InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ A Dragon's Possession ❯ Chapter 4

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Title: A Dragon's Possession

Author: Ryukotsusei

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho. I merely borrow the characters from time to time for my own amusement.

Chapter Four

Kurama stood before the spot where they were expecting Botan to open a portal to the Reikai. So far the ferry girl hadn't arrived and it was slightly surprising but not exactly a cause for alarm. Knowing that they had nothing to do but wait he looked over to Yusuke. It was obvious by the Detective's expression that he was worried about Hiei and what would happen, with very good reason. He wasn't particularly looking forward to this meeting either but it was not something that could be helped, not if they were to do Hiei any good. Their orders had been strict, get in, get out and report back to Koenma so he could close the file and assure his father that the miko was safe. It didn't help matters that they were ordered to bring the girl with them so he could have her checked out and ensure that she had not been adversely affected by her stay in the Makai.

Under normal circumstances they wouldn't even be called into Koenma's office for the Prince preferred to communicate with them through Botan and video tapes. These was a special situation however and Koenma had no intentions of allowing the miko out of his grasp until he was certain that the jewel she had in her possession was safe. Unfortunately the plan had changed leaving little doubt in either of their minds that the Junior Ruler of the Spirit World would be furious with them for their blatant disobedience.

Kurama couldn't say that he was certain what exactly Koenma's response would be to the news they brought. He always had been a bit difficult to predict especially when matters that concerned his father were involved. If they could prevent King Enma from finding out then the repercussions of Hiei's actions might be far more lenient but Kurama was also no fool. He knew that keeping something of this magnitude from the ruler of the Reikai would be nearly impossible. Not for the first time he inwardly sighed, wishing that Hiei had been less impulsive. His partner should have had no problems whatsoever controlling his urges no matter what his cycle had been telling him to do. His control was absolute, for this to have happened Kurama knew that Hiei had been more than willing to rut with the girl. Not that he could particularly blame him, she was easy on the eyes and her power would have been attractive especially at the stage the apparition was in. Idly Kurama wondered just how Hiei had managed to convince the girl to lay with him, it had to rail against every instinct she held as a Priestess. The only thing he could be certain of was that it was not forced on her, Hiei's honor would not allow him to force any woman to his bed.

"Do you think they'll be alright?" To say that Yusuke was concerned was something of an understatement and his worry only grew the more that he thought about it. Over the past several years he had come to an odd sort of friendship with Hiei and now to hear that the apparition was in serious trouble bothered him. He couldn't see what the fuss was, really, who gave a damn who Hiei picked as a lover? In his mind it wasn't any of the Reikai's business just who the hell he took to his bed or bonded to for that matter. It wasn't as if the miko was evil and she'd convince him to form some disastrous plot that would destroy the world. If Hiei found happiness with her then that was all that should matter. God only knew that the guy deserved it, his life had been sheer hell and it was only after he had been forced to join the group had he found any measure of peace. To find himself immersed in chaos yet again had to be maddening. 'Damn Hiei, you sure know how to get yourself into trouble don't you buddy?'

Kurama could tell that the Detective was hoping that he'd say that one way or another things would be alright in the end but that was a reassurance he just couldn't give him, "It's hard to say Yusuke, we can only trust in Hiei's ability to make the right decisions." There was only so much that they could do from this end and he knew it. For now they would tell Koenma what had happened and try to influence his decisions as much as possible but the final say rested in the demigod's hands. If he decreed that Hiei was to be hunted then there was nothing they could do to change that, though he had to believe that Koenma would somehow find a way to help them. 'Although I daresay Yusuke's reaction to such a proclamation would be violent, especially if Koenma ordered us to find Hiei and bring him in with the girl.'

The answered he'd gotten wasn't much of a surprise but Yusuke had been hoping. The kitsune was one of the best strategists the three worlds had ever seen and he'd been hoping that he'd managed to come up with something in the short time they'd been walking. Yusuke ran his fingers through his hair in a gesture of irritation, "This is such bullshit Kurama. Where does that pacifier junky get off telling people who they can and can't fall in love with?" Just the very idea was pissing him off and he wanted nothing more than to shake the toddler and tell him how fucked up their system was. He fixed Kurama with a contemplative look before sighing heavily, "Kurama I have to know so give it to me straight alright?" At Kurama's inquisitive look he pushed forward, this needed to be settled before they stepped foot into the Reikai, "You know that if this is as big of a deal as you say it is Koenma's going to tell us to bring Hiei and Kagome to him. Just like you know the moment they step into the palace and Enma hears about it he'll execute them both. If it comes down to it, which side will you choose?"

Kurama leaned back against a tree and regarded Yusuke calmly. It was a valid question after all, in his previous life he had no qualms about betraying alliances if it was in his best interests. However being reborn into a human body had changed his outlook on a great many things, friendships being one of them. Would the Reikai go after his family if he should stand beside Hiei? Koenma wouldn't, but his father was another story. It was something he would be forced to consider before making a definite stand. "In answer to your first question Yusuke make no mistake, Hiei is not in love with this girl. I'm still unsure as to the reasons that this has happened but Hiei is standing with her because his honor demands it of him. It remains to be seen if any affection develops between the two of them as time passes. To the second question, I cannot agree with the Reikai's stand on this issue but you must also understand I have my human family to worry about. If we are to stand against King Enma then they must be protected at all costs."

Yusuke pursed his lips, he'd known that was coming somehow. He would have had the same things to worry about had his mother still been alive. Sadly she had succumbed to alcohol poisoning earlier in the year and Yusuke had been the one to find her when he hadn't heard from her in over a week. One way or another they'd make it through this together, he'd see to that. "If it comes down to it we can move your family Kurama. I still have my lands in the Makai if necessary," Yusuke stated without hesitation but he had to maintain his hope that it wouldn't come to that. Kurama's family had remained blissfully unaware of his alternate life and they were all in agreement that it should remain that way. It had helped after Koenma disbanded the team since there were no more sudden disappearances and they had all fallen into a somewhat normal lifestyle. However Koenma still called upon them when he had something that needed to be dealt with immediately. Truthfully, Yusuke thought they were all thankful for the slight diversions from every day life.

Kurama shook his head, if they were going to be forced into opposing the Reikai they couldn't be separated. "I appreciate the consideration Yusuke but we'll have to come up with something better. If Reikai wants to attack, we are all going to need to be together," Kurama said while he extended his senses, locating Hiei's unique energy signature. It didn't matter the distance between them, they had been linked mentally for so long that it had now become second nature for him to search the apparition out. "Judging by Hiei's actions he is already securing a position that will help to ensure their safety should his primary plan fail."

Yusuke might have been slow on the uptake in some areas but this was one time that he picked up easily on what Kurama was saying. It was a logical move on Hiei's part after all. "He's going to Mukuro." It wasn't a question. Yusuke knew that the apparition had some strange sort of relationship with the woman but what it was exactly no one could say. And he was not foolish enough to come out and ask, though the idea had been tempting a time or two. He hoped that if there was something going on between them that Mukuro was not the jealous type, at the moment Hiei needed all the help he could get regardless of what relationships he'd been involved in before.

"Indeed, she is quite formidable on her own. If she should choose to stand beside Hiei over this Enma will have a tough time getting to either him or the girl. Let us hope that he moves her quickly however, the farther away from Enma's reach they are the better their chances of survival are," Idly Kurama wondered if they should enlist Yomi's help in all of this but decided against bringing him into it unless absolutely necessary. Yomi desired power and if he were to hear of the artifact the girl carried there was no telling how he would handle the situation. Yomi was underhanded in his dealings, it was best not to involve him unless absolutely necessary.

Abruptly a portal flared in front of them, causing both men to straighten. Moments later Botan popped through with a bright smile on her face although it faltered seeing just the two of them standing there, “Where are the others?”

“We really don't have the time to explain Botan, for now it will just be the two of us going to speak with Koenma,” Kurama replied easily with a smile meant to disarm any apprehension the woman might be feeling. He wasn't about to let the ferry girl in on just what had transpired. The girl was an unbelievably large gossip, if she were to hear anything it couldn't be guaranteed that she would keep quiet.

“Okay then Kurama, if you say so,” Botan replied with a calculating expression. Something was going on even if she didn't know just what it was. She'd have to inquire about it later once she could corner Koenma.

"Well, what do you say we get this party started ? I don't know about you but I'm ready to go home and take a shower so let's get this over with," Even as the words left his mouth Yusuke couldn't help but wonder if that was a severe case of wishful thinking on his part. The likelihood of going home anytime soon was slim to none and Slim had just left the building. Even if they left Koenma's office unscathed they would need to go to Genkai's afterwards. He chose to ignore the look from Kurama that clearly said the kitsune was questioning his sanity over that particular statement. Botan didn't look much better off in this case but he wasn't going to enlighten her.

“Alright, step this way then and I'll take you to Koenma,” Botan gestured to the portal that would take them to the Reikai. Yusuke stepped through first and then quickly moved out of the way to allow Kurama to come through. Once they were safely on the other side Botan passed through herself and closed the portal done. Giving the two men a bright smile she gestured to them, “Follow me, Koenma's been expecting you.”

“I'm sure he is,” Yusuke muttered softly while they followed behind her. Even though he'd been here once before he wasn't familiar with the layout of the palace and honestly he preferred not coming here at all. The entire atmosphere had always seemed off to him but he'd brushed it off since with the exception of Koenma and the ogres everyone else in this place was dead.

Minutes later they found themselves in front of the giant doors that marked the entrance to Koenma's office. Yusuke didn't even bother to knock, instead pushing them open with relative ease considering how large they were much to Botan's consternation. “Wait here,” he told her despite the look that she was giving him.

When it looked like she was about to protest the very idea Kurama stepped in, “If you please Botan. We have much that we have to discuss with Lord Koenma and I'm afraid it must remain between the three of us.”

Despite what both men had said Botan still wasn't certain about leaving. 'Just what do they have to talk about that I can't hear? Oh this is so not fair!' Anxiously she cast a glance at Koenma, hoping that he would say that she could stay but to her irritation he gestured for her to leave the office. “Oh fine,” she said flatly before walking out the door, stopping only to close them behind her.

Koenma had been surprised to see just the three of them walking into his office. So much so that he was still holding the stamp in his hand although it had paused in its descent. A variety of emotions passed over Koenma's face ranging to surprise, worry and then irritation. Something was most certainly up, especially considering they'd all but ordered Botan to leave the room. Sighing heavily he put the stamp down before giving them both a guarded look, "Where are Hiei and Kuwabara? For that matter where is Ms. Higurashi. Don't tell me you couldn't find them? Especially when one of them walked through those doors with you."

Hearing that imperious attitude directed towards them again had Yusuke stalking up to Koenma's desk fully intent on blasting him but Kurama stepped in and placed a calming hand on his shoulder. There was no need to start this meeting off on the wrong foot after all and it was going to be difficult enough to gain Koenma's cooperation without Yusuke immediately putting him on the defensive. Kurama placed his hands in his pockets before approaching the desk the demigod was seated at,"We've run into a slight problem Koenma and there is much we need to discuss."

“Obviously so or you wouldn't be shy of two team mates and one miko,” Koenma said as he folded his hands together on top of his desk. It was serious indeed if Kurama was already reining Yusuke in, for once he hadn't heard an insult fly out of the man's mouth. It didn't matter that they had known each other for years, Yusuke always treated him with the same lack of respect that he always had. Slowly he gestured for the red head to continue, "Alright, you have my attention. Tell me about this slight problem."

Something about the way Koenma was looking at them was all it took to set Yusuke off despite the fact that the question had been posed to Kurama, "I'll tell you what the problem is Koenma. You sent Hiei to go get a girl when he was right in the middle of his breeding cycle. That's the problem you idiot! How could you do that? You had to know what was going to happen!" Yusuke glared at the man seated at the desk, not feeling guilty in the least for blowing up at him. Because of Koenma's stupidity, all of their lives were likely to be turned upside down and he for one was not happy about it. He could just imagine Keiko's reaction to this little development. While she was very understanding about what he occasionally had to do, it didn't mean that she was happy about it or that she didn't worry about him. 'She's going to hit the roof and I don't know who's going to be the first on her hit list.'

Koenma sighed and rubbed his temples, he had been afraid that Hiei would not be able to control his urges but it wasn't a major cause for alarm unless the girl was forced. 'Or if she's pregnant. That's a problem that is easily fixed though.' Koenma leveled a glare at his Detective, telling him that he expected him to cease his yelling immediately, "I see. I'll be blunt, I didn't want to send him but I had no choice. If the Shikon fell into the wrong hands it would be far more disastrous than just one human girl losing her virginity. Truthfully it doesn't surprise me that it happened, in fact I expected as much. But if the girl was not harmed in their coupling then I don't see why you are so upset Yusuke. Bring her in, we'll ensure that she's not been adversely affected by her time in the Makai or Hiei's attentions and she can be on her way." Koenma looked back down at his paperwork, expecting that to be the end of the discussion. Fate was not with him however on this particular day.

"It's not that simple Koenma. You see, there was an added complication and Ms. Higurashi will not be joining us any time soon," Kurama said, keeping his mask in place that would betray nothing of what he was feeling as he studied the Prince with calculating eyes. On one hand he could sympathize with the demigod, it would be far easier if any possible pregnancy was terminated however both the girl and Hiei had made their feelings known about that. He had no doubt that they could even go a step further and ensure that the girl would never conceive again but based on the reaction he had received from her earlier he knew that wasn't an option. All they could do now was to go with the options that remained and pray for the best. "Hiei did indeed lay with the girl but somehow during their coupling Hiei's dragon managed to break free."

Koenma's eyes widened as he listened to the red head's words. This was the very last thing he had ever expected to hear and now he was praying that he had heard wrong. "Tell me you did not just say the dragon broke free," Koenma looked hopeful as he stared at the two men in front of him but the irritated look on Yusuke's face destroyed those hopes. He knew that the Dragon had not gone on a rampage, had that been the case not only would they have had a flood of souls arrive on his doorstep but the sensors would have picked up a definite spike in energy as well. Nor had the beast devoured the miko, he would have known that immediately as well. The jewel's power would have flared in response to Kagome's death if that had occurred. It could only mean one thing, and Koenma feared the repercussions of what had happened, "It chose her didn't it? It had to have, there is no other reason that the Dragon would have broken free. Are you certain of this? This isn't something to joke about if you're not certain."

Yusuke slammed his hands down on the desk, upsetting the neatly stacked papers that were piled on the surface, "Of course we're sure! The fact that she has a tattoo just like Hiei's wrapped around her body is a dead fucking give away Toddler. Not to mention Hiei outright said the damned thing chose her and even he can't break the bond. What I want to know is why it happened and just what do you plan to do about it?" Yusuke watched Koenma's face turn red with rage as the papers fluttered gently down to the floor.'Let him get pissed, this needs to be settled here and now.'

"Watch your tone with me Yusuke, we've got a very serious problem here," Koenma ignored the way that Yusuke rolled his eyes and the muttered 'no shit' that passed his lips. Hiei rutting with the girl was one thing but bonding with her was something completely different. "I need you two to think carefully on this, your answers with determine what has to be done about this. You have to be absolutely certain about this, there is no room for error. Did Hiei take her for a mate or was it only the dragon that marked her?" Koenma knew that if his father found out about this then it wouldn't matter which it was, one or both of them would be marked for death. But perhaps if it was only the dragon then there was a chance he could keep this from his father for a time until they found a way out of this situation. He didn't want to see either of them die because he had a lack of competent staff on his hands to take up the slack when one of his team was out of commission.

"It was only the Dragon, Hiei is not pleased by this turn of events but his honor demands that he protect her. Even if he didn't want to, the Dragon is making it known that if anything threatens her it will not hesitate to destroy that threat. As to whether he will take her as his mate later remains to be seen. He always has been possessive and that trait is manifesting itself already with the girl," Kurama watched as the demigod stood and began pacing the room, no doubt trying to figure out what it was he could do about this mess. 'If the fact that he didn't take her for a mate will keep them safe then this is something he will have to be informed of and soon.'

Koenma looked up at the two of them with a desperate expression, "Do you know where they are? We must bring them in immediately. We can eliminate the threat of any children and work from there, I'm sure that I can convince my father to go easy on them once that is done." It was possible that there was still hope, if he could get the girl to the Reikai then they could fix most of the problems. Perhaps then his father would be lenient on the both of them, not to mention his backside. He was sure to be in for some major punishment over this one.

Yusuke had heard that option voiced one too many times now and he had heard enough, was it so difficult to understand that the only two people who had a say in it at all weren't in the room? Quickly he snatched Koenma up, getting right in his face, "No Koenma, we don't know where they are and even if we did we wouldn't tell you. Get this through that fat head of yours, she's already said that if she is pregnant she's not aborting the kid. She even went so far as to threaten Kurama with purification if he even came near her and I don't think Hiei would stop her if that was the cause. Like it or now, it's not your choice, it's hers and Hiei's got it?"

Koenma swatted away Yusuke's hands, irritated that he'd just grab him like that but then the guy always had been impulsive. As it was he suspected Yusuke was lying about their whereabouts but he had absolutely no proof whatsoever on that. Scowling he stalked back behind his desk and punched in a few commands on the computer. While he waited he turned his attention back to Yusuke, "I understand it's their choice Yusuke but you have to understand. If she winds up pregnant there is nothing I can do to stop my father. He won't listen to me, you know that much." Seeing the firm resolve in both of them he looked down at the computer screen. It was just as he feared, there was no trace whatsoever of either Hiei or Kagome's energy signals. Either they had gone into the past where neither he nor his father could follow or they had managed to mask themselves extremely well.

"Can you stop King Enma from finding out about this? At least until we find out for certain one way or another?" Kurama knew that it was a long shot but it was the best that they had to run with. They needed to buy Hiei more time to get the girl to someplace safe if nothing else. He could only hope that his friend would be able to go with her, if not then all hell was certain to break loose.

Koenma could feel a migraine coming on, he had the worst luck of anyone he knew when it came to shit like this, "We can try but you must know that by withholding information like this you're breaking the law once again. My father could decide to punish all of us if he finds out we knew and didn't say anything." Punished was a term he was using loosely. When King Enma lost his temper over things cities fell, thousands died. For them to withhold something like this was just asking for an order of execution, himself included, "The problem is that my father knew of Ms. Higurashi's kidnapping and left it in my hands to have her retrieved. No doubt he will expect a report on her, including the Doctor's evaluation stating she was unharmed."

Kurama's mind raced for a solution to this new problem before he settled on the perfect solution, "Tell me Koenma, does anyone in your office besides your father know of what Kagome looks like?" At the negative response he quickly ran through the mental list of the girls that could pass for her age wise. Keiko would be the ideal choice but she had no spiritual talents in case the Doctors decided to scan her that way. Shizuru on the other hand would pass for her assuming the Doctors did not have a physical description. A calculating smile crossed his face, causing both Yusuke and Koenma to look at him oddly, "I have a temporary solution then. We should bring Shizuru here and have her stand in for Kagome during the medical exam. They don't know what she looks like and she carries some spiritual awareness. As long as Jorge and Botan don't see her we can pass her off as Kagome at least for the moment. It should buy us the time we need to figure out a solution."

Yusuke looked suitably impressed, he hadn't thought about that particular option. It made perfect sense and Shizuru would most likely agree to playing someone else temporarily. "Kurama you're brilliant. We just need to go get her and explain what is going on," Yusuke said and allowed himself to relax slightly now that they seemed to be solving part of this mess. He was still unhappy with the level of danger they were all in but some things just couldn't be helped and this was one of those times.

"You do realize that this puts Shizuru in danger as well Kurama? Eventually the truth is going to come out and that puts her in extreme danger. I don't think the rest of your families would be at risk from this as long as they do not get involved," Koenma warned them, it was important for the both of them to realize the very real danger that they were all in. He had not missed the secretive looks of longing that the kitsune had given to Shizuru yet to his knowledge Kurama had yet to act upon them. This was a small favor that he was indeed thankful for, he didn't need another problem like the one currently on his plate, even if it would have been on a much smaller scale.'Father might be able to look the other way in their case but for Kagome and Hiei there's not a chance in hell.'

Kurama's expression turned deadly as he stared the demigod down. He was well aware of the risks but he also knew that Shizuru would be the first to volunteer to help once she knew what was going on. The air around him pulsated with his energy, reinforcing just how deadly he could become, "I know Koenma but heed my warning. No one in the Reikai will touch her, any who try will be slaughtered without mercy." He had long ago laid claim to Shizuru in his mind but not knowing if she could return his feelings had left him resolved to watch over her, waiting for a sign. He had not missed how Sakyo's death had bothered her and had decided to give her all the space she needed. Eventually he would make her his own but for now that was merely a plan for the future. But he would be damned if Enma or anyone else would threaten her life while he was still among the living.

Koenma sighed heavily, knowing that Kurama meant every word of what he had said. He could only hope that they could resolve this quietly and with a minimum of fuss. He didn't have to ask their stance on this issue, if push came to shove the both of them would stand with Hiei. Kuwabara was likely to as well and the four of them together would be standing along side one of the most powerful Priestesses of all time with an equally powerful artifact. Together they would be more than a match for anything that his father could throw at them.