A Month With Suichi Minamino
By Payne N. Uranus
.:AN:.
Now we're getting it on, yup yup! (nods)
Conscience: (groan) Can we just get along with it?
Sorry, thingie, but we've still got to answer the reviews I got for last chapter.
Conscience: What, no Mitsuyo this time?
(shrugs) She scared everybody off. Better to keep her under the bed.
Conscience: How did you manage to do that?
Mitsuyo Kajima: (pokes head out from her hiding place) Are you done talking about Harry Potter?
And when Dumbledoor does that thing to Harry? Oh, I was shaking in my boots! Especially since—
Mitsuyo Kajima: (darts back under the bed)
See?
Conscience:…I am ashamed.
Good, you should be. Now, onward to the reviews!
Death101- Fox Version: Teehee, no kidding. I know, I'm a bit evil. It's all good though. =D Thanks for the review, please enjoy the next chapter!
luckyducky: Awww! You're so kind! Thanks for the encouragement, I hope you like the rest of the story even more.
Ravenfeather42: Yeah, it was mentioned in the last chapter that she got to go dressed as a girl. No one really recognizes her, though, so it's okay. Sorry for the confusion, let me know if anything else puzzles you!
EvilGenius Koji: One update coming up...oh, wait. It's already here...Um...on to the next one, then!
Shoebox of Lies: Pardoned! Haha, don't say that comment about Mitsuyo too loudly, though..her ego is big enough as it is! But thank you!
Erin: Well, too bad! I won't tell you, ever! I'D RATHER DIIIIEEE! Okay, not really, spare me and read the chapter!
ziggythebratt: Is school not the source of all our problems? No, it isn't, but it is for right now. Thank you for forgiving me...(sniff) It's nice to know there's someone out there that understands the pain and frustration I'm going through (breaks down in sobs). WHY IS LIFE SO CRUEL! WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE SUCH HARSH TREATMENT? (pause) Right, let's not go there. But thanks for reviewing! Continue reading please!
OneOutOfControlChick: Thank you! I thought long and hard over my screen name, and I finally have the perfect one. Haha, not to toot my own horn or anything. Wait, did you get your brother to read this?? Awesome! And you're lucky Mitsuyo isn't contributing to the review things or she'd attack her and bite your head off. No offense, of course. I was laughing too when I wrote it. She hates me now, of course, which is why I decided to tie her up in the closet for now until she's done cooling off. (Mitsuyo: Liar! I'm under the damn bed, idiot!) So yeah, here's the next chapter, you just run along now!
PervyMonk: Whoa, Pervy-chan, calm down! Haha, you just got my name? Geez, guess I'm not as clever as I thought I was... Haha, glad you think it's funny. I love my name. SO DON'T TAKE IT, Y'HEAR? I'm afraid I don't know the song of which you are referring to. I would try looking it up, buuuut...I'm just too damn lazy right now, since I have the flu and all. I should get twice the amount of reviews and such for my dedicated and relentless writing capabilties... Oooor not. But yes, read on!
Blehh: Ooooh, who do you know that has a name starting with the letter G? (cue wicked laugh). And thank you for answering my question, you're one of the few people who did. However, since this story occurs before Kurama meets up with that one blind dude (Yuri? Yori? Yani?You...something?), or Yusuke meets his pops, or Hiei teams up with Mukuro...you're a bit incorrect. Lo siento! And as for the ice cream?...I want ice cream...
javacrzy: You're right, that last part wasn't suppose to make you laugh, but when I read your review, then reread the statement, I got why you thought it was funny. And I think the pronounciation is correct. So glad you thought even the serious parts were funny!...I think...? Um...just go ahead and read.
moonimp52: Ah! No, not the feathers! Anything but the feathers! NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! But the gerbils I don't mind. Despite the fact they sometimes poop on my hand, I think they're cute. Just don't give them the feathers! AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH! And I updated. Another reason to withhold the feathers, don't ya think?
XNabaki-ChanX: Yeah, I know I'm evil. I was born that way. And I'm proud of it! Bwahaha! But enough of that. I was going to have party stuff and everything, but my fingers just kept typing and let me this way. Kinda scary, but I think it'll turn out right. Thanks for reviewing!
bookworm0492: (slaps forehead) THAT'S what I forgot at the grocery store! Soap! Way to go, Payne, completely forget what people ask you to buy. Sheesh. All I've got is Pam, and I don't think that's healthy...well, soaps not all that healthy, but Pam is just disgusting...which makes it perfecet for punishment! OPEN UP WIDE, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Glad you thought it was funny, continue reading!
Kuramafan-06: No, I didn't know any of that. But thank you for informing me. Teachers are confuzzling, aren't they? Never know when one is going to bring in cookies, or bring in cigs, or both. lol, Yes I absolutely adore your reviews. And I talked to you on MSN! That was fun! You have very lively little do-hickies, what with the question marks and the exclamation points, and the (ahem) smiley faces with their tongues sticking out! Curse you down yonder! Okay, not really, I didn't mean it, don't go! Just continue reading, please, and I'll see you soon on MSN (doesn't that sound like a newscast teaser? "How to find out if your dinner is infected with deadly diseases, tomorrow night at ten. See you there.")
Song Of A Fallen Angel: Master Isamu is the bad guy. Akio Isamu, from chapter 7, the guy that's trying to kidnap Mitsuyo so that he can use her powers to destroy the human and demon population and rule the world? Yeah, that's Master Isamu. And watch that language, young lady!...or what I presume is a lady... thank you for reviewing, here's the next chapter.
Lucifer001: You're kinda right. There'll be more actiony stuff in the next set of chapters, but this chapter has only the slightest bit of action. However, the story does start picking up from here (thank god). Want to know what I have in mind? Then keep reading the story please! And review, tell me what you think!
sandry stardiamond: Thank you, deary, I think so too. I appreciate you reviewing!
b'zarka: Updated! (bows) Yes, I am aware of how amazingly talented I am. I've been practicing my ability to bow since I was four...
Conscience: Is it just me, or are there more reviews than the last time?
... o.O
Conscience: Okay, so it isn't just me. Thanks dudes! (…and dudettes…) Here's the next chapter. Take a long, long, long time reading it. Therefore, I won't be tortured so badly. My spleen can only take so much!
Chapter 12: Party Crashers (No Pun Intended...Okay, Pun Definitely Intended)
Debris showered down upon the fear-stricken adolescents, unable to do anything other than watch, frozen in fear, as the crumbing levels cascaded onto the marble floors of the Hoshi residence. All the kids were immobile, unsure what do to do to dwell their pending doom.
All except one.
Who screamed.
With that shrieking cry, the spell was broken, and all order was lost. People scrambled as fast as their legs could carry them, scurrying towards the door, heedless of whatever was in their path. If it was a table, it was over-turned. If it was a person, they were run over. If it was a wall…okay, it wasn't necessarily broken down, but let it be said that they didn't pass out from impact and managed to get outside before visiting the realm of the unconscious. With that said, everyone was in a frenzy. However, one managed to stay trapped within her own fear…
"Miss Kajima, get down!" Kurama yelled out, all of the playful attitude he had before completely wiped from his persona.
Still, she was unable to move. She tried, sure, but her feet seemed to be glued to the ground. Her eyes were still focused on the large blocks of collapsing plaster. Her body's spasms were her only signs of her attempts to get out of the way.
"I—I…I c-can't," the girl barely murmured out, lifting up her arms instinctively in a futile endeavor to protect herself.
With a rough thrust, Mitsuyo was pushed out of the way by the crimson-haired demon, just seconds before the bulky mass of flooring crashed into the ground with an earth-shattering rumble, gouging into the hard tiles of the mansion.
Mitsuyo lay curled up underneath Kurama's body, hands automatically clutching her head, her chin touching her chest with her knees pulled up tightly to help with the shield. Slowly, she fell out of her defensive posture, looking up in wonder at the gaping breach in the roof before turning to stare in awe at Kurama.
"Are you alright?" he asked gently, in a soothing voice so as not to frighten her. The look in her eyes was eerie enough—he never would have pictured her staring up at him with such fear and apprehension like she was then.
An evil cackle prevented him from gaining an answer. "Oh, please, Yoko. I heard you had gone soft, but I never expected this. Fawning over a human girl? Has this life really poisoned your being these past few years? Or has working against your own kind with that half-breed and half-wit completely destroyed your pride in your heritage? Cannibalistic acts such as these tend to do that to a demon."
"Be silent, Ryota," Kurama shouted up to the rafters that had been exposed during the said demon's entrance. He could sense it hiding there, and he worried where the demon would show up next. "Speak not of what you don't understand!"
"Ryota?" the demon spat with distaste. "You speak to me as if you consider me a friend."
"You were once," Kurama argued angrily. "You should remember those times right now. You were always surrounding yourself with the bigger and badder demons of the Demon World, weren't you? You've replaced my protection already in my short absence, have you?"
"You never considered me as a friend, Yoko," Ryota barked, ignoring the goad from Kurama. "I was nothing more than a puppet to you."
"As was I to you, it would seem."
Ryota growled. "Enough of this! I will claim your life and the Spirit Child in the name of my one true Master and friend! Master Isamu!" A screeching battle cry followed shortly after, reverberating throughout the now-deserted home, a crumbled mess of what use to hold so much valor. Ryota launched himself in the general area of Kurama's position, a twisted, crazed smile gracing his disgustingly black lips.
Not fully focused on the battle, Kurama barely had enough time to carefully scoop Mitsuyo into his arms and jump away before the place where they had just seconds ago occupied was reduced to a crater of rubble. Dust bellowed from the impact, and Kurama raised an arm to shield himself from the windswept fragments. As the whirlwind died down, the lanky demon that had been hidden in the shadows revealed itself to the two, and Kurama had to stop himself from gasping in shock.
"My word…"
Graying skin, marked sliver due to the many scars decorating his body, twitched when Ryota flexed his muscles. Veins bulged in an unsightly manner, his physique straining against the confinements of his body. Shaggy blue hair fell into his face, not quite hiding the predatory gaze with which Ryota observed the stunned duo or his gruesome smirk that showed off his abnormally fanged canines. Dressed in dirty, black, ragged clothes barely passing for a shirt and pants, Ryota stood with a lofty posture, his aura practically radiating confidence and power.
"What has time done to you, Ryota?" Kurama murmured. "You use to be such a charming demon…"
"I can't say I'm flattered, Yoko," he hissed in return. "When given the choice between beauty or power, what demon in his right mind would choose a comely appearance? I have simply upped my chances of being more than a minion to an undeserving crook like yourself. I am closer to my revenge!"
Kurama simply shook his head in pity, "Though your actions may have been wise, your morals are twisted with rage and vengeance."
Ryota's eyes widened in anger. "I need no more of your so-called wisdom, oh Hunted One! My choice is my own, and I follow it through and through. As soon as Master Isamu receives what has been promised of him, then I will show you what my morals have earned me!"
He shouted the last part of his declaration, the veins in his neck becoming more prominent as his voice reverberating throughout the halls of the manor. Thrusting his left hand in front of him, palm forward, he gave one last battle cry. Kurama felt his energy signature spike, and dread filled him, but it was too late to act.
Ryota's stark white spirit energy exploded forth from the demon's clawed hands and wound itself about Kurama's legs before seeping into the marble flooring, chaining him in place. Kurama glanced down at the still figure in his arms, and almost sighed with relief.
It seemed as if Mitsuyo passed out.
That was…sort of good.
Whipping his gaze back towards Ryota, his hair flying with him, Kurama freed one hand in order to reach the back of his neck and whisk out his trusty blood-red rose. With a twitch of his wrist, the flower cracked and unwound itself into the beautiful vine-like creation of his Rose Whip.
Just as Ryota launched himself at the stationary redhead, Kurama lashed out his whip with a sharp, "Ha!" To his surprise, however, Ryota only smirked.
Strange, Kurama thought with apprehension. Ryota is aware of the strength of my weapon. Nothing can break it…what could possibly be going through his head right now?
"Nice try, Kurama," the demon in question yelled joyfully. "But I have something that will put a stake fear through your soft human heart!"
With a flash of light, four long, metal claws erupted from his knuckles, so wickedly sharp that Kurama, heart sinking deep into his chest, realized that his whip didn't stand a chance.
"Hahaha!" Ryoko cried with glee. "Finally, Kurama! Your life is in my hands!"
~`*`~
"I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves! Everybody's nerves, yes on everybody's nerves. I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves, and this is how it goes, bum bum bummm… I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves! Everybody's nerves, yes on everybody's nerves. I know a song that gets on everybody's"—
"JUST SHUT UP ALREADY!"
"About time, Pacifier Breath, I was starting to think you'd gone deaf."
"Of all the things I expected you to use to get me to sing, I never would've guessed that tactic. No pun intended, of course."
"Of course. I aim to please. Speaking of pleasing, will you just tell us where our little fox is?"
Koenma sighed. "Yusuke, I won't allow you to find Kurama."
"For God's—no offense—sake, why not?" the boy in question steamed.
"Are you kidding me? You actually have to ask? That reckless sneaking act you pulled over at Akio's has no doubt alerted the man of our place in all this! He's probably sent demons to find Kurama and the girl, and I can't have you leading them to their target."
Agitatedly dragging his fingers through his hair, Yusuke mumbled something about cranky stomachs, prissy princes, and idiotic apes that need constant food to keep them happy. With one hand still grasping his dark locks, Yusuke turned his moody glare on Koenma again.
"What if a demon was already trailing them?" he asked impatiently. "I mean, Kurama stands out, doesn't he? Practically every demon knows who he is and what he looks like since the Dark Tournament, right? What if the demon was just following him and found Mitsuyo on coincidence? Kurama could need our help!"
"The chances of that are slim to none," Koenma growled just as intolerantly. "And even if the demon found the girl, Kurama is more than capable of defending the two of them…"
"You can never predict how a fight ends when demons are involved," Kuwabara argued smartly. "They always play dirty, cheap tricks and all."
Koenma was getting tired of all of this. "Look, if I show you what's going on, will you then stop pestering me?" Without waiting for a response, Koenma grabbed his little remote and switched on the screen. With a gentle boink the screen showed the mansion. "See? Everything is…just…fine…"
Isn't it ironic that he was saying this just as the mansion started to cave in?
"Okay, shoo, you guys, got people to save."
"Thanks, Koenma…"
~`*`~
I never predicted I'd be in this predicament again…Kurama mused grimly. He was completely immobile now, as Ryota's spirit energy was pinning him where he stood, like a living statue. His rose lay in a crumpled heap on the ground by his foot, the aftermath of what had occurred when his whip and Ryoko's claws clashed. With narrowed eyes, Kurama had to restrain himself from not biting the confident demon when he strayed too close.
"Ah, Yoko…" Ryota sighed, fingering his metallic claws lovingly. "Isn't this a new position you're finding yourself in?"
Kurama really wanted to say "no, actually, I have been in this position before. Twice. And both times were with someone much stronger than you. How does that make you feel?"
But he decided the smart thing would be to not provoke the creature any more than was necessary.
Besides, he was no therapist.
"You see," Ryota continued with his monologue, "I can do anything to you now and you wouldn't be able to do anything about it. I could beat you, I could throw you in front of a car, or off a cliff or building…"
Stepping so that he was inches away from Kurama's face, Ryota grinned wickedly. "But I think I'll go with my personal favorite. I will slit. Your. Throat. Slowly…and painfully." With every break in the sentence, Ryota dragged his claws over the hollow of Kurama's neck. Thin lines of blood slowly appeared on his skin, though Kurama did not wince, staring the cold-blooded demon straight in the eye. And although it annoyed Ryota badly, he simply brushed it off.
This was Ryota's moment to shine. No witty fox demon would stand in his way. The fox would only die at his hand. It was a very memorable moment.
Another evil smile. "See you in hell, Kurama."
"SPIRIT GUN!"
Moment ruined.
Ryota swung his head around, only realizing he wouldn't have been able to react. His eyes only widened in surprise before his disgustingly mutated body came in contact with the massive shot of energy. Kurama, however, had more time to get away. When Ryoko's body started to disintegrate due to the vicious spirit energy, the spirit chains that bound him to the spot in which he was standing were destroyed. Without a moment's waste, Kurama swiftly gathered the unconscious body of Mitsuyo's and darted out of the way.
The neon blue energy beam continued to plow its way through the mansion, obliterating everything that was in its direct path, leaving only a smoky trail of ashes.
Kurama, cradling Mitsuyo against his chest, stared wide-eyed as the shot continued off into the distance over the ocean before turning his disbelieving gaze to a blinking Yusuke, who was still in his fired position.
"What?" Yusuke asked blankly, still not moving from his pose.
"You could've killed us," Kurama told him with incredulity.
"But I didn't."
"You were close."
"But I didn't."
"You're lucky there was an ocean behind this house or you could've harmed more innocent people."
"But I didn't."
"Yusuke, you're going to give me a migraine…"
"But I didn't."
"How did you find our location?"
"But I did—um, wait. Sorry," Yusuke apologized sheepishly, relaxing his pose in order to rub his neck sheepishly.
"We just got back from Spirit World," Kuwabara told him. "Koenma sent us to help you, what with the house caving in and all…"
"Right…"
"Look," Yusuke started again, regaining his cool demeanor. He walked up to Kurama, placing a hand on his shoulder before murmuring softly, "We really haven't spoken to Koenma what the plans are now. But things have changed. We have to move her out of harm's way."
"For how long?" Kurama asked just as quietly.
"A week or so?" Yusuke shrugged. "However long it takes to clear this mess up."
"And where would we take her?"
"Ol' Genkai's place," the Spirit Detective answered. "We plan on getting her powers controlled. That way she can at least help us out with this Akio guy—"
"No," Kurama interrupted coldly.
Yusuke, hand still resting on his shoulder, blinked for a second before saying intelligently, "Huh?"
"No," he repeated firmly, shaking his head. "No, I will not allow Mitsuyo to fall into any sort of danger."
"What?" Kuwabara questioned loudly. "Why not? She's in danger already, right?"
"She's not fully prepared," Kurama tried to explain. "She's too spontaneous, she'll push herself too hard and the ending results may be too chaotic for us to handle right now.
"Fine then!" Yusuke said with exasperation, throwing his hands up into the air in defeat. "She won't fight. That doesn't change the fact that she needs to get out of here! Akio has found us, he knows where she is. My suggestion is that we stop buy her house, grab her things, take her over to Genkai, and get cracking on her powers." Before Kurama could utter a word about not letting Mitsuyo fight, he added hastily, "For her protection only."
"What about her family, and Suichi?" Kurama questioned instead, his eyes blazing with sternness. "I'm to be stay at Mitsuyo's house this summer. We can't just leave her parents and Suichi without giving some sort of explanation. They'd worry."
"Don't even think about it," Kuwabara assured breezily. "We stopped by her house on the way just in case another demon decided to harass her family. It's all clear, they'd gone out on a little family night while Mitsuyo was at the party. They were going to be home before she got back, so we can just leave a note."
"Saying what?"
"Um, how about, "We kidnapped your daughter and have taken her to a place of great hell so that she can kill demons with her special abilities, saving the world from mass destruction?" or something," Yusuke drawled sarcastically. "What do you think we'd say?"
"I don't know, that's why I asked," Kurama said patiently, giving Yusuke a level stare.
"…Oh. Right…well…I-I don't r-really know what the note would say, then."
"Yeah, we were kinda relying on you in that area," Kuwabara supplied timidly.
"Of course."
"Yeah."
"Yup."
…
"I've got a plan," Kurama offered hesitantly.
"That's good!" Yusuke praised at the same time Kuwabara said, "Right, let's start there!"
"Like you said, we'll take Mitsuyo back to her house," the redhead started smoothly. "We'll leave a note to her parents explaining how she and I decided to get together with some friends we met at the dance and go camping for a week. We'll pack her some clothes and take her to Genkai's place. When she wakes up, we'll just tell her that she needs to learn a few basic defense techniques since strange creatures like the one at this party might come and attack her again. Hopefully we won't need to share the whole truth."
Yusuke and Kuwabara stared at him.
"That's all nice and dandy," the Spirit Detective started slowly, "but don't you think she'd hate you for being so…protective about her and everything? I mean, I don't know her—hell, I haven't even spoken to her—but from what I've heard, she's got a lot of spirit, no pun intended."
"Yeah," agreed Kuwabara. "I think she'd get mad if, you know, you treated her like a child. She's the same age as Urameshi and me, you know, Kurama."
The redhead's eyes fell with a sad smile, guilt hanging on his shoulders. "Sometimes I forget how young you three are…" he whispered.
"You'll have to tell her sooner or later, Kurama," Yusuke told him seriously. "And the sooner the better."
"I know…I know."
A quiet groan coming from the being in Kurama's arms caught the group's attention. "Ugh…whyzit so bright n ere?"
"Better start now," Kuwabara added passively. "We'll go talk things over with Koenma. Just to hear his thoughts. Plus, we really need to get Koenma on this whole mansion destruction thing, or our cover story will be worth dirt."
"Be back in a bit," his companion told the crimson-hared teen with a half smile. "Don't have too much fun with us gone."
"I do wish…"
.:AN:.
And that's the end of the…12th chapter! (whistles) That's pretty cool, I'm a lot farther along than I expected…
I have the next chapter all ready typed and revised. All I need to do is post it. But I won't. Want to know why?
I NEED REVIEWS! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Okay, so I don't really need them, but they sure as hell are nice to get and read and all that jazz. So…yeah. I'm a jerk. I know. Feel free to tell me, so. =D