Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Shura's Quest - The forbidden Forest ❯ Scene 17 ( Chapter 18 )

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

Scene 17 ------------------------------------------- The Bukimi Cave

* After a day and a half more traveling, Yusuke's group finally reaches the mouth of the cave. As they enter the clearing in front of it a short, hooded demon greets them.


Short Demon- Yo.


* Kurama's ears pitch forward a moment. The hooded demon raises a gloved hand to point at Yusuke and Kurama.


Short Demon- You.. and you,.. follow me, please..

Yusuke- Only us? Are you this Aga-guy?

Short Demon- Yes and no.. But this is the Great One's order.. He will only meet with you two. Anyone else will be seen as a threat and dealt with.


* The hood turns toward the others.


Short Demon- Severely.


* Yusuke sighs and looks toward their companions.


Yusuke- Sorry, guys. We're in his playground, we play by his rules..

Kurama- For now.


* The short demon glances up at Kurama, who now has his arms crossed, then turns away. Yusuke tilts his head at the kitsune, puzzled by his annoyance, then they follow the hooded demon into the cave. The tunnel they travel in soon reminds Yusuke of the one where they'd met Sensui. Lomg, dark, and maze-like. But finally they enter a larger well torch-lit chamber. Their guide moves to one corner and pulls a long, braided cord, then turns and relaxes. Or at least tries to while avoiding Kurama's calculating golden eyes that are staring at him.


Short Demon- Now we wait.


* Kurama's fox ears had just barely caught the sound of a chime ringing somewhere down deeper in the cave system. He half glances toward Yusuke as he sends him a mental message.


(#) Kurama- Did you hear that?


* Yusuke glances around.


(#) Yusuke- Hear what?


* Kurama now looks at Yusuke, then shakes his head. In a couple moments, though, they both feel the powerful presence approaching and turn to face one of the many side tunnels.


Yusuke- I don't know about sounds, but I do feel that coming.


* A moment later a much taller hooded demon enters the chamber. Kurama feels his mane bristling with a mixture of anger and excitement, but decides to keep his feelings to himself for now. Yusuke glances sideways up at Kurama when he feels the mental door between them suddenly slam shut. The shorter demon comes over to do the introductions.


Short Demon- Master Agaliarept.. Lord Kurama and Lord Urameshi.

Agaliarept- Welcome.


* As soon as Yusuke hears the voice he scowls.


Yusuke- What in the h---...?!


* Kurama slams a hand against his companion's chest suffieciently silencing him.


Agaliarept- Although I knew you were coming, I must compliment you on making the journey so quickly through this Forest.

Yusuke- We were told to come here by General Mekotama and tell you what has happened. But I assume you know that already, too..

Agaliarept- Perhaps, but why don't you indulge me, Mr. Urameshi.

Kurama- My brother was forced to kill King Enki and his wife.. amongst others.. If this is some kind of a game that you and your...

Agaliarept- I am beyond the need to play games, Fox.. I see that your living in Human World has not dulled your perceptivemess..

Kurama- It hasn't dulled anything of mine.

Yusuke- Somebody better clue me in before I start..


* The tall mysterious demon chuckles.


Agaliarept- You haven't changed much, either.. Although, you are stronger.

Yusuke- Why are we here?


* Agaliarept physically turns placing his full attention toward Kurama.


Agaliarept- You are planning on going to Gandera, Kurama?

Kurama- No.. Why should I now? Go take care of your own problems!


* Kurama turns and starts to leave.


Agaliarept- Because you're the only demon in this world now that can truly challenge the brat for his position.


* Kurama pauses to look back at him.


Kurama- Why me? I have no interest in killing.. a child.

Agaliarept- Because I have an idea what he's up to and if you don't stop him before he pushes for the next Royal Tournament.. It will be worse than the last one.


* Kurama looks away and crosses his arms again.


Kurama- You should go do what should have been done three years ago.

Yusuke- I agree. Why are you hiding in this cave,.. Yomi?


* For several moments the atmosphere is very tense in the chamber.


Agaliarept- Yomi was killed.. He was betrayed by his own son.. Left behind by all but one of his so-called loyal friends.


* The hood dips slightly toward the shorter demon.


Agaliarept- Life outside this cave no longer exists for who I.. once was.. When that life ended.. so, too, did my desire for power.. Surely, you must understand this, Kurama.. Is it not why you left to stay in Human World?

Yusuke- Bulls---.. If you don't level with us I'm going to level this cave.


* Agaliarept looks back toward Yusuke.


Agaliarept- With King Enki dead Demon World is back to the same situation it was in before you crashed here, Yusuke.. The only thing that has changed.. is the ones in charge.

Yusuke- You think we haven't already figured that out?


* Agaliarept sighs deeply and slowly removes his hood. Kurama turns to face his old friend, but it is Yusuke that continues.


Yusuke- When I heard what that kid did.. That you were dead.. the last thing on my mind was the leadership of this d--- place!


* The Toushin goes over closer to look Yomi right in the face.


Yusuke- We were more than just allies.. Was this thing with the little b------ so sudden that it caught you by surprise? I find that hard to believe..


* Yomi remains silent as he thinks deeply. Finally he turns his face back toward Yusuke.


Yomi- Fine. I will level with you.. There was a very good reason why I was so.. distracted then.. and why I cannot leave this cave..

Short Demon- Master,..


* Yusuke half glances at the other one.


Yusuke- I think I have a pretty good idea who you are now..

Yomi- Yusuke,.. my existance is limited..


* Yusuke looks back up at the multi-earred demon. Kurama now comes over to stand beside Yusuke.


Kurama- Yomi,..

Yomi- Most demons can sense when their end approaches and they prepare themselves accordingly.. You know this, Kurama.. But then there are some things that.. develope.. that can bring about that end suddenly..

Yusuke- It's a cruel world.. I've learned that..

Yomi- Well, I have been.. priviledged.. enough to experience both paths.. At the time of my sudden demise I was already in preparation to accept my slower end.

Yusuke- But you didn't die.. You're right here..

Yomi- Touch me, Yusuke.


* Yusuke hesitantly reaches out toward Yomi's chest. When it sinks into the being in front of him, but he feels nothing, he pulls it back out.


Yusuke- Alright.. I've seen some strange things, but..

Kurama- You're.. pure youkai..

Yomi- Yes.. Youda heard what happened..


* The shorter demon removes his hood.


Youda- Lord Yomi was dying quickly.. I managed to keep him alive long enough to reach this cave..


* Kurama glances around then nods. Yusuke looks up at him.


Yusuke- Alright, you can explain to me now.

Kurama- Yomi was correct, Yusuke.. His natural existance is done.. I know that you've felt the difference in the atmosphere ever since we entered this forsaken place.. It was always a legend, but I never truly bought it.. It does makes sense that you would, Yomi.

Yusuke- Here we go with the d--- cryptic s--- again..


* Kurama chuckles a bit, then looks down at his friend.


Kurama- The legend of the Forbidden Forest is that when demons die here their energy is trapped here.. Their physical existance ends, but they can never go on to Spirit World.

Yusuke- Why didn't Koenma tell us that you never showed up in one of his tanks then?

Yomi- I cannot answer that.


* Yusuke turns and moves away rubbing his chin.


Yusuke- So.. you're just going to stay here in this cave for eternity?

Yomi- I only wish to stay here long enough to see that my son is dealt with..

Kurama- And you want me to do that?

Yomi- It must be you.

Kurama- Why? I resigned my position..


* Yomi shrugs.


Yomi- I destroyed the letter as soon as you left my office.

Yusuke- Does the brat know that?


* Yomi sighs and nods.


Yomi- He was in the office when I did that.. It was shortly after that that he killed me.. I'm afraid I created the boy to be too much as I was in my younger days.. Kurama, you must defeat him. If he's not stopped he could very well get stronger and destroy both of you.. If you allow him to live Human World.. possibly even Spirit World will suffer.


* Yusuke comes back over.


Yusuke- Spirit World will already suffer.

Yomi- Why do you say this?

Kurama- Because Shura has already tortured Koenma to blindness.


* Yomi absorbs this information then turns away sadly. In a moment he raises his balled fist. It trembles until the goat demon gets his temper under control once more.


Yomi- Once you defeat the boy, Kurama, then the three of you will be able to reach a peaceful solution to who rules this World.


* Kurama glances toward Yusuke who looks away, then looks back at Yomi.


Kurama- I have no desire to be a king.

Yomi- Then do what you must for your friends.. Don't underestimate the boy's twisted mind.. My sources tell me that he has something hidden that will be very dangerous to both of them.. I haven't been able, yet, to ascertain what that is.


* Yomi starts back toward the tunnel he came out of.


Yomi- Now, you must be on your way to Gandera.

Kurama- Yomi,..


* Yomi pauses to look over his shoulder.


Yomi- It's best that you keep my secret.. If Shura finds out that my energy is still here he could come and possess me, then control my strength and add it to his own.

Yusuke- What?!


* Kurama looks at Youda.


Kurama- Old man, I want you to lead Yusuke back out to the others.. I'll follow shortly.


* Yusuke looks at Kurama.


Kurama- I have a last request, Lord Yomi.. I should like to.. spend some time with you.. It may be our last time together.


* Yusuke follows his gut instincts and nods in understanding to Kurama. He then turns and follows Youda out of the chamber as the doctor places his hood back on.


Yomi- Very well. Come with me, old friend.


* Kurama follows Yomi into the tunnel.