Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Akambo ❯ Never Dull ( Chapter 4 )

In a dimly lit laboratory, situated deep within the rocky crags of a cliff face in the westernmost reaches of the Makai Barrens, a lone figure hunched over a capsule. The round, metallic object was slightly larger than a watermelon and had dozens of tubes and wires connected to it. Carefully, the figure lifted the dome-shaped top of the newly unsealed container. Setting the lid aside, he probed gently at the infantile creature within.

 

“Hello there. Let me look at you. Let me see you... NO! NO! NO!” the soft croon turned vicious as he pulled the confused, frightened form from its synthetic womb and flung it across the room to strike the wall with a soggy SPLAT! The little creature slid down the wall limply to land on the floor with a wet, squelching sound. Quickly it began to drag its small, deformed body to cover, to hide among the assortment of its discarded, unrecognizable, failed predecessors, all cowering in fear of the creator's wrath. The group huddled, silently shivering, in a glistening pool of their own fluids, until the creator spoke.

 

“What the hell was it? The genes should have fused! The chromosomes matched in number. Perhaps the energies clashed. Should I incubate it longer? Perhaps a natural light cycle?” The tall form muttered to himself as he began collecting jars and vials to refill the now vacant capsule.

 

As the master settled in to his work once more, the creatures began to calm. If they were lucky, their master would forget his rage. Perhaps he would forget about them. If not... A few of the pathetic wretches that were fortunate enough to have developed at least one eye glanced at the opposite corner, the corner that would become their home should their master and creator wish. Nothing in that corner moved anymore. Nothing, except the maggots.

 

--

 

Light crept silently through the sliding glass doors as the yellow orb of the sun peeked teasingly over the horizon. Its gentle radiance bathed the room in the bright yellow glow of morning and illuminated the two figures sleeping peacefully in the bed.

 

Hiei lay on his right side, facing his mate, as usual. His form was slightly curved, with his feet pulled up and his hands resting on his pillow.

 

Beside him Kurama's lithe form was stretched out. The kitsune slept on his stomach, his head turned left, away from the hiyoukai. His arms were raised above his head so his fingers brushed the headboard of their bed as he grasped his pillow. His legs were sprawled straight out, both feet sticking out from under the light blanket.

 

The slumbering demons did not touch. The nights were getting warmer and it was just more comfortable to leave some space between them. Besides, they were demons. While they certainly shared many cuddly moments, it was not in either of their natures to become completely codependent on another, even a true mate bonded as closely as they were.

 

The dark-haired figure began to awaken first, as was the case every morning. Hiei opened his eyes and licked his lips, snuggling a little deeper into his pillow before he got out of bed. The first sight that greeted him was a shock of red hair, tousled and untamed. The hiyoukai smiled. While Kurama may think his hair looked hideous in the morning, Hiei thought it was beautiful. Reflecting silently, he couldn't think of any part of the fox demon he did not consider beautiful, even first thing in the morning. With a little chuckle, the fire demon rolled over and slid out of bed, careful not to disturb his slumbering partner.

 

Kurama had been sleeping very poorly lately. Over the several years since they had mated, the two demons had become very sensitive to any change in the body or energy of the other. Hiei had not asked Kurama why he was so restless lately, but he made it a point to not awaken the fox when he finally found some peace. Without a sound, the demon crept from the room to prepare breakfast.

 

Kurama awakened to the tempting smell of bacon. His delicate nose also picked out the aromas of eggs and toast. So, his lover was making a western breakfast. Kurama was surprised at the inclusion of eggs. Hiei liked to eat. Since he was up first, the youkai would start breakfast every morning, and he usually cooked what he liked the best. For the past several weeks, breakfast every morning had been chocolate chip pancakes. Although Hiei still seemed to be on his western food binge, eggs would be a pleasant change. Kurama stretched as he walked towards the door to join his mate.

 

Sitting across the table from each other, clad in their tee shirts and boxer shorts, the demons enjoyed the peaceful morning. They didn't get much time like this. Although their group had been officially discharged from Reikai service, Koenma still considered Yusuke his personal Spirit detective (under the table, of course) and therefore saw the group in the same light. Enma did not know, but whenever a difficult mission arose, Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama, and Hiei were called in on a contract basis.

 

This arrangement had its advantages, however. For one, the detective group was able to receive payment for their services now. Yusuke still ran a small ramen stand in town, but the profits from that small business would never support him. With the payments he received from Koenma, he was able to afford an upscale apartment for himself and provide for his mother.

 

In comparison, Kuwabara had been very stringent with his expenditures. He had invested quite a bit of his money and was now quite well off. He had attended the university and graduated at the top of his class. He now worked as a consultant for a local animal supply company. The hours were flexible, and the pay was impressive, so he was able to pay for his upcoming wedding to Yukina easily.

 

Hiei and Kurama didn't really care how much they were paid. They already had enough money to last them several human lifetimes. To them, the biggest advantage of working for Spirit World was in the perks. They were both able to come and go between Human and Demon World at will, a privilege reserved for very few.

 

An urgent knock on their door as they were finishing their morning meal drew the demons' attention. Kurama went to the door and peered through the peephole. “It's one of Mukuro's messengers,” he told Hiei.

 

“Let it in,” the hiyoukai replied. Kurama shook his head. He hated receiving guests while he was so scantily clad, but the demon messenger had no notion of what was appropriate or not in the human realm. Opening the door, the fox admitted their “guest.”

 

The small, low-class demon approached Hiei and offered him a small, round tube. Without much interest, the sanjiyan accepted the parcel and waved the demon away. It exited quickly and Kurama closed the door behind it.

 

“That's a rather unimpressive means of communication,” Kurama noted. Mukuro had changed her message systems numerous times over the past few years in attempts to prevent important information from falling into enemy hands. Hiei just shook his head.

 

“Go on. Read it,” he said, tossing the small tube onto the table and going upstairs. Curious, Kurama pulled the rolled up parchment from the container.

 

When Hiei returned, the fox was sitting at the table with the message lying in front of him. The fox's face was expressionless, but his eyes betrayed his curiosity. “Anything good in the message?” Hiei asked with a smirk.

 

Kurama smirked back as he replied, “What device has she installed now to prevent spying?” Hiei showed the fox a small vial in his hand.

 

“She issues these to her officers. There are four of them. The design of the carrying case tells me which one will reveal the message. The wrong one will set the paper on fire. Watch,” Hiei said as he uncapped the vial and held the parchment over the top of it. Within seconds words began to appear on the page. After about two minutes, the hiyoukai restoppered the vial and began to read the message. Kurama waited as his mate read in silence.

 

“She wants me to report for duty immediately. There's a rogue demon wandering her territory and attacking her residents. She wants him dead,” Hiei explained. Kurama sighed.

 

“She knows you still work for Spirit World, right?” the kitsune queried.

 

“Yes. She will not give me a mission that will interfere with those duties. She also knows I prefer to spend my time here, for obvious reasons,” Hiei looked pointedly at Kurama when he said this, causing the fox to smile. “This should be a fast mission and I should be home in no time.”

 

“Be careful, Love. She only calls you for the difficult tasks,” Kurama warned.

 

“Hn,” Hiei replied as he arose to get dressed for his mission.

 

--

 

“Oi! Kurama!” a voice called form behind the kitsune. Turning, the fox watched as the Spirit detective ran up to him, bursting through the throng of pedestrians on the sidewalk to do so.

 

“Hello, Yusuke. What a surprise,” Kurama said politely, as if the other man had not just screamed out his name and dashed through a crowd of people to approach him. Yusuke may have become an adult, but he was still Yusuke.

 

“Uh, yeah. I guess I was a little obvious,” the detective said sheepishly, scratching the back of his head with his left hand. Suddenly he remembered why he was in such a hurry to talk to Kurama. “Hey, Koenma wants us to be on our guard. There's this demon running around Makai on a killing spree. His M.O. matches a few murders here in the Human World, and Koenma thinks he may be expanding. He's putting us on notice that we may be called to duty. Can you pass the message to Hiei for me?”

 

“I would love to, but I can't, Yusuke,” Kurama said, a shadow falling across his features. “Hiei is in Makai. Mukuro summoned him; he left two and a half weeks ago. This rampaging demon would not, by chance, be in the western highlands of Mukuro's territory?”

 

“Yes and no,” the detective answered. “He has been there, but he's also been in the northern areas as well, outside her borders. Actually, he's been all around the Barrens. He doesn't seem to care about territory boundaries; he just does what he wants. That's why Koenma thinks he may spread into Ningenkai. If Mukuro called Hiei, then it must be pretty gruesome.” After looking at Kurama's expression, Yusuke added a hasty, “Relatively speaking!” to his sentence.

 

“Thank you for the warning, Yusuke,” Kurama said absently and then continued on his way home, a troubled look on his face.

 

When Kurama arrived in his home, he immediately drafted a note to send to Hiei. He had no idea when the letter would get to the hiyoukai, but he felt he needed to communicate with his mate. The fox was already getting very moody lately, due to the prolonged separation. Although they were not codependent, the demons did depend on each other heavily. Yusuke's message worried the kitsune to no end. When he had sealed the note properly (properly included a small seed that would devour anyone who opened the note without the proper energy signal and reset the trap. Since Kurama and Hiei shared their energies when they mated, the echo of Kurama's ki present in Hiei's own energy signal would prevent the trap from triggering) he went to an old friend of his to arrange the delivery.

 

--

 

Three weeks later, there was still no reply from Hiei. Koenma had not yet enlisted the detective group since the demon was still claiming victims only in Makai, but Kurama was getting upset. Even on a mission, Hiei would not have disregarded his letter. The only alternative was that the hiyoukai had not received his letter. Although he still attempted to go about his daily business, Kurama had become somewhat short in his dealings with others. His sleep had worsened, as well.

 

His friends noticed the changes, but were helpless to aid the fox. Yusuke was hounding Koenma for any information on Hiei's condition, but the demigod had no knowledge to share. Koenma did point out that this was a good thing, as it meant Hiei was still alive and not destined to die in the immediate future. No one else found this particularly uplifting, though.

 

One Sunday Shiori decided it was time for her son to try to relax a bit. He had canceled their last three Sunday lunches, and she had had enough. She told him that under no circumstances was he talking his way out of lunch today and she would expect him at noon. Sure enough, at noon he was at her door. Some battles were too dangerous, even for the legendary Spirit Fox.

 

It was shortly after they had eaten when the knock at the door distracted them. Kurama remained in the kitchen while his mother answered the door. “Shuuichi? It's for you,” Shiori said, a tone of uncertainty in her voice. Immediately, Kurama went to her side.

 

A small imp, and a very low-class one at that, stood in the doorway. When Kurama approached, the imp bowed low and spoke. “I bring a message for Youko Kurama,” the raspy voice began. “Milady Mukuro requests his presence immediately; I am to bring him to her court at once.” Kurama paled.

 

“Who is this Mukuro woman?” Shiori asked, not quite understanding what was going on. She saw the effect this request had on her son, and she decided to try to find out more. “What does she want with my son?”

 

The imp looked quickly at Shiori, an expression of disdain on his sharp, pointed features. “What human addresses a demon as... Your son? You are the human mother of Youko Kurama?” the imp asked. When Kurama affirmed this, the disdain was replaced by a poor excuse for humility. “My apologies. Milady has instructed me to respect you, Human,” the imp could not keep the sneer out of the word “human.” “Mukuro's general has been injured in the course of his duties. She felt Youko Kurama would wish to know this and to be present. I am to bring him to her palace. If he wishes to go alone, I could remain with the human...”

 

Kurama saw the hungry look in the imp's eye as he drew out his last word and took a small step towards Shiori. “She is coming with us,” the fox said decisively. “This human, and all humans related to her, are under my protection. You would do well to remember that, Messenger, and to have your friends remember, it as well.” Shiori turned at the cold tone her son's voice had taken. His normally warm, alto voice had an icy steel to it, like the razor sharp edge of a blade. The imp immediately backed away and fell into a bow.

 

“Of course, Lord Youko,” the prostrate wretch replied in a humble tone.

 

“I'm sorry, Mother. Please, come with me. I cannot leave you here, alone, right now,” Kurama said, once again in his warm tone. Quickly he turned to follow the lead of the imp. Shiori took her cellular phone and followed him, locking the door behind her.

 

--

 

The imp led them into the park and through a glowing patch of light. The light must have been some type of portal, because the world around her no longer resembled Japan. Shiori hurried to keep up as she was distracted by all sorts of strange, new things. The trees were similar to the ones in Tokyo, but they had a life of their own. She was almost surprised that they did not follow the small group, or reach out to touch them as they passed. Strange bugs clung to the trunks and leaves of the plants, watching her with tiny, beady eyes. The sky was dark, but it had a different feel to it than the sky at home. The darkness here was smothering, palpable. It, too, had a life of its own. Hearing a strange sound in the distance, a scream of sorts, Shiori reached out and took her son's arm.

 

When he felt his mother grasp his arm, Kurama stopped. “I'm sorry, Mother. Let me explain things to you,” he said, wrapping an arm around her and beginning to walk again, but slower this time.

 

“We are in Makai, Demon World.” Shiori stiffened. “It's all right, Mother. I will protect you. You are far safer by my side, here, than you would have been at home after that imp got your scent.”

 

“What?” Shiori asked, confused.

 

“There are different types of imps in Makai,” Kurama explained, low enough so their guide would not hear them. “This type is rarely used for messages, and usually never sent into Human World. The fact that Mukuro sent him tells me something is very wrong. You see this type eats human flesh. Usually an imp will follow the orders he is given by his master, but I saw the way he looked at you in the house. He has your scent, and I doubt he would follow my orders now that he... He cannot be trusted; let's leave it at that. Here, I can protect you. If I left you in the house, I could not.”

 

“But what about Kazuya and Shuu-kun?” Shiori asked suddenly, fearful for the well being of her family.

 

“This type of flesh-eater will only crave what he knows from personal experience. He locked onto your scent since you were present. Since he did not meet the others in person, their scents are foreign to him and he will not crave their taste. Don't worry, Mother. Once we get to Mukuro's palace, this imp will no longer be a threat to you, either.”

 

“This Mukuro will order him to leave me be?” Shiori asked.

 

“Something like that,” Kurama replied. He didn't want to tell his mother that the imp's fate was sealed, if not by its master, then in the jaws of a hungry plant.

 

Shiori shuddered slightly, but asked her next question. “Who is this Mukuro? This general must be very important for you to drop everything fort his trip.”

 

“Indeed. You will understand when we arrive. As for Mukuro, she is one of the governors of Makai. She was one of the three Lords of Demon World, but the political system changed. She still holds her lands and maintains her armies, but all the governors answer to the council now. These changes are very recent, so I am uncertain of the intricacies of the system, but I do know it is working so far. We're here,” Kurama said, stopping suddenly.

 

They were at the edge of the forest and a large wall loomed before them. The wall formed the perimeter of a fortress. The gate was open. The trio entered quickly.

 

After passing through a labyrinth of hallways, doors, passages, and stairwells, the group finally emerged in an audience chamber in the heart of the palace. A woman sat on the throne-like chair in the center of the room. “Welcome, Youko Kurama...and guest?” she said in a deep voice as they entered. With a barely noticeable glance at the imp before her, the woman simply said, “I understand your concerns, Kurama, and they will be addressed immediately.” With that, she motioned the imp to leave. Another low class demon, carrying an ugly double-sided axe and smiling cruelly, followed it out. Problem solved.

 

Shiori regarded the woman before her. This woman was well built. She sat upright, as if she were used to power, but there was something about her appearance that made Shiori feel that she had known helplessness as well. She has orange hair and wore a shroud covering part of her face. Where her concealed eye would have been, a round, lens-like object stared out from under the material. Overall, this woman had a very demanding presence and her power was almost tangible. Shiori remained behind her son, amazed at his composure.

 

Kurama had released his mother as they entered the chamber, but Shiori still stayed near him. He knew she was frightened, but he could not reassure her in the presence of underlings. After the imp and the other demon left, he and the two women were alone in the room. Before he could make an introduction, however, Mukuro spoke.

 

“Come with me. I assume you wish to visit him immediately.”

 

“Yes, please,” Kurama responded. Taking his mother by the arm, he led her to follow the regent out of the audience chamber.

 

Deeper into the palace they walked. No one spoke. Shiori stared around her, amazed by the sheer size of this place. Kurama kept his eyes before him. The fears he was hiding were threatening to overwhelm him. Each step took too long. Where were they keeping him?

 

Finally they emerged into the infirmary area. Immediately the fox looked at the large regeneration tanks. To his great surprise, they were all empty. Mukuro motioned for them to follow her around the tanks and through another door into a brightly lit ward. One bed was occupied.

 

Kurama hurried to the bedside. The figure in the bed was still. The steady rise and fall of his chest proved him to be alive, but his pallor was pale and sickly. Shiori followed her son more slowly, unsure of what to expect. She was surprised to find that the figure in the bed was none other than Hiei.

 

“Your general...” Shiori began.

 

“You did not know your son's mate was in my army?” Mukuro asked, amused. Shiori just shook her head. “Hiei is my general, although it is more of a contract position now that he resides in Ningenkai. I called him into service a few weeks ago to investigate some slayings near my western border.”

 

“What happened?” Kurama asked, sitting gingerly on the side of the bed and taking Hiei's hand in his own.

 

“He had a full garrison under his command and they found nothing but the remains of victims. In the first week they were attacked a few times, and each time only a few soldiers were targeted. Then the attacks ended. No more victims turned up. Hiei sent the garrison back to the palace. On his way back he was ambushed. Apparently they decided he was to be their next victim; the garrison itself was not engaged at all. So far, he is the only survivor of this type of attack. The only thing we know is that there were many of them. To attack him, they had to take him by surprise. He suffered a deep wound in his back and lost a lot of blood. Other than that, there is no more damage. We thought it was far worse at first; that's why I summoned you.”

 

“Thank you,” Kurama said softly.

 

“You are both welcome to stay here until he recovers. His duty is discharged for now, and he will be free to return to your home as soon as he is able to travel. I can arrange for a message to be sent to your human family so they do not worry about either of you. And I will not use the same type of imp. I ordered a lieutenant to send the first message and he used the first expendable demon around, a poor choice on his behalf. But you have no need to worry about that anymore.” Kurama just nodded, keeping his gaze on his mate. An attending demon brought a chair over for Shiori and Mukuro left her guests alone while rooms were prepared for them.

 

On a hilltop, several miles from the palace, a figure watched with interest in the dark night. “So that is the other one? This shall require some planning,” he mused. “And who is the human with him. Perhaps my informant will bring me some useful information on this.”

 

--

 

A/N - Thank you for reading. All reviews are welcome. I will try to have the next chapter out in a reasonable amount of time. Hope you like it so far.