InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Ultimatum ❯ Chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

Ultimatum Ch. 3

By Boxing King

 

 

Kuwabara, Kurama, and Hiei were all slowly walking down a deserted alley, eyes alert and scanning the immediate vicinity. Supposedly, this was where the demon crossing had occurred.

 

Kurama spoke up first breaking the silence. “Koenma said that a large power had breached the barrier. I see no evidence of that whatsoever. I don't even sense anything out of the ordinary…”

 

“Yeah,” added Kuwabara, “Me neither. And usually I'm pretty good at sensing them.”

 

“Hn. Most likely the fool made a mistake. Either nothing came through, or we are in the wrong area.” Hiei's arm snaked out and threw a trashcan into a brick wall. “We are wasting time, Fox.”

 

Kurama slowly nodded his consent. They had reached the end of the dark alley, and so far not a demon in sight.

 

Kuwabara sighed. “Let's go home. I'm beat as it is. I had to take care of a few interlopers at school today. Losers thought they could stake out our territory.” Raising his hand in a nonchalant gesture, Kuwabara waved off the situation. “Koenma probably was just mistaken.” Closing his eyes, he gave a dramatic turn. “It's happened bef- oomph!”

 

And he promptly bumped into someone.

 

“Hey, mister! You could at least watch where you're going!”

 

Kurama broke into his tirade. “You had your eyes closed, Kuwabara. Surely it is more your fault than his.” Showing his good grace, Kurama stepped forward to graciously apologize. “Please forgive my friend, good sir. He is unnaturally clumsy.” Holding out his hand in a goodwill gesture, Kurama waited.

 

The stranger turned his head and simply looked at the hand. He was dressed rather shabbily in a rumpled tan trench coat and large rimmed hat.

 

“N-now now, no reason to a-apologize. It - it was an a-accident.” The man never looked at them during his stuttering assurance. Hiei and Kurama frowned. “N-now if you'll ex-excuse me. I - I must be going.” The stranger promptly turned and tried to edge away.

 

“If I'm not mistaken, Fox, I'd say that that was a demon. And he looks to be getting away.” Hiei was glaring with contempt at the figure trying to hug the shadows and run at the same time.

 

Kurama's frown grew fierce. Acting swiftly, he grabbed a trashcan lid and threw it at the retreating feet. He hit dead on. The demon toppled to the grown with an awkward squawk.

 

“Hey!” shouted Kuwabara. “Nice shot, Kurama! How did you guys know that was a demon? And where did he come from? I didn't sense him at all. In fact, I still can't sense him…” Kuwabara grew quiet as they all drew up to the trembling figure.

 

“We can't sense him either, Kuwabara. We know that he is a demon, however, by the fact that he has blue skin and nice, big claws.” Kurama edged closer while responding to Kuwabara. “It's why he didn't want to shake my hand. And why he is dressed in such baggy clothes.”

 

The demon struggled to sit up. Kurama leaned forward, putting his foot in the middle of the demon's chest. “Don't try it. And next time, word of advice, try wearing shoes.”

 

Hiei decided to speak up. “What cloaking spell are you using, lowlife? How could we not sense you at all?”

 

The demon let out a snort. With a quick shake of his head, he removed his hat. Kuwabara gasped, Kurama ground his foot in.

 

His face was grotesque. He had at least seven eyes that darted all about, constantly assessing the situation. He had numerous bulging, pulsing skin pouches. As the detectives watched, they slowly began turning white. A few popped and pus spilled down the demon's face. There were no lips to cover the jagged shards that counted as teeth, stained with old blood.

 

He smiled horrifically. “Natural talent.”

 

Hiei let out a guttural snarl. With blurring speed, he whipped his katana out and rested it at the demon's throat. “Try again.” He lightly sliced a line across the demon's trembling throat. “And this time, tell the truth.”

 

He snarled.

 

“An amulet. That's it. That's all I have.”

 

Kurama narrowed his eyes. “Why are you here, vermin?”

 

The demon smiled again. “To take over the world.” He began to laugh, the noise grating like nails on a chalkboard.

 

Hiei moved so swiftly no one caught the action. The demon was just suddenly missing his arm, blue-green blood spurting out onto the alley.

 

It screamed. “Damn you all to hell! This won't matter! It will still happen! He will still take over! N-”

 

Kurama jerked back as the demon began to choke. It whimpered a few last sounds, before turning puce colored. It's one good arm scratched at his throat, trying to free his airway.

 

The detectives watched in silence as the demon died. Blood slowly pooled around the still body.

 

“Koenma needs to hear of this,” coolly stated Kuwabara.

 

“Indeed, he does. Indeed…” stated the Fox as the team slowly turned and headed out of the alley.

 

 

The Higurashi family was sitting around the dinner table, quietly talking about the day's events, when a startling event occurred. They were joined by their missing family member.

 

Kagome came downstairs slowly, not making a sound. She could hear her mother talking to her cousin. She knew she was the subject; she didn't care.

 

It had been a day since Yusuke had come to the shrine. It had taken her that long to think things through. Yusuke was right. Life did move on. And so must she.

 

And she knew the perfect way to do just that.

 

Mrs. Higurashi laid her hand on top of Yusuke's. “We can only hope that you were the key, Yusuke. Hopefully -”

 

“Kagome!” interrupted Souta. “You - you're downstairs. I - I can't -” He jumped up and ran to his sister. He threw is arms around her, hugging as tight as he could. He never wanted her to leave him again.

 

“Kagome,” whispered Mrs. Higurashi. She half stood out of her chair. She put her hand to her heart. “You're up. I - I'm so happy.” She lowered herself to sit with a small thump. Slowly, the tears began to fall.

 

“Me too, Mama,” responded Kagome. She looked at each family member slowly, a smile lightly on her lips. She swung around to Yusuke last, letting her eyes linger.

 

“Thank you, Yusuke. For bringing me back.”

 

Yusuke smirked. “No prob, Kags. You know I'll always be there for you.”

 

She smiled. “I know.”

 

Slowly pushing Souta's arms away, Kagome went to sit at the table. Mrs. Higurashi jumped up to serve the meal. She dumped food on the table randomly, all the while drying her eyes.

 

“My baby girl… My sweet little girl…”

 

Kagome cleared her throat. “I don't know about all of you, but I'm famished.”

 

Quiet chuckles went around the table. The food was passed around as the family enjoyed being whole for the first time in a quite a long time. A warm glow enveloped the dining room.

 

Once every morsel had been consumer on her plate, Kagome decided it was time to act.

 

Clearing her throat, she began. “I know… I know I have been acting terribly lately. I…I can't tell you why, just yet. But I can tell you that I am through with - erm - that guy.”

 

Mrs. Higurashi's happy sigh filled the kitchen. “I am so glad dear. It is long since time you were through with him.”

 

Grandpa nodded his assent. “Good riddance, too. That man was hardly worth your time.”

 

Yusuke was getting the distinct feeling that he was missing something.

 

“Well, yes,” started Kagome again. “Well, the thing is, I don't think I can stay here for while. There are too many memories of him, and well…” she hesitated. She hadn't even asked Yusuke yet. Kagome decided to rush it. “I want to go live with Yusuke for a while.” She turned her wide-eyed face to Yusuke. “That-that is, if it's ok with you, Yusuke.”

 

Everyone sat in stunned silence. Yusuke was the first to react. “Of course you can, Kags. If you can stand `Aunty' that is.”

 

Kagome smiled with relief. She turned hesitant eyes to her mother. Mrs. Higurashi was looking down at the table. She was clasping her hands together, knuckles white. Finally, she answered the unspoken question. “I think it would be a good idea, dear. It would get you away from all these visual reminders.”

 

The tension visibly left the room. Kagome sighed in relief. It was settled then.

 

Souta jumped up, suddenly. “I don't want you to go again, Kagome!” He ran to his sister. Hiding his face in her lap, he mumbled, “I just got you back again.”

 

Kagome stroked his hair. “I know, Souta. But I need to do this. I need to get over… him. I need to move away for a little bit. I'll be back. I promise I'll be back. I just need some time.”

 

Souta shuddered slightly as he suppressed the tears. “Come back quick, Kagome.”

 

She hugged him. “I will.”

 

And so ended the last dinner that Kagome would have with her family for a very long time.