Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ In the Dark of the Night ❯ Chapter 7 ( Chapter 8 )

Ahhhhh, It's been awhile since I've updated. I'm sorry but I've had a lot to do. I am still working two part-time job, but for for one week I had to work full time at the hospital job, plus working part-time at Wal-Mart. Then I had to move to another apartment in my complex. Then I left town for three days on vacation. I went to Sea World!I am still on vacation but since I'm back in town, I can now have time to type my stories.

 

NOTE= I've gone and edited the prior chapters. A few spelling corrections here, grammar there, and adding a scant few lines in between or placed a scene at another time. It allows the last chapter to flow into this one.

If you don't want to go re-read the entire story from the beginning, ( it does help refresh the memories though) at least go re-read t the last chapter. I did change a scene around in it.

 

Note= Half of this chapter takes a break from the journal form.

 

 

Chapter Seven

 

"Kurama, are you serious? You mean that Kaito told us to meet him here but didn't tell you why?" Yusuke's disbelief was the loudest voice as the five friends stood at the curbside coffeehouse looking at the hospital across the street.

 

Silence met everyone's ears as Kurama ignored Yusuke's fifth time to ask the same question. A glance at his watch showed Kurama that it was only 5:50 AM. There was still another ten minutes before Kaito would meet them. Late yesterday evening Kaito called and left a message on Kurama's cellphone for Kurama to bring the team to this northern island first thing in the morning.

 

Finally, Keiko had enough of the whining and forcefully set her coffee cup down. "Oh Shut up, Yusuke! Most likely Kaito found some patient at that hospital that is part of Kuwabara's family or knew them."

 

"What makes you say that?" Curiosity caught Yusuke in a stranglehold as he shot a questioning glance at the hospital.

 

"That is simple." Kurama spoke up as his gaze joined at watching the distant building. "Kaito said to meet him at 6 A.M. That is when the visiting hours begin. If it was an employee that he wanted us to meet then he would would have said to meet him at 7 A.M. since that is the shifts change."

 

"Astute as ever, Minamino." The familiar haughty voice drifted over from the balcony's entrance. Kaito waited there instead of joining them, signaling that it was time to leave. Acting the part of a gentleman, Kaito held the gate open for Keiko and Botan. He let the small wrought-iron structure loose as Yusuke, Hiei and Kurama reached the gate.

 

This caused a chain reaction of bruised knees and curses from each male in turn as the gate hit Yusuke. As he went through he let it go, allowing it to hit Hiei. Who then followed suit and allowed it to hit Kurama.

 

As they crossed the street, Kurama took in the modern appearance of the hospital. After Kaito's message the evening before, Kurama used the Internet to investigate the medical facility. Therefor he knew that there were recent additions to the forty-seven year old building. However, he didn't expect this. There was the old section in the western, old-fashioned 'box' style with the original three floors. Another three floors were added in a step-pyramid style. Then to the left of the old section was the newer areas, which included the main lobby.

 

On entering the lobby, Kurama noticed even greater differences between this modern building and the hospital his mother was treated at. In the center of the Lobby, was a statue of a family that stood in the middle of a water fountain. The building was not the stark white that was so typical of hospitals of old.

Earth tones dominated the color scheme. The floor tile was a light brown. The brick pillars were about three feet wide and went from the floor level all the was up to the glass top of the foyer four stories up. The bottom half of the walls were a light tan, while the top half was a cream color.

 

Another difference is the live plants that were scattered about. Not just a few little pots, mind you, but dozens of large plants. There were five giant pots on the ledge that hanged over the entrance. More were found on other ledges and sitting on the floor. The glass roof and front wall of the lobby allowed generous light in. The overall effect was warm, the exact opposite of the impersonal and cold white the hospitals of old were hated for.

 

Everyone was silent as Kaito led them through the hospital. Although he only arrived yesterday, Kaito memorized the way to his destination. Once he stopped at a door, he turned to watch their faces. As he predicted, Kurama's eyebrow raised as he read the name on the door.

 

Keiko was the next to recognize the significance of it. "Kuwabara!" Do you mean..." She let her question dies, unable to finish as Yusuke moved her to the side so he could read it.

 

While anticipation choked Keiko silent and hope stole Yusuke's voice, it caused Botan to be giddy with the possibility. "Kaito, did you find Kuwabara Shoda? Kuwa-kun's father? Is he alive?"

 

"Yes, I found him. As to if he is alive, yes and no." As they brewed over the paradox of an answer, Kaito opened the door.

 

Once they were able to look inside, everyone took note of the dreary atmosphere of the room. Despite the adequate lighting and the open blinds, there was a tangible gloom that hovered over the area. Being that it was a hospital, it goes without saying that was kept spotless and sanitized. However it felt odd in the room and a short ways past the doorway. It was as if something was crawling over one's skin. Or sparks of energy were gliding across the room.

 

It seemed to affect Yusuke, Hiei and Kurama as they entered. Yusuke felt as if someone unseen was judging him. Hiei's Jagan eye glowed in response to it. While with Kurama the peculiar energy triggered the shift into Youko Kurama as he stepped over the threshold. The very moment they encountered the energy they started to scan the room. Hiei tore off the headband off. A startled yelp caused everyone to dart back to the door.

 

There stood the last person to attempt to enter, Botan. Surprisingly, she encountered more resistance than the demons. Botan stood rigid, unable to move as the energies became visible and wrapped around her. It lasted less than a minute and then it was gone. "That..." gasping, Botan took a shaking step forward. "That was some high end spell warding!"

 

"Yes, questing magic. It's a spell designed to keep out specific beings." Kurama stated as he continued to search the room. "A questing type of ward can allow the caster to protect the area in question against a single type of creatures, in this case I suspect it's geared to ward off ghosts. That is why Botan,as a Reikai being, was more affected than the rest of us."

 

"Fox, the energy signature belongs to the hag." Hiei spoke up.

 

"Yeah, I thought so." Yusuke chimed in. "I should be able to recognize her power, I was trained by her."

 

"Kaito, has this happened before?" Kurama asked as he noted the surprise on Kaito's face.

 

"I first came here yesterday evening, after I confirmed that one of Kuwabara's family was here. I didn't see anything like what just happened. It appeared nearly normal besides the odd feeling in here." Pausing for a minute, Kaito walked over to the side wall where no one had yet looked at. " I did find this though."

 

There on the wall was a complex drawing of symbols. With narrowed eyes, Kurama scrutinized it. "This is the focus for that questing spell. Having this focus, that explains why it's not a simple warding. A quest spell with a focus allows it still be active even when the castor is far away."

 

"That is not all, Minamino." Kaito called from the bedside of the occupant.

 

On recognizing the energy, everyone turned their curiosity to the patient. The man they knew only from the entries from a diary of horror. In their minds, they had pictured a man of great height and girth, similar to his son, Kazuma. But the figure in the bed was not what they imagined.

 

There laid a thin figure with no muscle definition, faded chestnut hair that was cut close to the scalp. His skin was sallow and dry. For tense minutes they watched as Kuwabara Shoda laid motionless. The only sound was the beeping of the monitor. Even Hiei noticed this still man bore no strong resemblance to their missing friends.

 

 

Botan was the first to break the silence. "Kaito, do you how long has he been in a coma?"

 

 

"I talked to a informative nurse that has been here for years. Among other things, I learned that Kuwabara-san has been here for ten years." Kaito walked over to where Kurama was going over the seal. "A few minutes ago you said that you recognized the energy as Master Genkai's. Tell me, is that seal the work of Master Genkai's as well?"

 

A yes was the curt reply from all three demons.

 

"Then I should tell you something else that nurse told me. Although that old nurse didn't know her name, she told me that it was Kuwabara Shoda's mother that drew it."

 

All eyes shot to Kaito in a shocked silence. Finally Yusuke was able to speak. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

 

"You are the one that it was Master Genkai that casted the seal, so therefor yes, I am implying what you think I am." Kaito paused, pushing his glasses up before saying out loud what the others can hardly believe.

 

"Kuwabara Kazuma is the grandson of Genkai."

 

----TBC_____