Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Forever Fornever Tantei ❯ Evidence ( Chapter 2 )

Author's Note: This is the sequel to Between Death and Reality. While it isn't required that you read that first, some things referenced here may not make a whole lot of sense.

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho. I am not making any money from writing this. I do, however, own my plotline.

 

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Chapter 2

 

Evidence

 

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Kurama paced around his apartment, trying to sort out what was going on. Demons were being `sighted' by human newspapers and television shows and people were buying into it. And it had been going on for awhile now, though the increase in support had been gradual. There was something missing in all of this; some tangible evidence. He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he started when the communication mirror buzzed. Taking a moment to collect himself, Kurama rubbed his face through his hands before pulling the device from his pocket and opening it. Botan's face appeared on the other end.

 

“Did you talk to Kuwabara?” she asked when his face came into focus.

 

“Yes, this afternoon, actually,” Kurama replied.

 

“And what did you find out?”

 

“Apparently this has been going on for some time now. Kuwabara said it started about the time we all left and gradually drew attention.”

 

“But why?”

 

“He didn't know,” Kurama replied with a shrug. “I've been wondering the same thing all day.” He sighed. “What about you? Did you find out anything?” Botan shook her head.

 

“No, we're still looking into it. Koenma said this was the first he had heard of it.” Kurama frowned.

 

“That doesn't sound like him.”

 

“No,” Botan agreed, “but Spirit World really went a little crazy during all the Demon World Tournament stuff, so getting back to normal has been difficult. He's been having to do a lot to get in contact with Enki and all that. Human World just hasn't been a high priority.”

 

“I see,” Kurama said with a nod. “But things are settling down?” Botan nodded.

 

“Yes, finally. We're doing the best we can, but this really seems to have slipped under the radar.”

 

“I guess I'll let you know if I find anything out.”

 

“Same,” Kurama replied just as his phone rang. He gave the ferry girl an apologetic look. “Give me a sec.”

 

“Alright.” Kurama picked up the phone.

 

“Suuichi, you have to see this with me!” a boy's voice said excitedly on the other end.

 

“See what, Shuichi?” Kurama asked, giving Botan a puzzled look as he spoke.

 

“It's a surprise. But you've got to come!” Kurama blinked.

 

“Alright. I'll come pick you up in a few minutes.”

 

“Great!” Shuichi said and hung up the phone. Kurama looked at the phone a moment before hanging it up.

 

“What was that about?” Botan asked.

 

“My stepbrother has a secret that I need to see with him apparently,” Kurama replied with a shrug. “I better see what this is about.”

 

“Family duty calls,” Botan said understandingly. “Have fun. I'll call you back later.”

 

“Alright. I love you.”

 

“I love you,” Botan replied before hanging up. Kurama sighed as be pocketed the mirror.

 

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

 

Kurama pulled his Kawasaki motorcycle up at the house and made his way up to the door. Before he could open it to enter, however, Shuichi opened it, a grin on his face. Kurama blinked at the reception.

 

“Suuichi!” his brother greeted excitedly.

 

“Calm down a minute, Shuichi,” Kurama laughed. “Is Mother home?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Well, I'd like to see her first, if you don't mind,” Kurama said, amusement dancing in his emerald eyes.

 

“Fine, but be quick. We have to get there early to get the best look!” Shuichi relented.

 

“Get where?” Kurama tried, but Shuichi didn't bite.

 

“Nice try, Suuichi! It's a secret!” Kurama sighed.

 

“Alright, you win. I'll be back,” he said, stepping inside and slipping off his shoes. He headed for his mother's study, which was where she was often on the weekends when she needed to get extra work done. Sure enough, Shiori sat at her desk. He knocked and she turned around. At the sight of her son, a grin appeared on her face.

 

“Suuichi! What are you doing here?”

 

“Shuichi said he wanted to show me something in town, so here I am to pick him up,” Kurama replied. Shiori beamed at her son, the perfect older brother. It was good that Shiori didn't know about the six months Shuichi had been Kara's hostage while he and Genkai trained Jin, Touya, Chuu, Rinku, Shishi, and Suzuka. The perfect older brother wouldn't have let that happen, though the perfect older brother would probably be human. But to Kurama's credit, he had kept his brother from being harmed. And Shuichi didn't remember anything about it. Mercifully.

 

“You're not taking your…” Shiori trailed off suddenly as she noticed the ponytail he wore when he rode his motorcycle to keep his fiery red locks from his face.

 

“Motorcycle? Yes, I am. It's my only personal transportation, Mother.” She pursed her lips disapprovingly.

 

“They're so dangerous,” she argued for what seemed like the zillionth time in her motherly manner. Kurama sighed.

 

“We've been over this, Mother,” he said patiently. “I'm a very safe driver. I know what I'm doing. I won't get myself or Shuichi hurt by riding it. I promise.” There were other ways to get hurt, and Kurama had experienced a large number of them, both physically and mentally. Kurama suppressed a sudden urge to grasp the crow that had been burned onto his upper right arm two years prior. Though the battle with Karasu was over, scars still remained.

 

“I know you're safe, but others aren't…”

 

“It's alright, Mother,” Kurama said calmly. Shiori sighed, realizing that she was going to lose this one. As a matter of fact, she rarely eon arguments with her son, something she felt was odd. But her son was special, so she waved it off.

 

“Alright.” Kurama smiled.

 

“Now that that's out of the way, I wanted to ask if you knew what Shuichi is so eager to see.” Shiori frowned.

 

“I'm afraid I don't. You'll have to let me know.”

 

“Alright.”

 

“Be safe, Suuichi.”

 

“Always,” Kurama replied, knowing very well that he and his mother both knew that to be a lie, but both let it go. Kurama headed back to the front where Shuichi was waiting.

 

“Can we go now?” he asked impatiently.

 

“Yes, we can go now,” Kurama replied with a smile and stifled a laugh.

 

“Good.” As the two mounted Kurama turned back to his brother, who was putting on a helmet.

 

“Where are we going?”

 

“Park,” Shuichi replied eagerly. Kurama sighed.

 

“Park it is.” And they headed off.

 

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

 

Kurama and Shuichi arrived at the park to find an already large crowd gathered there. Shuichi grinned as they walked forward into the crowd, but as they moved closer, Kurama noticed the boy's expression becoming more and more nervous. He gave his stepbrother an inquisitive look, but the boy shook it off.

 

It seems I'm not the only one who harbors secrets, he thought idly to himself. The crowds around his brother and him seemed to grow denser as time passed. The people were milling around nervously but excitedly. Kurama frowned. What is going on here?

 

When his watch his 2:00, the crowd seemed to go quiet all at once. Kurama looked around in surprise. Shuichi was trying to get a better view by standing on his tip toes. “I can't see,” Kurama heard him mutter. Spotting an opening a few yards away, the red-head tapped his brother on the arm and gestured discreetly in the direction of the opening. Shuichi nodded and the two made their way to the clearing.

 

When he could finally see the set up, Kurama frowned more deeply. A single man stood next to a large covered object that looked suspiciously like a cage. The hairs on the back of Kurama's neck began to prickle. A moment passed before the man stepped forward. The gathered crowd immediately fell into an eager, but nervous silence.

 

Something is wrong here, Kurama through uncomfortably.

 

“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen,” the man said in a greasy voice. The fox immediately disliked the man. The man scanned the audience as if looking for something. Kurama's eyes met the man's gray for a split second before they moved on.

 

“As I'm sure you are aware, there is a plague upon our world,” the man began once more after scanning, “but you demand proof. And that is why you are here.” Kurama noticed Shuichi fidgeting anxiously. The man looked around the crowd ominously. “And for those of you wondering what the plague is that I speak of, look no further.” He walked over to the covered cage and grabbed the cloth that covered the inside.

 

“The plague that I speak of has infiltrated our world and is extremely dangerous. No, I do not speak of viruses or diseases, but of another scourge once thought to be only a fantasy.”

 

He can't mean…

 

“I of course speak of-” he threw the cloth off the cage, “demons.” Kurama's heart seemed to miss a beat. In the cage sat a tall, brutish looking man. His hands were cuffed, but Kurama could immediately sense the oppression of demon energy. Those cuffs were keeping him from using his energy to kill his captor. Meanwhile, the crowd had erupted in incomprehensible whispers. Shuichi looked at his brother.

 

“Suuichi, do you see that? A demon. But he looks like a human.”

 

“This is just a hoax,” Kurama replied off-handedly. “What proof is that that demons exist? Demons aren't real.”

 

“Ever the skeptic,” Shuichi muttered.

 

If only he knew, Kurama mused to himself. He looked more closely at the man/demon in the cage and blinked. Wait… but it couldn't be!

 

“Of course you're all saying, `that is just a man,'” the greasy man spoke up and the whispers died down. “You want proof that this is a demon of myth.” He pulled out a remote and pressed the button. The man in the cage and gave a jerk and Kurama could feel a slight surge in demon energy. The man in the cage began to grow and his shirt ripped as the human façade disintegrated. Horns sprouted and the skin turned a rust color and hardened and the body grew. Kurama paled as the transformation ended.

 

“Gouki,” the fox whispered inaudibly as he looked at the Kyuukonki in the cage. But he's supposed to be dead. He was killed by Yusuke three years ago. The crowd went wild at this. Some screamed, others panicked, and some started mutely or excitedly ahead. Shuichi was one of the excited.

 

“There's your proof, Suuichi!” he said excitedly. “Demons are real.” Kurama swallowed and did the best he could to school his face.

 

“That could be an illusion, you know,” he said, surprised at how calm his voice was.

 

“Yeah right.”

 

“As I said,” the greasy man spoke up and the commotion died down once more. “This is a plague that has invaded our world. Demons, looking like humans, have been masquerading in our society as humans and we never knew it. Until now. And while you may not know, there are creatures that retain the unnatural appearances and skulk in the shadows of our dark alleys. Take heed. These creatures are very dangerous. Their feral ways dictate their actions. Their appetites can be sated by human flesh.”

 

Only among a few species.

 

“A special hotline has been set up for demon sightings. Never get too close. They are stronger, though rarely brighter,” Kurama's eyebrow twitched, “than humans. I am only safe close to this demon because of special restraints in the cuffs. Otherwise, I would probably be dead, and by brutal means. If you are attacked by such a creature, defend yourself. Killing one is not a crime.”

 

But it is the other way around, you neglect to mention.

 

“There are experts ready to help arm you against these invaders of our world. Call the hotline when necessary.” The crowd broke into crazed chatter as the man stepped back. Kurama looked at the man, who was looking directly at him, and got the feeling that he knew more than he was letting on. Emerald eyes turned to the Kyuukonki and were surprised to find them staring back at him. They were alight with recognition.

 

No good can come of this. He turned to Shuichi. “Let's go before the rush out of here gets too crazy.”

 

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

 

As the red-head and his companion left the milling crowd, the man turned to the creature in the cage.

 

“Well, Gouki?” he asked. The demon was staring at the red-head's back with loathing.

 

“Kurama. No doubt about it.”

 

“But?”

 

“He's much stronger than during our last encounter,” Gouki replied. Much stronger being an understatement.

 

“Our boss will be pleased to hear it.”

 

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

 

Once Kurama had dropped his brother off at home, Shiori had convinced him to stay for an uncomfortable dinner. Shuichi had spent the whole time telling his parents about the demon, having a grudging Kurama back up his claims. And while Kurama could have easily denied the whole thing and alienated his stepbrother to protect himself, Shiori and Kazuma had seen the display on the news and were feeling disconcerted at the moment. Bu while he agreed he had seen all that Shuichi had, Kurama firmly denied his belief in demons. It had been an uncomfortable evening that the fox had been all too ready to escape from.

 

Kurama slumped into his apartment and dropped limply onto the couch. After a moment, he pulled out the communication mirror. It took a moment before Botan's face appeared.

 

“Botan, we have a problem.”

 

“What?” she asked worriedly.

 

“It was all over the news, and there was nothing…”

 

“Kurama, you're babbling. What's wrong?” Botan interrupted.

 

“I saw Gouki,” he said with a deep breath and Botan's jaw dropped.

 

“What did you say?”

 

“I saw Gouki today. He transformed like a trained circus animal for just about the whole city,” Kurama replied wearily.

 

“I'm lost, “ Botan said with a frown.

 

“It's the proof people have been needing to believe in demons. Some human was traveling around with Gouki in a cage and forcing him to transform in front of large crowds. I suspect that's why the support for demons has continued to grow. After that, he went on to preach about how demons are evil and trained pros are standing by a hotline if demons are sighted.”

 

“But I thought…”

 

“Gouki died?” Kurama supplied and Botan nodded.

 

“I was there when Yusuke killed him. A Spirit Gun right into his mouth and through.”

 

“Did you bring his soul to Spirit World?” Kurama asked. Botan frowned, trying to remember.

 

“No, I was helping Yusuke at that point. It was right around the time we met you for the first time, so I wouldn't have been able to. Another ferry girl must have,” she replied finally.

 

“So he could have survived after all,” Kurama concluded.

 

“I suppose it's possible, though it just seems odd.”

 

“To say the least.”

 

“I'll ask Koenma about Gouki,” Botan said. Kurama nodded.

 

“I'll speak with Yusuke and Kuwabara tomorrow,” he said.

 

“Alright. Just be careful. If they knew Gouki, then they could easily know about you and Yusuke,” Botan reminded him. Kurama smiled slightly.

 

“Careful is my middle name.” Botan snorted.

 

“Don't give me that. I've seen the results of your `careful.'” Kurama grinned sheepishly.

 

“And you love me anyway.”

 

“Yes I do. That's why I want you to be careful,” she said seriously. Kurama smiled reassuringly.

 

“I'll be fine.”

 

“You better be.”

 

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

 

Opening the morning paper the next day, Kurama had gone pale. It seemed the goings in the park the previous day had attracted more media than just a news station. So, when Yusuke and Kuwabara had arrived, he had shown them the front page headline.

 

“Anyone look familiar, Yusuke?” Kurama asked as they all sat down on his new furniture. Yusuke squinted at the picture for a minute before his eyes lit up in recognition.

 

“It's that one guy… the one who partnered with you and Hiei on my first case! What was his name again?”

 

“Gouki. And yes, that's him. I was there yesterday,” Kurama replied.

 

“But I thought he was dead. I hit him in the mouth with a Spirit Gun.” Brown eyes blinked. “Wait, you were there?” Kurama nodded.

 

“My stepbrother dragged me along without telling me what it was. Let's just say I was more than surprised when I saw what happened.”

 

“But how is Gouki still alive?” Yusuke pressed.

 

“Botan's checking into it,” Kurama replied with a shrug.

 

“But if they have someone who knows who you guys are…” Kuwabara began.

 

“Then we're all in real trouble,” Kurama finished.

 

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

 

Author's Note: And so the plot thickens, dun dun dun. Sorry for the wait, but I've been busy with school and all that stuff. So, please leave me a review and let me know what you think, anything at all. Next chapter: Hiei makes his first appearance.