A Life Unlived

Chapter Four


Itsuki ran his fingers through the thin black hair placed delicately on his lap. Today was one of those days when he was at peace, accepting the quiet company that dwelled in the Uraotoko with him. He was content to just sit there and speak softly to his old friend and would be lover. There was no need for harsh words or flinging unanswerable questions to the still man. No matter how many times he asked, Sensui would never be able to open his eyes and give him the answers he longed for.

He was sure that atleast over four years had passed since he'd closed them off here. To be alone, never allowing Sensui to be judged. His days were spent seeing to his basic needs and trying to offer comfort to the dead man. His only regret that Sensui's means for comfort and understanding had been in front of him the whole time. Yet the man had looked past him, feeling only the need for revenge.

Itsuki stroked the soft cheek feeling a stab of loneliness fill his chest. He wondered how long it would be before he started going insane. Just this morning he was sure he heard the voice of Naru calling for help. Once again the sound of her tears had reached his ears. Thinking his Sensui had somehow come back he'd ran to his cold side. It had been a cruel joke, the man was still dead and lost to him.

Now he let his thoughts roam back as he always did. He'd happened upon Sensui when he was only a teen, fulling his job as spirit detective to the Ningenkai. Itsuki had liked the man at first sight, so he followed him. Till one day Sensui almost killed him, he'd asked him if he had any last request. Itsuki asked for one thing, to be allowed to live one more day; in order to watch the final episode of his favorite show. The detective had let him live, after that he'd followed him around becoming his partner.

All that had changed that night, when Sensui witnessed the crimes of humanity. The man he came to love became more than one. Eventually, to seek the revenge and justice he believed in, the man developed seven personalities to cope with his deeds. Ten years it took for his plan to develop and take fruit. In the end Urameshi had been killed by him causing the man's rebirth as a youkai. Sensui got his wish then, to be killed in the Makai by a powerful youkai; at the hands of Yusuke Urameshi.

Itsuki had taken his body with the soul still intact with him into the Uraotoko. A creature that dwelled deep within the bowel of the earth, in it's stomach existed another deminsion. The perfect world in which he could find peace with the man he'd lost. If only Sensui would have turned to him for solace.

A small laugh escaped his mouth, it wasn't meant to be he supposed. As much as he had cared for the man it hadn't been returned. Sensui had been using him in the end, not that he cared. He knew that Sensui was counting on him perishing but he could take care of himself. Itsuki had been there to build the tunnel between the Makai and the Ningenkai.

The smile left when his ears twitched in annoyance, there it was again. The soft sound of someone crying, a female's voice. His eyes looked at the silent face in his lap, it was coming from somewhere else. It wasn't possible that someone had invaded his territory so where was it coming from? He placed the head down gently, taking great care with him. His legs stood in the empty space, standing still as he listened. There was no general direction of the sound, it wasn't coming from inside the territory. The voice was in his head, calling out to him.

It was definitely feminine in nature; soft, gentle, innocent and in pain. It reminded him so much of his Naru but it wasn't her. Naru had been one of Sensui's personalities, the female one that took the burden of pain. He'd often sat up with her, speaking for hours at the time. He'd offered a shoulder for her to cry on, her needing to deal with the guilt of the other personalities. He often thought to be in love with her. Once again something that wasn't meant to be, not for him.

This voice however was different, while Naru's had been caused by guilt this one was innocent but in pain. The tone was softer, sweet to the ears even as she cried. He longed to know what could make her cry. What kind of despair did she hold in her heart? He cast one last look over to Sensui. "I shall return."

"How long has she been like this Genkai?" Kurama looked at the small girl sleeping fitfully in the large bed. The soul had led them to the girl in question. Much to their surprise they had ended up at the temple. The girl's face was pale as she cried softly in her sleep, unnatural sleep he was sure. The soul had been released and returned to her, that wasn't the problem.

Genkai had informed them that she had asked a few questions then passed out. In return they told her everything that they knew of the girl. Koenma was on his way to retrieve her. It didn't take much to guess that she was having nightmares as she slumbered. Every so often she would call out, sometimes the pain echoed in her voice caused his own heart to ache.

"She's been out for a few hours, I'd say the nightmares began about ten minutes before you arrived." Genkai gazed at the girl. No wonder she had fainted, it had to be a shock to her system. As far as Reikai and the rest of the world was concerned this girl was already dead. There wasn't much of a future for her it seemed. "I suggest we discuss this outside the room."

"I believe you are right." Kurama opened the bedroom door for the old lady casting one last look at the girl. His sympathy went out to her, she was in for much more heartache. He wasn't sure what they could do for her, except offer her protection in case this Naraku showed up. The hanyou believed that Kagome Higurashi was dead so she might be safe for now.

Koenma was waiting for them in the main room, softly talking to Yusuke. He wanted to wait for the girl to wake up before moving her. He didn't want her waking up in a strange place yet again causing more distress. First, he needed to speak to her and let her know what was going on. It would be alot for her to take in and accept, he hoped she was a strong person.

His informants had come back with the news he wanted. Seemed Naraku was still in hiding, having been there for centuries but how long would he remain so? After Kikyou had died the second time Naraku had become stronger, taking the title as a youkai Lord. Many fell before him, too many to count. When the border was first put up he fought against some of the stronger youkai then receded into the darkness when he grew bored. He was sighted one other time after centuries, the day the Higurashi family was slaughtered in their homes. He'd found the girl he believed to have the last jewel shard, Kagome. How could he have known the original was lost in time, soon to be brought back.

Naraku still had the jewel but no one was powerful enough to get it from him. After so long youkai soon forgot of it's existence, since it couldn't be found. Surely, he would want to complete it. He needed to know where the last piece was so it could be guarded against anyone wanting to take it.

"As soon as she wakes up I will speak to her. It may have been two years since her return but to her mind it just happened. The attack will be fresh in her mind plus everything that she has learned. We need to keep her calm at all costs, we can't have an unstable miko running around." Koenma didn't think Yusuke or Kurama needed to be around for this being both youkai.

His head turned to the room when he suddenly picked up another aura the same time as the others. "Who else is here?" He didn't think anyone else was suppose to be there. Yukina was but she was sleeping or so he'd been told. The aura was definitely youkai but not that strong.

"Who the hell is in there with her?" Yusuke moved first, running for the room they'd just left moments ago. No one had been there then, how could someone sneak up on them like that? The energy had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The door flew open to slam against the wall, causing the newest occupant to turn. "Put her down."

Kurama recognized the man so did Yusuke, "Itsuki, what are you doing here?" The man hadn't changed much in the five years since he'd last seen him. His aqua hair was a little longer almost reaching the middle of his back, his amber eyes were surrounded by dark circles. In his arms was the miko still sleeping, unaware of the danger she was in. What was he doing there? There was no way Itsuki knew who the girl was. What explanation could there possibly be for his arrival.

"She called me," He looked down at the pale face, her breathing was eratic. "So beautiful but her soul cries out in pain. I wonder if I can ease her suffering." His search had led him here, to her. He didn't know who she was but could still hear her tears. What had happened to her? It was a shame his search had led him to come face to face with those two again. Maybe it was fate.

"You aren't easing shit, you're going to put her down before I kick your ass." Yusuke wondered where the freak had come from, that deminsion of his most likely. And what the hell had he meant? The girl couldn't have called him, she was unconscious; plus there was no phone in the room.

"I'm afraid I can't do that. You see she'll be leaving with me." Itsuki saw them tense at the statement, whomever the girl was she must be important. Koenma himself was in the room looking bent out of shape. Not that he cared, he wasn't interested in who she was. He was more concerned about her suffering, why had she called him? His physic abilities could have left him open to hear her cry for help but was that all there was to it? Even caught in the throws of her nightmares, her arua radiated innocence.

"We can't let you take the girl. You will place her back on the bed or we'll have no choice but to attack." Kurama took a step forward, his hand going for a seed. There was no telling how much time they had before he bolted. They couldn't allow him to leave with her. "Whatever your reason for being here, it isn't worth risking your life." Maybe talking to the man would help.

"You would attack me while I hold her, I think not. I am not risking anything, she will come with me." His hold tightened when she began to whimper against his chest. A small hand grabbed his shirt, clenching the material in desperation. Panic filled him briefly as her aura picked up, surrounding her frame. He smiled down at her, it began to encase him as well. The energy was pure, much like Sensui's sacred energy. Everyone but the old lady took a step back, feeling it.

Koenma swore, this wasn't good. Sub-consciously she was putting up a shield around herself but instead of purifying Itsuki it was protecting him as well. His eyes caught movement in the corner, a vine had been making it's way towards the pair. "Kurama, call it back."

"I think she's taken a liking to me. I'm pleased, I'm sure I'll come to like her as well." Itsuki opened up the portal that would take him back to his territory. "Don't worry, I will take good care of her." He stepped back feeling the reality shift as he entered, the hole closed as the detective ran forward.


Next Chapter: Kagome wakes up and where is Inuyasha? Please review for more. Had to repost this chapter due to setback..