Amaranth

So, I’ve figured out that when I actually have the next chapter written for a story I really just can’t wait to update it. Thus, the super fast update.

Disclaimer: Already said before, I don’t own it.

Warnings: Gen bend, possible confusion, and as always, creepy Karasu

“speaking”
‘thinking’
:Shuichi to Yoko:
::Yoko to Shuichi::

Amaranth

Chapter Two: Dinner

Kurama stood in front of the large arched windows or her room, looking out over the terrain, but not really taking it in. The fox was torn. On one hand she wanted to change back to her old form, and in order to do that she had to listen to Karasu’s explanation. On the other, she wanted to escape immediately, getting as far away from the crow as possible.

“Mistress, your bath is ready.” Kurama looked over at the young bat demon that served as one of her two maids. She must have been glaring for the bat took a step back in fright.

Sighing in resignation, the fox left her spot by the balcony and followed the other demon. She wasn’t going to get anywhere unless she learned how the crow had changed her. Besides, she wasn’t going to get far without access to her powers.

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“W-what’d you mean an alternate dimension?” Kuwabara asked, breaking the shocked silence that had settled over the room.

“I would have told you that Karasu had escaped sooner, but we weren’t able to find his destination easily. Since the SDF has members that specialize in portals they were put in charge of the investigation. They’re trying to make a new portal as we speak so they can go after Karasu. My father can’t afford to have him running around unchecked, especially with this new power he seems to posses.”

“And if they manage to catch him, what about Kurama?” Genkai asked somberly.

Koenma stared down into his rapidly cooling tea. “If Kurama gets in their way they’re to kill him. Otherwise they aren’t suppose to be concerned about him.”

“Wait,” Yusuke snapped, fierce eyes glaring at the Reikai Prince. “Do you mean they’re just going to leave Kurama trapped there?”

“Pretty much,” Koenma sighed. “My father had hoped to keep you, Kurama, and Hiei in Makai, but he honestly doesn’t care where you are as long as it’s not here or Reikai. The only reason he’d want you there is if you were dead.”

“Are those SDF fools already creating another portal?” Hiei asked stepping out of the shadows slightly.

Koenma nodded. “They should be done in about twelve hours.”

“We need to get through that portal,” Hiei said, addressing Yusuke, who nodded once in confirmation.

“And just how do you expect to get passed all of the SDF. By the time you fight them all off they would have already sent members through and closed the portal.”

Yusuke looked at Koenma with fake innocence. “Who said anything about fighting?”

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“I’m going to kill that bastard,” Kurama growled as she looked over the dress her maid was holding. This maid seemed to be some sort of aquatic demon, with light blue skin and webbed ears. She was very pretty and if Karasu had not been so enamored with Kurama she would have had a good chance of being Karasu’s obsession, at least for a little while.

“Please, mistress,” the maid whimpered, afraid of the fox’s wrath. “Lord Karasu picked this out personally for you. He would be greatly displeased if you refused to wear it.”

The dress was incredibly low cut and would show off a good amount of cleavage. Two long slits ran up either side as well so she would also be able to show off her new long, shapely legs. Besides the laces that held the dress tightly against her body, there was no other back on the dress.

“I can’t wear this, I don’t care how disappointed Karasu is. It’s not happening,” Kurama insisted. “Please go get one that is less revealing. Or, better yet, the clothes I came here in.”

The water demon whimpered softly once more. “Mistress I cannot carry out either of those orders. We were not expecting you to wake so soon, so all of your dresses are still being made and should be delivered in the morning.”

Kurama growled softly so that the maid wouldn’t hear her. She was so going to wrap his fingers around the crow’s neck when she saw him next. “Of course,” she muttered. “What about my old clothes?”

“They’ve been disposed of, mistress. Lord Karasu didn’t like them and ordered them destroyed. The only clothes you have at the moment is this dress and your nightgown.”

After a few moments the fox sighed, shoulders slumping slightly in defeat. “Fine,” she said reluctantly. It was better than going in her nightgown, which she had seen. At least you couldn’t see through the fabric of this dress. ‘I bet Karasu would just love that.’


Karasu was already waiting for her in his private dining quarters. The room was set up in a formal Japanese style, richly decorated with an assortment of various art works.

Karasu licked his lips as Kurama sat down. He was rather enjoying the fox’s new body. “What’s this, Kurama? I was expecting an escape attempt already, not that you’d be getting away though. Perhaps your new body is affecting you more than I thought it would.”

“Just tell me what you did to me Karasu,” Kurama demanded, steadfastly ignoring the servant who was trying to serve her. “And how are you still alive?”

The crow chuckled lightly, taking a small sip of wine from the cup he held delicately in one hand. “With so much chaos going on in Reikai, it was a simple thing to escape. Their security isn’t as good as they believe it is, although you probably already know that.

“However, I did find out the most interesting thing while I was escaping. You see, your human side, Shuichi, was originally suppose to be born female. But then, Yoko came along, interrupting the development of your human soul, forcing you to be born male.”

Karasu paused, wanting to gauge Kurama’s reaction, but the fox was emotionless. “Anyways, after my escape I found a tunnel, a leftover from when the SDF destroyed Sensui’s tunnel. They are incredibly sloppy in their clean up. One would almost think they wanted things like this to happen.”

“Get back on topic, Karasu.”

“Yes, well, of course I took the tunnel. What did I have to lose after all? Then, I was here, a completely different world in which demons and humans still lived together, the weak being dominated by the strong. It was beautiful.

“Using what I had learned in Hell, I found myself in this dimension. Surprisingly it turned out I was a young lord with quite a bit of influence. So, I killed him and placed myself on his throne, no one questioning the differences in attitude. He was weak after all. He had no right to rule over anyone.

“I quickly began expanding by territory, gaining more power as I went. It was wonderful watching my enemies beg for mercy before I destroyed them. But then, there was always something that came and stole my victories. Even as I rejoiced in my new powers all I could see was your face. You, the one person who had defeated me, was stealing away all my new victories.”

The food forgotten, Karasu had stood and was now pacing the room as he continued. “From one of my recently conquered lands I learned how I could capture you and bring you to my new home to have as my own.

“I was ecstatic at the thought of having you for myself, and then I found an incantation, quite a powerful one at that. It could change things back to how they were originally supposed to be. I knew if I used this on you then you could become my queen and give me an heir.”

“You expect me to believe that?” Kurama spat at the crow. “Had you used such a technique on me it would simply have turned me back into Yoko.”

Karasu had stopped pacing to grin at the fuming vixen. “Tell me Kurama, you can no longer access most of your energy can you?” He already knew the answer, so he only grinned wider as Kurama glared at him. “It’s not a side effect of your new body. No, I was forced to separate you from Yoko, but only in mind. Don’t you think it strange he hasn’t given you his opinion about your current situation yet?”

Kurama’s human side panicked. :Yoko!:

::I’m still here, Shuichi. Karasu hasn’t separated us as much as he thinks he has. We are after all the same being.:: Kurama relaxed slightly at Yoko’s voice, but noticed the demon’s voice was quiet, as if he was standing far away, straining to be heard. ::Continue to pay attention, Shuichi. We can use this to our advantage later.::

The exchange only took a second and thankfully Karasu hadn’t noticed anything unusual. “Of course,” he said. “I’m a bit disappointed I wont see Yoko in his full glory anymore, but I do think I’m willing to pay that price in order to see his human form heavy with my child.”

Kurama couldn’t help but shudder at the thought, though she continued to glare. “Yes,” Karasu hissed. “Even when you know there’s no way out you still have such spirit, such defiance. That’s why I like you, Kurama. That’s why I’ll break you.”

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“Yusuke, this plan is stupid,” Koenma said from where he hid in the bushes next to the young Mazoku.

“What are you talking about? It’s perfect.” The Reikai Prince simply glared at him, but Yusuke didn’t notice. He was too distracted by the SDF members creating the new portal.

Yusuke had explained his plan only after Koenma had brought them to the sight where the portal was being created. He planned to rush it with Hiei and Kuwabara, surprising the SDF and jumping in before anyone could stop them. Koenma thought it was stupid, but it was Yusuke’s plan, so maybe, just maybe, it would work.

“It’s finished,” Hiei said from Yusuke’s other side, shifting forward slightly in anticipation.

“Ok, guys, let’s go.”

“Yukina, where do you think you’re going?” Kuwabara and Yusuke both stopped and turned to see Hiei standing in the Koorime’s way, who had moved to follow the boys.

“I’m coming with you,” she said simply.

“No,” Hiei answered flatly. “It’s too dangerous.”

“You forget I am a demon who grew up in Makai. I am perfectly capable of defending myself. Besides, Kurama’s probably going to need healing when we find him. Do any of you have any experience in that field? No. So, I’m going?”

Everyone was speechless for a moment. No one had ever seen Yukina like this before. “Besides,” she said, her voice dropping back to its normal, quiet tone, “Kurama is my friend to. I want to help rescue him as much as any of you.”

“Whatever your decision is, you need to make it now. They’re leaving,” Koenma said, eyes shifting between the SDF and team.

Yusuke pushed passed Hiei, placing his hands on Yukina’s shoulders. “You sure you’re up to this?”

“Detective!”

“Urameshi!”

“She’s going to follow wither we want her to or not. So, isn’t it better to have her with us so we can all watch each other’s backs?” Yusuke snapped back at the other two.

There was a long pause before Hiei relented. “Fine. Let’s go.”

“Don’t worry, Yukina! I’ll protect you!” Kuwabara laughed.

“Hn, like she needs your protection.”

“Alright, let’s move,” Yusuke said, stopping the fight before it could break out. ‘Don’t worry, Kurama. I’m coming for you.’

Captain Sasoine smiled as the other two members of his team stepped through the portal. So far the mission was going wonderfully, but there was still a few minutes for the Mazoku and his friends to mess it all up.

As if summoned by thought Sasoine turned at shouts from the rest of the SDF. The Mazoku charged at him, as Sasoine turned and jumped through. Hopefully the others would be able to close the portal before the Mazoku came through.

As he landed on the other side, he shut his eyes briefly. The Mazoku had made it through with him, along with his friends.

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Wow, I think this is the longest chapter I’ve ever written and chapter three looks like it might be even longer. Oh well, tell me what you think. Remember, reviews make this author update faster.

The next update will take a bit longer since chapter three hasn’t been completed yet, but it should be up sometime within the next two weeks. Also, I have a Hiei/Kurama and a Karasu/Kurama one shots planned so I may be writing those as well if anyone wants to see them.

Chapter Three: Friends

In which after dealing with the SDF, Karasu’s plan takes a major set back after Kurama falls ill, and we met some familiar faces with new personalities and priorities.