Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ Dark Innocence ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

A/N: All will be made clear in due time. Hopefully I’ll be able to get more of this out soon.

BTW, I don’t own the characters in this story (unless I specifically say otherwise) and all credit for them goes to their respective creators.

“I’m sorry to call you all away from your responsibilities in the Makai and your school work,” the child leader of the Spirit Realm began without preamble, “however, we have some serious problems brewing in the human realm.”

“Yeah, yeah… what is it this time Koen- wait, did you just say problems? As in, more than one?”

The black haired youth lost his bored look, standing up straight in interest. His dark brown eyes locked on the golden hued orbs of his miniature boss, questioningly. Behind him he felt his companions also come to attention.

“Yes Yusuke, I’m afraid so.”

“What’s the matter?” the larger human with carrot red hair, rumbled from where he stood beside his long-time friend, and longer, rival. “Just say the word, and I Kazuma Kuwabara will take care of it!”

“Shut up. You don’t even know what the problem is and yet you pledge yourself to ‘handle’ it? Idiot!” The scornful words came from the surprisingly deep voice of the dark figure who leaned against a wall.

“Now, Hiei, be nice. We’ll have to take care of it whether we pledge ourselves or not. Surely, his enthusiasm will only make the task easier.”

This was said in humorous tone by a gentle looking young man. He smiled slightly at the fire demon who turned his head away. Whether this was a sign of disgust or reluctant agreement on the fire apparition’s part, only the fox in human form could say for sure. Though perhaps even the legendary Youko Kurama could not say what was intended by the moody demon in black.

“Please explain what the trouble is Lord Koenma,” he continued smoothly, before anyone else could take offense and distract them. Koenma gave a grateful nod and cleared his throat before continuing.

“Last week there was a major outpouring of psychic energy, just outside of Tokyo. It so intense that none of my ferry girls were able to get near the source. Five souls were scheduled to be retrieved that day; none of them were. On top of that, we have reason to believe that someone has been capturing demons and using their DNA to genetically alter unwilling humans in the human realm.”

“Are these things related?” the young man identified as Yusuke asked.

“There is no evidence supporting that these two events are related, so we must assume they are separate cases. I would like to assign you and Kuwabara to tracking down the ringleaders of the demon kidnappings. We believe that the person, or persons, responsible reside within the human realm. Of course that will leave you two, Hiei and Kurama, to track down the source of that energy and determine how much of a threat it is. Botan will be able to guide you to the site so that you can begin to get readings with your jagan eye. Are there any questions?”

“What are we supposed to do when we find the people responsible for it? We can’t just turn them over to the cops. And I have demon blood, so we can’t take them out,” Yusuke ran his fingers through his slicked back hair while he asked his question.

“You are to capture the humans responsible and bring them in for judgment. I’m afraid we’re going to have to bypass the human authorities in this case because their crimes are involving demons.”

“What about the five souls? Are we supposed to be looking for them as well, or will that be taken care of by your spirit guides?” Kurama interjected thoughtfully, his green eyes resting on the small form that paced the expanse of the oak finished desk.

“They will be tracked down, so you don’t have to worry about finding them. Just focus on dealing with whatever is preventing souls from reaching their final destination.”

“The detective makes a valid point, Toddler. What would you have us do when we find the cause? If it isn’t human we can deal with it easily, but if it isn’t… Well let’s just say I will not risk my soul being sent to Hell at this point on your saying it is ok to kill a human. No offense, but I do not trust that merely having your say so will save me from eternal imprisonment and torture,” this was added by the red eyed fire demon, his lips curling slightly in scorn.

“If the cause of the disturbance isn’t human, you can deal with it as you see fit. If it is then you will deal with it the same way that Yusuke and Kuwabara need to, by bringing it in for questioning. Are there any other questions?”

“How do you expect us to find out who’s using demon DNA? And do you know where they’re getting it from?”

“Obviously they’re getting it from the Makai, you fool,” Hiei’s sneer returned when Kuwabara began to speak.

“Not necessarily,” Kurama disagreed. “There are demons who reside in the human realm for whatever reason. Yukina, for instance. They could be using DNA from demons who escaped the Makai and have been living quietly in the human realm.”

He ignored the deadly glare that Hiei leveled on him, as well as Kuwabara’s ensuing histrionics, at the mention of the ice apparition. Yusuke tried to keep a straight face, but a small grin tugged at the corners of his mouth at his friends’ behavior. The tiny blue haired koorime was the one and only topic they could connect, if not agree, on. Hiei was her ‘missing’ twin brother, and he still refused to tell her the truth of their relationship. Kuwabara was desperately in love with the ice demon, and had been since he first set eyes on her in a mission to save her. Both would give anything to protect the delicate seeming demoness from harm.

Kuwabara was currently behind Koenma’s desk screaming, “Do not worry my darling Yukina! I will not allow your precious DNA to be stolen!”

“Does he even know what DNA is?” Hiei growled, shoving himself away from the wall he had been propping up. “Let’s go Fox.”

He disappeared in black blur.

“Of course Hiei. We shall report anything unusual we find,” Kurama said by way of farewell.

The infant ruler of the Spirit Realm responded around his pacifier, “Excellent. Botan will be waiting for you outside.”

The incline of his crimson haired head was all the acknowledgement Kurama gave that he heard Koenma’s words as he slipped quietly through the door.

Yusuke grabbed the back of Kuwabara’s jacket as he made a lap past him, and began to drag the larger boy toward the door. “Come on, Romeo. We can’t ‘save’ Yukina if we never solve the case. And I want to get back to training sometime this century, thanks.”

“Report anything you find to Botan, Yusuke!”

~~~~~~

“Hey Urameshi, are you going to visit Keiko while you’re in town?” a much calmer Kuwabara asked, glancing sideways at his companion. They were walking down a relatively unoccupied street; small businesses lined the walkways, but most were getting ready to close.

“I guess I should drop in and say ‘hi’, but…” Yusuke moodily kicked a pebble on the sidewalk.

“You haven’t talked to her since you guys broke up have you?”

“Nah, we haven’t really had the chance. I had to go right back to the Makai remember?” Yusuke shoved his hands in his pockets and hunched his shoulders against the brisk wind. He kind of wished he’d remembered to bring a heavier jacket.

“Well since you’re probably going to be here for a while, maybe you should drop in and see her. You know, make sure everything is still okay between you?” Kuwabara muttered self-consciously. He didn’t quite feel comfortable trying to give his friend romantic advice, but he was sure that if Yusuke were left alone he would avoid seeing Keiko. And Kuwabara still felt bad for her.

The orange haired man knew she had waited for three years for her boyfriend to come back from training, but he had returned only to let her know that he had to go back again. It was probably for the best that Yusuke let her go to try to find a new love, but… If she didn’t look for anyone else and seemed sad every time he saw her was it really for the best?

It was like something had died in the sweet girl when Urameshi had dumped her for his new role as heir to a third of the Makai. Something had changed, making her more distant. It wasn’t like she acted any less friendly, but she was definitely more guarded around other people than she had seemed before. Or maybe that was the problem; her friendliness was more of an act now. At least that was how it seemed to Kazuma Kuwabara.

“Maybe you should ask her out again. I mean, you’re not seeing anyone else right now are you?”

“I’m not dating anyone else. I don’t have time. But I can’t do that to Keiko anymore. Do you know how disappointed she looked when I told her I had to go back? I can’t do it, Kuwabara. It hurts her too much.”

“Oh. So where do you want to start looking?” Kuwabara muttered with some dissatisfaction. Of course he wanted to solve the case- anything to keep his beloved safe!- but he wasn’t happy with Yusuke’s casual dismissal of his suggestion to straighten things out with his ex.

“How the hell should I know?!” Yusuke snapped in disgust, happy to be away from the previous, and more to the point, uncomfortable topic of discussion.

~~~~~~

“It happened last week, it didn’t even last five minutes, just this incredible surge of power, we could feel it all the way in the Spirit Realm. When the energy cleared enough for us to get into the area we had already lost the souls. They were just- gone!”

The three of them; Hiei, Kurama, and Botan; stepped through the portal that Botan had prepared for them.

“So here it is!” Botan announced, gesturing to the decimated remains of what they had been told had once been a mansion. The only evidence that this had even been a building were the broken beams of wood and rubble that lay scattered about the ground. The heavy rock that jutted up from where the corners of the foundation were still marginally intact. It had been a good sized building-once.

Kurama raised his brows at the sign of such destruction. In less than five minutes? Not impossible… for a powerful demon, or Hiei’s pet dragon, but definitely impressive.

*We could do that easily.*

~That does not mean it’s not impressive.~

Hiei apparently was thinking something similar, as he immediately removed the warding cloth on his forehead. Closing his ruby orbs he allowed the violet implant to flare to life. His face twisted almost instantly in pain, and he fell to his knees , gasping. Quickly he retied the cloth, and wobbled back to his feet clutching his head. Kurama and Botan both rushed to side, examining him, and expressing concern. Hiei’s eyes were slightly unfocused when he waved their concern away.

*Ok. That is impressive.*

~Indeed.~

*The Jagan was overwhelmed by the energy signature. He cannot trace it this closely to the source.*

~We may have to find another means of tracking this mysterious power source.~

“I’m going to try farther away.”

Once again the small fire demon disappeared too fast for their eyes to follow, or for either of them to voice a protest.

“Kurama, I’m worried.”

“It’s alright Botan. We will find what caused all of this.”

“That’s what I’m worried about.”

Pink met emerald as the two stared at each other, alarm beginning to reflect in their eyes…