Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin characters belong to Nobuhiro Watsuki. Yuu Yuu Hakusho characters belong to Yoshihiro Togashi. Hitsuki is the end-product of our collectively warped minds.

Strange Acquaintances

By Angela and Geraldine Cheong
Part 2
May 1998

"Rose whip!"

A green whip, covered with cruelly sharp thorns appeared in the hands of the transformed youko. The monstrously mutated tentacles that had burst forth from the ground to ensnare the youko fell to the ground, wriggling like giant snakes.

An enraged Kurama stood before the silhouetted figure in front of him. The tall slender figure was draped entirely in black. His jet black hair fell around his shoulders and face, obscuring his face from Kurama's view. The only thing visible of through that veil of hair were his eyes. Large, brown expressive eyes which were currently full of hatred. Hatred for the youko before him. Hatred for Kurama.

"What do you want from me?! Why did you lure me here? Why?!"

His earlier fear and panic forgotten, Kurama stood battle-ready, in a stance that would allow him to take the offensive or if needed, the defensive. His golden eyes, which were narrowed into slits, glowed ominously as he glared at his adversary. His silky silver hair whipped around him furiously, a result of the tremendous amount of power being given out by his adversary. Pointed ears at the tip of head and that long bushy tail gave away his identity as a youko. His sculpted body was draped in white robes, the total opposite of the figure before him.

White and black. Light and darkness. Good and evil. Or was it just the devil in disguise?

"ANSWER ME!"

The figure remained silent. Then suddenly, in swift smooth movement, he flicked his hair back, away from his face.

Kurama started in shock.

A long vicious scar ran across the entire length of the youthful-looking face before him. A ruined eye stared sightlessly at him from the once handsome face of the seemingly young man.

Memories of a green whip cutting across a young man's face flashed into Kurama's mind. Memories of the young man screaming and falling to his knees, holding his face in his hands; blood oozing sickeningly from the gash on his face.

No, it can't be...

"Hitsuki..."

Hitsuki raised his arm. Kurama stared blankly back at him. His mind was still trying absorb the fact that the person before him was actually Hitsuki.

By the time he realised what Hitsuki was doing, it was already too late. The four surrounding walls caved in upon Kurama.

End of Part 2