Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho. Never have, never will.
"What do you want?" I growled, my grip on Keiko's hand tightening.
He ignored my question, glancing around the small cell and letting out a soft sigh. "It's a shame there are no seats in here. I would have loved to sit, but I'm afraid this suit simply isn't appropriate for sitting on the ground. I'm sure you understand." He smiled, dusting off his suit with his free hand. "Next time I visit I'll be sure to request a chair brought in."
"I asked you a question," I stated, annoyed that he had so blatantly ignored me. "What do you want?"
"I'm being a good host, visiting my guests," he answered, unfazed by my hostility. "Undoubtedly you have questions you'd like answers to. Feel free to ask me anything." He took a small sip of wine and the liquid stained his pale lips red until his tongue flicked out to lick them clean.
Neither of us spoke and I could clearly hear Keiko's shallow breathing. She was nervous, frightened by this man, and I desperately hoped she couldn't tell how similarly I felt.
When he realized we didn't plan to respond, Epsilon shook his head and made a disapproving noise. "I offer you a chance to ask me any questions you may have and you don't take advantage. What a waste. Well, why don't I get us started? I'm sure you're wondering how it is we were able to capture you despite how safe the half-breed obviously believed you to be."
I'd been asking myself that ever since I'd woken up in this cell, but I made no move to show Epsilon that or to even act interested. It didn't seem to matter though because the hebi continued talking without waiting for us to say anything.
"It was rather silly of the half-breed to think that he had the upper hand on me, but then the human blood flowing through his veins has no doubt dampened his intelligence. I've been aware of Mukuro's spies since the day of their arrival. Even as we speak, the raions are taking care of them, ending their pathetic lives.
"Now as for your capture, that was incredibly simple. Mukuro's spies were only keeping track of Mecca and myself, which needless to say failed to protect you. Disma's portals provide us with an easy way of nearly undetectable travel, a fact that I decided to take full advantage of. I personally feel that Disma could have done a better job, but I can't expect much from hired help, can I?" He eyes darted to my broken ankle and he shook his head sadly. "The injury will regrettably lower your sale value."
He moved his hand in a slow circle, swirling the wine in his glass. "And that brings us to another question I'm sure you have. Just what exactly is it I'm planning to do with you? The answer is different for each of you so I'll start with you," he said, gesturing to me.
"You're of no value to me; however Mecca has expressed interest in you. You see, you'd make him a tidy profit on the slave market. Granted you would have made more had Lord Hiei still been courting you, nevertheless profit is profit and Mecca insists on being able to sell you. Personally, I don't see the value in human slaves. You've always struck me as a somewhat dull, troublesome species. Others, of course, feel differently and you are an interesting case. Many demons would love to discover just what about you kept Hiei interested for so long."
Taking a sip of wine, he added, "Admittedly, this will be off topic, but I simply must express my pleasure with the end of your courtship. It was quite bothersome to see a man as strong and proud as Lord Hiei lowering himself to the courtship of a human. Disgusting might be a better word than bothersome…" He trailed off, apparently lost in his own thoughts and I took the opportunity to glance at Keiko.
Her lips were pressed together so tightly that they had turned white and she looked on the verge of tears.
Epsilon cleared his throat and my gaze snapped back to him. "But I digress so we'll return to the question at hand. You, Miss Yukimura, are valuable to me." I was vaguely surprised that he had called her by name and from the way she started I gathered that she was as well.
His voice nearly a purr, Epsilon continued, "You are exactly the leverage I need to end this nonsense with the half-breed. It is –"
"Stop calling him that!" Keiko cried, her hand clenching tightly around my own.
Epsilon's good humor disappeared in an instant. "You would be wise not to interrupt me again," he warned so coldly that goosebumps rose on my arms. And then, a cruel smile on his lips, he asked, "What would you prefer I call him? Scum? Dirt? An abomination? Because trust me, half-breed is a kind name for such a creature."
Keiko didn't respond. Freeing her hand from mine, she pulled away and backed up so that she was pressed against the wall.
It chilled me to the bone seeing her so afraid. Keiko had always been strong and in control. That Epsilon could frighten her like this in turn scared me. Keiko had more experience with this world, with demons. She would know how much danger we were in and, judging by her fear, we were in way over our heads.
Noting that he had subdued Keiko, Epsilon took a sip of wine and continued. "In order to properly explain what I plan to do with you, I must first clarify what my motivation for going to all this trouble is. Considering how closely involved you both are with the half-breed, I feel safe assuming that you have a relative understanding of Makai politics and are both aware that the half-breed is the lord of Tourin. And it is there that the problem lies.
"I do not understand when we, meaning self-respecting demons like myself, began accepting half-breeds and humans as our equals. I had thought that demons such as Lord Mukuro and Lord Yomi would have the backbone to refuse the half-breed a place among us. Never in my wildest nightmares had I imaged them allowing him the title of lord."
Epsilon paused to take a sip of wine and opened his mouth to continue, but I interrupted, speaking without thinking. "Maybe it's because Mukuro and Yomi aren't self-righteous, prejudiced assholes."
Until that moment I had forgotten about his tail. It lashed once against the ground before snaking out and wrapping around my ankle, squeezing painfully. I screamed and tried to scramble backward, my fingers scrabbling uselessly against the cold, stone floor. Epsilon watched me coldly, his eyes like ice.
When he spoke, his voice sounded distant, a faint whisper through the fog of pain. "I apologize, Miss Yukimura, but it appears your friend wasn't listening when I said I don't like interruptions."
His tail let go suddenly, curling around his legs once more, and I lay still. My breath coming in ragged pants, I stared at the ceiling, trying to fight off tears.
"Good guests do not insult their hosts," he said softly.
Keiko moved to my side, her hand finding mine. I gave hers a small squeeze and forced a smile onto my face, pushing myself into a sitting position.
"I'm afraid I lost my train of thought," Epsilon murmured, his hostility gone as though it had never existed. "Where were we? Ah, right, my motivations. As I was saying, it is utterly unbelievable that the half-breed was accepted as a demon lord. Quite frankly, I've decided that enough is enough. No demon should be forced to obey a half-breed, to act as though they are inferior to an abomination. It is time for a true demon to take back the title that half-breed stole for himself; it is time that a demon rules Tourin.
"And that is where you come in, Miss Yukimura." He paused, a pleased smile on his face, and took a sip of wine. "I plan to offer the half-breed a trade. You for his title. It shouldn't be a difficult decision, not if he cares about you as much as he claims. If he chooses his title, I'm afraid it will mean your life, which isn't too large a loss."
Epsilon chuckled softly, shaking his head at some private joke. "This is a pleasant conversation now that you've both learned your manners. I'm enjoying it immensely. What other questions might either of you have?"
We didn't speak up and he seemed content to answer himself. "You're wondering about my abilities, I'm sure. How much have they confused the half-breed?" he asked, his eyes alight with pleasure. "They aren't very complicated. I use a simple technique, though few still remember it. I won't explain it to you for I doubt you would understand, but I will tell you what it enables me to do.
"I am able to void the attacks of my opponent, quite literally making them nonexistent. It is a unique ability, almost entirely defensive, which is of course the reason I hired the raions. Mecca and his pride provide me with a powerful, loyal group of followers. On occasion, I am capable of reversing my opponent's attack and turning it against them, as I did against the half-breed."
He stopped talking and raised his glass to his lips, finishing off the last of his wine. "Honestly, I'm disappointed that you haven't asked me any of your own questions. Please do think on it for I will be returning sometime in the next few days and would simply love to converse with you both once more."
Raising his voice, he called, "Disma, if you would be so kind as to open a portal, it would be much appreciated. I have some business to attend to and our guests will be perfectly capable of entertaining themselves for the next few hours."
A portal flared to life and Epsilon stepped through it. The portal disappeared with a snap, leaving us alone in the cell.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
Keiko's eyes widened. "I should be asking you that. How's your ankle?"
"Fan-freaking-tastic." Keiko appeared wounded by my sarcasm and I apologized softly.
She nodded and glanced around the cell. "So now what?"
"Why don't you see if you can sleep? I'll wake you in a while and then I'll sleep while you stay up." I moved backwards, joining Keiko against the wall. I stretched my legs out straight in front of me, ignoring the protesting pain that shot up from my ankle.
"Why can't we both sleep?" Keiko asked, lying down and staring up at the ceiling.
"I'd feel better if at least one of us was aware of what was going on. The last thing we need is to get separated without knowing it. I don't know about you, but I'd hate to wake up and find you mysteriously gone."
She didn't argue and when I glanced over her eyes were closed. It wasn't long before her breathing evened out and she was asleep. I had a feeling that Epsilon's visit had tired her out, her fear having eaten at her energy reserves. Plus, it was probably late at night since Disma had kidnapped us just after we had closed the diner. It couldn't possibly be the morning after our capture, could it? Shoving away that unpleasant thought, I forced myself to try and figure out a way to get us out of this mess.
When Keiko and I switched places a few hours later, I hadn't made even the faintest bit of progress.
"Shy," Keiko hissed, shaking me lightly. "Shy, wake up."
"I'm up, I'm up," I groaned, pushing myself up into a sitting position. "What's wrong?"
"Listen," she said, putting a finger to her lips. I fell silent, straining to hear something other than our quiet breathing. Slowly, I began to pick up on distant sounds: angry yelling, painful screaming, and then the distinct sound of metal on metal.
"What do you think is going on?" I asked.
"I'm going to go with fighting," Keiko whispered, an excited grin spreading across her features.
"The guys?"
"Hopefully."
We both fell silent and I glanced around our cell, aiming to figure out how we could bring attention to ourselves. Remembering the way Epsilon had called to Disma, I decided that there must be holes somewhere higher up the walls that allowed air and noise into and out of the cell.
The noises outside grew louder and louder before suddenly falling silent. I was about to panic that we wouldn't be found when a voice sounded outside, the noise carrying clearly to my ears. "I can smell human, but I am unable to sense where they are."
Recognizing the voice immediately, I took a deep breath and yelled, "Yomi, we're in a cell that lacks both doors and windows. Disma's portals seem to be the only way to get in."
There was silence for a long second and I worried that they hadn't heard me. It was as I was opening my mouth to yell again that the wall began to move, the stones shifting to form a doorway. A demon stood in the opening, his hands outstretched before him, and he inclined his head in greeting when he saw us.
Yomi stood behind him, his sightless eyes staring into the cell. "Well, get up then. My men will take you out of here. I wish to return to the main battle."
Keiko stood and walked toward the door, but stopped and glanced back at me where I still sat on the floor. "Shy's ankle is broken. She won't be able to walk."
"Very well. Tau, carry the girl." The demon in the opening stepped forward, coming to my side and bending down.
"I will need to pick you up, miss," he warned. I nodded and he slipped a hand behind my back and another beneath my legs. Lifting me with ease, he joined Yomi, Keiko, and a dozen other demons in the hallway. It seemed that we were in some kind of fortress or castle made entirely of stone.
Yomi spoke to Keiko as our group began to make its way down the hallway. "I will remain with you until we reach the fighting, at which time we will part ways and my men will escort you outside and act as your guards while we finish off Epsilon and his followers."
"We?" Keiko asked.
"Yes. Fighters from each of the three territories are present as well as your human friend, Kazuma Kuwabara. It is good that Yusuke insisted on bringing so many men; Epsilon has more supporters than we initially expected. Beyond the raions, I would estimate that he has a hundred other men. Unfortunately, I drew the short straw and was assigned the task of locating the two of you. With that done, I am now free to return to the battle."
The noise grew louder as we walked and I unintentionally shrank closer to Tau. I'd been brave enough to put up a struggle against Disma because of the adrenaline coursing through my veins, but that bravery was now lacking and I wanted nothing to do with the fighting.
"Don't worry, miss," Tau said softly. "We'll be past the battle soon."
"Do we need to pass directly through it?"
"Yes, but we will run and, with any luck, nothing will go wrong." I refrained from telling him that I wasn't feeling particularly lucky.
We turned a corner in the hallway and the end came into view. The hallway opened into a large room, probably the dining hall or potentially even a throne room. The sound of the fighting was nearly deafening and even as I watched a ball of energy hurtled past the opening.
"Brace yourself, miss," Tau murmured.
And then he was running, bursting from the hallway and following the wall toward a shattered door, which I assumed our rescuers had broken down. The rest of Yomi's men followed, Keiko running in their midst.
We were nearly to the door when Tau stumbled. I thought for a second that he had merely tripped and would regain his balance, but his grip on me loosened and he went sprawling to the floor, trapping me underneath him. I struggled and managed to push him off of me, shimming backward toward the wall.
I stared at him, eyes wide. There was a ragged wound on his back, one that I realized must have been caused by an energy attack. I had little doubt that he was dead and I felt as though I was about to be sick as I watched the blood beginning to pool around his body.
Fighting off the urge to throw up, I glanced around at the raging battle, looking for each of my friends.
Yusuke wasn't hard to spot; my eyes were pulled to him as if by gravity. He was locked in battle with Epsilon and I hoped that he had realized what the hebi's abilities were. Epsilon himself was still dressed in his gray suit and I silently wished that Yusuke would destroy the stupid thing.
I found Kurama next, his red hair making him stand out. Yomi had joined him and the two fought side by side, working as a team to take down the demons around them.
I breathed a sigh of relief when I caught sight of Hiei. He was darting around Disma, using his impressive speed to batter at the raion's defenses. His attention was so focused on Disma that he didn't notice Mecca creeping up on him from behind.
"Hiei, watch out!" I yelled, inadvertently drawing attention to my own defenseless position on the floor. My warning was successful and Hiei evaded Mecca, but I found myself the subject of far too many gazes, not all of them friendly. "Oh shit," I groaned.
I allowed myself to consider the prospect of running like hell, but gave up the notion immediately, knowing that my ankle would make running impossible. I was saved from thinking up my own rescue plan by the one friend I hadn't yet spotted.
Kuwabara was running toward me, his spirit sword glowing in his hand. "Shy, what are you doing here?" he asked when he reached me. He turned his back to me, raising his sword so that he could fend off any would be attackers.
Peeking at Tau's body, I answered, "My rescuer was killed."
Kuwabara glanced at the demon and then at me. "How did that happen?"
"I'm not sure."
"Can you stand? I need to get you out of here." His gaze returned to the fighting, scanning for any threat.
"No, I can't. My right ankle is broken. I can't put any weight on it." Frowning, I added, "I tried to when Disma captured us and I blacked out."
"Damn," Kuwabara muttered. "Then you'll have to stay here until this is over. It shouldn't be too long; we've got these guys on the ropes." Looking out across the room, I didn't understand what made Kuwabara think that we were winning. Epsilon's forces seemed to be doing just fine.
I let my gaze return to Hiei, watching as he cut down Disma. I wondered briefly if she was dead and decided she must be since she didn't stand up. Hiei engaged Mecca, taking over for Mukuro, who moved to join Yusuke against Epsilon.
The fighting continued around us and I began to see that Kuwabara was indeed right. As more and more of Epsilon's men were cut down, our fighters were able to double and even triple up on the enemy. Kurama and Yomi joined the fight against Epsilon and it wasn't long before the hebi was beginning to get hit simply because he was facing too many fighters to nullify all of their attacks.
Kuwabara joined me against the wall, sinking into a sitting position, his spirit sword resting on top of his knees. "How'd you break your ankle?" he asked, watching the fight.
"I fell down a flight of stairs."
He glanced at me, raising an eyebrow. "For fun?"
"No, jerk," I snapped, whacking his arm hard. "Disma was holding my wrist and she let go and, um, I kind of just went down. It hurt like hell and I'm probably covered in bruises. Everything aches."
"Sounds graceful."
"I'm sure it was," I retorted, rolling my eyes at him.
"Spirit gun!"
My gaze jerked back to the fight in time to see the large ball of blue energy leave Yusuke's finger. It rocketed toward the far wall, taking Epsilon with it. The wall erupted when the attack collided with it and a wave of dust and debris billowed out across the room. Squeezing my eyes shut and coughing, I pulled my shirt up over my mouth and nose in an attempt to filter the air. Kuwabara leapt to his feet, yelling excitedly.
When the dust cleared, it was obvious that Epsilon wasn't getting back up. I scanned the room for Hiei and found him standing over Mecca's body, wiping the blood off his katana.
He looked up, his gaze meeting mine across the room, and my breath caught in my throat.
AN: So I wrote this entire chapter on the car ride to and from Cornell University, which definitely helped pass what would have been a horribly boring ride (six hours each way). Writing Epsilon was as fun as, if not more fun, than I had thought it would be. On the other hand, I felt bad killing off Tau, despite the fact that he is a completely inconsequential character.
So what did you think of the fight? I'm aware that it wasn't very in-depth, but since Shy wasn't directly a part of it, I didn't want to make it extremely long. Plus, she wouldn't actually understand much of what was going on.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter. Tell me what you thought of this one.