Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Veiled Vision ❯ The Kidnap ( Chapter 2 )

VEILED VISION

Summary: Mysterious enemies come to the human world to find Youko Kurama. While Kurama tries to save his family from the danger, much of his Youko unspoken pasts are revealed.

Timeline: Alternate Universe; Take place after the Makai Tournament

Date: 3/1/2004

Author's Notes: This chapter contained another memory of Kurama and it took place before the one from last chapter... Confusing, huh? ^0^

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Chapter Two - THE KIDNAP

Makai - his homeland. Yes, that would be the term for it. The comforting wind blew toward him, making his long red hair flowing with the current of the air, sending him the taste of the familiar scent. From this view he could see the unlimited landscape that stretched itself to the horizon. The glorifying untainted nature looked harmless enough from if those who hadn't tasted the wrath of Makai in first hand; deep within the beauty was full of demons that would do anything to ensure one's survival. Loyalty, honor, and love were unheard of in the minds of the weaker demons; only the higher class would know of the existence of such emotions and would decide to excise them on their own will, which wouldn't happen often. Everyone used everyone else; one protected only oneself. And some humans like Sensui claimed themselves as corrupted creatures.

He knew Makai well enough after thousands of years running through all the unimaginable dangers as Youko Kurama. However, his heart couldn't deny he had already felt a distance between himself and his birth place. It was as if he couldn't connect himself with this place anymore; at least not in his human form. Maybe whatever was happening was a sign for him to reconcile with his past as Youko, both as Kurama and Shuichi Minamino?

Emerald eyes narrowed once they spotted a group of demons. He increased the pressure of the grip on his small bag that was hung over his shoulder, jumped down from the small hill, and landed onto a branch of a tree without any noise.

From the way they dress he could tell they were bandits. This was perfect. The ones who knew the news around would be bandits. Experienced thieves would gather up all kinds of information from every corner of Makai to make sure they would maximize their profits while avoid running into unnecessary troubles.

Leaning against the tree trunk, Kurama watched carefully at the demons discussing the news they gathered individually. He had suppressed his energy level and had made sure it was far away from them that they wouldn't detect his presence. Demons fighting each other for power and the unclaimed territories, Enki trying to restore some peace within Makai, Reikai expanding their reach in Makai, attempting to restrain demons from entering the human world; from what they said he couldn't find anything was out of ordinary.

"Look over there! A human!" Suddenly one of the bandits, a horned demon, shouted; he must have noticed his presence somehow.

Kurama cursed under his breath and started to run, however, he couldn't outrun his predators and soon found himself surrounded by them.

One of them started to laugh, "Are you lost, little human?" Not knowing Kurama had suppressed his energy, they presumed he was just another helpless human.

Another demon who had long bluish hair, who was probably their leader, grinned, "I haven't eaten human for some time already. Why don't we have ourselves a feast?" He motioned one of the thieves to attack. At this time, Kurama pull out a rose from his long hair and started to expand his energy. The demon stopped his advance, eyeing Kurama suspiciously.

"I have no business with you. You can choose to leave now; or else I will have no choice but to defend myself," the redhead spoke calmly.

The demon spitted, obviously was angry at Kurama's warning, and launched his attack with his sword. Kurama transformed the harmless rose into a long whip. The motion was too unexpected for the demon; he held up his right arm to block the blow. The thorns and the force of the lash ripped the skins of the demon opened. He groaned in pain while blood pouring down from his wound, tainting his white outfit. He started to step backward from stronger half-demon.

"Why you?!" The leader was awed at what Kurama just did, but his ego got better of him and he decided to attack nonetheless. The other bandits joined him, flying toward the redhead in a lightning speed all at once.

Kurama stood there silently, then closing his eyes he lashed his rose whip at his enemies, not hard enough to kill them but good enough to weaken them.

"I have no desire to kill you," he said while looking at the broken demons on the ground, then, he turned away and left. His whip transformed back into a beautiful red rose.

Maybe he was only imagining the danger; maybe everything was going fine in Makai. He suddenly realized that he felt much calmer since he entered Makai comparing what he felt in the human world. It was as if the danger was away from him, or maybe he was the one who moved away from the danger? Since he was in the northeastern part of Makai, only a mile away from Muruko's territory, maybe he should try to find Hiei. The fire demon could probably be found in Muruko's place, if he wasn't on the watch.

The fox demon arrived to his destination a few moments later. There were some guards standing in front of the entrance to Muruko's territory. They recognized Kurama, because he had come here with Hiei several times, thus they bowed their heads lightly to greet their guest.

Kurama greeted them with a smile, "May I speak to Hiei, please?"

The guards nodded at one another, and one of them motioned Kurama to follow her. Because Hiei was Muruko's heir, the presence of his friends within her kingdom was not needed to go through her permission; they were free to enter and leave as they pleased.

He was brought to one of the guest rooms, then the guard excused herself. Moments later he was served with tea by the servants. After several tries at reassuring the servants that he was comfortable, he let his eyelids fell down and his mind wandered.

His memory slowly rewound itself as he tried to recall the recent events that took place. Nothing uncommon happened, but somehow his heart did not let him to have peace he longed for. It all started a week ago, but he still couldn't pinpoint what was taunting him. He was so deep in thought that he didn't realize Hiei was standing behind him.

"Kurama," Hiei called out his name. Kurama's eyes were widened as he turned around. After seeing that was only his friend his breathing started to slow down.

"I am sorry. I haven't been myself lately," the redhead apologized at his reaction. He forced a smile onto his face.

"You surly haven't," Hiei said coolly. He observed his friend slowly with his ruby eyes. "You haven't slept nor eaten well lately." It was more a statement than a question. It was painfully obvious that the fox had lost much weight. Dark shadows smeared themselves on the pale skin under the eyes. The mere image of his friend made Hiei worried; he had never seen the half-demon in such horrible shape.

Kurama smiled, "Yes. My work is becoming more demanding that I haven't had much time to rest."

"Hn..." Hiei did not fall for the fox's lie; he knew the fox too well to actually believe him when it came to the concern of his well-being. Faint scents from other demons and blood reached his nostrils. He sniffed at the air and detected scents were coming from his friend, then, he gave the other boy a questioning glance.

The redhead realized it and answered, "This time I come to Makai is to find out something. I had tried to search for some information from some bandits, but it was fruitless."

"So it seems like I am your last resort," Hiei sneered, "It's wonderful to know my place on your list. Obviously I am not high up there."

"Not that I don't think you as a dear friend. I merely don't want to give you too more troubles on top of the tasks Muruko already gave you." Kurama explained, then, a glint of mischievous look appeared in his emerald eyes, "Why Hiei, you're hurt because I didn't come to ask for your help? I am flattered. I didn't know..." much to Hiei's annoyance he purposefully spoke each word in a painfully slow pace, "you care about me this much."

The fire demon's face turned completely red. He hissed, looked as though he was about to tear his friend in half, "Shut up, you stupid fox."

Kurama suppressed what would be a laugh into a light giggle. It was certainly a sight to see- Hiei was embarrassed. The usual cold composure of the fox demon was ripped off and replaced by a touch of warm emotion. There was nothing wrong with admitting his feeling, but then again, when had Hiei ever showed his sentiment. He wouldn't even reveal himself to his sister, who had been searching for him desperately, not knowing the quiet dark hair boy who was with her sometimes was her brother. He couldn't help but to pity the sweet Yukina.

Shaking off this thought, Kurama asked, "Have anything happened in Makai?"

"Why?"

"It's just..." his voice turned into a whisper, sounding unsure of himself. "I think something is coming. Something terrible."

Hiei remained silent then replied, his eyes stared straight into the emerald ones, "Hn. You think too much."

Yes. Hiei was right. He himself couldn't even sure why he felt this way.

"Maybe... I better hand back home. My mother will be shocked if she finds out I am gone in the middle of the night. Thanks for listening to me." Kurama smiled warmly at Hiei.

"Hn." The forbidden child grunted and escorted Kurama to outside. Kurama bid him a goodbye, while he only nodded back at him. Then the redhead left, disappearing under the light of the sunset.

After walking back to his room Hiei started to think back the conversation he just had. Something was not right with Kurama. Why would the fox felt so unease? He was seldom wrong about anything. If only he could contact Yusuke or Koenma...

He turned around when he sensed Muruko's presence. The half deformed demon asked, "What is bothering you, Hiei? Is it about your fox friend?"

"Hn..."

Muruko knew that was a `yes.' From the way Hiei breathed and moved, she could tell he deeply concerned about his friend; his entire mind was concentrated on him. Sighing, she said to her heir, "I will give you leave. You can be away from your post as long as needed." As soon as her words left her mouth, Hiei was gone in a flash. Muruko smiled at herself. That's exactly the Hiei she liked.

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Before he returned home there was a place he wanted to go. The willow tree. One of the resting places he had stayed while he was a child as Youko Kurama. Kurama slowly made his way toward the tree, and leaned against it, putting his left right cheek against the rough surface of the trunk. This was the spot where his father had promised to come back to, but he had never completed his promise. The memory of day discovering his father was gone forever still vivid.

The small youko sat under the willow tree while looking at the horizon, waiting and waiting. His father had gone in the early morning, saying that he had business to attend to and that he would return soon. Some times after the youko left Kurama felt a flare of his father's energy, and it was quickly diminished and was all gone suddenly. He didn't say anything to his mother back then. He didn't want to; he was afraid- afraid of the answer he might receive. If his father gave his words to him that he would be back by sunset, then he would be. He'd never lied.

The suspense heightened to a great level as the child watched the sun disappearing under the horizon.

"Where is father?" he asked softly. His voice was barely a whisper.

"He is not coming back."

Upon hearing this, the child blurted out, "Why? Father said he would come back!" However, when he saw his mother's glare, he immediately stopped himself.

"He is not coming back," His mother repeated. "He can't."

Strange liquids started to fall from his eyes, running down his cheeks. He held out his small hands to catch them. They were clear liquids. Somehow, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop them. The throbbing in his hearts, the trembles of his limps, the falling of those liquids... he wanted all of them to stop.

"Stand up, Kurama!" He looked up and saw the impassive face of his mother. She grabbed him by his hair and threw him onto the air, then started her brutal attacks.

Something inside the child snapped. He was angry. No longer could he control his animalistic rage, he fought back. Wanted release, wanted release for his anger. He fully abandoned himself into the abyss, letting his instinct to take over.

Kurama walked on the quiet street that led to his home. It was still too early for people to wake up yet.

As the distance between he and his home decreased, the beatings of his heart increased tenfold. He started to walk briskly, then run, toward his house. There was an aura of strong energy inside the house. Becoming more anxious, he knocked the front door opened. Signs of struggling were few but evident.

"Mother!" He raced to the living room, shouting. Not able to find anyone downstairs, he ran up the stairs to his mother's bedroom, then to his brother's room.

"Mother! Kazuya! Shuuichi!"

The house was empty. Chillness shot through his body when he realized all of them were gone. Who could have done this? He slowly descended the stairs as he was thinking. It was then he saw a note on the table, written with blood.

"Come to The Lost Ruin alone if you want to see your family alive."

To Be Continue...

Next Chapter: The Enemy