I won't waste your time with long author's notes so enjoy this new chapter!
Chapter 7: Breaking Out
Yusuke was hiding out in the trees waiting for Puu. He was split right now. On one hand, he really hoped that Yukina was here. He knew Hiei had been searching for years and Yusuke wanted to reunite the siblings. On the other hand this also had its own implications. Why would humans have her? Another thing that worried him was that there seemed to be demons helping the humans. They could have just taken her for her ability and hired demons to help. Yusuke hoped that was the case here but he would have to check. It all seemed convenient to him. A human happens to catch Yukina, brother to Mukuro's right hand man Hiei, and just happens to have the ability to not only hide her but possibly get talismans to hold her? He knew they had to have some way of keeping Yukina there and talismans were the most likely. Some may say that Yukina could have disappeared on her own but only demons who didn't know her said that. 'And if Hiei heard them they didn't live long enough to spread that rumor' Yusuke thought with grim humor. He really cared for Yukina and wanted to find her almost as much as Hiei.
Yusuke hear a rustling in the trees but when he heard the distinctive "Puu" he relaxed. Yusuke may get a lot of crap from people because of how cute Puu looks but he always felt better with Puu nearby. It took Yusuke a while after Puu was born but he finally accepted Puu. Standing up he headed swiftly towards the castle knowing Puu would follow. Keeping to the shadows, he kept an eye out for the guards. He saw a few but nothing that would bother him. Quietly he motioned for Puu to stay hidden in the trees and wait for his return.
Noticing a window on the second floor, he waited for the guards to finish scanning that area before he climbed up the wall. Reaching the top he peeked into the room cautiously, checking for any signs of life. Seeing none he climbed in and crept to the door. After he checked outside the door and confirmed he was alone he took a good look at the room. It looked like a guest room. There was a decent sized bed with a chest at the end of it. It looked comfy but it also looked unused. There was a dresser to his right and taking a quick peek through the drawers confirmed what he knew already. Nobody was currently staying in this room. The window was probably open to air the room. Yusuke could only think of two reasons for that: either they were doing their usual cleaning, or they were preparing the room for someone. Just in case it was the latter Yusuke decided to make the search quick. The last thing he needed was some guest to block the only exit he knew of that he wouldn't be easily spotted.
Hoping it was well oiled, Yusuke turned the knob of the door and gently opened it, listening for any sounds that would indicate he had been found. The room led out into a hallway and it was nicely decorated. Pictures hung along the wall and there were a few things placed on pedestals. The wall itself was painted a nice red and candles were keeping the hallway well-lit. That's when Yusuke froze. It was very faint but Yukina's smell hung in the air covered by many others. She was here.
Creeping along the hall, Yusuke followed her scent trying to find the source. He also made sure to completely mask his power and listen to any sounds made nearby. For the most part it seemed like everything was quiet. Yusuke didn't know this but everyone had been forced into the Great Hall to welcome their very special guest. Only a few were left so Yusuke didn't run into any guards until he reached a specific room. Yusuke noticed a slight chill in the air and the two guards in front of the door were wearing thick coats. Yukina's smell, strong and fresh, indicated that Yukina was in the room currently guarded by these humans. Even without that Yusuke would know since he figured Yukina was creating the chill. She was an ice maiden after all. Yusuke quickly took out the guards trying to make as little noise as possible. They didn't even know he was there before they were knocked unconscious. Yusuke preferred not to kill unless there was a reason. There was the chance they would wake and set off the alarm but Yusuke was confident he would be out before they could.
Yusuke took a close look at the door and realized he would have to knock it down. He would have to leave before anyone came to investigate.
Lifting a foot, Yusuke kicked the door in and smiled. Man he loved doing that! Rushing inside a startled girl was sitting in a chair looking up at him. She had long mint-green hair tied back in a low ponytail with reddish-brown eyes. She was wearing a light blue long-sleeved kimono with a darker blue obi tied in the back. Yusuke quickly rushed to her knowing this was Yukina. "We need to leave. We have to get out of here quickly or the guards will find us." He was listening closely for the sounds of footsteps. Grabbing her arm he gently lifted her before leading her towards the door. Before he got very far he felt resistance.
Yukina had been sitting in the room watching the sky and showing her disapproval of her cell by lowering the temperature. Then she had heard a slight sound outside but thought it was just the guards until the door had been smashed in by a strange man. He had come to her and was trying to help her escape but she pulled back. She didn't want anyone else to die by her attempt. She saw the unknown man turn to her with a questioning look on his face.
"I can't go with you. You should leave before they come and kill you. You have to escape while you can!" Yukina didn't want another person to die trying to save her. To her surprise the man grinned.
"Oh come on Yukina! Don't tell me you don't recognize this handsome face. I've know you since you were a little girl." He watched as she studied him then gasped, recognition flashing in her eyes.
"Yusuke?! Is that you? What are you doing here?" He looked at her strangely. "Oh! Right you came to save me but how did you find me here? And it's been years since I last saw you. You've grown taller. Is Hiei here?" This last question was hopeful with her eyes shining. Yusuke shook his head.
"Hiei doesn't know I'm here nor does he know I found you but he's been desperate to find you since you disappeared 4 years ago." Yukina was crying, her tears turning into beautiful gems. She had really missed her twin. "Come on we have to go now. I'll tell you how I found you later but if we want to escape unnoticed it has to be now." He quickly pulled her out of the room after making sure no one had come to check on her. Yukina didn't resist this time and he grinned. They quickly made their way down the hall until Yusuke suddenly stopped. Quickly he hid in a nearby room, pushing Yukina to the side while listening at the door. He had smelled some humans and wanted to avoid confrontation at the moment. As they got closer he heard them talking. Listening, he deemed none of it important until he heard something that made his blood freeze.
"The boss really is going all out for these new guests. Man I can't believe the big guy is the younger brother. He's massive! I'm glad we had to patrol. I couldn't wait to get away from those two."
"Just remember your manners around them. They could kill you if they felt like it and nobody would challenge them."
There was a pause. "Yea I know. Those Toguro brothers are not someone I ever want to cross." The voices started to fade away but Yusuke stayed frozen. If those brothers were here then they might have already noticed his presence.
Yusuke formed a plan in his mind but he knew others wouldn't like it. Hell he didn't like it all that much but it was the only thing he could think of so he was going to go with it. Making sure there were no more guards he signaled Yukina to follow him. They had to move quickly so even though they tried to stay quiet they sill ended up sprinting into the room Yusuke entered from previously. "I'll go first and then you jump. Okay Yukina? Don't worry I'll catch you." Yusuke whispered this to her and when he got a nod he went out the window and carefully scaled down the building. Making sure no guards were nearby he waved at Yukina. She crouched on the window sill, hesitating for a few seconds before she pushed off away from her prison.
Catching her, Yusuke made sure she was alright before fleeing into the forest. They had a minute at best probably before someone noticed she was gone. Actually Yusuke was surprised the alarm hadn't already gone off. Meeting up with Puu he moved a little more into the forest before setting Yukina down. She looked at him expectantly. He sighed.
"Listen to me closely. Puu will take you to a village nearby. There is a girl there named Keiko. I want you to stay with her until I come back okay?" Yusuke understood that Keiko would be upset but he would have to deal with her later.
"Where are you going to go?" Her question was quiet but he could hear the apprehension in her voice. Yusuke just looked at her and Yukina understood. He was going back into the castle. She didn't fully comprehend why but she had to stop him! "Please don't! I'm safe so we should just go home. Forget about Torukane and everything else. Just don't go back there. I don't want you to get hurt." Sadness laced her tone and Yusuke felt guilty but he knew he had to go back. Yukina saw the determination in his eyes. "When will you be back?" At this question Yusuke winced. Her stomach dropped and when he looked away she tightly grabbed his arm and asked again.
Yusuke was afraid she would react like this. Not that he blamed her. Turning to her he could see the tears starting to form. "Look I don't know when I will return. It really depends on what happens in the castle. It might even be for a couple months or even a year," at this her gripped tightened, "but your safety is more important. Just tell Keiko what I've told you. Stay in the village and keep close to Keiko. You can trust her and anyone she says is okay. Follow Puu and stay hidden. You have to go, now!" He could hear people shouting. "I'll cause a distraction so you can get away safely. Go!" Before she completely disappeared he stopped her. "One more thing. Tell Keiko I'm really sorry." Yukina nodded before running off into the forest. Yusuke turned and headed back for the castle and Torukane. He wanted answers and he planned on getting them even if he had to force his way through the Toguro brothers.
Hey sorry for the long wait. I had most of this chapter typed up but lost all motivation to finish for a while. I will continue working on this story but the next thing I'm going to put up is a Danny Phantom one-shot. Please check that out and make sure to review this story!