Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Kirinashi ❯ Supashi-bo, Mai Kaonajimi ( Chapter 5 )

Kurama reached back into his hair and pulled forth a rose, gingerly stroking its silken, blood-red petals.

"Fail me not," he whispered, gathering his anger, hatred, and resolve about him in cloaking layers. He rose gracefully and soundlessly to his feet, emerald eyes hardening in determined fury. The redhead reached for his you-ki, masking it until the very last moment, when he stepped smoothly out from behind his hiding place and called out to the despicable creature that was Ekitai.

"I'm afraid he's right, shifuto. This ends now, and you will pay dearly for what you have done." A deadly smile etched its way across his face. "How would you like your death? Quick and painless," his voice lowered dangerously. "or long and agonizing?" As the shape-shifter turned to face him, shocked recognition and then utter contempt flashed across his features. His disharmonious laughter was arrogant and belittling.

"You think that you can do anything to harm me? You are truly ignorant, but I thank you for saving me the trouble of coming to look for you." He spread his fingers and shrugged. "I can see you're eager to be added to my wall of pretty trophies. I'll admit that you are quite worthy, with that elegant form, your markedly blood red hair and gem green eyes. I'd be content to put a preservation spell over you and simply look for hours." The deep amber orbs shifted back to Hiei. "But I'm afraid that will have to wait. My aikouka is simply too entertaining to leave."

Kurama hissed and slipped into a convenient fighting stance. "That's not going to happen. ROSE WHIP!" he called, his silvery voice ringing with conviction and engulfing them in the melody of power that coursed through it. The beautiful weapon flickered into being where the rose had been and the kitsune gave it an experimental snap before gliding slowly forward, the air beginning to stir around him. His eyes flashed golden and his crimson tresses began to writhe and snake around, streaks of silver appearing amidst the silken flames.

The Rose Whip licked out and wrapped itself securely around the shifuto's neck. Kurama gave it a firm yank, sending the shape-shifter flying into a nearby wall. It was all the opening he needed. The nakaba gingitsune closed the space between himself and Hiei, mentally severing wards as he went. He caught the tiny youkai on his decent, laying him gently to the ground. The shock of being reunited with his own you-ki would temporarily stun him into unconsciousness, but he could soon be walking again. The redhead reached into hammerspace and pulled forth a finely wrought katana to set by his diminutive fire demon, then abruptly whirled to throw up a shield crafted of pure energy.

It had not escaped him that, being a shape-shifter, Ekitai could change the positions of his vitals to suit whatever situation he was in. He just hadn't expected him to recover so quickly. What now stood before him was much like a Yokoshima Ookami- right down to the glowing red eyes and spiked fur. Only, he'd modified his anatomy to possess long, finger-like claws and hind legs that enabled him to stand two-legged. Kurama lifted an eyebrow. It did not concern him.

"Enough of this child's play," he thundered, brandishing his Rose Whip. "Let us dance." And so they did. The now lumbering shifuto flexed its... claws, and took large, wide swipes at him. Needless to say, the lithe redhead had no trouble in shifting to avoid the clumsy swings. Ekitai growled in frustration and moved back to shift forms again, this time coming out with something much more efficient. The creature he gazed on was tall, with the raven black hair and amber eyes of his original form, but otherwise considerably modified. Gleaming black scales ran his entire length, flowing smoothly over the well-defined muscles of his arms and chest.

He moved with a liquid grace and remarkable speed as he attacked, and Kurama was hard-pressed to keep up with him. Hearing a tiny groan from the general direction of Hiei, the nakaba gingitsune moved away, trying to draw the shifuto's attention away from the little fire demon. If he could get himself up, he might be able to employ the element of surprise and give them the opening they needed.

Hiei rose slowly to his feet, blood red eyes assessing the situation and pausing in momentary astonishment on Kurama's half Youko form. A whisper floated through his mind and the Jaganshi peered more closely at his friend. Surprise surprise, came the urgent implore.

Yes... His mind called back in understanding. Hiei stooped slowly to retrieve the katana lying at his feet and unsheathed it at an agonizingly sluggish pace. The Koorime drew it over his back, and in one swift motion launched it across the room to lodge within the startled shape-shifter's chest. A grim smile placed itself firmly on his lips as he started to once again change shape, and Hiei dashed to a panting Kurama's side, quickly unbinding the wards on his right arm.

They exchanged a long glance and then nodded, come to a complete understanding.

"Jaoh, ensatsu, bara hanabira... KOKURYUUHA KOUSEITAN'I ARASHI KOUSHIN!!!" They cried simultaneously, flinging out their hands to join in a raging whirlwind of seething flame and flower. Ether combined with Fire, Earth joined with Water, and the elements became one to complete this vital task. Everything flashed, and a blinding darkness washed over them in waves, calling the Seven Chimes and Maihiraki's Shing to do its bidding.

Ekitai's mouth opened in a scream that split the air like shattered glass and his body slumped as metallic tears ran from unseeing eyes. And then the chamber rang with deafening silence, broken only by the sound of a shape-shifter's empty husk thudding to the ground.

Kurama looked over at Hiei's wide, nearly lifeless eyes, and gasped in shock and alarm as the little fire demon toppled to the floor, his you-ki completely depleted. He dropped down by his friend and lifted a finger to check his pulse, moving his head to the little youkai's mouth, searching frantically for some sign of life. The redhead heaved a sigh of relief as a faint whiff hit his ear, then struggled to his feet and took Hiei up in his arms. He wasn't saved yet.

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