Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Reflections of the Past ❯ Swapping Roles ( Chapter 4 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Youko awoke to screams. He rolled to his feet an instant later and cocked his head to the side, listening intently. Rumie jerked awake and sat up, looking at Youko with frightened eyes.

"Mr. Youko, what's happening?"

"Someone has tried to sneak up on us."

Youko lifted the terrified child into his arms and stepped out of the cave. He could make out the shapes of several demons in the dark battling with his carnivorous plants. Rumie's small arms curled around his neck.

"They're coming to get me," the child whimpered.

"They are fools, then. No one touches what I have given my protection to. Don't worry, little one. No one will ever harm you as long as I live."

Youko lowered the child to the ground and focused his energy. This was one fight he was determined not to lose.
couldn't believe his eyes. Male kitsunes were being forced to fight as slavers held their families hostage.

"They have been told that if they fight and win they can free their wives and children. The slavers intend to sell the women and children regardless of the outcomes of the fights. After the fights, the winner is most likely killed to keep him from telling what is really happening," Hiei stated, watching the fight between two brown kitsunes with disgust.

"We have to stop this."

"Of course."

Hiei and Kurama stepped into view, catching the attention of the slavers. Kurama snapped out his rose whip as the slavers advanced on them.

"You will cease this business or face your deaths," Kurama warned as he scanned the faces of the slavers surrounding them.

A few looked familiar. His hand tightened on his whip. He could not let his memories overtake him.

"What do we have here? A pretty human threatening us?" one of the slavers sneered, leering at Kurama.

"How much do you think he'll be worth, boss?" another asked, his cold gaze roaming over Kurama.

"He'll bring in a very nice profit, especially in the darker depths of Makai," the first one replied.

Kurama felt the growl rising in the back of his throat. If he still could, he was positive that he would have been transforming into his Youko half by now. How many times had he heard slavers appraise his worth as a young kitsune?

"You won't touch him," Hiei growled, stunning Kurama.

Kurama glanced at his friend and saw black flames curling along Hiei's body. Hiei's fury was feeding his power. Hiei was protecting him?

"This little fire demon will do well on the circuits once he is broken," the first slaver said, his gaze sweeping from Kurama to Hiei.

Hiei smirked and asked, "Hn. You think you can break me? I would like to see you try."

Kurama had only a second to realize what was happening before blood exploded into the air surrounding him.
lowered his energy and turned back to Rumie expecting to see fear and revulsion written across the child's face. To his surprise, Rumie was grinning up at him.

"Mr. Youko, you have to teach me how to do that."

"Is that a fact?" Youko asked as he lifted the child into his arms.

"Yes, that was awesome!" Rumie replied, wrapping his arms tightly around Youko.

Awesome? Youko smirked as he carried the child back into the cave. He sat down beside the fire and held the child.

"Mr. Youko, are all the bad men gone now?" Rumie asked.

"Yes. And, if I'm not mistake, I believe that many of the slavers in this area have been destroyed as well."

Rumie snuggled against Youko's chest.

"Why do you live in a cave?" he asked, closing his eyes and Youko rocked him slightly.

"Hmm? Well, I've always like being able to move freely throughout my territories. I suppose it has to deal with the wall I grew up. I feel trapped when I am inside...."

Youko's voice trailed off.

He didn't feel that way any longer, did he? No, that fear was gone now. He lay back, gently lowering the boy to the ground.

"I guess I don't have to live in a cave any longer. I'm not really afraid of being trapped any more. Maybe I will build a home out here."

Youko glanced down at the child and saw that he had already fallen back to sleep. He felt safe with Youko.

Kurama, have you found Rumie's parents? he asked through the telepathic link he and his other half shared.

No. They weren't in this group. I fear that this group has spread further in Makai than I had thought. It might take a while to track down all the different sects of slavers. And we still have to find out who is behind all this.

Did you question any of the slavers?
glanced at Hiei who sat on a large boulder wiping Blood from his sword, and grimaced.

Well, Hiei lost his temper and decided to kill everyone. To shorten our search I have decided to bring Yusuke and Kuwabara in on this mission. They should be able to help us cover greater distances.

That is fine, but I believe it is my turn to pick up the search. Come back here. I am rather anxious to begin.

Kurama sighed and turned to Hiei. Hiei glanced up from cleaning his sword.

"Well?"

"Youko is ready to swap roles."

"Go to him then and I will follow this trail. I'm sure I'll be able to find something before he does."

"You will talk to Yusuke, won't you?" Kurama asked.

"If you insist."

"He would be able to help. You know that this group is scattered beyond our control."

"Hn," was Hiei's reply as he resumed cleaning his sword.

"Hiei?"

He glanced up, frowning, and asked, "What?"

"Thanks for standing up for me," Kurama said, grinning down at his friend.

"Who said I was? Maybe I just didn't like their attitudes?"

"I don't think that was why you defended me."

"Since when do kitsunes think?" he asked before flitting off into the night.

Kurama sighed and started back toward Youko's cave. He would have to 'speak' with Hiei later about his comment.