You might not understand some points and important details mentioned in this story if you haven't read the initial part of the trilogy. You may need to check it out first, read THE AUGURY.
Prologue
" Mama, mama!", a small girl called, tugging a heavy book with her small dainty hands. Her cute face looked up excitedly as she approached a small ignoble hut beside a steep cliff.
" What is it, sweetie?", a lady in her late twenties emerged from behind the house.
Panting hard, the girl handed out the hard-bound manuscript. " I found this on the riverbank."
The lady’s dark purple eyes glowed with excitement as she stared at the golden trimmings. She knew this book too well. She knew of its power and importance. " Did anybody saw you carrying this book?"
The small girl shook her head.
" Promise your mommy, you won’t tell anybody about this. It would be our little secret. Hmm?", the lady said, gently patting her daughter’s long dark blue hair
The girl nodded, crossing her heart with her little finger. " Promise!" She gazed at her mom admiringly. There are rumors going around town, saying that her mom used to be very ugly with fox ears and gray hair. They told her that she cast a spell to herself and turned her features into a pretty one. Some people called her witch but her daughter didn’t believe them. They were just jealous because she looked so perfect. When she grew up she wanted to be like her mom. Lovely. And graceful. She was happy and proud that she was named after her mother.
Her playmates like it very much.
Anika.
Such a very nice name.
1
Dinner Was Served
" Darling, you’d better go now . . ."
" But my love I don’t want to leave you . . . I-I don’t want to leave you alone !!!!"
A large beast advanced toward the couple, growling menacingly, its jagged teeth poised up in the air.
" Nooooo . . .", the couple screamed in terror, refusing to heed the call of death as it cruelly took their precious lives away from their mortal bodies.
" Oh . . . my . . . God . . ", a brown-haired young woman gaped in horror at the scene, clutching the sleeves of a young man seated beside her.
Suddenly the voices stopped and the dark room was bathed with bright lights. The sound system played again, this time with a theme song of the film that was just shown on the big screen.
" Keiko, its just a movie!"
" Oh, I don’t like the ending!", Keiko complained as they stepped out of the downtown moviehouse. " It was too morbid and tragic!"
" Honey, it sucks all the way except the last part.", Yusuke commented, then he wrinkled his face. " Those cheesy parts ruined the film . . ."
" What’s wrong with it?!", she gazed at the sky and asked dreamily. " Have you heard what that guy said? ‘ Darlin’ you’d better go now . . .!’ "
" Um, yeah.", he said flatly.
A frown instantly crossed Keiko’s pretty face. " Humph! You don’t have a single romantic bone, Urameshi!"
Yusuke didn’t say anything, knowing it was a playful banter they always have when arguing. Anyone who had seen all the trials they went through would think they aren’t that immature to let go of a sturdy relationship simply because of a stupid movie.
Besides, it was fairly obvious, her words didn’t came from the heart. Even she doesn’t look convince with that statement. No words could ever spell how much she means to him. Everybody knows she’s his strength, his one true inspiration. Yusuke smiled. All he needs to do is to remind her of that.
He ran his fingers through his right palm then turned to her. " Hey, where are you going?", he called, surprised at the path she’s taking.
" Home.", she said flatly.
" Huh?" Yusuke’s face fell. " I thought we’re going to eat dinner in that fancy restaurant?"
Keiko held her nose up. " I changed my mind."
" We could visit the carnival . . .", he offered.
" I’m tired of carnivals."
" Um, the club?"
" I hate clubs!"
" Okay, so we’ll do some shopping instead!"
Keiko looked at him sideways. " Are you sure?"
Uh, oh, Yusuke thought. What am I getting myself into? Now she’ll surely pick a posh boutique!
" See? You’re such a clod, Yusuke!"
" Hey, Alright! You could have one item from a store of your choice!"
" Okay."
" Oh, boy!", he mumbled, scratching vigorously on his right palm.
Keiko raised an eyebrow. " You’re saying . . ."
" Uhm, I said I was glad you didn’t cut the night early.", he said huskily. " And . . uh do you have an anti-itch lotion with ‘ya?"
-----------------------------------------------------------
" Please . . . no . . .!!!"
A middle aged man backed against a brick wall in a dark alleyway as three burly young men advanced toward him.
" Tsk, tsk, tsk.", a short and stocky guy sneered. " You have a long list of debts, my friend. We can’t just let you go."
" Uh . . . please. Take my money. My jewelry.", the man pleaded, one hand reaching in his pocket while the other fumbled to unclasp his Rolex watch. " Take everything. There . . . Ask anything . . ."
" Ooohh.", the second thug cheerfully grasped the money and jewelry. " ‘think these could spare your life?" He brought his pudgy face a few inches from the man. " I don’t think so."
The biggest one, who appears to be the leader stepped forward, playing dangerously with his sharp-edged pocketknife. His cruel eyes spoke no mercy, searing deep into their victim’s own.
The victim gulped. " Saturo. Please. Have mercy. I have three children. A-and a w-wife. T-hey a-adored me. T-they needed me!"
" Shut up!!!!", Saturo growled. If there’s anything he despised in this job, its definitely seeing hypocrites acting all too nice and holy. With a surge of anger, he sliced the blade through thin air, grazing the victim’s left arm.
The older man screamed, clutching his arm as a deep long gash appeared.
" You rich people have no place here on earth!!!", Saturo yelled, raising the sharp blade once more, preparing to make the final attack. " Die!!!"
"OI !!!"
The sharp knife hung in mid-air, a few inches away from the shaken man.
All three robbers raised their heads. " Who’s there?"
A young man stepped into the light, casting a faint glow in his raging brown eyes. " Leave him alone."
There was a moment of stunned silence as the statement caught the thugs by surprise.
Then finally, one of the criminals snickered. Then followed by the other. Before they knew it, they were all laughing so hard, they need to hold their sides. A teenager wouldn’t be much of a problem. In fact, he’s no problem at all.
One of the thugs huffed. " It’s just a fucking kid man! I say let’s finish uncle benny here then scoot!"
" Didn’t you hear me?", the young man said, completely ignoring the thug. " I SAID, leave the man alone!" His voice raised slightly, more firmly this time.
" Look here, squirt, we have no time for kiddie fights. Why don’t you go find your playmates and do hopscotch."
If this culprit’s been trying to act like a clown and make fun of him. They’re mistaken. The young man wasn’t amused. " What’s the matter, afraid to face a KID?"
They all stopped laughing, unbelieving that this teenager was really taking this heroic act seriously.
" So brave, yet so stupid.", Saturo commented. " You dare challenge us?!"
The boy didn’t answer instead he readied himself, posing in a fighting stance.
" Idaki.", the leader called the shortest guy. " You take care of him. And make it quick. We don’t want to waste our time."
The boy appeared insulted. " One? You’re going to send just one? Why not all of you?"
" Oh we don’t want to be much of a burden to you. I think one is all you can handle.", Idaki sneered. " ‘bet you’ll be running to mommy once I bash your nose."
The young man narrowed his eyes. " Are you through?" He then raised his forefinger and pointed it at Idaki. A small bluish energy suddenly formed at the tip.
" What’s that?!", Idaki looked frightened. " Saturo . . . aahhh!!!!!"
Before the other two could react, the young man released his strength. With a single blow, he knocked down all three, sending their weak bodies skyward. Where would they land? Probably a few miles from the city.
" Are you okay, sir?", the teenager bent down to check up on the elder man.
" I’m fine, thank you.", he replied, extending his hand at his savior. " By the way, I’m Tokashi Yamamoto."
The boy smiled back. He knew this man very well. A classic millionaire in town. It’s just too sad that some people were so damned jealous of other people’s success and wealth that they wanted to take them out of the society if not rob their money.
" You’re such a brave kid! Your parents must’ve been very proud of you.", Mr. Yamamoto continued. " What’s your name, boy?"
" Yusuke. My name’s Yusuke Urameshi, sir.", the young man replied, eyeing Mr. Yamamoto’s bleeding arm. " I think we need to treat that. I know a bit of first aid."
The man smiled graciously. " You’re heaven sent!"
Yusuke smiled back. Good thing he attended and actually listened to his physical ed class about handling emergencies that morning. His utterly boring professor sometimes do make sense. He reached out and took the man’s bleeding arm, thick red blood oozed out from the long gash.
Suddenly he felt a bitter taste hit the back of his throat.
His blood. So fresh. So . . . inviting.
Before Mr. Yamamoto noticed what Yusuke was doing, the young man brought his lips to his wound.
" What’re you doing?", Mr. Yamamoto looked bewildered for a moment then his face lit up, realizing what he was trying to do. " Oh, was there poison in that blade?"
Yusuke didn’t lift up his head, instead he gave a slight nod.
" Those culprits! They really wanted to finish me!", the older man ranted. His expression soften. " Good thing you arrived. I wish my boy would grow up just like you. He’s four. His name is . . ."
Suddenly, he felt dazed. Why was he feeling so drowsy? The poison must have traveled his body. How long had Yusuke been sucking the poison out. His tired eyes glanced wearily at his savior. He’s supposed to spit out the poison, instead it looked as if . . . he’s drinking it.
It was so much effort to raise his hand and tap the young man. " Yusuke . . ."
Slowly, Yusuke raised his head, still holding the millionaire’s blood drenched arm. What he saw made him cried out in terror. " Huh?! W-Who are y-you? W-What are y-you?!!"
Yusuke’s big brown eyes narrowed into slits. His expression that of annoyance. Blood flowed down the sides of his mouth. Red liquid tainted his teeth. His razor sharp teeth. Two of them gleamed in the bright streetlight. Long and pointed.
Fangs.
" F-fangs? H-how in the world . . .?" Mr. Yamamoto shook in fright. With a sudden burst of courage he kicked him at the chest and jumped quickly to his feet.
Not quick enough for Yusuke though.
The Reikai detective sprang through the air and lunge at the older man.
He’s much stronger. Younger.
And hungry.
He sank his teeth more deeply into his flesh. Blood pumped into his mouth, finishing off what was left of his blood.
Mr. Yamamoto bawled. He kicked and jerked. His eyes rolled back in his head. Then he lay still. Dead.
The millionaire’s corpse stared at him blankly. His face a mask of ghoulish purple.
Yusuke eyed the cadaver in satisfaction. The stench of raw meat invaded his senses. So fresh. So delectable. Without wasting a second, he tore the muscle and flesh. Sinking his canine teeth into the pinkish chunk.
Suddenly something rang from within his backpack. Reluctantly, he reached for his mobile phone and raised it to his ears.
" Yusuke. What’s taking you so long?", Atsuko’s voice emanated from the cellular.
" Um, I brought Keiko home.", he replied.
" I just arrived from work and I did some groceries. I brought pizza and lots of chips for you.", she said. It was unusual for his mom to be so attentive to him, usually she would just asked him to eat what was on the table or worst, to dig up something on the fridge. Too bad he has to postpone this one ‘til the next day.
" Uh, mom. Maybe you could just rest and save your groceries for tomorrow.", Yusuke suggested, his hands clutching a piece of bloody flesh.
" Why? Don’t you like pizza? You want me to cook something?", she asked.
" No need, mom." , Yusuke traced the soft meat with his fingers, his tongue licking the sides of his mouth in obvious delight.
" I’m already having my dinner."
2
Who pulled down the curtains?
One beefy hand reached out to turn a metal knob and adjust the heater. Sharp curses filled the room. Then the same hand reached for a comforter, spreading it over his heavily wrapped large frame lying flat on a bed.
" Its so cold!", Kuwabara chattered his teeth as his eyes wandered outside. It wasn’t snowing or even raining. Still the temperature seemed to dip lower by the minute.
He coughed and sniffed, shaking away the cold like a pesky beetle but the freezing air enveloped him, almost choking his senses, robbing warmth out of his ningen body.
Suddenly, a short, faint noise sounded, breaking the silence.
" Must be the heater again.", he mumbled. " I’ll bring it over to a shop tomorrow." He shut his eyes and forced himself to sleep.
Drip.
He brought one pillow over his head, trying to shut off the noise.
Drip. Drip.
Kuwabara grumbled and slowly opened his eyes. Darkness immediately greeted his sight. What time is it anyway? He thought.
Drip. Drip.
The faucet? Kuwabara shook his head. He hadn’t been to the bathroom. A leak? He sank back into the covers. This is great. Just great. Here he was, looking like a frozen gorilla jumping at a dripping sound ,trying to figure out where the leak is. How pathetic.
" Sheesh!", Kuwabara turned on his side. He won’t be able to get up early tomorrow to visit Yukina if he can’t even get a wink now.
Yukina. He grinned, thinking about the pretty ice maiden.
Kuwabara lay flat on his back, gazing up at the ceiling, plastered with Yukina’s poster-size pictures. He smiled. Then he narrowed his eyes, seeing a dark stain marring her face on one of the blown-up photos. He squinted in the dark. And felt something trickle down on his forehead. He reached out to touch it.
Warm. Thick. Red.
Quickly he sat up. " B-blood?"
Kuwabara swallowed hard, as the air became more damp and chilling.
Something made itself felt in the room. But the room was empty. Nothing’s here but me, so where could it be? He asked himself.
Out of the corner of his eye he thought he saw something move along his study desk. He turned his head.
No one there.
He suddenly felt sure that someone’s with him in the room. He stopped and listened.
Silence.
He turned again.
This time, he saw a shadowy figure moving silently toward him.
Kuwabara shuddered. " No! Not again!", he cried. " Leave me alone!" He sat up.
Another figure appeared behind him. Another to his left. Then another. And another. The shadowy figures moved closer, moving silently, effortlessly, as if pushed forward on the wind.
Fear gripped Kuwabara’s throat. " Go away!" he managed to choke out.
But the figures, all in dark shades of gray, slipped closer.
Closer.
Kuwabara blinked twice. Thrice. He forced himself to shut it out. But its presence was so strong it could rule over his mind. They were that determined, wishing to take his soul for their own, like a horde of savaged beasts wanting to command his humanity.
He stood still for a while, freezing both in fear and low temperature. But his peaceful moments didn’t last long as he felt a cold wind on his back. The icy touch of a shadowy stranger, threatening, more urgent than ever.
" No!", Kuwabara screamed shrilly. Using all his strength, he pulled away.
But the icy wind swept up his back. Moaning. Calling at him.
His feet pounded on the floor. He turned sharply. Out of his room.
I’ll be safe if I get out, he thought.
Safe from the cold, shadowy strangers.
Safe . . .
He tripped over a shoe then stumbled to the ground, sprawling facedown on the cold hard floor. And waited in terror for the cold shadows to sweep over him.
" Oi --- Kuwabara?!"
Kuwabara raised his head at the sound of his sister’s voice.
Shizuru loomed before him, her face a sign of irritation.
He spun around, his eyes searching the darkness behind him.
The shadows had vanished
Kuwabara climbed to his feet. " I tripped. I was running from the . .", he hesitated. " The shadows . . ." His voice trailed off.
Shizuru narrowed her eyes. " Those shadows again?! Kuwabara . . ." She wanted to scold him, foul words cursed through her brain, wanting to snap him off of his illusions. But the frightened look in her brother’s eyes prevented her. This would probably be the nth time he had this ‘ shadows-chasing-me-visions ’ in this week alone. Never mind the weeks and months before that. She noticed the sudden change in him. Bags lined below his eyes. He had not been sleeping well these days. Also, he had become less ---- playful. She’s not used to that.
" C-can you watch me . . . while I s-sleep. Please, sis?", Kuwabara asked, his eyes pleading.
Shizuru nodded, motioning him to take the bed. She spread the covers on the couch, her eyes searching her brother’s sleeping form, it was as if, she was watching her little brother a decade ago.
She sighed. She had consulted a psychiatrist the other day. All she needs to do is to convince Kuwabara to visit the hospital. It’s not that she thinks he’s crazy or anything but its fairly obvious that something’s wrong and he needs help.
Shizuru lay herself onto the couch. Tomorrow she’ll ask him. She has to know what’s bothering him. She has to do something before it becomes too late.
-----------------------------------------------------------
" What was once shattered be now rebuilt. What was once powerful now be indestructible."
A throaty hush toned voice sounded. " Don’t waste your time, big sister! ‘cause in a matter of days, your orange-headed brother will be mine! He’ll be my slave. So short a time. And I can’t wait."
" When the time comes . . ." A snicker echoed. " He shall fulfill. Oh yes, he shall fulfill!"
-----------------------------------------------------------
She breathed slowly, hearing a faint noise. A moan. So soft and muffled. Husky and sensual. She blushed. Somebody’s having an intercourse with someone.
Something soft and wet was pressed against her lips. Lips. Someone’s kissing me, she thought. Slowly, it moved to her chin, to her throat, down to her chest. She felt hands touching her breasts, caressing, molding it. Another lay still on her belly. It felt so warm against her skin. Firm but smooth.
I’m naked, she realized. It felt cold yet so hot.
Somebody’s over me, she thought, feeling a light pressure on her thigh.
Someone . . someone’s making love with me.
But why can’t I see anything? Whose the person? Who is he?
Why can’t I move? Why do I feel sleepy?
Questions whirled in her head as her vision became foggier and foggier, drifting off to darkness, succumbing to sleep.
Botan grunted, forcing herself to wake up. That strange dream fading out of her memory as she did her morning rituals and quickly headed out of the bedroom to start her work.
She was about to be relieved of her position for a while. The next day will be the start of her annual month-long vacation. She had been waiting for it since she assumed the job as assistant to the Reikai detectives. Normally she would be delighted by this, but for some reason thirty days of freedom doesn’t look that much fun anymore. Traveling to Ningenkai would probably be her best choice. But right now there isn’t that much to see there.
Botan rubbed harder at the mahogany desk. Not much to see there? Who am I kidding? She thought. She knew the only reason why she was dreading to go back to that world was to keep herself from running into somebody. She gripped the broom handle. Her purple eyes caught small scars on her fingertips.
She remembered it all. A bitter experience so vivid in her mind that every time she saw her healing nails, memories of horror would leap up to her senses once more. It was a good thirteen months, yet she could still feel it. Still smell it. The stench of rotten creatures. The cold, hard floor against her back. The low marbled coffin lid.
" I’ll never get over this.", she muttered.
" What’s that Botan?" , asked a teenage boy seated across the room in his usual desk. His handsome face hidden behind a huge pile of paperwork.
" Uh.", Botan raised her head in surprise. She almost forgot that Koenma’s in the same room. " I said your office is so dusty! You’re maids doesn’t seem to be doing a good job."
The blue-haired deity flashed the prince an exaggerated grin. Koenma knew better. Her sunny smile doesn’t match well with all the suffering and loneliness showing through her purple eyes. He could see it clearly. She was trying so hard to make herself appear as if she never bore any implications from what happened months ago.
Why, she had been cleaning that desk for almost an hour now!
He brought his attention back to his work, shaking his head in remorse. The truth is – none of them has taken that experience lightly. Not one of them could forget how close they were to actually ruining whatever they had fought for. Whether a humble shelter to something more precious than all things combined. Like relationships and loved ones.
It has been a little over a year since their encounter with the dark element. Still the memory haunted him in his sleep. He would dream about the book, the relics, the flames . . . his mother.
He pored down to his paper.
NAME OF DECEASED: Friar Mari Hayashi
OCCUPATION: Reikai monk
CAUSE OF DEATH: Severe Shock
Koenma caught the entry for the time of his death. Thirteen months ago. Same vicinity where . . He knitted his brows. About three days after that day . . . .
The friar’s body was found beside a deep cliff. A sharp twig protruding at the sides pierced down his body. He had checked with the doctors and they even did a second autopsy in front of him. No other cause of death. No trace of the murderer. No witness. The investigators concluded it as suicide. But for what reason?
Koenma could smell foul play, its traces littering all over the picture as though they were visible. Still the question remained, who did it?
Kuwabara had probably gotten to the friar even before carrot-top reached the woods. But then again all of Kuwabara’s victims where killed by his sword not of something such as these. Its impossible fairly impossible to think that he met Hiei around the area. Besides Hiei was focusing on the edifice, at least that’s what he knew. Kurama? He’s in Reikai.
Suddenly the door burst open. George came barging in carrying a small case in his palms. " Boss, Koenma! Boss, Koenma!"
Irritated, the prince of Reikai turned to his assistant’s perspiring ugly face. " What is it?"
" Somebody found these." The oni placed two small cases in front of him. " One was found at the crime scene and the other inside friar Mari’s pocket."
Koenma gazed at the cases with interest. Gingerly, he lifted the velvet-lined lid, exposing what was kept within.
A loud gasp was heard almost immediately as the object came into view. Botan had approached his desk and was gazing at the cases as well. Koenma stared at her with wild golden eyes.
Then he brought his attention back at the contents. Two identical small black gems cast reflections on their sights.
Botan could feel her knees weakening. No, it can’t be!
" I think we should call Yusuke and the others.", Koenma struggled to keep his voice steady. Perspiration beaded on his forehead as he shut both lids. His golden eyes grim and serious. He has to get it out of his system, no matter how dreadful it is.
For thirteen months they lived peacefully, burying the past like a cursed memento that should be banished forever in the face of the earth. But amidst their efforts, it lingered, haunting them as if it never really left.
His lips formed a tight and thin line, voicing out the words he has been keeping to himself for more than a year now. " It’s not yet over."
To be continued . . . . .