E.H.:
Sequel to Dead Never Changed Anything! :D Now, before you get too excited, there is a bit of background information on our character this time around. Shiyu and Hiei will still play a hefty role in this fiction! However, this will mainly be focused on two others. Again, romance will not spontaneously explode into action right away. There will definitely be some build up. However, I can say that it was PROBABLY happen a little faster between these two than with Hiei and Shiyu. Hiei's just…well…Hiei. I will be tying these two fictions together so that they flow. So if you hop right in on this one, it might not make as much sense if you didn't read the first one. That's just my simple warning there.
Now…new fiction…I have to say it…
I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho or any of its characters there within. HOWEVER, I DO own my own characters! Thanking you very kindly!
Also, this fiction is Rated M. There will be situations that may make some uncomfortable. If you do not like gore, violence, swearing, or adult situations…this may not be the fiction for you.
For all you awesome people carrying over from Dead Never Changed Anything, please let me know how you like it! :D
Before Fate Meddles
…..One Thousand-Twenty Years Previous…..
"Bring the child, quickly." The priest stated in a hurried tone as he prepared the alter. The other figure nodded and rushed from the temple. Lightning streaked over the entire sky. The reddish-hued sky looked so ominous as the demon rushed to a hut further down the mountain side.
"Ryuuna! Quickly! We must take Inabi to Hakuro-sama!"
Ryuuna quickly wrapped the newborn babe before rushing after her mate. "Tatsuro, why so much haste?"
"The dragons are restless." He replied without looking back. They made it to the temple and inside. Hakuro approached and took the babe from the demon parents. He went to the alter and laid the child down.
"Ryuukami-sama…please accept our presence here tonight." He began to say, holding up incense. "Please choose amongst yourselves as to whom shall create the bond with this child." He then backed away from the alter and began to chant, bowing repeatedly. Another flash of lightning lit up the sky and the temple. The demon parents bowed to the floor, following the priest's movements. A flash of lightning zipped down from above, through the ceiling and hit the child lying on the altar. The three dared not look as they felt the dragon's presence within the temple. It was zinging with life and electricity before it marked the child.
The priest waited. As he began to rise rain down poured on the child. Another dragon's presence filled the room with the feeling of being pushed and pulled by the waves. Again, this dragon marked the child. Hot on the heels of that dragon, the temple ignited in stifling head as yet another dragon followed the first two's lead.
"Three ryuukami-sama chose your babe. You have a strong—" The priest was cut off as the wind knocked the air from him. The three bowed down quickly as the next dragon marked the babe.
The earth rumbled next as the fifth dragon came within the temple to mark the child. Things settled down. Each demon held their breath before the temple began to super chill. The last dragon surrounded the child and marked it. With its leaving, it spoke telepathically to the three demons.
'The child has been chosen. We have decided.'
Silence and calm washed the temple. Several long minutes passed. The three demons rose and cast each other puzzled looks.
"Your child…"
"Six dragons? Is it not…impossible? I thought only three at most has ever shared a conduit." Tatsuro questioned, fearful of the child that lied quietly sleeping on the altar.
Ryuuna rose in silence and crossed the temple. She approached her offspring and saw that the babe looked untouched. Frowning she lifted the babe carefully and gasped as she saw her baby's back. A pure white tattoo was etched into the baby's back. She turned and showed the other two. None spoke of that day to any other.
…..
Inabi ran after her small temari ball. It bounced away from her in defiance of her wishes. She pouted as it rolled away down toward the edge of the cliff. She watched as it plummeted off the edge. With a stubborn stomp, she turned and stormed back home.
"Mama! My ball ran away from me again!"
Ryuuna looked up from her current project; making yet another temari string ball. She laughed lightly, holding up the new one. "I am already replacing it, love."
Inabi grinned and ran to embrace her mother. "You are such a wonderful mother!"
"What do you wish now?" Ryuuna sighed, looking down at her now fifty year old daughter. In reality, she only looked around ten years of age. Her pure white hair was fluffy and stuck out around her ears. Her eyes were the oddest color of grey; however whenever she was channeling more energy from one element than another flecks of another color would bleed into them.
"I don't want to go to the temple to practice…"
"No. You will go."
"But, mama!"
"No buts. You are the chosen among the dragons. What would they think if you didn't show up? "
"That I was having fun for once…" Inabi grumped only to earn herself a small bop on her nose. She grabbed her nose with a small squeak.
"Don't make me repeat myself." Ryuuna stood and left her daughter in the main room.
Inabi stuck her tongue out at her mother's back before huffing and crossing her arms. "This is so dumb. It's not like I can't already use my abilities…just a waste of time."
Tatsuro entered the hut and stopped at the sight of his youngling. He sighed and shook his head. "Again?"
Inabi jumped at the sound of her father's voice. "Uhm…"
"Until you can sense me before I ever get halfway home, you will go to the temple to train. It is of utmost importance."
"I know, I know…I'm the chosen one." Inabi made a face that Tatsuro laughed at. He walked over and ruffled her white hair.
"You are my little hellion, aren't you?"
Inabi giggled before her father shoved her toward the door. "Now go! Before I become cross with you!"
"Yes, papa." Inabi sighed and headed off to do what she was told. Sort of. When she knew she was out of her papa's sensing zone, she darted away from the temple and higher into the mountain. The snow grew thicker as she ran and she giggled in glee as she rolled and tumbled in the thick sheets of it. Once she reached her favorite cave, she darted inside and found her little sitting spot. She got comfy before she closed her eyes. Within moments, she felt the shift in the air around her.
"You skip again." Mizuryuu's voice echoed in her mind before the dragon appeared in a shade like form. "Do they not know you train with us directly?"
"Nope. They don't. That's okay though. I like this better. Priest-sama is always so blah-blah-blah."
Mizuryuu's laugh felt like bubbled rising to the surface of a lake. Inabi interacted with her dragons for hours, doing what little tasks they demanded of her. When she was spent and tired, she headed for the exit. Before she reached it, Iwaryuu sent a warning through her. She stilled and did as he commanded in her mind. She raised a rock wall and hid within a hollowed boulder. She slowed her breathing down as she felt a presence come close to her boulder hiding spot. She was trembling. The energy she felt was…malicious. Cruel. Wrong. It faded quickly. She stayed in her spot for a very long time. Iwaryuu whispered to her it was safe after a while. She uncoiled from the inside of the boulder. The sky was now pitch black. Inabi's eyes looked down the mountain. She began to head home.
As she trudged home, the cold was more biting than usual. As she crested one of the peaks, a large glow caught her attention. It was coming from her village. Her village would be lit up at night, yet…but not…that much. She walked forward and began to rush. Her small feet began to run. She pumped her legs harder and faster until she saw the reason. Blazing fire engulfed the entire village. Inabi's eyes widened before she took off for her home. She saw it too was ablaze. As she neared it she skid to a halt. Lying before the blazing hut was two bodies. Each were mangled beyond recognition with red staining everything. She felt sick as she sank to her knees. Her eyes poured tears as she threw her head back and wailed. She wailed until she was hoarse.
"Inabi…you must leave the village and find shelter." Hiryuu brushed over her mind. "They will return."
Inabi forced herself to listen to her dragon companion. She stood and ran again. This time, she ran from her home without ever looking back. She never really stopped running from that point on. She never looked back; she never went back. That night was forever branded in her heart.
…..One Thousand Ten Years Later…..
Inabi stood over the bodies of the dead demons. They hadn't been worth her efforts. She sighed and made sure her cloak was secure. Moving over the corpses, she ignored the last one's pleas for a quick death. She glanced back at him as he reached for her, begging her not to leave him; not to let him bleed to death like this. To have mercy. Inabi sneered in disgust before she kicked his face away from her.
"Mercy?" She spat, "What mercy should I give to low lives that steal human girls from the Human World to eat?"
"P-please! I-I'll never do it again!"
"You are right about one thing…" Inabi turned, tilting her head. "You won't ever do so again." Her hand moved so quick he had no time to react. His head slid off his shoulders to plop on the ground before her feet. She turned and walked away.
"Yee!" A voice made her turn. A woman on an oar with blue-hair floated not far away. "Oh my!"
Inabi charged her hand again and held it up. "You have three seconds to explain why you are here…"
"Oh! No need to be hasty!" The blue-haired woman sweat-dropped. "I'm sure you've heard of Koenma-sama. He is asking for an audience with you."
"How does the Spirit World prince know of me?" Suspicion colored Inabi curious.
"Well…that's a little bit of a doozy, I'm afraid. You see, we've kind of been watching your movements. And see, Koenma-sama was very impressed with your tendency to protect the humans!"
"If the border control from the last Demon World tournament would actually do their job accurately, I wouldn't have to be running around cleaning up after them…now would I?"
"Ahahaha…ha…" The woman was odd. Inabi wasn't sure if she liked her or detested her. "In any case, Koenma-sama is very busy. Would you please come with me?"
Inabi looked back at the death behind her. She turned back to the woman on the oar. What did she have to lose? She sighed and nodded.
…..
"Good, Botan was able to retrieve you after all." A small toddler greeted Inabi. She stared down the small ruler. The toddler prince met her gaze without flinching. "I'm pleased to see that you chose to come."
"For what purpose did you request for me?"
"Ah, yes. As I'm sure you know, we've been observing you recently. I'm not sure if you are knowledgeable about the Spirit Detective—"
"Urameshi, Yusuke is somewhat of a household name. Somewhat similar to that of the boogie man. What point are you striving for?"
"As you probably know, he is the ancestral son of the Mazoku bloodline of Raizen." Inabi nodded for Koenma to continue. "Yusuke has only just awakened his demon blood within the last year. The whole Demon World Tournament that just occurred two months ago was all his idea. But…I fear that we may not have a full grip on how much his demon blood will affect him in the future."
"You fear he's a time bomb."
"Yes. Raizen starved to death. He refused to eat humans; his main form of sustenance. However, I'm not one hundred percent confident that Yusuke would have the same level of restraint should his Mazoku blood demand it. And seeing your track record with the protection of humans…"
"You believe that I would be a suitable power to counter him should the need arise."
"Precisely. You are also a fairly high A Class demon yourself."
"What incentive do I have to work for you?"
"I have a few leads on a certain rogue group of demons that may have had a hefty hand in the demise of the last Dragon Demon Clan village of the far Western Demon World Borders…"
Inabi's eyes glassed over to the hide the swell of emotion that threatened to overwhelm her. "I see."
"Should you chose to accept the role I'm offering, I have an ideal case for you. It actually deals directly with these rogues. I'd need you to infiltrate their stronghold and rise to the highest ranks you can. They are threatening the very precious balance that has just recently been gained in the last few months. If they manage to overthrow the Demon World Tournament and the new Demon World King…it will become open season on the Human World."
Inabi sighed; he hadn't given her much choice. But by now, she'd learned the hard way that those who were 'chosen' rarely had a choice in any matter.
…..
Inabi, known by Nabi, had easily infiltrated the organization of rogue demons. She never spoke, never removed her mask nor hood. As far as the demons were concerned, she was a mute man. She wore her bindings tightly enough around her chest that if, by chance, an opponent touched they would be none the wiser. Those foolish enough to try removing her mask died.
It didn't take long to impress the leader of this particular branch, Yamitori. She began to steadily rise through the ranks. Within a year's time, she was appointed the right hand command of Yamitori. She filled the roll alongside Yamitori's left hand man, Goukyuri, flawlessly. She'd learned that cruelty was the currency that paid best. The leader, as she also learned, had been searching for a unique half-breed demon.
Five long years ticked by. She was sent out numerous times to do Yamitori's bidding. She was happy that at least she only had to deal with demons at this point. Then, during the last year, Yamitori called her in. He'd sensed that something had awakened; suspecting it to be this half-breed he'd been looking for, he sent them out to find the half-demon. He sent for his two closest henchmen.
"Goukyuri, Nabi…I want you to take some of the lowest class underlings and go into human world. I want you to look in the Tokyo region. I have a feeling you may find what I've been searching for there. Goukyuri, you take to the outskirts of the city…Nabi, I want you to go into the heart of the city and move outwards from there."
Goukyuri bowed low and placed his right hand to his left shoulder. "Yes, my lord." He then tossed a disgusted look at Nabi before leaving.
Nabi lingered. Yamitori turned to her. "Take the mental projectors. If you happen to come across my little half-breed…they will probably need to be tricked before capture."
Nabi bowed much in the same manner as Goukyuri before leaving. She did as told and headed to the Human World with her small group. It took the better part of two weeks before they had a lead. Nabi heard a group of girls discussing how much they hated a certain girl. As she listened in, the girl walked by. She was not ordinary by any means. The raw energy that seemingly swam below the surface was enough to let Nabi believe it was really her. She informed her men what to do. Her plan was simple. The demons would don the appearance of thugs and approach the girl who was loudest about how much she despised the girl. They would provide her with the option to take the girl out for her. Of course she'd accept, give them a picture and they would pounce after she did as they asked. Isolate her, leave her alone, and then Nabi's men would strike. After they set out to do so, she found a safe location to contact Koenma.
"Inabi? I haven't had many reports from you in the last couple of—"
"I have little time and little chance to speak. Yamitori has zoned in on a half-breed. From what I've learned, her name is Shiyu. She is human and has a great deal of energy. She is going to be attacked tomorrow afternoon around four pm. It will be at this park, " she turned the compact to show the park and then back. "Make sure your boys aren't late. I can't ensure her safety otherwise."
With that, she shut the compact off completely, shoving it deep within her bindings again. She double checked her surroundings to be sure they were secure. She then found her way to her men. Now, it was in Koenma's hands.
…..
The attack on Shiyu was a success both ways. For her, it didn't blow her cover in the slightest. For Koenma, his boys managed to make it in time to save the girl. She retreated back to Demon World and reported to Yamitori of the interference of Spirit World. Of course it was through one of her men, but still efficient.
"Then she must be the right one. If Spirit World is interfering then I've found Kurotsuru's offspring. Still meddling in death, is she?" He chuckled and shook his head. "That damned woman never could keep herself out of some matters."
"My lord?" Goukyuri stepped forth. "Who is this woman of whom you speak?"
Yamitori's sharp glance had the grey-haired idiot stepping back. If she hadn't a mask over her face, no doubt Goukyuri would have attacked her for the smirk that resided underneath. "It is not your concern nor is it your place to ask it of me. However, because I am feeling lenient…Kurotsuru was my daughter. My son murdered her after she betrayed us. This girl...looks just like her."
The photo of the girl was held in Yamitori's hand. "Forgive me my lord. I knew not what I was doing."
"You are forgiven this time, Goukyuri." Yamitori smiled. "Not much longer and we shall have our sacrificial lamb, men. She will give us the gateway key to rising even higher. When Kasaru-sama sees what a perfect meal of power I will gift him with…he will be impressed with me."
Nabi forced herself not to roll her eyes. She did, however, glance to Goukyuri who was glaring at Yamitori's back. When he caught her gaze, he sneered at her. She turned her gaze away without a sound. She didn't know when, but she'd have to find the perfect time and place to relay this new information to Koenma.
…..
Two months of preparing passed by quickly. Yamitori called for Goukyuri to attack a certain temple to deliver a message. It was a plan, really. Distract the demons that protected the girl; get them away from her and then attack. Nabi didn't understand the thinking behind the plan. It seemed too risky; too many factors were left unknown. But then again, if it failed…all the better. She was currently fighting harder to keep her identity under cover. Recently, some suspicions had arisen among some of the lower weaklings about her loyalties. It'd come into question once by Goukyuri to Yamitori. Not that his loyalties were any better, but anything to make Nabi look inferior was a route Goukyuri would gladly take. She had stood before Yamitori.
Yamitori had looked upon her intently. "Do your loyalties lie with me, Nabi?"
Nabi bowed and nodded her head once.
"Hm. I see. Unfortunately, Goukyuri doubts it." Yamitori leaned his head on his hand while sitting before his grandiose desk. "I can't be considered weak. By midnight, I want the corpses of ten spirit world beings to be piled on my floor."
Nabi felt a rise of anger and frustration at Goukyuri. Oh how she wanted to slit his throat right about now. She merely nodded and rose to go fulfill this task. She just prayed that Koenma would be lenient later on when she finally had the chance to explain. Needless to say, she did as she was told and returned with the bodies of ten spirit world beings. Luckily, she'd found more criminals that were awaiting processing than anything. When she'd deposited them, Goukyuri had already returned from his mission to the Human World having delivered the message.
She took her place in the room against the wall next to the doorway. She closed her eyes and crossed her arms and legs.
"My lord, Yamitori-sama…" Goukyuri stepped forth. "The message was delivered."
"Good. Soon the demons will disperse from the human world to seek us out. At that point, you will be needed, Nabi." Yamitori turned to look at Nabi pointedly.
"My lord, I mean no disrespect, but don't you believe it ill advised to send him in alone?" The look of disgust he threw at Nabi was very obvious.
"Are you volunteering yourself, Goukyuri?"
Goukyuri looked down to hide his expression of disapproval before lifting his head. "If that is what my lord wishes, than yes."
Yamitori nodded before turning away to look out over the field of manjushage. "Make sure she is in decent shape before returning with her."
"By decent my lord…you mean?" Goukyuri inquired.
"There is no doubt she will fight back. Try not to kill her or maim her too terribly. She is to be given as tribute to Kasaru-sama."
"Ah, I see. As you wish, my lord." Goukyuri bowed low, pressing his right hand to his left shoulder before standing and sneering at Nabi. He turned and left.
Nabi remained leaning against the wall. Her eyes remained closed.
"Nabi, be sure he follows my orders accordingly." Yamitori turned to her.
Nabi nodded and pushed away from the wall.
"And Nabi…"
Nabi paused, turning her head just enough to indicate she was listening.
"Test her abilities. I want to know how strong she is and how long she will last."
Another nod before Nabi continued from the room. Her eyes opened finally, revealing iridescent splashes every few seconds in her grey eyes.
…..
The trip to human world yet again wasn't a pleasant adventure for Nabi. Goukyuri kept shooting her very pointed looks. She had to follow him to find this shrine place that the girl was being kept at. Once they entered a forest, she nearly paused. She hadn't seen such vivid greens, browns, and earthen tones before. She'd kept to the demon side of the barrier all these years in order to police them better. The scent was so fresh and clean. She could have easily stopped to take the time and enjoy her surroundings. If she hadn't been on a 'mission' she probably would have. Goukyuri motioned for the men to surround the shrine. They came to a stop just on the outer rim of the trees. Several of the men spontaneously combusted due to an adequate barrier being in place. She had to say she was impressed by the strength of the rune papers. Whoever placed them was strong. The men that pushed through were barely reaching into the higher C class of demons. She moved on Goukyuri's signal.
They both approached the temple, easily sensing the energies within. It actually caught her off guard to feel a demonic energy. The way it flared and moved was synonymous with the way Kooriryuu's energy felt when moving through her. However familiar, it wasn't strong enough to be of too much consequence. She wasn't here to bother with any others anyway. Goukyuri entered first only to chuckle under his breath.
"Seems she tapped into some power." He approached the ice barrier erected before them. She fought off an eye roll at his idiocy. It wasn't from the girl, this was from whoever wielded ice within. However, what she felt from the other side of that ice wall was an entirely different matter. It felt much different than anything she'd felt before. Goukyuri moved forward and shattered the ice wall easily. She followed him inside to come across the lightning barrier. Goukyuri came up short and frowned at the odd barrier. "Well, this is unexpected." He reached and touched the barrier only to curse and recoil. "Hmmm…Nabi. Any chance you can break this barrier? It feels like lightning."
She wanted to tell him how stupid he was. Of course it was lightning, just of an entirely different station than her own. She still stepped forward and eyed the lightning. She lifted a gloved hand to the barrier. She turned her own energy wave lengths to the lightning to move it aside enough for Goukyuri to step through. It was like a caged animal, this energy. It was reeling and threatening to either engulf her completely or rip away from her at any second. It took much more energy and concentration than she'd admit to just move it aside let alone break it down until it dissolved. Once it was gone, she let out the smallest, imperceptible sigh of relief. This girl's energy was anything but comfortable to handle; if she had the choice, she'd never touch it again. She watched as the girl fell to her knees in an show of desperation and loss. She knew this was over already. Her friends didn't though, Nabi could see that much in the orange headed fool. She came to a stop not far from Goukyuri.
The orange haired buffoon opened his mouth and somehow she knew he was about to say something incredibly moronic. He held his energy sword up, pointed at them. "Whatcha want?! Who're you anyways!"
Goukyuri smirked, "Oh, how rude of me. My name is Goukyuri. I am one of Yamitori-sama's faithful servants. I see you got my message. And your demons fell right into our plan. Running away…leaving you alone…"
Nabi moved a bit before holding up a hand. Flame ignited in her palm. As she moved closer, the orange headed loudmouth moved to block her from the girl.
"Nuh-uh! You gotta go through me first, mask-boy!" He yelled before charging. Nabi rolled her eyes at his 'charge first-think later-tactic'. She dropped and used her body to trip and then flip the larger man over her. She then rose as if she hadn't just easily threw a man across her back.
The girl shifted and used an energy whip like an extra arm to grab a boken. It flew into her hands. Although her legs were shaking, she stood her ground. Nabi was impressed with her bravery. For a simple, weak girl…she was willing to fight. She had to give the girl some credit.
Goukyuri snorted. "Just knock her out already, Nabi."
Nabi moved much quicker than the human eyes could keep up with. The girl spun and countered Nabi with her boken. Channeling Hiryuu's energy, she ignited the boken causing the girl to cry out in surprise and drop it. Nabi's hand shot forward without flame and hit her at the base of her spine. The girl's body suddenly crumbled before Nabi hit the juncture of her neck and collarbone. As the girl fell unconscious, Nabi caught her and lifted her into her arms. The orange haired idiot roared and charged. Nabi then channeled Kazeryuu's energy and knocked all the remaining figures into the walls. Each one was easily knocked out.
Goukyuri sighed and shook his head. "You don't toy with your prey much, do you?"
She merely shot him a peeved, highly annoyed look before leaving the dojo room.
This may or may not be the longest chapter in this fiction. Probably not, but I can't honestly say. I hope you guys enjoyed getting to know Inabi/Nabi a bit more! Thank you for reading and all reviews are appreciated! Thanking you kindly!
Erika Hearken
