The Tablet

Chapter 5: Going Nowhere

       “This is impossible!” Yusuke slammed his right fist into his left palm.  “We don’t even know where to look, or what we’re looking for!”

       Kurama couldn’t help but sympathize with the younger man’s frustration, but it was not in his nature to evidence such feelings outwardly.  “Koenma and Genkai were far from forthcoming.” He agreed calmly.  Automatically he reached out a hand to steady Itani as she followed them down a small ledge.  She smiled at him appreciatively.

       “What was that?” Kuwabara held Kurama in the highest respect, but sometimes he had a hard time understanding what the red head said.  Kurama never seemed to mind though.  He simply smiled and rephrased his statement.

       “I said they didn’t tell us much.” He explained.

       Kuwabara grunted, “seriously,” he agreed.  Then he turned to Botan, “What’s up with that?  How are we supposed to fix this thing if we can’t figure out what it is, let alone find it!?”

       Botan shifted uncertainly, “I don’t know, Kuwabara.  All I know is that we’re supposed to keep going this way,” she stared out into the forest, seeming to look past it, her voice becoming distant, “we’ll know when we find it.”

       “Hello!” Yusuke’s voice echoed through the trees, causing them to start.  “Less talking, more walking.” He demanded.  With surprise Itani realized that they had indeed stopped walking.  Apologetically they all began to move again, though they were hard pressed to keep the pace Yusuke attempted to set as they had already been walking for several hours.

       The terrain was fairly flat, for the most part, but Kurama suspected they were actually traveling over a slight incline.  If that weren’t enough, the ground was covered with thick underbrush and the trees were growing so close together that they often had to squeeze between them single-file.  Yusuke and Kuwabara simply plowed ahead, concentrating on stomping obstacles if they could, avoiding them if they couldn’t.  Botan seemed to be having a little difficulty, while Itani moved more gracefully and surely, but with a look of concentration on her face.  Kurama had little trouble navigating the forest terrain, and so found his mind wandering back to the problem at hand.

       He understood now why Genkai had insisted that Yusuke assist Itani with her project.  Why both she and Koenma had encouraged it.  They must have suspected the power the tablet held.  If so then they must have known that someone would eventually release it.  Better to have it done on their terms, in a controlled environment with people they trusted.  That way they could deal with any problems swiftly.  It was rather like firefighters setting brush aflame before fire season.  Unfortunately, in this instance, the match sparked in the brush had somehow set fire to the distant forest – allegorically speaking of course.  It was strange, almost as though the energy had been drawn away; as though it had been called.  And he wondered at what Koenma had said about Itani as well.  He didn’t sense spirit energy from her, and neither did Kuwabara.

       Kurama was drawn from his thought by movement on his left.  Itani had caught her foot on a root.  He had noticed the root himself and side-stepped it only a moment before.  Itani had not been so fortunate and was now pitching forward toward the ground. Quickly he turned and caught her against his chest.

       She flushed as she attempted to regain her equilibrium by grabbing both of his arms, which were now wrapped tightly around her waist.  Noticing that her face was in his chest her flush deepened and she raised her head. Their eyes met and he was momentarily transfixed by her sparkling eyes and pink tinged skin.  And she seemed equally affected.  Then Kurama’s attention was drawn to a figure behind her.  It was Botan.  The cerulean haired deity raised a knowing brow and Kurama quickly righted his companion, stepping away.

       “Are you alright?” he asked with as mild a concern as he could manage. 

       She nodded, straightening her wrinkled clothing.  “Yes,” she assured him, “guess I should pay more attention.” She noted.

       “Yes.” Kurama gave Botan a warning look and then turned to walk once more, making sure Itani was in front of him where he could easily assist her if something else happened.

***

       Guilt was a strange animal.

       Itani knew that the entire incident wasn’t her fault.  It wasn’t anyone’s fault - not really.  Genkai had requested that she take on the project, evidently at the urging of Koenma, and they had known something would probably happen.  But they had had no way of knowing it would be something like this.  Eventually it would have happened anyway.  So it wasn’t her fault, and it wasn’t their fault either. 

       That didn’t make it any easier for her to get to sleep though.

       Giving up she stood and, as quietly as she could, made her way to the edge of the make-shift camp.  Just because she couldn’t sleep didn’t mean the others shouldn’t.  She eased down onto a smooth boulder and wrapped her arms around herself.  Away from the warmth of the fire the air felt a bit brisk.  She absently wondered how many nights they would spend like this.  She had never been much for camping.

       She looked up as she felt someone sink down beside her, feeling a tinge of remorse that she had disturbed one of the others.

       “Couldn’t sleep?” Kurama’s calm voice washed over her, making her feel warm despite the chill.  She felt a little better knowing it was only him.  She somehow doubted that he had been sleeping much anyway.  She shook her head in answer to his question.  No, she couldn’t sleep. 

       He didn’t look at her, but continued to stare into the forest, as did she.  Obviously something was bothering her - he had sensed it all day – but he wouldn’t press her.

       The night breeze shifted, causing their hair to float in the air and brush against their faces.  If either had turned they would have seen their long locks mingling between them, dancing in the darkness with a strange grace and beauty.  As it was neither moved at all, and so, they were lost to the hint of foreshadowing they might otherwise have found there. 

       After a few minutes of silence, which were more comfortable than not, he sensed her shift to face him. 

       “I know it wasn’t my fault.” She began quietly, “but I still feel guilty somehow.”

       He turned his head to look at her and found her looking down.  He wanted to reach out and tilt her chin up to make her meet his gaze, but he didn’t have that right.  So, instead, he ducked his head to try and catch her eye.

       “It wasn’t your fault.” He said, as though she hadn’t prefaced with that very statement.  “You should never feel guilt over that which you can not control.  Save it for the things you could have changed.”

       His tone caused her to look up; his eyes, in the darkness, were a deep forest green that somehow suited him better than the bright emerald of daylight, and they were filled with a pain deeper than she could have possible understood.

       “You sound as though you’ve had some experience with that.” She said softly.

       He winced slightly, “believe me, all of my guilt has been earned in full... but not yet paid for.” The last part was spoken quietly, the only indication of the well of emotion behind it.

       “I don’t know about that.” She mused, running her fingers over the cool grass off the side of the inlaid boulder.  “The point of guilt is to prompt us not to make the same mistake twice.” She watched him closely, knowing it was the only way she would be able to gauge his reaction, “If you have changed, you have already paid in full for your crimes.”

       Something shifted in his eyes, a deep emotion she didn’t dare pry into. 

       “Perhaps.” He responded blandly.

       “Kurama,” she startled him by shifting closer and placing her hand over his. “You saved my life that day in the sewers – and I imagine you’ve saved countless more working with Yusuke.  There is nothing you could have done that would not be atoned for by that.”  He didn’t seem convinced, or perhaps he was still in shock from her proximity; she grasped his hand lightly, drawing his attention to her face.  “Leave the past in the past.  That’s where it belongs.” 

       He stared down at their clasped hands wondering when this conversation had shifted from him comforting her, to her comforting him.  And then wondering why he didn’t really care at the moment.  He smiled gently, looking back up at her face as she lifted her free hand to push back her hair – a habit he found oddly endearing.

       “Perhaps,” he said again, but this time hope colored the word, giving it an entirely different meaning.  And that was enough for Itani.

***

       “Okay! Everybody up!” Yusuke’s loud call caused a general stir in the small camp.

       “I said up!” Yusuke prodded Kuwabara none-to-gently with a foot, which finally elicited the desired response.  No one could blame him for being tired, they had been traveling through the forest for nearly a week, but it felt like months.

       Kuwabara sat bolt upright, “I’m up, I’m up!”

       “About time.” Yusuke groused, and Kuwabara just blinked up at him dumbly.  “What!?” he snapped irritably.

       “I think you’ve been away from Keiko too long.” Kuwabara stated.

       Yusuke glowered at him.  “And just what is that supposed to mean?”

       “Aww!” Botan came up behind Yusuke with a grin, looping an arm through his, effectively stopping him from pummeling Kuwabara who had made a face at him in answer to his question. “Is Yusuke going through withdrawal?” she teased.

       “Come now, don’t tease Yusuke,” Kurama interceded before the irate Spirit Detective could murder his assistant – if that were possible – though there was laughter in his eyes.  He shared an amused glance with Itani, who was already beginning to clean up camp.

       “Don’t see why you two are so cheerful.” Kuwabara commented sleepily as he finally rose from his sleeping bag.  “You’ve been up talking half the night every night for days.”

       Baton’s brow quirked with interest at this, especially when she noticed a slight pink tint creeping over Itani’s face, though the researcher gave no other indication of embarrassment.  Botan grinned, “Maybe that’s why they’re so cheerful.” She suggested.

       Kurama contemplated commenting, if only in defense of Itani, but, fortunately, Yusuke saved them both.

       “I don’t care if they’ve stayed up playing Gin!  At least they’re ready to go!  Let’s move!”

       And move they did.  At a pace none but Yusuke and Kurama were even remotely comfortable with.  Kurama felt bad for the girls, but they were in a hurry.  Of course, that would have been a better justification if they had a clue where they were headed.

       When they finally stopped for some rest and refreshment they were sweaty, tired, and frustrated.  So when a small beep sounded from Botan’s pocket, indicating that Koenma was calling them, it was no surprise that Yusuke practically tore into the toddler prince.

       When he had finally calmed down Koenma cleared his throat nervously.

       “I’m afraid I have bad news,” he told them, watching Yusuke nervously from the corner of his eye while trying to look as though he weren’t, “You may remember that I told you the energy wave sent out by the tablet consolidated into a small sphere once outside Genkai’s temple.”

       “That’s not good?” Kuwabara asked uncertainly.  “I mean,” he hastened to continue before any one of the four people giving him incredulous looks could attack him, “doesn’t that make it easier to catch, or, you know, whatever we’re supposed to do to it...”

       Koenma shook his head, “Unfortunately, if our specialists are to be believed, no.  If the energy had continued to expand it might have dissipated, at the very least it would have been weaker and therefore easier to dispel.” He paused uncomfortably, “And there are...other concerns.”

       “Such as?” Kurama prompted, wondering if his earlier theory had been correct.

       “The energy is a dark and powerful evil.  Extremely corrupting and dangerous.  Unfocused it posed little threat.  Really, it isn’t much of a threat even in its concentrated form without anyone to use it.  But our research has found that this consolidation was not a natural event.  There had to be a catalyst, and if something or someone,” he emphasized the word meaningfully, “has brought it into focus that means it can be hidden and eventually used.  And,” he wrung his hands, his voice taking on a whiny quality, “if a person is behind this it could be very bad indeed.  My father will kill me if anything bad happens!”

       “Yeah, yeah, we get it.” Yusuke interrupted, “evil people with evil magic balls are dangerous.  If you’d tell us where to find them, we’d gladly relieve them of it!”

       “I don’t know where to find them Yusuke.  I thought they were all gone!”

       Kurama stopped at this, “Thought who were all gone?” he inquired, mentally noting that his fears had been correct.  There was a sentient being behind this – the energy had been summoned to someone.

       Koenma’s face became guarded, “Did I say that?  Huh, I didn’t mean to... I’m just so worried!” Kurama wasn’t convinced, but he let it go.  If Koenma wasn’t telling them something he probably had good reason.

       “You must find the sphere before it’s too late, Yusuke.” Koenma warned, and then he was gone before Yusuke could yell at him again.

       Which left the group with an even more furious detective and a long day of travel ahead of them.  It was going to be a very long day because Yusuke kept shouting and grumbling, and not even a brawl with Kuwabara was enough to relieve his frustration.  So when Kurama told him to keep quiet he wasn’t very happy.

       “This had better be good, fox!” he hissed.

       Kurama frowned, concentrating on his surroundings.

       “What is it?” Itani asked, moving closer to him.

       “Demons.” He responded, “several, and they’re heading this way.”

       “Well, yeah,” Kuwabara rolled his eyes, “Urameshi was making so much noise a deaf guy coulda found us.”

       “Deaf people can’t hear, moron.” said man pointed out.

       “That was my point.”

       Yusuke ignored him, cracking his knuckles with a cold smile, “What do you say we go meet these demons head on?  I could use a good fight right about now.”

       Botan scowled, muttering something about boys and middle school mentalities.  But she trudged along after Yusuke. 

       Kurama took Itani by the arm as she passed him, “When we get to them, I want you to stay out of sight,” he said quietly, “You don’t know how to fight these things.”

       Itani nodded slowly.  She had no desire to die before they could finish their mission.  In fact, she had no desire to die at all.

       In another moment she could hear loud voices.  At a look from Kurama she darted behind a tree, and Botan soon joined her.

       “What’s going to happen?” she asked the deity.

       Botan shrugged, “With the mood Yusuke’s in I doubt this will last long.”

       The three men of the company had positioned themselves in the middle of a small stand of trees.  They stood in a shallow triangle, stances casual.  But Itani had seen Kurama take a rose from his hair, and she could see Yusuke’s and Kuwabara’s fists tightening.  Just when the voices were very close and she thought Yusuke would pounce, Kurama’s hand shot out, stopping the other man.

       “Wait.” His emerald eyes darted over the trees in front of them as though searching for something. 

       Yusuke didn’t look pleased, but he nodded.

       A moment later five men entered the clearing.

       The first two seemed relatively human, though Itani couldn’t know if that was merely a guise or not.  They didn’t look friendly though, and each had a large weapon slung on his back.  The other three were clearly demons.  One was purple with horns and very long arms; another had an extra set of arms and only one eye; the last was easily two and a half times the size of Kuwabara, with wicked looking fangs and yellow eyes that appeared to have no pupils.

       Itani almost shuddered, and for a brief moment she wondered what Kurama would look like in his demon form.

       “Kurama...” Yusuke growled, clearly wondering what was going on.  Kurama merely shot him a look that seemed to say ‘trust me’, and since he had never steered Yusuke wrong before, the man waited.  It was obviously difficult for him, however, as he was still itching for a fight.

       The lead demon stopped, eyes narrowing briefly, and then his face relaxed.

       “Kurama.” He acknowledged.  He was the most humanoid of the five, with shoulder length blond hair and blue eyes.  He was taller than Yusuke, but shorter than Kurama.

       “Hiro.” Kurama gave him a nod.

       Yusuke blinked in surprise, “You know him?” he asked incredulously.

       Kurama shook his head, “Only by reputation.  We have mutual friends.”

       The blond studied them for a moment and then sniffed the air.  “Ah, and you have more friends.” He remarked, his eyes darting to the tree behind which the girls hid.  He smiled at Kurama, “They can come out; we won’t hurt them.”

       Kurama nodded to Yusuke, who indicated that Kuwabara should get the women, so he did.  Itani didn’t like the way Hiro’s eyes followed their movements, or how they seemed to trace her figure, but it didn’t appear as though he would injure anyone so she let it go.

       Hiro finally returned his appraising gaze to Kurama, “Long way from home, aren’t you, fox?” his tone was intentionally casual.  And no one was fool enough to trust it.

       “Indeed,” Kurama agreed with mild interest.  “We’re looking for something.  Have you seen it?”

       “If you mean the energy sphere, we saw it.” The second humanoid spoke up, he snorted at their looks of surprise and focused on Yusuke, “We know who you are, Detective,” he nearly spat the word.  “And we know what you want.”

       “My,” Yusuke said drolly, “news travels fast out here in the wilderness.”

       The other three demons seemed to take offense at his tone, but a motion from Hiro kept them in their places.  He turned his gaze on Yusuke briefly before looking back at Kurama.

       “If you want the sphere, you’re welcome to it.  Demons have no need of such things.”

       Itani wondered at the venom in his voice.  From what she understood the sphere seemed just the sort of tool demons would seek.  It sounded like it was very powerful.  Yet these demons seemed to despise the very thought of its existence.

       “Did you see where it went?” Kurama sounded no more interested than a passerby inquiring about the weather.

       Hiro was not fooled. “It went due west almost 5 Kilometers from here, and then it vanished.” His gaze flickered over the group, coming to rest briefly on the girls once more, “As I said, you’ll have little competition from demons.  But, I’d advise you to be careful.”

       Yusuke’s eyes narrowed in suspicion.  Why would a demon be concerned for their welfare, even if he and Kurama did have a mutual friend?  Still, the man seemed sincere.

       Kurama accepted the advice with a nod and then watched impassively as the group of demons walked away into the trees.  Yusuke’s only regret in the matter was that he hadn’t gotten to beat anything, but at least they had some clue as to where they were going now.  And five kilometers wasn’t too far.