False Pretenses - Part 38

Keshiki, Kurai, Fuyu & Minora are mine.

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Yusuke yawned and stretched.  He, Kuwabara, Shizuru, and Yukina had been up all night watching over Hiei, making sure that his condition had stabilized.  Now Yusuke had gone down the temple to do a little pre-dawn exercise.  It was then when he sensed a familiar ki.

"Keshiki?"  Yusuke called incredulously as the youkai sheepishly showed himself.

"Hai.  It is I."

"H-how did you get here?"  Yusuke stared awestruck at the blue-eyed youkai.

"Ano... I'm only here for awhile, Yusuke.  I'm here to help you guys bring down Fuyu."

"...."

Yusuke was speechless.  Keshiki grinned at him.

"Don't worry.  I didn't just break in here.  I have Koenma's permission."

"O--Okay."  Yusuke said slowly, the beginnings of a smile on his face as he slapped the youkai on the back playfully.  "It's good to have you here.  By the way, how did you get here?"

Keshiki sweatdropped a little as Botan suddenly appeared behind Yusuke.

"Tadaaa!  Surprise!"

"Aaaaaah!'  Yusuke yelped.  "Gods, Botan, don't do that!"

Botan giggled.

"Did I scare you?"

Yusuke glared at her.

"Like hell you didn't!"

"G-gomen."  Botan said sheepishly, looking at Keshiki's too innocent eyes.

"Hmp!"  Yusuke snorted.  Keshiki scratched his head.
"Ano... Yusuke, where's everyone else?"

Yusuke's face grew grim.

"Kurama was attacked last night, Keshiki."

"NANI?!"  Keshiki grabbed Yusuke.  "Where is he, Yusuke?  Tell me!"

"Hey, lighten up!  Let me finish!"  Yusuke held down Keshiki's grasping hands, which were shaking.

"Yu-Yusuke...."  Botan trailed off, glancing at the closed doors of the temple.  She couldn't sense Kurama's ki anywhere near the temple.  "S-so that's why you're here.  Ku-Kurama-san?"  Botan gasped in horror.

"No, no!  Kurama is fine!"  Yusuke said hurriedly as Keshiki and Botan sighed in relief.

"But Hiei was hurt."  He held up his hands as Keshiki and Botan would have interrupted.

"He was wounded by a youkai who had planned an attack against Kurama.  It was probably Fuyu again.  I'm not really sure why Hiei was at Kurama's apartment, but all I can say is that Hiei prevented the attacker from getting to Kurama."

There was a brief pause, then Keshiki asked grimly.

"How is he?"

"He's still sleeping.  Ku--err, no I mean Yukina healed him."  And at Keshiki's questioning look,  "Yukina's Hie--she's Kuwabara's fiancée.  Gods, you don't know Kuwabara either!" Yusuke rumpled his hair in frustration as Botan giggled.  Keshiki had a confused look on his face.

"Oh, never mind!"  Yusuke threw up his hands in resignation and beckoned Keshiki and Botan.  "Let's go up and meet the others."

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 "This has gone too far, Koenma!  I have to face Fuyu again before he involves any other party in this fight."  Kurama said grimly.

Koenma eyed the youko solemnly.

"I know, Kurama.  But I can't let you go on your own.  I too have a responsibility of protecting you."  The demigod sighed.

"Koenma...."

"That's final.  You're not going on your own!"

"Koenma...."  Kurama began again patiently.  "I'm only asking for more information about Fuyu."  The youko rolled his eyes.

"Huh?  Why didn't you say so right away?"  The demigod frowned at the redhead.

Kurama grimaced a little, fighting hard not to laugh at the absent-minded toddler.

"So, what has Yusuke told you about him?"

"Well, aside from the fact that's he's a shape shifter, now we know that he can regenerate too.  He can freeze and control anything using that very same power, but what else, Koenma?  I haven't heard of a creature as complex as he is and I don't want anymore surprises!"  Kurama said firmly.

Koenma leaned back against his chair wearily.

"That's the problem, because that's all we know for now."

"I see."  Kurama said quietly.

"Anyway, I'm still doing my research.  I will update you on this matter."  Koenma said as Kurama nodded, then the youko's head snapped up.

"Inari, I think that Fuyu has found an accomplice!"

"NANI?!"

"Koenma, the glass splinters from my window of last night's attack were blazing with red fire."

"So?  Maybe that was from Hiei."

Kurama shook his head vigorously.

"We all know Hiei uses the black fire."

"Dammit!"  Koenma cursed as Kurama frowned at him.

"This has to end, Koenma.  I will not tolerate having anyone else hurt."  Kurama said again.

"Kurama, we can't find them, but they will find you.  They always do."

"Exactly."  The redhead said in grim satisfaction.

"Oh no!  You're not seriously thinking of giving yourself up to them!"  Koenma sputtered.

Kurama merely stared at him.

"I won't allow it!"  The demigod frowned severely at the redhead.

Kurama sighed.

"There's no other way."

"There always is!  I'm going to call Yusuke this instant!"

"No!  I've made up my mind, Koenma.  Fuyu wants me and he won't stop until he succeeds in his plans.  I'm not a coward, Koenma.  If Fuyu wants a rematch, so do I.  Everything has to end."  The redhead whispered grimly, making Koenma shiver.  The youko had used that phrase again and again.  The redhead smiled gently at the demigod. "Trust me, everything will be all right."

Koenma merely stared silently at the redhead.

"Kurama, why do you have to be so stubborn?"  The demigod murmured to the empty room.  Kurama had gone.

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To be continued ...

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