I'm back from my small hiatus and have settled into the new year! I'll be writing and updating the stories again. I actually wanted to make art for this chapter but knowing my lack of time and patience, I didn't want to leave y'all hanging for too long. So maybe someday...

Anyway, I hope you'll like this chapter and what will come after! Leave a review and stuff if you like this story so far!

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Triggers: Torture/Death

Published: 05/02/2024

Chapter 6:
The Witch Trial

"What is the meaning of this?" Kurama said as he reached the epicenter of the chaos. Hiei had dragged a woman out of one of the houses, a big chunk of her hair firmly in his grasp as he dropped her into the soil by his feet.

"You have a witch in your mid's, that's what." He grinned as people watched in disbelief at the young woman.

"On what basis do you prove your claims?" Kurama tried to sound calm but something was shining through. Yusuke stayed behind him but it was clear in his tone that things weren't going the way they should.

"The house is filled with potions and weird medicinal herbs." Hiei gave a look of disgust. "And I can smell it on her. I've hunted creatures like her for years and I know a witch when I cross one."

"Burn the witch!" The townspeople chanted.

"Now wait a second!" Kurama rose above their voices. "How do you prove she actually is one? Do we really convict someone who has done nothing other than good for the village?!"

Yusuke felt a weight sink in his stomach as he saw the hunter smirk. Kurama was right, there was never real proof of witches. Each woman they threw into a river never resurfaced, just the same as how all bodies were consumed by flames no matter how adamant they were on bewitchment. But Kurama told him to not speak, he was here to escort Kurama so as to not draw any negative attention towards himself. Speaking up wouldn't work in his favor nor would it work in Kurama's.

"I've seen it." A familiar old man exited the house, it was the town's lunatic. "My granddaughter has always liked taking weird things home, she's a witch!"

The woman was in shock, unable to speak as she was pulled up by her arm.

"The people have spoken, priest, start your sentencing before the people will do it themselves." Hiei presented to woman to him. "Or do you know more than you claim?"

An eerie silence engulfed the square as the hunter pointed his finger at the priest. "I am no king, I protect, I don't decide what the people want to do." Kurama lowered his head slightly. Yusuke sensed the priest was helpless against the will of the many.

"So burning we shall!" Hiei shouted, his first in the air as the crowd chanted with him.

Before Yusuke could fully understand what was happening, the preparations were completed and he was hoisted back into the church robe Kurama had lent him.

"Are you really going to sentence her?" Yusuke felt his voice tremble as Kurama worked on the collar insert, his hands shaking as he did.

It was the first time Yusuke saw an inch of fear slide through the priest's barriers, the first time he saw Kurama was visibly affected by the situation. "I'll have to. Like I said, I'm no king, I speak for the people and if they want a burning, then I should grant it to them."

Though it was their right to hire a hunter, the way he worked wasn't like any other hunter. Yusuke debated if Hiei had genuinely found a witch or if he was rallying the people up for something bigger. "But what if she's no witch?"

"Then the hunter will be dismissed and fired by the people."

"But then why pick a woman everyone knows so well?" Yusuke slid the cross around his neck.

"He has a plan set up, whatever it is, I have a feeling this won't be dealt with quickly."

Running his fingers along the silver around his neck, Yusuke looked at Kurama's back as he ran his hand through his red hair. "You could've just ratted me out, given my head to him on a silver plate and garlic garnish… Now you have to sentence one of your people to death, why?"

Kurama halted, frozen before slowly dropping his arms to his side. "There is more behind a person than one beliefs. I'm not only doing this for you."

There was something in his voice that Yusuke couldn't quite place, as if he knew this had to be done to restore peace. He followed Kurama as he paced the room, gathering the things he needed. The clothing he wore had quite some rules attached to it, it had to be worn a certain way, or else it wouldn't suffice. Hence why it took him some time to get dressed. Each small crease had to be smoothed out and every edge had to be flattened.

Admiring the details behind the garments, Yusuke knew he was getting dressed to kill. Though the blood wouldn't be on his hand physically, he'd be giving the order to execute the poor woman.

When he finished, Yusuke followed him outside, towards the steps of the chapel where the wood had been collected into a large pile. The woman was there, adorning her favorite clothing, the same set she'd wear to church.

He was tense, Kurama was visibly swallowing the lump in his throat as he appeared before her. His sash was adorned with detailed embroidery, careful not to cover it with his hair. He was conflicted as he spoke.

"Yumi…" He said before pausing. The fact Kurama knew her name told Yusuke how close Kurama was to his followers. This was hurting him in a way nothing else could. The woman looked up at him, having been brought to her knees, she attempted a sad smile as Kurama continued. "The people have accused you of witchcraft."

"You don't believe it, do you?" She spoke as her eyes started to water. "I've done everything right, I've always helped you and you believe them when they say I'm a witch?"

"As the votes have been cast upon your case…" He continued without recognizing her words.

"I've never hurt a soul!"

"The people have spoken…" Kurama's voice broke slightly as he spoke.

"I've dedicated my life to the church!" The woman became more and more frantic as she realized her fate.

"And as the majority have decided…"

"Please!"

"You have been found guilty of witchcraft and are sentenced to death by burning."

Yusuke didn't know how long he was holding his breath. Kurama had sentenced her to death on the basis of suspicion. He had to admit he'd seen his fair share of witch trials, usually drownings, but burning was something reserved for the wealthier places. Wood wasn't free and the amount needed for a burning was overwhelming.

The woman kicked and screamed as they dragged her onto the gigantic pile of wood, placed her against the pole sticking out in the middle, and tied her by her arms, legs, and waist.

Hiei stood next to it, his eyes were upon Kurama as he grabbed one of the burning pieces of wood. The woman was still yelling and pledging her innocence, her grandfather's delusion and illness, and her devotion to the church and the town.

Staying partially behind Kurama, Yusuke clenched the cross tightly. The hunter seemed to be enjoying it, his gaze was fixated on Kurama as he threw the burning stick onto the pile, lighting it ablaze.

The fire spread quickly, closing in around the helpless person in the middle. As the crowd watched, the woman's yells became more frantic.

Yusuke could see some in the crowd becoming uneasy, a few even redirected their gaze towards their priest, their eyes filled with uncertainty as nothing had proven her identity as a witch yet. His observation of the people from his elevated position gave him the advantage of calculating an outcome. Were the woman to die in this fire, the hunter would be called out as a fraud. If the woman survived, she'd have to be saved.

He watched the flames creep up the woman's legs, forcing a terrified scream from her throat. If she really was a witch, she'd already acted upon that claim. But she didn't and Yusuke was left to watch as the fire became more aggressive.

A quick glance at Kurama made him uncertain. He was still standing somewhat behind the priest, doing as he was told. The redhead was tense, his hands balled into tight fists as a low growling sound escaped his throat.

Such a sound was uncommon for Kurama but Yusuke quickly found out what made the priest as mad as he was.

Hiei stood next to the smoldering pile of wood, his face molded into a twisted grin as he raised his hand toward the flames.

At that moment, Yusuke knew what he was going to do. The surge of power he had felt during the service, Kurama's exhaustion, and explanation of ability and limitation. It became clear to him what this hunter was trying to do.

Though he knew Kurama had probably already found out, the hunter had deliberately drained his energy beyond the point of exhaustion knowing he'd have free range for at least a few hours. Swallowing the lump stuck in his throat, Yusuke eyed Kurama with understanding. He had taken his time with dressing on purpose, his usual fast handling was carefully slow in the hopes he'd recover some of his energy before the trial.

If the woman lives; she'd have to be saved. But for Kurama to save her, he needed more energy. Hiei knew this, the witch trial was an act, not to obtain the people's trust, but to intimidate the one set to protect them.

The flames shot up, engulfing the woman fully. This was the cue the hunter was waiting for. Yusuke felt the same sort of energy he had felt during church service. The woman's yells turned to screams as the flames turned purple.

A collective gasp was heard as the crowd finally had their proof of witchcraft. It didn't take long after that when the screams stopped.

Something snapped as Kurama turned and stalked back into the chapel, bumping into Yusuke as he did so. Yusuke could see the rage but was hesitant to follow him, he didn't want to be a scapegoat for Kurama's fury but he'd rather be that than stay behind with a hunter who had proven his level of danger.

"That manipulative piece of…"

"Don't let him get to you." Yusuke hushed as he closed the doors behind him. "I think he's after you."

"Of course, he's after me!" Kurama snapped.

Yusuke knew what he signed up for, he had a choice and he chose to follow Kurama. "What will you do?" He asked calmly.

Kurama had stopped his pacing, taking a few deep breaths as he ran his fingers through his hair. "He killed one I was close with…" He had his back towards Yusuke as he eyed one of the stained glass windows.

"What will we do?" Yusuke asked as he followed his gaze.

"We?" Kurama asked as he turned towards Yusuke, his eyes slightly bloodshot.

A scoff escaped Yusuke. "You saved my ass, now I will help to safe yours."

Kurama shot him a soft smile as he nodded in understanding. "We'll need a plan."

Well, guess there's more trouble coming...

See you in the next one!