Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Right Here Waiting For You ❯ Chapter 47 ( Chapter 47 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

~*~*~*Story Start*~*~*


The atmosphere was tense and silent, my murderous gaze trained only on Kaito as he sat smugly in front of us. Kurama, Kuwabara, Botan and I were now sitting on chairs as well, Hiei's statue-d form now standing up and close to me, not wanting him to somehow fall and break. Once we get Hiei back to normal, if he was missing any limbs he was so going to be pissed. However, I wasn't able to make light of this, my body on guard and pulsing with the need to beat the fuck out of the little bastard of a ningen. Here he was, sitting there like the fucking king of the worlds while he was threatening to kill Yusuke and turned Hiei to stone! If he didn't have the shield around him, ooh he was so fucking dead! My fingers were flexing a bit as they laid in my lap, the need to protect those I love beginning to dangerously creep towards the surface. Never, EVER hurt those a youkai deems as family, you will be brutally murdered and I would have already done that if that FUCKING BARRIER WASN'T UP!


As you can see, I'm NOT happy in the least.


Those weren't the only reasons as to why I was highly annoyed and on edge, it was also because of the high humidity and heat that was being spread around the room by the steam. Sweat was making it's way onto our skin, making a disgusting feeling appear whenever we moved around, the fabric of our clothes becoming slightly wet. Ew. Botan was fanning herself, obviously not enjoying the fucking sona that we were fucking being forced into! Sure I liked the heat and all, I mean who enjoys being cold? I don't, but THIS is where I draw the line at heat. I mean why the hell is he pushing heat in here? Is he trying to make us say the word hot or something? If that's the only reasons, then I'm sorry but this genius is really fucking stupid.


“Ugh! I'm tired of this!” Kuwabara growled lowly. “We're still allowed to talk right? We're just can't say the H-you-know-what word! That's nothing tough!”


I nodded. “It's not like we're gonna say it anyway, this is completely pointless,” I snapped coldly.


Kaito only ignored us, reading a book. Bastard.


“So Kurama,” Kuwabara spoke up once again, turning to the red head. “You said you had school with this dork. What other stuff do you know about him?” I looked at Kurama as well, even if I don't really care about the ningen, something has to be useful. Right?


“Yu Kaito.” Said ningen glanced at Kurama once he heard his name. “My classmate as we said, he has gone on much attention at my school in light of his IQ results. His intellect is ranked at the genius level with some of his scores the highest since the schools' inception,” he informed us evenly, never taking his intense gaze off of Kaito's form, while I couldn't help but not be impressed by Kaito's achievements.


“Well, that's a round-about way of bragging, isn't it Shuichi?” Kaito said with a sneer. “If I'm such a prince you must be the king since you always beat me on tests.”


I scoffed silently. *If he's a prince then I'm a damsel in distress,* I hissed sarcastically.


Kurama was unfazed. “Cumulatively, yes my grades are superior but in certain subjects, such as language and literature, you far surpass me. You've even published essays on literary theory,” he said truthfully.


“So he's a young genius writer, huh?” Kuwabara glared at Kaito, growling, “I bet we're cooler than anything you've read in a book!”


Kaito didn't even spare him a glance. “Not really.”


“It's so obvious what you're trying! Making us sweat it out in this room so we'll say you're magic word!” Kuwabara snapped, sitting up straighter in his chair. “I mean, it must be a hundred degrees,” he growled as he wiped the sweat from his chin, a scowl on his lips.


Just at the mention of how hot it was in here, it made me even more noticeable of how disgusting I felt. I shifted around uncomfortably in my chair, my clothes sticking to my skin slightly. Ugh, once we're done with this room I'm so going to break that goddamn light so it stops pushing out that fucking steam! Turning my gaze up towards said light, I caught sight of some greenery. I rose an eyebrow slightly seeing the tropical looking plants around the room. A sudden idea came to mind, and a smirk appeared on my lips. Well look at that, plants are in this room and we have someone who uses plants as weapons. I hid a smirk, already seeing the vines creeping their way slowly towards Yana. Hmm... >:)


“Eighty, actually, with eighty percent humidity,” Kaito informed flatly bringing me back. “I keep my room like this so I can raise my tropical plants, my tribute to Shuichi. But if the conditions are making you thirsty, I have plenty of drinks in the fridge.” He glanced at the blue fridge to his right, Botan, Kuwabara and I doing the same. “I even have glasses,” he stated.


I sneered at him. “Sorry, but I don't take drinks from kidnappers, you know, common sense,” I spat.


Kaito only laughed under his breath, making me glare harder.


“What are you chuckling at, Bookworm?” Kuwabara eyed the boy suspiciously. “Did you poison 'em or somethin'?! Maybe you should drink one first!” he said as he stood up.


Kaito smirked up at him mockingly. “Waste all of my talent to poison you? That's brilliant, you know you're a very intelligent guy,” he taunted.


“And you bark a lot for a weenie dog,” Kuwabara retorted.


Botan got up quickly, watching as Kuwabara went towards the fridge. “Uh, hold up Kuwabara, why don't you let me get that?” She ran towards the fridge, making Kuwabara stop with a raised eyebrow, which she caught. “I, uh, want to keep my hands full,” she informed with a nervous smile, not liking this place either.


“I know, sitting here in this room is pissing me off, too,” I agreed, throwing a venomous look at Kaito, who smirked in return. I hate him!


“Okay, looks harmless enough and quite a selection.” Botan opened the door, showing a wide variety of drinks in either cans or bottles. “Lets see...OJ? It's better for you than soda,” she suggested, looking at Kuwabara as she pointed to the can.


Kuwabara nodded with an uneasy smirk on his lips, this place getting to him as well. “That's fine, just pour it over ice and we can share it with each other as long as we have two straws,” he said.


“You're confidence in my health is charming,” Botan said a good-natured roll of her eyes.


However, the normal scene -if there is even normal in this place- was quickly put to rest when Kuwabara suddenly widened his eyes. A strangled noise came out of Kuwabara's throat, and we all turned to him quickly, seeing his stomach clench up slightly, and the shimmering greenish gold Energy formed around Kuwabara's body like it had done with Hiei not that long ago. Kurama and I quickly stood up, our eyes widening slightly with shock, what the fuck just happened?!


“That can't be!” Botan shouted worriedly, getting to her feet.


Kaito smirked that annoying and creepy smirk of his. “Good, victim two,” he said happily.  


All of us ignored him though, watching as the same petrified state came over Kuwabara's body. A sphere of light quickly flew out of Kuwabara's stone body and flew towards Kaito, materializing in the same way Hiei's did, but this time it turned into a golden flame. Our mouths were open in shock and horror as we glazed at Kuwabara's stone statue-like form, a confused look on his face as well, fear also lingering on his face. However, I looked away from Kuwabara and glared dangerously at Kaito as the two flames floated around him. Was this guy lying about his rules?! If he is, I'm going to really fucking kill him!


Kaito began to laugh darkly, holding his hand below Kuwabara's flame making Kurama narrow his eyes at his classmate. “But why?!” he asked, a confused and steeled look in his jade-hued eyes.


“You're cheating Kaito! He never even came close to saying hot!” Botan accused.


My eyes widened after I registering what had been said, as well as Kurama's, as we turned towards Botan. “Botan!” I shouted in shock. Seriously?!


Botan realized her mistake, a little bit too late might I add, and her pink eyes widened as she rose her hands to her lips. “I goofed!” she said with a nervous smile on her lips, however, the same green mist appeared around her made her smile stop, leaving her body stone and her blue flame to fly to Kaito.


“That's three,” Kaito informed  Kurama and I with a dark smirk. “I can't believe that was so easy!”


Kurama and I narrowed our eyes at him, not liking the situation in the least. Shit. “Speak Kaito, why did you take Kuwabara's soul?” Kurama asked with a dangerous look in his eyes, making even me want to stand as far away from him as I could.


I, however, kept my glaring gaze on Kaito, confusion and a little bit of fear attacking my brain. What the fuck even happened? I know Botan messed up, but Kuwabara never said the word hot! He said something about Botan and himself sharing orange juice with each other! There was no hot! ...Wait. 'Share with each other'. 'Each other'. E-A-C-H O-T-H.....Wait WHAT?! My eyes turned towards Kaito's form, everything starting to click into place. Dear god, is this guy really that smart?!


“Wait.” The two boys turned to my form as realization hit me. “It was because he said “each” and “other”, isn't it?” I asked Kaito with wide eyes.


Kurama's eyes narrowed in confusion. “What?”


I looked at him, now thinking over my words. “Those two words spell 'IT',” I stated.


Kaito smirked at me, as if he was pleasantly surprised, but I could tell by that damn smirk on his lips that that wasn't the case. “Well, it seems we've stumbled across one of Ms. Akira's rare moments of intelligence,” he mocked, making my glare return to my once shocked eyes.


“Pissing me off won't make me slip up, ningen,” I snapped.


Kaito, however, brushed off my statement and turned to Kurama. “Forgive me for not explaining the specifics, I didn't think you're friends could handle it, but it appears even I can be wrong at times.” My glare hardened, which he promptly ignored. “In my Territory you can't say the letters 'h' 'o' and 't' in a row, even if they are parts of different words, but again you know that already. However, it's not simple child's game, it's a puzzle of diction and I can't bend the rules,” he explained seriously for once.


“That's fair enough,” Kurama said bluntly, him and I sitting albeit reluctantly.


Kaito smirked, looking down at Hiei, Kuwabara and Botan's souls as they floated above his hand. “Souls are so pretty; I like the girl's best. Souls are the only thing that you can't make stronger by training, you can only make them darker,” he suddenly said, eying the three souls, his eyes flashing ominously.


I clenched my fists tightly, not liking where this was going. “Leave them alone,” I growled lowly.


Kaito ignored me once again, not even caring for the glare in Kurama's eyes as well. “What do you say, Shuichi? Should I darken mine right now by breaking these?” My body froze, a chill going through my body. “It feels so strange having this power over people. You must feel it all the time.” Kaito smirked at Kurama before turning towards the souls again. “Yes, maybe I'll just make a little scratch,” he said tauntingly as he brought his hand towards the three, and a growl was beginning to be audible as it vibrated in my throat.


“I'm warning you,” Kurama threatened coldly. “You so much as bruise whats in your hand and I'll show you pain. The hue of you soul will cease to matter because you will not be judged when you die; you will no longer exist.”


Kaito smirked, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “Interesting, you'll have to show me how to talk like that once I beat you,” he mocked once again.


My fingers clenched on the arm rests, my anger steadily reaching the boiling point. “Don't think for one second that he's kidding, ningen. And trust me, he won't be the only one to kill you, because messing with my friends is a very stupid thing to do,” I snarled at him dangerously.


“I'm sure,” Kaito chuckled, not fazed, making me growl once again.


“How long can you afford this brazen facade?” Kurama suddenly asked, making Kaito and I turn to him, seeing him holding a yellow key in his hand.


I blinked in small surprise, knowing that he was doing something with those plants, but I didn't really expect him to get the key from Yana. However, I was also surprised by how smoothly he got it, not bringing any attention to himself despite having all said attention given to him by Kaito. Well I'll be damned, this is really going into our favor now! A smirk lit my lips now, seeing the narrowed look come into Kaito's eyes at the sight of the key. Ha! Take that ya damn ningen! We're whooping your ass now, and soon we're gonna make you our BITCH! ...Sorry.  ;>.>


“What the...?” Kaito's asked, before he glaring fully. “How did you get that key?”


I smirked evilly, feeling so much better now that we finally got the upper hand on this smug little bastard. “Oh, I dunno how about you ask your little friend over there?” I asked, using the same mocking tone that always spilled from his lips, and I smirked wider at the glare. Don't like it now, huh?!


Sending one more glare at me, Kaito stood up and walked towards the hallway. “Yana!” he shouted angrily.


“She's bluffing you man, I got it here in my pocket.” Yana dug around in jacket pocket, his eyes widening a second later. “I-It's gone! But he never even came in the hall!” he shouted in shock, looking up at Kaito.


I smiled at Kurama. “Nice job,” I whispered, and he gave me a ghost of a smile back.


However, I turned away from him when I heard Yana gasp. Looking back at the hallways I saw Kaito and Yana staring up at the vines that had crept along the ceiling tiles and dropped down behind him. I could already see what had happened, the vine slowly slipping into his pocket and grabbing the key before slowly make it's way over to Kurama. I wasn't sure how he got it in his hand, but considering we got the key with us now, I really don't care. Besides, seeing stuff like this when it doesn't have explanations is awesome!


“I was not stopped since I refrained from violence,” Kurama informed, as the two glared. “With gentle discreetness I merely borrowed the key from your coat pocket.” Behind Kurama, plants rapidly grew larger and flowed over his chair. “Seems we can use our powers in our Territory as long as we follow the rules.”


Yana looked back up to the vines overhead, watching them slowly recede. “So you picked my pockets with some greenery?! You are a first class freak!” he growled, throwing a heated glare towards Kurama.


My eyes narrowed dangerously. “Yeah, and making Territories when you're a ningen is perfectly normal,” I spat sarcastically back.


“Keep those souls in perfect condition, Kaito,” Kurama spoke up threateningly, bringing all three of us back to him. “You've found yourself in over your head,” he stated seriously, making me smirk all the more at the sound of that. These ningens are sooooo dead.


I leaned back in my chair. “I told you, ningen, you don't know who you're dealing with,” I said smugly.


Kaito narrowed his eyes at me in a glare, but I just brushed it off, still feeling cocky. “You two can't intimidate me, I still have the upper hand. You have to beat me at my game,” he reminded us seriously, his glasses glistening ominously once again, but I just rolled my eyes at him. Pff! You can't say the word 'hot' like that's difficult! Despite what you saw earlier with my friends and love interest... (*coughs awkwardly*)


“Tell me, is it possible to change your taboo?” Kurama suddenly asked.


My smirk dropped a bit at the question, I thought we were going to do something else! *...Okay, now I'm confused,* I thought, looking at Kurama in confusion, Kaito doing the same.


Kurama noticed our looks. “Naturally none of us will say the word, thus we are locked in a stale-mate,” he explained.


“You're forgetting Ms. Akira, whose to say that she won't slip up?” Kaito asked, glancing at me.


I glared at him heatedly once again, really wishing that I could punch him in that smug prick face of his. “After this I'm not saying another word. I may seem like an idiot, but  I'm not. When it comes to situations like these I know when to let someone else take over,” I snapped at him, a growl rumbling in my throat again.


Kaito chuckle, earning a glare, as he turned to Kurama with an interested look on his face, liking the idea of facing off against his 'rival'. “Now, as you were saying?” he asked.


“I was hoping we could increase the challenge,” Kurama answered smoothly.


“Of course, Shuichi, I've been planning that all along,” Kaito said smirking. “I don't want to beat my great adversary with a simple...word gag, I want a true battle of wits. I can change the rules whenever I please.”


Kurama nodded curtly. “Then let me determine the rules of the word game, and I assure you I will force you to speak the taboo within 45 minutes, and thereby freeing our friends' souls,” he explained, pointing at Kaito with his index finger and thumb in the shape of a gun.


“Oh? You're that confident that you can outwit me?” Kaito asked incredulously, raising an eyebrow.


I rolled my eyes at him. *Dumb-ass,* I thought in a mumble.


When Kurama didn't answer, Kaito narrowed his eyes seriously. “All right, and what if you cannot get me to break the rules in 45 minutes?” he asked, and I frowned, not thinking about that -impossible- outcome.


“Then you may have my soul as well,” Kurama said calmly.


My head whipped towards Kurama's form, my eyes wide with shock. What?! My mouth was agape, and I really didn't care if I looked like an idiot for doing that. I trust Kurama and all, I really do, but betting something like your SOUL is crazy even when you are going to win! And if -God forbid- Kurama did lose, then I'll have to go against this literature obsessed freak and I will fucking lose in an instant and get my soul taken, too! I will KILL us! Kurama why are you subconsciously trusting me with that kind of responsibility?!  ...Wow, I really have lose self-esteem and very low trust in myself, don't I? Thats sad...


“Ooh my,” Kaito said a bit too excitedly, making me jump and grimace at him. Ew.


Kurama ignored Kaito's tone and my expression. “So are you in? Or will you cower from a game in which you clearly have the advantage?” he asked, crossing his legs as he sat back comfortably in his chair. Waiting.


I looked back at Kaito as well, biting my lip nervously. I did NOT like the look that came to Kaito's face when he fixed his glasses, them flashing once again. But there was also a bit of a smirk playing across his lips as well. I really hate it when that happens, I just wanted to kick some ningen ass and free Yusuke, but noo, we just had to get stuck with him! Also, lets not forget that three of our friends got their souls taken because one was an arrogant jerk, one didn't know he said the taboo word, and one that shouted it out without thinking. Yeah, this day is going just great, and now Kurama's life is on the line and I might be left on my own to fix this mess which I'm pretty sure I'll make worse. Great.


“I accept your challenge,” Kaito said, copying Kurama's earlier gesture. “So, let's hear the taboo that ended Shuichi's life?”


“It starts as one letter, but as time moves forward we eliminate more,” Kurama explained, and I swear he already had all of this planned out beforehand.  Damn he's good... “There are twenty-six letters in the alphabet, and 45 minutes to play. Thus everyone one hundred and four seconds we will lose another letter we can say starting from the end at 'z' and moving backwards.”


“Yes and at the end of the game every letter will be taboo,” Kaito chuckled darkly, a smirk appearing once again. “Fascinating imagination, this  game will be fun.”


*He's way too into this...* I thought, a little creeped out by him.


Kaito turned slightly in his chair, turning towards the  weird looking clock on the far wall. “Lets see, it's fifty minutes after midnight why don't we start neatly at one?” he asked, glancing back at Kurama, his smirk growing wider in anticipation.


“Sounds perfect,” Kurama agreed.


The three of us set up a table, with a chair on both sides and mine on the top. In the middle of the table was a sheet of paper that had the twenty-six letters of the alphabet, as well as a new note that Kaito made up. However, even doing all of that didn't seem to make those ten minutes go by, which made me fidget in my seat, glancing between the two boys and the three others made of stone. God I really hated this, I just want all of us to go home right now, it's one o'clock in the fucking morning and I'm tired as shit and in so much pain despite how well I could hide it. This better be over soon or there will be even more hell to pay. Believe me.


Finally after what seemed like forever, it was just seconds before the clock struck one and I let out a silent sigh of relief, slumping slightly in my chair. “Follow the rule, both host and guests, don't utter a letter crossed off from the list. Each one hundred and four seconds, note to, another letter becomes taboo,” Kaito said breaking the tense silence while I only rolled my eyes. Weirdo.


The clock struck one.


“We begin,” Kurama and Kaito said, and a flash of yellow light illuminated the room for a brief second.


No-one spoke, the silence continuing with only the steady ticks from the clock, making me even more uncomfortable than before. I looked over at Kurama, only to see him staring unwaveringly at Kaito, a look that told me that he already knew what to do and that he already won this little game. However, I would be lying if I said that I wouldn't have loved to see him give me a reassuring smile, not because I didn't trust him, just because I was  worried despite my trust in him.


“Better get any 'z' words out of you before their taboo,” Kaito warned mockingly. “Zealous zebras and crazy zinc zippers.”


Kurama only looked at his classmate coolly.


One hundred and four seconds passed; any 'z' words were now forbidden.


“The next will be more of a challenge, we'll forfeit the letter 'y'. Why, oh why, do we lose the letter 'y'? What if we need to cry?” Kaito leaned forward in his chair, a very disturbing grin on his lips. “I find this game very enjoyable, don't you?” he asked, and I was sure if he was being mocking or if he was serious.


My right eye twitched, moving ever so slightly away from the glasses wearing ningen, not particularly liking the look on his face. *No wonder he likes books so much, everyone must know he's a freak,* I shivered.


“Be careful Kaito, you'll tire yourself and make a mistake,” Kurama stated calmly.


One hundred and four seconds passed; any 'y' words were now forbidden.


Kaito leaned back in his chair now, placing his cheek in his palm, but the smirk never left his lips. No one was saying anything now, making the tense silence pick up once again, and I had to hide a moan of boredom and annoyance. Is it too fucking much to ask for this game to be over with? If only I was smarter with my words then I would be playing this game too. Dammit me for not having a good education!


Three hundred and twelve seconds passed; 'x', 'w' and 'v' words were now forbidden.


“At last, a challenge,” Kaito said, looking down at the paper, seeing the five red 'x's. “It's rather remarkable, so much I use those last letters.”


Kurama nodded ever so slightly. “Losing 's', 't' and 'u' should be a greater obstacle,” he agreed.


Three hundred and twelve second passed; 'u', 't' and 's' words were now forbidden.


I leaned back in my seat, my arms crossed over my chest as I stared up at the ceiling with a bored expression on my face. Dear god, counting the fucking tiles was more entertaining than this. Sure this was serious and all, but can you blame me? It's like watching two people play chess! It was mind numbingly slow, twenty minutes already gone by and we weren't even half-way through the words yet, only one more to go before thirteen letters were forbidden. Bouncing my leg up and down, I tried to find a way to make this go by faster, and I found myself desperately wishing for Hiei to be back. I missed his asshole-ish comments and I would give anything to be having an argument with him right now. ...Wow, this relationship I have with him is very abusive isn't it? Hm I think I should be worried about that... Oh well!


“A challenging mind game, Minamino,” Kaito said, breaking the silence once again. “Ready for conceding?”


“No,” Kurama stated smoothly.


Kaito's eyes narrowed, the smirk falling from his lips. “Inform me, a plan cooking here?” he asked, the annoyance clear in his voice despite the weird wording, but I really couldn't blame him, many of the letters now being forbidden.


“Running clock, forbidding moral freedom,” Kurama retorted.


I couldn't help but smirk at this battle of wits. *Now this is getting entertaining.* I snickered, loving their sentences, maybe this won't be so boring after all! ...Or it wouldn't have been if Kaito didn't stand up, heading towards the hallway. *You goddamn mother fucker!* I shouted with an irk mark, my right eye twitching in annoyance once again. He so did that on purpose!


Kurama raised an eyebrow at him, watching his movements. “Going off?” he asked 'curiously'.


“Need a john,” was Kaito's only answer.


I watched Kaito step onto the stairs and pouted once again, now being filled with nothing but silence once again, and that damn clock was NOT helping me in the least. Tick tock, tick tock, the fucking thing is going to drive me insane! ...Shaking my head and calming down, I looked over at Kurama, hoping we could have some kind of communication with our minds like Hiei and I, but that seemed like a long shot. However, my thoughts ceased when I saw a glint flash in his eyes once Kaito's back was completely turned as he held the doorknob to the bathroom door. I blinked slightly in surprise, but a smirk appeared on my lips once again, it seems like Kurama's got a plan...


Kaito turned towards Yana, eyes narrowed seriously. “No lip, I'll be back,” he said before walking into the bathroom, the door closing with a slam.


Yana held up a peace sign and started to laugh, but he quickly slammed his hand over his mouth, his eyes widening in panic. I knew how he felt, even if Yana and I weren't playing the game that didn't mean we weren't affected by the rules set in this Territory. However, my eyes adverted away from him seeing a  vine growing on the ceiling once again and slowly crawling towards him, and I knew whatever Kurama had as a plan, it was now in motion.  Looking over at Kurama, I saw him finally turn to me, his jade-hued eyes staring down at me seriously.


“Back,” he whispered, gesturing towards the back of the room.


Getting up from my seat I let out a nod and went where he directed, and when I turned around I saw the plants that had once been small and well kept were now steadily growing larger. All around me a forest seemed to grow, slowly covering the room with exotic colors. I stared around at the plants in awe, feeling some of the leaves brush against my legs and arms, now growing towards the ceiling now. But I jumped out of my thoughts, literally, when I heard the sound of a body hitting the floor. Remembering the vine on the ceiling heading towards Yana, I quickly settled my beating heart, knowing that it wasn't Kurama. Leaning against the forest-like wall, I crossed my arms when I heard the sound of running footsteps and the sound of a door slamming open.


The show begins.


Seconds passed by, and from what I could guess -as the clock was now covered- there were only ten or nine more letters left before the end of the game, and I hoped that Kurama got Kaito to say a taboo word before his forty-five minutes were up. Hearing the sounds of footsteps through the exotic jungle, I made sure to keep myself hidden when I felt Kaito's Spirit Energy drawing closer, but made sure I had a clear view of him as well. Slowly and quietly moving through the leaves, my feet practically guiding me through the leaves with ease, and I couldn't help but thank whatever deity I could for making me at least stealthy. But I shook those thoughts of my head when I saw Kaito standing in the middle of the room, the area where the three petrified forms were -as well as the table- was untouched by the jungle around it.


Kaito was looking around frantically, sweat trickling down his temple as if he had any chance of finding Kurama, someone who was more of a thief than I'll ever even dream to be. I rolled my eyes at him, seeing the look on his face that was practically saying that he was going to be the winner, and I had to stop myself from scoffing out loud at that. But as I did, a flash of red hit my peripheral vision and I looked up from Kaito. Above the clearing where Kaito stood, Kurama was knelt down on top of the light that had once been blowing steam around the room. However, Kaito and I jumped when we heard bangs start to sound around in different parts of the room, and I threw a glare in Kurama's direction. He's going to get my soul taken away, goddamn it!


But I quickly grew serious, remembering that time was running short, and as I peered through the leaves I saw the clock in all of it's weird glory. It was now 1:30 AM, which made seventeen letters forbidden, and only nine letters left. Nine hundred and thirty-six more seconds were left, and I glanced up at Kurama pleadingly, wishing that he would hurry this up already. However, Kurama didn't even look my way, keeping his sights on his classmate as the seconds ticked away, and before I knew it 'a', 'b' and 'c' were left. I was seriously going to kill Kurama for this, I really am! Right now I'm about to having a fucking heart attack, especially when one hundred and four second passed once again, leaving only 'a' and 'b'.


I looked over at Kaito, hearing him slap his hand over his mouth, as if that would keep him from making any sounds, but considering Kurama was going to sneak up on him...I don't think doing that will help. Speaking of a certain red haired kitsune, I saw Kurama slowly lower himself upside down, his back facing me and Kaito's back facing him. I saw Kurama raise his hands to cup around his mouth, and I saw him take in a deep breath, and I stared at him wide eyed, wondering what the fuck he was going to do. But before I could even think of any possibilities, Kurama let out a shout:


“BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!”


Kaito jumped, and he held his hands tighter to his lips, and I quickly turned to the glasses wearing weirdo, seeing his body shaking as he fought off the urge to scream. I  clenched my fist tightly in hope, but as I watched him control himself, my shoulders slumped as I frowned deeply, worry now crawling its way towards my heart. What the hell was Kurama going to do now? Kaito knew where he was, there wasn't any more letters beside 'a' and that didn't really leave that many options for him. ...Wait, 'a'?! My eyes widened in horror, looking at the red haired kitsune that was still hanging upside down in front of me. He just lost his soul! Oh, fucking hell he's going to lose his soul! Dammit, I don't know if I can do anything to get him and the other's back! Kurama why?!


However, Kaito's sudden turning towards Kurama cut off my dramatic 'shouting', making me turn back in hopes that he would have a way of turning this around. But hope turned to confusion a second latter, seeing the once triumphant smile that was on Kaito's lips suddenly drop into a look of confusion as well. Tense seconds passed and my confusion grew stronger as I saw Kaito's body start shaking with silent laughter before a wide grin appeared on his face as he broke down into loud fits of laughter, pointing at Kurama. I sweat dropped as I heard snorts and other obnoxious sounds fall from his lips, making me wonder what the fuck just happened. But those stopped instantly, my eyes widening in shock once I realized what he just did.


Kaito just lost.


Kurama was saved.


The others' souls were saved.


We're finally going to rescue Yusuke from these damn bastards.


…


AW FUCK YEAH!


A grin broke out on my face as I saw Kaito's eyes widen in disbelief, his body suddenly freezing as that golden Energy swarmed around him. “NOOOO!” he shouted before his body turned to stone, falling backwards onto the ground as he pointed forever towards the ceiling.


Yellow light flashed once again as I turning towards the table seeing the paper now blank, and I finally let out an audible sigh of relief, putting my hand to my rapidly beating heart. “Thank god!” I turned towards Kurama, watching him jump down from the light and land on the grand with ease. “You are so lucky that you just saved everyone's asses or I would so be yelling at you right now,” I said scoldingly as I walked up to him, my eyes narrowed at him.


Kurama sweat dropped. “Sorry Kira, but I had everything planned out from the beginning of the game, there was no reason to worry,” he said, rubbing the back of his head nervously.


“What would have happened if you didn't win?!” I glared at him with an anime mad face, an irk mark pulsing on my temple, my arms crossed over my chest. “I would have had to find a way to get you guys, and do you know what would happen then?! We all would die!” I shouted, ignoring him as he sweat dropped at me.


Kurama stared at me blankly. “You're just shining with confidence, Kira,” he replied sarcastically.


I rolled my eyes. “Thank you, but that's not the point.”


Kurama face-palmed.


“What?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at him with a sweat drop. That kind of sounded like it hurt, and I hope it wasn't because of me this time. It may not seem like it, but that happens pretty often. ...Ooh.


Kurama shook his head, sitting himself down on Kaito's old chair. “Nothing, don't worry about it,” he said with a chuckle.


Before I could ask anything more, three golden lights shone in my peripheral vision. My head snapped to my right, and they instantly landed on the three souls that had once been in Kaito's possession. The golden Energy grew brighter before they flew towards their rightful owners, and seconds later the stone-like appearance that they all had gained began to fade away. A sigh of relief passed through my lips, watching all three of them wake up from their stupor, looking around in confusion as they saw the exotic jungle around them disappear behind Kurama's chair where it -apparently- began.


“Welcome back to the living!” I shouted with a smile, catching all of their attention.


Kuwabara was the first one to realize what that meant and he looked down at himself, a wide grin spreading across his lips. “All right! I'm back in the flesh!” he shouted, relief filling his eyes.


“Kaito's Territory is no more,” Kurama informed, making them turn towards him.


“Yeah! Out-tricked at his own crazy game of pretend!” Kuwabara sneered down at Kaito's petrified form as his green soul hovered over his body. “He got it in the end, but we'd be toast without you, Kurama,” he said as he turned to the red haired kitsune.  


I couldn't help but be offended by that, I didn't lose! “Hey, I didn't get my soul taken either! I didn't even say a word through the whole thing once Kurama made Kaito play a word game!” I whined, pouting.


“What!?” Kuwabara gawked. “You actually kept from speaking?!”


“Hey!” I shouted, once again offended.


A blush of embarrassment and anger instantly stained my cheeks at that, making me throw a deadly glare at the red haired ningen, making said boy laugh nervously and step away from me. However, when I heard a familiar sounding snicker come from a certain fire youkai, the glare turned its attention onto him. Oh, how dare he even laugh?! That goddamned little asshole scared the fucking shit out of me when he got his soul taken! But I snapped out of my angered thoughts when I saw Hiei smirk at me, apparently noticing my unamused expression. My right eye began to twitch, ooh he was so going to get it now. This will teach the little bastard to ever do that again, cause I swear if he acts like an jack-ass again my hair is going to go completely white thanks to him.


When I saw him still smirking at me, I rose my hand. “Don't you laugh Hiei!” I snapped, smacking him upside the head, both out of revenge for the other times and to show how annoyed I really was.


The three others froze, quickly stepping away from us. Uh oh...


Hiei glared dangerously at me. “Onna-!”


“You dumb ass!” I cut him off as an irk mark pulsed on my temple, annoyance and -despite what you see right now- relief coating my tone. “You just had to act all superior and think that he was bluffing, but look what happened! You got your soul taken away like a fucking idiot! You are so lucky that I only smacked you or I swear to every asshole up there you'd be knocked right the fuck out on this goddamn floor,” I finished with a growl.


Hiei, whose eyes had widened ever so slightly at my outburst, rolled them as I panted heavily, my form slumped. “Hn, like you'd be able to, Baka Onna,” he insulted, his ego now bruised from the superbly placed smack. Teach him to act like an idiot again...


My right eye twitched rapidly. “Is there any chance that we can take his soul again?” I asked, turning my gaze towards the others, ignoring them as they stiffened. ...Yeah I have that affect on people.


“Kira, doesn't that go against the purpose of you two saving ALL of us?” Botan asked, sweat dropping.


…


“Shut up,” I mumbled, turning away as I pouted.


Kuwabara, however, was on my side. “Still, it didn't give Shrimpy here the right to do whatever he wanted. We could have all died and it would have been thanks to him,” he said, shooting a look over at the fire youkai before him.


Hiei only scoffed, looking away.


“That's true, Kaito nearly had us,” Kurama agreed with a small -good natured- smirk on his lips. “Ironic, after all his grave intentions the one thing to unravel him was a laugh.”


I blinked, remembering Kaito's over-dramatic display of hysterics a few minutes ago. “Oh yeah, how did you get him to laugh anyway?” I asked, turning towards the red haired kitsune with a curious look on my face, the previous argument completely forgotten.


Kuwabara narrowed his eyes. “A laugh? Did he tell a joke or something?” he asked, scratching the back of his head.


“If he did would I be asking how he did it?” I asked, staring up at him blankly.


Kuwabara blushed in embarrassment. “No...” he mumbled as he looked away from me, trailing off.


I couldn't help but smirk, the previous concern and fear washing away as things began to go back to normal. “Thought so,” I mocked playfully with a smirk, laughing slightly at the glare that Kuwabara was giving me now.


“Kira, stop teasing Kuwabara,” Botan scolded motherly, hands on her hips.


I pouted at that. “It's not my fault, he shouldn't have asked!” I whined, crossing my arms as I pouted.


“Onna,” Hiei called, and I would be lying if I said that I wasn't surprised to see him talking to me after my...little outburst. “What have I told you  about the baka before?”


I smiled briefly when I saw that familiar smirk, and I copied it. “Oh yeah...”


“Stop ganging up on me!” Kuwabara shouted in a whine, blushing even more at my and Hiei's smirking faces.


Ha.


However, our moment of humor was over when we saw Kurama grow serious once again, his once relaxed state now on guard and cautious once again. I stopped my laughing, turning to him in confusion, but when I followed where his eyes were trained, I instantly understood. The others soon followed, their gazes falling on Yana's still unconscious form. He was the only one now who was keeping us from seeing Yusuke. My eyes narrowed on the ningen's form on the floor, the familiar protectiveness beginning to form once again, my fingers beginning to flex. Oh, if only there wasn't that goddamned barrier around...


“We'll save the celebrating for later,” Kurama spoke up, gaining out attention immediately.


Kuwabara nodded, his eyes narrowing into a glare at the sight of the teen before him. “Yeah, Urameshi's still stuck here. Lets  just hope that this guy is easier than that dork,” he said with a frown on his lips, his fists clenching at his side.


Kurama, Kuwabara and Botan began to walking towards Yana's knocked out form, and Hiei began to follow as well. But as I turned my attention to the fire youkai, a feeling of guilt formed in my stomach, making me grimace. Dammit me, don't start feeling bad about what you did! He deserved it and you know it! ...But still! I held my head in my hands, a headache beginning to form, dear god I'm beginning to argue with myself. Hiei really is messing me up mentally now, not just emotionally anymore. Great.  Rubbing my temples I looked at Hiei's back, biting my lip as that nagging emotion that I really hate right now came back. Sure he deserved it and all, but that didn't mean that I had to hit him, and I call him abusive...


Damn you self-guilt trips, you win again...


*Hiei?* I called, glancing at the other three periodically, relieved to see their backs still to us.


Hiei glanced at me upon hearing his name. {What do you want?} he asked as he stopped, and I bit my lip a bit harder, now feeling very stupid for doing this. But...it's for Hiei. ...I guess.


Glancing once again at the other three as they walked down the hallway, I looked back at Hiei's form as he rose an eyebrow at me, noticing my silence. Swallowing down my nervousness, I wrapped my arms around him into a hug, making him stiffen at the sudden gesture and closeness. I smiled slightly despite how he didn't return the hug, lets face it did any of us really think he would? But I smiled because of how he relaxed, even if I knew that he was slightly uncomfortable. I'm just glad that he's okay...


*Sorry about hitting you, just don't do that again okay? Because I will knock you out if you do,* I mumbled after a long moment thick silence, a blush once again staining my cheeks as I threw him a 'glare'.


Hiei scoffed slightly. {Shut up, Onna,} he retorted, surprisingly without any annoyance.


I broke the hug, and smiled despite how he wasn't looking at me before walking towards the others. However, the smile dropped from my lips as I drew closer, growing serious once again when I saw the teenage ningen. There had to be some way to get passed him, but there was no way to really know until he woke up, and who knows what kind of Territory he'll put us in. If it was anything like Kaito's -as in taking people's souls- then this was going to be a very long and aggravating night. Looking away from Yana I looked up at the ceiling, as if Yusuke was just above us, and a frown of worry appeared on my lips.


Hold on, Yusuke...


~*~*~*~


Ending it here! Sorry for not putting it out on the weekend, but I tried but didn't have any time, Junior year really sucks with all the homework I have to do -__-. But I got this one out and I'm starting on the next chapter tomorrow (thanks to me not having school for the remainder of the week, thank you Thanksgiving Break :D!) so it should be out by this weekend and I really mean that this time! All right, see you guys soon! Bye!
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