Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Ties That Bind ❯ Worries ( Chapter 2 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Chapter 2
Worries

Jeering echoes down the row of cages. That right, the traders are back. The smell of fresh meat in the air has them all riled. Against his better judgment, Meiyo leans out of his cage to get a better look. Beasts of all sizes are dragged in, bound in chains. Some look scared, others growl angrily and snap at the guards. None of them will last very long. Two on the end catch his eye, they are unconscious, being dragged along. A red headed ningen, and a spiky haired... something, he can't get a good look. They are so small, he wonders if they have been brought in as food. Like they'd spend money to get us food. He catches the attention of one of the guards.
"Those two give you trouble or something?"

The guard gives him a sly smile. "Naw, just picked those two up last night. They were out when we got um and haven't woke up. Guy who sold um said they'd be out of it for a day or so. Bet they don't last eh Sparky?"

Meiyo scowls. "I told you not to call me that."

The guard just laughs at him and goes back to placing the newcomers in the lower cages. The more fights one survives the higher up they are moved in the cages. Meiyo is top dog, not that it is a honor he desires. He is snapped from his musings when he realizes he is being watched. The ningen's eyes are half open, and while she... he? doesn't look fully conscious there is some kind of odd understanding in those emerald green orbs. An age he can't credit, but before he can figure it out, they slide closed again, falling back into unconsciousness. Is that one really ningen? Or have I been here so long I am looking for things that didn't exist? Meiyo continues to watch as they throw both the one with spiky hair and the mysterious red head into the lowest cage, effectively out of his sight.

***

His head hurts. Not that he isn't used to waking up feeling like he's been torn to shreds, but it just isn't ever pleasant. Maybe the kitsune has something to get rid of this...

Hiei opens his eyes; expecting to see the familiar, comforting walls of Kurama's room, with either cool moonlight or warm sunshine streaming in through the window that is always left open for him. But instead meet the dingy gray and darkness of a cell, a prison, no... a cage. He realizes too late that he isn't lying on the fox's soft bed, it's too cold, the fox would have covered him up, at least he doesn't have any injuries. Speaking of the fox...

Kurama is on the ground next to him, skin unusually pale and still unconscious. The normally immaculate clothing he wears wrinkled, torn, and dirty. The pale skin is the most troublesome, and his hands are cold, if Hiei couldn't feel the life energy coming off his companion he might worry that the fox is dead. Upon seeing his friend's condition Hiei remembers the party and the strange green fog that had effected Kurama so strongly. He quickly sets about trying to wake the red head. He'll know how to get out of here right?

The fox is normally a light sleeper, but after several minutes of shaking, goading, and slapping, Hiei is resigned that Kurama isn't waking anytime soon and sets about finding his own way out of the damn cage. He walks over to the bars and find that the damn things dodn't even have wards on them. To top it off they are old and rusted. Fools, do they want me to escape? He places a hand on the door and raises his energy; ready to melt the cage to pieces... and nothing. Not a bit of heat is generated. Irritated, Hiei flares his energy higher, but it seems to be sucked away, never hitting the bars.

Confused and a little tired he sitd down next to Kurama. The fox would know what is going on. So he pulls Kurama a little closer, he'll just keep them warm and when Kurama finally wakes up he'll be able to get them out. Unfortunately Hiei discovers that he can't even summon enough power to raise the temperature of the cage. A string of explicitives colores the air. Hiei pulls the kitsune close, resorting to body heat, even though his eyes burn with frustration.

***

Yukina scurries along behind Botan. Genkai has sent them to retrieve a few things from Kurama's house that might help: his cell phone, a few things that smell like him, and his plants... which would have his ki signature. Not to mention they have stayed couped up in the temple for a few days now and are running low on food. Kurama always has well stocked cabinets and he surely won't mind... that's what Botan had said. "Botan are you sure we should do this... I mean if Kurama wanted us in his house he would have left us a key right?"

"Well Yukina darling you know that we'd ask if we could but obviously we can't or this trip wouldn't be necessary in the first place. Now lets see... this is a rather simple lock to pick..." Botan kneels down in front of the door to Kurama's apartment and proceedes to try and jimmy the lock. It isn't breaking and entering if it is the house of a friend and you are doing it for their own good; that is what Botan tells herself anyway. She is a guide to the river Styx after all, she can't afford to break the law. The lock seems to be giving her more trouble than expected though.

"Um... Botan..."
"Not now Yukina dear."
"But Botan..."
"What!?" She says, exasperated at the lock.
"I don't think he's very happy with you."
"Who?"
"The angry man standing behind us." Botan 'yeeps', and twirls around to face a very disgruntled looking middle aged man with glasses, a confused looking woman... his wife presumably, and a smirking young man.

"What do you think you are doing? Breaking into my stepson's apartment? I'll have you arrested!" Botan gasps, damn her luck, she is about to come up with a hurried excuse when Yukina's response cuts her off.

"Oh so you are Kurama-kun's family! It is so pleasant to finally meet you! He always says such wonderful things about you all!" Yukina's beaming smile seems to catch the man off guard and he stands with a rather stupefied expression, when the woman speaks up for him.

"Kurama? Ah yes! Suuichi's nickname! You must be friends of his. Tell me, have you seen him lately? We've been so worried... last I heard from him was Friday. He said he was going to some kind of party. I've tried to call him but it always goes to voice mail. When Kazuya told me he didn't show up to work or call in I insisted we come over to see if he is alright." Then it clicks in Botan's mind, sending a silent, regretful shiver through her body.

"Shiori! Um... I mean Hatanaka-san, its a pleasure. My name is Botan and this here is Yukina. You wouldn't happen to have a key to his apartment would you? We need to get a few thing's for Suuichi-kun."

Shiori rifles through her purse for a moment and pulls out a key and opens the door. The apartment is obviously empty, and has been for a few days. The early prep for a dinner left about the kitchen, long since useful. Shiori's eyes turn to Botan, seemingly demanding an answer.

Botan figits nervously, twirling a strand odd blue hair around her finger. "Botan is it? Where is my son? If you are picking things up for him, why didn't he give you his key?"

"Well... I mean... that is to say..." Botan promptly chockes as Yukina answers sadly and honestly.

"He can't. The bad people with the plant killer took him and we are trying to find him. Don't worry Hatanaka-san, I am sure he's fine. Hiei-kun is with him. We'll find him soon though, we have everyone we can looking for him." She looks at the ground, Yukina hasn't been well since Hiei and Kurama disappeared. She is very sickly and has trouble controlling her power levels, Genkai had thought the fresh air might do her some good.

Shiori splutters and Kazuya remains stunned, it was the boy, Suuichi or Suu-chan, that recoveres first. "What do you mean he was taken? You mean, he's been kidnapped?" Botan groans and buries her face in her hands.

"Yukina! Oh all well, Kurama won't be very happy about this when we bring him home though... look, the situation is complicated but if you come back to the temple with us we'll explain everything, before we go we need to grab a few things. Yukina go grab some of his clothes and gather his plants, be careful, some of them bite. I'll find his cell phone and grab the food." Botan hurries past Shiori; grabbing things from the cabinet and throwing them onto a blanket, tyeing the ends together. The Hatanaka's look on in confusion, but follow the strange blue haired women.

Yusuke is going to kill me...

***

"... and that's all we know. I am really sorry Hatanaka-san." Shiori looks at the boy in horror.
Is all he said true? He has proof... his glowing finger... that boy's sword... Yukina's tear gems when they'd mentioned the plant killer... but really, her son a legendary fox thief? Captured for days on end with no word and for no apparent reason? She knew this boy. His name was Yusuke Urameshi, Suuichi had taken him to see her at the hospital. He showed up at the house from time to time. He was Suuichi's friend. That was another thing, Suuichi sacrificing his life for hers? Yes, she knew at once he would do that. Her baby was really... gone?

She snapps, it all hits her at once, her baby is gone and hasn't been heard from in days. Harsh sobs rack her tiny frame and her knees give out, Kazuya grabs her before she hits the floor. She looses track of time, no longer knows where she is or who is there. She is lost in a sea of overwhelming fear and grief for her precious red-haired, green-eyed, caring, intelligent, damn near perfect, and loving son that always makes sure to keep in touch with her, to reassure her... now there is no doubt.

He's gone...

Suuichi just looks on at his father and step-mother with the others, unsure of what to do; utterly shocked at what was said. He knew his older step-brother was a little different from everyone else... but this is just off the wall. Just where is he anyway?

***

It was several hours before Hiei feels Kurama stir, green eyes flutter open but are unfocused. "Hiei?"

Hiei snorts. "'Bout time you woke up."

Kurama shakes his still fuzzy head. "What? Where?"

"We got caught. No idea where we are. Get your butt up and get us out of here!"

He gets to his feet slowly, examining his surroundings. He tries to stretch out his ki to examine things and finds he can't. What the? Oh hell! "Leaving might be difficult. It seems they have fitted us with power limiters."

"Power what?" Hiei growls, not liking the sound of those.

"Power limiters, our ki will be useless for a time. How effective they are is yet to be determined." Kurama shoots Hiei a very serious look. "We may be in trouble." Kurama sets about examining the area as best he can with his regular senses until an orgish looking guard approaches.

"Finally you sissy's are up! Time for your first... and probably only fight!"
_______________________________________________________________ _______________________

A/N:

Sorry that took so long. I had lots of prep to do for the 4th. But anyway I hope you enjoy it! Please review!

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho nor any of its characters. They belong to Yoshihiro Togashi. The plot and original characters of this fic, are however, mine.

Ningen: Human
-san: Mrs., Mr.
Kitsune: Spirit fox