Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Ghost Fighters ❯ Encounter ( Chapter 6 )

Chapter 5: Encounter

 

The first day of duty went pretty well for the Reikai-tantei. As peace reigned for the hour, they dragged their feet to their room to discuss the day's events and to just rest their blistered feet (though I don't think Kurama can have blistered feet to save his life).

 

“Whew, I'm beat,” Kuwabara managed to puff out as he flopped thankfully onto his makeshift bed. “I've never seen so many ghosts in all my life.”

 

“And this was only the first day. We had, like what? A hundred missions?” Yusuke exaggerated as he sat Indian-style on his bed.

 

“Fifteen, to be exact,” Kurama replied, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. “Koenma-sama, do you think those ghosts belong to Shiryou?”

 

“Hah, if they do, he must be pretty weak,” Kuwabara said before Koenma had a chance to answer.

 

“I'm not sure,” Koenma answered Kurama's question. “And above all, Kuwabara-san, Shiryou is not weak. He's anything but.”

 

Koenma got up from his chair and strode to the large window that overlooked the street and buildings across from the firehouse. Kurama shot a worried look to the others. Yusuke shook his head while Kuwabara just shrugged, both unable to say anything to comfort the god.

 

A mild rain-shower has started and water dripped down the windowpane in an intricate but hypnotic pattern. Outside, the world rumbled and shook with lightning and thunder, just like the feelings of Koenma's heart.

 

 

Across from the firehouse stood an old building, crumbling to pieces with age, and an alley ran beside it. A hooded figure stood there, hidden in the darkness, watching one of the firehouse's windows as raindrops fell unheeded onto his covered head. A slim young man stood behind the window, outlined by the room's light. The figure's mouth turned up slowly into an evil smile. A few seconds later, he watched as the man walked away from sight.

 

“You can come out now. I know you're there,” the figure said suddenly, turning around and walking to the back of the alley.

 

Hiei flitted into view, his katana in his hands. “Planning to strike tonight, Shiryou?”

 

“So, you know my name. No doubt Koenma has told you everything about me,” Shiryou smirked, pushing the wet hood from his face. “Good, it'll save me from having to introduce myself.”

 

“Hn.”

 

As lightning flashed, Hiei caught a glimpse of the man's face. Shiryou was quite handsome with light blue eyes, long plaited blonde hair and fair skin. He towered over Hiei, as most people do, and was about Kuwabara height, taller than Koenma and Kurama.

 

Innocence; that was the first word that came to his mind as he observed Shiryou in the faint light. His face bears the features of a child; soft , sweet and naïve. If it weren't for the insane look in his eyes and the nasty smirk on his face, Hiei would have been taken in by it.

 

“Oh, put that thing away,” Shiryou said suddenly, waving his hand at the sword. “I'm not going to fight you, at least, not yet. And no, I'm not going to strike tonight so don't you worry your pretty little head over Koenma. He's safe… for now. I just came to see how my old ex-friend looks like after all these years. What's your story?”

 

“None of your concern.”

 

“Not much of a talker, are you?”

 

“I don't talk to people who are going to die.”

 

“Hahaha. We'll see who's going to die. I love to stay and chat but I've wasted enough time with you. Now, if you have nothing more to say, I'll be on my way. See you on Halloween. Earlier if you persist on pursuing me everywhere I go.”

 

As Shiryou walked away, he turned his head slightly. “By the way, send my regards to Koenma. I'm sure he'll be deliriously happy to hear that I'm close by.”

 

A ghostly mist formed around him as he continued to walk away and soon he was gone. Hiei snorted slightly and flitted away. A few seconds after he was gone, the mist returned and Shiryou reappeared. He smirked again and glanced up at the window where Koenma had stood. His maniacal eyes softened and for a moment, he looked sad but his expression changed as quickly as it appeared.

 

“Halloween is not that far away; and soon all the ghosts will come out to play,” he breathed in a sing-song voice. “When that time comes, in a blink of an eye; a certain god named Koenma will fall and die.”

 

 

“WHAATT??!!!!” Enma-sama bellowed to the tiny form of George.

 

“Ko… Koenma *gulp*…. is not here,” George squeaked.

 

“WELL? WHERE DID HE GO?”

 

George hesitated, remembering his oath to Koenma. “I… I don't know, Sir,” he stammered, sweating bullets, a sure sign of lying.

 

“George, if you're lying to me, I swear that I'll bring down the most unspeakable punishment on your head. Look, I know you know and you know I know you know, so out with it.”

 

“He… he… went to chase after… *gulp* Shiryou,” he muttered the name so softly that Enma-sama almost didn't hear it.

 

“Shiryou?” Enma-sama yelled in disbelief. “He has escaped??!! And Koenma went to find him??!!”

 

“Yes… Yes, Sir.”

 

“What in heavens name is he trying to do??!! Commit suicide??!! Well, don't just stand there, George!! Find him!! Get Botan!! Get the Reikai-tantei!! I don't care if you have to search the whole of Ningenkai but I want him found and I mean NOW!!”

 

As the oni rushed away, he didn't hear the last sentence that Enma-sama muttered to himself.

 

“Before he gets killed.”