Identity

Identity

Prologue

Some centuries ago… In the catacombs located somewhere in the heart of Makai, the famous robber scavenged the darkness and desecrated the tombs of the ancient warriors for booty and treasure. The youkai kitsune, the leader of the daring hunters, was then known as Kurama. His name struck fear into those with much money, for he not only took material possessions but also the lives of the terror-stricken victims. The name was infamous for the cruel shrewdness and sheer heartlessness of its owner.

The present… In the underground walkways of the city's main subway station, the same being mused with his thoughts as he waited for his ride home. Yes, he commuted home, usually alone, every night despite the fact he can very well afford the luxury of drivers and expensive sleek limousines. He cherished this time. This was the only time he can be alone with himself.

Things are different now. Kurama was no longer in Makai but in Ningenkai. He's no longer kitsune. At least, physically he wasn't. The silver mane no longer flowed from his head, the fox ears no longer peeped from underneath this mass of gleaming hair and the tail no longer protruded from his behind. In fact, he was no longer called Kurama. He was using the name his mother gave when he was reincarnated into the human world.

But he's still famous. Yes, he's still one of the most elusive people of the modern world. However, it was not from the cops he was running from nowadays that his robbing days are bygones. He's world renowned not only for being one of the richest people in the world, but also because he can so effortlessly ditch the paparazzi.

This excerpt from the country's leading weekly periodical may clearly illustrate what was being convened above.

"The president of the multinational corporation Ecosave Electronics, Minamino Shuichi, was once again voted as one of the country's top eligible bachelors for this year. This dynamic youth has been an ever-present individual in this list of the most coveted men produced by the yearly survey of the local populace's opinion ever since he took over the reins in the EE Corporation some 15 years ago. The EEC was then a small company struggling to enter the international game but everything changes when the company's team of researchers, which included the then 18 year old Shuichi, discovered how to make appliances that are environmentally-friendly in terms of how they are manufactured, as they are being used and how they are eliminated. The sales shoot up as one by one the government out ruled the polluting alternatives. Now a major corporation, the EEC monopolizes the production of electronic parts used for various machines and computers. It is estimated that the assets of this green eyed, red haired demigod amounts to …"

Kurama had laughed over the pictures plastered in the paper. Most of them dated back 16 years ago. The most recent one taken in last year's meeting with the Prime Minister, a photo he had posed for. This guy's no Princess Diana. The paparazzi are getting nothing from him no matter how hard they try. He wasn't after all a normal person like those other sought-for millionaire bachelors. He almost felt sorry for them, whose stories were filled with various scandals, intrigues and gossips and lawsuits.

These pictures, scavenged from yearbooks or bought from collectors and admirers, certainly reminded him of his Tantei days.

It's been a while since he last saw Koenma and Botan but that's understandable since they're awfully busy. However, he had been invited to a dinner last Sunday in the Kazuma household. Well, he does see a lot of Kuwabara and Yukina. He even takes time off his busy schedule to treat their kids to theme parks and even just to scramble around the city park.

Now, what about Urameshi Keiko and Yusuke? Would they already have kids now as well? Are they well off and safe? Now, those two he haven't seen for ten years ever since that… that incident occurred. Maybe he should have someone investigate about that and track those two down. But, no, he promised. They all promised not to show themselves to Yusuke.

Never mind. Shizuru has married but she's around her brother's a lot. Kurama does see a lot of her as well. And Hiei. Well, Hiei's probably only a little better than the Urameshi in a sense that his existence was at least known. Kurama's supposed best friend doesn't show himself much either. Not because he has forgotten everything like the other two, but because, well, because he wanted it that way. Of course, just because he cannot be seen does not mean he was not around. Hiei kept an eagle eye on his sister. All right. So he has loosened up a bit. He only visits Ningenkai once in a week. The rest of the time he was in Makai. Or was he?

"Kurama."

Kurama slowly raised his head and caught sight of the fire youkai, barely visible in the shadows. The tycoon picked up the lone briefcase he was carrying and hoisted himself up easily on the railings of the stairway leading down the lowest levels of the station, which had been unusable for weeks now. He stared down into the nothingness for a while. Once false move from either of them would have sent them plummeting down the darkness. That posed no problem since he was used to things that required a good sense of balance. They both were.

Kurama was first to speak. "What are you doing here, Hiei?" he asked. "Did you visit your nephews?"

"Hn," Hiei replied. "Something more important."

"More important than Yukina's children?"

Hiei scowled. Yes, it was dark but Kurama knew from experience that his friend was frowning. "They're that idiot's children, too."

"Well, then, what is it, Hiei?"

Relating to Hiei can be quite difficult, even for him. Kurama was used to it. Hiei's grouchiness can be tiring, too, especially if you have just left a crazy office full of dreamy-eyed secretaries fighting for your favor, and equally frustrating shareholders who couldn't quite make up their minds.

That was the nature of his friendship with Hiei. Often times aloof, sometimes sarcastic, always grouchy, that's Hiei. Did I actually fail to note silent?

Every relationship is founded on communication and communication implies sound. That can hardly be applicable on their friendship, however. Hiei seldom made any sound. Well, if you count the grunts, I suppose he is quite noisy/ Even so, you'd be lucky to get a sentence long reply from him.

Perhaps with Hiei, you need communion to get along well. That was probably why he decided to stay in Makai and still work under Mukuro, who was now the present government's information gathering agency. Mukuro's and Hiei's characters jive well. They're both aloof and, well, sinister. Of course, Hiei insists his relationship with Mukuro is purely professional. Sometimes, Kurama was tempted to think otherwise.

"Well, Hiei?" Kurama repeated. "What made you leave your Juliet?"

"Mukuro sent me," he said. Apparently, he didn't get Kurama's weak allusion on the Ningen tragedy by Shakespeare. "The problem is making Makai chaotic. Haven't Koenma sent Botan?"

"You don't send queens to the battlefield, Hiei. Except in chess, of course."

Hiei frowned. "Haven't heard about Enma leaving power."

Kurama shook his head, quite forgetting he cannot be seen by the other. "I meant that figuratively. A person of Botan's position can't be sent to do that kind of work."

"Hn. He's late again, as usual."

"And you forget, Hiei. We no longer work for Reikai."

"It concerns us, Kurama."

"You and Mukuro?"

"No the Tantei."

"You mean Kuwabara and I?"

"I said the Tantei."

"Yusuke?"

"The spell of oblivion only works here absolutely. Makai is a different thing. Lakashka has found Yusuke."

"Lakashka? He's supposed to be dead. That's the reason why we used the spell despite its unreliability in Makai."

"Supposed to be. He's alive and up to no good. Got hold of the southern territories."

"What's Yomi doing about it?"

"Everything possible. Futile. Shura was kidnapped and taken hostage. Yomi's movements are restricted."

"What does it got to do with us Tantei personally?"

"We are responsible for Yomi's 'brainwashing' as Lakashka terms it. Yusuke's the main target."

"Then we should warn him. But he wouldn't remember us, correct?"

"The question is where is he? We can't search for him with our powers. The spell blocks everything paranormal from tracking him down."

"Ah, there are other ways, my friend."

"Something better than my Jagan?"

"Not really but it will serve our purpose. It’s called 21^st century technology."

Author's Notes:

I started this story August 8, 2000 (^^;). I stopped writing it because I thought I lost it. It turned up months later, inserted between the pages of my thick Trigonometry book. Anyway, I only got back to writing it lately. Heh. Hopefully for good.

This was inspired by the movie Hook starring Robin Williams. Parts of it, especially the beginning may be very very similar to the movie but I promise this is much different.

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