grunting. "Hey, guys, I need some help. I think I'm stuck..."
/And there was none.
Notes:
I don't know why Yusuke called Hiei a Spaceman.
Botan turned all dark. WHY? This is really hard to write when these guys don't know each other...
Much love, JC.
(edit: I removed the bit about Hiei's being from Georgia just to simplify things. The original was making it harder than it needed to be. He's also introducing himself using name and patronymic, a name taken from his father's name. It's a formal way of doing so.)