Chapter 25

Garuta, The Water-Demon

We have to find where Kagome is! She might be in danger! Youko screeched in his mind. Kurama sighed. As minutes passed by, he's becoming more increasingly worried for her safety.

Can you smell her Youko? Kurama asked. Kurama walked inside a tunnel for what seemed 30 minutes now. He had felt the shaking & trembling of the earth a while ago. Fearing for the other's safety, he went to the area where the rumble was heard.

He trekked the tunnel then reached another tunnel to go into. There! I can smell her. She's coming towards us. Her scent is getting stronger. Youko remarked. Hiei is with her. He added. Kurama walked faster in order to meet them.

Not a second too soon, he saw two silhouettes walking. He sighed in relief.

"Are you sure this is the right way?" Kagome asked the oh-so-quiet Fire Demon. Hiei merely cast Kagome a sideway glance. "If you don't trust me, then go back to the tunnel you want to enter in." Hiei commented.

Kagome sighed in frustration. "You know that's not what I meant. It's just we're walking for what seems an eternity now. This tunnel doesn't seem to end."

"I can see Kurama not far ahead," Hiei replied, his Jagan still blazing underneath the cloth.

Kagome's eyes brightened. "Really? Is he with the others?"

Hiei showed no expression but answered, "No, he's alone."

Not a moment too soon, they come face to face with Kurama.

Kurama approached them, eyes clouding with worry. "Are you both alright?" "Yeah. I just narrowly avoided death, thanks to Hiei." Kagome answered back. They both smiled at each other.

"Hn. You're right, woman. You owe me one." Kagome glared while Kurama's eyes narrowed a fraction.

"Where are they? I'm beginning to worry for Kagome-chan. Yusuke, can you hurry up a bit?" Botan huffed in annoyance & worry.

"Tell that to Kuwabara! He's the one slowing us down!" Yusuke retorted. "WHAT? I am not!" Kuwabara yelled.

"QUIET! Jeez! Why can't I be stuck with Kagome-chan instead of you two. I swear I - wait! What's that? Did you hear that?"

"Hear what? I don't hear anything." Kuwabara replied. Yusuke didn't answer but eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"THAT! You hear it now?" Botan whispered loudly. All three stop what they're doing to listen to the faint sound.

"Ssshhh.. It's sounds like it's coming from here. Come on," Yusuke said. He positioned his body towards the wall to his right. Both Botan & Kuwabara leaned on the wall mimicking Yusuke.

"Is that coming from the wall?" Botan asked. "I think so. Damn it! Where the hell is the entrance?" Yusuke tapped the wall looking for a possible entrance.

"Urusai! I hear someone talking," Kuwabara warned. "Hey move away! I'm gonna blow the wall up," Yusuke said, preparing his right arm for a powerful punch.

"No wait! You might bring this part of cave down," Botan reminded him. Reluctantly, Yusuke walked towards them again, grunting words of curses. They leaned more to listen to the sounds on the other side when suddenly…

"Eep!" Came Botan's yelp. Three bodies were simultaneously sprawled over the floor, one body on top of another.

Yusuke & Kuwabara trying to stand up but their limbs are entangled with each other. "Argh! Get off of me!" Yusuke yelled while pushing Kuwabara away from him with the help of his foot.

Kuwabara stood up, dusting his body from dirt then helping Botan to stand up. "You ok Botan? "Yes, thanks."

A deep chuckle came from across them. They froze. "Well, well, well. What do we have here? It seems making you people separate from each other, failed."

Yusuke was first to react, "You!" Crouching down, he prepared himself to attack.

Kuwabara held both of his hands & made a sword out of his Ki. The passageway suddenly lit up.

There in front of them, is the largest & ugliest blob water-demon they ever saw. "Garuta!" Kuwabara spat.

NOTE:

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To kittyb78, FoxFanatic, Shippo's ramen, Meagan, Shiek, Tiara Light, Melani, Aashni, Hime of the Moon, the voice of, cowgirl-in-training, DarkThorned Rose, FurubaLover4ever, Funabisenu, Kanashii-chan, Jill:

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